Thursday. Weigh in day. I am excited that after only tracking for 3 days this week, I still lost! Only .6, but it is still a loss. My sweet, darling hubby lost 3 pounds! The week of Christmas, he lost 3 pounds! He has been so diligent to get up and go to D1 even though on days he is off work. That working out is really helping him.

In contrast, I only got on the treadmill once. Uno. And only then for 1 mile. One little bitty mile.

So today, I got home from a long day and got on the treadmill. I had read an article entitled "From Couch to 5K" recently and remembered that they recommended walking the first and last 5 minutes for warm up and cool day, then the 20 minutes in between I am to walk 1 minute, then fun for 1.5 minutes. I did that and I found it fairly easy today. I know that this varies from day to day, but I was glad that I wasn't struggling so much. So I did 24:30 min/2 miles/burned 300 calories/earned 4 WW activity points. I am happy.

There have been several "victories" for me this week. First of all, losing weight the week of Christmas is huge for me. Second, Christmas Eve I was very careful about the portion of food that I ate AND I took fruit to my mom's so that I could start with that. I did well that day! Third, I am losing my taste for movie theater popcorn. For anyone that knows me well, that is the biggest thing so far! The last two times I have eaten it, it has made me sick. It has never done that before, but I think it did because I have been eating much healthier. My body is adjusting to the healthy way of eating. I like that.

Happy New Year! I'm so glad we didn't "wait until after the New Year" to start our WW and exercise plans!

Okay, so yesterday was weigh-in day for us. We went (late) and were very happy, although we know the first week is a lot of water. Hubby lost 4.8 and I lost 3.8. It is a good start to motivate me to keep going.

I am struggling a bit with the new program, but I am so thankful for the lady that weighed me yesterday. She told me to just relax and we'll figure it out together. She gave me some great pointers and helped me talk through some aspects of it. I AM being too rigid (like she said) and I needed to hear that. After all, I lost 3.8 pounds! Hopefully, never to see it again.

I don't have much time this morning, but I made myself get on the treadmill for just a mile. 1 mile (jog/walk)/12:56/159 calories burned/1 activity point in WW.

And, yes, I do plan on starting with the oatmeal, fruits and veggies before I hit the other stuff.

Merry CHRISTmas!

It is so much easier to be diligent on WW with Wade doing it with me! We are helping each other, checking in on each other, making food for each other. I love it! I can't wait to weigh in on Thursday just to see how we have done.

I haven't gotten on the scale here at home (on purpose) because I want to see how I do on Thursday. I haven't exercised yet (because of a fever I've had), but hope to tomorrow. Today I have a memorial service for Wade's best friend's dad. We will be with them most of the day.

It feels good to eat more fruit! On the new WW, all fruit is FREE! That's a huge change. It makes me choose fruit more often. I still am not eating the 8 or 9 servings they suggest each day, but I am up to 3 or 4. I hope to be increasing it. When I eat the fruit and veggies, I have trouble getting my points in each day. Yesterday I had hot chocolate, so I didn't have any trouble at all! :)

New Journey with Hubby

WW has changed their program. My sweet hubby wants to take off some poundage so he joined with me yesterday. He is doing D1 which is a great workout program and he is being so consistent, but he knows that he will drop the weight if he gets his eating in check.

Somehow we are going to have to retrain our minds to think differently about food. I am really praying about it. I eat so mindlessly. I want to eat to fuel the body God gave me. I want to eat to live, not live to eat which is what I have done for 44 years.

Hopefully, his support will make some things easier, like knowing that he will be happy with any healthy meal I try because he knows it will help him reach his goal. Now I need some healthy, clean-eating meals. I get the CLEAN EATING magazine, but I need to calculate the points. Of course, he gets double the points I do!

I can't wait to cook something healthy tonight and see how it goes over!

I haven't totally fallen off the face of the earth. Mucho going on here that needs my attention from hubby coming home, Christmas decorating and shopping, out of town company here for a long weekend, trip with hubby and son sick. I hope to be back here to post soon AND get back on track with my training to be disciplined in eating and exercise.

Hope you are enjoying your holiday season with family and friends.

16:54 min/1.5 ml/216 calories burned

Yesterday after I posted, I got a call from hubby that they had been in a bad wreck. The truck was crushed in on top and totaled. It was only GOD ALMIGHTY that preserved their lives. His brother and dad were taken to the hospital but with non-life-threatening problems. His dad has now been released and his brother will be released tonight.

What do I do when I am stressed? Eat. I ate and ate last night. Mindless eating. Drinking lots of coffee and eating lots of ice. It is a good thing that I have made a commitment to my kids for no desserts or candy til Thanksgiving. I could have put away a lot of chocolate last night.

Today I didn't want to do anything but sit in my green chair, waiting on my hubby to call me to update me every so often.

BUT......I have a good friend. She called a bit ago and asked how I was. I was totally honest with her and she gently encouraged me to do something. Get up and clean. Just get up and do something.

So I got dressed and got on the treadmill. I did 1.5 miles and worked on verses. I have other things to do now, so I am going to shower.

I needed that gentle admonishment to get up and do something or I would not have put on workout clothes today.

Please pray for my hubby and family. I am thanking God they are fine.

A new week. A lazy Monday. Missing hubby.

Yesterday my hubby left for a 9 day trip and I couldn't make myself do anything. Well, I guess I did a few necessary things, like laundry and schooling my kids and vacuuming the downstairs, but after that I was done. I sat in my green chair by the fire crocheting and watching movies and cooking shows. I never got dressed to work out, which is always the hardest part for me.

Today is a new day. I got up, ready to run/walk on the treadmill, but a huge mess in a kids' room kept me longer than I anticipated, so I had little time to be on the treadmill. I have a friend coming over to do laundry and I could only squeeze in 11 minutes on the treadmill. The good part is that I didn't walk at all. That is big for me since I usually walk and run. I ran 11 min/1.08 ml/162 calories burned. I ran at 6.0 mph. I know that is nothing for most of you guys, but that is an increase for me when it comes to a whole mile. It felt good.

It helped that I was going over my verses for Col 3 while running. That takes my mind off of my lack of breath or tired legs.

Have a blessed day!

Well, the past few days have been rough. I had a migraine for 2 days which kind of put me in a funk. I wouldn't eat for most of the day, then wake up famished and eat whatever i could find without thinking. It also kept me from exercising Wed and Thursday.

It showed up on the scale yesterday, too. I only lost .6 pound this week. At least it is a loss. That puts my total at: 5.8 pounds total. I'll talk it!

Today I did workout 1 and 2, not 3 because of time. I ran one lap before the workout and in between each workout. So I ran .75 m/7:06/111 calories burned. I am out of time, but at least I got most of it in.

Ran sprints today on the treadmill. They were 1-2 minutes long at 6-8 mph. Then I walked 1-2 minutes at 3.5-4mph. (26:51/2.25 ml/328 calories burned)

My greatest joy today was measuring (because it has been a month) and I have lost 6 1/4 inches on my body! It might not be showing up as quickly on the scales as I wish, but I am losing. I was able to wear a size smaller pant on Sunday. :) This makes me happy and I feel great!

Breakfast:
1/4 apple .5 point
coffee/cream 0 points
yogurt 2 points
1/2 bagel thin .5 point
topped with 1 slice turkey 0 point
1 T. parmesan cheese 1 point
green tea/1 Tbsp honey 1 point

Lunch:
1 everything bagel thin 1 point
3 slices chicken .5 point
1 Tbsp parmesan cheese 1 point
Banana peppers 0 point
Broccoli/cheese 2 points

I know, I know, I shouldn't eat the same thing twice or on a regular basis, but I was still hungry earlier after I ate only half of one! :)

I find myself going to get into trouble. I have only eaten 9.5 points and I have 24 to spend. But I have a yummy dinner planned with salmon, pasta (I won't eat), broccoli (requested by darling daughter) and bread (which I won't eat).

