I had some very encouraging words!

Today at my oldest son's soccer game, I ran into an old friend that I've not seen in something like sixteen years. He hugged me and said," Wow, you look thinner". Please keep in mind that the last time that he saw me was when I was in my early 20's, BEFORE I had any children. The boy had no idea about the impact of his words... I find myself extremely motivated again! I don't want to just skate by at my current size, I wanna get smaller!

Hi Guys...

HIP HIP HORRAY!!! Great Job Julie!!!

I am still here!! I check in every once in a while but haven't took time to journal or even remark to any posts. The one who is hurting from this is me. I have only lost 2.4 pounds in a month. The gym is still a faint memory of mine. I visted the doctors for my yearly exam and asked the doctor if I was ever going to get rid of this sickness. She said another 2 weeks. YUCK!! I told her that I was having a hard time getting back to the gym. DUH she said to get back there and just do what I can. Don't make excuses to not go. Even if I am only able to go 5-10 min on the tredmill that is more than I would have.

My goal is to be more commited to me....I am going to post more often and get back to the gym.
Thanks Jules for once again picking me up and getting me motivated.

More numbers to brag about!

I had Kristina measure me today. It has been 2 months since my last measurements. The results were pretty fun...In two months, I have lost 9 inches and 6.4 lbs. Here they are, the numbers in parenthesis are the total inches lost since Dec. '04. Considering that my waist used to be larger than my bust is now...I truly feel like the shrinking woman:

Bust 39.5 (-6.5)
Waist 34 (-11)
Abs 39 (-5.5)
Hips 41.75 (10.25)
Thigh 22.25(x2) (-9.5)
Arm 13(x2) (-4)

Difference: 271.5-224.75= 46.75 inches lost
Weight 169.4 Total lost since Dec. '04: 48.6 lbs.

I'm a little bit frightened!

My neighbor lady doesn't want to walk at stupid o'clock in the morning anymore. : ( She's getting too tired, and the weather is getting too cold. I've been LOVING getting the extra excercise, and I'm sorely going to miss it. We can't afford membership at the YMCA until probably December, ( as my hubby usually get a decent bonus). We had a free three time trial, which we loved. In fact, I'm still sore from playing volleyball with my honey two nights ago. I'm just afraid that I'm going to not be able to lose anymore without the extra excercise. I actually gained a few pounds while my mom was in the hospital, and my sister was visiting. I was able to lose them again however, which is really good. Maybe I should just start having some dance sessions with my kids, since the weather is turning icky, and it's getting dark early again. I could use some support, I still have like thirty pounds to lose. And the holidays are looming. It's been like 10 1/2 months since my life has really turned around. Almost a year! I was really wanting to make it to 85 pounds by my one year mark, which is January the 8th, my next wedding anniversary.

I am not lost...I have been set free.

This is where I have been. I spent the month of September planning the yearly women's retreat for my church which was the first weekend in October. (I did not gain nor did I lose but just maintained during that time and was still at the same weight) The retreat was so awsome and I came away renewed and refreshed. The shared with the speaker my struggles with overeating and the inability to stop. Weight Watchers was not working anymore. She shared this website with me http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/lords_table/ and how it had freed her from the sin of gluttony. ( I know, I hate that word but that is what it is and now that I can call it as such, it is so freeing to know what held me captive.)

This is a 60 day course in learning how to turn over to God all the feelings and emotions that I had used food for in the past. I had not said anything about it because I was afraid of another failure. But alas it is not so. Only God and God alone could bring about this change in me. I have white knuckled it through weightloss in the past so many times but now it is with God that I am only eating when I am hungry. The feelings to overeat still come (it has only been 14 days) but I have not given into the temptation rather I have filled my soul with scripture, praise, singing, and Bible Study.

I still have a long way to go as I have been an active sinner for many years and I have many bad habits to overcome but daily, walking with the Lord I am learning how to turn this over to the one who has overcome the world. If you are still white knuckling it or struggling as I was, come on over to the Lord's Table and learn to feast on HIM.

Memories....

