My First 10 Pounds

Day 86

Bridget — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:51:18 GMT

Day 86

Off to a great start today. I enjoyed sleeping in way too much, it's really nice to have the hubby home and have that option now. Just now finished my workout...up to 65 minutes on the new treadmill...LOVE IT! I feel so good and so strong, I am just so thankful that God allowed us to purchase the treadmill of our dreams and that now it is so much easier to get my workouts in. What an incredible blessing. My hubby is downstairs running on it now...it really gets a lot of work between the two of us : )

Now I'm cooking lunch (red beans and rice and chicken tenders), something healthy ,but yummy. I think I'm going to do a whole lot of nothing the rest of the day. I have grad school work, but I really need a break from that stuff...it's dragging me down. I can't wait until I'm finished. Think I'll catch up on my House episodes and maybe even watch a movie or two. Reading is also an option...as always. I'm so happy that the sun is shining and the snow has melted, at least for today. The sun will be a very rare thing around here for the next six or seven months, so I have to enjoy it while it lasts.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Saturday. Stay strong, stay focused, and take it one day at a time.

Blessings, Bridget

Day 85

Bridget — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:43:56 GMT

Day 85

Things are definitely looking up. No migraine today or yesterday...thank GOD and I lost another 1.2 pounds. I'm really pleased with how my weight loss has picked back up with just a few walks on the treadmill a week. I'm not overdoing it, I'm just having fun and the weight is coming off again. Such a blessing.

My doc got me in to see a new neurologist next Friday and I'm excited about that possibility. She is fresh out of med school and maybe she will have some new insights. I believe that God worked it out this way for a reason and I have a good feeling about it all. I went to the Chiropractor on Wednesday and she said my neck and back were in bad shape, I sort of already knew this because I had not been sleeping well. She really helped me out and I'm not only sleeping better, but I think it helped the migraines. All good things.

All in all, migraines not counting, it has been a blessed week. I adore being a public librarian, being surrounded by books, working with wonderful people and having my hubby home with the babies so I don't worry about them all day long. So many blessings...I am so thankful.

Today I have to go pick up courier books in the next town over and we are doing some rearranging in the library. I love to move things around and freshen things up. This should help. I'm really just so happy to be alive and to be enjoying my day. I could be grumpy and complaining about the weather, the snow, the cold, but what's the point...it only ruins my day if I allow it to and I choose to take a different path.

I hope everyone is doing well and having a happy TGIF. Thanks for all the support and prayers. You all are just the BEST!

Blessings, Bridget

Re: Day 81

BFF — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:09:57 GMT

Bridget. I am so sorry to hear about all your medical problems, truthly I have never had many headachs just a lot of sinus and allergies, but from what I hear that is nothting. When you were talking about the Migraines I could not help but remember my mom telling us how her head hurt all the time. They have told her she is allergic to EGGs It took a while for her to be off of them and at the same time we had to take care of my brothers dog and he was on the porch at night. with removing eggs from her diet and removing the dog back home with my brother she is doing much better. just a thought if you have not tried any food allergies. they can really make you sick. I sure hope you feel much better soon and they are able to find out what is wrong. You sound so very young to be having all this. Will keep you in prayer. Becky

Day 82

Bridget — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:49:21 GMT

Day 82

What a crazy day it has been. On my fifth day of migraines today, but I pushed through and got my library work done and made it to the county meeting this morning. Thank God I had my assistant covering for me this afternoon. I took my emergency meds and went to bed as soon as I got home at 12:30. Slept until around 3 and feel better now...meds have migraine pushed down for now. Hoping and praying my doc will call with good news about the neurologist soon. Somethings gotta give and it won't be me.

Plan has not gone well today. I have barely eaten anything and I know that's not good or healthy. I just really don't feel like food when I'm so wrapped up in pain. I feel consumed by it at times. Regardless, I'm going to keep pushing through and one of these days when I least expect it, God will heal me. Just gotta keep the faith.

I really wanted to exercise today, but with my schedule and migraine I didn't think it was wise. Tomorrow is my day off, so I'm hoping to get back on the treadmill then. I can't wait.

My life is so crazy busy right now that sometimes I feel like I can't tell up from down. With the new job, Jagger's surgery and recovery (eight more days to go), hubby being home all the time, running the house and graduate school, I feel a bit nuts most days...that's not even counting the migraines.

