Home again, home again, jiggedy jig

Except I'm not doing a lot of jiggidy jigging just yet!
My husband picked me up last night and about all I did was log my food, check a few emails and off to bed.
Isn't it weird that after a day of being in bed, you're just tired?
So... the Dr. removed a bunch of polyps in my uterus, said my uterus was larger than normal but did not remove it (he would only have removed it if there had been a problem removing the polyps) and otherwise all went well. They take the mass for testing (to Asunción) and I can call for the results next week. He affirmed that all looked benign though.
I'm not on strict bed rest at all. But he said to take it easy for a few days. So that means I can read all your blogs:)
Thanks so much for all the well wishes and prayers. It meant alot to me. So thank you!

E2E challenge update - January is almost over!!

Time for an update!

Boy the weeks are just flying by…

12/31/11 - 122kg         268,9 lbs
01/07/12 - 121,1 kg     266,9 lbs (-2 lbs)
01/14/12 - 120,5 kg     265,6 lbs (-1,3 lbs)
01/21/12 - 119 kg        262,3 lbs (-3,3 lbs)

01/28/12 – 118.7 kg    261.6 lbs (-0,7 lbs)

Always good when it goes in the right direction!!

Waist measurements have stayed the same. 46.8 inches

My workouts… not so great! I was still feeling weak at the beginning of the week, and so I did workouts twice at home, Leslie Sansone  on both those days. Also went for a walk on one day. I’m not sure how this next week will go, but I most likely won’t go to class, but will try to get more video workouts in.

I’m tracking at My Fitness Pal again, I went back and forth for a bit, but decided to stay at one place. There are some things at Calorie Count that I like better, but I’ve built up some of my meals here so I’m staying.

They give me a limit of 2080 calories and I have been under every day. My personal limit is 1800 and I went over on 1 day (1950)

I think I’ve gotten to all the blogs on the challenge this week (read them all and commented on most). I love to read them all, but it sure does take time! J

My buddy Julie, has been doing much better this week! So glad she’s had a lot of awesome encouragement from blogging friends.

And so have I… Thanks all for your encouraging notes about my dr’s appointments and my worries.

Tomorrow I’ll have a hysteroscopy planned. They are pretty sure that the growth is a polyp or a myoma. So those are benign, I understand. If it’s anything other than that or if it’s not easily removed, I’ll have a hysterectomy.

Of course I’ll be aware of my eating and will be tracking, but like I said, the exercise may not be happening. I’ll see what the Dr says.

So I had quite a lot of time to read again this week (Dr. waiting rooms) and will probably get some more read tomorrow! The chapter I last read of my book Made to Crave was titled “Making peace with the realities of my body”. She talks a lot about the relationship with the scale and how some women feels that this defines them. Personally, I don’t have a problem with my scale, I use it as a tool. I get on, note my weight, get off and put it away for the day. I’m in a lot more trouble when I ignore it. So it’s a valuable tool for me. The number doesn’t define me, that’s what it is… move on (and more!) I do have body image issues, but they don’t come from the scale, they come from the mirror. L

My quote for the week comes from  this book:

“The body God has given me is good. It is not perfect, nor will it ever be. But it is a gift for which I am thankful.”

Have a wonderful weekend!
Casey

E2E - Midweek Update, Dr. Appointment!

Time for a midweek update… already???

Well, I saw another gynecologist  this afternoon.  I have a growth in my uterus and it needs to be removed is the short version. It is very most likely benign, but it does not belong and will  need to go! This will happen on Monday. I’m glad we can do this so quickly. Then I recuperate and get on with my life.

I’ve been worried, I’ll be honest. I usually have a “que sera, sera” attitude, and this just messes up my thoughts. Of course, no one can tell from the outside, and I haven’t shared with anyone but my family (and I know my sisters are reading this, so consider yourself updated). I’ll let my close friends know, but I guess it’s no big deal. To anyone but myself, that is.

