Weight Loss Journey Update...the Good, Bad, and Ugly

With all that has been going on lately, I totally missed a July weight loss update. Granted, there was not much to report. I figured I'd hit the highlights honing in on the good, bad and ugly.

Let me begin with the Ugly...

Mid July we went on vacation. I should leave it at that, but seriously, I bottomed out. I made very few "good" choices despite knowing I needed to. I had opportunities to make healthier choices but threw them to the wind. It has been a major struggle to get back on track. I'm up 3lbs and holding.

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The Bad

I have not jumped back into full commitment mode. I keep telling myself everyday that this is it. This is the day I pick back up where I left off.

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The Good

I recognize my shortcomings and I've identified some areas of weakness. The majority of temptation has been removed from the house (again) and I have a game plan for next week. Monday will be my first day back (with students) for this new school year and I am looking forward to having the support I've missed over the summer. I will get back on track. I will get down to my first weight loss goal. I will be healthier for myself and my children.

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5 Lessons I've Learned Since Going Low Carb

I am about 5 months into adjusting to a Low Carb (LC) way of eating (WOE). I’ve had several people join me on this journey. I’ve gotten asked multiple questions over these past few months and I thought I’d share a few things I’ve learned thus far.

1.

It’s all or nothing.

I’ve learned that you are either committed or you are not. My sweet hubby jumps on board every now and then but has yet to really stick with it. I have found that everyone has to use the principles of LC eating in a way that fits them, but they must be committed to seeing it through. I set a limit of 100 or less net carbs a day. I typically average 40 or so. The hardest part to date is finding foods that fill me up, because I refuse to be hungry, and allow me to stay within my parameters. I also make sure I stay within my sodium limits. I was diagnosed with high BP during my first pregnancy (we still don’t know why) and it has not regulated since. While I’m on the high end of normal, I could cross into a chronic issue at any time. Watching my sodium is just as important as losing weight. I also maintain a balance with my fat and cholesterol intake. No matter what you decide to do, you have to either be all in or not. It’s the only way a true lifestyle change can occur.

2.

Track it.

I track my food almost daily. Sometimes it hurts to put in what I’ve eaten (which means I did not make a very good choice) while other days, I am amazed at how content I am and how few carbs I’ve eaten. By tracking my food intake, I not only can easily see my carb intake, but I can easily monitor my sodium, fat and cholesterol intake. I keep an eye on the cholesterol simply because a lot of LC eating involves some foods that are higher on that end and as we know, too much of a good thing is not always a good thing.

3.

This is life.

I am adjusting to a new way of life when it comes to LC eating. I now find myself naturally leaning towards lower carb options at restaurants and only allow myself to visit some of my high carb favorite dining establishments every now and then. We do not eat out often, but I’ve definitely become pickier. I want quality food with options that I know will allow me to have something other than a salad. I’m not paying good money for a bowl of greens if I’m going out. With all of this in mind, I know there are days when I do not worry so much about my carb allotment. For instance, we just celebrated my son’s first birthday. I enjoyed every bit of it…the finger foods, the fruit, the cake…EVERYTHING! And I did not feel guilty. That’s the beauty of this. Because I am not making over indulging choices regularly anymore, I can feel good about enjoying days like that without the guilt.

4.

Preparation is key.

Whether it’s meal planning, pre-cooking, or setting my mind in the right place, I have to be prepared. I make a monthly menu that centers on LC meals. This dictates my shopping list. I will often cook a large amount of protein (chicken, beef, etc) at the beginning of the week or make double/triple of what I’d need for one meal, so that I have plenty of extra to help with other meals. I also have to get in the right mindset. Whether I’m cooking at home or joining friends out, I have to make sure I am prepared to face temptations. I must mentally prepare to make the better decisions. It has gotten so much easier as time has gone on…I won’t lie, the first month was definitely the hardest.

5.

It’s not all about the scale.

One of my dear friends bases too much of her success on the scale. We talk about this regularly. I’ve encouraged her to start taking measurements. I’ve also noticed a major increase in her muscle tone…and as most of us know, muscle weighs more than fat. The scale may not always move, but there are other tell-tale signs of success. Do not be defeated just because the scale is not showing you what you hoped to see.

I am regularly encouraged by those who are doing this with me. I feel better and I’m proud of my success. I am finally in a size smaller pant and I don’t cringe when I look in the mirror. I’m learning how to love myself where I am. I know I need to incorporate real exercise and I desperately need to start toning. These are my upcoming goals. So, whether you are just beginning a new journey or you’ve been on one for a while, keep going. It is totally worth it.

