Just Do It

As we talked about this past week:
Making this change to eat better and move more has to be a personal decision.
People can teach me things: I can learn it all.
But results come in the action.
You actually have to do something to have something happen. 

The amazing thing is that I am seeing results, even if I slip up, because my life has changed so drastically.
I no longer go through the drive-thru (unless it's for a Sonic drink!)  ... I used to go literally every day.
I don't eat 1,000+ calorie meals ... now it's more like  200-300ish per meal
I have learned the importance of eating cleaner to feel better.
I have learned about taking time for myself.
If that means at the gym or just sitting quietly by myself, I know that's important.

I am so grateful for what I have learned so far.
If you are going to begin a weight loss journey I will tell you one tip:
TAKE PICTURES!

I can't ever hardly see the results myself.
Even though the scale has gone down 41 pounds since starting and that my clothes are fitting better.
The pictures are what does it!
So, I'm being brave putting this on here, but I truly think it's important because....
#1. I wasn't able to see these results without these pictures.
#2. You can't suck in back-fat. So, I know this is real! 

The first picture is from January, this last picture is from Today! 

The best is when people ask "How are you doing it?" ... I'm doing it by doing what they have "all" said all along: Eat real food, eat small meals spaced out throughout the day, drink water, be active. That's it! There is no magic pill and no magic button. You have to do it!
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Last weekend my puppy died. She was only about 7 years old, and had a stroke :(
She was a good pup and we are all gonna miss her!
Someday soon I will get a new puppy ... but not quite yet. 

So the picture on the right is from I think around Christmas time. The picture on the left is from this past Friday (May 26th) 

One Bullseye! Next 5-spot I got TWO bullseyes AND all arrows were inside targets! Practice makes Progress!

Being as it was Memorial Day weekend, my sister and I went and put flowers on our grandpa's grave. 

Learning this! 

"The Biggest Loser"

Did you ever watch "The Biggest Loser"?
I mean how could you not... it's one of those reality-competition shows that sucks you in! 

Whenever I watched it, I always wondered why they did the "temptation" shows.
Where they would lock their contestants in a room with cookies and cakes and high calorie crap.
And then tell them if they eat it, they may win an advantage or something. 

And I always thought "You're sabotaging your own people!!"
But really... it's a lesson, and one I'm learning. And I'm learning that's life!

#1. MOST of us can't adhere to a strict, macro/calorie counting, no-carb/low-carb, high fat/no fat diet. Diets like that don't work for normal people who have lives outside of body building or Cross-Fit Competitions. 

#2. Life happens. And life is beautiful!
But sometimes, you go to a birthday party where you have one option and that one option isn't on your "plan" ... so you do the best you can! 

#3. Eating something "off-plan" isn't going to totally kill all of the work that I've done.
That is, as long as I don't eat "off-plan" every single day and/or every single meal. 

#4. It's all about consistency and routine. My life is really hectic. But if I am able to keep somewhat of a food routine, I know I will feel better and do better! 

I said in our HU Group that this time of year is so hard for teachers.
Everyone is having parties at this time, and all the extras are put in the work room.
I would typically eat a few cupcakes, some chips, crackers. I wouldn't worry about packing a lunch because I knew I would always find SOMETHING in the lounge to snack on. 

But this year, I'm not eating in the lounge.
I take my lunch every. single. day.
And I eat as closely to my plan as possible. 

Have I eaten some Cheez-Its?
Yes.
Did I have some M&Ms?
Yes.
Have I still managed to keep losing?
Yes. 

It's all about consistency! 

Date Night... I decided to try to dress a little cute... 

I got to be present at my COUSIN'S signing with MSU to play the flute in their band. 

Sarah's signing. 

OMG If one more person says "Well, at least you get to have your summer off" I'm gonna go NUTSO! 

Sarah and I for her graduation. They grow up so fast! 

Almost the End

Of course, I'm referring to the school year being almost done. 

I try to end the school year on a high note, as I think every teacher tries to do: it sends kids away with some good, happy memories and it is a way to end the year that is nice and smooth. 

Well, kinda. 

For the kids, they get to have all sorts of fun... for us teachers we have to plan and execute the activities and I think I speak for everyone when I say that it would just be "easier" to not do any of the fun stuff! But then that takes all the fun out of it! 

Here's what I have on the docket for the coming week (our last full school week of the year): 

Monday -- Kids go on the limo ride for Major Saver ...Karaoke in the Classroom 

Tuesday -- Sweet Treat from Miss Owens' kitchen (the kids love knowing I've made them something)

Wednesday -- Katy Park Day ... we hike to Katy Park and grill out. It will be a LONG day!

