The Tape Measure Speaks

Okay, I whipped out the tape measure today to see how I am doing. I still have not weighed myself so I have no news on that front, but the tape measure is speaking to me. My waist is now 34.5" and I lost an inch on my thighs.  I am making progress!  I had a great week.

I kept telling myself that I am not on a diet. I am making healthy choices. It sure makes a difference. I ate what I wanted to, but I really listened to my body. When I was hungry, I ate. I made sure to eat lots of fruits and veggies and a healthy breakfast. It really works.  Plus, I started training for my half marathon. I successfully completed all of my running assignments for the week.

Things are going good, but I know that the key to success is one day at a time, one meal at a time. I am going to just keep on trekking.

A Culmination of Small Victories

I am realizing more and more the incredible wisdom in the scripture, " by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise" (Alma 37:6) Isn't life really about the small victories? When you add all of those up, you get something amazing and great. 


Let me give you a few examples...the first one would be dieting.  Okay, I am not going to call it dieting because it makes it sound temporary.  Right now, my goal is to eat clean.  To me, this means that I am cutting out sugar and processed food. In simple terms, I am cutting out the crap.  I have had three very successful days of eating this way and let me tell you, I feel great. I don't feel deprived at all. But the small victory this week came at book club.  I brought the treats this month and I picked a healthier fare. I had no intention of eating anything, but I did indulge in a small bowl of kettle corn, which has been my only sugar intake this week.  I made a choice, it was either that or a bag of the 100 calorie minty fudge cookies. Normally, I would have had many choices, but I picked one. But don't think I was not having an argument with myself the entire time, because I was.  "Oh, come on...it is just one bag and only 100 calories, what's the big deal?" "No, it is a big deal because then you won't know that you can exercise self-control."  Yep, these kinds of thoughts were coursing through my brain.


It was a small victory, but I know it will add up to great things.  I am preparing my lesson for Sunday and it is on fasting.  The manual teaches that when we have a successful fast, "We are a little stronger by having proved to ourselves that we have self-control."  I had never really thought of it that way. But think about how when we have a small victory, we are proving to ourselves that we can accomplish our goals.


In the same way I have taken on the monumental task of educating my children. With each day of successfully hitting the books, I am adding drops of knowledge to their little brains, which will culminate into glorious things when they get older. I definitely see it.  They have come so far in their education and I know that I have only laid the foundation for the things that they will do in the future.  With every math problem they successfully solve or word they correctly spell, great things are coming to pass.


This has been palpable with violin and viola as well. Last night I had the privilege of sitting on a bean bag being overcome by watching my children practice their recital pieces with an accompanist.  All the hours of lessons and practices...all of those small victories and now I sit back and watch the miracle. I really did almost cry last night.


As I move forward in my life with eating better and such, I will build off of my small victories. I know that I will not be perfect and I am okay with that. But each day I get stronger. That is truly a blessing.

New Year's Resolutions

Accountability.  Yep, it is all about accountability. After a month of horrendous, pig-like eating and absolutely no exercise, it has come to this.  After Christmas I was in the shower and thinking about it, how I felt my life was spinning out of control and how I had to get a grip on what was going on in my life.  I have come up with a plan.  And I am inviting all of you to come along with me.  I am going to use my blog to give myself accountability.

Here it is...this is what I look like today.  

Look at me, I am so sad!!



When I was taking these pictures Zach informed me that I was immodest. Yes, I know son, but I don't want to hide behind my clothes.

I just measured myself. Whoa, what an eye-opener! 

Waist - 35"

Chest -39"

Thigh - 25"

Arm - 12.75"

I don't know what I weigh, but I would guess around 163 or so.  I will update that information when I get it.

Clearly, you can all see that I have some work to do.  But never fear, I have a plan.  On March 12, I will be running the Six Tunnels Half Marathon in Boulder City.  I have exactly 10 weeks to train for this race.  My husband bought me a Garmin for Christmans and I have a new resolve.

I purchased a small planner that I will be using to write down everything that I eat. I am going to drink water and cut out all soda and juice. I am going to read more books and stay active around the house. I am going to keep myself busy with house projects and educating my children.  I am going to eliminate the eating-out syndrome and utilize my awesome cooking skills.

Yesterday I threw away all errant candy and Christmas treats. They are gone. But I did buy a large stash of sugar-free gum for those times when I just need something. Gum seems to work well for me.

Yep, I am living the cliche, but I am going to do it with flair.

Stronger Than I Think

Well, it is a new day and it is pouring down rain outside. I love it. I love the smell of rain and the cozy feeling, staying in the house. In Las Vegas, you do not get much variation of weather. It is usually hot and hotter, sunny and sunnier. But not this week.

I have been busy with my Olympic Challenge and so far I have been successful. I have eaten under my calories so that I can lose weight, and as hard as it has been to fit it in, I have been able to exercise for 4 days straight. I have been surprised at myself and how easy it has been to stay away from the treats and junk.

I guess I am stronger than I thought. But I know I need to just take this one day at a time.

My clothes are going to fit soon.