THUNDER THIGHS!

Working out has become my zen time once again...finally! While all the ditzy house wives around me just make me roll my eyes, they also make me reflect on myself!

These women have 2.5 children, their husbands are the bread winners, they cook, they clean, and they look perfect!!  If you haven't been able to tell folks, I am NO housewife!

What makes these women "perfect" in society's eyes is they are perfectly proportioned.  I see them in their exercise bras and tight little spandex pants (or whatever the new Jane Fonda look is this season!) Then I take a look at myself! Big Army t-shirt, long men shorts past my knees, and sweat, a lot of it!

While these women should be proud of their "perfect by society's standards" selves (I'm sure genetics have NOTHING to do with that one!) I think, why should I not be proud of my flaws? After all, these flaws make me who I am!

Okay, they aren't flaws, per say, but they are things that make me not perfect. This particular area of my body...my THUNDER THIGHS! I tell ya people, my thighs are tree trunks! I can't buy normal female pants! I have to buy a size or two bigger!

Before today, I saw this as bad, and even ugly! Then I was sitting on a leg machine today looked at what I was lifting, saw the girl next to me (being the "perfect" type) and saw what she was lifting!! Folks, these thunder thighs of mine help me lift about 3 times what these perfect women lift!

Walking by the mirror into the locker room, I took another look. They're big, they're ugly and they are MY thunder thighs, and damn it...I am PROUD of them!!

Part of losing weight is not changing what's wrong, but improving on what's right!! Look in the mirror.  What do you see as "ugly" and rather than changing yourself, change your mind first, the rest will come!

My Strength

I realized this morning, as I was laying in bed thinking about the day, one of my biggest motivators, my hubby, Colin!

Since we pretty much started dating, Colin has always been a provider. Okay, since before we knew each other, Colin has always been a provider.  Every story I ever heard about his child hood, were not the typical, we went to Disney World stories, like I got to tell!  Colin's stories were more of a boy having to grow up very quickly!

When Colin was 17 years old he joined the U.S. Army, that was 1999. Two years later, 9/11 happened.  While Colin was finally getting into a routine of school his unit, being one of the first out of Minnesota after the towers, was called to duty into Iraq.  Colin was gone for 14 months. Since that time, a lot of unfortunate events occurred, things that never really allowed him to get to live a "normal" life. Including two more over sea deployments and a year of active duty at Ft. McCoy.

Now at 28, my husband FINALLY gets to go back to school! I am beyond proud of him!! He gets to get that degree that the Army decided to not allow him to get!  I've heard some people say "Oh, he's in the Army, he doesn't need a degree!"  There's more to degrees than just needing, it's actually accomplishing something great and knowing that someday you'll be able to look at your kids and say "Yes, I did go above and beyond what was needed!" (P.S. good luck getting much above an E-7 without a degree, even as an enlisted! :) )

However, one major factor of this degree was, how in sam hill are we going to pay for everything?? My job at Huntington sure isn't going to pay the bills, post 9/11 G.I. Bill is great, but it pays for rent, and that's about it! Finally, that's where I step in! FOR ONCE, I GET TO TAKE CARE OF COLIN!!  For the last 5 years, Colin has been taking care of me! He is been the best provider, but now it's his turn to be taken care of!  I think a marriage is a 2 way street, we both allow each other to live our dreams!!

With my joining, we both get to do something we've wanted to do!!  I get to join the military, and Colin gets to finally go back to school!  With his new found college bound self, he also is going to be hooking up with the ROTC! With his degree, he will also be getting his commission as a 2nd Lt! In civilian terms, as soon as he gets done with school, we're going to be the Bennefer or the Brangelina of the military!!

Watch out Army, the Raineys are coming in!!

Quiet Confidence

When I was younger, younger I guess you could say being as little as 6 years ago, confidence was something I was lacking.  It's still something I struggle with everyday.  The last two months, I have been taking a mini break from the hard core diets and working out and really been focusing on my ASVAB studying.  For those who are unaware, the ASVAB is the test all military members take to get into the military.

A little background for all of you.  7th grade, I literally had all F's going for me. I hated school, I was horrible at it! I had no organization, I was bad at getting my work  in, I didn't try very hard, and last but certainly not least, I had MAJOR test anxiety!!  I would get a test and start sweating and panicking!!

To make matters worse, everything I didn't have, brains and looks, I felt my sister did! This was my battle every single day!!  I looked in the mirror and told myself "today Cara, you are going to fail!" I know, crazy right?

