Happy 4th of July!!!

I hope everyone is having a great holiday!! 

I got in my exercise this morning in a fun way.  I walked in the Murray, UT (where David Archuletta is from) 4th of July parade with my school (Cameo College of Essential Beauty).  We had a blast, but my feet are KILLING me.  My daughters came with me, but they were able to be on the float for the entire parade...brats!!!  LOL  My feet didn't start hurting until the very end when we had to go down a fairly steep hill, then up a steep hill and then back down a steep hill.  Now, I'm resting my feet and legs for school tomorrow.  I have appointments all day and I'll be standing the whole time...my poor feet. 

My eating is not good, I'm having a hard time eating healthy.  Exercise isn't great, but I am doing some. 

Jenn

Life is crazy!

Life is totally insane right now!!!  Things have been crazy since the middle of February but things are finally starting to settle down. 

Last week was my first day back at school since Feb 15th.  I had to take a leave of absense, my mom had a major heart attack and because of complications from surgery she had been in the hospital until 3 weeks ago.  My mom and dad moved in with me and my family, so life is a little upside down right now, but we're getting into the swing of things. 

Obviously, weight loss has been on the back burner for the past few months, but now that I have some sort of routine, I'm going to start focusing more on my diet and exercise.  I'm starting Atkins today, I don't really like doing Atkins, but it's the only weight loss program that doesn't screw up my blood sugars (and actually helps them) so I'm going to go forth with a better attitude and see if that will help me enjoy it a little more. 

I really thought that the scale was going to show a HUGE increase because of all the hospital food and eating out, but luckily I only had a 2 lb. gain.  I guess walking around the hospital did some good. 

I got up early this morning and walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes before my kids woke up.  I'm going to do another 20 minutes tonight after they go to bed.  That is going to be MY time.  I'm actually looking forward to it.

Jenn

No excuses!

I have no more excuses for not exercising.  My biggest excuse was time, I had none.  I like to walk.  I hate doing walking and aerobic videos, and because I hate them I don't stick to them.  Walking works for me, but because I don't get home from school until 10 pm I don't walk in the evenings and because my husband works night and isn't home in the mornings to be with the kids, I don't walk mornings. 

Problem Solved: My husband bought me a treadmill.  Now I get to walk and it can be at anytime and in any weather.  I love it.

Jenn

Day 1 down

I am proud to say I did GREAT yesterday.  I guess being busy helps with the food issues I have.    Tues, Wed, and Thurs are the days that it's going to be easiest for me to stick to my plan.  I leave for work at 7:30 am and I leave work at 4:30 pm, then I drive to school and am there from 5 pm until 10 pm.  Once I get home I'm starving, but I've committed myself to only eating some fruit or veggies.  The rest of the days I'm home by 5 pm and that is when I'm going to have issues with food.  My goal is to continue eating well on those evenings and instead of sitting down in front of the TV and snacking all night, I'm going to set up an exercise routine and move my body.  I really need it. 

School is going great.  Tonight I'm learning how to do hair extensions and I've been looking forward to this for a while now.  Next week we start the Vidal Sassoon haircutting systen, this is what I'm going to school for...hair cutting.  I really can't wait.  The best thing I've learned in school so far (up to this point) is hair coloring.  LOVE IT!! 

The bad thing about going to cosmetology school so far...seeing all the skinny minny 18 year olds.  UGH.  But, at least it puts a little fire under my hiney to get started on losing weight.  I'm one of the oldest students at the school (I'm 36) and I have to prove myself all the time, I want a great job when I get out of school and I don't want to be beaten out by the 18 year olds who are skinny, fashionable and good at what they do.  I want to be sure that I can compete with them, 'cause seriously, who would you rather see in a beauty salon doing your hair...a fashionable 18 year old or a frumpy 36 year old?  No contest there.  LOL

Ok, back to work and back to eating my oatmeal for breakfast.

Jenn

2008 is HERE!!!

