The Answered Prayer Post

Breakfast: egg whites w/onion; yogurt
Lunch: 2 turkey patties w/cheese; veggies
Mid-afternoon snack: ched'r bites and Orea blast from Sonic
Dinner: NONE
Dessert: 1/2 bag popcorn
Exercise: 30 minutes pilates, 10 minutes yoga

I had a hard time going to sleep last night (maybe due to the two hour nap I woke up from at 8PM?) so I pulled out one of my prayer journals and read through it. I nearly got teared up when I came across this night's prayer:

Dear God, I want to lift up my possible future husband to you. I don't wanna jump the gun and assume you're gonna give me one, but I sure do want it more than anything I've ever wanted. I don't know why I never thought to just straight up ask for you to bring him into my life, but it would be so fantastic to meet him. I lift him up to you now, Lord, and whatever he may be dealing with. Hold him in your arms and help him get through it knowing you're there with him. Thank you for all of the blessings he brings to others and the blessing I'm sure he'll be for my life. Prepare him for out life together, just as I ask that you prepare me for it. Help us to always have our eyes focused on you and to keep our relationship built on you. Help us to encourage one another in all areas. Please help me to have patience as I wait for him to enter my life. Open my eyes to see your plan for me. Amen.

This was written on March 1, 2009. BDR and I spent time together for the first time on April 16, 2009 and went on our first day on May 7, 2009. I am blown away to realize how quickly my prayers were answered. I had this desire on my heart for so many years and it wasn't until I honestly poured my hopes and pleas out to the Lord that it began to come true. Less than two months later, he brought me Braylen.

It, literally, takes my breath away.

You are amazing, God.

The Rake Post

Breakfast: yogurt and strawberries

Lunch: turkey chili

Mid-afternoon snack: chocolate chip cookie dough milkshake from Braum's

Dinner: turkey chili

Dessert yogurt:

Snack: popcorn

Exercise: NONE

Before I get into the point of this post, I just want to share my most recent blonde moment with you. I weighed in yesterday and posted about it... A day before I was supposed to. All day yesterday I thought it was Friday and since I weigh in on Fridays... I went ahead and did it. Oops! Well, I've got some good news to report... I weighed in this morning (when I was actually supposed to) and I'm down another dang two pounds from yesterday... Which puts me 6.4 lbs from Sunday... 239.4! I not only lost a bunch, but I'm back out of the dreaded 240's... And this time, for good! Just wanted to share that little bit of joy with y'all! 

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You know those projects that you keep putting off because what you have right now "works" and it's nothing essential? I decided to kick off my 3 weeks of summer vacation renovations with my necklace holder. Nothing too big or unmanageable, and I just so happened to find just what I was looking for today.

I was inspired a few weeks ago by something I pinned on Pinterest:

Source: twighome.com via Kaycie on Pinterest

And decided I had to try this. There were several other ideas I saw and loved, but this was the easiest to replicate and also one of the more original ideas, so I put it to the back of my mind and waited for an opportune time. 

Today, that time came. We were headed downtown (which consists of a 1/4 mile strip of antique malls, barber shops, and jewelry stores) to go to an old drug store that sells the most amazing milkshakes you've ever had. We didn't end up getting a milkshake (there), but along the way we stopped by four different antique stores in search for The Perfect Rake Head. Two stores just didn't have any and one had one but the prongs of the rake stuck straight out instead of bent and I didn't feel like taking the time to bend every prong. The fourth store (and by far the most packed to the brim) happened to have one and the little old lady who (I assume) owns the place knew exactly were it was hanging on the wall under about five layers of other stuff. It took some doing, but she was finally able to get it off the wall. And for $5, you can't beat it! 

So this is the picturebook story of how my rake jewelry holder came to be: 

Old necklace holder. Notice something?

Somehow, both prongs came off of this one side. Not at the same time either. About two years apart. I don't know how things like that happen.

My attempt to balance the new rake head.

Fits the space quite nicely, I think.

Plenty of space for what I have, and still has room to grow.

Added the twine bow.

My attempt to cover the nails. 

And then my attempt to make the bow look more girly. I cut this ribbon off of one of my dresses (you know those annoying ribbons they put on some dresses/tops so you can hang them easier, but all that they're good for is making you look silly by popping out of your clothes? Yeah... that's what this was.)

Ta-da! Finished product!

I didn't realize until I went to find the original pin on Pinterest how remarkably similar the rake head I bought is to the one I got the idea from. For some reason, when I bought mine I thought it was way smaller than the one I saw, but they actually look like they could be the same rake... They both have 14 prongs and everything! Creepy.

Anyways, this was my first project of many that I'll be posting over the next few weeks. At least, that's the plan! We made a list a week or so ago of all the little things we want to do to spruce up the house, so stay tuned!

'Night y'all!

P.S. Husband went with me on the Search for The Perfect Rake Head, and I'm happy to report that he didn't break a single thing in any of the four stores we went to. His mother was very proud. As am I. My baby's growing up. =] (Love you, honey!)

Fill Me In Friday

My Hips Don't Lie started a new Friday tradition. And everyone that's known me since Myspace days knows I love me some surveys. So here we go! 


1. What method are you using to lose weight?
We've been doing the 17 Day Diet from day 1 and absolutely love it. Every once in a while life gets in the way and we stray from the course, but it's super delicious and so easy... It's brought a love for cooking back into my life (sometimes when I wish I could ignore it). Oh, and then there's that whole exercise thing, which I try to do in moderation. 

