I know I’m a day late in posting. Monday’s are always busy, and frankly I was hesitant to post my results. I exercised so much more last week than I have since I started this project. Not only did I walk the four mile round trip to work and back but I put in a couple sessions of swimming, a rigorous step routine and two sessions of various activity on my Wii Fit. I thought for sure I would be able to report a loss for the week. You can imagine my dismay on Monday morning when I weighed in and found myself to be two pounds heavier.

It’s bad enough to be in a plateau, but to actually be moving backwards is extremely demoralizing. I’m trying to tell myself that it’s muscle weight. My whole body hurt this weekend from all the extra activity and I can tell that my strength is increasing. Still, it’s difficult to see the scale going up when I’m putting in the extra effort.

I’m trying not to let it get me down. I’m determined this week to make progress and push past this plateau/backslide. Not only am I increasing my aerobic activity, but I’m adamant about no splurges this week. I know I ate a bit more than usual last week, but I contributed it to my increased activity level and figured I was hungrier because I was expending more energy. That may be the case, but I’m going to make sure I supply myself with only things that are good for me. There’s a time and place for occasional indulgences, but the midst of an aggressive lifestyle change is not one of those times.

I just have to remember that I’m not entitled to indulgence. Like so many things in my life, I am blessed to have extravagant choices (as most of us in America are). The responsible thing to do is make wise choices about what I put into my body and not behave like a glutton just because I can. How can I teach my sons, especially Cainan, responsibility and self-control when they don’t even see it exemplified in the basic part of my life. I owe it to them and myself to maintain healthy eating habits, an active lifestyle and exhibit basic self-discipline.

So, I’ll get off my soap box for now, though I could go on and on and on about the extravagance of the American lifestyle, and instead, be thankful for all the choices I have. I’ll get back on track and hopefully, I’ll have a much better report for next Monday.

Thanks, again, for those of you following the blog and keeping me accountable with your comments. It really helps knowing someone is following what I’m doing and I have to report my results each week. It just makes me think twice before I eat something I shouldn’t, knowing I’m not the only one who’s going to see the results on the scale.

Week 7 = 176 pounds (-14 total)

Week Six

So, if anyone's reading the blog, you would have noticed that I did not post an entry last week. After my indulgent weekend at Disneyland, I didn't want to step on a scale and report any possible gain. So, I decided to give myself a week off as far as the scale went, and get back to a better routine this last week. I was doing well, too, until Joe convinced me to go back to Disneyland for Asher's birthday.

Since I had my splurge the weekend before for my birthday, I was better this weekend. But still, it's not real easy to eat healthy at Disneyland, and I know had more calories than I should have. At least, with Asher, I was also busy the whole time too. I probably walked five miles that day, between the two parks, going non-stop, pushing him in a stroller most of the way. That had to count for something.

Even with that taken into account, I was still very nervous to stand on the scale this week. I am relieved to weigh in at 174. I have indeed lost some weight these last two weeks!

I'm trying to be consistent, and barring the Disneyland trips, I've been doing a good job. I've also learned the valuable role water plays in my efforts. I've noticed on the days I'm more distracted that I tend to not drink as much water as I should. I've also noticed, after a couple days of that, I have head aches and I feel rotten. Once the realization hits me that I haven't been drinking as much as I should, I start pounding down the water by the bottle full. Low and behold, I feel better, I have more energy, and I really notice the weight loss. Being hydrated helps so much!

So, that's my important lesson for the last two weeks. I'm also realizing I need to pay strict attention to what I put in my body. It's so easy to eat out of habit or not put any thought into what I put in my body. When I'm in those modes, I eat way too much and always the wrong things. Just being conscious of my food and taking stock of each meal/snack before I consume it makes a huge difference. If I stop and ask myself, "Is this really what's good for me? Should I really eat this?", it gives me the time to make a good decision and not act on impulse. The key is to make sure I'm eating every few hours. If I'm too hungry, then the answer to the first question is still no, but invariably, I will answer yes to the second.

So, to re-cap: water, frequent eating and thinking before I take part in a meal. Maybe these are obvious to everyone, but until I actually decided to make this life change, I really didn't get it on a personal level. I could probably recite this stuff to someone if they asked for advice, but I didn't practice it. Now I see what a difference it makes.

Please, send me encouragements and kudos. Just drop me a line to let me know you're reading this blog and holding me accountable for my weight loss. It means a lot! Thanks!


Week 6 = 174 lbs (-16 Total)

Week Four--A Plateau

I've made through yet another week and hit a stand still. It's to be expected. I'm not exercising as vigorously as I should be and I've been too lax with my "splurges". I spurge once a week is one thing--every couple days is completely different.

