Step in the right direction

We ended up walking in the Karla's neighborhood instead of the park. We ended up doing about 20 mins. I did try to jog for a little while but did nothing near 90 secs. I am definitely need to build up to it but getting out and walking is a step in the right direction. I didn't do any post-its for Operation Beautiful. I think what I will do is write up a bunch and then when I see an opportunity I can just do it instead of taking the time to write the note time. I came home and made chicken. I used Light Poppyseed dressing with Caramelized Onions and some spices and it was delish. I have used it on fish before and it was also good. Still need to look at the recipes though...

Speaking of recipes do any of you watch Top Chef? I love watching it and this season they are in Las Vegas. I like the challenges and the unique menus they put together. I also have a crush on Tom Colicchio... there is just something about him. Anyways, hope you are all having a good week. Until next time...

XOXOX,

Operation Beautful

I have been wanting to do Operation Beautiful and so I did it for the first time last night. Danielle wanted tacos from a nearby restaurant so I stopped there on my way home. I put it on this ladies car on the driver side window. I saw her find the note and she looked puzzled then got in her car and then got on the phone. It said "You are beautiful! Inside and Out!" I should have taken a picture but I had to do it on the DL the first time LOL. Next time I will take a picture but I had to try it out first. Well...I didn't get in any activity yesterday but plan on doing the walk with Karla if she is available. If not I will be doing something for sure. On another note... I haven't been cooking very much since Dave has been gone. There is something about cooking for someone else and having them like what you prepare. It is incentive I guess. He could cook for me too so it was balanced. I need to start cooking more for myself. I took some chicken out to defrost for tonight. I have some cookbooks that are collecting dust so I should check them out. Until next time...

XOXOX,

P.S. Maybe I will do more Operation Beautiful on our walk tonight...

Back to School Monday

I didn't wear my bodybugg so no screenshot for yesterday. I am ready to get back to business. I got a little wayward with food (Chinese and Mickey Ds) I hadn't had either of them in 9 months but why in the same weekend? Now that I got it out of the way I need to refocus on my goals. I have 1 more lb. to lose for Ang's Summer Challenge. I need to get serious about exercising. I am paying good money for a gym membership and not using it. Time is not an excuse. I have time. I just need to utilize my time better. The gym is open 24hrs a day. My bike has lights. NO EXCUSES!!

Hope you all have a fantastic week!

XOXOX,



P.S. This is my 200th post! Wowie!

Sunday Stuff

I went to church and to the program for my class this morning. Dave and I spent the afternoon together. I put some new plants on my porch and he helped me do 4 loads of laundry. What a nice guy huh? I really can't complain because the laundry is two doors down. It is the putting it away part that I dread but everything I own is clean right now and that is a great feeling!

So I had a Angus Beef Hamburger with Bacon at McDonald's for lunch today. It is the 1st fast food hamburger I have had this year. It was good. It was 790 calories! Can you believe that? I split medium fries with Dave and I felt like someone painted lard on my tongue. Blechh... but the burger was tasty. I really should have ordered better but it sounded good and I won't be having another one ANY time soon so it is over and done with.

My friend Karla are planning on walking on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I can ride my bike to her place and then we are going to Central Park (Shelley!) and walk there. There is a lake with ducks, a swim center and a library all connected. It is a great place to walk and it will be fun to have a walking buddy... Hope you all had a nice weekend. Until next time...

XOXOX,

No motivation

I don't have any motivation today. I had a headache last night and still had it this morning. I looked high and low for motrin and could not find any. I got some finally but they do make me sleepy so now I just want to talk a nap. I know I should be doing things but ugghh...

Had Chinese food last night from a new place that was super yummy. We had a Chinese restaurant close by and it closed and haven't been able to find a good place and this one even delivers. I also had another good NSV. My friend Big Joe has a Harley. I bet him before I could get on his bike and I couldn't. Well 51 lbs. later I could! He has saddle compartments that require you to step on a small foot stool and grab a metal bar and swing your leg over. Should have taken a picture! Graceful that I am... Anyways it felt good and our friends even applauded! Hope you are enjoying your day. Until next time...

XOXOX,

The "Real" Friday

I had Scallops last night but they were paired with prosciutto which was funky tasting. Oh well... I got on the scale this morning and was still at 264. I am glad it was not a gain. I am not surprised though because of excess sodium consumption and lack of water consumption. I just suck at drinking water.

