Day 29 - Jan 30th 2008

Hey everyone.. I will need to make this short and sweet....


Goal 1 - walked 4300 steps today.... I beat my goal for day..


Planning on doing my Cardio workout tomorrow, and ensure that I continue to push on my 4300 steps and hit 5000 on 1/31/08.

My goal everyday is to continue to write in my food journal, stay within my Weight Watchers point allocation, and continue to count my steps...



Again thank you for your support..



Until tomorrow....

Day 28 - Jan 29th 2008

Weigh in day..... I lost another 2 1/2 pounds for a total of 15 1/2 for my first 28 days... WOW !!! Yeah me !!! Who would have thought that I would have reached this point... Never in my mind when I set out to do this... I'll be honest... If it weren't' for the blog and all of you holding me accountable.. I probably would not have reached that goal.. .I fell shy of my 20 lbs. that I really wanted to lose this month.. but I am not disappointed with hitting 15 !!!

I was reading today and article which made complete sense to me... That we should not measure our weight loss by lbs ( yes it looks great to see that number going down) but we should measure it by size. So if you are a size 14 and get into a size 10 !! Celebrate. Think of the feeling if you go shopping and start trying on pants or skirts and you start realizing everything you try on is running big.. Imagine that feeling.. So for this last week I took some measurements to see if I've lost any inches around my waist, hips, neck ( I don't want to have a neck like a turkey with that thing hanging there.. So ugly !!!) and arms...

So this week I lost not only 2.5 lbs. but also
1 1/2 inches off my waist
1 inch off my neck ( yeah!)
1 inch off my hips...
And that was accomplished with not doing any exercise so image I spent some time doing some kind of physical activity.. I think my fingers have gotten thinner as I type so much on my keyboard.... I feel my rings are getting looser... OK OK stop laughing.. but hey I'll take the loss anywhere...
So there we go...
Goals for week 5 -

• Losing a minimum of 2.5 - 3 lbs.
• Using my step counter and hitting a minimum of 3000 steps a day
• Do a cardio work out at least 3 days a week...

See you tomorrow....

Day 24 - Jan 25 2008

" If you can dream it, you can do it." -Walt Disney

Day 24... WOW... who would of thought that I could last this long. They do say that if you do something for 21 days then it becomes a habit... so does that mean that my new healthy way of eating has become a habit.. I'll tell you what, it has become is a new way of thinking about food...

My friend Rosie told me her little trick: It goes like this, if I am going to put something in my mouth will I be willing to write it down in my food journal.. if not then it probably is not worth putting it in my mouth. Let me tell you there are a few days that I started to put things in my mouth and thought twice.. The good thing is it never made my mouth cause I did not want to jot it down in my journal... So thanks Rosie for that little piece of advice....

I've taken a new holistic approach to health and wellness, and that is a new health drink call Forté

.

Before I provide you some insight on the juice that has really made me feel great! Our human body is a miracle of creation. But we do a disservice to it. We put it through some real tough scenarios.. Just think of some of the things we do in a week... Coffee, Fast Food, Reprocessed Foods, an 60 + hour work week... Wow how does this body hold up...

Now think about your cars... You clean them inside out, you make sure you change the oil every 3,000 miles, and of course we use the best gasoline out there to ensure overall peak performance. Now why is it that we do this to our cars, but we don't take the same care with our bodies..

When someone asked me that question I had to stop for a second as I had just made an appointment to change the oil in my car... Now did I make the same appointment for me.. No.. so what I did was take on the juice Forté and start working on me....

Forté has one of the most powerful antioxidant concentrations available on the market. With the amazing combination of açaí berries, pomegranates, blueberries, and luo han guo fruits, Forté has unsurpassed anthocyanin strength that is unmatched by any other açaí product!

What is the açaí berry? The açaí berry contains extremely high antioxidant power with 33 times more anthocyanins than grapes, making it a great way to help combat premature aging. A powerful antioxidant and a rich source of essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, plant sterols, valuable trace minerals, iron and fiber, the magical açaí berry provides many remarkable nutritional benefits including: Increased energy and stamina. Support for a healthy heart. It is grown on palm trees indigenous to the Amazon Rainforest. An incredible product..

visit: http://finallyfree.newvision.net/ to learn more and order !

So there is my little piece of knowledge that I wanted to share with you... I have created a new habit.. and I am not second guessing myself any more... Enjoy your weekend..

