5 Ways I Have Struggled with Weight

Just days before delivering Buggy a month early

I have been reading a lot of blogs that focus on weight loss lately.  I am amazed at how open and honest these women are.  I mean, they give NUMBERS!  Actual numbers of their REAL weight and what they have lost and gained.

I don't know if I could do that!

These women have inspired me.

At the moment, I am pretty much where I want to be weight-wise. That doesn't mean I don't have issues with weight.  I'll break down each issue over the next few weeks. Hopefully, the insight I have gained while reading other blogs (check out my list of great reads in the right sidebar) will help someone else who is struggling with weight issues.

Here are my struggles!  For reference, I am 4'11' and my goal weight/healthy weight is 110 lbs.

1. Overweight.  In high school, I became quite overweight - I gained about 40 pounds in just a few months after a thyroid medicine change. It took a few years to get healthy again.
2. Underweight.  At one point in college, my weight dropped to just over 80 lbs. I wasn't anorexic.  I was just working so much that I couldn't keep weight on.
3. Hormonal birth control weight.  Eight years on the pill.  'Nuff said.
4. Baby weight.  My highest weight was just over 160 pounds. It was hard to lose the first time around.
5. Food Aversion.  This can of worms is open right now.  It is a vicious cycle. The less I eat, the less I want to eat. I'll dive into this mess in the future. Basically, some breastfeeding issues I have had with both cause me to feel nauseous while nursing.  It is slowly getting better.

So, I bring this subject to this blog for a few reasons.  I am striving to be healthy.  I am striving to have a biblical view of beauty.  I know that by writing about my issues in light of scripture, I'll be more likely to follow through.  Lastly, I hope to help at least one person!

Have you struggled with weight?  Self-image?

Ah - Changes

We are so blessed. I had to say that.  A fabulous worship song is streaming through the baby monitor.

Alleluiah!  Thank you Jesus!  Lord You are worthy of all the Honor and all the Glory and all the Praise!  It makes me want to shout!

This Labor Day weekend brought a lot of change.  Change for the good.  The biggest change is how I am using my time.  I am no longer publishing to my other blog, Penny Pinching Penguin.  It had been on my heart for awhile to scale back to give my family more time - to do a better job domestically.  Life has changed dramatically here over the past few months and the latest of Buggy's "skills" is keeping me on my toes (as you can see in the picture - that's him under our kitchen chair).  He is now capable of staying still and silent for long periods of time.  Add in creativity and a love of surprising mommy, and you have a master at hide and seek.  Problem?  He's the only one playing!  My heart about stopped the day I found him "hiding" on the front porch - he had figured out how to push the door open when it wasn't latched the whole way.

It was hard to do.  I had invested a lot of time.  I had earned a little bit of money (which is sitting in an account until I reach $100).  I learned a lot.

With all of that said, I am more confident each day that I made the right decision.  Penny Pinching Penguin isn't going away.  I will link to some relevant topics through here.  I will continue a few segments here.

In addition to closing down the Penguin (I am also no longer using @penguinelk on twitter - I'm solely using @redmestic), I am going through the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog curriculum.  Like last time, you will see changes on this blog over the next few months.  Hopefully changes for the better.

Coming soon:

• Money Minute - short posts about simple ways to save a little money at home
• Bloggy Basics - some insight into blogging and ways to improve your blog (such as creating a blog button, gaining readers, etc)
• More FREE downloads - keep checking the downloads tab
• eBooks!  - The first eBook is in the works - saving money in each room of the house (if you have ideas, please leave a comment or email me - I'll credit you and link to your blog in the ebook)

Now that hard decisions have been made, I feel as light as air.  My plate is still quite full, but knowing that I am following God's will and no longer trying to do things on my own for my own reasons is so freeing.

Have you ever had that feeling?  That peace that comes when you've made a decision?

New Feature - Connect on Facebook and New Twitter Name!

Hi all!

Have you noticed more changes each day?  I'm not trying to overwhelm!  I want to make things more user-friendly for y'all.

If you look to the right, you will see some little icons.  These are shortcuts to connect with me and with other readers. 

The first icon is for twitter.  Please note - I just started a twitter account for just this blog.  My previous account, @penguinelk, combined both blogs and my personal account.  My new account, @redmestic, is just for this blog so you won't get tweets from everything under the sun.

The second icon allows you to subscribe to this blog in your rss reader of choice.

The third icon links to my brand new Facebook page!  Become a "fan" (I prefer "friend") and jump in the conversation!

The final icon makes emailing me a breeze.  No need to copy and paste email addresses or anything.  Just type your message on my form and it will automatically be emailed to me.

