Welcome Weight Loss Wednesday gals! (And anyone else peeking in!) If you haven’t joined our little cyber group of girlfriends, don’t fret! Newcomers are always welcome. You can get caught up by clicking on Weight Loss Wednesdays in the side bar. Just leave a comment on the last post listed there.
NOTE: During this week of Valentines giveaways, you may leave comments on any of the five posts until Sunday midnight EST. All winners will be announce next Monday.
Well—we had our first group conference call last night and it was a blast! I loved hearing your voices, sharing a bit from God’s word with you and then, listening to everyone interact. We will most definitely try to do it again and hope more of our WLW sisters can join us! (Those of you who signed up for the call, but couldn’t make it, email me at karen@proverbs31.org and I will send you instructions for listening to it online.)
Today, I simply want to showcase the Valentines week giveaway for the day and give you a delicious and guilt-free recipe that is great to serve to your sweetheart, family, friends or co-workers. Every time I make, it gets rave reviews!
First for the giveaway:
One of you will be sitting soon in your home enjoying the scent of P.S. I Love You oil in a new electric oil diffuser. Both are from Bath and Body Works. Along with it, you’ll also receive some shower gel in the same fun, flowery scent. Oh, and by the way, married or single, it is God whispering “P.S. I love you!”
Now for the recipe: (and then I’ll announce the winner of last week’s little scripture memorization challenge…)
Hot Fudge Cake
1 C flour
3/4 sugar
2 T cocoa powder
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
1/2 C skim or 1 % milk
2 T olive oil
1 t. vanilla extract (can use almond, coconut or cherry too–Yum!)
1 C brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 C cocoa powder
1 3/4 C boiling water
Combine first 5 ingredients in an ungreased 8 or 9 inch square pan and stir. Add milk, oil, and vanilla, blending until smooth. Combine brown sugar and 1/4 C cocoa and sprinkle over the top. Pour boiling water over entire pan and do NOT stir. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes until lightly set. A layer of oohey-goohey fudge settles to the bottom. Serve warm. (For the deluxe version, top with light whipped cream or ice cream!
Serves 9 240 calories 3.8 grams of fat
Okay—now….the winner of a fun, funky, and colorful set of recipe cards, along with matching measuring cups and spoons is:
Danielle Timestamp: February 3, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Congrats! Email me your home address at karen@proverbs31.org so I can mail your your gift!
Now, go ahead and check in and let us know how your week went. Or, if you are new, let us know your health goals—weight loss, exercise or healthy eating desires.
My week was pretty good, other than it was crazy busy and I missed two planned days of exercise because of it. But, this morning, I was still down one 1.4 pounds and for that I am thankful!
Your turn! Remember, one gal who comments will win today’s giveaway pictured above!
Guilt-free blessings,
Good Wednesday morning, My week is going pretty good. I missed last night’s conference call, I went to a friend’s house to exercise and when I got home I helped my twins study for a science test and completely forgot to call, I even had a reminder on my cell phone and don’t know what happened. I was looking forward to it. I have exercised 2 days this week so far and intend to do so 3 more days. I am part of a thing the Y is doing in the area where I live called Team Lean, I am on our local Christian radio station’s team and so have really been working hard to lose weight. Anyway I have lost 4.8 pounds in 3 weeks and am hoping to lose 20 more punds however long it takes me, even after our Team Lean challenge is over, it only lasts 12 weeks. Always looking for recipe ideas. I am a working mom and don’t have a whole lot of time to cook healthy so I welcome any ideas, the one you posted today looks dreamy, can’t wait to try it.
Well, I finally figured out why I’m not really losing weight: I’m expecting! What a big surprise…and such a blessing.
I think the Weight Loss Wednesday thing will still help me keep from gaining more weight than is healthy or necessary this time around, though, so I’m going to continue to check in.
It is a great snow day! Lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks that’s good for me!!!Need to lose 20 before Aug. when my oldest daughter gets married…7 months later my other daughter gets married. Is there sex after kids?…it does get better when they move out….
Jessica!!!!! Congrats! I am so happy for you. What is going on here? This is at least the second WLW gal who has popped up pregnant!
That cake looks so super yummy!!!
We are having a snow day! It is a nice day off with the kids. Hopefully we can play in the snow! I have finally lost 10 pounds total! It has been such a struggle butit feels good! I am so excited! Congratulations Jessica!
