The End of an Era

Well, it is official, I have lost 10 lbs.  That is right, Sean and I are going to start our competition next week, and I am really super excited.  It has been a long time since I have seen the scale at this particular number, and I am aiming to NEVER see that number again.  Bye, bye!!!!!  And the best part.  It has been done without any gimmicks or extreme habits.  I have not been working out 6 days a week, or eating no carbs, or no sugar.  I still get my morning coffee with 2 sugars and 2% milk.  If I want a treat, sure... but in moderation.  I am making healthy life choices that are easy to maintain in my life with my family.  Seriously, I have nothing against those people who do crazy work outs every day, or that eat a gluten free, dairy free, sugar free diet, whether it is necessary (allergies) or not.  If that is how you want to live your life... All the power to ya!!!!!  But it is just not for me.  I am starting with baby steps, because if I take a flying leap, I am going to fall on my face.  So, right now, I am changing how I look at food and exercise, and really listening to my body and what my body needs.

Why are you waiting until next week to start your competition, you ask?  Well, it is also the close of the era of having children (Yes, I have permission to mention this on my blog).  So, Sean is in the midst of recovery, and he isn't having the best time.  I think that sitting on the couch and eating comfort food is not going to help him in the whole losing weight area, so we are going to wait until he is MUCH more mobile.  Jenni even made Sean some pictures so that "Daddy will feel better!"

The Lobster that Jenni painted

Jenni's Jungle scene

 These are awesome little pictures that Jenni painted!  She is starting to become quite the artist!

BUT... Today when I went to the city with Sean, we got to his appointment really early, so we saw a bakery across the street from the clinic and went to check it out.  It was an authentic Turkish bakery with the most AMAZING food.  They had assorted Baklava, Donairs, Falafel, Schwarma, hummus, mini pies, and more.  The guy who owned it was Turkish (I asked) and it was absolutely DELICIOUS!  Right when we walked into the bakery he gave us each a sample of the mini pies and it was a real treat.  I asked what the hot fluorescent pink stick thingies were (Pickled turnip) and he gave me a sample to try.  If you like to try new things or really like obscure places to eat, definitely check out this bakery.  It is in the strip mall right by the corner of 17th Ave and 33rd St.  So yummy!!!  And... Because I am not following any specific diet, but just kind of going with what my body needs and wants, I ate some... With NO guilt!!!  Now that's a TREAT!

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So, it has been quite a while (a few hours) since I started writing this post.  I had to finish mowing the lawn (I started last night, but I totally ran out of light and couldn't see what I had or had not mowed...), make supper, clean up, put the girls to bed, and then I went for a glorious walk with my bff girl friend, Adrionne.  I have three main besties here in town, Paige, Thea, and Adrionne.  And all of them go for walks with me.  It is so encouraging to know that I have such great friends who will walk and talk with me and even help me through some struggles.  So, when I walk 5km with a girlfriend in town it doesn't feel like that far, and it doesn't feel like 45 minutes.  I just feels like I am having a good time with a friend.  If you would like to start walking more, I would suggest you get a walking buddy.  My mom used to have 2 walking buddies and they walked every morning at 7:30am.  It is always more fun exercising with a buddy!

Earlier, when I was doing my dishes (for the 24th day in a row... big deal for me!!!!!) I was thinking of all the things I could write about and say in my blog post this evening, and now that I am here, do you think I could possibly remember them... yeah right!  So, you just get to have the random 10:26pm thoughts that are going through my mind.

So, whether you are reading this to support me, or you are reading this to get inspiration, please, be encouraged.  I started this journey on July 20th and have already started naturally being more disciplined in my life and my activities.  I wanted to develop self discipline in the areas of: 

Exercising more (Fitness)

Eating Healthier

Chores around the house

Bible Study

Morning Routine

Finances (This one was added as time went on)

I feel like I have started building healthy good habits in the first 3 areas!!!!  I have a budgeting tool online (everydollar.com) that is helping Sean and I be more attentive with our finances and debts (Whoohoo!!!).  So, now all that is left is Bible Study and Morning routine.  I don't know why I have been putting off the bible study goal.  Attack of the enemy?  Maybe... Too many goals to focus on??  Maybe.... I am not sure what it is, but that is the next hurdle I am going to conquer.  I say that because, I do believe that the only way I am going to keep up in my momentum in my discipline is to really focus on God and what He has for me.  I know that not everyone believes what I believe about God, and that is totally up to you.  But, I believe that I need to focus my life on God and then the pieces will automatically fall into place.  I don't want my life's focus to become calorie counting, or calorie burning.  I want my life's focus to be on God and His plan for my life.