Time to re-start...

So, I have officially gained 5 lbs in 1 1/2 weeks.  WOW!  This sucks, but I did it to myself.  I have constantly eaten unhealthy and not worked out at all.  I have to get things back together.  I am not going to fool myself and say that I am starting today because New Year's Eve is only a few days away and I know that I will be partaking in drinks and food that are not healthy.  So, I will do better today and tomorrow and then see how things go on Saturday.

I am going to make a list of foods and go to the grocery store to stock up before Sunday because Sunday morning it begins.  I know how cliche it is to start back up for the New Year, but it is just the time of year.  I have only been bad for the Christmas break and everyone slips up here and there.

I am contemplating on how I want to start out the new year....do I want to go back to "clean" eating(which I had great results with) or do I just want to focus on counting calories.  I am leaning towards "clean" eating because I felt better when I was doing that and I really did lose some weight.  I could really feel and see a difference in my mid section(my big problem area).  I will keep pondering the idea and see what I come up with by Sunday.

Also, I am going to make a New Year Resolution List that is more than just health related.  I don't ever make resolutions because I don't think you need a new year to change habits and do new things, but this year I really want to focus on a few things.  So, I am going to list them out and really keep up with them....maybe it will keep my butt in gear.

I will be back in a few days with my beginning of the year photos and my list of things to achieve in 2012!  What are your goals?
  

Such a struggle

Why is it that making good food choices is such a struggle?  Why is it that crappy food tastes so good?  Why do we have to be teased with temptation constantly?  These are some of the things I started thinking about this morning.  I have lost the couple of pounds gained in the past week, but all I want to do is eat cookies and oreo breakaways(new recipe from pinterest).  I don't really know why I want to eat them so badly because 9 times out of 10 I feel really shitty afterwards.  My body has been yelling at me about how much I suck!  My stomach has been hurting and I have felt nauseous.  I'm pretty sure it has  to do with the huge amount of sweets I have been eating lately.

I really do think my body has been craving healthy food, so I chopped up some peppers and mushrooms tonight and thawed some ground turkey.  I am going to make some wraps for lunch that will last the remainder of the week.  Dinner is sort of up in the air because I have family in town and it just depends on what they all decide to do.  I know that I will be eating some tamales Thursday and Friday because we are all getting together on Thursday and making them from scratch.  They are going to be so YUMMY!  I can't wait to eat them...not make them.  It is a lot of work and it is a long process.  Oh well, it will be so worth it.  

How are you doing over the holidays?  Mine could be a lot better if L was not sick.  It is so hard to get anything done when he is sick.  He just wants to be held and cry.  I feel bad for him because I can't do anything to help because it is a virus and just has to run its course.  I have been super busy with trying to fit in things when he is asleep.  I still have to finish shopping and wrap presents.  It took us 5 hours on Saturday to find K the "right" bike.  I think she is going to be so happy about it.  I can't wait to see her face!  I'm kind of pushing it and procrastinating.  I hope you have an awesome Christmas!

STATS:
Current Weight: 152.0 lbs
Weight Lost:  20 lbs  
 

A little lost lately

So, the holidays are just around the corner and everywhere I turn there is food.  Yummy and delicious food.  It started with a cookie swap party and then every day this week there has been food at work.  So, I pretty much have eaten everything and my weight has went up.  Oh well, it isn't a big amount and the last week of school is just crazy with the kids.  It also doesn't help that I have not gone to the grocery store for quite some time (trying to eat up everything here).  So, I went to Costco yesterday and bought lots of veggies and healthy stuff so that I have no more excuses.  I am going to eat well all break with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Good news...since my last post, I really have been doing a good job with my exercising.  Last week and this week, I did not run on Tuesday and Thursday because of all the rain and it was a bit cold. I have done my routine of crunches, lunges, squats, and arms every scheduled day and more.  Over the break, I am going to change my running days to Monday, Wednesday, and a long one on the weekends.  I am the one that drops off the kiddos on Tuesdays and Thursdays and we don't get home until 6 or after, then we eat dinner, put Lucas to sleep, hang out with K for a few minutes and then put her to bed.  After my work is done, I am falling asleep on the couch by 8:30.  I know it is early, but I seriously can't keep my eyes open.  I'm getting old! HA

I hope everyone enjoys the Holidays!

STATS:
Current weight: 153.4 lbs
Total lost:  18.6 lbs

Thanksgiving did me in...

Yes, I over indulged on Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Saturday, and lets not forget Sunday.  Oh well, it was great and I loved hanging out with my family while eating and playing games even if I gained oh about 5 lbs.  

So, Sunday I made  a workout routine that I started Monday and will go through to the end of December.  I am determined to stick with it because I know my eating will probably not be great for Christmas either.  I purposely have it very gradually getting harder each week and starting fairly easy for a couple of reasons.  1.  If it takes a lot of time during the work week, I make lots of excuses and don't do it.  2. If  I push myself too hard right at the beginning, I get too sore and then I won't work out for a few days...and a few more...and a few more... you get the picture.  I'm lazy and look for any excuse not to do it.  

So, I have it set to do squats, lunges, push ups, crunches...and more on Monday's and Wednesday's.  Then, I will complete short runs (about 3 miles each) on Tuesday's and Thursday's with a longer run on Saturday's.  I really want to do it every day this month (December) just to prove to myself that my body can really improve with these small workouts for 1 month.  I tend to push myself too hard when I work out and then i complete less of them and stop all together.  I know that consistency will make the biggest difference.  

So, as of this morning I am 152.8...still above where I was before Thanksgiving, but it is starting to come off.  Do you have any big work out plans or plans for the holiday's?  I still need to figure out what we are going to do for New Year's.  I'm hoping my parents will watch the kiddos so we can enjoy the evening with some good friends.      

