Where to begin

I know, it's been a while since I wrote.  It's been a crazy week, complete with crazy people.

Let's start with the good.  Last Thursday was weigh in day.  221!!!!!  I am down 9 pounds in 3 weeks.  I couldn't believe it.  I was so excited  I am feeling lighter and smaller, although no one else can really tell yet.  Soon enough.  The biggest difference will be from those who don't see me often.  I can't wait :):):)

Then the not great stuff.  Two of my kiddos were sick last week.  DD broke ANOTHER finger so she is out of basketball and stunting at cheer for three weeks which is not only going to drive her crazy but me as well while watching her go crazy.  Now, fortunately everyone is back to healthy (and back at school).  Influenza A is running crazy around our area.  Seems 1/2 of the school is out on any given day.

To add to my crazy week and mayhem I had a new client who went from one end of the spectrum to the other when buying a house, to wanting a house she hadn't seen, to ultimately deciding not to by and we parted ways today.  It was a wild rollercoaster, and I am in no way upset about losing the client.

I am a REALTOR, not sure if I've shared that on here before or not, yet it seems relevant to give you some perspective on the instant crazy my life can take on in an instant.  To my own detriment in a lot of ways, I care too much about my clients.  Mentors, coaches, colleagues all tell me to "find a new client" or "it's not worth your time" etc.  Which in many, many ways I agree, however I get attached.  I listen to my clients needs and feel for their circumstances and set out to do everything in my power to make their needs a priority.  When I struggle is when they lay out a clear picture for me, I give it to them, and they completely change their minds, and what the picture looks like.  I adapt and it flips again.  It really puts me behind the 8 ball when clients don't even know what they want and I can't give it to them.  Today I "broke up" with my first client ever.  I know it was an unhealthy relationship but I'm still heart broken.  I really wanted to help them, they didn't seem to want to let me.

Anyway, it's been a VERY stressful five or six days now and I'm glad it's over.  The really good part is that I didn't stress eat (although I wanted to) at all.  I eat as healthy as possible whenever I was on the run and had to stop, yet I didn't get pizza or a burger, or chips or french fries.  So that's a win.  And at this point I will take the WIN!!!

My body is trying to fight back!

My knees ache, my foot hurts, my back is stiff, I'm tired, I creek, I just feel like my body can't keep up with what I am trying to do.  Yes, this has been a busy week.  Work spiked so I have that always adds exhaustion and stress (in a good way) then I saw my PT on Thursday and Friday of last week, and my homework was to do three cardio sessions before I see her again this Thursday.  Well, four basketball games with the kids over the weekend, and date night didn't allow for much gym time.  As a result,

*Monday was Active class which is an hour long class about 30 minutes of step/cardio, 15 of weights, and 10 abs and balance.  I always hurt after that class.

*Tuesday I had missed my normal daytime gym time and was thinking I would end up missing it.  Well a good friend texted and asked if I wanted to go for a walk.  So I walked for about an hour.  My tracker says it was about 3 miles.  My legs were week and shaky afterwards.

*Wednesday work was busy but not bad.  I had to teach a class in the afternoon so I went to the gym after standing for two hours.  I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and I thought I might die :)

So yeah, I'm overweight, out of shape and I ache EVERYWHERE.  This evening I am sitting in my recliner, with my blankie, and taking it easy.  I see my PT in the morning at 8am and I'm not looking forward to it AT ALL!!!

Emotional workout

Today was an emotional day for me with my PT.  Not sure why exactly, just a combination of pride that I am making REAL changes in who I am, seeing the difference, feeling the difference, and happy for that.  As well as the disappointment in myself that I have allowed myself to become what I am.  I have a thousand excuse to how I got here, why it's not all my fault, and blah blah blah.  I just was overwhelmed with emotion at a point while my muscles were shaking, and I felt like I should be able to push harder and my body was disagreeing.  It was weird.

I will push forward, I will be better than yesterday, and I am committed to the new lesser me.  I use this blog as my fitness journal, and I share what is going on.  So that was my work out today.  I will hurt twice as bad tomorrow since I saw my PT two days in a row.

I LOVE KNEE BRACES!!!

