Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Weigh In Week 11

I'm slowly but surely adjusting to the school routine.  I've managed to get in bed at an earlier hour and now I'm waking up before the 5:30 alarm most mornings so that is progress! 

I lost 1.6 pound this week to put me at 19 pounds exactly.  Can't wait to see 20 pounds!!  I still haven't made it to my 15 pound reward...a deluxe pedicure...and with running so much I am needing it so I plan on doing that soon.  I'm still thinking on that 20 pound reward...maybe I'll get a manicure with that pedicure if I'm at 20 by then! :)  

I have been noticing that whatever I weigh on Sunday morning is always exactly what I weigh on Wednesday morning even though I've had a few more days.  I don't really know why that is.  We eat out on Sunday nights usually and I did splurge this week and have a piece of homemade Italian Cream Cake....ohhhhh it was delicious, but otherwise I have stuck to my guidelines and not varied my eating.

  I had a small piece of cake compared to what I would've usually had but about 5 minutes after I ate it...HEADACHE!  I guess my body is so used to no sugar by now that anything more than a few bites, and especially something as rich as that cake, gives me a headache almost immediately.  That should be a deterrent for me to not cheat again...I'll have to give it more thought though. :)

Today, I'm exhausted from no sleep last night and didn't even work out this morning.  Carson is allergic to MSG like I am and a food we don't think should affect him will randomly make him very sick.  I cooked chicken quesadillas last night with seasoned fajita meat and within 2 hours he was sick.  Once he gets sick and gets rid of the food then he is okay but it just makes him feel awful.  So, he and I slept in the living room and all night I would startle awake thinking I heard him so not much sleep for me. He said he slept great though which is good.  Today, I looked up some of the foods that have made him sick like that and sure enough they all are considered HIGH MSG foods to avoid.  Lesson learned...one food at a time.  Being sensitive to MSG is linked to the type of migraines I have and Carson has already had several headaches we considered a migraine so I really hate it for him.  While reading about the foods today I found several on the list that I remember eating prior to a migraine...including today having a headache and not feeling well from the same fajita meat I guess...so I'm learning for both of us.

Well, hoping next week I am over that 20 pound mark!!  I have 35 more pounds to my goal...a size I haven't been since high school. Slowly but surely!

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 
Colossians 3:17 NKJV

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Weight Wednesday Week 10...on Thursday


I am not going to lie about it...this has been a super tough week. I have been tired, stressed and just a little overwhelmed. Work has been hectic, workouts are early and I have not slept well over the last 7 days.  That has all led me to really have to WORK at not eating things I shouldn't.  It has not been easy!

I hurt my arm before we left for the beach..or actually it was probably more a cumulative thing from push-ups the doctor said, but regardless it's been hurting and I tried to ignore it for a couple weeks and hope I would wake up one morning with no swelling or pain and that hasn't happened yet. I finally give up and went to the doctor on Monday and he said I have torn the tendon away from the bone near my wrist and that has caused the muscles it attaches to the bone to swell and it will take a while to heal. I'm wearing a brace at night on my wrist and supposed to wear one with any exercise that is weight bearing on the wrist and as many hours through the day as I can. I haven't been able to get the one to wear during the day and for exercise yet but I have been wearing the one you sleep in and I can't tell any difference yet but we'll see...possibly would help if I'd quit doing those pushups he specifically told me not to do.  Anyway,  thankfully nothing was broken because I do not want anything to interfere with my workouts right now.

As for my weight loss, after being pleasantly surprised to lose 1.6 pounds while on vacation, I was pleased as punch to weigh Wednesday morning and be down 2 more pounds!  I weighed on Sunday morning and was down exactly 18 pounds and 2.6 pounds since my last weight-in but on Wednesday morning I was up a little...something salty I ate probably...
and so I am at 17.4 pounds and 17.5 inches total for my week 10 weigh-in.

 I really wanted to be at 20 pounds by week 10 but I'm very pleased with my results. I've never lost this much weight without taking what I would call a short break and that would translate into gaining the weight back.  I'm very excited. So, now I am 36 pounds from my goal and it feels great! Seems like just last week I was at 7 pounds and feeling better but still thinking...
how am I ever going to lose 54 pounds?!

I am making my running calendar out today to train for the White Rock Half Marathon in December and I am nervous about it. I have done a half before....back in 2005 which seems like forever ago. Ultimately my goal is to run the Little Rock Marathon in March but I'm keeping that in the background right now and taking it one step at a time. After running the 5K at the Dam Night Run last month now I want to run a 10K next so we'll see how it goes.  Going to run a long run in the morning and see how far I can run for distance when I'm not worried about time.

I read a great quote today that really sums up what I've had to live by lately...

Self-discipline is the ability to make yourself do something you don't necessarily want to do, 
to get a result you would really like to have. 
Andy Andrews

I love that and I've had to put it into practice this past week. 

