Chronic Re-Joiner

Need I say anything more? Please, someone tell me I'm not the only person who is going on their fourth time rejoining Weight Watchers. Don't let me hear the crickets.
It's true. I'm officially, monthly pass in hand, a part of Weight Watchers aaaagain. And you know what, from the number on the scale it's been way overdue! I've posted down below in more than one blog my 'weight loss journey' - blah, blah, blah...well, after seeing that number reach up to the next tenths, AHHHHH! is all I could say. Swallowing the biggest gulp ever I reached down and picked up my keys and looked into the eyes of the woman across the table from me. She peered over her glasses at the tip of her nose and scribbled down one hundred-eighty lbs and six measley ounces. She glanced up at me and said, "Sweetie? This is your wieght and this is your 5% goal. You can do it." Wahhhhhh :( I couldn't believe I had rolled over to the 80's! Wow. That was the biggest reality check of my weight loss life! But there's always some good in every storm, praise God. My next door neighbor at work is on WW, too, so this week has been going grrreat! We talk often about our meals, share recipes and she's keeping me accountable. It's so encouraging and motivating. I've been able to share alot with her from the book I've told you all about, Made to Crave. I'm actually happy though that I was so devastated by my weight because I am soooo motivated and finally WANT TO lose weight.
Now, let me open another window into my life. My daughter just turned 5 this summer and she too struggles with her weight. Well, first of all it's not her fault one bit but soley myself and my husband. The child can't drive herself to McDonalds or prepare her own meal or even open a CapriSun herself. It's us. So my heart breaks at the thought of her having to go thru this stuggle. I don't ever want her to go thru the teasing or comments made by others because of her looks...I hated that as a teenager. My mom and Aunt tend to call her by a nickname, gorda. That's spanish for fat. I get after her all the time when she or my aunt says that. I mean come on, you don't say that to girls or anyone for that matter! My daughter doesn't know what it means, but still, I don't like it. We as a family have got to change things in our eating habits. This cannot continue neither for me or my daughter.
Anyway, for my saints, keep me and my daughter in prayer. I would appreciate it.
I'll keep you guys updated on how it's going.

Much love!

Lunchbreak Blog

I think I've shared with you once before and you may have noticed from my book reviews, but I love to read! Yes, this would be one of my top past times. I love to visit any bookstore and I most love the way good old paperback books smell. Mmm. It just takes me somewhere - somewhere my nerd self comes alive! My top birthday gift this year was actually a gift card to Barnes & Noble :) I picked up 3 books that I am reading all at the same time actually. I bought this book by Angela Thomas called, 52 Things Kids Need From a Mom. It's so neat and really beneficial to any mother and wife! She shares so much wisdom that we all need to raising our children, from just touching them to praying with the door open. Tons of short 1's and 2's about what our children need to hear or be reassured by and what sticks as they grow up. It's neat ;). I also picked up a 60-day devotional to Made To Crave - and I know I've already shred how much I love this book! It's so amazing and powerful! And last I picked up A Woman's Guide to Fasting. I've only gotten thru the first charter so far, but it's already very insightful! This author shares very simple, non-complicated truths about fasting and her experiences...very cool!
So, we're down to t-minus 3.5 days left of the school year and after being inspired by the book 52 Things... I stopped by the grocery store and picked up a small cake I had personalized to say Congratulations Leo, Jeremy and Sophia. I wanted to celebrate all their hat work am good conduct this year - I wanted to make sure they knew it don't go unnoticed. I also wrote them each a small note about the things we, daddy & mommy, thought about them. So after dinner I kept them around at the dinner table and daddy had them close their eyes. We brought out the cake and notes and they were ecstatic!! Our boys had actually just performed a dance in their school talent show do we also celebrated that, too. The boys read their letters aloud and I read Sophia's and it was definitely a memorable moment. I tested up just hearing them read the letters cause gosh, time flies!!! They have grown up so quickly and most importantly they truly are good kids. We always receive so much praise on their personality, conduct as a student and their joy. That makes us so proud of them and thankful for the foundation we are able to lay down for them, thanks to God for our salvation now - not later, but now.

