7

After 17 months of grad school I got on a scale and realized that I have gained 30. Yes THIRTY pounds. My clothes had stopped fitting, I was feeling physically yucky, and (finally) realized something had to change. It's been nearly 2 years since I worried much about my weight. This was freeing. I learned to love myself. Seriously, I know it sounds cheesy, but I decided I was ok, and that my weight had little bearing on how I felt about myself. I baked A LOT. It's stress relieving. But... I realized I had delved past "overweight" and into "obese" and this is not alright. 

Step 1: I gave up soda. I'd tried to give up soda in the past and 'only have it for special occasions' but I'm not really good with that kind of moderation. All of the sudden EVERYTHING becomes a "special occasion." So as of January 1, 2014, I do not drink soda. Sometimes, like yesterday, it's hard. I hadn't slept well and I wanted nothing more than a refreshing Dr. Pepper. But I drank my water and sucked it up. I've noticed I'm less physically stressed, and I am sleeping WAY better than I was before. So that's been good, and not that hard. I cut WAY back on soda while I was home for Christmas (I bought a 6 pack and left 2 at home after 12 days). 

Step 2: I decided to follow the weight watchers plan. I didn't want to count calories, and upon searching for "best diet" WW had the best reviews for long term weight loss. I found a free app for my ipad and one for my smart-ish phone (It's a Window's 8 phone, but I don't have a data plan; however, I have access to wifi nearly everywhere I go, so it's NBD... but I digress). So I downloaded my apps, and did some meal planning and away I went. I really have done pretty well. No big binges. I've tracked nearly everything I've eaten. I've eaten breakfast, and upped my fruit/veggie intake. And I drink a LOT of water... which means I am working again on my bladder of steel upgrade because at the Nursing Home I don't have a lot of down time to run to the restroom.

So after a week of being really good and on top of things, I wasn't feeling deprived, or sad, or skinnier... (I know, after one week...) But when I got on the scale there had been a SEVEN pound difference. I lost the weight of my mom's little dog  (sans life jacket). 

So that was Sunday, and it provided the motivation I need to keep on going. My initial goal is 25 lbs. But then probably another 25-30 after that, but baby steps.  

Once upon my life in 2013

Overall 2013 was a terrible year for blogging! I didn't keep up, maybe because by the time I got home at night (usually after 11) I was exhausted and wanted nothing less than to spend MORE time in front of the migraine inducing glare of the computer. But, for history's sake, here's a quick overview of my year:

January: I rang in the new year with my dear friend Amanda, her fiance and their families, then boarded a plane back to po-dunk New Mexico, and I'd never been happier to be back. I began my second semester of Grad School, also the beginning of the "Year of Swift" the year when I had two classes from the hardest teacher in the department EVERY SEMESTER! Also, I celebrated 6 months of being on a mission with this girl (Sister Peterson) who I LOVE!

Also, it's the only picture from January that I can find! 

February: I got myself a boyfriend (Justin) THE WEEKEND BEFORE VALENTINES DAY! I do not recommend the stress of that! I also met his parents, with 30 minutes notice. I also went to this baby shower with the CDIS girls:

L-R: Andrea, Brissa, Heather, Anna, Me, Alicia, ? Rachael, Alise, Reagan

March: Celebrated my first spring break of my college career by going to Utah. I slept on 4 different couches, and determined that I was too old to sleep on a couch for any length of time! The highlight of the trip was going to a Flogging Molly concert with Shelly.

Because who wears pearls to a Flogging Molly concert... ? 

April: By this point, it's all kind of a blur. Late nights with the boyfriend (who would pick me up religiously at 6:00), I about had a breakdown from the stress of it all, and also had my first client in the clinic bite me! The CDIS girls also had a birthday dinner for me at Vines here in town, and the boys made me a birthday cake too.

Me with Lauren, Dara, Brittney and Emmily in the background. 

May: Most of May I was out of school and relished in the time to sleep! My phone died just in time for finals week, and I accidentally booked my flight home for Tuesday and thought it was for Wednesday, so I totally missed my flight! I actually cried, but it was all ok, Southwest didn't charge me for my missed flight and I ended up being home for a week, rather than two, which was probably good. While I was home I went shopping with Mom for YW camp... or because we were trying to save the world with condiments...

again... the only picture I can find from May!

June: Summer classes started and it was a whirlwind of activity. I helped a family in the ward plant their huge garden and kept occupied with those two Swift classes. I was in class for 5 hours, two days a week with the same teacher. One of the classes required that I care for a baby for the entirety of the class.  I also went to a wedding that had THIS cake:

Yes, it was a Duck Dynasty themed wedding. 

My baby, Seth "Stormageddon"

July: Brought more of the same, and boy was it hot! My poor little un-air conditioned Betsy did not like the heat! And then it rained and this happened all over town:

August: Again most of the month was spent off of school. I spent a good time making cupcakes to bribe people to do my research project (kind of like a thesis). School started again in late August, as did car troubles. Luckily, I met a nice man at Walmart who is somewhat of a Volvo enthusiast, he did repairs on my car for a super good price, and I learned more than I ever wanted to know about Volvos.

September: I spent a lot of time in Clovis as my practicum placement was with MECA, an early intervention program. I learned I get numb-bum sitting on people's floors, and I like doing therapy when the parents aren't there so I can be a little more mean  stern. Also, I got myself volunteered to being in charge of the program's Homecoming float with my idea "Angry Birds of Paradise" I made 25 angry bird masks, which got us "most clever" and the first win for the CDIS program EVER.

This is "my" trophy... I'm pretty proud of it. 

October: I went to NMSHA for the second year in a row with the program, this year, presenting some of the posters for the research poster sessions. I also got nearly deathly ill and survived on cough drops and Tylenol Cold. At the end of the month I made nearly 100 cupcakes for the Halloween Carnival at the clinic. Also I went with Matt and Shayna to the Portales Peanut Festival. Yes, we know how to party. This guy almost gave me a heart attack:

November: Amid the craziness of school wrapping up, I made a delicious Thanksgiving feast, seriously, delicious, for me, Matt, Justin and a couple of friends from the program. I also went to Fort Stanton with Lauren for my dear friend Dara's wedding. This picture was taken when we were off roading (following a GPS) we ALMOST missed the wedding (10 more minutes and we would have!). 

December: School wrapped up in early December, I passed all my classes (thank goodness) and I mad these adorable cupcakes for a friend's daughter's birthday. Then I got on a plane and went home for 2 weeks! It was glorious, I <3 and="" any="" around="" best.="" but="" city="" completing="" eve="" ever.="" family="" flew="" from="" globe="" home...="" i="" in="" into="" lake.="" lake="" m="" me="" mucho.="" my="" nbsp="" new="" night="" not="" on="" p="" park="" picked="" pictures="" s.="" s="" salt="" shelly="" spent="" sure="" the="" took="" traditions="" up="" we="" were="" when="" year="">

Shelly, Jillian, Me, Stephanie, McKenzie and Best Photo Bomber ever!

The year was good to me. I was happier with myself and where I am at than I ever have been before. Here's to an even better 2014, with lots of changes!