A mighty change.......

Six months ago, I had had enough.  My back hurt so bad that day I could hardly function.  I was miserable.  I rolled out of bed the next morning, on to the floor, and just thought I would try some simple stretches and core strengthening exercises.  That day, I was so so so much better than the day before.  I KNEW I had to keep this up, or become totally incapacitated. 

I started walking on the treadmill.  I could only walk for 20 minutes, at 2.5 miles per hour before my back would hurt too much.  But I kept it up, day after day, because my back would actually feel better afterwards and throughout the day.  Now I walk 2 miles every day.  It takes me 40 minutes, and I watch an episode of Blue Bloods on Netflix while walking.


I pulled out the zone/block eating plan that Landon had given me MONTHS before, in an effort to help me get a hold of my eating.  I had looked at it before, and I thought it was just another Weight Watcher point counting thing, that I would hate.  I started one night for dinner, just pulling out what I had at my house and in my fridge.  I. AM. HOOKED.   This has worked for me !  I don't know if everyone can embrace it like I have, but for me, it has worked.  Combining my proteins, carbs, and fats at each and every meal and snack has totally and completely cured me of my cravings.  That, AND giving up pop and refined sugar. 


The first weeks were rough, but I have persevered.  From the beginning, I just kept telling myself.  I will do this for SIX MONTHS.  I will not weigh at all during that time, and I will just keep going, and not give up, and not cheat, and not fall of the band wagon.  If after six months it hasn't helped me?, then I'll give up or try something else...


One month down, two months down......  Each month (or week), I'd have to tell myself, "it's only been X amount of weeks, hang in there".  Cam came at the end of July, I kept on going, Roger had his operation end of August, I kept on going, we went to Disneyland in September, I kept on going, October we went to Las Vegas, I kept on going, November we went to the Philippines, I kept on going, Thanksgiving and Christmas came, and I kept on going.............


Finally -  It's been six months - FINALLY!


I got on the scales this morning.


WAIT


Before we get to all of that, I just want to say that almost immediately (after I got rid of the Pepsi headache, and the sugar cravings), I began to feel better, stronger.  No more headaches, no more heartburn, no more bloated feeling, no more cravings. I. FEEL. SO. MUCH. BETTER.  Sugar is an inflammatory, and I believe it contributes to my back pain.  I tell myself, "You are allergic to sugar".


It didn't take me long to realize that if I missed a morning of walking or stretching, I would pay for it with increased back pain.


Is my back pain gone?  No.  But it does not control me, I control IT.  I still have my bad back days, and my not so bad back days.  I think I will have to live with the pain for the rest of my life unfortunately.   I was bemoaning this fact one morning, as I was stretching on a bad day, and then a still small voice spoke in my mind.  "Would I be where I am now without the back pain spurring me on?"  "Would I still be stuck in the rut that I've been in for the last 26 years?" 


Maybe my back pain has been a blessing in disguise. (FYI - I don't think this on my really bad back days ;)


Anywhoo.......


As I step on the scales, does it matter if I've lost 10 - 15- 20 or more pounds?  What is that stupid number anyway?  I know I've lost inches.  I've gone from a size 20 pant, to a size 14.  People have made comments.... say I look good, say I must have lost weight...... but still, there is that NUMBER.  What will it be?


If it is THIS number, I'll be sad.....if it is THIS number, I'll be satisfied, if it is THIS number, I'll be ecstatic !

As I stood on the scales this morning, I was so nervous to look down.  I kept thinking in my head, "Don't be disappointed, don't be disppointed, don't be disppointed"

I looked down - the scales MUST be broken.....there is no number

I step off - a number pops up !   That CAN'T be right !!

I step back on - look....down   It is blank.

Step off - the same number pops up !

I do this 4 times.  Same number.

I'm too embarrassed to put the ACTUAL WEIGHT here for all to see.......but I WILL put the number of pounds I have shed.

