2 Pounds A Week

I have a goal that I am working towards this summer. My goal is to loose 2 pounds a week by increasing my daily exercise and reevaluating the foods I consume.

When I told Jeff my goal, he quickly praised me for my efforts but then followed it up with a warning about how I should not be discouraged if the weight does not come off quickly. Instead he wanted me to focus on the benefits of exercise and a balanced diet and make it a lifestyle change not a crash diet.

You see, Jeff knows me pretty well. He has seen me crash and burn many times in the past two years when I have tried to get rid of the extra pounds infertility treatments has brought to me. Thank you Clomid for the 25 pound gift-you big jerk.

Usually after the first two weeks, if the scales are not heading south, I stop everything. I then get so mad at myself that I justify my feelings with a carton of Ben and Jerry's or greasy fries from Wing Stop. Both of which are super yummy!

On June 1st I started the Summer Workout Schedule of 2009 by signing up for three months at the local rec center. (Have you ever noticed that I title every season or big event in my life? Young Family Road trip, Positive Plus Sign Journey, The Great Escape of 2009, etc.) I refuse to quit during the time of June 1st to August 31st-that will give me 13 weeks to achieve the results I want.

For the past two weeks I have been faithful to workout Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I have been tracking my calorie intake as well. So far I have lost 4 pounds so yes, I have hit my goal of 2 pounds a week.

But last night something happened that I thought I should mention. I decided to try out a few of the fitness classes the rec center offers. As I was standing in front of the wall of mirrors, I started to evaluate my figure and let's just say I did not like what I saw. By the end of the class not only was I sweating profusely but I was feeling a little defeated. I had criticized myself to the point to where I was wondering what's the point with all the hard work? I was beating myself up and that was just plain stupid. Later when I was soaking my muscles in a hot bath, I took a few moments to reflect on what I saw in the mirror.

Here is what I came up with: it doesn't matter what I look like now, two weeks into my three month goal. What matters is that I am doing something to better myself today. Why would I allow myself to be berated by my own ugly thoughts when I was up off the couch, working out and loving every minute . (Any class that plays 2 Legit 2 Quit by MC Hammer or Baby Got Back is a class that I will come back to...in a heartbeat). I made a promise to myself that I will not allow the present image in the mirror to stop me from reaching my goals over the next few weeks. I promised myself that I would not become obsessed with my looks but focus instead on the beauty that God sees when He looks at me.

This summer I am doing the Beth Moore Bible Study on Esther and she has already reminded of this verse:

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3: 3-4

Today my goal is to slap this verse on my mirror so that I can see it every time I look at myself.

A sweet thing happened this morning that blessed me especially after last night's self inflicted berating of my figure. When Jeff came home from work he asked me how my workout went. Since I was still half asleep I only told him that it was good but now I am sore. He then put his hand on my waist and said, "I can tell your waist is getting firmer."

Those were the perfect words to start my day even with being super duper sore.

It's A Simple Thing That Make Me Happy

My goal for today was quite simple.

Laundry and rest.

I finally shooed Jeff out the door so I could enjoy the solitude of cleaning my house without interupption. Don't get me wrong, I love Jeff but he likes to get in the way more than help. And the confindes of our little one bedroom apartment can become a bit unnerving at times.

Today I have done more than laundry and rest.

I have chatted with family members, dusted, vaccumed, cleaned out my closet, did our lesson for small group tomorrow and have relished every minute of my time to myself.

My closet brought me a wonderful surprise today too.

I have a shirt that I bought online from Harold's awhile back. When it arrived in the mail I couldn't zip it up on the side. I was so dissappointed and chastized myself for trying to buy clothes without trying it on. For the last few months, every once in a while I will see that darling little shirt hanging in my closet and just have to try it to see if it fits. Every time, I get closer and closer to closing up the trap so to speak. Today I decided I would try it on once again to see if I could get it to fit. Imagine my delight when I not only was able to zip it up but was able to breathe, move around and raise my arms without it being too tight on my arms. Jub-i-lation!

Couldn't life get more better than that for a woman? Not sure. Because today I am so happy I just my burst my shirt that I have spent many, many months trying to fit into.

When Jeff saw me wearing the shirt he asked me when I planned on wearing it? I said, I would wear it when he threw me the birthday party of the year to which he just shook his head and walked away muttering something along the lines of "Lord help me."

I tell you what loosing 30 pounds has been the best birthday present for this soon to be 30 year old. I just can't wait to see what gift is coming next.

I am off to clean and watch the Absent Minded Professor.


(spell check is down, forgive the mistakes yet again!)

Good-Bye To You!

Good-bye 30 pounds.

So long farewell.

Thank you for finally realizing that you have overstayed your welcome.

What a surprise it was for me today when I realized that you are no longer a part of my life.

I appreciate the fact that after all this hard work of trying to get you out of here, you finally decided to fall right on out of here.

I didn't realize I had lost you because I haven't checked in with the scale in over two months.

But low and behold, you are gone.

And man, was I am happy to see you were gone! Gone! Gone! Gone!

I thought I was going to have to push real hard this last few days before I turned 30, to reach my goal, but you have already done all the work for me.

You left.

You're gone.

In fact you exceeded my expectations and took a few friends along. I never thought I would be only 5 pounds from what I was the year Jeff and I got married. Never in my wildest dreams.

So no more talk about weight, I will continue to eat right and enjoy the new slimmer me.

Happy 30th birthday to me (20 days early)

Now I am off to tone up my body!

The Hard Work Is Starting to Pay Off

If Elijah was here right now he would be saying, "YEAH Aunt Sue-Sue!"

As many of you know, I have been franticaly working to lose a few pounds. In the last month if I get hungry, I drink a glass of water with a slice of lemon-it kills the hunger pains until my next meal. If I get bored, I strap on my tennis shoes and go for a walk around my apartment complex or the neighboorhood across the street. Every other night, I walk 2-3 miles with my friend Alison. Not only is it beneficial but I look forward to the many stories that Alison has stored up for me in the past few days. She is a mother of three and her kids overflow with personality so there is always some sort of adventure that keeps me laughing. I also lift weights 2 times a week with Jeff (sometimes I show off by lifting the bar! LOL!) I also get up at the crack of dawn so that I can jog while the sun comes up. I tell you what there is nothing better than starting your day jogging, praying and seeing God's beauty in the sunrise, morning dew and birds that fly close by.

And folks the hard work is starting to pay off.

Today I weighed myself and I have lost a total of 10 pounds! I still have 10 maybe 15 more to go but I need to celebrate this moment. I need it because it has taken me 2 maybe 3 months to lose 10 pounds. Plus reaching this point, has inspired me to keep working even harder.

So if you are like me, tired of the extra few (try 30 pounds I gained last year) pounds than let me inspire you to get up, out of your chair and get your booty moving! If I can do it anyone can do it! Oh and put down the slice of pizza and choclate cake that will do you NO good!