Good Morning

Our last post on this poor blog was in February. By that time, I had lost 15 lbs and was having serious side issues because of it. I went to the doctor who suggested a surgical procedure that would eliminate the majority of my problems. I was all set to do that, when I found out my insurance deductible was sky high; and of course we fat, somewhat healthy people had not met that deductible.

It was with much discussion between my hubby and I and even my mother in law and some family members as to what to do. I had already, since our last post, regained nearly all my weight, and was having weight related issues.
I was caught between a rock and a hardplace. I needed the surgery to safely lose weight, but since I couldn't have the surgery as planned, I was having alot of physical side affects from the weight!
Finally, after shortness of breath and alot of heartburn and a myriad of other weight related issues, my husband and I decided that I did indeed need to lose weight.
I alerted the family to the fact that my weight loss brings on those other side effects and issues that the surgery will take care of. In the meantime, I am going about this weight loss issue slightly different then in the past.
I still have that goal of losing 50 lbs. I just have to lose it very slowly, so that my body can adjust better, and that I can almost fool my body into thinking that it's not going through some huge change.
I started this process the end of October. By the end of November, I had lost 5 pounds, and with only minor fluctuations in my system. As of this morning, I have lost 6 lbs total.
So after that re-introduction into the weight loss blog, let me tell you what I am doing.
I have cut down my portions, and I am basically eating 1 meal a day usually lunch or an early supper. Now I do snack in between some times - tortilla chips and salsa dip, etc. I do have some chocolate candy every now and again, but 1 peice usually does the trick.
I am not exercising ye,t although I want to, I am actually scared to.
I know some of you will laugh at me or scoff, but that is probably because you do not understand the extent of physical and emotional agony I go through when I lose weight at full speed ahead.
I am excited and scared as I reach the 200 lb mark. Usually the worst of my problems is when I get below that 200lbs. I am hoping that my losing 5 lbs a month only that I can sneak into it without so much drama.
See, If I lost just 5 lbs a month, I will have lost 60 lbs by the end of a full year. Sounds very reasonable to me. My heartburn has lessened and my breathing is better, and some of the other issues are starting to dissipate, but I am going to keep going.
So I will use this blog to chronicle my progress and to encourage any of you out there suffereing from a myriad of physical problems that we can do this.. even if it's just slowly!
Thanks yall and welcome back
Rebecca

Hmm...

Well, since I came in here and whined about my weight gain, I have since lost almost all the weight I had regained. How? I started weighing myself every morning again, and watching what I ate, well at least watched it go in my mouth. I made only a few tiny adjustments to my eating schedule, but so far it's working. Now, If only the rest of the 50 lbs would be that easy.
Also, I have the sinus crud again, when I had that last time I lost weight as well, so maybe God is answering my prayer for losing weight by making me congested again.?
Whatever works, right?
HMMM!

February 09

Well, we started this Journey in September of '08. It is now almost the end of the alleged time period to see who can lose the most weight. Unfortunately, since we started this whole process during the most holiday season time of year, I think alot of us in our class have NOT completed their goals.
I had lost 15 lbs and about 2 inches. I have since gained back 5 lbs, and feeling very overweight.
I know as spring and summer get here, I will be able to walk; and then I am positive I can finally lose weight.
I will keep this blog active, although as you can tell, we are reluctant to post much of anything; since we have not kept to the program, to reap it's benefits.
Pray for Kristi and I that we will get motivated and have the strength AND time to lose weight.
Hope ya'll have a Healthy New Year.

Memories and pictures

Happy Thanksgiving!
I was looking through our family picture archives last night watching my hair and shape change through the years. LOL! I came across this picture from 4 years ago, that honestly I don't even remember posing for.
As I sit here, and yearn to be thin again, I am thankful for the years of health God has given me.

My children saw some pictures of me, I do not yet know which ones they saw, and they said MOM you were HUGE!!! I laughed because it means that I must not be as HUGE now! I have not regained the weight I have lost in the past couple of months, Praise God.
I have not lost any more either though. LOL.

Kristi and I faithfully weigh ourselves every Sunday, and cringe or cheer depending on the results. I think we had both thought we would be able to shed weight as easily as getting a haircut! I know the class competition is over in February, but this will be a lifetime for me to achieve the goal and to stay with it.
I am so glad that losing weight and living for Christ is very similar... how you ask? There is always a second chance!
I will leave you with the picture that I found, and hope ya'll have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Kristi- It's definitely CHEAT day! LOL

Break Through

Hello to all my weight loss buddies.
I finally reached a very important milestone that I have struggled to get past for 2 months. I am happy to say that I have lost 13 pounds so far!
Two special people took me shopping today for my birthday. I was not sure if this was because I am not at the height of fashion, or if they were just being nice. I was somewhat reluctant to try on a store full of clothes, and parade them to the critical eye. I am very self conscious of my weight, but also of my appearance. It's a great day when I actually feel like I look good.
What was really encouraging was that the size in clothing that I am used to wearing was actually too big on me now! It was nice to pick out smaller sizes, and to see what mixed and matched to make a great outfit.
They proceeded to close the store down around us, as I was trying on all sorts of ensembles.
Amongst the three of us, we picked THE special outfit. I was happy to come home, and model it for my family.
My husband decided that from now on he will give those 2 stylist friends of mine the money, and tell them to take me shopping!
I came home, and started removing from my closet all the clothes that were in that larger size, that I now know do NOT fit me anymore!
I will pack them up and put them in a box for the Philippines(our church's current mission project). Maybe some pregnant women over there would like some large comfy clothes to wear.

Blahggy Blues

Well, as you have noticed the past couple of weeks, Kristi and I have had our weight loss blues. We have Not seen alot of progress, and have just been getting depressed or thinking of giving up. This has been reflected in our lack of blog posting as well.
Today we met for Sunday school, and I prayed and begged God to "puh- lease" let me lose 1 more lb.!
It is my birthday today, and I wanted to see some sort of reward for my hard work these past few months.
I stepped on that scale and guess what?! It said I lost 1.5 lbs!!! Here, I actually believed that scale was broken! Kristi also lost a pound!!!
Three Cheers for us!!
Hip Hip Hoorrray!
Of course, since we have been in a slump, we were both wondering why and how we managed to lose this miracle pound.
Thank you God for answering prayer and giving us hope!
Ya'll have a blessed week, and maybe we will get back into the swing of things now, both in losing weight and posting our progress.

Winners or Losers

I have this short little motivational book called Winners and Losers. I was looking in it the other day for some inspirational thoughts for Kristi. She and I are both having a hard time with this diet. I have lost the same couple pounds now for the past month. They have become faithful friends almost. I see them come, and I see them go, and sometimes they just sit there, and don't move an inch. Yes, I know it sounds as if my pounds are almost human, but when you carry them around all the time they get quite attached ;).
I got to thinking, as I read that book from cover to cover trying to find something that would encourage and inspire us to break through our dietary slump. We are winners if we become losers, well at least in this aspect. I think it's about the only time we can win by losing.
So Kristi and all you poor people trying to ride the roller coaster of weight management right along with us... be a Loser - you'll win in the end!