Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Second Measurements Post

Breakfast: none (sleeping)
Lunch: Quizno's pesto turkey bullet, small harvest chicken salad, and baked Lays
Snack: apple; 3 cuties
Snack: Heath/Reese's mix from Braum's
Dinner: Romaine & spinach salad w/dried cranberries, feta cheese, and light raspberry vinaigrette

Today = weird.

I feel off. Don't know why and I can't really explain it. Maybe I slept weird.

I did get a little accomplished today. I finally folded all the laundry. Laundry has been at a stand still in my house for the past, oh, month... And I was feeling overwhelmed. So a few days ago my lovely husband began running the loads through and I folded today. Feels good to have one thing checked off the list. So now laundry and the basement are taken care of... Which, if you get down to it... Are probably the last things we should've worried about (if you could see the rest of my house, you'd run scared) but it is what it is. One step at a time. Sometimes it helps for me to do the least overwhelming things first. Although, that may be a form of avoidance, now that I think of it.

I forgot to mention something yesterday that is actually pretty exciting. So exciting that I feel like I shouldn't post it today since I'm feeling so... blah. But I will anyways because I just mentioned it and I hate when someone mention something and then don't share what it is (even though I'm sure I've done it before).

I explained several weeks ago that for this round of the Biggest Loser competition I'm in, we're doing before/after measurements to track our progress. I did my final measurements yesterday and was very pleased with the results!!


So, overall, I've lost a total of 12.75 inches! I'm pretty happy with that, I've gotta admit. A foot of my body is gone, which is just weird to think about. 

And now I'm going to shower and finish watching my saved episodes of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Because that always makes me feel better.

'Night y'all!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Week 7 Weigh-In & Word Diarrhea

Breakfast: cherry yogurt
Lunch: Chinese buffet
Dinner: romaine and spinach salad w/dried cranberries, feta cheese, and light raspberry vinaigrette
Exercise: basement cleaning for 2-3 hours

I am realizing more and more that I've had diarrhea of the mouth (or, in this case, fingers) lately... I have been updating a lot more and the posts have been getting longer and longer. I also realize that most blogs that are far more professional than this one (considering this one's, well, not professional in the slightest) write posts ahead of time and save them for later, when they're not feeling as inspired.

Well, like I said... This isn't one of those blogs. When I get the inspiration for a post, I don't want to wait to post it later... I want to post it now! I want other people to know what's going on in my head, and I want to know what you think about it.

Therefore, blog friends, I apologize for a silly amount of posts, pictures, and updates lately. Just remember (fondly) those weeks and months where I didn't have anything to say. The time will come when I have nothing to say again, I promise you (we can only pray).

This isn't one of those times, though. Because I've got a lot to share with you today!
____________________________________________________

Stats for Week 7 Weigh-In with Biggest Loser:
Starting Weight for 2012: 262.2
Previous Weight: 245.6
Current Weight: 243.4


Goodbye, 2 lbs! This week's loss felt earned. I didn't always make good decisions, but I made more good decisions than bad and as I've been saying the past few days, I'm trying to reinvent my attitude towards this whole process and get "guilt" and "failure" out of my vocabulary. My shortcut to getting off track with healthy choices always begins with an attitude of guilt and failure when I make bad decisions regarding food/exercise. I realize you have to stay on top of yourself, to an extent, but I really take it too far and then I get in a place where I tell myself, "Well, I already messed up today, so what's the point of exercising?" That kind of thinking won't get me very far, in the long run. 

The point of all that is to say I'm proud of this week's loss. I didn't always make healthy decisions, like I said, but I got my butt moving every day to stay active. This week's activities included: water aerobics, walking the dogs, hot yoga class, yard work, and house deep-cleaning. Some structured exercise and some practical things I need to do that I usually avoid at all costs because it requires energy and will power (things I'm pushing myself to have more of). 

This picture is an illusion, but I love it anyway. I don't know why I look so narrow, because I promise my hips are not that tiny.

SEE! Proof. But I don't care. Large hips or not, I'm gettin' there!

____________________________________________________



Oh, and activities that keep me busy... 


This is what my basement looked like earlier today, after taking everything out of the closet:

Basically, the closet exploded.
 And this is the closet now:

Nice and tidy (albeit, packed).
Okay, so it's not beautiful. But what you don't see is how much stuff we threw away and how much we're donating/selling. Basically all that went back in that closet is empty tote bags and luggage, a cooler, three boxes of encyclopedias, a box of clothes, a box of miscellaneous electronics, a bin of frames, a bin of my childhood memorabilia, two sleeping bags, and two comforter sets. 

Um, well, okay... that sounds like a lot of stuff when I type it out. But whatever. It's a storage closet, people!

I also didn't take pictures of the other parts of the basement we cleaned (and by "we" I mostly mean "me" because Husband left halfway through the process). There's another room adjacent to this closet where we are hoping to move the washer/dryer to and turn it into The World's Most Fantastic Laundry Room (or something like it). My father-in-law is coming next weekend to help BDR move the washer/dryer hookups down to that room, since currently there are none, so we had to make sure and clean up that room today. There wasn't really much in there to begin with (only 2 TVs, an exercise bike, and some tools), so we mostly just swept out the room. There's a foyer off of this room leading to the backyard that had been covered in dust and leaves because the storm door hasn't been able to shut since we moved in two years ago (thus, it stays open 24/7). So I raked/swept out the dirt and somehow managed to fix the door. Whoever installed it had screwed spacers in between the door jam and where the door connects to the jam. (I am aware that made no sense, and I apologize). Anyway, there were two spacers, I took out one... Voila. We have a closed storm door now:

Can you see the puppies waiting patiently to be let in?




