Well, I always make the promise that I'll write once a month. Then one month turns into more than one...
Some changes have happened since I last wrote: but I guess the biggest one is that I am back on Weight Watchers. It is a plan that works for me and I don't feel deprived. And I'm losing. Been back on it for 25 weeks and averaging 1.1 pound per week. That's safe and it's doable and that's 26.4 pounds that I do not have to have again. Actually the first time I did WW back in 2008 I was 12 pounds heavier at the start: so I am 38.4 pounds lighter than I was in August 2008. I'm looking at less than 40 pounds to go but I'll make that call when I get there.
I'm also thinking about going back to school for another graduate degree - I have my reasons and I'm not quite ready to share them yet, but if I'm going to do it, I have to make my decision pretty soon.
So - those are both a matter of personal prayer requests for me. I'll try (not promising) to be more regular here for my one reader. I know she has been wringing her hands with worry over my absence. haha
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, August 29, 2009
FIFTY ONE!!!!!!!
Wow. After 55 weeks on weight watchers, I have lost 51 pounds. I still 30+ to go, but that decision will be made as I approach that goal. It has been one of the best and hardest things I have ever done.
It is good for me to go back and look at old pictures and see where I was. I am not happy with that woman I see from a year ago. I loved her and she was mostly happy. But she was not healthy and not being disciplined and self-controlled. But I do not dwell on that time. It is time to continue moving forward on this journey towards health. I still have a LOT to learn. I can do more for myself, but it is taking baby steps.
On another note, also health related, I'm not feeling so great.
The manufacturer of one of my thyroid meds changed the formulation by changing the fillers and thousands of patients on this thyroid medicine are becoming ill again. Fortunately, I am on two medications for my thyroid, so I don't have such severe effects, but this is the medication that completes the package for me and helps me focus mentally and gives me energy. I knew I needed a tweaking back in the spring and early summer because my voice is giving me problems, but then I got some of the "new" medicine and then crashed. Then got wired. Now I'm heading towards another crash.
What gets me is that this medication was reformulated and the manufacturer told NO ONE. It took patients calling and complaining for them to say, Oh, we just changed the composition of the fillers. Well, freaking yay. Look Mr. Manufacturer your brilliant decision is making people sick. Fiber and this med don't mix and messes with the absorption of it... they DOUBLED the cellulose. Yup. Fiber. GRRRR.
Okay I'm going to post a gratuitous after 51 pound picture now. Thanks for letting me vent and supporting me on this journey.
It is good for me to go back and look at old pictures and see where I was. I am not happy with that woman I see from a year ago. I loved her and she was mostly happy. But she was not healthy and not being disciplined and self-controlled. But I do not dwell on that time. It is time to continue moving forward on this journey towards health. I still have a LOT to learn. I can do more for myself, but it is taking baby steps.
On another note, also health related, I'm not feeling so great.
The manufacturer of one of my thyroid meds changed the formulation by changing the fillers and thousands of patients on this thyroid medicine are becoming ill again. Fortunately, I am on two medications for my thyroid, so I don't have such severe effects, but this is the medication that completes the package for me and helps me focus mentally and gives me energy. I knew I needed a tweaking back in the spring and early summer because my voice is giving me problems, but then I got some of the "new" medicine and then crashed. Then got wired. Now I'm heading towards another crash.
What gets me is that this medication was reformulated and the manufacturer told NO ONE. It took patients calling and complaining for them to say, Oh, we just changed the composition of the fillers. Well, freaking yay. Look Mr. Manufacturer your brilliant decision is making people sick. Fiber and this med don't mix and messes with the absorption of it... they DOUBLED the cellulose. Yup. Fiber. GRRRR.
Okay I'm going to post a gratuitous after 51 pound picture now. Thanks for letting me vent and supporting me on this journey.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Post campmeeting thoughts
I love campmeeting - outdoor church with the church family and dynamic speaking and inspiring music. I love it.
I love campmeeting food - fried chicken and corn pudding and cake and cookies and brownies and and and... But I didn't eat any of that. I had lean meat, green beans, salad, some great shredded zucchini with spinach thingie (oh so yummy) and the occasional brownie and ice cream (thanks Robin). Oh and I still lost 0.4 pounds :)
It was proof to me that one bite of things like corn pudding and hash brown casserole are enough for me to feel like I've had campmeeting food. Proof to me that I have learned how to eat healthy. Proof to me that God has given me more strength than I thought I had.
