The movies.

Ok we all know that bucket of greasy goodness we can get at the movies... we all know because we have all bought it. And some of us (no names mentioned *cough* me) has been known to eat most of the bucket in one sitting. And than one day while reading the hungry girl book, I found out what is inside that bucket of popcorn.

A large bucket is 1500 calories and 130 grams of fat! OMG. The thought of that and how many times I ate that.. are omg. I am dying here.. seriously! To add to that I had a LARGE Dr Pepper (cause they sell you on that "its only a .25 more!" WOOHOO a special. SIGN me up!) yep sign me up for a 500 calorie soda. Ever sit down and eat one of those bags of Reese pieces? Knowing full and well it was movie theater size, if you were me you just killed it.. hello 1200 calories and 60 grams of fat. OMG that is 3200 calories, 190 grams of fat in ONE movie outing.. and we thought the movie prices were killing us!

So, the thing is this...Mel and I are having a movie night. (Mel btw is my bestie, she's a silent follower) So, what does one do? Obviously those options are well.. let's be honest ok? They suck. Big time. So what does one who is trying not to eat their weight in calories? She goes to the cabinet and takes ideas from the Hungry girl, tonight carried in my little purse are the following items:

tootsie pops--1 point I bring one orange and one brown.
Pop secret kettle corn--1 point for the bag
Water--FREE--but i buy it at the theater.

Total for snacks MAX 2 points and the diet survives. Cha ching.. Now let's hope the movie is good.. hmmm. :o)~

I heart the Hungry Girl

First off to the ladies who won the books last week, they are being mailed today :o)~ We are a two car family again.. life is good!! :o)~

So, yesterday I went and bought the Hungry Girls new cookbook, because I am addicted. I am addicted and need a 12 step program. She simply rocks, she has recipes in there that are just amazing! So far we have tried three (yea I know I said I bought it yestetrday.. I did lol) Last night with dinner we had creamed corn cheese bites, on WW they are 1 point each and yummy!! (46 calories, 2 g fat, and .05 fiber) I was impressed and that is now a keeper in our already dog eared book. We had them with the Ham mom sent over and a Swiss and tomato mac and cheese (thats not WW that is all my grandma! but we were able to make it WW friendly).

So then we decided that it would be best to make a good dessert. Good meal, good dessert.. leftover points = easy oven-baked s'mores -stuffed bananas. Did you just hear the choirs of angels sing? Oh they did my friends, they sang loud and proud. This was just an amazing little sweet and not all that bad for you. (it packs a 152 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, and 3g of fiber)

Ok so then this morning.. I want something different Chobani yogurt while delicious needed something.. I was not sure what but I knew where to look...Insert Overstuffed peanut butter 'n banana french toast. now this packs you full of calories (but i had only had 12 ounces of water so figured well why not? (327 calories , 8.5 fat and 7.25 fiber) Yea I know! its high but holy moly!! it was so good! and I am FULL really full. I won't be eating my morning snack and that is ok because I had a fruit in the french toast! This does pack in a full 6 points but not so bad considering!! Yum-0!!

I am sure there will be many more recipes used out of this book this week, to include the grits and shrimp (now I am a yankee..is this a southern thing? I had never heard of it but hey I am willing to try it!!) On a whole though from looking through the book, I think this will quickly be a new favorite. :o)~

Holiday Anxiety

From the time I was little, I have always looked forward to holidays. It never really mattered which one, I just loved the holiday idea and the seasons. For instance Christmas for me was watching, everything come together-the gift buying, the gift giving,the gift receiving and the food. Thanksgiving.. well who are we kidding that was JUST the food. Easter was church, because its just a really neat service, baskets and candy candy and candy and dinner. Once again its all about food.

I could lie and tell you that I knew these holidays were more than that but honestly my mouth watered as I thought of each holiday approaching. See, my family are eaters and creators. We eat and eat and eat all our way through each Holiday. My mom is incapable of doing a holiday small so we start with appetizers and move all the way to MAJOR desserts. My level of anxiety over Easter (the first holiday since I started dieting) has been astronomical. I could eat my weight in reese peanut butter eggs-and I am here to tell you that I have not had ONE this year. I have not had a cadbury egg (last year over 3 days I ate a BJs size 3 lbs bag..alone.) I did break down and buy jelly belly jelly beans AFTER I found out that you can have 35 for 3 points. that may not sound like a lot if you are popping them in your mouth but it is if you ration them out for yourself. I have learned ways to make desserts that are tasty but good for me!

So now what are we going to do for dinner for Easter this year? well, due to some family events that sort of cramped our plans to go to my Moms, we are doing Easter at home (unless something changes in the next few days). My plan at this time is to still do Easter like Mom would. Only we will adjust and do a brunch after Mass, I plan to make (with DH help):

HG Cinnamon rolls

HG The Hakuna Fritata

a fruit salad (yummy yummy (Wiggles)

Mimosa's (2 points

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For appetizers, I will lay out ham and pickle roll ups, a family tradition that i will tweak by using WW cream cheese! I also will do the HG stuffed Clams :o)~ And that is the apps. Now if the kids object to those we will throw in mini grilled cheese for them with a side of chips. Tada. Goodness knows they will be eating junkfood out the wazzooo all day Easter :o)~ but thats ok! We all did it as kids right?

Dinner I have had to put thought into, but I managed to come up with a decent meal I think:

Easter Pork Tenderloin from WW (4 points for a cup!)

The Pioneer Womans crash hot potatoes

Broc Casserole tweaked to be diet friendlier

Easter Rolls

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while I may not eat the rolls or will eat just one that is what we will do for Easter dinner. It is a yummy filling meal! Perfect for the family as they all eat everything and it is also diet friendly for me. Which is important to me.

