Weigh In: Week 14

Current Weigh: 218lbs

Weekly Loss: -4lbs    Total Loss: -23lbs

 Kicking ass and taking names!!!

These are my April 1st pics and my First-Day-of-Summer pictures!  

My waist and derriere have gone down the most!  

My front has smoothed and gone down some, too!  Yay!

I didn't think I was going to reach my June goal of getting under 220lbs,

so I was ecstatic when I got on the scale this morning!!!
My #1 tip: DRINK LOTS OF WATER
Like, lots and lots and lots of water.
And put yummy things in there (but no sugar or fake chemical filled things!)

I'm doing better with life in general, still really sad about the divorce,
but focusing all of my energy on myself.  I never really spend much time on myself, and it feels really good getting to spend every minute of every day not worrying about anyone or anything besides myself!!!

I have big plans for myself this summer.  I want to try and see if I can reach 200lbs by the time school starts again in September. 

I'm going to exercise every day this summer.  Each day will start with a workout, most likely a walk/jog.  Later on in the day, I'm going to do Fitness Blender workouts to focus on different parts of my body.  I also purchased an elliptical to keep me busy on rainy days and thinking forward to the winter.  I'm working on creating a nice workout area in my house. 

I'm also going to limit my shopping to the farm stand, local fish store and local meat market with minimal trips to the grocery store.  I'm very lucky to have these amazing resources where I live, and they'll keep me away from the processed foods that are so bad for you!

Things are looking up!  Happy Summer Everyone!!!

Weigh-In: Week 13

This week's post isn't about my weight weigh-in.  

I lost a pound and I'm happy about it.  222lbs, down 19 so far.

It's about my life and recent events.  Most of you know me and have for a long time.  Some of you may have never met me, but I'm the kind of person who's always 100% truthful and puts everything out there.  I don't pretend like everything's always great, I try to honestly share my highs and lows, successes and failures, so I'm sharing this news in hopes it can help someone else.

I have never wanted children.  It's just something I've always known about myself.  I love kids, I've dedicated my career to educating children and instilling a love of music within them, I just don't want any of my own.  Chris (my husband) was on the same page.  Recently, he started having other thoughts.  He finally decided that his life isn't complete without children.  

I can't do that for him, so Chris and I are getting divorced.

We are both distraught.  We both deeply love one another.  We've been together for the better part of 13 years, married for almost 8.  We've both fought to stay together at various points while we were dating.  We both wish the other would somehow change their minds, but both of us feel so strongly about our choices.  This is something you can't compromise on, nor would it be fair.  I can't bring a child into this world just for him, and he can't not have a family just for me.

Love isn't always enough, and I'm learning that now.

I thought love could fix everything.  Call it the Disney effect.  Just kiss me and everything will be fine and we'll live happily ever after.  Life doesn't work that way.  Love also means respect.  We're not mad at one another, we're just so horribly sad.  It's okay for me to not want children.  It's okay for him to want children.  It's not okay for either of us to hold it against one another, so that's why we're doing what we're doing.

I've been consumed by this deep sadness for a week and a half now, but I'm not letting it take me over.  I finally had the energy yesterday to workout.  I am proud that I didn't go back to bad habits of eating crappy food and drinking.  I haven't touched a sip of alcohol, and ate healthy-ish, just didn't measure like I usually do.

My lesson for you:  No matter what's happening, you'll be okay.  You can beat it.  You have to accept it, and then fight.  Don't let the sadness win.  This is your life, so take control and hold on!

I am forever thankful for my amazing friends.  Without you all, I might have let that sadness continue to take over my life.  I know I'll be okay, it's getting easier every day, but it still hurts so much.  The hardest thing for me has been figuring out how to tell people, that's one of the reasons I'm writing this.  And yes, Chris knows I'm writing it, I would never put something like this out there without asking him first.

I am continuing my journey, and very glad I started it when I did.  I'm already in the habit of working on myself, and I'm ready to tackle everything head on.  I'm going to keep on working on my food, exercise, and mental health.  

I'm working on me.

It's going to be an amazing summer.  Just watch me fly...

