Wedding Update

170 days to go! YAY.

This is our venue for both the ceremony and reception: georgetownballroom.com

Jerry who runs the show is wonderful! It's located right around the corner from work so that makes it real easy to get things done.

Our caterer/baker (we are not doing cake but pies instead): twotartes.com

Lori and Sue are wonderful also. They are very easy to work with and they have a delightful woman who works at the deli/bakery part who always know how what to say to make your day!

I have my dress, garters and shoes so far. I need to get a modesty panel for the back. I don't think my guests want to see my butt crack. The dress must be made for a taller woman but I can still rock it. I want to get a birdcage veil but I am very picky so that part will be hard.

Here is a picture of my shoes or I should say a shoes:

This week I finally got my 10% award from WW. It took way to long but its done and now I can move on to my next mini goal of 141lbs, then I wont be in the overweight category.

Other then wedding planning I started to learn how to play the guitar, from my dad for my birthday. AND now I want this:

I am studying the DOL motorcycle manual and looking into taking a course. Super excited and cant wait till that baby is mine!

Most Excellent

I’ve had a wonderful week! I am super excited for many reasons. For starters I made it to the gym Mon, Tue, Wed and Thur of last week. There was a reason for not making it Fri but I have managed to forget what it was. Though I did do my work out routine at home in the evening. I was going to get up and go Sat but Randy thought that would be insane since we were going to be climbing/hiking Guy Peak that day. Guye Peak is an obstacle I had to over come. Let me take you back…

We joined a group called the Mountaineers back in 2007 and took their Alpine Scramble course. I was very new still to hiking as it was. This involved hiking in the snow. It was very intense. After learning first aid, all about gear and making it up Cowboy Mt. (Stevens Pass). Then they take you to Snoqualmie Pass and separate everyone into 3 groups. Easy, moderate and difficult (which Randy was in of course). I was put in to the easy group which was all girls. We would be going up Guye Peak. I had been stressed and was not off to a good start as it was. Our leader, I shall call him Subaru (that’s all I can come up with for him) seemed to have it in for me from the start. We hiked up in the snow which was very steep. You have to stop constantly to navigate with your map and compass. I was always the slowest, as I said I was still new to hiking. My legs hurt a lot and it seemed every time I caught up with the group, they had stopped for a break but as soon as I got there they would start moving again. Close to the top we stopped in a clearing and practiced ice axe arrests. These are very stressful. You pretty much throw yourself down a hill and stop yourself with the ice axe. You do this many times, with out your backpack on, sitting, lying down, head first and backwards. Then you do it all over again with your pack on! I wasn’t doing as well has I had before. As I mentioned Mr. Subaru was picking on me, and no I am not just as baby as you will read later on. By the time we were almost on the top I was very weak, oh by the way I am afraid of heights. We came to an area where you have to climb a rock, which was wet and at an angle that would send you flying down a cliff. I attempted this 3 times and gave up; I started having a panic attack. The rest of the group continued on and I was left going back down with Mr. Subaru. He be littled me all the way down. Asking why I was there if I was afraid of heights, I am not cut of for this stuff, bluh bluh bluh. I vowed never to return to Guye Peak since I was not capable.

Randy thought I was being too sensitive that Mr. Subaru cant possible be like that. Then our last get together in the class he was walking around looking lonely while everyone else mingled. I felt bad and thought maybe he is just a geek and has no friends. I suggested we go talk to him about one of the scrambles he would be leading. The first thing out of his mouth was that I would not be able to do any if “HIS” scrambles. He said a few other things but I can’t remember them. After we were done Randy realized I was correct about the man. Either he hates brunettes or I reminded him of a woman who hurt him or maybe he just doesn’t like the weak trying to overcome their fears. I don’t know and probably never will.

About a year ago Randy and I attempted this Mt of fear in the snow. He felt I needed to overcome it. Every time we would drive by it on the way to some other hike I would feel panicky just looking at it. We didn’t make it very, it was very steep and we came across an area that had had an avalanche not long ago. But it was a fun trip.

THEN…

This weekend we went back. No snow of course. We made it! 2 hours up and 1 hr 40 mins back down. I can’t remember the elevation, never been very good at that but it was still very steep. Randy told me he was proud and impressed with me. I love it when he says that! :)

Here are some picture, enjoy:

This is me doing an ice axe arrest on Cowboy Mt.


I made it to the top of Cowboy!


This is the only pic of my Guye Peak group. I am in the middle.


And on to this last weekend. Can you see the top?


This is my explaning what the rock looked like on that frightful day.


This bird took bread from my hand and on top of my boot.

The bottom. I just found out we were at 5000 elv.


Me! :)


Us! :)



Me, eating lunch.

Been stuck

I have not posted in a while because I have felt defeated. I hate it when I am doing SO well then it all seems for nothing. The whole month of July was a waste. A few times now I have been a pound away from finally getting my 10% award from WW. But now I have to work even harder because during the month of July I put on a few pounds I already lost. Of course there have been a lot of changes so I don’t know which one has done the damage. Here is my list of changes:

1. Quit smoking (again)
2. Changed my meals a little by adding more to breakfast
3. Changed my workout routine, could be muscle gain
4. And of course (the end of the month is my favorite time of the month
could be bloating.
5. Camping, we have gone camping a couple of times. Could be the smores.

All I can do is keep on going. I know it takes 4-6 weeks for your body to acknowledge when you have changed things. I am noticing my body changing though. Even my fiancée said that my body is getting harder and to keep up with what ever I am doing because it is working. I really need to stop letting the scale get to me.

I will say that I wanted to wait till I got to my goal to quit smoking. Yes I know that is a bad thing to say. But every time I quit I put on 10 pounds and I am very scared. If I was to my goal at least I would be able to monitor the weight but as it is I have to worry about what I have to loose plus not putting on the extra. Anyways, just wanted to get that off my chest. It was my fiancés idea to quit. It was not a pretty first week either  we just about killed each other.

I just noticed its more then a few pounds. Here is my weight in’s for the last couple of months (I really like lists):

6/9 147 total: 12.8
6/16 145.8 total: 14
6/26 146 total: 13.8
7/7 147 total: 12.2
7/14 145 total: 14.8
7/28 150.2 total 9.6

I need to loose a total of 15 pounds to get to 10% and as you can see I was close 2 times. How frustrating is that?? VERY. Maybe I am just stuck in the 140’s for a couple of months. I can see that happening since I did the same in the 150’s, up and down, up and down, over and over again. I even cried last week after weigh in at WW (at home of course). When I saw that I was back at 150.2 it was like someone punched me in my tum tum. I thought I was finally rid if the 150’s, thought I kicked them out the door. Not only was a looking forward to getting to my 10% by the beginning of August but I was hoping to get out of the “over weight” category. 141 is my max and I was so looking forward to that. I’ll just have to look foreword to it this month because I tell you what, I WANT IT!