Amor of God

Oh, what a feeling! I’m definitely happy to say that I’m still going strong! This morning was day 2/1 of AOG Fitness. This past Thursday 1/12/12 I thought, ya know what…tomorrow I have nothing to do, it’s time to redeem that free month gift certificate - I’ll get the kids off to school and pump some iron. I text Vivian from AOG and sure enough they had a class for 8 am. The sun rose Friday morning and I grabbed a disgusting protein bar and a Gatorade (gotta look the part, right?) then headed out to take Sophia to school. Long story short, OMG! I felt that 8 minute work out for the next 48 hours!! I’m not sure the terminology to call what the workouts are called, but lets just say they’re short but intense in a very deceiving way. After I finished the 8 minutes, I thought, man this is gonna be good – the next morning my legs felt like I had 50lb weights strapped to each one. They were tender, sore, heavy and tight. Ugh. To make my soreness even better, we spent the day in South Padre Island walking around. Needless to say, I survived. Although, after nearly 2 weeks of healthier eating, I reached my cheat weekend. Yeah, it was supposed to be a one cheat day, but I made it a 2-day affair. I ate fried shrimp, fish, fries, onion rings, fajitas, flour tortillas, chips, soda and cake!! It was deeeeelish! I didn’t feel too bad – and I’m glad to say that my mind had been disciplined enough that I was actually ready for Monday to come. I feel bad for Monday…Monday has been promised so much, but how many of us dieters always break those promises. Week after week, we wait for Monday to show again. We never really break promises we make with Friday’s. Ha ha, just a thought. So this morning came and my alarm buzzed me at 3:55 am (I probably was the one to wake the rooster, lol). I woke up and got ready to see how hard I could push myself again at AOG. FYI: I’m loving the schedule they have cause the first class they have is at 5 am and the workouts can be anywhere from 2 minutes to 30. It gives me plenty of time to workout without having to change my work schedule. My work out this morning was 12 mins long with a 5 min warm-up…let’s remember the ‘intense in a deceiving way’. My thighs were still a bit sore from Friday’s air squats…today’s workout consisted of MORE air squats. AHHHHHH! I made it thru the workout but as I walked back to my car I could literally feel my legs trembling. By this time it was 5:25 in the morning, I hadn’t had anything to eat, only water was in my system along with the greasy crap I ate from the weekend and now my limbs felt like I had no control or strength over them. As I drove to work I kept thinking to myself, what did I do? What did I do! Am I crazy to workout at 5 in the morning! I felt myself getting hot (and not cause my body temp was up), I felt hot like nauseas and sick and nervous and weak and hungry and all types of yuck! I called my husband, not to make sure he was awake like I was supposed to, but because I wanted to pull over to the side of the road, cry and tell him to come get me L . As the phone was ringing I heard over the radio, “If you ever feel like you just can’t get up from this place you’ve found yourself in – like you have no hope, no strength – God wants to find you there, so you will be completely dependent on Him and then you’ll get up by His strength”. I immediately hung up the phone and thought, Lord, I need You. I need You give me the strength to not give up – to know that this is pain is weakness leaving my body. I. Can. Do. This. Philippians 4:13. And speaking of scripture, this morning during the workout I was doing push ups and before you think, oh, easy, it’s just push ups, NO! This push ups were like this, ready position, go down all the way – body to the ground – lift hands then back up. After 7 or 8 you begin to feel your weight. Yeah, at one and two I was flying, feeling like I was light as a feather and then I soon felt the 170lbs I’m carrying around. So, during my struggle I’m focused on the white board that ready, ‘the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak’. Boy, is that right. Ok, so back to my breakdown. I finally made it to work, weak as ever, went into the restroom and soaked in my anxieties. After 5 minutes I changed into my work clothes, got a tall glass of water and a granola bar. Thank GOD I was refueled in less than 20 minutesJ.
So, I am just ecstatic to report that rounding out week 2, things are looking up and my weight is dropping down! I’m so looking forward to working out, getting toned and slimming this waist line…might be looking like Brittney Spears soon! Ha! But hey, I’m gonna be looking like a new and healthy - sexy for my man, Jessica Gutierrez!!
I pray anyone who reads this that is pushing thru and climbing over obstacles to get to their healthy body that you rely on God’s strength to get you there. You will not get there on your own and remain there. The bible says to remain in Me and I will remain in You. It takes more than just physically ability to achieve. It takes mental, emotional and spiritual strength to get there and keep it there. Rely on the Helper each and every day before, during and after your workout.

