Pinterest Crazy

I set a weight gain goal for myself over Thanksgiving, of no more than 2lbs net gain this week. I am realistic enough to know that I wasn't going lose weight this week, and felt pretty confident that I'd be up a little bit. Thankfully I stayed within my goal, and while I am up, I'm only back up to 212. Considering what I weighed at the beginning of the week, I'm thrilled.

With three weeks left until we leave for St. Maarten, I feel confident I can hit one of my goals of being under 210lbs before then. Of course I'll probably be back over 210 after vacation, but I'll deal with that a few weeks from now.

I also realized that I'm not going to be in the shape that I want to be in order to be comfortable in a bikini, so I did purchase a couple new tankinis, and both are very flattering. I'm really proud of how I look in them, and can't believe how far I've come.

Thanksgiving was a wonderful few days (especially the food indulgences, yum). But mostly being with family and friends. We went shopping for bridesmaid dresses for Corrie and Justin's wedding, and Corrie picked an absolutely beautiful dress. It was such a special time since not only were four bridesmaids there (out of 6), but having Aunt Ruth and Grandmere there too was just too much fun. I also got to spend some time with Becca, Ben and Ben's fiancé Ashley. It was the first time that I've met Ashley, and I think she's wonderful. I'm so happy for my friend.

While we still have two months until we move into our new place, with only two weeks left until Sakief moves to Texas (!!!!!!!!!) I've gone into organization/packing mode. Last night I went a little Pinterest crazy with organization tips. I took on my dresser last night and was able to clear out a drawer so that I could move my undergarments back into the dresser. Since my freshman year of college they have lived in a plastic three drawer organizer, so it's nice to have that empty.

I also used a Pinterest tip to make that old plastic organizer a little nicer looking and mod podged some scrapbook paper onto the front. I have a much larger organizer that I'd like to ultimately get rid of, so I'm hoping to move all of that stuff (hair ties, meds, makeup) into the smaller one. Perhaps I can get rid of them all together in the new place, but I simply don't have the storage space in my current apartment to not use them. I find that Pinterest offers a lot of "duh" ideas, and I'm hoping that with using some shoe boxes and other dividers I'll fit everything in to a couple of drawers.

This was a good week for me exercise wise. Erin reminded me of my plea from last week's post that I need more motivation to work out, so despite how tired I was, Monday we hit the gym. Tuesday we went to a Zumba class and had a blast! And then I dragged my lazy butt back to the gym last night. Let's hope that I can keep it up!

Stats this week:
Weight: 212 lbs
Weight lost: 72.5 lbs
To go: 27.5 lbs
Work outs: 3

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family and friends, and potential other random people who stumble upon my blog.

I was really hoping to be in the next decade before heading to Maryland today to gorge myself on my grandmother's and aunt's wonderful cooking, but alas, I'm a day early and a half pound short. However, 2 lbs of weight loss is nothing to scoff at, so I'm going into this holiday a happy girl. That, and I'm just plain excited to be with the Casner fam in Maryland.

It may be a short trip since I head home at the crack of dawn on Sunday, but it's totally worth it. I get som quality family time, quality fiend time, Corrie wedding planning time, and if she and I are lucky, Breaking Dawn 2 time.

Tomorrow we plan to make a pilgrimage to Arlington National Cemetery to visit Bumps. It will be the first time that I've visited his grave, and will definitely be a bittersweet moment. I'm just glad that I'll have Corrie with me, although I think we'll both be a mess.

Afterward I'm planning to meet up with my luvah and Becca, and finally get to meet Ben's fiancé Ashley. I very rarely get to see Ben and Becca anymore, so it should be a good time. It's amazing to think that we've been friends for 11 years now. It seems rare to find people who stick around for that long.

Saturday is reserved for bridesmaid dress shopping! It's such a blessing to be able to go with Corrie, three of her other bridesmaids, my aunt and my grandmother. A few years ago I wasn't as cognizant of how important it is to share these moments with the important women in your life, and I hope when my time comes, that I'll remember how I feel now.

I really have so much to be thankful for, both on this trip, and everyday. I say it a lot, but I'll say it again, I'm thankful for all of my readers. You guys help motivate me, and give me the strength to keep going on this journey. Thank you for the continued support. And remember, if you must be gluttonous today, fill up on turkey, it's good for you!