So than how do we handle dessert? Come on now. . you all have heard me sing the praises of the Hungry girl. I am sure there will be something in those cookbooks that I pull out to make for dessert. If nothing else it may be something as simple as making regular cupcakes for the kids (I don't use eggs or oil for the kids I use only seltzer or diet soda) and I will do a 100 calorie snack with a HG milk shake :o)~

I can survive the holidays I just have to be determined to do so. :o)~ And well to quote George Lopez "I got this" :o)~

Anxiety, cheating and the desire to be thin

Today's blog is about the things that I have been fighting, it will hardly make sense but for me I had to get it out. I had to be held accountable, and this is the way I do it. I apologize if I ramble more than a teenager who is head over heels in love with someone.

I have been trying to figure out why this year is so much different than all the others. For years I have fought my way through the dieting downfall. Every year for so many years I said "THIS is my year!" How come this year when I said it was it different? Is it because the migraines from high blood pressure were just too much? Or is it that I was so ashamed to look myself in my mirror that is what did it?

I know this will sound bad, but as July approached this year, so did my 20 year high school reunion. As much as I personally wanted to go, I skipped it because of how big I was. I did not want to be the butt (no pun intended) of peoples jokes, and although we can all say "well, we are adults now we have risen above that" I can tell you honestly that I do not think everyone has outgrown childish behaviors from high school. And honestly with the cost being so high, I did have every reason to justify not going (six kids..one a senior who I swear we have had to pay out the nose for this year) So that was my outward reason, but inside I also knew it was the fear of the unknown.

Friday night, my husband and I went to Red Lobster. My plan was to cheat, to misbehave and to LIKE it. I failed..miserably. There was nothing on the menu that was worth the points for me to cheat. Instead I ate crab legs (4 points), 2 Lobster tails (2 points each), and Garlic Shrimp (5 points), and a potato (3 points) for a total of 16 points. I had well over 24 points for dinner and knew I had wiggle room (I have never used the extra 35 points WW gives you because I just have never had the desire to do it). So while yes, I did eat.. and WELL :o)~ I did not cheat. We even went somewhere good and healthy for dessert we went Skinny Dip yogurt bar. And it was wonderful and 2 points for dessert. We skipped out on Red Lobsters point laden desserts and went with something healthy.. lets face it I now suck at cheating, and I am pretty sure thats a good thing!

I know that the old joke is that every fat person has a skinny person fighting to get out.. We have all heard that phrase. But the truth is... in my opinion we all have that inner fat person who would rather eat their way happy because food is comfort. Whether we want to admit it or not. I know when I have a bad day I head straight to my buddies Ben and Jerry. No, its not the best choice and to be honest its actually worse than eating an entire bag of M&Ms in one sitting. Now, this past week my stress level was at the top of the summit. I ignored my desire to eat, and just behaved. It was the first time in my life that I did not find comfort in something bad for me. I wish I could explain why that meant so much to me, but the truth of the matter is even I do not know why its different this time. I wish I could say that I am a recovered foodaholic but the truth is, there is no such thing and not just because I made up the word but because I will always secretly desire to grab the bad for me food even though I know its a big mistake.

So there you have it, my confession. Its long, it hardly makes sense but someone out there has to get me right?

the 1000 Calorie 100 calorie box giveaway

So, here is the thing. .I am a snacker. I am a snacker of epic proportions. The kids go to school, I am bored and I want to munch. Sighs. What do you do when that happens? How do you avoid a diet breakdown? For me, its the 100 calorie snacks. Here are some of my favorites:

100 calorie Oreo cakesters (omg they rock
Quaker quakes (cinnamon stresuel rocks)
100 calorie peanut butter and cheese crackers
100 calorie swedish fish
100 calorie sour patch kids
100 calorie hershey bars
100 calorie baked lays
100 calorie chocolate covered pretzels
100 calorie Kashi 7 grain crackers
100 calorie granola bars
100 calorie kettle corn from Pop secret
The Russell Stover WW candies

So that is my list.. however there are millions of others!! And btw that is not ALL my list there are more on there too but that is all I listed. So here is my giveaway:

To two people, I will send 1 box full of snacky goodness! All you have to do is enter, tell me which is your favorite snack, pass it on to other people, and come back here and tell me where you told people about it!! This is ending AFTER spring break which is April 10th!! :o)~ Enjoy everyone!

Winners WINNERS!!

Yesterday was one of those drama filled days that when I tell you I normally would have eaten two big macs on. Seriously. So did I cave? Nope! I didn't! I didn't eat anything that was out of the ordinary!! And I worked out to get through my rough day! I killed it in boxing and boy did I need it!! My poor kids were dying to know who I was beating up :o)~ So please forgive me!! Ok? Please? No, no don't get mad. .come back.. I still love you!! :o)~ I promise. .can we be friends still? ::please?:::: Okay.

so, I put all 15 of you into the Truly Random Generator and number 5 came up!! So Zink AKA Renee is the Winner of 1 of the Hungry Girls cookbook!! the other one is for Miss Lisa from Oh boy oh boy oh boy (a fun and wonderful blog!) She gets it for sending me a person who said "Lisa sent me!" :o)~ It was that easy!!

Thank you for entering, Ladies addresses please! Oh and stay tuned to this page where you will hear me say "a new fun giveaway will be announced later today!" And if you are a snackologist you are gonna want to enter this one!!

The Diet Pie Chart

This morning, in my creativeness sweep, I made a pie chart for dieters. The problem is I have n clue how to get it off Excel and into blogger. Yep, I suck. So instead I put up this picture of pie. Just convince yourself its a diet version ok?

The purpose of this "pie" chart? Well, because I started thinking the other day about how when you are dieting your life sort of revovles around that diet...whether you like it or not! The thing is this: you have to know your numbers to make it work. You have to be in control of your pie! So here is my pie in a pieshell (haha I crack me up. Yea I don't.. that was bad. .forgive me ok? no don't click the X. there is a point I promise! ::whew that was close!:::thanks!)

