Climbing Faster

My husband snapped this image early one morning as I strolled toward the sunrise on a beach in Freeport, Texas. I could not have known that this image would express so many different feelings about my life. I used it on my book cover,  Walk In The Light and have used it many times since it was taken last year. Now I am using it to give a visual expression of the change that has come into my life. I am literally walking away from my old life and a wonderful new beginning is just ahead of me. I have never been so excited in a very long time. Oh yes...I have lost eleven pounds in the past two and a half weeks...and counting! God is truly a miracle worker. I am running towards the future with my torch in my hand! God is great!

Climbing Higher

A little less than two weeks ago I shared my testimony with you about how God had delivered me from my food addiction. I realize that many of you may doubt. I understand that. I just wanted to update you on what is happening because it is truly marvelous. I have lost 8 pounds during the past 2 weeks and I am NOT on a strict one meal a day diet or anything like that. I am eating between 1200 and 1500 calories per day with a little slip up on the 4th! I have the knowledge to eat properly and with the help of God I am making better choices for my health. Oh...and this afternoon my glucose level was a smashing 109! Yes...God is truly amazing! I have not felt so good in a long time. Stay with me as my journey gets more interesting. I am continuing to add water and mean to make exercise a REGULAR part of my lifestyle. I am excited. TGBTG

Climbing With Purpose

Yes, that is me and my younger sister some time ago! I decided that it is time to look way back into the past when I really did have energy and willpower to control my life. I can honestly say that today is the third day of the rest of my life. It feels good to have made the decision and actually act on that decision in spite of the fact that Brother Neyland had to (figuratively) put a knife to my throat. God has a way of holding you accountable and I really need to be held accountable for controlling my lifestyle. My testimony is that God immediately took away my excessive, impulsive need to eat more than I need. I know that it is not clear sailing but I also know that my God is a deliverer and this is MY time to be delivered. I have backslid many, many times and now the time for change has arrived. Wish me well as I really start my climb. Keep me in your prayers.

Climb Day 78 Free Fall

In spite of the water drinking and push ups I can't seem to get it under control. What is wrong with me? I feel like I am looking up through a dark hole when I think about my weight and health. I am not particularly depressed about my life as a whole but my weight management is dragging me down. I am in free fall. Things will be better tomorrow. How to make a clean start? I am not getting ahead.

Climb Day 58: Water, Water, Water

I am drinking a lot more water. This is a good thing. As the temp rises out side I keep drinking more water. The inside of my body has never been so clean! Again! This is a good thing. I am ahead of the game.

Climb Day 48 Almost Sugar Free

This one I resisted but it was Easter at Glenda Marshall's home. Well... two days with sugar out of six is not bad for a beginner. I managed to stay sugar free for two-thirds of the week so I am ahead. I am continuing to boycott sugar as long as I can. It is bound to make a difference in my life as I move forward. It was the mini chocolate donuts that wandered into the house without my permission that brought me down! Today I am sugar free and that is something!

Climb Day 44: Still Sugar Free

I may dream of chocolate but I am still sugar free!  Yesterday was ok without sugar, today is not as easy but is half over and I am still sugar free! My mind is made up and I am fighting one battle at a time and this week is the battle for control over sugar in my life.  No More Sugar! No More Sugar... at least until I have it under control! 

This picture is of the groom's cake at the wedding of my son and daughter-in-law  Derek and Janice Mireles who were married in... well I can't remember but I think it was 2006. Help me out here kids!

Climb Day 41: Me

Sometimes you wonder why you cannot get your act together. It is normal to be a little depressed at times and I know that. I do not have the answers to my dilemma.  God is my refuge and my portion.

Climb Day 15 Scales

I admit I felt pretty bad last week when I got on the scales and found I had gained two pounds. It was a real bummer. Today things are looking better and the changes I am making every day are working. I found today I lost a little over 4 pounds so my 15 day Climb is on track. I am jumping for joy!!!!!!!!! Those are not my feet but they could be. hahahahaha! Need to walk again today!

Climb Day 9

This was me when I was nineteen years old. I did gain a few pounds through the years but this was me for a great many years of my life. Yes, I see the big hair...I still have it! I am managing my food pretty good although I have not got it totally under control. I see that things are changing and that is a good thing. Still working on getting my exercise in. Time is against me but I will get it together.

Climb Day 5...Breakfast

Breakfast is an important meal to me. I really do not care about my food for the rest of the day but I need a hearty breakfast to get me started. So should it be bacon and eggs which I love...or cereal which I do NOT love?  I know this is about choices and I have already given up the toast, biscuits, english muffins, etc. Compromise is not easy!!!!!
I really need to start thinking about exercise. I already know I need to walk...duh!  Water!!!!!

Climb Day 3

Finding a decent picture is a nightmare. You keep looking for something to make you look good...or at least not so fat! The truth is that I work hard but people cannot see me for the extra pounds I carry around. The sad part about it is that I did not have this problem or this look when I was young. The first thirty years of my life was lived as an average size person with a mild problem with my weight!

How did this happen? My children and their spouses never met the real me. This is going to change now. Life is to short to surrender to my lack of discipline. The word gluttony comes to mind. To me it is a dirty word. I do not know that woman in the picture. God is my refuge and Strength!

Climb Day 2

 Christmas 2009 with my beautiful granddaughter Brittany

My feature picture was taken at Christmas 2008. At that time my weight was at an all time high. After seeing this picture and some others I decided to make another attempt at weight loss.  During the following year I watched my intake diligently and managed to lose 15 pounds. Unfortunately, I lost my focus but I kept the fifteen  pounds off.

I feel good about changing my habits but I found out in the past year that I am gluten intolerant so I am also trying to live gluten free. I battled pizza last night and Shipley's donuts this morning... It is not easy with guests and all kinds of food in the house. 

Still, today is a good day and I feel good about myself for getting off to a moderately good start! On to tomorrow!

A Long Climb

My sister suggested that I begin a journal to record my climb out of the cycle of diet, lack of exercise, and over eating that has overwhelmed my attempts to bring my weight under control for half of my life. I can never remember a time when I was not on a diet,  but I was never morbidly obese until a life crisis of death in the family and divorce with the ensuing problems sent me plummeting into  the depths of despair. All this happened many years ago during my late thirties.  My family issues were resolved but the weight problems lingered until today.

Words are hard to find to explain the aggravation and self loathing that accompanies the failure of controlling one's own self. I cannot claim ignorance. I am a reader and researcher, and a professional woman. I understand everything I need to know about calorie counting, portion control, counting carbs for my diabetes, and the need for exercise and drinking adequate amounts of water. I feel that should be stated right up front. 

As a prayer minister it is especially distressful that I seemingly cannot bring my body under control. This has to stop. It stops today!

These words will be my watchword!  Philippians 4: 13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I promise to keep my maunderings short and to the point in the hope that we will learn and be successful together.