OMG, I had NO idea the difference they would make.  I feel like I could almost sprint (just teasing).  The stairs that I have spent many years dreading because it was JUST HARD, I can master with ease.  My PT told me when I first met her that I had something wrong with my knees the very first day I met her.  WOW, was she ever right.  They came in the mail yesterday and I put them on just to get used to them and I can not believe it.  I may never take them off.  I wore them at my work out today, and I was able to do more because I was working muscles instead of fighting my knees.  Granted, now I won't be able to walk tomorrow because I'm certain every muscle in my body is going to hurt A LOT!  But I'm getting stronger, and feeling good doing it, so I will survive.  The hope would be as I lose more weight, I will be able to have less aches and pains.

On another note, today was weigh in day.  I am down another 1.8 pounds.  Not as much as last week, but muscles are growing so I'm not upset.  I feel like I'm starting to get into my groove of the gym again which feels AMAZING!!!  I don't know why I couldn't do it on my own.  I wanted to, just couldn't make myself do it.  Now, I am seeing my PT and doing as much cardio as I can fit in.  I love it.  I love the feeling of losing weight.  I know that no one else can tell yet on the outside, I just feel it.  I feel like I'm less "puffy" everywhere.  Less like my body is bursting out of my skin.  My face is where I am noticing it the most.  Of course, the crummy part is the skin is less tight (when it's less "puffy") which means I see wrinkles, UGH, have I mentioned getting old sucks!  I hope it will tighten as I go, we shall see.  Wrinkle cream, here I come :):):)

Talk soon!

Getting old SUCKS!!!

So I broke down and ordered two knee braces today.  I took the "Active" class at the gym.  It's a cross fit class with 20-25 minutes of step, 15 or so of weights, then an ab workout.  I like it because it hits everywhere in less than an hour.  Well today we did a lot of squats, I mean a LOT!  I hurt, and not just in my muscles.  My knees were creeking and sore, my foot (damn surgery) simply aches, my heels are tender from being on them and the impact, I just hurt.  I hate feeling old.  I'm hoping that losing weight will lessen some of these aches, creeks and pains.

As a result, I ordered two knee compression braces.  I'm looking at getting heel cushions for my feet, and well my foot will just have to live with.

Old sucks, and I truly dislike it.

On the plus side, I finished my salad prep for this weeks lunches.

Five are for me, and two each for my two younger kiddos.  I love the fact that my kids are making healthier choices as well.  Most of it is simply because the opportunities are there and make it easy for them, however the outcome is the same.

Our process - we lay out the bowls, and fill them with lettuce (with mixed greens, kale & baby spinach in it).  Then I put a small piece of saran wrap over the lettuce to keep the moisture of the toppings from making the lettuce soggy.  Then I have all the toppings chopped and ready in bowls.  We grab a bowl of a topping and put a bit on top of the saran.  Some of our toppings are Hard boiled eggs, turkey bacon bits, cubed ham, green peppers, mushrooms, carrots, celery, low fat cheese , etc.  I have several small 2 oz. Tupperware containers which are perfect for dressings.  I love that it rations what the kids have for portion size and they can't over do it (DD will DEFINITELY over use the ranch).  The containers are from DH work.  They made them, and were a failed product or whatever so several years ago we got several cases for very cheap.  I would assume you could get something that would work online somewhere.

So I suppose that is all for tonight.

Take care, talk soon.

Here's to a much lesser me!

4 lbs First Week

Wow!  I couldn't believe it.  I weighed myself on Thursday after my training session and I was down 4 POUNDS!!!  Yay!  I know the majority of it is likely water weight and and due to eating the right things.  I didn't make it to the gym as much as I would have liked.  Since my schedule tends to be so tight if something changes my gym time slot, it is REALLY difficult for me to fit it in.

As for the happenings around here, we were in "Icemageddin" warning with no actual Ice.  Including the kids being out of school Friday.  I had a buyer cancel an appointment, all the kids Basketball games were cancelled for the ENTIRE weekend.  So we cleaned house, had DD's birthday party, and now watching the Chiefs play in the playoffs.  I did survive the party.  My trainer said I could have pizza if I didn't eat the crust and I was only allowed cheese because traditional pepperoni is high in fat.  So I ended up buying turkey pepperoni, and added green peppers to my two slices of pizza, and like a little kid, I left the crust :)  Then I had a sliver (maybe three bites) of cake and a two bite scoop of strawberry ice cream to celebrate.  The real kicker was all the snacks and junk food teenage girls like to have on hand.  I only at ONE, potato chip.  ONE peanut M&M, and ONE tortilla chip with spin dip.  All said and done not too bad since we had 5 kinds of chips, 4 kinds of candy sitting on my kitchen counter all night.  I also put veggies and fruit out so that I could snack on and nibble on them when I walked by.

