PROJECT FIVE-OH

To be honest...

2012-02-01T00:31:00.000-08:00

To be honest my weight went up 5 pounds... To be honest it is back down again. It scared me though because I knew 5 turns into 10 which turns to 15 & so on. I am so happy to get back down again.

I have also been in the hospital last week because the week before that I got so dizzy I hit my head & passed out at work. No clue what happened. They have run test & things have come back fine. I do have leaky heart valves whatever that means. I still have to do an MRI & vision test. I have to wait until Feb. 14th before I can even get my referrals so who knows how long this may take.

We are playing the waiting game right now with the Army. The game that tells us where we go next in our lives & when. I personally am not ready to move from Germany. I have found it "safe" for my eating & weight. The restaurants are not like in the states. The food is fresh & there are not fast food places everywhere you go. Moving is going to be the biggest challenge I think I will have to face. Hopefully I have come far enough in this journey to make it!!

I am sorry I am all over the place with this post. Right now that is what is in my head. Thoughts going everywhere.

I owe it to me!

2012-01-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

I need a change. I write about it all the, I think about it all the time. I think I am OK with losing 60 pounds & since I have a normal BMI for the first time in years I am not pushing myself. Today though I realized that I owe it to myself. I have come to far to just stabilize. I owe it to myself to get these extra 20 pounds off. I am at my first goal weight. A weight I thought was going to be good but I am here & it is no good.

I have Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I have never gotten past a week because I get bored. Well I see people that do the entire video, that stick with it & get results. I owe myself that. So starting tomorrow that is my Day 1!

I also have Jillian Michaels shred it with weights. My plan is the 30 day shred then after the 30 days pick up Shred it with Weights!

I know I can do this. I owe it to myself to be happy with what I see looking back in the mirror!

A New Year

2012-01-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

Well I can safely say that I made it through the holidays without a gain! This is surprising to me because I truly felt like I may have over done it a little more then I should of. I am sad to admit though that when I went back & looked at my weight at the beginning at 2011 I am only down 4 pounds. That's it. 4 flippin pounds in an entire year. I feel like I wasted the entire year. My friend asked my how many inches I have lost over the year & I am unsure. So this year I took my measurements. I have gone down sizes so I guess well the scale did not move the measurements did.

My daughter & I

I do feel like it is time to step up though. I have a big birthday coming in March & I would really like to be down 10 pounds. I have 2 1/2 months to do it in & well I know it is doable I have no clue why the scale is not moving anymore. I do exercise everyday. I do need to find something different or to add. Not sure what.

Here is my last week of 2011. This was easier to pull off as I was on vacation so work did not get in the way!

I do know I want to plan out my meals better & add more weight training to my exercise. Also eat a little cleaner.

New Year's Eve

My meals right now are looking like

Breakfast ~ Activia with fiber, fruit & oats
Lunch ~ Salad, soy pudding with fruit & Nature Valley Oat Bar
Dinner ~ Is whatever I make

My biggest issue is when I get home to dinner time. I am thinking about a protein shake. I need to know what my snack will be. I think will help a lot from the mindless munching I do until dinner.

2012 WILL be the year I get to the weight I want to see on the scale!!!

Does anymore do protein shakes & if so what kind of protein do you use?

Another Holiday down!!!

2011-11-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

With all of these holidays coming & birthdays & parties I start to hide in the house so that I don't have to go to any. It's the only way to get out alive..lol Well not really but sometimes it is a thought. Thursday was Thanksgiving but also my daughters birthday. She know is 12! This was just some of the food that was there when I took picutres. We had a turkey for every family. Pretty much what happened was everyone wanted their traditional food so we had food from every family.

Honestly I was a little worried. My friend & I tried to make every dish that we could diet friendly. I weighed myself this morning to see a loss of 6 ounces!! I will take it!! I would rather have a loss then a gain. I have a Holiday party this Friday for my husbands unit & then Saturday night we are going out for a friends birthday. I can make it through Dec. ALIVE!!! I KNOW I CAN!!

Pictures of dinners clearly is not going to happen because I forget about it until it is time to write blogs. Since Thursday though it has been leftovers because there are plenty & tonight it is the same again!!! Turkey, turkey turkey!!!

Now I am off to decorate some more. I am all over between cleaning, Christmas decorations & of course online shopping because that is the only way to go over here in Germany!!

PS... I will be participating in a flash mob on Saturday at Media Mart!!! For the Americans that is like Best Buy. We are taking over the store to do some ZUMBA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Now lets pray they don't call the Polizei!!! I will let you all know what happens next week!!!

I guess it's OK

2011-11-20T12:06:00.000-08:00

I guess my 4 ounce loss for the week is OK. I mean considering I had a bad back & my exercise, well I still did do everyday was not hard core like I like. I did take today off as we went drove 3 hours to do some Christmas shopping. We did a lot of walking but I know that does not do anything for me anymore.

This week is my daughters 12th birthday & Thanksgiving. My goal is to maintain this week. Well my goal really for the holiday season is to maintain. Last year I lost a pound over the holidays last year. If I lose again that would be great!!

I totally spaces taking pics of my dinners. Something I have not done in a very long time. I need to get back into it.

I took off exercise today & went out of town to shop. My exercise for this last week was

6 workouts
2307 calories burned
4 hours & 33 mins.

I hope to improve on this big time for this week!!!

Once A Week

2011-11-13T12:06:00.001-08:00

I have been thinking about coming back to blogging for awhile. I am at a point in the journey where I need to relate to others that are on this journey & unfortunately I have no friends with me that share this journey. It seems that I needed to come back when I received an email from my friend Marcelle asking that I come back to blog even once a month. I have decided that I will blog once a week. I have been reading blogs just not commenting.

Since my last blog I have gone to the doctor & been denied having the insurance paying to have a tummy tuck. This has put a damper on my wanting to lose anymore weight but I think I have mentally gotten over that hump.

Here is my workout schedule up to mid December

Sundays ~ Zumba (morning) Run (evening)
Monday ~ Gym (focus on arms & abs & legs once in awhile)
Tuesday ~Zumba (evening) Short walk after
Wednesday ~ Gym (focus on arms & abs & legs once in awhile)
Thursday ~ Zumba (evening) Short walk after
Friday ~ Run
Saturday ~ Zumba (evening) Short walk after

When I am at the gym I will start with 15 min. cardio on the treadmill then one day I will do machines & on the other night I will do hand weights. End with some Sauna time & of course I am going to start with some tan time!

I am also thinking about taking photos of my dinner every night. Hoping this gets the scale moving though it is holiday season so my goal at this point is to not gain!!!

Pictures Help

2011-08-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes having picutres to look back on help you in this journey when you are at a slump & do not see a difference. I am so lucky to have Marcelle in my life. She has taken photos every year of me & it is nice to have something to look back on. It is prefect for when I feel stuck or have doubt that all the sweat & tears are helping. My first photos are from Dec. 2009, then July 2010 & July 2011.

I need these to push me on a day like this when I am ready to drop. My body is sore, I am tired but I feel I must continue strong until the 23rd. I go back to work that day & my exercise will drop considerably from where it is at now.

I am adding a body challenge class once a week starting in Sept. I have a couple more I can get to before I start work again then it is only night classes again except weekends. I know it is only once a week but I am hoping the toning will start to show on my body by Oct. I do not expect a lot of changes right away since it is only once a week.

What a Summer

2011-08-11T06:52:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that summer is almost over (at least for me) & the weather has sucked, I have been gone 90% of it traveling & I am having to cram every possible workout in before I go back to work which is taking a toll. I have traveled to Tunisia, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic & Paris! Honestly if there is any other place I have gone to beside various city's in Germany I frankly do not remember. All of this traveling had me eating out an average of 2 meals a day & for at least 4 weeks of it all of my meals were eaten out. I have never had Burger King & McDonald's so much in my life. Did I eat salads? NOPE. I am not a fan of the balsamic vinegar they give out as dressings in Europe. So I had hamburgers, shakes, fries & chicken nuggets.

I weighed in for the first official weigh in this morning to get back on track & I gained a pound. I am shocked there is not more of gain but I am happy. Well there was a lot of walking I was with my grandparents so trust in saying this was not of any kind of speed. My grandpa is 80 & had knee surgery so we had to take it slooowwww.

I had to move my appt. for Behavioral Health to next week since I was in Paris when my last schedule was made. I can not wait to go talk to them about my feelings on all the lose skin I have left to look at, how it has affected my relationship with my husband & the struggles I deal with when I look in the mirror during Zumba & well trying on clothes. Honestly it has put a damper on my push to lose weight. Why push myself anymore. All I will add is lose skin to try & hide in shirts & pants. I am at a healthy weight right now & my goal on the side bar is me wanting my weight lower. Either way I will have surgery rather it be here in Germany or when we move back to the states. I worked to hard to still be disgusted by the person I see in the mirror.

Leaving you with a few pics from the many places we went.....

Neuschwanstein Castle

View from waiting area at Neuschwanstein Castle

Paris, France

Prague, Czech Republic

Hit Rock Bottom

2011-07-01T03:43:00.000-07:00

Thank you for the comments on my last post. I really was not sure who would read since I have been MIA for awhile but it is nice to know some of you still care!

I am not sure what slump I am in but it is getting worse. The sad past is my friend needs me now more then anything & I am in a slump. Her husband is getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan. They have been married 10 years & somehow he has never had to go. I think this might be harder on her just for that reason alone. She needs an upbeat friend to make her not worry & I am in a slump. I just want to have my pity party & cry. I truly have no clue where this is coming from & my husband has even noticed a difference in my mood.

Maybe it is becasue I am 3.6 pounds away from my goal I had set for myself & now that I am close I feel like I need to lose 20 plus more pounds. On the BMI chart that will put me on the low side of healthy. It is all just becoming to much for me right now. Until my stomach goes away I truly feel this is going to be a never ending mind game. I can't even break a smile when someone tells me that I have lost weight or look so good. In my mind I am still seeing fat...

I am going to leave you with some pictures from Tunisia. We went there for a week & Italy and I managed not to gain a pound! That did make me smile!!

These pictures are all from Tunisia. I have not even gotten close to the Italy ones yet!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!! It is a Holiday weekend for us so the men all have a 4 day! We are throwing a game night which might be the last for our friend before he leaves. Hoping for many laughs tonight!!

Mind Games

2011-06-29T06:08:00.001-07:00

I can't believe how long it has been since I blogged. Life is busy working full time & with hubby being in the military it seems like all other chores in & out of the house fall on me. I can never depend on him for much it seems.

Looking back I also realized that there wasn't much I had to say that was worth reading. I am at a number on the scale truthfully that I never thought I would see again. I have maintained keeping the weight off & that has had me happy. So why do I need to keep blogging?

Well I think it hit today when I was doing Zumba & almost in tears. I don't even want to go to class anymore. I feel like I have no friends around me that understand. My best friend weighs 115. I weigh....a lot more then that. She still thinks she is fat. Yet I say anything about me weight I am jumped on. REALLY? I would give anything to weigh in the 140's.

I would like to lose at least another 20 pounds & go from there.

No one tells you the mind games that you will play with yourselves during this journey. How the skin will hang, nothing will fit right, how you can spend an entire class at the gym playing with your clothes. I HATE IT. I just want to cry.

I see this everyday...

Even though I look like this...

I have an appt. Aug. 1st with Behavioral Health. I need to talk to someone that isn't going to tell me how far I have come & how beautiful I am. Those are not the demons I am playing with right. How I felt when I weight 60 pounds heavier is how I feel now.

Stress & Zumba in the driveway!

2011-04-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

The stress I am having really has nothing to do with weight loss but it sure is causing some. That or it is my salads that I am eating everyday. I am down another 1.3 pounds from yesterday. I am only 1.4 pounds away from my first goal weight that I thought would make me happy. Clearly I have added that I need to lose at least another 10-15 pounds.

I was able to pick up my new car yesterday! I love it! Never ever did I think I would be able to own a brand new car this early on in my life. My husband sure does spoil me!

Like the pink flower effect??lol

Now as excited as I am about this with the government threatening to shut down I am nervous. My husbands paycheck and mine both come from the government. It's after 4pm here in Germany and well when the Commissary (where we buy our food) closes at 8pm if the government shuts down then they will not be open tomorrow. Yes we can buy food on the economy but it is more expensive for us and the fact that our paycheck will only be for one week & not two weeks does not help. Fingers crossed they get this taken care of by midnight tonight. Last thing we want to do is have to go to work for free. Hope everyone has a great weekend. Mine will be great once I find out if I will be getting a paycheck or not. Either way I will be doing some Zumba this weekend even if it has to be in the front yard in the drive way like last weekend!

Weigh In &Promised Pictures

2011-04-06T23:31:00.000-07:00

I am home sick with a cold. Just my luck. My nose won't stop running, my throat hurts & if I could sleep more then 2 hours at a time life would be grand. Nothing like being stuck at home on a beautiful sunny warm day in Germany.

I have so much to say I am not sure where to start. I go to the doctor next week to find out more about what physical therapy I will need for my right foot. Also well I was at the doctor I talked to them about the lose skin on my stomach. Pretty much exercise will not stretch the skin back to place. The only thing I can do is surgery. That in a way has taken away some motivation if you know what I mean. Why keep pushing if I will not get the results I want. Sometimes I feel like my stomach bothers me more then I remember when I was 60 pounds heavier. Oh the joys of being overweight then attempting to lose it.

I weighed in this morning and I am down 2.9 pounds from last week. This is exciting. My friend Marcelle is doing the 17 Day Diet & asked if I wanted to join. I was on board and then fell off by about 5pm. Problem was I was starving. Unfortunately in my job I can not snack. I know some people think I might be padding that a bit but I was talking with the other Kinder Aids & none of them have time to hardly take a drink. Kindergarten is nonstop hands on with the kids. Also with them all being military they are very clingy and attempting to use the bathroom any time past my lunch break proves to be a no go. Either way I have taken bits and pieces from the book & clearly it is working!

Here are the pictures that I promised. Took me awhile to talk myself into posting them. Also a picture of about a years difference. I don't see much of a change but I do notice my butt has gotten smaller!!

As you can see I had to get bottoms that went way up and you can see why my stomach is bothering me.

The legs I mean really as much as I am on them and what not this is driving me nuts. I want them to shrink and now!

On a last note I wanted to share a new purse & wallet I bought. New happy colors! This is the one I was talking about on facebook Marcelle!

Also for my birthday my husband got me a a necklace from The Pretty Peacock.

It is the coordinates of the first place we met. You give them the address and they do the rest. I love it & wear it all the time.

Well sorry for the all over the place blog. Guess if I blogged more this would not happen.

PS. I get to pick up my new car today!!! 2011 Chrysler 200!!

Time To Get Off My Butt

2011-03-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

I have been MIA for too long, I have been in maintenance for too long, I have been blah for too long.

I keep saying I am going to share news with you then I get busy and forget to get back here, my exercise is slipping and the summer is coming. I need to snap out of this rut that I am in before vacation hits and I am kicking myself in the butt for letting time slip away.

The news I wanted to share is that we are going to California for two weeks with 2 other family's for a vacation that will be pretty much to die for. Our friends will be married 10 years in May and he is getting ready to deploy so we are off to Cali in June to renew the vows before he leaves. It is going to be wonderful.

What won't be is my weight if I don't get it down or at least tone up.

I am tired of wearing a skirtini. I want to wear a bikini. A skirtini is a pain when you are trying to swim or playing with children.

So here is my plan. Be sure to brace yourselves because this is me showing more then I ever thought I would. I am going to take a photo of myself in the bikini I just bought and post it on here. I am hoping that showing you guys will make me push myself. I am going to work on my plan tomorrow since I am taking a half day & Friday is the day to kick butt for the next two months. I will be breaking the months up so that I am not overwhelmed.

My goal is to be down 5-10 pounds but at least 5 pounds. Lots of toning also. Picture will be posted no later then Saturday as I need to paint toes and such. Get out of this winter weather and such.

I will be doing Zumba, C25K & somehow adding the kettlebell if I can find something I like to do it with.

Fingers crossed these 2 months show me a change!

Really Fast

2011-03-15T12:56:00.000-07:00

This week has been non stop and it is only Tuesday night. In part because here in Germany you have to run your car through inspection once a year. Mostly what happens is they look at it when your license plates get ready to expire and you either pass or have to fix things they find wrong. Well being American & having the Germans inspect our cars they pretty much fail 99% of us for anything little thing they can find. Then we have to go out on their economy and have them fix it. So to cut to the chase my car is going in the shop Wed. after work so I have been running errands non stop.

