Almost to the half-way mark :-))))

Sunday, August 22, 2010

In the fall of 2008, I started my weight loss journey with another 'tracking' system. It was the first time I had stuck to something for longer than 3 months and had some good elements to the program; however, there were missing pieces to the puzzle that I only discovered after joining SparkPeople.

These pics are my all time high @ 186 pounds.





With that program, I was able to get down to 155 and stay there for quite some time, but in 2009, I allowed weight to start coming back on and abandoned everything because I was STILL looking at this as a DIET not a lifestyle!

When I joined SparkPeople I weighed 169 pounds.

This was my pic when I started SP:


Not a very flattering picture! :-))) We were at a friend's lake cabin and my son said my name and shot the picture.

I think I'm starting my 6th week [July 12th start date] with SparkPeople and I KNOW that God is doing a work that will be lasting. Praising His Name!

A picture last week after losing 11 pounds with SP:

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JULIEFRANCES112 8/22/2010 11:09AM

Looking good Susan. Keep up the good work. Love the pictures. Report Inappropriate Comment

PURPLELVR7 8/22/2010 10:45AM

You look great. I started my weight loss journey prior to sparkpeople but I am doing much better with the help of spark people. I am down 35 and 20 to go. I know we can both do it. Report Inappropriate Comment

TOTALLYFIT2012 8/22/2010 10:41AM

Loved all the pictures Susan! You are sharing your story in such a fascinating way. You go girl!! Awesome! So great you joined Sparkpeople!! cheering you on! Report Inappropriate Comment

RIDLEYRIDER 8/22/2010 8:55AM

Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

Victory in JESUS

Friday, August 20, 2010

Overeating and thinking about food has consumed so much of my emotional and mental energy that the abundant life has been strangled! Thus far and NO further! In the NAME of JESUS, this stronghold will be demolished and brought down in the victory of Jesus!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PAMAPPLE 8/21/2010 10:23AM

If we focus on God, and His desires for us, we can have victory in Jesus! We may fall every once in awhile but He can pick us back up and give us the life of victory!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BESTSUSIEYET 8/21/2010 9:25AM

Praising Jesus, who always leads us in triumphal victory! Looking forward to celebrating each victory with you!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWIMLOVER 8/21/2010 3:30AM

AMEN! Report Inappropriate Comment

TEALADY0531 8/20/2010 5:05PM

Amen, my sister, Amen!! I'm standing with you in agreement! Report Inappropriate Comment

CYCLINGSANDY 8/20/2010 4:36PM

Jesus has won the battle for us! We can stand in His name and proclaim victory right along with him. Report Inappropriate Comment

NORTHWOODSMOM8 8/20/2010 2:26PM

Ladies, PRAISE THE LORD, for such support! I've been praying this for quite some time [maybe over a year], and it feels like it is FINALLY clicking and God is MAJORLY using SparkPeople [since July 12th] to give me the desire of my heart--victory in this area. I still have a big mountain to climb, but WITH HIM, I will stand strong and climb that mountain speaking GRACE, GRACE to it! :-)))) Love and hugs to my precious new friends! Report Inappropriate Comment

SOOKIE 8/20/2010 2:22PM

Amen! We have the victory ... hallelujuah! Report Inappropriate Comment

STARTINGINLIMBO 8/20/2010 1:37PM

Amen!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

VISUALLYRICS 8/20/2010 1:05PM

Amen!! You will have victory! =) Report Inappropriate Comment

URSULA125 8/20/2010 11:55AM

Amen! Yes it will. You are more than a conqueror of your eating anf health habits in Jesus! I'm in agreement with you. Report Inappropriate Comment

JULIEJO39 8/20/2010 11:44AM

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MESSENE 8/20/2010 11:14AM

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DOOBIE893 8/20/2010 11:05AM

I am praying with you! Victory in Jesus. Report Inappropriate Comment

This scripture blessed me today:

Thursday, August 19, 2010

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

URSULA125 8/20/2010 11:57AM

This blessed me, too. I needed this today. Thank you so much! Report Inappropriate Comment

DOOBIE893 8/20/2010 11:06AM

One of my favorite verses! Report Inappropriate Comment

PURPLELVR7 8/19/2010 3:01PM

Awesome - thank you for sharing Report Inappropriate Comment

CYCLINGSANDY 8/19/2010 1:04PM

I will not be afraid or shaken since my hope and trust lies with the Lord my God! He is bigger and more powerful that anything I will ever encounter. AMEN, friend! Comment edited on: 8/19/2010 1:04:38 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

BBGOOGIN 8/19/2010 12:20PM

Awesome Scripture! Thanks for sharing! ~Susan Report Inappropriate Comment

JULIEFRANCES112 8/19/2010 12:00PM

Great reminder. Thanks. Report Inappropriate Comment

CRYSTLE4HIM2010 8/19/2010 11:53AM

Love it, thank you. Report Inappropriate Comment

POLLKAT 8/19/2010 10:16AM

Very true and very comforting. We never have to go it alone!!! YEAH. Report Inappropriate Comment

My tastebuds are changing...

