in the groove

so i just downloaded the blogger app on my phone. now i can blog from anywhere at any time. the possibilities are endless, friends :)
just wanted to check in. i've been up and down the last couple weeks but my exercise has remained consistent. i feel like i'm back in my groove. i am working out between 8:30 and 10 at night. this isn't ideal for most people, but it works for me...and i am soooooo not an early morning girl....for real though...
so as of today, i'm down 6.5 lbs. not too shabby but a couple of those pounds keep playing hide and seek. i am currently working hard to banish them forever!
so last night we went to a birthday party for my sister in law. i hadn't worked out for 2 days and one of my new rules is to not go 3 days without working out, so when we got home, i put on my workout clothes and headed to the gym. this is not to say i didn't want to put on some comfy clothes and hang out on the couch, i did. but truthfully, i wanted to exercise more. crazy huh? i have been amazed at what my body can do.
i am doing a bit better on my food. smaller portions and my snacking has dropped off a ton.
here is me working out at 10pm. i had to snap a pic since i was the only one at the gym late on a friday night. just me....hahaha :)

Aha moment ::: Robyn

I don't have anything too profound to say today. :)  I am tired and busy and don't have the energy to have too much emotion.  I didn't want to miss a week blogging though. It helps me stay on track and motivates me to do better.

I am getting in the groove. I am tracking my calories and exercising. I have been exercising with a trainer and I love it. I love using my muscles and getting comfortable in the weight side of the gym. I have to really talk myself into it. I am self conscious. But, I'm doing it. I am gaining confidence.

I had a really big Aha moment this week. I have really been working on mind, body, soul, full encompassing healing. I read something that talked about living in a way that your actions are a contradiction to your hopes and desires. It really struck a cord with me. I have been doing that for so long. Thinking, hoping, and planning to change my life and habits some time soon. Now as I am making choices I am really considering if this choice and action matches the hopes and desires that I have for my life. This week has been good. I have made lots of good choices and I feel like I am really moving in a good direction.

I lost 1 lbs this week. I want to have a little tantrum over that. I want to stomp my feet, maybe cry a little and say "dang it". Really, I did that for a minute, and then I decided that was silly. Instead I'm going to celebrate that I am down. I am doing it. I'm not just thinking, hoping, or planning to do it sometime soon. I am really doing it. One step at a time, one bite at a time, one day at a time, and one minute at a time. I'm trying to learn from my past but really look forward to a happy future.

This for a laugh

This for motivation

and this for inspiration!

Thanks so much for stopping by and for supporting me and loving me!

Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too, because my body is a temple, and I want to fly. 

xoxo Robyn

Butterflies ::: Robyn

It's been nearly 9 months since I had my thyroid removed. It has been a really big deal for me, life changing, and life defining. The thyroid is naturally the shape of a butterfly. It is often portrayed as a butterfly, especially by people who struggle with thyroid issues. I was never really a butterfly person before all of this, but now I recognize their beauty. The butterfly has become a symbol to me of what I lost. But, more importantly it is a symbol of what I can become.

The story of the butterfly

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly.

One day a small opening appeared.

He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours

as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole.

Then it stopped, as if it couldn't go further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly.

He took a pair of scissors and

snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon.

The butterfly emerged easily but

it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch it,

expecting that any minute the wings would enlarge

and expand enough to support the body,

Neither happened!

In fact the butterfly spent the rest of its life

crawling around.

It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness

and haste did not understand:

The restricting cocoon and the struggle

required by the butterfly to get through the opening

was a way of forcing the fluid from the body

into the wings so that it would be ready

for flight once that was achieved.

Sometimes struggles are exactly

what we need in our lives.

Going through life with no obstacles would cripple us.

We would not be as strong as we could have been

and we would never fly.

As I struggle to figure things out for myself, I think to myself of the butterfly. I picture myself squeezing through that little hole. Struggling, learning, growing, becoming better than I was yesterday or am today. I'm excited to see what I can become. I'm excited to learn through my struggle and when I'm ready to really fly.                                 

