1 year down!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Today is my 1 year mark on my journey to a healthier Melissa. I am very proud of committing to this, and sticking with it (in some way or form) for this long. Normally I burn out after 2-3 months and give up. I am very happy to say that I have changed my life(style) not just did/am doing a diet. In this period of time I have lost over 46 lb. I did gain this week (+2.4) but I think that was because of such a big loss last week and being sick. I was dehydrated and was warned when I weighed in last week, I could gain. Ann was right. But I am not stressing over it.

I have looked at my blog from the last year and have noticed what was working and what wasn't working. Working: gym & tracking. Not working: just Taekwondo & trying to eat right. So I am back to hitting the gym 2-3 times a week and I am back to tracking food. I am game planning my week too, seeing (ahead) what the hurdles will be and knowing how to over come them. This week we are going to see West Side Story, which means eating out. So If I hit the gym (changed to Crunch today) twice and Taekwondo twice before Friday, I'll be in good shape.

But I wanted to write about what I've accomplished in the last year besides the obvious scale victory.
1. Size 18 pants!
2. Smaller shirt size (22/24-darn boobs)!
3. Speaking of boobs, smaller bra size too!
4. Being able to do the elliptical for more than 1/2 hr without fear of dying (kidding).
5. Just saying "no" to cookies and junk.
6. Making better choices when out to eat.
7. Joining Chandler in Taekwondo and succeeding!
8. Speaking of TKD, Ax and Roundhouse kicks at my head level! Nuff said!
9. Balancing on a balance ball on all 4's for over a minute (close to 2).
10. On the ball, getting on to just my knees for the count of 5 (need to be at 20 when I test for black belt).
11. Feeling good about looking at myself!
12. Buying Ladies (not women's) XL workout pants!
13. Donating a ton of FAT clothes! Woot!!!

There are more, but those are listed on the other list. :) Until next time, friends!

My list...

I saw a post of a blog and she got the idea from one of her friends, and I loved it! For every pound lost, give a reason to have lost that pound! I looked over her list and I agreed with 85% of her list. But I will give you my list, the first 48 of the journey! I look forward when I can list 50, but until then. I start with the this year’s progress!

1. Sit on the floor comfortably without pinching my nerve in my hip.
2. Walk through the pew at church without having to side step
3. Lose the double chin
4. Rediscover my jaw bone
5. To shop at any store!
6. Paint my toenails without having to put my foot up on the counter!
7. Being able to see what color it is without having to bend over!!
8. Hold a plank position for more than 1 minute
9. Do more than 1 real push up at a time
10. Fit in narrow seats
11. Not have back fat
12. Not have my legs touch in the middle
13. Go jogging for fun, not for a fitness test (high school=nightmares)!
14. Get to a healthy weight so I can see my future grandchildren!
15. Find my collarbone and show it off
16. Not just wear jeans & t-shirts!
17. Run a 5k
18. Train for a half marathon
19. Train for a century bike ride (100 miles)
20. Have tall boots fit over my calves
21. Wear heals and not complain the minute they are put on!
22. Not have my arms wave back at you when I wave
23. Prove that I wasn’t meant to be FAT!
24. Earn a Black Belt in Taekwondo
25. Be smaller than I was as a Freshman in High school (271 lb)
26. Feel good in my exercise clothes
27. Have a healthy glow
28. See my toes from a standing position (I suppose that goes with toenail polish).
29. Make healthy changes to my favorite recipes because I want to, not because I have to
30. Wake up ready to go, and not want more sleep
31. Have more flexibility mentally and physically
32. Prevent knee surgery
33. Not be ashamed of myself
34. Enjoy looking in the mirror
35. Shop in the "regular" section of department stores
36. Have positive things to say about myself
37. Increase stamina
38. Fit comfortably in chairs at events (ie: giants games,convention center, etc.)
39. Feel like a legitimate athlete when I am out exercising 
40. Look like a legitimate athlete when I am out exercising
41. Inspire people
42. Take joy in taking care of myself
43. Try things I’ve wanted to try, but haven’t due to weight.
44. Know that I'm worth it 
45. Finally know I DESERVE it
46. I no longer qualify to be a contestant on the Biggest Loser!!
47. Be able to be a bone marrow donor on Be the Match
48. Feel good about donating all the fat clothes! See ya!

So there you have it! The first 48 things in *my list* of reasons to lose this weight! I will try to keep adding to it as I lose. As I close on 2011, and reflect on where I was when I rang in 2011, and where I am now, on the cusp of 2012. I am in awe of myself. For example, when I began in Taekwondo in July, I began learning how to balance on a ball on all fours. I could hardly do it. Now I can do it for 1-2 minutes! Now I am working on getting on just my knees. By the time I test for Black Belt I will need to last 20 seconds. Last week, I was able to do it for 5 seconds! Progress!!! I look forward to sharing more progress in 2012! And in April, I should be moving into the Blue Belt program! So progress continues! Have a very Happy New Year! Much love,

Christmas #1

OK, so I flaked on the pictures... My bad! If it's possible to believe me, I just haven't had the time to upload all the pics from the last week or so. Between the snow storm, Christmas, and shopping, it's been tough to get some time to do it... But again, here I sit on my blog typing when I could be uploading. Ah, priorities.

I did hear that we have 6' of snow up at the cabin (just SW of Mt. St. Helen's). They are saying that we cannot go up there because it's too snowed in. I hope that means there will be water in the lake this coming summer!!! I would love to take Chandler on the boat. Go figure I am talking about summer & it's not even 2009! LOL!

Anyway, We had a nice Christmas. Both boys were spoiled! Surprise. Chandler was blessed with lots of plastic-AKA: Batman gear. He also got his own digital camera and dvd player from my mom. My MIL got him a ton of clothes which were very much needed! And socks! WOO! Lincoln got diaper covers (yay) and clothes, lots of clothes. He got a couple toys but let's face it at 6 mo, he needs clothes more than toys.

Rob and I bought a video camera for ourselves. It was a splurge but a nice thing for the boys. We also were given a deep fryer, which Rob tested out today making onion rings and frys for his poker gang.

I truly feel blessed with what we have been given this year (not in physical gifts, but in all aspects of life). We have completed our family, with the addition of Lincoln, which is the best gift of all. I pray that 2009 is as blessed as 2008, with the exception of additonal children (TEE HEE)!

Now we prepare for the OSU bowl game on Wednesday! We play in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Tx at 5 PM (I think). Go Beavers!!!