Well, I'm truckin' along.  I've been stuck at the 10 pound weight loss since mid-February.  I have let life get in the way of my dream to live a healthy lifestyle.  I tend to think in a Black and White world.  Either I'm doing everything perfect or I'm not trying at all.  I am constantly in search of the gray (apparently a lifelong search for me).  Does anyone else have this problem?  I set goals that are far too high to reach and am then so disappointment in myself for not reaching them that I give up.  I have lived this for so long that it's hard to switch.  So, I need to set small, achievable goals.  My goal for this week: begin working out again.  I've been out for two weeks (sickness and stress).  I went on Monday but then haven't been back since.  So, my first goal is to work out 3x a week.  I believe that's reachable.

 

Good luck to you all!

Right now my biggest struggle is trying to get motivated.  As I spoke about in previous blogs I have been struggling with all of the stress and pressures related to school.  Now we only have about four months left and I'm excited, but the journey still isn't over.  I want to get back into a good rountine, but I don't know if I have the energy and drive that it takes right now.  I'm scared to do too much.  Anyone have suggestions?

Well, I'm back.  I have taken a break for the past 2 weeks-a break from working out and a break from eating healthy.  In that time, I have gotten sick, been more stressed, had more anxiety, less focus, and increased fatigue.  The time has come for me to focus on myself and care for my body again!  That said, I do think this time was needed.  I was able to truly see the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and reaped the rewards.  During my time off, I missed those rewards.  Working out this morning felt fantastic...not to say it was easy at all!

 

As for healthy eating...have you ever tried Naked Juice?   It's a smoothie that's chocked FULL of fruits.  No added sugar.  I am having them for breakfast this week.  They're pricey, but I'M WORTH IT!!  For lunch, I bought a few of those bagged salads with the dressing and toppings.  They have quite a few calories, so I make sure to only use 1/2 of the dressing.  It's a quick lunch for me and I need quick.  Dinner is still a challenge.  My goal for next week is to get organized in this area. 

 

I feel motivated today.  BTW...last week's Biggest Loser was the best I've seen!!  Anyone else agree?

 

Good luck this week.  Take each day one at a time.

Well similiar to Michelle, I have not been fulfilling my committent to weight loss the last couple of weeks.   Michelle and I have some potentially exciting news that we would like to share sometime in the near future, that has really been occupying our every thought.  The news is good, but what it has done to our consistency is bad.  It's so hard not to get frustrated keeping up an exhausting daily rountine when you see limited results. 

 

 More importantly it is very important that you take good care of yourself when you decide to add something very big to your plate.   A little over a week ago I found myself in a very scary place that I have never been.  Even though I realized it much too late, I decided I had to take a break in order to recharge my batteries.  I feel it is so important to constantly monitor your physical and emotional health .  People have the tendency to get so involved in a routine that they often don't realize when the tank is on empty.  My advice to you all is to fill up on gas before you decide to take a trip across the country, and to make sure you don't wait until the tank is on "E" before you fill up again.

 

Lacy

For all of you out there looking for a quick weight loss plan, let me suggest to you a Stomach Flu with a side of anxiety!  All joking aside, it is difficult to get back on the wagon after being off for a significant period of time.  Last week, there was a lot of anxiety surrounding school and another big possible change in my life (I may write about later).  This week, I've been sick with the flu.  I haven't worked out since February 15th.  Why do I make everything else in my life a priority except for myself?  Something to ponder.

 

Let's see, only FOUR MONTHS of school left.  School is such a large portion of my already stuffed plate right now that's it's hard to even imagine what life might be like with so much extra time.  I'm excited about life after school, although I will miss the relationships and learning.  I am excited to have more time to devote to myself and this weight loss journey.  I feel I'm doing as much as I can right now considering the amount of time spent between work, school, paperwork, and clients.  Soon I will only be working 40 hours a week!  YEA!!

 

Sorry I have no deep words of encouragement to share during this blog.  I do wish all of you luck on your journey...in sickness and in health!  Love, M

 

 

 

 

Let me first say thank you to all of you who have left kind words of support.  They go farther then you will ever know.

 

Today was a difficult day for me.  I know all of you have gotten to the point where it feels like the battle to lose weight and be healthy is hopeless.  One part of me knows that this is not true, however lack of results seems to always speak louder than my logical thinking.    I struggle so much with my diet, particularly in regards to PCOS.  I am supposed to watch carbohydrates, but I have a hard time finding low carb, low fat foods.  With school it seems like adding anything extra to my life right now would cause me to surely have a break down.  Michelle has stuck with me as I have complained about my situation, knowing that there are answers, but that I'm not willing to comply.  How do I get myself there when I feel like I don't have anything else to give?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MY REASONS FOR ENTERING THE CONTEST:  (1) HEALTH.  With the amount of extra weight I carry, it’s amazing that I have not developed diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or another weight-related illness.  (2) HEALTHY PREGNANCIES.  My husband, Jason, and I experienced a miscarriage 3 years ago that I contribute to my extra weight.  We are waiting until I reach a healthy weight to try to conceive.  (3) MY PASSION.  Helping people is my passion.  So much of the work we do with our clients stems around positive change.  I want to be a positive model of healthy change.  How can I possibly ask them to do something that I have not done myself?

 

 

HOW I PLAN TO SUCCEED:  Accountability, support, and the strength within.  Rather than trying to change overnight, Lacy and I began by incorporating exercise into our schedules.  Starting in November 2007, we began consistently working out at 6:00 am at the YMCA every weekday morning.  Once the New Year came around, we began to incorporate healthier eating habits.  Now that the daily exercise has already become a habit for us, adding the healthy eating has not been as difficult. 

 

 

WHY WE SHOULD WIN THE CONTEST:  Lacy and I are amazing examples of determination and perseverance.  We have already begun to motivate others and the feeling we get from that is indescribable!  To win this contest and to have the opportunity to inspire and motivate others through our Windows Live Space is an honor.  I truly do not know if I could do this without Lacy.  Having someone join you on a journey like this is so important…but to have someone join you that has such similar goals is priceless (it also helps that we’re both in training to be therapists :)