How did you do it?

It all started when I went to my niece's birthday party mid November and saw my sister in law. She was a shadow of her former self. She looked fantastic!!! I didn't say anything that day but texted her that night. She told me about myfitnesspal.com ~ my newest best friend (add me nondustbiter)!


As many of you now know, I have been on a weight loss journey since Thanksgiving of 2010. 
As of today I have lost almost 25 pounds.   How the heck I got 25 pounds overweight is beyond my comprehension but it is what it is...

Every conversation I have lately seems to start with the ever popular "How did you do it?"
Well friends, myfitnesspal.com is how...  (and a little help from modern medicine).

I have been trying for 5 years to lose the weight I gained with Addison.  I have run 3 half marathons, cut carbs and everything else under the sun.  Needless to say, I was not sitting around eating bon bon's all day wondering why the weight wasn't coming off...  I wasn't looking for the easy way. 

So after I heard about this application on my phone, I went to the doctor.
Yes, you heard me right. 
So many people forget about this very crucial step. 
I talked to her about all the things I have done in the past, my frustrations and my goals.  So she checked my thyroid, my blood pressure etc and put me on 4 months of phentermine. 

I am not going to go into all the pros and cons of the medicine - you can do that on your own but I will say that it absolutely helped jump start my habits.  I lost the first 15 with the help of the medicine - took it for 2 months and got off.  The last 10 I have lost on my own continuing to use myfitnesspal.com
It is not magic.  I changed my calorie intake to 1200.  I switched up my exercise.  You will NOT keep it off unless you use it as a means to change. 
I get tons of flack for it but it worked for me.  I had no bad side effects and I am continuing to lose without it. The End.
Enough about that. 

So, finally to the point of my post.  The keys to my success.  My secrets...  You asked so here are a few:

1.Go to the doctor if you need to lose more than 20 pounds. 
2. Download myfitnesspal.com
3. Invest in low calorie bread, non-sweetened almond milk, fiber one original cereal and skinny cow ice cream.  They have been staples in my diet.
4. Get the support of your family
5. Get moving.  Bike, clean your house, run, walk or even garden...  It all counts.  And it all allows you to eat MORE!
6. Do not deprive yourself of anything.  I still eat pretty much what I want - I just do it in moderation and adjust my menu accordingly.
7. Be patient.  I lost about 1 pound a week.  That is NOT a lot.  But as my sister in law told me, it all adds up.  Soon that one pound is two, then three etc.  It comes off slowly but it stays off.  Its not a fad.  Calories in, pounds off.  Simple math.

I will post more another time if you guys are still interested.  Either way, I am pre-baby weight.  It was really hard.  It took a while.  I am still working to make sure it stays off. 

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

So, today I was having a conversation with my girlfriends.
We were talking about friendship and how everyone brings something different to your life.


Some (like me) are people pleasers and have many friends.
Some are more selective and save those relationships for only those worthy. Most are somewhere in between.
Then it led to us discussing our children.


Addison is almost identical to me in personality. She is a pleaser. She is an attention hog. She is outgoing and incredibly smart. Also, bossy and talks too much.  Again, just like me....


Kiki is more demure and much more biased in her decisions on who to like. I think she will have fewer friends but most will want her companionship because she will give it all to those few she lets in her life. She's more quiet but also has a mean streak I have never seen in Addison.

It's amazing how different we all are.  I love it.

All of this reminded me of one of my most favorite Christian poems...
I thought I would post it.


It helps me remember there truly is a lesson in almost everything if you choose to find it.


Enjoy...


Reason, Season, or Lifetime


People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
— Unknown

Maybe I am just growing soft..

So, I have always sort of prided myself on the fact that my children have never slept in my bed. Even in the trenches of 12 months of breastfeeding, I woke up and stumbled downstairs in the middle of the night... EVERY night.
I thought I was over this hurdle and just kind of forgot about it all. I mean, my kids sleep from 8pm to almost 8am every evening and I guess I sort of take it for granted.

Well, starting a few weeks ago, I would wake up to get ready to work to find the random fist shoved in my face or tiny feet nestled in my back.

Kiki.

This has started becoming a regular thing for her. In the darkness of the night, she somehow creeps in unnoticed with her blanket and pillow in tow and climbs into our bed.

I thought it was kind of sweet at first.. like oh, maybe she had a nightmare or is not feeling good.

Well now, at 3 years old, its just what I didn't want... a habit.
The weird part is, for the first time in motherhood, I don't mind. AT ALL.  Maybe its the fact that she is probably my last one (well, POSSIBLY my last one)... or maybe it's the fact that she smells so darn good. Or maybe I am just growing soft..

I don't know, but either way she is still there..

Here's a shot from yesterday morning.

How can I say no to that?