tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54998602706338954492024-03-19T23:41:50.802-05:00Annie Weighs... "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-58949610873287556482015-05-01T08:29:00.001-05:002015-05-01T08:29:39.278-05:00Weekly Weigh-in {May 1, 2015}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhSkiDRdCLB6OSU4n3t9LpOmkaTZYkmkKMfyJA0Ost22dZJNSrQvmTnO_o4cMvWfNxvJR9KHbF-omyuH52InHIKIS_rElHySk70OHf5Rmv_aMj3iXJAFSpoUjQoUgA2fXUTs5lgBw9qhi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-01+at+8.28.04+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhSkiDRdCLB6OSU4n3t9LpOmkaTZYkmkKMfyJA0Ost22dZJNSrQvmTnO_o4cMvWfNxvJR9KHbF-omyuH52InHIKIS_rElHySk70OHf5Rmv_aMj3iXJAFSpoUjQoUgA2fXUTs5lgBw9qhi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-01+at+8.28.04+AM.png" height="263" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
All week I was focused on "1.7" to reach a ten pound loss. I kept saying to myself, "1.7, 1.7...it's just 1.7...". Well, I got 1.7, but in the wrong direction! I gained this week. It's not surprising. I had two great losses my first two weeks, so my body is resisting a loss right now. If I'm being honest, and I am, I had a few really high calorie days this week and it obviously is showing up on the scale. So, I'll live, learn, and move forward! Today is a fresh start and I'm determined to have a loss to report next Friday!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-14160008676296107082015-04-29T12:51:00.000-05:002015-04-29T12:51:07.027-05:00"Before"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj3D22Xa6f8xy-Cy2jlxPLPYbpOZhOWyiU0S0HRY5iBpdVEDd6HE8jGcHMA2kIrbu2IPCBoWcMgqkiwBNHY1z9MDHntDI0LRHYRWiRE61om5mCfpkrJlyjTov_Xa1eQXYsL03FxUoCgaW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-29+at+12.39.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj3D22Xa6f8xy-Cy2jlxPLPYbpOZhOWyiU0S0HRY5iBpdVEDd6HE8jGcHMA2kIrbu2IPCBoWcMgqkiwBNHY1z9MDHntDI0LRHYRWiRE61om5mCfpkrJlyjTov_Xa1eQXYsL03FxUoCgaW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-04-29+at+12.39.22+PM.png" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here I am today. I've lost 8.3 pounds. I wish I would have taken pictures when I started tracking almost three weeks ago, but I didn't think to before today. So, like I did before, I'll take these photos every 10 pounds I lose. It gives me perspective as to what it looks like to lose ten pounds. It really can make a difference! Since I'm so close to losing 10 already, I won't take the photos at -10 pounds, but will again at -20. Losing another 1.7 isn't going to look any different on me at this point. :)<br />
<br />
When I look at these pictures I have very mixed emotions. I think I'm a pretty lady in the first picture of just my face. I think my cheeks look fuller than I want them to, but I'm happy with the overall look. The other three pictures bother me, a lot. I know what the scale says. I know how I feel (tired), but until I saw the pictures, I didn't realize how others saw me. That's a big girl! I have a long road ahead of me to reach my goals, but I'm certain that I can not only reach them, but maintain them. I will not go back to this again. I can't go back here again if I want to live the full life I want. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-64333619055795529142015-04-24T06:50:00.001-05:002015-04-24T06:50:33.169-05:00Weekly Weigh-in {April 24th, 2015}I got up early this morning to do some cleaning before my parents arrive for the weekend. My little guy is turning 9!! I can't believe it. He's one of my biggest reasons for wanting to lose the weight. He's going to be nine and needs his mom to be around and would love to have a mom who was more active with him. He's worth the work!!<br />
<br />
