Day 2--and I'm not to the point of choking somebody

This is day 2 of Nutrisystem and so far, so good. I like the food-especially the breakfast and desserts ;)

Sunday
Breakfast: I had a blueberry muffin, apple and skim milk for breakfast
Lunch: Margherita Pizza, slaw, cooked broccoli
Snack: low-fat string cheese, apple and 1/2 bag of NS pretzels
Dinner: Spinach and cheese stuffed pasta, 1/2 banana, 15 grapes
Dessert: creamy fudge bar (yum)

Total calories: 1210

That's basically what you are striving for...keep the calories around 1200-1250. Its not that difficult. And when the food is good that helps a lot.

Today:
breakfast: sweetened O's cereal with skim milk, 1/2 banana, low-fat string cheese
lunch: roasted vegetable pizza, apple
snack: string cheese, 15 grapes

It may not sound like much but you get to eat every 2 hours! That's my kind of diet :)

Here's a picture of my 10 day stash of food.

NutriSystem...

So Sunday starts a new gig for me in the food department. My mother talked me into trying NutriSystem to get rid of about 30 unwanted pounds. At first, I was a bit skeptical but I'm actually looking forward to it. I will have a guaranteed, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. No more trips to Subway for a few weeks or wondering what food I am going to grab "on the go." It's all taken care of.

The first shipment-my fresh frozen foods-arrived on Valentine's Day compliments of Schwan's Frozen Foods. It contained a large variety of frozen foods-many of which-look quiet tasty. The second shipment-my ready to go meals-got here yseterday. That's cererals, protein bars, snacks, etc. The best part of it is I can keep track of everything by smartphone and computer. So no excuse, right?

Before I go off the "real food" wagon, I plan to indulge Saturday in a gorgeous seafood dinner...salmon, shrimp, crab, potatoes, corn, cheddar biscuits. Lane is in charge of the salmon-he is king of grilling. I'm looking forward to stuffing myself until I am sick!

Obviously I will be blogging this new adventure. I hope its worth its weight in gold.

Stay tuned Sunday is just around the corner!

Me and my girl...

My niece Mary Beth is the sweetest little girl in the world! She is a true joy to be around and we always have so much fun together. A few months ago-during the fall-MB and I got to spend an entire day together while everyone was at a band competition. We got our nails done, had lunch, and played at the park. We went on a walk around her neighborhood and giggled the whole day. I'm so thankful for her and hope she knows how much her Aunt Cizzy loves her.

Here are some pictures from that day.

Slim Fast and slick roads...

Wednesday night we got another gorgeous snow fall. It was pretty coming down and it didn't take long for the drive home to get slick. I woke up early and everything was shut down because there was a glaze of ice on roads and highways. Being in the news business, we are a 24/7 operation, regardless of weather. So you have to be prepared--and leave early enough that you are not risking life and limb.

I went out to my car to crank it and turn on the heat. That's when I made a yummy discovery---a box of chocolate Slim Fast drinks I had bought a few days earlier were ice cold! What a delicious treat to drink as I slid down University Drive :) Now that's what I call breakfast on the go.

If you are wondering...slim fast only has 5 WW points. :)

Push that hoe, pull that rake...

I'm past ready for warm weather to arrive. I'm most especially excited to plant a garden. Last year, Lane plowed a square spot in his back yard. I planted tomatoes, squash, cantelopes, watermelon, peppers, okra even flowers. I worked day and night babysitting that little plot of land. I bought cow manure at the co-op to nurish my plants, kept them fertilized and all but sang lullabyes. Finally-my hard work paid off-but not like I had planned. I had a few little tomatoes. The squash did pretty good. The peppers never fully matured. My watermelon vines were beautiful but only produced one little ball of a melon-that one rotted. My cantelope? Gorgeous vines...but that's all it was.

This year, I'm going to do container garden. I think it will be much easier, yield a better harvest, and it is a lot less back breaking. Plus, some kind of fungus got in my garden last year and rotted all my hard work.

Stay tuned. I will be blogging about my garden soon!

Where did THAT come from??

