Weigh In

Today is weigh in day. I missed last week and didn’t post. Last week I did gain 1.4lbs, but this week I have a lost of 2.6lbs. This means since the start of the challenge with the losses and the gain I have lost 4.8 lbs.

I have been weighing myself daily and recording it, and I’m beginning to wonder if I will continue to do that. Some days it becomes discouraging to see my weight go up & down so much, but in other ways it helps me to stay on target.

My plan for this week is to exercise 5 days a week and to drink more water. I have been staying on target with my exercise. I really need to work on the water intake. I also plan to eat more salads this week with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing instead of my favorite Creamy Ranch.

We will see how this week goes and I will report next week. So how did you do this week?

Please visit Tales from the Scales here if you want to know more about the Challenge or to read more participants.

Until Later,
~Betty~

Weekend Reflections

This week has gone by so fast. It has been over a week since I posted. I have been wanting to post, it’s just my thoughts didn’t come together. So I thought I would try to catch up on my weekend reflections.

Summer break started this week for my girls. Bethany has already been spending the night at friend’s houses and we have had friends here too. Oh the fun to be a kid on summer break!

My house was clean for about 12 hours!

Friday night we went to my friend Alice’s daughter’s surprise birthday party and it was a lot of fun.

On Saturday I had a chance to sleep in and do nothing in the morning and then in the afternoon we went to the Lake and did some shopping.

On Friday I had some good bonding time with my girls while my day care kids were asleep. All the day care kids left early on Friday. Our family actually got to have an early dinner for a change.

I was able to spend a special moment with my friend Faye, who is like a mom to me. She gave me some mom advice and it spoke to my heart like only she can.

I guess that’s all that has gone on this week (at least all I can think of right now). I know not too exciting this week, but time continues to go on.

I also wanted to say thank you to my blogging friends that stop by to say hi and let me know you are thinking about me and praying for me. It truly blesses my heart. I know I have mentioned before that I am dealing with some issues in my life that isn’t blogable and I could still use your prayers for them. I have not yet got victory in them, but am still praying and trusting the Lord to come through (at least trying to trust and not worrying). I know in my heart He will bring Victory, it’s just the journey getting there is some times hard and painful.

My goal this week is to blog more and share some of my thoughts.

If you would like to visit more weekend reflections please visit Judi here.

Until Later,
~Betty~

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for the gift of LIFE. I am in the middle of facing some hard challenges and I don’t know how things are going to end up, but this week I decided that I was going to enjoy life. I am going to enjoy the good moments in life despite the current hard times & hurt in my life.

Tuesday night was my daughter, Bethany’s, school night at Skate County and we went as a family. I had THE best time. John was taking care of Jody who is still learning to skate, Bethany went around with her school friends, and I was able to skate by myself. It was great exercise and I totally enjoyed it. On the way home that night, while getting the girls ready for bed early so John I could enjoy our “weekly date night” watching House, was when I determined that I really do have many things to be grateful for despite any bad things going on. This didn’t just happen; I had to take action to make it happen.

Along with the hard challenges I am thankful that God gives small blessings:

• Family time toghter.


• My church, Gracepointe, where I am developing good friendships.


• My quiet time I have in the evening to blog, email, & IM my friends.


• The May Day Challenge to loose weight and the new bloggers I am meeting.


• The Christian radio station (104.7 The Fish) that I get to listen to in the mornings and to be blessed by. I love the morning show with Kevin & Taylor.


• The hope that I have to better my life and my family’s life.


• The fact that God doesn’t give up on me and loves me in spite of my weaknesses.
  
  The Bible says that Jesus came to give us life and to give it abundantly and I have decided this week to really enjoy life no matter what! I hope you are having a thankful week.
  
  If you would like to read more thankful posts or to join yourself please visit Iris here.
  
  Until Later,
  ~Betty~

Weigh in Day 1

Today is the first weigh in of the May Day Challenge. My personal actual weigh in day is on Saturday. This week I have been weighing myself everyday and recording it. Last Saturday 5/5/07 I started this challenge at 212.6 lbs. Since then I have exercised 4 times, been eating more fruits & veggies, and avoiding sugar & white flour. On Saturday 5/12/07 I weighed in at 209.0 which is a 3.6 lb weight loss!!! :) I feel very encouraged by this loss. It is the little boost that I needed.

