April 10th:

I was up and letting the dogs out to potty this morning.  I carried my dumbbells out on the back porch and did 15 minutes of arm and waist exercises while I waited.  Then I headed to the living room and started my Kettlebell DVD.  I was unable to finish the routine but I worked at it for 15 minutes.

Going to the BEACH: 
Steve and I are making plans to go to the Beach.

Getting ready to go to the beach can motivate a body to exercise!!   I have 4 weeks!!  Yikes!!

I am so looking forward to spending time with extended family, getting a tan, laying on the beach, and relaxing either by the pool or out on the veranda, reading my Kindle and praying.  Walking up and down the beach and getting a natural pedicure sounds pretty good too. 

I would like to see ONE sunrise and a few sunsets.  I really want to enjoy the sun, all of God's Glory and REST!!  I will use LOTS of Sunscreen!!!!!

Man!!  List of thing to do:  Find my swimsuits, try them on, buy a new swimsuit, locate my shorts and t-shirts, dye my cover-up a fresh new color, "do I have any flip-flops?", buy sunscreen....

Motivational Thoughts:
Here are 10 ways to get Flat Abs... I need that!!
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/core-health

Inspirational:
Psalm 37:23-24
"²³The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. ²⁴Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand."(NIV)
Just remember, that even in your lowest point, God is still there with you. He is holding your hand through your trials and tribulations, till you make your way back up again.

1 Peter 5:7
"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." (NIV)
I always think of this verse when I have so much on my mind and it seems like I have nobody to talk to. Then, I remember that God is always there for me to tell my worries too. Sometimes we just need to tell Him what burdens us so that we can find relief. Talking to God can help so much when you think all is lost.

*Please pray for my sister-in-law, Jo Ann Garmon, (Steve's brother's wife).  She is battling cancer.  The best thing we can do is PRAY.  "Please God, bring healing and may your name be glorified!"

April 9th:

 I have not blogged since last Tuesday... I have been so busy!!

I am on task!!  I have lost 3 pounds!!  Woo Hoo!  I have not diligently logged my food intake cause I have not taken the time to sit down at the computer for several days... I have been enjoying life too much to be in front of the computer.

Steve and I took a day off on Thursday, April 5th and Friday was a Holiday, Good Friday, and then Saturday and Sunday.  It was the best long weekend I have had in a long time!

Exercise:
Wednesday -dumbbells
Thursday -Kettlebells
Friday A.M.-Yard work flower bed cleanup... Whew!!
Friday 7:00ish -Yard work planting... Whew!!

Friday Night -Extremely sore!!
Saturday -Unbelievably sore
Sunday -Still sore
Monday -Getting better... Achy.
Tuesday -Will start back with Kettlebells!

Yard Work:
Look at the results of all my hard work. 

 

(Did you find two of my dogs in one of the pictures?)

New Haircut:
Thursday I got a new haircut.  Man!  It must have been a great weekend... I look tired!

The hair is a little short but all the layers are now where they need to be.  Once it has grown an inch or two, it will be great!


Motivational Thoughts:
Here are seven tips to stay motivated in your fitness program:
http://www.bestkettlebellworkout.com/7-tips-to-stay-motivated/


Here is an exercise guide for Kettlebell exercises with video for correct movements:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/finder/lookup/filter/equipment/id/10/equipment/kettlebells

Women's Health Total body transforamtion:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/video/fitness/total-body-transformation-workout-month-one#/video/all/created/d/1?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-842008-_-03122012-_-ReadMore&smartcode=NLS842008

Summer is almost here!  Swimsuits?!!  Work hard for that swimsuit you want to wear!!

Inspirational:

Romans 8:28

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Keeping busy:
Easter morning!!

April 3rd:

Daily Comments:
Times certainly does fly!  It has been almost two weeks since I blogged last and I am worse for it.  I have gained two more pounds.  I thought I was ready to get back to my commitment but I guess not.

I am going to try again!!! 

First off I am going to stop counting the weeks as I have been doing.  How long this journey takes is not relevant.  The key is...I am on the journey. 

I am going to start making short range goals for myself.  There are 30 days in the month of April.  My goal this month is to lose 12 pounds.  I want to be healthy!  I want to lose this unwanted weight and feel good.  Summer is coming and I want to wear a swimsuit this summer and feel good wearing it.  I will let you know tomorrow if I found the strength or willpower to get out of the bed early enough to use my dumbbells and Kettlebells.  Pray that I do!!

Inspirational Thought:

Philippians 4:4-7

New International Version (NIV)

Final Exhortations

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Good stuff:

This is my grand baby, Arianna, seven months old now!! 