I've heard of animals putting on their winter weight to stay warm so I must be like a human electric blanket. I noticed my clothes fitting snug but really didn't want to face the reality that, yes, I've packed on the pounds.

This morning I came to terms with the image in the mirror and stepped on the scales. Wow! I am now at the heaviest point I have ever weighed IN MY LIFE...and it ain't pretty!! Oh its not something I didn't know. I've been watching it creep up since I fell off the Biggest Loser program the day it ended. And of course nothing makes you feel like a fatty cow until you see yourself on tv with a fat neck, double chin and big butt.

No more! I want to slim down for the spring (and for my speaking engagement in a few months). Today I signed up with Weight Watchers. They have a new Points Plus program. You can track your points online and via Ipone. They've improved their power foods list and updated restaurant numbers. So, no excuse for overeating or not exercising. I have weight loss technology at my finger tips.

So---big girl pants its time for you to go back in the closet! I will be tracking my progress on my blog. So if you wondering how its going please check back.

Careful what you wish for...

I make no secret that I cannot stand winter time. It's dark, damp, dreary, depressing, and any other "d" word you can think of. I consider myself a summer time girl. I love warm sunny days, green grass, going fishing and wearing flip flops. But I've always said if it would snow in the deep south I could try and like winter just a little bit more.

Christmas Day I woke up to a complete shock! I looked out my bedroom window and what to my wondering eyes should appear--nope not Santa--but several inches of the prettiest white snow you've ever seen. For most of the day and on into Sunday it continued to fall.

A week later, we had snow again! This time, I had to work but still found time to enjoy it. My photog and I stayed at the Hampton Inn off the interstate in Athens (I highly recommend this establishment)...Here are a few pics from that day.





Now I have to explain the next 2 pictures. I was coming out of our motel-still dazed from having to get up so early-when I saw an unusual site...Yes that is a buck strapped to the back of a pick-up truck. The hunter was from Michigan. He and his buddies drove to Selma to deer hunt, thinking it was going to be like a tropical paradise here. They never thought they would run into snow and ice. The interstate turned slick so they pulled into our hotel for the night...the deer freshly preserved from the bitter cold drive :) I could not resist a photo opportunity! I also got an interview with the hunter--who I discovered, had 2 more deer in the back hidden under coolers and guns. Notice the deer, which had been somewhat gutted, is frozen solid. Even had ice hanging off its hoofs, rack and eyelashes. It's great to be from the south :) Only here would you find such interesting stories.

Who me? Are you sure that's a good idea?

I was recently asked by my alma mater, Freed-Hardeman University, to deliver the commencement speech for graduation ceremonies May 14th. When the invitation came in the mail, I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't a mistake. The first question that shot through my mind...me? Really? I likely should credit "you know who" for the boost in my popularity. I assume when one of your graduates-who goes on to be a rather good reporter- becomes a viral sensation there is an obligation perhaps to invite them to campus. ;) Don't get me wrong, I consider myself honored. I hope those in attendance will enjoy whatever life advice, bitter and crusty though it may be, that I share.

Inauguration events....

Monday January 17, 2011 I had the honor of covering the inauguration of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley for WAFF-48. It was a historic moment watching Governor Bentley take his oath of office on the Capitol steps. Here are a few still shots of the Alabama Million Dollar Band, Auburn University March Band, Haleyville High School band, and inauguration events.

"Mr. Bluebird On My Shoulder..."

A sign that warmer days are ahead...sweet blue bird and red bird hopping in the yard.

Out with the old...

And in...with a new look! After many years I decided to update my blog page...not that I think anyone actually reads it. I've done a sorry job keeping details of my life posted. I plan to do a better job with that.

Stop by and visit. Tell your friends to follow me. If nothing else maybe my words will inspire, bring tears to your eyes or just give you something to do during your downtime at work ;)

Happy 2011 all!

Dynomite!!

Growing up I was a big fan of the sitcom "Good Times." I liked JJ, as most people. He was sooo funny with his quick wit and famous one liner-- Dynomite!

