Yuck - A Vent of Sorts

This morning there was no bread in the house that wasn't frozen, so I wasn't able to make my toast with peanut butter or an egg over toast. Yes, I could've made an egg by itself, but instead I decided to "live" a little and have a piece of apple spice cake for breakfast with my coffee. I also had a small brownie about an hour later, and a few bites of chocolate cake another hour later.

Wrong move.

I have felt guilt and self-abhorrence ever since then. I haven't had water in three days and have let the fruit stay in the fridge instead of eating it.

The sweets have entered my body much more than necessary and this morning was the final pieces that broke the camel's back, so to speak. Well, at least I hope they did...

Funny how what was once a habit that we laughed about, "Cake is great on Saturday mornings for breakfast!" now makes me sick, both physically and emotionally.

I almost didn't post about it, because I'm not proud of myself, but I know I'll feel better getting it out in the open. If nothing else, I'm honest in my journey towards my new ending.

So, in the atmosphere of honesty floating about let me say that being back at my parents has brought me to feeling like the "old" way of eating. Yet as I watch my mom I'm noticing that she doesn't eat like we used to. She has watched her portions and her sweets and drank lots of water daily. I keep thinking, "This is why she lost 40 pounds in half the time it's taken me to lose 32.

This means I have no excuse for not eating better on this trip. Yes, people have been bringing sweets with every dinner they bring for us and it's very nice, but it doesn't mean I have to eat all of it. I usually have something sweet at my own home, but I had reached a point where I was able to not need or desire it, except once monthly.

Having this feeling of no control again is starting to vex me. I'm going to use the afternoon and next day to try and figure out why I'm doing this and get a handle on it. Falling back into the old habits has not been comforting at all. They have only left me feeling yucky, and I don't like it one bit.

Thanks for "listening".

Weigh-In ... Playing With Fire

Today's Weight: 202.0

Loss/Gain: +3.0 lbs

Total Loss So Far: -29 lbs.

As per the Summertime Challenge, here's the picture of the scale this morning. I'm at my mom's and her scale doesn't keep the number unless you're standing on it. I was having problems with the flash and such and the high number didn't have me in a patient mood. *sigh*

Now, when I said I wasn't looking for a loss this week I didn't expect this. All week I've been hovering between 199/200. Today was the first time it was over 200, so I was a bit shocked. That is, until I thought about what I ate yesterday and that I only drank one 16-ounce glass of water all day.

Yes, when you play with fire you're bound to get burned.

So, I can imagine why this number is up and I'm not going to make excuses. While I'm here at my parent's house I've been happy to just maintain, because with all the other stress going on I'm not concerned with trying to lose weight these two weeks.

I'm thinking this might be a bad mentality, but it's how I've felt. However, I refuse to go up any more, so this "fire" will be put out. The 200's are not my friend at 5' 4" and I will not stay visiting them for too long.

Thanks for checking in! Have a good day and a nice weekend if I don't hear from you before then.

Summertime Challenge

Well, folks, last fall I was terrified of doing challenges because I felt like a failure when I didn't meet my goals 100%. Yet, I'm learning that having a challenge on my plate is akin to committing to weekly Weight Watcher meetings and weigh-ins -- they keep me accountable. Difference is I get to set my goals and blogging is cheaper than Weight Watchers. *giggle*

So, here's a challenge idea I like for the summertime and I've officially joined up with it. Below you'll see the rules and the goals I've set for myself. I'm sure you'll recognize most of them. :)

This challenge comes from the site
No More CHUNKY DUNKING, time to skinny dip!
(disclaimer...that is NOT my goal, I promise. LOL -Leah)
The challenge will be from May 24- Aug 23.

Now for the rules of the challenge.