 

 

 

Keeping busy: 

Going to the shooting range has become a once a week trip for me and my shooting is improving!  

I purchased a Kel-Tec PF9, 9mm, handgun.  It is small and lightweight.  But the three times I have shot it, it has hurt the palm of my hand.  My dad shaved off some rough edges on the grip and magazine.  I bought a slip-on rubber grip that feels good.  I can not wait to go shooting again so I can try it out.  I hope it fixes the problem.  I am registered for two classes, "Intro to Defensive Pistol I" and "CHL"(Concealed Handgun License).  Fun stuff!!  I am having a good time... I think that is why my focus is not on eating better and exercising.  But I can do it all... right!!

Food Diary:
Breakfast:  Two eggs scrambled, toast with 1 tsp Country Crock and 1 tsp of jelly
Lunch:  Luby's vegetable plate; broccoli, green beans, cabbage, and fried zucchini
Dinner: Home-made beef and vegetable soup

Thursday, Week 33:

Daily Comments:
My six week recovery from surgery ended yesterday.  During this six weeks I have not only fell off the wagon, I walked away from the wagon.  I have gained 8 pounds.  I have enjoyed numerous, excellent tasting, chocolate chip cookies and lots of good food.

This morning I did not get out of bed in time to start back with my Kettlebells but I did pick up my 10 lb. Kettlebell and passed it around my body 5 or 6 times.  It was heavy!  I can tell I have a long way back to where I was before surgery.  I have got to find my gumption to get there.

I will weight in this Saturday and on Sunday, Week 34, I will start the hike back to the wagon.  I will start logging my food once again.  Logging my food makes the biggest difference in my weight loss.  I will start my Kettlebells (maybe 5 lbs) again.  I will start "The Plank" again.  I may only be able to do 15 seconds but I will build up my time.  I love being in my size 12 pants and I want to continue my weight loss journey.

I encourage you to continue on your weight loss journey.  It is a journey.  Not a struggle.  Not a pain. Not a restriction.  It is a journey of making excellent choices.  Do not cut out everything, just account for it.  Eating well makes you feel good.  Fruits and vegetables taste great!!  How many have you eaten today?

Inspirational Thought:
Ephesians 1: 3-14
³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
 ¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Wednesday, Week 32:

 Daily Comments:
 Steve, Marty , and I left work at 4:00 today and went to the shooting range.  We shot my .38 special, 357 Magnum with .38 caliber bullets, and my 9 shot .22 pistol.  Here is a picture of Marty shooting.

While I was at the shooting center, I signed up for a class to be held on April 16th, "Ladies-Intro to Defensive Pistol".  See the link below.  I can't wait.
http://360tacticaltraining.com/index.php/classes/detail/ladies_only_intro_to_defensive_pistol/

Pepaw is working on putting together a pistol cleaning kit just for me that will have all that is needed for cleaning .22's, 38's, and 9mm.  I have not bought my Walther yet.  I am not sure which one is going to be perfect for me.  Steve said I need to go to a gun store and touch 'em, hold 'em, squeeze 'em and see which one feels right.

I am feeling better!  A week and a half and maybe I can start back on my Kettlebells!!

Inspirational Thought:
Dedicated to Mom!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmAi_qJoPbU&list=PL617792885415F918&index=10&feature=plpp_video


Food Diary:
Breakfast:  70 calorie Peach Activia, toast and 1 tsp Country Crock
Lunch:  Pradaria, meat and salad
Dinner:  Made made beef and vegetable soup

Tuesday, Week 32:

Inspirational Thought: 
Carrie Underwood... Wow!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLLMzr3PFgk&feature=related


Food Diary:
Breakfast:  100 calorie bagel with cream cheese, two eggs
Lunch:  Caribbean Salad with grilled chicken at Chili's
Snack:  M&M's
Dinner:  Porkloin, a little macaroni and cheese, field peas

Monday, Week 32:

(Week 5 after surgery)
Daily Comments:
Day Light Saving Time... Woo Hoo!!  I love all the extra sunlight.  It makes it easier to walk away from the T.V. and enjoy the outside.  I look forward to walking and riding a bike outside when the weather is not wet and cold.  Working in the yard to redo my flowerbeds sounds inviting too.  At work I have an office with three large window.  I open the blinds everyday so that even though I am inside I am enjoying the day.

Saturday was such a busy day for me.  I cleaned house almost all day.  It had been 5 or 6 weeks since I "really" cleaned.  Man!!  It is sparkling right now.  I was worn out from all the cleaning but not before I sat down with Pepaw and learned the fine art of gun cleaning and the name of all the parts of the gun and how to break one of the automatics down and put it back together.  I had so much fun!!  I can't wait to dirty them up and clean them again.

