Healthy Lifestyle Dr. Visit

Early, early, early (I am not a morning person!) this morning I had my monthly check up with my Doctor.  He is monitoring my weight loss and helping me find the balance I need (since I have a medical condition).  My blood pressure was such a huge difference compared to a month ago and when he saw how much I lost he was so excited.  It was so funny that my Dr. was excited for me!  But, he said that I shouldn't try and lose more than I did in future months (on average) because that is when people start gaining it back.  For me, like the title says, this is a "lifestyle" change and so I can't risk gaining it back.  He said I should try eating about 1400-1600 calories a day instead of my restricting 1200 calories a day, whew thank you!  I am hoping that within the next couple weeks I start seeing a physical difference in myself but IT IS A GREAT START!

Holiday Reading

I have three books that I am going to be reading over the holiday break!  I haven't actually read a book/novel for ages.  Now, I don't have to worry about textbooks and work has slowed down a bit that when I get home I won't be so exhausted.  Take a look at them, I highly recommend all three!

1.

  

The Kitchen Boy

Robert Alexander

A recollection of the Romanov family and their kidnapping/murder by the Bolsheviks in the point of view of the literal kitchen boy.  It has a great historical background and is very touching.  Part non-fiction/fiction, it combines the actual memories of the kitchen boy combined with ideas and theories of what happened to the Romanov family during this civil uprising. 

2.     Hurry Down Sunshine

            Michael Greenberg

The author, Michael Greenberg, recounts the early memories he has of his "enlightened" daughter, Sally.  After he and her mother separate, changes occur in Sally and her problems become more evident.  Until at the age of fifteen, he realizes "that Sally has been struck mad".  It is a realistic memoir of a young girl diagnosed with BiPolar Disorder and the ups and downs not only she goes through but what her father goes through with her. 

In my opinion, this is a book written with such honesty concerning a topic that is hidden in our society.  It was refreshing to read something so upfront and candid about the struggles of mental disorders.

 3.   The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

         Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

My sister, her mother in-law and sister in-law all recommended this book.  Guernsey, is a small island located between Britain and France in the English Channel. 

"As her quirky, loveable characters cite the works of Shakespeare, Austen, and the Brontës, Shaffer subtly weaves those writers’ themes into her own narrative. However, it is the tragic stories of life under Nazi occupation that animate the novel and give it its urgency; furthermore, the novel explores the darker side of human nature without becoming maudlin."

I love books that have some relation to World War II, I have always had an interest into this era.  Plus, it brings some refreshing quotes from literary greats Shakespeare, Austen, and the Brontes sisters, all who I feel in love with in high school.

New Set of Numbers and My Humble Christmas

It is that time of the week, a posting of my numbers in my Healthy Lifestyles goal.  I accidentally skipped last week, it was quite busy at work!  So this is a combination of both last week and this week, including the dreaded Thanksgiving!  But I also put up some meager Christmas decorations, I wasn't going to put any up but my sweet Gma Ruby let me borrow a tree to decorate and I pulled out my wreath and lights.  So first off,

Week 3 Healthy Lifestyle:
-15 lbs total
        *-9 first week
        *-7 second and third week (combined)
-2 inches off chest
-1.5 inches off rib cage
-3 inches off of hips!

I have now entered a new set of double digits.  Right now my realistic goal is to lose 10% of my weight, no time schedule, just to lose it.  Then once I reach that goal, I will set a new one.  There is no race, I want to do this right and I think time is on my side when it comes to the battle I am in.

Here are some fun pics of my decorating too!  Thanks Gma Ruby:)

Great Start, Even Better Motivation!

Here are the stats for WEEK 1 LIFESTYLE CHANGE:

-9 lbs.
-1 inch off my chest (I have to pick and choose my battles for this one!)
-1 inch off my waist
-1 inch off my hips

I figure that if I want to lose weight than I also need to come to terms with a smaller bosom.  Heck, I'm sure I'll get it back when I have kids!

