A New Experience-I took time for myself!

I took my own advice and TOOK some time to myself last weekend!  I have never been away by myself, let alone flown on a plane!  I faced both fears and flew to San Antonio, Texas at last minute by myself to spend some time with a childhood friend.  I cannot describe to you the fear and nervousness I felt at first.  After the first plane took off though, it was exhilirating!  It's like no feeling I have ever felt before to fly, to be on my own for a few days, and to get to know myself as an individual.  It was a life changing experience.  I have started making changing to many things in my life as an individual, our family life, and our marriage.  All of the changes are good changes!  I think so, at least!  :) 

Time for yourself

    After watching a recent Oprah show called "How happy is America?" I started really thinking to myself, "How happy am I lately?"  The truth is, I'm not a very happy mommy.  I'm always stressed, always running around trying to complete at least 10 tasks at once.  I didn't watch very much of the show but one part in particular has really stuck in my head.  Oprah asked the audience and views from home, "Do you take any time out of your day for complete silence?"  She said that everyone should take at least 10 minutes out of each and every day to allow yourself COMPLETE SILENCE.  Studies prove that people who do at least this if not more are happier and more serene.  I have started trying to make a little time each day to be alone and do nothing.  Even if it's just 5-10 minutes it really revitalizes a person, especially a busy mommy like me.  Whether its your job that has you stressed on top of home life, relationships, every day tasks you are constantly to achieve perfection in, or whatever you NEED time to just sit and remember your a person too.  You're important and it's important to know that your allowed to make yourself feel important, special, and be independent. 
    On our way to drop my 4 year old off at preschool yesterday my 2 year old started vomiting all over himself in his carseat.  We were already 2 minutes away from the school and about 10 minutes from home so I went ahead and dropped my 4 year old off and all the way home my 2 year old kept throwing up on himself.  I felt terrible but there was nothing I could do until we got home and I could unstrap him out of his carseat.  We came in, he took a bath, and after throwing up at least 10 more times, he was able to rest but NOT unless he was laying on mommy.  Instead of cleaning and disinfecting I was laying on the couch almost all day comforting him, changing his blankets and diapers, etc..  He was feeling better yesterday evening and I finally had to make him to go bed by himself.  After being called mean and putting him back to bed about 10 times he fell asleep.  I remember right before bed I said to my husband "I hope tomorrow is a better day, I had so many plans for today."
    I woke up at 3 am this morning to my 4 year old laying in my bed crying "I WANT YOU MAMA".  I asked what was wrong and he said he had a bad dream about a red power ranger cutting him in half.  Of course, I couldn't send him back to his bed alone so I let him stay with us.  He tossed and turned a few times and just as soon as I started falling back to sleep he started throwing up.  ALL OVER ME and our bed.  I got up, turned on the light, went to the hallway and just burst into tears.  I couldn't take it anymore.  After regrouping I went back in the bedroom to find my 2 year old had come into the room and fell back asleep in the floor on my side of the bed so he too was covered in throw up.  It took us about an hour to clean everything and everyone up, my husband made a 4 am run to the pharmacy, and I tried to get the kids back to sleep.  The baby was screaming and didn't want to go back to bed, my 4 year old was still throwing up every few minutes off the side of the couch into a bucket, and then all of the commotion woke up my 6 year old who needed to get up for school in 2 HOURS!  So, We finally got everyone back to sleep at 5am, woke back up at 6.  My husband had to go to work and I got my 6 year old ready and on the bus then came back in to sleep with the other two for a few more hours.  Luckily they slept until 10am and were feeling much better when they woke up. 
    For the second time this week my plans are totally messed up but I'm not stressing about it today like I was yesterday.  After downloading some music I popped my earbuds in my ears and went to my room and just sat in the floor like a teenager, leaned against my bed, listening to The Backstreet Boys.  There's nothing a little BSB cannot fix, no matter how old I am!  I started to relax and feel very calm.  After a few minutes of that I came to my computer and decided to write this blog. 
    I know that everyone can become VERY overwelmed with life, VERY QUICKLY, and it's easy to lose yourself in everything and get frustrated.  You don't feel like yourself when this happens.  I know that I just start being hateful and feeling angry and resentful.  When you feel this urge coming on-you need some silent time.  Put the kids down for a nap, sit them down with some food and a movie, whatever you have to do to know that they are occupied for a few minutes and go off by yourself to regroup. 
   This blog may not be directly related to weight loss but i can promise you on thing-if you do NOT take time out for yourself like this-it causes stress which leads to weight gain.  I feel that weight loss is over 50% mind over matter.  You have to get your mind in the right place in order to be in the right place to lose weight and keep it off.  You have to be dedicated, happy, and determined.

Poem for women losing weight!

