Novel

If you haven't read this blog, you should, this woman is pretty funny. And this particular post on the appearance of weight-loss is fun (but I hope it doesn't offend anyone on this blog). Here's a little excerpt of her How to Look Thinner...Instantly.

"Go to a big-and-tall store, get the biggest pair of pants you can find, and you're in business! Now, wherever you go, just keep those jumbo-drawers handy. If the conversation turns to politics, current events, or the worst possible subject, sports, just stand up-hold up the pants-and drop them on the ground. Everyone will ooh and aaah over how much weight you've lost. (I know you're thinking, wait, but those aren't my pants, but yes, they are! You just bought them. Genius, right?)"

The Witching Hour

This is the time of night when kids start to get nuts, you want to pull your hair out, and all good parenting intentions tend to go out the window. I'm also going to attach this label to that "magical time" when you slow down at the end of the day, taking the first big pause as you sit down to eat dinner, and your appetite and food cravings start screaming at you. It's my curse right now - I'm just gorging on food at this time of day, when I'm allowing myself to pause my focused activities. This is really waking up my appetite, and I'm eating LIKE CRAZY. Help! I need some suggestions for combating my cravings 5pm to bedtime, because I'm just packing on the pounds, and it's starting to scare me...

Loss of Mobility & Reverse Diet

First of all, I've pretty much fallen off the radar in HWHL world, and not likely to resurface for another few weeks, maybe longer. My life is just on overload right now, and I can't spare the time to blog. But I peeked back in today, saw the post on Vertigo, that lead to a quick research of Mystery Diagnosis episodes, which led to this segment on Discovery Health - Escape From Obesity. There are eight segments you can watch. "Extreme Food Addiction" reminded me that I have a not-very-healthy emotional relationship with food right now, because I don't have the mental/psychological energy to fight my cravings and try to deal with my issues in a more healthy way. But I know that I want to do better. I'm still exercising 5 to 6 times a week because it keeps me sane and I HATE, truly HATE the lethargic feeling that I get from being really inactive.

I was in Walmart yesterday, and once again saw another person riding around in the motorized carts, and from outward appearances it seemed like it was for no other reason than loss of mobility due to obesity. Now, that's just a surface judgement and I certainly have no room to critcize, considering the way I've been eating lately, but it just made me sad that a person could give up their mobility for the temporary pleasure of food. And there are so many people in that boat.

Another segment that I liked was "From Big to Bikini". Basically, she started "eating in reverse", or switching her meal order, eating "dinner" in the morning, and ending with "breakfast" at night. In other words, eating the highest calories and bulk in the morning, and gradually tapering that off until a light meal towards the end of the afternoon. That's kind of been the plan I've had in mind for a while, but it's really hard to implement that kind of lifestyle change, because it's hard to give up the comfort of food at the end of a long day. Again, it's about tackling emotional/cultural issues with food.

This will lift your spirits!

Hello ladies!

This fabulous Mindy Gledhill song reminds me of all of you. Hope you feel uplifted, strong and inspired after listening! I couldn't figure out how to imbed it so you'll have to click on the link.

Biggest Loser?

I've never liked that phrase, because it implies that you are less than who you are...but, I have joined a Most lost = Biggest "Winner" contest at my gym!  Weigh in is tonight (Dang!  I don't get credit for that weight I just lost!).  I think we meet our trainers and team members tonight.  I'm excited!  My personal trainer time is 6 AM!  It was the only time that didn't conflict with my current schedule.

I think the grand prize is a total make over, but that doesn't really interest me because I like me just the way I am.  I just want to be healthy!  I think the last time I was at a healthy weight was when my youngest was about 3 (now 13), so it's time.

Glamor shot (sorry about the lines)

I did this glamor shot after I had the twins.  It was fun, but it's not really who I am.

They asked me what my secret wish was...my secret wish is to go water skiing again!  I have kept my slalom water ski in my garage for many years.  I can't remember when I used it last, but I remember the last time I tried water skiing on someone else's ski, I couldn't get up...because of the weakness in my arms and the extra weight.  Last spring I watched a 75 year old man working out so he could ski in the summer!  I learned to ski on my honeymoon 26 years ago at Lake Powell.  My anniversary is August 31st.  Think I can do it?

