Mini Vacay In Vegas

Outside the VENETIAN

Just a quick update to let you know we are back from a mini vacay for Memorial Day Weekend with Steven, Stephanie and Malina.  I will catch up in the next day or two....

A MOMENT TO THANK GOD

My Friends/Co-Workers Judi and Evelyn

I want to start out today by saying 'THANK GOD FOR KEEPING MY FRIENDS SAFE"


Yesterday afternoon my friend Evelyn was giving Judi and Darlene (my other friends/co-workers) a ride home from work and some crazy MAN driver hit Evelyn's car and it flipped over...it is a true miracle that NO ONE was seriously hurt. Thank God they were all wearing their seatbelts, it could have been so much worse.  Evelyn and Darlene were both able to go home the same night, Judi had been airlifted to USC Trauma Center, and was fine but kept overnight for observation.  Thomas drove me down to Inter-Community where they had taken Evelyn and Darlene so I could check on them, and the Tommy came there straight after work too.  My two guys are amazing!!! Please keep my friends in your thoughts and prayers as they heal from all their bumps and bruises.....

Our Grand-Niece Malina Monique

After making sure everyone was fine...we were blessed by having a sleepover guest last night....MALINA.  It was nice to have her here (as it always is) and spend some playtime and have a SKYPE session with her Nina (our daughter Alexandra).....our life is SO blessed.


Dinner was just sandwiches from the deli.....nothing fancy....it had been a long afternoon after all.


Our lives have been so blessed by God, He is always there for us...as He was today for my friends......

GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME....ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD

Exercise=Activity Points

Besides teaching you the healthier way to eat and what foods are the "best point" for you while on WW, they also have activity points you can earn for doing some exercise.


Tommy likes to do weightlifting, and is getting back in to a routine of that along with increasing his walking.  He walked the treadmill before we started WW, but now his walking has surpassed the treadmill.  Sure we use to go for walks around the block, up to framers market, over to Starbucks, up to 31 Flavors....you see a pattern there....LOL


Now we walk not to go get a tasty treat but because along with eating better, it helps us maintain/reach our goals.  


So last night after dinner ( and yes we did have the CILANTRO LIME SHRIMP....) Tommy went for a GOOD LONG walk...he did 2.8 miles in less than 45 minutes.  He put on his ipod...and off he went.


I unfortunately haven't started back to my walking routine but I am hoping after my doctor post-op visit next week, he says I can get back to serious walking. Don't faint but I actually miss my 30 minute walks...honest! I mean I do walk up and around the corner, but not 30 minutes long fast walks, or even the 2 mile walk from work I did.  As soon as he says OK, I am back at it.  I am going to spend m whole June getting back to where I was, even to surpass  my prior walking times.  We are doing that 5K on July 4th....FOR SURE!!!


Now even though we earn activity points by doing...activities...we have never used them.  We do the activities because it part of our goal to live a healthier lifestyle and a longer life.  We want to be able to run and play with our future grandkids one day...not sit by and watch.


Those of you who know me, know exercise has NEVER been my thing, even though the kids and Tommy love to play sports.  I guess change is possible for anyone...you just have to do it and believe in yourself.


I am living proof...

Hmmm.....how about bike riding?? Might be next on our list of NEW things to try at "50 and Fabulous....

Last Minute Menu Change

So you know how you plan to do something and things come up and change those plans....


Well last nights dinner menu changed...'cause something came up....plumbing problem...with the house not us!


so we opted for one of our favorite take out last minute favorite...CHICKEN TERIYAKI BOWLS


We head over to a little place by our house called Golden Bowl, and order it to bring home.  Now its still point friendly.....we get a medium bowl , so that about a cup of white rice (5points), and it probably about 5oz of grilled chicken ( 5 points) and the steamed veggies (which Tommy loves to add) are all ZERO points.


So tonight...hopefully...all goes well and I will be making the shrimp meal I had planned for last night.  Its quick and easy especially because Tommy has basketball practice tonight.


Have a great day....we are half way to the weekend...

