More to love than what it needs to be...

Ok. My reason for purchasing the "Fat Smash Diet" book is because I'm overweight. I said it. I'm admitting it. Now I'm doing something about it. I realized just how much I've gained when I sat down in the car to do a standup for my story. Not pretty. Thank goodness the time was cut short and I wasn't able to use it.

My testimonial....I don't eat right. I skip breakfast. Eat a big lunch. Then have a not-so-healthy snack (sometimes several) for supper. Ok. You are thinking "she's saving a lot of calories so why is she not thinner." It's a bad idea to skip as many meals as I do. According to the book, you need to eat 4-5 meals a day. That's breakfast, followed by a snack. Lunch followed by a snack. Dinner. On this diet, you have to eat! You also have to exercise. Arrggggg.

I've always had success with low-carb until recently. Not sure why that changed. Maybe my metabolism is a little out of wack. Maybe it's because I'm 33 years old. Maybe it's genetics. Maybe my stroke plays a role. Who knows.

Monday, I will begin phase 1, the detox stage. May the force be with me!

I thought I would share some of the food/drinks that are allowed in the first stage:

* All fruits in any quantity
* All vegetables in any quantity, except:
NO white potatoes
NO avocados
* Good sources of protein:
chickpeas (yum)
beans
tofu (yuck)
lentils
* Brown rice -- 2 cups of cooked rice per day (yeah!)
* 2 cups of low-fat or skim or soy milk per day
* As much water as you like! (boring)
* Oatmeal - 1 cup per day
* All herbs and spices
* 6 oz. low-fat yogurt (2 times a day)
* 4 egg whites per day
* 2 cups of herbal tea per day

Foods are ONLY to be eaten raw, grilled or steamed. Limit the olive oil and low-fat dressing.

Ok. Sounds blan but I like this kind of food. I really like fruit but I have to monitor my sugar. Here are a few suggestions for naturally low-sugar fruits.

Blueberries 3/4 cup = 11 grams
cantelope 1 cup = 12 grams
pear halves 1/2 cup = 12 grams (canned in water)
cranberries 1/2 cup = 2 grams
grapefruit 1/2 large = 12 grams
kiwi 1 med. = 8 grams
peach 1 med. = 9 grams
pear 1 med. = 11 grams
plumb 2 small = 11 grams
strawberries 1 cup = 7 grams
watermelon 1 cup = 10 grams

Again, I will be blogging my progress and some yummy Fat Smash recipes. Feel free to join in. If you are already watching what you are eating, congratulations! A healthy lifestyle is good for all of us!

The Fat Smash Diet...

How many of you watch VH1's Celebrity Fit Club? I admit, I tune in on a regular basis. The nutritionist on that show, Dr. Ian Smith, has published a book, that by all of the reviews, has very positive results. I am starting the "Fat Smash Diet" Monday. I will be blogging my progress through the 9 day detox. That seems to be the worse part of the entire 4 phase plan. If you stick to it though, you can lose some significant pounds...the healthy way!

Stay tuned for a slimmer trimmer version of me!

Memorial Day...

Well, this weekend officially kicks off the start of summer fun. Many of you have plans to grill out with friends and family or take a ride in the boat on some blue waterway. I have plans of doing neither. I get only one summer holiday a year off. Usually, I take Labor Day. The upside to working when everyone else is off is the extra pay or I can use that day and take off sometime later. Most likely, I'll just take the money and run!

I appreciate the feedback on my high gas price post. I decided to keep the "rant" down because its not just something affecting me but the entire country. John and Lydia you made some good points in your posts. Thanks for the intelligent comments.

Many of you have asked what happened to my Mary Winkler opinion post. I pulled it after several hate filled comments. This is not a blog set up for people to blast others. I appreciate feedback but keep it clean! I do plan to repost after sentencing.

Hope all of you have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!

One big rip off!

You knew it was coming! Gas prices are 3.19 a gallon here for regular unleaded fuel. Ridiculous!!!

Winkler Sentencing...

Mary Winkler's sentencing date has been moved to June 8th. I'll have more postings about this closer to the date.

Photos from Selmer...

Thought you might like to see our crew hard at work (and at times, hardly working) in Selmer, Tennessee. Thank you to Mark Walleman for taking these snapshots.

Opinion posted...

you will have to scroll down a bit to find it. the date is messed up on it. I will have more postings about the Winkler case as they unfold. Remember, this is only my opinion. Feel free to share yours too.