Tuesday Talk

Monthly Weight Loss Update June 2016

Here I am, 4 months in to this new WOE. I can honestly say, that despite the occasional challenges, I am honestly liking. I like how I feel. I like how I am beginning to look. I like the food. I like that I am not hungry.

This is truly a way of life for me.

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This month was a little slow going in the way of weight loss, but overall, I am still pleased with what is taking place. I had a few more splurge days than normal and I know that is where my downfall lies. I'm still trying to master eating out...and even though we do not eat out often, it remains a challenge for me. I also struggle some when we go to the homes of friends or family to eat. Because what I am doing has nothing to do with allergies, people aren't as aware of what is best for me to eat. I make due and if I am able to contribute to the meal, I try to ensure that I bring something that I know I can enjoy without exceeding my carb limit.

This month did result in some changes...

I am down 3.8lbs from last month which puts me at a total loss of 23.8lbs. I'm down a total of 5.5 inches overall. I can tell this primarily in my chest and waist.

I continue to experiment with different recipes. I always try them out with my husband and daughter, and thankfully, most of them have been family approved. This is very important considering I am making this a lifestyle.

Over the last month or so, I have had a couple of friends/family members jump on board. I love having the support. We share recipes, frustrations and successes. I really encourage you to find the right kind of support if you are going this route. My goal is to have my husband join me on this journey but I have not quite convinced him to do so yet. Fingers crossed.

I am continually reminded that when this change is hard, I am doing it for a better quality of life. My God has already numbered my days, but I want to care for myself and make each one of those count. I'm learning how not to allow my "messy days" to take over all the good I've accomplished. A couple steps back will not keep me going backwards. Thanks again to all of you who continue to walk this journey with me and encourage me along the way.

Linking up for Mommy Moments

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Monthly Weight Loss Update May 2016

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Another month has passed and although I have had multiple setbacks this month, I am still proud of my success thus far.

I have lost a total of 20lbs!

I've lost a total of 7 inches.

A lot of my clothes are actually appearing to be too big on me.

I'm down a total of 3 notches on my belt.

I feel good (minus this weekend's hit with the GI bug).

I am looking forward to having the summer off with my kids. I am counting down the days. I am also hoping to add more exercise into my routine. One thing I know I need to do to better myself is to not treat the weekends like I'm on a free-for-all binge eating party. I have had a real issue with just letting myself go on the weekends. I don't feel well after eating like that and I know it is not good for me.

Self control.

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So...here's a toast to more progress. I am so close to my 30lb goal!

Linking up for Tuesday Talk

Monthly Weight Loss Update April 2016

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Getting healthy is no joke. I have a ton of reasons why I want to do this for myself and for my family and I'm using all of those reasons to keep me encouraged when things get tough. I've made it through about 3 months of low carb eating and I can honestly say that I do not really miss those things that I was missing last month...such as pasta, bread, etc. I still struggle some with sweets, but nothing like I did in the beginning. I can't take all the credit to my weight loss this month. I had a couple episodes of health issues that led to me not feeling so well, which in turn led me to not wanting to eat as much as I normally do. I hope all of that is on its way out and I'll get back to feeling 100%.

In the past month I have lost 9 lbs.

That makes a total of 19.4 lbs.

I'm over half way to my first goal of 30lbs.

I'm now fitting into clothes that I could not wear 2 months ago.

I went down another notch on my belt.

I can literally walk out of some of my pants because they will not stay up without a belt.

The biggest challenge I now face is getting into an exercise routine. Life is crazy, no matter how I try to slow it down and it just does not seem like I have time. I'm looking forward to June when I'm out of school and I can have a little more time to focus on me and exercise.

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I'd love some tips from other working women and/or mothers on how you incorporate exercise into your daily routine.

My Weight Loss Journey

Linking up for Waiting on Wednesday

Weight Loss Journey Update March 2016

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I remember starting this journey in 2011. I wanted to feel good and be healthy. I tried various weight loss techniques that included watching what I ate and exercise. I was diligently training for a 5k at the time. It took me a whole year to lose 25lbs. I could not understand why I wasn't closer to where I wanted to be considering all the time and effort I was putting in. I was diagnosed with PCOS later that year, which explained a lot. My body was working against me, not for me.

