THANKFUL BLOG!~~Just listing ONE!~~What'sYOURS???

Monday, December 13, 2010

Thank you God,for allowing me to get my FULL BREATH ---just for the act of breathing!-Betsy [I'M ASTHMATIC & now have been fighting BRONCHITIS for 3 mos.!]

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DETERMINEDJANET 12/13/2010 6:05PM

Thank you for time tonight with my girlfriend Janette so we can catch up on the important and silly things of life since our trip to Women of Faith in October. Report Inappropriate Comment

RONIE11 12/13/2010 5:12PM

I know you have been fighting this for so long.. I really hope you can get over this and be done with it.. I am grateful you can breath a full breath now too... I wonder if you have gotten any new scented candles of laundry soaps that could be giving you such problems.. I noticed the other day that the only scented candle that doesn't close my sinus's is my Paula Dean one.. all the others and the sprays plus perfum all cause problems.. I'm sure as a asmatic you are aware of this.. but I felt like I should say something only because I never had a problem with them until this year so it could be something new they are adding to the scents... Ronie Report Inappropriate Comment

DOROTHYBERO 12/13/2010 3:55PM

Thank you god for blessing me with wonderful children! Report Inappropriate Comment

BESTSUSIEYET 12/13/2010 3:48PM

Thank you, Lord, for my friend, Ruth, and our lunch visit today! Report Inappropriate Comment

LALASLAND 12/13/2010 2:34PM

Thank you, Lord, for saving me from the life I was trying to live out my own way 32 years ago! Report Inappropriate Comment

Any Remedies--old or new --for a won't go away cough????Help ,please!!!!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

I've been to the dr.'s & will be there again this week! I have had a wracking the body cough that is getting progressively worse! I used to be able to only cough during the night & breathe freely during the day.Now the cough racks me day & night. I've been on Levaquin.Promethazine cough meds & nothing works! {I have very mild asthma for 22 yrs.} & now they say bronchitis--but it's been 3 mos! I know now not to have any Dairy products{mucus-producing]. I also have Sinusitis & am taking Fionase. My hubby was going to try a poultice,but it doesn't get hot enough.
Any food/drink remedies?Hot tea seems to help as cold ice water! Help!!!!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PEPPERLEAH 12/13/2010 11:23PM

I have battled chronic post nasal drip, and all sorts of other things that cause me to cough for years now. About 3 weeks ago, I bought some Ricola Honey & Lemon cough Drops with Echinacea in them. And, they have helped me a LOT. I will be praying for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

NELLIEC 12/13/2010 9:44PM

Last year I had one of those for months and months. After trying all kinds of things, it was finally discovered one of my medications that I had been taking for years with no problems had developed one of it side effects on me. Report Inappropriate Comment

PAMAPPLE 12/12/2010 11:19AM

When I was getting sick, I took Yogi echinacea tea with honey and it really helped relieve the cold symptoms. Hope this helps!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BESTSUSIEYET 12/12/2010 10:21AM

Friend at work got quite a bit of relief with honey sticks. I think they were like the old sugar straws ... Much smaller ...enev just a small spoon of honey seems to ease the urge to cough muscles. Praying you shake this soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

DOROTHYBERO 12/12/2010 7:52AM

Are you using an inhaler?? It sounds like bronicalasthma. Take care of yourself - I bet you sore all over from all of the coughing. How about a shot of whiskey - just a shot - not the whole bottle - Report Inappropriate Comment

LALASLAND 12/12/2010 1:11AM

Oh, You poor girl! My dr. gives me cough medicine with codeine in it, because he says if I can't get enough rest, it won't stop! Report Inappropriate Comment

ISABELLAMOM 12/11/2010 9:40PM

herbal tea with two table spoons of honey in it. Report Inappropriate Comment

PORTIA31982 12/11/2010 8:46PM

My aunts swears by a teaspoon of honey to help a cough. Worth a shot. Sounds like you've done it all. :( Report Inappropriate Comment

