Hard Work = Success

Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate is what they say!

All week I drank nothing but water. I’m trying to do the gallon a day. You know, I feel better..I’m energized and my face seems to be clear. I just see a great difference!  Ok I did drink some pop today but I’m going to keep myself hydrated with water for the days to come.

It was awesome! I did a whole body workout minus cardio! I loved it! My body is so sore but that  is how it should be.   I can’t wait to go back. I think I made a great choice. I hope in time I see some results, I really want to gain muscle but yet be lean as well. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Today I purchased Lipo-6! I was debating on discontinuing these supplements and only follow a diet and continue to exercise but I am worried it will not get me closer to my goal. And of course my goal is to get rid of fat on my lower abs. I am so loving everything else but these dang lower abs!  I understand in reality giving birth 6 six kids, it’s going to be difficult but I am determined anyway. I hope I can be my fittest ever before 40! 

Are ya hungry for a juicy hamburger??? Hamburgers are great but beware of your choices.

America’s Best and Worst Burgers Posted Tue, Nov 18, 2008, 10:51 am PST The burger industry in America is looking more and more like an arms race these days. Every few months, we watch in horror as another bacon-enhanced, cheese-embalmed, ranch-riddled weapon of mass inflation hits menu boards at the country’s largest restaurant chains. The Baconator, the Monster Thickburger, the FlameThrower — they sound like weapons, not something you’d order for dinner. What makes our hamburger habit particularly scary is the Super Size Phenomenon, which for years has been mutating our burgers into double burgers and our double burgers into 1,250-calorie Triple Whoppers with Cheese. A 1957 burger contained little more than one ounce of meat, but by 1997 that same meat wad had grown to six ounces. Stack one of the bloated burgers out there next to a beverage like those among these unhealthiest drinks in America and you’re risking two days’ worth of calories in a single, misguided meal. Each year Americans eat about 40 billion burgers, which means that each of us downs nearly 150 of them. Choose better burgers, and you can save 10 or 15 pounds over the course of a year. To get you started on your own burger war, we’ve compiled a list of the seven greasiest patties ever to be sandwiched between two buns. But because we understand you still need your burger fix, we’ve thrown in five of our favorites that you can eat with relative impunity (along with a delicious burger recipe at the end of this post). Chili’s Smokehouse Bacon Triple-The-Cheese Big Mouth Burger with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing 2,040 calories 150 g fat (53 g saturated) 110 g protein 4,900 mg sodium You know this burger’s in trouble when it takes more than 20 syllables just to identify it. If you think the name’s a mouthful, just wait until the burger hits the table. You’ll be face to face with two-and-a-half day’s worth of fat — a full third of which is saturated. To do that much damage with roasted sirloin, you’d have to eat about eight 6-ounce steaks. It’s nearly three days’ worth of saturated fat. T.G.I. Friday’s Cheesy Bacon Cheeseburger 1,590 calories unknown g fat unknown mg sodium Although Friday’s is mum on the fat and sodium, it takes only one number to realize that this burger suffers from bigger-is-better syndrome. T.G.I. Friday’s average burger has 1,250 calories, and their appetizers are some of the toughest in the country to swallow, calorie-wise, as we’ve shown with this America’s worst appetizers list. Red Robbin A.1. Peppercorn Burger 1,440 calories 97 g fat There’s hardly a burger on Red Robin’s menu that contains fewer than a thousand calories. What pushes this particular burger to the position of worst — aside from the gratuitous use of cheese and bacon — is the bed of fried onion straws wedged between patty and bun. Now we’re beginning to understand why, while researching the story 16 Secrets the Restaurant Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know, it may have taken Red Robin so long to come clean about the impact of its burgers. Denny’s Double Cheeseburger 1,540 calories 116 g fat (52 g saturated, 7 g trans) 3,880 mg sodium Add this to our ever-expanding list of the Trans-Fattiest Foods in America. (This burger has more than three days’ worth of the stuff.) In fact, with as much saturated fat as 52 strips of bacon and more sodium than 21 small bags of Lay’s potato chips, this burger also belongs on the salt-packed list of 20 Foods Your Cardiologist Wouldn’t Eat. Dairy Queen ½ lb. FlameThrower GrillBurger 1,140 calories 82 g fat (27 g saturated, 1.5 g trans) 1,940 mg sodium Regular consumption of the FlameThrower will torch any hopes you have of losing weight. This potential aortic uh-oh contains 60 percent more calories than the Bacon Cheddar Grillburger and more than twice as many calories as DQ’s own Double Hamburger. Hardee’s Two-Third Pound Monster Thickburger 1,420 calories 108 g fat (43 g saturated) 2,770 mg sodium Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. take a misplaced pride in their shamelessly caloric approach to everything they put under a heat lamp, which is probably reason enough for some to find another place to eat. Need more motivation? Many of their burgers break the perilous 1,000-calorie barrier; their worst bun-buster has nearly 75 percent of your entire day’s calories and as much fat as a dozen Taco Bell soft tacos. Ruby Tuesday Bella Turkey Burger 1,057 calories 65 g fat The scariest part about this burger is how completely harmless it sounds: a slice of Swiss melted over sautéed mushrooms and ground turkey. Yet somehow Ruby Tuesday manages to slick it up with as much fat as five Baby Ruth bars. The kid’s version of this — the Turkey Mini — has an astounding 893 calories, earning it the No. 7 spot in our list of the 20 Worst Kid’s Meals in America. (To find out what’s best (and worst) for your kids at the nation’s big restaurant chains, check out this revealing report first.) THE EAT THIS! BURGER HALL OF FAME DQ Original Burger 350 calories 14 g fat (7 g saturated) 680 mg sodium Wendy’s Quarter-Pound Single 430 calories 20 g fat (7 g saturated) 870 mg sodium Burger King Whopper Jr. w/o mayo 370 calories 21 g fat (6 g saturated) 570 mg sodium McDonald’s Quarter Pounder 410 calories 19 g fat (7 g saturated) 730 mg sodium In-N-Out Protein-Style Protein-Style Cheeseburger 330 calories 25 g fat (9 g saturated) 720 mg sodium And to make your very own gourmet burger at home with great supermarket brands — with just 350 calories and $3.79 a serving — check out this great recipe.