RULES:

1. Post the Challenge sticker on your page and also at the head of your post when you do your weekly weigh ins. DONE.

2. Start your first post by stating what you would like to accomplish during this challenge whether it be a weight goal or an exercise goal.
My goal is to lose at least 10 pounds during the summer and workout 30 minutes or more 4 days a week. Starting weight is 199.0

3. You must weigh in every Friday(with the exception of your initial weigh in which will begin on Monday May 24) with a picture of your scale reading that weeks weight. Check back tomorrow for my first weigh-in. Though, please be a little gracious with me. I didn't decide until yesterday to commit to this goal and the sweets have been my friend this week. So, I'm looking for my first real loss to be in another week. Just being honest with you.

Winner will be determined by who loses the most weight.

(Also, people who state a goal and meet it during the challenge will win something as well.)

I'm not planning on winning anything. I simply wanted the accountability of it and I LOVED the cool summery logo. :)

PRIZE:

Winners will win something special. Not sure what yet, when I think of it I will update this. I'm thinking I will treat the winner to a new outfit to show off their new self. Still in the thinking process but I think that's a good one.

Subway Giveaway

Good afternoon/evening! Thought I'd drop in to let everyone know about a fun giveaway over at Diane's blog, Fit To The Finish. She has three Subway gift cards to give away and you can find out how to enter by clicking here. She also shares her experience with their new breakfast sandwhiches. Which, by the way, I'm having a hard time accepting... Subway is supposed to be a sandwich place, not a breakfast place. Change is not always easy.

Okay, joking here. Stop on by Diane's blog and give it a shot if you're interested. My family and I love Subway, so know that you're facing some fierce competition from me if you enter. LOL

P.S. I got up and went for a very nice, brisk walk this morning. It was glorious and even more so when I realized I could easily walk faster than my moderately-paced workout music. Go me! :)

The Final Chapter

Today I was blessed to hear the preaching of a dear former pastor of ours. He pastors the church my parents attend and the one my husband and I attended when we lived here six years ago. His sermon was very timely for the stress I've been under in regards to the sickness in my family. To sum it up he said that often times God allows us to go through trials to see where our heart is at.

How will we handle it?
Will we lose heart and give up?

He likened it to a spiritual EKG, showing us just what the condition of our heart is like. He commented that many people don't realize they have true physical heart problems until another health issue arises and they are at the doctor's office. Suddenly the doctor notices things and sends them for and EKG; and many times this ends up in heart surgery. Yet, all along this patient thought they were just fine.

As I latered pondered his words and the truth they held in my life going through the stress of major sickness in two family members, I also realized that this can be applied to my weight loss journey.

My friend (the famous) Stephanie commented in an email to me the other day that this stress has definitely been a life test for me in my weight loss journey.

I've seen great strides in my weight loss journey this past year and then life thew me a curve ball of a lesson to work through. Now as I'm going through it I'm realizing that this is a test to see just how well I've learned my new eating and exercise habits, and whether or not I'm going to abide by those new changes or allow myself to quit and give in to the old Leah's way of doing things.

As my post on the walking in the airport shows I've seen myself stick to my new habits, but as the many Hershey Kisses that have made it in my mouth would agree, I've also seen myself fall back into old habits. I've had to stop and make myself think.

Can I handle good eating and exercise habits no matter what else goes on in my life?
Will I quit working on my health just because other issues arise?

The answer is no.

I will not quit. I will not give up. And I definitely will not go back to my old ways.

Getting back to the sermon, our pastor mentioned that it's the final chapter in life that matters. The tests and trials along the way will strengthen us and teach us, and if we can keep our hearts healthy until that final day, then we will have the great reward.

Along those same terms, my blog's name is "My New Ending" for a reason. It's not the setbacks and stressors of life that happen along the journey that will matter most, but the final outcome. As long as I keep working on my healthy habits and taking care of myself in the way I know is best I will reach my goals and that final chapter will be worth every struggle it took to get there.

With God's strength I will come out the winner both spiritually and in my health.

How about you? Are you struggling or feeling like quitting your weight loss plan or journey just because things are getting tough?

Please don't quit or give up. Every stress, problem and struggle is a part of the journey and it really is the final chapter that will matter the most. Together we will win this battle!

Weigh In ... Getting With It Final Update

Today's Weight: 199.0
Loss/Gain: 0
Total Loss So Far: -32 lbs.

