Favorite High Protein Foods

Since my surgery my life has changed dramatically. I have had to learn to eat all over again. The goals are low calorie, high protein, hydration and to eat no more than four ounces in a meal. I've learned that some foods are completely off limits. Not just because they may be "unhealthy" but some foods just don't agree with my new stomach. It can be challenging at times. After four months though I'm finally finding a little bit of a groove and I have discovered some foods I like to eat that don't hurt my new belly.

Following are some of my favorite foods of the moment. 

Dannon Light & Fit Strawberry Cheesecake Greek Yogurt

12 Protein

80 Calories

Starkist Chunk Light Tuna Pouch 

17 Protein

70 Calories

Special K Strawberry or Blueberry Meal Bars

12 Protein

180 Calories

Parmesan Cheese Whisps

13 Protein

150 Calories

Righteous Felon Habanero Beef and Pork Stick

8 Protein

110 Calories

Special K Crustless Quiche Sausage and Peppers

11 Protein

170 Calories

Give these a try. I promise you won't be disappointed. My goal is to eat 60 grams of protein every day. These foods allow me to get in the protein I need without a lot of volume or calories. One benefit of eating a diet high in protein is that I stay satisfied longer.   

I am always looking for new foods to try. If you have any recommendations please feel free to share.

Spring Cleaning

What do you think of when you hear the term spring cleaning? Does it bring to mind cleaning out closets, deep cleaning your kitchen and bathrooms, or purging your home of clutter? What about your mind and soul? Do you ever consider spring cleaning your life?

While I believe that cleaning our houses, closets, etc.. can be cathartic, I think a spring cleaning of the mind and soul could be tremendously helpful also.

I've been giving this a lot of thought and I have come up with a few ideas for cleansing your life.

• Prayer - How's your prayer life? Does it need a revamp? I personally believe that prayer is a very important part of a personal relationship with Christ. I sometimes get into a rut and need to reevaluate. It's simple really. Like talking to a friend, just be honest and speak from your heart. I believe that God understands that we are human and sometimes need a fresh start. 
• Mind Dump - Do you have a lot of negative thoughts or clutter in your mind? I know I have days where I am overwhelmed by the negativity that seems to surround me. Some simple things to try to purge those thoughts: praying, meditating, deep breathing, exercising, listening to music, reading a good book, starting a list of all the things that you are grateful for; try one or all of these the next time you get overwhelmed by your own thoughts.
• Health/Diet - This one is a top priority for me. I recently had weight loss surgery and my diet has changed radically. I concentrate on getting a lot of protein in my diet, staying hydrated, and eating little to no carbs and sugar. I feel like if we take care of ourselves physically then the mental and spiritual will follow. Let's face it, we just feel better overall if we take care of our physical health. Just remember, garbage in, garbage out.

I think we need to be intentional if we want to live a healthy and fulfilling life. I'm working on me, in every area. It's a daily commitment to create and maintain new, healthier habits. I pick one thing to work on and when I've mastered that, I move on to the next. Trying to change everything all at once is a set up for failure. 

It's not easy to live a life free of negativity, but we can take small steps everyday to bring some balance by engaging in activities to relieve the stress that life brings. 

My challenge to you this week is to choose one area of your life to spring clean. It may be a different area than what I've mentioned. Just focus on decluttering or developing new habits in that area. We only get one life to live and it really is a beautiful life.

Changes Coming Soon

Starting next week this blog will start to include a little bit of everything. It will no longer just focus on health and weight loss, but will include articles about the day to day and hopefully useful, uplifting and inspiring content.

I hope you will choose to follow me on this journey. As always, I promise to be real and share with you life events, tips, recipes and just what's on my mind.

57 Pounds Down

Looking in the mirror is getting a little easier. After losing 57 pounds I'm feeling so much better. It's easier to breath, it's easier to move, my clothes feel better, and my confidence is growing.

It's been a really long time since I've updated this blog. So much has happened and changed since my last post.

I hit rock bottom. I reached an all time high with my weight, I was suffering with several co-morbidity issues, and frankly I was not living my life. I was miserable.

So, in December of 2018 I attended a seminar on weight loss surgery. That day started a year long journey to what I consider the beginning of my chance at a new, healthier life.

