Week 18 Weigh In

Down: 3.9
Total: 37

That's more like it! Tightening up the calories (lowering) and working harder in the gym is really paying off! I am so close to my first big goal. It's a "breaking through" kind of moment. I am looking forward to that day! Until then I'm just going to be here plugging away the best way I can.

I have another two weeks before I take another set of measurements but I'm starting to notice some of my clothes are getting bigger. I even noticed my thighs are looking smaller - nothing can make a girl happier than smaller thighs! :D Don't get me wrong, there won't be a thigh-gap anytime soon. Baby-steps.

The only issue I am having right now is the aches. My feet are in a bad way. This plantar fasciitis is acting up. My feet seem to be worse than they ever have! The good news is my trainer is on vacation next week. She lent me some leg weights and showed me a great workout I can do on the floor next week so I can really let my feet rest. I am to the point that I am contemplating getting a cortisone shot. That thought gives me the shivers.

FMM: Defining Moments

Blogger was driving me nuts! I've been trying to post but was having problems. Now I'll have to save my first topic for tomorrow. 

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Defining Moments

Was there a defining moment in which you realized that you needed to lose weight?  If so, will you elaborate? (If you experienced this moment in some other area of your life, please feel free to share that too!)

Oh how I wish I could say my "moment" happened during one of the following experiences - but it didn't. 

1. How about the times in High School that I was made fun of hearing things like "boom baba boom" while I was walking down the hall. 

2. Or when some guy told me he wanted to date me in the worst way. Loved so much about me but couldn't get past the fat. 

3. And when I needed a lap-belt extension on a flight and fought tears the whole time we were in the air. 

4. Then there was the time I thought I was going to break a seat in a stadium...it snapped but didn't completely break. I just squatted on the seat til the concert began.

5. or the time when....well, you get the idea. 

Needless to say it hasn't been an easy road for me. I've been heavy my whole entire life. I've started and stopped so many diets and "lifestyle changes" it's not even funny. Alas, here I am. 

What started it this time? Well, my diagnosis really. You can read about it here and the second part here...but to sum it all up...knowing that I may have a Cancer rap in my future, I'd like to be in the best possible condition I can be in order to really beat this thing. That and clearly I want to see my kids grow up. It's all I think about really. So maybe I am doing this more for them than anything else. Maybe having Cancer looking down at me everyday is the best thing that's happened to me? Well, not the best thing, but you know what I mean. 

This is my reality. It's something I have to keep in the forefront of my mind every single day. And yet I can't let it control me. It's a fine balance. I have a positive outlook on life. I'm trying my best to get into shape and make the most of my life...enjoy the kids and my time. I've learned that life really is precious and you just never know when your time is going to be up. I'm now doing what I can to make sure I don't leave this Earth before my time but if I do then I know I have given it my all and won't have any regrets. 

Week 17 Weigh In

So, I am a little late with the weigh in. Well, I did weigh in just didn't tell you about it.

Anyway, the weigh in was a bust!  A big fat zero. There is an "although" here, but that will have to wait til the end.

When I first saw that my number stayed the same, I took a deep breath, shook my head and popped back on the scale. Darn! Same again! Are you kidding me? I've tightened up my calories, been eating way more fruits and veggies than ever before and my trainer has kicked my workouts up a notch (I was sore after my workout last Monday, that hasn't happened in weeks!).

I was deflated. Depressed. Angry. Confused...

I could have taken the easy way and thrown my hands up and said to "hell with it"! But, I didn't. Instead I put on my workout clothes, marched into the gym and gave it my all. Not giving up over here! I've worked too hard and I feel too good to throw in the towel now!

As far as the gym goes, I've upped my time on the elliptical; did 15 minutes yesterday along with 20 minutes on the bike and 30 minutes strength training. The weights I've been lifting/pushing have increased significantly as well. I'm doing a few things that I wouldn't have been able to do 17 weeks ago!  I've even received a few comments from gym-goers about the weight I'm lifting....feels real good to know I can do more than people who have been working out a heck of a lot longer than I have. I even push higher on one of the legs workouts than my trainer... I am strong!

On my off days from the gym I've been walking. Trying to beat my 5K time  which averaged a 20 min mile...not quite there but am getting more and more comfortable with walking at a faster pace. I'm thinking about doing another 5K in September just as long as my feet can handle it.

