BFL in Hampton Roads

I decided, since I’ve so far to go, to go ahead and bike for 20 minutes this afternoon. Quite different using the exercise bike here at home (it puts you at a different pitch, and therefore works out different muscles).

I did it, however, and I had to keep reminding myself, when I wanted to bail out: the only person you’re cheating if you give up early is yourself. Keep pushing and you’ll see the changes you are working so hard for. Even if you don’t really like the work it takes to get you there.

Today, being my free day, I ate at church, where they offered breakfast. Amazingly, I found myself folling the ideals of BFL, and only had one scrambled egg, two pieces of wheat toast (no butter), 2 strips of turkey bacon, and about 1/2 cup fruit salad. I passed up the cheese, the grits, the hashbrowns, and the honeybuns. Somehow, I just didn’t want them. I had coffee with saccharine to drink.

Lunch was at Boston Market (5 oz of turkey, green beans, and steamed veggies with unsweetened tea), and dinner will be in about 20 minutes, another serving of Snowy Easter soup, with 4 ounces of pork tederloin (broiled), and spinach.

I stopped by Farm Fresh today and picked up some non-fat plain yogurt and some more blueberries for the smoothies Tink and I had last night. Here’s the recipe that’s been modified to remove some of the sugar:

1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1/2 cup 2%, 1%, or skim milk
1 cup frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries – alternatively you can use frozen peaches — none packed in syrup)

Combine in blender and process until smooth. Enjoy. Serves 1.

(The original recipe added 1 teaspoon honey, which, if you’re not having to watch your sugar intake, you can feel free to add.)

Anyway, I’m going to get moving and doing some other things — I think that mowing the lawn is going to be the task that will give me my aerobic workout on Tuesday evening.

Keep at it….keep being true to yourself. The changes you make in Body For Life happen from the inside out. A new you starts with you, and you’ll be amazed with what you see!

Made a pot of this very, very tasty soup, and decided to write the recipe so we didn’t lose it.

Snowy Easter Soup

2 cans stewed tomatoes (Italian Style)
2 cans diced tomatoes
4 cups fat free chicken broth
2 cups cooked barley
1 cup sliced baby bella mushrooms
1 cup diced onions
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon crushed dried red pepper flakes
4 dashes Tobasco sauce
2 tablespoons dired minced garlic

Combine all ingredients and bring to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 2 hours. Serve with four ounces shredded boneless, skinless chicken breasts per serving.

Serves 6.

Calories: 423
4 grams of fat per serving, 703 mg sodium.

Body for Life seems to be working very well for SilverBlue (SB).  I am joining him in this quest for a healthier fitter life style.   Excercise I am fine with.  In fact, it feels good.

It is the eating 6 times a day that is getting me.  I just don’t have time at work usually and then at home, I sometimes let the time get away from me.   I know it is something that SB has to put some thought into also.  He is sometimes worse than me about remembering to eat.

I do wonder if walking up and down the stairs for 3 loads of laundry counts as weight lifting.  Clothes are alot heavier than you would think.

SB made a soup tonight that really surprised me.  It had barley which is kind of like rice, and diced and stewed tomatoes.  Any one who knows me, know I do not eat tomatoes unless they are spaghetti sauce or manwich.   I picked around the bigger pieces and the little bits of tomato that I got really added something to the flavor.

I just did my 20 minute cardio, with added hand weights. I ache all over, but feel soooo good! I hit two seperate high points in my workout — one for my legs (I can’t remember the last time I jogged at 4 miles an hour for three minutes, let alone any time at all!), one for my arms (with the added weights).

I’m cooling down now, and will have breakfast in about 45 minutes.

Sore? Yeah. Energized? Never felt more alive. It’s a good day to be me.

Tink joined me this evening for a workout before dinner. Then we did some shopping (and found the local Big Lots had the Body For Life bars 12 for $5 — of course we stocked up), and now I’m unwinding. Technically, today is my 6th day, but I’m going on one more just to make my free day Sundays.

Got on the scales this morning, and I’m down four pounds. Ok, I know it’s mainly water weight, but you know what? It’s progress. I had been asking for a sign one way or the other that I’m on a path for something. Since it is too early to notice real physical changes, I’m glad to have been given a way to know that I’m doing the right thing.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Body For Life program, it’s a 12 week process to a better, fitter you.

The upside is that you get to eat six times a day. The down side (if you can consider it as such) is that you can’t shovel garbage in your face and expect to take a miracle pill.

It’s hard to remain motivated to work out after a long, bad day at the office. It’s even harder to look at a menu and order a Chef Salad, minus the dressing, when you really want the porterhouse steak and loaded baked potato.

But in the end, keeping you mind on the changes you’ll be making in your life, feeling better, more energized, and not having people look at you and wince, well, that makes all the choices you make in this process a bit easier to swallow, as it were.

It’s not easy. It’s no walk in the park. But it’s not like asking you to cut off your arm, either. You work for it. You enjoy the results.

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

This is the home of the Body For Life Journey blog. Right now, Silver Blue and Tink are your hosts, but we’re open to having other authors as others may join us in our life-altering course.

Wish us luck, and drop back by for updates on how we’re doing!