Living Lean Meals-Hickory NC Launches New Website

Hickory NC has a brand new way to eat healthy, save time and stay slim and trim !! Living Lean Meals has just completed their new website with online ordering and all the new healthy food choices. Check each week for a new menu.

What could be easier than jumping on your computer(not literally ;-), pulling up theLiving Lean Meals website

• Click Order Online, chose delicious, fresh healthy meals & snacks
• Pay online with your credit or debit card
• Pick up your food at Living Lean Meals on Monday
• Enjoy !!! What could be easier??

Be sure and try the new Chocolate Mousse Protein pudding - YUM !! Lorin and the staff at Living Lean Meals look forward to hearing from you. They are conveniently located near Lenoir Rhyne College in Hickory NC. If you have specific questions - call 828-327-7505

Cheap Low Carb Salmon Patties-Great Low Carb Food

Salmon is a perfect, cheap, low carb protein choice. It's an awesome source of Omega 3-fatty acids. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week because it's a good source of protein and low in saturated fat. Fatty fish including trout, sardines, tuna, and salmon are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. Also, salmon is a good source of Vitamin B6 and Calcium, a very good source of Protein, Niacin, Vitamin B12, Phosphorus and Selenium.

Low Carb Southern Style Salmon Patties

1 can drained pink salmon
(my favorite is pink but you can choose) I personally leave the little bones in the salmon, I like the soft crunch, adds more calcium

1-2 large eggs or Eggbeaters - lightly beaten (depending on can size)

a little lemon juice & worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, red pepper flakes

optional salt & pepper to taste

Form into patties - about 5-6, these will be a little "soupy"Spray non-stick pan with butter or olive oil flavored Pam cooking sprayHeat pan on medium high and brown patties on both sides

These are great left over - I even love them for breakfast, great low carb snack. Depending on the lemon juice, etc these should come out being less than 2 grams of carbs per pattie.

I remember eating salmon patties since I was a child and thankfully - I LOVE 'em since they are such a great low carb food for Atkins or other low carb eating plans. My mom always put in crackers as a binder, some people use flour or bread crumbs but of course, we will not do that on low carb!! ;-) That's why these will be a little soupy but it's not bad once you get them well browned on one side before flipping over. Some low carbers add a little crushed pork rinds for that "binding" effect and that's okay - just don't go overboard with those...

Sugar Shock by Connie Bennett Is A Shock !

Since I have battled my weight most of my adult life, I have read just about every book about low carb dieting, weight loss, healthy eating and fitness. Dr Atkin's diet and nutrition books were not only the most eye-opening but have become some of my favorite low carb resources. I thought I had a pretty good knowledge and perspective of the evils of SUGAR..

That was until I started reading Connie Bennet's book, Sugar Shock and what a shock it is !! I am utterly amazed at the vast amount of new research that Connie has unearthed about the evils of sugar and "quickie carbs" as she refers to them. Most of us know that overeating sugar can cause obesity and diabetes but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Millions of people may be suffering such maladies as "brain fog", mood swings, fatigue, heart disease and even cancer because of our horrible sugar and carb habits...

So many health problems could completely vanish away by just cutting out these quickie carbs not to mention the weight loss... You owe it to yourself to check out this awesome new book Sugar Shock-How Sweets & Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-And How You Can Get Back On Track by Connie Bennett.. It is truly shocking !

Low Carb Week 2 - Derailed Momentarily

After having a great first week back on low carb and losing 7 lbs, I was a little disappointed to only see a 1 - 2 lb loss the second week until.....I am reminded to be grateful !! Thanks for the reminder about the law of attraction.. Whatsoever a man thinketh in his heart - so is he!! I am thinking and believing THINNER AND HEALTHIER each day with low carb....

I am grateful to God for allowing me to lose a total of 75 lbs from my highest point several years ago.. I can remember how every step and movement was such a struggle on my 5'4-1/2" frame. I was able to do that with the Lord's help, Atkins low carb in the beginning, then Kimkins last year.. Since then I got slack, lost my focus and had allowed about 26 lbs to creep back on but - low carb to the rescue again and I AM on my way back down..

My little detour from low carb on Saturday did account for a smaller weight loss.. We had a church cookout and I did great until... I looked over the table of "disgusting" sugar-laden dessert junk with suprisingly, no desire for a brownie or donut but then I saw the beautiful fresh, watermelon chunks and grabbed one...I can't remember the last time I had watermelon. It was so sweet and delicious, one became two, then three chunks, then I lost count!!! That is exactly the same problem that I have with bad carbs, no portion control and really it's the same addiction - sugar whether in the form of naturally sweet fruits or chocolate cake... It's all the same to an addict !!

