It’s all up to me

Current weight:  222 (-1.5)

I had better enjoy this current weight b/c it’s not going to be there tomorrow, that’s for sure!  Hubby and I went out to dinner and I decided to let it all hang out.  Normally I make healthy choices when we eat but we went to a seafood buffet, which is honestly about a once a year activity.  About 50% of what I ate was healthy and the other 50% was not, but I enjoyed it and stopped much earlier than I would have in the past.  Granted, I ate past full and knew that I did it but I’m not miserable and that’s an improvement.

The reason for my title today is that the place we ate was a caseeno (that’s for the spelling idea, Pat) and caseenos are the only places in our state where smoking is allowed in public places.  Kind of convenient that the place where the state makes a whole lotta money is a place where the health of the employees isn’t a concern.  I have never been a smoker so it has always bothered me but since I honestly haven’t smelled a whiff of smoke in a year or 2 it was overwhelming.  I have a headache and had to throw the clothes in the washer right when we got home.

Today was fun.  We picked out flooring which was a chore I was dreading but since our builder uses these flooring guys so often they know the price range we were in and told us to pick carpet, hardwood and tile from about 15 choices each.  We knew we could pick anything we wanted if his preapproved stuff didn’t appeal to us but we were able to find everything in about 20 minutes.  Amazing.

I also tried the other new TJ on the ball workout.  Very tough but I’m going to keep doing it.  It’s not as fun as regular TJ but I think it will be effective b/c it’s 60 minutes and full of intervals.

Progress toward workout goal:  78/300

Current weight:  223.5 (-1)

One of the few negatives of my new job is that I can’t easily go to the gym anymore.  My schedule will be different and the old gym was on my way home from school but my new school is on the opposite end of town.  Knowing that it often takes a while to have the payments stop I told the manager yesterday that I had to quit.  I explained why and she was totally cool about it, didn’t try to talk me into staying.  I’ll miss the high-quality machines but once we move into the new house and my older son can ride the bus I can join a gym on this end of town if I want to.

To compensate I ordered the TJ workouts w/the stability ball and did my first one today.  I really like it.  I thought the whole workout would be w/the ball but the first 30 minutes is just like TJ and then the last 15-20 are on the ball.  I had also done the CE weighted workout earlier so I was sweaty when I was done.  I have to make sure I have a workout schedule in place when school starts b/c if I don’t plan it it’s not going to happen.  Why do I have a sneaking suspicion that I’m going to be up at 4:30 again workout out???

Got my annual haircolor today and everyone loves it.  I’m a blonde and after the summer it gets so light that I essentially vanish so I get it colored darker every year before school starts.  She put in some blonde highlights so it’s not a total change, and in all honesty I would like it a bit darker.  She told me that if I want it darker to call her and she’ll put in a few darker streaks but since everyone else loves it so much I’m going to live w/it for a few days first and see what I think.

Progress toward workout goal:  77/300

Current weight: 224.5 (-.5)

I feel like we’re spending money like crazy but I suppose it’s b/c we are. Back to school shopping, things to get our house ready to sell, back to school shopping. I know it’s necessary spending and I’m one of the cheapest people you’ll find but I still feel a bit panicked about money. I need to remember that in another month or so my hubby will be bringing in a paycheck so our money situation will be much better but after him being in school for 3 1/2 years old habits die hard.

Food and exercise have been good today but I’m exhausted so I’m having my hubby take the night shift tonight and I’m going to pass out. Hopefully I’ll get a good night’s sleep.

Progress toward workout goal: 77/300

Current weight: 225 (no change)

Got the phone call today and I got the job! I’m soooooo excited and happy to know for sure. It seriously reminded me of dating, this entire process. I remember being on the phone w/my friend who is already a counselor at this high school asking “Should I call him? What should I say? Should I email him or wait for him to call me?” Then today, when he didn’t call first thing in the morning, I wanted to stay home and wait for the phone to ring b/c stupidly I didn’t give him my cell number. So thanks, ladies, for all of your moral support and supportive ears while I was whining and worrying.

Today has been super busy and productive. Did my weight workout and cut the grass, plus we picked out our brick, siding, shingles, windows, doors, trim, garage doors and countertops for the house w/o a single argument! I know it won’t go this easily the entire time but I feel good that we’re making some progress.

