Not Weight Loss Related

Taking a break from diet/weight loss posts (except to say my jeans are feeling a little loose, but I haven't weighed myself since that one post a few weeks ago...)

Two months from today I will start my fall semester. My senior year of college. And I am so excited! But also a little worried. I will be taking my Senior Seminar in History class this fall. I already know the major assignment is to write a 20 page paper on a subject of my choice. And I planned to do that this summer. But now I'm at the halfway mark of summer, and I still haven't done a single thing. (Full disclosure: we can elaborate on a previously written paper, which I have chosen to do... so technically I already have about 10 pages written.) So, Nazi propaganda films (the subject of my previously written paper) have been on my mind the last few days. And maybe instead of blogging about how I'm running out of time I should get off the internet and start researching and writing.

Annnd, (okay now I'm just complaining) I am in a show this summer. Which I am so happy to be doing. But I'm supposed to be off book by like next week, and I'm not even close. Nowhere near close to being prepared. Blah. I'd forgotten how much work goes into theatre. I love it, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Maybe this was not the best summer to do every.single.thing. I want to do. (you know, work 2 jobs, write my senior seminar paper, be in a play, lose weight, get debt under control, go on a vacation with the in-laws) whine. whine. whine.

Okay. Feeling better now that that's off my chest.

Weekend Wrap Up and Weekly Goals (and a little extra)

Weekend Wrap Up first, because I'm kind of excited about it.

This weekend was my first anniversary with the hubs. Our first year of marriage has been full of ups and downs. We've worked hard to get where we are and I am so happy (and proud) that we've made it to our first anniversary relatively unscathed. I am so happy I get to spend the rest of my life with the most amazing man.




We went out to eat a lot and I did not eat well this weekend. And I'm not beating myself up about it. And I think that's progress... at least psychologically.



Weekly Goal (better late than never)

-I am doing pretty well with the water thing. Actually, I am kind of proud of how I am sticking with it even when I mess up. I am drinking at least 64 ounces each day (except the past weekend) and some days I am drinking more than that. Thanks so much to those who commented on my water post. Your input was very helpful.

-This week, I will focus on not eating so late.
Over the past few years I have developed the habit of eating reallly late. I used to start eating dinner at like 9 or 10. And I have gotten a little better now that I have changed jobs and am working a (mostly) consistent schedule. But I also like to snack after dinner too. I know that not eating past 8 will definitely help me cut down on my late night snacking.

-And a second goal, because I'm feeling ambitious. I will defintiely try to blog more consistently. I only really blog when I'm at work (really hoping my boss doesn't find/read this... lol). I really don't even get on a computer at all on my off days. I just check facebook and twitter from my phone. That's pretty much the extent of my computer use when I'm not at work. But I will really work hard to find some kind of system to blog when I'm not at work.



And, for something not eating/diet/weight/health related:
It's not really a huge secret that the hubs and I are in a lot of debt. It's probably not a secret that I hate paying bills. But this month, I have enjoyed it. I haven't seen the checks as money I wish I had/should have/am entitled to but more as something I'm building for the fututre. I feel like our financial fututre is looking bright. I get so excited about pay day so I can spend all of our money on paying off our debt. And it's empowering to watch the amount we owe dwindle down... to know that in a few short years (of sacrificing things we want) we will be in control of our money. (I am finding that this struggle with our debt is similar to my struggle with weight loss. The only difference is that I am doing much better with the debt thing.) I know that this wouldn't really be possible without the support we've gotten from our families and friends (financial and otherwise) or the blessing we have of a free place to live thanks to my job. I guess that this has been something I've been thinking about lately and I just feel so relieved (especially after the first four months of 2010) and grateful and excited and just so very blessed.

Helllloooo

I am the worst.blogger.ever. I haven't even really gotten on a computer for fun in a while.

I guess I have a lot to catch up on...

1. Last week was iffy concerning my goals. Some days I did really well, other days, I barely drank water at all. so...
2. This week, I was going to set another small goal for myself, but I don't feel like I've conquered the water goal yet, and since this week is already half over, I think sticking with the water thing is probably for the best. I have been doing much better with it this week.
3. My family is at the beach so the hubs and I are house & dog sitting. This has thrown my diet and schedule off a bit. I feel like I'm on vacation too.
4. My one year anniversay with the hubs is Sunday! I'm pretty excited. It doesn't seem like it's been a whole year.
5. Rock Band Party tonight. I am pumped. But I am already seeing bad eating and drinking for the night. There's just no denying it.

