Start Over

 So many things have happened since I last wrote on this blog. Our family lives in Canada, I have become a nurse, I have been working through depression, anxiety and PTSD. My parents have moved, our oldest daughter has moved out on her own and my children are now all adults! The most significant change is not one I am proud of, over the past seven years I have gained back all the weight I worked so hard to lose and then some. 

Last year, I had a large stag horn stone removed surgically from my kidney, and my recent follow up bloodwork was an eye opener. So Thursday evening after my appointment with my urologist I decided NOW is the time I have to change! No more waiting to lose weight when I feel like it, letting my mood control my cravings or living with self loathing and shame. 

Friday morning, I stepped on the scale and BOOM 239.8lbs. Today my journey begins. No more pop and juice to explode my calorie intake. Smaller portions and better choices lead the way. Get off the couch and move! I am slowly building up distance walking each day and looking forward to lifting some weights. 

Slow and steady, that is how I will manage this lifetime change. It cannot be looked at as temporary or until I lose the weight. This is a forever journey that requires action today. 

Weight of the Nation Documentaries

30 Pounds

It's official, I have lost 30 lbs. The last two and a half since I stopped counting calories, so that was encouraging.

My thinking has changed a lot since this journey began and I know I that it is because I am trusting on the Lord to help me through this.

Work out with Weights

Today I worked out with weights for the first time. I think I might not be able to feel my arms tomorrow.

A New Pic

Myah took this picture of me during our road trip today.

Two Weeks at the Gym

Okay, so after two weeks of going to the gym I have noticed a change in my stamina. I have also noticed that my waist has gone down 2 inches, my hips 1/2 an inch and my chest 2 inches.

I'm Just a Sweat Machine

Last night Myah came to the gym with me. She snapped these pictures.

I sweat so much during my workout and drink about 1 1/2 litres of water, but it feels good afterward.

On the stepper

I love using the bike!

My least favourite - the elliptical!

Good Kind of Sore

I went to the gym for the first time yesterday. I used the stationary bike, elliptical machine and a stepping machine. I was sore at the end, but the good kind of sore. You know when you rediscover muscles you forgot you had. My plan is to go three days a week and if I do anything else it will be to continue my walking here on the base.

I also weighed in this morning and I am now at 189.8 lbs. I made it to the 180's. It has been a long time. Great to see you, but hope to leave you in about a month. He he.

P.S.
Had to start using a belt to hold my pants up.

Proud of you.

That is wonderful Brenda. Keep up the good work.

Changes

I wanted to see if I could notice a difference in my face in the last three months. Sure enough I can. But wait, there's more, check out the rest of me!

4 days before starting my life change.

After 3 months

Latest Weigh In

Janet
196.4lbs

Brenda
195.5lbs

Measurement Update

I decided to take my measurements again after two months. These numbers are compared to my original measurements back at the end of May.

O - original measurement
C - current measurement
D - difference between measurements

Waist

• O 45"
• C 41" 
• D 4"

Chest

• O 42 1/2"
• C 39"
• D 3 1/2"

Bust 

• O 46 1/2"
• C 43 1/2"
• D 3"

Hips

• O 50 1/4"
• C 45"
• D 5 1/4"

Neck 

• O 15 3/4"
• C 14 3/4"
• D 1"

Calves

• O Left 15"  Right 15 1/4
• C Left 14 1/2" Right 14 3/4
• D Left 1/2 Right 1/2

Thighs

• O Left 27" Right 26 3/4"
• C Left 25 1/2" Right 25 1/4
• D Left 1 1/2" Right 1 1/2"

Upper Arms

• O Left 12 3/4" Right 13"
• C Left 12 1/2" Right 12 1/4"
• D Left 1/4" Right 3/4"

Total difference in inches -21 3/4"

Progress

Congratulations Mom on losing 12 lbs. You are doing a great job, keep it up. Doesn't it feel great to be in the one hundreds again.

Challenge

Made to crave set a challenge to write a plan for the day of what you plan to eat instead of writing what you ate for the day. I have never been a food planer so this is going to be a challenge for me. A little scary as it means I have to plan, not my cup of tea as I usually go with the flow. Obvious  going with the flow has got me where I am. So here begins a new way, planning a head of time.
Great job on your weight loss of 20 lb's Brenda.  Keep up the  good work.  Every day is  a new day towards your goal

Week Ten Weigh - In

Janet

• maintained during her vacation. Yeah!
• current weight 199.8 lbs

Brenda 

• weight down 1.5 lbs
• total down 20 lbs
• current weight 196.5 lbs

We will continue with our study tonight.

ONEderland!

After having a one pound gain last week I was feeling discouraged, but this morning I hit ONEderland. Not by much mind you but I am going to claim it. 198 lbs whohoo! I have not been in the one hundreds in about 5 1/2 years.

Brenda

• weight down 3.7 lbs (after 1 lb gain)
• total weight loss 18.5 lbs
• current weight 198 lbs

Mom is on holidays.

Alive.

I am glad to be alive to do this study. For the first time in my life I know victory is possible.

Several days

Well I've been doing the made to crave study. I am really enjoying it. Mind though it is a lot of work.
I don't know if I expected so much work.  I am however thankful, and looking forward to what lies ahead.
Hope you are being blessed by it also Brenda. Thanks for finding the study.

Made to Crave Study - Week One

Tonight we watched the first video in our study.  There wasn't much said that surprised me or mom.  I think because we have been waiting to start this for a while and had already started thinking about some of these things. We did however talk about things more in-depth for the first time.

It was interesting to reflect on the definition of the word indulge - taking unrestrained pleasure in something.

We also discussed deprivation, food waging war against our souls and the vicious cycle of dieting and failure.

Definitely Need Water

Well last week I only managed to drink between 4 and 5 glasses of water a day. I think that it might be one of the reasons why I only lost 1 pound last week. As my diet was pretty much the same as the other weeks.

I wish water had the same taste as juice. Oh well, I only have two more to drink today!