8/10/2024: * Steps

Minutes Exercise: 0/30 minutes

Water Consumed: */80 oz

8/9/2024: 3,234 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 3/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 24/80 oz

Kennywood and Sandcastle passes have been paid off. I’m looking into the current sale and weighing options for the Black Friday sale and trying to figure out the plan for next year. Is there a better/cheaper way to do this? We’ve gone to Kennywood twice and Sandcastle twice. Sandcastle will be closing in a few weeks. Kennywood will offer Phantom Fright Nights and the Holiday Lights so we should still get the most out of the Kennywood passes… Sandcastle has broken even at this point. I’m not certain those passes were worth it.

8/8/2024: 3,310 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 6/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 24/80 oz

8/7/2024: 5,963 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 32/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 16/80 oz

First walk I have taken in weeks. Time to focus again on goals and get back to a routine. Laundry is caught up (again). I have a plan and a scaled back budget for my office. I wish I had done this a long time ago! Soon all my supplies will be in one place. My work and shop life will be stream lined and I will have a more comfortable place to work and create! Total cost $110. Necessity is the mother of creation!

8/6/2024: 3,102 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 2/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 24/80 oz

8/5/2024: 4,815 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 6/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 24/80 oz

I took a week focusing on work and organizing my office. I kept tracking points but not much else. Without focusing and forcing myself to get my steps in, I get roughly 5,000 steps per day. That’s half what I need. I also still do not drink enough water without motivation. My goal this coming week is to get my Etsy stores cleaned up and work on a passive income stream so my steps won’t likely be high but something has to give somewhere. I’m still tracking points and staying cognizant of what I eat. My hope is to get back on track when the kids go back to school. My final office changes and my Etsy stores should be up and fully running. I feel good about these changes and I’m positive good things are coming!

8/4/2024: 4,993 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 3/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 40/80 oz

8/3/2024: 6,200 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 7/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 32/80 oz

8/2/2024: 5,180 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 4/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 24/80 oz

8/1/2024: 4,538 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 4/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 32/80 oz

Welcome August! The pool is gross. The weather isn’t cooperating. I need to shock the pool and get one last round of chlorine to close out the season. I need to talk to Brian about the plan for the pool. Do we leave it up and see if it survives the winter or do we just chalk up the loss and pitch it at the end of the month? Should I look at the clearance/sales at the end of the summer and replace it? The kids like the pool but I’ve hardly used it this year and is the cost worth it? Izzy’s birthday and a few night swims enough to justify it?

7/31/2024: 3,403 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 3/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 16/80 oz

7/30/2024: 5,731 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 7/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 32/80 oz

7/29/2024: 4,945 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 5/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 8/80 oz

Yesterday ended another week exceeding points. To be fair I kind of figured/planned on that. Dinner at my MIL’s house meant nothing I would be eating would be within my point range and I just accepted that fact. I didn’t have time to plan/shop/bring anything of my own so I just enjoyed myself. I ate “normal” portions and even had a small slice of birthday cake and a taste of apple pie. The old me would have indulged with reckless abandon but the new me is embracing portion control. This week will be better (after the chocolate cookies are gone.) LOL

I will also be walking Tucker again in the evenings because it has been a while.

We took the kids back to the Drive-In to see Deadpool and Wolverine. It was a fun movie. Isabella didn’t make it through the movie. She fell asleep in the back of my car in our makeshift bed. I have it down to a routine already. The cute little pads I saved from the Ikea toyboxes I bought Izzy and Jackson a few years ago (2 fit perfectly in the back of my car) the “extra” king sized pillow from our bed that is no longer required on our bed since I bought a headboard wedge to keep our pillows from slipping. This also freed up another pillow that I can leave at the lake for myself. But I digress… Each of the kids has a blanket. I only need one folding TV tray (also from Ikea), one folding table, 5 folding chairs and a tote with cup holder, snack box, snack bag and mini cooler/lunch bag with ice packs for drinks and cookies and Jackson’s radio/CD player that he got a handful of years ago from my parents for his birthday. Fun Fact: i turns out my car shuts off in energy/battery savings mode and restarting it to get the radio to play shines lights and blinds the people parked behind us. You need a radio to “hear: the movie. Thankfully we still had Jackson’s tucked away and by some pure stroke of luck we had just enough batteries! $32.50 to get in and $9 for popcorn. Total Spent: $41.50 for a night out at the movies for our family of 5. We could have stayed for the second movie but none of us had a real desire to see it (I was a little more interested when I found out Longlegs was NOT a movie about spiders). But Izzy was asleep already and it was 11:30PM. We were done. I bought the large popcorn because it came with a free refill. I would have refilled it had we stayed for the second movie but I should have just bought the smaller size for almost half the price. Live and Learn I guess. In any case, I went over my points because I ate some of the popcorn a mini bag of chips and several of the cookies I freshly baked (literally pulled the last tray out of the oven when the kids were getting in the car). But now I’m thinking if I get better at meeting my goals during the week and if I still continue to track but allow myself to indulge on the weekends, this may work out better for me anyway. Physically and emotionally it will give me a break and free range to enjoy family time without stressing out over goals and points.

This week’s goal: 156 pounds

7/27/2024: 4,448 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 5/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 48/80 oz

Panic is starting to set in… a position on my work team has been eliminated and although our supplemental income has returned, I’m nervous and I’m not sure how long this will last.

I’m exceeding points again… Once I get through back to school and getting the kids situated, I will sit down and rework the budget, finalize the dinner menus going forward and get into a grocery routine. I think I’m going to seriously look into contracting for Instacart during my lunch breaks. I have no clue what the pay is or what my true potential will be but if I can put that income into savings for the Emergency Fund, Summer Fun Fund, and my 50th Birthday Fund then for the next 2 years I might be able to put a decent amount away and be able to fund half a trip or all of the summer at home activities each summer. We definitely need to come up with a better plan going forward and this is as good as any place to start. I’m still under 159 pounds (barley). I didn’t meet my goal weight which was my ultimate goal but I’m holding onto a 25ish pound weight loss so this was not an exercise in futility. I will continue to work towards my goals and one way or another, these posts next year will be much more positive!

7/26/2024: 4,147 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 2/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 32/80 oz

Didn’t meet any of my goals today… didn’t even get half my water in. I’ve got to be better.

7/25/2024: 6,641 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 4/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 24/80 oz

Back to work. Blah. My supervisor worked to clean up all my outstanding work/issues while I was away. I have less than an handful of stuff to follow up on which is AWESOME and she’s now off for the next 3 days so it should be quiet/easy sailing. I would just prefer to be doing something fun. But who wouldn’t want that? They boys have Jiu Jitsu practice and I’ve got to look at our grocery situation and hold back from snacking to get back on track. Work, laundry, budget, bills, groceries…. Fun times.

7/24/2024: 8,505 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 15/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 40/80 oz

My entire body hurts. I hate body slides. I’m pretty sure that’s what did me in. And now that I think about it, I did hit the back of my head pretty hard yesterday on one of the slides. Duh! The kids are already asking when we can go back… It’s going to take me a while to recover. Izzy had a play date today and got invited to ANOTHER birthday party. Guess it really is a good thing we didn’t go out to dinner last night. I’ve got 3 gifts to buy… the boys need lunch stuff for Jiu Jitsu camp next week and Brian will need gas to get to and from Zelienople all week next week. We are out of toilet paper and laundry detergent. Nobody really prepares you for all the “fun” you get to have as a responsible adult with kids…

7/23/2024: 5,346 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 86/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 80/80 oz

Happy Anniversary to us! The plan was to take the kid to Splash Lagoon when it opened and then go out to dinner as a family. I wore my sandals instead of slides and brought my little black tank dress (which is now baggy on me. Yay me!!!) The kids were obviously hungry mid-day and I had half considered leaving to go out to eat and come back since we had all day admissions and the park was open until 8PM but Brian seemed content to take the kids through the concession stand. I got Tostitos with the intention of sharing the cheese with Jackson for his fries and conserving points for dinner. Brian had mentioned the Storming Crab and I was really looking forward to crab legs. I figured I’d eat the kid’s leftovers until I realized they were really hungry and there would be nothing left over. I started to panic because I’m pretty sure Brian didn’t intend to spend $50 on concession stand lunch… I opened my big fat mouth and said we didn’t have to go out afterwards and he agreed that we more than likely will not. I got back in line and got chicken because Izzy was still hungry and I realized I wouldn’t be eating anything “real” today. Sadly there doesn’t appear to be anything “healthy” anywhere inside this park… I considered an adult beverage but I guess points and budget wise I’ll just have diet Coke and be happy that we are out for the day and the kids are having fun.

I rode all the slides, climbed all the stairs, sat in the community hot tub (which was really freaking me out) by the end of the day I had a raging headache and got really dizzy. I panicked googling what could cause a sudden onset of symptoms. I would have blamed the heat of the hot tub but I had been out for some time. I ate chicken and fries and had my diet coke so it couldn’t be lack of food or low sugar… I thought I was having a stroke but sat for a while drinking water and the dizziness subsided. The Advil I took dulled the ache and we headed home. I guess I just over did it. I am old and still out of shape.

7/22/2024: 5,346 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 4/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 40/80 oz

Brian suggested the zoo. He hates the zoo but he knows I love it there. I think maybe he feels bad. I did snap and defend myself when he yelled at me yesterday… It’s raining though so I guess even though I am off today and we aren’t going anywhere, a day to recover and rest and lick my wounds is probably better for everyone. He suggested the zoo tomorrow followed by dinner out for our actual anniversary. I never got my Cheesecake Factory dinner that was part of my Christmas “month of dinner dates” but we would have to make arrangements for the kids or change the reservation to include them. Honestly the budget is stretched so thin right now that it’s practically transparent. I am still feeling salty too so overindulging in food and drink may end up in an argument that I don’t want to have on our anniversary so while looking for alternatives (in case of weather) I found Splash Lagoon brought back their summer specials and for $149 (Car Load Tuesdays) all 5 of us can enjoy the water park. We would have spent that having lunch at the zoo and dinner out anyway. This way the kids get to have fun too and I don’t have to worry about who will be watching the kids. I also won’t feel like I’ve wasted the last 2 PTO days I had left like last year.

Soooo…. I kept an eye out for Picklesburgh to see if I could catch a glimpse of the fun on the way home. The boys were tired. Jackson was disappointed. I decided it really wasn’t worth going to Potter Fest even though I could make it there for a few hours. No one wanted to go with me. It was an hour away and of course Brian headed to his mother’s to move couches that she wanted swapped out before her out of town guests came. Jackson fell asleep immediately after getting home and that meant I was “stuck”. 4 hours later Brian limped home all hunched over but suggested the Drive-In theater as a consolation prize. This was on my Summer Bucket List so I ran out to vacuum the car and set up the back for a fun family evening. The kids loved it! Izzy missed the second movie because she didn’t nap but went with Brian to supervise the moving of the couches… we’ll have to actually plan the next drive-in movie a little better.

Today was spent at Ella’s birthday party. The kids had fun. I got snapped at in a panic after informing Brian he was right about the presidential nomination. My MIL panicked because my SIL’s family is very Republican and thought this might cause an issue (which I quickly understood) I guess no one was around when the boys brought up the speculation in the living room less than an hour earlier. I however got upset when Brian continued to snap at me. So over all of it. Just once it would be nice to know he had my back instead of continuing to kick me when I’m down. Happy freaking anniversary weekend. Fuck politics. Fuck being treated like an insolent child. And Fuck this day. I will not self soothe with cake. I will not self soothe with cake. I will not self soothe with cake…

They fucking sent me home with an entire chocolate cake. FFFFUUUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKK!

7/20/2024: 10,207 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 13/30 minutes

Water Consumed: 24/80 oz

Well here we are… left the house @ 6:30AM it’s now 8AM and I’m sitting on a gym floor. Apparently Jiu Jitsu people don’t believe in bleachers. I knew I was in trouble when I saw a kid carrying in chairs. I should have researched this venue when Brian told me he signed the kids up. Lesson learned. Brandon made fun of Izzy for bringing so much “stuff” with her but she’s snugged up next to me with her Squishmallow and snuggle blanket and iPad working through her snacks without a care in the world. She doesn’t seem so silly now… Wish the boys luck!

7/19/2024: 10,449 Steps

Minutes Exercise: 58/30

Water Consumed: 80/80 oz

Happy Birthday to Brian! Brian didn’t want to go anywhere or doing anything for his birthday but decided (agreed) to spend the day at Sandcastle followed by dinner out. He changed his mind on dinner so we (he) ordered takeout after we got home. He doesn’t like restaurants or cake anymore (or apparently ever) so I guess that worked in my favor as far as goals… I got him a bunch of pizza accessories and stuff to make the bed more comfortable for him but he’s actually been sleeping pretty well since cutting out his energy drinks so unceremoniously onto another year I guess… we have a Jiu Jitsu tournament tomorrow, Ella’s (second) birthday celebration Sunday followed by 2 more days off for me. Hoping to get Sandcastle/Kennywood in again before school starts back and trying to figure out if there is any possible way to get out of here for an overnight trip. I’ve hinted… I’ve asked… Brian insists that he wishes it was possible but “no”. I pitched a fit (again) about ruined plans from last year. insisted that I wanted/needed to do something and added that we can NOT will NOT dog sit this year because we WILL have plans. He used to do these things to throw me off and surprise me but it’s been a while since he has pulled something like that and I’ve had my hopes dashed enough times now to know that I’m going to have to figure something out myself. I threatened Potter Fest and Picklesburgh in the hopes that would prompt him to take action. And that’s how I ended up at a Jiu Jitsu tournament… Family plans on Sunday makes traveling more difficult but I’m not giving up just yet…

7/18/2024: 7,109 steps

Minutes Exercise: 30/30

Water Consumed: 42 oz/80 oz

7/18/2024: 157.8 lbs

I somehow managed to get the laundry caught up. I literally have one load left to do right now. I haven’t walked the neighborhood in a week. The kids and Brian have been taking Tucker for his daily walks while I work so I haven’t “had” to. I considered jumping on the treadmill last night but decided to clean up my work assignments since I’ll be off for the next 5 days. FIVE DAYS!!!! OMG!!!! I can’t wait to not have to wake up and worry about work for FIVE WHOLE DAYS!!! That being said, since I have maintained my weight loss but haven’t lost anything more, my next focus will be on getting those damn steps in. It’s hard to stay motivated when it’s hotter than Hell itself outside and I’m chained to a desk all day but I’m going to focus and one way or the other (treadmill most likely) going to get the 8,800 steps in from today through next Thursday as my first goal. I’m also going to force my water intake. Not waterboarding levels but I’m definitely nowhere near the healthy intake for water. My kidneys have to hate me.

