So let's start with this..........

This is the proof in the pudding.
I know the deal is when you see yourself everyday, you don't see any major changes. Especially if you are someone like myself who sees my figure as fat, bloated and ugly every single day.  So I often avoid the camera at all costs.However.. I needed to show my Blogger Pals that I am talking the talk and walking the walk here. 

After my initial Stage 3 cancer diagnosis in 1998 I wondered what my fate would be as a young single mother, new job, living with my parents. I felt trapped, hopeless and a failure.  I never thought in a million years I would be living this new life. While it has its ups and downs, trials and tears, good times and sometimes really bad , I wouldn't trade it for anything.

JP~ out

So whats in my lunch bag?

Like any good well bred Oregonian you carry your lunch in a Powell's Books Cloth Bag !
( PSA FOR NO MORE PLASTIC SACKS) :)
I pack my own food everyday. Although there are some days I'd rather eat a breakfast burrito , Diet Coke and call it good. I am not perfect ! Those breakfast burritos are the DEVIL. .....drool.....

Today:

Low Fat Turkey Lunch Meat from Costco
Avocado
Red Bell Pepper
Carrot Sticks
Almonds
Green Apples

I split all this up into three mini meals throughout the day. Sometimes I do it at home, but mostly I just do it at work.

I am trying to give up the Diet Coke/Pepsi but man is that trying to kill me these days.
Those folks who say drink Green Tea, are lame. Green Tea is good if your sick , but not if you are crashing at 2 pm and need cold caffeinated pick me up. Sorry but its true.

Last night we went out to eat and I had Halibut Fish and Chips. The fries were yucky so I only ate a few and the fish was awesome. After eating like this for awhile your taste buds become very aware of what tastes good and what doesn't.
Root Beer Floats(next time will use Diet A and W) with lactose free ice cream= GOOD
Over Salty not fresh fries/House made Cole Slaw = GROSS

It really is that simple, I buy organic as much as possible and only eat carbs in fruit, oatmeal and Sprouted grain bread. It's not for everyone and it can be expensive and a pain, but I am telling you its worth it!

Why I changed everything about me

Let me start off by saying this:
I have always been some sort of active, but never been a full on athlete.
When I lost alot of weight a couple of years ago, I didn't exercise much nor did work on the finding the causes of what was making me depressed besides being fat.
So, like most diets the weight came rolling back in. weird.....

I have a problem with associating food with guilt and combine that with a set of " I have a large A$$" goggles I seem to see out of , it was a recipe for disaster at some point in my life. Every time I would eat I would obsess about how it was making me fatter and uglier, how crazy is that? I still struggle with it even though what I am eating is 100% healthy, if I feel the slightest "full" the guilt and remorse creeps back in.

I never see myself as pretty, thin, or anything befitting that description. My weight has always been the topic of family discussion with my Mom, Dad and sisters, as we all struggle.

So let's add the additional strain of moving to Alaska and what do you get?  A fat, depressed, no horse to ride, cranky sloth. No joke.

So I took the steps to change how I FEEL and that would change how I LOOK.
I hired a trainer to help me train for a triathlon, God Bless Carla Goldberg
I researched diets.. alot... for hours.

Then I came across Isabel De Los Rios and the Flat Belly Solution.

It is the easiest two steps I have ever done in my life.
The weight has melted off and my body has changed dramatically. I feel amazing.

I have given up Dairy, Processed Food,meal replacement bars(unless I'm out on the bike) 99% of sugar, Gluten and Soy.

I am not lying when I say, the dark circles under my eyes are gone , my belly is getting flatter and my skin looks amazing. My PMS symptoms were about as half as bad as usual the last two months since I started.
Oh and the muffin top and third ass are almost gone as well.
SHA- FREAKING-ZAM !!!

When you husband says " Baby, your ass is shrinking" it's the best 4 words you will ever hear I swear...

Hugs and Love Blogger Peeps!
JP~

New Member of the Family

Look Away if you cant stand cute, because it's gonna get all kinds of adorable up in here!

 This is Baby Hank aka Hank Bouncer. He is our newest addition. He still lives with Aunt Darlene in Bend, because he is not old enough to be neutered and travel. When Shawn goes to Oregon in June, he will come home on the plane with him. He is a rescue of sorts and is what they call " Blue" Chihuahua.

Darlene already has plenty of "wows" as they are called, and Ive always secretly wanted one. Shawn swore on the Holy Catholic Bible I would never get one. Until this face came across Facebook, and well..  Shawn caved and I danced a happy dance!
Seriously could you resist a face such as this? I am checking into his first Bomber Jacket ASAP.

Saturday Trainer Carla and I did 11 miles on the mountain bikes. It's official I think it sucks. However, this was on the trail in the Mat-SU State Park, that was near the dump. Blogger Peeps this is NOTHING but trash bags and Grocery Sacks. It was unreal. I implore you to use reusable sacks and lessen your impact on Mother Earth. Just that one tiny change would make a huge difference.

9pm Alaska time Shawn wants to go for a stroll. My beehind is KILLING me from the day before but walking wont hurt right?? right..... This is him down by the lakes edge on the opposite side of us. Isn't it amazing?

Empty Nest has brought some new challenges to our relationship, mostly on my part I will admit. However, we are managing to come out on top and appreciate each other more and more everyday.
He literally is the best husband a girl could ask for. So whats better than a smooch at sunset ?

Not much I tell you, except maybe a cute little dog and my pony coming to Alaska soon!

Always look forward to the sunset my Blogger Peeps. Life is amazing, enjoy it and be present in every moment!
Hugs and Much Love,
Jocelyn

Vegas Baby and a few other mishaps

Last weekend was the infamous Carol BFF in Vegas girls trip.
It was mediocre fun at best. Long story, but my life was already going to crap when I left, and it didn't get much better once I got to Vegas. C'est La Vie I guess.
I am better now, but I have a long road ahead. 

 This is Carol my BFF from days gone by. We met in our early single 20's, she is still single and still tries to act 20. So yeah, that was tough to keep up with, I have no desire to be a 42 trying to be 22 year old woman. I like who and where I am right now. Not saying I don't want to be a hot mama, but I don't want to look like I'm begging for my youth back, which I am NOT.

This is a broke widowed military vet who was lured to Vegas by a woman on line who turned out to be a fraud and was down to his last 4 bucks.

He was 18 years Active Duty ARMY and 12 Years National Guard. I sat with him for over an hour in the 90 degree heat, prayed together and I gave him a few bucks to eat and ride the bus. I will never turn down someone in need especially a Veteran.

 Well since I gave up candy and these are my super favorites, I bought a t shirt instead. If I can't eat them I might as well wear them. Man, do I love me a RPBC fix.. ahhhhhh so sad. I ate too much sugar and Vegas and my body went into almost diabetic shock, man it wasn't pretty.

I am trying to get back on track for the triathlon training, I have had some feet/numbness issues that are alarming and my next option is a Neurologist. Yeah Me. Growing old is a big ol BEE-OTCH I tell ya.
The diet is going splendid and let me tell you my skin and digestive system have never been happier.
Stay tuned I will post all about it tomorrow afternoon I promise.

I fell off the planet ? Sure did and boy am I tired.

I know I know.. Total disappearing act these days. Its for a good reason though!
What Have I been doing?
Alot of this.......

and wearing these

 and riding this... I mean alot, all the time.. constantly.

 I am training for  triathlons in June, July and August. I have never been so tired !

Ive had to completely change my eating habits, my life style and attitude towards hard physical exertion which is ALL mental. So that's where I am for now, stay tuned for how I changed my diet and the weight melted off like butter......