I love you, but get the !@$# out of here.

This time of year is hard for a lot of people, diet wise. I am no exception. I love all of the Christmas goodies, but really...they need to get the hell out of my life. Like, yesterday.

Continuing on with the theme of my last post, I am being completely honest - I can't freaking say no to Christmas goodies. I promise myself I will avoid temptation, and then I go and eat it anyways. It is a constant struggle, and that is one reason that I will be glad when 2012 begins - no more Holiday goodies to call my name, mock me, tempt me.

On the positive side, I just got off the treadmill and managed a 9:48 mile. I followed up with some walking and jogging on an incline. 9:48 is my fastest mile yet, and it's the first time I've been below a 10 minute mile and still continued on with some form of working out instead of just stopping. I am proud of this, and it helps me to know that despite my ever-stuck weight, I am still increasing my fitness level. Thanks to jogging, running, and my trusty treadmill. Although it is true, I foresee myself transitioning to more outdoor running next summer because I really liked that when I finally got myself out there on the lakewalk this fall.

In any case, I will just keep on keepin' on, and see where life takes me. See where I can take me.

Honesty - Long one!

I've been thinking a lot lately about how I've been stuck and what the issue is. I need to be honest with myself - the issue is that I'm not eating the way I should and know I can. I am not eating horribly, because I am maintaining my loss within 1-3 lbs at any given time. But I am not doing what I could, diet wise, to get the loss going again. Remember back in the beginning, I mentioned how pita chips were a major weakness? Yeah I have been giving in to those at least twice a week. NOT good.

That must change!

So I gave myself a new mini-goal, which is to lose 5 lbs by this time next month. This week I have re-started...in other words, with the same determination I had back in January. My eating has been better (truly) and I have adopted a more regular exercise routine again.

All around me I see people struggling to lose weight. I try to encourage them and I realized that I need to take my own advice. Staying positive is essential if I am going to succeed. I think lately I have been more neutral...kind of like "eh, as long as I'm not gaining...I'll get to it eventually....". Instead I need to think "I can get this going again and I WILL get this going again! I WILL succeed!
Heck, if I truly expect to continue to run 5k's and improve my time, or run a 10k and hopefully a half marathon next June...I better get moving. To be in top condition that includes getting moving physically, mentally and nutritionally.

Another way I see others struggling (in my opinion) is being honest with themselves about the effort they put in and the choices they make. I am guilty of this as well. I understand how hard it is, especially starting out. When I first started exercising, I felt like dying after jogging for 10 seconds. So I would say "I did the best I could" and stop and walk. In reality, what would an extra 5 seconds be? That is what pushing yourself (safely of course) is about and it is what yields the best results. Or saying "I just don't know why I'm not losing any weight" when you are eating 3 bowls of sugary cereal for breakfast every day, chips for a snack, grilled cheese and fries with a side salad drenched in high fat dressing for lunch, a candy bar for a snack, and pizza and ! an apple! for dinner. I mean, you did eat that apple after all...and the salad...that's healthy, isn't it? Um no. It doesn't work like that. I am guilty of that sort of thinking/denial myself, and I think a lot of people are but aren't willing to admit it - even to themselves. Or another good one..."I only ate 900 calories today, why aren't I losing weight?! I'm so healthy!!" Yeah...No. It doesn't work that way either. Weight loss is about the right amount and quality of calories. You can eat too much, or too much of the wrong thing, or too little...all of those will serve to stall your weight loss.

I realize I have come a long ways - losing 45 lbs this past year (the old-fashioned way even) is hard work and it has resulted in a healthier, happier me. I run 5'ks for Pete's sake...I NEVER would have thought that possible. But I still have a long ways to go, and it has been a bummer to know I have so far to go, and be so completely stuck for so long now.

I think in the past, I have downplayed my struggles in this blog. I mention them yes but I think I need to be even more honest about it. How can I deal with something unless I fully admit and understand it? How can I tell others to be honest when I am not even being completely honest myself? I think that a renewed sense of determination along with more honesty will help me. I hope.

Confession - over Thanksgiving break, I gained 5 lbs. FIVE!! I felt disgusting. And disappointed in myself. I know that most people probably do gain a bit during Thanksgiving, but I felt like I should know better. I have worked so hard to lose my weight, why would I set myself back like that just for some pecan pie? (Because trust me, I ate my fair share of that. And it's only like, a billion calories per piece). Luckily, within a week, I lost that weight again without even trying. (A good sign - it shows that I truly can maintain easily without working hard at it, and I am glad to know that in the back of my mind). But the thing is, I lost that weight I had gained and then BAM. A brick wall. WTF? Seriously, WTF?

Ok. So I actually know WTF. I am just not eating the way I need to if I want to lose again. We've established that. So here is my official plan. Written out in all of its formal blog glory:

1. Treadmill 2-3x week, weights 2x a week, other exercise such as Wii boxing, 30 day shred, etc 2x a week. Every couple of days a rest day is required so that my muscles and body have a chance to heal themselves for optimum performance the next time. (I read that, don't I sound smart?)
4. More lean meats
5. Less carbs from sources like bread, pasta, etc.
6. Eating out less, and when we do eat out, making better choices.
7. Less high calorie beverages (fancy coffee and alcoholic beverages like wine coolers are the main offenders for me - instead I can cut down on these things and when I do choose to indulge, stick with more basic coffee, low-fat versions, smaller sizes, and wine instead of Sex on the Beach (just as an example. Sex on the Beach is SO good but I don't even want to know the calories!)
8. Keep my eye on the prize - being able to finish a half marathon next summer, and making my goal weight some day!

Wish me luck. It might be a bumpy ride but let's hope I make it to the other side in one piece!

"There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them."
- Clare Boothe Luce

Gobble Gallup!

I am sorry I haven't been keeping this blog updated. To be honest, there hasn't been much to update you on. My weight is stuck. Completely, totally, utterly stuck. It hovers around in the same few pounds. Up, down, up down. I am glad I've been able to maintain, but I want to LOSE again.

One thing I did slack on is to blog about the GOBBLE GALLUP 5k I did on Thanksgiving!! It was so much fun, I am very glad we decided to take part. It was a gorgeous day (40 degrees, which is amazing for my area that time of year). And best of all, I beat my previous 5k time (that was in June) by almost 3 minutes. My first 5k, The William A. Irvin 5k, was 38:48. My time for the Gobble Gallup was 35:52!

Not bad for a race we decided to run just a couple of weeks before hand and never put in any serious training effort.

Increasing mileage

Yesterday was a beautiful day...54 degrees and sunny. Where I live, for November 3rd, that is amazing. I wanted to get out and enjoy it so I took off for a run on our awesome lake walk...and I was able to log 4.5 miles!

I can't believe that I can go 4.5 miles. Me...the girl who hated gym class growing up. It is amazing and I am so proud of accomplishing that. I love feeling that way when I'm all done and I can't imaging what it will feel like as I keep increasing my mileage base more and more...and next summer when I complete a half marathon.

Now I just need to get rid of this dang halloween candy and the goodies I made for hubby to take with him on him annual hunting trip!!

Good new/bad news

The bad news is that there is nothing to report about my weight. It's just fluctuating in the same few pounds that it has been for a while now.

The good news? I finally got myself outside for a jog. By myself. I am very proud because this is the first time I have done this, other than at my parent's house out in the country. I have a hard time getting going, and I tend to make excuses. I am not sure but I think the main reason, when it comes down to it, is that I was just nervous. Nervous about being "seen", nervous that I would do terribly, nervous about everything. But after getting out there twice in the last week, I am feeling much better about it. I want to keep doing it. I am sad that it will soon be winter, and the lake walk won't really be an option anymore. But I will promise to remember this feeling, this motivation, for when spring arrives a million months from now.

I am going to need to get out there...because I have decided to do a 10k in April and a half marathon in June.

On top of that, I have been accepted to Grad School and will be starting in January.

Yep. I am nuts.

Eff you, scale

I weighed in this morning. Freaking 1.1 lb up. Not that I'm gaining over all...but it's just a continuation of the whole "up, down, up, down" pattern that is getting me nowhere. It is SO frustrating. I realize I need to concentrate on other things, like the way clothes fit and especially how fit I feel. The most important part of this all is health, and it certainly can't hurt for me to be working on improving my diet and getting way more exercise than I ever have before in my life. I know this, I just can't seem to shake the disappointment when the scale doesn't budge. My husband went for a 4.5 mile run and lost like 4 lbs. I went on a 3.5 mile run and gained a pound.
See how I could get a bit discouraged!?

Regardless, that run the other day felt amazing to accomplish and I am thinking I might go again after work today if it is nice out. Hopefully the good habits will eventually catch up with me both health wise and weight wise.

Today I managed to get out for a run, outdoors on my city's awesome lake walk, and I went 3.5 miles. I was expecting to only get 2 miles max out of myself, but was pleasantly surprised when my hubby google mapped it (because I don't have any fancy gear yet to keep track while I'm running) and found it was 3.5 miles.

Woooot! And it felt great! My knees are sore but not in a sharp injury sort of way...just plain sore. I really hope to get out there and do that again sometime soon, but my time is limited being that it is the end of October in very winter-y state. In fact it was amazing how nice the weather was today...for this time of year, it was spectacular. I am glad I was able to take advantage of it. Thanks to my hubby for watching the girls while I ran off.

Monday morning I will weigh in and see what's up. I really have no idea what to expect this time.

