I'm Still Here and Still on the Journey

Hello Friends and Family!
I am still here and still on the journey!! It's been a busy couple of weeks! I didn't get a chance to update last week.  I stepped on the scale last Wednesday and I didn't lose, and since I was preparing to leave for FL the next day, I didn't take the time to update my blog.

When I arrived in FL last Thursday evening, I was talking to my Mom about my weight loss and how it was getting a little frustrating since I have been exercising almost every single day, and even increasing the intensity.  She asked me what I eat in a typical day, and I told her that I was consuming quite a bit of fresh fruit.  Like almost living on it, because I LOVE fruit!  She suggested that I eliminate fruit just for 2 weeks and see if that makes a difference.  Maybe I was consuming too much natural sugar, which equals a lot of calories!  Well, I did as she said and I lost FIVE POUNDS this week!!!!

Who knows, it could be the way my crazy body works or it could be that I was, in fact, eating way too much fruit!  So, I will go another week without any fruit at all and then gradually add a small amount back into my diet.  She explained that fruit should always be eaten in small amounts, especially when trying to lose weight.

It's amazing the things I am learning as I continue this journey! 

Since June 1, I have lost 40 pounds!  I am feeling better than ever and SO thankful for your prayers!! God is so good and I continue to press on and let Him carry me through each day!

I Can Run!

Hello my friends and family!!
Well, I am down another one pound this week!  From everything I read and hear, slow and steady weight loss is the best way to lose and gives me a higher chance of keeping the weight off!  Honestly, one pound was a little sad since I ran 4 days this week so far!  I just keep telling myself that losing one pound is still a loss..and my plan is to live this new lifestyle for the rest of my life, so eventually I will hit my goal weight!

I am feeling amazing!  I've incorporated just a little more whole grain into my diet, just because I seem to get hungrier since I've been training for the 5k.

Last week on a very hectic day, and after not eating all day long, I came home at 8:30pm, famished and ready to eat everything in sight. I actually had a small dish of white pasta. (I know-shocking!)  I didn't want to do it, but I was feeling desperate, and it's what was available and I figured it was probably a better option than the ice cream in the freezer.  I ate it and honestly didn't even really enjoy it..I was wishing for fish and grilled veggies, really.  I also did not go into any type of self-condemnation at all.  If I would have done that then it would have been easy for me to spiral out of control and eat anything I wanted since I "failed" anyways..but I kept my head on straight.  I ate the pasta, and then got out of the kitchen and back to the work I was doing.  That's just my little confession..and I honestly felt like I had conquered something, really, because my biggest "temptation" has always been pasta, and to put it in my mouth and not want to eat the entire pan was serious progress for me!  I didn't even want more..I just wanted to fill my starving belly and get on with what I had to do the rest of the night!  However, what I should have done was to prepare myself for the day and made something healthy and kept it in the fridge for when I got home and taken healthy snacks with me to eat throughout the day.  Honestly, in the past couple of months I have learned to carry healthy snacks (fruit or veggies) with me if I am out and about, but on that particular day I just neglected to prepare myself for the day. 

I've also noticed that I do not look at my scriptures as often as I used to.  It became like second nature to me to just open up my notebook and recite verses during the day and especially when I felt cravings.  I am sad to say that I have not kept up with it as I should, and I have definitely noticed that I feel like I have more cravings..it is something I am going back to immediately.  I can never, ever think that I no longer need to rely on the Word of God.  It is what has sustained me throughout this journey and I cannot slack in this area at all.  My spiritual "diet" is far more important than my physical diet!

So that is my update for the week.  I covet your prayers as I continue this journey.  Every day is another opportunity to completely die to myself and become the self-disciplined woman that I am in Christ!  I'm also on week two on the couch to 5k training program, and am feeling unbelievable!! Thank you all for loving me and praying for me!!

And so the training begins...

Stepped on the scale this morning and lost another 2 pounds!  I was a bit nervous, since I ate way more cooked foods that I would have liked this past week.  I chose only healthy, whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat bread, but I found myself craving those carbs this week and it was making me a little nervous.  I'm learning to find a good balance in my diet.  Trying not to be afraid of food even if it is healthy and good for my body. 

So August 1st marked 2 months since I began this journey to wholeness.  33 pounds gone and I am amazed at the energy level I now have, as well as the increased endurance I now posses!  On Sunday, July 31, I began training for my very first 5k.  I am doing the 'couch to 5k' training program, and I will admit that I was very surprised that I was able to complete the first 2 days of the training schedule!  The 5k is scheduled for October 15, so with God by my side and consistent training over the next two months, I believe I can do this!  I know it's going to be very hard work, but I am up for the challenge and excited to meet this goal!

I am so thankful for your prayers and encouragement!  Please continue to pray for me as I tread down this path, holding the hand of my Savior, taking on new challenges and gaining new strength in Him.  I thank God for all He continues to do in my life.