So I’ve been slacking in the tracking department for the past two days. Yesterday the internet was down again for most  of the day and today got busy with a hair appointment, dr. appointment and taking my son to what was going to be drum lessons and turned out to be dance lesson.( Funny story, we’ll see what the teacher tells me tomorrow. )

Anyway, tomorrow is another day, and I’ll make sure I have everything ready to track.

And as I didn’t go to aerobics class, I’ll be doing a Leslie Sansone Video here at home. And then I’d like to go to class in the evening if I ever stop bleeding! I did get a walk in yesterday morning, so let’s see if I make 5/7 this week.

Since I had a lot of appointments these last few days, I’ve also been doing a lot of reading. I actually finished reading The One Day Way that Betty lent me. It is such an easy read. And I highly recommend it. I think it’s a realistic approach to losing weight. Don’t keep looking at the big picture, that can be so overwhelming at times. Just be the best you can today. And then do it again tomorrow. Almost too simple, right?

I’ve also been reading Made to crave, but I’ll update on that book next time.

Hope you’re all doing well, and make good choices today!

E2E Weekend update (Week 3)

Happy Weekend, everyone!!

This week was looking pretty good!
Numbers on the scale!!

12/31/11 - 122kg         268,9 lbs
01/07/12 - 121,1 kg     266,9 lbs (-2 lbs)
01/14/12 - 120,5 kg     265,6 lbs (-1,3 lbs)
01/21/12 - 119 kg        262,3 lbs (-3,3 lbs)

I'm so happy with these numbers. I'm aiming for 2 lbs a week so this is looking really good.

Waist measurements have stayed the same. 46.8 inches

My workouts were sadly lacking again this week. I went to aerobic class twice this week and went out for a walk/run only once.

Like I've said before I track with My Fitness Pal and it wasn't working for me a few days this past week. So I looked into a site called Calorie Count and I really like the way they break down my nutrients - they tell me what I haven't had enough of (like fiber) and what I've had too much of (like sodium or carbs). But since I've already logged so much in MFP, that's where I'm back at today.

My average daily calories have been between 1400 and 1800 calories a day.

I'm still reading Made to Crave, and the chapter I just read is about how important accountability is. I think all of us participating in this challenge can agree with that.

Betty also sent me her copy of The One Day Way, by Chantel Hobbs. After reading her first book Never Say Diet, I finally had the hope and encouragement I needed to start losing weight again (that was in October 2010), and I'm really liking this book, too. Thanks Betty!

On the support... I've been reading your blogs every day. Thursday, I had set time aside to read and comment on my fellow challengers, and the internet was down. So, I didn't get in all the commenting I wanted to, Sorry!

My buddy Julie, has been struggling. I wish I were closer so I could help her out if I could. Please send her some encouragement. I know many of you already do!

Julie, I wish I could give you that big hug you need! I know Someone is there for you right now. Just take it one day at a time. Enjoy Mike every chance you have, because you know how much you'll cherish those memories when he's away.

Today has been a little difficult for me. I had an appointment with my ob/gyn and will have to see another specialist as soon as he's available. I've been bleeding for about 10 days now and since it didn't look like it would stop anytime soon, I decided to have it checked out. I've been really tired these last few days, and I'm assuming it's the blood loss. Hoping for an opening next week so I can get on with my life. But like I said... one day at a time.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Casey

E2E midweek update - Time and Effort

I was going to do this yesterday... Sorry!
My week has been ok, I've been under my calories on all days, but I have only done some form of exercise once this week.
My weight today is the same as saturday.
I've not been online much to comment,  but plan to get caught up on blog reading and encouraging today!

Did you know that alot of the things we have, is because we put a lot of time and energy in to get it? If you've got a beautiful garden, you've put time and energy into it. If you sew beautiful clothing, time and effort at the sewing mashine. Now if you've got tons of "amazing" TV trivia  stored in your brain, time and effort spent watching TV. Make a nutritious meal -  or not - still requires time and effort.
We don't get things by wishing and desiring or hoping for them, no magic. Even when someone gives us something, a gift, it has still required time and effort on that persons part.
For me, I've been unhappy about my weight since I was a teen. Not many knew that I hated my body. But all I ever did was wish and hope I'd wake up beautiful one day. But all my wishing and hoping, yes, even my praying was useless in changing my body. Why? Because I didn't put in the time and effort necessary to change it.

