You: On a Diet

Well, just a few hours until midnight, so I guess it's as good as time as any to state my resolutions for the New Year.  

In keeping with Webster children getting fit resolution, I would like to lose between 7 and 14 lbs. in 2008.  A few months ago, I started back taking a couple of classes a week at the gym.  I hope to continue the pattern in the New Year.  

So, since food is important and we enjoy eating it, let me begin with sharing a yummy recipe. This is a simple, no fuss recipe.  

Spicy Chili

4 servings

390 calories per serving

1 T. olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes, undrained

1 can (16 oz.) kidney beans, drained

1/2 t. chili powder

pinch of cayenne pepper

1/2 t. ground coriander

1/2 t. tumeric

Just add onion and garlic to oil, cook for 5 minutes.  And then add everything else, stirring for 25 minutes.  Serve over brown rice. I have added black beans to the recipe for protein.  You can add turkey meat or boca pieces too.  Yum-o. 

I love the recipe!  Jaime

New Year's Resolution

Hey, Caleb again.  I am going to go ahead and describe my specific New Year's Resolution.  I actually have 2, but they are related.

The first is to cut out drinks of any sort that aren't water, milk, or juice.  That means no soda, energy drinks, alcohol, etc.  I have decided that I will be a little discretionary on this one since I think a few occasions call for a drink or two.  Still I want to be very rigid about this resolution.

The second is to lose 1 lb/wk.  I don't think this is a good goal for most people, but my doctor told me that I am about 60 lbs overweight (it's a good thing I'm 6'6" so that that 60 is spread out pretty evenly on me).  I'm giving myself 12 safety net weeks, meaning that if I don't lose a pound I don't have to give up on the resolution.  That comes to 40 lbs over the year, which would put me much closer to the 225 range that I guess I should be in.  As of today I weigh 284 (my all time high was 286 when I saw the doctor 3 weeks ago).  I will be thrilled to be in the 240's at year's end.

I am firmly resolved to achieve these two goals the right way: good diet and plenty of exercise.  I don't have a resolution regarding the exercise, because I find that I am more likely to slip on that one, even if I am being active.  And I think the resolutions are good for me, but I want to remember that it is all about health, not obsession with numbers or achievements.

That is what I want to accomplish in 2008.  I'll let you know occasionally how I am doing.

practicing blogging

Hey - it's Heather. Just wanted to make sure I know how to do this blog business. Ben and I are coming up with our goals for the year. I'll keep you posted now that I know how to blog. Sweet. Love you, Webster fam.

Purpose of this blog

Hey, this is Caleb and I am going to get myself in stellar health during 2008!  Not only that, I am going to do my part to encourage the ones I love to get (or continue to be) in stellar health.  That's the purpose of this blog.  It is set up as a way to encourage great health among the Mike and Kathy Webster "Children" (by which I am including those who married in to their Webster-ness, and any others who have felt a part of the Webster fam).

I'm not entirely sure how best to use this blog, but I think we'll figure it out.  My hope is that we can post achievements, words of encouragement, motivational speeches, great healthy recipes, perhaps before and after pictures with oversize pants, and anything else that may serve to inspire and encourage us to be in great shape.

I also want to stress that health means something different to each of us children.  Maybe it is physical, and we want to lose fat, gain muscle, or maintain a better diet.  Maybe it is mental, and we want to give up time on the TV or internet to do something more mentally engaging like reading a book.  Or maybe it is spiritual, and we want to spend more time each day in prayer, meditation, or spiritual levitation.  Whatever it is, this blog encourages it.