Now I just need to think of an award to give myself. I am having a real hard time with this part. I am thinking that if I have something dangling in my face like that I might try a little harder.

I don’t have many followers but I am wondering what kind of awards other people give themselves??

Here are some new pictures of summer fun.


Randy showing Izzy how to shoot a 22. This is both mine and Izzy's first time shooting.

Izzy at the picnic table.

Me shooting our friend Nik's .40 Glock

Randy shoing Izzy how to shoot a 22.


Izzy shooting.


Our Dog Nikki, she is so sweet!


Me, getting ready to put up targets.


Our friend Aaron and our crazy dog Zane.


Randy and I walking back to camp.


Me, last Friday. Getting ready for the gym at 4:30am.

Lost

I have lost myself on the trail but have found a connecting trail. So here I go trekking again. Here's my story and I am sticking to it.

A few weeks ago I weighed in at my WW meeting and managed to gain 2lbs. This might not seem like suck a big deal but when you get up at 3:45am 5 days a week, it is. You feel like its all for nothing. Not to mention that it took you 14 weeks to lose 10.6lbs, it gets a little discouraging.

Then to top it off my fiance was informed they were shutting down his division. He has been there a year and was brought on to start and run his division on his own but now they decided its not the direction they want to go. He could stay but he would have to learn a whole new trade from scratch. But have no fear he has found a new job or I should say old job. He is going back to his previous job which happens to be where I work. It was scary for a moment because we thought we might have to post pone the wedding.

So whats gotten me back on the path you ask? Well, to tell you the truth it because I skipped out on my WW meeting last night. I felt that if the scale didn't show something good then I would be a disappointment to WW and myself. I felt very bad for not going. I have not missed a meeting since joining again. I was thinking before I fell asleep that if I did it once it will be to easy to do it again. I am not going to let that happen again unless I am VERY sick or something. If I can go to work I can go to my meeting.

This week I am going to focus on one day at a time.

The good news is most of my summer clothes are to big, bad news is we are on a strict budget. Good news, my thighs no longer rub together while walking, bad news I have not gotten them toned enough to not slap together while walking.

Another thing I have learned over the past couple of weeks is my weight has a zone of 3lbs. What do I mean? Here is an example:

One week I might range between 150-153 then lose a bit
Now it ranges between 149-152 lose a bit
then 148-151

Noticing this is a little encouraging. I feel like I am finally starting to understand my body. That is not always good, I have also noticed that I have a very wide upper back. See my sunburn pic below.

Speaking of pictures here are some that I finally for from my fiances side of the computer.

(This is me rock wall climbing)




(Me at the top)




(Izzy 6ft off the floor)



(Randy)






(Randy teaching Izzy how to ride her new bike)



(This is what heppens to you when you garden for 4 hrs and not able to reach all the way. No one was home to help with the sunscreen)



(Me on my bike)



(Randy and I)



(Izzy and I on the bike trail)

A BIG Thanks

First off I want to say Thank you to Jodi and Dawn for leaving such nice comments. You guys made my week, THANKS!

Lets see...Gym wise I did awesome. I went Wed, Thur, Fri, Mon and Tue (My weeks are Wed to Tue). I up'd my time a bit. I was getting up at 4am but between getting ready, eating my banana and driving a couple blocks to get there I wasn't starting my work out till 4:15am then ending at 4:55am. So now I am getting up at 3:45am and arriving there at 4am and still leaving at 4:55am of course if I am having a real good work out I will stay till 4:59am but that's pushing it. I have to leave the house no later then 5:35am for work so I tend to cut it real close. Luckily I work with all men and rarely see anyone else so I just wear jeans and t-shirts.

I use to just walk on the treadmill and do some time on the elliptical. I walked mainly because I was paranoid about running with other people around. I thought that:

1. I looked funny running (when Randy would go with me I would always ask him if my running looked ok).
2. I was making hella noise with my heavy self.
3. I felt to many body parts were swinging this way and that way and it was noticeable.

Now I do weird stuff on purpose and I don't care. Of course I am there so early it doesn't matter. Here is my latest routine. I change it every now and again.

Warm up
incline 6 speed 3.3, 1 min
incline 8 speed 3.3, 1 min
incline 10 speed 3.3, 1 min
incline 12 speed 3.3, 1 min
incline 15 speed 3.3, 1 min

After my warm up is when it gets weird
Decline to 12 speed 3.8, 1 min I stretch my legs so I am working my butt (at every 12)
Decline to 10 speed 3.8, 1 min I do a strange circle motion with my legs (at every 10)
Decline to 8 speed 3.8, 1 min just a normal walk
Delcine to -2.0 speed 6.2 I run for 1 min

Incline to 8 speed 3.8, 1 min catching my breath
Incline to to 10, 12 doing to same routine
Incline to 15 speed 4.2, 1 min I then run/jog/scoot or whatever you would call. Its a very hard one for me but makes me feel good.

So I do that over and over till its time to go. I really think its making a huge difference. I can see the changes in my body. I even tried on my wedding dress again to see if it fit differently. It did, I can button all of the buttons, if I had hand that reached back there that is. I just need to do some toning in the middle.

I cant remember if I already wrote about my dress but its a size 4. I found it at my local Goodwill for $40. I couldn't pass it up. Its a brand new Issac Mizrahi. It doesn't fit like a 4 since I cant even fit in that size so I dont know whats up with their sizing. I will need to get some alterations done on it once I get to my goal weight. Dresses always seem to fit funny with me, they tend to be real lose in the belly area. I guess that's because I am pear shaped. I just found that out this week, lol.

This week I lost .4, that brings me to 149.2 total loss of 10.6. Once again I didn't mind that it was little. I'll take little ones over gains any day. I really hate saying 10.6 because its really more then that. Thats just from when I started over again.

I was told today that I have birth giving hips. If I hear that one more time in my life I think I will either scream or eat a cupcake. I am sure I wont hear it when I am in my 50's.

Tonight my daughter has a RC car race. We had to buy some new parts because the cheap one the car came with broke last time. Oh, I almost forgot Izzy had her first bike ride on a trail. We went from the wineries in Woodinville to Marymoore. About 10 miles round trip. It was a bit much but she kept saying lets go lets go. There was one close call. Her brakes are not that great. We got her a simple inexpensive bike from Target till she gets better. We came to a bike over pass and then the trail goes down. The bike trail runs along a river. So she is pushing real hard on her breaks but they are not working. She goes on the other side of the trail, over some rocks, and stops inches from some sticker bushes with the river right on the other side. Scary stuff.
She did very well till we were headed back. By then she was getting tired, making her weave all over the trail and getting in peoples way going the other direction. Most of them were cool about it, there was one guy who started swearing and telling her to stay on her side of the trail. Luckily she didn't hear him.

So that's my week in a nuts shell.