One reminder  - you can subscribe to an email digest version of this blog.  Get an email just once per day.

Have a great day and stay connected!

I Dreamed a Dream

I love music.  I have a degree in it.  I am a sucker for song.  I've had a song running through my head today.  Have you seen Les Miserables?  Have you at least heard the soundtrack?

I dreamed a dream in times gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame

Now, I certainly don't agree with everything in the song.  God IS forgiving.  Life IS worth living.  I won't get into the back story on the song.  The important takeaway is that when I was young, I had so many dreams.  The world was my oyster.  I could do anything.  Be anything.  I could put myself out there and not fear rejection.

Well, you know how it goes.  As we get older, we face rejection.  It's a part of life.  We make sacrifices.  We make choices.  We get caught up in the day to day.  Often, we stop dreaming.

After reading a great post by Nirvana Mama,  I have slowly allowed myself to start dreaming.  She asked just one question -

If you could choose a “career” in life without worrying about others expectations of you, without worrying about self doubt, without worrying about educational background, without worrying about money, without worrying AT ALL…

What would it be???

 

It's taken a bit of a nudge to really dream and think it could become a reality.  You see, my dream has always been to be a stay at home mom.  Well, I am living that dream.  I LOVE being an at-home mom.  However, I am learning, thanks to MOPS, that I cannot let that one thing define me or else I risk losing myself.  I will not always be a mother to small children.  One day I will be a mother to older children, then to college children, then to adult children.  My life will not always revolve around dirty diapers.

After struggling with postpartum depression and anxiety after having Buggy, I realize how important it is to have interests and friends outside of the 4 walls of the house.  I am a better mom when I have some time to myself.

Sandi, from Deva Coaching, posted a challenge on our BlogFrog 31 Days to Build a Better Blog forum.  She challenged us to REALLY dream and consider how to make it a reality.

I'm buzzing with excitement.  There's a whiff of potential in the air.  I may be starting on a great adventure - if I can gather up the courage to take a few steps.  What is that dream?

I tossed around a few ideas:  playing French horn professionally (not in the best locale to do that unless I wanted to be a road warrior - not an option), sing again (I can do this without much effort - I can sing at church, I can sing at home, I can record at home), become proficient at guitar and piano (I just don't have the hours to invest at this point).  What I came up with:

I want to help others.  

I want to grow my blogs so I can help as many people as I can.

I want to make a part-time income with my blog to help the family get out of debt quickly so that we can give more and bless others.  I want to support ministries by sharing them with my readers and asking for support (right now, I ask for support for the Free Wheelchair Mission).  My vision is BIGGER than just three wheelchairs.  I'm thinking THIRTY.  I'm thinking THREE HUNDRED!

I want my blogs to be a place where people come for direction.  People come for information.  For encouragement. For healing. For a listening ear. For prayer. For understanding.

As an added step - I'd love to do more of my own photography for my blogs.

What would be my first steps?

I've taken quite a few through this blog challenge.  I would do a major renovation on both of my blogs.  I would invest a little bit of money.  I may even take a few weeks off of blogging to get things set up in the direction I want to go.

I would begin to schedule my day around blogging as if I were a work at home mom - I would take the time I need (while balancing things so my boys are not neglected).

I could go on.  I tend to ramble when I am excited.  I am excited.  I haven't taken these steps yet out of fear.  Fear of failure.  Fear of rejection.  Fear of doing my own thing and being myself.  Fear of not being good enough.

It's time to put fear aside.  The Lord has not given us a spirit of fear.  He has put the weight of this dream on my heart.  It's time to start.

What is YOUR dream?

Call To Action - Comments!

Well, it seems that my comment system is indeed working!  For some reason, there were a couple days where it did not.

As part of the 31 Days to Build  a Better Blog challenge, I have a bit of homework tonight.  My job is to call you to action.  I am passing my homework on to all of you!  Haha!

I have been making little changes throughout the blog.  Pages are becoming more organized and more updated.  New features are being added.  There may be something on the blog that you have not seen before!

Take a moment and click around the blog a little.  Check things out.  Find something new.  Leave a comment!  Let me know where you went, what you liked, what could be improved.  Most of the commenting should be in the new format, however, older posts may still have the original comment system.  Click here for instructions on using the new system.

I challenge all of you to leave a comment! Let me know if it's your first visit or if you've been around for awhile!

Troubleshooting Comments

Blech.  For some reason, after I tested the new comment system, it stopped working. Bear with me!  I'll let you know as soon as it is fixed and you can all test out the new system!

New Comment System Launched!

Whew!  What a whirlwind it has been getting all these new features up and running!  We've gotten 3 out of 4 going.  Today's new feature - comment system.

