Losing It!

Would you believe I am DOWN 3.9 pounds? I am so excited. I had several good days in regards to eating and the couple of not so good days over the weekend didn't seem to slow me down. I have ordered this book and am working with the girls over here....looking forward to more success!! Only 31.6 pounds to go overall....and 6.1 pounds to go for the challenge!!

Starting Point

I weighed in this morning and have an official starting place. I officially want to lose 35.5 pounds to get to A goal weight. As much as I would LOVE to lose the 35.5 pounds THIS month....well, that's just dang near impossible....so where is a good place to start? I am afraid 10 pounds is a little high, but let's do a range of 7 yo 10 pounds to lose by the end of November. I am so ready to be a loser again :)

Outta Control

Wow! I don't even want to think about how long it has been since I've written about food or weight on this blog. But I have to come to grips with the hard and absolute truth. In 2002, I signed up with Weight Watchers for the first time ever. It was actually November. I remember because I realized how crazy I was to start a diet close to Thanksgiving. But I did it. And I followed it through the holidays of 2002. I followed it fairly "religiously" for the first 10 weeks and really for longer than that....rather than weeks, I will look at it as pounds. I followed it fairly "religiously" for the first 30 pounds. My first weigh in, which I believe was on Nov. 15, 2002....I weighed 194.6 pounds. As far as I know, that is the most I had ever weighed in my life. I had watched the scales at home go from the 160's (which I wasn't happy with) to the 170's to the 180's....and I just stopped weighing myself. I was so scared to step on that Weight Watcher's scale and to read the number. My friend who got me to WW had tipped the 200 mark and she had lost 48 pounds at that point, so I was feeling like not getting discouraged but really trying for 10 weeks. If I could lose 10% in that 10 weeks, well....I would know I had a hold of something pretty good.

One thing about my personality: I will follow a plan "perfectly" especially if I have doubts that it will work. Reason being, if it doesn't work....I can blame the "plan" or "program" or "class" or what have you. If I don't follow it to the letter....well, who could I blame then? I would always wonder if the plan was the problem or if I was truly to blame.

The first week, I lost over 7 pounds. Crazy, I know. I don't believe I've had that much success in a week EVER since. I would lose 30 pounds over the next 6 months to a year. Then I would plateau for a while. I would eventually lose to may goal weight and below even. I lost over 50 pounds by the early summer of 2004. Lifetime status was achieved. The heavens opened up, music played, birds flew down and gave me special powers. Well...maybe not really. But lifetime was great. But, I stopped going to meetings and it didn't take long before the pounds would inch back on.

In 2005, I was in my 160's. I would run into friends who had just started doing Weight Watchers and be so excited for their new adventure. I would say I need to go back and lose about 10 pounds. They would say, "oh no, you look great." And inside I would say, "no, I really don't!" I don't remember the exact numbers but I pushed toward 170 and really buckled down and tried to follow WW on my own. Still don't know how I did it, but I got back to the 150's by the summer of 2006.

My current full-time job came along and I was hired January of 2007. I was in my 150's (although pushing 160) when that happened. The summer of 2007, clothes were not fitting. I had started blogging and when I look back to wanting to lose 22 pounds....well... I miss wanting to lose ONLY 22 pounds. I am pretty sure my weight was around 172 then (I blog a little ambiguously at times....fearful of judgment or what-not....but I am inspired by those with the courage to write their real weight). But I had found some online support in the weight loss rendezvous. As I read back over my early blogging about my weight loss, it seems I would go up and down each week. I actually started going to WW meeting again in October of 2007. It seems I would get fed up with myself because I wouldn't stick with the program. I do remember doing WW for 4 months and not really losing overall....maybe a total of a pound and a half. I would gain and lose consistently, likely within the same week. At any rate, I don't believe I blogged about my weight for 9 more months. And I am pretty sure during that time, my weight hovered in the higher 170's....maybe even tipped 180 or so.

In early 2009, I joined another challenge, and I went back to the WW meetings. I did lose like 5 pounds in that challenge and really don't remember what the weight was around. But I know that losing 30 pounds has been what I'd like to do for SOME time now. Over the bulk of 2009, I would choose to do some things to lose weight or exercise or even be healthy but each of them were short-lived. Remember when I told you about my personality....how I jump in and do things perfectly? Well, that only works once. Once I learn that the program works, my hidden agenda of wanting to blame a program won't work again. I KNOW WW works....I lost 50 pounds! That is....well, that is pretty good proof. And back in April of this year, for 3 months....I turned into a health nut. I gave up refined sugar, flour, caffeine,....among other things. I was eating a great deal of raw foods. I did that really well and lost some weight. I had assumed it would just "fall off." And it didn't....I think I lost about 12 or 15 pounds. And my motivation was more health-oriented. I wrote some in this blog about my "boobie issues." And I followed the health stuff out of fear. And in July, I learned I would have to have surgery anyway....well THAT day, I went to Red Lobster. I was eating with some co-workers who had watched the "healthy eating" and I said, "I can tell you right now....I am eating a biscuit."