This week I have been feeling motivated and committed to this journey. I have created myself a notebook to keep a written record of my weigh ins, food log, exercise tracking, and fitness or nutritious info I receive and want to keep on hand. I have found that this is helping me to stay motivated. I really want this challenge and journey to work for me this time. In the past when I wanted to start new changes I realize that I can stay motivated for a couple of weeks, maybe 3, and then I seem to drift away from my goals. I really want this time to be different. I want these actions I am changing to be a lifetime change. Therefore, I am very thankful for this challenge and for the ladies at Tales from the Scales and the accountability & encouragement they are offering. As we are on this journey I want people to keep me accountable. Therefore, as we are on this challenge and you stop by here and notice that I have stopped posting on weigh in days please email me or leave a comment and check in on me to help me stay motivated and encouraged. I will do the same for you too. I am really praying that this will be my life changing moment when I will really stick with the changes I am making and I would greatly appreciate it if you would help me to stick with my goals. I am glad we are not in this alone. We are all in this together!

I am off to see how you all did this week. Best wishes for this week. If you have not joined the May Day Challenge and would like to you can visit Tales from the Scales here and join with us.

Until Later,
Betty

Weekend Reflections

This week Jody had a kindergarten round up time. Jody got to visit a kindergarten classroom and a chance to ride the school bus. She was all excited. She woke up early, before I got out of bed and was dressed and ready to go before I got out of bed. She is so looking forward to going to school with her sister next year.

I was able to go in and eat lunch with Bethany this week and bought her two friends an ice cream bar. They were so polite and thanked me many times. It feels great to do something for kids when they really show their manners, especially when there is not an adult around prompting them what to say.

This week I started my May Day Weight Loss Challenge. It has been going good so far. I have been staying with my eating and exercise plan. I am really committed to this and I want this challenge to work for me. I have been loosing – which I will report exactly how much on Tuesday. Today, Mother's Day, was my cheat day and I was not as careful about what I ate. I am allowing myself to have one cheat day every week.

On Saturday we had a birthday party to go to in the afternoon and then had a relaxing day at home. I even got to take a nap. I was able to watch a movie with my girls and we enjoyed ourselves.

Mother’s Day is usually kind of hard for me. I had “my moment” today, and then I got over it and enjoyed the rest of the day with my family. After church we went to my favorite restaurant – Pizza Hut, did some shopping, did some visiting, came home John & the girls clean the house for me-while I relaxed, then we went out for milkshakes. It was a good day.

That’s about all for this week. If you would like to read more weekend reflections you can visit Judi here.

Until Later,
~Betty~

8 Random Things About Me

Since I have started blogging I have not been personally tagged very often to do a meme (maybe only once). Therefore I was thrilled when I happened to be reading Robin’s blog at Robinznest and saw that I was tagged for this 8 Random Things Meme.

Here are the rules I found over at her place.

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged write a blog post about their own 8 random things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog you need to tag 8 people and post their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment and tell them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here are 8 Random Things About Me:

1. Although I graduated from college with a BA, I am a horrible speller. If reading something with missed spelled words offends you, then you won’t enjoy this blog. This is my one weakness right now that makes me the most nervous about finding a job. I am so thankful for spell check and my husband.
2. My favorite food is pizza and my favorite restaurant is Pizza Hut. I have several inside jokes about this with my friends. They like to tease me about choosing Pizza Hut over any nice or fancy restaurant. Good thing my friends love me enough that when we go out together they will eat there.
3. I don’t understand most jokes. When I’m in a group I fake it and laugh then I later ask my husband to explain it to me. My famous quote is “I don’t get it!”
4. While John & I dated I broke up with him 2 different times before I decided to marry him. Basically I was scared of marriage. I didn’t want to end in a divorce, I didn’t want to have a marriage like my parents and I didn’t want to be a mother or wife like my mom. God worked me through my fears and on June 10 we will be celebrating 12 years of marriage and things between us are very good. We have a good marriage, where we can talk about issues and respect each other. He is my best friend and I’m blessed to have him in my life.
5. During the day I have a glass I keep a drink in and I refill it when it is empty. My husband does not understand this. When he is around and sees an almost empty glass and no one around drinking it, he takes it and puts it in the sink. When I come back to the room for a drink I can never find my glass. I always know when John has been cleaning up. After almost 12 years of marriage we have learned to laugh about it!
6. I’m learning to be organized. Thank you to Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie.
7. While I was growing up my parents were not Christians, but I became a Christian at an early age and grew up in the church and went to a Christian College, Mount Vernon Nazarene College (now University). My parents did become Christians before they died.
8. It takes me awhile to let down my guard when I meet new people.