Random Excerises

Do they work? I have no idea. I randomly exercise through out the day. For example, every time I use the bathroom at work I do triceps dips and squats while I am there. And if know no one is around I will do some jumping jacks and some other things I can think of off the top of my head. I don't know if doing this kind of thing is worth it but it makes me feel good so I suppose it is worth it.

This week has been most excellent. I went to the gym last week Wed, Thur, Fri then This week I have gone everyday. Last Friday we went on a bike ride from Lake Forest Park to the Husky Stadium (I think that is about 20 miles round trip) then Sunday we went the same way but to Gas Works Park (25 Miles). So needless to say I feel fabulous this week.

Eating is going well also. I am still only cooking WW recipes, that is helping a lot on my weight loss. If you are doing WW and having a hard time like I was I suggest making a couple of WW recipes in the week.

I lost .4 this week, of course I blame that on stopping at Ivar's on our way back from Gas Works (I had fries). The lady who weighed me was too funny. She said "Oh you are down a little.....is that OK?" I said yes, thats great. It was weird that she asked me that, yes it was only .4 but it was something and it put me at 149.6 total of 10.2lbs gone plus I got a star. I think I was OK with that small amount because I am feeling so good lately.

Isn't amazing how working out really hard makes you feel? I am to the point that if I think I am going to miss a workout I start getting a little cranky. I did that last night. We were going to watch a movie but it didn't start till after 6pm and as you know (those who read my posts) I wake up very early to go to the gym. Randy ended up turning it off and announcing that we will finish it another night. I am sure that me getting up and getting things ready for the next day had nothing to do with it :)



Lets see, what else is going on this week.... Oh my ceiling at work is dripping all over my desk. My bosses solution was to put buckets on my desk and some of the guys went on the roof to scoop water off but the drip drip was still going on. Drove me nuts!

I know, my week is boring. I always have a ton of stuff I want to write but by the time I sit down to do it, I have already forgotten most of it.

My daughter the other day came up to me and said she needs to lose weight because her clothes are to tight and the kids at school tease her. This broke my heart. She is almost 8 just over 4ft tall and about 86 pds. She has always been a bit chubby, her dad is a big guy. Every time she mentions this kind of thing my answer to her is that she just needs to eat better, more healthy stuff like fruits and veggies. The problems is she eats good healthy stuff here at home with us then goes to her dads and eats junk. I have talked to him about this and even said that her doctor says she needs to eat better but he just says OK but doesn't actually do anything. I am at a loss with this one because I feel like she is just to young to have to worry about losing weight and that she is to young to even attempt to go on some kind of diet. But I am also worried about her health. Diabetes runs in my family and hers, get this, her dad has diabetes. Yes that's right, yet he still gives her chocolate chips as a snack. He is not a single dad so its not because he doesn't know what he is doing. I thought that when he got married that his wife would encourage better eating habits but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I guess I can only hope that by Randy and I continuing the life style we have will be a good enough example for her. Does anyone else have this kind of problem?

5 %

I finally got to my 5% YAY! I lost 1.2lbs which brings the tally to 9.4lbs.Took forever and I was close many times in my 12 week travels. Doesn't help when they write one thing in your book and another in their record. I should have gotten it last week since its a 8lbs loss to get me there and last week I was at 8.2lbs down but its all good at least I got it

My goal/challenge (and I do mean challenge because I always try to jump ahead) starting this week is to take small steps. No not on the treadmill silly, I'll never get anywhere then let alone a sweat going. Small steps as in focus on getting to my 5%, accomplished. Now my 10%, see where I am going with this? Yes that's right small step or tiny whatever floats your boat.

I tend to think to far ahead, like getting to my goal weight. Well if that seems to far away, especially when you are not sure what your goal weight is yet then you get discouraged. Which I have many times. Whats working for me lately you ask? Here are somethings I have started doing different in the last 3 weeks (my leader says when you do something new give it 6 weeks for your body to adjust, just a little FYI).

1. I increased my cardio at the gym to the point where I am sweating and I am smell myself (yes I know ewww). I don't know what most people burn I am sure its more then me but I aim for 350-400 cals.

2. I go to the gym at least 3 days but I can usually manage 4 days. When its a real good week I can squeeze in 5 days.

3. If you have been following, which would be just Barb I am sure. About 3 weeks ago I started weighing myself every morning. I know ALOT of people think this is bad and I am sure it is not a good thing for some people but it is working for me. Since starting this I have been losing and not because I stopped eating but because I know what I weigh that day and that I should NOT add 5 cookies to my menu.

4. I also am journaling/tracking full speed. I pre-write the dates (I have a 3 month journal), I don't know how this helps but it does. Its like since its written there I MUST write what I ate. I even have been tracking on the weekend which is a hard thing for me.

5. Most of my meals lately have been WW recipes. I think that has been a big help (yes I say that about all of my numbers) :)

I don't normally post what I eat only because I don't want someone breathing down my neck about how I am not getting this or that or you are getting to much of this or that. I am sure you get the picture. But here is a sample of what I eat. Minus the days I eat cookies of course :)

4/29/09
Breakfast - Cin. English Muffin 3pts (I lightly spray with I cant believe its not butter spray, and only on the days I go to the gym)

Snack - Fruit cup 1pt

Snack - Kellogg's Fiber something crackers 18 & Laughing Cow Light cheese wedge 3pts

Lunch - 2 pc turkey lunch meat and red. fat string cheese 1 2pt and carrots

Snack - Banana small 1pt (I know most fruit are 2pts but I tend to count them as 1 since I absolutely didn't get fat off of fruit)

Snack - Light Vin. Soy milk, little dash of chocolate protein and some frozen fruit 2pts (I share this with my daughter, actually she tries to steal it. It might be only 1pt but just incause I call it 2)

Dinner - Orange Ginger Chicken (WW Recipe) 5pts. I didn't eat but a few bites of the orange rice that goes with it, which would make it 7pts but I counted mine 5pts.

Wine - 2pts, I drink 1-3 a week depending on whats going on. This would be my first for the week.

Marshmallows - I snuck some while making my daughter coco 1 pts.

Snack - SF pudding 1pt

TOTAL: 21pts

When I don't go to the gym I have a banana for breakfast. I also take a multi-vitamin for all of you who are freaking out that I am not getting enough nutrients. Oh and vitamin c as well.

Here is my weigh ins for the week. This will be my last time posting them. Since it was kind of a test and I am sure people don't want to read how much I weigh everyday. I will how ever be posting my weekly weigh ins. So at least you have that to look forward to. Here ya go!

Wed 4/22 150.0
Thur 4/23 150.8
Fri 4/24 151.0
Sat 4/25 150.4
Sun 4/26 150.2
Mon 4/27 150.4
Tue 4/28 150.0 (AM and PM)
Wed 4/29 149.4

All in all it has been an awesome week for me. Saturday Randy, his BF and his wife went on a motorcycle ride to Anacortes. That was fun. Um, I think that's all the excitement that happened. Might be why it was such a good week, lol.

