ONE TRIM & HEALTHY MAMA COMING UP!

THE SINGING CANARY

 Once upon a time, a mama who had been trying to lose weight for YEARS...in fact--a girl who had been trying to lose weight since at least age 14 (and was now 38) was lying on her bed crying--no, WEEPING out to God to please, please, please save her from herself and her body's decline & weight & health issues.

That was September 2012.  Later that day (or at least shortly following her pleas for help), her new magazine "Above Rubies" came in the mail.  The first issue she had ever received.  She sat down to read.  Flipping through all the great pages of articles on faith, family, homeschooling and health, she saw it.  IT.  The "IT" she'd been praying for!  The book was Trim Healthy Mama, written by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison--sisters, no less!

As she read the information on this book that was 5 years in the writing/publishing...about how these girls had tried it all...all the diets, eating plans, life styles, etc., but how at long last they believed they had the REAL answer...she wondered if this was the one to set her free!  Was it too good to be true?  Please, Lord, let it be true!  She dared to hope!  Weight Watchers; No Flour, No Sugar; Atkins; South Beach; Slim Fast; Bars/Shakes plans; Lean Cuisine; and now contemplating at last gastric bypass or gastric sleeve surgery.  She had already gone through almost all the steps, met with the surgeon, filled out the financial paperwork, and then was convinced by her endo not to alter her anatomy just yet...just try a little harder & a little longer.

Today I'm praising God that I did just that!  It was 5 a.m. when I drowsily woke up as my husband kissed me on his way to work and asked if I could please buy a book I had read about that might be the answer.  That was the morning of September 19, 1012.  I ordered the book that day for $35...the only one they had available on Amazon.  Then I waited....It arrived October 2!  2 weeks!!  I was dyin'...

When I got it, I started to read it...it was overwhelming!  Over 600 pages!  BUT, the beautiful thing was that we left for a road trip to Oregon on Saturday, October 13, so I put it away and waited.  As we left our Idaho home and hit the road, I read...and wept with joy...and simply devoured page after page of freedom, hope, and joy!  No more bondage, shame, and guilt?  No more fear, embarrassment, confusion?  Please, God!

I don't remember what I weighed when we left on our trip, and I know that we were so tight financially that I couldn't afford many of the specialty ingredients and that I only half-way started trying to follow it...but I didn't give up.  I KNEW it HAD to work...I couldn't afford for it not to!

Fast-forward.  Why I procrastinated, I'll never know! :(  I went to see my doctor for a yearly check up on Wednesday, December 5 at 9:15 a.m.  I did not weigh myself at home before I went.  Let's just say I knew I was "fluffy" or "plush" or "sturdy" or whatever kinder word can be inserted here...
However, I weighed **4 at her office that day.  Sigh.  "Look, kids, Big Ben, Parlaiment!"   I used to be **7 on the gym scale at my heaviest (**4 at home), and had gotten down to **5ish at home in January 2012 [-39 lbs.].  Then my cousin Jake died, we traveled...I ate carefully, but came back having gained 10+ lbs. after just a weekend!!  I was so discouraged and disheartened...I kept trying, but struggled my way [weigh?] back uphill.  Now, I had only lost 23 lbs.  from my heaviest [a.k.a. gained 19 lbs. from my lightest], and was feeling worse for the wear. While there, she tried to convince me to try a nutrition shake/bar program being offered through the doctor's office.  $200 up front/$100 per week thereafter.  :(   Do I even need to say it?  Of course NOT...I couldn't even afford (or so I thought) to buy different groceries!  or could I?  Could I afford NOT to buy different groceries?

I came home, told my sister (who was watching the girls) everything, and it was right then and there that WE decided to DO THIS THING!  I started that day, doing the best I understood how, but was still cheating on the weekends...So....**4 on her scale.  I don't exactly know what that would have been at home, but I think I'll go for an even **0 (since I weigh myself before I get dressed here at home). :)

I began THM to the best of my ability, that day (minus the weekends), and then I GOT INFLUENZA A.  It was Christmas Eve and I was dying on the couch...not really, but I was in a fever delirium and definitely happy to go to Quick Care after Hubby & the girls got home from Christmas Eve service.  That helped give me a jump-start, because I just wasn't hungry/couldn't taste anyway.  THEN, little by little, payday by payday, I have begun to add to my knowledge and pantry WEAPONS for use in this battle! :)

Probably no one will ever see or read this...I write it for me, at least for now, so I won't explain the plan.  HOWEVER, I will update this:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2013
Today I did the "happy dance" because I am half way done with Week 1 of a 2 week Fuel-Cycle, and this morning, I weighed **4.8!!!  (I recorded **5, though, because the ounces fluctuated the 3rd time I got on, just because I was so elated and shocked!

