Back On The Wagon ...

The health and fitness wagon that is. 

I've been slacking ever since the holidays (yeah, those 'four months ago' holidays). But last week in Nashville I really slacked (so much that my slacks are getting way snug). 

So yesterday I bought salad fixin's, fruit, skinless chicken, some Mrs Dash marinade, and some green veggies.  I'll be cooking those veggies without adding butter and/or fatback. 

I even logged back into www.myfitnesspal.com and logged in my (bran cereal) breakfast this morning.  I stopped on the way to work and bought some apples and carrots to munch on at my desk this week (vs the KitKats and Twix bars in the vending machine). 

I also managed to make it to the gym twice last week.  I have Sweet Gabster more often than not here lately (not complaining! I love that girl!) so I hope to get to the gym about three times a week, and just really make good (and long) use of those times. 

It's not that I have much weight to lose back (only about 5 or 6 pounds) but I need to get those workouts in and firm up my jello belly again.  Gabbie's favorite thing to do lately is sit on my lap and poke my jiggly belly with her finger.  :-o

And I just really feel better overall when I'm going to the gym on a regular basis.  Yesterday I felt like taking a nap but I made myself get up and go to the gym, and I actually felt better afterward than I would have after a nap (although I did go to bed at nine o'clock last night!)

No More Cake For Me!

One of our co-workers had a birthday yesterday (the big Six-Oh!)

His favorite holiday is Halloween (I think he still curses his mother for not holding him in for five extra days!)  He also loves pirates.  

So ... another co-worker made him this cake. 

And I ate a piece.  It was just yellow cake .... but it had Hershey's icing on it.  That was the part that did me in.  Ugh!  And I didn't have a very big piece at all.  I think I'd have been ok if I'd just eaten the cake.

The icing was very sweet and very rich (the kind of stuff I used to eat by the serving platter full).

I was miserable all day.  Sick.  Just wanted to lay in the floor and moan.  

So, I guess I really have adjusted to my new healthy 'lifestyle'.

It's Tuesday Again ...

And that means it is weigh in day.  I am five pounds from goal.  Yeah, I know the ticker says three, but I backslid over the past couple of weeks.  That 'three' is where I was on the morning of BoyChild's wedding.  I was excited because I had met (exceeded) my goal for his wedding.  I wanted another five beyond that for my ultimate goal.  And I'll get there.  Now I'm aiming to get there before Thanksgiving.  I'll see all my family, most of whom I haven't seen since last Thanksgiving; and if I reach that ultimate goal (and I will reach it!) they will see a me that is 21% smaller than last year.  Wow!  I'll only be 79% of the old me?  That sounds pretty good.  I will have lost The Gabster plus a couple of extra pounds!

Now I'm really motivated!!!

Back To (Our Verision Of) Normal ....

Who knows what 'normal' really is any more, but at least it has slowed down a bit this week.

Sunday was a leisurely day.  We went to Ma and Pa's for lunch.  Just grilled burgers, potato salad (that stuff was good but thank goodness we've finally eaten it all!), and baked beans.  We just all sat around and visited for a bit and relaxed.  BoyChild and DIL were back from the cruise, BabyBrother was there and it was a nice day with them and BabyGurl.

Then of course I had to do laundry and all that good stuff later.  I'm about to get caught up on most of the things I got behind on when everyone was sick and the world as we knew it was in a tizzy.  Things sure can get behind in a hurry (not that I'm ever really caught up with laundry, dishes, etc, LOL).

Back at work yesterday, beginning to get comfortable with the new software (though some of the changes are definitely not improvements).

Managed to go to the gym Sunday and Monday.  Took today off.  Will hit it again tomorrow.  Been doubling up on the strength training machines.  Hoping to get rid of these bat wings and the two little belly pooches.  Still working on the cardio too.  About four pounds to goal (yeah, the badge says three, but that was before I ate like a pig Sunday).  I will probably go a couple pounds past that to give myself those two pound of leeway to make it easier to stay under 'goal'.

Really looking forward to going into the holidays with healthy new eating habits.  Yes, I will eat some dressing and sweet potatoes, and at Christmas I will eat sweet potato cake; but I'll be able to control my portions (and I'll work extra hard at the gym).

Looking forward to starting the new year having already met my 'resolution'!

I'll leave you with a couple more wedding photos:

Back On Track ...

Well, back on the treadmill actually.