The major changes I made this week were:

• Cut sugar out of my diet (this doesn't include Diet Coke, hence the "diet")
• Only eat whole grain foods (pasta, rice, bread, etc.)
• Cut my Diet Coke consumption in half:) (1 can a day!, yeah that's right)
• Walks with Delila
• Add more vegetables into my diet
• Only cook or assemble meals, my self
• No processed, additives, etc's
• No high fructose corn syrup
• 1200 calories a day

Some of these were suggestions from my Doctor to better control my specific health issues.  I have seen a difference in how my body operates and rejuvenates already in a week.  This is just the start of the journey and I will take it one step at a time as long as I get there healthy and happy.

Here We Go

Before I post this weeks results from my 1st Week LIFESTYLE Change.  I just want to put a disclaimer:

    "As a result of the amount of poundage I need to lose, the amount will be the greatest in the beginning.  It is not realistic nor healthy to lose this amount every week and especially, if one is within their BMI range.  Alas, I am not within my BMI and I am being monitored by a Doctor during this "coming to Jesus" (that is what my mom would call it!).  All precautions are being taken and the "subject" (lol that's me) has not been harmed during any of this."

Now, tomorrow night I will post the official results of Week 1! Please be as excited as I am!!! (See I used 3 exclamation marks to show how EXCITED I am to share these results!)

P.S. If there is any negativity, well then, SHOVE IT! Let us fat girls be happy!

Wish Me Good Luck!

If you have known me for more than a couple days than you know that I have struggled with my weight since....well, since the day I was born (a whopping 9 lbs 11 oz), my poor mother!  I have tried numerous diets since the age of 12 and today at the age of 23 I am still in this battle.  I am at a point in my life where I should be dating and going out and having fun but I find myself more often than not, wondering why I don't get asked out or why I am still single.  I know there are probably many reasons, but let's be honest here, part of it has to do with my weight!  Tomorrow is a new day! With the help of my Dr. and medication for some health issues that have been a part of the weight gain, I will start not a diet but a LIFESTYLE change.  Each week I am going to post my weekly statistics such as how many pounds I have lost, daily caloric intake, and inches lost.  As I see fit I will post new pics showing any radical change.  BUT, I WILL NOT POST MY WEIGHT!  I am a lady and one never asks a lady her weight or her age, since I have already put my age I seem that it makes it fair:) 

This will be my open journal about my journey with my weight, whether it be up or down.  I have promised myself that through the good and the bad I will post each week.  This will be my motivation!  Feel free to leave comments, recipes, tips, etc.  I need all the help I can get!  Sorry if at times a little TMI slips out, I'll keep it clean friends:)

Let's get down to business, FAT PICS:

Don't ask what I am doing...Ok, I am pretending I am a monkey...Fine, not a monkey, a gorilla would be more fitting.

No words necessary!

At my best friend's wedding as her brides maid, such pretty dresses too!

Catching Up

I feel like I am a bit behind on my blog because of how busy it has been at work and with moving as well.  I was so busy I even let the roots of my hair grow out!!  Don't worry, that was the first thing I did!  I thought I would start off with last month and work my to recent.  Sorry about all the pics but I need to get them on here and better sooner than later since I am already in the "later" category:)

Delila crawled through the sleve of a sweater (think of the cat on Cinderlla climbing through the nightgown)

Dad on the Harley Roadster wearing....chaps!

This is my new office at Weber!

Addie and I drew and carved pumpkins for FHE one night.

We went 4 wheeling last week and found some snow and mud to get stuck in:)

How you doin?

Sydney, myself, and Alex after 4 wheeling.  When you have to take a picture because of how ridiculous you look!

It has taken me 3.5 weeks to finally start on the project of organizing and cleaning my closet...did I do it?!

Oh man I forgot about all my shoes!

THAT IS RIGHT!  I did it!  Mom and Dad, you guys should be so proud of me!

Look I even organized:)

In the next couple of days I will post pictures of my new, very short hair!