Day of surgery

                                             

Today 

This last week has been good. I've been tracking my calories most days. I've been to the gym several days. I'm really  happy to say that I lost 2 lbs this week. 

I feel like more importantly though, I have really started the healing process in my mind and soul. I don't think the physical healing can really come for me until I figure out my mental and emotional demons. As I move forward I hope I can share that with all of you. 

Back to my favorite poem and mantra in life:

I will ..... bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too, for after the bend and the sweat and the smile, will come life's victories after a while. 

Because my body is a temple and I want to fly!

xoxo Robyn

Here's to Health and Happiness ::: Robyn

I have been thinking about blogging for some time. Hope and I will talk about it every now and then. We say we're going to get back to it. I'm thankful Hope got us going again. I'm hoping this can be a positive place for me. I'm hoping that it can help heal me. I'm hoping that it can motivate me and that as we share our journeys and our lives, together we can find improvement, health, and happiness.

Like Hope said, this is so scary. I'm crying already as I type. I thought maybe I'd start blogging again after I built a little confidence, after I'd found a little success. That is definitely not the case right now. But, maybe blogging will help me find that confidence and success.

The last couple of years have been difficult for my body in so many ways. As my thyroid has attacked itself and my body I haven't felt very well. I have struggled with all of the classic symptoms of thyroid disease. Acne, extreme fatigue, anxiety, body and joint aches, weakness, dizziness, brain fog, memory problems, hair loss, brittle nails, depression, sensitivity to temperature both cold and hot, racing heart, and weight gain. I'm not going to expand on all of that now, but long story short after dozens of tests, medication and the waiting game, last November I decided it was time to have the surgery. My thyroid was removed along with nearly 30 nodules. No cancer.

I hadn't felt well for months, really years leading up to this. After losing those 25 pounds a few years ago while blogging, I had gained all of that back and so much more. My goal originally had been to lose 70 pounds. I now need to lose more than a 100 pounds. I don't want to focus on that too much though. It's stressful and overwhelming.

My perspective after having these health challenges is also so different. I really couldn't care less about what size my jeans are. I really couldn't care less if they have booty bling. I really couldn't care less about what the world thinks about my body and if I am what the world considers beautiful. I want a healthy body. I want to be capable of doing all the things my family needs. I want to go on water slides with my kids. Maybe horseback riding, hiking, and bike riding. I want to run, and not be weary; and walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40: 31).

I'm excited to share my journey with you. To share my recent struggles with you and I'm hopeful that I'll have some successes to share as well.

We are all walking a difficult road. We cannot possibly understand or know what is going on in the life of the person next to us. So, let's be more understanding, more compassionate, and help lift one another. Let's seek to look for the good and beauty in everyone we meet. For me, that part is easy. It's applying that same principle to myself that is the challenge.

I'm not exactly sure what this blog will look like moving forward for me. Will I weigh in once a week and share with you? Will I post healthy recipes or my new favorite exercise? I'm trying to sorta figure things out for myself. I'm excited for the future though. I'm hopeful and optimistic that I can do hard things. I'm determined to be the person that I want to be, to become the best version of myself. But, I'm a mess of a work in progress. First things first, I'm trying to love myself in the process. So, I'll blog when I feel inspired to. I'm excited to share my journey with all of you.

scary...

not sure what to say except, this is scary...

robyn and i have talked over the last year about starting to blog again. why? because it hold us accountable and we enjoy sharing our journey in hopes that it may help or motivate others.

well, this is definitely a journey. there is no "i'm done", which i have learned the hard way over the past year.

since losing right around 50 lbs, i have put... {whispering} 36 back on. 

now, just give me a moment to go cry and feel sorry for myself....

*

*

*

*

*

*

ok, i'm back....wait, hold on....

*

*

*

ok, i think i'm good now.

