Weigh-In … Not Low Carb

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Today’s Weight: 178.0

Loss/Gain: 0
I looked at the scale this morning and said, “I’ll take a maintain any day over a gain.”. TOM arrived yesterday, so between that and the PMS cravings leading up to it I was totally expecting this. I’m very content with it and just grateful not to be up.
If you haven’t figured it out yet, I don’t like to speak crudely or about very personal matters publicly; however letting you know that my menstrual period has arrived always seems appropriate as it’s often the week each month when I either see a maintain or a gain. This is no big deal to some because they share very private information online, but I wanted to clarify why I share this every month.
I wonder if bloggers that share this info start getting on the same cycle like girls that live in the same house do? LOL Anyway, it’s just always interesting to me the factors that surround the female monthly cycle and how it affects our weight.
For example, cravings for sweets and regular soda (or even diet nowadays) nine times out of ten equals PMS for me. An interesting thing I noticed this week was that when I would try and cut back on the sweets I found myself munching on crackers and other carb-rich foods. hhmmm….
It’s another post for another time, but I’m finding that I do better when I cut back on my starchy, white carbohydrate laden foods (no surprise, I know…most people do.. LOL) so it’s very interesting that right before my cycle that is exactly what I want most of. More hhmm…
Well, that’s it for now. I will let you get back to your Friday activities. Have a great weekend and thanks for checking in!
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Movin’ It

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Last evening on our way to church I shared with my husband about walking 3 miles in 45 minutes earlier that day. He asked me if I’ve been running lately. I told him no, but I’m going to get back on it in a couple of weeks. I told him about my goal of running another 5K this year, but that I really want to get to running 3 miles a few times a week, not just once for a race.

In a week I have an outpatient procedure scheduled that could put me out for a couple of days, so I really don’t want to start running until I can continue without stopping. So, I told him in the meantime I’m pushing myself to walk faster. He then asked how fast I ran my first 5K two years ago. Um, 43:44 minutes.
We had a good chuckle at the fact that two years and another 25 pounds later I can walk almost almost as fast as I ran then. 🙂
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Rainy Afternoon

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

I thought I should pop in and let you know that my week is getting better in the food arena. I didn’t overindulge in sweets yesterday like on Monday. whew! I’m also getting back into my groove with walking and enjoying it.

There are some thoughtful posts brewing in my mind, but today is not the time. I’ve had a lazy morning and now that I’m done with lunch I’m going to do something crafty before leaving to get my kids from school. The rain has started coming down again, so it’s a lovely, cloudy, rainy afternoon to be home and indoors. I see an afternoon cup of coffee in the near future…
I love days like this!!!
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One of Those Days

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

My day started off okay, but the eating has gotten worse…I’m finding myself wanting sweets, Coke ( the real stuff) and carbs…

Suddenly I realized those foods along with an “I don’t care.” attitude usually means PMS.
Yep, it appears to have been one of those days. I’m not totally sure if it really is the monthly, but zi am grateful for tomorrow. A new day with no mistakes in it yet. 🙂
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Weigh-In … 1st of the New Year

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding
Today’s Weight: 178.0
Loss/Gain: – 3.5 lbs
First off, yes I’m doing a little happy dance over here.

(Can you look at anything Calvin and Hobbes and NOT smile?? )

My joyful dance isn’t solely because I lost all but half a pound of what I gained over Christmas week, but also because I had some great non-scale victories as well.
The first being that I participated in a time of fasting and prayer earlier this week with my church. We do this corporately twice a year in prayerful preparation of our semi-annual Bible conference at our headship church. Sometimes I can commit to the entire time of fasting, sometimes only part of it, but I always commit to the praying.
Usually as the fast approaches I begin to miss food. Yes, like days before I know I’m going to fast I begin to mourn the fact that I won’t get to eat. It’s pretty pathetic, but also common so I don’t feel so bad. I also wake up the morning of the fast and terribly, horribly, excruciatingly miss my coffee.
We do a water-only fast and I am a woman of ritual, which includes, I’m sorry to say, a very strong addictive habit of two cups of coffee every morning. Fasting from it breaks up my routine AND gives the worst headache. *smirk* Both of which I dread….
However, this time around I did not dread not eating food, nor did I dread giving up my coffee. I knew it had to be done and I knew the food and coffee would be there afterwards.
[dramatic pause] I am convinced this is due much in part to the fact that I am breaking that all-consuming relationship with food in my life.
My second victory came into play post-fasting when I did not overeat to make up for the time without food. We always eat a large meal to break our time of fasting and I did eat plenty at that meal. The rest of the time I ate until satisfied and I actually kept drinking water (which I usually despise for a couple days after fasting…blech..).
Not making up for lost time in the calories department showed on the scale this morning. It also showed me that I can do this!! I’m very encouraged…in fact so encouraged I think I’ll do another happy dance.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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..In With the New

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Leah@MyNewEnding

aaaahhhhh…….