"Isn't that the way it is with many things in life... we want the results, but have no desire to put in the work required?" Lysa TerKeurst Made to Crave

Our wishes  and dreams really don't give us much hope until we do something that takes us in that direction. Dream vacation starts becoming a reality when we've put the first money into that savings account, and the hope grows with each penny you invest in it.

My quote for the week is not a quote but rather a string of words I want to put into action today! And then tomorrow. And then the next day! Anyone care to add to the list?

Casey

E2E Week 2

Two weeks down!

Let's get to the numbers first!

Weight last week: 121.1 kg – 266.9 lbs

Today’s weight: 120.5 kg – 265.6 lbs

Pounds lost: 1,3lbs

Last weeks waist measurement: 47 inches

Today’s Waist measurements: 46.8 inches

Inches lost: 0.2 inches

Track Calories attempting to stay under 1800 calories/day.

These have been rounded up, since I’m estimating the number of calories the best I can!

Sunday- 1750

Monday – 1500

Tuesday – 1700

Wednesday – 1600

Thursday – 1800

Friday - 1850

Saturday –

I’m not tracking my water right now, but I know I’m going to have to come winter. I drink lots of water when it’s hot, at least 3 liters a day. And often more.          

Track exercise (exercise 5 days/week)

I got 2 out of 5 days in! Since my girls were at camp this week I had the chance to redo Raquel’s room. That was probably worth 2 days of working out.  I did not take any before pictures. Kinda wish I had, but it was a disaster area!

Made to Crave - My book reading is going slow, but I don’t just want to read it and be done with it, like a novel. I’m thinking of it as investing time to learn! J This week I’m learning to replace my cravings.  Lysa suggests using cravings as prayer prompts. An example… If you go to food for comfort, pray instead and ask God to comfort you. If your lonely, talk to God. It sounds oversimple maybe, and I know I don’t do her words justice,

Is it possible that I love and rely on food more than I love and rely on God?

God never intended for us to want anything more than we want Him.

Lots to think about again!

I look forward to reading the other E2E updates. I think I learn a little something from each one of you.

Julie and I are staying in touch! I love getting her emails. You inspire me, Julie!

Things that motivate me change every now and then, and so will my quote from time to time! 

________________________________________________________________________

And now a few pictures of the room make-over!

When I asked Raquel what color she'd like her room. She said the color in her room didn't bother  her, so I really didn't know where to go with that. Since the curtains I was using up til then were still really good, I decided to just use a color that looked good with those. And I insisted it be a light color, because she'll be doing her homework in there.

I got the chair from a friend, Raquel was so excited about that. Otherwise I used the furniture we have and will paint or replace it all eventually.

I repurposed an old screen window and made a pin board. Thanks for the ideas, Pinterest!

One of my favorite parts of her room is the one that belongs to storage. Very organized, haha! This shelf comes to about a meter from the ceiling. Convenient, and not in the way!

So we shall see what this next week brings.

Let's make good choices! :)

Casey

Midweek Update!

Hey everyone!
What a day!

I took my girls to camp today! They were so excited. And now I've got the boys all to myself. They did so well playing and giggling together. They've been playing with the girls a lot lately and I thought they'd miss them, but they did really well.