S-T-R-E-S-S is a huge factor for me. On a rare occasion, I will not be able to eat. That happened for a couple weeks before my surgery. I had no appetite and lost down into the mid 160's. But I had surgery on August 7, 2009.....and I got my appetite back shortly after. I don't think I've stopped eating since. There is a part of me that thinks 2009 is like the worst year I've had in a while (my husband lost his job, health issues, etc.)....and that same part of me thinks that "magically" 2010 is going to be so much better. Well, I am not so sure that reality is magical. So, I have been reading here and there some other folks adventures with weight loss....occasionally printing out a recipe or meal plan. But I need to do SOMETHING.

The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans is having a "Shrink-A-Versary" Challenge....and I am going to jump on in. I think they just started this challenge, so I will get the deets and officially weigh in tomorrow. In the meantime, I gotta figure out what plan or program I am doing to lose this weight....which I am pretty sure is gonna be around 30 pounds....not necessarily for the challenge but to get back to where I need to be! Posting about my weigh in and goals tomorrow....see you then!

John 14:27

This is the next verse....unbelievably, I have stuck with adding a two verses each month. Some of them are deep within my heart, but not all of them yet. I keep working towards it though..

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Scipture to Memorize

How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

2 Samuel 7:22 New International Version

101 Things Update

Oh my goodness....my life has been so outta control that this big TO DO list of mine has barely crossed my mind. And the last time I updated, I apparently intended to do it in pieces and only started. Wow! Do I dare try to give you the reasons (aka excuses) or do I just move forward honestly? Well, here it....updates in red....the "Family" section was all I updated 3 months ago...and some of it is repeated info :)

FAMILY
1. Walk together as a family for at least 10 minutes, 3 times a week

I tried this at first and the kids loved it. It was so much fun and was really to stop everything for a bit and go outside for a walk. Although I haven't done this regularly like I'd hoped (I put way too much, too fast....oh well, live and learn), I would like to revisit this. NOTE: this was from June's update and I did walk for 20 minutes 3 or 4 times a week in September....it was only with Mark not the whole family (except once)....still need to revisit this!
2. Play outside together as a family at least 1 day per week

Nope....not doing this!
3. Have meal together with family at least once a week

Still haven't implemented this....sigh
4. Plan family time together that includes physical activity, at least once every other month (swimming, longer walk, etc.)

Physical Activity? What is that?
5. Go to Disneyworld with family

Life has a way of slowing things down financially. Hubs lost his job in April and has only been working part-time and we've dipped into savings...by the time we save up for a trip...the kids may not give a rip about Disneyworld. They are 12 and 14 right now and don't seem so disappointed about Disney being put off.... NOTE: this is the update, I gave in June.....still questioning Disney...we did take a mini vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas (even with my man being out of a job)
6. Have a family night every month

My family is great about occasionally doing things together, but we again haven't done it intentionally (at least not as part of mom's ginormous to-do list)....it is very possible that if I went backwards, I'd come close to having met this one "by accident" NOTE: again, the June update holds here
7. Come up with a cooking plan, with meals that are diet/family/budget friendly

How do I even begin this? Life is so busy, meal planning is more like a cram session
8. Update will

Listening to Dave Ramsey the other day, I learned about a way to do this for only fifteen bucks! So, although we haven't done this JUST YET....it is close! NOTE (yet again): this is the update from June and still....haven't done it!
9. Have one on one “dates” with the kids again, him one month—her the next—then a family “date”

Gosh! I hate to admit that life and stuff have gotten in the way and we were better at this BEFORE me coming up with this BIG-O list! Gotta get this one on the calendar again! NOTE (and sad face): June's update again....and 3 months went by....and nothing changed!
10. Find a geocache

I just don't really know if this will become a hobby for my family....kinda hoped it would....we'll see....doing this is just a sample for us to try! We haven't done it yet, though! NOTE: June's update...no change
11. Hide a geocache

See # 10
12. Paint ceramics with family

This cost MOO-Lah which we are short on at the moment....but I can foresee us doing this before the end of 2009 NOTE: This was from June's update and the end of 2009 is coming up, right?
13. Do Wii Fit at least once a week

I haven't done this perfectly from the beginning but I have done it weekly to keep up with my weight if nothing else :) And, we have added another game/tool to the mix....and it was fun at first (sorta lost the momentum temporarily....at least I hope it was temporarily) NOTE: This was June's update and the added "game/tool" hasn't been used in close to 3 months....and I haven't done Wii Fit for at least a month
14. Do Wii Sports at least once a month

NOT! We haven't done this ONCE....not once I tell ya!! NOTE: That was June's update, and well...the kids and I have played Wii Sport Resort (or something like that) at the video game store a couple times, does that count? BIG HEAVY SIGH....WHY DID I START THIS LIST?

