Saturday, August 28, 2010

Birthday fun!

Well, I have had a challenge *fail* these past few days.  I went back to school this week to get ready for the kids who start on Monday and calorie counting and working out went *POOF!*.  I don't think I really over indulged, I just didn't keep track.  And I really feel as if I just didn't have time for working out.  I did take a bike ride with Steph this morning.  It wasn't much, but it was SOME activity.

Tonight, actually, in a few minutes, I'm getting together with friends and we are going dancing!  So excited! It will be an evening of indulgences, but it will be worth it :)

I will definitely share pictures of the evening when I get them uploaded :)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

In an attempt to boost my creativity and decorate my home in a unique way, I have started to read many craft/home blogs. One of my current faves is Grosgrain Fabulous. SO MANY neat ideas!!! And right now, she has a great giveaway going on! Such a cool machine...you should check it out!!

SILHOUETTE MACHINE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Plus Size

Hi friends!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and will have fantabulous weeks!  I go back to work Wednesday.  Boo to summer being over!  But, I am excited to start a new year :)

So, we get the Sunday paper, and I LOVE to go through the ads/coupons when I get the time.  While it may have existed for awhile, I just noticed the "Kids Plus Size" sections at all of the stores.  I mean, when I was younger, my brother wore the "husky" sizes, but I never thought anything of it.

But, now, they have official plus size clothing for kids.  Ugh. I wish this weren't necessary.  In a way, it is good for those kids who are heavier so they can still wear fashionable, trendy clothing.  But, in a bigger way, it is just sad that we need to have these options.

I remember growing up and ALWAYS wanting to lose weight.  I don't really recall a time where I was happy with myself the way I was.  Of course, I look back now and WISH I could look like I did in high school!

As I look at Stephanie growing up, I SO hope she doesn't have to deal with those same insecurities.  I try to foster a healthy approach to life - eating and activity.  She probably eats more sweets than she should, but she definitely always has to eat the healthy options before she gets a choice of something else.  She sees me making good choices and fitting in activity to my life.  Hopefully she takes notice and wants to emulate these positive choices.

There there is the line that I hope she doesn't cross, where she thinks weight/looks are all that matter.....another blog/another time, I guess ;)

Well, to end on a happy note....one of my favorite pictures EVER:

Light and Love! ( a la Danielle from Real Housewives)


Saturday, August 21, 2010

Check-in

Good Saturday afternoon!  Plans changed, so we're not leaving until a little later.  

I was able to get in a short ride today because I had to pick up some stuff at my Grandparents.  They live close, so I just rode my bike over and got the goods :)  
We are off to a baby shower/open house and a day at the lake tomorrow.  Fun family times!


****Bike Ride: 2.8 miles, 19 minutes, 171 calories

I got a New Haircut!!

Old Hair:

My hair was down to my chest in front, shoulder blades in back.
 I got bored, so I went and did this:

New hair!  about 7-8ish inches gone, I think

LOVE IT!  And it is super easy and quick.  Glad I took the plunge!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!


Friday, August 20, 2010

Day 1

Weight - 197
Workout - CHECK! 28 min, 2.9 miles on the bike,  298 calories burned
Calories - 1770 (ONE PIECE OF Pizzeria Uno Farmer's Market Pizza has 560 calories!!!! Say, what?! But, there are SO many healthier options at this restaraunt!  LOVE IT!)
Net Calories - 1472

Gotta get my measurements...they may have to wait until Sunday.

We're going out of town for the day tomorrow so I will check in Sunday when we get back :)

Enjoy your weekend!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Birthday Week!

I am now officially 28 years-old!  Hopefully the best years are still to come :)

So, the first adventure of the week was a trip to the zoo with Stephanie.  Our zoo just got a new "Polar Frontier" exhibit featuring Polar Bears, so I really wanted to take Step to see them.  Well, lets just say, I was WAY more into the bears than she was :)
A little insight into my mind...I have a hard time going to the zoo.  I am a major animal rights advocate and the idea of zoos is still iffy to me.  I try to remember that the purpose of zoos is to educate the public about animals and help those that may be endangered have more of a chance of fighting extinction.  But, it never fails that every time I go to the zoo, I cry.  I took this picture of a sign in the new exhibit that really rang true with me:
Jane Goodall quote; local zoo

So, after the zoo experience we came home and relaxed.  Well, the next day, I needed to get food for our cockatiel, so I ran to the pet store.  The store I frequent has a part of the store where they feature adoptable cats.  And, I walked to the section.....and, I saw an adorable cat....and then I saw she was almost 9 years-old.....and then I saw that she had been at the shelter for 2 years......now she is mine :)  My hubby agreed to let me get her as a birthday present :)  Funny thing is, her name at the shelter was Boo-Boo.  We decided to let Steph name her and she named her Bo-Bo.  Presenting Bo-Bo:

Our newest family member

So, while my birthday week was going well thus far, it got even better!  On my actual birth DAY, we met my grandparents (who raised me) for breakfast and then I went with them so they could get me my birthday present, A BIKE!  I am super excited for it!  (Except it malfunctioned today and we had to take it in to get fixed....grrr...).  We also got a trailer so Steph could go with us.  

The bike!

So, its been a great week!  Right now, though, Bo Bo has been hiding under the bed for a lot of the day. I'm hoping its just that we took her to the vet today and she is pissed, not that she is having trouble adjusting.  We love her so much already!

A little domestic tip.......I figured out an easy way to distribute small snacks to Steph:

I'm sure many have thought of this idea before me, but I felt special ;)

Last topic of the day....my fat ass :)  Well, I really should say "*less, but about to get more if I don't get my butt in gear* fat ass".  But seriously, I need to FOCUS!  I've been so inconsistent with eating recently and really need to get a handle on it.  Hopefully going back to work (teaching) next week will get me on a better track.  

Lindsay, of a blog I love to read, has decided to give herself a No More Numbers challenge and has invited others to join her.  I took her up on her offer and will be weighing in tomorrow.  I am also committing to getting in physical activity at least 5 days per week and eating within my calorie range for at least 6 days per week.  In one month, I will check my results.  I might have problems not cheating with the scale, bc I think it keeps me really accountable.  I might change my "no numbers" part to my eating, in order to practice more intuitive eating and not get burnt out on the calorie counting.  We'll see how it goes!

Ok...if you lasted this long, you deserve some kind of reward.  I need to blog more often so my posts aren't novels :)  I will leave you with this gem and a wish for a lovely weekend.  *Have fun*




Monday, August 16, 2010

Fun Times!

So I wanted to drop a quick post....I will be back later for pictures.
Stuff I want to share:
1. Day at the zoo
2. Cool way to dispense snacks (new to me, but probably very well known)
3. My birthday present!  (Hint....it meows....)

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Let's get it Started!

If you are reading, WELCOME!  Although at this point, I think I am writing for my own sanity.  I need a place to record thoughts, events, progress, random CRAP :) , and other ultra-important information.
A lot of it will focus on weight-loss, as that is a major part of my life right now.  However, I didn't want to just have a weight-loss blog, as my family, friends, and job are also huge parts of my life.  So here, I will include it all.  Enjoy the ride!