Later gator!

OH my calfs

I am still on my kick of weighing myself every morning. But I also up'd my workout at the gym to the point of sweating. I normally don't sweat like other people I see especially on the elliptical so I have been working 30 mins on the treadmill. I warm up for 2 mins then run for 2 mins then incline to 8, 10, 12, 15 each for a min (walking at speed of 3.8) back down and then repeat. Boy do I sweat! I then hit the elliptical for a 10 min cool down though I am still working a good pace. So I did that 3 days this week (remember my weeks are Wed to Tue). We then went on a hike on Saturday. We planned on going up Bandera Mt, a new one for us but there was snow blocking the road, 3 miles from the trail head. We decided to turn around and do Mt Si. We hike Mt. Si about 2-3 times a year and I hate going to the same place over and over but it was close. It is a 8 miles round trip hike and is used often for people training to climb BIG mountains. If fact there was a guy there that went up twice that day, once w/ a 65lb pack then a 40lb, he was training for Denali. What a brave man, then we saw a guy practically run up carrying his bike, yeah I know crazy! There was snow close to the top so that made it more of a workout.

Now, to the calf's. My leg muscles swell after hiking. No matter how much I work out at the gym, no matter how often I hike. They just seem to swell and stay that way for 2-3 days. It has taken me about 2 years to realize this and accept it. My calf's right now are has hard as a rock. Really.

I was very worried about weighing in this evening at my WW meeting but I pulled myself together and I am very glad I went. I went down 1.6lbs, I just hope I can keep it up.

Along with my new routine at the gym I am eating better. I am making A LOT of WW meals out of some of the cook books I have. They are very very yummy. My family has not complained to much, just when I over spice things.

OK, so regarding my last post about our venue. Randy called them last Friday and we arranged to meet them again Monday 4/21/09. We talked money then signed the contract. YEAH I finally can check that off my wedding list of things to do. It feels good to have that part done.

OK, OK I know everyone (the whole 2-3 people that read these) are dying to know what my daily weigh In's were. So here we go....

Wed 4/15 151.8
Thur 4/16 149.6
Fri 4/17 150.6
Sat 4/18 150.6
Sun 4/19 150.8 (see the swelling starting?)
Mon 4/20 152.4 (Bing bing bing there you have it)
Tue 4/21 AM 151.4
Tue 4/22 PM 151.2

I am on my 11th week at WW and I am finally down 8.2lbs. I am going to really focus on staying on track like I have been the last 2 weeks. I am also thinking about cutting out fake sugar, just thinking. I don't know how well I can do this because I use it in my coffee and tea. I will also be changing the way I view my journey. I want to focus more on getting fit, eating well and being happy with who I am not who I want to be or "Look Like".

To top off my post of the week I wanted to throw out a couple of comments I got this week. One was from a lady I have known for 10 years and she has seen me big and smaller (though not this small). She said I was looking good but I should not get any thinner. My face was starting to look shrunken. I thought this was strange only because I am still considered over weight. My other comment was from the lady who weighed me at my meeting tonight (bless her heart) said "Good job you are down, though I don't know where you put your weight! You don't look like you weigh that". I then informed her that it is all in my bottom half! :)

Good night all.

Frustration

I am starting to get frustrated with my Fiance. I did all the research on venues, put in the time and energy. We decided a few weeks ago on the Georgetown Ballroom and at that point the ball was in his court to talk to them. We are getting a little discount do to some resources but we don't know HOW much it will be until he calls them back to say "Yeah we are going with you guys". I keep stressing how important this step is, its the biggest as far as I am concerned. We need to get together with them to go over the amount and how much of a deposit we need. Every week I remind him and say just as long as you make contact this week. It doesn't help that he feels forking over hella dough just for one day is ridiculous. Which by the way our budget is $6,000 but because I am doing most of the work I know we can pull this off.

Anyways, I am hoping that announcing on my blog what a lame butt he is being maybe he will call them TODAY :)

(Oh by the way honey, our guest list has gone up) hehe

And the results are

Weird. If you read my last posting you know that I was experimenting this week and weighing myself every morning to find out what it is exactly my body is doing. I am on week 10 now (Weight Watchers, again) and I expected to be down a little more by now. I did very good until Easter. I had not had ANY Easter candy until then but it wasn't the Easter candy I had a problem with it was the actual food. I started eating and then that little voice popped in my head and said "Its OK have that extra roll and potatoes when is the next time you will get to eat like this". So I did I had that roll and potatoes and then some. I went to the gym once and that was Wednesday (my weeks are Wednesday to Tuesday). I was pretty lazy. So here are my results of weighing every morning, even though I weigh in at WW at night.

Tue 7th (PM) 153
Wed 8th (AM) 151.4
Thur 9th (AM) 150.2
Fri 10th (AM) 151.2
Sat 11th (AM) 150.2
Sun 12th (AM) 150.2
Mon 13th (AM) 153.2 (Easter dinner showing its face)
Mon 13th (PM) 156 (Thought I would really torture myself and weigh at night)
Tue 14th (AM) 154
Tue 14th (PM) 152.8 (WTF?? This is what it said at my WW weigh in, compare to the AM)
Wed 15th (AM) 151.8 (and for fun I checked this morning)

So from 159.4 to 152.8 (WW weigh in) in 10 weeks I have lost 6.6lbs. And that was what I put on in a month after I quit smoking in January, so I don't really count that.

I know I know, these days you are not suppose to focus on what you weigh but how you are eating and being active. But really, come on how many out there DO care and focus on that. I know I do and I am quite active compared to the average person. I also eat pretty well minus the sneaky bites.

I am at a loss on what to do now. I have tried eating ALL of my points including activity and extra. I have tried not eating all of them as well as adding more exercise and I just cant seem to figure out what my deal is. Maybe it is time to focus on toning where I am now and just call it good. But I don't want to. I am considered over weight still for my height of 5'3. That's not good enough for me.

All I can do is keep on trekking......

Whats up with me lately

I am a bit blue this week. The scale gods were crazy by the time I weighed in at my meeting I was up a pound. A WHOLE pound. I don't know how to put on of those weigh side chart things I have seen on other blogs on my page so here is the run down.

