My THIRD holiday season that I've been on some kind of weight loss/control program. It's getting old, but will all be worth it in the end.
Halloween candy. Had just a few pieces of taffy that night. Otherwise, didn't touch the stuff!
Thanksgiving is next. Pumpkin pie, gooey sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, oh my. I have already decided that since I'm cooking it all, I can tweak the recipes a little and make them all a little healthier this year. Am I supposed to be eating most of it while on my "plan"? No. Am I going to eat it, YES!
What I'm learning through all of this. Life is not about food. In fact, I really hate food. I wish I didn't ever have to eat. Life would be so much easier. I hate the fact that we HAVE to eat every day, and to make the choices of what to eat every day. If I had my way, I'd never eat. I know, I'm totally opposite of the majority of people. I listen to friends talk about their food addictions and I just don't understand. This is one of the many reasons I love Slimgenics. They tell me what I have to eat each day, and each day I check them each off. No, they don't give me specific foods to eat, but I get to pick from a list. I like this! Makes eating a little less of a chore.
As of now, I am officially down another 15 pounds....65 total from two years ago at this time. Two years ago if you would have asked me if I thought I'd ever be in a size 10 jeans, I would have laughed and said it was not likely. Now, as I sit here in my loose size 10's, looking at the BMI calculator I realize for the first time in years, I'm officially out of the OBESE category. (Not sure who makes these calculators, BTW). Yes, it's been worth the struggles and frustrations. It's been worth passing up on the goodies.
On a totally different subject: My baby (who will be 19 on the 20th) will leave us on the 27th. Reality is setting in, and as the days get nearer, I get sadder. I can't believe my son is leaving, and will most likely never come back for more than just a quick visit. Not exactly sure how I am going to deal with this when it comes. :(
BRING ON THE HOLIDAYS and NEVER forget the true meaning of Christmas! Jesus IS the reason for the season. Thank you Jesus, for with you, ALL things are possible! (including diets and grieving) ;)
Monday, November 12, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Up I Climb
I'm climbing this mountain, one step at a time. There are challenges along the way, but I'm working hard and defeating them. I have lost over 6 pounds so far (I haven't weighed in today). I'm so excited and never before did I imagine that I could weigh less than I did in high school. I am officially 10 pounds away from what I weighed on our wedding day. If when I make my goal, I will weigh what I did in Grade school. I also was able to buy a size of jeans that I haven't been able to fit into since grade school! And they fit! I just want to turn my jeans inside-out and wear them like that so everyone can see the size.
I have been watching the "pounds lost" graph on Spark People that I get to update (almost daily) and it is rapidly moving downward. How exciting! I also made the board TWICE at my weight loss clinic for losing over 3# in a week and hitting my 5# mark.
A new challenge. I'm leaving for a week to do a little travelling with my mom. Travelling = restaurants and not so healthy foods. If you read my previous post, I'm a planner. So, as best I could, I have researched restaurants and their foods and have made a plan of the kinds of foods I can eat and which ones I should stay away from. I am taking lots of my snacks, sweeteners, and other things to help me along also.
I can do this!
Can't wait to come back after the week and weigh in....or maybe I can wait. :( I just need to never lose focus on God's strength!
I have been watching the "pounds lost" graph on Spark People that I get to update (almost daily) and it is rapidly moving downward. How exciting! I also made the board TWICE at my weight loss clinic for losing over 3# in a week and hitting my 5# mark.
A new challenge. I'm leaving for a week to do a little travelling with my mom. Travelling = restaurants and not so healthy foods. If you read my previous post, I'm a planner. So, as best I could, I have researched restaurants and their foods and have made a plan of the kinds of foods I can eat and which ones I should stay away from. I am taking lots of my snacks, sweeteners, and other things to help me along also.
I can do this!
Can't wait to come back after the week and weigh in....or maybe I can wait. :( I just need to never lose focus on God's strength!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Organized One~I Love Binders!
It's been four days since I started my new weight loss plan. Yesterday was HORRIBLE! (just ask my family! I promise I didn't yell at them. I just didn't say anything, to anyone. I just wanted to cry.) Not because I was hungry. Not because I hadn't lost any weight yet. I realize now, after getting a really horrible night's sleep, but waking up to wonderful rain, that it's because I am OBSESSED with being organized and being a planner. I was overwhelmed with information last night after my informational class. (duh?) I was frustrated that I was not given the "plan" details right away when I started this and then given them last minute and I hadn't planned my meal for the next day so had to run to the grocery store last night to pick up some things. I was in panic mode.
I spent the entire evening with all the paper work sprawled out in front of me, my laptop opened right beside all the paperwork and me sitting in front of it all trying to wrap my brain around the whole thing. I was also angry at myself for having to pay lots of money to lose weight and be healthy. I prayed a lot.
This morning was a fresh start. I got myself a binder (I LOVE BINDERS!) and organized all my paperwork. I wrote out my menu for the day, divided up all my daily supplements, snacks, etc and then I was ready to take on they day. I even spent a few hours in our bedroom cleaning, putting things away, ironing, organizing, etc. (where did that energy come from!!!??)
I went and weighed in then. Down 3 pounds! Life Is Not Easy. Nothing about it. If it were, you wouldn't need God's help, right? But if you work hard at it, with God's strength (see previous post) you can do anything. (see Eph 4:13)
Thank you God for your strength, and for binders!
I spent the entire evening with all the paper work sprawled out in front of me, my laptop opened right beside all the paperwork and me sitting in front of it all trying to wrap my brain around the whole thing. I was also angry at myself for having to pay lots of money to lose weight and be healthy. I prayed a lot.