I am 8 days late for my TOM yet I have all the symptoms. The scale is showing a gain. I am stressed. Now I need physical therapy for my right foot. My walking partner's husband is going to be gone for 6 weeks so there goes my nightly walk. Now I will have to depend on myself.

Pretty much life is a roller coaster and mine seems to be on the track going down..... Hopefully soon it will start climbing back up towards the sun! Hopefully in the next couple days I will have time to sit and blog. Sure do miss it.

I need more hours in my day

2011-03-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy it is past annoying. Just once this week I would love to come home after work but I have had & will have stuff to do every single day after. Living in Germany where nothing is opened on Sunday drives me nuts. In the states it never mattered when you wanted to get something done they where open. Here on post because Germans have to be employed they close early or whenever. Drives me insane. I pretty much work the same hours as most things on post which means praying I get there before they close.

My eating is all over the place. My job has me beyond stressed being in a situation I feel I should of never been placed in. I need to get a hold of myself and realize that food is not my answer. Food will not make my situation any better and in fact when I am doing eating whatever it is that I chose to eat I know I will be upset with myself for doing it.

I have exciting news that I hope to post soon but I feel like I need to be more prepared then I am when writing the post. I need a game plan first. Something to make me accountable.

I am going to work on my calories and food plan now. I need to get this under control asap.

A late post with my Weigh In

2011-02-27T02:29:00.001-08:00

Boy oh boy have I been busy. I don't feel like I have had time to sit & read blogs,breath or even clean my house. Yet this has been a week that I have exercised everyday. Not really sure how that happens. Either way my weigh in for this week is a loss of .9 of a pound. Yup one ounce away from a pound. Sounds about right for my weigh in's.

Looking at my side bar I really don't think 13 pounds is going to be enough to make me happy. At least with this slow weigh loss I am keeping it off but I think I am going to want to lose more then 13 pounds. Maybe 125 is a number that I need to try for.

It was an interesting eating week. We were getting ready for One Hundred Day at school in Kindergarten. There has been some major issues in the classroom with one of the kids which has caused some major stress.

Yesterday we had a birthday party at a friends. I went with a green shake (which was not great). I ended up cutting a sandwich in half & eating some carrots with dressing with about a spoonful of pasta. The cake was Dirt Cake so I had a spoonful of that and it was all. I was doing good and proud of myself. Then my daughter decided to say some things & I sent her home. My husband & I went to the movies. I was so upset I ate entire bag of M&M's. Not the single serving size & not the big bag. The middle size one. Not sure what I thought it was going to do but I was just so mad at the time I really didn't care. This is a area I need to work on.

Friday night a group of us drove about an hour away to take a one hour Zumba class with a Master Zumba Instructor. It was great to see the different styles out there. The woman in the yellow top was the Master teacher. She did more of an African style dance which was not really any of our styles that we do. It was a great time though. A great way to hang out & burn calories & not consume them.

Woke up to it snowing this morning. Yesterday I was wearing flip flops. Not a happy camper right now. Off to get ready for Zumba!

Weigh In

2011-02-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

Today is another weigh in day. When it comes to my weigh in's I feel like time is flying by. It seems like it is Thursday & then Thursday again. Drives me nuts sometimes. Anyways I am down from last week. -1.3 pounds! I have finally broken into another set of "numbers" if you will. I just want to clearify that the weight on the scale in the picture is not my weight & although I would not mind being that weight I doubt that will happen. If you notice my ticker to the right you guys have a new picture coming to you in 1 ounce!!! I have almost lost 50 pounds. Talk about being close. My weight loss from the highest weight I have ever been has me down 61.9 pounds!!

My exercise has not been that great compared to last month. I am averaging 5-6 days a week when I was doing 6-7. I miss the 6-7 but life has been busy this month. Hopefully March will bring me back to my 6-7 days a week. I was told Zumba will be added to Tuesday night. So hopefully I can make that one since Monday's seem so hard to get to.

With the lack of sun & warm weather we are having I thought I would have my nails down in neon pink. Funny thing is I was getting funny looks from the other girls around me getting their nails done I have had more compliments on my nails with this color then another time. Men included.

I wanted to share with you the Valentines card I got from my bestie & workout buddy. Bacon in a shape of a heart. She knows I won't eat bacon much anymore so this was perfect. The Orchid was from here also & the other flowers ares are from my hubby!

I am supposed to go snowboarding Saturday. I have been skiing, I have been ice skating. Snowboarding I have not. So this will not be me...

but I am sure this will be....

Fingers crossed I break nothing so that I can continue to Zumba it up!!

Busy Busy

2011-02-10T10:44:00.000-08:00

I am still alive but a busy busy person. I was home last week Thursday & Friday from work because I was in such pain. Something I have never felt before. Either way it has put a damper on my workout schedule for February. I feel like between the nonstop pain & the nonstop fog we are having outside I am in a rut. I just want to fast forward to March skip the middle of that month and go straight to summer! These pictures are both taken from yesterday. Beautiful yes but the entire day it did not look this beautiful!

My eating has been so so. I am on the TOM & having some cravings which with the depressing mood I am in I have given in to. I feel like I need to do a revamp on my eating. I feel like when I have less choices I do better. This is something I need to look into asap.

Hate to make this short but I have 30 candy grams to get ready for tomorrow. Oh the joys of school & the holidays!

P.S. I just ordered a shirt & water bottle from Jen- Prior Fat Girl!! How exciting!

Weekly Weigh In

2011-02-03T09:01:00.001-08:00

I am going to make this short as I am sick and sitting up hurts my stomach. I do not know what is wrong but woke in the middle of the night with intense sharp pains. I have slept on the coach most of the day & feel like I need to get sick yet nothing.

Anyways my weigh in this week has me up 3 ounces. Not bad considering my TOM is to start tomorrow. On a side note the pain I am feeling in my stomach feels nothing like cramps. That was the first thing I thought of.

In the exercise challenges I took up (Marcelle's & Sly's) I am starting off on a bad note. Was out late Tues. night & then of course there is tonight. I was ready for these challenges but I guess this is just another challenge to add to it.

I will leave you with a picture of a dress I just sold. It was a size 18. The pics. do not show the difference like I had hoped but as my daughter put it. "This dress makes you look like you have no boobs" lol. Guess that is what happens when it hangs from you.

Winter Blues

2011-01-30T02:51:00.000-08:00

I know that lack of sun effects everyone differently. Some love it others complain about it but I think (though I am not a doctor) I need it badly. How I act & motivation about life are so dramatic when it comes to the weather. I am extreme about it. In the summer I just want to go & go. I have no issues eating healthy & I am just a happier person. My cousin is the opposite. She is better in the winter & gets depressed in the summer. I am taking Vit. D & 5HTP. Nothing seems to help right now.

I am not a big believer in Astrology though about 6 years ago I was researching it. I do find it interesting. I am a Pisces. All about the water! Seeing water makes me calm & relaxed. When I went to Turkiye last summer I was in total peace out in the ocean just floating. My friend thought it was funny. She didn't believe how happy it made me until she saw for herself.

"Individuals born when the Sun was in this sign are considered Pisceans. Under the tropical zodiac, the Sun is in Pisces roughly from February 20 to March 20, ending on the moment of vernal equinox by definition."

Need I say more. The words Sun & Tropical jump out to me! Either way since I am going on and on. I really feel the weather effects my mood, eating & exercising on the extreme level.

My husband is back which means less time at the computer & may have to do Zumba in front of him. Something I have never done. Maybe I will kick him downstairs to his "mans cave" so I can workout upstairs.

I printed out 3 calendars for February that I trying to map out my workouts for. I signed up for 2 challenges. Marcelle's & Sly's and I am still working on how I will fit it all in a day but I will. I see no day of rest for the entire month. I see 85 min. a day of exercise, 300 sit ups a week. If anything I will stay busy & have no time to snack!!!

I keep track of my exercise on Daily Mile. Truly feel like I am alone on there this week. Where is everyone?

On a last note I am starving when I get home. I eat breakfast at 7 & my lunch is 11:30. I do not get off until 3:15. Nights that I have errands to run I get home even later. It results in lots of mindless snacking. I do yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast, fruit or salad & almonds for lunch. What would be a good snack to eat to get me through until dinner?

Need to get that scale moving some more. I want the 15 pounds off & now.

Week ends with a total of 8 workouts, walking 25km, exercising 8 hrs. & 58 min., burning 4065 calories!

Growing up without a cell phone

2011-01-27T07:21:00.000-08:00

I know this is a weight loss blog but my grandma sent me this & I just had to share it. Gave me a laugh & laughing is good for your health so that makes it OK that I post here, right?lol!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SERGES BARBER SHOP !
Growing Up Without a Cell Phone

If you are 40, or older, you might think this is hilarious When I was a
kid, adults used to bore me to tears with their tedious diatribes about
how hard things were. When they were growing up; what with walking
twenty-five miles to school every morning....Uphill... Barefoot... BOTH
ways. yadda, yadda, yadda

And I remember promising myself that when I grew up, there was no way in
hell I was going to lay a bunch of crap like that on my kids about how
hard I had it and how easy they've got it!

But now that I'm over the ripe old age of forty, I can't help but look
around and notice the youth of today. You've got it so easy! I mean,
compared to my childhood, you live in a damn Utopia! And I hate to say it,
but you kids today, you don't know how good you've got it!

1) I mean, when I was a kid we didn't have the Internet. If we wanted to
know something, we had to go to the damn library and look it up ourselves,
in the card catalog!!

2) There was no email!! We had to actually write somebody a letter - with
a pen! Then you had to walk all the way across the street and put it in
the mailbox, and it would take like a week to get there! Stamps were 10
cents!

3) Child Protective Services didn't care if our parents beat us. As a
matter of fact, the parents of all my friends also had permission to kick
our ass! Nowhere was safe!

4) There were no MP3's or Napsters or iTunes! If you wanted to steal
music, you had to hitchhike to the record store and shoplift it yourself!

5) Or you had to wait around all day to tape it off the radio, and the DJ
would usually talk over the beginning and @#*% it all up! There were no
CD players! We had tape decks in our car. We'd play our favorite tape
and "eject" it when finished, and then the tape would come undone
rendering it useless. Cause, hey, that's how we rolled, Baby! Dig?

6) We didn't have fancy crap like Call Waiting! If you were on the phone
and somebody else called, they got a busy signal, that's it!

7) There weren't any freakin' cell phones either. If you left the house,
you just didn't make a damn call or receive one. You actually had to be
out of touch with your "friends". OH MY GOSH !!! Think of the horror...
not being in touch with someone 24/7!!! And then there's TEXTING. Yeah,
right. Please! You kids have no idea how annoying you are.

8) And we didn't have fancy Caller ID either! When the phone rang, you had
no idea who it was! It could be your school, your parents, your boss,
your bookie, your drug dealer, the collection agent... you just didn't
know!!! You had to pick it up and take your chances, mister!

9) We didn't have any fancy PlayStation or Xbox video games with
high-resolution 3-D graphics! We had the Atari 2600! With games like
'Space Invaders' and 'Asteroids'. Your screen guy was a little square!
You actually had to use your imagination!!! And there were no multiple
levels or screens, it was just one screen... Forever! And you could never
win. The game just kept getting harder and harder and faster and faster
until you died! Just like LIFE!

10) You had to use a little book called a TV Guide to find out what was
on! You were screwed when it came to channel surfing! You had to get off
your ass and walk over to the TV to change the channel!!! NO REMOTES!!!
Oh, no, what's the world coming to?!?!

11) There was no Cartoon Network either! You could only get cartoons on
Saturday Morning. Do you hear what I'm saying? We had to wait ALL WEEK
for cartoons, you spoiled little rat-bastards!

12) And we didn't have microwaves. If we wanted to heat something up, we
had to use the stove! Imagine that!

13) And our parents told us to stay outside and play... all day long. Oh,
no, no electronics to soothe and comfort. And if you came back inside...
you were doing chores!

14)And car seats - oh, please! Mom threw you in the back seat and you
hung on. If you were lucky, you got the "safety arm" across the chest at
the last moment if she had to stop suddenly, and if your head hit the
dashboard, well that was your fault for calling "shot gun" in the first
place! See! That's exactly what I'm talking about! You kids today have
got it too easy. You're spoiled rotten! You guys wouldn't have lasted
five minutes back in 1970 or any time before!

15) And you idiots, don't you know the brim on a cap is to protect your
eyes from the sun, if the manufacturer wanted it in the back they would
have put it there!

Regards,
The Over 40 Crowd
(Send this to someone you'd like to make smile)

Mondays are going to be hard.....

2011-01-24T09:24:00.000-08:00

I am so tired on Mondays. The kids at school take everything I have out of me. I wanted to go to Zumba tonight but I made the mistake of sitting down & it was all over. Can not & will not let this happen next month. It will be ALL OR ALL. Here is why.....

I rejoined Marcelle's Online group & love the challenges that she is giving us!! Right now we are keeping track of our workouts. I do that anyways on Daily mile but I thought I would share my week stats here.

Monday 17th ~ Sunday 23rd
11 workouts
burned 5374 calories
walked 31km.
worked out for a total of 10 hrs. & 52 min.

I have decided for the month to take on Sly's challenge & Marcelle's. Now I am not sure how smart this idea is. I am working on mapping it out as I will be exercising 7 days a week. So on that note I am taking this week easy as it is my last week before February. By easy I mean I am not "pregaming" before my dog walk tonight but I will burn a minimum of 3500 calories this week!

For those of you who may want to know what "pregaming" in Sarah's world it is simply that I exercise to get my heart rate up before another exercise. I try and "pregame" before all dog walks & Zumba.

My husband is coming home a week early & even though it will be nice now is not the time. I wanted to get my first week on Feb. figured out without having to worry about him. Oh well.

Does anyone know of a good program to use on the computer to make a chart. I will be needing one.

Weekly Weigh In

2011-01-20T07:19:00.000-08:00

I sure haven't written one of these blogs in a long time. I have been so frustrated that the scale hasn't moved that I didn't even want to deal with the weigh in's anymore. On that note I am happy to report a loss of 1.6 pounds!!! Proof has been emailed to my friend Marcelle! Now to just keep going! That is the important part!

I am 1.6 pounds away from my next goal picture of a loss of 50 pounds. I have 15.6 pounds to lose to hit my goal. As I look at myself I am not sure that will be enough. That being said I can begin to see how this can turn into a dangerous game for some people. When is it really enough. Are we really happy with our bodies ever? Will the number ever be low enough? I know right now I am far from it being dangerous. I could probably stand to lose even more then the 15 pds. I have left.

Last night I was able to burn 701 calories doing Zumba in the living room and a dog walk. Love those high numbers! Today I also got many compliments on my fruit from yesterday and some people even brought some today because of it! It's all a learning process!

An Inspired Lunch

2011-01-19T08:47:00.000-08:00

My neighbor that I walk with is a health/exercise nut. She is like no one I know. On the weekends when we go to the gym calorie goal is 800 & we do not leave until we hit it. She goes to the gym 7 days a week & walks her dog 3 times a day not to mention all of the other motherly duties she does. Really I have no clue where she gets her energy. Might be the coffee she has to drink all day.

Anyways when we walk every night we talk about everything. I think about trying to eat like her but I am having trouble thinking about pretty much eating the same thing all the time. I love her discipline but I also want to enjoy life & have a bite of pizza without thinking I need to stay at the gym an extra 20 min. for it.

Her breakfast is the pretty close to what I eat. Lunch for her is a bowl of fruit everyday & that is it. So this is what I did.

My lunch for work. Of course all the other items where not inspired by my friend. Just the fruit! I had a serving of reduced fat wheat thins, 100 calorie pack of almonds, soy pudding & fruit (pineapple, apple, grapes & kiwi). I mixed the pudding in the with the fruit & it was yummy!! I think this might be something I can pull off for about 3 of the 5 days I am working. I do like to change it up every once and awhile.

We have had green grass for almost a week. Today it decided to rain & snow and hail. This is what it looked like when I got home. The wired looking lines are snow coming down (lovely photos coming off of a phone). Tonight's walk is going to be cold.

I joined Sly's challenge for February. I really need something to push me in the strength training area and I hope this helps. Now to actually do it & stick with it for a month. I really want tank top arms though. Tired of talking about. I need to act on it. I have goals to hit by the time I turn 30.

