Weigh-In ... Seven Random Things

Today's Weight:  170.0

Loss/Gain: -1.0

Things are slowly but surely getting back on track and today I have a fun post to share with you.

A week or so ago Sharilee was so kind to award me a blog award over at Prairie Princess.  I'm supposed to tell you seven things about myself and then award this to others.  I'll share the seven things, but I'm not going to forward the award because most of the blogs I read and love I mention regularly.  :)  

I've created a little digital scrapbook page to illustrate my seven things....

1.  I have fallen in love with the cutesy owls, and made this little guy as an ornament.  

2.  When I make a meal consisting of fish, a veggie and rice/quinoa my kids call it a "healthy dinner".  LOL

3.  Pearl earrings are my favorite and I wear them almost daily.

4.  I wear my watch everywhere, except in the house.  When I get home I take it off immediately.  

5.  About five years ago we switched to a Mac computer and LOVE IT.  The saying, "Once you Mac, you'll never go back."  is very true for my husband and I.

6.  Coffee is how I wake up and I'm a bit of a snob about it.  I'll drink whatever is served when I'm out, but I prefer good coffee.  My favorite is Starbucks Pike Place or Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend...unless I'm visiting my parents, then I love anything my dad roasted and brewed fresh.  mmm....

7.  My hair is naturally curly and I wear it curly every. single. day.  It was straight or slightly wavy growing up and just over ten years ago it started to curl a lot.  I've rarely straightened it since then.

So, that's it for today...some random things that tell you a little more about me.  :)  

I'll end with this encouraging poster I found on Pinterest.  It kind of sums up how I feel with regards to my weight loss journey right now: 

Have a great weekend and thanks for checking in on me!  

I'm Not the Only One!! :)

You know, it's one thing to say I'm not the only one who has struggled with their weight loss, fallen off track and wondered if they'll ever get back.  It's another thing to read an awesome post and really know I'm not the only one.

If you need some encouragement about getting back on track, please hop on over to Prior Fat Girl and read a recent post by Liz.  I was so encouraged by her and, again, loved the picture she tacked on to the end of her post.  :) 

In fact, here it is.... The Post  and the The Picture: 

Yes, if we're gonna make mistakes let's try and make better ones.  LOL  Tune in tomorrow for weigh-in day.

Running Injury Free

I've gone running twice this week.  It's been very humid and it's been a bit warm, but it has felt good to get out and run.  Both runs have been around three miles each.  It's gone a little slower than I would like, but I know a lot of that is due to the higher temperatures and humidity.  insert sweaty Garmin pic from Instagram - LOL

Another good feeling post run is the hip pain I mentioned after my 10K last spring, and every subsequent run, seems to have gone away.  Today was my third run pain free.  So, I'm excited that I'm running without pain afterwards and keep reminding myself that if I have to take it slower to stay injury free then it's worth it.  

In fact, along those lines I saw this picture posted on my favorite running blog Another Mother Runner and said, "Yes, that is me!  I'm still a runner."  :)

Have a good day!

NSV - My Hands

So the other day my husband was holding my hand and he comments, "Your hands feel so small.". He glanced down and noticed my wedding ring had turned sideways.  "Is it getting big?", he asks.

Why yes, it is.  This weight loss has shrunk my hands and my ring slips around on my finger regularly. :). Just one of those little reminders of success that makes me smile.

A Personal Moment - First Day of School

First off,  thank you to those who checked in on me with concern after my post on Friday.  I am fine.  I will be fine.  

You see, I'm learning life is full of teachable moments and sometimes situations arise that force us to move beyond our comfort zone.  It's not fun and it's usually not easy, but most times it is doable.  

Take, for example, one of the issues that has had me weepy off and on over the past couple weeks.  My oldest children, 14-and-a-half-year-old twin daughters, start high school this year.  I've never been a super clingy mom, but sending them to junior high and now high school are two first days of school I anticipated with a tearful heart.  

Silly as it may be, I remember when the girls started junior high I felt like, "They won't need me anymore!!"  My husband reminded me that they would still need me, but it would be a different kind of need.  That year I was fine after classes began, so I had a feeling it would be the same this year as well. 

Well, today was the first day and I sent them off to school with nary a tear.  :)  It was actually very exciting and as I was preparing lunches I thought to myself, "School.  Yes.  This is familiar.  This is what we do.  Vacation was nice, but school schedules are nicer and I'm ready. "  

Now they are home, I've listened to how first days went and I know all will be well.  And now you know one of a few personal things that was sending my emotions all over the board last week.  Combined with deciding to take a break from eating right and exercising for a couple of busy weeks and I was a bit of a mess.

