Hum Drum

Hey, just back to the hum-drum days of the school year. Both kids gone all day, sometimes all night with friends or activities. I'm doing ok. I gained about 10 over the summer...but I've leveled out and maintained since that. I place to get back and "hit it hard" on eating right. I've done much better this week.

I was tempted by a few treats...

my sweet daughters brought me cupcakes for my birthday today. No worries I only had one and they are gone, so no leftover temptations!

Easter Fun

Yesterday our family celebrated Easter in a different way than previous years. It didn't involve candy or eggs, no Easter hams with all the fixins. We spent the day at a local amusement park, Six Flags Over Texas. Arriving when they opened at 11am and leaving when they closed at 7pm...there was ALOT of walking involved. I would have NEVER been able to do any of this 97lbs ago! Returning to the world of amusement parks was a big goal and fun reward along my weight loss journey. No long afraid to visit one for fear something would not buckle on me.

Today will be an even BIGGER celebration in a much different way. I will not tell what just yet, but will be posting photos later!

Spreading the Word

I want to share with you my new adventure. The Next Challenge from awesome blogger and friend South Beach Steve! Please click the link of the image to go check out the detail and join us in this life changing challenge to a new improved you!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day eating went fine. I planned to allow myself a few treats. While I was eating I felt like I was doing horrible, but when I came home and wrote it all down...on paper it looks more reasonable than it felt doing!





I am constantly amazed at how my tastes have changed. I'd been dreaming of my mom's fudge, I ate a piece, but it wasn't as good as I remembered, so it was easy to stop at one piece. Same for other treats...some were just not worth the points when it came to taste, so they were abandoned after one bite.





I worked out Monday and Tuesday...but my local gym was closed wed, thur, fri, sat & sun. We got a ton of snow (which is so weird for Texas) so I couldn't go outside like I would normally. I found myself to mentally obsessed and almost mad inside that I could not just go somewhere and workout. I am now seeking to join a 24/7 gym to end this frustration...as my gym has short hours and no Sundays.





I got back in the grove today...up early and went to water aerobics...I loved it, but man it was hard to get motivated since it is still freezing here (literally 26 degrees)! I'm looking forward to hitting the gym tomorrow and getting back to the weights. I cease to be amazed at how my arms are shaping up!

It's only the begining

Last night was AMAZING! I ran my first race, the Jingle Bell Run - in Dallas Texas.

My daughter's both attended with me. My oldest Katie volunteered (for service hours for graduation) and my youngest Ivy, ran with me (kinda...lol).

We arrived at the location at 5-ish, registered and got everyone where they needed to go. The forecast said 30%chance rain, and the temps were supposed to drop - so I have on long sleeve under armor, t short sleeve t-shirt, plus the long sleeve run shirt they gave me...with yoga pants.

I was SO overdressed!

Race kicked off at 6 - it went well. Ivy had already informed me that she wasn't staying with me, she was planning to win this race...lol. I met up with her at about 1/4 mile...she was already walking. I encouraged her and walked with her a few moments, and got her going again. I hated to just leave her behind...so I slowed and stayed with her and we finished together. Slower than I would have liked...but hey, she's only 11. I did give her fair warning that she would need to train before the next race...or I would leave her behind!

It was an awesome experience. We found out information on two more upcoming races here locally. Everyone was dressed so festive and fun...we even saw frosty was running!

This was such a goal for me... I am so grateful I pursued it and completed it.

Can you believe it? - hot 100 update

Christmas is only 4 days away! Where has the time went?

We had a great weekend. The hubby and I attended his annual Teamster Christmas party. It is always a good time. So many drunk people in one location to watch as they make fools of themselves...LOL! Every year they do photos at the party. Last year we didn't do it because we arrived a bit late and the line was so long, but a friend did take a photo of us.

So I'm posting both last years photo and this years...

Quite amazing difference (if i do say so myself).

HOT 100 UPDATE:

1. lose 5lbs. per month - lost 6 lbs. for Dec so far

2. workout with weights 2x's per week - DONE! love it...you should see the muscles I have now

3. no bread/crackers for snacks - DONE! finally conquered this problem

sorry for such an absence!

Life is just crazy - crazy good!



I've been doing well...alot of the same -o- stuff. Water aerobics, weights, StairMaster...eating has been good. Kids are finishing up their last week of school before the holiday break.

Last weekend we went to lunch with my parents. My dad hadn't seen me in about 5-6 weeks. When he walked into the restaurant foyer...he thought I was my 15yr old daughter Katie!!!
It was hilarious!

I attended my scrapbooking groups Christmas party Tuesday night. It was our holiday party and the final weigh in for our Biggest Loser competition. I WON!! I lost 10% of my weight since we began this second round in September. I was proud to win, the next competitor was at 8%....but inside I did feel a bit guilty to win both rounds, but I worked hard to lose every pound, and my motivation was not the competition, that was just a lil bonus!

This weekend my husband and I will attend his annual Christmas party for work. He works for UPS and they are Teamsters....so it's a Teamster Christmas party. Should be fun...always has been. I look froward to seeing a few shocked faces who haven't seen me in a year.(78 pounds ago!)



My biggest news is an upcoming race I'm participating in. The local Jingle Bell run. I can't wait. This will be my first race (actually fun run 1K) since I began running a few weeks back before Thanksgiving. I can't wait!

