Gettin' Antsy

I'm happy to introduce guest blogger Phyllis McKinley to you today. I loved her response to my weight loss challenge (scroll back to the previous few posts if you're in the dark about my Eating Stress-Free & Healthy in 2016 Contest).

I hope you'll join Phyllis and me today! Hey, we'll even pro-rate losing 3-lbs in 3-weeks to losing 2-lbs in 2-weeks so the first set of  winners will still be drawn on Feb 2.

Okay, take it away, Phyllis ...

Gettin' Antsy

I was unwilling to release my social security number and bra cup size to join an online weight loss site. I did not want any more cartons of portion-controlled meals arriving at my door. The packaging (breaded and deep-fried with a scoop of marinara on top) tasted better than the food.

I had abandoned green shakes that substituted fresh grass clipping for smelly spirulina. I reasoned: cows eat grass. I eat cheese. Must be okay.

I knew I would never lose twenty pounds in two months unless I had my lips stapled.

Then I read Debora Coty's challenge: lose three pounds in three weeks. Perfect!

I'd attempted to lose three pounds twenty-two times before, but I knew this time I would succeed. Why? Because it was a challenge! I grew up in a family where "encouragement" was deemed useful as lawn ornaments in winter. My siblings and I became successful just to prove to my skeptical parents that we could do it.

Debora's challenge had another benefit: It was a simple first step. I've learned that breaking things down into baby steps - even tiny ant-sized steps - inches me toward reaching a goal.

"Go to the ant, you sluggard. Consider her ways and be wise ..." (Proverbs 6:6 NKJV)

Considering the ant enlightened me about which goals to focus on. I discovered ants cannot chew solid food. Instead they squeeze juice from bits of food, then throw away the leftover dry parts. Suddenly I knew I was ready to shed the husks of my life and focus on the sweetest parts.

To do this "winnowing," I know I will need to take persistent little steps and have the support of my "colony."

So I'm all in. I accept the challenge. How about you?



Phyllis McKinley, award-winning poet and author of five books, is a former Canadian. Her prose has been published in several Florida Writers Collections and Chicken Soup for the Soul books.

Baby Steps Toward a Healthier You

DIET: Did I Eat THAT???

New year, new rear.

Ha! Ya gotta love the 2016 Weight Watchers slogan. Short. Concise. Chock-full of hope.

Exactly what we all want to feel at the start of a brand new year - hope, right?

And that's what I'm hearing from my BBFF's (Blessed Blog Friends Forever) who have accepted the 3 pounds in 3 weeks weight loss challenge in my Eating Stress-Free & Healthy in 2016 contest.

If this is news to you, scroll back to my previous post and catch up. Then keep reading; you're getting another chance to win-win.

Hearty 4-Bean Salad

Yep - by entering, not only are you taking the first baby step toward a healthier you, you're also sweetening your chances of winning an autographed copy of my new, award-winning Too Blessed to be Stressed Cookbook. 

Therein you'll find LOTS of easy, tasty, healthy recipes that take less than 20 minutes hands-on prep time so you can continue eating stress-free and healthy in the months to come. I'll post a few that have helped me lose 2 1/2 pounds in 2 weeks already.

Delicious Fish Fillets

And you know what? After you lose that first 3 pounds, 3 more won't seems so hard. Then who knows? You absolutely could have a new rear in the new year!

So if you snoozed through the first round of the challenge, not to worry. I've decided to EXPAND your chance to SHRINK. We'll run a second leg of the 3 pounds in 3 weeks weight loss challenge from Feb 3 - Feb 25.

(More info will be in my e-newsletter coming out next week; if you haven't signed up for it, do so now at my website www.DeboraCoty.com)

Just committing to the challenge will get your name in the pot once; actually losing the 3 pounds will get you in there twice. More chances to win!

Sweet Potato Home Fries

The drawing for 3 additional copies of the Too Blessed to be Stressed Cookbook will be announced right here on Feb 25.

So don't be stubborn like that furry dude in the picture above. I hear he's on a light diet: starts eating when the sun comes up.

Hey, he may be stuck with his hind quarters but you're not! Won't you join me in taking that first step toward a healthier new year?


*A shout-out to my blogging buddy Elizabeth Hoagland for the great weight loss funnies.

New Contest for the New Year!

Giving away 5 of these!

I'm super excited about the success of my new Too Blessed to be Stressed Cookbook (over 100 recipes that each require less than 20 minutes hands-on prep time!) and I want you to be excited too.

So I'm giving more copies away!

Since the beginning of a new year is such a good time to begin eating heathier, this contest will be called:

Eating Stress-Free and Healthy in 2016

To enter the drawing to win one of FIVE copies of the Too Blessed to be Stressed Cookbook, here's all you have to do:

1. Take your baseline weight today (okay, don't freak; there's a reason for this and nobody will see it but you).

California Cuisine

2. Commit to trying to lose 3 or more pounds during the next three weeks and get registered in the drawing by sending me your name and pledge that we're in this together. Yep, I'm doing it too and will post my progress (or heaven forbid, lack thereof) on my blog, Twitter and Facebook (friend and follow me!). I want to hear about your progress too - anybody up for a healthy race to see who gets there first?

3.Reduce your caloric intake by 25% each day for the rest of the month.

Best Bean Soup Ever

4. Make good food choices, like many of the terrific recipes in the "Low Fat," "Fiber Rich," "Vegetarian" and "Shades of Green" sections of the TBTBS Cookbook (I'll be posting some photo examples on my blog for the next few weeks - hey, be sure to subscribe to my blog if you haven't already).

5. Recheck your weight on the same scale on Feb 1; if you lost 3 pounds or more, e-mail me your glorious news and you'll get an ADDITIONAL name in the drawing which will take place on Feb 2.

That means you'll have twice as many chances to win!

And that's all there is to it. Enter once to commit to a healthier start in 2016 and you'll be entered twice if you do!

I hope you'll join me in trimming off a few pounds and adding some heart-happy, healthy recipes to a brand new year!