Snack:
4 walnut pieces 1 point

Did my workout this morning. Even though I hurt my neck and back over the weekend, I was able to do all of the exercises with my normal weights. So thankful. Then ran 1 mile/5-7 mph/11:55/143 calories burned.

Feeling good.

Weighed in yesterday: lost .6 pounds. I was a bit disappointed, but will take it. At least it was a loss. I just expect it to show up more on the scales.

Today: weight training (all three workouts)
ran 1.1 mile at 5.5-6 mph (13 min)

Weigh in day today so I just did a little on the treadmill. Not sure how workouts before weigh in affect weigh in.

1.25 ml/15:06 min/177 calories burned

Felt good. Ran easier and at a more consistent, faster pace.

Ran sprints today with a fast walk in between. 1 min walking/then 2-5 minutes of running. Last sprint got up to 7mph. That's good for me. :) I'm a slow jogger really.

Feeling good!

Can't weigh in this week, but hope to keep my weight loss going through the weekend and next week. Seeking to discipline my body and mind.......and mouth!

The kids and I have taken a challenge:

No desserts til Thanksgiving. We gave away a lot of the candy from this past weekend. Grant said he put a note on his Reformation candy that reads: "NO CANDY." That makes me smile. I hope I can do it!

I was sick over the weekend and yesterday, so no exercise. Just rest and meds.

Today I worked out with weights. I thought I would share my workout. It's actually 3 cycles in the workout:

Cycle 1:

Upper Body:
One-arm row (10#/12 reps/2 sets)
Tricep Kickbacks (8#/12 reps/2 sets)
Side Raises (5#/8#/12 reps/2 sets)

Lower Body:
Wide-Stance Squat (12 reps/2 sets)
Hamstring Curls (12 reps/2 sets)
Outer Thigh Trimmer (12 reps/2 sets)

Abs/Lower Back:
Ab Crunch (12 reps/2 sets)
Lower Tummy Tightener (12 reps/2 sets)
Oblique Curls (12 reps/2 sets)
Back Strengthener (12 reps/2 sets)

Workout #2:

Upper Body:
Upright Row (10#/12 reps/2 sets)
Bicep Curls (10#/12 reps/2 sets)
Chest Firmer (10#/12 reps/2 sets)

Lower Body:
Basic Lunge (12 reps/2 sets)
Inner Thigh Firmer (12 reps/2 sets)
Bun Burner (12 reps/2 sets)
Calf Shaper (12 reps/2 sets)

Abs/Lower Back:
Total Tummy Tightener (25 reps)
Bicycles (12 reps/2 sets)
Low Hover (2/30 sec)
Back Strengthener (3x/10 sec)

Workout #3:

Upper Body:
Upper Back Firmer (8#/12 reps/2 sets)
Tricep Dip (15 reps/one leg raised)
Chest Press (10#/12 reps/2 sets)
Overhead Press (8#/12 reps/2 sets)

Lower Body:
Bottoms Up (8 reps/2 sets)
Power Squat (12 reps/2 sets)
Hip Slimmers (24 reps)
Inner Thigh Toner (2x/5 pulses each)

Abs/Lower Back:
Waistline Trimmer (8 reps/2 sets
Lower Ab Strengthener (10x)
Reverse Crunch (16x)
Spine Strengthener (3x)

It takes me about 50 minutes to work through it all, doing the exercises correctly. Today I also got on the treadmill for 1 mile, alternating running 2 minutes, then walking 1 minute. It took me 12 minutes to complete the mile and I burned 146 calories. Feeling good. Now off to eat some protein!

Treadmill: 2.67 ml/30 min/367 cal - walking hills/running sprints

Breakfast: coffee/cream 0 points
granola bar (before treadmill) 3 points

Brunch: wheat round/turkey/cheese/banana peppers 2.5 points
spinach/carrots/romaine

Feeling good after working out on the treadmill.

Writing it all down here. Got to get Rene' on this!

Well, I lost 1 pound today. It was kind of discouraging, but I am talking to myself instead of listening to myself. I had made some great choices this week and only had 2 cheats, so I'll live with it and press on, right?

I have worked out with weights 3x/wk and run/walked on the treadmill (doing canyon run) 3x/wk. I have lost 4 inches in 2 weeks time and my jeans feel better. I was able to cinch my belt one more notch. All of that counts for something, right?

I am going to not let the scale define me, but press on to HEALTHFULNESS! That's my goal, not a number on the scale.

Now, off to work out.

I weighed in today and was disappointed in my .6 pound loss. Not sure why I am disappointed. Here is what I have done right this week:

~ implemented and stuck with my weight training
~ implemented and stuck with my run/walks
~ eaten healthier foods
~ made wise choices

Here is where I have lacked:

~ not journaled food once!
~ not checked labels (which means I am probably UNDER-estimating what it costs me)

So this week, my only goal is to get myself writing in my health journal!! That's it! If I can't do that, I won't make my goals.

2 steps forward, 3 steps back. Although this week, I do really feel like it was 3 steps forward, 2 steps back.

"Do not give up what you want most for what you want at the moment."

Workouts going well. I rested on Monday because I worked a reception for our new youth pastor and his wife to celebrate his ordination. We worked Friday afternoon, 13 hours on Saturday and 9 hours on Sunday. I was exhausted, but it was a good kind of tired, so I slept in til 10 on Monday and then rested my body.

On Tuesday, I worked out with weights for an hour. I upped the weight in some of the exercises or did more reps. All is recorded in my health journal.

Today I did the canyon run again on the treadmill. It is 40 minutes, 2.66 miles, burned 416 calories. Felt good. Walking the hills at 5-8 incline at 4mph is still difficult for me, but I was able to review my Colossians from 1:1-2:14 and then learned 3 more verses. That is a real benefit to my time on the treadmill! I am really learning Colossians and being able to hide God's Word in my heart.

Hopefully, the scale will show something tomorrow that indicates that I have been working hard.

My weight training took me about 55 minutes today. It was easier and I experimented with heavier weights where I thought I could. I'm sore, but it's a good kind of sore. Loving this new routine. I've done it four days in a row which is not much, I know, but I have had a busy week and it has been a success for me because I had to reschedule some things to make it happen early in the mornings. :)

Looking forward to a weight loss next week. I gained 1.8 yesterday at the weigh in (over two weeks). It's because I have not monitored my food intake and have written NOTHING down. Not good. The food journal comes back out today. I have to make time and put more effort in or this weight will NOT come off.

Praying for God's help as I seek to be diligent.

Did the Canyon Run on the treadmill today. 40 minutes, 2.62 miles, 404 calories burned. It consists of walking hills (5-8 incline) and running sprints (5-6 mph). Feeling good except for my left foot hurting on the ball of my foot. That's a new pain for me. Started yesterday.

Butt sore from working out yesterday. Probably those squats.

Weight Training Started

After months of no weight training, I have started back. Let me start from the beginning on how this started.

My sister, Rene', and I are reading through a book together entitled: The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person by Judith S. Beck. We are doing WW together and this book is so good in retraining my thinking about food. We are loving it. There are 42 days of "homework" to do and we are doing them together. It is so much more fun with someone. It has really been motivating.

So Day 9 which I read this week was to choose an exercise program. I have enjoyed getting back into running, but know that I need to be doing a weight training program as well so as to build muscle to increase my metabolism. So I am going to walk/run 3x a week and weight training 2-3x/week. I hope to maintain my motivation. Right now I am starting out with weight training MWF and walk/runs TTHS.