By the way, I just called that a "foyer" because I can't figure out what else to call it. Apparently a "foyer" is an entrance to a building, and even though this technically is an entrance, it's a back door... So "foyer" doesn't seem appropriate. So I looked up "vestibule" which is "an antechamber, hall, or lobby next to the outer door of a building" which seems like the appropriate term to use... But "vestibule" seems like an awkward word to use in a blog. Maybe because when I think "vestibule", I think "laryngeal vestibule" which is the part of the larynx about the vocal folds (thank you, graduate school). 


See what I mean about the "diarrhea of the mouth/fingers" thing?

____________________________________________________

Oh, and speaking of puppies (wait, I wasn't speaking about puppies?), mine have been awfully cute lately. And I don't have children to gush and post pictures about yet (just you wait...) so you'll have to deal with dogs. 

I know it looks like I'm crushing her, but I promise I'm not. Well, maybe I am.. But only a little.

So she's not the best heeler...

She kicks butt at cuddling though, and isn't that more important? (Oh, and I promise I don't wear that robe all the time... Okay, maybe I do.)

Luke sportin' his pink Valentine's Day collar (handmade by my MIL, by the way)

They might be in love.
Oh, by the way, I love my dogs. 

We took them for a walk the other day. Our vet's office happens to be 6-7 blocks from the house, and I was curious about how big Luke has gotten since our last visit so we stopped by. Luke is now 88.5 lbs and Leia is 13.2. Big puppies! I'm so proud of my babies. They're both in such better shape than I've ever been in my life. I am so good at managing their diet and making sure they get plenty of exercise. You'd think that would translate into my own habits. Hm. Something to ponder...

Or not.

'Night y'all!

Friday, February 24, 2012

BYOC -- Bring Your Own Crazy

Okay - it's Friday - which means it's time for BYOC.  Bring Your Own Crazy! 

This week Me dipped into the family reserves (2 daughters and Rambo) and asked them what they'd like to ask us.

#1 comes from Rambo....
1.  If you were going to scratch your ass in public, which cheek would you start with?
Hm, well it probably depends on which cheek was itchy. I wouldn't scratch an un-itchy cheek.

#2 comes from Watermelon (11 yr. old)
2.  If you were a fashion designer, what's the first item of clothing you'd design for yourself and why.
Jeans. I don't know exactly what's wrong with the jeans I try on... But none of them do what I want them to do. Can't figure out why, but maybe if I designed them myself, I could.

#3 is from Me.
3.  Remember last week when I told you to describe yourself in 5 positive words?  This week - turn to your family or anyone next to you and ask them to describe you in 5 words and LISTEN to their answers.
1) cuddly
2) intelligent
3) bossy
4) family
5) friend

I will choose to ignore #3... Even though the directions for this question were to listen to their answers. It's all in love, right?

#4 is a repeat question and I'm only doing 4 questions today since #3 is kinda long-ish.
4.  Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.
Week in real life has been good. This week went by really fast, it almost seems like a blur. Some complications happened w/Braylen's graduation that we're still sorting out, so that was a little stress-making. Otherwise, I made a B on a test from last week I was slightly worried about (which is awesome). I've been doing 100 times better about working out this week than I have the past month (logged 225 minutes of exercise, which isn't as much as it could be, but I'm happy I did purposeful movement 5 out of the past 6 days). I've also been cutting myself breaks on the diet-aspect (in a good way) where I would've just bashed myself into guilt before. I'm trying to turn a new leaf and change my thinking, because even though being vigilant and on point with everything all the time will make you successful in the short term, in the long run... Life gets in the way and I need to learn that it's okay not to make a perfect decision every step of the way.


Blog land has been much much better than usual. For some reason I was able to post much more than I have been. To be honest, I think I've been making time for it this week because I needed it. Putting it all out on the table really is somewhat therapeutic for me, as my newest friend Mark pointed out to me the other day, and I took advantage of the free therapy a lot this week. I think I feel better because of it, too, which is the best thing. So, to sum up this week's posts: I talked about Week 6's weigh-in and my Valentine's Day plans (although I realize now I never posted about the rest of our Valentine's Day... D'oh!). In another post I talked about my new relationship with PMS, a free workout group I attended, and the junk in my trunk. And another big post was about my new motto: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger"... And how grad school is not conducive to a clean house or lots of time with the hubby... And how I go grocery shopping as another therapeutic outlet (and try to not stare at boxes of doughnuts for too long... Except for I don't think I posted about that, even though it's the truth). 


It was a good, hard week. Meaning... It was hard, but it's over and I'm feeling alright.


Amen.

Valentine's Day: Part II (finally)

I realized while answering questions for BYOC earlier that I never posted Part II of my Valentine's Day! (Find Part I here). Last Saturday, we met up with our good friends at our favorite restaurant in Bricktown and had a delicious meal together. It was so nice to chat with them... I just love having good people in our lives! Afterwards, we headed to Starbucks so everyone could get their coffee-fix (except me, because I'm not a coffee drinker). They went home to their sweet baby girl and Bray and I headed for the main event (or what was supposed to be the main event). A few weeks ago a new lounge opened up in Bricktown that I wanted to take BDR to as a surprise... It's a burlesque and jazz lounge! I thought "Wow, that sounds really interesting and fun and something crazy we've never done before". Anyways, we got there and the first thing that happened was the bouncer/ID checker guy looked BDR over and said "It's fine tonight, but next time leave the jeans and tennis shoes at home". Uhhh... Whoops? So that was embarrassing and unnecessary (did I mention I was in jeans, too?). So then we got to the counter to pay the cover charge and it's TWENTY DOLLARS A PERSON. What? Did I hear you wrong? Sigh. I rationalized spending the money by saying it's only one night... It's Valentine's Day for us... It's just money. But then, the clincher... We walk into the lounge (the show hadn't started yet) and despite there being open tables as far as the eye could see.... There was no seating available because all the tables were reserved.
So, to sum up... We paid $40 to go to a club where we were entirely underdressed (apparently? Which is funny, considering the waitresses and dancers were wearing next to nothing) where we'd have to stand for the entire show. Um. No thanks. So we got our money back and left. Because we're cheap and tacky.