I think my wagon is broken...

1.25.12
I think there was some fine print I didn’t see when I so gladly accepted the terms ‘allow yourself 1 cheat day’ - my one day has become a few days. Now before I let my thoughts to say, “I knew you couldn’t do it”, I gotta point out that I think I still have one arm hanging on to the wagon – I haven’t completely fallen off. My workouts with AOG are still consistent, but the food area just isn’t what I know I could be doing better in. I would usually allow myself the weekend to give the discipline a break, but I slowly started finding myself allowing that weekend to flow right into the work week. I know that a little here and there will soon end up a lot of ‘allowing’ and little discipline. I took my weight this past Saturday morning and I had only lost 4 ounces. Before I got disappointed in the small number lost, I have been working out or building muscle should I say. But my clothes haven’t really loosened up either, so is it just taking its sweet time or is this the result of too many cheat meals? I guess when my conscience is telling me, “Jessica, don’t eat that – walk away” and I try my hardest to find the healthy ingredients to justify my choice…mmm, that’s not good. I have got to evaluate my wagon, check the weak areas, fix ‘em, and jump back in – I cannot give up – I will not give up.
Let me dig back into Made To Crave for this next point. Lysa points out that we can’t give in to temptation at any time. We often say, “It’s not fair that ___________! It’s not that bad if I have just one bite of __________, riiiiiight?” She said that small compromises like this will lead to two and three and four (just like my cheat days overflowing into my week).
“Temptation given enough attention will consume us. Don’t compromise with reasoning of exercise, special occasions or even when no one else is ‘sacrificing’. This is when the virgin gives in on prom night, the in debt girl pulls out her credit card for a special at the mall, the alcoholic skips AA and goes out with her girlfriends for a 40 th birthday party. Think those moments thru – this may feel/taste good right now, but how will I feel about this later?”
I’m mentioning all this because this is exactly what’s been happening lately with my eating. I’ll start back with my mom’s surprise dinner…I allowed myself to eat chalupas and tacos and not just one of each. Along with those grease soaked tortillas, I at myself a cupcake and a half with some Pepsi to wash it down with! A few days later the weekend came and what did I promise myself? Weekends are my cheat days. Then came special visitors and a request for my specialty – sliders. Oh yes, those delicious little hamburgers in the middle of a buttered sweet Hawaiian roll lathered in ranch dressing, bacon and avocado! For those mini burgers you can’t just have one! Then comes the big ‘O’ and no I don’t mean Oprah. O-R-E-O-S. When my mom showed up at my house with a package of Double Stuffed Oreo’s my resistance lasted all but 2 minutes before I snuck into the kitchen and carefully peeled back the wrapping and ate myself 1 Oreo cookie. And let me tell you, up to the time I was able to touch the cookie, I kept telling myself, walk away Jess, don’t do it, get your mind off the cookies, go find something else to do. UghL. I have got to write reminders such as Lysa’s on my hand so that I don’t forget them – as I’m putting whatever bad food in my mouth I can read it as my hand is coming up to my mouth and STOP! I have got to remember that whatever the celebration – I can’t give in! What I’m going to do on my anniversary in a couple days or the long weekend trip to New York next week – AHHH! Pray for me, friends! I have got to rely on the strength of God living inside of me to say NO, this choice will not benefit me in any way.
This is the last week of January and I have exceeded my goal by losing 4.2 lbs. [my goal was to lose 3.5 lbs. each month in 2012] – so I’m glad and rejoicing! I’ll leave you with the same scripture Lysa gave in her book;
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Men really are from Mars...and so is there metabolism -_-