The weight training I am doing in set up as a circuit training in 3 different sets. Each circuit includes upper body, lower body, and abs/lower back. Each section includes 3-4 exercises doing 2 sets of 8-12 reps each. It took me an hour to go through the 3 circuits. It revealed (again) how sadly weak my upper body is. But I feel great now that I am done. I can't wait to do it again on Friday morning!

I need to measure today since I am starting. I am always encouraged by the loss of inches when I work out with weights. I am going to go do that now before I shower so that I don't forget.

Can't wait to see what happens over the next few months. I hope to post here about my losses.

Still pressing

I had a good week around here. On Thursday, sweet hubby and I went to Easy Runner. We have both been having pain in our feet and thought maybe it was our shoes. I learned a lot about my feet and a good shoe. Those guys know their stuff! I was buying the wrong size for running and found out that I probably have a condition that I can't remember the name of right now, but I need to stop going barefoot. I NEVER wear shoes when at home! NEVER. That has to stop and I have to have a pair of shoes that will support my arch better while I am at home. So they told me what to look for in that pair of "home" shoes. I bought those shoes the next day at a store where I could find them cheaper. But they feel good when they are on my feet.

On Friday, I went for my first run in two months. It was painful, but I know I will have to work through it to a degree. I walked first, then ran, then walked again. I only ran a total of 1.3 miles, but it was a start. I also walked my big hill twice. And did I tell you we concreted that huge hill that had deep ruts in it from the rain?! Yeah! No more having to watch my step so carefully.

So back to running I go. Slowly, but steadily. There is something so addictive about it. When I am not running, I am thinking about running. It is not that it is fun when I am running, but I am totally addicted to how I feel afterward! That is one of the greatest feelings, we well as what it does to my scale.

Last week, I dropped 4.8 pounds. I was very excited since I had gained during August. I had a rough month in August with two deaths and taking my oldest son to college. But now I am back on track and desiring to eat well and exercise. My sister is my health partner and moving well in her own race toward good health. It is so much easier to do it together.

Blessings!

I have gone off of the deep end. Since my last post, my grandmother has died suddenly from a massive stroke and I took my oldest son to college. All I have done is stuff emotions and stuff my face.

Something has to give. I need an attitude and mental change. Praying..........

Finally, back to running this week, but I am struggling. I ran Sunday and Monday on the treadmill, but yesterday I had to push myself to get 1.45 miles out! I have had a stomach thing and haven't been eating much, so I am hoping that is the explanation for my fatigue and weakness. I feel better today. Maybe tomorrow I will be able to run further and with more energy. Praying it will be so.

Also going back to WW tonight since I have been out for 3-4 weeks. I have not weighed myself, so not sure what I will be facing, but I fully expect some kind of weight gain. Oh well, today is a new day. Success starts today for me and this will be a long journey for me. I am just trying to move one meal at a time, accepting the setbacks as well as the successes. May God give me discipline.

I have been working on my menus and grocery lists. My goal is to have 12 weeks of menus with a corresponding grocery list. I have four weeks done right now. One week is nothing but Clean Eating recipes, the other weeks are WW recipes. I want to be disciplined before and during school which starts in a month. I will be working on one week at a time until my 12 weeks are done. Should make shopping and planning easier.

Blessings!

Lots going on here. Family in town for 3 weeks, then my daughter and I went to New Mexico on a mission trip with the youth at church. We helped Broken Arrow Bible Ranch hold camp for around 160 Navajo and Zuni kids. It was great! Praying even today that the Lord continues to work in their lives and that the seed that was planted will grow to a sincere faith in Christ Jesus.

I actually weighed this morning just to see how I did because I just ate whatever they had. I lost 2 pounds! I think it was all of the walking all over camp to check on our students. On the way home, I tried to stay away from the milk shakes everyone was getting, too.

Hoping to get back to swimming and jogging this week. I've missed it, but today is a rest day for me. I am exhausted!

Another 2.8 out of here!

Kimmy and I have done GREAT! We bought a lot of healthy stuff, made menus (in the reverse order) and have exercised daily since she came last Wednesday. We have gone to the pool early in the mornings and worked out for an hour. It was nice and cool. I also have been on the treadmill, running shorter distances, but at faster speeds. We each lost 2.8 pounds tonight at WW! That is so awesome! That is a total weight loss for me at WW of 7.8 pounds and pre-WW, 4.5 for a grand total of 12.3 pounds! I am feeling better, running faster, loving healthy food more and more. The flavors of foods are coming out without all of the preservatives and chemicals. The biggest change for me is that I have not had sugar everyday. I have limited my sugar, especially chocolate intake. It's been great!

I am on my way to being a finisher and a persevere-er! Loving it!

Cousin Kimmy made it to town and we spent the first hour this morning doing laps and working with weights in the pool. So fun and didn't feel like a workout, but I think my arms will be sore.

We are heading out to Fresh Market and Whole Foods today to stock up on healthy stuff to eat while she is here. I can't wait to make some great choices together! Should make for a great two weeks together.

We are planning on some early morning walks, too. I have to get in a run or two as well, but I think I will be doing that on the treadmill again. Boring, but I can run for 30 minutes without the hills.

Running on the treadmill is going well, but it is so boring. I am running to music, but today while running, I would have loved to have been watching USA World Cup. I don't have a tv where my treadmill is. I have a dvd player, but I would have to turn my neck.

I did find myself focusing hard on the dart board when I wanted to quit. I do take short water breaks while running, stopping my iPod but walking on the treadmil. My kids interrupted me a lot today, too. I usually stop 2-3 times. I stopped 5-6 today to answer kids questions and give instructions. They usually know not to interrupt me (because I can't talk), but we have guests coming and they were actually helping me.

I am feeling great! I weighed in yesterday, expecting to gain 2 pounds. I only gaiend .8 pound and that is not writing anything down for 2 weeks! Wow! I think the running lately has helped me. I also have had a couple of days of fasting (not for health reasons, but spiritual purposes) and that probably played a part as well.

I think that gives me a total weight loss of 8.2 pounds. I am pleased with that, but have a ways to go, too.

Either way, I was encouraged and ready to get back to writing everything down. I bought 2 new WW cookbooks and will be using them to plan our menus while Kimmy is here. She is doing WW, too.

Another victory yesterday........went to Jason's Deli with two good friends. I got the mediterraean wrap which was the lowest calories, lowest fat, high fiber. I was pleased with myself. I added fruit to it and skipped the ice cream.

Then last night we went to Bonefish for a late Father's Day dinner with my dad. I did partake in bread and bangbang shrimp, but then Wade and I shared a lean fish dish with not a rich cream sauce on top, steamed asparagus, steamed broccoli and then only took 2 bites of the creme brulee. It was yummy, but it was all I wanted after all of that food.

Motivated again. Praying for God's strength to stay the course. Thankful for a treadmill in this heat.

Since the weigh in Branson, I have been pretty psyched out. That is so bad! A loss of 1.2 pounds in the second week is not bad, but I let it get me down. What? Did I think throwing everything out and gaining back the weight would make me feel better? What kind of logic is that?! It is still a pound gone!

So since Branson, June 8, I have not written anything down, missed my meeting last week (because I had company), have only exercised twice, and have eaten whatever. So I will be going back to my meeting group tomorrow night, confessing it all and beginning again. THIS MOMENT is where I have always quit WW. I WILL NOT QUIT! I WILL NOT BE A STARTER AND NOT A FINISHER! I WILL BE A FINISHER!

