Wow.

I just went back through my entire blog and read every post. It's amazing how much life can change in such a short amount of time. My life is so different and yet I am still the same.

I'm not going to go on about myself because I know me and personally this blog is for me not for anyone else.  It's good to write down your feelings because I'm back at my starting point. After the long move back from Columbus I weighed myself on Sunday May 5^th. 221lbs. Exactly what I was when I started weight watchers for the first time. I was shocked but wasn't. I always jokingly said after I got to 199 the first time I would never look back. Don’t we all say that? Yet, here I am back to "fat Amy".

 Emotional eating is my thing. Happy or sad, I eat and the past year has been a whirlwind. I kept thinking as I was eating out, or eating cookies or cupcakes that Sara made that I would keep myself in check tomorrow. Tomorrow turned into 221lbs. So here I am back on Weight Watchers. It's a different plan with the structure being slightly different then last time but I'm confident the results will be the same. It will take time but I know I can do it, I've done it before.

I am back!!!

I can't count the number of times I have said, I'm back!!

I know. It's easy to say, hard to do but I have to do it now.  I have been at the same weight for a year now. Well, the same weight within 5lbs for the past year.  I go up and down, up and down.  Disabled the blog, abandoned anything healthy it seemed for awhile but now I know it's time to get serious.  Last night I came home, ate a final meal of Mcdonald's and signed up for Weight Watchers. I know it works.  I lost 60lbs 3 years ago around this time. It works for my lifestyle when I want it to work for me.

The good thing about this go around? Kenny has committed to doing it with me.  A lot of us know that its so difficult to get healthy when our spouse or family isn't completely on board.  I have a feeling there might be more ease this time around because of the added support. I know it won't be easy. I have been piling in a lot of crap for a long time now.  Thankfully my waistline didn't take too big of a hit but it didn't go anywhere either.

I'm not promising to blog everyday. That's unrealistic for my life at this point. I have two babies, work 60 miles away from home and completing my teaching licensure. I do promise to blog as much as possible and every weigh in day (which is Thursday) I will make an entry.

Besides weight goals, I need to make lifestyle goals as well. No point in getting a better body and not having a better outlook:)


Here I go!!

May 9th 2012
Starting Weight: 178.8lbs (BLAH)
Weekly Goal: 3lbs
Final Goal: 145lbs

Weekly Lifestyle Goal: Be more open to people's ideas.

I love WW and WW loves me.

First of all, DOWN 2.4 LBS for the week!

Okay now that I have got that out of the way I had a great week back on Weight Watchers.  I have to admit though I strayed a couple times from the program. I went over in points a few days last week but thankfully it worked out in my favor. I know that won't be the case some weeks so this week I have vowed to really stick to my points and the program. 

I have 19.4lbs to go to be at a healthy weight for my height.  I don't know if that's the weight I would want to stay at or not.  Honestly I haven't been 155lbs since I was a freshman in high school.  Obviously my body has changed a lot in 10 years. 

So, go me. Hopefully the results will be a loss this week as well!

Low fat Brownies

Did I ever mention I am a lover of deserts? Yeah, I think I had a couple times;) This is one of my favorite recipes. Why? 1. Because they are made with pumpkin and pumpkin is crazy good for you. 2. Because they taste just as good as it's evil, high calorie cousin.


So here it goes:
1 box of lowfat brownie mix
1 15oz can of pumpkin.

Stir pumpkin and mix together and follow the directions on the box.

Wait..are you waiting for more instructions? Sorry, that's it folks. It is that easy. Pumpkin and the powder mix. 350 degrees 20-25 minutes, divide them into 16 individual brownies and you have little pieces of low calorie heaven. I suggest making them in a 13X9 pan. You have more real estate to work with and your brownies are big. 139 calories of deliciousness.

Oh and if your wondering, they don't have a pumpkin taste at all. They have a brownie taste with more of a  moist texture than your average brownie.

Hello Weight Watchers...we meet again.

I signed back up for Weight Watchers on Friday and I don't think I could have made a better choice. I can't do it on my own. I need the structure that WW offers and if I want to get the rest of the weight off I needed to get serious. I started with a weight of 176.8lbs.  I was down to 169lbs this summer so it makes me sick that I gained a little bit back.  So here I go again. Nervous, anxious but ready.  I know how to do it and know that I can do it.  I need to get my confidence back in my body so I can feel better again. I was telling a co-worker this week that I feel worse about myself now than when I weighed well over 200lbs.  It's crazy how the mind warps how you view yourself.

Here I go again...(cue the Whitesnake song)

The winner of the Betty Crocker Molasses Cookies contest is...

Jessica (Driapsa) Fairley

Congrats Jess!!!

You have won a Betty Crocker Molasses Prize pack courtesy Myblogspark through Betty Crocker.


If you could either inbox me your address on facebook or e-mail it to me at amyelizabethbarrows@yahoo.com I will relay your info on to get it sent out to you.

Thanks for the everyone's participation!!

Betty Crocker Molasses Cookies

I have the biggest sweet tooth in the world. If it's sweet and delectable I will most likely try it.  Betty Crocker Molasses Cookies were no exception so when I was chosen to review these cookies, I was excited!

I have never tried molasses cookies so while I was skeptical I was willing to try something new. Autumn is my favorite season and spice cake encompasses all of the wonderful smells I associate with Autumn baking. When I was mixing the batter the spice of the batter began rising from the bowl. I was sold at that moment! The taste of these cookies are incredible. I am funny about my cookie texture. It seems like I always make cookies that are crumbling apart or too crispy.  These were right on the money.  Soft and moist on the inside with a thin layer of crisp on the edges.

I will note that the ease of baking these cookies are something that should be taken into account. I am a working mom and by the end of the day, making dinner much less dessert seems like a daunting task. I like that I felt like I was actually baking cookies rather than pulling them apart and putting them in the oven. Also, baking time is another component that should be approached carefully.  I made larger size cookies and they were done by 5 minutes even though the package suggests 10-12 minutes.

Overall, I give these cookies a thumbs up. They are a great fall treat that while enjoyed in moderation can be a great accompaniment to dinner or an afternoon snack.

To celebrate the beginning of the Autumn season, one person will win  one Betty Crocker^® Molasses Cookie mix prize pack (pictured below) which includes a Betty Crocker apron, non-stick baking pan, and mixing spoon.. Please comment below the answer to the following question, What is your favorite cookies to bake in the fall season?  I will randomly choose one person on 9/24 at 12 noon. I will announce the winner via facebook and my blog. It is then the winners responsibility to e-mail or inbox me thier full name and address so the prize pack can be sent to them accordingly.

Also for all readers, please enjoy a coupon for Betty Crocker Molasses Cookies.
http://bit.ly/cookiescoupon

For more info in Betty Crocker and thier products please visit:

• Betty Crocker website http://bit.ly/molassesbcweb
• Betty Crocker on Facebook http://on.fb.me/molassesbcfb
• Betty Crocker on Twitter http://bit.ly/molassessbctwitter

"The product, information and prize pack has been provided by Betty Crocker through MyBlogSpark."