Sunday was busy as well.  Worship is always great!  Marty and I had lunch at Olive Garden and that is always good.  Then I ran errands.  To PetSmart for dog nail clippers and of course dog toys.  To the Bible Book store and bought a bible bag that looks like a small Brighton purse.  I love it!  It has a small cross with a heart on the front.  It looked like this but ALL black.

 Then off to the grocery store for the weekly supplies to fill the frig and cabinets.  The family came over for T-bone steaks on the grill.  Anthony, my grandson, cooked.  He is a good cook!!  I will buy the meat and he can cook any day.

Arianna is growing so fast.  She is 6 months now.   Take a look at this!!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=2777978249999&set=vb.1274401548&type=2&theater

 


Inspirational Thought: 

Here is good music for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqw22vf-Mbk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhuHOz9-W98&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpaJNVkEfbE&feature=related


Food Diary:
Breakfast:  Sugar free oatmeal and 100 calorie bagel with cream cheese
Lunch:  Ham and green beans
Snack:  M&M's
Dinner:  Crawfish and Oysters on the half shell... Yummm!

Friday, Week 31:

Daily Comments:
I love Fridays!  The weather is getting a little cold and very wet but tomorrow is Saturday.  Yea!!  It will be a busy day of cleaning house, bathing the dogs, getting my nails done, grocery shopping, and anything else I can squeeze into the day.   Pepaw is going to teach me how to clean my gun.  Maybe I can squeeze that in on Saturday.  Pepaw is excellent with guns.  It has been his hobby for years.

Tonight is a Fish Fry Fundraiser honoring Judge Gary Janssen, a long time friend.  I am looking forward to the Fish Fry gathering but I can't wait to go home and get in my sweats and be warm and lazy.  I do not like cold weather.

Inspirational Thought:  
"A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools." Spanish Proverb


"Health is not valued till sickness comes." Dr. Thomas Fuller

"Good friends are good for your health." Irwin Sarason  

2 Corinthians 1

Praise to the God of All Comfort

 ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. ⁶ If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Food Diary: 
Breakfast:  Sugar free Oatmeal and toast with 1 tsp country crock
Lunch:Chinese food
Snack:Mixed nuts
Dinner:Fish Fry

Thursday, Week 31:

Daily Comments:
Here is a picture of me that my son Marty took yesterday at the shooting range.  I was having so much fun while we were there that I didn't even think about taking pictures.  I will next time!

I have been talking to Steve today about getting me a Walther PPK .32.  A new hobby... What fun!

I paid to receive the magazine Women's Health and a side benefit of that is that I receive some really good emails on exercising, nutrition, food preparation, makeup, and much more.  Even though I am not exercising yet (2 more weeks of recovery) I have been reading all my Women's Health emails.  Here is one article that I can not wait to try along with getting back to "the Plank" that I was doing.  There is a real thrill to increasing your time and endurance on an exercise like the Plank even if it is only increases of seconds.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/yoga/yoga-workout-for-your-abs?cm_mmc=Newsletter-_-839754-_-03082012-_-ReadMore&smartcode=NLS839754

Inspirational Thought:
²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. -Galatians 2:20_

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. -2 Timothy 3: 16-17

Food Diary: 
Breakfast:  Sugar free Oatmeal and toast with 1 tsp country crock, 1/2 glass light grape juice
Lunch:  Luby's cafeteria; Cole Slaw, Broccoli, Green Beans, Fried Okra, Cabbage and apple cobbler
Snack:  Mixed nuts
Dinner:  Pork Tenderloin, mashed potatoes, and field peas

Wednesday, Week 31:

Daily Comments: 
I had a wonderfully busy day!  Whew!!  I was busy inputting data all day at work.  I enjoyed Chili's for lunch with my husband Steve and son Marty.  We had great conversation at lunch time.  It is so nice to love spending time with family!!

We left work early today and went to the shooting range.  We shot my 38 pistol, 22 pistol, a 22 automatic, a 22 rifle, and a Barretta 9ml assault rifle (that a friend brought) at paper targets.  The shooting range was indoors where you could use a handle to crank the target down the range and back to you so that you could see how well you shot and change your targets.  It was fun!  Steve, or course, was a very good shot.  Marty did great!  He said he learned shooting in Boy Scouts.  Man!! He could cluster his shots on the target.  He shot in a half circle around one of the small circle targets that would have been a complete circle if he had had enough shots.  I, however, need to improve!!  We are going to try and go once a month.  Yea!!

