Winters Journal.. Ok, GO!

[winters_melody]

So, I've finally taken the plunge and decided to keep a journal, hoping it'll help me keep in perspective. I've been reading some journals, and looking at some pictures and I must say, well done to you all! Hopefully one day I'll have my own up there (not yet that bold)!

First things first I guess. I'm a 22 year old Interior Design student who's currently unemployed and withdrawn from college due to Katrina.
I might as well get it all out there in the vast openness that is online. I'm 5'10", weigh approx 350 and have been overweight all of my life. I was an ordinary kid, though the chubbiest on my summer softball teams. Band nerd, okay student, darn artistic. And so TOTALLY in denial about myself.

Even now, I don't really think of myself as obese. Until I look at pictures I feel like I'm the most average person there is. Then.. EEK! Most of my family is also overweight and always do the 'you're just big boned', or my favorite, 'but you have such a pretty face!' Cringefest. I'll be graduating college in December 2007 and I'm bound and determined to be a more slim, healthier person for those after college job interviews!

I got the book and read it all quickly back in July. I did well for about 2 weeks, then it was time for my long planned 3 week roadtrip of the US. So much for a diet! I got home, went back to college, and started beaching it again. Then disaster struck. Literally. Our house (I was living with my sis, her hubby and their new baby) was nearly demolished when Katrina uprooted a tree in our front yard. A 150 year old oak to be exact. So in the week with no electricity we ate whatever we could cook on the grill before it ruined. I'm now settled back with my parents and ready to try this again! So, barring anymore natural disasters...

[lorka150]

Hey!
Sorry to hear about everything. I cannot even imagine, living in Canada.

My thoughts and prayers to you and your fam.

I wanted to say hello and good luck! I am also 22, a student, and a musician and artist! I look forward to helping you with your journey!

[winters_melody]

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

So wow, do we have a lot in common or what? I'll take all the help I can get on this long journey of mine, but I'm SO looking forward to it! I have a lot of family that I don't see except on Christmas, so hopefully they'll be less of me to see by then!

I see you're in Phase 3, congrats on reaching your goal!

[lorka150]

Thanks!
I hardly follow journals but yours caught my eye because I figured I might be able to help you out if we can relate in ways. I'll try to reply often for you, and keep you motivated!

[winters_melody]

Day 2? Breeze!

I can't believe how easy it was today! That might have something to do with the fact that I didn't get up until 11am. Woops. I'm setting my alarm for 8ish in the morning and going for a nice walk before it gets hot. It was 104 here today. I feel bad for the men building my parents new house. Must be baking in there!

So, I cooked dinner tonight, mom & dad actually liked it! Well, they ate pasta too but I didn't, and I'm addicted to pasta. I swear I could like live on it. But not anymore huh? So, meals for today.

B: asleep so none
L: tuna with a bit of may and dill relish wrapped in lettuce leaves! diet coke
S: LF string cheese, water
D: shishkabobs with lean beef, onions, red bell peppers, and zucini's. And boiled yellow squash, water
Dd: a spoonful of natural peanut butter

How was that? I haven't replaced my book from the hurricane and couldn't remember what it said about squash and zucini's. I think that was okay. I have a few leftover shishkabobs for lunch tomorrow!

[lorka150]

Everything looks good, but were you full enough?

Good idea trying to fit exercise in tomorrow!

[winters_melody]

I didn't get to craving anything until I was sat on the couch watching Nip/Tuck. But I got up, grabbed a bottle of water and by the time I finished it, I was fine. I did go for my walk this morning, and I feel SO much better! I guess just knowing that I'm doing something to make myself healthier is all it takes. I'll see how hot it is this evening and try to go again, I'll be glad when it cools down that's for sure! Have a great day everyone!

[winters_melody]

Yesterday went really well! I got up early and went for a walk around the field next to my house. It's a BIG field, more than a mile around. I went again this morning, and I think I might go again this afternoon once it cools off some. Another scorcher here today. So, on to the meals!

Tuesday
B:2 eggs scrambled with cheese, hot sauce (it has no sugar), bell peppers, and tomato. Diet Coke
S: LF String Cheese, water
L:Grilled chicken salad with vineagrette dressing, jello, & water
S: 15 peanuts
D: Soup with lean ground beef, 3 types of beans, taco seasoning, and diced tomatos! SO good! Water

So far today..
B: 2 egg omlette with cheese, tomatos, and aspragus, 2 slices canadian bacon, diet coke
S: peanuts, water
L: leftover soup with a small salad! water

I'm not sure what we're having for dinner yet. I'd better go, I've got to go pick up the Jacuzzi for the new house!

[winters_melody]

It's been a hectic weekend since my last post! Friday was really good, went walking twice and cut the lawn (all 4 acres!) Saturday included shopping, which is always good! It was rainy and icky here in Arkansas due to Rita. Boy did it get icky, brought back all those fun memories of Katrina a month ago! /sarcasm I like to NEVER went to sleep Saturday night as the entire house was shaking with the wind. We did good, only one tree down but a lot of limbs too. No water got in the new house even though the door did blow open, such a relief!