My project for these next three days is to redo Raquels room for her. About 2 months before school ended, we decided she'd do better off in a room of her own. So, with a heavy heart, I gave her the guest/sewing/craft/storage room. It was going to be a trial period, and now we decided she can keep it. I'll need to look for some storage solutions now, but we think this is better for her, for now.
So this afternoon I removed everything from her room, got the painter started, and ran off with the curtains to get some custom paint mixed.
So Luis (my husbands right hand guy 2 days a week) will come in tomorrow again to finish painting the walls. I'll probably do the trim, around the windows and such and I'd really like to do something special, maybe stencil her name on the wall??? Any ideas?
On the food front... I'm learning! I went over my calories (1800) on sunday, but stayed below on all the other days. But what I've seen is that most of my calories are between meals. I usually just put my food in and made sure the bottom line was less than 1800, but I never really looked to see where my calories were consumed.
So, now that I see that, I'll need to watch what and how much I'm snacking on, maybe I can reduce the total calories a little more right there.
Last night I went to my exercise class again, no steps but a good workout. I really like that she does abdominal exercises everytime. Sounds wierd, but those are probably my favorite exercises in gym class.
Today, since I was working up a sweat in Raquels room most of the afternoon, my back really aches (I have two herniated discs and a crooked tailbone), so I just did some stretching exercises.

I found some cool quote on Pinterest the other day. And since Dr. Suess is one of my favorite authors, I'll start with his!

Have a great week, my friends.

And make good choices!

Casey

Weekly Weigh-In for E2E challenge

I’ve been trying all day to get a post written, let’s see if I can do it now in one sitting.

First things first:

ü  Weight last week: 122 kg – 268.9 lbs

ü  Today’s weight: 121.1 kg – 266.9 lbs

ü  Pounds lost: 2lbs

ü  Last weeks waist measurement: 48.8 inches

ü  Today’s Waist measurements: 47 inches

ü  Inches lost: 1.8 inches

ü  Track Calories staying under 1800 calories/day.

            Sunday- 1800

            Monday – 1750

            Tuesday – 1580

            Wednesday – 1700

            Thursday – 1250

            Friday – 1125

            Saturday – 1700

            My Fitness Pal recommends 2010 calories/day, but I'm trying to stay under 1800 for now. I will be gradually lowering that, as I go along.

ü  Track exercise (exercise 5 days/week)

I got 4 out of 5 days in! No good enough excuse for this. I could have done it, but I decided to sleep in a few mornings (taking advantage of the kids school break). But yup, I was just lazy. And my calves really hurt bad from step aerobics!

I’m reading my book and making notes as I go. It’s a challenging book, really. I’ve been suppressing a lot of things the last few years. Don’t think about it, and maybe it’ll go away. Well, it doesn’t.  And the author is asking me to answer some questions, that I’ve avoided answering in the past. And then I wonder why!

I’ve also gotten reacquainted with the whole blogging thing. I had been following quite a few blogs in my Google reader, but now I’m back to opening them. It does take longer, and I need to limit myself to those in the E2E challenge and a few other favorites, but it makes for a lot of reading. J

I’ve been in touch with my buddy, Julie! What a great supporter! She amazes me! What a busy woman! Glad we’re buds!

So that wraps up my weekly update. Looking forward to the next week!

Make good choices everyone!

Casey

A family post

Thought I'd share a little bit about myself today!

First of all, I live in the northwestern part of Paraguay, South America, in a german speaking community called Filadelfia. I'm Canadian by birth, but my parents moved there before I was born and then back here when I was 11.

I am 41 years old, married to Rudolf for almost 18 years, and we have 4 children.

I always wanted to be a young mom, as in be done having my kids at 30,

but that's when I actually started.

Nicole is 11. She will be starting 5th grade in February

Raquel is 9. And she'll be in 4th grade this year.

Esteban (Stevie) is 6 and will be starting elementary school. First grade.

And my baby Joseph is 4 and will be starting Kindergarten.

