A lesson in silence

Hey look at me another blog post in less than a week! Whoot whoot! So today's post is about being challenged and being pushed to your limit.

Due to a series of events my mom has had to move in with us. It's kind of bitter sweet because we've wanted her to move in so she doesn't have the hassle of living alone and taking on homeownership and all that comes with the title. On the other hand this is the same woman who raised me and was a strict, I'm going to say it judgmental, and overly religious type of mom. I know all those characteristics are coming from a "good place" but 17 year old Erika shows up at times and doesn't think so.

As I figured mom would move in and start taking charge. Telling us what we should and shouldn't do and you know all the things a controlling mom tends to do. My first reaction is to retaliate and say something flip. I don't know that 17 year old switch gets flipped and then I can't stop myself.

Through the years I've learned (from my husband primarily) that silence is golden. It really is. Making the choice not to engage in an activity that is counter productive like arguing for arguments sake. It keeps peace and sanity in the air...and that to me is priceless. Not to mention constantly arguing is just emotionally draining. I understand mom will be mom. What I have a hard time dealing with is the lack of respect. I find it disrespectful when I am an adult and have set forth certain rules of the house and they are disregarded like I'm some child with treehouse rules. I give my daughter the respect she deserves and she's 8. Actually my mom gives my daughter the respect as well...me, not so much.

It takes alot for me to stay silent...not to mention I'm a chatterbox and I always have to state my point! Life has a way of testing you and showing you that you're growing up so I guess you can level up once you pass each test. Who knows. All I know is that during this time I'm practicing being humble, grateful and QUIET. Things could be worse. I could be without a mom. 17 year old Erika will have to take a back seat and learn a lesson or two. Look at me growing up...it only took 24 years!

Weight loss update

As usual life gets in the way of blogging. I'm presently on spring break but its far from a break and being in Florida it's sort of like spring.

I just wanted to update the blog with my weight loss progress. A quick background. Since September 2012 I've been listening to Paul McKenna's I can make you thin CD and have lost 15 pounds by just following the 4 golden rules of his "plan." I can tell you that I've made no special effort what so ever.

I'm the mom of a girl scout so needless to say I've devoured more than my share of Tagalongs and Trefoils (Samoas and Thin Mints make me want to hurl). Anyway, I can tell you this year was a bit different. I only bought one of each box! Normally I would buy at least 5 of each and polish them off before Easter hit! LOL For the record I DON'T ever give up sweets during Lent it's counter productive in my book. Not to mention I need some sort of sanity during the PMS days! This year (like you really want to know) I gave up profanity. That is much more profound than giving up something digestible. Just saying.

Anyway, this year I admit I polished off the box of Tagalongs in less than 24 hours, alright let's be real, 12 hours. No one was looking so the calories don't count. Am I right? The box of Trefoils however are still there. Well not the entire box. The point is, after having them in my possession for over 2 weeks the fact that any Girl Scout cookie is still within my reach is nothing short of a miracle!

Not to sound like a scratched record but I've really noticed a difference in the way I eat and what I eat. I was telling the girl I commute to school with about how much I've changed. I feel like I've changed so much I ask myself ALOT "who am I?" Seriously, I no longer eat fast food, I primarily only drink water, and get ready for this...I have more than my share of my daily allowance of fruits and veggies! Gasp!!! Can you believe it? Well I guess you can...If you knew me in real life you would swear that I would die and be buried with a Quarter Pounder w/cheese in my hand. Now the thought of going into McDonalds let alone eating something there makes me want to you know...

Now I opt for more whole foods. If I can't pronounce the ingredient chances are I'm not eating it. The weight loss is slow going but I've noticed a change in my facial skin. It's cleared up quite a bit. I'm one of the fortunate that never really suffered from blemishes but my skin tends to discolor because of the PCOS. I'm assuming it's the better quality of foods I'm eating that is giving me somewhat of a glow.

Oh! I've also lost over 7 inches off my total body in the last month. Mom jeans are looking rather sad and saggy now. ;-) I'm not ready to invest in anything new until I'm in a comfortable 14. I've been in a tight 18 and now a loose 18 and semi-comfortable 16W. My ultimate size goal changes from a size 8 to a size 2. At the present moment I want to be a size 2! It may change next weigh in. I'm really not sure why I weigh myself because it's really the inches that count. Ya can't drag a scale into a dressing room hoping that size 6 will fit!

Well, that's all I have to report for now. I mean I can report a whole lot more but I will spare you the whining and fussing. Please tell me how your journey is going? Never give up...just say you're taking a little break! All the best!!!!