Back on Track

Well hello there.

So last week I was out of town visiting my family back home. We live in a very small town and at my dads house I get barely any cell reception, no 3G coverage and we have no internet, so needless to say blogging was not much of an option.

I did get this super cute picture of me and my nephew Ollie at the zoo. He wasn't as excited about photo taking as I was

Apparently sticky to WW wasn't much of an option either. Without my phone app I was lost, and REALLY kinda fell off the wagon. But all is well, no major damage was done, but I have gained approx 1.5-2 lbs. Its also that time again so it's hard to really tell. Either way I will weigh-in tomorrow and we will see what happens.

I was pretty upset with myself on Monday to be honest. I had been eating like crap, and hadn't worked out at all since I got sick. I was on doctors orders no exercise until I finished my antibiotics due to being so dehydrated. So I finished my antibiotics last Friday and no working out + crappy food put me in a very squishy and bloated place. BUT last night I went and ran with the boyfriend and immediately felt better about everything. We are all going to fall off the wagon at some point, just don't let it keep you from getting back on! I know I won't!

I started my shakeology again, am now taking all my vitamins everyday plus a probiotic, and issued a new rule, 64 ounces of water a day before I get to have anything else to drink. It has already helped tremendously! I have much more energy, I am sleeping better, my digestion is back on track, and my skin is actually looking better. Water + Vitamins= Better Health in my book.

New Happenings!

*So I am currently looking for employment. I have spent all day scouring the job boards and actually have 2 very exciting leads. One of which I REALLY hope works out! I want to work full time in the summer, and then stay on part time in the fall and spring. More info to come!

*I have started a daily bible study! I have never done one before, and I am pretty excited. It is the Soul Detox and I found it through Instagram. Its a phone app and is really well designed and user friendly. I would love for anyone who wants to to join me to let me know!! Here are the instructions on how to find it!

1. Download the YouVersion bible app
2. create a free account
3. go to plans
4. select soul detox plan

This little light of mine! I'm gonna let it shine! 

It's a 35 day bible study and it gives you the study materials and the bible verses to study in any bible version you prefer. I like the Contemporary English Version best, just more my style! On instagram or twitter you can follow this study as well through #shereadstruth and/or #souldetox. They are already on day 14 so you can either catch up to day 14 from when you start or go at your own pace, or JOIN ME!

*Woodchuck is now in cans! We have waited forever for this day! :) Thanks Woodchuck for continuing to be awesome.

Can of Woodchuck and fresh Louisiana Crawfish. Best Saturday

Also still available in Bottles in all your favorite varieties! 

*Bonnaroo is in 9 days!! I CAN'T WAIT. I got my ticket today!

9 more days and I will be back!!

My Ticket! Glad they are cloth this year and not plastic like last year!

Peace,
Emma

Friday Fun Day

I took the day off on Friday since I had really nothing to do at work and was over hours already for my GA. I slept in, cleaned the house, packed, and took my last final of the semester! David came home from work and we hit the road to Chattanooga!

That night we went to dinner at Urban Stack and I had the most amazing turkey burger ever! It wasn't on my plate long enough for a picture, but it was delicious. Then we headed to Track 29 for Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors opening for The Dirty Guv'Nahs.

This is the 6th? time I have seen The Dirty Guv's I think. They are from Knoxville and are such a fantastic show! I went with David, Jess, and Jessica's old roomie Erin! Erin is on a journey with Weight Watchers as well and has lost approx. 50.8 lbs!!!!! (Erin feel free to correct me if that's not exactly what you told me friday night). She has done so fantastic with the program and is continuing her journey as we speak!

The Boyfriend & Me

Dancing is more fun when you do it awkwardly 

Jessica, Me, and Erin! Best friend and WW buddy!

Us & the Guv's

Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors

Guv's 

Love

So that was Friday night! We had such a blast and absolutely passed out when we got home!

Emma

Thursday Morning Moment of Truth

Let me just tell you how excited I was to weigh in today! I had tracked ALL week, everything I ate. I worked out almost every day and earned a total of 59 activity points over the course of the week. I was diligent about this program this week because I am TIRED of low weigh-in losses. The 0.2 weigh in from last week kicked my ass into gear, I knew I was starting to slip. I knew I was getting complacent, and I knew that would never get me below 150 acting like that and this would be just like every other time. So here is my weigh-in today:

2 POUNDS DOWN!

Beginning Weight: 162 lbs

Current Weight: 149.2 lbs

Total Weight Lost: 12.8 lbs

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!!! I dropped below 150!! 

