I can't stop smiling :)

I am on top of the world right now!! I feel like I am making all the right choices when it comes to my life. There are so many moments throughout my day where I catch myself just smiling and I catch a glimpse in the mirror and the girl looking back at me is saying, "yes, yes..you are doing this and your doing so good!" I feel so confident. I'm not afraid anymore. Yesterday at the gym I was terrified! I might have been shaking actually. And today, I walked right in feeling like I'd been there a million times before. I even ventured off to do weight training and in front of people no less. I could have NEVER done that a few months ago. The fact is that I'm not afraid to try. Because I know in the long run it's only going to make me stronger and healthier. Look at how afraid I was to go to Weight Watchers in the first place, now I walk in there and interact and enjoy the people there. Even though I know I have a long road to go, I feel like I have already come so far and no one can take that away from me. I push myself harder and harder and I know I can do that. Cause I can handle it. I am so proud of myself and I just can't stop smiling!!

Great, great day!!!

I joined a gym!!! This is something I've been wanting to do for a long time now. I used the treadmill today and felt really awesome! It was a little intimidating at first but everyone that's there just wants to work out. I opted for joining at the YMCA cause it's more family oriented. I was on the treadmill for 30 min and walked a mile and a half. I might have kept going but I wasn't prepared for an hour. I had no water and my pants kept falling down (yep their too big!). I will bring my kindle next time, a full bottle of water and make sure to wear the right clothes and I will push a little further. I just love the feeling of knowing I am making my body healthier! I will not make excuses not to go to the gym. I can do it, I am strong!!

Southwestern Style Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe is so delicious!! My friend Amber made this amazing soup over the weekend, completely by scratch and with no recipe and it was amazing!!! It's very low calorie, low points and you would never know it! She brought me a couple of Tupperware bowls of it and my family loved it too!!! It's very filling and so versatile!
Ingredients:
1 pound of pre-boiled or grilled skinless, chicken (17pts)

1 cup of Kidney Beans (5pts)
1 cup frozen corn (4pts)
2 cups chicken stalk (2pts)
8 cups of water
6 oz can of Contadina Roasted Garlic tomato paste (0pts)
14.5 oz can Del Monte Basil, Garlic and Oregano Diced tomato's (0)
1 whole zucchini cut into 1/2 inch circles, then cut again (0pts)
1 whole carrot, cut into 1/2 inch circles (0)
1/2 cup of uncooked onion petals (0)
1 tsp chili powder (0)
1 pkg of taco seasoning (2pts)
1 tsp of garlic salt (0)
1 tsp of ground pepper (0)
2 Tbsp Corner Bakery Brand tortilla strips (0)

Combine all ingredients except corn and tortilla strips in a large pot.  Bring to a boil, then set to simmer, cover and set to low for 4-5 hours, stirring every hour.  About an hour before the soup is done, take out the chicken and shred it.  Replace the chicken and add corn for the last hour.  Add tortilla strips right before serving.  Some alternate suggestions to add are; squeeze lime at the end before serving, rice to the pot or cheese on top,  This amazing soup is only 3 points for a 1 1/2 cup serving and the ingredients make about 10 servings!!!  Thanks Amber!!!

Spotlight...

I really want to put the spotlight on my husband, Andrew. He really has been so supportive. I have put him on and off the "Let's get healthy" bandwagon so many times throughout our marriage that he must feel skeptical when I bring up a new way to do it. But he hasn't shown it. He is so proud of me! He makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. Especially lately. He compliments me on how great I'm looking all the time. I'll be just standing in the living room and I'll hear, "dang babe, you are looking so good!" I really do need to hear that stuff. It makes me know all my hard work is visibly paying off. The other night I was reading in bed and he was watching tv and he put his hand on my knee and said, "honey, what is this hard knot on your knee?" I said, "Awww, sweety thats my bone!" LOL, thats still so funny to me! And yes I do love that he could feel it ;) So, thank you baby, I love you so much and I'm looking forward to becoming your hot new wife soon :)

Interesting day for me..

Well today was odd. We had a football get together and it was the first time in a long time I seriously did not crave any of the fattening foods we had for our guests. I usually want to partake in the chicken wings and pizza but I really just wanted a healthy salad. It's really nice to know that my body craves good food now rather that just me trying to trick it. Something about that just really makes me feel so empowered! I'm sure I'll have a day when I want the food thats bad for me but my determination and willpower will not be deterred. I will acheive my goals! I feel very strong!

Feeling so empowered on this beautiful Friday morning!

I had my meeting last night and I lost 3.2 pounds!!! What an amazing feeling!! I really feel as though I can do anything!! I set my mind on a goal and I'm only 22 pounds away from my 85 goal by April 20th for Disneyland!!! I love it! I was able to eat out 3 times. I always shy away from restaurant's because I feel like it weakens my resolve, but I was really able to enjoy life this week and be a part of my family's festivities. I just made really smart choices, like ordering lettuce to replace my turkey burger bun at TGIFridays and choosing salad instead of fries at Nathan's birthday party. I even ate steak and sweat potatoes fries at our football get together. All I can say is, it works and I'm going to get where I want to be!!!

I had to go out clothes shopping today....

I was getting dressed today and I was having a hard time finding a shirt that fit me and I came across a shirt I bought the weekend before I started ww and I had shoved it in the back of my closet cause it was too small and now it's too big!! That's awesome!!! So it prompted me to go out shopping for smaller, yes SMALLER clothes!!! This is a big deal for me because part of the reason I started ww is that trying on clothes was a nightmare for me and often left me with zero purchases but plenty of tears. This experience however, was a lot better!! Everything I tried on fit and at 2 & 3 sizes smaller!!! I never thought in a million years I would ever love clothes again but I do and it's only going to get better!!! Yippy!!!