My scale says I dropped 3.3 pounds this week! Yay!! That's 8.3 down my first two weeks. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-16824764549337783362015-04-23T18:10:00.001-05:002015-04-23T18:10:28.876-05:00Welcome Back!Sooooo......it's been awhile. Hi to anyone who's still out there reading! Boy oh boy, this blogging thing hasn't stuck with me for quite some time, has it? Well, here I go again! I started counting calories and WW points last Friday, April 10th. I'm using a combination of My Fitness Pal and an old Weight Watchers calculator. I'm counting points the old fashioned way, not with Points Plus. I did really well losing weight with the older program, so I'm going back to what I know worked for me before. I'm tracking it all in MFP. So far, I'm doing well! If you're reading this, please leave me a little comment. I have NO idea if I have any readers out there anymore. I'll be so happy if I do! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-89695557116353567692014-09-26T18:00:00.002-05:002014-09-26T18:00:47.896-05:00Ch, ch, ch...changes! After a lot of thought and some discussion with friends and neighbors, I've decided to stop being a weight watcher. I'll not be tracking my "points" and such or attending meetings anymore. The last two weeks I've been tracking things through a free app called My Fitness Pal. I love it! It's calorie based, but also looks at your nutrition and activity throughout the day. Since I've been tracking with that, I've lost more than I was with WW. I'll also soon be getting a FitBit. I once had one and liked it, but it broke and then I used the WW active link. I like the FitBit and look forward to using that again. I feel like having a bit more control over what I track and such will lead to better choices that I can maintain for a lifetime. I don't really want to track WW points forever. I still believe that WW is a great program and I encourage anyone who wants to lose weight to give it a try. It does work! I just want to focus more on overall health than just weight-loss, so I feel like this is the best path for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-79943582350252743562014-09-16T14:49:00.000-05:002014-09-16T14:49:16.764-05:00Skinny Fat vs. Healthy & Fit I haven't written a post for a few weeks, so just wanted to check in with anyone who may be reading! I lost 2.1 pounds last week. What's different is that I hardly tracked anything I ate with WW last week. I was slacking, but just trying to make better food decisions and move more. When I was doing Weight Watchers before, I was set on counting points and NEVER missed a day of tracking. I'd track as soon as I ate, or quite often would even before I took a bite. I was fully dedicated to losing weight. I was also very focused on getting thinner, however I wasn't necessarily focused on getting healthier. I wasn't working out, I wasn't getting good nutrition, I was just eating smaller quantities of junk. This time, I'm much more focused on getting healthy. It's not about the size I wear or the numbers on the scale, those will drop with time because I'm making choices to eat healthier foods, move more, lift weights, and drink more water. I'm focused on being fit and healthy, not skinny. I heard a new-to-me term the other day, "skinny fat". I understand it to mean skinny people who are actually fat as far as their health goes. Just because they wear smaller sizes and look thin when dressed doesn't mean that they're healthy. Their cardiovascular system is weak, their bones are weak, they have very little muscle mass. I want to transform myself into someone who's physically fit. Like I said, smaller numbers on the scale and in my clothes will come along with that, but it's not my main focus. I'm still going to stick with WW, at least for now, and track what I'm eating. I'll still stick with weighing myself weekly as I think it's a good reflection of what the week was. I will, however, not let those things determine how I'm feeling about myself. