Long weekend happenings...

Here's where we were this weekend...

We took a little time out to go skiing!  Side note - I took a seminar this weekend to learn how to use the DSLR camera I have the pleasure of safeguarding (being yearbook teacher has its perks!!), and all of the pics in this post were shot in manual mode, and I haven't edited them one tiny bit.  Heck yes!!

The conditions were VERY snowy (and cold - it was in the high teens with wind chill - a bit much for a heat-loving lizard like me), which caused Eric to wear his driving game face the whole way off of the "rim" (otherwise known as the Colorado Plateau, for you Geography pros).

I guess I would wear my driving game face, too!

We had the pleasure of spending a little time the night before with my dad...

And mom...

At their time share in Kohl's Ranch (my aunt and uncle came too, but I wasn't sure they wanted their pictures broadcast about the internets...  My parents however, have to love me regardless).  I'm pretty extra pleased about these pics.  They were taken inside at night (in VERY low light), and using my class notes, I was able to "manual mode" the crap out of these shots.  Booyah.  See how the last one even incorporates my new knowledge of "depth of field?"  I'm pretty pleased.

Did you have yesterday off?  What did y'all do with your long weekend?  Did you, like me, become exponentially less frightened of the extreme confusion that can be caused by a DSLR camera?  Do tell, and have a happy Tuesday, friends!

Last week's blogging break brought to you by...

The BUSIEST week ever.  Sorry guys, this past week was cuh-razy!  Something had to give, so I took a wee break.  The good news is, that I now have some projects and actual things to share - yay!  But first off this week, a little celebration...

I reached my goal weight!!!  Yah-to-the-hoo! There's a bit of a story behind it, and it involves me being either very ridiculous, or very out of touch...

I had been trying to reach a BMI of 20.4, for my 5'3" height, that meant 115 pounds.  Starting at 143(*shame!!!*), it felt completely impossible, until last week when I was right at 123, and feeling AMAZING.  I'm serious here, I'm running several miles a day without tiring, eating healthy, losing inches and generally living healthy - it's fabulous, and I'm so glad that I've had the time to dedicate to this.  However...

After over 10+ days of busting my chops, eating healthy and trying my darndest - I wasn't losing anything.  This brings me to Sunday, when a friend of mine was talking about her height.  She mentioned she was 5'3" and I didn't know how that could be, since I'm 5'3" and taller than her.  People, I've thought I was 5'3" for YEARS.  So, after her encouragement, I went home and had Eric measure me.

I am 5'5"

This may not seem like a big deal, but I felt like doing the happy dance (which is awkward and not attractive).  Of course I can't lose any more weight!!  How excited was I to find that I'm already at my goal BMI?! Pretty friggin excited, for sure.  And also a little silly - how in the world did I spend the last few years thinking I was 2 inches shorter than I was??  Geesh.  Can you grow into your twenties???

So, now I enter the world of those trying to maintain their healthy weight.  Which, honestly is almost harder than losing.  Living by grace instead of by strict rules is so much more difficult.  Why is it so easy to be regimented and so hard for me to give myself a little leeway?  I hope I can do a good job - I don't want to lose the great fitness I've built up.

Thanks so much to all of you for reading these wordy posts, and encouraging me.  I couldn't have made this 22 pounds in 48 days journey without every single last word of encouragement.  You are all invited to Tempe to go running with me.  =)  Join me back here tomorrow to see my OH-MY-GOODNESS-I-SERIOUSLY-CANNOT-BELIEVE-MY-LUCK Goodwill find!  Have a happy Tuesday, friends!!

**Almost forgot today is Valentine's day!!  Eric and I don't put too much stock in this day, but we spend the evening together all the same.  Hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day/Single's Awareness Day/Stuff Your Face Full of Chocolate Day!!**

It's that time again...

This week was AMAZING.  I'm finally starting to feel like I'm making real progress here.  Thank you so much to everyone who was so encouraging last week, I'm getting so close and I need every "atta girl" I can get!!  So, here goes...

Weight as of this morning: 124.9  RIGHT?!?!  Yeehaw!!
Weight loss from last week: 5.5 lbs
Pounds lost so far: 17.6

Ohmygoodnessgracious!  I can't believe I'm within 10lbs of my goal.  Within 35 days of starting.  Not to mention that last night I ran 4.5 miles just for the fun of it.  I wasn't even tired afterwards.  I didn't know that was even POSSIBLE.  I think I am truly getting in shape for the first time in my life.  I'm seriously NEVER giving this up.  That being said, I can't wait to have a plate of chicken fingers when this is all over (and then spend the next 4 days working off the 2 lbs I'm sure I'll gain from it, ha!).  Thanks for your encouragement, and for going on this journey with me.

I certainly hope I don't gain it back.  I feel like I'm making lasting changes, and changes that are sustainable for our lifestyle.  This is is big one for me.  If you know you can't keep up a work out reginmen, then don't start.  That's probably terrible health advice, but find something that works with your life and do that.  Otherwise it won't last and you'll feel like a failure.  I know I'm loving the routine I've fallen into.  Maybe I've done so well that hubby will let me have a new pair of these since my others but the dust....

Aren't they cool-looking???  I love the soles - they look like they're the perfect amount of smooshy =)  Speaking of which, another good little thing about all this?  I'm going to need some new clothes!  My pants don't fit AT ALL - thank god for super-strength belts =)  It's wierd for me, but I'm actually enjoying this working out business.  I'm so thankful for all the support I have, and that includes you all.  Thanks to each and every one of you, my bloggy friends, your support is amazing!  I hope you all are enjoying your day - have a happy and active Friday, friends!

Go the extra mile...

...because it's never that crowded anyway =)  You don't get a "for reals" blog post today because Eric and I had a unique opportunity last night to help out a friend in a way we've never done before, and shan't be sharing on the old blog (even an over-sharer like myself has limits, ha!).  However, I will tell you that it does the soul good to give... and also to receive.  Friendship is a give and take, sometimes you're the giver, sometimes the recipient, but friendship is always worth it.  Take a little time today (maybe the time you'd spend reading here), and say "thanks" and "I love you" to a dear friend who deserves it.  Happy Wednesday, my friends!!