Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Day 1 Wrap-up!


Day 1 is almost in the books! I had a very rough start. Woke up with what I think was a sinus headache (mine can be as bad as a migraine), but I pushed forward with the plan!

I tend to swap my protein and shakes on shake days. I just do better when I start out with food. So I had 2 eggs for breakfast. YUM! For my other protein, I had greens and tuna. Again, YUM!

My shake mid-morning was good. I have to say that I have tried lots of different ones, and none compares to the one from the plan I follow. Seriously-it has 10 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of carbs. It is very hard to find that anywhere and have it taste good. For 2 of my shakes today I added chocolate PB2. Tasted just like a Reese cup!!! YUM!

Onto water...this has always been a struggle to me. The guidelines are either half your body weight in ounces of water or a gallon. I opted for half my weight...I had hit 105 ounces by 2 PM. This is huge for me. I actually am drinking more right now.

As of right now, there are 1317 people participating...WOW! It is unbelievable to me that we have formed such a community. I love the support and friendship I have gained because of this system. In fact, today, when I was struggling with my headache, someone recommended our super fruit juice. I am completely out right now. (Just an FYI, this juice is taken at a capful a day and is full of all the good fruits that have tons of antioxidants) Someone that I just met today offered to send me her extra bottle...FREE OF CHARGE. Talk about kindness and generosity. I am definitely going to be paying it forward sometime soon.

Well, that's it for Day 1.  I hope if you are a part of the Turkey Trot that you have had an awesome day. If you aren't, what are you waiting for???

Day 1





And away we go!!!! Off to a great start this morning! I weighed and did my measurements. Now, I am having some water. I am at 24 ounces so far which is VERY good for me for this point in the day.

Weight wise, I am starting out 2.4 pounds above my lowest low. I am OK with that. For the first time, I am at a great point in my cycle to be doing one of these. I am pretty excited!!! We shall see what today will bring.

Make it an awesome day!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Turkey Trot to Take It Off!!!

Tomorrow is the day!!! Rewind on the 8 day challenge! I am ready! I feel strong!!! And most of all, I feel prepared!!!

I love doing this in groups. Last year, the Turkey Trot had 78 people and they lost 541 pounds. That is 7 pounds a person! In 8 days!

I am very excited. We have over 1200 people who have signed up. I just think about all of the lives changed. All of the people who are facing the holidays for the first time with the tools to not gain weight through the holidays...including myself. I am hoping to get closer to Onderland. I love that Thanksgiving Day will be a "cheat day", and I love that I have the tools to move on afterward.

I am not worried about the frustration I felt in the last 8 day challenge when I threw in the towel. I have accountability. I also had the opportunity to talk to our product developer about some tweaking I can do to help me make it through. So, here we go! I hope you will check back, and I hope you will leave a comment of encouragement. Thank you for following this journey with me.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Day 7 Where I am at...


It is day 7, and I think this picture kind of says it all. This was not the best week to try the new plan. Work has been really busy/stressful. Soccer season is in playoffs. I know-excuses, excuses. Let me be clear though, I am not throwing in the towel on weight loss. I am just not following the plan as it is laid out.

It started yesterday, day 6, a shake day. We had soccer right in the middle of the day. For personal reasons, I did not want to take my shake up to the fields. So, I skipped it (mistake 1). Then, by the time we came home, it was 3:00. Should have been time for a protein snack. DH had a headache and went to lie down, and I was so cold from being outside, that I decided to do the same. Missed the snack, and it was dinner time. I chose to forego the shake and have chicken and spinach for dinner. I was not prepared for the rest of the night.

For those of you who follow me from my previous blogs, you know I have issues with anxiety and depression. I kind of spiraled last night. I was depressed and the thought of doing days 7 and 8 had me in a real funk. DH kind of had me convinced to finish it out, but knowing that AF would soon be starting and that fact would most likely stall any success I had the last couple of days, I felt like I just couldn't do it.

