Sweet & Sour

Ahhh love me some sweet & sour... yes, I'm talking about GRAPEFRUIT, not red-dyed Chinese food! LOL

I just ate a grapefruit at my desk and it was so delish! Sure wish they aren't $1 each! I also got some grapefruit juice and it's a little cheaper.. so after my last grapefruit is gone (one more to eat), I think I'll just stick with the 50 calorie juice. It makes me happy also and it isn't nearly as messy!

YUM!!!

Wahoo, break thru

Wahoo, broke thru today... 225.4, so my ten pound loss is real! Yeah

Breakfast today at mj's and yeaterday at taco bell... so not helping.

Hubby got paid finally... makes up for no money since mid - september

I can do this

And so it goes...

... in order to grow things a little rain must fall.

YES... we got rain, literally :) but also I am experiencing the ebb and flow of life. I was on a good high from my new "taking care of myself" plan... but of course, as life goes, I have hit a snag or several... nothing big, just a little financial hit here and there and I haven't seen any weight fall off this week YET, insert grumble here!

Anyway... I'm trying not to get stuck in the muck and keep my chin up, and whatever other phrases come to mind, but it isn't easy... but I will continue to brush it off and keep moving toward my goals and I know I'll get there. Setbacks make us stronger, right?!?!?!

Ahhh, it's ALWAYS something, that's how we know we're still alive! LOL

NEXT -
Looking forward to a nice fall weekend here in sunny California. No rest for the wicked. Up early tomorrow morning for a massage for hubby, ya, I could use one too... but not in the cards. Then we might go out for breakfast, a treat we probably shouldn't indulge in, but one that we likely will. Then some cleaning, laundry, etc. and a dance tomorrow evening - back at the school where we first met. Sunday I'm working in the nursery and that is usually a bright spot to my month - need a baby fix, before we head north to see our new grandbaby, our first, that we haven't "met" yet.

18 Days In

So here I am... 18 days into my new "taking care of me plan"... and how is it going???

I think great! I have drastically cut my sugar intake. The only sweets I have consumed in the last 18 days has been a little fake sugar, some wine, fruit and some fruit juice. I have totally rediscovered grapefruit and it's cheaper and easier to just drink the 50 calorie version, but I have eaten a few whole grapefruits also.

I've been back at the gym for the whole time also... the first week, I went MTWThS, and the second week I went MTWThF :) so improvement!!!

I've been eating veggies and trying to eat less carbs, and that plan always works for me, but I'm not avoiding them totally, just eating less... trying to eat only one helping, but if I go back for more it's protein and/or veggies.

I've lost a firm 7 pounds, but my daily weight changes... by about 3 pounds, which makes me crazy!

Grief share - Day 306

I signed up for this email list after my son's suicide last December. I don't read them everyday and overall I think I'm doing great dealing with his tragic death. I know he is saved and I look forward to seeing him again someday.

This message seemed worthy to share today. I'm thinking of joining the choir :)


Making Music unto God Day 306

Every person walks to the rhythm of different tunes. The music of your life can be a source of praise to God.

“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High” (Psalm 92:1).
You may be a singer, a hummer, an instrumentalist, a dancer, or an avid listener. God made you musically unique.

“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp” (Psalm 149:3).

“Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him” (Psalm 33:1).
Put on some praise music or take an early-morning walk and sing with the birds! Do this again and again and experience healing through music.

“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (Psalm 100:2).
Lord, I sing my own song to You today. I will sing to You when I rise up in the morning, as I go about my day, and when I retire at night. Jesus, keep this song in my heart and change my life. Amen.

www.griefshare.org

Happy saturday

Happy Saturday everyone,  great news on the scale today. .. 225.6, so that is truly  10 pound loss! Yeah me!!!

I got to the gym 6 of 7 days,  it wasn't easy but each sacrifice is worth it.

Have a great weekend all.  Peace out!

More progress

One step at a time :)

Today I got on the scale and saw 226.8 - nice... that's 10 pounds GONE since 10/26! I can do this!