I have had some NSVs lately so I will focus on the positive. One of them was getting in the back seat of Danielle's car. One day we had gone to Home Depot and she had some plants in the front seat and I needed to sit in the back. Now granted the seat could not be pushed forward all the way but it should have been enough room for me to get in and it wasn't. Well the other day I was able to sit in back to allow our friend Judy in the front (recent knee surgery) and I slipped in and out easily this time. Also, Dave and I went out for Brunch last Sunday and it was really busy. They sat us at a table that was fairly close to the next table. In the past I would not have even tried squeezing through and just sat in the chair on the front side but I was able to slide (not squeeze) through and sit comfortably. The third recent NSV was finding some shoes that have not fit in a few years. I hung on to them because they were expensive shoes and I am glad I did because now I can wear them again! Yay!

I don't have any concrete plans for tomorrow. Zumba is at 11:00 a.m. at the gym. I have only done one class at the gym but I do have the DVD at home. Otherwise I think I will get some stuff done around my place and enjoy one of the last days of summer. Hope you all have a nice weekend. Until next time...

XOXOX,

Thought it was Friday...

Had a tostada and taco for dinner so that is why there is a smaller deficit. I woke up today and thought it was Friday! Ughh! Do you ever do that? I am going to my see my mom tonight so Fish Market here we come. I am actually starting to get sick of going there but it is healthy and there are LOTS of choices. I will have to look at having something entirely different tonight. Why is it that I can't get my butt in gear and exercise more. I have been pretty lax since coming back from the cruise. I do get walking in and the occasional bike ride but that is about it. Why do I keep saying I am going to do something about it and I don't. I just have to DO IT!!! Whooowaaa! So far I don't have plans for Saturday so it would be a good day to make out a plan for C25K and go to the gym. I think there is a Zumba class at 10:00 a.m. that I can do.

XOXOX,

Just Another Hump Day

I did well yesterday. I didn't really eat much dinner so hence the deficit. My mom passed her driving test! Woohoo! She is good until October now. The next hurdle will be her passing their vision requirement. I am just super happy she passed. I need to pick a day to start the C25K. I need to download the program to my iPod. I may enlist Debby to do it with me. We will see. Until next time...

XOXOX,

Lovely Blog Award!

Thank you 266! You made my day!

Now I need to choose 15 other Blogs I love... Not an easy task because I love them all but here is my list in alpha order:

A Daunting Tale of Scale Warfare

Actual Scale

Carb Tripper (Ann)
Changes (Susan)

Down with Fat (Lucrecia)

Eat Sleep Get Fit (Dana)

Fat Daddy (Sorry dude but dig your blog!)
Keep Me Accountable (Jenny)

Kim's Bodybugg Weight Loss Journey (Kim)
Laurie's Journey to Better Health

Melanie's Monday (Melanie)
My life and My Journey (Christy)
No to the Duece (Amy H.)

To the Best of My Ability (Dana)

Will Write for Food (Lesley)

I am grateful for all the blogs I read. I never knew 8 months ago that there was such a wonderful community of people out there. You have all have become an intergral part of my journey.

XOXOX,

This and that

Decent deficit for yesterday. 25 mins of activity.

My mom called me Sunday morning (I was at church) and she asked me if I could come over and help her study for her written DMV test. I was with Dave and was not able to. I told her I would come over Monday after work. Her response was "if that is what I have to settle for..." I was upset by her comment and I think that is why I chose to drink in excess Sunday. I am perfectly happy with a glass of wine or two... drinking 4 beers and two shots is a binge. Not good. I have been a little looser about my alcohol lately and that is not good either. Physically, mentally or calorie wise. So... I went over there last night and it was a little tense at first but it was okay. We went to the Fish Market (go figure) and I had Mahi Mahi. We got back to her house and I tutored her and she said she felt much better. She did really well and I am just hoping she can do okay tomorrow. Part of it is anxiety which happens to everyone but with the added memory and vision issues it is compounded. Interesting fact: She has never been in an accident or had a ticket ever and she is 76.

