Something has to give

With chaos swirling all around me...summer passing by quickly...adjusting to the new role of  a pastor's wife...maintaining a big house...mothering 3 extremely energetic boys...being a wife to one wonderful hard working man...store owner...blogger...social media admin for several subject...being the hostess with the mostess...SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE! Yes...I meant all caps. Yes...I meant to shout.

On the top of that list is my weightloss rollercoaster. This "ride" has stalled out at the top of one of the rollercoaster peaks. Do you know what it feels like to be dangling at the top of the rollercoaster wondering when it is going to break free. Fear that it is going to come crashing down very soon. Excitement that is is just going to break loose and continue on like normal...wondering if you are going to have to be rescued from the top of that rollercoaster and shimy down a steep ladder???

That is where I am at. Hanging on for dear life! I haven't completely lost it. If you remember I started this let of the journey at 240.8 pounds in January and got down to 210.8 for a 30 pound loss. Then the first week in April I went on a glorious 8 day vacation with my husband. My routine was disrupted. I have only completed 2 miles on my elliptical machine since March 31st! Yowzer! Eating has been out of control. I went from eating barely a morsel of starches and sugars  or dairy to craving them and sneaking them every chance I can get! I am sure you are expecting me to say that I have gained all the weight back...thankfully I have not. There is still hope. As of this morning I am at 213.4 pounds. So stinking close to crossing over into the ONEderland world..yet so far away!

Yesterday I called my husband in the middle of the day. I told him that I was out of control. That I needed saved from myself. That I wanted a do-over. I can't keep up with my little boys while being sluggish and hopped up on sugar.

So my awesome amazing husband came home. I went to bed at 4:00 in the afternoon and slept all night long. I didn't eat anything else the rest of the evening....just got up and chugged water a few times.

I also signed a contract...with myself...it goes as follows...

1. I will go to bed by 9 PM every night unless it is a special occasion
2. I will get up at 6:00 AM to work out and do devotions
3. Eat a ton of veggies and fruits
4. Order groceries every Monday & Thursday to have fresh produce available
5. Journal every day on the 100 Pound Loser Facebook group at 8:30 PM or before bed.
6. Reach goal weight of 185 by Allume Conference time in 14 weeks.

X...signed...Janelle L Miller

This morning I got up at 6:45....will definitely need to set an alarm and not rely on my husband. I worked out on the elliptical..did my devotions...cooked eggs for myself and the boys for breakfast. At 9:30 we had a fruit smoothie (no sugar added) and at 11:30 I made a heeping bown of veggies, chicken, and almonds sauteed in a little evoo and drizzled with fresh lemon juice.

Off to a good start! If you are heading to Allume in October...or you would just like to join me in this 14 week goal...reply in the comments on this post and include your email address. 

Here we go again!

{10} Things I am doing to lose weight

At the beginning of January I topped out at 240.8...again....

as of today, I am at 217. That is a loss of 23.8 pounds. I can't wait to hit the 215 mark....and then the 200...and then I am going to bust out of the 200 jail!!!

I get asked the question...What are you doing to lose the weight?...quite often...

so let me take you through a few ways I am losing the weight.

{1} I am getting up and moving. Instead of not doing any exertion whatsoever beyond daily norms. This picture was taken after coming in from playing in the snow with my 4 year old. Where I actually played, not just stand there and watch him play while I count the minutes until it is time to go back in. I mean, ran in the snow, played with the dog, shoveled a tunnel, built a snowman....built memories. I have done this several times this winter

 

    
{2} When I have to be out of the house, I make healthy choices for food. This place in DesMoines we found is a hidden treasure! It is a Juice bar called Fresh. They juice fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and make healthy meals like this meal you see here....but more on this place coming soon!

 

Here is another healthy eating out option. Jimmy Johns offers an "unwich". You can take any of the regular sandwiches on the menu and turn it into an unwich...they just replace the bread with large leaf lettuce. Another great thing is that you can go to their website and calculate how many calories are in what you ate! More on this later as well...

  

{3} At home I make healthy choices. My diet mostly consists of salads, fresh homemade versions of juicing, fruits (my favorites are braeburn apples or ruby red grapefruits plain), chicken, or eggs. I hardly every carbohydrates, dairy, or processed foods. One thing I have not given up on is my hazelnut or french vanilla International Delight coffee creamer. I drink the full fat regular kinds. I am not willing to give it up. It is my favorite part of every morning.

  

{4}When I prepare foods for parties or gatherings I don't just throw everything in without thinking. I deliberately think about each ingredient and its calorie impact on the food. I made these deviled eggs with plain greek yogurt instead of all the usual fillings. I used fresh dill and some Dijon mustard for flavoring. They weren't too bad. I calculated the calories to be 44 calories for each half of a egg. 

  

{5}Around the house....on my kitchen island I have this sign...reminding me to drink water! Some days I am great at getting all of my water in...other days not so much! But this constant reminder helps me!

 

 

{6}Pushing myself out of my comfort zone...I am pushing my body places it has never been! This picture was taken right after I had completed 10 continuous miles on my elliptical! 

  

{7}My octane elliptical....It has been a God send! Purchased on February 12th and it sits in my living room upstairs where I am with the boys most days. I didn't shove it in the basement...or take decorating into consideration. I put it where I knew I would have no excuses. This picture was today at the end of my 75 minute workout...8 miles! I also push myself with the level. I never do a level 1. I generally go between level 2 and level 5. I spend the most time on level 3. The Octane is a little different motion than the normal elliptical's..in that its motion is as close to jogging as any of the elliptical's offer. This brand is endorsed by Bob Greene who is Oprah's trainer. I purchased it from 2nd Wind in DesMoines.

 

I started logging my miles on February 13th. In 35 days I have completed 102.65 miles on my machine! Woah! 

 {8}Calorie counting....this is how I keep track of what I am eating and make sure I stay on track. I use the free website MyFitnessPal I am able to calculate my calories and add in my exercise, in addition to tracking my weight loss and connect with others to get and give motivation.

{9}Measuring. I just started measuring my body March 1st. I measure my waist, hips, bust, and upper thighs. In just 20 days I have lost over 9 inches!!! I so wish I had taken measurements back when I started! I am down 3 pant sizes already!

{10}Last but certainly not least...my online support group. You can read more about why the group was started here. Two reasons this is good for me. #1, leading the group gives me motivation to keep at it and stay focused. #2, I have a private place to talk out frustrations or excitements with other people who are going through the same journey! I really love these groups! Yep...I said groups. I manage one group...and then I was invited to be a part of 2 others. All women from different areas and backgrounds...if 1 group is good...surely 3 is even better! I can't get too much support on this journey!