Food-20% . That may sound like a lot but when you are dieting you have to commit yourself to knowing what you are putting in your mouth. You are what you eat. It took me a long time to realize that eating whether for emotional reasons, boredom, or anyother reason is wrong. You have to eat when hungry. Try and know your scale, 1-famished 2-hungry 3-a little hungry 4-content but want to snack 5-full . If you are on 1 or 2 eat. If you are on 3 or 4 chew a piece of gum and if you are on 5-do something constructive or drink some water. You don't need to eat!! (This was my issue big time!)

Water- 20%. Hydration is so important. 8 glasses of water a day is beautiful and I know people have the "but it doesn't taste as good as soda" . I have said it ALOT! I finally got to the point where I learned I like ICE cold water. I always have one in the freezer and as I am half done I pull it out and sit it on the counter. I drink 8-11 glasses of water a day, it can be done! and after awhile you realize its actually pretty darn good to feel hydrated all the time!!

Exercise-10%- At least 15 minutes a day do something. Some days the most exercise I do is walking Walmart or the grocery store, but I do it! I make sure to get it in. Other days I commit up to an hour to exercise. I have this energy thanks to dieting and exercise that is outstanding! I can do things I have not done in years!! All because my body is giving me two thumbs up of approval. Exercise may be 10% but its a BIG 10%!!!

Support-50% - I can NOT stress this enough. If you do not have a good support system you will be in trouble. BIG trouble! I have the most amazing support system in place, between my family and friends I know I made the right choice to change my life. I know that even if I have setbacks, I will get back on the horse and ride again. If you feel you want to do this and have no support, let me know! I will be glad to be your support system. :o)~

So that is my pie chart... Am I wrong? maybe. But for me that is how my life is laid out now. I conciously think of what I am eating. I think of what I am drinking. I think that I know I need to exercise and I am thankful that I have support :o)~

Weight Watchers and how it works.

Ok, so I have been asked to explain Weight watchers, please keep in mind that I am still basically a novice at this but I think I can explain it. If nothing else you will see what has been working for me and for Chucky (who is 10 lbs from his goal weight.. say it with me girls.. ASS!... bitter? who me?)

So, this is going to be done in steps:

1) Step 1--Establish your points.. no don't just guess what your points are.. Weight Watchers has a scientific little quiz to help you figure out how many points you are allowed each day. they use a few factors (IE your weight, are you male or female, what is your activity level, are you nursing, etc) While Weight Watchers does not approve of people posting the quiz if you want to find out what your points are, shoot me an email or comment and I will help ya :o)~.

2) Step 2--start out by knowing your food. you are what you eat after all right? (Oh God that means before January I was twinkies and Dr Pepper. Great. NOW I am depressed!.. no wait! now I am healthy stuff.. whew I am better!!) ok the first thing to do is become friends with your food.. each food has a calorie, fat and fiber content. Calories you want to keep at a decent level.. fat you want low and fiber you want high. (PS also have a online calorie calculator too.. same email or comment ok?) Fiber makes you poop. pooping makes you lose weight.. :o)~ ok sorry had to put that out there.. gross I know.. but hey I am a mom of six my manners are long gone

3) Step 3- Plan your meals! trust me! eating on the fly usually adds weight to you.. and its ugly. .become friends with the Hungry girl, Laaloosh.com, and the Weight Watchers website.. they rock for giving you recipes.

So what do I eat? And how many points do I get. Right now I am at 32 points and here is what I eat daily (changed up at times!)

1 Thomas Bagel thin (1 point)
1 WW cream cheese tub (1 point) (its 2 oz of cream cheese
1 cup of coffee (1 point)
banana or peaches (1 point)

Total ---4 points

-----------------------------------

1 Sandwich thin <---these are DIVINE! (1 point)
2 oz of hillshire farm lunch meat (2 points--I am a meaty girl.. deal with it!)
1 slice of cheese (1 point) <--tons of cheese are only 70 calories sometimes i use a laughing cow cheese wedge yum!)
1 dollop of honey mustard, mayo whatever I am feeling (1 point)
33 Brown rice chips (2 points!!!!!! for 33!!!!)

Total-- 7 points
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Afternoon snack:

1 fruit smoothie (2 points)
1 100 calorie snack (1 or 2 points depending)

total--4 points (thats be real most are 2 ok?)
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Dinner:

Chicken or meat of choice (4-6 points depending on what we make)
Veggie (spinach, corn, beans,etc) (0-2 points depending)
Side dish (this can be potatoes, or rice) (3-4 points)
glass of wine on THOSE das (2 points)

Total--12 points (yes that is alot but its our big family meal and normally more like 12)
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Dessert:

a Hungry girl milk shake, or a cupcake or sometimes just a 100 calorie oreos (MAX 3points)

Total- 3 points
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Total for the day 30 points Now my hubby will tell you I hardly eat ALL of that. Normally I am around 26 points at dinner time.. but I wanted to be realistic for this case scenario. I also walk or exercise daily so that helps too. oh and water water water.. I drink 80-90 ounces of water a day!

The thing about Weight Watchers is this, if you look at it like its a diet you will fail. Once you realize you are changing your life then and only then will it work. If you have any questions and i can help, let me know. I would love to have another WW friend, most people have sort of bailed on me.

The Annoying dieter.

You know that person.. you know that one who is dieting and is successful so wants to share their joy with everyone. I realized last night, OMG that is me. I talk about Weight Watchers, Hungry girl, Kashi (btw Kashi.. owe you a BIG apology.. really thought your food was gonna taste like tree bark and i am in LOVE!), and definitely Wii EA Sports Active.

But here is the thing, I can't help it. I have been the butt of jokes for a long time... some from my family, some from friends, and some from strangers. A friend of mine (who has been so amazing through this, and probably does not even realize how much I appreciate it--Crazed Mama I am talking about you!) posted on her blog this week here that she wants to be happy with her weight. The truth of the matter is, I have never been happy with my weight. I have always been comfortable in my own skin on the outside, I used to tell everyone I am vertically challenged and horizontally blessed" (short and fat)

Now I am on this Weight Watchers thing, and I can see that at some point I will hit my goal weight. (I am aiming for 160-175) I enjoy working out, I am enjoying that I can wake up in the morning and get out of bed without gasping for air! I can walk outside with the kids.. I walked from the car to the beach this weekend without losing my breath! I feel a difference in me. I said 2010 was going to be different and I have stuck to that.. and (TMI warning WARNING WARNING.. ok you have been warned) even my marriage has been "helped" if you will. (hey I warned you!!)