Weather Plays Into My Eating

2011-01-17T03:40:00.000-08:00

I always knew that the weather played into our emotions, eating & daily habits. I really realized this today though. Yesterday the sun was out all day! I ate wonderfully & felt great about the day!! Today is another story. Fog all day. It is 2:15 in the afternoon and the fog is still bad. I feel blah. I want to just watch movies and eat. Instead I am doing laundry, mopping & cleaning my daughters room. Anything I can to keep from eating. I hate this feeling.

Yesterday ~ 730am

Today ~ All day

Here pictures of my breakfast & lunch from yesterday. Breakfast today was a piece of wheat bread with peanut butter & lunch was the same minus the cheese stick. Smoked Salmon on German bread (which I have no clue the calories), lettuce & lite Philadelphia chili cream cheese.

Breakfast is Yogurt, banana, pineapple, strawberry's, raisins, oats & organic pumpkin flax seed.

This is my latest gadget of fun!! I stick my Iphone in there & dance away well I make dinner. I am known to crank the music so high I don't even hear the phone or door bell. In fact my neighbor finds it funny to sneak up to the kitchen window & scare me (after I assume he laughs at my dancing). Either way I am so into my Zumba music I find that I do not snack well I make dinner anymore!

I finally broke down and bought myself a stability ball. I really need to work on my abs and arms & I hate using the machines at the gym. I noticed when I was a member at 24 hr. Fitness I hated the machines, at the Y I used them, now at the military gym I am back to no. I think a lot of it has to do with the people around me. I am still trying to "find my place" in the gym. If that makes sense. My husband left today for 3 weeks so if I do this everyday I hope he notices some difference.

I used to track my breakfast well I ate. That was when I went to work between 9-10. Now I leave the house at 7:20 & I am finding that I can not track in the computer before work like I used to. So now I will right it in here then transfer it.

Really trying to get out of the rut. I have maintained my current weight to long. I did try on a couple of things that I didn't feel comfortable enough to wear out (my friend says I am to critical of myself) & this morning they fit!! Guess maybe I am losing inches or toning or something!!

Calories burned last week were 4575, 9 workouts, 22 km for a total of 10hrs. & 21 min.

Sick Again

2011-01-13T05:29:00.000-08:00

Hello blog land!!! Once again I have been MIA. To be honest right now I just feel like there are more important things in life then blogging. I am busy with work, running my daughter here and there & what not. Living next to friends also proves to keep a person busy. So much has happened not sure where to start.

Back in November my friend and I went to a Zumba Teacher Instruction class. We both left instructors. I won't really use my certificate here in Germany though. I can only work on post and when I can the room is taken. It was a fun weekend though & something I am glad I did. I had to go out of my comfort zone for this and would of been something I would never thought of doing 40+ pounds ago.

Zumba has really helped me break out of my shell and I love it!!! Right now I am working on my first song with my friend!!LOVE IT!!

Next my weight ticker on the side has been adjusted. As I get closer to the weight I would like to be at I do not think it is enough. So I have lowered my goal weight some more. Unfortunately with that the number to lose is higher again.

I have also been stuck when it comes to get the scale moving again. Well my bmi is now normal I refuse to let my body think this is where I am supposed to be at. I want to lose another 20 pounds and I guess it is something I will have to work hard for. Any suggestions? I have bought a stability ball though to sit on and do hand weights. My main focus right now is arms and stomach.

Today is my weigh in and I am down from last week (TOM WEEK) yet up an ounce from the week before that. With my birthday coming up in March I would like to lose 5 pounds by then. Normally I would think I could do it. Right now I am not to sure.

Off to take a nap. This cold is kicking my butt and I need my strength to go on a walk tonight!

Am I Setting Myself Up For Failure Again??

2010-12-20T13:52:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone had a great Monday or I should say having a great Monday. As I write this it is already 11pm my time so my Monday is about over for me. I hope that I can stay on top of this blogging and get back into a routine. I sure do miss reading tips and ideas and seeing I am not the only one that is human.

Well I have been MIA from blogland I have moved and settled into a new home and new job. Kindergarten really does make a person tired. Still not used to coming home and wanting to go right to bed. Actually getting to take my lunch is proving interesting. Sneaking away from these little kiddos is hard most of the time.

As for weight I have lost though I am not where I want to be. I will enjoy that the scale is moving down especially with all the holidays. Went to the gym on Thanksgiving & did a class that I burned 649 calories. With the snow falling Zumba has been canceled for Monday night for the last month. It is driving me nuts. I have been going with my neighbor on dog walks every night in snow and rain and wind. Yes I am the idiot walking with my neighbor in weather that is so bad it shuts down a military post and I have no dog leash in my hand. I am sure people wonder what I am thinking..lol

The title of the post is simple. It has to do with my goal on what I want to be starting out the year 2011. I need to lose 2.4 pounds to hit a mini goal. I would like to start 2011 out in a new set of numbers. Well this may not seem like a hard goal for some I have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners ahead of me as well as New Years Eve dinner and of course many drinks. Maybe this isn't the smartest idea I have had.

Well I am off to bed in hopes I can get to Zumba in the morning!!!

I am still alive....

2010-12-19T04:39:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still alive and kicking. Been really busy with the holidays and getting the internet moved took over a month. I will be back to blogging soon as I am off two weeks from work. Thanks to everyone that checked up on me through email, facebook or daily mile. Can't wait to get back to this as this is something I need. I need to be with friends that understand what I am going through.. I will be writing a blog before 2010 is over. Be back soon!

Last post for awhile...

2010-10-21T06:44:00.001-07:00

This is my last post until the internet is turned on again from the move. We got the keys today and I started taking some stuff today before the movers get here tomorrow. My husband will stay with the movers so that I can go to Zumba!! I also am going to try and Zumba it up this weekend!!

My weigh in for this week has me down 2.3 pounds! I am looking at the side bar and seeing that I need to change my goal weight. I will wait until I get there first before I change it. My husband is afraid now that I will never be happy at the weight I am at when I told him I will need to lose more. This may be a never ending cycle.

Well hate to make this short but I need to take some cleaning products to the house so I can start cleaning!! Will be back sometime in 7-10 working days..lol

A year came and went....

2010-10-19T06:12:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how going away for a four day has me so behind on blogging. I spent the last two days trying to catch up on them instead of writing my own blog. I have so much going on I can't sleep or think.

Ever had so much going on your head just doesn't shut down..at all?

That's how I am feeling. I have so much to say I am not sure where to begin. First of all my year of blogging and having a healthier new lifestyle came and went and I am not sure where I was. October 15, 2009 was when I decided to I was done with avoiding mirrors. I was done telling my daughter about being healthy but doing the opposite. I was done being miserable and to be very honest I was done having my weight get in the way of the relationships I wasn't having with my husband & friends.

I am so glad that I made the choice not to wait any longer to make changes but to be honest I am upset with the amount of weight I didn't lose. I should of been able to lose it all since I didn't have a very large amount to lose. I am very disappointed with myself. I thought losing weight in a foreign country would be easier. Clearly it isn't for me. Germany's baked goods are to yummy to pass up!!!

I still need to lose 11 pounds to hit my goal but then I think I need to reevaluate & I think I am going for another 10-15 after that. We will see.

I am starting a new job Nov. 1 and I am so excited. I am going to be working as a aid for kindergarten. Lots of moving around with this job! The teacher I will be working under has some health issues so I was told I would be doing most of the interacting with the kids. That means I need to go shopping to get new clothes but not to nice because we know how little kids spill everything.

The first weekend of Nov. my friend and I are going to another town to a Zumba workshop!! We heard we want to burn calories this is the place where we will. It will be a nice weekend getaway with no kids or husbands!

This Friday we move into the "big house"..lol I can't wait. 4 flights of stairs & dog walks here I come!! On that note here in Germany it take 7-10 days to transfer the internet and phone so I will not be writing or reading blogs unless I can pull of someone's internet. Everything is getting turned off Thursday after work.

Hopefully I will get everything settled and what not & as soon as the internet gets turned back on I will be good to go.

Off to Berlin

2010-10-07T23:10:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am off to Berlin today and will not be able to read blogs until Tuesday.. Will have a lot to catch up on. I went grocery shopping with my friend so I have my breakfast & lunches. Dinners we will all go out. Hopefully we will do lots of walking & she is taking her dog so I will go on dog walks with her as well. Marcelle has my weight from Thursday so hopefully I can maintain or even lose by the time I get back!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend. I have so much to share when I get back.

Off to the gym then on the road we go!

Day 339-345

2010-10-04T11:10:00.000-07:00

Lately I have sucked at blogging and getting around to reading. I am busy getting ready to move. I need to paint the garage (tomorrow) & start boxing up things that transportation won't move or things I don't want them touching. Like my stuff from Turkiye or my beer steins. It's funny when you have someone moving you how much more you end up packing yourself anyways. I will try and get better once things settle down again.

As for exercise I did Zumba yesterday and tonight! It was great. I plan on going to Zumba Thursday afternoon as I have the day off. Wanted to go the gym after work tomorrow but I need to get to CYS to fill out paperwork & set up transferring internet & phone when we move. Maybe I will dance well I paint!!

Tonight I tried on my daughters skirt to her Halloween costume. It fit!! Needless to say she isn't happy with me. Maybe dancing through the house wasn't the smartest idea but I was so happy that for once I couldn't control myself. I am thinking about wearing it us adults have a Halloween party!

I have also personally decided that I think I am going to change my weight goal. Right now I only need to lose 12.3 more pounds to get to my goal weight that I set for myself but I really don't think 12 pounds is going to be enough. I am thinking I will be trying to lose another 13 more for a total of 25 more pounds. I really need to work on my arms & stomach.

I need your ideas for breakfast please. I am eating yogurt, blueberries, oats & a organic mix but I am starving when I am at work. The feeling you get when you haven't eaten all day is how I feel and I am lost as to why when I am eating. Any help would be great!!!

I will be sharing some exciting news in the future!!

Just wanted to share a photo I edited.

Day 332-338

2010-09-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

Not sure if anyone else feels this way but my husband has agreed with me. Every time I make plans for me, mostly when I comes to long term goals over a week life always happens. I wanted to do Sly's challenge of doing at least 25 min. a week of exercise but then I was on the road all day helping friends get adjusted to Germany. I really have to start putting myself first if I plan to stick to this lifestyle for the rest of my life. I mean life always happens. I need to figure out how to fit everything out and I will. I have come further then I ever had so I just need to keep figuring it out some more & I will.

Friday I when I was going to work I got a compliment!!! Someone that does Zumba with me didn't recognize me from behind when I was leaving daycare with a friend. Until I turned around did she realize who I was. Made working on a Friday with the sun out so worth it. She just couldn't get over how much smaller I looked from behind!! Need to keep pushing myself!

Some more great news that I have is we are moving!!!!!To a BIG HOUSE!!!! Well compared to where we live now. It is four levels so that means stairs!! You have no clue how happy I am to have stairs. The washer and dryer are in the basement and my daughters room is on the very top floor. Guaranteed floor climbing everyday!!! I am also moving next to my best friend Angie. The health nut that I go to the gym with all the time and is in all the pics with me. So that means dog walks even in the winter when I find it the hardest to get moving. I am sure the fresh air will be great to. Everything is falling into place. We move next month as we had to give a 30 day notice to the landlord. Will post pics when we are in there.

Life is great!!!!

Day 326-Day 331

2010-09-20T10:23:00.000-07:00

OK so out plan of hitting Fitness Day and burning 3,000 calories did not happen. After we looked at the schedule we realized that we would need to burn 500+ calories per class and the classes were only 30 minutes long. So we decided to put our goal to 2,000. After awhile we realized that these classes we more to show you what they offered then what we wanted. To burn calories.

I ended at 1,592 and had I realized this when I turned off my watch I would of ran to the car to hit 1,600. Either way I am happy with the calories burned on a Saturday considering the night before I had 3 glasses of different wine. I am really happy with the person I am becoming. That and I love having a workout partner that is so dedicated to the gym no matter what day it is.

I thought I would post a new picture now that I am down 40 pounds. Then I decided to make a collage. I thought this might help me with seeing how far I have come. I still have a long way to go. I think I have decided to try and lose another 25 pounds. Right now I have two goals. One to hit by Oct. 15 which is my year long anniversary and one to hit by Dec. 31. I have to have a goal to end 2010 with. (P.S. The last pic. is in my new size 12 jeans)

Seems like every weekend is full of game nights and drinking and snacks. Might have to figure out how to get through the nights well still having fun! Any suggestions. We do put out fruit to snack on which helps I think.

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I am off to catch up on blogs!

Day 325

2010-09-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

This is going to be a short post but wanted to let everyone know what is going on. Was able to do Zumba last night and that made me so happy. As for getting to the gym the rest of the week I don't see it and it upsets me but I always have put other people ahead of me and I am doing it once again.

Today I had to pick up my friends and bring them back to our post (they are on a different one at a hotel until next week) to bring them to get paper work for school, we also had open house and I ran them to the PX to get shoes.

Tomorrow right after work I have to pick them up again, get them in the system for their ID's and get bekah registered in school & any other misc. things that need to be done.

I know I have more running around as we are trying to get a new place to live and I have to have letters done and signed off on. Seems like everything is a mess again.

Once they get settled I can work on me again. On a good note though they are having a fitness day at the gym Saturday with all classes running all day. My friend and I are going and guess her goal for calorie burn...

3,000..... Yup she told me tonight we aren't leaving the gym until we burn at least 3,000 calories Saturday. This should be interesting.

Day 323-324

2010-09-13T05:58:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was busy as always. That is the way I like it though because I know once the snow is starts falling life will slow down again as I hate driving in the snow.

Tonight I am going to Zumba finally and I am so happy. I was starting to have withdrawals. The dang Army sometimes drives me nuts when they decide we can have class. Totally messing with my flow.

I promised that I would share NSV when I wrote again. Our friends from Colorado finally arrived in Germany Friday night. They are stationed at the same post we are so that is going to be great! Anyways they noticed that I had lost weight! You have no idea what it is like to finally get a complement. No one here knows me and the ones I know see me all the time so seeing a weight change never happens. Dave & Sarah are the first of our old friends to see us so they saw the change.

My second NSV is I bought a new pair of pants in a new size. I didn't try them on in the store. I bought and decided I would get in to them if it was the last thing on earth by next month. Well they fit!!! Size 12. I was never a single digit number in pants so going below a 10 I really don't see happening. I am Latino. We are good sized girls. The fact that last winter I was wearing a size 18 & this winter I may even be able to get down to a size 10 makes me happy. Hell seeing a size 12 had me jumping for joy!! I need to also buy more work out clothes as I hate trying to run and hold my pants up.

I am finally realizing that this is happening and I am getting smaller. That I am finally getting the weight off and keeping it off. This is the furthest I have ever made it in this journey. I have a month and a couple days and it will be a year. Granted I am not where I want to be but I feel like since I have failed this journey so many times that this slow weight loss is helping me learn to maintain and not gain.

I realize that I am more fit then I have been in a very long time. I am running longer then a couple minutes at a time. I am exercising more and saying more to foods that I know really aren't that beneficial to my body. Now I am just waiting for the Clean Eating books from the library.

Day 321-322

2010-09-10T23:54:00.000-07:00

Wanted to write a quick update as my hubby is still in bed. Just realized that I will be hitting my year on this blog next month & like Dawne my count is off. Except mine is way off. I know mine is probably because I didn't write everyday and counted wrong. I will figure it out and just start with the right day next time I write.

Last night we went out for Italian with our friends and OMG the place give portions that are way to big. I could of shared my meal with Rachelle and even Chris didn't eat all of his. Next time we go back I will be splitting a meal.

Our friends from Colorado just arrived last night. They will be stationed with us at Graf. Means more dinners out and party's. Thats how we roll. Guess I will be practicing moderation some more.

Off to Nurmberg fest tonight for the beer tent. It's couples night so we can let lose and dance on the benches. Really considering wearing my HRM to see how many calories I burn in the tent dancing.

Have some NSV but I will talk about them in the next post. Off to eat breakfast then to my friends house to talk about our husbands & have coffee!

Have a great weekend. Won't likely be on until Monday as this weekend seems busy.

Day 318-320

2010-09-09T10:18:00.000-07:00

Today is weigh in day. I can't really honestly say that I dread the to much considering that I weigh myself once or more a day. There really is no surprise when you are on the thing everyday. Today my weigh in only had me down an ounce from last week. Well I am not happy with that I am happy that I did not have a gain with all the eating I was doing well I watched my marriage fall apart. I am also 4 days out till TOM and I always gain. Somewhere between 2-4 pounds. So I will take that 1 ounce loss and be happy!!

