The Sky is the Limit!

At the end of the fifth week I was thinking WOW! If a lot of determination and product could do this the sky is the limit. We bought into the program at the lowest level and started to return his product one bottle at a time.

At this point I was flipping through a product catalog and found HealthTrim - Metabolic Boost. I asked a couple people at a Genesis PURE meeting about it and liked what I heard. Doug brought some by the next day so I could get started before my shipment showed up. What a difference it made! My energy levels increased even more. I was alert even at 3:00 pm when I normally would hit a low. I got things done!!!

After about two weeks on the additional product, I can say that I lost another ten pounds. That made 30 pounds since the beginning of my journey in seven weeks. Now don't get me wrong I knew there were going to be stumbling blocks and there was no way I was going to be able to keep up the pace of losing 10 pounds every two weeks. I had already discounted the existence of a "magic bullet" when it came to weight loss. I also knew for it to stay off I was going to have to lose it at a slower pace and make permanent changes to my life.

Strength Courage Perseverance Handstamped Pendant Set
by PureRoxInPrint on Etsy.com

Lessons Learned

This week's Friday Files is going to focus on what I learned in 2012.

Chalk Art Folded Card
by Recipe for Crazy

I've learned good friends are hard find. If you have one or two really good friends you are blessed. I'm blessed with three that I can't imagine not sharing my joys and frustrations with over a glass of wine and dessert or around the fire pit on a cool night. I married one of them, met another in the second grade and stole one from my brother. Two of them may be "absent" for short times but when get back together it's like no time has passed.

I've also learned not everyone who comes into your life is destined to remain. Things are often said in frustration, which creates obstacles that are too large to overcome. In times like this I am truly thankful for my husband, when I feel the need to withdraw from society and regroup he's right there along side me, supporting me and helping figure out what lesson is to be learned from those situations.

Ceramic Believe Keepsake Box
Found at GrapeVine Ceramics & Gifts

I've learned that I'm strong. Self preservation and will to succeed are necessary. I've been called stubborn and strong-willed this past year. I may not have accomplished everything I wanted in 2012 but I gave it my all, no matter what.

Heading into 2013 - My family and friends are going to be priority. Simple times like a smile over a cup of coffee will not be rushed. I won't look at relationships that end badly just on lessons learned from them. Projects and goals are going to be split into small manageable steps, it may not always look like I'm accomplishing something but in the end they will get done, and if not - there's always 2014.

Inspirational Resolutions Necklace
by Bookish Charm

Laugh as Much

Thoughtful Tuesday - January 15, 2013

So true! When my ability to laugh at a situation or along with someone is temporarily suspended, I look to those I love to help right my ship.

What do you think?

The Journey

Live Keepsake Box
GrapeVineCeramicsGft.etsy.com

In last Wednesday's post I told you that I had lost 30 pounds and I want to share how I started the journey. It started not just as a quest to lose weight but a quest to find myself and be a healthier me.  

In the last 25 years I have gained, lost and gained again 200 pounds. I’ve dealt with major medical issues, had three babies and a lot of self-doubt. I like many people went looking for the “magic bullet.” That one thing that would just make the weight and my self-doubt just fade away. I’m living proof that the “magic bullet” doesn’t exist. I went through Weight Watchers, lost within 30 pounds of my goal weight. I was eating to the program and exercising. Somehow, I managed to gain all the weight back while I was still on the program. Then I started Phenfen, for me it was the “magic bullet.” Again I lost major weight, my doctor was very adamant that I cycled on and off it, which is probably the reason that I didn’t have any of the side effects that caused it to be recalled. Since then I’ve tried Lowfat diets, the Atkins diet, the South Beach diet, the Mediterranean diet and the Glycemic-Index diet all to no avail.

Then in September one of my husband’s clients convinced him that there was a product that could help us get healthier. At this point, the customer hadn’t met me and had no idea that I struggle with my weight, or that my husband was direly concerned for my health. He gave us the opportunity to try the product - if it worked we could replace his product. If it didn’t we could walk away and never look back. I became the guinea pig and was introduced to the Genesis PURE products. 

I began with the “Core” products that help you to “Cleanse, Balance and Build” your system and Mangosteen.  

I began to feel better and move better. More of my story - later...    

What's That Again?

Believe Keepsake Box
by GrapeVine Ceramics & Gifts

I believe we are making  progress - In Phase One Update, I told how we wanted to reclaim the basement from the craft and "where is this supposed to go again" creep.

I'm proud to say - we found the pool table and made the two boys that are still at home very happy. As a matter of fact one of the boys already had his friends that were home from college over hang out and play a few rounds. It was great to see them all together again. My purpose years ago when Santa delivered it was so I could provide a space where they wanted to spend time and stay out of trouble.

 We also found the table and china hutch.

Which means with a few more tweaks and finding the bar hubby can host his traveling card night at our house.

It's not the prettiest right now and truthfully has been a work in progress since we bought the house; but once the clutter is gone, maybe I can start working a wall over at a time as funds permit. That and I'm dreaming of built in book shelves - I have the wall all picked out.

Beginnings

In the redevelopment of this blog, I've decided that Tuesday's will be "Thoughtful Tuesdays." I will share, quotes, excerpts and anything inspirational that reflects my mood.

Thoughtful Tuesday - January 8, 2013

I found this quote helpful when analyzing decisions this last month. It really helped me start making some decisions.

Photo taken at the Royal Gorge, Canon City, CO - 2010
Edited by Michelle Weigel, GrapeVine Ceramics & Gifts

Phase One Update

Phase one of starting over began in earnest at the beginning of September. Since then I have:

• Lost 30 pounds and have kept it off. This may not seem like a lot to some people but for me it's HUGE. I am over 100 pounds overweight and I struggle, really struggle to lose weight. 
• Moved my business office from the downstairs family room to the spare bedroom upstairs.
• Become slightly more organized (I'll always struggle with this one...) I've decided that I don't procrastinate I just do better under pressure.

Dream Office found on Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/pin/279223245618908058/

Phase two is going to include the following goals:

• Lose another 30 pounds. I won't be able to lose the next 30 as fast as the first 30, but I'm not giving up. 
• Finish organizing the new office. Everything has been moved in but nothing is put away in a way that allows it to be uncluttered and usuable. I need usuable!!
• Begin reclaiming the family room from my crafts and general clutter. The ceramics business has exploded into our living area. Now that the business end has been removed, I want to get back to using the storage room as my studio. My husband did a wonderful job of helping me get things set up, I just need to finish the move into the room.

I'd love to complete phase two by June 2013, but I want to be realistic. The weight didn't come on, the disorganization of the office didn't happen, and the creep into the family room didn't occur in less than 8 months. It may take longer to accomplish one item on the list let alone three. 

Dragonfly Jewelry Box from GrapeVine Ceramics & Gifts