This was a pretty decent week. Even with the candy in the house I didn't go hog wild and eat everything in sight (a first). I got in 3 out of 4 days of my walking DVD, stepping it up to the 2 mile, 30 minute workout. And I did 6 out of 7 days of devotions. Still no Total Gym days, though. I'm going to have to figure out alternate days perhaps, because Tuesdays and Thursdays just aren't working for me.
Gonna do even better next week!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Week 12
Week 12 marks the end of October. I'm gonna probably lose this one to my sister.
I ended up with 4 out of 7 days for devotions and 2 out of 4 days for the walking DVD. I broke my water jug, but figured out I don't technically need as much water as I thought I did.
A new month marks new goals, so I need to step it up. I want to prove to myself that I can still watch my diet and enjoy the holidays at the same time. It's also very challenging at home because now after the Fall Festival, the kids have a TON of candy in the house which will be a test of my willpower. I've made a point of not keeping goodies in the house which has helped me to not be a snacker. I have a very big goal to lose 7 pounds this month, putting me at under 200 pounds--a place I haven't been in 5 years. I'm very excited about it and nervous at the same time.
Definitely pray for me and stay tuned.
I ended up with 4 out of 7 days for devotions and 2 out of 4 days for the walking DVD. I broke my water jug, but figured out I don't technically need as much water as I thought I did.
A new month marks new goals, so I need to step it up. I want to prove to myself that I can still watch my diet and enjoy the holidays at the same time. It's also very challenging at home because now after the Fall Festival, the kids have a TON of candy in the house which will be a test of my willpower. I've made a point of not keeping goodies in the house which has helped me to not be a snacker. I have a very big goal to lose 7 pounds this month, putting me at under 200 pounds--a place I haven't been in 5 years. I'm very excited about it and nervous at the same time.
Definitely pray for me and stay tuned.
Week 11
Did better on the devotions, getting 5 out of 7 days. Still having a hard time remembering to get out the Total gym.
Started the week drinking my water but didn't finish strong.
Not a strong week overall.
Started the week drinking my water but didn't finish strong.
Not a strong week overall.
Month # 3 Stats
I missed last month's stats, so I'm starting a new weigh-in cycle on the first of each month. Here's the newest stats and how they compare to the September 10 weigh-in.
Weight - 206, down 4 pounds!!!!! Yay! I've been pretty much consistently losing 2 pounds a month. My goal for this month is an ambitious one of 7 pounds so that I can finally get below the 200 mark (and stay there!). Gonna have to step it up.
Tummy - 48" - stayed the same.
Arm - 15 3/4" - lost 3/4"
Thigh - 24" - gained an inch
Waist - 45" - down 3 inches!!
Chest - 45 1/2 - gained 1/2 inch
I'm pleased overall but expect to put up some bigger numbers next month, despite the Thanksgiving holiday.
Weight - 206, down 4 pounds!!!!! Yay! I've been pretty much consistently losing 2 pounds a month. My goal for this month is an ambitious one of 7 pounds so that I can finally get below the 200 mark (and stay there!). Gonna have to step it up.
Tummy - 48" - stayed the same.
Arm - 15 3/4" - lost 3/4"
Thigh - 24" - gained an inch
Waist - 45" - down 3 inches!!
Chest - 45 1/2 - gained 1/2 inch
I'm pleased overall but expect to put up some bigger numbers next month, despite the Thanksgiving holiday.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Week 10 Report
Wait...week 10?! What happened to week 9?? (And, truth be told, we're already smack dab into week 11 already, soo..) Obviously, something happened in the Gentry house to keep me from blogging.
During week 9, we had some visitors--Troy's parents were here for a conference at the seminary. So I did great at my routines early in the week...but not so much at the end. So that's what happened to week 9.