After the cookout, I went home and picked blackberries for my mom.. I KNEW they could not stay at my house because they would be "miraculously" changed into a blackberry cobbler before I could say - abracadabra !! Don't get me wrong, I love to eat blackberries right from the vine without sugar or adornment(which I did) but growing up - there was never a question what you did with blackberries...You either made a cobbler or sweet blackberry dumplings...

As I mentioned, I did start eating the blackberries while I was picking...All the time, I'm thinking - GEE, they only come once a year, they are so good and healthy. I'm trying to rationalize, all the time thinking "Yep, they might come once a year but there will be other years, do you really want to LOSE this weight NOW??? then forget the blackberries until you are on maintenance! but I didn't-( but I do have plans to freeze some berries and design a "Low Carb Mock Blackberry Cobbler" recipe for maintenance when I reach my GOAL WEIGHT with low carb!

How funny, I was looking online for a blackberry photo to use for this post and the first page of google results were almost all about the Blackberry smart phone - technology, you gotta love it.. We have chocolate phones, cherry phones, razr phones, apple computers and iphones - what next ??

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.

A WINNER Not a Whiner !!

The trainers at Body Dimensions in Hickory asked for t-shirt slogan ideas and got a great one from Shannon - one of their clients. On the front it reads - Whiner or Winner? and on the back it says WINNER. One of our fitness buddies - Hilary recently proved that she definitely deserves to wear this shirt.. She is a real WINNER and an inspiration to me! She finished a half marathon on June 2, 2007, hey, that is 13.1 miles.... Amazing ! Here are the comments from Gloria and Hilary...

Email from Gloria
See the email below for the true meaning of COURAGE! Thanks Hilary for sharing these thoughts with all of us. Your, "I'm going to do it" attitude has been an inspiration to me as well as others. I enjoyed every moment that we ran together and you finishing this race was one of my proudest moments. I'm sure you will achieve that Top Model spot or what ever it is you may set your sights on. I just hope I'm always near to see you make all your dreams come true. Gloria

Email from Hilary
Friends,
This weekend I finished my first half marathon, I trained for this half marathon since the beginning of March with a group at Fleet Feet and Gloria (more so Gloria). I can remember as a child my dad had to pay me to run my laps in whatever sport I was playing at the given moment, running was never something I was motivated to do; I actually pretty much hate it! However, in my quest to be “America’s Next Top Model” or just lose weight and be healthy I knew it was something I was going to have to do, to see the results I wanted.

I thought a beginner’s training program for a half marathon would be a good place to start. You would not believe how many people have said to me “Are you crazy?” or “Why would you do that?” I kind of just laughed and thought to myself “I guess I am crazy, but I want to push myself to that next level”. I was utterly nervous out of my mind, thinking what I will do if I cannot make it to that finish line and what if I come in very last.

Well, neither one of those things happened I kept repeating “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and a quote from one of Gloria’s inspirational emails “Have courage to put your dreams above your fears” (I have the quote put up everywhere in my office, car, and home). I might not have the fastest feet or the greatest stride but I knew despite all the people that thought I was crazy and unable, I could finish that race and not be the last one in J.

I must admit that one of the greatest moments in my life was crossing that finish line, I could not contain the tears (neither could my mom who thought I was totally crazy for even attempting this), I DID IT! I did it, but not without the help of some very important people! Gloria, thank you so much for your dedication, those long runs early Saturday or Sunday morning when you should be sleeping in, and for all the encouragement and support you have given me in the last six months, I couldn’t have done it without you!

Lorin, thank you so much for being there Saturday morning with a camera in hand to remember this special day, also thank you for mile 10/11 I really appreciate the support! Keith, thank you so much for running with me mile 11-13, I appreciate your encouragement through Hickory High Hill and 4th Street Hill so much!!! Shannon, thank you so much for running mile 13 with me, your encouragement and friendship in the last six months has been priceless and I really appreciate you facilitating everyone to run with me on Saturday.

All of this to say I cannot wait until the next race, running is a personal motivator and you always want to out do what you did the last time. I really hope that next year we can have a whole team of “Winners” No Whiners to come out and tackle this again! I am sorry if this email is all over the place I just have so much emotion right now! J ( I am such a girl!)

Love Always,Hilary

Hilary - YOU ARE AWESOME !!

Low Carb - One Week Results

Drum roll - pleeeezzzzzzzzzzzz !! My one week total loss on low carb is 7lbs !!! That is awesome but I really "feel" like I will show a good loss tommorrow also...Lord willing! I worked out with Gloria this morning and had planned to do a short walk before it hits the 90s here in Hickory NC but haven't made it yet....

My low carb buddy - Jimmy Moore of Livin La Vida Low Carb is just an incredible guy... He featured my "little Living Lean For Life" blog on his incredibly popular low carb blog AND he wrote this great review of our Glimpse of Heaven vacation cabin recently after he and his wife Christine vacationed in the Smoky Mountains - check out his great comments.