I still haven't reach my elusive 50 pounds lost. Only 2.2 pounds to go for that and then another 30 or so after that. I readjusted my loss time line and I'm really okay with it. It took me well over 2 years to gain all this week, so I believe getting to goal in 2 years is pretty wonderful. The fact is this: I am more healthy now than I have been in the last 10 years. My 16 year old daughter is proud of me - how awesome is that! My husband is proud of me - even more awesome. My 13 year old son is clueless .... HAHAHA. I'd like to think my Mama is applauding me in heaven and that I have inspired someone to care about their own health.
In 2 weeks I will celebrate (yes, celebrate) a year on this journey. I don't know how I will celebrate but I know it will include a manicure, no cake, and probably something delicious made with spinach :)
Life is good. I am blessed.
I love campmeeting food - fried chicken and corn pudding and cake and cookies and brownies and and and... But I didn't eat any of that. I had lean meat, green beans, salad, some great shredded zucchini with spinach thingie (oh so yummy) and the occasional brownie and ice cream (thanks Robin). Oh and I still lost 0.4 pounds :)
It was proof to me that one bite of things like corn pudding and hash brown casserole are enough for me to feel like I've had campmeeting food. Proof to me that I have learned how to eat healthy. Proof to me that God has given me more strength than I thought I had.
I still haven't reach my elusive 50 pounds lost. Only 2.2 pounds to go for that and then another 30 or so after that. I readjusted my loss time line and I'm really okay with it. It took me well over 2 years to gain all this week, so I believe getting to goal in 2 years is pretty wonderful. The fact is this: I am more healthy now than I have been in the last 10 years. My 16 year old daughter is proud of me - how awesome is that! My husband is proud of me - even more awesome. My 13 year old son is clueless .... HAHAHA. I'd like to think my Mama is applauding me in heaven and that I have inspired someone to care about their own health.
In 2 weeks I will celebrate (yes, celebrate) a year on this journey. I don't know how I will celebrate but I know it will include a manicure, no cake, and probably something delicious made with spinach :)
Life is good. I am blessed.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
What you've all been waiting for...
Now that I have your attention, I don't really have anything!!
Weight Watcher is going well and I have switched to the Simply Filling Technique, where I do not count points but focus on my satisfaction when I eat. Certain foods I do not have to count points for if they are fruits, veggies, lean protein and healthy oils. It is a very clean way to eat, with no processed foods, and I've been doing this for 2 weeks and it hasn't been hard.
I think I really needed to just shake things up a little.
My last picture was when I lost 45 pounds, and I haven't lost significantly more than that, but when I hit 50 I promise more pictures. I am anxious to be "finished" but I will never be able to go back to the way I used to be and eat. I would gain every pound back and more and I want so much to be healthy forever and to be the first generation to avoid the diabetes curse.
Weight Watcher is going well and I have switched to the Simply Filling Technique, where I do not count points but focus on my satisfaction when I eat. Certain foods I do not have to count points for if they are fruits, veggies, lean protein and healthy oils. It is a very clean way to eat, with no processed foods, and I've been doing this for 2 weeks and it hasn't been hard.
I think I really needed to just shake things up a little.
My last picture was when I lost 45 pounds, and I haven't lost significantly more than that, but when I hit 50 I promise more pictures. I am anxious to be "finished" but I will never be able to go back to the way I used to be and eat. I would gain every pound back and more and I want so much to be healthy forever and to be the first generation to avoid the diabetes curse.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
AWOL
So I haven't posted in a heap long time. Sorry bout that.
Well, I'm continuing to be a loser... although a smaller loser... but losing still.
As of last Saturday it was 45 pounds, hopefully this Saturday will show more for me.
DH and I took a little trip to NC during Spring Break and I've got a couple of head shots. You can really see the loss in my face now. I look quite different.
Well I hope you enjoyed this edition of "Sarah is shrinking."
Well, I'm continuing to be a loser... although a smaller loser... but losing still.
As of last Saturday it was 45 pounds, hopefully this Saturday will show more for me.
DH and I took a little trip to NC during Spring Break and I've got a couple of head shots. You can really see the loss in my face now. I look quite different.
Well I hope you enjoyed this edition of "Sarah is shrinking."
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Half way done...
I saw a former student on Thursday who almost didn't recognize me. That was so cool. Down 42.8 pounds... I'm going through clothes like crazy. And loving the shopping thing.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
This is no secret... so shout it loud
I have lost 42 pounds since August! I have 43 more to go, so I'm almost half way done.