DID YOU DO THE MATH?  FOR MY "AT HOME WEIGHTS", I HAVE NOW LOST A TOTAL (not just on THM, because I will ALWAYS count my previous weight loss! :) OF:.........39 POUNDS!

YIPPEE!

39 Total
15 Since December 5, 2012...7 weeks!  That may not seem like a lot to anyone else, but to me, it is!!!  Thank you, Jesus, because it's all BECAUSE OF YOU and THROUGH YOU and FOR YOU!

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." ~I Corinthians 10:31, NIV

It's a sad, but familiar story

It's a sad, but familiar story.  Here I am....I got weary and gave up....

It's September 5, 2012, and I left my healthy way of eating in the dust, and picked up cheeseburgers, tater tots, pizza, and other junky fare...to the tune of gaining 12 pounds. :(

TODAY: **2 lbs.  Really.

So......I truly do want to embrace this for a lifetime.  I feel horrible!  Swollen, achy, dizzy, headachy, tired, cranky, sleepy, tired, exhausted, sluggish, bloated, sore.

Lord, I cannot do it.  I can't do it.  You can do it for me and through me, but I admit:  I cannot do it.  I CAN do all things THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.  Please strengthen me!  I admit my weakness and plead upon your mercy yet again...

From this day forward, I wish for my goal to be down significantly by my 40th birthday.  Is that goal reasonable?  I hope so!!!  It's a BIG BOLD goal.  I desperately desire to succeed...we'll see what happens!

E2L......end of week 3

Well, it is getting a bit easier with time, and in general, I have more energy and fewer stomach issues.  I'm not going to say I am gluten intolerant or anything, but I definitely feel better not eating bread...too bad I still miss the taste!  At least I'm thankful for Bountiful Baskets and the veggies & fruits aplenty!

This mornings stats:

Weight: [-8 lbs.]
Waist:   [same]


Highest weight (on home scale):     [-34 pounds]
Highest waist measurement:            [-5 inches]

E2L -- somewhere in week 2

Okay, I can't keep track of what day it actually is on the "plan" right now, and I just realized that it doesn't really matter, since this is supposed to be my new way of life!  I've altered the actual EAT TO LIVE diet, to extend a little more grace in the goal of actually living this way the rest of my life, but I got on the scale to check it out, and today (Tuesday), I weighed **4.  That's up 2 pounds from Friday, so maybe my idea is not such a great plan....

My recent thoughts had been:
MOST BENEFICIAL
Lots of:
   Fruits
   Veggies
   Nuts
   Seeds
   Beans
LESS BENEFICIAL
Limited:
   meat
   dairy
   potatoes
   rice
   flour
   sugar

If I say "no flour" and "no sugar," etc. then I end up feeling guilty if I have a little.  In the New Testament, God revealed to Peter than there were no longer forbidden foods--that all foods are clean, so I don't want to be like the Pharisees and create a law on top of God's that would declare some foods unclean that He hasn't.  HOWEVER, in an effort to honor God in my body I want to remember that all things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial!  Here are some verses rolling around in my heart:

I CORINTHAINS 6:12-13; 19-20, NLT

¹² You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. ¹³ You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. ¹⁴ And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.

¹⁹ Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, ²⁰ for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

^{I CORINTHIANS 10:23-33, NLT}

²³ You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. ²⁴ Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

²⁵ So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. ²⁶ For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

²⁷ If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. ²⁹ It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? ³⁰ If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?