Today I kept my 11 year old cousin, they were out of school for teacher meetings or something. We hung out and got a head start on Halloween crafts. Tomorrow I plan to go for my morning walk and get started cutting that tree up. Yes I'm a girl and I cut trees got a problem? I like expensive toys! So, it's the beginning of week two of P1. The headaches have been gone since Friday which is brilliant. No real cravings except for the occasional one for chocolate. I didn't drink enough water today, I'll drink more tomorrow.

[winters_melody]

Still going good here! About to start P2 on Monday! Boy those 2 weeks have gone quick! I've lost 11 pounds so far! I did cheat once that was tonight, I had a slice of pizza! I know I know *hides* But! I'm going for my walk in the morning with my new iPod Shuffle (I will be SO glad when my 20gb get's replaced by Allstate!) and am cleaning out the new house. Lots of sweeping, and picking up little bits of wood!

My pants are getting a little looser. I can actually take my jeans off now without unbuttoning them! *mad dance* Go me! I've still got sooo far to go, but I know I can do this! It's starting to cool off more so those walks will be easier to tolerate. I'd decided to ask for an elliptical for Christmas this year but don't know if I'll have room now that our house is..eh. I might be in an apartment or dorm (single of course!) in January. Do they take up a ton of room? Anyone know a good model for less than say $300? I'd appreciate any info you could pass along! Or anything really that doesn't take much room.

[winters_melody]

Yes, I'm still here and beaching! Things have been SO hectic round here with the new house, trying to deal with insurance people in Mississippi. I've just come in from my walk and I'm actually starting to notice a difference from the first time I walked around the field. I've been stopping in the corners for a min or two and taking a breather, but today I went straight around, and I got finished about 5 mins sooner than usual so I am walking faster too!

I did go off last night. I'd gone out to a movie with a friend and had a diet coke and two of her choco covered raisins, and I come home to find enchiladas! *swoons* Mom thought I was eating out so she fixed something I couldn't eat anyway. I did have a salad with them. I felt a little guilty when I woke up this morning, but I told myself that was yesterday and we'll get back to the beach first thing today. I had a diet dp and breakfast, and I'm back on track!

This past Friday, my parents had doctor appointments in Little Rock so I went with them as we needed to pick out mirrors and light fixtures as well. We met my Uncle who needed to run to Sams but didn't have a club card so he needed to use ours. We went out to dinner at Golden Corral which my dad is obsessed with. I haven't seen my uncle in ages so we're sat at the table and he's got pasta, ribs, bourbon chicken, everything! They brought the rolls to the table and everyone grabs one but me. My uncle says "You don't want one?" My dad answers for me and says "No, she can't eat it." "I'm on the beach." So I'm telling him about it, and he looks down at his plate and says, "Oh! You should've said! I'm eating all this stuff in front of you!!" Then I explained that it doesn't bother me, as there's loads there that I CAN eat.

Then my dad says, "it's good she's doing this, I can tell she's lost some weight." Mom agrees and I'm stunned, they've not mentioned it to me. *shrugs* I've not seen my sis in about 3 weeks so we'll see if she notices anything.

[winters_melody]

So my sister came down this weekend, she said it looked like I'd lost some weight, go me! Of course, this I knew already but, sheesh it's SOOOOO good to hear it! I skipped my walk this morning, but I found my dad's balance ball from therapy so I was messing around with it. That thing is hard to stay on! I'm paranoid that I'll fall off, but it's fun, and a nice change from walking. I also picked up a jump rope at Wal-Mart yesterday, I can't jump as long as I used to. Big surprise there eh?

[shellbelle]

I just wanted to say Hi. I am from Arkansas. I hope all is going well with you and it sounds like you are doing great so far. Congrats on the weight loss.

Shelly

[winters_melody]

I just wanted to say Hi. I am from Arkansas. I hope all is going well with you and it sounds like you are doing great so far. Congrats on the weight loss.

Shelly

Hello to you too! Things are going well, I've just been a bit neglectful with the journal (as if a greatest journal AND LiveJournal weren't enough!). I've lost another 5lbs so I'm down a total of 16! I had a bit of a stall week before last, which I'm pretty sure was due to the fact I sprained my ankle. It's better now, so I'm back to my walking. I had NO Halloween candy I'm proud to report, which is the first time EVER! Didn't even think about candy until later on that week. Though those evil choco covered cherries were calling me today from the shelf in Wal-Mart. BUT! I didn't buy any, I bought a purse instead. A girl can never have too many purses!

[shellbelle]

Congrats on the weight loss so far. Good for you on buying the purse. I just bought 2 news ones this week. Good sale prices. I found a great store and they have all kinds of cool purses. I hope you have a good beachy week. The weather is nice in AR now. I love the cold fall days.

Shelly