I felt better this morning, and started out right. Then, we had the same issue. Soccer. On day 7, I was supposed to have lean protein and either brown rice, quinoa or steel cut oats. We went to church and the grocery store. There was no time to cook before heading up to soccer. I threw together a salad of lettuce, chicken and some balsamic. It was really all I had time for. My schedule was sabotaging me.

On the positive side, I have continued to make healthy choices, and in the end, I guess that is what matters most. I have decided not to do a shake day tomorrow because, well, I need a break from shakes. Don't get me wrong, I love our company's shakes, I just need to chew...LOL!

So, that's it. It was a real challenge, and I will try again, just not at this point in my cycle. Total loss for the 6 days? 5.1 pounds. I am now at -42 pounds (and counting). Thanks for sticking with me. The support means a lot!!!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Day 4

It is day 4! Another shake day, but honestly, I am kind of glad. I think it balances out the amount of food you eat on day 3. I started this post this morning excited for day 4. It has been a bit harder than I anticipated. I am a bit hungry, but drinking my water and making it through.

As of this morning, I was down another .4-this is the first time I have lost on a day 4! I have lost 5 pounds so far. I know I am not supposed to weight, but I am seeing how this plan works.

Thanks for following me this week! :D



Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Day 3!!!

Oh how I love day 3! From here on out it gets easier as I will flip between shake and eating days. I get to try quinoa today-I will let you know how that goes.

As far as progress, I have hit a new low, a new decade!!! I lost another 2.2 pounds for a total of 4.6. This is more than I have lost in ANY 8 day challenge! SO EXCITED!!!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Day 2-Wrap Up

I don't have much to say except I made it through the day. I was OK until this afternoon. I waited too long for my protein snack and got really nauseous. Once I ate, I was better, but then I was grumpy. I had the all too familiar detox headache. I took an extra supplement and eventually felt better.

I also got to do something very exciting tonight! I got to share on the corporate call. I am really honored to have been asked to do this. I love my team and all of their support.

I didn't quite get a gallon of water in (about 16 ounces short), but I came close and that is great progress for me.

I will weigh in the morning-praying to see a new low. I don't know how I will hold off on weighing after that until Day 9.

Sweet dreams, y'all!

Day 2-Midday

Well, we are at the halfway point of my least favorite day. I am doing OK. No major detox symptoms, and about half a gallon of water down. Afternoons are hard for me though. I will pick up the kids soon, which means snack time for them. I would love me some popcorn right now. I will be strong, drink my water and move on.

Day 2!

Good Morning!!! Day 2 is a good place to be. It is a repeat of Day 1, which makes it super easy!!! I am already drinking my water and will have my shake shortly. I am thinking I may add some chai to it. YUM!

Day 2 typically has highs and lows. Some detox symptoms like a headache, but the fact that tomorrow is a different menu is kind of exciting!

I did weigh this morning. I am a scalaholic, but I will try to stay off after tomorrow. I was down 2.4 pounds this morning!!! I am 1 pound away from my lowest low. Hoping to blow past it after today. THAT makes it a great day.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Day 1 Wrap Up

Days 1 and 2 are the hardest for me. Trying to break habits I have fallen back into as well as detox settling in. The one thing I really like about this new plan is how specific and intentional it is. Don't get me wrong the old one was pretty easy to follow, but it was VERY low carb. This one is a carb cycling plan. So, you aren't giving up carbs, but you are learning to eat healthy carbs. I will be trying quinoa for the first time on Wednesday. Have to admit, that kind of scares me. :D

So, I followed the plan to the letter today. That is a first for me. In the past, I have swapped shakes and snacks. This time, I have had them as the plan calls for them. I got in my gallon of water-YAY ME! Of course, now, I feel like I could float!

All in all I feel OK. I had a chiropractic adjustment, and that has helped. I also took a short nap afterward, as I think I needed it. Soon, I will take my last supplement for the day, with a warm berry hug and off to bed.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow has in store...stay tuned...

Day 1

Well, today is the day!!! I am starting an 8 day challenge with the new Ignite Plan! I have weighed (I am up 3.5 pounds from my lowest low) and measured. I have my food ready to go. I will be trying quinoa for the first time. I will be chronicling my journey here.

Right now, I am a jumble of emotions. I am excited. I have heard great things about this plan. I am apprehensive as I tend to not do as well as others. I am stressing the amount of water (as it is still something I struggle with). Finally, I am dreading the inevitable headache that comes on day 2-totally normal when detoxing from bad carbs.

Alright-it's all out there. LET'S DO THIS!!!


Thursday, September 26, 2013

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Part of the Journey

Has it really been almost two months since I last posted? Holy cow-talk about a blogging break. Life has been so busy and I feel like the photo above really demonstrates where I am right now. I knew when I started this journey, it would be a long and winding road. It certainly has been so far.

I looked at my last post-August 1st. I had hit 35 pounds. Almost two months later, I am currently at 37 or so. I have hit kind of an up and down cycle-again, I know all a part of the process. Between work, kids back to school, soccer for the boys and gymnastics for A, I am not getting my workout in as often as I would like. With the chaos of practices 3 nights a week, I am not cooking as well as I normally would. I also think that working from home with no child here is getting me down. This is one big empty house, that's for sure. On the flip side, I am super productive.

Boy, have I been in a funk the past couple of weeks. I want the weight to fall off, and it's not. I am losing still, and I am thankful for that, but I am losing focus. Totally my fault-I take the responsibility for that. I know what I need to do and I need to do it. I need to follow plan and cut out the carbs. I need to take my vitamins. I need to exercise. I am doing this for myself, I am doing this for my family.

Look for me to start posting more regularly. I need the accountability. Will you help me stay accountable?

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Weigh In Wednesday!


My dear friend, Margaret, is doing a weekly weigh in, and I have decided to join in with her. I am a day late because we had a family funeral for my DH's godfather, but better late than never, I always say!!!

So, before I reveal my number, I think it is time for some updated progress shots:

 OK, I guess the number is there, but to make it official:
In other words, I have lost the equivalent of my daughter, sweet A! I am so excited and turning my attention towards 40! Working on goals for August today, so check back and see what I have in store!!!



Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Weigh In Wednesday!

Oh  how I wish I were at that number!!! Seriously, at the suggestion of one of my favorite bloggers, I am moving this to Wednesdays!

So, as of this morning I am down 32 pounds. I have been going up and down the same 2-3 pounds the past couple of weeks, and I am ok with that as it is all a part of this journey. I got back on the wagon full force on Monday, and am turning my focus to that all important 35!!! Wish me luck!!!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Carb cycling


Since beginning this journey six months ago, I have struggled with the concept of carbs. Aren't we taught that carbs give us energy? They have fewer calories. And think back to the food pyramid we learned in elementary school-



grains were at the bottom in plentiful amounts. Even the new plate that has been designed by the USDA has a substantial portion devoted to carbs:




I have been doing a lot of reading and research on this. Think about it. The high carb, low fat diet guideline came about in the 80's. If we are all following it, why aren't we stick thin??? Why such the obesity epidemic? What about those of us with insulin resistance?

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying we should throw out all carbs because not all sources are bad ones. I am saying though, that we need to investigate the KINDS of carbs we are eating as well as the source. I have pretty much ditched bread. I just tend to think that wheat has become overly processed and isn't really all that healthy.

As of this week, I have decided to try carb cycling. It is a concept where on cardio days, you eat low to no carb forcing your body to use it's fat stores for energy, and then on strength building days, you eat moderate or high carbs to feed your muscles. It is a pretty fascinating topic. As I learn more, I will share. So far this week, it is going well. I am on a steady slide down (what happened to not weighing daily? Hello, my name is Therese and I am addicted to my fitbit scale).

What are your thoughts on carbs? I'd love you to join in on the discussion.


Monday, July 15, 2013

Fitness Recap

Well, last week was an OK week for fitness. We only did 7.33 miles total, but we challenged ourselves a couple of times (more hilly terrain, picking up the pace, etc). We had an awesome start to the week, and then both DH and I kind of petered out.