So there's not much to report on this post. I know I didn't work out enough and I took in too many calories. I know I need to change that this week and from here on out. At the end of this week I'm off to Disneyland where I know I will be walking non-stop for two days straight. I also know I'm going to have a Monte Christo and some garlic fries at the very least. It's something you gotta have when you're in Disneyland.

Knowing that is my splurge this week, I will make sure I'm prepared the rest of the week to set the bar high. I plan to work out more and not let my temptations overcome me. With that being said, I'll leave you at my totals for week four.

Week 4 = 176 lbs (-14 Total)

Week Three All Done!

I'm done with week three and well on my way into this week with grand plans to stay on track. I thought for sure this last week was going to be a disappointment. I've been working out quite a bit but I also went a little overboard this weekend with eating. It's official--I absolutely am addicted to cheese. Who knew? Chocolate? No problem. Coke? I quite cold turkey three weeks ago and haven't looked back. Cheese? I can't get enough of it. I'm craving Mexican food with tons of melted cheddar and jack over a spicy burrito, or a thick grilled cheese sandwich with lots of American and cheddar. It's a definite weakness.

I was doing alright until I went away for the weekend to relax, all alone. I was staying at a mountain resort and I didn't bring much besides my protein bars to sustain me. That meant eating out at the nearby town for a lot of meals. I wouldn't have been as tempted if I had prepared and brought snacks to satisfy me throughout the day. However, I didn't and by the time mealtime rolled around I was starving and my will-power was nil. I succumbed to pizza and fattening Mexican food three times!

Now, I did walk to work this week, and I swam vigorously for 30 minutes a the resort, and I probably walked a couple miles while I was there too, not to mention my workouts with the Wii. Even so, I knew it wasn't going to make up for all that cheese! Despite the cheese, I'm still down a pound this week and I'm thrilled! I thought for sure I was going to have to disappoint my followers (and myself) with a weight gain.

Plus, Saturday evening, as I was packing up to go--and regretting my chili colorado burrito--I checked my e-mail. I noticed some friends had made a donation to FirstGiving. I checked the page and was overwhelmed by their generosity. I have to give a special thanks to Ryan and Emily for donating $240.00 to my lose-a-thon efforts. I am so grateful for the donation and that puts me about a 1/3 of the way toward raising the $1000.00 goal I've set. Wow! It also really helps me with accountability. I know I want to lose this weight for myself and my family, but knowing other out there are reading this blog, following along and putting their money behind me, really helps me stay committed to my goal. Thanks again, Ryan and Emily.

That reminds me...some of you have expressed interest in sponsoring my weight loss on a "per pound" basis, rather than a flat donation. That's great! If you'd like to do that, just shoot me and e-mail and let me know whether or not you'd like to remain anonymous. I will post your name and sponsorship on my website. The last week of May, when the lose-a-thon ends, you can make your donation through FirstGiving based on the total number of pounds I've lost.

This week will be better. I spent most of the day preparing my meals and snacks for the week. That makes a huge difference. It's getting caught off guard or not having little low cal snacks to tide me over throughout the day that end up in overindulgences. This week I'm prepared so that won't happen.

Thanks again to everyone who is sponsoring, donating and following me on this journey. I really, really appreciate your comments and support. It helps me know someone is reading this blog and paying attention to whether I lose the weight or not. Please keep the comments and encouragements coming.

Week 3 = 176 lbs (-14 lbs total)

Week Two Over and Out!

So, I've made it through another week. I have to admit, there's been some ups and downs. I kicked up my exercise, which is a good thing. On Thursday, I walked to work with a friend--it's two miles from my house. We were going to catch a ride home but decided we'd walk home too. It was a lot for someone who: one, doesn't exercise much; and two, has horrific feet. I've never been able to walk or stand much. In the last two years I've developed terrible plantar fascitis--for those of you who aren't familiar, let me explain it as severe and chronic pain in the heal and bottom of the foot. The only way for it to get better...rest your feet.

Well, I've had enough of not being able to do the easiest and most efficient exercise for losing weight. So, I said the heck with it and decided I'm going to walk as much as possible. Yes, I'm back on my Naprosin, fish oil, icing my feet and sleeping with a special splint for plantar fascitits, but as long as I can take it, I'm going to include walking in my routine.

I've also been using my Wii Fit almost daily. It's so much fun and I'm really enjoying the yoga. I always knew I was pretty flexible, but the yoga moves really add a strength element to it. Also, it feels like I'm doing something constructive with my flexibility. Yes, I know my muscles will extend and my joints can hyper-extend but now there are structured stretches/poses that feel so good to hold and move into. It's like my weird loose joints have finally found their calling, and it's yoga!