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-66988956965458053152014-08-22T15:53:00.000-05:002014-08-22T15:54:31.988-05:00Weekly Weigh-in {Aug 22} & Weight-Training At last! I've had two weeks of losses in a row. I've finally broken through the loss, gain cycle that I've been on since I re-joined Weight Watchers and lost 2.8 pounds this week!! I'm so close to my first 10 pounds, so I'm hoping to reach that next Friday. It would be a sweet way to end the month.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_UCWhpiLVVINFhUWDYx8-meV5iRpTGqyUARqT9GtiaZ-4kcQtsCMt6wGj8pnwJiRIEJ7gyG-weJZNirJJIn-9PKDDosMNUx7Le2rd1-FI7ShIohmoZZ6oOlrfQLsdwCt5rdQ-8M5he_S/s1600/weight-loss-motivation-quotes-26051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_UCWhpiLVVINFhUWDYx8-meV5iRpTGqyUARqT9GtiaZ-4kcQtsCMt6wGj8pnwJiRIEJ7gyG-weJZNirJJIn-9PKDDosMNUx7Le2rd1-FI7ShIohmoZZ6oOlrfQLsdwCt5rdQ-8M5he_S/s1600/weight-loss-motivation-quotes-26051.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've been staying on track with lifting weights with my friend. I'm pretty proud of what I've been able to do so far. I'm lifting more than I thought I could. We rotate days and lift three days a week. Right now we're doing the following:<br />
<br />
Day A:<br />
Squats (3 sets of 5) 75 pounds<br />
Overhead press (3 sets of 5) 65 pounds<br />
Deadlift (1 set of 5) 135 pounds<br />
<br />
Day B:<br />
Squats (3 sets of 5) 75 pounds<br />
Bench Press (3 sets of 5) 75 pounds<br />
Barbell Row (3 sets of 5) 80 pounds<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-62672421868183671862014-08-15T13:37:00.000-05:002014-08-15T13:37:15.869-05:00Weekly Weigh-in {August 15} I lost 3.2 pounds this week! This zig-zag of losses and gains each week continues. My WW leader knows that I'm frustrated with it, but she told me just to keep at it and we'll look at it more in a few more weeks. Whatever the reason is, I'm still losing at an average of 1.32 pounds per week, which exceeds the WW goal of 1.25 a week. So, I'll take it! A number is just a number, it's no reflection of who I am.<br />
<br />
More importantly, I'm moving more! I've been weight-training and walking with a neighbor friend of mine. It feels good to move! I treated myself to a cute new pair of walking shoes, too, so no more blisters, hopefully! :) <br />
<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-5270350105264386522014-08-08T13:21:00.000-05:002014-08-08T13:21:28.177-05:00Weekly Weigh-in {August 8th} Up, down, up, down, up....this seems to be the pattern I'm in for my weight-loss! It's frustrating that I'm not seeing consistent losses, but I'm sticking with it anyway. I know that in the long run, I will see results.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVg8BAIKWYqIorONtPjd6AXGvUuEoBtqcvaaPMlAwmmfdPVkWomChJGO81TMK6M6iQhCiCBq9S0py98iUeHBfDJ1GRPHazshCbWdPDLjrDNbu8eAy_hMUnlOj4BGLNOzogDd0I2-VSGEmb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-08+at+1.19.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVg8BAIKWYqIorONtPjd6AXGvUuEoBtqcvaaPMlAwmmfdPVkWomChJGO81TMK6M6iQhCiCBq9S0py98iUeHBfDJ1GRPHazshCbWdPDLjrDNbu8eAy_hMUnlOj4BGLNOzogDd0I2-VSGEmb/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-08+at+1.19.56+PM.png" height="306" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
I was rewarded a "Bravo" star at my meeting today. I told them about how on Wednesday I started weight-training with my neighbors. I'm excited to start this! We decided we'll do it three times a week. So, my quads are a little sore, but we're doing it again tonight. I kind of like feeling a bit sore because I know that I did something good to gain that soreness. It's not enough to keep me from moving, so I'll keep at it. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-24917918684361989172014-08-01T14:18:00.004-05:002014-08-01T14:18:59.885-05:00Weekly Weigh-in {August 1st} I lost four pounds this week! After a gain last week, I was really hoping I'd lost what I had gained and maybe a bit more. I did it!<br />
<br />
