I'm So Excited!

On January 28, I took my measurements and put them aside in a notebook somewhere. Since then, whenever I thought about taking measurements again, I talked my self out of it. I figured that nothing would have changed or I may be even bigger no matter what the scale said.

Today, I was reading some journals on this site. One girl updated her measurements each week. I noticed that she was losing those inches pretty fast in some parts of her body. I thought to my self, "I wonder if anything has changed in my body." Then, I took my tape measure into the bathroom with me and shed my clothes (no need to add anything from clothes). I proceeded to write down my measurements.

I will have to admit that I cringed at some of the numbers until I found the ones from January and compared. I am so excited that I just have to share. I still don't like the numbers, but I love the progress.

January 28:

Around belly at belly button: 42 3/4 inches

Around Hips: 43 1/16 inches

Around Left Thigh: 25 1/2 inches

Around Right Thigh: 25 1/4 inches

Around Chest Under Breasts: 37 1/8 inches

Around Chest Including Breast: 40 3/4 inches

I didn't do a butt measurement.

Today (May 28):

Around Belly at Belly Button: 38 inches (4 3/4 in. loss)

Around Hips: 41 1/2 inches (1 9/16 in. loss)

Around Left Thigh: 24 3/4 inches (3/4 in. loss)

Around Right Thigh: 24 1/2 inches (3/4 in. loss)

Around Chest Under Breasts: 33 1/2 inches (3 7/8 in. loss)

Around Chest Including Breasts: 39 inches (1 3/4 in. loss)

Around Butt: 43 inches

Total Inches Lost: 13.1875 (not sure on the fraction for that one)inches

I Let The Kids Take Pictures Again

I have let my kids take pictures with my old camera a few times. Now that I have a better camera (thanks to my hubby), I don't have to worry so much about if the kids will break it.

Workout on a Schedule

I have been slacking in the workout department. Due to a lack of funds, I can't join a gym. I used not want to join a gym, but now I can't wait until the day that I have enough debt paid off to be able to pay for a membership somewhere nearby. For now, since I do like to workout, I am using workout videos. I have quite a few that I collected in the past 10 years or so. My problem is that I am having a hard time motivating myself to workout at night lately, and I am just not coordinated enough in the morning before my kids wake up to workout then. I have decided that I need to make a workout video schedule. I will make it on Sunday or Monday so that the schedule is varied each week.

Here is my plan this week:

Monday: The Firm
Tuesday: Pilates
Wednesday: Tae Bo
Thursday: 30 Day Shred
Friday:Pilates
Saturday:Kick Boxing
Sunday: OFF

Our New Addition

We have a dog! My wonderful husband finally caved and got me a dog. He did his research and found out what bread that he would feel comfortable with. He decided that a Beagle would fit our family the best. He looked on Craig's List and found a good candidate.

Now, we are the proud owners of Lexie, a 7 year old Beagle. She is a very sweet, loving, good dog. She fits right into our family. Noel was a bit afraid of her at first, but she is getting used to her already. The only creature that doesn't seen to like her is Lady (the cat), but she is even getting better.

Surprise!

I was pleasantly surprised when I weighed in this morning. Despite my lack of exercise (I'll post about that on Monday), I still lost a pound. I did pretty good at counting my calories in my food. That was enough for that pound, I guess. Of course, it could just be that my cycle is FINALLY done (stupid thing lasted a week and a half). Whatever it is, I'll take it. Today is was off day, so I get to eat whatever I want. Good thing too! I have a baby shower to go to and some ice cream in the freezer that is just waiting for me to eat more than half a cup (it would probably be just a bit more, but that isn't the point).

Where Druciana Came From

I don't know if anyone is wondering this or not. I just feel like blogging and can't think of anything more interesting. That means that anyone reading this will just have to deal with it. Don't worry, it's not a long story.

Anyone who knows me knows that Druciana is not my real name. It is, however, my Internet name. I use it for longing into just about everything (credit card accounts, twitter, ravelry, checking account, GMail address, calorie counting site, you get the point). I use this name because I know that no one else will. How do I know that? I made it up.

You see, Druciana is my D&D name. It all started with Icewind Dale (a D&D based computer game). My husband wanted me to play with him and I got hooked. The main character that I used was a cleric. I wanted to come up with a name that sounded magical. Somehow, I just typed this name into my computer and decided on how to pronounce it.

