Weekly Weigh-In #32

This Week: -0.2 lb

Total Loss: -30.4 lbs

Starting Weight: 251.2 lbs

Current Weight: 220.8 lbs

Technically, I lost weight, but anything under a pound pretty much just annoys me. I only worked out one time this week though, which was the day I posted the new circuit workout I did. I need to get my heart and my head back in the weight loss game!

We had the ice storm hit last Thursday, and we still have ice on the ground! It's crazy! Usually, here in Texas, it will snow and/or ice one day, which better be the day you play in it because the next day it will be completely melted.

Tonight it is cold and rainy. I'm about to wrap a gift for my sister that my mom bought for her. I can't say what it is because my sister reads my blog sometimes twice a year. ;-) I never know when she might pop in to catch up!

This feels like a good night to watch Muriel's Wedding. Toni Collette plays Muriel, and her best friend, Rhonda, is played by Rachel Griffiths. I love them both in this. I could probably quote the movie word for word. It's one of my favorites!

 
 

Elf for Health Challenge

At the end of November, I signed up for Lindsay and Elle's Elf for Health Holiday Challenge. I was late to the game and didn't join in time for the first half, but I am all ready for the second half of the challenge.

Quick rundown of how it works...Everybody that signed up received an elf (AKA another person that has joined the challenge) to support them in achieving their holiday goals and the daily challenges.

Anyway, today's challenge was to do a circuit workout, so I did what I always do when I want a new circuit workout and headed to Pinterest. Of course, I found one pretty quickly!

Via

Oh my gosh...why, when I plank, does every muscle in my body shake like crazy? It took me about 25 minutes to complete the whole workout twice. Someone more athletic than me could probably do it in 15 minutes. ;-)

I'll keep y'all updated on how these next two weeks go.

#2014BloggerChallenge

The other day I somehow stumbled upon Gaby's blog, Another Girly Blog. I was looking through her posts and saw that she will be hosting a blogger challenge in 2014.

The challenge will consist of writing a blog post twice a month about different topics. The posts will go live during the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month. All participants will receive emails from Gaby about what the post topics will be. 

Everyone is encouraged to join...no matter what your blog niche may be!

I signed up to join the challenge and added the button to my blog. I think it will be a lot of fun and something new for me to try! If you would like to join us, click here and leave a comment on her post, or you can email Gaby at anothergirlyblg@gmail.com with your blog URL, email address, and name to be added to the list of participants.

Sign-ups close on December 9th, so don't wait around and miss out on this opportunity!

Weekly Weigh-In #31

This Week: -1.0 lb

Total Loss: -30.2 lbs

Starting Weight: 251.2 lbs

Current Weight: 221.0 lbs

Hopefully, this post is the first of many in my comeback to the blogging world. I wonder if anyone still follows my blog! I wasn't going to do a weigh-in today, but I figured I should go ahead and get the ball rolling again with my weight loss.

I haven't worked out since my dad had his whole health scare, and I've been sick since Thanksgiving. Surprisingly to me, I've been able to keep off all the weight I've lost. I think I'm on the tail end of whatever is making me sick, so I'm hoping I can really start getting back into an exercise routine next week.

Here's a before and during picture...beginning of weight loss in January and Thanksgiving Day. I can't believe it will be a year since I started all of this in January!

We are in the middle of an ice storm here in Texas, so I'll probably be staying at home all weekend. I know this looks like snow, but it is all sleet and ice! Temperatures are expected to fall into the single digits tonight!

As you can tell by Eva's face, she is so over it! I have to pick her up and carry her outside to use the bathroom. She is a warm weather dog for sure!

I've got a list of blog posts I want to write, and this weekend will probably be a good time to crank some out. Look for one tomorrow about a 2014 blog challenge I'm participating in, and I'll let you know how to get involved also!

