I Should Be Folding Laundry

Declaring my Independence

Hi Everyone,

My name is Beth and I am truly struggling with my weight loss.  Totally and completely and quite honestly, I'm a little embarrassed and probably ashamed.  But that's okay, because I know what I need to do to turn things around, I know how good it feel to turns things around, so therefore, I will.  It feel so good to not eat too much, much better than stuffing myself silly.  It feels so good to work out, much better than sitting around getting lumpier.  It feels so good to shop...when you feel good about yourself.

So here I declare, to all of you, my personal declaration.

I deserve better than what I have been doing to myself.  I shall eat better by planning better.

I deserve better than not exercising.  My body, my heart, my big jelly belly, they deserve a good workout.  I shall treat my body better by exercising.

My kids deserve to watch their parents have healthier lifestyles.  They will learn by example.  The example being Brian and I.

Here I declare a change coming.

watch me now.

For more declarations go here.  And don't forget to make your own declarations, it feels pretty good.

Alive and sorta kicking

The conference I have been working on is over.  Blood, blisters, sweat and tears have been put into this conference and it's over and I am SO FREAKIN' TIRED.  Monday night I slept for TWO hours, not a second longer and last night I slept for nine solid hours without waking up and although it was divine, my body is still tired.  My feet are swollen from wearing heels and my head hurts, but it's all okay because the conference was amazing, the people were outstanding and I've been receiving a regular paycheck.  Beautiful stuff.. 

I lost 2.4 pounds this week.  HOLLA! 

So now, I must focus my time on cleaning my house, doing laundry, FINISHING OUR FENCE that is not done, we still have panels to put up and Brian and I have to do it by ourselves (which to me is wildly hysterical...and sad) and we are leaving for a nine day vacation on Friday.  (add to to do list:  Clean car, get tires rotated & do not think about how much we will spend on gas, take Racecar to the doctor for nagging cough, do not think about the cost of doctor's appointment.  Also, do not think about what I will look like in a bathing suit.  All very important things.) 

Hey robbers, don't get too excited, I have a house sitter, oh yes I do!  (someone that can feed my fish and water my new grass that is slowly but surely growing)

So, with that, I'm hoping to blog more often, can you imagine?  And sit more often?  Can you even stand it?  Blogging and sitting?  Today, I drank my morning coffee from home, I never got into the car with my morning coffee today, the first time in ELEVEN days.   

Regarding my weight loss, I am concerned about how much I lost, it's not that I didn't eat, it's that I moved non-stop for seven days straight, so when we hop into a car for three days and then sit by a pool for seven days I'm not real sure how my weigh in will be on July 4th, but either way, I'll do my best AND enjoy my vacation.  It's about finding a balance.

See you SOON! 

My Weigh-In, better late than nevuh.

I weighed in yesterday, I gained .4 lbs.  And that, my friends, makes me a very happy woman. I'm happy because I ate a great deal of unhealthy food, but I feel really differently about food. I'm still definitely enjoying it (too much), but my life is not all about food, or at least it hasn't been this past week.  I definitely indulged (in both food and drink), I think the difference was trying not to stuff myself, I wanted to feel good after a great meal and not sick.  Quite a concept.

Also, in the mornings, I have started to stretch and do sit-ups again.  Both exercises take me about 12 minutes and it feels so good to stretch my legs, arms, neck and back before starting my day.  And Ariel joins in and does a great job.  Try it, it really feels amazing.

I work side by side with a very good friend of mine who by nature is a teeny tiny girl.  She's probably a size zero and about 2 feet tall, but luckily I love her and would never do anything to hurt her because of her dainty stature, you know, like push her down or anything.  We worked from 8:30 a.m. until after 10 p.m. last night, we had our meals together and I watched how for one, she didn't care what she ate, meaning, it didn't have to be greasy and full of cheese, she just needed nourishment and did not want to feel hungry and two, how little she ate.  Don't get me wrong, seeing as as how I could fit her into one of my legs or have her sit on my shoulder for a better view, I know she's not going to eat as much as I do, but it made me understand, once again, that I do not need to eat SO much.