This morning was a fresh start. I got myself a binder (I LOVE BINDERS!) and organized all my paperwork. I wrote out my menu for the day, divided up all my daily supplements, snacks, etc and then I was ready to take on they day. I even spent a few hours in our bedroom cleaning, putting things away, ironing, organizing, etc. (where did that energy come from!!!??)
I went and weighed in then. Down 3 pounds! Life Is Not Easy. Nothing about it. If it were, you wouldn't need God's help, right? But if you work hard at it, with God's strength (see previous post) you can do anything. (see Eph 4:13)
Thank you God for your strength, and for binders!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Making a Change, with God's strength
I decided to make a change...again. Thank goodness for His new mercies every morning!
As I sat reading over our new bible study and preparing to facilitate this coming Tuesday, I realized several things.
First of all, I am NOT a teacher. I don't like to teach, I don't want to teach. I already knew this, but was just reminded again. I will bake you cookies any day of the week, but I will not teach. Unless, of course, I'm asked. Which I was. So, here I am, preparing to "teach" our new bible study. Teach really isn't the right word though. I like to think of it as facilitating. Merriam-Webster defines it as: to make easier. to help bring about. I define it as: reading the questions and letting others answer. :) I can read. I can do this...with God's strength! Moses is my best friend through this. I keep remembering his words in Exodus 4:10-12
But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
THAT, my friends, is comforting to me!
I have also started a new weight loss program to hopefully get me off this ginormous plateau I've been walking on for the past two years. I have taken my doctor's suggestion and finally bit the bullet and paid lots of money for someone to tell me what I'm doing wrong. Not really what I wanted to do, but I wanted answers, so here I am.
I sat praying this morning, and one of my favorite verses kept creeping into my mind.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13
It got me thinking about God's strength. When I think of strength, I think of someone flexing their arm muscles, because this is what I was taught in Sunday school, and I've watched it being taught in vacation bible school and Sunday school since. But there is so much more we can take from this one verse and God's strength.
For me, I am praying for both His physical strength and His spiritual strength.
I need His physical strength to help keep me on my weight loss journey and to guide me when I want to stray. To give me the energy I need to be physically active. To give me the strength I need when I want to give up.
I need His spiritual strength to help me grow closer to Him. To search for Him in all I do. To learn the things He wants me to learn and to open my eyes so that I will see all these things. He is working in our lives every day, every hour, every minute, but do we stop and realize that this is all from Him? I know I don't.
So, today my prayer is for strength that only comes from Him. To do the things He wants me to do. To learn the things He wants me to learn. To slow down and really listen to what He wants for me. To become more like Him.
As I was thinking of God's strength, I did a search on it in the bible and came across more of these wonderful verses about his strength:
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
May you find a "word" or an attribute of God's that gives you comfort this week also!
As I sat reading over our new bible study and preparing to facilitate this coming Tuesday, I realized several things.
First of all, I am NOT a teacher. I don't like to teach, I don't want to teach. I already knew this, but was just reminded again. I will bake you cookies any day of the week, but I will not teach. Unless, of course, I'm asked. Which I was. So, here I am, preparing to "teach" our new bible study. Teach really isn't the right word though. I like to think of it as facilitating. Merriam-Webster defines it as: to make easier. to help bring about. I define it as: reading the questions and letting others answer. :) I can read. I can do this...with God's strength! Moses is my best friend through this. I keep remembering his words in Exodus 4:10-12
But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.” Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
THAT, my friends, is comforting to me!
I have also started a new weight loss program to hopefully get me off this ginormous plateau I've been walking on for the past two years. I have taken my doctor's suggestion and finally bit the bullet and paid lots of money for someone to tell me what I'm doing wrong. Not really what I wanted to do, but I wanted answers, so here I am.
I sat praying this morning, and one of my favorite verses kept creeping into my mind.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13
It got me thinking about God's strength. When I think of strength, I think of someone flexing their arm muscles, because this is what I was taught in Sunday school, and I've watched it being taught in vacation bible school and Sunday school since. But there is so much more we can take from this one verse and God's strength.
For me, I am praying for both His physical strength and His spiritual strength.
I need His physical strength to help keep me on my weight loss journey and to guide me when I want to stray. To give me the energy I need to be physically active. To give me the strength I need when I want to give up.
I need His spiritual strength to help me grow closer to Him. To search for Him in all I do. To learn the things He wants me to learn and to open my eyes so that I will see all these things. He is working in our lives every day, every hour, every minute, but do we stop and realize that this is all from Him? I know I don't.
So, today my prayer is for strength that only comes from Him. To do the things He wants me to do. To learn the things He wants me to learn. To slow down and really listen to what He wants for me. To become more like Him.
As I was thinking of God's strength, I did a search on it in the bible and came across more of these wonderful verses about his strength:
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
May you find a "word" or an attribute of God's that gives you comfort this week also!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
A new beginning...again!
I feel like I just keep repeating the cycle.
Fall.
A new beginning.
The kids start back to school. The leaves begin to turn to beautiful colors, new bible studies begin, the evenings begin getting cooler and cooler as the days go buy. The thought of holidays fill my mind. But the biggest change that seems to be repeating each fall, is the fact that I really need to focus on my health. Eating healthy. Getting my fitness minutes in. And, if I'm lucky, losing weight. Luckily, over the summer I did not gain any weight, but I didn't really lose any either. (I really don't consider 2 pounds losing weight).