I have been spending a lot of time on the computer lately. I need to schedule time to exercise and stick to a plan. I need to make sure I take care of myself. I need to use my time more wisely. It is the little steps that lead to bigger steps and little changes lead to more changes. I think that is why the C25K program would be good for me. It is achievable and thousands of people have been able to accomplish it. A 5K is on my list of reasons why I want to lose weight (at bottom of page) so I could mark it off the list. I will lose quicker with bigger deficits. I will increase my flexibility and strength. It will help with my health issues. I will have more energy. ALL GOOD THINGS!! So now that I have written it down I am putting it out to the Universe, God and you all. Anyone wanna join me? Until next time...

XOXOX,

Too much fun

Well I never got on my bike last night. After I dropped Dave off, I went over to the bar. It was fun! We laughed so hard my stomach hurt and I had tears running down my face. I ended up drinking 4 Corona's and a few shots of Strawberry Pucker. I feel pukey today. Why do I do that to myself? I am bloated like a big dog because I add lime and salt to my beers. I will be drinking LOTS of water today and I do have my bugg on so it is back to business today. I am going to my moms tonight to help her study for her DMV test.

On another note, I am thinking about doing the C25K program. I have always said I am not a runner but it would be a great challenge and I have seen how successful others have been at it so it's worth a shot right?

XOXOX,

Lazy Summer Sunday

Not wearing my bugg again today. It is a lazy summer day today and it feels good. Doing fine with food. I just need to recharge mentally to tackle some things on the horizon which I will write about soon. Note to self: Exercising would be a good source of stress release.

Went to church this morning and it was nice to be there. I missed a few Sundays in July. It was name tag Sunday which is always a bonus. I love name tag Sunday! Went to class at Salvation Army and got to spend time with Dave. Got a short walk in. Hope you are enjoying your day! Until next time...

XOXOX,

Up way early

I did not wear my bugg today. I was up at 6:00 a.m. and to Deb's by 7:00. We had a great day and met some really nice people. I met a lady named Sylvia and she lost 247 lbs!!! She did it with WW and exercise. We totally bonded and she said has clothes that will fit me soon so she said I can come over and go through them and she lives around the corner from my mom's. We also met another couple that work with Y.S.I. which is the Youth Science Institute. They teach young children about Science through the local parks and they accept donated items for fund raising so we can give them our leftover items after the next Garage sale. Sweet! I am definitely going to bed early tonight. Hope you are having a good weekend and thanks for all the comments yesterday. You guys made my day! Until next time...

XOXOX,

I have lost 51 lbs!!!

I can't tell you how happy I am today! Woowhoo! GO ME!!!!!

Okay, I am done. I want to relish the moment. It is nice to meet these milestones though as it helps remind me how far I have come but also how much farther I have to go. I will not be complacent. I WILL knock out the rest of the weight! I also measured myself and I have lost 26.5 inches! Wow...

Last night I got all the stuff ready to go down to the car for tomorrow. I may go through a few more boxes tonight to add to the pile. Very liberating!



My Smilestone outfit is an idea taken from Fat[Free]Me. I found a pair of jeans that don't quite fit (in closet) and I bought a new top that is snug so... I am looking forward to being able to wear them soon. More incentive to step it up.




Thanks for all your support and encouragement! I could not have done this without you all!

XOXOX,



P.S. I am leaving work early. My mom has to get an injection in her retina. Ughhh...

Rested

Here is a picture of my salmon from last night Jo. It was delish as expected. I didn't do anything last night but lay around. I do feel well rested and calmer today so that is good.

I watched a show on TLC called Truth be Told. It was upsetting to watch these people and how mere "stuff" had taken over there lives and homes. One of the featured people, Alfie, could not use his shower for 2 years because it was full of stuff. He would shower at his gym! I agonize about having too much stuff but these folks were out of control. Put it into perspective for me. I need to bust a** tonight since tomorrow is weigh in. I am hoping to get to the 50 lb. mark but we will see. Until next time...

XOXOX,

Katie on a Rampage

Had a good visit with my mom. We didn't get into any heavy duty conversation so that was a good thing. She has a cold and a cough so I think she was just tired. I had edamame and a Crab Louie for dinner. Yummers! Thanks for all your comments yesterday! I am glad I decided to write about it the phone wench. It made me feel better and you guys validated that I did the right thing so thank you.

