I have to kind of chuckle as I write this post.
Last week, in my Getting Fit- May Measurements post, I answered the weekly Mamavation Monday question, which was: “Do you know when to back off of your efforts? When is the last time you took a step back in the name of gentle kindness to yourself?” I answered that I do know when to back off, and had felt pretty good about the fact that I had taken one day off the prior week when I felt a migraine coming on.
Little did I know that I would have to take most of the week off this week. I exercised on Monday and Tuesday as I normally would, getting up at 5 a.m. and using the elliptical trainer. Tuesday evening, my throat started feeling scratchy and I was exhausted. Wednesday morning, the alarm went off and I turned it off. I just couldn’t do it. I decided to be kind to myself and give myself the day to recoup from whatever was trying to drag me down.
Thursday… no better…
Friday… more of the same…
Saturday… well, you get the picture.
Sunday… I don’t work out on Sundays.
I had a solid two days of exercise before having to take the rest of the week off courtesy of tree, grass, and mold counts. As I sit here writing this, my throat is still scratchy, and I don’t have all the energy I have come to enjoy. Yeah, allergy season, right.
Being unable to exercise is really such a drag! First, I miss the energy that I gain from exercise. Second, I miss being able to eat back a portion of the calories I burn. Having to be diligent and stick to a calorie count, knowing that I hadn’t EARNED anything additional seriously made me consider things this week. I could either eat a handful of pretzels or three whole squash. HMMMM. Let me think on that… squash please.
That being said, I expected to have a no-gain, no-loss week. BUT the scale had a different answer…
Apparently, those muscles I have worked hard to earn decided to love me back because I lost 3.8lb this week, bringing my grand total to 50lb lost since the beginning of the year. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am to have lost 50 pounds. That is nearly the weight of my two children combined! As we were getting the kids ready for church, I told my husband that I made goal.
A few minutes later, he presented me with a box and said I needed to open it before we left. So, I did…
Inside was a piece of paper on which he printed, “Congratulations on 50lbs!!! Love ya, B”
And beneath that was the Camelbak I’ve been wanting to get so that I could start 5K training outdoors.
I won’t lie… I literally just busted out crying and hugged him. He smiled sheepishly and said, “I knew you would be hitting the 50lb mark soon, and I’m proud of you.” I have absolutely NO IDEA what I did to deserve such a kind, supportive, and thoughtful husband, but I am sure glad I did. Knowing that he was planning on me hitting this milestone, and had absolute faith that I WOULD really means a lot to me. I truly am blessed!
Oh, and did you notice, he got it in pink! WOOT! It is the 50 ounce hydration pack, which should be more than enough for a 5K!
Okay, so now that you are all teary eyed with me, let’s look at this week’s Mamavation Monday question…
In your wellness efforts what is the simplest healthy habit that makes you feel most centered after doing it?
The healthy habit that makes me feel most centered after doing it is exercise. At the beginning of this year, when I stood on the scale and saw 225lb staring back at me, I felt defeated, and I hate feeling defeated. Exercise restores my sense of balance and helps me focus on what is important, which is exhilarating.
What helps you feel centered?
I wrote this blog post while participating in the Mamavation Blogging Carnival for a chance to win a pair of Earth Footwear sandals.
Holy Cow Girl! Way To Go on 50lbs!! Your hubby had me in tears too for you. How amazing it is to have that kind of support from our husbands?! (My husband is going to peak in and shake his head at me any second for crying)
Love the pink color too! Hope the allergies don’t keep you down so you can get to training.
That was sooo sweet of you husband!! Love the Pink, and congrats on the 50lbs. I sooo hope to lose that by the end of the year.
First – awesome! Second – what a sweet gift!! Keep up the great work!!!
For me, I am starting Nutrisystem with my blog but also plan to walk to pick up daughter from school as well as run in backyard with my sons daily (when the rain holds back). This has helped me start to lose a little belly fat, but the weight on the scale still says 210… usually I gain muscle and lose fat, so inches go buh-bye but weight on scale barely moves. I like to see the # go down, seems more motivating!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s soooooooooooooooo awesome to see your super hard work paying off. And the super cute camelbak! Will your husband talk to my husband? 🙂 Have an awesome week!
Amazing! You are doing so well and I am in awe! You truly are an inspiration and I am going to look to you for support now!
I’m so happy for you. In spite of feeling badly and not exercising like normal, you still did it! Your hubs is a good guy!
You go girl!! That’s an awesome achievement and your husband sounds wonderful. *hugs*
OMG that was so awesome of him. CONGRATS!!! I’m sooooo proud of you! Unfortunately I’ve gained back almost 10 lbs since I started working. I need to get back on the ball. Thanks for being a motivator for me.
What a total sweetheart!! Congratulations on hitting 50 lbs!!!
Virgina, as I have just read this I am a little teary-eyed. That is so sweet and supportive. Give your husband a hug for all of us in the Sistahood. That is the kind of family involvement that makes a difference and pushes us forward. CONGRATULATIONS on your milestone – you are inspiring!
Oh wow, I AM all teary eyed! Congratulations on the 50 pounds off! This hits home to me more than you know. I have the same start weight and the same goal.
And your husband loves you. That is the best part of all, huh?
Congratulations.
Aw! Congrats on hitting that milestone. And your husband sounds like a prince! 🙂
Also?
WTG and CONGRATS!! How awesome of your husband too!!
This camel back is so awesome and you loss is great. Thank you for being so active
Good for you in listening to your body and the weight loss! That is awesome! Your husband sounds wonderful. It’s great to have that kind of support.
What a sweet husband you have! I wonder how long he has been hiding that surprise from you? Congratulations on such a huge achievement!!
That is awesome for you! Congrats on the 50 pounds!
What a sweet husband you have.
50 pounds lost is a huge deal. Good for you. And you know it is working when you have to skip and you miss it!
congrats on the 50lbs you lost a child!!!! I am so orud iof you!!
Virginia,
Brian is SO sweet!! you guys are lucky to have each other.
I told him that you are sure looking great from the pictures you’ve posted…he replied, “You’re telling me!!” : )
Congrats on the weight loss, what an awesome milestone! BTW, When are you planning to do this 5K?
Great job. That is one major milestone. Way to go!
It’s wonderful that your husband is supportive of your goals! He bought you a gift!
Also – amazing job on the 3.8 pounds!
I am envious that you are able to get up at 5am with no issues (except when you were sick). I have been trying to get back into that habit for years and I just can’t seem to do it. Any words of wisdom? Should I just stop being a baby about it I guess?
Congratulations on that amazing milestone!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I love the camelback. I was thinking about training for a 1/2 marathon
Woohoo!!!! Congratulations!!! And what a great gift to commemorate your accomplishment. You go, girl!! Good job giving yourself the rest you needed this week. 🙂
YAY!! Congrats on your loss!! That is absolutely amazing!! And your hubby is pretty amazing too!
that’s AWESOME congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had no doubt either that you would make that 50 pounds- you work so hard and have such motivation youre truly an inspiration.
WTG on the 50- I bet your hubby has your next goal weight gift on order 🙂
Congratulations on losing 50 lbs! I am going to have to go back and read how you did it. I need to lose weight, and need some motivation to help get me started!