Weigh-In: Week 12

Current Weigh: 223lbs

Weekly Loss: -2lbs    Total Loss: -18lbs

Kicked butt this week!

I've discovered something new about myself on this journey.
I'm currently going through something in my personal life that I will share at some point, because I think it can help others, but I'm just not ready to now.  
Needless to say, I'm extremely emotional and stressed.  

The "old" me would drown my sorrows with chinese take-out, wine and ice cream.
Maybe fried chicken and mac-n-cheese.
The new me???  EXERCISE

I never thought I'd say that!

The BEST way to deal with all of this emotions is to get out and move.
My body waits for it every day.  It's such a release.  I never knew.
I never would have believed it, most of you know me.
I'm not that person who is like "just go for a walk, you'll feel better!"
I'm the person who'll invite you over for comfort food and get you drunk.

NOT ANYMORE!!!

Weigh-In: Week 11

Current Weigh: 225lbs

Weekly Loss: 0lbs    Total Loss: -16lbs

I'll take it, especially after losing 3 lbs last week!

I did lose some inches these past 2 weeks!  1 more inch gone from my waist (2.5 total), .5 inches from my arms (1.5 total).

I started the week off so strong!  Exercise was great, food was great!  My legs/feet weren't happy towards the end of the week, so exercise slowed a bit.  I had my "cheat" meal Saturday, but I didn't really go off on any binges or anything, just didn't keep as strict over the weekend, and I'm allowed to do that!!!  The best part of not following a specific "diet" or plan is that there's no failing.  

I broke my own rule and weighed myself more often than once a week, and I won't do it again!  I was down to 224/223.5 early in the week for a few days.  The daily gain/loss drove me crazy.  

NO MORE!  Monday morning ONLY!

I'm all geared up for this week, it should be a good one!  

How is everyone doing?

Spicy Lentils

I LOVE SPICY FOODS!!!  Love, love, love!!!

I love the taste, but I also love that it helps control your portions when it's really spicy.

This recipe can be altered to suit your tastes, so don't worry about that!

This is a perfect side dish for grilled chicken!!!  

Can also serve over rice as a main course.

I like mine spicy and soupy, so I add the full tablespoon of garam masala and the full 2 cups water.  Garam masala is a spice blend used in northern Indian cuisine.   Adjust as your palate prefers!

This recipe makes 2 servings.

Ingredients

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 white onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 tbsp turmeric

1/2-1 tbsp garam masala* (this brings the spice, so adjust to your taste or omit)

Handful of fresh mint leaves, chopped

1/2 cup dry lentils

1 1/2-2 cups water

1/4 cup half and half

Salt to taste

Heat coconut oil in a medium sauce pan over medium high heat.  Add onion and red pepper and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Add chopped garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.  Add spices and mint, heat for one more minute.

Add lentils and 1 1/2 cup water.  Bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring every once in a while.  If your lentils are not tender and the water is almost gone, add more liquid and continue to cook.  Once lentils reach desired tenderness, add the half and half and stir.  Season with salt to taste.

Nutrition Information Per Serving 

Calories: 217

Carbs: 20g

Fat: 11g

Protein: 11g

Weigh-In: Week 10

Current Weigh: 225lbs

Weekly Loss: -5lbs    Total Loss: -16lbs

HECK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

I kicked major butt this week.  Speaking of butts, mine looks fabulous!  

I was checking myself out in the mirror after weighing in this morning, 

and I have to say, my rear end is looking fabulous!!!

(no pictures, I'm not into the whole post-your-bare-ass-online thing!)

I logged 51.1 miles this month!  So proud of myself for that!

My body is getting stronger and can handle longer walks now.

June Goals

Get under 220 lbs

Log at least 50 miles

Incorporate more jogging

Walk at least 6 days a week

Walk more than 5 miles 3 of those days

Strength train on days of shorter walks

Allow one untracked meal a week 

June is going to be an interesting month for me.

My M-F schedule relaxes a bit, but I'm starting a class this Sunday that's going to consume 5 weekend days.  

I'm not the early riser, so I'm determined to go for a walk as soon as I get home on those days.  

At least my eating will be more controlled, it's time spent at home that gets me!

Happy June Everyone!!!!!

What are your goals this month?