My 10% body weight loss will happen once I have reached 145.8 lbs so only 3.4 more lbs before I have reached my 10% weight loss! And 19.2 more lbs to go before I reach my goal. 

I remember being a Junior in High School and I had quit the dance team to focus on school and "building my resume" (yes I was that girl). My weight had risen fairly dramatically after I quit dancing, and also my hips widened, and my boobs came in, so I was much thicker than I had been before. I was also eating the worst food I can find and not working out at all, so I joined Curves. I was desperately trying to get back down to my 130 frame, but had really no idea how much food was going to impact this, or what I was doing.

I weighed-in one day and the scale said 147. I nearly died. I thought I was so fat, and I was so disappointed in myself (I told you I had body image issues and lots of negative self talk problems). Now when I hit 147 I am going to be FLIPPING OUT with excitement! I haven't weighed this much since I was 17, and although it was traumatic then I am much more educated and mature about it now. I know I am in control of my body, not the other way around. I know that Food is essential to a good life and happy body. I am so PROUD of myself now. I am below 150, and I never want to go back there again!

Here's something fun too I wanted to add. last week at work we were checking our BMI's because we were bored curious. Here is my BMI info. FYI You want your BMI to be in the 20-25 range as this is considered "normal weight". What's Your BMI?

2008-2009 (highest weight reached)

Weight: 182

Height: 4'5

BMI: 31.2

Category: Obese

February 23, 2012 

Weight 162 lbs

Height 5'4 

BMI= 27.8

Category: Overweight

April 26, 2012

Weight: 149.2

Height: 5'4

BMI: 25.6

Category: Overweight (Slightly)

Once I drop down to 147 I will be back in the normal range for my height and weight on the BMI scale. I know it's not an exact science, but it's another tool we can use to help us reach a health body weight! 

What a good day! I am super excited to see what the next week brings! This weekend I am going out of town so it will be a real challenge for me, but I think I can do it! Better get going on those activity points!!!

Have a VERY healthy day!

Emma

Waist Line Lies

I am really trying to avoid writing this paper, so I figured I would give a quick blog update on how this week is going! It's Saturday and the boyfriend is at a reptile convention out of town, so I have the house to myself. I.HAVE.THE.HOUSE.TO.MYSELF. Wednesday night I came home and had all these things I was going to do, then this realization hit me and I made turkey hotdogs with cucumbers (my favorite!) and watched American Idol for 2 hours uninterrupted, then made a pillow fort and hogged all the covers. I love my boyfriend, and living together is fun, but sometimes it's nice to have some time alone.

So here I am Saturday. I slept till 11 and then made breakfast burritos and sat down to start my paper. Mid paper writing I fell asleep and took a 3 hour unscheduled nap, then woke up completely unmotivated to finish. I have 2 pages of 8 done. Life of a Grad student.

Tonight is a big party I am super excited to go to, so I have decided to leave the paper be for the day and fix some dinner instead. On tonight's menu is baked tilapia and garden medley vegetables. 4 WW points per serving, here is the recipe:

1 bag garden medley vegetables. Wal-Mart brand
2 filets of tilapia. 6 oz total
1 tbsp. Lawrys seasoned salt
2 tbsp minced garlic

I just sprayed a bread baking pan with butter flavored cooking spray, put down the veggies first, then 2 filets of tilapia, then sprinkled on the seasoned salt and garlic, covered in aluminum foil, and popped in the oven at 400. Cook until the fish flakes apart easily. I don't have a picture since it is still cooking but its delicious, quick and easy and makes enough for 2 people or 2 meals.

I am about to go run and then come back, eat and get ready to go out! This is going to be a bit of a challenge for me since drinking is my biggest downfall to WW, so I am going to order waters and bring my crystal light and tell everyone I put vodka in it. White lies to save my waist line are ok.

I have done really really well since Thursday on tracking. I have tracked everything, worked out, and stayed on point so I am excited to see what Thursdays scale has to say. I have a mental goal of at least 2 lbs, so we shall see!

