I've Said This Before...

Cheers to a group of FABULOUS women!

...and I'll say it again.

I believe you are a product of your environment.

I was just thinking about this post because last night I expanded my friendships with some new women that are absolutely fabulous. I was raving to my husband how great it was to go out with a group of women, knowing that although some know others better than some (I was the newbie), we all have everyone's best interests in mind and all felt like part of the group.

No one felt silly having special instructions to meal in front of the group (i.e. - dressing on the side, no cheese, please!). We all enjoyed out SkinnyBee Margaritas (only 5 PPV for two!) and just laughed and enjoyed each others company. If only I had stayed for the Wii dance after party, I could have danced off those two margaritas in no time! I was thinking last night as I was sitting at the restaurant - if I were with anybody else, I would make a poor choice just to "fit in". But these women inspire me and I know that we are all on the same journey, together.

In 2012, I will lessen the relationships that are venomous to my lifestyle and develop the ones that allow it to flourish.

I'll cheers to that!

Believe and Achieve

I made the personal decision this holiday season to loosen my mostly strict dietary ways. I reminded myself of last holiday season when I did not fully enjoy myself and was strict enough that I lost weight throughout December. That is where I was though, in 2010. I was still in the phase of needing to lose at least 25-30 more pounds and it was more important to me not to eat that cookie or have an "adult" beverage. In 2011, I have made it so close to my personal goal of 125 pounds and I am so proud and confident of the way that I look now that I made it my decision to enjoy these holidays, guilt-free.
The last time I weighed in was December 12th. I weighed 127.4 lbs. Today I weighed in, after barely tracking my food intake since December 12th at 131.6 lbs. A gain of 4.2 pounds. You know what? I own it. It was a personal decision and I knew I'd gain and I am absolutely, 100% okay with that. Quite honestly, at 131.6 lbs I'm still so proud of the way I look and feel.

I was rockin' the new bod on NYE...if this is 131 lbs, I can't wait for 125 lbs.



I was keeping in mind the saying, "It's not what you eat between Christmas and New Years that matters, but what you eat between New Years and Christmas."

That was my motto for this holiday season. Although I didn't go crazy, I did eat one too many cookies and I indulge in some mid-week drinks that I otherwise wouldn't, and I enjoyed them! And it's O.K.! I remember a year ago when I was very conscious of my holiday choices and I'm glad that I was like that. It makes me appreciate that I've built a lifestyle for myself in the past two years that allow me to enjoy the 2 weeks of the holiday season in December. And I know that once it's over, I get right back on track.

This year, I'm not going to obsess over the numbers like I have. I look great. I feel great. That is what is important and what I need to embrace. Not the small gains or small losses on the scale...although still important until I hit my goal, I'm not going to get down on myself for being 6 lbs from goal.

I am starting off 2012 right. I made a huge pot of fresh vegetable soup and stocked the fridge and freezer with veggies and my "go-to" foods. I'm ready to take 2012 and make it my year! February 8th marks my 2nd anniversary of living a healthy lifestyle. This is just the beginning.

I'm not one to make resolutions because they are typically meaningless and are forgotten by the second week of the new year. But I have a few goals for 2012...

• Hit goal by Feb 8th
• Maintain another year in a healthy lifestyle
• Run a half-marathon

Simple goals. Obtainable goals.

2012 is the year to believe and achieve my friends. 

A Product of Your Environment

Being a product of my environment is something I did a lot of reflecting on this weekend. There are many paths to take this insight, however, this being a weight journey blog, I believe this is a direct connection.

Many people know, I was a skinny kid. I was very active. It wasn't until after I began settled in my current relationship that my weight was ever an issue. I think about the people I've developed relationships with throughout the past nine years.

Nine years ago I met my husband. The typical "eat whatever he wants and doesn't gain a pound" kinda dude. In the early years of our relationship, money was never an issue. He lived at home, didn't have a car payment and made a decent income. Trying to impress his new girlfriend; Italian and appreciative of delicious and decadent foods, he would often take me out to dinner. I have always been the type of girl who would rather hang out with the guys than chat with the girls and I definitely was not a girl who would be asked out on date and only order a salad. I am not dainty. I always thought I had to "impress" a guy with my ability and confidence to eat as much as they could. Why? It makes no sense.