Next, was Wednesday night church.  I met with our audio/visual guy at our church.  He is awesome!  Instead of having announcements given by individuals in front of the auditorium on Sunday mornings, our announcements run visually so that everything is planned out ahead of time.  They are awesome!  Take a moment and see a sample below of our announcements... Mine is the Egg Hunt. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS--EggLt9c&list=UUofntGA5AxkboKiq9df0Ncg&index=1&feature=plcp

Dinner afterwards was at Zorros, a neighborhood Mexican restaurant.  It is literally inside the neighborhood.  Mmm!  It was delicious!!  When we got home, we caught the end of American Idol and then Psych before turning in.  What a full day!!

Inspirational Thought:  
" Those who don't plan for their future are not interested in their future!"
Zig Ziglar 

" You may not be responsible for being knocked down, but you are responsible for getting back up!"
Written in 2012 by Lanre Success --- Nigeria

" Success comes through Dedication, Determination, and Discipline & Desire."
Author Unknown 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU." 6 So we may boldly say: "THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?" 

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Food Diary: 
Breakfast:  Two eggs, toast with Country crock spread, 1/2 glass of Light Grape Juice
Lunch:  Chili's Caribbean Salad (Mmmm good!)
Snack:  A few mixed nuts
Dinner:  Zorro's Chicken Taco and Salad (Gooooood!)

Tuesday , Week 31:

Daily Comments: 
It feels good to get my head back around where I am going and what I am doing.  I ate well today!  I am very tired will post more tomorrow.  I am going to bed.



Inspirational Thought: 
I can do all thing through Christ that give me strength.  Philippians 4:13


Food Diary: 
Breakfast -an apple, 1/2 light grape juice, fruit smoothie
Snack -Hot Blueberry tea with Splenda
Lunch -Chicken taco, a few chips and hot sauce
Snack -1/2 bag of 100 calorie popcorn
Dinner -Saltgrass steak, salad, asparagus, and a few fried mushrooms

Monday, Week 31:

(Week 4 after surgery.)
Daily Comments:
It is so difficult to get motivated after surgery when all you feel like doing is sitting and/or sleeping.  It may be the same for you just trying to get motivated to lose weight.  I think it starts with being positive.  Having a positive mental state that you can get through this, that you have a vision in mind, and that with the Lord's help... You can do this!!

If I think positive, I am doing so much better than I was just two short weeks ago.  I am no longer wearing a wrap around my abdomen.  I am walking without wincing.  I am walking faster... that's huge!  I am not in constant pain.  I have some slight pain still and I guess that is what still needs to heal.  I have some stitches that are going to dissolve on their own but I still have them.  I have gained a few pounds, some of which could be swelling and residual surgery stuff.  But... if I am truthful... I think it's the cookies and bad eating I have been doing while I have been feeling bad.

But TODAY... is a new day!!  I must get my positive mental state back.  I must get my head thinking about that next weigh loss goal I want to achieve.  I must think about losing these extra pounds I put on during recovery.  I must think about where I came from (size 16 pants) to where I am now (size 12 pants) and to where I want to go.   I have two and a half weeks left of recovery and during that time I am going to start walking on my tread mill and building up my endurance and get back to recording all that I am eating.  I can do this!


Inspirational Thought:  
Soul Link was awesome!  The theme was "A Frayed Knot!"  a study on "Be not afraid".  Whatever barriers you have built up... with God you can tear down those walls and move past, move ahead, do bigger and better things.  I know that was aimed at our spiritual life but.. doesn't that sound like what we need to do with our weight loss goals.  "Be not afraid"... tear down whatever walls are keeping us from losing weight, tear down our walls and let God move us to bigger and better things including weight loss.  We can do this!

Here is a short video (two views) someone captured on Sunday morning during worship as part of our Soul Link 2012 weekend.  See what we saw when our FEARS were turned into HOPE.

(Expand the video to "Full Screen" so you can see what is happening.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mwv3MIPBAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=iak3WX6fQ4I


Food Diary: 
Breakfast:  Sugar Free Oatmeal and toast with Country Crock, 1/2 cup of light Grape Juice
Lunch:  Baked Potato and green beans
Dinner:  Oysters, Boiled Craw-fish, salad, and bread at Pappadeaux's

Thursday, Week 29:

Daily Comments: 
Thursday already!  Good news is I have been back to work for four days and I am doing well.  I am still walking and moving carefully but I am so thankful.  The one thing I do not like is the swollen belly.  I have been working so hard to get the belly shape smaller... it is hard seeing it swollen... and wearing the abdominal wrap adds to the fullness of the middle.  But... this too shall pass. 

