WW Update!

So I figured now would be a good time to update all of you about my progress with Weight Watchers. Ya know, since I'm eating chips and dip, decided to skip tonight's Zumba lesson and have been binging on Holiday goodies all weekend.

Alright so it's not as bad as it sounds. I am eating chips and dip...but I already added it to my points and I still have 11 points left for the day. And I am skipping Zumba, only because I don't have anyone to go with, I'm a little tired and I have to work early in the morning, none of which, are good excuses for skipping, I'm well aware. I don't have one. But when the Saturday morning classes start back up January 8th, I'll be at all most of them. I really do love it. And I have been eating badly this weekend, but the only day I really overdid it was Saturday. I knew it would happen, it was my family's Christmas party and there is always so much amazing food there! I try to control myself with portions, so I can taste a little of everything. (My cheesy potatoes' portions are always a little bigger than average.)

I got back on track Sunday morning and have been doing good since.

I haven't lost any weight in about 3 weeks. It's sad, but I also haven't gained any, so that's good. I'd like to lose before the New Year starts but I'll be happy until then as long as I don't gain any lbs!

So far on this journey I've lost 10.5 lbs. I've been doing it since the end of September, which kind of disappoints me but it's my own fault. At first I was really into the plan and I was losing 1-2 lbs per week and was happy as a clam. But after one bad weekend, I gained 3 pounds and lost my motivation. I have it back, I do the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred some days, and Zumba on Saturdays. (After the Holidays, where all the food is...of course.)

At the moment, I do feel a little guilty because I told myself I'd go to Zumba tonight. I just don't feel like driving 20 minutes there and 20 minutes back in the freezing cold. I'd rather relax tonight!

My good friend Lindsey recently joined WW and she has talked me into running a 5K in the spring. If that weren't a good enough reason to get into shape, my other friend Cindel's wedding is next year and all of the festivities that lead up to said wedding start in January. I must get to exercising! Hopefully I can find some Zumba classes on the way home from work, then I'd really be out of excuses! There is one located at my actual place of work, I just don't want to look like an idiot since I'm the worst dancer on the planet. Also, my feet don't move when my brain tells them to, so...I got that.

Anyway, I'm done rambling for the moment. I hope all of you that are in my same desperately-trying-to-lose-weight-before-you-lose-your-mind boat that I'm in are having a good holiday and better luck!

Christmas Tag!

I was browsing holiday blog topics on Google and came across this survey type tag...brings me back to the old days of MySpace bulletins :)

But before I start the questions, I just wanted to give a shout out to my very best friend in the whole wide world, Lindsay. She lives 4 hours away from me currently (sad face) but we still talk every single day. She finally decided to start a blog tonight and I couldn't be more excited! Go check her out!! ->
Worry Ends Where Faith Begins

Ok, here we go!

Christmas Tag!
1.) Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? I'd say wrapping paper. Ever since I was little I've loved wrapping gifts. Especially perfectly square or rectangle ones! Gift bags are helpful for lots of small or odd shaped packages though.

