100 Reasons Why I Am Releasing The Weight

This list reminded ME OF THE REASONS I decided to release the weight

1. For good health.
2. To get off the toilet without holding on to sink.
3. To stop shopping catalogs because the malls don't carry your size
4. To walk 100 ft without getting winded
5. To getting up and down without joint pain
6. To be able to run and jump without worrying about hurting myself.
7. To look good in a tight dress.
8. To be able to wear shorts in the summer.
9. To be able to go swimming without being self-conscious.
10. To not dread going to the doctors, because he'll make me get on a scale.
11. To be able to wear a bra that actually fits.
12. To not worry about lawn chairs breaking.
13. To not worry about where to sit at a picnic or on an airplane.
14. To not get "those looks" at a restaurant, even when eating normal food.
15. So my ankles don't puff up and look like there's half a tennis ball on each side.
16. To be able to use a public washroom comfortably.
17. To be able to go into any store, and buy the clothes I like, not just the ones that fit.
18. To not feel awkward about going clothes shopping, or shoe shopping.
19. To be able to wear something that doesn’t say PLUS on it.
20. To reduce my blood pressure.
21. So I can feel comfortable.
22. So I can run on the beach in a bathing suit and feel proud.
23. So taking a bath is a luxurious thing, instead of taking a shower so I won't risk overflowing the tub.
24. So my pants won't wear out between my legs while the rest of them are still in good shape.
25. To be able to read the scale by just looking down, straight down.
26. To not feel my fat jiggle again!
27. So I can look in the mirror from the neck down and like what I see.
28. To feel strong and fit again.
29. So I can show off my muscles, instead of just feeling fat.
30. So I can buckle up in the car and feel comfortable.
31. So I don't feel like I'm always leaning back while sitting in a chair, because of my butt.
32. So I can walk up a flight of stairs and not feel winded.
33. So I can wear tight jeans.
34. So I can get up and dance and not feel weird.
35. So I can go on rides at amusement parks again, without stuffing myself into the seat shamefully.
36. So I don't have to worry about the maximum weight an exercise machine can take before I use it.
37. So I don't get that pitying look when I go to a gym to work out.
38. To be able to wear underwear that looks cute and dainty, not something industrial.
39. So I can buy lingerie that fits, and looks good.
40. To be able to at least consider entering a triathlon and have it be a possibility.
41. So getting dressed every morning is a joy and not a dreaded chore.
42. So I can pick the haircut I really want and not just one that is for fat people.
43. So no one ever calls me "a big girl" ever again.
44. So I'm not embarrassed to have my picture taken.
45. So when my photo is taken with my family I don't have to groan inside myself as I know how terrible I am going to make the family picture look.
46. So I don't get those indents on my thighs from the arms of the chair I'm sitting in.
47. So I can cross my legs.
48. So I can walk in heels without fear.
49. So I can put my jeans in the dryer, have a shower, get out of the shower, walk to the dryer and just pull my jeans on, instead of waiting to really, really dry off and then fight to get the zipper up.
50. So I can put my clothes in the dryer and forget to check the timer, and not worry about them fitting.
51. So my bras don't stretch on the sides, or get pulled seams.
52. So I can crawl around on the floor hooking up computer cables without wondering how bad I look.
53. So I can get up from the floor in one smooth move and not a grab and hold on to something move.
54. So those stupid gowns at the doctors or chiropractors not only fit, but also are too big.
55. So I can show off my legs, instead of monster ham thighs.
56. So I can look good in a business suit or a short skirt, instead of always wearing loose clothing.
57. So my back doesn't hurt so much.
58. So I can lie in bed, look down and see my toes without lifting my head off the pillow.
59. So I don't have to worry about what fits in the closet and what doesn't.
60. So I don't have to worry about the seasons changing, and will my summer/winter clothes still fit.
61. So I don't fear the onset of summer and light clothing.
62. So I don't crave wintertime, so I can hide under big jackets and sweaters.
63. So I don't think mean thoughts when I see skinny women.
64. So my doctor will never say, "you really need to lose some weight" to me ever again, but instead says nothing more than "see you next year".
65. So no one will ever again ask me "when is your baby due", and I'm not pregnant.
66. So people in the supermarket don't look in my cart when they think I'm not looking, to see what a "fat person" eats.
67. So I look lean, mean and powerful.
68. So I can say my weight out loud with pride.
69. So the old pictures of the fat lady at the circus don't look like me.
70. So I can say to other people who are overweight, hey, I was there once too, and maybe help them get to where they want to be.
71. So I don't have to worry about my bathroom scales not going high enough.
72. So I am in control of what exercise I choose and not what I am able to do.
73. So I don't have to give excuses for being over weight.
74. So I can shave my legs in a shower without gashing myself because I can't see around my fat.
75. So I can ride a horse again!
76. So I can go out fishing with friends, and not be scared to walk inside the boat because I'm so heavy I will tip it.
77. To be able to go canoeing, and my end doesn't sink real low while the other person is almost in the air.
78. So I can stand up in a boat again, with balance and grace, instead of hanging onto the sides and wondering how I'll get back in if I fall out.
79. So I can boat out to the middle of a lake and go swimming, and be able to pull myself back in the boat.
80. So I can go into public and not care what type of looks I get.
81. So I can sit on a bar stool and I'm actually sitting ON it, not on it and around it too.
82. So a regular towel goes all the way around me, and maybe even looks cute.
83. So my socks pull all the way up.
84. So I can hug my knees to my chest again, and it’s comfortable.
85. So I can sit on a chair, and have my feet on that chair too, and not be sitting on them.
86. So I can wear a low cut sweater and my collarbones show.
87. So I can wear a light blouse or sweater, and there aren't dents where my bra straps are.
88. So I don't have to worry about arthritis or joint replacement when I get older.
89. So furniture doesn't groan when I sit on it, or wear out long before it should because I'm too heavy.
90. So that my breasts stick out more than my stomach and not the other way around.
91. I can fit into the theater seats comfortably.
92. I can sit at the booth OR table in the restaurant. I don't have to be embarrassed because I need a
table.
93. I can look straight down and see my toes instead of bending over to see them.
94. I can bend over comfortably to tie my shoes.
95. So that I can see a look in a magazine, or on a mannequin and say "I want to wear that", and be able to.
lower blood pressure
96. To lower my cholesterol
97. To reduce high levels of blood glucose (associated with diabetes)
98. To decrease depression
99. To decrease the risk of osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing joints
100. To increase self-esteem