2001 through 2003 - 223lbs to 216lbs
2004 through 2005 - 175lbs to 165 lbs
2006 through 2008 - 165lbs to 149lbs
Part of 2008 a ranged from 149lbs to 170lbs (this is all off the top of my head, I am to lazy to go locate all my info)

Back to Weight Watchers (I quit in 2007)

2/10/09 159.4
2/17/09 156.2
2/24/09 152.4
3/3/09 152.2
3/10/09 151.8
3/17/09 153.8
3/24/09 151.6
3/31/09 152.0
4/7/09 153.0

I always get stuck when I get close to 149lbs. I dip there then my body says "SIKE" and a put on a pound or 2. I have been very good with my points, tracking and exercise. I went to the gym 3 days last week plus a 20 mile bike ride this last Saturday. We are having a 8 week challenge at my WW meeting which is now 7 weeks away. I have chosen my 10% as my goal which is 15 lbs from my start weight. You would think it wouldn't be to hard considering I only have 8.6 to go, of course it would be closer if I didn't magically put on 1lb this last week. I think I am bloated so I guess its not to bad we shall just have to see. I also think I have been eating to many South Beach Smores Bars (OMG those are good). Maybe I should not eat 1 or 2 a day even if I have the points for them. So here is what I am doing this week. My little commitment to myself.

1. Be active at least 3 days (went to the gym this morning 2 more to go)

2. Drink less soda (diet)

3. No more South Beach Bars (Just to see what happens)

4. I want to weigh myself every morning (I know this could be bad but I want to be able to see exactly what is going on even if its just for a week)

5. Drink more water


Good news is I have not had ANY Easter candy, yet.
So check back next week and see what happened in Sam's Mountain.
I should have rock climbing picture up by then :)

The scale Gods must be crazy

I weigh myself on Fridays hoping that it will keep me in check over the weekend, it usually works. So this morning I step on the scale and it claims 149.6, 3 times. So I was pretty chipper all day. Now I am just waiting for yesterday to catch up. I did a favor for a lady that works in my building and to pay be back she brought me the BIG Starbucks Chai Latte (which I love but never get the big big one) PLUS a piece of pumpkin bread. I looked it up and it was 6pts so that was my lunch. It actually filled me up till about 5pm.

I tend not to count points on drinks, yes I know bad me. I just think that since its liquid it shouldn't count. I don't normally drink anything with lots of calories or with regular sugar. I do not know if my weight loss would happen quicker if I counted them or not since I don't drink them often but oh well.

I don't count Friday weigh in since it is at home and not at my WW meeting but I am definitely looking forward to Tuesday, unless of course the Starbucks lunch catches up but we shall just have to wait and see.

Race Night

Last night was race night for Izzy and her mini cooper. She did awesome! It was her first race and first time driving on a track. Randy took her a few weeks back to check out the track but she didn't get to race, just practice. She has been practicing in an empty parking lot. The majority of people racing were grown men but luckily there was another boy and his father in the novice team. She was all over the place with her car it was too funny in a cute way. She pulled things we didn't know how she did them nor do I think she knew. An example, she was racing down a long straight section then at the end she went flying over the tubing of the track and then right back in. She did it so fast that you didn't even know what or how it happened. She also tends to get her car stuck on the tubing but that doesn't stop her she keeps on riding, along the tubing. While practicing she met a fellow racer that would use his car to help her when she would get stuck. All eyes were on her car, I think it was because she would do such crazy things. All in all it was a very good night. My son Wade even came to cheer his sister on. I'll post some pics in the next day or tow.

I knew we would not have time at home for dinner plus Izzy has been bugging us about how she NEVER gets to go to McDonald's. I was very careful of what I ate all day that way I would have enough points for a mini meal. That's the only bad thing I had for the day but it was also soo good because I never eat my own fries. I always take one or two from someone else, just so I don't feel deprived.

So let me tell you about the dream I had last night. Very bizarre. Randy and I were in some big warehouse with a bunch of bakers. We were tasting cupcakes for the wedding. Then my scenery changes and we are at home with a thing of cupcakes on the table. Izzy is eating one, Randy is eating one. Wade was not in the room but I am sure he was eating one as well. I go into sneaky mode. Looking for a way to snatch one up and stuff it in my mouth. Randy disappears into the bathroom. And stuff is what I did. I am not kidding! I have never done this in life but in my dream I was over at the kitchen sink stuffing it in my mouth. I heard Randy come down the hallway so I take the rest of this delicious devilish cupcake and hide it under the dishes in the sink and pretend to be cleaning. LOL, I of course have frosting all over my face. Luckily I then woke up but I felt very guilty.

Anyone else out there want to share a weird food dream?

Working out pays

I lost this week! 2.2 though its what I gained the other week but at least its going in the good direction. My weeks start Wednesday and end Tuesday (my WW meetings are Tuesday nights) so lets see... I went to the gym Fri, Mon and Tue plus my little bike ride, when I mange to fit exercise in and I don't lose I feel like it was a waste. I know its not, as my leader says "At least you are getting exercise. We would whether have to gain a pound then not exercise". But of course that's not the case this week, thank goodness. I even started off this week with a good work out this morning at the gym. I hate to sweat but I have been making myself work hard enough to do it!

My eating for the last week was pretty good though I didn't track for 2 of the days. I bought a 3 month journal hoping that will make me commit to tracking EVERY day.

I had a very hard day at work yesterday. Back in Sept the Office Manager quit and I had to take on his job as well as mine. I was the Assistant to the Sales/Estimator Manager, my new title is Administrative Assistant. Funny how when you are a male you are the Office Manager and when you are a female you are an Assistant. Anyways, there was no training for me I was just thrown into it and everyone acts like I should know this stuff. I didn't of course. I never did accounting, P.O.'s or any of that kind of stuff before. I don't mind learning as I go but geez louise man how do you learn 3 different jobs plus still do the original one you were hired for at one time. I am just getting very frustrated with them, they of course are all male and I am the only female. Every one's problem is more important then the other persons problem, these guys are worse them women! I started here 2 years ago because my fiance Randy needed an assistant so I left my job of 9 years to come work in hell, and I am not exaggerating. He left for a better job last May (I think its was May), I am not going to complain about that cause he makes more money and is happier there, and well the more money he makes the more money in our pockets.

I am lucky enough to have a schedule that I like though. I work from 6am to 2pm (though it seems I never get to have a break). This way my daughter doesn't not need to be in daycare. I am able to leave work and pick her up when there is an early release and she can come to work with me. And this is why I stay here well and I get good money. If I left I would have to settle for about $2-3 less, work a normal schedule and she would have to be in daycare which would mean more money out of our pockets. Not good when you just bought a house and are planning a wedding. So I stay and blog about it! At least I didn't binge last night after my crazy day. One day at a time, that's what I keep telling myself.

I use to remember things very well and could handle chaotic environments but working here is just insane and will make you feel incompetent and you should be flipping burgers instead. I really wish I could tap my shoes together and be an Admin. Assistant for a place that has something to do with fashion or even something to do with the community. I know those are weird combos. I LOVE fashion and I LOVE helping people.

Whew I feel better after all that typing "complaining" about work, real stress reliever. Tonight we take Izzy to race her car at the track, hopefully she doesn't yell "I'm a horsey" and embarrass Randy again. LOL, I am use to kids doing silly things but he doesn't know how to handle it yet.

Happy hump day! :)

I made it, barely...

