Goodbye July!

It's Friday!  Whooohoo!  With waiting for this house buying to finish up, it seems like it's taking forever!!  But I suppose we'll be in soon enough and then be busy as all get out for a while.  I'm excited!   It'll be good.  

Yesterday I embraced my not-being-super-crazy-ness with my low carb eating.  I had a chicken fattoush salad for lunch and ate some of the pita chips in it and ate some croutons with my salad at dinner. lol We went out to a steakhouse for dinner and I didn't have any rolls!!!!! That's huge.  The rolls with the butter are the BEST.  But I was good.  I didn't even have the one they included with my dinner that they made into a garlic bread.  I know that right now I don't have the self control to have one roll, or one piece of candy, or one slice of pizza....  I'm just not there yet.  And that's okay.  I'll get there.  

So Monday was when I started cutting out carbs, and I'm already down at least 7 lbs from then.  So that's pretty awesome.  As for the DietBets, I'm 50% to my goal for the Losing is Winning Game I started that ends Aug 9th.  I'm 66% to my goal for the big Heidi & Chris Powell game that ends Aug 21st.  I have no doubts that I'll get to the big games goal - the challenge will be making sure I'm still there when it comes time to weigh out.  I have this habit of screwing things up before they matter! But I'm going to do this.  I need to. 

This is actually a really uneventful weekend for us.  We've just got to take the crazy cat in to the vet for a booster and then Sunday we've got a game day at my aunts.  I've already decided to bring a layered greek dip so that'll be good -- and then they're grilling so I will just do whatever, without a bun :) 

I can't wait til I get to the point where I feel successful.... where I feel accomplished... where I feel like I've done really done something and feel gorgeous.  I've been doing a little better, but I still am a big work in progress with confidence.  Sure I've lost 7 lbs this week, but that's after letting myself gain 30... or whatever.  For me, even though I keep going, keep pushing through, keep starting over, keep keeping on.... I can't forget that "geez, when I started really trying to lose weight I was 50 lbs lighter"... How does that happen?  How do you let that go?  I think that's part of what screws me up all the time.  I know that's why I started a new MyFitnessPal profile once.  Because I didnt' want to see that I started out at 230 or whatever, and wound up gaining all this.  I know it is what it is, but it's still depressing.  So it's just trying to figure out how to get past that. I mean, I guess if I just keep losing and don't gain again, maybe I won't think about it? lol I don't know. 

Annnnnd cue the bagels that were just brought in to the office. Not having one. No worries.  Not having candy from the overflowing candy dish.  Had my hard boiled eggs for breakfast. Have leftover steak and green beans for lunch.  Probably chicken and cauliflower for dinner tonight.  Would just like to sleep right now. That'd be amazing.  

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

xoxo
Katie

Celebrate the little daily victories!

Yesterday was full of little victories.  I started off the day by taking C to the dr for her wellness visit.  She's doing great - of course!  Afterwards I swung by Tim Hortons to get her a treat and planned on just getting her a donut, but she wanted TimBits.  Normally I would just buy the small box which I think has 20 in there...she'd have a couple...I'd have a few.... but I noticed you could buy them individually.... so i just bought her a couple. No temptation!! Score! It was also my day off and I didn't stray from my no carbs while at home.  I was pretty proud of myself.

Last night my sister-in-law and I went to this wine and beer tasting fundraiser.  I was a little nervous just because I did want to be good -- but still wanted to have fun... I knew there would be appetizers and stuff too.  I expected little shot glasses to try, but nope... full glasses.  Soooo I did indulge in the wine LOL but when it came to the food table, I just had a couple tiny meatballs and some hummus.  No amazingly-delicious-carby-goodness breadsticks...no awesomely-scrumptious looking pizza....no chocolately-creamy-yummy looking desserts... And I logged everything this morning and it looks like I still stayed under 50 carbs for the day, so I'd say that's pretty good!!  Plus we had a great time!!

Started today off with my frittata and some caffiene... yeah, need to get away from that eventually... baby steps ;) I've been consistantly losing this week and it feels great!  I just feel so much better without the carbs.  I don't feel bloated. I feel lighter.  I feel like I can win these DietBets.  Fingers crossed!!  Planning on a salad for lunch and then chicken and a veggie for dinner.  

Thanks for reading :)
xoxo
Katie

Makin Progress ... baby steps

Okay - 2 weeks to go on Diet Bet #1 and finally moving in the right direction.  Seriously, sugar is addictive!  It's crazy.  I fell into some candy bowl issues and it's downhill from there --- except not on the scale.  The two don't mix!  But I'm back.  I'm being healthy...conscious...responsible.  So we'll see if I make this first DietBet. It will be a stretch as I have 10 lbs to go.  But it is doable!  I've done it before...I can do it again!!  I'm going to give it my all.  

Steve and I also joined a second DietBet. This one is put on by Chris & Heidi Powell -- two people whom I'd love to meet one day.  They seem so down to earth but so strong and focused.  We weighed in for that one on Sunday.  So we've still got almost 4 weeks to go.  8.5 lbs to go for that one.  I'm going to blow it out of the water! The jackpot for that one is over $101K -- over 3300 people playing.  As much as I hope everyone reaches their goals, it would be nice to share the pot! 

Eventually here we'll be moving.  I cannot wait.  We've got about 9 days until we close and get the keys.  It's taking forever.  But oh well, what can you do. Soon we'll be sweating up a storm ripping up carpet, painting and moving boxes.  It'll be good.  I can't wait to transform this house into our home. 

Just wanted to check in and give a quick update.  

