Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays, to all!

I wish you all the very best this holiday season. 

Joyeaux Noel!

Happy Holidays!

Ahhhhhh. Sun!

Houston, we have SUN! And glorious cool, with a touch of chilly in the air. Could it be more perfect? Ummm, nope. I think today was just about as perfect as they come. I've never given much thought to how much the dreary, rainy, cold weather affects me, but I know now that I don't handle it as well as I used to. Maybe it's age, but these last few weeks of bad weather really took a toll on me.

So, today, I took Nellie (my bike) out for a ride in the SUN! It was awesome. And, I'm off work for two weeks for the holiday break!! Yay! While out riding, I could feel the tension letting up in my neck. I took my time and stopped to take a few pictures, too. It was sooooooo pretty out. I hope it stays this way for a few more days.

Usually, in our part of the world, we don't see the colors of the seasons. But this year I've noticed more color and it's so beautiful. I can only imagine what a whole forest must look like in reds, oranges, and yellows. Here is a little color I saw today while out riding.

I think this is a Maple tree.

I don't know the name of this tree, but I want one in my yard. The shape is awesome.

Since the beginning of this month, I've pretty much abandoned my diet. I'm just trying to maintain right now and make somewhat of an attempt to make some healthy choices. I'm also making sure to get some kind of exercise in every day, even if it's just taking Sydney for a walk. I've come a long way from the me that used to lay around and watch tv and stuff myself. I don't overeat any more and I crave exercise. Those two things alone are making the difference for me this holiday season. Come January, it's back to getting the next 50 lbs off. I think I'm going to join the Y for a few months so the cold weather won't keep me from working out.

Hope you are having (or had) a wonderful weekend. And don't forget to drink your water! I'm drinking mine :)

Wordless Wednesday - too tired to speak

'Tis the Season

I miss the Christmas we used to have when my kiddo was young. It was exciting and we couldn't wait to put up the tree and decorate. Where ever we lived our home always reflected how we felt about the Christmas season - bright and cheery.

Now that my son is an adult, there seems to be no interest in putting up a tree or decorating. I'm feeling the "bah-humbugs" setting in. I don't understand how a kid who used to get so excited can now act as if the holiday isn't a holiday at all. The way I feel right now, I'd like to spend my christmas money on a plane ticket to some place I want to go. By myself. With nobody to spread a lack of holiday cheer.

I havent' exercised this week. More wintery weather here in Houston has me down, too. I used to be able to tolerate a little cold weather but lately, I just don' like it. Of course, I've been coming down with something all week. A sinus/cold kind of something that makes my head hurt and I've been sneezing and feeling chilled. My temp yesterday was 94.5! I'm running an anti-fever, lol. I usually have a temp of 97.something, a side effect of a blown out thyroid. Apparently, when your temp is low it feels just like a fever - chills, hot - repeat.

Since I've been feeling under the weather (and grinch-like) I've been eating poorly, not drinking enough water (I KNOW. ME?!!), and just plain not motivated to do anything about it. Sorry to blog such a downer post, but it is what it is. I hope to climb out of this hole soon. Two years ago we had a very bad family-drama-crap-out at christmas and now every year is a reminder that people may not be who you think they are. They have the ability to change into greedy @$$ selfish types. They can walk out on you and never look back.

I'm dreaming of a christmas, just like the ones we used to have.  This, too, shall pass. I'm just in a little funk. I'm going to rent a movie. A funny one. Take care.

Slippery Slope

I have had a tough time with food this last week. Since our weather here has been rainy and cold and we even had snow on Friday, I haven't been able to ride my bike. I'm freaking out, too, because I've been craving carbs like there's no tomorrow. I hate this thing I have with food. Not getting enough sleep isn't helping either. Staying up late is a bad habit of mine and since I'm not exercising, I've got too much anxiety to just go to bed. I got on the scale last week and was already up 4 pounds. Yea, I'm freaking out cause I can gain it back way faster than I can take it off.

Today, is not looking much better for exercise outdoors. It's drizzling outside and still in the 50's. Come on Sun!

Here is a shot of the tiny bit of snow that was still on the ground Saturday morning. I was taking Sydney for a walk and it was really cold but sunny. I should have braved it and gone for a ride.

I rented Biggest Loser Fitness game for the Wii. It's okay, but I still don't care for indoor exercise. Maybe I'll look into finding a class somewhere like the Y. I appreciate all the great tips and ideas that you all left me. You guys really come through when advice is needed. I love that about blogging! I'm thinking of giving the hula hoop and "just dancing" a try!

Have a great Sunday, and don't forget to slurp up some water!

Plan B?

I don't really have a "plan b" for exercise when it's cold and yucky outside. We are actually having winter-type weather here in Houston! And Friday, they say it might snow. Whaaaa? Are you serious? I do not know how to dress to ride in this kind of weather. I need better gloves and something to keep my toes warm. Plastic bags, maybe?! A ski mask?

