Thanksgiving and the Holidays....a time of joy and stress

So I'm going off topic here alittle for this post.  Sorry for all those who are curious about my weightloss and healthy lifestyle update.  Here is a little niblet for ya.  I may have not been able to get to the gym but I have lost about 20 lbs. and several inches.  Don't ask me how many, just enough for my clothes to either fit better or feel way baggy.  There, hope that satisfies you till I get my crap together again, which should be within the next few days.  Yes, it will happen during the holidays as crazy as that may seem.

But whats on my heart at this time of year is all the challenges of life and all the emotions that one goes through.  Excitement of the holidays and time with family, all the great food, gifts.  But that isn't what my heart is feeling.  It truely is experiencing thankfulness and gratitude of God's blessings on me.  I have been given so much and I have been taken it all for granted.  So what am I thankful for, you are asking.  Well here it goes.

1.  I'm thankful for my God.  How did I ever get through life without you?  Thank you for your love, strength, patience and grace and mercy towards a bonehead like me.  I know I will never live up to your standards, God, but I pray I can make a better effort at truely being your child.

2.  I'm thankful for my family, especially my mom.  12 years ago when I moved back home, I never dreamed up how close we would become.  I guess God did.  I love her with all my heart, even in the times she makes me want to pull my hair out.  I wouldn't have her any other way and don't even want to think what my life will be like when it is her time to be reunited with my father.  I love how my relationship with my sister has grown from her being my caregiver to being my sister and my friend.  I am thankful that my brother, who for the longest time still saw me as the little girl who he left behind when he left home, now sees me as the adult I am.  And to all my extended family, we may be disfunctional but we are loyal and there when we really need each other.

3.  A warm home.  It's not fancy and doesn't have all the ameneties new homes have but its comfortable and it's mine, completely paid for.  Thank you mom and dad for all the hard work you had to do to make this happen.

4.  I am employed!!!!  After weeks of stress wondering if at the end of this month I would still have a job, I made the cut and can breath a sigh of relief.  My prayers for those who were let go.  God has greater things planned for you. 

5.  To all my friends, if I have ever made you feel taken for granted, I apologize.  We all know I'm very comfortable and happy in my time by myself.  But know that I cherish you and love you as if you were my family.  You guys were part of God's plan to resurrect me from the pits of evil I dwelled in for so long.  Thank you for being bright shining stars in my life.

6.  I'm thankful for my trainer.  That is right, I said my trainer, the crazy lady that I pay to torture me.  She has helped me get so far already and know she has helped me get my poop in a group and get my life back.

Really the list could go on forever if I really sat long enough to think about it.  So I challenge you all, think about what blessings God has bestowed on you.  Don't take simple things for granted.  Love life, love others, love God.  Be what He has destined you to be.

I Swear I Haven't Dropped Off The Face Of The Earth!!!

Ok, so it has been waaaaay too long since I've updated this.  It is amazing how just when you think life is going to get back to normal, all heck breaks loose and just getting sleep seems a challange.  So where do I start?

First of all I am still working out but not nearly as often as I would like to.  Work has been busy and it is impossible to get to the gym after long hours at work.  I won't give up, but have learned to also prioritize.  Soon I'll be lucky to get 32 hrs. a week so I figure I better work while there is work.

Diet has been a challange, as it always is.  The trainer has now challanged me to eat little or no carbs for at least 2 days a week.  Basically go a day without potatoes, rice, cereal, bread or pasta-type things.  Have I mentioned I LOVE these things.  And to try to get enough different ideas that are quick because I don't have alot of time at work to eat.  Can we say total suckage????  But I have managed to do it.  It's all to help get weight loss going.

The next questions I'm sure you all have is have I see any results.  They may not be huge but its enough to keep me going.  I've only loss about 20 lbs. but there are inches missing to me.  Clothes fit better, I feel better.  My workouts are getting harder.  Rachel(the trainer) says I'm progressing and she loves how hard I work when I do get a workout in.  Do I love working out yet, no.  But I feel better when I do.  It seems like I'm getting control on life more when I get into a routine.

Keep praying and I'll hopefully be more regular with my posts.