Ugh...not what I was hoping for

Well, I did get down to 148 this week, but am oh so thrilled to report that I'm back at 151.  Not really, I'm pissed.  I was so happy when I was down to 148 that I even ran on Saturday.  I ate pretty well all day and the next morning I was 150.  Then, the following day I ate a big salad from Chili's with grilled chicken and low fat ranch and I ballooned up to 152.  I don't really get it because if I would have eaten chicken tenders or a burger I would not have gained any.  My body is weird and backwards and I am so tired of trying and getting no results.  This is what happens when I workout and eat better...not really i'm just looking for excuses to be lazy.

I was really hoping to be at 148ish for Thanksgiving, but it doesn't look that way.  Maybe I have not eaten enough or maybe it is because I have eaten 3 regular meals instead of 5 smaller meals.  Today and tomorrow I am planning on enjoying my time off and i am really going to try and eat 5 small meals to see if that will make a difference.

I hope you all enjoy your Thanksgiving!  I am so excited and ready for food, family, and friend fun!

Another week gone...

This past week has flown by, but at the same time it felt like it would never end. I have 1 1/2 weeks until Thanksgiving break. Woohoo! I have been counting down for the past month. Have I mentioned that I hate my job. Don't get me wrong...I like working with kids and love math, but I sort of feel like it just isn't my calling this year. I feel like I should be spending more time with my kids and making a difference in other ways. It is just a gut feeling and don't read it the wrong way...I still do a bad ass job teaching and will continue to until I retire. Just maybe there is something missing..hell it may not even really be teaching but something else in my life.

On another note, my meal eating this week has been pretty good. I have eaten everything I have wanted with good portion control. I feel satisfied and not deprived. I have snacked on candy and made/ate some awesome reese's cookies. Although out of the 36 I made I believe I ate 6, Kaylee ate half of 1, and Chad ate the rest. He loved them! When he really likes something it makes it easier for me to not eat too much because he eats it really quick. Overall, this week was a success with eating. How is your eating and weight loss? I believe Stephanie and I are the only ones updating regularly. Good job Stephanie...keep up the good work! I guess Aj is on her honeymoon so I will let her slide...Ha!

Well...I am so excited to say that I have lost over 20 lbs since the beginning of July and the beginning of my blogging. Yay! Also, I can smell the 140's...they are not too far away...maybe by next week. Keeping my fingers crossed.

STATS:

Current Weight: 151.2 (with cast)

Weight lost this week: 1.6 lbs

Total lost: 20.6

Doing ok...considering

Man oh man how I love chocolate.  We have plenty of it here and I'm eating my fair share.  I decided a few pieces a day are ok because if I deprive myself then there will be one or two days that I will go overboard and eat it all.  So, I haven't been clean eating but I have been watching portion sizes and stopping when I feel full.  I think it has worked for the most part.

I went to my PCP yesterday and she said no working out until my arm and ribs are better.  She took another X-ray of my ribs and should call me today with the results.  She thinks the cartilage from my breast bone to my ribs was torn...so what do I do?  Nothing.  It takes 10-12 weeks to heal.  On a good note I go to the ortho tomorrow and will hopefully get a smaller cast put on my arm.  Yay!

So all of that is the boring crap I have been dealing with.  I feel so out of the loop lately...I think I need a girls night.  Megan, do you wanna?

And now we begin the season for treats and unwanted pounds.  I'm already in the baking mood.  Yummy!  I'm going to get through the holidays with no gain, but at the same time I'm sure I won't lose because I am going to treat myself here and there. I deserve it.  I feel like I have been on a diet since I was 10 and it kind of stinks.  I don't want to deprive myself because honestly you never know when the end will come and I don't want to be remembered as the person who was always watching what she eats.  Hahaha! J/K

I will update with a November pic soon!

STATS:
Current weight(with cast):  152.8lbs
Weight lost:  unknown with this thing on my arm

It has been so long.

My last post was right after Aj's bachelorette weekend of eating/drinking nonsense and guess what...I still haven't lost all of that weight.  For the week following that i continued to eat poorly and not work out, but I didn't eat as bad as before.    So, I lost all but 1 pound I had gained.

The following Monday morning I had decided that I was going to start working out again.  I came up with a game plan to do videos Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and run on the others.  I got up and did my first video Monday and ate well.  Tuesday I had decided to come home after work that day and run because it was really windy that morning.  Well, plans always get messed up....after the car accident that morning I haven't been able to work out at all.

I am just now starting to feel like I can possibly work out again.  There are times that I have quite a bit of pain and it is hard to get up, but it still doesn't compare to my main problem.  The arm splint/wrap.  It already stinks so how can I possibly sweat and it not get horrendous?  I think it is impossible.  I still have 2 weeks in this thing and then 4 weeks in a cast...ugh this really sucks.

My eating has been really crappy and I feel it staying that way until I can work out again.  Starting today I am going to make good choices, but not deprive myself.  I'm hoping it will make a difference and I can start to feel better.

BTW I cannot weigh myself accurately and it is driving me nuts!!!  I think this is the root to all the issues above.  LOL

Small, Subtle changes this week are my goal.

This is going to take at least a week...

I'm still 3 lbs away from where I was last Friday.  This is what happens when I go out all weekend, don't sleep, don't work out, and definitely do not calculate any calories.  I think overall the weekend would have been better if I didn't feel the need to eat at 3am just because everyone else was...most of them were drunk, not me.  The food was delicious, but I am really paying for it now.

Yesterday, I still wasn't feeling back to my old self and ate a couple of sweets when I probably should have just went to bed.   I can really tell just how old I really am after a weekend like that.  I didn't drink much on Saturday night, but on Monday I still felt hangover due to the lack of sleep all weekend.  I wish I could stay in bed for one more day, but nope I have to get my ass up and go to work.  Ugh, I hate working...

and yes I will be going for an evening run tonight...I will be going on a run tonight...I will be going on a run tonight...hopefully me saying this all day will make me go.  I can always just tell Kaylee because she does not forget anything and will make sure I take her tonight.  My little cutie with an attitud-ie.  Love her...

