Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Loss. Show all posts

12.30.2011

Goodbye 2011 - You've Been Good to Me!

It's now time to do one of the obligatory "Goodbye 2011" posts, and say au revoir to the past year.

If summarizing my post titles, each month would look like this:
{January} "First of 2011 Update"
{February} "Bicycles"
{March} "Owl Art"
{April} "Rainboots and Making Lists"
{May} "Simple Gift"
{June} "Nose to the Grindstone - In Other Words, Happy June!"
{July} "Whoa, July?"
{August} "Change."
{September} "New Season, New Decoration"
{October} "Chicago! Part 1, 2, 3 & 4"
{November} "The Secret is Out!"
{December} "New in Town"

But what does that really say about my year?
It certainly gives small vignettes of my life, but what's really important is the accomplishments.
What I have accomplished this year is very tangible. First, Michael and I overcame a hurdle in our relationship, and have since made strides to become closer as a couple. We've also taken the big leap and moved away from Texas, to a new state and new home. We're setting out on our own adventure, and becoming a more in-tune pair.
One of my personal achievements this year comes in the form of health. I've found an interest of mine lies in being healthy. This might seem simple to some people, but it's a great feeling when you find something you enjoy. In my journey to learn, I've begun making better decisions for my own life. I've started to be more consistent with my exercise, trying to be athletic in my daily life, and living by a new philosophy, "Calories in, calories out!" Since I've been doing all of these things, I've become healthier, more comfortable in my own skin, and have lost weight!
I weighed around 200 in August 2007, when Husband proposed.
Later, I weighed 205 at an Alpha Phi Omega banquet.
Since then, I lost about 20 pounds, mainly because of my wedding in September 2008.
I weighed around 180 for my wedding.
 Then, in the following 2.5 years, I gained back about 12 of those lost pounds. It's hard to maintain weight loss through losing a job, supporting a new marriage, and moving to a new place. 
But, there's light at the end of the tunnel!

This year alone, I've lost 27 pounds! 
Since 2007 at my heaviest, I've lost 40 pounds!
Me at 165 in December 2011.
It's such an achievement for me, and I am recognizing it! I still have more weight to lose (and more muscle to build) before I'm at my healthy weight. This journey isn't done, but it's more than halfway over!

Happy New Year!

12.22.2011

She's Back in My Life!

Since we moved across country to PA, we signed up for a new cable provider. To my delight, we now have the Cooking Channel, another spin-off from Food Network (yet, somehow 'cleverly' disguised as hip and new). Prior to getting this new channel, I noticed that one of my favorite shows had been pushed to a late-night spot on the dial. Around 3:00am, this show would air, and I had to DVR it to catch it. Then, all of a sudden, it vanished completely. 


As I was flipping around the guide, I noticed the show had settled onto the Cooking Channel. It's still somewhat late-night, but it was there. 

Nigella Lawson has landed on the Cooking Channel, to my delight!

via vitellotonnatolover.wordpress.com


I have been recording every episode of Nigella Express and Nigella Feasts that graces the airwaves.


via thechive.com


As I was looking for THIS FABULOUS RECIPE I CAN'T WAIT TO MAKE, I learned that recently she has slimmed down. What is this? Nigella Lawson's weight loss journey?! The voluptuous dame has always been the icon for thicker girls around the world. Why would she ever want to change what she was given? I'm not sure, but I think she looks great either way.


via noskinnywomen.wordpress.com

(Forgive the terrible juxtaposition.)
via Blisstree.com
Husband agrees. Who wouldn't? She looks lovely in her bright yellow jacket with close-fitting black pants and boots. Sure, it's a slimming outfit, but she does look many pounds lighter.

via guardian.co.uk

For those of us on our own weight loss journey, this is somewhat confusing. Why wait until you're 50-something to slim down? I love her and her style, and I'm happy for her either way and at any weight!