Now back to the "although"...while I was working out on Friday, I saw myself in the mirror (as I do every time I do squats - those suckers hurt...I digress)...I noticed how much I've changed in the last few weeks. The first time I did squats in this gym, I thought I looked like a sumo wrestler. Friday I looked much smaller. I loved it.

When I woke up Saturday morning and looked in the mirror, there was just something a bit different about my face. A look in my eye maybe? I decided to hop on the scale. I was DOWN! By a few pounds too!  Oh, how that cheered me up! I'm not counting that for this week though. I only weigh in on Friday's, not going to mess things up now. Here's looking for a big number in week 18.

Decaffeinated and FMM

Success! I'm officially decaffeinated!
I had a few headaches and some heart palpitations but I made it through! No more caffeine for me.

And now for FMM:

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Ten Random Questions

1) What do you like most about yourself? I'm honest

2) List three characteristics that you like to have in your friends. Trustworthy, fun

3) How often do you brush your teeth? When I get up and before bed. 

4) If you could travel anywhere today, where would you go? Disney - duh! :) 

5) Have you ever met anyone from the blog world in person?  Nope. 

6) What is the last show you watched on TV? Some show we have on the DVR, I can't even remember the name of it, ummm....Happy Endings (I think). 

7) What kind of perfume/cologne do you wear? None. It bothers my nose. :(

 How long ago did you complete your last workout? 2 Hours ago

9) What will you eat for dinner tonight? I had a Lean Cuisine Pizza. Not something I would normally have but was pressed for time. I like to keep things like that around for such occasions. 

10) Share something fun that you did over the weekend.  Family time this weekend. Saturday night was girl's night scrapping and Sunday was spent in the pool. Great relaxing weekend!

Now it’s your turn, and you know what to do…Don’t forget to come back and link up!  Happy Monday!

Week 16 Weigh In

Down 1.2
Total 33.2

FINALLY!  More than half a pound!  And FINALLY I'm down another 10!  It's been 8 weeks!  That is just all kinds of wrong. But I am going full-force right now and hopefully this next 10 will go a little faster.

Workouts have been kick-a$$ this week. I've done 2 full-body, very heavy workouts in the gym. Along with my at-home cardio...did a 1.72 mile walk with some step-ups and a swim as well as a 2 mile walk around the track last night. Working with my trainer this morning, we came up with a heavy-duty plan for next week and the weeks to come. I'll be doing a Monday/Friday with her, one at-home lower body workout and one gym upper body workout. All of this coupled with tightening up the calories should (hopefully) kick things into high gear.

This next 10 is very important to me. First, I am at my lowest weight since having my second child. The next 10 brings on a "breaking through" point for me and I'll be within 15 pounds of when I became pregnant with my first son. Lots going on with these next numbers. Just going to plow through it though. No more of this taking 2 months to lose 10 pounds!  At my size, I should have doubled or even close to tripled that. Not looking behind though. Keep on working.

As far as the caffeine thing goes? Well, it's going. I woke up grouchy this morning. I know it's because I had the caffeine yesterday. Or at least I hope that's why. My heart was also racing all morning. Working out was rough. I'm going to have a little caffeine tomorrow and won't have any this weekend. I figure hubs will be home and he'll be able to help me through the rough patches. Wish me luck. :D

Kicking the habit

...again!

I gave up caffeine a while back and felt great for it. I'd have an occasional decaf coffee from time to time, but for the most part gave it all up. Then something happened. Not sure how or why, but I started to drink the nasty stuff again; the evil diet soda.

I swore it off months ago when I found out about my MGUS diagnosis. I didn't want any more chemicals entering this body. I knew I had to do everything in my power to keep all the bad stuff out so the really bad stuff wouldn't have something to feed on. That lasted about 3 months or so. Then WHAM-O! I started to have a sip here and a sip there til one day it's a vat here and a vat there. Seriously, the stuff is like a drug to me.

It's time to say good-bye once again to the nasty habit. Not only do I wish to consume as many "clean" foods as I can, but I need to get off this caffeine!  I was saying to hubs the other night how I'm starting to feel like I need to go back on an anti-depressant. Although I don't really feel depressed like I did when I had the postpartum, my moods aren't stable. I've been a grouchy Mom. That is just unacceptable to me. I love my kids. I've always wanted to be a Mom, I don't want to screw it up by being a grouchy grouch all the time.

