maintained and sustained

June 3, 2017.

While enjoying the Fast 5 lifestyle,

health and weight are maintained and sustained.

I couldn't ask for more...

unless it be a pleasant week as we leave Monday to enjoy a few days away from home.

Meals will be provided at the Abbey of Gethsemani

where we'll enjoy the quiet beauty of the Kentucky hills.
These glass water bulbs will maintain and sustain
our potted tomato plant in our absence.
(It will be the first time we've actually put them to more than ornamental use!)

It's Been Awhile

...but here I am to keep it honest.  Both my husband and I have successfully maintained our Fast-5 schedule/lifestyle of eating.  It has served us well.  I have maintained my weight loss while enjoying the taste of just about anything I get a hankingin' for!  We have no plans to change.

How are YOU doing?  What healthy habits have you made a part of your life?

another word for "maintenance"

I'm on the hunt for it -- another word for THIS one.

Something positive.

Something life-affirming.

Something friendly.

Something energetic.

What do YOU suggest?

Have Your Cake & Eat It, Too!

Pumpkin Roll!

If you take two steps forward and one step back, you’re still getting someplace.
Don't give up the moment you slip up. Press on!  

This quote in Motivation to Live Well today came at a very good time for me.  I DID slip up a time or two this past week.  Sugar IS my nemesis!  A discussion about this with Myra earlier this week helped strengthen my resolve to control my intake of sugar.  I am determined to maintain the weight I am currently enjoying if I have to write and remind myself here EVERY week!

That being said, I DID enjoy a piece (or two) of the pumpkin roll I purchased from my favorite Amish baker and served at a small gathering we hosted Saturday night.  I ate it during my Fast-5 "window--so counted myself successful while enjoying a special treat.  Just proof that you CAN have your cake and eat it, too!

Maintenance Strategy

Monday - a grilled pear salad.  With goat cheese, bacon and currant vinaigrette dressing!

It was the major part of my eating for the day.

An hour of thrift store shopping with a friend preceded it;

lovely conversation accompanied it.

It was SO good that I'm thinking of repeating the salad

when we go out for a mid-afternoon dinner today!

Hovering around my 135# goal and planning my

Maintenance Strategy are the focus of my healthy lifestyle efforts these days.

135#

If my goal weight is 135#, then I am HERE!

I began Fast-5 on February 6.

I know that I weighed at least 180.

SO....

that's losing 45 pounds in about 8 1/2 months.

I plan to ease into "maintenance" the first week of November

while continuing Fast-5.

It has worked well for me in areas besides weight loss

and I'd like to continue those benefits into the next phase of my life.

I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to do that, 

but I have a couple of weeks to figure it out.

I'm open to suggestions.
(I'm wearing an "old" dress that's been hanging in my closet
just WAITING for me to arrive at its size.
Feels so good!)

VEGGIES, GYM, AND PERSONAL STYLE

"In other words, grooming, hair care, and matters of personal style rank right up there with eating your veggies and hitting the gym."   

So wrote Sally as she guest posted at Coveted.  It's a post well worth reading, in my opinion.

As I began to establish healthy patterns of eating and exercise, my wardrobe needed some adjustments.  I was able to wear styles that I hadn't been able to wear before.  I took new interest and pleasure in grooming, hair care, and matters of personal style.

This all happened about the time I discovered blogging.  Keeping this health blog up to date has played a huge part in the success of my weight loss efforts.  Now, it serves to keep me on task while maintaining my new habits.  Similarly, my "thrifty style" blog has helped me analyze and enjoy the new size and styles of clothing I am now able to wear.

These two blogs of mine work in tandem to keep me "on track" and committed to my goals to be the best me I can be so that I can be a credit to God who created me in the first place!

Day 7 - I CAN Do It

"It takes 6 months to get into shape and 2 weeks to get out of shape. Once you know this you can stop being angry about other things in life and only be angry about this."

Rita Rudner

I copied this from Bluebird Notes.  I don't know if it's actually fact or fiction, but I know it's how it seems! And, of course, it isn't an excuse to be angry at anything.  Rather it is incentive to get in shape and STAY in shape.    Thus, my current tools (pictured here) along with healthy eating.  

I CAN do it!  WE can do it!