My weight loss came to a halt when we became pregnant in 2012. After struggling with infertility, this was a welcomed surprise. I jumped on the "get healthy" wagon again soon after G was born. Once again, the progress was SO SLOW! It took me about a year to lose and maintain the loss of 20lbs. We faced our infertility issues once again and we were hopeful that the weight loss would help. It didn't but we at least knew where to start and I became pregnant in the fall of 2014.

All of that brings me to this. It's time to really get healthy and to find a lifestyle change that truly works for me. With my PCOS diagnosis, it's no surprise that weight loss is even more of a challenge. I've never known how to really work my diet outside of exercise, calorie counting and portion control...until now. I've read multiple articles and various medical findings that suggest a low carb way of eating. A few weeks ago a friend of mine suggested that I give it a go. She has lost substantial weight with this type of eating. I was slightly skeptical so I looked into it.

Some people tend to go a little overboard in my opinion and I'm in awe of the ability to eat so few carbs that some people have. My friend currently allows herself 20 carbs a day, along with no sweets. Whoa. I'm still amazed. I've also learned that by only focusing on carbs, you can quickly become over saturated with sodium. I for one have to watch my sodium intake, so while bacon has little to no carbs, I can't eat it repeatedly for the sake of my sodium levels. It's all about finding a happy medium.

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I have decided to learn how to eat low carb. I chose to lower my carb intake to 100g or less a day. I feel comfortable with this level and it is often the level used in clinical studies (like this one) for PCOS patients participating in a low carb/high fat way of eating. The exciting news is that a lot of women with PCOS discover that their symptoms lessen or even go away completely...including infertility issues. For me, this is a win-win all the way around, even if it does not result in fewer infertility issues.

So, here I am. I began this new way of eating on February 29th. One month later I have seen some exciting changes.

I have lost 10.2 pounds.

My wedding rings are looser.

I moved one notch on my belt.

I was told that my face looked thinner by someone who is unaware of my attempts at weight loss.

I've met my first two mini goals!
I'm still trying to decide on a reward for hitting 10lbs but I got this beautiful bead for my pandora bracelet. The color represents PCOS Awareness and it is a reminder that I can overcome the challenges of my diagnosis.

This type of change in diet is not for the faint of heart. To those who said I would not miss pasta or bread...I'm calling your bluff. I do miss those things but I'm working on ways to substitute them. For the record, I am not the 'no carb police'. I allow myself a cookie now and then or a taco shell. However, I do include those things in my count. Those types of things have truly become treats.

Needless to say, the first two weeks were certainly the hardest. Things have become easier as I go along. I consider this a life style change and I refuse to live my life hungry. It's been a lot of trial and error as I try to discover what will meet my dietary needs as well as make and keep me full. I am determined to do this. I'm actually looking forward to meeting with my doctor this summer. I hope she's pleased with my progress.

If you have been doing LCWOE, I'd love to hear any suggestions in the way of snacks and recipes that you love for Low Carb eating. I believe I'm in this for the long haul.

Linking up for Mommy Moments

Low Carb Spiced Parmesan Pork Chops

I'm new to the world of low carb and quite honestly, it has been super hard. I never realized how many carbs I potentially eat in a day. I love bread. I love pasta. I love rice. Nothing about these three loves is low carb. I've been doing some research and I know that drastically cutting these down in my diet will not only help lose weight, but it has the potential to reverse or ease a variety of my PCOS symptoms. It's a win-win if I can get myself fully on board.

I've been working hard to find filling low carb meals that all of us can enjoy. I came up with a recipe that fits the bill. It will definitely be made again.

Spiced Parmesan Pork Chops

6 lean, pork tenderloin chops

1/4 c grated parmesan cheese

1 tbsp of 6 Pepper Spice seasoning (we got this from Sam's)

Preheat own to 400.

Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray. 

In a gallon size bag, combine the cheese and seasoning. Add 2 chops at a time and shake them in the seasoning to coat.

Place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until meat is tender and no longer pink.

Serve with your choice of side. 

Each chop is 1 carb, 24g  protein, 125 calories and 3.5g fat. 

Yum!

Linking up with Mommy Momments 

Monthly Weight Loss Update

If you remember in my last post, I didn't have any thrilling news...which is okay. You win some and lose some and while I wish I was losing more than what I am, I'm proud of small victories. I gained a few pounds last month and it was my goal to get them off. Of the four pounds that packed themselves on I have lost 3 of them. That puts me back at a 20lb loss.

Even greater still are the discoveries I made this past week. I decided that with school starting, and since I have not bought new clothes in ages (I am currently still wearing clothes that I bought after graduating collage), a little shopping trip was in order. Having lost 20lbs, many of my clothes do not fit like they once did. This is a good and bad thing. Some of my pants now fit as they should while other pairs literally fall off of me.