Anyway, today it's back to eating well and tomorrow is gym day.  Going to take DD with me so she can get some work out in as well.

Have a great night, and GO CHIEFS!!!!

A few pics of todays meal prep.

Egg Frittata

 Turkey bacon for my salads

Salad fixings

Sunday, January 8th, 2017

BUSY, Busy, busy day!  Or I could say weekend.  SB had four basketball games, and DD had one today.  So two yesterday, and three today.  Plus I went to the gym to get my 30 minutes cardio in (did the elliptical) before I get back to my trainer.  I plan to go again tomorrow for Zumba, which is one of my FAVORITE classes to take.

Food was good today.  Frittata for breakfast, italian style wrap thing with approved wraps, then yogurt with blueberries and a handful of peanuts for snack.  Lastly it was taco night at home so I made a fantastic taco salad.  It was really good, so I was happy.  Oh, almost forgot about dessert - apple and peanut butter :)

Anyway, that was the day.  Just taking the an easy evening.

Good night!

Saturday January 7th, 2017

Welcome to the weekend.  Today was a not horrible day, lol.  The day started out okay.  My MIL and her sister loaded the camper and left for Dallas on their journey to California.  We got up, had breakfast together, and they left.

I have been eating my egg Frittatas (Frittata recipe here) for breakfast for several days now.  I found the recipe online, and have modified it slightly to make more at one time, but basically the same.  Weird thing, I found that my kids like them too, and so did my MIL.  So the eight I made two days ago are almost gone.  What's with my kids liking my "diet" foods? :)

Here's the thing, I have learned that I do better with sticking to my meal plan and eating better if I am prepared, and have things easy to grab and go on the run.  So this afternoon my DD (Drama Daughter) and I made a few prepared foods to avoid getting hungry and making bad choices.  We made 10 pre-made chop salads (lettuce, spinach, mixed greens, ham, salami, bacon, boiled eggs, celery, green pepper, carrots, a little cheese) and 8 more breakfast frittatas.  I am still working on figuring out some sort of pre-made grab and eat snacks.  I'm thinking some sort of cheese, sausage, fruit, nut packs.  Would love other ideas if you have any.

The good thing about some of this prepared healthy foods is that my kids are getting excited.  My kids want to take my salads to school for lunches, and eat my eggs for breakfasts.  This is not a bad thing however it may change the quantity of how much I need to make each week :).

After the food prep was done, and cleaned up we needed to go to SB (Snuggle Bug, aka, my youngest son) basketball game.  He had two today.  One of them was rearranged which unfortunately rearranged my timeline to make it to the gym.  I was going to go prior to church at 5pm, however that is when the game was.  After the game, DD and KK (was Karate Kid, my oldest son, however he needs a new knick name since he no longer does Karate) and I went to church to see a good friend sing.  She has a spectacular voice.

Since time was of the essence, and church and Ball made it complicated to cook dinner at a reasonable time we went out to dinner.  This was my challenge of the day.  We went to my favorite mexican restaurant and I didn't eat ANY, not one, zilch, nada, none! of the Chips.  I ordered a fajita chicken taco salad and didn't eat the shell.  I used the salsa as my dressing and it was yummy.  Yes, I REALLY wanted chips and salsa, but I am on a stronger path to a healthier, slimmer self and well chips, although yummy, not in my bigger plan.

I've logged my meals on MyFitnessPal if you'd like to see where I'm at calorie wise.  If/when I find good recipes I will post them here.

Have a good night all, be healthy!

OMG I hurt EVERYWHERE!!!  Advil is my friend.  That is all I have to say about that.

I am working on behaving myself on my diet, which isn't easy since my MIL came to town and brought two boxes of homemade candy with her.  Ugh!  We didn't make any candy this year so I wasn't expecting it and oh, it looks yummy.  I've decided next year!  I will be in better shape at a better weight and be able have a piece or two.  So until then!