Day 21- Jan 22, 2008

Well Hello everyone... I know it has been a few days.. It's just been so cold here in the East that my hands have been frozen and I have been unable to type away on my BLOG... It is cold... Really cold...

Today was weigh in day and I accomplished another 2 lbs.. and let me tell you this week was tough.. but I am happy I have now lost a total of 12 lbs.. Yeah ME !!!

Tough you ask.. well I had a few deviations... Like a Sunday rendezvous at Atlantic City.. and you know when you are there you have to eat, not just gamble away... But I was good have no fear.. important thing is I had a good time even though I came home with a few dollars less in my pocket... But I visited the Tropicana which I hadn't been there in years and if you haven't been there in a while let me tell you it is a beautiful hotel/casino..

The big decision came at dinner time, we had to decided between, PF Changs, Carmine's, and Irish Pub, Cuba Liber, and a few others.. So with the majority ruled and we ended up at Cuba Libre...

The food was excellent and I highly recommend it.. The atmosphere was awesome, The service impeccable, and all I can say if you come into town.... take a quick drive down to AC... it's not Las Vegas, but for now it will do.....

Otherwise, I am staying the course... my big goal and little goals are in full view, I am excited that I have taken small steps to make this live changing decision.. I am excited about the prize at the end of my 100+ goal finish line....

Well everyone, if you are in the east enjoy the cold weather that will be around for a few more days.. If you are out west.... oh well what can I say you have no idea what you are missing... stay warm... enjoy your week, and till we meet again....

Day 17 - Jan 18th 2008

Hello Everyone... Friday... YEAH !!!
Well this week has been a crazy week.... Busy, busy, busy.... One thing that I have kept busy at is my healthy eating... like I promised... This week was truly a test, due to the stress I had to deal with at work..( Right, Rosie, Kim and Cindy !) But thanks to the support of my co-workers I was able to keep on track...
I had lunch with Rosie on Tuesday - I had a salad purchased at the site as I am trying to increase my cafe sales... Rosie brought what looked like a more appetizing salad from home...

Wednesday, Claudette one of my GM's is on weight watchers or so she says...(she did write in her food journal) and we decided that the sandwich with the lowest calorie value we have at the sites would be the buffalo chicken sandwich with only 480 calories.. so since I don't like buffalo sauce I enjoyed plain o plain with just lettuce and tomatoe.. talk about dry...

As you can see the support is outstanding.. It's great that you can count on others to help you thru the stressful times, since I know I am an emotional eater and I would have gone thru some drive-thru just to eat even if I wasn't hungry...

So many things have helped... My Journal, My Blog, My sharing with as many people as I can( this has really helped me stay accountable..) so slow and steady as I am told is the answer to reaching my goal.. and my goal is within reach!

As the "Secret" tells us...
ASK - I am grateful that I am healthy and living my life in abundance
Believe it - I can see myself 100 pounds lighter and it feels great !
Receive it - I CAN"T WAIT !!!!

Have a great weekend everyone....

Day15 - Jan 16th, 2008

Hello everyone... Sorry I haven't been on the last couple of days.. technical difficulties...But I am back !!

I lost 2 more pounds this week.. Total of 10 my first 2 weeks... Not bad, not bad... Figured if I lose 2 pounds per week for 52 weeks that is 104 pound by the end of the year... I would reach my goal....

It's been hectic at work, but keeping my goal in sight, which has allowed me to continue to stay in my 1200 -1400 calorie intake...

With that I just wanted to check in and share that I am up to 10 pounds of less of me going into week 3...

Talk to you tomorrow !

Day 12 - Jan 13, 2008

Hello everyone... I am going to start out with a quote:

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT !

-WALT DISNEY

When I read that today I stopped and realized that I dream of being healthy and feeling great... Walking and not complaining about my legs. Going shopping and not embarrassed to look at myself in the mirror when I try on a pair of pants and they don't' fit..

I am always dreaming of who I want to be... Now I am doing it... and boy it feels GREAT!

I added this picture of me with my mom, and my brother Paul Michael, to remind me that:
1) Mom is always looking....
2) That I am what I am in that picture ( taken at my Dad's birthday) and boy do I need to lose the excessive weight!
3) That it is incredible feeling to know that I have all your support. Thank you so much..

Another weekend.. only 2 more days and I get a weigh in... Today I drank my 8 + glass of water.. Yeah me !!!I have stayed within my 1200 caloric intake.. and I will let you know tomorrow if I did my 1/2 hour on my stationary bike... Now that would be amazing right..?