 Case in point....
At the end of a very long day at work on Wednesday seeing my speech kids and in every second a student wasn't in the room I was trying to do paperwork for 6 conferences on Thursday.  I ended up having to stay a little later to get done and then rush to the house to get Gracen and head to piano.  I really thought for a moment...I'm stressed, I'm tired...maybe I'll pick up a Sonic Blast and just read my book during piano today.  Problem is...a Sonic Blast is definitely NOT on my plan and since I had slept later that morning and not done my workout early...I really needed to run while Gracen was in piano. 

 So, I drove right on past Sonic, ran in the house and changed into running clothes, grabbed my ipod and she and I headed to piano. I dropped her off at her lesson and drove down to the Amity walking trail and ran till she called me to pick her up. It was hot and I was tired and sore from lunges on Tuesday...but 2.25 miles later...and I felt so much better about myself after I was done. I wasn't as cranky or tired as when I had walked out of the door at work and I wasn't beating myself up like I would have if I had retreated to the comfort food...
like an Oreo cookie sonic blast that I have done time after time on a stressful day...even if I was on a “diet.”


 So, I thanked the Lord for the strength to not take the easy way out that day and prayed that the next time the situation arises that I will make the right choice again. I hope so!

The Lord you God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV)

      


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Weight Wednesday Week 9

Last Tuesday evening I left for the beach and got home Saturday night a little after midnight so I didn't get to post for week 8 results.  I did weigh on Tuesday before I left and I was down 1.2 pounds for a total of 14 pounds. 

I was worried about being gone to the beach and staying on track & I did have a few small cheats (like a mini-blizzard from Dairy Queen 3 nights in a row...hey it's tiny...don't judge! LOL!) but I also stayed very active and did my workouts.  I was thrilled to be down 1.6 pounds and 1.5 inches this morning for a total of 15.6 pounds and 16.5 inches. Whew! 

I worked out with Kyle Monday and Tuesday before I left and then Wednesday I walked 2 miles on the beach and did a lot of playing in the pool with Gracen but didn't get a regular workout in so I tried to make up for it on Thursday & Friday.  Mom and I ran on the beach for about 2.5 miles both days and then we all walked to the pier down from our condo both mornings as well which was another 2 miles.  We ran down by the water and wore our running shoes, but the water was so rough and we ran in soaking wet shoes full of sand the entire time...and LOVED it! Since Gracen didn't have a friend to play with I didn't do a lot of laying out and reading, but that was good because we played games in the pool that kept me moving almost the entire day and made some good memories at the same time.  

I keep thinking for the amount I'm eating compared to what I used to have and eating no carbs...except for fruit & occasionally some yogurt...and working out 6 days a week..I should be losing more than what I am each week, but I know I am building muscle and losing body fat and am being more consistent and working harder than I ever have in my life so it will come off and I'm building habits I can live with every day of my life.  

I have set mini-goals with a reward for myself and so as soon as I get paid in a couple weeks I am going to have a "deluxe pedicure" for finally reaching 15 pounds. Gracen and I were getting a regular pedicure in Fayetteville when we were there for baseball in June and I had just finished my first week of training and so we discussed in the pedicure chairs that it was my reward for making it through the 1st week.  Then the lady kept trying to get me to get the deluxe pedicure...which was more money of course...and we both agreed that should be my 15 pound goal.  I'm looking forward to it...hot towels and a mask on my tired legs! :)

School starting back has led to 6 am workouts which means a 5:30 alarm...wow, that has taken a little adjustment but I have found I actually don't mind that much.  I've been super tired because, well, school kicks my tail the first week anyway and I'm not used to getting in bed earlier but I'm adjusting.  I like having it done for the day and it helps keep me on track and not tempted when the day gets stressful and I'm tired and hungry...the worst times for me to want something sweet!

I crossed another 10 pound mark this week and I'm super excited about that...do not plan on seeing that weight again Lord willing!!

I read this statement by Lysa TerKeurst in Made to Crave this week and loved it..."If the prop Satan used to bring down mankind was food, I do think this is an issue God cares about."

Self-control...something I have been working very hard on these last 9 weeks and pray for daily.

“…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance…”
2 Peter 1:5a-6a (NIV)

6th Grade

I will post Wednesday night about my Week 8 weigh-in but tonight I wanted to do something a little different first.

Dear Carson & Gracen,

I can't believe you are starting 6th grade tomorrow.  It seems like just yesterday that we were packing up your supplies....crayons, glue sticks, pencils and scissors...all things necessary for a day in kindergarten.  This year we didn't even have a crayon or glue stick on the list for 6th grade and that kind of made me sad.