Say a prayer for my endurance this weekend.  I volunteered some time back to attend and be a chaperon at Soul Link with my church's youth group.  It is this weekend... Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Thank goodness this year we have a charter bus instead of a school bus for our transportation.  Soul Link is a time of worship, singing, motivating classes, and a time of renewal for teens and Church of Christ youth groups from all over.  It is an awesome time!   I am looking forward to it.

To God be the Glory!!  God is good all the time.  All the time God is good!

Sunday, Week 29:

(Week 2 after surgery)
Daily Comments:
Last week was the worse.  I had to revert back to 2 pain pills every 4 hours all last week.  I literally took a pill, ate something, and went back to bed... for a week!  Man!!  It got even worse.  Steve, Pepaw (Steve's dad), and Marty caught a cold.  They were all coughing and sniffling, and sleeping a lot.  There was no caregiver.  We were all sick and had to take care of ourselves.

Sometime during that week, Pepaw went to the doctor and had a test and found out he had blockage to the heart and needed a stent.  He scheduled Surgery for Thursday.  Steve got up at 5:00 a.m. and took him to the hospital, stayed in the waiting room and got the good news from the doctor, saw that he got into his room for over night observation, and then came home and crashed (still sick and run down).  Steve headed back to the hospital around 5:00 p.m. and visited for a few hours then turned around and picked him up and brought him home on Friday.  We were all crashed on Friday.  I took my last pain pill on Friday and started taking 3 Ibuprofen instead.

I am... today... back among the living.  I got up and went to church this morning.  (Steve stayed home.  He was crouping and coughing... still sounding awful.)  Being at church was the best place to be.  The singing and the sermon was excellent.  I was so blessed to have been present.  Afterwards, Marty and I ate at Olive Garden.  I ate soup and salad.  It tasted great.  After lunch I took food to-go to Steve and Pepaw and went home to rest.  Marty went to the grocery store.  The family came over around 7:00 p.m.  We all ate steak and green beans and watched a movie together.  We all ate cobbler and ice cream for dessert.  Arianna is getting so big.  She is almost 6 months and 20 pounds.  I am not supposed to lift anything over 20 pounds for 6 weeks.  Uuuugggghhhhh!

I am going to attempt to go back to work tomorrow.  I have a doctor's appointment too... on my first day back.  We shall see if I can handle full time hours this week or if I will have to work up to full time.  I am glad I have my own office and sit in front of a computer with a printer on my desk.  I only have to get up to go to the bathroom.

Missed: 
I missed documenting my weigh-in day yesterday... I weighed-in at 167 pounds.  That is one pound down.  Yea!  I am still swollen from surgery so I hope some weight will still drop off as I continue to recover.  It still hurts but it is sooooooo much better.

I have a friend, Renee, that just had neck surgery for the second time after screws in her neck broke after the first surgery.  She is so positive and such a strong person.  She has overcome so many things in her life, one of which was cancer.  She had a major portion of her colon removed and wore a bag for many months.  To her, this is just one more thing.  Her neck surgery was this past Monday while I was out of it.  I spoke with her today on the phone.  She has two black eyes, bruises to the face, neck, and under arms.  Half of her hair is shaved off.  She says she looks like she has been beaten.  She has a 3 months recovery time and is on mega heavy pain medications.  She has physical therapy to look forward to also.  All that kind of puts things in prospective for me, especially when she called me concerned about how I was doing.  I was so humbled and in tears for her.

I could go on with family and friends that have life threatening illnesses.  They are handling each and every day amazingly well.  They are strong, positive, fighters.  I am thankful!  To God be all the glory!!

Food Diary:  
Breakfast:  Activia Light Peach yogurt, toast with country crock and honey.
Lunch:  Olive Garden soup and salad
Dinner:  Steak, green beans, and mashed potatoes
Snack:  Peach cobbler and ice cream

To God be Glory for Every and Ever Amen!!

Sunday, Week 28:

(Week 1 after surgery)
Exercise: 
Not yet!  I am up and walking around the house... slowly.  Those stinking stomach muscles hurt.  When I get back to walking normally I plan to walk on the tread mill and build up to 20 minutes.  I will do nothing too fast.  Trust me!!

Daily Comments: 
For those of you that do not know... hernia surgery and bladder surgery is abdominal surgery.  After surgery your abs or abdominals HURT.  Getting up, sitting up, sitting down, walking... all HURT.

Also what you do not know is... "The Golden Rule".  The Golden Rule for abdominal surgery...  is... NO COUGHING!!  Don't get a cold.  Don't get a post nasal drip down the back of your throat and DON'T eat toast and get a little piece of toast to tickle your tonsils or stick to your tonsils.  Yes!!  Just what I did. I was coughing and coughing and coughing and tears poured out of my eyes, liquid dripped out of my nose... I was bending over a couch trying to hold my stomach muscles in place while coughing and begging for water incoherently (you could not tell what I was saying).  The water didn't really help when I got it.  To say the least, I was making progress and that coughing fit set me back.  Man!  I hurt!