So yes I am that annoying dieter, and I do apologize but please know that if you started this at the weight I started this, and have watched the pounds leave you would be excited to. So, can we still be friends?

Hello Spring!!

So, as I wake up this morning and I hear the birds outside (and may I say can we tell them to please quiet down until at least 9:30 on a Saturday? I was leaving at 6:30 (Chuck has drill) and they were already starting!!) but than it hit me. .ITS SPRING!:

and in my world that means we are heading to the:

And that we are going to sit back and enjoy the sun and have fun!! So, than it hits me...like this guy:

Last year, we would sit on the beach and eat bad for me food and drink soda. Yep, the life of the fat unhealthy beacher. That was me. We had people who sat and pointed, and I laughed it off or ok I ignored it. They were laughing at me. Probably wondering if they were going to have to push me back in. Back then it was easy to ignore and laugh. Back then I didn't care. Now, as I sit here at a weight I have not seen in a LONG time, i am not afraid to go to the beach. I am ready for it. No, I will not be walking around wearing this:

But I am ready for the spring! I am ready to WALK the beach and not just plop.. to play in the sand!! Yes, welcome back spring! I have missed you!! :o)~

Letters of Intent

On my other blog (the old woman in the shoe has got NOTHING on me) and with special thanks to someone I met ( Confessions of a Semi-Slacker Mom ) via another blog again, and who is also not just funny but also really fun to read, posted about Letters of Intent over at Julie's blog located at Foursons and ever willing to join in on something fun and freeing.. here I am!

Dear Wii EA Sports Active Trainer-

I think we are going to have to do something about our relationship, sure you have helped me shrink sizes but on one squat you tell me I am not quite getting it and in the next breath you tell me how great I am doing. I realize that you have duel personalities and feel the need to play good cop bad cop with me but come on!! I think I am going to have to request that you work on your emotions soon please.

Thanks and still grateful!

The incredibly shrinking me

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Dear Hungry Girl-

What can I say? everything you post is gold to me.. are you sure your real name isnt Midas?

Just curious

The not so hungry girl but HUGE fan

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Dear Pushup bra-

Thanks. After 39 years and 6 babies, they sort of forget that we much prefer perky to depressing and sad. (For awhile there I truly believe they were frowning). Thanks for giving me a lift in all the right places.

Yours forever,

The ones with the lifted "spirit"

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Dear child who likes to sit on my lap and eat bad for me foods:

Whatever sibling paid you off to see if I would cheat, is going to be in big trouble when you figure out how to tattle tale. Because you will tell.. oh yes.. you will. And if its not a sibling, please take your yummy foods that I won't touch to another location.. I hear Montana is nice this time of year.

Love,

Mommy

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Dear old clothes

I am sorry, we must part. Its not you, its me. Well, and its you. You no longer can hold yourself up on my tush and nobody really wants to see my monkey undies. I apologize as I know you were getting used to being the only ones in th closet but it will be ok.. I found you a nice new home and your owner truly appreciates them.

Thanks for everything-

Size 22/24 no longer 30/32

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Spring-

Thanks for the appearance the walk today was lovely!! What do you say we meet up at the beach tomorrow noonish?

Love,

The pasty white one who NEEDS the suns attention

-------------------------------------------

Write a letter, you will feel better! I promise its freeing TRY IT!

St Patricks Day.

Okay.. where do I start? Today is a National holiday in my house. St Patrick's day. Yep, you heard me. I meant it. A national holiday! We have corned beef and cabbage, and we have a St Patricks day dessert. Then.. it happened.. :::insert Horror movie music here:::: I started a diet :::horror movie SCREAM!!! OH NO!::::::::::: Yes, that is right.

So now what? Corned beef is notriously bad for you. We all know it, hell some days I think that makes it have a redeeming quality (the fat kid in me is still alive in well, I just keep drowning her with water) So, tonight following Weight Watchers guidelines :::sob::: and cutting off the fat ::: oh God not the fat.. please not the fat:::: I will be still having Corned beef, cabbage and veggies for a whopping 7 points. (I normally save 10-14 for dinner/dessert because Dinner is the family meal).

Dessert will be green chocolate chip scones (3 WW points!!) and well, God knows a meal would not be complete with out the Hungry girl:

*Hungry-girl's shamrock shake (a healthier version of McDonald's SS shake):
Shamrock 'n' Roll Shake

PER SERVING (1 shake, entire recipe): 176 calories, 4g fat, 142mg sodium, 29.5g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 16g sugars, 7.5g protein -- POINTS® valu e 3*

Ingredients:
1 tbsp. Coffee-mate Sugar Free French Vanilla powdered creamer
3/4 cup light vanilla soymilk
1/2 cup Breyers Smooth & Dreamy Creamy Vanilla fat-free ice cream
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
2 drops green food coloring
1 no-calorie sweetener packet (like Splenda)
1 1/2 cups crushed ice (8 - 12 ice cubes' worth)

Directions:Combine Coffee-mate with 1 tbsp. hot water and stir to dissolve. Transfer mixture to a blender and add all other ingredients. Blend at high speed until mixed thoroughly. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

And this complete with choir of angels singing is what it looks like:

Happy St Patricks day!!! Enjoy!!

ARGH!!!

Ok, I have worked my tail off for the past two months. I have lost weight and I am so proud of myself you have NO idea!! So today I see on the News that there is a woman in New Jersey named Donna Simpson who is trying to eat her way to 1000 pounds! Why? Why would you do this? Granted she is already 600 lbs but by doing this she is risking her life!