7/17/2024: 3,086 steps

Minutes Exercise: 2/30

Water Consumed: 16 oz/80 oz

7/16/2024: 3,400 steps

Minutes Exercise: 4/30

Water Consumed: 24 oz/80 oz

Back to work… blah!

7/15/2024: 9,639 steps

Minutes Exercise: 7/30

Water Consumed: 32 oz/80 oz

Brian had so much fun helping the kids make their own pizzas that his mom got him his own pizza oven for his birthday. Turns out the pre-made 7 inch shells we bought for Izzy’s party are only 5 points. the sauce is only 1 point, sparingly using cheese counts another 2 points and the veggies are all zero! The black olives add another point for a 9 point dinner. I’m working on a crust alternative and eliminating olives in the future (after I finish this batch so as to not waste). This may be my new favorite meal. A low point breakfast and a salad on the side could make a really nice easy “go to” daily menu. I might be more excited than Brian is!

7/14/2024: 11,435 steps

Minutes Exercise: 27/30

Water Consumed: 72 oz/80 oz

Back to Kennywood to celebrate Ella’s birthday! I rode all the rides but refrained from eating all the foods… Old me would have definitely bought my very own order of loaded Potato Patch fries but instead I just finished Jackson’s leftovers. I was planning on finishing the kids chicken fingers and fries instead of ordering my own when Brian not realizing I hadn’t order for myself for that reason, gave the chicken tenders away… I guess I should be thankful but I was hungry and getting dangerously close to hangry. I considered stopping for a Primanti’s sandwich and then thought about ice cream… and Auntie Anne’s now serves pretzel nuggets at the park…. But I resisted the urge. I was kind of hoping to close the park and see what the dance party was all about but 2 out of 3 kids were spent (to be fair it was hotter than Hades and we had been at the park for 7 hours already). I half joked (was more serious) about staying with Jackson… we would have continued to ride all the rides and I would have eaten the foods so it was probably better that we left.

I got hangrier as we inched towards the exit and went way over points to end the week when Brian stopped for fast food on the way home to placate me but I got so many steps in the last few days that I really feel like it shouldn’t affect my weight too much. I went over less than I did at the lake and I got way more activity in than I did over the holiday too so at worst, I stayed the same. I think I’ll wait a day or two before I check…

7/13/2024: 15,260 steps

Minutes Exercise: 21/30

Water Consumed: 56 oz/80 oz

Izzy’s remaining presents still aren’t here but it was one heck of a successful and fun party! The kids had a blast! The foam party was a huge hit as were the water balloons, pool and Slip N Slide. I attempted to slide and that was a literal flop. But we all got a good laugh out of it and the kids loved making their own pizzas. Another birthday party is in the books. Kennywood tomorrow for Ella!

7/12/2024: 14,637 steps

Minutes Exercise: 13/30

Water Consumed: 40 oz/80 oz

Happy Birthday to my baby girl! Tent and tables are set up, cake and concessions have been picked up. Birthday dinner can be checked off and all balloons are ready to go!

7/11/2024: 6,604 steps

Minutes Exercise: 11/30

Water Consumed: 24 oz/80 oz

Work is caught up. Birthday prep is underway. I’ve accepted that the house will not be as clean as I want it to be but I really am okay with that. The balloon wall has been started, cookies are iced. Today was a good day.

7/10/2024: 4,498 steps

Minutes Exercise: 8/30

Water Consumed: 24 oz/80 oz

7/10/2024: 158 lbs!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got half the laundry done, all my work assignments done for the first few days of the week, cookies for both girls are baked, the front side and trim of the door is painted (painting in 90 degree weather is not fun) and Tucker and I got back to our evening routine of walking half the neighborhood. I got on the scale this morning and have FINALLY made it to my first goal!!! After 143 days I not only hit a 25 pound weight loss… I hit TWENTY SIX POUNDS DOWN!!!!! Only 3 more pounds to get to my lowest weight in my weight loss journey! I finally broke past the 160 lb mark!!! Clothes are definitely fitting better. I even wore a dress this past week that I couldn’t get past my boobs last year! My swimsuit bottoms are too big (found that out the hard way going down the slides at Sandcastle). AND when I drove my car the night before, I realized my stomach doesn’t brush the steering wheel anymore. I know it sounds silly… When my MIL commented on my dress and I told her about my boobs, she insisted she didn’t think I was that big before. Trust me when I say I was. I remember sitting on my closet floor crying about it. I know I shouldn’t care what number the scale reflects but up until now, that was the only tangible thing I had to gauge my success. But these… these small non scale victories. The shorts that fit. The dresses I can wear. The fact that I am willing and able to climb the stairs to ride the water slides with my kids, the fact that I’m not squeezing behind the wheel of my car because I refuse to adjust the seat, the roller coasters that aren’t killing me and the embarrassment I felt as I tried to suck in my gut to get the lap bar to even close. These victories are worth more than any number on a scale!

7/9/2024: 8,995 steps

Minutes Exercise: 35/30

Water Consumed: 24 oz/80 oz

7/9/2024: 160.2 lbs

Work… work… work… trying to get my assignments cleaned up and done. Cookies need baked, laundry needs done, Brian built me a BEAUTIFUL door for the shed and I need to paint/stain it, balloon creations need planned out and tested, presents need wrapped, food needs ordered… no rest for the weary. My first day back to the grind was spent practically chained to my desk so my steps suffered but my balloon plan worked out beautifully and I am soooo excited! I stuck to my WW points that first day with very little effort and when I stepped on the scale I was already back down to the weight I was when I left. I had hoped to be 155 lbs BEFORE we went to the lake but at this point I’m thankful to be back on track already and not heavier than I was prior to leaving. I will take the wins where I can get them.

7/8/2024: 4,262 steps

Minutes Exercise: 2/30

Water Consumed: 32 oz/80 oz

7/8/2024: 161.8 lbs

The last week has been a blur… we left for the lake 7/3 after I got the car packed. I worked early and late hours the days leading up to our trip to make what work that was left easy to manage while down there. Of course things didn’t go as smoothly or as easily as I had hoped and I still struggled to get what I needed/wanted done but it was enough. I finished cleaning up my assignments last night after we got home after I got us unpacked and the laundry started. I ate HORRIBLY all week and drank too… I have absolutely NO will power. I stopped tracking points ahead of eating them and lost my streak 2 days in… I even got a burger and onion rings on the way home because this week is a new week and I can start over. I did walk Tucker a couple of times, hiked through the woods while Brian played disc golf and went kayaking as well. I stood at the back of the boat and pulled Brian and each kid (all 7 of them) back in as they went tubing so it’s not like I parked my fat ass in a chair and over indulged the whole time. Brian told me to wait until after this weekend before I got back on the scale because we have soooo much to do for Izzy’s party and then a full day at Kennywood for my niece’s party and I’ll surely lose whatever I gained… But I couldn’t help myself. Back to the scale I went…

I could have cried! I wasn’t supposed to be this heavy BEFORE I went to the lake but I gained less than a pound… LESS THAN ONE POUND! Now the old Lora would have torn into the all the deserts. Bigger and more servings of everything. I would have gone back for seconds and had the big family breakfasts but I stuck to my fruit and yogurt… I had one donut instead of 2 (accept for the one day where I had another for a late day desert). The mixed drinks I bought at the store are what really got me because I didn’t scan them ahead of time and they were each 15 points (after the fact). I drank a bottle of wine myself the first day too… which was an entire day’s worth of points so I knew this week was going to end ugly. I ate dinner like everyone else and maintained normal portions but I had “real” butter and snagged a couple pieces of bacon as a side to my yogurt that first morning… not to mention the burger and onion rings last night (although I did share half the onion rings) I know at one point I was 3 days worth of points over and I didn’t have my steps in or nearly enough water consumed… but I guess my body is being forgiving and maybe this will jumpstart a quicker loss when I get back on the horse or the wagon or whatever the phrase is. Pardon me while I acquire some steps doing my happy dance!!!

7/1/2024: 3,410 steps

Minutes Exercise: 4/30

Water Consumed: 32 oz/80 oz

7/1/2024: 161 lbs

Also, for the first time in 133 days I exceeded my weekly WW points. I’m not sure if it was the whole weekend and my choices or last night specifically but I woke up this morning feeling like absolute garbage. I was terrified to get on the scale and now I’m just devastated. I gained back 2.2 pounds. 🙁 still emotionally eat…I’m stressing about Izzy’s birthday. We only have 3 RSVPs back. Only One that’s “yes”. Two “no”, a school friend and one neighborhood friend that can’t make it… I think her 2 new little friends and their brother (Jackson’s friend) are coming, our nieces (hopefully), and fingers crossed that a few more kids will RSVP this week… I have so much to do to clean this house before anyone comes over here. Our new shed door was delivered while we were “away” this weekend. It needs assembled. Like literally built slat by slat. I need to stain it, Brian needs to assemble and attach it to the shed. I need to weed (again), mulch and rock the outside AND clean. Forget baking and about the balloons and the actual party set up… I also realized when we got home that I left my “fake” Stanley somewhere at my MIL’s house. I guess I’ll borrow Izzy’s since the Easter Bunny brought her a “real” Stanley. Not the best way to end my week or start the next one but today is a new day and I’ll get back to my Weight Watchers, walking, and water. I cleaned up my work assignment list last night to start the new week in a better spot. I checked my assigned work for this week so far and I should be able to get everything done other than minor clean up at the lake before the holiday. If I’m lucky I’ll only have to work on corrections and “emergencies” Friday so I may be able to work without a second screen and a whole work set up while we are away. I’ll get the rest of the laundry done and put away and start packing while the boys are at Jiu Jitsu tonight. I’ll work on a snack/meal list and pick up a couple healthy options to stay on track Wed-Sun. I won’t let those 5 days undermine everything I have accomplished so far. See… I can deviate from my plans and not completely melt down. Adjusting schedule in 3…2…1.

6/30/2024: 6,665 steps

Minutes Exercise: 5/30

Water Consumed: 30 oz/80 oz

Due to an unfortunate “event” I ended up cleaning out and organizing my MIL’s pantry last night after my shower. I should have waited… seeing my step count in writing hurts. I keep telling myself this number isn’t correct and even if it was, this is still better than what I used to do. We got home late in the afternoon and by the time I threw in our laundry and ran to the store for dinner stuff it was late and I was spent. I considered jumping on the treadmill or taking a quick walk in the neighborhood but I was forgetting the work that I didn’t finish up from Friday and the corrections I didn’t check since I rushed out of here at the end of the day. This would have just piled on top of my stress to get everyone packed back up with the new work load of the week and the rush to get everything done in order to leave on Brian’s time table. I conceded to just go to the lake when Brian wants to and come back whenever. But just as I I started to get stressed again by my “to do” list, karma smiled upon me when we realized Jackson had band camp next week and he was really excited about it so we are all coming home on Sunday anyway. I can suck up a day or two working at the lake. Next year I will plan to take 2 weeks off or a July hiatus. One way or the other… unless the lottery Gods smile upon me and then I’m taking the whole damn summer off.

6/29/2024: 5,545 steps

Minutes Exercise: 8/30

Water Consumed: 40 oz/80 oz

I didn’t get the steps in that I needed/wanted yesterday. I did take a quick walk in my MIL’s neighborhood to try and get as many steps at the end of the night as I could. I just ran out of time by the time I got everyone packed and loaded into the car. I’m not feeling overly optimistic about my goals this weekend. I’m not going to get upset about it though and just take whatever I can get. It is what it is. I spent 5 hours cleaning/sorting my MIL’s office because she has guests coming and Brian thought I could work on that while he worked on the garage. By the time he made me quit for the day I was feeling gross and hadn’t showered and damn it if I forgot to put my watch back on. I bet I got my steps or really close to them but since they didn’t get tracked, I’m not going to even try to determine my actual step count.

6/28/2024: 7,838 steps

Minutes Exercise: 17/30

Water Consumed: 40 oz/80 oz

6/25/2024: 160.2 lbs

Well… here we go again… I guess we are dog sitting this weekend. I didn’t have any plans other than baking for the 4th and cleaning/organizing in prep for Izzy’s big backyard birthday party which Brian says can wait until next week. BUT… despite saying “I don’t care” when asked when we were headed to the lake, a day spent with my MIL shopping for Izzy’s bike turned into plans to not only go down earlier than I had requested but to extend the stay into the week which was never my plan. I hate working remotely with all the additional chaos. There is absolutely no benefit to me staying through Monday as I would be working the entire time anyway… no one would see me and I wouldn’t be present for any activities unless I do what I did yesterday and work late at night. I get that Brian doesn’t work and the kids have no plans (other than Jiu Jitsu) and if family/cousins are going to be there it would be more fun for them to be there than here so my offer to let him drive his mother down as early as she wants and stay with her as long as she wants with me driving down after work on Wednesday and driving myself home on Sunday may be the way we go. Dog sitting at her house this weekend does put a wrinkle in my plans to bake cookies too. Coming home later from the lake also upsets my birthday prep the following week if I don’t come home on Sunday. I really need to focus on how I can take more time off in the summer because this is just stressing me the hell out.

