Night Out... New Goals

Tonight I got a night out with my man!  We went to a "Witchfest" at a place called Gardner Village.  MOST people there were dressed as witches!  There were some pretty kewl witches too!  It was fun to see all the decorations, shops, and atmosphere.  Reminds me of "Wicked" which is a favorite musical of mine.  It was Wicked Fun!

Then we decided to go to this new Mega Sporting Goods Store that's opened up called:  Scheels.  There was a big ferris wheel right in the middle of the store and all kinds of games and activities all around the store.  It was crowded too!  Pretty massive and awesome!

It's a gigantic Ferris Wheel!!

I found the basketball section.  Pretty sweet! 

This is an actual NBA ball for $70.  

We perused through the running, biking, and rock climbing sections.  I found myself thinking of all my dreams again.  I wanna learn to rock climb OUTSIDE and I wanna get a real dirt bike and really explore some trails around here, and I totally need new running shoes.  My hubs is interested in street bicycles and he'd love to get into that.  We checked out some pretty sweet bikes.  It was fun to look at all the cool sporting stuff since lately, we've been so busy and even gotten a little lazier with our "dreams" and ambitions as thinner folks!

Sooooo.....  we set some new goals!

 We've had a crazy busy summer and we've let some pounds slip on.  I am up from my goal weight to an unacceptable amount right now!  I think it wasn't bothering me much because my lifestyle hasn't changed really... I'm still so active and enjoying my life out of my obesity prison... BUT, I've noticed my clothes are getting way tighter and I'm thicker in my middle.

It is NOT ACCEPTABLE to go in this direction any longer!  

My husband feels the same way.  He struggles with more aches and pains and of course, his never ending stress.

So starting tomorrow, we're BOTH going back on our 5:1 Medifast plan to reel our summer weight gains back in... and then we'll transition back into maintenance.  I felt SO good after we made this decision.  It feels good to have a direction and we somehow brainstormed a way to juggle some other expenses to be able to do this.

I know rock climbing will get much easier when I get some of this weight back off.  And I should get even faster at basketball right when the season hits.  Not to mention that it just feels better to be on plan and feel like I am in control more.  It's easier for me to feel positive and think better about myself and others.  It's amazing how it all connects for me.

Also, I signed up to run a 5k this next Saturday.  I realize that I need to keep signing up for some kind of running or I am too tempted to not go out running at all!  Gotta have something to be training for!  Lately, I've been going without a running buddy, so it makes it so easy to just not go.  Yesterday, I forced myself out and ran up the mountain road again.  I hadn't run that in at least a month or maybe even two.  Dang... was it HARD!  But I pushed through it and ran it even in the rain.  It felt so good.  I remember when I was first running and just building up to that, and was first able to do it.  So inside I know I have it in me, even when I haven't done it in a while.

I still tell myself: "You can do hard things".  It's always the journey... not the destination that counts, it seems!

Well... better head off to bed here.  

ENJOY the season, my friends!  

PONDER all the blessings and positive things in your life!  

Life is GOOOOOD!!

XoxoXoxo ~Margene

Week 58 - Did I reach goal YET???

First of all, I want to give my sincerest gratitude to everyone who watched and commented on the video I made (posted below).  I’ve been very touched and overwhelmed with each person’s words of sharing in my joy, relating to my journey, and feeling inspired for their own journey.  I cry every time I watch it still - and when reading your comments!!  Thank you! 

Next big new is:  I reached my goal weight on Sunday!!!  I lost 4 pounds and that is 145 pounds less of me!  I am now 135 pounds!  I’m very excited!  It's quite surreal.  The hubs has maintained his weight this week so that is good.

So what now?   I have a plan already.  I am by no means done.  My plan is to continue the 5 and 1 eating plan through this month.  Then, in April, I will begin the transition plan which will last 4 months.  This plan will have me gradually add in a few food items.  

First Wk:        5 medifast meals

(add veggies)    1 lean & green

1 additional cup vegetables

2nd Wk:          4 medifast meals

(Fruits) 1 lean & green

1 additional cup vegetables

1 medium-size fruit OR 1/2 cup cubed fruit or berries   (WAHOO!!!)

3rd Wk: 4 medifast meals

(Dairy) 1 lean & green

1 additional cup vegetables

1 medium-size fruit OR 1/2 cup cubed fruit or berries   (WAHOO!!!)

1/2 cup low fat or fat free dairy  (COOL!!)

4th Wk +: 3 medifast meals

(Whole Grains)    1 lean & green

1 additional cup vegetables

Additional 4-6 oz. of meat / protein

2 medium-size fruit OR 1 cup cubed fruit or berries   (WAHOO!!!)

1 cup low fat or fat free dairy  (COOL!!)

1 serving of whole grain  (AWESOME!!)


