I Am on Day 4

Hello! I am so excited about how well I have been doing. I know it is only day 4, but usually at this point I have at least cheated once or twice. And I am happy to report that I have not cheated one time! I know you really aren't supposed to weigh in but one time a week- I had to do it early though. This morning I am 4 pounds lighter. Not a big number but it hasn't even been 4 complete days!!! I mentioned in an earlier post that I introduced a new work out and let me just say it has been hard and I am sore, but after I am done it feels really nice to know that I am making my body my slave instead of the other way around!

Love to all!

I forgot to mention that last night with dinner I made Broiled Tomatoes and they are delicious! Where have they been all my life. You gotta try them!

2 large tomatoes
drizzle with Olive oil
sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked pepper
top with fresh low fat Parmesan cheese

Broil for about 7 minutes until well browned...Enjoy!

Surviving Day One

Hi all! I wanted to give you an update and let you know how my first day went on my journey to weight loss. It was pretty rough. Not terribly bad but I am pretty sure that I thought about food all day long. How lame is that?! It wasn't that I was hungry, I just thought about everything that I knew I couldn't have. Here are what my meals looked like yesterday:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, 1 slice of canadian bacon and a cup of coffee

Snack: 2 slices of cheese and 2 pieces of low fat turkey lunch meat

Lunch: Chilled tuna, Cottage cheese, and radishes

Snack: Cucumber slices

Dinner: Grilled chicken salad w/ low sugar dressing

I also drank more water than I think I ever have. I am encouraged today because I feel good. I don't have that full/bloated feeling that I usually have. And if I start feeling hungry than I eat. I am going to the store this afternoon to get some sugar free fudge pops and sugar free jello. These are allowed during this first phase and I think it will help satisfy my sweet tooth. Today I am also incorporating a new work out. We went to Wal-mart and got it. It is called The Biggest Loser Boot Camp Workout. I am excited to see the results from this! How is it going for you? I know several of you have contacted me to let me know that you will be doing some sort of weight loss plan with me- I think that is awesome! I cannot wait to hear how you are doing!! Stay strong!

My Weight Loss Journey

I am going to be brutally honest here, at the risk of embarrassing myself. I have struggled with fluctuating weight for years. I have tried many diets, most of them fads, and have not stuck to any of them for long. Well, this time I am serious. My weight is beginning to effect my health and this time I am not only losing weight for myself but for my family as well.I have the support of my husband as he is taking the journey with me. That will be a big help! I will be journaling my progress here and would love to read your encouraging comments. I would appreciate and covet your prayer as we dive head first into this journey.

My immediate goal is to lose 13 pounds in the first 2 weeks(as predicted in the plan we are following) and then 2-3 pounds each additional week. My short term goal is to have lost 37-40 pounds by the first week of April (which is my birthday, and yes, I will celebrate in a big way!)

Love to all! And I look forward to taking this journey with you. If any of you are inspired to join me on this challenge, let me know as I would love to do this together!

I have been thinking about a quote I read, "A baby is God's opinion that life should go on." I have been privileged to bring 2 of my own children into this world and have had many opportunities to rejoice with other parents when their children were born. Every birth is a miracle, and every newborn baby is a bundle of potential. Each and every child's life holds innumerable promises that are yet to be fulfilled. We may understand the biological process, there is something wonderfully mysterious and sacred about giving birth. Yes, labor and delivery are accompanied by pain and discomfort. But the end result is the gift of a new life that makes all the discomfort worthwhile.

How much more miraculous must the birth of Jesus have seemed to Joseph and Mary on that first holy night. This child was to have a destiny unlike any other. Surely Joseph and Mary must have wondered what all of this could possibly mean as they looked down at the tiny infant sleeping peacefully in the manger. "The birth of your first child will change your life like nothing else, " a wise person told me when our oldest daughter was born. But the birth of God's Son has made an immeasurable difference in all of us. And we have yet to explore the full implication of His birth.

How true are the words of the song 4Him sings, "this is such a strange way, to save the world."