There is some good conversation going on over here at Snack Girl (who I follow by the way).

Why Quitting Diet Coke Is A Good Idea & Some Suggestions For How To Do It

To date, I've still not lost much weight.
However, I have made some good changes.

I stopped drinking soda -- which I really though I would hold on to much longer than I did.
I went to iced tea for a while and while that was less sugar, I was still adding sugar.

I had a few ice blended Mocha's from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and was pleased to learn they were too sweet for me and I requested less powder.  Would never have considered that as a possibility for me before.

I have to be very careful to maintain where I am.  I cannot let myself look too far down the path to all that I should or may accomplish with this.  (ie: going sugar and carb free) because ultimately, I don't really want to do that.  I want to be healthy, but I already feel like I don't have so much to eat and I worry that a turkey sandwich (with or without bread) every day is going to get old.  Then what will I do?

I am trying to stick with what is right in front of me.
Less sugar going for no sugar.
More exercise (almost anything will count at this point.)

I did notice that I am having a few fantasies about being really healthy and fit and feeling better and having a nice body.  There is some fear involved, but I want to be more than what I am. (or less of what I am?)

Looking forward to where I end up.
Couldn't do it without the help I'm getting.
Seriously, Enspirit Wellness in Lake Forest (hi Kaci!) have made such a positive and encouraging impact on my journey.  I'm sure there is much I wouldn't have even considered without them.  I am so grateful my insurance includes their services!

I am

I'm getting frustrated because I don't seem to be able to commit to a new lifestyle.  
I've made some progress.  Things I never really thought I could change and I'm trying really hard to hold on to that!  (very little dairy, no soda, less sugar, better snacks...at least most of the time)  I give myself a round of applause for that.

I keep seeing people post online about their new distributor status where they're selling some health product (I notice a lot of protein shakes!) and they've either helped someone loose weight and here's a picture of how great they look (before and after pics of course) or how they just lost 5 lbs or 8 lbs and how they love eating healthy and how this snack of a handful of blueberries is so yummy.  (I'm sorry, but still, a handful of blueberries is NOT satisfying to me.)

I had to stop following those links because it's depressing me.  I don't know if I'm failing or if my journey is just that different.  I kind of already know it's both.  Not completely on the failure part, I have made some progress; just not enough.  I'm just not motivated enough.

So this is the part where God might give me a little shove in the right direction because I've prayed for Him to help me be motivated.  And that shove might be some kind of medical issue that basically requires I exercise -- shudder.

I just know exercise is the answer and yet I don't want to do it.  I find it boring and I just plain don't want to do it!  Yes, I know how juvenile that sounds and realize that at some point I am going to have to lift my lovely yet large derriere off the chair and go move it around.  I wish there was some breakthrough I could have (other than perhaps a large 2x4 hitting me to get my attention) that would put me in the right frame of mind for such activity.

I guess I keep on trying.

I've been super busy with work lately and while I have much to say!
Got sick (again), however with the immunity IV I was able to schedule on day 1 of illness, I am bouncing back faster than ever.

Current plan of action:

• At work we have a Get Fit Challenge and I am a team captain.  Goal to exercise 3x/week and (obviously) lose weight.  There are cash incentives.
• Trying to get back on and be really consistent with my supplements.  Rather frustrated with myself for losing momentum as I will again have to go through the ramp up of not feeling well as they once again purge toxins from my body. 
• Looking into counseling and even hypnotherapy to help me with my (finally?) "admitting" I have a sugar addiction.  (note the caveat's there... I am still holding on by my fingernails there.)  Purchased additional supplements to help with cravings.
• Always need to drink more water.

I've been on Weight Watchers for 10 weeks (11 weeks?) and have lost the same 3 lbs several times.  I am terrible at tracking because it's laborious for me, but I do think that it's all a good idea.  Will I continue when they are done?  I'm not sure, but weighing in each week sure does keep you honest!  Maybe I should get a scale for my bathroom.


Still, after a women's retreat weekend including a chocolate fountain... I still lost (though a small amount - we are celebrating all victory at this point).


I am encouraged to push forward.  One of my fellow WW gals has lost 9lbs and that is pretty exciting.  So I want to try harder and stop allowing myself to languish in the same  place I've been for years -- eating whatever I want without regard to the consequences.


What does this mean?
It means I need to PLAN AHEAD!
This can ultimately be good.  If we do this as a family, it could be a nice healthy thing we all do together!  All make lunch for the next day.  It could be nice.


Right now though, my house is a disaster.  I need to pull the carpet up because after a dog who pee'd everywhere (he lives someplace else now) and a cat who is following suit -- it smells and I don't think any cleaning is going to help it.  I've always thought carpet in a main house with children is just silly anyway.  I just don't want it to look stupid if I pull it all up.  I get so easily overwhelmed by all there is to do.  My cleaning lady quit (she actually just stopped coming and I even tipped her weekly).  I have somebody else now, but I'm embarrassed.  I know I need help but part of me feels like I really need to do this myself.  I haven't felt that way before so is this something I'm supposed to do on my own?  Why does life have to be so hard (and these aren't even real problems in the scheme of life)?!


So, one step at a time.  


Goals this week:
Get downstairs clean.
Pull up carpet in dining room -- how can I cut it?  Will have to look into this.
Make lunch once.
Bring shake stuff in to work so I have it to eat there. :)


I had another goal and I accomplished it today.  I've been putting off making an appointment with another dermatologist for my daughter and I did that today.  I set an appointment on my cell and that made a difference.  I just need something to remind me.  
I have to find ways to get around myself to remember it all!


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My pregnant kitty is making a lot of noise.  I wonder if she's going into labor.  Sigh.  I want to be here when she is just in case, but the chances are slim that I will be.

today's prayer:
(OK, it's yesterday's prayer but I missed yesterday so I'm doing this one)

Deuteronomy 30:1
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”