Weekly Weigh-In #4 + Things my dad taught me
Awwww, my dad. You may have "met" him in my Important Things in life post from last week. But what you don't know is that he has always been a great encourager in my life, always knowing just the right thing to say at just the right moment. I am soooo thankful for him! (Aren't we cute in this pic from Christmas?) --------> I decided to start today's post this way, because frankly, I need some encouragement. I have a lot of exciting things going on, with the guest blog on the Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead website, starting (and CONTINUING) a running program -Pooch to 5K, planning another Reboot for April, and this new blogging journey where I share recipes, tips, and encouragement to all of you!
But, it's also weigh-in day. And I'm feeling disappointed with the results. Before I get to those details, I will share a few things my dad has taught me along the years:
- Never give up. If there's something worth fighting for and pursuing, keep your eyes focused on the prize and don't get discouraged when minor setbacks come (OH, and they will come!)
- Stay true to yourself. Don't sacrifice your beliefs or values to get ahead in the short-term.
- Use the WIN Method (What's Important Now). Tasks and goals have to shift from time to time as priorities change. What's the most important thing you should be doing right NOW? Do that.
- Plan the work, and work the plan.
- If you don't have your health, you don't have anything.
- You can get through anything, with God's help.
- Life is short, enjoy it to the fullest.
- I am strong. I am smart. I am important. I am beautiful. I am loveable.
Here's an excerpt from an email he sent me the other day:
" I really can’t tell you enough how proud I am of you for taking the bull by the horns and doing something about your health and future! Your Mom and I have always been “goal-oriented” so it does my heart good to see you setting goals for yourself and your family! Just fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Dad"
Besides his obvious love of exclamation points, he loves me... his baby girl. Here's a pic of us together when he first started giving me "life talks." I was quite enthralled by what he had to say!
So I will keep my head up high as I disclose this week's weigh-in, knowing that there are going to be setbacks along the way on this long journey ahead. I'm sure some of your have experienced setbacks in your own journey... and it's just what you do with them that matters. Do you let it fuel you on to work harder the next week? Or do you give up? I'm going to keep focused and keep my eye on the prize.
Previous Weight: 173.8 lbs (Week 3 Weigh-In)
Current Weight: 173.6 lbs
Change in Weight: -0.2 lbs
TOTAL Weight-loss since starting the blog: -5.6 lbs
I did still lose, but barely and hardly worth writing home about (or on this blog!) I want need to make better progress if I'm going to hit my May 1st goal.
I will end with a few pics of me and my dad. Remember what I said about him always knowing the exact right thing to say at the exact right moment? Well, here's one of my favorite pics of us at my wedding. We were "in the wings" ie (back kitchen room in the dark) waiting to enter the sanctuary and walk down the aisle. He knew it would/could be a potentially emotional moment for both of us. So at the exact right moment, he brought out of his pockets pictures of me fishing when I was 8, big toothless grin, dirt, worms, and fish slime all over my big oversized sweatshirt, so proud of the fish I'd just caught. We were both laughing hysterically instead of crying. The moment really was priceless, and our photographer snapped a quick pic (in the dark) so we could cherish it for years to come.
And here's a favorite pic of him in his new role as grandpa to darling Babycakes, who he likes to call "The Princess":
So to my dad (who is sooooooooo NOT a "blog" person, but hopefully will be today), thank you for everything you've done and been for me over the years. Thank you for loving mom so dearly and keeping our family together through it all. Thank you for teaching me so much along the way!! I love you!! You're the best dad and grandpa any girl could have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I even picked up his love for exclamation points :)
Love,
T.O.P (The Original Princess, as he likes to call me)
Have you experienced a setback? Did it stop you in your tracks or propel you forward?
Who are the great encouragers in your life?
Also - TOTALLY random question: do any of you have a good Quinoa recipe you love???
Comments
In Tears....
Wow...I'm a mess! I never had a great relationship with my father due to his own demons. We are currently working on that now as I am nearly 31 and he is 56. I love that you had a chance to have that special bond with your father and he was there to encourage your in life. My biggest encourager in my life now is my spouse. They broke the mold when they made this man. He has given me the opportunity to become a mother and a stay home one at that! The strength he has provided for me this past year during my pregnancy is honorable. He keeps me motivated to be healthy and is patient in trying new things with me. If I feel weak or discouraged he finds a way to remind me of my goals without making me feel like I am failing. Which is important as I am not the best at taking alittle criticism. I really can't say I have had many set backs. I try to create an environment that allows change I can feel good about. I don;t believe your goals should be in stone, they should be pliable and evolving. I don't think you should worry about the scale...I find comfort in measuring myself. For a month I might have only lost a pound or two but I was down 3 inches and that was a success for me! Stay strong...feel good about the small things that keep you on your path.
