Sunday, January 15, 2012

Missed it by this much


And I’m good with that.  I set a goal to lose 20 pounds in 22 weeks. Before I let you know how I did (I think you know a bit by the title), let me take you back to how this came about.

I was one of the lucky ones growing up.  I was always thin and didn’t have to worry about weight.  After two kids I never dropped back to pre-baby weight.  I began to gain extra weight a few years ago (up to 10 pounds then dropped  a couple) and last summer put on another six pounds in just a couple of weeks.  I was watching the scale climb and not liking it.  I knew I needed to cut back on the treats, watch portion size and begin exercising.  I knew what to do, I just didn’t have the will power or literally, the get-up-and-go to do it. 

One day I was reading blogs and clicking around on the web and came across the site, Two Girls on the Go.  They just so happened to be running a daily challenge for the month.  Any other day I would have continued my surfing.  Not that day.  I followed that monthly plan only missing three workouts.  The first week I thought I’d drop at least three pounds.  (When you are a “Biggest Loser” watcher you expect to lose like they do.)  Nope, I lost just one pound.  A bit discouraging.  The second week had to be a couple of pounds lost.  Again, just one.  After four weeks, four pounds.  Ok, so if I keep at this, in another four weeks I should be around 8 pounds down.  I was beginning to see that one pound a week really is a good thing. 

During the 22 weeks I caught a cold and had little energy for three weeks but maintained then lost again.  I also made it through Thanksgiving.  Then the two weeks surrounding Christmas did me in.  I succumbed to eating all the goodies and couch potato-ing.  There was also the passing of my father-in-law.  The motivation pretty much was gone during those few weeks.  Which brings us to today.  So here are the numbers…

I lost 16 pounds.  I started out at 154 pounds, jeans were pushing into a size 12 and my size 10 work slacks were tight.  I know some people would love to have my weight “problem”.  I know I was very unhealthy – and this is the problem.  I had very little muscle and mostly fat.  I had no endurance.  I struggled to run at a 12 minute mile pace – I could only last four minutes on a good day.  Today I am 138 pounds, jeans are a size 8 and dress pants size 6.  Trust me, I don’t look like someone who should be in a size 6.  I still have that thick layer of fat; it’s just in a smaller circumference.  I can usually run two miles on the treadmill at a 12 minute mile pace.

My first major goal is to get to 134 pounds.  Ultimately I would like to be down to 130.   I’ll admit, the numbers are important to me (it’s nice to see results), but they aren’t the most important.  I want to be strong and healthy and this is what I’m most excited about. 

I share this to hopefully inspire anyone else feeling they need to get healthier.  Trust me.  If this mid-40’s gal who could never say no to a sweet treat can do it I know you can.  I still have a treat but not every night.  Instead of a bowl of ice cream I have a spoon of sherbet ice cream.  I will still eat treats next Christmas, but I will sweat and burn some of those calories instead of letting them settle in my rear.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Going Home

I've been away from the blogging for a bit.  We've been a bit out of sorts and pre-occupied the last couple of weeks.  My father-in-law passed away expectantly the week after Christmas.  That caused my husband to be out of town for a few days and all that goes on with the arrangements and overseeing everything is more consuming than I realized.  So that has been taking up most of any free time we have.  I think in the next week things should be slowing down and at a more manageable pace.

We are sad about our loss of him, but we are also rejoicing in the fact that he loved and lived for Jesus!  That man loved to share stories and his love of Jesus.  I know, without a doubt, that he is home in heaven, Jesus was there to greet him, the angels were singing and dancing and his wife was waiting with open arms. 

His passing also reminds me to share Jesus (something I have to admit I'm not good at).  Also to let those I love know I love them.  When I shared the news with my family I also took a minute to let them know how much I loved them. 

Don't let time steal you away from letting your loved ones know how much you care about them. 

Sunday, January 1, 2012

2012

Do you make New Year’s resolutions?  Do you resolve to eat better or lose weight?  Promise you will be kind to others or do more charity work?  Spend more time with family?  Walk the dog daily, no matter what the weather?  Keep the bathrooms clean and laundry put away?  Whatever you resolve, I hope you are successful.

I have a friend who, after prayer and discussions with God, has a word she focuses on for the year.  I love this idea!  You aren’t focused on doing (or not doing) something.  Through the year she sees how God shows the word in so many ways to her, and many times not as she would have expected.  That’s one of the beauties of our God – He surpasses our limitations to reveal Himself in unexpected ways.

I pray for blessings over you and your families for this coming year.