Studying these last two months, I've discovered something about myself! Not only am I good at working out, and will rock at bootcamp, but I'm not dumb! For the first time in 25 years, I have felt like I can accomplish something big!

So, maybe you're wondering why I entitled this blog "quiet confidence," well, let me tell you it's not just that I've been studying, but there is so much more to this test than just answering questions! It's walking into this exam KNOWING that I have the tools to accomplish what I need! And now I'm really starting to think and believe I can do it!!

I go to work, I talk to people, I experience life, and I see people who are cocky, which is much different than confident.  They can be loud and express themselves, and believe it is confidence, but I believe TRUE confidence simply comes from within.

I get a kick out of quotes, and I believe at times, others can express what we're feeling, so here are a few of my favorites and I hope these will help give you confidence to follow your goals!!

Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt


Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson


You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.  ~Michael Jordan


Don't let anyone steal your dream.  It's your dream, not theirs.  ~Dan Zadra


and finally:


You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
~Dr. Seuss

Morning Glory!

I woke up this morning, went to make myself some breakfast, looked in my cubbord and all I found was flippin' Luck Charms!! (Can you tell I'm on a diet? Yeah, neither can I!)  So finally settling on peanut butter toast, I turned on Yahoo, and lo and behold, I found this article "10 Breakfasts that Slim and Energize!" FABOO!!! Here are their suggestions:

SPEEDY WEEKDAY BREAKFASTS (about 350 calories each)

Breakfast Burrito 
Cook 1 Amy's Breakfast Burrito as directed on package. Top with 2 tablespoons plain nonfat yogurt. Serve with 1 orange.

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Sandwich 
Order 1 Starbucks Reduced-Fat Turkey Bacon and Egg Whites English Muffin sandwich.

Cream Cheese, Fig and Nut WrapRoll up a whole-wheat wrap with 2 tbsp light cream cheese, 4 dried fig halves and 2 tbsp chopped walnuts.

Cherry-Vanilla-Almond Smoothie 
Blend together 1 cup frozen cherries, half a medium banana, 1 cup skim milk, 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt and 1 tbsp sliced almonds. Add a few ice cubes to make it more frothy.

Strawberry Almond OatmealPrepare 1 packet instant plain oatmeal with 1/2 cup skim milk instead of water. Top with 3/4 cup frozen strawberries, thawed; 2 tbsp sliced almonds and 1 teaspoon brown sugar.

Apricot, Almond and Ricotta Toast Spread 2 slices whole-wheat toast each with 2 tbsp part-skim ricotta and 1 tsp apricot preserves; top each slice with 1 1/2 tsp sliced almonds.

5-Minute Egg and Smoked Salmon Sandwich 
Crack 1 egg into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a paper towel and microwave until egg is cooked through and not runny. Layer 1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light cheese, egg, 2 oz smoked salmon and 1/4 cup raw baby spinach on a Whole Wheat Arnold Sandwich Thin. Serve with 1large apple.

LEISURELY WEEKEND BREAKFASTS (about 350 calories each)

Portobello and Pesto Egg Scramble 
In a medium sauté pan, cook 1 sliced portobello mushroom cap with 1/4 cup chopped red onion in 1 tsp olive oil until soft, about 5 minutes. Whisk 4 egg whites with 1 tbsp water and add to pan. Scramble mixture over medium heat until eggs are no longer runny; add salt and pepper to taste. Just before removing from heat, fold in 1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella and 1 tsp prepared pesto. Serve with 1 slice whole-wheat toast.

Peanut Butter Waffle-wich 
Top one toasted whole-grain waffle with 2 tsp peanut butter, 2⁄3 cup sliced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Top with another whole-grain waffle. Serve with a café au lait made with 4 ounces coffee mixed with 4 oz steamed skim milk.

Spinach and Smoked Gouda Egg Sandwich 
Sauté 1 cup fresh spinach with olive oil cooking spray until wilted (add pepper and garlic powder if desired); set spinach aside. In same pan, fry 1 egg plus 1 egg white in cooking spray until no longer runny. Top eggs with 2 tbsp shredded smoked Gouda. Sandwich eggs, cheese and spinach between 2 sides of a toasted whole-wheat English muffin. Serve with 1 orange.

Yummy, right?? I KNOW!! I'm thinking a trip to Cub is in order today!! Have a happy day!!

Summer time fun!!

Folks, finally, the time has come for summer!! Can I get a "WOOP WOOP?" You're going to have to be a little louder, 'cus I can't hear you through the computer screen! With temperatures reaching the mid 70's, the mood of diets and exercises is at an all time high!! So here I am this afternoon to encourage you to take advantage of this beautiful time!! (I'm even sitting outside getting a little extra sun!)