6/27/2024: 14,638 steps

Minutes Exercise: 118/30

Water Consumed: 60 oz/80 oz

6/25/2024: 160.2 lbs

Sandcastle for the win! My watch died at the end of the night before I did so I actually got a little more steps in. I would have hoped to weigh in lighter but I exceeded my points after we got home because I was starving. I LOVE Auntie Ann’s pretzels but they really aren’t worth the points, especially since when consuming more than half a day’s worth of points won’t sustain you for half the day. I knew this going in but I didn’t care. I also screwed myself by thinking I had enough of a base to not require sunscreen. I made sure everyone else was covered and was in such a hurry to get situated and our wallets locked in a locker that I didn’t bother and now I pay the price. I think I glow in the dark now. Brian has found his lobster. LOL

6/26/2024: 8,979 steps

Minutes Exercise: 45/30

Water Consumed: 40 oz/80 oz

We took the kids to the park right outside our neighborhood before the rain came. You could almost choke on the humidity but the kids didn’t seem to mind. Izzy is riding her big girl bike! I thought she’d get one slightly bigger and grown up but this is the bike she picked and she loves it so that’s all that matters. She’s riding without training wheels!!! She may be the only child I have that can ride a bike. I didn’t get all my steps in before the torrential downpour so the treadmill got almost an hour of my time at the end of the night. I will make my step goal every day this week if it kills me. Tomorrow should be “easy” since we are headed to Sandcastle.

6/25/2024: 161 lbs

We made it to the library! I got a book, Izzy got 3 books, and Jackson got a book. Izzy picked out a corn hole game (biggest thing available) to check out (you should have seen me dragging this thing out to the car). Our library is such a nice place. Everything is due back by 7/15 but I think the plan is to try and make this a regular Monday “thing”. ‘Mom and Me Mondays’. I meant to inquire about the RAD program and tickets for kids but I was having too much fun wandering around that I forgot. Bonus though… I discovered all the other things that can be checked out at the library. Brian who is in need of a VCR to watch all of his old family home movies can check one of those out as well! Now I’m wondering and researching if there is a way I can convert these movies myself and thinking what a wonderful gift this would be for his family to have! Maybe YouTube access for the family… adding this to my list of things to look into/do.

I also made the kids no-bake cookies last night. I ate one knowing full well it was going to be rich in points. I added the recipe to the Weight Watchers app and it gave me 6 points per cookie which was surprisingly low in my opinion for all the sugar and butter in these things but I used a small cookie scoop and got 36 cookies out of the batch so I guess 1/36th of the recipe equaling 6 points comparatively is a high… *note to self to look into a lower point alternative.

I was nowhere near my step goal and not wanting to fail on my first day, I hoped on the treadmill for almost an hour and got the steps I needed and managed to close all three of my activity rings.

I went over points yesterday but still have weeklies available. I honestly don’t believe I gained anything because the clothes I am wearing are a little heavy… that being said, I will be better today.

6/25/2024: 8,855 steps

Minutes Exercise: 56/30

Water Consumed: 40 oz/80 oz

6/25/2024: 160.6 lbs

Wait… what??? I went over my weekly points and under my weekly step goals and still lost a pound! Bodies are weird. I guess I tricked my metabolism into doing a monkey dance. Keep it guessing… I guess.

I still can’t stay motivated to drink enough water… I know that will really help my weight loss I just can’t seem to do it. Seems so simple yet I struggle so much. I’ve got to figure something out. But I can get my steps in so this week’s goal is to get my 8,800 steps in every single day. I really don’t have an excuse. We have a treadmill so if it’s storming or ridiculously humid, I will be in the basement.

My “boss” is on vacation this week and I don’t know why that makes my stress level decrease but it does. So I am feeling very optimistic about this week. I wanted to be 10 pounds lighter before the 4th (actually wanted to be a lot closer to my goal weight but I digress). With the 4th of July only being 9 days away. NINE DAYS!!! WTF?!?!? I don’t really see that happening but maybe I can get half way there. New goal unlocked. Loosing 5 pounds will put me at the weight I was before I quit the last time. 1.6 pounds will put me at the 25 pound milestone. Challenge accepted!

Mini Goal: 1.6 pounds

Small Goal: 5 pounds

Ultimate Goal: 10 pounds

Going to try my best to end the month at hitting my 25 pound milestone no matter what!

6/24/2024: 9,002 steps

Dear God! The humidity and the rain all day today! I skimmed the pool, added PH balance and waited for the kids to get up. I finished re-working our budget and making plans for the coming month. I was going to focus on my Etsy stores but turned my attention to the laundry and got it all done and caught up. (For a day anyway). The kids are playing with the neighborhood kids again and I’m headed to monitor the pool activity. I should walk or get on the treadmill but I think I just need a day… I’m still over my weekly points from earlier in the week but to hell with it. I’ll end the week over points and start over tomorrow. I’m not making terrible choices and I’m still doing much better than I ever have so I’m not going to be feel bad about it.

I worked on plans for next month. When we will use our Sandcastle and Kennywood passes… what I still need to purchase for Izzy’s birthday, what I’m getting Izzy and Brian for their birthdays… my mother for her birthday… our anniversary. Fourth of July is closing in fast… I need to take Izzy through the neighborhood to hand out the rest of her invitations for her party… How is June practically over already?!?!? I made spaghetti and homemade breadsticks, garlic knots, and pepperoni bread for dinner instead of ordering out or running to the store. The kids devoured everything asking for seconds. Proud mom moment! The boys each asked for salad too! Brian is starting “summer school” for the kids tomorrow and I get to take Izzy and Jackson to the library! I am so excited!!! I love our library. I’ve only been there a couple of times but it’s really nice and I’m hoping the kids get excited and we make this a regular weekly thing. Brian thinks I’m weird but I don’t care. Library’s are cool despite what he thinks/says.

Stay tuned…

6/23/2024: 5,304 steps

I had plans to clean the house from top to bottom today… but then Brian decided he needed to get the hell out of this house. And to be honest, any excuse to put off cleaning was good enough for me! He surprised the kids with a trip to Mars, PA for Cornhole Golf. Never heard of it? Well because there is only one Cornhole Golf in the world and it’s in Mars, PA. It was so cute and fun! We had ice cream afterwards and I swear they had every flavor under the sun too! Perry’s Toasted Coconut for the win!!! And since we were out that way… Brian got his Mama Lucia’s pizza. Pretty sure this was a calculated trip. I got a small cup of the Toasted Coconut instead of the large waffle cone the old squishy me would have gotten. I wasn’t going to have pizza but when the kids ordered more than they could possibly eat, I ate a slice. Surprisingly I stayed within my daily points because I had a 2 point breakfast before we left for the day (even though I am over my weekly points from earlier in the week) and sadly, I didn’t get my steps in as I had hoped but it was a fun family day and I got to enjoy myself without over indulging so I am calling today a win!

6/22/2024: 6,314 steps

Izzy had friends over to swim yesterday. I found the cruddy clunky water guns that were left outside last summer floating in the pool. Tested the water, added chlorine, skimmed out the bugs and junk and started the filter up. Pool patches are still holding…

Their mom also brought us a dozen eggs from their chickens! I have never had real fresh eggs “farm to table” before. Pretty excited. I just bought eggs today too but that just means eggs for breakfast, egg salad for lunch and a couple extra batches of cookies. I think I’ll send some cookies over as a “Thank You”.

Tomorrow I clean!

6/21/2024: 4,978 steps

6/21/2024: 161.6 lbs

It’s raining. Work sucks. The end.

Scale is pissing me off. Going to sulk in some point friendly snacks and get the laundry done. (maybe)

6/20/2024: 4,676 steps

Wandered outside in my swimsuit after work and found Brian peacefully floating. The pool patches are holding… Izzy’s amazing Fairy God Parents have arranged and epic surprise for her party so even if the pool doesn’t make it… I’m sure what they have done will render the pool obsolete anyway. Stay tuned…

Fun Fact: “swimming” in the kiddie pool didn’t get me any “steps”.

The kids also decided to join us when they realized we were having fun. And so ends my summer pool relaxation. Bonus though, first night swim is in the books followed by S’mores. Checking that off the ‘Karcz Family Summer Bucket List’.

6/19/2024: 9,759 steps

37/30 minutes exercise registered.

I won the Walk Your Way to Summer Challenge. It’s finally over! $16.06 in winnings (net $6.06). I guess that covers Netflix next month…

6/18/2024: 7,277 steps

The pool sprung a leak (3 to be exact) along with my motivation. I am wavering around 162 pounds and this heat wave is making me want to just stay inside where it is cool. Fingers crossed that these patches hold long enough to get through Izzy’s birthday party next month and I find my motivation again.

6/17/2024: 4,214 steps

Well it’s Monday again. I guess I should be grateful that I’m here but I have a splitting headache and a pile of work to do so… yeah… I’m just going to sulk right now.

I am also feeling resentful that I am sitting here working and missing out on any excursions or fun the kids and Brian are having. I stayed home while the boys and Brian went miniature golfing last week. I also moved my work space to my MIL’s house prior to watch her dog so she could enjoy a weekend away and the kids could swim in her pool. And yesterday 4th of July plans were discussed and of course Brian saying he didn’t care because he “doesn’t have a job” right now and the incredulous look shot my way when I said, I really didn’t want to go to the lake prior to the holiday or stay through the week after because I “do have a job”. Eyes were rolled because I can simply work there… My SIL said she is planning on staying through the 9th so my MIL can simply stay with her if being alone is the issue… Brian explained that I don’t like working when everyone else is out having fun and doing things and I added that it’s too hard to work remotely with all the commotion of added people (kids and dogs). I guess after all this time he gets it and understands how I feel but apparently I am being ridiculous… Some how my need to stay home for the yard sale the week prior was thrown in… and how the last day I gave most of what was left away and it wasn’t worth sitting outside for 2 days. I’m not sure why my plans affected anyone else but here we are… I still don’t know what the holiday plans are for us. Although Brian’s cousin offered to pick me up and take me after work and bring me back Friday if I wanted because he is in the same boat. I’m not sure how that will go over because I think Brian stopped paying attention the second I got irritated and defensive. I either need to win the lottery so I don’t have to work anymore or figure out a way to save up enough PTO and money take a summer sabbatical or a 2 month hiatus in the future. Maybe a mid June – mid July break so I can enjoy summer with the kids, go on a real vacation, enjoy Izzy and Brian’s birthdays and not stress over work over the holiday… Honestly, with work being the way it is right now, it would probably help the team, and if my SIL works “as needed”, I don’t see why if I get us financially sound, I can’t just take a summer leave… I’ll just add that to my list of things to do.

6/16/2024: 4,488 steps

Happy Father’s Day!

I have a gift and card from the kids for my dad. I sent him a text. I hope he gets to go fishing or do something fun that he wants to do today. Brian received his Sandcastle passes today. Adventure awaits!!! The boys have started a campaign for a vacation back to South Carolina. I wish I could be there right now. It’s funny to me because Brandon started asking but he is the one that hates the sand the most! If there was anyway I thought I could convince Brian and that we could afford it, I would get in the car right now and drive. This coming week, the following week and our long anniversary weekend are the only blocked off (or not blocked off) time we have available to do anything as a family. I’m thinking if anything, we need to use these Sandcastle passes… After all, that would be the responsible thing to do.

We are headed to my MIL’S to cookout and collect Izzy. She has spent the entire weekend with GiGi and Laila having her own little adventure.

Yesterday started promising. I was able to get digital library cards for both me and Brian. I couldn’t get the kid’s cards linked to mine so I physically went to the library to have their pins reset. Izzy’s card linked to mine but the boys just wont. They are active and all three are good until December 2025. I was told I could check back this week when tech support was in. That being said, when I tried to reserve tickets, apparently kid’s cards are ineligible for the “free” RAD campaign. I can reserve passes for me and Brian but not the kids. I will have to call someone associated with the program and see if that is in fact true or if the cards my kids got through the school are the problem?

Added to the minor inconvenience was another sleepless night for Brian (and me). I stayed up with him and now I pay the price. I am exhausted and grumpy. Whatever steps I got in today are whatever I get. Tomorrow is supposed to start a weeklong heatwave so we’ll see how the rest of the week plays out.

6/15/2024: 11,398 steps!!!

All 3 rings closed!

Saving this here because I totally forgot about this! The kids all have library cards but I don’t have one myself. Apparently (according to one of the school moms) you can even take out large yard games and small farm equipment from our library!!! Who knew??? But this summer, with your library card, you can reserve free tickets to tons of fun things to do in the city and surrounding areas. FREE!

To claim your tickets, log in with your Allegheny County library card number and PIN, browse for passes by date or by venue, reserve your pass and either print it or download it onto your phone.

Tickets will be available on May 1 for admission days that start on May 15. RAD Summer Staycation runs through the end of August.

The following attractions will provide more than 100,000 free tickets through the program:

• The Andy Warhol Museum
• Carnegie Museum of Art
• Carnegie Museum of Natural History
• Carnegie Science Center
• Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
• The Frick Pittsburgh
• Heinz History Center
• Mattress Factory
• National Aviary
• Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
• Pittsburgh Botanic Garden
• Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
• Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum

6/14/2024: 7,268 steps

Work was crappy yesterday. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t concentrate. I didn’t get all my steps in… I did manage to get half the laundry done last night and I still took Tucker on his evening walk though. I stayed within my points. I registered 30/30 minutes of exercise effectively closing my exercise and stand ring but as I sit here typing this, my watch has died. I guess it didn’t charge over night? It’s plugged in at my desk now because as silly as it is, I would be lost without it.

On a side note, I started setting up a profile/account on FIVERR but got my first real freelance client via word of mouth! As soon as I get the time (I say that a lot), I’m going to beef up my presence and fingers crossed this could become a really lucrative side hustle.

6/13/2024: 5,735 steps

6/13/2024: 161.6 lbs

Well that was a pleasant surprise. I was kicking myself for missing my step goal yesterday. Truth be told, I took off my watch to go to bed and probably took 7 steps to get into bed. But in any case, I’ve lost weight! I would love to get down to 160 by the end of the week. My goal of 155 by the 4th of July is totally realistic!