Well, I'm happy to have a maintain with the traveling and some extra eating I've done. I've had a few meals where I know I didn't stop at satsfied. The traveling is done and now I'm here with my parents for a week or so and things are back to normal. My parents keep fruits and veggies around and with my mom also working on the weight loss it's not going to be too hard to watch what I eat...as long as I choose to stay out of sweets. :)

As for my getting with it challenge...if I hadn't had all this upset with my mom coming down with cancer I think I might've made it to the ten pounds lost. Then again, the working full time threw me for a bit as well, so maybe not. Nonetheless, I'm happy to see that I'm still below 200 today and that I'm getting exercise in on a trip where one year ago I would not have done so.


First off ... I want to see at least 10 pounds lost - Beginning weight is 205.0. 6/10 lost so far. I'm grateful I made it at least halfway to my goal with all the "stuff" going on in my life.
Take my mutli-vitamin and calcium daily. No, I started taking them again and then forgot to bring them on my trip. *sigh*
Drink 64 oz. of water daily. I did pretty well. Now that the traveling is over and the hospital stay is over I'm getting back on track.
One sweet treat a day. I was okay except for 2-3 days.
Eat one fruit or veggie with each meal. No, I'm still working on getting back to normal on this.
Exercise at least 4 days a week. Yes. I worked out to DVDs two days, then walked briskly for two days and even last night I went for a short walk after dinner.

So, technically my challenge is done, but I'm going to keep trying to follow these guidelines from here on out.

Thanks for stopping by and being so encouraging. I hope you all have a nice weekend!

Gust Post - My Friend Stephanie

To celebrate my 1st anniversary of my weight loss journey and the start of my weight loss blog I've asked one of my best friends, Stephanie, to do a guest post. She has not only been the chubby friend with me through school years she has also now just reached a big healthy success in her own life. After having her second baby in February 2009 she has just reached 50 pounds lost.

One week after having baby -------- 50 pounds and one year later.

Hello to all of you out in blog-land! I am so honored and privileged that my friend Leah has asked me to “guest-post” for her first anniversary of her journey to her “New Ending”. My name is Stephanie, and Leah and I go WAY back…..like we were twinkles in our mother’s eyes and we already knew each other! Ok, maybe not that far, but our moms grew up together and have been friends for years so of course, Leah and I have been friends as well! I am so thankful to have her as my friend!

As I’ve known Leah for all these years, one thing we have both always struggled with is our weight – (imagine that). We’ve always been the “pudgy” girls – not skinny, but not overly obese, and so through the years we’ve had some good chats about the ups and downs of weight gain and loss.

These past few years, I have seen Leah go through some major life events that have set her back as far as losing any weight. As you all know, sometimes we allow life to get in the way, and we push that aspect of our lives to the backburner to “deal with it later”. I was so excited the day Leah called me to tell me of her “Journey to her New Ending” and how she was going to go through the process of dropping the extra weight she had allowed to creep on. What was exciting is, that I was just coming off of having my second baby and was about 45-50 pounds overweight myself – the most I’ve ever weighed in my life! I had already started, about a month before, trying to lose my own weight and was tickled we’d be able to go through this process together.

I think the most amazing thing I’ve seen happen through this whole process, as we’ve talked on the phone, emailed, talked on the phone some more – are the incredible changes in Leah’s thoughts, ideas, attitude and drive towards weight loss, eating habits and exercise. Her weight loss is slow, as most of you have seen, but what you HAVEN’T seen are the changes that are happening inside of her that will enable her to lose the remainder of weight she has to lose, and to keep it off for the rest of her life. She has used this last year to deal with some major emotional attachments she has had to food and to eating.

Every day, I’m amazed by the insight she has gained and the strides she has made towards a healthier lifestyle. She and I have NEVER been the active type – meaning – we’d rather sit on the couch and read a book than to go outside and be active. It’s just part of how we grew up what our preferences are. To see her activity level soar to new heights has been another incredible part of her journey. I was so excited the day she called me to say she RAN (not walked) her first mile – ever! What an amazing accomplishment!

