Well, it’s over. My goal was to get down as close to 125 as I could and to be able to fit into my wedding dress on our anniversary, August 28. So how did I do?

Saturday morning I weighed in at 132. So that was a little higher than I would have liked, but it’s better than I would have been if I had kept up with how things were going back 3 months ago (lose a pound, gain a pound, lose a couple more). Sunday morning I was down to 131, so maybe it’s just because I ate supper Friday evening. I miss eating toast—don’t get it very often—so I just ate some.

But I’m sure you don’t care as much about the numbers as about the wedding dress. Did it fit? The answer is YES! It was a bit more snug than it was on my wedding day, but then, I weigh 7 pounds more than I did on my wedding day. In fact, the week before my wedding I was trying to gain weight, because it was a tad bit loose. I think I was around 130 when I designed it, and then lost about 10 pounds during the summer while I sewed it up. In the end, I did gain enough back that I didn’t need to alter the dress—which is a good thing, because it would have taken hours and hours and I didn’t have that kind of time right before the wedding! But I digress.

So after lunch I went upstairs, dug the dress out of the box where it was rolled up in a sheet (wrinkled, I know, but I didn’t have anything to cover it with, and I didn’t want my husband to get suspicious when it showed up in the closet!), and put it on. Then I went down the stairs and surprised my husband. My kids thought it was the greatest thing! I played peek-a-boo with Manny with my veil, and he loved it. Gislaine liked it too. I showed her that it was the same dress in the picture of our wedding day that sits on the piano.

All things considered, I am declaring this challenge a success! I still want to lose a few pounds (about 7, I think), and I still need to get into a regular exercise program, but at least I am well on my way. And all I did was to cut down the amount of fat that I eat and to skip out on most suppers. Those two things have made a huge difference, and I consider them part of my lifestyle now.

Sorry I don’t have any pictures, but once I get my dress ironed, I’ll see if I can get my husband to take a picture and I’ll post it up here, maybe next week.

Just wanted you to know that I added a couple of pictures to my sewing portfolio. I have been doing a lot of sewing lately. Hopefully soon I’ll get around to getting some more pictures uploaded, but they’ll go in the store.

Here is a linen shirt someone gave me. It’s a size 14, and way too big for me. As you can see in the pictures, it is like a tent. It’s straight, which isn’t good for my figure. I need something to show that I have a waist, otherwise it makes me look, well, fat. Here are the pictures:

What do you think? Can I make this look flattering? Now, just so you know, I don’t wear sleeveless a lot. But sometimes it gets so hot, and it’s just me and the kids here at home, in which case I don’t have a problem with it.

My goals are to take in the sides enough that it fits comfortably—not too tight. This should bring up the arm hole, making it smaller. I’m happy with where the shoulders end on top, even though it was probably originally designed to be narrower. I’m going to put some vertical darts in the back, and maybe some in the front too. We’ll see. If you have any ideas, feel free to share them. I am interested in hearing tips from others who may have a degree in fashion.

Check back in a week or two to see if I’ve finished it (and got around to posting about it!).

Sorry this is so late, but I just didn’t have time last Sunday to get to the library before it closed–would have had time afterwards, but that just doesn’t work too well, he he!

Anyhow, I was a bit surprised to step on the scales last Sunday and see that I was still 132, same as last week. No idea what I am today (I haven’t checked all week), but maybe I will be at least one pound less by tomorrow and nearly make my challenge. I think I need to get serious about exercise. Now that I’m nearly recovered from last week’s cold (yes, another cold! Grrrr!), I think I should be able to think about that.

I hope I’ll be able to find a computer with Internet on Sunday to post the final results! In any case, I’m very pleased with how my clothes are fitting, so I consider this effort a success no matter what the final number is.

Yes, it seems that I am on a roll. I lost another pound last week. I weighed in at 132 Sunday morning. I don’t have time to look it up (I never have enought time online), but it’s been a pound a week for over a month, I think. I’m going to have to take a picture one of these days, but at least some people have noticed. A lady from church told me Sabbath afternoon (after I refused an offer of carrots, saying that I haven’t been eating suppers and wasn’t hungry, explaining that I was trying to lose weight) that she had noticed that I had lost weight. That was nice.

It’s also nice to be able to fit into clothes that didn’t fit before, too. In fact, one of my shorter skirts (by short I mean just below the knee–perfect for the weather we’re having right now) is a tad bit too loose! Now, there’s a problem I can deal with!

So maybe I didn’t lose the 2 pounds that I had to, but one pound is better than nothing, and much better than negative loss.

Also, I should say that this blog has become extremely difficult to maintain without Internet. My husband and I are really feeling the lack of both a car (we only have one) and Internet, and they seem to be connected. If I had a car, I could go to the library during the week, not shop on Sundays, etc. If we had Internet, I wouldn’t have to try to get to the library before 5:00 pm (I failed to do so yesterday, which is why I’m posting this today). This means I may not post much here for the next 2 or 3 months. I’m not going to get rid of this blog. I’ll finish the challenge and try to post at least something every week, but it’s not going to have much going on until we get Internet at home.