This journey has not been easy by any means. I had to jump through many hoops to get approved for surgery. And although it was sometimes very frustrating, I wouldn't change a thing. I would do it all over in a heartbeat to have this chance to make the life altering changes that are leading me to a healthier lifestyle.

November 5, 2019 was my surgery date. The day that has changed my life for the better. Again, it hasn't been easy. I may not have physical hunger like I did before, but I still have head hunger. I can't eat that much at one time, but if I wanted to I could graze all day long. So don't believe that surgery is a quick fix. It is a tool and you have to use it properly for it to work.

I have a ways to go to get to my goal. And I'm still living with those co-morbidity issues, but they are improving. The most important thing is that I have made a permanent lifestyle change, one that I will strive to maintain for the rest of my life.

Stay tuned, the best is yet to come.

How Many Times Can I Start Over?

I hate how hard it is to lose weight. The struggle to gain control of my self destructive behavior is a daily battle with myself that is never ending. A battle that I have fought for the better part of my life. I have started over so many times and I hate to admit that I've had to start over again just in the past week.

I'm so tired of starting over. I'm tired of watching the scale go up and down. For once I would love to see it consistently going down. When I think of all the times I have lost 30, 50, 70 pounds just to gain it back I could just cry and then kick myself.

I don't know why, but this time in my life seems to be different. It's so much harder than it's ever been before and I'm heavier than ever. I feel the mountain in front of me is too high to climb. Most days I just want to stay in bed under the covers where no one can see what a failure I am. I feel defeated before my feet ever hit the floor.

I'm not trying to be a downer, I'm just being real. I need to vent. Struggling everyday just to put one foot in front of the other is so frustrating.

Quitting is not an option. There may be days that don't go as planned and I may have to keep starting over every day, but I refuse to stop trying.  I'm praying that a "never say die" attitude will eventually take root in my mind. It's going to take a lot of talking to myself and praying.

Lately I've been weak in my prayer life. No excuses, just laziness, I'm ashamed to say. I know when I'm in tune with God that things are better all around.

Things are fixing to change. I know I can do this if I get my head straight and stay focused on the goal. I'm going to continue with Weight Watchers for the time being. I know it will work if I work it. I really do like the new Freestyle program.

I'm praying that I can turn my attitude around and start believing what I'm preaching. Say a prayer for me. Feel free to comment with encouragement or share any tips or recipes you may have. No negativity please.

Till next time, God bless! :)

Eight Pounds Down

I'm glad to report that this week's weigh-in showed a three pound loss. I have now lost a total of eight pounds since beginning Weight Watchers.

My weight loss is slow and steady, which is good, but also a little frustrating. I really want to see results quickly. When I think, "Oh, I've only lost eight pounds!" I remind myself how heavy a five pound bag of sugar is.

I'm eating a lot of fruit and salad which I actually enjoy. My favorite fruit of the moment is pineapple chunks and banana slices for zero points. I make a salad with a few croutons and a packet of tuna fish and I use light Hidden Valley Ranch dressing for four points. Another favorite snack is Dannon Light & Fit Greek yogurt for only two points. My favorite flavors are Strawberry Cheesecake and Blueberry. For my chocolate fix I've been indulging in Hershey Kisses for only one point each. For the most part I can say that I'm staying satisfied.

I really need to step up the exercise. I've been doing a little bit, but not enough. I really want to be able to do yoga but every time I've tried I feel like I'm going to die. I'm going to try and work up to it. Do what I can and try to get stronger. I feel very weak, especially in my legs.

For now, I'm feeling better and more optimistic than I have in a while. What I like most about Weight Watchers is that I can have what I want, I just have to count it. Yesterday I had McDonald's for breakfast and that was okay. Yes, I had a salad for dinner, but it was worth it to me. You have to figure out a way that you can live with it. I'm trying to learn to make a life change and get my mind set off of being on a diet.

Hopefully these little updates are helpful to someone. I want to encourage others that it can be done and no matter how many times you fall down, just keep getting back up. Feel free to comment any tips or encouragement you may have.

I give all the glory to God who is my strength. Hang in there everyone and until next time, God bless! :)

Progress Update

Week one on Weight Watchers Freestyle was a success. I managed to stay on track and I lost four pounds. I'm still a little overwhelmed by how much I need to lose, but I'm trying not to focus on that. I'm trying to keep my eyes on one day at a time.

