Julie did it...why can't I?

Let me begin by saying that I absolutely adore Paula Deen! She is an awesome chef and I wish she would come visit me during the holidays. However, it is her cooking style and approach to food that stands between me and my goal of losing 35 pounds. I'm sure many people have seen or at least heard of the movie "Julie & Julia". Well, this blog is different from Julie's in the sense that I cannot, under any circumstances afford to quit my job so that I may spend time blogging & cooking (kudos to her husband for helping to make that possible for her). It also differs in that unlike Julie, I am on a quest to lose 35 pounds by September 30th of this year and broaden my horizon of healthy delicious recipes for everyday people.

I love to cook. I haven't always felt this way. I always enjoyed cooking. I was the kid at summer camp that was in cooking class because I actually enjoyed it...not just to get out of the heat. But as I got older, cooking became more of a chore. A few years ago, I realized that I hadn't lost my flair or love for cooking, but I had simply become bored with the dishes I knew how to prepare. Everything that I didn't know how to cook I bought. I began to look up recipes online and I slowly but surely go my mojo back. Now I am inspired to try new dishes while sitting at my desk and preparing my grocery list! Now, if only I can figure out how to cook (and eat) delicious foods that can help me along my weight loss journey. Hmmm....

Is it me, or do most weight loss products and ads seem to be focused around those people who just want to lose 5-10 lbs before their class reunion (they make me sick), or those who are morbidly obese and nearly qualify for gastric? What about us fatty's in the middle?! What If you're not eligible to be on the Biggest Loser, but you can afford to miss several meals? What if you want to go down 2 sizes in you jeans? Years ago, I once asked a doctor if it was possible for me to have just a little bit of gastric? "Like, can't you just chop off some of my stomach? So I can eat at least 10 spoonfuls of food in one sitting?" He looked at me like I was insane and then told me that it was not possible. Low and behold, a little while later they come up with the damn Lap Band! I had one of those "I kinda invented that in my mind" moments. Even still, I'm about 150 lbs from qualifying for that procedure as well. Here's a thought...maybe I can cook my way through Paula Deen's cookbook! If I actually survive and my heart doesn't give out on me before I make it to the final mouth watering recipe, I will surely qualify for weight loss surgery then!

Today is Thursday, January 29th. This week Anthony (the BF) and I began our 5 am workout regime. So we wake up at 4:50. Out the door by 5. At the gym by 5:10. Then the "fun" begins. We do this 3 days a week. We also hit up the gym on Saturday or Sunday, but at a Godly hour of our liking. So for years I thought I was making great strides by going to the gym. For everyone reading, admitting you need/want to lose weight is the first step. Actually getting into a gym or better yet, putting on workout clothes is the next step. But its the third step, figuring out a functional exercise routine, that was the most difficult. When I first started exercising a few years back (when I was 28 lbs heavier than I am now....geeesh) I would get on the treadmill and walk/run/jog for as long as I could. I worked my way up to 1 hour and worked my way down to a size 12. But I think that mostly had to do with the fact that my body was in absolute shock, and many of my weaker fat cells died from trauma and then disintegrated. But the stronger, more resilient fat cells aren't going down without a fight. One hour on the treadmill does not intimidate them. I've learned that I need to mix it up a little bit and catch them off guard. I've gotten some really good routines from the BF (he played football in college so he dumbs down some of their old techniques so that I can get fit....I'm guessing it's the same workout that the kickers and punters do during practice). Anyway, before this, I had never actually broken a heavy sweat lifting weights! So mixing up weights, resistance, and cardio are a definite plus!

I have to admit, I have been sooo sleepy at work this week. And today, I am so stiff. I feel like a cross between the tin man from The Wizard of Oz and a girl who just got jumped into a gang. I have a shorter term goal of losing 15 pounds by May 13th, so hopefully those thoughts will keep me awake at my desk and away from the snack bin in the break room. Pictures and recipes to come soon. Till next time.....wish me luck.