I joined Sly's Challenges that she is having. Both of them. To do some sort of physical activity for at least 20 min. a day & The 30 Day Shred. Well I am 9/9 on the 20 min. I am only 4/9 on The Shred. This upsets me that I have let life affect my goals. I am not going to stop and if it kills me I will try my hardest to get 30/30 by the end of the month. Clearly this means that I will be doing the Shred more then once a day until I get caught up. I know Sly never intended for her challenge to be this way but I hope she will be proud if I can pull it off. This is something I need to do for me.

I sat in the sauna today after my workout. I haven't been in there in a while and I miss it. I miss the heat and relaxing. I think I will have to make it in there at least 3 times a week.

Last night I went for my first massage since I have been in Germany. I hour full body massage...by a man. This was a first also. My friend swears by him that he can work miracles with pain. She was so right. I will be going back at least once a month. I have to make sure and put money aside for this as I pay in euro so it cost a little more. It is so worth it though.

I am also thinking about hitting up the tanning bed a couple times a week. I know they are bad for you but with lack of sun I need to do something to keep myself happy. I am very into natural light. First thing I do every morning is open the blinds before anything else. I need & crave the sun. Germany is not the place to live when lack of sun affects your mood. I am going to go into this fall/winter better prepared then last!

Day 314-317

2010-09-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

As much as this is a weight loss blog I thought I would let everyone know what is going on in my life. Everything is falling between the cracks in my life. My marriage almost ended last night. I am going to take a break from blogging. I am not quitting & I hope that you won't take me off of your blog roll. Right now though my marriage is much more important then blogging or being on the internet 24/7. I was so excited to get back into it but when I saw my marriage pretty much end last night I knew things needed to be changed. It can not ever get like that again because next time I don't think a second chance will be there.

I will continue to diet & exercise. I will still use daily mile to keep track and spark people. When I do find time I will comment and/or blog. It's just right now by the time I exercise in the morning, go to work, go to the gym after work, help with homework & make dinner my husband is home and we need to spend time together.

Hope everyone understands. My family needs me right now & I need to help fix it before I know longer have one.

Day 313

2010-09-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

I woke up this morning and my foot really wasn't hurting. Not like it had been. Went on my morning run & then came home & did the 30 Day Shred. Was feeling fine but at work it started throbbing and now I am in pain again. I did push myself through the 30 Day Shred again after work though. I can't start with excuses about not being able to do it or the month will go by & I will wish I JUST DID IT!

I guess I will be calling the doctor next Tuesday to make an appt. Anyone that knows me knows that I hate going to the doctor and if there is any sign I am better then I won't. We have a 4 day training holiday so they are closed until Tues.

I really wanted to hit the gym this afternoon but I had an appt. after work so I wasn't able to. Tomorrow I plan on leaving work early to go out of town. Unfortanly that means the only exercise I will be getting is from my morning run (if it's warm enough) & the 30 Day Shred. Better then nothing I guess.

Plans for this weekend include

Friday~ Regensburg Fest
Saturday~ Girls Night @ Nuremberg Fest
Sunday~ Game Night

So pretty much there will be drinking & fest food. Not sure what the plans are for Monday yet. Tonight we went out for Greek. This restaurant is the only place I let my guard down. We haven't been there since the end of May and I have been craving it. This was my dinner tonight.

My hubby & I split the wine leaves so we each get one & a half.

Here all I eat is the lamb. I don't touch the rice.

It's hard living in Germany. You want to enjoy trying things because you know you won't be here long but you also have to remember not to go over bored.

I will end with my measurements that I had my husband take last night.

Stomach~39
Arms~13
Thigh~24
Bust~38 1/2

As for weight I have never shared that and I am not going to. I do weigh in weekly with Marcelle though so we are keeping track with the weight!

Day 312

2010-09-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have joined both of Syl's Challenges this month. 30 Day Shred for 30 days and 20 minutes or more daily activity. I am planning on getting so elective surgery in December and I want to lose at least 15 pounds by winter break.

Right now as I am writing this I have the heating pad on my foot. For over a week I have complained about my right foot throbbing in pain. It is only getting worse with everyday and I keep ignoring it. Needless to say I am calling the doctor tomorrow. I am limping everywhere and it throbs so much it is keeping me awake at night.

This morning I got up ran so I was able to get the 20 minutes in. My foot hurt so bad and I tried to ignore it with every step. At work I stand on my foot 4 hours with no break so that isn't helping. My husband said to not doing anything on it tonight. Tomorrow I will do the video twice to make up for today. Once in the morning & once after work. I might see if I can get something to wrap it with.

Tonight before bed I will have my husband do my measurements. It really takes a lot for me to allow him to do that. After seeing the picutres I am disgusted with the way I look. Now I know why I made sure to stay behind the camera 40 pounds ago. Yuck.

Day 300-311

2010-08-31T08:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA again. Just when I was getting back into blogging life happened. Blogging is important but not on my list of things that has to be done. Everything around me is falling apart and unless you are married into the military or have a spouse that works from 530am - at least 7 pm & pulls 24 hour duty on weekends then you really have no clue the stress that I am going through. I don't mean to come across rude or not claim that you don't have stress because everyone does it is just that with the Army you have to do what they want & they are not about family like they claim.

I am so stressed that I have an upset stomach 24/7. I can't sleep & all I want to do is eat. I know that eating is not going to solve anything yet I do it. I am back to being overweight again. Yup an endless cycle and I swear I sometimes want to just give up. Today I decided to eat an entire bag of these M&M's & after I ate them not only did I still have the problems but now I had the guilt of eating an entire bag of M&M's.

I am starting a new workout plan & hopefully it will work.

Monday~Zumba
Tuesday~Cardio,Arms & Abs
Wednesday~Cardio,Legs & Abs
Thursday~Cardio,Arms & Abs
Friday~Cardio,Legs & Abs
Saturday~Zumba or Cardio & Abs

So far I am 2 for 2. Today I almost talked myself out of staying to do weights. I get off of work at 2 & went straight to the gym. The guys start coming into the gym around 2:30 & later to do PT. Which means I have to share with the guys & I am really uncomfortable doing that. I did about 15 minutes then I decided to just end with half mile run around the track.

Tonight I made sweet potatoes. Marcelle's way. Then I topped them with the turkey chili I made yesterday & a little bit of Weight Watchers Shredded Cheese.

On one last note my daughter started 5th grade yesterday. Which means this is her last year in elementary school & next year starts middle school. I am not sure I am ready for that. Time really does go fast when you aren't paying attention. This makes me want another kid.

Day 293-299 I AM FINALLY NORMAL

2010-08-19T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy that I have had no time to write blogs. I have hardly had the time to comment but for some reason I feel that I should comment on blogs before I write my own. So if you do get comments but I am not writing a blog it is because I am short on time but feel it is more important to read your blogs then write my own.

Anyways on to the news. I have added workouts to do past Zumba. Now when I finish Zumba I do some more cardio as I am finding I need to burn a lot more calories. I am trying for at least 600 a day. I know once I start working again next week I won't be able to do Zumba except for Monday nights so I have been messing with the machines to see what I like. I have also added weights as I am seeing more lose skin hang & it is nasty.

I can say that I am starting to see a difference. Finally starting to see a difference. Of course I see a picture of myself and it all goes away. Not digging the pictures still.

Today was weigh in day and I lost. 3 weeks in a row I have lost weight. 2.1 pounds. How the heck I have lost over 1 pound 3 weeks in a row is beyond me. I guess counting calories & changing up my workout at the gym is what I needed.

I only have 13 more pounds to go to get to my goal weight. A weight I think I might have to change. I really don't see 13 pounds being enough now that I am a lot closer to it then I thought. Either way I am finally NORMAL!! My bmi is in the normal spot. I am finally healthy. I have moved from obese to healthy! One thing I do find interesting is that all bmi charts are different. One says I can go as low as 125 and another says 130 for my height of 5'9. Either way I think those weights are unrealistic for me to maintain. I have lost 40 pounds so I will update a picture sometime this weekend.

Well off to clean the house. School and work start soon and I need to get caught up on cleaning and what not. We are down to one car still so I am taking my husband to and from work and running errands and the gym. Needless to say the house isn't up to my standards.

Day 290-292

2010-08-12T06:59:00.000-07:00

I haven't been this tired in a long time. I have stayed up until 1am the last 3 mornings watching Desperate Housewives (I have never watched it) & then going to do Zumba. This morning I had to get up at 5:45 to take my husband to work. His car is in the shop. I hate taking naps during the day and I haven't but I am finding that I am not able to sleep at night again. My brain won't turn off. It is getting annoying. I just want to sleep but all I can do is think. I have never taken any kind of a sleeping pill but I am considering it big time.

Now on to the exciting stuff. Today is my weigh in day. Here is how it is looking. I lost 1.3 pounds. So far I have lost 38.5 pounds & I have 15.5 more to go. Looking at myself though I do feel I might need to lose more then 15. I guess I will see when I get there I now have 1.5 pounds to lose before I am considered normal & no longer overweight.

I joined Weight Watchers back in 2008 to lose weight for my "big wedding". I still have my old book & like to look to see what I have lost total even though I have gone back & fourth with the dieting since then. Well as of today I have lost 50.5 pounds. Sad part, when I look in the mirror I don't see a change of that much. Granted it has been over some years but still.

Well that is all for today. I am so tired & I need to keep moving so I don't fall asleep & become more off schedule.

(Pictures from today are from Turkiye. I am still editing them.)

Day 287-289

2010-08-09T10:57:00.001-07:00

This weekend was so so on eating. I either eat nothing or everything. Last night we to the movies and I did have some popcorn. Changes I did make compared to the old me was I got a water instead of soda and added nothing to the popcorn. I am not big on it being soaked in butter but I always had them add just a little. Not anymore.

Today was an off day and I am not sure why. My breakfast was coffee. 50 whole calories. Lunch came in at 480. Snacks at 410. That left me with 490-840 for dinner. I made homemade chili with turkey. No clue really how to figure out the calories on that but I am sure that I ended fine.

I did go back to the Sparkpeople page and edit my goals to include the weight I wanted to be at and by what time( I had joined this site about 4 months ago but never used it). Anyways when I went & changed that and my workout goals it upped my calories to 1430-1780 a day. Guess we will see how that goes with the scale. I am finding it a little nicer not to have to worry about staying under 1550. We are always eating out or doing stuff and trying to stay at 1550 was getting interesting. I haven't hit 1780 but knowing it is there if need be is nice. I will give this a month to see what happens. If the scale doesn't move then I will drop calories myself back to 1550.

Tonight I went to Zumba and burned 525 calories. This weekend we are house sitting and I will be next door to my best friend who also walks her dog 3 times a day so I will be going with her!! Hopefully it will be warm. I am dying to jump on the trampoline.

Pictures are from vacation. I am still editing them. Boy can you waste an entire day sitting on your butt doing this.. So not good.

Day 286

2010-08-06T08:09:00.000-07:00

It's finally Friday & of course it is cold & has rained all day and still is. Really if Germany could just work with me and my long for summer a little longer that would be great. I am losing my tan from Turkiye and it is upsetting me. That tan sure did cost me a lot of money..lol

Anyways I got on the scale this morning and was sure I would see a gain. Mainly because when I have a loss like that the next day isn't that great. Well I lost another 2 ounces! Well that is nothing it make me happy! Maybe I am giving counting calories my all because this is something new or maybe becasue I know I have to send Marcelle a photo every week. Either way I am not complaining.

Breakfast~banana with peanut butter 249 calories
Lunch was Popeyes~470 calories (not the best choice but I had NSV well there)
Dinner~ Thai food (restaurant)
Snack~Wheat bread & peanut butter 185 calories

Today I skipped Zumba so my friend could go. They canceled on site daycare & I know how bad she wanted to go. So I offered to babysit well she went. I played hide & seek to include all 3 levels of the house & had to carry the 3 year old up & down each time. I say I got a good work out just doing that.

Hopefully going to Zumba tomorrow morning! Then not sure what the weekend plans are.

Day 285

2010-08-05T03:02:00.000-07:00

This is going to be lots of information compared to my normal post so bare with me please. Taking care of a sick husband yesterday and napping through me off. I hate napping during the day but I guess I needed it. These pictures are of my first day of counting calories.

Of course I only had 1 and taking a picture of it on the scale would of made more sense but I am still in learning process.

Breakfast pretty much is the same thing which I guess is good. Makes counting calories a little easier.

Not the smartest move. The roll alone was 168 calories. Boy oh boy how I love the German bread.

My calories totaled 1,313 & I burned 604. Not bad for a first day I hope. Yesterday I consumed 1412 & burned 502.

My new favorite snack is anything with peanut butter. I am not safe with peanut butter. If you gave me the jar and a spoon I promise you will get back an empty jar. Now I remember why I stopped buying it. Maybe for a snack..peanut butter & ice cream. Sounds yummy!

Counting calories has made me think twice about the things I chose to put in my mouth. Hopefully this is the key I need to get the scale moving again.

No this is not my goal weight & clearly not my weight. I just felt the need to update my scale picture for my weekly weigh ins. Anyways I lost 1.5 pounds from my last weigh in. On a side note though I didn't weigh in last week because I was in Turkiye so I guess I could always divide the number between both weeks. Then it would make more sense..lol Either way seeing the scale move and to a new number I haven't seen in many years is nice. It is a very good mood lifter. Many thanks to Marcelle who showed me counting calories really isn't that hard. Seems like I am the type of person that gets in a routine and I hate to change it. Well maybe I just needed to change it. Guess we will see after next weeks weigh in. I have 2.9 pounds to go and I am normal again. So close. Hopefully I will be there soon! Once I am normal I will have lost 40 pounds so I will post a new picture.

Day 284

2010-08-04T07:56:00.000-07:00

Today won't be a regular blog as I am not feeling well. Had a dentist appt. this morning where they numbed me up and I thought it wise to go to Zumba right after. Everyone was surprised I was there and I thought it was no biggie until the end. I just wanted to go home and rest.

It is my husbands and I's 4 year anniversary today and we planned on going out for dinner but my mouth is sore and he was sent home on quarters meaning he can't leave the house. He is still sick with some sort of virus. Funny thing is the first two he was deployed and last year he had to take care of a soldier so I spent it eating frozen pizza with Rachelle. This year we are both blah. We are such winners I tell you.

Tomorrow I will post pictures and numbers. Off to lay down again.

Day 283

2010-08-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

This is all it has been doing since I got back from vacation...Rain

Wow..3 days in a row of posting. You all better watch out. I am thinking that maybe by not posting I wasn't holding myself accountable. It was easier to hide from you guys becasue the scale was driving me nuts then come right the same thing on there as always.

So to add to my plan I have come up with something. This will be the first time that Marcelle hears about this idea. My husband and her are the only two people that know my weight. When I was doing Weight Watchers is was easier to push myself becasue I knew every week I had to prove to someone other then myself my weight. I still can't put my weight out there for everyone to see and I doubt that I ever will. I am ashamed where I have let myself get to.

So Marcelle here is my proposal..... Would you be willing to get a email every Thursday with me standing on the scale with my current weight? Maybe if I know someone else is watching closely it will push me more.

I am also going to post a picture off all the foods I ate today tomorrow with the total of calories I ate and burned. Pretty much my blog is not going to be that interesting. Lots of numbers.

ONE BITE AT A TIME.
ONE DECISION AT A TIME.

I think that says it all. This is my new bracelet that I got in the mail the day before I left for Turkiye. I ordered it from Jen at Priorfatgirl. First off it is my favorite color and I am thinking it worked well I was in Turkiye. I mean I could of come back with a lot worse gain then 1 pound.

Well I am off to figure out my calories for dinner. I really don't want to boil my gluten free spaghetti in a separate pan but I don't see any other way around it. Dang those extra dishes I don't want to do.

Day 282

2010-08-02T03:33:00.001-07:00

OK so now that I am back from vacation and ready to go I just need the weather to work with me..lol Since we have been back it has been rainy & cold. Well it may not seem so cold but when you just came from temps. around 100 this is cold.

We also came back with some sort of bug. I wasn't feeling well Friday and Saturday and yesterday Chris was running a temp. that got up to 102. He still isn't feeling well today and I am tired and my tummy hurts. Really wanted to go to Zumba tonight but I think that I will start fresh tomorrow.

Things I am going to change are I have joined SparkPeople. I am going to start counting calories. I love graphing things and being organized so I hope this helps. They also had a free app. for my Iphone so it is already downloaded. They have put me on a range of 1,200-1,550 for my calories. I had bought a scale but never really used it to measure food. After visiting Marcelle I realized I can zero it out after I add something to the bowl every time. I swear sometimes I just don't think.lol I have been using it a lot more now that I realize if saves a lot on dirty dishes!