But I still have to make it to the bedroom after posting this. What is it that a have escaped from you might ask?

Binging, yes it was a close call. I was very hunger this afternoon when I got home and had a bowl of cereal telling myself that I will just have a little bit of chicken and veggies for dinner. Sounds good uh? Well it was but I also had a few bites of the pasta I made for everyone else. I also made Texas Toast but not thinking I made one for myself. So I had this extra piece floating around the kitchen and I tried to pass it off. Randy was no help he still had his piece to eat. My son already had a piece but said sure I will take it but then proceeded to feed it to the dogs. But I guess its better then me eating it.

Why the panic over 1 piece of bread? Let me explain what could have gone down..

Everyone is in their room. I am in the kitchen ALONE, washing dishes, cleaning the counters, putting the left over food away. I come upon the one piece of bread left untouched. I start thinking to myself that I didn't have any. I feel kind of unsatisfied so I eat it. I then start to feel bad but yet I feel like I need something sweet so I grab a 60 cal pudding. Then I go to bed feeling like crud, not understanding what my deal is.

What did happen?
I stood in the kitchen trying to get someone to eat the stupid bread. Dogs got lucky. Randy and my son stood there not understanding why I am freaking out over bread. they leave, I clean the kitchen. Make a cup of tea and here I am. Good right? Yes, I do feel good about that but I don't feel good that I am afraid of a piece of Texas Toast. How lame is that? I hope I am not alone.

Randy of course doesn't understand. While I am trying to stuff the bread down his throat he asked "If you don't/cant or want to eat it why cant you just leave it there"? Good question. I don't know. I think I have told myself NO for to long that it doesn't click that yes I can have this item of food if I can make it work with my program. Which is weird because I do allow myself things like 60 cal pudding, good granola bars and my weekend chai latte. So if I CAN have these things then why do I still feel deprived? I just don't understand. I am hoping maybe someone (other then Randy, yes you) out there has or is going through the same thing or maybe understand what I am trying to say. Sometimes what I want to say doesn't always come out the way I meant for it to.

After spell checking and previewing my post I noticed that all my breads (which just happened again) were actually spelled break. Could this be my unconscious side saying I need to give myself a break?? OR it could just be the lighting and the fact that some of the letters on the keyboard are rubbed off. :)

So now I will finish my yummy raspberry tea and then run for the bedroom :)
Goodnight!

Weekend Fly

Boy did the weekend fly by.

In reference to my last blog. I we did not go to the climbing gym on Friday and we did drink wine and watch a movie. We rented Australia which is a great movie, if you have not seen it you should.

Saturday Randy took his road bike back to the shop where we bought them a year ago. His was to small. He was lucky and they gave him some money back for his bike and helped him pick a new one out. It didn't rain Saturday so we rode 10 miles. I suck and said that's good lets go back. I enjoy riding but get a little scared I am going to fall. This is why I do not have clip in shoes yet.

Sunday we were going to go to the climbing gym but they were all booked up so we will reserve a spot next weekend. I have decided to start knitting. I bought the basic items but my book I bought doesn't help much so I guess I will have to find a web site.

I had a very awkward moment at the craft store. I didn't know what I was doing so I asked the lady in the same isle, she was a young hip looking Asian lady and she looked like she knew what she was doing. I said to her "Hi can I ask you something?" she shook her head and I said "Do you knit?" She shook her head and mumbled something under her breath. I don't know if she doesn't speak English and that's why she did that or maybe she thought I was some crazy wacko trying to solicit something to her or what. But I avoided that area till I knew she was gone. I felt very uncomfortable after that and most likely wont try to ask a fellow customer for help.

Oh and I am very happy to announce we have chosen our venue. We are going to have the ceremony and reception at The Georgetown Ballroom. I feel like a lot of the planning stress is lifted off my shoulders now. I can figure out the decor and start making them. I have a lot of ideas but I felt I could not get to excited about any one thing. The decor depends alot on where you have it, so I have learned. Some places don't allow candles, some don't allow balloons and so on. One great thing is it is right around the corner from my work so I can run over there anytime, well OK, when Jerry lets me. Jerry is the super cool owner of the GB.

Now its time to go get ready for Monday. Have a fabulous night!

Happy Friday!

It is finally Friday! And that is exactly how I felt all day. I wear many hats at work and it gets very frustrating. I would LOVE to curl up on the couch with a glass of wine and a movie. Randy on the other hand wants to go back to the climbing gym, I mean hello?? ITS FRIDAY! Hopefully I can talk him into going tomorrow instead. I will have to let everyone know who won that battle.

We tried talking my son into going but he insists that hanging from a rope is not his thing but at least we offered right? My daughter on the other hand is more then willing to try it. Of course the last time we tried to get her to go up the rock at REI she was all for it till it was time to put the rope on, lol. I am hoping by seeing us up there it will help her over come her fear.

I did pretty good on eating today. No sneaky bites and I even went to the gym this morning.

For the remainder of the afternoon I will be drinking tea and working on some more wedding favor boxes.

Until next time! :)

Wedding Favors

I didn't let the binge monster in the door today! I am taking one day at a time and if I must have something sweet I always keep Kashi bars or 60 calorie pudding in the house. I went with the Kashi bar today.

So instead of trying to feed the monster I finished 5 of 60-70 wedding favors that I am making. I wanted something different, something from the heart. I mean how many people take home wedding favors and think to themselves "What am I going to do with this"? Our friend Amy and her hubby gave out a CD with their wedding songs, that was cool but I didn't want to copy them. I also didn't want to give out something with our name and date all over it. That might be good for our parents but I don't think our friends want to display it in their house.

This is what I decided to do. I like to paint little wooden boxes. I have made a few for friends and they seemed to love them. Of course I get better the more I make them, which has not been lately. Randy thinks I should go one step further and make my own boxes but that is a bit to much work and we don't have a shop. Right now both of us are using our tiny dining room as the shop (he is building a glider).

Here are some pictures. Sorry if they are not that great. I had to use my cell phone since little miss Izzy dropped my camera.

I take a plain box like the one below and take off the latch, makes sanding and painting a lot easier. Sand it to make it nice and smooth. Wipe it off with a cotton cloth then a tack cloth. Then paint and seal it. The seal gives them a nice shine.

What are those on top you say? I am glad to asked. Those are mini chalkboards. We will write our names and date on them then the guests can wipe them off at home. This way they can have a keepsake that does not display our info but they can write whatever they want. Excuse the glue it is not dry yet.

I wish the pictures came out better. They really are nice looking. They are a mocha brown with splashes of green. We are going for a earthy outdoorsy type wedding. This is the back.

Another front view. I am attempting to do 3 every weekend but that has not worked out.

Its very hard to get them done when Izzy comes running up with a brush asking if she can help, lol. I did give her some other boxes to paint of her own which she enjoys painting. Then again she does have her mini cooper to keep her busy. which happens to be right next to her below.

