"The sweetest time of the year"

"Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon".

  Since July 31, 2010 I have lost 168 pounds !
Christmas is probably the sweetest time of the year. It is also sweet because it is a time when families get together and most people are in a “sweet mood.”  I can honestly say that I get in the “Sweet Mood” over this special time. So I have to be very careful in what I put in my body. I am aware how much I love sweets and Christmas dinners so, I always plan ahead.  I was reading an article in the Prevention magazine the other day and I learned that the average Christmas dinner contains over 1,400 calories! Ouch!! I call these kinds of foods “Sin foods” With wise choices we can still enjoy our Christmas dinners and stay healthy. Here are few tips for you that I do and follow when I prepare or eat my Christmas dinner. I love Turkey and if you don’t know turkey is low in fat and high in protein so feel free to have an extra slice or two, but don’t eat the skin or you’ll add more fat and calories to your day... Forget the mash potatoes with butter! Roast your potatoes using olive oil. Instead of cookies and tarts, a baked apple or fresh fruit salad with natural yoghurt is a good option with the fruit giving you valuable fibre and vitamins for your body. I fill my dinner plate with a third of vegetables, carrots, peas, unbuttered Brussels sprouts etc. My gravy is done with vegetable stock instead of meat juices. I love chocolates but now I tell myself they are a luxury not something I can just eat because is Christmas.  I try to always use a smaller plate. Your mind will consider it a full plate regardless of its size. Remember, being active is just as important as healthy eating and a great way of burning off those extra calories.  My tips for this Christmas season are nature your body, portion control and keep focus. Remember my motto “You are the only one standing in your way”.
Merry Christmas to all my blog readers I look forward to a new year and continue in my weight loss journey. I invite you to join me.. we can beat this!
 WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER!!

Brutally Honest About Obesity.!

“Truth and Honesty is the oldest and most powerful of all of the human values.”

For a long time I wanted to be brutally honest about what obesity can and will do to your body. No body can tell me stories I have walk the path of obesity for so many years and I know the truth. I have never understood how obese and morbid obese people can say they are happy with their lives. They say they won’t change anything about their lives because the extra weight they are carrying is simply not an issue. I personally believe that when someone becomes obese we learn to live with and accept our obese bodies, but that does not mean we are happy with our selves.  As long as I live I will never believe that obesity will equal happiness!! How can anyone be happy when you have difficulty breathing and you wheeze when you walk or when you have difficulty putting your own socks and shoes, when you can’t bend, when you can not fit at a booth. When seat belts are too tight or won’t fit? How can any one be happy when they go shopping and nothing in the stores fits except huge shirts and sweats that look like tents? When you sweat every time you move?



The picture on the right I had lost 150 pounds  now I have lost 163.

There are so many medical conditions that arise when the body is obese; some of them are stretch marks, varicose veins, calluses, arthritis, sleep apnoea, asthma, the increased risk of heart attacks, depression, strokes, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Also due to the excess fat there are lumps that form on your body due to the fat that is blocking your pores. You get back pain, knee pain and lets not forget the way humanity treat us. We seem to loose a sense of belonging due to our weight. So when someone tells me they are happy being obese I what to shake them and tell them to stop lying to themselves! I often wonder what is their story. What caused them to overeat? What caused them to stop loving themselves? Obese people have to stop blaming underlying causes or their food choices. They need to stop eating when they are sad or feeling down on themselves. Who gets hurt? We all do. When we consume an excessive amount of calories, we do not help our situation in fact we cause undue stress on our own bodies and emotional well being. I am no longer blaming any one else for my obesity or for the food choices I make.  The day I was brutally honest with my self and took responsibility for my body, my life changed!. My journey started on July 31, 2010. I can honestly say I am getting my life back. For the first time I love myself and I am the happiest I have ever been. Now I ask myself how can I nurture my body and not destroy it. Everything that I have written about on this blog entry I have experienced, except for diabetes and a heart attack. I have often wondered how I did not suffer from those 2 diseases. I am still fighting this obesity and I still have a long ways to go to get to my weight loss goal but I am brutally honest with my self. I am proud to let all my readers know that as of today I have lost 163 pounds!!!
So my questions to you my readers are., Are you brutally honest about your weight? Or are you one of those people that is blaming every one else for your weight gain?..