6/12/2024: 8,793 steps

37 minutes of recorded exercise and all 3 rings closed. Laundry is still a mountain but 2 loads are folded and another load is washing while the dryer is tumbling yet another load. Only 7 more loads to go. WTF!?!?!

AND to add insult to injury I missed my freaking step goal by 7 steps. SEVEN.FING.STEPS.ARE.YOU.KIDDING.ME????

“F” this noise. Tomorrow is another day.

At least I stayed within my points.

On another note, Izzy got gourmet chocolates and cute slides with her yard sale profits and instead of buying more brown paper lunch bags to air pop my popcorn, we found an air popper on sale at Target and decided to use what was left of my profits for this nostalgic little device. The kids got a kick out watching the popcorn pop last night and this is our new fun healthy snack. I guess the day wasn’t a total loss. Target for the win!

6/11/2024: 5,270 steps

I don’t know why moving my work station to a temporary space throws me off so much. I am so out of sorts right now and it’s taken me FOREVER to get organized and settled again. The laundry is out of control AGAIN and the yard sale mess is still taking over my office. Sigh… tomorrow is another day.

6/10/2024: 3,412 steps

The last couple of days have been crap. We left for my MIL’s right after the yard sale to dog sit while she is away. Brian jokingly referred to it as our vacation because we planned to stay over night and her house is much nicer than our house. I didn’t get to walk before the rain came and although I got to try out swimming against the current in her endless pool, the kids kept getting kicked so I let them have fun and removed myself. I must say though, this may be my next savings challenge after we get to a solid place financially. It would definitely cost less than a standard pool and has the potential to be used year round which is one of Brian’s biggest cons on the pro/con list when I try to convince him that we need a pool… Swimming is a great cardio vascular exercise and one that I enjoy very much. I think I need one…

6/9/2024: 7,000 steps

Yard Sale Day 2: Same setup… $42

Hardly anyone came. I did get rid of the tent which will free up space in our shed. Jackson and Izzy’s clothes all went for $20 to a family in the neighborhood that has family who really could use and appreciate the girl’s clothes and shoes we had. She offered to go home for more money but I was honest with her that everything would be donated since the sale was technically over and I didn’t want to bring the stuff back into our house. She took the lot and her kids picked a few toys too. The TV and pink sink were gifted to one of Izzy’s classmates and his little sister and my house has a little less clutter now. My goal was $100. We made $125. Brian will tell you that it wasn’t worth the effort. He will also tell you that I am a terrible salesperson because I just kept giving things away… But since I gave so much away, I split my profits with Izzy and Jackson.

I’ve also decided to jump on the Sandcastle Silver Pass Sale before the prices go back up. Father’s Day = DONE!

6/8/2024: 10,410 steps

Yard Sale Day 1: A tent, 3 tables, and 2 chairs later… $83.

I told the kids any money made from their personal items was theirs to do with as they pleased. Izzy ran across the street and has already spent her money. Jackson couldn’t find any “treasures” in the neighborhood worth separating him from his money. He has decided to save his earnings but is now sorting through his outgrown clothes and abandoned toys in the hopes of generating more cash. That’s my boy!

6/7/2024: 4,846 steps

Note to self, next year take the day after Kennywood off. I’m exhausted and we have a neighborhood yard sale to get ready for. I have a list… I’ve been talking about this for weeks. No one in this house seems to care but me. I was hoping to make around $100 and put it towards the “Summer Fun” account which currently has $5.98 in it. LOL

I suggested a Slip ‘N Slide, water balloon restock, and ice cream cups. OR … Sandcastle passes.

The kids love all of the suggestions but don’t love the idea of having to do any work for it.

I guess I’ll muster up the energy to set up what I have collected so far and see what happens.

Sandcastle Break Down

☀️ For a limited time, Silver Season Passes are $60 off – The Best Price of the Season!

The 2024 Silver Season Pass includes:

• Unlimited summer admission to Sandcastle
• Bring a Friend admission discounts + 10% off food & retail purchases 
• One FREE Guest Ticket + more

$119.99 $59.99

If I buy 3 silver passes, using the free buddy passes, we can get in for $196.66 versus $200. The 3 pass members would get in unlimited over the summer with one buddy pass left. If we all go on a “bring a friend” day, we would get in using the last buddy pass for $19.99. So for those of you keeping up with my girl math, we would get 2 trips as a family for the price of 1.

Taking it even further, since Brian and the kids love it there so much, They could technically go without me 3 times and take me along for the “bring a friend day” and now we are getting 3 trips for the price of one without passes.

Pretty sure I just figured out Brian’s Father’s Day Gift. Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.

Mmmmm…. I think I’ll pick up a rotisserie chicken for dinner tonight.

For those of you keeping track at home, 3 gold passes to Kennywood (3 trips), 3 silver passes to Sandcastle (2 trips) with taxes and fees:

Current Year: $485.99 + $196.66 + $19.99 = $702.64

Last Year: $1,200

Savings with same number of park experiences, $497.36!

Girl math at its finest!

And as I sit here typing this out, I’m wondering if I had the passes would we go there more often… and what if I just didn’t buy myself a pass and just got them for the rest of the family and they just took me as their guest… which would give us 4 trips for $246.66 which would be an even better deal.

We could do Kennywood one day and Sandcastle another over my “vacation” for Brian’s birthday and our anniversary. Father’s Day, Brian’s Birthday, and our Anniversary complete with experiences/entertainment for the kids. I’ll be saving well over $500 compared to last year. Looks like we might have a new cost-effective tradition for the coming years. 🙂

6/6/2024: 14,809 steps!!!!

31/30 minutes registered.

Last night was another sucky night. But Brian and I both got at least 7 hours of sleep. Even if it was broken up, it was sleep so I’ll take it.

I got my steps plus enough to make up for yesterday. The kids had a great day (until the end) and I got to try all the horrible foods but didn’t overindulge so with my activity and my weekly “extra” points, I didn’t gain any weight!

I ended up buying 3 gold passes, which means we have unlimited visits, preferred parking, and unlimited drinks for 3 people. Each of those passes comes with 2 buddy passes, so the other 2 people in our family get in at no additional cost 3 times. That’s three visits for our family of 5 for the cost of 2 discounted visits. Girl Math = 1 free visit.

This gives us something “extra” to do this summer without breaking the bank. If we go all 3 times over the summer. We also get (9) $19.99 “bring a friend” tickets when the park schedules “bring a friend days”. So if we run out of buddy passes and still want to go to the park, it will only cost us $40 to get us all in. If we go all three times over the summer or at Halloween, I will renew the three passes on Black Friday with the discount to take the family to see the Christmas lights. This also means that next year’s school picnic would already be paid for. It took me a while to figure out but this was the most cost-effective way to do this. Especially since we only went to Sandcastle once and the boys have outgrown both Idlewild and Dutch Wonderland. The premium passes were just too expensive to be worth it.

Last year we spent $1,200 for 3 parks, 5 visits.

This year with taxes and fees, we could go to Kennywood 4 times for $485.99, plus Sand Castle (discounted tickets) $200 for a grand total of $685.99. Which what I spent for almost the same experience as last year.

The kids LOVE Sandcastle and would prefer to spend more time there so I’m considering the cost of the discounted passes for that park. I could probably do the Silver passes for 3 to get a similar benefit for less cost and make at least 2 trips for the cost of one. I just have to sit down and really decide how to best do that.

On another note, the shorts I wore last year were baggy on me! I wore my Kennywood Noah’s Ark shirt that my BFF got me last year and it even fit better than last year!!! I fit comfortably on every ride I chose to ride and the lap bar didn’t squish my fat!!!! I could have cried when I got on the Thunder Bolt.

AND on our way to the Thunderbolt, Brandon “eye spied” a YouTuber that the kids follow and he was super nice! The boys were so excited! All day we ran into the group of YouTubers filming throughout the park. They always stopped to acknowledge the boys. Fist bumps, pictures… they even rode the Thunderbolt with them when we went for another round.

Brandon’s friend got a signed souvenir at the end of the night which left Jackson broken but he’s working through it and these great boys now have a new fan and follower in me! I can’t wait to watch their video when they post it.

https://www.youtube.com/@unemployedcrew/featured

These guys were the nicest most gracious people I have had the pleasure of meeting. Truly, you need to check them out. Their videos are really fun!

6/5/2024: 2,653 steps

8/30 minutes exercise registered.

To quote Alexander, “this was a very terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.” Brian’s anxiety and panic attacks are back with a vengeance. I got very little sleep. He got very little sleep. I called for help and reinforcements came. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully a much better day. It’s also the school picnic Kennywood Day! The kids have been looking forward to this for weeks so fingers crossed we get some sleep and we have a good night followed by an even better day!

6/4/2024: 6,942 steps

36/30 minutes exercise registered.

6/3/2024: 6,301 steps

38/30 minutes exercise registered.

6/2/2024: 4,977 steps

6/2/2024: 163 lbs

21 pounds gone!!!

Upon further investigation, my resting heart rate was lower over the last 7 weeks. I’m obviously getting healthier and I’m guessing I need to put forth more effort during “exercise” to be considered true exercise now…

6/1/2024: 9,472 steps

My watch disagrees with me and is only registering 23 minutes as actual exercise. That being said, I took Tucker for our daily walk so I met my Walk Your Way to Summer goal for the day. I have 3 days left in this week and only 2 goals left to meet. I’m not really feeling this challenge. I also only won $3.63 in the last Walk It Off challenge and in order to advance to the next level I have to join another type of challenge with a higher bet. I’m thinking of just using this blog to keep myself honest/accountable and continue to challenge myself to meet the WW goal of 8,800 steps per day. On another note, my bras are finally comfortable. LOL

SCHOOL IS OUT FOR SUMMER!!!!!!

5/31/2024: 9,231 steps

5/31/2024: 163.6 lbs

Today was the last day of school! The kids and Brian are home for the next 2 1/2 months!!! Plans are set. Kennywood is next week… But today I hit my step goal. Made Walk Your Way to Summer submission (1 of 4) by getting a 30 minute walk work out walking Tucker and finishing the last 4 minutes on the treadmill. Dipped into my weekly points for dinner (1 slice Mama Lucia’s pizza and 1 Raising Canes chicken tender). I still have 7 weekly points left for the next 2 days. I even made my water/hydration goal today. Plus… wait for it… THE LAUNDRY IS DONE!!!!!!!

Tomorrow I’ll clean the bathrooms and set up the pool. Sunday I will update my Etsy stores. Why are the weekends so short???

5/30/2024: 3,869 steps

Continuing a little break and refocusing on my diet to change a few things up and will either take Tucker for a walk tomorrow night or jump on the treadmill to work on the Walk Your Way to Summer Challenge.

5/29/2024 164lbs!!!

5/29/2024: 2nd Week Walk Your Way to Summer!

5,844 steps

I didn’t realize when I signed up that this was a 4 week challenge. I also have to physically upload pictures and nothing in this game syncs with my activity tracker/apps. I only have to be active for 30 minutes 4 days a week so I’ve taken a little break and regroup in order to win this game. But after 100 days I have finally hit a 20 pound weight loss!!!!

5/28/2024: 4,422 steps

Despite being at the lake for the weekend and enjoying several adult beverages over the holiday, I still made my goals and stuck to my points. I didn’t gain anything over the long weekend either so I am claiming the holiday a win! Going to take a couple days off to reset and actually relax.

Happy Memorial Day! 7,482 steps

Sunday the game has been won but still getting 8,610 steps

You won Walk It Off!

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 2, Day 7: 8,751 steps

Polished off a bottle of wine. Went out to dinner. Took Tucker for 3 walks and bounced around the deck to meet my final goal and stayed in my points!

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 2, Day 6: 8,610 steps

Headed to the lake. Fingers crossed that I can stick to my “plan” and not gain any weight!

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 2, Day 5: 8,655 steps

Grocery pick up and packing done. I made a plan for myself with healthy snacks and easy meals so I don’t get side tracked. Bonus, the Yellow Tail Mango wine I think Jay got me is only 3 points per 5oz!!!!

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 2, Day 4: 11,377 steps!!!!!

5/23/2024 Weight: 165.6 lbs

I am exhausted. A day in the sun really zapped me! I took Tucker for a quick walk this morning before I headed to Jackson’s Track and Field day. I ended up hitting my small goal before 2:30 in the afternoon! I napped after dinner and still managed to exceed another power goal! I’ll make sure I hit a goal tomorrow because Saturday we’ll be headed to the lake and 2 1/2 hours in the car kind of impeeds my goals… I also exceeded my points today because even though I watched my serving sizes at lunch, Burger King messed up the kid’s order and I ended up eating the “mistake” Whopper. It’s all good though because I had more than enough weekly points to make up for the “treat”. I’ll be working on a shopping list so my diet isn’t derailed over the long holiday weekend with family. I also want to partake in some adult beverages so I need to work on a point management plan. 🙂

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 2, Day 3: 10,940 steps

Walk Your Way to Summer Challenge

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 2, Day 2: 8,845 steps

Small goal met. It was met under duress. I know I need to stay consistent but it feels like a thousand degrees outside and after walking half the neighborhood I just couldn’t drag Tucker any further. He wanted to walk and he probably would have continued but he was panting and I was keeping pace with him which isn’t typical. I lapped around inside the house and did laundry to get the last bit of steps in. I’ll walk tomorrow evening to go a little further. I also signed up for another activity/walking-based game that will push me to be active for at least 30 minutes on the regular. I have to post a pic/screen shot of my tracker with the route I’m walking so that will really keep me motivated.

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 2, Day 1: 5, 452

No goals met today. To be fair, I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck and dragged for miles. Advil in the middle of the night and again this morning is making moving possible. I was also on Jiu Jitsu duty tonight so time was not on my side after work. I’ll stay within my points and come back tomorrow with a small goal.

On a more positive note, Brandon asked what was for dinner and asked if I would make him a salad like mine. He said he wants to make healthier choices too. Jackson chimed in that he would also like a salad and wanted me to know that he can tell I’m losing weight and I’m doing a good job! Today was a good day!