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of my house falling into the calm rhythm that follows a few months of holiday craziness. It’s what I love about this time of year. The celebrating is over and I can sit and relax and ponder what things I’d like to work on in the less busy wintry months to come.
I’ve never been one to write New Year’s resolutions, but I do sit and think about projects I’ve put off. I think about ways to productively spend the next few months before the itch to start spring cleaning hits.
With regards to my weight I mentioned last year that I consider my years in this weight loss journey to begin and end in May. So, that is really the month I sit and review where I’m at and where I want to go.
However, as a new year begins I have to admit I do think about where I’d like to be in my health by this time next year. So, in the spirit of life goals and resolutions I have the following plans for 2012:
  • I will continue striving for better, in all aspects of my life – especially getting cards/gifts in the mail on time…I’ve gotten really bad about that lately.
  • I will stay focused on reaching a healthy weight without allowing myself to feel like a failure if I have a setback. It is time to finish the losing leg of this journey.
  • I will run in a 5K race this year. I decided it’s time to run another race. My plan is to lose more weight and in turn better my race time since I’ll be carrying less weight. I’m thinking next fall will be a nice time to race. My time to beat is: 43:44
It’s not anything new and exciting, but when I kept thinking about any goals I might set for myself this year all I could think was I’ll just keep doing what I know to do. No new diet, no tricks. Just the simple act of doing.
And I know doing it, instead of talking about doing it, is what will help me continue on in my new ending. 🙂
p.s. Can I also throw out there that I need to work on not being afraid to be the new Leah? Someday I’ll write about that, but it’s a struggle I face on and off…being okay with letting the old habits go and allowing myself to be a woman I only dreamed of being before..in more ways than my weight too. Another topic for another time…
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Out with the old…

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Leah@MyNewEnding
The common theme on blogs this weekend is year end reflections and new year resolutions. As I think about what I can share I come up empty.
This past week was a bit emotional for me and I’m afraid if I sit and ponder 2011 I might end up in tears. However, I know that I can not live in regret, only learn from my mistakes and be grateful for the wonderful things that did happen this past year.
A few being…
My husband graduated from dental school in June, finishing eight long years of college.
During our move from one state to another we enjoyed a family vacation like we’ve never taken before, eating yummy cajun food in New Orleans

and wearing ourselves out with all the adventures to be had at Disney World.
The kids settled into middle school in our new hometown nicely and have done awesome with the move.
This move all the way to the east coast has also afforded us the opportunity to visit my grandparent’s home for the first time. That trip including many wonderful moments like learning to shoot a gun.
And since this is my health blog I can’t leave out reaching 50 pounds lost last spring…

…and managing to keep it off until now.
I’ve also put my Garmin to good use since moving here and continuing my exercise in the out of doors versus the gym I used in Oklahoma.
You know now that I really think about it…2011 hasn’t been bad at all. There have been mistakes, but I daresay there have been more of those moments that will bless my life for many years to come.
In fact, as I finish up this post and time of pondering…I am reminded God has been so good to me and my family. I will not allow myself to send 2011 on with the baggage of regret. I will instead enjoy the good things and take to heart the lessons learned.
Have a safe and fun New Years Eve!
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Weigh-In … Hot 100 Final Update

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Leah@MyNewEnding
Today’s Weight: 181.5
Loss/Gain: +4 lbs
No, I’m not surprised. Unfortunately my Christmas Day did turn into a Christmas week. I wouldn’t have even posted my weight today, because I know the weight is not going to stay on, except that I promised myself to be honest on this blog, whether up or down.
So, there it is. Once again I’m up a good amount during the Christmas break. It’s not conducive to weight loss, but I know it’s just a break from the norm. Looking over my past posts I’ve always seen my biggest gains during this week.
I have to admit that I’m not feeling my best. I haven’t drank much water, I’ve not been hungry much at all because I just keep munching and I’ve eaten too many sweets to where now I’m looking at cookies like “blech.”
I’m also not proud to post such a large gain and to have to admit that once again I failed at meeting a weight loss goal (Hot 100 Challenge), but I know that I’m not giving up and I will see a loss next week. In fact, it’s the failure of the Hot 100 Challenge that bothers me the most because I do know I’ll get back on track with my eating.
I think I need to remind myself to never commit to time sensitive weight loss goals…because I don’t make them. Who knows….
Anyway, the weight is posted and there’s nothing to be done to change today’s results. However, there is a full day ahead of me wherein I can get back with my program. It may happen today, or it may not happen until Monday when our life settles back into a normal routine.
I could go on, but I won’t. Please just trust me that it’s not over. The new Leah will be back from vacation soon enough.
Goal: Lose 20 pounds
Results: Lost 4
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No Weeklong Christmas

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!! We did. 🙂 Now I am recouping…more from the food than anything else.

Oh my! We’ve enjoyed special treats like pozole and tamales these past two-and-a-half days and my tummy is like “This is only good a few times a year.” Oh and the sweets have been yummy too, but also more than I usually eat and not feeling so great after a few hours. 🙂 Funny how eating healthier will do that to a body.
Saturday someone posted a quote by Bob Harper where he said, “You can enjoy Christmas Day, just don’t make it Christmas Week.” So, I’m here now having enjoyed a couple days of Christmas treats – both savory and sweet – and doing my best not to let it become Christmas week.
Have a good day!
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Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Leah@MyNewEnding

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”


Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!

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