Today I ran 2.75 miles on the treadmill at a pretty good pace, but I have not eaten much at all. I am not sure why, but I am not hungry. I had coffee/cream for breakfast and then two bites of high fiber oatmeal. I haven't eaten anything since and I don't FEEL hunger. I need to eat, though. I think I will go make me a good sandwich on my sandwich thins with lean chicken and cheese and mustard and salsa. I have tomatoes, banana peppers and bell peppers out of my garden so I think I will eat some of those on there.

I just needed to begin again. Pick up and start over. Press on. Don't walk away or give up. This is and will be hard work. It will take a long time. I just need to focus on the next meal and this day. Thankfully, I have people around me encouraging me on this journey.

Okay, I have really psyched myself out. I ate horribly Tuesday and Wednesday, but got back on track today for the most part. Tonight, after not exercising for 2 days, I made myself get up and walk 3 miles. It felt great after sitting and working on handwork for 3 days. Hoping to get up early tomorrow and run again. We'll see how late I stay up.

I am down another 1.2 pounds! I think I have been watching too much Biggest Loser, though. At first, I was discouraged! Why would I be discouraged?! I lost over 1 pound! I have lost a total of 4.4 on my own and 5.8 on WW for a grand total of 10.2! That's great, right? I have been telling myself all that I know to be true........the doctors tell you it's healthier to lose 1-2 pounds a week......or I will keep it off if I lose it slowly.......I am trying to speak to myself, not listen to the doubts.

I haven't exercised at all today. I have really been a couch potato with crocheting in my hand and movies on the screen. I am working hard on some projects that need to be finished. At least working with my hands helps keep me away from food.

I hope to post some pics of some of the projects on my other blog. Check my profile to visit my other blog.

Gonna work hard until next Tuesdays weigh in. No time to quit now! Perseverance. Persistance. Diligence. Self-discipline. Self-control. Wise choices.

DON'T GIVE UP WHAT YOU WANT MOST FOR WHAT YOU WANT AT THE MOMENT, BECKY!

Today has been a day of great choices! Food choices have been within my limits and have hit every food group that I needed. I have gone out to walk/run twice today. The second time was just walking because my toe was hurting. I did 1.9 miles each time, hoping it will all help me toward my weigh in tomorrow morning.

Since I am out of town, I am very interested in what this meeting will be like. I really like my WW meeting at home. I have a great leader who is encouraging and full of information about new food options, how to get past a plateau. She recognizes our accomplishments and encourages us when we are struggling with a weight gain. She brings us recipes every week which are very helpful.

I sure hope I like this one. Mostly, I hope I have lost some weight after making wise choices this week. Especially when I am by myself for 5 days.........

I'll update tomorrow.

And I am planning a trip to Steak 'n Shake after the weigh in! :)

I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it! Remember that song?! :)

I am on a mini-vacation alone. Yes, alone. I can't believe it actually worked out. I am a person that benefits from some real solitude periodically. It makes me a better wife and mom. Thankfully, I have a sweet hubby who understands that and makes it happen for me. So today I came up to a familiar landing place for us on vacation and I will be here BY MYSELF until Thursday when my family will join me. By then I will be so ready to see them! But until then, I will be spending time with the Lord, sleeping in, swimming, walking (I hope since I think I broke my toe and can't run), reading, working on Christmas projects, and watching some Food Network. I am already relaxed.

However, being alone brings temptation for me to binge. So I have been proactive about this. I have so far lost 9 pounds (4.4 before WW, 4.6 with WW) and I don't want to gain anything back. I know with my broken toe I will be laying low, too. I can't run, but hope to walk some in the early mornings while it is cool.

So the first thing I did was check to see if there is a WW meeting close by this week so that I don't miss a week and can weigh in. They do! I am planning on weighing in on Tuesday morning.

The second thing I have done is filled the pantry and frig with only healthy foods. I went to the grocery store and bought fruit, veggies, lean chicken for sandwiches, skim milk, bran cereal, high fiber oatmeal, WW meals and desserts, as well as salsa, spinach, banana peppers and black beans to put on my sandwiches. I am so excited about my wise choices! Yippee! That is success in my book! There is NO candy in this place! That's huge for me!

DON'T GIVE UP WHAT YOU WANT MOST FOR WHAT YOU WANT AT THE MOMENT!

For me what I want most is good health right now and weight loss. I will aim for it and make choices that will lead me there. I have done well today aiming for this. Thank You, Lord, for helping me.

Since I posted last, I have joined Weight Watchers with my sister. She is actually doing it in Memphis, but we talk everyday. This week was my first week and I lost 4.6 pounds! Yeah! I am so motivated! I have only gotten "off track" and made unwise choices when my son almost died in a car wreck. Every other day I have been on track until today. I know I will be able to get back on track tomorrow. I am heading out of town by myself for a few days, but I am packing healthy snacks and food so that I have only one choice........wise ones! I am running every other day and feeling good. I have lost a total of 9.5 pounds and I'm sleeping really, really well. I'll keep updating.

Okay, as my kids would say, FAIL.

Yes, yesterday was a FAIL as far as my choices. And I was going to be so wise, right? The kids chose Mexican. Are there any wise, good choices at a Mexican restaurant?!

First, we start with the chips and salsa. Salsa's not bad, but the chips. And, of course, they are "bottomless" so that you think the restaurant is doing you a favor!

Then we over-ordered. This seems to be the norm for some of my kids which they probably learned from their mother. In getting older, I have learned to share, so share I did. After many chips loaded with salsa. :)

I walked away feeling stuff, which I hate. I want to stop at "satisfied." That is a much different feeling. I also didn't fuel my body. There was nothing good that I put in my mouth that would help me have the strength for the night at youth group and the weekend of graduation, much less fight off this fluid behind my ears.

I need to rethink food. I need a new vision for why God created food the way He did. It is fuel. It is not to be worshipped. It is to be used for fueling our bodies. For so long, I have bowed down to the idol of food, it is hard to know how to break the habit.

But I want to learn. Over the past two years, we have made small changes as a family. At the grocery store, I don't buy cokes or chips, unless it is a special occasion or we are having something that "requires" chips (like for cheese dip). We are eating fish once or twice a week and less red meat. We are eating more veggies like asparagus, spinach for our salads (it's all I like) and raw carrots are always in the drawer for snacking. I usually have them scrubbed, peeled, cut up and bagged for easy access. I don't buy chocolate nearly as often and when I do buy chocolate for me, it is dark chocolate because I know that I will be totally satisfied with one small square. I don't crave more and more of dark. We also have begun exercising more as a family. P90X is being done by me and three of my kids. We aren't doing it daily yet, but hopefully this summer we will be on a good routine with it. If I am going down to the mailbox and back (2 miles), the two little kids are riding their bikes along with me and not just because it puts off school! :)

Now I just need to move to the next level in my small changes. I'm buying the fruit and eating some of it, but now I need to try to get MORE fruits and veggies in on a regular basis. I need to CHOOSE fruit or raw veggies for snack MORE often. I want to drink more green tea on a daily basis. I can start with one cup a day. Right now, I am drinking maybe 1-2 cups a week.

Now that school is almost over, I want to move my exercise to second thing in the morning. I have my time in the Word first, then get out and move. I would love to put on my workout clothes first thing to motivate me. No more working around school! It is just scheduled in.

It's time to be more consistent in the small changes we have tried to make as a family and move on to new ones. It's time to make wise choices in such a way and for such a time that they become habits.

My first wise choice today: I am taking the kids to Krispy Kreme this morning for celebration (my youngest's suggestion). I am going to eat my oatmeal before I go and drink my coffee, hoping I am so full that I can resist. I am going to ask my daughters to help me NOT eat a donut there. They are 200 calories a piece and pure sugar. I always feel horrible after eating one. I need energy for this marathon weekend! Not to feel sluggish. I am going to write something motivational on a card and carry it in there with me! I want this success today so badly! I want to stand firm and say "NO" and stick with it! I will plan on a skinny latte (if they have one), but NO DONUTS!

