My New Ending

Today’s Weight:  166.0

Loss/Gain: -2.5

Good-bye 2.5 lbs!  I knew you weren’t here to stay.  🙂

I thought of posting a couple times since Tuesday, but life is happening.  Imagine that.  I’m feeling much better than earlier in the week.  I have still been a little sleepy during the day, but I think it’s partly due to my body catching up after some stressful weeks.  

Today I woke up feeling so much better than I have in a few mornings.  Hooray!  The sun is shining, birds are chirping and I’m going to go do some more spring cleaning I started yesterday.  Yes, I do find great joy in a clean house..especially when I haven’t washed down my baseboards in almost a year.  yikes.  lol 

Here’s a few fun NSVs that happened the past couple of days:

I hope you have a good Friday.  Don’t forget you still have time to enter my give away here. 

Have a good weekend and I will be back Monday with a winner of the book.  

Just popping in to say I’m glad that old workouts still work.  🙂  

My head is still a tad stuffy, but I knew I had to do some form of exercise today.  After almost two weeks of no regular exercise I am trying to just get back into the habit of it, even if the workouts aren’t as intense as they were due to my cold. 

It’s been raining steadily all morning, so I pulled out a Leslie Sansone Walk at Home DVD to do instead.  Forty five minutes of side steps, knee lifts, walking/marching in place, grape vines and ham string curls and I feel great!

*contented sigh*

Don’t forget to enter for my book giveaway if you haven’t already.  Comments must be made on Monday’s post to be entered in the drawing.  

Have a good day! 

Well, it’s Monday and despite a sore throat and stuffy head I’m happy to share some exciting news with you. 

Last August I was contacted by one of my blog readers, author Nancy B. Kennedy, asking if she could interview me about my weight loss journey for a book of short stories she was writing.  I was honored when she said she found my story inspiring.  We spoke on the phone for almost two hours discussing weight, motherhood and how my weight loss affected my role as a mother of three.  

After much hard work on Nancy’s behalf, collecting more inspiring stories and doing all that is necessary to publish a book, it is finally out. 

Last week Miracles and Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories From Moms was released.  

Along with sending me a copy of the book Leafwood Publishers is offering to send a copy to one of my blog readers.  I’ve begun reading through the book and there are some very touching moments shared in there from everyday women like myself.  

Leave me a comment below to enter and I will randomly choose a winner on Sunday, March 17th.  

Today’s Weight:  168.5

Loss/Gain:  +2.5 lbs.

Oh my.  I saw that number and declared quietly, “I’m not posting my weight today.” and I started planning how I would either write about some exciting news, or skip posting entirely.

However, within an hour of weighing myself, and now two hours later, I decided I need to post the weight.  While I’m embarrassed to death of my behavior this past week I want to be honest.  In order to appreciate the efforts of getting back on track one needs to see just how bad it got. 

So here it is.  And here’s why…

Short Story:  

I used a slightly stressful week as a ticket to eat in eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die[t] mode. 

Long Story:

Remember when you decided to lose weight?  Did you ever do the eat-everything-now-because-tomorrow-I’m-starting-my-diet kind of eating?  I’ve done it multiple times in my life and always kind of giggled, because the first big loss of the new diet was probably losing most of what I ate the night/week before I started the diet.  

Well, that’s kind of what I did this past week.  Yes, *hanging head in shamed embarrassment* I even said out loud a couple of times, “Well, mommy is having this because after Friday (or “after the weekend”..I changed it up a couple of times) that’s it.  It’s back on plan for me!”  

Goodness gracious.  What was I thinking?  

I know what I was thinking.  I was thinking this week is rough, so I’m going to just not care, indulge in those things I don’t allow myself very often and then I’ll really start over and get back on track this weekend.  Or maybe on Monday..yea, that’ll give me the weekend to continue indulging.  

Again…I’m so embarrassed to have to say that, but that’s exactly where my brain was at most of this week.  

The good side is I wasn’t in rebellion mode.  I wasn’t like “I hate eating healthy, so I’m gonna eat junk and not care!!!”  I was just enjoying my chocolate Edy’s ice cream with peanut butter mixed in and my Reese’s eggs (not that monster one…though I came REALLY close to eating one), not tracking any of it and telling myself to enjoy it now because I’m starting back with healthier eating next week.  

And as much as I did enjoy those treats while they were on my tongue…my tummy has been angry at me.  As my weight today will confirm I wasn’t just eating one treat a day.  I was eating them more than once a day and often when I wasn’t hungry.  Sheesh. 