Now I need to focus on my July goal of losing 10 pounds. I was 231.5 and I’m 225 today so I need to kick it in gear by Saturday. I think I’ll drop a couple today b/c for whatever reason I didn’t lose anything yesterday so it will happen. It’s also great that I have this goal b/c we’re going out Friday night and I will stick to the straight and narrow to meet my goal.

Got to go, hope to check in w/you all later.

Progress toward workout goal: 76/300

Current weight: 225 (+2)

I had my interview/discussion for the counseling job today and now it’s a waiting game. I think it went well but I thought it went well the last time when I didn’t get the job. The posting isn’t officially done until 4pm today and I met w/him at 1 so he said that I would be hearing from him either tomorrow or the next day. I’ll keep you posted.

Food yesterday was pretty good. I could have done better but considering how poorly I generally do on a Sunday I’ll take it. Today I haven’t exercised but it’s officially a rest day in my program and we had to get up at 5 am for Kyle’s appt. and I wasn’t about to get up any earlier to exercise. I’ll lift weights first thing tomorrow morning and get back on the workout program. I keep reading that a rest day is good for your body so I’ll just tell myself I’m being good to myself.

I’ll also probably burn about 1000 calories drumming my fingers, tapping my toes, etc. waiting for the phone call. I’m not patient and I want this so badly that I’m not going to relax until I officially hear that I have the job. My poor hubby, I’m going to drive him crazy tonight

Progress toward workout goal: 75/300 (no change)

Current weight:  223 (no change)

I was a little bummed not to break through the 223 barrier but at least I have something to look forward to for this week.  In all honesty, I did see a sneak of 221.5 after working out but that’s cheating.  It still was nice to see that number, though

Sundays are my weakness b/c it’s the highest calorie day in my cycle.  This has generally led to me throwing caution to the wind and going on a binge.  Today, though, I will be in control of my eating.  It will be a challenge b/c it’s my dad’s birthday party but I know I can do it.  I have already done a killer workout (heavy weights and TJ Cardio party) and I’m bringing along a watermelon so I can eat as much of that as I want while still enjoying a few treats.  My interview tomorrow will help to hold me in check b/c I don’t want to feel all fat and bloated for such an important meeting.

Progress toward workout goal:  75/300

Current weight: 223 (-1)

I’m officially at pre-baby weight and it only took me 4 years! Honestly, I got pregnant about 4 years ago this month and it’s all new territory from here. I can’t wait to be out of the 220’s, it would be great to start the school year in the 2-teens.

Got up this morning and did pilates but instead of doing cardio when my hubby got up I decided to go shopping. I’m in need of some smaller clothes (yay) and it’s clearance time so I hit the mall. And instead of starting in the plus sized section and veering into the misses/juniors section I started over where the regular gals shop. I’m starting to feel like I belong over there, and even the smallest tops on the plus side are too big. I still need plus size for the bottoms (it’s amazing the difference between a 16/18W and a 16/18!!) but pretty soon I won’t need to shop there anymore.

The foundation is poured on our house so now I think it just has to sit for 7-10 days so the concrete firms up. We’re down to the finishing touches on our house so I think we’re going to start picking out flooring, cabinets, etc. for the new house this week. I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!!! It wasn’t until I saw them digging in our lot that it truly dawned on me that we’re building a new house. We have been talking about it for so long that it just seemed like something we’d do someday. Someday is here

Progress toward workout goal: 74/300

Current weight:  224 (-.5)

I’m fairly proud of myself and the choices I have been making the last few days.  Life has been busy and stressful to say the least.  I worked at school on helping to develop a character education program on Weds/Thurs which involved working lunches both days.  And both days I made the healthiest choices available.  I also made sure that I got up early to fit in my workout and I’m happy to see that I’m down 1/2 a pound from Wednesday.  I wasn’t sure what to expect.

We have also broken ground on our new house, yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Plus, yesterday the realtor came by to price our home and fortunately it’s almost the exact dollar amount we were thinking it was worth.  My hubby’s grandpa is our official realtor but he brought another realtor by to make sure that he’s pricing it correctly and she said she thought it would sell very quickly and easily.  Man, I hope she’s right.

