300

Boom.

That just happened.

I've had my Nike app for 3 years and have walked a total of 461.1 miles. I've walked 305.2 of those this year. Which means, 155.9 of those are from the last 2 years. At the end of this week, I will have doubled my miles from the last 2 years. That's crazy. Crazy awesome.

Some days it is SO HARD to wake up or get my exercising in. I just want to sleep. Or lay in bed. I for sure don't want to get dressed and go all the way upstairs to workout and sweat. But then I do it. And I like it. I remind myself that I would hate myself later if I missed a day. So far so good.

This week is my spring break. I am actually loving it because I enjoyed last week with Maggie Lynn on spring break and now I get to enjoy mine with her in MDO. With that said ... off to nap.

Boom

Boom!

Drops mic and walks away.

(20 lb shoes)

Golden Shoes

You know you watch a lot of Elmo when your post refers to it. Haha.

So in one episode, Elmo is competing in a track & field event in order to win the coveted “golden shoes”. And each time they talk about it, he sings it. “gold-en shoooooes”. So yes, this runs through my head each time.

At 20 lbs lost, I get my first treat. A fun pair of tennis shoes. This week has kept that goal out of reach still. It should have been THE WEEK that I was getting my shoes. Instead, it’s the week that I gained and lost the same pound ALL. WEEK. LONG. This cold had me sidetracked like crazy. I still walked each day but only like 2 miles. And then I wanted to eat everything in sight! So that didn’t help.

On a side note – my mileage for February is at 99.4. So I’m going to complete that goal tomorrow (with 7 days to spare!!)

So fingers crossed, next week will be my week to obtain my “gold-en shoooooes”!!

Water for Egypt

Water for Egypt

My life group has decided on an international mission. We are raising money to get a filtration system to a church in Egypt. We have several Joe Willy’s events coming up and I hope a few more fun activities that people can come to and help raise the funds.

The big thing – Jeff is going to Egypt. He will be going to help install one of those systems. He leaves in July for like 10 days. Um. What?!? What am I supposed to do with myself for 10 days. I love supporting him and I know this is something he has wanted to do for a while. But I am freaking out.
We have to turn in our down payment soon and there are no refunds. And the down payment isn’t cheap. Then we have to raise the money for the rest of the trip. (expect begging soon). 10 days in the summer. There is no MDO. I still have to work. I might be calling everyone I know to help me. Maggie and I haven’t been by ourselves for this long before. Any advice?

This also means he is gone for my 20 year reunion. Now, you who know me, you know I am a very shy person. The thought of standing by myself and making small talk terrifies me. I also have a FOMO (fear of missing out). So I am struggling with the decision to go or not. Most of my “now” friends didn’t go to high school with me. It would be nice to see everyone. I’m not sure it’s $123 nice. I would love a nice dinner or family picnic. Maybe we could add that? Do I have time to take that on?

And now the begging commences. I set up a go fund me account. We would love donations to help fund the other half of the mission trip. And any extra funds will be used to fund the water filtration system.

http://www.gofundme.com/m8p8ag

Winner Winner

I love Diet Bet. I have entered several this year (2015) and have won all of them so far. Those that know me, know I am very competitive. So these challenges are perfect for me. I am competing against myself each time to reach a goal weight set for me by the system. (4%). If you meet your goal, you get your money back plus a little of the split pot from those who didn’t meet goal. That’s another great part – there is money on the line. That makes it even more serious.
It makes me want to stay on track. Where otherwise I would do whatever and tell myself there is always tomorrow. “I can eat that roll, I will do better tomorrow”. “One can of Dr. Pepper won’t hurt me”. “An entire carton of ice cream is cool if I only eat that for dinner”. Now I don’t do that (as much). I am so thankful that it exists – it has made this whole process so much easier!

The 2015 in 2015 is helping too! I’ve almost walked as much in these 2 months than I have in the last 3 years. And I feel amazing.

On a side note – I am 5 lbs away from getting my new shoes. What should I reward myself with next – after the next 20 or 25?

Kids need family

Kids need family

I am obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy. I never watched it live but I have been watching it on Lifetime. It gives me some good background noise and I am enjoying it. (and I’m pretty sure I want to work in the medical field)
So it’s the episode where Meredith’s mom dies. Richard and Ellis are talking about what their life could have been. One phrase stuck in my mind. They were talking about having more kids and Richard says, “kids need family”.

That. Right. There.
That is why I will try to have a second child.

I didn’t want one.
Last time, I didn’t sleep the entire 9 months. I had to sleep on the couch because my hips hurt so badly. I was on bedrest for that last month. The c-section and all the pain and bodily issues that bring. It’s not fun for me.

In fact, when I had our “surprise pregnancy” this fall, I cried all night. I wasn’t ready. I didn’t want Maggie Lynn to think I was replacing her or loving her any less. Or for her to think that she wasn’t enough. She is. I would be absolutely happy in my life with my family of 3.
Then my mom reminded me of my own brother. She reminded me how much he means to me and how I could not even imagine my life without him in it. She reminded me of the times he has been there for me – good times and bad (even just being the only 2 kids at a family reunion and having to hang by ourselves all day). She reminded me that one day, I will need him to lean on again. Especially if I lose my parents. How could I deprive my greatest love the same thing.

So.

We will be trying again. I am hoping after I lose more weight. I would love a healthier pregnancy this time.
We may get another “surprise pregnancy”. We may have to go through IUI again. We may have to go further with IVF or we may have to adopt. Regardless, I will try my hardest to give that gift to Maggie Lynn.

Don’t get me wrong. I love babies. I am just very happy with where I am. And I know this is not a decision everyone makes, but it is my decision. Jeff is thrilled, of course, and has always wanted a second one.

Anyways – just one of the things I think about as I walk.