I know better than that.  

Which is why when twice this week I was praised for being such an inspiration “with your weight loss” I felt embarrassed.  “Oh, if only they knew what I was eating now.”  I even ate snacks and wondered if my children noticed and were wondering what the heck is going on with mom?  They never acted like they noticed, but I still wondered because I knew I wasn’t acting like my new self.

I can’t say I necessarily felt bad though.  I just felt dumb, childish.

But you know what?  I’m not the only dummy in the weight loss world!!  Woot! 

As I read through various bloggers’ posts this week I realized, for the umpteenth comforting time, I am normal.  For most of us who struggle with our weight it’s because we love food and have a hard time enjoying it in a healthy way.  Plus, many of us are cursed with slower metabolisms…pausing for effect…because we all know there are people who eat worse than us and never gain a pound (I just had to get that off my chest because it’s true.  Thank you, I feel better now.  lol)  

But I digress…

Slow metabolism or not, this week I’ve rediscovered something I need to work on with regards to my weight:  Not allowing life’s rough patches to throw me from my healthier habits. 

So, that’s what I leave you with today.  I am normal.  I still have issues with food.  And while I am rolling my eyes at how dumb I acted this past week I know it was not with a quitting attitude.  One of my deepest desires in losing weight was to break the addiction to food, to enjoy food in a healthy way;     maybe not always the healthiest choices, but always in moderation.  

Losing 60+ pounds so far has given me the gift of seeing I can be a different Leah and I want to keep that.  This past week has taught me that I will need to work on keeping to my new healthier eating habits even when life gets stressful.  And I will work on it, because….

I will never give up.  🙂

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a nice weekend.  Come back Monday for some exciting news and my first ever giveaway!  

Let me start by saying I’ve not been eating or acting like I care about weight loss lately.  Last week it was mainly TOM, but it has dragged on as I’ve been dealing with a family issue.  No one is dying or in serious health, but still life is happening and I’ve not stuck to healthier eating along the way.  

I feel the need to share that because in the last couple of days two different people told me how inspired they are by me and I’m like, “Um, thanks!” while inside I know I’ve not lived an exemplary healthy life this week.  It’s brought me to thinking about how I still need work.  I know through this moment in my life I am not going to quit, start eating tons of food, put back on the weight and give up.  

Giving up is not an option.  

I don’t ever want to go back to 232 pounds.  Ever.  I don’t even want to go back to 180 pounds.  

And I know I won’t.  

Life issues are just bumps in the road and I need to work on getting my food and exercise choices to a point where those bumps don’t become excuses to overeat and be lazy.  Not that I’ve been lazy, because it really has been busy around here, but I have used recent circumstances as an excuse to overeat. 

But you know what??  I’m not alone!!! 🙂

Hooray!!  I’m normal, and human, and I’m a common everyday lady who is figuring this out and fighting just hard enough to keep from going back, and with a hope that I can still reach my goal. 

How do I know this?  

Well, a group of women who having been in weight loss maintenance for a couple of years have gotten together and began a once a month series of posts on their Adventures in Maintenance.  

They will each be posting on the first Monday each month on various topics.  Today I took some time to read their posts and was so encouraged by the things they had to say.  

One of the things that really stands out in my mind about these women is how they are regular everyday ladies like myself.  They know what it is to struggle with overeating and they have each found what works for them to maintain their losses.  They are honest about the ups and downs and…. most importantly…they all understand that it’s a daily choice to eat better and move more that works.  

It’s so encouraging and this months posts on “What’s Different Now?” came at a perfect time in my life.   (I could write more later on what I learned through my reading today.)

If you have a minute you can start by reading Lori’s post here.  At the bottom of her post she has links to the other ladies’ posts.  

I think everyone can glean something from what these ladies have to say, no matter where you’re at in your healthiness journey.  

Enjoy and be encouraged!  I know I am.  🙂

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I were talking and he said something to this effect: 

Awww…

This is coming from a man who rarely says something he doesn’t mean, nor does he compliment every little thing.  So, when he compliments something I know he means it.  

Add to that the fact that I wasn’t fishing for a compliment and it meant all the more to me.  

Oh, yes I have no problem throwing out a hook, “Look at what size I bought today!!” or “Do you see my run time??”  It works every time.  🙂

However, this evening he made the comment out of the blue and I was so touched.  

He noticed!!  *contented sigh*  Such a sweet moment in my new ending. 

