I’m Getting My Sparkle Back
It’s time to check in on how we are doing with our journey toward health and fitness. So, have you kept your promises to yourself lately?
All summer I have been sticking to my commitment to start treating my body like it’s important and not something to ignore or fill with junk. I have been moving and paying attention to my habits. I had some bad habits y’all!
You can read more about my diet HERE, but I have been skipping the chips and tortillas when we go eat Mexican food and I’m eating my salads without croutons or dressing. I am not measuring anything or counting points. Those systems don’t work for me. I do lose weight on them, but I feel so restricted that once I reach my goal I jump off that train and right back into my old ways. This time I am making permanent changes (with God’s help) and I am thinking of it as the way I eat now, not something to do until the weight comes off.
I used to make myself feel overly full from eating junk like chips and dessert. I ate so many carbs….so much bread, pasta, potatoes, cereal, etc….that I always felt stuffed and bloated. I know it’s going to sound crazy, but I didn’t realize I was feeling that way until I stopped. Now that I am feeling normal, I can’t believe I was walking around like that. YUCK!
Every morning I used to take peppermint oil because after my bowl of healthy cereal my stomach would hurt for a few hours. It never occurred to me (how dumb can I be?!) that the cereal was the problem. It was a whole grain, skim milk, good for me breakfast, right? But as soon as I stopped eating that cereal the stomach ache stopped too.
This is the reason no one is calling me up for help with their detective work. Also possibly because I can never find my glasses that are on top of my head.
So here’s where I am on the road to better health. So far I have lost 27 pounds. But even better than that, I feel great. I don’t feel sluggish or tired or achy anymore. The weight loss feels like a bonus compared to how I am feeling. It’s like I was walking around in a fog and now it has been lifted.
Yesterday I went into town to run a few errands and everyone I ran into (it’s a small town, you always run into people you know) commented on how good I looked. And they weren’t talking about my weight, they were saying things like glowing, happy, one person even said I was sparkling.
I got my sparkle back! And watch out….I plan to start using it.
And the last thing I want to share is how good it feels emotionally to know that I am doing what I promised myself I would do. I have noticed that this has had the biggest impact on my kids. They don’t care what I weigh…they care who I am. They have been telling me how proud they are of me and they have started doing things for their health as well even though I haven’t said a word about it to them. I am just quietly doing my thing and it’s starting a family movement. Like a drop in the water I am watching the ripples start to grow.
And the sparkles…..don’t forget the sparkles!
So how are you doing? Let’s support each other!
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Way to go, Lisa! I am so proud of you and you truly have inspired me to get rid of these last 20 lbs I’m hanging on to (our baby #8 is nearly two so I can’t blame her forever!! 🙂 )
Anyway, I’ve started running with our oldest daughter (age 13) the past few weeks and feel fabulous. I’ve only lost 5-6 lbs but I have much more energy am starting to lose inches too. It’s rather motivating to run with someone who is a lot cuter, skinnier, and much more fit. 🙂
Stick with it!
I’ve been quietly following you on this health journey, and I am definitely motivated by hearing how you’ve been doing. My 3rd baby is 18 months old and I am determined to get back into the clothes I had before I was pregnant with her. I’ve had a few setbacks, including my mama passing away in February, but I feel like I’m in a good place emotionally and spiritually, so I should be physically too. I’ve been needing a motivator to do the exercises and you have unknowingly been it, so thank you! I appreciate all your posts, and hope you are blessed by doing them. Have a great day!!
I’m SO proud of you!!!
Way to go Lisa! I started a weight loss program in May, but fell off the wagon. I’m now back on it with a new “visual” incentive. I have two (adorable) small mason jars that I put on my window sill in my kitchen. One is filled with marbles, the other empty. There’s one marble for every pound I want to lose. As I lose the weight, I’ll transfer that many marbles to the empty jar. I’ve always wanted to do this little game but never did. We’ll see how it goes.
I also came to the same conclusion you did about my eating plan. I know that the only way I’m going to implement a healthy eating plan and stick with it is by making up my own plan for my new way of living. Just like you said, all the diet programs feel too restrictive. This is me NOW … not me on a diet!
Hooray for reaping the benefits of what you’ve sowed, and hooray for SPARKLE!
That is so wonderful!! You look really good, I could tell just from seeing you so quickly the other day! 🙂 Its crazy how much heavy food weighs a person down without even realizing it!
Hi. I started to cry when I read this. I seem to be ‘stuck’ and hiding behind my weight. I will keep reading, and continue to gain spiritual strength from your postings!
This brought tears to my eyes, Lisa! Love your thoughts about the emotional side- that’s motivating to me for sure! Best wishes that things only get better for you 🙂
Lovely and funny post. I’m right with you on the eating. I’ve cut certain things from my diet like gluten and dairy among others and just feel generally better. I attribute it to reduced inflammation, the cause of all our aches and pains. I also head to the gym 5 days a week. I’ll stay on the sparkle trail with you. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
Way to go Lisa!! I have been trying to make some changes here as well. I haven’t been very successful. But you’re an inspiration. I’m going to keep going. And I hope to reach my goal by May 🙂
Congratulations on your all your hard work! Your morning walk IG pictures always motivate me to get moving! Keep it up:)
Amy Callahan
That’s WONDERFUL!! Sounds like you’re doing AMAZING! Also, have you heard of Trim Healthy Mama?? You HAVE to check it out – it’s a life changer when it comes to losing weight and living healthy! It’s written by two awesome funny Christian sisters. I’ve yo-yo-ed with my weight all my life and for the last year and a half could not get ANYTHING off. But as soon as I started Trim Healthy Mama it started coming off and I’m almost halfway to my goal!! sooo excited!!! check out their Facebook – they’re great!!
https://www.facebook.com/TrimHealthyMama