Time to be Thankful

So everyone on facebook is putting what they are thankful for each day. I decided I would just make one solid list on here. And these are in no particular order.

1. I am thankful for my parents. They have always provided a very supportive environment for me and been a fan of everything I did. They are always there for me and encourage me in everything I decide to try. And yes, they do spoil their only child, but I'm not complaining :).

2. I am thankful for Jason. I don't know what I did to deserve him, but I'll take it. He is so hard working and always there for me and pushing me to push myself harder and follow anything I want to do. He is funny and loving and makes every single day better. (well most days, I mean some days he can be annoying :) ).

3. My friends. I have the best friends. I may not have a ton, but the ones I have are quality. When I was in the hospital, they were there for me and helped cheer me up and they are all supportive of the journey I've been taking and only want to see me succeed. They are fun and always making me laugh. Even the ones that are far away, I know are still rooting me on and always a phone call away for support.

4. My dog(s). Sandi makes me happy every single day. She is always happy to see me and makes me get out and go for walks and play with her. She is the best cuddler in the world and the best listener. I don't know how people live without dogs. My parents dogs also make me extremely happy and I am currently plotting on how steal them away. I also have great dogs where I work, and they are way happier to see me than my co-workers ever are. :)

5. My Job. Today everyone should be thankful that they just have one. But I actually have one that I enjoy. I have great co-workers. We laugh and play pranks and I don't mind going to work. Everyone at work was extremely supportive when I had my heart attack. They always encourage me. I was also extremely lucky to have a job that was so understand and worked with my cardiac rehab schedule and only wanted me to get better.

6. The rest of my family. From grandparents to aunts and uncles (there aren't a ton) I am very thankful for all of their love and support. My Aunt Marilyn in particular has been extremely encouraging on my healthier journey and always makes me want to succeed. She encouraged me with seeing a trainer again and helped get me started when I was lagging.

7. Jason's family. They are always there for us too, and help us out all the time. They help watch Sandi and in so many other ways. It's nice to know that if my parents couldn't be there for me, I could call his and they would be there in a heartbeat.

8. My trainer. She is so supportive and pushes me harder than I would ever push myself. I am always pleasantly suprised when I accomplish the things she asks me to do, because I would never venture that far on my own, but she knows I can do it.

9. A great place to workout. I love Blue Springs Fitness. My whole life I was too terrified to join a gym. I always thought everyone would be thin and fit and judge me for not being that way. I have not once felt judged. Everyone is friendly and says hello. The owner is great and when he read my blog, sent me the nicest and most encouraging e-mail. It's things like that that keep me going and make me believe that I can be successful.

10. My lifestyle change. I don't think I am ready to say that I am grateful for having a heart attack. But I am grateful for being healthy now and feeling so much better. The way I felt a year ago and the way I feel now is night and day difference. Exercising and eating healthy has made such a positive change in my life, and I guess it had to take something so negative to kick me into gear. (But let's not do that again, k?)

There are so many things that I am thankful for. I have a very blessed life and have been so fortunate.

No Repeats

Rosie O'Donnell was on the Dr. Oz Show recently talking about her heart attack and they said something that really kicked my butt into gear this week. They said that women who have had a heart attack are incredibly likely to have a second one within five years.

I do NOT want that to be!

I have to fight, fight, fight, every day to be healthy and make healthy decisions and work out and I do not want to be back in that hospital bed. No excuses.

Halloween has been hard. We have had candy at work and I bought candy for the house and we only had three trick or treaters. I was so bummed! So now I have tons of leftovers. I am sending it to work with Jason and putting it at my housewarming party, hopefully it will get eaten up!

I worked out with my trainer on Monday. She always makes me want to do better too. And she texts me during the week to check up on me which makes me keep going because I don't want to tell her that I didn't work out. So today I went and did another workout that she wrote for me.

I have a new guilty pleasure, the Vampire Diaries. I take my iPad to the gym and watch it while I'm jogging on the treadmill. It helps the time go by, you just have to be careful to keep your speed up and not get too involved in the show. lol.

I found a few yummy new recipes. I made this delicious funfetti cake dip. I found the recipe on pinterest. It was so good! Even Jason ate tons of it, and he normally doesn't like the "healthy" recipes I make. But funfetti cake has always been my favorite. Here is the recipe. (I'm going to make it again for my housewarming party)

I got this from a great blog, Eat Yourself Skinny. http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/2012/06/funfetti-dip.html

Servings: 24

Serving Size: 1/4 cup

Calories: 105

Fat: 2 g

Carbs: 20.2 g

Fiber: 0.3 g

Protein: 1.4 g

Here are your ingredients:

1 (18.9 oz) box Funfetti cake mix

2 cups fat-free plain yogurt

1 cup lite Cool Whip

Fat-free animal crackers

In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, plain yogurt and Cool Whip until completely combined and you see no more lumps.  Cover with plastic wrap and allow to chill for about 4 hours.  Garnish with additional sprinkles if desired and serve with animal crackers, enjoy!  

Very Very Good! Everyone have a great weekend!