I have a rant about Flirty Girl Fitness. They have the WORST customer service I have ever encountered. I won't bore you with all the gory details but I have had to make at least half a dozen phone calls and it is just lame. They told me they would send me the next two DVDs in the series and then I received an email indicating I was getting a refund of $50. When I contacted them it was only $30 to be refunded. I was supposed to be contacted by a supervisor. Never happened. I spent no less then an hour total on the phone with them and I am not a happy camper. You would think in this horrible economy that they would do whatever they could to retain customers but apparently they don't care. The stripper pole business must be booming I guess. As for tonight, I need to box/bag up all the crap for the garage sale. Debby plans on having another one in the fall so I can wait to purge my storage until later. I have a ton of laundry to do too. Making salmon for dinner (I love salmon!) If all goes well maybe I will do a workout DVD or hop on my bike for a few. I want to knock those 2 lbs. to the curb this week. Until next time...

XOXOX,

Cell Phones in the Bathroom

Did well on food yesterday. I was feeling stressed so that helps with the not eating part. I am going to my moms tonight to help her with some things and talk about some stuff.

I have been meaning to write about this for awhile. There is a lady in the office next to ours that likes to talk on her phone in the restroom and it annoys me to no end. I usually go about my "business" when I hear her on her phone. Sometimes I will try to make some "extra" noise to try and send a message that it is not cool. Well today I decided enough was enough. I went into the stall and slammed the door. I just asked her straight up "Can you please get off your phone?" She asked me why (as if it needs an explanation) and my response was "It is rude and unprofessional" and she hung up with the person. She then said "Well there is no sign saying "No cell phones in the restroom" I had thought about putting one up and my response was that most people know better and don't need a sign as a reminder. She then asked why no one has said anything to her before and I said because they didn't want to be rude or offensive but today I had just had enough! She then told me to be quiet and did not want to hear me anymore. I proceeded to ramble on some more about how it is a free country and I can say what I want... she then slammed out of the bathroom and I came out of the stall after she had left and washed up and went back to work. Until next time...

XOXOX,

Heavy Heart

As I mentioned before my mom is having memory issues. She is 76 years old. She wanted me to come over yesterday because she was having trouble balancing the checkbook and paying some bills. I told her no because I had other things planned and was just not in the mood. I of course felt guilty about it all day. I spoke to one of her doctors last week and he seems to think she is okay. He has not treated her for all that long and has referred us to her primary physician. She also has Macular Degeneration and one of her eyes is getting worse so she may not be able to drive much longer. Her eye doctor said she should limit her driving to familiar areas and to avoid the freeway. According to DMV she should not be driving but did grant her an extension until the end of this month. I love my mother with all my heart but it is challenging being in charge of her and me. We have been through A LOT together. She is a Breast Cancer survivor (2001) and had a Triple bypass with valve repair on her heart in 2007. I feel like I am making good progress with my own health and need to make sure I don’t get sidetracked but meanwhile take care of her. My brother is in Colorado so he can't help. It is going to be a tightrope walk but somehow God will give me strength to handle it like he always does. BIG SIGH… Until next time…

XOXOX,

Sat + Sun

I haven't worn the bugg all weekend. I found some new tops in my purge-the-closet campaign that have shorter sleeves so I decided not to wear it. Saturday was a fun day. Went and saw Ice Age. We enjoyed it. I laughed hard quite a few times. Then went to Chili's. We got chips and salsa and those things are evil I tell you. I have avoided them for 8 months but I just wanted them. Had a salad for my entree and shared a desert three ways and it was yummy. My mom called and asked me to come over Sunday and I had to say no. She said she was having trouble concentrating and needed to balance her checkbook. Not a good sign. Big sigh and more on that later... This morning I went to a class at Dave's program. It was only a 1/2 hour so we didn't cover too much. We went to the grocery store and he watched the SF Giants and was happy as a clam. Made some lunch and did some more organizing and then he went back. I hopped on my bike and went to say goodbye to my girlfriends Danielle and Judy. They are going to Las Vegas. Tonight was the first time I rode with a headlight and it was so cool. There are four settings on the headlight and five on the tail light. I like the super blinky ones. Hope you all had a good weekend. Until next time...