Go out and enjoy your Saturday night and don't be afraid to lie to your friends about what your drinking! It's good for you.
Emma

Thursday Morning Moment of Truth

Happy Thursday everyone!

This past week seemed to last forever! I'll post a recap in the next few days of a few fun things I have had going on! But first here we go for this week!

Definitely channeling the 90's with my new Toe Ring 

Starting Weight: 162lbs

Current Weight: 153.2lbs

Total Lost: 8.8lbs

So I lost 0.6lbs this week! Here's the thing, I really didn't do so hot with the program, but I think I have learned enough tools and tricks when it comes to choosing foods that I still did ok! It just makes me think how much could I lose in a week if I stuck EXACTLY to program and didn't go over my daily points/ weekly allowance and really worked out consistently?

Sounds like a good challenge for me! So this week my goal is to stick to program exactly... this is where I KNOW I will have issues:

Drinking- I drink socially on the weekends. During the week isn't an issue, I am too old and tired, but on the weekends I like to kick back with a few Woodchucks and have fun with my friends. The past few weekends have been particularly challenging because of St. Pattys Day (GREEN BEER!) and Saturday was my best friends Jessica's Birthday. This weekend I will try my best to not party like it's 1999.

Working Out- I love running, and I really enjoy working out... once it's over, or once I am well into it. I have an issue starting. I also have issues scheduling. Work and school are getting crazy with everything wrapping up in just 4 weeks (where has this semester gone?) and so I need to be better about scheduling time to run and just doing it! 

So those will be my two biggest things this week. I have the breakfast routine down and I think I have a fairly good grasp on what to eat and how much. So onto this week and we will see what we can do. 

I have some anxiety though as well. My highest weight in college was 182 lbs. YEAH... I got big for a while. 

December 2009, Bridesmaid

That picture is of me in my friend Eve's wedding. After this wedding I used to refer to myself as the biggest bridesmaid. Self deprecating behavior is not a stranger to me. At that point I weighed approximately 178 lbs. I don't have many pictures of me where I was at 182. The only one I could find is here...

May 2009. Ignore the crying, it was our last senior meeting in my sorority

I avoided camera's like the plague. I see this picture now and I think dear lord. At the time I remember being in such denial, I had no idea WHERE my weight was. I knew I weighed 182, but I still saw myself as someone who was in the 140 range. 

So after 3 years of a weight roller coaster, I am back down to near the lowest I have been since 2004 which is 152.  I have hit 152 many times over the past 3 years, but have never gone past it. So I am anxious because once I lose 1.2 lbs that will be exactly 30 from my highest weight ever, and my ultimate plateau. 

November 2011. Me presenting my research at ESBB in Marsailles, France.  Weight approx. 156

That's the newest picture of me that is my whole body and not just my face, and I am approx. 3lbs lighter now than I was then. My end goal with Weight Watchers is 130, which will be a total weight loss of 52lbs since 2009 and 32lbs lost on the program. There is a part of me that fears I will never get to that point, but I won't know if I don't stick to it and give it a try. 

So there is a bit about my history and weight struggles. Today starts week 5 on WW, and we will see what happens!

Love,
 Emma

Thursday Morning Moment Of Truth

Thursday has arrived! it's the first day of March and the first day of weight watchers! here's where I stand starting off.

My Tattoo is a Turtle incase you were wondering :)

WW Starting weight: 155.8
Weight lost from 3 Day Cleanse: 6 lbs! I started the cleanse at approximately 161-162 and weighed in this morning 6 lbs lighter. I'll take that!

So, I am pretty excited to start my day! For breakfast I will be having a fruit smoothie with strawberries and blueberries and a bit of truvia, and I am going to add in an egg white sandwich on a thin bagel with fat free cheddar! YUMM.

Total Breakfast Points: 7 point plus for all this food!!

Yummy!

Well, I am off to eat, pack my lunch and ride my bike to work! See ya later today!

Happy March!
Emma

Keep Your Head Up- Day 3 continued

Well Day 3 is over!! I did it!

I still have my last shake to drink for the night but other than that I am done. Thank goodness.

I am really surprised I finished to be completely honest. Food is a big deal for me, so to go for three days and stick to an extremely regimented and restrictive plan is not a small feat. But I did finish, and I didn't cheat once, although I wanted to MANY times.

