Quick Update

I'm short on time, as has been the case a lot lately. I just wanted to give you all a quick update.

I'm feeling somewhat better today. I have been suffering from fibromyalgia symptoms all week. The stress of the last week has been a huge issue. It's starting to calm down I think. My eating is horrid right now. With FMS you tend to be very fatigued and fuzzy headed. I have no energy to cook so we've been eating not-so-healthy-but-easy-to-fix meals. I'm sure I've gained a little from it all. Hopefully I will be back to my old self soon.


Sadie is doing a bit better. She's actually eating again, although she only eats if I feed her. That's made things a bit rough, but eventually she'll start eating on her own again. Her meds are kicking in and she's a bit more active than before as well. All good signs. We've decided to skip the surgery. All the reports I've read say that it adds very little extra time to their lives and that the tumors just come back in a matter of months anyway. I'm not going to put her through the stress of all that just to deal with it again. We'll do our best to give her the best life possible as long as we can. If she starts suffering and we can't alleviate it, then it will be time to make the hardest decision a pet owner can make. But for now I'll focus on the present and enjoy what time we have left with her.

Here are a couple of pictures of my daughter feeding Sadie her Duck Soup (which she really seems to like now):




You all have a wonderful weekend. I'll see you Monday.

Wow.. is it Monday already?

It seems like lately time has just been flying by! I'm sure it's because I've had such a busy schedule. OK, where to start?


Weight Loss:

Nothing much to report. I've struggled with my eating somewhat and it's not all been low-carb. :0( But I'm back on track so things should start moving again. I've been stuck at 2.4 lbs above my ticker weight. I lost the .4 today. Hopefully tomorrow will show more loss.


Photography:

The voting part of the photo contest is now over. Thanks so much to those of you who took the time to vote! It means the world to me! I'll let you know how things turned out as soon as I hear something. The last I looked, which was a day before the voted ended, I was still in the running with all 3 pictures. They are supposed to notify the finalists soon.

I photographed my first wedding this weekend. Wow is that a lot of work! I was on my feet about 7 hours. My mom and I worked this wedding together and I think between the two of us we got some really good shots. I plan on putting my best shots on my website, so I'll let you know when those are up.

I'm excited to announce that a few of my photos are going to be auctioned off in a charity silent auction to benefit the down and out here in St. Louis. (we haven't worked out all the details yet, but should have know more soon) I'll be sure to post more information when it is available.



Health:

Sometimes I tend to forget I have fibromyalgia (Thank you low-carb!!!). Then I have a very busy and stressful weekend and I am quickly reminded. This weekend was very full - a church picnic, the wedding, Revival at our church, and a few other exhausting things all added up to my being fatigued beyond belief. Thankfully I have no pain and pray it stays that way. My fatigue should disappear soon, but it will take a lot of rest to make that happen.


Homeschooling:

This year has started out very well and the children and I are both very optimistic about it. The kids seem to really be enjoying themselves, and I'll admit I am too! We have a lot to figure out still, but we are learning together and having fun. Learning should be fun! Don't you agree?


OK.. gotta run. I'm gonna leave you with another wise saying:

Everything your mother ever warned you about it true.

Sticking with what works

When I read the article titled The Secret To Loss: Motivation it was all I could do not to cry. Not because it's necessarily sad, but because it's exactly where I have been for the last few years. My regular readers know that I've been battling health issues for some time now. I was diagnosed with depression and Fibromyalgia 7 years ago, but none of the medications ever worked for me. I was truly blessed to learn about low-carb back in 2001 and it literally changed my life. I felt like I'd gotten my life back. I once again had reasons to get out of bed every morning. Knowing I wouldn't spend my days feeling hopeless, stressed and unworthy, I was able to face each day with a spring in my step and smile on my face.

But.. (you knew there was a "but" coming didn't you.) I let stress get the better of me after maintaining my 50 lb loss for close to 6 months. In one year we had lost our only source of income due to downsizing, faced financial ruin and had 5 deaths in the family. It just turned out to be more than I could take. I reverted to my old ways of dealing with my emotions - food. After all my hard work and improved health, you would think I would have known better. Instead I let all I'd learned about health, particularly my health, fade away and my emotions took over all rational thinking.

Now here I am, over 2 years later, almost 70 lbs overweight and fighting to get through each day. I hadn't forgotten what I needed to do, I just didn't have the motivation. I didn't care anymore. It wasn't until recent weeks that I realized had truly hit bottom. I was determined, like the ladies in the article, that I HAD to do something. I knew low-carb worked and that it was the miracle I needed for my health. But where to start? It was overwhelming! After several failed attempts to start induction, I realized I needed something a little different this time. I knew that low-carb was still the lifestyle for me, I just wasn't sure what it was going to take to get my motivation back.

Motivation can be found in the strangest places. Sometimes it can be a picture of yourself. Sometimes it can be clothing that no longer fits. Sometimes it's a family member or yourself getting sick. In my case, it was a combination of this blog, my website, and my need for instant gratification.

(kimkins references deleted by Sparky's Girl)

No matter what diet you are on, if it works for you and keeps you healthy, keep at it. When you know it works, it's a lot easier to stay motivated. For those of you who still feel you are fighting a losing battle, remember that you are not alone, and many before you have overcome the same obstacles you are facing. It's not impossible. You can do it! Don't let life keep you from living! Determine to be the one who steps out and makes the change and you will find that you have motivated others to do the same.