When the birds fly the coop, what's a mama to do but get serious about her weight problem

Last summer I stepped on the scale at the doctors office for my yearly physical and had to face the facts.  I was fat.  At 45 years old I had been dealing with low iron, low b-12, thyroid issues, ever present period problems and exhaustion for a few years.  The doctor didn't tell me I needed to lose weight and I'm not sure why.  Maybe she could see how tired I was or maybe she had sympathy for me because my last child was leaving for college and I was slightly depressed.  At 5'6" I weighed cough cough 169.  We had already planned our summer vacation and as I found myself packing clothes for Maine I realized I had only one pair of pants to wear.  I had no choice but to buy the next size up.  I went to Kohl's and got some pretty hideous size 12 jeans.  To be fair, I was still jogging 2-3 miles 3-4 times a week and I had a gym membership.  I was pretty frustrated that the weight had escalated to that amount and I felt hopeless.  When we returned from our vacation I decided to make some changes.  It was July and it was hot but I knew I had to get serious.  I gave myself small goals.  My first goal was below 160.  I stopped drinking drinks with sugar.  I gave up my beloved coca-cola and my ever present sweet tea.  I started jogging as much as I could.  I jogged at least 3 miles and walked a lot.  I also got on the scale daily.  I started losing weight.  I realized I was dropping at least 2 oz. daily.  On weeks that I had my period that would change but after I was off my period I realized the weight was literally falling off.   My second goal was below 150.  I lost down to 135 by November. My next goal was to maintain through the holidays and drop down to 125 after the new year. I did get sick in November with colitis for 6 weeks so I couldn't run and didn't eat a lot but I didn't really lose weight either.  I got frustrated this summer because I've been around 138 since April and couldn't lose an ounce.   In May I asked for a fitbit and I keep track of my daily calories.  This past Saturday I was 134 and today, I'm 133.6.  I am writing this to encourage everyone that is discouraged by their weight.  You don't need to pay someone to get healthy.  It's simply a lifestyle choice.  I thought I had an addiction to coca-cola but it really wasn't that hard once I set my mind to it.  Monitoring my calories in the Myfitnesspal app has really helped me. I'm only accountable to me.

Guess who got a Job!!!!

My sweetie called me a couple of weeks ago really frustrated. Work was on his last nerve and he suggested I find a job. We have talked about me finding a job for the last couple of years but what is a 46 year old woman to do?  Who would hire s woman that hasn't worked in a quarter of a century?  I have gone to college.  I even have a medical transcription degree but never used it. I planned to work from home but the program shut down and I wasn't able to work in a business away from home since I homeschooled my kids.  That was ok though. My wrist bothered me throughout the program and I realized that I probably wouldn't make it as a transcriptionist. I do have a small business where I flip things.  I buy electronics, cell phones, iPods, video games, and even musical instruments. I am a determined woman though. I got he said look and I did. I pulled up my resume and updated it. I found jobs and started applying. I applied for an office job, at an airline and at a popular retail store.  I was rather flippant as I answered questions on the applications. No I won't work holidays,  no, I won't work Friday or Saturday.  I asked for an unreasonable salary. I mean really. What did I have to lose?  The next day I got an email requesting an interview.  I wasn't nervous as I answered the questions. I left knowing they wouldn't hire me.  I haven't interviewed in 28 years. So, You can imagine my surprise when I got a call telling me that I was hired.  So tomorrow after being out of the workplace for 25 years, I'm going to work.  Wish me luck.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger

 I started jogging as a teenager and jogged off and on my entire life. When I first started jogging it was just me and the open air and the only sounds I heard were cows mooing, and cars flying by down the old country roads I jogged on.  When the Walkman came around, I invested in one and then I could listen to a tape or the radio. It was living the high life y'all. I was thinking about that the other day when I went out for a five mile jog.  Now, I have a playlist on my iPhone and I no longer have to stop and flip over the tape. I get to choose what songs I hear and they don't have to be by the same artist.  Also, I have an app that tells me how far I run and get this how many calories I burn. That my friends is amazing. I forgot my headphones the other day and was blasting my music as I passed by several people on the trail I run on. I wondered what they thought of my song selections: Don't stop believing (Journey), Stronger(Kelly Clarkson), eye of the Tiger (survivor), Young Turks(Rod Stewart),  and Dancin Queen(ABBA) to name a few.  What are songs that you listen to when you jog?

Top Ten Tuesday.

I could change my mind because what I love to watch depends on my mood. Here are my favorites today:

10.  Toy Story:  what's not to like?  Tom Hanks and Tim Allen at their best. Love it. Love the music.
9. Star Wars:  Harrison Ford.  Enough said.
8.  Sabrina:  again Harrison Ford.
7. Andy Griffith:  Don Knotts.  Lighthearted. The first 5 seasons.
6.  Parks and Rec so much funny
5. Doctor Who. Thanks to my kids
4. The Princess Bride. Everything about this movie rocks.
3. Emma ((bbc version) just watch it.  You'll see.
2. Anne of Green Gables.  My kindred spirit
1. You've Got mail: My all time fave. So many good things about this movie.