What are you eating?

The latest yummy thing I've found... or Anna found... is weight watchers ice cream cups!  They are delicious.  There are 140 calories in the "Cookies and Cream" and "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough" flavors... and maybe another kind too.  There is a decent amount of ice cream in them which is rather important.  Try them out!

One year and counting...

 Yay!  Today is my maintenance anniversary!  That means- I have maintained my weight loss for one year!  Whew- that was tough!  Maintenance has been the hardest part of this process- BY FAR!!  I am learning something new everyday.  I have never posted my actual "before" picture on my blog.  Well, here it is.  In all it's glory.  I've also posted a few from throughout my journey.  I'll give you a little rundown...

April 1, 2007- I am 6 weeks postpartum in this picture and a size 18.  I feel just as bad as I look- trust me.  I've had to doctor the pic a little bit b/c I was wearing black against the black carpet at the Jenny Craig Center.  I loved that velour maternity sweatsuit from Mimi.  Thanks Mom.

May 25, 2007- My sister Ria's wedding.  I had lost 13 pounds here and I remember thinking "Good thing I lost weight for the wedding."  Dress was an 18, but had to be taken in a little... probably in a 16 here.

November 7, 2007- I am about half way to my goal here.  This is where people started telling me I looked fine and didn't need to lose anymore weight.  I know they meant well but it got annoying b/c my BMI was still unhealthy and I knew it.  Size 12.

January 26, 2008-  I am feeling really good here.  (This pic is after a run.)  I was a size 10 and I was soooo happy.  I went shopping for new clothes for the first time just before this w/ my sister Grace.  She kept bringing me size 10 jeans and the kept fitting!!!  I was in shock.  I can remember I was really starting to gain confidence in myself around this time.  For the first time, I KNEW I would reach my goal- it was just a matter of when.

February 29, 2008- I LOVED these Levi's jeans!!  I got them at Plato's Closet (where I bought most of my clothes while I was losing weight) and I wore them for days on end.  I would even sleep in them.  Anyway, they were a size 7.  Ha!  Odd sizes are juniors clothes... haven't worn them since before I had children!  I was so happy to be in these.

April 26, 2008- GOAL!!!  70 pounds gone!!!  My goal weigh-in was so awesome.  It was early in the morning... like 7:15 am or something.  My consultant and all the girls at the center were so excited for me.  I texted everyone- in all time zones even though it was early.  I was so over the moon this day. I hadn't wore a size 4 since freshman year of college!

I am so thankful to my friends, family, and everyone who has supported me during this process. If I had to name names of the people I am forever thankful to it would be: Jack, Mom, Dad, Anna, Tara, Ria, Grace, Holly, Tonya, and my amazing consultant Melissa!  W/o all of these people I seriously could not have done this.  You are so far above me- I'm like ropes on the Good Year Blimp.

Peace!

Craving...

Mozzarella Cheese

2009 Boston Marathon

Today I watched the 113th Boston Marathon.  I love watching marathons.  I know that sounds silly.  Most people think "All they do is run.  Nothing happens until the end."  I know this but I still can't pull myself away.  I watched every second of the elite women and elite men's races.  My favorite runner, Kara Goucher, was running.  She holds the record for American Women's Fastest Marathon Debut.  She ran it in November 2008 at the NYC Marathon in 2:25:53.  I was soooooo hoping that she would take first today but it was just not to be.....  However, she did get 3rd place and ran a great race.  Way to go Kara!  I was sad for her to not reach her goal of winning.  When she cried today I had to hold back tears.  

I have followed Kara's career over the last few years and it has really inspired me.  Every time I watch her run I am just amazed at her toughness.  I wish I could run like that.  I wish I could do what she does.  It is really awesome.  I would love to run a marathon someday.  And of course, after a runner says that the next thing they say is... "I'd love to run The Boston Marathon someday."  Realistically, I don't know if that kind of distance is in the cards for me.  I get injured so easily it seems.  If I ever do get to run a marathon I would have to train very carefully.  I could probably take a few tips from Kara's training... she battled injuries for several years after college.  But- I seriously don't know that I will ever run that far... and that makes me feel kinda bummed after watching such a beautiful race today.

As for Kara- I am sad for her that she did not win... but happy for her that she has so much talent!  I'd love to run like that just one day in my life!

So- it's come to this....