Worked out the last two mornings... elliptical (20 minutes) both days... weights yesterday (adductors, abductors, crunch, chest press and quads) and bike today (5 minutes).

Tracking ALL calories consumed, feel like I'm eating too much, but so far I really haven't. It's tough with leftovers because they seem to never end and it is difficult to waste food, especially when it was cooked just for me :)

Got a new 75cm exercise ball also... I really need to use it! Maybe tonight I will sit on it for a bit and try to remember how to use it!

Wonder what my weight will be when I go to the parents for Thanksgiving?!?!? That's three weeks away, so if I slow to 2 pounds per week... I'll be 6 pounds smaller... so that will be 220# yeouch, that still seems like such a BIG number.

My goal on SparkPeople is 173 - which puts me in the "normal" BMI category... the lowest weight I can remember with a date is 190 and that was achieved in 2000 before my breast reduction (in 2001) and I remember it was tough to get there. I can't even imagine how my body will look and feel at 190, 180 or 173! LOL but I think I'll be able to tell you in a few months!

Wellness check

So much for getting here more often...

My employer is under new management and the new company has a new wellness program... whee! The wellness program for the old company was weak to say the least and the role I was asked to play was difficult, so I'm down with the new plan... anyway, Saturday, October 25th I went to get my blood work done, and before I got out of bed on Sunday, I had the results available online. Wow, that is crazy fast.

It was a lot of good numbers, but some important numbers that aren't so good. They have determined, that I have metabolic syndrome. *insert huge groan here* What is metabolic syndrome? From what I've determined online, it is a group of results/symptoms that now have a name. I guess for a while it was called syndrome x.

I was told I might be pre-diabetic a few years ago, but I didn't take action soon enough. I did have gestational diabetes when I was pregnant the 3rd time (out of 5) but had hoped to avoid a diabetes diagnosis for the rest of my life.

Anyway, time to get my butt into gear and get gazelle intense about taking care of ME. No one can do it for me and time is a wasting!

Here are my stats as of 10/25/14
Glucose, serum: 117 (normal is 65-99) I had been just over 100 in a couple previous tests
LDL Cholesterol Calc: 125 (normal is 0-99)
Hemoglobin A1c: 6.2 (normal is 4.8-5.6) [Diabetes is diagnosed at 6.4]
Taking Bystolic (5mg/day) for high blood pressure
Weight: 236
Height: 5'10"

So I hit the ground running on Sunday and did some research and started my plan. I'm using a SparkPeople app to track my food, exercise, and weight.

Today my weight was 228.0 :) [that's 8 pounds in a week] and I feel SO much more healthy and in control. I have been at the gym 6 days of the last 9 and haven't eaten a single piece of Halloween candy. I had been getting VERY lazy and hadn't worked out since mid-September, that just can't happen anymore... I need to keep moving, so I can keep moving! I have cut my sugar intake to almost none.

I ate a couple grapefruits, supposed to help with blood sugar and metabolism and I have also taken 5mg of Melatonin before bed, which is also said to help with metabolism.

I decided to start back blogging to add another layer of accountability to my toolbox and to help encourage anyone out there, who actually reads my blog, and keep track of what works for me.

I used to drink coffee, I don't think I've really given it up, but I need sugar or something super sweet in my coffee... and since sugar isn't an option, I've switched to green tea. I found a new sweetener, to me, and it is very sweet, so one packet goes far. It's Pure Via Stevia. I know it's processed and not a good as nothing, and maybe someday I can drink unsweet tea, but that day isn't here yet.

I have a power breakfast... non-fat greek yogurt, triple berry mix from Costco (blueberries, raspberries and blackberries), quinoa, chia seeds, peanut butter, a touch molasses (for iron and sweetness), a little PureVia, and a little Vit C powder. I make a weeks' worth at time and it has been a great time saver!

Lunch is usually leftovers from a recent dinner or a salad of some sort, even plain spinach works for me for a salad, I love the apple cider vinegar dressing from Burger King, but it isn't available anywhere else and I do think, now that I'm sugar conscious, that it is probably NOT the best choice for me!