Seven years ago I starting working a full time 9am-5pm "big girl" job. This is where I became even more a product of my environment. My active lifestyle was now stolen away by early alarm clocks and late traffic. I sat behind a computer most of the day, socializing through email and telephone. No reason to walk to a person's office, right? Working in commercial real estate, I dealt with a lot of contractors and vendors who, kindly enough, would send treats to the office from Halloween until Valentine's Day. Not to mention the neverending birthday celebrations we had.

Even further into my environment, I think about the people I surrounded myself with. Quite honestly, my best friend at the time was much heavier than I was. She and I became BFF office buddies and would do lunch out of the office at least 80% of the week. Wendy's, McDonald's, PF Changs, Go Roma, Noodles & Co., etc. We worked in an area that had a plethora of food choices. I always had it in my mind that I was the "skinny" friend and it didn't matter that I ate out all the time. Naturally, our friendship evolved from lunch dates at work to happy hour, dinner during the week, meeting on the weekends. If I wasn't with my husband, I was with her. Our plans always included a meal. I'm not blaming her at all. Still when I make plans with friends it typically includes a meal or happy hour, however, I'm aware now.

At one point in our friendship, she became aware and starting changing her diet in order to lose weight. At some point, she weighed less than I. She has continued to maintain her weight loss, however, for other personal reasons we are no longer close. I am reminded though, that because I was surrounding myself with peole, at a time, who weren't aware of what they are eating affected me as well.

I shortly began my journey after our friendship fizzled.

What led me to this post, however, was this past weekend. Friday evening I spent time with two new people, one whom I had just met on Friday because I was tagging along with another friend to a holiday party. Both these girls are thin. At the holiday party, the catered food looked so delicious and I later found out tasted so delicious. However, the main course protein was large. I could have easily eaten the entire piece, however, one of the girls asked if one of us would like to split it. We both offered to split and ended up splitting it into thirds. With that smaller piece, plus a little salad and veggie and small scoop of a pasta salad, I was extremely happy with the choices I made. Had I gone alone, or not buddied with these ladies, I would have eaten far more than I would have needed to.

So I start to think, these are good people that I should surround myself with and that will support (perhaps, indirectly) my food choices and lifestyle.

For those reading, who are currently in the beginning or middle of your journey, re-assess who it is you are filling your environment with. That can make all the different, honestly. Many people that I've met along the way have restructured their relationships to benefit them in a positive way. Is there a person, or people who hinder your lifestyle changes? How can we gain control of our environment?

Cheers!

I'm hoping everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, filled with family and friends and good food and laughter. My Thanksgiving week was fantastic and included a short work week, two Thanksgiving dinners and a weekend of solitude.

This year, I choose to not run in the Naperville 5k Turkey Trot, which I otherwise would have done, however, since I've been running so much on my own and farther than 3.1 miles it is hard for me to spend the $25 or $30 that the race may cost now that I have student loan bills due and Christmas is approaching rapidly. I had to sort out some priorities and unfortunately spending money on that wasn't at the top. I did miss the group setting of running, however I am still in the infant stages of running I feel and I am always trying to out-do myself. In a race like that, it's impossible because it is so crowded. One of my fellow runners offer to pay my entry fee, however, I graciously declined. I knew I could run my own Turkey Trot. I don't mind running alone. Realistically, when I run, I wear an iPod anyhow and we are all at different speeds once the race gets going so it's like I run by myself anyway. So I suited up in past Turkey Trot gear and headed out for my 3.1 mile run, feeling empowered that I didn't use the absence of the "official" Turkey Trot as an excuse to not run at all.

Our first Thanksgiving dinner was with my in laws. This year it was a much smaller crowd than the regular 35+ guests that my mother-in-law would typically host. We had about 17 guests, with about the same amount of food as if we had 35. That's how it always goes though, isn't it? We had three deep fried turkey's, stuffing, cheesy broccoli casserole, mozzarella salad, green salad, rolls, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and whatever Thanksgiving essentials I might be missing. Not to mention desserts...cheesecake, rice crispy treats, lemon cake, cookies, cupcakes...etc. How did my inner "fat" girl deal with all this delicious, decadent, once a year foods?

