My nephew!!

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Okay, this has nothing to do with weight loss but I have a new nephew and he's too cute not to share!! I love him so much already!!

He was about 30 minutes old in this pic, all bundles up like a burrito!


Holding my finger, so sweet! :)


He spent the day and night in NICU on an oxygen machine because he was having problems breathing. He'll be okay though!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LIFECHANGER85 7/17/2012 7:33PM

he is so cute! Congrats on your little nephew. Report Inappropriate Comment

LRWITHEY 7/2/2012 6:30PM

He is so cute! My daughter spent 17 days in the NICU on oxygen so tell his mama its ok to feel a little worried. Cause he will be home safe and sound! and now Sarai is a happy (fussy) 1 year old crawling all over the place. Report Inappropriate Comment

EUEK098 6/30/2012 7:20PM

So good to hear he's OK now, and he is so handsome Report Inappropriate Comment

HELE_LANAKILA 6/30/2012 11:52AM

He's beautiful! Here's to hoping he's out of NICU healthy, happy, and SOON! Report Inappropriate Comment

Week 4 Reflection

Sunday, May 20, 2012

So...this is a blog entry, which is really like a diary entry. So we have to be honest, right? It's time that I'm honest with myself.

I haven't been doing well so far in this challenge. My goal at the beginning was to lose 30 pounds, and here it is halfway through and I've stayed about the same. Of course there have been days where I've been super motivated and I'm good all day, but there have been far too many cheat days. I have to stop sabotaging myself! I don't know why this is so darn hard for me. I can say that I want to lose weight all I want, but until I get to the core of the problem (which is my emotional state, I think) nothing is going to change.

I've struggled through the past four weeks, not just with food. I can put on a happy face all I want, but it doesn't make things better. I lost my dad two years ago and for some reason, I've been really really sad for the past few weeks. Of course I still miss him all the time, but it's been even worse lately. I don't really know what happened to set it off. I've been upset about not being able to find a job. I know it's a tough economy right now, but I've been applying for jobs that I'm over qualified for and friends are recommending me, and I still don't get calls. It makes me feel kind of worthless. I had my own apartment for 5 years and now I'm back in my mom's house. I love my mom and am really close with my family, but I need to be doing something with my life!

I'll stop there. This was supposed to be a re-evaluation of my goals and it's turned into a sad post...it sounds like I'm trying to throw myself a pity party. That's not the case! Sometimes it helps me just to get things out. So maybe this will help...

So, there are 4 weeks left of this challenge. I don't want to let myself down, and I don't want to let all of my teammates down. I know I can do this, and it's time to get serious. I want to lose 15 pounds by the end of the challenge. I also want to find healthier ways of dealing with my emotions. Other than that, I just have a goal of giving it 110%, not 70% like I have been doing.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LIFECHANGER85 7/12/2012 9:40PM

hang in there! I am sure you have a great mom who will support you. You also have your spark family! We are here for you. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on im here for you! You can do it, we all have bad days. If you have a bad day remember there is always tomorrow to pick up where you should be going...on the right path. Hugs! ♥ Rebecca Report Inappropriate Comment

LRWITHEY 5/20/2012 6:58PM

I can't even begin to understand the loss of a parent. The closest I come in to losing my aunt to breast cancer 8 years ago. I am really sorry that you had to move back in with your mom. I know that I would go crazy from that alone. I want you to know you are not alone. We are here to back you up and will continue to support you. Don't worry about making progress because you are part of a BLC team. Think of the team as people who support you, motivate you, encourage you, and even sometime grieve with you. DO this for yourself and only yourself otherwise it wont last. Report Inappropriate Comment

BADBOY97 5/20/2012 6:03PM

YOU CAN DO THIS AND I KNOW YOU CAN , YOU JUST HAVE TO TELL YOUIRSELF THAT I NEED THIS TO BE HEALTHY AND DOTHIS FOR ME AND NO ONE BUT ME.YOU CAN EAT ANYTHING YOU WANT BUT CUT BACK ON PORTION SIZES AND YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHYT THAT IS HOW I DID IT BY EATING JUST REGULAR FOOD . SO DONOT LET YOURSELF GO WITH OUT ANY FOOD YOU WANT. I WAS AT 309 AND NOW I AM 262 SO THIS IS MY OWN DIET NO WEIGHT WATCHERS BOOK ORJENNY CRAIG DR OZ ,OR ANY PILL TO GET WEIGHT OFF. I KNOW YOU CAN DO THIS SO GET YOUR BOOT STRAPS AND PULL YOURSELF OUT OF THIS HOLE I HOPE YOU WILL TRY THIS FOR ONE WEEK AND SEE OK WELL TTYL AND JUST DO IT OK Report Inappropriate Comment

SONIA260 5/20/2012 5:46PM

you can soooo do this! I'll bet your dad would be so proud and would be cheering you on...cling to that! Also remember that I love you sooooooo much and am praying for you every single day, you'll always hold a special place in my heart ♥ Report Inappropriate Comment

Kayaking Adventure!!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

I did something this week that I've never done before--Kayaking!