I would like to make a graph for exercise. Once again marking things off and graphs make me happy. I am all about organization & this is right up my alley. As for exercise once school starts I will only be able to do Zumba on Monday nights. I really feel that I need to mix it up. On that note though I still have till the end of the month to do Zumba 4 days a week and I am going to do it because I love it! i also realize that I need to get back to doing weights. Something I really don't enjoy.

I am really hoping that changing this up is just what I need. I am tired of maintaining at the weight I am at. If this was my goal weight I would be good to go but it isn't. To me the number matters and I am far from it.

So I am off on counting calories and I guess I will see where I am in a couple months. I will work on a graph for my exercise and start fresh. Tonight I am taking it slow though as I do not feel well and just found out a friend of the family died.

*After I wrote this my daughter was invited to the bowling alley so I decided well I was there I could do Zumba. Needless to say I was dressed and dropped her off to find her chasing me b/c they were closed for today. Just my luck. Guess I will hit the gym in the morning.

Day 265-281

2010-08-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't written here in awhile. I was busy packing for vacation and taking time to rethink my goals and such. It was really hard for me to give everything I had for the week I was gone and training to walk away with no loss from the week. In fact I walked away with a messed up knee and lost a toe nail. The entire thing. That was a sad day for me. Either way what I did learn is that Marcelle has patience of a god for putting up with me. I also learned that I can do a lot more if I put my mind to it. She taught me I can go a little further every time if I just put my mind to it. I also wanted to make sure that I didn't go backwards on vacation with what I did do.

Well I went on vacation and I can back with a gain of a pound. I am pleased with that. I went to a resort in a foreign country where finding anyone that spoke a slight amount of English was a sign of luck. Most of the time I ate food that I had no clue what it was or what was in it. As much as I wanted to keep my weight in control I also wanted to try things I knew I never would get the chance to try again. I am also sure I ate some stuff I probably wouldn't if I knew what was in it. I made sure and had a little of mostly everything every meal. It was payed for already, why not.

With the heat and humidity I drank a lot of water. I mean a lot so I am sure that helped keep my weight where it is. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom. More then I liked to but it meant I had to walk from wherever I was to the bathroom and back!

So now that I am everywhere today I will end by saying that I am back and ready to go. Tomorrow I will share with you my new plan. Things I walked away with from time with Marcelle. I am sure a lucky gal for knowing her as a friend and even luckier being able to spend time with her!

I will do my best to get caught up but please don't expect a comment on every post I missed. I can't believe how behind I am. I will be busy reading them though. I never knew it was possible to miss so much in a week.

Day 264

2010-07-15T10:09:00.001-07:00

So my luck isn't always the greatest. As my mother says in our house "If it wasn't for bad luck we would have no luck at all". Sometimes I feel that is very true. I have given everything I have this week. I have sweat like I never have. Eaten less calories then I have in a long time.Exercised longer then I am used to and burned about 3 weeks calories in less then one week.

My weigh in today had me down .5 a pound. Now to top that off guess what showed up last night? Yup TOM did. See where my luck is. I am hoping that after that passes the scale will move. I have also had no movement in the bathroom area. Pretty much I think my system is in shock. If there is one thing I have learned it is that I am still going. Even with the scale not moving I am still working out. This morning wasn't so great as I had really bad cramps. I could of done so much better then I did but it hurt to move.

Tonight I had a burst of energy. No clue where it came from. The workout seemed easier tonight then this morning. All of a sudden I am walking up the hill thinking when am I going to get it & it hit. I am going to beat this hill & I did.

Tonight I realized that even though I didn't lose weight I learned I have more in me then I ever thought. I can eat 1500 calories a day & not feel light headed or hungry. Who knows that weight may come off once TOM is over. I also learned that even though the scale doesn't move it is possible to keep going. It will move. I didn't gain over night & I won't lose over night.

Activity
Morning Exercise~PT Class, 1 hr. 02 min., 404 calories
Evening Exercise~Walk/Run, 4.93 miles, 1hr. 07 min., 705 calories

Day 263

2010-07-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

Boot Camp Day 4

This morning I had to push myself to make it up one of the hills. I wanted to stop and rest or even turn around but Marcelle was waiting at the top of the hill and she has invested to much of her time for me to turn around or stop. Guess what? I made it. I am finding it harder each day when I thought it would be getting better but she reminded me that it takes 2 weeks before it will get easier. This makes sense as I would never really of kept going had I been home doing this myself. I would of assumed I was out of shape and that after 4 days it hadn't happened so it wasn't going to happen. By the time I go home I will be at 6 days. Pretty much half way there.

I leave for vacation in a little over a week and pray that I can burn at least 500 calories everyday that I am there. I am sure with everything to do I will. It will be staying away from the food and alcohol. It's already been paid for so I will have to be really strict with myself.

On Saturday we have a friends birthday party to go to. She is doing a BBQ & then wants to go out clubbing. I am skipping the BBQ and I have already told my husband I will be the DD so I can get out of drinking without telling everyone why. Seems when you are losing weight or watching calories that doesn't really fly with most people on why you shouldn't drink. I will be better off being the DD.

Well cutting this short as I am tired and it has been a long day.

Activity
Morning Workout~ Walk/Run & some AB work, 3.77 miles, 1hr. 6 min., 611 calories
Evening Workout~ Walk/ Run, 4.35 miles, 1 hr. 09 min., 709 calories

Day 262

2010-07-13T02:30:00.000-07:00

Boot Camp Day 3

The day started out by going to the neighbors for a PT session. This is something Marcelle is doing to help the woman lose the baby weight (she has the cutest baby boy) & the neighbor was kind enough to allow me to intrude on there session.

To me mixing up workouts is something I like. Marcelle really had us working all parts of the body. We had to cut the workout short so Marcelle and I walked around the block. I have to hit at least one hour per session.

Breakfast everyday is yummy fresh fruit, oats & yogurt. Boy am I hooked on fresh blueberries. Who would of thought.

Lunch
Something tells me I am not going to want to leave Germany. I love the bakery's here. Marcelle has once again shown me something yummy for lunch. Meat on this is salmon.

This is a peach. Something I have never seen. Has anyone else seen this kind peach before?

Dinner was chicken, salad, & mixed veggies.

Tonight's walk/run really took everything out of me. It took a lot from me but I am glad I was pushed. If I was alone I never would of pushed myself they way I need to be pushed tonight.

Activity
Morning Workout~ Fitness class & walk around block, 1hr. 4 min. 541 calories
Evening Workout~Forest walk/run 4.25 miles, 1hr. 7 min., 700 calories
Calories burned~ 1241 Calories eaten~1512

One last note. If you are curious about my day yesterday check out my other blog where on the 12th of every month you take 12 photos! It is a fun project my good friend Marcelle started.

http://sarah-upsdowns.blogspot.com/

Day 261

2010-07-12T01:48:00.001-07:00

BOOT CAMP DAY 2

Let's start out by saying that I am out of shape and it is embarrassing. Here I was burning all these calories during Zumba thinking that I am kicking butt & getting into shape and I come visit Marcelle and I feel like I am going to die. It is embarrassing to be 28 and feel 90 when I work out with her. On the other hand it is great to have someone there to push you and literally when you are not sure if you can make it anymore take your hand and make you keep going!! It is great to have found such a great friend through blogging!

I have finally learned how to count my calories with the German products as there label is different then what I am used to in the states. Now I can go home with confidence that when I get something at the market I will know how to read the label.

Smoked salmon?? Who ever knew? Well I guess a lot of people except me. She made salmon sandwich for lunch yesterday and yummy! Something I have never had and know just another idea to go home with.

Went walking/running in the forest this morning. Well we were running at one point I misjudged the rocks and came down on it wrong. My knee went the oppisite direction as my foot and my knee is killing me but I kept going. When I got home I took off my shoe and much to my surprise I found my first running bruise or what ever you would call it!

During the evening run my knee hurt but I am sure after a good nights sleep I will be better.

Activity
Morning exercise~4.64 miles, 1hr. 12min., calories 743
Evening exercise~3 miles, 48 min., calories 438
Also swam at the pool today
Total calories burned today 1181, calories eaten 1458

Day 258-260

2010-07-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

I arrived at Marcelle's house yesterday and she had me working out in the pool despite the fact that I was sore and walked like I was 90. It truly is amazing what you can do when there is someone there to push you. Normally I would of used the excuse that I was to sore to exercise and not worked out.

Today was her normal run/walk in the forest with her friends. I was truly nervous that I wouldn't be able to keep up with them. I am not a runner & I felt pressure as I was young and should be able to keep up no matter what. Well frankly I surprised myself. My goal was not to be in front. Just not to be at the bottom of the hill with them all at the top wondering where I was. I feel like in a way I have been cheating myself. Not pushing myself as far as I can. I guess we will have to see what this week brings and I can keep up with it. I will have to figure out how to do it without someone around to push me.

My exercise today was 4.74 miles, 1 hour & 19 min. and I burned 959 calories. I will remember this day forever! Marcelle has me on no more then 1800 calories a day so this will be interesting to see what the scale does. I weighed in this morning so will be interesting to see what the end of the week brings. I would like to be down at least 3.5 pounds by the time I leave on vacation in 2 weeks. Well that seems easy we all know with my pattern of weight loss it will be tough to achieve.

Day 256-257

2010-07-08T03:37:00.000-07:00

Today is weigh in day. I had a no loss no gain. I am really surprised that I had a no gain. Not after what happened yesterday. I am sure the gain will come tomorrow. Why do we have days that we want to eat everything in site. That nothing fills us up?

Yesterday I ate and ate and ate. I ate my usual yogurt,fruit & oats breakfast. Then went to Zumba and came home & it all went down hill from there. I had a hamburger from the night before, soup, Skinny Cow bar, fresh fruit bar, soda, reduced fat chips, 2 chicken fajitas, frozen yogurt, apple & peanut butter & string cheese. I think that is all. For all I know there may of been more. My husband said I may need to through off my calories & that it was OK. I said I am going on vacation and wanted to be down 5 pounds. I don't see this happening.

I guess I can do what I can do and pray to get through each day. Today was Butts & Guts class and I wanted to throw up to put it bluntly. I know realize being in a class that is not fun is not my thing. Though being in a class makes me push myself beacause I feel that I can't just up and leave. Where a video at home who sees you take it out. Clearly I am out of shape or it is because the teacher was a body builder, runs military PT in the morning and does the crossfit and PX90 class. She is MEAN.....but in a good weigh.

Activity

Tues. ~Racquetball , 72 min. 401 calories
Wed. ~ Zumba (new teacher) 61 min. 501 calories
Thurs.~ Butts & Guts, 40 min. 423 calories

It will be interesting to see the calories I burn when I visit Marcelle. Something tells me she is going to kill me..lol

*Anyone have suggestions to work on the tummy. Everything seems to be getting smaller except that and it is starting to piss me off.

Day 250-255

2010-07-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Wow so I am starting to think that I am lucky to be updating this once a week now. I have been nonstop all weekend. Everyday flows something like go to the lake, run home shower then go to our friends to do whatever. By the time I get home I drop on the bed. I am so tired.

Today I played Racquetball and only hit 401 calories. I played for an hour and 10 minutes. Boy do I miss Zumba. I am trying out a new Zumba class tomorrow well our teacher is on vacation. Will be interesting to see what happens calorie wise.

I really need to figure out what happened with the scale not moving down. It is stuck like chuck. Well I am happy that is not going up I wish it would go down.

I am going to Marcelle's to visit on Saturday and stay with her for the week. Hopefully switching up training will help.

I promise to make this longer soon but I also figure if most people are like me running around this summer shorter is a good thing to.

PS.. My exciting news that I can finally share is we are leaving in a couple weeks for Turkey!! All inclusive resort which means all I can eat and drink (cocktails). Can you see why I am a little nervous. We are going to be right by the beach though so if I spend my time there and away from the food then I might be good!! Here is where we will be...Club Golden Beach

Day 247-249

2010-06-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

June has come and is gone in a couple hours for me & I am not where I want to be. I wanted to be at goal weight by June and there was really no reason with the amount of weight that I had to lose that I couldn't of been there. Instead I have about 20 pounds to go and see it taking me forever to get there. It has taken me forever to get where I am now. I have about 4 pounds to lose before I am normal. I am still overweight and it is frustrating. I just want to be normal.

Today at Zumba I felt like I was going to die. I am so tired and found it so hard to keep up. No clue why. Still haven't heard from the doctor. She thinks it is just stress. I am not so sure. I really don't feel like I am more stressed then before. In fact I feel better now about life then 6 months ago yet she tells me that every time she see's me I look sad in my eyes. I am lost.

Thought I would show you my toy I got. I need to mess with it and see how I like it.

Maybe it will get me out more so I can take pictures of everything. Still waiting to see if I can share my news. This is so frustrating.I hate waiting.

Forgot to mention today was the last day of Zumba till August with my favorite teacher. What activity can I do that burns a large amount of calories & is fun. I cannot run for an hour nor will I attempt. I really don't think running is my thing.

Activity
Monday~Zumba 1 hour 3 min. 629 calories
Tuesday~ Zumba 52 min. 513 calories
Wednesday~ Zumba 1 hour 501 calories

Days 243-246

2010-06-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

OK so I am totally not trying to not write it is just that I have found some new wonderful friends to hang out with and I am on the go 24/7. That and the sun is out again so sitting in front of the computer is not for me in the summer. My goal now is to update at least once every other day.

Weigh in day was Thursday and I was down 1.2 pounds. That made me happy to see that the scale is starting to move again!

I went to the doctor Thursday and she had not recived any results back as they have to send them so far away. My eating is up and down with this stomach pains. One day I will eat nothing and the next I am hungry. I am finding this really hard. Also the more we do during the summer the more we will eat out. I have no clue what I am ordering half the time but I am only here once so I will enjoy Germany!

Tonight we went to our friends to watch the Germany vs. England (great game) & have a BBQ. I had to 2 shrimp kabobs, salad, a little pasta and a rib! I think I did pretty good. Then I went and jumped on the trampoline with the kids. Maybe between the tension of the game and jumping I burned some calories!

Wednesday is the last day of Zumba till sometime in August. How sad am I but I am going to go tomorrow night. I need to get all my time in I can!

Activity
Thursday ~ Zumba 52 min. 568 calories
Friday ~ Zumba 56 min. 559

Day 241& 242

2010-06-23T04:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a long day. I had a doctors appt. at 2:30 and they didn't finish with me until 4:30. I get to go back tomorrow again. Yesterday they took blood, about 3 tubes worth, made me pee in a cup and at some point I have to have an ultrasound on my throat again. They found a lump right before I moved to Germany and said it needed to be watched. Well it is still there so I get to have another ultrasound.
Maybe they can figure out why I have such bad stomach pains and am so tired.

I went to Zumba the last two days and it was great! To bad the teacher is taking July off. Next Wednesday is her last day for the summer so I will make sure that I go Friday night. Have to get all of my Zumba in! It is going to be a sad month of July for me.

I have some exciting news but I don't want to share until I know for sure that it is a go! I am really praying everything works out.

Tonight's dinner is spicy green chicken enchiladas. My weakness. I did buy Weight Watchers shredded cheese to help with the fat and calories.

I am also making some changes to eating in this house. I have read that kids shouldn't have anything with Red or color number combos in the ingredients. So when I go grocery shopping this week I will be reading ingredients again to make sure nothing I get has colors with numbers. I have been reading some of the stuff I have that Rachelle loves and I have had to tell her that I will not buy anymore after she finishes them. Thinking about taking her with me so she can help read and find new healthy stuff to eat.

Its going to be a summer of change! That is my hope!!

Activity
Tues. ~ Zumba 1 hr. 611 calories
Wed. ~ Zumba 57 min. 553 calories

Day 228-240

2010-06-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

I am sorry that I have been absent from here for awhile again. I have been busy with end of the year school activities and sick. I haven't been feeling well for a couple of weeks now and ran a fever for 2 days last week. I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon to have blood work done. I am super tired and I want to do nothing. I hate this. It takes a lot for me to get through the weekends. Even climbing stairs yesterday at a water park made me tired. Hopefully I will have some answers soon.

I wanted to share with you the latest Lean Cuisine item I have tried. Baja Style Chicken Quesadilla. It was ok considering it was a frozen meal. Nothing special but better then the Weight Watchers I have had.