Good news

The extra weight I "gained" over the last week or whatever, is coming off to the tune of about .7 per day. That is why I didn't even bother changing my ticker to be honest...I knew there was a good chance it would come right off.

So I am happy to say that I am getting back down towards a comfortable level again. I was kind of freaking out, seeing the Wii Fit BMI creep back towards that "Obese" line. I am glad to see it getting farther away!.

Ugh :-(

So apparently I've completely lost my shit. I gained a couple of lbs :-( I knew this last week but am honestly embarrassed and sometimes even slightly confused. Anyhow, I am now working hard to get caught up and beyond. Hubby gave me some extra motivation by saying when I hit 60 lbs, I get a weekend away and when I come back, the house will be clean. Oh heck yeah! LET'S DO THIS!

So yesterday I kind of indulged a little, knowing that today is my day to get completely back on track. It also gave me a prime example of why I am sometimes confused about my weight gain: I ate way worse this weeeken than I did at any other time, by far, in the last couple of weeks. I didn't do any official working out all weekend. Yet, I LOST weight today? I'm not dumb, I know that the key to weight loss is not to eat cookies and ice cream and buffalo wild wings and UV Cherry Vodka mixed with Lemon Sour and huge helpings of lasagna. So...WHY did I lose weight after all that? Why do I feel like I am going to start gaining again when I go back to my weekly diet of salads and low fat yogurt and fruit and whole grains?

My only possible explanation is that I did start working out a little harder last week. Perhaps I started gaining muscle a little again, and some of my weight gain is related to that...and now it is starting to do it's job by increasing my metabolism so that is why I suddenly lost weight even when I really shouldn't have? I don't know. This weight loss stuff is so freaking hard and so frustrating at times.

All I know is that I want to and need to get this under control and going again. Being stalled is the worst, especially after so many months of success. It is really important to me to get healthier and fitter. It doesn't hurt to go down in sizes, either.

I will just keep hanging in there. I know that not giving up is key, and I'm not giving up. I just needed to vent I guess...and now I am off to pack a healthy lunch and snacks for the day.

and a lil more!

Yes. I weigh myself most week days. Some may think it's excessive but for me at least at this point in time, it is working. So I will go with it. I like to see the daily ups and downs, it makes me feel more in - tune with my body. And best of all when I see a loss, even a tiny loss, it helps my motivation level.

So I lost another .3 making my total 44.5.

45 is just around the corner, and then I have my sights set on the big FIVE OH.

I am also just 10 lbs away from what I was when I got married over 7 years ago!

And a lil' more...

Yay, another .7 lbs lost!
I think I am going to start going by exact decimals...so my total is 44.2. Hey, it took 2 months to get going again, I'm going to take everything I can get.

Happy, lovely Friday!

Fridays rock anyways, but this Friday brought a little something extra - I lost on the scale!!! It is only .5 lbs, but it makes me feel great because it has been SO long since I have lost anything. And to be honest, I was pretty certain I would not lose today because yesterday, I ate this (delicious) big cookie from Perkins. (So much for that willpower I was talking about the other day). The cookie was a big amazing round piece of amazingness, but it was 310 calories. *Cringe*
Then for supper I had pasta salad. Which isn't terrible...it could be worse (I mean, at least there are veggies in it) but my body and carbs are not friends. My body hangs onto carbs like a fly on sticky tape!

On the plus side, I have managed to avoid pita chips at work this week. Those things are the spawn of the food-devil.

So we will just have to see what this weekend brings....Hopefully it brings weight loss and energy and good choices instead of a lack of willpower and mouth watering goodies. Not that I would ever give in...no way.....ha.

I got dis'

Still stuck, but feeling optimistic today. Weighed in and I am exactly level with my lowest point so far. I am hoping to keep it going down instead of back up, down up down.

I think I have gotten my willpower back - I even turned down free bagels and cream cheese the other day! Today for lunch I am having this amazing black bean veggie burger that is on the menu every other Friday at work....and I will NOT order fries with that.

The other piece to this is that I really need a little jolt in my exercise routine...so yesterday instead of the treadmill, I did hand weights and floor exercises. I have to say, I definitely see more muscle definition in my arms the last couple of months than I ever have before in my life. (Nothing manly or gross looking though, no worries haha). Tonight I am thinking of doing Wii Fit boxing...if you put your all into that, and have progressed high enough in ranking (so you are going against more and more skilled computer players), it can be a great workout for your upper body!

So this is my plan - keep the willpower, add in fresh exercise routines. Let's keep our fingers crossed!!

Willpower? What's that?

Obviously I cannot even have ice cream in the house. Or tortilla chips, salsa and cheese. It is so GOOD! Even as I was thinking how this is SO not good for my diet, I continued eating the crap. My reasoning? "I WILL start fresh and be a kick-butt diet follower, but I need to get rid of the crap first. This will get rid of it quicker. I could throw it away, but...what a waste of money".

Yep. Still stuck. And this is one reason why. I haven't been eating totally crappy all the time like this, but I have given in a bit too often more than I should. I am all about having a treat now and then, or you will drive yourself insane. But I need to get back on track. Back to the basics. I need to remember why I started this journey and how far I've come and how great it feels to lose the pounds week after week. The problem isn't exercise, because I HAVE gotten back on track in that department lately. In fact I went on a run 4 times this week, and it has been feeling great. My problem is diet. It definitely needs some tweaking!

I still haven't really gained anything significant (just the same couple of pounds that I go up and down all the time) but I haven't lost in a LONG time. Maybe 6 weeks? I will have to check to see for sure, but it feels like forever. I'm sick of it. I'm ready to get the scale moving again.

So frustrated

I just looked back and see that this is the longest period of time I've been stuck for.

I have tried all sorts of things to get unstuck...my body is just really happy at this weight apparently. The problem is, this weight is still too high. I want to get into the "normal" range. I am thankful to be out of "obese" but have a ways to go to get out of "overweight". Come on, scale!!!

Damn cats.

So one of my cats chewed up the tiny little cord for the Wii remote sensor. I hadn't weighed myself in awhile anyways, then when I finally decided to, I couldn't. During this time I was traveling each weekend, visited the state fair (mmm, fried pickles....) and was just overall uneasy about the result on my weight. I tried weighing myself on an old scale we had lying around, but the result was completely unreliable...First it told me I lost a pound, then 20 seconds later I tried again and it told me I gained 11. Next try it told me I gained 5. So...obviously not accurate in the least.

This weekend, we finally replaced our Wii remote sensor and I just now weighed in for the first time in a couple of weeks. The result? Unfortunately I did not lose any weight, BUT the good new is that I haven't gained either! I am thrilled about that, and now I am going to work hard this week to kickstart the weight loss again. It was a rough month with my schedule being different and being out of town every single weekend (often to places where I was more likely to eat crappy).

In other news, I finally took the plunge and got my hair cut and colored. It was way overdue! I lost about 7-8 inches of hair and the color went from fairly flat, boring ash brownish or dark dishwater blondish (hard to describe, but not the most beautiful color whatever it was) to multi dimensional with chunky high lights and low lights. Here is the result (this is also a good pic of my face after 43 lb weight loss):

For comparison, below is a pic of me "before". But with my hair up (which is how I always ended up wearing it when it was long). This pic was probably taken fall of 2010. It isn't the best pic of my face and it's a little blurry, but it's what I have right now.

Are we back in business?

After a frustrating streak of being stuck, I lost half a pound finally (putting me at 43 total). I hope this is the beginning of my seeminly monthly weight loss. That is really how it goes...I get stuck for 3 or 4 weeks, then I lose like 5 lbs in a week. Then I get stuck, then I lose a bunch at once.



Our bodies are strange and amazing things.

I'm stuck

I hate being stuck.



That is all.

Oops

My husband had some important appointments at the Mayo clinic the other day. That is a 4 hour drive, so it was a long day in the car and sitting between appointments. What do you do when you are on the go? You eat crap. Well at least, we do. So on Monday, my meals consisted of: McDonalds steak and egg burrito for breakfast, pizza for lunch, and chinese (buffet) for supper. With a Wendy's frosty and some peanut butter sandwich crackers thrown in there for good measure.



Wow. Can we say "Hello, sodium"!



Needless to say, I have felt bloated and icky ever since. Yesterday was better but I still broke down and gave into a craving for chips. It's like since I had an off day, I have to start almost back at square one. Because when I am really doing well, eating healthy.... I don't get those cravings as much. But give in one time, and BAM there they are.



So today starts me back on the health wagon 100%. I know that one day of awful eating didn't cause too much of an actual gain, but there is defintely water weight and to be honest, I don't even want to know. I know it's not good, I don't need the number on the scale to tell me that because I can FEEL it. I would rather just work really hard for the next several days, get back to where I feel normal again, and then weigh in to see what's up.



It hasn't heled that my schedule for August is different. Instead of working 6-2:30 5 days a week, I am working 6-4:30, 4 days a week and have Friday off. It is nice having Friday off, but really difficult to fit in a work out most days because I used to do it after work in the afternoon before I picked my kids up. Now I don't have that time, and my younger daughter takes forever to get to sleep so there really just isn't a chance for me to workout until after 9pm usually. I am actually thinking of getting up a bit earlier for this month so that I can do my workouts early in the morning. Even if it is just Tuesdays and Thursday for now, I need to do something!

Successful weekend

This weekend was a success. Even after a random decision to stay the night at a friends house and ending up awake until after 4 am drinking Mike's hard varieties and taking shots of coconut coruba (delicious I might add, I think I want to add that to my house as a staple along with wine and cherry vodka)!

