The truth always comes out

Today I decided it was the day to take my before pictures. I was in total denial of how much I had gained back. Not quite ready to post the pictures because I want to be able to show progression with it. I have falsely told myself that I hadn't gained that much weight and the scale was lying to me. Well, the scale might be off by a pound or so but not 30 lbs. I know I have a hard road ahead of me but I also know I can do it. It's going to be bumpy and I'm going to have my ups and downs but eventually the path will flatten out and things will go easier. Changes don't happen over night even though we are constantly on the lookout for that miracle cure. It's like my wish for a magical genie. My three wishes are to be skinny, have a clean house, and be incredibly rich. Well, I guess since I haven't found the lamp yet I better start working on finding my own clean house, my own lean, healthy body, and my own riches whether it be money or memories. Hard things build strength. 

Don't give up. Just try.. you can start fresh each day and the more days you start working hard the sooner you will see the results.

If you ever want to sweat...

Take your 13 year old with you to the gym. I don't know if I have ever sweat so much in my life. I couldn't look like a wuss in front of her so I had to kick it up about twenty notches. It's pictures like these that show me how far I have to go. I know I can do it and am well on my way but man it's sad that I let myself get this far away from my goals. Consistency. I know I've said it before but that is the answer to the how. 

Off to bed I go! E kicked my butt and I'm now exhausted!

Sometimes we need a kick in the a$$!!

I've really gotten better with my eating. Working out is the challenge. I'm a busy mom trying to entertain my kids, work a job, be a wife, and take care of myself. Today I found the perfect saying and had to share.I think the hardest part this week is I'm ready to go but because of a dumb ac that decided to die on me and a husband that is out of town I haven't been getting much sleep.Pretty much looks like me these days. By the time I have a second to go work out I'm sweaty and tired and just want to crawl in bed and hope for a moment of coolness which eventually does come around 4 in the morning. We all have excuses. I'm the queen of excuses. I've spent more time coming up with excuses over the last twenty years. I'd be thin if I had just stopped wasting time doing it. 

For those of you familiar with "The Trouble With Angels" this point is shown in the best way Rachel and Mary spend every day for three years coming up with excuses for getting out of swimming. On the day exams came they almost drown. If they had just put the energy into learning they would have been able to accomplish something great. We need to stop making excuses and start taking chances. 

Try something new. Be the best you! Make the choice to do rather than come up with an excuse!

Pizza that is almost really Pizza

My kids wanted pizza tonight so being the mom I am I got everything to make us pizza and decided to try a Flatout Crust.  Not quite as good but for the low sugars, high fiber and fact that it's healthy it's a great substitute. 

Enough with the If Onlys

I don't know why as a whole people don't see the good in themselves. You look at another and think if only..... enough with the If Onlys... I am realizing that it is more important to love oneself than another. It's also one of the most complicated things to do. I grew up feeling like I was never good enough. I thought I was fat. I was incapable of accomplishing anything. I never looked in the mirror and saw the beauty I was looking back at me. Here I am almost 43 still struggling to see the beauty others see. I see myself through better eyes than my beautiful teenage self but still struggle to see what others see. 

All three of my girls are confident, strong, beautiful girls but my 11 year old radiates confidence. "I love you.." "I know!" "You're cute!" "I know." It's not even a question with her that she 100% believes these things about her.  From the mouth of babes. Now let's go out and teach ourselves that we too are beautiful, loved, smart, and many other qualities that we have but don't see. Look deep in the mirror for the person that others see when looking at you. Don't just look at the reflection look deep into your character. Become the person that when someone tells you you are beautiful you say, "I know!"

This is the start of a beautiful future. My tan is peeling, my makeup is smeared, the sadness is behind my eyes, however, that does not define me. If looking deep I see a strong woman who has just finished working out, a mom that loves her children, a friend that cares deeply, a wife that loves madly, and a beautiful work in progress!

It's been a while but I am here for good

I hate that I have been off of my healthy journey for far too long. I know it is absolutely a necessity and yet.... I have spent the last week getting my mind in the right place. It didn't hurt that I tried to put on my life jacket from last year and I couldn't even come close to zipping it.

Yesterday I finally got rid of the debilitating withdrawal headaches from sugar. I know now how much I need to stay away from the stuff. I am so excited to be moving forward. It is amazing how much of a difference a switch in your mentality can make. I will be really working on finding great recipes that are yummy and healthy. Today my family is not here so I have been eating stuff that wouldn't be a hit with them. I had a scrambled egg with ham and mushrooms. I know that the ham is processed and need to move to completely clean eating but one step at a time. 

Remember we all have the choice to eat what is best for us and workout as much as we can. I have realized it is important to find an activity that we enjoy. Here's to many more motivations and updates.