I have a couple of issues going on. I believe they are arthritis related. We have a strong family history on my mom's side, and I believe that I am starting to feel the effects of it. My general doctor suspected as much as few years back, but kind of waved it off because I am young, and because of my weight. I do better when I move more, and no doubt the weight I have lost helps, but I am having pain in more than just my hip now. I have tingling in my neck and pain in my hands and shoulders. So, I am going to the chiropractor later today.

Praying for relief when I go today. If you could spare a prayer for me, I would appreciate it.

Friday, July 12, 2013

Friday Weigh In

 
(Yes, this is the scale I own. No that is not my weight! :D)

So in creating my plan, I decided that Friday's will be my weigh-in update. And no, I am not posting the number (I may eventually, but I am not ready to go there yet!). Yesterday, was the 6 month anniversary of this journey of mine. On the 26th, I celebrate another anniversary. Six months ago on January 26, I ordered my supplements for the first time. Little did I know how much this would impact my life. In six months, I have lost 33 31 pounds (darn hormones!). I couldn't be happier with the choices I am making.

So, onto the weigh update. Yes, it looks like I am up a bit, at least since 2 days ago. When I compare last Friday to this Friday, however, which are my "official" weigh days, I am actually down .6 pounds. I have to say that I am doing this slowly which is OK. The pounds didn't come on in a day, and they won't come off in a day. I am making healthful choices to last me a lifetime.

My goal for this week, is not to weigh until next Friday. I don't know if I can do it, but I know full well what the ups and downs of weighing can do. So for the next week, I am going to focus on my eating plan, my exercise and taking my supplements. Anyone wonder why Friday is my weigh day? I prefer to weigh BEFORE the weekend particularly if I have any activities coming up.

So, when do you weigh?

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Growing, growing, growing!!!

Thank you to those of you who have popped by for a visit! I hope you will stay a while. I have also set up a facebook page, so please like me there for other updates, tips and promos.


You can find it here.  When my facebook page gets to 100 likes, it will be time for a giveaway!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Fitness Recap


I have decided that on Mondays, I will be doing an exercise recap of the week before. Exercise is such a critical part of this lifestyle, and I need to give it the respect it deserves. I am a walker, and that part of the journey actually began in 2011. At that time, I used to think that perhaps I would be a runner someday. The reality is (at least for now) that I have no desire to run. I have some arthritis and I need to be kind to my joints.

Walking has proven to be a great outlet, and this summer, DH and I have really worked on getting out 4-5 times a week. In the beginning, I walked a 17-18 minute mile. I am now down to a 15-16 minute mile. DH is good a pushing me to go faster. Last night, we did 3 1/2 miles, and it was awesome! Total miles for last week: 11.49.

We are also trying to incorporate some core work into our routine. We began something called the Dirty 30, although right now we are only doing 10 reps of each: walking lunges, knee high step ups, door squats and weighted bends. Last night, we decided that we need to do these separate from the walk because the muscle exhaustion we get from it slows down our walk, as well as shortens it. We have also added crunches. I am hoping to begin building these into more of a regular routine.

My goals for the week are as follows:
1. Walk 5 times this week for a minimum 2 miles
2. Build strengthening exercises into my day first thing in the morning
3. Reach 10,000 steps on my fitbit 4 days this week.

What are your fitness goals this week?

Sunday, July 7, 2013

NSV Sunday






OK-it is Sunday, and on Sundays I am going to take time to focus on the NSV's I discovered during the week. I think this is an important part of this journey as sometimes it can be more telling than the number on the scale.

This week, I noticed:
1. The ability to walk farther than I have before. Tonight, DH and I did 3.5 miles. We also walked a 15.35 minute mile which shaved about 2 minutes off of our time recently!

2. DH has commented on a couple of things. He notices that he can more fully wrap his arms around me (YAY!) and he is noticing definition in my derriere (LOL!). Love that!

3. My clothing is really hanging on me. I suppose that is to be expected-especially when I wear a size 22 and I am really in a 16. I ordered a couple of skirts this week for an upcoming trip to Baltimore for work. Kind of excited to see my co-workers since I have not been in the same room with them since September.