In the mean time, if you are my friend and have my phone number (you can find it in my FB profile, if you’re my friend there), call me sometime. A phone I do have, and would love to hear from you!

For a year or two after I was married, I had access to a TV, and I watched entirely too many of it. I regret that now. It affected me negatively in so many ways, and never really did anything positive for me at all. I think anyone that has watched a lot of TV will agree.

Now, I am at the almost opposite side. Not only do I not watch a lot of TV anymore—I don’t even own one! At some point, we might get something so that we can watch some of our videos (things like sermon videos, exercise videos, our wedding video—stuff like that). And occasionally (and I’m talking about 2 or 3 times a year) we might watch a select movie (something like “Fireproof” or “Most”). But I really don’t want to watch anymore Hollywood productions.

The other day I was listening to a sermon on the Holy Spirit by Mark Finley, one of my favorite preachers, and he made a brief comment about movies. It’s only a couple of minutes long, so listen to what he had to say:

The Problem with Movies 

Wasn’t that a powerful illustration? Those people spend $120,000,000 to “rape the brain.” That is the best illustration of a Hollywood movie I’ve ever heard. I especially liked the part where he talked about the great controversy theme in movies. You know, the controversy between Christ and Satan. It’s been going on since before this world was created, and it won’t end until hellfire wipes out the last traces of evil in the universe. But that theme is what makes the plot of a great many movies today. Good and Evil. Light and Darkness. I’m not going to start naming movies, but if you’ve watched any movies lately I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.

I haven’t seen a movie of any kind since we moved into our new house, and the only media I’ve been exposed to has been the alarm (playing the classical station) in the morning, some sermons I have in mp3 on my computer, and the Christian music CD in the car. I feel like my life has been slowed down, and I am feeling a desire to follow God more fully. And I don’t miss Hollywood. I really don’t.

You can listen to the rest of the sermon, or even the whole series***, if you wish. I would highly recommend it. It has been a real blessing to me.

Recently I listened to a sermon by Mark Finley on Faith. This devotional thought is my own summary of that sermon in my own words. I would encourage you to listen to the sermon for yourself.

What is faith? Belief? Trust? The substance of things hoped for? Faith is all of those things, and more. It is the one thing that makes the difference in our being saved or lost. Without faith, no one ever was or ever will be saved. And true faith alone is all we need to be saved.

Notice I said “true faith.” Many people do not understand faith. Some TV evangelists today make it sound like if you have enough faith, you can be healed, or you will be wealthy, or you will get what you need or want in life. But that isn’t what the Bible says.

Because faith is such an important topic, and because God wants to be sure we understand what it is, He put a whole chapter on it in the Bible. Most dedicated Christians are familiar with the first verse: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). But how familiar are you with the rest of the chapter?

Let’s look at an overview of the chapter.

Verse 4: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.

Abel had faith, but what happened to him? He died. If he hadn’t had enough faith to offer that more excellent sacrifice, he wouldn’t have died.

Verse 5: By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death.

Enoch’s faith led him to be translated. He lived and never died.

Wait a minute. Abel had faith and he died. Enoch had faith and he never died. Which one had more faith?

Let’s continue down the chapter.

Verse 7: By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house.

Noah’s faith led him to stay put, build an ark, and save his house.

Verse 8: By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Abraham had faith, and he left without knowing where he was going. And he found the inheritance for his posterity.

So Noah stays and builds, while Abraham leaves and lives in a tent the rest of his life (see verse 9). Which of them had more faith?

Verse 11: Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age.

Sarah had faith and conceived a child at the age of 90 (see Genesis 17:17).

Verse 17: By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac.

Abraham’s faith led him to offer up the very son that was conceived in faith.

Are you seeing a pattern here?

Verse 22: By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel.

Joseph became ruler in Egypt and died in that land.

Verse 27: By faith [Moses] forsook Egypt.

Moses was the adopted son of Pharoah’s daughter, but he forsook the chance to rule Egypt and left it behind.

Moving down, we read of others who victoriously conquered their enemies:

Verses 33-35: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again.

I’m sure you can think of some Bible characters that did those things. Some of them are named in verse 32. But then comes the contrast.

Verses 35-37: others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

You can probably think of some Bible characters that had those things happen to them, too. I know I can. Jesus Himself is the most prominent of that second group.

So what is faith, really? It’s very simple. It’s putting yourself in the will of God and doing whatever it is that is His will for you.

For one, it might be His will to go as a missionary. For another, it might be His will for them to just go on a short-term mission trip, like a group from our church that is going to Fiji soon. For another, it might be giving Bible studies to the neighbors. For yet another, it might simply be staying home and raising godly children.

For me, faith is doing a good job cleaning the kitchen, when I would rather just give it a once-over and go do some sewing. Faith is taking time to make sure my children obey me when I’d rather sit down and read a book. Faith is saying “No” to the tiny 1” snickers bars that the lady at the discount store dropped a handful of into my bag (when I wasn’t looking), because I’m fighting a cold and am trying to lose weight, when my whole nature says, “Just one won’t hurt.” Faith is claiming the promise that “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” when it’s the end of the day, I’m exhausted, and just want to crawl into bed—but still have to get the kids ready for bed.

