Teresa's Ponderings

I woke up around 4 this morning unable to go back to sleep. This happens often and I usually lay there for a good hour attempting to slow my heart rate and breathing to lull my body back to sleep. But occasionally I know that it is the Holy Spirit awakening me for a reason. This morning was one of those times. As I unbundled myself from my cocoon of blankets, I made my way to the rocking recliner and spent some time in prayer.  It wasn't very long before I knew the reason I was awakened at such an early hour.  After prayer, I took time to do my morning devotions and chose a new reading plan for the upcoming year. Years ago, the pastor of our home church challenged us to read the Bible through in a year and I have done it almost every year since. There's even been a year or two that I read it through twice. This isn't a study of God's word, simply an ingesting of it; kind of like taking a daily vitamin. It is something I need on a daily basis and the days I don't can

This week was tough. I definitely didn't earn the .6 pounds I lost according to the scale this morning. I found myself binge eating for no apparent reason. 🤷‍♀️ Of course, we hadn't seen the sun in a week. That never helps me.  Monday I began reading Lysa Terkeurst's book, "I'll Start Again Monday." It has been incredibly encouraging and a good reminder of all the things I already know, but have been ignoring.  I FINALLY was able to hike. I don't think I've hiked at all this summer. The woods are definitely my happy place. Who knew we had such incredible views in Ely? I looked back over my weight loss log and discovered I weigh today the exact same I weighed this time last year. Talk about discouraging. I'm back in a position to lose weight that I've already lost. I had such high expectations for this coming year and I failed. Obviously goal setting is not a motivating factor for me.  I feel like I'm in a much better mental state than I wa

  Isn't that a beautiful sight? It's been a couple weeks since I last wrote. Since my last post I have been on another canoe trip, done a soft start to the school year, resumed working at the bakery, and quit trying to lose weight 3 or 4 times.  The canoe trip was absolutely wonderful. It's so hard to get together with friends at this stage of my life, so this trip was particularly wonderful. We rested and relaxed for 5 days.  We floated on rafts Played games Spent time meditating and reflecting on God's word. Hanging out (literally) Had a couple campfires Watched a sunrise and sunset... Or four And just spent time building friendships that can get pushed aside with the busyness of life, kids, and jobs.  It was refreshing and so desperately needed.  But since I've been back I haven't tried very hard to lose weight. In fact, I'd say I've done quite the opposite. It wasn't a shock when the scale showed a weight gain.  What is shocking, is my lack of mo

After last meeting's slight gain I was determined to stay the course. I didn't want to get down and depressed over a .2 gain, which could be contributed to so many things, but especially the salty dinner I had the night before, and I didn't want to throw my current progress away because of a week long canoe trip, which would have been easy to do (Can you say, "s'mores?"). I'm working hard to build a lifestyle that I can sustain. That's important to me. Extreme food restrictions and radical exercise isn't feasible.  It was a windy, cold start to our trip, contrary to what this picture shows. Thankfully, this portion of Birch Lake was protected. We used our backpacking gear and went with a backpacking mentality with food also. Next Mile Meals makes wonderful Keto friendly meals that I truly enjoy, so dinner was easy. I prepackaged my shakes and simply added water for my breakfast. Lunches consisted of English muffins and peanut butter and jelly. I ne

I'm pretty proud of the choices I made this past week, especially considering there was a holiday thrown in there. With the 4th being on a Tuesday, it felt like celebrations started on Friday and just kept going.  I didn't eat or drink anything I'd regret the next day. I exercised regularly and can tell I'm getting stronger, especially in my arms.  I did end up gaining two-tenths of a pound. It is what it is and I'm planning on staying the course. My clothes are getting loose again and that's what matters to me most.  I won't be reporting next week. Curt and I are going on a canoe trip. I'll b back in 2 weeks to report in. 😊 View from a friend's dock. Just need a thumbnail. 😁

Every single thing I do is a choice. Watch TV or clean the kitchen? Go for a walk or scroll Facebook? Snack because I'm hungry or drink some water and wait to see if it's truly hunger? Drive to the store or throw on my backpack and hoof it? Choices are everywhere, everyday, sometimes each minute.  This week I made good choices. I walked 15,000 steps almost everyday. I added yoga and running to my exercise routine. I ran the stairs instead of sighing and sludging up them. I chose to make 10 trips to the garage when I could have piled up my arms and made one or two. And the biggest change of all? I put eating in its proper place. It's a necessity, not my source of enjoyment and happiness. The question is, can I sustain these choices? I lost 2.2 pounds this week. I worked hard for those 2 pounds. Really hard. My body hurts from the added movement and there are days that I'm super hungry at night.  Only time will tell. ♥️ I'm only posting a picture for a thumbnail. This

