The definition of a really bad day

What do you consider "having a bad day"?
I sometimes think it's when I have a rough night at work, and my residents have gotten to my boiling point.
Sometimes I think it's when my kids are just driving me NuTs!
Most often it's when I feel physically bad, like when the scale says I put on a few pounds, or if my clothes just aren't fitting how I think they should.
Even a bad hair day can make me feel this way. But I have really been working on changing my way of thinking. I know people hate to hear "there are so many people worse off than you, so you should be greatful"...but you/I really SHOULD:) I am not sitting in a doctors office week after week receiving chemo treatments, I am not living at a nursing facility, I am not abused. I could go on and on.
I am having a GREAT day today, because God has promised to be right here with me every step good or bad. He allows for us to have our "bad days" but remembering he is always there to hold our hand makes it feel like everything is going to be alright:)

A new week

I am finding so many blogs inspiring lately. It is amazing to me how many other weight loss bloggers there actually are out there! We all are in search for something "different", even though our end goals are similar...BE A HAPPY PERSON:-)!!!!!!!
*Will seeing a smaller size on your jeans make you happier?
*Will a certain number on the scale make you happier?
*Will running a certain distance make you happier?

Whatever it is you want to be so you are a  happier, more content woman/man. I wish you the best of luck my friends and will be right here with you:)

Here's to enjoying life as a more positive, encouraging, loving, compassionate person!

Hello Sunshine:)

Good Morning friends! The sun is out this morning and it's going to be a great day:)

Wednesday's NSV

I had a NSV that is huge for me!!

I haven't checked my weight all week:) Not even once have I steped on the scale to take a peek;0) Yet, I am hoping for a loss this week...keep your fingers crossed! I feel good and will be happy with whatever happens at Fridays weigh in.

Not sure about any of you but I am am addicted to Pinterest!!! I am finding I love it more than Facebook...Is that possible?!

Have a great rest of the day:)

Thursday's Thoughts

It is amazing to me how good I feel today! I have a new "pep in my step". I think because I am back to doing something comfortable and I feel so good knowing I am a powerful woman who makes up her own mind,  and her own decisions. Just knowing I am in a familiar place makes me smile :-)

Can't wait to see some results at tomorrow's weigh in!

Good things come in time ~ Weigh in #16

This pretty much sums up my weigh in for this week. I lost/gained -0. I stayed exactly the same. This is not a suprise. I am learning to read my body pretty well and when messaging with a friend today I told her that very thing:)

I am totally ok with this. The scale will move, just not today:)

Have wonderful Friday everyone!

Blessed

Good Morning everyone!!:)

I first of all want to say my husband is such an amazing man! He bought me a gift a few days ago and I absolutely LOVE IT!

iPod Touch, 2 cases, gift card, and an arm band to put it in when I walk:) God has blessed me beyond measure!!

This is a picture of my husband and little boy taken this fall.

I feel like I shouldn't be rewarded for losing weight because it isnt about that. The rewards have come in other ways... Health, mind and soul. This was a wonderful suprise though and am enjoying every minute of listening to it:)

My hope is for all of my blogger friends to have wonderful and supportive people in their lives to be a role model or "cheerleader".

Michelle

*This is how I wake up each morning and go about my day:)

Getting friendly with food again. It's not the "enemy".

What a gorgeous day here in Michigan yesterday! Upper 40's, sunshine..couldn't ask for more in the middle of January:) Usually we have a ton of snow by now!

Yesterday my husband gave me a wonderful gift!! I will share with you tomorrow what it was:)I will keep you in suspense for now;)

On to the post topic food is not the "enemy". I really have felt like most of my journey has been so consumed by the thought of "forbidden foods". There is NO food that is forbidden or off limits anymore. If you eat things in moderation you can still lose weight!! Who would have thought?! I always had the mentality that the less you eat that is less calories, so you will lose more...wrong! I am glad that through this weight loss journey I have not just made physical changes, but mental ones.

Yesterday I think I really enjoyed my food for the first time in a long time! I had such a good feeling about things yesterday. I guess it wasn't willpower it was brainpower!

