Tag: lifestylechange

Chapter 7: The First Vacation

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Well.. I started off with the best of intentions. I prepared all my meals before hand, brought all the necessities for success, and then… went off plan.

I will fully admit that I chose to partake in food that was off plan. All of which were desserts. I did eat my four small meals but started to replace one or two with dessert. I did stay on plan with my lean and greens, even when we dined out. So I guess there were some wins and some losses.

I wish I could say that I felt great, but I didn’t. My body paid the price. I am currently bloated, swollen, and have had a dull headache. My body had adjusted to what I had been eating and it does not like what I have consumed. I have been eating low glycemic foods and very few carbs. I’m pretty sure pineapple upside down cake, banana cake, and strawberry milkshakes do not fall into that category.

That is where I am at physically but where am I now mentally?

I’m slightly disappointed in myself, but I’m also ready and excited to get back on track. I’m not being nonchalant about the food choices I made. I definitely could have done better but also could have done much worse. I am human after all. I think if I went completely off plan in every way, then maybe my attitude would be different, but I didn’t.

Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.

Michael Jordan

My next step is to sit down and think about what I could do differently next time. I can’t count on will power alone to help, I tried that and clearly it didn’t work out well for me. The biggest thing that stands out to me is that I ate based on an immediate want and feeling. Such as, “That looks incredible and I know it tastes delicious! It won’t hurt to just have one slice.” Instead on acting immediately, I need to stop and probably even walk away. Give myself time to challenge and think about what I should do versus what I want to do (which is eat the cake!). I would guess stopping to actually consider the consequences in conjunction with my will power will help me choose the right decision. This is a tool I have been taught but haven’t really put into action…well at least remain consistent in doing. Stop Challenge and Choose. It time for me to get to work, remain consistent, and keep my eye on the goal.This set back will not hold me back.

I have learned from this vacation that this journey isn’t about being perfect. It is about learning, growing, and working to better myself. I know that my life is changing, and I’m confident that my smile says it all.

Messy blessings,

Misty

Chapter 6: The First 20

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This last pound seemed to take forever, but I finally did it and reached a goal. I have lost twenty pounds!

I think it is time to be even more vulnerable now that I am feeling better about myself and this journey. The one thing I have yet to share is what my goal weight is and how much I need to lose. I will be honest and say that I haven’t shared because I wasn’t so sure this program would work. I have tried so many and I was skeptical. I had seen some amazing results from people I know, but my goal number seemed unreachable. So here it is…

My goal weight is 130 pounds. That will get me in the healthy BMI (body mass index) range for my height. The total weight I needed to lose when I started was the same number..130 pounds. So add those two numbers together and you get..260 pounds. Yes, my starting weight was 260 pounds.

Now, the last 2 weeks I have been pretty tough on myself. Like I said earlier, this last pound seemed to have taken forever to drop. I even thought briefly about throwing in the towel. My fiance was my cheerleader during this time. He told me to stop thinking that way and look at what else is happening. My clothes were fitting much looser. I had just bought a size down in jeans and now probably going to have to buy another size down. He thought it would also be a good idea to start walking now that the weather was nicer, and that is exactly what I did.

I didn’t walk much in the past. My lower back and feet would start to hurt shortly into the walk. I would get out of breath and start to sweat. It wasn’t enjoyable for me and I felt like everyone that drove by was looking at the fat girl who was struggling. This time was much different. My energy was incredible, my back and feet never hurt, I wasn’t winded, and by the end of it, I felt amazing. So the next day, I did it again. I took my dog and walked even further. So far, I have walked every (nice) day.

I realized I had a choice when I stepped on the scale this morning and saw the red number 239. I could choose a negative attitude like, “ugh…I still have 120 pounds to go..this is impossible” or “I did it. I reached my 20 pound goal. I only have 120 pounds to go!” I chose the latter of the two. My mentality is changing with this journey. Although I had some difficult days, I didn’t quit. I persevered and kept moving forward. This journey is a complete lifestyle change for me. Not just in the food I eat, but also my mental and emotional health.

I got this. Nothing is going to hold me back!

Messy blessings,

Misty

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” – Galatians 6:9

Chapter 4: Change Is the Only Constant

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Heraclitus said that “Change is the only constant.” Meaning change is the only thing we can be sure will happen. I have found this to be very true in my journey.

Change in food, behaviors, habits, appearance, portion size, and so on. I’m not complaining though. If anything, I have embraced it!

Change is the only thing we can be sure will happen.

I have even found joy in becoming a healthier version of myself. Yes, it is hard and sometimes I veer off plan, but each choice after that is a new choice! I also am starting to see results.

  • 1-17-21
  • 2-17-21

I stare at these pictures and I am reminded of how thankful I should be. I struggle with giving thanks. Small things I overlook giving credit to God. However, looking at these photos bring to mind this scripture:

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

Isaiah 43:19

I am reminded by this scripture that my Heavenly Father knows me. He knows my inner most being. He knows my thoughts and what is truly in my heart. He knows the struggles I face and the temptations that plague me. It is in this scripture and the above photos where I see God’s hand in my journey. I have struggled with my weight for nine years. I have had to overcome many hardships in my life during this time and I used food to comfort me. God put this opportunity in front of me and I chose to follow. He is making me new in a different way now, and for that I am so incredibly thankful!

  • Down a size in jeans and 2 sizes in tops
  • Right was taken before journey and left is current.

Lord, you have examined me and you know me. You know everything I do; from far away you understand all my thoughts. You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions. Even before I speak, you already now what I will say. You are all around me on every side; you protect me with your power. Your knowledge of me is too deep; it is beyond my understanding.

Psalm 139:1-6 NLT

I mentioned how I have moments where I veer off plan. I still struggle on certain days. I am still trying to overcome my poor habit of binge eating in the evenings. It isn’t a nightly occurrence, and I am aware of what triggers this behavior (which is an accomplishment in itself!). Maybe you can relate? Boredom, stress, and staying up late are what trigger me. I tell myself I am hungry. Let me repeat that… I tell myself I am hungry. My body isn’t telling me, but my mind. If I were to listen to my body, it would tell me drink more water, lets get up and move, or simply time for bed. Listening to my body versus my mind is a big component of this weight loss journey.

Today I feel hungrier than I should. I am guessing I kicked myself out of fat burn because of my binge, but that is ok. Why? Because today is a new day and I am choosing to make better choices. That is progress.. that is a change from who I was when I started this journey, to who I am today, and who I will become.

Because change.. is the only constant in life.

Messy Blessings,

Misty