Now that the kids have been in school for several weeks and I've gotten into a semi-routine, it's time for me to be dedicated to getting my workouts in. Not that I haven't exercised this summer. It's just been in different forms. Hiking, walking outside, running errands all day with kids, swimming, etc. So now to decide if I want to do one of my MANY workout dvds, one of my workouts on our Xbox Kinect, or have a visit with my trusty friend downstairs, Henry (the treadmill). I guess I will decide in the morning.
Still so frustrated at the fact that I have logged 5884 minutes of exercise for the year and my goal was 2700 for the entire year and I haven't been losing any more weight.
Let the "new beginning" begin.
Fall.
A new beginning.
The kids start back to school. The leaves begin to turn to beautiful colors, new bible studies begin, the evenings begin getting cooler and cooler as the days go buy. The thought of holidays fill my mind. But the biggest change that seems to be repeating each fall, is the fact that I really need to focus on my health. Eating healthy. Getting my fitness minutes in. And, if I'm lucky, losing weight. Luckily, over the summer I did not gain any weight, but I didn't really lose any either. (I really don't consider 2 pounds losing weight).
Now that the kids have been in school for several weeks and I've gotten into a semi-routine, it's time for me to be dedicated to getting my workouts in. Not that I haven't exercised this summer. It's just been in different forms. Hiking, walking outside, running errands all day with kids, swimming, etc. So now to decide if I want to do one of my MANY workout dvds, one of my workouts on our Xbox Kinect, or have a visit with my trusty friend downstairs, Henry (the treadmill). I guess I will decide in the morning.
Still so frustrated at the fact that I have logged 5884 minutes of exercise for the year and my goal was 2700 for the entire year and I haven't been losing any more weight.
Let the "new beginning" begin.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
May = CRAZY MONTH!
OH, so much going on in May it's making my head spin trying to get it all under control. Softball, baseball, end of school, parties, company coming, meetings, graduation, doctor appointments, commitments at church, yard work, driving kids here and there, snacks for this, snacks for that, vacation planning, etc. (not to mention our every day daily to dos.....I can feel our budget flying by me...heading for the window)
Our family calendar looks like an ink pen exploded on it since it's so full of to-dos, appointments, etc.
With all that is going on, I'm still finding time to fit my workouts in. I am now officially at 3663 fitness minutes for the year. Have I lost any weight? NOPE! Really, really wish I new what was going on. I've tried so many things to try to break this plateau and it's just not budging. Really frustrating. This is how anal I've become about my food intake and exercise: I had a little heartburn last night so I decided I needed to take a few Tums. Before I put them in my mouth though....I checked to see how many calories were in them and if I had enough calories left for the day to take them. Wow! Stupid, I know.
I guess I better go start checking a few things off of today's to-do list.
mow back yard
make snacks for small group
make sure baseball uniform is clean
clean kitchen
make graduation cards
make an early dinner before the crazy evening starts of picking up kids, taking kids to practice and then small group
fold laundry
Whew, I'm worn out just looking at our calendar and thinking about getting it all done.
Our family calendar looks like an ink pen exploded on it since it's so full of to-dos, appointments, etc.
With all that is going on, I'm still finding time to fit my workouts in. I am now officially at 3663 fitness minutes for the year. Have I lost any weight? NOPE! Really, really wish I new what was going on. I've tried so many things to try to break this plateau and it's just not budging. Really frustrating. This is how anal I've become about my food intake and exercise: I had a little heartburn last night so I decided I needed to take a few Tums. Before I put them in my mouth though....I checked to see how many calories were in them and if I had enough calories left for the day to take them. Wow! Stupid, I know.
I guess I better go start checking a few things off of today's to-do list.
mow back yard
make snacks for small group
make sure baseball uniform is clean
clean kitchen
make graduation cards
make an early dinner before the crazy evening starts of picking up kids, taking kids to practice and then small group
fold laundry
Whew, I'm worn out just looking at our calendar and thinking about getting it all done.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
This Week's Happenings in our Happy Abode
What a crazy past two weeks, and I don't think things will slow down until at least after Memorial Weekend.
Our oldest, Cody, decided to join the Air Force. So last week I took him to downtown Denver to the MEPS office so he could take his ASVAB and do his physical the following day. He passed both and has been sworn in as an E1 Airman! So exciting, but yet so sad for his mom. Not sure I'm ready for my kids to be old enough to leave home. (I guess I'll need to be when they call him and tell him it's time for him to leave).
I passed my exercise goal of 2700 minutes and as of today, I have 3154 minutes for the year, and it's only the end of April. I guess I can't say I'm not trying, even though I'm not losing.
Graduation is less than a month away, along with the end of school for the other two kids. I have already started preparing for the party, company, etc. So much to think about and do.
I've been wanting new counter tops in our kitchen since the day we moved in. With graduation and a family vacation to Florida within the next few months granite just wasn't in the budget. I found this product called Giani Granite. It's a paint for your counter tops. I did lots of research on this product and didn't find any bad feedback; and so many positive reviews. So what could I lose? I went and purchased the product and now I have a whole new kitchen! It was so easy and quick and what a difference it made to my kitchen. My daughter even said, "it looks like a fancy kitchen". YEAH!
Here are the before and afters of my kitchen redo:
It's been a little difficult not having the use of my counter tops...and can't use them for 3 days, but it's all worth it.
Now to go scan some pictures and then get my craft on and make some invitations for the youth high school senior dinner. Whew! Gotta love this busy time of year!
Our oldest, Cody, decided to join the Air Force. So last week I took him to downtown Denver to the MEPS office so he could take his ASVAB and do his physical the following day. He passed both and has been sworn in as an E1 Airman! So exciting, but yet so sad for his mom. Not sure I'm ready for my kids to be old enough to leave home. (I guess I'll need to be when they call him and tell him it's time for him to leave).