2.) Tree; Real or Fake? Fake. As much as I like the smell and look of a real tree, it's just too much to keep up with! Plus you only have to purchase a fake tree once!
3.) When do you put the tree up? I always get so anxious to put it up. This year, we put it up the weekend after Halloween. Hey-the holiday season starts November 1st as far as I'm concerned.
4.) When do you take the tree down? The week after New Years. Once the holidays are over I become a little bored with them. I take everything down in hopes that the cold weather will go away with them.
5.) Like Eggnog? LOVE eggnog is more like it. Guernsey's to be more specific. I sometimes like to mix it with a little milk because it can be so thick...I really feel bad for people that live where Guernsey's isn't available :)
6.) Do you have a Nativity Scene? Nope just icicle lights.
7.) Favorite Gift Received as a Child? I think it would be my Tiffany's Necklace. It's a pad lock type one and I can't seem to find it right now. I moved 3 times last year so it's my mission to locate it before the end of December 2010.
8.) Hardest person to buy for? Probably my dad. He has everything he needs and if he wants something he usually buys it for himself.
9.) Easiest person to buy for? I think that would be my mom. She never spends money on herself and I see her so often that I know exactly what she wants.
10.) Worst Gift?  I can't really think of a bad gift I've received. 11.) Mail or E-mail Christmas cards? Mail. I didn't send any this year and I'm trying not to feel guilty about it. I just think it wastes more paper and I'm going to tell most of them "Merry Christmas" in person anyway.
12.) Favorite Christmas Movie? I really love The Grinch with Jim Carrey, Christmas Vacation, Christmas with the Cranks, Elf, Christmas Story...I just love everything Christmas I guess.
13.) When do you start shopping for Christmas presents? Throughout the year, if I see something I think someone would like, I pick it up and put it in the Christmas bag. I usually end up giving those presents away for everyone's Birthday's during the year but I like to do a little at a time. I have 3 more things to pick up and I'm done.
14.) Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I'm sure I have. My Aunt gave me a candle shaped like a dog with a note inside about how it was a "precious family heirloom." That gift seems to be re-gifted annually.
15.) Favorite food to eat on Christmas? Sounds odd, but breakfast. I look forward to the big breakfast on Christmas morning. Our family doesn't have a typical Christmas dinner. Of course I can't forget about the cookies and Aunt Joanie's Toffee though ;)
16.) Clear or colored tree lights? Clear for sure.
17.) Favorite Christmas Song? Mariah Carey-All I want for Christmas is You, N*Sync-Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Aaron Neville-Come Home for Christmas (the Eagles version is a close second), Wham-Last Christmas (NOT the Taylor Swift version, it's horrible.) :)
18.) Home or Travel? Home please.
19.) Store-bought or handmade? I wish I had enough time/creativity to hand-make gifts. But they can sometimes end up being more expensive than store-bought anyway!
20.) Angel or Star as a tree-topper? Neither. A big bow instead.
21.) Open presents on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve? Christmas Eve at my Dad's, Christmas Day at my Mom's. 

22.) Most annoying thing about this time of year? The stress and rushing. And the bitter cold weather.

23.) Bake at home or buy? Definitely bake at home! Baking's my favorite!

24.) Lights outside? Yup, our first year! Icicles.
25.) Mistletoe? I've never actually seen any in person other than at a store once. So I guess no.

This tag was so much fun! I tag everyone but specifically Jenny and Lindsay :)


See you guys soon!

-Liz 

Day 22 — What makes you happy

A lot of things make me happy. I think weather is a big part of what kind of mood I'll be in for the day, and I bet it's not what you think. If I wake up and the sun is shining brightly in my room-I get a little annoyed. If, when I wake up, I look outside to see that it's either foggy or cloudy or rainy, I'm happy. It's like I'm backwards. I've always liked the rain as far back as I can remember.
Another thing that makes me happy is having a free weekend ahead of me. When I know that I don't have to wake up super early on Saturday or I don't have to go anywhere on Sunday afternoon, now that's a happy feeling.
And, of course, I love the holidays. From the time the leaves start changing and the apple orchards open up and the cider, donuts, pumpkins, thanksgiving food to Christmas with the smells, the baking, family, music...and decorating my own house with my boyfriend, who also makes me happy, all the way to New Year's Eve, I just love the holidays. . :)

Day 16 — Music you like

Well I like almost every kind of music. I would say I listen to country and "mainstream" or top 40 radio stations the most, however, as of last Friday, the only station playing in my car is 100.3 WNIC. Otherwise known during the holidays as Detroit's Christmas Station.

I love that I can turn it on while I'm on my way to work and [if it's not a commercial] I can get Christmas Music no matter what time of day. They used to start it the day after Halloween but I'm sure some people got annoyed with it and now they wait a little longer. I'm just glad it's here now!

Hey, we're half way done with this challenge! See ya tomorrow!
-Liz
 
picture from Facebook