Trials of a Long Haired Girl

For those of you on my FB page, you know I have been on my weight loss journey for longer than I'd care to admit.  However, I was SADDENED and OUTRAGED when I saw this earlier.  I am sad for this neighbor who clearly thinks that this man who according to the post has lost 80 pounds before this letter was received. I was outraged because clearly this man has made himself a priority and is working on taking back his health.  Kudos to him and his weight loss efforts!  It sounds as if he is well on his way to taking back his life.  I am proud for him and of him for his efforts. To the neighbor that wrote this mean spirited letter, you may never have had a weight problem or financial problems, etc., but I am sure there is something that you have struggled with.  I suspect that you have had a child, mother, cousin, father, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, best friend, or even adopted family that may have had a weight loss problem.  To truly solve this ...

I have felt a little disconnected lately.  I think part of it is because I failed to track for a few days and pain/stress, etc. just got in the way of what I was trying to do.  I’ve really had to remind myself over the last few days, seemingly since weigh in, that I am not in this to be perfect.  The only perfect person that walked the earth was Jesus Christ and I am certainly not on the same as Him.  What I can do is do the best I can with what I have each day and make the best choice I can.  Like Saturday evening, after our church service at our new start up church, they announced that they were going to dinner.  DH decided we had to go because he hadn’t been to that restaurant in ages.  I know that Mexican food is a weakness for me.  While I know I probably ate more tortilla chips than I should have, but it seemed to take forever to get our food because of our large group.  Ultimately, though, I am not displeased with my choices while the...

I have been trying to do a bit of soul searching of late.  There have been some crises (minor, but it seemed worse at the time) that I have had to deal with that have sort of prompted this current bit of soul searching.  If you have met me in person or gotten to know me through the internet, email, etc. I am a positive person…a Pollyanna, if you will.  I try to always see the positive side of things and honestly, the glass is half full 90% of the time.  I have noticed that while I can “Pollyanna” my way through a lot with my friends and family, I am not always so nice to myself.  I have learned a lot while on this journey, which often times seems like a roller coaster ride, about myself and what I need to do and what works for me with my weight loss journey and just me as a person.  It is beneficial for me to make lists and schedules, but I have to remember that sometimes life happens and I can’t blame myself for those moments when I can’t make it to water...

Yesterday was a bit crazy.  My mother has been running a fever but we don’t yet know why.  Hopefully we will find out today.  She called me this morning and seems to be feeling better.  DD12 had her talent show last night.  We are gearing up for her last week of elementary school.  DS14 is finishing out middle school next week as well.  You would think this would not be so emotional for me since I already have one that has graduated, but it totally is emotional for me. Getting to my weigh in, I maintained this week.  Considering I went a little crazy a couple of times with pizza, etc. over the holiday weekend.  I do feel better going into the week because I have an idea of what to cook and when I can get meals cooked in advance.  I am trying to prepare my meal plan up to a week and a half out so that I can’t really make excuses.  Goals for this week:  Preparing at least 2 meals in advance and tracking EVERYTHING.

I volunteered to co-organize a charity walk for Conquer Chiari again this year.  Last night, we had a fundraising event at McAlister’s Deli.  I probably ate more PointsPlus than I would care to admit, but I didn’t eat all 49 of my extras and I did track it.  For that reason alone, I feel positive about how I did yesterday.  I have dinner ready for tonight; it just needs to be warmed up.  I have already tracked everything for today and still have a couple of PointsPlus remaining.  I did wind up with a migraine yesterday, I think mostly due to the weather.  I am definitely going to try to fix another casserole tonight so I can stay at least one meal ahead…or maybe two.  I haven’t decided if I am going to fix the cheeseburger and tot casserole or the Mexican Lasagna.  Either way, I entered the recipes into the trackers. Anyone have any suggestions for good audiobooks?  I enjoy listening to them when I am at work.  It helps the da...

“Forget yesterday - it has already forgotten you. Don't sweat tomorrow - you haven't even met. Instead, open your eyes and your heart to a truly precious gift - today.”   ―   Steve Maraboli ,   Life, the Truth, and Being Free Sometimes we tend to beat ourselves up over what we have done in the past, but truth be told, we cannot change it.  I can’t honestly say that I am always happy with where I am on the scale, but it is a reflection of what I did the week before.  Honestly, no matter what the scale says if I don’t change what I didn’t do well the week before, the scale may not change for me.  So I am focusing on small goals and trying to get back to where I know I need to be.  Focusing on meal planning and if I can do this for a week or week and a half and buy groceries for those meals, I should definitely be on the right track.  This is not always easy, but it is necessary.  Not just for my weight loss journey, but for my money saving...

“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.” ― William W. Purkey I read this quote this morning and it reminded me of the friends I have lost in the past 12 months and that I need to live my best life now.   I can’t expect things to change for me with my health or with the goals that I have set for myself if I don’t do something to make it happen.   Honestly, a friend recommended “The Diet Fix” to me and it has really made me take stock of what I want to do and that I need to escape the diet mentality and focus on making the positive changes.   Some of these things I was trying to make an effort to do anyway.   Making no single food “off limits” and for me, not having beef is just not an option.   I grew up on beef/red meat so I will have chicken and turkey, but I can’t just take ground beef out of my meal plan because then I jus...