I passed my exercise goal of 2700 minutes and as of today, I have 3154 minutes for the year, and it's only the end of April. I guess I can't say I'm not trying, even though I'm not losing.
Graduation is less than a month away, along with the end of school for the other two kids. I have already started preparing for the party, company, etc. So much to think about and do.
I've been wanting new counter tops in our kitchen since the day we moved in. With graduation and a family vacation to Florida within the next few months granite just wasn't in the budget. I found this product called Giani Granite. It's a paint for your counter tops. I did lots of research on this product and didn't find any bad feedback; and so many positive reviews. So what could I lose? I went and purchased the product and now I have a whole new kitchen! It was so easy and quick and what a difference it made to my kitchen. My daughter even said, "it looks like a fancy kitchen". YEAH!
Here are the before and afters of my kitchen redo:
 |
| Before - The ugly white counter tops |
 |
| Step 1 - the primer |
 |
| Half way done. |
 |
| All done! My beautiful new kitchen! |
Now to go scan some pictures and then get my craft on and make some invitations for the youth high school senior dinner. Whew! Gotta love this busy time of year!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
What I Learned from David
Our small group is studying King David. I have, what I believe to be, a learning disability in that I cannot retain the information that I read for more than...oh, a half second. I get frustrated reading any book, because I lose track of who's who and what happened 20 seconds ago. This is also true when I read the bible. I can read a book in the bible and forget what happened or who did what, when. So in my frustration, I quit. Well, I've really been trying to learn more about David....and so many other fascinating characters in 1 Samuel.
A week ago a friend and I had coffee and were discussing King David, our small group, and the Bible. I told her my frustrations and that I just wasn't getting it. I went so far as to tell her I just don't get why we need to study the Old Testament at all, it just confuses me and is just a bunch of stories of people who follow God for a while, fall away, follow God, fall away, etc. Which is true of people then, and people now. So why study it. (this is all coming from the fact that I have a hard time with remembering what I read)
So, this morning, determined to dig in so that I might participate (or at least understand a LITTLE of what was being said at small group tonight) I opened up to 1 Samuel 17 and began to read the wonderful "Sunday school story" of David and Goliath. I took notes....LOTS of notes. Reread when I didn't comprehend the first time. Made diagrams. Looked up some things. Reread. Looked back over my notes. And then something happened. I was learning so much more about this story! God, through David, taught me several lessons in all of this that I have missed so many times before by just hearing this "Sunday school" story. Encouraging lessons!
This past week I've been struggling with why I haven't been losing weight. Because of this, I've been feeling like I'm not important. I'm just a stay-at-home mom who is trying to lose weight and nobody even notices how hard I'm trying, picks up after people, cleans up after people, cooks, washes, vacuums, etc with hardly anyone noticing the things that I'm doing. (or so it seems) Isn't that where David was before "the big show"? He was just a little brother, who tended to get picked on and ignored while his brothers were fighting in battles. He was just a shephard boy taking care of sheep. BUT....by being a shephard, he learned to defend his sheep by keeping the lions and bears away. Little did he know, he was preparing to fight the giant!
Later on in chapter 18, as David played his harp for Saul, Saul flung a couple of spears at David trying to kill him! But David dodged the spears twice! A reminder that bad things can, and do, happen to people who are just trying to do good. When people are doing good things for God, Satan likes to interfere and tries to ruin it.
I wonder what "giant" God is preparing for me to battle? I sure hope I'm ready.
Let's show Satan who is in charge! With God on our side, Satan doesn't have a chance!
A week ago a friend and I had coffee and were discussing King David, our small group, and the Bible. I told her my frustrations and that I just wasn't getting it. I went so far as to tell her I just don't get why we need to study the Old Testament at all, it just confuses me and is just a bunch of stories of people who follow God for a while, fall away, follow God, fall away, etc. Which is true of people then, and people now. So why study it. (this is all coming from the fact that I have a hard time with remembering what I read)
So, this morning, determined to dig in so that I might participate (or at least understand a LITTLE of what was being said at small group tonight) I opened up to 1 Samuel 17 and began to read the wonderful "Sunday school story" of David and Goliath. I took notes....LOTS of notes. Reread when I didn't comprehend the first time. Made diagrams. Looked up some things. Reread. Looked back over my notes. And then something happened. I was learning so much more about this story! God, through David, taught me several lessons in all of this that I have missed so many times before by just hearing this "Sunday school" story. Encouraging lessons!
This past week I've been struggling with why I haven't been losing weight. Because of this, I've been feeling like I'm not important. I'm just a stay-at-home mom who is trying to lose weight and nobody even notices how hard I'm trying, picks up after people, cleans up after people, cooks, washes, vacuums, etc with hardly anyone noticing the things that I'm doing. (or so it seems) Isn't that where David was before "the big show"? He was just a little brother, who tended to get picked on and ignored while his brothers were fighting in battles. He was just a shephard boy taking care of sheep. BUT....by being a shephard, he learned to defend his sheep by keeping the lions and bears away. Little did he know, he was preparing to fight the giant!
Later on in chapter 18, as David played his harp for Saul, Saul flung a couple of spears at David trying to kill him! But David dodged the spears twice! A reminder that bad things can, and do, happen to people who are just trying to do good. When people are doing good things for God, Satan likes to interfere and tries to ruin it.
I wonder what "giant" God is preparing for me to battle? I sure hope I'm ready.
Let's show Satan who is in charge! With God on our side, Satan doesn't have a chance!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Looking for answers
And the journey continues.....