Despite the indulgence in alcohol as well as a meal at McDonalds, I lost 1.5 lbs putting me at 42.5 lbs total. BMI is currently at 29.66. I think even though I had some not-ideal choices in nutrition, overall I did not overindulge TOO much. Some of my meals were good! For example, my good friend made amazing omelettes in the morning, packed with veggies and a variety of stuff. Like a garbage omellete. Supper on saturday was hotdogs and brats on the grill along with deviled eggs, fruit and salad (of which I had a generous helping of). SOOOO...in my own defense...yes, I treated myself more than I needed to, but I stayed on track other times, so it's not like the weekend was a total indulgence-fest.

Anyhow. Thank goodness my BMI is going in the right direction away from that "obese/overweight" border. Wow - I can't imagine a day when I will be in the "normal" area...that will feel so amazing.

Here is my most updated weight-date chart:

January 1st 2011 - 227
January 12th 2011 - 222
January 13th 2011 - 220
January 17th 2011 - 217
January 22nd 2011 - 215
January 27th 2011 - 214
February 2nd 2011 - 213
February 3rd 2011 - 212
February 8th 2011 - 211
February 13th 2011 - 209
February 15th 2011 - 208
March 8th 2011 - 207
March 23rd 2011 - 205
March 25th 2011 - 203
March 31st 2011 - 202
April 11th 2011 - 200
April 18th 2011 - 199
May 15th, 2011 - 197
May 21st 2011 - 195.5
May 22nd 2011 - 194
June 10th 2011 - 193
June 19th 2011 - 192
June 26th 2011 - 190
July 6th 2011 - 188.5
July 25th 2011 - 187.5
July 26th 2011 - 186.5
July 27th 2011 - 186
August 1st 2011 - 184.5

It's the small things

If you know me or have been reading the blog for any length of time, you know that I am a bit scale-happy. I can't help it...seeing it stay the same or go up, while frustrating, can also help to motivate me. Seeing the scale go down, obviously is exciting.

So yes I weighed myself this morning, even though I just hit 40 (40.5) yesterday. And you know what? I lost a little more! .7 more actually, so my total is now at 41 lbs even.

Now tell me, WTF happened that I suddenly lost weight two days in a row? I am starting to think it is like some totally random freak occurance. That you can work as hard as you want, but you will only actually lose weight every now and then...like at those rare times that the weight-loss Gods have pity on you and decide it's time for a little confidence boost. Then you might go back to 3 or 4 weeks of nothing.

Oh and one aweome detail regarding the 41 lb mark - it offically put my BMI into the 29's!!!! 29.90 to be exact, and so I am now considered "overweight" instead of "obese". Also, I am pretty sure I have not been this weight for about 6 years. Awesome!

It. is. about. freaking. time!!!

Just when I thought this whole freaking thing was pointless...BAM. Success! I finally hit 40 lbs!!! 40.5 lbs, to be exact. I am so excited, this is one of those huge milestones. I am celebrating by eating some packaged strawberry oatmeal for breakfast ;-) Ok, ok. I confess, I eat packaged strawberry oatmeal for breakfast many a day. But hey nobody is perfect okay?!

Interesting factoids....
*I started this journey at 227.1 lbs
*I am now 186.7 lbs.
*My BMI is currently 30.01...I am thisclose to being out of the 30's foreeeevvveeeeer!!!
*Also when my BMI goes down into the 29 range, the Wii fit will no longer consider me "Obese"; instead I will only be considered "overweight".
*It took me just 2.5 weeks to lose my first 10 lbs, but it took me almost 2.5 MONTHS to lose this last 10 lbs. They aren't kidding when they say you need to have patience and just keep chugging along, and that it is a slow process and the weight didn't come on overnight so it won't go away overnight.

Hopefully this will help me to motivate myself, so that I stop craving all the deliciousness that is a Wendy's Frosty. O M G, those little buggers are like heaven in a cup.

Step by step

I lost one more pound for a total of....39.5

I can't bring myself to call it 40 yet...but...soon. Soon soon.

X+Y=Z

Solve X+Y=Z

X= 4 mile run
Y= Chicken Lo Mein and eggrolls for dinner

Unfortunately, Z = no change in weight. It could be worse, I could have gained. Chinese is sky high in sodium after all. But man....what did I have to go and do that for?!

I blame hubby. The chinese was his idea.

Four-point-oh?

Unfortunately, my title four point oh does not refer to hitting 40 lbs...but still it is something good....

I ran my first 4-miler! Look, I even have proof!


Now dangit, I want to hit my 40 lb mark. Comeonalready!!!

I realize I have no patience. I can't help it.

Just sayin'

This crap is totally unfair. Why is it that I can recall plenty of people throughout my life who have been naturally thin, ate like pigs, and never did any more exercise than me. I remember a friend in 5th grade who was not involved in any sports and didn't have a particularly active family so I would assume wasn't all that active outside of school either.....and she was at my house and ate like a whole bag of dill pickle chips. (And no - she didn't throw it up afterwards!)
Me? I could look at a single potato chip and probably gain a pound. Sure, lately it hasn't been as bad but that is only because I kick my own butt exercising including strength exercises, and have probably raised my metabolism that way. But I ain't no Lady Gaga....I sure wasn't born this way.

Just a random vent brought on by a random one day gain (most likely of water weight after eating some delicious fries last night).

Sub 10 minute mile

Wooot! Look what I did! (Sorry for the off centered picture, I took it literally right away after I was running, and I was a little unsteady lol) Maybe someday I will be able to do that on ground too! For now, I am happy with the treadmill. I think I like it because however fast I set it, is how fast I HAVE to go. When I am running outside, I have a hard time motivating myself. I have to work on that. lol

Holidays

I LOVE the 4th of July. Especially spending the 4th of July in one of my favorite places in the world, Crane Lake. It is like a second home to me. I vacationed there with my family as a child. I spent 6 summers living there when I was 16-21 years old. I met my husband there, and got married there.

But the 4th of July can also be filled with plenty of calories - ice cream, snacks, alcohol, and the delicious annual fish dry that my in laws do at their cabin. I was really hoping to simply not gain anything, but low and behold I managed to lose a little too! 1.8 lbs to be exact. My total is about 38.5 now.

ALMOST THERE! Soon I will hit 40 lbs, which will be way exciting. 40 lbs is what I lost in 2004 before my wedding. Then I stopped, and slowly started gaining back. This time, I am not stopping.

My goal is to hit 40 lbs within the next 2 weeks. Very, very do-able I think?! I hope! I always seem to get stuck right before big milestones like this, so we'll see.

Keep on truckin

Since the 5k almost 2 weeks ago, I have been having a bit of knee issue. Not with my right knee (the one I had issues with a couple of months ago) but my left one. It's not a pain like the one I had before, but it is annoying anyhow.

When I jumped on the treadmill 3 days ago for the first time since the 5k, I felt really great and I did 2 miles. Then I got on the treadmill yesterday - but barely made 3/4 of a mile, because my knee was bothering me. It wasn't a terrible pain, but it was enough to make me stop because the last thing I need is an injured knee. Today, my knee has been feeling good. I hadn't felt the pain at all so I jumped back on the treadmill for the 3rd day in a row - and this time, it felt good again! In fact I did my record 2 mile treadmill run, with a time of 23:20.

I am happy with that, especially considering that I slowed down to 3.8 for a little while and cranked up the incline, just to mix things up a bit. I even tried going 7 mph for the first time...I managed to do it for about a minute. I probably could have gone a bit longer, but I was mentally freaking myself out.

Anyhow...I will keep you posted on my weight loss progress...There is an important milestone coming soon...40 lbs. It is SO close yet SO far away....So let's cross our fingers!

Weight chart update

I forgot, I had said that after every couple of losses, I would post an updated "weight chart" showing the dates and weights through my journey. Here is my most recently updated version:

January 1st 2011 - 227
January 12th 2011 - 222
January 13th 2011 - 220
January 17th 2011 - 217
January 22nd 2011 - 215
January 27th 2011 - 214
February 2nd 2011 - 213
February 3rd 2011 - 212
February 8th 2011 - 211
February 13th 2011 - 209
February 15th 2011 - 208
March 8th 2011 - 207
March 23rd 2011 - 205
March 25th 2011 - 203
March 31st 2011 - 202
April 11th 2011 - 200
April 18th 2011 - 199
May 15th, 2011 - 197
May 21st 2011 - 195.5
May 22nd 2011 - 194
June 10th 2011 - 193
June 19th 2011 - 192
June 26th 2011 - 190

Sunday morning weigh-in

This was another weekend of indulgences...I had Pizza hut Friday night, leftover pizza on Saturday morning, Reb Lobster on Saturday afternoon, and wine both Friday and Saturday nights. So I figured, eh I probably gained a little.

Nope. Lost some more. Total is now 37 lost. I am so excited, but I don't get it!! It would appear that maybe I am cutting too many calories during the week, and I have thought of that before of course. But when I add some calories in during the week, I GAIN. Why is it that I have only been seeing a loss after weekends of eating crap? Maybe the difference in general activity level is what matters? Like when I add in calories on the weekend, it works out because I am also on my feet much more than I am during the week (since I work in a cubicle)? But then why can't I get much of a loss during the week whether I up my calories or cut them?

It's a mystery. Bodies do mysterious things. Oh well, fact is - I am at 37 lbs. I am 3 lbs away from matching what I lost before I got married in 2004. Only then, I started out 17 lbs lighter at the beginning of my journey. In any case...I am pumped! GO ME!!

