Not confirmed yet...

I might be in the "weight loss on any budget" section of People's "Half their Size" special issue. But nothing is confirmed yet.

The yoga DVD that started me being active 140 pounds ago is now only 53 cents on Amazon.com!!! My exercise bike in no longer available, but there is one like it by ProForm for about $200.00. I love my bike! At first I was like, why are we spending so much money on a bike! But the truth is, it's not that much at all. It has lasted over 3 years of consistent use. (Less than a dollar a day now) And I think it is much easier on those cold Wisconsin mornings to roll out of bed and on to a bike right in your home than to go out to your car, scrape off the windshield, drive to the place, and get on some piece of equipment still wet from someone else’s sweat... Ick No Thanks! Another reason I've never bought a gym membership...

My set of free weights were a birthday gift from my in-laws and I don't buy any special sorts of foods... so my weight loss has been very economical! :)

We are really on a budget since I am the only one working. (Aaron is a student at UW-Madison.) I think I fit that category really well! :) We'll just have to wait for what their Editors decide. :)

I am going to bike tonight!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I'll be posting pictures soon! :)

Waiting for Monday

I was 143.75 this morning, and I hope to be back under 140 by Thanksgiving. :)

I am feeling really good being back to my old routine. This feels normal to me! Not that "bogus version" of normal I tried... that ballooned me up 12 pounds! (ACK!)

I gave up on living a lie and went back to doing what works, and it feels so much better!!! (Mentally and Physically) Things just work better for me when I keep close tabs on myself.

I am looking forward to parties this weekend! Tonight is a surprise non-birthday party for one of my co-workers. Tomorrow she turns 30, so we are celebrating her last day in the twenties. I'm going to help decorate! It should be fun!

On Saturday I am going to dress up and go out with my sister! We plan to go to the Kroghville Oasis where they are doing a "Host a Murder" party! After that we will bar-hop and check out all the costumes.

I will most likely be in my wonder woman costume because:

a.) More townie bar folks will know who she is
b.) The bald cap is MURDER to get off... and I don't want to try to do it at 3AM!!!

I will be avoiding alcohol at all these events... the hard part is ditching the drinks others get me. I feel so guilty. I say. "No. I am not drinking." 2 minutes later, they hand me a drink!!! ARGH!! I still have lots of fun though. I like being the "responsible one" of the group. Making sure the devil doesn't forget her pitchfork in the bathroom, or remind the cop which hottie she left her handcuffs on. ;)

Aaron and I plan to play the board game RuneBound this weekend too! It's a great role playing like game. We'll be the heroes fighting the Dragons ravaging the land of Terinoth... or how ever it's spelled... anyway if you are a nerd, or used to play D&D but don't have 8 hours to waste (or 4 other people to play with) I highly recommend this game!!! It's really FUN!

Monday is the day that the Editors of People will decide if I'll make the cut for the "Half Their Size" issue. I'm trying to focus on the fun in the present, instead of worrying about outcomes in the future.

I hope you have a happy and safe Weekend!!

Jess

p.s. The Saturday closest to Halloween in Madison, WI always seems to ended in riots, tear gas, and property damage on State Street. I avoid that place like the plague. ;) Townie Bars here I COME!!!

Almost there....

I was 144.00 this morning. :) That's 2 pounds less than what weighed on October 1st!! Although... I am still 5 pounds above where I was August 10th, but I figure I will be back in the 130's soon! :)

Cutting and Carving

I love Halloween. It is my favorite holiday! It's the one day of the year where you get to dress however you want and get away with it!! Another thing I love about Halloween is Carving Pumpkins. Here are some special pumpkins I carved for Mike (Aaron's Brother) and Amy's wedding, Friday October 13th, 2006.

I also got my hair cut!

I Am So Excited!!!

I think this is the most thrilling news I have ever had the pleasure to share on my blog.

Today I was contacted by a reporter from People Magazine as a possible candidate for their special "Half My Size" issue! There is no guarantee that I will be in it, but I'm still very excited to even be considered!

