2008 - A Reflection.

In every education class that I took while pursuing my degree, the idea of reflection was driven home. I don't know if every education program at every college puts as much emphasis on this as MTSU does or not, but I can tell you that reflection has taught me how to be a better teacher each time I give a lesson. If the reflection process has helped me that much in my professional life, I figure, why not give it a try on my attempt to regain control of my health. So, here I go.

What has worked for me this year: 1) Not being obsessed with a specific diet plan that lays out each meal for me - it seems that when I've tried this, I'm successful for a few days to a few weeks, then BOOM, I've failed & I'm done forever. 2) Relying primarily on exercise to drop the weight. 3) Support - the idea of putting the good, the bad, & the ugly out there for the rest of the world to see on the Internet scared me a bit, but I must say that when I feel like quitting that I think of all of you & keep going. You all know just what to say to lift me up when I'm down & I appreciate each of you for it. 4) Realizing that people who are fit are not judging you when you walk into the gym/class/etc. I have actually found that a lot of the people that I was originally intimidated by are some of my most vocal supporters - you know who you are & THANK YOU! 5) Finally understanding that I didn't gain this 80+ extra pounds in a matter of weeks & that it will take some time to drop it. This is a lifestyle change & when I fall off the wagon - I just need to get back up & on it again.

This year, I hope to do a better job making healthy nutritional choices. Although I don't believe in following a specific diet, I will be trying to follow a general plan about how many calories/fat/carbs/etc that I want to consume on a daily basis. I hope to increase my activity & try some new things as far as exercise goes. Yes, I totally plan to keep up going to Zumba, but I'd really like to gradually teach myself to run a little. There's a small group of ladies that I would like to try & run with some, but I feel like I need to drop a little more weight before I am anywhere near their league (not because they care if I'm fat or not, but because I physically won't be able to keep up with their pace). I also really want to incorporate some strength training in my program this year - this is a big hurdle for me because I have major mental issues about the weight room. Honestly, I'd like to try a spin class, but again, from what I've heard I think I need to get a little more physically fit first, but my goal is to try it by April.

So as we close out this year & begin to look forward to a new one. I am happy with my progress so far. Even after the gain during the holidays, I've lost a total of 17.5 lbs since beginning this journey at the end of September. Since mid-October, I've lost a total of 14 inches off my body. I can't wait to see what I push myself to achieve this year. My overall weight loss goals include dropping another 67.5lbs this year & I want to lose about 6 sizes. I realize that this is a hefty goal, but with hard work & determination - I totally believe I can achieve it. Also this year will be my 15 year high school reunion. I haven't gone to any so far; quite frankly, because I was too embarrassed to go. I may not be at my final goal by then, but I totally know that I can be close & finally after many, many years of being self conscience, be comfortable in my own skin.

Happy New Year to each of you!! Thank you for all your support!!!

DETERMINED!

I've made terrible choices over the 2.5 weeks & now it's time to deal with the effects of it all. My official weight is up 2.5 lbs from my low point. Considering all that I've consumed & how little I've moved - I'm ok with this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy that I did this to myself. If I'm honest with myself I know that I COULD have gotten some form of exercise in, even when my class isn't meeting & that I most certainly COULD have not splurged quite so much on all the holiday fare. That being said, what is done, is done. Now it's time to pick back up, refocus & recharge. I've decided to join Scale Junkie's Healthy You Challenge this year, so I'm starting my weight tracker over at the bottom of the page. So please, don't think that I've gained it all back or anything - but I'm setting a new goal for a new year & a new me! I've also decided to join Sparkpeople since I've heard a lot of good things about it - any of you who have experience with this, please feel free to jump in & share.

What I'm still happy about? I didn't gain as much as last year. I had more self control than last year. I'm not quitting! As they say, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. My philosophy on all of this is that I'm trying to change my life permanently, not just lose some weight. Of course, I want to see the weight come off, but mostly I want to be healthy & teach my girls by example how to be healthy & active. I am determined to be successful!

