Off and running...

So I'm on day 20 of working out and eating right! I had a big slip up over a week ago but since then I've gotten back on track. I've lost 4.2 pounds and I'm going to a WW meeting tomorrow for a weigh in. My first goal is 5 pounds and it's funny I already rewarded myself with a hair cut and color to help me feel good. I'm trying NOT to reward myself with food, instead with workout clothes and other self improvement items. I've got a terrific support group and I'm so motivated. Through this process I'm discovering who really wants to support me and see me succeed and who wants to be selfish and use me to bond by food. I'm trying to see food as fuel for my body and less about over indulging. The longer I do this the more I realize that there are lots of excuses for eating poorly and the funny part is I can now hear others when they use the same excuses. Well I'm going to go for a run down, wish me luck!

Being held accountable...

And so I celebrated New Year's with food and drinks. Typical, I've gained ALL of my weight back and a few extra. I'm not happy about this but have regrouped, gotten past the idea of punishing myself and now I move forward towards self improvement. I joined weight watchers, have a handful of friends who are encouraging me and holding me accountable. Kaleb got me running shoes for Christmas, because I've decided I want to try running. After all how many fat runners do you really see? Not sure if it's because fat runners give up or because they are laughed at and quit? Hopefully, it's because when they finish the journey they are strong and fit. I ate within my points range today, no exercise but getting over a cold. Tomorrow I'm going to the track to attempt running and then to a Weight Watchers meeting. It's good to be back!

Change is around us...

I write today with lots of news. For starters I have gained back a total of 16 pounds. I know, I know disappointing. But with that said I have returned to my old ways of salads, unsweet tea and exercise. BOO! No more cake, Dr. Peppers, Margaritas and other such fun. For now I must remain strict and positive. The second part of my post is that Kaleb and the family will be returning to Texas. We are so excited about this move, and unfortunately only have a small group of people to share the excitement with. So as I pack up my life in Florida I will go back to the one thing I can control, my weight. Wish me success on both the move and the weightloss. Afterall once these 16 pounds are off I choose to lose an additional 30 more. I can do this.

Easter Blessings

Carter was baptized on Saturday at Eater Vigil service, the evening was magical. My little Carter was grinning from ear to ear as Kaleb, my parents, grandmother and sons all looked on. To make the evening even more magical Jackson took his first communion at the service as well. After the service we had chocolate covered strawberries and champagne. Then we went to Food Glorious Food for even more tasty treats at almost 10:00 pm. The entire evening was so special.

You are my squishy

So because I am fortunate enough to have good friends and family who politely have turned a blind eye, to the fact that through the years I have put on weight. And I don't mean 10 or 20 pounds, I mean 80. Of course some comes from age, poor eating choices, lack of exercise, and being pregnant 3 times in a 5 year span.

So in November of 2008 I decided to do something about it. I visited my doctor and we discussed a plan of attack. I didn't want surgery, instead I would exercise 5 days a week, and eat a low carb/low fat diet. After my visit I made a decision to stop being as my grandmother lovingly calls it "healthy" and get back into shape. If only I had known what that was going to entail, in late December after losing roughly 11 pounds I started having gall bladder issues and had to have emergency surgery to remove it. I had to stop eating alot of the veggies I had finally gotten used to eating so I could "learn to digest foods again." It took me a good 3 weeks to recover.

When I did finally recover I slowly but surely I have been eating better, not exercising as often as I should. With all of my other responsibilities, working full time, being a mother of 3, taking care of our home, and being a perfect wife (as if) and I get worn out and lack energy on certain days to workout. But I stay determined and focused, Kaleb has joined in the weight loss fight and he too has lost about 10 pounds. We are planning a trip to Texas and are using that as our finish line. I haven't posted many photos of myself on facebook or myspace because I don't want to reveal my new self until I am finished or closer to my goal. I am so amazed this far at the transformation. Often I don't see any change unless I step on a scale, while others see a HUGE difference in my physical appearance.

Now to the reward portion of this process, when I began this journey I made a deal with Kaleb that every time I lost 10 pounds I would get something. We have tweaked it a bit so now it is at 20 pounds I got to have my teeth whitened, 30 a tanning membership, 45 pounds a new purse, 55 new clothes, and 65 a new wedding band. Once I hit 80 pounds and keep it off for a full year I am hopeful that I will get a tummy tuck and boobs. But that is a long time from now so I'll just keep my eye on the real prize, getting in shape and being healthy so I can watch my sons grow up.

Anyway the reason for this blog today was because this morning I weighed in and I usually only weigh in on Mondays but this morning I thought what the hell and to my surprise I have lost 44.5 pounds! I was so pleased and can't wait to visit Jacksonville tomorrow to show some of my family.

Let me introduce my family...

My name is Jackie, I am a mother of 3 beautiful healthy boys, they are the light of my life. Jackson the oldest is charming, somewhat emotional and very bright. He has a quick wit about him and can negotiate just about anything. Parker my middle son is affectionate, tough, and stubborn and totally in love with Elmo and his mother. And Carter my "chunky monkey" is chubby, happy and very curious. They keep me busy and on my toes. I work for a YMCA and run their aquatic programs as well as as membership. It's a good job that always presents challenges and opportunites. I've made many friends while doing this job and I like that where I work, they too follow my beliefs of God, family and then work. I am married to Kaleb, he is a very hard worker, dedicated to his family and even more so to his wife. With the exception of my father I do not know of a man willing to sacrifice everything so that his family has it all. It's funny that at such a young ageI mad the right choice when choosing my husband. Well since I've given a small bio of our family, my future blogs will be about our everyday lives including the funnies I hear day to day from my kids.
With all my heart,
Jackie