So, just a few "Monday Musings" that came to me in the shower this morning AFTER I worked out ...

 

Wow, I thought my tummy was ugly before????  Now, it's starting to sag AND it has HAIR growing out of it (EEEWWWWW!).  I guess since it's on the lower half of my stomach, I couldn't SEE it when my belly was so big!  Now, it's just plain SCARY!  WHAT is that all about??? 

 

After I got over the shock of looking at my belly, I finished washing up & stepped out of the shower (insert heavenly sounding music here & a glorious sunbeam shinning down from above) ... Lo & behold, I was able to wrap the towel around my WHOLE BODY & there was not a GAPING CRATER down the side!!!  Yep, for the first time in a LONG TIME, a regular bath towel encircled my ENTIRE body & stayed put!!!  I actually did a little "towel dance" in the middle of my bathroom!  What a victory!! 

 

I share those with you because this weekend, I got HORRIBLY off track!  I didn't really work out at all (I normally do 5-6 times a week!) & by Sunday, I was depressed that I had gained back that extra pound I had lost by Thurs. & my mood was in the toilet!  I was grumpy & short w/everyone.  I managed to get everyone to church b/c I KNEW I needed it, but I still didn't lighten up.  In fact, as the day went on, I got even "moodier" & ended up baking some of those "break apart" cookies that were left over from my daughter's b-day slumber party on Friday (Ray was out snowblowing).  Now, I have to tell you that I have NOT stooped to "emotional eating" since I had a giant piece of my daughter's b-day cake back on the first of February.  I knew I had been riding a "slippery slope," as I'd had some fast food on Fri. & some soda (which I have almost totally cut out ... MAYBE one can a week w/healthy pizza on Fridays!).  I thought I'd be OK, but w/the snowstorm & having "extra" kids here for 2 days/nights, I just kinda "gave up" on me.  I think by the time Sun. rolled around, I knew I was in trouble!  As the day went on, I ate the cookies (5 of them ... UGGGHHH!) & drank some Hot Chocolate before bed (haven't eaten before bed since starting this whole challenge!).  I drank little (if any!) water for those few days & I am STILL AMAZED that I lost that ONE pound by Sun. morning!  I guess maybe I HAVE built up enough muscle to "keep burning the fat" when I don't do so hot!  

 

Anyway, I am PROUD to say that I mustered up EVERY OUNCE of 212 DETERMINATION that I could & I FORCED myself to get in the basement & work out BEFORE anything could get in the way today.  I even promised my 4 yr. old that we'd go the library AFTER I worked out (knowing she'd hold me to it & I wouldn't be able to slack off & not go!).  I was DREADING working out b/c I knew it had been 4-5 days since my last workout & I even thought about just doing a 30 min. "easy-breezy" ball routine I have.  Once I was dressed & in the basement, I figured I'd better just buckle down & get to it.  I put on my 1 hr. ADVANCED tape & almost DIED!  It's AMAZING how quickly our body reverts back to being "out of shape"!  I was able to do the whole thing (minus a few reps on certain exercises), but man, was I SUCKING WIND!!!  My muscles were NOT happy that I had "taken the break" & I can assure you that I will be at it EVERY DAY THIS WEEK to get back in the groove! 

 

I was starting to feel "proud" of the muscles I was developing & even though I'm a LOOONG way from my goal, I was proud of my progress!  Getting off track this weekend reminded me that I AM human & I WILL make mistakes, but for the first time EVER, I said, "Today is a fresh start & I choose to take back control"!  I've been pretty "upbeat" & determined through this process, but I think I finally had my moment of doubt.  Thankfully, I've come TOOOO far to let it overcome me & I KNOW, w/the help of my husband, my 212 family & all of you, I can stand up proud, again & move forward!  I really want to be an inspiration to all of those moms out there that think there's NO WAY they can do it!  With 6 children, it isn't always easy, but I know it HAS to be done!  I want to reach out to each of you & say, "it's OK, we're going to make mistakes, but we WIN just because we choose to learn & move forward!"  Please know that I think you're WORTH IT & I hope that you will dig deep & find a way to re-energize yourself one more time, if you are struggling!  Together, we WILL do this!!!