I really like the new Freestyle program. There are a lot of free foods and it really does encourage healthy eating. I've eaten a lot of fruit, eggs, tuna, salad and chicken. There's certainly no reason to go hungry on this program. One of my favorite treats right now is pineapple and banana cut up together.

Tonight for dinner we had Mexican Skillet Chicken. It is almost a zero point meal. The only thing I had to count was the cheese. This is a super simple and quick meal. My family really likes it too.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of cauliflower rice
• 2 small bags of chicken breast fajita strips
• 1 can of petite diced tomatoes
• 2 envelopes of taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup of chicken broth
• about a cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

• Steam cauliflower rice in microwave (following directions on the bag). 
• In a large skillet add cauliflower rice, chicken, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning and chicken broth.
• Stir well to combine and bring to a boil.
• Turn down to a simmer and allow to cook for 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle with cheese and let melt

I hope this week's weigh-in goes as well as last week. I'm anxious to see results. I'm afraid if I don't lose I will lose my motivation and I seriously can't afford to fail this time. It's not just about losing weight, it's about getting healthy and feeling better. I want to be able to breath again.

I will be checking back in soon, hopefully with good news. Till then, God bless! :)

Rock Bottom

Yesterday I joined the Weight Watchers Freestyle program. I feel encouraged that this is a step in the right direction. I have been struggling for a while now and to be honest I've hit rock bottom. My weight has been steadily climbing and I am miserable. 

I haven't shared an update in a while because I didn't want to admit how bad things have gotten. I kept thinking that I would pull out of this slump and get control, but the fact of the matter is I haven't been able to get ahead of it. The higher my weight creeps, the more I want to eat. This past weekend I had to purchase some new clothes because all of mine are tight and uncomfortable. I can't stand looking in the mirror and I just want to hibernate so no one will see me.

I'm an emotional eater and lately I have been out of control. I haven't been sleeping and I spend my nights grazing because I'm frustrated and bored. I've allowed myself to get to a place I never thought I would see.

So, once again, I am starting over. It seems harder this time than ever before. Maybe it's because I feel like I have such a long way to go to get where I need to be. I made it through my first day successfully. The one thing I have to concentrate on is taking one day at a time. When I think to far ahead I get frustrated and overwhelmed. 

Priority number one has got to be placing this whole thing in God's hands. I cannot do this on my own. My biggest mistake is trying to maintain control instead of allowing God to have it. I know that I am capable of success if I will depend on Him. 

So, if you're a praying person, say a prayer for me. I need all the help I can get. If you have any experience with the Weight Watchers Freestyle program feel free to share any advice or tips you may have. I'll be checking back in soon. Till next time, God bless! :)

The Holidays Are Over

I'm sure I 'm not the only one who can say that the holidays were hard on my will power. My determination and healthy eating plan went out the window most days. Of course I gained weight and now I'm working on repairing the damage.

I had really good intentions of staying on track during the holidays, but I just found the temptations too overwhelming. "I'll start over tomorrow," became my go-to mantra.

Now that the holidays are over, I'm trying to get back into my groove. It's not easy. I'm just going to be real with you, I don't want to do it most days. I want a magic pill that will just make all this fat go away. But, since that's not going to happen, I have to muster up some will power and push through one day at a time.

It has been a slow start. Most days start good, but more times than I like to admit, they end badly. I just am finding it hard to get motivated. I feel like there's no point in trying sometimes. That hasn't stopped me from starting fresh each morning though, so I must still feel like there's some light at the end of the tunnel.

I am starting "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst again. It really is a good book/tool to help with Godly encouragement. There is a book and devotional. I recommend them both.

I share this with you not to discourage, but to just be transparent and real with you. I know there are others who are going through the same thing and I want you to know that you are not alone. I'm certainly not giving up and you shouldn't either. This is a marathon, just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Giving God Control

After a week of staying on track, I've lost four pounds. I'm feeling pretty good about it and having a successful week is making it easier to keep going and stay focused.

I feel like a big part of the challenge for me is mental. When I can get my head in the right place it seems like I do better at keeping my eating under control. I won't lie to you, yesterday was hard. I just had an off day where my mood was down and I wanted to eat my emotions.