Congrats Jessica!
Restart
Right when I feel like giving up, I read your blog and I’m inspired again ~ thank you!~ I am currently doing the Bible Study ‘First Place 4 Health’. We’ve been doing it for 2 wks now and I haven’t lost a pound, but I sat down and prayed real hard about it and figured out that God wants me to work on building my relationship with him first, making him the focus/center of my life, and then all else will balance out.
I think the Weight Loss Wednesday will be something that can help me in focusing on God while making healthy food choices and be encouraged to exercise. Thank you Lysa!
This recipe looks like a crock pot one that I have. It’s great!
Congrats Jessica!!! I have had a good week. Still maintaining. If anyone has any good tips for maintenance let me know. I’m still exercising and it feels good to be able to do it! Everyone keep up the good work. It is a lifestyle change so if it takes a little longer it is worth it. It took me longer to lose the 26 pounds than most people, but the end result is worth it!
Karen, thanks again for the conference call last night I loved it! I’m down 1 pound this week. I’m back to where I was before Christmas!! Now maybe some forward progress. No more wandering in the desert! Question: Your’s is the first blog I’ve EVER posted on. I’m not very tech savy. I would love to have a WLW blog that we could post to during the week. Some place to go when I feel weak and need to be accountable to someone. Maybe a place we could get to know each other a little more deeply, but I don’t have a clue how to go about this. Would anyone else be interested in that?
Oops…Congrats on the pregnancy Jessica! Exciting news!
Congrats Jessica! How exciting!
Thanks again for setting up the conference call, Karen! I didn’t speak up (which is really unusual for me!) but I did give me a lot of things to think about. I’m making a few note cards this morning with the word ‘Obedience’ on them. For me, I think that’s the key.
Down 2.7 pounds this week-I really think all the shoveling has a lot to do with it. I can’t believe how much snow we’re getting here in PA. It’s beautiful but oyyy enough already!!! No school today so I’m sure we’ll be out sledding and maybe even a snowman!
Have a great week everyone!
Guh, I am not a part of the group but I am working on my weight loss… and it hasn’t been going too well. I find myself giving into temptation TOO much! I just need to keep repeating to myself something that I saw in my daily P31 devotional, ” You are worth more than this.” Thanks so much
Congrats jessica! There does seem to be pregnant women everywhere lately! Anyway, I seem to be bouncing between the same 3 or 4 pounds lately. I think it’s time to kick the exercise up a notch. My DH is a teacher and we only had a 2 hour delay. That Mississippi River sure does slow down a storm! On one side 11 inches, on our side 5. Anyway, keep up the wonderful work everyone and remember with God on our side, we can accomplish anything!
I LOVE BATH AND BODY
The past week or so has been really tought for me. I’ve found myself making poor food choices, mostly from stress. My husband is scheduled for surgery on Friday of this week and I think I’m letting the stress of that situation overtake my good sense. Here’s to a newfound resolve and determination.
I’ve got a similar fudge cake recipe that I’ve made for years and love!! Thanks for sharing
Though I am not a part of the group, I do appreciate low fat-healthy dessert recipes. I like pudding cakes, and may give this a try. Thank for all you do for our God
Oh, that cake looks yummy! I will have to try it once I am over my chocolate aversion. GJ, Karen for still losing weight even when missing some exercise!!
And I haven’t exercised since. Yesterday I thought I could exercise, I felt so much better than the day before but it comes and goes all day long. 
Congrats, Jessica!! When are you due? I’m due 9/24
So last week, did good with exercise…then Mon came and the worse morning sickness.
I forgot to weigh myself too. I always do that! So I’m weighing tomorrow. There’s not much I can eat it seems. I am pretty miserable LOL. Hungry, sick, tired. Hopefully I can exercise today, I’ll commit to half my normal time and see if maybe, wishful thinking here, it can keep this sickness at bay.
Have a great week everyone!
OH, how was the conference last night??? I didn’t find out till too late that my meeting last night was cancelled, so I am bummed I missed it but looking forward to listening to the recording. Hopefully next time!
I am really excited about all of this great wealth of information and encouragement on P31! I haven’t lost weight this week but I have maintained. I have lost 18 lbs since December and my goal is to lose 25 more. I have cut my consumption of sodas down dramatically and working to cut out all sweets so they are more of a treat, instead of a daily occurence. Thanks for sharing the cake recipe. I may just have to make that for my hubby!