This past year of traveling this journey with Leah has been incredibly helpful for me as well because, although I have not dealt with emotional ties to food and eating, I still had to work through some issues that came out while going through my own journey. Some of the things I have dealt with are similar issues Leah has dealt with and having her to bounce ideas off of was therapeutic.

I’m very excited at this point because I’m at the end of the first phase of my journey. I have lost 50 pounds and 4 pants sizes – the smallest I’ve been since I was 10 (I think). I am anticipating the day when Leah can say the same exact thing. Maybe in a year, maybe in six months – who knows – but what I do know is that she WILL make it and I am so honored that she’s included me in this part of her journey.

I am so proud to be her friend - you have no idea what her friendship means to me. I hope that all of you have at least one friend or family member you can count on like I can count on Leah.

The New Me Travels

Good morning! I'm out of town right now to help my parents while my mom has surgery and recovers. As I was planning for my trip I decided to pack some workout clothes and tennis to get exercise in during my stay. I figured I can at least walk a few days a week if nothing else.

Condensed Version: I've walked both at the airport yesterday and again this morning and I'm feeling good.

Long Version: My flight getting here required a one-an-a-half hour layover halfway through. So, I planned on doing some walking in the airport instead of sitting the entire time and eating.

Thankfully it was a nice large airport, so I didn't have to make lots of little laps. I walked briskly up and down each corridor of gates until I reached the end of everything I could walk through and not leave the security area. Then I backtracked and headed back to my gate area.

It took me 50 minutes and I was feeling so good. By that time I was warm and the Starbucks that had been calling my name when I got off the plane didn't sound so good anymore. I needed to eat a small meal, so I opted for a smoothie with lowfat vanilla frozen yogurt, bananas, strawberries and a serving of protein powder mixed in.

It was the perfect light meal after a good brisk walk. I was satisfied and felt healthy and alive. After finishing my smoothie I got up to throw it away and use the restroom and suddenly felt pain in my feet.

OUCH!

I had my sandals on that have a less-than-conducive bed for walking in and I started getting blisters on the balls of my feet. Duh! :) I felt like such a dork trying to walk normally with this rubbing pain in my feet.

Luckily during the next flight my feet had time to rest enough that they weren't hurting when I got to my destination.

This morning I got up bright and early and took a nice walk. About ten minutes into the walk I decided to try some jogging again. I felt kind of silly with my crazy hair only held back by a headband and my jog, but at the same time I was proud and did my best.

It was a quick walk with two jogging segments in the middle. It felt good to do something other than weights since I'm still sore in my hamstrings from all the squats and lunges I did in my two workouts earlier in the week.

Another reason it feels good to workout is because this is the new me traveling. The old me would've enjoyed all that resting time yesterday with lots of eating and then a lazy morning doing nothing today until it's time to go to the hospital.

Folks tomorrow is my one-year anniversary since officially starting my weight loss journey. I may not be down 100 pounds or even 50, but I am a different person than the one that started this blog a year ago. These first two days of traveling are testimony to that fact.

I'll be checking in during my travels, but until next time...Have a great day!

Sore and Feelin' Good!

Well, the kettle bell workout from yesterday left me feeling sore today, and boy was that a nice feeling to have again! :) This evening I worked out with the 30-day Shred. Again, it was a great feeling to sweat and feel the blood pumping!

Chocolate called my name at school today in the form of a snack mix with everything chocolate-covered (pretzels, etc.) and I gave in. Not too much, but more than I wanted to with my last weigh-in for the challenge coming up. However, I have being doing a better with eating, adding a fruit or veggie to every meal and that's good.

I made spaghetti tonight and I don't think the pasta and/or meat sauce is setting well with me right now. However, I ate lots of green beans on the side and I'm happy knowing I didn't eat a huge plate of pasta like I would've before.

Though life is throwing me curve balls, I'm working towards taking care of myself so that I can take care of the others in my life who are in much worse shape than I.

