Friday's Progress Report (Week 6)

Six weeks and most progress has stalled, for the moment.  I lost a couple of pounds this week, but my measurements stayed the same.  That's alright though, I'll keep it up and I'm confident that my body will push through the plateau.   

Height: 5'4.5

Weight: 164.0 (Started at: 179.8, Last week: 166.0)

• Loss this week =  2.0 pounds
• Total loss = 15.8 pounds

Bust: 39" (Started at: 43", Last week: 39")

• Loss this week =  0"
• Total loss = 4" 

Upper Arm: 12.25" (Started at: 13.5", Last week: 12.25")

• Loss this week =  0"
• Total loss = 1.25" 

Waist: 35" (Started at: 42", Last week: 35")

• Loss this week =  0"
• Total loss = 7"

Hips: 40" (Started at: 42.5", Last week: 40")

• Loss this week = 0"
• Total loss = 2.5"

Thighs: 22.25" (Started at: 25", Last week: 22.25")

• Loss this week = 0"
• Total loss = 2.75"

BMI: 27.7 (Started at 30.4, Last week: 28.1)

• Loss this week = 0.4 points
• Total loss = 2.7 points

How am I progressing at my goals?

1. Goal weight is 135.  I have lost 15.8 of the 44.8 pounds I need to lose.  35% done!  :)

2. Have a BMI below 25.  Lost 2.7 of the 5.4 points I need to lose.  50% done!

3. Have a body fat percentage below 24%.  I started at an estimated 42% and am now down to 34%.  Lost 8% of 18% I need to lose.  44% done! 

4. To be physically fit.   I am still off on this one - it is so hard to get back in a routine - especially when I'm tired.

5. To feel comfortable in my clothes.  This is such a great improvement.  :) Although, I went clothes shopping for a few items this week and I realized that I still have quite a ways to go before I truly feel like I look the way I want to.  It's unbelievable how extra fat makes you feel so BLAH!

6. To look decent in a swimsuit and lingerie. This is getting so much better!  Obviously I'm not there yet, but I'm definitely on my way. 

7. To have enough energy/stamina to play actively, for a prolonged amount of time, with my kids.  This has improved tremendously - I'm loving that!

8. Spiritual Discipline: This has suffered along with my working out.  I need to get back into a routine and crack down on my discipline. 

9. Be content in all circumstances.  I think I have been doing much better at this. 

10. Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night, preferrably consecutive hours.   I think if I can get this one under control (which I haven't yet - it's just so tempting to stay up late at night when it's still light outside) - I will have more energy to exercise and do devotionals. 

I am so grateful and blessed to be on this journey!  Loving it!  Thank you for sharing it with me!

Friday's Progress Report (Week 5 + A Few Days)

Five weeks and a few days and progress continues!  I apologize again for the delay in posting. 

I made a couple of graphics for this week to make up for my tardiness .  :)

Height: 5'4.5

Weight: 166.0 (Started at: 179.8, Last week: 167.2)

• Loss this week =  1.2 pounds
• Total loss = 13.8 pounds

Bust: 39" (Started at: 43", Last week: 39")

• Loss this week =  0"
• Total loss = 4" 

Upper Arm: 12.25" (Started at: 13.5", Last week: 12.5")

• Loss this week =  0.25"
• Total loss = 1.25" 

Waist: 35" (Started at: 42", Last week: 36.5")

• Loss this week =  1.5" VICTORY DANCE!!!
• Total loss = 7"- Seriously - my clothes that didn't fit 6 weeks ago aren't going to fit again, very soon, but for the opposite reason!  The graph below really shows how drastic the drop in my belly fat has been. 

Hips: 40" (Started at: 42.5", Last week: 40")

• Loss this week = 0"
• Total loss = 2.5"

Thighs: 22.25" (Started at: 25", Last week: 22.5")

• Loss this week = 0.25"
• Total loss = 2.75"

BMI: 28.1 (Started at 30.4, Last week: 28.2)

• Loss this week = 0.1 points
• Total loss = 2.3 points

How am I progressing at my goals?

1. Goal weight is 135. I have lost 13.8 of the 44.8 pounds I need to lose.  31% done!  :)

2. Have a BMI below 25.  Lost 2.3 of the 5.4 points I need to lose.  43% done!

3. Have a body fat percentage below 24%.  I started at an estimated 42% and am now down to 34%.  Lost 8% of 18% I need to lose.  44% done!  Also, for women between the age of 18-39, the healthy body fat percentage range is between 21-33% - I'm almost there!

