Weight Watchers Before and After: Update

If you've read one post of mine, it's probably this one. Where I confessed that after college graduation I had blindly gained weight while drinking studying, and then joined weight watchers and lost 25lbs in three months.

Here is proof, this actually happened.

About a year ago, I got on the scale I was 10 whole pounds heavier and my heart shattered right there.   Two five pounds bags of flour heavier, shoot me, but before you do, bring on the cookie dough were my actual thoughts.  But after further assessment, I realized my body fat was down and muscle mass was up. Not much to complain about, except my arms still looking fat...will they ever look how I want them look in pictures???

After another year, and a crazy encounter with a six week training program, I hopped on the scale to see a number that about made me shit my pants right there.  I mean at least then I'd be lighter, right?  ANOTHER five pounds heavier, but again 4.5 inches smaller throughout my upper half.  Not sure this picture can prove it, but here it is.

So two years out I am fifteen pounds heavier.
+15lbs. heavier 
-5 inches smaller
+ more muscle (3% increase in muscle mass)
- less fat (-2% in body fat)

I plan on going 'hardcore' (this is relative) with working out and watching my weight two months before our wedding.  If we're being honest, I'll probably join WW again- it's interactive, and holds me VERY accountable in a way that I can't be on my own.  Like those two crunch wrap supremes I scarfed down after the Tim McGraw concert on Friday.  Sweet mother of all things sinfully delicious, they were awesome, and will be paid for in full by my weight, I am almost sure.

On Motherhood

Having a little one in the terrible twos can be exhausting.  Take this weekend for example when she spent all of Saturday begging, and I mean begging to go to great grandmas pool to beat the heat.  When we finally loaded up, and delivered on her endless whines by taking her for a quick swim, she proceeded to 'shake' right next to me every single time, leaving me soaked to the bone.  But after almost an hour of diving, I was wet, and she was ready to come home.

This picture was snapped moments before she ran off to the car, only after being sternly reminded three times that no, she could not jump back in the pool.  Seconds before the picture,  I had opened the towel and welcomed her in my arms, and for that second I felt like I 'real' Mom.

I don't mean the word 'real' to sound offensive, because the modern take on Mom can encompass anything and everything, which embrace myself.  To Zoey, I am Mom, and my fiance often references me as Mom when talking to her which I, not so secretly, love.

What I think strikes me most about this picture is, I know it will exist again in my life.  I get that this exact picture won't 'exist again', but the premise of the picture will exist again, which is the feeling I was overwhelmed with.  I am confident that in my lifetime, I will have pictures like this with nieces and nephews, and at some point, my actual child and children.

Bending down to welcome and comfort with a warm embrace, wrapping them up tight to shower them with love demonstrated in that moment in the form of incessant kisses, and smiling so big for the camera that most certainly the lens won't be able to capture warmth and fullness the heart is feeling will happen again.

I'm already a Mom, but someday when my role as 'Mom' has a longer definition and bigger job description, we'll be making memories like the one captured here.  We'll have this moment again together, and that is what makes my heart so full and happy.

I've got lots to be thankful for.

First Good Hair Day of the Year

I was in a serious Easter candy coma the past few days and just couldn't make it over to these little keys of mine to write.  Something about going forty days without desserts and then indulging in a unidentified amount of sweets, candy, cake, and ice cream was a really bad idea.  But I am alive, and have worked out twice in the past 24 hours; full on damage control has commenced.

Yesterday was marked as my first good hair day of 2014, except when I got my hair blown out professionally.  But every knows a hair salon hair dos/styles are like handfuls of chocolate chips before breakfast, they don't count.  It's like the fake good hair day, I could never make my hair look like they can, just like the how cloths on the mannequin never look quite as good when they are actually on a person.

I can't even tell you exactly what I did different, but I am going to try bottle it up and sell it in a jar.  Or more likely figure out exactly how to have a good hair day more than once a quarter.  The odds are definitely not forever in my favor.  But I picked up some of this stuff at Target, which I have read works small hair miracles, so maybe just maybe I am taking steps in the right direction.

And while we are talking about hair, just know that I am desperately trying to grow mine out.  I have taken serious advice from the bestie who mastered how to grow hair out fast, and I also told my Grandma (who has more good juju than a Grandma) that she could send all her good vibes my way. It feels a little bit ridiculous growing my hair out, just to chop it all off again, but ridiculous is something I strive to be at times, so it is somehow appropriately fitting.

Limited Washing.
Taking vivisal.
Doing coconut oil treatments.
Getting it trimmed regularly.
Praying to the hair gods
And staying realistic.

I'm not going to be Rapunzel by October, but if I can get a good two to three more inches and three to four good hair days between now and then, I'd be happy.

Recent Reads That Are Worth Your While

via

My 2014 Goal: Read 52 books.
I'm 15 books in, and must say it's been hard (especially if I fall behind), but worth it. Here are a few of my recent reads, you might like too.

A Fault In Our Stars:
Everyone is raving, and for good reason. His sentence structure and descriptions are amazing. You'll find yourself lost in the finite details of the heart wrenching and warming story.  If for no other reason read it to remind you to appreciate and soak up the life you have.

The Art of Racing In the Rain:
Mom's been telling me to read it for a while, and when I picked it up at a bookstore a while back, you guys recommended it too.  Everyone who was read it, is right.  Ah-mazing. It is written from a interesting perspective that will keep you on your toes the entire time. Also I read it in one night started after dinner and I could NOT put it down.

The Time Keeper:
It's a short, very quick read (I started and finished it on a three hour flight), but also a very loving story. I have read more by him, and knew it would be good.  He has a gift of pulling it all together in the end, man I wish I could do that.  The book also gives a refreshing perspective of why we are here, and what our purpose might be.

Four: The Transfer:
Yup, I too am crazed by the wonderful world of Divergent and Theo James. The new short story about Four (there are three more to come) is very good, and shares more of his history and life.  I read it yesterday at lunch (it's 30 pages), and then re-read it again last night just to be sure I hadn't missed any detail.

Ladies Night:
It's one of those quick reads. Like the book version of a classic romcom, but the main character is a full time blogger and experiences many life changes all at once.  Her story of recovery and recreating herself is great. If for nothing else, this is a great pool/beach side read.

Firefly Lane:
It came highly recommended, and while it was a great story of two best it didn't knock my socks off.  I did like seeing their friendship grow from childhood through their adult life and how different their lives became, but how their friendship always remained a constant in their lives.  I put it on this list, because I liked it, and would say if nothing else read it to remind you of how strong your presence can be in someones life.

We All Fall Down:
I love to read about drug addictions and messed up families (I don't know why), but this book is the 'third' in a series.  The first, Beautiful Boy (from the fathers point of view) and second Tweak (from the sons point of view) share a story of the sons struggle with drug addiction. These stories pit and peak so often, and your heart as the reader will follow right along.  If you read anything off this list, read these three. 

Next up for me, this book.  Comes highly recommended from my Mom, so I am sure it will be great.