Slow, But Sure....

Its Monday everyone !  Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, we sure did!
We spend a lot of hours outdoors all weekend long.  Played a few games of baseball with Bart and the kids this weekend, IT WAS A BLAST.  Bart would chuckle at me running the bases because my legs have been so sore from my speed/tempo work.  That's okay, I didn't mind I still had so much fun even tho!

Well, I'm still sitting at my 16 pound weight loss story, BUT.....its really okay.  I am hanging strong working through my running &exercise routines.  I don't think I'm eating the best right now because we are so busy with Lex having softball games, practices that I'm not paying attention to just how many bites I am eating of everything.  I'm trying, and I say trying to stay away from sugar.  I do allow myself some kind of sweet treat at least everyday, I wonder if I'm hurting myself by doing this.  I've got to keep going tho, I will not let this weight rent my body (as I said in the past) for another whole year. 

My big goal is to have most of it off by the time I run my half marathon in October, which gives me about 5 1/2 months.  I have been, up until a few weeks ago, been regularly losing about 2-3 pounds per week.  For some reason I am stuck hovering over my same weight, but its really okay because I am still working hard, and eating healthy almost 90% of the time.   

Last week I started to walk with Bart...(more like speed walk, he walks sooooo fast!) for about 3-4 miles per day.  Then at night I would run my normal 3-5 mile routes.  Yes, it is a lot of work!  When someone says, "Weight Loss Is Hard Work"...I completely, and totally agree with them!  I just know what I want....and it may take almost a year to get all my weight off that I would like to, but I'm going to just keep working.

Today is Monday at 12:45 pm I just finished running my 5 miler, then Bart came home from work around 10:30 and asked if I would walk with him, so we did a 4 mile power walk.  So proud of myself that I'm keeping up with the momentum and knowing that I'm one day closer to being healthy.  I'm going to continue to kick myself in the butt everyday 'til I get down to a healthy weight for my body.  Have a great day everyone ! 


Saw this on Pinterest and thought it was hilarious ! :)  Couldn't help but laugh!! Wish I could say this is NEVER me ! ;)

Yes, I'm Still Here.....Scale Obsessed :)

Hi!  Its been a while since I've updated you all on my weight loss/running progress.  I just checked my stats and saw that a lot of you are dedicated readers, so I thought I wouldn't leave you hanging.  If I can help and inspire just one person, that would be so incredible to me.  This week has been one of my hardest thus far.  Emotionally, physically, and mentally!  Nope I haven't quit, but I've came close.....due to my lovely -monthly cycle/and possibly a plateau.  Yes, six weeks into my running, eating healthy plan I've lost 16 pounds STILL!  I have come to terms this week that I've almost 'literally' ran strait into a brick wall!  jk :)

 I had my monthly friend visit this week..... aka as women refer to it..."Aunt Flo!"  Sorry guys......I gotta be strait here and not try and tell you a bunch of stuff about me that isn't true.  I am completely honest when I say things that probably aren't blog approved, such as monthly cycles.  Let me explain....earlier this week I noticed my scale was creeping up a bit.  I was ready to literally lose it, because I've upped my intensity with some weight lifting, running, and added some intense core work.  Normally, I would think I'd be down another two pounds or so......but what the heck!!  The scale is going up???!!!!  UGH!  Here Bart is ...... still losing like crazy, eating his salads, having willpower like crazy when it comes to junk food!  Don't get me wrong, I'm dang proud of his weight loss!:)   But, here I was  hormone fused.....looking for the nearest chocolate staple, frustrated as heck that my scale was moving the wrong way!   Well, I didn't binge on chocolate or anything, but I was close.  I came to finally figure out by the end of this week, I immediately was down to my normal 16 pound loss weight like before.  Has anyone ever else had this happen to them?   weight gain during Aunt Flo's visit?    Ladies?  Mom?  Erika?  :)    ( I'm literally laughing at myself out loud right now sharing this information with you all!)  HA!  Like I said previous, I want to share what my motivations are, what is working....and what is NOT working as far as my weight loss goals. I am definitely 'putting' myself out there for accountability, just as my first post says. :) 