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 1, Day 7: 10,752 steps!!!!

(Week 6, Day 4)

That was intense! I started at 11 AM with the goal to get the flower beds weeded and ready for mulch. I budgeted $250 for mulch, rocks, and plants and then adjusted my expectations and knocked $100 off. I had plans for my empty planters and want the house to look nice. We are headed to the lake next weekend and possibly going away the following weekend, then it’s the school Kennywood Picnic culminating in the neighborhood yard sale that first weekend in June. My MIL was teasing/giving me a hard time via the kids for not coming to her house because she is more important than “weeds” but I wasn’t stopping. And with our schedules, I only have 3 weekends (rain willing) to get everything done for Izzy’s old fashioned summer birthday party outside. Sorry. Not Sorry. The weeds are gone and bagged up at the curb. The bottom section of the driveway is now power washed as is the artificial turf for under the pool. My parents stopped by and brought 4 hostas that they dug up from their own landscaping as they thin out and clean up around their house. When my mom offered them to me, I assumed they would be the size of mine. A nice full small/medium plant. Nope! These things are MONSTERS. And I LOVE them! My dad suggested I put one in each of my planters. So now I won’t be buying flowers and that saved me $40. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! One of the hostas I transferred to the side of the house isn’t looking like it’s going to make it… I guess I’ll be nurturing that one this week before we go away. Fingers crossed. 8 hours later, 64 OZ water consumed, buckets of sweat, some blisters, lots of swear words, 10,752 steps and a kind neighbor offering help later and my landscape is ready for much!

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 1, Day 6: 8,433 steps

(Week 6, Day 3)

Hopped on the treadmill and got my last 1,00 steps in to meet my small goal and end the week. I still have Sunday this week but I hate leaving things until the last day because anything could happen. Another day… another goal met! Go me!!!

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 1, Day 5: 10,969 steps

(Week 6, Day 2)

Power goal met! Today was Jackson’s 4th Grade Picnic which was moved indoors because of rain. Probably a good thing because I am sun burned from yesterday. I made sure to put sunscreen on Izzy. I even packed an extra tube and brought it with me… and yet I never put any on myself. And another volunteer day at the school. But I introduced myself this time to the mom that got stuck with me and I remember her name! Chrissy was great. The kids had fun. Of course I was winging it because I just went where I was told… and when Brian asked… of course the super teacher and all around fun guy told me how I should have run the game. Well shit… maybe next year. I also made my Power Goal so all in all it was a pretty awesome day!

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 1, Day 4: 9,609 steps

(Week 6, Day 1)

And I’m back baby! Small goal met. Izzy’s Fun in the Sun Day was today. I got super excited and found (thought I found) the perfect shirt. Izzy would think it was awesome (she doesn’t embarrass like the boys do). After a friend/co-worker suggested a Sponge Bob shirt for the Sponge Relay (the game I volunteered for) I finally found one in my size (or so I thought) at Old Navy. I snagged it online to pick up after work. My “plan” was to put, ‘Sponge Relay Team’ on the back but after happily skipping to my car and checking the bag, it was a kid’s size XL and not an Adult XL. My left boob wouldn’t even fit in that shirt!!! I gave it to Jackson and went to school pretending to be a “normal” mom. I mean, even if I lose all my weight and hit my goal weight, I still don’t think that shirt would have fit me. I really thought I’d have more steps in but the dad running the game and the other mom helping kicked ass and I hardly had to move. Sad to say, I am terrible at introducing myself or even remembering names when they are given to me. (Although I don’t think anyone told me who they were). Multiple conversations with these people and I still have no clue who they were. *** something else I will need to work on.

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 1, Day 3: 6,966 steps

(Week 5, Day 7)

I didn’t meet any goals today but that’s okay. Tomorrow is another day and you get 2 “free” days so I’m still in the competition.

3rd Round Walk It Off Week 1, Day 2: 8,544 steps

(Week 5, Day 6)

Jackson pizza shamed me… so I put my slice down and made zero point eggs for my dinner. This damn scale better start reflecting my sacrifices and healthier choices or I’m going to eat it!

On another note, 2nd small goal of the Walk It Off game accomplished. 2 more to go this week.

What’s been the most challenging aspect of your weight loss journey?

This was the question posed in one of the Weight Watchers groups I belong to. Without hesitation, my response was, “FOOD”. I wasn’t trying to be funny. I wasn’t being a smartass. That really is my biggest challenge (or so I thought). I have this love hate relationship with food. But as I sit here typing this, is it really food? Is is something deeper than that? Is this too broad a stroke? Is it sweets? Is it boredom? Is it late night cravings? Do I eat to nourish my body? OR… what? I opened the fridge late last night opting for a bowl of grapes. It was almost 11PM. I was still awake and puttering around…. last bit of work clean up… a load of laundry… was I even hungry? No. I wasn’t. I was bored and grapes over cookies sounded good. I put the grapes back, brushed my teeth and went to bed. My biggest challenge is ME.

Now I’m doing a bit of self reflected and going deep into what got me here and why I still struggle and after admitting that (move over Taylor Swift). It’s me. I’m the problem. IT’S ME! I’m recalling the young 8th grader who gave her American Legion Award speech at Honor’s Night Last Night. You achieve what you set your mind to do. Only you control what you accomplish and how much you accomplish when you work hard and don’t give up. (Basically was the gist). And it’s not wrong. Shit happens. It happens all the time. Things don’t work out the way you want. You take a financial hit. Illness sneaks in. The weather kiboshes plans. What do you do? Do you give up? Do you quit? OR do you pivot. Change the plan? Move the goal? Whatever you do, just don’t quit.

And that’s why I am still here. Sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Shit happens. Things didn’t work out quite the way I wanted them too. I’m not where I want to be right now mentally and health wise (not to say I wouldn’t also like to physically be on the beach) but I’m still here and I’m pivoting and fighting towards that goal weight, one abandoned late night snack at a time.

Walk It Off Week 1, Day 1: 8,580 steps

(Week 5, Day 5)

1st small goal of the Walk It Off game accomplished. 3 more to go this week.

Brandon Karcz, Highest Honors, Straight A’s for the Year!!!

To say I am proud of this kid would be an understatement. From the first few day’s struggling learning how to read in Kindergarten and the complete lack of understanding on how to rhyme (which was adorable even if it frustrated the hell out of Brian), to walk across the stage as a 6th grader with such an accomplishment! This kid embodies sheer will and determination. When he decides he wants something, that’s it. He takes no prisoners. I need to be like Brandon. I think I was like that once…

Week 5, Day 4: 8,626 steps

Happy Mother’s Day!

What a gorgeous day! I still have whatever this bug is but it’s leaving and I’m on the mend. Brian made a wonderful breakfast and even asked what I could have for food/points and then we headed to the kid’s first Pirate Game. I felt so much better walking around in the sun. I almost made my personal step goal and because I had a crappy few days earlier I had enough points left to indulge in Primanti’s!!!! Jay even surprised me with my favorite dinner from Armstrong’s and I managed to stay within my weeklies so all in all even with the crappy start to the weekend, it ended so nicely. I also took my winnings and joined another Walk It Off game that starts tomorrow. Because I am more active now, my goals have increased based on my current averages.

Small Goal: 8,363 steps

Power Goal: 10,111 steps

Let’s do this!

Week 5, Day 3: 5,590 steps

Brian came home with MIL’s dog for the night and today and the weather is crappy so we are pretty much stuck here. I’m still not feeling great so today is another day where I’ll get steps in doing laundry and call it what it is.

Week 5, Day 2: 1,602 steps

Sicker than a dog. Brian is lecturing me to log out and go to bed. Medicating myself and hoping/praying for a better day tomorrow.

5/10/2024 Weight: 168.8

Jackson LOVED performing at it was so cute seeing him on stage. We went out to dinner afterwards to Red Robin. I’ve had a gift card that’s been burning a hole in my wallet FOREVER. Unfortunately it could only be used inside the restaurant and not online so I used it last night and although I really wanted a burger or a chicken sandwich, I chose the healthier low carb option. The Ensenada Chicken Platter is only 4 points. I opted for the salad with the dressing for an additional 8 points because I had the points to use. It was probably more protein than I get all week. I got on the scale this morning and registered a weight loss!!! I am going to try to work on getting a good grilled chicken recipe that I like and will try to work in a salad like this at least once a week. I’m hoping this helps! We’ve got the Pirate Game this weekend so I’ll likely splurge there and since Brian volunteered to watch my MIL’s dog this weekend prior to the game, we are going to stay at her house and I’m going to work on a Mother’s Day surprise for her that should help me work on my steps too.

Week 5, Day 1: 3,983 steps

I’m sick. I don’t know if it’s allergies (first time for me) or if I somehow picked up a cold. I can’t breathe or taste anything. I’m still trying to eat my points and up my protein so I can trigger a loss of weight. Jackson has his first band concert and he’s super excited so I’m medicating myself and taking it easy in order to be there. I will likely not get my steps in today.

Week 4, Day 7: 4,225 steps

5/8/2024 Weight: 170.2

Well this sucks. I am eating better, my tracker just informed me that I have moved more this year than I have for the ENTIRE year last year! I’m drinking more water than I typically do too and still I’ve managed to nudge above 169 (AGAIN). I know it’s a marathon and not a sprint. I am also being told that I may not be eating enough and my body is retaining what it has and slowing down my metabolism to go into survival mode. This is BULLSHIT. My body is betraying me. Yet again. I will not self sabotage. I will not eat a brownie and chase it with ice cream. I will save points and indulge at the Mother’s Day Pirate Game this weekend and pray that triggers a loss. #stillpissed

Week 4, Day 6: 7,422 steps

Ha! I wasn’t going to make it. I needed 1,500 steps with only 45 minutes until midnight. I knew I had a day off left and the app shows I have tomorrow still but I couldn’t let it go. Tucker has rebounded so I took him on a quick walk up the street to collect the kids. I did 2 loads of laundry and I lapped the house after the kids went to bed. I ran up and down the basement stairs and then jiggled/wiggled/danced my way to close my activity ring AND squeak in a win! I FREAKING WON ANOTHER ROUND OF WALK IT OFF!!!! at 11:59PM I kept refreshing the app and it rolled over. It didn’t count… I was devastated but I knew I still had a day left and if I really wanted to, could challenge it with a screen shot of my activity tracker but then a miracle happened. It registered and I got the notification that I won this round!!!! Which is good because I have a $612 vet bill to recoup. Tomorrow is a bonus and I’m on a roll so I’m going to continue to Walk It Off until my winnings post and I have a new game to join. Additionally, I only have one more activity to post (due tomorrow) for the Stress Less game an I’ll have won that too and will advance to level 3! I think at this point I’m just going to continue with the Walk It Off because of the automatic sync to my tracker. It’s just easier and I still hate selfie.

Week 4, Day 5: 7,463 steps

It was getting late. I didn’t have my steps in. I did laps around the house and managed to squeak them out. I got a message that the Walk It Off Game was wrapping up and I still needed another 2 days worth of steps. Though I had only taken one day off this week (yesterday) there should still be 3 days (one of which can be another day off), I got nervous and did my best to get steps in… just in case.

Week 4, Day 4: 5,747 steps

Sad/Scary day. I pulled an all-nighter last night to get the cookies iced in order to spend the day doing something fun with the kids. Brian suggested breakfast in the Strip District after Jiu Jitsu practice and then mini-golf. I was looking forward to splurging my left over points on a breakfast I didn’t make and getting steps in doing something fun but Brian woke me from a dead sleep to tell me something was wrong with Tucker and he was taking him to a vet NOW! By the time his words registered I heard his car fire up in the driveway and he was gone… fast forward a few hours, lab tests, x-rays, 2 prescriptions and $612 later, Tucker had somehow injured his back left knee. He won’t be my walking partner for 7-10 days but at least it isn’t something more serious. Of course Brian (aka Mr. Web MD) is convinced that he has some sort of neurological disorder that gives him 6 months to live and he is a wreck. Normally this would cause me to eat my feelings out of sheer frustration by his craziness and my exhaustion but I’m not. I’m holding strong and will get my steps in without my little buddy while I take care of him and calm the masses. Pray for me. My sanity is taking a serious hit right now.

Week 4, Day 3: 10,890 steps

Power Goal unlocked! Still counting points… haven’t factored in calories… weight has stayed the same. I had 156 cookies to bake, ice, package and label for the Gallagher Hospice Celebration of Life Event so I’ve been busy to say the least. But at least that means I’m active and I’m getting my steps in.

Week 4, Day 2: 7,767 steps

So here is the thing… I started Weight Watchers 2 years ago the day after Easter. In 73 days I lost 25 pounds. It was slow going but I was making progress and I could see it. I felt better, my clothes fit better. I was working a second job helping coordinate weddings so I was up and on my feet most weekends without even thinking about it. The job wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be and there were some other frustrations that came with it but it was a motivator to continue to lose weight. I bought some cute summer dresses while I worked there and I was feeling pretty good. But between chasing a paycheck and then tax time and realizing that I had to really love it in order to sacrifice as much time as I was with the kids for very little pay we decided that it just wasn’t a good fit. It triggered a little resentment and a lot of sadness. With the loss of that little extra income and the financial hit we later took with other supplemental income drying up I quit the WW program and slipped back into old bad habits and started eating my feelings with a vengeance. I realize I probably need to remain a lifetime member and there are decisions and choices that I have to make in order to not quit going forward. I need to and deserve to invest in myself and my health. I know it’s a marathon and not a sprint. I also realize I have some emotional things to work through or I’m going to end up doing this all over again. It also pains me to see FB memories pop up and and every few days it’s a weight loss and struggle memory. I have been on this roller coaster since before Brian and I got married. A decade of struggle. I need it to stop. This is why I blog. I need to vent. I need to work through my feelings and my frustrations and have a safe place to celebrate too. Even if it’s just for me.