Now, when it comes to pants, I've always had a problem buying a pair that fits just right. This is simply because those that make pants must assume that women with my waist size have hips to boot. I do not. There is nothing "hippy" about me. How does this relate to my discovery?

Well, I ventured into Old Navy to purchase a couple of tops. They were having a sale on their khakis. The pair that I had bought last from ON fit fine prior to the weight loss. They now require a belt if they are to be worn. While these pants originally fit better than most, I still looked like I had wings where my invisible hips were supposed to be.

My first discovery was the Diva Everyday Bootcut Khaki pants. Love! They are designed for the souls like me with straighter figures. (Don't get me wrong, I have curves. They are just in the wrong places.) I love how they hug me in all the right places.

My second discovery was the size. I could wear a size smaller!!! Talk about an embarrassing happy dance! I was so excited! While to some this is nothing, to me this was a huge accomplishment! I have not put on a pair of pants this size since high school.

This got me excited and I added a couple more pieces to my work wardrobe (pardon the pictures. I'm horrible at selfies.)

This has given me a new sense of motivation. I'm making a few food choice changes. I've been reading through The Low GI Guide to Living Well with PCOS (again) and I have decided to get back on track with a diet that includes more PCOS friendly foods. Remember, when I say diet, I'm not referring to starving myself. I am referring to the types of food I eat.

I've made a few changes to my menu that include low glycemic foods, which means less dairy, more whole grains, fruits, veggies and lean proteins. There is a balance and I am working towards that. Low glycemic foods break down more slowly, leaving you feeling fuller longer, and helps reduce the surge of insulin that is often produced with starchier foods. You can view a pretty comprehensive list of Low GI foods here.

The final discovery I made while perusing the good ol' internet, is the Food Swap tool by the Glycemic Index Foundation.

You can also find more resources on my Living with PCOS board.

So here's to hoping for good things in August.

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Monthly Weight Loss and Pictures

I won't even pretend that I've given a praiseworthy attempt at losing weight or accomplishing my goals this month. In fact, since I'm being completely honest, this month I hit a wall. I've been facing a weight loss plateau and I let it get the best of me. Curse this back and forth sway of 1-2lbs. I lost focus. I got caught up in the traveling, and while wonderful, I didn't eat like I should, nor exercise, during those times. I allowed being away from home to be my excuse for extra snacking and high calorie food options. I was on vacation!

We've also been facing some personal matters and I've found myself settling into old habits. More than once I caught myself turning to food for comfort. Remnants of my Emotional Eating surfaced but I refused to let them stick around.


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I've tried not to be too hard on myself...that would only crush what motivation I have left. While this last week has held many wonderful things, it has also held it's share of stress, anxiety and disappointment, but I did my best to not allow these feelings overrule my better judgment. I've gotten in a little more exercise this past week and I'm feeling better about greeting July (if you don't count the fact that half of my summer will be over ::tears::)

So while I wish I had amazing results to share with you this month...I do not. I know in order to move forward that I can't focus on "what I should have done."

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I did, however, have a memorable moment...my hubby and I took our first "real" date since the birth of our daughter over a year ago...and I wore "the dress". This dress has not been worn in almost 3 years. It fit better now than it ever has...I consider that a major accomplishment.

With all that being said, I've decided to take a step back from social media for a while. I feel that I need to be devoting myself more to some of my relationships and health and I need to get myself going forward in full motion again. I'll still be blogging, but maybe not as often and as for Facebook...don't be offended when I look clueless if you tell me about something you posted. More than likely I will have missed it. As much as I love reading updates, I have some updating that I need to do outside of the technological realm. God bless and I hope all of you are enjoying your summer!

 

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Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

I cannot believe the month of May is almost gone! I've entered into my last week of school and with that comes even longer days, less family time, mounds of paper work and overly rambunctious children. We'll have the student Field Day, First Grade Fun Day, the Spring Awards program, Fifth Grade Graduation parade...and I know I'm forgetting something(s). Now is also the time of year when people begin making comments about how teachers get the summer off, it must be nice not to work, etc. Trust me. It only looks that way on our contracts and, while I can only speak for myself and fellow co-workers, the summer is filled with prep work for the upcoming school year. Our work is never done and it always manages to come home with us to some degree. I'll stop there and save this soapbox for another time.