AFTER THIS, I HAVEN'T UPDATED SINCE FEBRUARY 2009:

JUST FOR ME

15. Finish my clinical hours YAY!! I finally have good news to report....although I have not FINISHED my hours, I am on schedule to have them finished by the end of January 2010...WOO HOO!

16. Pass the LCSW exam I can't take the exam until I finish my hours....look for this update next year ;)

17. Read 30 books I've read 9 books....I think I am doing quite well with this one!

18. Take one bubble bath each month Once! On my birthday (August 13)!

19. Watch the sunrise Not yet....at least not on purpose

20. Buy some fresh flowers at least every other month I haven't done this....although my hubby bought some for our anniversary (September 19)

21. Project 365 (take a new photo every day) I was so good at this when I first started, but it is a habit to form and I sorta gave up after a while

22. Get caught up on scrapbooks I went to a workshop and did SO MUCH on my books, got really close to being caught up and I also learned so much about digital scrapbooking (and incidentally....I LOVE IT) which can help me stay caught up....feel like I am really on target here!

23. Write 3 pages in my journal for 30 days in a row I haven't started this project yet...but I will!

24. Make a list of 100 things I am thankful for I have this one started...I am certain I can have this done with just a little focus

25. Get my passport not yet

26. Have something published hmmmmmm...I need to think about this because I can't even channel the Jamie interested in writing something publishable....

27. Blog 30 days in a row OBVIOUSLY haven't done this one yet

28. Get a freezer I so want one....Hubs being out of work kinda slows this one down!

29. Start a garden…even if just one plant in a bucket I really looked into this over the summer but the lack of cash flow slowed me down...

30. Start an idea notebook this one would be so easy, but I haven't yet

31. Learn how to make coffee drinks (aka be my own barista) not yet

32. Update my wardrobe I've done this one minimally

33. List 25 accomplishments at the end of each year Well, the end of the year is coming....I can do this!

34. Get a massage at least once a year I got a free chair massage in September...does that count? It was only for like 5 minutes and I did not want her to stop :(

35. Get a pedicure at least once a year YAY! Another one I am on top of! I did get a pedicure in July when I was on a girl's weekend with my sister!

36. Get a manicure at least once a year I did this one, too....not the same trip, though

HUBS—Marriage

37. Have a date night with hubby once a month SIGH! We have mini-dates....I want real ones!!!!!!

38. Go OUT at least every other month....the other dates can be "date night in" Yeah, we need to do this!

39. Visit at least 3 B&B’s we haven't gone to any yet...mostly because of the tight money situation we are in...I'm sure we'll do this one, though!

40. Attend a wine tasting and/or visit a winery When we went on a family vacation to Hot Springs, Arkansas, we attended a wine tasting!

41. Kiss hubby in the rain Tee, hee! It is raining as I write this!!! But Hubby is substitute teaching!!!

42. Take ballroom dance lessons I looked these up the other day (inspired by watching Dancing with the Stars) and I am not sure it is going to be easy to find these locally...

43. Go to a musical (preferably “Phantom of the Opera”) not yet

44. Visit the Holocaust Museum in Dallas DID IT in June!!! Blogged about it here

HEALTH

45. Park further away from the store and walk a few extra steps for 3 months I do this from time to time, but I want to make do this as a project

46. Have fruit or veggie for a snack at least 5 times per week for a month I might have done this somewhere in there, but I need to do it and take track of it

47. Exercise 3 times a week WHY is this so hard for me? I can't seem to do anything and stick with it long-term!

48. Have meatless dinners twice a month Just haven't kept track of this but I feel certain I've done it!

49. Go to yoga class once a week for 2 months I really want to do this....waiting for the money situation to change

50. Lose 30 pounds I did lose some of it....actually close to 20 pounds of it...but I've gained it back (watch for a separate blog on this later)

51. Floss daily for a month This is a good one that I put on here....yeah....I need to do this!

52. Increase fiber to 35 grams per day hmmm....I need to do this one, too!

53. Eat slowly at every meal for a month another good one....glad I put it on my list! haven't done it yet, though!

54. Go without junk food for 30 days I ate all natural foods for 3 months actually....that means I went without junk food for 30 days....another success!

