Weight Loss Wednesday: Inspiration Post!

It's time for another inspiration post! First, a little update about me. I am not allowed to weigh myself until next Wednesday. The dealio is, I gained 5lbs overnight last week thanks to Mother Nature. Seriously. 5 lbs. Luckily, I have dropped that now. (You men have NO idea how lucky you are!) but have not lost any additional weight on top of that (yet) so I am not going to drive myself crazy, I am going to just keep doing what I'm doing and see what happens next Wednesday.  I will say, though, that my bridesmaids dress was still too big, and had to be taken in at the sides now too. (Before it was just the straps). So obviously something is happening!

Anyways. Today I'd like to introduce my readers to one of my absolute most favorite people in the entire universe. Alicia. This gal came into my life when I was a junior at Mercy and she was a senior. I was immediately drawn to her because we were at a high school dance, and she was running around the gym with a balloon in her hand, calling it her date. She was laughing hysterically and having the most amazing time. She didn't care what anyone thought of her. My friend, and date to the dance, Alex, knew Alicia through theatre, and I demanded that he introduce me to her. We became best friends almost instantly. She was on costume crew for the spring musical and I was on stage crew. One day we went out for a "crew lunch" and I somehow wound up at Alicia's table. She and I laughed the entire time. I had tears running down my face from laughing so hard. My friend Heather looked at me and said "Megan, you've just met your match". I had. Alicia and I were attached at the hip for the rest of the school year. She went off to college and we stayed close. Now she lives in Chicago and we only see each other once or twice a year, but last November she made a point to travel all the way back to Michigan to surprise me and come to my Mercy Associate ceremony. I know this is going to sound super corny, but Alicia is the light of my life. She is honestly one of the very few people who can still make me laugh until I cry, who I can tell anything too, who I can be my dorky self around. She goes OUT OF HER WAY to make people smile and feel happy. She's seriously the best friend to have and I don't always do a good job of telling her how much I appreciate her. Even just saying her name makes me smile. Okay, that's creepy. But it's true. You know what one of the coolest things about her is? After almost every conversation, she says "I love you and support you". Most of my friends and I don't even say I love you on the phone, and Alicia goes the extra step and makes it clear that she is there for you.

A month or so ago Alicia called me to tell me the big news that she is ENGAGED to the love of her life, Justin. I've yet to meet Justin, but I was one of the first to know about him. They met on a train people. ON. A. TRAIN. Right out of a movie, right? I could not be happier for my sweet, beautiful friend. Justin was the answer to her prayers and knowing how happy she is makes me happy.

Alicia started her weight loss journey a few years ago, and is now maintaining what she's lost. and here's what she had to say about it.

This is Alicia pre weight loss. She's beautiful. That smile is constant, people! CONSTANT!

Alicia, post weight loss, at her sister's (her non identical twin, actually!) wedding last October.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? 

My name is Alicia.  I am a 27 year-old 7/8 grade Reading teacher in Chicago, IL.  I love reading, writing, photography and running.  I love being happy and try my best to surround myself with people that bring joy to my life.  I am lucky to have loving and supportive family and friends who have loved me at every size. 

What moment or event started your weight loss journey?

I was living at home with my parents after college.  I think that pretty much sums it up.  I was frustrated and bored and felt like I had little control over my life.  I decided to start working out because I had the time to do it and wanted to make a tangible change for myself.  

How much weight have you lost?

I like to say I've lost 100 pounds, but my weight usually wavers about 5 pounds around there.  I was 251 pounds before I started my weight loss and now I weigh in around 151-155. 

What would you say is the most important factor in your weight loss? Changed eating habits? Exercise? Changed thinking? Something else?

All of it!  My mindset was the greatest barrier to my initial weight loss.  I never thought I could lose weight and I didn't want to put the work in to really try.  When I started seeing the results of my hard work it really motivated me to try harder.  I've become more disciplined in my thinking as a person.  My mindset is what helps me to make healthier food choices and what forces my to stay active.  After mindset, my eating changes have been most significant.  I used to eat every meal until I felt I was going to vomit.  I really have to pay attention when I'm full now, which is usually after my first burp.  I try to look at my food and visualize the size of my stomach (about the size of my fist).  I do my best to stop after I feel I've eaten that amount.  Eating is a constant challenge, though--there are so many delicious unhealthy foods!  I believe in allowing myself a treat when I really want it and opting for healthier choices when I can.

