Taking a drive

 

I never thought I would say this after moving closer to the city, but I miss my long drives. Yep, that is what I said! Before we moved, I would drive 45 minutes to work and then it would be a longer drive depending on traffic. I would complain everyday about the drivers, the traffic and the stress of having to drive so much. I did this drive for 22 years.  I know how many minutes between each exit, where the fast food is and how to get around any back up on the highway. Since then, I can get to wherever I need, like work, in like, 20 minutes. On those long drives before, I would have my quiet time. I would listen to podcasts or my music and if the weather was good, I would even open the sunroof and have the windows down! I miss those times....just sometimes. 

So today, I took a drive. By myself. windows down, sunroof open. Enjoying the sun and quiet time. Well, not so quiet. I jammed my music to the band Skillet. People probably thought I was a nut, head banging to christian music. But it is my "quiet" time, myself time. 

Have you ever just taken a time to be alone, by yourself. You can actually hear other things if you open up your ears and mind. I didn't hear a lot today, other than music turned up way too loud and the wind, but today, I can do whatever I want, right? Alone time is not always negative. There have been times I have felt alone and felt that loneliness. But there are those other times when you just want to be with yourself, a date with just you. You can go anywhere you want. Your porch, backyard, a walk, a movie, or like me, a drive.....to the outlet mall! Yes that is where I ended up and I had a great time shopping, by myself. I even got me a little somethin-somethin. 

So whatever you do, take time for your drive, your time alone to sit still and listen. Listen to your body, spirit and most of all, listen to hear God talk to you. He has plenty to show us and tell us, we just need to slow down and take the time. 

Psalm 46:10; "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.”

Mark 4:39; "And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

Love to all,

Weight loss Journey, I mean struggle

 

I have been struggling with my weight ever since I finished my chemo in 2013. Then it just got worse as I went into menopause (which is the devil itself!). Then you top it off with a sprinkle of stress, well it was more than a sprinkle, that is a recipe for weight gain. I didn't want to work out, depression set in.  Medications just masked it and didn't help. I tried to overcome a lot of it myself. But as you know, sometimes that doesn't work. 

Well, I went to my doctor and while I don't advocate for taking "the easy way", I had tried everything I could think of. Different diets, joined the gym, worked out, meditated, whatever my doctor asked me to do, I tried. So when I peaked at 210 pounds, and I stayed at that weight for over a year, that is when I said, I need more help. Yes, I went on medication to help me lose weight. You can call me a sell out, I don't care, it has helped me so much. 

The medication journey has been kinda hard. Nobody warns you how this medication will sometimes make you sick. When I first started it, I got so sick. Vomited a lot! Yeah, it was not fun. I had to go off of it for a few months. But then I started again at a lower dose and took it slow, and it has been a better journey this time around. 

I am kinda embarrassed of how much weight I had gained. I can hear you say, don't be embarrassed. This is things I tell others, but when it is you, it is hard to stomach to see yourself not in the perfect health that you think you are in. Pictures don't lie. I am building up my courage as I write this, debating if I am going to show you my pictures. But I think they speak volumes of how I was and where I am now.

I still have a way to go to meet my goal. So I know you are asking.....What is your goal, Autumn? My goal is to get to 160 pounds. While I am not living by the scale, I use it as a gauge of my progress. I weigh in about twice a month. It has been a slow process,which is good. You don't want to lose weight to fast. It has helped me develop smart thinking on what foods I am eating and how big my portions are. I am more active, taking stairs, walking the long way around, parking farther out.

Ok, ok. I'll do it. Here are my pictures from when I started documenting my weight. Please don't laugh, because I am crying at how I let myself go.  Man, this is hard. 

 Sept 2023, 210# size XL

Oct 2024, 185# size large

 July 23, 2025 173# size medium!

As you can tell, I have lost some weight. Just only 37 POUNDS SO FAR!! This has definitely been a hard journey. I have 13 more to reach my goal. I started at an XL and have gone down to a medium! Well some medium, some large. But that is a reason I am celebrating! If you are on this weight loss journey, please do not give up. Everyday I have to tell myself...take the long way to get my steps in...park a little farther at the store...do that exercise each week....take the dog for a walk!  I tell myself, "YOU GOT THIS!" It's hard to do and it is so easy to sit and watch tv or play games. But retraining your brain to want the activity, that is hard but oh, so worth it. I still want that cupcake or donut! And I sometimes lose that battle. But I only take 1/2 of it, not the whole one. 

NEVER GIVE UP!

Galatians 6:9 (ESV); And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.

Isaiah 40-29-31; He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

LOVE TO ALL,