When I was working out today, I realized this whole workout/diet/joining the military thing, has been the biggest ride of my life thus far! It's been a year and 8 months, and I'm STILL going! A lot of the reason I'm still able to keep on, is because of the strong people I have in my life!!
The biggest and one of the most influential all my friends who have stood by me through anything and everything!! They've been there when I was fat, and they'll be there when I'm fit. Diets can make people moody, yeah, but they've been there when I was grumpy as hell and when I got over it, they didn't resent me! (Believe me, I know I've been moody, and cranky! You go 6 months without a bite of real pizza, and we'll see how thrilled you are!) The best of the best have proven to me who will always stay by my side! There were times when I just wanted to hide from the world, and they hid right next to me, then got my butt out the door! The true friends are the ones there when it's the hardest to be a friend!
Then I have people in my life who, when it's convenient, they'll be a friend. When it's time for their life to say it's okay to be a friend, they will. And that's fine, we all know people in our lives like that. Not every person who comes into our lives will stay there! It happens, and we can't expect every person on our Facebook to be our kins for life!!
Friendship is a two way road, and to those friends who have been and will stay in my life, I would do anything for you guys!! You guys motivate me every single day, to get up, to live life to the fullest and keep reaching my goals! And I hope you all know that the day you reach yours, I'm gonna be there for you too! Whether it's graduating from college or bootcamp. Whether it's celebrating marriages or births, you're never getting rid of me! :)
“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.”
- Mark Twain
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Is your kitchen making you fat?
I was looking through Yahoo today, and found this very interesting article. Changing habbits around you makes all the difference in the world. Here are a few helpful tips that might catch your fancy:
"Dim the lights. Bright lights can raise your stress levels, ramping up your appetite and causing you to eat more quickly, according to research by Brian Wansink, Ph.D., director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab in Ithaca, New York. The result: You end up finishing off a mega portion before you have the chance to feel satiated (it takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to signal your brain that it’s full). For the best lighting over your kitchen table, swap your light switch for a dimmer.
Add a bouquet. A whiff of flowers may keep you from overindulging at supper. Smelling something inconsistent with what’s on your plate dampens your appetite, research shows. In another study by Wansink, people who were served plain oatmeal scented with apple and cinnamon ate more than those given oatmeal that smelled like macaroni and cheese. OK, no need for unappetizing combinations, but some slight sensory confusion—a fresh bouquet or a scented candle—might help you limit portions.
Use smaller bowls and spoons. We match our portions to our dinnerware. “A half cup of ice cream looks good in an 8-ounce bowl but wimpy in a 16-ounce one,” Wansink says. Size even fools the pros: When Wansink gave food experts bigger bowls, they ate 31 percent more ice cream; given bigger serving spoons, they ate 15 percent more. You don’t have to invest in a whole new set of dishes and cutlery (unless you’re in the mood to update your pattern, of course!); try setting the table with salad plates and spoons instead of dinner-sized ones.
Conceal your leftovers. You skipped that last slice of pizza to save calories, but every time you open the fridge, it calls your name. (OK, this is me and it’s calling my name!) Don’t set yourself up for temptation: Stash the slice in a fridge drawer or wrap it in foil to help you resist it until it’s mealtime again.
Leave dinner behind. Serving food family-style at the table makes you more likely to take seconds (or thirds). Sidestep that tendency by serving yourself before you sit down and leaving what’s left on the counter. In preliminary research, Wansink found that women who plated their food at the counter ate 10 percent less than those who ate family-style. One exception: Keep salad on the table—multiple helpings of healthy greens is never a bad idea!"
"Dim the lights. Bright lights can raise your stress levels, ramping up your appetite and causing you to eat more quickly, according to research by Brian Wansink, Ph.D., director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab in Ithaca, New York. The result: You end up finishing off a mega portion before you have the chance to feel satiated (it takes about 20 minutes for your stomach to signal your brain that it’s full). For the best lighting over your kitchen table, swap your light switch for a dimmer.
Add a bouquet. A whiff of flowers may keep you from overindulging at supper. Smelling something inconsistent with what’s on your plate dampens your appetite, research shows. In another study by Wansink, people who were served plain oatmeal scented with apple and cinnamon ate more than those given oatmeal that smelled like macaroni and cheese. OK, no need for unappetizing combinations, but some slight sensory confusion—a fresh bouquet or a scented candle—might help you limit portions.
Use smaller bowls and spoons. We match our portions to our dinnerware. “A half cup of ice cream looks good in an 8-ounce bowl but wimpy in a 16-ounce one,” Wansink says. Size even fools the pros: When Wansink gave food experts bigger bowls, they ate 31 percent more ice cream; given bigger serving spoons, they ate 15 percent more. You don’t have to invest in a whole new set of dishes and cutlery (unless you’re in the mood to update your pattern, of course!); try setting the table with salad plates and spoons instead of dinner-sized ones.
