a shot of confidence!

Yesterday I had lunch with a dear friend (four months overdue!). Someone I used to see on an almost daily basis when I worked. Her original reaction when I walked in was JUST what the doctor ordered. While I am noticing the changes in my clothes - loose fitting, hanging funny, I didn't know if it was outwardly noticeable that I've been losing weight.

When she saw me, she immediately said "you look amazing! have you lost weight?"

It made my morning. I really needed that. Because while the scale is showing that I'm down just over 30 pounds, I still doubt myself. Wondering if it's just in my head. So to have someone objective notice without being prompted, was that little reassurance that it is happening.

This woman has been with me through so many ups and downs. Breakfast and coffee with her was just an amazing refreshment for my soul.

Now my big hurdle is this - every time I start getting healthy - and get to this point (ok, this is further than I usually get) - I start to let it go. So I am testing myself. Can I continue? What am I scared of? Why shouldn't I be healthy?

So there it is.

She and I discussed what is going on - and how it's not some crazy diet - it's just a lifestyle change. With eating all fresh, homemade goods - very little processed. And walking to and from work. It's not only changing MY body - but my hubby's - lowering his bad numbers as well. I cook meals for my boys that they take in lunches - no more processed, high fat lunches. Real, home cooking, with a good mix of protein, veggies, and grains. NO PRESERVATIVES.

Getting back to basics is the key for me. And I was so happy to share it with my friend. She is good for me.

he noticed!

On a drive up north last Friday for the football game, the hubby and I were talking, as we do on all of our road trips. I was annoyed that my rings had already begun to spin (every fall/winter, my fingers shrink and my rings get too big), when he said, "maybe it's because you've lost weight". YEAH! He noticed! AND said something. It's the little victories. :-)

natural changes....

There are so many changes going on with my body right now. One of the biggest is that my stomach has shrunk - to were I can eat a lot less than before. I'm sure my emotional/bored binging had stretched it. I was able to eat huge quantities at meals. Now that I'm eating on a normal schedule, I've found that I tend to eat much smaller quantities. And the beauty is, this is all happening on its own.

I'm not sure what's caused the landfall of change. I get the muscular changes, from the job that is moving and physical. But I'm not sure why I've stopped emotionally eating and bingeing. And while I don't know why that has stopped, (I am THANKFUL), I am thrilled how that has now begun to change my every day eating habits, causing me to need less to be full.

What I love is that all of these changes are happening naturally. I'm not on some crazy restrictive diet eating only one fruit. I'm choosing better food, being more active, and the rest is falling into place.

So far - down 24 pounds - I feel it in my clothes, as they fit better. I notice changes in my back, my arms and legs, and my stomach. I am still waiting though for the hubby to say something. I wonder how long it will take for him to realize. Because normally I announce a "special diet", but with this, I've said nothing, because I'm just being smarter. We will see!

my changing body

Having taken a physical job - where I am on my feet all day, lifting, etc., I am really starting to feel a difference in my body. Not just the soreness from using my muscles, sigh, but the strength I have in all my muscles - strength in my calves on the stairs, strength in my back... I LOVE it. I am feeling stronger and more in control than ever.

Had a crummy food day Saturday.But seriously, it is the only bad day I've had in two weeks. So I'm over it. No point in dwelling on it, just got back on the horse today.

Life is good - energy is up - muscles are getting stronger - and the weight is ever-so-slowly coming off. The right way to do it, yes? YES.

Feeding my soul, ALL THAT I NEED

Pastor's message today was again SO beautiful. It is so easy to forget that all we need is the true Bread of Life - the Body and Blood - through Faith in Jesus. I have been struggling with not only my physical body but my spiritual - and all I need to remember is that God provides for us all that we need. We simply need to take in the Body and Blood of Christ. He will nourish our bodies and souls. He will provide. He will deliver us.

I have been struggling with so many decisions in my life, and all I needed to remember was this. God IS providing for me, He IS nourishing me. He is all that I need.

Progress to date.

As of today, I have lost 23 pounds since March. And I am feeling great - walking every day, strength training. I feel as if I've finally found the recipe to better health - the same way I did 20+ years ago. Just live life. Don't fret, don't stress, don't make it hard. Just live life. Eat foods that are good for you, that fuel your body. Don't deny - but don't over indulge. Do some movement every day (and for me - strength training too - it's a key). And make conscious choices to improve your heatlh - taking the stairs, parking on the edge of the parking lot and walking into the stores, walking to work, water instead of anything else. Loaded up plates of veggies, with a little protein and carb on the side.

I'm so happy to say that this isn't because of a fad diet, or P90x, or running five miles a day. It's from being SMART about my body and life. And 23 pounds is a HELLUVA start. Bring on the fight!

little by little

While the saga of my whooping cough continues, and I'm still coughing... the extreme heat of July is behind us, and I've been walking some every day. It's been WONDERFUL to be able to be outside in the fresh air, rather than cooped up inside with the air conditioning on. Been raining for much of the last 24 hours, so no gardening, but that is my next hope. Next week I hope to settle back into gardening as well. It's amazing what fresh air and hard work does for you spirit and body. Feeling muscles again - feeling more energetic - and sleeping better. Good stuff!