Encouraging Deep Roots

As I looked in the store's dressing room mirror the other day, tears sprang up. I was there because the weather has turned very warm and nothing I own fits me anymore. Every single piece of summer clothing I own is too big and hanging off of me. Tears sprang up because I fit into a size that I haven't worn since I was a college student. And I didn't just squeeze into the size, it fit perfectly. My tears were happy ones. I know it may be silly to some, but I have been so unhealthy for so long that it just seemed that was the way I was going to be forever. The funny thing was that I didn't think I looked as heavy as I was, but when I see pictures of myself now from a few years ago I cannot believe how swollen my face looks. I really used to hate dressing room mirrors and would often leave the store feeling depressed because much of what I liked wouldn't fit and my clothing sizes kept climbing. When depressed, I would immediately begin to eat all the things that kept m...

  Despite the unexpected busyness and interruptions, I have been plugging away at my weight loss as well as writing the plant-based, whole food cookbook. Recipe testing fell by the wayside the past two weeks, but I've still gotten a good chunk of the book done. I also got on the scale this morning for another one pound loss which makes a total of 61 lbs. since I started this journey back in July. It's second nature at this point and I have so much more energy and feel healthy. The only negative is that because I've lost so much weight I'm seeing some sagging, crepe-papery skin happening. Yuck. Some of that is age and I need to figure out some toning exercises. It's definitely a life-style change, but a positive one which I'm so thankful I started on. The pictures above are a small selection of meals I've eaten the past two months and many of those will be included in the book.  This will be a printable e-book as I find that will be the easiest and most cost ...

My life seems to be made up of an onslaught of  clamorous activity. No sooner is one event or activity complete another pops up to take its place. Some of that is just the nature of being in full-time ministry and some of it is my personality. And unless I'm willing to drop all my ministry activity  and  change my entire personality that may always be the way things are in my life.  I also understand the need for stillness and that the Lord speaks in silence. So I do work on intentionally carving out some time to sit in quietness, tune out the noise and listen to what the Lord has to say. Those times happen each morning as I make my way to my favorite spot and sit with my coffee and my Bible and read and pray. It takes a while for my brain to stop thinking about what I need to do  and instead, focus on what God wants to say. When time allows, I make sure to take time and get out in nature and hike. As I walk, take pictures, think and pray, I hear the Lord ...

I've been about 50 lbs. overweight for the past ten years.  I haven't gained any, but neither have I lost any weight.  I packed it on with each pregnancy and have kept it on.  We moved here at the end of December and after a very long winter of little activity, I gained another 15 lbs.  And I felt it. I felt tired all the time.  I felt sick a lot of the time.  And I had no energy.  I knew I needed to do something and I would exercise here or there but my eating habits didn't change.  Over the past five years I developed diverticulitis, a fatty liver, pre-diabetic symptoms, gall bladder issues, acid reflux and other digestive issues.  I've had to wear a Holter monitor and had an EKG due to an irregular heart beat.  Things were going downhill fast.  But old habits are hard to break but I was determined to do something.  But the problem is that I hate diets.  They work for a time and then I go back to ...

I haven't posted about my progress on Weight Watchers since the beginning of November. After getting on the scale this morning, I know why. I've gained 6 lbs. since then. I started weight watchers back in June and with this weight gain, it puts my total weight lost back to.... 20 lbs. I had lost 27 lbs. altogether so this is a bit discouraging. However, I started back again yesterday and just need to refocus. The holidays are over and the temptations that are laying around my house are gone. I'll post my progress each week. The main thing that has been lacking lately is the exercise. It's been so cold! Dan & I were walking 3 miles about 5 days a week but have totally slacked off. So that's the other thing that I needs my attention. I'll keep you posted!

I haven't checked in here for a few weeks regarding my progress on Weight Watchers. Unfortunately, I have not been doing very well. I've not been diligent about my points and I have not been exercising as much as I was. However, I got on the scale today and I'm only up 1 lb. so that is not too bad. This week I'm getting refocused and back on track. So overall my weight loss is.. 26 lbs. Hopefully, I'll see some progress next Sunday.

Well, this week I worked much harder at getting back on track and exercise and I have the results I wanted. I lost 2 lbs. this week for a total of....... 27 lbs. I plan on staying focused this week and I'll check back next Sunday.

Well, it's not been a good couple of weeks. We've had a lot of stress around here and obviously, I don't handle stress well. On top of that, we've had such a busy week with meetings and activities that Dan & I only walked twice the entire week. So, all that said, I was a bad puppy and I gained one pound for a total loss of..................... 25 lbs. I need to get back on track this week and step it up a notch! Especially since at the beginning of the week, I had actually lost a few lbs. and then managed to gain it back. UGH!!!!! I see that this is going to be something I have to watch my whole life. It's so easy to slip back into bad habits. So this week, my goals are to: * Exercise at least 5 days * Drink more water - this has never been a problem but since moving here the water doesn't taste as good so I've slacked off. * Stick with my daily points. This is where I've struggled ever since they dropped my points. I'll check back in next ...