Conceal your leftovers. You skipped that last slice of pizza to save calories, but every time you open the fridge, it calls your name. (OK, this is me and it’s calling my name!) Don’t set yourself up for temptation: Stash the slice in a fridge drawer or wrap it in foil to help you resist it until it’s mealtime again.
Leave dinner behind. Serving food family-style at the table makes you more likely to take seconds (or thirds). Sidestep that tendency by serving yourself before you sit down and leaving what’s left on the counter. In preliminary research, Wansink found that women who plated their food at the counter ate 10 percent less than those who ate family-style. One exception: Keep salad on the table—multiple helpings of healthy greens is never a bad idea!"
Sunday, October 24, 2010
It's the small things
Since Colin has been home from his deployment I've gone down hill. I stopped REALLY counting. It was more of an estimate as to how many calories. Turned out it was getting towards the 2000 plus side. My clothes were starting to not fit quite right but I thought it was just 'cus of bloating...for 6 months. I was making just about every excuse I could think of.
Then something just clicked! Maybe it was joining a new gym, maybe it was the looming end of money matters. I have no idea, but for the last month I have been going hard core! Well, honestly, since the surgery I have been pushing myself to new limits!! I've been going to bed early and getting up MUCH earlier. In that time, I workout for an hour and half, take my pups for a walk, and get all my daily affairs in order. All of this before I ever used to even wake up.
Life has done a complete 180! In this last month, my weight has started going back down! It's ALMOST to the point to where I was when I greeted Colin (yeah, I gained about 20 pounds since he's been home) I'm back down to my size 8 pants, and there's even wiggle room!! I've lost 2 inches in my waist and losing quickly in my hips (Oh those blasted hips!!) And even better, I'm feeling so confident I'm almost ready to take a step back into the recruiters office!!
They aren't major accomplishments, it's simply getting back into the mindset as to where I was before, but that part is huge. With this renewed sense of dedication, it's merely a small amount of time until I get to that final step...FINALLY!!!
Then something just clicked! Maybe it was joining a new gym, maybe it was the looming end of money matters. I have no idea, but for the last month I have been going hard core! Well, honestly, since the surgery I have been pushing myself to new limits!! I've been going to bed early and getting up MUCH earlier. In that time, I workout for an hour and half, take my pups for a walk, and get all my daily affairs in order. All of this before I ever used to even wake up.
Life has done a complete 180! In this last month, my weight has started going back down! It's ALMOST to the point to where I was when I greeted Colin (yeah, I gained about 20 pounds since he's been home) I'm back down to my size 8 pants, and there's even wiggle room!! I've lost 2 inches in my waist and losing quickly in my hips (Oh those blasted hips!!) And even better, I'm feeling so confident I'm almost ready to take a step back into the recruiters office!!
They aren't major accomplishments, it's simply getting back into the mindset as to where I was before, but that part is huge. With this renewed sense of dedication, it's merely a small amount of time until I get to that final step...FINALLY!!!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Giving Thanks
In the last two days, it seems like Thanksgiving has been a constant theme. Canada got to celebrate their turkey day, and yeah, I actually went back to church on Sunday! (p.s. I think I'm going to go more again!) Anyway, in his sermon our pastor said people who are greatful everyday have less stress, sleep better, and are just generally happier!! So, taking his advice, I am going to start a "great, full journal" aka, a journal full of things that are great in my life!!
So here my friends, is why I, Cara Ann, am greatful:
- I am married to a WONDERFUL man
- I have 2 parents who will help me with anything and listen to whatever problem I may have
- My friends are just amazing!!! I have SEVERAL girlfriends who I would give my life for, and after college, I never thought I would find that again!!
- I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and just a couple bucks in my wallet, enough for an ice cream cone at DQ!
- I get to cuddle with two wonderful puppies every single night!
- There are people all over the world cheering me on to my road to get to OCS.
- I have a body where I can be active, and run and jump and do anything I want!
Ya know, I could keep going and going about how greatful I am for everything, but I think Mr. Bing Crosby can say it better than I ever could:
So remember, count your blessings tonight, and know that I am including all of you in my counting of my blessings!
So here my friends, is why I, Cara Ann, am greatful:
- I am married to a WONDERFUL man
- I have 2 parents who will help me with anything and listen to whatever problem I may have
- My friends are just amazing!!! I have SEVERAL girlfriends who I would give my life for, and after college, I never thought I would find that again!!
- I have a roof over my head, food in my belly and just a couple bucks in my wallet, enough for an ice cream cone at DQ!
- I get to cuddle with two wonderful puppies every single night!
- There are people all over the world cheering me on to my road to get to OCS.
- I have a body where I can be active, and run and jump and do anything I want!