I finally went to the doctor today. I have been working out faithfully (3-5 times a week) for over a year now, eating just the right amount of calories I've been told to eat and I haven't lost a single pound!!! Yeah, I lose a pound or two here, and then gain a pound or two there...but really I stay within 2 pounds of where I left off after losing my original 50 pounds. Frustrating? Very!
I finally decided I needed to find out if there was some medical reason for my VERY LONG plateau. So the doctor suggested several things for me to try to change things up a little bit, most of which cost way too much money that I don't have. Some of which include: Metabolic Research Center, Weight Watchers, and to hire a personal trainer. Needless to say, those three suggestions got put on the back shelf of my brain to only use when we win the lottery. (we don't play, so I guess the dust will collect on those suggestions). Other suggestions were to lift weights, run, and train for a 5K. Those I can do. We have a treadmill and a bowflex in our "workout room" in our basement that I can easily utilize. Another thought the doctor had was that my thyroid is not working correctly. Both my mom and my grandma have dealt with this so it would not be a surprise if this was a problem I have to deal with as well. So I got to have my blood drawn and will find out in a few days if that is an issue. Until then.....Jenni. will. run.
I dusted off poor, poor Henry (my treadmill) whom I hadn't visited since we got the Kinect for our Xbox and also dusted off the Bowflex. I ran/walked 2 miles and did 20 minutes of strength training. Will this curve ball in my fitness routine be enough to break my plateau?
To be continued.....
I finally went to the doctor today. I have been working out faithfully (3-5 times a week) for over a year now, eating just the right amount of calories I've been told to eat and I haven't lost a single pound!!! Yeah, I lose a pound or two here, and then gain a pound or two there...but really I stay within 2 pounds of where I left off after losing my original 50 pounds. Frustrating? Very!
I finally decided I needed to find out if there was some medical reason for my VERY LONG plateau. So the doctor suggested several things for me to try to change things up a little bit, most of which cost way too much money that I don't have. Some of which include: Metabolic Research Center, Weight Watchers, and to hire a personal trainer. Needless to say, those three suggestions got put on the back shelf of my brain to only use when we win the lottery. (we don't play, so I guess the dust will collect on those suggestions). Other suggestions were to lift weights, run, and train for a 5K. Those I can do. We have a treadmill and a bowflex in our "workout room" in our basement that I can easily utilize. Another thought the doctor had was that my thyroid is not working correctly. Both my mom and my grandma have dealt with this so it would not be a surprise if this was a problem I have to deal with as well. So I got to have my blood drawn and will find out in a few days if that is an issue. Until then.....Jenni. will. run.
I dusted off poor, poor Henry (my treadmill) whom I hadn't visited since we got the Kinect for our Xbox and also dusted off the Bowflex. I ran/walked 2 miles and did 20 minutes of strength training. Will this curve ball in my fitness routine be enough to break my plateau?
To be continued.....
Monday, April 9, 2012
Goals
I hope everyone had a blessed Easter holiday and celebrated our Risen Savior! After all, that IS what Easter is all about.
We had a great church service and then headed to the in-laws where we had a wonderful meal prepared by my mother-in-law. Then a nice relaxing day spent talking and remembering years past.
What I have realized in the past week: that I'm OBSESSED with being healthy and being accountable to myself. I'm my biggest accountability partner.
Several days ago I asked Jason if he wanted to do the Biggest Loser workout with me so we were preparing to get started when the phone rang. He was so excited for the distraction and the excuse to not workout. I was mad. He hung up the phone and we began our workout. He stayed with it for the most part. Then I asked him if he wanted to do a little Zumba. He not-so-eagerly agreed. So we were half way through and the phone rang again. Again, he was excited for the excuse to walk away. Well, let's just explain a little why this frustrated me. We have an XBox Kinect. We were doing Zumba on our Kinect and any time a player walks away from the screen, it stops the game. Yep. Right in the middle of the workout, he walked "off the screen" and that was the end of our Zumba time. You are allowed to pause the game, but he did not wait for me to do this before walking away. I was not happy the rest of the night. OBSESSED. (or maybe this is just very important to me?)
Although the food was amazing yesterday, I was thinking the entire time about how many calories were on my plate and how long I was going to have to workout to lose those pounds I was about to gain. OBSESSED! (or...maybe this is just very important to me?)
The frustrating part: I have struggled all my life with being the "fat girl". My husband is fairly skinny and can eat whatever he wants and sits around playing video games or watching TV. He has no idea how hard I am trying to get healthy and look better. He just doesn't understand. He tells me he loves me no matter what. Which is wonderful, but I want this! So as I struggle, sweat, and watch everything I put in my mouth, thinking about it constantly, he is oblivious. I am NOT bashing my husband. If I were skinny and never had to worry about my weight like him, I'd be oblivious too. I've tried to explain it, but he just doesn't completely understand. This is why I was frustrated when he walked away from MY exercise time.
On a brighter note:
I shared a while back about my fitness goals and how I made my goal last year. Well, to my surprise, I have almost met my goal of this year, AND it's only April!!! I hadn't really been paying much attention to my goal number, although it's displayed right on the side of my SparkPeople page every day. I happened to glance at it this morning and was shocked how close I am already! For the past three months, I have exceeded my monthly fitness goals and have way over 500 minutes/month.
My yearly goal is 2700 fitness minutes. At www.sparkpeople.com you can input your weight and how much you want to lose and it designs a program for you with set fitness minutes. (I bumped it up from last year thinking it would be a challenge) As of today, I am at 2473. I can't wait to blow right by that 2700!