My first slalom skiing on my honeymoon, Lake Powell

Congratulations Audrey!

You have managed to find the most ridiculous animal picture in existence. Boy howdy, it's a doozy! Thank you for nearly making me laugh milk out my nose.

And here you thought I wasn't paying attention! I'm still reading the blog, but happen to have a lot going on this week, so I haven't been commenting. To catch up: I'm doing great with water, good with writing down all my food, and my new goal for the week is exercising. So far, so good.

Craft weekend was great! I made a baby boy quilt for my expectant niece. (Jenn, don't tell B!) My eating habits, well it coulda been worse. One girl brought this sweet chex mix with craisins, golden grahams and slivered almonds. It's delicious. I've had it before and knew it was a weakness, so I put off eating any until late in the day. Cause once you start, you can't stop.

Also, I got made fun of because I try to send healthy food in my kid's school lunches, and don't let them buy hot lunch. My kids told me that they get teased about their lunches sometimes, but I usually brushed them off with things like, "Be glad you have a mom who cares enough about you to teach you about healthy eating!" Now I'm going to be more sympathetic, cause it doesn't feel very good to get teased! But I'm still not letting them buy nachos or soft pretzels at school.

Mom's Brite Bite #2

The big bad wolf loves the smell of bacon-let's not invite unwanted health problems to the door of our homes.

I like the smell of bacon too! But please let me in your home if I come to visit you...ok?

Vertigo

I have spent the past several days battling vertigo. I cannot drive and exercising is hit or miss as is eating. I went to the doctor on Monday and afterward wish I hadn't because she basically told me to continue what I was doing and wait it out. Oh, and she said if it isn't gone by Thursday I am supposed to call back and she will start me on physical therapy. Seriously!?! I honestly think it is due to sinusitis and that antibiotics would get rid of it. I had something similar 5 years ago and after going through a huge rigmarole of vestibular testing and an MRI they discovered sinusitis. Would have been a heck of a lot cheaper had they just tried antibiotics first.

I must admit as annoying and frustrating as this is I have certainly been blessed. My sweet sister came down on Monday to be my chauffeur and babysitter, my hubby was super helpful in tidying up the house Monday night so it wasn't a total disaster and my sister-in-law called and insisted on bringing in dinner for my family tonight. I don't know how I would be doing without all the help that is for sure.

Anyone else ever had vertigo? How did you get rid of it?

I feel GOOD! Dadadada dah...

Yes, ladies!! I have finally broken the plateu barrier that has plagued me over the past 5+ years!  I was so excited when I got on the scales this morning!  Down 18 lbs from December!

I'm so excited!  And I just can't hide it!!!!!

Thanks for pushing me through this!  You guys rock!!!

Today is an awesome day!  (Happy dance!)

My week away...

Some of you have asked, "How did your week of no technology go?"

#1 I missed all of you!!!
Not looking at blogs was definitely a challenge for me since it has become one of my favorite pastimes! But it was really good for me to focus my energy on things that I usually neglect; like more time in my scriptures and being more productive around the house.

The best part about missionary week was how it affected our family. Monday morning when I walked in at 6:45 the spirit was TANGIBLE! My two oldest kids had already studied their scriptures for 30 minutes and you could FEEL the difference!
To see my kids working so hard to be missionaries and keep the missionary rules by getting to bed on time and keeping their rooms clean was quite a rare and priceless experience!
The kids asked for the opportunity to teach a family night lesson, make dinner, wash their clothes by themselves and searched for ways to serve others.
We all worked on memorizing scriptures together and studied the "Preach My Gospel" manual put out by the LDS church. WOW... what an inspired book!

It was a great week. Personally and as a family I know we felt the spirit more and had a more calm and peaceful home. I have always challenged myself to put the most important things FIRST. This week showed the blessings that abound when you do!
It is a happiness that can come in NO OTHER WAY!
Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Even though I am so glad I can be blogging with all of you again!

Thanks for asking :)

H2Oh!