So as of February 16th I will be having most mornings to myself, and though I'll cry a little bit at first, I am looking forward to it. I'll miss having my funny little Joseph with me alone all morning, he really enjoys momma-time. But I know he'll be in good hands and will learn alot of good and helpful things in class (and probably some bad word along the way).
Have a great day!
Casey

Midweek Update #1

Time for a mid-week update

I have such a hard time doing my blog posts is one session… kids interrupting. Let’s see how it goes today! J

I joined a gym class on Monday! It’s basically the class I was at before, but at the moment they are only offering advanced classes (I used to go to beginners). I got there early so I was able to talk to the instructor bout my back and tailbone issue. But I  was able to do all the exercises, just not all the reps! Felt good! I signed up for 2 nights a week for January. So I will be obligated to go. The only dark spot was exercising next to what seemed to be an anorexic woman. At first I was envious of her body, and then I felt sorry for her – don’t know why.

And I've also started the C25K program again. Day 1 and I did it all!!! I'm still sore so I'm not sure how day 2 will go, I'll do my best!

As far as eating is concerned… I’ve stayed under my recommended calories every day. I track with My Fitness Pal. I don’t always find the food I’m looking for so at times I do need to take what I think is closest. I got my digital food scale out again, and it is helping me stay accurate with the amount I’m eating.

Today, while feeling the midmorning craving for food, I had fruit. 

I had lot’s of fruit today!!

And speaking of cravings…

“Made to Crave” makes me think!

It’s a book not about the “how to” but rather about finding the “want to”.

I’d like to quote a thought from the book:

Eating in its proper context is not the problem. God gave us food for nourishment, strength, and even celebration. But when pleasure becomes unrestrained, there’s a problem.

This book is asking me to take an honest look at why I turn to food. And boy, that makes me feel uncomfortable.

The process of getting healthy has to be about more than just losing weight and focusing on ourselves. It’s not about adjusting our diets and hoping for good physical results. It’s about recalibrating our souls so that we want to change for the right reasons. I’ve realized that a healthy eating plan can be one of the most significant spiritual journeys I’d ever dared to take with God.

So, I know, and have known for a long time, that I need to really ask myself some deep questions. And it scares me.

What are all the excuses for? Why don’t I want to be attractive? What is stopping me from changing? Why can’t I stay focused?

So I'll be doing some soul searching along this journey as well.

Stay focused my friends!

Casey

And yes, I was interrupted! Sigh!

New Years Day

So excited to read all the initial posts for the E2E challenge.

Friday, my oldest daughter, Nicole (she’s 11), woke up early with bad stomache cramps, fever, diarrhea and vomiting.  I took her  to the ER and they admitted her. (By the way, we have wonderful health care! With the added bonus that my brother-in-law is the hospital administrator, and his wife is a Dr. and she attended  Nicole!) So,  she had an IV in and meds, and she was feeling so much better in morning. I stayed with her most of Friday and was back at the hospital with her the next morning at 5:30). My parents had the other three kids during that time and I am so grateful for them.

Here’s the downside: 

No WiFi, so I couldn’t read blogs, comment or post anything.

The food is prepared with a nutritionist, so I know it’s good, and the serving sizes are reasonable. But I’d much rather be preparing my own meals to begin this challenge.

I had no way of exercising.

Then we hosted a party new years eve, so when Nicole and I got home from the hospital at noon, I was running around getting everything done. Busy, busy!!

New Years Day: Husband out of town for the day L Big Family get together in the afternoon. More food!

I am so glad tomorrow is Monday!

It’s kind of discouraging to not be able to start this challenge running, but I needed to be there for my daughter, and that’s ok. I can’t get into a routine if it’s constantly changing around on me. But  I will not throw in the towel, just because I’m off to a less than ideal start. I’m not going to throw in the towel, because I will need it to wipe the sweat off my face tomorrow!!!!

One thing I know I will have to work on in order for this challenge to work optimally is my routine. I think that may actually be one of the secrets to success.

                If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

My life is so much easier when I have a pretty set schedule.  My family knows what to expect, and I know what to do and don’t feel like I’m just trying, but rather I’m succeeding. I have a hard time being spontaneous.  But I’m also not a control-freak or super organized (but I would secretly love to be above average organizedJ)

So tomorrow may not be the official beginning of the e2e challenge, but I will definitely be  starting to get into a routine with my meal planning and exercise.

Wish me luck!!