Thank you all so much for your support, prayers and words of encouragement.

G'nite!

Kettle Worx Package

My prize from the KettleWorx giveaway arrived a few days ago and look at how much stuff I got:

I thought it was the weight and one single DVD to use to workout. So, I was happily surprised to open the box and find the 10-pound weight and eight DVDs inside!

Tonight I did the sample cardio workout, and it sure made me sweat. I'll definitely be trying more of these workouts over the summer here at home. There's a six-week program that I might follow and then give a review of how I liked it.

Thank you, again, to Tricia over at Endurance Isn't Only Physical for having this giveaway. I've got a whole new workout system to try and it was completely free for me!

Emotional Link?

**Warning...this is not as organized a post as I'd like it to be, but I don't have time to perfect it right now.***

I've posted a lot recently about being so busy and feeling stressed out from the extracurricular activities we've had going on as well. Part of me has felt like a whiner for posting so much about it, because I know there are many moms out there that work full time and manage a very busy household on top of it.

My heart's desire is to be busy taking care of my home and not working so that it why I tend to want to "whine" about it. So, when my weekends are so full of activity that my housework and laundry fall behind it stressed me out.

There has been something else stressing me out a little as well. I waited to mention it after my weigh-in yesterday on purpose, because I did not want this bit of information to sound like an excuse should I have seen a maintenance or gain. I also put off telling everyone about this because my blog is about my weight loss journey and not about my daily life and I've no desire to seek pity from anyone.

However, I'm thinking that this information could have a very real impact on my weight loss journey. So, let me know what you think.

In April we found out that my brother has cancer in his leg. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments before they can operate. He lives in a different state than both me and our parents, but is surrounded by a wonderful wife, in-laws and friends that are very supportive and helpful. I've been making plans to go see him when school is out here and then ....

Two weeks ago I found out my mom has breast cancer. It's been a few weeks of "A lump..we're waiting for results...Yes, breast cancer, now waiting to see what they're going to do...yes surgery, but not sure when..." etc. etc.

So, on top of working full time, 50% of my family has cancer and now I have to end my sub job two days early to fly be with my mom and dad, which means I have grades to enter, a house to get in order, etc. etc. And the news of my moms' cancer hit right during PMS.

Maybe this explains the weight gain, or why I've desperately needed the rest at the end of long days, or why I had no desire to get up early to workout.

Stressed? Just a little.

I am a woman of faith and I truly believe God has a plan for why this is all happening. I also believe that he can do a miracle, whether it be of complete healing or a miracle of strength to get through it all.

Lately, I'm also thinking that this has had a greater impact on my weight loss journey that I ever imagined it would. (Especially that week or so when I love chocolate and don't care about what I'm eating. ) For me, I've been so busy with planning and such that workouts aren't even in the picture, and I honestly haven't cared with the exception of worrying I'll lose my muscle tone and what "blogland" will think about my lack of working out. Thankfully the eating has been much better this week and I know I'm not turning to food in this time of stress. I'm taking it a day at a time and I know I'll get through it and the workouts will get back into the picture when life slows down a bit.

I'm not exactly expecting you to comment, but you're welcomed to your view of my journey. I just thought that maybe sharing this personal information would give you more insight as to why I seem so stressed lately. Maybe you haven't noticed, and then that is good. Just keep right on not noticing. :o)

Weigh-In ...(1st GOAL!!) Getttin With It Update #7

Today's Weight: 199.0

Loss/Gain: -4.0 lbs

Total Loss So Far: -32 lbs.

I've finally hit onederland on my official weigh-in day. The best part about this is that I've seen this number on the scale the last three days, so I know it's more than likely here to stay.

With everything going on in my life right now it's great news to behold.

This means that I've finally reached my first goal in my weight loss journey of 199. I'm going to leave my ticker (down on bottom of blog) showing nothing more to reach to get to my first goal for a day or so just to bask in the glory of it all. Then I will put on my new goal of 170.

