Hey there to all of my friends. I’m sure that ya’ll probably gave up on me by now…..:(. I have just had so much going on recently. My husband and I have recently reconciled after a 6 month separation. I’m trying to really focus on our family so that things will work this time around. I also went to the doctors recently (I haven’t had a checkup since my baby was born 3 1/2 yrs. ago) and they found 2 lumps in my left breast. I’m trying real hard not to focus too much on that until I have the mammogram and get some kind of results back. And forthose of you who don’t know me so well….I have 7 children 4 of which are 7 yrs. and under. My 4 & 7 yr. old boys are both autistic. So most days are pretty challenging anyways. And then for the positive part of my stressful life….lol. I have a 15 yr. old son who has been locked up for the last 19 months. Now he has finally been set to be released by the end of the school year (pretty much makes all the bad worth it). Just that one little positive shiner has pulled me through everything else!!! But now I am trying to get his new room set up. Plus there is alot of counseling to do in these next 2 months to help him transition back home. So please try to be patient if I’m not here as much as I would like to be. I have trouble even answering my phone these days!!! (Some of you know this all too well….:)) God Bless you all. And good luck with the weight loss!!!

OMG!!! I am SO in shock!! I just did my FIRST weigh in!! I was so sure that I was going to be devastated because I would not have lost ANYTHING!! But it was “6″ lbs. I am sooooo motivated now!!! I REALLY CAN DO THIS!!! I know that I can’t expect to lose that much every week but let me tell you something guys….it wasn’t that hard!!! Beating those urges and temptations was alot easier than I thought it was gonna be. I’m not sure why. Maybe it will get harder as I go, maybe I’m just so darn determined this time to succeed. But whatever the reason….I am on cloud 9 today…..YAY FOR ME!!!! Hope everyone else had a great week too!!!! And just remember….today is the beginning of a whole new week.  A chance to start all over again. Good luck to us ALL!!!  Love you guys and thanks for all of your wonderful support!!!

How Much is a Cup

You know portion size is important…but weighing and measuring food can be so inconvenient! Here’s how to visualize common portion sizes.

1 Fist = 1 Cup

One cup of cereal, spaghetti, vegetables, or cut fruit is about the size of your closed fist.

1 Palm = 3 Ounces

A three ounce serving of meat, fish, or poultry is about the size of your palm (minus fingers and thumb) or a deck of cards. 2/3 of your palm is about 2 ounces of meat, fish, or poultry.

1 Thumb = 1 Ounce of Cheese

A chunk of cheese the size of your thumb is about one ounce.

1 Thumb Tip = 1 Teaspoon

One teaspoon of peanut butter, mayonnaise, butter or sugar is about the size of the tip of your thumb. Three thumb size portions make up about one tablespoon.

1 or 2 Handfuls = One Ounce of Snack Food

For small foods such as nuts and small candies, one handful equals about one ounce. For chips or pretzels, two handfuls is about one ounce.

Okay so this is my first OFFICIAL day on the new diet. I am very proud of “ME” today. I did my shakes for breakfast and lunch and then a healthy choice meal for dinner ( I chose that route to help me until I can handle portioning on my own). I even stuck to the healthy snacks. I think one of the things that I most impressed myself with was the fact that I opened a pop today and took like 2 sips and then found it still sitting in the fridge at the end of the day!!! I STUCK TO THE WATER ALL DAY!!! (And I HATE water!!) Please understand that I normally drink 4-6 20 oz. pops each day. I was really tempted to cheat several times today but, I fought it ALL day. I know this is just the first day and all but, I think I just shocked myself that I stayed so aware all day. I usually get distracted and don’t even realize I’m cheating until I’ve already done it. SO YAY FOR ME!!!! lol