I don't want to ginks myself, but I currently show having lost 9 1/2 pounds! For me, that's a record! I haven't done a good job exercising, but I feel pretty in control of my eating- I have something I want to encourage all my friends with- you know when you feel those hunger pains and you're tempted? It almost use to scare me (if that sounds weird, I know!) because I was not use to the feeling! But now, I really think those small times of really feeling a bit of hunger is the reason I have lost the weight- Ok, yes I realize that sounds simple, but I mean- when you're feeling that, just give into the feeling and let yourself be a little hungry- not starving, just a little hungry- I heard Bob Green say that was when your body was using up fat and I believe it! Just those few times you'll feel it, it seems like your body speeds up its process of burning fat! Then you shrink your stomach and you can't really pig out like you would before! Maybe I'm not expressing it the way I need to, but I guess I'm saying just give yourself one good week of forming the new habits (4 day win!) and then you'll see that you'll have more control than you thought you did! I say that because I'm really shocked at myself! I'm not bragging- I'm saying, this is a mind game that I told myself forever that I was NOT capable of overcoming! It may only seem like about 10 pounds, but to me it is a spiritual battle that I overcame in my mind- Once you get to a point that you refuse to go backwards, your body seems to go with your goal! I hope I'm not sounding like a flower child! ha!

I was especially proud that I got through the snow days ( at home as a teacher with food at my disposal all week!) without gaining- I think now, I just want to slowly but surely lose the rest!

I hesitate to tell myself that I deserve a pat on the back, because I want to encourage everyone else! I want us all to be at the top of that mountain together!

We're back at work today, and I had told myself I was going to bed early- After getting home from my night class that never seems possible! My baby girl is turning 13 this weekend, and I dont think I'm prepared for it! I'm getting my little puppy I've been waiting on all this time at the same time, so that will help! Hattie Grayce is her name- my family is going to turn me in as the "Crazy Dog Lady" as I've flipped over this puppy!

I hope you all have a great week, and remember to slow down long enough to love yourself! Just remember, if someone really makes you mad and you want to reach for a piece of cake or coke, you are letting them add to your defeat- they're not worth it! Lose it in spite of bad behavior!

Shyful

Well, I don't know if I've blogged since I had lost 9 pounds, but I was thrilled at that victory! I didn't add the half pound at the beginning, so I guess it might not show up that way on the blog- but I think I gained back some through my "girly time",so Im waiting to claim all 9 still-

I feel like I'm in a really good place with what I'm eating, but I haven't been really working out like I should, so there's this fear of falling- Plus the weekend is here, so Im praying when I'm out with my hubby for supper I'll not flake out! I sound like the alchoholic that's out there scared to get around a drink! ha!

Well, we'll see how it goes- I got the book my sister order for me "The Four Day Win" and I'm excited about it!

Well, the scale is saying that I've lost a pound more, but I'm not putting it in until I really believe it! I had an extremely stressful day at work and I suppose my one victory is in the past I would have gotten a Dr. Pepper afterwards ( or even before) to handle the stress and I didn't! Small victory I know, but if you only knew how much I love them you'd know what an addict I am! Just ask Michelle, my sister! ha! You know, don't ya sis?

I have to admit I did look at the calorie count out of curiousity- and don't count me as angelic! My husband got a new truck today and I was EXHAUSTED after work, so we went and ate at the mexican place! I didn't eat what I normally eat, so that I wouldn't pig  out- I did eat chips, but all and all I don't think I did horrible- but it couldn't have been bad-

So tonight I have mixed emotions! Trying to think about my cute white miniature schnauzer thats soon to be here- any name ideas? Ha! Chelle is probably saying to herself that I've lost it to ask about names on ep!

Take courage ladies!

Well, I have a week of highs and lows, but thankfully the low came before the high! I have really found a successful way of living for me that goes beyond just "dieting"- I was in the best groove and then I chose to go "out into the world"- my husband warned me that if we were going to do this ( he is trying to eat healthy and lose some weight too) that we would have to not eat out! I argued the fact and still think it's not ENTIRELY true, except that timing is everything.........Ladies- I truly was like a new convert that went out into the world too soon after her conversion! We have a ministry where we go into women's prisons and it entails us traveling 5 hours from our home, where of course we eat out the entire weekend! At first I was extremely proud of myself (well, maybe not EXTREMELY) with the first time eating out. I did have some chips, but all in all it was ok! BUT............. as the hours plodded on, I succumbed to eating all the chips I desired at El Chicos and alas I had sinned like none other before! I was really mad at myself because I had vowed I would stay firm to my routine-

BUT, all I could do was move on and try harder- I think in the back of my mind I knew I was signing up for a weight loss thing at work today, and I didnt worry about it much- I had already lost a pound and a half at that point and thought the worst would be putting it back on-

WELL- watching all those calories paid off! I've lost 5 pounds! WOOOO HOOO! It has been forever since I could just say I could get that done! I am in the zone and I really feel like I can go forward and finally get what I want out of it! I am excited!

