Life Happened

Yeah Yeah Yeah I know excuses excuses, but really there are no good excuses.....so I guess I will just write.

My trips out of the country went great and no major weight gain, which in itself is...AWESOME!

I am still not back at the gym like I should be.

I am still weighing in around 182 ish.

I am in the Dallas area working til at least Aug for now.

I did get to meet with a great group of girls for dinner Sunday night.

I am going to BOOBS this year and rooming with the awesome Andrea.

I am having these strange leg cramps but not in the back of my leg as I have always had, but on the outside of my leg from my calf to my ankle.  Kinda strange.  I will keep with my water and add a few bananas to my diet to see if that helps.

I am considering doing Jamie Easton's Living Fit free system online.  Lots of protein, no cardio the first six weeks, and 45 mins of weight training every day.  The idea is that when used and fed properly, muscles will burn calories day and night, in turn burning fat and sculpting the body.

I still have not decided that I am in maintenance yet!

Thats all sisters...

No Scale.....

But I have decided I can do this without my scale. It has been since May 28 that I was last on my scale and at that point I was up a few pounds. I also made a decision about my weight loss goals. I want to get down to 170 so that I will always have 10 pounds to play with and still be at my first goal weight. This way I am not living on a diet I am just living healthy and happy. When I get back from my trip I will start interviewing plastic surgeons for my skin removal in various areas and possibly a "boob job". I am not planning surgery til the winter, but I know finding the right doctor is important. Any suggestions will be welcomed. I am still in Istanbul. I will back on sat with a 10 hour layover in Amsterdam then to LAX then Dallas. I will be at BOOBS this year and will be rooming with Andrea from andreasweightlossjourney.com. I will be getting my tickets soon. I can't wait to meet everyone! It seems I can't add pictures from my iPad so they will have to wait til I get home. Til then....

Blogging From Istanbul

I know it has been since may that anyone has heard from me.....sorry. When I got back from Rome work was all in my face. I am now in Istanbul and return June 12. I had a lay over in Paris but didn't much done other than seeing the Effel tower which was amazing. The food ok but the creeps were awesome! I had nutella of course! The gym is not possible here, but all the walking makes up for no gym time. I have been having stuck issues since I left home. I seriously think it is due to subconscious anxiety about being out of the country. I stay hydrated and have protein every chance I get. I did bring my quest and cliff builder protein bars, just wish I had brought more. The shopping here is great. It seems I am a size 42 in Turkish sizes. I am not letting this bother me as I know different countries have different sizes. I finally got some Starbucks today with steamed breve......my fav. The Turkish coffee is not only strong but wasn't told not to drink the slug at the bottom. Yuck! The Turkish tea is strong but good. Headed to Athens today for the weekend. Can't wait!

Running in Rome....

Only happened once...lol but it did.  I don't usually run outside.  As an adult that is I have only ran on a treadmill.  I thought just going for a job around the Roman Forum would be no problem as our hotel was just a block away. RIGHT!  Cobblestones, pebbles, dodging nuns and priests and unfamiliar territory were all big obstacles.  I walked mostly but some running did happen, just not as much as I would have liked.  We did tours and walked everywhere so exercise was not an issue.  My friend was wearing a pedometer.   In all we walked 20 miles while we were gone.  Not bad at all.  The food was amazing as I knew it would be.  With all of the great food and gelato every night while in Rome I knew I had gained.  I jumped on the scale this morning and weighed 181.4 which is a loss of almost 2 pounds from my weight of 183 when I left.  I was shocked and over joyed!  I want to thank everyone for their kind and encouraging words on my last posts.  As always you guys are awesome!

A few more pictures for you.....

Just so you know...my friend wanted to tag along to get a few pictures of the Roman Forum and decided me running and walking on vacation was fairly picture worthy.....

Currently in Prague...

I fly home tomorrow.  Spent 5 days in Rome and 4 in Prague.  I haven't been on a scale in over a week and am very scarred.  Everything still fits even my 14s so we shall see!  Here are some pictures for you....

in Pompeii

I love this one!

 Yes these are lemons!

 The Trevi Fountain

 In Tuscany

I AM OFF....

I head to Rome today.  It will be my first trip to Europe and I couldn't be more excited! Wait that isn't the truth, I am scared to death.  So many things that I am worried about.  I won't be working for two weeks so no pay check for two weeks.  I won't have my scale with me and the last time I forgot my scale at home I lasted a day and had to run out and buy one.  I will be in the country with the best italian food in the world..... whats a fat girl to do but eat?

Bright side..... I have bills paid til I get paid next and have spending money.  My brain will have to shut off to the no scale thing, I am stronger than a scale.  I have my gym clothes and a running route for Rome and committed to running or at least walking for 30 or more mins everyday. And my friends who have been my biggest supporters will be with me and help to keep the fat girl in check.  And I only have one wine tasting tour scheduled so that should help with food exposure.  I am leaving the country with a higher weight than I would like 183.6, but I am not discouraged.  This too shall not get me down cause......I AM GOING TO ROME!

I will post pictures as soon as I can!

Hear are a few of the blue bonnets here in TX.....

Dressing room at Calvin Klein in new jeans

At a friends birthday party on Sat night....

Me with my nephew in FL...

Weekly weigh in....

Yes a few days late but here it goes.  Starting weight 280, last weeks weight 182 which was a nice drop finally from the 192-187 that I had been jumping back and forth with, and on Friday my weight was 180. This number means a few things to me......my goal met!!!!!  Yes that right I said I met my 100lb goal.  I can't believe it either.  I have to say there wasn't anything magical about the 100th pound when I hit it.  I just know that I made a goal and I have gotten to it!

Now you ask am I done?  Ummm nope.  I would like to be able to walk into any store and be able to fit into a pair of jeans, weather I wanted to buy them or even wear them.  Silly thing I know, but just like any other goal I will strive for it.