Dog Days of August!
Aug 20, 2010

I took your advice and I have bagged up 4 bags of clothes that are going to Goodwill. I really don't want a way to chicken out of this commitment I made. I will say that - this month has sucked! lol My oldest has now went back to college - it was great to see her this Summer but my routine was thrown off and it added stress. My sister and her family spent a week with us and we went out to dinner a lot. Exercise wasn't as regular. I cheated by eating things I haven't for maybe 8 months - such as ice cream drumsticks (I think 4 over the course of a week!)

So 20 days after my last weigh in - I am 2 pounds heavier (which I am blaming on TOM and not counting as a gain) and exactly the same in every single measurement. I guess I should be quite thankful I haven't gained!

So I have exactly one month left for my end of Summer goal and as of 2 days ago, I am officially committed again! Maybe if I am lucky, I can pull off 8 more pounds of my end of Summer goal to get me to 15 pounds lost (174 pounds)

The wheel on my riding lawn mower fell off so I am looking at having to push mow my one acre yard. That has to be good exercise right? lol

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I wish you success on all your goals - weight-loss and others too!

To get rid of the clothes or not!
Aug 15, 2010

I adopted a saying during my weight loss journey of "Never 200 again" and I really do plan to never be over 200 pounds again. So now I have a dilemma and want to know what you think. As I lose more weight - do I get rid of clothes like I did when I was over 200 pounds? Do I get rid of my size 16 jeans when I go to a size 14 or less. Do I keep a few of my favorites? Is that allowing me to think that this isn't a life time change and giving myself a cop-out.... I would like your advice - keep them or give them to charity?

August hasn't been a good weight loss month. My sister was in from Canada for a week and I didn't eat to lose weight. Then my daughter has been packing for college - and life has just been more stressful and she moved as of yesterday. So today, I start anew by heading to the gym in a few minutes and starting to eat for weight loss again. I am hoping I can at least get to 180 by the end of August and 175 by the end of Summer. That will be 15 pounds instead of 20 for my end of Summer goal.

Wishing everyone a good week and success on your hard work this week!

Food is Energy! Food is good!
Aug 8, 2010

My sister and her daughter just headed back home from Canada and it has been a fun and very busy week. I had a learning moment from her visit to tell you.

I went to lunch on Tuesday and I didn't have a lot of choices on what to pack for my lunch. I had a protein shake in the morning and for lunch I had a small salad with some turkey lunch meat slices and some cheese slices. I got off work at 3 - and was planning to go right home and have healthy food and clean house. I was driving my daughters car that day - and that morning it broke down and I had to take it to the shop. So my other daughter picks me up from work and instead of going home - surprise we are going to my bros house and all the girls are going shopping. So I went shopping with 6 other girls. You can imagine what a long intense trip that was.

Well I only still had my small lunch and shake - plus I was stressed about the car. Two hours into shopping - about 6:30, I had the biggest energy crash. I felt like I didn't have the energy to walk or breathe or anything! Some were ready for the next store - but one of my daughters, my niece and I went back to my bros and ate. She had to drive because I didn't have the energy for it. For the next two days - I felt like I was always starving and I probably ended up eating a little something every 2 to 3 hours for 2 days. :)

This situation reminded me of how so many of us approach weight loss. We don't give our bodies enough food to keep itself full of energy and strength. Our body then rebels and says it wants to eat - and we usually end up over eating to compensate and then we think something silly like we don't have the will power to diet. When in fact, we are very strong but we just believe the nonsense about less calories is better or we should fast for results.

This was just one of my learning moments - which when it comes to healthy living - I have all the time and I always want to share my moments with you guys! I am getting back to my routine today with exercise and healthy eating so I can try to get close to my end of Summer goal. 6 more weeks to get 13 pounds. A bit aggressive but I am going to try :)

Have a great week everyone!