XOXOX,

Don't Quit!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

Author Unknown

Threading and 48

I have pretty much been a sloth this week so I was pleasantly pleased when I stepped on the scale this morning and I was down 1 lb. That makes a total of 48 lbs. If I hadn't been so lazy this week I probably could have knocked out those other 2 lbs. to get to 50 but this next week I am going to kick it up a notch and get it done! 50 here I come! In other news... The other day I went to get my eyebrows done. I have them waxed about every 3-4 weeks. I decided to try someone new and a new salon called Bella Bella that is close to my work. Well... I went in expecting to get them waxed and learned that she does threading. I have only had threading done once before but I thought I knew what to expect... I was sorely mistaken! It hurt like the dickens! Imagine plucking pain x 100 and that is what it feels like. They do look good and it was only $10 but I may have to think about having it done again... As for the weekend, tonight there is a Street Dance downtown Santa Clara. I am not going to drink tonight and will be watching the door for Danielle (bar) to make sure no one comes in with outside alcohol. I am working on the closet and my storage on Saturday and I get to see Dave on Sunday. If I attend a 1/2 hour class every Sunday then he can get passes to go off "campus" and we can go to the movies or grab a meal or whatever. I would like to see Ice Age or Harry Potter. We shall see... Hope you all have a great weekend! Until next time...

XOXOX,

Thursday Rambling

I didn't meet up with my mom last night. I ended up working and then going to Debby's for a little while. We decided not to do the Garage sale until the 15th. I am glad because that will give me more time to get rid of more stuff! Yay! She took some updated progress pictures if you want to check them out. I will get together with my mom tonight.

XOXOX,

Thank you for your support!

What do you think about the new background? This one is soothing to me and I was bored with the old one... I can't wait to have the blog fairy come and update my blog! Only 10 more lbs.

I went to Sizzler with Danielle last night so that is why I exceeded my caloric intake. I did not eat poorly. My plate was still half veggies so that is a good thing.

I can't believe I have 100 followers!!! I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for following my blog and cheering me on. I am so blessed to have you here and I just can't tell you enough how flattered I am! It is very humbling to me.

Tonight is Fish Market with Mom. It is also a full moon. Ugh! Until next time...

XOXOX,

I can see clearly now...

I am feeling much clearer today. Whew... Nothing too exciting to report about yesterday. I did well on food and got in a decent amount of steps. I did up my goal to 7,000 steps for August but honestly I did not do very well with my step goal for July. We shall see huh? Looks like we are on for the Garage sale on Saturday. That means I need to get that big pile of clothes out of my kitchen AND get rid of more stuff. I think I am done with most of the clothes but there are other things like purses and knick knacks that I need to purge. All I know is it feels SO much better with that stuff gone. I have been on a personal campaign to rid clutter from my life and I have been pretty successful. Whatever I don't get rid of at the Garage Sale I will offer on Freecycle. The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,777 groups with 7,093,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. It is a great group of people and it makes me feel good to know they are being used. Check it out if you have a chance. Until next time...

XOXOX,



P.S. Holy shamolians! I have almost 100 followers! I think I need to do a giveaway to celebrate! Stay tuned...

Crunchy Monday

Saturday was a very productive day. I have hung on to way too much crap for way too long. I rode my bike down to the bar on Saturday night and had my friend put lights on so I can ride safely and legally at night. Drank a diet Coke. Went to Danielle's and was home before midnight. I planned on continuing my "project" on Sunday but didn't do diddly. I went bra shopping in the morning with my mom. Discovered I am still the same girth but have gone down a cup size. Only found one that worked. I will go check out their other store sometime this week because my bras suck. Ended up going to the bar and proceeded to get polluted over the course of the day. Three vodka tonics and three Beers plus a shot. Blechhhh.... I feel crunchy this morning. Part of the problem yesterday is I did not eat enough and drank way too much. I will not be drinking again any time soon. Until next time...

XOXOX,

Saturday #2

These are some of the clothes I am getting rid of. They are in a huge green bin which you can see in the right hand corner. 5 loads of laundry and still going. Need to eat something...

Finally getting it together...

I finally brought up my suitcase last night. Sheesh! I haven't gone grocery shopping so dinner was tuna fish with 1,000 Island and why there is such a low deficit. Bodybugg worked on their database but now it bogs like a big dog when you log foods. I stayed home last night and was asleep by 10:00 p.m. I woke up today around 6:00 a.m. but stayed in bed until 9:00 a.m. I had breakfast and have done two loads of laundry and I now I am typing up my notes from the cruise. Hoping I can make some major headway with getting organized. At least it burns calories. Thanks for all your comments about yesterday! I can kick those 3 lbs. to the curb! Hoowaa! Until next time...