Weigh-In Wednesday and Vacation & Wedding Talk

I didn't weigh this morning.  I completely forgot.  Last time I weighed was last Friday and I was 213.0.  I'm down just a smidge but I'm still 3-4 pounds more than I was back in February-March.  I'm once again at a place where I have no motivation.  My first 2 weeks on my macros plan was great.  Last week should have been week 3 but we had Vacation Bible School at church and I was going straight from work to pick up kids and then to church until almost 9 each night.  Being a single mom during the week, I still had dishes, laundry, bath time, etc. after I got home.  The last thing I thought of was working out and meal planning for the next day.  I know I'm making excuses but I just.can't.get.it.together.  On a good note, there has been some sort of bug going through both kids and it seemed to have made it to me.  I have absolutely no appetite and I'm afraid anything I do eat will be right back up. 

I'm taking the children's group (3rd-6th grade) from church to camp next week, Sunday - Wednesday.  I have never been and have no idea what to expect.  I'm sure I will get in some walking and I know we will have 3 meals each day.  Then on Thursday we are headed to LA, also known as Lower Alabama.  I can't wait!  Gulf Shores/Orange Beach is one of my most favorite vacation spots ever.  Imagine my heart break when just a few weeks ago my husband informs me that he hates the beach.  Like, would rather stay at home than go.  We have been taking a beach vacation almost every one of the 12 years that we have been married and now he decides to tell me that! 

I guess now is a great time to link up with Holly and Amy and talk vacations.

My favorite vacation spot is the beach.  It's just so relaxing to me.  We went to Disney World a few years back and it was anything but relaxing.  That's not to say we didn't have a great time, but we were on constant go.  Not to mention the 16 hour drive and the kidney I had to sell to pay for the trip.  Gulf Shores is about a 4 hour drive for us.  Depending on where we stay, it's a trip I don't have to save all year to pay for.  Last year was our first year to splurge and get a condo, not a hotel.  It was amazing!  We stayed at the Caribe.  The amenities - pools, waterslides, lazy river, shuttle to the beach, covered parking, bay side docks for boating/fishing - was what drew me in.  The inside of our condo was great - stainless appliances, granite countertops, great furniture, plenty of room and amazing views.  Next week's trip is pretty much a last minute decision and since we are only going to be there 4 days, we are staying in a hotel.  My ultimate dream vacation would be Bora Bora. 

How beautiful is this?  Being that my husband doesn't fly, I'm sure if I ever go it will be by myself or a girls trip.  Of course I would also love to go to Hawaii and the Bahamas.  My husband's dream vacation is a cabin in the woods in the mountains.  Since we got married at the end of October, we did that for our honeymoon.  Sure, it was pretty and quiet and relaxing, but I'm such a sun and water kinda girl. 

Speaking of wedding, I'm such a slacker on blogging that I didn't post and link up with Melanie & Holly last week.  My wedding was pretty low key - small church wedding, my mom did the decorations and flowers, no caterer, grandmother made the cake, and a basic reception with no music or dancing.  Of course, if I could do it over there is so much I would change.  The 6 months leading up to my wedding was pretty much a disaster.  Lots of arguing, stress and opinions from everyone.  I would love a do-over and have a small beach wedding in March or April.  Decorations would be little to none.  Maybe one bridesmaid and groomsman.  Nice dinner reception.  Cruise to the Bahamas for the honeymoon.  Maybe in a few years we can do a vow renewal on the beach.

Tardy for the Parties - Weigh-In Wednesday & Letter to 21 Year Old Mandy

I have seriously considered deleting my blog because I don't like to do anything half way.  I have been so swamped this week that I haven't had a chance to blog (or put up the mound of clean laundry on my bed).  So, here's 2 posts in 1 just 2 days and 1 day late!!