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For now, I'd like to share with you this month's progress. We've been dealing with a few things personally and in the midst of trying to find ways to make our dreams reality and finish up half started projects around the house, I've been trying to make some weight loss progress. Stress levels have been a little higher this month (which good things can be stressful too) and our mornings, days and nights have been filled with things that keep us busy. I've not been able to work out like I'd hoped but I've tried to maintain at least some type of activity almost every day.

I had also gotten down on myself over not meeting my 20lb goal. I was really struggling with the plateau that I had hit. I had to do something. I wanted to reach that goal!

I had gotten out of the habit of "honestly" tracking my food. I might put in a few things each day but I had stopped entering in everything I was eating. I am still amazed at how quickly I lost sight of healthy eating. My snacking had also become an issue. Instead of keeping healthy options on hand I went for quick, high calorie grabs. I refocused my attention to healthy choices. Here are some examples:

It all boils down to poor eating choices this month. These past two weeks I've really tried to get back on track.

To build some momentum, I've decided to throw in some mini goals for June. This could be a little tricky with some traveling that we have in our plans, but I'm determined.

In June I will...

1. Make SMART snacking choices

Satisfying-it fulfills the craving and tames the hints of hunger
Managable-it can easily go with me and/or doesn't require a lot of preparation
Appetizing-it tastes good (duh!)
Right size-caloric intake is worth the serving size/portion control
Thrifty-on sale or inexpensive

2.At least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week

3. Create a motivation collage. I had one of these in college and it really helped my motivation to see some of my goals and words of encouragement each day. I had mine hanging on the refrigerator.

Now that I've got my goals before me, it's time to take a look at the numbers from this past month. I've lost another inch in my waist (that's a total of 2 inches since I began tracking March)...and since December 2013...drum roll please...

 

I feel like I'm finally starting to see a difference, not just feel it.

 

While the numbers are always exciting, it is also important to identify some of the non-scale victories that I've also accomplished.

-I completed a 5k with my daughter (you can catch all of the fun here!)

-My bra size is smaller (don't tell my hubby)
-I need a belt for almost every pair of pants I wear
-A couple pairs of my pants literally fall off as I walk or climb the stairs. I've put those to rest, hoping to never go back to them.
-I'm fitting into clothes that I couldn't even wear pre-baby...some of which are now almost too big!

With this month's weight loss, I've reached my 20lbs goal...and this means I get to splurge on a goody! When I began this journey, I created a Weight Loss Goals board on Pinterest to keep me encouraged. I'm so excited about purchasing this water bottle. I would not typically spend this type of money on a water bottle, but that's what makes it special right? I really want to dive into a dozen donut holes, but a water bottle will be much more beneficial. Here is the water bottle I'll be enjoying in the very near future!

Tervis Whimsical Owl Water Bottle

If you struggle with your weight, you are not alone. I had to change a lot of my weight loss perceptions and set realistic goals. I've had to rely on my own inner strength, the encouragement of others and the power of my God to push through. I am almost to my 30lb weight loss goal. It can be done. I've had to look at it this way...I'm losing weight to get healthy, not skinny. As I become healthier I add quality to my life and that is more important than the size of pants I wear. Every pound counts. Every exercise minute matters. I am worth it!

 

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Eyes and Ears

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I've been at home since Friday (with the exception of a doctor's appointment) with our daughter. She's been fighting a vicious virus for the last few days and we've been battling a relentless fever. At it's peak, her temperature maxed out at 103.4. Yesterday it stayed around 102. Finally, today, it has stayed between 98-100. Did I mention that she is also cutting three teeth at the moment? Needless to say, I've been continually disinfecting and trying to keep her hydrated. Thankfully, her appetite and willingness to drink began to come back last night.

In the midst of caring for our clingy one-year old, I began to tackle our office. I have about 11 days to get it turned into a playroom. I'm hosting a new Life Group at our home and one of the needs that must be met is a place for the kids to play while we meet...plus, I'm sure G would love to have a playroom and I know we will love having the majority of her toys and books in a location other than the middle of the living room...but more on that later. While going through some of the things on our shelves, I ran across my high school yearbooks. Oh the memories.

I flipped through my senior yearbook and ran across the quote that I had selected to represent me in the Senior Section. I chose Philippians 4:8.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

 

I reflected fondly on most of my time in high school and then found a safe place to put those memories. This morning, however, that verse came back to mind. Missing out on fellowship with my church family is not something we do often, but in cases like this, it is necessary. So, while singing "Jesus Loves Me" with G this morning I began thinking about how I can't wait to hear her sing those words someday. These sentiments carried through to lunch when she began using the phrase "uh-oh" in full force. She has a limited vocabulary outside of her constant babbling, but today "uh-oh" was added to the list (which also consists of "buh" for bug, "nana" for all things food, "this" for anything she points at besides food and bugs, "momma", "da-da" and the occasional "zizzies" when pointing at the kitties or "duh" for the dogs.