Marcia
Gotta love finding out your pregnant! How exciting…to find the reason the weight’s not coming off. I wish that was my excuse…I just need to get motivated…I feel really lazy lately.
Working on healthier eating – no weight change.
The cake looks delicious; I will try it!
Aren’t we always looking to slim down? I know I am! The Wii gave me some good news with my weight last night, so I am pleased. I will hit the treadmill today at work.
I would love the scented warmer!
Thank you!
My week has been spent learning new ways to become healthier. Been visiting with a bio feedback specialist and hoping to be rid of my food allergies/intolerances.
Shannon
Thank you so much for having the WLW call session, I truly enjoyed it, my weight goals continue but I will weigh in on Friday to make sure I give enough time to see results.
I really enjoyed the conference call last night. I am NOT the pregnant Jessica! LOL I just got home from the gym and I’m eating my tuna and a salad and drinking lots of water. So glad to have found this group.
I have gained 1/2 to 1 pound this week (my sub-title could be “crazy scale”). I am not surprised – as I mentioned on the conference call last night I have not been eating as healthy the last week. I have been working around the clock, sleeping only 4 to 5 hours each night, and skipping exercise on most days. The cookie fast has served me well, though, so I think if it had not been for that, I may have been up two or three pounds! I read that adequate sleep is important to managing weight. So with my poor sleeping, added to my daytime fatigue and not making my exercise a priority…. Well, who am I kidding? I haven’t made myself a priority for the last week, and it shows. Not only in the scale, but in how I feel in general.
We have a snow day today, too – and my 9 year old is sick with a high fever and a bad cough. So since the deadline that kept me working like a maniac has passed, I am back to taking care of myself (and the rest of the family, too).
So here’s a question that maybe someone can answer – when time is at a premium how do you keep yourself a priority? I run into these situations with work on occasion, and I don’t want to travel up and down the scale (as Karen said last night) because of these external issues. Like Phyllis – whose husband is having surgery – things will be stressful for her as well.
Sunday and Monday it had gotten to the point that I had run out of groceries for good things to eat and had no time to go stock up on fresh fruit and veggies, so I pulled the cheetos off the shelf and went at it. I really felt like I was in “survival” mode. Prior to the weekend, when I had the munchies, I was snacking on carrots, fresh fruit, and nuts.
And congrats to Jessica on the pregnancy. Kimberlee – what things are you trying for your nausea? Frozen grapes may help. Also avoiding solids and liquids at the same meal. Many pregnant women with nausea are able to keep down potato chips and lemonade (something about salt and sweet) but if you want to try that, maybe try baked chips instead. Or whole wheat pita chips or bagel chips. Those are salty, right?
Would love the warmer! Congrats to the pregnant WLW gals! I am 37 weeks pregnant right now, so just a little while more until I meet this little one that has my current weight higher than it’s ever been!
Having a good week dispite still being snowed in! (I live in Northern VA near DC). Lost 1.5 for the week.
Kimberlee, I had morning sickness with my two and found drinking Perrier water helpful. I really dislike the stuff otherwise but it helped settle my stomach.
Have a great week everyone!
I am so bummed about missing the call! Somehow I missed the info and invitation
This week was good and I have been renewed. I had an awesome moment at a Superbowl party I wrote about it just yesterday on my blog. I am walking on the other side of a victory and living out 1 Cor 10:13. Thanks Karen!!
I realized yesterday I have to give away my favorite pair of jeans because they are too big and are starting to look bad. It’s like giving away a good friend
But I got a cute pair of Calvin Klein jeans at a great price (19.99) at Costco on Saturday in a size I haven’t bought in 8 years!
Those who are struggling – keep doing the thing! Press hard into Jesus – He will give you the strength to move forward and the strength to walk away from the temptation! You can do this!
Looks like a great recipe – can’t wait to try it.
thanks for the recipe – I love chocolate! Can’t wait to try it.
Hi all!
The conference call last night was great – thanks Karen! Your devotion about the wandering, grumbling, disobedient Israelites was a real eye opener for me and has given me much to think about.
I stepped on the scale this morning and for the third week it has not moved… hmmmm, maybe it’s broken….
