Thankful for No Weight Gain!

Phew!!! Made it through Thanksgiving without gaining any weight! Woo Hoo! (and yes, I cheated ... but portion control was the key I think!) I weighed in this morning at 176! That's 39 pounds! Only 6 more pounds to go to reach my half-way mark! I'm hoping I can reach that 45 lb mark before Dave and I go on our 15th anniversary weekend trip in 2 weeks! Shouldn't be a problem, if I stick to it!

Finally a new photo! I found my camera (yay!) but I had to abandon the brown swimsuit!!! I tried and tried to tuck and tie it so that I could get a decent picture in the same outfit, but it is just SO SO BAGGY that nothing would work! So you have a photo of me in regular clothes! I have gone from a size 18/20 (depending on the item) to a size 14!!! I haven't been in a 14 for nearly 10 years!

Ok, many of you know that I have become a Health Coach with TSFL to help others succeed on this weight-loss journey. My first client has been my mom-in-law, and in 3 weeks she has already lost 20 pounds! She is so excited, and I'm incredibly happy for her. Her blood pressure has also significantly dropped, and she's hoping to get off of her meds by the time she's done with the program! That would be SO great for her! I'm just thrilled!!!

Hope you all had a super Thanksgiving! Back next week with more updates!

90 day milestone!!!

Jump for joy and shout hoorays! Lora's been losing for 90 days! My weigh-in this morning was 179!!!! I FINALLY broke the 180 wall that has been sitting before me for WEEKS! 36 pounds in 12 weeks. (Aug 17 - Nov 16). Wow! What a journey so far! I'm SO SO happy with the 3 lbs per week average that I've been able to maintain. I'd like to kick it up a notch and raise that average now that I know it is possible. (If I would get out of the house and add a bit of exercise to my daily routine, I'm sure it would happen!) I am so excited. Thank you all so much for all of the love and support and constant kudos that you send me. I am changing my life. I'm amazed at how many things are slowly changing about me now that I am controlling my eating. I think I'm becoming a better person altogether. A more attentive wife, a more patient mom, a better housekeeper. I'm sure a LOT of that has to do with the increased energy level. Not nearly as sluggish as I was before. But I also think it is the improved mindset and outlook on life in general. Whatever it is, I LOVE IT!

As for photo updates ... the problem is that our digital camera has been missing in action for about a month now. I could take a cell phone photo I guess, but I was hoping for some consistency in the photos ... I'll figures something out soon though!

34 pounds and dropping ...

Today's weigh in : Down 34 pounds since August 17! I am so grateful . I can't believe I'm actually doing it. It is coming off pound after pound, week after week, and I am just so excited and so happy. It is so wonderful to be getting my health back, to have energy, to have control. Thanks so much for hanging in there with me! I still have a long way to go ... don't give up!

Miss Me? Missing 31 pounds of Me!

Well, it's been crazy busy lately, and I've been substitute teaching the last few Mondays (finally!) including today, so it has knocked me off my blog routine. But, I couldn't stand going another week without posting an update: After 8 weeks on the program, I've lost 31 pounds! I was definitely more valiant the first four weeks than I have been the last four weeks, but I learned some good lessons and really learned a lot about myself, my motivation, my body, and my spirit... and I have to tell you, I am on track for life. I have set a short-term goal with my health coach to be down 45 pounds by Thanksgiving day, so I can enjoy a few extras with no guilt. I have no doubt that I'll reach that goal, and I'm so excited to get there! I'll try to post once a week. Even if I don't make it on Monday morning I'll try to do it on Monday afternoon rather than skipping weeks again. And I'll try to post a photo today or tomorrow... It's been a LONG time since I've put one up, and I'm kind of excited to see the transition! Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Still Chugging along!

Wow. Don't mean for this to become so mundane ... but another 2 pounds down! This is so fun! I just love how I feel, and I'm starting to get excited about how I look too. Still have SO FAR to go, but I know now that I can really do it! I have never had such consistent weight-loss, and this is just going so well for me -- I can hardly believe it!!! I will definitely meet my goal of 95 pounds by June 1. I'm on track to reach it WAY before then ... but don't want to get too secure. Have to keep at it every day! Back next week with a photo update!!!

Week 5 Goes Well!

Week 5 went fine. No hiccups, no trouble really. Still probably NOT drinking as much water as I should, and drinking MORE diet soda than I should... but I'm working on it!

I lost another 4 pounds this week. That brings my total loss to 24 pounds in 5 weeks! Not 5 months, 5 weeks! Wow is that exciting! I've never lost that much before without having a baby to show for it! My energy level is really up too. I was hoping to get below 190 this week, but I missed it by a little. Next week will be the week I get there, though!

