Turning a new leaf... again.

Over the past 2 months I have digressed in my life change. I have eaten way too many sweets, given up exercise, and have not been watching my portions. Suffice it to say i've fallen off the wagon. Is it disappointing? A bit Am I going to beat myself up over it? No. It is a '2 steps forward one step back' kind of thing... so at least ive made it one step!

Now that I am once again committed to a healthier me, I have decided to try a few different things. I am taking the advice of this article I read in Eating Well magazine and setting goals. My goal is to make it to a size 12 by losing 1-1 1/2 pounds a week. Of course my ultimate goal is to be healthy and have optimal cholesterol and triglyceride numbers, but losing weight will help me achieve that goal! I am also going to give myself a reward. When I reach my goal I will be able to go to a neighboring town to buy a cute vintage dress!

I have also just started an online journal to keep track of the foods I eat. I tend to think that if no one sees me eat unhealthy things than it doesnt count. That way of thinking has not served me well over the past couple of months, so it is time to change. By writing down all that I eat I have to face the fact that all food I eat contributes to my health.

I also need to start exercising again. Last week I walked to work all week. Doing little things like this is a goal that will help me achieve better 'good' cholesterol levels, which I need in order to be happy. Exercising also gives me more energy throughout the day.

All of this leads me back to you, my support system. I will need you to encourage me and be there for me while I get things back on track. I know I can count on you all to help me live better... you have all been wonderful so far!

Thanks!

I didnt mean for all 3 to start with an H; i'm not that kind of girl.

Sorry it's been forever friends; i've actually been busy at work! I think things are a bit slowed down now, which is good. I like being busy, but I do not like being stressed out!

Anyway, I thought i'd give you an update of sorts.

1. Health - I went to the Doctor for my newest lab results and my cholesterol went down 30 points! It was my triglycerides that made the biggest difference; they went from 360 to 153! Im excited about that, but I still have work to do. My good cholesterol is still too low and my bad cholesterol is still too high, as are my triglycerides. I am going to start taking a supplement that my doctor recommended. It is an Omega 3 pill that is filled with high quality healthy fats from fish. I also will continue to eat healthy. I am also trying to up my exercising... that is the key for the good cholesterol to increase. my dictor also said that my thyroid levels are good. My next update is in 6 months. Oh, and I've also lost 12 pounds, which is 1 pound a week! I am happy with that.

2. Hobbies - For my wonderful sister-in-law's birthday I sewed her a laptop case. I forgot to take a picture, but trust me - it is awesome! I was impressed that it turned out so nicely! Right now I am in the process of making a headband for one of my good friends baby. I am also attaching a flower made out of ribbon on it. As it is going to a little one and will most likely end up in her mouth and not on her head I am being extra careful in constructing it with child friendly materials (ie... I am not using my vintage buttons). I also got my first real pattern in the mail; an apron. I am excited to make it; it will be a great challenge! It also is a good step towards my goal of sewing vintage dresses.

Might I also add that I am PUMPED about my sister finding out if she is having a boy or girl so I can get to sewing multiple things for her or him!

Oh, and it is also vintage hair weather; thank God! I was getting so bored with styling my hair the same way. I hope to post pictures soon. I also have decided to take a big step and try pincurls. I have been avoiding them like the plague, but I think it's time.

3. Halloween - I am going to be a sailor girl for Halloween - words cannot express how excited I am! The husband has not idea what he wants to be, so any suggestions would be helpful!

Website Wednesday

I found myself laughing out loud today in my office when I was reading the website Sh*t my Dad Says. The tagline says "I'm 29. I live with my 74 year old Dad. He is Awesome. I just write down sh*t that he says."

This man is hilarious; and not in the 'dad joke' kind of way, more in the 'im-old-so-I-can-say-whatever-I-effing-want" kind of way. Therefore, do not read it if you are not okay with various vulgar curse words.

For those not into vulgar humor, I found another website I really like: EatingWell.com. Mostly I like it because it gave me a recipe for watermelon sorbet... but it has other good stuff on it too.

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In other news, on Friday I will have been eating healthy for 4 weeks! I'm mostly excited about that, but I dont think I have lost any weight since my clothes all fit exactly the same (I don't believe in scales). Granted, I am not eating healthy to lose weight; i'm doing it to lower my cholesterol and take care of physical self.... but I would have expected to lose something! It's a bit maddening really.

It might have something to do with the fact that I still have a goiter, but the Doc said that it wasn't inhibiting my thyroid functioning. Oh well. Even though I haven't lost weight I have had positive results from this lifestyle change; I don't get stomach aches anymore and I have more energy!

Speaking of energy, here is my to-do list for tonight:

• Eat Dinner
• Grocery Shopping
• Water plants in community garden for at least an hour
• Work on current sewing project

Hope all is well with you folks!

What the health?!?

Last week I found out that I have high cholesterol and even higher triglycerides. What does this mean to this particular 25 year old?

Well, for starters I have to eat healthy: no more ice cream, enriched pasta, cereal, or beef for this girl. Now it is fat free frozen yogurt, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, and turkey or chicken. It's not that I dislike the latter foods, but it is quite a change, especially since i've never been on a diet.

I am not considering this a diet. It is a lifestyle change. I started this so-called lifestyle change Friday. I handled it pretty well over that weekend, and the husband was very helpful and supportive. However, yesterday I got cranky. I feel bad for the husband! This is going to be touch-and-go for a while, so please be patient with me while I go through sugar detox.

There are perks to this of course: The husband decided that he can't handle me being cranky about having no air conditioning and not having sweets, so we are finally getting a window unit for our living room! No more sweating while sitting down! Woo-hoo! Another perk is that I haven't had a stomach ache in 4 days! And of course, I wouldn't complain too much if I lost a few pounds through all of this.

Exercising is a while other story for a whole other day. For now the husband and I are going to be going for walks after dinner.