I’ve been much more obedient with my exercise this past week so am hoping to see some results in the next few weeks.
Congrats to all our mommys to be!!
Congratulations to all the ladies expecting babies!
Wow! I just remembered back in Oct. 2009, I said to myself what if I just focus on a nine month commitment to eat well and exercise ( like being pregnant). I even have the notebook I started and then quit because of a family crisis during Thanksgiving.
I thank God for answered prayer.
This week I ate a lot of chips and dip. Even though I had read about how God provided Manna and told them to only get what they needed, I went ahead and just ate.
I had gone grocery shopping for just some special deal at the grocery store for the super bowl. It was just enough for everyone. Then my inlaws brought 5 to 6 bags of chips and dips. Even though we told them it was not needed.
Next time, I won’t blame, give thanks and put them aside(maybe open one of theirs and set mine aside.
Oops I wasn’t finished,
obedience is what I will be practicing because I want to stop complaining.
Restart button
I’m commenting to be entered in the drawing. I should sign up for the weight loss Wed though. I weigh probably at least 30 pound more than I used to. Guess getting older means you can’t eat all the candy and desserts that come with the kids. Good luck to you all ladies!
Hi Everyone,
I wish I could have been part of the conference call last night but I couldn’t because of a prior commitment. I hope we can do it again.
Last week I decided to recommit myself to losing weight. I wrote down what I ate, and I exercised 5 times last week. I also decided to pray about what I was doing and I asked God a few times through the week to help me resist temptation. I am happy to report that I am down 5 pounds this week. I am going to try and use this weight loss as a motivator to keep tracking what I eat and exercising, and hopefully I will have another good week.
My prayer was asking God what it was that I needed to do to finally lose this weight I had committed to lose. All last week, obedience was clearly stated in my homeshool lessons, scripture reading, and last night with the conference call. Thank you Karen!
Last week I made a list of all the persons and things I have been entrusted to care for them. ( I was so overwhelmed with things not done or poorly done and was asking myself how can I make it better). This was part of my prayer.
After listing them, I realized the reason I didn’t have peace was because I wasn’t spending time with God first. Plugging in for restoration, cleansing, recharging…Most importantly, focusing on Jesus, thanking Him, praising Him, listening to Him as I read His Word for me. I used to meet regularly with Him at one point. I remember on 9/11 I had just read Matthew 10:28. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Later that morning I learned about what the terrorist did. I remembered what I read in the Bible and His peace held me together.
This morning I obeyed and got out of bed. I spent time with God and exercised. I also asked for His strength. He did help me!!!!
I am working on a few things at a time. He is not finished with me yet, but Philippians 1:6 says He will.
Crystal, I was divorced 4 years ago, and to cope I started working a second job. I had a son in College and a 17 year old daughter. Then in May of 2008 I started my own business preparing frozen meals from a monthly menu. Since I’m single, I could not quit my full time job, so for a short time worked 3 jobs. It’s really difficult to make yourself a priority. You have to prioritize big time, learn to say no even if it’s really somthing you want to do, and learn to ask for help. I continued to exercise and I made sure that i got plenty of sleep because I would not have been able to handle it. I finally said enough is enough after a year and closed the business. But I really suffered that year physically and mentally. Be good to yourself and your family. Be sure you pick the things that matter the most. Life is short and goes by way to quickly. Good luck!
This is my first time here and I am going to try to get involved in your weight loss blog. The cake looks good and I am headed to kitchen now. lol.
Thanks Bobby
Thanks Crystal & Bobby! I really need to find water that doesn’t upset my stomach, I can tell I’m dehydrating, my lips are so dry. So I drink ginger ale ALL day long. And I really don’t think it helps, well, maybe it does more than H2O!
I know there is fruit flavored water, as long as it doesn’t have any artificial sweetener in it, I should be able to drink it. But sour is out, makes my stomach acids worse.
Crystal, I tried lemonade, I was craving it, made me soooo sick. And foods have been tasting almost too salty, which is showing me that I am dehydrating.
I am eating graham crackers and saltines. And mashed potatoes with gravy. I tried a sweet potato (my fave I prefer them over reg taters) and it really bothered my stomach.
Eggs have been good to me too, so I am now trying hardboiled. Crossing my fingers.
