Thanksgiving

Well, I overate yesterday. Oops! We had made plans to visit family and on Wednesday I made a few dishes to take. Wednesday night, however, Jason threw up all night and Thursday Gideon was sick. So we didn't end up going anywhere. Thus, all of the food I made was just here, and I ate it. :( I didn't go completely crazy stuffing myself silly, but I felt over full, and that's not such a great feeling. I really really wanted to try to be good and not eat too much, but the change of plans threw me off.

I did manage to walk 6 miles though! Today I walked 5+ miles and also did some circuit training in my front yard. I really enjoyed it even though it was a lot of work, I think I would like to try and do it 3 times a week. It consisted of kettlebell swings, dumbbells, leg raises, squats, arm band stretches, modified push-ups, and jogging/walking. I did 4 circuits total and did about 40 reps total of each exercise. It was really hard but I think I needed it. I may take it a little easier next time, we'll see how I feel on Monday. Right now I am sore. The whole thing took me about 35 minutes and then I spent about 20 more minutes on outside chores. I prefer doing outside chores to inside chores any day!

I am almost to 20 miles walked for the week. I would like to get at least 3 more miles in tomorrow.

Next week my goal is 3 days of circuit training, and 20-25 miles walked total.

Another inch!

My weight is the lowest its been in 11 years (but still over what it should be) and I measured today and am down another inch around my middle! That is 11 inches lost since my highest weight in 2013!

It feels great to make progress. Losing weight often feels like a roller coaster. Down and up, and then down some more. Often its two steps forward and one step back. Sometimes I will lose consistently for several weeks in a row, and then maintain without any more loss for 2-3 months.

I am going to keep at it though. Even though weight loss has not cured all of my physical complaints, it has certainly made it a little easier to move around. I no longer have to lift my leg into the car with my hands, I no longer feel like I can't breathe after walking a mile, and I fit into my favorite coat again.

There are so many things that can happen to a person's body, just because we live in a fallen world. There are many things that I cannot control about my health. I want to do the best I can to care for the body God has given me, so that I can care for the family He has given me. I will not worship my body, it is only a temporary thing, but I want to glorify God in my body for as long as I am in it.

Weight loss/health gain update

I have struggled with my weight for all of my adult life. I weigh the same now as I did when I was 17!  I can fit into my favorite jeans from  when I was 17, only I hate the style now! Still though, I would like to lose a few more pounds. I am not aiming to be skinny but I would like to be a healthy weight, something I haven't been since I was a young teen. Well, I did drop down to the healthy range in my early 20's but then I started having babies and have not seen a healthy number since.

I have always loved sweets. I think I get it from my Golightly side of the family. To this day, sugar is my biggest weakness! Although I eat a lot less of it than I used to, I still eat more than I should.

So. I'm going to see if I can keep up some blog updates on my progress. Maybe one post a week or so.

I have lost a total of 56 lbs from my highest weight (May 2013). In 2013 I only managed to lose about 3 lbs. It was the worst year of my life and I was not focusing on my weight or health at all. 2014 I managed to lose 37 lbs. I dealt with some health issues including a gallbladder removal surgery in December and that led to virtually no exercise the first 3 months of 2015. However, I have managed to lose 16 lbs so far this year and I am now working really hard toward my goal of losing a total of 20 lbs in 2015. I think it is a reasonable goal, however, I have always had a hard time reaching my goals in a timely manner.

My exercise plan is to walk 20-25 miles a week (I track this with a pedometer on my phone), and to do strength exercises 3 days a week, including kettlebell swings, leg raises, dumbbell lifts, squats, plank rows, and other various exercises. This is the third week of doing this routine and I feel like it is making a difference. I have not seen the scale move much yet but I am starting to feel a little stronger and my clothes are starting to feel a little looser.

My eating plan is to fill up on lots of protein and veggies and eat as little junk as I can manage. I would love to not eat any junk, but I am not that strong yet. I do find it easier to pass on the junk when I am full of the good stuff. I don't count calories, its too much work. I am trying to focus on eating at certain times of day and not snacking in between. I am also trying to stop eating before I get "full". If I stop eating before I feel full, I find that in a short time I do feel full/satisfied.

I do take vitamins and supplements. Nothing for weight loss though, only for health. I do drink at least 10 glasses of water a day. I am trying to get plenty of sleep, but I have sleep issues so I don't always get the sleep I need, I am working on that.

Most of my walking is done outdoors. I feel like this is really beneficial. I think exercising outside is a huge boost for the mind, body, and soul. I frequently talk to the Lord when I walk and admire His creation. Michael and I walk together once a day and listen to J. Vernon McGee teaching through the Bible.

Anyway, that's where I am at right now. Hopefully posting these updates will help me stay motivated and accountable! I am also hoping it will help motivate others to take steps towards being healthy too!