What is faith to you? What is God’s will for you? Are you surrendered to that will? Am I?

(Written a couple of weeks ago.)

Maybe you remember that I mentioned last week that I ran out of money in the food budget by the middle of this month (sorry, library closes in a few minutes, don’t have time to look for the link). That means that I’ve not been buying much the rest of the month. We’re not dirt poor, so we can buy onions and tomatoes and bananas and basics like that, but I haven’t been buying lots of fresh produce lately.

Actually, this has been a good thing for me. I think I’ve gotten into a rut with my menu planning. For some reason I really dislike sitting down and making a menu. I do it, because it simplifies my life, and without it I would really be in a pickle. Been there, done that. I’d rather make a menu. But I don’t enjoy doing it, so I do it once a month. I leave weekend lunches open, allowing myself to be creative there, or for eating out, which we do once in a while. But the rest of the menu is planned out a month ahead of time. Most of it is on a weekly rotation, but some things I rotate longer. For instance, one Tuesday we have lentils and the next we have split pea soup, or something else. Monday is pasta day; mostly I just cook some kind of pasta and open a jar of pasta sauce, but sometimes I will make a batch of pesto for variety. Sundays we usually have waffles or pancakes.

Well, without money in the food budget, I wasn’t going to buy plantains to eat with the black beans (of which there are plenty on hand), nor sweet potatoes to eat with tofu (even though I have enough soybeans to make many pounds of tofu). So I decided it was time to get creative. I had bought a 25 pound bag of whole grain cornmeal for $12.50, and all we had been using it for so far was cornbread muffins once a week. So I decided to try making other things with it. So on Tuesday I cooked up the black beans as usual, but I made Hoecakes (kind of like biscuits, only made with cornmeal) to go with them in place of plantain bananas. They were a big hit, and I think I’ll make them again. Thursday evening, I cooked a batch of cornmeal and poured it into a glass bread pan and refrigerated it overnight. In the morning, I sliced it and baked it on a Pam-sprayed cookie sheet. While it was baking, I cooked the tofu I had seasoned the night before with onions and coconut milk (since we had an open can of that—normally we use tomatoes but we’re almost out of them and want to save them for other foods). I think the only thing I regret about that meal was not cooking a larger batch of cornmeal! Everyone loved it!

So maybe it’s a blessing that I ran out of money this month. If I hadn’t, I might have just cooked the same old food again, and wouldn’t have found some new, inexpensive recipes that our family loves. I think I’ll have to incorporate those into the monthly menu.

First, I must apologize for not posting anything between this post and the last weight loss update. But I had a good excuse… not enough time online. I’ll try to make up for it today. I have half an hour until the library closes…

Anyhow, I weighed in at 133 this morning. One pound less than last week. Seems I’ve been losing a pound a week for the last few weeks. At this rate I will be 130 even by the end of the challenge (officially the 28th, but you probably won’t hear about it until the 29th). Now, whether I’ll be able to fit into my wedding dress still remains to be seen. But at least I am my pre-pregnancy weight.

I’ve also been trying to get more exercise. I walked about 3 miles yesterday (1.6 one way, down a side road and back). I’m hoping to get in at least a couple today. I need to go buy eggs, and my husband saw some down another road for about $.50 less than the antique store in town that sells almost organic eggs (organic, but not certified). If not, I might do it tomorrow. Manny has an appoinment so my husband isn’t going to work Monday.

So here’s hoping I can lose 2 pounds next week! But that remains to be seen.

Weigh in this morning: 134.

Yay! I’m down another pound since last week. It seems that cutting down my fat intake and watching to make sure I stop when I’m full have helped the extra pounds to come off. This is very encouraging.

That book I mentioned a few weeks ago, Eat More, Weigh Less, really seems to work. Only I’m not cutting my fat down to 10% of calories. I believe nuts and olives and avocadoes are good food—in reasonable quantities. But I’ve found out that I can cut down on fat in hidden places without sacrificing taste. For instance, I cut the oil in half in my cornbread recipe, and my husband didn’t notice (or at least, he never said anything). I estimate that each cornbread muffin had about 8 grams of fat, most of that being oil (corn does have a little more fat than other grains, but not a lot). Considering that I usually eat 2 muffins (instead of 3 like I used to), by cutting the oil in half, I’ve practically cut the fat in half. So now it’s more like 4 grams per muffin. I figure that I need to get about 45 grams of fat every day (as opposed to the 65 or so grams that is usually recommended for the 2,000 calorie diet). 10% fat would be about 22 grams of fat, so I’m doing about 20%. That’s less than the 40% most Americans eat, and still less than the 30% recommended that leaves most people still hungry on your average diet (like Weight Watcher’s or Jenny Craig), which is probably why I’m still losing weight. I am not actually counting, but when I do, I’m usually somewhere in the neighborhood of 20% fat now, and it seems to be making a difference.

So here’s hoping I can be down 2 pounds by next Sunday. But if not, I’ll settle for 1.