Sunday, April 04, 2010

Monday Musings




Can you believe it?? 29 pounds and 33.25 inches in 12 weeks. I never would have believed it when I began this journey in early January. The first picture was taken the second Saturday (after the first 7 pounds went away), the second one was taken a week ago.






I have 12 more pounds to my goal, and if the pace continues these next 6 weeks as it has the past 12, I will reach my goal during Phase III. The program, as I have mentioned before, is called PRISM. It is usually done through a church, but you can do it by yourself with an accountability partner. We have a lesson to read each day, questions to answer about our personal journeys, and a very informative DVD at each meeting.

I have avoided meetings and fees for years, ever since I "backslid" from my Weight Watchers success. I tried to do it on my own, confident that I could. I have never believed in eliminating a food group from my diet. But it is amazing to me how I was able to eliminate sugar and white flower without batting an eye, because they are things that we not only don't need, but are really not good for us. It was also great to meet each week and share our successes and challenges with friends and my sister.

Of course, working out 5 days a week for at least 45 minutes has helped as well, not to mention the water consumption I have increased. Suffice it to say, I am very happy and excited. I look forward to actually maintaining this time! When your 5-year-old grandgirl makes a comment on your shrinking figure, you know it's good!

The spiritual aspect of this journey has been a huge plus. I have enjoyed the scriptures the writers of the program have found to encourage us as we go.

I Timothy 4:15-16 - "Put these abilities to work; throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone may notice your improvement and progress. Keep a close watch on all you do and think. Stay true to what is right and God will bless you and use you to help others." (The Living Bible).

Proverbs 4:25-27 - "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left . . . " (NIV).

Habakkuk 2:3 - "But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" (TLB

Easter was wonderful. The whole week. Our new pastor is a wonderful preacher, and he and his wife are a great musical team. Over 400 people came through our 8th annual Easter Marketplace, and the weather even halfway cooperated. The twins didn't enjoy the Marketplace - too many people and too much confusion. I ended up bringing them home with me so the big girls could have fun with Kristen. Thus, no pictures.

But earlier in the week we had a fun egg hunt in our back yard, just the girls and me. They had their annual egg coloring event with Great Aunt G and brought the eggs over to my house - it was spring break, so I had all 4 of them on Tuesday and Thursday. I was impressed with the egg-hiding abilities of both Feisty and Care Bear. (Note the residual snow piles?)




The flowers are finally showing their beautiful faces - I'm still waiting for the first daffodil.







I bought myself a bouquet of roses - just couldn't resist. I enjoyed them very much --






Saturday night, since I always have the girls, I got to be the Easter Bunny for the first time in awhile. The girls really got into it, leaving him (her?) notes and gifts. Care Bear has the amazing ability to write backwards - don't know what that will do for her along the way, but it is something I sure never thought of doing!







I had not experienced the early morning excitement of kids when they wake up to their baskets full of goodies in a very long time - I was half asleep, but getting a real kick out of their animated 6:00 a.m. conversation. We got to church for breakfast by 8:00 - nothing short of amazing! Here's the only picture I got - not good, but cute nevertheless.



As I mentioned in the previous post, Kristen got sick again during the night - it has been a very rough year for her (and all of us as a result). We treasure and count on your prayers.


24 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

YOU, my dear, you look mahvelous!!!!!! Way to go. I bet you feel a lot better, both physically and mentally. Keep it up.

Love all the Easter photos Dawn. And the crocus...heavenly.

Susan said...

Way to go Dawn!!!! Love the picture of grandpa and the girls :o)

SentimentsbyDenise said...

Dawn - you and I are right at the same amount of weight loss! (but I have much more to go than you!). Those 12 pounds will come off quickly because you're doing more than just a weight loss program with Prism - good job! I wrote a post about these last 3 months and being intentional. Hope you can stop by and read it!
Love the Easter pic of the girls and DC - so very cute! I hope to post about Easter tonight. (I'm working on the post in my head today - ha!).

nancygrayce said...

That weight loss is absolutely wonderful! I know because about 5 years ago I lost 30 lbs. on WW but have put it all back on! I really have to get busy losing again. You look great!

What fun with the Easter baskets! The girls are so cute in their outfits!

Needled Mom said...

WOW Dawn....the difference is amazing!!!! Way to go. I am sure it feels so good. You have earned that new wardrobe. ;)

It sounds like your Easter was fun with the little one's wonderment. It's always fun to have small ones around for those special days.

I hope that Kristen is feeling better. Prayers continue for all of you.

Robin said...

Oh Dawn - you look great - just great! I am so proud of you - what an amazing accomplishment in such a short time.
Your Easter pic's are cute and it looks like you had a great, although busy, weekend!

someone else said...

The best part of this post is that you bought yourself some roses. If anyone deserves a treat, it would be you. How pretty!

grammy said...