Sunday Currently 11.24

I'm back! Quick update on my dad: He came home from the hospital two weeks ago tomorrow. He is doing so much better. He has a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, and I'm anxious to see how that goes. Hopefully, they will send the recommendation for him to begin cardiac rehab, and he can get started on that after Thanksgiving.

It is currently sleeting outside with no chance of it stopping until some time tomorrow afternoon. So, obviously, it's cold out there. All the dogs are burrowed under blankets except for Roxy, so I managed to snap a picture of her, which isn't easy to do!

Now, on to the Sunday Currently link-up with Lauren. I haven't participated in this for a while, so I thought it would be a good way to jump back into blogging.

CURRENTLY

READING - Dark Places by Gillian Flynn...This has been a slow read for me. It's good so far; I just haven't gotten into it like I did with Gone Girl. I'm planning on reading some more of it after I finish this post.

WRITING - A list of possible Christmas gift ideas for family...it will be here before I know it!

LISTENING - To the rotation of the fan and the faint sound of the TV in the living room

THINKING - That I need some winter clothes!

SMELLING - Farm House Cider Sprinkles from Pink Zebra...such a yummy smell!

WISHING - For a positive phone call this week

HOPING - My swap partners are announced soon

WEARING - Black exercise pants, comfy blue t-shirt, and zebra print slippers

LOVING - The time I got to spend with Mallory and Emily yesterday at lunch and Color Me Mine (more details about that AFTER Christmas)

WANTING - Lunch...I'm hungry

NEEDING - A new charger for my phone...I left mine plugged into the wall, and it melted the part you stick in the phone!

FEELING - Thankful. I know I should feel thankful all year round (and I do!), but something about the holidays makes me think about everything I love and am thankful for. Things that can't be bought with money. Things you sometimes don't really appreciate until they're gone. Things you take for granted every single day.

CLICKING - On Amazon Wish Lists and Pinterest for gift ideas

That's all I've got for today! I think I'll be posting again before Thanksgiving, but if not, I hope you all have a wonderful time with your family and friends.

Thankful Thursday

Through the month of November, I think I'll write a Thankful Thursday post each week in anticipation of Thanksgiving on the 27th. I'm still at the hospital with my dad, so I'm using my iPad to write my posts. I can't get pictures to load in my posts using my iPad, so they will be picture free for awhile. Sorry about that.

*I'm thankful for...the thoughtful comments and emails I got from some of you about my dad. He had his heart surgery yesterday. He needed 5 bypasses. He is in recovery now. He's in lots of pain and is very sore, which is to be expected. His doctor says he is doing very well. He's just been told he's about to take a walk, which he's not too happy about. ;-)

*I'm thankful for...my dad's incredible doctor. He is one of the best surgeons in our area, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience with him. I completely trusted that he would take great care of my dad.

*I'm thankful that...my dad went to the doctor when he did. Although he had a mild heart attack to get him there, it could have been much worse.

*I'm thankful for...my sister. She's been here with me this whole time. She is the best sister ever, but I knew that before all of this. ;-)

*I'm thankful for...warm showers and a good night's rest. Those have been few and far between for the past week.

I'll keep y'all updated, and I have a few posts rattling around in my head that I need to write.

Not What I Expected

Well, I'm back, and no, there isn't a weight loss update to accompany this. 

It's crazy how much your life can change in such a short amount of time.

I'm writing this post on my iPad in my dad's hospital room where he is currently waiting to have triple bypass surgery.

He was admitted to a general hospital on Wednesday and was transferred today to the heart hospital. 

Truthfully, I don't think any of us thought it would come to this. Worst case scenario, we thought he might have a stent, stay one or two days, and go home.

We're all doing okay right now, but I'm sure our nerves will all be on edge the day of the surgery. 

He's a tough guy, and he's at one of the best hospitals in our area, so I'm sure everything will go smoothly. 

I'm going to keep this post short. Any prayers or good thoughts for my dad in the next few days would be greatly appreciated!

I'm sure I'll pop in now and then through the week. I'll need something to keep me occupied through the long waiting times!