"If you cannot find the truth right where you are, where else do you expect to find it?"

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"Do Not Deprive Yourself of your Guilty Pleasures"

" Deprivation is one of the most fattering things you can have"



 Here I am about to enjoy a Chilean Pastry.


I just came back from a dream come true holiday. My husband and I drove all the way to Victoria, BC. A place I will never forget. The ocean and mountains were breath taking.
Even though I was on holidays I strived to continue to make wise choices. But with that being said I did not deprived myself of the things I like to eat. Keeping in mind always portion control. Depriving yourself or skipping meals could very well be sabotaging your best efforts at weight loss.  I have learn in my weight loss journey that you can not deprive yourself or let yourself get too hungry because it’s more likely you will just end up overindulging on the wrong foods. I always find myself wanting to eat foods that I deprive myself of.  While on my holiday, I enjoyed few Chilean treats which I had not had  in over one year, so when I had them I enjoyed them but I always used positive self talk rather than beating myself up about it. I would say to myself..." I need to walk the malls so I can burn the calories I just had!" and I did a lot of walking. There is one thing we should all remember that when you deprive yourself your body is going to go out of its way to put away extra food store in form of fat to save up and or recover itself from the last starvation. There is nothing wrong to  indulge your cravings from time to time; it may just help to prevent the dreaded Binge. I  now know that is all about  balance! .I have stop saying "I can not have that"... now I say..."I choose not to have that". Food is one of the basic pleasures of life. Cutting out some guilty pleasure does not mean depriving yourself of something you like. Treat yourself on occasion, but limit yourself to smaller servings. This will help you resist the urge to splurge.



Chilean Pleasures!!

 

 Are you depriving yourself ?

" Determination"

" It's the constant and determined effort that breaks down all resistance and sweeps away all obstacles"

Never give up, no matter what!

Have you even wondered what is determination?.. I have learned in this past year that determination is the ability to continue to try to persist and to press on!. As of today I have lost 152.8 pounds and theresn't any secrets or a magical diet for me it has been simply... DETERMINATION. With determination along with it comes self discipline and knowing what to eat ,what not to eat and when to eat and how much we should eat. I believe that determination comes easy once you understand the principles behind healthy eating. It eventually becomes a lifestyle.

I am sure most of you have seen   Wile E. Coyote in pursuit of his goal that is to catch the Roadrunner... We can all be like Wile E. Coyote if we choose to. The Coyote has determination, persistence and patience. I have learned in this weight loss journey that  DETERMINATION, PERSISTENCE AND PATIENCE are key elements to lose weight.

Don't forget, we must have determination, persistence and patience

"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody"."

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"One year=141.6 Pounds Lost!"

“Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can”.

I can not believe it that it has been one year this passed Saturday that I began my Weight loss journey. Many of you probably are wondering if this journey has been easy.. I can honestly say that I have had some difficult times and I have had some set backs, but the key is to NEVER GIVE UP!! I will not and refuse to let this fat take over my life anymore! The times that I have fallen I have dusted my self off and continue in my journey, because I have worked to hard to let anyone or anything stand in my way.

Here I am happy showing off the skirt that I used to wear when I started my weight loss journey, 141.6 pounds ago.