Anyways, I'm back at it. Going strong running about 8 miles total this week.  Definitely not like my previous weeks, but I have added a lot of speed work, tempo runs, and a lot of weight training, squats, planks, and lots of core work.  I'm trying to add quite a bit more exercises along into my  running routines.  They say your body gets used to doing the same old exercise, so I'm trying to shake things up a bit so I can get that scale up and MOVING again!     I'll try and post a few of Bart and I's fav recipes what we've been whipping up that are delish............. keeping us healthy and losing these pounds.     Have a blessed weekend!!  (I am looking forward to some nice long runs, since the weather is going to be amazing)

Amen...

One Day At A Time.....

 

Well, Hi everyone !  Yet, another day of 'winter'.  I think everybody that you talk to is sooooo ready for sunshine, warm weather, and days with no snow in the forecast.  Yet, I know everyone says, "We need the MOISTURE!."  Well, someone is getting blessed with praying for moisture.  We are learning about being content in our Sunday School class.  It is sooooo hard to learn and live to be content each day with snow flying in the air twice in a week. Anyways, I guess we need to just be thankful that we are alive, healthy, and we get to live another day on this planet.  My parents have already mowed a few times living in Fort Madison, Iowa.  I swear living down there is like a 'little Florida." :)   I am so jealous ~!

On to my healthy/eating journey.  I am still going pretty strong, haven't fell off the wagon just yet. I am not ready to ditch the new eating/workout/running plan as of yet.  I really hope and pray I don't each day.  I am actually feeling good, having a lot more energy, and I feel amazing that I 'm actually sticking to this plan.  Right now, I am taking ONE DAY/ONE MEAL/ONE HOUR at a time.  Sometimes days are just down right hard tho.  With having seven kids in our family it can be a real struggle.  Even tho we don't buy a lot of junk food anymore, the kids still get an occasional cookie or two here and there.  We are hoping to instill healthy eating/exercise into their daily lives.  GOSH, I sound like Michelle Obama. :)

Back at that last sentence...noticed I put the word WE....Yes, Bart is on track with this healthy/eating living thing, just as I am.  He got on that wagon about three weeks after I started.  He now says that I inspired HIM!   Amazing....  He didn't tell me that at first, but I'm glad he sure did, it made me feel incredible !!!!   I really think it helps with both of our healthy eating/ weight loss that I am cooking only mostly gluten-free/low to no sugar.  AKA I refer to them as SKINNY DISHES !  The kids are getting used to me trying new recipes and introducing new foods etc.  They are finding out that healthy food actually tastes good !  Its a lot of pinterest time finding good/healthy recipes or really good ones but eliminating all the higher fat, sodium, sugar....substituting with Greek yogurt, 98% FF cream soups, and reduced fat/foods. 

 The changes have benefited both Bart and I.  He has lost about 16 pounds in three to four weeks, where I have lost 16 pounds in 6 weeks.  AHHHH~!  Guys, and their muscle mass.  This reminds me of that cartoon commercial that was on a few years ago where the husband and wife were losing weight together, and in the end the husband ended up being skinny as a stick, while the wife just got smaller boobs!  :)    I can also remember my father-in-law Mike losing a bunch of weight after he had an unexpected stroke.  He did a good job losing some weight, and I remember Judy, my mother-in-law just rolling her eyes and just being frustrated how easy it was for him to lose weight.  Those Waddell men have some stinking HIGH metabolisms!  We are soo envious !  The best thing about Bart, is that he's made a change and I am sooo proud of him for doing & keeping at it!  And~ being honest about telling me that I INSPIRED HIM!  Love Him!
 

