Wednesday Weigh-In: January 8, 2014

December 4, 2013 - 244.8
January 8, 2014 - 245.6

So not a loss, but not bad considering that I have not done a great job been terrible with my food for the last month.

I moved more stuff from my old office to my new office today.  One of these days, I'll get everything moved and figure out what I need to keep and what needs to get archived and what needs to go to the dumpster.  I am liking the bigger space and the window!

The Rogue had to go get an oil change and new brakes today.  Still love that vehicle!  Fun to drive, cute, sporty, lots more space than the old car, etc.

Today was yucky outside - 40s, drizzly with occasional rain.  So.... that meant no walk for me and Gus after work.  I was totally tempted to come home and sit on the couch all evening.  But I came home and changed like a good kid to go to the gym.  Once I got there, I decided I may as well get some miles in.  So I set the time on the dreadmill for 55 minutes and did intervals for nearly an hour.  I did spend most of the time walking, but got some jogging in. 

Here's hoping tomorrow evening is nicer!

Wednesday Weigh-in: 12/4/13

November 6 - 247.2
November 13 - 248.0
December 4 - 244.8

Down again - yay!

I had a job interview yesterday.  I am qualified, but I have no idea who else applied nor do I have any control over how any of their interviews go.  I would be lying if I said I wouldn't be disappointed if I am not chosen for the position, but I also have a firm belief that things usually work out the way they are supposed to.  If they find somebody better suited for the job, more power to them.  I'll be able to turn over some of those responsibilities that I've taken on over the last several months.  Anyway, I should know by the end of next week.

I took yesterday morning off from work so that I would not have to try to clear my mind from the details of working in the morning before my interview in the afternoon.  That gave me plenty of time to take Gus for a nice long wog down to the park.  It was a little humid but Gus was ready to go.  He is getting better and better about jogging my speed, rather than at an all-out sprint, so that is a definite bonus.  He even did pretty well when we came across a couple squirrels in the park.  I truly believe that my brain is getting trained!  I felt much more relaxed after the wog and my mind was clear.  I don't have to think about anything when I exercise, except putting one foot in front of the other, not tripping over Gus, and just breathing.  I think that was the perfect way to start my day.  Plus "exercise gives you endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy" (a favorite quote from Legally Blonde).  If I could just train myself to be a morning person, I could start out every day a little happier.  :)

After the wog, it was time for a shower and I still had plenty of time to straighten my hair.  I decided against wearing a collared shirt under my suit because it was so warm outside and I knew our office would be warm because the heat has been on for a couple weeks.  I knew the suit jacket would be warm enough.  Anyway, here is what I ended up looking like:

After the 5K last Thursday, I went Christmas decoration shopping in the garage and got out the strand of Christmas lights I bought last year in an effort to take Gus' photo based on a pinterest inspiration.  I decided to try again.  So I set up the camera on my tripod and got out plenty of treats.  Those things plus a tired dog made for much better pictures this year.

And here is Gus' four-legged "cousin" in the Santa sleigh that my mom made years ago for my grandparents' yard.  My brother must have somehow inherited it and repainted it for Coco.

Wednesday Weigh-In: 11/13/13

Not a great week. 

October 30 - 248.8
November 6 - 247.2
November 13 - 248.0

So I'm hovering around this plateau.  Need to get to the edge and leap over to start sliding down the scale again.

My poor puppy dog is a little limpy this week.  I had to give him some Vetprofen the other night.  I think part of it is the weather change - we've had a little cold spell this week and even had the first freeze of the fall. 

So we've been walking in the evenings.  I need to get a picture of us in all our reflective gear - my neon yellow shoes, my neon yellow jacket, Gus' GloDoggie collar, Gus' cool new reflective "bracelets" (they are reflective elastic bands that slide onto all 4 legs).  Apparently, it looks really cool when they catch the light from headlights going by.  I'm too close to him to see the reflective properties but as long as others can see him, that's the important part! 

Wednesday Weigh-In: 11/6/13

September 18 - 252.6
October 30 - 248.8
November 6 - 247.2

Still on a slow downward trend.

Gus and I woke up early again (three days in a row!) to go for a walk.  I really expected it to be raining this morning based on the forecast, but it wasn't so we risked the cloudy, overcast morning to walk down to the park and back.  We only went 1.33 miles this morning due to time constraints.  And just like yesterday, it started sprinkling just as we got home from our walk.

Day 6:  I am thankful to be an Aggie! 

I got to travel to College Station today to be part of a guest lecture for a spatial epidemiology class at the Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health, my alma mater.  I met up with a group of people from the state office, who were the other speakers.  We talked about the use of geographic information systems (GIS)/maps in public health practice.  My part was about how we did a community assessment after a wildfire in 2011. 