I'm such a liar!

Ok so I said I wasn't going to weigh myself. And I still do plan on not weighing myself for a period of time. However after this weekend, I felt like I needed to see what my damage was. I had fried pickles and big juicy burger from Buffalo Wild Wings last night for dinner for cripes sake. So I just wanted to see, what I was working from. I figured on a "gain" (albeit, probably mostly water) of at least a couple of pounds.

And as always, when I am SURE I gained...turns out I actually lost.

I hit 35 lbs!!!! AND the best part is, I this weigh in was at the end of the day, so figure by morning I might be down another pound possibly. I might have hit 36. Geez, how the FRICK did that happen?!?!

Maybe it was the 5k race? Hehe. Speaking of which, the results were published in the Sunday Sports section. Was nice to see my name in there. For more 5k talk, see post below.

HAPPY end of weekend to ME!! WOOP!

My First 5k - Official Results!

Well, I did it and I survived.

38:48!

My official time was 38:48, so I beat my goal to come in under 45 minutes and even beat my secondary "super goal" to come in under 40 minutes.

Some random stats:
My average pace was a 12:30 mile.
I came in 1172 out of 1485
I came in 652 out of 897 females
I passed 54 people; I was passed by 538 people

I have to say that I am very satisfied with my results. It was hard...I stil struggled mentally even with all the people running around me and people cheering us on. I think I just need to get over the idea that races are something I just don't do. Because that was the case for the first 28 years of my life, but now I am in year 29, and things have CHANGED. I need to remember that.

The last quarter mile or so, my shoulder was killing me. And afterwards, my knees were pretty sore. Not like an injury, more like from the pounding on pavement. I'm not used to that...most of my runs have been on packed gravel or the treadmill. Though I must say it was nice to not be going up and down big hills constantly, like I do when I go for runs at my parents house.

As I approached the finish line, I had tears in my eyes. For one, because I was glad that I was almost done and could rest my shoulder. But also because I couldn't believe I had actually done it. For some people a 5k is no big deal... They run marathons, they have done dozens of 5ks, they've been in shape their entire lives...but for me this was a huge deal. And I DID it!

Two huge shout outs: One to my sister in law, who finished in her personal best of 30:58, shaving close to 2 minutes off of her last 5k. That is AWESOME and I would love to be doing that well some day! One more shout out to my husband. This was also his first 5k, and he rocked it - finishing in 32:03. What an inspiration he is to do so amazing at his very first 5k (not to mention the fact that he has lost 80 lbs in less than a year). You guys rock!!!

So that is about all for now. I have decided to stop weighing myself for awhile, and start drinking water up the yin yang. We shall see where that gets me :-)

And so it's time...

Today is the day...pretty much a day to mark in history. I am running in my first 5k...That is 3.1 miles, and I am nervous as hell.

At what point in my life have I ever been capable of running 3.1 miles? Never.
When have I ever imagined I might be able to sign up for a 5k? Never.

In other news....weight is still the same...fluctuates between 33-34 lbs lost. Hubby is going out of town for work next week, so it will be a busy week for me. Exercise is going to have to happen after the kids go to bed. I have also decided on 2 things.
1. I am not going to weigh myself at all next week. Possible not until July.
2. I am going to start drinking a ton of water. I know I don't drink enough. Most Americans don't. So that is one of my new goals.

I dunno how many people still actually read this from when I first started, but...if you are reading...I could use lots of positive vibes for my 5k :-)

Countdown!!!

Forced myself to go for a treadmill run after work today. Did 5k even though I wanted to stop after half a mile, and a mile and 2 miles...

And now, it's a couple of days of rest before Friday and the long awaited William A. Irvin 5k!

I am nervous to say the least, but I am hoping to get under 45 minutes and an ultimate goal would be to get under 40 minutes. No matter what, when all is said and done, I should be happy with finishing. As they say, I beat everyone who stayed at home on the couch right? And if you would have told me 6 months ago (heck, 16 years ago) that I would be running in a 5k, I would have laughed at you.

So good luck to me....

Weekend update

I had a successful weekend - stayed on track (for the most part) and went on a couple of jogs (a 5k and a 1.5 mile). I think the jogs helped to override what indulgences I DID have (like a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich for supper on Saturday, or drinks I had here and there). I did not gain any of my weight back, and I am relived because I worked so hard and did so great last week to lose that pound. In fact I was .2 down this morning so I technically lost (though it's not enough to change my ticker or anything).

This week, let's hope I do great and can beat down that number one or two more pounds :-)

One more down

I lost one more pound. I had a whole post written about how hard I worked this week and how great I ate, but blogger ate my post and now I don't have time to rewrite it.
But just to keep things updated. Yes. I lost one more pound for a total of 34.

I am scared for the weekend!!!!!

Another mile in the books

I came home from work today and although I don't have much time, figured I could rock out a quick mile on the treadmill at least. And I did...in my new record of 10:44! If only I could do that outdoors...oh well...I will keep working on it :-)

Today's 5k and whatever else

Behold, today's 5k:


Also note the time of my last 5k posted (3.1 in 37:08).
That is almost a full minute improvement over last time!

So I realize that running on the treadmill is not the same as outside. I do plan to get in a few outdoor runs between now and the 5k (which is in less than 2 weeks). But I figure treadmill is certainly better than nothing. Not to mention that when I first started trying to lose weight, I could barely run 4.5 mph for 20 seconds, let alone a 5 mph or 5.5 mph for over 35 minutes!

I also realize that at this point in the game, for me, stamina is more important than speed. However I can't help wanting to try and make a personal best every time. It is fun to try and beat myself. I really truly enjoy it. I really struggle with letting myself just go and get to the distance I need to be at and not worrying as much about my speed.

Oh well...I guess however you look at it, my fitness level (and of course, my health) has improved a ton since 6 months ago at this time. That is all that matters, and if I just keep focusing on the healthy changes I have made, the scale is inevitably going to follow. I hope!

I said I'd let you know about my weigh in...

And it appears I am stuck again. I wish I would consistently lose weight each week, even if it was like, a pound a week....but instead I go 3 or 4 weeks with losing nothing and then I lose 5 pounds in one week. Then another 3 or 4 weeks losing nothing, then I lose 3 pounds in one day. It is so strange! And sometimes frustrating, sometimes glorious. It is like a weight roller coaster. Right now I am on day 10 of a dip in the roller coaster I guess.

I know I shouldn't complain, but it is hard to not get bummed. I am always so close to that next little goal (right now, that goal is 35 lbs). And I am thisclose to fitting comfortably into a ton of pants that I dug out and haven't worn in 5 years. And most of all...I may have lost 33 lbs, but I have such a long ways still to go. I guess I am just impatient. I feel like, damn, lets get this show on the road all ready. I realize that these things don't happen overnight but I can't help it! I want to know what I can do better to make it go faster. It is a struggle I have discussed before....am I eating too much? Am I eating too little? Do I need more protein? Do I need more veggies?

I don't know, maybe I would benefit from going to visit a nutritionist. I have read that weight loss is 70 or 80 percent diet, and in that case it would do me well to learn more about what I should be doing rather than just guessing and sometimes getting lucky.

Quote of the day:
I wish I was a glow worm,
A glow worm's never glum.
'Cos how can you be grumpy
When the sun shines out your bum!
~Author unknown

Today's 5k & weight update

Here are today's results:


Still improving! The first time I did 3.1 miles (and had an accurate time to measure it), it was in 39:59. Then it was 37:43, and now I made it to 37:08.

As far as an update on my weight - there isn't one. My weight really hasn't went anywhere since May 22nd, other than up a little, down a little. Tomorrow I will weigh in and let you know how that goes.

Interesting...

I have been meaning to go back and write down what weight I was on what days. So I finally did, and from here on out I will re-post after every few losses. Here is what it looks like...it is interesting to read down the timeline....

January 1st - 227
January 12th - 222
January 13th - 220
January 17th - 217
January 22nd - 215
January 27th - 214
February 2nd - 213
February 3rd - 212
February 8th - 211
February 13th - 209
February 15th - 208
March 8th - 207
March 23rd - 205
March 25th - 203
March 31st - 202
April 11th - 200
April 18th - 199
May 15th - 197
May 21st - 195.5
May 22nd - 194

Pic for the day

I realized I need to do more pictures. So here is one I took of myself in the sort of thing I typically wear 90% of the time - a sweatshirt. Ignore the messy bed behind me and ignore the fact that it is a cell pic :-)

Today's 5k

I am happy with today's run on the treadmill. I did 3.1 miles (so my 5k) in 37:43. Not too bad! Shaved 2 minutes and 16 seconds off of the last time I did 3.1 on my treadmill :-)
Never mind the calories in the pic. While I wish I burned that many, I am pretty sure treadmills are notoriously inaccurate when it comes to calories burned. But who knows.



So I am going to hope that, if you are reading a weight loss blog, you won't be grossed out to see me say: I LOVE sweating during a work out. If I don't pour sweat off, I feel like I wimped out. Today for example I had sweat down to the lower back of my shirt. It was dripping off my nose. THAT is the kind of workout that makes me happy. Makes me feel accomplished. I guess it is also helping me to lose weight. And to feel like I am starting to become a different person. Definitely a different person than who I was 10 years ago, that's for sure. I'm sure there are people who knew me in High School who would fall over laughing if you told them that I am running 3 miles at a time, or that I ran an 11 minute mile. Let's just say I was NOT Ms. athletic.

