I may be on to something here...

I am proud to announce that I weighed in at 182.2 lbs this morning! That is about 5.5 lbs down from my heaviest! Woot woot!

I have been counting my calories using my LoseIt app on my phone and computer. I have been going to the gym at least 2 times a week. I am still sticking to my weight lifting first and cardio second routine. I have also been trying to keep my carb count down too, especially on non-gym days. For my art shows on the weekends, I pack snacks and meals that I can keep track of, instead of eating at the food carts. All of the setting up, carrying stuff back and forth, and tearing down for each show helps burn calories and is getting easier as I get stronger. (My canopy must away 50 lbs or so, plus there are the four 40 lbs weights I have to lug around and attach!)

I am finding it slow going, about a pound a week, but i am happy to be closer to 180 than to 190!! (190 is a scary number because it is getting WAY too close to 200 for my liking!) I am happy to finally start seeing results, because that is definitely a motivation booster!

I did have to go buy some new shorts for summer because last year's didn't fit (can't even get them over my thighs, let alone on and buttoned!), and I was a little embarrassed by the size I ended up with. I was at the store, and I kept holding shorts up thinking, "Omg, these will never fit!!" I finally found a few to try on, unfortunately they were the last size before I needed to go to the "plus size" women's section. Thinking they would never fit, I went to the fitting rooms and tried them on. Not only did they fit, but they were actually probably a size too big! Knowing how I gain weight then save clothes because I am determined to fit back into them (knowing it probably won't ever happen), I bought two pairs in that size. I figured they might shrink, and if I actually am able to lose the weight, I can take them in or something. Plus, if i have to buy new ones later on one way or the other, I would rather have to buy a smaller size. Plus, I have a closet full of smaller clothes to pick from if/when that time comes! ;)

Gym buddies

Craft festival season has begun, so I am now working part time at my day job, working full time on my business, and trying to get in time at the gym. Did I mention I am doing art shows and festivals on the weekends?! It has been hectic, but I am finally getting into a groove.

During the first show, a friend of mine came to help me out and keep me company. She many similar issues, and her and her hubby are working on getting in shape and eating better as well. During our conversation, we asked each other what gyms we have we have been going to- SURPRISE!!- They have been going to MY gym for several months! With my erratic schedule, we have been completely missing each other!

They go every other day, and I have joined up with them. 45 minutes of weights, 30 minutes cardio. I am also back to logging EVERYTHING using the "Lose It" app on my phone, and the website. It is by far my favorite! Everything I scan is in the database, I earn badges for keeping on with it, I can join challenges to keep me motivated, and it is very easy to use! Love it! After today's weigh in, I lost two pounds in the past 2 weeks. Yay me! I am still stuck around the 184 mark though. It just seems impossible sometimes. But my friend has lost 40 lbs using their exercise regimen, so I am going to stick with it and hopefully it works for me too.

Working out with some one else is also way more fun than going by myself. We talk and joke between sets, so time goes much quicker! I have been doing the elliptical, but I hopped on the treadmill next to hers, and a half hour FLEW by! I could have kept going and going tonight!

My husband has been going to the gym by himself after he gets off work (he goes to a different one than I do), and he tracks his food and exercise with a different program than what I use, but he has lost 28 pounds in 6 weeks! I'm so proud of him! This is the least he has weighed in several years! He is now down to about 250.

Brief update

So good news, and bad news.

The bad news is, I am still no where closer to my weight loss goals. I am fighting to hold at 185.

But the good news is, my husband has joined in the fun. He has joined a 24 hour gym so he can work out late after work each night. He has been going 4-5 times a week, depending on his work schedule. He is also working on portion and calorie control, and mixing in more fruits and veggies and less processed foods. This is also great for me, because it makes it easier on me when cooking meals. He has lost 5 lbs this week alone, and is well on his way to meeting his goals. I can already tell he is toning up in many areas as well. We did have to have a talk about the words "Fat Free", and how that usually means that there are more fake things and chemicals in those foods, which are no healthier than the small amounts of fat that they are replacing. He went to the store for a few things, and got fat free cheese instead of the usual kind that I buy. I felt bad because he was trying to do good, but it was an important thing we needed to talk about. ;) He tends to look at the nutritional facts, but not the ingredients. So we went over which ones are artificial and which ones are not.

My long lost friend "Flo" has finally stopped around again! I did start taking the vitex again, so I am not sure if it was that, being sick, or what that brought it on, but I will take it. I find I feel better overall when it's not missing for 3 months. So I've had two in a row, maybe we will go for three? lol.

Over Easter I breached that awkward topic of telling my mom we WANT to have babies... and it was awkward. It was more in passing, during a discussion related to when I was going to get to a doctor about all of these things going on. Both my mom and grandmother are pushing me to get in to a good doctor as fast as I can. My grandmother flat out said she wanted to be a great grand-mother ASAP!  My brother and his boyfriend were standing in the kitchen and his comment was that HE "had a better chance of making her a great-grandmother first"! So I guess that only means one thing- a race! haha. Nothing like a brother/sister rivalry to get you moving! lol.
 But in honesty, it is a little weird to talk to your parents about having babies. All my life they would say stuff like, "Whatever you do, you better not get pregnant because you have to [insert goal here]". First I had to graduate high school, then college, then get married, then get a teaching job, then make lots of money. Since those last two things have yet to happen- it is like- "Don't wait! You are getting older, so you better get started!" (Gee, thanks for reminding me!) I did come clean with my mom about how long we have been "letting it happen". (Almost 3 years.) It came out when I told her the one doctor was all offended because 2 married adults weren't using birth control for so long, but the doctor failed to see the true problem of there were no babies as a result.  Of course my mom shared some info with me about her and my dad's experiences with getting pregnant. Not sure if it was TMI or insightful... I would say it was helpful, but still TMI because it is your MOM! In a nut shell, she had cysts and had had surgery, and it took them over 2 years to get my brother. She didn't think it would happen because she was off kilter. I told her I knew I was going to have problems waaaay back in high school when I only got my period every other month or so.

