Monday, January 31, 2011

Taking Care of Mama Mondays! Please join in!!!

Todays post fills me with shame...it shames me to no end to even admit to this, but I am obese, (my GOD how I hate that word)!!!  Around Christmas time, when I had my revelation that I needed to get onto the never ending "to do" list, I felt awful.  I was pretty darn close to the heaviest I've ever been.  I've never been attracted to junk food, but put a plate of cheese, crackers and bread in front of me and I'll eat the whole darn thing.  I've always been an emotional eater...when I'm troubled, bored, stressed, tired...and let me tell you, I've been pretty darn troubled, bored, stressed and tired these past few years.   I've spent my whole adult life being overweight...the weight I carry masks some pretty serious pain in my life, but I'm feeling like this is the time to come to terms with myself and I need to make the time to do this!

sorry folks...I'm not feeling brave enough to post my "before" pic tonight!

On Boxing day I cleaned my fridge...not just cleaned, but I had it sparkling clean.  I cleaned out the kitchen cupboards, (again to a sparkle), and then I filled my home with good, healthy food.  I joined an online weight loss group, (called Spark people), for support, and I started exercising again...putting myself up there on the "list".   In a month I'm down 12 pounds and soon I'll be classified as "overweight"...I have about 38 to go before I'm at a healthy weight.  The best part of it all is that I'm relearning how to eat...what a serving size looks like, making cooking wholesome food a priority, (and by taking care of myself, my family gets the benefit of some pretty amazing meals)! 
Taking care of our health is one of the most important things we can do as mamas. 

Please leave your link below if you're joining in this week.  You don't have to do it on a Monday to play along, just link to something inspiring that you do for yourself.  It can be as simple as carving out some time to knit or read, cleaning out your craft nook...something, anything that is for YOU and you alone!
Be brave mamas...take some time, (guilt free), to find yourself again!

xo maureen

26 comments:

  1. Well Done Maureen. I resonate with so many of the things you post and share. Thank you for your honesty. I too had a foot-ie Monday (inspired by your good self) last week and am on week two of a get back to a healthy weight campaign. I can't go near the scales yet, but am back on things that I know suit me, and that I am supposed to eat (eat for your type inspired)and feel and see a difference already. Its hard doing all that we do, home educating is all consuming and leaves so little time to consider 'me's' Thank you for helping to focus my mind on the need to be good to myself too. Onwards and upwards. x

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  2. Wow. You are really taking command of your life. I'm in awe of you starting on Boxing day, while I was still in holiday mode. Way to go!

    I had a similar change of diet journey a few years ago. It is worth doing. Good for the soul too.

    My post seems frivolous this week, in comparison, but it was for me, so I guess it counts......

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  3. What an honest and liberating post. I wish you all the best as you embark on this liberating journey. My post was the first time in ages since I have sat down and wrote down what was on my mind....it felt great!

    What a wonderful idea - Mama Mondays! I will be sure to pop back to see how you are going....

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  4. Yeah, my me-moment is looking pretty frivolous too. Now you, my friend, know how to set a goal and tackle it! Here's to 12 lbs and counting...

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  5. Very inspiring...and honest...post! You've made tremendous progress so far! Your idea of completely cleaning out the cupboards sounds like a great idea. I really should do that as well. It certainly would make eating healthier much easier.

    I posted something I've been working on recently - applique and embroidery. Eventually, I'll have a quilt. I'm not much of a quilter, but I do find that taking the time to do embroidery is calming and takes my mind off other stress that I may be feeling in my life.

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  6. The lack of "me time" could be considered an epidemic amongst mothers...I hope we're the generation that changes that. I'm not willing to wait till my kids are grown and I retired to learn the things I'm passionate about, or to lose weight and take care of myself! I'm so very proud of you, Maureen!

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  7. I applaud you for sharing that about yourself to the rest of us. 12 pounds already! How fantastic!

    Good luck with the rest of your journey.