2. How many pounds down are you and how many to your goal weight?
When I started this journey in January, I was at my heaviest: 290 lbs. As of this morning, I am 239.4, which means I've lost 50.6 lbs! So exciting. I haven't really decided on a "goal weight" yet, seeing as I'm not sure I'll ever be the right weight for my height (140-150). I'm thinking once I get to 155 or 160 I'll be thrilled! So I guess about 80-85 lbs. Ew yikes.. That sounds like a lot. BUT, one step at a time...

3. What is your new, favourite "healthy" food.
Oh my gosh. I know I talked about this way too much the other day, but we made eggplant parmesan for the first time on Wednesday, and it was absolutely phenomenal! Straight out of the 17 Day Diet book, too, so I know all that amazing deliciousness was completely healthy. 

4. At how many pounds down did you find your self image changing?
Oh man, I don't even know! I feel like every time I feel lighter in my skin and clothing I get that bubbly feeling of happiness inside. It's happened for me several times. I can tell when the diet is working, and not just by the number. I honestly don't think I can pinpoint one spot. 

5. What do you do to stay motivated?
I'm still finding the right ways to do that. Husband and I still get ice cream usually about once a week (oops, this week we've gone twice) so I still have some fun w/food. And I've been buying a lot of clothes lately, which I've never been able to do... And that definitely keeps me feeling good and motivated to continue. I love it when I try something on, my jaw drops, and I have to stop myself from saying out-loud "Damn, you look hot!"

6. What's your least favourite physical activity?
RUNNING. RUUUUUUUUNNINGGGGG! I hate it. I'm no good at it. I have flat feet and so after about 20 yards I feel like falling on the floor. Anytime I go jogging, I have shin splits for the next three days and it hurts to get out of bed every morning. It. Is. So. Frustrating. 

7. Who has been your biggest supporter during your weight loss?
Without question, my husband. He has always told me I look good, but every once in a while he adds a little squeeze to his hug and tells me how small I'm getting. It's nice. =] 


My Mom and MIL have also been a huge support for me. They have both bought me celebratory clothes for my weight loss (hey, can never say no to new clothes!) and both try to cook according to our diet whenever we visit. Love them both! 

8. What is the strangest thing you've seen this week?
Well, ya know.. I really can't think of anything. I've sat here looking at the screen for, like, 5 minutes and nothing's come to mind. I guess my life was strange-less this week.

9. What is the nicest thing you've done this week?
That's a tough one. I didn't do anything extraordinarily nice this week. I suppose cooking for him this week has been more than what I've been doing lately, so I'm going to count that. 

10. If you could be anywhere right now, where would it be?
On the road headed to a beach. Or, ya know... Actually ON a beach. Mmm... water. 

Post your answers to your blog or in the form of a comment. Let's get the crazy train going and have a fantastic weekend!

BYOC (Bring Your Own Crazy)

A little ditty where we answer a few questions on Friday to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break.  Copy and paste to your own blog if you so desire!  Enjoy!

1.  Sun or rain?  Roses or tulips?  Romantic movie or comedy?

Sun or rain? RAIN. Any day. Especially these days. Drought conditions and weeks of over 100 degrees is really getting old. Especially for someone in love with fall/winter.

Roses or tulips? Oh man, that's hard. Roses are my go-to cos they're gorgeous, but for a pop of color tulips are just beautiful. How about BOTH... But not together, because that bouquet would look weird.

Romantic movie or comedy? BOTHHH. Romantic comedies are wonderful.

 

2.  What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
Chocolate chip cookie dough! And I haven't had it in forever... =\
3.  Are you a door locker - in your house and car? 
Definitely! As someone whose husband works most nights, no way would I leave my doors unlocked. I don't even leave my windows unlocked, for goodness sake. I always lock my car doors also.
4.  Tell me your "go to remedies" for when you are sick? 
I'm not really sure I have any remedies... I don't get sick very often, thankfully. Usually about twice a year I'll get a little cold or sore throat. I usually use the generic brand of Sudafed once I finally admit to myself I'm getting sick. 

5.  Repeat question:  Summarize your week in blog land and in real life. 
In blog land I've been kind of behind. I only made about three posts so far, but they've (for the most part) at least been positive content! I've gotten back on track with the diet, so it's been nice to get to document things I'm proud of rather than stuff I'd rather not share.


In real life this week has been STELLAR. Summer school ended yesterday, so I'm rejoicing. And, like I said in the above-paragraph, the diet has been going wonderfully. As of this morning, I've lost 6.4 lbs since Sunday!!! Can you believe it?! Ugh, so excited. 


Be back later, folks! 

The Day 200 (ish) Post

Breakfast: yogurt w/strawberries
Lunch: 2 grilled chicken breasts w/veggies; green tea
Dinner: Hippy Chicken salad from Texadelphia (grilled chicken, sunflower seeds, red grapes, and granny smith apple dices in a balsamic vinaigrette) Definite YUM.
Dessert: Heath/Reese's Mix from Braum's
Midnight snack: popcorn

Okay, so I know I'm late on taking my picture (it's technically day 206), but I figure better late than never. It's not impressive anyways. I think I actually look a little bigger than I did on day 150, but oh well! I'm not back at day 1 and that's what counts to me!

Anyways, wasn't too excited about that, but I do have some other exciting weight-loss news!!! The last time I weighed in was Sunday. I was supposed to Friday but it just didn't work out. On Sunday July 14th I was 245.8... This morning when I weighed in (only 4 days later) I was 241.4. That's 4.4 lbs, people! I haven't lost that much so quickly in a long time, so I know this reboot of the diet is doing me good. It's just what I was expecting and hoping would happen, but it still caught me by surprise! So happy to be headed in the right direction.