Instead, we met up with my BFF and her boyfriend and accidentally went bar hopping. We couldn't find seating anywhere and ended up trying 3-4 different places before deciding to leave Bricktown and head to a pool hall in another part of town. It was so fun. I love hanging out with them.



Jess and I were obsessed with having our picture taken because we have next to no pictures of us together and that's dumb. I thought these turned out lovely (despite my cheeks being red from drinking and being hot... as in "warm"). After the pool hall, we went to IHOP, because no night out on the town is complete without breakfast (or chicken fried steak, in my case... Whoops). 

All in all, it was a wonderful evening! None of my plans turned out how I originally thought they would... But it ended up being better than I could have planned it. I love it when that happens!

2/23/2012

Breakfast: Kefir smoothie
Lunch: turkey chili
Exercise: 30 minutes puppy walk, 50 minute hot yoga class (the class is actually 60 mins, but about 10 mins at the end is relaxation)
Dinner: 2 turkey patties w/fat free American cheese; sauteed mixed veggies
Snack: popcorn

I started a post tonight and then a spontaneous date night happened. Be back tomorrow!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

What Doesn't Kill You

Makes you stronger.

Right?

I think that will be my mantra for the next 9 weeks.

That, and Proverbs 3: 5-6.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.
 
This semester has been trying. School and a new internship that keeps me busy (doing what I love doing with women I enjoy working with so so much). I can't complain because I'm so fortunate to have these opportunities. And the point of this post really isn't to complain, although I'm sure it will likely sound like it.

Spending so much time away from the house has taken it's toll... Both on my actual house and on my marriage. Let me clarify and say that Braylen and I are strong and will get past this... Of that, I have no doubts. But to say spending so much time apart over the past two years has been easy and that having our priorities be on work and school instead of each other for a majority of the time (as we know they have to be right now) hasn't worn on us, would just be a lie. We do take time to go out a few times a month, which I know is so good for us. And we do take time to do little things to display how much we care for and love one another. We have a strong relationship, which I am so fortunate to have and know I would be far worse off without it. But in the name of all honesty and truth, graduate school and him working full time (and finishing school also) is hard.

When I get home, he's usually gone already (he works 6PM-6AM). So when he's getting home in the morning, I'm getting ready to leave. Our schedules just don't coordinate. Ever. Ever, ever, ever. Thus is the story for many, and to those of you going through the same thing... It sucks, no? My heart goes out to you because it truly is just plain hard.

Not to mention how disgusting my house is, at the moment. I thought it got bad last year? This semester is outrageous. Neither of us have energy to clean and neither of us have energy to give a damn. Forgive my language, but it's the truth. I wouldn't let anyone in my house right now in the state that it's in. And truthfully, I'm not sure when it will change. It would take me days to make it presentable. My laundry pile has claimed half of my bedroom AND the guestroom. Junk mail has dug roots in various areas of my living room and dining room. Cat hair, dog hair... Well... I don't want to make ruin your day with talk of pet hair. But you get my drift. I'm embarrassed. But like so many other embarrassing truths of mine, here is where I can't hide.

Today was a hard day. But I'll move on.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

Oddly enough, I found solace today in the most unlikely of places: the grocery store. I called Husband on the way home to figure out what we were having for dinner and he was clueless (as was I). So I bit the bullet and finally went to the grocery store. I knew if I didn't go today, I wouldn't go until next week (because I go to a grocery store 20 miles away, which I pass everyday going to/from school but I won't have class again until Monday). Anyways, grocery shopping has become somewhat therapeutic lately. I find that when I'm having a stressful day, the mechanical, methodical-ness of grocery shopping lets me escape for just a moment. Kind of like how some people go tanning or *cough, cough* exercise? Grocery shopping kind of gives me a zen. This time, it was helpful even more so because I knew I bought healthy foods that will help fuel me for the week to come. I knew I stuck within our "safe foods" and within our budget, and did something that will be beneficial for my husband and I.

Basically, I did something right. I made the right choice, even when I didn't want to. When it was the last thing in the world I wanted to do, I did it anyway.

I really need to adopt that in other aspects of my life. (Mainly: exercise and making healthy choices when we're out to eat)

But... What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?

And I want to be strong.

'Night y'all.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Junk in the Trunk

Breakfast: 4 egg whites w/eggs, mushrooms, and salsa
Snack: yogurt
Lunch: vegetable fajitas with corn tortillas; chips and queso
Dinner: mixed green salad w/grilled chicken, onions, and mushrooms, parmigiana reggiano cheese, and dried cranberries
Snack: yogurt

Before I get into the meat of this post (no pun intended), I just want to point out the fact that I ate crap for lunch. Vegetable fajitas may sound like a healthy choice, and maybe they were in relation to what I could've ordered, but the grease dripping out of each tortilla would beg to differ. Not to mention the half basket of chips I single-handedly devoured. BUT. I don't feel bad. I realized today that I haven't been giving myself credit where it's due. I haven't eaten fast food since December, which is remarkable considering we used to eat it for nearly every meal (and I'm not exaggerating... HELLO 30 lb weight gain over Christmas break!). That is an accomplishment that I never even realized I'd attained! Another thing to be proud of is that I have had two boxes of my favorite Girl Scout cookies in my home since this past Thursday (5 days ago) and I've had a total of 4 cookies. That's unbelievable. I was so scared to bring them here, sure I would empty the boxes in days... But I truthfully forget they're even in the kitchen a majority of the time. I just feel like, yes, I had a horrible lunch. But I do other things right. And I can't let myself constantly feel guilty or I'll head right back to where I was and give up. That cannot happen!

