Something I struggle with ALL the time...

The following Q&A is from a blog that I follow called Runs for Cookies. The bloggers name is Kate and she is amazing. She has lost 125 lbs and kept it off!


Q. When you were losing weight did the compliments ever embarrass you? Maybe its because I still have such a long way to go, or embarrassment that I let myself get so overweight, or even that, yes I've lost weight...but I could have tried harder or skipped a dessert and lost more? But the compliments don't motivate me, they just embarrass me.A. Definitely! I was still very overweight when people started complimenting me, and I was embarrassed about accepting a compliment. I realize now that it's because I had very low self-esteem, and I thought that as an obese person, I didn't deserve to be told that I was "pretty". Jerry even started calling me "Sticks" after I had lost 10 pounds--I was horribly embarrassed about that! hahaha
But when people give you compliments, it's not because they are forced to--accept the compliments graciously, because they really do mean what they say! You're worthy of compliments, even if you feel like you "could have lost more" or "tried harder". You're obviously making strides to improve your life, so that is definitely compliment-worthy!



This is Elise again...
I'm not embarrassed when I'm complimented-at all-but I do feel like I've got so much farther to go that you shouldn't be impressed yet. I love every single compliment that is thrown my way. I am thankful for the support system that I have around me-DAILY! I'm sure that I will say this all the time throughout this journey...THANK YOU. Thank you for taking the time to stop me in the middle of my sentence to talk about my shrinking gut, my pants that are hanging, my boobs that aren't filling out my shirt anymore, how much thinner my face is, and more. I love that you guys support me. I love that you guys are so proud of me. I love that you tell other people that I've lost another person (I haven't, really, but I love that you think that I have!). If none of you ever said anything or cheered me on, I'm sure that I would have thrown in the towel by now. I am blessed beyond measure to have you all beside me cheering me on. It brings me to tears to think about how much I am loved and supported.   I love my life.

P.S.  Did I say thank you? :)

Rachel Lampa-Blessed. I love this song. If you haven't heard it, listen!

Wednesday was Yoga. Shayla, Kellie and I worked our butts off!

Extravaganza 2012

Abbey, Linda, and Michelle

Deborah, Delicia, and Tyler

The Christophers!

Yvette and baby!

Aunt Linda, (Justins)Granny, Janie

The Viera's

Janet fixing her plate!

Kenley, Maddy, Aurora, Colby and Kimberly

The Christopher boys and Sky.

Kenley, Tyler, Shayla, Konner.

My Momma

Tony

Janet and Aaron

Michelle and Greg

Matt and Abbey

Linda and David

Paola, Evolet, Junior

Elvira and Fernando

Casey and Sonny (his best side?)

Jackson and Colby

Erin, Me, and Yvette!!

We did not start any major fires.

Aunt Linda and Granny

I love this lady! Janie.

Granny holding a VERY tired baby.

Granny and Gabby

Me and Janie.

Saturday was the big day! Justin spent the day cooking. He made smoked chicken, smoked pork, smoked bologna, smoked sausage, smoked baked beans, potato salad-with and without onions, cut up watermelon, sweet tea, and lemonade. I spent the day cleaning and playing with the girls. Justin's Dad and Janie (his girlfriend) came up and spent most of the day with us before the party got started. Janie had a very rough week and I was so glad that she came, I love spending time with her. She told me how everyone was doing since the accident, if you missed that post, it was on Wednesday-My Granny. Tanya and the kids are living with her right now because they can't imagine going home without Ronnie yet. Please continue praying for their family. Janie is so good with my girls. I really can't tell you how much I appreciate her. We headed over to my Mom and Dads where the party is always held and my Dad had the table already set up for the food. (Thanks Dad!)We had 58 people at the BBQ this year. We had some new families join us this year. We had so much fun. The kids ran around like heathens. The adults all sat around chatting and eating. I chased Skylar around. I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do because of all the activity Skylar was doing. You have to keep your eyes peeled on her every second because the second you don't she's doing something she's not supposed to! A few of my favorite moments of the night are Sammie getting chased by one of the guineas and screaming like a little girl, Deborah already knowing who the other people are because she reads my blog faithfully-who knew?!?!? (Thanks Deb-LOVE YOU!), getting to tell people that my little Yvette is pregnant and hear their excitement, seeing the Garmans after they've been on vacation (Missed you guys!), holding baby Landon (I'm in love!), hearing Vals older boys yelling about how loud the fireworks are (do they even know their Momma?), enjoying time with friends and family. We have some really fantastic people in our lives and I'm so blessed to know and love each of you. I was messing with my camera on Sunday and somehow reformated my memory card and LOST ALL OF MY PICTURES FROM THE PARTY!!! I was absolutely SICK! You know how much I love my pictures. I was so angry at myself. I lashed out at my poor husband who was trying to help. I came to my senses and googled if once that happened if there was any way of getting your pictures back. I read over and over that it was but you'd have to pay for the program to get the pictures back. I would have most certainly payed but I knew I had the ace of spades in my back pocket. Of course I called...Aaron. He knows me well and knew just how very upset I was. He told me to send my card with Justin to work on Monday. He did it!! I'm missing a few pictures (sorry Andy, Justin, Jeff-at least you're mentioned!) but I am so happy he got the majority of them back! He spent a couple of hours working on it for me. Aaron, you're my hero! Thank you so much for spending your precious time and energy on saving my pictures. You're the best! I'll leave you with the video of the finale from the show the boys put on.