Alabama Summers

I. Hate. Them.

I hate the heat. Fat people sweat. And sweaty me is just not a pretty sight. Summers in Alabama make me want to curl up next to a fan in an air conditioned room with a snack.

Also, I am kind of a terrible blogger. I can't seem to make myself blog on my off days. Lately I've shied away from computers altogether on my off days. Except for the occassional facebook check.

I am not a very good dieter either. I have made poor decisions all week. Guess I'll just have to face the consequences. (But, I did buy a water bottle and have been doing pretty well with that, so I haven't totally sucked...)

I'm very boring today (all week, really). It's been kinda busy with the 2 jobs and a show thing. They're taking over my life.

Weekend Wrap Up and Weekly Weight Loss Goals

Mondays are weird.
There I said it.

I don't hate 'em, but I certainly don't love 'em. I feel like Mondays on my blog would be best spent discussing the previous weekend's activities/accomplishments/failures/whatevers and focusing on setting small weekly goals.

Have I mentioned my weekly goals thing? Probably not. Sometimes I just get carried away with my own thoughts and I forget that not everyone else is inside my head and following along. (<--- The Hubs always tells me that I'm moving the conversation too fast... that he can't hear what's going on inside my head, so he thinks we're talking about one thing and I've moved on to another subject entirely... and it's true.)

As for the first part of the title, my weekend sucked. I mean I had a really really good weekend working and spending time with the hubs and my family celebrating Father's Day early, but I messed up so badly so often. And I let it bleed into my Monday (helloooo sausage biscuit breakfast!)... I just need to keep reminding myself not to let these slip ups ruin the rest of the journey as usual. I can't quit now just because I've had an incredibly delicious unhealthy (and pretty lazy) weekend.

Back to my weekly goals thing... because I am attempting to alter my way of life instead of simply dieting, I've decided to set small (hopefully) manageable goals for myself each week. In theory, they'll all pile up on each other and change my eating habits and ideas about food etc. Or at least, that's how I'm hoping it'll work. [Or maybe, I'll find a diet that works for me and want to do that instead. But, I'm not going to waste time while I'm looking for a plan that suits me.]

So, without wasting more of your precious time...

My goal for this week:

• Drink more water. I never claimed it would be an exciting goal. I'm thinking more along the lines of baby steps.

I know how important water is. My body needs it to function. And it's a necessity during these scorching Alabama summers. Plus, who doesn't love clear skin?
I am a sucker for sodas. Once upon a time I loved water and Coke never even crossed my mind.... And then I got a job in a restaurant. Now, I drink way too much sugary carbonation and not nearly enough water. Earlier this year I gave up soda for Lent. It was so hard, but I actually did it (with one or two slip ups)! So I know I can live without it for awhile, but the real challenge is learning to balance my body's need for water with my love for soda. I'm a little nervous. I've never been very good at moderation (obviously).

Also, how much water is enough? I've heard a few theories: 64 ounces, half of your body weight (132.5 ounces seems like a lot of water!), 1-2 gallons. Which one is it?!?! How much do I need to drink?! I haven't even begun and I'm already getting frustrated!

Happy Father's Day!

Weakness

I am so weak.

For the last 2 days, my work has been hosting a conference of about 40 wonderful ladies. Well, these ladies came equipped with their own snacks. I'm talking about a large conference room full of delicious goodies... And, trying to be nice, their leader has offered me these snacks several times.

So I was good yesterday and stuck with the fruit and veggies and avoided the tables with the stuff I really wanted (cookies, brownies, muffins, cakes and everything else that falls into the delicious snack category).

But today, I was (am) weak. They gave me a pre-made plate full of all the delicious treats I tried to avoid. And, well... I took it. I am currently enjoying an oatmeal raisin cookie as I type.

And I feel so guilty about it. (But not guilty enough to put the cookie down)

Maybe I'll work out today to ease my conscience. I usually save Fridays and Saturdays as my off days for working out (side note- I say "usually" like I've been working out forever, but I've really only been working out for like 2 weeks), but I have a feeling this plate of delicious is gonna make me feel bad until I do something about it.

The Ugly Truth

Today, I will be completely honest.

I haven't stepped on a scale since I got married a year ago. I feel like I should know where I am starting when I set a goal for myself.

And what better way to hold myself accountable than to post my progress in a public forum?

So, when I stepped on the scale yesterday, for the first time in almost a year, I was appalled.