E

A new opportunity...

I am leaving the Decatur office for a better opportunity. June 1, I will be back in the Huntsville newsroom. I am excited about it! I've been a bureau chief for 5 years and I felt it was time to move on. While I'm not changing television stations, I am changing scenery. I will be doing investigative reporting plus I'll have more opportunities to anchor, which is my passion.

I will keep you posted!

More later...

Just when you think its over...

More drama surrounding Mary Winkler.

Today we learned that the sentencing hearing for Mary has been rescheduled due to an attorney conflict. The date was originally set for May 18th.
Also, attorney's for Mary Winkler are filing a motion to keep her from serving any more time behind bars.
Winkler's lawyers are asking for a "judicial diversion." That means the judge would wipe her record clean and sentence her to probation only.
Earlier this month, a jury convicted Winkler of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of her husband, Matthew. She faces between 3 and 6 years in prison
The parents of Matthew Winkler have filed a petition to terminate Mary Winkler's parental rights and to adopt the children of Matthew and Mary.

I'll post more as this story develops. Also, my opinion is still in draft form. I"ll be launching it soon!

Winkler Verdict.. opinion still in the works

I haven't posted my opinion on the Winkler case yet but I'm working on it. I should have it on the website by the end of the week.

I have been asked to interview for the Oxygen series "Snapped." This will be my first sit-down talk since the Winkler case began. I will be discussing the case and the media interest surrounding it. Of course, I will not be giving my opinion on the verdict. The segment will air sometime in October or November. I'll keep you posted.

Thank you...

I wanted to thank all of you who have been faithful to keep up with my daily ramblings on the Mary Winkler trial. I had no idea my site would become this popular. You have left many kind messages and I truly appreciate your thoughts and opinions.

At the end of the day, Matthew's family came out and read a written statement to a sea of cameras. Dan Winkler, perhaps the most kind and humble speaker, talked briefly thanking everyone involved in the case for their hard work. He thanked the jury and thanked God for being their "rock and our shield" during the trial. He also comment that they will treasure the memory that Matthew had for his family, his church and his Lord.

Mary's attorney's talked mainly about the case but also wanted to express their sympathy to the Winkler's.

I need a break from this trial coverage. I will be leaving Corinth, Mississippi tomorrow morning for a weekend of well deserved rest. I'm going to visit my parents and unwind. I will give you my opinion on this case soon. Stay tuned to read my unofficial ramblings.

Guilty...Voluntary Manslaughter

Just after 5 tonight, the jury found Mary Winkler guilty of voluntary manslaughter. She could spend 3-6 years in jail or 1-3 years with probation. Her attorney's call this "justice served."

The Winklers were obviously upset but humble. They made a brief statement to the media asking us to respect the privacy of the family and the couple's 3 daughters. They wanted to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns. They ask that you continue to pray for everyone concerned.

Mary's facial expression never changed. She was like stone while the judge read her punishment. The Winkler's made no obvious outbursts. It was quiet as a mouse in the courtroom, even after the verdict was read.

Mary will be sentenced May 18 at 9 am.

More later...

Nothing yet...

The jury is still deliberating. They came out shortly after lunch to ask the judge a question. No idea how long it will be until we get a verdict. Hopefully, soon.

Remember, you can watch the verdict live by logging on to waff.com. We are streaming the entire trial and jury process as it goes.

More later...

We wait...

The jury is now deliberating the fate of Mary Winkler. The judge charged the jury around 8:15 this morning. He struck 3 from the panel, a black male, a black female and a white female. That leaves a total of 12, 10 women, 2 men, all white.

Mary left shortly after the case was handed over. She is staying at a friend's house here in Selmer. The Winkler family left as well. We do not know where the are staying until a verdict is reached.

I'll continue blogging the proceedings. Check back later for a verdict.

Also, when this is "all said and done" I will give you my take on the case, Mary's testimony, and whether or not I agree with the verdict this jury hands down.

Is she or isn't she?

Closing arguments are about to wrap up. The case will then go to a jury for deliberation. They will decide if Mary Winkler intentionally shot and killed her husband or if it was an accident. If she's convicted of first-degree murder, she faces life in prison with parole. She could also be found guilty of a lesser punishment.

