20 Ballparks Down and 14 to go!

I visited my last California baseball park on July 5, 2012.  I had heard good things about Petco Park and I was not disappointed.  It is a beautiful place and of course the gorgeous San Diego weather doesn't hurt!

I am hoping to make it to Cinncinatti in September for ballpark #21.

14 months later......

I mentioned in an earlier post that I would share before and after pictures.  I intentionally begin trying to lose weight in February 2012.  Since then, I have lost 40 lbs.  I find that when I look in the mirror, I don't see the difference.  I am also struggling with clothes sizes.....in my mind I am still 40 lbs heavier....this is a problem because all of my pants fall down as I walk and I don't remember the last time I had to unbutton my pants to use the restroom!

Here is a pic of last May in Sedona, AZ with my friend Jeff next to a pic of me on July 6, 2012 with my friend BJ at the San Diego Zoo.  Can you see a difference?



Sedona May 2011

San Diego July 2012

Sadie Mae turns 12!

My puppy girl turned 12 years old this weekend. 

I can't believe that I have had her since April 2001.  I had always said I was going to get a dog as soon as I could.  I was working for San Francisco State University and I moved from on campus housing to Treasure Island.  In March 2001, I survived an assault from a good friend (clearly not such a good friend) and my BFF recognized that I was slipping into depression.  I just couldn't get out of bed each day.  He knew I wanted a puppy....so during my sister's visit, we went to San Francisco Animal Control and there was Ms. Sadie....(of course they had named her Princess).  She was the calm, reserved and sweet.  She had us fooled!  As soon as she recovered from being fixed, she was no longer calm and reserved....she ate my friends palm piolet, chewed a chair, ate her collar, ripped apart her puppy bed......yet she was a handful!  But we loved her anyway! 

She is still filled with energy and gets into lots of trouble.  If I have ANYTHING in the kitchen sink, she finds a way to take it out and destroy it.  She has eaten a blender, lots of wooden spoons and I have no idea how she hasn't been rushed to the vet for any sort of blockage!

I love her and she gave me that reason I needed to get out of bed every day......she is my fur baby and is one spoiled pooch!



California here I come...........(okay just for a short trip)

On Thursday, July 5th, I am headed to California to combine a work trip with a personal trip.  I tell people, I am bi-coastal! My heart lives in California as well as Massachusetts!

Not only is this my first trip to CA since February 2009, it is the first time I will be in CA without a visit to San Francisco, since I moved in July 2005!  I am struggling with that a bit, but trying to focus on seeing some old friends from HHS and hopefully some friends that have relocated from SF to Southern California!

I will be visiting my 20th baseball park (Petco Park).  It is the last ballpark in California for me to visit.  I am also going to the San Diego Wild Animal Park (which I have wanted to go to for a VERY long time).  My pal BJ and I are flying from BWI to San Diego on the 5th.  He and I always go to zoos together.....even in New Orleans when it was crazy hot and I was in extremem pain.

Then we head to Anaheim for our annual conference.  I will be presenting at a national conference for the first time.  I will also be having lunch with a childhood friend who I haven't seen since high school!

I will probably make a trip to Disneyland seeing I have never been........

Anyone who lives out in the Orange County/Anaheim area.......let me know if you want to get together.  I will be in San Diego for 1 night, but if you are around and want to grab dinner....let me know.

Back on Track

I am happy to report, I am back on track.  I have lost 5 lbs (in 7 days) since my post about falling off the wagon!  I have had "cheat" meals, but nothing like my birthday weekend.  I was nervous about Nutrisystem, because I know you have to be careful when you stop eating the food, but I am comfortable because I know I will know how to eat when I decide to get off of the plan.  I am scheduled to get month 2 at the end of the month and decided to add some of the frozen entries.

I find it is easier to stay on track if I allow myself a little craving every once and awhile. 

On Friday, I went to dinner with a friend and I knew I wasn't going to be following Nutrisystem, so I got to the mall early and walked all 3 levels. 

I have also noticed that the foods I once LOVED to eat, are now being rejected by my body.  If I have something greasy or starchy....I end up feeling ill for a few days.  My goal is to be down another 20 lbs by August 1st (7 weeks from now).  That would put my total weight loss at 53 lbs!

The new set of YMCA classes begins on Monday and I am signed up for two "land" classes and 1 aquatics class.  Now that the weather is nicer, I am more motivated to get outside and walk with Sadie (my puppy girl).  The property I manager is 15 hilly acres so it gives me lots of space to walk inclines and increase my heart rate during a walk....thankfully Sadie likes to walk quickly so she doesn't slow me down.

I love that the clothes I haven't been able to wear in over 4 years are fitting again, but it is going to be time to buy some new clothes shortly.  I am putting a dollar in a jar for each time I exercise.  The goal is to reach $100 so I can buy a new outfit.

Fell off the wagon!

Soo........I believe that my birthday is something to celebrate!  I like to spoil myself and surround myself with those I love......

Unfortunately, this year I sabotaged myself!  I didn't fall of the wagon, I was being dragged behind the wagon, holding on for my life!  I was doing so well on Nutrisystem and had lost 6 lbs in 9 days.  My gluttony began Thursday night and didn't stop until last night.  I didn't make any good food choices.

I did learn that bread is my ENEMY!  I feel disgusting!  I am not disappointed in myself because I knew what I was doing....but my body is revolting!  I feel like there is a gluey substance just sitting in my stomach...

So I woke up this morning with a new resolve......walked for 30 mins before I came to work, walked to work and plan to walk 4 buildings this afternoon.  I will follow it up with a 30 min walk with Sadie after work and then some arm cycling.......(I love my bike pedals and am getting definition in my arms).

I have had some ups and downs since last May, but didn't start trying to change my lifestyle and eating habits until February.  I am proud of the progress I have made and look forward to continuing the journey!

NutriSystem

Okay....before you judge....I KNOW I have the knowledge and tools to lose the weight without a pre-packaged plan.  I have been frustrated lately that my weight number isn't going down.  I know I am losing inches.....and I SHOULD be happy with that (and I am to an extent), but I want the weight to come down.

I decided to try NutriSystem because it is risk free.  At the end of the program, if I am not satisfied, I can call and get a complete refund.  I am hoping the program will kick up the weight loss.

I started today and am STARVING..........that just means I need to pack more non-starchy veggies for during the day because I can eat as many as those as I want.  I also need to drink more water because that keeps me full.

We shall see.......