A Birthday and a lot of fat

Well, my dad's birthday was on Monday and we celebrated on Sunday.  We went over to my parent's house and ate spaghetti and cake and ice cream.  I had already told myself that I was going to eat the food, but not overdo it.  Well, that didn't happen.

My mom was very nice and made a chicken/whole wheat lasagna type thing for me and it was delicious.  I also decided that 2 pieces of garlic bread were in order, so I scarfed those down.  I don't usually eat the bread and stuff, but it has been so long and I just wanted one meal of all the bad stuff.  Last, came the cake and ice cream.  Talk about being a long time since I have eaten that....I completely over-indulged.

Needless to say I have been paying for it for the past couple of days.  I ate enough for a 2.5 gain in ONE MEAL!  I still have not lost it all, but am working on it.  I hope it is off by Friday, so my jeans won't be all tight and uncomfortable.  I hope you are having a good week!!! I'm hoping my goes by quickly.

PS I really hate working!

Weigh in

We went shopping in Canton yesterday so I didn't get the chance to blog.  Last week was a little rough, but overall ok.  I was really busy all week and I still don't feel like I am caught up with everything.   I have 150 tests in my bag waiting for me to grade them.  Ugh...I hate grading at home.

 Overall my eating was pretty good.  I did eat out for lunch one day and had chips with salsa.  I am still clean eating for the most part, but I have had a few more cheat meals recently.  Unfortunately, I am not going to be anywhere close to where I wanted to be before next weekend.  This is a really slllooowwwww process and I am impatient!  Guess I am gonna have to suck it up and deal with it.  I am so excited for next weekend and I know I will gain a few pounds during all of the fun...unless I dance them all off.

STATS:
Current Weight:  154lbs
Weight Lost this week:  1 lb
Total lost: 17.8 lbs

Is there a difference?

I know this is an odd post, but I am looking for little improvements each month to keep myself motivated.  I went shopping with my mom yesterday and the jeans I tried on were a size bigger than I thought I would be able to fit in so I was feeling a little depressed at the end of it all.  Also, it is so gross to look at my stomach when pulling pants up because the bending over and squishing that occurs looks horrible and I just about vomited in my mouth.  The wrinkled and stretch marked stomach needs to go, but the rest of me is getting better.

 Just in case you didn't notice, I put an updated photo of myself for September.  I was comparing the August and September photos and at first I didn't think they looked different, but then I really took a look and I definitely find differences.  I have only lost 6 lbs from one pic to the next and it might be the outfits, but my mid section is looking better.  In clothes, it doesn't look as flabby and maybe a little flatter.  YAY!!!

Also, my BMI has been "overweight" for as long as I can remember.  So, I looked it up just to see where I stand as of today and I am 1 point away from the "normal" range.  This is only about 5 more pounds! I am so ready to be "normal" again.  HAHAHA!  If that is even possible.  This post isn't intended to look at my faults, but instead to point out the positives.  I am proud of what I have accomplished thus far and intend to do more.  I do feel better about myself when I go out and not ashamed.  I still have areas to improve and so my goals from now through October are to lose 5 lbs and tone up.  My main focus will be on toning and not the weight.  I am really going to try focusing on not being bogged down by the number on the scale.  Do you have any short term goals?

Weigh in

Well, this week has been really bad.  I keep a stash of candy at work for my students...although I'm not supposed to give them any.  Shhhh don't tell anyone.  It is amazing the work you can get out of some kids for candy.  LOL  So, I'm supposed to start my "so called" period tomorrow and have been craving sweets really bad.  I had 3 late nights at work this week and nothing makes them better than munching on candy while I work.  I tried to convince myself not to, but it just didn't work out too well.  With all of that being said, I usually lose 2 lbs the week that I start, but this week it was only .8 lbs.  That is the consequence of eating too much candy.

I am back on track as of yesterday and today I'm going shopping.  That has to burn some calories, right?

Stats:
Current Weight 155 lbs
Lost this week: .8 lbs
Total lost: 16.8 lbs

Weigh In

So, I looked at my previous weeks weigh ins and put them on a calendar.  Funny thing is there is becoming a pattern in the weeks I lose and the weeks I stay the same or gain.  It is kind of cool to see.  It also reassures me during the weeks that I stay the same that it will all work out in the end, especially knowing that the weeks I typically lose are right around the corner and it is just the cycle my body has chosen to follow.

We had some pretty good meals this week.  We had way more leftovers than normal so I only cooked dinner on Sunday and Wednesday.  Talk about saving money, which is my BIG plan for the next year.  I am so tired of spending $100 or more on food each week.  It is ridiculous when I look back at our bills.  It is just food and there are better things I could be spending money on.  Check back later today or tomorrow for my meal plans this coming week.

STATS:
Current Weight: 155.8 lbs
Weight Lost this week: 2.2 lbs
Total Lost:  16 lbs

Balsamic Chicken

I made this recipe tonight and it was soooooo good.  It was really easy to throw together and then it just cooked on its own all day.  I served it with whole wheat/grain pasta and salad.  Everyone enjoyed it and it had a really good flavor.  I ate it without the pasta, but if I were making it again I would serve it with brown rice because it was a little runny.  I'm trying to stay away from pasta and rice even if it is whole wheat because I tend to gain weight eating it even in small portions.  Try it out...I promise you will be happy you did.

Also, I made these, but they were not as good as I hoped.  Don't get me wrong, they are definitely still edible and tasty just not like good ole' chocolate chip cookies.  Ok, I think I just realized that I put too much oatmeal in them...Oh well.  I guess I will have to try them again.

Mmmmmmm and Meal Plans

So, I ate about 2 lbs of rice, beans, and tortillas last night and had to make myself stop before my stomach exploded.  They were so good and it took care of the mexican food craving I have had for a few weeks.  I knew that if I didn't eat it then, I would end up at Chuy's in the next few days eating.  No surprise, my hands are swollen and I gained 1 lbs just last night.  So, now it is time to plan out my meals for this week and hit up the grocery store.  Here is my dinner meal plans for this week.

