Dawn’s Weight Loss Journey

 

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GOOD MORNING BUDDIES?

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Okay. It?s Monday, and time to get back to business?

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I have had a crazy 4-5 days, for sure, but am ready and raring to go now! Got up this morning for my morning jog. Will get my lunch time walk in, and will definitely have my butt on the elliptical tonight?

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I did learn a few things over the last few days I would like to share?

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First, its okay to go off plan a time or two, to enjoy life, in moderation, if there is a good cause?Truly. I didn?t feel guilty at all?Because MOST of the time I am on plan?So that makes the times I do go off plan very small in comparison, and well, the fun I had celebrating, you cant put a figure on that?

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Truly. Last week was one of the best weeks of my life?A great way to kick off my 35^th year?And say goodbye to my 34^th year which was a bit of roller coaster ride to say the least!

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Second. I ate out THREE times in those five days. That?s truly unheard of for me these days?And when I say I ate out, I mean fast food. Not even good eating out where I could get a salad or grilled fish. This was purely evil fast food?We were going for speed and convenience.

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BUT. Here is the thing. I didn?t really enjoy it. I had my first Big Mac in over two years this weekend. I don?t know that not having them has affected my life all that much. I thought I would LOVE it?Truly?I didn?t?It actually tasted weird to me?Not what I remembered?I could have easily had a salad and been 10 times happier?So I know without a doubt, that my taste buds have changed and my need for fast food has been broken completely?

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I also ate at a breakfast buffet for the first time in two or three years as well?Now this one I did enjoy because I loooooove breakfast?My favorite meal, actually?And my husband and I did eat a ton, because we were way too hungry! So this is one I will probably have to stay away from again for a while?Cause this girl can tear up a breakfast buffet!

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Third. I missed my routine of working out and journaling. I missed the control I have gained over my food life. Honest. I found that I had stopped looking forward to my food. I was eating only when hungry (Which is good) and then reaching for convenience food (Which is bad). I found that when I eat RIGHT and journal, I actually enjoy my food soooo much more, because I have ?Earned? it. I look forward to the grilled chicken or that salad at the end of the day, because I have worked hard towards it?

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I realized this weekend that me and my food journal?We are gonna be a couple for a very very long time. I did NOT like feeling so out of control?Not at all?

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Fourth. I have been truly blessed with some great friends and family?It occurred to me yesterday as I was looking at pictures, replaying some moments, that God has been very good to me?I was surrounded by people all week long who seemed to TRULY want to help me celebrate ME!

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People who seem to genuinely enjoy my presence in their lives?And well, that was a bit overwhelming to me yesterday. I felt very sentimental about the whole thing?That?s the thing about birthday parties?You are the center of attention. Which, contrary to popular beliefs, I do not really enjoy. I talk a good talk, but, really, I would prefer to fade into a corner most of the time?Or at least, the fat girl always wanted too?

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Well, the fat girl has left the building, I think?

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Surrounded by my friends and family this weekend, I was allowed to come fully into my own?I felt great. I got a lot of compliments from folks who hadn?t seen me in a while?I felt great about who I am, who I will become. I sang. I danced. I didn?t really care?And looking back over the pics, sure, there is a double chin here and there showing?A fat roll or two as well. But WHO CARES really? It will all go away eventually. And that is good for me. I mean, these folks gave up 6-8 hours of their life, to come party with me?And well, that?s a very very sweet gesture?

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So, today its back to business buddies?I got a 40^th birthday party to attend in August up on Lake Erie, and well, that?s my next little motivational event. I would like to be 15 pounds lighter by then, so I can walk around in my bathing suit without a floor length cover up!!!

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Have a great week kids, and I am gonna be back to commenting on your blogs this week!

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Yes, buddies, that is me, rockin the mic last night, 80’s style!