Day one (yesterday) without any caffeine went really well. I started getting a headache around bedtime. When I woke up this morning I had a very dull headache. I decided to get my iced coffee (always decaf - I can't drink caffeinated coffee for some reason I get all jittery and grouchy) with a shot of caffeinated coffee. Did nothing for the headache, but it was bearable. At lunchtime it was getting a little rough so I decided to have a little more caffeine. I opted for a SMALL diet soda. Did nothing. I had another one. Again, nothing. Finally was able to take something and am feeling so much better.

Speaking of feeling better, I already see/feel my mood is improving. I'm not so quick to roll my eyes or snap at someone. I also noticed I'm smiling without having to force it. I'm me. Amazing! Now I just need to remember this feeling when I want to fall off the wagon!

I'm also trying to figure out if the soda is causing my bone pain these days. It's been getting worse. I thought back and realized that when I was off all the soda, I only had the pains every now-and-again. It's been almost daily as of late. Keeping it in my thoughts and will let you know how I am feeling once I have it completely out of my system.

Making a change

I'm giving myself a pat-on-the-back. It reached in the upper 90's today with the humidity being through the roof. Today was in a word, oppressive. I could have taken the easy road and not worked out using the heat as an excuse. I didn't though. I knew if I didn't get at least a cardio workout in I would feel like garbage tomorrow. I was already starting to feel that way today. I walked outside tonight - did 1.7 (ish) miles and completed the workout with a little lower body exercise.

I also had a talk with myself this afternoon and again while I was on my walk.  I decided that something has to change. I can't keep walking through these weeks with such little progress. I'm starting to get discouraged, thus am starting to let my old habits creep on in. I can't let that happen. I feel too good to let that happen. I need to remind myself that I am doing this not only for the health reasons of possible heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes...but also I may need chemo one day. I need to be in the best fighting condition I can be IF that ever comes to fruition.

SO, I am vowing right here and now to knock-it-off. I've started to slip this last week and it stops NOW! I am going back to giving up my soda. Such a HORRIBLE habit. I do notice when I drink the soda that I want to eat more. I gave it up because I didn't want all the chemicals and here I am drinking it anyway. No more!  I am also going to get back into the habit of planning my meals. Tsk, tsk to me.

I would like to note that my bone pain has been something terrible as of late. It's been constant and just about daily. I'm noting it here because I am wondering if the soda is playing a role?  I haven't had this much pain (it's more like a nagging ache, I'm not in agony, just annoying) in a very long time. Curious to see what happens when I get rid of the chemicals.

FMM: How Much Weight Have You Lost

I have major writers block. OK, not true. I'm have brain fog. Bad people, real bad. Some say it's part of the symptoms of the MGUS while others say they don't know if it is. Either way I have it bad right now. Good thing it's Friend Makin' Monday so I don't have to think of a topic!  

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: How Much Weight Have You Lost?  And what have you gained from losing it? (If you’re participating in FMM – and you’re not on a weight-loss journey, tell us about a powerful change you’ve made in your life!)

I'm down 32 pounds. Although I am happy with being 32 pounds lighter (that's how much my toddler weighs, WOW! When I think of it that way it seems like more), I wish it were more. But I'm taking the good with the bad and am trucking along. 

I've lost and gained and lost and gained this same 32 pounds a few times already. This time feels very different though because I am working with a personal trainer. I have so much more energy and confidence! I am not afraid to try new things and am willing to put myself out there as before I'd say "I'll wait to I lose another 50 before trying XYZ" I have a "CAN DO" attitude even though I'm a little stuck right now. I know that I'm going to keep fighting and will eventually claw my way out. 

Week 15 Weigh In

A day late and a dollar short but here I am...

Down .3
Total 32

Gotta love this trend. I can say that I feel like I've lost more this week. I'm noticing clothes feel a little looser. I woke up yesterday and today with swollen fingers. Need to push the water to see if I can't get some action on this scale.

I need to change things up a bit.
My trainer has intensified my workouts.
I'm not certain that I'm eating enough. I'm going to try adding a few calories to see what happens with this scale stuff.

I also have to admit that I've had one day a week in the last 2 where eating hasn't been the best. BBQ's are killing me. I won't have another BBQ to go to for 2 weeks. Best get planning for that one ahead of time so I don't go overboard like I did today.  Guess who'll be working out tomorrow?  

What it all means

First I would like to thank you all for the e-mails and support. It really means a lot to me!

