Mid-March Update

It’s been a while since I’ve updated on my weight loss journey…

It’s not been easy keeping a schedule and being 100% perfect with my in-take all the time. But I’m doing a lot better than I have in the past. I thank my support system for that, I had some support before, but it definitely wasn’t this kind or the type I needed. I actually feel like someone else besides me cares about my outcome… And there is ALOT to be said about that. Trust me.

Another issue. I struggle daily with the fact that we live 25+ miles away from any type of “real” fitness centers. This might not seem like a problem to some but coming from a single income family, and doing the math it’s not pretty. To go to the gym 4 times a week the gas would cost $115/month… WOW that’s a bill around this joint. Not to mention the time for travel out of our busy lives and having to plan everything around nap time and much more…

And…

Since selling our house and buy one closer to town isn’t a very realistic choice… I decided to bring the fitness center to our house.

For that reason, I bought what I know I love and lost 40 pounds with before I got pregnant with Emmett. An arc trainer (a type of elliptical trainer). It’s journey from store to able to use was quite long.

Thanks to my husband I was able to get my first workout in tonight !!

And even though I HATE being on this side of the camera… I had to put it up so I can see the change when the change DOES happen !!!

~ ~With change shall come change ~ ~

Looking Back

As Easter is upon us again I would like to take a minute and look back.

Easter season 2010:
I was recouping from my second of five kidney surgery’s that year… the second being the worst. I was discharged from the hospital late Saturday afternoon and that was our first year hosting Easter, for our family, in our house that we purchased back in 2008.

My husband was such a doll. He started re-arranging the living areas so we could all have a nice sit down meal the second he got me settled. As I watched it became real to me what I had just been through. Eleven days in the hospital, close to death a time too many, wasn’t exactly my idea of fun.

I joked that all the pain was preparing me to have a baby, because until then I was a BIG BABY with pain of any kind.

Easter dinner went off without a hitch. As we counted our blessings and thanked the Lord for all that his has done and all that he was going to do.

Easter season 2011:
I sure bit my tongue because much to my surprise… We were pregnant !! Something I had almost given up on being ! March 1, 2011 the test was positive !! So Easter was extra special as we were celebrating what was new to come in the next 7 months !!

Easter season 2012:
Five months had past since our little Emmett had joined us. Steven, my husband, had been back to working as much as possible and I was in full swing full time Mommy mode! Easter was such a special time enjoying Emmett, with his basket and playing with the eggs. We decided to not do the egg hunt this year, being the he really had no idea what was going on and Steven was ‘off to work.’ But… We did watch with amazed 5 month old eyes and it must have been exhausting (see below).

FatherSon Time Before our Big Day !

Nap time after the egg hunt !!

Therefore as we look ahead to March 31st, Easter 2013. I can’t help but get excited !!! Emmett will be hunting eggs, and running around with the other kids, and eating more than breast milk! It is amazing how things can change in just one year’s time…

Looking back on the last three years really set things into perspective… I wouldn’t want my life any other way.

The adventures and challenges that we have face makes us who we are and I’m thankful for all that has formed me. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for our family next year.

Thank you Lord for all that you have done and all that you are going to do !

March Goals !!

Wow It’s March Already ! Where did February go ?
Let’s slow down this year already !

March is a good month for transition and MORE goal making in my opinion. After all, spring is just around the corner and as some of my ‘skinny’ friends would say bikini season is approaching.

As many of you know I did belong to a group called TOPS (take off pounds sensibly)… Every Tuesday morning I would pack up and go for a weigh-in, and start the “beginning” of my week. I loved the accountability. I took so much from the meetings and friendships made at the small group I attended. Including all these reference materials ! As you see I wasn’t very organized in this department.

TOPS References

So… MARCH… I love it !!!

& I’ve decided to be MORE inspired…

During my http://google.com searches I came across http://u.about.com/ which has several free educational e-mail sign up’s. One being “12-weeks to Weight Loss.” I signed up. There is SOOOO Much valuable information, workout ideas and plans on this site.

If you would like to sign up click http://exercise.about.com/c/ec/1.htm

So… I’ve started writing out my goals and notes from the sites education, and printed some of the longer ones for references… And bat-a-bing-bat-a-boo…

All my weight loss tools… 1…2…3…. GO !!

I have an inspired, organized plan.
Day 1-6 is on paper and I’m ready to undertake every task!

In cohorts, with all my other tools I should be set up for success !

Hope you know. If I can do it… You can do it too !!!

❤ Amanda