15 Weeks into my Journey to Optimal Health

Wow! Has it actually been 15 weeks since I started this journey? Honestly, it does not seem that long. I have had my ups and downs and my temptations, but I honestly have not broken any of my guidelines. I have DREAMED about it, lol, a couple of times but I am feeling so much better and happy with the results that I want to see this thru and have resolved and committed to keeping this weight off and eating a healthier way. I am happy to report that my 15 week total weight loss is 66 pounds. This averages to 4.4 lbs per week. YES! I am happy with that.

Today was a visit to my orthopedic doctor about my knees. Although I have lost a lot of weight and taken even more pressure off my knees, they continue to give me distress. Saturday I walked 4 blocks to the coffee shop with my grandaughters and back again and I was in LOTS of pain the rest of the day! This is not acceptable for this 60 year old grandma!!! As the nurse took me to the room, I realized that she was not going to weigh me this time. I told her I needed to be weighed as the doctor needed to see on paper that I had been losing weight. I was actually 80 lbs down on their scales from what I was when I was there in May. The Dr. came in the door looking at my chart and his first words were; "CONGRATULATIONS!" He was delighted for me!!!! We discussed some options and I did come away this time with a cortizone shot in my left knee. It is the worst one. I can hardly believe it but it has already helped! Now I feel some other pain but the knee is much less!! I am praying for some time to strengthen this knee and maybe even some repair may take place as I do that. We will just see. For now, I have less pain and now I can work on getting out there and walking again!

How do some of us let ourselves get to this point? I honestly do not know! I do not have an answer for that. Perhaps it is that we take care of others and do not think of ourselves as that important. Perhaps it is unhappiness in our lives that we seek food for comfort too often. Perhaps it is that so many of our family events FOCUS on food as the main event! I am sure that there are multiple reasons and excuses for all of us. But I know that I am going to make a difference. That I am going to see this thru. I cannot talk about all of this without giving my Christ credit. Phil 1:13 tells us "I can do all things thru Him who gives us strength." I believe that. Only with the strength that the Lord gives me, can I follow thru on this. For me it is not in my strength.

Secondly, Take Shape for Life is an amazing program with the benefits of a health coach and the wisdom and knowledge of Dr. Wayne Anderson. This program is teaching me to make healthy and wise choices and will continue to do that. I have made a decision to be a health coach and am here to help and talk to anyone that is interested in losing their weight for life and starting their journey to optimal health. I am being honest when I tell you I was at the end of my rope. I honestly did not know where to turn and was considering weight loss surgery as my last hope. In my heart, I knew that I needed more than that and wanted more than that. I wanted the knowledge to make change in my life with my BRAIN not just my stomach. Not that all people with weight loss surgery don't make the right choices after, but for me, in my heart, I knew it was not best. Deciding to become of the Take Shape for Life program is one of the best things I have done for myself and for my family. I am so excited to see where this journey takes me. I am meeting wonderful friends and encouragement along the way!

100 Days to Christmas Challenge

It is time to think about Christmas again!!! And what better help is there than 100 Days to Christmas!  I love her guidance each year!!!  And if you check her out this week, she is giving away a brand new KINDLE!  I love my Kindle!! It is GREAT!!!!  I hope to win this one to help my daughter with Christmas gifts this year!!!   You have the same opportunity to win!  Check it out!

100 Days to Christmas 

My first 3 months!

3 months since I started my journey.  And what a journey!  :)  

Saturday is my normal day to weigh in.  Yesterday morning at 7 AM I hopped on the scales as normal.  I anticipated as the scales made their weigh up and down and up and down ..... stopped and ...... only 1.4 lbs for the week.... my old mind set was to be a tad disappointed... but my "thin" mindset kicked in!  "It is STILL in the right direction!" "Go get dressed and put on your new jeans with attitude!" ... so I did... and my day got brighter!  My jeans look fantastic, in my new thin mind.... And they did give me the bolster that I needed!  So then I did the math. Started my journey on June 11, yesterday was the 10th of September... down 58.6 lbs.  That is 19.5 lbs per month!  My goal was 20 and that was about as close as you can get ... rounds up to 20 so yes, I was happy.  This morning because it actually IS the 11th I decided to get on the scales again.... this time they registered 1.8 lbs down from yesterday!  Go figure!  So that makes 60.4 lbs and actually IS my 20 lbs per month!  LOL  Lesson learned.... water weight can affect the scales.  They are a measure and a tool, not something to set your attitude with!  My clothes tell me the difference.   I am now 1/3 of the way thru my journey. I am so excited for the next 1/3 of the way!