Before class, we met up at a truly unique Bryan/College Station burger joint, the Chicken Oil Company.  I had a cheeseburger and fries, because if you go to the Chicken Oil Company, you want to get  a burger.  Yum.

Then we went to campus.  There is just something about Texas A&M - feels like home.

At the School of Rural Public Health, I noticed some plaques on the walls.  When I looked closer, I found my name!  It's on the plaque with the list of students who have received the Dean's Award for Excellence in Public Health.  When I received that honor, I didn't know how long my public health career would be, but I'm 8 years into it so far!  Crazy to think.  Still need to figure out what I want to do when I grow up!

 

I didn't get a chance to spend any extra time in town because I had to get home to check on Gus. 

Wednesday Weigh-In: 10/30/2013

I'm back.  Still losing.... slowly, but surely.

September 4 - 257.8
September 18 - 252.6
October 30 - 248.8 

so much has happened in the last 6 weeks.

Gus and I went to Kansas to visit the fam the last weekend of September.  I went for my niece's baptism - her parents asked me to be her godmother, which is very cool.  Here's a pic of me and my dad at the baptism.

And here's one of my sisters and brother-in-law.  My sisters both got some fun palazzo pants to wear to the event - I'm tempted to get some for me! 

 

 

That Sunday afternoon, we helped our dad put up the walls for a new shed he is building to make beef jerky.  It'll be nice for him to have a new (cleaner) space for him to work on his hobby!

 

 

I spent the second week of October in Galveston for a work meeting and preparedness symposium.  Our hotel was right on the Galveston Seawall, which was awesome!  And it was within walking distance of the convention center and Kroger.  The conference was really interesting and I got to catch up with some colleagues from around the state.  I also took advantage of the longest continuous sidewalk in the United States, the Seawall sidewalk, which is supposed to be something like 10 miles long.  I walked and jogged most of the mornings I was there, even doing a 5K one morning!  I'm so glad it's finally cool enough to get outside to walk and jog - it's so much better than the dreadmill!  Prerun selfie at sunrise!  It was a little breezy off the Gulf that morning --- and definitely humid.  I even forgot my iPod one day and just listened to the waves while I wogged.

 

 

 

Last weekend, Gus and I went to Fort Worth for the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering at the Fort Worth Stockyards.  We met up with my dad and my uncle.  My dad even got to ride in the chuckwagon train into the Stockyards.  We had a fun time hanging out.  I bought a couple fun things at the tradeshow - some more Scentsy stuff and another ear warmer. 

Here's a couple comparison pics for you:

 

July 2011

October 2013

 

And last but not least, I got a new desk at work!  I am actually able to sit up straight to type.  So much better for my back!

 



 





Wednesday Weigh-In: 9/18/2013

Minus 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks.  Not bad.

September 4 - 257.8
September 18 - 252.6

Lots of exercise... and probably more importantly, lots of counting calories.  My food scale and measuring cups have become good friends again over the last couple months.

I promised pictures so here goes:

Here are a few that I caught during one of our walks last weekend!  Gus seems to really be enjoying getting back out and heading to the park for a quick walk!

What church does this picture remind you of?

It makes me think of the Catholic church that I grew up going to most Sundays.  And even the inside has a similar feel, minus the huge mural at the front.  But it has the same type of arches and stations of the cross and textured walls.  I decided I better go to church since I am headed to Kansas for a baptism soon.  They changed many of the words to the mass service right as I was moving from Virginia to Texas, so even though I was part of choir in my church in VA, it's hard to relearn songs and prayers and sayings that I have known for 25 years.  I got a good comfortable feeling from this church that I didn't get from the other Catholic church that I visited in town.  So I will probably go back.  And then there is the coincidence that the gospel reading was the story of the shepherd looking for his lost sheep and the story of the prodigal son returning after a long absence.  Sometimes, it just feels like the story is meant for you...

Yesterday, I traveled to San Marcos for a meeting with some colleagues.  We met for lunch near the town square at a cute little restaurant called the Root Cellar Café.  I had tomato basil quiche and a salad for lunch.  Everybody else had a sandwich or wrap, but I like to pick something that I wouldn't/couldn't normally make at home on the rare occasion that I go out to eat.

