Getting back on the wagon

     I haven't weighed or measured in the last two weeks... well I have weighed but not officially. It's been a bumpy time in our family life and I haven't felt much like bothering. It is so easy to feel discouraged by the little everyday things that happen in our lives.

      Through everything, I have had some fun this weekend. On Friday, my mom, Austin, Ashton, and I went to the Greek Fest here in Columbia. Every year we go just to taste the wonderful food! This year I was fond of the greek salad (feta makes my mouth water...), the spanakopita, and of course the baklava! There was a wonderful baklava type dessert dripped in chocolate. The food was awesome! Ashton rode his first ride. As he sat there riding in circles on the little train ride, I thought to myself how I'm not ready! In all the little things he does, I realize he needs me less each day. He rides the ride at the Greek Fest all by himself, he walks across the parking to church each Sunday morning, he jumps into the bathtub on his own. My baby is growing so fast!

     Yesterday we spent the morning with Trace and Serena playing at the mall. Again, another chance to show me how much he has grown! He climbed the steps to the slide by himself and slid right on down. It was nice to be with a friend I care so much for and our kids. Then Ashton went to Gambaba's and we went to the Gamecock football game. I won't rub it in, but I will say... WOW! It was an experience to remember for a long time, We ate and ate and ate! After the game, we went back to our tailgate and conversed about the importance of relationships and forgiveness. It was a nice gentle reminder of my place here on earth. It's nice to be with good friends.

     Today, I went to Sunday school and spent time with my hubby. Tonight was opening night of AWANAs. We watched the video "How Great is our God" by Louie Giglio. I recommend that every Christian see it! It is awe inspiring. You can watch the video on youtube. It's all about the laminin! He is the glue that holds our very being together. If you haven't seen it, you must!

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." 

Psalm 139: 13-14

     After all the inspiring things in my life this weekend, I feel renewed and ready to get back on the train. It is time! Next Sunday I will be back on track and posting updates. I can't wait! Have a great week. 

Baby steps!

At the end of week 5 and I've lost 15 pounds. I wish it was falling off faster, but I believe this is a healthy rate. I don't feel like I'm starving or being harmful to my body. So over all, I'm excited. I have gone five weeks of eating better and two months without soda! Today in church I was asked: "Are you losing weight?" That is the best feeling since my darling husband says he can't tell... I guess he sees me everyday so it is harder for him to tell. As we ate dinner tonight he made a comment  about how he needed to start doing something since I was losing so much weight! Needless to say, I'm feeling good. 

Saw this on a friend's facebook! Too cute! 

Once again, I have not met my personal challenge to start getting physical. Although, I have been thinking a lot about it. But I have been seeking some encouragement. I found a link on facebook to a site http://www.bodyrock.tv/. I've been watching the videos and trying to get the courage to try them out. The girls are very fit and a little bit frightening. Although they do offer variations in their daily challenges for beginners. Check it out. 

 Weight: 237.0 lbs (-15.0) 

Waist : 41 inches (-4) (I've lost weight but gained an inch in my tummy???)

L arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

R arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

L thigh: 29 inches (-3)

R thigh: 29 inches (-3)

Bra size: 40DD

Mood: Ready to be done with rubber bands as pant fasteners!

Week 4 is over... I've decided to keep at it!

This week was a hard week for me. I felt unmotivated to exercise and truly struggled with the eating. On Tuesday, we had to drive to Clinton SC for a visitation service for Austin's cousin. We were tired and it was almost ten o'clock when we finally got home. McDonalds was the only restaurant on that stretch of I26 so I had two hamburgers and fries. NOT ON THE PLAN. Thursday, I got it in my head that I had to have skittles. After fighting the urge all day, Austin went and bought me a bag that night. Friday, while at the grocery, I bought another bag of skittles and worked on them Friday and Saturday. Last night, my friend came over for a game of canasta and I drank two glasses of wine (ANOTHER NO-NO!) I feel bloated and my skin is breaking out... we know what that means! I also found it very hard to prepare for four meals a day, which I think is important to keep your body from storing.