Thursday -- Awards Day ... Go visit third grade solar system projects

Friday -- EARLY OUT ... We present Solar System Projects 

Next week:
Monday --  Lunch in the classroom (or maybe outside!) "help Miss Owens clean" day :D
Tuesday -- EARLY OUT -- Field Day -- Movie Day -- Last day w/ kids
Wednesday -- Professional Development day -- Teacher of the Year Banquet
Thursday -- WORK DAY (my favorite) 

Aside from all that school-stuff, I have my own personal junk to attend to:
Monday -- Softball Board Duty Night
Tuesday -- SAC meeting -- Taco Tuesday
Wednesday -- Softball Board Duty Night
Thursday -- Healthy U meeting
Friday -- Begins the onslaught of graduation parties I am attending
Saturday -- Graduation (my cousin is graduating)
Sunday -- More graduation parties 

I know that after this week, and once school is out, my schedule will be SO much more free to hit the gym. I am looking forward to having a little more flexibility in my gym schedule come summer time! 

My grandmother -- the best example of love and devotion I have ever met. I am so proud to be her grandchild. <3 

I clean up pretty good! 

#letsdothis! 

The Lost Sessions

The past couple of weeks have been an absolute whirl-wind! 

I feel like I say that every time, but it's so true. I'm just going to give you the past week or so in pictures... 

Monday (May 1st) 

Monday we did our attendance incentive. The kids had 10 days of 97%+ attendance, so they got to watch the teachers kiss a pig!

Here's the little guy we got to kiss :) 

 TUESDAY: 

Opening Ceremonies for Sedalia Girls Softball League.
My cousin threw out the first pitch of the season! 

WEDNESDAY: Senior awards, which were very confusing...

THURSDAY: 

Me receiving my certificate for our district's teacher of the year

My SCEA people and our MSTA representative 

FRIDAY: Got my hair done :D 

SATURDAY:: Prom and GARTH BROOKS

This pretty-well sums up our relationship. My baby cousin is all grow'd up! 

Isn't she pretty? I am so proud of her! 

ALSO SATURDAY::

Getting ready for Garth Brooks! EEEEK! 

Me and Meg waiting in the line outside! 

We were there. It was amazing. 

I can honestly say that this was by far the best concert I have ever been to in my life, and I've been to a lot of concerts! 

SUNDAY:: I went and helped out on my boyfriend's farm getting ready for new chickens. It was a fun, long day! 

MONDAY: school, open field, softball board duty night 

TUESDAY: Gym (3:30am), school, Pitchers/Catchers workout, drove to see the baby chickens :) 

Wednesday (today): School... which was a field trip with 110ish third graders to Main Event in Lee's Summit -- it was fun, but as field trips always are very stressful.... then workouts with the softball team. 

So you can see how I got a smidge behind with my blog post. I've only missed this one Sunday which I am proud of!
Someone in our group posted that this week has been the roughest yet, and I in there that just didn't allow for it. Like when you go to a concert, have all intentions of eating at a restaurant where you've looked up the menu and know exactly what works on your plan and then have to change plans because that place is full, only to be going somewhere that literally serves nothing on your plan. You just do what you've got to do. 

 My meal plan also changed within the last two weeks. We're trying something different to see how it works. No real "need" to see if it works, what I was doing was working. But might as well experiment and see what some other options may be.

I want to see after this next weigh in if it has been successful.

All I know is that I keep coming back to these pictures and noticing more and more differences. The girl before was sad and lacked so much confidence. Even though I may have seemed confident, this Healthy U journey has helped me to see what confidence I really was lacking. What knowledge I really was missing. I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn and live and inspire. 

I posted this quote this past week with out Healthy U group, but it's worth other people reading also: 

As I thought about this, the same applies to yourself.
When you eat the McDonald's burger.
Or ice cream.
Or candy bar.
Or two helpings of mac and cheese.
Or cheesy potatoes.
Or hot dog.

Whatever it was ... just because you've done one bad thing, don't forget about all of the good choices you have made along the way.
If you didn't get to the gym today, think about all the time that you've been to the gym before just today. 

Life is all about balance, and finding what balance works best for you is important.
I am loving the balance I have going on right now.
I think I am equally putting time into every part of my life and it feels good :) 

3 Month Eval

I have been waiting to make this post so that our local paper can post the results from our three month evaluation first. 

I was really nervous about our three-month eval. 

And I don't know why! 

Here are my stats as of the 3-month Evaluation: 

Weight: 209.6lbs ... down 27 lbs (down 32.2 lbs since my physical in early January!)
Fat Percentage: 41.2% .... down 5.7%

I have lost 32 total inches (measured over 14 places)
I have lost 5.75 inches off my hips.
I have lost EIGHT inches off my waist!

Increased sit-ups by 14
Increased push-ups by 12
My flexibility and balance has greatly improved!

I shaved 1:41 off of my half mile time! 

So many great things!
Here's a link to all the side-by-sides (I'm slides 28-30) And here's one to peek at: 

Pictures don't lie!

And even though pictures don't lie... sometimes they hide truths. I needed to be reminded of this today!

Our school met our attendance goal, so we got to kiss a pig!!

Ran in the Lub Dub. It was possibly the worst thing ever. It was RAINING and LIGHTNING and THUNDERING... and cold. I walked it, and I'm not even mad about that!