Life's Little Truths

I love Spring!

I try very hard to make people feel loved and special (even when they don't deserve it). 

One day I hope they decide to pass it on to someone no matter how they feel about that person. 

Pay it forward.

I'm so glad that the right choices I made years ago have finally landed me right where I am now. 

I thank God everyday for the life that I have.  

I have no doubt in my mind where I'd be right now, had I chosen differently.

Yep, had to learn this one the hard way. 

(Its hard when you watch someone you love still trying to learn it)

So true.

What NOT to say..

I've heard every single one of these statements come out of someone's mouth before.  This is a perfect example of what not to say to a parent who's miscarried.  Karla spells it out perfectly.  (Click here to read Karla's story)

Thank God, I have never experienced such loss, but I would hope that my family and faith in God would help pull me through even the darkest of days.

I have family members and close personal friends who have had miscarriages.  I didn't know what to say at the time and still don't know that I'd say and or do the right thing today.  I think sometimes there are just no real words that will comfort someone, but if we're careful saying the wrong thing doesn't have to cause them even more pain.

God bless Karla, her husband and their unborn baby.  I hope she can be an inspiration to us all.  Please be mindful of what you say to people suffering such a loss. 

Pork... Are you outraged?

U.S. factory farms confine millions of breeding sows (female pigs) for nearly their entire lives inside tiny crates so small the animals can't even turn aroundThese intelligent, social animals can't turn around or walk, let alone perform many of their other most important natural behaviors. They’re moved to a different crate to give birth, and then are soon re-impregnated and put back into a gestation crate for the cycle to repeat. This happens several times until the pigs can’t reproduce at a profitable rate any longer, and the pigs are then sent to slaughter. It’s hard to imagine a more miserable life.

 The HSUS has worked to pass laws to ban gestation crates in 8 states: Ohio, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, and Oregon. Bills to ban gestation crates are currently pending in Delaware, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey and New York. Many retailers—Harris Teeter, Wolfgang Puck, Burger King, Wendy's, Red Robin, Sonic, Subway, and Safeway among them—have taken steps to move away from pork from producers that use gestation crates. Smithfield, the largest U.S pig producer, has announced a plan to end its use of gestation crates in company-owned breeding facilities by 2017. And Cargill, the nation's eighth-biggest pig producer, has stated that more than half of its sows are no longer confined in gestation crates.

 Personally, I will sponsor these businesses that don't use pork from companies/farmers that use gestation crates. The Humane Society shines a bright spotlight on the abuse of pigs in the pork industry by conducting investigations at factory farms and videotaping what conditions are really like for these animals. For example, in December 2010 we released an investigation into Smithfield, the country’s largest pork producer, showing extreme abuse of animals. Just take a look at these photos and make up your own mind.

Where do you want your next pork chop, ham, bacon, or sausage to come from.... ??

Where did your lunch come from?

So very true!

I know people like this!!

What I'm thinking today...

This is so true right now... I'm working hard toward my goal and I know I see it in my future...

Sometimes I feel just like this little bird, it's a balancing act and I'm trying to stay on top of it all. 

God help me through this!

I've had so many people tell me that I need to reward myself once a week (with food), or let's throw a party when you lose all your weight.  I know they mean well but the last thing I want to do is reward myself by eating, because it's what I've always done and that's partly to blame for the issue I am having today.  I have to change my way of thinking.  I need to learn to reward myself with a pair of earrings, a bracelet or necklace.  Maybe even a nice pair of running shoes.  I can't buy clothes yet, because I'm still losing and in my opinion that's just throwing money away.  One of the things I've been doing lately is trying on jewelry that didn't fit before and it fits now.  I've been getting clothes out of storage that now fit me and that' feels really good!  So yeah, no food as a reward!!

I've always known the world was a better place with me in it.  I don't have doubts about that statement, but sometimes I really do feel very much alone in my weight issues.  

There's a picture going around on Facebook that says "If you can't be skinny, then let your closest friends be FAT.  I would never make a wish like that.  I would never wish this battle on anyone.  Yes, I see this as a battle.  A battle that I'm fighting on my own.  My husband and daughter work out with me, but their battle doesn't feel like it compares to mine.  I have so much more to lose than they do.  Even my doctor suggested that I not do this the hard way.  She said "Let's just make an appointment, you will qualify for gastric bypass surgery... Ummm let me think... No thanks!  I like having a normal stomach.  I  also don't want to lose weight so quickly that I have "elephant skin".  Have you seen what that looks like?  No thanks!  

Thinking postive!

Maybe I'm gaining muscle?  

Maybe I have a little water weight gain?

Trying to see the benefits - so I composed a email with pictures to inspire me and keep me on track.

Those people know who they are...  (smiling inside)

Weight Loss Progress!

I know how gross this looks, but I've lost 45 lbs so far as of TODAY!!  That's right 2 of the bottom and 1 from the very top!  I am so proud of myself I can't wait to see what I will look like when I finally reach my goal.  And I "WILL" get there!

I did some weight training tonight...that burn felt so good.  I can't wait to try a new machine tomorrow night.  

Who knew that "I" would enjoy working out??!!  Not me.

I'm now tired and ready for bed.  Tomorrow is a new day, full of new possibilities.