I'll let you know how I do. Sure hope it is not like the Mexican restaurant..........

It has not been a great 2 weeks around here. I am having some kind of trouble with my inner ear that keeping me awake at night, hurts when I walk (much less run), makes me not want to eat much, etc.

We also have had struggles that are totally unrelated to health. Three of our four cars were in the shop as of yesterday. Thankfully, sweet hubby was able to get my Suburban fixed in one day (great mechanic in Jacksonville). It is a very busy week with graduation on Friday, so I really needed a car. Two of the cars need expensive repairs. The third one, Wade is so knowledgeable with cars that he will actually pocket some money because the insurance co is letting him do the repairs and he has found parts less expensive online. I love that he knows what he is doing!

Anyway, all of this to say, I have turned to food to help me deal with stress. How stupid is that?! As a believer, I know that my only strength comes from the Lord, but I have not been thinking clearly, but just moving by habit to food. Lord, forgive me!

I did weigh last week and I had gained 1.8 pounds last week. Not good, but I wasn't exercising because of my ear. It hurt so badly when I walked that I didn't even try to run. P90X was out of the question for the same reason. So instead I went to the doctor, rested and tried the meds he gave me.

The only thing I should have tried that I haven't yet (and keep saying I am going to) is eating raw veggies and fruit and pumping Vitamin C to try to beat this thing. God gave me a body that was created to fight off disease if fueled properly. At least I believe that in my head. I just don't eat like it.

BUT........today is a new day. I got out to walk (because my ear is still hurting after 2 weeks). I only made it 1.1 miles and the itching I had on my legs and feet were so insane that I came back home and jumped in the shower. I have never had that at all! Weird! I hope it doesn't continue! I ate a fairly healthy breakfast, too.

I am taking the kids to lunch to celebrate school being out. They get to choose, so I hope they choose a place that has healthy options. Mexican or Chinese would not have good options, I don't think. We'll see what they choose. I might "guide" them a bit.

On the road again..........that is what keeps going through my head. Let's begin again. My friend, Deanne, motivates me everytime I read her blog. You can check her out under my friends. She worked hard for over two years to get healthy and has maintained it, though she stumbles at times. She understands that it is about one choice at a time.

I know that bad choices got me where I am. Now it will be about one good choice at a time. I just need to focus on one meal at a time just like I have to focus on God's grace for one day at a time in my Christian life.

Today, I pray, is about many good choices FOR health.

I was out of the house for 10 days straight! UGH! I hate leaving my wonderfully, green, flowery, homey house right now. I just want to be here with all of my little chicks here with me.

So for 10 days I did NO exercise and it was not fun! I am back to P90X and running, too. I have decided to run on MWFs and do weights on TTH(S). I think that will work well. It means that I don't do his cardio workouts which really kick my rear end, but I am enjoying running in this nice weather.

My sweet hubby used some reward points to get me an iPod Nano so that I could get the Nike+ chip and keep track of my runs. He got it working for me over the weekend and I love it! It is neat to put in the run and then see what others are doing. It really motivated me. I wasn't going to run today, but I wanted to run longer and farther than yesterday. I am such a visual person! I wanted my chart to go up!

So Monday I did a walk/run. Yesterday I did not allow myself to stop to walk. I did 1.41 miles without a stop and it felt great! It was really hard up those hills, but I just slowed down and mentally pushed myself......if that makes any sense.

Today I waited too long to go out so it was pretty warm. I could tell a difference in my fatigue. Yesterday I ran a 10:31 mile (good for my first complete run), but today I was down to 11:16. Yesterday I ran in the early morning when it was 44 degrees. Makes a huge difference.

Feeling great about my exercise habits improving. It helps my eating habits improve, too. I have only lost 6 pounds (because my eating has been sporadic), but I have lost 5 1/2" in my overall body measurements! That excited me!

I am feeling so strong! I did DAY 4 of P90X yesterday (legs and back) and it kicked my rear! I was pouring sweat and I just sweat easily! I was still feeling it in my calves this morning.

Then I did DAY 5 just now - KENPO. It is an hour of kickboxing. I LOVED IT! I could do every move and finish the sequences. It took me a minute to get the moves of a few combos at first, but when I got it, I could finish. I know that I need to work on my form on my left leg. It seems so much weaker. Not sure if it is because of my leg work yesterday or just my weaker leg. We'll see.

I am feeling GREAT! I LOVE P90X! It is hard to get it in everyday and I can't seem to run when I do it, but I think it will improve my running after I am done. I am feeling so strong! I highly recommend this workout program.

Now I just need to check into their recovery drink I keep hearing so much about...............

By the way, I am down another .5 pound today. I have lost a total of 6.5 pounds so far in 4 weeks. I am smiling.

Yesterday was an enlightening day for me diet-wise. Thursday afternoon and yesterday, I ate what I wanted. I ate pizza, went to the movies and had popcorn, as well as had more chocolate than I needed. You know how I felt? In a word, sleepy. I fell asleep in the movie because of what I had eaten. I am so convinced of it.

However, up to that time, I had eaten healthy and felt great energy to do anything I needed to do for that day. Bottom line lesson learned, IT'S NOT WORTH IT! It feels so much better to eat healthy! It makes me way more effective in life. I need energy to do what I do in my home and in ministry. It is worth every bit of planning and denying to feed my body with energy-fueling foods.

So today I am back to my planned eating, healthy foods.

I also did the P90X yoga (Day 5) yesterday. It is an hour and a half long and after 40 minutes, I was struggling so badly that I quit. After 10 minutes, Leah convinced me to come back to finish it. I did finish it, only missing that 10 minutes. It is so hard because yoga involves a lot of holding up your own body weight. Hopefully, as I lose weight, I will be more able to do that.

Weigh In Day

I am down 1.6 pounds this week. That gives me a total weight loss of 6 pounds. I am excited about that.

Wade and I went to Panera Bread last night and I wanted to eat whatever I felt like, but I didn't let myself. I am glad I didn't. This morning I wanted to "reward" myself for my weight loss (with food, of course, how stupid!), but I didn't. I ate my yogurt and oatmeal and I feel great! So glad God gave me the discipline to deny myself my selfish desires. Help me, O Lord!

Today I will be doing DAY 4 of P90X after lunch sometime. I have much to do here today, but pressing on in the strength of the Lord.

3 Days Down, 87 to Go

Great morning so far. I didn't sleep well, but got up anyway to have some sweet time with the Lord, then upstairs to do DAY 3 of P90X. It was arms and shoulders. I made it through and did it all the way through. There was even one exercise when I saw it demonstrated, I got up to skip it then thought, oh I guess I could try and I COULD DO IT!!! I am getting stronger. That is so much fun!

I did just learn at breakfast that I am supposed to do the AB RIPPER again. Ugh! That's what killed me on Monday. I will do that later this afternoon.

In order to keep my body from being too sore, I then walked down to the mailbox and back (2 miles). It was spitting rain, but it brought a great time of prayer. I didn't take my iPod today because I needed to talk more to the Lord. I feel good, though my body is a bit worn out.

Now I am just praying that God will help me be disciplined about my eating today. So far, so good: oatmeal and blueberries. I'll be weighing in tomorrow. Can't wait to see how this P90X and eating very carefully has helped me on the scale.