Interested Sparkers!Explain This NO WT.GAIN {When eating High Cal. Veggies in med/large amts!}

Friday, December 10, 2010

I was at my MIL 's home last Sunday visiting with the whole family and we went to get some take-out food . We chose Boston Market. Since we always go to visit for the whole day ,I knew I would not be able to get in any exercise that day since we left her home @ 7:45 pm.[We have a 3 yo & my hubby gets up @ 5am for work.]
I had got the turkey meal,no gravy or any topping;corn;steamed vegetables with a small individual container side of sweet potato casserole & a small individual container side of red garlic potatoes {both for myself and I did not eat the cornbread nor have any dessert of any kind}.
We watched movies & talked like we always do. The Boston Market was for lunch ,but b/c I had the veggies, I was not hungry in the afternoon for any snacks nor at dinnertime {though when we got home ,I had some pasta, + 1 tsp of Smart Beat Lt.margarine+2tsp Parmesan Cheese.
Went to bed after dinner & got up the next norning to weigh myself after using bathroom.
NO WEIGHT GAIN !Even w/the sweet potato casserole!!! Why?????{BTW Had 8 glasses of water that day!And my BMR is 1819!}

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DOROTHYBERO 12/12/2010 7:54AM

Your metabolism is probably hight enough that is burned it off!! Once in a while you can get away with it - just not daily!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NELLIEC 12/10/2010 4:50PM

The scale doesn't immediately show the results of yesterday. I have discovered this -- there may be a delay. Of course, if you have a very salty meal, then there will be water gain very soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

LITTLELORIT 12/10/2010 7:30AM

When I eat out at lunch time I am not as hungry at supper so I generally eat a small meal and therefore can usually stay within my calorie range. Also because you ate at lunch time you had more time to burn off any higher calorie foods; even if you did not actually exercise. Report Inappropriate Comment

GALSAL59 12/10/2010 6:14AM

Don't beat yourself or the scale over it. Not every day is a good weight day. But, so long as you KNOW you ate healthy AND you had a good time, that's what matters the most! Report Inappropriate Comment

STUBBSKID69 12/10/2010 3:57AM

The meal that you had at Boston Market doesn't sound that bad. I did a quick check on the calories and it isn't that high. I was also looking at the sodium and that wasn't too bad either. When ever I eat out, even if the calories are within range, the sodium that is in most restaurant food causes me to retain fluids. By drinking your water, you most likely helped to flush out any extra sodium from the food. I hope you enjoyed your visit and GREAT job in tracking your food while you were away from home!! Report Inappropriate Comment