Ya know, I could keep going and going about how greatful I am for everything, but I think Mr. Bing Crosby can say it better than I ever could:
So remember, count your blessings tonight, and know that I am including all of you in my counting of my blessings!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Bullies
As I was working out today I was watching Ellen. With the recent spikes of teen suicides lately, due to bullying, she has been on a kick of trying to inspire kids to be able to rise above what they've been going through! If you haven't seen the video, I highly suggest you watching it:
Ellen on Bullying
With all of this that has been happening, I can't help but think about what life was like when I was younger. Sure, we all were teased, but there are some of us who got more of the brunt than others. I remember my experience starting in kindergarten. I was at a daycare, a place where a kid is supposed to feel safe and feel welcome. Well I felt neither at this place. The owner had a daughter who harassed me to no extent. She did things that are beyond illegal, and I'm happy to say the woman lost her license. While yeah, she lost it, I STILL think about what Annie did to me (yup, I still remember her name, and her face, and if she walked into a room right now, I promise you, her face wouldn't look the same as when she got in!) She gave me a wound that no matter what I do, it will never leave me!!
With that being the start of my school career, we'll say my school career was less than desirable. I had very few friends in elementary school, I was a social outcast. People would make fun of anything I did, whether it was what I was wearing, or eating at lunch. Maybe it was how I ran or answering wrong questions. With how I felt, it led to a lot of emotional eating, WHICH, in turn led to a big weight gain.
Then I got into the dreaded middle school! LIFE...WAS....HELL!!!! I was a terrbile student, I was fat, ugly, gross, and I heard it every single day from SO many people! Yeah, I could name THEM too, but I won't! I remember so many times, coming home and never ever wanting to go back to school!! My first day of 8th grade, I remember coming off the bus bauling my eyes out, swearing I would never ever return!! Unfortunatly, I did!
Highschool, I found some friends, but again, there were so many times I had to walk down those long halls, by myself with people behind me, snickering and laughing and pointing! HIGH SCHOOL. Yeah, kids were just damn mean!!
Then college, this was meant to be a brand new start! FINALLY for the first time in my ENTIRE school career, I felt safe! I felt like I belonged!! I made some of my best friends, and I learned who I was! I learned that I was smart and people liked me! They were adults who knew how to treat others! It was amazing!
So basically, with all this rambling, what I'm tryin to say is, if you know someone who is being bullied, tell them it will be all right!! Life goes on, and the losers who were bullies are doing nothing in their lives, and we, the bullied, rise above it!
So to you bullies I had to deal with: THANK YOU!! Because of you I gained the confidence I needed and became a success in college! I have such a wonderful husband who loves me for everything I am and have to offer! I have the best family, and have 2 great dogs! Because of you, I have lost 70 pounds and continue to live MY dreams! I am going to be an Officer in the U.S. Army, and I get to see the world! And what are you doing? I'm betting still picking on the little guys! Well guys, have fun with that, I'm gonna go live a good life!! :)
Ellen on Bullying
With all of this that has been happening, I can't help but think about what life was like when I was younger. Sure, we all were teased, but there are some of us who got more of the brunt than others. I remember my experience starting in kindergarten. I was at a daycare, a place where a kid is supposed to feel safe and feel welcome. Well I felt neither at this place. The owner had a daughter who harassed me to no extent. She did things that are beyond illegal, and I'm happy to say the woman lost her license. While yeah, she lost it, I STILL think about what Annie did to me (yup, I still remember her name, and her face, and if she walked into a room right now, I promise you, her face wouldn't look the same as when she got in!) She gave me a wound that no matter what I do, it will never leave me!!
With that being the start of my school career, we'll say my school career was less than desirable. I had very few friends in elementary school, I was a social outcast. People would make fun of anything I did, whether it was what I was wearing, or eating at lunch. Maybe it was how I ran or answering wrong questions. With how I felt, it led to a lot of emotional eating, WHICH, in turn led to a big weight gain.
Then I got into the dreaded middle school! LIFE...WAS....HELL!!!! I was a terrbile student, I was fat, ugly, gross, and I heard it every single day from SO many people! Yeah, I could name THEM too, but I won't! I remember so many times, coming home and never ever wanting to go back to school!! My first day of 8th grade, I remember coming off the bus bauling my eyes out, swearing I would never ever return!! Unfortunatly, I did!
Highschool, I found some friends, but again, there were so many times I had to walk down those long halls, by myself with people behind me, snickering and laughing and pointing! HIGH SCHOOL. Yeah, kids were just damn mean!!
Then college, this was meant to be a brand new start! FINALLY for the first time in my ENTIRE school career, I felt safe! I felt like I belonged!! I made some of my best friends, and I learned who I was! I learned that I was smart and people liked me! They were adults who knew how to treat others! It was amazing!
So basically, with all this rambling, what I'm tryin to say is, if you know someone who is being bullied, tell them it will be all right!! Life goes on, and the losers who were bullies are doing nothing in their lives, and we, the bullied, rise above it!
So to you bullies I had to deal with: THANK YOU!! Because of you I gained the confidence I needed and became a success in college! I have such a wonderful husband who loves me for everything I am and have to offer! I have the best family, and have 2 great dogs! Because of you, I have lost 70 pounds and continue to live MY dreams! I am going to be an Officer in the U.S. Army, and I get to see the world! And what are you doing? I'm betting still picking on the little guys! Well guys, have fun with that, I'm gonna go live a good life!! :)
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