MOVING ON!

here's the thing: once i met this *goal* i set for myself, i felt like i could just sit back. my workouts started trailing off, i started eating whatever i wanted because, well, my jeans fit, so who cares? just once wouldn't hurt. and then, just one week without working out won't hurt. and then, it turned into my clothes getting a bit tighter...and tighter...and tighter...until...my jeans split open (true story). and then, it turned into my husband coming to me asking the age old question "why are we paying for the gym when you're not going?" UGH! 

through all this, i had moments of exercise and eating better, but i wasn't dedicated to it. i didn't feel that fire like i had before. i'm not even sure what to call it, but i know that whatever i felt when we first started this blog, i didn't feel that anymore. i was sad about how i looked, but mostly how i felt! and i wasn't sure how to get back to where i was.

well, i'm still not, but i've decided to just start over and mimic what i did last time. start with exercise that interests me and gets me excited. things that make me feel strong and good. not necessarily things that others like or fads that come in and out, but things that i enjoy and also, things that i want to try.

i also am taking a longer look at what i'm consuming and when. i'm not to the point of only eating whole foods or anything yet; maybe i'll get there, i would like to get there...but i'm doing this at my pace.

so i saw read this little article today and it is actually the catalyst for this blog post. it made me smile and i knew i had to share it, so enjoy and let me know what you think.

let's excercise because we love our bodies, not hate them. via verilymag.com 

xo - hope

"Finishers Wanted" ::: Robyn

We’re back!!!! To get us kick started we’re doing a diet bet!!! So fun! Join us!

 

Mom's Gonna Lose It Diet Bet Game

I was thinking about blogging this morning and searching the web for my favorite poem. I have it memorized, but wanted to copy and paste it. :) In my search I found this Finishers Wanted. It’s a message that was given in 1989 by the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, Thomas S Monson. At the time he was second counselor in the first presidency. I know that many of you are not of my faith or maybe of any faith. I hope that you will continue reading my post anyhow. These words were exactly what I needed today as I struggle to wrap my head around where I find myself.

The message is titled “Finishers Wanted”. Just the title alone gets me. It’s what I want for myself. Although the message isn’t about weight loss at all, it’s about the “race of life”,  it is exactly the message that I need. It gives me a clear vision and path in my journey.

President Mondson says, “In life, as in business, there has always been a need for those persons who could be called finishers. Their ranks are few, their opportunities many, their contributions great.”

I want to be a finisher. I feel bad about where I find myself now. I feel as if I have failed, but the truth is that I am still in the midst of the race. I have fallen. There are many who have forged ahead of me. But, it’s really not about speed or where I finish at all. I’m still in the race. I can get up, dust myself off and continue on. I can be a finisher!

Ecclesiastes 9:11 says: ... the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong….

My children often quote the story of the turtle and the hare. My journey will not be swift. I have many obstacles that make weight loss more difficult. However, my journey can be slow and steady. I have repeatedly lost my way. But, in this day, I am recommitting myself. I can be slow and steady. Steady being the real key for me.  

President Monson shares the “true marks of a finisher”

1. The Mark of Vision

2. The Mark of Effort

3. The Mark of Faith

4. The Mark of Virtue

5. The Mark of Courage

6. The Mark of Prayer

He obviously expands on all of these and if you are interested I encourage you to read his message. But, this is my new vision for this weight loss journey. I feel more prepared to embark on this hard road ahead of me.

My favorite poem that started all of this:

Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you;   

Beginners are many, but enders are few.   

Honor, power, place and praise   

Will always come to the one who stays. Stick to your task ’til it sticks to you;

Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it, too;

For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile

Will come life’s victories after a while.

I am especially trying to “bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too” with all capitol letter in SMILE!!!  Because I want to live a long healthy life. Because I want to feel good about myself both mentally and physically. Because my body is a temple.

 

So, here we go again!!!

Finishers Wanted, I will finish this!

 

guess what???? we're backkkk...

 

robyn and i have really felt led to recommit to our health journey.

