Day 26 - I Haven't Died!

I hate when I go so long without being on here, checking up on my blog, reading other people's blogs, checking the forums, getting inspired, being inspirational (not really - but I'm working on that one).

I just get so busy on the weekends. And if I can fit in work, school, social life, healthy eating and exercise on these days, I just have to accept that something will be sacrificed. And it's usually my computer/TV time.  Oh well!

So, to be completely honest... I haven't actually been as fantastic as I normally am. Generally, I eat between 1200-1350 calories a day. Well! Yesterday friends from out of town came to visit, and we went to Logan's steakhouse. And I HAD to have a roll. I HAD TO. I mean... I didn't have to. But who are we kidding? I had to. So that's a whopping 227 calories! Ahh! Before I even started eating. Luckily though, after one, I reigned in my crazy. But then we had a huge nacho appetizer and that was pretty much all bad too. Long story short... I still managed to finish my day around 211 calories over budget. (My max to lose 2lbs/week is 1511 calories) So yeah. And then the night before I got a wild hair and decided to drink a little. And by a little I mean like... 600 calories worth of Rum/Guinness. I'm a dark beer girl, all the way. Oh, and not together, of course. But I ate like a saint the whole day and ended 24cals over my budget. Not too bad, considering.

Okay... I feel better now that I've confessed all that. haha That's a weird kind of therapy.

Now we'll see if that has any effect on Tuesdaaaaaaaay!

I have also made an official switch from skim milk to almond milk. I'm buying Blue Diamond Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk. I had to go to a Fresh Market to find it because none of the grocery stores close to me had it. But it's very tasty. It's only 40 calories for a whole cup. It has 2carbs and only 3.5g of sugar! If I had to describe it... It'd say it tastes like the milk in the bottom of the bowl after you eat cereal. It's a little sweet and creamy. I like it. It's delicious in coffee and cereal. I haven't used it for much else yet. And bf doesn't seem to mind the change either. Horray!

I bought some strawberries on sale at the fresh market too. Along with some plain Greek yogurt (we use it as a substitute for sour cream), yummy new coffee, raspberries, and a brick of 90% cacao chocolate. I am a huge sucker for chocolate, especially the dark variety. I always read that dark chocolate is high in antioxidants. The reason I got 90% is because it's SO rich, and actually a little too bitter to eat more than a square at a time. So that solves my chocolate craving without sending me into a crazy chocolate binge... followed by a chocolate coma.

Enough about food! I am in super-homemaker-mode right now, so I'm probably going to cut this post a little short. I am currently decorating our bedroom... and without going in to crazy detail... I'm taking photos, editing them, then making 12x12 canvas prints to hang above our bed. I'm confident it'll be really neat when it's finished... but I have a coupon for 50% off the canvas prints and the coupon expires on the 31, which means I have some work to do. I have all but one photo taken and edited. When it's done I'll be sure to post it and let everyone see! (:

I would also just like to say how much I appreciate all the comments and feedback I got on my last post. I was driving myself crazy and you guys really made me stop and realize how silly I was being. I was overreacting for sure. I'll be carb conscious, but I will NOT be stressing myself out like that again. It's just all around bad. I feel better about the skin thing too. So thank you, you're all wonderful (:

Here's to hard work and determination,

-E

Day 1: Admitting I have a problem

I’m going to skip the traditional introductions here and just jump right in. If you’re interested in learning a bit about me, I suggest the aptly titled “A little about me” tab at the top of this page.  (:

It seems to me my weight fluctuates in extremes. At my lowest adult weight, I was around 162. At my highest, 235. I’m 5′6 and have been since I was 18. According to that wonderful BMI chart, I have never been a healthy weight. And while I make no habits of doubting the great minds that designed it, I’m not sure I believe I should ever weigh only 114 pounds. But as I type this, I wonder if that’s not just another excuse.

My ultimate goal is to weigh around 150 pounds. I haven’t weighed myself in several weeks, so I’m not sure exactly how much I have to lose. But I do know it’s quite a bit and will take me a while. Starting tomorrow, or in a few days, I will begin weighing myself weekly. I just have to set a day of the week and time of day I can commit to.

I love lists, and feel most productive when I’m making them and adhering to them. This is a collection of reasons why I want to lose weight (including, but not limited to… I’m sure I’ll leave something out).

- I would like to avoid all the nasty diseases I will inevitably inherit if I remain unhealthy and overweight. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. Cancer may not be directly linked to obesity, but it runs rampant in my family, and the healthier I am, the better chances I feel I’ll have to avoid it.

- I want more energy. It really pains me to admit I’m 22 years old and I feel like an 80 year old woman sometimes.

- I want to see if losing weight has any effect on my asthma. At 19 I was diagnosed with adult-onset asthma. A complete shock to me. I would love to minimize my symptoms, if at all possible.

- I want to improve my upper gi health. I’ve been on acid reflux medication for several years and the only times I remember not needing it is when I weighed less.

- I want to be lean, fit, and flexible. I want to appear strong, not marshmallowy.

Now for the less noble, but equally important reasons…

- I have noticed I have two “go-to” pairs of jeans. There’s no two ways about it… they are my fat jeans. I want to be able to comfortably and confidently wear ALL the jeans in my closet, even the tight ones.

- I want to shop where ever I want. I don’t care if it sounds shallow, I want to shop at the stores that stop at size 12. And I want to choose clothes based on how they look, not always how they look/fit.

- I want the first thing I assume people notice to not be my weight. I don’t want to be described as “the bigger one” anymore.

- I don’t want to avoid having my picture taken anymore

- To be able to wear shorts confidently

- To be able to wear a swim suit confidently

- To be able to feel comfortable, instead of bloated and big all the time

- To feel sexy taking a bath or sitting in a hot tub.

- So I can finally get a short haircut and not worry whether my head will look like a giant melon.

- To be able to sit with my legs crossed for long periods of time

- To be able to walk in heels for long periods of time

- So people believe I am the intelligent, capable person I know I am, and not someone who is fat and unhealthy and unable to take care of herself.

- To simply feel good about myself.

- And finally, to be able to tell people I was there once, and that they can lose the weight too. I want to be an inspiration to others.

Alright! I feel like I’ve written a book.

I’m not sure I like this layout, yet. The colors are kinda meh and I’m having issues with formatting.

I feel like this was a successful first post. My subsequent posts will be able food, weighing myself, fitness techniques I’m utilizing. This will be a place for accountability. And a place for new ideas to jump start my weight loss. I’ll see you all again very soon! Good luck, everyone.

Here's to hard work and determination,

-E