"In Time"

What time is it?   We are always concerned with TIME.  It is a funny thing, right?  Have you all seen the movie, "In Time"?  I went with a fabulous friend of mine, and we left there really wondering if we liked the movie.  It was different, J.T. is great eye candy, but...theme, plot?  What I took from it was that EVERYTHING WE DO WITH OUR TIME, COMES WITH SOME KIND OF PRICE TAG. Whether that be financial, spiritual, emotional, or physical.  I've thought about this a lot after I saw that movie, and even more so now. What do I do with all of my time?  Am I being productive in every aspect of my day?

NOPE, I have been a very irresponsible person with my time!  I can honestly say, that I have wasted so much time over the last few years of my life.  I have depression and I am an emotional eater...the two combined- BIG PROBLEMO!  Over the last few years, my weight has been slowly climbing and now at its highest.  I have been on and off medication for periods of time, and I can clearly see why I need to be on it- and I am okay with that.  What does this have to do with time you ask?  When I have been depressed, I hole up in my room after my hubby and kids go to work and school.  I eat all day.  I sleep.  I am anti-social.  I feel empty.  You see, it is the biggest waste of time.  Anyone who truly knows me knows that I love to be social, be active, and enjoy each day.  The periods of time that I have missed getting healthy, cleaning house, doing service, enjoying friends, learning a new hobby and simply living life is what has led me back to the blog.  A place where I can be me, learn from others and make use of my TIME!  I have learned so much about myself over the last few weeks and what I want to do.  I want to use my time to get to know my Father in Heaven and his son, Jesus Christ.  I want to serve my family better, and get to know them even more.  I want to be physically healthy, run a marathon this year!  I want to work my Shirley J business so that I can help others simplify in the kitchen and create financial independence.  I want to serve others.  I want to BETTER!  All of this is dependent on what I choose to do with my time, and from this day forward, I choose to USE MY TIME WISELY, SO THAT I WILL BE RICH.  Rich with joy, happiness, and love.  That is the price I would like to pay with the time that I have. 

Here I go!  Each day will be flawed, I am okay with that.  It will be hard, I accept that.  What I will no longer accept is wasting the time I have each day to be the person I was meant to be!

Next post:  What brought me to this?

Thanks for reading...

Jen

I guess that is why this is MY PERSONAL TRIAL...

I know, I'm back.  Still awake, it is 2:35 a.m. here in AZ and my mind is all over the place.  I've had so many problems, excuses, set backs, wake-up calls...blah, blah, blah.  My mind won't rest and to feel the need to go public is simply my way of needing feed back, encouragement, help, and just a way to get all of this mumbo-jumbo out of my head!

I posted back in January about this amazing program, well it is still amazing, but my attempt was not.  I won't give any more excuses.  I am simply over-weight, fed up (hahaha) with not having energy, and tired of not living. 

NOW ENTER:  LIVE THE LIFE PHASE 1

You can read my previous post about this, try it for yourself, do whatever.  But this one is for me.  Why? Cuz hmmmm, if you've seen me lately, you wouldn't ask.  Because my Dr. told me I had high cholesterol. Because heart disease runs in my family.  Because I am tired.  Because I love my family.  Most importantly, BECAUSE I DESERVE IT AND NEED IT.

Today will be my prep day and tomorrow will begin Day 1 OF WEIGH-IN WEDNESDAYS, nice ring to it, right!?

As I go through this journey, be patient with me, day by day, I hope to have words of inspiration, thoughts on recipes, over all tid bits about health, fashion, hair, and anything to do with changing from the inside/out or vice/versa.

I am going to go now, but please, drop in, say hello- this is going to be a long week!

New Year, New Me!