Each week, I write down what I'd like to see on the scale the next week. I use it to focus on staying on track and keeping my goals in sight. I typically keep my weekly goal in a 1-2 pound range as that's a healthy rate of loss each week. WW averages a 1.25 pound loss for those who stay on track each week. If I use that average, it will take me approximately 120 weeks to reach my goal weight. That's just over two years. Ouch. That's hard to think about, but I know that if I just stick with it, how long it takes to get to my goal really doesn't matter. What matters is that I live a new, healthy lifestyle for the rest of my life. I'm only 36 years old and hope to have at least another 50 years in me, so what's two years out of that to work towards a goal of a healthy life? It's nothing and it'll be totally worth it!<br />
<br />
I spent a lot of my free time this week working on a project for our house. I've wanted family rules in our home for years, but never found any in a store that I loved enough to buy. So, I finally decided that I'd just make it myself! It took many hours to complete, as I hand-painted it, but I think it was worth it. It measures 2x4 feet and I have it hanging in the center of our house, where we can't help but see it daily. So, this week I'll have more activity built in since I won't be sitting down working on a project! :)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QuIPqZE10TRSTwnA1r2k7aBjxvHnD9Os4LyqBCPp4TaZP_FpciVuepy-VaCMjgXlXu5Swbr_A93cmYzThioDm3sb9Dr1o88Hbo5k8MuYMdglNQezGq38lXncl3e-yMtTIdbPTWj8LJ2I/s1600/rules.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QuIPqZE10TRSTwnA1r2k7aBjxvHnD9Os4LyqBCPp4TaZP_FpciVuepy-VaCMjgXlXu5Swbr_A93cmYzThioDm3sb9Dr1o88Hbo5k8MuYMdglNQezGq38lXncl3e-yMtTIdbPTWj8LJ2I/s1600/rules.jpg" height="400" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-61633550310370325072014-07-26T11:00:00.002-05:002014-07-26T11:00:26.724-05:00Active Goals<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxPCpomHoiax2787biYNXYcCLtDRxCXWX-_NnnxD2N-eunADE1osjWEMA13OnsIsajMko3wtauuOqzPR0WN1TdJ56SXfHc8pjuUxxXIwKjc8sVdsgldzDbz7JA-2f3FCkRc3WF2uLxivs/s1600/activelink-85459360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxPCpomHoiax2787biYNXYcCLtDRxCXWX-_NnnxD2N-eunADE1osjWEMA13OnsIsajMko3wtauuOqzPR0WN1TdJ56SXfHc8pjuUxxXIwKjc8sVdsgldzDbz7JA-2f3FCkRc3WF2uLxivs/s1600/activelink-85459360.jpg" height="131" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I have my Active Link goals after my week long assessment. My WW leader told me to not try to be a rock star during my assessment week and just do what I normally do for activity. Well, that's not much, so even though I felt ready to go for more walks, do some yoga (more on that another day), and really move during my day, I didn't. So, my ActiveLink goals are small, but completely attainable if I just get up and move more during my day and go for a walk or do some yoga. It gave me a 12 week challenge to bump up my activity and, once I'm done with that, I can set up another 12 week goal if I'd like. I'm excited to get moving and earn some activity points and see those lights light up to 100%!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1_YI-oPr-NiBFPquCQ82RAWtcNIoQN4BSjiZ3wgvRkvQsh4OTeKBhffoRAjTuL-pA6B6ImAzNeqtbl_3xhLKRGoAhkJ1cAsUHWRqcx0lXjaUBooThdkWHM5C0RXVC0wBL1L2KOdGz7Wg/s1600/AL_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1_YI-oPr-NiBFPquCQ82RAWtcNIoQN4BSjiZ3wgvRkvQsh4OTeKBhffoRAjTuL-pA6B6ImAzNeqtbl_3xhLKRGoAhkJ1cAsUHWRqcx0lXjaUBooThdkWHM5C0RXVC0wBL1L2KOdGz7Wg/s1600/AL_.