Out with the old...

The common theme on blogs this weekend is year end reflections and new year resolutions. As I think about what I can share I come up empty.

This past week was a bit emotional for me and I'm afraid if I sit and ponder 2011 I might end up in tears. However, I know that I can not live in regret, only learn from my mistakes and be grateful for the wonderful things that did happen this past year.

A few being...

My husband graduated from dental school in June, finishing eight long years of college.

During our move from one state to another we enjoyed a family vacation like we've never taken before, eating yummy cajun food in New Orleans

and wearing ourselves out with all the adventures to be had at Disney World.

The kids settled into middle school in our new hometown nicely and have done awesome with the move.

This move all the way to the east coast has also afforded us the opportunity to visit my grandparent's home for the first time. That trip including many wonderful moments like learning to shoot a gun.

And since this is my health blog I can't leave out reaching 50 pounds lost last spring...

...and managing to keep it off until now.

I've also put my Garmin to good use since moving here and continuing my exercise in the out of doors versus the gym I used in Oklahoma.

You know now that I really think about it...2011 hasn't been bad at all. There have been mistakes, but I daresay there have been more of those moments that will bless my life for many years to come.

In fact, as I finish up this post and time of pondering...I am reminded God has been so good to me and my family. I will not allow myself to send 2011 on with the baggage of regret. I will instead enjoy the good things and take to heart the lessons learned.

Have a safe and fun New Years Eve!

Weigh-In ... Hot 100 Final Update

Today's Weight: 181.5

Loss/Gain: +4 lbs

No, I'm not surprised. Unfortunately my Christmas Day did turn into a Christmas week. I wouldn't have even posted my weight today, because I know the weight is not going to stay on, except that I promised myself to be honest on this blog, whether up or down.

So, there it is. Once again I'm up a good amount during the Christmas break. It's not conducive to weight loss, but I know it's just a break from the norm. Looking over my past posts I've always seen my biggest gains during this week.

I have to admit that I'm not feeling my best. I haven't drank much water, I've not been hungry much at all because I just keep munching and I've eaten too many sweets to where now I'm looking at cookies like "blech."

I'm also not proud to post such a large gain and to have to admit that once again I failed at meeting a weight loss goal (Hot 100 Challenge), but I know that I'm not giving up and I will see a loss next week. In fact, it's the failure of the Hot 100 Challenge that bothers me the most because I do know I'll get back on track with my eating.

I think I need to remind myself to never commit to time sensitive weight loss goals...because I don't make them. Who knows....

Anyway, the weight is posted and there's nothing to be done to change today's results. However, there is a full day ahead of me wherein I can get back with my program. It may happen today, or it may not happen until Monday when our life settles back into a normal routine.

I could go on, but I won't. Please just trust me that it's not over. The new Leah will be back from vacation soon enough.

Goal: Lose 20 pounds

Results: Lost 4

No Weeklong Christmas

Hello! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!! We did. :) Now I am recouping...more from the food than anything else.

Oh my! We've enjoyed special treats like pozole and tamales these past two-and-a-half days and my tummy is like "This is only good a few times a year." Oh and the sweets have been yummy too, but also more than I usually eat and not feeling so great after a few hours. :) Funny how eating healthier will do that to a body.

Saturday someone posted a quote by Bob Harper where he said, "You can enjoy Christmas Day, just don't make it Christmas Week." So, I'm here now having enjoyed a couple days of Christmas treats - both savory and sweet - and doing my best not to let it become Christmas week.

Have a good day!

Merry Christmas!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Have a safe and happy holiday everyone!

Weigh-In ... Hot 100 Update #12

Update: I went to the doctor this morning and they had to weigh me...with my jeans and crocs on I weighed in at 178 . 0 . I gave an exclamation of joy at that site and then giggled at myself. :) (A) I'm under 180 at the doctor's too!!! (B) My scale is correct. Gloria!!

Today's Weigh: 177 . 5

Loss/Gain: - 3 lbs.

Merry [early] Christmas to me! :)

I actually had to go back and check last week's weigh in to see if I'd really lost three pounds this week. :) Actually, the scale has been below 180 for a couple days, so I was hoping planning on it being down today.