And I have been working furiously to get ready for the job interview for the counseling position.  I think I wrote about this the other day but the principal called and asked if I had to choose b/t the Spanish and counseling jobs which would I prefer.  I stammered a lot and didn’t answer but emailed him later that evening and said I would prefer the counseling job.  He called today and asked me to come in at 1:00 on Monday for a “discussion, not really even an interview.”  He basically said he just wanted to meet me and learn my thoughts about a high school counseling program.  It sounds really, really, really promising but I’m not going to celebrate until that job has been officially offered to me.  I have spent the last few days updating my portfolio and resume and I’m just about ready.  And of course I had to go shopping and pick up a new jacket for the interview b/c I don’t want to wear the same outfit from last time and I’m happy to say that the 16W is actually a smigde too roomy but they didn’t have a 14 and it was a great deal so I bought it.  I will definitely keep you all posted on the job situation.

My goal over the weekend is to get caught up on your blogs.  It kind of scared me how busy I was the last few days b/c in a few short weeks I’ll be headed back to school and this will be everyday life.  Oh well, I’ll remember how to find time to fit everything into my day, I do it every year.

Progress toward workout goal:  73/300

Current weight: 224.5 (-4)

Yes, that’s 4 pounds in 2 days. Gotta love water retention!

OMG, could my life get any crazier. Here’s a recap of yesterday and you’ll understand why I didn’t have time to post.

Our realtor was supposed to be bringing another realtor by yesterday to make sure he’s pricing the house properly. We explained that the house wasn’t ready and he said “that’s ok” but of course we were frantically trying to get every last little thing done. Then about 20 minutes before they were supposed to arrive he called, saying that it was raining too hard to come. They’re coming Thursday.

Our nursing company stopped for a visit yesterday and WOULDN’T LEAVE!

Had to take Kyle for a blood draw. Fortunately it showed that one of his meds was not strong enough, which is what we suspected. Now we’re just waiting for his endocrine specialist to decide how we’re going to change his meds.

Justin started karate (trying to keep him active and add extra discipline). Fortunately he loved it; when we left he said “that was awesome.”

And here’s the kicker–got a phone call yesterday morning from the principal where the Spanish job is. He told me that they were able to add another guidance counselor position and he knew that I was interested in that job as well. He asked if I had to choose between them which one would it be. I knew the answer was “guidance counselor” but I didn’t know if being honest about that would jeapordize my chance at the other so I hedged a bit. He told me to think about it and let him know. After a million phone calls it sounds like he’s kind of giving me my choice, so I sent him an email last night explaining that I don’t make important decisions like that so quickly but now that I have had time to think I know I want the counselor job. He hasn’t emailed back yet but it is 5:30 am.

Today I’m off to school to do some work for character ed, we’ll see how the day progresses. Whew!

Progress toward workout goal: 71/300

Current weight: 228.5 (+2)

What a day! Gotta love a 2 pound gain, that’s 5 pounds in 3 days Some of it is TOM but probably a pound from yesterday was earned. Not going to go into details but let’s just say that potato chips are not the best way to beat pms water retention.

Sundays still are my downfall but I learned one thing yesterday…DO NOT GO TO THE STORE ON A SUNDAY! It’s easier to keep my treats under control when I’m not eating them the same day I buy them.

Today started out well but ended in a frenzy. I dropped off my letter officially applying for the new teaching position. Went outside and cut the grass and it’s a good thing I did b/c it’s the only workout I got for the day. After Kyle’s therapy our realtor (my hubby’s grandpa) called and said he’s bringing another realtor by tomorrow afternoon to help him price the house. Hello? Our house isn’t ready to put on the market yet. He said that the other realtor knew that and that she could overlook the little bit that we have left. You know what that means, kick it into high gear. I was going to ride bikes w/my son or go to the gym but instead I cleaned for a few hours. We’re going to do more cleaning tomorrow. The good news is we’re going to finish things sooner than we had thought and the house is looking pretty good.

Then we got a phone call from someone at Make a Wish. A while back we came up w/the idea of a three-seasons porch for Kyle b/c he likes to be outside but sometimes it’s too cold/hot/buggy/sunny/etc. They denied his wish and although I understand why (they have a policy not to approve things that financially improve the home) I’m bummed. It’s sad to think that parents would take advantage of their terminally ill children like that but I’m sure there are some out there who do. So now we’re back to the drawing board. I’m just so frustrated b/c it was something that he would truly enjoy, and he enjoys very few things other than snuggling in my lap It’s not that he’s unhappy, it’s just that he doesn’t get excited by toys or things that other kids like. We considered a hot tub (they do provide hot tubs) b/c he likes water but we’re concerned about the expense of heating it over the winter in Iowa. Oh well, sorry about the griping, we’ll get it figured out.

Progress toward workout goal: 69/300