Opportunity

Posted on April 19, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding
There is a church marquee that we pass by regularly, and a few weeks ago they had the following quote on display.

“Opportunity is often times disguised as work.”

How many times have you heard someone, or yourself, make excuses for not being able to lose weight.
  • I can’t get to a gym, or find time to exercise.
  • I can afford fresh and/or healthy foods.
  • It’s to hard to cook healthy for me AND my family.
The list goes on and on. I know that many times I was looking for the perfect situation or opportunity to lose weight. Many times I felt I wasn’t in the prime place to start a weight loss journey. But really the prime opportunity I was looking for to make weight loss easy was disguised as work.
  • It was going to take some work and planning to fit in exercise.
  • It was going to take some work and planning to fit purchasing healthier foods into my budget.
  • I had to be creative to figure out how to fit healthier foods into my diet and cook things my family liked.
As I’ve begun to do the work necessary to make this weight loss journey a success I’m seeing that the opportunity was always there. However, as the quote above said, it was simply disguised as work and I was really just too lazy to make it happen.
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Weigh-In … Getttin With It Update #3

Posted on April 16, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Today’s Weight: 202.5

Loss/Gain: -1.0 lb
Total Loss So Far: -28.5
Okay, I’m glad I am down a pound, but I must be honest in that I was expecting a tad more. The past two mornings I was down more than this. Poor me…okay, that’s enough! 🙂
I am very happy to be this close to having lost 30 pounds and I’m SO GLAD I’m far, far away from 209 (where I was stuck for months) and even 205 didn’t come on my scales this week. Woo Hoo!
And now for my Gettin’ With It update:

  • First off … I want to see at least 10 pounds lost – Beginning weight is 205.0. Yes! 2.5/10 lost so far. I’m so excited to know that I fully plan on meeting this 10-pound goal!!
  • Take my mutli-vitamin and calcium daily. 75% of the time. I think I forgot a few mornings, but I know I did it most of the days.
  • Drink 64 oz. of water daily. Yes! I’m not sure if the spring weather is making it easier to drink more water, but getting those two 32-ounce cups drank daily has not been a problem at all.
  • One sweet treat a day. 6/7 days. One day I allowed myself more. It was almost like I just got it out of my system – sort of a “free” day of sorts. I didn’t overdo it, but I know I had more than one.
  • Eat one fruit or veggie with each meal. Probably 5 out of 7 days. Sundays are the worst and I know two evenings I didn’t have a veggie with dinner, BUT I did have three veggies during those daytimes.
  • No snacking if I’m not truly hungry. The snacking was really pretty non-existent this week. If I did snack I was either hungry or had fruit for a snack, so I’m pleased with that.
  • Exercise at least 4 days a week. Only three days this week as my hip was bothering me one day and then I worked today, so I haven’t worked out yet.
Overall, I’m pleased with my progress. If I can follow these goals at least 75% of the time, then I am content. Well, actually, I guess if I can follow them and see weight loss I am content.

I know I need to try and meet these goals all seven days, so I will be working on that and hope to reach that by the end of the eight weeks.

Thanks for stopping by to check in on me. If I get too busy to post tomorrow I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing weekend! I appreciate the encouragement and comments that you all leave me!

Until next time….