 

we feel like we're ready to start blogging again, but more importantly, to get back to making our health our priority!

 

thank you to everyone who has supported us and kept us accountable!

 

we tried to think of something fun to do, to kick off this next round.

 

so here it is: we challenge you to lose 4% of your total body weight in 4 weeks.

we have set up a diet bet.

 

for those unfamiliar with that, it is an online challenge where you weigh in (you can set it to private so none of us can see, if you'd like) and you try and lose 4% of your weight in 4 weeks.

 

you pay $25 to the pot and all those who lose the 4% will split the pot.

making money while losing weight at the same time?

 

pretty sweet!

 

of course, robyn and I will be joining you.

 

people talk about accountability, well here you go.

 

this will definitely keep you accountable.

 

we're excited to get back to it and share with you where we have been and where we hope to go!

 

to sign up for the diet bet, go here http://diet.bt/9Z6uSe 

 

so by the end of the 4 weeks, we will all be in the habit to lose weight and become more fit!

let's DO it!!!

{imposter}

sometimes i feel like an imposter.

like i'm pretending to be a skinny girl.

i'm pretending to be a runner. an avid exerciser. a health nut. someone who can give advice on health & fitness.

in reality, i am struggling.

i can feel myself slipping back into that negative self talk.

i feel inferior. not good enough. like an imposter.

i did really good last year.

i am so proud of what i accomplished and how good i felt.

then the holidays hit and i took time off. why? i have no idea. i just got lazy.

i was comfortable and thought i could just slack off.

not only has it effected the way my jeans fit, it has effected my mind set.

i'm grouchy, tired, and just annoyed with myself.

i have been trying to get back in the working out groove. i have tried getting back to my smaller portions of food, not eating after eight pm, etc.

i'm still trying.

but i feel like it's one step forward and two steps back. i will go work out or go out for a run and then eat horrible for the next two days.

or i will eat really healthy and be very mindful of my intake and then sit on the oh-so-comfy couch instead of exercising.

i need my will power back. my commitment back.

commit was the word for january and i feel like i have spent this whole month trying to recommit.

so today, right now, this is my pity party of one.

i'm emotional, frustrated and slightly annoyed.

tomorrow is a new day with new opportunities.

 

something else that has been on my mind is the fact that what I'm feeling right now is really sort of pointless in the grand scheme of life.

don't get me wrong, getting healthy is extremely important, but when i read back through what i just typed, i can't help but to acknowledge that i have a wonderfully supportive husband, four amazingly sweet children, we are all {relatively} healthy.

no huge life crisis'.

lots of other people are losing their children to horrible diseases, watching their spouse struggle through treatments, waking up to one less family member because of a tragic accident.

who am i to complain that i don't feel like getting on the treadmill?

when i put that all into perspective, i kind of want to slap myself.

i'm done feeling like an imposter.

i am who i am.

i may not be able to run the distance i want, at the time i want to do it in, but guess what? i hated running a year ago. i couldn't run for five minutes. and now i'm doing it...albeit slow as a snail...but i'm doing it. i may not be a runner, but i am running. i may not be the size i'd like to be, but i am in shape. i may not exercise every single day, but i know that i can keep up in a boot camp class. i may not eat the healthiest things all the time, but i try and have balance and moderation.

i am not perfect.

people don't expect me to be perfect.

i should not expect myself to be perfect.

 

being perfect is no fun!

 

{man, this blog is so therapeutic at times.

thanks for baring with me through all that.}

whoa...what am i DOING?!?!?

Life has been wonderful.

I feel like I'm getting back on track. I

'm not as die hard as I was, but getting back to routine and commitment has been great.

As you will remember, last summer, I ran my first 5K.

It was an awesome experience and it was really one of those things I just wanted to check off my bucket list.

I have tried to like running--I really have. But I just haven't gotten "addicted" yet, like so many people tell me I will.