What are some things I have learned in this journey so far?  Water - it is important... it actually does raise your metabolism. In fact drinking a glass of ice water will increase your metabolism for the next 90 minutes.  And important fact to keep in mind while exercising.   Healthy choices are important.  I honestly do feel better.  My lymphodemia is actually improving. This is not something that I will ever overcome, but it is improving and that is a God send!   I saw a pizza delivery car the other day.  I thought to myself, What I would give for a pizza!  My new "thin" mind kicked in and said, "No, I would GLADLY give up pizza to continue in my journey for optimal health!"    I don't feel deprived.  I have my portion controlled meal replacements that are small but many of them are packed with flavor.  They are not overly sweet but there are some chocolate options. :)  I am learning a lot from Dr. Wayne Anderson's Habits of Health and am incorporating these into my husband's healthy, low glycemic meals.  I am learning the importance of a journal to log my progress and thoughts.  I need to remember these things.  And I am learning that my success can and does influence others.  My daughter is excited to begin a healthier journey in her life.  :)    

Today, I feel better about myself and more confident than I did 3 months ago. :)  I love Take Shape for Life! :)

A powerful blog!

http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/2151

Tears of "Gladditude"

An old classmate and friend coined a word.  "Gladditude"  I love that word!  This morning I cried tears of gladditude!  With my 57.2 weight loss, I needed to purchase some clothing so that I didn't go to work nekkid or have my pants fall off of me at a most unopportune time!  lol  I went to the store and purchased a couple pairs of slacks and tops.  They were 2 and 3 sizes smaller than when I started my weight loss journey.  Yes.... tears of joy and thankfulness!  God has answered my prayers in this journey to optimal health.  I feel better mentally and physically and am thankful for His hearing and answering in HIS time!  :)

~*~ WEEK 12 ~*~

"The degree you allow obstacles in life to be a distraction is your choice ... don't look where you don't want to go ... what you look at, you create more of. Always stay focused (keep your eye on the prize) at what you want regardless of what is going on around you." - Susan Milligan


I love this quote! It speaks volumes to me in my weight loss journey. Sometimes it is difficult to say the least as we look at where we were, where we still might be, rather than to the big picture of the future! I have this posted on my door at work, it is part of my "smash/joy" book. It is on my desk at home and at work and have posted it to my Facebook page! Part of my journey to optimal health is creating a healthy thin mind! This quote captures that need. If I allow myself to think negatively, I defeat my purpose. This morning I am down 57.2 lbs! I have lost 7.2 BMI according to the charts! I am also one third of the way to my goal!!!!!! However, my clothes are falling off of me! lol I hesitate to purchase much because I don't plan to be wearing it very long! But the mind can still be a tricky thing. Some times I catch myself thinking with my heavier body... I can't see all the weight gone. I still see the belly, the legs, the arms and makes me want to be down! But the "healthy mind" me cannot allow it. My mind has to see the "ME" at the end of this tunnel! I have to walk like the "thin" person inside of me. I can already see a part of the OLD me coming back. The more confident person that I used to be. The one not embarrassed by her size to go up and talk to someone. So again this morning, I am filled with gladditude. I praise the Lord, who is the strength behind me. And a couple of very special friends who encourage me along the way. It really REALLY helps to have friends that CAN see the weight loss and encourage me and let me know they are proud of me. Not because I want the compliments but because there is something in their true and heartfelt encouragement that helps me put one step in front of the other and keep marching toward that goal and the continued goal of OPTIMAL HEALTH ... all of which will help me in my testimony to the Lord! I am excited to see what more there is to come! :)