Let's put it this way. I ate enough on Thursday that came Friday evening 8pm and I still hadn't eaten a thing because I physically wasn't hungry yet.

On Sunday, my family celebrated Thanksgiving. This was a much more toned down meal for the only reason that all the guest presents (all 7 of use) are following Weight Watchers, with the except of two (who are extremely health and wellness conscious). When we get together we have meals that have very little left overs and that are relatively healthy. We had a pork roast, spiced in a Bohemian way, potato and bread dumplings, a green bean casserole made in a low fat/low calorie way, homemade cranberry sauce and a green salad. I'm not much a fan of the Bohemian way of cooking so this meal was easy for me. One chop of the pork roast, green salad and a little green bean casserole. My meal was easy, however, have I mentioned my uncle is an amazing home brewer, brewing at least 4 different kinds of beer that are all equally as tasty as the next? Oh, I haven't? Well, he is. And I enjoy every one last of his home brews.

In between Thursday and Sunday, my husband was in Michigan for his annual deer hunting trip with his father and brothers. I've mentioned before that when he is gone, I go one way or the other. Perfectly on plan because I have no one to cook for so it's easy to make good choices, or completely off plan because there is no one to watch what I eat, therefore I feel I won't be judged. I'm not saying my husband judges me when I eat, or anyone else, but you can't help but feel like that sometimes. While he was gone to Missouri for a week I did great. This time, not so much. I was a grazer. I grazed all weekend.

Good news?
Indeed.

I must have made better choices than I anticipated. And I was active. I lost over a pound and a half from my last weigh-in. I struggled on Monday, deciding if I was going to go to my weigh-in and hold myself accountable for my lack of tracking last week and my (what I thought was) over eating. I knew I had to be held accountable for whatever damage I thought I had done. To my surprise, I worked it out that I lost enough to see 129 again. And damn it, I have 4.8 pounds until 125 lbs, which I have embraced as a good goal for me and my body. Any less and I feel I'll start looking like a pre-pubescent boy. Not the look I'm going for.

This week I've tackled head on. Sunday I prepared my lunches for this entire week. Two of those days included my new go-to food, spaghetti squash. I am in control of my food this week. I am ready to take on the two holiday parties I have this weekend, a staff holiday party and an ugly sweater party.

On the Weight Watcher leader front, I am so proud of my members this week. At weigh-in last night, out of the 10 members that weighed in, the collectively lost 19 lbs. That's huge for the week after Thanksgiving. I am so proud to be this groups leader. They all make me so proud.

Cheers to the holiday season!

With more activity and more conscious food choices, we can all enjoy the holiday parties to the fullest extend and still lose weight!

Because time has been getting away!

Next week is Thanksgiving, already?! Goodness gracious, where has this year gone? At any rate, I am here, blogging, which I've been trying to do at least once every two weeks. Since I started working full-time this week, I've barely had much time on my hands (I'm not complaining, trust me).

I haven't ran in two weeks. I am slightly okay with this because I had to transition into a brand new schedule and get things figured out. On the flip side of that, because I'm on a strict schedule now, I'm planning meals much further in advance that I was when I had a lot of time on my hands. Not to mention, at my last weigh-in, I lost an entire pound in one week which I haven't done in month. Typically it's between .2-.8 of a pound. So I'm okay with this. In lieu of running as much as I was, I've been increasing the amount of push-ups, squats and ab work throughout the day. I have traded out a normal chair at work for a yoga ball and although I am standing more than sitting throughout the day, while I am sitting I am engaging my core.

I am loving this opportunity to be back on a schedule. When I wasn't working, I was able to just do as I please and I would workout whenever, eat whenever, do housework whenever...etc. Being back on a schedule is fantastic. I'm up at 5:30am, shower and get ready for school, eat breakfast and then relax until it's time to leave for school at 6:45am. On Monday, I get home around 3:45pm and relax until I leave for my Weight Watchers meeting which begins at 7:00pm, then come home and we eat dinner together. On Tuesday, after school I work my Weight Watcher meeting and get home around 8:30pm. Tuesday is a really long day, but I love both of my jobs so it's pretty painless. Wednesday, by the time I get home it's time to head to my in-laws for dinner. I really look forward to Thursday. I have absolutely nothing to do after school.

