On days where I feel like I'm failing I like to remind myself that this is how big I was this time last year.

Complaint about the good stuff.

My clothes don't fit. I constantly feel like a slob because half of my pants are way too big, and my sweaters are too wide and too short. I saved all my clothes from before, and maybe it's time to go digging through my closets again or something.

Yeah, yeah...I know. I've just been feeling ugly lately because nothing looks right.

McGillin's

I hesitate to put up these pics because I still don't like seeing photos of myself, but since we had such a fun time...

Here's me and my Nest buddy Vicki (blueberrystoli) singing...um, I forget.



And the famous Laptopdancer and I singing "I Touch Myself" or was it "Fat Bottom Girls"? I ferget.

Just when I was doing so well...

I hit last week's goal of 175 minutes of cardio, and worked out 5 days in a row, which is fantastic for me.

Had dinner with dad and Sue and they said that I looked like I lost more weight. I don't see it, and when I look in the mirror, I still look 35o lbs. However, I have seen pics of me before surgery, and there is a big difference. I think this is something mental I need to work on.

Anyway, I was gearing up for another big week of cardio, and the damn elliptical broke!!! I woke poor Brandon up at 5:30 to look at it, but I think it was too early for his brain to work. lol!! I am having trouble finding someone to service it since we bought it used. I guess I'll be on the treadmill for now.

Monday Morning Musings

Let me start by recapping the cardio plan:

wk 1: 100 minutes
wk 2: 125 minutes
wk 3: 135 minutes

Goal: 200 minutes

Week 4 is starting off well. I'd like to hit 175 minutes, and not let stupid things (or people) discourage me.

Countdown to Scottsdale is 2.5 weeks and I'm ready for sun and relaxation. Here's where we're staying:

The Fairmont - rooms were pricey ($365) but they happen to have a deal going that made it more manageable. Anyway, I'm looking forward to spending time with family and just getting away from it all for a few days.

In other news, during the wind storms of last week, our roof was damaged, so we're waiting to get quotes from some roofers so that we can get it fixed before it rains on Weds. I will post pics later.

Remember our new kitty Pickle? Well, it's that time, and he goes in to be neutered on Thursday. Poor Pickle.



I'm looking forward to our sort of annual knot/nest GTG at McGillin's. It was my turn to organize this year, and I'm excited that we'll have over 40 people coming out! For $21, there is a free buffet and open bar for 3 hours, then karaoke starts downstairs. This should prove to be verrrrrry interesting.



Oh, and I hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day. Brandon and I decided to not make a big deal about it, but ended up going out for sushi anyway. I threw up in the parking lot. It was very romantic. My dad sent me flowers. Awwwww :)

I've been a terrible blogger. Sorry.

After falling off the "get healthy" wagon for the holiday season, I'm back. So, I'd like to share some things with you that I find helpful (or not) or to just let you know what I've been up to.

First new thing that I love is the new salad dressings from Ken's - they're called Healthy Options and they are made with olive oil. 60 calories and only 4g of fat. Not too bad for parmesan & peppercorn or ranch, I'd say.

Because I'm lazy, I've been loving the new Sargento Salad Finishers. Basically, it's a bunch of ingredients to make a salad. Pour over lettuce and add dressing and there you have it. I've been eating salads for breakfast, so this is a quick way to make up my meals in the morning.


Besides getting back on the good food path, I've finally found a way that I can fit exercise into my day successfully.

I don't know if I mentioned before, but for my birthday this year, my dad was kind enough to buy me a Precor elliptical. This is the one I have:



I convinced myself that working out from home just wasn't going to happen and I HAD to join a gym. So I did, and now I'm stuck paying monthly fees. Well, that wasn't working either. I made too many excuses why I couldn't stop at the gym after work, and that whole thing was being wasted.

So...I spoke to some people who work out religiously and they really encouraged me to get up and do it in the morning.

"Yeah right!" I thought. I was hitting snooze 5 - 6 times as it was. No way I could get up an hour or so earlier to EXERCISE.

Well, hell froze over.

I think the best advice I received was from my boss who told me that if you work out in the morning, then you feel like you have the rest of your day to do whatever you want - you don't get stuck making those excuses. Sounds simple enough, but it feels really great to hit that afternoon slump and realize that, hey, if I want to go home and sit on the couch all night I can! And I don't have to feel guilty!

So, it's been a few weeks, and it's been working out well. I get up at 5:45am, work out, cool down while watching some tv, and hop in the shower by 7am. It's actually allowed me to get to work a little earlier, too, which is good because, well, early in, early out!

My nutritionist recommends that I ultimately end up working out 200 minutes a week. It sounded daunting at first, especially when I was only doing 20 minutes 3x a week. Now I've worked my way up to 35 minutes 5x a week, which is getting close. My goal is to do 40 minutes 5x a week on a regular basis, and I think I can do it!

Anyway, I've realized that exercise is great for the mind as well as the body, and I'm really thankful once again for this gift of getting my life back.

Thank you all for your support.

xoxox

Our new livingroom addition

So, the Eagles lost but the weekend was not all bad.

Brandon and I went shopping. Here's what we got:

52" Sharp Aquos TV and an electric fireplace!



The fireplace has a heater to make the room all warm and cozy.



You can't see here, but there are fake flames that come out and look almost real :)



Too bad I won't be watching the Eagles at the Superbowl on my new tv. Eh, better luck next time.

3 hours of LOST tonight might just make up for it :)