Feeling the Progress

Okay - I was not able to completely follow through with my own advice in my last post. I have done even more praying and searching the word for continued comfort during this very stressful, emotional, and sad month. I continued to revert to old destructive habits though.
Why? Well - it sure isn't because those old coping mechanisms work for any given time - as a matter of fact - just like with any substance, food messes with me more - maybe it wouldn't if I was seeking comfort from protein, veggies, etc, but that is not my pattern. I get candy bars, cakes, cookies, doughnuts. I keep them for myself and eat them. This in turn not only cause weight gain, but also mood swings. That is soooo not helpful - especially when dealing with stress already - mood swings make it all worse. So, I decided to ask my doctor for help during this time. I am taking half an appetite suppressant. It doesn't take away from the "emotional" desire to eat - I have to continue addressing that with God, but it does help me to not focus so much on food because I do feel full. The biggest benefit is being able to stop eating when I am full. I am still having to retrain my brain and soul to stop looking at food for comfort. I am stopping to talk with God more, putting on music to praise, and talking with my husband for support. So, while I don't support any kind of ongoing medication, I do believe all of us need help every once in a while for the physical side until our hearts and minds take over and we are stronger in Christ to reject our flesh.
So, I am making better food choices - high protein, low carb, more fiber. I am also still exercising. I LOVE this now!! I miss it when I don't go. NEVER thought I would "be one of those" ;0)
I pray for you and your day - that we would all continue to focus on how Christ is going to use the struggles we go through for someone else's benefit. That focus helps take away most of the embarrassment.

Keeping On

Okay - so sometimes life wants to get in our way - In the way of goals we set and plans we have. Sometimes "life" is the choices we make and their consequences - good or bad - and sometimes "life" is relationships - again - good or bad.

I have had a chance to experience "life" this last week - grandparent with cancer, kids that have lots going on, disagreements with spouse that really irk, etc. When you have a lot going on, not only is it difficult to eat right (or you could be like me and eat emotionally - wanting comfort from things that taste good and don't talk back ;0) ) and it is difficult to take the time for yourself - whether that is because of commitments or because of guilt - guilt that you want to take time for you. Who knows. All I know is you have to press on. Don't let "life" rob you of being healthy. Not just healthy, but active also. I have been physically very, very tired - probably because of all the emotional stuff, but so tired none the less. I haven't wanted to exercise, but I have been making myself. I do feel so much better when I do. I have not been eating great - but that is something I plan to rectify.

So - when "life" gets you down or tries to get in your way - remember -

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

So, keep on pursuing health and activity - don't let your joy be robbed - and continue to carve out that time for yourself. Maybe that means no TV, or whatever you love (since exercise is not yet a true "love" for me) - just trade that time and you will thank yourself later!!

Small Victories

So, here I am on my last week of Boot Camp. I have loved most of it - not really the pain of the first two weeks, but the rest has been great! This next go round I am going to sign up for the three day a week program. But, let me update you on my progress:

I have lost 6 lbs., 1 3/4 inches from my waist, 3/4 inch from my thigh, 1/4 inch from my biceps - and I can't remember the rest. I have also lost 3 % in body fat!! WooHoo!!!
The best thing so far for me has actually not been those numbers - although they are great motivators right here at the end - no, the best thing has been how strong I have gotten. I can lift things now, I am not as winded when I do things, and I stayed on the elliptical machine yesterday for 20 whole minutes!! (Level 5 resistance). I just can't explain what this means to a couch potato like me. Mind you I will never be a marathon runner - I am definitely more of a sprinter, but the strength is getting better everyday.

I am pumped about this!! I am also so extremely thankful that God has blessed me with a body that moves! I am learning that I cannot take that for granted. My best friend of my life called two days ago to let me know she had gone to the hospital for chest pains. With her history of high blood pressure and the knowledge she was still in the hospital I was very, very concerned. Thankfully it is not her heart, but it looks like pancreatitis. They are working to find out what is causing it. My prayer is it is just her gall bladder and can be taken out. To say that I had a wake up call is very minor. Not only can I not imagine anything very serious being wrong, but it was a wake up call about my own health, too. She is 8 months younger than me. So, if it can happen to her, it can happen to me. Needless to say that was the extra push I needed to keep going.

So, as this journey to health and weight loss continues I will keep you updated.

Philippians 3:13-14

"13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. "

Press on and Praise Him!!

Halfway Through!!