But when I run, it does make me feel super powerful. Like I'm doing something that I couldn't do before. It's an incredible feeling. Oh, and I'm not talking like 12 miles, here, I'm talking like 1.2 miles. But, hey, I couldn't even run for 5 minutes when I started.

Reading back through my relationship with running, what I'm about to tell you may sound ABSURD! And it is. It's totally absurd!

I signed up to run a 10K. For those that don't know, that's 6.2 miles!

C-R-A-Z-Y!!!

The race is April 5th so I have some time to work up to do this and I've already started. I'm up to 1.6 miles.

Running is a TOTAL head game for me. But I have noticed that when I push myself, my body & mind will give me little reprieves. I feel strong and powerful. I just wish I was addicted to it, because right now it's way to easy to not do it.

That's where our January word comes in to play:

COMMIT!

 

On another note: I ordered this shirt the other day and when Robyn saw mine, she ordered one too.

How cute are we?

We really do have some of the most supportive husbands.

For me, Carl is the one who says

"go get your workout clothes on...I got the kids". I {love} him!!!

It's so important to surround yourself with positive people that will encourage you and support you.

  

make your week amazing!

and remember...

 

 

 

The Saturday Skinny ::: Robyn

As the holidays sped by and New Year's came I didn't feel incredibly ready to start dieting. Hope and I chit chatted on the phone before we blogged, just reconnecting and recommitting to each other. Our conversation was very different than it was last year before we started. We have lived a year of trying to lose weight and we are a little more clear on the reality of the difficulties that come with it. I definitely was not feeling as gung ho about the entire process. I talked to my hubby after and explained to him how I was going to make small changes that I felt I could really be successful in. I need to build some confidence in myself. 

So, the last couple of weeks I have cut out soda. I had it one day this last week. That's sorta my plan for now. Maybe once a week. I drank sooooo much water. I exercised every day except Sunday (Sabbath day=day of rest). I didn't eat after 7:30. I'm not necessarily dieting, but I am tracking my food. I have found that for me knowledge is power. I don't necessarily have a calorie number that I am limiting myself too, but knowing what I eat and how many calories it is helps me make better choices. Even if I make a bad choice, I track it. I am accountable. I feel really good about what I have done. It seems to be working for me. 

I'm not quite ready to talk about weight matters yet, but the number is going down, I'll talk number soon. :) 

I registered for a fun color vibe run for next month. I've been walking/running with friends. I'm excited. I'm slow, but I can run. I like labeling myself as a "runner".

I have been reminding myself about my commitments. I of course have moments of weakness and I think about the commitments that I've made to myself and what they mean to me. 

I am so thankful to be focused on commitment this month. It moves me. I think and act differently when I think about my commitments. I want to achieve awesomeness. I want to make my dreams come true. I believe in myself. I know that I can accomplish the things I commit to. I'm excited to bend at it, sweat at it, and smile at it too, because my body is a temple. 

Commit with us! 

weigh in wednesday...well, wednesday anyway...

hey there!!! long time no...type?

 

 as you have figured out, robyn and i took a little hiatus from our little blog here. for one reason or another, we haven't been able to sit down and blog. and when you get out of the habit of doing something, it becomes easier and easier to not do it.

 

it seems like the blog reflects where i am in my "get healthy" journey.

 

much like getting out of the habit of blogging, i have gotten out of the habit of going to the gym, eating past 8pm, always eating breakfast, weighing myself, and though i haven't gone back to drinking soda, i have taken up drinking {lots of} coffee...with creamer...oh the goodness.

 

so there, i admitted it. i feel like i'm reaching out for accountability again. i need it. robyn and i have been texting each other on and off over the past few months to encourage each other. although we haven't been sharing with you all about our struggles and successes, we've been sharing with each other.

 

but we're back and we're ready to get this party started again.

 

robyn blogged on saturday and then again on monday. she didn't advertise her monday post, so i'm going to repost the pic she shared because i love it.

 

 

just like robyn, i too, am focusing on commit!