So, those are the good parts...then there were the less than good parts. I had a couple oopses with food. I've really been doing pretty well, but I found when temptation was placed within my grasp, I grasped. Part of the reason I decided to walk home on Thursday was due to the giant chicken quesadilla I ate for lunch. All that cheese and tortilla just sounded so encredibly good! I really have a cheese weakness. I've been doing well with my light string cheese for snacks but all that melty goodness on a toasted tortilla just got to me and I ate it all up.

If that were my one oops for the week, I'd feel okay, but that wasn't the end of it. Sunday I was sick and I felt really, really yucky. And somehow that justified eating a Sonic cheeseburger for lunch and an Arby's toasted sub for dinner. Those two meals alone exceeded the recommended daily calories I should have been eating. But on the bright side, I learned an important lesson--food is definitely a comfort issue for me. The thought of salad to go with my soar throat and headache was just unbearable. I wanted grease and cheese and bread. I felt better, momentarily, then my stomach hurt.

Like I said, it's been a week of ups and downs. But the biggest down that I'm proud of is the three pounds I'm down this week. I'm not sure how it happened in light of my multiple splurges, but I'm glad they didn't set me back too far. I can only assume the extra activity is kicking in. I know there will be a pateau coming soon. There always is. Especially, as I continue to work out and build up muscle. But for now, I'm celebrating my three pounds and continuing, undeterred on my path toward May 31st.

Thanks for keeping up with me. Please send me comments and e-mails for encouragement. They really help. Thanks!

Week 2 = 177 lbs (-13 pounds total)

Post for January 12, 2009

So, while I was tapping away at the keyboard, writing my last post to this blog both of my sons were up to no good.

As I was trying to catch up on the blog, Asher was standing next to me with one of the necklaces he and Cainan refer to as their "treasure" (it makes me feel better about letting them wear jewelry if they pretend they're pirates). Anyway, Asher was showing me how it went on his head, or around his neck or on his arm. He stretched the necklace across his mouth and said, "In my mouth." I immediately stopped typing and told him, "No, you know we don't put that in our mouths. That's not where it goes. It never goes in your mouth." He smiled at me and made it clear he was teasing me. "Yah, that would be silly," he said.

I left it at that and he went off in the other room to play. I went back to my busy little tapping on the keyboard, when a few minutes later I heard a cough. It wasn't a normal little throat-clearing cough. It was more of a I'm-gagging-and-choking-on-something-cough. "Asher, are you okay?" I jumped up from the keyboard to see what was going on. He met me in the hall with tears in his eyes. "I swallowed it." He said, looking bewildered and on the verge of hysteria. "What did you swallow? The necklace?" His giant teary eyes and slow nod affirmed what I had just guessed.

I asked him to take a deep breathe and he did. He was not choking. There was nothing more I could do for him at the moment. I went to head further into the living room so I could tell Joe to contact the doctor and ask for advice; that's when I saw Cainan.

Cainan was casually standing in the kitchen, his hand extended toward the counter where an angel food cake was sitting. Only now, there was only 2/3 of an angel food cake sitting there. He immediately straightened up and also took on the bewildered, huge-eyed, dear in the headlights gaze as he realized he'd been caught.

Again, what could I do? The cake was in his stomach. I sent him to his room for time out. Asher followed and put himself in time out even though I hadn't said a word to him after, "Why did you eat the necklace?!".

I poked my head into our bedroom and told Joe, "Asher just ate a necklace and Cainan ate half an angel food cake." Then I closed the door and walked back to their bedroom. I started with Cainain. I told him what he already knew, that he wasn't allowed to get food off the counter or eat anything without asking permission first. I kept him in time out for three more minutes and told him he'd lost his kitchen privileges for a week. The kitchen is now completely off limits to him.

Then I talked to Asher, once again, about the dangers of putting things in his mouth and how only food goes in his mouth. He was very serious and morose. He asked where the necklace was and I told him it was in his belly. I thought his eyes might pop out of his head.

Joe called the doctor and we learned that there was not much to do for the immediate future. We were to give him lots of "roughage" and plenty of fluids and bring him in on Monday. I mostly gave him fruit all day Sunday and pumped him full of juice. He's been pooping a lot, but so far, no necklace.

Today I took three hours off work. We went to the doctor, then to the lab so he could have blood work done to make sure the necklace did not have lead in it, then off for x-rays to make sure the necklace was passing through his gut. What did we find? Nothing. Nothing showed on the x-ray, which means there is no metal in his bowels. That means he either ate something else, non metallic or he choked on the necklace but coughed it out somewhere before I got to him and didn't know how else to explain it other than to say, "I swallowed it."