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-55258891613738137112014-07-25T13:29:00.000-05:002014-07-25T13:41:10.386-05:00No Pain, No GAIN?! I weighed-in at my Weight Watchers meeting this morning. I gained three pounds. Hmm. I tracked every bite I took, stayed "on-point", and even had two more weekly points that I could have eaten. So what happened? Well, if you ever watch The Biggest Loser, you know that week #2 is often a tough week! People don't lose weight like they were expecting to. You see, our bodies a long, LONG, time ago, had to store fat so that we wouldn't starve. This was so long ago, we're talking about cavemen. If the body thinks that it is losing too much fat too quickly, it goes into "starvation mode". That doesn't mean that you're actually starving, of course, but that the body isn't going to let go of fat when it's used to having it. So, dropping five pounds in my first week made my body freak out a little and it decided it doesn't want to starve. That coupled with TOM (look it up if you don't know what that means) and me wearing blue jeans to weigh-in (I will from now on) added three pounds to my weight. Am I upset by this? Not at all. I know that I did everything I was supposed to do this week and I know that it will be reflected on the scale in the near future. Weight-loss journey, or rather journeys to learning how to living a healthier life, are full of up's and down's. This wasn't my first gain and I'm sure it won't be my last. I'm going to just keep swimming and stay on the right course.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In other news, I'm in my last day of assessment with my ActiveLink today, I think! It says 1 more day, so I hope that tomorrow I'll get my 12 week program to get more active. I'll keep you posted! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-154344465570409942014-07-23T08:46:00.001-05:002014-07-23T08:50:15.123-05:00A New Look I just changed up the look of my blog. The yellow and turquoise reflect some of the colors I love to use in my home. I love how cheerful they are! The touch of hot pink is because it's my favorite color. I realize that anyone reading this on their phones isn't going to see it quite right, but it's still better than what it was before when you couldn't see any of my sidebars at all. I hope you like the new look!<br />
<br />
You may have noticed in my pictures that I posted yesterday that I'm sporting a new look, too. I've dyed my hair back to a closer-to-natural color! Yikes! I've been dying is a lighter blonde for years and decided that I was tired of having major roots showing every 3-4 weeks. I love it! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-37740593865424800972014-07-22T11:43:00.000-05:002014-07-23T08:17:10.172-05:00The Proof is in the Pictures This morning I took my "Before" pictures. I've lost <span style="color: #76a5af;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>five</b></span></span> pounds as of last Friday, the 18th, so I put that date on them. When I had lost weight before, these pictures really motivated me to keep going once I saw what a difference just 10 pounds makes. When I focus on my goal weight and how much weight I need to lose, it can be daunting, so instead I'm focusing on just ten pounds at a time. I will take these same four pictures every ten pounds lost.<br />
<br />
If you're trying to lose weight, I suggest you do the same. You don't have to share them with anyone, but you may just want to after you see your progress!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAUWSYVp76zDuMXBsCQ4d_yOuAHi6zpR9KoMHg5o7SmTkDRzsWeNOrczsVjhYYvomDDP_A7NIky0HD1px8guCvb4-C0njRZJdhVK5HUSBHaQH5IJlEoUT_lmo0Hvc-2NF3A1PANdpodlt/s1600/WW+Pics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAUWSYVp76zDuMXBsCQ4d_yOuAHi6zpR9KoMHg5o7SmTkDRzsWeNOrczsVjhYYvomDDP_A7NIky0HD1px8guCvb4-C0njRZJdhVK5HUSBHaQH5IJlEoUT_lmo0Hvc-2NF3A1PANdpodlt/s1600/WW+Pics.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-29904901873589067692014-07-18T13:22:00.001-05:002014-07-18T16:22:13.945-05:00Weekly Weigh-in {July 18, 2014}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-XZTlW4wF1f1xydykbvv9ctZOwdbQmbyNp7xwEAK0ba_16bGa89JS6vzx6LyBzMTZmUMbNDt8IUdKPxihu00eYJ2XXHcCzVDcQgHLmlzSsSU0yYGWPixsih8EykJrAe1rTrWE30vwJtJ/s1600/Goldstar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-XZTlW4wF1f1xydykbvv9ctZOwdbQmbyNp7xwEAK0ba_16bGa89JS6vzx6LyBzMTZmUMbNDt8IUdKPxihu00eYJ2XXHcCzVDcQgHLmlzSsSU0yYGWPixsih8EykJrAe1rTrWE30vwJtJ/s1600/Goldstar.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I attended my second Weight Watchers meeting this morning and lost 5 pounds this week! I received my first 5lb sticker and was celebrated at the meeting. It felt so good to get back into it and have success!<br />