Ready to Get Going Again!

I'm so ready to get back to normal. We have our last Christmas get-together tonight then things should get back to normal. I have over indulged, but probably not as much as last year - so I'm considering it a success. I won't post my official weight up/down until Monday, but I will tell you this, I did weigh out of curiosity yesterday & was only up 1/2 lb - any gain is not good, but considering I haven't been to the rec center in 2 weeks & have eaten well more than my share of heavy foods, I'm ok with this. My classes don't resume until after the new year, but I'm planning on at least walking the track some next week to start feeling better again. It amazes me how much worse I feel when I'm not exercising. We were blessed to have a great Christmas with our family - Liza was sick, but other than that it was great! Hope you all had a great holiday & I wish each of you the very best in the coming year!!

I'm still here.

Don't worry - I haven't dropped off the face of the earth or anything, we've just been amazingly busy & I'm just trying to maintain during these busy holiday times. I haven't really done much in terms of the weight loss journey & kinda don't expect to until they start classes back up at the beginning of the year. I guess they cancel them because so many people are crazy busy & can't come during those times anyway.

Last Friday we took the girls to Opryland to see the lights - it was fun, but not the WOW I was expecting. We had a good time nonetheless. Saturday was a busy baking/sewing day trying to get things ready for the holidays & then Brock & I left the girls with my parents & went out for dinner for our anniversary (8 years today, by the way). I told him that we finally have been married longer than we dated (only by 3 months - lol). After our normal Sunday church activities, we had Brock's family over for dinner. We had fun, and the kids LOVE playing with their cousins. I wanted everyone to come over while we still had all of our holiday decorations up. Today, my mom & I finished up our Christmas shopping & were gone literally all day. So please don't think that I've given up or don't care about everyone - we're just really, really busy. In case I don't post again before Christmas, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! I promise, I'll be back on my normal schedule after the new year. Hope each of you have a wonderful, blessed holiday season!!

I'm OFF - UGH.

I have been so off lately. We've had stuff going on all week. I had to wait on the tv repairman to come on Tuesday & didn't make it to class. Wednesday night was no better - I had to help Alyssa make cookies for her preschool party today (I had promised) & ran out of time to go. This morning, I really should have gone, but I didn't want to get all sweaty & gross before her party, so I was a slacker yet again. It wouldn't be so bad, but there won't be any classes again until after the new year. I know we've got stuff going on nearly every day till Christmas and I'm afraid that I'm not going to get around to moving again until after the new year. I know I don't need to do that. Maybe I can at least get my butt to the rec center & walk the track some until classes resume. All encouragement welcome - apparently I need it!!

The End of the Challenge

Well, my weight is up a little today - which I expected since I ate what I wanted to at both Christmas parties I went to this weekend. I know myself well enough to know that I hold on to that kind of stuff for a few days & will be back down to normal by the end of the week. Regardless, today was the last day to weigh-in & be measured for the Marcrom's Pharmacy Win To Lose Challenge. I KNOW I'm not even close to being the individual winner, but that's ok because I got a lot of motivation competing & have developed a habit in exercising. So here are my final results of the 8 week challenge: I've lost 9.5 lbs (could've been more if I'd tried harder on nutrition, but that will be a goal for the new year) & a total of 14 inches. I'm really happy with those results. I feel better & it has help me to start something that I consider a lifestyle change.

I took the girls for Christmas pictures today & by the time we got back into town & paid all the lovely monthly bills - I was out of time, so no rec center today. I am looking forward to Zumba tomorrow!! Hope you all have a wonderful week!!!

Need A Push Please.

I did get up & go to Zumba this morning, but I'm just not feeling like myself lately. I don't know if it's just the gray winter sky & evenings getting dark so quickly or what. I feel BLAH. I don't know how else to describe it. I'm having a really hard time getting motivated, even though I know I feel SOOOOOOO much better after a workout. I'm also not eating well at all. Again, I know that when I eat a little more cleanly that I feel better, but lately I just seem to want to put anything & everything in my mouth. So, I've decided that I would call on my blog friends to give me a little push reminding me why I started this journey & how important it is that I don't allow myself to take steps backwards. Have a great weekend!!!