The good news is, I was able to keep it together. I read my devotional (Made to Crave) and I was able to resist the urge to eat everything in the house. I'm proud of myself and knowing that I was successful is encouraging me to keep going in the right direction.

I cannot stress enough that keeping my mind on God is key. Relying on Him to give me the strength I needed to keep me on track was the only way I was able to get through yesterday. And I know that if I allow Him to He will get me through each day moving forward.

If I allow myself to think too far ahead I just get overwhelmed by how far I have to go. It is important that I only think about the present moment and take one day at a time.

I can find strength in this scripture:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear...He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

There really is always a way out of temptation. If we are willing to allow God to have control in these situations He will always provide an escape. You just have to trust in Him.

I encourage you to give God a chance to be in control of your journey. Take one day at a time. Get into His word and find scriptures that encourage you. Write them down and keep them in a place where you will see them often. I recommend the refrigerator door or your bathroom mirror. Don't give up, we can do this!

Till next time, God bless! :)

Getting Back Up

Yesterday I got back up...again. I guess the best thing I can say about myself is that I never stop getting back up. That's the important thing, not how many times I fall down, but the fact that I keep getting up.

I ate just at 1200 calories yesterday, I consider that a perfect day. The problem then was I had to stop eating. Night time is especially hard. I don't sleep much, so late nights are a regular thing for me. It's then while I'm sitting up watching TV, waiting for the sandman to visit, that I get overwhelmed by snacking urges.

Last night was no different from any other night. I heard the call of the snacks. The difference last night was that I felt like I had some of my determination back. I have to give some credit to a book I'm reading along with a devotional by the same name, "Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeurst. It's all about craving God instead of food. I highly recommend it.

If I can get my mind off of food and onto God I feel more in control and growing closer to God is an excellent bonus. I can use my cravings as a prompt to pray or to read my Bible. So the credit really goes to God.

The goal now is to keep my mind on God and off of food. I just have to remember to give my control over to Him. He's a better driver than me.

My cousin told me about this song yesterday called "Broken Ladders" by Selah. After I listened to it I had tears in my eyes. It reminded me that I don't have to have control of everything in my life. It can be scary giving up control, but it's very freeing to let go, especially when you're giving the wheel to God.

I encourage you to put your mind on God. Let him help you with your cravings. God can fill you like no food can and there's no regret or guilt.

I'm going to leave you with a few verses that I hope will help to encourage you.

• Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)
• You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work. (James 1:3-4A)
• I pray that you...grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ...that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:17-19 partial)
• Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
• Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8)
• Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:1-2)

Till next time, God bless! :)

Confession Time

Yet again I have allowed myself to lose control. I find myself back at the beginning and at an all time high with my weight. I now weigh more than I have ever weighed in my life. I didn't weigh this much when I was nine months pregnant with my ten pound baby boy.

I feel like a nine month pregnant person. I'm miserable, I have trouble moving, my clothes are uncomfortable and I'm pretty sure I wobble when I walk.

The cold hard truth is, I'm the only one that can do anything about it. The problem is, I feel so defeated that I don't even know where to start. I feel so overwhelmed with where I have allowed myself to get and this hurdle just feels impossible to get over.

So, beginning again, one day at a time. If I can make it one day, then I can make it two days and so on. Right now though, I have to focus on that ONE DAY. If I think past that I just can't deal. I start to feel the pressure of making the right choices all the time and start to feel out of control.

I truly feel like the right thing for me to do right now is to count calories and try to be more active. Counting calories will allow me a little more freedom with food choices. If I want a piece of chocolate, I can have it. But, I also know that making healthier choices will allow me to improve my health and eat a little more. The goal is health, plain and simple.

In the past several months I have been following the Keto diet plan and I did lose some weight. But, I fell off the wagon and gained it all back. I found all the food restrictions to be difficult to handle and I would end up binge eating carbs and sugar.

One thing I know about myself is that I just can't have trigger foods in the house. If it's here, I will eat it. That's just a cold, hard fact. I have very little self control when it comes to food. I've had to own this truth about myself.

I do have a slow metabolism (hypothyroidism) which puts a kink in things. But, I don't want to allow this to be an excuse. I know I can still lose weight. I just have to put a little extra effort into it.