I guess I can't really put it off any longer. Here are my statistics:

• Height: 5'5"
• Weight: 265 lbs
• Measurements: 45-47-52

So, I guess now that I have a starting point, I should determine my weight loss goals. (I plan to also make a list of fitness goals, but I think that is another post entirely.)

I'd like to:

• Lose 90 lbs - I weighed 175lbs when I met the hubs (4 years ago) and I was very healthy then. I also know 175 is a realistic number for me. I'm not asking to look like twiggy or anything, I just want to be healthy.
• Wear a size 12 pants (this was also the case when I met the hubs)

Basically I'd like to look the way I did when Josh and I met/started dating. Wouldn't it be nice to do this by Christmas? As much as I'd love that, I'm not putting a time limit on myself... I think it could potentially discourage me.



I know I do much better with an illustration. So I'll end with some pictures.

Me now(ish):
Taken April 2010





















And this is my goal.

<----- That's me, third from the left in the blue shirt. This was taken May 2006. I met the hubs about a month after this picture.

I know it might be difficult to see, but this is the only full body picture I could find from that time.

It's All Coming Together

I had Tuesday and Wednesday off. It's been a nice break. On the fitness front I got to spend some time in the SAC over the last 2 days. Tuesday I biked 5 miles (30 minutes) and did a half a mile on the elliptical (it was cut short by my husband's enthusiasm to show me his favorite machines in the SAC) and Wednesday I did the morning water exercise class I signed up for with my stepmother. Today I decided to work out to the Hip Hop Abs (Hips, Buns, and Thighs) DVD that my friend, Brandy gave me. Let me tell you it kicked my hips buns and thighs. But I enjoyed it and the Shaun T (the man who hosts it) is funny. He kept me entertained during my workout.

I had planned to post the dirty truth: all my stats... my weight, my measurements. Everything. But I am just so excited about other things.

Last night my husband informed me that he will be a full time photographer. His dream is coming true! And I couldn't be happier for him. He really deserves this. Over the last few months he's been splitting his time working part time at Best Buy and part time at a wonderful photography studio in our town, Fotowerks. Earlier this week he told me his boss at the photography studio wanted to discuss future plans for working full time at the photography studio. Well, everything has been worked out and we are in the process of slowly working him into full time at the studio and cutting his time at Best Buy. He's very happy and I am ecstatic. It seems like he's finally catching a break. His dream is finally coming true.

I be up in the gym just workin on my fitness

you know... to be fergalicious.


I've started to take advantage of my University's Student Activity Center(SAC). I've just decided that I need to do something to be healthy. My family has been posting old pictures on facebook and it really made me realize how bad I've gotten.

I'm lazy and I like to eat. And this combination has led me from "healthy" to "pleasantly plump" right into "there's-no-hiding-it-just-plain-fat." Ironically, as much as I dislike what I see in the mirror everyday I feel much less disgusted with myself than I did before I gained the 100 lbs. I wonder why. Because I know I should feel worse about myself now than I did then.

So anyhow, for now I'm exercising more and trying to eat less. I don't really have a plan. I'd like to look into one. Suggestions?


And I'm working on goals. My brother and stepmother have been getting into 5ks. And there's one near me next month. So I think that is a good short term goal... be able to walk/jog a 5k without dying. Beyond that I'm not sure... maybe I'll ponder fitness/health/weight goals today and post about them later this week (or tomorrow...)



Here's a little inspiration... can I just say looking like this is my long term goal?

I'm an Aunt!

(Again)

My sister-in-law, Hannah, had her baby Thursday afternoon. Congrats to both Hannah and Jordan. And to Solomon on being a big brother.

Welcome to the world Grace Eden!

~~~~~

Also, my little brother, Joe, is playing in a battle of the bands tonight. Can't wait to see him play. He's an amazing drummer.

Picture taken by Grace's mother, Hannah. I wish I could take credit for it.

Introductions, Of Course

Hi may name is Andrea. I am a recent blog follower and now have decided to cave and start my own blog.

This blog will not be about a specific topic as my life does not necessarily focus on one thing... I imagine it will cover a variety of topics. You know, whatever I happen to be interested in at the time. Lately I've been really loving weight loss blogs, home and craft blogs, and fashion blogs. So for now, that will probably be what I focus on. Let's be honest, starting a blog is sort of a self serving thing. And I plan on using this space to talk about what I like... Attention-whore much? Yeah, I'd say so.