The next part of this is for Sunshine Mama. She talked about KFC in her blog so I had to show her Popeye's.

My meal always consists of 3 spicy chicken strips,mashed potatoes, biscuit & water. When possible I pull the skin off of my chicken. I know this meal is fattening but this is the one thing I have and enjoy when we eat out.

Even the gravy has spices in them.So good. I need to work there just to learn how to make the gravy.

Even though I get the spicy chicken I always add hot sauce to them. Yummy!

The biscuits.Well I don't even know what to tell you about them. They are so soft and buttery. I love them. They rank right under the biscuits from Red Lobster.

Well my weight has been pretty much the same since I haven't been on here. I am hoping now that school is out I can get back to me and start burning those calories. Fingers crossed.

Day 223-227

2010-06-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been on. It has been busy for me which I am still trying to get used to and juggle.

This weekend was full of drinks & food. I am finding out now that I am hanging out with this new couple I see a lot of BBQ's in the future and well I am glad that we have found some cool ass people to hang out with I am scared about how I am going to venture this new lifestyle.

No clue what I ate except I know I had white asparagus. Wasn't to bad.

Friday night I went out with all the girls from work. We went out for dinner and drinks. I had a non alcoholic drink bc I knew dinner killed me. It was a dinner that was already decided on. On of those eat what you get kind of things.

Dessert was ice cream and fresh raspberries~by the way I took off all the cream on top!

Some of the ladies from work~ I am the only American in this picture.

Saturday was a BBQ. I didn't plan on drinking much because I knew that I had to drive home and I had Rachelle with me. Well needless to say Chris had a 24 hour shift, found out we were going to be playing drinking games and payed someone to take the rest of the shift at 8pm. So we spent the night. Board games get turned into drinking games which turns into me eating. Clearly I need to figure something out here if I plan to make it out of the summer alive and not overweight.

Looking at pictures that I had taken of me when I was tipsy and didn't really care prove to me that I have a lot further to go then I ever thought. I must of been fatter then I ever thought. Pictures don't lie.

So in light of that I have decided to add my workouts everyday. When I post it will problay be a day beind because I try and post earlier in the day. My goal right now is to burn 3,500 calories a week from exercise. I was looking at where I track my workouts and I haven't been hitting that number. I have also taken 12 days off when I got sick so that is going to make it hard to get back into it. I need to average 500 calories a day or more if I take the weekend off. This should be interesting.

I look like a tent. Please don't tell me that I look beautiful or anything. All I see is fat arms and a tent. It is nasty. Really makes me feel like I am getting no where. Sometimes I really Really HATE cameras. Here I was thinking I was making progress and then I see this picture. Yuck

Exercise

Monday~ Zumba 393 calories
Tuesday~ 30 Day Shred (day1) 185 calories & 2 mile run split 266 calories (will be doing something later tonight to get my calories in.
* UPDATE ~ 1.3 miles 150 calories. Was short 6 calories for a total of 1,000 for the last two days so I did 2 min. jumping jacks & running in place 19 calories. So far I have 1,013 calories for the week!

Day 222- Weigh In

2010-06-03T05:56:00.000-07:00

This morning before I got on the scale I crossed my fingers and prayed that it was no higher then what I weighed last week. Well turns out that maybe I should do that every time I get on the scale. I lost the 4 pounds I gained plus .6 of a new pd. So my loss from last Thursday was .6. To be honest I think I got really lucky and God somewhat slide me a pass this time. Either way I am grateful but will be a lot more careful next time. Maybe all that walking and chasing kids paid off.

Now if I can get Dawne to not leave me in the dust with this last bit of weight loss I will be happy!! She does kick butt though in weigh ins.

I woke up to it pouring rain and it has continued to rain all day. I am going to start all over with my running when it does decide to clear up. This weather really is affecting my mood. I have not exercised since last week. I think the cold I have had is almost gone. I am not wanting to push it. Hope to start fresh this weekend.

Tomorrow night all the ladies from work are going out to dinner. Both of our managers are PCS's back to the states. Saturday we are going to our friends for a BBQ. Looks like this weekend eating is going to be difficult. BBQ season is something I am going to have to figure out how to work with.

I ran to the grocery store yesterday and found came across some goodies!

These are yummy! Skinny Cow Cups. The entire thing is one serving and it was almost to much so I am sure if I added fruit I could cut the cup in half. Either way when it comes to ice cream I need it portioned out already. I am safer that way. I also bought something else from Skinny Cow and once I try it which I am sure will be tonight I will share it with you.

Day 221

2010-06-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all the sweet comments yesterday. I really felt like when I was writing this that some would look down on me was I pretty much was like "yup I had fun & no I don't regret it". Yet you guys were just happy that I had fun and lived life. Thank you!!!
(yes we some how ended up in France..lol)

Just found out what I consider bad news to me. My Zumba teacher is going to take off all of July. This just plain sucks. One of the women I go with though wants to try and find other classes for that month so we will see. They just added yoga so I might see how that class is.

I am thinking with this weather that I have fallen into a rut. As I am typing this I now am wearing 2 pairs of socks. Yes it is that cold in this house. What do you think of me putting up here my daily exercise? I don't want to bore anyone but I need some motivation. Any ideas. This weather is really bringing me down and I have no time for it. I just can't seem to move much either.

Tomorrow is weigh in. Guess we will see the damage from this 4 day weekend. I know I am going to be upset when it boils down to everything because I will have no loss but at least I am going into it prepared..

air

Day 216-220

2010-06-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a great weekend for those of us that got Monday off. To be honest Memorial Day was never as important to me until I married Chris. Now that I am married to a military man anything to do with soldiers and veterans means a lot more to me.

This weekend my eating was off. So far off it might as well been in the states or Canada. We didn't decide to leave for the 4 day until Thursday at 10pm. So getting healthy food was a no go. We left Friday morning at 530. No time to grab anything there either. So Friday thru Sunday all meals were eaten out. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and all snacks. There were drinking games that were played. I really don't want to know the amount of calories that I consumed this weekend but honestly I really don't feel bad. I had fun and lived life. It was much needed and the first get away we have had as a family since we got here.

I did learn some stuff for next time. If the Army didn't wait until the last minute to let Chris know that he got Friday off we could of been better prepared. Oh well live and learn. I stepped on the scale Monday morning knowing that I had a gain and I needed to see what damage I had done. I was up four pounds. Hoping that some of that was sodium from the fries, Chinese and having to put salt on stuff to give it some flavor. Anybody that knows me well knows that I don't add salt to anything. This food lacked so much flavor that it wasn't funny. I seriously need to buy a bottle of hot sauce for my purse and carry that around.

This morning I stepped on the scale (like I do every morning) and I am only up 2.5 pounds now. So yes I will have a gain for Thursday but I will know why. There will be no wondering, no I did everything right. Instead I had fun, lived a little and know I have to get back on track.

Day 215 - Weigh In

2010-05-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

Yup it is that time again. I knew that it wasn't going to be good seeing how I lost 2.6 pounds last week. I knew I was sick and I wasn't eating. Well here I am trying to ignore the subject. Anyways I gained 2 pounds back. I am not sure if it is the meds. they put me on or the fact that nothing taste right so I am trying everything in site. Nothing is giving me that full feeling. It is even more discouraging because I have made sure to do some form of exercise every day even though I have felt like shit. So that would make my loss for last week .6 which sounds about right for me. I am really discouraged but on I go.

I have decided to get my pictures done for our 4th anniversary in August. I had no clue what to get my husband and he always complains that he has picutres with me or of me. I found this Army Wife that just moved to Germany and I love her photos. I think I am going to go with the 50's pin up look. The first two pictures are showing the original and then when she edits them. Her goal is to make our husbands fall in love with us all over again. I would like to be able to lose 10 pounds by pictures but the fact that she can smooth me over makes me happy and ready to take the plunge.

These are just different photos she has done. I love them and come July I will be shopping for something to wear for the photos.

I hope this turns out to be a good idea. I think it is going to be fun though.. To quote her through an email exchange "By the way, beauty and sex appeal is not a size.. i am a size 16 and i am one hot mama LOL " right there I can tell she is going to be fun. By the way her comment was to me saying I needed to lose more weight first before I could do pictures.
Here is my 30 pound picture finally!!

Well off to eat dinner. Leaving town tomorrow after work and won't be back until Monday!!!! So this is the last blog until then. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Day 214

2010-05-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

Steve over at Log My Loss posted a very interesting link that I thought that I would share. 20 worst drinks in America. I am proud to report that I do not drink any of these and in fact I have never had anyone of them ever!! So I am safe in that department.

Wanted to share a dessert that I have love!!

OK so they might not count as a dessert to you but they do to me. I love them! I really love the strawberry ones! The second box, the one's with the cream in the middle are not that great. Won't be buying those again like I will with the second box.

It has been raining non stop since I got out of the gym this afternoon. It took everything that I had to run a mile. This cold is kicking my butt but I am trying to at least do something still even if it is small.

I received an award from Marcelle.

The rules are to post 7 things about myself & pass it on to 15 bloggers. I am passing it on to everyone that wants it. My internet is still acting up and I don't want to risk it cutting out well I am adding people. It has taken me over an hour just to write this.

1. I love magazines. At one point I had 8 plus delivered to my house every month. I am sure that the mailman loved me at the beginning of every month.

2. I am on my 7th car and I know I get a new one when I move back to the states. Never wrecked any of them. Just kept changing my mind.

3. I could live on sushi

4. I used to date guys based on the last name

5. I love swimming but I hate the way I look in a swimsuit

6. I have an issue with odd numbers but I hate the number 6. Makes grocery shopping interesting.

7. I round the number at the gas tank...every time.

Please take this award if you would like to. Everyone I follow has such great blogs!

Day 213

2010-05-25T11:27:00.000-07:00

I got up this morning and was out the door for a run at 7am. This is a very big thing for me as running first thing in the morning is not me. Well really anything at 7am is not me but I knew I needed to be out the door to walk my daughter to the bus stop or I would talk myself out of it. Glad I did it though!

Dinner was supposed to be chicken enchiladas. The store was out of corn tortillas so I had to buy flower and ended up making a burrito/enchilada. Not really sure what it was though. This is what I mixed up to put in the inside. Boiled chicken, black beans, onion, red pepper, chili peppers & cilantro.

Then I screwed it up by adding green sauce and A LOT of cheese. It's the mexican in me. I can't help it. Added tomato, olives & avocado.

This is a picture of me after running tonight. I look like a total dork but oh well. I wasn't digging last nights pictures either so if it was up to me you guys would never see any of me.

The internet has been off and one for the last two days so I am cutting this short so that I can read your blogs. I am so behind and tomorrow I have soccer practice so busy night again.

Day 210, 211 & 212

2010-05-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all the comments on the last post. I actually thought for a sec. or two to get a good buzz going on to tell my husband what was up. For some reason I have trouble talking to him and the only way I can is in the dark in the bedroom or when I am drunk. I was always taught to keep emotions or issues to myself so to get me to talk about them takes a lot.

The scale is back up but I knew it wasn't going to stay where it was. I hadn't eaten anything solid in a week. Now all I do it eat because nothing satisfies me or fills me up. I am not taking the meds. they gave me anymore. Between wanting to eat everything and being dizzy it isn't worth it. I still have a bad cough and my face hurts but I am going to try Zumba tonight. I know running still isn't a good idea. Hopefully I will survive Zumba!

It's finally warm here in Germany! I have had the windows open the last couple of days and Chris grilled out on Sunday. I love this weather as it gives me energy and puts me in the best mood!

It's 9:30 and I have just sat done for the day. The husband gets mad if he doesn't get his time in with me. Will read every ones blogs tomorrow as I have no soccer practice or Zumba to get in the way.

Day 209

2010-05-21T06:58:00.000-07:00

I took yesterday off from work because of my cold but went to work today. Well the pills that the doctor has given me has me a bit dizzy. Once I get moving around or talking a lot then I start coughing up a storm again. I have decided to take the weekend off exercising and I will start again on Monday with Zumba. Lets see if I can make it more then one day exercising next week!

Yesterday I was looking at my BMI and virtual images of what I looked and will look like I looked up my highest weight. From the highest weight I have ever been I am down 47 pounds. I am pretty sure that I am the lowest I have ever been since I have been with Chris. The one thing I don't get is any compliments. Sometimes I wonder if he even notices. Sometimes I think he doesn't want me to weigh less. No one really pays attention to the fat girl. I have just noticed a change in the way he acts when we go out. Since we met I always said I was going to lose weight and this is the first time I ever have lost enough to notice.

I also realize that as the weight comes off I have nothing to hide behind. I have always felt "safe" when I was bigger. Things have happened to me more then once when I was 120 pds. I felt like as long as I was bigger though I was safe. I don't want to look at myself, why would anyone else. I ended up learning that size, fat and lack of self confidence does not stop anyone.

I haven't had these feelings come back up until recently. I feel like the more weight I lose the more strength I will lose. It scares me and I think that is why I haven't been pushing myself to weigh less and why I am alright with maintaining right now. I am in the smallest size that I have been in, in over 10 years. I do want to hit my goal weight but I am scared. I am scared about what might happen to me. I have been looking at my weight and I want to lose 30 more pounds but what would 30 more pounds do to me?

Some how I have to get over this hurdle to get the scale moving. I can't be stuck at this weight. I am still considered overweight. Somehow I have to get past this mental block though. This is nothing I have brought up with my husband. Not sure if I should or not....

Your Wish Is My Command....Day 190 -208

2010-05-20T04:47:00.000-07:00

That is to a certain extent of course!! I have decided to try this one more time. I have felt myself slipping and well I don't really think that I have anything worth reading about or wisdom or some extraordinary amount of weight to lose what weight I do have is pissing me off. I thought about waiting until Monday to start this blog over but Monday is to far away.

I love my new HR monitor. I wish that I had gotten it earlier but that is my lose for not listening to Marcelle. Glad I took the leap and got it though. I am burning 500 more calories doing Zumba!! As for running I haven't really been. It is so cold here and windy every day. Now I am sick and even bending over makes me head spin.

I bought a ipod nano today. Something for running this summer. Or when we get heat. Can't wait to play with it.

The funny thing is I have been reading some of the blogs and wishing my husband was more supportive. He promised to be more supportive then he is currently. He promised to run with me, go to the gym with me but after writing this blog I realized that he is being supportive. Just in another way. He has gotten me new running shoes, HR monitor, weights, yoga mat,ipod nano & my iphone (which has many many weight loss apps.)He is helping. In his own way. I guess I owe him a big hug when he gets home.

On to more exciting news. Today is Thursday so it is weigh in day. I have been keeping track of my weight every Thursday and I have been losing. Only ounces but losing. Today I am down 2.6 pounds. Well that is exciting I know I am sick and that is playing a role. Hopefully I will kick this sickness and get back on track. I have 19 pounds to go before I reevaluate my goal weight. I say this because after reading some peoples goal weights I wonder if I need to drop mine even further. I have 5 more pounds to lose before I am considered on target with my BMI. I am still currently overweight. Also after looking at pictures from this last weekend I have a very long way to go still. I am not happy with what I am seeing.

"No one has ever had an idea in a dress suit" Louis Armstrong

Bye

2010-04-30T09:13:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that as of now I am not going to be posting on there anymore. I feel like this is doing more negative for me then positive. I really am getting down watching all the big losses and I hardly have a decent loss, I am having a hard time handling reading blogs about people whining about 2 pound losses when I am lucky to get a 1 pound. I am tired of taking time to comment and get nothing in return. I have been inactive for over a week to see what would happen and only 3 people have wondered where I am. That tells me what I wanted to know. I feel like comments are only left on my blog because I came up in the blog roll. I may come back to this but as of right now I don't feel like I have this great community of support. I mean how do you get support when know one even realizes you are gone? I will still continue to read some blogs because I do hope to see everyone succeed. Right now though my focus will be on my family, the warm months up ahead and if I only update my other blog. Please do not take this the wrong way. Just how I am feeling over this last week. It has really hurt that I have been commenting and know one has asked me why I haven't update my blog.

Day 188

2010-04-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Last night Rachelle decided to try a little Zumba with me. She has to come with me so that I can take her right to soccer after. Now she see's all the fun that I have. I do miss the day class though. The night class is so full.

Came home and went running. I learned that I am unable to give it my all when I eat lunch at 2:30 then I did Zumba from 5-6 ate a banana well Rachelle was at soccer & came home from soccer to run a little after 8. I was running on empty but I still did it. It really amazes me the difference I feel in my feet and legs with proper shoes. Who would of guessed. LOL.