Well, this week I am still sitting at a 16 pound loss, like I told you above.  I ran about 7 miles on Monday, I took Tues/Wed off, due to my kiddos traveling out of town to do MCA testing.  Today, as I was getting pelted by Mother Nature with ice pellets, I was able to run about 3.5 miles out to our town cemetery.  It was horrible weather conditions.  I could just see the puddles of rain just pouring off of my raincoat hood.  I asked myself...."WHY ARE YOU OUT IN THIS MESS?" ...... I shut that thought down immediately!  I told myself, "BREATHE....JUST.KEEP.GOING" 

Running is sooooo mental.  You could get frustrated and quit just by thinking the wind isn't right, if your shoes aren't right, heck even if your pants aren't fighting just right.  I am learning....and I say learning, to fight through those emotions/feelings knowing that my body is strong, and my legs are capable of carrying me for miles and miles.  I was kind of embarrassed today as I was out in this rainy/snowy day when  a farmer stopped to ask me, "Are you exercising (looking at me thinking... YOUR NUTS WOMAN) or do you need a ride?"  He was such a nice man, concerned with me being out in such awful weather conditions.  I just thanked him politely and said...."No I'm okay, I'm just one dedicated and committed runner!"

My HEART goes out to all the victims/families affected by this heartless tragedy.  May God bring justice to those responsible. 

The Dish on Weight Loss/Programs

Anybody else craving summer? Warm temps?  85 degree tank top/flip flop weather? 
I sooo am!! 

Anyways onto this blog post:

I have been really reading and studying nutrition/weight loss in my not-so-much 'spare' time.  I ran across this article which I thought was really good, and I wanted to share it with you all!  Here goes: (btw-I'll put my opinion in after each post if I think it relates to what I'm facing in my weight loss goals)

Let me be clear.....I am... totally not a dietitian or doctor, I just found this information on the web, and I couldn't agree with it anymore.....  


Today I want to talk about why so many weight loss programs and "diets" fail. I'm going to explain it for you right now.

It is important to understand that becoming lean or tone is achieved through fat-loss and lean muscle gain, not weight loss. This is important because:

• Muscle tissue burns calories. One pound of lean mass/muscle burns around 15 to 50 calories a day. On the other hand, one pound of fat only burns 6 calories a day. Plus fat is stored energy, storing nearly 3500 calories per pound.

*This week I have started some major strength training exercises.  I think eating whole/clean foods aids so much in weight loss, (they always say 'abs' are made in the kitchen) but lifting any kind of weights, I have found in the past, can totally change a person's body.  I use simple 5 to 10 pound free weights 10 to 30 reps once or twice a day.  Usually in my basement, when I am already heading down to throw a load of laundry in, anyways.  I just have been working out 15 to 25 min at a time.  Nothing too intense & modifying or I think I will get pretty frustrated and burn out ! 

 

Rapid weight loss or under eating can cause muscle tissue to be used as energy, thus slowing down metabolism and making “rebound dieting” more likely.

Hmmm...I think this is why I'd always quit any new "Monday- Start Diet" after just a few days, because I wasn't eating enough to fuel my body.  I'd be so weak and tired...I wouldn't even think clearly!   I would shove anything in my mouth, even if it was junk food, (esp that entire fist full of that large bag of M&Ms on the counter, because I was soooo dang hungry!  Then my diet that I had just started, just a few days earlier, would be a thing of the past!  Anyone else tried this? 

 

• Muscle weighs more than fat. Muscle is more dense than fat, meaning it takes up less space which means fewer “inches”.

Ha!  Maybe that new scale of mine is still my friend after all?  :)  

Food Intake: healthy foods that make you feel full and give you essential nutrients.

*I have come to realize even tho you may despise or hate some sort of food....FORCE yourself to eat or at least try it, because you know that it is sooo good for you!  Mine would have to be lettuce, the past few weeks I've come to realize that it isn't as bad as I thought.  I am now eating small salads.  I'm not talking about loading it up with ranch or any kinds of dressings ( that is where you can run into problems with LOADS of calories, possibly even higher cal count than a McDs Big Mac !)  Light dressings are still okay to use in moderation.   Try a new veggie/fruit each week, you may come to find out you were really missing out !


Cardio Training: burns fat, uses calories for energy, benefits health.