Here is some of the "fuel" I enjoyed yesterday:

*90 calories, 1 fat, 5 fiber

* 4 slices: 60 calories, 1.5 fat, 0 fiber

*These are one of my favorites!! 130 calories, 7 fat, 1 fiber

*190 calories, 2.5 fat, 1 fiber

Well there was my lunch:) Are you hungry yet?

I will end this post with a favorite quote:

"Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everday epiphanies, those transcedent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." -Sarah Ban Breathnach

Having a little fun...

I have so much to do today around the house and errands to be run, but what am I doing... trying on clothes and taking pictures with my new camera:)

I am still trying to figure things out but I think I am doing a pretty good job. Here's a pic from this morning of me:)

Mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend... healthier, skinnier, EVER thankful, sincere, Thanking Jesus for EVERY DAY he gives to me!

Michelle

Wrappin' it up

Today I am wrappin' up my yogurt taste testing fun:)I have had fun doing this, I always enjoy sharing my opinions with you. I hope this has helped some of you:0)

Here is #5: Chobani Greek Yogurt, 140 calories, 0 fat, 0 fiber. Was over $1.00 in price for 1.

I thought this yogurt had a nice creamy texture, not to sweet and just enough of the fruit on the bottom to add in. It's a must try!

Yogurt #6:

Apple Pie Yogurt...I am SOLD! At 100 calories, this was my second favorite by far. The first being the caramel WW yogurt from a previous post. If you love Apple Pie you will love this! The chunks of apple are to die for:)Super creamy and .80 a piece this yogurt is worth it for sure!!

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. Stay strong and faithful to yourself and your diet. See you all back here on Monday!

Michelle

Why I want to change my life

I haven't shared with all of you my main reason why changing my life has become such a passion of sorts...

I have lost many loved ones the last few years. My Grandfather passed away from Leukemia,he was a diabetic. My other Grandfather died of a massive heart attack, also was diabetic. I lost a Grandmother to many years of battling different types of Cancer, she was a diabetic. Another Grandmother just recently passed away from a stage 4 brain tumor, I lost my mother in law at the age of 59 from stage 4 Bone Cancer, a aunt at the age of 54 just passed away from Cancer. My husband lost both his Grandparents in the last 3 years from Cancer as well and his Grandfather was a Diabetic.

1 more, MY FATHER...he suffered from a Heart Attack a couple of years ago in his late 50's. He also was dealing with Diabetes.

Diabetes is a heart felt concern for me, trying to avoid this is my passion. I had Gestational Diabetes during my pregnancy with my 3rd child and was told considering my family history Type 2 Diabetes is a 90% sure thing for me in my life unless I make some changes...

My father fought hard after his heart attack, he put his life back on track with a healthy diet and exercise routine and because of those changes he is NO LONGER a Diabetic!!!! Praise the Lord!! He looks and feels amazing, and I am so proud of him:)

For these many reasons, I feel that it is my job to treat my body with the most resepect possible! I am given a healthy body...I think it would be a shame to disrespect this wonderful gift by putting "crap" (sorry) into my body and letting this valuable gift slip away when so many others have lost there lives...I still have mine and I want to be hear as long as possible to enjoy this gift God has blessed me with! :)

Wouldn't you??

Don't live your life saying "I will start tomorrow" Because you may only have today. So make the best of this GLORIOUS day and treat yourself and your body with the respect and care it deserves :-)

Weight Watchers Day #1

Yesterday was the first day of my new Weight Watchers diet plan. It actually went well:) I did feel like I was cheating most of the day. The reason for this is because most of the foods I ate would have been a huge no, no on my low carb diet. But I did feel good at the end of the day that I stuck to it :) I like to think of each day as a huge step towards the bigger picture.

When you get up in the morning say to yourself " I am a beautiful person, I value my health and the body God has given to me, and for this reason I am worth taking care of myself each and everyday!"

I am looking forward to this new journey....

I hope you will join me:-)

<3 Michelle

Confidence and Contentment in 2012

Lots of changes are in store for 2012.