It's Sabotage

Yes that's right I have sabotaged myself. Today was my weigh in at my WW meeting and I gained 2 pounds. I tend to stop tracking on Fridays and not continue till Monday. I really need to break that habit. So here is the list of reasons or excuses if you will for my 2 pound gain:

1. Secret eating
2. Going to the climbing gym (followed by)
3. Going to the regular gym Monday and Tuesday morning (followed by)
4. Working at home with my tiny hand weights before going to my meeting (followed by)
5. My muscles swell when I am at all active
6. Drinking way more tea then needed
7. And of course not keeping track of my points
8. All of the above

My friend that I go to meetings with also has a had time jounaling so this week we have vowed to check with each other everyday to make sure we are tracking. The only excuse I am going to let myself have is number 7, because number 1 would not have happened if I did and 2 thru 5 are just silly. Being active is better then not, correct? And as for number 6? I will just have to not drink 4 cups of tea from 3pm to 5:30pm on Tuesdays.

Orange time

I made it to the gym this morning. I haven't been going lately do to lack of sleep. I have found that if I make myself go even if I don't get to bed on time my immune system shuts down and if anyone near me is sick I will catch it.

I feel like I want to focus, really focus on being active this week. It most likely is the climbing gym's fault. We shall see if I drag my butt out the door tomorrow morning.

I ate pretty good so far today. But when I got home I was starving and when that happens I tend to secretly binge. Of course that's not a secret now since Randy knows I started blogging. I decided I would have a South Beach Diet Bar (2 pts) and an orange. I normally wait for my daughter to get home from school to have snack time but I was very very hungry. So I am sure you know what happened. Yes that's right, I ate 2 trader Joe cookies (3 pts). I know this is not bad but it could have been. I stopped myself before I could eat more, so I had my orange and no SB bar.

I have a hard time journaling. I tend to tell myself I will write it later but then I don't. That always turns out bad because I will snack to many times. I have learned I am a secret closet binge eater (kinda). I say kinda because it normally doesn't effect my weight by large amounts and I don't eat till I feel sick. What I do do is this:

Grab gold fish crackers. About half a handful. Eat them.
Decide that's not what I wanted.
Find something sweet, a cookie or SF pudding or a granola bar.
Um, still not quite right. Maybe a small bowl of cereal w/ soy milk.

This can go on for a bit till I realize what I am doing and find something else to keep me busy. I realize why I am doing this, there are 2 reasons:

A. Stress
B. I am missing something important during the day (food wise)

So here is what my day to day at work food plan looks like:

6am: English muffin or oatmeal (2-3pts)
9am Fruit cup (1pt)
10am Carrots and celery (0pts) w/ ff dressing (2pts)
12pm 3 slices of turkey lunch meat, string cheese, soup (3-4pts)
2-3pm depends on whats going. If I am being good I will eat just one item of food (3-4pts)
5-6pm Dinner. Usually chicken and veggies for me (5-6pts). And if I feel I have been good SF pudding (1pt).

Now I am sure this might look like an OK day but its not normal because I will sneak food, food I don't want people watching me eat. It might be all in my mind but if i sit down with something sweet (even if its low in pts/calories) and Randy is near by I feel like he is thinking "why is she eating that? Does she not care about getting fat, I thought she was trying to loose weight".

Yes, I know I have issues.

Today was different. I have my blog. So I am blogging instead of eating and it is making me have to stop and think "why am I doing this"? So WHY am I trying to binge this time? I feel hungry, can you believe that? LOL I feel hungry. No stress, no sadness or loneliness, just hungry. Did my orange satisfy me? Um that's a negative but I am sure a cup of tea will help.That is what I am going to go do.

Sit back, drink a cup of tea and read come blogs.

Rock Climbing

Today Randy and I went to a rock climbing gym. Boy did that kick my butt! It was hard for me mentally because I still see myself heavier not to mention with short legs. Does anyone else have this kind of issue? Its something I am having a hard time with. There is so much stuff out there that I don't think I can do because I just see myself as to big. I KNOW better but that part of me just doesn't want to give up. Its like having another personality. Telling you "What are you thinking? You cant climb, how are you going to pull your big ass up that wall? You cant wear heels you are going to break them. People are going to stare at you, why are going running:". Yes I know this is all mental and its something I will have to work through. I would say its low self esteem but I am way better then I use to be, then again maybe it is. In that case it is definitely something I need to work through because no matter how fit or smaller I get it will always be there.

My WW leader last week told us about a trip she took to California to visit some friends. She just had her first baby about a year ago and she was worried about hanging around the beach in her bathing suit. Her friends were both very fit people and they were self conscience as well. So there you have it no matter how fit you are you must learn to work through your metal issues you have with yourself.

I plan on continue the rock climbing because it was hella fun and lets face it, it burns TONS of calories. We of course forgot our camera so I have no pictures, which sucks cause I made it to the top a couple of times. Granted my instructor was telling me to stop having a fit and get to the top or he was not letting me down.

Hope everyone else is having a kick ass weekend!

Photos - Us

Thought I would post some pictures of my family. I don't know about you but when I am reading blogs I like to know who I am reading about. Call me a nosy goose! Some are a year old, haven't had time to put new pics on the computer.

Wade, Randy, Izzy and myself eating breakfast at our favorite local cafe.

Me and Randy on my 32nd birthday at Kells (Irish Pub)


See! I told you I caught the bouquet.


Our Rott/Shepherd Mix. Nikki, she is almost 2 years old.

Zane, our male lab mix. 3 Years old.

This is at the trail head. Barclay Lake.

I call this one the REI Picture. Izzy with all her gear. This was her first backpacking trip. 2.5 miles.

Randy's dad (71yrs), me, Randy and Izzy (7yrs). This was Randy's dad and Izzy first climb of Mt. Si.

Izzy on a rock at the top of Mt. Si. Of course when we got to the top it was foggy.

Izzys summit of Mt. Washington. This was a very hard one. Randy took us the wrong way and we went up the scramble route but she did it!

Ok, so I don't have many pictures of me at a heavier weight but here is one where I was about 185lbs. Also in this picture is Randy, his mom and moms cousin. At Leavenworth WA.

Here is another heavier on. About 180lbs. This is at Heather Lake and yes I am smoking.

Mini Cooper

So a couple months back Randy, my daughter (Izabelle aka Izzy) and I went to a indoor RC racing track and Izzy got all into it. Of course once we were back home both of them starting looking online and doing some research. Before I knew it we were down at the local hobbie shop and ended up coming home with a Mini Cooper RC for Izzy. Randy helped her put it together and had her practice driving it in a empty parking lot. She has gotten pretty good at it, wont let me drive it though, lol. She seems to think I will crash it.

