Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Back at the beginning on last year I came up with some rewards for myself for pounds lost.  I earned a hair cut way back when but when there was time, there wasn't any money and when there was money, well.. you know how it goes.
Today I FINALLY got my hair cut.

BEFORE:

(my 8 year old took this picture for me)

AFTER:

(the hubs took this one for me)

It feels great to shred all of that hair!  Now to start shredding some serious weight again!!

Week 34 - WooHoo!

Last Thursday I went to a meeting that I had been invited to by my sister-in-law's sister (well that's a mouthful, especially when I've known her since I was 13 so she's more like family herself).  She has lost 64 pounds with WW and kept it off for like a year now!! Amazing, hugh?!  So she and another gal got together and invited some gals to come to another woman's home to talk about health and nutrition.  Oh, and some material motivation!!  I've started in on round two and here's how it goes...
We'll meet 5 times over an 8 week period.  We will weigh in (only one person will see our weight, phew) each of those 5 nights.  Each evening will have a topic based on health and wellness.  We will not follow any set program - some people are on WW, some use an on-line tool like Sparkpeople and others are just doing their own thing.  At the end of the 8 weeks the person who's lost the largest % of body weight will win a cash prize! (2nd and 3rd do as well)  Here's the really amazing part - the fee is just a one time payment of $20 per person.  So the gals running it are doing it for free!!  Can you imagine anyone doing anything for free these days?  How cool!!! 
Also, a lot of the gals are Christian wich is so nice because I won't have people look at me like I'm odd when I keep quoting, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  No siree!  Nope, they have plenty of other reasons to look at me like I'm odd, but that wont be the reason. : )
So we had yet another birthday this past weekend; my husbands.  We had a great weekend with..um.. great food.. But seriously, I really did quite well.  Yes, I had a piece of cake, but it was a small one (nothing to rival that ice cream from vacation that's for sure!!)  I was also out moving quite a bit.  But I am sad to say that I didn't get any cardio in : (  All in all I'd say I did ok last week.
What pray-tell was my scale going to reveal to me this morning?  Bad week the prior week, not too bad this... It could go up down or sideways...  Thankfully, amazingly, it went down!!!  Down by 4 pounds!!!
Do you know what this means???????????
40 POUNDS LOST!!! Yippeeeee!!!
So how am I going to celebrate?  Well honestly, I think the real celebration after so many tough weeks is the motivation it gave me to press on.  I went right down stairs and did my 30 minutes of cardio (to which I added weights might I add), and my eating and water intake have been great!  Praying these good vibes keep me truckin' on the healthy highway!!

This weeks goals:
 I want to get in at least 3 x 30 minute cardio workouts and I really want to get back to getting my 8 - 8 oz glasses of water a day!  I also want to improve my consistancy in tracking my food.

Prayer requests:
Continued ambition
Job
Women's Ministry activities (I head the Women's Ministry team at church and we're heading into our busy season - LOTS going on!!  FYI - In the Massachusetts area? I'll be speaking at a fun women's event at our church on Sept. 24th @ 7pm Contact me for info!

It's time for me to fetch my little man a snack. Me too I think. I'm gonna try FiberOne's new 90 calorie bars.  I'll let you know how they are.

I'm feeling great - hope you all are too!!!

Help Me Choose

So today I took my birthday boy (youngest son turned 5 today.. crazy!) off to go dress shopping after dropping son #1 off at summer enrichment.  This of course is just what every 5 year old boy wants to do.  I am a smart mother and therefore, I know how to make bribery work to my utmost advantage!  "Be a good boy shopping with me and we'll go get you one more little gift."  At 5 you see you can still get away with a 'little gift'.
I went to two stores, Kohl's and Dress Barn.  I found one dress at the first store and many at the second, but only purchased two.  Can I just say that I was actually able to fit into a size 16 in a few dresses!! (I was a size 22 back in January).  "Why Diane, what pray tell will you do with 3 dresses?" you may be asking.  I brought 3 home with me so I could ask my sister and husband, and now all of you which one you like best as call me silly, but I didn't feel as though my 5 year old son was the best judge as really, all he wanted me to do was get a dress already so he could get his 'little toy'.
(FYI - He did amazingly well and chose a Mickey Mouse giant coloring thing a majiggy from The Christmas Tree Shop which only set me back $3.99.  So worth it!!!)

Below you will see 3 dresses.  Please let me know which you think looks the best and will be most appropriate for an outdoor wedding in the middle of July (ceremony at 3 pm with reception to follow).

Here's the dress I got from Kohl's.  I wish the hubs got a better shot (on all of these).  This dress comes just below the knees and has bit of a flounce on the edges.  It's a light stretchy material.  This was hubby's favorite.  One thing I love about it.. it was only $23!!!

Love the retro feel of this one!! Saw it in the Dress Barn window and had to try it on.  The olive green color isn't my favorite, but the cut is fun - "Donna Reed" my husband said.  This was the big payout of the day at $59.99.