The fact that I was able to do this and complete the cleanse is a green light for me. I can show discipline and self control and do something good for myself because it is important, and not give in because it is hard. So I am extremely proud of myself, and so glad it's over!! I feel like I have passed a test!

Speaking of tests, today for lunch some people I work with wanted to try out this new place right outside of Cookeville. Because they are super awesome and supportive people, they brought me by my house first to make my lunch shake and grab my piece of fruit for the day (today was apples). After introducing Samantha to Walter (pet turtle), we headed out to lunch. Now let me just set the scene for where we ate. It's in a gas station. It's a burger place called Flip'In Burger. They have 30 free toppings for your burger. They give you a BAG of french fries if you order a large. So here I sit in a gas station burger joint with my shake and apple, and everyone at the table has some amazing looking lunch! It wasn't easy and I got a lot of weird looks from sketchy truckers random people, but I held out. So go me (I am definitely going back to try one of these burgers!!)

Bet you can't guess which one is mine

So while difficult, it wasn't impossible and I feel amazing going into tomorrow! I have energy and will power and a lot of self empowerment! And I am so excited about weight watchers!

I went grocery shopping tonight (don't do this during a cleanse, thats the definition of masochism), and signed up for my online WW program so I am ready to go in the morning. Look forward to some new recipes and WW points included. Also, if your on this program download the WW barcode scanner. It is the best thing and so helpful while shopping!!!

Thanks for the support and I apologize to anyone who had to deal with me the past 3 days, the crankiness has been out of control! My bad, Ill be much better tomorrow :)

Happy Hump/ Leap Day!

Emma

Mango Tree- Day 1

Well hey there...

Ready for this blog to take a new direction (or just be updated more than 3 times a year)? Well here we go!

So things have changed drastically, here's a quick run down and then we will get on to more pressing matters...
moved (again)
changed Grad schools (same program) and got a GA thats pays 100%
quit my job
live with the boyfriend

OK so since I'm a full time student now I have been studying A LOT, and in my time I have had more time to contemplate my direction of study. Mental Health Counseling with a component of Art and let's throw in another with Nutrition. I am really really interested in the mental aspect of nutrition and physical health and the influence that creative expression and what we put INTO our bodies has on our mental health. So I have been reading and researching, and the other day I had an epiphany.

I was reading about mindfullness, self-determintaion theory, and mindfullness based intervention strategies for overweight client populations... and BAM there it was. How am I supposed to work with the same population that I fall into? Trying to help them change their behavior without changing mine? Not practicing what I preach? Ignoring all of the things I know? yep... ouch that one hurt.

So here I am, passionate about health, but yet still not quite there myself. After some thought and reflection I think it comes down to this. In order to help others, I must first help myself.

Does this mean be skinny? NO. I don't want to be skinny!! I am curvy and I wanna keep it that way, but moving into a healthy weight range, sticking to the healthy eating habits that make me feel better, and putting quality into my body, that's what this is all about along with exercise and healthy life habits. As much as it will end up being a life lesson, it is also a social experiment using myself as a guinea pig.

So what exactly will I be doing? Today starts DAY 1 of a 3 day shakeology cleanse. This is going to be beneficial for many reasons
1) I drank WAY to much beer and ate WAY to much fast food over the weekend
2) I have depleted my nutrition and water intake (see #1)
3) I need a jump start to vamp up some energy and get the crap out

So for the next 2 days I will be doing the following

Trust me, it's as hard as it looks. I am weirdly starving and energized at the same time. Also I pee a lot. 

Then after my 3 day cleanse, I start Weight Watchers on Thursday! I am pretty excited about this for lots of reasons, but mostly because even though I am overweight, I do eat much healthier than I used to, I just really need some structure and accountability. Nothing is good for you in mass quantity even fruit, and definitely not cake. I looked a bunch of different options and decided this would be best for me. 

I will also be starting weigh-ins on Thursday as a part of the program, and for the sake of self-disclosure I will be posting my weight each week for you to see. I hope this will serve multiple functions including keeping me accountable and readers intrigued and coming back for more!

So here we go, day 1 of my social/ self/ nutrition/ mental health experiment. I'll be posting pretty much everything I go through as well, for the mental health aspect of this. So keep reading if your interested, and if not I have some much more interesting websites listed at the top of the screen ;)  

Till tomorrow,

  Emma