So, I have Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance...well, I technically have Smoldering Myeloma but my protein levels are so low that Doc really says it's MGUS. What does that mean? Well, I can tell you that it isn't a death sentence. Like I said yesterday, I do NOT have Cancer. The chances of things progressing into Cancer are about 5% per year.

Not too bad for odds huh?  Well, when I first heard those odds I was mad, angry even. Everyone kept saying "it's such a small percentage, nothing to worry about". Hrm. What about the percentage of people in my age group (under 40) who are diagnosed with MGUS or Smoldering Myeloma?  How about 1%!  I was thinking, "well, I already broke those odds who's to say I won't break the next set?"

Today things are a little different in my thought process. I know understand that IF things do progress, it will be caught VERY early. I will be checked once every 3 months for a year and as long as things are status quo, it'll change to every 6 months for the rest of my life.

I know I'm in GREAT hands. My doctor is wonderful! He took the time to listen to me, he's answered every question I've had and he makes sure I know that I'm not facing a death sentence. Instead, I am facing life. And that's exactly what he tells me at the end of each visit, "get out there and live". Since being diagnosed, it's been a mission of mine to do just that. For so many years I've sat by the sidelines watching as life goes by. I've let myself get by with the bare minimum of what I've wanted out of life. Sure, I have the big things...I have my supportive husband and my two boys who mean the world to me. But I want more. I want to be able to get in there and really enjoy my time with them...and I am on that path.

I still have a lot of research to do. Lots of questions are still left unanswered. But I don't dwell on it. I do the best I can with my diagnosis. It's not controlling me. I'm living.

Getting to a diagnosis part 2

A continuation of yesterday's post...

In I go to Boston. I see a wonderful rhemetologist at Brigham and Women's. He takes my history, looks at all my latest blood work and says "there is something amiss here, now to figure out what it is."  He threw out a few ideas. 

Maybe Fibromyalgia? Although I do have pain, it's not a constant pain and there isn't any pain to the touch.

How about Sjogren's Syndrome?  He sent me to an ophthamologist to confirm. It turns out that I don't have Sjogren's, but I'm still not 100% convinced it should be taken off the table. There isn't a "concrete test" for Sjogren's. There is a "marker" in the blood which I had at one point. When I was last tested it was normal? I do have a lot of the symptoms, they just aren't severe. 

He runs more tests. Again, needed to rule out the "big one" - Lupus. Also checked for other abnormalities in my blood. 

I have to say it was so refreshing to have a doctor not say I was crazy!!!  

Anyway, few weeks later I go in for a follow up visit to get my test results and let him know what the opthamoligist had to report. This time I have a new symptom. My fingers are a purple/blue color. My toes are achy in the cold. Raynaud's Syndrome! (Is nothing to really worry about - just annoying) Bring on more blood testing! 

About a week later I received a phone call from the Doctor himself. Never a good thing, right? He said to me "Jenn, you have what's called Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance, MGUS for short. Please don't Google it because it will scare you. I don't think it's anything to worry about but is worth exploring further. You'll need to see a hematologist." I asked for a suggestion on who to see and was led to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

Of course when I hung up the phone I immediately went over to my Mac and started searching. The results were all doom-and-gloom.  I shut it all down. Not looking. Doc said he didn't think it was going to be the bad stuff, I won't go there until necessary. 

I should add here that I also have numbness in my arms and hands. The good-doc told me to follow up with a neurologist. I went in...did a bunch of testing there, including an MRI -checking for MS, which my Mom has. 

I have my MRI two days before heading to Disney for a much-needed family vacation.  I was successfully able to block all of this out so I could enjoy my time with the fam. 

Upon my return from vacation, I go into Boston for my appointment with the hematologist/oncologist at Dana-Farber. I'm scared as anything. Let's face-it, I'm walking into a Cancer Institute!  We get there with this packet of info in hand telling us where to be and when. There is a lot to do when you need to go to Dana-Farber. It's not a "pop in and out" sort of visit! First it's off to the lab for blood, then it's up to the doctor's office to wait for the results. I'll save you all the details from the first visit - just suffice it to say that we were there for a good 3-4 hours!!! Stressful!!! Please note: It's not a typical wait time over there, the Doc was running behind. He took a lot of time with me, never made me feel rushed. 