 

if you are like me and have fallen off the healthy lifestyle wagon, let's climb back on. let's make a commitment to doing this for ourselves, for our families, for our well being.

i like that each month has a goal, but i also have a year long goal, too. 

balance!

 

this past year has taught me that when my body is healthy, my mind is healthy too, and my life seems more in balance.

 

so let's commit.

 

let's do this.

 

 

 

Motivation Monday ::: Robyn

I know, I know, another post so soon?!?! New Year's does funny things to me. :) We'll see how long it lasts.

Lots of blogs that I read do a word for the year. They choose a word and focus on it for that year. Well, that seemed sorta hard to me. I couldn't pick just one word. Then I found this......

I like it! So, this month I am going to focus on "commit". This is perfect, because I'm really getting back at this whole weight loss thing. So, when I am struggling I will remind myself to commit. When I'm grocery shopping, scheduling my day and week, playing with my kids, I will think of my commitment.

My major goals for this month are not eating after 7pm, drinking lots of water (cutting soda), better food choices, and exercise 5 days a week.

Commit!!!! I will bend at it, sweat at it, and smile and it too, because my body is a temple!

The Saturday Skinny - Robyn

As I sit down to write this little blog I’m excited. I’m feel like I’ve found a long lost friend. This little blog changed my life last year. It helped me to be a better person. Each of you who read this and follow our journey helped me to change myself for the better. So, my truth, because I can’t help but be real, isn’t necessarily pretty. But, it’s mine, I am owning it. J

I didn’t lose 70 pounds. I’m not even sure how much I lost. I decided to give myself a couple of weeks of really hard work and good choices before I weigh myself again. I had a fantastic holiday that consisted of delicious food, family time, and enjoying life. I’m back on the wagon now.

I did learn a lot about myself this last year. I learned to love myself for who I am in the now. I learned to appreciate my body just how it is. I learned that I am beautiful just how I am. I am strong, capable, and happy just how I am. That is more than 70 pounds could have ever done for me. I am going to lose weight because I love myself, not because I am unhappy with myself.

I feel like I am starting this year in a much healthier place. So, do you believe in second chances? How about 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th? Do you cheer for the under-dog? I hope so. I love the support that all of our readers provide us with. I love that I have Hope to share this journey with. I’m excited to make really good choices and become a healthier me this year.

I became a runner this last year. I’m really excited about it. I am slow!! But, I can pretty easily run 5 or more miles without stopping!! How did that happen? It’s shocking to me. I grew up a swimmer, never liking to run. As the weather cooled off here, starting in early September I started walking outside. I was tired of the gym. Eventually, walking turned in to running. I was like Forrest Gump. I just kept going. It has changed me. It has changed the way I think about myself. It’s hard to feel bad about your body when it can do that!! It helped me gain confidence and appreciation for my body. I feel better about myself now than I ever have. It’s weird!

I am still frustrated with my weight. I expect that it will be a slow road for me. My thyroid continues to add to my struggle and I have an uphill road ahead of me. But, I think that will mean at the end I’ll have a super toned booty right?!?!

I’m starting up again with the Saturday Skinny. I’m not sure if I’ll weigh myself next week or maybe the one after. But, I am going to make good choices and exercise like crazy. I’m going to do it, because I love myself. Because I want to be the best I can be. I want to live on the corner of healthy and happy. (he he, thanks Wal Greens, you’re advertisers are genius J)

I'm still excited to have an incredible shopping spree with Hope when we reach our goals. I'm sticking with a goal of 70 pounds total but I reserve the right to change my mind along the way. :)    

I'm bending at it, sweating at it, and smiling at it too, because my body is a temple. :)

(I changed my family picture on the side to our recent picts and updated my profile info.)

I trully love all of you our followers. :)

The Saturday Skinny::: Robyn

Would it be really weird if on this here little weight loss blog I didn't talk too much about weight loss today? I've been struggling the last month. I am starting to figure things out and I'm excited to tell you about that in 2 weeks (next Sat I'll be at the happiest place on earth). But, I don't feel much like talking about weight today. It seems like a bad word to me. :) But, I do want to talk about something really closely related. Well, at least for me.

