Shopping NSV

Yesterday we went to Sam's club and I saw some cute jean capris. The largest size they carry for clothes is a 16. I held it up and thought it looked like it should fit, and I'm technically in a regular 16 now, so I went ahead and bought them.

I got home and tried them on. To my joy they fit comfortably. Yay! It's nice to finally be at a point where regular sizes fit. :)

Happy Memorial Day

I want to take a minute to remember those who have served and given their lives for our country. I do not take lightly the sacrifice that has made it possible for me and my family to live in this great United States of America.

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day everyone!

Small Change Challenge

I have been invited to take part in a challenge to kick off summer. Seeing as how we're moving and taking a two-week trip in June I'm not sure whether or not I'm going to take part in this challenge. It could be something good to keep me in line, but it could also be something to add to my stress. I'm going to think about it.

That being said, I thought I'd post about it in case any of you are interested. This is sponsored by a new-to-me blogger, Tami, over at Nutmeg Notebook. It's called the Small Change Challenge and you can read all about it here.

In a nutshell just like small change can add up to big money if saved over time, the small changes we make in our health habits can lead to big losses over time.

I will let you know by June 1st whether or not I decide to participate in this challenge. Any of you interested? Let me know if you join. :)

Weigh-In ... I'll Take It

Today's Weight: 181 . 5

Loss/Gain: +/- 0

Total Loss So Far: - 49 . 5 lbs

For the week I've had I'm very content with this maintain. Considering having MIL in town and cooking some wonderful food I've done very well. I have to say that mostly I had a gain after last weekend, which had nothing to do with her cooking, so I was able to recover it with strong exercise all week.

I'm not giving up hope that I might be able to lose a few more pounds before our move, but if I only maintain through all of this I'll be okay with that as well. :)

Now on to something that made me and two health conscious friends giggle at church the other night.

Our pastor was preaching on overcoming temptation and used the following scripture: Proverbs 6:27 "Can a man take fire into his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" to which I immediately thought and then wrote in my notebook....

"Can a woman take chocolate in her belly and her clothes not get tight?"

*GIGGLE* I should change it to "too much chocolate"...

I shared this with my two girlfriends and we had a good laugh about it. I think I'm going to have to make a a little magnet or something with that to put on my fridge as a reminder. LOL

Have a great weekend everyone!

Two Years in Review

Two years ago I started my weight loss journey. I was 231 pounds and thought I was going to be happy with being a nice, fat lady. Deep inside I wasn't really happy and when I began having pains in my knees, hiding for photos, wanting to cry when shopping for my brother's wedding I knew I had to do something.

I didn't know what I would do, and I was terrified to try losing weight again, but I just decided to start. I pulled out a few walking DVDs and decided to cut back in food portions. My goal was simply to lose enough weight to buy something out of the regular sizes for my husbands graduation in 2011.

Little by little my food choices began changing. I found myself trying new foods and beginning to enjoy eating healthier. Some things I haven't liked, but some things (like raspberries below) have become foods I now love.

I've made exercise a regular part of my life, even giving running a try. In January 2010 I started the Couch to 5K program and in April 2010 I ran my first 5K. It was a very slow run, but I didn't walk any of it and I was so proud!!

Over time I've seen my desires towards food changing to where I even chose a salad and water at a fair instead of a deep fried something or other. While I still struggle greatly with overeating, what is a "binge" now is nothing compared to what I would eat in the past.

And while it's a slow journey, it's definitely a journey that is leading to the promise I put at the top of my blog. Every good choice I make, every bit of exercise I fit in and every lesson I learn lead to my new ending. As my motivational quote says, "though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." (Anonymous)

So, here at two years I feel like I'm halfway to my goal. I'm in a very stressful time of my life right now (as I write MIL is frying potatoes and eggs for breakfast for hubby and making tortillas...on top of all the stress. LOL) , but I know that I will keep going.

Things will settle down sometime in July and I'll be able to really get back to work on things. In the meantime, I will work at not letting go of the good things I've gained while losing weight these past two years.

Weigh-In ... Refusing to Quit

First the facts...

Today's Weight: 181 . 5

Loss/Gain: +2 . 5

Total Loss So Far: -49 . 5 lbs

This morning I have proof that the past week has indeed been a PMS week. I know I have lost during PMS before, but this wasn't the month for that.

Last night I was very, very blue about this gain, as I already knew it was coming. This is my 2nd year weight loss anniversary and I wanted to be closer to 171 than I am today. The comparison monster had me being vexed knowing that some would read that and think, "Well, you didn't want it bad enough, did you?" Nope I guess not.