I have toyed with the idea of trying this program, KRISTI APPROVED.  It is also known as "Live the Life".  A good friend of mine is one of the master-minds behind the program.  She is, to put it simply, AMAZING.  It had been a few months since I had seen her, I'd heard a bit about this "program" she was doing, and teaching others about.  I was curious, but not at a point in my life that it peaked my interest.  Hubby and I were just coming out of Bajio's after doing some Christmas shopping- it was Dec. 2009.  I hadn't seen Trish forever.  This gal came running in to the restaurant to take her daughter to the bathroom.  Had I not seen her face, I would have never known it was Trish.  SHE LOOKED FABULOUS!  Now, let me say, she always looked good and fit, but she was toned, fit, and just looked great!  We ended up talking to her and Jesse (her man) for a bit, caught up, and said our goodbye's.  Of course, I went home, looked up everything I could about the program, watched the "you tube" vid's, and the interest was peaked...let's fast forward.

It is January 2011.  I have gained 50 lbs in the last 6 months, due to changing meds, horrible eating habits, no motivation to exercise, stress, to put it simply- life has taken control, and somehow I let it.  Now, I am not complaining, it is- what it is.  Something finally hit a nerve in me, and I decided it was time.  Time for me to take control and start LIVING THE LIFE- MY LIFE!  So, I did it.  I ordered Kristi Approved, and I started this Monday.  Now there are a lot of factors here, that I won't go into at the moment.  But I will say this, after going over, and over, every tiny aspect of KA- I liked what I saw. And I knew it could somehow work for me.  Since starting KA, I've lost 4 lbs, 3 inches total around my body, and I've had a change in my overall attitude.  I feel good.  I am a happier person.  I am eating so much food, that I am never hungry.  It takes a little prep work, but doesn't everything.  I am excited to see where the next 11 weeks will take me, how my body will change, how taking care of me from the inside out will show.  And, if others will notice.

I have a story to tell.  And this is where I will tell it.  Be it crazy, maybe a little too personal, or just flat out boring.  I am doing this for me as a reminder of where I've been, what I am doing, and where I am going.  If you want, follow me on this journey- cuz IT'S GONNA BE A CRAZY ONE!

A few things to look for in the next week:

• Week 1 Photo and starting weight (and yes, I am embarrassed, but this is the start!)
• Starting inches.
• Goals
• Updates on my NY half-marathon training. and some RESISTANCE TRAINING!
• Things I've learned along the way.
• What really lead to the weight gain-
• Self-Discovery and Self-Analysis!

If you are interested in changing from the inside out- check it out here:  http://www.kristiapproved.com/

Feel free to comment!

Here's to LIVING MY LIFE! aNd one more thing- that profile pix will change, that was last April- and I don't look like that at the moment- darn't!

1 PT. ALFREDO SAUCE, ARE YOU KIDDING!

Chicken Fettucini Alfredo...oooohhh, MY FAVORITE, BUT the scary word- ALREDO! I love my cream sauce just like the next person, and that is why I am going to share with you my FAVORITE, favorite, universal sauce that is only 135 calories per cup, prepared! Delicious!!! And let me tell you, I don't use 1 cup, I use 1/3 of a cup so that is only 1 pt. since I am doing Weight Watchers! Also, I make the full serving, and because the Universal Sauce, is, well- UNIVERSAL, I put the rest in the fridge to use on other meals/recipes through out the week! (more to come later...) How fabulous is that!

Here's the recipe, and the links to Shirley J as well, I love their products! I am hoping to have all of their products broken down into points. They are a great way to stretch your budget and perfectly portion out your meals whether there is 2 of you or 10~


FETTUCINI ALFREDO

Alfredo Sauce:

3 c. water
1 cup Shirley J Universal Sauce
1/2 tsp. Shirley J Chicken Bouillon
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1-2 T. Shirley J Pizza/Pasta Seasoning (this really makes it!)

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, add water and Shirley J Universal Sauce, mix thoroughly and bring to a slow boil. Add bouillon, cayenne, black pepper, and pizza/pasta seasonings. Remove from heat.


I will usually put this sauce over fettucini. I use 1 cup of cooked pasta (3-4 pts., depending on brand) I will also add 3 oz. of diced grilled chicken to top it (3 PTS)! Amazing Chicken Fettucini Alfredo dinner for a point value of....