<br />
I also reached my first goal of tracking every bite I took all week. I didn't miss a thing and it obviously paid off!<br />
<br />
Today I purchased an ActiveLink at the meeting. It's a tool similar to fitbit and things like that, but it sets goals to be more active after an 8 day assessment. So, for the next week I'm to just live my life as usual and then next week I'll receive some goals to get more active. I'm looking forward to it!<br />
<br />
Since I earned my first 5lb star sticker today, I made myself a little laminated card to put with my WW books that I take with me to meetings. It's just a little place where I can save my stickers to see how far I've come as I go. :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEU75FnGMfXirP4zjhHHHgIT_kycNxvmFijD4r0cDPS7TSS3LkL-jRF_19ouoKMJahC6vkGDuqbUmahCcytr4uxDIO85pt_ZJPFT_vF3PpMj-0xEguTH0GJyvXc4cwDkzEWHVxoajs5YI/s1600/wwsuccess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEU75FnGMfXirP4zjhHHHgIT_kycNxvmFijD4r0cDPS7TSS3LkL-jRF_19ouoKMJahC6vkGDuqbUmahCcytr4uxDIO85pt_ZJPFT_vF3PpMj-0xEguTH0GJyvXc4cwDkzEWHVxoajs5YI/s1600/wwsuccess.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First 5lb star!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-27275738081867853142014-07-12T11:00:00.000-05:002014-07-12T11:00:00.973-05:00No Soda!It's been just over a year since I've had any diet soda of any kind. I did it!!! I posted that accomplishment on Facebook almost two weeks ago and a friend of mine challenged me to stop ALL soda. Now, I didn't drink much of it anyway, but I still had one at times. So, as of July 1st, I haven't had any soda at all. I don't miss it at all so far. Small changes like this will lead to other healthy choices and I'm looking forward to leading a healthier lifestyle!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-23857545971795313762014-07-11T14:46:00.001-05:002014-07-11T14:46:49.893-05:00WW meeting #1Today is July 11th, 2014. It's been nearly a year since I've visited or written on my blog. This has been a whirlwind of a year! My husband, son, and I moved from Omaha to a brand new house in the Minneapolis area the week before Christmas and the rest of the year was either getting ready for the move, showing our house for sale, packing, moving, unpacking, painting our new house, decorating, building a deck....etc. It's been busy, but well worth it!<br />
<br />
In the mean time, I've put on more weight. I'm now at the highest I've ever been. Today I stepped into a Weight Watchers meeting for the first time in a <span style="font-size: large;">LONG</span> time. It's been way overdue. I know that WW works and I'm more than ready to get back into it and stick with it. Despite pouring rain and a series of events that easily could have deterred me from going, I went, and I'm glad I did. I'm already looking forward to next week.<br />
<br />
So, here I am, yet again promising myself to finally stick with it. I can't do it alone, so I'm praying for Jesus to walk with me in this journey. I would love anyone who's reading this to join me, too. Send a comment my way to let me know you're out there. I'm not looking back at the past, but am starting today. Every day we are blessed with a fresh start and today is mine.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-75965427696092627362013-01-25T12:37:00.001-06:002013-01-25T12:40:01.847-06:00Now Turn North...Yesterday a dear friend told me about a verse that has helped her stay focused on losing weight, Deuteronomy 2:3. It reads,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north..."