Dinner is usually prepared by my husband, since he is currently off on disability and it is always a protein, carb and veggie. I just have to watch my portions and otherwise enjoy the privilege of someone else cooking!

That's about it for now...

New Years Wishes

2014... what will it bring?

Last year, 2013 brought many surprises... of all types... comedy, tragedy, love, adventure... you name it. So 2014 will likely bring the same.

Some chapters of life we never think we are ready for, yet somehow we press on. I know I survive by the power that God has over my life. The fact that Christ died for me and my sins, carries me thru the darkest times. I survived thru a couple of these times in the last 13 months... the natural death of my fiancé's (now husband's) father and the unnatural death of my middle child. Decembers for the last two years have been particularly trying.

We also had a great family reunion/trip/wedding/birthday/anniversary celebration with an Alaskan cruise in August. The highs of that season don't outweigh the sorrow of the other seasons, but make up the path of life here on this earth. This is not our eternal home and for that, I am thankful.

I look forward to many posts here this year, sorry for those who have missed me. I do hope to be around here a bit more this year.

I am happy, blessed and truly loved, eventho I sit here typing this with tears flowing from my eyes. I will quote from a song that has brought me great peace lately... "it is well with my soul" and peace to everyone. Do what you can to mend your relationships on earth, but also remember to let go of the bad. Life is too short to harbor anger.

Our complex nature

*this post was never posted... no idea how far back I wrote it :) *

Contemplating the complexity of human nature during these few pre-birthday days. I'm a giving perrson, but it's hard for me to take. I love gifts, etc. but when folks give me stuff, I just wanna shrivel - it's quite humbling to just smile and say thank you.

Tonight, a friend I don't know very well treated me to dinner, I totally didn't expect it and was humbl d, but didn't deprive her from blessing me, what a change it is for me to be treated... I think I cculd get used to this!!!


"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it." ~ Psalm 139:14, NLT

What Love Really Means

Loving the new JJ Heller song, What Love Really Means. Here are some of the lyrics:

Who will love me for me

Not for what I have done or what I will become

Who will love me for me

'Cause nobody has shown me what love

What love really means what love really means

Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside

And it said “I know you’ve murdered

And I know you’ve lied

And I've watched you suffer all of your life

And now that you’ll listen I’ll tell you that I...

I will love you for you

Not for what you have done or what you will become

I will love you for you

I will give you the love, the love that you never knew

God all around us

I've been enjoying my friends daily photos, so thought I'd attempt to dive back into my blog and post more regularly. Happy reading!

God is all around us, in us and works thru us. This tow truck, of all things, reminded me this morning on my dreadful commute, that I am not alone, nor do I act alone or re-act alone. What a wonderful God!

I heard this quote on K-Love and hopefully it will inspire you as it has inspired me. “If you don’t live for Jesus, you’ll live for something else. If you live for career and you don’t do well it may punish you all your life and you’ll feel like a failure. If you live for your children and they don’t turn out right you’ll be absolutely in torment because you feel worthless as a person. If Jesus is your center and Lord and you fail Him, He will forgive you. Your career can’t die for your sins. Everybody has to live for something. Whatever that something is becomes lord of your life whether you think of it that way or not. Jesus is the only Lord who if you receive Him will fulfill you completely, and if you fail Him will forgive you eternally.” from The Reason for God, by Tom Keller

A new creation!

Hope you are enjoying the new blog makeover. I'm almost never happy with stuff for long... I guess that's what I'm thrilled to read the Word, that reminds me that I am a new creation, constantly changing and hopefully improving.

Each day is a new day filled with fresh ideas, new experiences, chances for change, opportunities for growth, challenges to share, and SO much more. I'm so thankful for a clean slate in the Lord, a chance to move forward and let the past be passed.

I think of so many people that I know, and those I just hear about, who are challenged in dealing with so many life-circumstances, and I am thankful that we are only given what we can handle, altho at times our own situations seem so overwhelming.

Thank you Lord for being a firm foundation that I can stand on and know I'll be held safely.


