My life is so different now that I sometimes forget about the work it took to get here.

I forget that I’m capable of achieving something like a 110 pound weight loss.
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I bought a couple of new dresses the other day – both a very comfortable size 10. I was shocked that I’ll likely wind up in the single digits.

I have NEVER bought an article of clothing in a single digit. Ever.

The small things are still so weird.
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Jon and I volunteered to keep the walking group going – unofficially. I’m glad.

I showed up this week expecting to be the only person since it was slightly raining + nobody had really committed. 3 other people showed up, though, and walked with me. It was fun – and I definitely need the commitment to push me out the (work) door and do something.

I’m thinking about setting some sort of walking goal for myself for each week. 15 miles, maybe? I generally accomplish 6ish each weekend without much thought.

Typical Sunday mid-morning walk:

I still feel somewhat motivated to start jogging – so we’ll see.

Right now, I feel totally consumed by my job + commute. I met with the trainer this morning for the first time in a month, which is just not acceptable.

I’m working on better balance because there is NO WAY I can survive without more exercise – but it’s a slow process.
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Jon is doing a paleo challenge right now, so hopefully he’ll have a pretty interesting change to report in 30 days or so.

I’m not fully participating because I don’t like extremes of the sluggish gallbladder. High levels of fat have the potential to make me very sick. I am still easily maintaining, though, and am good with the way I continue to eat. Not much has changed.

(I have an appointment with a surgeon to talk about having my gallbladder removed – but IDK. It’s just BARELY functioning – but I’m not sure I want to deal with surgery.)
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The allergy shots have SO been worth the expense + drama.

Back to his old self.

Looks like my gallbladder is functioning on the “very low side of normal.” So – I’m going ahead with the scope in a couple of weeks.

I stressed about it – as I do – but it wasn’t a big deal and was actually very interesting.

I was able to see what was happening on a monitor and watched my liver dump to my gallbladder, which then dumped to my small intestine. They dripped the CCK (a hormone that stimulates digestion of fat/protein, which prompts the gallbladder to contract – the goal) via IV over the course of 30 minutes, so I felt nothing. They told me they were simulating a big cheeseburger, which I would have HAPPILY eaten FOR REAL at that point – in way less than 30 minutes – despite whatever pain it might have caused because I just don’t do food restrictions well.

My liver was fine – and everything flowed appropriately – just not sure why the gallbladder was sluggish.

I had a bunch of other stuff tested recently. Celiac (blood test) was negative – thankfully – because the gluten free situation is a PITA I don’t wish to repeat. Only real deficiency is B-12, so I’m starting weekly shots and will do that for a few weeks before switching to OTC. I’ll work on my diet, too, obv.

This might sound crazy, but I think Jon’s cancer diagnosis and the ensuing research/surgery/visits to various doctors/etc. changed how I view our bodies, in general.

I have the tendencies of a hypochondriac, for sure, but now I feel like my body is one big science experiment – and I kind of find it fascinating.

It’s amazing to me that I spent so many years destroying a system that now seems to be chugging along well – and it’s interesting to think about how my actions (or lack thereof) toward improved health continue to impact the whole system.
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Jon had his 6-month check-up with the oncologist recently. He’s still fine. CEA level hasn’t changed, lung scan was normal.

He’ll be on the 3 month appointment schedule for a while, so I hope the visits become easier. This was just the second – and the first without CEA level drama – so it was a stressful morning. The oncologist reiterated that Jon’s prognosis is “great” – which is reassuring. But still. Stressful.
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Can’t leave Henry out of the health hullabaloo.

We’ve tried all of the old tricks re: allergies this year. Took him to 2 different vets to get different opinions when nothing seemed to help. He kept itching and yanking his hair out at an alarming rate – and his skin rapidly worsened – and he became very sick once we stopped the steroids given by the second vet …

… so we would up at an allergy/dermatology clinic where we had him tested.

Turns out he’s allergic to the entire backyard and to our wool rug. No food allergies, though, despite our concern about that.

We started allergy shots yesterday that we’ll be giving him at home for the next few months. And an antibiotic. And he’s taking Claritin + Benadryl. And he’ll be getting medicated baths every 3 days until his skin heals.