I have been concerned that I am not taking in enough calories. I know that fruits and veggies in their most natural state are fewer calories, but I also know that if I don't take in enough calories, my body will begin to hoard what it has. I am struggling to get 1,000 some days. Maybe the answer is a bit more protein.

I am reading about health and will continue to in order to learn how to eat better.

I also am writing down my motivators for wanting to be healthy. I will share them when I finish the list.

Plyometrics. I have heard so much about plyometrics being so hard. I was dreading it tremendously, but I was so encouraged to do it today. I think it helped me to do Power 90 for the past few months. I could tell that the running I have been doing has helped strengthen my legs. I didn't fall away when we hit the lunges, squats, frog hop/squats, etc. I was able to complete the whole hour and 10 minute workout and there was only one exercise that I didn't finish.

Now I did modify some of the exercises to make them a bit easier for me. There was one person on the video doing the modified version. Now I will tell you that my heart rate was up and my body was very fatigued after the workout. I have felt tired all day since. I can't wait to fall into bed, but it is that great kind of tired.

I also have eaten really well today. I have eaten 2 fruits and 4 veggies, olive oil and lean protein, green tea and red wine. I haven't felt the FULL mark at all today which is really nice.

I can tell my taste buds are changing. I ate 3 chips today and didn't enjoy them. I will tell you that I still enjoy my one piece of dark chocolate that I treat myself with occasionally, but the greasy stuff isn't enjoyable. I enjoyed my spinach salad and fruit more today. That is a HUGE thing for me! I have craved junk food and fed myself junk food for so long. I am excited to know that this is possible: to retrain my taste buds.

I won't be able to run on the days I do plyometrics, I do know that. I am hoping to walk, maybe run (depending on how my body is doing on day 3) after our upper body workout tomorrow. I would like to at least be able to walk down to the mailbox and back once without much pain. :)

Thank You, Lord, for the discipline so far to stick with the life changes I am trying to make right now. Thank You for the encouragement through how I feel physically. It is affecting my whole life.

I didn't run today, but started P90X with Luke and Leah today. My goal is just to stick with it. I have been doing Power 90 (the program before P90X) for several months now and feel comfortable with it.

I did okay today with the workout. I probably used weights that were too light (from what Luke said), but wanted to start out easy. Then the AB RIPPER was turned on! UGH! I was hurting by the second exercise! UGH!

I know this will work if I stick with it. I also ate really well today, but wound up eating only 830 calories! That is not good! I ate more fruits and veggies today so it kept my calorie count down, but I know I need to take in more calories than that.

I planned on walking after the workout, but my whole body felt like jello. I am not sure how I can run/walk AND P90X. You only get one day to rest in this program and it is 90 days long. I do think it will make me stronger in order to run........in the long run.

Great weather this morning. Ran/walked 2.5 miles. Stronger run this morning which is a good thing since I ate that pizza and cookie dough yesterday! :) Veggies on tap for me today.

Today was a short walk/run, only 1.6 miles. I had to get up early to get it done and then my family needed me. I wanted to beat the rain and I am also keeping a friend's little one this morning.

I like these pavement shoes much better than my new trail shoes. They are so comfy! I did run more of the steeper hills today. Hard, but good.

Eating well. Big breakfast after my run:

5:00am coffee/cream
7:30am mini multi grain bagel
peanut butter
high fiber yogurt
2 glasses of water

Okay, so last week I gained and didn't post about it since I was so distracted about retreat. This week I am back down. So far I have lost a total of 4.2 pounds. I am grateful. Hoping to get outside again today. First school, though.

Walked/ran 3.6 miles: around the pavement, down to the mailbox, back up the hill, halfway back down the hill and back up, to the house, back around the pavement then home. It was a bit slow for me today. I don't know if it is my shoes or what. I used the trail shoes today and they still seem so heavy. At least my legs feel heavy. I ran til I couldn't run, then walked. Ran then walked. Kind of frustrating, so I just stayed out there as long as I could. Went for endurance rather than speed.

Absolutely beautiful day for it!

I did 4 miles today. I wanted to try out my trail running shoes, so I did the dirt road twice. I'm not too sure about my new shoes. My feet and my shins hurt a little bit as I started out and my feet felt heavy. I walked and ran. I made myself run uphill the second time around. Everytime I came to a hill, I made myself run if I was walking and run harder if I was jogging. It was a good exercise in perseverance. The weather was beautiful, but my legs felt sluggish. I also did more sprints in my time today. I would sprint, then walk a bit, then sprint again, usually uphill. I liked the challenge. By the end of my walk/run, my feet felt better, but I don't know who helped me walk up that last hill. It was like an out-of-body experience. I didn't feel anything. Oh well, at least I got it done! Hope my shoes get more comfortable. My Eccos felt better on the dirt road that these did today. We'll see.

Shamefully, I skipped breakfast (which might have been my energy problem). Here's what I have had today so far:

coffee/cream 50 cal

sandwich thin w/ cheese 180 cal

blueberries (25) 20 cal

Water, water, water (4-5 glasses so far)

God went ahead of me in some shopping I had to do today. I am so excited! I have been researching running shoes for about a week now. I knew that my Ecco shoes were breaking down (I've really used them too long) because the inside of my left foot began to ache as well as my heel on my left foot.

I also was intrigued by the iPod nano thing that Nike has going to keep track of your runs and you can make friends, etc. I was excited about maybe finding a pair of Nike shoes to do this.

So today I went to the store with a list of shoes to look for. I was in the market to buy two pairs of running shoes: one for the pavement and one for the dirt road. I felt that I needed more support on the dirt road. I looked up stores in our area that carry Nike and when I got there, they were out of business. I guess we don't have an official "running" store????? So I headed across the street to Academy Sports.

I was looking for the women's running shoes and went down every aisle. When I was on the clearance aisle (looking for the right aisle because they have changed things around), there was one of the Nike shoes on my list. So I picked it up to look at it so I would know what to look for when I found the right aisle and would you believe it?! It was a size 9!!!! My size!!!! They are $90 shoes and I got them for $39!!!! God is so kind!

Smiling I headed out to look for the trail shoes I wanted. They carried one close to the one I was looking for and I bought both pairs of shoes for less than what I paid for my Eccos (which I loved by the way). I was, no AM, so excited! God has a way of giving us small gifts like that and I am soooo appreciative!

Next I was looking for an iPod Nano. I have a big iPod which my loving hubby bought me for my trip to England a few years back, but it won't fit into my pockets when I run. I wanted something smaller. My daughter has a Nano, but it is a 2GB and I really wanted at least an 8GB. So off I go to price an iPod Nano. I called sweet hubby to talk about prices and what I was finding. Then he says, "I have points on my card. Let me see if I have enough for an iPod." He called me back and God did it again! He had 30,000 points and a 16GB iPod Nano is 28,000. We didn't have to pay anything! I couldn't wait to get home with all of my goodies and go run!

Of course, I don't have my Nano yet. It was ordered today, but I am putting my songlists together and I did run in my new shoes today (2.5 miles). They felt great! My toes didn't fall asleep. The inside of my left foot didn't hurt. I think the pavement ones are a great fit for me. Tomorrow I will try out the trail ones on the dirt road.

My run was a little slow today, but I was out there. I waited too late in the day to run, but I had to get out of the house early today. It was only 75 degrees, but I felt it in my breathing. I think I will have to learn to run earlier. I usually reserve my early time of day for me and the Lord, but I might have to work in a good run in there somehow. I'll let ya know how it goes.

Thank You, Lord, for my gifts today. Now help me press on!

Perseverance

I went out for my walk/run today. Last week I noticed that my shoes had broken down some in the arch/heel areas because my feet hurt last Wednesday and Thursday when I ran. Because of things going on, I knew I wouldn't be able to get new shoes before this week.