But now, who knows... if the 5k goes well and I keep losing weight like I want...I might go for a 10k sometime.

Today's mile AND pics

Today I ran a mile in 11:07! No breaks! That was exciting :-)

Following is a pic of myself I posted back in January (taken during Christmas) along with a pic taken today in the same sweater. I guess this is what 33 lbs looks like?



And here is one I took of myself in a mirror a couple of weeks ago:

Showing the scale who's boss!

Yesterday morning I weighed in and lost another 1.5 lbs for a 31.5 lb loss. I meant to blog but we we had a busy day and then I had computer issues. Last night it was between fixing the computer issue (simple fix, just some stuff not plugged in) or having some wine, and I chose wine.

This morning I weighed in and lost another 1.5 lbs! My total is now 33 lbs lost. It is beyond me why I got stuck at 28 for a month, and now the last 5 lbs have fallen right off. I don't understand, but I ain't complaining either! I have kicked up my jogs on the treadmill, running less distance and more speed. I was excited to do a mile in 11:39 the other night, and last night I did it in 11:21 (although I don't really count it, because around 8 minutes I got a horrible stomach cramp that I had to stop the treadmill for).

This is really exciting. Maybe I have finally found a groove, for the time being at least. And knowing that I have real time from here on out to work on my jogging and prepare for the 5k and push myself so that I keep losing weight...well that is awesome. (I say real time because I am now officially back on a normal schedule of 40 hour work weeks rather than 50-72 hour work weeks. It is going to be AMAZING!!! I did that overtime for 7 months...I am ready for a break).

So anyhow that is my exciting news. 33 lbs now. I am off to update my ticker!!!

Well Helllloooo Friday!!

Last night my husband dragged my ass out to the Lake walk (for those who are "strangers" and don't know me, the Lake walk is a nice paved path along side Lake Superior) for some jogging. He pushed the stroller with the girls in it and I just jogged. We did less than 2 miles, but he figured our pace was around a 12.5 minute mile give or take. I am very happy with that!

Even happier is that I weighed in this morning and was back to 30 lbs lost. Yes "back to". After I hit 30 lbs last week, the weekend came and killed me. I gained a couple back. Yikes! This weekend I won't let that happen. This weekend I will work hard and try to knock more poundage off.

And finally, in happy news is that today is my LAST day of overtime. Not sure what I have ever put in this blog for details, but basically I have been working overtime for the last 7 months....anywhere from 50 to 72 hours a week. I have been exhausted. The money sure is nice, but man...being that it is almost summer, it sure will be amazing to have some time back again. My first week of a normal 40 hours is going to feel so short! My core schedule is 6 am to 2:30 pm, and I have decided one thing I will do with my extra time (after work but before I pick the kids up from daycare just before 5:00) is exercise of course. I now have an appointment with myself at 3:00 nearly every day (of course i will take rest days as needed) to use the treadmill, do 30 day shred, or some other form of exercise. I really think having consistency will help me keep on keeping on and hopefully get ready for the 5k and lose weight to boot.

One last thing I want to include is a list of goals. We all know I like to work in very small "goals". Currently I am at 30 lbs lost - 197 lbs. Here are all my goals for the future, I thought it might be nice to have them listed out ahead of time:

192 lbs - 35 lost
189 - 38 lost (one pound under what I was when I got pregnant with my first)
187 - 40 lost
182 - 45 lost
175 - 52 lost
172 - 55 lost
169 - 58 lost (one pound under what I was when I got married)
167 - 60 lost
162 - 65 lost
157 - 70 lost
152 - 75 lost
149 - 78 lost (and holy crap I don't ever remember being in the 140's)
147 - 80 lost
142 - 85 lost
140 - 87 lost

So you can see that by the end my goal will have me at 87 lbs lost - 10 lbs more than I originally planned. I decided to aim for 140 after checking height/weight charts which say for my height a person should be 130-150 lbs. I am aiming for the middle of that. Then I guess, we shall see how that looks and feels, and how accurate it is compared to the "charts", and I'll go from there.

Awesome!

Sorry I haven't updated in a few days again. Not that you know it, but I really wanted to. I tried to. Blogger was down for a couple of days it seems like.

I managed to jog a FULL 5k on my treadmill in 39:59!!! I had made my goal to be under 45 minutes, and I did it in under 40 even! I was SO excited!!!

Then the next day, I weighed in, and FINALLY hit 30 lbs!!! Talk about a great couple of days! In fact I was close to 31 lbs (but not quite enough to consider it official or change my ticker).

This weekend we were visiting my parents and my hubby dragged my butt out for a 5k jog outside. This is in the country, on hilly gravel roads and it was a super windy day, but I managed to finish in under 45 minutes. I was happy with that! Then today we went out with good intentions to jog 5k again, but couldn't quite make it after a late night out last night. We did power walk when we weren't jogging, so it wasn't useless....every little bit helps, right!?

Sorry!

Oops, it has been awhile hasn't it.
To be honest, I haven't posted because I haven't weighed in (until today). I hadn't weighed in because I felt like I was doing crappy. I haven't done any hardcore exercise (thought I do walk some of my breaks at work. Any time weather allows.) And I never did really count my calories. The last couple days in particular have been rough, since hubby is out of town and it has been just me and the kiddos. I didn't make the best choices at times as far as what to eat. Just kind of working with what is "easy" I guess. Mac n cheese with hotdogs in it IS pretty darn good....

So anyways I finally decided to take the plunge today. I was prepared for a big fat PLUS THREE or PlUS FIVE. Honestly, that is what I was afraid of. Especially with the time of month taken into consideration, I have been feeling bloated. I thought to myself, wtf am I doing weighing myself NOW? But I did it anyways. And I LOST weight?!

By lost, I am not talking anything significant. In my last post I mentioned losing gaining the same weight every time. I was up .5, down 1, up 2, down 1....it was getting ridiculous. However I had stopped seeing the "low" I had hit when I announced I hit 28. My lowest BMI was 31.99, but after that I never saw it go below 32.1, and it ranged up to 32.25.

But today it was 31.96...technically a new low! It isn't enough to make it 29 lbs, but I will take what I can get. I am bewildered that I haven't gained weight....last night I had mac n cheese for supper, popcorn for a snack at 10 pm, 2 drinks...I just thought for sure those things alone would result in a gain.

Anyways I am heading to the treadmill right now after blogging. The 5k is in ONE MONTH. I need to at least make sure I can do a full 5k, so that is my goal today. I am not aiming to speed, I am aiming for distance. Although it would be nice to do it in under 45 minutes. I will let you know.

No more scale!

So I am ticked off at the scale (well, the Wii I should say, because that is what I use). I am on strike, no more weigh ins until next Monday at least. Weighing in 4 or 5 times a week was fine when I was losing weight more regularly - it kept me motivated, even just to see a - .2. But now! OMG I just want to throw the thing out the window!!!!

Just trying to remember that even though I am totally stuck (in fact have apparently gained almost a pound), I am still doing good for myself. Last night I did 2 miles on the treadmill in my fastest time yet of 25:55 which is not so fast, but is decent for me. It keeps getting better every time and that kind of exercise can be doing nothing but good for me, even if my weight loss is stalled. Who knows, maybe I gained a bit of muscle or something.

With that said, I am going to try and count calories the next week and see what that does for me. I NEED to hit that 30 lb mark!

Frustrating

So I am completely stuck at 28 lbs. SO CLOSE to making 30, and I'm stuck. It is so frustrating!!! I know I can eat better than I have been, but knowing and doing are two different things. I will try my best this week, because I am sick of looking at my ticker saying 28!

On the plus side, I have been able to go up to 2.5 miles on the treadmill (jogging/speed walking). Next I am aiming for 3.2 or whatever a 5k is, and once I can do that, my next step will be to work on time. Yesterday I did 2 miles in 26:28, and 2.5 miles in 32:32 (so that last .5 miles was almost a 12 minute mile average). I know I can keep improving so I will concentrate on that for awhile.

Cross your fingers for me that I can get through this weight loss slump. It is so disheartening to work hard and weigh in only to find I am up and down the same pound or so. I mean really, that is what it comes down to. One day I might be up 1.1, a couple of days later I am down 1.2, then I am up .5, then I am down .4....this is the pattern of the last few weeks. It makes me so mad!

Weekend

Aaah the weekend...the ones I think I did crappy, I end up losing weight. The ones I feel like I should have lost weight, I don't. This was one of the latter....I got in some exercise and even a 1.3 mile jog outside, but I still stayed even with what I was a week ago today. I didn't eat too much, I think it is more likely that I could have eaten too little due to the fact that my stomach was a little
"off" much of the weekend. Or who knows, maybe my body just randomly wants to be stuck at 28 lbs for a bit? Make it nice and hard for me to get that 30 mark?

Grrr. It sucks but I will get over it and hope the week goes well. My overtime is almost over and when it is, my core schedule will be 6-2:30. I plan to make an "appointment" to exercise for certain days of the week. It will be an appointment I cannot cancel or reschedule. Hopefully the extra time, exercise, and probably sleep will help me lose a little more weight.

Jogging

Last night I set out on the treadmill intending to run/jog a whole 1.5 miles. I had already done 1 mile a handful of times previously, but adding another .5 seemed like a long jump to make! I was thinking I might not make it, and starting to aim for 1.25. But then I hit 1.25 and I was like, well wtf, it's only another .25...might as well do it. So I did. And then I even walked another .5 to make my total distance 2 miles for the night. Between the jogging and walking, I covered my 2 miles in almost exactly 27 minutes. That would put me on pace for a 40-41 minutes 5k in June, which makes me happy because at this point I still have 2 months to improve. I'm thinking I will aim for a 36 minute 5k...we shall see how that works out :-)

Good news- my knee is still feeling just fine, and I am so thankful for that!!