I am still blessed, despite or in spite of it all, I am totally and completely blessed. God is on my side, I have a wonderful family who loves and prays for me and so many other wonderful things. LIFE IS GOOD! I'll just keep on taking it all one day at a time and be extra thankful for any days without migraines. Thanks for all the support and prayers.

Blessings to all, Bridget

Re: Day 81

Bridget — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:39:57 GMT

Hey Becky -

I agree with you, some people are treadmill people and some people are not. I've had several cheapo treadmills in my life and I've hated every single one...this treadmill is very different...it is the Rolls Royce of treadmills so to say. We have been saving for several years to buy it, but like I told my husband, you can't put a price on your health. Thankfully he is a health nut and knew that it was a treadmill that would hold up under his running schedule...that helped sell it to him.

I've totally been where you are, my weight has held steady for months at a time many times. Just don't give up, small changes can make all the difference, changing your plan around, exercising at a different time...many things can make a difference. It will happen, one day at a time.

Thanks for the prayers and the support...I can use both right now. Until these migraines are back under some sort of control I am at the mercy of them. I'm not giving up or giving in though and that's what counts. We can stay strong and focused together.

Blessings, Bridget

Re: Day 81

Bridget — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:34:03 GMT

Thanks Hilary - It feels good to be back. It's wonderful that your hubby picked you up a treadmill. I do have lots of walking plans for newbies. I bought a book about walking and it has many different plans. I'll send you the info in a conversation.

I joined the Christmas challenge when I started SF this summer. I'm hoping to lose down to 200lbs by Christmas. That means I have 17lbs to go. I know it is completely doable. I just have to be strong, keep the faith and take it one day at a time. I'll have to start the weigh-ins.

I really appreciate the prayers, the migraines are back with a vengenance...started up again on Friday and have been relentless since then. My doctor is trying to get me in to my neurologist, but his office says they can't see me until December...I wanted to tell them that I could be dead from the pain by then, but I held my tongue. My doc says that if he can't figure something out asap then she is going to get me in to see a new neurologist. This will be my fifth one and I'm beginning to worry that this really is the way my life is going to be...then I remember that worry is from the devil and I give it to God and move on as best as I can.

I'm so glad that you are doing well. I'm very impressed with how far God has brought you with your weight loss in such a short time. That is so awesome! Keep the faith and I know that the pounds will continue to melt away : )

Blessings, Bridget

Re: Day 81

BFF — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 02:03:48 GMT

Hi Bridget, Glad to read your writing it is so uplifting and you are right we can only do this with God leading our way. Thanks for the encourgement. You will get to your goal. All of us will, we have to take one day at a time. I have not lost the weight like I had hoped, The last 2.5 months I have held the same weight. I have set a goal for Dec. my birthday to get 20 lbs off. You are right the treadmill does make you feel better. I go to a "wellness" program 3 days a week and I am now doing a number of weight exercises also. I started with therapy for my knees. When I started the program my weight settled to about a 3lb difference I need to break the numbers and get the 20 lbs off. I will keep you in my prayers and support you.

Wishing you the best, Becky

Re: Day 81

hjsmith — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:41:28 GMT

YEA!!! So happy to have you back, Bridget! And, congrats on the 2.3 pounds lost. See...you are already getting yourself back on track. So glad you are loving your treadmill. My husband just surprised me to today by telling me he got me a treadmill at his auction last night. I'm hoping that I like mine as much as you like yours. Any tips for a total treadmill newbie? Anyway...it just made my day to see that you posted your journal today. Are you going to join the Christmas Challenge? It's on the 100 pounds to go board. We weigh-in on Fridays. I'm still praying for you!

God Bless -- Hilary

Day 81

Bridget — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:01:32 GMT

Day 81

Hey everyone. It's been a while and I'm truly happy to be back among my friends once again. There are two extremely special people who have encouraged and supported me during my absence and I am forever grateful to and blessed by them. God sends us special people just when we need them the most and mem1 and hjsmith have been that for me. My angels, my friends, thank you. Thank you for not giving up on me and not letting me give up on myself.