Sunday-Balsalmic Crock Pot Chicken and steamed veggies
Monday- Leftovers
Tuesday- Pork Carnitas/Tacos with black beans
Wednesday-Leftovers
Thursday-Applesauce Chicken and steamed veggies
Friday-Leftovers

I always tend to cook a lot and K doesn't eat what I make so we typically have leftovers the next night unless I take it for lunch or it turns out gross.  It makes it easier on me to only cook every other night during the week.  What are your meal plans this week?

Saturday Weigh In

Well, I gained .6 lb this week.  Like I said a few days ago, I don't know what is happening, but I thought I would be truthful and blog the gain.  I'm not happy about it and in my frustration I am going to give up for today.

My family is in town and they are cooking up some good, homemade mexican food tonight, so I'm going to dig in and ditch the clean eating.  If there is a time to not eat clean, then this is it and I'm taking full advantage of it.  You can't beat mexican food made by my aunt and grandmother.  YUMMY!  I will be back on track tomorrow.  Although, I will probably be swollen, pissed off, and 2 more pounds heavier.  Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

STATS:
Current Weight: 158 lbs
Weight GAINED this week: .6 lbs
Total weight lost: 13.8 lbs

Frustrated Again...

So, I'm going to vent about my frustration to you ladies because I know that you love me and it will get it off my chest.  My body does not make any sense.  As you all know the past 2 weeks I was doing great and averaged a 2 lbs loss each week.  Well, I know it isn't weigh in day, but I have now gained .6 lbs and I have not changed anything.  I am eating and doing the same things.  It just irritates me that one week I lose, but then all of a sudden I start gaining.  I would understand if I went out and ate like a crazy woman and believe me I have had lots of opportunities.  When I gain for no reason it makes me want to just eat like crazy and give up.

I know that it will come off and that I just need to keep doing what I am doing, so I 'm typing this out while I am pissed and I am going to move on.  So I'm taking a deep breathe and thinking good thoughts.  Today will be a good day and by Saturday, I will lose some weight.  Lets see if I can be down to 156.4 by then...fingers crossed.  

Vegetable Lasagna

This is what I made for dinner tonight.  It was pretty tasty, but I will be making some changes next time.  At least it made the "next time" list because a lot of my recipes lately have not.  


Here is the recipe from The Gracious Pantry.  I did not make it with TVP because I eat meat everyday so I don't feel like I am lacking any nutrients nor do I need to add any.  I like that it had other veggies in it that I don't usually put in lasagna and you can really add more if you want.  Changes I will make include adding some ground turkey, onion, and garlic the next time I make it.  


I almost forgot about the fudge I made the other day as well.  It was really good, extremely easy, and I love me some chocolate.   I made the mint fudge version, but I think I added a little too much mint, so next time I will add a little less.  Also, I will be putting it in a smaller container because it was really thin and I like for it to be thick.  Try it out, but don't blame me when you want to eat the whole dish.   


Happy Eating!  

Saturday Weigh In

I am finally doing something right because I am down 2 lbs this week.  I'm not quite sure how it is different then what I had been doing a few weeks ago when my body sat at 161 for 2 weeks.

Luckily, my schedule at work is great for eating every 2 hours.  I eat once I get to work, then I have a conference 3rd period(so 2 hours later) and then lunch 6th period(another 2 hours later).  Since I have been so busy getting things done during that time, I just eat a small meal and work work work.  Therefore, I don't overeat and that really helps my classes run smoother because I am not stuffed.  It is amazing how much easier it is to talk and teach all period when you aren't pregnant or have as much fat weighing you down.  I can breathe!

Also, this week my dinners have SUCKED so I have been pretty much eating my new favorite oatmeal...Yum.  An easy food that I can easily calculate calories.

How is your week going?  I hope everyone enjoys their long weekend.  Don't over indulge, unless you are Megan an plan on burning 800 calories a day.  I still don't know how you do it.  One day I will grow up to be like you.

STATS:
Current weight: 157.4
Weight Lost this week: 2 lbs
Total Lost: 14.4 lbs

My New Addiction

Since all of my clean recipes for dinner lately have been so yucky, I have been having to eat something else and it has to be quick because I already wasted my whole evening cooking stuff that was totally disgusting.  That new quick food is now something I crave every night and I don't really care about cooking anything else.  What is it?  Good old fashioned oatmeal.  Poor Chad just gets to find his own food some nights because I don't cook and I make myself some oatmeal.  Weeknights are so busy and I am so exhausted when I come home.

I love oatmeal with agave instead of honey, because the honey seems to give it a little bit of an odd taste.  Agave nectar sweetens it up without the nasty aftertaste of honey.   After the agave, I add some cinnamon and voila a yummy bowl of deliciousness that also cuts my sweet tooth in the evenings.

I know I could eat my oatmeal in the morning, but then I would have to cook for dinner and I love eating my whole grain bread with peanut butter for breakfast.  I have found myself in a routine with certain foods, but I'm still loving them so that is all that matters.

What is your favorite food or meal?  I always like to hear and try new recipes.    

Weigh In

I posted yesterday about my new move into the 150's and I'm really excited.  I cannot wait to be moving on and now trying for the 140's.  I went back to work this week and I guess somehow it helped with the weight loss.  That may be the only thing it helped!  I am already missing summer.

I'm doing well with clean eating.  Last weekend was the only time I ate things that weren't clean, but I still made good choices and ate small portions.  Time to look up some recipes. go to the grocery store, and prep my meals for this week.

STATS:
Current weight: 159.4
Weight lost since last weigh in: 2.2lbs
Total lost: 12.4 lbs

Hell Yes!

I am so excited!  I got on the scale this morning and it kept jumping back in forth between 160.0 and 159.8 and luckily stopped at that.  I'm extremely happy with finally being in the 150's, but even more excited that I'm not a t 161 anymore.  I thought I would never get past that number.  Sorry the picture is turned, but I'm still trying to figure out this mac when it comes to pics and other things.   Have a great day!