At this point I'm desperate for change. I'm taking the first step by being transparent and sharing my failures with you. The next step is to start holding myself accountable for my choices, counting my calories and moving my butt.

One other thing I must do is put my faith in God to help me through this. I know that all things are possible with God. When I try to rely on my own abilities it never works. I have to put my eyes on Him and allow Him to take control.

So, I'm starting again and I invite you to come along on the journey. I can almost assure you that it will not be a smooth journey, but it will be interesting.

Till next time...God bless!

The Struggle Is Real

I know it's been a while since I have given an update on my progress. There is a good reason for that; my progress has been more like a yo-yo than a steady downward motion like I would prefer it to be.

I could have waited until I was making really good progress to share with you, but the truth is, THE STRUGGLE IS REAL! I have yo-yoed up and down with the same eight pounds for the past few weeks. You read that right, I said eight pounds.

I suffer and am treated for hypothyroidism, which means my metabolism is slow. My doctor has told me that this will hinder my progress. But I really believe the problem lies within myself. I just have to get my head in the game.

I write to you today to be honest and transparent. This journey is HARD and it's not a straight and unhindered path. It's full of twists and turns and hills and valleys. There are definitely days I feel like throwing in the towel and just sitting down with a bag of powdered donuts.

I'm happy to report that I am on the down side of that eight pounds I keep playing with. I've lost four of those pesky pounds. And I know that with God's help I'm going to keep moving forward. I know He's got my back and with Him all things are possible.

I hope that by sharing my journey with you that I might help someone else who may be struggling with their determination and will to keep moving forward. Don't give up!

One of my favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." God has a plan for your future. Let Him help you through this journey.

Remember, this is a journey, it's not just a quick trip to the mailbox. We have to take it one day at a time, one step at a time.

Kickin It Up

Thought it was time to post an update. I have struggled with my journey and the scale has not been moving, until now.

I've made some major changes to my way of eating and it has made all the difference. I have lost eight pounds (in nine days) since making these changes.

I'm no longer eating sugar, bread, pasta, high carb fruits, or starchy vegetables. It hasn't been easy. Getting started was a challenge for sure, but I haven't regretted it for a moment.

I'm feeling better than I have in a while and I really don't get that hungry.

What I do eat is a lot of protein, salads, and vegetables. I snack on pickles, pepperoni, cheese sticks, almonds, and pork rinds. For a sweet treat right now I'm snacking on sugar free jello and 70% or higher dark chocolate. I'm trying to limit my intake of sugar free products, as they can have carbs and contain sugar alcohol.

I'm still learning in this process. But so far I am very pleased with the progress I have seen. It's not an easy way to eat, but it is working for me.

Vacation is coming up and I know that's going to be a challenge, but I am going to do all I can to stick to this new eating plan. My health is so worth it.

Before making these changes I was at the point of giving up. My hope was at an all time low. Now I'm seeing a light in the distance.

Until next time, God bless!

One Pound Down

Today was weigh-in day. After weeks of the scales standing still, I lost one pound. I know it's not much, but I will take it. A loss is a loss and I am just happy for any kind of progress on this journey.

I have to give a shout out to Weight Watchers Connect. I have found much needed encouragement and support through the app.

I have been on such a roller coaster with my weight in the past year and a half. I don't know what went wrong. I was losing really well at one point and then somewhere things just started to go downhill.

I gained back all the weight I had lost plus more. I reached my highest weight ever and now need to lose over 100 pounds.

I know this road is not easy. I've been down it what seems like 1,000 times. This time will hopefully be my last beginning. This isn't a diet, this is a way of life from here on out.

Ten Pounds Down

If you've been keeping up with my blog then you know that I had gained weight and was literally starting over. What I didn't share before is that I reached an all time high weight, breaking my record for highest weight ever.

Since my last post it has taken me a while to get my head in the game and get things moving in the right direction, but I've finally made some progress. I've lost ten pounds and I'm feeling encouraged about the future.

I sincerely want to be an encouragement to others on this same journey. I know how hard it is to lose weight. I have hypothyroidism which makes it even harder, but I'm determined to never quit, no matter how many times I fall down.

I follow a 1200 calorie per day diet. I eat only when I'm hungry and try not to eat between meals. So far, I'm sorry to say, I've been lazy when it comes to exercise, but I plan to get back to my regular schedule of walking.

