Yo-Yo Champion: A Weight Loss Update

I haven't shared a weight loss update since my June update because frankly there hasn't BEEN any weight loss. Sigh. Brent has been saying all along this would take us at least a year to reach our goal weights {I don't know that I've ever shared he's losing weight as well - he's lost about 25 pounds since February!}, and I finally started believing him ha. Realizing I'm only about halfway to where I want to be after 9 months, I decided a graphic was needed. {grin}

Now for the numbers: The lowest I got was at the end of May when I hit 147. Then I spent the summer in a big yo-yo pattern - gain 2, lose 1, gain 4, lose 2 etc. I got all the way back to 156 before reining myself in. A big help has been Emily who challenged me to a weight loss competition. You guys know how I feel about a challenge!

I ended October at 150, so I've lost 6 of the 9 pounds that I've gained! I knew this wasn't going to be easy because I've struggled with this 35 extra pounds for over 3 years. I'm very proud of the fact that I've been working at this for 9 months and yes, I've had some struggles and have backslid, but I HAVEN'T QUIT. 

I've also had some successes worth celebrating!

-I am working out the most and most consistently I have in my adult life. I workout 5-6 days/week {usually 6} EVERY week. A combination of jazzercise, jogging, body combat are my regular. I am really happy with how much I'm exercising and the changes I'm seeing in my body due to this. I'm also stronger and can go further/longer/faster in my workouts!

-I have had several non-scale victories. I have been making some really smart choices when it comes to food. For example, last weekend, we went to a local Biergarten with friends. Instead of getting my own meal, I split one with Paige - we shared a burger and fries. Also, on Halloween, there were 2 instances where I was eating something and thought 'I am not enjoying this.' and I threw the rest away.

-All my pants are a size 6. I took a big bag to Goodwill of my size 8s and 10s! I do have some smaller 6s I'm not in yet but I'm really happy about this! Plus, I feel like a lot of my shirts are fitting better/more flattering.

-I bought some joggers! I have always wanted a pair of joggers and have hated the way they looked on me. I got a pair and love them. I think this is a testament to the changes I'm making in my body.

The big holidays are right around the corner, and I'm a little nervous. I can very easily go off the rails from Halloween through the end of the year {and honestly even longer}. In our family, we have 5 birthdays, numerous Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, so it's a lot of parties and food. With that said, my goal for November is to lose 4 pounds. I'd like to get below my low from May. Then I'm going to REALLY TRY to maintain that through the end of the year. I'm sure there will be lots of ups and downs over the next 2 months, but I'm hoping this goal will keep me focused on being good when it isn't a party or celebration, ha! Then onward to 2021 to meet the rest of my goal before the summer.

Monthly Musings: Thanksgiving Preview

 I completely missed the link-up for this, but I still wanted to share my thoughts!

1. Favorite Thanksgiving tradition?

I think my favorite thing about Thanksgiving {and most holidays} is the routine - everything about the holiday is our tradition! Our typical Thanksgiving routine is to spend Thanksgiving lunch/afternoon with Brent's maternal side of the family. We eat lunch at his Nannie's house and hang out for the afternoon. A lot of times we go to my parents' house later in the day {Brent goes hunting most years in the afternoon}. My sister's birthday is November 25, and my dad's is November 28, so if we don't get together Thursday evening, we will get together on Saturday and celebrate birthdays!

This year, however, we are going to have Thanksgiving lunch at Brent's parents' house with just our family and Brent's brother's family. Thanks to COVID, we will not be getting together with extended family to protect Nannie {who is 87} and some other high risk family members.

There are a lot of things we typically do each year that are canceled this year - our town does a 'lighting of the square' that I take the girls to, my bestie and I go to the Junior League A Christmas Affair to shop, and we usually have our annual book club gift exchange at a local restaurant. I'm hoping we can still do the gift exchange, and the A Christmas Affair is virtual this year so Kristen and I plan to get together and still shop. It's so weird!

2. Favorite Thanksgiving dish?

I'm not a huge Thanksgiving lunch person to be honest. Most of the 'traditional' Thanksgiving foods I think are gross, ha.

However, Brent's aunts make 2 desserts that I LOVE - his Aunt Sassy makes a chocolate pie that I will make myself sick eating, and his Aunt Vicki makes a pumpkin roll that is basically pumpkin bread rolled with cream cheese. She hasn't come to Thanksgiving in a few years {she is the only sibling who lives outside of the Austin area}, so I am debating trying to make this myself this year, eek.

3. Football game? Yes/no? In person/on TV?

All our families are fans of the Dallas Cowboys {and y'all know how much I love those cheerleaders!}, and they always play on Thanksgiving Day, so this is always watched. I won't say that I pay attention, but the game is on wherever we are.

4. Talking turkey -- white meat or dark meat?

White meat all the way - it can sometimes be dry, but that's what gravy is for, ha. I do not like dark meat AT ALL.

5. Do you call it stuffing or dressing?

I'm honestly not sure? Both? It's not something I ate growing up at my grandparents' house {I vaguely remember it being there but never eating it!}, so the only times I've had it have been on Thanksgiving that Brent's Nannie makes. It isn't a staple of my life, although the Thanksgiving meal is Brent's favorite meal all year.

6. Tell us three things you are thankful for in this crazy COVID Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for being able to be together with family, having a week off school and work, and a serious one - that we are all healthy!

7. Pumpkin pie? Apple pie? Pecan pie?

I am not much of a pie person EXCEPT for Brent's Aunt Sassy's chocolate pie. If I had to pick one of those, I'd pick apple pie.

8. If you celebrate Christmas, do you put up your tree before or after Thanksgiving?

I used to be a firm believer in letting every Holiday have their time in the spotlight. The last few years, though, I've taken the attitude of doing whatever brings me/my family the most joy. And that means Christmas starting earlier in our house! Now, that in no way means we decorate super early, but we typically decorate Thanksgiving week since the kids are out of school, and I take the week off. I've actually thought about decorating the outside even earlier this year!

9. Black Friday shopper, yes or no?

I have never gone shopping on Black Friday in my life. I do not want to wake-up early and fight people. I do love a good sale, but I don't find this worth it. I like Cyber Monday though

10. Do you all sit at the table for Thanksgiving dinner or dine more casually?

We eat at the same time but have too many people together to eat at one table. A typical meal at Brent's parents' house has the adults in the dining room and the kids in the kitchen. Except Paige makes me eat with her, so I'm with the kids, ha!

Typing all this out has me really excited for Thanksgiving!!