I meet my new Doctor. He runs through my recent (that day's) blood work. Tells me all about MGUS. Explains to me that it can be associated with Multiple Myeloma (cancer).  Continues on to tell me that it is so rare to find Multiple Myeloma in someone my age...it's probably nothing but wouldn't be doing his job unless he checks. Guess what the checking involves?  A bone marrow biopsy! 

February 15, 2011, I go in for the biopsy. I remember the date because it was my late grandfather's birthday, I knew he'd be with me the whole time. I'd like to tell you the biopsy wasn't as bad as it sounds. I can't do that. It was worse. I wasn't myself for a good week afterwards. Just keeping my fingers crossed I'll never, ever have to do it again. 

February 28: Results day. Can't wait to hear what the doc has to say. I head into Boston with my mother in tow. My little guy was sick the night before and hubs needed to take him to the doctor. There is no-way on God's Green Earth anyone should ever go to Dana-Farber alone. The doctor walks in the room with my file. I can't read his face. I just want answers. He sits down. "Well, I'm glad we did the biopsy because next time we'll...." WHAT?!!?!  He continues to explain stuff to me, I'm no longer listening...still stuck on "next time"! My Mother is tapping my leg, waiting for me to say something. I couldn't. I was shocked. There was no-way I was ever going to have a bone marrow biopsy done again. Ever! Now, suddenly there's a next time?!

Guess I should listen, huh? What Doc was saying was that I have 10% something or other of bad cells in the marrow. It doesn't mean that I have Multiple Myeloma. Not by a long shot. He repeats and makes me repeat a million times over "I DO NOT HAVE CANCER!". But...

What I do have is Smoldering Myeloma. (I can't find a proper link for this because it all ultimately will lead to Multiple Myeloma). In my mind, I have a death sentence. Crap! I was planning on having another baby this year. Now what? Now I have to plan to not see my babies grow up? 

So not the case. Doc set me straight. He told me I'm going to have days when I cry. Just as long as they don't take over, I'll be OK. He set up a Q&A session for a few weeks out so I could go home and digest my news. 

And that's what I did. The thinking started. By day I was happy-go-lucky. I felt like I could handle this. Just need to turn things around and FIGHT! Damn it!  I am not going anywhere! By night, total different story. The kids would be sleeping, the house is all quiet and I am alone with my thoughts. Doom and gloom. That lasted for a few days. 

I woke up one morning and started the good fight. I don't plan on leaving this planet until my kids have graduated high school (at least!). I am not going to sit here and wallow in self-pity, although I do reserve the right to once in a while. 

And so began my quest for health. This isn't something I did to myself. I know that, now. After a long talk with the doctor and lots of research, I know it's just something that happens. I am in a small percentage group of people with this MGUS/Smoldering Myeloma. It sucks, but I am here. It's what I choose to do with my diagnosis that matters. 

So, there you have it.

Getting to a diagnosis

Note: I started to write this posting a few weeks back when I had a follow-up appointment with my doctor. It's been something I've been struggling with for a lot of different reasons. Alas, here it is....


I Just took a huge sigh of relief. I guess I was more stressed and worried than I originally thought I was. Maybe the worry has been part of the reason for my sour mood? Maybe the worry is why I'm a little slow with the weight loss as of late. Time will certainly tell.

Now, just what am I talking about?

Well, it's a long story really. And it's something I've debated putting out here for all to see. Maybe now is the time...

Let's go back a few years in time...

I've been complaining to my (then) primary care doctor about a number of different ailments. I was exhausted. So exhausted that I would sleep most of the day. I could hardly hold my frame up. I was always told "you're a Mom. We moms tend to wear ourselves out, you'll be OK". I believed it. Kind of.

Not only was I tried, I was  becoming forgetful. Not just "where did I put those keys" kind of forgetful. Nope. I was forgetting words. I could tell you I wanted "the thing that you write with, it has blue ink in it" without being able to find the word for pen. I shouldn't be writing in past tense here. This kind of stuff still happens. Regularly.

I forget my friend's names from time-to-time. I'll be telling a story about someone and completely forget their name. I know where they live, I know how many kids they have, I know all these details. Can't. find. their. name.  It even sometimes happens when I am talking to someone. I'll go to say their name and can't, because I don't know what it is - for just a long scary moment.

Oh, and how about the other day when I was walking out of Michael's and lost my car. Seriously. There are 3 rows I could have parked in. I started to panic. I told myself to calm-down, take a deep breath and relax. I found the car no problem. Just had an anxiety attack in the process.