1.18.12
Good morning friends! Welcome another windy cold front to South Texas! And speaking of cold, I gotta tell you all about my evening last night! About a week ago my sister came up with a grand idea – me, her and my brother taking our mom to New York City for a weekend of appreciate for all she does everyday for us and our families. Yeah, that includes babysitting, taking the item we forgot to stick in our kids’ backpack for school, staying home with a sick kid and even cleaning up our house when she’s there. We straight up LOVE HER! Personally, she does an incredible amount of things for my family. My job requires me to be at work by 6 am. My husband works shifts, so sometimes he has to be at work by 6:30 am. The two of us working that early in the morning leaves no one to wake our kids and take them to school – in comes my mom. My daughter goes to pre-k half a day and gets out a 11 am – in comes my mom. I don’t get out of work till 4:30 pm and my boys get out of school at 3:30 pm – in comes my mom. So, even though this routine isn’t everyday (thank God for the shifts), the point is, she’s willing and does it and I’m grateful to her. Unfortunately, just a while back she got a report that her cancer has resurfaced and that hit us pretty hard. I’m not going to go into details for the simple fact that I’m at work and if I start expressing all this, I’ll be snot crying all over the place. No, we’re not taking this trip because of that, but more of thank you and let’s enjoy each other, life and moments that irreplaceable. Above is the picture of the amazing cupcakes. They were just as delicious as you could imagine!
So this male co-worker swings by my cubicle office to say hello and what not. I didn’t have much to say, but I did remember that he had started this weight loss deal less than a couple weeks ago. I asked him how that was going and he said, “Man, I just don’t have any patience – I want things to happen quicker.” I asked him how much weight he’s lost so far and he casually yet disappointingly says, 14 lbs. FOURTEEN POUNDS?!?! “You’ve lost 14 lbs already (in less than a month) and you’re not thrilled?!?!” I screamed said. He went on to say, no…he hates that it takes forever, oh and he just started exercising last night. Oh my gosh. For real? I’ve been working out, exercising, eating health[ier] since the beginning of the year and to date have lost 4 lbs and this GUY has lost that much already with just not eating sweets and cokes?
CONVO WITH GOD: God, You know that I don’t really question anything you do, right? You know I love You and I know Your ways and thoughts are much higher than my own, but really, God? Really? Just let me ask one “why” question…Why do mean lose weight so much quicker than women? Why? What are You teaching us in this?
I mean come on now! Ladies you know you’ve seen the commercial with the cartooned sketched lady and man – they start a diet – he drops pant sizes and she drops a pound. It’s a known fact…men loose weight a whole lot quicker than women. WHY!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh. Alright, reality check to myself. I’m thinking back on all I’ve learned…I’m not defined by measuring tape or a scale – I know my self-discipline to eating right and working out has been way more than ever before, so pat on the back to me. I won’t base my happiness on what size pants I’m wearing because size 12 or 2, I know who I am in Christ and those attributes don’t require me being a certain size, hair/eye/skin color or my abilities. Ahh. Ok. I’m better. I’ve regained my composure. Back to my conversation…I kindly congratulated him and gave him just a little encouragement to keep up the good work, as my sore muscles from this morning’s workout remind me of my hard work. This morning defined the word strength for me. My workout was 5 bear crawls from one side of the gym to the other – then 100 jump ropes – then 15 squats with 20 lbs. TIMES THREE! It was torture. I literally crawwwwled my way to the end of the gym as I finished up that last workout, grunting, and giving out a yell here and there. I felt as if I was going to fall flat on my face because of how weak and tired I was. Aside from the echoing chants of support, I know that I was completely dependent on God’s strength. I had to be because if I didn’t I would’ve not only given up, but not been able to even move one hand in front of the other or even squat down with 20 lbs weights on the bar I struggled to hold up on my chest.

