30 for 30

So, I've decided to do Kendi's 30 for 30 challenge... Thought long and hard about it because this means wearing a combination of the same 30 items of clothing until finals(!), but ultimately these reasons solidified my decision:
1. This is not only a weight loss blog... it just kind of evolved into one. Time to focus on other things.
2. Maybe I'll update my blog more than once a week.
3. This challenge will (hopefully) force me to be creative, especially at this awkward stage where so many of my clothes are too big or too small...
4. It just looks like a lot of fun!

So, without further ado, here are the 30 items that made the cut for the challenge.3 Dresses: (L to R) Ross, Target, "Borrowed"

3 Shirts For Layering: (Top to Bottom) Target, Old Navy, Old Navy

5 (+1) Shirts: (Top to Bottom) Ross, Gift, Old Navy, Target, Gift, (plus a black turtleneck that's currently in the washer)

1 Blazer/5 Cardigans: (Left to Right) Ross, Old Navy, Old Navy, Old Navy, Ross, Target

3 Sweaters: (Left to Right) Gift, Old Navy, Old Navy

4 Bottoms: (Left to Right) Skinny Jeans- Ross, Khaki Skirt - Thrifted, Denim Skirt - Target, Black Skirt - Ross

5 Shoes: (Left to Right): Payless, Target, Avenue, Gift, Target

Notice a trend? Hey... I'm a broke college student. If it's over $20, I very seldom buy it.

Bonus picture, just cuz I like it.

[Thanks Josh, for taking and editing these pictures. You're pretty awesome.]

October Recap

Whoa. Can this actually be a second post in one week? I know... a little crazy, but maybe I am turning over a new leaf. Probably not.

Back at the end of September/beginning of October, I posted a recap of month 1. It thought it would be a good idea to do the same for month 2, if for no other reason but to document it for myself... so here goes:

First, the facts:

8/30 weight: 270lbs

9/27 weight: 257 lbs

11/1 weight: 250 lbs

So, I've lost 7 lbs in October and a total of 20lbs since the beginning. Wow. That feels kinda awesome.

October, was a bit more difficult for me. I am starting to get impatient and sometimes a little frustrated. For about 2 weeks in October month I didn't lose any weight (254 was a difficult number to conquer). I know the reason I didn't lose any weight is because I just wasn't as diligent about tracking my food on myplate. But it got better, and I lost those 4 pesky pounds. Not losing 2lbs each week, though, was pretty frustrating. And... I'm so incredibly impatient. Always have been. I just want to be at my goal weight now. I just want to feel great and look good now. Sometimes you just have to remind yourself: it took awhile to get this way, it's going to take awhile to undo the damage.

I didn't just wake up one morning 100 lbs heavier, it's going to take months or years (months would be nicer) to lose this weight. Plus, I want to do this in a healthy manner and not cause any more damage to my body. My body is my temple and it should be treated as such.

But, I will say it is encouraging to have to tighten my belt (I'm at the 3rd notch in now instead of stretching it as far as it will go!) and to see how baggy my jeans are or how sweaters fit differently each week.

Also, I have a few new favorite recipes! Bacon, pear and gorgonzola pizza is delish! And the fish tacos are so yummy... mmmm my mouth is watering just thinking about all the delicious food I've been introduced to.

So, here's a few pictures to wrap up this post:

October 1.

November 3. 250 lbs. Messy room, because I never have anything to wear...

I have nothing witty to say...

okokok. I know. I suck at blogging.

So, the most important part of this update:
11/1 weight: 250.
I'VE LOST 20 POUNDS!!!!!

And I have so many new things to mark off my 101 list.

Went to Chickamauga last weekend for my class. I loved it and didn't want to come home to the real world. And I really want to go back now. I love the party bus! Thanks guys (if you're reading this) for making a good trip even better!

Also, had my last session with my undergraduate advisor. It's so sad because she is pretty amazing. Gonna miss her. But, she suggested I look into doing an undergraduate research project next semester... Not sure how I feel about that. The deadline to apply is in 10 days, so I gotta decide soon.

p.s. I am kind of obsessed with this song and video.
pps. I can do the Patty Cake Polka now. Be jealous.

catch up

This is a bad trend. You know, where I don't blog for a long time... that's the bad trend.

but in my defense. I've been kinda busy...

So, after two weeks of not losing any weight (but not gaining any either) I finally kicked my butt into gear and have gotten back on track with the tracking what I eat on myplate at livestrong.com. I'm feeling pretty confident about Monday.

Other major goings on lately:
-Went to ASFA to see the Theatre Dept's show. It was fan-freaking-tastic.
-Applied to grad school (have i mentioned that already?) and am not so patiently awaiting news.
-J and I are on a house building tangent. We spend a lot of time thinking/planning/discussing our future house. I think this is happening because we are getting antsy in our current situation, and it seems like everything will start happening when I finally graduate college/grad school.
-I am thisclose to finishing my Senior Seminar paper. Can't wait til it's finished.
-Next weekend I'm going to Chickamauga. SO EXCITED!