Today was my first day at the gym in over two weeks.  Between being sick, having The Gabster, and then being sick again, I just didn't have it in me.

I did pretty good today, I just didn't hang in there quite as long or walk quite as fast or lift quite as heavy as before, but I got in a pretty full workout.  Did my arm/ab workout, walked on the treadmill and used the elliptical/bike for a bit.  I might could've gone a bit longer, bit didn't want to burn myself out the first day back.  I'll work back into it over the next few days.

The BoyChild's wedding is rapidly approaching.  Less than two weeks.  I'm taking off from work this Friday to get a few things taken care of (like "getting my toes did") and organizing the buffet for the rehearsal dinner.  Since the wedding (and rehearsal) will be at the home of the bride's parents, I'm going to put out a little buffet afterward for the wedding party.

I'll take off next Friday as well so I can finalize everything, and get it all to the location for the rehearsal / dinner.  Would love to take off a half day Thursday as well, but we're having some in-house training on new software on Wednesday and Thursday, so unless we finish early (or I just bail), it looks like I'll just be starting early Friday and "getting it done".

Oh, and thanks to everyone who "voted" in the "which dress" poll.  It was running neck and neck so I asked the bride and groom's opinions.  The groom of course said it didnt matter to him, and the bride said though she liked both, she liked the 'green' one a little better.  So, Option #1 it is!

I will however be the only "bootless" one.  The bride's mother has bought a dress "similar" to mine (according to the bride) and she found a pair of boots to wear with it as well.  It'll be ok.  I'll change into jeans and boots for the reception / party.

Option #2 ...

As promised, Mother-Of-The-Groom Dress Option #2.

I haven't really accessorized this one.  I think it needs colorful earbobs.  Oh, and I am going to "get my toes did" too, no matter which dress I choose. 

Daughter-in-law-to-be posted on her facebook this morning "sixteen more days!"

Falling Behind ...

Will have to do some more posting / catching up later this week.  Was sick last week, and had the Gabster over the weekend.  Then sort of relapsed with the sickness on Sunday night / Monday, so haven't even posted a few pics of the precious angel yet. 

Been so busy / sick there's been no gym time (tomorrow will be two weeks, yikes!) but because of the loss of appetite I've still managed to lose this week.  Gotta get back in the routine soon though.  Might actually make my interim goal before the wedding (in just over two weeks!) and then I'll still have another five pounds to go after that.  I feel good that I'm gonna get there (and stay there) this time though.  Of course, I'll need all new winter clothes (Ross' here I come!)

Will try to get you a pic of "Mother of the Groom Dress Option #2" soon.  Maybe even tomorrow.  :-)

(Oh, and I went to Nashville last night too, so I'll try to recap that in the next day or two as well.)

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Catching Up .....

Haven't posted in a while.  Been busy.  Haven't accomplished much, but I've been busy at it.  ;-)

Had The Gabster over the weekend.  We had a great time as usual.  We went to the park again but didn't stay long this time.  It just didn't seem to be where she wanted to be this time.  I didn't get many pictures, but I thought maybe she was trying her version of 'planking' in this one.

We came home and had a good lunch, then she took a two and a half hour nap (I rested my eyes while listening to the tv).  About 3pm the a/c started acting up.  I opened the windows and turned on the fans and it wasn't too unpleasant but by bedtime I still did not have it working so I got her bathed and dressed and took her over to Mom and Dad's to spend the night because she had been coughing a good bit due to her allergies and sinus drainage and I knew she needed to sleep cool.

Great day at church Sunday.  In fact, she took me to the nursery vs me having to take her.  She started down the hall and motioned for me to c'mon, so I did.  She hung her bag on the hook and waved goodbye to me.  When I went back to get her later she was playing happily.  We started back down the hall to go outside to the car and her PawPaw had already gone to the car because he was convinced we had gone out a different door since we were taking so long.  But The Gabster had to stop and speak to everyone she encountered along the way, and there were a lot of people in that hall.

Monday she went to the doctor and got some meds for her sinus infection, so she is feeling much better now.  However, every time the little stink gets an infection, I get it too!  I've just suffered through it and am much better today, but BabyGurl went to the doctor today also and got meds for sinus infection and bronchitis.  BabyGurl also bought us both a neti pot last night and tried hers when she got home.  I was already in bed asleep so I am going to try mine tonight.  She said it was amazing how much better she could breathe afterward.