*This is where my loads of miles come into play........it may be biking, walking the dog, or just even getting out and playing basketball with your kids!  You don't have to have an expensive gym membership to workout ! Lacing up my tennies is completely free!  I run because....#1.  I can   #2.  My brain needs it.  #3.  Bart knows I'm a WAYYY better (nicer)  wife/mom if I get some daily miles in! 

Resistance Training: builds lean muscle mass (the calorie burning machine) and strength and is vital to long term health.  Here is where circuit training/free weights come into play.  You can build some muscle and be a like a burning machine even sitting on your butt...and even when you sleep!

Personal Assistance: Most people have more success if they have someone to be accountable to, someone to help them, and usually a professional to help them get through slumps or plateaus.    If this is your cup of tea....do it !  If it takes someone to be accountable to....sign up!  I just don't have the extra dollars to do this, since I have seven kiddos who depend on each and every cent we have ! 

Supplements: Let's be honest. Even when we're eating super healthy we're not always getting all of the necessary nutrients. So take at least a multi vitamin to help aid in keeping yourself/body healthy.  * I need to start doing this, I'm horrible about remembering ! :)

Mmmkay, so does everyone take the oath to generally eat healthy foods, do cardio and resistance training, oh, and drink at least 64 oz of water per day? 

*I have just ditched my Diet Soda addiction just a month ago, so I'm forcing myself to crave more H2O!  I try....and I said TRY to drink about 100 oz a day, but I really have trouble doing this since I have to pee every 20 min from drinking so much.  This is hard to take time out to do in my case!  We have enough peeing issues in our house having four boys.... I swear they all close their eyes and do circles :)  Sorry, thought that this was a good one !  Couldn't resist!  You can also get them water ounces in by drinking Crystal Lite or Sugar Free Koolaid. I would say I'm more of a tea drinker than I ever thought I could be !  Good old Grandma Pat rubbing off on me !  She would be proud of this!

Little changes can really produce huge results !   Thanks for reading.  

                                                         


                                                                 I really loved this....

 

The WORST Weather Produces Fabulous Runs !

Hi everyone !

It's been a few days...in my past post update, I told you that I hadn't lost any weight.  Well, as of today, Thursday I lost another 4 pounds!  Which makes my grand total 14 pounds in about 6 weeks!  I'm really excited that I didn't frustrate myself enough to QUIT!  I don't ever see myself turning back and quitting!  I told ya, its a lifestyle change...and that's exactly what happened here. 

 

 

I started out on Monday just running 3 miles.  I took Tuesday and Wednesday off due to crappy weather, and having lots to do!  Let me tell ya, I actually had the two most downer of days ever~!  I had severe anxiety, stress, and mixed emotions.  And no, it wasn't that time of the month either, sorry if there are any guys reading this !  TMI??Ha! 

 

 

 

Anyways, I had figured out that I NEED TO RUN! BUTTT......I know that my hips, legs, and shins needed a break/rest.  And I think just getting that rest I was able to bump my mileage up tonight  running an entire 8 miles without walking once. I always seem to kick out some major miles when the weather isn't always the best.  This past winter I ran in lots of snow/ice storms due to myself having that discipline I told you about.  

 

 

 

Tonight's run started out with myself thinking  "What am I doing out in this weather?...soggy, snowy, slushy, wet roads sliding all over the place.  I told myself over and over again..."You need this run, JUST KEEP GOING ! You'll reap the benefits when it is over!"   I think it has helped me to have about three solid LONG runs each week, and either do 3 to 4 miles on my other days of the weeks.  The most I had done up until tonight was six miles, and tonight...when I got to that six mile marker I was like, " I'm not even tired, I can probably do eight tonight ! " 

 

 

 

That last two miles I did tonight was dedicated to my mom who just two days ago had one of her knees replaced.  She is having a lot of pain/issues at the moment.  I'm sure she is wishing she could run !  :)  My mom is a small, petite woman (tho, I wish I took more after her with my frame/ body composition....but, I have to be proud that I take more after my dad...the Harp side ~ having said that, being blessed with them Harp hips...how else do you think I was able to push out seven babies !  HA!  Sorry TMI, again!   Anyways, I love her unconditionally.  My strength, and willpower comes mostly from my faith in Jesus Christ, and secondly my mom.  Anything my mom puts her mind to she ends up doing successfully and THEN some !  I wish her a speedy recovery, so she is back walking and biking the banks of the Mississippi River this summer.  I love you mom! 