THEN, on week 10--well, really at the end of week 9--almost the entire household got sick. Tayler came down with what was diagnosed as swine flu (although I'm convinced that Troy and Clayton had it as well but they only test people over age 2 who are special risk groups, which is why Tayler was tested and not them) and Tori & Cody came down with viral upper respiratory infections. Thankfully, I did not get sick, but taking care of 5 people very obviously is a wear on the system. Whenever I wasn't making a run to buy more supplies for the sickies, washing endless medicine dosage cups, TRYING to stay on top of the laundry (definitely lost that war--and now have Mount Vesuvius of laundry to tackle today), popping yet another movie in the borrowed TV/DVD player for the kids, or heating up I don't know how many pans of soup, I was in my bed completely dead to the world. And since some of the medicines had to be administered 'round the clock....well, it was like having a baby in the house again.
Thankfully, everybody is on the mend and working to get over lingering coughs and regain some strength, which means that it's time to once again pay some attention to my routines. Needless to say, I missed the weigh-in this month, and given how close we are to the end of the month, I will wait and weigh in on November 1.
During week 9, we had some visitors--Troy's parents were here for a conference at the seminary. So I did great at my routines early in the week...but not so much at the end. So that's what happened to week 9.
THEN, on week 10--well, really at the end of week 9--almost the entire household got sick. Tayler came down with what was diagnosed as swine flu (although I'm convinced that Troy and Clayton had it as well but they only test people over age 2 who are special risk groups, which is why Tayler was tested and not them) and Tori & Cody came down with viral upper respiratory infections. Thankfully, I did not get sick, but taking care of 5 people very obviously is a wear on the system. Whenever I wasn't making a run to buy more supplies for the sickies, washing endless medicine dosage cups, TRYING to stay on top of the laundry (definitely lost that war--and now have Mount Vesuvius of laundry to tackle today), popping yet another movie in the borrowed TV/DVD player for the kids, or heating up I don't know how many pans of soup, I was in my bed completely dead to the world. And since some of the medicines had to be administered 'round the clock....well, it was like having a baby in the house again.
Thankfully, everybody is on the mend and working to get over lingering coughs and regain some strength, which means that it's time to once again pay some attention to my routines. Needless to say, I missed the weigh-in this month, and given how close we are to the end of the month, I will wait and weigh in on November 1.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Week 8 part 2
Wow. I should've just carried over from part one.
I didn't get any exercise in other than cleaning. BUT I did drink at least one 32 oz jug of water every day which is a HUGE thing for me. I'm supposed to be drinking two of them, but for now I'm going to be thrilled with the fact that I drank water each day and completely ignored, for the most part, the soda that was in the house. That is a big thing for me.
Now this week I need to work on my devotions, my exercises, and make sure that I am drinking two 32 oz jugs of water each day (a little tip for those, like me who aren't big water drinkers--add a couple of those Crystal Light to go packets to the water and you'll have flavored water. My particular favorite is the pink lemonade, but I'm going to try some others as well).
I didn't get any exercise in other than cleaning. BUT I did drink at least one 32 oz jug of water every day which is a HUGE thing for me. I'm supposed to be drinking two of them, but for now I'm going to be thrilled with the fact that I drank water each day and completely ignored, for the most part, the soda that was in the house. That is a big thing for me.
Now this week I need to work on my devotions, my exercises, and make sure that I am drinking two 32 oz jugs of water each day (a little tip for those, like me who aren't big water drinkers--add a couple of those Crystal Light to go packets to the water and you'll have flavored water. My particular favorite is the pink lemonade, but I'm going to try some others as well).
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Week 8 part 1
Since week 8 is split between two months, I'm dividing it up into two posts.
The flu (not sure if it was the swine variety or not) found our house over the weekend and keep this mama hopping and extremely worn out. Although I personally didn't suffer more than occasional stomach cramps, three of my poor children were sick, sick, sick! Between being up all night with them as they were sick on two occasions and sleeping with lights on in the bathroom on another, I really did not sleep much--at night that is. So during the day I didn't get anything done that I wanted to. Monday I did four, yes four, loads of laundry from the sickness over the weekend and gave the kitchen and bathroom and thorough cleaning. That is the literally the most exercise I got for this part of the week.