This was my $25 buy at DB.  Again, sort of an early 60 vibe to this one (anyone see the movie Shag? It's about a 60's dance, not 'Austin Powers').  It' has a little tulle ruffle on the bottom.  This was my sister's favorite.

Ok my friends, what do you think?  Paisleys, polka-dots or flowers?

I can only imagine how much better I'll look when I lose the 'Lilly Munster look'.  Gotta wash that grey right out of my hair and then get it cut. (so past due on my rewards)

It's time to hit the hey.  Have a good night!!

Week 17

Last week was quite the week! It was April vacation for the kiddos and we had a great time!!


Trips into Boston, museums, play dates, sleep over’s.... As tiring as it was, I'm sad to see it end. Great memories made with my little men!

But with all of that fun brought many food challenges. Quite frankly, I had victory many times and other times I caved. Here's the cool part though - I feel totally good about it.

I've said it once, I'll say it again (and again, and again I'm sure) I will not truly change to a healthier lifestyle if I feel that it will mean I have to live too restrictively. If I want to indulge in a hot dog at Quincy Market, then so be it. Heck, how often do I even go there? Maybe once every 18 months or so... When we went to the movies, yes, I had popcorn! But again, other times, I made really great choices! The hubs and I went to lunch one day and I really wanted to get one of the pasta dishes in the creamycheesieyummy sauces, but didn't. I wanted to have an ice cream with the kids, but instead chose to have a Klondike 100 calorie bar at home. It was a week of give-and-take.

To be honest, I dreaded the walk to the closet this morning to pull out my cold white metal nemesis. But to my surprise, it was quite nice to me this morning. Thank you scale!! I'm down 3 lbs.

Are you ready for the grand total kids? 31 pounds lost!!!

This now brings me to my next reward of 2 glorious hours to myself!! Maybe I'll use those two hours to redeem my 25 pound weight loss reward of a hair cut which I still have not done. (Looking for a cheap reasonably priced, good hair stylist that has hours I can do.) So yeah me!!

The Week Ahead:
As much as I was sad to see vacation week end I was not anticipating that the big guy would be staying home today due to sickness. (poor guy) So had to cancel with the cc today. : ( Reschedule!

I have been doing so little exercise, save for all of the walking on our adventures over school break. Come to think about it, I'm sure that's what I have to thank for the 3 lb loss. I'm hoping to start walking at least a few days/nights a week. Looking for a local walking buddy. Actually, I do believe I'll have two little walking buddies. I'll let you know how that goes : )

Need to be more diligent tracking, I've been getting sloppy. Same goes with sleeping and drinking my water. I've been slacking on my 8 hours sleep/glasses of water.

Holy bloggity distraction!
It's time to get the little guy to preschool.

I'm off my friends - Have a great week!!

Week 10

Can I just start by saying how good it feels to write 'Week 10' in the title box and still feel encouraged? It seems that by now most folks who start a new program of some sort or another at the beginning of the year have started to wane. By the grace of God I'm still pressing on! Woo hoo!


It has been so nice to see that giant yellow orb back up in the sky! We have little green sproutlings popping up all over the place. The wild bunny that lives in our yard (and has since we moved here over 5 years ago) has made his first appearance of the season. I have even been serenaded by a small robin with an especially bright orange belly. Ahhhh spring!

This wonderful change of season (although not official until the 20th) has even aided me in my exercise. No, I'm not outside running the track or anything - but I've raked 13 bags of leaves! This is all from just my front yard mind you, and there’s still more to do. I don't even want to think about how many I'll fill from the back yard. And let me assure you, this raking ritual was also done in the fall. Trees.. I'd feel guilty and be afraid the 'earthy crunchy' types would come and picket in front of my house if we cut any down, but UGGGHHH all those leaves! Don't even get me started on the trillions of pine needles!! But at least it's good exercise, right? Did you know that one hour of raking burns 454 calories?

I have a new assignment from my cc. I'm to write a mission statement (with the hubs) as to what we'd like to get out of church personally, as a couple, for our children and as a whole family unit. We're to start with exactly what we believe, and then go from there. I'm looking forward to doing this. First, because it will be good quality time spent with my husband, and then just because I like this kind of thing. I like seeing things on paper. It makes things clear and will help with assessing. CC thinks we may be having some spiritual growing pains and may need to reevaluate. In conjunction, she also thinks it may be time for me to step down from a committee or two. This is hard!! But when what had been a clear calling from God that although was hard work, was still rewarding and helped me feel connected to God has now become... a burden and stress invoking.... Well, is still where God wants me, or is it Him telling me He wants me to move on?..

Still looking for a second job. I've had some good prospects. There's a night/weekend job that pays decent for a second job, but it's about and hours commute. Not sure I want to be driving home that late from that far away - but haven't ruled this out. I have also printed off an application to be a substitute paraprofessional at our town schools. I will need to gather letters of reference. I could do this on the days I don't have day care kids and my younger son can go to our church day care. Won’t make much after paying for that, but it gets me in the door. Lastly, there’s a job in a neighboring town as assistant to the town clerk. Pays well and it's only 5 hours a day. Not sure of the schedule and where do I put the kids on vacations, half days, etc.. But I am encouraged to see some options here!