Either way, I hoped he learned his lesson. I know I certainly did. I wish I could say that I found half the angel food cake somewhere else, but I know that all went into Cainan's belly. I could have been worse, but I don't even want to think about that. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that he's not an average, everyday kid and I can't ever let my guard down. He goes into the kitchen numerous times a day to put away his plate, throw away trash, walk through it to find me in my room--whatever--and he never bothers a thing. Then, one evening he just decides an angel food cake sounds good. If it were any other kid, they'd still get in trouble but I wouldn't beat myself up about it too much. But I know how bad that is for Cainan.

So, I'm just going to have to try harder, for both of them. And that's probably why I'm typing away now that they're both in bed and I should be too. But I know my time with them needs to be spent with them and not blogging while they're doing untold things in the other room.

The lessons we have to learn over and over and over...

Post for January 12, 2009

So, while I was tapping away at the keyboard, writing my last post to this blog both of my sons were up to no good.

As I was trying to catch up on the blog, Asher was standing next to me with one of the necklaces he and Cainan refer to as their "treasure" (it makes me feel better about letting them wear jewelry if they pretend they're pirates). Anyway, Asher was showing me how it went on his head, or around his neck or on his arm. He stretched the necklace across his mouth and said, "In my mouth." I immediately stopped typing and told him, "No, you know we don't put that in our mouths. That's not where it goes. It never goes in your mouth." He smiled at me and made it clear he was teasing me. "Yah, that would be silly," he said.

I left it at that and he went off in the other room to play. I went back to my busy little tapping on the keyboard, when a few minutes later I heard a cough. It wasn't a normal little throat-clearing cough. It was more of a I'm-gagging-and-choking-on-something-cough. "Asher, are you okay?" I jumped up from the keyboard to see what was going on. He met me in the hall with tears in his eyes. "I swallowed it." He said, looking bewildered and on the verge of hysteria. "What did you swallow? The necklace?" His giant teary eyes and slow nod affirmed what I had just guessed.

I asked him to take a deep breathe and he did. He was not choking. There was nothing more I could do for him at the moment. I went to head further into the living room so I could tell Joe to contact the doctor and ask for advice; that's when I saw Cainan.

Cainan was casually standing in the kitchen, his hand extended toward the counter where an angel food cake was sitting. Only now, there was only 2/3 of an angel food cake sitting there. He immediately straightened up and also took on the bewildered, huge-eyed, dear in the headlights gaze as he realized he'd been caught.

Again, what could I do? The cake was in his stomach. I sent him to his room for time out. Asher followed and put himself in time out even though I hadn't said a word to him after, "Why did you eat the necklace?!".

I poked my head into our bedroom and told Joe, "Asher just ate a necklace and Cainan ate half an angel food cake." Then I closed the door and walked back to their bedroom. I started with Cainain. I told him what he already knew, that he wasn't allowed to get food off the counter or eat anything without asking permission first. I kept him in time out for three more minutes and told him he'd lost his kitchen privileges for a week. The kitchen is now completely off limits to him.

Then I talked to Asher, once again, about the dangers of putting things in his mouth and how only food goes in his mouth. He was very serious and morose. He asked where the necklace was and I told him it was in his belly. I thought his eyes might pop out of his head.

Joe called the doctor and we learned that there was not much to do for the immediate future. We were to give him lots of "roughage" and plenty of fluids and bring him in on Monday. I mostly gave him fruit all day Sunday and pumped him full of juice. He's been pooping a lot, but so far, no necklace.

Today I took three hours off work. We went to the doctor, then to the lab so he could have blood work done to make sure the necklace did not have lead in it, then off for x-rays to make sure the necklace was passing through his gut. What did we find? Nothing. Nothing showed on the x-ray, which means there is no metal in his bowels. That means he either ate something else, non metallic or he choked on the necklace but coughed it out somewhere before I got to him and didn't know how else to explain it other than to say, "I swallowed it."

Either way, I hoped he learned his lesson. I know I certainly did. I wish I could say that I found half the angel food cake somewhere else, but I know that all went into Cainan's belly. I could have been worse, but I don't even want to think about that. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that he's not an average, everyday kid and I can't ever let my guard down. He goes into the kitchen numerous times a day to put away his plate, throw away trash, walk through it to find me in my room--whatever--and he never bothers a thing. Then, one evening he just decides an angel food cake sounds good. If it were any other kid, they'd still get in trouble but I wouldn't beat myself up about it too much. But I know how bad that is for Cainan.

So, I'm just going to have to try harder, for both of them. And that's probably why I'm typing away now that they're both in bed and I should be too. But I know my time with them needs to be spent with them and not blogging while they're doing untold things in the other room.

The lessons we have to learn over and over and over...