Wednesday, February 29, 2012

It's Wednesday...

What a week it's been!

I'll just get straight to the point...yes Cheerleaders, I was a big fat loser! lol

I dropped 2 pounds this week taking me to 248!

Very happy indeed!  At least the scale is moving in the other direction this week.  I know that there are periods where the scale will spend several weeks going in the direction I want it to go in then all of a sudden for no reason at all it'll start moving in the opposite direction.  Very frustrating indeed.  *sigh*  That's why I do this and stick to this blogging, so that maybe I can see a pattern of sorts.  Or maybe there's no pattern and I just have to deal with the fact that there are just going to be times like this. 

I don't know.

I guess it's just a matter of sucking it up I guess and moving forward and not wallowing in it and not letting it get me down.  I let it get me down then it wins.

I'm not going to let THAT happen, now am I?

Monday, February 27, 2012

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Sunday Progress Pic

So in today's pic I'm wearing the new jeans I bought that were 4 count 'em FOUR sizes smaller than when I started this journey!  WooHoo!

250
As it is, Queenie said tonight that I should've gotten the smaller size I tried on that made me look like a badly packaged sausage (with an overly large muffin top) ......but I couldn't bring myself to make the purchase because of the fact that I would've felt so self conscience in them.  Yet Queenie grabbed the waistband of these jeans and asked me "What were you thinking?!".....primarily because the waistband was so doggone big, lol.  So as it stands, I think I may take my second pair of jeans back (it was a buy one get one 1/2 off) and get the smaller size which will make it 5 sizes down and a chance to have something to lose more weight and feel comfortable in when I do.  We'll see.  What do you think Cheerleaders?

Saturday, February 25, 2012

A special post dedicated to someone special...

My Cheerleaders....each and every one of you...



Just my way of saying thank you for stopping by and sharing in my journey because I think you're awesome for taking the time to take time out of your day to share in mine and that means a lot to me, you could be somewhere else but instead you're here and I think that's pretty cool.  So thank you, thank you very much.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Blasting in my ears right now...

Again, loving me some blasts from the past to push me forward to where I want to be...and a reminder that I better work it!



Still pushing me forward and working my ass off....


Thursday, February 23, 2012

In lieu of a Thursday Review....

I thought I'd share with you a little (well actually a BIG) something...

Today I had to go to the store to get something fixed.

I had purchased The Wonder One a new pair of 501's and when he was taking them out of the bag I noted that at the bottom, near the hem, they hadn't removed the store security sensor.  Bastids.  Which meant I had to go all the way back to the mall to have them remove the blasted thing.  This would be the second time today I'd been there.  While taking care of The Wonder One is a chore I don't mind doing, it was a pain in the butt because gas prices had shot up this morning $0.30 a gallon!  This had happened in just one day!  Thirty cents!  Which by and large isn't normally a big deal, but when we're talking over the course of a year, thirty cents truly isn't a big deal.  When we're talking over night?  It's a big deal.

So I get back to Macy's to have the sale's clerk remove the sensor from the jeans and to make sure that the store maintenance crew took care to fix the security system so that bigger, higher priced items weren't walking out the door and we the honest customers weren't footing the bill for it.  To thank me for my patience the store management refunded me some money back to my account. I thanked the young man who helped me and was on my way out the door to walk around a bit before leaving.

Off to Lane Bryant I went.  I thought I would look to see about a new pair of jeans that actually fit seeing as how pretty much all of my other jeans were now a size or so too big.  Since I'd started this journey I've not really known what size I wore.  If I ever really knew to begin with.  When I last bought a pair of jeans at my largest I bought a size 28.  Those jeans now when I wear them, I can barely keep them on.  So it was with the intention of going in and getting a pair of 26's.  Figuring I'd gone down a size.

So I grabbed the size I needed and headed to the fitting room. I put them on and stepped out to look in the big mirror.  *click* ..........."grrrrr" I thought to myself as I realized I locked myself out of my dressing room.

I turned to a sales associate to be let back into my dressing room and she asked "Honey, do you need another size?"

"I dunno, why?" I replied.  She gave me that look that said "you don't get out much do you?" She then told me that I was wearing a pair of jeans that was at least a size if not two sizes to big.  All I could do was look at her dumbfounded!  Was she kidding me?  I mean seriously?!

