Where to start?

Last week I conceded defeat...I felt like I had been trying so hard and I was beating myself up for every tiny failure, and it was really getting me down. I was driving myself and everyone around me crazy, so I thought, "maybe if I just stop worrying about the number on the scale and just work on keeping a better emotional balance and stay healthy (mentally mostly but physically too), I will be able to tackle the weight loss issue in a few weeks."

So that's what I did. It should have been a pretty crappy week; kids were STILL sick (the flu stayed with Sarah for about a week and Shannon suffered a BIG relapse too - but it's on its way out now, thank goodness), there was VERY little sleep, but I did what I could, used what I've learned so far, and just tried to be easier on myself. The other thing that happened was that I took a life coaching course which I will get into in a minute here, but I just have to share this first: this morning I thought I might as well get on the scale - not to judge, just to see - and this week there was THE SINGLE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE SINCE I STARTED BLOGGING!!! WHOOHOO!!

Something is working! I don't want to analyze it too much - I'm going to keep leaving the numbers out and we'll see what happens. And now, to the life coaching course. I don't really know where to start; there was so very much that resonated with me that it will take a little while to digest. Right now, I feel like my guts have been torn open, wrung out, and put back together the way my father-in-law builds things: it all looks right and seems to work, but there are all these extra pieces left over...I obviously have some homework to do but I think - no, I KNOW - that ultimately I will be better for going through this process, and for the first time I am looking forward to it. Already I feel lighter (must be the extra pieces), happier and more inspired. And a bit raw.

It's going to be an interesting week!