But I'm back, still learning and ready to keep going with all that awaits in the future. 

I hope you all have a good week.  I plan to.  :)

Weigh-In ... To Continue or Not?

Today's Weight:  171.0

Loss/Gain:  + 1.0 lb

Short Story:  

This week I wanted to quit my weight loss journey; even though not exercising regularly and eating so-so has left me feeling out of sorts, which means I knew I couldn't/shouldn't quit.  I am pleased with where I'm at and scared of being something I've never been before ... in more than my weight loss journey.  

Long Story:

First off, let me clarify that my ultimate goal weight has always been 140, and after looking up different websites with healthy weight charts (five of them this morning as a matter of fact) I am finding this weight to be right in the middle of the higher end of healthy weights for a 5' 4" 36-year-old female like me.  So, when I say anything about getting to a healthy weight I am seriously talking about a healthy weight, not an unreasonably skinny weight.  

Okay, now on to my week ...  

Yesterday I about had a meltdown about being able to finish my weight loss journey and get to a healthy weight.  Among other changes going on in our family I was beginning to feel like why try anymore?  I'm so pleased I've come this far and I feel great, but I know that I'm not at a healthy weight and I need to keep working on my weight loss.  

Both in my weight loss journey and another change coming to our family I was beginning to think, "I can't do it.  I'm not that person.  I've never been able to do it in the past, so why now??"  

With regards to the other family changes I don't have a choice but to do it, so I will.   I'm glad to embrace the change to see what God will do through it all.  I keep thinking, "...for such a time as this..."

But with regards to my weight the choice is entirely mine and I've had to really think about whether or not I want to keep working towards a healthy weight.  I had to decide if I still think I can do it.  

I've watched a few ladies gain back some of the weight they lost and that was also bugging me.  Why keep going if I'm only going to gain some of it back anyway??? 

Then I looked back over my week ...

Monday started with a devotional titled "Finish What You Start".   Um? Talking to me?  Yes, I'm ready to finish...I think.

Another day I was asked to share my story and was reminded of all my reasons for losing weight and pressing on towards being a 'healthier, happier person'.  

Wednesday night our pastor preached on not letting past failures stop you from doing something for God.  This applied both to my family changes and my weight loss journey.   But again the fear of the unknown tempted to overtake me.

Thursday I decided to reach out to a friend, call her and share my fears and dread of failure.  We only had a few minutes to chat, but she pointed out that we do have to be content with the body we have and not beat ourselves up if we're not a certain size, or if our journey is slower than faster.  She also encouraged me to keep pressing forward, stating, "If we don't keep pressing forward, we'll go backwards."

Then one day I also read the most inspiring post - Can I Climb Your Mountain With You? -  by Paige at Finding Joy in the Journey and was reminded again that hard work and determination will be worth it in the end.  She also pointed out what I was again reminded of today...

In this morning's devotion, "We Can't Do It Alone" I was reminded that God is with me through all of this.  Life changes and God cares above every detail of it, including my health.   

So, will I quit and just settle here at 170?  

No.

Will I take part in a drastic weight-loss craze diet to finish up what I've started? 

No. 

I will keep doing what I know to do.  Eating less and moving more.  

As I learn and grow through the new changes coming to our family I will also continue to learn and grow with regards to my weight loss journey.  I will keep using my tools and pressing forward towards my new ending, there's no going back for me.  Scary or not I will go forward.   

Thank you for checking in and have a great weekend!

P.S.

Oh, and I just remembered...my little spark of hope that I will continue on this journey, that I have changed and I am capable of finishing (or at least getting closer to a healthy weight) is this:

When I took my daughter out to breakfast yesterday I chose the egg white turkey sausage sandwich at Dunkin Donuts, not because I had to, but because I wanted it.  I knew I'd feel better having something with protein and I enjoyed it.  I was satisfied and did not feel left out for not having a donut.

There IS hope for me yet!

Sharing is Motivation

Hello!  I am back.  :)  I'd love to say back and better than ever, but weight wise that isn't so just yet.  We enjoyed our extended weekend and have now been having one of the laziest weeks ever.  School starts next Monday, and I think I've fallen prey to milking every minute of sleeping in and laziness I can before the early mornings start.