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I've been on SparkPeople now for almost 5 full weeks. When I started, I decided to buy a box of 3 Musketeers at Sams since they were lower in fat and I love chocolate! Well, right away, I felt that it was TOO many calories and I wasn't really interested in eating them for the last 5 weeks--they just sat in the box. Well, today I was WAY under my calories for the day so I thought, "well, I guess I could eat that candy bar", even though I wasn't CRAVING chocolate at all! That was a HUGE mistake! I felt absolutely horrid afterwards and thought I was going to throw up!

It rained all day and finally stopped at 4:15. I quickly grabbed my walking shoes and thought if I went for my 3 mile walk that MAYBE I'd feel better. It helped a lot, but when I got home I felt very weak and thought if I ate some fruit I might feel better. I had a cup of cantaloupe w/blackberries and my stomach is FINALLY feeling better but I don't know if I'm even going to be able to eat supper since it's NOT feeling completely normal yet.

Anyway, this is pretty amazing for this chocoholic!!!!!! Instead of chocolate, I'm really, truly, and amazingly craving healtier fruits and veggies! This is TOTALLY God's grace and I stand in awe of His Spirit empowering me. Thank you, Jesus!

Rejoicing in the victories He gives--not by might nor by power BUT by MY SPIRIT...

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ALLISAMAZING 8/19/2010 11:31AM

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JULIEFRANCES112 8/18/2010 9:06PM

Well I don't see that happening to me anytime soon. Not that I crave chocolate to often but I do love my salty snacks. Can't imagine life without my chips and dip, Which I have faithfully once a week. Just not as much as I use to. I think it's great Susan that you are craving healthy food, good for you! What a good example you will be to your kids. Report Inappropriate Comment

PEGTIGER 8/18/2010 8:02PM

I wish that had happened to me. I do not crave chocolate cake, donuts, and bready stuff like that, but good old Dove Dark Chocolate has a hold on me as much as ever! Report Inappropriate Comment

PURPLELVR7 8/18/2010 7:55PM

Although some of my tastes has changed, the one thing that has not is my love of chocolate. I can still eat too much at a time so I avoid it - at least for now. Report Inappropriate Comment

CASSARM 8/18/2010 7:06PM

That's great! (Not that you feel sick, but that you would rather have the health food). Keep up the great work. Report Inappropriate Comment

WOTABOUTTHIS 8/18/2010 7:04PM

Funny isn't it? Chocolate and sweets now just make me feel physically sick! And I often crave a big plate of stir-fry veg! Report Inappropriate Comment

WOTABOUTTHIS 8/18/2010 7:04PM

Funny isn't it? Chocolate and sweets now just make me feel physically sick! And I often crave a big plate of stir-fry veg! Report Inappropriate Comment

"The Spark" rewards from goals

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Long-term goal reached [after reaching my final weight loss goal]--Manicure and pedicure [this is a HUGE splurge]

Mid-Term Goal [reaching my mid-term weight loss goal of 6#'s by Sept. 27th.]--buy a new top when I reach 152#'s

Short-term goals: When I've either started [some on this list are ongoing] or finished all 5 of the goals: Treat myself to a soaker bath, massage [I have one of those massages that you put in a chair], shave legs/lotion up while listening to soothing music with candles lit and QUIET from my children! :-)))))

This is SOOOOOO fun! I can't believe how motivating it is to do this! I've never made goals like this before. My goals were always 'pie-in-the-sky' type--elusive and vague! This is an excellent exercise and I totally recommend reading "The Spark".

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JULIEFRANCES112 8/18/2010 11:33AM

Good for you for setting goals. I've never set goals I guess I should try it. I am definitely going to buy the spark book. You are doing so well Susan, I'm so proud of you. Report Inappropriate Comment

BLESSEDBYCHRIST 8/18/2010 9:40AM

Best wishes on reaching your goals. Glad you are having so much fun with it. God bless! Report Inappropriate Comment