And finally, I was thinking...one of these days I am going to go through my blog history and collect all the data to make a weight loss chart. And of course, once I have the chart, I will continue to keep it updated. Other than a mess of blog entries, I have not tracked dates/weight losses at all. I need to start doing that.

Now I am off to tackle my longest day of the week, Thursday. I work 6 am to 10 pm on Thursdays (with the exception of two 15 minute breaks, a 30 minute lunch break, and a 30 minute break at 4:30 so that I can drive home and get ready to work from home for 5 more hours).

Adios!

Diet vs. Exercise

So in my last blog (you know, where I announced that I had kicked the 2's for good), I mentioned that it seems like (at least for me) diet is a bigger factor in weight-loss than exercise. I can definitely lose weight even with minimal exercise, as long as I have eaten well. This means good portion sizes (not too big, and also not to0 small), not a lot of excess sugar/bad carbs, and trying to make my day well rounded. It goes the other way too. I can exercise my ass off, and feel so good about it - but if I ate like crap, it won't matter one bit.

It is an ongoing struggle, and I still have not nailed down exactly how I should be "eating right". I am just guessing, to be honest. I struggle with eating too much. I have struggled with eating too little. Too many carbs. Not enough veggies. Not enough protein. It is always something, and I feel like it is a constant juggling act trying to get it balanced right. So far it is going well, obviously, but that sure doesn't mean it is easy or even that I know what I am doing! Plenty of people have said wow, you are losing it so fast...but then, I also have 2 or 3 or 4 times the amount of weight to lose as they do, so yes of course it is coming off faster...for now.

So now that I declared my opinion and struggles with diet...what about exercise?
I still think it is important. I cannot wait to be able to say I ran (okay it will probably be more like slowly jogged) a 5k. And exercise has definitely been an important tool in my weight loss to date. Best of all...I can now jog a whole mile at a time on the treadmill without dying! And I LOVE the feeling of being all sweaty and gross, knowing you just kicked your own ass working out. I like feeling accomplished, and I like knowing that just 3 months ago, I could barely run 20 seconds let alone 12 or 13 minutes straight. Even better is knowing that this is just the beginning. I am still a novice, and I fully intend to keep improving my stamina and speed. Best of all is that I have now come too far to let it all slip away. Even when I was 30 lbs lighter than I am now (when I got married), there was still no way I was able to run a mile. So it makes me happy to see how far I've come, and excited for how far I might be able to go.

I would like to end with a little statistic for you...I started this weight loss blog and my official journey on January 12th, 2011. Today is April 19th, so it has been roughly about 13 weeks. I have lost 28 lbs. That means my weight loss has been averaging 2.15 lbs per week since I started. Not bad....fast enough to keep me happy, yet I think it is a fairly healthy pace?

Now I have my sights set on 30 :-)

I'm WHAT??

Pretty sure these two words were what came time to mind while I weighed in at 4:50 am this morning. "I'm WHAT?!"

Yes that's right. I'm 199.

28 POUNDS and counting. And do you know what? As this process goes one, I am coming to realize more and more that weight loss is a majority about diet, at least for me. Exercise plays a roll, yes. And it is good for you of course! I want to be healthy and fit, and definitely won't be giving up the exercise any time soon. However I notice that no matter how much I exercise, if I don't eat right I won't lose weight. Likewise...I can lighten up on the exercise and still lose weight as long as I'm eating smart. Not to say I don't eat crap now and then - as a matter of fact, Friday night was marked by whole grain tortilla chips and spinach dip. The chips may be whole grain (and delicious, let me tell you), but the salt! Oh my, the salt! The next morning the scale said I "gained" 2.2 lbs! Obviously that was mostly water weight, but it was still unnerving to see the +2.2 nonetheless.

But this morning! I weight in and it was -3.1! Now THAT is something nice to see! Granted, 2 of that was what I had "gained" on Friday night, but that still comes to a net loss of 1 lb.

And I would like to point out that I have not been this weight since I was pregnant with Kaitlyn probably 4.5 years ago at least. I gained a LOT in that pregnancy, and so everything that I just lost the last few months, could technically all be considered "baby weight". It only took 4+ years to lose...haha

Just DO it!

This is kinda cool - and so true! It would be a good thing to remember for myself or anybody who might feel like they aren't doing enough, going fast enough, going long enough...

Whooosh

Whooosh is the sound of another couple pounds dropping. My total is 27 now!

What is my current weight? Not that I like to announce it to the world but if I'm gonna be truthful and accountable, maybe I should. I can't remember if I really have said my weight yet, but if not, now is the time since I am on the brink of a major milestone.

So yeah, I am now 200 lbs even. One more pound...ONE MORE....and I will be out of the 2's. Never to be seen again. If you look at my ticker, I now have 50 lbs more to lose (and of course, I've said before, when I hit that I will re-evaluate and I am sure end up choosing to lose a bit more, but we shall see).

Now is NOT the time to get stuck so I hope I can drop at least one pound this week! I have short week planned for work, at 60 hours, so maybe I can fit in a run or two on the treadmill. I have been sick so I really haven't done any exercise for almost a week now. I need to get back into the groove.

Monday Monday, I hate that day....

I'm just starting out the week on a very uneasy note. I was moved from one team/supervisor to another as a part of a big reorganization, and today is the day it takes official effect. It's fine, I just really liked where I was. I really liked my supervisor, and I feel like now I have to start all over again proving myself and showing off my potential. It is what it is, and in the grand scheme of things it is no big deal. I also have a coworker who's twin sister's 26 year old husband died in a car accident on Friday, so I am feeling very sad about that and I know the atmosphere around work will be pretty quiet. It also makes me feel very lucky that my biggest problem on Friday was being moved to a new team. I just can't even imagine!

Anyhow the weekend was good. I didn't eat the greatest, but I did get in a jog on Saturday...my very first jog outdoors ever in my 28.9 years of life. It went well....I walked a little and jogged a lot... probably when all was said and done, I jogged a total of a mile which it sure did not feel like! A mile is nothing to some people I realize, but it was huge to me. I hope to keep improving. I also realized that once I get past the difference of a treadmill and actual outdoor ground, I can jog just fine outside. That makes me happy, because it reduces my worry about the 5k in June.

I weighed in this morning and "gained" less than a pound. I am glad for that, because that amount could be due to many reasons and is probably mostly just a part of normal daily fluctuation.

This week I hope I lose a few pounds. I really, really hope. I will work hard. Or as hard as I can...its another 70+ hour work week for me!

Happy Friday!

Every week that goes by is one week closer to all of this overtime being over with. While I will miss my paychecks, it will be nice to have time and it will be nice to not have to get up at 4 am to work out!

And that is what I did this morning....got up at 3:55 so that I'd have time to work out, get ready for work, and just in case it snowed so that I'd have time to sweep off my vehicle. I wasn't feeling it as much today as I do some days, but I still forced myself to do it for at least a little bit. I weighed in and lost another .03. So it won't take much more to call it a 26 lbs. I can't wait...soon I will hit 30 lbs which will feel amazing. But then, each "mark" feels more amazing than the last!

Talking about getting up so early brings to mind a comment that a close friend of mine made yesterday..."You are making in look so easy". I responded with Thank you, but that it is anything but easy. Yes, the weight is coming off at a decent rate overall, but I make a lot of sacrifice and do a lot of tough prioritizing. It is most definitely not easy. I certainly don't like to get up at 4 am (especially knowing that I work 6 am to 10 pm, which is often the case), but it is what I have to do. And once I get going, it's fine and I feel great. But I dread hearing that alarm go off, and I almost always contemplate hitting snooze a few times. Who wants to get out of a nice warm comfy bed at 4 am to work out in a cold, gray basement?
But I do it, and before I know it I am working up a sweat (definitely no concerns about the cold!) and bee-boppin along to Pandora on my iphone. I LOVE to sweat, and the more the better. It makes me feel like I might be accomplishing something! So anyways, that is just one example why it is not easy, but I force myself to do it. I know that in the end, it will pay off. And it has so far, but I have a long ways to go.

This weekend we have some plans and I know I might not be easting as good as I do during the week. Even though I have had times where the scale as pleasantly surprised me after a weekend of eating not-so-great, I would rather not get my hopes up this time. I will just try to do the best I can while still having fun and participating, but maybe try to get some exercise in as well. I am thinking treadmill and maybe even try a run outside for the first time. I will let you know how that goes!

Have a great weekend!

A quarter

If I had a penny for every pound I have lost....I would now have a whole quarter :-)

I am SO excited, and I did a little experiment to get there so I am glad that I have increased my knowledge. I found through trial and error that I am more likely to lose weight after days that I eat more calories (not a ton, but more, and healthy). On days that I have tried to be super strict, I am more likely to just stay the same. That isn't always the case, but it does seem to be a little of a trend. I imagine that with my exercise, my metabolism has improved and it takes a few more calories to fuel my body now. When I don't eat enough calories to compensate, the pounds all talk to each other saying "screw this, let's hold on for dear life, she NEEDS us, she is starving!"

At least, this is my theory.

Just chillin

My number that is...it is just chilling. There have been normal daily fluctuations but on average I am still right where I've been since hitting 24 lbs. Of course. I always get stuck right before a cool milestone (in this case, 25 lbs).