Hunting season began in Illinois today. I was up at 2:30am, sending Kristian off with snacks and sandwiches to keep him going all day. Decided to stay up and get the laundry done, paid some bills, and blog - this way I won't have many chores to keep up with over the weekend. It's 4:17am and I've still got over an hour before my alarm goes off. Kristian will hunt today, tomorrow and Sunday all day. Then next weekend he heads up to Michigan for his regular deer camp season and finally, the first week of December is second season Illinois, which he was lucky and won the lottery they do for hunting in Illinois. He is very excited. Our stock of venison is just about out and it's time to replenish.

The holidays are rapidly approaching. Regarding weight loss, I do believe I can lose over the holiday season (Halloween-Valentine's Day), like I did last year. The holidays are not a problem for me. I choose to eat as I want on actual day (making conscious decisions) but I don't eat leftovers. I think a lot of people gain over the holiday season because there is always so much food leftover and it's continuous throughout the next few months. The holidays are tough. Knowing I lost weight last year during this time is comforting and assuring I can do it again. I'm a short five pounds from my goal.

For a little holiday humor...

Womanly Curves

Now is as good a time as ever to update. Clearly, I've been slacking in the "blogging" department. Luckily, that is the only place I've been slacking.

I am finally back to weighing in under 130 lbs. I intend on staying there. Damn it. However, I am struggling. My goal is 120, however I recently saw a picture of me that makes me think I should change it to 125lbs.



This is from Halloween. I'm in the background (I hope, obviously) and although you can't see my face, I saw this picture when my sister-in-law posted it and I was looking at my waist and hips. I feel like I'm losing my curves. Halloween was the first day I was wearing my size 1 jeans other than just trying them on and being discouraged they were too tight. They actually fit GREAT! I'm afraid that if I lose about 9 more pounds, getting my to 120, I might just look too thin.

We are going away this weekend and I'm sure we will be taking pictures. Maybe I'll reassess this after looking at those. I don't want to lose my "womanly" curves. Perhaps it's just because I'm wearing a t-shirt.

On a side note, if you would have told me two years ago I'd be whining about not having curves, I probably would have laughed at you.

That all aside, I did feel like a million bucks at a recent event...

 Absolutely LOVING this look. I love the cooler weather. I get to break out the tights and boots. Possibly my favorite season to dress for.

Been keeping up with my running.



This is my friend Val. She and I have ran two 5k together. She's significantly faster than I am, running her first 5k in just over 26 minutes. But not to worry - we are both extremely supportive of each other and she is a fantastic running partner. Now I need to talk her into running longer distances. I've been running 3 miles on short days and up to 7.5 miles on longer days.

My progression is impressive I think.

Starting in August: You can tell I was just starting to get into being more active here. At least outdoors. However, most of my mileage came from my bike.

In September I had less mileage, however, all my mileage was from running. The two areas in gray is where I was messing around with putting in my "at home" workouts but I've decided there is no need to put those on the calendar because I have a separate calendar for that at home anyway. My longest route here was just about 3.3 miles. 

October absolutely rocked for me. A total of 56.35 running miles. Although it averaged 1.8 miles a day, I obviously didn't run every day. Clearly, I took the week of the 16th off. That week, my allergies absolutely got the best of me. Although, I do remember on the 9th, my allergies were terrible and I was on allergy medicine but I felt so guilty not running all week so I hopped on my bike and rode 7.44 miles. All the while, my nose running and it being completely disgusting. My best day was on October 29th, when I ran 7.57 miles. I'm slightly disappointed because today is the Hot Chocolate 15K and I was asked earlier in the summer to run it with a friend of mine and I told her there is no way I'd run that far. Ha. What a difference a couple of months make. I totally could have done it with her today. 

I'm going to take a break on running official 5k's or any other races. I've been running a lot on my own that I don't feel I need to pay anymore to run these distances. Before, signing up for a 5k would motivate me to run prior to the race - however, now I don't need that extra motivation so I'll save the money and continue to run on my own. I am thinking about a half-marathon in the spring. 

This has been another great "on plan" week and I'm anticipating a good weigh-in on Monday. I have to start going back to Monday night meetings, because I start working this Monday. It's going to be so nice having a job again. This brings up the challenge of keeping up with running, but I will figure it out somehow. With the pending winter weather, I may be doing more inside workouts than outdoor. Whatever gets the job done my friends.  

