Still a big loser.

Yesterday at the final weigh-in I weighed in with the highest percentage of weight loss during our 3 month contest! I won another $200.00 (I won $350 last time, but we had less people participate this go around) and will use it to buy clothes!! I'm feeling good about that...but even better about being over halfway to my goal, and feeling amazing!
The funny thing is....weight loss can be an uncomfortable situation. Frankly, while I'm proud of how much I have lost, I'm also a little embarassed at how heavy I let myself get. By the time I reach my goal weight, I will have lost 120 lbs, or a whopping 45% of weight loss. Nearly half of me will be gone. That's a person. What brought me to that point of not respecting myself enough to take care of myself? I don't know. I don't really even know what it was that finally clicked and started this change in me. Maybe this is all part of the journey God has mapped out for me. Maybe it was the fact that my husband has always been so supportive and loves me just the way I am, no matter what.

I know I've talked about this before, but one of the most rewarding parts of this journey is the impact it has on others, especially my children. Cole loves to come up and hug me and make a big deal about how easily he can wrap his arms all the way around me. He's so supportive and is always calling me "skinny girl". He tells everyone how much weight I've lost. Both of the kids have really soaked up this new lifestyle of healthy and nutritious eating. Sure, they have their share of popsicles and occassional drive-thru...but they know that these kinds of foods are okay once in awhile, and they're not the norm. They see me getting out to excercise and keeping active. I am laying the foundation for what will hopefully be healthy and fit living for the rest of their lives.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not preaching about being perfect. For example, last night I met a couple girflriends for dinner and proceeded to down 2 dacquiris and a veggie patch personal pizza that had way too much cheese.

Yes, I know that celebrating a weight-loss victory with food is counteractive, but I'm not planning on spending the rest of my life denying myself of everything. I don't regret it this morning (ok, well maybe except for the headache), and I'm so much less likely to make bad choices when I know I can have some fun once in awhile.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend...keep your eye out for tomorrow's post in which I consider making a scary life changing decision!

(no, it doesn't involve giving up sunchips. The horror.)

Hi there.

Just checking in friends...how is everyone? I've had a hectic week at work and am so glad tomorrow is Friday. Instead of being dissapointed in all the things that I didn't accomplish this week that I had planned to, I will enjoy my weekend and hit work hard next week.

Tomorrow is the final weigh-in for our 2nd Biggest loser contest at work. Remember the last contest? (shameless, aren't I?) Regardless of tomorrow's outcome, I'm really proud of myself for where my hard work has gotten me so far. I will also be glad to be done with all the competing for awhile. I realized the other day that I am halfway through this journey. HALFWAY....to my ultimate goal. Instead of thinking about what I still need to do, I'm celebrating how far I have come.

A few victories this week:

*stayed within my points every day!
*ran 3 times this week!
*lots and lots and lots of water!
*a friend gave me some jeans of hers in a size I haven't worn since jr. high, and they *almost* fit!

I rock, don't I?

PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS

This recipe comes from Women's Health magazine...and my oh my...are they delicious!! Great snacks for before or after a workout!

PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN BALLS

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup old fashioned oats (not the quick cook)
• 1 cup diced apricots*
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 3 scoops vanilla protein powder
• cinnamon to taste

In a pot, heat honey and peanut butter until runny. Mix in apricots, nuts, oatmeal and protein powder. Stir until well-coated. Let mixture cool in fridge and then roll into bite sized balls. These can be frozen and taken out one or two at a time (if you really have that much self control!)

*Somebody (husband!) ate part of my bag of apricots (isn't he sweet?), so I had to substitute a half cup of craisins. Yummy! I also had a fleeting moment where I considered throwing in a few chocolate chips, which would certainly be tasty, but not very healthy!

Hope you love these as much as I do!

Isn't it lovely?

PROGRESS

Remember THIS??

With a little hard work from Cole and Mom, now it looks like THIS!!

Ah, it does my heart good.

MANITO PARK (also known as the most pictures I've squeezed in a post. Ever.)

Cole is working towards earning his world conservation award in cub scouts. One of the requirements is visiting a greenhouse/conservatory. Today we met my friend Amanda and wandered around the conservatory at Manito Park.

Gracie and Amanda....Gracie's BFF in the whole wide world! (Sorry Amanda, its too cute not to share!)

Afterwards, we walked to the Rockwood Bakery (my first time there...love it!) and had coffee and treats. Yum. Cole was such a kind brother and carried his sister nearly the whole way there.

the evidence aftermath....I'll never tell you what was on that plate! Ha!

Then, we walked back over to the park and let the kids play and burn off some of the sugar. Amanda and I visited about how impossible frustrating weight loss is. As the rain began, we made a beeline for our cars. Spring weather in Spokane is crazy! By the time we got to our car the sun was out again, so the kids and I did a bit more exploring. I gave Cole the camera and he did some photography work of his own...

It was a fun day, and educational as well. We can't wait to go back when the lilacs and rose garden are in full bloom!

TRIVIA

Can you tell where we were when this picture was taken? I'll share more tomorrow!

SORRY, Mom.

The kids have been forcing , asking me nicely to play SORRY with them alot lately. As you can see from these pictures, Cole gets great pleasure from constantly sending all of my pawns back to start....
                                                      Again....

and again...

and AGAIN....

                                                                  and YES, AGAIN.

However, this little girl actually won 1st place....

followed by this guy...

  and guess who was last?

Cole was such a gracious 2nd place winner that he put together this little victory dance video. Enjoy.

WEIGH-IN

Well, after a crazy four days last weekend where I ate pretty much anything I wanted, didn't excercise and barely drank any water, I had gained 3 pounds. I got myself back on track and lost those plus another one, so I am officially down 1 pound since last weeks' weigh in. As I get closer to "Onederland" (under 200lbs), I get more excited. I honestly can't remember the last time I was there..maybe Jr. high? Wow. I have wasted so much of my life being fat, and I am done with that. Done.

This morning I have to go into work for a couple hours, and Gracie is coming with me to keep me company. Or maybe she's coming because she doesn't want to stand in the rain while watching Cole's soccer game. It's a toss up. Later today I am taking the kids to the greenhouse at Manito Park to look around. This will be fun, educational and will count towards an arrowpoint for Cole's cub scout uniform. I was planning on working in the yard today but it looks like yet another rainy day.

Last night our whole family was playing SORRY. I can't tell you how many games of SORRY I have played this week. Long story short, Gracie caught Daddy cheating and in typical drama-girl fashion promptly boxed up the game and took it away. It was very entertaining! She cracks me up.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!