I can't tell you how much I love Weigh-In Wednesday.  It has been such a huge source of encouragement.  Since starting my Macro plan, I have been weighing in on Mondays instead of Wedesndays.  My eating plan has pretty much been a clean diet with no junk food.  So far it has worked very well.  I actually don't have the cravings for the junk food like I once did and I don't get hungry.  This is a win in my book!  I have slacked off with my workouts this week.  I just haven't made the time.  I am not a morning person but I eventually want to be.  I think I'm going to make that one of my goals before summer is over.  I want to be able to get up early and workout.  Sorry this was a short & sweet Weigh-In Wednesday.  My only advice for anyone reading this and looking for it - You have to seriously make up your mind to do it.  You can't do it for your husband or your kids, you have to want it for you.  It has taken me a long time to realize that and to make my mind up to do it.  You will have 'off' days and it's getting back on track that counts.  Always remember that one bad meal or even one bad day doesn't make you a failure.

And now for my letter to my 21 year old self.

I just love Holly (who doesn't?) and Jake seems to be the good, southern, boy next door.  So, here's my letter.  I also want to say that 21 was over 10 years ago for me and it was kinda hard to remember back to those times!

Dear 21 year old Mandy,

Even though you just got married 2 weeks ago, you should seriously consider going back to finish your last 2 years of college.  I know you love your job at the bank and don't want to do anything else but there will come a day when banking isn't fun anymore.  If you decide not to be a teacher, go into accounting.

Be wise with your money.  Think about everything you buy and don't buy things just because you want it and have the money.  There will be days when times are tight and you will regret not being frugal and saving more.

Get back in touch your former best friend.  No matter what happened the first year of college, she was your best friend for so many years.  Don't worry about who did what.  Suck it up and call her.  You will begin talking again over the years but you will be more like acquaintances, and won't be as close as you once were.  

Take care of yourself.  This includes eating right and exercise.  Clean out your drawer of Little Debbie's in the kitchen and do some research on eating clean.  You don't have kids and since your husband works out of town, you have plenty of time to workout.  You have no excuse!  You will have kids and being healthy and fit before then will be a great thing. 

Learn to love the house you bought.  It was a 'fixer upper' so don't expect a mansion.  You will both put in lots of sweat and tears but it will be yours.  Also, there is a family of bats living in the space above the second floor bathroom.  While renovating, they will fly through the ceiling into your bedroom at night.  Cover this hole up before going to bed.

Lastly, let loose and enjoy life!  Mellow out some and don't let things get to you.

Love,

A much older and wiser Mandy

Week 1 of Macros Plan

Well, it's been over a week since my last post.  Blogger fail right here!  I wanted to do a quick update on my macros plan that I started last Monday.  The first week went very well.  I had a few small slip ups here and there, but I did lose 4 pounds so I must have done something right!  I stuck to the plan Ashley created for me and the only problem I had was trying to eat all the food each day.  There were a few days that I didn't.  I haven't had the craving for 'junk' food like I normally have.  We went to a baseball game Saturday and I bypassed the Dippin' Dots and hot dogs.  I did share some nachos with my daughter for lunch.  I asked them to put the cheese on the side and I sparingly dipped my chips!  Again this week I chose to stick to the plan Ashley gave me but I plan to try and create my own meals next week.  Anybody else experimenting with macros? 

The End of Operation Red Bikini = Another Beginning for Me

Well, the Operation Red Bikini challenge officially ended Friday.  I was no where near my original goals I set back on January 4.  I was so motivated and determined in January and February.  Then I let life get in the way and March came and brought a super stressful month at work, there was Easter, birthday parties, weekend road trips, and lots of fast food.  I am more conscious about what I eat and how much exercise I am or am not getting.  I definitely credit this challenge and the amazing ladies I've met along the way for that.  I just have a huge problem with commitment.  I get bored and have lots of off days where I lose sight of my goals. 

Knowing the end of this challenge was near and I wasn't even close to where I wanted to be, I felt like a total failure.  So last week I made my mind up to ask for help and I reached out to Ashley Leahy.  I originally began following her on Instagram.  Then I saw her post a few before/after pictures of her clients and I read a few posts from some ladies they were on her macro plan and what a difference they saw.  I knew I needed some structure and I also knew that I could do it if I tried.  Plus there will be someone to really hold me accountable.  I started my plan today and my weight this morning was 217.4.  That's a 5+ pound gain in 3 weeks!!  I honestly can't believe I let myself get here again.  So today is my new beginning of what I hope will be a successful attempt at changing my lifestyle to healthier eating, being fit and feeling good and I will never have to 'start' again!