That's ok. I have noticed a trend with my body, and that is I seem to get stuck for awhile but then suddenly I will drop a few pounds or more in a very short period of time. Then I get stuck again. It seems to goes this way no matter how well or crappy I've been eating or how much exercise I put in. Not that I am going to start eating like crap all the time and stop exercising! I know if I slacked too much for a period if time, the weight would all come tumbling back.

I wonder if people who can eat anything in any amount and exercise no more than an average person without putting weight on, know how lucky they are! Then you got people who just look at piece of cake or something, and blow right up. It is interesting that is for sure.

Quotes

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” ~Thomas Jefferson

“Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” ~George Bernard Shaw

“The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective.” ~Al Neuharth

“You cannot expect to achieve new goals or move beyond your present circumstances unless you change.” ~Les Brow

Today I Ran (Video. Me someday, I hope).

5K

Ok. The more I think about it, the more freaked I get.
I registered for a 5k?
Oh. em. gee.

I was that girl who hated gym glass. Who would rather fail than go play baseball and football with a bunch of competitive jerks with verbal diarrhea. Who really had no interest in joining any organized sports. Sure, I liked things for fun...swimming, jump roping, ice skating...that sort of stuff. But... I was that girl. I was happy playing trumpet in pep band at games in high school.

So yes. I am a bit nervous. Okay, a lot nervous. What if I can't get to the point I am running 3 miles comfortably? What if I end up walking the whole damn thing? What if this? What if that?

BUT. I have lost 24 lbs. I have lost it through the hardest, but healthiest way possible and that is to simply eat better and exercise. If I can do that, why can't I do a 5k? I can. Right? I hope.

Want to know a secret? I would love to love the 5k, and to want more. And then I would love to graduate to longer races. Maybe a 1/2 marathon some day? Would it be ridiculous for me to say that it would be awesome to finish a whole marathon some day?

I tell you what. If I ever did, it would probably be the one thing to mention to somebody who hasn't seen/known me since high school. The one thing that I could say to make their jaw drop.

Because they will remember, I was that girl. But look what I can do now.

I'm on a roll!

It is nice to know that even though I might get stuck sometimes...for long periods of time even (well, it sure seems like forever!)...I can also have some good streaks. I weighed in thismorning, and I lost more!

We all know that I round my numbers so that I don't have to deal with point-this and point-that. So yesterday when I said I lost 2 lbs...well actually I had lost 2.2 lbs, but I rounded down.
Today I lost 1.5 lbs. Typically I might round down for that too, but 2.2 plus 1.5 makes almost 4. And the whole number I am closest to on the scale is what puts me at 24 lbs lost. So that is what I'm going with. In reality, I need another .03 to get to 24 even, but big whoop - that could be a trip to the bathroom.

I have no idea why the sudden jump start, other than I was using the treadmill again for a couple of nights. I didn't last night but I plan on it again tonight. I hope I can keep this going!! If I am going to be honest, I will say that it's only another 4 lbs to hit and pass a really exciting milestone, so I hope I can do it. That's right...to be under 200 lbs. I haven't been under 200 since before I was pregnant with Kaitlyn. You know, they say baby weight is hard to lose. HOLY CRAP. Yes it is. It only took me 4-5 years :-) Granted I did have 2 babies in that time, but still.

And by the way - I did register for the 5k.

*YIKES*

WTF

This past weekend, we were out of town for a birthday party. I didn't eat ALL bad (I had a veggie omelette for breakfast one day, for example)but I certainly ate more "bad" than good. I had pizza and cake, Chipotle (primarily the chips and salsa), Nachos, fast food, cake for breakfast on Sunday, drinks....overall it was just anything but ideal. Add that to the fact that I still have not been exercising again, and I thought for sure I would have gained at least a pound or two.

So I bravely weighed myself this morning to see what damage had been done.

I LOST 2.2 lbs?!

Say WHAT?! WTF, how did THAT happen? I shouldn't complain, and I'm not....just shocked. Could it be that being more active has helped my metabolism finally? I mean I haven't been using the treadmill, or doing Wii Fit or any exercise videos... but I do try and do some random exercises throughout the day when I can, and take walks at break time at work now and then.

Needless to say, I am thrilled and have a renewed sense of excitement. My knee is feeling a little better (still hurts when I bend it one specific way). I decided to hop back on the treadmill last night. I just walked mostly. Once I tried a very slow jog and I did feel it in my knee some, so I slowed it back down again. I will just start there and try to build it up gradually. I am trying to do lots of stretching every day and before using the treadmill too, so hopefully the gradual build up and the stretching will help me be successful and keep my knee safe.

Obviously because of my knee, there is no way I would be ready to do the 5k I wanted to in April, however later today I will be registering for the William A. Irvin 5K which is in June and is a part of Grandma's Marathon weekend. For those who don't know me or where I live, Grandma's is a marathon run on the north shore of Lake Superior, so there are gorgeous views. It brings thousands of people to my city each year (the registration limit for the full marathon is 10,000, plus in addition to the full marathon there is also a half and a 5k and tons of other activities and events). I am really excited to be a part of it, even if just in a 5k. To accomplish a 5k for me, will be absolutely mind-blowing. I can' wait!

Knee

The good news: I'm holding steady at 20 lbs - no gain.

The bad news: I have knee pain that is preventing me from using the treadmill or doing 30 Day Shred (too much jumping). It is a sharp pain, not constant. Mostly when I bend my knee a certain way and especially when I am going down the stairs. When it was it's worst, my knee was a little swollen too. From my research online, it sounds like it *could be* "runner's knee". And so...I am taking a break from cardio that is hard on my knees and letting it heal. I am icing it occasionally and trying to keep my weight off of it when I go down the stairs. It definitely feels better than it did a few days ago, but I would like it to feel 100% and then give it a few more days after that before slowly returning to my routine. The last thing I need right now is a serious knee injury. And of course - if it does not get better, and obviously if it gets worse, I will go see a doctor.

So it has been several days since I have had a really good work out. I miss it. I crave it.

But I like said...I am holding steady at 20 lbs anyways, so that is good. I am still doing some light weights and crunches now and then, as well as trying to add in leg-strengthening exercises because they say a stronger leg helps prevent knee injuries. I think this week I will try to do a little boxing since that is good cardio, but mainly upper-body cardio. Perfect to do while I let my knee rest!

I'll keep you posted on how things are going. I can't even tell you how bummed out I am about having to stop jogging/running, but I am trying my best to stay positive.

It's about dang time!!!!

Oh yes, I did it. 20 lbs! FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!! It felt like I was stuck at 19 for.ev.er!

Next mini-goal is of course, 25 lbs. Also, to get my BMI (according to Wii Fit) below 33. I think that will come before the 5lbs, but it will be exciting in itself! It was something like 33.27 today, and at one point it was as high as 36.49.

Making progress, making progress...sometimes very VERY slowly....but this does prove that if you just stick with it, and get back on the "wagon" when you fall off...it will be worth it.

I got this

I weighed in this morning... after a weekend of not-so-super eating, but not "terrible" either. I guess what I mean is that my meals weren't all so hot, but I was able to minimize excess snacking. And Sunday I got a jog in on the treadmill (by the way I have worked my way up to jogging @ 4.5 mph for a whole mile - this is incredible for me. I think now I want to work up to doing a mile faster...Yesterday I did it in just over 14 minutes, and this morning (4 am baby!) I did in just over 13 minutes because for awhile I kicked up the speed a notch. The thing I love about my treadmill is that I can plug my iphone into it, turn on Pandora, and rock out to music while I run (without the headphones to deal with). It definitely makes time go by faster!

Anyhow, as I was saying. I weighed in this morning. After the "less than perfect" weekend, I am exactly the same as I was at my last weigh in. Still sitting at 19 lbs lost. However I am feeling confident for some reason, that this is the week I'm going to (finally) break through the wall.

I have to admit, as frustrating as it is being stuck at this point for so long, it is good to know that I can maintain a weight loss, even if I do slip up and have an off day or even an off week. Right now my goal of course is to be losing weight, so staying even is ticking me off to no end. BUT...when this is all said and done and I reach the weight I desire to be, it would be amazing to know that I could "fall off the wagon" now and then and not worry about gaining 20 lbs automatically. LOL

Because as most of us know, nobody eats perfectly 100% of the time.

Oreo, anyone?

Back in the saddle again

Ok. Yes. I had a rough couple, or few weeks. Our treadmill was out of commission, a lot of stuff was going on, and we went out of town for awhile. One day at work, the director ordered pizza for our whole department. How many pizzas does that take? Well, they figured about 35. So anyhow that day I was working from 6 am to 7:30 pm...I ended up having pizza for both lunch and supper. Not so good (yet, sooooo good!!)

Anyhow our treadmill is back in action, and so am I. Yesterday I got back on the bandwagon and ate truly well, 100% of the day, for the first time in awhile. I also got in a 3o minute workout on the treadmill. It turned out to be my best workout yet, actually, so I was thrilled with that! And if I want to do a 5k in April, I need to start working hard to get up to the point that I can run 3 miles without stopping :-) Ummm, yeah...not even close yet. But I hope to get there.

Today when I got up I decided I would weigh in. Saying I was worried is an understatement. I was terrified...I was positive that I would be up another couple of pounds on top of the 1.8 I already was up before. But low and behold...

I was down 2.4 lbs!!