Note to self: I'm doing this for me. Workout on your own. Worry about doing it for ME!
Our health always seems much more valuable after we lose it. – Unknown
Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. - JimRohn
I would rather say "I did it!" than "I gave up."
KEEP MOVING!
We had a great church service and then headed to the in-laws where we had a wonderful meal prepared by my mother-in-law. Then a nice relaxing day spent talking and remembering years past.
What I have realized in the past week: that I'm OBSESSED with being healthy and being accountable to myself. I'm my biggest accountability partner.
Several days ago I asked Jason if he wanted to do the Biggest Loser workout with me so we were preparing to get started when the phone rang. He was so excited for the distraction and the excuse to not workout. I was mad. He hung up the phone and we began our workout. He stayed with it for the most part. Then I asked him if he wanted to do a little Zumba. He not-so-eagerly agreed. So we were half way through and the phone rang again. Again, he was excited for the excuse to walk away. Well, let's just explain a little why this frustrated me. We have an XBox Kinect. We were doing Zumba on our Kinect and any time a player walks away from the screen, it stops the game. Yep. Right in the middle of the workout, he walked "off the screen" and that was the end of our Zumba time. You are allowed to pause the game, but he did not wait for me to do this before walking away. I was not happy the rest of the night. OBSESSED. (or maybe this is just very important to me?)
Although the food was amazing yesterday, I was thinking the entire time about how many calories were on my plate and how long I was going to have to workout to lose those pounds I was about to gain. OBSESSED! (or...maybe this is just very important to me?)
The frustrating part: I have struggled all my life with being the "fat girl". My husband is fairly skinny and can eat whatever he wants and sits around playing video games or watching TV. He has no idea how hard I am trying to get healthy and look better. He just doesn't understand. He tells me he loves me no matter what. Which is wonderful, but I want this! So as I struggle, sweat, and watch everything I put in my mouth, thinking about it constantly, he is oblivious. I am NOT bashing my husband. If I were skinny and never had to worry about my weight like him, I'd be oblivious too. I've tried to explain it, but he just doesn't completely understand. This is why I was frustrated when he walked away from MY exercise time.
On a brighter note:
I shared a while back about my fitness goals and how I made my goal last year. Well, to my surprise, I have almost met my goal of this year, AND it's only April!!! I hadn't really been paying much attention to my goal number, although it's displayed right on the side of my SparkPeople page every day. I happened to glance at it this morning and was shocked how close I am already! For the past three months, I have exceeded my monthly fitness goals and have way over 500 minutes/month.
My yearly goal is 2700 fitness minutes. At www.sparkpeople.com you can input your weight and how much you want to lose and it designs a program for you with set fitness minutes. (I bumped it up from last year thinking it would be a challenge) As of today, I am at 2473. I can't wait to blow right by that 2700!
Note to self: I'm doing this for me. Workout on your own. Worry about doing it for ME!
Our health always seems much more valuable after we lose it. – Unknown
Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. - JimRohn
I would rather say "I did it!" than "I gave up."
KEEP MOVING!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
A word of encouragement
If you are someone that is trying to lose weight, I highly recommend you take a before picture, an in between picture, and if you make it to your goal, an after picture. I was not very good about this as I didn't want my picture taken when I was 228 pounds. I would delete them as soon as I saw them. Although I do have a few. But seeing the difference your hard work is making definitely keeps you motivated. It does me anyway..
I have watched shows on obesity, weight loss, etc for years. After a person loses weight, I have heard many times on tv, they end up having something like a "fat syndrome". Meaning, they still see themselves as being overweight, or in the clothes sizes they were in when they started losing their weight. I definitely suffer from this. I still find myself going to the "big girls'" clothing section in stores, and when I am in the ladies' clothing section, I have a hard time holding my size up and imagining that that smaller size actually fits me. So I usually end up in the fitting room with three different sizes and am shocked that that smaller size that looked so small actually fits.
I wanted to share my pics with you, as an encouragement and to show you how important this step is in the weight loss journey.
I have watched shows on obesity, weight loss, etc for years. After a person loses weight, I have heard many times on tv, they end up having something like a "fat syndrome". Meaning, they still see themselves as being overweight, or in the clothes sizes they were in when they started losing their weight. I definitely suffer from this. I still find myself going to the "big girls'" clothing section in stores, and when I am in the ladies' clothing section, I have a hard time holding my size up and imagining that that smaller size actually fits me. So I usually end up in the fitting room with three different sizes and am shocked that that smaller size that looked so small actually fits.
I wanted to share my pics with you, as an encouragement and to show you how important this step is in the weight loss journey.
 |
| This is me January 2008 at 228 pounds |
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| This is me January 2011 at 190 pounds |
 |
| And this is me now March 2012 |
Proof that hard work and determination can pay off. And pictures really can tell a story.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Moving down the path....
Oh the frustrations of trying to lose weight. I've said it before, I am one of those weird people who actually enjoy working out. I workout at least 4 days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes, and on the other days I usually try to get some type of exercise in, even if it's heading to the mall and window shopping for a few hours.
The frustrating part is that I have been stuck on a plateau for nearly a year. I got on my fitness message boards recently and explained my frustration. A personal trainer told me I probably wasn't eating enough calories. I usually try to stay around 1200, but she said since I do exercise as much as I do, I need more food to fuel my body. Makes sense, but hard to grasp and put my mind around it as so many people think eating less = lose weight.
So for the past two days I bumped up my calorie intake. I do not plan to weight myself for a week or so just so I don't get frustrated.