Here is Julie and I in 2001

Back on track

Hello Ladies,
I am sorry that I have been MIA for the past couple of weeks. October is always a busy month for my family. We've had a couple of birthdays, a bout with a bad long lasting cold and a vacation. So needless to say, I kind of got off track this month. However, I am back now! After all the celebrating I put on 3 pounds and felt icky after not working out for 2 weeks. I decided to try Dr. Ian's (from celebrity fit club) 9 day detox diet. Just to clean out all the junk and get me feeling right again. I am on my second day. To tell you the truth it hasn't been that bad. You are suppose to eat 5 mini meals a day. I already do that, so it was just a matter of taking a way a few things that I normally eat. You basically eat, oatmeal, brown rice, fresh veggies, fruit, yogurt, non fat milk and beans for 9 days. I think the hardest thing has been not having caffeine. I was so slow this morning! So I did some aerobics to get the blood pumping and it worked! I will live. My goal is still to get to 199 by the end of this year. I have 21 pounds to go. I wish everyone continued success as you endeavor to meet your goals.
Smiles,
Kimiko

I broke into the 160's!!

Hallelujah! Even though I woke up with a sore throat and a stuffy head, the scale made me feel like a million bucks! 169.4!!! I did it! I hit the 160's!! I haven't been here since the year 2000! And I am 2.4 lbs away from my lowest weight ever! Can it be? Thanks to all of you for your undying support and encouragement! And thanks for being my biggest cheerleaders! I need every one of you!

Love, Jules

What was your lightbulb moment?

So I am trying to find ways to inspire me to get back on the weight loss wagon. Would all of you please share with me the moment that you said to yourself that you needed to lose weight? I'm also wondering what made this time different then all the other times you tried to lose weight and weren't successful at it?

Thanks for sharing and inspiring me
Coreen :)

Are you getting tired of before pictures yet?

February 2005, 218 lbs.
August 2005, 225 lbs.

October 2006, 170 lbs.

Tomorrow is Monday, ladies. The weekend is over, let's make it a great week! Who can drink the most water??? Who can set the highest workout hours? Who can overcome the biggest temptation??? I will be eagerly awaiting to hear some numbers from you all! Let's get with the program!

Jules

Yes I am alive

Okay the guilt of not posting and Julie's kind note have caused me to make amends with the computer and blog. I have been SLOWLY dropping a few pounds. I am down to 137.2 and pretty happy with that. My next big goal is to hit the 135 mark. About a week ago I was to have my body fat tested at the gym but I called and cancelled. I know, I know, I know..... however we had had a totally booked weekend and I so needed a break. Anyway, I promise to go this week and get measured. I need the info to make my next goals meaningful. Anyway- I have been reading you all just not posting lately. I recently had to remind myself to look back into my past so I could see how far I have come. I have lost 21.6 pounds so far. Now that doesn't sound like much when you look at Julie or Kristina but I am a small person and for me that is a lot of weight. Having said that I recently went to my freezer and grabbed the 20 pound turkey out it. I walked around a bit carrying that turkey. Wow, did that put things into perspective! So, I challenge you all to pick up the weight you have lost and remember what it felt like to carry around that weight. Then put it down the weight, walk away and smile! Sometimes looking back is a great way to fuel our engines so we can move forward. ( Now Jules and Kristina, don't go lifting 60+ pounds and hurting yourselves! You awesome chicks you!)
So to the gym I go this week. I still have to up my water intake and my vitamins are just not getting taken. Will check in again on Friday.
Jenny

HAD A BAD DAY

Hey akldjf jadp[fj amdf [pioawgft mal;doj

Where is everybody?

Hello....Girls! We miss hearing from you all! Amy? Tina? Tracy? Paige? Kimiko? SueAnne? Mandi? Corrine? Jodie? Sundee? Peggy? Jenny? Debbie? Jennifer? Mary? HELLO! How are you all doing? Have you lost your nerve? Have you gained a pound? Have you won a month's vacation to Australia? Do you need some fresh ideas and encouragement? Lets get blogging and walking with one another to the land of freedom, health, and pride in our accomplishments!

Love, Jules

I've been bit by the excersise bug!

I took the boys back to the YMCA yesterday, to redeem another of our free visits. And let me tell you, I tore up the stationary bike this time. I did TWENTY miles you guys, in 55 minutes, on a moderate setting. I felt awesome afterwards, and a bit stinky too. : ) I've never done anything like it before. Yeah for me!!