I am so excited that today is the 1st day of a New Year...a new year to me means:

A new start

A new attitude

A fresh start

A time for renewal

A time to learn

A time to live

Today starts a new ME!

Jenn

A New Year!!

2007 is about to come to an end and I'm excited to start new with 2008. 

I'm happy to say I didn't totally fail in 2007.  I did manage to lose about 20 lbs and so far...KEPT IT OFF!!  I know I won't be able to make my goal weight in 2008, but I'm hoping to get a lot closer to it. 

Weight loss isn't my only goal for 2008...it's going to take a majority of my energy, but I also want to accomplish a few other things.  My list for 2008:

Get A's on all my tests at school (so far, so good)

Become a SAHM (but still go to school)

Exercise 30-45  min. daily

Those are the most important things on my list right now and the goals I'm going to be focusing on (until they are achieved).

I'm anxious to see what everyone else has on their list of goals for the new year.

Have a Happy New Year!!!

Jenn

Life is good!!!

Wow, life has gotten away from me. 

My weight loss is going very slowly, I haven't lost much, but at least I haven't gained.  Maybe now that I'm starting to get into a routine I can start focusing on my weight loss again.

I quit my job in September.  I finally had enough of my boss, filed a grievance with the school district and quit.  I feel so much better, less stress! I took a little break from working, then the bills started coming and I had to find another job.  I love my new job and I'm having a lot of fun. 

School is GREAT!!!!  I finally tested out of nails and now I'm going on to the good stuff...hair!  I can't believe I've been going for 2 months now.  I miss seeing my kids all the time, but this will be so worth it when I graduate in a couple of years.  Between working 40 hours a week and going to school 20 hours a week and my only day off being Sunday, I try to make the best of it and spend a lot of time with the kids on that day. 

I just need to find a way to add some time to exercise.  So far, I haven't been doing very good at that.  My eating is not totally under control, but I get so busy that I'm not eating as much as I used to.  I just need to start eating a little healthier and finding alternatives to hitting McDonalds between work and school.  I'm going to go shopping tomorrow and buy stuff for salads...I can eat that during my lunch and as a quick dinner, plus, it will save me a lot of money.  I want to get healthy so I can keep up with being constantly on the go, it's only been a couple of weeks that I've had this hectic schedule, but it's already starting to wear me down.  I can't let it beat me, I HAVE to finish school. 

I hope everyone is doing great on their weight loss.

JENN

I'm a slacker

I can't believe I've been such a slacker.  I guess I enjoyed my summer a little too much. 

Thank you Juice for reminding me to get back here to post. 

My summer break is over and I'm back at work.  When I was at work last year (I mean last school year) I thought it was going to be easier to stick to my weight loss...boy, was I wrong.  Being home all summer made the kitchen and fridge to easy to get to.  Now that I'm back at work, I'm doing a lot better at staying on track.  I gained a few pounds this summer, but am determined to get them off (yeah, I know, you've heard me say that before), but I have to.

I start my classes on September 4th.  Only a few weeks away.  I don't expect to lose much weight by then, but I'm hoping I feel better by then. 

I promise to try to check in more often.

Jenn

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!!!

Finally, I got word today that my financial aid come through and YES, I get to go to Beauty College.

I am soooooo HAPPY!!!!!!    I start on November 6th...unless I can get into the September class (if they have room). 

I'm still working for the School District.  I'm going to try to for another position, one that is a full year contract 40 hours a week.  Right now I'm on a 10 month contract with 30 hours a week.  I want more money. 

I just wanted to share my news.  I'm so excited...can't you tell?  he he he 

Jenn

Weigh-In

I'm going to try something a little different. 

I'm not going to weigh myself every day.  I'm only going to step on that evil little scale once a week.  I hate seeing the numbers go up and down, up and down, so maybe if I'm nice to my scale and only step on him once a week he'll start being a little nicer.  

I'm going to weigh-in on Mondays which makes me accountable for the weekends...when I tend to fall off the wagon. 

Next weigh-in: July 2nd.