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Because I Wanted To

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding
Last weekend was wonderful! I was so busy on that I didn’t even get on the computer until Sunday night. This is a great thing for me, for a two reasons.
  • Recently I can waste a lot of time on the computer and sitting still instead of taking care of projects/chores that need to be tended to.
  • In the past, I spent tons of time on the computer because I didn’t have the energy to do much else.
And this leads me to some things I observed about my weekend that made me so happy.
Short story: I have an abundance of energy daily that I can’t remember having, like, pretty much ever, and I ate well because I chose to, not because I felt obligated to.
Below is the long story if you’re interested. I just can’t stand not to write it all out, because it makes me so happy. 🙂
Saturday started with a soccer game at 9:00am. Husband went to do some volunteer work at the dental college and I took the kids to pick up and take a friend to work. Then we washed our van at a quick drive through with free shop vacs (love that!!), then we went to the store to find shorts for one of my daughters, which lead us to find great deals for all three kids. We stopped for lunch and took it home to eat.
During lunch I informed everyone that we needed to get to our Saturday chores before any more playing. So, then it was clean house and wash towels. I tend to hop on the computer between different housecleaning chores, but I didn’t this day. (That’s not weight loss related, but just having energy and staying focused. 🙂 )
About the time housecleaning was done I realized my husband would be home from the school soon, so I texted him to ask if we could go buy the deep freezer we’ve been talking about.
So our evening was spent buying a deep freezer (which, yes, I’m in heaven about) and then going out for dinner. Where….. drum roll please…..
…..
….
…. I was faced with mexican restaurant food and chose to order the grilled chicken and veggies with fresh pico de gallo and rice just BECAUSE I WANTED TO.
Nothing else sounded that good. Fresh grilled chicken breast and veggies sounded much better. Yes, I had chips before our meal, but I enjoyed them in moderation. Plus, I only ate half of my dinner because I got full.
I know you all understand the excitement I was feeling as I took a picture of my plate (much to the rolled eyes of my husband) just to show you that THIS was want I wanted to eat and then I didn’t even finish it all.
I went home a very contented woman, who actually ended up going and picking up aforementioned friend from work and taking her home before finally settling down for the night.
But…the good feelings don’t stop there….
Sunday afternoon I was really wanting some good bar-b-q, and my husband spoiled us and let us go out to eat for a second day in a row. We went to this wonderful bar-b-q place where I ordered the baked potato with chopped brisket and everything else (but the cheese..I know…I didn’t want cheese though..).
That potato hit the spot.
I ate it slowly, enjoying every bite and then suddenly began to realize I was getting full. So, I slowed even more, enjoying conversation with the kids and hubby, and then finally stopped.
I was done.
It was very good, but I was full, so I didn’t eat the last couple of bites of meat and the last 1/4 of the potato. (This wasn’t the HUGE ones, but a good sized potato). It felt good to leave the restaurant satisfied, but not stuffed!!
Then…more good news….
Usually about an hour prior to leaving for the evening service I’ll get a munchy feeling and want to eat something sweet with my second cup of coffee. Well, that feeling kind of hit again, but I stopped, felt if I was hungry, decided I was still full from lunch and just enjoyed the coffee by itself while I caught up on blogs.
BIG change for me….and not because I forbid myself, but again BECAUSE I WANTED TO. 🙂
After the evening service I was definitely hungry and had a small dinner with hubby while kids enjoyed a snack before bed.
So, as I went to bed Sunday night I was content and happy that there are solid changes going on in my body and mind towards food. I am making choices because it’s what I want now, and not just because it’s what the plan allows or the rules say I should do.
I told Diane earlier that sometimes I get nervous wondering if these good choices will last, but I have decided to enjoy where I’m at right now and keep my eyes focused on one day at a time. I will not worry about all the tomorrows. 🙂
p.s. Can you see now why I imagine that dress I buy next year might be smaller than I thought originally?? 😀 There is hope!!
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Nat’l Women’s Health Week

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Tricia over at Endurance Isn’t Only Physical has posted about a great pledge idea and giveaway for National Women’s Health Week in May.

I made a pledge for this and you can view it by clicking here. What can you pledge to do during this week to better care for your health? If you’re not sure, head on over to Tricia’s blog and see what others are pledging. 🙂
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Change of Thoughts

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

I had a plan for a post today, but then I started catching up on weight loss blog reading. I came across this over at 266 and I found it so inspiring that I had to change plans and share this with you instead.

She, 266, wrote an amazing post called What A Difference A Year Makes and ends it with this comment:
“I went and had that dessert… I engaged in the patterns that got me to my biggest state within minutes of discovering how far gone I really was. It took me another four months to really get serious about this journey; before that I stumbled more times than I can count. I get how hard this is and I understand that we are all fighting lifetimes of habits and emotions and circumstances. But, I have to ask… Where could you be next year?”

I left a comment on her post that my original goal was to buy a dress for my husband’s graduation in May 2011 that was NOT from the women’s department. And each small victory and pound of weight lost I find myself imaging that the dress could possibly end up being smaller than I ever dreamed.
That, my friends, is where I could be next year. 🙂
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No Acceptance

Posted on April 12, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

There is one type of acceptance that I have decided I will not allow in my life.

The acceptance of defeat.
One of my favorite movies is “Facing the Giants” and there is this wonderful quote that a father who is wheelchair bound tells his son:
“If you accept defeat, David, then that’s what you’ll get.”
How many times in my weight loss attempts (and other areas of life) have I accepted defeat before it even happened? I set myself up to fail and thus I failed.
Not this time. I refuse to accept defeat in this journey. No matter the amount of time it takes to reach my goals I will press on.
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Weigh-In … Getttin With It Update #2

Posted on April 9, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

Today’s Weight:203.5

Loss/Gain: -2.0 lbs
Total Loss So Far: -27.5 lbs

I did not get up early enough before work to post earlier today, but here it is. I”M EXCITED! This is the lowest I’ve been so far for my weigh-ins on this journey. Woo hoo!
And here is my second update on my own “Getting With It” challenge:

My goals:

