Crap Week

Last week was a crap week, filled with nerve wracking interviews, too much stress eating, and too little working out (#didn'tmakeittothegymonce).

The good news?

Today is Monday, which means the start of a brand new week with brand new possibilities. I don't have to repeat last week! I can get back on course!

And there is nothing like having a CANCUN trip in the near future to remotivate me.

Yes, you read that right. Some friends and I have decided to take a last minute girls trip to Cancun in February. We are leaving our husbands and kids and going to lounge on the beach with pina coladas. It is going to be pure bliss.  We leave in about 5 weeks.

So! New! Goal! Is to be down 20 pounds by Cancun. Currently, I'm down 15. So, all I need to do is steadily loose about one pounds per week between now and then. Totally attainable. Nothing crazy. #allaboutthatslowandsteady

A very exciting thing about this goal is that once I'm minus 20, I will be officially 1/3 of the way through my weight loss goal. CRAZY. I totally remember when losing 5 pounds felt impossible, and now I'm talking about making it to twenty. Progress is nice. But! I can't get complacent. I need to remind myself how awesome it will feel to be down 30  . . .40 . . .50. . . 60!

And with that, time to get my day started so that I have time for the gym!

Peace out.

Note To Self

When at the grocery store and hubby suggests buying a box of soft delicious chocolate chip cookies, say NO. Because if you say yes, you will wake up at 2 in the morning and eat two cookies.

Sugar addiction, folks. The struggle is real.

I'm Nervous!

My tummy is full of butterflies and nerves today and I could barely sleep last night. Today is a big day in our household! Not only is it Neill's first day of work at his new job, but I have my first interview for internship next year. Eeeek!

I spent most of the morning prepping for the interview and then decided to go to the gym for some exercise. I thought it might help be work out the nerves and pass the time before my phone interview.

For some reason though, I felt so tired once I got to the gym. So, I cut my workout a bit short. Do I feel awesome about that? No. But am I proud of myself for even making it to the gym in the first place? Heck yes.

I am constantly having to remind myself that perfection is not a realistic goal. I didn't have the perfect workout, and that is okay. I won't have the perfect interview, and that is okay too. I just have to do my best and trust that it is enough.

Finding Inspiration to Lose Weight in the New Year

A new year is here, and I'm on a journey to find a new me. Or rather - an old me. At the end of 2015, I don't want to look like some supermodel or some fitness chick I follow on IG. Nope. I just want to look (and feel) more like I did a few year ago. So some of the best inspiration for me is scanning through old photos of me, when I was a much healthier weight.

Happy New Year!

I hope 2015 brings more laughter than tears . . .

and more calories burned than consumed :)

Coming Out of the Holi-daze

After a long long long week with the inlaws in West Virgina, I am back at home. While there were many awesome things about the week we spent with family, let me tell you - I don't know if I've ever moved so little and eaten so much. It was like food coma 24/7.

Self Sabotage

Last time we chatted, I was feeling pretty confident that I would be able to be sub 15 pounds by Christmas. I was down 13 pounds and had 14 days to lose the next 2. Totally doable. Right? Right.

Unfortunately, at this point it looks like my goal isn't going to happen.

Sweatin It Out Sundays

After an indulgent Saturday filled with cookies, chips, cheese, and hot chocolate left me feeling bloated, I really needed to work up a sweat at the gym today.

Mission accomplished.

Bad Workout

So it happened. I had a bad workout. I felt like crap all day today and by the time 5 o'clock rolled around I REALLY did not want to go the gym. No no no. I was tired. I was hungry. My back hurt. All I wanted was to go home and order pizza.

Quick Update

I wish I had time for a long post right now, but in four minutes I need to start getting Jonah and myself dressed so that we can get out the door in time. The morning hustle is intense in this house.

BUT

I've got some exciting news to share!

I'm down THIRTEEN pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excuse me while I do a crazy happy dance.

Remember when I said that being down 15 pounds by Christmas wasn't realistic? Well all of a sudden it seems like that goal is totally attainable.

I have 10 days until we leave for WV and 14 days until Christmas.

Let the count down begin.

Sweatin It Out Sundays

I hit the gym hard this morning and got a good sweat in. Sometimes there is nothing better than zoning out at the gym. It clears my head. Gives me peace. It puts me in a good mood.

Meal Planning

Every so often, Neill and I sit down and go through our finances to make sure that we are still on the right track. A few weeks ago, we did just that. Much to our dismay, we came face to face with the realization that more money was going out than coming in. And when we looked to see where the money was going, we discovered that we were spending an inordinate amount of money on groceries. Like, a lot a lot a lot of money. The worst part of this for me was that I often felt like there was nothing to eat in the house. Plus, there were lots of times when we ended up throwing unused food away after it had gone bad. It was not a good situation.

Big news!

I have some exciting and big news to share with y'all!

The scale doesn't lie!

Well I did it. I was brave. After I woke up this morning (5 am - ugh), I stepped on the scale.

Blogging for Bitcoins

Over the years I've discussed some pretty personal topics on this old blog.

I've talked about my child, religion, money, and my personal struggle with weight. And I've done my best to keep it 100% genuine. But, as I get more and more readers it is a struggle to keep myself honest. It is one thing to be totally transparent when no one is looking and quite another when there is an audience.

So, I have decided that I will be setting up some sort of system in which there will be a teeny tiny fee to read my posts.

I'm not exactly sure how it is going to work, but ideally I'd like to accept a small amount of bitcoin for each post. I'm working with my tech guy (also known as my husband) now to come up with a system that will work for everyone.

Home Sweet Home

Finally, we made it back to Chicago! It was a lovely thanksgiving - and I always have fun with Neill's family - but it is so nice to be back in our own home.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

We are out of town, visiting Neill's family. I'm pretty sure I've already gained five pounds. Ooops.

Hope everyone is enjoying time with family!

Weight loss

Oh me and my scale are in a love-hate relationship right now. So are me and the gym. And me and food. And everything else having to do with trying to lose weight.

Here is the bottom line . . .

Just a quick hello

My my my, how time has flown. Thanksgiving 2014 is less than a week away and 2015 is just a hop skip and a jump away.

This year, my blogging has been sporadic . . .  at best. I tried to do a gratefulness project, but apparently I'm an ungrateful bitch because I just couldn't stick with the weekly assignment. Ooops. I guess the secret is out.

So, I didn't write anything for a while. And that was fine while it lasted. But, I've got the itch again. I miss writing about my life. I miss writing. So, maybe I'll pick blogging back up?

Gratitude Week #9

Wow! What a fabulous weekend! My Aunt Lanie was in town and it was so fun to spend time with her. I feel so lucky to have her in my life.

Lanie arrived on Thursday afternoon. After hanging out at home for a bit, we went out for mexican food.  I splurged and got a yummy frozen margarita and a slice of tres leche cake for dessert. mmm.

Friday was a jam packed day. We went over to Andersonville and took Jonah to the park, where we watched him run around and play. Then, we strolled up Clark Street and did some shopping. My mom bought Jonah an adorable fedora for the summer as well as a pair of sandals. I took Jonah home for his nap and then we all met back up again for a delicious Italian dinner.

 Saturday, we drove out to Glenview and visited the Khol's Children's Museum. Jonah had the time of his life! He was so curious about everything going on. It was adorable to see. After a long morning at the museum we returned home for naps and then ordered in delicious BBQ for dinner. My aunt loves ribs, so getting BBQ is a must for every trip. After dinner, we all just hung out and played games.

 Before I knew it, it was Sunday and it was time to say goodbye. After a relaxing morning at home, we drove Lanie to the airport. It was a quick visit, but we had so much fun together.