My 2012 fitness minutes goal is 2700...and I am officially at 1473. I do believe I will make my goal. With that said, as frustrating as it is that I am not seeing the numbers on the scale go down, I DO KNOW that I feel better, and I am exercising which is good for my body and keeps me healthy. I will NOT give up!
The frustrating part is that I have been stuck on a plateau for nearly a year. I got on my fitness message boards recently and explained my frustration. A personal trainer told me I probably wasn't eating enough calories. I usually try to stay around 1200, but she said since I do exercise as much as I do, I need more food to fuel my body. Makes sense, but hard to grasp and put my mind around it as so many people think eating less = lose weight.
So for the past two days I bumped up my calorie intake. I do not plan to weight myself for a week or so just so I don't get frustrated.
My 2012 fitness minutes goal is 2700...and I am officially at 1473. I do believe I will make my goal. With that said, as frustrating as it is that I am not seeing the numbers on the scale go down, I DO KNOW that I feel better, and I am exercising which is good for my body and keeps me healthy. I will NOT give up!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The Seventh Commandment
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be a fly on someone's wall? Not literally, but to be able to listen and see what happens inside the walls of some families. I have often said that I'd like to be a fly on my friend's wall. The conversations she and her husband have crack me up. (or should I say, the conversations she tells me they have) Well, tonight's conversation within the walls of our home made me wonder what someone would think if they could hear the conversation we had this evening.
Some of you know that I have named my treadmill Henry. I also recently started doing the Biggest Loser workouts on our Xbox Kinnect so I often say, "I had a date with Bob today". (Bob Harper is one of the personal trainers on The Biggest Loser.) Also, I am a fan of Chip Ingram (http://www.lote.org/) and often listen to his sermons on my ipod while working out. Do you see where this is going???
After dinner tonight I went upstairs to put my workout clothes on. I came downstairs and made the announcement: "I'm going downstairs to have a date with Henry. He's been a little lonely since Bob came into my life". Both Sam and Jason knew exactly what I was talking about and didn't blink an eye. Although, Sam did say to Jason, "Dad, looks like you've got some competition". We all laughed.
I have also been known to say, "I'm going to bed with Chip. Goodnight all!". When what I really meant was, I was going upstairs to lay in bed and listen to Chip's sermons.
So, to listen in on these conversations would lead someone to believe I was breaking the seventh commandment. See Exodus 20:14
A little glimpse inside the walls of our home.
~ Oh if you could hear some of our other conversations. ;) ~
Some of you know that I have named my treadmill Henry. I also recently started doing the Biggest Loser workouts on our Xbox Kinnect so I often say, "I had a date with Bob today". (Bob Harper is one of the personal trainers on The Biggest Loser.) Also, I am a fan of Chip Ingram (http://www.lote.org/) and often listen to his sermons on my ipod while working out. Do you see where this is going???
After dinner tonight I went upstairs to put my workout clothes on. I came downstairs and made the announcement: "I'm going downstairs to have a date with Henry. He's been a little lonely since Bob came into my life". Both Sam and Jason knew exactly what I was talking about and didn't blink an eye. Although, Sam did say to Jason, "Dad, looks like you've got some competition". We all laughed.
I have also been known to say, "I'm going to bed with Chip. Goodnight all!". When what I really meant was, I was going upstairs to lay in bed and listen to Chip's sermons.
So, to listen in on these conversations would lead someone to believe I was breaking the seventh commandment. See Exodus 20:14
A little glimpse inside the walls of our home.
~ Oh if you could hear some of our other conversations. ;) ~
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
An Annual Trip
This past weekend we took a much needed trip to Estes Park. It was President's Day weekend so the kids had Monday off of school. We left Saturday morning and came home late Monday afternoon. Whenever we take trips or do something like this, I usually have two things on my mind. How much weight am I going to gain and how much money are we going to spend. I believe I can say we did pretty good on both of those topics.
We cooked all our food at the condo, not eating out once. Which helped with both subjects. Most of the time everyone did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Took naps, played games, sat in the hot tub, ate snacks, watched tv, etc. We also went sledding up in Rocky Mountain National Park twice on Sunday. Once in the morning and once later in the afternoon. We did some window shopping in Estes in between sledding and Doug and Peyton got their picture taken at one of those old time photo places. It was fun to watch. Then we went back to the sledding hill. It started snowing on us when we were there in the afternoon and it was so pretty. We were the last to leave the sledding hill as it started getting dark. We drove home in the dark while it was snowing. It was actually quite pretty, coming from someone who doesn't like to drive in snow.
Monday morning we got up and had breakfast. Then got our snow gear on and headed into town to get our snowshoes. We drove up into the park (Rocky Mountain) and found a good snowshoeing trail near a lake. The wind was blowing really hard, which was blowing all the fresh snow around, and it was about 14 degrees out. But once we got into the trees it wasn't quite as bad. We had so much fun and it was the first time any of us had been snowshoeing. We snowshoed for over two hours! It's been on my "Bucket List" for a long time...and now I can cross it off...although I'd love to do it more often.
Between the sledding, walking around down town, Jason and me taking morning walks, and our snowshoing...I didn't gain weight. And the only money we really spent besides the condo was on Doug and Peyton's photo shoot and renting snowshoes! I think this weekend was a success.
We had a great time and are now home to get back to "normal". The kids are back in school, Jason is off to work, and I'm home putting the house back together and getting laundry done. Right where I wanna be.
Life is good!