I'm about to blow your mind!! This is going to be the ultimate summer blog! From the yummy food to the importance of natural sunlight!! So...here we go!!


Since it's warm, I vote get outside to exercise!! Sure, the gym is great in the winter, or when the sun decides to hide, but not everyone likes to run! (I know I'm not the biggest fan!) So here are some ideas for unique exercises you can do outside, with or without kids!!


"Roughing it!" You heard me right!! Put on a backpack, keep a bottle of water and pack a lunch and go find an awesome hiking trail!! Not only are you getting exercise, but you're getting to bond with nature, something I know adults tend to forget once we discover the world of television!! You don't have to go fast, just enjoy your surroundings!


Frisbee Golf!! It's a unique concept for many, but all too familiar to many more!!  It's pretty much what it sounds like, golf using frisbees! How fun is that?! Let me tell you it's a lot of fun!    Need help finding a course? Check out this website to find one near you!!  
http://find.mapmuse.com/interest/disc-golf


Bikes, Blades and Boards!! Go back to your childhood!! Pull out your bike from the garage, dust it off, and bike to a DQ and get yourself a lowfat cone!! It's summer after all, we can be good ALL the time, right?? Find your rollerblades! Reteach yourself to stop without falling! Maybe even LEARN to skateboard! Have you kid teach you what they already know!!


Finally, start a garden! I know I live in an apartment, and many times I can, but I know a lot of people who keep very elaborate gardens!! Offer to help! Go find your local community garden, if there isn't one, start one!!  Summer activities are endless and all you have to do is be creative! Start your own football or baseball game, have fun, act like a kid, go fly a kite!!


FOOD! Oh summer, how I love the food you offer me! The fresh fruit, the crisp veggies, oh, did I mention the fresh fruit?? Well, here are some summer favorites, and maybe even a couple new ideas for you!


Watermelon - Watermelon has more than 80 percent water, so this summer fruit is an excellent way to satisfy your thirst and keep you hydrated during summers. Save the apples, bananas and oranges for the fall, instead satiate your appetite on a variety of fresh summer fruits like different berries and melons. Mangoes - This fruit is available only in summers and is loaded with beta carotene, vitamin C and fiber.


Grilled vegetables - Keep your refrigerator stocked with a plate of prepared grilled peppers, grilled onions, carrots, zucchini, garlic, eggplant, celery and asparagus. The antioxidant properties present in these summer vegetables can help to minimize skin damage caused due to sun exposure during summer days  Grilled salads - Use grilled summer vegetables to prepare a variety of dishes like grilled vegetable pitas, grilled vegetable and fresh herb pasta or ricotta or frittatas and grilled vegetable and reduced calorie cheese salads. 


Chilled soups - Chilled soups are great appetizers to start your meal. Choose chilled soups like cucumber-dill or gazpacho which are loaded with crunchy vegetables. Moreover soups also account to your total fluid intake and thus can help you stay hydrated.


Vegetable salads - Like chilled soups, salads are also great way to kick start your meals. Almost all the salads need minimum preparation time and are considered healthy, quick meals provided you don’t load them with heavy dressings. Remember the more the number of fresh vegetables in the diet the healthier you will be during summer. Cool cucumber - Cucumber is rightly called cool as it is about 20% naturally cooler than other vegetables. A chilled or fresh cucumber slice in your salads or vegetables can be truly refreshing


Whole grain salads - Whole grain salads like tabouli and wheat berry are also excellent summer choices.


Bean and sprout salads - Toss some beans or sprouts along with sliced or diced vegetables and fruits to increase the protein content of the salads.


Vegetable cheese salads - Toss some reduced calorie cheese chunks in your chopped vegetables to increase the calcium as well as protein content of the salads.


Low fat drinks - Generally we tend to drink sweetened and creamy coffees, teas, sodas and smoothies in summer to such an extent that we forget about the calories we take in. Remember, any liquid will only help to quench your thirst and not your hunger. So choose wisely –orange dream float, root beer and ice skim latte are some good choices.


Fruit based desserts - Forget your creamy heavy desserts, instead satisfy your ferocious sweet tooth with healthy fruit based desserts.


Low calorie desserts like dark frozen sweet cherries, frozen grapes, chocolate covered frozen banana, grilled blackberries with white peaches and honey, grilled pineapple with pecans and rum, low fat fresh fruit ice creams and grilled banana sundaes made from low fat ice creams are also some good summer food choices.


Water - Lastly nothing can be as refreshing and satisfying as a glass of water on a hot summer day. Keep yourself well hydrated.




