Rubble, reporting in...(do you hear the 32oz of water in my stomach sloshing around?)...after 4 days on the "Sassy Water" I've lost like 2lbs. After today I won't keep coming up with the concoction-I'll do plain water (maybe add lemon and mint) but I really feel the water drinking has been key.

I weighed in at 140 this morning but then I didn't really eat much for dinner.

But I continue to do my work outs, drink my water and eat my cereal in the morning for fiber (well, "morning"--relative term when you wake up around noon each day--sometimes later, sometimes earlier.)

Happy Easter all! There are no goodies in my future...not into Easter treats. However there will be ham Sunday night. Not the leanest meat, right BUT it's tradition for both fiance and myself. We always had ham on Easter in my family and in my married years and fiance says that's what the main meal was with his group so.... I just won't eat a lot.

pr/m

Yes, there's a new diet in town..."FLAT BELLY DIET" (see: Prevention website or just punch in "flat belly diet" and you'll find it-the one with the "Sassy Water" recipe. Fiance and I read up on it and we don't care to shell out the $32 for the book. We feel more comfortable and happy with a Mediterranean based diet of good fats, lean meats and lotsa' fruits and veggies.

BUT I will say I'm 'stealing' ONE aspect from the "diet"...

the SASSY Water.

Here it is...

Sassy Water by Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD
2 liters water (about 8.5 cups)
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
12 small spearment leaves

(ancient chinese secret huh!? Are you old enough to get that commercial reference!! "Ring Around The Collar,...ring around the collar!"

Everything is put in the water the night before and you let it steep. Then you drain and drink! This is day one for me and I'm (you delicate sorts, close your ears! I'm gassy and pissy!!! I'm supposedly on my way to becoming LESS bloated and a bit more flushed out.

WOW, am I glad I can stay at home because working out there would be embarrassing! You might want to wait until you have a long four day weekend and stay close to a toilet! It will become your best friend!

I'm starting off at 143....we'll see what happens.

Oh and if you don't like the taste of cucumber...fohgettaboutit! I don't mind it. Sure beats regular water of which I find a CHORE to drink!

The cukes and mint and ginger are all great for your digestion. And have been used for upset tummies for eons. The lemon I think is just to make it a bit more palatable-but I'm not totally sure on that one.

I'll check in tomorrow and tell you how I'm feeling.

Sadly, I had to say goodbye to Taylor the Trainer...I could only buy a three appointment package and that set us back $240. I'll have her come back later next month to check in on me and perhaps retool the workout she has set up for me. She's a wonderful girl! We clicked right away.

I've written about Chloe (our cat) in a post a couple of days ago...

Well now I've hit upon a moment of clarity...or shall I say, CHLORITY!

ChloeClarity!

I kiddingly measured her tummy yesterday...18" (she's got a bit of a tummy on her after 10 years!)...I said, Chloe, you need to go on a diet (she doesn't but I was just teasin'!)

Then it hit me...

I should follow HER living plan:

1.) Nothing but water to drink and consistently through out the day...

2.) Healthy food to eat several times a day...

3.) A vitamin pill (or two) (she gets one twice a day, it tastes like liver )

4.) A couple of trots up and down our stairs (we have plenty from loft to basement!)

5.) A good amount of sleep (frequent cat naps!)

6.) Regular poo poos!

7.) Stress free living!

8.) Stretch a little everyday!

9.) Don't forget to play a little!

10.) Soak in the sun a little every day (Chloe does that, she loves the heat of the sun. For us, it's the Vitamin D we need!)

11.) *adding this 3/18/08...."get and give love a little everyday!"

Everything I learned about healthy living, I learned from my cat!

I should be more like Chloe!

And then maybe I WOULD HAVE AN 18" WAIST!!!???

m

Isn't PURRRING the closest thing to the sound of peace as you'll find! (This coming from a true cat lover!)

Ever since gaining these 25lbs in the past 20 months, I have had problems with both GERD and bloating off and on. The past week, the bloating has been more on than off.

I truly believe the bloating is also a bit of the reason I haven't lost any weight this weak and of course the inches haven't gone.

Fiance and I have done some serious research and we both agree....I really need to buckle down and address these two things. Can GERD have anything to do with the bloating or vice versa?

The only thing I don't get is the HEARTBURN associated with GERD. I have difficulty in swallowing, this vague constrictive feeling behind my Adam's apple and when certain foods approach my mouth or touch my tongue..my tonsils get like a little tasar zap of OW!!!

We are playing around with some food ideas that will, I hope quell some of the discomfort of both circumstances.

Now losing weight isn't just about aesthetics but helping me to feel better. Ever since the weight gain...I haven't felt right. Looking bad is one thing...but feeling bad complicates the issue and saddens me to no end.

Anybody else out there with bloating and/or GERD problems? Just curious.

m.

New Icon For The Week....each week I will change it (as opposed to the daily I have been )...according to my weight loss. If you still see the same icon next Monday, it's 'cause I didn't quite lose my intended 2lbs.

Last Sunday, 145 ...this week 143.0...slow and steady wins the race but man, 2 little pounds...ugh, doesn't seem like much. My icon reflects me "chewing" the fat, inch by inch...tape measurer, me chewing it,.. get it?

I'm up at this UNGODLY hour (for me anyway! [9:30am] because some fitness trainer named,..AMBER (she SOUNDS THIN...and PERKY ) is coming out to give fiance and I our one complimentary session that apparently goes along with buying the Inspire M2 weight machine.

So here I am in my unitard and FSU t-shirt, with mussy hair and coffee breath, ready to do the thing.

My measurements pretty much stayed the same but I am proud of myself for sticking with "the program" even if it meant only two tiny lbs. I know inches matter (even more than pounds, actually) and I'm sure I'll see changes there SOON!!