My 6mo. Maintenance

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

I am so HAPPY to say I have maintained my wt. loss of 20 lbs. for 6mos.!!!---I even changed my profile to show it! I thought it might help others to let you know what SP tools I used for my wt.loss and using those SAME tools for maintenance!
1--The NUTRITION TRACKER---EVERY DAY w/o FAIL when LOSING the wt. /ALMOST EVERY DAY when on Maint.{some days I missed due to vacation,illness, computer down}.
2--The FITNESS TRACKER--EVERY DAY w/o FAIL when LOSING the wt./ALMOST EVERY DAY when on Maint.{ when my cough got so bad--turned out to be bronchitis--I COULDN'T WORKOUT for at least a week; could NOT breathe laying down to do ab work or lift wts. on my Soloflex machine}.
3--The DAILY NUTRIENTS GUIDE--at the BOTTOM OF THE NUTRITION TRACKER--EVERY DAY WHEN LOSING WT & MAINT.= I need to SEE WHAT NUTRIENTS I'M LACKING-- for me it was usually FOLATE & PROTEIN---I just don't seem to eat enough of either,but I MAKE MYSELF EAT THE PROTEIN to JUST THE REQUIRED AMT. b/c if you want to BE HEALTHY, YOU NEED TO EAT HEALTHY! Now on Maint.DAILY, I eat oatmeal[1 and 1/2 pkts] + choc.Cheerios[1 cup] =100 FOLATE NUTRIENTS!
4--The DAILY CALORIE DIFFERENTIAL-- [LISTED UNDER REPORTS in the toolbar ] EVERY DAY when I was LOSING the wt. b/c I needed to keep track of my fitness to MATCH my calorie intake! /On MAINT. ,I DON'T CHECK every day ;just ONCE IN AWHILE if my wt. starts to creep up.
I will also LIST MY TOP SECRETS OF SUCCESS---as of this date Dec 8,2010--out of the 130+ that I have;these are the MOST POPULAR right now~~
1-NEW SPARKERS --TAKE BABY STEPS to finding your way around the site and don't try to do everything at once. Take it a little at a time.
2-Use the TOOLS & READ/USE THE STATS--just like I LISTED AT THE TOP OF THIS BLOG!
3-SP RECIPES UNDER 200CAL. & 30 MIN.. TO MAKE--- They have EXCELLENT LOWFAT RECIPES;make use of them! Note: I think I only list one or two recipes or just trying to FIND THEM!
4-ORGANIZING LEFTOVERS IN THE REFRIGERATOR-- Making the most of your leftovers by LABELING WHEN TO EAT BY & DATE IT!
5-ZIGZAG CAL. INTAKE--WHO KNEW IT WOULD AID MY WT. LOSS?--more explanation in listed in the secret....{I don't want this blog TOO LONG!!!!-LOL!}
And lastly ,SParkers BELIEVE B/C IF YOU CAN SEE IT [IN YOUR MIND'S EYE] YOU CAN DO IT!
I wasn't SURE I COULD MAINTAIN ,ESPECIALLY WITH THE HOLIDAYS--ALWAYS MY DOWNFALL-- but with portioning my foods and not limiting myself to just certain foods, I DID IT!
Good luck to all my SPARKFRIENDS AND NEW AND VETERAN SPARKERS OUT THERE!Hope any of this information is helpful to you! Merry Christmas! And here's hoping for a trim ,NEW YOU this NEW YEAR! --Betsy

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

8KAREN 12/8/2010 5:41PM

Thanks for the advice and good for you. You look fantastic. Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

LALASLAND 12/8/2010 2:28PM

What a fantastic blog! I was meaning to tell you how much I LOVE your new profile photo, and now I have the chance, and I read this super blog of yours! Way to go! Report Inappropriate Comment

RONIE11 12/8/2010 2:26PM

Betsy this is great!!!! I'm so proud of you for maintaining and I love the new picture.. how cute are you?? wow... it would be great to re-post this in January for all those (us lol) who think thats the time to start a new "diet"... great advice and great blog... thanks... Report Inappropriate Comment

Feeling Stronger Every Day!!!!!

Monday, December 06, 2010

I changed my profile photo for December to reflect my 6 mos. on Maintenance! I really DO FEEL STRONGER every day!!! I find I can lift more weight [ my 3 yo, included! LOL!] and since my hubby's days off changed ,so has my workout at the gym. Instead of yoga[1 hr.]+gravity machine[30 min.]+treadmill[1 hour] for 2 1/2 hours 1x/wk. ,NOW I do GRAVITY MACHINE[30 min.] + PILATES CLASS[1 hour] FOR 1 1/2 HOURS 1X/WK. I find I am working MORE on my abs now that I am on Maintenance!
How and in what way are YOU FEELING STRONGER every day?????

  

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LALASLAND 12/7/2010 1:46PM

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SLENDERELLA61 12/7/2010 12:43AM

You are stronger!! And so am I! I look at the amount of weights I use on the machines at the Y and they just keep going up. The intensity of my cardio workouts keeps improving. We're getting stronger every day!! Report Inappropriate Comment