Shopping

I went shopping this weekend! I had a few Christmas things to return that didn't workout/fit whatever from my mom and hubby. So I took the money and went shopping for myself. I spent nearly 4 hours inside TJ Maxx searching for the best deals. I needed so much stuff, I wanted to not only get clothes that I love but the most bang for my buck.

I tried on a variety of clothes, 35 items to be exact, and narrowed it down greatly. At TJ Maxx, I got 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of slacks, 6 shirts, 1 black cardigan type thing, boots and a ring for $145 including tax. Not bad. I went over budget but really not by much and I got a lot of thing I needed. I also hit up Kohls, I had $10 of Kohl's cash to spend or it expired. At Kohl's, I ended up getting a nice sweater and two pairs of leggings (brown and grey). I think I spent $25 total at Kohl's. Then I got a cute button up dress at JC Penny's on clearance for less than $12. What can I say, I'm a happy girl.

I had a lot of fun shopping. Zumara and I spent several hours scouring the stores looking for the best deals both Saturday and Sunday. I tried on so much stuff at TJ Maxx, mostly because I didn't know what size I would be exactly. Out of the 10 pairs of pants, I got the two I liked the most. Most didn't fit my body type right because they are junior sizes. There is a huge difference in the way misses clothes fit me and to the way junior sizes fit. I'm ok with that and I love my curves.

I recall memories of bringing in zillons of clothes into a dressing room to only find out that nothing fit and leave crying. This time, I brought in so much stuff that not only fit but that I liked. I had a really difficult choice narrowing stuff down. I can't wait to be at goal, shopping is fun again.

I called my mom one I left the store to tell her of all my finds and that I really did spend the Christmas money on myself. Often, I can't find anything and the money gets spent on other things before I know it. She asked me to take a picture of my stuff to send to her. So Mariyn took this of me in my favorite outfit.


I love the back of this shirt! The wings have the cutest finger size holes. I feel sexy without showing off too much. <3 Ahh to enjoy shopping again!

Weighing in

It's Tuesday, which means I held myself accountable and weighed in today. I didn't really want to because I haven't been able to do much physically right now. But I have cleaned up my eating a little bit and started trying again. Not over indulging but I haven't been strict yet either. I didn't anything would change on the scale, so why look? If anything I figure there would be a gain I ate out last night and had a bowl of ice cream over the weekend.


I stepped on the scale this morning and it read 185! I was shocked. That is back down the 4 lbs from the holidays. It must have been bloat or something because I am just as flabby looking as I was. I can tell my muscle tone just isn't as defined, maybe that is why I lost weight? Who knows?!? But I'm glad to be back at 185 and not closer to 190. Isnt' it funny the scale can have such an effect on your mood. I went from being disappointed before I even stepped on the scale to optomistic and happy, real quick and nothing about my body really changed.

I'm trying to figure out a new exercise schedule. Mariyn goes back to school on Thursday. Amelia goes back tomorrow. Hopefully, I can figure out something -- soon.

Tale of Two Gyms

On NYE I posted that I tried out a different gym and went swimming. I was lucky enough to get a 30 day pass. I plan on using it as much as possible the next month, but the gym is 30 minutes away from my home. It's going to take extra planning and effort to get over there and use the gym.

On a different note, I was surprised the other day when going to this gym. Let's call it gym B. Gym B is the largest chain of gyms in my area and probably the most popular but it's not a national chain. The gym I go to, is a national chain but only has a few location in my area (2) and both franchises are owned by the same person/family.

I was a little nervous to go to gym B. A new gym can be very intimidating. The girls and I went with a coupon/certificate thing from my mom. We had to listen to the regular sales pitch in order to get the month pass. I'm not at all interested in signing a contract before I can even use a facility but whatever... I listened, I said no thank you. It wasn't hard to do because the monthly rates are 3 times the amount I am paying, childcare is $5 a month cheaper though. I got a 30 day pass. Upon entering gym B was very different from what I am used to. There were a lot more employees at the gym than mine. And they looked different -- well just average. Many of them, were overweight some obese. At my gym (A), everyone is thin and very attractive. When I started working out, I knew everyone at Gym A was attractive and thin but I just figured that is what all gyms do. They have to sell their membership/concept, right?

After listening to the sells pitch, I put my girls in the childcare. Gym B's childcare facilities are far superior to gym A. The girls had a great time, played and made friends. Always a plus. I took to the locker room and quickly changed for my swim.

The pool was indoors small but long, warm and chemically. I know I'm spoiled because I have my own pool and don't have to use a lot of chemicals. So I'm willing to look past that. There was another lady using the pool. The sauna and spa were also in the pool area. Two guys, who looked like "homies" were hanging out pool side watching. Kinda felt odd but they were there before I was... So I got in and swam. I tried to count laps but I always lose track. I swam for 30 minutes and it just felt so good to be exercising again. It was relaxing and a nice option for me right now.

