Come Monday...

Okay – so I think I mentioned a while ago that I planned to jump in with this blog support group. My friend, Lynn, is participating, and so I think I’ll give it shot.

And so here, I’m jumping. Amber Filkins is the host of this group, and I really like her blog. She calls this group the “Extreme Makover, Me Edition”, and posts a question each week on her blog for you to answer on your blog, along with an update of how you’re doing, etc., etc. Here is this weeks’ question (or maybe it was last week’s question… but either way).

"Who is your biggest supporter/motivator in your weight loss? Do you have anyone around you that tries to sabotage you by “talking” you in to eating the not so good stuff?"

I can’t say that I have anyone who looks to “sabotage” me - at least no one I know of. And that is helpful. I’m really lucky that I work from home where I don’t have to manage the “out to lunch” stuff, or free doughnuts, or that person in every office who drags in baked good once a week!

My biggest support… hum… well, in my ongoing weight loss goals, I have been very well “supported” to say the least.

When I started my UAMS program in 2007, my parents were always encouraging, and both Trav and Amanda provided a great deal of help along the way. Trav didn’t bring home Taco Bell…. he either ate salad or away from home, and Amanda wasn’t inviting me to lunch or dinner either.

My friends even volunteered to “suspend” dinners at our get-togethers in order to keep me on track. And everyone was always anxiously awaiting my weekly updates on how things were going. I never felt like anyone was waiting for me to fail or running along beside me offering fries. Most people in my life knew this was a "moment" for me... and it needed to work.

God bless Trav... very encouraging and eager to help. Never pushy or scolding. No obnoxious “are you gonna eat that” or “did you go the gym today” remarks. And most importantly, he never argued or gave me any grief along the lines of “this better work” or extra pressure when I told him I wanted to shell out a small fortune for the UAMS program.

Day to day I am fortunate in that he does not really care that much about food. He’s more the “eat to live” variety versus my “live to eat”. HA! He does love Mexican food and a good steak every now and then… but overall, whatever is quick and convenient for him is fine. He has always had that “good metabolism” thing going for him, coupled by being relatively active his whole life… although as we’ve gotten older, he’s beginning to realize that he might have to trade in some of those tacos for a few more salads – even when I’m not around. HA!

But at this point, my sister is for sure my biggest encourager though. Amanda and I take after opposite sides of our family, both of which have “weight issues”. And by that I don’t mean a family full of fat people. I mean families where “weight” was an upfront and highly visible issue, as well as topic of discussion - really no matter what size you were.

My mom completely missed the fat gene, and aside from pregnancies has probably never weighed more than 130 pounds - if that. Amanda and I have had similar weight struggles as teenagers and adults, but she has always been much, much smaller than me, and our bodies are “shaped” completely differently. When I woke up one day and realized I was eating myself into a early grave… she jumped on board with encouragement and some goals of her own.

Since then, which started in 2007, we have both had accomplishments… and some setbacks. At this point, we are trying to work together with a hope/goal to take the emphasis out of appearances and focus on overall “health”. One day at a time, we’re hoping to “do better” for our own wellbeing (inside and out), and to set a good example for our girls in the process. Of course, if I came out on the other end of it looking like Valerie Bertinelli did in that bikini – that’d be great too. HA!

I’m lucky. We are truly best friends, and want the best for each other. We are quite blessed that as our upbringing carried out, we never were or ever became “competitive” with each other about anything. There is no, drama about how many pounds she lost versus me, and we don’t keep notes on who went to the gym when and who didn’t, and I’m not in the dressing room trying to beat her to a size 6 (as if I even could). And thank goodness… because how exhausting would that be!

We are each other’s biggest supporters… and sometimes (while not in the spirit of sabotage) can also be each other’s biggest downfall! HA! But overall, we take turns at keeping each other on track. I might pass on some fries today that inspires her to skip them tomorrow… and vice versa. She might call me at 6:00 AM to go to the gym... when I would have otherwise slept in.

