September 21, 2007, the first day of fall. I love changing season, fall is my favorite season.  The warm moist air of the summer is replaced by the cool breezes of the fall.  The changing leaves and their brillant colors provide a breath-taking background for walks.  Yes, I love autumn. 

I also love the opportunity to change the season in my life with the calendar season.  I've been very sin-filled in caring for my temple this last six months.  Since February I've gained back the weight I had lost last year.  I am ready for a change and for a new season that turns into a lifetime habit.  I dislike the fact that since 1998 I've been moderate-morbidly obese.  I am ready for a change,  my Lord desires for me to make this change.  It His strength in which I am resting to help me through these hours, days, weeks and months. 

To start with I must change some of my habits, this week I've began to implement a few of these changes.  Here are my habit changes for this week:

1) Return to regular Bible study and prayer times on my knees

2) drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.  I must get off of diet pop/soda.

3) cut out the sweets, replacing them with healthier choices such as fresh fruit and yogurt

4) cut my portion sizes in 1/2 and begin to look at the calorie count of all of my foods.

5) no more eating out at buffets.

6) start moving more, getting out with the children for walks and playing soccer in the yard .

I want sticking power this time Lord.  No more set-backs, or back sliding. 

I'm writing this on my blog, as a public declaration.  I'll post my progress and my set-backs.  I have more habits that I need to change also.  Only with His help and guidance, His Grace is enough.

Isn't fall wonderful? The cool breezes and the beautiful colors that the trees take on.  One of the reasons I love living in the midwest is the way each season takes on it's own wonderful uniqueness. 

Autumn is probably my favorite season.  Although I do love winter!  Autumn had to take a back seat over the last several years because I started developing severe sinus infections each fall.  But this year I had to take a different approach.  I am now doing weekly allergy shots.  I was tested and as I already knew, severly allergic to all molds.  The shots seem to be helping.  I am so grateful.  Back to enjoying the windows open and cool night air!

Each new season is a new beginning.  And over the last twenty years of my life this has meant starting a new healthy living kick.  After falling off the wagon towards the end of summer, I'm happy to be back on track.  My husband did a wonderful job this summer loosing weight.  His employer did a "Biggest Loser" competition.  This motivated him to loose thirty pounds.  And he has inspired me to get back on track. 

Over the last three weeks I have begun walking 3 miles/day~five days a week.  We get up early in the morning, between 5-6 am and walk.  We have a nice work-out place near our home that is open 24 hours per day.  Last week we joined, because they are waiving the enrollment fee.  Today we went and did an orientation to the Nautilus weight system.  I also learned how to use the eliptical.  What a great workout! 

I would really like to loose 30 pounds by January 1st.  The weight I gained over the summer easily came off.  Now it is time to burn away that 30 pounds.  Then January 1st I'll set my next goal.  But the biggest reward is how much better I feel. 

I've been wanting to blog about this mainly for accountability.  I'll periodically post how it's going.  I can't put a ticker on this beautiful template! 

I'm also trying to do a food journal + emotional eating journal. I won't be posting that though .

For the last three weeks on Monday I've been making this delicious

VEGGIE SOUP in the CROCKPOT

Core and shred 1 small head of green cabbage and place it in the slow cooker.

Add 3 celery ribs, thinly sliced; 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped; and 1 medium onion, chopped.

Stir in one 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, 4 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 tablespoon dried parsley, 2 teaspoons dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, salt, and ground pepper to taste. Cover and cook on low until the cabbage is tender, about 8 hours. Makes 6 servings, 1 1/2 cups each.

Time for me to get off to bed.  Morning comes soon.  I can't believe I actually look forward to exercising.  One bonus is I have more time to read!!!  I have to sit down and blog some book reviews.  I started an old copy of Phillip Yancey's book Disappointment with God.

Before I close I have to share a cute story from Grace.  Monday's are a bit more challenging than any other day.  I'm tired from working.  The girls are used to being with dad, which is good, but no mother and father parent exactly the same.  I usually have to reset the behavior expectations each Monday.  Grace was struggling today.  I take her to the basement steps each time, to talk and sit in time out.  Today as I sat her down and talked with her, she said "will you pray with me?"  At first I thought she said "play with me".  And then I realized what she said.  It was a gentle reminder to me, praying when I'm struggling with my behavior is the best solution!

~~~~~wishing you autumn days filled with priceless moments, that are lovingly given from our heavenly Father,

Linda

A new group within the Homeschoolblogger community has been formed.

Everyone is invited to join...here is a brief description of the group:

I encourage anyone who is interested in joining me with this great group of ladies.

Visit BlubberBloggers for the details on how to join.

A huge thank you to Kathy for moderating the group.