I'm a wee bit tired this mornin'!

I'm already ready pretty worn out from my sister's visit from Atlanta, (she was here a week). Between her being here, helping my mom who had some major surgery a couple of weeks ago, and running my own household, I've been a very busy girl. Well, yesterday I went for my two mile walk at 5:15 am with my neighbor, then went straight to Curves for my strength training. Came home, tried to get caught up on my own housework. Loaded the boys up, went to Whidbey Island to help my mom out for the afternoon. Came back across, did my grocery shopping. Just finished putting the last can on the pantry shelf when my hubby got home, about an hour earlier than he usually does. So we had this marvelous idea to use the free pass to the YMCA. Which we did, AFTER we got Willem some tennis shoes. Willem and I played racket ball for about forty minutes, and then we went to town on the stationary bikes. We both did about 7 miles. And of course we had to compete with each other. (I let him win). Not really, he's an excellent cyclelist. But man, by the time I took my shower... it was practically bed time. I tried to stay awake to watch the Biggest Loser, but fell asleep! And now my right arm is complaining from playing racket ball. It feels good to be sore from excercising though, really good.

Rededicated...

to drinking water and staying on the move. I've been slacking lately, and it shows.

I will NOT let all of my hard work go to waste, especially not before the holidays.

To keep this pact, I have decided to dangle a sizeable carrot in front of myself. If I reach (and maintain) my goal before then, I am going to splurge and fly out to Washington for the New Year's Revolution lunch. If I don't make it, then I'll have to delay until the Spring Fling. But since I'm dying to meet everyone, this should be pretty good motivation to keep (get me back?) in gear.

Hope everything is well with everyone else. I don't know whether it is just me, but it seems everyone has been so busy lately - but I'm proud of all of you for still checking in!

Love,
Lisa

Photo updates

RaeElise took this photo of me and Reese at Jennings Park on Friday. Look at those narrow shoulders! Is that really me?
This morning, before church, I got lots of wows from this outfit. It is my pair of Banana Republic wool pants I found at Value Village for $5.75 and a sweater set that used to me my tiny mother in law's, Queenlivalot! I felt gorgeous, professional, and a bit wealthier than I really am!



The differences between my walking away silhouette in these two pictures is amazing to me.


There is definately less of me to love now. Feels good! It feels so good to be healthy and confident. Hope these photos can inspire someone today. They have already re-inspired me!

Small step for some, HUGE LEAP for Elicia

Many of you know that I've been trying to increase my endurance. I'm not big on working out and equitation has become my physical therapy.

After ONE YEAR of learning, riding and working I have finally been able to go cross country schooling. Now, I'd never heard of that before a year ago, so check it out here if you want more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_equestrianism

I describe more of my experience on my blog, but I wanted to sare with you a big success for me.

The reason I'm trying to get fitter, is embarassingly enough - NOT for much else but to be able to have more fun. I'd like to have a real pretty zen/philosophical/healthy/insightful story to tell about my weight loss/health journey. Its as simple as simple as wanting to have fun :-)

I have NOT lost any weight in the past week. I have NOT gained any either. I'm just kinda here.
But, I'm so pumped from being able to school that I am motivated to keep doing my isometrics and weights. A fellow rider is going to lend me her Pilates CDs so I can check them out.

Thanks for listening ...

I'm a JUMPER!

A wonderful comparison!

The last time that I saw my sister, was fifteen months ago, when we went to Atlanta for vacation. Well, she's here now for a few days to help out with my mom. And I must say... I'm SOOOOO glad that I got my butt back to the gym!

Thank you

Hello Ladies,
Thank you for the b-day wishes. I had a real nice birthday this year. My hubby took me to the Orgeon coast and we stayed in Lincoln city for a couple of days and then went out with family and friends for dinner on my actual birthday day. I have been sick for the past few days and haven't worked out in about week. With all the celebrating I've put on a couple of pounds. I am a little bummed but I know I won't be staying at this weight. Once I have my health back I will get back on the wagon. I really want to meet the goal of 199 pounds by the end of the year. I find fall and winter a little harder to stay away from heavier foods. I tend to want to cook more dishes with potatoes and pasta. I want to use creams and gravies. So we will see how this season goes.

Quote of the week...