I'm not defined by the number on a scale!

1-17-12
It's 6:35 in the morning and I feel ah-mazing! Had a good workout this morning - who knew I'd be dead lifting 50 lbs and be able to hold my entire weight up for an entire 60 seconds for five minutes, every minute! And thank God I wasn't that sore this morning from yesterday's painful workout. I did some better preparing with food so I wouldn't feel as terrible as I did yesterday morning. I had water and a banana ready and available for immediately after my workout! I know that I've been doing really well and as I said before, I'm not basing all my progress by the number on the scale because I know it won't always give me justice. So, as I was in convo with God I told Him that He needs to continue to remind me that I'm doing a great job, and hey, if He can work some of His supernatural powers to loosen up this pants, that would definitely boost my confidence. The other day I was watching a show on E! about the top whatever # celebrity slimdowns and one tip was to not rate your self by the scale or even your waist line but by what you see in the mirror. Hmm...that actually sounds like a challenge. How many people could actually do that? Not be dependent on watching the numbers drop or their pant size get smaller, but looking at the results on your own body - that makes sense. Now I don't think I can do that, but it's worth a shot sometime soon. This morning I kinda did that...as I got up this morning I lifted up my shirt and looked at my stomach -and it's a little strange but I did see my midsection looking a little smaller. I weigh in again tomorrow night, so we shall seeee what the scale says.

Week 1 Down

Down could probably be used to sum upthe eventful week I've had. Let's begin with good news...everyone loves good news!! I was a day late to do my Week 1 Weigh In, but late last night I finally had the chance to get it done and praise God, I am DOWN!! I am down exactly 4 lbs! 4 lbs. people! In a week!!! Ok, so maybe I dont physically feel the loss,but I know that I have been doing really good about eating healthier and staying up with my workouts. So high five for me :) I am very proud of myself and even happier with the scale beng so nice to me, lol. For the bad news...I guess at this point I just want to say my mom received a bad medical report. Detail isnt necessary, but yeah, that was the down in my week so far. I would like to write another post just on that because i believe it could minister to omeone, but not now cause i gotta get back to work. Just wanted to share that praise report with ya.

Shine!

I just wanted to drop in a quick post on some great news! Who doesn't love good news?!?! Wednesday, Jan. 4 was the first official day of my new lifestyle habits and I'm happy to report good progress already - not even a week in yet! Whoo! Oh, I didn't join WW afterall - I felt that I could use the $43 dollars on some healthy food instead - I also picked up a book I had on my shelf for a couple years now called, The Abs Diet, written by an editor of The Men's Health Magazine. No, it's not how to get abs in a week or anything, its actually a really, really, really great eductional book on the crap thats the food we put in our mouths. It's an eye opener to realizing the fat that sits comfortably around our waist is actually DANGEROUS! The greasy fat cells that spew out acids causing sicknesses and even possible cancers! It instantly changed "I'm tempted to eat that _____" to "I straight up do not want to even that!". Yeah, I found myself becoming that annoying skinny lady reading the labels on everything at the grocery store. I do that and think, OMG! high fructose corn syrup is in this?!? Aside from that food knowledge, it tells the reader on eating the correct foods to build muscle which burns fat constantly - not just when working out. And how it's more beneficial to build muscle than sweating out calories on the tredmill. So, with that education, Zumba, spiritual guidance and eating healthier I am proud thankful to say that I am already down nearly 2 pounds from just 3 (or 4) days ago! I wasn't supposed to check my weight again till next Wednesday, but I decided to sneak in a peek at the numbers and wa-la :) I'm happy & more motivated! But I do want to add a little lesson learned from Made to Crave. Though I'm done pounds already and yes I'm happy, I'm not only happy cause I've lost or the numbers are lower, but I'm happy because of a couple things. I know that even if the numbers weren't down, I'm still really proud of my self-discipline - I know that I have been making dramatic differences in my eating choices and most importantly, I'm happy because no matter what number I am on a scale, I am always loved unconditionally by my Father in Heaven. I know that this moment, this experience, it was already predestined by God. He knows how I got here (to this weight and eating habits) and already had plans to get me out of this.
This is definitely the beginning of the end. I'm slowly saying goodbye the old me. I'm glad that I never got used to this body and size cause its not me. I have unfortuantely got here by bad eating habits, low self-esteem caused by bad experiences, lack of knowing how to handle matters properly and not knowing the power within to overcome! I, Jessica, was made for more by God! 2012 will be my year to shine my light for the glory of my King!