JUICING FOR HEALTH - ANEMIA

Juicing is proven to be beneficial for overall health. Sometimes, there is a specific ailment that needs special treatments. Anemia is a common problem with vegetarians. There is a surprising amount of iron in the "right" vegetables. Here is a recipe I used frequently to help fight anemia.

* 2 handsfull spinach
* 1 handfull kale
* 2 carrots
* 1 handful romaine lettuce leaves
* 1 tsp spirulina
* parsley leaves to garnish

Juice the spinach, kale, carrots, lettuce. Stir in the spirulina and garnish with parsley leaves and serve.

Note: I keep all vegetables in the refrigerator to have cold juice. You may want to add a few ice cubes to the drink.

Back on Track

The scale is finally moving. I know my colon is just not clean. Have been doing a lot of reading on the internet. A healthy colon releases waste every time a person eats. If I don't do something to help it, I may not have a bowel movement for 3 or 4 days. Not good. It is said that obese people may have up to 50 pounds of fecal matter stuck in their colon.

I am going to research the best and fastest colon cleanse. I just can't do a 90 day cleanse. Keep juicing. Keep eating raw. Wait for the results.

Rewards Are Good!

The liar scale absolutely stopped moving. I am disgusted. However, I will never give up until this quest is finally over.

Deciding that this is the year I take back my life(2009), I need to stay on course to release the weight. There has to be permanent changes to lose the weight and keep it off. I need to make a life change FOREVER! I'm in this to win. So now what. There needs to be motivation so to reward myself for my goals this is what I've done so far:
290 - Start weight No reward
280 - New shoes, cheap comfortable slip-ons.
270 - Book (Never be sick again, by Raymond Francis, M.Sc.
260 - Exercise t-shirt
250 - Perfume
240 - Earrings
230 - New outfit including strappy sandal shoes (outfit for upcoming vacation)
220 - Dress

More rewards to follow. The scale is acting so ugly, I'm afraid to dream.

Benefits of Bananas

Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose - combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

A banana can help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must for our daily diet.

Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, one of the twenty common "amino acids" that make up all proteins that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work: Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronic ulcer cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be re-balanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine", eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%"

Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
A Banana Contains:

86 calories in a medium banana
1 gram of protein
3 grams of dietary fiber
26.9 g carbohydrates
23.9 g sugar
467 mg Potassium
43 mg Magnesium
27 mg Phosphorus
7 mg Calcium
1.3 mcg Selenium
.4 mg Iron
Also trace amounts of zinc, manganese and copper
95 IU Vitamin A
11 mg Vitamin C
22.5 mcg Folate (important during pregnancy)
.7mcg Vitamin B6
.6 mg Niacin
.31 mg Pantothenic Acid
.67 IU Vitamin E
Remember: If you have a latex allergy, check with your doctor before eating banana

A banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

Fun Facts

Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little "stringy things" off of it. That's how the primates do it.

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Soooooo.......... "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Feed Your Skin This Summer

1. CARROTS
This crunchy snack is loaded with vitamin A, which helps balance the pH of your skin's surface, making it just acidic enough to fend off harmful bacteria.

Plus National Cancer Institute researchers found that people with the highest intakes of carotenoids pigments that occur naturally in carrots were six times less likely to develop skin cancer than those with the lower intakes.

2. BERRIES
The high-antioxidant content of blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries yield countless healthy-skin benefits.
Not a fan of fleshy fruit? Artichokes, beans, prunes, and pecans are packed with the stuff as well.

3. SALMON, WALNUTS AND FLAX SEEDS
The common healthy-skin ingredients in these foods are essential fatty acids, which not only block harmful irritants, but also act as the passageway for nutrients coming in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell.
The stronger that barrier is, the better your skin cells hold moisture.

4. HEALTHY OILS
Good-quality oils, those labeled cold pressed, expeller pressed, or extra virgin,keep skin lubricated and looking and feeling healthier.
But remember even healthy fat is high in calories, so limit yourself to two tablespoons a day.

5. GREEN TEA
The skin-health assets in this drink are matchless. It has anti-inflammatory properties, protects the cell membrane, and may even reduce the risk of some cancers.
An added bonus: Sipping on this super drink can also boost metabolism.

6. SUNFLOWER SEEDS
These tiny seeds pack the most natural vitamin E of any food around.
And no antioxidant is better at slowing down the aging of skin cells to keep you looking younger longer.

7. WATER
Good hydration is key to healthy looking skin, and there's nothing better than pure, clean water to quench your body's thirst, except maybe mineral-rich hard water from the tap.

Take care!...
You'll be looking good in your beautiful tan!

Benefits of Ginger Root

I haven't written in a few days and one of my followers asked a question which gave me the topic for today's blog. I was asked do I put ginger in most of my drinks. I have to answer emphatically YES! YES! YES!

In addition to ginger giving most juice drinks an incredibly good taste, Ginger is sooo good for the body. Here is a little bit more about this wonderful root.

GINGER

Ginger is a perennial herb native to China and India, ginger root has been used for centuries in Asian cooking and medications. Due to the many benefits of Ginger Root, today it is cultivated around the world in many diverse locations.

I first got introduced to ginger while in Jamaica. The Jamaicans treat ginger as an exotic spice and use it in cooking many of the delicious dishes. Not only do they use it in cooking, but also in tasty drinks like ginger beer and ginger wine. Both drinks have to be experienced. Jamaica is one of the leading cultivators of the popular plant.

Medicinal uses for ginger:
The medicinal uses for ginger is long, it is used for:
1. Aides in digestion - Perhaps the best herb for digestion, ginger root prevents indigestion and abdominal cramping. Ginger also helps break down proteins, aiding the digestion process.
2.Alleviates High Blood Pressure - Ginger improves and stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles surrounding blood vessels, facilitating the flow of blood throughout the body.
3.Treats Nausea and Morning Sickness - Ginger has been widely shown to prevent as well as treat motion sickness. Ginger root relaxes the stomach and relieves the feeling of nausea.
4. Lowers LDL Cholesterol - Ginger root extract can help reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the body, reducing the risk of developing heart disease.
5. Treats ulcers - Research shows that ginger root may help treat ulcers.
6. Ginger also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that could help with arthritis.
7.Ginger root has been used to fight off and alleviate the symptoms of headaches, colds and flu, as it contains immunity-boosting abilities.
8.Ginger root benefits athlete's foot etc.
9.Ginger Root help to neutralize stomach acids.
10.Ginger is also beneficial in reducing dizziness and flatulence.
11. Ginger is also thought to be beneficial in reducing dizziness and flatulence.

There are no known adverse side effects related to the use of Ginger Root, however, pregnant women should limit extensive use of ginger, as should any individual about to undergo surgery or who is at risk for free bleeding. This is due to the fact that ginger reduces adhesiveness in blood platelets and therefore, may contribute to a risk of bleeding.