4. To be physically fit.   Last week I felt sick all week.  My workouts suffered...as in, were non-existent.  I need to get back on track.

5. To feel comfortable in my clothes.  This is such a great improvement.  :)

6. To look decent in a swimsuit and lingerie. This is getting so much better!

7. To have enough energy/stamina to play actively, for a prolonged amount of time, with my kids.  This has improved tremendously - I'm loving that!

8. Spiritual Discipline: Trying to make sure I find time every day for some spiritual growth.

9. Be content in all circumstances.  I would like to think I've been much more positive this week.  :) 

10. Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night, preferrably consecutive hours.   This has been terrible.  I haven't gotten enough sleep any night this week.  Between kids getting up during the night and me staying up too late - it's just been sub-par.  It's just so hard to go to bed when there's still daylight out there!  I find myself tinkering in the garden after I should have already been on my way to bed. 

I am so grateful and blessed to be on this journey!  Loving it!  Thank you for sharing it with me!

FitBit Obituary

OBITUARY: Jen's FitBit passed away at the young age of 18 months today.  Gifted to her by her husband, Tim, for Christmas 2011, FitBit has been near to Jen's heart (literally) all day, almost every day, for a year and a half.  Gone too soon, due to a drowning, FitBit will be greatly missed.  Unable to be resuscitated via rice or dryer, FitBit was declared dead June 17, 2013.  Funeral arrangements will be made at a local electronics recycler.

Photo Credit: Gadget Review

FitBit Experiences the Washing Machine

Let me start this post off by saying: GRRRRRR!

I was in a hurry this morning and gathered up some laundry to make a load.   I tossed it in the washing machine, only to realize about 20 minutes later that I didn't have my FitBit and I couldn't find it anywhere.  And then it hit me...NO PLEASE NO! 

The worst part was, I had specifically removed it from my bra to make sure it didn't get washed.  But instead of tossing the bra in the wash pile, I tossed the FitBit in in and put the bra on the dresser.  Oh, how frustrating. 

Off to the laundry room, I put a towel on the floor and began evacuating the soaking wet clothes from the laundry.  Soon enough, I found the FitBit lying in the bottom of the washing machine under several inches of water.  Of course...dead *tear*. 

The FitBit has been my loyal buddy for a year and a half now...it's so sad.  I'm addicted to watching my activity levels online and checking my step count throughout the day.  It really helps me stay more active - especially competing with others who have one. 

After searching online, I found two possible solutions:
1. The rice trick.
2. Tie it in a sock and toss it in the dryer (last resort).

Either solution has to be followed by putting it on it's dock and resetting it (I'm not sure what that involves...but I'll give it a shot.  

Right now she's drying in a bowl of rice.  If that doesn't work...we'll be trying the dryer, I mean, what else do I have to lose?

I'll keep you posted on the results!  Crossing my fingers that this works!

Friday Update Delay

Sorry - I haven't forgotten my weekly update...I just have had a doozy of a week. 

Firstly, my husband worked very long hours all week, which left me to fend by myself with the kids from the time they got up til the time they went down.  I was exhausted. 

Secondly, I had a headache that lasted 7 days.  Nothing would get rid of that pain.  It's finally lifting today.

Thirdly, my measuring tape has grown legs and walked away.  I cannot find it anywhere, which means one of these days I'll find it in a drawer, puzzle box, or hanging from a ceiling fan...thanks to my kids. 

I promise, I will get out and buy a new one in time for next week's update. 

In the meantime...I weigh in at 166 pounds.  :)  Still losing!  Today I was able to wear a skirt and shirt that have been "shelved" for a long time.  It feels great!

Proud of My Parents!

So, my dad has been doing Medifast/TSFL for about 5-6 weeks now, and I'm so impressed.  I'm proud of him for sticking to it, too!  He has been very diligent and denied a lot of temptations in order to have the great success he's been having. 