As I stated last week, I already plan to send in an extra $10 for the pot. I am praying that this next month has a better showing at the end of it!
The flu (not sure if it was the swine variety or not) found our house over the weekend and keep this mama hopping and extremely worn out. Although I personally didn't suffer more than occasional stomach cramps, three of my poor children were sick, sick, sick! Between being up all night with them as they were sick on two occasions and sleeping with lights on in the bathroom on another, I really did not sleep much--at night that is. So during the day I didn't get anything done that I wanted to. Monday I did four, yes four, loads of laundry from the sickness over the weekend and gave the kitchen and bathroom and thorough cleaning. That is the literally the most exercise I got for this part of the week.
As I stated last week, I already plan to send in an extra $10 for the pot. I am praying that this next month has a better showing at the end of it!
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Week 6
At this point I'm planning on setting aside some extra $$ for the pot--and I'm getting pretty disgusted with myself! Why can't I stick to a schedule and follow through?? Why am I so perpetually LAZY all the time?! Argh! I'm getting really frustrated by my indifference to my own health. What is wrong with me? Seriously. Well, maybe some righteous anger will finally be enough to propel my hiney off the couch. The one day this week I actually completed my schedule I felt TERRIFIC! By 7:30 AM I'd had my devotions and did my walking DVD. I took a shower, actually making sure to wipe down the shower walls with a squeegee when I was finished so that more icky gunk would not build up on top of the icky gunk already cemented to the shower walls. I was on top of the day's load of laundry instead of letting it fester in the washing machine or being completely useless in the dryer forcing my children to yell for some clean underwear and me yelling back at them to just keep on the same pair. (Shocking, isn't it?) I lovingly fluffed and prettified my house. I prepared a reasonably healthy dinner for my family and ripped my shoulder muscles clean off my body on the Total Gym (well, at least that's what it felt like afterwards). By the time my head hit the pillow at the end of the day, I felt GOOD. So why do I blissfully ignore that feeling each day, that feeling of accomplishment and self-control (something I obviously lack or else I wouldn't be blogging about this topic right now)? I'm going to have to do some thinking about this and try to figure it all out, but not tonight. Please keep praying for me and encouraging me--those words of encouragement mean so much to me!
And since I promised to keep it real, here's the week's record-- 4 out of 7 days of devotional study, 1 out of 2 days of Total gym and 2 out of 4 days of walking DVD. Sigh. I hope to have some better results next week.
And since I promised to keep it real, here's the week's record-- 4 out of 7 days of devotional study, 1 out of 2 days of Total gym and 2 out of 4 days of walking DVD. Sigh. I hope to have some better results next week.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Aging Gracefully
I was paging through one of the many magazines I subscribe to (something I'll have to put on hold during my coming year's sojourn in Costa Rica) and I couldn't help but notice all of the articles and advertisements about "looking younger". As a 34-year-old woman who has always appeared younger than my years, I usually don't even give these articles a glance. But for some reason, this time it really annoyed me. Why are we as women so focused on looking younger? For that matter, men are guilty of this too. What's wrong with aging gracefully? Does looking younger (and let's face it: most of the older celebs who've been "freshened up" don't really look younger--they look SCARY. I mean, have you SEEN Kenny Rogers lately??) actually make us any younger? And why is it that older men are "distinguished" but women are just old?
Why stress about each gray hair? Shouldn't we at least be thankful that we still have hair? Why stress about each little wrinkle? Aren't they the hallmarks of a life of mirth and laughter? Why stress because once perky body parts aren't quite so perky anymore? After all, we're not Barbie dolls. Gravity does take its toll in the most interesting ways. Most women say that they wouldn't go back to the days of their youth for anything, so why do we vainly grasp at the way we used to look?