So today I went out, knowing that I would just walk today. I walked and walked. I knew I would have to walk longer in order to get the calories burned, but I didn't anticipate walking for almost 90 minutes, but that's what happened. I had much wrestling with the Lord to do and needed the encouragement that Sovereign Grace music gave to me through my iPod.

Walking out here in the country means that I will usually either walk/run the pavement which usually takes 3 times around to get 2.5 miles. That is usually my goal: 2-3 miles. If I decide to walk to the mailbox, I have to walk on the dirt road which is all uphill from my house TO the mailbox, but mostly downhill on the way back. That is, after you finish the "big hill." The "big hill" is the hill that is right after you pull through our gate. It is about 500-600 feet long, but pretty steep. I usually have to do some mental games to get myself up the hill. About halfway up, I long to take a break, but try to make myself just take the next step. Just keep moving.

Once I am at the top, I feel so ready to start my run and I run all the way home. It is almost a mile down to the mailbox and a mile back, so I can get in 2 miles from "doing the dirt road" one time. And it is a good walk/run because of the hills.

While I was on the walk today, my FIL drove by very slowly. When he reached me, he rolled down his window and asked me, "Do you want me to stir up some dust?" He was kind and drove slowly so that I didn't have to walk through dust.

All of this had me thinking. Last week was a week that brought some storms into my life spiritually. I have been on the edge of despairing for a few days now, being very discouraged. As I walked today, rehearsing the verse that God keeps taking me back to about His strength being made perfect in my weakness, I found Him revealing other truths about my life right now.

Some days we can't run spiritually, can we? We are discouraged or tired, weakened by attacks from Satan or sin. But that doesn't mean I have to quit. My spirit today would like to lie in bed, feeling sorry for myself, but God calls me to persevere. Today my body needed exercise even though I couldn't run. I just had to take the next step and do the next thing: walk. Just keep moving. Just keep seeking the Lord even when I desire to quit. Just keep letting Him move me when I don't feel like moving.

Then when I got to the hill and once again I wanted to stop in the middle, halfway up, instead I walked a zigzag up the hill so that I could keep going. It was a different way to walk, a bit of a different route to take, but I just kept going. Kept persevering. Often God's path to spiritual growth looks very different from what we plan, desire or expect. But it is still the path to spiritual growth. I was still going up the hill, eventually reaching the top. I need to keep walking God's path, as much as He shows me each day, eventually reaching heaven! What a day that will be!

Today I found myself looking down a lot. Like on the big hill, I never look up to see where I am headed. It makes me weak. I look at the ground, at the next step. It reminded me that God gives me grace for today. He doesn't ask me to extend faith for next week or next year, but today, in what He shows me and gives to me, I am to respond in faith. And usually I find that that is just doing the next step. Elizabeth Elliot when talking about how she endured her husband's murder by the Indians he was desiring to reach for the Lord, said she just got up and "did the next thing." It was how she coped. Today I just took the next step in front of me to reach the top. Spiritually, I am asking the Lord to help me take the next step that He asks of me and shows me in order to reach maturity in Christ and eventually glorification in heaven. I so long to receive the crown of glory and hear Him say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

There were bigger rocks on the path today. I am not sure if it was because of recent rain or the fact that my son has been trying to use shale to fill pot holes on the road. Once I stumbled on a new rock, but caught myself before falling. Application to me: there will be obstacles on the path to holiness. There will be stumbling blocks that tempt us to despair and give up. But God calls us to press on. If we fall, get up and call on Him to help us again to move forward.

And dust. Well, there will be things, situations or people that "stir up dust" on our journey. How will we deal with it? If I were on the road and dust was stirred up, I would have to wait til it settled. Sometimes we just have to wait on the Lord to move. We have to wait on His timing which is perfect. We have to wait for Him to show us the next step because it seem so unclear.

Right now a lot of things seem so unclear. I don't know what it is about deep, soul pain that makes it difficult for me to think clearly, but it is true. I long to think clearly, but it seems that today all I can do is quote Scripture to myself because I can't even process what I think I need to. Maybe God doesn't need me to process it. Maybe He just desires me to cling to Him and His Word. Keep going back there over and over again so that I am speaking to myself instead of listening to myself. I just feel this heavy fog over my head and I just can't seem to know or understand or discern.

So I will wait on Him. I will cling to the Scripture that He continues to give to me. I will remember that He says this: "My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in your weakness.......when you are weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:9-10)

Lord, help me to keep walking even when I am used to running and want to crawl into bed. Help me just keep walking by faith.

I went out and walked a second time down the dirt road to the mailbox. Just needed more time with the Lord, listening to Shannon Wexelberg. Total mileage today: 6.33 miles.

Another great run today down the dirt road. I was hoping to catch the sun peeking it's shiny head out from behind the clouds, but it didn't happen while I ran/walked. Lydia went with her on her bike. It was nice and steady. The strength is showing in my endurance and in my pressing on at a faster pace when my mind wants to quit. My time was a bit better today, too. Time is not so important to me, though. The longer I am out there, the more calories I am burning, right? So I'm okay if it takes me a while. :)

Eating is going really well and I feel so much better. Just this morning Wade was talking about how much better I am sleeping. I am sleeping like a log every night. I think it is because of three things: 1) daily exercise, 2) eating healthier (doesn't bother my reflux), and 3) taking my reflux meds daily in the morning. I am enjoying sleeping well and feeling totally refreshed when I get up at 5am each morning.

I weigh in tomorrow for my first week of eating/exercising on my way to healthier, but also losing. I'll report in tomorrow.

Great run today! I haven't been on our dirt road for a while because of all of the snow and rain. It was just too muddy. But today I was needing some outside sunshine time with the Lord and decided to walk to the mailbox (which is all uphill) and run back. I was not winded at all and felt that I could go on for a while. It was a good 2 mile walk/run.

Power 90 is still going strong three times a week. I am feeling much stronger on my ab workout and push ups, too. I hope to see inches lost when I measure next.

Thank You, Lord, for the sunshine. It was so needed today.

I actually got up early to run this morning. I thought I was going to head into town this morning, but sweet hubby took Grant to the b-day party for me instead. However, when I thought I was going to be going into town, I got dressed to run on the treadmill, then thought, "oh, head outside." I did inspite of the wind which my ears hate. It was a good run, though short. I felt stronger and again was able to run faster.

Yesterday my two girls did the Power 90 sculpt routine with me. I have been doing it every other day, but they joined me. It was good to see them working out with weights so early in the morning. We are all forming new habits.

We have bought cokes in the past year except on special occasions. I don't really like carbonated drinks, but used to buy them for my kids. Finally woke up to the fact that there was NOTHING good about buying.........spent money on them and they were horrible for them. We also have not been buying chips lately. This has been hard for the kids, but they are adjusting and eating way more fruit and nuts for snacks. I did buy some organic chips (still not that great for you) as a treat this weekend.

I am feeling so good. The scale is slow to move, but I measured this week and we'll see if the inches begin to come off soon. That is usually such an encouragement to me!

So right now, my routine is Power 90 sculpt (weights) M/W/F with a little bit of cardio and T/Th/S more cardio (30-60 min). Everyday I do push ups and sit ups. I can tell I am getting stronger. It shows in my running and in my breathing. There is nothing like running for getting fit. At least for me, there has been nothing like it.

Still pressing toward the mark. I have an accountability partner now which is nice. Today was a good day on the treadmill. I ran further and faster. I ran two laps at a time at 5.4 mph and then would walk a lap at 3.7-4 mph with an incline of 3-4. It felt great and I felt like I could keep going. Nothing hurt today. I also did my Power 90 ab workout and push ups. Feeling stronger everyday.