After that, anytime I played a D&D based game, I used Druciana. Sometimes she was a cleric and sometimes she was a wizard. She was always something magical.

Now you know my geeky secret.

Just Not The Same

I bought some turkey bacon at the store yesterday because, well, it was on clearance and I was curious (my curiosity gets me in trouble sometimes).

It is advertised as a good, less fat, lower calorie substitution for bacon. It is lower fat. It does have far less calories than regular bacon. It even has less salt than regular bacon. However, it is not bacon!

I cooked up the package today. It stuck to the pan horribly. It didn't have that nice bacon aroma. Then, I tasted it. Are you ready for this? It tasted like...warmed up sandwich turkey. Yep. That's right folks. On a sandwich with ham, the crunch was a bit like bacon. I would have to say that is where the similarities end. I don't think I will be able to use this a substitution for bacon.

The good news. I told the kids is was bacon, and they all ate it. They even wanted more! To them, it was called bacon, so it must have been bacon. Of course, we are talking about a couple of 5 year olds and a 3 year old.

My Music

Tara did this one, and it appears that I was tagged due to the fact that I read it. It, also, sounds like fun.

The question of the day is: What kind of music do you listen to that you are embarrassed to admit?

This one is a bit of a stumper for me, but I think I have an answer. I like to listen to Kenny Rogers. Mostly just "The Gambler." I blame my first job. It was at Kenny Rogers Roasters. For the first few months, we listened to only his music. I didn't like it at the time. Now it brings back such good memories of a job that no longer exists.

OK. So if you read this and you are not Tara, your it!

Goal Check

I have had a difficult week mentally. I am proud of what I did get done though.

Exercise- I got some kind of work out in 4 days. I guess 5 is you count my walk on Friday. It was a slow walk, but I did walk a lot.

Journals- I wrote in my journals 4 days last week. That is one day more than the week before, so I am counting that as an improvement. I am also going to print my blog entry from yesterday and put it in my personal journal. I guess that make it 4 days last week for my scripture journal and 5 for my personal journal.

Book of Mormon- I did good on this one. I turned on one chapter a day Monday through Friday. We just finished Words of Mormon today, so I guess the last few days I could say that we did one "book" each day. hehe

I am feeling pretty positive about the things that I DID accomplish last week. I am, also, feeling pretty confident that I can do all of these goals 5 days this week.

Why Is It So Hard?

For those of you who don't know by now, I am looking for a part-time job. I would be working after John gets home from work, so the issue of child care will be taken care of. I figured that it wouldn't be that hard to find somewhere in Brighton that would hire me. I guess I was wrong (or I am too impatient).

I started applying for jobs the day after talking to Tara (my good friend for whom I watch her daughter 3 days a week). Thankfully, Tara was understanding to my situation, even agreeing to let me use her as a job reference since I haven't worked outside the home in about 8 years. I applied at Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Dish Network (actually in Thornton), Quiznos, Auto Zone...(you get the picture). I am planning on applying at Kohls tomorrow. The thing is, I have only heard back from one place, Target. That was a nicely worded email stating that they weren't hiring (even though the signs on the door say they are). The manager at Quiznos acted excited until I told him my availability was after 4 on the weekdays and no Sundays.

The thing is that I need a job. I feel like getting a job is the right thing for me to do right now. I want a job outside of the home for now. I thought, for some reason, that it would be a quick and easy process. I guess being 30 with not much work experience in the last 5 years (which is what most of these places are asking for) makes me less qualified than some high school kid with no work experience.

Oops!

I gained .5 pounds this week. I know that isn't much, but it isn't a loss. I am so disappointed in myself!

I can blame it on two things. First off, I started my period this week. It is such a rare thing for me. I don't know how my body reacts to such things. Secondly, I made chocolate chip cookies on Monday. That means that while trying to be good and not binge on them, I still ate a lot of cookies. In the past I wouldn't bother to count. I would have just eaten them and dealt with John's disappointed face when he learn that I only saved one or two for him.

I guess I should feel lucky that was all I gained!

My Mother's Day Card

My sweet little first grader made me this card for Mother's Day. I was told the teacher questioned whether or not to make him redo it. I'm glad she didn't because this truly shows his personality.

Of Course!

I have been spending a lot lately due to the excitement of a new credit card. I decided yesterday that I would go this week without spending any money unless it was for paying bills (the water bill is due this week).