Today’s Weight:  166.0

Loss/Gain: + 2.0

Honestly, the only real negative about this gain is having to post it today.  TOM has arrived, so I’m not surprised at all.  It happens.  

As I told one of my children who got in trouble this week, “This [situation] doesn’t make you a bad person.  You’re a good kid who let [it] get the better of you.  You learn from the mistake and move on.”

Although, I’m not even considering this a mistake.  Yesterday I explained how my week was going and I’m really okay with that.  This is a lifelong journey and I know the scale will go back down soon enough.  

Besides, I’m quite proud of a choice I made this morning…

On a quick trip to the grocery store this morning I saw this new Easter goodie out:

6 oz. of Reese’s Peanut Butter Egg.  It’s huge.

My TOM’y self said, “OH!!! That looks delicious!!”.  But my new ending self said, “You don’t need that much.  It really is too big.” and I grabbed a regular sized pack of peanut butter cups instead … just in case I really get the craving for some.  It’s already tucked away in a drawer for later.  

Don’t judge..I know myself and I’d rather have the one regular pack during this time than sound all self righteous that I skipped it, and end up eating other chocolate today wishing I had just bought the darned candy.  

Thanks for checking in folks!  I do have a sweet NSV to share with you and maybe I’ll get around to posting it later today.  

In the meantime… TGIF! 

Hello!  I’m not dead and I haven’t quit…I’ve just been busy this week in a way that I’m keeping my house picked up and things in order, but to do that I’ve not gotten around to blogland.  I haven’t exercised much this week either.  And I’ve eaten snacks more times than necessary for weight loss.

And it’s okay. 

If you’ve followed my journey for any amount of time you already know I’m not one of those “I eat on plan and workout every day no matter what is going on in my life.” type of gals.  I’m more of a “If I weigh less today than I did a year ago I’m okay with it.” kind of lady.  At least this week it has been that way.  🙂

My husband has been off a couple of days and we’ve enjoyed spending some time with him.  We’ve also had revival services at our church every night this week, which means homework and daily life need to be taken care of by about 6:00 every evening.  

Add to that some unexpected occurences this week and I’m just glad to be sane and in my right mind…with a picked up house to keep me from going crazy. 

So, I’ll be back tomorrow with my weigh-in and hopefully have some time to catch up on blog reading.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Today’s Weight:  164.0

Loss/Gain:  -3.0 lbs

My husband and I are going out of town tonight, so I thought I’d post my weight a day early.  

Whee!  I earned this loss.  I’ve upped my water intake, tracked my calories and stayed within budge more than not.  

For my efforts I get to join my mom in losing 3 pounds this week.  🙂  Yep, my mom and dad are working on getting healthier and we check in with each other weekly.  It’s so good to see them working together on this as well. 

Speaking of family working together on health…

The other day I was so proud of my kids.  We’ve had some discussions in recent months about their need for exercise too.  They have physical education class at school and they all play sports, but none of that lasts for the entire year.  So, I told my girls they need to have a plan to stay active after basketball season ends — 30 mins a day after school at least 3-4 days a week.  And my husband told my son he needs to do some exercise on the days he doesn’t have soccer practice — also 30 minutes.  

My husband helped my son find an activity that he would like, and I offered for my girls to do any of my DVDs and maybe take them to the park to play basketball when my son has soccer practice.  

Well, they are doing it.  The other day the girls asked me if they could do one of my Jillian Michaels DVDs and they did it together.  My son has also been taking the time to do his Nike+ Xbox Kinnect game three days a week.  

I was so proud of them all working out the other day that I took some pictures: 

I’m into my second week of my 10K training and after finishing up my 6 mile run on Saturday, and not feeling like I was dying, I was so amazed.  I had a girl tell me she loved my collage and couldn’t wait until she would like her running.  

If you ever would’ve told me I’d be excited to see running quotes and posters, or pushing myself to run hills on the treadmill to train to be faster … oh, five years ago, I would’ve laughed at you.  Even when I liked to take aerobics classes in high school I opted for speed walking because I hated running.  

It was so hard. 

But I’ve caught the bug and now I love how it makes me feel.  I also love that my some miracle I don’t hate myself if I’m not the fastest one out there.  Slowly but surely my speed is increasing and the progress motivates me that I’m doing my best and that’s all that matters. 

So, I said all that to say this….  

Last evening I was perusing Pinterest and found a lady with some boards I could really relate to, one of which was a running board.  🙂  

I made a collage with a few of my favorites to share with some friends:

And then I remembered I had also pinned this one: