Fresh Start November!

October has been an extremely challenging month.

All kinds of issues have come up - trying to work around my son's school schedule while working retail, not knowing my work schedule each week until the very last minute (and it STILL being subject to change in the middle of the week), trying to fit everything in that needs to be done, and not being able to sleep from all of the stress, then trying to function each day on very little sleep.  And that's only part of the challenge.

Now that November is here, I've discovered that I gained a couple of pounds back...most likely because I turned to food to deal with stress and I've been so exhausted from insomnia that the workouts I have been able to fit into my schedule wound up being cut short - or not being at full speed as I would have liked.  There has been - and still is - a lot of prayer and tears while trying to figure it all out.  At least I finished the editing on my novel so I can look for a publisher, so something was accomplished during this time!

One thing I do know for sure...something has to give soon.  I refuse to let November go by with no weight loss (or a gain), making me feel even worse than I already do.  Seeing pictures of my self from the last couple of weeks only makes me more depressed...but also motivates me to do better. And I'm still catching up on this week's Biggest Loser - since I had to work and was unable to watch/recap.

So on this 1st day of November, I declare a fresh start.  I will find a way to get all of my workouts in, while being more careful about what I eat, even when I'm stressed.  (which is, by the way, pretty much 24/7!)  I will continue to pray that God leads me in the way I should go so there can be more of a balance in my life.  And I will keep the faith - and hope - alive that things are going to improve as long as I set better goals and carry on.

Please feel free to share your goals for the month with me, as we support each other on the journey of life.  Here's to a better, more successful November!

Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition - Lessons From Sally the Surfer Girl!

I missed this episode this first time it aired because of the Olympics...but I'm so happy I was able to watch it tonight.  I learned several valuable lessons from Sally that I will use in my own journey.

Sally is 45 years old, which makes her one year younger than me.  A lot of times she mentioned to Chris and his wife Heidi (who also helped train her) how hard it is to get back into shape when you're older (which it is!) but she never gave up.  She struggled a lot, falling short of her first three goals for the year.  Still, every time she failed or fell short, she got back up and kept on going, pushing herself to do better and reach her final goal.  First lesson: You are never too old to be who you want to be and reach your goals! 

She still lost a lot of weight, even though she didn't hit the particular numbers that were set for each weigh-in.  In fact, she visited the doctor who said she had gained a lot of muscle - and her body fat percentage had dropped quite a bit.  She certainly looked slimmer, going from a size 22 to a 12.  Second lesson:  The number on the scale isn't the only measure of your progress.  If your clothes are way too big, you've lost inches, and your muscle mass has increased...you are definitely doing something right.  Fitness is not a particular number set in stone on the scale. 

When Sally got started, her husband didn't seem all that supportive.  He would complain that she had to work out too much, and when they went out to dinner he insisted on eating all of her favorite fattening foods in front of her.  He didn't really realize how hard this journey was for her and how his actions affected her progress.  Once Chris arranged a meeting with him, Sally's mom, and her best friend, she was able to let them know how much she needed their help and encouragement.  They all told her they were on her side, and things started to go a lot better after that conversation.  Even Sally's adorable son told her she looked like a princess, because she was pretty and strong!  (That's the kind of princess I like...both beautiful AND strong!!!)  Third lesson:  If you feel you're not getting support from family and friends, ask them to help and let them know you need support.  And find other people who do support you and can relate to what you're going through.  You'll be surprised at how much better it will be if you just ask!

Sally also used pictures and thoughts of her former fit self from when she was younger to keep her motivated.  I have those pictures around as well...I lost a lot of weight when I graduated from high school and kept it off for about ten years, and I refer to those often.  (In fact, one of them is up on my Facebook page so I can be inspired daily!)  She used to surf, and on this journey she was able to have a lesson with pro surfer Laird Hamilton as she was cheered on by his wife, volleyball player Gabby Reece.  She was thrilled to have a great lesson and can't wait to try other things she's always wanted to do.  That surfing excursion alone boosted her spirits and helped her get to the next level.  Fourth lesson:  Remember the times when you were at your best, and realize that with hard work and perseverance you will get there again.  Make a list of activities you want to be able to do again, or that you've never tried but want to.  (For me, getting better at tennis and horseback riding - and learning ballroom dancing - drive me to push myself harder.)  Think of your list whenever you're having a rough day and don't feel like working out or eating right.