To be completely honest, every day for the last month or so has been an extreme struggle. Fighting the devil and his evil doing has been constant for me. I was raised a Christian, so I knew this would most likely happen...anytime a Christian sets their mind completely on God and His ways, the devil feels it is his duty to destroy what God has built. Thankfully I was prepared to do battle, but my battle has been long and painful. I have not been swayed from my belief that God can heal my migraines and take away this pain, but I have realized that it is in His time, not mine that this will happen. It is hard to be patient when my body screams out in agony, but I know that there are those who have it much worse. I am blessed. I will continue to pray for and believe in a miracle healing and in the meantime I will continue to fight my battles with God leading the way. What a wonderful thing to know that he is by my side...always.

My eating plan has gone through some changes and modifications, but I think I'm settling into the new plan nicely. The SF plan is a great one and I think parts of it will always be a part of my plan, it's just that some changes had to be made for health reasons. My new treadmill is wonderful, awesome, fantastic and more. I love it. I love how strong I feel when I finish working out. I love how I'm losing weight much faster now. It is a true gift from God. Last week I lost 2.3 lbs. I know it is 2.3 lbs that I gained during my sabbatical, but who cares about that...I lost 2.3 lbs and worked out only three days. I'm telling you this treadmill kicks butt, shrinks the butt, etc. (LOL). It is so much fun.

It feels great to have the new eating plan and the exercise all lined out. I'm still taking it one day at a time and staying strong in my faith. I know that the answer to all the questions in God and I stand firm in that. God is in control and God will see me through this journey. I am blessed, now and forevermore.

I'll work on staying on top of my updates/journal. Your support and encouragement is so appreciated. As are your prayers. My journey won't be easy, but I won't stop and I won't be defeated.

Blessings, Bridget

Re: Day 55

hjsmith — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:07:09 GMT

Hey Bridget,

So glad to have you back! I know you have been through a rough several days, but you are not "failing miserably"! If you were failing, you would be gaining weight...you would not be posting on here again...and you would have given up. You are just in the valley. It is easy to be upbeat, enthusiastic, and encouraging when you are on the mountain top...feeling on top of the world because everything is going smoothly. In the valley, the mountain looks so tall that you think you'll never be able to climb it. But, you have proven to yourself through all your prayer, faith, and hard work that you have what it takes to climb mountains. You'll be back on top before you know it. And, it is ok to vent to us! Reading back over some of your past posts, I can see what an inspiration you have been to others on this site. You have motivated and encouraged your SF community. Now, it is our chance to return the favor. This is a give and take relationship and we are here for you. I will be praying for you and your migraine issues. Just stay strong and keep the faith! All Gods blessings on you in your time of need --- Hilary

Re: Day 55

Bridget — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:56:35 GMT

Day 55

It feels funny being back on here after being gone for so long. I know it's only been eight days, but a lot can change in eight days. The day after I wrote my Day 47 post, I was hit with a cycle of migraines that lasted for five days...I did good for two days and the migraines started again three days ago. I did go to the doctor and found out I have a double ear infection and a sinus infection, but the antibiotics are not working and I feel like I'm losing my mind. I haven't had this many migraines in over three months...I was doing so well on my meds and now I'm taking emergency meds every single day. If something doesn't change I'll have to go back and have the migraine stuff in the IV that breaks the migraine cycle. I've had migraines for 15 years and they used to be so much worse, but having three good months and then this, it just seems worse, even though I know it really isn't. Oh well, can't do anything about it right now.

My plan has been going fine except for the exercise. Can't walk outside because of the farmers are combining and I'm allergic to the dust (it makes my migraines even worse if you can imagine that) and I don't feel like exercising at all because of the migraines...it makes them a lot worse. I'm just in a lose/lose situation with exercise for the time being. I will get back on track as soon as I can. Not gaining weight, not losing weight, but I'm okay with that right now...I've got too many other problems.

My sister going back to work after her maternity leave has thrown me for a loop as well...she is my accountability partner and she barely has time for me now...not her fault, she just works full-time and has two kids under two. It is what it is and I'm a grown up, I should be able to handle all of this, but I'm failing miserably. Boy is this a happy post or what? Sorry for being such a downer, but I having a hard time right now and I just needed to vent in my journal. Venting is always better than turning to food. That doesn't solve anything, it only creates more problems.

I'm hoping all of you are hanging tough and doing well. I am fighting to get my happy, peaceful, migraine free life back and I will, no matter what it takes. Stay strong everyone!

