So here's a bit of a start...

I need to lose about 80-100 lbs (don't know what my 'perfect weight' is since it's been about 17 years or so since I've been anywhere close) and I don't want to just do the next 'fad diet'. I need to make a lasting change.

I've been noticing more health issues in just the past couple of years that really need to be resolved. My biggest complaint really is just feeling tired, run-down, and feeling like I'm always forgetting something. I'm also tired of avoiding cameras, mirrors, and swimsuits.

My biggest concern with success at the moment is financial. I'm not certain I will be able to afford most or any of the supplements, and I know I can't only purchase organic items right now. I will still try to make the best of it and do what I can.

Anyway, it's a new year a it's time for this wife and mother of two to focus on just being a healthy woman of God. That way I can be sure I'm giving my best to my family too.

I ask God's blessing on this endeavor. And I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Well I got the chance to weigh myself today and I was a bit skeptical that I had lost more than a pound or so. I didn't do the full 10 day cleanse (the soup or perfect cleanse). It was just getting to be too much for me after 4 days.

Maybe the spring cleanse will last a little longer for me...

Anyway... when I weighed myself I was SO excited to see that I had lost 6 lbs! I haven't lost that much weight that quickly for a long time. It's giving me a push to continue moving and eating better.

Well I gave in and bought a scale (just a cheapie one from Wallyworld) to keep track of my progress at home. I entered my weight today based on that scale which reads about 9 lbs less than the one I was using at work (I think some of that has to do with clothing too not just the scales).

I think I'm still worried that this won't work... in spite of seeing and feeling results. I guess I've been burned so many times by so many different 'diets' that I just have become very skeptical. I'm still sticking with it though as best as I can.

I still cannot afford to purchase organic foods, so I'm trying to keep it as close to that as I can. I've started making purchases from the local co-op and that's been good for supplementing my family's veggie/fruit needs.

I've been using the Perfect Meal for my snacks and that really does fill me up (and boy do you have to drink it quick!), but I don't know that the xylitol sweetner agrees with me totally. I'm hoping to switch to using the fucoProtein bars instead. I know they're a little bit pricier than the Perfect Meal right now, but I figure I should still try that instead.

Onwards and downwards (on the scale that is)...

Well I just realized I hadn't 'checked-in' for a little while, so I thought I would... Things have slowed down to a crawl for me. I had a rough week last week between not being able to eat what I needed to (got stuck eating pizza at a weird time which messed up the rest of the day) to then have to deal with cravings and also not being able to get any exercise time in due to lack of sleep.

I will say though, that in spite of having a rough week I have managed to NOT gain any weight. So I'm going to take that and hold onto that at least :) 

That's it for now... just getting back to my routine and trying to keep up the schedule. :)

Well I think I fixed the weight tracker (except for the spike which I can't seem to figure out where that's coming from...) to reflect my actual start weight based on my home scale vs. the one at work... so I think I've now lost 12 lbs. And that is amazing considering that I haven't been able to stick to the plan 100%. I've been trying to stay consistent with the Fucothin at least. I still can't afford to purchase and use all of the recommended supplements as the book suggests, but I'm trying to stick with it the best I can.

I've found goat cheese to be a really nice complement to my salads. It's very creamy, which makes it very satisfying. I've also tried making a smoothie using a recipe (only slightly modified--still don't have all the recommended ingredients) in Patient Heal Thyself. That is also VERY satisfying (very creamy and very filling) when using the coconut milk. I had no idea what to do with coconut milk before and I hope to be able to make my smoothies with that more often. It was OH SO yummy! :)

Again, I know I'm not sticking with the program 100%, but I have also been trying to incorporate more exercise into my routine. (Of course things like unexpected fire drills at work help--I'm on the 6th floor) I've actually been able to get past a light jog and into a run (briefly) this week. So I know I'm making progress even if it is still a little slower than I would like (instant would be my preference ;)  ).

Well I really just can't believe I'm still losing weight. I've really been struggling to keep on schedule and keep away from extra calories from bread, pasta, pizza, etc. ... I have been trying to step up the exercise a little bit more too. 

It hasn't been easy staying away from those extra calories either... not when the department I work under is known for always having food available! (Not exaggerating!! For example, I showed up to work a few weeks ago to find a box of donuts left on my desk as a 'thank you' from another dept for my help!) Or when I have errands to run and it takes longer than I'd like and I have to find something to make do with for a meal--still not good at preparing ahead of time for such occasions.

I think I've officially dropped one pant size. I went into my usual store to find out if I had done that or not and I actually had. I was quite surprised (in spite of most of my pants becoming baggier :) ).

On a side note... I have been noticing myself becoming very crabby and irritable with others this past week. I think I might have too many stressors in my day that I cannot resolve at this time.  There's also a slight possibility that I'm coming down with a cold (though I'm trying my darnedest to fight it off). I hope I'm not, because that would certainly hinder my ability to keep working at getting more exercise into my schedule/routine.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates (lol!) :)

*a stone is 14 lbs for those who might not know :) :) (makes it seem like there's less to lose and that more has been accomplished for sure! :) )

Well I think the Fucothin is doing its job... I seem to be seeing more progress around my middle. (To this point I've noticed most of my weight loss to be in my arms and my derriere.)

I went to the store where I've bought all my clothes for quite some time now due to my size and tried on some clothes to see how close I've come to losing a dress size. And to my surprise and encouragement I am actually down one dress size. I've resolved though to wait to go shopping for new clothes until I lose just a little bit more. I can't wait too much longer than that though because my work clothes are already falling off of me. (I have to pin most of my pants to keep them up now!)

I still haven't been sticking to the plan 100%. I've been having my smoothies in the mornings (either made with kefir or coconut milk, depending on what I have) and salads for lunch (loaded with lots of wonderful things like fish, avocados, goat cheese, tomatoes and carrots) and trying to stick with good stuff for dinner. That's probably the toughest meal for me right now. We (my husband and I) have a long commute (at least an hour one way) and by the time we get home it's nearly time to put children to bed (so much for family time right now!) and we just feel hurried to make something quick for everyone to eat before getting kids rushed off to bed. (I'm praying that this situation will change soon) But in spite of that I'm still maintaining and slowly losing.

I've been fighting a cold this week (seems to really be going around!) and haven't been doing any cardio to avoid exacerbating my cough. I plan to get back to it though as soon as I get it kicked. I've been trying to stick with stretching and light pilates moves in the mean time.

More updates to follow. I hope everyone is keeping up with the plan and doing good!! :)

Well I know I haven't posted for quite some time, but I think I just resolved myself to not post any more until I was able to break 200 lbs. And this time it's going to stay broke!! :)

I've had a few ups and downs, but I think that cold really knocked me back on my routine more than I thought it would. I'm still struggling to eat well and get my exercise in, but I'm sticking with it--which is THE most important part.

I've been able to replace most of my wardrobe for the time being with clothes that don't fall off of me :) :) :) and with the exercise that I've been doing I've been finding muscles beginning to reappear and flab become less flabby!! YEA!!!

I didn't do the Spring Cleanse listed in the book, mostly due to fighting with Candida symptoms. But I hope to try to do some type of cleanse soon. I recognize the benefit of it from the last one in January.

Well I hope to continue posting updates and I will try to get a new picture up too.

Hang in there and keep pressing on!!