Sweet and Low and I'll Carry You Home

January 12, 2009

New Blog, New Year, Bittersweet Memories.

Today would have been my Mom's 68th birthday. She hasn't even been gone two years yet. I miss her so much. The last birthday present I got her were some microwavable warming slippers. She loved those heatable wraps and I was excited to give them to her. I never got the chance because after her brain surgery on her birthday she was never herself again or well enough to accept the gift. I left it wrapped up and I put it in her coffin. Maybe in the hereafter she's wearing nice warm slippers and thinking of me. :)

At least twice a week I'll think to myself, unthinkingly, "I haven't talked to Mom in a long time, I should call her!" I reach for the phone. Then I remember.

I do talk to her all the time and I feel her....sometimes I smell her. I feel her love for me and total acceptance of me in ways she never did when she was here in the physical. Still....it's not the same as being able to talk to her and hug her.

Writing "Her Eyes" this last spring helped me have some closure about her death. Writing it took the image of her dying eyes out of my thoughts where it had been constantly up to that point. Now I can think of that night she died without feeling like someone punched me in the gut.

When I think of Mom I smile more than I cry now.

I see my friends and acquaintances make plans with their families and talk about their Moms casually....and I think that's totally human nature. Still, in my heart, I always wish I had just ONE more moment with mine and I wish people didn't take their loved ones so for granted. Again, it's only human nature. I know I used to. Hey people reading this: take a moment and call your Mom and tell her you love her.

So here's to you Mom. I miss how you were always so stiff when I hugged you because you were not at all comfortable with affection...but I knew how much you loved it anyways because you'd reach for me too. I miss laughing with you over our soap operas. I miss telling you I love you. Happy Birthday Mom....love your Little Bug.

Changes are a Good Thing

Monday, November 24th

The first two images above were taken at the beginning of September 2008 and I had only been on Isagenix for about three weeks so they are a pretty good representation of what I looked like at my heaviest. The third picture is from my trip to San Juan Island with Linda and Yolanda and it's around that same time so again, I'm pretty much my heaviest there. I hate posting them because it goes against the Code of Posting Personal Pictures which has as its number one rule: Only share flattering photos of yourself. However, in the interest of letting it all hang out there, I share these because now I can also share photos that show how I am getting further and further away from THAT every day.

The last photo was taken on November 15th and it shows some definite improvement and weight shedding!

This post has the theme of Changes. Therefore, I will share with you all some of the wonderful things that have changed in my life since I have lost over 20 pounds!

1. I was able to push my car's seat up one notch closer to the wheel!

2. I am down two pant sizes, two shirt sizes, and two bra sizes

3. I can walk up our stairs without getting winded and I can walk up them at a normal pace

4. I can do all the grocery shopping without having to sit down

5. The bed doesn't creak and crack with I get in bed

6. I fit in my seat belt better now...it doesn't dig into my thigh

7. When I smile in the mirror I am beginning to recognize myself

8. When I get out of bed I can just sit up and stand and walk instead of having to sit for awhile and stand slowly and then stumble at first

9. I do not crave caffeine, sweets or fatty foods now incessantly. Yeah, they are still yummy....but I don't want them all the time and I'm not eating them all the time.

10. I can walk down the stairs using both legs instead of holding on to the rail and going down using only one leg

11. I appreciate tea more.

12. I have more energy

13. A big one so I'll all caps it: MY FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS ARE GONE!

14. I'm sleeping better

15. I don't feel so exhausted when I work out now

16. I am fitting into clothes that I could last wear FOUR YEARS AGO!!!

17. Because of the Isagenix products I feel more mentally alert and spunky

18. I feel like I actually want to leave the house because I feel more confident and because I have more energy and because I am not hurting!

19. My knees don't hurt as much anymore!

20. My sacrum and sciatic muscles aren't paining me as much!

So, yay me! Each day is a chance to achieve better health!

If you'd be interested in knowing more about how I've lost weight and am feeling healthier through Nutritional Cleansing, please drop me a note at denise1115@comcast.net

Have a wonderful and loving Thanksgiving!

Denise

Starting of a Brand New Day

November 18, 2008

Listening to Sting's song "Brand New Day" which seems really, magically, appropriate as I write my first official blog post!

Most of the topics here will have to do with my journey to lose all my excess weight and get in shape. How am I doing that, you ask?

Losing weight:
I started doing the Isagenix weight loss plan on August 11th and have done three weigh ins so far. My last weigh in was on November 3rd and at that weigh in here were my stats:
Weight loss: 20 pounds
Inches lost 15.5
BMI down: 4 points

My goal for my next weigh in on December 1st is to lose 9 pounds and 5 inches. But, with my birthday and Thanksgiving in this month it may be hard to get down to that.

Nevertheless, my goal is to exercise three times this week and twice next to help with my goals.

Exercise:
I work out at Curves. I should be going 3 times a week but I get sporadic with it because my schedule is becoming more crazy. Plus, going to Selah once a month for close to a week each time gets me off too. Wish I had a work out buddy!

To that end, however, (the work out buddy) I also have a goal of working out with Yolanda at her gym at least 2 times before she leaves for Mexico.

I also want to start swimming at the local pool. Swimming is easier on the body and I love it. I gots to do it.

Later I am going to list all the ways I feel better and or things that have changed since losing 20 pounds!

If you'd like to know more about how I'm losing weight and feeling better through Nutritional Cleansing, please drop me an email!