By the end of July, I should be done with my Transition and then I will go into Maintenance.  This is where I will really gauge the calories I need to maintain my weight.  I really like the ideas I’ve gleaned from Suzi at her “My daily Nosh” blog where she posts pics of her meals.  Love it!  Her whole grain waffles look to die for!  And I love how she has berries and nuts.  I’ve learned the key is to have a plan and stick to it!  I also love to get ideas from Karla at “My Daily Thoughts”.  It gives me great visuals for ideas for how I would like to eat when I am out of “weight loss” mode and just wanting to eat good and healthy!  I still am sold on the idea of eating every 3 hours, and I will still suppliment with the Medifast food for meals here and there as it is so healthy, nutritious, and good!

NOW - A Quick recap of the last few days:

Thursday night, I had just finished DJing a wedding and was home at 12:30 am when Brent called.  I totally missed him and was excited to have him fly home the next night.  I was telling him how much I missed his hugs.  We chatted a bit and then he said to come to the front door.  He was THERE at the door!!! He had flown home a day early and surprised me.  BEST SURPRISE EVER!  Kids were in bed... just me and him.  Seriously could NOT stop hugging him.  We spent Friday together.  He made me my medifast waffles all 3 mornings he was home... SO good.  We went shopping and to lunch on Friday and spent the evening home with the kids playing games.

Saturday we went and had a massage together!  How cool is that?  We had a gift card to use which was nice.  My first professional massage ever.  Felt so good.  Then we went roller skating as a family and had invited friends too!  We skated for 3 hours.  (I think angels hang out at skating rinks!!  I don't remember how many falls I avoided)  That was so fun!!  Then later that night, we put on the music and DJ for a church youth dance that our 3 teens attended.  It was a soc hop - we even got them doing the bunny hop!  It was a blast!  We were so tired by the end.

Sunday after church I took him to the airport and dropped him off, only to find later, that all the flights were full (he had a stand by ticket)... so we rented a car and drove all the way straight through to Utah!!  That was last minute random!  Made it in 12 hours.  Good thing it was spring break for the kiddos.  

That did give us one more day together and that was fabulous (although Brent was feeling a little under the weather - hope he gets to recoup!).  I flew home this morning and here I am.  I am so thankful for my life right now... all the hard times and all the sweet times... it’s not so much what happens, it’s more about how we handle it.  I feel more capable and committed to handle obstacles with a smile (if I can) - because Life is So GOOD!!  XOXO ~Margene

Week 47 - New Year and Recap

Happy New Year!!  2011 WOO HOO!!  Bring it on!

Weigh in was today and we did not have any losses.  In fact, I believe that the Utah scale from last weeks weigh-in was off from our scale, so I don't believe we truly had 3 pound losses last week, but more like either a 1 pound loss or stayed the same. Today my weight was 154, and the hubs was 202.

So to recap one of the most amazing year in our lives.

Just 10 months ago, we started February 2010 like this:

5'3" / 280 pounds / BMI 49.6

5' 11" / 300 pounds / BMI 41.8

Here we are at the end of the year December 2010 - 10 months later:

154 lbs BMI 27.3 ----- 202 lbs BMI 28.2

Margene:                                        The Hubs:

Head Lost 1 inch                                             Head Lost 1 inch

Neck Lost 5 inches                                         Neck Lost 3 inches

Bust Lost 7 inches                                          Bust Lost 13 inches

Waist Lost 15 inches                                     Waist Lost 18.5 inches

Hips Lost 18 inches                                       Hips Lost 10 inches

Thigh Lost 8 inches                                       Thigh Lost 4 inches

Knee      Lost 4.5 inches                               Knee Lost 4 inches

Calf Lost 3 inches                                          Calf Lost 2 inches

Arm Lost 5.5 inches                                      Arm Lost 3.5 inches

TOTAL: LOST 67 inches                             TOTAL:         LOST 59 inches

BMI:        Now 27.3 LOST 22.3 points           BMI:      Now 28.2 LOST 13.6 points

Weight:          LOST 126 lbs                            Weight:        LOST 98 lbs

2010:  We drastically changed our lives:

Began our lifestyle change & lost 100 lbs each

Moved from bigger home to a smaller

Got two completely different vehicles (now just one)

Got completely new wardrobes

Started a new business (health coach)

Rejuvenated an old business we love (Mobile DJ)

Made huge leaps in putting our negative past behind us

2011:  Our continued Journey goals:

Reach our weight loss goals by the end of Feb. 2011

Begin our transition & maintain goal weight within 5 pounds

Begin our training and toning regime 2-3 times a week

Run a 5k

Run a 10k

Buy our own home

Get pets for our family

By the grace and blessings of our God, we have a new lease on life.  We still have incredible trials and struggles, like everyone, but we can face them with less weight on our bodies and with more energy and grateful hearts.

If you don’t like your life, then it’s up to YOU to CHANGE IT.  If you don’t know what to do to change, then find someone who has been successful and see how they did it.  Above all, pray every day for guidance and direction on making the changes you desire.  I believe we are carefully watched over and guided by our Creator but WE must make the effort to seek Him and Do what He prompts us to.  We CAN change our life and our direction!  My husband and I are living proof of two lives drastically changed!   God bless you on your journey... LIFE IS GOOD!!