TONIGHT'S DINNER: Cilantro Lime Shrimp

Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 6 oz • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 197.3 • Fat: 4.1g • Protein: 35.9 g • Carb: 2.4 g • Fiber: 0.1 g

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 lb shrimp, shelled and deviened
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime
• dash of salt and pepper 

Directions:
Heat a large frying pan on medium-high heat. Add oil to the pan, when hot add shrimp. Season with salt and pepper. When the shrimp is cooked on one side, about 2 minutes, turn over and add garlic. Sauté another minute or two until shrimp is cooked, careful not to overcook. Remove from heat. Squeeze lime all over shrimp and toss with cilantro. Serve hot.

***So I will be making this for dinner, along with FIESTA LIME RICE (recipe also on my blog) and possible a simple green salad. Quick, Easy, and Delicious....and low points...what more could you ask****

A SAD DAY FOR US WHO LOVED (LIVED) DISCO

Queen of Disco dies today at 63 after battle with cancer

WEIGH IN MONDAYS

Just a quick note on progress...

I am still unable to really attend meetings yet, but Tom still goes...

He is maintain his 50.4 loss and has started lifting weights, so he plans on losing a few more pounds to allow for the muscle gain....

and I am using our scale here ( already set with theirs) and I am happy to say that even for lack of really walking or any physical activity I have lost an additional 3 pounds, so I have now lost a total of 40 pounds....and have only 10 pounds to go to my goal of 50...

I cant wait to get back to my 30 minutes walks again(never thought I would say that)....and get ready to walk in the 5K on July 4th

I still have to keep track of my piecing  ....its getting better...

Keep up the good work my friends....

~~tomorrow I will list some of the best places we have found to grab take out at mad stay in our points~~

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 2012

MY BOYS

ME AND MY BABY BOY

ME AND MY HUBBY

 I hope you all had an amazing Mother's Day with your loved one.  You know with out our children we would not be MOMS...so thank God for the wonderful blessing he has given us...ok I know there are those days...lol


It was a simple day since I am still recovering.  My day started off with two very special phone calls...one from my Georgia Daughter (Laraine) and my South Korean Daughter (Alexandra)...I love my girls.
Thomas and I had simple breakfast burritos(7 points minus potatoes) and watched the Clipper game (they won)....


After Tommy got home from work ( yes I did say it was ok, since I am on limited activities) my boys took me out to dinner at our quaint little Chinese restaurant...and it was my first official outing since surgery.  Now Chinese food can be a lot of points, but if you eat small portions, you will be alright...remember portion control is one main key.  It was nice and it felt good to actually get dressed and get out of the house.  Everyday I am getting better....


Then we came home watched a movie "We Bought A Zoo" ( thumbs up) and got some frozen yogurt to top off the night. 5 ounces of non fat yogurt cam average from 3-5 points, just watch your add in...fruits are the best because why/ they are zero points....


All and all it was a good day, I wold have loved to spend the day with ALL  OF MY KIDS but right now their lives are very full and quite a distance away from home....prayerfully next mothers day will be different...in so many ways.....

MOTHER'S DAY 2010

Just a quick blast to our last Mother's Day together at Huntington Beach 2010...

1) me and my three awesome kids

2) my kids being creative for my beginning photography

3) my silly kids

Can't wait for the next time we are together for a FUN FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT...cause we all know I am
The PAU PAU RAZZI...just ask anyone who knows me....

Click here to view these pictures larger

just checking in...from my recovery

I just thought I would drop in a say hi and let you know I am recovering slowly but recovering.  The picture I posted is from the day Tom and I spent the day at Downtown Disney.  I am sure you don't need to see a picture of me now....lol

This being home everyday is both GOOD and BAD....
GOOD cause I know I need to heal  and the rest is probably just what I need; also its doctors orders
and BAD because I find myself wanting to piece all day, and not eat a real meal during the day.  Luckily I have some good choices i the house to help with the piecing around.  Now fruit (zero pints) is something you gotta love and with all the choice now due to season...it helps.  Tommy cut up a pineapple the other night....way better than can!   Granola Bars which can average 3 to 4 points(depending on the type) help feel the void too.....Ice Tea (zero pints) can really feel you up...and its refreshing....and helping get rid of my desire for diet coke, which although is zero pints, its bloats you up and right now bloated feeling will not be good for me..lol
Reduced Fat Wheat Thins (14 crackers-4 points) helps feel the need for something crunchy....and I love crunchy. ....Reduced Fat String Cheese (1 point) also is a quick little snack....