He’s pitiful right now – and I’m mostly freaking out because he has zero energy and rarely moves and doesn’t want to be touched and looks awful and OMG – but I’m very hopeful.
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The KnoxWalks program ended yesterday with a 5k walk.

Realistically, it seemed like it would have been easier to jog vs. the speedy(ish) walk thing we did. I felt like jogging most of the way, anyway, so I think I need to give up the C25K thing and just do it. Just run when I can and walk when I can’t until I can run more than walk. The rigidity of a training program bogs me down and creates too much pressure – which entices me to quit. Nothing about anything I’ve done along this entire weight loss jaunt has worked through rigid structure/pressure.

Anyway.

I’m sort of sad it’s over. I looked forward to walking each Monday night and am hoping to continue, but I know the motivation to rush out of work won’t be the same without the commitment/structure of the group thing.

I’m glad we participated.

I overheard a couple of people complaining about the reward given at the end of the 5k since it doesn’t appear to promote the healthy community the walk was designed to bring about.

But I really had no comment – and I’m glad.

I wouldn’t have been able to bring myself to be hypocritical enough to eat some of the complimentary sugar on top of sugar on top of more sugar at a new (to us) breakfast place just afterward.

I was 160.5 on Friday – following a day of stomach revolt. Gained 3 pounds overnight because I was able to eat two actual meals. Have to say: I NEVER expected to reach the 150′s. Like, ever. I still can’t believe I’m within a few pounds.

I am not actively trying to lose weight, so this almost feels like cheating. I had to work SO HARD and now? I jumped through the 170′s without even really noticing.

I don’t notice much difference between 160ish and 180ish … but I guess something is happening since I’m dropping sizes.

May 2011 at 180ish:

Today at 163:

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So! Let’s talk about health drama! It’s related to weight loss!

I saw a new GI doctor the other day who thinks my weight loss (in general) has caused a gallbladder issue. He was quite surprised that I’ve lost over 100 pounds – and continue to lose. He explained something about sludge building up as I lost the weight and insinuated that my gallbladder is likely just not functioning correctly anymore.

I think the idea is that I have a function problem vs. a gallstone problem – but this is interesting:

… factors that contribute to the formation of gallstones, particularly cholesterol stones, include

Sex. Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones. Excess estrogen from pregnancy, hormone replacement therapy, and birth control pills appears to increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease gallbladder movement, which can lead to gallstones.

Family history. Gallstones often run in families, pointing to a possible genetic link.

Weight. A large clinical study showed that being even moderately overweight increases the risk for developing gallstones. The most likely reason is that the amount of bile salts in bile is reduced, resulting in more cholesterol. Increased cholesterol reduces gallbladder emptying. Obesity is a major risk factor for gallstones, especially in women.

Diet. Diets high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber increase the risk of gallstones due to increased cholesterol in the bile and reduced gallbladder emptying.

Rapid weight loss. As the body metabolizes fat during prolonged fasting and rapid weight loss—such as “crash diets”—the liver secretes extra cholesterol into bile, which can cause gallstones. In addition, the gallbladder does not empty properly.

Age. People older than age 60 are more likely to develop gallstones than younger people. As people age, the body tends to secrete more cholesterol into bile.

Ethnicity. American Indians have a genetic predisposition to secrete high levels of cholesterol in bile. In fact, they have the highest rate of gallstones in the United States. The majority of American Indian men have gallstones by age 60. Among the Pima Indians of Arizona, 70 percent of women have gallstones by age 30. Mexican American men and women of all ages also have high rates of gallstones.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs. Drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood actually increase the amount of cholesterol secreted into bile. In turn, the risk of gallstones increases.

Diabetes. People with diabetes generally have high levels of fatty acids called triglycerides. These fatty acids may increase the risk of gallstones.

I didn’t exactly “crash diet” this time around – but lord knows that’s how I spent most of my teens and early 20′s.

I’m having a scan soon to determine what’s going on.