Here is the latest.  My foot is most likely broken.  I am going to have a bone scan done next week.  I need to have a scan b/c it is probably a small fracture in a small bone.  My new podiatrist said he would just have a hard time believing it is not broken b/c it is still so swollen after over a week of not running.  The x-rays are inconclusive.  They show something but I need more x-rays and the scan.  Grrrrr.  This is not good.  I am in a boot for now.  (See pics.  I took the second one in a high heel b/c it is the only shoe that is high enough to allow me to walk level.  Don't think I can wear this look out.)  This damn boot is enormous.  But I am really hoping to stay in the boot as opposed to going to a cast.  He said he might let me stay in the boot if it is broken... we will have to see how it is healing.  The doc said what most likely happened was I sprained it a few months ago and it just never got to heal.  I kept taking little periods of time off but never long enough.  So I just ran until I broke it.  Ahhhh!  Are you kidding me?  I now need to be off running for 8 to 12 weeks.  I really can't think about that now.  I'll think about that tomorrow.

My newest endeavor

Here is my latest purchase.  I am not running right now.  (I can't even talk about it yet.)  So I am looking for other fun workouts to do.  I can't bike right now either.  The only thing cardio-wise I can do is swim and we don't belong to a gym sooooo.... I am just keeping my eating in check and working on toning and strength.  I picked up this box of "Tricords" at my latest weigh in at Jenny Craig.  One of my new Jenny friends said she lost 2 inches off her waist in a ridiculously short time period.  I am all about that!  I am excited to try them out. I have lots of resistance bands but not of varying strengths and I don't have this DVD- which I hear is great.  I'll keep you posted.

He is Alive!!

What a great Easter today was!!!  The children were so excited to celebrate.  We have really tried to focus on Holy Week this year.  Below is a photo of pictures the kiddos colored the events of the week from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.  We had a lot of fun organizing them and talking about the different stories.  The rest are pictures of our day today.  (Yes- Lisa has curlers in her hair.  And Yes- Baby Jack has a Tony Romo jersey in his Easter basket.)  The last picture is our awesome Easter surprise!  Jack made it home today!  Yay!!  He flew home on the red-eye from California last night.  Then he caught a cab this morning and surprised us at Mass! We are so blessed to have him home for the holiday.  HAPPY EASTER!

A little chocolate anyone???

This is rather funny and I just had to share it....

When it comes to chocolate I am unmoved.  It is just not my thing.  Yes- it is good.  I do eat it occasionally in small amounts.  But if I eat too much of it I get really sick.  I'd really rather have pretzels, tortilla chips, salt on cardboard, you get the idea.  I have a huge amount of respect for chocolate lovers though.  Mainly b/c I am surrounded by them.  I have a sister, who shall remain nameless, who consumes something chocolate everyday.  I have a brother-in-law who is also a daily chocolate eater.  My Mother can really do some damage on a bag of Ghirardeli squares or some Rolos.   Then there is my husband.  I always say that Jack eats chocolate like a woman.  He really loves it.  I am sure he could consume more chocolate then the 3 people I just mentioned combined!  Lots of chocolate lovers give it up for Lent.  I have a huge amount of respect for them as I have NEVER given up salt for Lent.

So anyway.... now that you know I am surrounded by people who are obsessed w/ chocolate... the point of my post is.... Today I was out in the "Tool Area" of our garage.  It is a place I generally stay away from b/c I don't know what anything is.  But today I needed a tool.  I am not sure what I needed and I never found it but I was out there poking around Jack's various tool boxes looking for something handy.  On the top tray of one of his tool boxes I found this:

For those of you who cannot tell what that is... It is a half-eaten bag of Nestle Toll House Premiere White Chocolate Chips!!!  IN HIS TOOL BOX!!!!  How funny is that???  And how disgusting??!!  Who has chocolate chips in their garage?  In their tools?  Like between a wrench and a couple screwdrivers there is a bag of Toll House morsels!!!!  I think this is so hilarious!! Somehow I think he is not the only chocolate addict w/ snacks stashed all over.... but I think this is so cute!  I had to share!  Peace out.

So sweet!

Here are some engagement photos of my brother and his fiance.  Denny and Lindsay are getting married in June of 2010.  Aren't they so cute together? 

Happy Anniversary!

Two years ago today I started my new lifestyle w/ Jenny Craig!  Wow- time sure flies when you are having fun!  It is b/c of this amazing program that I have been able to completely transform my life.  I cannot believe it has only been two years.... what a great adventure it has been.

I recently had the privilege of meeting some other Jenny Craig clients.  These women were fantastic!  Combined we have lost more than 600 pounds!  Can you believe it?!!  I am humbled and honored to have shared such an amazing time w/ these ladies.  They each taught be something important.  I hope to see them again someday.

Jenny Craig- Thanks for making all of our lives so much better!  Here's to you Jenny- you and many more happy years to come!

P.S. I plan to post my before and after pics later this month on the anniversary of my goal.  Just so you know.... it will take me about a month to work up the nerve to do it!  Ha.

Riding in Style

This morning I was driven to the airport by a nice man in this awesome ride!  A black Denali w/ tinted windows.  HA!  I felt like Mariah Carey!