He's CRAZY!!!

New Post on the Shrinking Jeans Blog!

Proof that my husband is absolutely CRAZY!!!!

To read it click HERE.

And don't forget to subscribe to my NEW Blog!
This one will not be active much longer....

Thank You!

New Blog Site

When I first started the Mirrors Never Lie blog, I was blogging only for myself.  I didn't think anyone would really ever see it.  Although it is out there on the web, I never dreamed it would actually be read.  It was a place I could come to write about my struggles with obesity, and served as a therapeutic measure of dealing with my lack of self worth and I hoped by writing about my feelings I could better cope with my eating problems.  And for a while the Blog did remain anonymous.

And then they came...

Sporadic readers from around the world, until my stats registered at least one visitor per day, but often many more.  And I began to get followers.  Not many.... but some.  I have another blog as well, one that is not anonymous, about my family and life.  However, my weight struggles are never mentioned.  But it was this blog, the anonymous one, that received the most views.  I realized then... maybe I'm not just blogging for myself.  Maybe I'm reaching people.... people that can relate to what I write.  People that are going through the same things that I am.   Maybe it helps them to read that they are not alone.  I know it helps me to know that I am not alone, that there are those that return to my blog over and over again, sharing this Journey with me. 

When I created the blog, there was not a lot of thought put into it.  My first post, self titled "Mirrors Never Lie" inspired this Blog's name.  I did not do any research, or put forth any thought in naming the blog, since it was just for myself.  Since it has been created, I've looked online and there are numerous references to Mirrors Never Lie, all relating to Anorexia. Since then, this blog has changed course just a little.  I still blog about my thoughts, feelings, and struggles, but I also blog about Products, Recipes and tips I have found helpful, as well as the diet program I am on.  I have thought often of changing the Blog name to one more relevant and finally created a new Blog yesterday titled Shrinking Jeans.  You can see the new Blog here.

If you have been following this Blog, or coming back to "check in" on my progress,  PLEASE subscribe to my new Blog Shrinking Jeans. 

I will keep this blog going for a while until the new Blog takes off. 

Thank you... everyone.  I love each and every one of you, and your support has been wonderful. 

Valentines Day

Valentines Day....... A day of Love, Devotion, and CHOCOLATE!

Every year for Valentines Day the kids always get loads of chocolate.  Between friends, relatives, and their class parties, it is like Halloween all over again.  This year was no exception. 

I thought Valentines Day would be harder for me.... diet wise. I haven't eaten any sweets in 7 weeks! Nearly 2 months!! And to make matters worse, I'm on my period.  A time when I am NOTORIOUS for eating an entire bag of candy.  Mostly Hershey Nuggets. YUM! 

I didn't figure I would be able to avoid the temptation of eating just one, teeny tiny piece of candy.  Especially if caramel or peanut butter is involved..... or Toffee.  I LOVE chocolate with toffee, caramel and/or peanut butter. 

Week 6 Weigh In

I did not have high hopes for this weeks weigh in.

Not that I cheated or anything, but there was several days that I did not get all my water in, and I only did my Wii Fit a couple of days...... if that.  On top of all this, I started my period on Saturday.  I was just praying for there not to be a weight GAIN. 

So imagine my SHOCK (and utter joy) when I lost 3 pounds!! 

  Looking back on the week, I realized while I did not set aside time to workout, there were, however, several evenings that I played JustDance2 on the Wii with the husband and kids.  I have to attribute my weight loss this week to that game...

About Face

Last night a friend (who is also doing Medifast) sent me pictures of her face from before Medifast, and a current picture now that she has been on Medifast.   We both are the same height and have a starting weight of about the same, and started on the same day.  She has lost slightly more than I have so far, but already her face is slimming up. 

I decided to take a face shot of myself and compare it to my "before" pics I had my husband take when I first started Medifast.  And  MY face has slimmed up some too!! My husband has been telling me that it has, but until I could compare the photos I didn't believe him!  I still have a long way to go..... but WOW!  I was SO thrilled to see a difference already! I knew I had lost several inches overall, but we didn't measure my face.  ;-)

Play Ti...."ahem".... EXERCISE TIME!

I am not an Exerciser. 

It is one of my biggest downfalls.  

I've tried in the past to start exercising but I always fizzle out. FAST.

Recently, however, my husband bought me the Wii Fit Plus.  

I think I've mentioned it previously..... but I can't say it enough.....

I LOVE it! 

I find myself pushing myself further than I would have ever gone on my own, because I want to finish the game.  It is like having a personal trainer.... except instead of someone standing over me hollering to Go Faster! Push Harder! It is my own competitiveness coming out to Drive me on harder, faster, and longer than I thought I ever could. 

I've never viewed myself as a competitive person.... but I guess I am.  Atleast...... I am with myself. 