NEW!

I love Merriam-Websters definitions of 'new'; being other than the former or old or made or become fresh. Don't you love the sound of that?!?! Just yesterday millions upon millions shouted "Happy NEW Year!" to friends and family across the world. Among the millions January 1st marks the day we start "new" - new eating habits, new thinking patterns, new financial plans and even new home decorating. I know for me I mark all of the above; specifically new eating habits.
I've committed myself to a few companions that will be assisting me on a 40lb loss journey in 2012. First off I've joined Weight Watchers (again), a book called Made to Crave (for the 5th time), Zumba Fitness 2 and last but never the less of anything, prayer. 
Along with the self-weight loss challenge, I've also added a few other resolutions.
2. Taking more pictures && PRINTING them all! I specifically remember my grandmother always having wicker baskets full of pictures we'd all take out and look thru, giggling and oo'ing and remembering the moments captured. I'm ashamed to say that I have hundreds of pictures occupuying the memory of Facebook! If something were to ever happen to that website, I'm dead! So my plan is to buy a large storage jump drive and put them all on there to print.
3. Engaging with my children. My schedule is quite busy I must say. I work 4 10's...meaning Monday thru Thursday, 10 hours a day. Therefore; I don't get the opportunity to wake my kids, make them breakfast and get them off to school. It's a bummer. BUT! I'm not gonna make that be a hinderance, instead make it a chance to do more things with the time we do have together.
4. BLOG MORE!! I'm gonna attempt to blog more this year. At least a few times a week to document my life - my weight loss/lifestyle change journey, as a mom, wife, a business woman and most importantly - my walk with the Everlasting God.

I gotta a whole lot more planned for this year, but I'll leave you with those resolutions first.
I want to hear what resolutions you have planned for your 2012/life. If you haven't planned anything yet; consider the definition of 'new'. God has said, as a follower of Christ we have been made new! He makes ALL things NEW. Just for reference, read 2 Corinthians 5:17.

We'll talk again soon...

Beach to Bay 2011

Just wanted to share my 'goal achieved' story with you real quick...

Beach to Bay is a 6-leg relay race that is held in our city, Corpus Christi, every year around this time and (smart) people start training for this thing, oh about the beginning of the year...it's pretty intense.  Each leg ranges from about 4 miles to nearly 6!! Crazy, huh? Anyway, well you fellow bloggee here decided to run this race! As you might remember I had the goal set to participate in a 5k run in April...you can check that off...and then it was this, Beach (all the way) to Bay! I ran a 4.2 leg and passed the baton alive :) It was such a feeling of victory!! Here is a picture of me just as I was slowing down, I mean finishing up...

Weight Watchers Baby!!!!