I wasn't going to blog today. I told my husband I wasn't doing it, I sent a text message to Hope telling her I wasn't doing it. But, I felt compelled to do it and here I am. I had someone come to me and question my decision to be so open with such a personal topic, and it made me question what I write here on this blog. But, here is my truth once again. I will not pretend to be someone that I am not. I believe that we are all here on this earth to learn. Life is hard. We all struggle and when we share our struggle together life is just a little easier. So, I will continue to openly share my journey. I am thankful that it is my journey. I am beginning to own my struggles and have a glimpse at overcoming them. It is a process for me.

So, my truth is that I really struggle with not correlating my personal value with the number that I see on the scale. I am trying to learn that my worth is not measured in pounds. I am a person of faith. I believe in a loving Father in Heaven. I believe that I am a daughter of God. I believe that my body is a gift. It is an amazing blessing that is so capable. My body created and sustained four beautiful little people with God's miracle of life. It carries me through my blessed life. I want to do better, to have a better understanding and gratitude for the incredible gift that my body is.

I love this video. It helps me remember my worth.

I cannot fail if I don't give up. I'll bend at it, sweat at it, and smile at it too, because my body is a temple.

Hope's Weigh In Wednesday

Hellooooo...it's me! Hope. Remember me?

 

Sorry it's been so long, but I'm not gonna lie, the messages from some of you asking when we'll be blogging again because you've missed it have made me smile.

Who knew people would actually READ this little blog? Pretty cool.

 

Here's my problem--I have no idea where I left off!

So I will give you an overview of what's been going on.

 

I've been traveling a lot over this past month.

I have been to Dallas, Texas, Big Sandy, Texas and Charleston, SC. It has been such a fun month. Through it all, I have pretty much maintained. Which is pretty good considering I hit up In N Out in Dallas and had my burger and fries animal style. BAD BAD BAD!!! But sooo good :)

I also got out of the habit of hitting the gym. I did a little running, but I really have missed my boot camp classes. And the there's this awesome little coffee shop that opened up and I feel the need to visit them regularly...although my drinks ARE nonfat (just not calorie free, unfortunately)

 

So now you know my failures over the past month. Here are my successes.

I have been drinking a TON of water!

I have managed to maintain, like I said.

While on a youth retreat, I got up before everyone else (while it was still dark people!!) and ran by myself. That just shows me that even though I may not be as devoted as I was (I'll get back there) exercise is a part of me now!

I have started back at boot camp and Zumba classes.

I have become accustomed to keeping spinach in my fridge and eating salads (kind of addicted to Lite Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette)

My wedding ring is almost falling off.

I feel AWESOME about my progress so far. I'm not looking at what I still have to go, I'm enjoying how far I've come and living in the moment!

 

And my biggest success....I have lost 45 lbs!!!!!!

 

I think what I have learned so far is that whether you have lost 5 lbs, 25 lbs or 105 lbs, be happy with who you are and WHERE you are. You are a rock star!!! Because there was a day when you weren't trying at all.... Love yourself and love your body! And keep going...

 

Here I am 45 lbs down and feeling fabulous...with iced coffee in hand ;)

 

 

{May 2012}              {August 2013}

The Saturday Skinny::: Robyn

A couple of weeks ago Hope sent me a text telling me she had blogged. She then followed it by saying that her blogs aren’t nearly as deep and meaningful as mine. I laughed out loud. No literally. Then I responded, “Yeah, just way more inspirational because you actually lose weight!” So, here we go again. Deep and meaningful? That’s questionable. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? That’s all I have to give.