I step on the scale now almost every day (also not a really healthy habit) and as I watch 1-1.5 pounds fluctuate over the course of the week, I get discouraged. I do feel better physically though. My skin looks better. I can get further on my walks before I start to struggle. Even though the weight isn’t melting off, my clothes are definitely starting to fit a little better too. I know it’s a long road to do this in a healthy manor and as much as I desperately want a quick fix, I know that I have to make long term fixes for myself. Not just my eating and activity but mentally too. I’ve lost a little over 14 pounds in 75 days. That’s 2 1/2 months. Unfortunately I only lost 2 pounds in the last month which is what prompted me to look into the Way Better app. I lost 25 pounds in that time frame last time. I’m just not losing right now. 14 more pounds will get me to where I was when I stopped the last time and I still have a good 40 more pounds to go after that. The beauty of Weight Watchers is that you are learning to eat healthier without having to track all the calories. But I’m wondering if I’m compensating with the zero point foods too much to keep my daily points low. Zero points doesn’t equal zero calories. I’m going to start tracking calories for a little while to see how they calculate into my daily consumption and see if I can jump start another weight loss by factoring that in.

I’ve got a fairly busy weekend baking, decorating and packaging 13 dozen cookies for the hospice Celebration of Life event so hopefully I can get a little outside time somewhere in between and that will help.

Week 4, Day 1: 9,851 steps

I did it! After a quick walk with Tucker and Izzy and power washing the house under the deck, I made my Power Goal on the first day of the week! 4 more small goals this week and I will have won my second round of Walk It Off. I am absolutely signing up for another round after this because to be honest, it’s forcing me to get up and walk even when I don’t really want to. Also quite funny is that I found the original blog I half started 10 years ago that got me on this journey. It was a Facebook Memory and the blog with one single post still lives in “cyber-land”. I am not really going to resurrect it so much as incorporate that here. I figure this is all contributing to my “mindfulness” and if anything, it’s a nice little project that I am doing for me.

The blog that started it all:

https://mybigfatmomblog.blogspot.com

Week 3, Day 7: 7,350 steps

Well, I did it. Barely, but I scraped by with a small goal for the end of the week. Technically I already completed/won the week and could have taken the day off but I wanted to keep up and build better habits so after a few laps around the living room I made my steps for the day. Next week (tomorrow) is the final round of this Walk It Off challenge and I’m determined to get another win!

5/1/2024 Weight: 169.6

I made it into the 160’s FINALLY!

AND the deck is done! AND it’s my new happy place. $20 for new solar lights, a new outdoor pillow and a plant stand (5 Below for the win!). I also logged my pic for the Way Better Stress Less Game. I walked around the living room for a few minutes to get my last few steps in and met another small goal even though technically I could have taken today off. Under the deck is next! AND I’ve got my winnings from the Hydrate to Lose Weight Game. I am $2.39 richer. LOL!

Week 3, Day 6: 7,535 steps

I was no where near my step goal today so at 8:30PM I grabbed Tucker and walked 3/4 of the neighborhood. Small goal met!

Week 3, Day 5: 7,842 steps

I had hoped to finish the deck today but it rained and then I got tagged in for the boy’s Jiu Jitsu practice so walking with Tucker when the weather broke and an hour washing the deck got me where I needed to be. Another small goal met!

Week 3, Day 4: 14,245 steps

Another power day! I started power washing the deck to start pre-paring for Izzy’s summer birthday party. This was a work out and I’m only halfway done!

Week 3, Day 3: 11,703 steps

Power Goal achieved! I walked with Tucker and worked on laundry.

Week 3, Day 2: 8,119 steps

I joined another game a day late/into the game after taking a day off to catch up on odds and ends. Thankfully the game gives you 2 days off if you need them. First small goal met!

Week 3, Day 1: 3,889 steps

4/25/2024 Weight 171.6 lbs

Today was productive (if not physically). I’ve planned our summer, budgeted for next month with menus and have a debt plan. I needed a day like today. I just got the email with my Way Better winnings too! $17. 37! I’ll reinvest $10 and put $7.37 into the debt fund. I also stared intermittent fasting today to try and help. I won’t eat before noon or after 8PM. Wish me luck!

Week 2, Day 7: 5,424 steps

Today was a cold, blustery and sometimes rainy day. I managed to move all the deck furniture which has been on my to-do list for well over a month. I’m almost caught up on laundry *gasp but despite those victories, I am significantly under my step goal. Thankfully I finished the challenge yesterday. Since the competition officially ends at midnight, I still don’t know if I’ve won anything more than my $10 investment back. Stay tuned…

Looking into the “stress less” challenge, it’s all about self -care.

Description

Practicing self-care helps lower stress levels , allowing your body to regulate and supporting your weight loss goals. Have a spa day., complete a craft, read a book, get outside, or choose something else that soothes you.

This sounds like the encouragement I needed to fill my own cup.

Level 3 here I come!!!

Week 2, Day 6: 7,730 steps

You won Walk It Off!

Way to go. You bet on yourself and won!

What happens now? After the game officially ends, results will be finalized within 24-48 hours. Then we’ll calculate your winnings and add them to your account! Keep an eye on your email to see the final amount won. 

Congratulations on your big win. Take a minute to celebrate, and then keep the momentum going.

I did it! I won the game! I stayed within my WW points and remembered to post my water bottle selfie. Today was a good day! I’m waiting to see how and when funds are made available and then I’ll reinvest in another walking challenge. This really worked for me and forced me to be active when I would have opted to stay seated. Also, there is a “ stress less” challenge that I have to complete in order to advance to level 3. I’m intrigued. The hydration game has 3 more days until it ends… stay tuned.

Week 2, Day 5: 4,953 steps

I had high hopes when the day started to finish out the competition week and be done but to no avail. I feel like I was up and down the stairs more than necessary to grab a roast from the freezer, to switch out laundry, take out the garbage, etc… but it just wasn’t enough. To make matters worse the distractions just kept coming and work dragged on and on… It ended up being a late work night despite my best efforts and that led to snacking. I tried to just stick to fruit but I sabotaged myself by making Brandon and Brian cookies for PSSA testing this week. Then Izzy… God love her asked if we had any apples or oranges. (I had coincidentally just eaten the last apple). At 8:30 last night she insisted she needed one or the other to feed her hatching butterfly at school. He was going to be SUPER hungry. I told her I’d run out today and get her apples but she insisted that she needed to have it there this morning so logging out and into the car I go to the grocery store before it closed for apples and lunch stuff for Brian because I don’t think he is eating lunch on test days… I thought for sure the run around the grocery store would earn me some much needed steps but all it got me was another hour I’d have to sit at my desk and then late night munchies that I have been avoiding by going to bed a decent time prior to last night. There was no time left to hop on the treadmill to make up for it either because before I knew it, it was midnight. Oh well. Today is another day. Thankfully I made all my goals up until now so I still have time. I’ll hit my goals today.

Week 2, Day 4: 9,834 steps

Back to back days at the Carnegie Science Center and back to back Power Goals! I gained .6 lbs back but I’m sure most of it is water weight, even if I did indulge in a late night (Izzy’s leftover) Goldfish crackers snack. I still had weekly left over points and I’m consciously making better choices and it’s getting easier to do it too. It’s a new week and I only have to meet my small step goal once to win the first challenge! GO ME! I will definitely sign up for another walking challenge after this one because it really does push me to get my steps in. As far as the hydration challenge, I’m just going to have to switch to my original water bottle with the marked amounts and times for motivation/reminders because I still hate having my picture taken and having to post a “water selfie” daily is really getting to me. It’s not having a positive effect and I dread it every day. I searched most of the other games and they are mostly “post a selfie for verification” and well, that’s just not me. Plus it’s so much easier to have verifications that sync with my watch so that’s where I am with that. I fully intend on winning the hydration game this time around and then just doing that my way.

4/20/2024 Weight: 171.8

Holy shit! Despite having 3 Vodka Tonics and eating a day’s worth of points for dinner, I have managed to lose 1.2lbs!!! I know it doesn’t sound like a lot but I have been “stuck” for so long that I can see the 160’s right around the corner!!! 17lbs to go to get back to where I ended my weight loss journey the last time and I might make that goal ahead of last time. I might actually make it to my goal weight within this summer!!! The plan today is to do something fun with the kids. Jackson & Izzy both suggested the zoo. I could really get some quality steps in there! Stay tuned…

Week 2, Day 3: 10,635 steps

I did it! I freaking did it! I took the kids (Izzy and Jackson) to the Science Center and then a quick grocery/snack run and got my Power Day goal (and then some)! I haven’t seen 10, 000 steps in FOREVER.

I chose a healthy lunch option at the cafe, made myself a healthy sandwich for dinner and snacked on grapes when I wanted something sweet and I made my first water goal! Today was a good day!

Week 2, Day 2: 7,769 steps

Another day and another goal met! I thought I’d have more steps in today… I volunteered to chaperone Izzy’s field trip to the Aviary and then had Jackson’s wrestling banquet with haircuts in-between. Either way, my small step goal was still met and I’m almost halfway through the second week and winning my first challenge! Strangely enough I have only been using the Weight Watcher’s app to track my points and weight when I realized there is a tab for activity which has been synching to my Apple watch and rewarding me with additional weekly points for all my extra steps… that being said, it also has a goal set of 8,800 steps per day which as you can tell I’m not always meeting. I will sign up for another Way Better walking challenge after this and if my steps aren’t adjusted higher this round, I will self impose a daily goal of 8,800 steps just to take the next step and push myself a little further (no pun intended).

Since I had the extra points “banked” I rewarded myself, not with cake but with several adult beverages because these weeks have been hard and I just wanted relax and enjoy an evening relishing in the fact that there wouldn’t be a pile of dirty dishes waiting for me late that night or the next morning. “Cheers!”

Week 2, Day 1: 8,920 steps

I did it! Day one of the new week and small goal step met!!!

Week 1, Day 7: 5,012 steps

Our family had back to back birthday celebrations this past weekend. Jack and Livie the “Wonder Twins” and I am proud to say that I didn’t have cupcakes or cake either day! I may have had a beer and a half but that was my “splurge” and quite frankly, I feel I earned it. That being said, my SIL… let me get side tracked for a moment to call out how blessed I am. And it’s not some superficial #blessed social media post with the little duck lips selfie, I am for real blessed. My SIL’s are some of the most wonderful and thoughtful people whom I have ever met. They are so kind and loving in the way they treat me and my kids. Not to mention my best friend Kate (whose birthday is today) whom I have known pretty much my entire life and my friend Kari. Sometimes I forget that I’m not alone and that I have a tribe of really awesome women who have seen me at my darkest and still stick around and pick me up when I can’t pick myself up. The last couple months have really been a struggle for me. And I’m not sure what it is exactly. The kids were non-stop repeatedly sick for 3 straight weeks. Maybe it’s just life and the way things ebb and flow. But I’ve been overwhelmed and have been in a serious rut and really started struggling with my mortality. The whole 50 being on the horizon and feeling like garbage. The realization that I have more life behind me than I have in front of me is sobering and quite frankly sad. Then a few days ago an old co-worker of mine changed her profile picture to a cute picture of herself with her husband and I remember thinking what a sweet picture it was when she originally shared it a few years ago…. and then the comments started flooding in. “Condolences”. “Sorry for your loss”. I felt gut punched. Didn’t she just post her daughter’s 12th birthday last week? Didn’t she just throw her husband a 50th Surprise Birthday party last month? What happened? Is he really gone? Surely this is a mistake. I’ve been stalking her social media and the internet for 2 days now. Nothing. My heart aches for her and her kids. I’m in shock and disbelief so I can’t imagine how she feels. And not to be morbid or dramatic but death is coming for us all and what have I done with my life? What will I leave behind? I have so much left to do and accomplish. How will my kids remember me? Will my husband have to unexpectedly raise them alone? Will I even be missed? I’ve always had a Bucket List. I jokingly refer to it all the time. I’ve scaled it back to things I truly believe I’ll be able to check off before I check out but if I don’t get healthier, if I don’t lose this weight, even the “Bucket List Lite” isn’t going to happen. But when spending this past weekend with my SIL she really made me feel better about the choices I’m really struggling to make. I related how I feel guilty trying to take any time for myself. I don’t know why I am like that. But it’s always; I have work that needs done, the kids need this, that or the other thing, the laundry is piled up, the dishes are piled up, the kitchen floor is sticky, the living room is trashed… by the time I’m done there is no time left for anything else. Translation: no time for me. When Brian is feeling well, he’ll come home, set the kid’s up with their homework and then head to the basement to row on his rowing machine. He doesn’t ask. He just does what he needs to do because he has a goal/want/need. I end up logging out and stop working to make sure the kids get their homework started and then I start dinner because it will be too late by the time Brian is done. Sometimes they eat before he’s done with his work out, then I clean up… and back to my desk I go to finish work. Now it’s bedtime for the kids and I’ve got to “remind” them to brush their teeth… 9:30PM – 10PM and that’s it. Day is over. After a few days of that routine I would get so frustrated with him and myself because I felt I couldn’t do that. I can’t just disappear and take an hour for myself. But whose fault is that? I don’t ever ask for help I just struggle through it and then get angry until it boils over. That’s on me. And as my SIL so rightfully put it. I need to fill my cup first. Taking care of myself is ultimately taking care of my family. So here I am. Taking walks after dinner in the evening with anyone who wants to join and the dog because he is wound tighter than any living thing should be. I’m here venting/journaling to get it all out, tracking water and steps and the food I nourish myself with in the hopes that this also nourishes my soul and fills my cup so I have more life left to live. Life that I can live to the fullest. A Joyful life so my kids remember me happy and that they have a childhood filled with joy, laughter, fun and above all a childhood they cherish because I cherished them enough to do better for myself.

4/16/2024 Weight: 173 lbs.