This puts me right back at a 19 lb loss mark, but as far as actual weight and BMI, it was even better than it was when I had officially changed my ticker to 19 lbs. (This is because when I get "between" two weights, I round up or down depending where I am. Last time, I was at 18.5 so I rounded up to 19. Yes that is my confession of the day, but I don't mind at all. If it had been 18.4, I would have rounded down - I just don't wanna mess with point-this and point-that).

So anyhow like I said last time I hit 19 lbs, it was really 18.5 and I rounded up as I always do in those situations. However today, it really was 19 lbs...19 lbs even. So actually, I've lost a little more overall.

Can we say "WOOOOOOOT!!!!!"

I am SO excited. I am right there...SO close...to getting that sweet, sweet 20 lbs. And I am proud that I have done it all without any other interventions or fad diets or programs. Good ol' fashioned eating better and exercising is the best way to go about it, no question. It might also be the hardest, but that's what makes me feel that much more accomplished. I love it!

So the next couple of months are full of busy-ness. I am currently nearing the end of a 61 hour work week, and next week I have another one. The following weekend, we are going to the cities for a birthday party. We always have lots of fun when we go to visit my sister in law. Then in the beginning of April, we have another birthday party out of town, and we have a hotel room for that night and plan on lots of lots of fun while we bring the kids to stay with grandma. And finally, in the beginning of May, we are going to an Elton John concert. Our tickets are main floor, row 33...which is pretty freaking amazing and especially considering the tickets sold out from all avenues within an hour or something crazy like that. Our kids will be staying with grandma that night too, so we can have a good time, come home late, and not worry about getting up at 5 am with the kiddos. It is going to be a GREAT time!! Hopefully by then I will be at 30 lbs lost, at least :-)

One last thing going on is that I am debating going back to school for my Master's degree. I have debated this for a long time...since I graduated in 2005 with my B.S in fact. But I know people who are in their late 20's, like me, going back to school and it is starting to help inspire me. Holy man will it be tough - I would have to continue to work full time, and of course I have 2 little ones...but the end result...that Master's degree...would feel absolutely amazing.

Any thoughts? Opinions? Comments on anything from this whole blog? Wanna call me a cheater for rounding my numbers? Or encourage me to go back to school?

Let er' rip!

Again - I'm still here

Yes. I am still here, and still with weight-loss on the brain. I have come to a bit of a standstill for now, but don't worry - I will get there. Long work days/weeks are getting harder, and the treadmill is currently out of commission. Nothing major, but a...treadmill tech? treadmill professional? needs to come out and adjust the belt because it is a little crooked and following the instructions we have for doing it manually is not quite enough. It's fine, its under warranty, and I'm not worried about it. It is just a bummer not being able to use it. I was really enjoying my treadmill work outs, and I think part of my problem is that it is hard to go from hard, super sweaty treadmill work outs to "eh", slightly sweaty workouts in front of my TV. I am still doing them here and there because it is better than nothing, but I definitely don't have the passion for them I did before we had the treadmill.

I just want it BACK!!! Luckily, they should be out sometime very soon to do their thing, and then I can "hope back on the treadmill once again".

And hopefully break that 20 lb mark.

The damage

So my 5 days away has resulted in a net wait gain of........*drumroll please*..........

1.8 lbs.

I finally got brave enough to check this morning. I am bummed out for sure, but it isn't surprising. I was really distracted and away from home. Although I did use a treadmill a couple of times while I was away, it wasn't enough to negate the crap I ate and the stuff I drank. It's my own fault and now I gotta do the work to fix it.

So going with that....last night I did 30 Day Shred. I felt accomplished after, as I was definitely sweating (sweating makes me happy; it makes me feel like I really worked hard). Not sure what I can do tonight, as it's a kind of busy night, but I will try to do something. Unfortunately our treadmill is out of commission - the belt is kind of "crooked" and manual adjustment by my husband was not enough to get it centered right. So he called and they are going to come to take a look at it, but it might be several days and until then they recommended we not use it. From what I gather, it is not uncommon for the belt to be "un-centered" right off the bat, so hopefully once the professionals come out and get it right, we won't have any more troubles. Good thing for a warranty, anyhow! *PHEW*

Tomorrow night I am going out to eat and then to a concert...no kids, no hubby. Just silly girl time. I am excited, I really need a little silly girl time to get away from it all. It has been quite an overwhelming last week or so.

And my most current weight-loss goal? To be at the 20 lb mark one week from today.

I'm still here....

I apologize it has been so long since I've been around. We had a busy weekend planned anyhow, with my older daughter's birthday on the 17th and her party that weekend. Unfortunately busy became busier when my grandma passed away (on the 17th). Our travel plans for 3 days turned into 5 days. Then my daughter got sick and couldn't be at her own birthday party. It has just been a whirlwind lately, so that is why I have not been around.

To be honest, I have not weighed myself at all. I suspect I gained a little, because I didn't eat nearly as healthy while away from home as I should have. I had some alcoholic beverages (mostly wine and Raspberry Smirnoff Ice...girlie drinks you know) and those are full of calories as well, and always make me retain water. I weighed myself while away and it was quite a difference (though part of that is going to be due to different scales, different time of day it was, and retaining water because trust me no way did I gain that much in FAT back over just a few days). However I am happy to say that with the exception of a couple Girl Scout cookies last night, I am back on the wagon.

I am still sad and there is kind of a lot going on (sick family members, the fact that most of our stuff from being away is still not unpacked, working long hours, left my suitcase back at my parent's house), so I cannot guarantee daily blog entries for a few days yet, but I will try my best. On the plus side, I am excited for this weekend...going to a Blake Shelton concert so that should be fun...

I really need something fun.

Am I going to get stuck?

Ok. I know it has only been 24 hours since I weighed in yesterday and hit 19 lbs. But! I really, really wanted to get that 20 today! I worked so hard yesterday, but...booo....this morning I weighed exactly the same as yesterday. It could be worse, yes. I am fine with this really, I am just so impatient!! I ate well, I did crunches, I did a little bit of weights, and I did 30 minutes on the treadmill. Including running...at my own wimpy pace...for 10 minutes straight. That is my record! It started out I was only able to do a couple minutes before feeling like I was about to die. Then one day I did 5, then 6, then 7, and yesterday I jumped from 7 to 10. So anyhow I just wish all that effort had pushed me to the 20 lbs mark. It didn't.

Maybe I will wait to weigh-in until Friday morning. Give it a couple of days.
Good luck to me. 20 lbs is an exciting mark that I want to hit!

I weighed in...

And I didn't hit 20 llbs. Yet.

I did, however, hit 19 :-)

It's 4 am on a Monday

And I pull my crazy ass outta bed so that I can go jog on a treadmill in a chilly basement? This is SO not like me.

But I did it today - my first early morning work out. It was hard to get up, of course. Once I got going, it went well though. Sure, the basement is chilly, but the chill doesn't last long when you are working out. Before long I was sweating up a storm. I did my normal 30 minutes, and then went on about my morning as I normally would.

Tomorrow morning I will weigh myself. If I get a chance....I work at 5 am tomorrow, and I ain't about to get up at 3:30 for exercising. (I plan to do my 30 minutes on the treadmill tonight, instead). But I'm sure I can fit in 2 minutes to turn on the Wii Fit and do a basic weigh-in.

I am crossing my fingers that I will hit the big TWO - OH - 20 lbs lost. Wish me luck - 24 more hours to make it happen!


"What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it, that's another matter'.
-Peter F. Drucker

Resetting the weigh ins.

The reason I was weighing myself in the evening, even knowing weight fluctuates daily, was because I worked out primarily using the Wii, and so I used the Wii to weigh myself and it was most convenient to just do so at the beginning of my work out.

Now that I will be working out more in the morning, I decided to finally make the switch and start weighing in the morning. I'm still going to use the Wii though - I love it for my weight. It is very accurate too - I tried it twice this morning and both times it gave me the exact same weight and exact same BMI (I realize the BMI might be off from reality but I'm sure it's not too terribly off). I have mentioned before how I love that it shows you a graph of your progress. I love looking at that line going dooooown. It also takes into account your clothing. Before weighing it asks you to chose between heavy, medium or light clothing.

So, yes, I said I weighed myself this morning. Taking into account of course, that it is bound to be less because the last time I weighed in, it was in the evening. But even so, I think another 2 lbs is a good deal. I full expect that by tomorrow morning I might be another pound down. ;-) Yes, I have high expectations. Maybe that is why I've been successful?

Anyhow, with that 2 lbs I surpassed a mini-goal I had, which was to get to the weight I was before I lost 40 lbs for my wedding back in 2004. It was a weight I was at for a long time, my body liked it. So of course I'm a little concerned about getting into a rut here, but I am determined to get through it and reach my next mini-goal. Here goes. My next mini-goal is to get below 200 lbs. I set it as a goal on the Wii, to lose my next 10 lbs (which will put me at 199) in a month.

I know. You can do the math. I am at 209 right now, and have lost 18 lbs (see ticker, wooooot!). My official starting weight was 227. Thanks to another friend who was brave enough to post her own starting weight on her blog!

Today is setting up to be another busy one - we've got errands to run, a ton of laundry to do, and it is so nice outside we have to get the girls out to play. I also decided I liked my new work out outfit so much that I'm going to buy another one (same one in a different color). It was just so nice not worrying about my pants falling down or riding up for once. Anything I can do to keep my momentum is worth it, and it doesn't hurt that we just got taxes back, its almost the season for a bonus, and I will have 33 hours of overtime on my next check. A $30 outfit is well worth it to keep myself motivated and happy and comfortable.