As for my Gettin' With It challenge, I didn't hit all points perfectly, but I know I'm getting back to normal and I feel so much better for it. Here's a quick update:

• First off ... I want to see at least 10 pounds lost - Beginning weight is 205.0. 6/10 lost so far. We'll see what I can accomplish in my final week.
• Take my mutli-vitamin and calcium daily. No.
• Drink 64 oz. of water daily. I drank water daily, but not sure if I hit 64 oz. each day.
• One sweet treat a day. This was much better and almost back to normal for the entire week. Yay!!!
• Eat one fruit or veggie with each meal. No, but I know I got at least two a day in.
• No snacking if I'm not truly hungry. Again, this was much, much better this week. Back to "normal".
• Exercise at least 4 days a week. No. I didn't work out once this week. However, I have not quit working out, just took a sabbatical this week. I know the rest was much needed and I will be back to it soon.

Thanks for checking in!

Feeling Better

Well, I am feeling a little bit more like I'm getting back to my new normal. The eating has been better and I'm getting the water back in daily.

I have not worked out at all this week, but I'm not worried. I have been getting to bed late due to household chores, running errands, etc. and so I feel better getting those extra 30-40 minutes of rest each night. I will get back into a workout routine, and if I'm feeling better about getting up early tomorrow, Friday or Saturday I will. There's no waiting until next week for this lady. :)

Tricia commented on a new workout I might get to try, oh maybe tomorrow, so that must mean my package with the kettlebell and workout DVD is on its way. I'm looking forward to try it and telling you all about it.

Until later, my friends. Have a great rest of your week!

That's Enough

Well, I had posted about an hour or so ago with more whining about missing being able to go to the gym to workout. I have just deleted it.

As I was gone running an errand I decided to stop whining and just deal with it.

So, I will.

I will get into a new routine eventually and I will not complain any more in the meantime. It's my choice to work on my weight or not care. I choose to care, so I will choose to get in good exercise no matter the circumstances around me.

Also, thanks for keeping up your blogs. Perusing them last night brought great encouragement to my soul!!

Homesick

No, I'm not at home and sick.

I'm homesick. I miss what is the norm and I want it back.

This has hit me in the last couple of hours and I'm also rejoicing because it means I didn't "lose it" when I was eating too much Taco Bell last night, or chocolate candy on Saturday.

These last two weeks of working full time have thrown my weight loss journey into a tizzy. I found myself wanting to munch at school throughout the day. Of course, PMS was no help in this matter at all.

As I type I'm amazed I didn't gain more than 2.5 pounds. I guess that shows I wasn't all that far off, but there were moments (especially over this past weekend) when I felt like I was the old Leah again. I was eating beyond full, snacking on candy when I wasn't even hungry and not drinking hardly any water.

So, today I tried to do better. I drank more water and even went as far as to not eat breakfast until I felt hungry (10:00 am while my class was at P.E.). I had my breakfast and then I ate a kind of large lunch. So I didn't eat dinner at the normal time because I wasn't hungry. Now I'm hungry and I'm going to go eat, but it's 8:16 p.m.

In a way I'm glad I made myself wait until I was hungry to eat because it showed me that I haven't lost my mind...I just took a vacation and now I'm ready to go back home.

Back to snacking on the fruits and being content with smaller portions of real food and not junk.

So, here I am. I'm telling you, for the umpteenth time, that I have not quit. I'm also letting you know that it feels so good to be "home" and back to my healthier habits.

Weigh-In ... Getttin With It Update #6

Friday's weight: 203.0

Loss/Gain: +1.0 lb

Total Loss So Far: -28 lbs.

I'm busier than all get out, thus forgetting to post my weigh-in yesterday. It was a very 'off-plan' week.

I'm learning lessons about how our eating habits can be so easily affected by our daily schedules. I'll write more later, because I'm very upset with this 2.5 lb gain over the last two weeks. I know that PMS has had something to do with it, but I'm also noticing some other things going on while I switched to working full time.

Be assured though that while I'm frustrated that my challenge is getting thrown for a loop I am not giving up. I decided this morning that I WILL stick with my challenge for these last two weeks and see that scale get past 200 by May 21st.