~~~~attempting to honor the temple given to me each day,

me

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

I am coming to the conclusion that my body losses weight about every ten days.  I did not loose this week when I went to weight in.  I had on heavy jeans though.  But this morning when I weighed at home I was down.   

Being sick, I have been drinking a lot of water.  Today is the first day I finally feel a little better.  I haven't walked.  I need someone to give me a huge nudge.  I can't wait to be able to get outside and walk.

So I'm going to keep on keepin on.  I love eating healthier.  Today I made some little pizza's using whole wheat tortillas for crust and turkey pepperoni.  

The whole wheat tortillas I used where Mission Foods Low Carb Whole Wheat Fajita size.  Here is a great recipe from Mission Foods.

Recipe Instructions:

One of my daughter's favorite movies is Madagascar.  If you haven't seen it, it is a fairly sweet, innocent film.

We love the penguins too.

They enjoy one particular part and song also.  After going to Weight Watchers this evening, I have decided that I must adapt it as my theme song.

"I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, move it"

I have got to get busy walking on my treadmill.  It really isn't that taxing, and my middle daughter loves to walk along side of me on the floor. 

Ok...time to start moving it...moving it.

Me

PS
Feel free to post comments checking up on my progress. I won't be offended, but thankful for your reminders.

I have so many thoughts swimming around my head.  I had previously said that I was going to post on Wednesday about my weight-loss.  I have put a ticker on the side showing my weight loss.  The first week is always good because of the extra water weight that I carry, it comes off easy.  Now it is on to get this "jiggle" gone.

One day we were at the library and Elizabeth was standing behind me.  All of a sudden she started playing with the flab on my legs.  Then she said "Mom you jiggle".  I laughed.  Jennifer was so embarassed and exclaimed "Liz, be quiet!"  The librarian smiled and said, "all moms jiggle a little." 

One of the many reasons I want to get this weight off is to be healthier for my children.  Even one week of eating healthier has given me more energy.  We are getting more school in and Mommy is less frustruated with herself.  I would get tired and frustruated and then loose my temper so easily with them.  They are such precious gifts.

We got our peanuts planted and our Lenten devotional/candles lit. I think Dave thinks I"m just a few cards shy of the full deck.  But he humors me in these projects. 

Speaking of projects, tomorrow I have to post pictures of the fantastic Pinewood Derby car that he and Jennifer have made for the Awana's Pinewood Derby on Saturday.  They are so excited about this project.  He had me buy an extra one for Elizabeth even though she isn't old enough to race.  Today she got her's cut out and the wheels on.  She wants to paint it "smore" color.  Don't know exactly what that color means but it sounds pretty. 

Okay, I have digressed.  Back to weight loss.  I am so thankful for how the Lord is helping me in not being hungry or thinking about food constantly throughout the day.  I enjoy Weight Watchers, because it allows for all types of food.  You don't feel deprived.  You can learn more about them at http://www.weightwatchers.com.

I again don't say this to say it, the Lord is truly providing me a hedge in my mind to food.  Now I have to exercise, I know it will help me take the weight off and tone up.  How do I know all of this.  I have been down this road before, once loosing 115 pounds.  But this time, yes this time is going to be my last.  Dave said to me last night, when I told him this whole story, "yes, I've heard this before".  Plus this time, I am believing God to be my helper through the journey.  By faith I am stepping forward to become a healthy building for the Lord.  In the past when I have lost weight I have become so into "me", it can't be about me.  If I don't loose weight, for a while I can't get discouraged.  Because if the Lord is my helper, I will see the promised land.  Which is good health, more energy, peace and JOY.  Hope this makes sense.

"Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35

I'd love to hear more about other's healthy journey's,

Till tomorrow, Lord willing,

Linda

   Well...it is time for me to start my resolutions. 

I am over the top on my weight.  I can't believe how much I have gained. And I really haven't cared.  I can give you at least ten excuses why I have allowed myself to get into this state again.  But that is just sin.  Making excuses for my poor choices and laziness. 

     Ready set....let the point counting, water drinking, mile walking, healthy thinking...BEGIN!!!

      If you are already six weeks into your healthy eating, exercise doing, water drinking habits...I'd love to hear how it's going.

Linda