³¹ So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. ³³ I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

HEBREWS 12:1, 2, NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. ² We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

MAKE A FRESH START IN 10 EASY STEPS

1. Learn about The Four Pillars of healthy eating.
2. Start lunch and dinner with a big colorful salad.
3. Choose whole grains over refined.
4. Get healthy fats from whole foods — like nuts, seeds and avocados — rather than refined oils.
5. Reconfigure your plate so the majority of each meal is focused on vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, grains and legumes.
6. When choosing lean meats and seafood, as well as low-fat dairy products — begin to eat smaller portions.
7. Stock a healthier pantry.
8. Avoid processed and refined sweeteners and choose fresh, frozen and dried fruits to sweeten your dishes.
9. Avoid eating highly processed, refined foods.
10. Familiarize yourself with Cooking Methods for Healthy Eating

E2L - End of first week report

Checking in...it's been a little difficult, but not as difficult as in the past, although I know PMS week is coming, and I'm already feeling the chocolate/carb cravings rear their ugly head!

Weight:    [-6 lbs.]
Waist:       [-1 in.]
BP:  106/77
BG:  77

Highest weight (on home scale):    [-32 pounds]
Highest waist measurement:           [-5 inches]

E2L - Day 7

Thursday, July 5, 2012 - Day 5

Well, I survived my first holiday trying to eat healthier.  I struggled...but not overwhelmingly so.  I fudged...but not horribly so.  AND--since, for the first time in my life so far, I'm trying to think of this as the "Healthy Way To Eat" and how God designed our bodies to eat, I didn't struggle with the same overwhelming, shaming guilt as much.  THAT is my favorite part!  It was kind of my "Independence Day," too, I guess...freedom from the tyranny of shame and guilt...or at least the beginning.  I allowed myself some meat, potatoes, chips, and even a few bites of dessert:  1/2  cookie; 1 bite of cake; 1 Tbsp of choc./raspberry dessert.  I also ate a big bowl of salad.  I didn't talk about it too much (though more than I should have); I didn't worry about it too much (though more than I want to); and I didn't regret it too much (though I still need to work on that...); and I didn't go too hog-wild (as Grandma would say).  Improvement!

Here's my recent weight history (in the last few years):
2007--had gestational diabetes while pregnant with Baby #4;  was very faithful about eating healthily, walking, etc.  After giving birth to her, I weighed less than I did when I got pregnant.
2008--continued walking, eating healthier, and just before Disneyland in March, I was down to a size 18/20, and weighed **4.  I remember it well.  Had more energy and felt better.
During our trip to Disneyland, I was beyond exhausted w/ a sore throat.  Came home to find out that I had strep and mono.  Exhaustion ruled my life, and I went to the couch and the refer for "energy" and rest.  The weight began to climb.
2009--Weight continued to climb.  My hormones weren't balanced; life was hard; I was exhausted a lot; not much else; discovered my neuro. health problem, too.
2010--I reached my peak lifetime weight of **7.  Depressed, hopeless...joined the gym on a 16 week makeover plan.  Lost 30+ pounds and several inches.  Was so proud of myself, but when the 16 "required weeks" to go to the gym was over, I phased out.  I kept watching my food, but stopped exercising with faithfulness.
2011--During the summer, my weight got as low as **4 (and I think as low as **0 for a day), but I didn't continue exercising and so I came to a stand-still.  I had a heart episode caused by low potassium in November (right after Thanksgiving), and then struggled with dizziness & chest pain when exercising after that.  
2012--I fluctuated up and down 10 pounds from week to week, and in April I was still **4.  We went to a Christian couple's retreat & I gave myself permission to eat what I wanted while we were on our weekend.  Came home and was up10 pounds...again!  I was deeply discouraged, and after that, I gave in to temptation bit by bit, and when I went to the doctor last week on June 28, my weight in her office was even higher. L   (Sigh).  There was no denying it, or pretending it was water retention weight.

Praying, praying, praying...

Here is 2012--JULY 5, 2012. 
I've had a million "new beginnings" before.  Lord, please help me...please help this last this time.  I don't just WANT it…I NEED IT!

E2L - Day 4

Monday, July 2, 2012 - Day 4

Oooookay...this is really hard without proper groceries...and I'm feeling guilty feeding my family "garbage" while I am trying to eat healthy...it feels like I'm hoarding HEALTH and LIFE.   I can't do this like this.  We'll all do the best we can together until payday, then everyone is eating the right way...it's the only kind and loving way to feed my precious family!

I struggled on the weekend with food choices, and especially the family get-together (which I knew would be the hardest)....what to do...I need to pray and think on that.

Today is much easier--not as much temptation with hubby at work and not being with "La Famiglia"...