Last week you turned 12 and tomorrow you will start your last day at Kirby Elementary and I can't believe it.  You both have changed so much this summer and I am enjoying every minute of it...well, maybe I could live without those teenage attitudes...but let's not go there right now! :)  You both have grown so much this summer and are getting dangerously close to passing me up in height...& we all hope you do!

Despite all the changes I've seen this summer that make you more like a teenager, you both continue to have such great personalities and kind hearts.  You still hold my hand when we're walking in public and sit in my lap and hug and kiss me like you did when you were younger and I cherish every one of those hugs and kisses.

Carson, you are so outgoing and loving.  Time and again teachers and other adults have come to me or your dad and told us about how you did something that day at recess or in class to make sure that a classmate that was being left out or was "different" in some way was included in what you and your friends were playing.  That makes me so proud to be your momma and I pray that you will keep that kind spirit in you always.  Right now you want to be "busy" all the time.  There's no time for video games because you are always shooting on your nerf goal or playing "detective" on some random fact you want to check out on the computer...CIA Carson Smith! :)  You do not meet a stranger and can talk to an adult just as well as a friend your own age and that is such a good life skill to have.  I have loved watching you out in the yard lately with daddy working on shooting your bow.  You are such a perfectionist at mastering different skills...nothing frustrates you more than missing a shot or a ball in whatever sport you are playing.  I pray that you will always strive to do your best while remembering that you were given abilities & talents from God and use them to glorify Him all your life.  Our ultimate goal for you is not to play basketball for a team or be Valedictorian of your class, although those are all good things, but it's not what or who you are...our goal is for you to be all that God created you to be.  Here's a scripture for you Carson that I want you to always keep in mind. Love you, little buddy!


Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6


Gracen, you are so tenderhearted & you want to please everyone but yet you have such determination in you.  You are always wanting to buy little gifts for the special people in your life...friends & family both...that will mean something to them and that is so sweet.  You are so determined.  You always want to make that 100 on a test & are so detailed at everything you do and you manage to balance that with your sweet spirit.  Right now everything is "aaaamazing" and we laugh so much at all your little sayings you come up with.  You will sit for hours and write stories, draw and of course your famous yearbook copying!  You are becoming such a young lady and I pray that you will continue to be a hard worker but yet remember that the things we work to achieve and master in this life are nothing compared to pleasing our Lord who created you and loves you unconditionally even more than your daddy and I do...and that's so much you can't even imagine it.  God has a perfect plan for your life & is there to guide you through every decision and obstacle you face.  Friends may let you down, but God never will and your daddy and I will be here for you every step of the way.  I picked out a scripture for you, too, Gracen and it is written on everything these days, but it is just so true.  Love you, Sissy!


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11


Love you both more than words can say,
Momma

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Birthday Dinner

Headed to Lulu's for Gracen's Birthday dinner!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Weight Wednesday Week 7

Whew after having a plateau week last week I was much relieved this morning to be down 1.6 pounds.  When my alarm went off this morning I had to remember why I had set it because I was sleeping soundly when it went off!  Once I came to my senses my stomach turned upside down when I remembered I had to weigh this morning. I was so relieved to see the loss.  

My mom and I ran the Dam Night Run in Arkadelphia on Saturday night & we finished in 37 minutes and ran all but a minute or 2 during the 3rd mile.  It was challenging but we averaged a 12:19 mile which is slow but we were proud of just finishing since we haven't ran a race in years and are both just back running.  One of our very best friends, Paige Cowart, ran super fast and came in 3rd in her age group!!  We saw several friends there and they all did great....Brooke Cowart, Brooke & Turner Vance and several others.  It's a hot race and a long process leading up to starting the race but it was fun...now that I forget I was about to pass out immediately after! LOL!

I am officially down 12.6 pounds and 15 inches.  I'm super excited and this is actually the most weight I have ever lost without falling off the wagon and I plan on staying on for the long hall...making this a lifestyle change and not just another diet.  

I'm going to be on a trip next Wednesday so I will weigh in on Tuesday morning before we leave that afternoon.  Can't wait to go with my mom, Gracen, Paige & Penny to Orange Beach for some much needed girl time! This will be our 2nd year to go & we are counting down the days.  Gracen is at the age where she occupies herself and she loves going.  She & Carson will turn 12 on that Wednesday so we'll celebrate her birthday at the beach while Carson gets treated at home by Daddy to what he wants to do & they go to a Rangers game in a couple weeks for their "guy trip." 

When we get back on Saturday night I will be less than 48 hours away from a new school year already!!  Yikes!  I'm always glad to get back into the routine of school & see all my co-workers I've missed over the summer...& even some of these little kiddos I see for speech. :)  I'm nervous already about my workouts & school but Kyle assured me today we will make it work so I'm ready.  

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 
Romans 8:37

Monday, August 1, 2011

Hogan found a cooler spot to nap in. He's all squished in there where the ground was wet from the water hose.