Off she went in search of the wash and size I needed and in came a different sales associate with an even smaller size!  So I ended up going from what I thought was one size down another two more sizes!  When I was handed a size 24 to put on I started to cry.  I mean weep full on, tears just streaming down my face.  I'd not been in a 24 in.......I don't rightly know how long!  The second sales associate (the first one having long since disappeared) confused dashed off to get me tissues, not quite understanding why I was so emotional.  She thought I was crying because I was in a size that was to large, not knowing that I was in a size that I'd not been in, in nearly 20 years.  **Update ~~ I came back to update because I was rereading this post and something didn't look right.  I went upstairs to grab the jeans I bought to verify the size I bought.  The size I bought were in fact a size........are you sitting down?  Hold onto your hats....a size 22!!!  That was the last size I was before I was pregnant!  That was 27 years ago....yeah, longer than some of you are old.  Quit laughing. lol  Okay, you can laugh, but only for a minute.....now you can stop.....Wow, so this is even bigger than I realized...

When in fact it was only just a year ago that I'd had a very nearly similar type of meltdown (in the same dressing room ironically) but for the opposite reason because I couldn't fit into anything because I was at my largest ever.  Weighing very nearly the most I'd weighed in my life at 286 pounds.  Feeling very bloated and looking the same, not being able to do much nor was I able to verbalize my frustration, I just did what I always did.

I ate.  I took it out on myself, I internalized it and I ate.

Thankfully since then I've learned a lot about how to handle my emotions and about how not to internalize them.  I'm still having trouble getting the weight off.  It's not coming off as fast as one would want it to, but that's okay, at least it's not coming back ON.  All I can do is all I can do.  Each day is a lesson to learn from and to move forward from.  That's how I'm going to keep it off.  So I'm doing the best thing for me that I can which is being here with you cheerleaders and you're being here with me to cheer me on has been awesome.

I thank you for that.

Now we celebrate!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

It's Wednesday...

Well yesterday was Fat Tuesday...

Is there any coincidence that I gained weight this week? lol

Thankfully it was only a singular pound (but still a pound no less) ......boo to the pound!
Even though I'm not Catholic and don't really follow the teachings of Lent it was brought to my attention by a wise man in a conversation yesterday this philosophy [sic]
"Lent is for the sufference of Christ and all Christians should follow lent and not just the Catholics although they are the most faithful for the suffering of Christ... [****] I'm giving up red meat,pork and most sweets ( I gotta have my chewing gum)... Oh yeah and hard liquor..." 
 I had to say....that made sense.  Even though I consider myself a Christian, I don't lean towards any one particular religion.  I'm of the opinion that organized religion (now this is to me of course) doesn't make sense because each religion you come across says "obey this religion or else".  How can this be?  How can it be that you only follow one religion or else?  Why not believe in God and it works out?  *sighs*  Well I have faith and I listen to my heart and pray that it does and hope in the end.

I guess I look at dieting in much the same way.  All the diets say the same thing.  If you don't eat this particular diet you won't lose weight, but in the end, if you use common sense, put your fork down, move a little more...

Have a little faith (in yourself and the above)....it'll all work out in the end.

It has to.

Right?




Also....The Wonder One and I while never before having given anything up for lent before (really, I mean I had as a child but when I found out that it was a "Catholic thing" I thought it was disrespectful on my part to do so since I wasn't, so I stopped.  But since the wise man pointed out what the point of Lent was for Christians in general, I thought to myself  "Self...this is something you could and should do"  So The Wonder One and I talked about it and we're giving up ......... <insert drum roll>  pastries!  That should be painful enough.  I mean Lent is about suffering right? lol  Not to mention it'll help with points counting (there won't be any!) and weight loss (should be loads!)....so we'll see....




*I've not gotten permission to use the participants names from the conversation, that's why it's been bleeped out.  It was a fun and interesting conversation btw.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Back in the pool...



So today was lesson number two...

Very exciting indeed!

The swim instructor is so cute, very encouraging and forthcoming with advice and very sympathetic to my situation with regards to my shoulder (or lack there of a shoulder)...I'd explained how I wanted to learn more swimming skills so that I could utilize them to rehab my shoulders and regain some range of motion in them.  She having had some shoulder issues herself understood and really worked to show me strokes that would benefit me while not causing me undue stress to the area.