She says she is healthy yet she gets around on a motor scooter. Hate to break it to you honey if you are healthy you get around on the service of your two feet! She eats 12000 calories a day! Whoa! I eat max 1200-1400 a day. Yes, I have made errors in my life and believe me I have paid for them. I have suffered from Blood Pressure headaches that are horrendous and I would not wish them on my very worst enemy. Am I insane to think she has lost her mind? Here is the article and her logic, someone please tell me that I am not nuts:

600-lb. Woman Eating Her Way to Dubious Distinction

Updated: 14 hours 29 minutes ago

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Katie Drummond Contributor

AOL News

(March 15) -- A New Jersey mother of two has announced she'll stick to a calorie-laden, ultra-sedentary lifestyle in her effort to tip the scale as one of the world's heaviest women.

Donna Simpson, 42, already weighs 600 pounds. She hopes to add another 400 to her frame within two years.

To do it, she's eating 12,000 calories a day and trying to move as little as possible.

Fame Pictures

Donna Simpson currently weighs 600 pounds. The New Jersey mother of two hopes to pack on another 400 pounds within two years by eating 12,000 calories a day so she can to become one of the world's heaviest women.

It's a costly endeavor: Simpson estimates that she spends $750 a week on groceries, which is financed by her Web site, where fans can watch streaming video of Simpson as she eats.

The idea was inspired by her boyfriend, Philippe, whom Simpson describes as "a real belly lover" and an enthusiastic supporter of her weight gain goal.

"I think he'd like it if I was bigger," Simpson told the U.K.'s Daily Mail. She met Philippe in a fat fetish chat room in 2006.

In 2007, Simpson became the fattest woman ever to give birth when she delivered daughter Jacqueline with the help of 30 doctors, nurses and medical assistants.

Despite the high-risk childbirth, a diagnosis of diabetes and her reliance on a motorized scooter for errands that require more than 20 feet of walking, Simpson describes herself as healthy -- and happy.

"I love eating, and people love watching me eat," she said. "It makes people happy, and I'm not harming anyone."

Simpson is rapidly progressing toward membership in a very small group. "The 900 Club," as dubbed by Dimensions magazine, consists of those who do, or did, exceed the 900-pound mark. And if the company she keeps is any indication, Simpson might not live long enough to become a 1,000-pound woman.

Even if Simpson attains her goal, she'll still be 600 pounds shy of Carol Yager, once the world's fattest woman, who died at 33 in 1994. Yager, who refused hospitalization because she didn't think her health problems were critical, succumbed to kidney failure and severe water retention.

It took 13 people to roll John Brower Minnoch over in bed. At 1,400 pounds in 1979, he claimed his health suffered only after a 500 calories a day diet left him sapped of energy. Minnoch died at 42 after lapsing from a medically supervised diet and regaining 200 pounds in a single week, which led to fatal edema.

Formerly the world's fattest woman, Rosalie Bradford also set a record, for most weight lost by a woman, after shedding more than 900 pounds with the help of diet guru Richard Simmons. Despite her success, Bradford died in 2006 of undisclosed health problems.

Ironically, it was the 2007 death of Renee Williams, a 29-year-old Texan, that prompted Simpson to refuse weight loss surgery. Williams, who weighed 850 pounds when she died, was desperate to lose weight from surgery but was considered "high risk" by most doctors. She suffered a heart attack during gastric bypass surgery.

Of all those whose weight puts them within Simpson's professed target on the scale, none have lived to enjoy old age.

Even the world's former fattest man, Manuel Uribe, has changed his tune. After years of refusing weight loss surgery, Uribe has lost more than 600 pounds on the Zone Diet and recently married his girlfriend on a beach in Mexico -- from bed.

Despite the massive weight loss, Uribe's health problems still prevent him from walking.

Simpson may be making headlines for her weight gain ambition, but she doesn't actually have much competition -- they've all died off. The last known woman to exceed 1,000 pounds was Renee Scarfa, who died of weight-related heart problems in 2008, at age 42.

who doesnt want a giggle?

Okay, I can be honest with you guys.. I am too tired to be creative today.. Daylight savings time is whopping my behind.. so instead I have decided that today I will post some cartoons I have found funny:And there you have it, some funnies. Today I completed the 30 day workout. I just don't even know what to say, I am thrilled beyond belief, proud beyond words, and relieved I did it. My personal history of keeping with a diet and exercise program.. well it stinks. But it has been said that I have turned a corner, and I believe it!! It feels so good to have that first notch under my belt. And ahem as I London Tipton it for a moment "YAY ME!!"

I feel like a novice.

I used to consider myself a decent chef, mostly because my scavengers can put away food like it is a contest to see who can eat the fastest. So, when I started this diet, I had to relearn how to cook, my good friend butter had to leave. In his place is spray butter (ok for the record NOT the same thing but it works) I also use the I can't believe its not butter spread. I could eat Sour cream on everything, well sour cream left and plain greek yogurt came to say hello.

I have learned to weigh and measure, and count and be smart when I cook and when i eat. I learned that portion control is the main part of this whole ball of wax. I can eat most of what I used to i just can't keep eating like my house is a giant buffet line. I hav learned that water is really not evil, its actually pretty darn good. I used to avoid water and drink only sugary sodas and now all the carbonation and sugar bother my stomach.

I think this is the most interesting thing about being on Weight Watchers, you can still eat like a normal person but you have to watch what you eat and take your points. As long as you do that you are golden.. Of course you feel like you are relearning everything but once you get past that you will do just fine.

Spring cleaning or.....

Today we (ok me and a group of people who I think I am related to who complained and acted as if we threatened to turn off cable forever, shut off the Internet and move to a hill and turn into hermits) cleaned our entire house. No, I do not live in a castle but yes the house was in need THAT bad.

Happily I rose at 7 AM (yea I know its Saturday.. I said Happy. .do you believe me?) I immediately started to get to work on the closet (much to the chagrin of my husband who would have preferred to return to the house after dropping the oldest off at the school for an FBLA award ceremony.. but I have the best husband in the world. have I mentioned that? Daily I hear "I am so proud of you" I think I better keep him) Anyways.. so the closet led to clothes that had to be boxed and bagged up. I failed to mention we did the dressers last night.. but all in all I got rid 3 trashbags of clothes and 2 boxes!