I'm adding the picture to my slide show that you can find in the margin here but I thought I'd do a little before and after...
I'm adding the picture to my slide show that you can find in the margin here but I thought I'd do a little before and after...
Monday, January 19, 2009
Inspiration
I've spent my day off being utterly lazy but reading the blogs of people on the same journey I am on - namely weight loss.
Some of them are pretty depressing, actually. But our stories aren't so different. Some of us have a genetic predisposition for gaining weight, having inherited sorry metabolisms from our grandmothers and mothers - hello, diabetes? You are NOT invited to my house. Thanks, and buh-bye.
But also connected to our stories is how we have perpetuated our own demise, weight-wise, by continuing the bad habits taught to us by our fore-mothers. Interesting that fathers never come up in these stories? The only food I ever connect with my Daddy was his overly burnt barbeque chicken he always made. I thought it was mighty tasty but definitely not the comfort food my maternal grandmother (a diabetic) made. Oh how I miss her chicken and dumplings. And her, too. I miss her. But I digress.
There is also a turning point (hence the name of this blog) where we truly see ourselves in our completely unhealthy lives and know something has to give. I have been praying to lose weight for years. Then I got sick - with a metabolic chronic illness and gained even more weight. 35 pounds over the course of almost 4 years. You know what? At least 20 of those I put on myself through my own stupidity. Then my prayers changed - "heal me" what ever form that is and a transformation began.
First it began in my heart. I developed compassion for those with chronic illness, including my diabetic mother. To understand her, I needed to walk her path (or at least part of it).
I learned what real, unabating pain was like. It goes beneath the physical into your emotions, into your soul.
Then I began completely trusting God for my healing. Yes, I still take my medication and see the chiropractor for my pain, because He provided those for me so I can live a complete and whole life. BAM! Blessings began to pour out on my head. And I continued to gain weight.
When I became obvious that this was the last part of my healing - I prayed once again. Show me the way and I can't do this by myself. On that day, after much overindulgence, I marched myself to this laptop and signed up for Weight Watchers online. No meetings! I can do it in the comfort of my own home and on my own scale. So for 5 1/2 months I have been following this lifestyle.
Lifestyle, you say? Yes. This is not a diet. This is a live-it. I will need to live like this the rest of my life. And I am so happy to do it. I had to accept that when I get to my goal I will need to modify this live-it to maintain my weight, but I can never go back to the way I was. Why not? Because it was killing me. God made me for a higher purpose than that. My husband deserves it. My kids deserve it. And I deserve it.
My daily prayer? "Lord Jesus I need you today to help me make the right choices." It goes beyond food. But food is part of it. With His help, I will make it and I will honor Him while I do it.
Some of them are pretty depressing, actually. But our stories aren't so different. Some of us have a genetic predisposition for gaining weight, having inherited sorry metabolisms from our grandmothers and mothers - hello, diabetes? You are NOT invited to my house. Thanks, and buh-bye.
But also connected to our stories is how we have perpetuated our own demise, weight-wise, by continuing the bad habits taught to us by our fore-mothers. Interesting that fathers never come up in these stories? The only food I ever connect with my Daddy was his overly burnt barbeque chicken he always made. I thought it was mighty tasty but definitely not the comfort food my maternal grandmother (a diabetic) made. Oh how I miss her chicken and dumplings. And her, too. I miss her. But I digress.
There is also a turning point (hence the name of this blog) where we truly see ourselves in our completely unhealthy lives and know something has to give. I have been praying to lose weight for years. Then I got sick - with a metabolic chronic illness and gained even more weight. 35 pounds over the course of almost 4 years. You know what? At least 20 of those I put on myself through my own stupidity. Then my prayers changed - "heal me" what ever form that is and a transformation began.
First it began in my heart. I developed compassion for those with chronic illness, including my diabetic mother. To understand her, I needed to walk her path (or at least part of it).
I learned what real, unabating pain was like. It goes beneath the physical into your emotions, into your soul.
Then I began completely trusting God for my healing. Yes, I still take my medication and see the chiropractor for my pain, because He provided those for me so I can live a complete and whole life. BAM! Blessings began to pour out on my head. And I continued to gain weight.
