Vacationing on the lake!

It's been a few days since I have posted so I just wanted to update how things are going. First of all I am sitting here this morning on the shore of Detroit Lake with my Cappuccino listening to the waves hit the ore line and the bird sing their morning song. It's a beautiful and relaxing way to start the mornings, I have to find a way to make this happen back home! Now I can't replicate the water noises...but hopefully can find a spot outside on our patio to create space for my morning devotional and quiet time. It's amazing what sitting out here for just 30 minutes focusing on nothing but the sounds and the sights can do for you! 

Our trip has been a lot of fun so far and we have been really good towards sticking to our plan! Every day we plan out what our lean and green will look like. Even though we have gotten some funny looks and comments from TJ's family at times...we are not going to just pig out cuz we are on vacation or even have a pig out day! It's amazing the reaction you get too when you say you don't plan on drinking at any of the festivities. I can have plenty of fun sober :). It sounds like the only challenging day will be the night of the wedding...but now knowing what will be served we can plan accordingly. There will be chicken and Caesar salad we can eat...just want to go light on the salad so might eat a serving or two of veggies with lunch. 

We plan to take a walk everyday. Yesterday we walked a little over three miles, but it was more like a stroll. Just to get out and do some moving instead of sitting at the cabin all day. Today we plan to go walk to the Farmer's market. I'm so excited! Fresh veggies for dinner tonight!!! Oh I forgot to mention we even introduced his dad and sister to cauliflower mashed "potatoes". They seemed to enjoy them! Such a healthy way to have steak & "potatoes" :). 

I can't weigh in today because there isn't a scale so I will be weighing in when I get home Monday. Then I will be on Monday weigh days like our support group is. Looking forward to seeing that number below 192.6, the number that it read Saturday before we left! 

Below is my morning view...such a peaceful morning!

Preparing for vacation...

We leave for Minnesota on Saturday. Vacations are always tough for me. I go with intentions of staying on plan and being careful what I choose to eat, but somewhere in the mix I loose control and just say oh well...I'm on vacation! There is absolutely no reason I need to think this way. They care about my health (or should) as well, and should theirs, so eating right shouldn't be a problem! If they choose to eat unhealthy, that doesn't mean I have too! There is no reason to go to the store and pick out candy and junk food, just cuz it's easiest! We have called the family and told them we are sticking to our plan and will need healthy food options. We are also low on $$ for the trip so we plan to try and eat at the place we are staying a few times. The only times I can't control where/what we get to eat is the rehearsal dinner and wedding. Hoping we have the option to choose items and not given only certain things. At least hoping for a salad. We will be asking these questions once we get there and planning accordingly. I have most of my meals put aside...mostly shakes as they are easy with a water bottle. My mother-in-law also said we could use her meals for now too and she would reorder...helps save us luggage room!

How do you plan for vacation and still loose weight? There is a client in our Facebook support group that actually went to Disney World and LOST weight that week! She did a lot of research online before she left and knew what restaurants had the right food for her. Now not saying to do this before every vacation, it just depends on what stage you are in your journey! The weight loss phase you have to be a lot more picky...plus you are developing the Habits of Health so that you WILL make the healthier decision later. If you are already living a healthy lifestyle then you mostly likely could make the decision to walk just a little further till you find a place that offers a healthier option. Vacations don't have to be a bust and you don't have to come back gaining 8 lbs in a week either (and yes this is a true story I have heard lately). It takes some planning and a lot of willpower and choices to keep you on track!

Weigh day....

Today is the official weigh day since I forgot to weigh last Monday. Last Tuesday I was 200.3 lbs. I'm not sure how much I had lost in a day but it's pretty close I'm sure. Today I had to step on the scale twice cuz I couldn't believe what I saw! 195.2!! So that's a loss of 5.1 lbs!

When you see those numbers rolling down it makes all the decisions you made worth it! It's been a week of ups and downs emotionally with Sammie being sick, to potentially finding out it could be more than just a stomach bug...to having great results and feeling healthier!

