Glory is losing it

I spent the day pondering whether I wanted to take down this blog or not.

In some ways it's REALLY helped me, but in others I'm just not "Feeling It"

I lost 12 pounds in 9 weeks, and that's freaking AWESOME.  This blog and a Sparkpeople Challenge were big catalysts.  And I'm so thankful.

So the thought of taking down the blog, just didn't feel right.  After some thought, I've decided to instead make a small change.

I'm not going to make "Weigh In" posts anymore.  They feel forced, and with the Sparkpeople Challenges, I have enough "weigh in days" as it is.

I WILL continue to track my weight on the sidebar of my blog, but not make entries dedicated to weighing in each week.  I may however, make exceptions when I hit milestones (IE ONEderland).

I'm going to take the structure down a notch, and just let it flow.

I feel better already.

I read a book once with a Hero that had a telepathic cat. The cat used to be a stray and when he met the Hero the Hero as down on his luck. But in the story the Hero has made his way and is a successful shop owner.

In this book the cat has conversations with the Hero, and often has to remind him "Life Is Good". This scruffy Tom is now warm, well fed and comfy on his soft bed, constantly reminding his human... "Life Is Good".

It's the simple things. Sure we can stress the details, but when I stop and be calm and think... I have a wonderful family. My kids are happy and healthy. My husband is working and enjoying his job. Our house isn't fancy, but it's nice, and it's ours.

Days like today. During the quiet moments, I sit and be calm and think...

Ya, life is good.

PS. In case anyone is wondering the book is "Heartmate" by Robin D. Owens. It's the first in a really good series of romance novels.

Weigh-in: 204.0
Loss -2.6
Total Loss: - 12 lbs

Yay, nice drop this week.  Whee!

I've been active over on Sparkpeople and am coming to the end of my first official "challenge".   I've been on Team Clover in the 5% Summer Challenge (lose 5% in 8 weeks).  Well today's weight just knocked me into the 5% goal.  Woo!  Trick is to keep it off until the official challenge weigh in next Saturday.  But I can do that!

I'm SO happy right now.  This is the best I've ever done losing weight, where I wasn't on some crazy crash diet.  It feels awesome!  It's been this blog and all the new Awesome Friends I've made over at Sparkpeople has really helped me to keep going.  I'm so thankful.

Of course I'm not there yet.  I still have yet to get into "ONEderland", but I'm CLOSE!

With this last "sparkchallenge" coming to an end, I'll be doing TWO challenges this fall.  I'm returning to Team Cloverleaf for the Fall 5% Challenge, and I'm also on the Purple Team for the Biggest Loser - Fit and Focused in Fall challenge.  Bring it on!

I gotta keep on keepin on.  But what I'm doing is working, so I just need to keep it up.

My Son, "KC" is back in school.  He's a first grader now.  I love him very much, but he is a very intense, very LOUD kid.  It's only been two days, but I'm sure enjoying the break from his seemingly constant energy.

My little girl "Tory" is 2, and for the most part likes to putter around, play with blocks and 'read' her books.  She's a lot more like me, more quiet and low key.

I'm not sure what it is, but it feels like I'm able (and motivated) to get more done around the house (now that KC is back in school).  I'm already getting lots of cleaning, sorting and organizing done.  Which by the way burns calories, don'tchaknow?

I want to take Tory to the Y in the mornings (wrangling one kid is SO much easier), but it's closed for renovations/cleaning/whatever until after labor day.  So that hasn't happened yet.

I also got a jogging stroller off of Freecycle recently.  But need to work on the logistics of transporting it to the jogging trail.  I can't (won't) use it in the neighborhood, because I live on a steep San-Fransisco-like hill.  Seriously, when it snows (which isn't often) people SKI past my front door!

So my schedule has shifted, gotta make sure exercise makes it with the shift too.

Weigh-in: 206.6
Loss -0.0
Total Loss: - 9.4 lbs

Been kind of a hectic week for me.  It really flew by.  Been busy getting last minute things done for my Son to enter the First Grade.  He was in Half Day Kindergarten last year, so all day school is a big deal this year.  We're both excited, possibly me more then him.  LOL.

I sing in a Women's Acapella Chorus, and this past weekend we had a two day coaching session with an out of state coach.  It was awesome, but played havoc on my exercise and eating plans.  Overall I did well though.  But I really worked at it.

Finally, I've received news that one of my cats has a condition that will likely shorten her overall lifespan significantly.  For those of you who know me, I'm talking about Freya.  Poor thing, she can't catch a break.  I'm okay with it - I think.  I'm still sort of trying to wrap my head around it.

Overall, I guess a maintenance week isn't so shabby.

Weigh-in: 206.6
Loss -0.8
Total Loss: - 9.4 lbs

Yay, I broke past my Wall.  I'd been worrying that I might bounce back again, but my wonderful husband reminded me that I've stayed under 207 for 4 days now.  Not exactly a blip on the weight loss radar.

So on top of breaking past that wall, I'm also down a size in jeans!  Yay!

Lots more ground to cover, but I'm feeling good about what I've accomplished so far.

w00t! 206.0 this morning. Wow!

Woo Hoo!!!

Now the challenge is to make sure it sticks.

RAR!

Okay, I'm there.  I'm AT "The Wall", I weighed 207.0 this morning.

I'm being extra diligent with the calorie count.

I've taken the kids out on a nature walk, and ended up hefting the 2 year old about a half a mile.  Whew.

Tonight I plan on getting a run in as well.

Ima gonna break past this wall.  RAR!

Weigh-in: 208
Gain: + 0.8
Total Loss: - 8.0 lbs

So ya, last week I hit my Wall.

I almost didn't post numbers at all this week.  Thanks to Jack Sh*t's Get Out Of Jail Scale Free Pass.  But I was able to get the numbers back to a less upsetting level.

207 seems to be my current barrier.  I get close or sometimes even touch it, then the pounds come back.  The same ole yo-yo.  I'm just sick of it.

I'm being extra careful with my food logging this week. I'm getting rid of tempting foods.  And getting in as many extra workouts as I can.

Instead of hiding my head in the sand, I'm on the attack.  And I'm POd.

RAR!

I know this place.  I know it well.  Too well.

It's "The Wall".  I can feel it.  Feel its texture.  Feel the temperature.  I feel its malevolence.  It mocks me.  It whispers me to go back.  To give up.  Tells me I can't do it.  Don't bother.

Have a cookie, you deserve it.  No one will know.  It's too hard. There's is always next week.  Next month.

I know this place.  I have pushed on this wall over and over.  Hit it and bounced back.

It's all very familiar.  I know this place.  The ground is packed and worn.  Stained with tears.

I know this place.

I can't believe I'm here already.

But this time I must fight.  I must rage. 

The Wall will not beat me.  Not this time.  Enough is enough... is ENOUGH.

I will not gain these pounds I have just lost.  You will not take them from me.

I am not Quitting!  I am not Procrastinating!

I WILL BREAK PAST THIS WALL!