I don’t like potato chips, but I think those would bother my stomach bc french fries set my stomach off too.
And remember how I have trouble eating slow? Um, yeah, it’s worse, which is leading to overeating on an already feeling half-full all the time stomach. I really need to slow down the eating big time, and you’d think I’d learn my lesson.
I am just so miserable, I pray this passes once 2nd tri comes.
Thanks for your help and tips, I really appreciate it!
Hi all
I haven’t weighed this week due to it being our national holiday here in New Zealand, so no weight watchers.
I am feeling a lot more positive this week about eating healthy now that I have been able to come round to realising that I can have food treats and its ok to indulge in yummy food every now and then. That has been a major break-thru for me as I tend to be VERY legalistic at times! I have also set some exercise boundaries so that I will only spend approx an hour exercising per day as I tend to be a bit legalistic about this too. This has been because we are looking at taking on more responsibilities in our church and I would need to have time available for those. Also the amount of exercise I have been doing is not a lifestyle but an all consuming thing!
Also I have discovered that I eat when I am uncertain. It seems to be the major emotion triggering my indulgences and its finally great to have worked that out. I need to remember to focus on God’s sovereignty and trust Him in those times rather than a packet of chips or some brownie!
Have a great week and I’ll let you know how I go.
PS- Congrats to you pregnant ladies (for my sake I hope its not contagious!)
Hi everyone,
It’s fun to catch up with everyone. I am really tired today and really hungry! Usually I pack my lunch and a healthy snack for school and it is enough. Today I was famished when I got home. Does anyone know why some days a person can eat the same as they did the day before and be starving? Anyway, I don’t like it when that happens because I then want to eat anything in sight! Not eating chocolate is really hard! Yesterday another teacher gave me some dark chocolate Dove candy that I haven’t eaten yet and today a student gave me a whole baggie of Hershey’s Kisses. Being as hungry as I was today, I wanted to eat the whole bag, but didn’t. I am saving them all for Sunday when I pray I have the self control to not eat all the candy in one day! Happy Valentine’s week everyone and congrats to the pregnant people! Oh, I am down .5 this week.
I have been reading WLW for a couple of weeks. I would like to join all of you ladies in your journey to be all God created us to be. My goals are pretty simple: healthy eating and exercise. I will weigh in next week with my results. Congrats to all of the expectant Moms. Thank you Karen for all of your encouragement and WLW. Have a blessed week!
Hot fudge anything is my absolute favorite dessert! Can’t wait to try this guilt-free one.
I think I’m going to have to try this for Valentine’s Day!!!!
This cake recipe looks yummy! Maybe I’ll make it for my honey on Valentine’s Day!
Sounds like a wonderful recipe to try for my family. If only I can stay away from it!! I’m not on the call in list, but am committed to giving my weight issue to God.
The cake looks delicious!
The cake looks very yummy!
I love chocolate!
Hi, Karen
I really enjoy your blog, especially the guilt free (almost) chocolate cake. WOW. Can’t wait to try it. Just what I’ve been looking for. Easy, delicious, and guilt free. I’m going to catch up on your Wednesday weight loss readings. THANKS!!
Fran
enjoying your blog. thanks for the “guilt-free” recipe, looks amazing. perfect for Valentine’s Day. =)
Thanks for the DELICIOUS recipe! I’ve been sick with a sinus-thing so unfortunately I haven’t been able to exercise, but I guess I’ve balanced it out since I haven’t eaten that much.
-Amy
Vicki – thank you for reminding me to pick the things that matter most. Yes – life is short and goes by way too fast. I think that desire to pick what matters most is what makes it harder in a way – my children have a wide age span – 19 down to 5, with nearly ten years between the first two due to a divorce. Their needs are completely different, and I am trying to be the mom that they each need. I realize how fast the first one grew, and I want to maximize my time with the youngest, but the last four years have been really hard financially. To make ends meet, I don’t spend nearly as much time with the younger ones now as I should/need to. My husband thinks I should quit one of my jobs, but I don’t see how we would manage without the income. I ask God if this is a matter of trusting Him to supply it, or if my ability to work IS His way of supplying it. I have no answers to this right now. But yes, my schedule is crazy much of the time. I need to write some life questions and Bible verses that answer them on post-it notes and leave them around the house to help me remember; and to help me make those minute to minute decision.