Just checking in!!

You just have to know how happy/mad I am that I shared my weightloss goal here.  I am happy because maybe for once I will stick with it....because I have to. Because FAR to many people know. Then of course, I am mad for the same exact reason.

Progress...
First week (all over it)
lost 2 lbs.
doing my exercises everyday
logging food
motivated

Second week (not feeling it)
weight is the same so far, but only a half a week into it
spent the first 3 days NOT exercising consistently and if I did, didn't log
didn't log food consistently
not motivated....until today that is

But this is typical. Typical of me.

Today got all three of my big girls together and did some strength training.

I feel good. I have a goal. I HAVE to stick with it.

Planning my meals. It is so much easier to succeed if you plan ahead.

Until the next update....

Oh and just for a little laugh...I was totally drinking iced coffee while doing my exercises. I am from the Seattle area people....that's how we roll!!

If I would've been told

That at times I'd want a return policy for these lil ragamuffins {ok, not permanent, just for a day...}

That I'd want a glass of wine even though I hate the taste of it!!

That I'd also like some cheese with that WHINE.

That sometimes its hard to put your big girl panties on.

That seriously, sometimes things just don't make sense.

That far too often, I'd like to just quit.

Kids get more expensive as they get older.....they REALLY do people!!

That food disappears faster than it comes into the house.

The garden hose won't entertain forever!!

Those cute lil baby toes turn into big stinky monsters!!

Just as soon as you think you've 'gotten there' you may have to take a few steps backwards.

That in life to grow, you have to get out of your comfort zone!

It wouldn't have made a difference....I'd do it all again.

Oh, and by the way....I am pretty sure most of these things I have been told.

Putting this part of MY journey out there....

SO here it is. I knew when I started this blog that I would include this at some point. I wasn't sure when, but knew I had to do this too. I've kinda wanted to do this forever....but not bad enough. I mean, bad enough....but wasn't willing to put the work in. Well I am now. And I'm putting it out there. Which is tough for me....but I also need accountability. 


So why now?? Well, I'm not fully sure. I am sure I will be able to write more over the next year and I am certain there will be many different levels of crud to walk through....it should be fun, right!! But to answer the question as to why now. A few different reasons. First, we were house sitting for our friends for 2 weeks and I literally lost 7lbs from just walking around their house. Then I got extremely sick and lost 4lbs, so 11 total. I just couldn't not do something. I had to continue losing. So now I am more determined than ever. I have 112 more to go....yep 112!! The other reason is I  am gonna be on a webcast here tomorrow night at 6pm PST and again at 8pm PST and although I am completely excited about it.....I'm also afraid and self-conscious and kinda feel weird about people really seeing ME. Then there the 'typical' reasons like I don't wanna be fat anymore. Or I don't want my kids to have a fat mom, or hubby to have a fat wife. I wanna look good and I wanna be healthy. Tired of not shopping for myself. Tired of being the big girl {I was NEVER the big girl until I was an adult} I want to recognize ME when I look at myself in the mirror. I'd also LOVE to share clothes w/ my daughters, mom and sisters.....of course there are many other reasons and these at the moment might sound superficial but its my truth. I do want to be healthy, but surprisingly I am rather healthy at the moment. I don't have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. I was in the ER a few months back for some unexpected pain and all my blood work came back normal and good. But I do have diabetes, heart issues, cancer and digestive issues in my extended family. So, health is on my list....its just not my FIRST reason.  



THE PLAN


I have my goals written down....{never did that before} and I have an end date. I so hope I am able to stay on track. I am concerned about how I will react if not, but again....its about the journey. I also have {awesome} rewards set up for myself at certain intervals.I know the foods I am able to eat {which is also awesome because its regular food that I'd normally eat} and I know the exercises I need/want to do. 


I am excited. I am determined. I am nervous. I have a support system. I know what I need to do and am willing to do it. 

These pictures were taken in January 2011 {probably around the 1st...New Years, ya know} by my oldest daughter as 'before' pictures. I am pretty sure I maybe walked, if that. You know, one of the many attempts that an overweight person makes at finally doing something about it. I actually took them for my blog, to put myself out there, for accountability......

I don't weigh much different now. If anything I *might* be 5lbs less. But I think these are a great BEFORE pictures and I cannot WEIGHT to be able to post my after pictures in a little over a year!! 

STOP PRESS: I CANNOT BELIEVE I JUST PUT FULL BODY PICTURES ON THE INTERNET.

Oh my!!

Off to go drink some more water........

Avery

You've had my heart since the moment I found out you were growing inside of me. I loved everything about you. I still do, except that you have begun to be a bit of an annoying tween.....I SOOOO thought you'd skip that stage. I don't know why? Could it be because you've been such an awesome, easy, fun kid!!  As soon as you were born you were determined to soak up everything. A lover of life and all things nature, you are. Curiosity is your middle name. You lay low, but are super funny. You often surprise us with your sense of humor.

Things come so easily for you, but I love to see your drive and how hard you work.

I have met very few people that are authentically them at such a young age, but you are. You are not out for show and refuse to be who others want or think you ought to be. I admire you for so many reasons, these to name a few. I am blessed to be able to call you son. And I am looking forward to watching you grow into a young man.



The Greatest Sound EVER!!

Parents were picking up their kids. VBS Workers were scurrying around cleaning and prepping for the following day. And then all of the sudden, I hear a guitar....and a bunch of {mostly} teens singing Praise Music. You can't help but start singing along. I was back in my room singing with them, but I had to be present, it was like a magnet. So I took my cardstock and scissors, ran {shhh, don't tell anyone I was running with scissors} into the foyer and was a singing and a dancing {sorry Baptists-lighten up already ;)} and praising my Jesus along with everyone else who, like me had to head on over and join in. It was a beautiful sound. I thought to myself....'I know God is pleased with this sound and how great it is to be able to Praise Him spontaneously.' It was short, but it was sweet. Then of course its back to work----cutting the cardstock.

OH THE JOYS OF SUMMER VACATION

AND

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!!!!!

My new hobby!!

So much fun!!! Now if I can find the time to do it ALL. DAY. LONG.