Exercising inside is not something I enjoy nor feel motivated to do. I know, people do it everyday, but I feel weird when I'm jumping around all by myself to a dvd with someone telling me what to do. And have you ever paid much attention to the idle chit-chat that goes on in these things? After a few times of hearing the same stupid remarks over and over I start making comments - like they can hear me. I do the same when I'm in traffic! It's a good thing they can't hear me :)

Anyway, I need to come up with an alternate way to get my exercise in when the weather is nasty. I don't have a gym membership, nor does it fit in my budget. I was going to the gym at the school for awhile, but 6am in the morning felt like punishment, lol. My son's elliptical hurts my knees. Walking outside hurts my knees if I walk too fast or too long. I have the Wii Fit, and it's good for yoga, but the stepping around part just makes my knees, well, you know. So, if you have a suggestion, let's hear it. Worked out to any good dvd's lately? Know of any good gear to ride in to stay toasty? I need some ideas here, folks. I've got pounds to lose and time's awastin'.

Are you drinking your water? Well, are you?

Just get back to it!

I have really enjoyed Thanksgiving this year. Even though I did indulge in foods laced with butter and loaded with sugar, it has been a great holiday. For the most part, I thought I was doing pretty good diet-wise. Being off work all week allowed me to ride my bike almost everyday. As a result, I was able to pedal over 50 miles!

Yesterday, mom and I drove to Livingston to meet a friend for lunch. We hadn't seen her in over a year and it was great to catch up. We ate at a place called Shrimp Boat Manny's. The food was great. I only wish I hadn't chosen the fried catfish. It was awesome, but since I don't eat like "that" anymore, my gut was not happy. Today, I felt like I had a hangover. My head hurt, my mouth was dry, and my joints ached. When will I ever learn?

I'm feeling much better tonight. I've had lots of water and I'm back to eating clean. My bike ride today was great. Tomorrow, is another day. All is not lost. I'm not stepping on the scale until Tuesday, though. I'm afraid of what it'll say, so not knowing is better for now, lol. Whatever, I don't need the scale to tell me I abused my body.

Have a great week and don't forget to drink your water!

A Day of Thanksgiving

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today, I am thankful to spend time with family and friends.

To enjoy food and not feel as though I have no control over what I choose to eat today.

To all my American friends, and to those outside the US, I hope you had the kind of day that put a smile on your face and warm fuzzies in your heart.

Pants that Fit

Need motivation to keep chasing that healthy number on the scale? Buy some pants that fit. I mean REALLY fit, and wear them all day. Today, I wore my new pants that fit, and after a few hours I realized why I hadn't bought any new pants in awhile. My other pants were all baggy and loose and everyday that they got baggier, the happier I got. Baggy pants means all the riding, dieting, and passing up desserts is paying off.

These new pants fit like a glove and my bum isn't used to that anymore. The tight fit is a good reminder that I am not where I want to be yet. I don't want to get too comfortable and forget my goal of getting healthy and being the person I see myself being. I feel so much better now that I've lost 55 lbs and am excited to see the next 55 lbs bite the dust.

Take care, and drink that water!

Weekend Update + Sunday Snapshots

I have fallen by the blogging wayside. Thank you to all for missing me. I have been checking on most of you. So even if I didn't leave a comment, I tried to keep up with you. Last week and this week I haven't felt like I had much to say. I've been overwhelmed by some events over the last few weeks that don't even involve me. But sometimes when things happen to people that you hold dear, it's like you feel their pain and so it indirectly affects you. Does that make sense? My heart has been heavy for some of my coworkers. One lost their dad after a long illness. One lost a son due to an act of violence. One made a very bad mistake that has changed his life forever. When I think of the pain and grief these people are facing, my weightloss battle seems so trivial. I just didn't want to blab on about dieting or anything else.

That doesn't mean I haven't been dieting, I have. And, I've now lost a total of 55 lbs! WooHoo! It's just coming off so slowly. But this time around it doesn't seem to bother me how slow, just so long as it comes off. I've been riding my bike and today I got on my son's elliptical trainer and did half a mile. Now, that thing'll kill ya. I think I'll incorporate that into my weekly routine on days when it's too cold or rainy (the cold part still not a problem here in H-town, dammit).

Went shopping yesterday for some new pants. My size 22's have been really baggy in the seat (yay!) so I felt it was time for some pants that fit. I don't want to invest too much in new clothes right now so a 50% off sale got me three new pairs of nice fitting pants (size 20W) to wear for awhile. Most of the 1X tops are too big in the store where I was shopping! Of course, this shop is for plus sized girls so they are more generous with the fabric so in other stores a 1X might be just right. But it was nice to try on something that a few months ago was too tight and now is too big.  I also had to get a sweater that called my name when I walked in the store. I feel very Cindy Crawford-ish in it with my new brown slacks, lol. Well, I can dream, can't I?

Now for some snapshots! This first picture is of my make-shift pantry. Karen wanted a peek! It's not much, but it's making life in the kitchen much easier.

These next pics are for Roxie. I thought of you when I rode past this beauty!

The guy that took my picture put his finger over the lense. My iPhone made him nervous!

November Sunset

Love you guys! Have a great week and be good to yourself. And don't forget to drink your water! I'm just sayin'!