I enjoyed doing this. I hope you enjoyed the list.

The 8 people that I tag are:

1. Alice at Putting Joy Back into Our Lives
2. Cheri at Keeping Up with His Plans
3. Dedee at The Quiltmaker's Gift
4. Judi at Mommy to Two
5. Amanda at Homefront Mom
6. Lyndy - Oh Fiddle-dee-dee
7. Lauren at Baseballs and Bows
8. You!

Smart Girl

Do you remember me telling you about this conversation about Jody, my five year old, not wanting to go to school because she wanted to learn about Jesus?. Well, let's see if this tops that one.

Last week was Kindergarten registration. While John was filling out paperwork they took Jody to another room and did some screenings. When the teacher brought Jody back she reassured John that she did fine and that she learned something about Jody. Apparently, Jody told the teacher that she knew everything and that she was the smartest one in her family! John looks at the teacher and wonders "How do I respond to that one?" Lacking in the confidence she is not. Have I said lately "Boy are we going to have our hands full!"

Until Later,
~Betty~

May Day Challenge - Day 1

I am ready to begin the May Day Weight Loss Challenge. I have been wanting to loss weight for a while. I have tried some things here and there, but I always seem to loose my motivation to stick with it. I have started out with so many good intentions and it lasts for about 2 weeks, then I slowly slip away or just don’t see any results so it is easy to not continue with healthy habits. Therefore when I heard about the May Day Challenge, I knew I wanted to be apart of it. The goal is to loose 2lbs weekly from today May 8 through September 18. At that point I should loose 36lbs.

I have always been overweight. As of today I am making some lifelong changes about my eating habits & exercise and I will record my journey to this new life here on my blog. So please join me and help me to stay focused on my goals while I’m on this “Journey to Victory.” I will weigh in and post every Tuesday about how my weight loss journey is going. Therefore please feel free to comment and leave your support, encouragement, and ideas. I really want to succeed in this challenge.

I have been debating if I’m going to post my actual weight or not. A lot of the time I worry about what people will think about me and if people really know my weight – will they still see past it and see & hear my heart? And will that fact change their opinion of me? Well I decided that it doesn’t matter. I have set some goals and I want to succeed in them and in order for me to do that I need to post my progress and be held accountable. Therefore, I have decided to diet naked as Mel - The Amazing Shrinking Mom would say.

I went out and bought a digital scale and as of Saturday I weighed 212.6 lbs. My ideal weight is to be at 150. During this challenge through September 18, I only expect to loose 30lbs and then will continue on to meet my long term goal.

The way I am planning to loose my weight is by following the South Beach/ Glycemic Index diet plan, which basically is to avoid sugar and white flour. I am also planning to exercise 5 times a week (Monday – Friday). I do understand that this needs to be a lifestyle change and not just a temporary fix. I do plan on making these changes for life. Therefore as you read my blog please feel free to offer encouragement and help to keep me accountable.

I am in for the challenge to loose 36lbs by September 18 how about you? The May Day Weight Loss Challenge starts today. If you have not yet joined and want to you can read more about the challenge here and sign up and visit others who have joined here at Tales from the Scales.

Until Later
~Betty~

Thankful Thursday!

I am thankful for my husband:

• who understands that I need some time away with my friends


• who is a good dad and can take care of our girls when I am out with friends for a night


• who can take care of the house chores when I have a night out


• who encourages me to support my friends on their accomplishments


• who listens to me when I need to talk


• WHO LOVES ME NO MATTER WHAT!!!!
  
  I LOVE YOU JOHN!!!

I am also thankful for friends:

• who keep you accountable when setting goals


• who take over my responsibilities when I need to do other things


• who will stand in a parking lot and talk to you when they are dying on the inside to go home and find out their final grades on their college exams


• who listens to your heart and knows what you are saying when you don’t know the words to express


• who’s company I enjoy – even when the food & service served from the restaurant isn’t all that good


• who inspire me just by living their lives

I am thankful for God’s love and blessings in my life!

To see more Thankful Thursdays visit Iris at Sting My Heart.

Until Later

~Betty~