Chris got in this morning around 230am. I am going to try and talk him into going with me on a run tonight but I doubt he will. It will depend what time he gets off tonight.

I have been doing something. Why is it that even though I have lost 33 pounds I sometimes feel more self conscious then before. I was wearing tank tops when I went to run errands after work I don't know why but I was really concerned about how fat I looked. I kept thinking I should of brought a jacket. Who cares if it is 19 outside. I just want to hide my body. It has me thinking will I truly ever be happy with my image. When I was 120 pounds (my true desired goal weight) I thought I was to fat. I won't bore you with what I think of weight now. I hate that feeling. I envy the girls that are carefree, love there bodies and are totally confident!! Now that's a goal to go for.

"A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit." -Desiderius Erasmus

Day 187

2010-04-19T05:57:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a weekend where you screwed up. You thought you had this figured out then come to find out that you don't. Well you all know that this was my weekend. What worries me now though more then anything is will I be strong enough to maintain when I get there. I am not so sure I am strong enough after the mistakes I made this weekend.

I started out the morning with my buddy.. the scale. I was so upset with myself on Sunday morning I needed to see what today brought. Well I went from being up 4 pds to only being up 1 pd. I will have to put some hard work in to get the scale to move some more by Thursday.

Tonight I hope to go to Zumba. I won't be able to stay the entire time but something is better then nothing!

I wanted to share my workout stats from last week. My calories should be higher because daily mile doesn't give me any for Zumba so the calories I got are only from runs, Saturday & Sunday. Now that I have my HR monitor this will be the first week of correct info. Either way here we go..

7 miles tracked, 7 hrs & 15 min. logged, 2264 calories burned, & 12 workouts. My goal is to beat that this week. Chris does come home tonight & when that happens I usually want to spend time with him & not worry about me. I can't do that anymore because he is always gone. I need to work on me!

If you don't follow Jack Sh*t, Gettin' Fit you need to read today's. He is to funny and I promise today will make you laugh!

"Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up." -Robert Frost

Day 186

2010-04-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Last night I felt like baking. I was ready to die from Zumba but a Upside Down Sunshine Cake sounded really good. So I made one.

Woke up this morning to sore legs. Not as bad as I thought but I was sore. I went on a walk with my daughter this afternoon and a run by myself after dinner. I am hoping to go to Zumba tomorrow night. I will only get to do 45 min. because Rachelle has soccer but it will be 45 min. of fun!

I have made some bad choices this weekend. Enough bad ones to get the scale to do what I don't want it to do. Now I feel like I am in a battle with it by Thursday to get it to go back down. I am really upset with myself. I was doing good and I guess for a minute I thought I could handle it. Lesson learned. This is going to be a battle the rest of my life.

I just want the joy of the number that I saw on Thursday. I know I can get it back. I have to.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -Mark Twain

Day 184 & 185

2010-04-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry for no post yesterday. I know that I always post from Monday to Friday but yesterday I left the house at 930am and didn't get home until after 11 that night. I have never run around so much and didn't feel like I got anything done.

I made some bad choices yesterday that led to the scale going back up. Showing up at a Greek Restaurant at 10pm to eat dinner was not the smartest idea. I learned my lesson. Not only did it affect the scale but my sleeping.

Today I went to the Zumbathon. It was supposed to be 4 hours but there was a teacher that decided to do a no show and then the sound system didn't work. It turned out to be 2 hours and 40 min. with a total calorie count of 1,503. I think that was good considering I had no clue what 2 of the teachers were doing. I love my heart rate monitor. I wish I would of gotten one sooner. I am very competitive with myself and I have issues with numbers so I see myself rounding numbers and working out more to round that number. This will be good!!!

Tomorrow will only be a walk maybe a run. My legs are really feeling it from today!

Well I am off to catch up on all of your posts.

"Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of." -Unknown

Day 183 Weigh In

2010-04-15T03:53:00.000-07:00

I will be honest I was dreading today. After a weekend away and eating out 3 plus times I was nervous for today. I got on the scale this morning hoping for at least a pound which is a big thing for me. I am down 3.6 lbs!!!!!! Yup I only have 20 more pounds to go till I hit goal!!! I do think I might need to lose more though. When I look at myself I am not sure 20 will be enough but we will see when we get there. I will post a new picture this weekend since I am finally at & over 30 pounds! I owe it all to Marcelle. She has been on me about running and I didn't believe how just running could possibly do much more. Well she proved me wrong. Thank you so much for staying on me Marcelle!!!! I owe you big time!

This Saturday is a 4 hour Zumbathon. Right now my legs are killing me. I think doing Zumba and running everyday has them a little weak. I wanted to run tonight but I think I sill skip today and see how I feel tomorrow. I want to be ready for Saturday!

Remember when I talked about a black box yesterday? Well Marcelle has also been on me about shoes so I treated myself to running shoes. Yup well the hubby is away I will play!

So I got these....

I am in love!!! Bright Pink and black. My to favorite colors. I am in heaven!! I am going to try them out tomorrow!!

OK so that little black box...

Yup it was my heart rate monitor. I can't what to wear it Saturday to see how I do with Zumba. Who would of ever thought getting things like new running shoes and a heart rate monitor would make me so happy!!! My only issue is know my heart rate monitor doesn't match my shoes. Oh well.

I am going out for Mexican food for dinner tonight so we shall see how this goes.

"The measure of a man's real character is what he would do if he knew he would never be found out." -Thomas B. Macaulay

Day 182

2010-04-14T05:27:00.000-07:00

It seems like I never have anything interesting to say. I have often thought of closing my blog because I truly believe that I write a crappy blog. I am not creative when it comes to writing. Either way here is some more to bore you. Enjoy!

I love Ramen Noddles. Maybe it is because they are cheap or that I have mastered cooking them in the microwave. Who can beat a one dish meal. I turned them over the other day and about died. The serving size is 1/2 of the block. First off I have a hard of enough time breaking them up in the package before I open it I can just see me attempting to break it in half for a serving. Either way after looking at the nutritional guide it isn't worth it to me. Gone are the days of a cheap fast dinner.

On another note though I have discovered these wonderful perfect 100 calorie serving size bags of popcorn!! They give me my popcorn fix and I don't have to worry about eating more then the portion since the bag is portioned for me.

My next favorite find (because I have nothing better to do in Germany..lol) is these Turkey Burgers. They are perfect to throw together for a healthy meal. In fact dinner last night was one with some baked sweet potato fries topped off with hot sauce. These work perfect for when Chris is gone & I need something more healthy then what I might go for.

Lastly can you guess what I received in the mail today? Guess you will have to wait until tomorrow. Yup, this is my way to get you to come back for more!!!

"Men succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparation for their victories." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 181

2010-04-13T02:51:00.000-07:00

I started my day out with Zumba this morning.. I have missed it so much. I wore my arm weights and even though they are only a pound each I sure could feel it in the arms. That brings me to a question. Does anyone have any good recommendations on toning arms. I want tank top arms. I see the rest of my body shrinking but I still need to work on those arms.

Last night I went out to do a run. I like to wait until the evening because the roads are empty. I hate running with so many cars. Right now the weather sucks. It is very cloudy and rainy so running next to all the cars makes it hard for me to breath from the exhaust. Well last night I got outside and it was raining. The old me would of turned right around and went back inside. Not the new me. I went anyway. At one point I though of shorting it but really what is the point if I am already out there. Might as well finish it and I did. I even cut some seconds off the time which is amazing considering I had rain, wind and the cold against me. I hope to try and go again tonight but right now the weather is worse then yesterday & I don't want to make myself sick either.

I can't believe how much things are changing. There still needs to be some more changes in the eating department. I want to try and bring more salads into my eating. I bought a mushroom slicer that I can also use to other veggies. This will cut down time to make a salad which is perfect. I take forever cutting veggies so I never want to make a salad. I love the new scale I bought so I can weigh out my food. It is nice to truly see what 3 ounces of meat is compared to my idea of it.

I am having issues with cheese though. I eat cheese everyday. Granted it is the Weight Watchers cheese I am sure I shouldn't be eating it every day. That is something I need to work on.

"My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others. That is nice but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success." -Helen Hayes

Day 178, 179 & 180

2010-04-12T07:01:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine was nonstop which I am not used to but it was great..minus attepmting the menu again(lol). I will get this one day.

Friday night Chris wanted to walk up the street to an Italian restaurant. I do not really like this place but he loves it. There pasta is nasty and there pizza is so so. I was going to order a pizza with lots of veggies on it. I did. I got a pizza that was on fire. I mean real flames were coming off of the top of the pizza which meant that it had lots of bread and cheese on top. Not great. Live and learn I guess. We walked to the ice cream parlor & I got frozen yogurt.

Saturday was the Nuremberg Festival. We went to lunch first at a Mexican Restaurant. I had..

This was not at all what I thought I was getting. Either way I did not eat the chicken taco. I had the beef taco and some of the burrito. I am really getting frustrated. I do not like the food in Germany and I feel like I am wasting calories. Yet I need to eat.

At the festival I got nothing. Some of that food smelled so good. I wanted some of the pastries so bad but I did not get any. I did take a sip of Rachelle's hot chocolate. It was cold. We also stopped off at the beer tent to warm up and I had to order a Coke. There goes my no soda thing but I did stay away from the diet. They had no regular water or juice. Only beer and carbonated water which I hate. I did leave over half of my soda though because I forgot I hate the way it taste here.

Katherine & I holding our husbands beer

One of the stands at the fair...

Chris in the beer tent...

In the beer tent..

Dinner that night was Subway with water. I had the 6 inch sub. with turkey, veggies, mustard and no mayo.!!

Sunday was another disaster with food eating. Not looking forward to my weigh in on Thursday. For all the military in German you would think they would either had English menus or speak English a little better. That or they are playing dumb because they know we are military. There is no getting out of it with the haircuts on the guys. We stand out...

"Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you." -Richard Bach

Day 177

2010-04-09T04:09:00.000-07:00

Last night Rachelle and I went on a walk. Running was not going to happen as I didn't feel well. I knew I did need to get out and do something though. It was nice to take a walk, talk and take some pictures.

Today I bought a new pair of pants and a new shirt. I went down 2 pant sizes! A part of me was scared to try on new jeans and find out I am either the same or down only 1 but nope I was down 2. This is the first time that I have bought new jeans since last year. I bought a shirt in a L. I could of worn a medium but my husband wasn't digging the front porch look in that size. I am an idiot and wore flip flops today so I couldn't try on shoes but I have all next week off for spring break so I will make a point to do it.

We are wanting to go to the Nuremberg Volksfeste tomorrow. I can already see how this could be interesting on the eating plan. We are going to take the train there as everyone says parking is a mess and so expensive. So bringing a cooler with food is not a option. I will eat a good and healthy breakfast and go from there. It is not like I do this every weekend and I am in Germany. I also want to enjoy myself and try new things out.

I do however promise to make the best choices possible. At least to my knowledge! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

"Unless you have tried to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." -Ronald E. Osborn

Day 176 Weigh In

2010-04-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

OK right to the point. Today is weigh in day. Today I also woke up to my monthly visitor. I was not looking forward to stepping on the scale but I can't avoid that thing. He calls my name. I stayed the same. No loss no gain. Now considering I used to gain during TOM and as I have lost weight I have realized that I have very little gain (ounces) or stay the same. Make me wonder how much a woman really gains from her visitor compared to the gain from the food we crave from the visitor.

Well talking to Marcelle today about running I realized I am running in shoes that are over 7 years old and these..

I am pretty sure Phat Farm shoes do not count as running shoes. Could be why I can feel ever rock I land on. She also asked where that famous heart rate monitor that I keep saying I am going to get is. Well I hate spending money on me. I feel guilty. Plain and simple. I feel I do not do my part now that I am in Germany to spend money on myself. She knocked some sense into me and I am ordering it as soon as I finish writing this. This does have to do with my health. It is not like I am trying to buy jewelery. In fact I am going to look at running shoes tomorrow and jeans. Whats the purpose of losing 30 pounds and dressing like a slob right?

Thanks Marcelle for the talk today. I really needed it. Such a great friend you are.

Now on to the running shoes. They only sell Nike and Adidas on post. Which do you prefer??

"You cannot dream yourself into a character: you must hammer and forge yourself into one." -Henry D. Thoreau

Day 175

2010-04-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

Today has been a off day for me. I know that TOM is coming soon which made sense why my tummy has been hurting and I feel bloated but I have felt like getting sick all day. I was getting dizzy and a couple times when I took a step it seemed like my foot was one step behind.

I feel very sick and blah and like the world is spinning so I am cutting this short. Rachelle has soccer practice tonight so I need to rest a little so I drive her.

"It is the man's dreams and his inspiring attempt to make them come true that remain important." -Francis Ford Coppola

Day 174

2010-04-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks for all the info. on things bought this weekend. I took the pedometer & heart rate monitor back last month. They are picky with returning things here so I wanted to get it back since it was so much money.

I swear I am the most indecisive person when it comes to spending more then $20 on myself. I will go back and forth forever worrying about spending money & getting a piece of crap. I should have a heart rate monitor by now but I can't make up my mind.

My eating has been better the last two days. This weekend not so much. We went out for Greek food Friday night. Saturday lunch was Popeye's and dinner was the Tea Garden. That is about two more times a week then I like to eat out. I try for no more then once a week. Here are pictures from the Tea Garden...

Egg Drop soup.. I love this stuff.

My dinner which was chicken & veggies. I did not know that it came with so much sauce. Here I thought I was getting just chicken & veggies. Next time I will attempt to order with out sauce.

On the other hand when I go to the Greek restaurant it is a loss cause. I love there lamb. I order mine without the bone. It is soo juicy. I have never had anything like it. Then the wine leaves. You can't even imagine. It's all so good. I wish they had food like this in states.

"Bad habits are like chains that are too light to feel until they are too heavy to carry." -Warren Buffet

Day 171, 172 & 173

2010-04-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

This weekend went by really fast. My husband left today till the 19th though they may bring him home for the 4 day this weekend.

Saturday we had a lot to do. Remember those days when trying to find an outfit sometimes was a pain in the butt? Well somehow I missed the stage when the clothes I have would of fit perfectly. I know take forever trying to find clothes that look half way OK on me. Buying clothes in Germany is expensive. No running to Wal Mart or Ross or even Target. If I buy on the economy I take a loss to convert money and the PX charges more because they have to ship further. In a way Saturday I was depressed. I finally have a body that I am getting more comfortable with & do not find the need to hide under a coat yet now I look like a slob because everything hangs. I can't even play the lottery here...

What my husband did get me this weekend is fun gadgets I can use to push my weight loss a little more. Unfortunately some are going back to the store.

I grabbed this Heart Rate Monitor because it was on clearance. It is clearly marked on the side that once opened it could not be returned. I did some research on it and decided to return it. Once battery pack on the chest strap goes out you have to replace the entire thing. You can't just change the battery's. They cost $40-$50. There was a couple other things I am not really liking.

I wanted to know how many steps I do a day... So I got this.

Took it on a run today and it flew off more then once. The second time it flew off the battery flew out which put me back at 0. Not worth the $20. The steps I took and the steps it counted where off. Pulling my pants up & down also gave me steps. Who would of thought something as simple as adjusting my pants would of given me steps.

These I am keeping.

I will wear them when I run or walk. Days that I can make it to Zumba I will also wear them or any days that I need to do a video. I want to lean up not bulk up so hopefully these will help. I looked at the ones that go on your wrist because I could get them in 2 pounds each but they slide right off. These have a zipper so my husband said he would figure out how to add more weight but I am sure with an hour of Zumba and swinging my arms around I will feel it.

"To grow, you must be willing to let your present and future be totally unlike your past. Your history is not your destiny." -Alan Cohen

Easter

2010-04-04T01:45:00.000-07:00

Have a wonderful Easter with your family and remember what Easter is about. Enjoy the looks on the little kids that find the eggs. It is truly priceless. Remember the soldiers that are away from their family's. I will.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."
-- John 11:25-26

Day 170

2010-04-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

Dinner last night was something new. Turkey burgers. I love turkey but I wasn't sure that I could get my husband to go for a turkey burger. He doesn't have the issue I have with weight. In fact he can't even gain any. Anyways I thought it was good. I will not always eat turkey burgers as I love me a juicy beefy hamburger. Turkey will be the majority of the time though. I also made turkey the other night in the chili and I got thumbs up to continue that!

All that red is Franks Hot Sauce which has replaced ketchup & I decided I would rather have the baked fries over the bun!! As you can also see by the word fire towards the top of the picture. Yup that's the mustard. We like it hot in this house.