I decided that my new minigoal for myself is to break 200 by January. When I first started this I had hopes of being done and at my goal weight by then, but that's turning out to be not as realistic as I originally thought. I'm sure I can lose 40+ lbs in 5 months if I really put in some hard work. It's so exciting to me to know that this is actually possible. I never believed I could do this, and looking back I can see.. Yes, I can. 

Oh, and summer school officially ended TODAY. Ugh. Wonderful day. 

I hope you have a fantastic Friday! 

'Night y'all! 

The Eggplant Parmesan Post

Breakfast: 4 egg whites w/onion; yogurt; strawberries; green tea
(late) Lunch: fried rice, BBQ chicken, cream cheese wontons
Dinner: Eggplant Parmesan; green tea
Exercise: NONE
I didn't do my calorie count today.

I'm having a blue day. Maybe it's because school isn't quite finished and I'm already feeling summer break-y but not yet on summer break? Maybe that's a really long explanation for me just being a silly girl?

Anyways, my husband is off today and tomorrow so I need to snap out of it and stop being silly.

We had lunch with my BIL and (future) SIL and nephew at a Chinese restaurant (thus the Chinese food for lunch). Maybe I should've tried to be rude and not eat when we made a lunch date together, but I just don't think that's necessary. Life happened today, so I enjoyed myself. I am, however, making a 17 Day Diet meal for dinner tonight. Eggplant Parmesan is a recipe I've had my eye on since we started this over 200 days ago (still can't believe it's been that long). I can't tell you how many eggplants I've bought for this specific recipe that have gone bad because we just never get around to making it. This time I decided that's not going to happen again. I bought an eggplant yesterday and tonight's the night. I put it in the oven less than 5 minutes ago and I can already smell the parmesan, so I think this is probably going to be delicious. I will wait to submit this until I've photographed and consumed said-eggplant parmesan so you guys can know if it was good or not.

Somewhere between wanting to exercise and actually doing it I lose my motivation. No sugar-coating... I hate exercising. I like the feeling afterward, and even during it's not so bad. But I hate getting started. So much.

Day 200 picture will be taken tomorrow morning. I promise will try.

Holy smokes... This stuff smells so good.

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

I am officially making a POINT to make this several times a month. 

DELICIOUS.

So here's the deal:

• 1 large eggplant, peeled
• 4 egg whites
• Fat-free parmesan cheese
• 1 cup of low-carb marinara sauce
• Seasonings, to taste

Directions: Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Cut eggplant into 1/4 inch slices. In a shallow dish, beat egg whites and 4 tablespoons of water until foamy (I forgot to put the water in, and it turned out just fine). Dip eggplant slices into egg whites, then into fat-free Parmesan cheese, pressing cheese into eggplant. place eggplant on prepared baking sheet that has been sprayed with vegetable spray and sprinkle with garlic powder (I used olive oil spray and garlic powder with other seasonings). Spray vegetable cooking spray over eggplant slices. Bake 30 minutes at 400 degrees, turning eggplant over after 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Cover with 1 cup of low-carb marinara sauce. Bake for 20 minutes, or until eggplant is piping hot and sauce is bubbly. Makes 2 large servings. (These cook times didn't make sense to me at all. So I made up my own based on how "done" it looked. I set my timer to 20 minutes. At such time, they were already golden brown, so I turned them over, put the marinara on, and baked them for 15 more minutes. Then I took them out and devoured half the baking sheet. Just kidding. Kind of.)

Just saying. Make this. ASAP. It totally tasted NOTHING like a vegetable. I swear. And I'm full. 

'Night y'all!

Recipe from this amazing book

The Back in the Saddle Post

Breakfast: 4 egg whites w/1 medium onion; green tea; grapes
Lunch: chicken and veggie stir-fry; fiber one oats and chocolate bar; baby carrots
Mid-afternoon snack: fiber one oats and chocolate bar
Dinner: cucumber and tomato salad; green tea
Snack: Townhouse Flatbread sea salt & olive oil crisps
Exercise: NONE

I realized the other day that if I don't want to be back to embarrassment in a bathing suit when we go to the reunion at the lake in a couple weeks, I can't opt out of dieting for too long... So Bray and I started at day 1 yesterday. I did well yesterday and today... No cheats. Well, the fiber one bars and flatbread crisps aren't technically part of the 17 Day Diet, but I still was under my calorie count so I'm not going to beat myself up too much. I try to keep in mind that making choices like that (although I know won't get me the kind of results I'm capable of) are still better than choosing the Snickers bar that was calling my name when I bought the Fiber One bar instead. One day at a time. I'm going to try my best not to pressure myself this time around. I need to remember that these are good choices I'm making for myself, instead of feeling like every carrot I bite into or salad I prepare is a chore.

Speaking of salads. Remember the romaine and spinach salads I ate for every dinner for the longest time? Yeah, they got old. Still very delicious, but I just don't feel like even taking the time to cook onions anymore (I know, I'm getting extremely lazy on the cooking job). Anyways, I was feeling lazy tonight also so I decided to borrow a salad inspiration from my mom and make cucumber salad. It was looking a little bland so I added the sliced tomatoes as well. Super easy... Finely slice a cucumber and tomato (I used grape tomatoes, but a whole would be fine also) and then mix in 1 tbsp olive oil with 2 tbsp vinegar (I used balsamic). Add water, salt, and pepper as needed. And done. Super easy, like I said. And tasty, at that.