If you see someone walking down the road in this:

Don't panic.. it's just me. :o)~ I kid I have lots of clothes I had to blow the dust off of. :o)~ But pretty nice to get rid of the big clothes!!

A dieter's prayer

I wish I could take credit for this, but I can't. Instead I will share that I did not find an author for it but I found the words to be painfully accurate for a dieter. So here it is:

A Dieter's Prayer

Lord, my soul is ripped with riot

incited by my wicked diet.

"We Are What We Eat," said a wise old man!

Lord, if that's true, I'm a garbage can.

To rise on Judgment Day, it's plain!

With my present weight, I'll need a crane.

So grant me strength, that I may not fall

into the clutches of cholesterol.

May my flesh with carrot-curls be dated,

that my soul may be poly unsaturated

And show me the light, that I may bear witness

to the President's Council on Physical Fitness.

And at oleo margarine I'll never mutter,

for the road to Hell is spread with butter.

And cream is cursed; and cake is awful;

and Satan is hiding in every waffle.

Mephistopheles lurks in provolone;

the Devil is in each slice of baloney,

Beelzebub is a chocolate drop,

and Lucifer is a lollipop.

Give me this day my daily slice

Cut it thin and toast it twice.

I beg upon my dimpled knees,

deliver me from jujube's.

And when my days of trial are done,

and my war with malted milk is won,

Let me stand with Heavenly throng,

In a shining robe -- size 30 long.

I can do it Lord, if you'll show to me,

the virtues of lettuce and celery.

Teach me the evil of mayonnaise,

And of pasta a la Milanese

and crisp-fried chicken from the South.

Lord, if you love me, shut my mouth.

Amen

So that is being printed to go on the fridge next to the scary before picture.. I am not brave enough to share this months.. People I see tell me "WOW what a difference.." I don't see it. I am nuts. I know but its ok cause now I gotta prayer :o)~

The Big Talk.

I sit in front of my closet each morning and stare at all the clothes that are 3X/4X and think of how I need to go ahead and box them up. Because well, I have outgrown them. Then as soon as I start, I have an anxiety attack. What if I do it and go back to my bad habits? What happens if this is not forever but instead for now? I have very low self confidence. The fact of the matter is, I put on a brave (fake) face a lot of the time.

In my forward appearnace I am this force to be reckoned with, in my heart and in my head I am an Ant that is waiting to be squished. I am waiting for someone to tell me, you can't do it. Just flat out "Good try, but you suck" Even shopping is hard, I can not get past the "I can't buy that won't fit" without even trying it on because I am convinced that I forever will be the Mama in the MooMoo.

Surely I am not alone in this. That feeling of being in the box, and needing a way out. I have never been a skinny mini, I will NEVER be a skinny mini. But I sure would be happy to remain the happy healthy me I am becoming. I have lost a darn good bit of weight but its not enough for me to find that image of me.

Maybe I am nuts, maybe I am cuckoo for cocoa puffs or maybe just maybe I am normal.. What are the odds?

Further Proof I have changed:

I read this article on Facebook, its a Press Release from EA Sports Active:

"Big news today – this fall, EA SPORTS Active 2.0 will be coming at ya on the Wii, PS3, iPhone and iPod touch. Not only will EA SPORTS Active be expanding to other platforms but the new fitness program will feature a wireless control system which will make it that much easier to get a great workout.

There will be leg and arm straps with motion sensors along with a heart rate monitor. The heart rate monitor will be able to capture intensity and will provide constant monitoring throughout your workout. Both the heart rate monitor and the motion sensor peripherals are such exciting innovations and it’s really going to change the way you workout at home.

There’s also going to be a new online destination where you will be able to track your workout data and share it with the rest of the community! It’s going to be a one-stop-shop for all your health and fitness needs. Those who will be using EA SPORTS Active 2.0 on the PS3 will also be able to download new workouts and exercises.

We all know that exercise is something that should be a regular part of your life and not something that you do once in a while. With EA SPORTS Active 2.0 we want to do more than challenge you to exercise for a few weeks. We want you to embark on a healthy new way of living. That’s why there will be a 9-week total body conditioning program. This new program will help you stay motivated and allow you to track your fitness goals.

Although EA SPORTS Active 2.0 is not coming out until the fall, we wanted to share this info with you as soon as we were able to. The future of EA SPORTS Active is really exciting!"

Have I mentioned that I adore Wii Active? It was the perfect way for me, to stop being the couch potato and get up and start moving. You can start out at low impact and work your way forward. I am on the medium workout, I have not tried a hard yet because I am a chicken. But I will say I finally found a way to workout that I actually doing! And if they are putting out a new one.. well its just on like Donkey Kong!!

Gremlins and the reappearance of feet

See? with a topic like that... how can you NOT want to read my blog.. I AM SAYING! Ok so I have realized that I am a Gremlin. Yep, I sure am. No, we are not talking this cute little guy:

We are talking his brother he turns into at midnight. Only for me this is regarding food and after 9 PM. Recently I stopped snacking after 9 PM. Why? because my stomach would be so torn up from eating something I would be up all night. Walking the house and well ya know grumbling. Now, I go to bed at 11:30ish (ok some nights later) and I am asleep shortly after. My tummy is no longer doing flip flops and I no longer look like this guy:

There has to be something to this whole "Don't feed after 9 PM thing." Things that make you go hmmm...

Meanwhile in other areas of my world. On my first week of this diet I posted this blog the old woman in the shoe has got NOTHING on me: New Year, New Me, New 'tude and this picture on my other blog:

I am here today to post a new picture, I am now two months in and my toes have returned to the picture....seee:

I know I still have landslides to go, leaps and bounds even but my toes are back in the picture. Something i have not seen in a very long time. Does that count for something or am I a few sandwiches short of a picnic? I think for me I never thought it would happen like this. I guess I have turned the corner, I guess now I can finally say "See I am taking this seriously" and it feels awesome!! (We wont mention the capris I have had (still with tags) in my drawers for 2 years in size 22 that I am wearing today... but please allow me one WOOHOOO for that ok? :o)~ thanks!

