Diet Update

Okay, it's been a while since I have written here so I apologize up front. I need to get more regular with writing. It is cathartic for me when I take the time to do it. So here goes. I am in Phase 3 of the diet. I lost 20 pounds on the 500 calorie phase and stopped losing the last week of that phase, so I decided to go back to it in May. I want to lose about 8-10 more pounds, so I need to do another round, but it will not be as long, maybe 2 weeks. Not really sure how many inches I've lost. Last time I measured it was 11 inches, so not bad. I want more...what can I say! I know I will never do a diet like this again so it's a one time deal or I guess a two time deal. In Phase 3 you get to eat whatever you want whenever you want to, minus sugar and starches. It feels so great after the 500 calorie diet to eat cheese and a variety of vegetables and snacks. It feels like a whole new world is opened up to me. I don't think I will ever go back to eating sugar regularly again either. I don't really miss it. I will have cake on my birthday and a dessert at a restaurant occasionally, but I will not be eating it regularly at home. I used to get headaches almost daily and they have almost gone away completely. So for all the people who are waiting for me to gain the weight back, you don't know me very well! I was never overweight as a kid and I was just waiting for the right thing to get me to my proper weight. I will NOT gain it back. Trust me. It has been on me too long and I've felt bad about myself for too long. Never again! This weekend I am going out for a full shopping day with some friends to celebrate the weight loss as well as to get a few new pieces of clothing...staples. I need the basics in smaller sizes so that is really exciting! I'm looking forward to it! I plan on putting a before and after picture on facebook and this blog when I've lost all the weight, most likely in May, so watch for that. My face already looks so much thinner. Thanks for your support and encouragement friends! It has meant so much to me!

Stalls stink!

It's no secret that I've been "dieting" this past month. I am happy on one hand because I've lost 18.5 lbs. On the other hand I wanted to lose 30 and I am completely stalling on this diet. OK, I'm at a crossroads. Shall I keep going and try to lose more? Shall I stop now and try to lose the rest from regular old fashioned healthy eating and working out?

I know this diet has worked miracles. Not many diets can claim to help you lose 18.5 lbs. in one month right? But I also know there is more weight to lose and I don't ever want to do this again. I wanted to get it all off in a one time effort. Ugh! Not sure what to do.

Anyway, sorry for blabbing on and on about my silly diet woes. I somehow feel I am talking to someone when I write this thing! I work out my issues with myself! Ha!

I am however looking forward to more of a variety of food in phase two. I have learned to enjoy fruits and vegetables more and am interested in learning new recipes with healthy foods. I've even looked into culinary school. It's out of reach financially right now, but I am still exploring the possibilities anyway. It would be a dream to do that for a living. Right now, I will live in dream land and learn about cooking healthier via the Internet and Top Chef.

I do love food. I just have to put food in it's proper perspective. I have learned that I am content without it. I don't NEED most of the things I've put into my mouth in the past 10 years. I just didn't think about it enough. Now I think about everything that goes into my mouth! Everything. I'm much more conscious of what I eat and of calorie content! My mom didn't neglect to mention that I am now "gluten free" and I should try to stay that way. My dad has Celiac disease and my mom is trying to suggest that I have it as well. I don't, but I have to admit, whatever gluten is I should probably stay away from it. I have more energy and mental clarity since I've been eating this way.

Well, enough diet talk! I don't want to bore you. I will keep you informed of my progress, or lack thereof. Thanks for listening to my babbling!

God is Speaking

Sometimes I pray so often and indiscriminately I don't even remember praying. I did that as I was getting ready for church today, again. I was unclear about the direction God has for our family in a certain area and I prayed for direction. I told God that I WILL NOT do what I want or think is best. I only want to do what HE wants us to do. It's important that I make that declaration. I think we all tend to steer our own course sometimes. I don't want to make that mistake on major issues in our lives. God's way is the only way! Amen?

So during worship this morning in second service I decided not to sing in choir because my voice was a bit froggy during first service. I sang with my family. I heard in my spirit the direction I had just asked God for before church! I heard it in my spirit and thought...wow, when did I pray for this direction? Oh yeah, while I was getting ready for church just this morning! God is super cool! I love when He answers me so quickly!

I needed that reminder today because there are several areas of my life that I need God's direction in, but I haven't simply asked. I haven't opened my mouth and prayed for direction! Duh! He is always speaking. We are not always listening. I look at it this way; we're kinda like a radio. We have to tune into God's station in order to properly hear Him. He has answers and direction and so much more. My radio tends to be tuned into whatever I'm doing at the moment. I'm always doing SOMETHING! Worship is a time I am tuned in! Totally!

I'm at peace with something I would not have peace with at all without the specific direction of God. It's so freeing. I don't know how people live without God in their lives. I really don't. I did it for 19 years and hated life! Everything is so much better with God in it! Living for Him gives life purpose and meaning. "I can't imagine a life without You, without You, cause it's all for You! Yeah it's all for You God!" (Lyrics from a great worship song I can't get out of my head!)

Onward...