Today, I met a whole new generation of what I call JJ Walker's. This guy looked a lot like him in body structure but was entirely different beast. Let me explain.

We were sent out on an assignment to cover a burglary where a man broke into an apartment in the projects and crawled in bed with the woman sleeping there. The brother, who reminds me of JJ, tried to help his sister but was just a bit too, well, feminine to do much more than pull hair. Anyway, we didn't have an exact address and happen to see a group standing outside. We stopped and I asked if they knew the person. Bingo! It was the place where the attack happened. The victim talked on camera and so did her brother :)

I knew he was a character as soon as he opened his mouth. He had on a red do-rag, had long thick nails, a wife beater and shorts on and, here's the best part, a pair of pink hiking boots with a bling type buckle on the side. I felt like I needed a hepatitis shot just standing next to him. Anyway, he was hysterical with his snaps and quirks and girly type threats! I tried not to laugh at him during the interview because he could have scratched my baby blue eyes out with his cat like nails. Despite his confusing gender, he was nice to us and we were able to turn 2 good stories out of it.

JJ Walker is a thing of the past but I feel certain the guy I met today has a future in sitcom comedy! Thanks for the laugh!

Coming back to life...

I am feeling better from the crud I picked up. Antibiotics are great, but evil. I think they can make you feel worse than actual sickness.

Biggest Loser is going well. I am very proud of the progress I've made. Not so much in pounds lost but as in fat toned up :) I bought a new suit Monday and I was pumped when the 2 sizes I tried on that I've been wearing lately hung off me. I haven't wiggled my way into a smaller size in a long while. I was very happy with the flattering fit.

I've also discovered my love of the elliptical machine. You have to get into a certain mode to keep the momentum going but once you start, its hard to stop. And let me tell you there is nothing more motivating than sweating to death exercising and looking out at the pool and seeing people who should never wear a bathing suit in public. It really gives you a reason to keep moving!

Tonight, swimming. My favorite exercise. Try running in the pool and then turn around and try to run back the opposite direction. You talk about a work out. That will get your goat.

Green Team if you are reading this...hope you are keeping up the good work. Don't want another team pulling ahead of us. Keep exercising, eating right, and of course swigging down that water (ha/ha)

Under the weather...way under it.

I know I'm behind on posts but I have been ever so sick. I have walking pneumonia and man let me tell you that mess will make you feel BAD! I'm on a 10 day round of very strong antibiotics. I'm hoping that will clear it up. So far, I just feel yuck.

So you may wonder how that affects Biggest Loser. It doesn't really. I just can't over-do-it or work out in the heat. I can stay indoors and do Wii or medicine ball. I can swim too but only late in the evening. I will manage to get my points in for the week, its just not going to be as intense a work out as usual.

This week's challenge...write down everything we eat. I wonder if 2 Vanilla Wafers really counts as a breakfast?!?!

Walk This Way...

Today I bought a pedometer. This baby is like the Lexus of all walking calculators. It tells you each step you've taken, distance walked, calories burned. I bought it not only to see how far I walk in a day but to measure the distance around my apartment complex. The Greenway is starting to creep me out somewhat since I watched a drug exchange there a few nights ago. (more on that on a slow day).

Last night, I swam for 45 minutes. It was intense. Have you ever tried to run in the pool and then turn and go the opposite directions. Hello shin splints! You certainly get a good workout! The water was bubbly hot too. That made the swim even more exhausting. One thing about it, you sleep better afterwards.

This week's 2 point challenge is anything outdoors with a ball. I'm thinking about soccer. If I go to mom's (which is off limits during Biggest Loser I realize but didn't get to see my dad for Father's Day) I got 22 acres to kick that thing around all I want. If I don't and I stay here, I feel certain I will fall victim to the couch and my ceiling fan. Which, after laying there for a few hours, takes energy to get up. Is that considered exercise??

The fruits of my labor...

As you know I planted a garden this year. So far, so good.

This is the first squash picked. Soooo tender and yummy! My watermelon and cantelope vines are out of control and I've got green tomatoes and a few little peppers.