I need to get to the gym tomorrow.  I am supposed to do two sessions of Cardio before my next training session on Tuesday.  A minimum of 30 minutes each.  So I'm thinking 30 minutes elliptical tomorrow, and a class on Monday.

Can't talk long, got company.

I did it :)

So I made it through an hour with the trainer.  Gail is going to kick my butt in shape :)  She has also given me some nutrition advice and a plan to follow to boost my weight loss.  So I have spent part of the day figuring out how I can still cook for my kids and family as well as feed myself healthy.  Things like I can make chicken tacos for the family, and make taco salad (minus the chips) for myself.  Or Kids get pork steak, potato and salad, I just skip the potato unless I do sweet potatoes (which I'm sure will happen sometime).

The hardest part so far is fruit.  I simply do not like it.  So I have to learn to have some somewhere in my diet.  I am typically a salty person, give me veggies over fruit anyday.  Or in my old day, a potato chip over a candy bar.

I made some breakfast frittata things that you make in muffin pans, and refrigerate for easy heat.  I know myself well enough to know if it's not convenient then I won't eat it.  My Daughter and I were talking today about how we can pre-make salads to keep for lunches on hand.  I find with my job LUNCH is going to be my hard part.  Real Estate is a "meet for lunch" type of job.  Also, it's an on the go during lunch time type of job and well a drive thru is just too easy.  So I have to be prepared to grab n go now that I am officeing from home full time.

So far my food intake has been good.  Making Chili for dinner.

Talk to you soon.

Here goes nothing!!!

So I took new before pictures, UGH!  I hate that.  In my head I do not look like this.  In my head I'm not as thin as I was in High School, but not fat.  As you will see, I carry the majority of my weight in my mid-section, BAD PLAN!!!

Appointment is in an hour!!!  Here goes nothing!!!

Time to get serious

This is going to sound cliche but I'm ready to get back to serious.  If you have been here with me before, and you are seeing this pop up again it's because I have to get my weight and health under control.

In the last 1 1/2 years I've gained an additional 30-35 lbs.  AHHHHHHH!!!!!  Not that I want to make excuses, but to give you a little background.  I had an issue with my right foot.  I was dealing with Arthritis and it got to a point where i couldn't bend my big toe at all.  So 6+ months goes by (had to get through my final cheer coaching season) and I had it operated on.  Apparently I had bone spurs on the joint, and a part of one of them broke and was in the joint causing the lack of motion.  Surgery was December 2015.  Long story short, throughout the injury, then surgery, and recovery I gained a lot of weight.  Of course I could start exercising last Spring but with the weight gain, and added pain my motivation was FAR from where it needed to be for success.

NOW, I have met a fantastic personal trainer who works primarily with the Pilates Reformer machine which is a lower impact higher output program that I think I am going to love.  In reality even if I don't LOVE it, I've paid for it, so 12 sessions in here we come :)

My first session is tomorrow morning at 11am.  I am looking forward to it, yet a bit nervous.  I have a long history of putting effort in and not finding much success, or at least not the success I feel like I should have.

Wish me luck, here we go working on creating a MUCH LESSER ME!!!

Ugh... off the wagon

Okay, so I'm back.  I was doing so well and then...well...not so much.  Where have I been you ask?  Well here is what's gone on in the last 5 months (or so) in a nutshell.

First I left Kansas, and went on a whirlwind 4 1/2 week vacation starting at the end of June.  We started in St. Louis for my hubby's Grandmother's 90th birthday.  All the extended family was there, and of course there was FOOD, and lack of exercise.   It was okay though, I was feeling good about myself and was determined that it was only temporary.  It was a ton of fun, and although we didn't all know it at the time, a blessing that we could all be together for the long weekend. 

This is where it gets hairy.  My two sons went with their Grandparents to Iowa, my hubby grabbed a train back to KC (he had to go work), and my daughter and I left for Michigan for the vacation experience of a lifetime.  We spent the next several weeks, rehearsing, and preparing to participate in a play at my old High School.  How often do you get to be on stage with your daughter?  I'm guessing the chances are slim.  Anyway, along with preparing for the show, it was like a huge class reunion.  Reuniting with old friends, making new ones (even ones that I found out live in KC with me :).  I spent most of my time at the school building, painting, rehearsing etc.  Of course then we end up ordering pizza at odd hours, going out for drinks after and getting appetizers, or filling our bellies with whatever suits the moment.  On the other hand, I was staying with my WONDERFUL Aunt and Uncle who tend to treat me and my family like royalty when we are there, so we had gigantic breakfasts everyday, and coffee on the deck next to the pond, and relaxed.  Honestly, it was like pure heaven!  Fun, relaxation, extraordinary food, no responsibility, or bills to pay.  Oh, and well, I made it to Zumba once while I was there.  Yeah, not really the best exercise/food intake ratio. 