2011 I thought it was going to be a great year., but so far it has turn out to be a very difficult and sad year. Back in February we lost our precious hairy son Diego which I remember so many times exercising and crying because it would hurt so much. But I did not give up. Later on we lost our car because of someone elses mistake. Dean and loved our car. Shortly after that we heard the news of my mothers illness, which affected me so much,. But I did not give up. Dean and I  believed that our trials were over for a while ,since we had one month where we had some peace and laughter in our lives., and then back in June 2011 Deans father was found dead in  his home and our journey as change dramatically! And that is putting it in a nice way.
Through it all I continue to BELIEVE that I am worthy to be healthy and treat my body with respect and love. I can honestly say for the first time in my life I am learning to love my self.  I have learned that the healthier that I am the happier I will be. I feel that I am no longer trapped in my body that finally I am getting my wings back. I have a long ways to go still to get to my goal, but I know that if I continue to focus, push forward, believe and love myself I will get there.

This passed year so many big and little things have helped me stay focus and helped me loose the 141.6 pounds. I wanted to share with you my faithful readers few of the things that have helped me stay focus and reminds me to continue in my weight loss journey.

 My favorite perfume reminds me to never stop believing in myself.

My little Key Chain running shoe reminds me to stay active.

My bottle of water reminds me to keep nurturing my body.

“The groundwork of all happiness is health”.

 It is never too late to start your healthy journey. If I can do it so can you... Just Believe!

"CHOOSE HAPPINESS"

“All the happiness you ever find lies in you"

I think in this life we all want to be happy, but many of us expect happiness to magically descend on us, like a dove from heaven. And many of us don’t know how to create happiness in our lives or the lives of those around us.  Since I started my weight loss journey, I have realized that happiness is right at my fingertips, waiting for me to reach out and enjoy it. I know now that if I don’t make happiness a personal priority, happiness only appears by accident or as an afterthought.  Life is too short for that. If you want to be happy or happier, aim for happiness. Being happy has helped me tremendously to loose my weight.

Happiness is........
· Looking into my husbands eyes and seeing nothing but love shine back at me.
· Having a glass of ice water and actually enjoy it, and known that is good for me.
· Counting calories.
· Choosing fruit over cheesecake.
· Laughing out loud
· Being in control of my body
· Getting on the scale
· Exercising
· Focusing on my positive experiences.
· Gratitude
· Simplicity
· Believing in me.
· Knowing my life is a gift from God.
· Walking
· Choosing yogourt over Ice cream
· Fitting in smaller clothes
· Knowing I have a wonderful family that supports me on my weight loss journey.
· Accepting my setbacks.
· Knowing that through my blog I might inspire someone to start their  weight loss journey.

 “ For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness”

Jealous Of My Success?

"What are stumbling blocks and defeat before you, can be stepping stones to victory if you remain determined. "

When I started on my weight loss journey nine months ago, I never thought that I would be experiencing jealousy from people that I thought they were friends. For the most part people are happy for me but there are a lot of people that have treated me different and have been very jealous of my success. I have always believed that people who get jealous when others succeed are really selfish. I feel that now that I have lost almost 125 pounds people are different toward me and according to some is a competion between us. I never set out to compete against anyone. All I want is to loose the weight that has taken over my body and have a happy, healthy life.

Now that I am healthier I feel like I have found my voice in this world and I am more confident and I have a positive outlook on life. Perhaps to others I have changed and in some way I have, since I walk a little taller and I am not afraid to go out in public anymore.

Through this weight loss journey I have learn that there are lot’s of jealous people out there even the ones I thought they were my true friends. But I have to say the more jealous they are the bigger my driving force is to continue to beat this fat and be healthy and beautiful. I will love to tell them all…. “BRING IT ON”. Nothing will break me!

To all those readers that are planning to loose a significant amount of weight be ready to face Jealousy! . What is jealousy? According to the dictionary, the word jealous means “resentful and envious, as of someone’s success, achievements, advantages”

Have you experienced Jealousy?

