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