I had to giggle at her "uh-ohs" and then the God moment came. The verse I had reflected on yesterday came back to mind. G is picking up on all of the things that she hears. Are the words that she is hearing True? Noble? Lovely? Admirable? It's easy to overlook her little ears when the radio is playing or if the television is on. I do not use profanity and try to keep myself mindful of what I say regardless of whether or not G is around. I try to be an example always...granted I am human. I have flaws and despite my best efforts, I still mess up.

Since having G, from the time we brought her home, I have become acutely aware of what is being said/shown on television and movies. My husband is a die hard action movie lover and unfortunately it does not seem that you can watch one of those films without continuous vulgar language and inappropriate scenes of  violence and nudity. While I know G will be exposed to these things at some point in her life, I want to shield her while I can. I also want to ensure that I am setting a good example. I, like all Christian parents, fight evil everyday in the name of my child (and all other children). That doesn't make me a superhero. It makes me a mom, a woman, seeking God's heart and will in my life, in the life of my daughter and in my family. Taking a stand and making steps in the right direction can be as easy as changing the channel. We don't have the television on very often and when it is you'll usually find it on the Disney Channel or Food Network. However, I can honestly say that those are not ALWAYS on our television. We each have to decide what we are willing to allow in our homes.

To help get you started, make a point to be conscientious with what you watch, whether in front of  your children or not. When it comes to television you can easily change the channel. As for movies, I've become diligent in checking ratings and the reasons for those ratings. I use the wonderful website

Kids-In-Mind*

 

This website shows reviews as well as the amounts of and types of sex/nudity, violence/gore, profanity, substance abuse and discussion topics. I highly recommend using this prior to watching or renting your next film. Advocate for the good of your family.

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(*I was not compensated in anyway for recommending this website.)

Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

A month filled with multiple birthdays and Easter celebrations has the potential to do a number on one's weight-loss. While I know I should have been more cautious and said "no" more often than not, the damage has been done. Praise God for a new day...a new month.

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As you'll soon see, I don't have much in the way of weight-loss to celebrate this month, so instead, I'm focusing on the non-scale victories.

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Here are some of my non-scale victories thus far:

-pants are looser

-I can wear clothing that I wasn't even able to wear pre-pregnancy

-my rings are looser

-2 inches total off of my waist

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The month of May is already filling up. The end of the school year is drawing near and with that comes assessments, multiple check lists, and farewells. I was out on maternity leave this time last year...lucky me. It's funny how quickly I've forgotten all that comes with this time of year. However, as I prepare to send my precious first graders onto second grade, I also look forward to what the summer will hold.

We have multiple home-based projects and hopefully a mini-vacation or two. I'm also looking for ways to keep motivated as the hot weather settles in over the next couple of months. My hubby and I are planning to go visit my mom and sister in Georgia in June. We've found a couple of 5ks that we are interested in. We may just add one of those to our to-do list while we're down there. If this does not fall into place, I'll begin looking for a couple for this fall.

I'm also continuing to focus on losing inches. This month was not what I had hoped for in the way of weight-loss, which I take complete responsibility for. However, I did lose a little and I also lost .5 more inches in my waist. That totals 2 inches!

My biggest victory this month however is this...I really struggle with self-confidence (no, this is not my victory ha ha...I thought I'd give a bit of a backstory). I have a huge list of insecurities that influence a lot of areas in my life. I gained a little bit of myself back this week (okay...here it comes!) I bought a little black dress about 3 years ago. I wore it once for my birthday that year. I was working hard at losing weight and I was determined to wear that dress. I did. I have not worn it since. It has been hanging silently in the back of my closet just aching to be worn. I was cleaning out my closet this weekend and pulled it out. I looked at it longingly, wishing so badly to be able to wear something that I could feel good in. I decided to try it on to see just how far I had to go...and to my surprise...it fit!!! It fit better than I remember it fitting 3 years ago! I didn't want to take it off! I am currently working on a special date night that will allow me to doll myself up, put on some heels and wear this dress. I apologize for sounding so superficial, but this was a huge deal for me! While I'm still a ways off from wanting to splurge on a new wardrobe, I do have a non-scale victory that has given me some much needed motivation.