This morning when I weighed in, it was with dread! To my amazement, I lost 6/10s of a pound. I was fearful of gaining ten pounds! So while I wasn't happy that I had not lost but a smidge of weight, it was better than the alternative.

I must get moving. Any ideas? Let me know!

Weight: 240.2 lbs (-11.8) 

Waist : 40 inches (-5)

L arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

R arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

L thigh: 29 inches (-3)

R thigh: 29 inches (-3)

Bra size: 40DD (Yeah! Now to vanish the cups!!!)

Mood: Determined!

Update on the road to weight loss...

I've just finished my third week on the 4HB program. I'm overwhelmed with work and other things in my life, but I wanted to post my stats for this week. I will say, even with all the stress, it has been very easy to stay on the plan. I did go roller skating with the youth from church. It's a workout, but I enjoy it so much. Hoping to do that again soon. So here's to another successful week on the journey! Goal for the week (again) is to get some regular exercise. Someone told me that teacher's are doomed to be fat. It's considered the fat profession. Wow. I get it though because you spend so much time caring for everyone else and not yourself. Well, I'm planning to change that in my life. Ready to start week 4. 

Weight: 240.8 lbs (-11.2) 

Waist : 42 inches (-3)

L arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

R arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

L thigh: 30.5 inches (-1.5)

R thigh: 30.5 inches (-1.5)

Bra size: 40DD (Yeah! Now to vanish the cups!!!)

Mood: Exhausted. Overwhelmed. Prayerful. 

Week 2 of 4HB

I've just ended week 2 of 4HB. It proved to be another trying week with the first day of school rapidly approaching. I have found myself questioning myself a lot this week and missing my family terribly. So while my spirits have not been the best, I did find that the diet was not a part of the problem. I continue to enjoy the food and don't feel hungry. After last Sunday's cheat day, I became worried and weighed myself obsessively. By Wednesday the scale was back to where I was before cheat day. By this morning I was down an additional 2 pounds. The book warns to not get on and off the scale, because the weight will fluctuate when you spike your calories. (Why must I learn everything the hard and not do well at taking the advice of others? I may never know.)

So, the long and short of it... I can eat the food, I don't feel hungry, I love cheat day, I wish the weightloss this week was as much as last week, BUT I lost two more pounds!

Getting ready for my kids tomorrow... signing out.  =)

Weight: 242.3 lbs (-9.7) 

Waist : 42 inches (-3)

L arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

R arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

L thigh: 30.5 inches (-1.5)

R thigh: 30.5 inches (-1.5)

Bra size: 42DD

Mood: Bitter sweet, summer is over & school kids are coming!

Woot woot!!! Week 1 and 8 pounds down!

I woke up this morning for weigh in. Whew! I was so excited! 8 pounds lost in the first week! I couldn't believe my eyes. So far, I'm a fan of 4HB. I have ate well this past week. I even felt like I was eating too much food. I never felt hungry! I've lost 8 pounds and even started my period! (The ladies know what I'm getting at.) 


Sundays are my cheat days. So I ate a normal breakfast. Then I enjoyed a banana with my son. (Fruit is forbidden the other six days of the week.) I was hoping to really live it up and eat some of Trace's birthday cake, but life happens and plans change. I spent all day in the hospital with my granny. I had to keep my splurging to a minimum. But I helped Elijah Drake eat some pizza and had a slice of hospital cheesecake. My biggest disappointment today was that The Pizza Palace isn't open on Sundays. All week, I had been planning my cheat day and the big fat Greek salad covered in feta cheese I was going to eat! =( I'm going to have to find an excellent, Greek salad serving, restaurant open on Sundays for cheat day! Any suggestions? 


On a side note, Granny is going to be okay. She has atrial fib and they are going to shock her heart in the morning. Hopefully that will keep it back in rhythm for at least a year. The last time they shocked her heart it lasted for 18 months. 


My second side note: As I am working to recreate my body and bring back its earlier luster,I am also working on my inner beauty. A friend of mine suggested I read The Power of a Praying Wife. I'm only into the first chapter but already feel inspired to be a better, more prayerful wife. I'm suggesting it to you if you feel you might need to work on your prayer life. 