I realized I forgot to take my Day 200 picture on the 22nd. Can you believe it's been 200 days since we started this?! It seems like just yesterday I finished reading the 17 Day Diet book and was ready to clear out and stock up my fridge for the new foods! And yet, it feels like we've been doing this for soooooo looooooong. Progress was so quick in the beginning because we followed the book to a "t". Literally, no exceptions to the rules. And results were awesome because of that, but once we started making exceptions they just felt like the worst sins in the world. And that's not what food should be. It's fuel, and although I enjoy it as more than just fuel, my mind is slowly wrapping around the idea that good foods = good choices = happier Kaycie. I get bummed when I make the wrong choices for myself for an extended period of time. I'm trying to rewire my brain to take one day at a time, one decision at a time. Yesterday's mistakes don't equal future mistakes. I don't have to go back to 290 lbs ever again, and I sure don't intend to.

Anyways, I apologize for the recent absence of updates. I've been dealing with some mental struggles lately and haven't had much motivation or desire to post, nor have I wanted to feel guilty for not posting. This was never meant to be an obligatory outlet.. It's supposed to be fun and inspiring! I'm trying to get back to that attitude.

I'll have Braylen take my Day 200 pictures soon and post. I'm positive I haven't changed in the past couple of days to make a difference. In fact, I'm worried I haven't changed from Day 150, but oh well if I haven't. I know I haven't gone back to Day 1, and that's all that matters to me.

'Night y'all!

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Breakfast: NONE (sleeping)
Lunch: 12 inch turkey breast on whole wheat sub w/lettuce, olives, spinach, and sweet onion sauce; two cookies (macadamia nut and raspberry cheesecake)... All from Subway
Dinner: TBA
Exercise: Eh, we'll see.

Accomplishments of the Day:

• Tuberculosis test read and passed. No TB for me! 
• Car tags renewed. ($82.50? wth? May not be that expensive, but it is to us!)
• Lunch annihilated. And I chose Subway over, say, Braum's. I'm calling that a win.
• Luke's nails clipped and ears cleaned. Only cost $5 and we were in/out in less than 5 minutes. 
• Tried/failed to do a new hairstyle (see below)
• Homework started, finished, and turned in. 

I mean, I didn't win any marathons, but I still feel good about my "day off". Considering I've been putting off the first two bullets for about, oh... A year. Feels nice to put a check next to another thing on the list. 

School's cramping my style. I'm bored constantly during the day because 1) Who wants to do homework when they don't have to? 2) Husband's asleep and 3) I can't do anything because I have school the next day or I'd feel guilty for doing that instead of homework. At least now my homework's done, husband's gone to work, and I can watch my DVR shows without interruption.

Although, sometimes interruptions are nice. 

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Source: lovemaegan.com via Jaime on Pinterest

A friend pinned this on Pinterest and I fell in love. 

I saw. I tried. I failed. 

Notes:

• The video on the blog from which this was pinned instructed that this hairstyle is easiest when the hair is dirty. Since my hair is currently unwashed, I figured what the hey. Don't judge my grease.
• It is really freakin' hard to take a picture of the back of your head. 
• Mine ended up being more towards the crown of my head, rather than below it. I don't know how. 
• I need to do some arm strengthening exercises before I attempt this again. I had to take breaks between tries from holding them up for so long.
• I french braided my bangs to the side also because I thought it would add to the hairstyle. What do I know. At least I have one braiding technique down. 
• Next time I try this, I will wash my hair and straighten it. I think it looks better straightened, despite the original blogger saying it's best with wavy beach hair. 
• Not at all saying I have beach hair. 

I am done for the night. Well, after I find something to eat and watch the heck out of some TV, that is. 

I'm Taking a Break

Round 3 of Biggest Loser is over and I need a break. All this back and forth isn't good for me and I need to just not think about dieting for two seconds. I know this is a lifetime change I need to make, but girl's breaking down over here. I keep putting ridiculous amounts of pressure on myself to be good and then inevitably when I'm not I feel guilty and it just bums me out. I don't want to feel guilty right now. I just want to peacefully live with my food choices and not have to deal with the anxiety. 

So, folks, I'm off the wagon. I'm sorry. I know I'm disappointing some of you, but really I just need some time to reevaluate what I want out of this. Plus, I think if I stop focusing on it then when Biggest Loser 4 starts I can have a solid start date, as opposed to this wishy-washy back and forth business I've been doing. I can recommit myself to the diet once again and start off right. 

I feel better already.

My Mean Girl Moment

Let me preface this story with another story. In the seventh grade, like I suppose many other seventh grade girls are, I was 100% over-the-top boy crazy. Any boy who even glanced my direction or talked to me for five minutes on AIM I fell head over heels for. It was bad. Anyways, I had several crushes in 7th grade, needless to say. Most of them were nice to me talking through AIM or on the phone, and then would pretend I didn't exist at school. Go figure. I ran into one such crush yesterday.