Holy shit! Diet, exercise (and soon, proper hydration) work. Duh! Seriously though. I guess I really just needed to find that extra motivation. I really don’t know how well what I’m doing will work to get me to my goal weight by mid August but at least I know I won’t be as heavy as I am now or feel as badly as I do now. And as the night closed out I made my weekly goal! I needed 4 days at at least 7,344 steps and I exceeded that goal on 3 separate days! I’m not “resting” today if the weather cooperates then I’ll walk again tonight. I won’t push for steps but whatever I get will be better than what I normally get and it will help keep the momentum going when challenge week 2 starts tomorrow. I’m also finding some tips/tricks/recipes/products that I’m actually enjoying so that’s helping tremendously as far as snacking and building healthier habits that will stick. For the first time in my overweight adult life I feel like I can actually manage this. Woo hoo!

Week 1, Day 6: 8,279 steps

Week 1, Day 5: 8,027 steps

It is quite embarrassing when I realize how few steps I take on a typical work day. I guess the bonus is that Tucker gets to run off some of his energy too. We tackled half the neighborhood tonight and with a couple trips up and down the stairs with laundry I was able to crash in bed at a decent time. 3 out of 4 regular goals have now been met!

I also joined a second challenge for hydration. I managed to get a little over 40 oz of plain water down which is also sadly considerably more than I normally get and only half of what I need. But it’s an improvement and it’s a “step” in the right direction. See what I did there??? Insert winky face. LOL

Week 1, Day 4: 8,193 steps

2 out of 4 regular goals needed! I had hoped to be closer to my goal after Olivia’s birthday party but a quick walk of 1/4 of the neighborhood with Tucker the Tiny Terror did us both some good and a quick 10 minutes on the treadmill got me to where I needed. Today was good day.

Week 1, Day 3: 9,951 steps

I did it! Power Goal ACHIEVED!

Today was Jackson’s birthday party and what an amazing and fun filled day it was! That being said, I still had to hop on the treadmill to get the rest of my steps in but I did it!

Week 1, Day 2: 5,841 steps

I didn’t make my goal but I only need to reach my goal small goal steps 4 times this week with one power day. This was still better than my typical average day and Tomorrow is a new day.

4/12/2024 Weight: 174.8 lbs.

The pounds aren’t melting off but they are coming off. I over ate a few days this past week and realize that if I don’t take the time to pre-plan and prep, I will absolutely eat the “easy” foods we have at home and blow through my Weight Watcher points in a meal or less. I’ve joined a handful of Weight Watcher groups on Facebook and decided to leave a few just because people can be so judgmental and cruel from behind a computer screen and I’m only allowing positivity in my life where I can control it. Squishy Mommy 2.0.

In the last few days I’ve also stumbled across the Way Better app. This is where you gamify your weight loss. It was free to sign up and they gave me $10 towards my first game!

And even better! If you refer your friends and they join you in getting healthy you get another $10 per referral! Join me here: https://app.waybetter.com/pdw1DpkXJlb

I answered a bunch of questions honestly and got a plan that if I follow it, promises that I will be at my goal weight by the end of August!

I started the “Walk It Off” yesterday. How does it work? Basically I have to meet my challenges for 2 weeks. Hit 4 active days and 1 power day per week for 2 weeks. I was challenged with 7,344 steps 4 days and 9,377 steps 1 day each week for 2 weeks based on my tracker history.

Invest, win, and share the pot.

When I complete my challenge I get my $10 back (the $10 I was gifted when I signed up) and then anyone in the group that didn’t finish the challenge, their $10 goes into the pool, the pool then gets divided amongst the people in the group that succeeded in their challenge.

Week 1, Day 1: 7,546 steps

I’ve also prepped salads, fruits (all zero points) and made a 1 point Weight Watchers cheesecake desert to get me through the weekend. Hoping this will help speed up the weight loss a little. Fingers crossed!!!

4/5/2024 Weight: 177 lbs.

Well, here we go again… I’m a mess, the house is a mess, our finances are a mess, the kids are sick and I’m fat (again or still I don’t really know anymore).

At some point in this mess I had a hysterectomy which solved some of my “issues” but as life before the pandemic, during the pandemic and after the pandemic (is it over?) I can’t tell if I’m coming or going. Pretty sure my Weight Watchers experiment was towards the end of the pandemic and was truly successful but as work hours dwindled and bonuses disappeared and then supplemental income dried up my membership was one of the first things to go. I figured I knew what I had to do and I had fostered healthier eating habits but I was wrong. I need accountability and the second things started to get tough I reverted back to my soothing with food and eating my feelings. I stopped getting on the scale and quit really leaving the house until I had to. Then my mother-in-law sent me pictures and videos of Brandon’s birthday party and I just stared in horror and disbelief. This is what I look like? This is what people see when they look at me? I was mortified. As if on queue, Weight Watchers sent me a discount for my birthday. I contemplated it for a while and right before it expired I joined back up. It was less than I was paying before and well… I don’t know how many more birthdays I will be around to celebrate if I don’t do something about my health NOW. I started back up 47 days ago and have only lost 7 lbs. The plan was to start walking the dog and drinking more water but the weather and the kids illnesses have been an unwelcome distraction so now I’m working on getting back on track.

My top priority right now is getting healthier and losing this extra 60 pounds I’m dragging around. I’ve decided to take at least one mental health day a month in PTO to tackle at least one project or make headway with one goal on my priority list. Today I’m cleaning and disinfecting the house. We’ve just survived 2 rounds of strep and 3 cases of Flu B over the last 3 weeks and I’m over it. I’m also organizing while I go. I’m taking the Easter decorations down and putting the baskets away, labeling bins, and discarding the broken and worn-out stuff. Target Bright Room bins for the win! I’ve created a spreadsheet and binder for the bills and debt. All but a few credit cards are closed now with a plan to dig my way out and stay out. I feel like the reduction of the stress because of the mess and the debt will help curb my need to self-soothe with snacks. Until I can figure out how to stop eating my feelings I guess maybe I can work on the things that make me feel so overwhelmed in the first place. I’m also trying to strategize healthier meals and snacks that won’t make me feel so deprived and as I sat here this morning with my creamless coffee flipping through the latest issue of our local publication I stumbled across a bunch of free and low-cost family-friendly activities in our local community that I think I am going to try and participate in with the kids so that when we aren’t traveling this summer or taking big vacations while we dig out of debt, they aren’t feeling deprived either and I’m not feeling trapped. Working from home and hiding from the world has come at a significant cost to my mental health and it’s taken me a while to realize and admit that. It’s also hit me that I’ve lived more of my life than I have left to live and I’ve wasted too much of it feeling bad so today starts the first day of the rest of my life—mental Health PTO Day 1.

Priorities:

1. Goal weight
2. Get Healthy
3. Clean and organize the house
4. Emergency Savings
5. Get out of debt
6. Save for retirement
7. House renovations

Hello… it’s been a little while. We took the kids to Lancaster, PA – Dutch Wonderland, and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA for our anniversary weekend. The Harry Potter Exhibit was AMAZING!!! I had hoped to lose another 10 pounds before we left but unfortunately, I had only lost 2 pounds. At least I lost weight and didn’t gain. Small victory. I had to buy a smaller swimsuit for the trip (hotel pool) because my current swimsuits were too big! Sadly, I still didn’t feel comfortable in public in a suit and the hotel pool (hottest damn day of the year) was full of people. I tried to suck it up and enjoy the time with the kids but it’s still a struggle. I know that this body helped create and nourish them and that I should be proud but I’m just not comfortable or happy with how I look (yet) and I really don’t know how to get past that. Work in progress… I did give in and enjoyed a couple of nice meals and “treated” myself to a couple of glasses of wine over the weekend. It was my anniversary weekend after all. I am also happy to report that I comfortably fit in all of the ride seats and the embarrassment that I have suffered over the past few summer trips to the amusement parks where I have been squished and unable to comfortably or safely pull down the lap bars is no longer an issue. After gaining 2 pounds on “vacation” and getting back to my healthier routine back at home, I’ve lost those pounds again for a net of 27.2 pounds total. 🙂

My next goal is to average a 2lb per week weight loss which should put me at my goal weight on/by Christmas Eve.

BEST.PRESENT.EVER.

Current Weight: 156.8

It’s been a busy couple of months (73 days to be exact) and I’m down almost 25 pounds total!!!! Weight Watchers works! I’m playing the long game now… So many of my bad habits have been broken. I’m more intentional with the food I consume. I no longer eat with reckless abandon. I feel better, I look better, and my confidence is slowly coming back. My hope is to start adding regular exercise to my daily routine. Even if it’s just walking half the neighborhood with the kids. I applied for a job helping coordinate weddings at a venue just down the street. I LOVE party planning and my ultimate dream would be to do this for a living. I can’t afford to quit my current job so this was the best compromise. My second (extra) job helping coordinate weddings is keeping me busy most weekends which is helping. I’m too busy to snack and I’m active when I didn’t use to be. My goal is to lose another 10 pounds for our anniversary trip with the kids in July. I’ve got 22 days. Wish me luck!

Current Weight: 159.6

I’m back… since mid-January, the focus was on a fun family vacation. My MIL announced, “We are going to Disney!!!!” I lost a few pounds… stress and late-night snacking helped me gain those few back (and then some.) I had visions of smiling happy faces and a cute skinny version of me in various poses with matching mommy and me shirts but that wasn’t to be. I didn’t really indulge in any of the Disney-themed snacks (I did enjoy a firework desert pre-party) but then Izzy became violently ill and the struggle was keeping her hydrated and focusing on making sure the rest of the family stayed healthy and got to enjoy the trip. Brian and I took turns staying in the hotel room with her and on our last day, we made it to Universal as a family. I rented Izzy a stroller to keep her out of the sun and conserve what little energy she had. Unfortunately, I was in a constant state of panic that she would start throwing up again. Luckily no one else got sick. Not sure if it was something she ate, touched, or the heat but she didn’t fully recover until we got home and I came home at 184 lbs. Easter was just a day away and I honestly had just given up. I was more bummed for Izzy than I was for anything else but she seemed unfazed. I was sad that I hardly got any Disney pictures of my family together but the few I was able to see that I’m in… it’s probably a good thing. I AM HUGE. I stood in my MIL’s kitchen in one of my unworn Disney shirts checking out the deserts. Attempting to quiet the voices in my head with cookies, pie, and cake when my MIL’s best friend walked in. SHE LOOKED AMAZING! I love her. She’s one of those people that just makes you feel loved and appreciated. She had been gone for several months and this was the first time I had seen her all year. She lost 48 pounds on Weight Watchers. She told me it was so easy and that you can eat pretty much whatever you want. I laughed because I’ve been on “those” diets. My pantry is currently half filled with un-eaten (I should check because they are probably expired by now) NutriSystem meals and snacks. I tried Noom a while back… I have a bunch of the Beach Body stuff. I even looked into those “Magical” pills that melt your fat away while you sleep (thank you, Lily). I lose interest when I have to track a bunch of stuff. Especially with work and the kids… I don’t have the energy to be consistent with working out and something (or someone) always interrupts me. I’m too embarrassed to go to the gym and I don’t want anyone to see me like this or to see me struggle. I’m getting anxious just typing this… I asked her for a link which she promptly sent. I went back to my meal followed by deserts because tomorrow was a new day…

The first day wasn’t so bad. Based on my answers, I was allowed 18 points a day. Fruit, vegetables, and eggs were all 0 points. I’m not a big egg fan, but I don’t mind hard-boiled eggs (only the whites, yolks gross me out). After a while, I found a 1-point egg salad recipe and a 2-point bread that I could have. I had gone shopping for snacks the day after we got home from our trip so now it was a matter of calculating points/servings for the snacks I already had on hand and was that a rude awakening! No wonder… But I digress…

It became apparent by the 4th day that I definitely eat my feelings (I’ve always joked about that but it’s a fact) and stress pushes me over the proverbial edge. The goal was not to replace the snacks that I automatically reach for after they are gone and substitute fruit and veggies instead when I feel the need to squelch those feelings with food. I went over my points in the first week but still managed to lose SIX POUNDS!!!

The goal this week was to stick to my healthier snack options. Find a few new things that I can incorporate that will keep me full/satisfied without going over my weekly allowance of points. I can have 18 points a day (add a point for every helping of vegetables) and 27 additional points for the week. I’m starting to understand the psychology of it all now. If I don’t have enough weekly points to enjoy something that goes over my daily points, eat veggies, add more points… oops too full from eating all those veggies… don’t have the appetite/room to overindulge… (lightbulb moment).

I’m not eating the vegetables fast enough… they aren’t staying “fresh” long enough. Berries are hit and miss. Good blueberries vs. bitter blueberries. Squishy raspberries vs. not ripe enough. Even grapes have been a disappointment. I’m considering growing my own. I thought about it last year but now I have more of a reason to do so.

I’ve got a lot to learn and figure out.

What I have learned so far…

• Salad dressing is the devil.
• I use too much coffee creamer.
• Cheese isn’t worth all the points.
• Baked chips aren’t bad.
• Combo filled pretzels are NOT worth the points.
• Peppers and cucumbers need to be eaten within the first 2 days.
• You will NEVER get a fully fresh batch of strawberries. There will always be a half-rotten one buried in the pack.
• If you buy 8 bananas, your kids will eat 7 of them.
• Light & Fit non-fat Greek yogurt in all the flavors are AMAZING. A container of Toasted Coconut with a banana is like a tropical vacation in my mouth for only 2 points. 10 out of 10. Highly recommend.
• Non-fat plain Greek yogurt with Ranch dressing seasoning makes a 0-point dip. It’s not my favorite but desperate times call for desperate measures. It’s definitely not your mama’s ranch. I’m going to try this with my Tastefully Simple dip mixes. Stay tuned…
• Non-fat plain Greek yogurt can substitute for mayonnaise in egg salad. The Dijon mustard in the WW recipe (I think) gave a bit of an aftertaste that I don’t like. But adding some of my diced veggies (onions and my peppers/cucumbers before they go bad) made it better and if you add enough, you get a bonus point!
• 2 pieces of Sara Lee Delightful 45 Calorie Bread is only 2 points.
• Light Country Crock over “real” butter saves points.
• Grilled chicken from almost any restaurant is a nice meal with steamed vegetables. I just did this with Red Robin (instead of the burger and fries) and I’m seriously not disappointed.

