Carli's Latest Blog Entry
Hey Y’all! I’ve been buried in tax papers. I felt guilty anytime I did something other than work on preparing them. I finally meet with my accountant tonight to file them. Whew!… I am not a number’s type of girl and this stuff stresses me out to no end. But, luckily its almost over…(until next year.) I’m more organized than I’ve ever been. I literally had shoe boxes full of receipts. Now, I have labeled folders and envelopes and spreadsheets!
Anyway, I’m alive and well and even have a hot date on my calendar next weekend…Well, I’m not sure how “hot” it really is, but its a date! Lol. As far as food is concerned, I’m still cookie free and soda free. My knees feel better already, soda is so BAD for your knees. But, nonetheless, I gained weight at the WW weigh in. It wasn’t unexpected though, because I wasn’t keeping track of my food points. Unlike taxes, losing weight is simple math
Eat +Tracking = Loss & Eat – Tracking = Gain.
Hopefully without nightmares of receipts and missing the tax filing deadline swirling in my mind, I can focus on healthy eating. I tracked breakfast and lunch today…so it’s a start.
Well they say everything is bigger in Texas. Apparently it’s true. I certainly got bigger in Texas. I ate whatever, with little to no moderation. I was on vacation and I just wanted a break from everything. A break from dieting, working, cold weather, and real estate. I didn’t have to deal with any real estate drama except for the tenant that called and said someone was breaking in (with a key might I add) and stealing dishwashing liquid, lottery tickets and loose change. Where do I find these people?! Thankfully the Maintenance Man is changing the locks for me, and if the loose change fairies continue to steal his stuff while he’s at work, then that’s his problem.
Anyway, I consciously ate poorly in Texas if that makes sense. I didn’t get back home and say what the heck happened? I was mindful of the cinnabuns, full size restaurant portions, and my signature Peach Cobbler I made for my friend as a thank you. I made a commitment on the plane to start back tracking weight watcher points on Monday morning, and I did. But, there was nothing short of a snow storm Monday night, weigh-in night.
Pic taken from inside my car headed to the WW meeting
- Snowing on my way to the meeting
I was comfortable being off plan for 3 days and I was even comfortable with gaining a little weight, but I didn’t like the idea of skipping the meeting. I put on my snow boots, drove like a true St. Louis all-weather girl and went to weigh in. On the snowy ride there, I reminded myself that I’m working on disconnecting my emotions with my weight and the scale. I kept my commitment and tracked all day. In the past, I would have said, I probably gained 5 pounds, it’s snowing, I’ll be embarrassed, I un-did all my hard work, I failed my Fiercling fans on my blog, I’ll just weigh in next week. But no, not this time. I stepped up and was told by the receptionist that I gained 2 pounds. I was okay with that, because it reflected my eating behavior. I was actually surprised at how cool I was about it. I didn’t go into a downward spiral and say woe is me, I ruined everything. I just said I had a great time, ate what I wanted, and got back on plan. I know next week that the scale next week will show my renewed commitment.
P.S. The Texas trip post is coming soon, I’m still adding the pics for you guys…
They always say that people like to read lists. So here is a list of 5 Reasons I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming.
Pinch Me Reason #1 I quit my job today! I’m making millions on the internet and no longer have to work a 9-5. Okay…so I’m not making millions online, not even hundreds, but I did quit my job. Way back in the summer I interviewed for a job at another law firm. But, they specialized in asbestos cases and I don’t have much experience with that. However, the partner and the attorneys really liked me and said they would keep my resume on file. On Friday they asked me to come in to discuss a new position they had created. The position is a hybrid position combining paralegal and IT skills. Computers are my thing and I have eight years of paralegal experience, so naturally it was a perfect fit. At the end of the meeting the partner offered me the job! I was shocked and honored that they remembered me and chose me. The office manager at my current job looked completely surprised when I gave my two week notice. I’ll keep my reasons for leaving professional and just say that the firm was not the best fit for me. It was two long years, and I’m grateful for the change.
Pinch Me Reason #2 On Saturday when I put on my winter coat, I said “oh man, my coat got bigger.” Then I realized wow, I got smaller.