I absolutely love seeing pictures of Diane Keaton. She looks her age. She is graceful and elegant and beautiful, wrinkles and all. She takes care of herself (which we all should) but doesn't appear to go out of her way to look 30 again. I dearly wish more Hollywood actresses and celebrities would model this graceful aging mentality.
At any rate, I plan to keep all of my gray hairs--no coloring for me, thank you. I will not be purchasing miracle serums that promise younger skin overnight. I plan to keep those wrinkles, as I get them, moisturized and in plain sight on my face. During this process of developing a healthier me, I will not fret if my skin (or anything else) is not as taut or firm as it was in my younger, thinner days.
And I will certainly never shy away from telling people how old I am--even when my appearance has caught up with my age and I no longer look younger than my years!
Why stress about each gray hair? Shouldn't we at least be thankful that we still have hair? Why stress about each little wrinkle? Aren't they the hallmarks of a life of mirth and laughter? Why stress because once perky body parts aren't quite so perky anymore? After all, we're not Barbie dolls. Gravity does take its toll in the most interesting ways. Most women say that they wouldn't go back to the days of their youth for anything, so why do we vainly grasp at the way we used to look?
I absolutely love seeing pictures of Diane Keaton. She looks her age. She is graceful and elegant and beautiful, wrinkles and all. She takes care of herself (which we all should) but doesn't appear to go out of her way to look 30 again. I dearly wish more Hollywood actresses and celebrities would model this graceful aging mentality.
At any rate, I plan to keep all of my gray hairs--no coloring for me, thank you. I will not be purchasing miracle serums that promise younger skin overnight. I plan to keep those wrinkles, as I get them, moisturized and in plain sight on my face. During this process of developing a healthier me, I will not fret if my skin (or anything else) is not as taut or firm as it was in my younger, thinner days.
And I will certainly never shy away from telling people how old I am--even when my appearance has caught up with my age and I no longer look younger than my years!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Week 5
This was a much better week for me, as far as sticking to my schedule, or at least getting in the main goals I had for each day. I made time for my devotions every day (yay!), did my walking DVD 3 out of the 4 goal days, but was unable to work in any of my Total Gym days. I think I need to pick new days for that, or else have Troy set it up for me in the morning before he goes to work. Aiming for Tuesday and Thursday evenings after he gets off work is not cutting it--especially now that those are the days when the kids have their music lessons. So I'm going to have to do some thinking about when would be the best time for that and work on doing better this week.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Month # 1 Stats
I can't believe we're already at the end of the first month! It's gone by so fast.
Well, despite my failings during the month (and there were many), I lost in several areas. Small losses, granted, but I'll take them!
Chest - 45", a loss of 1 inch from last month's
Tummy - 48", a loss of 1 inch from last month's (which is the money area--the area I need to lose the most fat from)
Hip - 48", which stayed the same (hey, at least it didn't get bigger)
Thigh - 23", down 3 inches from last month (I'm not positive we nailed the same spot, we'll see next month. For next month, we'll measure where my fingertips end up with my hands at my sides)
Arm - 16 1/2", up 1 1/2 inches (but again, not sure where we measure from. For next month, we'll measure at the upper arm, almost to the top, where it's the thickest)
Weight - 210, a loss of 2 lbs since last month
Yay! I'm very excited to see what happens when I really put some effort into it because 2 pounds a month is going to take a while. But hey, when I get there, I get there.
Well, despite my failings during the month (and there were many), I lost in several areas. Small losses, granted, but I'll take them!