55. STOP cracking my knuckles for 2 weeks I don't even know how to not crack my knuckles for 1 day....this is going to be super hard for me!

56. Be vegetarian for 30 days this will be a fun project....I'll enjoy it! haven't done it yet, though!

57. Drink ½ of my body weight in ounces for 30 days I do about 32 ounces a day....but I weigh a tad more than 64 pounds :)

58. Take a day off work and do nothing I need to put this on my calendar before the end of the year

FINANCES

59. Stash $2,000.00 in emergency fund Well...we had some stashed away....then an emergency came up (hence the name of the emergency fun)....the emergency was that Hubs lost his job and we needed to dip into the fund just to pay bills!

60. Revisit Financial Peace, re-do budget and stick to it (at least 6 months) I laughed at this one! We have what I have entitled "the Crappy Budget" that we are attempted to follow right now. BUT it is not a good budget because it is not paying any debt and we are still bleeding. It is a yucky situation right now, I tell ya!

61. Save each month, even if it’s $20 Not really saving right now....

62. Eat out only once a month, 3 times a year This could be one that I've done....but I didn't pay attention (aka do it on purpose)....

63. Go without Starbucks for 3 months WHAT was I thinking? Going without Starbucks? 3 months? Wow! Wow! Really? This was my idea?

64. Have a clear cut plan for becoming DEBT FREE this plan would be easier if the Hubs could find a job!

65. Have a no spending day once a week dang it! I'm sure I've done this....just not on purpose!

HOUSE

66. Get a new roof great idea, James! Where ya gonna get the money?

67. Get ceiling fixed see #66

68. Paint or fix front door see #66

69. Paint shutters and trim outside see #66

70. Paint kids’ rooms Woot! We did this one!

71. Get curtains for several rooms in house see #66

72. Redecorate kitchen see #66

73. Update furniture see #66 (this is getting depressing)

74. Fix yard this likely will take some money, too

75. Host something in my home (Bible Study, Coffee Group, etc.) not yet

76. Get filing/paperwork under control not yet

GOING GREEN

77. Buy some cloth napkins and use them not yet

78. Get 5 more reusable shopping bags and use them have them, and have used them once or twice....it's easy to forget, ya know?

79. Get rechargeable batteries for items used on a regular basis not yet

80.Change to all CFL bulbs partly....have a few we need to change

81. Get motion detector lights not yet

82. Install low flow shower heads did it!

VARIOUS

83. Turn TV off during meal times meal times? we need to eat together to do this...right?

84. Limit TV viewing to 2 hours per day, even on weekends, for 3 months--another project that I've done partly here and there, but not on purpose!!

85. Leave the TV off one day a week this is great idea....and I know we did this for a few weeks on Wednesdays...but it was neglected and we've forgotten!

86. Spend a whole weekend without TV, Internet or video games twice a year I need to have a family meeting and discuss all of these with the family and get them on the calendar!!

87. Get my handwriting made into a font I really have looked into this and will do it before the end of the 1001 days, I am sure

88.Grow an indoor herb garden not yet

89. Visit a Farmer’s Market did that this past summer, check this one off :)

90. Visit Canton Trades Days on a first Monday weekend not yet

91. Donate blood at least once a year almost did this in September....need to do that before the end of the year ;-)

92. Get rid of 100 things (throw away, give away, sell, etc.) not yet

93. Get another car did this one and blogged about it here

94. Use crock pot at least once a month I haven't done this regularly...darn it!

95. Learn to can not yet

96. Pay for the person behind me at the drive through not yet

97. Buy an angel tree gift each Christmas I did this last Christmas and will do this again this Christmas :0)

98. Comment on 36 different blogs in a 90 day window (13 per month) not really, at least not on purpose

FINISHING TOUCHES (and “the trap”)

99. Blog the progress of this list at least quarterly I have done this semi-regularly, but not quarterly....bummer

100. Make EXCEL spreadsheets to keep up with this list done--although I didn't use it like I had hoped

101. Donate $5 to a charity for each task not complete this is a good one because some charity will benefit from me messing up :) and already has several 5 dollar bills coming to it....I need to decide which charity will get the moo-lah!

Psalm 45:11

The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.

Ok....this is good stuff, ya'll!!! God is enthralled by our beauty....do you know it? Do you feel it in your bones? Me either....but I'm working on it :)