Let me walk you through how it works - it's easier than it may seem at first.

The system is called IntenseDebate with CommentLuv enabled. I chose this system so that those of you who are bloggers can get more visibility with your blogs - share the luv!

When you click on the little word "Comments" at the bottom of a post, you will see the screen shown above.  Edit - the comment box should now be at the end of each post with no need to click the little word "Comments." A little intimidating, but really, it's simple.  I will walk you through it.

1. Leave a comment.  Try it out.  Type your comment - even just a quick hello. You can see my test comment in the screen shot above.
2. If you are a blogger, leave your website and make sure "commentluv" is checked below.  If you aren't a blogger, just leave this field empty.
3. Decide how you want to comment.  You need not sign in.  You need not give your email (which will NOT be displayed publicly).  You may sign in using IntenseDebate, wordpress, twitter, or OpenID.  You may decide to not sign in at all.
4. Either sign in using one of the options listed above or just leave your name.  Just type in "anonymous" or something like that if you wish.  No pressure.
5. Decide if you want to subscribe.  When you subscribe, you will be notified via email when another person comments.  This is a useful tool if there is a good discussion going in the comments.

5 steps may seem like a lot, but all you really need to do is type your comment and then fill in the Name form.  That's it!

One fun feature of IntenseDebate is the "Reply" feature.  You are able to reply to individual commentors.  Start a discussion.  Chat with one another.  Share opinions.  Argue even - just keep it clean and be respectful!

Here's a challenge for you.  Try out this new system.  Leave a comment on this post.  See how simple it is.  Reply to someone just to learn how it all works.  Have fun with it!

Quick Poll

Hello Friends!

As part of the 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, I have a quick poll for you.  Now that I have dropped the .blogspot from my address, I am ready to upgrade my comment system.  I would love input from all of you so I make the best choice to make it easier for you to interact on the blog.  There are two options to choose from.  Please let me know your preference in the comments!

1. Disqus - Simple comment form to fill out with a field for your name, email (will never be shared or publicized), and comment.  Disqus enables you to sign in with yahoo, facebook, twitter, or openid so you can skip the first two steps.  Disqus allows you to edit your comments - you can actually go into your Disqus comment page and see all the comments you have left.  Disqus allows for real-time conversations through comments with the reply feature - reply to the whole blog or a specific commentor.
2. CommentLuv - This system is similar to Disqus.  It has a simple form like above.  It also offers a place to leave your twitter ID so others can follow you if they like (or I can too).  CommentLuv will list your latest blog post (if you are a blogger) so other visitors can see what you are writing about and visit your site.  

Here's a screen shot of how each system looks to give you a better idea.

Disqus:

CommentLuv (by clicking CommentLuv, your most recent post title will be displayed as a link):

So, what do you think?

Lastly, check out my giveaway for a $25 Kroger gift card!

Coming This Week!

Ah - I am so excited about all I have learned through the 31 Days to a Better Blog challenge!  We aren't even halfway through yet.  I can't imagine how much more I will learn.

With that said, I want to give you the heads up on a few new things you will notice throughout this week.

1. New blog name!  Very shortly, I will be changing the blog address from rediscoveringdomesticity.blogspot.com to simply rediscoveringdomesticity.com!  Don't worry, the old address will redirect you to the new address.  You will need to update your rss readers though.  I will keep you informed on when this will take place!
2. New comment setup!  I am excited to switch to Disqus commenting.  I will be able to interact with you all more easily this way.  Don't worry - I'll help you along the change.
3. New sidebar feature!  Very soon, you will be able to ask for prayer.   I must give credit where credit is due.  I saw this feature on the Skinned Knees blog and I thought it was an amazing feature.  I would be humbled and honored to pray for your specific needs.
4. New interactive forum!  We will be able to interact through a great forum platform called BlogFrog.  You will be able to share your thoughts, ideas, and questions.

I think that's enough new things for right now (although there are so many other new things in the works but I don't want to overwhelm anyone including myself).  Please feel free to ask any questions along the way!

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Linky Love

This blog challenge has been awesome.  The best part about it - I get to discover a bazillion fantastic blogs.  Here are some that I hope you love as much as I do:

• Make Lemonade
• Hands and Hearts of Mommies
• The Mom Food Project
• 1000 Reasons I'm a Bad Crap Mom - #32 - I Use My Baby as a Scapegoat for Funny Noises
• Make Yourself at Home (look on my right sidebar for a link to sponsor a Compassion child - you may want to after reading this)
  

31 Days to a Better Blog: Blog Calendar

Wow - this blog challenge is kicking my tail, in a good way.

