"Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing." Harriet Braiker

This is the story of my life. It seems this is a balance I have forever been trying to strike. My cute Mom always told me that she was the same way. She would say things to me like, "I love to sew, but I end up having to unpick it so many times in an effort to make it perfect, that I just don't want to do it." I always thought it was so good that she cared enough to make it the best she could. She was soooo good at so many things, and I was often discouraged by her because she made everything look so easy.Yet, at the same time I was sad for her. Sad, that her need for perfection took the joy out of something she could have really enjoyed.

I suppose that we all have our "things" that we want to do perfectly. I find myself in this dilemma regularly, and  have recently been making an effort to stop trying to control everything so much that I squelch the joy out of the experience. I want so much to write to you about how wonderful it's been to do so, and how easy too! But, I would be lying.

I have been a bit numb the last couple of weeks. My weight loss has been so painfully slow.  I think my calories have been a little bit too low maybe for the kind of activity I have been doing. I'm not sure. There are always some worries that are going to pop up when your eating such a low amount of cals and your exercise is so great, and your still not loosing. Sometimes I really have to fight the temptation to wonder if someone else should have been chosen to participate in this challenge. Just because I want to make them proud of me and really set a great example for those who may be watching.  And yet, where would I have been had they chosen someone else!?  I have lost a total of nearly 30 inches in my arms, thighs,chest, waist, and abs. 7 of those have been in my waist! Truly it has been such a blessing!  This challenge for me ends the second week of May. So I do have a little more time, and I would be lying through my teeth if I told you I wasn't hoping against all odds to loose another 10 lbs by then.

It could happen, but just because this challenge ends in May. It is not an end for me.  I am so excited to continue with the changes I've made. My cute family is learning so much and we are all changing, and evolving together. Not only in what we eat, but with our mental fortitude and discipline as well. My sweet 10 yr old boy who used to think that eating as much as Daddy was the goal, is now stopping after the first serving and saying to me, "Mom, I don't know what it is, but I'm done. My tummy is just happy with a lot less food lately"
And when I make or bring home a treat. The kids don't go crazy over it. They do enjoy it but it's been so different. It's been amazing! Yesterday I made a "healthy" version of no-bakes. My 5 yr old ate two of them, and then said, "My body is telling me to stop Mommy, it wants something healthy." Then he goes to the grapes on the kitchen counter top and starts eating away at those instead! That same little man also took my baby cucumbers out of the fridge the other day and hid in his room to eat them all. It's like a dream, I never would have thought that the changes I made would be ones that my children would want to continue of their own free will. I am one happy, proud Mamma!

I really have been trying to post some pics on here for before and afters but I can't figure out how to do it! I even had my hubby try and help me, but to no avail. I promise before I finish in May, you will get some before and after pics! :)