In the meantime, here's my update for my Gettin With It challenge.

• First off ... I want to see at least 10 pounds lost - Beginning weight is 205.0. Another gain and currently only down 2 out of 10 pounds. You can imagine my frustration with this.
• Take my mutli-vitamin and calcium daily. No. I think I only took it once if at all.
• Drink 64 oz. of water daily. No.
• One sweet treat a day. No, but usually no more than two.
• Eat one fruit or veggie with each meal. No, but I know I got at least one in a day, if not two.
• No snacking if I'm not truly hungry. This was better than last week, but there was still snacking going on when not hungry. Larger meals kept me filled up for most of the days.
• Exercise at least 4 days a week. YES! I got up and worked out four mornings this week before work. This is the silver lining on my cloud this week.

Thanks for checking in!

Morning Report

No, I did not get up early today. I woke up with monthly cramps that, for me, are like early labor pains. So, sleep and then a hot shower were best today. I think it would've been better if I had taken some Aleve last night to mask the pain in the morning.

I'm not freaking out about interrupting my early morning workout streak as I do commit to four days of working out Monday through Friday. So, tomorrow is going to be my fourth day.

I have a long day ahead of me, so I will get going.

Thanks for the comments and checking in on me. I hope you don't feel I've let you down. I'll be back tomorrow with my weigh-in and challenge update.

Three Days In A Row

I got up again early this morning to workout. Go me!

On top of working full time again this week, fitting in early morning workouts and some other personal "stuff", I also have a mother-daughter luncheon I'm putting on this Saturday. So my evenings have been busy with household, kids practices, "stuff" and getting things ready for the lunch.

I want to post more, but I need to get to bed before I stay up so late that I won't workout tomorrow. Although...I'm up late tonight because we have church on Wednesday nights and I couldn't resist catching up on some blog reading.

Oh, yea, and TOM arrived today and if I have cramps I'm not going to feel like waking up early to workout tomorrow. *SIGH*

But...it's a non-negotiable right? Darn. :) I'll let you know if I get up on Thursday or not. In the meantime, I'm off to bed.

G'nite blog friends!

Non-Negotiable

I'm liking this term today. It's a common thought that kept coming through the comments yesterday after I posted about having a hard time getting up early to workout in the mornings.

Dictionary.com had this to say about the word non-negotiable:

Non-Negotiable definition

1. A term relating to the price of a good or security which is firmly established and cannot be adjusted.

"...firmly established and cannot be adjusted."

That is what I am going to strive to make my morning workouts. I will work towards making them firmly established parts of my day that cannot be adjusted.

In fact, I've already worked on it. Today I got up at 5:45 to workout early. As my alarm went off at 5:30 am I thought, "This is non-negotiable. I will get up and workout." It took me a few minutes, but I did get up and I completed a Leslie Sansone 2-mile walk DVD for 30 minutes.

Now if I can just get me an elliptical machine or treadmill to use at home I'd be one spoiled woman!! :) That's only because I don't feel like jogging outside where it's windy, but that's another topic for another time.

In the meantime I will close up today by thanking everyone for sharing your words of wisdom and encouragement on this new challenge in my weight loss journey. I appreciate it!!

p.s. When I get a spare minute I have another post about how falling back into bad habits while working probably had more to do with my gain last week than TOM, because that chocolate junk hit me over the weekend and I'm still waiting for it to arrive.... More later.

Early Morning Rising

Well, it's another week and a new chance to start working out in the mornings.

I did today. Yes, I got up early and did the 30-day Shred before getting ready for school. As I showered I thought about how good it felt to workout and to know I got a workout in and done for the day. I told myself to try and remember how good it felt each morning that the alarm goes off and I don't want to get up any earlier.

Though I dread even thinking about it, my goal for this week is to get up to workout early at least four out of the five school days.

Exercise is a must in this journey. I'm getting to wear I truly enjoy a good workout (sometimes more when it's finished than when I'm pushing through it). When I feel the sweat and know how my legs are stronger when I'm walking around during the day it's a wonderful thing!

