Twelve Days...

Merry Christmas!!

I am bowing my head in shame for taking so long to update my blog. 

Wanted to note - for financial reasons, we've had to put our return to the 5:1 plan on hold temporarily, but I am excited the second we can do another order and get back On Plan… there are so many newer Medifast foods now too. For now, we watch what we eat as always and stay active!

I am giving you 12 days of Our Christmas 

(in no significant order) - Enjoy!!

1. First Day of Christmas:   We got to be involved in an Extreme Makeover of a teen girl's bedroom here in our neighborhood, after they suffered a horrible break-in robbery and vandalizing of their home.  Over 70 people came together to do this.  Can I just say AMAZING!!

2. Second Day of Christmas:  We were blessed to spend some time with a sweet widow in our neighborhood, which is cool since my kids have no living grandmother.  I just love the attention she showed my kids and feeling her sweet spirit.

3. Third Day of Christmas:  I got to see so many in our neighborhood come together gathering gifts for some that are less fortunate.  So many acts of love and service, it just restores my hope and belief in the goodness of people and in the Goodness of our God!

4. Fourth Day of Christmas:  We enjoyed our church Christmas Breakfast!  We all came in our PJ's and had a yummy breakfast and hot chocolate and enjoyed some live Christmas Music.

5. Fifth Day of Christmas:  We threw a neighborhood party at our home and had over 40 guests.  It was so fun!  So cool that people actually came and we had a fun white elephant game!

6. Sixth Day of Christmas:  Got to host a family party at our home with all my local siblings & their kids.  How fun to have family here and see everyone.  We ended with a special Christmas story and sang some Christmas songs!

7. Seventh Day of Christmas:  A neighbor friend randomly brought me flowers!  How sweet it that?

8. Eighth Day of Christmas:  My daughter and I made our own wreath!  I'm pretty pleased with it!

9. Ninth Day of Christmas:  We celebrated my oldest turning 20 years old (silent scream!)  Good times!

10. Tenth Day of Christmas:  Simple Christmas at home with my family… new PJ's for kids.  We have good health, warm place to stay, and love of our family and friends.  So richly blessed!! 

11. Eleventh Day of Christmas:  Special Surprise box from a friend who started her weight loss journey just 13 weeks ago and has lost almost 35 pounds.  Her determination and energy is contagious.    

12. Twelfth Day of Christmas:  Lastly, Brent and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary!!!  Wahoooooo!!  I can't say enough about my man and best friend!  Truly!  He supports me so well, and often gets overlooked because he puts me first.  I get a lump in my throat just thinking about him and how grateful I am for him.  Such a good man!  He stays in the shadow (where he likes it) but he makes all the difference in my life!!  I love him tons and tons!

Holding up our "2" and  "4" - at our Anniversary Dinner at Texas BBQ

I truly believe that if you are feeling down and want to feel better… then get up and do something for someone else!  It's amazing to see the difference you can make right around you, and how that makes your own problems so much smaller and easier to bear!!  Sitting and pondering about your problems only makes them bigger.  It really is about "forgetting yourself" in helping someone else with theirs!  And if you don't think you are needed or make a difference… I'm here to tell you that is just NOT true!!  Pray to know who you can help and then keep your eyes open.  I am learning this lesson first hand and feel humbled to learn!

Love to you this Season!! 

xoXoXO ~Margene

Twas the Day(s) after Christmas....

We had a wonderful, cozy Christmas as a family in our new home.  Brent had a couple days off and we goofed off and even went to a new frozen yogurt place and all splurged on our own concoctions!


I have to say, that this Christmas time, I gave myself permission to indulge a little with some of the sweets and yummy treats that were around.  Last year I was in "weight loss" mode and stayed true to the plan, so this year I decided to allow myself some freedoms.

BUT... I have learned that I am apt to take TOO much freedom and I have the tendency to become like a child left alone in a candy store.

I am now back ON PLAN and it's amazing how I suddenly feel more in control and even more of a sense of security of knowing the path that I'm on.  It really is like hopping onto another path.  I already feel more energy from eating better and even more cheerful.  In the past, I would have ignored those feelings of over-indulgence and rationalized them away and continued to overeat.  I'm so grateful for what I've learned!!

I really like this poem I read and it seems to fit perfectly:

T’was The Day After Christmas (By Delia McLaughlin) T’was the day after Christmas, I had put on 10 lbs By eating the food that was always around. My stockings were tight, the seams they were busting, From the constant barrage of food I was lusting. My husband and children whose clothes were snug too Pleaded with me to try something new. The only thing that fit was my stretch stocking cap And between my shirt and my pants there was a huge gap. I had endlessly and repeatedly licked every platter And never before had it really even mattered. I avoided all mirrors, ran by them in a dash So I just couldn’t see the tight fitting sash. Tired of wearing those triple X sizes, I had to do something as the scale number rises. When a friend offered to help me, I shouted “GIVE ME RELIEF from the munchies” resounded. When relief came, it was so incredibly quick, And now I no longer feel lethargic and sick. I began losing the weight without all the strife Because my health coach introduced me to Take Shape For Life! Now pancakes and brownies, chili and eggs, I’m beginning to see the bones in my legs! Oatmeal, sloppy Joes, nacho cheese puffs That health coach of mine really knows her stuff! This eating small meals every 3 hours Has helped me lose weight and now I encounter Compliments from everywhere imaginable It’s so unreal – almost unfathomable! The fat is melting – it seems to go POOF! And the energy I’ve gained has gone through the roof! The sizes get smaller as the scale shows less And now my health is no longer a mess. My eating is healthier; I’ve changed the bad habits And the weight I’ve lost won’t be recounted! For my lifestyle is changing – my food choices now healthy And used for refueling, not making me like jelly. My eyes now twinkle and I’m truly so happy That I want all my friends to join me real snappy So we will all reach that healthy goal weight And enjoy this new feeling I’m having today. For the first time in decades, I like my new self And breathing is easier when I put on my belt. Mirrors are now my next new best friend Admiring the new shape and curves that extend. Try as I did for too many years Without much success and a whole lot of tears Losing weight has been easy With a program that teaches. Now I’m teaching others so they can lose too And get slim and healthy in Twenty One Two. Let’s journey together to a thinner new you So next year you will be happier too.

I'm Excited for 2012!  I'm excited to do NEW things!  Life is good!
Just 3 more days left of 2011.  What kind of year has it been for you?