This issue has really been weighing on me in the last month.  Maybe it’s been there a lot longer, but I have just started consciously thinking about it, praying about it and preparing to act on it.  I believe that God is really speaking to me through books, devotions and conversations with friends.  I need to make this change.

I am a major consumer.  More than that, I waste… a lot.  I waste food, waste products, waste money (!!!!!), buy too much.  *The clearance rack is not an excuse to squeeze the hangers closer together in my closet!  *If I don’t need it, I need to give it away to someone who will be able to use it!  *How many things in my house don’t get touched in the period of a month?  If that’s the case, do I really need those things?

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I will give up “shopping” for Lent.  I will be allowed to go to the grocery store during that time, but disallow myself from Target and Walmart… and especially from online shopping.  This will take some preparation since my daughter’s birthday is during that six week period.  (and my sister’s … and several birthday parties that we are invited to) 

I will also only allow myself to go out to lunch during the week one time per week.  Taking my lunch to work will save food and money.  Plus, it will be much more healthy.  Maybe I can learn how to be more environmentally friendly in the course of these events.  Or at least take strides in that direction.

I’m going to use this blog to document how things are going.  In the next three months (three weeks until lent, six and a half weeks of Lent and through our Disney trip in April.)  My idea is that this will help me to embark on a life change.  Somehow, I’m going to have to find a balance so that my daughter doesn’t feel deprived, but I am limiting my consumerism.

I have had a very strange year.
I had my thyroid removed (see previous post). It went well. They found a little bit of cancer, so I did a radioactive iodine treatment and all went well. It was seriously surreal. All very low key because the treatment went exactly how it should go.

The second half of 2011 has been much better than the first half. I have lost quite a bit of weight, got into a great habit of getting to the gym 3 or more times per week and eating better (except for the month of December…8D).

I also got a new job about the time of the surgery. It is going well still. It has been a lot of responsibility, hence no time for blogging. I hope everybody in the blogosphere is doing well. Maybe I can join back up in 2012. We will see.

Then, I had to do the low iodine diet again. Must say… 100%. Brag about myself a bit.
Glad that is done. I took my radioactive iodine pill on Wednesday. 2 days later, here I am.
Keeping busy at home… sorting through my clothes, watching tv shows that I’ve missed out on in the last couple of years.
I even did two work out videos today. The second one was yoga… needed a good stretch.
Trying to make the best of my time.

I’m going to do this one for a week and then move… (dun dun dun…) to Level 3!
I must say that Jillian is my hero.
My self confidence is growing with my strength.
And I believe that it is showing on the outside.

I’ve stayed up for the Mavericks game every time for thw last couple of weeks. I have also had lots of opportunities to go out in the evenings… so sleep is lacking. I miss it. And I have big plans for this weekend. Maybe I can catch up on sleep Monday.

Good stuff!
Work stuff is moving along. I had a rough Friday last week. Having spoken with management this morning, I’m feeling better and ready to finish this position strong. I’ve already got a few meetings this week for the new position… so it’s cool that I can get a head start for next week!

Go Mavs!

I start my new job a week from Tuesday… so I didn’t want to start my new job and then have to immediately be out for a week. This way, I get about 7 weeks at my new job before time away. And I may be able to work from home while I’m out. People might think I’m crazy for waiting… but the doctor was okay with it… so I feel fine about it. I still have to have a real life while going through all this… so I’m living it!

I did start 30 Day Shred this week. 3 days in a row of 5am meetings with Jillian! I feel good about that.

Three times in a row (not days, 2 issues, 3 different days), I have called my doctor’s office in the morning… before 10am. They don’t return the call until 4:15pm or so (for some reason I dream and think maybe they’ll call me earlier than that). Two of those times, I haven’t realized that they called me until after 4:30 and they close at 4:30! So when the admin who answered the phone this morning told me that the nurse practitioner who called me back yesterday is with patients and will call me back, I almost told her that I would wait on hold until she is available. But I didn’t. Instead, I expressed the situation about late returned phone calls every time and asked if she could please return my call earlier in the day. The admin was definitely put off, but didn’t know how to answer me… but then said “I’ll let her know.” Terds. I guess I should take brownies up there or something to smooth things over. But JEEZ return a phone call!

I need some answers. I will be fine if we leave it as is. I want to do some things in June. LIMBO!

Well, the thyrogen is very very high in demand and short on supply. So the doctor’s office couldn’t get ahold of it. So… after a week of no processed foods, no fast food, no dairy and no iodized salt… I find out that they can’t get the medicine and we have to delay the whole thing until July.

When I got the news, I basically had a breakdown at work. I was so ready to get this done and overwith. Plus, I was pissed that I’m going to have to completely redo the diet. I have been so good!

After I calmed down, people at work (bless them) were offering to go buy me a bag of chips or anything that I hadn’t been eating to help me feel better. The amazing thing… that stuff didn’t even sound good! I am going to try to continue to keep the processed foods and fast foods out of my diet for as long as possible.

Also, after talking to some friends Monday night, I have realized that I need to pull out the 30 Day Shred again. Seriously… how hard is it to fit 22 minutes into my schedule! It is so possible! I’m going to pull it together and continue to move toward health!