So this week I ended up swimming 100 yards (25 more than last week!) and learned 2 more strokes in addition to reviewing my breaststroke from last week!

So all told so far I've learned and/or done:
  • Breaststroke with whip kick
  • Backstroke
  • Sidestroke
  • Scissorkick
  • Improved by 25 yards
YaY  me!

So a few things I noticed while at the pool.  Off to the side is a "baby" pool that is used to teach babies and toddlers how to swim.  There is a young man who brings his baby (maybe she's 12-14 months old, just learning to walk) and it was so cute watching him.  He had her hooded towel on her head (a character one of a duck) and her pacifier in HIS mouth and she was griping his fingers and he was walking her off to get dried off.  Too cute!  One of those things that make you go "Awwww" and think "How sweet."  Then there was another participant (most everyone else being a woman) and I have to point out here that everyone else in the class is dressed appropriately in their swimsuits (read that to be 1 piece's), yet I have to wonder how many mom's really go to their child's swim class in a bikini?  I dunno, color me a wee bit jealous that I can't wear one? Or seriously, in a class of 20 mom's is there always going to be the one that will dress like this to stand out?  At least she had the body for it.  Oh and before anyone asks and if you've made the connection....yes the guy with the little girl....he was there alone and yes he was good looking.  So is there a correlation between the bikini wearing mom and the good looking dad?  Who knows?  I'll keep an eye out and let you know if I notice anything develop, lol.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Friday, February 17, 2012

Blasting in my ears right now...

There are some songs that get stuck in my head because of the message, others because of the beat, yet and still others because of a combination of the two.  Today's playlist is both and oddly enough both songs are by the same artist, lol, that doesn't happen often.



Thursday, February 16, 2012

Thursday Review...

Normally you'll find Thursday's reviews centered around tasty treats that make your meal (or snack) planning a little easier.  Well this week will be a wee bit different.

What brings this to mind is my swim lesson on Tuesday.  When The Wonder One and I were making our plans for afterwards I had to do a bit of planning for myself and part of that was of a personal nature.  You see, we were planning on going out to lunch and a movie after swimming so I needed to pack light.  I didn't want to have to pack a suitcase and all my gear as though I'd be packing for a weekend getaway.  Then I'd remembered a while back I'd picked up this ...


I took my shower and all that but not having to bring my deodorant (one less thing to worry about) was, needless to say, a blessing.

And yes, it really is waterproof!  I was skeptical but I went with it figuring that if it didn't work where we would be, we were near a Target and if need be, I could always pick up a personal item or two if it was needed.  Thankfully it wasn't!

I am happy to say (oddly enough) that while my skin reeked of chlorine, my bits didn't reek at all, lol.  For me, it really did work.  I didn't notice a particular fragrance to this particular selection.  I did notice that my underarm skin wasn't wet when I got out of the pool like the rest of my skin was. I highly recommend checking this one out.  While I do have to warn you that the price will put you into sticker shock because it IS expensive. Considering that normally you can pick up regular Secret for maybe $2 to $3 a container, this is about $10 to $12 depending on where you get it.  However, look in the discount/discontinue bin, that's where I found mine.  Doesn't mean it's being discontinued, but maybe that particular fragrance is or the packaging is.   Worth a look anyway.  Regardless, it really IS worth it in my humble opinion even at double the price.

Thanks for stopping by cheerleaders.

Till next time.

Toodles.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

It's Wednesday...

Due to the fact that it was our anniversary this week, I knew that I wasn't going to be a loser.  As a matter of fact I gained.  Three pounds to be exact.  But that's okay.  I can live with it.

Why is it I'm so calm you may be wondering cheerleaders?

This is why...



Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A special post dedicated to someone special...

  I just wanted to take this time to say thank you to the one person that has influenced me the most for more than half my life.  He's been there for more than just the bad times, he's been there for the hell.  He's also been there for the good times too.  I just want to say to The Wonder One Happy Anniversary & Happy Valentine's Day...
Our Wedding Cake (I designed, the the baker and The Wonder One tweaked it to make it better)
You are the Bacon to my Eggs
You are the Peanut Butter to my Jelly
You are the Smile to my Face
You are the Horizon to my Sky
You are the Mashed Potatoes to my Gravy
You are the Cheese to my Macaroni
You are the Bubbles to my Bath
You are the Milk to my Chocolate Chip Cookie
You are the Ketchup to my French Fries
You are the Wings to make my heart soar
Most of all You are the Icing to my Cupcake, because you give my life that something extra, that something sweet & worthwhile.
 