"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10, NLT

Strength and Peace - bring them on!

I could use some strength and peace at this time Lord. I was feeling quite content lately, then the world got a bit shook up (yes, I feel like I'm in a snowglobe!) :(

Actions of a persone in my life that supposedly love me and have vowed to care for me and my family have disappointed us time and time again.

I'm so tired of my own voice - hint: this is when I need to run to the Lord and hear His voice... it just feels like a hopeless (I first typed hopefully) mission.

But I do know, deep-down that it there is hope for me and my situation. It feels SO huge right now, but I know it pales in comparison to so many others current pictures of their lives.

Thank you Lord for your voice and the friendships of so many others. It all comes together for the good, even if it hurts along the way.


"The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace." Psalm 29:11, NLT

For the love of money!

Wow, is it ever easy to just keep spending... Christmas is barely a memory and there are just so many bargains out there... I'm staying HOME as much as possible to avoid the lure of shopping. How are y'all doing?

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

Merry Christmas (belated)

I took a risk and gave my coworkers a very God-centered gift... some I knew would be receptive and others, I wasn't quite sure...but prayed and gave them out, asking them to open on Christmas, hoping some quiet time to reflect might help them be more receptive or at least not so pissed :) LOL... Here is the note that my out-of-the-office boss sent me :)

"Leslie thank you for your kind gift. Now maybe I know how you get through all that is thrown at you. Keep it up and I wish you all the best. Take care and thanks again. ~Larry"

I'm SO glad that I stepped out, even in my shy-way, and helped open a door for them.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:15-16 NIV

Unique Creations

We are each as unique as snowflakes, yet God knows every hair on our heads :) How amazing is that?!?!!? I hope that everyone took time this holiday season to thank God for all He has given us: health, family, friends, etc. IF you haven't, please do so now. Life is just too short and there never seems to be enough time to thank Him. Blessings for 2010 and beyond.

"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:7 (KJ)

It all comes down to this!

We're all fallen from God's grace. Jesus took the pain for everyone. We can be saved and redeemed by His shed blood. We choose to accept the gift of salvation. We are wiped clean of our sin. He took our punishment so that we could live life to the fullest, not just life life, but live life abundantly. Are you? Am I? I know we can do better! Get out there and move, be His hands and His feet!


But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. ~ Psalm 13:5, NLT

The importance of community

I was reminded of this today and thought I'd post about it.

God made us for community. Not just for ourselves or our families. We need to reach out and join a local church, a bible based church, and let others impact our lives and vice versa.

We need to rely on one another, to be accountable to each other, to love one another, to hold each other up when we don't have the strength to hold ourselves up and to be His hands and feet when we see others who need His words, love, strength and wisdom. A simple smile, hug, letter, meal or probably 100 other things, can bring someone back from the edge, ledge or end of themselves. Sometimes we never learn of how our lives impact others, but we know they do, as we know our lives have been greatly impacted by others.



"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." ~ Hebrews 10:25, NLT

Today... a day in the life!

Today is a special day for a handful of reasons...

Today is my 8 year work anniversary... not a lifetime, but meeting my previous record
Today is also my DSs last day of high school
Today is also my DDs last day of freshman year
Today is also DSs GFs birthday
Today is a great day to celebrate being alive AND
Today is a great day to donate to Operation Quiet Comfort.

As you know, OQC holds a special place in my heart, because they are a grassroots non-profit, who lets each person help in whatever creative way they can, they don't just ask for monetary donations... but now they are faced with the harsh reality of the current economic times and might virtually close without monetary donations.

You can contribute without spending a dime, here's how:
Login to www.GoodSearch.com
Enter Operation Quiet Comfort in the charity box and press verify
Then proceed to search for whatever stuff you usually search for in the course of a day in your life
Each search generates income for OQC

IF you have the ability to donate any funds to OQC - you can click on the OQC button on either of my blogs or go directly to http://www.OperationQuietComfort.org and click on donate, either thru google or paypal (but there is a fee that paypal charges).

Thanks in advance for your loving support of me and OQC.