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
What a great analogy! In the battle of weight-loss, it often seems that we go round and round, in a perpetual journey of sameness. The same mistakes made, the same results. But, we have the chance to change the path, to turn North, and see success at the end. My Northward turn is to be better about exercising. I've done the food changes, with great success in the past, but never really have exercised on a regular basis. I need to and I know it'll make a difference. I'll, of course, continue with my WW tracking as I know it works, but adding in regular exercise will help me get off of my mountain of struggle and straighten my path. <br />
<br />
What is your North turn?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-32457556799555192222013-01-11T11:36:00.001-06:002013-01-11T11:36:31.871-06:00Second ChancesI have "restarted" this journey many times. I restarted a few weeks ago and have added in extra support recently. This past week some friends and I started a group in Facebook to support each other in healthier lives by posting our daily exercise and something positive about ourselves. Another friend of mine and I check in with each other almost daily to challenge each other to make better choices for our health and we just started challenging each other to get our homes cleaned, too! Today, yet another friend and I started a weekly weigh-in with each other for accountability. I'm so blessed to have these women in my life!! At my church this month, we are learning about our God of second chances. We can go back to God anytime, no matter what we've done in the past. He's always there waiting for us. Last Sunday two Season 13 The Biggest Loser contestants, Buddy Shuh and Mark Cornelison, spoke at church about second chances. Before I first joined WW, I prayed to God about losing weight. I've had many successes and struggles since. I've had far more struggles lately and I feel that with these new forms of support I'm getting my second chance. God is so good!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-44589974521666301082013-01-01T00:09:00.000-06:002013-01-01T00:09:09.761-06:00New Year Resolutions<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<center>
Write it on your heart
that every day is the best day in the year.
He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day
who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety. </center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
Finish every day and be done with it.
You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.
Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense. </center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
This new day is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on the yesterdays. </center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
~Ralph waldo Emerson</center>
</blockquote>
<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not making any New Year resolutions for 2013. No regrets looking back on "the yesterdays". This year I'll start each day focused on that day. I'll strive to be kinder. I'll strive to smile at strangers more often and smile more at home, too. I'll make a point to find joy in every day life, not just special occasions. I'll strive to begin each day with a high spirit and end it with a grateful heart. I'll strive, each day, to leave the world a better place than it was when I woke up each morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I wish you all a happy 2013!</div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-31287698415232470492012-12-28T09:26:00.000-06:002012-12-28T09:29:35.581-06:00Weekly Weigh-in {December 28, 2012}I tracked every bite I took for three days this week. I drank plenty of water five days. I ate far too many Christmas treats six days. Despite not being 100% dedicated, I just weighed myself at home and lost two pounds this week! I'll take it! Next week my son will be back in school and I'll attend a Weight Watchers meeting for the first time in a very long time. I'm looking forward to it! How was your week?
<br><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-74344288799046852272012-12-21T08:58:00.001-06:002012-12-21T14:26:39.244-06:00It's the end of the world as I know it!This morning I woke up and saw many posts on facebook about it being the end of the world. According to the Mayan calendar, today was supposed to be the day that the world ends. I guess they figured out that the sun was going to explode or a meteor would crush us or something like that. I'm a Christian and believe what the Bible says, that no one knows the day except for God! I think it's a little funny, though, that today of all days is the day that I chose to restart my weight-loss journey. Today, is the end of the world as I know it (go ahead, sing it...you know you want to.... ♫ I feel fine! ♫).<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Today, ends the bad habits that have lead me to where I am today.</li>
<li>Today ends the excessive intake of sweets.</li>
<li>Today ends the lazy all-day couch sitting marathons.</li>
<li>Today ends the choice of diet soda over water.</li>
<li>Today ends the carb overloads.</li>
</ul>
<br />
There are many things that need to end in order for me to get on track and stay there. When I lost 90+ pounds before, I was fooling myself and I'm pretty sure I was fooling many people around me. I didn't really change my habits, which was why it was so easy for me to gain it back. I wasn't exercising nearly enough, I was still eating whatever I wanted just in reduced quantities, and I wasn't building healthy habits. That ends today. Today I am beginning to build healthy habits that I'll be able to continue for the rest of my life, which hopefully will be longer than today! ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-69212205486287830392012-12-20T17:24:00.001-06:002012-12-20T18:50:05.360-06:00New BeginningsWell, here I am again. Starting over. No looking back at my failures, but only at my successes to move forward and be inspired and reminded that I can do this! I'm weighing in tomorrow (yes, I'm starting the week of Christmas) and will be back to blogging. I had started a new blog once before, but this one feels like home, so this is where I'll be posting.