I've been in a funky mood for the past several days. Inexplicably. I can put on a front very well, but when I talk to anyone who actually knows and loves me (particularly, my husband) I'm a real witch... Which just doesn't make a bit of sense to me. Anyways, I've been absolutely no fun, and I didn't know why. Until today. This morning my tummy started feeling all twisty and not good. Within ten minutes I was having full on painful cramps. I went to the bathroom and who had stopped by again for a visit? Like clockwork, baby. 30 days later and it's already here! I was shocked, to be honest, because after not having a period in almost two years.... And now getting it in 4 weeks.... I felt like I just stopped and now it's here again! Sigh. To tell the truth, it almost feels like it did back in middle school when I got it for the first time. I'm realizing I actually have to go to the store and buy tampons again. That I need to be way more mindful about my cramps than I used to be when I knew it wouldn't be a period. That I need to just get through the bitchy days and apologize to my husband every day until my period gets here and I'm happy again.

Which is curious, because I don't remember ever having PMS before. I know for sure that's what's been going on the past few days because I have no reason in the world to be unhappy. In fact, things have been going very well lately and I've had great time with friends and family (which always puts me in a good mood). So PMS is the only feasible answer. Maybe before, my "normal" was being bitchy, so I never noticed when I had PMS? Who knows. I'm just glad that now that I know what was causing the unhappiness, I feel 100% better.

Another source of happy: A new group in my town just started tonight. It's free to anyone who wants to join and will meet every weekday at 8PM. We'll do all kinds of different exercise: walking, various workout DVDs, and whatever else we can think of. Tonight, as I said, was the first night, and we did 45 minutes of water aerobics. I'd never done water aerobics before, but it was a lot of fun! I look forward to what this new group brings to my life, and what I can bring to the table for the group. It's nice knowing that, no matter what, there will be a group that meets each night at 8. It's reliable. Someone will be there. So it's not like if you only have one workout buddy and they say they can't go and it gives you an easy excuse not to do it yourself. This way, someone is always there because it's a large group. Plus, my favorite part: it's free!! Which is my favorite part, not because I'm unwilling to spend the money, but because if I can't go a particular night, I won't feel guilty about wasting my money (like I do when I don't go to the YMCA every day).

I guess a lot of my focus right now is trying to stop myself from putting guilt in my mind (both in diet and in exercise). I feel like guilt, for me, puts me in a place where failure is just around the corner. It makes me believe that I can't accomplish my goals because I've "already messed up". I really need to stop that type of thinking and focus more on the positive choices I make for myself each day. There are quite a few, if I only come to acknowledge them!

Speaking of acknowledgment, let me get to how I came to the title of this post:




Ignore my janky hair momentarily (blame water aerobics), forgive me for posting another picture of myself in a bathing suit, and try to look past my precious thigh dimples. Where the heck did that waist and booty come from? I am well aware that I have a helluva (like my Oklahoma slang?) long way to go (note: arm fat galore and those precious thigh dimples I mentioned) but hello badonkadonk! I also realize that a large rear is not an asset to most people, but I happen to think that last picture is pretty hot, if I do say so myself (and I think I just did?). I mean, J-Lo rocks a large derriere and she was People Magazine's Most Beautiful Woman last year! Obviously I'm not saying I'm on par with Jennifer Lopez, by any means... I'm just happy I can finally see some perks to being a curvy woman (and see them within myself, more importantly). 

Proud owner of a Junky Trunk.

'Night y'all!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Friend Makin' Monday


If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Travel

1) Where did your most recent trip take you? We went to Beaver's Bend, OK in November of last year. Braylen and I went with my best friend and her boyfriend for a weekend and it was heavenly and beautiful and basically perfect. 

Us in front of our unbelievably gorgeous cabin.

2) Is there a place that you’d like to visit that you haven’t yet?  If so, where?  I basically want to go everywhere! One place I'd really like to go is some type of tropical destination. I've never been much of a beach/ocean person, but as the weight comes off and the stress of grad school wears on, lying out on a beach with my husband sounds just about perfect.

3) Do you travel lightly, or do you cram as much into your luggage as possible? I'd say I'm a reasonable packer. I do tend to pack a couple of extra tops, just in case, but I don't go overboard. I don't own a lot of shoes so that's never an issue. 

4) Do your eating and exercise habits change when you travel? If so, how? Definitely. Traveling, for us, means all bets are off. We don't travel often, and it's never a long trip... So we like to treat ourselves when we can. And exercise + vacation? What? I mean, depending on where we go, I sometimes exercise just by doing whatever activity we have planned (i.e. when we go to Six Flags and walk a billion miles). But normally, exercise is last on my list of priorities.

5) Tell us about a place you’ve been that you’d like to go back to.  This is tie, for me. My two favorite vacations were Disney World and going to Germany. I want to go back to both places so badly I can hardly stand it!

6) Do you prefer to travel at a certain time of year?  Hm. I've never really thought about it.

7) If you had to choose, would you go to the beach or the mountains?  Well, I want to go on a beach vacation soon, just because I never really have. Mountains are beautiful though and despite getting altitude sickness every time I visit my family in CO, I still love going.

8) Have you ever needed a passport to travel?  Yes. To Germany and to Mexico.

9) Do you collect anything in your travels?  No, not really.

10) Where do you plan to go next? We haven't decided yet... Hopefully somewhere beautiful and relaxing!