Randy took her back to the track 2 weeks ago to find the place had shut down. You can imagine how disappointed she was. Seems that most of the tracks are disappearing. There use to be a couple 10 mins from where we live and this latest one was about a 45 min drive. Randy did some looking around online and found one in Tacoma which is an hour away. Lucky he found a web site and asked if there were any places he didn't know about. Turns out the place that shut down was now running out of a hanger about 15 mins away from home. Of course its on Wednesdays because the hanger gets rented out and is always booked. They got there last night about the time they were setting up. She got to drive it around and found another kid to crash cars with. Of course by the time the set up was done it was time for bed.

At that point you have to hear about how unfair it is. Its not really bedtime because its still light out. Don't even try to explain Daylights Saving to them. Any who how here is a couple of pics of Izzys cooper and her as well. (The Mini does not have stickers applied yet).

The beginning

My name is Samantha. I named my blog Sam's Mountain because life is like a Mountain, you have to climb and go through tough times to get where you want, in any aspect. I don't normally blog but I hear it does wonders for whatever type of life plan you are on and great for the soul. At this point I can use all the help I can get. I haven't done this before because I tend to ramble on and on about all kinds of things. So I thought I would give it a try and if I am doing something incorrect maybe someone will be kind enough to let me know. I am a shy kind of gal and the thought of blogging makes me nervous but if you don't grab life by the balls (can you say balls??) what kind of life are you living? My day to day life is quite busy so I might not blog everyday but I sometimes have to vent just like everyone else. So I hope that is OK. I guess I am going to use this kind of like a journal. I am no good at using a paper journal or I would do that and spare the world of my boring life, lol. See, this is what I am talking about, how I tend to ramble on and on about nothingness (is that a word?? I hope so cause I am going to use it). So that that said here is a bit about me.

I am a 32 years old mother of 2 kids, my son is 16 and my daughter is 7. Yes, I know I had my son at a young age, I was there after all and don't need anyone pointing that out to me. Even though I have 2 of my own I can feel my clock a ticking. My Fiance would like one of his own. I don't mind having more but at the same time I am enjoying life and don't know if I want to go through that stage again. Then there is the fact that I am working so hard to get to my goal weight that I don't want to screw it all up. That might seem selfish to some people but if you have been working so hard for so long wouldn't you be selfish as well??


Randy proposed on Christmas 2008. We had gone to a friends wedding is Sept. and I of course caught her bouquet. We choose March 13th 2010 as our wedding date. Its the month we met and the closest weekend to the date. We are paying for the wedding ourselves so that's why its in 2010. He would like to get married on top of a mountain but not many of our loved ones would be able to or want to make it. I have been waiting a what feels like a life time for my man in shining armor and want my moment that most girls grow up wanting. I am a little wacky and a little different but I still want to be "The Bride".

I have been on the "diet planet" since my early 20's. When I think back to that time I cant believe I thought I was overweight. I must have been around 130lbs (I am 5'3) and I always wore skirts and BIG shirts to hide my body. I didn't wear or own jeans till my late 20's. In 1999 a co-worker and close friend started Weight Watchers and it was working so I had her buy me the kit and I did it on my own. I lost 15 pounds then found out I was pregnant with my daughter. I was very careful with my weight gain with her. I was 175lbs and topped off at 216 in the end. Of course I continued to gain after wards. It wasn't till her first Christmas that I noticed, it was a picture of me holding her on my hip by the tree. It was a complete shock to me. Even though I have always struggled with weight issues, it was just a bit to much from me. At my heaviest weight 230lbs it was time to get a handle of myself. I started walking and eating better. I even joined Curves. By summer of 2002 I had only gone down to 223lbs. I wasn't getting the results I wanted so I quit Curves and started going to WW meetings. I figured I could always walk and exercise at home.


By Summer 2003 I was down to 175lbs. March 2004 when I met my Fiance Randy on Match.com I weighed as much as he did 165lbs. Of course I was happy and indulged in Strawberry pancakes with whip cream and all alongside him. Every weekend we would do this. It was soo bad yet soo good. By Fall of 2004 I was 185lbs. We joined a gym. I wanted to get smaller and he wanted to get bigger. Its a bit fuzzy from there. I know I went up and down alot. We started doing a lot of hiking and snowboarding which I never did before so I am sure my body was confused.


End of 2006 I got to 154lbs my lowest that I could remember since my early 20's. Then 1/07 we joined a group called Mountaineers and took their Alpine Scramble course. Randy likes to eat a big hardy meal the night before a scramble then of course after wards the group wants to go out for pizza. Combine that with trail mix and you have a 21lbs gain. So by the summer I was up to 175lbs. Yes I was active but tell my brain that and all it sees is the scale and the fact that some of my clothes are not fitting the same. OK, this is taking longer then I thought so I am going to shorten this year. It took till 1/08 to get down to 171lbs. I took a look at what I was eating and cut my calories a little bit and was more careful with what I was eating when we were hiking/backpacking. It starting working and by 6/08 I was down to 165lbs.


The end of July 2008 I stuck to my guns and added more time at the gym. Because I go in the late afternoon with Randy all he focuses on is upper body and by the time we are done with that I don't have time for my lower half, which lets face it, its what needs the work. I normally get up at 4am and spend 25-30 mins doing cardio on the treadmill or elliptical then I rotate days between legs and abs. Now mind you this doesn't always happen because face it if it did I would already be fit and at goal. I start work at 6am and get off at 2pm that way my daughter doesn't have to be in daycare. We do homework and chores. Make dinner then off to the gym at 5pm for upper body stuff. Then home to reheat dinner, baths and bed. I try to be in bed between 7:30 and 8pm. I do the morning thing cause its the only time available and I need it for me, its "My time". So as of today I am 151lbs. However every 8-10 pounds I plateau and that's what I am having to work through now. When Winter hit I starting running with my dog so I wouldn't have to wait for the car to heat up to go to the gym but now its WAY to cold to run.

The start of 2009 we quit smoking and by Feb. I was up to 159.4lbs. I talked my maid of honor into going to WW meetings with me but it would have to be when we got back from Vegas (my sister lives there). Of course we thought we could play the "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" game and smoke while we were there, didnt work. When we got back my MOH and I started WW's again on 2/10/09. As of today I have lost 7.6 of what I gained. Now here is there tickler. I quit smoking tomorrow and am afraid that I will gain again. So stay tunes and maybe some of you can give me some tips.

Oh and for those of you who made it through all of my babble and are curious about my once skinny man who wanted to get bigger. He made it to 200lbs (if you remember he was 165) he cont to gain muscle but of course came the weight. When he gets stressed he doesn't eat like he needs to and will lose but then start putting on fat. LOL so not only do I deal with my issues I have to listen to his. He says he is skinny but fat. I think he looks great though. Enough said for now. I sure hope someone made it through my blog. :) Thanks for listening and I hope to cont. blogging and reading all the great blogs of others. Oh boy am I nervous about posting my blog but here I go! :)