Thanks Jimmy-may the Lord continue to bless you and your great mission - healthy low carb living!

Please check back later - I hope to have up my post today about Hilary and her awesome Half Marathon - what an inspiration!!

Four Miles - Day 3 Low Carb

I am on low carb/no frills - Day 3 and feel good, probably not in ketosis yet...the bad thing is I wimped out of weighing when I started on Monday because I knew I was all "carbed up" and I dreaded seeing the numbers!! I did weigh Tuesday and it still was not good and you know you normally lose a lot of water the first day so WHO knows where I was on Monday.. Anyway the bad part is I will not be showing the big loss numbers since I didn't record that first day water loss - too bad ;-( I will be sharing the number of pounds lost with you and MAYBE I will get the nerve to share the actual weight - UGH!

I actually did a 30 minute workout with my trainer-Gloria this a.m. THEN decided to do a "cardio" walk with my buddy Lorin.. Well, she wanted to walk or should I say speed-walk the 5k First Baptist VBS Race course that is taking place here in Hickory NC this Saturday 6/16/07(no,we are not doing the race but Gloria and Hilary are-GO girls!).. She just wanted to scope out the course so we would know exactly where we could walk/jog 3.1 miles.. It is a really nice course through downtown Hickory going by some of the most beautiful homes in the Hickory area.. (The photo above is one that I took in the spring in downtown Hickory)

Our office is several blocks away from the start of the course SO - we walked there, then followed the course - WHEW !!! Ended up walking over an hour - probably 4 miles it was great but I am DRAINED!!! I really shouldn't be - I normally walk between 30 minutes to an hour several times a week but today we kept the pace faster throughout the whole time - thanks to my buddy - Lorin !! That's a good thing to have someone push you a little !! Then I ate 3 scrambled eggs with a little cheese - I was famished !

Lorin also challenged me this morning to start training for the 5k Breast Cancer Race in October so let's see - how THIN WILL I BE THEN ??? Yeah - we will see, Gloria would be thrilled !! I would love to hear from all of you working on weight or fitness challenges right now !!! CONGRATS TO HILARY FOR FINISHING THE HALF MARATHON RECENTLY - HILARY - YOU ARE MY FITNESS HERO - I AM SO PROUD OF YOU !! Now, I hope you will let me share your success story here on the blog - please ????

Low Carb Diet Challenge ?

Why is it that when you make a public proclamation (you know like on the internet, in the newspaper, public forum, etc) it seems often you are just setting yourself up for failure?? Maybe none of you have that problem but I sure do!! Open mouth - insert foot or maybe "pie" is the better word here !

I publicly recommitted to my low carb diet about 2 weeks ago since this is the plan that allowed me to quickly lose 35lbs last year. Then the "evil - anti low carb monster" came by our office in the form of a coconut pie.... UGH!! I obviously was not fully "in ketosis" yet therefore my resolve was not up to the test.... That unforunate event took me down another ugly sugar chase for a while - UNTIL a few days ago when my blogger buddy-Jimmy Moore of Livin La Vida Low Carb started "bragging" about his 18 1/2lb loss in just one week on low carb .... Jimmy, just kidding - you weren't really bragging - just telling the facts - right?

Thankfully - Jimmy got me motivated for a low carb challenge so here goes ! Two days almost down - Lord willing, I will get the ketosis dominoes stacked in the next couple days. I also talked with another low carb fan today - Ellen lost 11 lbs on low carb last week !! WTG - Ellen, Jimmy and all you successful low carb followers !! Thanks for the "little push" !

Low Carb/No Frills Diet To The Rescue

It's a new day and my Memorial Day weekend eating is OVER !! I am recomitting to healthy "Living Lean-Low Carb For Life" eating. Over the years, I have followed various low carb eating plans including Dr. Atkins but the very basic low carb/no frills was by far the most successful for me this past year. I lost 35 lbs very quickly with low carb/no frills after having lost 20 lbs previously on my "version" of Atkins low carb giving me a total weight loss of 55 lbs.

Life happens and pounds do creep back, thankfully I have kept up my fitness routines with "Coach Gloria" and I am trying to add more cardio.. So, back to healthy low carb eating!! It IS the plan that makes me feel great, energized and without the hunger when "ketosis" kicks in... Ketosis is merely your body burning it's own fat when you deplete the bad carbs in your system... It's a great thing !!

Playing catch up after a holiday does have it's advantages... Believe me - I do KNOW that it's best to eat on a regular basis throughout the day - I've just been too busy today... Water, coffee and an Atkins Advantage Chocolate Delight Shake so far but now I am headed out for a nice salad and some protein.... I'll be back soon with my progress.

Free Boot Camp Hickory NC April 16-20

Speaking of Exercise - This is an awesome workout!! I have been once, hope to go back this week for an excellent cardio workout....It's really EARLY but worth it.