CCK-HIDA scan is procedure used to check the function and the condition of the gallbladder and the ducts leading in and out of it. It can help determine if a person has form of gallbladder disease or if the gallbladder is functioning properly.

A radioactive chemical (hydroxy iminodiacetic acid or HIDA) is injected intravenously (IV) into the person. The chemical is removed from the blood by the liver and secreted into the bile which is produced by the liver. The test chemical then disperses into the bile ducts, the gallbladder, and the intestine. The radioactive substance will remain in the body temporarily until it is passed through urine or stool.

A camera (nuclear scanner) that senses radioactivity is then placed over the stomach and images of the liver, bile ducts, and gallbladder are obtained over the course of about two hours.

An injection of CCK (cholecystokinin) is administered and additional images will be taken. CCK is a medication that causes the gallbladder to contract. During the injection, a person may experience abdominal cramping or pain and nausea, however this will pass quickly. The images obtained before and after the CCK are examined and interpreted by a radiologist.

Sounds fun, right?

Honestly, I am very seriously hoping my gallbladder is the problem because I’ll have that sucker yanked out ASAP with zero regret. I miss eating without fear.

I have an upper scope scheduled a couple of weeks later just in case I get to hang on to it. I tried to talk him into doing a colonoscopy, too, while he’s at it – but he explained the risk/benefit scenario and I agreed to hold off until later. He understood my peace of mind argument, so we’ll see.

I think I mentioned before that I was previously diagnosed with rapid emptying syndrome and IBS? I don’t have the running-to-the-bathroom problem associated with either of those things (or many other symptoms, in general) – and the new GI doctor seems to think the rapid emptying thing is a non-issue. So. Who knows?

All I know is I eat a really clean diet that feels as if it’s slowly killing me.

Jon’s cancer episode taught me quite a bit, but most importantly: don’t give up. So I’m not.

Something else it taught me? Take control.

I drove around town the morning before my GI appointment picking up medical records from every facility that’s ever touched me vs. blindly having them faxed.

Guess what was noted on an Oct 2008 CT scan of my abdomen (from one of the very first stomach revolts that panicked me so much I wound up in the ER)?

Severe lumbar stenosis inferiorly, including L-4-L-5 where there is marked disc bulge.

Interesting.

Lumbar stenosis (spinal stenosis) is a condition whereby either the spinal canal (central stenosis) or one or more of the vertebral foramina (foraminal stenosis) becomes narrowed. If the narrowing is substantial, it causes compression of the nerves, which causes the painful symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis, including low back pain, buttock pain, and leg pain and numbness that is made worse with walking and relieved by resting.

Not an overly big deal – but I had no idea.

My mom has had back surgery (and most of her family have back issues) – so I’m not surprised – but you’d think someone would have mentioned a degenerative back problem/bulging disc situation to a 28 year old, right? So I could maybe make some appropriate lifestyle choices and work toward mitigating the damage/risk of injury. Like maybe not blindly starting fucking CrossFit?
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There is no rhyme or reason for the stomach revolts at this point. I can’t exactly pinpoint what will bring them on – other than beef and coconut oil – so I’m just eating when I can and dealing with the damage when it happens.

This morning, we went to The French Market Crêperie for a late (for us) breakfast.

I chose spinach, egg, cheese & tomato.

Jon chose bacon, egg & cheese.

We also split a blueberry & lemon curd for dessert.

So good.

We spent our entire Saturday moving furniture and scrubbing baseboards and mopping and dusting and steam cleaning rugs and furniture and washing every piece of fabric/dish/moveable object – so it was nice to be out of our house + sitting.

We walked afterward, of course.

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The babies are growing.

Crazy, right?

I think I’m going through a phase. It’s warm(ish) (sometimes) and nice outside … and I rarely feel like closing myself up in a crowded, noisy, chaotic feeling building before or after spending my (work) days closed up in a busy and sometimes chaotic feeling building.

I’ve been doing a lot of walking. I don’t kill myself to speed walk. Just walk. I love it.

This past week, I did the walking program thing with the group.

Met a friend after work on Friday to catch up.

And then walked around downtown after breakfast with Jon on Saturday morning.