Now it’s your turn! Don’t forget to come back to share a link in the comments!  Happy Monday friends!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Week 6 Weigh-In & Valentine's Date: Part I

Husband and I have been planning all week to go out for Valentine's Day today (Saturday) since he worked on the actual holiday (and who wants to go out on a Tuesday, anyway?). But he was also off last night, so we decided to start our celebrating early. I'll update again after Part II tonight. I can't divulge our plans just yet, because this was my year to plan our date and I don't want to spoil the surprise!

Anyway, last night we decided to make a date night of it and go out for dinner and a movie. We started off at my favorite restaurant, where I proceeded to not follow any of my rules I was going to be so good about and ate honey BBQ chicken tenders w/french fries. Oh, and spinach artichoke dip as an appetizer. YUM. Then we went to see This Means War, and although it was totally cute and I wouldn't at all say it was a disappointment, I didn't like the ending... I didn't like who she chose. But I won't say anymore about that because I don't want to spoil it. CUTE movie. After the movie we came home and BDR decided to give me my present early (since our date today will be a double date and that'd be somewhat awkward to give me a gift at dinner).

A new Pandora charm!
He such a sweet hubby. My mom gave me a Pandora bracelet for Christmas, and since then he's bought me two charms for it. And not just decorative charms... Husband knows how to pick out beautiful and sentimental charms that will mean something to us for a lifetime. The one he gave me last night has four hearts on it. He says they symbolize our family, our marriage, our puppies, and our future children. The other one he got me as a surprise gift the day before he started his last day of college (in January) was:

source
As I said, he gave me the day before his last day of college. And said that it was to thank me because he wouldn't have made it to his last first day if it wasn't for my encouragement and support. 

Sigh. 

He's a keeper, I believe. 

__________________________________________________________

Week 6 Weigh-In... My goodness. We knew this day would come. At least, I did. I've been making poor food decisions for the past couple of weeks and it was only a matter of time before it caught up with me. I'm actually surprised it wasn't worse, because I know the 4 pound loss last week was a mistake. As in, literally, I think somehow the scale messed up. There's no way I could've lost that much, given how poorly I was eating and the fact that I did zero exercise prior to the weigh-in. With that said, this week's number did not disappoint me as much as I know it should. 

Stats for Week 6 Weigh-In with Biggest Loser:
Starting Weight for 2012: 262.2
Previous Weight: 242.6
Current Weight: 245.4


So I gained 2.8 lbs. Eh. Thus is life. I know I can do better and I will do better.

In fact, I'm currently making lunch and will go afterward to the YMCA (for the first time in 3 weeks) to workout with my husband. I will be doubly challenging myself today. Our fitness challenge in my Biggest Loser competition this week is to complete a 5k and post our time (it's a facebook group). So I will be pushing myself on the treadmill to complete it in under 45 minutes. My other personal goal is to complete a new Peak Fitness workout BDR's aunt sent me earlier this week. Here's some info copied from the article:
Here's a summary of what a typical Peak Fitness routine might look like:
  1. Warm up for three minutes
  2. Exercise as hard and fast as you can for 30 seconds. You should feel like you couldn't possibly go on another few seconds
  3. Recover for 90 seconds
  4. Repeat the high intensity exercise and recovery 7 more times
A video of a trainer doing the workout on an elliptical can be found here

Can I just say something really quick? YIKES. Even the trainer's ass gets kicked in this workout. I'm going to have BDR do it alongside me (oops, haven't told him that yet) so I don't feel like as much of an idiot when I pass out and fall off the elliptical. Because hopefully, he'll be passing out and falling off, too. Wait, did I just hope that my husband falls off an exercise machine, which would possibly cause physical harm to himself? I take it all back. Except for the part where he does it, too.

Anyways. We'll see if I'm even alive to go on Part II of our Valentine's Day date tonight. I'll let ya know. Well, I guess I won't be able to let ya know if I'm dead.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Cry For Help & BC Pills

Breakfast: yogurt
Lunch: turkey and swiss panini with french fries
Dinner: chips & white queso, vegetable quesadillas w/rice and beans

Alright, so my diet wasn't good today or yesterday or the day before or the day before. I've kind of been in a slump lately. For many reasons excuses. One is that money has been very tight lately and studying for tests has been abundant... So my ability to grocery shop has been zilch. Fortunately, I can always count on Husband to take a trip and buy essentials, but we still miss out on our regular routine of healthy eating when I can't make the big trip. Another thing is... I haven't seen the inside of a gym in three weeks. I'm ashamed to admit it, but the truth has to be said. Excuses: Zero energy and no motivation to go when I actually get a spare 45-60 minutes before the gym closes at 9PM (aka, my lovely, incredible, much-anticipated bedtime).

I'm in a rut, y'all. I need some help. I have no idea what will happen on the scale tomorrow. I haven't given up and I don't feel horrible guilty about myself (because I know "this is a marathon, not a sprint") but I just need to snap out of it.

If for anything, because I still want to have lost 30 lbs by my next ob/gyn appointment in April. Because that little baby we want to have sometime in the next few years deserves a happy and healthy momma. Because my husband deserves to have a happy and healthy wife to share the rest of his life with. Because I deserve to have a happy and healthy life with my husband and our family.

Speaking of our family and babies and such... Taking a birth control pill every day is not the terrorizing pain in the butt experience I anticipated it might be. It's actually not bad at all. I'm not having any side effects (that I'm aware of) and I haven't missed a single pill (thanks to an alarm I set on my cell phone to go off every night at 9PM reminding me to take it). I can happily say I <3 BC pills, and I never thought I'd see the day that would happen.

And now I will begin a Teen Mom 2 marathon, because I'm apparently three episodes behind and that's ridiculous.

'Night y'all!