Stats:
Weight: 210 lbs
Weight lost: 74.5 lbs
To go: 25.5 lbs
Work outs: 1 (someone help me get my work out motivation back, ahhhhhh!)

Who Wears Short Shorts?

Me!

For the first time in years I bought shorts today! And the even better part is that they are size 14! Normally this wouldn't be such a big deal, but when I say that it's been years since I've worn shorts, I mean it has been so long that I can't even remember. It has to be in early college, maybe.

They are also the first size 14 shorts/pants/whatever that I have been able to fit in since starting this process. I can't wait to wear the in St. Maarten. I have bought so many new clothes for this trip... I should probably stop. But I just can't help it, I have a new body, and I'm so excited about this trip that this is how I'm letting it all out.

My real squee moment of the day though is that I applied for a new fabulous apartment! Sakief and I have been on the hunt for a place to call ours (since my current place is anything but), and today I found it! As much as I hate packing and moving, I can't wait for this one. He and I will stay put for awhile, and I'll finally have a place to settle into. I mean, my bed is currently in my living room and most of my belongings are still in boxes because I didn't want to get too comfortable.

I'm sure it will go by quickly, but January 25 can't come soon enough! New home here we come!

Then And Now

The first time I began a weight loss journey I was 17 years old and about to begin my senior year of high school. I started at 211 lbs and dropped to 170. It amazes me that I allowed myself to get to the point where I've lost over 70 lbs and just now to my "first" starting weight.

But that is not the point of this post. The point is how different I think my body is at the same weight. Here are the things I can definitely tell are different:

1) I was a solid pant size 18 in high school, now I'm a solid 16.
2) I continued to *ahem* mature once I started college. I definitely have a more womanly figure.

My mom also thinks a lot of the difference has to do with my activity level. Let's be honest, once I stopped sports, I was pretty much sedentary. Now I exercise on a regular basis, and (hopefully) have more muscle.

Junior Banquet 2003 - Approx 210 lbs

Halloween 2012 - Approx 215 lbs

Flipping through my scrapbooks to find an example of "heavy" high school me, I also came across really skinny high school me (post weight loss). It's nice to be reminded of what I'm working towards, and what I have the potential to be. I'm ready for that, but willing to be patient over the next few months so that I do it right, and I don't start all over again a few years from now. This is a life change. Forever.






Stats this week:
Weight: 212 lbs
Weight lost: 72.5 lbs
To go: 27.5 lbs
Work outs: 1 (I know, I know, I should have at least been at 2. No excuses, I was lazy.)

Senior Portrait, Spring 2004 Approx 170 lbs - Inspiration!

Weekend Update

If only I were as witty as Tina Fey or Amy Poehler...

In any event, this past weekend, as I've been referring to for weeks now, Sakief was in town.  It was (I've already mentioned this as well) our last visit before he moves here in 33 days (who's counting though?). 

I managed to make it through the weekend relatively unscathed, thanks to support from both Sakief and Adam.  We may have gorged ourselves, but I managed to keep it low/no carb!  Yay me!  I did have a little bit of rice on Thursday when Sakief and I went out for Thai (best Thai food I've ever had, we will go back), and then had some ice cream at Salt Lick (though I avoided the amazing bread and potato salad). 

I definitely consumed more fat and sodium than I'm used to, so no scale cheating this morning, but I fully expect to see excellent results on Friday when I weigh in again. 

I'm likely to be low on exercise this week.  I'm drained from getting up so early to take him to the airport, and then on Weds I'm supposed to pick Erin and Maiya up from the airport after work (my family likes to travel...).  Tuesday and Thursday are my days to work out before my weigh in on Friday then, and I'm hoping to make them really count.

This weekend was really lovely.  It's always nice to get to spend laid back quality time with Sakief.  We celebrated our 2 year anniversary on Thursday when he got to town.  It's hard to believe that it has already been 2 years.  I'm really the luckiest.  Not only that, but he surprised me with an iPad!  I've been playing with it all weekend, haha. 

Unfortunately Sakief is currently dealing with a lost bag situation... they put his checked luggage tag on the wrong bag (and I'm sure vice versa).  And because it is his carry on, he had no ID tag on it (and because they took it from him quickly at the gate).  Who knows where it  is... Hopefully when the other person realizes that their bag is missing, a swap can be made.