Thanks for reading :)

xoxo

Katie 

Joyful Rambling

Today I read an article and one point was how much easier it is to make a list of things we're afraid of, than it is to make a list of things that truly bring us joy.  The purpose was that we need to really focus on making that list of joy rather than letting the things that bring us fear consume us.  It got me thinking - it really is more challenging to create the JOY list.  But it's got to be so important.  Immediately when thinking, the things that bring me fear popped up: failing, disappointing others, making the "wrong" decision, etc.  

To think of the things that bring joy, this is what needs to consume me.  This is what can make the difference in attitude, outlook and life!  

• The smile, laugh, stories...anything having to do with my daughter. She is truly the best
• The love and laughter from my husband
• I could go over each friend/family member individually, but being blessed by these individuals brings me happiness
• Laughing with friends - telling ridiculous stories, playing games, just hanging out
• Listening to music - cranking it up, belting it out
• Casino trips 
• Vacations
• Road trips

I still struggle with so much though.  Trying to find way to overcome my fears is really tough.  Losing weight has got to be one of my biggest struggles.  (obviously)  I've made such progress before and just when I get close to a milestone or success, I've always either self-sabatoged or found an excuse and gave up or something. I don't know why.  It really sucks because I've pretty much ruined my chance of using any assistance.  As much structure as I crave - I've blown every opportunity I've had and I wouldn't blame my husband or anyone else for not wanting me to take a structure driven (outside of "changing your diet" and adding excercise) approach.  

I'd have to say that Herbalife was probably my favortie plan.  I really wish I could remember the exact success I had on that -- but I guess it's probably good that I can't.  Just make me want it more. But 2 shakes, the tea, that cell-u-loss miracle stuff - dang. Peed like crazy but lost the weight. VLCD worked crazy good, but it just wasn't sustainable for our lifestyle.  I think if the first time I did it, if they had a better (nearly ANY) support system I would've had longer success.  I have an online mom friend who has been doing the HCG diet and has dropped like 50 lbs... she looks amazing.  Amazingly enough, though, I'm not tempted.  I haven't looked into it, but it's basically a VLCD... I know that's just not for me know.  2 shakes a day sure, but not the 600 cals a day.  We just do too much.  There's too many one offs that would throw off ketosis.

I came into today planning on kicking carbs.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a great plan. So breakfast was some mixed nuts. lol I'm having my tea and for lunch I brought some meat and cheese.  Sooo it's on plan, but I just feel somewhat lost.  For some people, "Eating healthy and exercising" just makes sense and they don't get when people can't just do that.  I think that being nearly 150 lbs overweight makes it harder to have that mindset.  Yes, exercise will help, but it's hard getting into it with all that extra weight.  It's just a viscious circle.  I'm in that diet bet now and not making progress yet.  Need to do something for sure. I want to win so that I can do another. I need to lose so much.  Need to drop half my body weight. That would be amazing!!! I cannot even imagine what I would look like.  It'd be crazy for sure.

Okay - done enough rambling.  Blah.  

Sorry that it's been quite the tangent but just where I'm at today.

<3 Katie <3

Diet Bet starts tomorrow!

So 4% in 4 weeks starting tomorrow. That will be good.  Won't know exactly what I'll need to lose until I weigh in, but it should be about 11-12 lbs.  That'll be a huge difference!  I was hoping the game would be a little bigger, but there's at least 5 of us playing, so that will be fun :) I hope we all get our money back.  It's kind of neat when you do the bigger games, but I thought setting up my own might be cool and let us do some more chatting and encouraging!!  

If anyone wants to join still, just head over to http://dbet.me/rxiBia

Everything else is going well --- our house buying has been at a standstill which is a bit frustrating, but what can you do!  Waiting on other people is never fun....but within a week we should be closing so thank goodness!!! Miss Claire came down with something and was all sorts of not feeling good yesterday....hoping that today is a better day for her!! She's just the best!!

So my main focus while doing this diet bet is just going to be to track everything!  If I can do that, it will make a huge improvement.  It's so easy to just eat mindlessly.  Just grab something and not think about that you're throwing 200 calories into your body.  That adds up...FAST.  Being more conscious will be great.  Committing to doing that will be a big step for me.  Most often I just log really well for a day or two and then forget, or "forget".  I want to really try to be super diligent for the full 4 weeks. Whether it be the cake at a grad party, splurging at game night....whatever it is, be honest and own it.  I also want to start getting more steps.  I wish I was more competitive.  I start or join these step challenges with the fit bit and really don't care if I win. LOL  On the other hand, I have friends who will go head to head and battle it out, stepping like crazy to win.  I want to be more like that!!!  

Okay everyone..until next time ;) 

-- Katie

July Already!!!

Good morning guys!!

I can't believe that it's already July 6th!! Unreal!  So my eating hasn't be great and exercise...what's that?! UGH.  But I'll get there. Soon we'll be moving - so moving all those boxes will be a workout ;) And I haven't been eating as much junk as I used to. So that's a bonus too!!

I am starting a DietBet next week. I've put together this one so hopefully we can get some people to join too!! It'll just make it that much more fun. Here's the link: http://dbet.me/rxiBia   Click the link to learn more and join us if you're looking to lose!  Basically, you buy-in with $20 and as long as you lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks, you split the pot --- you at least get your $20 back -- if not more!  The more people involved, the more opportunity you have to win more ---- but hopefully everyone loses their 4% :) I had been in one before and I lost ::sad:: BUT, I'm determined to do it this time!!!  Baby steps!!  

I want cute fall clothes!!!! I want my lularoe leggings to look better on me LOL 

Let's do this!! If you're looking to lose, I hope you join me --- it starts July 13th so there's still time!  

I hope everyone is doing great and has a great Wednesday.

<3 Katie