LIGHTHOUSE23's SparkPeople Blog

"How Not To Bust A Plateau?"

Thu, 1 Sep 2011 20:28:28 EST

FIRST/ Sprain your foot and fracture your toe while walking to the bathroom in the middle of the night. (Note to self- turn on the night-light and remember the bed doesn't move!) 28 Thus, very little walking, and almost no exercise for a month. SECOND/ I encountered my first earth quake! Yes, my west coast friends, I was quite shaken. I can't imagine how you endure. Thankfully, no damage. THIRD/ While waiting for Irene....I didn't pig-out!!! I made a pot of chicken and veggie so...

"Have To Stay Focused"

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:48:15 EST

I just got back from South Carolina. My daughter's wedding was being held there. Wedding preparations, good ole fashioned southern cooking, and stress are not a good combination for someone on a weight loss journey. It's would have been easy to loose all of my sensibilities, but I did not. I kept it to a minimum. Lol

The hotel had an exercise room, I used it daily for at least 30 minutes. I didn't skip meals, boy did I not skip. I ate my fruit and veggies. Had dessert twice in ...

Ever Feel Like Turning In The Towel.....

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 22:05:55 EST

Please, don't!! Like many of you, I've thought about it. Many times. Having been on this site for almost 2 years, I have watched Spark friends come and go. Some have returned, some haven't.

Before we realize it, the stress in our lives can take center stage and knock us right off our journey. It's hard to stay focused when you have life coming at you, at every turn. We have families, careers, financial woes, health issues, etc. LIFE is a part of our journey. It is what it is. We n...

"Not About The Numbers On The Scale"

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:50:28 EST

I walked into my Doctor's office and after exchanging pleasantries, she asked, while holding my current lab results, "What have you been doing?" (8 months ago, I was informed, based on family history and A1C test of 6.7, I was diabetic). Smiling, I answered "Walking." "What ARE you eating?" she asked. I pulled out my food and exercise journal. Previously, I had told her about Spark People. I asked her to hold off on the medication. I believed if I continued to eat well and exercise, my nu...

" Thank You "

Sat, 29 May 2010 13:08:44 EST

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the brave men and women who have served their country, well. Also, I'd like to thank all the brave men and women who are still serving their country. Your dedication and sacrifice have been duly noted and are much appreciated.

A special thanks to my family.. my father, brother, husband, and daughter, who have served, in the Army or Air Force. My son, SGT Jesse, miss you, and be safe!!

To my spark family...May you all hav...

Five Things That I Have Learned On This Journey

Sat, 22 May 2010 22:25:05 EST

#1 I'm well worth the effort.

#2 Keep track of EVERYTHING I eat!

#3 Move my body. Walk, take the stairs, skip, jump, use weights, bands, ball, whatever. Just move it!

#4 Be persistent, yet patient. Find a program that works. Then work it. It's not a one size fits all, type of thing. Everyone is different. It may take a little longer that you thought it would. (4- real) But you will be successful. One step at a time.

#5 Have fun! Don't beat yourself ...

'Progress'

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:21:56 EST

I am supposed to write a blog as a challenge for 'Boot Camp' today. Well, this is it.

I have been with Spark People for 6 months. Love it. This is my first 'Boot Camp' and the first time I have ever tried to incorporate a stability ball into my exercise routine. Walking is my thing. Slow, fast, really fast..not complicated at all. The 'ball', I have to admit has been a bit challenging for me. I have a spark friend who sits on hers while at her desk. Bless her heart. Today was the ...

'The Best Decision Ever'

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:20:57 EST

I almost let it slip by. Then I thought, it's no way I can do that. Why, because it was the main reason I came to Spark People in the first place. I had gained an extra 10 pounds, and needed help to loose it. Well here I am six months later. Down 16 pounds!

One year ago today, I gave up cigarettes. The best decision, ever, and I finally made it! WooHoo!
I could not let this day pass without sharing my feelings on the subject. It was very difficult. Yet, I did it. I have to ap...

"My Spark Friends"

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 15:04:20 EST

A while back a spark friend asked, why I had not blogged. The truth of the matter is...I didn't feel I had anything interesting to blog about. Well, today I had a urge to blog.