Running was what really helped me to see a jump in my weight loss.  If I run 15-20 miles a week it really helps me to feel good and keeps my weight at equilibrium.  

Are there any obstacles you had to overcome to begin exercising / keep exercising? 

Time!  Being a teacher is exhausting and I work long hours.  I get up for work at 5:15 and can't bring myself to wake up earlier to exercise, so I work out at night.  I usually get home around 5:30 and I often skimp on my work out for the sake of lesson planning/grading/eating dinner/buying groceries, you know, all those little things that have to get done before 10:30 bedtime.

What’s your favorite exercise?

Running.  I have a love/hate relationship with running.  I feel antsy when I don't run but sometimes it takes everything in me to lace up my running shoes and hit the pavement.  Especially when it's cold outside.  But I love running because it helps me think and makes me feel empowered.  It's really powerful to think you can take yourself anywhere.  I make the choices of where I run and I choose to push myself.  I always feel good about running.  Maybe it's the runner's high.

 

How do you deal with boredom in your exercise program? 

I try to download new music to run to when I'm feeling bored, and then I only listen to those songs when I'm running so it's like a reward.  I also try to mix it up by running stairs or doing weights.  Sometimes I do the elliptical to give my knees and break and mix it up.

What are 3 of your best eating or dieting tips you would like to share? 

1) Hold yourself accountable.  Go by how you feel, not by the number on the scale--but definitely don't neglect the scale.  I've found that sometimes I make myself feel bad because of the number I see on the scale, however the scale keeps me in check.  I didn't weigh myself for a month or so in the winter and when I finally stepped on the scale I had gained about 10 pounds back.  I wasn't holding myself accountable.  I didn't weight myself EVER before I started my weight loss because I was in denial.  Now I am all about accountability to ME--I try to beat my own best whether that's running, sit ups or on the scale.

 

2) Eat what you love but do it in moderation.  If I really have a craving for a chocolate malt I'll get one, but I don't reward myself when I am not really craving something, that's when I make healthier choices.  I have to eat the foods I love because my weight loss is a lifestyle change not a temporary fix.

 

3) Surround yourself with support: find a running buddy, share your weight loss success, tell the doctor about your goals.  I guess this one relates back to accountability--find people who will help you to stay accountable.     

Any final words of advice?

Megan, you're the best and I love you for doing your blog.  Keep it up!  I love and support you.

You Cannot Be Replaced

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. I wrote a post about this last year, and I'm going to write one again. And probably ever year after this year until I close down this blog. Because this is something that is important, it's something that cannot be ignored or neglected.

To Write Love On Her Arms, one of the most well known suicide prevention organizations, has adopted the phrase "you cannot be replaced" as the theme for this year's suicide prevention awareness. Let's read that again. Slowly.

You cannot be replaced.

You, sitting right there, cannot be replaced. There is no one like you. You are unique in your beauty and goodness. There will never be another you. And we, your friends, family, coworkers, community, do not want to lose you. Because you can't be replaced.

If you think that no one will miss you, that life will just continue on like normal if you go, that people may actually even rejoice, you are so, so wrong.

Maybe you've made some poor choices, maybe you feel trapped, feel like you are suffocating and there is no other way out. But there is. There is always a way out. Use your words. A simple "help". We will come to your rescue, because we love you, and we don't want you to get hurt.

Maybe you feel like you are not accepted. And, maybe some people aren't doing so great at showing acceptance and love to you. Don't make their ignorance your problem. Keep being you. Because you, my friend, cannot be replaced.

When you're lying in your bed at night and all these bad thoughts are running rampant through your mind, call someone. I don't care if it's 3 am and you worry you'll upset them. Call them. When you're walking through the hall at school or work and feel like you can't breathe, stop, and talk to someone. When it's the weekend and the sun is shining but you don't want to get out of bed, take the first step out. Go wash your face and brush your teeth. Baby steps. Then talk to someone. Let them know how you are feeling.