I was taking 2 pain meds every four hours and I have progressed to 1 pain pill every six hours.  It allows me to still hurt but takes the edge off and keeps me from being loopy.  I am getting better but NO MORE toast and I am taking Robitussin just in case.  Ouch!!

Steve has taken such good care of me!  He is a great cook.  He has given me his powerful hand and strength to lower me into a chair and up out of a chair and into bed.  He has kept the meds coming to keep me on a schedule the first few hours and days.  He has given me space when I have got into the shower with tubing and surgical tape all over my belly and I just needed a shower.  (I kept it dry as I could, keeping my back to the spray, but the shower down my back and washing my hair was amazing... we take that for granted.)  Steve is the love of my life.  He took days off work and has been with me every minute.  We did not realize I would be hurting this much.

My Mom loves me so much!  She made me a banana pudding... twice!!  She spoils me rotten!! 

Please keep praying that I continue to recover and that the pain goes away!!

Spiritual Thoughts:

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  ⁸ Love never fails.

Wednesday, Week 27:

Daily Comments:   
My two surgeries, hernia and bladder, were taken care of today.  The doctor repairing or lifting the bladder tube did an excellent job.  I am already experiencing improvement.

The doctor repairing the hernia, found and repaired TWO hernias.  I am at home and moving very slowly.  My stomach muscles are in constant pain as if I had done a 1000 crunches... or more.  It hurts!!  I am wearing an On-Q pain pump that is delivering anesthesia directly to the site.  If it hurts while wearing this pump... I wonder how much it would hurt to not be wearing it.

Here is information on the pump:  http://doctorfinders.com/onq.php  I am also taking oral pain meds.  These are making me sleep and I don't mind at all.  As soon as I finish this blog, I am going back to bed.

My MOM made ME a Banana Pudding!!  Yea!!  What a wonderful treat!!

Exercise:
Are you kidding me?  It is exercise just getting up out of a chair or up out of the bed... or walking.


Inspirational though:   

Ephesians 3:17-19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Food Diary:

Breakfast:  Nothing after midnight!  Ready for surgery!!

Lunch:  a little soup... I got nauseous and ALMOST threw up.  (took meds) 

Snack:  100 calorie cookies

Dinner:  Activia Light peach, a little toast no crust, banana pudding

Snack:  banana pudding

Tuesday, Week 27:

Daily Comments:
My surgeries are scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday February 8th.  I have to be at the hospital at 6:00 a.m.  The first surgery starts at 7:30 a.m.

This morning, on my way to work, I went to the hospital and took care of my Pre-Op.  I completed all the paperwork, had an EKG, and gave blood.  I am so glad I went.  I didn't know I needed to do all that.  I heard from the nurses of both doctors today checking in with me.  One of the nurses confirmed my pharmacy and let me know she was calling in some "goooooood" drugs for me.  I was told it would be good if I picked it up today so I would have it when I got home.  Now I am worried.  Am I going to be in pain?  I guess with every surgery comes a little pain.  I will leave it in God's hands and it will be fine!


Inspirational Thoughts: 

Ephesians 3

 ¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  ²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.



Food Diary: 
Breakfast:  Oatmeal with Country Crock and coffee
Lunch:  Mexican food; Chicken soft tacos
Snack:  100 calories yogurt covered pretzels
Dinner:  Salmon patties, broccoli & cheese, rice with Rotel tomatoes and mushrooms
Snack:  Sugar free chocolate pudding

Saturday, Week 26:

Daily Comments:
Today is weigh in day and I am holding at 168 pounds.


I did my KettleWorx kettlebells exercises on Monday and Tuesday.  After lunch on Tuesday, I started having serious stomach pains.  I do not know if I got a touch of food poisoning from lunch or I over-did-it with the kettlebelling.  I was in such pain that I missed work on Wednesday.  A heating pad was my best friend Tuesday through Thursday.  Thursday and Friday my stomach was tender and I was having occasional stomach pains.

Today I have felt much better.  I slept late, cleaned house, and washed clothes.  I left the house around 2:00 p.m. and took myself to Ruthie's for a Mexican lunch.  I ate Tortilla soup, and some chips and hot sauce.  Then I went and got a fresh pedicure and manicure.  I want my feet to look pretty on the surgery table on Wednesday.  I do not like that it will be 6 weeks before I can Kettlebell and "Plank" after surgery.  But I do like that the surgery will be behind me and I will be better because of it.