I of course during my down time read some very interesting articles about food and diet.

Many of us lead busy lives in which sometimes a simple task of preparing our own lunch, just does not happen. So if you absolutely need a quick fix during the noon hour the following article talks about what lunches you should choose

America’s Worst Lunches - And What You Should Eat Instead Posted Wed, Nov 05, 2008, 10:15 am PST

If you’re like two thirds of working Americans, you pick up lunch from a fast food joint or restaurant at least once a week. Sure, it’s not as healthy as packing your own celery sticks, but eating out every once in a while can’t hurt, right?

Not only could the window worker pile an entire day’s worth of calories through your car window, but you might also be sapping your energy and productivity: Carb overloads lead to energy spikes and crashes, and studies have shown that the bigger your waistline, the lower your cognitive functioning and the more sick days you take.

Kind of ironic, considering “convenience” is the most common reason people give for buying lunch during the workday. In this economy, it’s hardly convenient to snore through the 2 o’clock meeting, or miss a few crucial days when the boss is looking for you.

A healthy lunch can help you maximize your afternoon performance, but if you’re in a hurry to grab and go, you might not take the time to sort through the menu hits and misses. Let the Eat This, Not That! folks be your efficiency experts: DON’T order the following items. Opt instead for less outrageous alternatives (also below), and reap the benefits at bonus time.
 
QUIZNO’S
Large Prime Rib Cheesesteak Sub
1,770 calories
116 g fat (25 g saturated, 2.5 g trans)
2,895 mg sodium
 
Fat Equivalent: Like eating 5 Dunkin Donuts cheese danishes!
 
It’s hard enough to make the argument for one cheese Danish, but five? And we’re just talking fat, here — with more than 1,000 calories of the stuff in just one sandwich. You’re also be filling up with more than a day’s worth of sodium and saturated fat. While this is one of the worst items you could choose, the rest of the Quizno’s menu has hazards, as well.