Saturday Weigh In...ugh

So, I have been extremely disappointed in my weight.  For the past 2 weeks or so I have stayed at the same weight.  I have been sticking to my "eating clean" and have not seen a difference on the scale.  At first, I thought maybe I was eating too much so I started counting calories as well and it was right at my usual 1200.  So, I continued for a few more days thinking well maybe it is just going to take a few days to really kick in, ummm no.  So then, I started to think that maybe I wasn't getting enough calories because after I googled some stuff I read a lot about the bare minimum amount for a female is 1200 for her body to function appropriately without losing calories just doing daily routines.  So, I increased them to 14oo at most.  This was really hard to do because I didn't want to gain.  Well, I didn't gain, but I still stayed right at 161.6.  UGHHHHH!

I did run on a few of those days and the other days I have been so busy at work fixing my room and running all over getting things done that I had to burn some calories.  So, now I'm back to the drawing board trying to figure out what to do.  I'm going to continue with 1200 to 1400 calories and switch it up everyday.  Also, school starts on Monday so maybe once my stress level lowers then maybe I will lose some weight.  Please Lord!

Stats:
Current Weight: 161.6 lbs
Weight lost from last weigh in: BIG FAT 0!
Total Weight Lost: 10.2 lbs

10 Freaking Pounds WooHoo!

Finally, I have lost 10 pounds since I began blogging. (not total)  It has taken 10 days more than I originally planned, but it has been accomplished.  I woke up this morning and I was 161.6 lbs.  Yay!  Just a little something for me to celebrate, but not with food or drinks or I will be right back to where I was.  I guess I should owe it all to my run yesterday morning.  The scale did motivate me to go run again today, but my knees are yelling at me everytime I take a step, so it won't be happening today.  Maybe tomorrow morning.  Next goal will be the 150's...almost there.

Tuesday Weigh In

OMG...I'm so discouraged with my new eating clean.  I know it takes time for your body to adjust, but I really wanted to see some results.  I have stuck with it for 6 days now and I do feel better, but the scale has stood still for the past 4 days.  Luckily, it did move a little this morning, THANK YOU JESUS!

I know that gradual, slllloooooowwww weight loss is optimal, but I am REALLY IMPATIENT and always have been.  Actually, as I get older, I have become even more impatient.  Kids did not help me with that flaw because I am only patient with them.  I have read that with eating clean you should take your body measurements because you will see more change with those than the scale, but I don't have a tape measure at home.  I may have to get one today while I am out running errands.  Even though I am a little upset, I am sticking to it.  Like I said before, it is a life style change.  

I have tried some new recipes and well, let me just say, that anything with bread or dough just isn't very good.  Such as the homemade pizza dough or the whole wheat banana nut muffins.  On her site, she keeps saying how great her recipes are so it gives me hope and I get excited just to be let down and about to vomit with the first bite.  Last night, we ended up taking off all the toppings on the pizza and eating them without the crust.  Luckily, I added chicken to the pizza or else it would have been bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, and cheese.  I guess it is going to take time to sift through all of them to find the good ones.  

Also, this process would be much easier with out my other half.  He has been good when it comes to me making something and him eating it without too much complaint, but if he doesn't quit having a sweet tooth  or calling me to ask if there are already plans for dinner because he has an urge for chips and salsa, I may kill him.  Last night when I told him we were having "healthy pizza" he was like "oh ok, those usually don't ever turn out good, but I guess we will see" and of course he was right.  Bummer!  On to the STATS:

Current Weight: 163 lbs

Weight lost since last weigh in: .6 lbs

Total weight lost: 8.8 lbs

Saturday Weigh In 8/6

I have been off the wagon and have not weighed in since Tuesday a week and a half ago, but it is time to face reality.  I didn't have a scale last Saturday and then when Tuesday rolled around this week I was really bloated and gross so I didn't weigh in.  Oh well....

So, I have been super busy this week cooking during every second of extra time I have had.  I'm trying to stock up and put healthy meals in my freezer for when school starts again.  After reading Stephanie's comments from a friend about "eating clean" and my mom doing it a while back and me sort of trying it, I have decided to really go for it.

It is not a "diet" but a lifestyle change and not easy because all of the quick things to grab and eat at the store don't work so it takes preparation and thought to plan out meals and snacks.  You are supposed to eat 5-6 small meals a day and should never be hungry.  It pretty much means no white flour, sugar, some dairy, and processed foods.  You cook with organic and natural ingredients.  I don't have all of that on hand at my house so it has been countless trips to the grocery store.  I found a great website with tons of recipes.   Check it out.  I have tried a few and to be honest some are good and some are not good, but I'm sure it is because my taste buds are used to all the processed yucky food.  You just have to look through and find the ones that sound good to you.  I have stuck with it for 3 days now and I like how it makes me feel, but I have to get better about planning before school starts.  I will have to plan  and cook food for breakfast and lunch on the weekends so they are easy to grab and take with me each day during the week.

I will keep you updated...So as far as my weight, I have lost 1.4 lbs since my last weigh in a long time ago.  I am really hoping to be at the 10 lbs lost since this blog began by next weigh in.  I was hoping to lose 10 in a month, but with my going off the wagon the last 4 days of July, it didn't happen.

STATS:
Current Weight: 163.6 lbs
Weight Lost since last weigh in: 1.4 lbs
Total weight Lost:  8.2 lbs

I wish I had a scale!

I HATE not being able to weigh myself in the morning.  It messes up my whole day and makes me think about every little thing.  UGHHHH...So, we are in Austin with the in-laws and they probably have a scale in their bathroom, but I get up like 4 hours before any of them so I can't just go in there and weigh myself.  So, I'm sitting here drinking my coffee pondering the massive amount of salty food I ate last night and what it has done to the scale.  It probably isn't pretty, but at least I would know where I stand.  I am going to do better today and tonight when I go out for yummy mexican food, I will not over eat!  