The holidays present challenges, but so far I'm handling them well by focusing on my family and conversations instead of food. Not to say that I don't treat myself; just in very small portions and I count every bite.

I know my plan isn't for everyone. Believe me, it took some time to get used to counting everything I put in my mouth. But find what works for you and stick to it. Pat yourself on the back when you do well and give yourself a break when you screw up (it's going to happen). Just don't quit!

Protein for Weight Loss

Here are 5 reasons that protein can help you with weight loss.

1. Protein Satisfies & Saves Calories: Protein is important at the start of weight loss because it helps you to feel fuller longer. Protein slows down digestion helping you to be more satisfied and less likely to go back for more.
2. It Curbs Carb Highs and Lows: Coming off a sugar high onto a sugar low can make food decisions regretful. Combining protein with carbohydrate-rich foods slows down the absorption of sugar from your stomach into your bloodstream, which may help keep your blood sugar from going up and stave off future cravings.
3. Protein Requires More Energy: The "thermic effect of food" (TEF) is the energy we use to digest food into small, absorbable components. The TEF in protein is higher as compared to carbs and fat so you're actually burning more calories to process protein.
4. It Fuels Fat Burning: It is a scientific fact that your body cannot effectively burn and use fat as energy if it doesn't have help from either carbohydrate or protein. While you are losing weight, your body loses both muscle and fat. It is important that you continue to eat enough protein in your diet during the process. Eating adequate protein fuels fat burning while preserving calorie-burning lean muscle.
5. Protein Promotes Muscle Repair & Growth: Protein needs increase after bouts of intense exercise so increasing your protein intake on days that you exercise is beneficial.  If you strength train consider a high protein snack right after a training session when muscle is sensitive to nutrients that it can use to repair and grow.

Eating more protein alone won't necessarily help you shed excess weight in a healthy way. When consumed in excessive amounts it can still lead to weight gain. Protein should be set to 20% of your total calories, which should be enough for the average person. 

Starting Over Again

I'm starting over, simple as that. For anyone who has been on a similar journey, there's no need for explanations.

I hate admitting failure of any kind, but I have allowed myself to get off track in the past few months and I have caused quite a bit of damage to my progress. I have gained a lot of my weight back and I am basically at the point of starting over.

I've started using My Fitness Pal again to track what I eat. Eating 1200 calories a day and walking a mile a day. I've managed to lose two pounds in less than a week.

My problem is making it stick in my head again. Once I get it made up in my mind that I want to be healthy and smart about my decisions, then I can do it. Until then, I'm entirely ruled by my emotions and cravings; eating when I'm not hungry and not controlling my portions.

If you've been following me so far on my journey I'm sorry for the temporary departure. I hope that sharing, not only my success but also my failure, has made me more human. I will do my best to make regular and more timely updates on my progress in the future.

Until next time, God bless!

Setback

It has been a while since my last post. The reason for that is simple, I feel like a failure.

Since my last post I have peddled backwards. It's hard to admit it, but here it is, I have gained weight.

This journey is hard but I have come too far to give up and I refuse to admit defeat. Like I have said before, you only truly fail if you don't get up and keep going. And, I have no intention of stopping now.

I want to encourage you wherever you're at in your journey. Whether you are at the beginning, the middle, or maybe like me struggling with a setback, you can do it. One moment, one day at a time. Stop thinking about next week, next month or even tomorrow. Just think about right now.

Moving forward...

Seriously

I'm seriously stuck in a holding pattern. Not moving forward, not moving backward. Just stuck in the same place.

I'm starting to get comfortable here...maybe that is the problem. Maybe I've gotten too comfortable in this place and my efforts aren't what they were or what they need to be to move forward.

Whatever, it's become a "seriously" moment for me. Am I "seriously" going to continue this pattern? Am I "seriously" going to stop here? A "I "seriously" need to get off my behind and make this thing happen," kind of moment. After all, no one can do it for me.

This blog was created to share my journey and this is a part of the journey. For me this is an embarrassing part of the journey. Having to admit to a sort of failure. But failure will only really happen if I refuse to get up and keep going.

So, dusting myself off, picking myself up and moving forward again.

....more to come!