" Feeling Like a Princess, on my Wedding Day"

   "We are all born worthy. Worthy of love, worthy of success"

For long as I can remember I have never felt beautiful, until the day I got married to my best friend. I remember feeling like a princess and for the first time looking in the mirror and finding myself beautiful!. Through the years I have felt ugly and not of worth. Being ashamed of my body has made me feel worthless and unwanted. Since I started this weight loss journey I have felt of worth and beautiful.
I remember when I was younger there was a lady that used to walk around downtown wearing a big, bright cape around her neck, that read " LET ME BE FREE". So many times I feel like wearing a cape that would read " LET ME BE FREE, I HAVE LOSS 123 POUNDS AND GOING STRONG…PLEASE DON’T JUDGE ME”. So many times people (strangers) have to ruin my day. I see them looking at me like I am some weird creature or someone out of this planet., and then they don't stop there they talk about me and some even laugh at me! My inner Marjorie always reminds me that, I am of infinite worth and to not let people of that nature define who I am. They don't know me and at the end of the day, the one person by my side is my sweet and caring husband that has loved me no matter what size I have been or will be. So don’t let others define who you are. I have learned this lesson the hard way.
 Do what is best for you. If  people don't take the opportunity to get to know you because of your size, or how you look, it is simply their loss. I have to keep reminding myself that I am of infinite worth and so are you.

HEALTHY BODY... HAPPY HEART!

"Determination today leads to sucess tomorrow"

Here are some smart tips that have helped me with my weight loss.

•  Plan your grocery shopping.
•  If you know you have a busy day, plan ahead
•   If you’re headed to a party, munch on a healthy snack first.
•  Brush your teeth after every

 meal. This will send a clear signal to your brain that the meal is over.

•  Make sure to get enough sleep. Being over tired ca be a trigger for snacking and over eating.
• Eat until you feel satisfied not until you feel stuffed
•  Use Vegetable and Chicken broth instead of butter or oil.
•  Don’t multitask while you eat. Pay attention and enjoy the food you take in.
• When sitting down at a restaurant start the meal with a glass of water.
• Wait  15 minutes to eat something you think you want to eat. If you still thinkinng about it 15 minutes later, you really want it, other wise it was a passinng urge.

" The science behind weight loss is simple. You need to burn more calories than you take in."

A Major Milestone

"My path has not been determined. I shall have more experiences and pass many more milestones"

For the first time in my life I went to a walking track. I never imgined in my life that I would actually walk 5 times around a track. For most people this is no big deal.  But  for me, it's a major milestone. There was a time, no too long ago when I could  barely  walk a block without feeling that I was going to die. The inner Marjorie

 reminds me how important is to have a healthy body and that I can do anything if I really believe it! In the other hand my "human Marjorie" whispered in my ear, "I was not going to be able to go around the track not even one time because I am so obese".  As I was walking around the track, I saw so many people passing me and I felt like I was left behind and felt like a real looser. This feeling took over my entire body. I started to question if my legs would be able to carry my big body around the track. I almost quit walking but the inner Marjorie kept pushing me to continue going and remind me how proud she is of me. As of April 9, I have lost a total of 113 pounds.  When I thought about this accomplishment I wanted to shout from the top of my lungs, "I CAN DO THIS AND NOTHING IS GOING TO STOP ME!!!"

Eight months ago, I made up my mind that I am in control of my body and that I am going to beat this obesity.



 Moose Jaw Walking Track

 Walking on a track may not be exciting right now, but it is a good way for me to determine how fast I can walk and how far.  Most people using the track are passionate walkers and runners and they all seemed so serious about what they are doing. On the other hand have to remind myself that as long as I am moving I am doing something right. And I need to use my body to the best of my ability.

 Have you thought about going to the track today?.

Celebrating my Birthday and Shaping the New Me!

"When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I’ll start tomorrow." Tomorrow is disease.



Celebrating my Birthday the healthy way!