 

 


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You make every day worth getting up for and I thank you for the last 22 years.  For all that we've been through, without you, none of it would've been worth it.
 
 
 
 
Thanks for convincing my heart to say "yes", it was the best thing I ever did.

I love you.
Happy Anniversary Baby <3

Monday, February 13, 2012

Funny Monday

This post is dedicated to the people at Beauty Broadcast who've made getting back into blogging and just personal interaction in general a whole lot more fun (with the few exceptions here and there of course) without all of you, I never would've been able to expand my circle of friends the way that I have and never in a million years made the friendships that I have.  ~~ Thank you ~~ S.



The Washcloth

I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45am. The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare.

As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pyjamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in "that area" to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment.

I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away. I was a little surprised when the doctor said, "My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we?"

I didn't respond.

After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal ... some shopping, cleaning, cooking.

After school when my 6-year-old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, "Mommy, where's my washcloth?"

I told her to get another one from the cupboard.

She replied, "No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it."

Never going back to that doctor.

Ever.



Friday, February 10, 2012

Blasting in my ears right now...

There are some songs that when you first hear them you fall in love with them instantly.  This is one such song.  I knew when I heard it, this woman was going to be huge.  Was I wrong?



Since this song she's gone on to do even bigger hits, but none come as close (for me at least) to being as infectious as this one.

One thing I've found is that it's troublesome to find great songs to engage to on warm-ups or cool-downs, however when I do, I love sharing them with my cheerleaders.  This is one such song.  Enjoy!


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Thursday Review...

Today's review is with regard to a toss n' go product....

One thing that I don't do enough of is drink enough water.  Something that I do that helps me to reach that goal is I use those little flavor packets that different companies put out.  First Crystal Light put them out then store brands followed suit when those were successful.  I found that my favorite are from Wal*Mart, the Great Value brand.  The reason being is that they have a wide variety of flavors and at $1.74 for a box of 10, they are a grand bargain and you don't feel guilty for picking up 2 or 3 of them!

My favorite flavor at the moment is Cherry Limeaid, which is soooo yummy!  There are not words to describe the joy that this gives me, lol.  They are sweetened with Aspartame (which I know I want to get away from, but right now, I can't) and have artificial colorings in them.  At 5 calories a serving it's not quite a dietary steal, but still, it gets me drinking more water. 

Now.....if I can just drink water plain.....I'd be doing REALLY good....

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Don't expect this all the time or every week even...but at least now you know who's been yapping at you...


It's Wednesday...

Well, this week I didn't go to the scale skipping and singing a joyous tune.  Yet I didn't have to be drug there either by my heels.

Which is probably reflected in my weight this week.

I stayed the same.

Odd to be neither a loser nor a gainer.  But to be honest, I'd rather be neither than to be a gainer. *cocks an eyebrow for effect*  But if I were to choose an ideal, I'd rather be a loser.

*sighs* Oh well, let's put this week behind us and onto next week.

..........I'm hungry, I wonder what there is to eat?

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Sunday Progress Pic

So I thought I'd show off my winter coat that I searched high and low for.  One thing I discovered this year was that all my winter coats were HUGE!!!  This year I went on the hunt to find a winter coat that was not only stylish but fit, hitch in that thinking was that I also knew (well prayed anyways) that I'd only be wearing it, one winter.  So I didn't want to be spending a lot of money on it.  When I put on my old winter coats, I couldn't very well wear those as they were so big I looked like the incredible shrinking woman in it and quite slovenly at the same time.  While I'm no fashion plate, I do at least pride myself on at least wearing clothes that fit and look decent on me.  So out with the old and in with the new.  Whatever THAT was.

Well, I stumbled onto a sale at Lane Bryant and found the cutest coat, but at the prices that LB charges, it's stroke inducing!  Thankfully there  was a sale going on, but still what I ended up paying for it made me weep a bit.  At least it's stylish and not something you'll see on every other person. 