Oh well, it was worth it.  I was going to get on the band wagon as soon as I got home right?  Well I did go to the gym once the first week I was home.  Then, the worst of the worst.  My father in-law passed away very sudden and unexpected (remember when I said what a blessing we had in St. Louis but didn't know it).  Fortunately my two sons were able to spend two weeks with him this summer while my daughter and I were in Michigan rehearsing.  Then we stopped by for a night on our way home from Michigan (which was not in the original plan) to say hi.

Long story short (and hopefully not as depressing) we immediately left for Iowa.  Our family spent two full weeks there for the services, and getting all the affairs in order for my Mother in-law.  However, what happens when there is a funeral?  Everyone brings food, and with a large family like ours, they bring LOTS of food.  What do I do when stressed, or depressed?  EAT :(  So I had just gotten back from 4 1/2 weeks of food and luxury, then right into two weeks of food and sadness.  Not a good combination for my waistline.

Then to make matters worse, we came home and two days later school started, Cub Scouts started, Cheerleading practice started, Soccer season started, and the whirlwind of my life took over and the routine of going to the gym and paying attention to my health had all but disappeared. 

So now that our crazy life has slowed ever so slightly, I need to pick up my again heavier self, and start anew.  So I'm back, I'm headed to the grocery store today to fill my pantry with smart snacks, and meal preparations for my family and we shall start again.  I think I shall change my outfit for my progress this time around, we shall see what I find in my closet. 

Thank you all for your support and understanding as I've slipped, tripped, and fell into my fat jeans again. 

It's been a while

Hello all, it's been a while.  I apoligize for leaving you out there with no contact.  I have not given up, nor have I fallen off the wagon.  I have however been extremely busy with work and kids.  If you have kids in school, you are probably fully aware of the chaotic schedule that goes along with the end of the school year.  Not to mention my Drama Daughter had First Communion, and Snuggle Bug had his birthday.  I also work in a real estate based business so you put all that in the same pot and BAM!!!  Two months have disappeared in a whirlwind. 

So to update you.  I have not been good about tracking calories, I also have not made it to the gym as often as I like.  I have however started getting up at the crack of dawn a few times when the gym seems to not be an option to walk.  For those that do not know where I live, just around the block from my house is a trail that leads into a nature center/park.  It's a beautiful trail, that is paved, with a water fountain about a mile in from my house, and it's gorgeous to walk by the pond, and watch the sun rise.  Although I don't feel I get quite the workout I get from the gym, I due love the peace an quiet that 6:30am provides :)  My husband on the other hand now believes I am an alien.  I have never been a morning person in my entire life!!!  Anyone who knows me well can vouch for it.  And until recently I have not been an excercise person.  So to combine the two together, he thinks I'm an alien.  The first morning I set my alarm early he actually looked at me and said "who are you, and what have you done with my wife"  LOL.  I am still me, but I am a healthier version of myself. 

As for my diet, weeeeellllllllll, when I work I tend to eat badly.  I have been working quite a bit with a company that many of the people there are on a healthier lifestyle so that helps.  We will go to lunch and have salad or something better for you than burgers and fries.  When I am by myself, it just simply depends on the day and my alotted time.  I also haven't cooked well at home do to the crazy schedule.  I'm hoping that when school gets out (in a day and a half) I will grill more, and eat better.  My work schedule has significantly slowed down it should make healthy eating easier.  I am still eating A LOT less than I used to, and that is still taking some time to get used to.  Simple things like the amount of pizza to order, or spaghetti to make, I have yet to get regulate them properly, and we have way more left overs than necessary. 

Anyway, that is sort of what has been up with me.  For those of you who have been working on this journey along with me, I hope it is going well for you.  I have not weighed myself lately as they moved the scale at the gym, and I don't know where it went so I'm scared to get on a different one.  I do have a more current picture, and I don't feel like I'm losing as much, but I do feel stronger.  Maybe I'm at one of those dreadful plateau's that people have warned me about, and if I can kick myself into high gear again, I will get through it. 