Don't get me wrong, the funny thing is I love the schedules of school.  I like being up and about early in the morning and love the structure that comes back into our days.  Unfortunately, I'm just not so good at being structured when I have no reason to be, so summer can get pretty lazy at times.  And it can get really lazy when I know it's about to end.  :)

Speaking of reasons to do things...

Yesterday someone called me and asked me about my weight loss journey.  We spoke for quite some time about why I started losing weight, the effect it's had on my roles as wife, mother and woman.  It was a little embarrassing at times to be so openly honest about my story with someone in person (albeit on the phone), but it was also motivating.

mo·ti·va·tion

   [moh-tuh-vey-shuhn]

noun

1.

the act or an instance of motivating,  or providing with a reason to act in a certain way: 

You see, as I began to share my story I was reminded of why I'm doing what I do.  All the reasons of why I started this journey and why I keep fighting to finish it came back to mind.  As the above dictionary definition states I was provided with a reason to act in a certain way.

I've said this before, but I shared with this person that the reason I will keep fighting to reach my goal weight is I never want to go back to who I was before.  To keep it simple, at my highest weight I felt like I had become a fat lady and it was destined to be.

My family genes lean towards the thicker side of the scale and I had joined the ranks.  I knew I could be content because I was surrounded with family and friends who loved me for who I was.  There were even cute clothes in my size thanks to plus-sized stores.  But I did feel old.  I felt matured beyond my age simply by how heavy I was.

Not anymore.

Instead I have found that I don't have to be the fat lady.  I don't feel old beyond my years anymore, but instead just more age appropriate.  (I'm told 36 is young!! *grin* )  I have the energy to enjoy full days and I've seen that there is hope for my overeating ways.

The change in my exercise habits has also allowed me to join my active husband in being an example to my kids about staying active for your health.  It's opened my eyes to a whole new world of fitness that has shown me I'm stronger than I thought.

So, while we enjoy a few more lazy days before school starts I will keep pressing on towards my healthiness goals, because I am motivated by all the reasons to act in a healthier way.  :)

Weigh-In ... Vacation Gain

Today's Weight:  170.0 

Loss/Gain:  + 2.5 lbs.

Yes, I know it's Wednesday, but I am posting today because I will be out of town again on Friday with my girls for a long weekend trip.

I'll be honest in that I didn't want to post my weight, because it's up.  It's okay to see it myself, another thing to tell about it.  Unfortunately, (or fortunately, I'm not sure...) the scale is down two pounds from the day we returned from the kids camp, but still....170...hhmmm...gotta be careful.

So, even though the scale is up I have always wanted to be honest on my blog and decided I wouldn't miss more than one weigh-in this week.

While I'm being honest...I have only worked out once this week too.  (So much for the August goals of trying to workout all three days I'm home during my vacation weeks.)  That workout was a wonderful run in the evening on Monday, which leads me to a silver lining on this cloud of a gain...

My run went great!  The sun going down made it seem cooler and during the last half of my 3.03 miles I kept seeing a pace around 10:00-10:15 minute mile.  Woot!  My hip didn't hurt at all afterwards either.  BIG WOOT!!!  I really think the core strengthening I've received from the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution workouts has helped me with my running.  

So, the scale is up, my food and exercise haven't been something to be proud of on a healthiness blog, but I know exactly why and it's not forever.  I'm okay with a bit of vacation gain and I know it will come off soon enough.   This is life.  :)

I hope you are all doing well.  I will try and catch up with everyone's blogs next week.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Weigh-In ... Stay Tuned

...as I am out of town with my kids for a church camp, my weigh-in will be next week.

Thanks for stopping by!

Motivational Monday - Goals

"Motivational Monday"....Yes, I'm finding after a weekend of higher calories and less exercise I like coming on here to remind myself why I'm going to still work on my weight loss. 

One of the things that motivates me is a slight dream of mine....to be able to wear a Prior Fat Girl t-shirt.  In fact, I wasn't going to buy the t-shirt until I reached my goal weight, but Jen had to close out her store before I got there.  So, I bought this a few weeks ago and decided I'd squeeze into it (a size small in generic t-shirt sizes) and share with you all where I'm at right now.   Then I'll take a comparison pic in it when it's fit to wear in public.  

 I have to admit that I've put off posting this picture and dream due to a fear of failure to reach a healthy weight.  After reading some weight loss blogs today I decided to just do it.  I've been honest on this blog thus far, so why not put this out there as well?  

Now you know... I have a goal shirt.  It's hanging in my closet and when I see it I'm reminded that I want to wear it someday.  