Okay - week two down. Yeah!! I have to say I really have a love/hate relationship with this whole thing. I love how encouraging the trainer is, how much better I feel this second week, and the way my body is challenged like never before. On the other hand I hate the pain, the feeling like my heart will rupture if I walk or run one more lap, or the feeling like I need to vomit.
Thankfully the vomiting feeling is rare and I am learning the hard way what to eat, but also what to stay away from.
Doing intense (again, for me) exercise like this requires different things from my body. I have read some on what to eat and not eat to increase the benefit - and replenish what is lost. If I dare to drink a milkshake or have milk products before exercise (around lunch) then I am dying about 20 min into the workout - but I have also found that after a workout and reward of low fat chocolate milk is like heaven!
I have lost four pounds!! Yeah!
The bad news is that I have done something to my ankle. It hurts to walk on and is swollen - Yesterday I pressed through anyway - but now I am paying. I need prayer for immediate healing - I can't stop this now!! I am fearful I would never start back! That would be horrible!!!!
I definitely feel better and am carrying myself better - I wonder if it is because of the exercises strengthening everything - or just because I am so internally proud that I have come this far! (probably both :D )
This is Easter weekend - a time for new growth, new beginnings, forgiveness, love, and family. I pray that I can continue with the new growth (in the right direction) and continue to accept the forgiveness God gives so freely when I mess up - and that I will not sink back into destructive patterns when around bio family - you know - like eating out of habit, or even out of frustration :D
I am so thrilled to have the ability to go to this Boot Camp! I thank God for the blessing and it is by His strength I am able to finish each day!
Philippians 4:13

One Down

Okay - so I completed an entire four solid, back to back days of intense (at least in my world it is) exercise!! WHAT A GOD THING!!



Today begins week two. I am not really so much looking forward to it as I am so thankful that I have the opportunity and support and am not going to waste it!



Do I feel better? Yes. I am not sore (as of this morning - I will let you know how it goes from here), and I can definitely tell a difference in my ability to pick things up - so much better!

I cannot wait to get stronger and stronger.



Now - I know it has only been one week (really four days), but I was hoping to see a change in the scales for the good - So far - the same - actually on Friday and Saturday my legs and hands swelled so I had a little extra going for me. I don't really know what was up with that, but I will continue on.



I know that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!" Philippians 4:13

Christ went through horrible pain and torture for me and endured. He didn't give up - not even when he wanted to. He is my inspiration!



May your life be blessed by this journey you are traveling!

Boot Camp

How many of you secretly watch "Biggest Loser" wishing you too could have the privilege of someone staying over you, encouraging, berating, etc - until you, too lose 80, 100, 50, 150 lbs?
But, you are also munching away on something while watching and wishing? I have been known to do all of this - watch while eating popcorn, or ice cream, or cookies, etc - wishing inside I could trade places with one of them - but also knowing I would not want the whole world watching me or analyzing my every mistake, tear, or roll of fat.

So, on this quest to health, weight loss, spiritual growth, and hopefully fitness - I have finally gotten off the couch. Once again - thank you to my wonderful and fabulous husband - my main supporter in all of this!

I am going to start day three today of an all female boot camp. I didn't really understand the pain my body would be in or exactly how hard we work even from day one! But I really am liking it. I like feeling successful when I do 75 of anything and then move to the next exercises. I like that my body feels the work and I am eagerly awaiting my outside to show what is happening on the inside! I must say I question whether or not I was smart to start with the 4 day/week program as opposed to three - but as my husband reminded me - I am exactly where I am supposed to be!

So - I will keep you updated on my progress - and thank the Lord I did not vomit yesterday like I thought I was going to from pushing my body so hard :D

Many Blessings!

65 Pounds to go

Maybe the title doesn't cover everything, but it is a start. That is what we all focus on, right? The pounds? I know I do - if you can give me a guaranteed pill to swallow - tell me it will not damage my heart and lungs, will curb my craving for carbs without the nasty flatulence to go along with that - then I would be all over it!! But, alas, so far there is no such wonder pill. It has taken me years of self indulgence and gluttony to get here, so I am not sure why I feel it can all be "undone" in 90 days! (it hasn't been 90 days, I am just poking at the diet fads that harp on that). For me - I have been seriously moving forward - with multiple steps back - for almost 78 days now. I am still down 16.5 pounds. I know if I would incorporate exercise I could be down further, but I haven't so this is the price I pay.

I can't say I have enjoyed this whole process. I am so glad that I have begun it though. I do have a different way of looking at food, and a knowledge that food will not disappear from my life forever just because I do not partake of it at that moment. I am trying to be healthier and instill healthier habits in my children. I am also trying to let them see me share - where once I kept things for myself. How awful is that to admit? Yep - really bad. But, they have noticed the change and have even commented on it. Sad, huh? Oh well - we will all be better off in the end.

My goal is still the same. I want to be free of my addiction to carbs and sweets. I want to also have lost 80 pounds. And, as much as I dislike exercise, I want to shape up. To me that means being able to play, swim, walk, and ride a bike at a regular pace without being winded. Not too much to ask I don't think.

Blessings as you move forward!!