Maybe I should wake up Chad and give him Lucas so I can go run.  Crap, I just remembered that I did not bring my headphones, garmin watch, or ipod mini.  I guess I will have to run like the good ole' days and just do it with myself, clothing, a running shoes.  

Well, I will weigh in on Tuesday, cross my fingers for that 10 lbs loss this month and post a new picture for August.  

Weigh In Tuesday 7/26

I said I wasn't going to weigh in today because it is a gain, but then I felt bad.  Isn't that the point of this blog?  I'm supposed to blog my ups and downs and make sure there are more downs.  If I don't blog about it all then I am CHEATING and my competitive nature tells me that I cannot win by cheating!

Yesterday was better and I am still improving.  I really wanted to lose a total of 10 this month, so I am really going to buckle down with eating and hope to lose 3 lbs by Monday.  We are going to Austin this weekend, so it is going to be hard.

STATS:
Current Weight: 165 lbs
Weight GAINED since Saturday: 1 lb
Total weight Lost: 6.8 lbs

Ugh...bad week

Well, I will go ahead and say that I am NOT weighing in tomorrow.  It is going to be bad, real bad.  It will be my first GAIN since I began this blog.  We spent all day Saturday at my parents house because my brother came in town with his friends.  Lets just say my mom and dad do not have healthy food in their house and I cannot say no to their breakfast tacos.  They are so yummy!

Now for the TMI...don't read if you don't want to know too much.  I had pretty bad cramps starting last Friday until this morning.  I have mirena and have never had a "period" or cramps since it was inserted, so it has been a really long time since I've had to experience them.  FYI-The good thing about not having a period is I don't really have too much of an urge to over-eat really bad during that "time of the month".  I went back to my old ways and ate a lot of fattening, sugary food.  Cramps and good food just go together.  So here I am 3 lbs heavier, hopefully one 2 lbs by tomorrow morning.

I'm sure if I went running it would come off, but I just realized that I won't be able to work out for another week.  I'm having a mole cut out EARLY tomorrow morning and they will have to stitch it up.  This sucks, but I can't really complain because I have done it to myself.

Hope you are staying on track...my butt it is getting back in gear!

Saturday Weigh In 7/23

Yay, I had over a 1 lb. loss since Tuesday even with the everyday Ben and Jerry's ice-cream.  Thanks honey for keeping it in stock with multiple flavors to choose from.  This week was all about choosing what to use my calories on without going over my limit.  A little closer to my goal...Oh Yeah!

STATS:
Current Weight: 164.0 lbs
Weight lost since last weigh in: 1.6 lbs
Total Weight Lost: 7.8 lbs

Goal Jeans

I went a little off topic last post about jeans.  Again, I LOVE jeans and shoes, but I'm limited on shoes because I'm a baby when it comes to the pain of heels.  Since school/work is fast approaching, I decided to go through all of my clothing to see what fits and what doesn't.  I have a wide range of sizes in my closet and I really wanted to get a new work wardrobe at the beginning of this year, but I think I need to wait until I get to my goal.  New clothes are my motivation to get there.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I have more options this year with being able to wear almost everything in my closet.  I definitely need more tops, but I can do ok with my current pant selection.  In terms of work pants, I have sizes ranging from size 8 to size 14.  I got rid of the 14's because they are way too big.  The 12's are a little loose, but I can make them work for a little while longer.  10's work, but 1 pair is too snug to pull off all day and not have the lovely muffin top.  I can get a couple pairs of 8's on, but WAY too tight so i need to lose about 10 or 15 lbs to fit those .  So I would say I'm officially a size 10.  Not too shabby knowing I was about 220ish 5 1/2 months ago.


Now for jeans, which did you know I LOVE?  I can wear all of them except for 3 pairs.  Those 3 are my jeans that I discussed in my last post from my partying, no eating, drinking, working out and dancing days.  While I can't go back to those days, I can hopefully go back to those jeans.  One pair is a size 28 and the other two are size 30's.  I tried them on for shits and giggles.  I knew that I wouldn't be able to wear them and figured they would only come up to my knees.  Well, I could actually get one pair up and on my lower butt.  Buttoning and zipping is still about 5 inches of belly/butt/back fat away, but there has been progress.  So, they are my newest non-weight goal.  I would like to fit them by the time I go to Austin for a special someone's bachelorette weekend!  Here they are...

Me wearing the jeans...

Where I want to be

If you read my weigh in post today, then you know that I am lacking motivation.  I need something to get me going again.  So, I thought I should find some old pics of me when I was skinny to remind me where I want to be and I where I know I can get.  The problem is that I didn't take too many pictures then.  I know,  I know, big shocker.  Although my good friend Aj took some, but I don't have them. : (

Now, at that time, I never thought I was even close to being skinny, but damn what I wouldn't give to be that way now.  Even though I didn't think I was skinny, I had confidence and loved wearing cute jeans and little tank tops or tube tops. I LOVE jeans!  I could buy them everyday and I don't mind spending $140 on good fitting jeans.  They make me feel great!  I have told myself that once I hit 14o lbs I can go out and buy some good, expensive jeans as a reward.  Actually, I still have 3 pairs of jeans that I used to wear ALL the time just sitting in the back of my closet waiting to be worn again.  I take them out and look at them every once in a while.  Man oh man they are really small.  I don't know how I ever fit in them.  I think my big toe finally fits in them.

Anyways, now that this went off topic with jeans, lets get back on track to pictures.  So Aj, if you have some full length pics of me that are good, will you send them to me? Please...

The biggest I have ever been was when I was 9 months pregnant with Kaylee.  I believe I got up to 235 lbs.  Here I am probably about 225ish.















And this is the only picture of more than just my shoulders and face of where I want to be again...about 135ish

Tuesday Weigh In 7/19

Wow...it has been a long 3 days of eating HORRIBLY!  I have no excuses.  My sweet tooth took over for the past couple of days.  Unfortunately, I still have about 12 cupcakes and muffins in my house because yesterday I felt like baking.  Once every 4 months or so I get the urge to cook/bake and yesterday was one of those days.  Luckily, I really need to go to the grocery store and don't have too much at my house or I would have baked even more.  I really am going to get back on track tomorrow because today is already ruined.  Oh well, I WILL eventually lose all my extra weight.  It just may take time than planned.

