a big deal for me

Today was one of those little milestones that people who have lost weight are familiar with.  The new "after" photo the page was taken this morning.  This is the first time I have ever worn those workout pants with a waist level shirt!  Even though the scale is wierd, there is not doubt I am still losing in the coolest places!  I feel like I am being uncovered and it is so cool!

There are more pics posted in the photo gallery also.

I have a long teaching day today: 1:15 - 7:45.  I am ready!  I am armed with my Jenny Splasher lemonade water and my chocolate graham crackers for snacks this afternoon.

small plates

Yesterday DH & I went to the Incredible Pizza Company which has a pizza buffett and indoor go-karts, bumper cars, indoor putt putt golf, and various aracade games.  It was so much fun!  I did pretty well on the food thanks to small plates.  Hey - it's such a long way to go back and get more, I just ate what I had. 

Last night I had my JC potstickers before dinner and was hit with the awful need to eat more more more!  BUT - I went to bed and read magazines.  That gets me through the night folks.  If I keep watching TV in that "want to eat" zone - it will probably happen.  Somehow I don't want food while I am in my bedroom, just when I am in front of the tv.

weights!

I am a little cranky and sore today.  Firstly, I am 224.  I knew that was going to happen when I went back to lifting weights this week.  On The Biggest Loser, the lady who had lost the LEAST amount of weight and lost the MOST in her waist.  Maybe I fall in that type of category because everytime I start lifting weights the weight stops dropping.  It is very aggravating.  When I saw 220.5, it was when I had not lifted weights for three weeks.  Could someone explain that?

We are still trying to stick to our monthly budget which makes things boring, mostly.  Hopefully today I can find something fun to do until work.

Could it be that I am high  maintanence? LOL

I am inspired by The Biggest Loser

Doggone if that Biggest Loser show doesn't make me cry every episode!  When I heard that one pound of muscle burns an extra 50 calories per day I was thrilled!  Yes, I am totally working out at the gym today!  BRING IT!  That's all you got?  BRING IT!

Yesterday I had like, NO appetite.  It was like my stomach would not growl.  I am guessing it was still full from last week's holiday junk food.  It was wierd not being that hungry.

How 'bout them cowgirls?

not very hungry today...

I tried one of those organice Amy veggie meatloaf's for lunch.  It was gross.  Bummer.  I do want to try on of the pizzas though.

I place my monthly JC order today.  I am so glad the salmon is back.  I loved that and I didn't think I like salmon.  The sauce helps with that.

I am so addicted to the new album by Little Big Town and that George Strait song, "How About Them Cowgirls."  They are just awesome!

I updated my profile picture.  I learned how to work a CHI brand hot iron.  Yeah, I came late to the straightening party.

I found out that the light caramel frappicino I am drinking is EXACTLY 210 calories.  http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_info.asp  Ya'll, the freakin' whip they use is like 80 calories!  WHAT!  That's almost as much as the drink itself?  Say it ain't so!

one moment at a time

As much as I like lifting weights, it has been nice taking a break and my back not being so sore all of the time.  I may drop my weight lifting to two days per week and cardio the rest.

I am sorta sad the thanksgiving break is over.  I will miss having lots of time to sleep.  This past week I was so tired.  I slept and took many long naps.  Hopefully, the sun will be out today and I can have a good, invigorating bike ride with my mp3 player.

Not that anyone is keeping up with the story besides me, but it just shows what happens when power goes to your head.

I feel a little bit overwhelmed with work, but I just need to take one moment at a time.

Anne Murray duets

OK, so check this out: http://www.annemurrayduets.com/

You can listen to all the songs in their entirety.  I am loving the one she did with the Indigo Girls, "A Little Good News."I can't find anywhere in the states do legally download the tracks yet.  I am not much of an album buyer anymore with the exception of about three artists.

I did not weigh yesterday, but I proabably will today.  Thanksgiving day I was actually very hungry so it worked out well.  My sister had some desserts and do you know the label said 500 calories per slice? WOW!  My DH found a pecan pie recipie for 210 calories per slice.  Much better thank you very much.  He asked me how they were cooking that stuff to make such a high calorie count.  I told him whole milk/cream and eggs - including yolks.

another bird day

Well, today is another thanksgiving - it marks my third one since I have been blogging - November 2005.

I told my husband it is going to be wierd to not be in "weight loss mode."  I am on the brink of making goal.  THe last thing I want is to have these last pounds take forever, but people say that is typical.

Either way, I think I would still like to keep going and see if I can get under 200.  I think 195 would be a good second goal weight.  But, not to get overhwlemed, it took me two years to lose 86 lbs and I am definately sure it's a lifestyle at this point.

I have had the blahs most all week.  I hope the end of the week picks up.  We have some social activites planned so that will be good.  Do you ever compare yourself to people who are really social?  Sometimes I do.  But, the truth is, if I had to live in their shoes for a day I would be so tired and worn-people-out.  As a wise therapist once said, "Don't compare your insides with someone else's outsides."

I did it - almost!

Today, for the very first time, I was 220.5

There was one weigh where it said 220! But, it kept going back to 220.5  Yes, I weigh more than once to get a better picture. LOL 

So - if 220 is in the number have I made goal?

The other thing is that I have dropped these past two pounds by counting every single calorie the past two weeks.  I think my slowed down loss has been a result of the following:

• some days I was not eating enough calories
• other days, because of so much weight training I was eating WAY overboard cuze I was freakin' starving.

I am sure all the exercise gods will be pissed because the past two weeks I have done no weight training and I have only ridden my bike for a few times.  It's all about calories in/calories out.  I am sure the fact that my metabolism is raised helps too.  I don't deny that.  I plan to return to the weight training two days per week in December.  But, I am enjoying the break and I also think it keeps from getting burned out and an injury.

Be well,

Steph

I start what I finish.

Something I figured out..

If I am really honest with myself, eating when I am bored, upset, really happy, or otherwise emotionally uncomfortable leads to weight gain.

The other night I was bored and discontent out of my mind!  OK - so I came a messed around on the computer instead.  I realized when I had not gained weight that I did not have to "pay" for that boredom.  I extended that to all weight gain, ast least in my experience, as a way of continuing to wear and carry past boredoms and aggravations.

So, the moral of my personal study is be bored when I am bored.  Be mad when I am mad and sad when I am sad.