100_3832, originally uploaded by willemkristina@verizon.net.

It's always a little odd to me when I see a photo of myself where there is actually part of my bone visible. I suppose this is proof that my working out is truly working!
Anyhow, last night as we were saying goodnight, my husband kissed me, and then put his hand on my hip, as I was laying on my side. And this is what he said; ' Wow, I can really tell that you've gotten smaller! I can feel your hip bone.' Yeah, I have to admit, that was sweet music to these 38 year old ears. : )

Serious Aim...

Today I had a lesson riding a horse.
Tuckered me out.

Friday I get to go on my first cross country lesson - this is a huge step for me.

But today, I'm tuckered.

Hey - tell me, how do some of you keep yourself from compromising your good efforts from a workout by saying, "I worked hard today...I can afford a _____"

How are you all keeping aim?

Tina (Pink Slippers) is celebrating a birthday today!

Oh, my sweet Tina, you are such a dear, dear lady. You are such an encourager and you have much wisdom and joy to impart to all who know you. Be blessed today and each day of the coming year. Revel in the gifts God has given you in your family, your health and your faith. We are so proud of you, on this blog. Keep up the hard work, Karate chopping your way to success and dancing your way into the courts of our King!

Love you much,
Jules

Happiest of birthdays to our Kimiko!

We are all so proud of all you have accomplished and of all you are! You are a sweet, determined, faithful woman of God and we all rejoice in the anniversary of your birth! Be blessed this year, my friend!

Love, Jules

New Focus

Hello everyone,
The good news is I weighed in and I weigh what my ticker says I way (no gain, no loss). One too many mocha fraps make me relieved at not gaining.

I have a new focus for the month of October. I have been bombing out on journaling and counting calories. This has been my focus. Just kept thinking I could "get back to it". But I would wake up off to a good start most days (I keep it right on the kitchen counter by the fridge), but usually not finish the day's journal although I would log all my water, vitamins, and workouts. However, a solid month of failing at my main goal (journaling) was really getting me down and tempting me to give up. Plus, my pendulum swings wide ladies. Walking the path of my own strength leads me to legalism or license.

So my focus for October is to lay off the Mocha fraps (none this week:), maintain my water intake and workouts 4-5 times a week. I am shifting my focus only. My exercise routine has needed some beefing up. For the food I consume, I am focusing on my body as God's temple and speaking to Him before, during, and after everything I eat. So I guess He is my journal this month. This has been very freeing and powerful, since this whole journey is my thorn in the flesh anyway. But I became convicted that I was trying to operate in my own strength and needed to press into the Lord or lose my mind. I am only eating when my body is hungry, and stopping before I am full. (This is harder than it sounds).

God bless you all!
SueAnne

I'm pretty sressed out, please pray!

My mom had some major surgery on Wednesday, and her recovery thus far has been touch and go. She's at a hospital just a few miles from my home,(fortunately). But I've also spent about 15 hours at the hospital the last two days. I am tired, I am worried, and I'm eating more than I should. Please pray that I would have the grace to help her with her recovery. And please pray for her, that she would not get any type of infection. Her name is Katie. Thanks guys!

Wow! More respect to you!

Ok ladies,

I've been working on this weight goal for ONE week now and I have to say, I admire you all more now than ever.

I have been confronted on every turn with opportunities to make bad choices - and gee, the way to a huge waistline is WIDE!

I just wanted to say that I'm glad some of you have already made a series of AWESOME CHOICES because it makes it easier for me.

WHAT ONE MAN CAN DO, ANOTHER CAN DO!

So far, I can boast of seeing some TWO pounds gone. Although I know that's not huge, for me it gives me enough motivation to keep going. I don't want those painful "No, I'll eat a carrot" choices to go to waste (or waist).

So, I guess I wanted to say THANK YOU and you ladies ROCK.

Wednesdays are now my new ME day!

Hello everyone~

I know I haven't posted in a LONG time but I wanted to share some of my news with all of you. My mind set hasn't been with losing weight since June. I knew something else was going on so I started seeing a counselor. Last week he gave me an assignment that I had to pick one day a week that was going to be for me and during this day I am going make healthy choices when I eat and I am going to work out. So I have picked Wednesdays to do this and tomorrow will be my first day. (Give me the strenght!)