I'm not gonna lie, I was a little bit nervous. I've been white water rafting but it was years ago when I was in a lot better shape. And kayaking is a lot different because you're all by yourself and it's really easy to flip. I didn't even know if it would stay afloat with all my weight! But, I wanted to do it so I sucked it up and did it despite my fears. And I was so glad I did! My friend, Kat, is a river guide and she offered to guide me down the river. I got to the shop, we loaded up the truck with our kayaks and drove to the part where we got in. I got in my kayak first, and to my surprise, it stayed afloat! I felt a little bit better after that because that is one of the parts I was most nervous about. So, Kat pushed me off the shore then she jumped in hers.

It was only about 15 seconds in before I hit a rock, went right into some trees, and flipped. My kayak got away from me (thankfully, I held on to my paddle). At first I was so mad! Only 15 seconds in of a two hour ride and I had already flipped. I let the river float me down to where my kayak had landed and plopped my butt back in. About a minute later, I flipped again. A couple minutes after that, I flipped AGAIN! I was so frustrated! I knew that if I was going to flip every minute, it was going to be a miserable ride down the river. So I said a little prayer and told myself that I COULD DO IT. So I did! After that, I only flipped one more time, but even my friend who does this for a living flipped at that spot.

Most of the ride was pretty relaxing, we only had to paddle to stay out of the trees but the water was calm. There were a few rocky spots where I got pretty stuck, but I just had to rock my hips and paddle and I was able to get out. We were coming up on the last rapid and Kat had warned me that it was the biggest one, so I was a little bit nervous. I just KNEW that I was going to flip out of my boat and get carried down the river with the current. As I was coming up on it, I leaned forward a little bit and paddled with all my might, and I went right through it! I was so proud of myself!

Although I was a little bit scared at first, I'm SO glad that I did it! And let me tell you, it was one heck of a workout! I woke up the next morning and pretty much every muscle on my body was sore. But I was okay with that because I have finally found a fun way to work out. Can't wait to do it again!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SWALL84 5/21/2012 2:51AM

Way to go, Lauren! What a fun way to do something so good for you! It makes me jealous! Can I go next time? Please??? lol Report Inappropriate Comment

LRWITHEY 5/20/2012 4:36PM

I am totally picturing that in my head right now and I bet it was so much fun. I sure hope your weight loss showed the hard work you did kyacking Report Inappropriate Comment

SONIA260 5/20/2012 4:34PM

That sounds so amazing! I'm pretty sure that am giving myself swimming lessons as a goal reward!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

I have a little problem...

Tuesday, May 08, 2012

Okay, it's kind of a big problem...

I always get hungry late at night! Actually, I don't really get HUNGRY as much as I just get the munchies and cravings. I always want to eat at night! I can go most of the day without eating (although I don't do that) but when the sun goes down all I want to do is eat. I know there have been days where I consume more calories late at night that I've consumed all day. There are times where I will be laying in bed trying to go to sleep, and all I can think about is food. So I get my big butt out of bed and go get something to eat. And if I don't, I get really anxious and have a hard time falling asleep. I'm a night owl, so that probably adds to the problem. Told you it was a big problem.

Any suggestions of what I can do to help?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CAMACHO19 5/16/2012 6:26PM

i have almost got the late night munchies beat. I have been able to trick myself...I get up but I go and try on something that is still a little too small. This takes my mind away from the food and puts it on the fact that I still have a ways to go. It also gives me something to do other than go to the kitchen. Hope this helps. Report Inappropriate Comment

XXFEARLESS 5/10/2012 11:33AM

I also do the same thing! If I ever get hungry at night, I try to have something with low-to-no calories that will keep my mouth busy - a green tea, water flavoured with crystal light, or a few semisweet chocolate chips are some of my usuals. All are low in calories (or have none!) As for stopping the cravings for good, I haven't quite figured that out yet, but having smaller meals throughout the day sounds like it could work :) Report Inappropriate Comment