These are just a few of the things we have in the house (not allowed to cook or bake right now) so they are easy for me to grab and sit down with.  I did go out of my box and had a bit of chocolate, but come on I just had a major surgery and I felt like I wanted some...so my awesome niece and nephew brought me some...ok a lot...thank God for Thomas who can help too....

chocolate bouquet

This morning I got on the scale to see if I was at least maintaining my weight, well to my delight I lost another 5 pounds since my last weigh prior to my surgery, so I am now 11 pounds from my goal of 50 pounds.  I know I still have to track and with not being able to do ANY physical activity, I will have to stay focused on..........50 and Fabulous and the road to getting there!

Happy Mexican Mother"s Day

So I guess as a "mom" and a "mexican" ...I get to celebrate Mother's Day TWICE!


I am still recovering from my surgery last Friday and though my recovery is gonna take a few weeks; the surgery itself went great and the doctor was happy with the outcome.  So I am now on restricted duties,,,very hard for me...but the doctor says I should be back to normal in about 4 weeks.  


I was going to take a break from my blog until I felt like I could sit up at my desk and not be uncomfortable.


Well, I am feeling better and I am blessed by my daughter Laraine and her friend Megan...then sent me their mini laptop to so I can keep up on blog while I re-cooperate...how sweet are they.


So here I sit in the living room alone updating my blog and hopefully encouraging you and myself to keep up the journey.  


I did not go and weigh in this week for obvious reasons...but I am doing my best to stay focused.  My diet since being home has pretty much been the same.  I am trying to eat more fruits and drink more water...I am unable to do any REAL walking but did make it outside to the driveway...lol


With summer quickly approaching it...there are so many fruits to enjoy,  And with fruits ZERO POINTS...think of all your possibilities.  Tommy cut up a pineapple the other day,,,OMG,,it was so sweet.  


So you should run out and get one.....trust me!

CONGRATS TO MY HUSBAND.....MINUS 50 POUNDS...HIS GOAL!!!

MAY 6, 2012

DECEMBER 23, 2011

Just a quick note during my recovery.  I did not want to miss the chance to brag and to congratulate my husband, the love of my life on reaching his goal of losing 50 pounds..he completed this in 17 weeks and has maintained a new HEALTHIER eating habit.  I am hoping in the next day or two I can get him to write about his journey....

Good Morning My Friends,

I am writing you to let you know that I am having surgery today and will be taking a short break from my blog. 

Keep up the good work

Are you kidding me???

Awww...come on....


We went to weigh in on Monday night and it was a slow week....


I mean it wasn't bad for either of us but it has been a slow losing month.  Tommy lost 1 pound to put him at a total loss for after 16 weeks at 47.2 pounds....only 2.8 to go til he reaches his goal of 50.  He has already started his weight lifting regimen.  He said he  is gonna start out slow, maybe 2 times a week and also continue on the treadmill.  As for me I stayed the same, which I know is better than gaining but I am stuck at 34 pounds total loss.  I thought the walking was going to help.  As women we know our bodies do some "funky things" that messes us all up...but I know once i break this plateau....BAM...I will be on the way to reaching that 50 pound goal.  Anytime you do any kind of weight loss program, there comes a time when you hit a plateau and you may feel like its not worth it to continue...but believe me it is.  I will continue to push forward and reach that loss of 50 goal soon.  Unfortunately I will have to take a break from the walking as I recover from surgery. 

But as SOON as the doctor says it OK for me to start up walking again, I will be out there.  I know I will have to take it slow at first but I am hoping that with all the walking I did prior to my surgery, it will help me with a speedy recovery and get back to where I left off.  I plan on walking all of June to get back in shape and to prepare for the 5K we will be doing on July 4th. 

I really think Tommy will reach his goal at the next weigh in.  I am so proud of his commitment to WW and me and our goal to have a healthier lifestyle.