I recognized him right away, but wasn't sure if it was him or not. He's kind of got "one of those faces", ya know? Pretty ordinary. Plus, I wasn't sure it was him because he was a good deal larger than I remember him in middle school (and I'm not just sayin' taller). He was standing in line for the same movie BDR and I were waiting for. I knew he noticed me right away cos he kept looking at me. I pointed him out to Husband and told him about how jaded I felt by him so long ago (oh, the woes of junior high). We met a really nice couple who were standing in line next to us and talked to them for most of the wait. So, when the line started moving, we sat with them in the theater. As Murphy would have it, the spot we chose happened to be just behind the spot his group chose. While BDR was getting our concessions, I chatted with the couple some more, and upon mention of my hometown (where he and I had gone to school), his glances back toward me became much more blatant and obvious. Awkward. I still paid him no attention. After the movie, Husband raced off to go to the bathroom (he'd been holding it in for half the movie). Murphy won again, because as the crowd herded towards the doors, I somehow got shuffled into his group. He came up from behind and said "I know you." I (somewhat rudely) shrugged my shoulders and said "Umm.. from...?" He said. "Lawton." I glanced blankly in his direction, pretending not to know what he was talking about, then said "Well, that's where I'm from. Did you go to school there?" He said "Yes, at MacArthur." And I said "Oh, well I guess that's where," and turned to go through another door than the one his group was going through.

I smiled as I exited the theater. I told Bray what happened. He laughed and said "Well, that was quite the snob thing for you to do!" I couldn't help it, I said... He wasn't nice to my poor 7th grade emotions.

I've never had that kind of moment. Where I was the one to make someone else feel like a fool. And I should probably not be sharing this, because it makes me sound like a horrible person (and hey, maybe I am) but it felt victorious. Thrilling, even. Here I am, making new friends, seeing an amazing movie in my favorite theater with a husband who took a sick day to spend time with me... I have a ridiculously good life. Despite my pains in junior high. Despite his lack of regard for me.

And it felt good to pretend like I didn't know him. It felt good to know I'd made a lasting impression on him despite his efforts to show me I wasn't important.

Want to know the icing on the cake?

As soon as I got home (which is a 45 min drive) I got on FB. Guess who had sent me a friend request? Before I even made it home? Sigh... It never felt so good to click "Not Now".

I know I'm making a substantially bigger deal about this than probably anyone else in the world would, but have you ever had that kind of moment? I can't even really describe it. It's like running into an ex that broke your heart when you're dressed to kill and they look like their cat just died (not saying that I was dressed to kill or that he was my ex.... just making a comparison).

Anyways, I hope you don't think I'm incredibly rude. Maybe somebody out there has had a similar experience? If so, do tell!

BYOC (Bring Your Own Crazy)

It’s Friday so that means it’s BYOC – Bring Your Own Crazy! We answer questions today in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break. Copy and paste to your own blog if you so desire…and ENJOY!!

1. Let’s do something crazy….I’m going to list the rainbow colors and you type the first FOOD item that pops into your head that symbolizes that color for you…..here’s mine:

Red – apple
Orange – orange
Yellow – banana
Green – kiwi
Blue – cotton candy ice cream
Purple –  blueberries
Brown – brownies
Black – black beans

2. What is on your kitchen table right now?

Some of Braylen's homework. Stray mail. A tablecloth, doily, and bowl w/pears in it.
3. What movie do you watch again and again and again? Not like what movie have you seen 5 times…but like what movie have you seen 30 times or more?

I am Sam is one I've seen too many times to count. Also Titanic, Annie, Hook, Liar Liar... Most things I watched when I was a kid I watched over and over and over again. 
4. If Satan had a last name – what would it be?

Coward.
5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blogland and in real life.

Blogland was exponentially better this week. I am all caught up on reading your blogs (well, for the most part), and I've been updating much more this week. 


As far as the real world goes.. I've been feeling much better. I'm (for the most part) back on track with the diet and I'm just altogether in a much better mood. 

The Morning Husband Post

I rarely post in the mornings because 1) I'm either at school or asleep, depending on the day and 2) my posts revolve around what I eat each day so I wait until evening so I don't have to predict what I'll eat and how I'll exercise. Cos let's face it.. Chances are that will change. Heck, it changes even if I post about it in the evening. I edit 80% of my posts.. Just a little fun fact for you.

Anyways, my mornings are usually pretty fantastic, and this one was no different. And I don't mean in a I'm-a-morning-person kind of fantastic, cos that's furthest from the truth. Let me explain..

Husband gets home when I'm getting up. In fact, he's usually the one that wakes me up (who needs alarm clocks when you have a puppy that goes ape when his daddy comes home, making enough noise to wake the dead?). He's a pretty wonderful husband, if I do say so myself (and I, obviously, do). While I'm taking my time (lots and lots of time) brushing my teeth, doing my hair (which equals pulling it out of a hair tie, shaking my head, looking in the mirror, and saying "Eh... Good enough"), and various other bathroom duties... He's taking care of feeding the pooch AND making my breakfast. That's right, folks. I've got a man who can cook. I'm tellin' ya... He cooks eggs infinitely better than I can (and I'm not just saying that so he'll keep doing it... Although that's not a bad idea..). Some days, if I've neglected to cook a day ahead of time so I have my lunch ready to pack in the morning... He'll cook me breakfast and lunch.

Today he got up on his day off to cook me breakfast.

I'm not gloating. Simply bragging on my husband and how outrageously incredible he is. Especially in the morning.

Except for when he first comes in to kiss me good morning and kisses me square on the ear. Ever had somebody do that? The suction man, it's loud. We've had talks, but I'm still workin' on breaking him of this habit.

But hey, if that's my only complaint in the morning... I think we're on the right track. At least he's kissing me on the ear and not giving me a wet willy or yelling in it or pouring water in it or any of the other variety of things you could do to ones ear while they're asleep.

I'll keep him.



Have a good afternoon! I'll be back later.