We leave on Saturday for a week in Minnesota...and I'm preparing for that NOW! As soon as my order gets here I plan to pack 3 shakes per day, my cappuccino for the morning, and then a bar or cereal for the other meal. Gunna take my 64 oz water jug with me...of course it will have to be empty to go through security. Also going to make sure that where we are staying has a coffee maker and fridge...hoping to have a few lean & green meals at the house so that I can regulate what I eat! This will be the first vacation I don't go crazy...the first one I stick to plan and loose weight!!

Oh and don't forget to check out our DietBet that starts June 29th. The way it works is that you put $25 into the pot (what's $25 towards your health and a little competition)...and then at the end of 4 weeks everyone that has lost 4% of their weight wins a portion of the pot! The more the merrier! I think it's going to be FUN!! Check it out! http://bit.ly/17HyZqI

After one obstacle comes another...and another...

Yesterday went really well!!! I avoided the dessert trap and had pork chops, broccoli salad (minus the raisins), tossed salad (picked out the carrots) and steams broccoli/cauliflower! It was a really yummy lunch! Then I stuck to my guns and just had my meals. There was many times for temptation and a husband that kept wanting to take a bite of all the desserts, but I made it!

Now to today...Sammie hasn't been feeling well since Saturday night. She has been throwing up and not eating. Last night she finally had some chicken and rice. I took her this morning to the vet and they were more worried about the trending weight loss she has had...they ran blood work and it's concerning so more $$$ and send it off to the lab...hoping it's not to serious. This of course brings an enormous amount of stress and worry! My reaction is usually to not pay attention, miss meals, then pig out on something...this isn't going to happen this time!! I got stuck without my water at the vet, but ran out while they were doing something real quick...and ate my third meal a little late since I wasn't prepared to be out that late. BUT I didn't eat the cheese/crackers I brought for the girls just in case they were hungry...that's a victory in itself! As the stress of her health and $$ now intensifies I have to find time to de-stress too! That's where I have to be more diligent in my quiet time in the morning and taking some time in the afternoon to chill as well. I will make it through this...

Oh and weigh day is TOMORROW!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! We couldn't function without you!!!

With Father's Day comes another challenge...heading to grandma's! I talked with her this week and the first thing she starts to tell me is all the desserts we are having...everything loading in sugar, fat, and other non-nutritious things. I'm not saying having a little slice here or there hurts you...it's perfectly fine for the occasion here and there. However during this phase of my journey, I have to say NO! I cannot allow myself be guilt tripped, just because we are at Nana's house or it's a holiday or whatever I can think of to be an excuse. After all my optimal health should be priority for them too! I did ask her what was healthy that was planned and was told she had a tossed salad and chicken. Hoping the chicken is somewhat plain, but I will make it work. Usually we have lettuce or green beans, so that will be my green! For the rest of the day I will stick to my meals! Week 1 is almost in the books! I officially started on Monday, but didn't weigh in till Tuesday so that will be my weigh days.

I must remember when fixing my plate to STOP!  CHALLENGE, and CHOOSE what leads me toward my goals...I've got this!!!

NSV--Non-Scale Victory

Sitting in the car driving home from training and Round Rock and proud f myself! For the first time in I don't know how long I didn't eat the free snake provided! Our team of coaches calls this non-sale victories! Not everything is or should be able those 3 little numbers on the scale! It's about making choices that will drive me to my goals in life. The current goal I am working on right now obviously is health, and avoiding the golden Oreos was a huge victory! Kept drinking my water, ate my meal when it was time, and drank more water to say full! It's only about a 3 hr road trip, but it's the first in forever that we haven't "cheated" or gotten snacks! Quick stops for potty breaks and straight back to the car! I actually had the thought walking into Pilot--they try to sabotage you! They put all the donuts and junk right in front of you as you walk in! I just look for the bathroom signs! Ha! Just some tiny victories, but victories together will lead me toward optimal health!!! 