For a 4 day week, it has been a ROUGH. WEEK. I can only assume it’s because grades are being turned in and our students started their second semester. I feel like I can’t breathe when things get this crazy. We can’t finish one assignment before we get another one. Then I have to prioritize and decide which is more important and which I should focus on first. I can’t focus on them all at once or I would screw everything up, big time!

I’ve been waking up at 5 am-ish to walk (outdoors and indoors this week). Even with that, the last half of the week, I hit the snooze button no less than 3 times and couldn’t even get myself ready and moving in under 30 minutes. To just walk in the dark where nobody else can see me. It’s been tough and I am exhausted.
I fight with myself each morning and think –
Bad Self : one day off won’t kill me.
Good Self : I am already up and probably won’t go back to sleep.
Bad Self : But I might have the best sleep ever in the next hour
Good Self : I have to – that diet bet is calling my name and I need to win
So I get up. Slowly.

Don't be jealous of my view

The nice thing was, Regulate came on my playlist. It took me back to the summer before my senior year. Windows down, driving around with my manufacturer radio bass turned up, on my way to work. I was a life guard that summer and thought I was hot stuff. Especially with the windows down. (My poor Ford Tempo).

Now to look forward to the weekend! I have walking to do, crafts to buy for and not actually make, and people to see. Plus, a to-do list to check off!

Feel alive

Just some thoughts.

I had my alarm set for 5:01. (I never set it on the hour, always a random time around the hour). In my dream, I was hearing someone's alarm and looked everywhere for it. I was turning off people's phones and asking those around me if they could hear the beeping. At 5:15, I FINALLY wake up to my alarm beeping. That dream had me searching for the alarm for 14 minutes!

I actually enjoy being up early. Not so much the waking up part but the part where I have already accomplished something by 8:00 am. I had my meeting at church, I have started some laundry, I picked up the kitchen, and I logged in to work. (and I'm writing a short blog... a SHOG really).

Also at church, I noticed that something smelled a little off. Turns out, one of my little men peed on my jacket sleeve. That's fun to figure out in a meeting where you don't know anyone. Why do my dogs hate me?

I attempted a faster walk type jog thing for about 5 minutes out of the hour on the treadmill. I also did some squats. WHY do my inner thighs hurt so much today. I don't recall doing anything with them. But WOW they are angry.

I love to cook. I enjoy making dinner and trying new things. I hate getting my hands sticky and messy. I love having people over and cooking for them. (I love having people over and not cooking for them too). I like trying to cook new foods and having them turn out well or not so well.

Mason asked us on Sunday what makes us feel alive. That is one of mine.
Cooking
Being with friends (and this weekend was a great weekend of friends and family!)
Dr.Pepper (sad)
Iced Chai Lattes
Apparently being up early (after the wake up part)
Looking forward to a new year and the awesome changes and greatness that is coming

What makes you feel alive?

Another reason I love cooking. This guy. Pretty sexy huh? A man doing dishes! I love it.

I love carbs

I do. I love carbs so much. If someone asks me where I want to eat, I always think in my head where I can get mashed potatoes. I love mashed potatoes. What's up with that. Why are they so good? Why can't I eat them at every meal?

Why is it so cold right now? Doesn't the weather know I gave up Dr. Pepper this week and am trying to get back into walking. How can I do that when my lips want to freeze off?!? I quit drinking Dr. Pepper again on Monday. It has been tough. This morning I woke up with a KILLER headache. This afternoon I popped some Advil and went for a walk. Take that, Dr.Pepper! (gosh I still love you though)

I don't know how it works for other people or why it is so darned hard for me. But these... these are my 20 pound shoes. If you see me wearing them, give me a high five! That means I am down 20 pounds :)

2015 has been good so far. I know we are only 9 days in but I feel good. Even with this terrible cough and congestion, I feel good.
I am excited about all the things I have coming up. I am loving the cold (minus when I am trying to walk in it). I love being in a HOUSE during the cold rather than the Cabana and portable heaters! I love all of the friends I have seen so far and plan to see soon. I'm just excited and looking forward to the rest of January.

Day 1

Here it is. The start of 2015. It's a blank slate. Brush off 2014 and let's look ahead.

I probably should have cut back on the things I am doing, but I didn't. In fact, I may have added. :)

I just started reading The Daniel Plan, and I intend to follow the thoughts in there to lead me toward a healthier life.

I also signed up for a 2015 miles in 2015 (it's a team of 3 so we split that!) which equals walking/running about 2 miles a day. I can only walk right now but intend to build up to running.

Jeff and I ended our year with a chilly 5K yesterday - the New Years Double. We were supposed to do today too but that didn't work out. Side note - I love that he doesn't care about the 5ks or running or anything but he will do them with me to support me. He's pretty great sometimes.
Regardless, I forget how good I feel after I get out there and exercise and walk. I felt great yesterday and want more of that. I have my alarm set for 5:00 am (eek) for tomorrow. Fingers crossed it wakes me up!

I also signed up for a Diet Bet that requires me to lose 4% in a month to win. I feel like I am probably the most competitive person I know so these challenges are all perfect. I am so competitive, I have challenges with others without them even knowing. I'm pretty sure that boarders on pride but it helps me get it done when I need to.

The hardest part of this new year is to kick that darn Dr. Pepper habit again. (and find time for everything!) I love it. All of those people who say they quit and then tried it again and they didn't like it are crazy talkers! I love it every time. And each time I drink it, it draws me in. I am absolutely addicted to it. So I have to quit. Cold Turkey.

Which brings me to my random thought. I wish I liked coffee. I wonder how long it would take me to force myself to like it. I want to like it so very much! Maybe I will start with super sweet coffee and work my way down? Or maybe I will never like it (boo).