I am so tired of being consumed by the size of my body. I have committed to get back on track and stay there, knowing that I will stumble, but I am determined to make this a life change. I have been trying to make little changes that will help.
I am keeping a 32 oz. water bottle with me at all times. I try to drink 2 full bottles per day, plus whatever I drink while working out. Some days I succeed and some days I don't, but every day, I try.
I also have a workout goal for each week. It is a lot, so if I make most of the workouts, I am doing good. If I make them all SA-WEET!
I am trying to be more aware of my portion sizes, as well as what I am eating. I am getting a little bit better at telling myself "no" when I know that I want to eat something that I shouldn't.
I also have committed to NOT eating ice cream while watching Biggest Loser (hopefully not at all, but especially not during BL).
I am keeping healthy stuff (mini peppers from Costco) in the house, so I always have something to grab when I "need" something.
I am also adopting the philosophy that this is a life-long journey. I want to be a healthier more active person for life.
So far, I have not seen much of a difference in my weight, but I am feeling a little bit of a difference in my jeans and that is what matters!

Just Because It's Time

I have clicked on my blog quite a few times to see who has posted lately. I am so tired of seeing the blog that I last posted that I decided I just needed to post something. Anything. Now, what to say??? Hmmmm....really I don't have anything. I could talk about this crazy summer, but I don't really have the desire to go into that right now. But the quick version is this:
I trained for and "competed" in the ChelanMan triathlon, in July. That was such a great day. I felt strong and accomplished, even though I didn't quite perform as well as I had hoped. I came home pumped to keep up and step up my training. But, three days after the triathlon I developed a headache and some other symptoms. Long story short, 4 weeks later I was diagnosed with a Right Internal Carotid Artery Dissection. My carotid artery on the right side of my neck has a tear on the inside. So, I have been on blood thinners (Warfarin) since August. I had no idea what this would entail. It was a very stressful August. Financially, medically, emotionally...blah blah blah! I was very thankful that my Aunt Jeannie has taken my kids down to CA to stay with family for a few weeks. So, most of the time they were gone, I was laid out on my couch. Since my diagnosis I have felt much better, but have had to take it easy and monitor my blood thickness (INR). Things are going well now. I have been back to the gym a few times. But that is a battle. All that I want to do right now is lay on my couch wrapped in a blanket. I am thinking that I need to start increasing my vitamin D, as we do not have much sun exposure here these days. I will let you know how that goes.
So, there you have it. Now when I click on my blog to see your blog, I won't have to see the pictures of me with zebra hair anymore!!!!
Have a lovely day! :)

Fun!

I got to spend some time with Kaitlyn, Jake, Jenn & Kelly over the past week and it was great! We finally got to just hang out together. It would have been much better if Jeremy could have met Jenn & Kelly, but one of these days we will make that happen. Well, Jenn and I got a little crazy! On Friday at the mall we decided to get our noses pierced and we actually did it! I have been talking about getting my nose pierced for a couple of years now. I must have been in just the right mood at just the right time. I still can't believe that I went through with it. I didn't tell Jeremy that I was doing it (but he has always to me to just do it) and when he saw it he loved it. My kids not so much. Samuel said that I look ugly and Benjamin said..."not in our family" to which I said "what?" and he said that noone else in our family has a pierced nose and I told him that was because they were boys. And he said, "NO! nobody else in our ENTIRE family." I said "well, I am the only one with crazy hair too." And he just said "your hair is not crazy, it is pretty." I just love him! Then he told me that he kinda does and kinda doesn't like it. What are you going to do????

Addicted to Spinning? I Think Not

So, I have wanted to try a spinning class for a while now. But, it is intimidating and scary. Stephanie said she loves it. I believe she even said that it is addicting. Hmmm. I have seen the Biggest Loser contestants doing it. And I really wanted to try it. But, not by myself. So, today, 2 of my friends and I tried a class for the first time. The instructor was super nice and adjusted our bikes for us and explained a little of the intensity levels and such. That was nice. “I can do this”, I was thinking. “I think I might even like it.” Ha Ha Ha! We got started and I was doing great. Pedal in time to the music. When the instructor tells you, adjust the tension on the bike but keep the same pace. Okay, doing good. Now, stand up for 8 beats, then down. Stand up for 2 beats, then down, singles…up…down…up….down. My rear hurts!!!! Okay so, I skipped some of the up and down stuff and just stayed down. Then, we learn some knew terminology. I can’t remember any of it right now, though.
Fortunately, I had the presence of mind to bring a towel with me. I really needed it! I was sweaty and hot and have I mentioned that my rear hurts?????
Anyway….I did not enjoy spinning. It is an amazing workout, so I will go back. I am training for a triathlon, so that is a perfect workout for biking days. I think I am even going to try to make it to the class tomorrow morning. I am thinking that it probably takes a couple of classes to really “get it”. We shall see. I am glad that I went and look forward to doing it again. I do enjoy challenging myself to do new things. AND….one lady in the class started spinning a few months ago. That is the only workout she does and she has changed her eating habit and has lost 46 pounds. Now that is motivation to spin. If I could just get my eating under control, I would be doing great!
Would I recommend spinning? YES! It is a great workout. But I would not call it fun!

Here is an article about spinning on the weight watchers website(you will have to copy and past it into the web address spot on your browser):

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=53361#Story

Tag, You're It!