I haven't been to a TOPS meeting since the first week of April. Between work, parents visiting, and illness, I've had plenty of excuses to not attend. And the truth is, I haven't really cared to have the dedication to say no. To anything and everything. The resulting 7 pound weight gain isn't exactly a shock.  I knew I had gained at least 4 pounds, but I hadn't stepped on a scale in over 6 weeks. I'm just thankful the resulting gain is only 3 pounds more. So, what am I doing to get back on track? Well, I think a better question would be what were you doing to get so far off track, Teresa? 1) Too much emphasis on meals 2) Too many "cheat" moments  3) Too many high calorie, zero payback foods/drinks 4) No accountability  5) I quit caring The truth is, since my mother-in-law died, I haven't cared much for my health. I know I need to, but I truly haven't cared.  So, today is a new day. No more tracking weeks or days in a row for weight loss. Today

This week I really focused hard on training for the upcoming hiking season. I've extended my time on the treadmill and upped the amount of "hills" I'm doing. I've tried to do 90 minutes at level 3 on the glute buster or hill interval selection and 45 minutes on level 4 of the same. I alternate every other day with these two settings. The level 4 puts my walking speed at 3.6, which doesn't sound like much, but the incline will range anywhere from 5 to 7, depending on which program I am doing. Walking 3.6 on an incline is a good workout for me right now. I generally don't hike at that pace and the incline does a decent job of simulating a hill/mountain.  I continue to check off boxes in my pursuit of "50" this year. I went hiking with a friend on Saturday and the area was much hillier than I expected.  The day before I had done my most intense workout so far and by the time the hike was done, I was wiped.  Curt and I chose that day to clean out the

 I stayed the same. I was worried about a gain, so I took off my socks when I weighed in and that's the only reason I didn't end up with a gain.  I've worked out hard this past week. I added in arm strengthening exercises because I have an all girls canoe trip in August and I want to make sure I'm in the best shape I can be for it. On the opposite days I am focusing on keeping my heart rate raised for long periods of time to train for multiple hiking days. I'd really like to tackle the SHT this fall.  We walked out to the pictographs after church on Sunday. It was rough walking because the top layer of snow has seen a lot of melting and freezing cycles, but I felt strong doing it. That's all for today. Catch up with you all next week 😘.

I'm beginning this blog on Monday, March 20. I wish I could bottle how I feel today and bring it out for a "sip" whenever I'm struggling or want to make poor choices. I woke up feeling stronger, both physically and emotionally. For the first time in weeks it feels as if I've lost some inches on my body. That's empowering. I've gotten more accustomed to the portion sizes with the Jenny Craig meals and I'm working towards being able to recreate a few aspects of the program as well as the portion sizes. It's too expensive to continue for very long.  Thursday Woke up early and went to workout. Today is a busy day and if I don't go first thing then I'm afraid I won't be able to get one in.  Working out and then weighing causes me to be heavier on the scale. I don't know why this is, but it's the oddest phenomenon. I still lost 1.2 pounds this week, even with weighing after working out. Pretty pleased with that. I'm still 4 pounds

 This week I focused on sticking to the Jenny Craig food and being active. I hit my step goal every day and even tried downhill skiing.  It really does feel better when I'm moving more.  I had to weigh in early today because my boss is on vacation so I'm working Thursdays until she's back. I'm pretty pleased with my 3.8 pound weight loss.  I'm not sure how long I will stay on Jenny Craig. I struggle with the types of food I'm eating, especially the amount of cheese, but it is definitely helping me to establish smaller, more frequent meals. I love that.  Next week's goal is to stay the course. ♥️

I haven't done so well since last December. With Curt's mom's death I just can't seem to get it together. I've managed to gain 4 pounds since the beginning of the year. I know why, I just need to turn my will power around.  This week I am beginning Jenny Craig. Tomorrow I receive my first set of meals. I'll still have to cook for Curt and the kids, but this will get my portions and snacking under control. The best part, I just have to pop something in the microwave and boom, done.  I had a wonderful time in Florida for my mom's birthday. I tried new foods and took walks on the beach every morning ♥️. Here's to better choices and more will power this next week. 😊