In celebration of this I am now adding a second cookbook to the mix (Thats right both cookbooks) the rule is for the extra entry you have to spread the word, share the love, etc. Person who gets the most people to say "I found out about you from ____" wins the second book automatically. ITs just that easy.

The kids..

My kids have come to the conclusion that Mom has lost her mind, and if I haven't lost it they will do their best to push me over the edge as fast as they can.


My 16 year old son has just tacked it up to lack of Dr Pepper flowing through my veins. Because even still two and a half months into this thing he looks at me and says "You sure you want JUST water?" Yes, Danny Just water.


My 15 year old has become inspired but as I walk lap 21 of 22 and look behind me at he who is trying to match me step for step.. I see it. The look. Ya know the look it screams "WTF!?!?!?!" But yet he marches on, because he certainly is not gonna be lapped by a girl.


My 12 year old will sit in front of me and eat like the twig she is (I am not Jealous) and continue to stuff food in her mouth (I AM NOT JEALOUS) and than with chocolate on her breath come ask me a question this close (Did I mention she has a death wish?) Yep, that one drives me crazy.


My 5 year old is the one who feels his job is to eat every diet item in the house. Half of them he loves, half of them he acts like they are chinese torture treatment.. complete with falling on the floor. Yep, those things are proof Mom has lost it.


My 2 year old....well she feels her job is to feed me things. And doesn't understand and gets her feelings hurt when Mommy won't take the fistful of Oreos, Skittles or other nasty things that i won't eat anymore. Yep, Mommy has lost her mind.


Now see as you count, maybe you noticed I missed one. My 18 year old. She has decided I have found my mind. My beautiful clone has decided to join me on this diet. In her first week she lost 9 lbs on Weight Watchers! She is working out and like me I think has discovered this is not for the faint of heart but the results kick tail.


So, if I am losing my mind than its the kids fault. Not mine.

Walking...

I have come to the point where I am walking.. a lot. I mean the hubby and I get up do our business and than in the afternoon or evening we set the IPOD with some awesome music, set up the alerts to tell us how far we have walked, how many calories we have burned, and presto we are on our way. We have went almost 1.5 to 2 miles every two days. Can you imagine? I used to struggle walking in my house... five small little steps used to do me in and cause heavy breathing that would make a crank caller envious. Seriously.. you think I am kidding! So as I walked today I realized that While in my mind I look like this:But than I realize, well more than likely I probably look more like this:But than I hope if someone is watching me they remember I am actually more like this guy:
But see you have to know me, and you have to understand how far I have come, that I may still be the elephant, I am the younger elephant. I am learning new habits. I am determined to make this life a better one! With better choices! I am not afraid to put myself out there and tell you I have a long way to go, because the fact of the matter is the weight didn't come on over night and it sure as heck isn't going to leave over night! Instead I can tell you that if you see me walk by you, remember that my goals are set, my sights are set and in the end... I am gonna do it! I just need to know from walkers, joggers, runners.. what music do you play to walk? Chuck made a playlist of Motley Crue, Randy Houser (fast country), Kid Rock, Garth Brooks (that was so for me), some Limp Bizkit, Darius Rucker, Bon Jovi, Brad Paisley,Toby Keith, etc. It helped but I know someone has others.. so who are they?

My first Giveaway.

Ok... if you have been paying attention you have learned a few things about me. The first thing you learned is that I am in the midst of a life change, that I love walking, and that I adore the Hungry Girl. That being said, my first giveaway has to do with that very person. No, nobody is sponsoring this blog giveaway, its just a chick who wants to spread the word about a pretty great book!

So here's the 411, the details, the info....... This contest ends on March 25th that gives you 20 days to enter, to spread the word and the love and to (well if you want to) win a pretty darn great cookbook.

The Hungry girl is one of the main reasons I am succeding on this diet, thanks to her I have had a heavenly breakfast (Eggs benechic), Fabulous lunches (The turkey reuben is to DIE FOR!!), appetizers (southwest egg rollls..all hail her greatness), and dinners that my kids eat (the taco bake is delish!!). We will not even begin to discuss the desserts (Anyone who can make a 2 points FROSTED cupcake is up there with the Saints..and I am Catholic so you KNOW what that means).

So here is the rules (rules..ahhh man.. I don't want no stinkin' rules.. tough.. we have rules ok? ok!):

1) If you leave me a comment you get a credit

2) IF you leave me a comment and tell me why you want this prize you get an extra

3) If you post about this on your blog you get an extra

Now, I don't have any fancy shmancy Facebook fan pages because I don't think I am that interesting but if you want to send a blog shout out there well that is fine too. So there you have it. Its so easy even a dieting Caveman can do it! Seriously, if you are thinking of dieting, this lady needs to be in your life. Go ahead and enter, it won't cost you a thing but it may help you out!

**This is not endorsed by the Hungry Girl its merely a contest to give her another book sale because I pretty much think she rocks my socks off!**

Things you realize when dieting:

When a person makes the decision to make changes in their life, they come to realize certain things that others would not normally. For instance:

You realize that there are 5 soda cases in every 7-11 but only 1 that carries water. Before I never noticed I just stumpled to the soda case and grabbed a Dr Pepper as if it was my crack. . Ok so it was but I digress. Now in some stores I have to look for the water case. really? Shouldn't water be sort of easy to find? I mean hell, it is clear?

You realize that things you have thumbed your nose up as gross are not gross. Mushrooms.. where have you been all my life? I <3 you!