Finally, Sally didn't qualify for the skin removal surgery at the nine month mark...but the doctor gave her a second chance to lose enough in the final three months to be evaluated again.  She started the year at 335 pounds, and finished at 197...losing 138 pounds total.  It was enough to get the surgery.  Fifth lesson:  If you are given a second chance, take advantage of it.  And if you want something badly enough, you will find a way to make it happen!

So I want to thank Sally for sharing her journey with us, through all of the many ups and downs.  The truth is, we learn just as much in the moments of struggle as we do in the moments of success.  And I will continue to cheer Sally on...because she is a true fighter!

Biggest Loser 13 Challenge - Super Bowl Recovery

Yes, I indulged a little on Super Bowl Sunday.

Not a lot - I mostly ate healthy but did allow myself a couple of beers during the game. I took a really long walk earlier in the day to help combat the treats. And I kept to my workout schedule otherwise, spinning, step, Pilates, etc.

So I got on the scale this morning wondering what I would see. Would Sunday's indulgences show up? Or did I do enough to continue my success?

I saw the number move in the direction I wanted...it was only a .6 pound loss, but a loss nonetheless. Even though I drank a lot of water, my body is probably still trying to get rid of the beer. And since my monthly gift has arrived, I'm sure that threw a wrench into my numbers as well.

So whatever the reasons, I do know that I can improve on my eating habits this week. And since my gift arrived complete with severe cramps, I'm working my way through the pain because I do not want to go backwards on this journey. What counts is that I keep going as much as I possibly can so that next week I see a much better number.

Even with the little setbacks, I'm making great progress. So it's off to spin again tonight before Biggest Loser. I know I don't complain even close to the amount some of this season's contestants do. NO EXCUSES!!!

Biggest Loser 13 Challenge - Second Week Success!

Tonight is the 3rd episode of Biggest Loser Season 13, which means our 2nd week weigh-in results.

You know I've had a trying week (still having car issues, so please say a prayer) with working around not having transportation for some of the events and workouts and needing to work around that. Being that this is the season of NO EXCUSES and my year of ACTION, I was not about to let those kinds of things stop me anymore.

Well, this morning's results made me very happy. I lost 1.4 pounds in a week that in the past would have sent me straight to the refrigerator and the couch. I got a lot of writing and editing done, still exercised everyday, and kept away from the stress eating. So far for the #BL13Challenge I've lost 3.4 pounds.

Whenever you have a stressful day - or week - understand that it's OK to admit that you wish things were different. Then find a way to MAKE things better. Acknowledge your frustration, but then go work it out or brainstorm ways to improve your situation. Channel your pisstivity...as Dolvett would say!

How did you do this week? Drop me a line here or on Twitter at #BL13Challenge!!!

Biggest Loser 12 Challenge: Finale Weigh-In!

Let the confetti fall on me! Well, let's at least pretend it's falling on me...today is the final weigh in for the #BL12Challenge and I have reason to celebrate!

Let's start with this week loss, which was only a .4 pound loss. I'll take it, since I'm just finishing up with my "gift" for the month and sending it away with that crazy lady that Mother Nature uses to present it to me. (I know - my imagination runs wild with that lovely commercial.) She can keep it until next month!

But it's also time to look at the bigger picture...or, if you really want to think about it, the SMALLER picture. Over the course of this season, I've lost 16.2 pounds. I'd set a goal of 25, which I did not reach - but I still lost over 16 pounds, and this challenge helped me get there. Since I started the season at 216, that means I'm now in...

...ONE-DERLAND!

That's right, my total weight loss for the challenge puts me at 199.8. I know that's just squeaking into this much dreamed of territory, but it's still One-derland. I will not be going back to the 200's, so this is a major reason to celebrate.

Since I plan to rock Hannah's & Olivia's Christmas Challenge, there will be no backsliding...not into old habits or the terrible 2's. Only more progress from here!!!

So how did you wrap up my challenge? Drop me a comment here, or tell me at #BL12Challenge on Twitter. I want to hear your successes for the season.

And I can live with the virtual confetti shower. This way I don't have to vaccum up the real thing!

Biggest Loser Season 12 Challenge - Getting Closer!

Can you believe Thanksgiving will be next week? This autumn is flying by, probably because I'm so busy. But busy in a good way!

This week was a little bit better on the scale. I lost 1.2 pounds, which I'm extremely proud of because of the stressful challenges that happened within the last week. If you read my last post, you know about one of them. In the past, a day like Saturday would have had me running to the store for ice cream or chocolate. I'm happy to say I did NOT do that this time. I owe it all to my Gratitude List, which turned my attitude around and calmed me to the point that I didn't feel the need to eat away the stress. I took a walk instead. Attitude really is everything!

