Why There Was No Motivational Monday Yesterday

No, it wasn't my computer that was sick...it's me. I've been feeling really awful since Christmas Eve, and it just got worse every day. Yesterday was the first day I could see my doctor because of the holiday, and I have a really bad sinus infection. I'm now on antibiotics and starting to feel a little better, but I was in no shape yesterday to blog.

I did not even weigh myself yesterday because I was in so much pain and worried about getting in to see the doctor. I have almost no voice, but that will improve after a couple of days of the meds. I was up all night coughing, so I need to try to rest again.

I will have Motivational Monday back just in time for the first Monday of the New Year, and plan on blogging some this week until then. Let's end 2009 on a good note...and 2010 is going to be an awesome year!

Motivational Monday!

Well, I've been running around like a nut trying to get Christmas stuff done...too bad that doesn't burn as many calories as the treadmill! I'm almost done with everything, other than baking pumpkin pies and wrapping the kids' gifts. Everything else is taken care of...the cookies, shopping, cards, and decorating are finished!

I got on the scale this morning and had a good laugh. I lost .2 pounds. Barely a blip on the radar screen...but it's still a loss right before Christmas, and I'll take it! I did have a very wonderful moment yesterday when I put on a pair of pants and a Christmas sweatshirt that did not fit last year; in fact, I couldn't even get them over my body! I wore them yesterday, and they were loose...so I know I'm getting there. I know that I'll have a lot more time to concentrate on weight loss after the holiday, and lay out my plan of attack for the New Year. 2010 is going to be my year!!!

My motivational people this week are Erik and Michele Chopin. Erik won Season 3 of Biggest Loser, and though he has put quite a bit of the weight back on, he is committed to losing it all again and figuring out why he had gained it back so it doesn't happen again. His wife Michele is also on her own weight loss journey, and they are sharing all of this with us at http://erikchopin.com/ . Bob invited Erik to weigh in at the Season 9 Finale...so this way we can follow along with Erik and Michele as we are on our own journeys!


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Staying Strong and Still Climbing!

Yesterday, my husband found out that he did not get the job that we were so sure was the one. We've been on this job roller coaster since May and it's been really tough. I know many of you are going through the same type of situation as well, or other problems that must be dealt with. To say we were upset is an understatement.

One thing I did not do this time is run to the cupboard or a fast food joint and start eating. I'm finally realizing that even though it may temporarily numb the pain, in the long run it only causes more pain and heartache. I've had no diet soda at all this week, and I'm drinking plenty of water. Instead of running to the refrigerator, I'm doing extra exercise, talking to friends, writing, or listening to music to calm the stress. I did have a good cry, but once it was over I decided not to dwell on the lost job and move forward with life.

One little bump along the way will not make me fall off of this mountain that God is having me climb. I'm still on my way to the top, and I know He has better things in store for us...we need to stay strong and turn to Him. God is my harness, and He will keep me safe and strong for the climb. He has placed many footholds along my way to help get me to the summit. He just needs me to be resilient and keep on climbing...and that is what I intend to do!

Motivational Monday...Attitude Is Everything!!!

I've always had this fascination with skiing. From the time I was a little girl, I always watched the Winter Olympics and other skiing competitions, wondering what it would be like to fly down a mountain like that. To race against the wind and conquer those hills...I just knew it had to be an amazing feeling!

I never had a ski lesson until about 13 years ago, and only had one. I enjoyed it very much, but we didn't have money to continue, and by the next season I was expecting my son. I haven't been on the slopes since, trying to get back in decent shape before attempting again so I would be less likely to injure myself. My stepbrother and sister-in-law both ski, and her dad is still skiing in his seventies! My husband and I have good friends who live in Park City, Utah and it would be incredible to visit them in winter and ski with them.

I am using my love of skiing as motivation in my weight loss battle. I imagine myself, lean and strong, conquering those mountains...and it keeps me going on my journey. I've come to realize that skiing is like life: Sometimes you have to face strong winds and other dangers to conquer your mountains, but it is worth it when you feel the feeling of accomplishment...and then you can't wait to conquer the next one!

As for my weigh-in this morning, I did register a loss of .6 pounds, which puts me at 193.2. It may not be a giant loss, but it is still a step in the right direction, especially during the holidays. I know one thing I did wrong this week was drinking too much diet soda while I was running Christmas errands and attending my son's school concerts. This week will not be like that!