Losing weight feels like fighting a losing battle
Never sure when you will be able to stay on the saddle

It's okay to take a few days every now and then to cheat
as long as your controlling the amount you eat

Losing weight will not happen over night
Once you do, it will still be a lifelong fight

Maintaining your weight will be the true test
and all you can do is try your very, very best

For all you beginners who are starting your journey
I say you can do it and be in no hurry

For all of you who have gotten a head start
remember that food is not the key to your heart

For all of you who have already met your goal
maintain your weight for your mind, body, and soul

To all of you who haven't given it a thought
Trying it could be a life saved and less groceries bought!

GO FOR IT!

   There are many mysteries in life that God leaves unexplained to us for a reason.  He only gives us the information we can handle here on earth.  My theory about his mysteries with weight loss/gain, metabolisms, and the way the body works are just to simply motivate you to get out there and figure out what is right for you and what works for your specific lifestyle and body.  Some of the things I have found out about my body and my life I can handle and some I can't deal with right now and just push them aside.  We will never fully understand our bodies but we can always work every day to get a better understanding of them anyways. 

   One thing that I have come to understand that has really helped me with my weight loss in the words of our preacher is "My 2011 prediction for everyone's future is you are going to die, everyone in this room will die at some point."  It hit me back when i was 225 pounds that I didn't want to die young because of my weight and I didn't want to waste my life being lazy and depressed because I was overweight and die leaving behind no legacy but the reputation of being fat and lazy.  I didn't want to miss out on the opportunities to spend time with my kids outside playing baseball and soccer, running, riding their 4wheelers and things.  Our preacher taught a sermon on what I said above about everyone dying this Sunday and it reminded me of my decision to go down the path of weight loss.  Dying is not a myth that has yet to be proven a fact.  It's something we ALL know is going to happen and I want to make the most of my life.  I once heard "It's not how long you live but it's how you live your life".  I completely agree.  That's the quote that changed my life.

   One morning I realized that God isn't going to magically shave 100 pounds off of me by sitting on the couch watching tv and eating all day.  You may not want to go out and even see the light of day but I PROMISE if you just put on your walking shoes and get out in your driveway to stretch just a little and take off on a 15 minute walk down your road you'll realize how dead you feel inside when you sit around being overweight just wishing you could do something about it but never ACTUALLY doing it.  With the sunlight hitting your face, the fresh air filling up your lungs, and your hair blowing in the wind you'll realize your NOT DEAD.  You're very much alive indeed and all of those depressed and sad feelings will melt away and you will feel like a new person.  Forcing yourself out there at least 3 times a week does so much for the body but the mind and soul as well.  Mentally you'll feel refreshed and like a different person.  That's the best therapy a girl can get.  No matter how much you think you don't want to be alone ( I never used to do ANYTHING ALONE) once you're out there walking and your head is clear and for once you're focusing on yourself for the first time in so long~you'll feel amazing.  It's up to you to continue this after you try it once.  The only time you shouldn't go outside to exercise is when it's raining.  No matter how cold, cloudy, hot, etc.  Just prepare for the weather (clothes, water, etc..) and GO FOR IT!! 

I challenge you to do this "ME THERAPY" one time and come back to report how it made you feel.  One 15 minute walk whenever you can get away from the kids, school, whatever.  Leave a comment and tell me what it does for you?

"My picture perfect Body"

I want to start by saying that this has been a rough weekend on me.  Emotionally, physically, and mentally.  I am convinced that I am a food "addict".  I body starts having withdrawals from food and not just any food but sweets.  I cannot sit in the house for more than a few hours without raiding the cabinets finding anything and everything with sugar in it to eat.  It's terrible.  As most of you know down in Georgia last week we got hit with a pretty bad winter storm.  We were stuck in the house for almost a WEEK!  I had went to the store and done some major "couponing" to prepare for the storm.  I loaded up on all kinds of goodies I thought would keep the boys occupied.  Turns out they kept me occupied.  8 boxes of betty crocker fruit snacks and 4 bags of nestle miniature candy bars later I realized what I was doing and wished I had realized it when I was in the middle of it and stopped myself.  It reminds me of what I have heard a drug addict described as.  I was also watching the Doctors on ABC the other day and they were talking about the same thing.  Food Addiction is real, just like a crack addiction.  You HAVE TO control it no matter what.  No one but yourself is going to control it in the end.  Even when you have no one behind you, pushing you to "do your best, look good baby, drop that weight!" you HAVE to remember you're not doing it for anyone else and you DO NOT have to have that encouragement from others to lose weight.  The encouragement has to come from within your heart and your soul or you're never really fully committed.  I have added a picture below to show you how far I have come in the past year and a half.  I started out at 225 lbs and I am now at 146.  I was down to 135 in the summer but have been comfortable at maintaining it around 145.  THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TOO.  It took me 6 years to finally realize it was all in my head and I could break my food addiction and get myself out of my depressed RUT.  It saved my life, my marriage, my self esteem, and my pride.  Even though my stomach is covered in stretch marks, I have flabby skin and cellulite everywhere, and I do NOT wear a two piece bathing suit anymore-I still know I'm beautiful because God made me this way and I have NEVER in my life until this blog said to myself "I'm beautiful" and now I'm crying.  Thank you guys for listening to me and I REALLY hope to help ALL of you get your weight loss jump started so you can get your life and your health back.