Super Great Good Job 9o:
I have kept 40 pounds off for three years...
but there is a pesky 3 pounds that came back
and it is all in the tummy
I have not walked like I should this winter so I guess that is why...and the desserts at Bible Study (o: What work out do you do?
The girls are adorable (o: Love Easter outfits.
Sorry Kristen is sick.

Would you want to come to Longmont and have coffee some Friday. I don't have kids that day, so we could do grown up coffee...but if you have the twins, I could get my 2 year old and we could have coffee at play land in McDonald's. Just a random thought (o:

Carole Burant said...

Oh Dawn, you look simply amazing, look at all the weight you've lost! I think I would find it so hard to give up sugar, I have quite the sweet tooth! lol I have no doubts that you will be able to lose those 12 lbs you still want to lose quite easily, you're so focused.

Sounds like such a fun Easter you had and love the picture of grandpa with the girls in their Easter dresses:-)

My prayers continue for Kristen!! xoxo

Sam said...

Dawn, you look amazing! Congratulations!! You must feel so much better, and you must be so proud every time you look in the mirror!

Love the Easter picture of the family. Those girls get cuter all the time.

Your roses are so beautiful!

Feisty can write backwards?? Wow. That girl is exceptional. She is extremely bright. I know you know this! :-)

Linda said...

Oh Dawn - good for you!!!! You inspire me to get rid of this ten pounds.
The picture of the girls and grandpa is just precious.

Sharon Lynne said...

You are looking great! You have so much self-discipline! Good for you!

Those verses are wonderful! I can see how they kept you going. And they will keep me going as I think of my "mothering" of my 2 boys. God will bring our vision for our boys (I'm including Kevin here) to fruition. He wants them complete in Him...this is His will.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Go Dawn! Good for you!

Nice Easter pic of Grandpa and his girls. :o)

Sorry to hear that Kristen is sick yet again, bless her heart, and bless your heart for having the girls more until she's better.

Hope you have a great new week, Dawn.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Ms. Kathleen said...

YOU LOOK FANTASTIC! I haven't been doing to badly myself but am not ready to post pics yet.

Wow, those grandkids are growing like crazy. Great photos :)

Midlife Mom said...

Oh my goodness my dear, you look just Fabulous! I am so proud of you for taking off so much weight. I am jealous too as I still have a long way to go...... :o) Good job! I really like the scriptures you put in this post and think I need to copy them and put them on my refrigerator.

So sorry that Kirsten is down again with that virus! I will be praying for for restored health for her and strength for you as you fill in for her with the girls.

We had a wonderful Easter too. Very low key here at home with just my FIL and the kids with us so it wasn't a lot of work as my DIL and I both make things. Our services were wonderful, the music spectacular, a very special day. My neice Funsize playe piano for the choir now and was a little nervous as it was a complicated piece but she and they came through with flying colors! It seemed so good to have the choir back up there, I think there were 38. We don't have a choir piece every week, it's more for special services and seasons but I will take what I can get!!

Thank you for your kind comments about our little Skipper. It was hard writing his story but I think I feel better now that I have done it.

Take care my friend. Wish I lived closer so that I could do the diet with you!!!! xoxox

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Good job on the weight loss! Enjoyed all the wonderful pictures!

Just Call Me Grammy said...

29 lbs WoW! You look great. Your progress is encouraging and inspiring. I'm just getting started (again).

Brenda said...

Congratulations, Dawn, on your weight loss! Not much more now!

nannykim said...

Wow looks like you have your hands full--I would think you would loose weight just in kiddie business!! You surely have done well on the diet!!! I always yo-yo loosing and gaining in a ten pound zone. I am trying to be a bit more careful on evening snacks!!!

Just prayed for your daughter, take care.

Glenda said...

Wow, Dawn!! You have really lost some weight and look so nice! You deserve those beautiful roses! Sounds like you and your family had a wonderful Easter. Our small church had 101 - really good for us - and a very special Good Friday worship service, also!

Cute pics of the girls!

groovyoldlady said...

Oh Dawn, Hurray for the successful weight loss! And even better is that you've coupled it with spiritual growth (1 Timothy 4:7-8)

Love seeing the kids and the flowers. I am praying for Kristen...

Christa said...

Way to go, hope I can have such luck, my gym closed in Feb. the one I could walk to. You look good, cute pics of the girls.
First year in 40 we haven't colored eggs. No little ones here to look for them, but I did have a good Easter, my oldest son and his girlfriend came for a visit. Enjoy those girls, it sure looks like to you do!
God bless

Unknown said...

You look great, Dawn! I'm glad this weight loss program is working so well for you. :-)

The roses you bought are so beautiful, and the Easter picture of DC and the girls is so sweet.

I hope Kristen is doing better.

My Recent Favorite Books said...

I think your photos are great!
Thanks for the comment on my Love to read blog! You asked me how I found your blog..Im not sure..I will have to start putting how I found blogs in my posts, so that I can remember also ~ LOL
Melissa