 I am  learning about how important a healthy lifestyle is it is crucial to make sure that I do not throw this knowledge away because  I am celebrating my Birthday which in my eyes, is a very special occasion. In fact, a special occasion seems to warrant treating one’s self better not worse. And, in reality when one eats poorly, one is not treating one’s self well. This year I decided to celebrate my Birthday as healthy as I could. I had asked my mother in law to bake me a healthy, yummy cake. I wanted to be able to enjoy a piece of cake with out worrying about how many calories I was eating. I searched  high and low for the perfect recipe. And guess what?..I found it.
This year my Birthday was very different from past years. I had a healthy salad, lemon water and a healthy piece of cake!.. and a positive attitude towards my body.  I felt very proud of myself to be able to continue being focus even when it was my Birthday. I have made up my mind that I am not able to take holidays from this healthy lifestyle!
I found my Birthday cake so yummy that I would like to share this recipe with everyone. So here it is. Get yourself a pen and paper so you can write down and make it for your Birthday!. Enjoy:)

Angel Lush

 You will need:

• 1 pkg.(4 serving size) Jello-O Vanilla Fat Free Instand Pudding.
• 1 can (398 ml) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained.
• 1 cup thawed Cool Whip 95% Fat Free Whipped Topping
• 1 store-bought angel food cake (284g)
• 10 big fresh strawberries.

Make it:
Mix dry pudding mix and pineapple in  medium bowl. Gently stir in whipped topping
Cut cake horizontally into three layers. Place bottom cake layer, cut side up, on serving plate; top with one third of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers two times.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Top with strawberries just before serving.
 Preparation time: 15 minutes. Total time: 1 hr 15 min. Makes: 10 Servings.

 After eating a piece of this cake you will not feel guilty!

Calories:130  Total Fat:1.5g  Fibre:1g  Protein: 2g

"Those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”



A Bitter Sweet Moment



" A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself"

 Showing my 100 pound token, beside my beloved Diego.

 Besides my husband,  Diego was my best friend and the son I never had. He helped me to loose my first 95 pounds. He was my number one fan!.
Two weeks ago to be exact February 23 my life changed forever and, my heart was broken when my precious little Diego passed away suddenly. I never thought I was going to get to my 100 pound loss with out my little furry friend. On Saturday February 26 I got on the scale and low and behold I had reached my first 100  pounds loss. I couldn't believe it,  since it was one of the hardest weeks of my life. I remember exercising and crying, feeling like I had a hole in my heart. I pushed myself so much since I did not wanted to disappoint my little friend. 
On the morning of February 23, when I kissed my Diego good bye for the last time,. I promised him that I was going to continue in this weight loss journey. So when I was told that I had lost 6.7 pounds and reached my first 100 pounds I was filled with emotions of happiness and sadness. It was a bitter sweet moment for me  since I always thought of celebrating this day with my precious 2 boys. My husband and my puppy.
Tears of joy and sadness filled my eyes and in a way I felt like Diego was there with me running around and saying " You did it Marjorie!".

A bitter sweet moment to received my first 100 pounds and not having Diego there.

I feel so bless to have so many friends and family helping me with my weight loss journey. So many kind people have given me  gifts, hugs, kind words  and keep cheering me  up along this journey. So many have cried seeing how I have slowly lost my first 100 pounds.  To those people, and you know who you are "Thank You"

Here are few cards and gifts that I received.

Another beautiful gift.

An awsome gift from my niece, nephew and Sister in law

 Getting  all these gifts is better than my birthday.

My beautiful ring, a gift from my husband.

I have always said that some day I am going to get my wings back so I can fly again, so that is why my sweet husband gave me this butterfly ring.
I will like to dedicate this posting to my precious Diego. Life will never be the same without you. . Thank you my little boy for helping me loose my first 95 pounds.
 I will miss you every day of my life! Puppy heaven is a sweeter place because you are in it.
God be with you until we meet again.

"Families are forever"
December 2011. Our last family picture.





My Personal Trainer

"My World Is Expanding As My Butt is Shrinking"

I invite Bob Harper into my living room every day.  He is my personal trainer. Even when my body tells me, I can not do it, Bob pushes me to my limit and just when I think I can not longer continue, Bob reminds me that "It suppose to feel uncomfortable"!. so I keep pushing myself until I am done my workout. When I am done, I feel so alive and feel that I am in control of my body and that I am slaying the DRAGON!
(I refer to the Dragon when I talk about my fat). The are so many reasons why we should all take the time to exercise.