 

 

 

To everyone else, if wanting to be healthy/active is in your lifestyle goals.  Go for it !  Losing weight and being active is soothing for your soul, mind and body.  Making small changes is the key to permanent health and lifestyle changes.  If running wants to be your goal, start small.  Start walking...Do only two or three times a week.  Then when you feel like you have mastered that, increase your duration a bit, and add jogging/walking combo minutes into it.  Last Spring I wasn't even able to go two or three strait miles without feeling like I was gonna die.  It was gradual for me, dedication and discipline come when you make exercise a habit.  I wish you all success in getting healthy this Spring/Summer. God bless each one of my dedicated readers.  You are great ! 

 

This song below I heard tonight running.....WOW!  This explains how I just ran eight miles tonight without stopping.  "You are I am" by Mercy Me 

Philippians 4:13...My strength comes from HIM alone 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Should I Pitch My New Scale?

Well, Happy Monday everyone !  Overall its been a good start...except my reading on my 'new' scale!  Still only lost 10 pounds~!  I've been working for over a month on weight loss/running schedules.  I'm beating myself up over and over again each morning as  I look down at STILL that 10 pound loss number.  Over the last week, I've upped my running a total of 25 miles this past week.  And to find out...that number on that evil, corrupt scale is still at a stand still.  I've literally RAN my butt off this past week.  I ran three 6 milers last week, which made my miles for last week higher.  I did have a few two and three milers in there as well.  All I can do is.....NOT GIVE UP!  I'm not ditching this healthy lifestyle change thing for one second.  Yes, I'm completely frustrated with not losing this week, but I have to just keep focusing on each day and keep my motivation.  So today, I've started  journaling EVERYTHING I eat, upping my water intake, and making sure I'm not overdoing any sugars or sweets.  Today, I started my 6 month training for that half marathon I was talking about doing this October.  I am using Hal Higdon's training schedule in preparation for it.  I'm working on hills, tempo runs, and lots of LONG distance running.  I'm not really concerned with time...but I really just want to finish it without walking once.  I think with losing the rest of my extra baggage in weight will help me as well.  I have about 35 to 40 pounds that I'm hoping to extract from my body before race day come mid October.  I figured my BMR along with my running/exercise calories, and have it all on paper what exactly, and exactly HOW many calories I will need to eat in order to lose about two pounds per week.  I can do this, BECAUSE I CAN!  I'm the only person who can do this !  Not Bart, not the kids, not my parents, not my siblings !  Like I said before, I've BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT DIET THING....and I'm never calling how and the way I eat a diet!  I've changed my life for good!  I just need to keep this motivation in my heart and head every hour to every day of the weeks to come.  What is stopping you from getting healthy today? 
#Philippians 4:13

That Voice In My Head Telling Me To Fail!