Hope you are well!

Breakfast -
Protein bar

Lunch -
2 taco bell tacos

Snack - 3 small cheddar cheese, 3 rosemary & olive oil triscuits

Dinner - 1 1/4 cups of Chicken fetticinni alfredo, heavy on the chicken.

Water - BAD -  (I left my water cup at home when I went to work and soda was what was available)
4 - 8oz. cups
1 - Coke Zero
1 - Diet coke

Excercise - 55 minutes of Group power (weight lifting)


For those who haven't seen me in a while.  Here is the latest.  Sorry I didn't realize the kids had fingerprinted the mirror all up :):):)

BAD WEEK

So I've had a really bad week diet wise.  I don't know what's with me, but I've been overly hungry, unmotivated, and outta whack.  I've been having some headaches also in the mix which doesn't help.  I don't know if it's stress or what, but they are there.  So here is me, getting back on the horse.  I need to cut down on my meals, and get back to snacking.  I'm not saying everything went out the window, I've been doing "okay" with my food choices, but not on the commitment.  I've been to the gym a few times, but not nearly enough.  I think I got up with calories.  I think I was seeing things like my fruit smoothie being more calories than say some pretzels, or even a peanut butter cup, etc, and so I started rethinking how I do things, and only watching that vs. watching the whole picture of the healthy self I want to be. 

ANYWAY, this is me recommiting myself to my health, fitness, and overall well being.  I have the month of April left on my gym membership, and I intend of utilizing it every day I can. 

I changed scales :)

Today I tried a different scale at the gym.  I was unhappy with the results as it felt like I have lost more than it showed.  Todays scale gave me an extra 5 lbs :)  So whether its right or wrong, I liked the way it looked better.  So I've decided that is my new scale for my weight :)  Yes I realize I won't have the same jump, but I have thought the scale in the locker room was weighing heavy from day one.  It makes me happy for today :)

Back to the gym :)

It is amazing to me how quickly I get out of shape :O  I was out of the gym of just over a week, but I had taken a nice walk at a decent pace at one point.  But today, in step class, I couldn't breathe.  I felt out of breath from just about the moment we started.  I don't get it, I suppose it proves the need to be there, that I just can't afford to quit!  NOT that I have any intention to. 

All said and done, I'm really feeling good about what I'm doing for myself!  I'm anxious to go back to my home town this summer and feel the pride of who I have become and see the faces on people.  NOT that they don't already expect to see me in my skinnier state since many of them will read this, and see the pictures, and of course when they knew me back in the day I was much smaller than I am now, and even smaller than I will be when I'm all done.  BUT, I will have muscles!!!  More than I ever remember having in my life.  My hubby and I were talking the other day, I have never once in my life been able to cross the monkey bars on the playground, or have I ever completed a single chin-up unassisted.  I know, not huge, lofty accomplishments in the span of a life time, but it shows you my lack of upper body strength.  I am trying to lift weights at least twice a week now (more than ever before as well).  So hopefully by Summer, I will A - have the upper body strength to lift my own body weight, and B - have less body weight to have to lift :):):)

I did my weigh in today, only 3 lbs.  :(:(:(  Not as much as I'd hoped, but that is okay, it wasn't UP :):):)  I still have my food log going on MyFitnessPal.com if you would like to look me up - Bleueponytail. 

I had a HORRIBLE calorie day on Saturday.  Hubby and I decided to spend the day with the kiddos.  We ran some errands, and took them to the park.  Hubby practiced some soccer and I took Karate kid to get a hair cut.  Needless to say, it was a fun and productive day (we don't usually get those in combination around here, so it was good).  That being said, we also decided to take the kids out to dinner.  Steak N Shake :):):)  Well, I ate my daily allowance (plus some) of calories in that one meal :):):)  Oh well, sometimes you have to sacrifice for the fun of the family. 

Latest pictures

I took these last week, can't remember when but I haven't had time to put them up yet.  The fun thing is that I'm wearing the same t-shirt in this picture that I wore on Day 1 so I have a pic trying to show you how loose the shirt is on me now. 

