Day 53: Changes and Yes, More Progress Photos!

As you can see, the blog looks different! I have been tweaking with the borders, background, and even have a new page header. Hope you like it. I'm a huge fan of Underdog and have been for several years. It's actually how I got the name for the blog. :-)

My uncle and I went out today to shop. What we didn't realize is that both malls were outside, and it was a very warm 80 degrees out! So we perused both malls, not really finding anything to our liking (though I did find some nice shorts in the Reebok shop, but the only XL was in neon yellow! Sorry, this badonkadonk's not going into anything neon yellow just yet, lol!). We went to Syberg's to eat, and my uncle can't understand my accent at the best of times (he's British, and I'm Southern by birth and talk very quickly!) and had no idea what I was talking about! Either way, we had a good time and he gave me 20 bucks to cover the gas mileage, which is going into the kitty (a fun British expression!) until I find something good to buy. We also got rear-ended by this high schooler not paying attention to the turn lane, but thankfully the car basically had a few chips on the bumper and everything else was okay! Honestly, I have a mean gash on the fender from the time when I got into a fight with a hitch (the hitch won, needless to say!) so a few chips on the bumper mean nothing at all to me. I told the guy not to worry about it, and we went on our way. :-) So far, no whiplash or anything like that. :-D

I got in a 1.5 mile run (26 consecutive minutes) before class today. I thought I was going to have a terrible time staying upright after such a long run and BOTH my run apps sharting out at the same time (that's what happens when you put the cell phone in your pants pocket!), but I actually had more energy after a shower and a brief rest! I felt invigorated and my hands didn't shake for the first time when I filled something with water! I had mild tardive dyskinesia as a result of some bad medication adventures as a teenager, and I was shocked to see my hands are a lot less jittery! :-) Maybe it's due to almost no caffeine in my system for over 2 months, but either way I'm thrilled. Yet another NSV.

Oh speaking of victories, check out this awesomeness! 30 lbs-ish lost today, and here is the before and afters:

 

I can definitely tell a difference between the two pictures. I look like a completely different person (that's the same shirt, by the way) and totally feel like a different person! I have to admit, sometimes I feel a little bummed out from time to time but for the most part I am very happy and love my life. :-) I am even ready to start looking for jobs I think, I am nervous after being seriously burned by my last two jobs, but I'm ready to put myself out there and start looking. We'll see what happens, but in the meantime, keep your fingers crossed! :-)

 

I hope everyone has a good day! I'm going to rest up after my close encounters of the car kind, and maybe find something for dinner soon. Be blessed and enjoy life!

Day 32.5: Unwinding

Not as bad as it sounds, folks! I've been chilling for most of the day except for my class in the morning and my run in the afternoon. I have discovered I have lost my taste for excessive shopping. I don't know why, just not really that interested in shopping anymore. I used to go out and buy everything I could find, buy tons of cheap makeup and clothes, and all kinds of things. Now, I have only bought a C25K app, my breakfast this morning at school since I forgot to grab my breakfast bowl, and I replaced my Thyro-Drive. That's it. No makeup, clothes, or anything, and that's been the case for the past few weeks. Sure, I get the urge to go dither around from time to time and think about buying things, but I just don't have the strong urges that drove me to buy insane amounts of stuff anymore.

I also notice I rarely eat out anymore. I just don't feel the need, since I have plenty of food at home. It will be so weird at fall being soda and coffee free-- I always used to stock up on pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin frappes and apple pie and pumpkin pie. Lots of fruit and veggies, but tons of sugar to negate any goodness they might have. I was just thinking, "No pumpkin spice lattes this year, holy moly!" Besides, coffee with my supplements makes my stomach hurt like crazy and makes me all jittery and sick, so I couldn't really have it even if I wanted to. It just seems so weird. Now I'm looking forward to running in the fall at the lake watching all the leaves change, going on hayrides and pumpkin picking, and Halloween parties at my friend Meghan's house (she throws amazing parties, I have to admit). Not really hung up on the food as much. Though I have to admit, I love pumpkin caramel latte... scented soap. Haha, got you! :-)

I have noticed more and more changes coming with each day. I have been doing collages with Smilebox and love it, and I have put together a few of them and just marveled at them. Here is one I did, with my first running shot and my latest running shot:

This is only about 7 days apart and already I can tell a difference in my hips and stomach. I'm starting to get sexy curves! And that jersey is my 8th grade softball jersey. It is a medium. :-) My arms are also slightly smaller from the arm challenge. We'll see what happens with the subsequent runs but I like what I see.

I also did some collages with my highest and current weight. I weighed in at 240 at my heaviest (got real close to that last time at 231) and when I saw my heaviest weight for the first time, I kicked the scale hard and it hit a wall and broke. I never have gotten a new scale after that. Anyhoo, I was at 240 and I haven't let these pics become public for some time. But either way, here is the photo montage I took:

 

I look completely different, in the face and in my smile. I can tell I just look happier with myself, more content. And I have lost a bit more weight since the photos in the blue shirt were taken. :-)

 

And now, a little light humor....

 

 

Underdog didn't stand a chance against the BEASTMODE GLASS. He could only manage a feeble punch while smiling. Sorry, I couldn't resist, and yes I do have an Underdog figurine, what of it? I have all the DVDs too. :-D

 

I hope everyone has a great night! It's back to the chem homework with me. Be blessed!



Day 16.5: Signs You're Getting Thinner

- You are freezing everywhere you go. I live in my WFM jacket and it's 90 degrees outside!
- When you stare blankly for 20 minutes while everyone else is stuffing their face.
- When you go into a athletic store and people don't give you a second glance.
- When you fit into your favorite jacket at REI and still can go up a size if you want.
- When it sounds incredulous that someone gets tired going to the other size of the mall.
- When you'd rather go running than eat.
- When you're stressed, you say, "Dammit, I wanna run!"
- When you're excited when you find a free 5k.
- When you go exploring after being out all day.

These are just a few for fun that have happened throughout the day and week. I have been noticing little things in my life that haven't always been present. I fit into a large jacket at REI. When I was previously at REI at around 222 or so, the jacket was very loose through the sleeves but wouldn't zip up (I have big hips and a weird waist, lol) and this time it zipped up all the way. I was psyched and I hope by the time winter rolls around I will be a medium.

My family has yet to catch up with me weight-wise. In fact, my mom is kind of sabotaging me a little bit because she always wants to eat. I wanted to eat at a restaurant with lots of healthy options, but for some reason my mom thought the other end of the mall was too far, even though technically you can just get in the car and drive down there. My mom's idea of "shopping at the mall" means going to 2 shops in close proximity to each other, and one of them is always a Starbucks. Anyhoo, she went to basically a meat and cheese mecca (AKA El Maguey) and I tried to find something healthy on the menu, and I got what I thought was a healthy meal but turned out to be covered in cheese! Next time I go to the restaurant I will ask for it without cheese. Yuck. :-P

Still, it looks like I have broken the 216-217 plateau for now. I ran six continuous minutes on the treadmill and am aiming for seven or eight tomorrow. I like to aim a little higher and try to surpass it. My goal today was five minutes, but I'm trying to get to a 30-40 minute run. I intend to run the (FREE) 5K I have signed up for, even if I have to train in a hurry. And besides, running obliterates the pounds. :-)

Well, I hope everyone has a great night! Take care all.