Hard Work

My husband is making the kids do some pages in math workbooks throughout the summer so that they don't forget what they've already learned.  It seems harsh (to me), but it's good because they always have a hard time remembering multiplication and figuring out word problems.  

So, my 8-year-old son just came to me and told me that something was "too hard".  As we chatted I began to tell him how in just a year he'll know this stuff so well that he'll look back and think how easy it is.  I encouraged him that he'll be so smart!!  I told him how it may seem hard right now, but he'll get it and it will be worth all the hard work.  

Suddenly I realized that I was preaching to myself.  It may seem hard now to cut out certain foods and calories, but in the end it will be worth it.   Just like my kids' hard work in school will pay off so will my hard work on losing weight.   

It may not get easier with time for me, but it might; and whether it does or not I will look back on these heavier days and see that hard work really did pay off. 

Weigh-In ... Not surprised

Today's weight:  225.0

Loss/gain this week:  + 1.0

Total loss so far:  - 6 lbs.

In all honesty I wasn't surprised about this gain considering the past week; and last night I really didn't care what the scale was going to say.  I didn't pig out on anything, but I do know where I ate a little too much of high-fat-content foods.

Some non-scale positives are that I stayed faithful to exercising every day, even when I didn't feel like it, and I also stayed away from regular soda this week for the first time in a long while.  I opted for diet when I felt I really wanted a soda.  That's a big step, because it seems I've been drinking regular soda for so long now. 

I know I can't make excuses for myself going up and down and up and down, so I won't try.   I really have no desire to be on a strict diet, but I am realizing that in order to lose the weight I'm going to have to be a little more careful about my food choices.  I have the knowledge I need to make it work.  Now I just need to stick to it and get it done.   

Endorphin Relief

endorphin:  en-ˈdȯr-fən (noun)  : any of a group of endogenous peptides (as enkephalin) found especially in the brain that bind chiefly to opiate receptors and produce some pharmacological effects (as pain relief) like those of opiates.     

  -Curresty of www.merriam-webster.com

I was just about to do my 4-mile workout today when a few things were said within two phone calls and 30 minutes that started to upset me.  They weren't big issues, or anything that should change my otherwise-good day; however, I felt my emotions take rise and my spirits begin to fall.  

Though I wanted to cry for a minute, I didn't but just began my workout.  A family member asked me a question and I answered in the least-biting reply voice I could.  

As the workout intensified I began to notice my anger diffusing.  I no longer had the energy to be upset because I had to focus on keeping up with the workout.  Then I no longer had the desire to be angry.  It was as if the anger melted away to the realization that the two things that were upsetting me really weren't worth being upset about in the first place; one was someone else's opinion and the other was something that I can't change.  Finally I realized that this must be the chemical reaction in the brain to exercising.

You see, I've heard endorphins are flying through your body after a good workout, and that's why you feel so happy and ready to conquer the world when you're done.   Well, I may not understand the science of it all, but I was grateful for those endorphins today.  I felt better physically and emotionally after exercising and was able continue on with my good day!

Real Life

This week we are babysitting two toddlers while their parents are out of town at a Bible Conference.  They are good little boys and a joy to have around, but there is one way that they are different from my kids - they don't sleep in.  

Ideally I would get up at 6:00 am, do my devotions and then workout and be ready to make breakfast for everyone.  Um, but that's with getting to bed on time, which hasn't happened every night.  Instead, I've gotten up at 7:00am or so, finish devotions and realize that they are all awake.   Then one morning my husband watched them while I went to a local free gym and worked out for a bit and yesterday I exercised during naptime.  

However, this morning I was wondering what I should do.  I had done devotions, but I hadn't worked out and they were all awake.  My DVDs are usually 50-60 minutes, but I no longer had time for that.   I was getting sad, because I knew we have a full day ahead and I wanted to have it over with.   I was even thinking that I should've worked out first and then did devotions, but I just knew I have to get my time with God in first or it will NEVER get done.  

As I hugged the waking children I came to a decision to put them all to eating breakfast in the dining room and I would do a 35-minute DVD in the living room.  Then I told them they could all go upstairs and play when they were done and while I finished exercising. 

As I was working out I realized that this is real life.  Schedules might change and I am going to have to learn to work around them and still stay on my weight loss journey, even if it means cutting my exercise short once or twice a week.  

And it's okay.  

P.S.   I felt so much better after I worked out (with interruptions to clean up the 1-year-old in the high chair and send him upstairs to play, etc. etc.) and now I'm going to go shower so we can go to the zoo.  

PMS or a slump...God can help.

I think "it" is coming...because I've had the munchies all day.  I haven't over eaten too badly, but had junk that I'm trying to stay away from.  I don't want to sabotage my weight loss this week, but I've had a day where I feel like "who cares???".    

I don't like these days, but I know they are a part of life.  There was a part of our adult Sunday School class in church yesterday that talked about living by faith, not in what we see, and then acting on that faith to get the tangible results.  While I know this applies to my spiritual life and working on what God wants me to become I couldn't help but think how much this was also true in my view of my weight loss journey.  When days like today hit I have to "walk by faith and not by sight" (or emotions).  I may not feel like it's worth it when I have the munchies, but I have to stay committed and go on in faith knowing that in the end it will all pay off.  If I can remember more of the details, or the guys name, I'll post it later. 

Having said that I have to mention that this morning I did Leslie Sansone's two-mile faith walk and she mentions walking by faith and not by sight and the scripture "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13) went across the screen at one point.  I don't know what her beliefs are, but being a born-again Christian myself I was encouraged that I truly can do all things through Christ and I know He cares about me being healthier and so He will help me when I think it's impossible.  

I'm off to bed now.  Onward and upward.  Thanks for "listening"!  :o)

Happy 4th of July!

If you are celebrating Independence Day and working on losing weight, then I suggest you read Diane's article on gaining independence from food at www.fittothefinish.com.  It has some very true insights.  

The last time I lost a significant amount of weight it was simply by eating when I was truly hungry and stopping when I was satisfied..and then not eating again until I was truly hungry.  At times I would get that my body only needed a smaller portion to be satisfied and lose weight, while other thin people could eat as much as they wanted without giving thought to the scales.  I had to learn to be content with my body and it's needs and not give in to its wants.  It was the only other time I felt in control of my eating; and I  did fine until I just got lazy and well lost track of things. 

Now I'm relearning that I can enjoy company, parties, etc. etc. without having to indulge in great amounts of food.  It's not always easy, in fact it can be pretty hard right now, but the small steps are paying off and there is a great feeling inside when I know I'm not dependent on food to make get togethers fun and enjoyable.  

Have a wonderful weekend!  

Weigh-In ... It's Finally Working!

Todays weight:  224

Loss this week:  - 2.5

Total loss so far:  7 lbs.

I was so scared to weigh in this morning.  I even text'd my best friend last night (who is also working on losing weight) and told her that I was not looking forward to weighing in this morning.  

When I thought more about it I realized that I was scared to weigh in because stepping on that scale knowing that I'm going to post about it makes me accountable for what the scale says.  If I weigh myself and don't tell anyone what it said, then it doesn't matter if I am making progress or not.  I know this is a stem of my fear of failure that I regularly battle in my mind. 

The weak side of me regretted telling anyone I was working on losing weight, but deep inside I knew it's the accountability that I probably need to get/keep me on track.  It was the "oh-well-you're-doing-your-best-and-I-love-you-anyway" attitude with no results that got me up to 231 pounds.  

Having said that I have to admit that I was thrilled!! I was hoping to be down even one pound and I was down over two.  It's working..it's finally working!!