Chest - 45", a loss of 1 inch from last month's
Tummy - 48", a loss of 1 inch from last month's (which is the money area--the area I need to lose the most fat from)
Hip - 48", which stayed the same (hey, at least it didn't get bigger)
Thigh - 23", down 3 inches from last month (I'm not positive we nailed the same spot, we'll see next month. For next month, we'll measure where my fingertips end up with my hands at my sides)
Arm - 16 1/2", up 1 1/2 inches (but again, not sure where we measure from. For next month, we'll measure at the upper arm, almost to the top, where it's the thickest)
Weight - 210, a loss of 2 lbs since last month
Yay! I'm very excited to see what happens when I really put some effort into it because 2 pounds a month is going to take a while. But hey, when I get there, I get there.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Week 4
I think I need to discover a better routine for weeks in which we are traveling. I'm not sure if it's due to the fact that I'm getting older, but each time we have a trip, it seems like it is harder and harder to recover from it once we get home. I'm not quite sure exactly why. But this week, even the thought of having to pony up an extra $10 for the month for the clothing fund did not motivate me to get moving each morning.
So, the progress for the week was pretty much squat. Now, I'm not snacking (which is good) and I did get in my 2 days of Total Gym that was on my goal list for this first month. But that's about it. So, I guess I'd better set aside that extra $10 now because I'm sure my sister did MUCH better than this. I wonder if schlepping groceries from the van, up the stairs to the porch, and into the house counts as exercise? Or how about dancing (okay, not dancing, per se. More like fast stepping) around in my living room with the Swing Kids soundtrack playing in the background? Oh, and I get to include my weekly cleaning, don't I? If so, then I wasn't a total slug all week.
I've got to step up to the plate this week and, as they say at Nike, just do it! My monthly weigh-in and measuring is in 5 days and I don't feel prepared for it.
ONE DAY AT A TIME! What a motto!
So, the progress for the week was pretty much squat. Now, I'm not snacking (which is good) and I did get in my 2 days of Total Gym that was on my goal list for this first month. But that's about it. So, I guess I'd better set aside that extra $10 now because I'm sure my sister did MUCH better than this. I wonder if schlepping groceries from the van, up the stairs to the porch, and into the house counts as exercise? Or how about dancing (okay, not dancing, per se. More like fast stepping) around in my living room with the Swing Kids soundtrack playing in the background? Oh, and I get to include my weekly cleaning, don't I? If so, then I wasn't a total slug all week.
I've got to step up to the plate this week and, as they say at Nike, just do it! My monthly weigh-in and measuring is in 5 days and I don't feel prepared for it.
ONE DAY AT A TIME! What a motto!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Week 3
Once again (I begin to sound like a broken record), I had a better start to the week and kind of pooped out at the end of the week. However, I have stuck to the plan of not purchasing snack food for the house, so I feel like I did okay with my snacking. I just need to do better with the exercise.
We are traveling this weekend to Illinois for two fund-raising meetings and that kind of messes with my eating and exercise. Once I get some good routines/habits in place, that is definitely one area I plan to tackle.
Beginning Tuesday, September 1, my sister and I will be having a friendly competition dealing with the area of personal discipline which will last until the end of April. Since there is money involved, I hope it will prove to be an added incentive for me to stick to my daily exercise and eating goals.
We are traveling this weekend to Illinois for two fund-raising meetings and that kind of messes with my eating and exercise. Once I get some good routines/habits in place, that is definitely one area I plan to tackle.
Beginning Tuesday, September 1, my sister and I will be having a friendly competition dealing with the area of personal discipline which will last until the end of April. Since there is money involved, I hope it will prove to be an added incentive for me to stick to my daily exercise and eating goals.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Week 2
I did much better this week than last week, at least at the beginning of the week. I accomplished most of my daily goals, had 2 days of walking DVDs in a row and did my Total Gym on Tuesday. After Wednesday, things kind of went downhill. Anyway, I will be doing 2 days in a row of Total Gym (today and tomorrow) and that will be it.
Hopefully next week will be better! No excuses, though!
Hopefully next week will be better! No excuses, though!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
A Reasonable Goal?