A whirlwind of testimony today. The Winkler's former friend, Brandy McAlister Jones took the stand and testified that Matthew had taken Mary to the firing range and taught her to shoot a gun, blowing a hole in Mary's testimony that she had never picked one up.

I'll have more to blog on this later...

EG

More Mary...

It's been a long morning of testimony in the Mary Winkler murder trial. On the stand, she accused her husband of punching and kicking her, forcing her to have sex and refusing to grant her a divorce.

Mary told jurors her husband, Matthew was a smart and talented man, but could also be mean in both his actions and words.

Prosecutors paint a very different picture of the Church of Christ minster, with witnesses describing Matthew as a good father and husband.

Mary testified this morning that Matthew kicked her in the face during an arguement. She also says he hit her in the face, pushed her down and hit her with a belt.

Mary also told jurors Matthew kept her away from her family and criticized her appearance. She also eluded to sexual abuse while on the stand.

Currently, prosecutors are cross examining Mary.

Here we go again...

The court is back in session after a 30 minute break. Families on both sides of the courtroom appear tired and worried. I have seen no interaction between the Freemans and the Winklers. This is certainly a courtroom divided.

Mary is back on the stand. The jury is being seated. Her attorney, Steve Farese is getting ready to question his client. Mary sits with her head bowed and her hands covering her eyes. Mr. Farese just told her it's ok to hold her head up while testifiying. He's handed Mary another piece of evidence to examine. It's a document containing photographs. She is thumbing through the photos. Mary says she's seen the pictures before at their home. The pictures were on the couple's computer and that Matthew was constantly on the internet. When Mary would walk in the room, he would click the screen blank, as to hide whatever it was he was viewing. Now Mr. Farese is showing Mary a photo. Their are shoes in the photo similar to the "hooker shoes" brought into evidence this morning.

The judge has called the attorney's to the stand. Mary is thumbing through the photographs again. She just testified to the images found on Matthew's home computer. The "hooker shoe" and wig from earlier are now entered into evidence. The photos were given to the jury to view.

Keep in mind, this is Mary's testimony. Matthew is dead so he can't speak for himself.

Graphic testimony from Mary Winkler...

Mary Winkler is currently on the stand testifiying in her own murder trial. She's dressed differently than what we have been seeing the last 2 weeks. She's wearing a printed dress and a white sweater. Slightly more conservative than the business suits she wore in the beginning. She has on no makeup and her hair is a little messy.

So far, Mary's testified to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. She told jurors she demanded a divorce from Matthew but that he put his foot down and said no. Her attorney brought out a Wal-Mart bag containing evidence. The bag contained a pair of 3" heels, the type you might see strippers wearing and a brown wig. Winkler's testimony is that Matthew liked for her to dress in a provocative manner for sexual purposes. She also testified that Matthew forced her to watch pornographic images on their home computer. Winkler also told the court that her marriage has been in trouble from the very beginning and only got worse through the years.

Her father and adopted siblings are in the courtroom. They were crying as they listened to Mary's story. Matthew's parents, grandmothers and brother are on the other side of the courtroom. They have sat quietly through this morning's testimony.

The court is in a 10 minute recess. I will post more soon.

Today's testimony...

The Defense called their first witness to the stand this morning, an agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Several character witnesses are also expected to be called today. Also, Mary Winkler could take the stand late this afternoon but most likely tomorrow.

Don't forget our neighbors in Virginia. They are going through a terrible time right now.

I'll post more as the day goes on.

Not a dry eye in the place...

Today, Matthew and Mary Winkler's oldest daughter, Patricia took the stand in her mother's murder trial. The courtroom was packed, standing room only. Patricia walked in, sat down at the witness stand and told the judge she knew the difference in telling the truth and telling a lie. What a remarkable little girl. She broke down in the very beginning but pulled herself together. She did a really good job answering attorney's questions. When she began crying, everyone in the room, cried with her. I can't imagine what she and her sisters have gone through. I hope I never know.

Patricia testified that she heard a loud boom the morning her dad died. She went to her parent's bedroom and found Matthew, face down on the floor. He was still alive. Mary left town with the children. When she was arrested the next day, she turned custody over to Matthew's parents. The girls are still with them today. Mary's attorney's claim the Winkler's won't let the girls visit Mary. Diane Winkler testified today the girls don't want to see her. Isn't it sad what one mistake has done to shatter so many lives?

The prosecution finished calling its witnesses today. The defense will start their testimony tomorrow.