It's Crunch Week!

I went to bed last night thinking, "I've got to be a weight loss warrior." I have to conquer my excuses, self-doubt and laziness to get this weight off and reveal that me that I used to see in the mirror. She's in there, I just know she is....she used to sing country music for her grandparents at honky tonks and had the energy of a woman on 3 pots of coffee.

I saw a friend at church yesterday that I hadn't seen in a while. She's one of an elite club of 3: we all had our only daughter, via c-section, on the same day, same hospital. I know, it's crazy. We didn't know each other until a few months later when we met at church. The other mom I met while pregnant when we noticed our bellies were about the same size and started to talk. She's a teacher at my son's former school. Now I count them among my dearest friends.
Anyway, she looked amazing and I asked her what she was doing to look so good. She's lost 20 some pounds since January and she gets up at 4/5 am five days a week to do an hour of cardio and toning. So, what's my excuse?!! I need to really pull myself up by my bootstraps and get it moving!! Measurements will be taken on Sunday and pics of the swimsuit will be up as soon as the mannequin arrives. I'm going to make each day really count!!!

Another Day, Another 45 Minutes on the Treadmill

Just finished exercising for today- feels good to have a few really good days behind me. The straps of the swimsuit are done but I have left them un-attached in the back so I can get the right measurement when I try it on this summer. Tonight I will attach the coverup and do the bead work. I ordered the 1/2 mannequin form today and will post pics of the swimsuit after it arrives and I can get the swimsuit on the "model."

Please pray for my friend Jeanne and her family. Her husband is in the hospital with chest pains. It looks like things should turn out ok, but she and her family have had more than they can bear: their youngest daughter died not quite a year ago-she was 2 1/2 years old and just the sweetest, most adorable little girl. I don't know how much more this family can take, but they have a great deal of faith and really are an amazing family. I'll write when I learn more.

*** He is home and doing fine. No definitive word on cause yet.

The Sun is Shining!

I woke up feeling much more hopeful than I have recently. I spent 65 minutes on the treadmill yesterday and resisted the late night eating. The children were VERY wound up last night, which caused alot of stress in our house (until blessed bedtime), when my husband and I could actually have a conversation ( probably no different than every household with children!).

I have some errands to run this morning, but I am going to get on the treadmill when I get back. For the most part, I am trying to follow a routine I wrote out for myself. I have certain things that have to get done, or I'd like to do each day: exercise, cleaning, homework with the children, laundry, meal prep., and then things I like to do like crocheting and reading. I need to set certain time frames for each one like exercise is in the morning and cleaning is during naptime and crocheting is after bedtime. I know, sounds obvious, but to someone like me, it takes mapping it out to make it happen. It's not going to be iron-clad, but rather a map to follow to make life easier.

I am almost done with the Swimsuit! Just need to add the straps and then attach the coverup to the top and add some beading I found. I am going to purchase a half-form mannequin from ebay to "model" the work.

I'm very excited about my next two projects, but those are a secret for now. I'll post them soon. Half the fun is the planning and deciding on the yarn! (those who are addicted to yarn understand my plight:) ). I am aiming for pieces that are varied in color and yet will allow for some overlap so that I can wear them with a variety of things. Can't wait to show you!!


****Update: Did 45 minutes on the treadmill before my errands! Yea Me!!!!****

One Step Foward, Two Steps Back

I do really well for a few days and then BAM, I fall off, make excuses, and let my self doubt get the best of me. I can tell you that the last few days have been exciting and scary in that our "big" purchase is complete. We closed on a land deal yesterday that adds 8 acres to our homestead. We've gone from 5.8 to 14 with the sign of our names and while I'm really excited, it's also very scary to add another payment to the finances. The stress has led to some bad food choices. I try to walk away, but it gets the better of me.

Anyway, I was feeling really down this morning and decided to give myself some extra time before my next measurement and weighing in to allow for getting back on track. So, my next weigh in will be March 1st. I have the top of the Hot Mama Swimsuit almost done and need to just do the straps and then connect everything, then it will be ready to post.

Thanks everyone for your support and encouragement. This road only goes one direction and I'm not turning around. I've seen what's behind me and it's not pretty and there isn't alot of joy to be had. I'm concentrating on how good I'll feel about myself when my 38th birthday comes this June.

Survived Valentine's Day

Ok, so it helped that I'm sick with a cold, but hey, I don't think a cold has ever stopped me from scarfing down a pan of brownies before. The kids came home with 3 packages of leftover cupcakes from their parties (that's 18 cupcakes!), not to mention a boat-load of chocolate, but I didn't eat any of it. I could feel that wave of anxiousness starting again, and knew that if I stayed near the kitchen for long, I'd cheat, so I went upstairs for awhile and the feelings passed.

My DH got me an aerogarden for Christmas and the lettuce is now ready so I ate 2 salads yesterday and will try to have at least 1 salad a day while the garden is producing. I'm not up to exercising yet, but might be by Sunday or Monday. Happy Friday Everyone!!

If This Doesn't Keep Me Honest, Nothing Will!!

I finished the Hot Mama Bathing Suit Bottom this morning and wanted to get a picture of it up on the blog asap. The color is really pretty. I definately have some serious weight to lose to fit this!! The coverup portion is almost done and then I have to get the top finished.

My voice left me sometime last night while I slept and I am just miserable today, but I am following my eating plan and will add the exercise just as soon as I get my lungs back. This cold has really knocked me for a loop!

Finally back to the Swimsuit!

A pretty nasty cold has been going through our house and guess who's turn it is now? Yep, it's mine. While I haven't been exercising and eating as I should, I'm also not overeating thanks to being congested. Hey, I need that mouth to breathe, not eat!! :)
The children were home today thanks to the frigid temps, and I was able to start the bottom to the Hot Mama Swimsuit. It dawned on me while working on it tonight that I'm really doing this. Come heck or high water, I'm doing this. That swimsuit is either going to fit, or it's not, but there will be a day when I will have to TRY IT ON!! So, I'll just keep at it. I want that swimsuit to fit me well!!!!

When Will I Learn????

Hello, my name is Carey (Everyone say "Hi Carey") and I am addicted to cereal and anything that is packaged as a "100 calorie pack." Come on, like I have ANY self control what so ever! I bought some low fat, 100 calorie packaged sweets and chips to use as snacks and I think what I actually did was make then into 2 meals. When will I learn? I once told my Mom in Law that I can't do Weight Watchers because I would take the 24 points I'm allowed, eat 23 of it in junkfood and try to figure out how to make dinner into one point. Not quite a healthy way to eat! But, hey, on the upside, their gone now! Back to the grindstone, and hopefully it's a lesson learned.

Progress: Slow But Moving Along!!

The good news is that I have lost an inch from my waist. The bad news is that the scale hasn't moved downward yet. But I really can't whine about it because I haven't been consistent about exercise and diet. Ok, so I haven't really followed it at all. There it is, the big confession. I really don't know how the inch came off given that I think each day started off well and ended with "I'll start over tomorrow after I enjoy this (fill in the blank pastry)."

But am I giving up? HECK NO!!!! I refuse to go back. I'll keep going at it, and eventually it will come off. I'm going to try a few new things this week in my daily routine and see if I have more success.

While I wait for my Mom to show me how to make the Hot Mama Swimsuit Top, I am going to start the bottom. I had hoped to have a pic of it by now, but will try to get one up soon.

The shrug for my niece turned out great! I'll get a pic of that up as soon as I find a willing model (you try getting a nine year old boy to model it for you!!).

My next progress check will be Feb. 24th. And this time, I'll have something to show for it!!!