Playing Catch Up!

My last post was July 8, 2012 (See it here). I was updating y'all on my life and my progress, and on changes at work. I fully intended on logging in & posting the next day as well. However, on July 9, 2012, my life changed. I lost someone very, very close to me and my heart. My dad. 

I received a call shortly after dropping my little off for school, it was my Step-Mom asking me to go to the house to check on my Dad, my Nan-Nan (grandmother) was already there, along with the police. The officer asked if I minded trying to bust out a window (the locksmith was an hour away), I said "No".  So, we wrapped my hand in a towel and tried with a brick. However, that window refused to break. The officer then went and retrieved a lock pick kit from another officer, this was also unsuccessful. Another officer tried to kick the door in; another no-go. What ended up working was a sledge hammer. The officers then went in and announced themselves & called out to my Dad... No answer. By following his dog (Bruno), they found him. Bruno wouldn't leave his side once, or let the officers near my dad, so I volunteered to go in and get him. It was really hard to see him like that. He had suffered a heart attack the day before. Unknown to him and to us, he had arrhythmia  and an enlarged heart. The coroner gave us a name for it all, I just can't think of it! 

After finding him, I only cried once. Everyone said I was in shock. However, that was not the case. Instead of expressing my feelings in a healthy way, I ate them away. If I was sad, I ate. If I missed him, I ate... You get the point. By doing this, I basically un-did all of my hard work. It was a really hard for me to admit I had gained so much. I went up 15 lbs and  a total of 13 inches. 

I knew I had gained some weight (my jeans weren't quite fitting right [as in not buttoning] & some shirts weren't quite right either), but it wasn't until I stepped on a scale & took my measurements that I realized just how much! I started trying to correct this problem in the beginning of January.  I have always been more concerned with losing weight quickly (ya know, the microwave generation), and not as concerned with my over-all health.  However, I didn't gain it all in one month & I am not going to lose it all in one month; not if I want to keep it off! When it comes to health, slow & steady is going to win the race.

The first change was no more soda. I only drink unsweetened coffee (in the morning), hot tea, and water. I never knew how much I loved water! I don't think I can get through my day without it! My next  change was starting to cut out heavily processed foods. I am not all the way there, but I am making amazing progress. I am eating a ton of fruits & veggies everyday! I still need to work on eating breakfast! 

I know this has been painfully long, but it has been a long time since I have posted. I'll post again to continue playing catch up. And, I'll leave you with my new mantra... 

"DON'T WISH FOR IT, WORK FOR IT!" 

Wish me luck, y'all!