Just about 30 hours into the event, we reported him missing and sought the assistance of facebook. Much to my amazement, we received an outpouring of support, shares, and sightings. In addition to our contacts, my son received a healthy dose of concern from friends. By the grace of God, we were calmly reunited and we returned home with him early Sunday morning. In 36 hours, the worst and best moments of my life may have occurred. It is my hope that we will all learn a few lessons from this, lessons to better prepare us for the future.
This week was the first week since I made my journey to lose 100 pounds public. The support conjured up was both heart warming and helpful. You provided me with fantastic tips and tricks. You made me feel like I was not alone. It is amazing how many of us struggle with issues under cover. I am happy to have brought (one of ) my issues out in the open! But... how did I do?
Unfortunately, I am usually the one to jump in both feet first, from 100 feet above water, and by the time I hit the surface again- I am struggling to tread water. I vowed to not do that this week. I started out by just simply pledging to make better choices. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Drink 2-3 liters of water a day. Pack a few meals for work. My own awareness of what I was putting in my mouth became heightened by my effort to exercise each day.
The first few days I did really well and I had amazing results! By Thursday morning, I was down 6 pounds! It's kinda crazy, but it is fantastic what a few good intentions can do to a bad situation. I was not perfect, but I was certainly planned. Planning really seems to be the key to my success. If I pack good for me snacks, I am prepared when hunger strikes. If I have my bottle of water, I don't have the desire(as quickly) for a Diet Pepsi or latte. The more water I drink, the better I feel. As the positive circle was forming, chaos struck me into a spiral.
Friday, my personal life took a tornado twisting spiral. I am usually not in to putting the personal life on blast... but we used social media to our advantage so, the story is out. My teenage son and I had an argument and he ran off, determined he was not coming back. I am an emotional eater. My constant comfort companions are Ben & Jerry. I ate, but I still tried to eat better. I did not gorge on ice cream, I ate an entire bowl of broccoli. I did not grab chips, I ate apples. You know how they say, "You can't have just one"? Have you ever tried to eat a bag of apples???As I woke up and got on the scale for the first time since Thursday, I learned a bit as well. My weight is down 4 pounds. That means I put on 2 pounds with my stress, but I am still in the positive with a considerable loss. The amazing gourmet cupcake, the lack of water intake, the adult beverages, they all balanced out with the great choices I made earlier in the week. My gain is balance, my loss is work.
I am pleased with my week. I worked hard. I stressed hard. I balanced well. I struggled. I lost.
How did you do?
Until next time...remember, it's not about what gets handed to you or what you go through in life, it's how you react to it that matters.