Monday, February 13, 2012

Friend Makin' Monday

Something new for me today...



If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Before Photos

  1. Are you on a weight-loss journey?  Have you lost weight in the past? Are you trying to lose it now?  Yes, currently on a journey of some kind. ha. I've lost weight before, but not a significant amount. Last year I lost about 60 lbs, and then gained about 30 lbs back over the holidays. Yes, you read right... 30 lbs. So far in 2012, I've lost 20 lbs. 
  2. Do you like being in pictures, or do you shy away from the camera? I find that it depends on my mood and how good I'm feeling about how I look (of course). Sometimes I want the camera to go away indefinitely, and other times I'm more the willing to be in a picture.
  3. Does looking at old photos of yourself motivate you? No, not at all. I've always been overweight, so I don't have any skinny pics to look back on.
  4. Weight-loss bloggers, do you post progress pictures on your blog?  Yessir!
  5. Will you share a before photo with us (even if you don’t have an after yet?)  
January 2011

December 2011


Now it’s your turn! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday friends!

Friday, February 10, 2012

Week 5 Weigh-In and White Legs

Without further ado:

Stats for Week 5 Weigh-In with Biggest Loser:
Starting Weight for 2012: 262.2
Previous Weight: 246.6
Current Weight: 242.6


4 lbs lighter, and I have no idea how. I did a total of 30 minutes of exercise over the past two weeks, and I didn't even push myself at that. I ate healthy, but didn't starve myself (and even enjoyed a Girl Scout cookie or two [or three or four]). So the scale gods and goddesses must have pity on me lately. 
You know, though, it kind of puts a fire under me to really live up to that number. I'm dangerously close to being out of the 240's (yet again) and I want to welcome the 230's with open and loving arms. And then annihilate them, soon after.

One of these days I will see the 220's. Which I haven't since I think junior high. So that'll be exciting. But for now, and for the next week, I really want to make sure this week's weight loss wasn't a fluke. 

Okay, I'm off to cuddle a newborn.

But before I go I'll leave you with these little nuggets: 




This is my oldest pooch, sitting his butt on the ottoman, but standing on his front two legs. If you can explain this behavior, I will forever be indebted to you. Otherwise, I hope it makes you smile as much as it did me. Because wth, Luke? 

Disclaimer: Yes, I am in a robe, but I promise I am wearing shorts and a T-shirt underneath. It's wintertime (kind of), dang it, and I wasn't anticipating this moment and had to seize it, no matter the circumstances. 

Other Disclaimer: I apologize if my legs blinded you. But I love them all the same. (Just say no to skin cancer)

'Morning y'all!

BYOC -- Bring Your Own Crazy

It’s Friday and that means it’s time for BYOC! Bring Your Own Crazy from Drazil! We answer 5 questions in an effort to get to know each other better and to give our blogging brains a break. Copy to your own blog if you wish and ENJOY!

1. Name a Valentine gift you would NOT want to receive.
Despite my love for all things chocolate, now is not the time to be receiving any boxes full of it. Thank you and goodbye.


Girl Scout cookies, on the other hand, I'll take into consideration.

2. What’s your vacation personality? Do you act/eat/talk/do things differently or completely opposite from when you are not on vacation?
I kind of think I'm the same? Normally I'm just with Braylen and our family, so we're comfortable anywhere together.

3. Describe yourself in 5 POSITIVE words.
Loyal, Reliable, Organized (well, sometimes), Loving, and Respectful (well, sometimes)

4. Do you have any phobias or irrational fears or dislikes?
I have an irrational fear of daddy long-legs. And that's all I have to say about that because thinking of them gives me the willies. I also do not like free fall (not to be confused with a fear of heights, which I don't have). Oh, and I really don't like swimming in bodies of water in which I cannot see through (i.e. oceans, lakes, rivers, etc.). Can't stop thinking about what's swimming or lying dead beside me in the water that I can't see. And that's all I have to say about that because thinking of it gives me the willies. And nightmares.
 
5. Repeat question: Summarize your week in blog land and in real life.
Blog land is great. I've been more on track with reading/commenting lately (although I'm not perfect, by any means) and actually just realized this morning that I can reply to comments on my own blog.. So you'll be hearing back from me much much more now! I did have more time to blog during the week, although I chose not to due to lack of, well, anything to say. I promise, as important or worthwhile things occur, I'll update. Hell, I promise to update even if nothing important or worthwhile occurs, but I'm just sayin'.. I'm not going anywhere!

Real life is also great. I'm going back to my hometown today to cheer on one of my dearest friends as she gives birth to baby #3! Cannot wait to meet little Jaxon and hold him and kiss him and squeeze him and love him and maybe let his mom hold him a little bit, too. =] Oh, and week 5 weigh-in was, unexpectedly fortunate (hardy har har) but I'll leave that for my weigh-in post!

In Other News

Breakfast: 4 egg whites w/onion; yogurt
Lunch: a tomato stuffed w/chicken salad, cheddar cheese, and grapes; side salad w/low fat Italian
Snack: 2 Savannah Smiles cookies and 1 Thin Mint cookie
Dinner: side salad w/raspberry vinaigrette; steamed broccoli

My meals today were lame. My meals this weak were lame. I am over restaurant side salads (which I've been eating a lot of lately due to an increase in restaurant visits w/family and friends). I can't complain about the going out with family/friends, because I absolutely love and encourage that. But my disdain for restaurant side salads is ever-growing. In fact, I'm beginning to feel bitter towards them. Because not only are they less satisfying and delicious than a salad I can make at home, but they often have so much extra crap on top that there's barely any lettuce. So then I want to order a large salad like a dinner cobb or chef salad, but have to ask for no bacon, eggs, cheese, croutons, or anything else that might be remotely delicious unhealthy... And still get charged the $7-8 for a big salad!

