Oh Pumpkin, How I Loathe You

    

     It's here. Fall. Already? You know it's official when there's been a pumpkin sighting. As if I wasn't in a horrible mood already this morning, I made my way down to the cafeteria and there they were. Pumpkin Donut Holes. Ugh. 

     I wasn't planning on blogging this morning, but this is my outlet. A good friend of ours lost someone really close to him yesterday, and I feel so awful for him. My mouth is hurting, and I didn't do my best at the gym this morning. I'm at work when I would rather be at home in bed. Victories are great to celebrate, but it's days like these when I need the support the most. I will get through today, and I will have the opportunity to face tomorrow. For this I am thankful. 

     Today I will try to keep focused and think about my goals. Pumpkin deliciousness will not help me fit into that wedding dress. My problem seems so small compared to those around me, but still I struggle. Watch out, today, I'm ready to fight. 

You Don't Have To Be Perfect

       This week was not a perfect week by any means food wise. I ate out way too much, and there were a lot of challenges along the way. There was Outback, sushi, a pizza and wings night, and a whole day spent away from the house. A lot of times, social gatherings are centered around food. That makes it really hard. I used to avoid a lot of social situations (the first time...), but I'm really trying to get better at keeping these times a part of my life. I've found that it's important to just keep myself busy... and away from the food. While I try to stick to my food plan during these times, it doesn't always happen. I did great at Outback Monday night, but kind of went out of control with pizza and wings. There might have even been some loaded breadstick bites included in that meal. What I did do well this week, though, was not letting a bad meal or a bad day define my week. I ate it, and I moved on. I worked out 6 days last week, and attempted to keep my focus. That I will celebrate!
       Sundays are my weigh in days, and was happy to see myself down 4 pounds this week. That's a total of 11.7 pounds in 4 weeks. 54 pounds to goal! I did gain one of those weeks thanks to a super fun camping trip, so I am very happy with this progress so far. I know it is going to start slowing down sooner rather than later, but I will enjoy this victory while I can! When I had my last massage on August 1st, I told Aubrey (My amazing massage therapist at Massage Envy... go see her!) that next time she saw me (September 3rd) I was going to be down 10 pounds. I've past that now, and can't wait to share my progress with her. I know the weight loss will make her job a lot easier, too! I may even start to enjoy massages again without all the pain that those extra pounds bring!
      My dress arrived Monday afternoon! I am absolutely in love with it! I was able to get it on, but not zipped up in the back. Even still, I really don't have as far to go for it to fit right as I thought I would. I did take a couple pictures of me in the dress. They have been super motivating for me this week, and I can't wait to have these pictures to track my progress. With this weeks loss, I have about 9 more pounds to go before I will try the dress on again. Can't wait!

My Daily Routine

       Anyone that knows me knows that I'm a planner. I plan well in advance, and don't do well if my routine is thrown off. Something I am working on!
       This especially goes for sticking to a weight loss plan for me. My life has been busy lately, but I have been doing pretty well at getting a routine down. I am lucky enough to have a job where I only work 4 days a week, and even luckier to have Mondays off, so I get three day weekends every weekend. So even though my workdays start pretty early, having only 4 of them makes it a little more manageable!

       Here is a routine workday for me:

                   4 am: Alarm goes off. I do hit snooze a few times (Sorry, Roger!)
                   4:30 am: Out of bed
                   4:45 am: Out the door
                   5:00 am: Workout
                   6:30 am: Work
                   5:30 pm: Cook dinner
                   7:00 pm: Homework/Study
                   9:00 pm: In bed

       When I really get into the swing of things it really looks worse than it is. In reality, getting out of bed at 5:30 isn't any more fun than 4:30! Weekends around our house can vary, so I just try to get up around 6 to head to the gym before I get too caught up in the day.
       For me, it is a lot easier to get my workout done first thing in the morning. It takes the decision away after work, because it's already done!
       I don't plan for rest days for two reasons. 1 - It is hard for me to get going again after a day off. And 2 - If there is a morning where I just don't want to get out of bed it's ok!
       At the gym I have been alternating cardio and a total body circuit every other day. Planet fitness has a circuit that I really love! If you live near a Planet Fitness and haven't been yet... you need to! I can't say enough good things! They are inexpensive and you really get a lot for what you are paying! My membership even comes with the ability for me to take a friend every time I go! (Yes... That is a hint and an open invitation!)
       I hope that gives you a little insight as to the steps I am taking in my journey!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I can't let the day go by without saying "Happy Birthday" to this incredible woman. She has made me who I am today and I would be so incredibly lost without her. She believes in me when I don't believe in myself, and she has given me everything I need to make life incredible. She has always put us first selflessly and without a second thought. I can only hope to be a fraction of the woman she is. 

Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you so much!

Here Goes Nothing!

       Well... never did I think I would start a blog, but here it goes! I have to give credit to Roger's second mom, Mari for the idea! I think it was said as a joke, but it really sparked something! What a great form of accountability for me!
      Roger and I have been together for 6 1/2 years (tomorrow actually!), and we got engaged on May 29th. That was the day that he asked me the question I wasn't sure was ever going to come: "Do you want to go to Sam's?" I know what you're thinking... this could have meant a lot of things. We needed toilet paper, dishwasher detergent, laundry soap... You know, any of those household things you have to buy in mass quantities. However, being the smart man that he is, he knew that the ring I had been wanting for a long time was at Sam's Club. I'm sure he wasn't given any subtle hints at all! Who knew they had such great jewelry??? We were on our way home from a long day at the baseball field after Roger got done umpiring for the day. Luckily, I knew what he meant and immediately turned the car around before he changed his mind! It was a Memorial Day weekend I will never forget!
        The date for the wedding has been set! September 11, 2019. 1115 days from today I will marry my best friend. Sounds like an eternity, but I know it will fly by. I will graduate from  nursing school in May of 2019, and our wedding will be the celebration of a whole new beginning for us. Even though we have been together so long, I can not wait to make it official and become Roger's wife. We have been through so much together, including many ups and downs, and it all has just brought us closer together. He really does complete me and I couldn't imagine my life without him.
       I'll spare you the mushy stuff, and just get down to business. Last week I found THE DRESS. It was the dress I knew I wanted, and when I found it online I couldn't pass it up. I didn't think I would be getting my wedding dress so far out, but I just checked the USPS tracking system and it is currently out for delivery. While I am so excited for it to arrive, I know it's not going to fit. And that's ok. This blog will serve as a tool for me to track my progress between now and the big day! That dress is going to fit, and I am going to look amazing!
       As you might know, I lost 104 pounds a couple years ago. It was thanks to the support of my family and friends that helped me get there. I was so close to my goal, and then life happened. But I did it before, and I WILL do it again. And I'm not stopping until I get there. I have been back on track for the past couple of weeks now, and I feel great! I have about 58 pounds to go to get to where I think I want to be, but the weight isn't as important to me as how I feel inside and out. I want my confidence back!
       I'm not sure anyone will follow or even read this blog, but I really think it is something that is going to help me battle through this journey again. If there is someone out there that decides to read it, I hope you enjoy the ride! Buckle up! It's going to be a bumpy one!
       I am so excited for this darn dress to arrive today! I'm going to take a picture in it today as a starting point for progress pics. Sorry... I won't be posting the pics. Not because of the way it will look, but there are some eyes that are not allowed to see the dress until the big day! Don't worry though... I'm sure there will plenty of opportunity for pics along the way!