I am also eating more fruits and veggies and I feel the effects. I feel less "heavy" if you know what I mean. Praying for diligence and continuance on this journey toward health.

Sunday Wade went with me to jog/walk. He really didn't want to go. He would rather ride his bike, but he went for me. Afterward, he said he was glad we did it together and would like to again. We did 2 miles.

Today the wind is so strong (and that hurts my ears), I got on the treadmill. I am beginning to HATE the treadmill. I did regulate my pace better on there. I ran/walked 2.5 miles in 33 minutes. I ran a lap and then would make myself walk slightly uphill (incline 3) at a pace of 4.3 mph. Then I would run for a lap beginning at 5.2 mph increasing each time by 1/10 of a mile. It felt good. I feel good. I love it again and still no pain in my tailbone. Thank You, Lord.

Maybe this will help my stamina when I go snow skiing next week in Colorado!

So excited! I went out to walk for an hour yesterday and had a little pain in my tailbone. I tried running the second time around my loop and had no pain at all! I might later, but didn't at that time. So I did four loops (2.5 miles). I walked and jogged, but didn't have any trouble going the distance. I was very encouraged. It felt good to jog again.

I did come in a soak in the bath to try to ward off any pain I felt in my tailbone, but this morning I still don't have pain. So I will go out again today to jog/walk. Maybe I will not have pain while skiing next week! I imagine the riding in the car for two days will be the hardest part. I might have to buy me a donut for that!

Thank You, Lord, for giving me the gift of exercise with no pain yesterday.

I also have taken off the "miles done" and "daily exercise" from this blog. It is just too hard to update it regularly. I am keeping a food/exercise journal on paper so I see how I am doing, but I can't keep up here and there (and I also talk to a friend who tries to keep me accountable). So........we'll see how I do, but I won't put it here. I'll just blog.

Yes, I am still here. We have had quite the January-February! First of all, my nephew, John Austin, was pretty sick and in the hospital, so I went up north in the state to help my brother and his family. We were there for a few days before we had to come back because of snow predictions, but we did bring his other four kids back home with us. So things around here were pretty busy.

This week life has thrown us another loop! Snow and ice! Up here on the mountain we have had it for four days now and they are predicting more tonight.

Last weekend when we had snow, we all went sledding. I made the mistake of going down a hill with my girls on a very thin sled and hit a rock. I bruised or cracked my tailbone. It has been a pretty painful week. I have done this before and it took a year to be pain-free. I am praying it doesn't take that long. It is hard to move from a sitting to standing position or vice versa.

This has hampered my exercise, but I am making myself walk on the treadmill and walk. I am able to do most of my power 90, but some of the things are painful. I am just trying to exercise as I can.

I am also going skiing Feb 20, but not sure how this injury will affect that. I will be able to ski, but falling will be painful and falling is something you do in skiing.......at least I do, especially since I haven't been in 15 years! I'm looking forward to it, though. Even if I just get to read, sit by the fire, cook for the others and play with the kids. Should be a fun time.

On a different side of health, we have been eating healthier around here. Everyone seems to desire it and Wade and I need it for health reasons. We aren't buying certain foods (junk or processed) like we were, but instead enjoying more fruit and veggies, as well as some clean eating recipes for dinner. So far every recipe we have tried from Tosca Reno's cookbook entitled THE EAT-CLEAN DIET COOKBOOK has been delicious! And they aren't hard to do either. I would highly recommend this cookbook!

Great workout today! It was sculpt day (weights) and I could feel that I was more controlled over the exercises today, especially the parts where I usually so want to do it too fast. I had more slow and controlled movements today. This made me feel stronger. Not sure when to up my weights on the exercises.......need to do some reading tonight or tomorrow on that.

I don't usually hit the treadmill on sculpt day, but I wanted some stretching of my leg muscles (which were tight) so I thought I would just go walk some. Well, walking became running and walking. It felt good. My stamina was better and I did not get as tired. My legs were week from all of the lunges and squats, but it still felt good. I was able to walk on a steep incline at a good pace when I wasn't running just to keep my heart rate up.

I don't know if I can explain how it feels, but it is easier to run and I dread the "recovery" as I call it. You know the moment when you stop running and begin walking and you are breathing heavy. I wasn't breathing heavy when I was running, but when I stop, it is no fun. I'd rather just start running again.

So glad I am on a roll again. Thank You, Lord.

Things are going well. I started Power 90 because I wasn't ready for P90X. I will do 90 days of it and then hopefully move to P90X. It is the same guy and I like it. One day you do cardio; the next you do sculpt; everyday I do abs.

I have been getting on the treadmill, though, because I don't think the cardio is enough for me. That's a good thing. I am getting on the treadmill right before I do abs and walk/run for 1-2 miles.

The running on the treadmill was easier today. I wasn't winded at all and my inner thigh did not hurt. I just need to get my treadmill serviced. Sure would be nice to have one of those treadmills like they have on Biggest Loser. :)

I am trying to be more consistent with my exercise, since I took SOOOOOO much time off during the holidays. Still not sure why I did that, but I know that I can't take a "holiday" for any extended amount of time or I won't do it.

I am praying that exercising more consistently will help with my health issues. My reflux is worse than ever and there are indications that I might have sleep apnea. That has been a bit of a wake up call to me. I don't want to go have a sleep study done. I just want to lose some weight. Losing weight would help with both of these health issues.

Pray for me............

I love getting back in the groove of exercise. I am feeling good.....still a sore inner thigh, but working it out slowly. Doing more walking then running to rebuild. I am liking the Power 90 program. I do sculpt one day and burn the next then get on the treadmill.

I think I am going to have to look at having my treadmill repaired. Especially for those really cold days or during hunting season. I don't like to be out here on the road during hunting season now that there is another owner of land out here. Sadness.......

Feels good to sweat. Energy is returning. Helps with my eating habits. Makes me feel stronger and more disciplined.

I need to build up my leg strength since we are going skiing in late February. It's time for the wall sits. Ugh! My legs will thank me in February.

Lesson learned......again: You can't take a month off of exercise without having to start completely over. Today was rough.

I was out of town for 2 weeks, then Christmas and New Years with it's celebrations, and finally a long-distance friend came to visit for about a week. Thus, I haven't done anything. There really isn't a good excuse either. I could have done something one of the week's I was out of town and my friend would have gladly ran with me IF it hadn't been in the teens while she was here.

So that brings us to today. I started Power 90 over and it kicked my rear end! But I do love it. It stretches me physically.

Then I got on the treadmill, but only for a mile. I had pain in my legs several places and so didn't want to overdo it. I think it was from a certain stretch I did in Power 90 where I slipped and went deeper than I should have too quickly. Ugh! I will have to watch that inner thigh.

I feel good. I am glad to be back. I hope it doesn't take me too long to get my legs back.

I also though want to concentrate on building my strength. I am going to do the Power 90, hoping to be able to do P90X at some point this summer. I am working up to it.

Right now my goals are simple, but not always easy for me to accomplish:

1) Become healthier all around. How?
2) Exercise 5-6 times a week, if possible
3) Eat 3-4 veggies servings a day
4) Eat 3 fruit servings a day
5) Complete Power 90 to strengthen muscles and core strength.
6) Begin running again. Increase endurance.
7) Build a family repertoire of healthy, yummy recipes my family will love.

I haven't forgotten about this blog. I have been busy with vacation, company, Christmas, etc. I have not been disciplined at all and have felt the effects of it. Time for water, water, water and fruit, fruit, fruit......along with veggies, veggies, veggies. Then Power 90 and the treadmill. All coming to me on Friday when we resume our regularly scheduled life. :)