Its just like Oprah says- "Nothing tastes and well as thin feels!" I believe it! I teach and I can concentrate better now and I feel a ton better!

Hopefully you all are rockin' and a rollin' in your journey to a better you!

Sincerely hopeful,
Amy (Shyful)

Ok, my blog is probably pretty simple and forgive me if it takes me awhile to see things sent- I am new to the site and sometimes I get lost in my own blog! ha!

I feel great about my food choices and although I might be eating 100-200 too many calories in the right foods, I have at least establish a better pattern of eating than ever before! Thanks so much to coldpink ( my buddy!) for suggesting the 100 calorie snacks! That is the cooolest gift there is! They say that you need to eat often and before that was impossible because I couldn't say no to the food! Now that I have these cute little packages my brain says to me "Amy, you can't have anything else right now- the crumbs are all gone!" I love it! I truly feel empowered this time! Thanks to my circle of family ( my sister) and friends I have a support system that is working!

My scales are messed up, so I can't say I know what's going on- I am also starting a weight loss program at work and they will be a good accountability too! I still want to get scales at home that work because at least here I can strip down to my skivvys! ha! Can't have clothes that weigh 2.7 lbs. weighing me down! ha!!!!!

I just got through excercising and I am thrilled that even though I hate exercising, Zumba sure makes it fun- I had committed to working out in the morning, but due to our mattress giving in, we've had to move a bed into the living room! It's a long story, but i truly can't work out in the morning, but will when the situations taken care of-

Breakfast with the kiddos is still turning out to be a great thing- I hope some of you aren't thinking that's weird to be excited about! It sure makes our day better!

I pray you all are having success and if not, please remember that seeing yourself like God sees you will help you push through the defeats and bring you victory! We are MUCH harder on ourselves than any other person in our lives- aren't you worth all the love you can give yourself? I realize that doing this gives my life value in ways I maybe missed at the beginning-

Well- march on pioneers!

Amy (Shyful)

Well, I have to say, counting calories is a way for me to be successful!

This isn't really anything to do with weight, but I think it is worth mentioning in regards to how we can either add or take away from our day-

I decided this year that I would start the morning out for my kids with a hot breakfast- now that may sound like I don't feed them in the morning, but I just meant that I wanted us to sit down before school and have some french toast (rather they with toast- me with yogurt) together- you know, break bread-

It is ALWAYS an issue to get one child in particular up, but this morning instead of hollering "GET UP - I MEAN IT!!!" I made breakfast and then went upstairs and whispered- "you're french toast is ready baby"- Well, you can't believe how fast they rose! And that was all I needed to get them up and going plus you could tell they liked sitting together-

ANYWAY- I just think it is important for all of us to start our mornings out how WE think they should start instead of letting work and stress do it for us! I have been the worst at this before this year, but I claim 2009 as the year I stop that! Just personally, to be able to read my bible, exercise, eat with my kids, would be the best gift I could give myself! How crazy is it to keep pushing the snooze button that will only make me more tired, only to make me holler at my kids, go to work stressed, flabby and depressed! So the rest of that day I spend it in anger at myself, which is truly the worst kind.

This is to challenge us all to live our best life not for our family and  friends, but for ourselves-

I truly think the thing that motivated me the most was when I had my daughter take my picture in a bathing suit- talk about scary! After that the shame was out and I was ready to go for it in spite of myself!  I really think I am prepared to do it this time- I am eating correctly, and although I too missed working out this morning, I know I will need it enough, that even if I'm bone tired I'm going to keep going! I want this summer to be thin and in! Well, I'm a mom, so maybe just thin!

Keep going and keep motivated!

Sincerely,

Amy (Shyful)

Well, I hope it's ok to talk about certain exercise programs on here, but I really think "Zumba" will be something I love and stick with! I feel it! I exercised today and feel really good about the future!I teach and I'm praying for will power to fight off all the "junk" that ends up in the teachers lounge- not to mention the cafeteria!

Tomorrow I'm planning on watching "The Biggest Loser"- it motivates me to see all they do! I must stay with it this time!

Tonight I was just going to eat a very light supper and my daughter who'd been taking care of her little brother had a big grin on her face and told me she'd fixed supper! It was an experiment she said! hmmmmm- Well, it was like a chicken spaghetti and it was actually good! But the negative was it was full of calories! Oh my! Well, I was proud that I ate enough to stay in good standing as a mom without packing on too many calories- Afterwards I did a little bit more toning and somehow that made me feel better- it's funny how we motivate ourselves!

Well, still hoping to meet some of you - I know it is encouraging to hear other peoples story! I have to get my picture posted so forgive me for being slow!

Take care!

Amy (Shyful)