Blog - Leah Stirewalt

Time to fess up.

I’ve been in hiding. OK – well, maybe not in the literal sense, but in the blog world sense of the word. No, you’ve not missed anything, because I simply haven’t been here. No Makeover Monday posts, no Whimsical Wednesdays, and definitely no Freedom Fridays. That’s not to say that I haven’t experienced any of those things…I honestly just haven’t felt like writing about it (or better yet…on the day that I’ve assigned myself to write about it). There…the truth is out.

I recently read a post from another blogger that I routinely follow, and she literally took the words right out of my mouth. Click HERE to read her brief post and then come back and I’ll share a bit more.

Woohoo! Preach it sista! That’s exactly how I’ve been feeling.

When I began blogging over five years ago, it was for me. I never even knew if anyone else would ever even read my simple musings. Shockingly, a few of you did. My handful of readers developed into a few handfuls, and then it happened. I got “swept up into” the whole blog phenomenon of giveaways, statistical following, ads vs. no ads, comment counting, followers, and the list is endless. It no longer was a hobby. It became a chore.

However, it also became a place of refuge. When my husband died a few years ago, my blog became my journal, of sorts. It also became a gathering place, and I received enormous love and support through this medium. I never would have met many of you had it not been for this blog world. And…I’m extremely grateful for that.

But, then life changed again. God rescued me from despair and eventually restored my life, and soon thereafter…I met and married Joel! What sweet times God has given me through being this precious man’s wife.

In doing so, however, my widow connections have changed. On the one hand, there are several of you that I still converse with regularly…some are still widowed (and we’ll forever share that bond – married or not), some are newly married as well, and some of you…well, you’re probably not even reading this, because you dropped me like a bag of flour as soon as my life didn’t line up with yours anymore. That’s okay. As I’ve learned on more than one occasion, our lives are constantly changing, and I now welcome each season and all of the blessings (and not-so-blessed times) that go with it.

So, where does that leave the ole blog? I’m going back to the beginning. While I earnestly want to connect with as many of you as I can, I’m not allowing myself to be driven by statistics anymore. This blog is for God’s glory and for my joy. He has rescued me from deep waters, indeed. But, whether I’m writing about grief experiences, craft projects I’m working on, my weight loss journey, the joys of marriage, coupon tips and tricks, photography, dreams and goals, or a whole bunch of nothin’…it’s ALL for God’s glory. I would not be where I am today, had He not poured out His grace and mercy upon me in immeasurable ways.

So, as my new blog friend over at Maple and Magnolia so brilliantly put it…”I’m blogging how I want to blog, Jack!”

I’d love to have you continue to join me here as you’re able. I will continue to share weight loss updates but it may not be just on Mondays or Wednesdays or any other consistent day of the week. I’ll continue to introduce a giveaway every now and then, but it may not just be in January around birthday time. I’ll continue to share about my journey while on Grief Road (as God leads), but I’m also going to work on categorizing my older posts so if you want to continue to direct other new widows to that part of my site, it will be easier to find.

Thanks for loving me in spite of me! I. Am. Blessed.

Happy Monday bloggy friends! You know what that means…time for another Makeover Monday post and weight loss update. Before I share this week’s numbers, I have to say that I’m feeling better and better each week. When I began this journey (back in February), I was quite a mess. I was miserable physically and emotionally. I had a knee that required surgery last year (due to a torn meniscus) and was on the verge of a second surgery. This weight loss effort was a “last ditch” attempt to avoid surgery. I’m *thrilled* to share that other than one or two little hiccups, my knee has not hurt in nearly three weeks, and that’s with the addition of exercise! This is a tremendous blessing, and I couldn’t be more ecstatic!!!

OK – now to report in on this week’s numbers. I lost 2 pounds this week, bringing my new overall total to 33.5 pounds! However, what was even more interesting…while I lost a total of 2 pounds for the week, I actually lost 4 pounds of fat. I also had a muscle mass gain and a gain in water causing the net reflection to be the 2 pounds. The muscle mass gain was due to the increased exercise…that was a wanted gain for me. The water weight gain was…well…let’s just say something expected and something that should come right back off. My 4 pound fat loss was tremendous, and my doctor was thrilled. So, while my goal was a 3 pound weight loss week (and I didn’t hit it in the overall numbers) – I hit it where it mattered the most…in fat!

As for exercise…I managed to squeeze in 6 days and averaged 45+ minutes each day! I felt SO good each evening as I finished up. And, yes, I’m having to exercise in the evening, because I get up early to have my quiet time with the Lord, and I work full time. So – evenings is the only time I can commit to exercise. My hubby usually goes with me, so it gives us more time together. I have to admit that it’s REALLY hard to have the desire to go, especially after a long day at work. But, once I’m in the gym (or wherever I’m exercising that day) and especially after I’m finished, I FEEL GREAT! That’s what I have to keep reminding myself. Each time I feel like throwing in the towel for that day, I have to give myself a little pep talk…

Leah, remember how great you feel when you’re finished exercising each evening? Have you noticed how your clothes continue to get looser and looser? Don’t stop now! You can do this!

I know it sounds crazy, but I have to do this. In addition to my own little pep talk, I have to cry out to the Lord in prayer. Without Him, I’d have already failed. It’s true! I don’t have the willpower, the stamina, or the strength to do this in my own power! God’s totally working through me and for me, and it’s Him I give all glory to! I also have a husband that is my biggest cheerleader! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve whined about something and tried to throw out every excuse I can imagine, but he won’t allow me to go there. He loves me – right where I’m at – but, he also knows how important this is to me. Therefore, he won’t listen to my excuses, and I’m SO thankful for that!

Lastly, my water goal for the week was met! Seven days – 64 ounces or more each day! Hallelujah!!!

Thanks for continuing to follow along and meet me here each Monday. It’s a BIG deal to be “accountable” to all of you. That keeps me motivated far more than you’ll ever realize! Pretty soon, I’ll start posting some pics…those before photos compared to where I am now. It’s a journey and still a long way to my final goal, but I can already see results. 🙂

Thank you for your continued prayers!

A ‘Fession

I’m Seeing Results! (a Makeover Monday post)