STATS:
Current Weight- 165.6
Weight lost since last weight in: 0 lbs (no gain either)
Total Weight Lost: 6.2 lbs

Saturday Weigh In 7/16

A whopping ONE pound loss.  Hey, it is better than nothing or a gain.  So, I will be happy with that.

The funny/sad part is that when I first stepped on the scale this morning it said 148.8...I tried again and the same thing.  I said to myself, "Now that would be a miracle.  No one has an 18 lbs loss in 1 day.  I guess I should change the batteries."  So, I could only find 2 AA batteries and it takes 4.  Therefore, it is only working half way on new batteries.  I stepped on the scale again and it said the same thing.  Now, I believe in God and miracles, but I doubt he would decide for me to lose 18 lbs over night when there are more important things going on around the world to be fixed.  So, I tried it one more time and it was 165.6.  OK that is normal.  So one more time on the scale just to make sure it was "accurate" and again 165.6.  So, I'm sticking with it and saying it was a 1 lb loss.  I guess I will go to the store and buy some more batteries.  Oh, how nice it would have been to lose 18 in a day...Maybe next week.

STATS:
Current Weight: 165.6
Weight Lost since last weight in: 1 lb
Total Weight Lost:  6.2 lbs

Exhausted

I have been working non-stop on different projects around the house.  Kaylee and Lucas go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays and instead of enjoying my alone time and relaxing or working out, I have been really busy.  I decided to repaint everything in my master bathroom and the spare bathroom upstairs.  I work on them from the time the kids leave until I have to leave to pick them up, again once I put them in bed and if I actually get them to sleep at the same time during the day on days they are home.   Ugh...I'm so ready for them to be done.  I'm EXHAUSTED!!!  Unfortunately, there are lots of other projects that need to be tackled after I complete the current 2.  Summer is the best time to do them, especially since they are in school for 2 days a week.

Needless to say, I have not been working out and my eating this week has really sucked.  Yesterday, at 4 pm I started thinking about my food all day and realized I had only eaten yogurt and 2 bites of shells n' cheese.  Which then turned to over-eating at dinner and we went bowling so it wasn't healthy food.  I had BBQ chicken flatbread...it was YUMMY.  I have noticed over the course of 2 weeks that if I don't eat 3 small meals and 2 snacks(fruit) each day that I actually gain weight.  I guess my body thinks it is starving and holds onto everything I consume.  I am going to do well today in hopes that my scale tomorrow for weigh-in will actually be down a little.

I am hoping to have the bathrooms finished this weekend so then starting on Monday I am going to get up early to run before Chad has to leave for work.  I think it will make me feel better and help lose a little since I'm hovering at the same weight for a week now.  

Tuesday Weigh In 7/12

I have been doing really well since Saturday's weigh in because I have been staying right at 1200 calories each day and I have been active.  Maybe my body has some lactic acid built up from all the squatting I have been doing while finishing my project because my legs are sore.  Maybe I have not been drinking enough water...either way the scale was only down 1 pound this morning.  I keep telling myself that I should be happy with a loss, at least I have not gained any, but I still get disappointed.  What happened to the good ole' days when the weight would just melt off when I would eat right?  I know, I know my age is starting to hinder my body and metabolism.  I don't want my body to get worse.  I want to be one of those older women that everyone looks at and says, "did you see her?  She looks good!"  I know I see those women all the time and think I want to look like them when I'm old.  Now, I'm not talking about the ones that are really built, but the ones wearing  a bathing suit and look better than me.

Speaking of age, I was thinking about it last night and I'm not so young anymore.  I have almost been alive for 30 years!  I still catch myself thinking that I am young (like 23ish) and I can wear certain outfits or go out certain places, but then I stop and realize that I'm not.  I could get away with so much then because if I did something stupid everyone would chalk it up to me being young.  Now, I still feel young, but I have to be responsible and that alone makes me feel OLD.  I'm not saying I am old at all, but I'm not 21 anymore...Oh the care free days of being 21 again.  I guess I will go back to reality and try working on my bathroom again.

Good luck everyone on your progress this week!  Hard work WILL pay off.

STATS:
Current Weight: 166.6 lbs
Weight Lost since last weigh in: 1 pound
Total Weight Lost: 5.2 lbs

Finally got off of my fat ass

I got up early this morning to enjoy some peace and quiet before everyone else joined me.  It was nice, but it gave me time to really think about how lazy I have been in regards to working out.  My time to myself is very limited these days with two kids.  So I have to pick and choose what to work on during my alone time.  I can work out, which I want to do, or I can complete some projects around the house.  Summer is a good time to redo things around the house  because I have more than just the weekend for a big project.  My current project  has kept me busy since last Tuesday and is only 1/3 complete.  Once it is complete, I will attempt to get a few more complete before school begins.

This morning I made the decision to put everything aside and run.  So, I drank a cup and a half of coffee and then decided it was time to run.  Luckily, Chad got up and was able to watch Lucas so I could leave.  It was a nice run until I hit 3 miles and then my legs didn't want to run anymore.  I pushed through and was able to go a little further.  Not too bad considering I have not ran or worked out in a couple of weeks.  Now if only I can keep it up.

Saturday Weigh In

For the past 2 days I have been excited to weigh in today.  I was doing well and I thought I was going to have a pretty good loss.  Too bad the weigh in wasn't yesterday because I ws 167.0 Well, life and kids derailed my plan and today's weigh in is not as good as it could have been. 

After spending 3 hours at minor emergency trying to get K to pee for a urine test and then them trying to cath her twice I was not in the mood to cook and just wanted to eat quickly.  My hubby always goes for pizza so we stopped and got a $5 pizza.  Well, 2 1/2 slices later I gained some weight yesterday.  My crappy supper had to be sacrificed to get my kids feeling better.  So here are the numbers...