140ORBUST1983 5/8/2012 4:04PM

I am trying to do the same thing has Brenda...I actually am trying to eat every two hours, and since I don't get off work until midnight, I stop eating and drinking around 10:30 in the evening. Then when I get home, I go straight to bed and if I can't fall right asleep, I start praying...it sounds bad but halfway through my prayer I'm usualy out like a light! Also, I've had to readjust my sleeping schedule. I used to stay up until like 3a-4a...now I'm trying to be in bed no later then 1am...It takes some getting used to. Also, even if you are not hungry, try to eat every two hours. It helps the metabolism, and it will prevent you from getting hungry an hour later... Report Inappropriate Comment

MRS_BRENDA_P 5/8/2012 3:02PM

I have the same problem! I can stay on track all day but then night time comes around and I want to eat everything in the kitchen. I've been battling this for weeks now. Right now I'm doing the whole 2hr eating schedule which is helping. I eat dinner at 5 or 5:30 and then have two snacks after that. One at 7 and the other at 9. This keeps me from munching since I know that I have some snacks coming at those times. After the 9 o'clock snack, I drink some water and am done for the day. I do some stretches to relax my body and mind, pray and then go to sleep. If I'm tossing and turning, I stay in bed and talk to God to help me fall asleep. This has worked for a couple of days now. The first thing is to break out of the habit and then the anxiety will go away. I hope something I've said helps you :) I know how frustrating this can be. Report Inappropriate Comment

CMAROTICH 5/8/2012 2:39PM

I am the same way! Even if I don't keep junk food around, I will find something....If I try to engage my willpower and say NO! I just ignore it in a few minutes and eat it anyway...I just received a new book from Amazon, so at night if I wake up I read, and that seems to help...I could try drinking water? I've read that most cravings are really just thirst...maybe BOB240 is right, work out hard enough and sleep really good! Could also be too much caffeine? Good luck to you, night time eating is one of my most DIFFICULT challenges to overcome... Report Inappropriate Comment

BOB240 5/8/2012 2:30PM

solution.. workout really hard in the gym. Do strength training. You will sleep like a dog. No more munchies.. Report Inappropriate Comment

BLC 14 Goals!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

It’s the last day of Week One of BLC#14 and I’m just now blogging about my goals. Maybe it would have helped to do this earlier in the week, but I guess better late than never.

My number one goal is to STOP PUTTING IT OFF UNTIL TOMORROW!! I think that has been my biggest challenge over the last several weeks. I’ll have one bad day and I’ll just think, “Well, I’ll start being healthy tomorrow.” And then the next day comes and the same thing happens. I can’t keep doing that, otherwise it’s going to be the end of the challenge and I will be the same weight I am now, or worse, heavier.

I need some major motivation, and I really don’t know what’s holding me back. I KNOW I need to get healthy, and I KNOW the only way I’m going to do that is to make better choices. Really, that’s all it boils down to.

Weight wise, my goal for this challenge is to get under 300 pounds, so I’ll have to lose about 30 pounds. I know I can do it with encouragement and determination. I also have a goal of not totally depriving myself. I know from past experience that it doesn’t work! At least not for me. I need to do something that is sustainable for the rest of my life, and depriving myself is not the way to go.

I need to be more uplifting to myself. When I was a little girl, any time I said something negative about myself my mom said, “Uh oh, Lauren. You’re hurting God’s feelings!” It sounds silly, but she’s right. I need to realize that God made me exactly how He wanted me to be, and wishing anything else is going against His will. I need to look in the mirror every morning and tell myself that I’m beautiful and I’m going to do great things, despite how I’m feeling about myself that day.

"Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality."

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

HELE_LANAKILA 5/1/2012 8:48AM

You can do this! You are worth it. And yeah, your Mom was right. Your goals sound reasonable and doable. Report Inappropriate Comment

LRWITHEY 4/30/2012 4:48PM

Your goals, minus your doubts equal your reality. I love that! I never really thought about it much before but it makes so much sense. I know you can do it! We are here for you when ever you need some motivation! Report Inappropriate Comment

SONIA260 4/29/2012 9:29PM

you are soooooo beautiful! I had a little spark of jealousy when I first saw your silly mustache pic...your eyes just sparkle...and you know they say the eyes are the window to your soul, so your soul must shine with the love of God! You can soooo do this Lauren, just take it day by day and remember you have an entire team behind you, but better yet, God is with you every step of the way! ♥ u bunches! Report Inappropriate Comment

CANDIGIRL4K 4/29/2012 7:22PM

Your so right, be prepared for today and work towards your goals for today. And your mom was right, there is beauty in everything that God has made and he made you, so telling yourself everyday what is beautiful and good about you re-programs the brain so that you automatically begin to think good things and push out the negativity.I am routing for your goal of getting under 300 and have the same goal myself Lauren, so I will check in on you!!! Remember you are beautiful and worth the work! Report Inappropriate Comment