My "little black dress"

With all of this in mind, I am still working towards the weight-loss goals I've set for myself. I'm also eagerly trying to cross off more of the items on my 30 before 30 list. One of those items is to lose 30lbs and I'm getting there...Here are the numbers for April...

You can check out the rest of my weight loss journey here.

Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

It's time for an update, so in lieu of my typical Five on Friday, I'll be sharing my current weight loss progress.

My weight loss journey continues...and with each day, I face new challenges. There are days I fight the exercise. There are days I just want to make excuses. And yet everyday, whether I want to acknowledge it or not, is an opportunity for me to better myself and the lives of others. I can't just sit back and expect change to happen...

 

 

Over the past month I've had several "ah ha" moments, which to many of you may seem more like "duh" moments, but nonetheless, I've laid claim to some new understandings.

 

 

Food is Fuel...It's Meant to Make Me Function, Not Fat. While most of you are nodding your head and thinking, how could she not know this, let me clarify. It is not a matter of not knowing, it is a matter of knowing, accepting, and applying. I've done the WW program in the past, and while I love the idea and for many it works, it never worked for me because I didn't have a firm grasp on "better eating." I accepted my point allowance and my splurge day. I counted my points, tracked my exercise minutes and thought that was enough. They were my points. I could eat what I wanted. That was the beauty of the program right? Wrong. Eating foods high in fat, calories and/or sugar just pack on the pounds. It doesn't matter that I had 20 points and ate a dozen doughnuts as long as I was in my point range...silly me. I now have a different food mantra. Food is Fuel. I enjoy the occasional donut or cupcake, but these are not my go to foods. While I enjoy a snack or two, I make better choices. I've figured out more ways to make food work for me, not against me. Need an idea on how to get started? Take a look at Foods that Turn to Fat to get some perspective. I'm not doing a "diet plan" this go-around. Instead I'm making lifestyle changes in the way I eat, cook and exercise.

 

 

Movement is a Must. I am becoming more accepting of exercise as a pro instead of a con. There are days when work has just exhausted me and by the time I make dinner, bathe the baby and get her to bed, fold some laundry and get things ready for the next day, I really struggle to muster up the will to exercise. The treadmill seems to mock me. My workout DVDs don't mind if they collect dust on the shelf...and yet just like anything else, if change is going to occur, movement must be made. An advancement, a forward motion, progression...whatever your terminology, a physical and mental shift must happen. I ran across this simple Activity Pyramid. It's a great example of how to incorporate activity and how often.

 



  

Okay, now that I've bored inspired shared with you my revelations, it's time to reveal this month's numbers and picture...I always get a bit nervous putting this out there but the amount of support, encouragement, and accountability are well worth it.

 

From December 29, 2013 to March 28, 2014 I am down another .5 inches in my waist and I have lost...

 

 

 
 
 
 

March 2014

As April unfolds, there are many exciting things ahead. This month we'll celebrate my last birthday in my twenties (eek!), my daughter's first birthday, her first Easter, the death and Resurrection of my Savior, my first 5k in almost 3 years, and several other itty bitty birthdays. It will be a full month of wonderful celebrations. As I look forward to these things, I'm also reminded that all of these festivities generally incorporate excellent food and sedentary activities. I have already begun mentally preparing myself for these occasions and I'm working on ways to find a balance that won't undo all that I've done and won't impede my progress.

 

Thanks for all of the encouragement. I hope to make more progress as the months pass on.

 



Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

I can't believe another month has gone...and so quickly! My little girl turned 10 months old and celebrated her first Valentine's Day. It was not the best month for weight loss, but at least I still saw some progress (no matter how small).

Truth Time!

From December 29-February 27 I have lost a total of

 

While it's only a 1.6lb loss, I'm okay with that. I ran into a couple of slumps over the last month and I know highs and lows will come. This may not be a strong month in the way of loss, but it's still 1.6lbs I no longer carry on my body...and did I mention I've lost an inch off my waist?! Small victories!



 

I have learned several things over the last month...

 

1. Regular exercise takes away the guilt of a splurge. In January I was very consistent with my exercise. For various reasons (and excuses) I was not as consistent this month. I felt so guilty if I splurged on a brownie or wanted to enjoy a special Valentine's treat. Just the month before I allowed myself to enjoy those things because I knew I was working out regularly. Let's just say I felt a lot of guilt this month...so much so that I took a week off from sweets.