When I became obvious that this was the last part of my healing - I prayed once again. Show me the way and I can't do this by myself. On that day, after much overindulgence, I marched myself to this laptop and signed up for Weight Watchers online. No meetings! I can do it in the comfort of my own home and on my own scale. So for 5 1/2 months I have been following this lifestyle.
Lifestyle, you say? Yes. This is not a diet. This is a live-it. I will need to live like this the rest of my life. And I am so happy to do it. I had to accept that when I get to my goal I will need to modify this live-it to maintain my weight, but I can never go back to the way I was. Why not? Because it was killing me. God made me for a higher purpose than that. My husband deserves it. My kids deserve it. And I deserve it.
My daily prayer? "Lord Jesus I need you today to help me make the right choices." It goes beyond food. But food is part of it. With His help, I will make it and I will honor Him while I do it.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Finally made it to 35 pounds off!!
23 weeks ago this was me
This is me now
Okay so let me apologize in advance for the au naturale appearance of my face. I'm having a lazy day and didn't want to fool with much makeup. :)
Today I reached a mini-goal of sorts. This is where the last 50 pounds and the hardest part of this battle begins. I cannot remember the last time I was at this weight - I've got to believe that it is somewhere around 8 years. I know that is has been more than five.
But I feel good and I am happy and I know that I am honoring God with the way I am treating my body. And being down 35 pounds definitely doesn't hurt!
This is me now
Okay so let me apologize in advance for the au naturale appearance of my face. I'm having a lazy day and didn't want to fool with much makeup. :)
Today I reached a mini-goal of sorts. This is where the last 50 pounds and the hardest part of this battle begins. I cannot remember the last time I was at this weight - I've got to believe that it is somewhere around 8 years. I know that is has been more than five.
But I feel good and I am happy and I know that I am honoring God with the way I am treating my body. And being down 35 pounds definitely doesn't hurt!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Not 35 pounds yet... but very soon.
I'll be posting pictures when I get there in my fat pants and then in a new outfit.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Bad Little Blogger :)
That's me.
So no update in a while but I've got a very good excuse.
Well, actually I don't... haha
Still doing the weight watchers thing. Honestly, the holidays were very difficult to stay on top of and I did manage to escape relatively unscathed. I don't have any new pictures right now because I don't look much different that I did before.
I think when I hit 35 pounds, which I'm pretty close to, I'll do it then. I'm glad to be back in the school routine because it really helps. It also helps that my DH bought me a small frig and microwave for my classroom and I can keep good stuff in it for meals and snacks. Isn't he THE BEST??
The new year brings a new perspective for me. I am healthier. I am happier. I am beginning to enjoy what I see in the mirror - but I still have a long way to go. But at least I am going.
So no update in a while but I've got a very good excuse.
Well, actually I don't... haha
Still doing the weight watchers thing. Honestly, the holidays were very difficult to stay on top of and I did manage to escape relatively unscathed. I don't have any new pictures right now because I don't look much different that I did before.
I think when I hit 35 pounds, which I'm pretty close to, I'll do it then. I'm glad to be back in the school routine because it really helps. It also helps that my DH bought me a small frig and microwave for my classroom and I can keep good stuff in it for meals and snacks. Isn't he THE BEST??
The new year brings a new perspective for me. I am healthier. I am happier. I am beginning to enjoy what I see in the mirror - but I still have a long way to go. But at least I am going.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Okay ... 13 weeks.
I can scarcely believe I have been doing this for 1/4 of a year. It seems like a long time, but then not. So, as of today I am down 26.6 pounds. My birthday is next week and I wanted to be down 25 pounds by then, so I am ahead of schedule.
I have added a slide show over in the side bar so you can see my progress. It is amazing to me to see these photos and how much 26.6 pounds have made on my body - not to mention my emotions and soul.
God is really blessing me right now to the point it is difficult to express in words. This was an emotionally difficult week, and I'm not just talking about the election. Wednesday was my mother's birthday and the week before was the anniversary of her death. I never know how I am going to feel, but I did not feed my emotions with food. I fed them with my friends and laughter and God.
So thank you God, for sending your Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen me.
I have added a slide show over in the side bar so you can see my progress. It is amazing to me to see these photos and how much 26.6 pounds have made on my body - not to mention my emotions and soul.
God is really blessing me right now to the point it is difficult to express in words. This was an emotionally difficult week, and I'm not just talking about the election. Wednesday was my mother's birthday and the week before was the anniversary of her death. I never know how I am going to feel, but I did not feed my emotions with food. I fed them with my friends and laughter and God.