Pinch Me Reason #3 I’m so glad that it’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives, but what we do consistently. Throughout the week I consistently counted my weight watcher points. There was one time I cheated and didn’t track the right portion sizes. Then I realized I was only cheating myself, and went back and corrected it. Then yesterday I went to my sister’s Super Bowl party. I ate nachos, a hot dog, barbecue chicken wings, and even a cupcake (or a cut-kate as my three year old niece pronounces it.) I was so scared to weigh in today. I changed into a pair of scrubs, the lightest article of clothing I own. My Special Friend told me not to worry because he was convinced that I would lose weight again this week. I figured he was nuts, especially since I ate the cut-kate. He gave me a big fat “I told you so” when I told him I lost THREE pounds this week. That’s a total of 11.4 pounds! I’ve been losing weight for five weeks in a row, and I have to tell you it feels great.
Pinch Me Reason #4 What else could I possibly be excited about? I’ve decided to write an e-book. For those who don’t know, an e-book is an electronic book that you can download instantly to your computer or electronic device. I’ve written about 70 pages already on a topic I think you will enjoy. I hope to launch the book in early March.
Pinch Me Reason #5 Lastly, that investment property rehab project that’s been stressing me out for months, and draining all my money is finally done. It passed the final inspection and I can move in a new tenant. Here’s a before and after picture of the bedroom. The Maintenance Man truly is a miracle worker.
Before Rehab, after the Hoader Moved Out
After he worked his Magic
Happy MLK day, I heard on the radio that only 3 individuals have a U.S national holiday in their honor, and I’m proud that Dr. King is one of them. Since my firm recognizes the holiday, I was able to sleep in. Once I woke up, I played the xbox Kinect Dance Central 2 video game in my living room. I was trying to master the moves to Trey Songz hit song, “Say Ahhh.” I’m so uncoordinated, I had to take the step by step tutorial. But, it was so much fun, and it showed that I burned between 30 and 50 calories each time I did the choreographed routine. I was pouring sweat, but finally managed to get 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a great way to workout with feeling like I was exercising. You know I’m an over achiever, I’m going to get those 5 stars at some point. lol.
The scale at home has looked promising all week, so I wasn’t concerned about the weigh in at the Weight Watcher meeting tonight. Additionally, like last week, I look and feel better, so I was determined that the scale was not going to change my mood. But it turned out that was not totally true. Getting on the scale at the meeting did change my mood. I went from being at peace, knowing that I worked the program, to being ECSTATIC that I lost a total of 6.6 pounds in just 2 weeks!!! And I ate, y’all. I didn’t starve. I ate all the things I wanted, just not at much. If I keep saying the positive things and keeping track of my points, there’s no telling where this thing might take me. (People Half their Size issue? A weight watcher commercial? A full marathon? lol) Baby Steps…I know…Only time will tell!
Updates…How’s that for a Catchy Title? LOL. This week I haven’t gotten the opportunity to work out like I normally do. At first I had some physical pain, and then my sinuses were killing me. I really should have called off work, but I want to save my days for vacation. Anyway, No worries, I’m feeling better. I’m sticking to the South Beach Plan (mostly). I must say that the most amazing part about the diet plan is not having food cravings. I mean I get hungry of course, but I don’t have that intense drive to eat something sweet or full of bad carbs. It’s SO nice to have that peace of mind. I truly thought it was about 80% mental, now I’m learning that eating healthy and making better choices is much more physical than I ever understood. But, I am struggling a little bit with the fact that I don’t have to write down what I eat. For so many years I was taught from nearly every diet that I need to write down my food and keep a food diary. But, on my first week of South Beach, I lost over 7 pounds, I ate a lot, and didn’t write down a thing. It’s totally, freeing, just so different. It’s a major mind shift, but I like it. I went for my 2rd weigh-in with Lose to Win. I stayed the same, I didn’t lose or gain. Not bad. I wasn’t too disappointed. At least I’m not gaining, and I know it’s because I was completely inactive this week. Next week will be better.
What Did Carli Eat Today?
B- Egg Scramble with light cheese and onion
L- Salad and Chicken Gumbo and a Rice Krispie Treat (The rice krispie was not on plan, but it’s my favorite treat from a local restaurant. It wasn’t a craving, but it was a mindful decision, and that felt good.)
D- Brown Rice, Steak, edamame, cabbage, zuchinni stir-fry (Back on plan!)
I drank only water all day!