Busy Bee

Hello my faithful followers! My sincere apologies, it has been much longer than I expected since I last blogged. I must stay, for being a jobless/childless gal, I'm awfully busy! Between interviewing and preparing for my new Weight Watchers meeting, I've had little time for the computer. So...let's update!

Last night was the kick-off of our new Weight Watchers meeting at a location that previously had no PM meetings. We were expecting things to begin slowly, hoping that word had gotten around that there was a new meeting but still skeptical that enough marketing had been done. We were amazed when seven brand new members walked in the door, it was a great start to a new meeting! I'm looking forward to next Tuesday where I can hear all of their success and inevitably, frustrations, about their first week learning a new lifestyle. I will try to update in the future on my successes and failures as a new leader with a new meeting. Many experiences are yet to come.

On the interview front, I've had a few interviews for teaching positions and thankfully I know a lot of people who are able to help out with getting interviews, because in teaching that is the only way you get into a school...who you know. Unfortunately, who I know hasn't paid off entirely because someone else interviewing always seems to know someone higher up or more influential. Ahh, such is life. I'm positive it just means the right job hasn't come along yet and I will remain patient.

The best thing about being jobless (besides sleeping in, of course) is I can continue my workout with no distractions. I have been continuing to run throughout the week and I am slowly increasing my mileage. So far, this week, I started off on Sunday with a 7.44 mile bike ride. My allergies were absolutely terrible and I was under the influence of allergy medicine, but I just couldn't help but feel worse just sitting in the house all day. While I figured running would be harder on my body than usual under the circumstance, I thought to take out my bike and go for a ride. On Monday, I ran my furthest distance yet, 5 miles. I completed it in 58:17 which breaks down to an 11.6 min/mile. I am completing my first official 8k on November 13th and my goal is to complete it in under 60:00 minutes. I think I'll do just fine. I was very happy with 58:17 for my first 5 miles and I was utterly exhausted afterwards. Hopefully my next 5 miles will be slightly quicker and easier to run. It was pretty warm that morning I did the 5 miles and I don't run particularly well in warm weather. I prefer weather closer to the 45*-50* range. Definitely not 75*. This "Indian Summer" is taking a toll on my running AND allergies! Yesterday I ran 3.51 miles in 38:25 which breaks down to a 10.8 min/mile. Looking back at all my running data, I'm showing good consistency which is what I am working on right now. Breathing correctly, setting a good pace...eventually I will work on speeding up, but I feel like I need these things down pat first. Since this week has been bike ride, run, run, run, today I am going to switch it up with a little strength and core training I think. Go figure, it's the first cool fall-like day in the past two weeks too! Perfect for running!

Update on last weeks progress...

I'm up .5 lb. Last week I had an early appointment and couldn't make it to my regular WW meeting, so I weighed myself at home and was down, so technically I'm up .5lb from my home weigh-in but I was down .8lb from my previous weigh-in at my WW meeting. So...take it as you will. Either way, it's no big deal. Whenever my exercise is increased, I gain. I'm still trying to find my balance between intense exercise and eating the appropriate amount to re-energize my body. I weighed in this past Monday at 131.2 lbs. I'm really hoping that all this running pays off and I can break into the 120's again soon. Funny thing, on Saturday I stepped on the scale and I was 128lbs. Sometimes I wish the random weigh-ins were accurate but the only ones that matter to me are the once a week, same day same time. With how often your body weight fluctuates, I find it that to be most accurate. Anyhow, looking back at my weekly progress, I did well with my Good Health Guidelines, minus the healthy oils. I'm sure I got them in somewhere, but just not enough for me to count them really. I just don't use oils. I need to work on that. I tracked what I ate every day last week, even Saturday when we went out to celebrate my good friends 30th birthday. Fishbowl drink and all.

Last week was a good week. Despite a small gain. As I've said before, although my goal is 120lbs, I'm happy with how my body looks. If I wasn't such a number girl, I'd probably make this my goal. But let's see what 10 lbs more does.

Oh, and I've found my absolute FAVORITE thing about running.

...we searched the other day and cannot find cellulite. Anywhere. For that reason alone, I will continue to run.