Okay, I have lost a bit of weight, now what?  How do I keep motivated?  How can I keep my 'mind' strait when my house activity has shown the true meaning of chaos, stress, turmoil and always having 'something' to do.  Stress can make us do a lot of crazy things to try and console us...  Mine is eating!  After a stressful day at the Waddell household I tend to resort to chocolate, sugar, or other carb loaded treats.  I am like a recovering drug addict as of now...its an addiction, a behavior that I got rid of last March.  Well, I'm human....I didn't slip up or anything this week, but I was close.  When you are trying to lose weight....do not call it a DIET!  Because its not, I have fallen of 'diet wagaons' many many and many times !  Weight Watchers ( I love this, but hated figuring points for everything I ate, I have enough #s to balance with my check book:)  Low Carb (I'm not gonna lie, this has worked awesome for me in the past, but I don't want to eat bacon, eggs, and bun less hamburgers all my life)  Calorie Counting (still eating all the junk food allowed, but staying in my calorie range)  *Ahhh nope this does not work either !   I've also resorted to the drug Phentermine, years ago....at the time my doc told me that it was perfectly FDA approved and safe to use !  WRONG !  I took this drug for six months lost about 12 pounds, but totally was addicted to it, and the worst situation was gaining the weight once the drug was out of my system all at once.  I will never resort to any kind of this drug again, since it probably wrecked my metabolism for almost an entire year.  I have figured out what works for my body.  Eating healthy 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week!  Nope not dieting this time.....I told you that I've changed my life forever !  Whatever weight I will lose on this journey is staying off and never coming back to rent my body, like EVER!  I just have to work out some of those kinks in my brain that those late night binges are gone, and I can never go back and live that way again.  Thank you for being my weight loss therapist all of you who are reading this !  If I can get this story out to everyone that is fighting the bulge and unhealthy ways in your life, maybe one day you can change yours !  Lexi, my 13 year old daughter...(who one day may face the same issues I am having as of now, probably not since she has her dad's never ending metabolism and frame).....asked me, "Mom, how skinny do you want to get?"  I looked at her and said, "Lex its not about getting skinny, its about getting HEALTHY!"  One meal at a time, ONE day at a time is all I can work towards.  Happy Friday everyone !  TGIF
Philippians 4:13~

Where in the heck is SPRING and warmer weather? For crying out loud !

 

I WOULD LOVE IT IF SUMMER WOULD COME SOON! 

 

Brrr....It was cold today !  That WIND was unbelievably cold today.   Just wish I knew where Spring went?  It is SPring right?  The forecast was for it to reach 52 degrees.....well, didn't see anything higher than 43 degrees at least here today.  My family and I, and of course I think about 3/4 of the mid west, is yearning for higher temps and lots of sunshine !   This week has been pretty good as far as weight loss goes.  I had to get another scale since my old fashioned dial one decided to subtract and add six pounds here and there as I weighed myself this week.  I got a glass digital one that is fairly accurate, and I love it !  I just hope it lasts...in our house anything new is very eligible to be broken within the first few days of its arrival.  Today's weigh in was down a total of 11 pounds since the first week in March when I decided it was enough of the junk food/pop/and sporadic running sprees.  I did get to go out today and work on some sprinting.  For the past two weeks I have been working to get my speed up and to decrease my miles per minute.  I have been working on sprinting at full speed for 100 meters, then jogging 100 meters, lastly walking 50-100 meters...then I will repeat.  I only did about 2.5 miles total today, but half of it was sprinting.  WOW ~  What a workout !!  I thought I was actually going to get sick after all that sprinting !!  It felt amazing tho...so I plunged right through it. I forced myself and kicked my own butt !  I kept saying if you want this flab to stick....give up! Otherwise, suck.it.up Doobe! ( AKA:my nickname that most of my family & close friends call me)
and  JUST.KEEP.GOING!  

(I really need this tank for this summer)!!!

 This has been sort of a stressful week....(heck, when isn't at our house) just trying to get some painting done here and there. Kids went back to school today in full force...(yea, it is online but they still need me to guide them)  So as I was strolling the aisles at WalMart tonight after Church Family Night, I thought to myself..."Man I could really use a bag of candy, or maybe just one candy bar since I've done so good !"  I fought the urge and said ~"Nope, can't do it!"  I really don't want to go out and run 15 miles tomorrow to try and make up for that King Size Hershey Bar...or even that entire bag of Twizzlers !  No way, not gonna go back there !! From here on out.  I've gotta learn discipline as far as what I put in my mouth.  So I came home and had a bowl of Light Banana Cream Yogurt, which was about 80 calories.  I put in some sugar free (well fake sugar is what you call it)  granola in it, and totally satisfied my cravings and filled me up!  I'll post that recipe for that granola under this post if you would like to try it, its super easy and AWESOME !  I sometimes have to watch myself since it tastes so good and can be addicting!  Have a blessed Wednesday!  #Philippians 4:13    

Sugar Free Granola
1 C. Old Fashioned Oats
1 C.  Quick-Cooking Oats
1/2 C. Splenda Brown Sugar
1/2 C. Sugar Free Maple Syrup
Lots of cinnamon, because I'm a huge fan of it
2 Tbs of Olive Oil (just because it helps in the browning of it, and makes it sort of crunchy! Yummy !
1/4 C. Flax Seed (Optional) for more of a health boost...gives the granola more texture...I don't always have this on hand...so a lot of the time I skip it.