And finally, my sister got me an awesome GoSport ID bracelet for my birthday last year.  I am always careful to make sure I wear it when I am walking Gus or doing a 5K.  But the Velcro is not sticking as well lately and I happened to 'win' a $10 gift certificate to GoSport ID from Earndit.com (a website that rewards working out and links to my bodymedia account).  So I ordered the variety pack of replacement bracelets, so I now have every color!  I also ordered another ID bracelet, but with a different type of band that will be better for when I start triathlon training.  AND I found these motivational bands that can be used with the new ID.  So I went over my $10 gift certificate but I got some cool stuff!

Wednesday Weigh-In: 9/4/2013

Lost 1 more pound this week - wish it was more, but 1 pound at a time.

July 1 - 271
July 31 - 271.4
August 7 - 265.6
August 16 - 261.4
August 21 - 261.4
August 28 - 258.8
September 4 - 257.8

Lots of gym time this week - still pretty stressed with work and home. 

My Aggies won the football game against Rice on Saturday.  They did not look great, especially on defense because over half of the starters were suspended for 1/2 - 2 games due to breaking Texas A&M rules.  And then, there's Johnny.  I do not get the media attention that he continues to get --- it's getting to the point of ridiculous when the game commentators miss an entire series of downs because they are voicing their opinions about what Johnny should do or what Coach Sumlin should do.  I read lots of articles about Johnny this week and the best one had the premise of what you think of Johnny Manziel says more about you than it says about him.  The brash, independent, impulsive player that we love to watch on the field cannot be expected to be a quiet, reserved, boring dude when he's not playing --- it just doesn't make sense.  Just my 2 cents on Aggie football this week.

I may get to take a trip to Kansas to visit the fam sometime this month, but no definite plans yet!

Wednesday Weigh-In: 8/28/2013

A little bit of movement on the scale this week.

July 1 - 271
July 31 - 271.4
August 7 - 265.6
August 16 - 261.4
August 21 - 261.4
August 28 - 258.8

Still not as much as I'd like, but at least the number is going down.

Yesterday was a state holiday, so I had a random Tuesday off!  Gus and I went for a walk down to the park when we woke up.  I really do need to start taking him for more walks but it is so hot even in the late evenings that I don't want to make him sick.  I also went to the gym yesterday, so yay me!

I also got a chance to go to the post office with some care packages I've been meaning to send for the last few weeks.

The big care package was for my adopted soldier.  It was a random assortment of things - books, magazines, batteries, laundry detergent, toiletries.  It's a nice change to have a female adopted soldier, because I can send her things I know I would like and magazines/books that I read. 

I also sent out some jump drives with photos and music on them to some family members.

And the small care package was for my cousin, who just moved into her first apartment for her 3rd year of college.  The card said "just wanted to send you a little bit of sunshine."

Anybody else notice that apparently this week is the first day of school for about a million of their fb friends' kids?  :)

Wednesday Weigh-In: 8/21/2013

Sometimes the numbers just don't add up... or in this case, subtract.

Despite having a calorie deficit of over 9000 calories since last Wednesday, this week's weight change was zero.  It should equate to 2.5ish pounds lost, but the scale did not agree this morning.  Maybe next week...I have to remember that I have lost 10 pounds this month.  I'll keep working at it.

July 1 - 271
July 31 - 271.4
August 7 - 265.6
August 16 - 261.4
August 21 - 261.4

Less than 2 weeks of the squat challenge left!  Today's number was 145 and I finished then all while I was waiting for Wednesday night  tv to start.

Short post because I don't have any fun pics to share today.

Weekly Weigh-in Update

Minus 10 pounds since July 31!! 

Lots of stress has led to lots of time at the gym in the last couple weeks.  Keeping up that brain training that I've been working on.  I have had my days where I want chocolate and carbs, but I have managed to keep my calorie intake under control and my calorie burn up!

July 1 - 271
July 31 - 271.4
August 7 - 265.6
August 16 - 261.4

I requested today off and gave my boss the reason of "for the sake of my sanity."  Like I said, lots of stress.

So this morning, Gus & I headed to the new dog park.  It was pretty warm, seeing as it is the middle of August in central Texas so we didn't stay long even though we were the only ones there.  Gus did chase his new soccer ball around the park and even brought it back to me, most of the times!  I took my camera but the battery was dead, so I'll have to try to get action shots next time.  Here's one I snapped with my phone.

This afternoon, I went to Target.  I have been trying to use coupons more, so I had my stack of coupons with me.  I needed a lot of toiletry stuff - shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, etc - and I happened to have coupons for a lot of those things.  I usually just get the cheapest or the store brand for many things like that, but if I have a coupon that makes it cheaper or balance out, I'll try something new or namebrand.  My original total was $72, but after coupons it was $56.  Not bad. 

We have made it more than halfway through the month-long squat challenge.  Legs and butt are feeling good, strong!

