Progress as Promised

Neglected blog. Poor neglected blog.

But . . .

I have been making progress in my quest to become 'skinny like my friend Connie!' Just haven't taken the time to blog about it. So here goes my attempt to get caught up - AGAIN!

The don't eat meat thing was a bust and I caved. But I was doing that to help with some issues I was having that caused my moods to swing severely and I found a different way to help with that.

Here's where I was . . .

5'8" 167 lbs. (my heaviest I've ever been without being pregnant:), a size 12

Here's where I am now . . .

5'8" (that part doesn't change) 145 lbs. and now a size 8 BOO YAW!

Now, how did I get there?

A nutritionist is helping me get my 'stuff' in order as well as helping me make better food choices. One of her most memorable lines is, "Sugar makes you fat." She's so right. Sugar is a huge trigger for me and I start packing on the pounds. But if I'm off of it for even a week I notice a big difference in how I feel and look. Gotta remember that - SUGAR MAKES YOU FAT. My body was wiped out after having four children, it just didn't bounce back like it should have and I was deficient in lots of areas. So, I'm on some good vitamins and minerals and I have felt better and more energized these past few months!

A boot camp has kicked my hiney in to gear and I've been working out about 3 times a week. Working out like a dog. I've been paying this woman to kick my rear into gear and she is so worth it. Not only is she a personal trainer, she's a motivator, an encourager, and a friend. She's a good Christian, driven woman, who's constantly trying to make herself better as well as the women in this boot camp. Check her out at: www.pressonfitness.com She trained the Biggest Loser WINNER two seasons ago when he came home. When I would first go I would dread it and think of almost every excuse to turn the van around. Then I would tell myself not to think just drive there. Now I look forward to seeing what I can expect my body to do THIS time. I have always had a dislike for running and therefore have not been good at it. I've really admired people who do run and always wanted to be like that, but when I would start I just couldn't get very far and gave up quickly. The first night of boot camp I could barely run around the building (we were outside). By the second month I could run around the building THREE TIMES and probably more if we weren't moving on to the next exercise. I was amazed at myself!

So where do I want to be by March 31 of this year? I'd like to be at 130 lbs. That seems to be a good weight for me and I feel pretty confident there. How am I going to get there? Stay on the course and press on!

I Have Nothing to Complain About . . . Nothing

Romans 7:15-16 (The Message)

^14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.

Physically I am capable of doing anything, with training, of course, but what I mean is that I am a perfectly able bodied person. My arms, legs, and mind work great. So, why do I continue to go down this path of thinking I am OK with eating what I want to eat and not exercising? This is really more about getting healthy than getting skinny.

My friend and I are working on a motivational plan. That if we can fit into this really cute bathing suit by such and such a date then we will take ourselves some place to wear it. That's the basic plan right now, but it's a work in progress (as are we). We gotta do something.

OK, FINE!

Yes, I have neglected this blog. Yes, on purpose. So? What? Who cares?

I do.

So, I am going to be more, MUCH more, proactive in my quest to be 'skinny like my friend Connie' who, btw, is a R A I L! I know some people are just born that way. I know she works on it. I know she's a very busy mom of 8 great children (three bio gifts and 5 gifts from China). I know that I want her body. Or at least a more fitter body than the one I have now.

So. Here goes.

I am going to get more agressive. I may get too personal. I WILL post pictures, or at least I think I am. I am going to put myself out there! You don't have to read it if you don't want to. But I have GOT to do something. I do not have a body that I am proud of. I do not treat my body like the holy temple God wants me to treat it as for His Holy Spirit to dwell in! AND I AM TIRED OF MYSELF AND MY YUCKY DIETING-LACK-OF-EXERCISING-WAYS!

My first commitment is to not eat meat. Here's why, and here's where I may get too personal, again, you don't have to read it: I have major mood swings every month. So bad that I become a person I don't like and the my family definitely doesn't want to be around. I've been doing some research and one of the first recommendations is to go vegetarian. Right now I am just not going to eat meat, but may include cheese, milk, and eggs depending on how it goes. So far, I don't miss the meat. Haven't had it since Friday evening. What I really need to give up is the beautiful white sugary stuff that I crave so very badly! But, hey, baby steps.

My next commitment is to drink more water. LOTS more water.

The last of my dietary commitments will be to stop eating anything of any caloric value after 7pm. That might be hard. I do some pretty good sneaky snacking after the kids are asleep - the Nutell@ calls my name and I grab a spoonful or two or three. I'm so bad.

Exercise will be a little difficult to fit in. I have five kids. One of them sleeps in our room (she's newly home from China and needs us close for a while;). But, I have to make it a priority. Here's a thought . . . instead of binging on food after my kids go to bed, why don't I exercise? Now there's a thought!!!

Alright, good night. Maybe I'll get brave and post some pictures of my chubby elbow tomorrow. Baby steps.

Oh MAN!

I completely forgot I had this blog! Ha! So, I guess that tells you how well I have been doing on getting skinny again. Ugh. I'm such a dork.

Today was Thanksgiving and we have a lot to be thankful for. I am blessed with good health, a great family, a nice warm bed to sleep in and so much more. All good things come from Him, my maker! So, I went in to Thanksgiving with the attitude that I was NOT going to gorge myself and I did pretty good! I had a little of everything and only one piece of pie - not bad I'd say!

As far as exercise goes I have not done too well. My usual day to go to 'boot camp' was Monday and I had an appointment, then the other day would've been today. We are at our 'vacation home' (wink wink) and I need to commit to doing something physical while we are here, whether it is walking or jogging or SOMETHING! I have got to do something to get this flab off of my body!

Here is a funny video to make you laugh:

Where Did That Come From?

I've never had back fat before! Why do I have it now? HOW did it get there? HOW do I get rid of it?

Off to boot camp in an hour to sweat LOTS!

Dinner Was . . .

Really good and I probably ate too much of it, or at least too many carbs. I am not sure why carbs are a big deal for me, but when I was pregnant with #3 I had gestational diabetes. I was taught how to count carbs at each meal and snack in order to keep my blood sugar stable. That was the only pregnancy where I actually LOST weight (and still had a 7 lb. baby). It was amazing to see what carb watching could do. So, I watch my carbs and know what most food's carb count is. We ate dinner at church tonight, it was brisket, salad with tomatoes and cucumbers with a smidge of Ranch (I love Ranch), seasoned baby potatoes, and a piece of buttered french bread. I had a small piece, OK, it was medium sized, piece of this pumpkin crumble cake thing and it was goooOOOOD! It is now a little after 10 pm and I haven't had anything else to eat AND THAT'S HOW I AM GOING TO BED! Good girl.

Resistance

You know what sounds good right now?

French fries

dipped in

Ranch dressing

at

Red Robin