I am starting to think about trying some ovulation predictor tests, but I have the feeling that is going to be a long process since it clearly has no set schedule. At least the dollar store sells them cheap! I'll give it a go and see what happens I guess!

Parting it on the side

I have been doing a lot of working-at-home this past week because we have been slow at my day job, so hours have been scarce. That means I haven't been to the gym as much this week.
The other day I did some time on the elliptical. The first 3 minutes were tough, but once I got myself moving, my muscles loosened up and I was on a roll! I was up to about 4.3 mph, which is pretty good since I am still not comfortable RUNNING on the treadmill. (Let's face it, thing jiggle!)
My legs were pretty sore after, but my ankle has finally stopped bothering me! Yay!! I was getting worried since it hurt a lot last week. I was worried I would actually have to go to the doctor for it.

I still have yet to have a period since the first week of January. I started to take the vitex again. (I had trailed off before.) I have been feeling "off" again the past week and a half/two weeks. Either everything is all messed up, or my period is about to start (and will be miserable). Ugh! I have been tired, slow, grouchy-ish, and my tummy has been blahk. I want to eat everything and sleep. Those two things. In that order. (At least the grocery store had super good deals this week! Lol) I have been pushing myself to do a little bit of sewing each day because the craft show season is coming way too soon to not.

Last week, I was able to go in a notch on my belt, and was super proud of myself. After my "binging" this week, I had to go back. :(
One of my co-workers told me I looked like I had lost a lot of weight. I told her, "No, I am just parting it on the side."

Hopefully, it isn't as bad as I think it is and I bounce back this week! It is supposed to be nice tomorrow, so maybe I can go for a walk/jog around the neighborhood.

Happiness is...

New gym/workout clothes!

Today treated myself to 2 new complete sets of workout clothes for the gym! I figure I deserve something nice since I have been doing so well. :) JCPenny's had some pretty sweet deals, and everything is so comfortable and bright colored! Talk about motivating! (As if it was an issue.)

The weight still isn't really coming off, but my clothes feel better and I am going longer and faster on the treadmill each day. I have been drinking TONS of water and replaced any occaisional sodas with unsweetened ice (green) tea. (You would think cutting out the sugars would have had an effect by now.) Still eating as healthy as possible and watching my portions and carbs.

Hopefully the weightloss will start soon!

An Update

Just a short update!

I am already down to about 182-183 lbs! Woot Woot! :)
(I think "aunt flo" had bit to do with that.) My pants sure are fitting a little better!

It's been lots of veggies, fruits, proteins, and water lately. I've been keeping as low carb as possible! Eggs OR a small bowl of cheerios with 2 bananas cut up in it for breakfast. Lunch is typically a salad and a protein based side- steak or tuna. Cheese stick and orange for snack. Dinner varies but is protein based with veggies.

I haven't been nearly as hungry or cranky lately. The headaches have mostly gone away as well. Except today- I am feeling a little stuffy, so I hope I am not getting whatever illness is going around the office.

It has been about a week since I had a pop/soda! I simply haven't had any cravings for it lately. Occasionally, I need some chocolate- but I stick to dark chocolate and only a little bit.

My ankle is still a little sore and stiff. I've been trying to do as much as I can. It is hard to get very far sometimes! I've been soaking it in Epsom salt and wrapping it when I can. Soaking it helps a TON in relieving the stiffness- one of my office buddies recommended it!

I think I am starting to get cabin fever! I am looking forward to spring and the outdoors and I can't wait for craft show season to start. Only 120 more days to the first show- and I have so much I want to do between now and then!

How is everyone else doing with their resolutions so far?

Snowstorm Euclid

Yes, the snow is here. It started at about 10:30 this morning. I had woken up early to go to our local Kmart for some good after-Christmas deals on some things I've been needing to get. Absolutely random stuff- a snow-brush for my car, a fold-able handcart for at the craft shows, a new belt, and a new pair of shoes. I don't really go to Kmart often, just because ours is small and cramped- talk about trying to cram as much merchandise into one room as possible!
Anyways, we went into Kmart, and it was yet to snow. We came out and Hello, snowstorm Euclid! The parking lot was getting a good layer, it wasn't too bad though... until that moment I turned to look at my husband and "Whoosh!" I went slipping and sliding. A "pop, pop...pop" in my ankle later, I was flat on my face in the middle of the parking lot. Since my ankle was numb and hurt like...heck... at the same time, I was pretty convinced it was busted. I must have just twisted it up pretty good because I am wobbling around on it. It twisted inwards, so it is the outside part of my leg, ankle and foot that are sore and tight now.
The silly thing is, the other people in the parking lot all turned to each other and whispered loudly to each other, "Did that girl just fall?!" Nope, just like to taste the pavement. I like to test it out everywhere I go. This one tastes the same as all the others! ::Rolls eyes:: Talk about "Here's your sign." Only one nice lady stopped in her car to ask if I was okay- then told me to "be careful", the snow was "getting bad".
So, between the icky snow and a twisted up ankle, it is another derailment of getting back full-swing to the gym! ;'(  I came home and made some homemade french onion soup, took a nap with my foot up, and am planning on getting started on sewing my platypus army. Since I only have 1 pair of safety eyes until my order comes in, I am not sure how far I can really get on the project. BUT- I am determined to make some sort of progress on SOMETHING today! lol

P.S.
Stay safe in the snow everyone!