STATS;
Current Weight: 167.6
Weight Lost since last weigh in: 1.4 lbs
Total weight lost: 4.2 lbs

Tuesday Weigh In

On my last post I stated that I was going to do well over the 4th of July weekend...it didn't happen.  Oh well, I am back on track today.  Tuesday sort of creeped up on me because we were so busy hanging with family.  Anyhow, I did have a 0.8 lbs LOSS.  I can't be too disappointed with this loss after the horrible eating I took part in.

Some of you may wonder why I weigh in twice  week and I do have a good reason.  I actually weigh myself everyday, but really count the two official weigh in's because if I don't then I tend to let myself go the first couple of days after weigh in and then play catch up the rest of the week.  I want to continually lose, not lose and then gain and so on.  Do you weigh yourself everyday or would you prefer to never look at the scale?

If you want some great motivation on your weight loss journey take a look at my friend, Megan's blog.  She definitely is an inspiration and an awesome friend.

STATS:
Current Weight: 169.0 lbs
Total Weight Lost:  2.8 lbs

Taking running to the next level

Weight loss is not my only goal to accomplish.  About 2 months after having my son, I decided that I wanted to take my running to the next level.  I have ran off and on since high school, but it is primarily done just to quickly lose weight.  It seems to be the best form of cardio that gives my body the quickest results.   The farthest I have ran was for my final exam in a running class in college.  We had to complete a 10k in some amount of time, but I don't remember how long.

Running is something that gives me a feeling of accomplishment after each session.  I push my body pretty hard, yet there are times that I am flat out lazy while running.  I need to get over this laziness that has taken over my mind and body for the past few weeks because I want to complete a half marathon and then maybe someday a marathon (we shall see how the half goes first).  I have looked into different training schedules and have found one that will work me up to the half.  I started it before vacation, but have yet to begin again since returning.  Originally, I was going to sign up for a half marathon at the beginning of November, but due to recent changes in a friends date to tie the knot I am looking for another one.  Which is not a big deal because I would prefer something in January or February for the simple fact that it is much cooler here in Texas during that time.  

So, time to suck it up and push myself.  I am going to start training(again) after this 4th of July weekend and I will be signing up for a half sometime soon.  Any half marathons worth looking into?  

First Saturday Weigh In

I was pleasantly surprised when I got up and weighed in this morning.  I ate decently yesterday, but not great.  I was not expecting a change from my beginning weight yesterday because it has only been one day.  Today I was 169.8 and that gave me a 2lbs loss.

Just a little more info for those of you saying "2 pounds in one day, how does that happen?"  I went on vacation 2 weeks ago and when I left I was 168 lbs.  I watched what I ate, ran, and was very active doing activities on the beach so I'm pretty sure I had lost about 3 or so more pounds while gone.  Then, we attended a wedding our last night and I over indulged in beverages which then lead to a hangover on the day we returned home.  I have no control when I am hungover so I ate donuts that morning and Chuy's when we got home.  From there I have managed to eat really crappy for the past week with yesterday being my first "ok" day.  So, it was probably water retention.

It is a holiday weekend, but I plan on doing well.  I have a goal to meet!  Enjoy your 4th of July!

Stats:
Current Weight: 169.8
Weight Loss: 2 lbs

Where To Begin

I have another blog that most of my friends and family follow, but I have dedicated that one to my life as a mother.  I am starting this one to blog about the other big part of my life, weight and exercise.  Weight has been a big deal to me for what seems like forever.  I was pretty heavy in junior high and was teased, but it didn't become something I thought about until I was a freshman in high school.  I have been watching what I eat, counting calories, starving myself and every thing else that seemed to work at the moment ever since.  Don't get me wrong, just because I was watching what I ate did not mean I would eat healthy.  I would eat the crappy food, feel horrible, and then do it again or starve myself.

I got to my heaviest, before kids, during my freshman year in college.  Then, my sophomore and junior year, I did the six week body makeover (more than 6 weeks though) and had great success.  I went from around 200lbs to 130-135lbs.  Of course my new weight was great, but that particular program also taught me to eat healthy multiple times a day.  This was a completely different philosophy than the one I followed in high school.  It was a wake up call and healthy.

I kept the weight off for a few years and then I got married.  I took that milestone in my life as a time to do what I want and not worry about weight.  Uh huh, you heard it right and that lead to a weight gain.  Not a huge gain, but definitely an unhealthy gain.  Then, before I knew it, I was pregnant with my daughter.  Talk about letting yourself go...70 lbs later(on top of what I had already gained) I had a beautiful little girl and was completely disgusted with myself.  So, I changed my life and started exercising and watching what I ate.  When my daughter was a little over 1 yr old, I was finally down to about 155lbs.  I was happy with my success, but wanted to lose about 20 more.

Then, 3 months later, I was pregnant with my son.  I told myself I would continue my healthy eating and hope to only gain about 20 lbs for the entire pregnancy.  I did well for the first 6 months, but then hormones or the love of food took over.  I stopped looking at the scale, but I would guess it was a 60 lbs gain.  Oh well, I love both of my kids and I would not change anything.

So, here I am today at 172 lbs with a self esteem that is a little better, but am not even close to being happy or comfortable with my current body.  Why start blogging?  Well, I have hit a plateau (actually gained some weight in the last week)and it would be really easy for me to give up, but I don't want to.  My ultimate goal: 135 lbs.  This is not an easy goal, but it is attainable.

This blog will be my own way to keep myself accountable each day and to keep track of my details along the way.  I plan on weighing in twice a week: Tuesdays and Saturdays and keeping a log of my daily food intake and exercise.  My goals will be to exercise 3 times a week and consume 1200 calories a day, eat healthy, but mainly work on portion control.  I will post a new pic of myself at the beginning of each month.  I have a few friends Aj and Stephanie that weigh in each week and update on their progress.  I am hoping to help them and for them to keep me in line as well.  Until tomorrow...