And some weird things I've noticed while I've been losing weight:
-I love Amy's frozen foods. Some of the meals make me nauseous though. not very fun. Is it the meals? Am I getting sick? What's up with this?
-Although I'm losing weight, my boobs are the same size. Score! There was some nervousness (from me and J) about the boobs shrinking. So far, it hasn't happened... Don't know how long this lucky streak will last. Hopefully forever.
-My calves are still big too. And it's kinda upsetting because um hello it's boot season. And mine aren't fitting into any boots these days (not even the "wide-calf" boots I bought)
-Also, my clothes are fitting weird. It's cool though. Cuz I'm pretty excited about buying more when I outshrink these.

Losing Weight and Making Big Decisions

Ok. First is Monday's weigh-in result, because I cannot seem to post these on Mondays.
10/4: 254lbs.
-3lbs last week... not gonna lie, I was a little surprised. I didn't think I did well enough to warrant a 3lb drop, but I'll take it.


I also realized that I haven't discussed the new goal for my weight: 165lbs. Went to the doctor over the summer and saw my chart. I weighed 163lbs in the beginning of 2006, back when I felt healthiest. That's the only reasoning I have. Of course, this isn't set in stone. If 170 or even 175 feels right, I'll stay there. No pressure.

Also, I don't want to make any announcements until this is certain, but there have been some major decisions made this week that will have major effects on my life (and, you know, Josh's life will be affected too). Let's just say I will be incredibly busy trying to get accepted to UM's Alternative Fifth Year program over the course of the next 5 weeks. I'm a big, tightly wound ball of stress and nerves and anxiety. And I'm nervous how this will impact my weight loss journey.





On a lighter note, I made a 107 on my first Historical Geology Exam. Yay! The group study sessions made a huge impact. Special Shout Out to my study buddies Jamie and Steve!

Month 1 of Carblovers

So, I started the Carblovers Diet on 8/30/2010 weighing 270lbs. On 9/27 (the last weigh-in of September) I was down to 257 lbs. Woo Hoo for a 13lb weight loss! No problems tooting my own horn about that.

I've just got to say that I never thought it would be so easy to lose this weight. As I've said previously, the first week kicked my butt and I was ready to quit by the end of day 1. Honestly, sticking it out for the rest of the week was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. The rest of this "diet" (I type quotes because it doesn't even seem like a diet now) was a breeze. There were a few times (ahem mybirthday ahem) that I messed up, but I feel like the most important part of this whole process was that I never gave up on it. September was a learning month for me and Carblovers. I learned new recipes, new ways to handle my stress (goodbye buttercrunch milkshakes), that I need to find healthier ways to celebrate, etc etc.

I have a feeling October will have just as many lessons for me to learn as well, and I can't wait.

So, to end this post I have before and after pictures for month one. As much as I love reading about people's weight loss through their blogs pictures just drive the point home.

This was taken on our beach trip with Josh's family the week before we started Carblovers. August 25, 2010, maybe?

And this is me today (10/01/10). I made a point to wear the same shirt to be as consistent as possible. While I'm in a much more flattering position, I can see some difference in the two pictures. It's pretty exciting to see some results!

I have a long way to go to get to 165 (what? I didn't mention this new goal weight? I'll have to save it for another day), but I also feel like I've come pretty far too.

A day late. A dollar Short.

The title has very little to do with this post...

I am so bad about posting my weigh-in results on Mondays... Anyhow, I am here to write about it now... Better late than never, right?
Monday 9/27 : 257lbs. That's another 2 lbs gone!
And now that I am down 13 lbs since the beginning, I am finally starting to see some physical changes in myself. My jeans aren't as tight as they used to be, my face seems to be thinning a bit, shirts that once fit just right are roomier.

While these are good things, there are some small issues I am having with my changing body.

I.Cannot.Go.Shopping.
or at least, I can't really go shopping and justify spending any money on clothes that won't fit in a few months.... I can justify spending money on shoes though ;) and so all of my birthday money has been spent on things like shoes and coats... items that will last through my weight loss.

I am kind of planning for the future (I'm not sure if this is something taboo in weight loss, as this is the first time I've actually lost weight.) If I continue losing about 2lbs/week, at Christmas/New Years I will be back to the same size I was when I got married. So, for now that's a big thing to look forward to. For a longer term goal, losing 2lbs/week will put me very very close to my goal weight around my graduation. Of course, I am not putting extra pressure on myself to reach my goal by a certain date (there's enough pressure already with this semester's course load). It's just something nice to think about.

Along with all this good news, I feel the need to confess some of my bad habits too. I am not exercising. I really need to, but I just can't make myself do it. And I hate that. There always seems to be something in the way... Tests, papers, weekly quizzes (side note- who the heck gives weekly quizzes that are as difficult as actual tests?), weather, cramped quarters, laziness. Really it all boils down to laziness. I will try to make an effort to exercise. (But, on the bright side, I am more active in general... I think it has something to do with playing tag for 30 mins twice a week... and I get a grade for it!)

What do you do for exercise? How do you fit it into your schedule?