A Major Award!!

For those of you who know me really, really well - you might know that A Christmas Story is my all time favorite Christmas movie. I LOVE the part where Ralphie's dad wins "A Major Award" - the lady's leg lamp complete with fishnet stockings. So when Amy at Surfing or Spaghetti (who's blog I love, by the way) let me know that she'd given me award, the leg lamp is exactly where my mind went.

So without further ado, the instructions were as follows:

1. Please put the logo in your blog
2. Place a link from the person, from whom you received the award. (I already did this, overachiever me!)
3. Nominate at least 7 or more
4. Put the links of those on your blog. Leave a message on their blog to let them know
6. Sigh of relief, you earned that award b/c I just made you work for it!



I have decided to keep these awards to my fellow getting healthy friends' blogs. My nominees are:

1. Lana at The Fire Inside, for so many reasons, but heck - she's an Ironman.

2. Mizfit who I'm sure has already been nominated, but gosh I love her.

3. Bethany at Running on a Prayer, because although she's just getting started, she's doing so darn good.

4. Thinking Thin, for so many reasons - hang in there girl, things will start looking up soon.

5. Annette at Annette's Awakening, because she has made such unbelievable progress & is absolutely inspiring.

6. Butterfly at I Can See It In Your Face, because she's such a hoot & another inspiring weight loss story.

7. Runningnan at Running From The Pudge, because no matter what's going on, she seems to push through it.

There are so many of you that I find inspiring!!

By the way, on a quick update. I'm down a little bit more this week for a total of 20lbs lost. My eating has been off the charts & between holiday events/commitments & sick children - I haven't gotten nearly enough work outs, but I haven't given up either. Any progress is more than what I used to get & hopefully after we get through the holidays I can get into full swing again. Hope everyone is having a great week!!!

Getting Back On Track - Again!

It seems like I post that a lot - having to get back on track that is. Oh well, getting back on track is much better than totally giving up. I don't have a lot to report - just that I went to Zumba last night & again this morning. Now, the rest of the weekend is always a challenge because I don't have another Zumba class till Tuesday. I'm thinking I might head to the rec ctr tomorrow & walk the track & do a little strength training. I have stayed out of that area up to this point, quite frankly, because I don't fit in. That being said, I think it's time that I overcome another fear I have & get out of my comfort zone for my own good. The sooner I start - the sooner I will be fitting in - nicely. Hope you all have a great weekend!!

No Zumba :(

I was so looking forward to resuming my normal schedule with Zumba class this morning, but it was a no go today. My husband, who had still not passed that pesky kidney stone, had a doctor's appointment & I went with him since we didn't know if there might be any procedures that had to be done. The great news is that he finally passed the stone tonight - which is really good since they were going to do surgery tomorrow to remove it. This means that I can resume my Zumba schedule tomorrow night - yay! We had our "motivational" meeting tonight with my local challenge. My team is currently in 3rd place & we have 2 more weeks to go. Hopefully with some hard work, we can pull ahead. Well, I'm tired & off to bed. Hope everyone has a great week.

Surprising Results!

Wow, miracles never cease to happen. I totally expected for my weight to be up again this week. I was up last week & after Zumba only meeting one time last week I was sure I'd be up again this week. I didn't even get to do my Zumba dvd because our tv died in our living room on Friday & Brock moved the one from the sunroom into the living room & didn't hook up any of the dvd players since hopefully this is temporary until the tv repair people can come. Anyway, the point of all of this is that I'm actually back down this week. Not only did I lose the gain I had last week, but I've lost an additional 1.5lbs. Yipee!! Zumba is back to normal this week & hopefully I will be too. Hope you all have a great week!!!