Funny thing is I have eaten a Christmas goodie every day this week, but I've been selective about what I've eaten; and I've made up for it with healthier choices and smaller portions throughout the rest of the day. I'm also continuing to get in plenty of water and sleep, along with exercise on some days.

And it works. :) Yes, I'm encouraged that something may have broken in my weight loss journey and now I can continue down the scale towards my goal. Finally.

Finally I'm getting it and making it work. Another reason to sing Gloria this Christmas season!

Happy Friday everyone!!

8 . 5 down

11 . 5 to go

Fun Christmas Cheer

My mom emailed this link to me and I just had to share, because it's so fun!

After watching it I also thought it was a good thing to share on a weight loss blog, because I like how it showcases the talents of women of all shapes and sizes. Good for T-Mobile!!!

Winter Break

Well, we have begun the winter break from school here and today I have to brag on my kids for a minute...

I was able to get my exercise done this morning without any fighting or interruptions from them. Yay!

I know it can be difficult to get exercise done when kids are smaller, Dad's at work and you're trying to finish up, but "Susie's got my dolly! " or "The movie's done, MOM!!!" or who knows what. Even older kids, like mine, can have their arguments that require parental intervention and that can wreck a workout. Many moms get up to exercise at wee hours of the morning to avoid this, but I'm not one of them.

So, today I'm grateful that my 13-year-old twin daughters and my 11-year-old son managed to get along and go about their business while Mommy kept to her exercise.

Thank you, guys!

I'm Becoming a Picky Eater

Well, Monday is here and I'm happy to say that I didn't see a huge weekend gain on the scale this morning. As in, I ate dinner late last night and the scale was only up 0 . 5 a pound probably due to eating right before bed. Yay!

This is especially exciting because we had two major eating events since my weigh-in on Friday. Funny thing is I noticed something about my new self during both events.

Short Story:

I've become a picky eater, rating my food and deciding what I will and will not spend my calories on...without even really noticing I'm doing it. (Diane included some of this in her helpful hints blog post last week.)

Long Story:

Friday night was my husband's work Christmas dinner. The meal was a buffet including fried chicken mashed potatoes, sauteed fresh green beans, mashed potatoes and salad. I served myself a plate with a breast, plenty of salad and green beans and about 1/4 cup of mashed potatoes. Just enough potatoes for a taste. (Picky choice #1 - picking more veggies than potatoes!!)

After the meal I decided to enjoy one of the beautifully decorated cupcakes that were part of the centerpiece on our table. The first bite proved to be a letdown. After a second bite of the very dry cupcake I put it on my plate and quietly told my husband, "I'm not going to spend my calories on a dry cupcake." (Picky choice #2 - only eating treats I will really enjoy)

I did go home and enjoy one or two dark chocolate kisses after the party dinner - much more enjoyable than the dried out cupcake. :)

Saturday we went out with some friends to a farm with a wonderful buffet lunch. They serve a limited menu and bring the bowls of food out to the tables. Starters were ham biscuits in a bucket, of which I had a bite or two and then shared with my son and husband. (Picky choice #3 - not indulging on an appetizer when I know more food is coming.)

The meal included fried chicken, mashed potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, corn, green beans, pork tenderloin and gravy. Again I served myself a breast, and a little of each thing with plenty of green beans. I ate until satisfied and enjoyed every bite. Then I decided to try a piece of their cheesecake for dessert. It was not a baked -In my opinion "real"- cheesecake, but a easy, no-bake cheesecake dessert. Again, I wasn't impressed and ended up eating only 2/3 of the small piece because I was getting full and didn't want to keep eating something I wasn't enjoying. (Picky choice #4 - not continuing to eat something just because I paid for it when it isn't all that great.)

Last, but not least, last night we had a late dinner at a local fast-food joint. Now, I must admit I ate fast food - actually I thought my chicken sandwich was grilled and it was fried...oops. But..the good thing was I served myself some sweet tea (for a treat I thought to myself) but after taking a few sips it was way too sweet for me. After thinking about it, wondering if I should just drink it instead of wasting it, I poured it out and served myself some diet soda instead. (Picky choice #5 - I again decided not to waste calories on something that wasn't sitting right with me..and not feel bad for wasting the food.)

Now, you made read this and think, "Good grief, Leah!! You ate all kinds of greasy foods!!!", but I am seeing much more than that. There is such a change in how I am around food that it gives me hope that I will reach my weight loss goals.