"So, how was your weekend everyone?"
"Ah well, me and my husband fought and I ate and whole pint of ice cream cause I was mad at him"
"Oh my. Well, would you like to talk about that pint of icecream?"
At that moment I thought to myself...am I at an overeaters anonymous meeting or Weight Watchers? Ha ha. I'm gonna love this place!!
Yes, bloggers...I told you I would and I did! Yesterday was my first meeting and I reeeeeally feel like this is going to be a huge success.  Thankfully I dragged my friend with me to join (she actually really wanted to come, too) and we got all registered to begin the fight for our pre-baby bodies back! 
So let me tell you...I totally recommend WW even though I haven't even had a "success story" yet. The fact that you don't have to buy their foods or order any premade meals is already great.  The support is amazing already, too.  
Now...the bad news. In January I weighed in at 176, then lost about 5 lbs, then gained 3 lbs, and yesterday the scale read 173.6 lbs. So for that April goal that ends in about 4 days...it definitely won't read a 20 lbs drop, but it'll be some :).  My 5% goal weight with WW is 8.5 lbs...now of course there is no set date to reach that 5% goal, but I definitely want to meet that in the month of April.  With WW they would assume you to lose from 1-2lbs a week, now if I can shoot for that would only get me about 6lbs down, but because I'm going to be working extra hard, I can set that goal for myself! 
Anyway...get back to ya soon!!

The countdown begins...blah

Hello blogging beauties :)
I thought I'd make an entry for a few reasons...catch-up, update, and officially mark the countdown. Now I don't know if I'm the only person in the world to think about this so much, but I am...I do...I'm a freak, I know.  Oh! About what? My 10 yr high school reunion. Yeah I know, some of you might think, who cares?!? But, I know there has to be some over-analytical person out there like me who is dreading the day. Today marks (well technically yesterday is day 1) 3 months till the weekend I get to meet all those "popular, smart, pretty, too cool for school kids" that I didn't care too much about...well I'm lying...what kid in high school didn't want to be part of that group? Ha. Random cool college grad from school says, "Oh hi Jessica, what are you doing these days?" Before stumbling over my own feet or saying something completely inappropriate (that I have a knack for doing) I'd think and say..."well...you know, work, and well, I'm married and we have 3 kids....and you know, just working" cheeeeeese :/.  Ok. Wait I need to pause.  Reeeeeeewind. I am SO proud of who I am today!! But looking on the shelf of plaques and certificates, its quite empty. As you know, I'm still finishing school for the millionth time, so that leaves me still working on the career.  I guess I should say, well I'm not homeless, unemployed, or on drugs...cheeeeeese :D.  That might help the "wow, you've done well for yourself!" factor. I mean honestly, I really could care less what they "think" of me cause I know the One person who matters, but let's face it...we're all human and those accomplishments in life do help our confidence.  Speaking of accomplishments let me catch you up on ME.  Remember we spoke about my weight goal back in January? Okay well that deadline is coming up in a little over a week and have I lost 20 lbs? No. Sadly, no.  But I'm still working on it!! Yep, I can say that I haven't quit.  I still workout a few times a week, occasionally take into consideration what I'm stuffing in my mouth, and I'm training to run a 5k in April & Beach to Bay in May.  This is an area where I am exceeding in thanks to God alone! I definitely agree that if I can just get this eating healthier thing down I'd be to a whole 'notha level in no time, so that brings me to my next update :) Jennifer Hudson, move on over hunny! I'm "officially" going to join WW.  I know last time I said that I was including tips from WW, but I have decided to actually join...as in go to the meetings and weigh myself in front of another person!! Understand that my husband doesn't even know what I weigh!! Unless he reads my blogs of course. So. That's pretty much where I'm at today folks.  As you may have come to see throughout my blogs, my weight has a pret-ty hefty affect on my confidence level, too. I'm expecting my breakthrough in all these areas, amen. I start WW next Tuesday, so I'll be sure to keep ya posted!! 
Oh, can't forget...here is a picture of me from last week...excuse my the weird facial expression I'm making...this is me in progress :)  I know, I know, I may not look like the ginormous person write about but we ladies should know that black does the trick, lol. And see my inner thighs...yeah those shouldn't touch. And the stomach...oh goodness, you should see that freddy kruger face monster!! Yuck.