Blessings, Bridget

Re: Week 7: Day 47

Bridget — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:47:02 GMT

Week 7: Day 47

Today was not the best day in the world, although technically any day above ground is a good day. I stupidly put off my college work until the day it was due and wound up spending almost my whole Sunday on it. I've got to work out a better system than that. I'm a natural born procrastinator and I always have been, but I'm thinking since I've been able to establish new habits of late, maybe I could work on the procrastinating issue as well. We shall see.

Eating plan was fine, no exercise because I didn't have time or make time...take your choice. Tomorrow there will be no excuses. I will exercise and do my Bible study. I know that with the new job things are changing and I've got to figure out a way to change with them...that's another thing I'm going to really work on this week. I'm just so thankful to have one more day off to figure some of it out.

I know I sound scatter-brained today and I kind of am. I just need to get some rest and relax. Tomorrow is a new untarnished day and I will make the best of it.

Blessings, Bridget

Re: Week 7: Day 46

Bridget — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:58:13 GMT

Week 7: Day 46

I had a really wonderful day. I slept in...can't believe the dogs let me get away with that, got up and had a snack while my shake was chilling in the freezer, caught up on my Bible study and devotional, talked to my sister in Oklahoma, checked and replied to my emails and lots more. It was great and I really felt like I accomplished something. I've also been praying so hard that God will open my heart to exercise...that he would help me enjoy and look forward to it...today I noticed a difference when I got ready to go for a walk. I didn't allow myself to make up reasons why I couldn't or didn't want to walk. I just got my socks, shoes, cell and music and hit the road. I had total peace about it...God is so good and so amazing. I'm going to keep praying and praying until it is as natural as any other part of my routine. I won't give up on exercise, because it is a big piece of the "get healthy" puzzle for me. Everything seems so awesome right now...like anything is possilbe...and in reality most things are possible because I believe, because I have hope and faith. I will see this through and I will succeed with God's help...one day at a time.

Blessings, Bridget

Re: Week 6: Day 44 & Week 7: Day 45

Bridget — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:09:11 GMT

Week 6: Day 44

Great day...second day at my new job...I love it! It is the most perfect job in the world. The only problem is I get distracted and forget to actually write in my journal. Yesterday was one of those days. My eating plan is going great and I even got exercise in yesterday. I've spent the last two evenings reading a couple of great books...I adore books, that's part of why being a librarian is the perfect job. I also like that there are less restrictions on books in the public library than compared to the school setting. I'm settling into my new routine of taking care of my family, working and college once more...the BIG difference this time is that I'm happy in my job...which makes everything else in my life easier. Things are going pretty darn great...I'm very blessed.

Week 7: Day 45

A really good day. My food plan is going so well that I feel like doing a "happy dance." I don't even really have to think about it any more. It all just comes naturally. Binging almost never crosses my mind anymore and even when it does I just pray about it and move on. I don't ever let the thought turn into action. Now I'm facing the "exercise demon" : ) I spend a lot of time praying about this one. I so want to want to exercise...I want to feel passionate about it and be excited when it's time to walk or dance or whatever. Right now I'll keep praying and keep making myself do it...one day at a time. I'm sure that one day it will be easier...I gotta keep the faith.

Today was weigh in day and I lost 6oz. I know it's not great, but at least I didn't gain this week. I think that with starting work and trying to work my food schedule into a work schedule it just threw me off a bit. I'll get it all together and then I'm sure the weight loss will get back on track. I really want to be under 200lbs before I fly back to Oklahoma for Christmas. I'm just going to have to work and pray harder.

I better go for now...my dogs are hungry and giving me the "look."

Blessings, Bridget

Re: Week 6: Day 41

Bridget — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:12:06 GMT

Week 6: Day 41

All in all a pretty good day. Rested a lot and read a great book...can't ask for too much more than that...I really am blessed with a great life. My food plan went great and I did not exercise today, even though I was supposed to. I'm praying about that and will exercise in the morning. I really want to have a change of heart in regards to exercise...I'm praying that God will soften my heart toward it and put the desire to exercise in my mind, body and soul. Until that miracle occurs, I'm going to just take it one day at a time and do all that I can to be healthy.

I'm off to bed now...sleep tight everyone.

Blessings, Bridget