    Tricia

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  8. I just jumped over from Time to Craft (Cheryl above) and loved your post and blog! I posted today about something I made for me so I linked - it just seemed like it was meant to be. Congratulations on that 12lbs, what a fantastic start, I think you just inspired me to join in with that too! :D

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  9. I don't know if you listen to the radio much, but CBC has had an ongoing series called "Live Right Now" which is designed to help inspire Canadians to get healthier and happier. There have been some beautiful stories told on Ottawa Morning - women with as much courage as you seem to have. Thank you for sharing your story, and I look forward to following your journey

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  10. I'm not a mom, but I am a devoted follower of Twig and Toadstool. I too am the heaviest I've ever been, but it's due to dieting, then falling off the wagon, then dieting, then falling off the wagon. Zero discipline, emotional eating, lack of exercise and love of potatoes have been my arch enemies for years now. Oh, and let's not forget early perimenopause (how can I forget that?). I am so rooting for you and your new endeavor and hoping you'll be the perfect inspiration I need to get back on that stupid wagon and stay!! =)

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  11. Well done! I am so glad that on the days I feel to tired that I am able to come here to your blog and find the inspiration and motivation that I need.

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  12. Oh so familiar! I used to eat really healthley, exercise regularly and fit my clothes. I am just desperately trying to remember how I did it.

    I am making time for myself at the moment by going to bed! I get woken up at 5 ish and tend to stay up until 10.30-11 ish trying to get things done. So I ahev reduced the things I am expected to do and for the next few weeks I will be in bed by 9!

    Then once I am rested I can begin again.

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  13. I applaud you for sharing your heart with something so personal and at the same time so universal and connecting among mothers. it is inspiring to read your story, I wish you the absolute best on this journey and am happy to see such a positive series you have started!

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  14. This is wonderful. I definitely plan on joining next time.

    The weight thing is such an issue for many moms, including me. I struggled as a child with my weight (and on and off as an adult), so it is something I've always been -- admittedly -- somewhat insecure about. I think it is wonderful that you're doing this for yourself -- that you're doing what you know you have to do in order to be happy, in order to have a healthy relationship with food ...

    Much love to you, and much self-empowering energy to help you on your journey!

    Juliana

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  15. Wow, what an inspiring post. Way to go! Sending lots of support and hugs to you!

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  16. Ughhh you hit a raw spot for me. I, too, am trying to lose weight. This is a very inspirational for me. I have been thinking about this all day and how grateful I am that you put this out here for us all to benefit.
    Thank you.

    joining in with you!

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  17. Many, many congratulations with your weight loss. I am working on this daily too and know that it is a struggle especially when we mothers have to take care of so many other things before we take care of ourselves. Keep up the good work!

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  18. Maureen,
    Congrats on your weight loss!!!! webmd.com sends little weightloss/healthy lifestyle tidbits in your email if you sign up for them. These were helpful to me in my journey to lose weight....but you already sound like you're on the right track. Kudos to you for feeling empowered and making the change!!!!! :-)
    -Katie

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  19. what an honest post, thank you very much for this. as a reader one tends to put the authors of one's favorite blogs in heaven, as if they were just perfect. i know, no one would a blog if there were only dirty dishes, whining children and sad thoughts. but hey, they belong to live as well. this has made you way more human than i thought you werde before. please remember dear maureen, you might be obese, but everyone has dark points and things he worries about. they may not be that visible but they are there. i beliefe this confession has brought strength to you because you allowed us to see a bit more of who you are. thank you so much! i love your blog and i will send you a lot of force to you so you can really change your life to a healthier one. i live in germany and i have only been once to the states but i honestly think beeing thin an healthy i easier over here. there is just less sugar and fat in the food. once you began eating it it gets so hard you get away! stay in your change!
    sorry for my bad english...

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  20. Best wishes to you! I have faith that you can do it and I love that you are making time for YOU! So often, we lose sight of that. Thanks for reminding me to make time for ME tonight! Kerri

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  21. Eeeek! I keep missing it. Guess I am not taking care... But I did recently read that taking care of my kid IS taking care of me and my interests....

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  22. Thank you for posting this! I've joing sparkpeople and feel that I can do this! Finally! It's a lot of work, but it feels like the tools and support are there for me. Sending ots of love and light your way for a healthy happy new year.

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