Speaking of a great attitude...are you ready for Apolo Ohno on Biggest Loser tonight? No matter what is thrown at him, he keeps it all in perspective - not only surviving, but THRIVING!

So as we move closer to the holiday season, please share your success here or at #BL12Challenge with me. Thank you to those who have already done so; you are all rockin' it. Let's make this a healthier holiday this time around!

Biggest Loser 12 - Get To The Heart

Last night, Biggest Loser got right to the heart of the matter...and they used football to do it.

This season some of the contestants started digging deeper earlier than usual. We're not that far into the episodes yet, but already getting into the core issues that players have covered up in layers of extra weight.

I can relate.

Dolvett noticed that Vinny was giving everything he had in the gym, and he couldn't help but wonder what got him into his current condition. They had a long conversation, in which Vinny revealed that his stepfather used to beat him constantly and without mercy. Not only that, Vinny wondered why his mom never stepped in to stop the abuse. He's having a hard time forgiving her because she is the one person who should have protected him.

For me this hits home - not because of my parents, who were always kind and loving, but due to cruel classmates. I did get kicked a few times, but most of it was mental abuse. I retreated further into my shell with every remark. I always wondered why the friends I did have didn't speak up. Occasionally I would stand up for myself, but never really became outgoing or confident around my peers. It's taken me years to move through this...and sometimes I still fight those feelings.

The other big moment for me was watching Antone work through his feelings being around all of the other NFL players and dealing with his emotions. I know the feeling well. Even though I was not a football player (obviously) I still had those glory days in a different form. After I got out of high school I lost 65 pounds and really allowed myself to shine. Ten years later my mom passed away and I started putting weight back on. Very often I run into people that knew me then - at my best - and I wonder what they think of me now. Just like Antone, I have to deal with those who are still at the top of their game while I'm working to up my own, back to top form.

The key for me is to remember where I've been, and know that not only can I do it again, but with God's help I can surpass that and be my true best. Sometimes we have to be broken, but when we are put back together we are stronger in the broken places and can help others with their journeys.

I will be watching what Vinny and Antone do next, cheering and praying for them all the way. We are all in this lifeboat together, and only those who really get to the heart will succeed.

Sweet Taste of Victory!

Last week was a mini-victory on the scale, but a major one in sticking to my healthy habits. I kept on moving toward my goals this week, refusing to give in to all of the "treats" presented to me and finding ways to fit in a lot of prayer and exercise. Today it paid off not only in life, but on the scale...I lost 1.2 pounds, putting me at 212.2 now. I will be putting even more effort in this week, so I can get under 210 once again.

I did have one little sugary treat for the Super Bowl last night. Someone made peanut butter brownies, and they were out of this world! Normally I would have gone back to the tray a few times and had more, but this time I enjoyed my only brownie, savoring the texture and flavor so that I would be satisfied with one. And it worked! I didn't want another one because I took the time to really enjoy it instead of just popping it in my mouth barely tasting it. I had the sweet tast of the brownie, along with a very sweet victory.

Life really is sweeter when you take the time to enjoy every moment!!!

First Week of 2011...Success!

Ahh...the first weigh-in of the new year. It's always a mix of emotions...excitement, nerves, hope...all come into play as I step on the scale. Knowing that I did my best this week always helps, but of course I want to see progress in the form of a lower number.

Thankfully I saw the lower number that I wanted. I weigh 216.0, for a loss of 2.2 pounds this week. I'm very happy with that. I don't have several hours a day to work out, but I make sure that I exercise as much as possible. I had a very small slice of cake at my niece's birthday party on Saturday, but otherwise ate healthy foods. The only day I missed a workout was yesterday, dealing with the cat allergies from the weekend. My niece's cat, who hates almost everyone, decided to plop herself in my lap, lay down and nudge her head against me. It's funny how the kitties always snuggle up to the people who are allergic to them first! After some Benedryl and good old Vicks rubbed on my head, I'm feeling much better.

I have to add here...I did not take my 8zone on Saturday or Sunday. I started feeling really weird and shaky. My stomach was upset as well. The way I felt points to an allergy to an ingredient in one of the supplements, which has happened before with other products. Because 8 zone lists all of the ingredients on the website, I had checked to make sure nothing I was allergic to was in them before agreeing to start. So, there must be something in them that I didn't know would bother me. The supplements may still work for some of you, but for me they're not going to be an option.