Another game I REALLY enjoy is Just Dance 2 for the Wii.

This one also gives me a GREAT workout, but with this game.....

I don't feel like I'm working out! It is SO MUCH FUN!! 

The entire family enjoys it. By the time I have done about 4 songs, I've worked up a pretty good sweat, and my arm and sometimes leg muscles are SCREAMING at me! I try to do as many songs as I can, and I try to get the highest score I can... 

I was worried about how I was going to incorporate exorcise into my days.... afraid I would fall back on old habits and NEVER do it....

But now, I get to PLAY every morning and get a workout in the process!! 

Yay Wii!!!

Week 5 Weigh In -

Originally more snow was in the forecast for today (although that has now changed to rain).  I wasn't sure if I would be getting out of the house tomorrow, so decided to weigh in a day early.

I lost 2.5lbs!

Making a total loss of 20lbs so far.  Just 5 more pounds and I will have reached my first goal! Yay!!

We went over to my Grandmother's first, and Man oh Man!! She had Spaghetti and Cheese (a childhood favorite of mine), Fried Squash Patties, and Pear Cobbler!!!!!  I wanted some SO BAD, but suprisingly, I wasn't even tempted to cheat.  I want to win the lottery REALLY BAD, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and spend a lot of money on Lottery Tickets.... same principal.  But I was surprised at myself.  I learned that even though I will always WANT the non-healthy foods, I WON'T always feel deprived not eating them.  And over time my taste buds will change........ HAVE changed.  

I'm in control now of what I eat..... the cravings no longer control me.

What A Week! - Ice, Snow, and Exercise

WOW!! What a week it has been!! 

The kids and my husband have all been home since Monday Evening.  No work, and no school due to this CRAZY weather we are getting!  Growing up, I RARELY saw Snow.  Occasionally we would get an Ice-Storm but it was melting by the next day.  We got a record breaking snow for Texas last year in this area, and THIS year we have already had Snow TWICE!!! In Fact.....  

It is Snowing right now!!!! 

I love it!!! Sucks for the paychecks, but............ I'm a kid at heart. 

I LOVE SNOW!!!!!

Not everyone is crazy about being stuck at home though.... a/k/a my husband...  He gets just a little bit stir crazy... LOL.  

Today I Ate Pizza!!

Yep...... You heard right. I had Pepperoni Pizza for dinner tonight!!

No......I didn't get off my diet. No guilt here!! This was ON my diet!!!

I had read about a Cauliflower Pizza, and thought, what the heck. I'll give it a try. So I did.

And it was good!

I'll admit the first couple of bites were a let down. And although I knew it wouldn't taste exactly like the Pizza Hut pizza the rest of the family had, my tongue (out of habit) still expected it to. But after the first couple of bites, I really did enjoy it!!

I will definitely be making this again!!

You can find this recipe on my "Lean and Green Meals" Page or by clicking here.

Week 4 Weigh In

I lost 1.5 pounds this week, bringing my total loss so far to 17.5lbs.  

I was a tiny bit disappointed, but after worrying so much earlier today, I was just happy to have a loss this week!

Since this was the end of week 4 for me, we also did my measurements. I was pleasantly surprised!  I lost 20.5 inches overall.  I lost 4 inches just in my waist!! 

I also purchased a Wii Fit today so that I can start getting SOME exercise in. I am hoping this helps with my weight loss.  

I'm going to get my husband to take another full body shot, and continue taking pics every 4 weeks.  When I get enough courage I will post them on here...... maybe when I have lost a bit more. :-)

And It All Came Crashing Down.........

Friday evening we made a spur of the moment decision to go out of town. My husband's grandmother is in a nursing home, and has not been doing well. We have been meaning to go visit for a while, but have never had the opportunity. My husband got home after 6 on Friday, and after feeding him dinner, and getting ready to take my daughter to Basketball practice, I realized since he was not working this past weekend, it might be a good opportunity to go visit. He agreed.

I called the coach to let her know that my daughter would not be at practice that night, or the game on Saturday then started throwing clothes together for everyone. I gathered up all my Medifast food to bring with me determined that I would stay On Plan all weekend.

Drinking Binge

Medifast recommends getting a minimum of 64oz of water in each day.

This has always been a struggle for me.

I know that water is reported to help with weight loss and improve your skin or complexion, and I have told myself numerous times in the past that I HAVE to start drinking water..... but, I've never been a big drinker. (and I'm not talking about alcohol).

Week 4 -

Well..... yesterday I started Week 4 of my diet.  In 7 days I will have officially beat my record of lasting on a diet without cheating. 

I'm kinda proud of myself. 

I don't want to glamorize this program, and say it has been SOOOO easy...... but.........kind of........ It has.  I don't know if it's the program so much, as my Mind Set this time.  I am DETERMINED to take control of my life, health, and happiness. 