Baby Steps!

Well here is Day 4! Not having the surge of energy I was expecting but two days at the pool might do that to you! This year instead of being lazy I told the girls we are going to walk to the pool. It's only about 6 blocks and we all should be physically able to make the walk. If they are too tired on the way back then the next time I will cut down the amount of time we are at the pool. Just another way to get in some extra movement! Everything is going well so far! Excited to keep going on this journey!

Getting into fat-burning...

The first 4 days of any new change are the roughest...especially when in comes to how you are fueling your body. You go through a detox phase...getting rid of all the toxins that your body was used to functioning on and turning it into a fat-burning machine (functioning the way it is designed to!). The first few days usually give you a run for your money...hunger, headaches, light-headed, etc...well I have to say I'm doing pretty good! That's probably what happens when you focus yourself and know it's worth it! No excuses, just determination. This time I'm going to make it!

So where am I...well I am only going to weigh in once a week so that I'm not obsessed with a number, but more focused on how I feel and how clothes fit! I'm feeling pretty good and tomorrow I should be in fat burning, and I don't want to come out till I'm at goal! I know no one is perfect, but gosh darn it I'm gunna win this game! I've stuck with my 2-3 shakes a day and trying not to mess with the meals too much and add things here and there. One more day and the energy hits...one more day. Let's do this!

Great start!!

Yesterday was a great start on this journey to a healthier me. I stuck to the plan and didn't even have any BLTs (bites, licks, tastes) of the girls (I'm watching my nieces this summer) food! I forgot to weigh in yesterday, but today I am at 200.3 lbs. It's funny to me cuz everytime I have restarted myself I am always right about the same weight. I don't ever plan to see the 200's again (unless I'm pregnant!). I drank over 128 oz of water yesterday...I'm shooting for about 100 oz a day (half your body weight). I am also shooting for at least 2 shakes if not 3 a day...they seem to have magic powers!! Looking for a BIG first week...I have a wedding to be at towards the end of the month and want to shed as much as possible!

In other news excited about the summer with the girls. We got our schedule set-up and we are all ready for fun in the sun, the library, and even a little bit of learning :)

It's Time To Make A Change

Good Monday Morning!

Many times in my life I have decided to make some changes...many times I start with that change for a week or so and then go back to previous habits. Today I'm starting new...starting over. It's time to put the past behind me and go forward. Being completely honest with myself, I've let things creep back into my life that are not healthy habits. I have allowed the things I value to slip...which is ME! Today is refocus day...refocusing my life on living a longer, healthier life! This isn't just about going on a diet...there is DIE in the word for a reason! This is about making changes...and I'm not just talking about FOOD! This summer will be about creating a lifestyle that I want and desire, no more excuses!

Quiet Time--I have let my quiet time slip...the time I used to make sure nothing kept me from. I have let Facebook, Twitter, email, etc creep into my morning time instead of safe guarding the first 30 minutes or so for my quiet time with God. This summer I will put this time back into my life, diving into my relationship with my Lord and Savior. Only He will give me the strength I need to overcome some obstacles in front of me. I have been struggling again with having the miscarriage and having a strong desire for having children...and life not being fair! How come I keep seeing so many people pregnant, but I'm not...well only God can help me work through this!

Health--I have let myself make excuses as my stress level rose about mid-year at school. This HAS to change. So today is Day 1 back on plan. This time I WILL complete the program, going through the Habits of Health curriculum ad reaching goal weight. I have to take care of me to someday be able to take care of babies...It's time to choose the choices that follow the path towards what I truly want and desire. This is about ME...not anyone else! Not TJ, friends, family, etc. But ME! What do I desire to do with my life...first is to be able to LIVE! To live, I need a vessel that will last...that means health.

These are just two areas that I'm focusing on to begin with! TJ and I are also in the process of becoming licensed foster parents! These kids will need me to be the best mom I can be...

Ready.....Set....GO!!!!!