But if your coworkers insist on eating there, order this:
 
Regular Turkey Ranch and Swiss Sub with reduced fat Ranch
590 calories
18 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
2,235 mg sodium
 
CHILI’S
Crispy Honey Chipotle Crispers
1,890 calories
99 g fat (19 g saturated)
3,470 mg sodium
 
Calorie Equivalent: Like eating an entire medium Pizza Hut 12″ pepperoni pizza!
 
If you have the time for a sit-down meal, you have the time to think this through. Chicken Crispers are fun, but account for almost a whole day’s worth of calories and almost two days’ worth of sodium.

Your smarter choice is to eat this instead:
 
Classic Chicken Fajitas
330 calories
11 g fat (2 saturated)
2,080 mg sodium
 
And another hint for a healthy sit-down lunch: forgo the appetizers. Chili’s Texas Cheese Fries with Jalapeno Ranch Dressing made the top of our list when we rounded up the worst appetizers money can buy. Check out the other appetizer land-mines here. You’ll be shocked.  
 
ARBY’S
Roast Turkey Ranch and Bacon Sandwich
818 calories
38 g fat (11 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
2,146 mg sodium
 
Calorie Equivalent: Like eating 23 Thin Mints (one whole sleeve)!

Just because you could prepare it at home doesn’t mean it’s good for you when you order it away from home — the Roast Turkey Ranch and Bacon Sandwich packs nearly half of your daily allowance of calories and almost an entire day’s dose of sodium. Doesn’t leave much room for anything else, does it?

Eat this instead:
 
Sourdough Roast Beef Melt
355 calories
14 g fat (5 g saturated, 1 trans)
1,047 mg of sodium

DAIRY QUEEN
Wild Buffalo Chicken Strip Basket (4 piece)
1,340 calories
96 g fat (18 g saturated)
4,820 mg sodium
 
Sodium Equivalent: Like eating 14 large orders of McDonald’s French fries!
 
Talk about a value meal: one Chicken Strip Basket gives you two days’ payload of sodium! If thinking about it doesn’t elevate your blood pressure, eating it might. Take a peek at this list of the 20 saltiest foods in America to learn about other high-sodium restaurant meals that contribute to our country’s increasing daily salt intake. Don’t become a statistic.

Eat this instead:
 
Crispy Chicken Sandwich
530 calories
29 g fat (4.5 g saturated, 3 g trans)
1,020 mg sodium

PANERA
Italian Combo on Ciabatta sandwich
1,070 calories
50 g fat (19 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
3,010 mg of sodium
 
Fat Equivalent: Like eating 6 slices of Papa John’s cheese pizza!
 
You were on the right track in choosing Panera, but don’t be sidelined by the allure of the Italian Combo. Ciabatta bread may sound sophisticated, but you won’t look so refined when you’re lugging that spare Pirelli around your midsection.

Eat this instead:
 
Smoked Turkey Breast on Sourdough sandwich
470 calories
17 g fat (2.5 g saturated)
1,680 mg sodium
 
CHIPOTLE
13” Tortilla with steak, black beans, rice, cheese, sour cream and lettuce
1,005 calories
40 g fat (17 g saturated)
1,948 mg sodium
 
Calorie Equivalent: Like eating 40 Hershey’s Kisses!

The good news about this tortilla is that it contains 57 grams of protein, but that’s hardly worth the outrageous calorie and carbohydrate load — with 100 grams of carbs, you’ve already covered a third of your recommended daily intake, plus you’re taking in nearly a day’s worth of sodium and saturated fat. Downsize to drop pounds.

Eat this instead:
 
Three hard tacos with steak, pinto beans, sour cream and lettuce
633 calories
25 g fat (11 g saturated)
854 mg sodium
 
(Another hint: When it comes to Chipotle chips, just say “no.” They add an outrageous 570 calories and 73 extra grams of carbs.)
 
HARDEE’S
2/3-lb Monster Thickburger
1,420 calories
108 g fat (43 g saturated)
2,770 mg sodium
 
Saturated Fat Equivalent: Like eating 43 strips of Oscar Mayer bacon!
 