The shocker: He has gone from being 356 lbs to 274 lbs!  That is flat-out amazing and I'm so happy that he is getting healthier.  I love seeing that he can get around so much better and frankly I love the idea that he will be able to do more things with us and hopefully live a lot longer.  He has been pretty sick over the past few years...a heart attack followed by open-heart surgery, a stroke, kidney problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. etc.  You name it...if it goes along with being overweight or obese he was probably struggling with it.  In just over a month, he has been able to go off of his insulin shots completely and also reduce his other medications by significant amounts!  I'm so happy for him! 

Frankly, I'm happy for myself too.  For the last few years I've been waiting for and fearing that phone call that said he was dead/dying.  I knew he wasn't healthy and he certainly didn't look well.  I just expected that I would see my dad die soon. 

I'm so grateful for this program and how it is helping our family. 

My mom just started a week ago too...I look forward to seeing how it works for her!  After YEARS (yes, probably more than a decade) of Weight Watchers and up-and-down dieting...she's giving this a try and I'm proud of her too.  I really hope and pray that it works well for her!

Friday's Progress Report (Week 4)

Four weeks down and I am feeling great!  Even though this has been a doozy of a week (see my last post)...I'm still feeling really good.  I've also added two new goals at the bottom. 

So, after four weeks, here is where I stand:

Height: 5'4.5

Weight: 167.2 (Started at: 179.8, Last week: 170.0)

• Loss this week =  2.8 pounds
• Total loss = 12.6 pounds

Bust: 39" (Started at: 43", Last week: 40")

• Loss this week =  1"
• Total loss = 4" (I have been asked if I'm worried about losing my chest.  No, I'm not.  There's plenty to spare, and frankly it was causing me back and neck pain. I wear a 38DD (my bras still fit)...I don't mind losing some.  I was considering reduction surgery anyway, after I was sure I wouldn't need to breastfeed anymore. 

Upper Arm: 12.5" (Started at: 13.5", Last week: 12.5")

• Loss this week =  0"
• Total loss = 1" (This is not moving too fast, but I'm hoping it just because I'm building up muscle working out!  :) )

Waist: 36.5" (Started at: 42", Last week: 36.5")

• Loss this week =  0" (I have a feeling there would have been some loss here if it wasn't 'that' time of the month - I'm a tiny bit bloated yesterday and today - I can feel it.) 
• Total loss = 5.5" (I'm still thrilled with the results here - even if I lost nothing this week.) 

Hips: 40" (Started at: 42.5", Last week: 41")

• Loss this week = 1"
• Total loss = 2.5"

Thighs: 22.5" (Started at: 25", Last week: 23.5")

• Loss this week = 1"
• Total loss = 2.5"

BMI: 28.2 (Started at 30.4, Last week: 28.7)

• Loss this week = .7 points
• Total loss = 2.2 points

How am I progressing at my goals?

1. Goal weight is 135. I have lost 12.6 of the 44.8 pounds I need to lose.  28% done!  :)

2. Have a BMI below 25.  Lost 2.2 of the 5.4 points I need to lose.  40% done!

3. Have a body fat percentage below 24%.  I started at an estimated 42% and am now down to 35%.  Lost 7% of 18% I need to lose.  39% done!

4. To be physically fit.   Keeping up the P90 as well as adding more walks and play time with the kids!

5. To feel comfortable in my clothes.  This is such a great improvement.  :)

6. To look decent in a swimsuit and lingerie. Okay...still not there yet, but on my way and smiling about that!

7. To have enough energy/stamina to play actively, for a prolonged amount of time, with my kids.  This has improved tremendously - I'm loving that!

8. Spiritual Discipline:  I have been working on making sure

9. Be content in all circumstances.  This has become an apparent issue for me lately.  So I have been working on choosing to trust God and choosing to keep a positive mental attitude.  Successful some days...not-so-successful other days! 

10. Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night, preferrably consecutive hours.   I've been sleep deprived for the better part of 4 years now...so it is a goal of mine to start trying to get enough sleep.  The "consecutive sleep" goal is largely dependent on my kids, but they're doing a pretty good job sleeping through the night now.  So, now the onus is on me to get to bed at a decent hour. 

I am so grateful and blessed to be on this journey!  Loving it!  Thank you for sharing it with me!

GOAL: A Content Heart

I have a feeling that God is strongly trying to teach me to have a content heart in all circumstances. 