I got out of the pool and the homies finally left. I got changed, grabbed my kids and left gym B. It will be a huge blessing for me this winter. But I can't get over how different the two gyms really are. Then there is this awkward part of me that feels like I was unfaithful/cheating on gym a, my gym. Weird, I know.

I'm hoping to squeeze in more swim/gym time into my schedule this week.

My Running Buddy

Zumara, my running buddy got up at 6:30 am and ran 10 miles in the rain. I was so proud of her. It's her first time running in a race without me. Originally, we were supposed to run our first half marathon(s) today. Obviously, plans changed due to my injury. She was nervous about running and almost didn't: it was rainy, it wasn't very organized because it was a free run and you could choose your mileage up to 50 miles. This picture was taken at the 6 mile mark. Did you check out her legs? I'm envious... Did I mention it was early, cold and wet?

I slept in a little longer than I should have but I got up and met her and the 4,5,6, and 8 mile marks. Then back at the finish line. I miss running. I want to sign up for an event but I know my foot/ankle isn't ready yet. I don't know when it will be. Hopefully, soon. All I can do is be supportive for my runner friends.

Zumara was amazing this morning. Check out her legs. I'm so proud of her.

Amazing

,2010 has been an amazing year for me. I've changed so much, not just in appearance but in my heart. I know God has been doing some great work in there and is continuing to change me. I am not sad to see 2010 go. I do not have a list of New Years resolutions to accomplish. Yet, I'm so excited for 2011 and the changes that God is going to continue to bring into my life and into my heart.

Of course, I still have so many adventures I want to accomplish. So many goals and dreams to dream. The inner-athlete is alive, awake and well.

I pray God blesses each and everyone of you in 2011 and that you see your life for what it is, a gift from God. I pray that he provides you strength and peace to meet and exceed in any challenge you may face. I pray that life is not only what you want out of it, but it is God's will being done.



Oh and I ended the year right. I got to the gym today and swam laps for about 30 minutes. It felt so good to be doing something active again.

Dec 2009

Nov 2010



Bring on 2011. :)

Getting on track

Getting back on track is going to take more than just the desire to get on track. It's going to take more than just "talk" about being back on track. I've let in a lot of carbs, sugar and other junk food into my diet the last couple of weeks. For me, that means I'm going to be fighting cravings again.

I'm still limited in what I can do physically. I'm going to start swimming this week but that gym is 30 minutes away so I won't be able to swim daily, maybe just a couple of times a week if I'm lucky.

I also have both of my kids home from school, so it's going to take some extra effort and planning to get a workout in. It's also means I am going to have to work up my endurance and build up my strength to what it was. I know this is going to take time.

Getting back on track with my food will be easier in some ways and harder in others. I haven't brought a lot of food into our house lately. I need to go grocery shopping. Thus, only healthy and diet friendly foods will be coming in. So why is it going to be harder, you ask? I've gotten used to eating out again. Hard habit to break. And the cravings...

Good news is things are really starting to come through with our investment. But money will get tighter before it gets better. Which can only help us to eat at home. I know if I want to get back on track, kick 180's behind and reach my goals I am going to need to get right with my food, work hard and pray for strength to stay on track.

Yesterdays meals:

Oatmeal for breakfast
Clam Chowder for lunch
Meat loaf, Broccoli and Mashed Potatoes for dinner.

Yeah not the best food choices but I'm working on it. It was so cold and rainy and Richard had been begging for meat loaf for a long time and it really isn't that bad of a choice. Plus I kept portions under control especially with the mashed potatoes. The girls and Rich loved dinner and that always feels good too.

Weighing In

I held myself accountable today for all the goodness the holidays had to offer. The treats, coookies, fudge, warm apple cider, fatty fried dinners and even the 3 times I got Starbucks this month ( tall size only :)

I can't remember the last time I stepped on the scale but it's been a while. Judging from my blog, it was back in November. I know I was teetering between 185-188 lbs. I can feel that I've gained some weight, I can see it ever so slightly on my body, face and arms. I can tell by the way my clothes are fitting differently. These are the first signs of weight gain and it's with these that I am going to do something about it. I'm back and re-energized.

Today's weigh in wasn't as bad as I thought it could be 189 lbs. I'm thankful I didn't hit the 190's mark but to be honest, 180's I'm not in love with you. I don't want to be with you any more and I'm ready to move on. It's been good while I'm here but I deserve better and can do better. I think it's time we should see other people. ;-)