I just read something in a magazine or online (honestly, between the internet and all the different magazines I get, who knows where it came from?) that suggested women tend to set unrealistic goals for themselves when trying to lose weight. So, okay, my first thought was that they try to go all Biggest Loser and shoot for weekly double-digit numbers. Who living a normal life with kids, a spouse, and a job has TIME to hit the gym for 6-8 hours a day? So I was thinking expecting to put up the big numbers weekly is a bad idea (and I was kind of scoffing at those who do as I read). Turns out I was WRONG. This article suggested that we should, in our minds, shoot for that "unreachable" goal of getting down to that size 2. Apparently women who set higher goals for themselves actually work harder to attain them. Hmmm. I'm not sure I'd agree with this--I think I'd only get discouraged and give up. Like I've said before, what normal woman who's born as many children as I have is a size 2?
Anyway, it got me to thinking about my own personal weight loss goals. As I'm about to embark on a little contest with my sister, I sat down and jotted out what I thought were reasonable, attainable goals for myself. Now, each month I'm planning on upping the ante, giving myself a bit more to tackle as I go--just enough to make it a challenge, not something to make my life any crazier than it already is (anyone home-schooling 3 children each day understands what I mean when I say CRAZY). Well, so those were the goals for our contest.
Then, I started thinking about what I'd like to weigh at the end of our little contest, and at the end of a year. I've decided to shoot for the extremely reasonable goal of losing 4 lbs a month (that's a pound a week). For me to end up at 130 (my goal weight), losing 4 lbs a month, it will take me about 21 months. So I got out my calendar and thought about where that would put me. June, 2011--right before our hoped-for departure for Mexico City. Interesting! It would be so much fun to get to Mexico City 85 lbs lighter! Now, there's a goal I can shoot for!
Weight loss goal # 1 - To lose between 30-35 lbs between now and the end of May, 2010 (that would put me under the 200 mark and back at my wedding weight before we, hopefully, leave for language school in Costa Rica). I'm liking the idea of hitting those gorgeous beaches (which I will be doing as often as humanly possible, given that we won't have a car) at a much thinner 180 lbs.
Weight loss goal # 2 - To lose the remainder of the weight between June, 2010 and June, 2011 when we, hopefully, return home from language school. The idea of my family seeing me at 130 lbs again after almost 17 years (by that time) is a HUGE motivation! Especially since I would have lost 50 lbs since last they'd seen me. ;-)
Anyway, it got me to thinking about my own personal weight loss goals. As I'm about to embark on a little contest with my sister, I sat down and jotted out what I thought were reasonable, attainable goals for myself. Now, each month I'm planning on upping the ante, giving myself a bit more to tackle as I go--just enough to make it a challenge, not something to make my life any crazier than it already is (anyone home-schooling 3 children each day understands what I mean when I say CRAZY). Well, so those were the goals for our contest.
Then, I started thinking about what I'd like to weigh at the end of our little contest, and at the end of a year. I've decided to shoot for the extremely reasonable goal of losing 4 lbs a month (that's a pound a week). For me to end up at 130 (my goal weight), losing 4 lbs a month, it will take me about 21 months. So I got out my calendar and thought about where that would put me. June, 2011--right before our hoped-for departure for Mexico City. Interesting! It would be so much fun to get to Mexico City 85 lbs lighter! Now, there's a goal I can shoot for!
Weight loss goal # 1 - To lose between 30-35 lbs between now and the end of May, 2010 (that would put me under the 200 mark and back at my wedding weight before we, hopefully, leave for language school in Costa Rica). I'm liking the idea of hitting those gorgeous beaches (which I will be doing as often as humanly possible, given that we won't have a car) at a much thinner 180 lbs.
Weight loss goal # 2 - To lose the remainder of the weight between June, 2010 and June, 2011 when we, hopefully, return home from language school. The idea of my family seeing me at 130 lbs again after almost 17 years (by that time) is a HUGE motivation! Especially since I would have lost 50 lbs since last they'd seen me. ;-)
Friday, August 14, 2009
Week 1
There wasn't a lot of progress to report this week as I really struggled with sticking to the schedule I made for myself. All in all, I only managed to log in 1 day on the total gym (okay, 2 if I am good and do it tomorrow as I'm supposed to) and 1 day of doing the walking DVD. Need to do a bit better in that department.