Lots of people have told me I set my goal weight way too low. I guess I didn't realize just how skinny 120 lbs. is, but I have a long way to go yet before I start to re-evaluate what my low goal should be! For now I'm leaving it where it is!

I'll be back next week . . . 185, here I come!

Back on Track!

Just a short post today to let you know that I'm back on track! I lost the pound I gained PLUS two more, so three pounds total down this week! I'm so excited and I'm feeling great! Busy, busy week, so I don't have time to do a new photo, but I think I'm going to start doing them monthly instead of weekly anyway. I probably won't ever have a week as dramatic as week one, so a monthly photo should suffice! Thanks again for your support and encouragement! Keep posting and sending me emails when you get the chance! You keep me going!

A Little Stumble, But Not A Fall... And An Invitation

Well, this was a tough week for me. I was tired and cranky... and I gained a pound. I knew I would reach a plateau, I just didn't think it would come so soon. I also know I made a couple of mistakes this week... like not drinking nearly enough water, and eating fruit (a big no no right now). So, now I've just got to keep my chin up and renew my efforts, and stick to the plan precisely. I'm also planning to add some walking and weight training this week, so I'm hoping that will kick things up again. Overall, a pretty disappointing weigh-in this morning, but I guess I have to keep in mind that I am still ahead of my goal for the third week (goal was 6 - 9 pounds, I'm at 17). Just have to be patient and consistent, and it will all come off eventually.

So many of you have asked me about the program I am using, and have expressed a desire to also lose weight and get healthy. I'm very excited about the success I've seen so far (despite my off week). So, it just so happens that my friend who introduced me to the Take Shape For Life program is going to be in Atlanta this weekend for a seminar. He has agreed to have a little informational meeting at my home Saturday night to tell anyone who is interested about the program. I'll have samples of the foods that I've been eating available for you to taste so you know what it's like. This is not a sales pitch. This is a no-pressure, no obligation, friends getting together to reach a common goal kind of situation. I just feel so pleased with this program, and I'm interested in helping others do what I'm doing. I really feel passionate about this, and I just want to share my enthusiasm. If you want to join me on my journey, just give me a call or send me an email and I'll let you know the when's and the where's!

Meanwhile, please continue to pray for me and cheer me on. This is going to be a long, difficult journey. I'm off to a decent start, but I have so far to go. Thanks for hanging in here with me.

No photo update this week for obvious reasons... but I fully expect to have an awesome new pic for the blog next Monday!

Yay Me!!!

Well, another 4 pounds and 3 inches off! I was worried this week because I couldn't "see" the big difference I was able to see last week, but this morning's weigh-in went better than I expected. I have to keep in mind that my goal is 2 - 3 pounds a week, and not worry if that is all I lose. But so far, I have been able to exceed my goal, and it feels great! We even traveled (by car) to Chicago and back this weekend for Dave's Aunt and Uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary. I didn't give in to any of the multitude of sweets and rich foods that were around, and I didn't eat any fast food on the long trip there and back! A HUGE step for me!!!

I also got a haircut earlier in the week for the trip. My hair was really getting wild and wiry! A nice haircut always gives me a boost, so I'm really glad I did it.

I have to say, I have been so touched and overwhelmed by all of your posts and emails. So many of you have brought tears of gratitude to my eyes. I can't thank you enough for your love and friendship, and for the amazing support and encouragement you've offered. Thank you so much! I hope you can hang in there with me ... I'm 18 pounds down, but I still have 77 pounds to go!!!

First Weigh-In

Wow! I lost 9 pounds my first "real" week of dieting!!! I know it won't be like this every week, but I feel so excited and pumped up! I lost 5.5 inches total in my measurements, including 3 inches off of my waist! It really shows too! I am so ready to be rid of all of this weight... I'm never going to get back to that awful place again...I will eat to live, not live to eat!

Today I begin

It has been a long time coming, but today I begin the transition to a new, healthy, beautiful me. I am going to lose this weight. A few weeks ago I reached my all-time high of 215 pounds... I have worked the last couple of weeks to watch what I eat, so I've lost a few pounds already, but today I begin in earnest. I'm starting a new program some friends of ours in Idaho recommended. I'm excited, and I'm ready. Thanks for checking in on me and for supporting me. I'll be weighing in and posting a new transition photo every Monday (hopefully), so you can keep tabs on my progress as I go. You can view the transition photo and weigh-in progress bar at the bottom of the page past the posts. I have a goal to lose 90 lbs over a period of 10 1/2 months. I think that is reasonable. Thats only about 2 pounds a week. I can do it!