And of course I was so sick yesterday (didn't go to work) that I didn't even update the weight loss adventure.  I've lost another 1.4 pounds this week for a total of 22.2 pounds.  Yay me!!  I am still 4.8 pounds away from where I want to be before the wedding, and I haven't been to the gym since Sunday since I've been so sick (and probably won't go any this week because of this nagging cough which will surely be aggravated by over-exertion).   So I'm going to have to try to be very very good this week with my eating.  However ..... I did wear a pair of size 8 pants to work today!!!  Woo Hoo!!  I have a pair of size 8 jeans that are gonna fit in about two more pounds!

I will leave you with one last picture from the weekend.  You already know the girl is all about clothes and shoes ..... well now we're making sure she knows all about Avon too!!  (She's picking out purple fingernail polish!)

Eh, Well ....

So this was my second time out of three months that I didn't lose.  I gained four-tenths of a pound this week.  That's the same as I gained the week I was on vacation, over my birthday.  But considering what I ate on Sunday and yesterday, I think I got off light (pun intended).

So I'm back on track today.  I have enough calories left for a small snack in a few minutes, and I went to the gym today and burned off a few calories.  I also went to bed early last night and Sunday night (9pm) because I was exhausted both evenings, and now I finally feel like I have caught up.  Though since all of "my shows" have ended their summer seasons (Tuesday's are usually Memphis Beat and Covert Affairs) I will probably go to bed no later than 930 tonight.  I may read a chapter or two in one of the two books I am reading (yes, I am reading two books at one time).

Hopefully, with the additional food I ate this weekend, and the rest I have stocked up on, I will be back on track to lose this week.  I shall let you know seven days from now!  :-)

Starving ...

Remember the kids game from a few years ago?  That's how I've been feeling for the past two days.

Yesterday at Ma's we had baked chicken leg quarters, fried okra, blackeyed peas and cornbread, and potatos with white sauce (lots of flour, milk, and butter!)  I didn't pig out but I did eat a plateful ... a good bit more than I usually eat, even on Sunday's at Ma's.  And when I got done I was still hungry.  

Today I have been hungry all day.  I've tried to eat healthy (lots of fruit) and for supper I had plenty of food, but "good" food (boiled shrimp, tomatos, cheese, crackers).  I was still hungry so I had a piece of bread spread with my new friend, almond butter.  That helped, but I am still a little bit hungry.  I'm hoping once it all "settles" I will not feel hungry.  If it does, I will find something to eat.  I cannot stand to be hungry.  I don't mean just "wanting chocolate" or something like that, I mean really hungry.  

And for two days I have been "really hungry".  Grrrrr!!!!!

Food!

You knew I'd talk about food again sooner or later didn't you?  :-)

My friend Julie told me about almond butter, so today I bought some on my (dreaded) trip to WalMart.  Doggone it's good!  I also bought Nutella, which I've heard a lot about - and as soon as I try it (maybe with my bagel tomorrow morning?) I'll let you know how I like it.

The weight loss is stalling this week, and in fact I'm up a pound since Tuesday.  Grrr!! But I'm steady watching my calories, and getting to the gym at least three times a week (this week I've actually been every day but Wednesday, though yesterday's workout wasn't very intense).   So I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and sooner or later (hopefully sooner) I'll start losing again.

There've been a few occasions recently at work where food (cake!) has been brought in for one reason or another (or for no reason at all) and I've resisted very well.  The first was for a baby shower, and I took a very small piece (about and inch and a half square) and ate less than half of it.  It was a very good cake, but just two or three bites was more than enough for me (and later when I tried to look up calories for it I about had a heart attack!!)   Last week there was a birthday, and took one bite of chocolate (with chocolate icing) cake, and again, that was more than enough to satisfy me (and that says a lot from someone who used to would have eaten a piece at the party and smuggled a second piece back to my desk for a snack later!)

So, I've made some major adjustments in my eating habits, and so far it's looking like it's something I'll be able to stick with long term.  Oh, I also passed up Krispy Kreme's a couple of weeks ago too!!

Here is the almond butter I bought.  It's much better than peanut butter.  It didn't seem as 'rich' as peanut butter, and that's a good thing.

I'll post about the Nutella later ... after I actually try it!

Updated to add:

Oh!  My!  Goodness!!  

I can't believe how long I've been wanting to try this and kept forgetting about it until I would see an advertisement on tv.  For so long I have been missing out on this yummy goodness.  All I can say is, go getcha some now!!

Getting There .....