Revamp...part 2

This morning, I ate a bowl of cereal for breakfast. For lunch I had grilled salmon, a big salad with a little ranch dressing, and several glasses of unsweet tea with a lot of lemon. It was very tasty and healthy. Dinner is still up in the air.

I rearranged my exercise plan. I haven't done cardio in a while so I thought I would start back last night. I worked out for 45 minutes. I did everything from dance to passing basketballs to volleyball to running track. I can tell my running skills are getting much better since we started "Biggest Loser." I'm not out of breath as bad and I can run for a longer time. Tonight, I will swim for 30 minutes.

THe weight loss is slow and I have days where my motivation is wimpy but I am enjoying the results. Lane measures me every other week and I can see a BIG difference in my curves :)

Revamping...

I think I've hit my plateau. Now may be a good time to change things up. I've done well with losing inches and I'm certainly proud to be down one pants size but I'm still not satisified with my results. I exercise almost daily and I can tell I've picked up muscle mass. What is not changing so much are the numbers on the scale.

So this week I am tweaking my diet and changing up my workout plan. I am hoping that gets 5 pounds off by weigh day of next week. I love the way I feel and I'm seeing great results I would just like to see a bit more come off the scales.

So the challenge to myself is...5 pounds off by next Monday and different exercises for the week.

Rock on Green Team!

Home sweet home...

I'm back from a hard 2 day trip to the Gulf. We left at 5:00 Thursday morning for Bayou le Batre. We hit the jackpot on the first stop we made. Got great interviews and video about how the BP oil spill has impacted the fishing industry. So sad to see these people suffer. Really heart breaking.

When we finished up there we stopped in Fairhope to Skype a live shot back to Huntsville. We couldn't get a strong enough signal out plus it was lightning so we scraped it. Todd and I headed to Foley to check into our hotel. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. The hotel itself was really nice. The fact that the AC didn't work in my room and the second room they moved me into was total aggravation. Third time really was the charm. A room with AC spewing out cold air at 68 degrees. Ahhhhh felt wonderful.

I hit the gym at the hotel to make sure I got my exercise in. It helped stretch my tired body too. I walked/ran on the treadmill for 20 minutes and peddled my legs off on the stationary bike for 30. I met my 3 point challenge for the week and I got a good workout. After a hot shower I slept like a baby.

We got up the next morning, ate breakfast, checked out of our hotel and drove south to Orange Beach. The weather was hot, humid but beautiful. We got to the beach and both of us were amazed at how few people were there. We got our camera equipment out and walked out to the water. The stinch of oil hit us like a brick wall. The water was dirty and greasy. The coastline is stained from the oil. And the beach was basically empty. We shot a ton of video and 2 look lives. When we finished up there we drove to WPMI to feed our stories. That's a really nice television station. Quitest newsroom I've ever been in. They would never survive the loud voices filling the air where I work ha/ha

When we left WPMI we grabbed a late lunch/early dinner then headed north. We got home around 9:30. I was happy to be back. It was a great trip though and I'm glad I got the opportunity to go.

Today I'm feeling very lazy. After all that walking on the beach my legs re tender ha/ha Today I've got to walk or swim. Can't afford to lose any exercise points :)

Happy Saturday!

Chewing gum vs drinking water

If you know me, you know I'm not much of a thirsty turtle. In fact, my theory is this...chewing gum makes up for missed hydration. When I walk 4 miles at the Greenway, I do so with gum in my mouth. And by the time I'm finished, even though what little moisture in my body is pouring on the ground, I stick another piece of gum in my mouth. To me, that's like swigging down a bottle of Gatorade. Refreshing somehow.

My coach, which also doubles as my GM, believes that lack of water may be causing me to hold on to excess weight. So she has challenged me to 8 glasses of water a day....not a week. I drank a cup shortly after I left her office. 7 more to go and I should be well on my way to flushing out the fat :)

I love a good challenge!! And it motivates me when one is issued. Something about pushing yourself to the limit. Makes you feel better when you reach that goal.

And, just to make sure I am sticking to the water regiment I will be tracking my intake.