You are not (likely) the exception.

Everyone has an excuse if they allow themselves to.

I started to list some examples, but that's really not necessary because you are probably thinking of some excuses you have used right now. If you are an outstanding person with no weaknesses or excuses to give, then you are probably sitting there judging everyone who has ever told you an excuse.... The point is we hear excuses EVERY day from EVERY side. You do not have to seek someone with an excuse... they seem to be always present. 

I have always been a fairly content, happy person but I was filled with excuses. These excuses often never left my mouth, but they took up residence in my mind. 

There is an exception to every rule. I honestly believed that I was the exception. My life, my body, was more unmanageable than everyone else's. I worked hard. I always have. That is my personality. Throw my entire being at something and hope and pray that my efforts are not in vain... but they were. Why? I am the rule, not the exception. 

Hard work will complete a project, meet a deadline, and win a contest, but health and wellness is not hard... it is consistent. Okay. Consistency is hard, but not in the same way as all this effort and striving. Consistency is about taking small steps every day. It's about putting in the same effort each day towards your well being. I was used to going all in "until the job is done." NEWSFLASH: The job is never done when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. 

I came home exhausted today. I prepped a healthy dinner for my boys and I, we all ate together, cleaned the kitchen while they colored in the living room, then it was teeth, pajamas, and bed. My FitBit vibrated letting me know I had met my step goal for the day- 9,000 steps... I had not worked out. That was my daily routine. At first I told myself, "That's plenty. I know I planned on working out, but I met my step goal, so that's good." Then I got over myself, got up off the couch, and went to change into my work out gear. 30 minutes. I'm still tired, but being disciplined feels good. 

It is easy to excuse our behavior because someone else can do less with the same or better result. That is easy. This "someone" is the exception. You (most likely) are not. 

"The grass is greener where you water it." I have always loved that! Do not compare yourself to someone else's standards. We are living in our own skin, in our own yard. Care for YOUR body. Water YOUR grass. It is okay to be the rule. If you are, just know I am right there with you. :)

New Year, Same Me

Total Weight Lost: 34 lbs.
This Week: -2.5 lbs.


As I approach 2017, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on my journey through weight loss. I've often heard the saying "New Year, New Me" especially in conjunction with weight loss or fitness goals. This phrase does not sit with me this year. I fully understand that weight loss is partly a physical game. You must eat healthy, well-balanced meals. You should incorporate more activity and exercise. You have to continue the path towards health. Perhaps more than the physical, successful weight loss is a mental battle.

I have already felt the shift from the trying to avoid foods that are bad for me to trying to ensure that I eat foods that are beneficial and fuel my body. Because this shift is already taking place, the new year is not a beginning of the new me, but a continuation of the person I am becoming. That person is healthy, happy, content, and striving.

This week of Christmas, I was approached with two choices: fight and struggle or live. Thanksgiving was the former. I struggled and fought and was MISERABLE! My thought life was crowded by thoughts of how unfair it was that I would have to always eat differently than I used to and my family does. At Christmas, I had all the same yummy food, but the choice to eat well was simpler. I know that my choice to eat well makes me well. Healthy foods produce a healthy life. My choices of what goes in my body effect how I feel inside of my body.

The choices are getting easier and easier. I think that is largely because I feel better and better each day. I had a few glasses of wine over the week, and I regret nothing! HA! I chose in good conscience to have a glass. The choice is what holds the power. I choose to be better this year, this month, this week, tomorrow than I am today. So as we ring in the New Year, I will stay the same. Maintaining my journey to health and choosing daily to live in the best way I can.

Check yo'self

In a perfect world, I would have never become overweight and this process of refocusing my mind towards habits of a healthy lifestyle would all be completely unnecessary. We, dear friends, do not live in a perfect world. Far from it actually; therefore, I must go through this process of mental transition. After a really, really difficult mental week, this past week was smooth sailings for this girl. I was able to regain some momentum and push ahead. Every time a bite of something off program called I remembered the wise words of Ice Cube, "Check yo'self before you wreck yo'self". (Thanks to my Health Coach for making that my mantra!) After a renewed spirit and focus, I stepped on the scale this morning. I was feeling extra skinny and just knew that my diligence would pay off!! I mean, last week I was so unfocused and I lost 3 pounds! The red lights flashed back and forth, my hopes hanging in the balance... -1 lb. ONE POUND!!!!!!

Here's the kicker. I am not upset. Not even a little bit. I feel great. Last week I felt terrible, and the three pound weight loss did nothing for me, but this week... that one pound was enough to let me know that I am progressing and consistency matters.

I am currently in a size 12, where I have spent most of my life. All of my old clothes fit, including my little black dress (size 10) that I bought in college. I am very, very comfortable in this size, at this weight, with these clothes. There lies my next challenge: I have to learn to accept what I've never allowed myself to be.

I am walking into uncharted territory, folks, and these next 20-25 pounds will open up a whole new world to me. I don't even know what that world looks like. I can feel myself getting anxious. I've already lost 30 pounds in 11 weeks.... what is 20 more, right? WRONG! These next weeks of weight loss are different because I can not even imagine the end goal. It's time for me to put on my seat belt, let the top down, and enjoy the ride.

This week, a verse from Job has been circling my mind. Job 11:18 says, "Having hope will give you courage." Yes it will. I am clinging to this hope that I have that I can take back control of my life. That food will not and does not control my actions, motives, and mental space. I have the power and ability to overcome that. And when "my flesh may fail", I know that God will be my rock, upholding all the while.

Here's to a wonderful week leading up to Christmas. May my spirit (and body) be light[er]!

- Bethany

Baggy eyes and clothes.

I am tired.

I mean dog-tired. I would love to paint my situation as glitter and rainbows, but my life more closely resembles that weird brown color that you make when all the watercolors blend together...

While I have felt completely unmotivated and completely exhausted, I have stayed on program. This past week I lost 2 more pounds, bringing me to 16 lbs lost in 7 weeks. I lost 20 lbs since having my boys. Thirty-six pounds total. My goal is to lose 34 more pounds. Although the changes are less dramatic, and my outlook on life is far from dreamy, I will not stop.

My pre-pregnancy pants are fitting very loosely, but the goal is not to get to where I was and stop there. I want to be a healthy, maintainable weight for the rest of my life.

Real change is slow and tedious, but long-lasting. I know this is true, but I am still struggling with feeling 100% in this. I know most of my current feelings are stemming from the fact that I am completely and utterly exhausted. My life feels out of control. My twin 14 month-olds are into everything and have now decided to throw fits... Oh, the fits... and the crying... and the drama. My job is busy and stressful and a lot of days, extremely hectic. All of my relationships are changing because of the whirlwind of my weekly schedule. Life is, honestly, really hard right now.

The only thing that does not seem to be spirally out of control is my diet. I am not feeding myself convent food full of ingredients that I don't need. I am eating according to my plan and staying within my restrictions. If nothing else, I at least have that to remain consistent.

Nothing revolutionary or inspiring... Just me, being tired, but not giving up.