Goal: 14 more pounds to go!

Yes, I had a minor setback with my appendix.....but I still have managed to lose a total of 16 pounds!!!  Now, Elijah says he can tell but.....I can only tell in my clothes.  Maybe he is trying to be sweet like usual???  I have to say I've become a little more lenient on myself and the weight is coming off slower, but it's coming off!

My summer favorites:
Avocados
Watermelon
Blueberries
Cherries


Pictures to come at 20 pounds!!!

What happened?

Whew......it's been a crazy past few weeks.  As soon as I got up to running 6 miles at 59 minutes, I'm on the floor the next morning in so much pain.  After hours of thinking I was terribly bloated and rolling on the bathroom floor in pain, it was time to visit the Emergency Room.  I called my neighbor (also my workout buddy/new girlfriend)....and she ran into our house only to find me on the bathroom floor crying.  Turns out, she can't drive a manual transmission.....so guess who drove to the ER......ME!  Eli was on a field trip that day and couldn't exactly rush home.  I also didn't want him to rush over and there be nothing wrong with me.  After almost being on the floor in the ER, having trouble breathing, and crying VERY loudly, they finally took me in- the wait seemed like FOREVER.  Bless my girlfriend's heart for being there for me through the whole process....she filled out paper work, helped me go to the bathroom, saw me shaking uncontrollably, walked with me, kept everyone updated, and sat for hours with me.  Elijah showed up right after I got a pleasant dose of pain meds.....so glad he missed the initial pain I went through.  After two ultrasounds and a cat-scan, it was my appendix....and it had to be removed immediately.   


Hours later, I wake up after surgery with Eli right there....holding my hand, like he seemed to do throughout this whole ordeal.  Almost an hour later, I'm throwing up while being transferred to my new recovery room.  The anesthesia made me sick and made the pain worse.  A combination of an uninterested nurse and pain meds that I kept losing.....I was in a ton of pain.  I had trouble breathing from the pain and to top if off.....they made all visitors leave for the night.  Eli was not happy about that (and I had to really talk him into leaving before he was escorted out).....but I was not happy being alone with crazy nurse all night.  A night of being alone and sick= not cool at all.  Needless to say I begged to go home the next day.


The day after surgery my mom came to help me while Eli worked...........thank God for her.  I feel so loved by my family and friends, but wow, my Mom is such a precious gift to me.  I just can't get over how selfless she has been throughout my life, while asking nothing in return.  It's crazy.....it reminds me of how God is with his children.  On a less important note, Eli and I ate so good that week!  We had fun even though I could not do much at all.....I love my Mom.


So, I started working out less than two weeks after surgery.  I'm now back up to 6 miles again and running it in less than 59 minutes.  Praise God for a full recovery.


Last but definitely not least, I am so thankful for my wonderful husband.  I am just so blessed to have a man that loves me much.....enough to even get in trouble to be with me......and one that stuck with me the whole time, being so patient and so caring.  I remember being in so much pain at times that I didn't even want to be touched, and he never got mad or upset, not once.  He got behind a bit and did not complain....He didn't eat much for a for those two days I was in the hospital and still did not say a word about it.  What an awesome man I have....my prince!


Thanks everyone for prayers and flowers and meals and love!!!!

Day 45!!!

Soooo....I bet you have been wondering if I quit my getting ripped in MO goal.   NOPE!!!!


I have officially lost 10 pounds and I feel great!!!!  I'm still working out five days a week I still write down everything I eat.  I'm in 45 days strong now.....and it's getting much easier to stay away from that SUGAR!!!!! OH, did I mention my new wardrobe budget is up to $200?!?

My new things:
I don't or try not to eat past 7pm. 
I go by the fist size rule and sometimes I cheat on this.
I'm doing cross-fit at least twice a week now and I'm letting E kick my tail in those workouts.
Watching Extreme Weight loss edition to get weekly motivation and I usually am in tears by the end of it.

Pictures to come once I pass the 20 pound mark.  

Day 20 and $20 a pound!

Okay......soooooo....I've decided to open up to everyone!!!!  I'm on day 20 of getting ripped in MO!  I've lost five pounds as of day 15 and I'm actually in the way to a total 30 pound weight loss goal- you do the math :). I'm working out five days a week along with a very specified eating plan.  My workouts range anywhere from running slow speeds for 30 minutes straight to swimming to hard core cross fit- fat burning workouts.  My workouts are coordinated my my biggest fan/personal trainer/favorite person- Elijah.  And, while I'm on the subject, I want you all to know that Elijah won't do anything but be super encouraging......so I could use some more accountability from friends and family.  Also, although Elijah thinks I'm perfect as I currently am (I know he is my true prince :)), he decided to give me $20 per pound lost for a new wardrobe since I told him I will need new clothes when I reach my goal (Yes, this is a big deal!).

Besides the fact that our last few date nights have been spent looking at tons of food labels in the grocery store, I have a few pictures of my favorite snacks/food choices (It's been fun for us though!).   

 LETTUCE WRAPS- ...this is a splurge meal to note- complete with grilled chicken, corn, rice, green peppers, onions, and mango- Eli wasn't going for this :)....soooo, he used a real wrap.

 FRESH FRUIT!!!  Cutties :) (not clementines, but mini oranges ;)), strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, mango, cantaloupe and kiwi

AND!!!!.....sweets!  left to right...40 cal. fudge pop, 130 cal. cookies and cream pop when I really want to splurge, and 25 cal. splenda fruit bars. ....I eat all sparingly.

Here is just one day of eating....
Breakfast- 3 tablespoons of vanilla yogurt with a half cup of fresh fruit and 6 almonds
Lunch- half of a tuna wrap (whole grain wheat wrap) with a dab of regular cheese with a cup of fresh fruit
Snack- 5 wheat crackers with hummus
Dinner-1 meat, 1 vegetable, and a small salad

So, I bet you are wondering if I took before pictures.......I did!   But......not until I hit my goal....:)....cheers to being healthy!

Dinner with Garin and Lauren.

So, from the moment we move in to our new home, we are busy bees. We have already been to Columbia back and forth three times out of the 1.5 weeks we've been here. Twice to see E's brother and once to see my brother and sil. All in great fun!

We ate at a Japanese Steakhouse in Columbia, which is always fun. It's awesome how God works things out......G and L were in Kansas City for the week on business and we decided to meet half way! Love you G and L!

The Moving Adventures....#2

Good-bye Savannah.....this was actually really sad for me. I met so many wonderful people and went through a year-long deployment at this home. And......it was E and I's very first home together. God has other plans for us elsewhere.....and we are excited to be taking part in this new journey. Missouri here we come!

The Moving Adventures....#1

Living room all boxed up.....it's crazy realizing how much stuff you really have once you start packing everything up.
I love this kitchen......but not all boxed up :(
24 foot moving truck......completely full. Wow, that's a lot of stuff.