The silver lining on this is that I have made time for exercise every day this week so far. None of it has been at the gym, so I'm sure that's why the gain. I can eat extra and at least maintain when I'm able to workout longer and harder. Walking is great exercise, but it doesn't burn enough calories to counteract some of the eating I did.

This past week I actually had moments of thinking I should just quit and stop worrying about all of this..."I'll never reach my goal weight". Thankfully I also argued with myself about how dumb that would be.

So, I will not quit. I know that. Deep down inside I refuse to let go of my grip on the dream of being the thin, healthier, more in control lady I've always wanted to be.

And now that will be enough of the sad feelings for today. I will be posting soon with some photos celebrating my two year weight loss anniversary and all the blessings that have come with losing 49 . 5 pounds.

Just Enough Burn

Today I was thinking...after a while I wonder if people get tired of reading blogs that just talk about the daily life of a person? Especially if you have nothing really exceptional going on. hhmm...I guess not, because I know I still check in to see what others are up to on a regular basis.

In fact, when I'm struggling with emotions and fears regarding weight loss I especially appreciate reading others' blogs to know that they are continuing in their journeys and/or continuing on in maintenance. I get motivated once again that there is hope in this journey and my resolve is strengthened.

So, today's post brings no great revelation. I woke up so tired that I ended up napping early in the day. It was much needed as I was out for over an hour.

It's also laundry day, so I did a 2-mile Leslie Sansone DVD with walk/jog intervals. I'm feeling some burn in my legs from the exercise. Yay!

Life is busy right now and it is nice to know that I can push myself during one of her workouts and feel some burn...right in my own living room.

Now my girls are home from school and we're listening to an audio book while relaxing and folding laundry. Yes, I am relaxing, because I'm blogging for a minute before going back to folding laundry. :)

Have a nice afternoon & evening!

Weigh-In ... Smile

Today's Weight: 179 . 0

Loss/Gain: -2 . 0

Total Loss So Far: - 52 . 0 lbs.

When I looked at the scale I smiled. No jumping and leaping for joy, just a smile that said, "Yes, I am back down." I also got a bit nervous that I won't stay under 180, but decided that I wasn't going to dwell on the negative.

I speak with the "faith of a mustard seed" when I say that I will keep losing and even be in the 170's from now on...until I reach the 160's and on and on.

Thank you for all your kinds words of encouragement and wisdom on last week's weigh-in post. This is what I love about blogging - the community of people who are my support group through this weight loss journey. I tell my friends blogging is my Weight Watchers meeting of sorts. It's a place I can come and talk about my failures and victories and know that there are

people out there who can relate and support me, even if it sounds silly to someone else. :)

Have a good weekend! We have yard work and some cleaning to do, maybe a soccer game, extra ballet rehearsals for a performance in a week and some book reading in there as well.

Until Monday....

What Better Resistance Trainging Than...

...wind!

I am doing laundry today and have a busy evening coming up, so I was trying to figure out what kind of workout to do when I decided to go for a walk outside. I had an errand that needed to be done less than a mile from my house, so I figured I'd walk there and kill two birds with one stone.

While getting ready I happened to glance outside and saw the trees blowing around. I've heard howling on and off all morning and thought to myself, "Great! Resistance!!"

Yes, I was excited because I was only walking in it - not running. LOL

It was definitely windy and not so bad going there. Coming back was where the resistance training kicked in. oh boy! I had to tip my ball cap down in front to keep it from blowing off my head. I pushed myself to keep my brisk pace the entire way home, arms pumping and all, and it felt good.

Yep, this is another way stay-at-home mommy's fit in exercise...we go for brisk walks in 29 mph winds.

I love it!! Oh, and I also love my black-eyed susans that are beginning to bloom.

Weigh-In ... Time To Explain the Stress

Today's Weight: 181 . 0

Loss/Gain: +2 . 0

Total Loss So Far: -50 . 0 lbs

**It's a long one, but I have to get it out...no short story today**

Okay, I think it's time to explain something, but before I do let me say that I'm glad I can still say I've lost 50 pounds. That is my silver lining on this grey cloud called a weight gain.

I've put off sharing something I'm going through for fear it would come out sounding like an excuse. Yet, I'm seeing such an impact on my life, my habits and my weigh-ins that I think it's time to explain.