Okay, so I realize I'm complaining about a dang salad and I need to shut up. So I will.

About that, anyways.

In other news, my puppy sleeps with in bed with me now. The littlest one, I mean. Luke sleeps with me every once in a while, but he's too big to sleep in bed when Bray's there also. Anyways, my point is... Sleeping is that much more pleasant when you have a cuddly puppy snuggling beside you.

Especially when they stay in bed and don't jump off to pee on the floor. Which Leia, thankfully, doesn't do.

In other other news, one of my closest family friends (the one we threw a baby shower for in January) is finally having her baby tomorrow. Or, at least, she's being induced tomorrow (after 40+ weeks of pregnancy-bliss). So I'm taking the day off my internship (thanks again, Amber!) to go and be with her and meet precious little Jaxon. I'm so excited to meet him and so honored to be there for the experience! Please pray that we are able to welcome a healthy baby boy into the world tomorrow and that Mom can get some rest tonight!

In even more news, my car is quickly becoming a piece of junk and a pain in my ass neck. Last week, a flat tire. This week: dead battery, oil change, and weird noises every time it's driven. Oh, and my tag lights are still out and it's only a matter of time before I drive through a small town and get pulled over again. Forgive me if being pulled over 5 times in the past year has me feeling a little paranoid and jaded.

For the record, I only received one ticket. The others were to tell me about various lights being out and to come to a complete stop while exiting the highway. Amen.

And the last bit of news: I think I've forgotten how to exercise. Every attempt I make is thwarted or excused away by this or that. I will not list my reasoning for not exercising enough, as I know they're all insufficient, bogus, and just plain stupid. But I will say... I need to get my butt back in gear. I reminded myself yesterday of the goal I set for my next ob/gyn appointment in April: a loss of at least 30 pounds. I've already lost 15 of the 30, so I'm not off track, by any means... I can just feel it slipping away the farther I get from good exercise habits. And this makes me heart hurt. And makes me want to feel sorry for myself. And sit on the couch and watch reality TV. And not exercise.

Oh heck. 

'Night y'all!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Our Love Story

I know I've shared most of this before, but it's Valentine's season, people! I'm feelin' the love! And lately with the new internship, school starting for us both, and my hormones back in full swing... I haven't been feeling much love (and sure haven't been sharing very much with Husband [in more ways than one]). So I'm hoping this will be useful not only to share our story once again (because it's my very favorite love story) but also in reminding myself just how much I love that Mister of mine.

I came across this link up while reading Blue-Eyed Bride. The original link-up is from From Mrs. to Mama. I'd love to read your story, too, so head over to Becky's site and link up!


1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
Our first date was on May 7, 2009... So coming up on 3 years.  
One of our first dates together... When I arranged for us to go out flying in a small plane over his hometown.
2. How did you meet? {What's your "love" story?}
We've known each other since I transferred to the University of Arts of Oklahoma in 2008 for speech-language pathology. He was the only guy in my speech-path classes (because he was the only male in the entire program). I noticed him right away, of course, because he was the only guy. He swears up and down he noticed me because of my red hair, but he never gave any indication that I even existed (his eyes stayed glued to his computer for 99% of our classes together). In April of 2009, after he was finished with his final exams for the semester, he asked me via facebook if he could borrow my blender to make celebratory daiquiris (we lived across from each other in the on-campus apartments). I offered him my roommate's blender, thinking he would come over and take it to borrow it. Instead, five minutes later, he showed up with his infamous "Bauer bag" stuffed to capacity with ingredients to make daiquiris. So we made them in my kitchen and sipped them in my living room (I can neither confirm nor deny I was of legal drinking age at the time). I was really surprised at how chatty he was (especially after a few drinks) because he'd always been so quiet in class! Anyways, the long and the short of it is, we ended up watching a movie and Gilmore Girls that night, back at his apartment (where we'd gone for more drinks [I swear he's not an alcoholic, y'all]. A little while after I went back home, he walked over to my apartment and kissed me at my door.
Yes, I realized I just said we kissed before our very first date. Sue me... Or blame the alcohol (Sorry if your reading this, mother or mother-in-law, or any relative of mine or his)
And the rest is history.

Kissing at the desk in the classroom where we first had class together. This was the night I graduated from the college where we met.
3. How long have you been married? 
We married one year after our first date, on May 7, 2010... Coming up on 2 years.

Photograph by Lezlie Andrew

4. Where did you get married at? Big or small wedding? 
We were married at First United Methodist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma (my home town and home church [at the time]). It was a much larger wedding than I ever thought I would have, seeing as we both had large groups of people who were on our list of "Must Have There"'s. I really have no idea what the final head count was, or if there even was a final head count. Most of our very favorite people were able to be there and the ceremony was exactly what I always wanted... All thanks to my mother and mother-in-law. 

Photograph by Lezlie Andrew. This shows half of the reception (the other half is behind the photographer).
5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!
Well, all the standards like "babe", "baby", "dear", and "honey". I don't think we have any cutesy ones though... Not that those are bad, by any means. I call him "Bray". I guess that's about the only nickname I have for him.
6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
  1. I love how much he cares for and cherishes his family (and now me and mine). Family and his close friends are his top priority in life, and that is one thing we've always connected on and loved about one another. That is the first thing I remember falling in love with about him. 
  2. I love that even when we are at odds with one another, I know he wants me to be happy and he always wants what is best for me (and us). We've always agreed that our marriage will be based on God and the premise that our main goal is to always do what we can to ensure the others happiness and well-being. 
  3. I love that he is perfect for me. He is, literally, every last thing I ever wrote on any checklist growing up on "What I Want in a Husband" (and I have the checklist to prove it). He's funny, he's respectful, he's silly, he loves children, he loves family, he has dark hair and light eyes, he makes me feel safe, and most importantly, he loves God. I love that God brought us together at just the right moment in our lives.  
He truly is happiest when he's with family.
7. Tell us how he proposed? 
He took me out to his Papaw's orchard at about 9PM on a misty September night (Sept. 12th, 2009, to be exact... Just four months after we started dating). He led me through a field to a pathway of sidewalk lights leading to a clearing between the trees. In the clearing, there were several tiki torches surrounding a bird bath, which is where the ring was placed. He got down on one knee (in the mud) and proposed. I said yes, and as he kissed me, his brother and two best friends shot off fireworks from the hill we were facing.
True story. 