<br><br>
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-67921259834422004382012-01-25T14:04:00.001-06:002012-01-25T14:04:36.256-06:00I've Lost It!Last year I walked the 5K and 10K in the Fargo Marathon and I think a bug bit me. I was hooked to doing events and winning medals! I haven't done any events since, but I love seeing my medals every day hanging at my desk and I love the feeling I had when I completed those races. I just walked them, and not even that fast, but the sense of accomplishment gave me such a high and I want to relive it!<br />
<br />
I signed up to do the 5K and the 10K again in May in Fargo. I'm looking forward to them and hope to be able to run some this year. Then I really lost it... I signed up to do a HALF MARATHON in September!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_499312817" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1jdYzHDfLcq_HRtJUtrLwk4el6fXJ-Rt6PPCBDn6yCpDD7E95oH9DRPr41Y44vLVkXbe7Vt7mSMu9RW-LiOh0EXd1HaNuqK9wHATyOava0BiFcGkK4CSdESnFLV_EuTxeWAfEodRTN-K/s320/crazy-person.jpg" width="243" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wtpotus.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/birthers-r-crazy-or-r-they/" target="_blank">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I can't believe I did that! The self-doubter in me is telling me that there's no way I can do it, but the optimist in me knows that I can and will do it well. So today I re-started the Couch to 5K program to start jogging. It was cold outside and I didn't feel like going to the gym to get on a treadmill, so I walked and ran around my house, literally. I'm sure if anyone had seen this, they would have thought I truly lost it, but I was running laps around my living room, down the hall to my son's room, into the guest room, down to the kitchen and back through the living room. HA! I know that's weird, but it worked for me! I'm looking forward to spring to get outside to do the program as I have an irrational fear of running on a treadmill. In the mean time, I'll run around my house and work up my endurance and, come spring and the races in Fargo, I'll be running!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://smittenblogdesigns.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G0ZWwP7bSCIcsaTjPW7MCVal4pO0CLj5JGSZCwsiGozmFFNGzJUOUxRaVvFQtJ510hdhoBUMo3tgUnC6l7i43Wwu-8t3_EwATIDeFKA_NTa9_MTXvhrgGOj3rfRIiLD-tTfnwMcA6DtE/s1600-r/please+comment%21" /> </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5499860270633895449.post-54567634383273212142012-01-24T12:07:00.000-06:002012-01-24T12:07:55.479-06:00Serving False GodsI just weighed in this morning at WW and lost two pounds!!! So glad to finally have a weight-loss on the scale. The last few months have been tough on me. To be honest, I wasn't tracking, working out, or really putting much forward at all as far as losing weight goes. I was embarrassed to list my gains on my sidebar on the left side of this blog and left a few months blank until today. Today I decided that I ought not to be ashamed, but to move forward and not look back. I've learned from my mistakes and I'm ready to really move forward and get to my goal weight. This isn't a New Year resolution. This isn't a short-term thing. I need to do this for the rest of my life to be healthy and happy and be the best woman I can be. I can no longer serve this false god of food. Only one GOD is for me and I love and worship Him and I will no longer allow myself to serve food more than I serve Him. I will not try to fill any voids in my life with food. I will no longer try to stuff down feelings with food. If I'm stressed out, I'll work out and pray along the way. Turning to food is a sin and I'm confessing now that I've used it in place of my God. No longer. I've said it before, I'm starting over. No quitting this time and with God's help, I'll reach my goal in 2012. I will be honest along the way, with myself, with Him, and with you, my blog readers, friends, and family. I will blog more to be accountable, so stay tuned! :)
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/?action=view&current=IMG_4686.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v479/MusicLilly/IMG_4686.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://smittenblogdesigns.blogspot.com/"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6G0ZWwP7bSCIcsaTjPW7MCVal4pO0CLj5JGSZCwsiGozmFFNGzJUOUxRaVvFQtJ510hdhoBUMo3tgUnC6l7i43Wwu-8t3_EwATIDeFKA_NTa9_MTXvhrgGOj3rfRIiLD-tTfnwMcA6DtE/s1600-r/please+comment%21" /> </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5