Again.. I am determine to do this and prove to myself that if I can dream it I can do it !!

Thanks and enjoy your coming week.

Day 10- Jan 11th 2008

Hello everyone... Thought I gave up huh !!! Welll Noooooo still here working on doing all I can do to make the right food choices.. Got to tell you that I am really proud of myself that I have gotten to the point were I really think twice before eating something.. One of my new habits is reading labels... (Boy they are a wake up call)!

Tonight I stopped by Chili's for dinner... I grabbed the menu, now on an ordinary day I would just order a Bacon Cheddar Burger which used to be my favorite meal. See how I said used to be....? Instead I took out my Blackberry, and logged on to the Internet, and I went to http://caloriecount.about.com/ which has become my new best friend... plugged in different items from the menu and low and behold the choice I made was the Chicken Fajitas.. no tortillas... and it was 350 calories..

I felt great that 1) I had that info at my finger tips ( today's technology) and 2) that I had the power to choose! I made the right choice... I enjoyed my meal, the company, and walked out with my head held high ! WOW what a great feeling.....

Well there is my story for Day 10... The weekend has come around again.. Will be a little tough as big plans this weekend... but I will get thru it, as I know I have all eyes on me...

Will be back tomorrow for a new update... Have a great weekend...

Day 8 - Jan 9th 2008

Hello eveyone... Quiet day today.. But stayed the course.... That is what's important right !!

I am feeling better, not tired as I usually feel. Excited that I am following thru on my goal and doing it one day at a time...

I got 8-weeks free at Bally's when I joined the Discovery National Challenge yesterday... Did I mention that?
Got a call today from the young lady (from Ballys) to set up an appointment... Told her I was busy at that moment and that I would get back to her. Don't know why I did that.. guess I am ashame to go to a gym. Can't even imagine me in a gym yet... But I will call tomorrow and set up my appointment and plan it out so that I can get my 8 weeks free and really show all of you how committed I really am... PROMISE !!

Until then.. thanks for the support... and YEAH !!! ANOTHER DAY without fail !!

Day 7 - Jan 8th 2008

Hello Everyone.... well here it is.. On day 7 I weighed myself and I lost a total of : 8 lbs......

WOW- 8lbs.. I feel great... motivated and ready to go...( and of course all eyes are on me as my mom reminded me today....)

My goal during this transformation is to educate myself as much on this whole "Nutrition" thing.... For me Nutrition was a number 3 at McDonald's ... OK OK too many years there, but that is my favorite value meal . I started reading different articles and have join http://www.sparkspeople.com/ to continue on my quest of not only losing the 100+ pounds that I set out to do, but to educate myself in order to make the right food choices day in and out... And if I can help others well then more power to me....

I was reading this article on msn.com today, thought I'd share it with you....

Small Lifestyle Changes Can Boost Longevity
Not smoking, exercising, moderate drinking, eating veggies could add 14 years, study says
-- Robert Preidt

Here's the link to get the whole article...
http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-ocumentid=100187161&GT1=10815

This just means that if I lose my 100+ lbs and I already do 2 of the 4 ( no smoking and moderate to no drinking) then I will live 14 years more, considering the longevity in our family... boy maybe I will hit the 100 year mark... outstanding...

Well 1 full week has gone by and I am excited and ready for week 2... Thank you again for all your support !

Day 6 - Jan 7th 2008

Hooray !!!! I made it thru the weekend... didn't cheat once... Made healthy food choices and feel great !!! Yeah.....

Wow entering Day 6 - can't wait to weigh myself in the morning, and see my overall results of week one... ( It will probably be all water weigh anyway, that's what we always say).

I never realized that I would feel this great too, and that I would stay this committed...
I'll tell you that by writing in this blog, this has really helped and made a difference.
It's made me more committed and of course knowing that all of you are watching and making sure I don't make any detours... I can't cheat!

Writing in my food journal has also been a big help.. You realize how much you eat, and when you've gone overboard.....

Counting calories has also made me more aware. Once you start reading those nutritional information charts on products boy, how many things you will put down.
I did over this weekend... when it says 1/4 cup 200 calories and you usually eat 3 cups (Ha-Ha) then you think twice before you place that item in your mouth and you realized that it is not really a healthy choice after all !!

I am looking ahead to this week.. don't see any hiccups and I will check in with my total weight loss for this week tomorrow... I can't wait. !!