The biggest change is my diet. I will be switching from my current low carb diet to Weight Watchers. The reason for this is to give my body back some of the nutrients that it has been lacking as well as some variety food wise.

So follow me in 2012 while I make this change. Progress is on the way...

I have set 2 personal goals as well for myself in 2012.

1st personal goal is to run/walk my first 5k.

2nd personal goal is a new goal weight for this coming year. * New goal weight 160 lbs. That would give me a total loss of 65 lbs.

Whatever you decide to make your goals for 2012, I know you all will do amazing!! With support of one another we will do this and rob food of the power it has had over us!!

<3 Michelle

12 short weeks

With tears in my eyes I share with you this post.

If 6+ years ago I would have known that in 12 weeks I could change my life for the better...

*More energy to do daily activities; example: climbing the stairs.

*Going to the beach with my family, and enjoying it! Not sitting on a towel while everyone else is swimming and having fun!

*Go for bike rides

*Add years to my life:)

*Go for walks/hiking

*Swimming

*Feeling confident!!

*Look good in my clothes

*Most of all just ENJOY LIFE!

* Weighing in at 186.6 :-)

I wish for everyone to have this feeling, it is truly Priceless !

Determination + Discipline,

Michelle

Week #10 Weigh In -"Now that wasn't so bad was it?"

Weigh In Results Week #10

Loss of -.3 lbs.

I really thought after my mess up on Thanksgiving that was it for me, I was ready to throw in the towel. But I didn't give up. I got over my weakness and moved on!! I put my diet back on track the next day, started working out and set my mind for the goal ahead. I never expected to lose, but I will take -.3 anyday:)

"You don't have to be wonder woman to do this, you just have to want it bad enough to make it happen!"

Stay Strong,
Michelle

Self-Worth

Today I feel amazing!! I know I will not loose any weight at my weigh in tomorrow, but I am ok with that!! I did the over eating to myself..I put the food in my mouth no one else!

So now its time to do something about it for next week.

I have my "MOJO" back and it feels great!

Have a great day everyone:)

Ok getting back to buisness!!!

I am done whining about my downfalls over Thanksgiving! Yes I put on a few extra pounds but I am back!! NO more doubting my abilities to lose this weight...its time to kick it in gear and finish climbing that mountain! Everyone has there bumps in the road but when someone knocks you down six times you get up seven!!! I can do this!!!!

Giving Thanks

Today I am thankful for my wonderful children...

Today I am also giving thanks to God for bringing me such a wonderful husband who tells me each day how much he loves me and that I am beautiful no matter what the number on the scale might say...

I normally do not like to post alot of pictures but today I am thankful that I do not feel like this woman did in this picture. Heavy, tired, back was always hurting, chest felt heavy...Not confident at all in her self:( This is ME at my heaviest weight 225lbs. I am embarrased to share this picture with you but feel it is a great reminder to myself how far I have come!! That woman is no longer ME, she is gone forever. I will no longer have to feel ashamed of how I look because I can say "I am changing my life for the better, and there is no looking back now, I have come to far to quit!"

Fighting those cravings!

I have a honest struggle to share with all of you. Last night I got home from work and got ready for bed, and as I am laying there all I could think about was the piece of left over pizza from the kids that was sitting in the fridge as well as my "old" favorite chips&dip that were in the house. It was driving me crazy!! I just wanted to get out of bed and eat until my heart and my stomach were content! At least 45 min. passed and then I remember nothing but the alarm going off this morning:) I did not get up and give in!! I was so happy:) I am a strong, determined woman who can do anything she puts her mind to!! Bring it on cravings I can handle you anytime:) Have a great day everyone!

Seconds, please!.....NOT

Thanksgiving is soon approaching, and with that comes an overload of food, fixings and pies. I have already informed my family not to push the food on me and that I will be bringing along a salad to eat instead of having potatoes(which I always eat too much of). I didn't want them to be offended so I told them in advanced. I am also bringing a sugar free pie so I can have a small piece without quilt:) " This year there will be no fat pants and bloating, only skinny jeans and a flat belly" :)