Want to join me? Comment in this post or write about it on your blog and leave the link in the comments section of the post.


Wednesday, July 3, 2013

A Plan!


Wow! This has been quite the week. I can hardly believe it is actually July and half the year has gone. Where did it go??? The kids have been home almost a month, and while I am not ready by any means for summer to be over, I always feel like we are in a downward slide after the Fourth.

This month has started with me feeling inspired. My team that I work with in terms of the supplements I take is absolutely amazing! In the final hours of June, we really encouraged each other to finish strong both personally and professionally. It left me feeling absolutely loved, encouraged and, again, inspired!

So, Monday started a new month. Last week, I joined in a group on an 8 day challenge. I lost 3-4 pounds which was awesome! We finished on Thursday, and rolled into a very busy weekend. I made healthy choices all around, but as can happen when I am in a position to have to eat out or attend something where I can't choose the food, I took in too much sodium and did not drink enough water. Result? I was up those 3-4 pounds. Monday I was discouraged but determined. I followed plan and drank a ton of water (not my strong suit!), and was down 2 of those pounds today. I kind of expect the rest to be gone tomorrow. It is the natural ups and downs of weight loss, and I need to expect that.

So, the plan? I feel like I have been winging it for a while. I follow plan because I know it works, but I also get very confused sometimes as to choices. I also feel like I need to put more energy into the business side of the supplements. I know they work, and I totally believe in them and that is why I share them, but to date, I have been reticent to make a plan. My mentor has encouraged me to make a plan as has my accountability group.

I spent some time on Monday etching out my plan. Stay tuned...

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Saturday only!!!

I am celebrating the fact that I am going to get my first misses sized swimsuit in 16 years-my supplements are changing lives!!! Place an order for our most popular pack or higher, and I will give you $20!!! It doesn't get better than that! 

Friday, June 28, 2013

Bloglovin'

Claiming my blog

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/8850133/?claim=fy3x6ge3mu6">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Thursday, June 27, 2013

A couple of bad days

Oh man! I am having a couple of frustrating days. It is the kind of thing where I get so down on myself. I just want to feel good. Don't get me wrong, physically, I feel better than I have in a long time. I am in clothes that I would not have fit into last year, that is for certain! I am just an emotional wreck this week, and I wish I could lay my finger on it.

Work has been crazy busy. Lots to do, and not enough time to do it. I work a seven hour shift, and then have the afternoons to catch up on stuff around here, spend time with the kids and make dinner. This week, I have been back on the computer every night. Last night, I gave myself a reprieve because the pain in my hands are killing me. I suffer from tendinitis and arthritis, and when I work on the computer too mush my hands literally stop working. Last night was one of those nights.

DH and I have also not seen too much of each other this week. He is putting together our kids' school's website, and he had to meet with a couple of teachers last night. So, he was gone, and I went on my walk to try and improve my mood. It only helped a bit.

This morning, I was ok, except I woke up with a headache. Been having more of those from my allergies. I got past it, but now am feeling overwhelmed and sad. I have a parish council meeting (my last one), and then I was supposed to go to a L'Bri party, but don't know if I will make it as I still have work to finish. Bleh. Just.feeling.bleh.

I have so much to be thankful for, and to be happy about, and I just can't bring myself to that place. One of my friends always says to lay it at the feet of Jesus. Jesus-you know what is in my heart right now. Please help me.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Tomorrow is day 8

So, tomorrow is the last day of my second 8 day challenge. I don't know that I lost more weight than the first time I did it, and that is ok. This is about the journey, not a sprint.

I am looking forward to being done just in terms that I can focus on the day to day. I am a bit trepidatious about the weekend as weekends are harder, but I will get though it. I am going to dinner with some of my closest friends on Friday night. Mexican-always a tough one for me. I will be ok. This is about being with friends. Such a necessary part of the journey.

Saturday, we are going to a water park for the day. So much fun! Looking forward to time with friends, and DH and the kids. Food will be an issue, but again, I will make the best choices I can!

