Here is my entry for the Flower of the Day Challenge.

This rosebush only blooms for a short time each year, but when it does, it is gorgeous!
Live now, believe me, wait not till tomorrow; Gather the roses of life today. – Pierre de Ronsard
This rosebush only blooms for a short time each year, but when it does, it is gorgeous!
Live now, believe me, wait not till tomorrow; Gather the roses of life today. – Pierre de Ronsard
January 14th, 2019 I began a journey toward becoming a more fit and fabulous version of myself. This is a road I’ve traveled in the past, sometimes successfully and sometimes not so much. After seeing the ads for the “Noom” weight loss app far too many times, I finally decided to check it out. I think I had been afraid to do so because it meant I would have to change. As we know, change is NOT an easy thing, but finally I had seen far too many “unflattering” photos and was growing weary of hiding behind other people in photos or “sucking it in” and STILL not liking what I saw. I took a chance and signed up for Noom. I think the combination of snarky daily motivational messages, a personal coach and a group of other people to connect with that are on the same journey made the difference this time.
I won’t lie and say it’s been easy. It sucks feeling like nobody else has to worry aboout how many calories are left before they choose where to eat. Joining my husband for breakfast at Denney’s on Saturday morning means that I either skip lunch or eat a minimalist meal so that I can at least have a sandwich for dinner. Exercise doesn’t get me a ton of extra calories because only half of calories burned are added back into my food budget. It’s so “unfair”, but it has been working.
Progress requires setbacks; the only sure way to avoid failure is not to try. ~Henry Spencer
I started out at 154.4. It’s embarrassing admitting that, but I’m being honest. I had been moving right along and was down 20 pounds by the middle of May. Now, I’ve gone up and back down and back up a little bit and am currently at 134. This is still in the overweight category for BMI (click to visit active.com and see what yours is if you so desire) and I have 14 pounds to go until I reach my goal. 9 pounds will get me to a “normal” BMI, so that is my next mini goal.
Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit. ~ Bear Bryant
While I’m sorely tempted some days to just throw in the towel, especially days when the scale creeps up or as it does lately just sits at the same number, I won’t. I’m in this for the long haul and need to be patient with myself. I still fit in the size 6 jeans I managed to squeeze back into and hopefully I can fit even more comfortably in the next month or two.
I like the above quote about setting goals and sticking with them. That is what I’m going to do. I know I can do it. I’ve come this far!!
“The thoughtful soul to solitude retires.” ~ Omar Khayyam
“Language… has created the word ‘loneliness’ to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word ‘solitude’ to express the glory of being alone.” ~ Paul Tillich
As an introvert, I cherish my solitude. I dearly love my children and husband, but in order to be the best person for them, sometimes I need to spend a little time just for me. To me, solitude need not be found on a quiet mountaintop or in a beach chair listening to the sounds of the ocean. I wouldn’t pass up those opportunities, but I can enjoy the solitude I find just listening to the steady drone of the lawn mower as I mow my lawn. I can turn off my busy mind for a little while and just enjoy the smell of the freshly cut grass and the breeze on my face as I walk back and forth across the lawn. I can slow down and allow myself to notice the new flowers blooming in my yard, the bunnies in the neighboring yard playfully hopping after one another and the freshly formed buds on my lilac bushes.
When I have taken time to enjoy my time alone and recharge my battery, I am ready to once again enjoy the noisier fun family activities to follow!
This post is in response to the WordPress Daily Prompt. Check out the many other submissions at: https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/solitude/
I remember reading a book in which the author talked about having a “can do” attitude. She stated that by taking risks and doing something she wasn’t sure she could, she was able to adopt the mantra, “A girl who can (insert amazing achievement), can do ANYTHING!”. My amazing achievement was climbing the stairs to that lighthouse! In fact, the following day I climbed the 203 steps to the top of the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse in Daytona Beach!
My goal in 2016 is to keep in mind that “A girl who can climb two lighthouses can do anything!!” Here I come, 2016!!
You may wonder WHO the header of this post refers to. Well, gentle reader, that would be ME. After stepping on the scale a few weeks back, I have determined that I am going to get back to a better version of me.
Sure, I have plenty of excuses as to why the scale hasn’t budged (at least in the RIGHT direction) for the last few years. Some of these include:
Ok, maybe I don’t want to go QUITE that far back in time, but I was definitely a LOT littler (and cuter) in this photo! 😉
There may well be some truth to all of the above, but I’ve decided that despite my litany of reasons why I don’t see the little, smaller, cuter me looking back in the mirror, I am determined that I WILL someday see her again. 🙂
My plan is to see THIS me (albeit with a few more wrinkles, and no doubt a bit warmer outfit) looking back in the mirror by November of 2016! 🙂
My wonderful hubby presented me with an early birthday gift, a FitBit Charge HR. Don’t worry; he knew I had researched the various devices and really wanted to get the FitBit. He is awesome and says he loves me no matter what, so it was not a push to get me to look better. ❤ I want to do it for me so that I can be healthier, be around longer for my family and wear adorable outfits and even skinny jeans again.
I know I have a LONG journey ahead of me. I like food too much to restrict my calories to nearly nothing, so based on limiting my calories by about 250/day, the MyFitnessPal app which I’m using to track food and exercise, tells me that I can reach my goal and be 30.2 lbs lighter by November of 2016. YIKES!!! I know, I know, waiting 15 months to see my fitness goals realized seems like a very long time. I’m hoping that I can reach it before then, but I also know that I need to stick with a system that is easy and one in which I don’t restrict every food item that I have liked up to this point. I’m going to try the same tactic with food as I have with my belongings. If it does not or will not bring me joy, I will avoid it. This leaves me room to have the pizza, steak, pasta or desserts that I love, but as a treat that I savor and not a dish that I devour. 🙂
By posting this on my little blog, I am taking a step toward more accountability. With the help of my new FitBit and my MapMyWalk, MyFitnessPal and FitBit apps and encouragement from my family, friends and all of you lovely readers, I hope to be able to be happier, healthier and smokin’ hot (haha) by the finale of my fifteen month foray! 🙂 I’ve managed to stick to my 8000 steps a day goal, even though I’m sometimes walking around my house or walking in place in my bedroom to complete it! 😉
If it’s gonna be, it’s up to me! (Words of wisdom from a former Weight Watchers Coach) Wish me luck!
I’m sliding in right at the end with an entry for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is “Up Close”. I’m submitting some photos that I took when our family visited the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans during our family trip in June. I love seeing the details of some of these fascinating animals!
Take a little time and check out the many beautiful and creative entries to the challenge by clicking the link above 🙂
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