For a while I was thinking this brain thing was just in my head (haha). I have a friend who's witnessed it in action; she asked me if I may be having a stroke. Nope. Just can't remember $hit.

Scary stuff, right?  Yup. And Oh, I am just getting started. Although the rest of it isn't that scary, well, maybe a little scary. I'll be all right. I hope.

Tons and tons of blood testing came my way with lots of different theories...

I have an elevated Sed Rate.  "Nothing to worry about. Just means you have inflammation in the body. You're probably developing an auto-immune disease"

A vitamin D deficiency was also found (in August!! and it's no longer the case)

And I can't forget my favorite blood test result. The one that showed I have Hep C. WHAT?!?!  No worries, it was a false positive (after lots of testing and retesting and a trip to Boston to see a gastroentorlogist).  This one boiled me though. I am not (never have been) a drug user and I've never had a blood transfusion so how could this even happen? No one could answer!

More testing.

Lyme Disease? Nope
MS? Nope
Lupus. Nope, but maybe. Probably not. Best to get more opinions on that one. Finally came back as a no.

I do research on my own. I feel like crap. I need it all to stop.

I read all about different diets and pills and supplements and, and, and....

Ended up trying the gluten-free thing. And it helped! For all of 6 months that is. I felt great!  My speech pattern was better, I was energized and ready to go and all the other ailments were at bay. Life was great. 

Then a train hit. I started to feel worse than I ever had. I'm forgetting things. My energy is rock-bottom. And I have pains. Pains in my bones. Stabbing pain.

A year goes by. Still feeling like a piece of garbage. But I can't remember all my symptoms even when I was having them. That's so sad.

Fast-forward to last October....

I see my (again, then) primary care because of these bone pains and the memory issues. She says I should try coming off the Fluoxetine (I had post-partum). So I did. That seemed to help the memory stuff; only temporarily. As far as the bone pains go? She said, and I pretty much quote here..."When we doctors can't figure out what's going on with a patient, we tend to blame the patient" Nice, huh?  So, what she was telling me was that I was crazy. Great.

I had follow-up appointment a few weeks later with the Nurse Practioner. I told her about my pains. She thought I may have Fibromyaliga. Suggested seeing a rhemetologist. I explained how I had seen one before...she said "get a second opinion".

Off I go to Boston this time. Have to see the best-of-the-best. And Thank God I did!  This Doctor I saw put me through a gammot of tests! We re-tested for Lupus (it was still on the table because I had one of the markers for it), tested for this and that as well.

I'm going to leave you here. This post is getting rather long and I really want to paint the picture of what the beginning of 2011 looked for me...

Independence Day 2011

Happy 4th Of July!!

I have to say this is one of my favorite holidays! It's a great time to casually hang out with friends and family. Enjoying the freedoms that we are so lucky to have in this country. 

We started our festivities tonight with some fun on the common in town. The kids got to play carnival-esque games, had a little fried dough (I had two small bites and passed it on to my husband to dish out to the kids and him). The evening was completed with watching the kids take a train ride. It was a John Deer tractor that had barrels attached to the back...no worries, there were seat belts.  My youngest (two years old) couldn't wait to get on said train. Until we actually put him in it. The tears and screaming began.  People must've thought we were cruel to keep him on the train. We've been through this before...he LOVED the ride. Told us all about it when it was done. 

Tomorrow is the annual town parade. My eldest will be riding on one of the Cub Scout floats shooting people with water guns. He is beside himself with excitement! After the parade we'll have a family BBQ  and end the day with fireworks. What isn't there to love about this day?

I hope you have a happy and safe 4th! 

God Bless America!!!!

Oh, and I must offer a correction to Monday's FMM. I posted that I had Anise in my fridge!  

Duh! It was Fennel!  See what I know! 

Week 14 Weigh In

Down .6
Total: 31.7

All-in-all I'm happy with this week. Only because of said emotional eating last weekend.

This week is all about tweaking things though.
Enough-is-enough with these little losses.
The last four weeks have yielded a net loss of 6.1 pounds. Not bad for the "average Joe" but terrible for me.

The weekend will be a challenge in that it's (clearly) a holiday weekend so the gym will be closed; making me miss my Monday gym-time. The plan is to get in the gym for a 90 min workout today (30 minutes cardio before my 1 hour training session). Tomorrow will be a cardio day. Sunday I'll do my at-home lower body workout. Then Monday will be a rest day.