Healthy Update & Rambling

So it's been on my mind a lot lately to share what's been going on. Obviously I've often alluded to MyFitnessPal (MFP) and I've been running again. All good stuff, but since I think most folks who read my blog don't see me on a regular basis, I thought I'd share what's been going on.

I am overweight. I have been since I ballooned in college and I regret this pretty often. I knew what to do but, just like getting into debt, I chose the lazy, slacker way out. The problem with doing this is it's not a way out, I was just digging a deeper hole.

Happy because of who I'm with, but not happy with myself

I've been married over ten very happy years, and throughout that time, I've tried MANY different things trying to get healthy and lose weight. Weight Watchers umpteen-thousand times, portion control, doing it on my own, eating the same but exercising, blah blah blah. I even tried Atkins last year for four and a half days (I hate that it makes your house smell like meat ALL the time! I couldn't take it anymore.).

Well about this time after Atkins last year, I took a break from it all. I couldn't deal with the feelings of failure and the constant grossness I felt. I wasn't happy with myself, which created more issues for me.

Now before I go on, I must say here that I am only speaking for me and no one else. I just feel that since this is a constant in my life at the moment, it'd be nice to update you all, and put it here on my bloggie since it's a peek into what my life is like at any given moment. I hope you don't read this and somehow feel judged. I hope you don't read this and feel any better than me. I only hope you read this and see how God has been moving in my life and give all glory for it to Him.

Okay, so last summer, my inspiring friend, Meredith, and another no-blog inspiring friend, Raquel, introduced me to MFP. I signed up for it and tried it for a few days and was like, ugh. Who wants to do this?! But around the 4th of July, I ended up reading Candace Cameron Bure's book, which totally changed everything for me (I strongly recommend this book, by the way.). By I think page eight, I realized that food had replaced God on the throne of my heart.

You see, I took pride in the fact that I'm a big foodie. Who ever thought a poor girl from the projects would be so blessed (hear that? foolish Susie.) to be where she lives, with the amazing husband she has, working for the awesome church she does, getting gourmet food magazines, watching food shows on cable, and being able to afford to make these amazing things?! (Turned out to be a huge sin issue.) Once I realized that, of course, I could do nothing but confess and get right about it. Around this time, Hubby decided he was ready to join me on this journey and I restarted using MFP for real.

Our first 5k together; Hubby's first 5k ever!

The jist is this: 35 pounds later for me, I feel like I did in high school, in terms of energy levels and how my face looks. I still have a ways to go in my mind, and I still feel in my head like I'm obese, but in truth, I'm not and I'm learning that if I'm pursuing the healthy path the Lord has for me, then I'm being obedient.

I still have hard moments, lots of them. I do love to bake, after all! But overall, MFP has been the best thing for me. I understand this may not be the best method for everyone, but I for one have found it to be what works. I do not feel deprived- in fact, I feel like I get more treats this way, with none of the guilt. I have always felt more obedient to God when I've been pursuing healthy exercise, namely running, and I've been doing that too. So I've been trying to be obedient is all it really boils down to.

October 2012- Holding apples representing the weight loss so far

Thanksgiving weekend- Hubby has this photo on his iPhone's lock screen

I love talking to anyone I can about this though. Because God is amazing and it's all for His glory. I've been at a plateau for the past three weeks, but I just keep chugging along because I know it's an issue of obedience, and the weight loss is just major bonus.

Kinda looks like a happy mug shot! (last week)

CC hit a major milestone of his own this week, and I'm so proud of him for doing this with me. It's brought us closer and that's always a good thing. One thing that makes me super happy is that we don't just hang out all the time on the couch in front of the TV anymore. We still relax that way often, but it's not all we do. We go for walks, we go OUT. We just get out of the house. I love that!

I had more to share and of course, I can't think of it now. I hate when that happens. But if you have questions or want to talk about this more, feel free to let me know (Make sure I have your email or a way to contact you! Those noreply-blogger emails in the comments section bug the snot out of me because I can't respond to you.). I'm sure you'll be hearing from me more just because it's a natural part of my daily life now, but at least you've been updated!