Most of you know my husband is graduating in June from dental school. Yes, eight long years of schooling, half of our married life, is finally coming to an end. Anyone who has planned a graduation understands all that it entails. Plus, he has a million last minute things to tie up (that weekend exam was one) and I'm trying to keep things going while watching him stress more than ever before. It's high school graduation times a lot more stress, because he has things to finish before receiving that DDS and thus be able to start work in July.

On top of that is the fact that we are moving out of state after he graduates.

He is going back full time into the Navy (Yes,he'll be a dentist in the Navy.) and we are being based somewhere else. So added to his graduation is many lasts that come with moving. The kids are finishing up at their schools. There are final performances, soccer games, parties and farewells with friends we've come to know and love, etc. etc.

As much as I've tried to deny it I've finally had to admit that all of this change and planning and preparing for movers is really stressing me out at times.

I'm a fairly strong girl, but one thing I've really learned in this weight loss journey is I'm full of insecurities. They are being worked out little by little and I'm so glad for that. I never dreamed embarking on my last weight loss journey would bring about so much change in myself emotionally, but it has.

I'm grateful for the change and it's why I'm coming on here to share this stressful time in my life and to commit to something.

The old Leah would've declared it too stressful to worry about my health and exercise and put it off until after the move. In fact, last week I worked three days and spent the other two getting laundry done, running errands, getting groceries and then cleaning out our filing cabinet and working on projects for teacher gifts. It was a very productive week and I allowed myself not worry about exercise.

But I missed exercise. Terribly.

Oh, I've had my moments where I thought I could easily announce I'm taking a hiatus from weight loss and exercise until we are settled again. I know everyone would understand. But I just can't bring myself to do that. We're planning a two week road trip after we've moved out of our house, so that would mean about two months off if I took a hiatus starting today.

Not going to happen.

So, I've taken some time to think about my priorities during this stressful time. Before any to-dos that need checking off there are two things I've decided I will not give up:

1. My devotional time of prayer and Bible reading.
2. Regular exercise, minimum 30 minutes 4-5 days a week.

I talked to my husband about it, because honestly the thought of fitting in exercise was adding to my stress. However, more than stressing over fitting it in was stressing about what would happen if I didn't do it.

There's a much higher chance of not losing another pound before we move (or gaining..ACK!) and I might start losing the toning I've gained through regular exercise. The latter thought scares me the most.

Yes, I've lost my 50 pounds v.e.r.y. s.l.o.w.l.y. but I refuse to give up what I have accomplished thus far for a stressful move. I'm not going to lose that weight again. I'm am going to fight. I'd even like to show a loss between today and the day before the scale is packed up. I have just under six weeks.

So, I will continue trying to work at making myself behave where food is concerned and I will fit in regular exercise 4-5 days a week. I've decided if I'm really busy I will allow myself to settle for a quick, brisk 30-minute walk in the neighborhood or 30-minute DVD. No matter what though I will do something.

I know some of you will tell me it's okay to take it easy, so let me tell you that we figured out an area I will take it easy in. I am no longer working. I decided not to substitute this last three weeks of school. So, that's where I will ease my stress a bit and it's already working. :)

Thank you for listeningreading and I hope this will shed some light on things.

I'm a new Leah now and a Leah that knows she'll get more done and feel better if she takes care of herself. I just has to stay focused and push myself instead of opting for the easy way out. And I will.

As I always say, it's not over. I won't quit and darn it I'll reach that goal weight some day... "if I have to lie, cheat, steal or kill..." okay, not really, but you get my point. :)

Have a great weekend!

See If They Fit

This past weekend was my husband's practical national boards exam - the other half of boards that gives him his DDS this June. He had two days and four procedures to prove himself in. And he had to depend on patients to actually show up and on time. (Believe it or not, this is a HUGE problem at times in the dental school ... people don't realize how important their faithfulness to an appointment is.)

I've never seen him so stressed out, nor felt so stressed out myself. It was very nerve wracking. I guess things are when your entire future rests upon the outcome. But I digress.

On Saturday I was his patient for one of his exams (yep, he was saving a small cavity of mine just for this test...so glad I could help *rolling eyes* LOL ). Then he asked me to be his assistant for a deep cleaning exam on Sunday. In preparation for this he told me to get out his old scrubs from his first semester in school and, "See if they fit you."

And they did. :) I was so pleased, because I know they would not have fit me back when he bought them. It was a nice non-scale victory for our very stressful weekend.

As I write I'm remembering another NSV while at the clinic. A female student in his class told me how good I looked and he told me later that she kept gushing about how awesome I looked. *giggle* Of course, that makes me smile ! :)