I wanted to take this time to give thanks. Thank you, Spark People and all of my Spark Friends. The last 5 months have been amazing. I have met some of the most fun, fascinating and interesting people. You know who you are. 211 T, L, J, L, M,S, R,A,C,G,F, too numerous to mention. You all have he...

'I Love The Fall'

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:01:23 EST

I went outside for my usual morning walk, expecting to feel the cool crisp fall air. So refreshing. Humidity a distant memory. I have always loved the 'FALL.'

Not so this morning. It was COLD. Very COLD. I heard it was going to get a little chilly. Though, in my opinion, going from temperatures in the low 70's to...I need to take a hot cup of coffee with me, on my walk, 52 degrees.... is just wrong.

I have always loved the fall. Though, right now, it feels like w...

Who's Inspiring Who?

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:32:17 EST

I was getting ready for an after dinner walk, when my daughter asked to join me. Surprised. Yep. .and that's an understatement. Needless to say my daughter, granddaughter and my neighbors little girl joined me on a long walk through our neighborhood. We walked through woods, crossed a little creek. You couldn't tell us we weren't hiking. :-) Except for a 10 minute stop at the community play ground, we walked for over an an hour. Everyone said they enjoyed the outing. But I know, I enjoy...

'I Need Your Help Mom'

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:47:38 EST

After serving nine years in the Air Force, my youngest and only daughter, returned to the area. Although, my granddaughter has been in 'Day Care' since she was two months old, she was to begin public school, the day after, Labor Day. My daughter and granddaughter settled in to their new place. She started her new job. Registered the little one for 'Kindergarten'. Then things got a little crazy. My daughter came down with the flu. My husband, and I took the little one home with us, hoping to k...

SLEEPLESS IN VA

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:07:09 EST

Before I joined SP I had a very difficult time getting to sleep. Every morning I had the hardest time getting out of bed. I would press the snooze button at least twice. NOT ANYMORE. I have cut back on the coffee. One cup instead of two. I am walking and lovin it. Exercising and l like it...not there yet. It feels good to get to sleep without tossing and turning and wake up feeling refreshed. I attribute it to my new lifestyle and my new choices. Thanks SP!!

Joining Jillian

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:46:17 EST

I have been exercising with the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred program on exercise t.v. For the past 2 weeks I have huffed and puffed my way through level 1. I am very surprise at how my body has responded. Energy level increase, less winded, etc. So surprised that I have decided to continue and incorporate it into my regular fitness program. Before SP, I never would have even considered challenging by body to that degree. I'd still be working out with my old Denise Austin's tapes. :-) Thank...

A FIRST 4 ME!

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:43:31 EST

It had been a while. I have been really busy. Needed to get it done. I put on my tennis shoes. Got the most comfortable sandals that I own. Put them in my bag. Out the door, I went. Walked past my car and headed towards the shopping center. Twenty- two minutes later, I had reached my destination. The nail salon. Went In, got my mani and pedi and walked back home. Now that was a first, for me! Yea, I am incorporating exercise into my life style!! Now that is what I call progress. Gotta keep ...

TWENTY DAYS!

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:00:43 EST

Today was the day. I pulled It out from under my bed. (It's old home was the bathroom). Since our relationship, waned, It needed a new home. I could not bring myself to look at It every day. Try to understand, before my new weight loss journey, It's main function was to blend in with the decor of the bathroom and occasionally let me know how much I weighed, if I asked. Well, when It stopped being honest with me, no it wasn't broken, It had to go. Simple as that. Back to this morning, I step...

I want to see it.

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:35:42 EST

I made a comment on a blog today about my bathroom scale. The truth is I don't like it anymore. I always found it to be reliable. I gain weight, it would let me know. I lose weight , it would let me know. Simple. Now, not so simple. Don't get me wrong. I can tell that I have lost an inch here and there. Clothes not quite as tight. I do measure. It's been a little over a month since I started SP, and I have been really sticking with the program. So why is it, my scale is no longer my buddy? I'...