  • First off … I want to see at least 10 pounds lost. Beginning weight is 205.0. 1.5/10 lost so far. (I had a gain the first week, so my whole 2 pounds down this week doesn’t count. ) I’m excited to finally be down and 199 is getting closer and closer!!
  • Take my mutli-vitamin and calcium daily. 75% of the time – For some reason I was forgetting to take them.
  • Drink 64 oz. of water daily.Yes, 5/7 days. It’s becoming easier and easier to get water in. I also only had one “real” soda and that was barely today with lunch. I drank diet every other time I wanted some, though mostly I drank sweet tea made with splenda or water.
  • One sweet treat a day. Only 50%, because two days I had more than one sweet treat and then the other days I only had a sweet treat once a day, but they were not always weight loss portions.
  • Eat one fruit or veggie with each meal.I’ve done well with this except for the two days I didn’t get all my water in. Sundays (and then Easter this week) are always a little more difficult. But I am doing much better than before, so I”m happy with that. It’s funny how now I’m checking to make sure I have my fruit or veggie with a meal. ie. Last night we ordered pizza and I sauteed zucchini to have on the side with mine. It smelled so good hubby and one daughter had some with me. 🙂
  • No snacking if I’m not truly hungry. Pretty good. This still takes work. – Ditto what I wrote last week…I’m getting much better at this though.
  • Exercise at least 4 days a week. With my hip being sore after my race I’ve only exercised two days this week. It feels very out of the norm, but I am noticing that the rest is helping my hip to feel better. I’ll be back to my regular routine a.s.a.p.
Overall, things are looking much better on the weight loss journey. I still have many moments where I can’t imagine myself at goal, but I remind myself to take it one day at a time, one meal at a time and not worry about the end result.

I also haven’t seen 203 on the scale for at least five years and I’m thrilled to finally see my scale getting closer and closer to the 100’s. 🙂

I hope you all have a nice weekend!

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My Easter Basket

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding
Every year I put together Easter baskets for my children and I also make a combination basket for my husband and myself. It’s always exciting to not only watch them enjoy their treats and little gifts I put in, but also to dip into my own basket and snack on my favorite treats knowing they are all mine and I don’t have to share (hubby likes starbursts, etc. and I like chocolate…so we really don’t have to share).
This year was different.
First off, I bought less candy for my kids and added a little larger gift instead. I had explained to them that they don’t need tons of candy, so they were expecting this and were fine with it.
I also didn’t put together a basket for my husband and myself. Instead I put two of our favorite kinds of candies into a little goodie bag with some Easter grass and that was our “basket”.
My kids noticed that there wasn’t a basket for us and asked why. I told them we didn’t really need all that candy, and that we had a few bits of our favorites to enjoy in our little bag. They shrugged an okay and went on their way.
Then on the way to church I was placing my newly purchased purse in the van and I told my kids, “You know, this is my Easter basket this year!” 🙂 I had been looking for a while for the “perfect” spring purse and had found one at Kohls just two days before Easter.
They, of course, just giggled and grinned at me.
Hey, it’s calorie-free and there’s no guilt from using it over and over…unlike all the candy would’ve given me after eating way too much of it. 🙂
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My Hip and a Good Post

Posted on April 7, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding

First the not so good news. My hip has been bothering me since my run on Saturday. It actually began to ache during the beginning of the run, but I pressed on. I don’t remember it aching again until Sunday sometime. I was on my feet all day Saturday afternoon/evening cooking for Easter and then a lot of Sunday setting out Easter dinner and having guests over. I’ve never had this kind pain before.

So, Monday I didn’t exercise to give my hip a break. Then yesterday I did the elliptical instead of jogging to keep the pressure off of it (I know this helps my knees if they get sore). However, it’s still achy. *sigh* So, today I simply went for a brisk 30-minute walk and then did weights for upper body.
I have no intention of hurting myself just to be a runner or very fit. So, I’m taking it a little lighter on the workouts until I am not achy in my hip. I can almost feel it aching direction where the joint sits in the socket. Hhmm..
On a happier, and more encouraging note…if you don’t follow Diane over at Fit to the Finish you should go check out her post from today called “When the Fun Fades“. It’s a very good insight into how to keep going on a weight loss journey even when the “honeymoon” period passes. I found her post so true, because I’ve quit diets many times in the past because it was no longer “fun” to eat right and exercise.
I hope you’re all having a very nice week!
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Thankful Reflection

Posted on April 6, 2010 by Leah@MyNewEnding


It was one year ago today THE PHOTO (above) was taken. This was the photo that kind of pushed me over the edge. I posted about it when I started my blog and you can read about those feelings by clicking here.

One year later I am so grateful that I am no longer the woman in that picture – happy with everything in life except her weight and health. Then I was at a loss as to where to begin to take care of my health, because I knew I had failed at diets so many times in the past and I refused to start a diet again.
Today that has changed and I’m so very grateful for this. I may not be near my weight loss goal yet, but I am more active, I have more energy to get through busy days than I ever remember having before and I have hope.
Hope that I can change.
Hope that I am capable of things I didn’t think I was.
Hope that I will continue to reach my goals.
And hope in knowing I will never give up.
Are you frustrated with where you’re at, or are you in need of encouragement? Take a minute to think about where you were a year ago. What has changed for the better? What can you learn from as you move forward?
I hope this spring offers you some nice days to ponder and be thankful for the newness of life you are experiencing in your weight loss journey just like I did today.
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