Checking In - hot 100 update

Went running last night with my daughter, it was 28degrees and SO COLD!
The running wasn't difficult, but the breathing part was. The time seemed to go by fast, but I think it was because I was distracted by trying to control my breathing due to the cold. Winter here in Texas usually doesn't really come till Jan or Feb...so these crazy temps. in Dec are really making me worry about what is to come!

It's been a great week, food have been really easy (finally)! I'm going to try to wrap up some Christmas shopping in the next couple days so I won't be out there shopping with the crazy people! Hope your weekend is great.


Hot 100 UPDATE

1. lose 5lbs per month - 6lbs for Dec (so far)
2. workout with weights 2x's a week - only once this week (so far)
3. no bread/crackers for snacks - got this under control finally!

Fast week - HOT 100 Update

It's been a good week but went by really fast!
Did good on eating ...good on workouts too
I try to mix-up my workout quite a bit to keep my body guessing and me from being bored.

M: 2 water aerobic classes (100minutes)
T: gym - 30mins. cardio, 1 hr. weights (90 minutes)
W: 2 water aerobics classes (100minutes)
Th: gym - 3omins. cardio, 1hr. weights (90 minutes)
F: 1 water aerobic class, 1 mile running at trail (80 minutes)

I guess because we're coming off a holiday week this one flew by for me.
Tonight we are heading out to a local event, "Holly Days"...should be fun, but hoping not to freeze either!

Hope you have a great weekend!!!

*************************************************************

Hot 100 UPDATE

1. lose 5lbs a month - 1lbs so far for DEC.
2. do weights 2x's a week - DONE
3. No crackers/bread for snacks - I've been good this week!

No problem!

Wow...I never expected to being sharing with you that I ended Thanksgiving day with points left over!!! I knew I had planned to be well in control on my eating, but even I never anticipated having a calorie surplus.

I began my morning with a run/walk at 8am in 45degree temps...it was such a personal accomplishment. I've never exercised on any holiday before. Next year I plan to be running in the local turkey trot.

I had a good breakfast, prepared the hubby and kids and went to the inlaws. We had a splendid time..better than I can ever remember. It was nice that my mom-n-law actually acknowledged my weight loss too. I am not motivated my recognition but I hadn't seen her in 6months so it was encouraging for her to say something, she is not really the kind to say much.

my kids: Ivy 11, Katie 15, Jared 20

Friday - I went shopping on Black Friday for the first time EVER. Never before could I have probably navigated the crowds - I am sure I would have NEVER been able to stand in the lines either. It was an awesome experience - beside what I was able to get on sale - just that I could go, participate, feel again like part of the human race!

Saturday - I slept in till almost 10. I am typically up like clockwork at 6:20. I ate breakfast, got the family situated and off to my run/walk. I completed Day three of "Couch to 5K". Week one is under my belt...complete....I can hardly believe it! I look forward to my first goal of Running in the Cowtown 5K February 26th...hopefully with my husband and maybe some friends.

We put up the outdoor Christmas lights and decorations. Then off for a family bike ride. We had a nice afternoon and evening. We ate homemade pizza, watched a movie and spent a nice evening with the girls. I look forward to Monday and a new week, new month, new challenges and new accomplishments.

I will update my HOT 100 tomorrow!

new eyes and a smaller size

This year I wish you Happy Thanksgiving thru new eyes and a smaller size!

Over just the past few days I have really been thinking and noticing so many new things I am thankful for. Yes, I too am thankful for all the typical things: God and Country, my parents, my husband and children, that my husband had a good job in a bad economy, that we are healthy, etc..

but now living my life in such a different manor than the previous 34 years...I'm seeing so many new things that just make me smile and be thankful!

I am thankful for:

• the extra room between my tummy and the steering wheel
• my feet and ankles no longer hurting just to walk
• seeing a smaller shadow in front of me on sunny days
• that I am leading by example for my children to live a healthy life
• that I am learning to run after being told I might never walk again 13yrs ago
• that I have finally found the courage and strength to put myself FIRST
• that I finally feel like I am becoming who I was always meant to be

I wish you all the same joy today as you celebrate Thanksgiving with your families!

praying for a blessing - hot 100 update

Had an awesome workout this morning. 30 mins on the stairmaster and 1hour of weights - I've never left the gym with my shirt soaked before and it felt great. I workout alone - yes there are people to my left and right in the room, but it would be so nice to have a buddy to workout with. I don't mind being alone at all...but I often find myself thinking it would be nice to have someone to share interests with. While my family has changed their eating quite a bit, I often feel like I'm on this journey alone. Not that I', the only one doing without...as I don't often feel like I missing out on the junk food I no longer eat, but I feel like no one understands me anymore. I'm still the same person, just making different choices, and that leaves me with not much in common with so many of my "friends" and family now.

This year for the 1st time in my adult life - I am not going to spend thanksgiving with "my family" we are instead going to my husband's family for the big meal. I felt like it was time to be a bit more open minded and less selfish and try to get to know them all better and spend some time with them at holidays too. It was decided several months ago, but as the feast is only a week away I think this will be such a good thing for me personally. My parents support my weight loss efforts but don't really "get it". They are the WORST sabotagers - totally unintentional but just really want you to eat it all. Even after 7 months of changes - I know inside that I'm one holiday binge away from blowing it all...I don't want to move backwards, I must progress forward.

HOT 100 UPDATE
1. lose 5lbs per month - still at 2lbs, hoping for a good loss this week!
2. workout with weights 2x's a week - DONE
3. no bread for snacks - I've been bad on this...I should have never bought saltine crackers in the house as I rationalize 5 crackers for 50calories as "not too bad"...NO MORE CRACKERS!