You cannot be replaced.

You are loved and you are far more beautiful than you will ever realize. Your beauty is not defined by how you look, darling. It's in your actions. In the way you carry yourself. And sometimes the most beautiful creations emerge from disasters. So your "mess" right now won't be a mess forever.

Spread love today, people. Every day, but keeping in mind today that we all have a reason for living, and that someone you know may be suffering.

Resources for hotlines, counseling, and more can be found here: http://twloha.com/find-help

I'm Rare!

So there's a bloghop going on that I didn't know about until this morning. It's Blogtember and by the looks of the prompts, I need to be a part of this! The prompts are great and are giving me a much needed jump start to writing.

Today's prompt was to take this quiz and post the results. Here are my results:

I actually took the longer version of this test in high school and got the same results, so I guess things don't change. Here are some fun facts about INFJ (which I got from this website)

• The INFJ type is believed to be very rare (less than 1 percent of the population) and it has an unusual set of traits.
• Even though their presence can be described as very quiet, INFJ personalities usually have many strong opinions, especially when it comes to issues they consider really important in life.
• INFJ personalities are drawn towards helping those in need – they may rush to the place of a major disaster, participate in rescue efforts, do charity work etc. INFJs see this as their duty and their purpose in life.
• INFJs are masters of written communication, with a distinctively smooth and warm language.
• INFJs need to have some “alone time” every once in a while or otherwise

• INFJs take great care of other people’s feelings and expect others to return the favor. Unsurprisingly, people with this personality type are very sensitive.

INFJ strengths

• Determined and passionate.
• Altruistic.
• Decisive.
• Creative.
• Inspiring and convincing.
• Very insightful.

INFJ weaknesses

• Extremely private.
• Can burn out easily.
• Very sensitive.
• Perfectionistic.
• Always need to have a cause.

INFJ In The Workplace (Peggy, Lynn, Mags, Amy 1 and 2, Christina---can you confirm/deny these? haha)

• Loathe conflict and tension
• Highly idealistic, but also very insightful, able to sense somebody’s motives nearly instantly
• Surprisingly social and eloquent, quickly and easily connecting with their co-workers
• Popular, friendly and altruistic (however, INFJs need to make sure that their generosity is not being abused)
• Very serious about their duties and responsibilities, especially if they are strongly aligned with the INFJ’s principles
• Seek harmony and cooperation
• Prioritize values and good atmosphere rather than cold facts or ruthless efficiency
• Need to be able to work alone if they choose to

And, just for fun...two cartoons about INFJ that relate to my life!




So to those that know me, does the sound like me? What is your personality type?

i wanna see you be brave

Happy Sunday, everyone! Although, it's late, so maybe happy Monday?

First of all, I apologize if there are any spelling or format mistakes in this blog. I am posting from my kindle fire for the first time because my laptop is having issues keeping a charge so I'm giving it a break. 

I wanted to talk about this song

"Brave" was one of ny favorite songs of the summer. It gave me confidence for my weight loss journey and strength to pick up the pieces of myself that were broken. Every single time I hear this song, a smile crosses my face. I have written the words "I wanna see you be brave" on a note card and I have it displayed on my desk so that I can see it every day.

This song should be our mantra. All of us. We should not let fear or worry run our lives. We get one shot at this, we need to make it count. We need to be brave.

I chose to write this blog today instead of as a Tuesday tunes post because as the start of a new week I need to go in with this mindset: to be brave. Things are gonna come at me this week from all different directions and life won't always be easy. But I can handle it and I can be brave. I can take a deep breath and know that I am a powerful person with the ability to fight through the roughest of days.

My challenge to you, my sweet friends, is to do the same. Do something this week that scares you. Tell fear it's not welcome in your life, embrace courage.

And you don't  have to do it alone. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is turn to someone and ask them for help.

c'mon, friends. I wanna see you be brave. Have a good week.