Back In The Groove

I've decided on the book: Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis.  I came across the book along with her book: Girl Stop Apologizing at a yard sale.  I was familiar with the first one and at one time, I'm sure it was on my kindle.  I started it yesterday, reading that one chapter and therefore checking off that commitment!

I hit all but 2 commitments yesterday.  I didn't do a healthy snack and I forgot my banana for breakfast and missed the "have a fruit and/or veggie with every meal".  However, Kickstart isn't about perfection; it's about setting habits and moving forward.  I have that straightened out today!!  Had my banana and have an orange and almonds/walnuts for my snack.  That certainly beats a candy bar!

My impossibly easy hamburger casserole came out pretty good.  I'm having leftovers for lunch.  If you decide to make this, use 2 lbs of light burger (won't change the point value) instead of just one.  I'm pretty sure that was a mistake because 1 lb is used in the smaller version of the recipe and it is the only thing not doubled in the larger version.  I wanted to do the larger for the leftovers (plus my hubby is a big eater that gains no weight).  FYI: I just realized that the smaller version recipe does not include the veggies; so apparently for the larger version they've added veggies in place of increasing the burger.  I still say increase the burger and include the veggies, lol!

Today I'm having Slow Cooker Three Bean & Chicken Chili (0 pts).  I've been making this since I started WW back in 2010.  It's a WW recipe, but the original calls for pork loin rather than chicken.  I've made it both ways, and both are great!  It's being made with chicken this time as that's what was in the freezer.  I don't make it exactly how the WW recipe is, but here's mine:

1 lb uncooked boneless chicken breast cut into chunks (or 1 lb uncooked pork lion cut into chunks)

2- 15 oz cans of tomato sauce

2- 15 oz cans diced tomatoes (I use the kind with garlic & oregano added)

1- 15 oz can of dark red kidney beans (drained & rinsed)

1- 15 oz can of pinto beans (drained & rinsed)

1- 15 oz can black beans (drained & rinsed)

1 tbsp of tomato paste

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

salt & pepper to taste

Just put it all in the crockpot, give it a good stir and set it on low for 8 hours.

You could also add: peppers, corn, mushrooms, onion and such to this as well.  Use your imagination!

I like this chili.  I like it as chili, along with tortilla chips/scoops or even use it as the filling in tacos.

FYI:  If you are using the Healthi app to use older WW plans, this chili will not be 0 pts.  It wasn't back in the day but now all the ingredients are 0 pt.  Put it in your recipe builder to find the points.

So I'm kind of back in the groove...

So Let's Work On A Game Plan

So I need to keep moving forward with the weight loss.  Kickstart started over yesterday (but you can still join - it's FREE) and I redid my commitments:

1.  Track commitments on Kickstart (everyone gets that one)

2.   Drink at least four 8 oz. servings of plain water daily 

3.  Walk or Exercise daily

4.  Journal Daily

5.  Read one chapter of a book daily (any book)

6.  Watch/listen to a helpful Podcast and/or YT video daily

7.  Healthy snack daily

8.  Fruits and/or Veggies with each meal

9.  Daily Vitamin

10. One new recipe for dinner weekly

I won't hit them all everyday; but I tried to make them as doable as possible.

Still tracking with Weight Watchers (I have it until December, so.....)

My YT watches will be Fed Up Over 50 for right now; trying to go back and watch some of the older videos in addition to her new ones.

My new recipe for the week will be:  Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

As is, that is a point heavy recipe.....but a leaner ground beef; reduced fat cheese and skim milk brings it down to a much more point friendly meal.

A New Vlog and Other Things

A big shout-out to Fed Up Over 50 a vlogger I happened upon on YouTube quite by accident.  She kind of popped up while I was on YouTube!!  So nice to have someone who is dealing with the same things I am dealing with weight wise.  Check her out!

Easter went pretty well; spent it with family and ate more than I should have.....but for some reason, I was down a pound this morning.  I just don't understand weight loss!

Not too much going on though, same old, same old.

This & That

Well.....Spring has finally sprung...oh we still have some chilly (and rainy) days; but it is getting nicer!

On the weight front things haven't been going well and despite still struggling along, those 5 lbs I lost have refound me and that really sends me off course.  It doesn't matter what I do, nothing is working.

I'm trying to debate where to go from here.

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I saw the movie They Will Kill You last night and it's really good and entertaining.  It's one of those movies that once it starts, it keeps going!  I recommend it. 

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I've made myself a list of horror movies, recommended by influencers, that are available on streaming services.  This evening I'm watching Dream Eater, which is a found footage type film about a guy that sleepwalks.  It's slow moving, it's creepy and there's some jump scares; and why his girlfriend continues to stay is beyond me!  Get out of there!

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What horror movies would I recommend to you?

My top is Sinister.  If you've never seen it, make sure you don't watch the 2nd one by accident or else it gives the first one away.  Watch the original and skip the 2nd all together.

My favorite from last year is Bring Her Back.  How Sally Hawkins did not receive an Oscar nomination or any award nomination for her role in this is such a tragedy.  This one has some very disturbing scenes that are hard to watch; but this movie is so worth the watch!