The morning after he proposed.
8. Is he a flowers and teddy bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals?
A combination, I guess? I don't think he would buy me a teddy bear, but he has definitely bought me my share of flowers and we both love strawberries and champagne. I would pass on the rose petals though (because I'd be the one who'd clean it up, ha). His plan of action for Valentine's Day, though, has been flowers and jewelry... And a girl could never complain about that, right?!

My gift for Valentine's Day 2011.
9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
Um, can I be both? Obviously living in Oklahoma, we can't really make beach-going a frequent occurrence, but I'd love to go more if we could! But truly, staying at home and relaxing on the couch is our specialty. Another is going out the movies. I love that we enjoy (mostly) the same types of flicks. He's my favorite person to share popcorn with (because he lets me eat most of it and always gets the refills). Be still, my heart
Our favorite: lounging on the couch together <3

10. Tell us one thing you'd like to do with your significant one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?
Well, we were really hoping to win an all-expenses paid week-long trip to Costa Rica, but that didn't work out. So now we're just hoping to go somewhere for a graduation trip. I'm thinking Destin, FL sounds about my speed, but we're open to suggestions!
11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine's Day. 
Well, like last year, Husband has to work on Valentine's Day, so we'll be celebrating the weekend after. I think our plan is to just do dinner and a movie in OKC.
12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine's day?
I mean, I don't think I did? I can't think of anything I want besides a date night!
13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love. 
Some may say, being a newlywed, I'm not in much of a position to give advice yet. I know there is plenty we still have to learn about love and marriage. But I'd say, for us, one thing we always try to do is never say words out of anger that cannot be taken back. Many times, I leave the room or have to tell him that I just can't talk right now. Name calling is a no-no and outright meanness is really hard to apologize for and/or take back. Taking a time out is my go-to plan of action when things get too heated.
14.  Show us a picture of what love means to you.
It's not only our smiles I love in this picture, but there's a story behind that blue hippopotamus. This picture was taken this past Christmas Eve at my parents' house. I'm always teasing him about how he basically wants me to tell him what I want, every time there's a gift-giving holiday, instead of listening to what I tell him on a day-to-day basis and figuring out from that what I need/want. A few weeks before Christmas, I played him a Christmas song I'd never heard before that was so cute it became a new favorite ("I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by Gayla Peevey). So for Christmas, he surprised me by buying me this little hippo, even though I never outwardly said I wanted one. I loved that he listened to what I told him a few weeks prior and put the thought into picking out a cute and sweet gift that I will cherish forever (even if it is a silly little hippo). The thought behind that gift was all I wanted for Christmas. I love that this picture shows our happiness and love for one another in that moment.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Week 4 Weigh-In

Breakfast: none
Lunch: 2 turkey patties w/cheese and sauteed onions; sweet potato fries
Snack: yogurt; 2 cutie clementines
Dinner: taco salad
Snack: yogurt

What a week! As I've been saying, things are super busy, but I'm still loving my internship so it makes it all worth it! I was able to spend some time with my husband a little more than usual this week, so I took advantage of that. We went to the movies again last night and saw "The Woman in Black" which was a huge disappointment, but I won't say any more.

All this week I've been mentally going back and forth and struggling with food. I've been having some pretty large and intense cravings. Earlier this week I went to the grocery store. As I went through the bakery section, I passed a display packed with cookies, cakes, and doughnuts. I've really been craving sweets lately so this was really hard for me. I kept thinking "I could buy a package of doughnut holes, eat the whole thing, and nobody could stop me or tell me I can't." It took all I had not to put a package in my cart, but I didn't. The only person stopping me or telling me I can't is me, and that's the only person I should be listening to. So I pushed those thoughts away and kept moving forward.

But even after that, I was tempted throughout the week. I held myself together, for the most part, until last night. I finally decided that instead of constantly telling myself I can't have this or that, I need to allow myself some leeway now and again. Maybe I took it too far (a burger and fries + chips and queso) but heck, I've got the rest of my life to work on this. One meal of indulgence won't ruin my shot at becoming healthier. Unless I let it become my excuse for continuing to eat unhealthy ("Well, I ruined my diet yesterday... Why try at all today?"). I can't and won't let that happen again.

My fire is still lit and I won't let my bad attitude last week put a damper on it.

Stats for Week 4 Weigh-In with Biggest Loser:
Starting Weight for 2012: 262.2
Previous Weight: 247.2
Current Weight: 246.6

Down 0.6 oz.
I'd be disappointed if I weren't so thrilled I didn't gain. Next week will be a big week for me, as we go back to the first cycle. I'm excited to see what I can do with next week and happy to say I feel better about myself and the way I look with each passing day!

First time I'd straightened my hair in months. Love how long it's getting. And how my face is looking thinner.


One day that pooch will be gone for good!
______________________________________________________________

And because my dog was being cute patiently waiting for me to finish my blog post and take him outside, I had to take a picture:

Yes, he's resting his head on a slipper.
'Night y'all!
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