I'm looking forward to starting work tomorrow and another great week! 

Weight: 244.2 lbs (-8) 

Waist : 43 inches (-3)

L arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

R arm: 15.0 inches (-.5)

L thigh: 31 inches (-1)

R thigh: 31 inches (-1)

Bra size: 42DD

Mood: So excited about the weight & a little nervous for Granny. 

4HB Day 1

Today I decided to get back on the wagon! My one reader (Thanks Milner!) will recall my depression and angst over not losing the 95 pounds I gained during pregnancy when Ashton was born! (Can we say delusional?) I've been reading a new book The 4 Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman by Timothy Ferriss. I have found the reviews mixed, but the diet itself seems sustainable to me. So I am committing to four weeks to try it out. Today is day 1. What I like about today is I haven't felt hungry, I cooked a dinner my family could eat, and I enjoyed the food. I weighed in this morning at my highest weight ever (except for pregnancy)! This evening my husband took my measurements based on the guidelines from the book. My weigh in / measurement days will be Saturdays and my cheat day will be Sundays.

If you are interested in finding out more, check out the blog http://www.fourhourbody.com/.

Wish me luck!

Weight: 252 lbs

Waist : 45 inches

L arm: 15.5 inches

R arm: 15.5 inches

L thigh: 32 inches

R thigh: 32 inches

Bra size: 42DD

Mood: Hopeful and encouraged!

How Many Calories Does Hula Hooping Burn? | eHow.com

How Many Calories Does Hula Hooping Burn? | eHow.com

When I was a member of Curves in Charlotte, I purchased a weighted hula hoop. I brought it out of storage the other day and got to spinning it around. Turns out, I love doing it! As I was joining livestrong.com today and figuring out my caloric intake goal... I decided to my exercise plan. Hula hooping will definitely be a part of it!

Stumbling blocks

     Well, the first few days have not been as easy as I wanted them to be. I've been trying to follow Steve's plan and I feel like I have my own personal food coach. However, I was not ready. This week's lesson - BE PREPARED! Once I got the plan, read it, and read it some more. I decided to start. But, I didn't go to the grocery store or make a dinner list. I thought I could just wing it. On Wednesday, my son received his 12 month immunizations and became feverish. (Which equals = three days of fever and one highly cranky little boy!) It is hard to make good, healthy choices when faced with time crunches, exhaustion, and a limited refrigerator.
     This morning, I sat down at the kitchen table and made a list. I planned out my meals for the next week, including snacks. Shopping was easier because I didn't have to decide do I want this? Do I need this? I bought what was on the list. Now, I have a dinner list on the fridge and the things I need to make it happen! Now that there is a list, perhaps  I'll get lucky when I come home from work and Austin will have dinner waiting??? It's been known to happen!
     The next thing I need to figure out is how to get my "teacher bladder" back since I'm drinking a sea of water!  =)

A New Weightloss Journey...

     It's get real time. The facts are, I've never been one of those skinny girls. I've always struggled with my weight. I can remember being in my early teens and my mom being concerned with the numbers. I've done a lot of things to try to manage my weight over the years, but the things I used to do won't work anymore! You can't live off of pineapple, Dr Pepper, and cigarettes! It wasn't a good option when I was twenty and it isn't an option now. Once you are in your thirties, your body isn't as forgiving as it was when you were younger.
     Anyhow, I was doing okay with my weight. Comfortable in a size 12. Some girls would die to be "that big" but I felt good and enjoyed my life. When I met my husband I had gained a little weight... you know that "happiness 10". We got married and I was 170 pounds. A little heavy but still wearing my 12s and the occasional 14. Turns out two pregnancies, one mini-laparotomy, and one c-section later: I'm sitting pretty at 240 pounds. Yes, I put it out there. I have to. The weight is making me miserable. Someone I consider a friend and relative by marriage told me that blogging made it easy for her to be accountable. So I'm taking her idea and using it. I am hoping that by writing about my journey and putting my business out there for whoever wants to read it, I will push myself to do the things I KNOW I need to do. When your pregnant the doctors like to refer to the risk-benefit factor. Let's be real... the benefit here is far greater than any risk. I have to make this weight disappear so that I can love myself again and so that I can be healthy for my son and husband.
     I've tried all of the impossible drink just this, don't eat but this, and starve yourself unrealistically diets. I told my husband that I'd rather smoke again then wear this weight, but I cannot imagine kissing my beautiful son with smoker's breath. I've tried Weight Watchers, which I had some success with but began to fail when it came to tracking. I've been talking to people about the things they do and I decided my attack strategy. I've used bits and pieces of the wisdom shared with me over the last couple of months to decide what it is I want to do. I know the plan has to be sensible with slow and steady weight loss. I'm going to have to take it one meal at a time and not give up on the week if I fail at one meal, and thanks to Hope I know I have to pray about it. I'm going to have to be in constant prayer for strength and courage to say no, get moving, and try some things I haven't tried before.
     If you are reading... I hope you will check back from time to time. I can't promise to update every day, but I hope to update at least once a week.