Now I have a question. I work part time from 10-2. I try & eat at the last minute because I know I won't get to eat until I get home. Today after I ran errands I didn't get home until 3:30 & was starving. By any chance am I screwing up my metabolism or what I have worked so hard for. Eating at work isn't a option. When you only work 4 hours you don't get a break.

Still deciding on the heart rate monitor but I saw that the PX has pedometers. I will be getting on of those in the mean time. I also found some wrist weights so I will be getting those. I don't see me getting to do Zumba anymore which depresses me but you are to put your child first so soccer practice and bible study have taken over the only two times left to go to Zumba. Its a sad day today.

I hope everyone has a great weekend & Easter!

"So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains And we never even know we have the key." -Eagles ("Already Gone" from 1974's "On the Border" album)

Day 169

2010-04-01T06:58:00.000-07:00

OK I have come to the conclusion that if my weight would come off as fast as the weeks went by then I would be good. Since that is not the case I am reporting a repeat of last week. A loss of .9 pounds. If you have been following me you know that this is normal for me. Not that I agree with the normal.

Sunshine Mama has talked about blizzards from Dairy Queen and she knows that I am a no go on Diary Queen until I move back to the states in 2012. She wanted to see some pictures of some goodies that we get here so here are some from last summer. The ice cream shop has been closed all winter and just now opened but I haven't been down there yet. The owner speaks no English so I won't go without Chris which makes it better on my hips!! Getting him to go is like pulling teeth.

This one strawberry...

This one had strawberries and peaches....

This one is blueberry....

They all come with fresh fruit so does count? To date I have never eaten a whole one. I have always had to split it with Chris.

"I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has to get down to work."-Pearl Buck

Day 168

2010-03-31T06:10:00.000-07:00

I had this whole routine figured out for exercise since I can't get to Zumba. Well I forgot about mother nature. I got up this morning, dressed and ready to go. I then decided to look outside. It was 4 and really windy. There was no way I was running in all that wind. Hopefully tonight I will get to walk or I will do a video.

I am so tired from work today. Need to get back into things. I think this will help with getting me moving more. I went non stop. I am also the only American so I am hoping that this works out. I feel kind of odd and some of the women only speak German so they are explaining to me in German like I know what they are talking about.

The break room table was covered in sweets. Holy cow. I am safe as of now because none of it looks that great to me. It is all store bought so I am not missing anything. If they start bringing in homemade stuff this might be interesting.

Tomorrow is weigh in day and I hope to have a loss. I feel like I am getting better about getting exercise in but it may be to soon to get any results by tomorrow. Maybe I will start doing Yoga in the mornings before work and then run after or go to the gym.

Off to clean the house. I need to get used to not having all the time in the world! It is great getting out of the house and making money. I feel like the old me is coming back.

Work, gym, drop off and pick up for bible study and soccer practice, grocery shopping, laundry, dinner...It's a beautiful thing!!

"Failure is only postponed success...The habit of persistence is the habit of victory." -Herbert Kaufman

Day 167

2010-03-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

The sun has been out all day today and I love it. Went to my last Zumba class that is held in the morning. I am going to miss it. Zumba last night was full and there were some women there that weren't paying attention. If you aren't going to do the class leave or shut up so I can hear the teacher. That is just my thought though.

I am going to be purchasing a heart rate monitor this weekend. I am also looking at getting the Zumba DVD's. As much as I hate doing videos I do love me some Zumba. This will be great practice for me as I am going from 3 days a week to 1 maybe 2.

I have really been trying to work on my arms. I want tank top shirt arms. I am not getting them and this is frustrating. I have been looking at 2lb. weighted gloves to wear on nights I do Zumba and when I run. I hope this will help.

I have noticed some bloggers talking about this new find

Here in Germany we are behind on getting things but they finally have them so I decided to give it a try. Usually when I want pizza I grab Weight Watchers or Lean Cuisine. Well it is smaller and not paying attention to the box I never realized it came with 2. So I ate the one half. Paired with a salad or fruit it would be perfect.

Off to soccer practice so I am not sure if I will get a walk in tonight or not but tomorrow morning I plan on leaving with my daughter to do a run before work.

On the heart rate moitors I am looking at a Polar FT40 & a Polar F7. Any suggestions? I have read reviews and I keep going back & forth. I guess with the amount of money I want to make sure I like it. Buying things and returning stuff through the mail is such a hassle here that I like to make sure I get it right the first time.

"Leave nothing to chance. The difference between the championship and merely good team is often the perfection of minor details." -Coach John Wooden

Day 164,165 & 166

2010-03-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

I went to the gym this morning. Did the elliptical and the bike. I also did a little abs but I think I ate to close to going to the gym because it made me sick to my stomach. Went back to Zumba tonight.

This weekend I wanted to to get out and walk or run. It decided to rain all weekend but finally last night after dinner I was able to get in a short walk. Felt good to be outside again. I am pleased to report that the store has my yogurt again (for the time being) so no more paying almost double to get it on the economy!

There has been some personal issues going on that I am trying really hard to not let it get to me. Well I finally broke on Saturday. I would call it a binge. I ate because nothing filled me up. I wanted to forget about what is going on. Clearly the food didn't work because the issues are still there. Why did I do it? I have no clue because the sad part was well I was eating I was thinking about needing to stop. I knew that I was regretting everything I put in my mouth. I am just lucky we really don't have much to binge on. For once being behind on grocery shopping has payed off.

It is so hard to to hit these speed bumps in this journey. Some blogs never hit speed bumps or they at least make it seem that way. I wonder when I hit one if that isn't normal. Should I be over the speed bump phase already? I feel like I should have this down by now.

I am scared that when I get to goal weight if I hit a bump along the way that I will throw in the towel. This is something that I have to work on as I go along so that when I get to goal I know better how to handle these days. I know there will be bumps because there are bumps in this life. It is only expected. It is how I learn to handle them that is what is important.

Well I am off to eat dinner. It was hot in the gym and I am hungry!

Day 163

2010-03-26T03:20:00.000-07:00

Finally Friday! Not that I work or anything but it means that I get to see my husband for more then 2 hours a day! Friday is my whatever day for working out. I decided to go running/walking outside. It was 14c when 10 this morning. I wanted some sun and it was perfect. Now since I am learning to run more then a block I have a question. My lungs were burning. Does that go away after I learn to run more. I went 1.25 miles in 17 minutes and I have no clue if that is good or not. I ran more then I walked and I think I could of pushed myself more if my throat wasn't on fire. Any suggestions on the burn?

Whats funny is how much the friends that we make on these blogs play into our lives. I wanted to stop running a couple times but Dawne kept me going even though she has no clue. I just kept thinking about her running and how much she talks about just going a little more. Thank you Dawne for pushing me all the way from Canada!!!

One day I will run on the beach and I want to do it well I am over here in Germany! That is my new goal!!

Ex Hot Girl wrote a blog on being obsessed with the scale. I thought that I would share with you my obsession with the scale.

I weigh myself every morning after I go to the bathroom and I am up and walking around for a little bit. Nothing enters my mouth until I have stepped on the scale. I will randomly step on the scale during the day but every night after before I go to bed I get on the scale. I want to see how my eating and drinking went for the day. If I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, know matter what time it is I will step on the scale. This occurs every time I get up during the night no matter how many times. I wouldn't call that obsessed would you? OK so maybe I am a little obsessed but I am at the point in my journey where the number does matter to me. Nothing at this point will change how much the scale effects me. As I get closer to my goal weight I hope I can tone it down. Though from previous attempts to lose weight I think I will need to be a everyday scale junkie. It might be the only way.

"That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the task itself has become easier, but that our ability to perform it has improved." -Ralphe Waldo Emerson

Day 162 Weigh In

2010-03-24T23:56:00.000-07:00

I am getting annoyed with the scale. I have been working out, eating better and giving up foods that aren't good for me. The study about diet soda causing you to not lose weight or gain weight I am thinking is a joke. I gave up soda for other reasons though. Like Aspartame. I guess I thought maybe the weight might come off a little more. Nope. I will take what I can get though.

This week I am down .9 of a pound. If there is anything I am learning it is that I never have big losses but I have been doing this for 162 and I haven't thrown the towel in. Hopefully this will help when it comes to maintenance.

I have sat down and worked on a new exercise program to follow when I start working. I will be working 9:30-1:30 but they close the roads down on post till 7:30 for PT for the soldiers so going to the gym in the morning is not going to happen. I have to make sure that I eat breakfast. I can't go back to my old habits. Instead I will leave with my daughter at 7 and go on a walk/run. This will help me get into running. I will do Zumba Monday nights and Friday nights when I can. I am thinking about taking a Zumba class on Saturday when I am not going anywhere. It is also a different teacher so we will see. After work I will go to the gym and do weights 3 times a week. I hope maybe switching things up a little might show favors on the scale or even inches. I will take inches as well!!

I really would like to be down 10-15 pounds by the end of the school year which is the middle of June. I am motivated more though now that I see the changes. I have to finish what I started. I can't give in even though the scale hates me.

"Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character." -Stephen Covey

Day 161

2010-03-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

I have news that is good and bad. Well maybe bad isn't the best word. I took a part time job. Fours hours a day. Not bad right? Except that there goes Zumba during the day. I have kept from looking for a job because of Zumba. I can still go Monday nights but I like my 3 times a week. Anyways I am going to be playing around with a new schedule for the gym. I don't start until next week so I was able to go today and tomorrow.

Last night well I was doing dishes my husband and daughter that it would be funny to make fun of my pants. I was told that I looked like I shit my pants,where was my ass, mom looked funny. Either way I had the last laugh because I am losing weight!! I could care less because my pants don't fit it's only because they are to BIG!!!

I have been awarded the Sugar Doll Award from Dawne at 365 Days to a new me! Dawne awarded me for always commenting her on her blog and even though I live in a different journey I am keeping faithful to my journey!

The rules of accepting the award are:

1. Thank the person.
2. Write why the person awarded you.
3. Pass the award on to 5 other bloggers and write how they have made your life a little sweeter.
4. Notify the 5 of the award.

I am going to award...

Project 365 What can I say besides she is an such a big inspiration. In fact this week I got back on the treadmill all because of her! She has so much motivation I think she could lend some out to others of us!

KatieJ Full of tips. I swear she always has something interesting to share and might I add she is doing a give away on her blog right now. We share a love for Target to!

Diane has been through a lot this year but is still going strong. She shares the oddest exercises I have ever seen and I love her righting.

Marcelle Even though she is on vacation she has taken me under her wing. Any time I don't know what I am doing here in Germany I know I can ask her. I can't wait to visit her again and run with her!

Sunshine Mama I just started following her blog and I love it. Amazing woman is all I can say. Her eating is how I want to get and I love the ideas I have seen on her blog!

*Tomorrows weigh in. Fingers crossed*

"Habit is second nature, or rather, ten times nature." -William James

Day 160

2010-03-23T05:14:00.000-07:00

Sunshine Mama did a post on blizzards. We must of been thinking the same thing because just last night I was telling my husband how good a blizzard would be. Once again Germany saved me without even trying.

I am a little down this week but that is because of life. Finding a job here is not easy and when other people like to flaunt everything in front of me just drives me nuts. I can be happy for a person so long before it gets annoying. Right now I am passed annoyed and I just want to go home back to my old friends that did not feel the need to compare lives.

If anything it upset me enough last night that I didn't even really want to eat. I guess that is good.

Zumba was fun and for an hour of the day I got to forget everything that is getting to me. Boy I sure wish I could go back and redo my life. I would be a lot happier.

I am ending this because I don't want to have such a negative blog.

"Time, patience, and perseverance will accomplish all things." -Unknown

Day 159

2010-03-22T05:18:00.000-07:00

Today's workout was the elliptical. That is one machine that I don't really like. I would rather go on a walk, do a class or swim but that isn't always the option. So today I did 1.75 miles. I wanted to stay longer but the girl I was with only wanted to do 20 minutes. The machine kept telling me to slow down because my heart rate was to high.

I am surprised I lasted that long and didn't want to get off. I haven't been on one in forever. I guess it means Zumba is working!

I am starting to see changes in myself. I looked it up today to see what I weighed at the wedding. That was the lowest I had I been yet I feel different. I feel like now you can finally see a change. I am only down 12 pounds. My thoughts are that Zumba is doing more then I thought and not having all the fast easy choices the states offer might be playing into it.

Example: Saturday after the concert I was hungry. If I had been in the states we would of gone somewhere. Being here there is nothing open when the concert ended after 10. So we came home and I went to bed to avoid late night eating. Clearly I think America needs to look into all the convince they give us. It is hurting most of us. Just my opinion though.

I am really happy that I started this journey now and didn't wait any longer. I remember ever since I met Chris I have been "losing weight".Well we are going on 5 years and now I finally have taken action to do something! To bad it took this long though. I am really close to my next goal! Hopefully I will hit it this weigh in!

"People become successful the minute they decide to." -Harvey Mackay

Such a Tragic Loss....

2010-03-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

I did not follow Bethany's blog but some other bloggers that I do follow have mentioned in there blogs about Bethany's passing. She was only 33 years old. She was a wife and a mother of 2 young children. She passed away well shopping Friday night of a heart attack. She had a heart condition and was pushing to get the weight off. Well I know she is in a better place this is a tragic time for her family. If you would like to leave your condolences here is the link The Great Reduction. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Day 157 & 158

2010-03-21T07:09:00.000-07:00

Friday and Saturday were busy for us. Dinner Friday night & lunch Saturday were eaten out. Unfortantly there are not really good food choices on base but I did my best.

Friday night we went bowling! I bowled 2 games and didn't snack on anything. The only place for dinner that was open by the time we were done was Burger King. I was eying the shakes the entire time I was there and thought what is wrong if I have a small. I haven't had that kind of ice cream since July 2009. I have been craving it so bad and my new lifestyle is supposed to work with me eating what I want still. Just in smaller portions. Well I went to get it and the machine was broke. Maybe God was trying to tell me something.

Saturday we went to a parents meeting for soccer for Rachelle and then the fun began. Waiting in line for an autograph from.....Kevin Costner

Singing at the autograph session. We were less then 5 ft. away.

What a great concert!! That man still has it in him and boy is he sexy!! I wanted to bring him home.

Front row at the concert made it even better. I haven't been that lucky in a long time!

Normally I would of wanted to stay home and avoid this. It would of meant trying to find clothes that would fit, getting depressed by the skinny girls that show up and plain just being uncomfortable. Not now. Now I am ready to go. Except I am trying to find clothes that fit once again. This time around I am smiling because of the reason that they don't fit! This time I was enjoying myself and not worrying about what others thought about me. This time I didn't feel like Chris was married to the fat girl. Life couldn't get any better.

On a non weight loss note after yesterday my husband finally see's why I want a new camera. Any suggestions on one and what not to get? I am looking to upgrade big time!!

"If you can move a grain of sand a day, eventually you will move a mountain. " -George Sotiropoulos

Day 156

2010-03-19T04:02:00.000-07:00

For those of you that weigh yourself everyday and I am not sure how many if there are any do you have the luck I have? I weighed less on Wed. and today then I did yesterday on weigh in day. I tell you it happens every week to me. Just wondering if anyone else has the luck that I do.

Living in Germany I am a little behind on news. Certain things won't play because we are out of country so sometimes I only hear them from you.

Today well I was reading Log My Loss today I learned about woman wanting to weigh 1,000 pounds. Really. Is she insane or missing a few pieces to the puzzle. I really don't think that she should be allowed to have a child with her. What kind of message is she sending her daughter? Her boyfriend supports her decision to well pretty much kill herself with food. To top it all off men pay to watch her eat food on a web site. All of this is so wrong I really have no clue where to start to process it all.

I also read about a teacher that is going to eat school food everyday this year. Just like the kids. When I was a manager at a middle school cafeteria most of the kids were reduced or free. It is cheaper to let the kids eat at school then make the lunches. Some people think with government guidelines the food is healthy. Let me tell you I have been on the inside. It isn't. In fact I used to bring my own food to eat for breakfast and lunch. Take that with the fact that most schools only do gym once a week and there is the part of the answer to the obesity in kids. Check out the blog here Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project.

I am going to have to catch up on reading her blog as I find this really interesting. I know when I worked at the school the choices they gave the kids where ridiculous. Some parents had no clue what there kids where buying.

On a last note I received a beautiful post today from South Africa!! Thank you Marcelle. What a wonderful place you call home.

"Successful people tend to become more successful because they are always thinking about their successes." -Brian Tracy