My summer in review

Today marks the end of my summer. Tomorrow I'm back to work full time. The kids come on August 10, so I have a few days to get things ready. It's amazing to think how quickly the summer has flown by!
My summer was amazing. I accomplished a lot, and I grew a lot. I'm heading into this next school year with a different perspective and focus. It's a good thing.

What I did not do this summer:

• stay on track with my work. I'm contracted through ASU to write some teacher training protocols, and I have procrastinated doing these. I finished one, and I have two more to go. My intent was to finish these early in the summer, but it just didn't happen. Fortunately my boss for this project is very flexible.
• organize and de-clutter my home. It's still a bit disorganized and chaotic.

What I did do this summer:

• started eating healthier and exercising. I've lost 30+ pounds and I feel fantastic. I get to shop for new clothes today! I cleaned out my closet yesterday and took out stacks of old things that are worn out and too big.  I'm not nearly done with my weight loss, but it's a big start and I'm proud of it.
• reconnected with my husband. Circumstances beyond our control forced us to spend more time apart than we're used to. It's been a very good thing, because we reconnected and are dedicated to making changes this school year to ensure we stay that way. He usually stays up later than I do, which is cool, except we got into the habit of me just going to bed. We've committed to spending at least four nights a week laying down together and just talking, cuddling, etc. before I go to sleep.  It's working very well so far and I appreciate the time to just be with him. We are also committing to spending one week night a week with no television or internet. We're not exactly sure what this is going to look like, but I anticipate it will involve board games, walks, going to plays, spending time with family and possibly even taking in some local school sporting events. I'm looking forward to this time so much.
• spent quality time with every member of my family. I made two trips to Tennessee, the last of which was to retrieve my grandmother. We have no family left out there, and she's been living alone for years in a huge house. We found an assisted care facility three miles from my house, and she agreed to move there! I brought her back last weekend and she's been settling in very well. I love going to spend time with her; in fact, we're having lunch with her today.
• found out my step-grandmother has pancreatic cancer. She's an amazing woman and I'm so sad to know she has a tough, painful road ahead.
• grew stronger.  I grew in so many ways it's not even funny.  I've had to exercise extreme patience and compassion.  I'm learning to slow down and enjoy moments, and to not take things for granted.  I feel so lucky and so loved.

I'm ready to go back to work.  I've got my class list and I've written letters to my students.  I'm ready to get to know them and love them.  I'm ready to continue taking care of myself and being there for my family.  It's been an incredible summer and I'm sad to see it end, but I'm excited about learning what the future holds for me!

Oh goodie

I started my much awaited and anticipated period this morning!  Along with it, I'm experiencing a 1.8 lb gain since yesterday! 
Guess that thing about my BMI being under 40 will just have to wait...

On the brink of something big

I just realized, in looking at my ticker, I am sooooo close to reaching my next goal.  0.4 pounds away, in fact.  My goal?  To have a BMI under 40, which moves me from the morbidly obese category to the plain 'ol obese category.  Maybe I'll reach that tomorrow.  Either way, I'm ecstatic to think about that.

Ohhhh yeah! Wednesday weigh in!

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It is what it is...

Tomorrow is my weigh in day, and I'm afraid it's not going to be so great.  This week has been incredibly stressful, with getting Grandma moved and settled, and starting back to work.  I've eaten a lot of things I probably shouldn't have.  I haven't exercised.  I'm beating myself up and I shouldn't be.  I've done some amazing work over the last two months, more than I ever could have imagined this time last year.  I can't give up yet!  I keep telling myself it's alright; soon I will be back to my work routine, and eating healthy will be easy. 
We'll see what the scale says in the morning.  I may need to do some positive affirmation work after I'm done weighing!

An update of sorts...

I started back to work yesterday and it wasn't horrible.  I actually enjoyed the training I had on common core standards, even though it was a lot of sitting and listening all day.  I've got another full day of that today, then I'm free to do some planning and set up work in my classroom for the next few days this week. 
It's awesome having my grandmother living so close to me.  I've stopped by every day since we checked her into her facility on Saturday.  She's looking great and feeling great, and I am so happy she's here. 
On the diet/weight loss front, I've been focusing on other things.  I'm consciously trying to watch my portion size because I've been eating some not so diet friendly foods.  I haven't exercised since Thursday, though I got a good power walk in huffing it around the airport on Saturday, and I did a bunch of shopping and walking on Sunday.  I'm going to strive to exercise at least three times this week, but we'll see.  I know this is a transitional time right now, as we get Grandma settled and I start a new school year.  Once I get into the routine of working again, we'll be eating at home more and I'll have time to exercise.  I don't want to ditch the efforts I've made thus far, and I know I need to continue for my health.  I'm just finding that I have way less free time than I did a few weeks ago, so I'm having to prioritize.
In other news, the scale is still cooperating for the most part.  Tomorrow is my weigh in day and considering how I've been eating, I'll be happy with any loss!

What a trip!

Well, I'm back.  Thank goodness!  This trip was absolutely exhausting emotionally and physically.  We sorted through so much stuff at my grandmother's house and go her ready to make the trip out here to live.  I traveled with her yesterday, which was extremely exhausting... like, beyond extremely exhausting.
She's settling in to her new place, and it's so great I can go over and see her any time I want, instead of having to fly for 6+ hours to get to her.  It's wonderful!!!

I hopped on the scale this morning, just out of curiosity, and I have LOST WEIGHT!  1.6 pounds since Wednesday!  I'm amazed.  I was eating chocolate fudge cake, chocolate candy and bbq.  Um ok.  I guess I did get a lot of exercise though-- in addition to walking through the airport, then up and down the stairs at Grandma's house carrying stuff, I did go for a 3 mile walk in the park on Thursday.  Who knows what did it, I'm sure happy about it!

I should exercise today, but I'm not going to because I have what I lovingly refer to as the "fat girl chafe."  Yeah, it's all red and irritated in the folds of my skin from a combination of things I know...  I washed my clothes with Grandma's detergent, which is very different from the Tide we use.  Then I did a lot of walking in a lot of humid air, which I'm not used to.  Then yesterday I put scented powder on, which I think further irritated things.  I was using ice packs last night to relieve the sting.  It's better today, but I'm still going to have to be careful and limit my activity for a day or so to let it heal. 

I start work tomorrow.  I'm so not ready!!!