So my roommate got a puppy.  She is bringing him to live here next week.  It will be an adjustment.

And I foresee more time at the gym, because that is an added stressor no matter how you look at it, in addition to all the craziness going on at work.  So, moving forward with the train my brain plan.  :)

No Weigh July

In an effort to switch things up, I'm going to put away the scale for a month.  And make decisions based on how I feel and how my clothes fit. 

I weighed myself this morning.  That number is on my calendar.  No more weighing until the end of the month.

My friend still wants to do that triathlon.

The idea has totally grown on me. 

It's just very intimidating. 

And expensive?  I have no idea where to even begin when it comes to buying a bike.  Or a helmet.  Or other gear needed for this adventure...

Wednesday Weigh-In: 02/29/2012

Minus 1 pound this week.

Poor Gus is all SnuffleUffAGus right now.  There must be something blooming that he is allergic too.  Lots of Benadryl for the puppy dog.

I got my new camera in the mail today - super excited!  It's another Canon.  I need to get the battery charging so I can take some test shots before I head to Kansas for my sister's bridal shower this weekend!

I still have lots to do to get ready for the above-mentioned shower.  Lots of little projects, plus a couple big things.  I think we'll have fun though!

Here's Gus wearing a couple of the props for the "photo booth" we'll have at the shower.

Wednesday Weigh-In: 2/22/2012

Minus one-half  of one pound this week.  But a minus is always a positive thing.  (haha - I know I'm a nerd).

Gus and I have been walking a lot this week.  He is doing SO well with the hands-free leash!  He is not pulling nearly as much because he can't yank my waist like he can yank my arm.  He has a lot less "give" with this leash. 

All the invitations are ready for the bridal shower.  I need to mail the rest of them tomorrow.  And then, I need to spend some time this weekend figuring out props for the "photo booth" and bridal shower decor.

This was a fun article called Zombies:  Bad for Brains, Good for Workouts that I found the other day.  It makes me wish I had an iPhone or iPod touch! 

Wednesday Weigh-In: 2/15/2012

Minus 2 pounds the week ending 2/15/2012 - finally!!!  It's not much but maybe the scale is finally moving again!

I've been going to Zumba 1-2 times per week.

Gus and I have been training with the hands-free leash.  We're getting better.  He managed to drag me off the sidewalk once today because I wasn't prepared but I still think that having him pull at my waist is better than having him yank my arm.  And when we jog, he does great.  I need to start the Couch to 5K program again now.

Meeting my friend at Gym B at 5:45 a.m. tomorrow.  craziness.

Wednesday Weigh-In: 02/08/12

0 on the weight loss again this week.  I'm thinking of changing the day I weigh-in because Wednesday just doesn't seem to be working out for me.

So I have totally failed at the February Photo A Day challenge.  I did well for the first couple days, then the challenges got hard (like hands, a stranger) and I am unwilling to ask people to "pose" for pictures if I don't have a really good reason.  Oh wells.

The hands-free leash I talked about last week was delivered earlier this week.  Gus and I tried it out on Thursday and it seemed to work pretty well!  The only concerns I have are due to the length which will get longer as my waist/hips get smaller.  The leash is 6 feet long and the clip slides along the leash to fit around the waist, so since it has to go to from my waist to Gus' chin, he winds up pretty close to me.  So the concerns are these:
1. That if he darts in front of me, I will either kick him or fall/trip over him.
2. That if he stops to pee, he might end up peeing on my leg/shoes  (ga-ross)
We only jogged about a block and he did well with that.  I loved that I could swing both arms.  I still want to get a backpack for crazy dog so that he can carry my phones, keys, etc because it'll be harder to hang them with a carabiner on the leash because I don't want too much hanging on the leash and banging against my legs.  I'm planning to take him to a local trail tomorrow (if it's not too cold) so we'll test it out some more.  More feedback to follow.

I joined the other gym (I'll call it Gym B, and my original gym will be Gym A, not to be confused with the actual Gym X in Temple) last week.  $32/month.  I still have my Gym A membership.  I need to figure out which one is going to work better for me.  I only went to Gym B once last week for a non-class workout.  The elliptical machine next to my friend was open and it looked like the ones in my Va gym, so I told myself to try it out even though I haven't been on an elliptical machine in a while (because the ones at Gym A are a different brand and there is something about the set up or the stride or something that makes them super hard for me to even balance on).  I set a goal of 20 minutes even though the time on the program automatically set to 60 minutes.  When I got to 20, I decided to try to get to 30 minutes.  Then I wanted to meet the next .5 mile or the next mile or the next 5-minute mark.  I finished the whole 60 minutes plus a 5 minute cool-down!!  Yay me!  My calves could definitely feel it the next morning.