Here are few reasons why you should exercise and invite Bob to your living room;

1.  Enhanced memory concentration.
2. Reduce stress and anxiety level.
3. Breath better.
4. More energy.
5. Muscle tone.
6. Better sleep.
7. Loose weight.
8. Joy.
9. Self-esteem.
10. Self worth.
11.  A "Me Time.

Lemon and Water my two new best friends!



" The only way to keep your health is to eat what don't you want, drink what you don't like and do what you'd rather not"





Have you had your lemon water today?



  I have found that when I drink few glasses of lemon water a day, I feel so much better. Here are few reasons why you should drink lemon water.

• Lemons are antibacterial.
• Lemons help you loose weight.
• Lemon water can help with digestion, heartburn and bloating.
• Lemon water can cleanse and revitalize the liver and kidneys.
• Lemon juice contains calcium, magnesium and potassium and can cleanse the skin.
• Hot Lemon water can relive cold and flu symptoms and provide Vitamin C.

When was the last time you had a glass of lemon water?

That was then ... This is now

    "Success will come when you stop dieting and start living"



The picture on the left was taken June 2010. The picture on the right was taken January 27 2011.


I feel like a million dollars!!!  I am feeling better and better as I loose the weight. I Keep on dreaming and believing that someday I will be able to do so many things that I can not do right now such as: climb a mountain, go swimming, ride a bike, go camping, go shopping all day, and simply  have my life back:(.. As of today Saturday February 5 I have lost 85 pounds!!! I can not wait to get to my first 100 pounds.



My Weight Loss Journey



"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love & affection."

Picture taken on December 2010.  I had lost 70 pounds in this picture.

 

I started this blog to help those that walk in my shoes. To give hope
and encouragement to those that have felt that they need their wings back to fly again. And to those that just need to know that is never to late to change your lifestyle for the better. If I can do it so can you.
For as long as I can remember I've struggled with my weight. I started to gain weight when I was very young. This is where my  weight  gain journey started. I had low self-esteem and it was because of my body.   I remember when I was about 10 years old my grandmother coming to our house and telling my mother that I had to go on a diet because I was just way to fat. She used to say

" Look at your arms they are just so big for your age!". I remember my mother put me on a diet of one orange and one egg per meal. I remember being so hungry and I was made fun of because sometimes I would eat 2 eggs and 2 oranges... and I was told. " You will never loose the weight if you keep eating 2 eggs and 2 oranges.
Throughout high school I continued to gain weight and peaked at 170 pounds (pretty big for being 5’3”). And from there I kept gaining the weight. In 1988 I joined Weight Watchers and I lost 30 pounds, but I did not do it because I wanted to.  I did it because I wanted to feel accepted by my dad. I remember it was shortly before his birthday and I asked my mother what he would like for his birthday and she say to me. “ If you want to give your dad the best birthday gift, loose some weight.” So I decided to join Weight Watchers to make him happy. So in reality I did not do this for me I did it to gained acceptance and love. I have always known that I am Heavenly Father's daughter and that I am beautiful in his eyes and that I am special...but I have never felt beautiful so I have let my self go. What I mean is that I have continued to gain weight to the point that I was not able to carry my body any more.I know I am God's girl! And he wants the best for me... with that being said back in August I had felt that I was at the end of my journey. I could not longer carry my big body... my poor feet could not longer carry all the extra fat that I have been carrying for so long. So I felt that I was dying slowly. My biggest fear was to have my husband find me dead! Yet this fear that I had for so long, did not give me the courage to start a healthy lifestyle or do anything about my weight. I did not know how to begin or where to begin,a healthy lifestyle, all I knew was that I just could not continue living the way I was. The fat had taken over my life!

On August 31 2010 I decided to changed my life!.. And I have not look back since that day. I want to let the world know that " I Marjorie is in charge now"!! and nothing, is going to stop me!