2 month pictures

I had Jeremy take my pictures the other day.  I officially started July 14th but didn't take pictures until July 30th.  I think I lost about 13 pounds before I had the first set of pictures taken and I've lost about 13 pounds since.  I'm thinking of taking pictures at every 10 pounds lost instead of every month... I think I'd like that comparison.  

When I took the first pictures in July I took measurements and the other day I re took my chest and waist measurements.  I've lost 3 1/2 inches from my chest and 2 1/2 inches from my waist!  YAY!  I'm also excited because I can finally fit comfortably into the capri's I bought back in June!  Too bad it's getting cold... but I plan on wearing them enough to try to justify what I paid for them!  I hope that I don't fit into them next spring/summer!!

I got my hair cut and colored yesterday!  It's kinda in an awkward stage of growing out, but I still like it.  I went platinum blonde... because I can ;)

 Today is the official start date for the Thin it to Win it Challenge... they have had way more people than expected so the website is sssssllllloooooowww.  It's a little discouraging because it's not a very fun way to start a challenge like this.  I know they are working hard to get it going, though. 

Since I got my haircut yesterday before work I didn't have a lot of time to workout before work.  I probably could have squeezed it in but I didn't get it done.  So, at work I did the stairs... I'm on 4th floor and I went up to 9th, then down to 1st and back up to 4th.  I started out going quickly and after about 2 flights my legs were on fire and I was breathing heavy... wow, I didn't realize how hard it would be for me to walk stairs!  I made it to the top and of course going down was much easier... I used it to try to recover.  Surprisingly, going from 1st to 4th wasn't too bad.  I timed myself and I'm going to try to continue to beat my time. 

Afterwards, I wasn't really feeling well.  I was with a patient and was not feeling well, so when I was finished with the exam I sat for a little bit and had a coworker take my blood pressure.  It was 131/64... I haven't taken my blood pressure for a long time so I really don't have anything to compare it to, to see if it's normal for me or not... but at least I know it wasn't way too high.

Anniversary, baby shower, and other shenanigans

Hey!  I can't believe how long it's been since I blogged last!  We've been pretty busy, I guess and due to storms our internet at home has been in and out... I've been thinking of so many things to talk about, though!

 

Jeremy and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary on the 1st!  I had to work so he brought the kids up and surprised me with 2 dozen pink roses!!  This is the very first time he has ever bought me flowers!!  The kids picked out the color and they were beautiful!!

I think I had said before how I have to wear lead aprons at work and that most of them do not fit me... well...

I can now officially fasten the velcro around properly!  Not all of them fit me yet, but more of them do! :)

My next NSV (non-scale victory) that I'm excited for (but may take quite awhile) is not having my bra straps make marks on my shoulders.  I'm sure it's these bra's but I am so sick of uncomfortable bras!!  I have a very limited selection on bra's since my boobs are so big.  I have bought my bra's from Lane Bryant for a very long time.  I have bought the same style, too.  I knew I liked them and knew they fit me decently.  THEN the jerks had to go and change them!  My biggest complaint of their change is the shoulder straps.  They used to be pretty well padded and comfortable.  Now they sew them differently and the fabric rolls up.  I've been meaning to take the new ones I have to my mom's house to sew them so maybe they won't roll... but seriously- I shouldn't have to!! 

This was after I had had it off for a little while, too! OUCH!

Saturday my friends and I put on a baby shower for my friend, Kylee.  It turned out really nice and she received a ton of really nice gifts!  She is expecting twin boys in the next 4-6 weeks!!  I'm soo excited for her!  She's going to be a great mommy! :)  I'm also excited that she is having twins!  Another mama to join the awesome club!!

 Kylee and I... I wish I hadn't worn a tank top- it got chilly!

This is pretty much all of my closest friends.  We have all been friends since High School (or before!)

Me, Mindi, Kylee, Sammie, Andrea, and Linda

side thought... I wonder if when I get thinner, I won't stick out like a sore thumb in pics like this... it doesn't help that I'm so tall, too!

Well, I'm three days away from my birthday!  I honestly thought I would have reached my goal by now, but I haven't.  BUUUUT... I haven't been eating and working out like I should have, either.  I have been doing a lot better recently but there was a couple weeks in there that I could have made much better choices!  We will see on Thursday how close to my goal I am.  Either way, I am on the right track!!

A couple of my work friends and I have started our own personal accountability group.  It's basically all through text.  It has actually helped a lot.  We all decided we needed to make changes and then decided to send pics of ourselves to each other (in a group text) and when someone is making poor choices we can send them their pics!  We have also been making sure we are all working out and eating properly.  It has been pretty helpful to have a couple friends to chat with and share stuff with (bad and good!)

We also joined a challenge group called "Thin it to Win it!"  It's similar to diet bet but much more involved.  We do daily tasks to earn points and we have 6 weeks to lose 6% (or you can maintain without going over by 1%).  It's pretty fun so far!  My coach from Take Shape For Life is our "coach" for this challenge group.  You can follow any diet or program you'd like.  My plan is to continue logging into My Fitness Pal and workout by doing PiYo 6 days per week.  I weighed in the other day and I have to lose 19.7 lbs.  I think if I keep doing things like this and keep setting smaller specific goals, I will have more success.  Thinking about trying to lose 175 lbs seems impossible but trying to lose 20 lbs seems way more doable!

It has officially been 2 months since I started and I took pictures yesterday, so I'll try to get them up tomorrow!