Looking forward

Hey dolls, happy Friday!  I wanted to stop in an let you know the blog is getting a makeover this weekend and I could not be more excited.  With this makeover I am going to expand my posts beyond weight loss but don't worry I am not leaving that behind.  This weekend mark one year since I started my weight loss journey and I will be posting about that next week!

Have a great weekend and be sure to check next week!

Give a little bit...

So hubby is putting his years of video gaming to good use and is going to participate in a 24 hour Extra Life event on October 25th to raise money for the Seattle Children's Miracle Network Hospital.  Basically, he is going to play video games for 24 hours and stream his gameplay to help raise money for those precious little angels.

Now you may be asking yourself why I am telling you all of this.  Well it would be super could support him an donate to his cause.  When he signed up he only set his donation goal for $100 and it would be so awesome if he met his goal (he is currently at $65) and I know it would blow his mind if it was surpassed.  Here is where you come in.  Any donation you can make (even if it is just $1) would be much appreciated.  If you haven't a penny to spare at this time and still want to help, the power of prayer works as well!

For those of you wishing to donate you can do so by clicking the link below.  Thanks dolls!

First day of school

Being a parent is bittersweet.  I say this all the time and those words get more true with each year.  Today is Madelynn's first day of school and I am full of mixed emotions.

I am sad that she isn't a baby anymore, I am excited for her to start her new adventure, I am proud of the little girl she is and cannot wait to see her grow and learn.

Yesterday, I think all of us (mom, dad, and MJ) were starting to feel really anxious about this morning and how it would go.  Last night we packed her lunch, picked out a cute outfit and made it to bed at a decent time.  When she woke up this morning she was PUMPED and I was feeling more nervous than ever. I get so worried that she is going to be lost in that big school crying because she can't find her way.

Anyways, we made it to her classroom and she handled it like a champ.  No crying, no burying her face in my dress, or whining because she didn't want us to leave.  As we left her all I could do was smile and swallow the lump in my throat.

Today starts a new adventure and my baby girl has big dreams.

Anybody else have kiddos starting school today?

Why I put the down the polar

So a couple of weeks ago the chest strap part of my polar watch went dead.  I had another battery and was going to change it out but after giving it some thought I decided to leave it behind from now on.

I know that some of you may be shocked by this revelation but let me drop a little bit of truth on you.  The biggest reason I decided to leave it behind was because it wasn't motivating me in a healthy way.  For example, I wanted to get a high calorie burn so I could post a pic on Instagram/Facebook showing off my hard work.  I am all about taking pride in hard work but approval of others shouldn't be the motivation.

The second reason I left it behind is because I am gonna burn what I burn.  I lift more and do less cardio nowadays and some days (like leg day) I am going to burn more and some days (like arm day) I am going to burn less. Fact.  It doesn't mean that I didn't get in a good work out. With the switch to IIFYM, calories are no longer my primary focus so I don't really care if I burned 250 cal or 750 cal.  It matters that I got in my workouts for the week.

Lastly, the dang chest strap was always moving during lifting and the clasp was starting to leave a nice little scar from all the rubbing.

So there is my truth for this lovely Monday.

How do you feel about using a fitness watch?

The perfect song

Have you ever heard a song and feel like it just fits your current place in life?  This song is that for me.

I have reached a place where I am honestly happy and whenever I hear this song all I can think of is Brent and Madelynn.  That make me truly happy and love me no matter what.  Where ever we are together I am home.  

What is a song that fits your life right now?

An Open Letter to Robin Williams

Dear Robin,

We never had the chance to meet nor do I suppose our paths would ever cross.  However, you were part of my life through your art.  You first entered my life in the late 80's when I would watch reruns of Mork and Mindy with my parents.  Although, I was far too young to get all the jokes I was able to perfect my own "Na-Nu Na-Nu".  

As the years went on I watched many of your films and was always captivated by your performance.  The number one thing that always pulled me in was your infectious smile.  How could anyone see you smile and not find themselves smiling back?

With the news of your death I guess there was significant pain and sorrow behind that wonderful smile.  I am sorry that you were quietly suffering in this world and I am sorry that you felt the only relief was to end it all.  You were loved by so many and it saddens me that you reached a place where you could no longer feel that love.

I hope you find the peace you were seeking.  I pray that God wraps His strong arms around your family during this difficult time and gives them comfort as they mourn your loss.  Even though you are gone your legacy will remain.

Sincerely,
Your fan, Amanda

My Kim Kardashian Ugly Cry

This weekend was tax free weekend in Texas, so we went shopping to buy Madelynn some school clothes (Lord help me, I am not ready for her to be a Kindergartner).  Since every one was having good sales I figured I would pop on into the Lane Bryant outlet.

I get all of my possibilities into the dressing room and start trying them on.  Before we go any further I need to note that I grabbed a myriad of sizes truly expecting most to either be too big or too small.  Moving on, I found these size 22 slacks and thought, why the hell not?.  

I stared at them as I put them on thinking I am not even going to be able to get these suckers past my hips.  WRONG!  I got them on and buttoned and I didn't even have to suck it in!  I was pretty stoked.  When I walked out to show them to Brent, I lost it.

I cried because I have not been in a size 22 since 2004. Poor Brent and Madelynn were semi-freaking out because they thought I was upset but they were not tears of sorrow my friends.  They were tears full of joy and pride.


I am starting my week feeling full of power and confidence. I wish that for all of you and remember...

Have you considered weight loss surgery?

This is a questions that I have been asked countless times.  Every time I am asked this the only answer I really want to supply is, DUH! However, there are reasons why weight loss surgery is not right for me.

1.  It is MAJOR surgery.  I think many people assume that weight loss surgery is the "easy" way out.  Um no.  There are so many risks involved with surgery and anesthesia that frankly scare the hell out of me.  Plus then you have to add in recovery time.  No thanks.

2.  I cannot imagine never being able to eat certain foods (breads) ever again because they cause clogging or discomfort.  I know that I have to remove emotional attachment to food but I am not sure I can picture not eating a little bit of cake on my birthday.

3. Weight loss surgery is an absolute last option for me.  I can only allow myself to choose this route if I have really committed and worked on weight loss and it wasn't working.  I know I can do it when I really dedicate my effort to it.

With this said, I am not saying that weight loss surgery isn't right for others nor am I trying to make it seem like an easy way out.  People have many reasons why they choose that route and I am not judging.  We all choose different pathways to get to our health and fitness goals and that is OK.

What are your thoughts on this?