Maybe that saying "less is more" is fitting here.  Less Food = More Health, More Weight Loss Success, More fun shopping, More feeling good about myself.

Sounds good to me.

Wrong Way

My goal was to lose one pound this week, instead I gained one pound.  And that sucks and everything, BUT my body feels different and I know that it is because I have been so active over this holiday weekend. 

To say I'm not frustrated would be a lie, this being a holiday weekend I had planned healthy meals on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Friday night we went out to eat and that was our big splurge for the weekend.  (the fact that we feel we need a big splurge is a whole other issue that still needs to be uncovered.)  Other than that, it was a healthy weekend, so I am frustrated, but it just makes me realize that bigger changes need to take place. 

Here is what is going to happen this week:

-No more stopping at Dunkin' Donuts for coffee during the week.  This is a BIG BIG BIG deal to me because I am addicted.   If I do stop, I must have my own fat free creamer with me, if I don't have it, I won't stop.  (Dunkin Donuts creamer is terribly high in points)

-I'm going to weigh in on Wednesdays, not Tuesdays.  The great thing about the challenge is that you can weigh in anytime during the week, you just need to report on Tuesday's post.  (whoever created those guidelines is just brilliant)  When I was on WW last year, I weighed in on Wednesdays and it worked very well for me, so I'm going to continue with that.

-I need to walk or exercise or something.  I need to firm up this flubbery, bouncy, jelly belly of mine and firm up the floppy arms.  Yard work is good for additional activity, but it is not THE activity, I need to get my heart pumping.  I'm considering Curves, I just don't know when I'll go.  Is anyone reading this a member of Curves?  Do you like it?

-One thing I have done is I have increased the amount of sleep I am getting, so I really want to focus on this habit.  The more sleep I have, the more energy I have, the more activity I'll do...which will make me tired, which will make me sleep better.  I like that cycle!
Not too mention that when I sleep more I'm a much nicer, more patient person.  Usually.

See you next week.

A loss is a loss is a loss is a loss. Right?

Somehow, despite the storm and traveling to Kansas City and ordering pizza twice.  (I'm not even going to mention the KC Strip Steak, the OUTSTANDING baby back ribs my brother grilled or the trip to Sonic.  And McDonald's.  And Taco Bell.)  I lost weight. But I NEVER EVER EVER SNACKED!  And I walked a lot at the airport, okay?

I'm down .4 lbs this week.  I know, it's minimal.  But friends?  I didn't gain and for that I am so very grateful.

My goal for this week is to be strong on Memorial Day.  Drink lots of water.  Get back on my new bike.  And lose at least one pound.

Have you seen the lighter blog-o-sphere???  Check it out.  It's awesome.

Okay, so. Weigh in results.

I lost 2.6 pounds in my first week.  I made a few good changes, like no chocolate chips cookies when I'm not hungry and adding whole grains and vegetables back into my diet.  I also cut down on coffee a bit, because cream?  Even fat free?  Is worth points.

This week is going to be difficult, I am flying to Kansas City to spend the weekend with my fab brother and sister-in-law.  I was there in October and all I remember is food.  I also remember food and I also remember more food and then one time, it was so crazy, we ate more food.  SO, my action plan will be:
-Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Monday I must be VERY strict with food planning, water intake and exercise.
-Friday, Saturday, Sunday I must not snack, EVER.  And I must have fun.

Wish me luck on my weight loss this week.

I think I'll need it.

The Unveiling

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about my expanding waistline.  I was pretty honest with some of my habits and a lot of the feelings I was having about myself.  In response to that post I received many comments and e-mails from individuals feeling the same way as I do, so I knew I had to do something, something that might aid in our weight loss. 

After many hours and much planning and an incredible header design created by my good friend, Jenn, I introduce you to Tales from the Scales.  A new blog to encourage us to lose weight, and a place to share stories, recipes, frustrations and successes. 

Go there, check it out, read about the exciting challenge coming up and make a commitment to yourself.  WE are in this together. 

Oh, and don't keep this great tool to yourself, share it with your readers!  They're going to love it!