60 POUNDS

I am ONE HAPPY WOMAN !!  I would have bet a million dollars AGAINST me at the start of this journey.  I have fallen off that hateful wagon so many times before, and had absolutely NO confidence that THIS TIME would actually work. BUT. IT. DID.

Now, on to the NEXT GOAL !   I will keep on doing what I'm doing as far as stretching and walking on the treadmill.  I am going to start incorporating  Crossfit.   I won't weigh again until July - another SIX MONTHS from now.  Time will only tell.

Best of all - I'm so much happier than I was.  I had about given up on ever getting to this point, and the first little while, I couldn't bring myself to believe that it could happen, or that I would keep it up. Any day, I was expecting to fall off the wagon.

Can I keep it up?  I'm beginning to believe I can.........  Any long lasting change, has got to be part of a change you are willing to make for the rest of your life.  I think this is doable for me.   I guess we'll see what happens !?

I need to thank Roger D. for always being there for me, never nagging, judging or criticizing me, EVER.  Also, to Landon for giving me this eating plan.  I never would have known about it if it wasn't for him.  And Manda, where would I be without our morning talks?  Your encouragement and love for me I will treasure always.  And Zachary - you don't say much.  You are quiet like your dad, but I think you are proud of me too.  Just think - the more "fit" I am, the more I can help you out on all of the "projects", right?

July 2014

January 2015

What a great birthday !

What a GREAT DAY !!   I took this picture about 9am, after I had returned from an early morning workout at CROSSFIT UNKNOWN.   I did it !   I'm feeling so much better that I was last year on my birthday, which was probably the WORSE one I've ever had.  This year I'm working out and less weight, and I feel great (although the 2nd day after a 1st day at crossfit is PAINFUL !!! YeeOZZer!)   This past week I went to lunch with April Rose-Hales, Sherilee Olson and Laura Wilson, and today Annette and I went to Taggarts.  It was just a great day all around ! 

My sweet daughter from AZ sent me an AMAZON gift !  It was so cool!  All wrapped up in a gift box, with a personalized gift card.  It is amazing what you can do over the internet.  Inside was a pair of workout gloves (for working with weights).  That couldn't have been a better present, because I left my old ones at Bethany's never to be seen again......   Love you Manda !

We went over to the OUTHOUSE, and saw the awesome little garage door that Clay Wilkinson put up.

He does such good work !   

It's coming along !   I think they are going to start on the metal roof today.

And last but not least, we had everyone up for homemade pizza last night, and I took a picture with my new SELFIE stick !  It is such a fun little contraption.  It was so great to have everyone here.  Landon and family had called earlier on FACETIME, and it was so good to talk to them.  Payson wants to come to our house, and it just about breaks my heart.  We just keep saying, okay, in June, okay, in June......

Manda and Cam called me earlier in the morning (before I went to Crossfit), and that was so sweet of them.

Then the evening with everyone coming for pizza AND STAYING A LONG TIME  was the topper for a great day !!

Thanks to everyone (including all my Facebook friends) who made my day extra special.

Oh!  And I can't forget Roger D.  He surprised me with 3 new pair of pants from Costco !!  I know - Costco!!  Are you kidding me?  I LOVE THEM !!   There's a whole funny story about that too !   Suffice to say, he now knows the AVERAGE and MEDIUM mean the same thing ;0)

Selfie Stick !

I took my selfie stick to work to show the girls.
This is me and my crew :)
Man, our office looks messy !

With Bonnie and Shirlee

and Laurie and Chris !

and Teresa, Stacy and Leslie !
Such fun times :)

Sworn at - for the 6th time

Gwen with Logan Wilde (Morgan County Council Chair)
1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015
I love my job !
(just wish I didn't have to "run" for it)

Back:  Blaine Breshears (sheriff), Austin Turner (council), Bonnie Thomson (treasurer), Tina Cannon (council), Brenda Nelson (recorder), Stacy Lafitte (clerk/auditor), Gwen Rich (assessor
Front:  Jann Farris (attorney), Ned Mecham (council), John Barber (council)

Happy 1st Birthday !