I am no longer eating food until I'm stuffed, nor am I feeling obligated to finish food just because I paid for it or because it's put in front of me. I'm learning to be picky in ways that allow me to enjoy treats and still help me stay on track with my health.

Have a great week everyone! I hope your last minute holiday preparations come together nicely. I'm off to get my house ready for a ladies' only ornament exchange party tonight. Whee!!!

Weigh-In ... Hot 100 Update #11

Today's Weight: 180 . 5

Loss/Gain: - 0 . 5

Seeing as how TOM arrived a few days ago I'm content with this loss. It's a switch from the usual monthly gains I was expecting to interrupt these last few weeks of the Hot 100 challenge.

If it weren't for the Hot 100 challenge I'd be very proud of myself right now for showing a loss during my cycle, maintaining my 4-5 days a week of exercise and for not gaining weight during the holidays. I knew challenging myself to lose 20 pounds in three months was doable, but really out there for me. I know I still have two more weeks to work on losing before the end of the year, but I've pretty much given up on this challenge.

I'm not saying this to allow myself to go hog wild with eating the next two weeks, but to let you know that I have allowed myself to give it up mentally and not live in a fear of rejection for my failure

Yes, I failed meeting the goal of this challenge. Yes, I'm ashamed of myself for that. But I am not going to dwell on it longer than necessary and, most importantly, I am not going to quit working on my weight loss journey.

Two weeks ago Lori commented to me, "Never feel like you can't get to goal. Always keep trying because the alternative is much, much worse." I have kept that in the back of my mind and it is why I will keep going. I didn't meet this challenge, but I have maintained my loss of 50 pounds and for that I'm happy.

So...I will go now. I have a house to clean, a work Christmas dinner to prepare for (where I will be wearing a skirt that is getting baggy on me), a few more presents to wrap while the kids are away at their last day of school before the Winter Break and I have to go keep my chin up.

I leave you with a famous quote from Miracle on 34th Street, "It's silly, it's silly, but I believe." I will lose this weight! :o)

Have a nice weekend everyone!

4 .5 down

15 . 5 to go

Fighting Christmas A.D.D.

I have to admit something....I think I suffer from Christmas attention deficit disorder.

Yep, I find it hard to concentrate on the daily necessities of life when there is so much to be done for the approaching holidays. Oh my!!

During my morning devotions my mind wanders to Christmas party decor, gifts to buy. Then, after I've attempted to reign myself in and finish up my spiritual exercise, I find myself wanting to skip physical exercise and just get on with my day.

I mean, there are presents to wrap, ornaments to make, baking to be done! Right?!?!

Yes, but....

...there is also the need to maintain a healthy life through all the hustle and bustle.

So, to help myself stay focused on life I have adopted some of these practices lately:

1. I take time in my Bible reading to read parts of the Christmas story and really think about what it must've been like back then when our savior was born.
2. I pray for those that may be struggling during this holiday season - either with loss, financial struggles, with a family member away serving in the military, the list goes on.
3. I pray and thank God for the blessings he's bestowed upon my life.
4. I decide to go for my walk and put Christmas music on my iPod or listen to a Christmas story or Christmas themed Old Radio Show.

Did you catch that last one?

I decide.

I make a choice that I will do what needs to be done to stay sane during the holidays. And while it isn't always easy, I remind myself that everything will get done in good time and I'll be a happier wife, mother and friend if I stay focused and keep my daily healthy disciplines in place.

How about you? How do you manage all the ways you're pulled during the holidays? I'd love more ideas. :)

Go Visit Diane :)

Good morning! I've a busy day ahead, so I thought I'd send you over to Diane to check out a giveaway she is doing this week on MizFit's My Trainer Fitness Packs. Click here to read all about it.

This could be a good stocking stuffer if you win!

Happy Monday!

Weigh-In ... Hot 100 Update #10

Today's Weight: 181 . 0

Loss/Gain: - 2 . 0 lbs

While I'm glad to see the scale back down I am in a state of seriousness, because it's not like I haven't lost this two pounds a "million" times before.

In fact, as funny as the email I shared in yesterday's post was ... the truth of the matter is "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17) . I can pray, have prayed, for God to help me change, and I know he has. However, it's entirely up to me to make the right choices every. single. day.