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The party is over. I lived to tell the tale! WHAT A BLAST…We had the best time ever…

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Man…What a week…

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I am certain I am up 3-5 pounds…But I dont care. I had a blast ALL WEEK LONG with my birthday celebrations…

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I am right back on track tomorrow, and then some…

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Okay. If you are interested in viewing all 163 photos! UGH!! Please visit my personal website at:

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http://groups.msn.com/thecolumbuscraleys/welcome.msnw

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I invite you stop by and look around…I ended up having about 30 folks there…Several unexpected guest, much to my delight! My very best friend from high school Jenny and her husband Doug came. I wasnt expecting her due to childcare issues…

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WE HAD A BALL…We reminisced ALL night long about the days spent in my car listening to Bobby Brown, Milli Vanilli, etc…Drinking till we couldnt see straight… (Thank God she is a lawyer now, all my secrets are safe with her!)

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Kids. I had a ball. I sure did. I wish you ALL could have joined me…

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I got some great presents. Beer. Clothes. Gift cards for Beer and Clothes! And my husband, who looked QUITE hot as a punk rocker, got me a new digital camera…WOW…

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Anyway, I will be back on here regularly tomorrow, but wanted to share some pics with you guys…

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HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!

 

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Good morning buddies!

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I have missed you all this week, but have been popping in from time to time to check on you all!

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So far my week has gone well. Very busy, but well!

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Today is Thursday, but since I am off work tomorrow, I am calling it my FRIDAY!!! YAY!!!

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Tonight, my husband is taking me on a date! Dinner and a movie! YAY! Spiderman III here I come!!!

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Party prep is coming a long nicely…I have had to clean my house form top to bottom, and let me tell  you. That just sucks! It sucks cows eggs, really!

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But, I am a bit anal and OCD when it comes to parties at my house…My house must be spotless…So it shall be!! It looks like I will have about 25 people at my party, which is pretty cool…

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Lot of no shows tho due to Mothers Day! Can you beleive folks acutally want to spend time with their mothers/wives/children above me??? I am shocked, really…

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Okay. Enough about the party…(In my defense, I have not had a birthday party in 10 years!!!) so thats why I am a bit excited…Plus, I just looooove the 80’s, so you know, an 80’s part is right up my alley…

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Weight wise, really no changes. I am continuing to exercise, and doing what I can food wise…I did indulge yesterday pretty severely…But, I am really not sweating it…I will re-group on Sunday and be right back on track next week…

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I really feel connected this month to my goal, and feel I will definitely continue to work through the summer to reach my finish line…

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I have added another 5k to my schedule for late July…Its one that involves BEER and WINGS!!! YAY. Two of my favorite things!

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So I am now officially registered for 5 walks…Four 5k’s and then my big finish in September with the 10k…I am very excited. Signing up for walks gives you a goal to work towards!!

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Well, I gotta fly…

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I do want to give a shout out to two very special buddies…

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Miss Erika, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the t-shirts. Thank you so much for your birthday kindness on my account…

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Mr. Scott, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Beer!!!! You are the best beer/weight loss buddy ever!!!

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Thanks to all of you for the birthday well wishes. I do appreciate it! I will check in on Sunday and let you know how things went and post pictures of course!!!!

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Have a GREAT weekend and a very HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all my MOM buddies!!!

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Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…

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Do you hear that buddies??? Thats the sound of my wings flappin as I fly right on through this week…

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I had a busy weekend, so I was MIA out here most of the weekend…Many apologies! I have got a ton of reading to do on your blogs…UGH!! I am ever so far behind!

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And now I enter this a very busy week for me…I should say May is typicaly a very busy month for us anyway…

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Lots of birthdays, mothers days, several 5ks, parties, cookouts, Memorial Day…UGH! Does the madness ever end???

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But this week will be a trial unto itself…Yes, you may have heard in the news…It is indeed, my birthday week!