This morning was a good morning, though. I was up for my devotions and had an hour of quiet before the kids got up in which to do them (although an hour is just not enough--it showed me that I need at least 1 1/2 hours, meaning that I need to get up every day by 5:30). Then I did the 15-minute (1 mile) Leslie Sansone walking DVD and had cereal and hot tea for breakfast. I had hoped to do the 30 minute (2 mile) DVD but as I'm starting I've noticed that my knees have been especially sore lately so I've decided to work into it. 15 minutes a day is better than nothing!
Aside from the ice cream I bought on a weak moment over last weekend and the fast food we've eaten this week (although I cooked quite a bit as well), I've done pretty well with the food. For now I'm trying to adapt to the principles I learned in Weigh Down 10 years ago--eat whatever you want, but ONLY when you're hungry. Once you're full, put down the fork! I also have decided to help myself by not buying any more of the sweets to have on hand. Chips I can take or leave (mostly leave). Cake I can take or leave (by itself, I can mostly leave. Pair it with ice cream and I'm a gonner). Hard candy I can take or leave. Most cookies I can take or leave (I have a particular weakness for home-baked goodies like frosted sugar cookies or Special K bars or Double Stuf Oreos, however). But put some chocolate or ice cream in the house and I'm in trouble! So that's just what I'm NOT buying for now.
So there's the nitty gritty on the physical stuff I'm working on. I'm also attempting in this whole process to become a discipled person. After all, I believe a disciplined person has the ability to say no to food they don't need. A discipled person has the ability to keep up with the housework under normal circumstances. A disciplined person is not a lazy person. A disciplined person knows how to control her tongue and uses it to encourage and edify.
You may as well place a giant plackard around my neck that says, "under construction", because that's what's happening in my life right now. Remeber that Gaither song, "Kids Under Construction"?
The Lord is not finished with me yet.
This morning was a good morning, though. I was up for my devotions and had an hour of quiet before the kids got up in which to do them (although an hour is just not enough--it showed me that I need at least 1 1/2 hours, meaning that I need to get up every day by 5:30). Then I did the 15-minute (1 mile) Leslie Sansone walking DVD and had cereal and hot tea for breakfast. I had hoped to do the 30 minute (2 mile) DVD but as I'm starting I've noticed that my knees have been especially sore lately so I've decided to work into it. 15 minutes a day is better than nothing!
Aside from the ice cream I bought on a weak moment over last weekend and the fast food we've eaten this week (although I cooked quite a bit as well), I've done pretty well with the food. For now I'm trying to adapt to the principles I learned in Weigh Down 10 years ago--eat whatever you want, but ONLY when you're hungry. Once you're full, put down the fork! I also have decided to help myself by not buying any more of the sweets to have on hand. Chips I can take or leave (mostly leave). Cake I can take or leave (by itself, I can mostly leave. Pair it with ice cream and I'm a gonner). Hard candy I can take or leave. Most cookies I can take or leave (I have a particular weakness for home-baked goodies like frosted sugar cookies or Special K bars or Double Stuf Oreos, however). But put some chocolate or ice cream in the house and I'm in trouble! So that's just what I'm NOT buying for now.
So there's the nitty gritty on the physical stuff I'm working on. I'm also attempting in this whole process to become a discipled person. After all, I believe a disciplined person has the ability to say no to food they don't need. A discipled person has the ability to keep up with the housework under normal circumstances. A disciplined person is not a lazy person. A disciplined person knows how to control her tongue and uses it to encourage and edify.
You may as well place a giant plackard around my neck that says, "under construction", because that's what's happening in my life right now. Remeber that Gaither song, "Kids Under Construction"?
