I did it!!!

{image from www.sxc.hu}

Okay, this post really belongs in my January goals update. BUT, I am so excited about it that I wanted to share it with you all in a separate post--and also so I could share some helpful websites and stuff. :) I am really, really thrilled to report that I accomplished my January goal of LOSING 5 POUNDS!!! Now, I know that doesn't sound like all that much, and probably some of you are rolling your eyes right now. But it's exciting for me, because I don't think I have ever met a monthly weight loss goal before (at least not anytime recently), and this has given me huge motivation and encouragement to keep on working towards my ultimate goal of about 15-20 lbs.

I think that cutting out sweets for this past month was one of the main factors in being able to lose 5 lbs, and even though my official sugar fast ends tomorrow, I am not planning to go crazy and start stuffing chocolate into myself. In fact, I plan to save sweet stuff for a special treat and only indulge in very small amounts occasionally. I know I need to keep my sweet tooth under control, not only to help me lose the weight I want, but also for the other benefits that cutting out sugar has given me: increased energy, clearer skin, fewer headaches(!!!), and a less-foggy brain (maybe that one is my imagination, but honestly--I feel like I've been thinking more clearly and have been able to focus on things better for the past few weeks).

So, I am setting a new weight loss goal for February: 4 pounds! (Since Feb. is a shorter month, and also because I know that weight seems to come off more slowly after those first few pounds ! :)) Along with minimizing sweets and exercising, this month I want to work harder on portion control and drinking more water--two very important things that I struggle with!

I know my success this month came only through God's strength. I really struggle with self-discipline, and cutting out sweets was something I wasn't sure if I had the willpower to do, but with His help, I was able to do it and meet my goal. I am praying for the self-discipline to continue to work hard toward my goals and to make good choices, because it's VERY easy for me to fall into bad habits!

I also wanted to share some good resources and websites that are helping to encourage and motivate me along this journey toward better health and a slimmer me. :)

• Reshaping It All by Candace Cameron Bure--I actually just finished this book last night, and I enjoyed it. I appreciated Candace's emphasis on the spiritual as well as the physical aspects of health, and yes, I also enjoyed the photo section in the middle with pictures of her growing up/Full House years, as well as more current pictures of her family. :)
• Sugar-Free Mom--I discovered this blog recently and it has a lot of good recipes and motivation for going sugar-free. I haven't yet tried many of the recipes because I'm not sure yet if I want to try replacing sugar with stevia, but I have to say it was really encouraging to come across this site during my sugar fast.
• Fat Chick Fed Up--I found this blog through Money Saving Mom, and I have really enjoyed following this lady's weight loss journey so far! She is very honest and down to earth, and her writing style is a lot of fun, too!
• Peak 313 Fitness--yes, a whole blog dedicated to health and fitness--by a Christian lady! I'll admit I am not into doing a whole bunch of different exercises (yet!)--right now my elliptical is working fine for me--but I really enjoy this blog and especially the weight loss stories that are shared every Wednesday.

I hope some of these resources might be encouraging for you, as well. This month I'll also be reading through the book Made to Crave, to further motivate me in my journey. I was thinking about starting a once-a-week weight loss check-in here, for anyone who might want to participate, but now I'm thinking maybe once-a-month posts like this one, instead. Any thoughts?

Anyway, thanks for listening to my excitement about reaching this goal! Here's to another healthy month!! :)