I am enjoying becoming a healthier me.  I am enjoying losing weight.  My clothes are looking better on my body.  Being back in size 12 pants after many years feels great.  I can actually see the possibility that I may get into a smaller size pants.  Oh WOW!!

Inspirational Thought: 
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain...

-Vivian Greene

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Inspiration-Quotes.aspx?p=2#ixzz1lTrhA8QX

There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no insurmountable barrier except our own inherent weakness of purpose.

-Elbert Hubbard

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/Inspiration-Quotes.aspx?p=4#ixzz1lTs0WThZ

Matthew 22:37 NIV

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

John 15:12 NIV

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Food Diary:  

Breakfast:  Sugar free Oatmeal

Snack:  Activia Peach Light

Lunch:  Ruthie's Mexican Food; Tortilla soup, chips and hot sauce

Dinner:  Rotisserie chicken, rice, green beans

Tuesday, Week 26:

Exercise:
Yes I did!  Monday morning and Tuesday morning.  I love doing KettleWorx kettlebells first thing in the morning.  Well... first thing meaning after I go to the bathroom, put on my exercise clothes, let the dogs out, let the dogs in, put the dogs back to bed and then first thing is my workout... all by myself, in the living room, while everyone in the house is asleep.

Daily Comments: 
I am so thrilled that every day exercises, that were very difficult if not impossible the first time, are getting easier.  Like the "Plank".  First day I could only do like 10 to 15 seconds.  Or the "Upright Row".  In a sitting position leaning back with your feet off the floor, engaging your upper abs and lower abs, row the kettlebell to the left and the right like you are in a canoe... keeping your feet off the floor.  First day I could not do it... so I did it with my heels on the floor.  Next few days, not so pretty.  But as the days have gone by it is getting easier.  Today I did it with my feet off the floor.. on the first set.  Maybe tomorrow or the next day I will be able to do it on the first set, the second set and the third set.  I have a ways to go but I can see improvement.  What ever you decide to do for exercise... it will get easier.  Pick an exercise you enjoy... so you will stick with it... and then look for your daily improvements of getting stronger and building strength and endurance.

Spiritual Thought:
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (NLT)

Sunday, Week 26:

Exercise: 
It's Sunday!  I was up and Kettlebelling at 7:00 a.m.  Today I did my KettleWorx DVD "Resistance".  I'm getting better at the Baseball Catcher exercise.  I am squatting better and keeping my balance better while lifting up on my toes and back down on my heels.  Do a little bit everyday and it just keeps getting better and better.

Daily Comments: 
Arianna, my grand baby, looked so beautiful today at church.  I wish I had taken a picture to share.  She had on an antique white cotton dress that I bought her at Holiday in the Grove craft show.  It was made from an antique pillow case with embroidered flowers.  It gathers at the neck with ribbon that ties at the shoulders in big pink bows.  Under the dress she wore a delicate pink long sleeve blouse and white tights that had pink shoes as part of the tights.  To top it off she was wearing a pink headband with a big pink bow.  She was an explosion of bows.   She was beautiful!!

Inspirational Thoughts:

Here are a couple of tips:

Prevent idle hands: Being in front of the television is one of the biggest reasons people forget about portion control. To avoid bad snacking throughout a show, give your hands something else to do. Take up knitting, fill in a crossword or fold some laundry—the more your hands have to do, the less time they'll spend reaching for food.


Pose slimmer: Everyone knows the camera adds ten pounds, but what celebrities know is how to make it look like you lost a few. Make your next photo more flattering by placing one hand on your hip and leaning toward the opposite side. This will elongate your torso and make your arms look leaner.

Stair step your goals: Having just one big goal may be simple, but it can be more frustrating to reach. Try adding a few small goals along the way, like going to the gym three days in a week or eating a vegetable at every meal. Small accomplishments will help make the whole experience more rewarding.

Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (NLT)

Saturday, Week 25:

Weigh in Day!
It is a good day.  I lost 2 pounds.  Yea!!

I am currently weighing in at 168 pounds.  Gone are 36 pounds!!  I pray the pounds keep melting away or Kettlebelling away.  Woo Hoo!!  Man!  It feels good.


Daily Comments: 
Wednesday February 8th, a week and a half from now, I am scheduled for hernia and bladder surgery.  I will continue to do my KettleWorx kettlebell exercises and my "Plank" ab exercises up until that day.

After surgery, I will walk on my treadmill or at the mall or around the office at work.  Walking will be my only form of exercise for 6 to 8 weeks, each doctor has a different time line of restrictions.  This will not deter me from my weight loss goals.  I am looking forward to being in the best health I have been in ever.

