May 21, 2014

For some reason, I feel like something has "clicked" in my brain and I feel more prepared and ready to lose this weight than I have in years. I told my sister about this feeling and she asked "Why do you feel that way?:.....hmmm, interesting question and one I've been thinking about since last night...

I am just tired of struggling....a lot of the things I struggle with I can't do much about but the weight I can definitely do something about....and, to be honest, I haven't really TRIED very hard to really apply myself and do it....my self esteem and confidence need the boost of feeling like I've accomplished something. I hope that setting a goal and really trying to achieve it will prove to myself that I can do it....and that feeling will transfer to other parts of my life that I need to work on..

And, obviously, the health related issues are becoming more important as I get older. I had told myself at age 50 and again at 55 that I would get the weight under control then didn't do it. But now, approaching 60, I feel like it's kind of  the last change to get my act together. The physical effects of the excess weight are harder to deal with now than when I was younger. I want to get into better physical shape and need to get rid of some of the belly so I can move better!! The first thing I'll do once I've lost enough to be able to move better is to buy a bike....and rejoin the Silver Sneakers class I took years ago that I loved so much...I just want to move better and feel better about myself and my future.

It just feels like it's finally time to just quit messing around, apply myself and TRY...and get it done....then I can move on to work on other parts of my life. As long as I feel "stuck" in the rut with my weight limiting me, I just keep on with how things are now. And I don't want to be in this same place as I get into my sixties.......

I made Pam's broccoli soup last night and it was wonderful.....very healthy and yummy..and a nice change from eating raw veges when a snack attack hits...and since it's hot, it's very filling...so, I"m writing the recipe here, at least I will be able to find it again:

Pam's Healthy Broccoli Soup

Cook one medium onion, chopped, and 2 cloves garlic, minced, in 2 Tbsp butter or oil til translucent....and 1.5 lbs (about 6 cups) roughly chopped broccoli (I used fresh but frozen would work too), season with salt and pepper and bay leaf (which I didn't have so I used thyme which was great)....cook and stir for about 5 min then add 4 cups chikcen broth (which is 2 of the 14.5 oz cans)....and one can (14-15 oz) white canellini beans, drained and rinsed......bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 10-15 min til broccoli is tender....Take off heat and mix in 1.5 tsp dry mustard (I left it out)....using immersion blender, puree soup in pot ...I left mine a little chunky since that's how I like it....taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding salt or pepper....then, if desired, mix in 4 oz or so of shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, stir to melt...If you don't have an immersion blender, use your potato masher and just smoosh it up in the pot...or just leave chunky, would taste fine...

This would be good with ham added to it....and I am going to make it with cauliflower and carrots....yum....makes about 6 cups or so and freezes beautifully, it's a really pretty bright green color and you'll say to yourself  "how come this is so good?? There's "nothing" in it!!"////