The Sloppy Joe Post

Breakfast: NONE (Slept 'til noon, oops!)
Lunch: 2 chicken tenderloins w/stir fried veggies; green tea
Mid-afternoon snack: red seedless grapes and a cameo apple
Dinner: "Sloppy Joes" (minus bun, which in my opinion, is just chili) w/a handful of Tostitos and cheese
Dessert: yogurt
Exercise: 29 push-ups; 17 sit-ups; 1 mile walk/jog (15.33 mins)
Calories Allowed: 1,330
Calories Consumed: 864
Calories Burned: 184
Total Calories: 680

Apparently, according to myfitnesspal.com I've been eating too few calories. It's told me this for the past couple of days. Here's what I'm thinking... Too few calories now makes up for too many calories last week. I know it doesn't work like that, but that's what I'm going to go with. I exercised a heck of a lot today because

1) I have a death wish and my sore muscles aren't screaming loud enough
2) when I weighed in this morning I'd gained from yesterday
3) I had the time
4) I needed to do my final PT test for the Biggest Loser Challenge
5) I really want to make it to my goal weight by Friday

Speaking of sore muscles... Yowza! Allow me to share with you the areas of my body that are in pain (cos I know you're interested and all)...

1) inner, upper thighs (which is way too close to my groin)
2) calves and shins
3) quadriceps (no, I didn't know the name for these muscles before I googled it)
4) hamstrings
5) ass (I didn't have to google this name)
6) feet
7) area of my back outside my shoulder blades
8) entire abdomen and obliques

These pains are much more intense in the morning upon waking. Getting out of bed is just a delight.

I also like that I had a momentary bout of amnesia and forgot I had a test tomorrow. After I finished folding laundry I started studying and then the light bulb went off that our professor decided to postpone the test until next week on Tuesday. I euphorically slammed my notes shut and purposefully threw everything I'd learned in the past 3 minutes of reading them out of my mind. Cos who studies ahead of time?

Not this girl.

Now, about these "Sloppy Joes" I made... A few weeks (months?) back, a family member sent me a link to a website forum that is dedicated to 17 Day Diet recipes. It's a pretty fantastic forum actually because everyone lists their recipe based on what cycle you're on. So I don't have to try to guess or click on links that don't pertain to the cycle we're in. Wonderful. Well, I finally decided to.. I dunno.. make something for dinner (crazy thought) and Husband and I decided we'd give this Sloppy Joe recipe a shot. Now here's the thing... I was (and am still) slightly confused as to why the recipe-creator decided to call them Sloppy Joes for cycle one when 1) you can't have bread in cycle one so 2) the recipe doesn't include bread.

Ummm, my idea of a sloppy joe without bread is basically just chili. Which is, for the most part, exactly what this recipe was. There were a few other ingredients added and I cooked it in a crockpot instead of a skillet, but it's pretty much the same. So we ate it with chips and cheese and called it a day. It was pretty tasty, I will say... But definitely not deserving of the name "Sloppy Joe".

And now I really want a sloppy joe.

Oh, and what's a post without pictures? Especially pictures that have nothing to do with content of said-post?

Official Before/After pictures for Biggest Loser Nutrition Challenge

I know, I know.. You're all tired of looking at me in a bathing suit. This is the last one for a while, I promise.

'Night y'all! 

The Post That's a Year Too Early

Breakfast: two egg whites and one whole eggs w/onion
Lunch: turkey chili (no beans); cripps apple
Dinner: 1/2 turkey chili (no beans); Romaine and spinach salad w/chicken and sauteed onions
Dessert: popcorn
Exercise: 30 mins pilates

Note to self: If you do pilates on Monday, your muscles will still be very sore and burning when you do the same pilates workout on Tuesday. End note.

I tried to fight off Negative Nancy today. Every time I felt negativity creeping in, I thought about how awful I've been acting and how much I'd rather be happy. It worked, for the most part. I wouldn't say I was all rainbows and sunshine today, but I didn't feel like slamming my head against the desk (as much) during class, so that's a plus. I did have a terrible time staying awake, but hey.. What can ya do about that?

I went grocery shopping after class which also helped to improve my mood (surprisingly) because it was one of our cheaper trips (only $107 for a week's worth of groceries)! Then I came home to my lovely husband who has today and tomorrow off. His days off are always happy-making for me. Life is just... better, with him around. Guess that's why I married him? (Mystery solved...)

Plans for Summer 2012 are coming along nicely. Although it is a whole year from now and plans will undoubtably change dramatically.. The idea now is that we will have an Across the US Road Trip of a lifetime. Seriously, this is going to be the longest and most extensive road trip I could've ever imagined. Right now we're thinking New Orleans, coast of Florida, Charleston, Savannah (if only to go to Paula Dean's restaurant), Connecticut (looking for Stars Hollow, of course), NYC, across PA to visit relatives, down to Louisville to see the Lierle's and meet (what will be) their new baby boy, and then up to Chicago to begin our journey to LA along Route 66.

I'm serious, people. This will be epic.

No kids, no puppies, no school, no work, no bills (which will be paid in advance, of course), no hotels (we'll probably be sleeping in whatever vehicle we cruise in), very little meals out (I'm thinking loaves of bread, lunch meat, and cheese can sustain us)... CAREFREE. No plans. No itineraries. No idea where we're going, just as long as we get somewhere.

I can't wait.

The prospect of this trip has literally turned my attitude around at least 150° (I mean.. I wouldn't say I'm 100% chipper and positive all the sudden cos let's be for real...). The idea of getting in our car (or hopefully someone else's much-larger car) and just going somewhere unknown with my best friend literally gives me goosebumps. I love the idea of not knowing where we're going or when we'll get back. I love the idea of seeing whatever sites we want to and passing up on the ones we know won't be worth it.

I. Am. Stoked.

That's right.. I said it.