From this....................
( just LOVE this pic)

To THIS !!

Click HERE  to see "The Year I was Born" book for Brightyn.  It will be waiting for her when she gets back in June !  We sure love this sweet little thing :)  We got to Facetime with them last night, and see her.  She was tired, but not onery....just yawning, and running her fingers through her hair.  She is content to play alone with toys.  She is smiley, and loves to cheese with the camera - IF you have the flash on (see pic above).  She can patty cake, and blow kisses, and wave bye bye.  She's a daddy's girl most of the time, and loves her grandpas and MEN in general.  We sure love you Brightyn !!

Today was the day........

It's hard to see our family leave for far away places.  All of the grandparents, Rog and I, Gary and Carol, and Bob and Pam traveled down in three different vehicles to the airport.  The plane was scheduled to leave at 7:55 (it ended up being delayed by an hour).  Between Landon and Kacey and kids, they had 6 (50 pound) bags, 2 car seats, 1 double stroller, 3 carry-ons,  and a diaper bag....... What a zoo ! 

We got to the airport at about 6:20, and left an hour later (after they were through security), but it seemed much longer.  The time it took to check all of their luggage seemed like it took forever !   They needed many hands, and we were glad we were there to help out, however it is always a worry for us, wondering HOW IN THE WORLD, they will manage in Manila.  They always seem to  though !  

The kids were in good spirits, even being awakened so early in the moring. 

We will sure miss them, and are already looking forward to June.

Big Helper :)

A Fun couple of Days, with a BUNCH of cute kids.

Insulation going in - and it's sheetrocked also !  I need to get pics of that. 

Creek is totally frozen - Tagg loves to be on it.  It is really smooth in most parts.  Looks like it would be fun to ice-skate on. 

Mom made sandwiches for these POLAR boys.

Payson celebrated his 3rd birthday before heading back to his "white house in the Philippines".  

Brightyn celebrated her 1st birthday - it is actually on the 7th, but they will be gone. 

A BUNCH OF BOYS !!!

She LOVED it !

See?

Then it was time for a wash off in the sink :)

Today we watched the kids while Kacey and Landon went to the temple to see Brook Pierce and Jackson Lake's sealing.  It was a crazy mad house at time, let me tell you !!.  Here we are trying out my new SELFIE STICK, with the remote control "clicker" to take the picture. 

Two Ninjas and their swords

Oh how we love this sweet CHEESER thing!

Grandpa was such a help with the kids.  I love him so much !

We had Kaley's three kids for a little bit also, and they love GRANDPA ROGER, that's for sure !

Watching a little "BRAVE" on the TV.  These boys sure are comfortable, not sure about Roger D. :)

A New Year

Thatch slept over last night while his parents and brothers went to a New Year's Party at Jace and Amber Sargent's home.  We had a good time watching Frozen, and just playing around.  He slept with Grandpa Roger, and "I" had a restful night's sleep (haha) - He enjoyed a good breakfast of two scrambled eggs before we took him home. 

I made a big pot of chicken noodle soup,  and they all came back up, along with Grandpa and Grandma "D".  We had slush, and little smokies, and shrimp and cocktail sauce too.  It was great !

Then we played a fun game called, "Head's Up"

Then they got their snow clothes on, and we  tackled the MINI hills off of our backyard.

The swing is even fun in SNOW !

Licking his icycle  ice cycle? icesickle?  How the heck do you spell it ??  I'm getting old.......

Can't get enough !

Then we went over to the Property, and dug out Grandpa D's old toboggan he built 50 years ago.

They had so much fun being pulled around, and Me, and Grandpa Roger and CJ took a turn also.  The little boys loved falling off (on purpose).  Check out the videos (at the top of out blog) for some fun times !

Landon and Kacey and the kids came, and we retired to the house for hot chocolate with mini marshmellows.

Landon played a little SORRY with the boys (while watching football)

After we went back to our house, Thatcher and Payson had a great time playing around and doing puzzles.

Brightyn - cheesing it up for the camera.

It was a GREAT DAY !