Week 3 Weigh In -

I weighed in tonight and I have lost another 2 pounds..... making a total loss so far of 16 pounds.

When I first got on the scale it showed a 3 pound loss, but my mom couldn't remember if it was an even number or not, so I had to get back on. Then it only showed a 2 pound weight loss. So I got on the scale a third time..... still only 2 pounds.

I was a little disappointed.... I was really hoping for 3, so for it to have been at 3 then gone down to a 2lb loss was very disappointing.

But the bright side is..........
IT WAS ANOTHER LOSS!!!
WOOHOO!!!

Confession of A Food Addict -

Hi................  I'm a Food Addict............

or.....at least a recovering Food Addict.  I never thought it possible to be "addicted" to food, but.... thinking back on how I got here, it must be.  Because, really, what is an addict?  Someone habitually and compulsively repeating acts or ingesting substances involuntarily.  

A New Favorite Lean and Green Meal -

I tried Spaghetti Squash recently for the first time. My mom eats it ALL THE TIME! I was at her house, and she fixed us her favorite Lean and Green Meal she survived on nearly every day while losing her 74lbs on Medifast. 2 Garden Burger Patties and Spaghetti Squash. YUMMY!!!! My youngest and my husband really liked it as well.

I have been eating the Garden Burgers already. I REALLY like those. I tried the Boca Burgers......YUCK!!! I like the Morning Star Garden Burgers SO MUCH BETTER!!

And the Spaghetti Squash was really, really good! For preparation, cut an X into the top of the Squash. Place on a Microwave Safe Place, and Microwave for 15 minutes. Then cut the Spaghetti Squash in half, and remove the seeds. Spray with "Butter Spray" such as I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S NOT BUTTER, and sprinkle with Salt and Pepper. Easy, easy, and very delicious.

Lean and Green Meal - Eggbeaters

Yesterday I tried some Eggbeaters Eggs because I am allowed 2 cups a day for my Lean and Green Meal, and they are on the "Leanest Protiens List".   

Um.........YUM!!! 

I split the 2 cups throughout the day.   In the morning I sauteed some Baby Spinach in a small saucepan then added 1cup Eggbeaters.  For my evening meal I sauteed Baby Spinach, then added just a little bit of Yellow and Red Bell Pepper.  To top it off, I sprinkled a little bit of cheese (not much...) and it was delicious!!  I was pleasantly surprised.  I wasn't sure how the Eggbeaters would taste, but they were really, really good.  My husband tried some, and he loved them too. 

I will definitely be making these often.

Week 2 Weigh In

I weighed in last night and I had lost 2 pounds. I knew my weigh in would be on the low side because of my period. I was expecting it. But after such a big loss my first week, I have to admit it was a bit of a let down. As soon as my mom saw the number she said "Now don't get discouraged....." before I even saw the numbers. So right away, disappointment swept over me. But after getting home, I realized I really have nothing to be disappointed over! If I were on Weight Watchers, I would have been thrilled with a 2 pound weight loss.

TOM Comes For A Visit - And I Keep My Sanity

I woke Saturday morning to discover TOM came for a visit (Time Of Month), and I feared for my sanity, and the sanity of my family.  You see........ PMS, CRAVINGS FOR SWEETS, and DIETS just don't mix.  I worried I might succumb to my cravings, or worse, take out my frustrations on my family.  I warned my husband a head of time that he may be in for a rough day.  I even thought about making a sign to wear that said "WARNING: DIETING WOMAN ON HER PERIOD. APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION".  ;)    The warnings to my husband proved to be unwarranted. The "Sweets Cravings" never kicked in, which is a miracle, given my past history.  Even my feet didn't swell like they typically do.  Usually a week before and all during TOM, my feet and ankles swell up pretty bad. They Didn't!!  And the best part?

I survived the weekend remaining On Plan, and with my Sanity intact!!!

I weigh in tonight, and I'm worried that because of TOM, I may not have a weight loss this week.  I have read on the Medifast Forums, that a lot of women do not lose during their TOM, and if they do lose, it is minimal.  I'm trying to prepare myself so I will not be too disappointed at my Weigh In tonight. 

Wish Me Luck!!

Commitment and Happiness

“There's a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstance permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.” - Author Unknown

I saw the above quote on a blog post today, and it really hit home.  One of the reasons why I think I have been successful so far to this weight loss program is because I am committed.  I do not accept excuses from myself anymore.

For years, I have struggled with my Weight.  I've been on diets, lifestyle changes, and times that I just didn't care enough to do anything.  I look at myself sometimes and I wonder HOW did I get here? HOW did I let myself get so out of control?

Here's How :
Next week vs. Today
I wish vs. I will
Occasionally vs. No more
Just this once  vs.  Never again
Who cares vs.  I care