My Get Healthy Strategy:

I got myself a puppy!  His name is Bandit, and he's an American Bulldog/Pitbull  mix.  He's 6 months old, great with the kids, and freaking adorable.  I love him.

I've had some health issues lately, been on leave from work because of the stress, and watched my weight creep up to 212 lbs two weeks ago.  Granted, it was at the doctor's office that I got that last number from, so I was probably only 208, haha.

Anyway, Bandit has been such a blessing.  Because he's so active, I need to take him for at least one 30 min walk a day, and then if I don't take him for another walk, I at least go outside and play with him, wrestle, and play catch.  I run with him, too.

I knew I was on the right track when I went to yet another doctor appointment and my weight was DOWN a few pounds.

As of yesterday, I weigh 202.8!!!  I'm *thisclose* to the good side of 200 lbs!!!  :)

Sweets Attack

I have been on a massive sweet binge lately. Not that that's a big surprise to anyone. I do try to keep my sweets under control--Mike and I are both big preachers to HEALTH not WEIGHT, if that makes sense. Obviously health and weight are connected, but as someone who knows firsthand what it's like to be thin and not particularly healthy, I feel it's important to keep a clear distinction between the two.

So, in my effort to keep myself over the sweets attack, I am focusing on not making cookies and instead making a dent in the gigantic container of dates we have in the fridge. (Admittedly, there is a bit of a dent, but it's largely from making date squares. For those of you who don't know, date squares+healthy=:(, BUT date squares+yummy=:)  )

I do love dates though, so this really shouldn't be difficult. Anyway, so I thought I'd share with you some of the health benefits of dates. I am getting my information from here, but I will put some highlights on here for you.

-Dates are rich in dietary fiber, which prevents LDL ("bad") cholesterol absorption. Dietary fiber also binds to cancer causing chemicals in the colon, which prevents abdominal cancers.
-Dates contain antioxidants called tannins (the same antioxidants found in teas). Tannins have anti-infective, and anti-inflammatory properties.
-They contain a lot of vitamin A, beta-carotene, and lutein, which are all antioxidants that help to fight numerous cancers.
-Dates contain a lot of iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, copper, and magnesium.
-Dates are rich in the B-complex group of vitamins and vitamin K.

So, hows THAT for a super-fruit. And they're sweet to boot! Not to mention, they always make me think of Harrison Ford, and that's always a good thing.

Fridge Sign

Here's a quote for the fridge:

"Nothing tastes as good

As THIN feels!"

7 Habits That Keep Us Fat

And yes, I recognized one or two of these things in myself (I promise that I will try very hard not to eat your food again Casey).  Here are the bad habits along with the good habits that we need to--and CAN--develop to overcome them.  http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44063730/ns/today-today_health/

***Also, I've been asked several times for an update on my mother-in-law's progress on the 8-ounces-of-food-every-3-hours diet and as of 2 days ago she says that she is still doing it and still happy with her downward progress!

WoOt!

I know it's been too long since I've posted, but I've been reading everyone's posts. I found the last one particularly interesting.

I've been eating a salad a day for the last couple of weeks, as well as making sure at least 60% of my plate is vegetables rather than meat, and it's working!

I weighed in this morning at 205.2--I've lost 7 lbs!!!!

Oh, and I read a column in yesterday's paper, and Dr Oz says when you measure your waist, you're supposed to suck your gut in, like you're trying to impress someone. That was news to me. And a woman's waist is supposed to be 32.5 inches or less.

Just FYI.

Four Rules for Weight Loss

My mother-in-law was telling Casey about this yesterday and said that she had decided to try it , so she bought a food scale and began last Friday.  She's been sticking to it for 5 days and she's lost 20 lbs.  I'm just sayin'.

Almost...

Another .5 lb. and I will have lost a total of 10 lbs.  Unfortunately, it's Saturday morning and the weekends aren't usually that great for me, so we'll see where I am on Monday morning.  Wish me luck!