I haven’t blogged in 3 weeks I think. My last blog I set some goals for myself. I’ve done pretty well with those. I have been counting my WW points and really paying attention to what I”m eating. I’ve also been really consistent going to the gym. I have been running a lot. I can now officially run a 5k on the treadmill. I’m slow. This week I went a little faster and ran a 12 min mile or 5 mph on the treadmill. I feel stronger. I feel more fit. I even got some real gym clothes. I’ve always been embarrassed in my sweat pants and t-shirts, but I didn’t feel ready for spandex. :) I got some good running capris and pants (yes with spandex) and wear long tank tops or shirts that keep my problem areas covered. I feel more like I belong there though and it seems to help me have a more positive experience. I’m still self conscious at the gym. I know it’s silly.

So, all of that being said, with pretty good eating and pretty good exercise, I am up 5 lbs for the last 3 weeks. :( I don’t really know what to say? I have been sad about it obviously. But, trying really hard not to let it get me down and trying really hard not to give up. I am a person of faith. So, I’ve been praying about it. Questioning, what should I do differently?

I was talking to a friend at church about it last week, and she suggested to me that maybe right now, I really need to focus on loving myself how I am, no matter what weight I am. That really hit home for me. So, this week, I’ve been trying really hard to change my attitude. To appreciate the things I like about myself, and to really focus on being thankful for my body in the now.

This is going to sound silly, but I’ve made more of an effort to make myself cute. I have been doing my hair (even though it’s 110), wearing make-up, and trying to dress cute. I feel so much better about myself if I feel cute. I know that seems so shallow. But, I’m a girl. I can’t tell you how many people this week told me how good I looked and how I look so thin. HA! I fooled them. :) But, really, I do feel better about myself. Maybe part of the reason I gained the weight back was because I didn’t learn to really love myself for who I am no matter what weight I am. Even at my lowest, I was unhappy with my body. So, I am still trying to lose weight of course. I’m not giving up. But, I’m also really focusing on how I feel about myself and trying to love myself how I am. A little make-up and a cute outfit and I can still feel good about myself. :)

I feel like my Father in Heaven is always so mindful of me and my needs. I’m so thankful for all of you who have reached out to me in the last week or so. I know that you are his hands and as you serve and love me you serve and love him. I am so touched. I have received countless texts and messages encouraging me and just telling me you love me. I’m so thankful to share my life with so many amazing people. I hope I give back even just a little of what I receive.

Bend, at it, sweat at it, smile at it too, because your body is a temple. :) I'm not giving up.      

short and sweet.

Here's the truth...summer has been hard!

 

I can't wait to get back into a routine for my workouts.

 

I need motivation.

 

I need to get back on track.

 

I only have 28 lbs to go before I reach my goal.

 

I'm trying not to be focused on the numbers...but I am.

 

Sometimes I feel like I have to be or I will fall off the wagon.

 

So my weigh in stunk yesterday.

 

I am 1 pound up.

 

BLAHHHH!!!

 

I knew I would be.

 

No excuses.

 

I know what I need to do.

 

Now, I'm going to do it!

 

No excuses.

 

slowly but surely...

Apparently I have gone from an every week blog post, to an every other week blog post.

 

I have to say that I love getting messages asking me about my posts. I love that you are anticipating my weigh ins as much as I do :)

 

This one will be short and sweet.

 

Life is CRAZY right now! Summer has been harder then I thought it would be. Though I keep losing, it's slow as molasses. I'm not complaining, but I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine.

 

I have been the biggest slacker about working out. It's not like I'm sitting around eating bon bons; I just haven't had time. But I know that's just an excuse. I NEED to get back to being consistent.

 

So over the past 2 weeks I have lost a total of...two pounds.

 

Although I have lost, I can feel the effects of not working out consistently.

 

My goal is to get back to the gym this week and drink MORE water. I don't drink soda or anything but I've been feeling dehydrated. Dehydration leads to the feeling of hunger. I love that I am this in tune with my body!

 

Onward and upward my friends.

 

Here's to getting back to it...

 

me & my wonderful hubby

{rocking my new hot pink pants}

me & my gorgeous sis