Oh, and I'm also pumped that by that time I will be lean and mean and able to sport my bathing suit(s) in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. (How exciting is it to think I'll get to see BOTH?)

Anyways... I had zero intention of making this post be about our vacation plans, but I guess I'm too excited about them and can't make a side note mention without delving into the prospective and tentative details.

Whoops.

And of course I will include you all along the way... Taking pictures and posting on the blog whenever we can get access to free Wifi connections. Cos that's just how much I love you, ya know?

image via google.com/images

'Night y'all!

The Bring It On Post

Breakfast: NONE (slept)
Lunch: turkey chili (w/o beans) w/1 slice of fat free Kraft American
Mid-afternoon snack: Skinny Cow peanut butter and chocolate ice cream sandwich
Dinner: turkey chili (w/o beans) w/1 slice of fat free Kraft American; Tostitos bite size chips and Pace Picante sauce
Dessert: NONE
Exercise: 10 minutes yoga; 30 minutes pilates; 25 push-ups; other exercise TBA

Alright folks.. It's the home stretch on this round of Biggest Loser. Friday is final weigh-in and I'm hoping to lose the weight I gained over the past two weeks of eating whatever I felt like. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow and will have no excuses. I'm tossing out the rest of the junk food leftover from the party (including that bag of Tostitos I mentioned I had some of for dinner tonight) and am doing strictly cycle one food from here until then. Which, granted, is only four days from now. Meaning, I have to lose more than 5.5 lbs in four days if I want to lose the weight I've gained since the competition started. But I've done it before and I know if I really set my mind to it I can do it again, or at least come darn close! I'm going to be kicking my butt in workouts and watching my calorie and water intake very closely over the next few days... I want to do it right!  I have zero chance of winning (and I say that with 100% honesty and truthfulness) but if I can achieve this goal of mine to lose the 5 lbs I've gained in the past two weeks... I'm not so worried about winning the competition.

So here's what it is: I weighed 241.2, as of Friday, July 8th.
I need to weigh 235.6 or less to achieve my personal goal and get back to my lowest weight since starting my weight loss journey.

Bring it on, workout DVDs and neighborhood walks!

P.S. I feel like barfing right now... I just finished doing 30 minutes of pilates immediately following eating my dinner of turkey chili. Not. A. Good. Choice.

P.S.S. I set another Summer 2012 goal: Swing dancing. Not Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers swing dancing... I mean Zoot Suit Riot swing dancing.

Who wants to help me pick out my flippy skirt?

I'm thinking I'll trade in Brendan Frasier for John Stamos, but this is the idea...

Summa Summa Summatime

I'm not sure if it's the extremely hot weather we've been having, the fact that everyone's been posting all the summer-y things they've been doing, the fact that I am no longer phobic about wearing a bathing suit, or the sheer lack of excitement we've had since summer started... But I'm craving summertime activities at the moment.

It's a well-known fact that fall/winter is my favorite time of year, and yet... I find myself longing to lay out by a pool, go swimming, put my feet in a natural body of water, and get weird tanlines from sunglasses. Okay.. Maybe not so much that last part... But I want to be outdoors, baby! I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my shoulders. I want my freckles to embrace the heat. I want to tan like I've never tanned before (because I've never tanned before). I want to swim in a bathing suit and not a T-shirt and shorts.

Basically, I want a summer vacation.

Last summer was the first I'd had off since beginning college in 2007. It felt wonderful. And yet, I don't think I fully took advantage of it. Yes, we went to the lake. Yes, I wore a bathing suit. But we went one time and I burned. Badly. I want a full summer of weekend visits to the lake or pool. I want a place where I can comfortably spend time outdoors, lying in a lounge chair and reading a book (for fun!).

I've decided next summer, which will be the summer after Braylen and I graduate, I will do it right. I will embrace all of the summertime activities that I've been avoiding all of these years. I will have the body that makes me want to embrace these activities even more. And I will be safe while doing so (I'm a huge fan of sunscreen). I will make it my goal to:

1) Relax
2) Have a bronzed body
3) Have a killer bronzed body
4) Visit the lake or pool at least every other week, as possible
5) Relax

But for now I will continue to wear sweats and a hoodie inside my home because my husband wants me to never forget what winter feels like and our A/C is a beast.

Amen.

All images via google.com/images

This Isn't Over

Another day off the wagon. This day not so horribly off as the past couple weeks. I planned on starting cycle one of the diet today, but 1) we don't have the foods required on cycle one and 2) we had a family reunion to go to today and I'm a sucker for casserole.

So, I guess I could say I'm starting tomorrow. But that's not true because I still don't have the groceries and I don't feel like driving to OKC to get them. So. I guess Tuesday will have to work. Again, I apologize for my lack of enthusiasm about this.

I pretty much feel like I'm letting down all of you who have told me I've inspired them. But, I guess this is as real as it gets. Life gets in the way sometimes. I am being totally honest when I say that I don't feel entirely horrible about it, as much as I should. I've learned a valuable lesson from this, I think. I've learned that there are going to be good days and bad days (weeks, months, years). It took me 21 years to become as fat as I was. I will keep losing weight. It won't be as fast as it was when I first started because I've lost the motivation to stick to the diet 100% of the time like I did in the beginning. But it will still come off.

I do need to make changes though. Many changes.

I just need my drive back.

7-9-2011

These pants fall off of me now.

I'm not finished. This isn't over.

Myspace Flashback

Tell me about the shirt you're wearing?
I'm wearing a gray hoodie that I bought my senior year of high school. It's the most comfortable hoodie I've ever owned (and trust me.. I've owned a lot... an entire storage bin so full I can't cover it with a lid). 