UPDATE: The bag was located... in Boston, haha.  At least they found it and it will be returned. 

Inching Closer

After my last post Sakief reminded me that I didn't give my stats for the week.  I was up to 217.5 (though I'd seen higher that week, ugh), which meant a net gain of 3.5 lbs while I was on my little vacation from healthy living.

As promised, I began my "no carb" life again on Monday, and I am already down to my lowest weight yet (since starting this journey) at 213 lbs! 

It's definitely a diet that is hard to stick to. Last night I brought Chipotle over to Adam and Erin's.  I had a salad, which was delicious, but Maiya had a taco (that she was refusing to eat, shocker). I kept staring at the taco thinking "mmmm, tortilla". 

Granted, if I can make it through two weeks (and I WILL), then I will hopefully lose my carb cravings.  That's what the "experts" say (aka, the internet).  I'm very committed to keeping this up for the next 6 weeks or so, and I'm ever hopeful that it will make the difference I think it will.

On a related note... when did bathing suits become so damn expensive?  I was browsing the internet looking for tops to go with my lonely black bottoms, and just the TOP cost $60 and up.  Ugh.  I think I'll go back to Target, for real.

I also managed to get in three work outs this week, so that part is falling back in line as well.  I'm wondering if I just needed a bit of a mental break (and physical) from all of this in order to come back stronger than ever. 

Tonight my lovely boyfriend comes to town to spend a long weekend here, and I can't wait!  This is our last visit before he moves here in about 5 weeks.  While 5 weeks apart is not something I'm looking forward to, I'm glad that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  Pretty sure that those 5 weeks are going to fly by anyway, especially considering that I have a trip to MD planned for Thanksgiving in just a few weeks which makes me go "wweeeeeeeeeeeeeee". 

Stats this week:
Weight: 213 lbs
Weight lost: 71.5 lbs
To go: 28.5 lbs
Work outs: 3 (yes!!!)

No Excuses!

I've spent a lot of time over the past few weeks whining about how amazing my life is, and therefore why I OBVIOUSLY can't stick to my healthy lifestyle.  I have made a ton of excuses for myself for why I keep eating crappy or not working out.  To be fair, I really don't care that I enjoyed some higher calorie foods, and perhaps a bit of alcohol, while I've been traveling/playing over the past few weeks.  I don't believe in rewarding yourself with food, but I do believe in giving yourself a break when it's appropriate.  However, there is no excuse for the pure laziness while I've been at home.  Oh the fast food... gross.  And the lack of gym time, also gross.

I really do like working out.  I really do hate running.  It just won't stick.  But I spent 45 mins on the elliptical yesterday and it felt so good!  I'll be back tomorrow, you can count on it!  So why don't I work out?  Lazy. I've also managed to avoid yoga for what seems like months now... Sunday I'm definitely going.  I may need some help to get back to the gym on a regular basis, but I'm getting back into the right mind set, so I'm ever hopeful, especially since I do still have a visit from Sakief and Thanksgiving to get through before St. Maarten...

Today I bought lots and lots of healthy foods to stock my fridge and freezer, so I will have no excuses to not eat healthy.  As of Monday I'm back to my "phase 1", essentially no carbs except for veggies.  I am almost there already, however, I have a few bagel thins to eat still, so they will be breakfast this weekend (and I'm saving a few for Sakief to eat while he's here next weekend). 

My other big purchase of the day (or small as it may be) were two bikini bottoms.  No, I don't plan to go topless in St. Maarten.  I am still way too big (and may always be as my top half has changed dramatically) for the one bikini I own, and my other bathing suit it borderline too big.  I've been getting nervous about finding a bathing suit or two to take with me to St. Maarten, but bottoms are always my biggest problem.  They are both a little snug, but will hopefully serve as some added motivation to get my weight down more before vacation.  Tops are not as hard for me to find in my size, so I decided to wait until closer to the time.  Both are basic black, so I can buy almost anything to go with them.   I saw a bunch of cute tops at Target while I was there; I'm sure there will be plenty of options when the time gets closer.

So my mantra for the next 7 weeks or so (and thereafter) is NO EXCUSES!  Sure Thanksgiving will be hard, but I've got a lot more at stake, my health and happiness.