Ok, time for the weekly weigh in. As of yesterday, 3/8/10, I am down... 4 lbs!!! That's a total of 27 pounds since 1/4/10!!! You know what this means? Another reward! I have earned a hair cut for reaching 25 pounds - and boy do I need it. So busy the next week or so. But I'll get one soon and I'll post a picture.

Goals for week 10:
drink 8 glasses of water a day
get 8 hours sleep
stay within my ranges
cardio for at least 90 minutes this week
do my spiritual 'mission statement'
finish my resume (not updated in 10 years or more!)
daily quiet time (reading Bible & prayer)

Prayer Requests:
Job search - that God would direct me to the perfect job He has for me
My youngest son - will be going in on 3/31 to put tubes in his ears and have an adenoidectomy
My dad - 'warning stroke' on Sunday. Pray docs find what caused it and that he will be careful. Will be back in Mass. in a few weeks.
Praise - for good weight loss! and many other blessings

It's time to get dressed (so late for me!!)

Week 6

This past week was a bad week.  Hey, they happen - even to those of us who try to stay really positive.

Why was it bad?  Well I had a sick child, then I got sick.  Was (am still a bit) feeling overwhelmed  by all that needs to get done (personally, family, home, ministry, etc...).  Maybe a little nervous about today and my 1st appointment with my Christian counselor (I'll let you know how that goes).  Lastly, I'm sure a lot of it has to do with the fact that we're coming up to the 2 year anniversary of my mother's death.  One positive?  With all of this, I did not succumb to emotional eating!! (see weighin below)

But, this is a new week and I'm ready to have a better one!  Lot's going on this week and I'm ready to face it all.

How'd I do last week?  Well like I said, even with all of the stress, I did not emotionally eat - big thumbs up for me!
I moved on to the 2 mile (+) walking workout with Leslie Sansone.  Good workout for me at the level I am currently at.  I'd like to get the 3, 4, and 5 mile workouts.  I tried my new Biggest Loser workout... I decided I want to wait another week or so before I go back to that (one move... gasp gasp.. I think I'll skip the next move, sorta try the next... gasp gasp....).  All workouts on the tape are 10 minutes each and can be done in any combination.  The cardio workouts are 10 straight minutes of mid-high intensity cardio (I suppose you could go low... but then I'd rather stay with Leslie as I think I'd get a better workout for that) no warm up/cool down.  I liked it, but want to use my other tapes to get me a little more conditioned before going back.
Did well with getting enough sleep this week - for the most part.  I was in bed at a good time even if I couldn't fall asleep for awhile.
Water - great!  Did my 8+ cups a day!

Weigh in:  down 4 lbs. for a total weight loss since Jan. 4, 2010 of (drum roll...) 20 lbs.

Goals for this week:
~ Go to my 1st session
~ Keep drinking 8+ cups of water a day
~ Keep striving for 8 hours sleep a night
~ Exercise at least 3x a week
~ Track all of my eating
~ Stay within my calorie, fat, carb and protein goals each day
~ Spend time with God each day

You know what the 20 lb. mark means?  REWARD!  I actually had my reward yesterday.  I went out by myself for over my one hour reward (yeah) and I bought the curtain for my office/craft room.  Actually, I bought two.  Still trying to decide which one... I may be posting for opinions.

It's time for me to get ready to go.  Have a great week all!!!

PS - Have you thought of becoming a 'follower'?  Look in the right hand column.

Rewards - No Credit Card Required

As soon as I typed the word 'rewards' I instatly thought of all of the commercials and pieces of junk mail advertising credit cards with all of the preks you get for using their card to get further into debt.

Well the rewards I'm coming up with for each milestone on my journey would not be rewarding at all if they were to put me into further debt!  In fact, beginning the process of getting out of debt is one of my non-weight-loss goals.

Without further ado, below is my economy friendly rewards system.

(note: I decided that there really is no way to give myself retroactive rewards - so for the first 16 lbs lost, I'll just give myself a big pat on the back!... and hope I don't pull something..)

20 lbs ~ One hour to myself (hubby will watch the kids/answer the phone, etc. time awards have been preapproved by said hubby) AND (ok, I guess I am doing a little retro reward) a curtain for my office (saw it in The Christmas Tree Shop flyer for $6! Yes, I SOOOO love a bargin!!)

25 lbs ~ A haircut (seriously, I have only gone to a salon about twice in the past 3 years, but have had  dear friend give me a great cut a few times)

30 lbs ~ Two hours to myself!

35 lbs ~ A new pair of jeans (I still have some gift cards kickin' around, so they wont actually cost me anything!)

40 lbs ~ Three hours to myself & a latte!

45 lbs ~ A manicure (haven't had one in years and only go for around $12, right?)

50 lbs ~ A night away (whether I just go visit my brother & his family, or my sister takes my boys for the night...)

Can't think beyond 50 at this point.  I'll update as I get closer.

"If we realize a celebration is down the road, it makes the road easier to travel." ~

Luci Swindoll: You Bring The Confetti, God Brings The Joy