Thanks for sharing and encouraging!
Gwen- Thanks for your kind words and positive attitude. I'm so glad you and your hubby found each other. It sounds like you have a really wonderful relationship. I'm not the best at taking criticism either! I think because I'm a perfectionist and I'm my own worst critic.
Don't get discoraged because
Don't get discoraged because you didn't see significant loss on the scale this week. We all have weeks like that and who knows why. My husband taught me this a long time ago, it's how healthy you are eating and how your clothes fit you that matters, not the number on the scale. I normally hate to listen to him, (he never needs to diet and can't understand why I "can't just eat healthy".. ha ha). But he's right on that. Just keep up the good work and you will notice results :)
Thanks, V!
Thanks for the encouragement. I'm flirting with the idea of only weighing/posting every other week. We shall see....
Love it, Kel!
Love it, Kel!
My comment
My relationship with my dad sounds similar to what Gwen said above. He left when I was 10, and remarried and started a new family. We still talk, but definitely don't have a close relationship. I only see him or talk to him if I make the effort and plans- he has never picked up a phone to call me. But- I have an amazing stepdad and mom- for that I'm very thankful!
I loved reading about your dad and looking at your photos! You can tell there's so much love there.
As for the weigh-in, in my opinion, weighing every week is sometimes a set-up for failure. I prefer to do every other week, or even month. Your weight can fluctuate so much day to day (for instance, if you step on the scale tomorrow, you might see a completely different number). But- you have to do what works for you. And it certainly sounds like you are doing a lot of things RIGHT. :) I'm proud of you too, new friend!
Awwww, thanks :)
Yeah, my "post" seemed a bit more negative / discouraging because I was actually expecting the weigh-in to be much worse. After the weekend (St. Patty's mind you), I stepped on the scale and it read ... 1-7-6. ACKKKKKKKKKK!!! I wrote it a few days ago, expecting to have a net gain for the week... which would have been VERY disappointing. So to drop down to 173.6 for weigh-in day was unexpected. But my post was already so good (in my humble opinion) so I didn't change it :) Isn't it crazy my morning weight can change by 3 pounds in like 3 days?!?!?!? When we're talking a pound or two loss goal per week, 3 pounds makes a big difference!!!!!!
Beautiful Tribute
What a beautiful tribute to your father! And you can tell he has raised an amazing daughter. You have always had a strong and amazing character, which, clearly doesn't fall far from the tree.
And on the weight loss, it can be so frustrating not to see the scale move where you want, but your body, as you said, is probably in the "WhAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME!" mode with the beginning of running again. Most likely, if you keep everything up this week, you'll see a pretty significant drop next week. More motivation to keep it up!
You're sweet :)
Thanks for the nice words, Rebekah! And I'm hoping you're right about that "pretty significant" drop next week :p
PS
Did you order the book your dad is holding from Avid Bookshop? http://avidbookshop.com/
Of course I did!! I love me some AVID BOOKSHOP!!
It's an autographed copy, since Hugh came to Avid for a booksigning! For all my blog readers out there, check out Avid Bookshop's website: www.avidbookshop.com to order your next novel, cookbook, or romance novel (if that's what you're into!). My good friend Janet, the owner, has created a delightful cozy independent bookshop in Athens, GA. Check it out!
5 lbs is a lot!
This picture of 5 lbs of fat is kind of disgusting, but it helped give me some perspective.
5 lbs. http://media-cache.pinterest.com/upload/228839224785482289_s4LhKCVH.jpg
Oh, and here is a pic of 1 lb of fat. Shows that even 1 lb is quite an accomplishment. http://media-cache6.pinterest.com/upload/219128338089056353_ZnRVVRgF_f.jpg
ewwwwwwwwww!!
That is SUPER gross!! But really puts things into perspective!! Thx for sharing :) It's hard to believe I have 8 of those 5 lb. chunks to lose :) I will feel like I'm walking on air at that point!
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