There are just over two weeks until Christmas and I keep thinking, "All I want for Christmas is to be out of the 180's f.o.r.e.v.e.r. !!!" Now I just have to prove that I wanted it badly enough to do what it takes to see it happen.

Oh, and can I just say...it stinks having to worry about weight during December. This is my third December since I started my weight loss journey. In the past I've allowed myself to simply try and maintain through the month. Had I worked harder on my Hot 100 goals in the last two months I might feel better about not working as hard right now; however, it's like I've procrastinated and now that I've fallen behind I have to work while others "play". *sigh*

But...just so you don't think I'm wallowing in a state of holiday depression I will end by letting you know that everything else is going great in my life. I'm ...

• Walking 3 miles at least 4-5 days a week
• Drinking at least 64 oz. of water daily
• Christmas cards are done and going in the mail this weekend
• Most of my shopping is done
• I have party plans that are falling into place
• The bills are paid
• We are all healthy and ...
• I'm even enjoying a nice book with a Christmas theme running through it when I have a few minutes each day.

Now if I can just eat weight loss portions it will be a perfect holiday! :)

Oh, and because I committed to it...for the record:

4 down

16 to go

Have a nice weekend!

Thursday Funny - Prayer for 2012

I received this in my email today and just had to share...too funny!

Dear God,

My prayer for 2012 is for a fat bank account & a thin body.

Please don't mix these up like you did last year.

AMEN!

This and That

Well it's Wednesday and I haven't blogged yet this week. Busy. Busy. :) Here's a little bit of this and that's been going on in my life right now:

• At a baby shower on Monday night I was going through the food line and a new friend of mine informed the lady handing out the corn tortillas that "Leah only wants one! I know.." I laughed because it's true. I'm always asking for a little scoop of the foods and she's catching on. :)
• My son has been a little concerned with his pudgy belly. So we had a quick chat in the car, just he and I, about how (A) he doesn't need to compare himself with the other 6th grade boys (B) the doctor said he was fine at his physical, so he just needs to keep moving in life (C) this is why mommy limits desserts to one each evening and has mentioned that he can have a serving size of snacks crackers, etc. ...which lead to the next thing...
• A day later my son is looking at a box of graham crackers and says, "Mom, they don't have the serving sizes on this box." I pointed it out to him and he said, okay. Yep, he's learning to read the labels and learning that he can be satisfied with ONE serving and not a mountain of crackers. When his sister asked how many grahams she could have yesterday he says, "Two big ones!" I'm so proud of him!
• Yesterday I walked to a Leslie Sansone Christmas 3-Mile walk album and was reminded that I LOVE walking to a beat!! For the past month or so I've been walking to audiobooks, but there is something about a good brisk music beat that makes me happy. I 'm motivated by music.
• Last night while watching the end of The Biggest Loser I had to think...I can't wait 'til I run like that. There's something so appealing to me about running. So, today I did 5 minute walk/jog intervals. Why put off 'til "I'm skinny" when I can at least attempt it today? It felt good!

So, it's been a good week so far! I hope you are having a good week yourselves. I need to shower now and get ready for a mid-morning coffee date with a friend. :)

Weigh-In ... Hot 100 Update #9

Today's Weight: 183 . 0

Loss/Gain: + 2 . 5 lbs

I have only a few things I'll say about this.

1. Yes, I over ate at Thanksgiving, but I haven't as much since I've been back.
2. I seriously am not sure what's going on with my body this week.
3. I'm embarrassed and did not want to post the weight.

I could've understood a maintain better than what my scale has been doing this week. It's weird. I could nit pick and think, "oh, it's this or that", but really it's just weird. One of those weeks where I don't understand what my body is doing.

I'll admit it's also moments like this that I wonder if I'll ever reach my goal. However, the one thing that has kept me going on this journey is that I refuse to give up this time. I'm determined to make it...so I will keep going.

On a happy note...last night my husband and I shared these words:

Me: I love that you love me even though I'm still big.

Husband: Funny you should say that....because...did you used to be a lot bigger?? (and he always loved me the same back then too) *big hug and kiss*

LOVE DAT MAN!

Have a nice weekend, everyone!