I leave you with some questions. These are things I'd chat with you about if we were at a health-related meeting, because I'm having a hard time getting up earlier right now.

1. What time of day is easiest for you to workout?
2. If you workout in the mornings, early mornings, was it always easy to do? If you work out later
3. How do you overcome the "flesh" and just make yourself get up in the mornings to workout?

I'm sure someone will tell me to "just do it", so for now that is my goal. I'm also doing better at getting to bed earlier as I know that makes a difference. I just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts or comments to share on this topic.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

A Sickly Confession

It's confession and learning time here. I'm confessing and hopefully you're joining me in learning from my mistakes. :)

Short Story: I ate so much sweets on Friday I was literally sick to my stomach by bedtime.

Long Story:

Friday I kind of went through the day with a "I don't care" attitude in regards to food. We had a potluck at lunch and I ate a nice big plate of greek salad that I took (spring greens, roma tomatoes, calamata olives, feta cheese and italian dressing) with a few small bites of some pasta dishes.

But then there was the most decadent chocolate gooey cake with caramel, whipped topping for frosting and chopped nuts and peanut butter cups sprinkled on top.

Let me say that the first bites were heavenly and I greatly enjoyed them.

Had I stopped there I would've been fine, but I didn't. That was the beginning of an afternoon of bites of sweets here and there. They were just bites, but nonetheless, they were too many bites. Included were bites of chocolate cheesecake, an orange cupcake with a homemade butter frosting and brownies.

My dinner and then a snack when I stopped by a friends were both fried, fatty foods. Then I came home to finish off my evening with more brownie until I finally reached that point right before bed with a cup of milk and small brownie that I stopped and realized I wanted to be sick. I wrapped up the remainder of the brownie and got rid of it. I suddenly couldn't stand the sight of the brownies any more.

My stomach was upset and for the first time in a very long time I had eaten so much junk it made me sick. I actually can't remember the last time this happened.

I am not necessarily proud of this. It was a yucky feeling.

I'd like to say I didn't touch the brownies at all yesterday after that awful night, but I did.

I still ate more than necessary throughout the afternoon and evening, but I added fruit and healthier foods into my day along with water. So, I was a bit full of the brownies again last night, but not sickly full.

As of this morning I think I've had enough, and I've for sure had enough of eating myself sick on sweets. That was a feeling on Friday night that I don't want to experience again ever if I can help it.

Getttin With It Update #5

For what it is, here is my late update on the Getting With It challenge. I knew doing an eight-week challenge would have to include one PMS week, so here it is. :)

The good thing is I don't have a disease, I know what's wrong and I know, as my grandmother used to say, "Remember the Bible says, 'It came to pass'. It didn't 'come to stay'. "

So, this week is past and I look forward to a better week ahead.

• First off ... I want to see at least 10 pounds lost - Beginning weight is 205.0. I had a gain this week, so I'm 3.0 out of 10 so far.
• Take my mutli-vitamin and calcium daily. I know for sure I missed one day.
• Drink 64 oz. of water daily. I missed two days of this for sure, but got it in otherwise.
• One sweet treat a day. Okay...um...you already know this didn't go well. Chocolate cravings and desires come to visit monthly as well, just to let me know TOM is on it's way. Joy. I'll posting later about how I actually made myself sick with it this time.
• Eat one fruit or veggie with each meal. Not always so great this week. I forgot to get new bananas before my busy week and so getting a fruit in with breakfast was more difficult for me. And then that darn chocolate sounded better than anything else... :)
• No snacking if I'm not truly hungry. Um..... *standing sheepishly with hands behind my back* .... um... going to do much better next week.
• Exercise at least 4 days a week. Definitely having the worst time getting up early to workout before work and was busy every evening. So, I only worked out two days this week. I know this was not good to do the week that chocolate kept calling my name. I'm going to have to really work through my morning laziness to get this part of my journey back in order while I work and then while the kids are home for summer break.

Thanks for checking in!