Halfway through week 2 and I’ve lost 9.4 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is legit the lightest I have been in YEARS. This partially makes me sad because I still weigh what I did when I was pregnant but on the other hand, I’ve finally made it below 175 lbs which I haven’t seen in sooooo long.

Current Weight: 174.6

Oh… and “F” YOU Lily! Those pills do NOT shrink your belly.

Squishy’s Log Day 2 – found a pound and picked it up…

Current Weight: 180

The kids go back to school tomorrow, I go back to work. Setting up a schedule routine tomorrow to get back to moving and eating healthier portion-controlled meals. It’s Brandon’s birthday and he wants his “favorite” breadsticks. I’ll be picking up fruits and veggies when I order his cake and birthday dinner for this weekend. Let’s see if I can lose 5 pounds this week. I’m hopeful.

Squishy’s Log Day 1 – New Year, New Beginning

Current weight: 179

It’s been almost a month since I hurt myself. I can not even begin to explain how depressed and defeated I feel. My legs (specifically my calves) had been aching for days. Then on that fateful day less than 2 weeks into my weight loss journey after closing my green exercise ring and finding the energy to clean out my closet, I struggled down the stairs with 2 big black contractor bags full of clothes and shoes headed for the Good Will store. One awkward step out the front door (hopefully my mother-in-law isn’t reading this because she has been on us about “fixing” that treacherous step) I felt a sickening pop and a rush of warmth before the excruciating pain took over. Silently praying this was a strain and not a tear I limped back into the house. 2 weeks. TWO.WHOLE.WEEKS. Before I finally felt like I could start walking normally again. I thought I’d take it easy and slowly walk on the treadmill but on my way down the stairs I did “it” again. I feel almost back to “normal” today but I’ve spent the day catching up on all the things I was struggling to do while I was hurting. Of course, I stumbled across a superstition that you aren’t supposed to do laundry on the first day of the year. WTF?!?!?! Of course, I got all the laundry caught up TODAY! The FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR. So according to superstition I’ve either washed all my luck down the drain or the darker version, I’m washing for the dead. Further research for the meaning of that one… Someone in my household will die. So yeah… stick of fork in me. As if losing Betty White wasn’t enough… I’m just going to sit here and revel in the fact that my laundry is done. The kids have been fed. And even though I haven’t been active for almost a month, I haven’t gained any weight. I’ve actually lost 3 pounds. Today is another day and it’s Sunday. No school… no work… and NO LAUNDRY. I’m going to take today as a win and screw superstition. This is going to be a great year!

Squishy’s Log Day 12 – 12/3/2021 Friday

Current weight: 182.2

I forced myself to get on the treadmill yesterday despite the fact that my body aches. It’s fighting me every step of the way (literally). I needed to meet and close my exercise ring and I was going to do it no matter what. The fact that walking at a 4.5 pace hurts so much is beyond embarrassing but when I said I lived a sedentary life, I wasn’t joking. It is no wonder I look the way I do. Unfortunately, my move goal wasn’t met but my exercise and standing goal were, and considering how I felt yesterday I’m still taking that as a win. I also exceeded my calories but still nowhere near the calories I was accustomed to consuming so I’m also not going to beat myself up over it. I realize that weighing myself every day is really not the best idea either. I’m just trying to keep myself accountable. Today is a new day and I’m confident that with a few more changes I can get to my December weight goal by the end of the month. After all, it’s only day 3…

Squishy’s Log Day 11 – 12/2/2021 Thursday

Last night we took the kids to Urban Air. It’s relatively empty if we go in the middle of the week after homework. We mask up and let them run/jump/play off some energy. Last night things started to get a little busier the last hour we were there and that’s when I met Lily. Freaking Lily! I had already taken the last 2 bites of Jackson’s discarded soft pretzel with cheese, 6 of Izzy’s Skittles, and 3 sips of coke when I followed my little bouncing baby girl to the trampolines. I was just sitting on the edge watching Izzy jump when I met Lily. She must have seen the debate lingering on my face… should I jump a few times to try and burn off the kid’s leftover snacks? The thought was lingering in my head when Lily plopped right down next to me and said, “Ya know grandmas can jump too! Old people should really get some exercise.” I looked over at this little girl and thought… wait?!?!? Is she calling ME a grandma? WTF LILY!?!?!? I smiled and said, “Yes. It’s good for old people to get exercise.” I realized she was there with her grandfather, a tall man with snow-white hair, and figured she was just being friendly. Was her grandmother there too? I scanned the small number of people and deduced she was only there with her grandfather and just let it go. But Lily wasn’t going to let it go… she repeated the need for old people to exercise as she looked me square in the eyes. I could feel the heat in my face and it wasn’t the mask I was wearing. I was embarrassed. This little, 6 maybe 7-year-old girl was calling me OLD. Her grandfather had to be at the very least 20 years older than me. TWENTY but she was basically relating my age to his. Then Lilly said, “Ya know I saw a commercial for a pill that will shrink your belly. You should get that pill to shrink your belly AND get some exercise.” I grumbled, “thanks, I’ll think about it” and convinced Izzy to jump somewhere else. I found Brian and blurted out that it was time to go home and that some little girl just crushed me. He laughed and asked, “Was her name, Lily? She told me I didn’t have much hair left.” Apparently Lily calls it as she sees it. Can’t really be mad at an overly honest child. I’m sure I’m displacing the anger and frustration that I really have for letting myself go so much. So from now on when I start to slip or I don’t feel like getting up or I want to eat my feelings, I will remember Lily and how this overly honest little girl saw me as a sad, old, fat grandma who wasn’t sure she wanted to jump. Thanks for the motivation, Lily!

Current weight: 182.2

Guess I shouldn’t have eaten the kid’s left over snacks last night. Only half kidding. I know I’m going to need to exercise more and even with cutting back on my calories, where I choose to “spend” those calories is going to have to be better. Instead of 6 Skittles, I should probably have a carrot. But I am getting up and forcing myself to move and my food choices are becoming more deliberate. I’m no longer eating with reckless abandonment. That’s got to matter. Right? And for the second time in my life I have closed all 3 rings on my activity tracker! Yay me!

Breakfast 9AM

2 coffee with Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha creamer: 140 calories

(I’m measuring my creamer now. Every calorie “counts”, right?)

Midmorning 11AM

2 pieces of toast with peanut butter: 310 calories

Snacks

Peanut butter, celery, raisins: 250 calories

Small bag smartfood white cheddar popcorn: 80 calories

Carrots, celery, spinach herb dip: 150 calories

Dinner 7:30PM

Egg salad sandwich with baked ruffles: 420 calories

Diet Dr. Pepper: 0 calories

egg salad sandwich & chips: 420 calories

Move Goal: 550 calories – Actual Move Calories: 457 calories

Exercise Goal: 30 minutes – Actual Exercise: 30 minutes

Stand Goal: 12 hours – Actual Stand: 12 hours

Calories: 1,200 – Actual Calories: 1350

December Weight Goal: 160 – Actual Weight: 182.2

Squishy’s Log Day 10 – 12/1/2021 Wednesday

Current weight: 181.2

I did it!!!! I closed all 3 rings yesterday! To the average person this probably doesn’t seem like much, if not laughable. But this is huge for me since settling into my sedentary life. I’ve had this watch for a couple of years now and I don’t think I’ve ever actually closed all 3 rings before. My goal is to do this every day for the month of December.

Breakfast 9:00AM

1 black coffee: 10 calories

1 coffee with Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha creamer: 70 calories

Lunch 11:00AM

egg salad sandwich & chips: 420 calories

Diet Dr. Pepper: 0 calories

Snacks

Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips: 140 calories

Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn: 100 calories

Kid’s leftover snacks: 130 calories

Dinner 6:30PM

egg salad sandwich & chips: 420 calories

Move Goal: 550 calories – Actual Move Calories: 585 calories

Exercise Goal: 30 minutes – Actual Exercise: 36 minutes

Stand Goal: 12 hours – Actual Stand: 13 hours

Calories: 1,200 – Actual Calories: 1290

December Weight Goal: 160 – Actual Weight: 181.2

Squishy’s Log Day 9 – 11/30/2021 Tuesday

Current weight: 182.4

Just spending a typical day working I tracked my steps. I hardly ever pay attention to the activity tracker on my watch. Turns out I get less than half the steps in that I should on an average day. December I am challenging myself to close all 3 activity rings every day. That’s my “move goal”, “exercise goal”, and “stand goal”.

I’m also challenging myself to keep my caloric intake to 1,200 calories (at least until I get my activity level up).

Move Goal: 550 calories – Actual Move Calories: 553 calories

Exercise Goal: 30 minutes – Actual Exercise: 31 minutes

Stand Goal: 12 hours – Actual Stand: 13 hours

Calories: 1,200 – Actual Calories: 1140

Weight Goal: 160 – Actual Weight: 182.4

Breakfast 9:30AM

2 coffees with Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha creamer: 160 calories

Lunch Noon

egg salad sandwich & chips: 420 calories

Diet Dr. Pepper: 0 calories

Snacks

Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn: 100 calories

Dinner 5PM

Sloppy Joe – Baked Ruffles: 460 calories

Squishy’s Log Day 8 – 11/29/2021 Monday

Current weight: 185

Well, this just about sucks. Granted I had a slice of pumpkin roll every day but nothing more than I would usually eat and I’ve gained. This is the heaviest I’ve ever been and it’s defeating. I have also come to the conclusion that being accountable and cutting back on the calories I consume is just not going to be enough. Time to move.

Total Steps: 4753

Breakfast 10:30AM

2 coffees with Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha creamer: 160 calories

Bacon (1 slice): 43 calories

Snacks

Graham crackers: 240

Hershey Bar: 220 calories

Lunch 12:30PM

Nutrisystem lunch bar: 200 calories

Dinner 6PM

Kid’s leftovers: 450 Calories

Total calories for the day: 1313

Squishy’s Log Day 7 – 11/28/2021 Sunday

Current weight: 184.5

Damn pumpkin roll!

Squishy’s Log Day 6 – 11/27/2021 Saturday

Did you know you can have pumpkin rolls delivered directly to your front door in less than an hour? Well…. you can. I did and that’s all I’m going to say about today.

Current weight: 183.2

Squishy’s Log Day 5 – 11/26/2021 Black Friday

Current weight: 182.6

Another day… munching on leftovers (and a piece of chocolate Nothing Bunt Cake).

Calories are the enemy today.

Still weighing in lighter than the day I started this infuriating “diet” so I’m counting this as a win and moving on…

Squishy’s Log Day 4 – 11/25/2021 Thanksgiving

Not even attempting to count calories today.

Current weight: 182.2

Squishy’s Log Day 3 – 11/24/2021

Current weight: 182.2

Breakfast 10:30AM

Starbucks Venti Peppermint Mocha: 500 calories

Snack

1 cup red grapes: 104 calories

3 almond Hershey Kisses: 23 calories

Pepsi: 75 calories

Dinner (early) 3:30PM

House salad ranch dressing: 350 calories

1 cup pineapple: 82 calories

Unsweetened iced tea: 10 calories

Eat N Park potato soup: 104 calories

Total calories for the day: 1248

Squishy’s Log Day 2 – 11/23/2021

Some will question why the hell I would start this just days away from Thanksgiving. But the truth is, I will always have an excuse. There will always be something going on, an ‘event’, a holiday that will threaten to throw a monkey wrench in my plans or provide an adequate excuse to start “this” next week. But if I don’t start NOW. I never will. I’m tired of hiding behind my kids in pictures when I can’t avoid being in pictures. The double (triple chins) and OMG… my arms!!! Not to mention the fact that I had to go up a dress size for my BIL’s wedding because my boobs wouldn’t fit in the size I would normally purchase. MY DAMN BOOBS! And don’t even get me started on my stomach, otherwise known as the squishy pillow in which my ginormous boobs rest… Izzy actually asked me if I was sure there wasn’t a baby in there. Soooo…. here we are. Day 2.

Current weight: 182.4

Breakfast 9AM

2 black coffees: 20 calories.

Lunch 11:30AM

Nutrisystem lunch bar: 200 calories.

Snacks

Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn: 100 calories.

Peanut Butter Crackers: 140 calories.

Dinner 5PM

Loaded baked potato: Calories 395

Nutri System Classic Fagioli: 220

Diet Coke

Filling up the water bottle (I managed to drink one full water bottle and about an hour and a half worth before bed. Going for the full monty today.)

Total Calories 1075.

Squishy’s Log Day 1 – 11/22/2021

I got on the scale. I got off the scale. I changed the batteries and checked the calibration. Damn! Guess the scale doesn’t lie. I am beyond “squishy” at this point. Looks like I’m skipping the breakfast burrito this morning. This blog was meant to help keep me accountable so here I am.

Current weight: 183.0

UGH!

Breakfast 9AM

2 coffees with Coffee Mate Peppermint Mocha creamer: 160 calories

(forcing myself to drink water)

I’ve come to the realization that I don’t even drink half what I should a day. I’ve read that you aren’t really hungry when you think you are… you are just thirsty. Maybe this will help? Who knows I’ll probably end up healthier too.

Lunch Noon

I’m hangry. I want take out Chinese. But unfortunately, before I had surgery earlier this year I invested in Nutrisystem and used my surgery as an excuse to “take a break” and rekindle my romance with GRUBHUB. My pantry is still full of Nutrisystem meals so I’m doing the responsible thing and heating one of those suckers up. Cheddar Broccoli Rice is what’s on the menu today, 200 calories. I don’t think I added enough water… it’s a little chewy. I just keep telling myself I’m making a little extra room in my stretchy pants for Thanksgiving.

Snacks

Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn: 100 calories.

Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip granola bar: 90 calories.

Fruit Loops (dry): 150 calories.

Dinner 5PM

Nutrisystem Bean Bolognese: 200 calories. I actually really like this. I added a piece of garlic bread: 140 calories.

For those of you keeping up at home. I am refilling my water bottle and my total calorie consumption on day 1 is 1040.