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Although, my actual birthday is Sunday (Mothers Day!) I have a couple of lunches, dinners with friends. A Thursday night Birthday Date with my huband (He is taking me to dinner and to see Spidey Man!!!) And then Saturday, hold on to your coat tails kids, I am having an all 80’s birthday bash!!! WOO HOO…

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I love parties. And I love to entertain, but the work that goes into them…WOW…Lots of cleaning. Lots of cooking. Lots of decorating!!!

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So needless to say…I will not be around much this week or weekend. I do so apologize. Life should be back to normal next week…

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I am going to do my very best to just maintain this week, in all honesty…I will be working out as much as I can, and TRYING to make some healthy food choices, but I am not going to lie. I will be indulging just a bit as well for all my celebration dinners…

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And no, I dont typically celebrate my birthday all week long, but this one just kind of ended up that way, and well, I am gonna embrace it!

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So I love you all, and will try to pop in here daily to catch up on some reading, but I probably wont blog again until Friday or Sunday…

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I think you guys will be okay without me!!!

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Take care and stay healthy!

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Dawn

 

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Good morning Buddyville!!!

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And a great big giant HAPPY FRIDAY to you all!!!

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Gosh. I don?t know even where to begin. I seem to be filled to the brim with goodness today! My cup runneth over!!

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Okay?FIRST?I am officially down another pound today!! YAY!! It seems Wednesday?s pity party whig out session was not really warranted or called for after all?Darn it?(Yes, Scott, you were right!!!)

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I think I just really really was having a bad day?I am blaming it on the full moon. My husband swears by this phenom!!!

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Soooo?Other then having a very bad hair day today (Truly, I look like Dolly Parton after a rough night), I am feeling great today!

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I went out last night with my sister, for dinner and a few drinks?FELT GREAT to get out?Was really needing some girl time?I ate well, and logged my beers and my food. Came home in a tremendous mood?Danced around my bedroom as I changed into my lounge clothes?Husband felt the need to comment on my weirdness?(I mean, really, like this is a newsflash to him after 14 years???)

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Girls?Gotta tell ya?Husband was looking pretty fine last night! LOL! He got his hair cut by a new person at a new place, and man, I just kept staring at him! His baby blue eyes were just a sparkling last night?I found it hard to resist, I did! (I know, I know?TMI!!!) No?I promise?PG13 version?I just went over and kissed him right and good?Felt kind of nice?I felt like a teenager, necking on the couch!

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Okay?Sorry for that digression?

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Anyway, I was already in a good mood, of course, so when I weighed in today, well, things just got even better?I feel like I am finally moving forward again?Yes, slowly, one freaking pound at a time, but WHO CARES!!! I will take it!!

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Then, as I was standing in the bathroom this morning, taking stock of my body parts. I realized that I do indeed, look better then ever!

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I mean, seriously buddies?I will be 35 next week!!! Normally, this would send me into a severe depression?Not this year?You know why?? I look better today, at 35, then I did when I was 25?HONEST?So I am okay with embracing and welcoming my 35^th year!!!

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Oh, and while we are on the subject of my body parts?I really really like everything about my body these days EXCEPT that darn stomach area?UGH?Its holding on tighter then Hitler?s army?I can only hope that most of my final 28 pounds lay in that area?For the love of God!!! Be gone with you, I say!!!

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Okay?I do need to say this to you all?Miss Julia commented yesterday on my blog that she is glad I wrote a blog when I had a bad day?Because it helped her?Because it helps her understand that its not easy for me either?And, well, I sure appreciate that feed back and that?s why I almost always type exactly what?s on my mind?Because my hope is it will help at least one person out there?Help them know they aren?t alone..

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But I do want to be perfectly clear here friends?

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This journey has not been easy for me in the least! There are parts of it that I have down?For the most part?But it has never been and will never be, easy?There are days I handle it all better then others, but I too, have my moments of frustration and despair?LUCKILY I have a wonderful support system these days, and those folks help me as do all of you!!!

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But please don?t think that just because I try to keep my blogs on a more positive note, that I don?t struggle too, because I sure do?I just don?t always share it, because frankly, I think after once or twice, people get tired of hearing it!