Highlanders '07!!

What's currently bothering you?
Ya know, despite all my whining... In this moment... Absolutely nothing. My pooch is lying on the floor next to the couch I'm lounging on. My husband is an arms-length away. Gilmore Girls is playing in the background. All is right in this moment.
What do you currently hear?
Gilmore Girls and mouse clicks. Husband and I are both computer addicts.
When was the last time you had your hair cut?
Sometime around May, probably. I go every other time BDR goes (we see the same guy). 

When were you last outside?
A couple of hours ago. When we came home with our Braums. (sigh...)

Are you wearing shorts?
No!! I wanted to be wearing my sleep shorts, but I think they're dirty cos I couldn't find them. I chose sweat pants instead because my husband likes to freeze me out of my own home.

Does the thought of marriage scare you?
Not even a little bit. Not even before I was married. Not even before I met Braylen. I'd been waiting for this my entire life.
What are you doing today?
the rest of the day, I am doing absolutely nothing but sleep (it's 1:03 AM). Earlier today I went to class, we ate, visited with my MIL, ate again, and watched TV. Pretty relaxed Friday!
Look to your left, what is there?
The TV. Alexis Bledel and Lauren Graham feel like friends to me.
What time did you go to sleep last night?
Ummm... 11 or 12 something?
When is your Birthday?
July 1. 
The way to win your heart?
I tend to gravitate towards people who make me laugh and make me feel comfortable. I love talking for hours and not needing to do anything spectacular to have fun. 

What are you going​ to do this weeke​nd?
Tomorrow we've got a family reunion to go to (the first of the summer) and on Sunday I have a 31 Gifts party to go to and one of my good friends Haley is staying over.
Were you happy when you woke up today?
I'm not usually happy when I wake up to a whiney puppy long before I'm ready to be up and at-em... But today surprisingly wasn't as horrible as recent mornings. Possibly because BDR had off last night and he was there with me this morning?
Have you ever crawled through a window?
Yes. 

Would you ever donate blood?
I've tried twice and been denied both times. Once for low iron counts and the second time because I'd gotten a tattoo in the previous 12 months and Colorado isn't on their list of acceptable places to be tattooed. 

Has anyone ever mistaken you for a family member?
No.
Do you have reason to smile right now?Honestly, I always have a reason to smile. Sometimes it's just hard to muster up the courage to be happy.
What do you do when you're stressed out?
Vent to my husband (or mother) or take a time-out.
Would you honestly say you'd risk your life for someone else?
Absolutely. No question about it. 

Do you open up to people easily?
Yes. I don't really have much to hide.
Has anyone upset you in the last week?
Goodness, what didn't upset me in the last week? Have I mentioned that I'm ridiculous lately?
What is the last pill you swallowed?
Women's One-A-Day, 2 Calcium pills, and a prenatal vitamin. All at once. Tracy Grammer would be very disappointed in me. 
What was the first thing you thought this morning?
"I really wish Braylen would wake up right now so he could take Luke out."
Who do you blame for your bad mood today?
Myself. It's not one's problem but my own.
Where is the person you like right now?
Sitting on the couch across from me, staring at his computer. <3
What was the first thing you did this morning?
Put my wedding ring on. Peed. Then weighed myself.
Do you care of what people think of you?
Everyone does, to an extent. I definitely care what the people I love think of me.
Who was the last person you took a picture with?
My husband. =]

I love spending evenings off with him. 

What are you looking forward to right now?
Graduation. I know it's a ways away, but every time I think of it, I get butterflies in my stomach.
Do you miss someo​ne?
Mm, not in this moment.
Does your crush like you?
Welllllll... That's the rumor!
If you could go back in time and change something would you?
No thanks. 
Do you hate smokers?
Do I hate every smoker? That's a silly question. Of course not. Several members of my family and a few friends smoke. I don't like smoke and it hurts my throat if I'm around it too long, but I definitely don't hate them.
Ever had a near death experience?
Several.. Two just yesterday on the highway!
Something you do a lot?
Check FB, update myfitnesspal, text my husband (if we're not together), and eat.
Last person you cried in front of?
Braylen.
Have you ever been to a tanning bed?
Nope. I don't think I ever will.
Does anyone hate you for no reason?
I don't think so? But anything's possible!
Have you ever kissed someone whose name starts with the letter J?
Yes.
What are you stressed out about?
School.
What was your favourite grade?
Freshman year of college. Not because of booze or parties (as I experienced neither). But it was my first time out of my parents' home and it was just so freeing. 

When is the next time you'll see your best friend(s)?
I'm looking at him right now!
Are any of your friends pregnant?
Several girlfriends, but none of my closer friends. Can't wait! 

Favourite number?
2.

Ever been in love?
Most definitely. 
Are you wearing make-up?
Surprisingly, yes.
What were you doing at 11:30 last night?
I think I was getting ready for bed.
What's the last thing you said and to who?
I was telling Braylen that I wasn't going to make sangria at Christmastime again because I didn't like the wine. He whined a little bit and I reassured him I'd find another good punch recipe that'll be sure to get him tipsy. 
Do you sleep on your stomach?
Yes. And on my back. And on both sides.
What do you hear?
Richard Gilmore arguing with Floyd Stiles about the lawsuit Stiles is bringing against him. (Watching Gilmore Girls still)

Are you ticklish?
Nope.
Last time you saw fireworks, with who & where?
On the fourth of July, with Braylen, on top of water tanks at his work site.