The Mile

For years I made New Years Resolutions. Every year it was always the exact same thing! I would lose (insert insane number here) pounds during the next year. The result? By the 3rd week of January I had already fallen off the wagon and was so depressed because of my failure. By the end of the year I'd actually gained more weight than I started with.

My biggest obstacle is cooking. I like to have someone to talk to when I cook. Before mom died, she was always my cooking buddy. She'd come into the kitchen or sit in her bedroom (right off the kitchen) and we'd talk while I cooked. After she died, I lost the joy of cooking. That meant meals weren't as healthy because we were eating more junk and eventually we were eating out more than I was cooking. For 7 of us we were spending an insane amount of money eating out. TOTALLY crazy. I knew this, but I still had no desire to cook. I got to the point that even eating at some of my most favorite restaurants (The Melting Pot excluded) just didn't even have the appeal they once did. I grew to dislike food.

I am going to start cooking again this year. I will save lots of money. My biggest issue will be grocery shopping. I HATE grocery shopping. It takes forever then I come home and it takes forever to put things up. I think one of the reasons I dread it so much is because this was always another activity I did with Mama. I think John and I will start taking turns going to the grocery store.

I am so proud of myself for not waiting until January to start my journey. I don't want the NYR stigma attached to my journey. I am now on Day 4 of my medication. I woke up this morning feeling slightly energized! Normally, I wake up and feel like I could just go back to sleep. While I feel a little tired, I have a little energy, too.

My biggest accomplishment this week was that I started exercising. I went Thursday and walked half a mile and felt like I was dying. My chest hurt. My legs hurt. I felt like I was going to pass out. Yesterday, my goal was to walk 3/4 mile. I felt horrible. My chest still hurt so I slowed down a bit. I made it to a half mile and thought I'd never make my goal. By the time I made it to my goal, I was back up to the speed I wanted to be at. I wasn't feeling so bad so I kept walking. I made it a whole mile! I cannot tell you the last time I've walked a mile.

Dinner the last two nights was Shoney's salad and cabbage soup. It came in at just under 500 calories. All and all I'd say we'd call it a great couple of days. I'm really proud of myself.

Weight Loss Mama

My List

My list...


I saw a post on a friend's blog. She got the idea from one of her friends, and I loved it! For every pound lost, give a reason to have lost that pound! Here is my list so far.


1. To live to raise my kids, not just live but be able to have a full life.
2. To be able to get pregnant without fertility drugs, without miscarriage, and without risking my life to do so.
3. To be able to play with my kids without getting out of breath.
4. Sit comfortably without pinching the nerve in my hip.
5. Walk through the pew at church without having to side step
6. Walk a mile without feeling like I'm dying.
7. I want to see my great grandchildren.
8. I want to be proud of myself.
9. I want to believe my husband when he tells me I'm gorgeous and not just believe he's saying because he feels he has to.
10. Not have my legs touch in the middle
11. To walk in a room without feeling everyone is talking about me.
12. To be able to dress up when I go out on a date with my husband.
13. To not die at the age of 61 like my mama did.
14. To avoid all the health problems my mama had.
15. To be a good role model for my children, especially my girls.
16. To get the new wardrobe my sister promised me 20 years ago if I would lose weight. She told me the other day that she still intends to make good on her promise when I lose everything I need too. (220 lbs to go).
17. To be able to use to Wii Fit. My starting weight exceeded the limit.
18. To be able to hug my husband without leaning forward.
19. To be able to be carried over the threshold for my 10th anniversary.
20. To make my mama proud of me.
21. To be able to shop and not pay extra for my clothes.
22. To have ENERGY.
23. To be able to stand and see my legs.
24. To be able to stand and see my toes!
25. To be able to carry my 7 year old without having back pain for the next day.
26. To rid myself of sleep apnea.
27. To learn how to make healthy eating choices.
28. To feel like said healthy eating isn't a punishment.
29. To no longer make excuses for my eating behavior. (working on that one now.)
30. To not get depressed when I food journal.
31. To have a normal BP.
32. To live without diabetes.
33. To go to the doctor without being lectured about losing weight.
34. To go to the beach without feeling like a freak in a bathing suit.


(To be Cont.)

This just the beginning of my list. I look forward to seeing this list in the 100s and then in the 200s. This is a hard journey, but seeing what I've accomplished makes it so worth it. The best is yet to come!!

December 28th - New Program

Today is the 3rd anniversary of my mother's death. My mom died at the young age of 61. She died 13 years younger than my grandmother was when she died. Following family tradition that puts me at dying in my 40s. That is NOT acceptable to me. My sister told me that she was going to give me and my children life for Christmas. She is paying for me to join a medical weight loss program. This morning was my first visit. I haven't been to the doctor in over a year. That also means I haven't had my diabetes medication in over 6 months either. My blood pressure was high because I was nervous and I almost didn't get to join the program because of it. They checked it again at the end of the visit and it was back down to my normal so they gave me the script I would need for this month. The receptionist was also able to put me in touch with a doctor who works with patients without insurance so the costs are low enough for me to afford them. I will be making an appt with him soon.


They weighed and measured me. We went over the program and then they prescribed Phentermine for me. I was given my instructions as to how to take it. I will work on increasing activity and decreasing my calorie intake. I was put on an 1800 calorie diet. Knowing how much I consume that seems so low, but I know I have to do this and I will. She told me it wouldn't be as hard as I think it will be. Of course I had all of the normal snide, sarcastic comments come to mind, but I didn't verbalize them. ;-)

This is where I need a lot of help from those around me. I need lots of warm fuzzies to keep me going. I need prayers and encouragement. I usually try things for a short while then give up. This time I will be held accountable, though. When I am down, please lift me up. If God puts me on your mind, please say a prayer and then let me know you were thinking of me.

My first goal was lose 5 lbs. I have done that so my next goal will be to lose 10% of my original weight 36 lbs. I am almost there. I will reach that goal before my next appt.

Now for the important details

Starting Wt: 360
Today's Wt: 326
Today's Loss: 34
Total Loss: 34 (I didn't realize I had lost that much)
Goal #2 Progress: 34lbs

Mini Goal 2: Lose 36 lbs.

For those of you walking this journey with me, thank you!

Until next time...Lisa