We cooked all our food at the condo, not eating out once. Which helped with both subjects. Most of the time everyone did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. Took naps, played games, sat in the hot tub, ate snacks, watched tv, etc. We also went sledding up in Rocky Mountain National Park twice on Sunday. Once in the morning and once later in the afternoon. We did some window shopping in Estes in between sledding and Doug and Peyton got their picture taken at one of those old time photo places. It was fun to watch. Then we went back to the sledding hill. It started snowing on us when we were there in the afternoon and it was so pretty. We were the last to leave the sledding hill as it started getting dark. We drove home in the dark while it was snowing. It was actually quite pretty, coming from someone who doesn't like to drive in snow.
Monday morning we got up and had breakfast. Then got our snow gear on and headed into town to get our snowshoes. We drove up into the park (Rocky Mountain) and found a good snowshoeing trail near a lake. The wind was blowing really hard, which was blowing all the fresh snow around, and it was about 14 degrees out. But once we got into the trees it wasn't quite as bad. We had so much fun and it was the first time any of us had been snowshoeing. We snowshoed for over two hours! It's been on my "Bucket List" for a long time...and now I can cross it off...although I'd love to do it more often.
Between the sledding, walking around down town, Jason and me taking morning walks, and our snowshoing...I didn't gain weight. And the only money we really spent besides the condo was on Doug and Peyton's photo shoot and renting snowshoes! I think this weekend was a success.
We had a great time and are now home to get back to "normal". The kids are back in school, Jason is off to work, and I'm home putting the house back together and getting laundry done. Right where I wanna be.
Life is good!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Popcorn and PJs
Recently we had a popcorn and pjs night at church. We had attended a Women's Ministry meeting where the idea was talked about so my friend, Stephanie, and I both started planning it and things just fell into place. We decided to start with a pink and black theme and we went from there. Since we held the event in January when many have just started working on their New Year's Resolution, we decided also on offering healthy snacks.
Comfort
Health
Relax
FUN!
We showed the movie, A VOW TO CHERISH. The women began showing up, all in their PJs or comfy sweats. We had been making popcorn in the authentic popcorn machine (a mini machine, just like at the movie theater) before the ladies arrived. All stood around, snacking and chatting in their jammies and then the movie began. What a wonderful evening. Ladies wrapped up in their blankets, feet propped on the chairs in front of them that Stephanie and I strategically arranged for their comfort, munching on their popcorn. Tissue boxes were placed all around the room. Then the movie was over. And the ladies lingered. Sitting in groups of two to five or so, relaxed and just wanting to stay and chat. I do believe the night was a success. We've been asked by many when the next movie night will be.
....TO BE CONTINUED
Comfort
Health
Relax
FUN!
We showed the movie, A VOW TO CHERISH. The women began showing up, all in their PJs or comfy sweats. We had been making popcorn in the authentic popcorn machine (a mini machine, just like at the movie theater) before the ladies arrived. All stood around, snacking and chatting in their jammies and then the movie began. What a wonderful evening. Ladies wrapped up in their blankets, feet propped on the chairs in front of them that Stephanie and I strategically arranged for their comfort, munching on their popcorn. Tissue boxes were placed all around the room. Then the movie was over. And the ladies lingered. Sitting in groups of two to five or so, relaxed and just wanting to stay and chat. I do believe the night was a success. We've been asked by many when the next movie night will be.
....TO BE CONTINUED
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| Stephanie making sure everything is in it's place |
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| Our fruit kabobs placed in vases |
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| Veggie sticks in clear cups with ranch dressing in the bottom |
 |
| and the movie begins.... |
Sunday, January 1, 2012
HAPPY 2012!
I did it! WE did it! We made it into 2012 and I can't begin to tell you how happy that makes me. Something we've been looking forward to for quite a few years.
On Friday, we walked into Bellco Credit Union and wrote a check for our very last truck payment. (first time in 16 years that we haven't had at least one vehicle payment)
The last week of 2011 I broke my yearly fitness minutes goal.
This year, we made it through without using a single credit card...cash only!
This year ended, with me weighing less than I did at the end of last year. (and they say keeping it off is hard...HA)
Some hopes for 2012:
To grow my relationship with my Creator and Savior and to find ways to share His love with others.
To work on my marriage and make it even more amazing than it already is.
To spend lots of quality time with my three kids and not take for granted the limited time I have left to spend with my son while he still lives at home.
To weigh at least 10 pounds less by my son's graduation and 15 pounds less by the end of June for our family vacation to Florida.
To be debt free by the end of 2012 (except for our mortgage and monthly utility bills)
To start saving....really saving.
To eat more fruits and veggies.
To exceed my fitness minutes goal for this year.
There are so many more, but those are some of my big ones....that I WILL accomplish.
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope God blesses all my friends and family in a special way in 2012
On Friday, we walked into Bellco Credit Union and wrote a check for our very last truck payment. (first time in 16 years that we haven't had at least one vehicle payment)
The last week of 2011 I broke my yearly fitness minutes goal.
This year, we made it through without using a single credit card...cash only!
This year ended, with me weighing less than I did at the end of last year. (and they say keeping it off is hard...HA)
Some hopes for 2012:
To grow my relationship with my Creator and Savior and to find ways to share His love with others.
To work on my marriage and make it even more amazing than it already is.
To spend lots of quality time with my three kids and not take for granted the limited time I have left to spend with my son while he still lives at home.
To weigh at least 10 pounds less by my son's graduation and 15 pounds less by the end of June for our family vacation to Florida.
To be debt free by the end of 2012 (except for our mortgage and monthly utility bills)
To start saving....really saving.
To eat more fruits and veggies.
To exceed my fitness minutes goal for this year.
There are so many more, but those are some of my big ones....that I WILL accomplish.
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope God blesses all my friends and family in a special way in 2012
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