It’s called Monster for a reason. It’s a monster load of saturated fat (more than two days’ worth). The good news is that it has a friendlier, healthier cousin in the 1/3-lb Low-Carb Thickburger, with 1,000 fewer calories and a third the amount of fat. Even better, the Low-Carb Thickburger is true to its name — it only has 5 grams of quick-burning carbohydrates, compared to 46 grams in the Monster.

Eat this instead:
 
1/3-lb Low-Carb Thickburger
420 calories
32 g fat (12 g saturated)
1,010 mg sodium

BURGER KING
Triple Whopper Sandwich with cheese and mayo
1,230 calories
82 g fat (32 g saturated)
1,590 mg sodium
 
Fat Equivalent: Like eating 10 slices of Papa John’s cheese pizza!

You should know by now not to order a triple anything. In this case you’re getting egregious calorie, fat, and sodium overloads. It’s not bad, though, compared to the shockers on our list of the trans-fattiest foods in America and our dishonor role of the fattiest restaurant foods. Choose a regular cheeseburger instead and slash 900 calories, 66 g of fat, and save yourself from the judgmental stares of your coworkers, who are three times as likely to be grossed out!

Eat this instead:
 
Cheeseburger
330 calories
16 g fat (7 g saturated, 0.5 g trans)
780 mg sodium

And once you’ve navigated lunch’s landmines, don’t blow your day with a bad dinner. Check out these 15 fast and easy ways to get more from your microwave dinner or how to build the ultimate entrée salad. For other simple, fast and effective ways to change your body one meal at a time when eating out, learn these 15 smart swaps.

Yeah, I think I ran out of what else to take a pic of…so I took a pic of my dang leg. LOL!!! To change the subject a bit. my older daughter said to me (the mother of my grand daughter) "mom, I feel sorry for my daughter, she doesn’t have a grandma that bakes cookies."

LOL! That’s for sure! Poor thing, she has a crazy grandma that is true.

Well anyway I should take my crazy self to bed. I have to get ready for work in a few.

I signed up at Anytime Fitness today. I can’t wait to hit the machines there!! Too bad I don’t have a fitness partner..ok..anyone who wants to be my fitness partner go ahead and sign up on my BodySpace. Hahaha! Anyway I got the key and so I can go there at midnight or early hours of the morning.   I love it.!! As always, my focus are the abs..I am so determined to have a 4 pack or 2 pack lol~   We will see.

Oh my gosh, went for my weigh in. Checked by body fat, it went down!!! We had to check it 4 times just to be sure!!! I am at the point (according to some reading) I’m at athletic level!! WHAT!!!! Not at OBESE!!! Although I did gain weight but I will say it’s muscle??

I posted a  new progress pic.. I stared at with awe only because I could not imagine looking this way ever. I stil need to work to where I will be satsified but I don’t think I will ever be satisfied.

I’m also excited about next month because I will be changing gyms and possibly hiring a trainer. Who knows…anything can happen now.

It feels great naturally transforming my body!!

For some odd reason I was in a great mood today. My work hours flew by, perhaps the time change helped who knows.

The past weeks I felt depressed with the water gain and the bloat feeling. I was so miserable! I gained about 4 pounds. My gut felt like a balloon. FINALLY this awful feeling went away and I lost the 3 pounds. THANK GOODNESS! Now I can focus.

This morning I was able to do some lifting at home, which I love to do. Unfortunately the guy that was supposed to deliver and sell me a home weight set kept giving me excuses. So I said forget it!  I guess he didn’t need the money after all the lazy ****!

Anyway, I was able to work out at Curves during my lunch hour, did the circuit twice and wow! to my surprise I used the treadmill.  Ok I haven’t had the heart to leave Curves. I find it difficult to break my stepping stone. But I do need to consider other options. Sadly, I have not reached my goal weight of 135. My dream weight is 115..but it’s not going to happen quite yet. As for my diet, I have been eating the right foods but not quite 5 meals a day. I think that explains why I felt I was starving.

So my journey to fit abs will definitely take its very slow course, but I am not giving up. I should be thankful for what I have accomplished so far. All I can say to myself is to keep moving forward; the awesome day will come.