I also learned something new this weekend. One of my cousins has been sick for over a month with an intestinal infection. He was not able to eat much for quite a while and dropped a lot of weight. (He was already thin so his weight loss was not a good thing.) When I saw him at the birthday party he looked MUCH better. He told me that he discovered that when he cut all of the artifical sweeteners out of his diet that he immediately began to feel better. When he tried them again he felt sick, so he is off of them now completely. I was listening to this as I sipped my diet soda...and could not finish drinking it. I switched to water, then had coffee with dessert. I've been cutting back on the diet drinks but still had one once in a while. Now I see that I need to totally cut them out, and other foods that have artificial sweeteners. I'm going to explore this subject more to see the connection, and I will keep you posted on my findings.

Even without the 8zone I'm on the right track for 2011...and there's no stopping me now. I thank God for the lessons He is teaching me along the way, and since he has my back I know I can accomplish anything!

Success: Thank You God and Vitamin B12!!!

Today is a VERY happy weigh-in day for me. After a few weeks of losing less than a pound, staying the same, or gaining half a pound, I'm seeing some real success. My scale proudly told me this morning that I lost 2.4 pounds this week!

I have to attribute this success to the Vitamin B12 shot that my doctor gave me on Tuesday this past week. He told me that I would probably feel the difference pretty quickly, and he was right. About 24 hours after receiving the shot I felt somewhat better. It's been almost a week, and each day my energy level has improved upon the day before. I've actually been able to get most of my workouts in, and I even spontaneously dance to the radio at times. It's so nice not to be dragging all the time!

Thank you God for leading me to a solution to this problem, and thank you doc for the B12. If you'll excuse me...I need to get up and dance now! :o)

Biggest Loser: Determination!

*photo courtesy of NBC.

This week on The Biggest Loser, there was all sorts of drama as usual, but I came away with 2 very important lessons. First of all, Stephanie had a rough week because a few of the others in the house were speculating about her. They questioned whether or not she threw a weigh-in a couple of weeks ago, and it hurt her deeply because she knows she is not that kind of person. I'm sure we all have had people question our character at some point in our lives because of misunderstandings or just plain meanness. If you haven't, it will happen at some point, because we are all human. Stephanie taught me that even when this happens, you have to stay strong as the person you know you are, and keep on being you and moving toward your goals in life. It's going to hurt, but you can't let it affect the way you live. You have to move on and stand tall, because you know who you are, and so does God.

My other lesson came from Melissa, as she came back into the game. Two players got to come back. Victoria was voted in, and the other person would have to win a 1,000 step challenge. Melissa was determined to get back into the game, as everyone should be. She focused on what she had to do, getting ahead of everyone with her steps. She felt pain as time went on just like the others, but she was not going to let it stop her from reaching her goal. She won the challenge, and taught me that you must keep your focus and determination in order to succeed. It was just the extra kick in the butt I needed this week!

I have to add here...how awesome is Wayne, the man who was inspired by Biggest Loser and lost 418 pounds at home? He weighed well over 600 pounds, and he was determined as well to get back to living his life and regaining his health. We can all learn from him...and think about his success as we reach for our own goals!

Motivation...Continued!!!

After Monday's post, I decided to be really brave and take my picture down from the mantle, take it out of its beautiful Southwestern adobe frame, and scan it so I could show you what I was talking about. On the left is our friends' son, and on the right is our son. I bet you've figured out by now that I'm the one in the middle. As you can see, I made it to that point on the hike without collapsing, and I'm even smiling!

This photo is from 4 years ago. I weighed 217 pounds, just like I did back in late May when I started this journey. Even though this trip to Utah was a wake-up call for me, I still wound up at 217 this past spring. I did lose some weight, but never more than 9 or 10 pounds before falling off the wagon. I was always trying, but not succeeding for very long.

What is different for me this time around? I've made a plan, to make sure I keep going with the weight loss. Some weeks are better than others, but I never give up. Also...since I am going deeper inside of myself to deal with my fears and insecurities, I'm finding that 9 times out of 10 I'm working on my issues instead of reaching for chocolate, ice cream, or fast food. And on those rare occasions when I do give in, I still examine afterward the reason why I grabbed the comfort food.

The other main ingredient this time is a good support system...I have a wonderful group of people supporting me in real life, and phenomenal support over on Facebook. It really helps to talk to people who have been through what you are dealing with, or who are going through it now as well. Even though only I can make myself do the work needed...we still all support and help each other through it all, and knowing you are not alone is tremendous.

I am very proud that I am down 27 pounds from this picture. By the next time we get to hike in Utah...I will be able to have a picture of a fit, healthier me at the summit. I can't wait to have before and after shots from the same location!