Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Extreme Makeover / 40 by 40 - Week 3

{ae filkins}
Once again, it's time for our check-in with Amber's Extreme Makeover: Me Edition. Check it out if you'd like some encouragement from lots of other women who are trying to make healthier choices for their lives.
Well, I don't have a lot of progress to report. I'm still at the same weight - 4 lbs. down from that first week. Dang - I hope I can lose more than that!!! I have not been faithful to my goals yet, either, so I'm going to have to work on the same things: getting a good routine in place so that I'm putting prayer first! Then I have to work harder on planning my shopping lists and menus.
I have been exercising, which is an accomplishment for me. But I think I have to learn to do it in moderation. On the days that I feel good and energetic, I do a LOT, but then I'm completely wiped out the next day. On Saturday, Hope and I went to "Be A Tourist in Your Own Town" where there were free and fun activities all around our city for the entire day. I strapped on my pedometer and managed about 12,000 steps (this is categorized as "very active", I believe). It felt great, but I spent Saturday evening and Sunday completely exhausted. Monday I felt better, so I did a little wii fit, 15 minutes on the elliptical, rode my bike a mile or two to bring the kids to their after-school program, and then walked another mile or so to the library. It felt great. . . BUT, Tuesday, once again had me almost bed-ridden. It's frustrating because I want to know when I'll be able to maintain a decent level of activity.
Still workin' on getting good sleep. I have a bum shoulder, which will hopefully be taken care of by a doctor tomororw. I pulled a hamstring while walking and then subsequently tripping on a chunk of uneven sidewalk during the "Be A Tourist" event. Talk about feeling clumsy. . . .
Here's Amber's question for the week: What's your favorite beauty secret? I know this has nothing to do with losing weight, per se, but on the other hand, it has everything to do with feeling good about yourself. So, in a sense, they go hand in hand.
I don't think I have any beauty secrets! I don't often feel "beautiful" these days. But I think what's most important for me is to make sure I'm praying every day and putting God's view of me in the forefront of my mind. When I'm confident of who I am in the Lord, then I feel the best about myself and consequently, I am the most attractive to others.

15 comments:

  1. I totally understand about over doing it! It took 2 days for my legs to be back to normal after my water aerobic/parent tot swim lesson on Saturday!

    Good Luck this week!

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  2. Prayer is an awesome beauty secret! Prayer helps us keep perspective on our lives, and we make more good choices when we are praying regularly.

    I have always felt that a person doing good always looks more beautiful. I even notice in myself when I look in the mirror. If I'm doing what's right, I feel like I look prettier!

    I know it sounds weird, but it's true!

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  3. I think that may be the best beauty tip ever.

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  4. great job with the working out! i think you're on the right track ~ you just need to pace yourself so you have the energy to work out the next day. :o)

    good luck this week!

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  5. That is a fabulous tip. Definitely should be the first beauty tip. :)

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  6. Jen,

    You're doing great. You've got the right idea about prayer. The pedometer is a great idea. 12,000 steps is awesome!! Weight Watchers has a new one that I'm thinking of buying. It calculates activity points too.

    Good luck this week!

    Much love from NJ,
    Sue
    xoxo

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  7. Jen,

    You're doing great!! Prayer is the best beauty tip!!

    The pedometer sounds like a good idea. 12,000 steps is awesome!! Weight Watchers has a new one that calculates activity points. I'm thinking of getting it.

    Good luck this week!

    Much love from NJ,
    Sue
    xoxo

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  8. Congrats on maintaining your 4 lbs down and exercising! That is great progress! Good luck and I hope you have a great day.

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  9. I think prayer is a great secret! And I suffere from workout over do as well! I want to push my body waaaaaaaaaaay beyond where I should and then suffer for it and end up getting no more exercise for a couple days because I am too sore!

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  10. I think that's the best beauty tip! I hear ya on the exercise moderation. I do the same, get all jazzed up and go overboard, and then no exercise for weeks!

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  11. Hi Jen!

    I think you are doing great. It sounds like you are being very active. I'm sorry about your shoulder - that is very hard. I hope it feels better soon!

    I liked your beauty tip - very true!

    XOXO
    Jen

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  12. Hi Jen!
    As you already know, you need to pace yourself with the exercise. Whenever I start out exercising after a period of doing nothing (months 8&9 of pregnancy and a month after birth), I always start just by walking a mile or two each day...that's it!

    Then you can slowly work up to doing more, your body will thank you, and you won't be so overwhelmed with such a HUGE lifestyle change all at once.

    Thanks for your advice about praying to be at peace with what I can do right now - that's the best advice I've gotten, and exactly what I need to be doing :)

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  13. I'm joining you in the 40x40 fight! I'm going to start by walking, until Dr S gives me the okay for cardio. It seems so daunting tostart, but I know I have to!

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  14. I need to get started with it all but I definitely know you have to exercise moderately to get started again. I've burned myself out of it all by doing too much too soon, lots of times!

    Stop by my blog...I have something for you!

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