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So anyway?I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Friday?And a most wonderful weekend and FANTASTIC weigh in?s!!!

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OH?And a special good luck to Crystal and Sissy as they do the first walk of the season, with all of our cyber support!! I will be thinking of you two!!!

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Love-

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Dawnie

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Just a quick one today buddies?(Well, I am a bit long winded, so probably longer then I thought?)

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Wanted to thank you all so much who took the time to read and respond to my blog yesterday?It was a rather bad day all and all. From morning until night, actually?

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One of those nights where you say, ?I NEED A DRINK??So I had one! (Don?t worry. I wrote it down in my food journal!)

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I really wrestled with even blogging yesterday, because I do so hate to be a downer, but darn it, I was sorely frustrated!

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But I am glad I did. You guys were ever so kind and thoughtful?

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So anyway. Thanks to ALL my buddies?

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A very special thanks to Barry for checking in on me and giving me that extra boost! (I appreciated that) and to Tammy, who seems to love my butt as much as I do!!! (Seriously, girl, you crack me up!!)

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Mark, you are just a hoot and the best male cheerleader ever!!!! I give you the GOLD STAR (Those are highly coveted, by the way-don?t be selling it on e-bay!)

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Thank you thank you thank you. ALL OF YOU?Your buddyship is very much appreciated!

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Have a very happy Thursday!!!

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Buddies, I admit…

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Today, I feel completely and utterly defeated by the Fat Fairy…

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Truly. I have not felt this down about my journey in a heck of a long time…

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Now. I will admit. Last Friday I was bad…I had a completely free day…

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Went on a breakfast date with my husband to Bob Evans…Ate in moderation, of course, but ate what I wanted…Then when I got home we went out to dinner for Chinese…I really thought I had no need to worry. I knew I had 7 days before my next weigh in…

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Well, Saturday we went to an Ale Fest here in town…Now, true, I sampled over 14 beers…SAMPLED…And I did eat a burger and fries…HALF…I only ate half, because thats all I can eat these days…And I had a small ice cream cone…

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So, yes, two bad days in a row…

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Still, I did not think this was a tragedy. I worked out extra hard on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday I went right back on plan and have been good ever since…

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So why the scream?

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I got on the scale this morning for a mini weigh in before my official Friday weigh in, and indeed, I am back up a pound!!!! UGH!!!

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I am so incredibly disappointed. Frustrated. And about ready to walk away from this whole entire mess…

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Truly. I exercise at least an hour a day, and probably 4-5 days a week I work out for 1 1/2  hours or more!

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Other then those two days off, I have been 100% on plan…Cut back on several things that I enjoy…And why??

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Why do I do it, if all its gonna do is cause me to gain weight??

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I mean, I still have 30 pounds to lose!!!! Its not like I am even close to my goal weight…

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I really dont know what to do at this point. I feel, honestly, like admitting defeat today, and walking away from it all…I can not give any more time to exercise…I can cut out no more food…

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My options today look me in the eye…The last option, of course, is to starve myself completely to get into those 170’s firmly and permanantly…

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And yes, I know thats not a healthy or long term solution…I know this…

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But my frustration and disappointmen are over riding my otherwise good common sense…

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Buddies. I feel defeated today…

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If that pound, and one more, are not gone by Friday’s official weigh in, I truly think I will blow a gasket…I don’t know what I will do…

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OH…And the best news??? I am already on the edge, right?? So my boss comes in this morning and hands me breakfast…Yep. She stopped at McDonalds…My favorite fast food breakfast place.

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So sitting on my desk RIGHT this second is a plate of hotcakes, sausage, and a hashbrown…My first instinct was to drown my sorrows in the food…But, its been sitting here for 10 minutes. Smelling up my office something fierce, and yet, I have not yeilded. Not yet…UGH…I dont know why I havent…Stupid stupid food…

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Thanks for listening…Gonna go hang my head in self pity for a while…