Finally, the last bit, the part we Minnesotans know well, sunshine!!  Part of summer is to absorb all the vitamins and minerals we need to keep on going, and part of those vitamins are not just eaten, rather absorbed!  Sunlight is the best and only natural source of vitamin D. Unlike dietary or supplementary vitamin D, when you get your ‘D’ from sunshine your body takes what it needs, and de-metabolizes any extra. That’s critical – as vitamin D experts and many health groups now advocate 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily – five to ten times the old recommendations. Because too much ‘D’ from dietary supplements may cause the body to over-process calcium, nobody really knows for sure how much supplementary vitamin D is safe. On the other hand, sunlight-induced vitamin D doesn’t have that problem – it’s the way your body is intended to make it! 


In English?! Sun is good!! Vitamin D helps protect against breast cancer, helps maintain bone density, healthy bone growth and helps maintain the normal functioning of the nervous system. It is crucially important in aiding the body’s absorption of calcium. Without sufficient vitamin D, calcium supplements are almost useless.




In lots of Science terms:
One growing impact on the production of vitamin D in the body, is the use of sunscreen. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, “the application of sunscreen with an SPF factor of 8 reduces production of vitamin D by 95%.” Wow! What a predicament we have since sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer! Well, it all comes down to the notion of moderation. According to Dr. Michael Holick, from Boston University, limited sun exposure of 5-10 minutes three times a week, during the spring, summer and fall, during the mid-day from 11am to 2pm, on the face and arms, will provide enough vitamin D for the individual. This sun exposure will also allow for storage of the excess vitamin D during the winter, when the UVB rays will not reach some areas. This is also recommended by the Linus Pauling Institute, which also advises healthy adults to take a daily multivitamin supplement containing vitamin D.


In English:
Use sunscreen, but use it sparingly...SPF 100, not a good way to get your Vit D!




I hope you all enjoyed this summer filled informative session!!  If you have any suggestions, feel free to leave your favorite activities or food!!  Have a wonderful, safe and sun-filled summer!!!

Changing it up...again!

Sometimes I get SO frustrated with this diet thing!! It's like, I'll do everything right and still gain.  So, I'm going to change it up...again!

I've been doing weight watchers for the last month and a half, and have seen no progress! It sucks because it's a really good program, but for some reason, it's just not doing it for me!! So I went back to my old "King of Calories" book!, I did my research and got my "ideal" amount of calories to eat to lose again! Surprisingly, it's a lot!!

If I want to maintain, I get to eat OVER 2000 calories, 2490 to be exact! However, they suggested to lose, eat 500 fewer! So that is what I intend to do! My goal is going to be 1800 to 1900 a day!

So, motivation, please come back!! Anytime...seriously...ready...bring it on!!!  I'm waaaaaiiiiiiiiting!!!

ONE YEAR IN!!

Today is Easter! Today is the Jesus rose from the grave and gave all humans a new start!! Well, Easter now feels, to me, a brand new start for me in Goals!!

Folks, it's been one year since I started my weight loss journey, can you believe it, 365 days, 52 weeks!! In 52 weeks I have lost 70 pounds! This journey has been amazing, and I have met so many people this past year that have gotten me to this (You all know who you are, there are just TOO many to mention!)

Well, like I mentioned, today is a day of renewal! I am here to vow (again) to you, I am going to get back on track 100%!!! I am SOO close to my goals I may have to kick myself in the @$$, but it's gonna happen!!

First, journal, journal, journal JOURNAL!!!!!!!!  Since I've gotten comfortable with my weight loss I've done generic "fruit!" No, no more! I will do "1 Cup Grapes" and then the points!! It's only me now keeping myself honest, and it's time I do that!

Next, EXERCISE!! Unfortunately, Colin is off his orders this month, which means, no more Norman, however, like any good teacher, he taught me, and prepared me for this day! It's the day where the baby birds leave the nest!  Well, with the weather getting nice, it's time I start my running again, while getting my butt to Lifetime.  With Gold's closing, a new chapter of exercise is opening and it's a blank page.  As the song says "the rest is still unwritten!"

I'm going back to basics people! It has been an amazing journey so far, and I can't wait to keep going!!! I'm also looking forward to getting to continue with you! Knowing that you guys are reading this, is what keeps me going! I LOVE getting messages from you guys saying it's making a difference! It's as if I'm doing this for US, not just me!

So thank you all, SO much for your love and support! This is one of the hardest things I've done and it's been the happiest and probably the most depressing roller coaster I've ever been through! Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!!