 

2. Accept the numbers. I was really down on myself for the days I did not do well, which were clearly more often than not. Thanks to the encouragement of my best friend, I stepped on the scale each week, regardless of what I thought knew would be the end result. I learned to accept that not everyday would be good and that was okay. I also decided to not solely focus on the weight loss itself. I added my waist measurements.

 

3. I am worth it. This is something that, while it seems like a "duh" kind of mindset, is far from a statement I have been comfortable with, let alone believe. I know I am loved and I know that I mean a lot to others, but I've not accepted myself in a way that provides motivation. I strive each day to give my all to others in all that I do and I am learning that this needs to seep into my weight loss journey. There have been days when I ask myself "why am I doing this?!" and then I look into the face of my daughter or in the eyes of my amazing husband and I am reminded that I need to do this for them. I need to do this for my future children. I need to do this in order to live the life God intended me to live. So while I strive to lose the weight, I will also strive to own my self-worth.

 

 



I'm also really excited to announce an upcoming goal! My friend Shannon and I are going to be participating in the HoosHeal 5k coming up in April. I will be racing in memory of Sarah Ann and in honor of my daughter. In case you missed my Raising Royalty post where I introduced many of you to precious Sarah Ann, you can find it here. I am so blessed to have a beautiful, healthy daughter of my own and I never want to take that for granted. I truly feel it an honor to race for those who have gone before, for those who are currently fighting, and for those who may face childhood cancer in the future. This will be my first race since before I became pregnant in 2012. It will be a slow go but I will finish. That finish line is mine...

 



Needs vs Wants

It's a rain drenched day in the countryside and we're home on the mend. The meds I was given for my sinus infection seem to finally be kicking in...I can taste more of my food and breathe a little better. The best part is that most of the pressure in my sinuses has been relieved. Thank you Jesus! G is still a snotty mess, continuing to run a low grade fever. The doctor said it's just a cold and like all things, this too shall pass...we just have to wait it out. Poor baby.

I've been doing really well with my sodium intake and portion control. I can't wait to do my weekly weigh in on Monday (I've never looked forward to that haha). I've been learning an important, long awaited lesson over these last few weeks: need the food you eat. I know you're thinking, duh, we NEED food to live. Yes...but do you need to eat pasta multiple times a week? Do you have to submerge everything in a tasty cream sauce? Do candy and other sweet things have to be a staple in your home? No.

Needs vs Wants is a topic that I teach in my first grade classroom. It's funny because I've never really applied it to my eating habits but it totally goes! Do I need another helping or do I just want one? When I want something sweet, do I need a handful of Rolos? I'm learning to accept substitutes. Substituting seems so much better than completely denying myself. If I want something sweet, instead of a handful of Rolos, I opt for an apple and peanut butter. Every once in a while I'll indulge, but I'm proud to say these sweet treats are becoming the exception instead of the norm.

I'm learning what my body needs. This is not to say that I do not occasionally enjoy a white fudge Oreo or a delicious creamy Alfredo, but I'm learning and embracing the idea of giving my body more of what it needs instead of what it wants. (And I'm told in time my body will begin to actually want what it needs...yippee!) I'm expanding my nutrition horizons. This week I ventured into the world of kale. This resulted in a go to "healthified" version of one of my favorite soups, Sausage, Potato and Kale, a BBQ Chicken and Kale pizza and a Sausage and Kale breakfast casserole. Yum!

I'm also learning how to balance the things I eat and portion control. A lot of prayer has also gone into this. I continue to give this "getting healthy" part of my life to the Lord. I honestly feel like this submission has been one of the biggest reasons I've felt so successful over the last 3 weeks. When I get the urge to go against my discipline, I feel that gentle pull bringing me back to what I know I need to do instead of what I want to do. I also believe this is a major reason why I'm feeling more content when eating. Just three weeks ago I would not feel "full" if there was food left on my plate or extra left on the stove. I would just have to have an extra helping! Now I feel content after eating. If I'm hungry a little while later I have healthy snacks just in reach. God is good and evident in all things.

This healthy way of life has also challenged me in my cooking. I'm finding healthy alternatives to many things I use...primarily sodium. It's amazing how many low sodium/sodium free options there are! (Thank goodness!) Tonight I'm treating us to a tasty Balsamic London Broil. It's a new recipe so I'm hoping it turns out well. I'll probably pair it with some brown rice and green beans.

This next week, since my illness seems to be subsiding (fingers crossed) I'll be beginning the exercise component of my health goals. Woohoo!

P.S. I'm so proud of my bestest for making it to the gym this morning! You rock!