Of course today things have come up that makes this goal difficult. Fist of all, I actually start a period. I know who knew my body could even do that? I haven't had a period since February, and before that it was June or July. Then, when cleaning the bathroom, I ran out of bathroom cleaner. I do have other cleaner, but I really don't like having to scrub. Oh, well. I guess I can pray that I have a light period so that I won't go through what I have from the last time, and use the yucky bathroom cleaner until next week.

Noel's Tidbits

I over heard Noel saying these things to her "baby" as we were walking Eric to school this morning.

"Zoe, you are getting really heavy!"

"You can't tickle me. I'm your mother."

Goal Check

I would have to say that this week I did good and not-so-good.

Exercise- I got some kind of exercise 5 days this week! This is including gardening on Friday. That is hard work. I was just planting flowers, but I was stinky and sweaty when I was done. Plus, it was more than an hour.

Book of Mormon- I did remember to have my kids listen to a chapter of the Book of Mormon a day Monday threw Friday. The chapter on Friday was long, but we got threw it.

Journals- This is where I faulted. I only wrote in my journals 3 days this week. I had said that i was going to do this first thing in the morning, but Sean has been getting up while I have been in the shower lately, and I am useless until I get my morning shower.

I am going for the same goals as last week. I will get some form of exercise, listen to the Book of Mormon with my kids, and write in my journals at least 5 days this week.

Another 2.5 Bites the Dust!

Wow! That is all I could think when I weighed myself this morning. I am 2.5 pounds lighter than last Saturday. It sure is nice to know that all of this hard work is paying off. I have noticed that I am feeling less hungry as I control my portions. I am enjoying eating healthier too. I don't know if it is that or the exercise or a combination of the two, but I feel amazing! I have more energy. I am not as irritable. I have a more positive out look.

I am on my way to my goal! According to the website I have been using to track my progress, I should meet my goal around the end of January. I'm not sure I can even imagine myself with that much less weight, but I can't wait to see I what I will look like.

Chalk Drawings

Eric's Battle droid. It is saying, "destroy the Jedi!"
Noel's drawing. I'm not totally sure what it is, and yes she is wearing jammies.

Sean drew Noel.

Silly Boy

OK. First of all...doesn't Sean have the BEST morning hair? He is just so adorable. Now on to my story...

Sean refused to wear his scarf and mittens that I made for him most of the winter. Even when he went out to play in the snow, he would go out with nothing on his hands most of the time just because he didn't feel like it. He rarely complained that it was cold, but he didn't stay outside for very long either.

This morning was a different story. He was absolutely convinced that it was cold outside when I told him it was time to get ready to take Eric to school. He didn't like that we were going to walk. He went quickly to get his scarf from his closet and tied it around his face (you know like it was 10 degrees outside or something). Then, he was frantically looking for his jacket. When he came out of his room he was not only wearing his jacket and scarf, but his mittens as well. When I asked him why, he just said, "What? It's cold." He was so convinced that is was cold, Eric was almost late to school because we had to stop and let Sean adjust his scarf every time it slipped off of his nose and mouth. I would like to point out that I was wearing shorts and Noel was wearing a skirt. After all, it felt like it was about 60 degrees outside this morning!

Goal Check

I think I am getting back on track. I am still not perfect on my goals, and I think that I wouldn't even work on them if I wasn't making myself accountable by reporting on them each week.

Exercise: I actually worked out 5 days last week! Who knew I could get back on track with that so quickly.

Journals: I got my 5 days on this one to! I guess it helps that I enjoy writing in my journals.

Book of Mormon: By golly, I remembered to listen to one chapter at breakfast with my kids 5 days. I must be getting good at this goal stuff...

My goal for this week is to have it match last week. That is accomplish all three goals 5 days. That gives me 2 days to forget (we all know I forget a lot of things).

Down by 2

I weighed myself this morning (I have decided that Saturday is my official weigh in day), and I was down 2 pounds! I was so excited!

My goal is a pound a week. I know that doesn't sound like much, but according to my doctor's office and other stuff I have been reading, one to two pounds a week is the most healthy way to lose weight, and it makes it easier to maintain after the weight is off. Plus when I think of the fact that if I do lose a pound or two a week, by mid-February next year I will be 40 pounds lighter. That doesn't seem very far away considering how fast the last few months have past.

Obviously what I have been doing works. I am having a hard time keeping my calories in around 165o, but I have boosted my calories out to make up for my lack. It is not like I am eating McDonald's every day. I am just not used to eating that little food.