False Start

I swear I should be able to predict some things by now.  For example, I will usually go bonkers right after posting my new years resolutions.  Everything started off right on track, I came home from work Friday night and we hung out and ate at home.  Saturday started off with brunch (with a coupon) then the remodeling show (coupon) followed by happy hour (reward credits and a gift card) then things got out of hand.  We ended up on the roof deck of a hotel with a bunch of people and not a coupon in the mix!  So basically I can't spend any money or calories for the next month.  Luckily I had a great time!
Now it's time to get serious.  I have been riding my bike which has been a pleasant experience, I would like to get back to 8 miles in 30 minutes then we can change it up.  It's time to mix in some weights, but I kind of dread it.  It's hard to commit to weights some times because at the moment I feel totally bloated and I just want to do some cardio and sweat it out.  Also, I think it helps me with my attitude which is another goal.  However, the science is irrefutable and I have to make it work.
I'm almost excited to start cooking.  I have a tendency to get excited about starting things, but the follow through is another story.  I have two recipes in mind that I'd like to try so maybe I'll grab some pictures and let you know how it goes.  Here's to the first fresh start of 2016!

2016: So Many Possibilities

I am so excited for this year!!!  For starters I have finally made progress in my on going weight loss battle which gives me so much hope and momentum going into this year.  I found my resolution plan from 2014 and I was desperate to get to 139 pounds.  It wasn't until February 2015 that I achieved that goal after a massive toothache and a trip to Hawaii on the horizon.  Since then my husband has joined me in the fight and things have really taken off.  Of course, just like everyone else, the holidays have gotten me off the straight and narrow.
That's what's so amazing about the tradition of the New Years Resolution, you know I love a fresh start. This year I have a vision of a healthier me both inside and out.  I'm usually so focused on my weight loss goals that I don't have room for anything else, but this year I feel ready.  I expect to fail sometimes and to have to use various Mondays and holidays to reboot, but I will not give up.

My 2016 New Years Resolutions

Me as a person 

1. Attitude - I am going to make a concerted effort to watch my attitude.  I do not want a snippy response to become my norm. 

Health

1. My goal weight is currently 130 and I am at 137
2. Diet - log all meals even when I go over calories
3. Exercise - use bike and add weights twice per week
4. General - floss, take vitamins

Life

1. Save money - make a budget, eat out less
2. Cook more - try one new recipe per week 
3. Pursue hobbies & interests - knitting, learn Spanish
4. Pursue voice work - there is no harm in trying to do voice work

A Goal To Work Towards

I finally have another goal to work towards.  We will be seeing a large group of our family in two months and I would like to look my best.  I started my day by riding my bike for an hour and then I walked around town and I really think I can hit my 10,000 step goal for the day.  I went to the store to get breakfast and lunch for the week and dinner for two nights.  This will take me to Friday when I plan to have a cheap happy hour dinner and then cook at home Saturday and Sunday.  Of course it's Monday so we all know about the best made plans.  I work one evening this week and in the past that's been a trigger for me to spontaneously drink and over eat.
The other thing that is affecting me currently is that we are broke from all the moving expenses and having just been on vacation and the tooth emergency.  In some ways it's a good way to be forced to do the things you know you're supposed to do.  My goals include eating in which is convenient since I can't really afford to go out.  It also made me follow through and get a library card.  We have a great library and I should be taking advantage of it!  The weather is fantastic in Portland right now so that really helps with my motivation. 

2015 Resolutions

I know I touched on my goals, but I feel like I never really stated my intentions for the year and I want to take this opportunity before we get too far into 2015. 

• LOSE WEIGHT!  For real this time, I want to weigh 130 pounds on New Years Eve.
• Lower my cholesterol.
• Learn to cook more dishes, branch out from pasta.
• Make progress learning Spanish.
• Write at least one chapter of a fiction story.

Here is to a happy, healthy & productive year!

2015 Day 3

It's always bitter sweet to put the Christmas decorations away.  On the one hand everything looks less festive, but on the other it's much cleaner and fresher.  I really do love a fresh start and this is going well so far.  I took the first two days of the year to clean up and regroup after all the holidays. 
Now I feel ready to get this year in gear.  I rode the stationary bike and made breakfast at home, so far so good.  I really do have two goals and luckily they compliment each other.  I want to lose weight and save money.  Since most of my money is spent on drinking and eating that should help.  I always try to think of some fun incentive, but in the end it's only the shear will to achieve my goal that keeps me going.  I still might pay myself to work out and eat at home, it sounds fun, in theory anyway. 

So Close

I was really on a roll last time I checked in.  I was biking and cooking low carbohydrate meals at home.  I even tried new recipes!!  I made masked cauliflower and it was great!  Even my husband liked it.  Then the social activities started on Thursday afternoon and didn't stop until Sunday night.  I really lost focus and did all the things that got me to this weight in the first place.  Did I have fun?  Yes! 
That's the issue, is it worth it to skip the fun for thin?  I imagine a fitness person might say you have to re-frame what fun means to you to achieve your fitness and weight loss goals.  I suppose pretending you enjoy sipping water while everyone else is having wine and cheese plate.  However, I felt really good about myself while I was on task and not so much when I wasn't.   When I was with my friends and drinking I was having fun, but the regret was pretty brutal. 
I did enjoy the feeling of accomplishment I had for a few days last week, and I see it as something worth pursuing.  I went to the store to get meals for the first three days of the week.  I plan to make ahead salads for tomorrow night so that I can just heat up some meatballs and pull out the ready made side.  I really need to get serious and succeed so I can get off this roller coaster.  It's exhausting! 

What's For Dinner?

The age old question that haunts the end of each work day...What's for dinner?  It's the worst!!  I am not a person that loves to cook or spend a lot of time cooking and cleaning up.  In fact, I'm a person that prefers restaurants and take out.  Every once in a while I do like to make something, and I'm pretty good at a few things.  Very few. 
I cook mostly pasta, comfort foods and heat and eat and that's not really a great thing for weight loss.  My main issue is I'm not comfortable with raw meat. It gives me the creeps and I'm not really sure how to cook it properly.  I think I need to take a cooking class, but I'm also being cheap right now.  I guess a cooking class would be a fun date and learning how to cook meat could save me money in the long run. 
I'm constantly wondering what other people are making for dinner.  I think my assignment should be to find some blogs to follow and research cooking classes.  At the very least I could get some steaks and Google it.  There, now I have a plan.