So thank you God, for sending your Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen me.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Sniff*Sneeze*Hack*Cough*Wicked
Oh a have a cold, darn it. And I saw Wicked last night. Oh, yeah, baby. It was fabulous - even my 12 year old DS loved it. And DH loved it, too.
Well I promised pictures of the weight loss project today, but the nose is so red it will be like a beacon in any picture, so I'm going to wait until next week, when hopefully I will have reached the 25 pound mark - only 0.8 to go. I've been on WW for 12 weeks and only one of those weeks I had a gain, so I'm pretty happy. Hormones are really crazy things and make you gain even when you've been good.
So I'm going to work on my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow and hopefully I won't drip on it. Eww.
Well I promised pictures of the weight loss project today, but the nose is so red it will be like a beacon in any picture, so I'm going to wait until next week, when hopefully I will have reached the 25 pound mark - only 0.8 to go. I've been on WW for 12 weeks and only one of those weeks I had a gain, so I'm pretty happy. Hormones are really crazy things and make you gain even when you've been good.
So I'm going to work on my Sunday School lesson for tomorrow and hopefully I won't drip on it. Eww.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Drum Roll please
..........................
(that was the drum roll)
22 pounds down!
I have now lost 10% of my starting body weight!
Whoo!
New pictures coming in two weeks!
(that was the drum roll)
22 pounds down!
I have now lost 10% of my starting body weight!
Whoo!
New pictures coming in two weeks!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Progress is a good thing
Almost 20 pounds down. Pretty happy with that and I've been cleaning my closet of clothes that no longer fit. Happier with that.
A lot of things are going well right now in Sarah's land.
A lot of things are going well right now in Sarah's land.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Warning: the following may either disturb or inspire you
These are my comparison pictures:
June 20, 2008
Today - 16.8 pounds lighter after 8 weeks on Weight Watchers:
I was very happy today to NEED to buy new pants. Those jeans I am wearing in the second picture, I will be using for my comparison photos as I lose weight. I will keep them forever to remind me where I once was. I will be taking pictures about every 8 - 9 weeks, as that seems to be how long it takes before I go down a size (which I'm good with).
Thanks for you prayers and support. I am feeling great.
June 20, 2008
Today - 16.8 pounds lighter after 8 weeks on Weight Watchers:
I was very happy today to NEED to buy new pants. Those jeans I am wearing in the second picture, I will be using for my comparison photos as I lose weight. I will keep them forever to remind me where I once was. I will be taking pictures about every 8 - 9 weeks, as that seems to be how long it takes before I go down a size (which I'm good with).
Thanks for you prayers and support. I am feeling great.
Friday, October 3, 2008
October is beautiful
I just love the autumn season. Some of my favorite events happen in autumn, my birthday, my sister's birthday, and many other family birthdays. Oh and Thanksgiving!! This is my favorite family event by far. I reconnect with family on that day and we feast and fellowship and tell tales. We laugh, but don't cry ever, and hugging is only done when necessary - which is seldom. But we are good with that - it's how we are as a family. I absolutely cannot wait for Thanksgiving.
Okay news I know you've been waiting for: On August 9th, I joined Weight Watchers online. It was just time to take care of myself and my weight was/is getting out of control. Online suits me because I hate meetings. HATE THEM. It is working incredibly well for me. In 8 weeks I have lost 16-17 pounds. Tomorrow I will know officially because I weigh on Saturdays.
My goal is to have a minimum of 85 pounds off by New Year's Day 2010. It is certainly achievable. So be looking for some progress pictures. My daughter the photographer will be shooting my scary body every two months or so. So Saturday is 8 weeks and I guess a photo shoot is in order. We will be using a pair of jeans that I will keep forever.
Have a great day.
Okay news I know you've been waiting for: On August 9th, I joined Weight Watchers online. It was just time to take care of myself and my weight was/is getting out of control. Online suits me because I hate meetings. HATE THEM. It is working incredibly well for me. In 8 weeks I have lost 16-17 pounds. Tomorrow I will know officially because I weigh on Saturdays.
My goal is to have a minimum of 85 pounds off by New Year's Day 2010. It is certainly achievable. So be looking for some progress pictures. My daughter the photographer will be shooting my scary body every two months or so. So Saturday is 8 weeks and I guess a photo shoot is in order. We will be using a pair of jeans that I will keep forever.
Have a great day.
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