Although... I really hope they pick me! ;) That would be so COOL!!!

**Fingers Crossed**

Jess

p.s. I also update my current pictures page.

Glug, Glug, Glug!!!

After being away from home this weekend, I weighed-in this morning… and it appears that I am sinking rather than swimming. I was 151.50!!! *Faint*

Now, I could make excuses for my increase in weight… blaming my recent period or the wedding I went to this weekend, but it all boils down to me not doing enough. My efforts to be healthy without constant monitoring have obviously been lack luster. In fact, I'd say they've been down right disasterrific! :-O

But instead of getting all drepressed and polishing off the rest if the "break-and-bake" chocolate chip cookies in the fridge, (which is still a very tempting notion...) I went back to the basics.

I got my food journal back out and started keeping tabs on my calories again. I'm also drinking LOTS of water and I plan to do a light bike after I get done blogging.

Back when my weight loss was going strong I would bike nearly every night while watching T.V, mindlessly burning off 100 calories or more! The past few months however, I switched from "T.V. biking" to doing intense 30 minute progams before breakfast for 60-70 calories every other day. The AM biking is great cardio... but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to realize that burning 100 calories lightly bike every night is more benificial than than 60-70 every other day! And it is easier too! ;)

I have mentioned this before but I think it's worth mentioning again: You burn the same number of calories walking a mile as you do running it. The amount of energy it takes to move you a distance will always be the same. The only thing running or jogging does is change it the time it takes to accomplish the task.

Slow and steady wins the race. It's time I get back in the slow lane!!

Jess :)

It's not easy to be "Normal"

I keep catching myself doing "calorie math" in my head. . o O ( 120 for the whole grain wheat bread, plus 60 for the roasted chicken breast lunchmeat...)

I am trying really hard not to do that, but after 4 years of recording every single calorie I ate or drank... it's hard to suddenly stop doing it!

I've been trying to focus on how my body feels instead of “the numbers.” (Calories/Weight) Whenever my minds starts in on a numbers rant, I calmly remind myself, "Normal healthy people DO NOT obsess about every single calorie."

I've never been good at being "Normal" though... I've always been "the weird girl."

But on the bright-side, being this successful at weight loss isn't very normal either! :)

HURRAH FOR US WEIRDOS!!!

Jess

I love this thing!

Wow! Who would have though a little bracelet would make such a difference!

I am wearing a bright red bracelet with the words "I CAN" on the inside of my right wrist. So whenever I'm reaching for the fridge door, holding a yoga pose, or pumping som iron I see the words "I CAN." It makes me feel good and even more focused on my goal! (and it's pretty too!)

I was not able to weigh myself yesterday because we are watching my sister this weekend! I figure I can look on Monday. ;)

My period started Friday, and It feels great not getting depressed about the monthly puff. I know there is some because of how my ring feels, but I am not getting bent out of shape. It's awesome. :)

I think things are going well! :)

Like We Didn’t Already Know This?

There was a recent study that said obese people feel the same way about food as addicts do to drug.

Well, DUH!! They actually spent money to study this?! All they had to do was ask, but I guess they wanted it to be all “scientific.” ;)

I would totally describe some of my food cravings as “Jonesing.” Like no matter what I eat, the hunger doesn’t stop until I’ve had that one thing I’ve been craving. That’s why I’ve always said, just give in! No number of carrots will make your chocolate craving go away. Just get 3 Dove Promises and enjoy!! Take our time and slowly satisfy that craving. Most binges are the result of not giving in, and not giving in… then suddenly the dam breaks and you consume way too much!
Unlike smoking or drinking you can’t quit food “cold-turkey.” So an addictive behavior towards food is really hard to overcome! I still have days when the “dam breaks loose,” but I don’t let myself get swept away from my goal to be healthy. I always get right back on it! :)
Recently I was contacted by Carolyn Allen from MyWeightLossFriend. She is sending me a some of her motivational bracelets! I’m really excited about it! :) They are great motivators and so pretty!

Cheers!

Jess