Steve's Balanced Eating Plan

4 meals a day...

first three get a protein and a carb, 

the fourth is 2 proteins or a protein and 25-30 nuts or 2 tbsp all natural peanut butter 

(ingredients should only be peanuts and salt).

Drink as much water as you can, but atleast a gallon a day 

(should really be all you drink). 

With enough water you won't have to watch sodium at all...

just avoid msg it's awful. 

Also eat all the green veggies, onions, and peppers you want.

Proteins:
6-8oz. Lean chicken, 

beef (96%), 

fish, 

turkey, 

ham. 

4 eggs, or 8 whites (a carton of egg bearers works too), 

12oz. Fat free cottage cheese or Greek yogurt.

Carb:
1 large sweet potato, 

1 medium potato, 

1 cup brown rice, 

1 cup oatmeal, 

3 slices whole wheat bread (only once per day max), 

1 cup of any berries, pineapple, or melon, 

1 piece of fruit ( banana, Orange, grapefruit, peach, pear, red Apple), 

2 green apples, 

1 cup or piece of any non-green vegetable.

You can also have two 140 calorie snacks a day,

 but try to avoid trans fats and high fructose corn syrup at all costs.

 Light cheese sticks natural snack bags work well.


Don't freak out if the first week doesn't give any weight loss...
if you've underate any recently it will take a week or so to get your metabolism going good. 


If you can work in any exercise it will help jumpstart it too....
10 minutes is better than nothing....30 minutes, 5 days a week is ideal.

Beginning Stats:

Weight: 240ish (Will check in the am)

Chest: 46 inches

Arm: 16 inches

Waist:  42 inches

Hips: 53 inches

Thigh: 30 inches

Calf: 20 inches 

Isaiah 43: 18-19

 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

~Isaiah 43:18-19

     Lately it seems as if everyone has been renewed, but not me. I been thinking a lot about this. What has everyone found that I haven't? Do I feel defeated and overwhelmed because life has been throwing us some curve balls these days? What is that old saying? "Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it." I haven't been responding the way I should. I have not been the best version of myself. I have not been the best wife, mother, teacher, friend. I need a change. 

     I've been asking around. Talking to folks. Listening. 

     What I've heard is focus, guidance, determination, positivity, prayer. Prayer? Yes, prayer. Is this it? The missing ingredient? Honestly, I've tried everything else... well I've half tried everything else. Last night I prayed. Not the same prayer I pray over my son's head as he lays downs to sleep each night. Not the random, infrequent blips of a prayer I sometimes send up. This time I prayed honestly and humbly. Lord, I need guidance. I need you. Today in one of my emails are the verses from Isaiah. Do not dwell on the past. Do something new. So, okay, the past was less than glamorous. Forget about it. I'm going to try again and this time, I'm going to ask for guidance. 

     So here I am. Trying my hand at this blogging thing, again. I deleted all the old blogs and posts. They are the past. I'm starting fresh. I have some goals in mind. There are some things I like to see happen in my life. I plan to share them with you, eventually. For now, for tonight, I'm just letting go of the past, my mistakes, my insecurities. Tomorrow is a new day! It's time to find a new song!

What am I reading? The Family Reading Bible