Getting new digs

I'm moving out of the duplex in June. I was thinking I need to make a list of what I'm looking for in my next place and thought, "Why not blog it?" So here goes:

Musts

Entryway does not lead into or past kitchen (don't want the kitchen to be the first thing my guests see)

Bathroom is accessible via some route other than through bedroom

Has patio/balcony with afternoon sun

Trash disposal area is easily accessible

Has extra space somewhere (somewhat secluded) for two litter boxes

Rent is ≤ $750

Preferred

Is on first floor

Offers covered parking

Has washer and dryer or connections in unit

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Originally uploaded by erloteiel

-2.5 Woohoo!! I'm trucking now. 5 more pounds to meet goal 1.1.

To recap: Initial NYR (goal 1) was to lose 10 lbs by March 1. Lost that in a hurry, so the next step (goal 1.1) was to lose 20 lbs by March 1. Starting weight 159, so 5 pounds till 139.

It's been so long since I was 130-anything! I can't wait!!

146.5

146.5
Originally uploaded by erloteiel

Okay, so this is a week old, but here it is. Overcame the aftermath of Super Bowl weekend and a lazy, practically gym-free week. Ate more healthily and hit the gym 6 times! Yay, me.

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Originally uploaded by erloteiel

Yep, you read that right. Up three pounds. It's my own fault (whose else would it be?) for not keeping my activity goals and for splurging twice instead of once. Not gonna beat myself up though.

And I may not have much great news to report next week either. I'm hitting the gym like mad, but I'm going to Dallas this weekend to watch the Super Bowl with my family. I'll try hard, but I know there will lots of temptation to indulge in fatty foods. C'mon, it's the Super Bowl! Doesn't that just scream hot wings and onion dip?!

Best Christmas gift I never got

So I'm a vocal boycotter of Wal-Mart (aka The Great Satan). My whole family knows it and occasionally gives me grief about it.

Christmas 2006, my parents gave all the kids gift cards for Christmas. Everyone except me got a Wal-Mart card. I got a Target card. I thought that was pretty cool of them. They told everyone -- with much mock eye-rolling -- how they knew better than to give me a card to that evil store.

This past Christmas was even better. My dad went to Wal-Mart for a repeat of the year before. Gift cards for everyone but Samsara, but this time he saw one of those "spend it anywhere" Visa cards and bought one of those for me. Thoughtful and above-and-beyond in itself because there's an added fee on those cards. But wait, it gets better. When he got home and was filling out the enclosure cards, he saw that the Visa also had a Wal-Mart logo, probably meaning that some of that fee would go to Wal-Mart. You know what he did? He took it back! I kind of think, if it were me, I would have told the recipient to get over herself since she didn't have to actually shop at Wal-Mart. Not my super-conscientious dad. He took it back and I got a new cellphone instead. Best non-gift ever.

Rewards

I have totally slacked off on the gym-going this week. Boo, me. I took a seminar at work called "Making Your New Year's Resolution A Reality" in which the speaker suggested we reward ourselves for accomplishing short-term goals.

So next week, the goal is 6 days of activity. And the reward for that effort will be a pedicure. I've been wanting one for months, but just haven't let myself spend the money. Now I'm going to. The week starts tomorrow. Wish me luck!

I've also decided what my big reward for meeting my goal weight will be: paying for a housecleaning! Now that's motivation! I hate cleaning and usually only do enough to get by. I want to pay someone to clean and clean thoroughly -- baseboards, oven, refrigerator, windows, the works.

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145
Originally uploaded by erloteiel

So I'm down four more pounds. I'm at the weight I was when I arrived in San Marcos.

That's good. I've lost 14 pounds. That's good. Sadly, I have to keep telling myself that because I've gotten discouraged this week. I haven't abandoned the program, but I'm really having to work on my self-talk.

I feel discouraged because I've lost 14 pounds and I don't really feel a whole lot has changed. I think it's because I would expect to feel a big difference in my clothes and see more of a change in my body. Deep down I know I'm not seeing that change because I was at the mid 140's for a long time. It feels like I'm where I started, I think, because I just put on these 14 pounds within the last 6 months and I was still able to squeeze in my old clothes.

I'm also discouraged thinking about my diet. I've finally started tracking my calories, and while the caloric intake per day is in the right range, I'm way off on my fat/carb/protein ratio. I'm going to have to start tracking dietary exchanges like I used to years ago. I was hoping to avoid that work, but if I want to be sure that I'm not losing muscle (which I'm sure I am now, another reason 14 pounds doesn't feel like 14 pounds), I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do it.

So, onwards and upwards. Or rather, downwards. Or upwards in my attitude and downwards in my weight. You know what I mean.