Another 1.4 pounds this week.  Five weeks til the wedding.  Hoping to be able to continue at the rate of 1.5 pounds per week til then.  At that point I'll be within five pounds of my final goal.

Looking foward to going into the holidays and being able to enjoy feeling good and looking good.  What a joy it will be to start a new year in which I don't have to make a "resolution" to lose weight!!! 

Update:  Aha! I've just figured out how to add a weight loss ticker to the right hand side of the blog so I dont have to manually add it every time I update it.  Now, those of you who are actually interested (all one of you? LOL) can check up on me any time!

What A Difference 20 Pounds Makes ...

I wasnt gonna post any pics til I was done and done.  But the one I took this morning made me realize how far I've come, so I decided to share.  

Approximately 20 pounds down from the first picture til the second one.  First one is me (I'm the tall one) and my partners in  crime last September in Nashville.  Second one is this morning.   

I still have about 13 pounds to go, then a LOT of work on toning and shaping and all that jazz.  I work hard on keeping the mid-section "sucked in",  otherwise it is all soft and squishy.  So once I reach my final goal I'll spend more time on strength training and shaping and trying to get all the shapes back into their original places, LOL!  

Sometime in the next week I'll get BabyGurl to take a couple of pics of me in the dresses I have to decide between to wear to the wedding so you can all offer opinions.  It will be an easy decision for you; there are only two!

Tuesday Ticker .... Week 8

Only 0.8 pounds this week.  Sigh ....

Sunday morning I was actually down another 0.4 but since Tuesday is my official weigh in day, I will just have to re-lose that other 0.4 before I can count it.   

Tuesday Ticker ....

Ta Daaaaaa!

Since I didn't report in last week (vacation) this is a two week report .... 

in two weeks (counting vacation) I lost THREE pounds! Yay me!!

Vacation Aftermath ....

I didnt get to report in on Tuesday last week ... since I was on VACATION! :-)

In spite of not keeping up with what I ate, and not "eating healthy" all the time, I only gained 0.5 pounds for the week (from Saturday til Thursday).  Not too bad I'd say.

I'll be reporting in this Tuesday.  Not sure what the numbers will be after eating at Mom's house two days in a row! LOL.  Although today it is grilled burgers, and I will limit myself to one (with no chips!)

Down, Down, Down ....

2.2 pounds this week.

Actually, on Sunday morning I was down .4 lower than this .... but then there was the dreaded Sunday dinner that I still haven't overcome!  LOL.  

The total for four weeks is 7.8 and that's right in line with the 'recommended' 'healthy' weight loss rate of about two pounds per week.  

Plus, I'm still going and working on the weight machines and trying to tone as I go.  (Trying really hard to lose the bat wing arms but not much progress there yet.)

Longest, Roughest, Toughest Workout So Far ...

It wasn't really all that long, rough, or tough, but still it was the longest, roughest, toughest so far!! 

Worked out my upper arms / chest / abs first.  (Really really want to lose the bat wing arms and the belly pooch).  

Then to the treadmill.  60 minutes, 3.5 miles, 4% incline.  (Actually bumped it up to 5% for about ten minutes near the end.)

Then another round on the arms / chest / abs.  

Then, I went to the grocery store and kept thinking "why didnt I get a buggy instead of a basket?"  I didnt need much at all.  Some fruit, half gallon of orange juice, and some bread.  But I also picked up three cans of Progresso soup (low sodium!).  

It was all I could do to carry the basket!!

I just kept thinking "if I'm gonna drop this, please wait til I get home and let me drop it in my own yard, not in the store or the parking lot!"  

I made it home ok.  Got in, put it all away, and made dinner.  Now I'm thinking about going to bed.  At 8:30pm!!

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Sunday's Are Tough .....

on the diet that is.  Today it was meatloaf, cornbread, dried blackeyed peas, and mashed potatoes (yes, with milk and butter).

I didn't have any meatloaf and only a small spoonful of potatoes ..... but I just about used up my daily allotment of calories on the peas and cornbread.  

The only thing that might help save me is that last night we were at the ballpark with Nephew and so there was no supper (I didnt eat any ballpark food, I had taken some fruit cups for The Gabster so I indulged in one of those.)

I had a small salad when I got home at 9pm!

Stay tuned for Tuesday!!

Tuesday Ticker Time ...

Only one pound this week.

Three week total is 5.6 pounds.  

I'll get there .... someday ....