There is really nothing to report this week. I stayed the same and didn't gain but didn't lose either. So total weight loss to date is.... 26 lbs. I'm still plugging away. :-)

Okay, I really don't like doing this because it feels so self-centered, but a few people wanted to see updated photos of my weight loss. So here goes. This was back in June about 3 weeks after I started the diet. This was today which is 15 1/2 weeks later. I don't see a huge difference in the picture, even though I'm 26 lbs. lighter. Anyway, there you go!

This week was pretty good. I stayed within my points and I've been trying to add hills to our walk. I find with me too that if I keep busy I don't think about eating. Much of my overeating comes from boredom. However, I'm also finding that when I do splurge that I can't even eat 1/2 of what I used to, so that is a very good thing! I got on the scale this morning and have lost another 2 lbs. for a total of..... 26 lbs. I measured myself again today and I've lost a total of 16.75 inches. Whoo Hoo!!! I'll check in again next week.

Well, it's been 2 weeks since I checked in. I didn't do very well with my eating the past week. Being away from home and out of my normal routine does not help me. However, I got on the scale this morning and found that I have lost another pound for a total of..... 24 lbs. Many of my clothes don't fit at all anymore. I'm down 2 sizes which is great! I'll check in next week!

Good morning! This week was okay - not great but not terrible. It's hard to keep this up week after week yet I know that it's basically about portion control and I will need to eat this way the rest of my life. Anyway, I got on the scale this morning and lost 1 lb. for a total of................. 23 lbs. I guess slow and steady wins the race. I'll be on vacation next week so I'll check in again in 2 weeks.

This week was another difficult week for me and I didn't do great in the eating department. I got on the scale this morning and had lost 0 lbs. So I'm still holding at...... 22 lbs. lost At least I didn't gain! I'll check back in next week.

Well, this was not a good week as dieting goes. I went over my extra points. Last night, I made a dinner for friends and it was extremely high in fat, carbs, and calories. After last night's meal I thought for sure that I either stayed the same or worse, gained. However, I stepped on the scale this morning and I have lost 3 lbs. for a total weight loss of............... 22 lbs.! WHEW!!!! I am breathing a big sigh of relief and pushing hard at it this week. I'll check back in next Sunday.

Well, it was to be expected sooner or later but I did not have the best week. I'm adjusting to eating less points so I dipped alot more into the extra weekly points. Then yesterday I went to my niece's graduation party and did not do so well there. This week I gained 1 lb. so my total weight loss is back to..................... 19 lbs. This week I'm hoping to get back refocused since we are settling into the new house and I can plan regular meals better. I'm coming back to announce that even though I gained a lb., I lost another 1 1/4" for a total loss of 11 1/4" all over. So it isn't a total loss! I'll keep you posted next week!

This has been an interesting week. Dan & I normally walk anywhere from 2-4 miles every day, depending on the busyness of the day. With the move going on we didn't exercise at all this week. However, I certainly did my share of lifting, scrubbing, bending and overall moving. I also didn't have access to the computer for the majority of the week so I did the best I could keeping track of my points in my head. I got on the scale this morning and I've lost 3 lbs. So my overall weight loss is................................. 20 lbs.! I've also lost a total of 10 inches everywhere. I'm down a size which makes me really happy. I'll keep you posted next Sunday.

I had another good week at Weight Watchers. In one way it helps to keep busy because I don't think about food, though I have a tendency to just grab something quick to eat and it isn't always the right choice. I got on the scale this morning and I dropped another 2 lbs. for a total of.................... 17 lbs. I've also losted inches everywhere and my clothes fit so much better. I certainly feel good and want to keep going. I'll keep you posted next Sunday!

I buckled down this week and worked hard at not using all my extra points and I exercised quite a bit. It paid off in results! I lost a total of 3 lbs. this week for a total weight loss of.............. 15 lbs. When I can see the results, it certainly keeps me motivated. So I'm going to keep plugging away. I'll check in again with you next week.

Well, I knew it would happen eventually but I had a week that was less than stellar. I didn't go off the diet but I certainly used up every last extra point I had. And I paid for it. :-( The irritating thing is I exercised more this week than I have previously. This week, I gained 1 lb. so my total weight loss after 5 weeks is...... 12 lbs. So, this week I'm refocusing and getting back on track. I'll keep you posted next Sunday.