I am on my way out the door to enjoy the day and run a few errands.

Inspirational Thoughts:
Romans 8

More Than Conquerors

 ³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  
³⁶ As it is written:
   “For your sake we face death all day long;
   we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”^[j]
 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thursday, Week 25:

Exercise:
I sleepily turned off the alarm this morning instead of hitting the snooze button.  Therefore, I was very late getting up.  I resorted to 15 minutes of my own kettlebelling without the DVD.  I worked on arms and abs.  I did 60 seconds of "The Plank".  I tried to "Plank" a second time.  I was only able to do 25 seconds.

Daily Comments:
This is a very good acticle found a this website:

http://kcossaboon.hubpages.com/hub/Waystokeepyourmetabolismrevvedupatwork
Read below!!

Ways to keep your metabolism revved up at work

Facebook

By K. Cossaboon

Metabolism. Simply put, it's the process by which the body makes and uses energy (calories) for everything from the cellular absorption of nutrients to running a marathon. Sounds like pretty boring science on paper. Except that knowing how to efficiently metabolize calories could translate into a healthier body. Metabolism slows as we age, by as much as two percent a year, it also slows from inactivity, stress, and not eating right. Whether you're trying to lose extra pounds or preparing for the inevitable metabolic slowing that comes with age, we could all use a little more focus on keeping our metabolism up, and probably the hardest place to do it is when we are stuck behind out desk at work, so here are a few surefire ways to keep your metabolism revved up at work to keep your energy pulsating and your body in shape.

AT WORK

Get moving. Most of us don't like to hear it, but to boost your metabolism, you have to get moving. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, if you need to talk to someone about an issue walk over to their office rather than call, at lunch time try to get outside, even just a short 10 minute walk can rev up your metabolism for hours. Try stretching every two hours during the day, just take 5 minutes, stand, and complete a few stretches. Sitting for 8 hours is one of the worse things we can do for our metabolism.

Eat. It may sound crazy to those trying to lose weight by severely restricting their daily caloric intake, but the problem with this school of thought, is that it actually slows metabolism. When our bodies don't get enough fuel they slow down and try to conserve the fuel they have, thus slowing metabolism. Try eating several small meals rather than just a few large ones, recent studies suggest eating every three to four hours (this will also prevent for from getting very hungry and overeating).

Drink water. Staying well hydrated is essential to flushing the body of toxic byproducts that are released when fat is burned. Cold water may also give your metabolism at least a small boost because energy is required to heat the body.

Avoid sugar. When you eat sugar your body begin storing the food as fat, however when you eat food low in sugar (such as lean meats, fruits, and vegetables) your body is forced to break these foods down to help maintain an even blood-sugar level, and in turn keeping your metabolism higher.

Eat breakfast. It's a fact that people who eat a healthy breakfast are skinnier than people who don't. And try to think outside the box. A breakfast bowl of vegetables and brown rice is a great way to kick-start your metabolism for the day.

Include hot foods. If Mexican and Thai are favorites, you're in luck; spicy food that has hot peppers in it appears to boost metabolism.

Drink green tea. There are unhealthy things that can boost your metabolism, like a really strong cup of coffee, or nicotine, but I would never say go have a cigarette! Nor overdo it on caffeine, which also has undesirable side effects. Instead, go for green tea which is known to stimulate metabolism longer and more effectively than coffee.

Avoid stress. Although much easier said than done, it is one of the key factors to keeping your metabolism high. Stress can actually cause weight gain, particularly around the stomach because physical and emotional stress activates the release of cortisol, a chemical in the body that slows metabolism.

AT HOME

Exercise. Muscle is the single most important predictor or how well you metabolize your food, how well you burn calories and burn body fat," insists Shari Lieberman, author of Dare to Lose. Strength training with dumbbells or resistance bands at least twice a week is essential to boosting your metabolism. And here's the really good news: Your metabolism stays pumped for many hours after you finish your workout.

Sleep. Research shows that people who don't sleep for seven to eight hours a night are more prone to weight gain. Additionally, we now know that lean muscle is regenerated in the final couple of hours of sleep each night. Which takes you right back to the importance of exercise!

Inspirational Thought:

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:7-9a,10)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19)

Me and God by Josh Turner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDatkylkFSM

Food Diary:
Breakfast:  Oatmeal with Country Crock and 2 tsp. of half and half, Activia Light Peach
Lunch:  Mexican food; tacos and a few chips and hot sauce
Snack:  100 cal cookies
Dinner:  100% whole wheat bread with peanut butter, yogurt with sliced strawberries
Snack:  3 starbursts