You would think that since I work around people trying to lose weight that this would be easier for me. I think it has actually had a negative effect on me. I hear people making excuses about their weight loss so much. I think it's time to find a new job and focus on myself now. So I will update everyone on my Wednesday :)

Coreen

4.6 pounds gone

That is right....4.6, a little thanks goes to the dreadful sickness I am still getting over. The headache flu is the worst flu I have ever had. Now I am just coughing alot. It makes it hard to do cardio. I went for a walk at lunch and ended up coughing the rest of the afternoon. SO I was going to just do a little strength training and a man ended up having a heart attack/siezure or something right in front of me. I was so scared for him. The ambulance came and my daughter Merissa was in the child care part of the gym, someone said that I should get her out of there and so I did. I felt so weird about everything. I didn't know what to do to help the man and I didn't know if I should stay and work out or just leave....so I left. Now I am feeling guilty I didn't work out at all. Would you all please pray for this man...I can't stop thinking about how he is doing.

Tomorrow night I will rehit the gym. GO TEAM!

No goal = No progress

For the last three weeks I have seemed to be stuck at about 139. I will fluctuate a few ounces but I pretty much stay right around that weight. To be honest I have been a little relaxed about my program. I haven't been journaling much and I have been dipping into the "I want to eat that" pile of foods. At the same time I am getting up in the morning and putting on my jeans and thinking, " Dang I look good!" My size 8 jeans have also been helping the ego out a little bit too. So I found myself conflicted. On the one hand I feel and look pretty darn good, on the other hand I am 10 pounds away from my goal weight. Then it dawns on me. Time for a re-evaluation of the goals. When I started out on this journey I had a certain body shape in my mind as a goal. I applied a weight that I thought was in the ball park of that shape but I honestly don't know what my goal weight is. A year or so ago I spent some time with a personal trainer at a gym. He told me that if I dipped below 136 on the scales I would be giving up muscle instead of fat. This floored me as I am only 5'3" and to think that I could weigh 136 pounds and still look good was a little hard for me to believe. I do have a nice 1 to 1 1/2" layer of Fat on my tummy and hips. I want that gone- but I don't know how much that weighs. So.... long story short- It is hard to aim for something when you don't have a target. I can see how the last few weeks of me being stuck at 139 have been me not knowing where to go next. I have a knew goal to drop an additional 5 pounds of pure body FAT! I want to have my body fat measured by a pro and then start kicking up the workouts. I am not so focused on my goal weight I am focused on my next goal. So, I will once again re-evaluate when I hit 135. If I am at about 23% body fat by then, I could just call that good! It is nice to have a target once again. I can already feel the motivation building back up. I have had little goals all along the way and my last goal-to get into the 130's- came and I never set a new one! What a reminder that life is journey and not a destination! Ultimately, if I fit in a 6 or 8 jean, if I could wear a bikini (even though I won't), and if the majority of the dimples I have are on my face and not my belly or butt- then I will be happy!


P.S. I just wanted to send a huge cyber hug out to all of you that I met at the Fall Frolic. What a bunch of inspiring, beautiful, courageous, wise women you are. It is an honor to learn from you and right along with you, how to take care of ourselves and to meet our goals!

Jenny

Lessons from the Three Little Pigs

Okay...So in the childhood story of the three little pigs, we see how these piggy siblings choose to build their houses. One chooses straw as his material, one chooses sticks, and the last chooses bricks. I was thinking about this as an analogy about what we "build" our bodies with, food wise. As a child, I had always wondered at how anyone could believe that straw would make a good material for a home, a shelter. What was that piggy thinking, anyway? Well, what are WE thinking when we choose white bread over 100% whole wheat? When we choose High Fructose Corn Syrup over honey? When we choose a Mocha Frap over an apple? What are we building our bodies with, ladies? What are we building our muscles and our immune systems with?

And who, in our analogy is the Big Bad Wolf? Cancer? Fatigue? Heart Disease? Depression? Anxiety?

Let's all get serious this week and think about all that we are building our physical houses with. Let's live consciencly and fully and lets give our body the advantage of good, healthy building blocks!

So who's afraid of the big bad wolf? La, la, la, la, la!

Love you all,
Jules