Thanks again for the support, the words of motivation and for keeping me on track !!

Day 4 - Jan 5, 2008

Hello everyone, ... Here I am at day 4.. I am excited as this is probably the longest I have watched what I've eaten in a really long time.. Today has been a good day so far. My inner thoughts are helping me make the right food decisions... and wow that is an accomplishment for me.. I went out for lunch, and the menu looked really good, Hamburger with Cheddar, Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, oh and how about a nice order of hot fries.. OK OK I know the old Liz would have chosen the Hamburger and Cheddar with the works, and make it a deluxe.. oh yeah with a Diet Coke..The new and improved Liz decided to go with the Grill chicken salad with the dressing on the side.. HOORAY !!! How about that !!


I was reading this morning, "Become a Better You the 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day," by Joel Osteen, and something I read made me realize something...For so long I have been tied to my past, my bad habits, blaming my environment for not allowing me to make the right food choices. But I can't do that anymore. Joel Osteen says: "If you've made mistakes, know this: God is the God of a second chance, a third chance, a fourth and more. God wants to give you a new beginning. "


"Let the door close completely and step forward into the future God has for you. Quit looking back. "


That is what I have always done when it came to my choice on being healthy. I always blamed my past experiences, I was always looking back at the bad habits I created being in the restaurant industry. I am always saying I can't I can't you have no idea how hard it is ...for years I have been eating on the run, not experiencing the meal. Well now I have a new outlook into the future...


One other thing I will quote from the book that I will leave you with today....


"The car you drive has a large windshield, but only a relatively small rearview mirror. The implication is obvious:What happened in the past your is not nearly as important as what is in your future."


TO MY FUTURE.........

Day 3 - Jan 4th, 2008

WOW day 3... 3 days on my way to my goal of a new me by Dec 31, 2008.
So far I have been averaging around 1200 calories a day.. Counting calories is the way I decided I will do this. I have been writing in my journal as well, and let me tell you that I've read it numerous times that when you write things down it really helps you commit to your goal, and it is 100% true.

Wanted to share with you what I have been eating so far.
Breakfast - A bowl of Go Kashi Crunch.. and crunchy it is... with skim milk. "Yummy"
Snack - Fruits.. YEAH that's a big plus for me.
Lunch - SALADS.. with grill chicken for protein. I am amazed at myself that I am eating salads.. Before I would have gobbled down a sandwich, and at BP we have some pretty good toasted sandwiches. Think they were finally getting stuck to my hips.
Snack -Fruit ( Again )
Dinner - grill chicken or fish, with a salad and a sweet potatoe or brown rice.

Before I go to bed I always have a cup of Sleepytime tea...

I am looking forward to my weigh in day next week... I haven't shared my starting goal weight, cause I am a little embarrassed to say the least.. But I will once I start losing those pounds and then we can celebrate.

Thanks again for all the support and well wishes. I feel like I really finally made the decision to make this happen and in these last 3 days I feel awesome.

The weekend is approaching so it should be interesting...
Thank you again...

Day 1 - Jan 02, 2008

Hello Everyone, every year I make a decision to lose weight... OK OK I know you are all laughing now... My mother even had the same reaction today when she asked me what my New Years Resolution was... But this time I made a commitment to make my resolution a reality.. It will take a lot of work and a lot of personal choices that I will have to make in some difficult situations.. Honestly I think I can write on book on weight loss as I have read everything out there on how to achieve a healthy lifestyle... so with that said.. here goes:

I LIZ GARCIA, commit to starting my weight loss program on 1/2/08. I believe I can accept and complete my challenge to the best of my ability. I realize this is work, and accept the self care price i must pay to achieve my mental and physical transformation.
I commit to keeping a daily journal that tracks my progress and forgives my slip ups.
I will expect and adapt to adversity and see tough times as learning opportunities.
I will strive to take action and not to whine or moan or complain.
I will be self-assertive and fight for the right to take care of myself.
I will acknowledge and reward myself for my achievements along the way.....

So that is my commitment.

The reason for my Blog is to hold me accountable. A place for my family and friends can see that this time I am committed to a healthier life. A place where you can share ideas, recipes, support, whatever you feel like writing...

My plan is to post if not everyday then every other day... To explain my thoughts, what I experience, and what I ate.. so that I keep my commitment to this being my year !!!

I look forward to your comments and your support. . Thanks again... and in 365 days, there will be a new ME !!!