Plateau

I feel like I have hit a wall.  I'm not using Lose It the way I did when I started.  This 90+ degree heat is killing my motivation to run outside, even at 6:30am it's almost 80 degrees!  At times I really wish we still had the Y membership.  Every time we pass by a Y sign Jolynn yells "ABBY!".  She misses the Y too.

It just occurred to me while talking to my dad, in TWO WEEKS I'll be running my 2nd 5K.  Have I ran since the last one? No.  With how hot it has been, I really hope we don't have this kind of weather on July 15. 

My dad is going to give us a treadmill.  Maybe that will help (since I'll be in my nice air conditioned basement!)  Eating has been hit and miss.  I do really well for breakfast and lunch, but then go way over on dinner.  I need to revisit my log to the early days and see what I was cooking for dinner.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't Dominoes and Mac-n-Cheese.

Leveen Reunion

It's been 8 years since we stopped talking.  I won't go into why because it is in the past and I'd like it to stay there.  Thanks to Facebook and my brother Charles, we are all back together.  It felt great.  I was really nervous.  I expected to see Dad, Charles, Patricia; it ended up being the whole family!  It was their 4th of July celebration.  Because the 4th is on a Wednesday this year they celebrated the weekend before.  It worked out really well, because the Moritz are having their party this weekend.  Since I didn't know what to expect I didn't plan on staying long.  We stayed into the evening and ended up staying the night.  Here are a few photos from the day.

Jolynn trying to shoot a basket.

Uncle Charles helped her dunk the ball.

The men grilling steak, corn, and boiling lobster!

Setting up lawn games.

view from the house - gorgeous!

Just floating along (it's so shallow she probably could have touched.)

Getting a ride on the big floaty - my dad watched her closely.

Uncle Don, Aunt Kay, cousin Jamie, Aunt Fern - chillaxin.

Uncle Hente has Jolynn way out there.  The boys to the rescue!

2nd gen cousins

Ava (my niece) and Jolynn watching Cars 2.  I didn't notice the TV when I took the picture, but it fits perfectly!

Ava attacking Jamie (Charles' fiance) with silly string.

Ava and Jolynn covered in silly string.

Ava and Jolynn (goof!) watching the fireworks.

Charles lit the fireworks.

BOW June 2012

Sunrise on Lake Superior

getting ready for first class - backpack/hiking

Backpack/Hiking brought us to the shore of Lake Superior

Margaret stopped to smell the flowers - something she doesn't get to do very often.

on my solo hike I came upon a pilliated woodpecker - very big bird!

more of my solo early morning walk

they have beautiful sunrises here

disc golf - last class-last day

maintenance was nice enough to drop 3 dead squirrels in our disc golf field - while we were playing!

The roomies

the chipmunks are so tame, they would almost run right up your leg!

me on the last day

Another great weekend with the ladies of BOW. 

Mother's Day

What a fabulous weekend.  The last few Mother's Days weren't bad - I usually got some form of Coach.  This year was just spent with family and friends for the whole weekend.  Jolynn and I joined Mike and Margaret for a short trip to the MN Historical Museum.  Jolynn and I had fun going through the Grain Tower (I went through and helped her down each platform).  I bring up this great adventure because as I was going through each level (twice) it occurred to me that if I was 40 lbs heavier I might not be able to do this.

Our membership at the Y is about to go on hold for the next 6 months.  I'm hoping I can keep up the exercise that I've been doing.  I am very thankful for the motivation friends and family have been giving me.  I can't wait to see what I'll be doing after I lose the next 40!

Forty! Forty!

Yesterday I hit the big 40 mark in weight loss!  I'm more than half way to my goal.  Only 35 more to go!

Positive things I have noticed:
I have tons of energy to play with Jolynn.
I don't cry when I try on jeans.
It's getting easier.
Having other people notice your weight loss.
Feeling attractive again.
Feeling more confident.

So far, one of my favorite new photos of me.

LATTE Conference

Erin invited me to the FCC LATTE conference this past weekend. I have never been to one of these events or groups. They had a speaker, Jane Rubietta, so awesome! I'm not a big church goer. I love going to church with friends and listening to people that can put the Bible in my language. Some of the things that were brought to light:
* My longings and how they are buried/paralyzed=no debt, I just keep spending. I feel like I'm trying to keep up (Jones'); equality in the household. If it doesn't get done, I just do it; Advancement at work, I keep settling. I need to put a foot forward; Growing our family, I think its never going to be a good time.
* What are some things you are tired of? doing everything myself, not having enough time, trying to please everyone, hope that never becomes reality, self doubt.
* I need to believe in myself and accept myself.
* When you don't know what to say or do - say Christ have mercy. He will hear you.
* Look Him in the eye and accept and have faith that He will take care of you.
* Those that love, are loving and lovely.
* a quote from Jane, "in us, through us, and in this world"

**It's not important how you do it, but that you DO IT.**

One of the other nice parts about this event was that Erin and I had a hotel room at Hilton Garden Inn for one night. Even though it was only one night we lived it up. We went out after the first night for drinks with Erin's sister, Lauren, and Lauren's mother-in-law, Mary Beth. Jodi and Jess met us also. After, Erin and I headed back to the hotel. It was already midnight by the time we settled all in. Then we started doing our nails. It was a great bonding time. I think we finally went to bed around 2:15am. Breakfast at the hotel was complimentary because of Margaret's status. It was an awesome (too awesome) array of hash browns, country potatoes, eggs, eggs with veggies, bacon, sausage, many different fruits and muffins and breads. I don't think I needed to eat for the rest of the day.

At the end of this wonderful weekend, Jon and I went out for dinner at Bonfire for our Valentine's day dinner. After, we met up with the Desvousges. While the boys played video games, the girls watched Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1. Erin presented me with my first Bible. I was very touched. I was just telling Jon how I wanted one after this weekend and that I should start to read it or reference it.

Little Changes

I have been using a program to lose weight called Lose It. We are also going to the gym (YMCA) just about every day. So far in 4 weeks I have lost 10 lbs! Other than the weight I have noticed that I can now do things in the classes that 4 weeks ago I could not. The other day I was in Turbo Kick and they do burpees. I could do them before, just not at the same speed as I should so I just didn't attempt them. At this class I did them, full out. Then today I was in Body Pump. Basically a weight lifting class with a little cardio. Almost every class I have been in ends the class with crunches and planks. I have always done the planks on my knees. Tonight I did them with legs out AND side planks - NOT ON MY KNEES! I was so excited that I had done this.

Jon and I are going out for dinner on Saturday for Valentine's Day. We are dressing up. I tried on a few skirts that I haven't worn in over a year. They all fit. Probably the best part of losing weight is getting a whole new wardrobe (or at least your old one).