It started last week with a post from a friend who said that many of us are never happy with our bodies, no matter how good they look.  This has certainly been true for me.  In high school I was a hurdler in Track and I had a very fit body.  I was a size 8 with abdominal muscles that you could actually see.  Was I happy?  No!  I still thought I was fat and I was disappointed that I "only" had a two-pack, instead of a six-pack of abs.  I would do just about anything to be that fit again, but frankly, I don't have time to run and lift weights for 2-3 hours every afternoon like I did back then.  Not to mention, having three children in three years has changed more than a few things about my body.  My body is not perfect, but it has seen me through a lot of pretty amazing things and it's overall healthy!  It has scars, stretch marks, too much fat...etc., but can I still be happy with what I have while I'm working on it?  You bet. 

Then I recognized God was telling me to apply this principle to the rest of my life, and I was like, "Okay...that sounds good."  I'm not exactly a positive or optimistic person naturally, so this would take a little work for me and I knew that.  But I was NOT prepared for what the next week would throw at me. 

• First, a driver that I did not want to hire, but did, in spite of my best judgement, ruined my perfect safety score with the DOT only one day after I put him on the road (I own a trucking company...if you did not know that).  
• Our lawn tractor died.  We have two acres of lawn to mow...it would take ages to mow it with a push mower...so we need a new one.  That's probably going to be between $2000-$3000 to replace, because we also need one with a snowthrower (our driveway is extremely long).  We're trying to find a good used one...but it's proving to be a challenge thus far.
• Yesterday we found out that our air conditioner had keeled over sometime between last fall when we turned it off for the season and when we ran it for a test run last Friday.  The Service Plus repair guy broke the bad news to us yesterday that it's not repairable.  Okay, we can live without AC for this summer (or as long as it takes to save up the money to replace it) - it was just "one more thing" to throw on the heap this week.  Fortunately, it hasn't exactly been a warm summer so far...it'll be okay.  But if/when we decide to replace that - that's about $3600.  
• A little history: We just had to replace our furnace for $3500 in February.  In March, we went through thousands of dollars in medical bills when my second son was burned (we have insurance, but it's a high-deductible plan).  It feels like it has just been a financial tornado lately around here.  
• We follow Dave Ramsey's plan - we've been paying down debt, we are responsible spenders on a zero-balance budget, and we have an emergency savings account...but that account is only so deep, my friends.  It's a little stressful - we don't want to go into debt to take care of these things.  
• And then came the worst part...yesterday, after a day of bad news, I was on edge, to say the least.  My two-year old (who has been more-than-a-little-difficult for the past few weeks) started throwing a massive tantrum in the yard when I told him he needed to come inside and go potty, and I had zero patience for the fit he was throwing.  He started to run from me and I grabbed his arm...at which point his elbow popped out of the socket.  I have never felt so horrible in my life...having hurt my own child.  The fact that it was an accident or that it "happens all the time" (according to the doctor we saw) was no consolation.  I spent the next few hours at the Urgency Center with him while they tried to fix it.  He was acting a little better by the time we left...but this morning it's quite obvious that it's still very painful for him, so we'll be taking him down to Children's Hospital today to have them look at it. I feel awful!  

Today I don't feel victorious...I feel defeated.  I want to have a content heart in any circumstance...but honestly I'm struggling.  I'm trying to remind myself how very blessed we are.  We have shelter, we have clean water and food, we have our health, we have three beautiful, healthy children!  And despite the recent barrage of unexpected expenses, we aren't desolate or broke.  There is so much to be thankful for...and it definitely could be worse:

• Some dear friends of my grandma just lost their sweet 2 year old granddaughter (only a week before her 3rd birthday) last Friday after a 9 month battle with cancer.  I should be grateful for a turbulent two-year old.  He is healthy and he is alive...which is a blessing in itself. 
• My home, even though it's been a money-pit lately, still stands...unlike the poor folks in Moore and El Reno, OK.

Self-pity is not my friend while trying to learn to have a content heart.  In fact, even as I write this, I feel my heart changing.  Thus far, God has always made sure we have everything we need (and more), why I'm not trusting Him with my current circumstance is a mystery. I choose to trust. 

My life is pretty good, after all!  And I am grateful to God for all that I have.  I choose not to focus on these momentary circumstance any more than I must.  Life will go on, and in a year's time...these "problems" will probably not even be a distant thought in my mind.  A content heart is my goal and a closer walk with God along with a good dose of gratitude, not despairing about my circumstances, is the only thing that will get me there.  Onward and upward!