I am not usually one for playing tag. But I guess I will be a good sport. After a day of cleaning and watching Samuel's baseball team lose....again....I logged onto my blog, which I have not done for quite some time. I was reading up on the quickly changing statuses of my brother, and found that I had been tagged to take on a dare. The dare? Go, get your camera and take a photo of yourself and post it. Here is the catch, no primping allowed. Just as you are at the time that you read the dare. So, here I am. I did shower and put on a little makeup before the game, but you can't tell. I didn't wash my hair today, even though I worked out for 2 hours at the gym last night. Can you say ew? So the hat was a necessity for any public appearances!


Now, who do I want to tag????

Jen Rachi,
Lenae,
Anna &
Scott

A Good Day

Today started for me at 7:30ish am. I had my day all planned out.

• Get the kids up and off to school
• Clean up the kitchen
• Go to the gym
• Meet a friend for coffee
• Clean up my house
• Change the sheets on the guest bed
• Pack up my scrapbooking stuff
• Pack an overnight bag
• Have a snack ready for my kids upon their return from school
• Chill out
• Go to Benjamin's basketball game
• Head out to a friend's house for an overnight scrapbook party.

And do you know what? My day went just as planned. How often does that happen? Not often in this girl's world. This week I got back on track in regards to my eating and exercise. I have been feeling so much better. Being out of control in any aspect of my life is very stressful to me. I love getting my eating and exercise habits back in line with my goals of weight loss and health.

My boys got up out of bed easily and got ready for school, with no whining, no complaining, no arguing, no irritation to me or them. I went to a new class at the gym today and it was awesome. It isn't Zumba, but it will do. I met a friend, who I do not know all that well (but really want to get better acquainted with), for coffee and we spent 2 hours just chatting and sharing with one another about our lives, struggles and passions. I went home and got done what I wanted to have done, including making chocolate chip pancakes from scratch for my boys' afternoon snack. And I spent too much time on facebook, as usual! I spent my afternoon being very thankful for all of the blessings in my life. I love my husband, who is very loving and supportive, and my children. My parents are wonderful. My sister is also my very best friend in all of the world. All of my neices and nephews are beautiful and healthy. All of my in-laws are kind, loving people. I have a brother that I love, even though I just met him. His wife is already a wonderful friend and sister to me. My kids have 2 more cousins to get to know. Each person in my extended family has been a blessing to me in one way or another at one time or another. So many of my wonderful friends are more like family to me. When I need to talk there are several people that I can call in times of pain and trouble as well as times of rejoicing and celebration.

There are not enough words than can express all of the blessings in my life. And my heart has just been full all day (except when I had a huge lapse in judgement and ran my mouth, very inappropriately and got called on it and realized that I totally blew it with people that I should be an example to. I will ask for their forgiveness. And my Redeemer has already forgiven me and taught me a valuable lesson.) It could be that there are super endorphines running through my blood because of the 3 Zumba classes and 2 other fitness classes that I made it to this week. It could be the Venti Non-Fat Extra-Hot Latte that I drank while chatting with Riva. Or (and I think this is the real reason) I am just truly blessed by the God of the universe, the giver of all good gifts, my Abba Father, who created me to be uniquely me and who loves me with an unconditional, everlasting love.

Not More Than I Could Imagine!

Ephesians 3:20-22 (The Message)
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

I have read this verse over and over throughout the years. I will be completely honest. I have always doubted it! "God can do more than I can think, or imagine, or request? I don't know..."

Now don't get me wrong. I absolutely believe that the Bible is God's Word. It is infallible. It is Truth. I believe that God is Sovereign, Love, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient....Alpha, Omega, Creator, Healer....all the thing that the Bible tells me.

But, more than I can ask, dream, hope for, imagine? I have pretty big dreams. I hope for some gargantuan things! I ask for A LOT!!!! My imagination is very vivid and colossal! More than that? I have never truly believed it. It pains me to state that in writing, but it's true!

I have a wonderful family. My sister is my absolute best friend in the entire universe and I am hers. I love my parents with all my heart. I know that they are always there for me. I know that I can always go to them, and they will receive me with love. I have been blessed beyond words. I have a tremendously loving and supportive husband, beautiful children, and the best of friendships. My church family is extensive. I have never wanted for anything, well, necessity-wise anyway!

I am not saying that I am Pollyanna, or that wherever I go the birds and squirrels follow me around and sing with me! I have my issues. My childhood was pretty crazy and there are some deep scars. But for the most part, life is good.

However, there has always been this mystery in my life. When I was 13, I found out that I had a "biological father" out there somewhere. Then I learn that there are "biological siblings" out there somewhere. WHAT??? Questions were constantly on my mind. Curiosity. Wondering. Imagining. Confusion. Always asking why? Who are they? Where are they? What are they like? Do they know about me? Do they think about me? Do they look for me? Could that be him in the basketball stands? That boy looks a little like me...is he my brother? Always in my mind. Sometimes in the middle or toward the back. But mainly right up front and center.

For over 20 years!!!!!

So, along comes the chance to meet one of these "biological siblings". I have always tried to keep everything, in this area, very sterile in my mind. What do I expect? Nothing. What do I dream will happen? No clue. What do I ask? Just let me get through it.

As soon as I met my brother, I knew that it was right. Connection. Similarities. We have a lot of the same likes and dislikes. Not all the same. But a lot. We have a lot of little things in common, that individually are no big deal. But cumulatively, are crazy!!! We have chatted online, emailed, talked on the phone. Getting to know each other. It fits.

I had no expectation. I asked for practically nothing. I had no dream, except to have my curiosity settled once and for all. But, it hit me this morning after doing my Bible study. This verse was not in the study, but God spoke it right into my heart and life, and now I believe that God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!