Thanks to those of you who followed me here. This is a new format for me. I am looking forward to writing more about my thoughts and feelings as I go on. They health and nutrition thing still feels new.  I am learning so much, and things I never knew before. What I am learning most though, is appreciating every single day for what it is. A gift.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Day 6

My name is Therese, and I am a scale-a-holic.

Seriously, though, why are we so drawn to these numbers? The reality is that weight, by definition, is the pull of gravity on an object. I know, the bigger the object, the bigger the pull. I am on day 6 of my current 8 day challenge. In the past, I have done this plan or a mini reset (like a 4 day challenge) as a plateau buster. This one I did because I felt it was time to kick things into gear again.

As I said yesterday, I have a great support system this time around. That being said, by day 6, I am ready to be done. Hanging with this until the 8th day, but seriously, so ready to move onto what is next in my journey. So, what will day 9 bring? I am not sure. I have been playing with low carb for a while. Y'all, there are so many thoughts on the right way to lose weight! I need to figure out what is right for me because when I get to goal, I want to stay there. I want to maintain. I know that is a long way off, but I think it is important to explore along the journey.

In that vein, I am doing some great reading right now. I had vowed that this was the summer I got my family off of processed carbs and into more fruits and veggies. So far, we haven't done great, but it is really hard to do a 180 when you have a teen and an almost 10 year old who are not too excited about it. I am doing great personally without bread. A lot of the reading I have done is pointing to the fact that wheat is so highly refined and modified that it really isn't good for anyone. My two younger kids are much more receptive to the change. A, my daughter, is a fruit and veggies girl. She will pick up a piece of broccoli over a french fry any day. And M, my almost 8 year old son, loves fruit, and quite often will question if something is healthy or not.

Again, though, my older two are the tougher ones. I blame myself for a lot of the choices we made early on. P, the teen, had huge aversions to meat as a tot. He also had this huge gag reflex. Couple that with the fact that he was at my folks for dinner 3-4 nights a week because of our overlapping work schedules, and my mom tended more towards convenience foods, he became a big carb boy!

D, the almost 10 year old, is my carnivore. Not a huge deal, except that he is the one of my 4 who has genes like me. He struggles with his weight. As someone who has struggled with her weight her entire life, and ended up with an eating disorder, I know how delicate a situation this is. I remember how bad it felt to be teased, how bad it felt for the doctor to comment that I weighed too much, how absolutely awful it felt for one of my family members to say something about my weight. DH and I have been, instead, working with him via portion control, ie, everyone gets one serving, etc. He has also chosen to come walking with us quite a bit lately. All that being said, I am really dreading his physical next week. Our pediatrician isn't always the best about it.

So where does all of this lead to? To be honest, I am not sure. What started as a post about how I weigh every day, and that is too much during an 8 day challenge because of the fluctuation, turned into thoughts of my family. More to come on all of this. For now, I am going to sit with these thoughts...as they are many...

Oh yeah...and go drink my water...sigh.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Just some thoughts

I forgot how lonely it is when you start a new blog-particularly when you didn't share with your old readership that you moved. I needed a break from some of that. Oh well, if you are reading this, please feel free to leave a comment so I know someone is reading. Thanks!

It has been an awesome few days! I am in the middle of an 8 day challenge. This plan is one of the great things about the supplements I take. It really kind of jump starts you when you stall. This time it has been awesome because I have such great support!!! Have y'all used voxer? I love it-it is truly a great way to connect with people and my 8 DC friends and I have been checking in with each other. It is keeping me in check and I just <3 those ladies!!!

One more thought-WATER! I have such an issue getting in my allotment everyday. Did you know you should be drinking half your weight in ounces of water?!?! I have embraced water and been able to give up diet coke with the supplements I take, but wow, some days I get busy and forget!!! SO frustrating! I have tried an app, tried an alarm, but seriously, any thoughts you all have would be great!!!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Highs and Lows

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. I was supposed to be on vacation with DH last week, and instead I was home for the first week of summer with sick kids. Whomever said you can't get stomach flu in the summer was seriously mistaken! We are all better now, and focusing on getting into a routine for summer. 