Oh and one other thing...The Wonder One picked it out! lol Yeah, I know! *crows with laughter*

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Well consider it done...

As his Valentine's Day/Anniversary gift to me (yes we got married on Valentine's Day) The Wonder One signed me up for swimming lessons.  On Valentine's Day no less! lol So my New Years' resolution (you can read about that here) will actually be met this year.  YaY me! .......and thanks goes to The Wonder One for getting me my lessons of course.

So my first lesson is at 11am  Valentine's Day.

I'm not certain whether to be filled with excitement...or dread.

Now I just need to beat the tarantula down to a manageable size. 

Friday, February 3, 2012

Blasting in my ears right now...

You know how you hear a song and it just worms it's way into your head and gets stuck there?  Both songs this week did that to me and stayed in my head until they made it to my play list.  Again both newer and older songs, have fun with both!



Thursday, February 2, 2012

Thursday Review...

Tasty Thursday review for you today cheerleaders.  This isn't one of those health food types of reviews, but if you wanted it to be, I suppose it could be.  I'll explain.

But first, let's take a look at what we're taste testing.






 These are thick and dense and as the name states.....CHEWY!   A lot of times what I will do is have one of these bars for breakfast with a piece of fruit and it's enough to get my stomach to stop all that grumbly in the tumbly stuff.  As well I'll shove one in my bag on the way out the door so if and when I can't get away for lunch I'll drink my bottle of water and eat this!  Doesn't ever EVER replace lunch, however it does get me through until I can eat a good and proper lunch.  Given that it's only 4 Weight Watcher points (whatever they're calling it this year) I think that's a pretty good deal!  It's not a huge bar, but it's big enough and chewy enough that you feel like you're getting something to eat.  I like them, I'd like to try some of the other flavors that the company offers.  I know when Fiber One (cereal) first came out there was a comic that made the joke "Fiber One ~ 20% more fiber than rope!"  Which as you can see by the label above it does have 9 grams of fiber.  Which is fantastic!  Our daily fiber intake is recommended at 25 grams to 30 grams and with the American diet being as processed as it is, one bar probably exceeds the average Americans intake to be honest.  So when I saw that this one little bar has that much fiber in it, I was sufficiently impressed!  So when The Wonder One and I finish off this supply, we're off to find some other flavors, it's worth the repurchase.

**Note to those with allergies:  It is made with peanut, milk, soy, almond, sunflower and wheat.  If you are sensitive to any of these ingredients or their byproducts, I'm sorry but this is another product, you'll have to skip.**

I promise, I'm on the look out for a product that I can review that is tasty and program friendly and allergen friendly for one and all, when I find it, I promise I will sound the alarms!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

It's Wednesday...

So it's the dreaded weigh in day...

I knew it was going to be dreaded because as I was explaining to Queenie when she was starting Weight Watchers, she asked "How often do I have to keep track of what I eat?" I replied "Every time you open your gob".

After losing twelve pounds in two weeks, this past week there was some drama that had unfolded and it took us out into a situation that we weren't expecting and we had to go and eat and we were unable to track our food intake.  So I tried to make wiser choices.  Ate half of what I got and took the other half home (ate it the next day for lunch), shared an appetizer with The Wonder One instead of eating a whole one (which I used to do easily) and just drank my diet soda, getting teased by the bartender that "I was going to pee the bed that night"!  I told him "Depends"  he laughed at my play on words and went on to serve others.  As well there was some drama at work which put me into my uncomfortable zone of not knowing how to handle some situations and put me right back into that mindspace where I revert to my two best buddies....you know the boys...Ben?  Jerry? 

So between the dramas and not getting to do the working out that I know I should have, there was some blow back.  So there was something to be learned this week.  What is it you may be wondering?  Well, what I learned in this week is that I needed to heed the advice that I gave Queenie and if I can't track it every time I opened my gob, then I don't eat it, that way I won't gain the 4 pounds that I did.  Granted, it was only four, and in the grand scheme of things, easily enough to come back off, however after having two good weeks, I was truly hoping for a third good one.  I've finally figured out that I truly HAVE to track everything because when I don't I'm just not going to meet my goals.

So I just got a wee bit too cocky with myself.  I can't take my eye off that ball (scale) for a second!

Help me cheerleaders!  lol Got to get in line to kick my butt to keep me on track!