I wouldn't tell you much about what I was planning yesterday.  Today I will shed a little more light on the subject.  The challenge for today was to start a blog calendar to have a week's worth of topics right at my fingertips.  Well, I don't have it all laid out, but I have a lot of things in the works.

I would love feedback on these topics and ideas.  Constructive criticism!  Be gentle!

• First week of August is World Breastfeeding Week (and the start of National Breastfeeding Month).  I will feature a breastfeeding related post each day during the first week and then continue to focus on nursing through the month.  I have several great guest posters lined up.
• Project in the works - "The Question of Marriage."  Work through questions, one at a time, with your spouse (or fiancee) to improve your marriage or prepare for marriage.  This segment will also feature short tidbits of advice from married couples.  Feel free to email me your 1-2 sentences of advice (think "the best piece of advice I ever received about marriage is...").
• More regular posting of scripture - Featured as "Let Scripture Speak for Itself" or something like that (I'm open to suggestions!)
• Occasional features of worship songwriters and their songs.
• New sidebar item coming - prayer requests.  I would be humbled and honored to pray for you.

So, what do you think?

5 Crucial Car Safety Checks

Some may say I am a car seat crazy kook.  After some very sad news I received yesterday, I am even more adamant about ensuring the safety of my children when we travel.  Yesterday I learned that two more students from a school where I previously taught were killed in a car accident.  That school has lost far too many students over the past five years.  I know my children are far from driving age, but I intend to do what I can to keep them safe when we are on the road.

Car-Safety.org lays out some compelling statistics.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of kids in age groups 1-14.  Safe Kids USA says motor vehicle crashes are the #1 cause of unintentional injury-related death for all children 14 and under.  While some crashes are unsurvivable, over 57% of deaths for children 0-15 were because the child was unrestrained.  Many more were improperly restrained.  Nationally, the misuse rate for child safety seats is over 80% and as high as 95% in some areas.   The good news is that correct use of car seats and boosters does save lives.  Infant seats have been shown to reduce fatal injury by 71%, and toddler seats by 54%.

Here are my top five ways to keep little ones safe in the car:

1.  Ensure that the driver is safe to drive.  Many things can play into a driver being unsafe to drive.  Obviously, we're not going to let a drunk person drive our children.  What about a person who is just buzzed?  On a new medication that may make them a little loopy?  On cold medicine?  Overtired?  Overstressed?  All of these things can make a driver unsafe.

2.  Ensure that the car is safe to drive.  Are the tires overly worn?  Are the brakes in good condition?  Are things in good mechanical order?  Does the driver understand how to shift into neutral should there be a problem with the accelerator?  Do the seatbelts work properly?

3.  Ensure that all children are in appropriate seats.  Are all babies under 1 year AND 20 pounds rear facing?  Are all other children in seats suited for their age, weight, and development that also follow your state's laws?  Have you considered extended rear facing?

4.  Ensure that all safety seats are used properly.   Have you followed the instructions in the manual?  Have you had a carseat safety check?  (ask at local hospitals, fire stations, and police stations)  Is the seat used properly EVERY time?  Is the seat expired?

5.  Ensure that the roads are safe to travel.  Are the roads slick after a rain?  How is visibility?  Are the roads snow covered or icy?

Stay safe on the road - be aware of other drivers as you don't know how safe they will be.  Let's keep our kids alive and safe!

This post is part of the 31 Days to a Better Blog challenge.

31 Days to a Better Blog: Elevator

What in the world?  Elevator?

Let me explain.  I am participating in a bloggy boot camp party for 31 days.  I will be posting as I move through this journey.  I'd love comments and input from all who read!  I want to make this blog the best it can be and I appreciate your input!

Now, what about that elevator?

Today's writing prompt is to write an elevator phrase - something that can be used to sum up and promote the blog.

I sort of have one, but I am not sure how well it fits what the blog has become.  "Where wives and mothers, through Grace, strive toward the ideal of the Proverbs 31 woman."

I could add in an expansion sentence.

"Where wives and mothers, through Grace, strive toward the ideal of the Proverbs 31 woman.  Join the discussion of the various aspects of being a Christian wife and mother."

But...

What do I really want the blog to say?  How do I want it to feel?  What are some words that capture the spirit of the blog?  Please add your own below!  None of this is set in stone!

inviting,  comforting, factual, real, homey, challenging, humorous, down to earth, relevant, community

Let's try...

"Join the joys, struggles, and musings of a real life wife and mother in a place where wives and mothers, through Grace, strive toward the ideal of the Proverbs 31 woman."

We'll go with that for now.  I look forward to any input y'all have.  I'll revisit in  a day or two after a little more sleep to gain a fresh perspective.  Does it fit?