The past couple of weeks have been hard! I think you can relate when I say when it comes to weight loss, we all are looking for a quick fix. I am constantly reminding myself that I didn't put the weight on in a day, and it certainly won't come off that way either. I fell into a habit for a few weeks of trying to copy what some of my weight loss buddies were doing because they were so successful. Some low carb, some high carb...it can be confusing to know what is right. You know what I have discovered? I need to do what is right for me.

So, what is right for me? Well, I have my vitamin supplements for one. They make such a difference in my mood and are truly helping. As I have said before, they are not a magic pill. I still work hard to make healthful choices and exercise. The supplements seem to fill in my gaps. 

For another, I am a part of a great community! We support each other in the best possible way. I was never one to share when I was trying to lose weight. It was too personal, and what I had become was too embarrassing.  Now, I am not afraid to share. I am more than a number. I am learning so much about food and nutrition, and how to best fuel my body, and I have many friends I can thank for that. Some in real life, and some that I have never met but none-the-less am thankful for and pray for daily. 

One of my friends, L, who is a great source of knowledge in nutrition recommended a couple of books to help me on this path. One of them arrives today, and I will be sure to share once I start it. I feel really bad, as L has been a life-long friend since high school, and when she started her path back to school in dietetics, I kind of dropped off the planet. I saw what she was learning, and it was too painful. I feel horrible about all of it. I wasn't there for some things going on when she needed me, and for that I am sooo sorry. Here she is, though, helping me and encouraging me. So like her. 

So, today is a great day. The supplements I take have a system called the 8 day challenge. It is a cleanse, but whenever I do this, I am never hungry! No deprivation here! My biggest struggle is getting in my water. I am a work in progress though, and I am working on it. 

As of this morning, I am at a new low!!! I have lost 32 pounds so far, and I feel fabulous! I am now wearing Misses' sizes again-no more plus size for me!!! For the first time in about 15 years, I know I have got this!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

A new start!

Take 3...here I am starting blogging all over again! The thought came to me as I was out on a solo walk the other day. I have been struggling for a while with the things I want to write. I used to do a lot of writing about my family-like an online journal, but I moved it to a new blog to have more privacy. Then life got hectic (with 4 kids, it has to be!). I hadn't really felt the want or the need to blog in a while.

Then,  in January, I made a change. I made a change that I didn't think would work or that I would stick to. You see, I have always struggled with my weight. Mostly with being overweight, well, except for the time in my life when I stopped eating...oh yea, and the time in my life when I purged-a lot. I was young then, and never very sure of myself.

In 1996, I met the most amazing guy! He quickly became the love of my life. We were engaged 4 months later and married in December of 1996. He was the first guy who I felt valued me for me. That was incredible, and all of the eating disordered stuff from the previous 9 years had quickly fallen away. The problem was, I have these genes-you know the ones...the ones that give you this propensity to gain weight. Couple that with 7 pregnancies (I have 3 beautiful babes in Heaven), hypothyroidism, and years of dealing with my parents' illnesses and deaths, and my weight skyrocketed.

Actually, it skyrocketed in the first blissful years of marriage. Y'all, I had no idea how to eat. I was just enjoying being married and cooking to my heart's content. Then all of the above stuff happened. I rose to my highest weight and stayed there for THIRTEEN YEARS! I was what I called "The Great Maintainer". I have a husband who loves me no matter what, and at some point, I stopped trying to lose. The reality was that some of my health issues made it hard to lose weight no matter what I ate and how much I exercised.

Fast forward to January of this year. Something changed-I am still not sure what, but something definitely changed. I had a group of girlfriends (none of whom have/had as much weight to lose as I did/do) who said with me, "Let's do this!" (I could never do this without the support of my hubby and these ladies!) So, I started, and 27.9 pounds later, I am feeling great and ready to write about it.

I still have 75ish pounds to go, so I hope you will join me on this ride. I know I am going to get there, and I hope you will stay with my on my journey to health and wellness.