You realize that calories, fat and fiber will rule your life but not in a bad way. Do you know how insane it is to me now to find out that a "grab bag" size of doritos that I used to easily eat in one sitting is 410 calories and 22 grams of fat? OMG that is 10 WW points, I am sick!! I now know to watch what those three funny things are. if something is over 6 points I really think about whether a) want it or b) I need it. (somedays I have that need ok.. it happens)

You realize that on a day when you don't get to workout you miss it. That your body which normally has this on fire feel, feels more like a snuffed out match and it SUCKS.

You realize that not everybody will care that you are dieting, some won't say a word when they see you, and some will never notice--not even if you lose 100 lbs. But than you have that one person who will say "you look great" and it will take away all the crap from the other people.

You realize that eating healthy and changing your lifestyle is not impossible, nor is it hard to do. My oldest daughter is realizing this. She is doing WW now, I had begged her to try it but she wanted no part. When she was ready she came to me, and now is wondering why she didn't start it before.

You realize that with every pound, every inch and every moment you are getting time back on your life card. You are no longer using a stop watch for your life clock, you are using a calendar.

You realize that you may see your grandkids, your kids get married, and that your life matters. All this because you put the twinkies down, you put the soda down and are on your way to fixing your life. Pretty cool.

5 Ks and the anxiety of can I do it...

On my laptop I have links to about four or five different 5K's, this alone is an accomplishment. I have never been a person who liked to walk long distances let alone run anywhere. While I am nowhere CLOSE to running a 5K, I am I think getting closer to walking one. Every two days my husband and I walk our perspective hineys off, we walk 1.5 miles a day... we have walked in the bitter cold and we have cheated and walked 22 laps at the Military gym (which we know is 1.5 miles) I know that a 5K is 3.1 miles and I am reasonably sure I can do it. I am not in perfect shape, lets be real I will never be a size 3, my body frame is not made for that. And that is fine!! I just would like to get some years back on my life.

At 38 I was on blood pressure meds because my blood pressure was so high I had these head aches that made moving an impossibility. I knew better than to not watch my weight, my dad died in 1999 and his death effected my world. Than I found out about my now ex husbands affair with a friend who was very dear to me, and i was shattered. I lost my drive to care what I looked like. I got it back with Chuck and than it seemed as if I was eating out of happiness (Yea I know.. food and I are buddies and enemies all at the same time).

But now I am ready (I think) to sign up for a 5K, I feel like I can do it but than right when I am about to do it. I chicken out. what is wrong with me? Is this normal? Or am I insane.. its ok you can say it...Iam nuts

Dieting in the era of surgery and pills

Ok first of all, let's be clear I have done the pill thing.. so many times. SOOO SOO SOOO many times!! As for the surgery, I am a chicken. There I said it. I am not a huge fan of needles (isn't that hilarious considering I have two tattoos and I am planning on getting my third.. yea I am special) Anyways.. I find now as I embark on month three of this diet that more often than not I have some genuis who suggests that I use their "Diet pill plan" No, thank you .

I have a very dear friend, but he is selling a "weight loss program. Now, let me tell you the irony of this. He is 6'3ish (maybe shorter and maybe a little taller I am not sure) and MAYBE 160 lbs soaking wet. really? You want to give me advice about "your weight loss plan?" That's like saying asking me how my diet is while you stuff twinkies in your mouth. I have always been chunky and than I left chunky in the dust and moved onto obese, by 2009 that title changed to morbidly obese.

At the end of 2009, I knew I had to fix it so I set a date, January 4th 2010 (cause it was a Monday and you have to start a diet on a Monday). I can tell you guys that I started out at 321 lbs (if you wanna judge me go ahead.. I am in a honest mood today and I will honestly tell you to go piss up a rope), I started Weight Watchers, I started working out with Wii Sports, and I stopped my biggest love affair, Dr Pepper. After a month and still feeling success I added Cool Runnings. The other day I walked 22 laps at the gym and was not even winded--when I started this the five steps going into my house winded me.

This is progress, this is something I am proud of! I have not used any drugs and I have no interest in surgery. My attitude and opinion are I am doing this for me and for my kids! My only question is, why did it take my so long to get to this point? Sighs. We may never know.

The Exercise plan of a Mom

Ya know, sometimes you hear a Mom say "I just don't have time to exercise" Yep, I have said it. So I realized ya know thats a crock. We do exercise. ALOT. Seriously.. Let's think about this:

Weight lifting: Child weighs 25 lbs picking them up along with all the stuff they lift is weight lifting.

Aerobics: Laundry. You are bending into the washer, moving what is in the washer into the dryer, pulling stuff out of the dryer, lifting the basket you put the clothes in to the location to fold them. Walking to put them away. (That is aerobics all that moving right??)

Step Aerobics: Up and down the stairs, either inside the house or the outside of the house, running around. If you don't have stairs, than you are outta luck, sorry!

Squats and lunges: Squating down to get the pots out to cook, lunging over things to get to something else. Yep, this is exercise

If you have a toddler you can also add joggin to this because I know you run to get something from them before it breaks, I know because that is a full time job in our house.

Ohh wait! We can add wrestling too!! Ever try and do a little girls hair that does not want to be done? Ever try to cut the nails of a 5 year old who would rather die than let you cut his nails. I rest my case.

Next time someone says to you "I don't have time to exercise" if they are a mom, remind them but you already do :o)~

Why can't?

Sometimes you are forced to ponder questions that require answers, and for me that is entirely all too often...questions that are stuck in my mind are like:

Why can't chocolate be calorie free and veggies full of calories?

Why can't we burn calories watching TV?

Why can't weekends be longer and Mondays shorter?

Why can't the laundry fairies and the cleaning fairies ever show up at my house?

Why can't a child who is clean and ready to leave stay clean in the 10 minutes it takes you to put your face on?

Why can't women have sporting events like extreme shopping, ya know our very own X games?

Or Why can't the X games be different maming exercises we can have a contest to see who gets even with their X the best

Why can't Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and Nutrisystems just get along with each other? Really, they have one goal helping people lose weight why we gotta point out one works better than the other. How rude?

Why can't we freeze time when we are having fun but make it go faster when we aren't?

Hmm.... Gonna have to think about that one.