7 pts. for an amazingly delicious dinner!

Pair this dish with a green salad and a balsamic dressing, and you've got a wonderful, healthy lunch or dinner for 7 points! Now that is what I call LIVING!

Happy Cook'n!

starting on MONDAY!

This is the classic phrase that I get the biggest kick out of! It's Friday, or Wednesday, but don't worry, cuz...I'm starting on Monday! Ever heard it? It goes around and around, til it is a month later and we all weigh more and our jeans are just a bit tighter! This time around, that wasn't my "phrase".
I started going back to Weight Watchers (WW) about 3 weeks ago, on a Thursday?! And although I am only a few pounds down, I feel more motivated each day to be a little better with my eating and to work out. I have been off of Diet Coke now for a whole 2 days...and I hope in 2 more days I won't want it! I've had my roller-coaster of a ride, that is for sure, but I am committed to getting healthy, I really have NO MORE EXCUSES. My youngest is almost five, and this fall, all of my children will be in school all day. ... so really- GET R DONE! Here is the plan this week...

1. Most important, stay on track and follow the good food healthy guidelines. (more on that later)
2. Exercise EVERY day for 1 hour.
3. Swim, SOAK up the sun!
4. BE POSITIVE
5. Track WW Points.

I have found a fabulous recipe with low points, that is nutritious and delicious! I will post it later, just have to make sure I have the correct point value! You will love it!

Toodles,

Jen

Carlsbad Countdown!

It seems like every year, I get on a kick...or shall I say I get a kick in the rear and decide to get moving cuz our beach vaca is fast approaching. I've decided to call it the "Carlsbad Countdown"! I am so excited for our beach vacation this year, but before I expand on that, I've got some slimming down/toning up to do! Stay with me on this crazy journey I call my personal trial. I am not where I want to be, but I have one question for you-

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

This has been on my mind ever since I watched the Biggest Loser on Wednesday (thank goodness for the DVR)...so I have been thinking and realizing what it is I really want, here are a few things and they are about me and for me...

1. I want to run a marathon.
2. I want to be healthy but still live life.
3. I want to feel good on the inside about how I look on the outside.
4. I want to have energy.
5. I want to celebrate life by living, not through eating.
6. I want to teach my children how live and be healthy.
7. I want to do this for me.
8. I want to be strong, physically.
9. I want to have rock hard abs.
10. I want to have smaller legs. Less jiggle.
11. I want to have a toned body.
12. I want to get up each day with a smile on my face and want to work out!

This is only the beginning...I've got a lot to say, but it is 9:45 a.m. and I am off to the gym. I'll be back to let you know how it goes down.

MISSION: POSSIBLE 2010

I know I am ready for 2010- I have so many goals physically that I want to accomplish, that I can't wait to get going! Yes, it is 4:19 a.m. on January 1, 2010- HOW EXCITING!!! I am up and in my workout gear, and so excited I could NOT sleep. I've been toying with which route I want to go for my eating plan, and came up with several different options. I've decided the one that makes the most sense for me is to go back to WEIGHT WATCHERS! Not only have I seen great success before with WW, but I can still cook/eat what I feed my family, and it is regular food. The plan is to do the Online program and attend weekly meetings. I will get set-up today, and decide which meeting I will attend. With this, I will be able to train for my 1/2 marathon and marathon this summer, and be able to consume the calories that my body needs. VERY EXCITED!

I will be following the Hal Higdon training for beginning marathoners, switching my long runs to Saturdays, it is a great program and the one I followed for my last 2 half marathons. Along with this, I need to figure out what weight/strength training I will be doing. Losing weight is fabulous, but having saggy skin is SO NOT HOT! That is today's problem solver!

Here is to MISSION: POSSIBLE 2010

Pictures to come, weight and measurements will be posted, and deadlines to meet...

A Bientot!