The big changes I'm noticing that you may not see are that I am wearing all my watches with a tighter hole.  Same with my belts, all are at least one if not two holes tighter.  I tried on some of my shorts for summer, and quickly realized that I'm going to need new clothes for summer, however I don't want to get new clothes to turn around and get MORE new clothes, so I'm holding off as long as possible and cinching the belt to hold them up.  I only have two pairs of jeans that I can wear, but again, holding off as long as possible.  I'd love to be able to buy two sizes smaller when the time comes.

It's been a bad week for exercise as the kids were off school and they are not members of my gym.  We did walk to the park one day last week (they rode bikes) which once calculated ends up around 3 miles.  I worked on cleaning out our garage, and getting rid of stuff, so I broke a sweat, but I wouldn't call it exercise :)  Kids go back to school tomorrow, so I will be back at the gym at 9am :):):)  Looking forward to it, cuz I really want to weigh in.  Since I don't have a scale at home I use the one at the gym. 

Anyway, that is what is new.  Enjoy the pictures.  I am noticing a difference, but I don't know how much it shows in the pictures.

Survived the In-laws

If you remember back when I started this process my in-laws had come to town on their way to Texas for the winter.  Well Sunday they came back by on their way home to Iowa.  Last time they had come through they brought us all this food, homemade candy, and junk that I was in the process of ridding from our lives.  Although grateful for their generosity, frustrated by the abundance of HFCS and other stuff that was brought in.  Anyway, this time they came through and brought us no food :)  In fact since I've was sick the three days before they came, I hardly had any food in the house :(  Then in true host-like fashion hubby and I had to go to work so we left them home with our three kiddos, no food, and no vehicle (theirs was connected to their giant camper parked up the road).  Needless to say, they ended up shopping in the camper for groceries and managed to scrounge up some lunch, but I felt really bad.  Thanks to the in-laws for feeding my kiddos :):):)  It truly is appreciated!  Since I'm the only one home for most lunches (if I'm not working) I just don't think about lunch food anymore.  Being Spring Break for the kids, and the in-laws being here, it wasn't such a great plan.  Oh well, I guess no one starved so that is good.

On the bright side I managed to eat fairly well even with company in town.  I ate left over eggs for breakfast one day, made the whole gang one of my protein smoothies, and then made 93% ground beef cheese burgers last night (which I had on a lettuce wrap), with Sweet potato fries, and a salad.

I haven't made it to the gym, or any exercise since Thursday.  A little bummed about it, but I was really sick Friday, and sick but swamped on Saturday.  Then Sunday was the mad scramble to clean for the in-laws :):):)  Monday I worked, and today well, the kids are out of school this week, and since they are not on my membership I won't be going unless I go at night.  Maybe the kids and I will walk to the park?  That would give me a couple of miles in at least and the kids would like it.  Now to convince them :):):):):):):):):):)

Remember if you would like to track my food intake, check me out on MyFitnessPal.com.  I'm really liking the ability to track my calories.  I have it set at 1450 calories, which SHOULD equal 1.5 lbs a week, HA!  Doubt that, I just don't lose pounds like that, but I'm trying to stick to it anyway and see what happens.  Next time I go to the gym I'm going to weigh in (I don't own a scale) and maybe an updated photo will be next.  I found a dress I want, but I want it in a smaller size :)  So I'm motivated :)

I hope you have a good week, talk to you soon!

The UNWICH

Have you ever used the Jimmy John's website?  It is pretty cool if you are counting calories, fat, carbs whatever.  It's easy to use, and it will tell you what you are getting precisely.  You enter in your order, with or without tomato, mayo, cheese, whatever, and you get your calorie count.

I realized yesterday after I ordered, that although I was trying to be better, and ordered a sandwich with the 7 grain bread vs. the traditional italian sub bun that my sandwich was still over 1000 calories, OUCH!!!  That being said I realized that if I skip the bread and order the "unwich" I save over 400 calories.  So when I ordered it again today :):):)  I ordered the Unwich, and I have to say, I didn't even miss the bread.  It was just as yummy, and flavorful as the one yesterday without the extra calories, and carbs.  I am NOT saying that 600 calories for one super yummy sandwich is healthy, but, if I'm going to order it anyway as I was working and needed something other than a cheeseburger and fries, well it's was a good option for me. 

So if you are a huge fan of Jimmy John's as I am, try the unwich, and see if you really miss the bread.  I was worried, but very pleasantly surprized :):):)