Put all ingredients in bowl and mix.  Spread in baking pan, bake at 325 for about 30-40 min or until light brown in color.  It will be sort of moist at first until you start baking it a bit.  It is soo good !  I usually double the recipe and put it in a large glass jar so I always have some on hand.  You can add it to your yogurt, eat it plain, or you can pour some milk over it and eat it for breakfast,  you can add it to your favorite trail mixes.  Enjoy!

Running: Its a Love/Hate Relationship

Well, I debated for two whole days as to whether or not I should publish this blog.  Two reasons, it means I have another obligation I have to tend to.  And, it would take a little bit of time away from my family and the kids school duties.  My very first post was last Sunday (3/31) I wrote it out due to a friend telling me to start the blog.  :)    So its official:  I'm making this blog a part of my life to keep me accountable to my new found lifestyle change.  My weekly weight loss totals, recipes, running/training progress, and maybe to inspire at least one person who is going through the 'burn out' mom syndrome with unwanted post-baby (in my case BABIES, lots of them!) pounds.   Ha!  Also, to inspire others that living healthy and exercising doesn't have to be a burden that we all face in our lives!  It really can be fun, and to be able to teach my kids about healthy food choices and eating.  I'm sooo not a dietitian or did I ever want to become one.  Nutrition was one of my hardest classes in school :)    I've learned it is basic essentials....Calories In=Calories OUT.  I've learned the more we eat, and the less active a person becomes the weight will continue to pile on.  Also, clean food/processed food !  I never even cared about either of them until about a month ago when I got my whole heart and soul searching for healthy options for my health. 
Anyways, about my passion: Running !  (Believe me this wasn't my passion at mile marker 5 today !! )  I really wanted to throw in the 'sweaty' towel and QUIT !  But I just kept praying and rehearsing Philippians 4:13 into my brain over and over....until I felt stronger and stronger with each step.  I started out with usual surroundings with my running routes:  Pure Southern Minnesota Country Roads !  I love it !  I hate running in town due to a few crazy incidents with some strange stalkers and road raged drivers, no I'm not kidding.  The temperature today was not horrible, but no 50 degrees...like the forecast says for tomorrow.  The wind was a bit chilly, but I pressed on each and every mile.  I got 3 miles out into the open country when my Mp3 player decided to quit (yes, I still have the old Mp3 players......with seven kids always needing shoes, clothes, socks, and of course food :)  an IPOD is OUT of the question, besides my girls would expect they would need one to!) 
So when my music decided to crap out, I decided to panic...."Why in the world am I out here in the middle of no where...looking like our town water tower is forever in the distance away.....I immediately thought of the reasons why I am  out here !  To burn fat, strengthen my cardiovascular system, to sleep better, and so I won't have to take antidepressants.....Ha !    I kept going step by step until I hit mile 4, then that 'runners high' kicked in!  Thank God !  I was feeling confident and told myself, "YOU ARE A RUNNER!"  Keep going !!  So I plowed out 6.2 miles of running, not walking once.....in just a little over an hour !  What an overwhelming power surge of emotions......I got goose bumps on my way back home and thought...."I am really doing this !......Finally I've connected eating healthy and burning a huge crackpot FULL of calories ! :)    I have been running over a year now....and I still get those I HATE THIS, WHY AM I DOING THIS....while I'm in the process of my run!  But when you even just accomplish just a mile a day......reaping the benefits, after finishing, are OUT OF THIS WORLD !  I give God alone the glory in finishing the 6.2 miles today !