I did great last week on exercising. I got thirty plus minutes in Monday through Friday. I don't do so well on the weekends, which is ok since I guess I'm allowed two days off. I think it would still be good if I got a walk in on those days though. I'm still struggling with the food journalling though. Some days I do it, but I think I only did it half the time this week. Still a work in progress.

For this week, I'm going to concentrate on increasing my water intake.
Wish me luck!

Getting back to Exercise (and another goofy animal picture)

If there is one thing I have learned in this challenge, it is how quickly I can fall back into old habits. I really need this blog to help keep me on track and accountable. I feel like I am doing much better on the goals I am already working toward (Sleep and Food Journal) but exercise, water, and calorie range seem to have quickly fallen by the wayside. I am trying not to beat myself up about this but it hasn't been easy.

For my next goal I have decided on exercise. I went running outside this weekend for the first time since November (Eek!). It was wonderful. I really hope this nicer weather sticks around because it really makes working out so much easier for me, even if I do have to drag the kids along in the jogger. I am using Marci's suggestion and planning my workouts tonight so they are all set for the week. Wish me luck because I think this week may prove to be the most challenging week yet.

On a side note I have set a goal of losing 10 pounds by my family trip the middle of April. This is a pretty ambitious goal for me especially considering I am currently at a weight that is really hard for me to drop below. It is the weight I was at when I hit a plateau the end of last summer and, well, things kind of went downhill (or should I say upscale) from there.

I am hoping the fact that I will have to wear a swimsuit will help with the motivation on this one but I am trying to stay positive and be happy with whatever I am able to lose (inches included).

Okay, off we go. I hope everyone has a fantastic week.

Happiness

Last fall Melissa mentioned a book she was reading called The Happiness Project. I thought is sounded interesting and picked up a copy for myself. One of the things I liked about the book was that it was broken up into months so I could read it a little at a time. First, I would not categorize this as a self help book. It's a book about someones year of setting goals and trying to accomplish them. However, you can gain prospective and even things you may want to do yourself. Second, I love the fact that she sates she is not unhappy but that she could always be happier. Yes, everyone can always be happier.

I found a wonderful talk given by President James E. Faust entitled Our Search For Happiness. Here is an excerpt that I enjoyed.

As the Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) told us, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, selected by Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 255–56).

The more faithfully we keep the commandments of God, the happier we will generally be.

Although “men are, that they might have joy” (2 Ne. 2:25), this does not mean that our lives will be filled only with joy, “for it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Ne. 2:11). Happiness is not given to us in a package that we can just open up and consume. Nobody is ever happy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rather than thinking in terms of a day, we perhaps need to snatch happiness in little pieces, learning to recognize the elements of happiness and then treasuring them while they last.

Now why do I think this is applicable to Healthy Wife Happy Life? Good question. With the name of the blog including the word "happy" I thought what why does being healthy bring happiness. I think we've all learned over the past year that there is a lot more to it. I know people who thought being thin would bring them happiness and it hasn't. There is a lot to finding happiness. I'm actually impressed by what many of you have chosen as your 30 point challenges over the past year. I think it's helped bring a well roundedness to the healthy aspect.

Healthy to me means, physically, mentally and spiritually. If I'm healthy I'm happier to be around, I'm more willing to serve others, I can have loving relationships with my family and friends. I can come closer to my Heavenly Father. When I'm not healthy I'm down on myself and cut myself off from others and the Lord.

So back to why I brought up the book and why I want to share it with you. She discusses the idea that growth brings happiness. "It isn't just goal attainment but the process of striving after goals-after growth-that brings happiness."

I loved this idea. So often in my life I've looked to the future but when I got there it didn't bring me the happiness that I thought it would. For the past 5 ish years I've really tried living in the now and enjoying life everyday, whatever it may hold.

As we are trying to make healthy choices in our lives now it's important to enjoy what we're doing. To appreciate the growth we are making and learn from our failures. Heavenly Father wants us to be HAPPY! If being physically healthy will help us to that he wants that for us. If by improving our health we can be a better mom, spouse, friend, help us desire to serve others and fulfill our callings at church it is a righteous desire.

The challenge, therefore, is to take pleasure in the "atmosphere of growth," in the gradual progress made toward a goal, in the present.