I finished the 12 weeks at UAMS in December of 2007 – just in time for Christmas. I was to start the new session in January, but the schedule wasn’t kid friendly for me, which delayed me some… and then I grew weary of the “meal replacements” and was also running out of money to pay for all the “requirements” of the program. I kept intending to go back… but I haven’t.

I have meal replacements left… they mocked me from the cabinet until I finally pulled them out last month. I kept thinking I would get them out and use them again… you know, just for a week or two. But every time I try to eat them again.. it lasts just long enough for the smell to hit me, and I walk away wondering how on earth I ever ate those for a solid 12 weeks.

However, since December of '07, making better overall choices and exercising, I have kept the 40 pounds I lost OFF, for going on over 18 months now. That is good. I’m smarter than I was then in 2007. I have pulled away from who I was then, and am keeping my head above water. Nowadays I look better, I feel better, and I am, most definitely, better. But… I know there is more I need to do - that I want to do - for me.

While an expert now at "maintaining", and just as I was thinking it might be best if I could just get through the summer without gaining any weight... I've decided why wait, and to begin again - so to speak.

So here we go.... come Monday, my sister and I both are “rededicating our efforts”. I am going to participate in the EMME group as a means of accountability and hope that that too helps keep me organized and consistent. Amanda – aren’t you glad I dragged you into this blog? HA!

I read today on Yahoo that Monday is, in fact, the best "trigger day" to start any new plans. And that most people do fare better if they start the week off fresh. So it's nice to know that it isn't just me and my ability to pracrastinate that always wants to start on Monday... it's makes sense!

Happy Father's Day!

Well, the summer has left my blog a bit neglected! It's been so hectic I've hardly had time to put two thoughts together, let alone sit down and type them out! But... I certainly didn't want to miss giving a Happy Father's Day blog shout out to Trav! We love you - and are so grateful for all that you do for us - work AND play!

And then, while I somehow missed snapping a picture of him today - we have to give a shout out to PaPa too! We love him too - and again, are incredibly grateful for all the does for ALL of us.

Happy Father's Day To You Both!

We Love You!

It Has Begun

So it has arrived... or at least it will "officially" as of Friday. SUMMER!

We had our 2009 inaugural visit to the pool this past weekend. Tessa put her swimsuit on first thing that morning and impatiently waited for time to go! I was anxious to see how Tanner would do... and as expected... he "dove right in". Gracie was eager to show me that even though it's been several months - she could still swim "floatie free".

It was a big day... as we also had a visitor to our house this weekend who has not been here before... THE TOOTH FAIRY! After we got home, Gracie came running down the hall with her hand cupping her mouth saying her tooth had fallen out when she bit into one of her "gummy straws". I was alarmed at first... and then realized that was supposed to happen! HA! She hadn't mentioned her tooth being loose... so I wasn't expecting it.

The tooth, however, was missing... and I was afraid she had swallowed it. But luckily, Aunt Mandy did a search and rescue mission in the alleged area where the tooth fell out... and it was recovered!

Gracie quickly busied herself writing a letter to the tooth fairy to make her aware of what kind of figures she had in mind as to what her tooth was worth (which also included a request to please leave something for Tessa too...). And then 24 hours, and $5.00 later...she was very excited to have her "her own money" and was anxious to learn what items might be in her "price range" at Wal-Mart.

And then after our busy weekend - we kicked off the week with the Kindergarten graduation this morning... sniff... sniff... Gracie received an Academic Excellence and Outstanding Behavior Award.

I don't know how this happened, but Gracie will officially be a 1st Grader next year. Although... I'm not sure where. I've grown increasingly concerned with various aspects of Gracie's school. So... I'm keeping my fingers crossed that some better options will present themselves soon.

But in the meantime... we're going to enjoy the summer... and try not to go crazy in the process! I'll keep you posted. :-)