Raymond Moses - Boot Camp - Hickory High School Hickory NC
The week of April 16th - 20th will be Free!! For those of you training for runs this is great cross training and for those of you doing your cardio on machines this will be a great change up. I really suggest you give it a try! See other testimonials at our Living Lean Fitness Blog

Gloria Trull - PFT(Personal Fitness Trainer) "I highly recommend it as a way to get your cardio in". The class is Mon - Fri, rain, snow, cold or shine. 5:00 am to 6:00 am. You don't have to commit to every day you can do it as you want or need. Details for the class are below. You should try it out!!

EXPERIENCE MILITARY STYLE PHYSICAL TRAINING TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOU. IF YOU WANT A FITNESS PROGRAM THAT WILL SHAPE AND TONE YOUR WHOLE BODY THEN THIS IS WHAT YOU BEEN LOOKING FOR. We will start you out with a basis training session and then you will have the option to move to an advanced training session. The sessions include basic military physical training and boot camp endurance building exercises. You will be in a platoon with others to help motivate and encourage each other to give 100% each training day. The boot camp workouts are efficient because you work your entire body-heart and muscles-the difference lies in the intensity. In boot Camp, your challenge is to take your body to its limit. You work, you Sweat and, Best of All you Burn Calories like Crazy. Make today the first day of the Rest of your Life begin it with a heart healthy lifestyle change. You are worth it...

Where: Hickory High School meet in front of the Gym
Time: 5:00 am, Mon- Friday
Supplies needed:Individual Exercise Mat, Water Bottle, Towel
Contact: Director- Dr. Raymond Moses 828-244-7874
Email: bootcamp_guy@yahoo.com
(National TV Talk show Boot Camp Instructor)
If you can’t come to class, if you have a group that wants to do boot camp I will come to you. Give me a call to make arrangements!

My #2 Diet Secret Weapon-Exercise

No doubt about it - life long, consistent exercise is my #2 Diet Secret Weapon - making a commitment to strength training and cardio workouts with a personal fitness trainer is the ammunition for that weapon.. (No, that's not me on the treadmill but one of my workout buddies at Body Dimensions-Hickory NC)

After working with my personal fitness trainer for months - I read this "The Biggest Secret to success, the one thing that held true regardless of the styleof training, the one that accounted for a 40% difference in results, is having a knowledgeable personal trainer work with you." Amen!

Even though I still may not be as "committed" as Gloria-"my Coach" would like for me to be - for the last 14 months (longest ever)I have consistently done at least 2-3 weight training workouts each week.. I have also worked hard to get in an additional 2 or more cardio-type workouts each week.. I love taking long- (between 40-60 minute) high energy walks, jogs or hikes... Even if you don't have a personal trainer - find a buddy and - GET GOING !! Email us here-tell us about your exercise commitment or struggles. Email - ByFaith@charter.net

Check out lots of motivational tips and advice from my coach - Gloria Trull, CFT at our Living Lean Fitness Blog

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

My #1 "Diet Secret Weapon" Low Carb

My #1 "Diet Secret Weapon" is a Low Carb Eating Plan.

It works for me but it may not be for you I am insulin-resistant and a sugar addict - therefore I can not tolerate it at all - I must step away from the sugar laden goodies that have caused my downfall more than once.. One bite of that cake is never enough... Just as an alcoholic must avoid alcohol - I know that I must stay away from sugar and starchy carbs....

Sure, many people have the absolute wrong idea about Low Carb Diets. They think you only eat bacon, eggs, etc and nothing else - wrong... ALL vegetables have carbohydrates(complex carbs-the good kind) and I do eat lots more fresh vegetables and lean protein on Low Carb than I ever did stuffing my face with starchy, fatty processed and fast foods... I'll talk more in depth later about the advantages for me in Lean Living - The Low Carb Eating Way..

Please email me with questions, comments, healthy eating tips, exercise advice - I would love to hear from you. Email: ByFaith@charter.net

Living Lean For Life - The Quest

After wasting far more years of my life than I care to admit battling the ups and downs of Yo-Yo dieting failure - FINALLY I am committed to using all of the "Diet Secret Weapons" I have discovered. These "Diet Secret Weapons" will at last be the KEY to achieving healthy weight loss, nutritious eating habits and maximum fitness ability. With the Lord's help, I will be Living Lean For Life ! ! It's not a destination - it's an ongoing lifelong healthy choice "Living Lean For Life - The Quest"....

Since are bodies are so "fearfully and wonderfully made by the Lord" - we of course are all unique and respond differently to the multitudes of diet and weight loss plans out there.. It often takes some trial and error to find just the right one for you. There is one thing for certain, we should avoid sugar, processed and fast foods.. Fresh lean proteins, vegetables and fruits should be our mainstay with water, water and more water .
Next - My #1 "Diet Secret Weapon".