Tips for Brittany vecchio

 Brittany left this comment on my first post: "As you know i'm only a mom of 1 but before I had my son I was 120lbs. I am currently 150lbs. I have only lost 10 lbs since having him 2 years ago. I had the idea of maybe keeping my current size and losing the weight after our second child but then that would make for prob more weight and then i'd have 2 kids to take care of! What are some tips you think would help me lose about 10-15 lbs without killing myelf. I know i dont eat as healthy as I should so Im working on that!"

The advice for you Brittany is pretty simple.  Just make a few small lifestyle changes.  Change your portion sizes, eat less red meat, drink more water and juice and less coke products and tea, throw extra exercise in your daily routine you wouldn't normally do.  When doing the laundry and every day chores around the house, speed yourself up to get your heart rate up for about a 20 or 30 minute period.  You're giving your body more of a cardio workout than you realize.  You can do this when folding and putting up clothes, if you have any steps you go up and down frequently-step it up a notch and go a little faster.  Fruit and milk added in your DAILY routine will help slim your waistline as well.  Never do the same thing over and over, your body will get used to the routine and you will not keep losing weight that way.  One day eat a small breakfast (whatever you want just VERY small portion) then have a peanut butter sandwich for lunch with a banana, or something light like that.  Then for dinner, eat whatever you want just limit your portion to fist sizes.  Change it around but follow these guidelines! 

Hope it helps Britt!  Don't foget the giveaway!

advice for "mommyandwife22"

"Mommyandwife22" left this comment on my first post:  "As you know I am a mom of 3 as well. I have went from 125 to 175 pounds after having 3 kids and an iud. I suffer from panic/ anxiety and depression. The weight gain its self is depressing. I don't have the energy to do anything. I want to be able to go out side and run around with my kids without getting so tired. I don't have the motivation to do it. I don't want to lose the weight for anybody but myself. My husband and I are coming up on our 8 year wedding anniversary and would love to lose some weight for anniversary pictures. Any advice you have will be greatly appreciated."

This is some helpful advice just for you girl!  You have to be completely ready to commit yourself or it's not going to work.  I had tried weight loss many times before.  I had paid to join weight watchers 2 or 3 times.  I would lose 10 or 15 lbs and it would plateau and I would just give up.  I LOVE food and I am a stress eater.  Losing weight will help that anxiety and depression you have.  While you might not have this "get up and go"PEP about losing weight, you know you really want to do it in your heart and that's all the motivation you need if you allow it to be. 

The way I got started was going to the doctor and talking with her about my concerns for my health.  The health risks of being overweight outweighed the risks of taking phentermine.  She prescribed it to me and I lost almost 20 pounds the first month.  You have to be careful not to lose too much weight at a time because your body doesn't react well to it and you'll end up blowing right back up like a balloon.  One good thing about the phentermine is it will give you the energy to do what you want to do and need to do without even realizing it!!  It's totally healthy as long as you use the med in the right way. 

I started in June of 2009.  Once I was on the medicine I had the energy and motivation to workout, to go walking, to do more things than ever with my kids!!  The great thing about it is, you don't have to go get a personal trainer to lose weight.  You can make everyday changes in your routine like when your kids go outside to play, go play with them.  Run around a little, play baseball and run bases with them chasing you, if you can't make it to a gym do what I did and lie on your sofa while watching soap operas and do a few hundred crunches!  I would also walk around my block every evening I got a chance.  Sometimes it was only 15 minutes at a time but it really worked!!  By the next summer I was running that 15 minute walk and back at my house in around 8 to 10 minutes!  We are having anniversary pictures done this month and it will be the first pictures we have had done since I was 5 months pregnant with our first son which was almost 7 years ago! 

I really hope I have helped ya some but if you have any more questions, please just comment and ask!!

Don't forget my giveaway!!

First post!!

As my intro blog I want to ask all of my followers to send questions about weight loss my way!  Anything you want to know, if I can give any answers and advice I am happy to help!  Please comment away with your questions!!  You will see answers on my next blog!! 

Also, we are having a contest!!  I need to get my blog out there!!  So, in order to be eligible for the contest you must share my blog to your friends!! There are MULTIPLE ways to enter.  You must share the link to my blog on your facebook, twitter, myspace, etc.. http://ourweightlossjourneytogether.blogspot.com/ For each account you share it on you will receive one entry.  You can also email the link to friends.  All you need to do is comment after doing so.  Let me know which accounts you shared my blog on and you will be entered.  I will do a random drawing on Jan.30th and the winner will receive a set of HAIRBENDERS shampoo and conditioner!