Speaking of goals...

In my blog reading this morning I caught up on Lori's posts and saw her monthly post of goals for the month.  She's been doing this for a while and I thought today, "You know, it might be good to post a few goals for this month." Maybe knowing I'm trying to stick to some goals will help motivate me to make better choices this month and finish summertime strong.

So, my August goals are: 

• Exercise 30 minutes every day (Mon-Sat) I can.  We have two more out-of-town short trips planned this month that will cut my workout days to about 3 and I don't want to scrimp on those days. 
• Get more running in.  i'm not going to say how much, because I'm still dealing with a bit of hip pain, but I have a race I'd like to do this fall and I need/want to run again. 
• No snacking between meals unless I'm truly hungry.  
• Eat until satisfied when faced with meals that I'm not able to control what's being cooked (read: how to control food I don't cook on our trips.)

So, there...I am setting some goals to get me through these last weeks of summer break and I will let you know at the end of the month how it went.  

Have a great week everyone!

Weigh-In ... Success

Today's Weight:  166.5

Loss/Gain:  - 1.0 

Seeing a number closer to 165 makes me feel more like my old (new) self.  It's like, yes, this is me...down here, not up at 170 - that Leah is no more. 

I didn't especially push myself this week, but tried to really be conscious of eating at mealtimes and reigning in the extra snacking.  I did track my food most of the time.  

During the workout DVDs I'm doing Jillian will make comments about how this is to not just live to be 100, but to look good in the process.  "We're talking bikinis and skinny jeans, people!!", she'll yell.  

Um, no.  Not for me anyway. 

This journey is about learning to be content with what my body needs to live.  "Eat to live, not live to eat." and all that.  It's about disciplining myself and not letting self indulgence rule my life.  

I'm also finding this journey bringing me to a new arena wherein I want to challenge myself a little bit physically.  Not because I want to wear a bikini (never have, never will) but because I feel strong and I know taking care of my body now will help me as I grow older.  

I'm not out to prove to the world that I can look good in a bikini when I'm 100.  Bodies age, skin sags and looks can be temporary.  I'm only out to prove that with a little discipline and some healthier food choices one doesn't have to live a life feeling hopeless and drowning in food.  

Ok, I think I'm rambling a little...(must be the post-run endorphins.  LOL) 

But really when I see the scale go down, or look in the mirror and see this new smaller Leah I'm amazed.  I still have a bit of weight to lose, but little by little I'm learning to make better choices with regards to food and staying active.   

And this is success.  Glory!

Thanks for checking in, and have a great weekend!

Starting My Day Off Right

There was a time when I just got up, showered, went to work and that was my morning.  Then I had kids and I stayed home, but still I got up had breakfast, took care of their needs and on with the day we went.

With the exception of one year of working at a school I've either worked from home or been a stay-at-home mom and my mornings consisted of the same.  Get up, eat, feed kids and get on with the day.

All the while I knew as a Christian the need for daily Bible reading and prayer.  Sometimes I took the time to do it, sometimes not.  Over the past, oh five to six years my morning devotional time has really become part of my day.  I feel lost and incomplete if I don't get it done.  The time spent with God getting ready for my day is essential to my life.  There are days I get distracted and it doesn't get done.  Life happens, but I get back to it as quickly as possible in the succeeding days.

This is exactly how I feel about my exercise now.

It's become a part of me.  My days just don't feel right if I haven't done some kind of exercise movement.  And even more so, it doesn't feel right if I put it off until later in the day.  

I didn't work out the last two days.  Missing Tuesday was no big deal.  I was busy all day and felt very productive despite the fact that I skipped my exercise to get on with my day.  Missing yesterday's exercise was a different story.

Something came up that took some time in the morning to deal with.  It was a very legitimate situation, and I had some projects to do later, so I allowed myself to skip exercising a second day.  It felt weird to get dressed and ready for the day without exercising first, but I let it go.  Life happens.

The day went fine.  I didn't fall into a depression or anything over not working out, but I did realize something.

Just like a day, or week, with no prayer or Bible reading, a day or longer with no exercise throws me off.  I need it.  It's become part of who I am and I just don't feel right when I neglect that area of my life.

So, today I got that workout done.  Yes, there are things to do, places to go, but I already feel better knowing I've taken care of my exercise - both spiritually and physically.  It's going to be a good day!

Wednesday LOL

I just love some of these cards by someecards.com.

I can relate!!  LOL