I also got a 15-class punch card to Zumba.  Here's hoping I don't lose it.  I guess that's my plan for Tuesday and Thursday evenings for the next several weeks.  Good for crosstraining, even though I'm still not sold on it.

One week until the See Spot Run 5K!

Wednesday Weigh-In: 02/01/2012

Minus 1 this week.

I've become a little obsessive about weighing myself, as in weighing myself 2-3 times a day.  So the scale is getting put in the cabinet until next Wednesday. 

I tried Zumba for the first time last night.  It's always intimidating to try something new, especially for a girl who was never an athlete in school and has zero rhythm. 

It makes me think of my first step aerobics class in Virginia, which I never would have gone to if not encouraged by a wonderful friend who went with me.  I had to get over my self-consciousness and embarrassment.  I couldn't keep up for the first month or so but I kept going back and eventually I figured it out and was one of the "veterans" in the class who could keep up with the instructor.

So back to Zumba.  I've been wanting to check out this new gym anyway so when one of my neighbors asked if I wanted to try out Zumba with her, I said sure.  There were definitely people in the class who have been doing it a while and know the routines.  There were other newbies like me.  There were parts where I was so confused by what was going on that I had to stop and regroup.  But I did NOT have to stop because I was tired or out of breath, so my cardio work has been working!!  I'm not sold on it but I enjoyed it and people have told me to try it a couple more times to see if it grows on me.  My neighbor asked if I wanted to go back tomorrow night.  I think I'll go.  It's $5 for each class or if I join the gym, I can get a pass for 15 classes for $30.  $2 per class sounds much more economical. 

I didn't get to do a tour of the gym while I was there last night but I did scope out the cardio equipment and they have rowing machines!  In my mind, I remember enjoying rowing when I was in high school.  My gym in Virginia had just gotten a rowing machine a couple months before I moved to Texas.  I was in horrible shape when I tried it then and it was super hard but I burned tons of calories, so I'd like to give it another shot and mix it up a bit.  That gym is $32/month and I don't have to lock into a contract so I think I'll try it for a month or two.  I'll probably hold onto my current gym membership for now until I figure out what's going to work best for me.  Maybe I can put in a suggestion for a rowing machine at my current gym and get the convenient hours along with the equipment I want!

This evening, Gus and I went for a walk with my neighbor and her daughter.  We walked a couple miles around the neighborhood.  My February fitness purchase is definitely going to be a hands-free jogging leash!  I hope it's worth the $25!

Here's what Gus is doing now.

Just over 2 weeks until the See Spot Run 5K in College Station and just under 2 months until my sister's wedding.

Wednesday Weigh-In: 01/25/12

Another 0 on the weight loss this week.

Not much exercise this week due to my sister's bachelorette party and bridesmaids dress shopping and the weather.  I know, I know.  No excuses.  I just didn't make the time to do the work.  And it showed in the absence of weight loss.

I'm thinking of changing gyms or perhaps just adding a second one.  My gym does not have classes or rowing machines or a pool.  The gym I'm going to look into has all those things, but also has very limited hours (and of course, the pool is only open in the summer).  So I think I'm going to go take a tour next week.  And I was invited to join one of my neighbors for a Zumba class on Tuesday, so I'm going to try it!!

My DVR is on the blink after the big thunderstorms yesterday.  I'm afraid it's fried and that everything I had recorded will be lost.  I have to remind myself that worse things can (and have) happened and many of those shows will have reruns or are available on demand or online.  The cable guy (or girl) is scheduled for Saturday from 5-7 p.m.  The funniest thing is that I keep reaching for the remote to fast forward through commercials because I hardly ever watch any live tv so I don't have to deal with commercials.  :)  And at least the cable and internet still work!  Last night, I went to bed with no tv. 

I had a training/meeting in Austin yesterday and got to see my grad school friend, Barbara!  We went to Pappasitos for dinner - 1/2 price fajitas.  So we shared beef fajitas and I brought home the leftovers for lunch today.  Yummy but definitely not in the normal food plan.

So I need to figure out how to get more protein.  I eat some chicken just about every day and I've incorporated more beans.  But for some reason, my protein percentage is still lower than I'd like it to be.  And my carbs percentage seems really high.  I know I have remember that I'm getting lots of fiber and good carbs, but I'd like to get the percentages to be a little more even.

The bachelorette party was fun!  We went to Pappasitos (that seems to be a theme this week) and then to several bars in the Stockyards.  It was a fun group of girls!