This week, my motivational person is...YOU!!! Just like I am doing with skiing, picture yourself doing something you've always wanted to do, and conquering your mountains. Focus on those images, and you will go far!!!

I Ain't Settlin'

Congratulations to Danny Cahill on becoming the Season 8 Biggest Loser! He lost 239 pounds...over 55% of his body weight! Also, if you love the song he wrote for the show, it is now available at www.thedannycahill.com , and part of the proceeds will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You can also order another awesome song of Danny's as well!

Danny and the rest of the Season 8 contestants all looked amazing last night, and I now know for sure that there will be no stopping me from reaching my goals and dreams. This song from Sugarland is my new philosophy on life:

I ain't settlin' for just gettin' by

Had enough so-so for the rest of my life

Tired of shootin' too low, so raise the bar high

Just enough ain't enough this time

I ain't settlin' for anything less than everything*

We can all accomplish much more than we ever thought possible...raise your bar high!!!

*From the song "Settlin'" written by Kristian Bush, Tim Owens & Jennifer Nettles

Motivational Monday...Bouncing Back

As you know, last week's weigh-in was rough, due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who had the same post-holiday experience, or were too afraid to get on the scale after all of the mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. I used to be one of those who just wouldn't even bother to weigh myself during the holidays, which usually resulted in seeing a few extra pounds register on the scale come New Year's Day.

This morning, I got on the scale and discovered I lost 2.2 pounds...meaning that the 2 pounds I had gained over Thanksgiving are gone, along with just a bit more! This puts me at 193.8. I definitely attacked my workouts this past week, and ate much better. Back to my Greek yogurt, fruits & veggies, and lots of water. Also...back to discovering that girl inside of me that is just begging to come out!

This week, my motivational people are the entire Season 8 cast of The Biggest Loser...tomorrow night is the finale, so tune in to see what everyone has accomplished, and let them inspire you to go for your dreams and goals!

My advice for this holiday season is...don't avoid the scale. If you weigh yourself and discover a gain, you can do something about it right now. If you wait until January 1st, the gain may have snowballed into something bigger...or you may find on Christmas Day that the dress, skirt, or pants you planned to wear do not fit and you wind up scrambling for something else to wear. Don't let that happen to you...take care of business now!!!

The Journey Back To Me

Those of you that are on my Facebook page will also see this poem on there...I'm getting back to the girl you see in the picture above. (Although I will NOT be bringing back the early 90's permed hair!) Maybe you can relate to my story:

What Happened To That Girl?

What happened to that girl

The one who was so strong

Who didn't let stuff get her down

And could handle life when things went wrong

What happened to that girl

Who didn't let fear hold her back

Who liked the reflection she saw in her mirror

And faced her problems with full-on attack

Though she's been dormant for over 15 years

Hibernating under layers of despair

She hasn't left, she's still within

Make no mistake, she's definitely there

Working her way through all of the layers

Shedding each one as she goes

Some are harder to shake off than others

But one by one getting rid of her woes

That girl deserves to come back out

And shine her God-given light on the world

I'm proud to say, she's well on her way

Just watch out...here comes that girl!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend, and finding that strong, confident person inside of you that is just waiting to come out! xoxoxo

My Inspiration This Season

Every season on the Biggest Loser, I am inspired by all of the contestants, but of course I always relate to the struggles of the women...being that I'm a wife and mother who needs to take care of herself so she can take care of everyone else. This season, something is different for me.

The person I relate to the most from Season 8 is Danny Cahill. At first I found it strange that my biggest inspiration came from one of the guys this time, but it's all starting to make sense to me now. Danny has gone through so many things that I have: Being a fat kid who lost all of the weight and then gained it back, being on top of the world and having dreams of a music career, and deep faith in God being just some of the reasons. Every time he tells another part of his story, I wind up crying because that is my story. I want to get back to that person I was, who had dreams and went after them, just like Danny. I want to get my family to eat healthier too. Quite a few of the thoughts he has shared so far this season are the same thoughts that have run through my mind.

Now, I have started on that path, being down over 20 pounds and going after my writing dreams, but I know I can do so much more. Danny has lost 201 pounds to date, and is in the Final 3 for next week's finale. Every time I start having those thoughts, I think of Danny and I know I can make my dreams happen, just like he does. Good luck at the finale, Danny! You will always be my inspiration...I am rooting for you all the way!!!