A Goal

If you haven't been reading my blog I have a few posts about my weight loss journey. I have lost a great deal of weight over the years and am just a few pounds from hitting fifty pounds again. By the end of July I am hoping to lose another 13 pounds. This will be a new low for me and I hope to continue losing fat and strengthening my core and these flabby little arms lol. I have only changed my diet by counting in everything through this amazing little app called my fitness pal. I am also more physically active. I walk a bit more than I used to and am back at playing volleyball. All this time I have just been weighing myself, but I took measurements today of my neck, hips, and waist. I will record the measurements every 3-4 weeks. I actually still have my records from 2007 that I made up while in my first year of college, then there is some done again in 2009 when I hit the weight that I am almost at now. I will taje measurements again next month and hopefully there is some less inches.

As reward for hitting this goal weight for the end of July I plan to get a hair cut and buy a new outfit or two (this is to hopefully get me through to the next goal I will set for myself.

If you are thinking about going on this adventure, my fitness pal is available online or for anapp for your phone. Let me know you added it and we can connect there for added support.

The children have grown, but I have shrunk!

Nearly 9 years ago things were much different. As I was gathering up my laundry after sorting I looked at a photo that was taken on Halloween when my currently almost 9 year old nephew was just a few months old. My niece and nephews standing in front of me and the youngest one in my arms. We are all dressed in our awesome costumes and yes even the baby was sporting a little make up and looking oh so cute. As I reflect on this picture I realize how time flies! Now not even 9 years later I will be standing in the middle of the five of us and I will be shorter that my niece and one of my nephews, with still having two nephews shorter than I am, but the one for sure would have to stand to the side. We might also want to note here that my niece is only 15 and the two middle nephews are 13 more or less (so they are not even to their full height yet). There is also something else very different from back then. I am nearly 50 pounds lighter and getting a photo together of the five of us we would certainly see a difference. I don't have a double chin anymore!

Alas all the children have gotten a lot taller and I'm sure that they will all over tower their little auntie over here who may not be getting taller, but is slimming down! Who is up for playing lego on the floor?

Budgeting

Just about everyone I know is struggling with finances and it is no real surprise as to why. I am and I know that I am blessed with the place I live in. It is "Stupid" cheap as some people might say. Everyone it seems is trying to get out of debt and I'm no exception. With the leap of faith I took last year I am behind and am slowly catching up. Sadly this is happening slower than I had planned. So now I am sitting here with all my figures sitting before me for me to work through and try to make a budget to stick to. This is going to be very tough, I know I don't have "normal" rent dues, but I do have exceptional Student loan payments.

What are some tips and tricks you have in place to help you stay on track and still enjoy life a little?