The Lord is not finished with me yet.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Starting Stats
Now for the painful (and I mean painful!) truth. Following are my starting measurements and current weight (fully clothed with shoes stuffed with rocks, ha, ha!):
Chest - 46 inches (and not in a fill-out-your dress kind of way)
Ab - 49 inches
Hip - 48 inches
Thigh - 26 inches
Arm - 15 inches
Weight - {gulp} 212 lbs
While I will be blogging weekly to report the week's progress, I will only be weighing/measuring once a month (contrary to popular belief, I am not a glutton for punishment!).
Now, it's on!
Chest - 46 inches (and not in a fill-out-your dress kind of way)
Ab - 49 inches
Hip - 48 inches
Thigh - 26 inches
Arm - 15 inches
Weight - {gulp} 212 lbs
While I will be blogging weekly to report the week's progress, I will only be weighing/measuring once a month (contrary to popular belief, I am not a glutton for punishment!).
Now, it's on!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Getting Started
Okay, so obviously this is going to be about my weight loss goals (if you've seen the profile picture and can read, there shouldn't be any confusion about this).
Why lean and mean? Why not "skinny"? First of all, I detest (there is not a way I can emphasize this word strongly enough) that word. Second of all, I don't think it's natural. Especially not for a woman who's had four children and can't afford plastic surgery or her own personal trainer and chef. My ultimate goal is to lose enough weight to be healthy and regain some of the energy I used to have. I realize that as someone in her mid-thirties, some of that energy is gone for good. But still.
I made a realization recently that I weighed 120 when I started college and thought I was...well, a heifer. No offense to cows, but heiferness is not a pleasant trait in someone who's barely 5 feet tall. Would I love to be 120 pounds? Yes and no. If a magic genie granted me the wish to {poof} instantly become 120 pounds I wouldn't say no. But am I willing to kill myself to get back down to that size? I'd have to say that's a big fat no, at this point.
The goal of this journey is to reach a healthy weight for ME. Jenny. Not Uma Thurman. Not Elle. And certainly not other slightly over 5 feet tall women with or without 4 kids. But it's way more than that, as well. I want to reach the point where I can look at myself--at whatever weight I am at that moment--and see myself as Jesus sees me. Not as the world sees me (because, let's face it. Unless I am a size 2 the world will think I am fat), not even as my husband sees me, but how my Creator--the One who thinks I am beautifully and wonderfully made--sees me.
So if you're reading this and find yourself in the same boat, why not join me on this journey to lean and meanness? I will be posting thoughts on my progress (or even lackthereof) as well as actual stats as well. So stay tuned!
Why lean and mean? Why not "skinny"? First of all, I detest (there is not a way I can emphasize this word strongly enough) that word. Second of all, I don't think it's natural. Especially not for a woman who's had four children and can't afford plastic surgery or her own personal trainer and chef. My ultimate goal is to lose enough weight to be healthy and regain some of the energy I used to have. I realize that as someone in her mid-thirties, some of that energy is gone for good. But still.
I made a realization recently that I weighed 120 when I started college and thought I was...well, a heifer. No offense to cows, but heiferness is not a pleasant trait in someone who's barely 5 feet tall. Would I love to be 120 pounds? Yes and no. If a magic genie granted me the wish to {poof} instantly become 120 pounds I wouldn't say no. But am I willing to kill myself to get back down to that size? I'd have to say that's a big fat no, at this point.
The goal of this journey is to reach a healthy weight for ME. Jenny. Not Uma Thurman. Not Elle. And certainly not other slightly over 5 feet tall women with or without 4 kids. But it's way more than that, as well. I want to reach the point where I can look at myself--at whatever weight I am at that moment--and see myself as Jesus sees me. Not as the world sees me (because, let's face it. Unless I am a size 2 the world will think I am fat), not even as my husband sees me, but how my Creator--the One who thinks I am beautifully and wonderfully made--sees me.
So if you're reading this and find yourself in the same boat, why not join me on this journey to lean and meanness? I will be posting thoughts on my progress (or even lackthereof) as well as actual stats as well. So stay tuned!
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