Hola!

Sorry I've been a slacker recently!  So just real quick...last week, Sam was the biggest loser! He lost 6 lbs--yay Sam!!!  And my dad was the smallest loser--in fact, he gained 2 lbs, so he had to pay up the $5.  As for me, well, I got stuck and I didn't lose anything, nor did I gain, so I guess that's okay for now.

I started a new job yesterday.  I just have orientation and training this week, and hopefully by next week, I will be jumping in with both feet ready to go on my own.  I'll be working in the schools with SED children, much like my previous job at the mental health association. 

That's it for now--a short post, but I have a million things to get done!

Much love,

Sarah

Week 2

1.8 lbs shed this week, for a total of 5.8 lbs! Trust me, it may not seem like a lot, but I worked harder this week to get rid of that single pound than I did trying to shed 4!! lol...I guess all of the contestants on The Biggest Loser are right...the 2nd week IS the toughest.

1% at a time...

On Sunday, January 4, I weighed in at 290.8 pounds. On Saturday, January 10, I weighed in at 286.8 pounds.  Now, I know most of you are probably freaking out for one of the following reasons: 

1. OMG, SHE WEIGHS CLOSE TO 300 LBS!!!

2. HOLY COW, I KNEW SARAH WAS A BIG GIRL, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS THAT BIG!!!

3. *GULP*! I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE JUST SHARED HER WEIGHT WITH EVERYONE!!!

Yeah, well, neither can I, but I've decided the more people who know, the more people I have to hold me accountable.

A group of my mom's side of the family met to begin a new competiton: The Biggest Loser.  Eleven of us have put in our $25 entry fee in hopes of losing the most percentage of our weight by March 28, 2009.  

The ultimate prize: $275.00 and a much healthier family!  

The weekly gig: everyone meets at 10:00 a.m. each Saturday morning to weigh in.  The person who loses the least percentage of body weight has to pay $5 to the person who loses the largest percent.  

We had our first weigh-in Saturday morning.  And the SMALLEST loser who had to pay $5 was................NOT ME--WOOHOO!!!!!!!  :)  Unfortunately, it was Sam, so it was still a $5 loss to me, but hey, I was just glad it wasn't my fault! lol  My dad lost 7 lbs, my mom & my sister lost 2 lbs, and Sam lost 1 lb. As a group, we collectively lost 36 lbs!!!!

My ultimate goal for 2009 is to TAKE CARE OF MYSELF--physically, mentally, & spiritually.  I have finally come to the realization that by taking care of myself, I can better care for my spouse & my children.  This is not something that is going to come easy for me, as I have always had a tendency to put others before myself...but 2008 proved to me that I can't do that without keeping myself healthy.  I know this is going to be a HUGE undertaking for me, but I know that I can do it with the strength of the awesome God I serve.  I would appreciate your support: ask me how I'm doing, offer words of encouragement, laugh with me, cry with me...but most of all, please pray for me.  And then, sit back and watch what happens...1% at a time.

Much love!

Sarah

Andy & Alicia's Wedding

A Rough Start...Getting Better

New Year's has always been a weird holiday for me.  Not for any particular reason, I think it's mostly due to the downfall of anticipation after anxiously awaiting the holiday season.  Now that I think about it, it's very similar to the feeling of post-partum depression...you wait and wait and wait, the excitement hits, and then...everything is over.

Sam was off work the entire time between Christmas & New Year's...sort of a bittersweet time for us, as it was great to have him around and spend time with the family, but it was all unpaid. Needless to say, finances are a little more scarce than usual, and we were in a serious pinch 2 days ago. When finances get tight, so does my neck...and my back...and my throat...and my toes...lol...you know what I mean.  And when that happens, the migraines set in, so as a result, Gabriel got to spend the night with his great-aunt Sunday evening.  After a few tears & Sam's reassurance that everything was going to be okay, I was able to get a full night of sleep...WONDERFUL sleep!  As always, my family came to our rescue, and we're back on our feet for another month. I cannot imagine going through life without the support of our family and friends...thanks to all of you who have been so generous!! 

Much love,

Sarah