Day 30 - Success!!!

I can't believe I actually made my goal - - 30 consecutive days with 30 minutes of exercise per day! I did it!! My little old exercise bike is being used regularly, my abs are loving pilates (so is my back!) and my legs are getting stronger. Before I do anything else - here are the results of my challenge.

30 days ago, I weighed and measured myself:

• Weight: 225 pounds
• Waist: 44 inches
• Thighs: left 29 inches & right 29 inches

Today, these are my results:

• Weight: 219 pounds
• Waist: 42.5 inches
• Thighs: left 28.5 inches & right 28.5 inches

I lost 6 pounds and 2.5 inches!!! I was really nervous holding that measuring tape. I was so afraid that there wouldn't be any change and then I would have to get discouraged, but NO! I'm actually seeing results! I measured my waist 5 times because I couldn't believe I was doing it right. But I was, in fact, to get it to measure 44 inches, I had to really stick my stomach out. I'm so happy!!! Honestly, I'm amazed that such a small change is making a difference. Sometimes I felt like my 30 minutes of exercise wasn't much - especially when all I did was pilates, leg lifts and push-ups - but obviously it's working and I'm going to continue doing it. This has been a permanent life-style change for me. Woohoo!!!!

Now, I'm so excited to reward myself. That haircut is going to feel like the best one ever, simply because I had to work for it and I was successful. It feels so good.

Forgive & Move On

Ok, so I'm going to try really hard to not make a habit of waiting a whole week to post! Yikes! Anyway, I'm going to also be totally honest - and if you haven't figured it out yet: Last week was a bust for me weight-wise. First, I felt fat all week. Second, I snacked all week. Third, I didn't do a lick of exercise. This doesn't generally add up to a successful or healthy week, which it didn't. But, as a friend of mine so pointedly reminded me on FaceBook, "Don't give up! Forgive yourself and move on!" That is exactly what I intend to do.

I will 'fess up and let you know that my week of fatness gained me 3 pounds. Yep, 220 is the weight verdict this week. (I unbroke my scale...) I would really like to be at 215 by the end of June, so I have a lot of work ahead of me! Actually, as I think about it, it's not that much work. I just need to eat decently, get a little exercise every day and drink my water. Does that sound difficult to you?

Weight Down Wednesday

Wow! It's amazing how much a sick child can affect your computer time! Needless to say, it's been a stress-filled week and I was extremely apprehensive about stepping on the scale this morning. The good news is that I didn't gain a pound, but I didn't lose either. Stayed right at 217. That's ok! I'm going to chalk it up to a week of no sleep. Which brings up a very good topic - SLEEP.

Did you know that our bodies require sleep for a reason? In fact, here are 5 really good reasons to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night:

1. Learning and memory: Sleep helps the brain commit new information to memory.
2. Metabolism and weight: Chronic sleep deprivation may cause weight gain!Ouch!
3. Safety: Sleep loss contributes to a greater tendency to fall asleep during the day.
4. Mood: Sleep loss may result in irritability, impatience, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Hmmm....
5. Disease: Sleep deprivation alters immune function, including the activity of the body’s killer cells. Keeping up with sleep may also help fight cancer.

A year ago, I walked several miles faithfully every day for a month. I lost an inch around my thighs, but not an ounce of weight. Why? I was getting about 4-5 hours of sleep a night. The lesson here is that it doesn't matter how much you exercise - if you aren't getting enough sleep, your body goes into preservation mode. We need sleep. Since that time, I try very hard to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Not only do I feel better during the day, I function so much better!

And So It Begins....

Finally! My own official weight-loss blog! I've been thinking about this for a while and since today is rainy and my daughter is taking a nap - what better time to start, than right now.

Weight has not always been a struggle for me. I didn't even give it a second thought when I was in high school, and even when I gained the "freshman fifteen" in bible school, I still wasn't concerned. I was 5'9" 155 and a size 10. Then, I got married. I think it was the pill that started it. I gained 25 pounds in the first 3 years - yikes!! Then I went off the pill for various reasons, including the awful weight gain. I tried a natural diet pill with ephedra in it, and was able to lose it all within a year. But then, I went off that pill and let's just say, "The proof is in the pudding." And what a pudding it has been! 75 pounds have been gained in 11 years. It disgusts me to think that I've done this to myself. And for the past number of years I've let that disgust rule me. NO MORE!

That is why I'm starting this blog. I no longer want a discouraging voice in my head - I want an encouraging one!! These are my goals for this blog:

1. To daily encourage myself and others to eat right and live healthy.
2. To be real and honest about the struggles involved in doing the above!
3. To have others share their struggles and victories, so we can all be encouraged.
4. Honestly, I want to lose weight - and I'm hoping that this blog will help me find and keep my willpower to do just that.
5. Weekly weigh-in.
6. Contests. Who doesn't love a little incentive?

As I think of more goals, I'll add them. #4 really should be my #1, because that's really what I want! At the beginning of April, I weighed in at a hefty 230 lbs and a size 18/20. As of May 10, I'm at 218. That's been very encouraging to me, and makes me want to find my 155 again - AND I really want to lose my double chin!

Join me in this journey, because it's always easier with a friend!