Finding Yourself

 

My Next Trip

Two years ago CC took me on a Happy 60th Birthday trip.  We have been huge fans of zombies ever since grade school and watching Night of the Living Dead (original).  We live about a 3 hour drive from where that was filmed.  For my birthday we were going to go to the cemetery where the opening scene was filmed and then from there we would find things to do in and around Pittsburgh.  It turned out to be a fabulous trip that you can read  more about HERE.

Last year I wanted to go again; CC had a family thing already planned for that weekend so she couldn't go; but I planned the weekend and went all by myself.  I had a BLAST and met so many nice people (you're really never alone there).  You can read that adventure HERE.

I've decided to go again by myself this year (I really don't think CC enjoyed it quite as much as I did that first year).  I like to go to see Greg Nicotero.  They haven't announced his presence yet, and considering the theme this year (as he was too young to be an actor/special effects at that time), he may not be attending BUT that doesn't matter; it will be a fun event regardless.

This year's theme is Dawn of the Dead (the original one).  It was filmed in the mall where the event is held!  I again got a VIP ticket for the weekend and that, this year, includes a screening on Friday night in the mall theaters of (what else) Dawn of the Dead!!

The Monroeville Mall was sold last year to Walmart.  Walmart's plans are to tear it down and build a Walmart and strip mall.  No one wants this; but it looks as though it is past the fighting phase.  This will probably be the last Living Dead Weekend at this location.  There are dozens of cast members of this movie attending; so it's a pretty big deal!  And it's why I want to attend, Nicotero or not 😊!

They have a lot packed into the weekend.  I've opted out of another behind the scenes mall tour - I did that last year and since tours are limited, decided others deserve the chance.  The drive up is tiring to begin with.  I'll go straight to the mall on Friday to get my arm band and just see the vendors and celebrities and work out my game plan.  Then off to hotel check-in and some much needed rest before a pre-movie party, the movie and whatever else is planned.  I think I'm going to need an hour or two of sleep before the evening festivities as it will be a late night!

I'm so looking forward to this trip!!

The Living Dead Weekend

Creating Me

 "Finding My Laura" exists due to a weight loss journey.  "Finding My Laura" should be more than weight loss.

I mean, isn't there more to me than just a number on the scale?  I think there definitely should be.  What good is the "Weight Laura" if the rest of "Laura" doesn't exist.

I need to stop defining myself by my weight.

Don't get me wrong; I am on a weight loss journey and will continue to be and that will always be a topic here; but the rest of me is going to start being a topic as well.  All the little bits and pieces that make me "Me".  I don't need to "Find Laura"; I just need to start picking up the pieces and putting her back together.

Weight Update:  I'm still stuck and have decided to start weighing myself weekly instead of daily - it just sets my mood for the day and well if the scale isn't being my friend; I won't have a good day.

Topics you may find from this point forward:  Travel; Movies, TV, Walks, Family, Friends, Pets, Favorite Restaurants and what I eat there; all the little things that create Me!

Come join me and Create Yourself!

Well, Hello!

Yeah, I know it's been awhile.....

I'm still maintaining in and around that 5 lb mark.....it gets so frustrating.  I was at the Doctor yesterday and I have some borderline things in the bloodwork but nothing to get worried over.  Of course, some weight loss would help improve those areas.

I shared with him how I struggle with weight loss; he totally understands those struggles.  He asked where I wanted to go from here.....I told him I did not want to do medications.  He understood that as well; but said he always asks as he has discovered that people are afraid to ask about those options.  He told me with the weather changing for the better; to get more exercise in.  He was sure I already know how to eat healthier.  He's right, I do.

So that's where I am right now; hoping to keep moving forward. 

A Work In Progress

 From my last post you can see I FINALLY hit the first 5 lbs mark.  I know it's not a lot; but I was so happy to get to the milestone.  I signed back up on December 24th, though it was probably closer to January 1st before I officially started.  I am using my weight on December 24th as my starting point.

My weight has been up and down and all around.  This past week though it's been chipping at those .2 losses and it finally got to a milestone!

I'm really happy about that and am so glad that I held on.

I didn't do a whole lot of "changes" to make it happen either.  As a matter of fact I started frying my meat again.  Yep - FRYING IN OIL.  The cuts of meat are zero, so I just count for the oil.  Fried meat tastes so good - I had forgotten how good it is, YUM!

I have not been doing my exercise though - that may have made more of a loss; but I'm a work in progress.

YAY ME!

Just wanted to pop in and say, I FINALLY got to add a charm!!

Onto the next 5 lb mark....

Sent from my Galaxy

It Doesn't Make Sense

I hate snow.

I guess a very long time ago, when I was a child, I may have enjoyed it.  I suppose I liked getting out of school, making a snowman and such; but as I grew, my hate for snow also grew.

We had about 8 inches of snow 2 weeks ago, topped with ice.  It just causes a mess.  Yesterday, it was pretty much completely gone and a very lovely day.  Today, well it's snowing.

Sigh....

Weight loss is still ongoing.  Shapa took me right into Dark Gray for a day or two...now I'm back up to Teal.  None of it makes sense, because I'm basically maintaining and that means my Shapa color should be Green.

I'm still not at that first 5 lb loss.  Everything seems so pointless.....