I met with the trainer one night, as usual, and went to a Pilates class the same night. I did not, however, do week 2 of the C25K thing. I’ll probably get around to it this week.

So – 4 days out of 7 I did something – with little real effort or planning or stressing.

Would’ve made an effort today, but it’s COLD and dreary.

I’m ok with what I’m doing.

Killing myself to make it to the gym to plod away – by myself – on a machine – just doesn’t feel worth it to me right now.

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Food-wise, things are the same.

We’re still planning ahead and preparing for the week. (When Jon’s in town, anyway. I mostly still eat scrambled eggs when he’s gone.)

The bags of basil pictured above mean it’s time for my favorite breakfast/lunch/dinner. (The macadamia nuts on top are for some sort of homemade pesto, I think. TBA.)

Jon made a shrimp curry thing last night. No recipe. It’s broccoli, green beans, a pepper, onion, shrimp, carrots, sweet potato, mushrooms, coconut milk, green curry paste, fish sauce, coconut aminos, little bit of brown sugar. We’re obv eating brown rice now, too.

Don’t remember eating this, but I found it on the camera. It’s a bi-weekly thing, at least.

Also found and remembered – my mom came into town last weekend to celebrate her birthday.

It’s unlikely I’ll ever pass up an opportunity to buy a box of cupcakes and have a tasting party. Cake seems so boring now that I’ve given myself permission to take a bite of each flavor.

(Same gift bag I gave Cody 2 weeks earlier. I recycle.)

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I think I’ve officially crossed into “adult” territory.

I have worms in my refrigerator.

That I feed to the birds that I sit around and watch.

It’s fun.

The garden has started growing – a little. Still mostly dirt.

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Overall, life is good.

I’m very lucky.

I still have weird moments that I’m sure will always pop up to remind me that what’s in my head isn’t necessarily what’s in other heads – but I think I’m in a very good place re: food/exercise/weight issues.

Here’s something funny few people in my life right now would understand:

A client was talking about emotional eating and how hard she/he struggles with losing weight despite crazy amounts of exercise – and she/he actually said to me: “I’m not naturally thin like YOU.”

Guess how HARD IT IS to sit in silence and not refute something like that? Or laugh at the “thin” part?
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I’ve had passing thoughts here and there lately about plastic surgery – primarily a tummy tuck – but I’m not sure I want to mutilate my stomach just to get rid of a little loose skin. I might go to a consultation. Just to see. Out of curiosity.
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Jon’s oncology appointment is coming up this week. He had the blood draw + lung scan last week.

Coincidentally – or not – I’ve been bolting up from deep sleep lately with a racing heart + inability to (feel like I can) breathe + nausea + sweating.

I never had this problem when I could eat a cake for dinner.

So, active stuff:

We were both off on Friday, so I had a session with the trainer before we took several kids + a friend of one kid + my brother to the mountains for a short hike/walk.

It was a gorgeous day.

The trail went behind a waterfall, but I was good to glance at it from a distance. Too muddy/slippery/rocky for me.

I am not such a huge fan of broken feet/bones. Or mud.

Just about everyone else was more adventurous.

Saturday, we worked in the yard all day. ALL. DAY.

(Well, except for the few hours we spent at Home Depot picking out stuff for the remodeling project that’s starting in a couple of weeks. We put it off because of cancer + other craziness, but the contractor has been (partially) paid – so it’s happening. No backing out now.)

Jon chopped down a weird tree that was growing from an old stump (with a hand saw + ax! – the picture depicts the project at completion, unfortunately) since it completely shaded the garden area + he got our garden going.

I could barely move last night, but it’s worth it. The yard gets better/easier each year.

Today, I decided to fire up the C25K app and give it another try. I saw that I last did it March 2011 – and a brief check back through pictures/archives shows that this has apparently become an annual thing. I guess it takes a year to forget how much I hate running? Or the sunny/nice weather makes me crazy each year?

I got through 4 weeks last time. Goal is 5 this time around.

It was a pleasant enough (slow) 30 minutes through the neighborhood + 4 extra walking home. I didn’t die anyway.

Cody showed up, so we made him do it, too.

We decided to do some more walking this afternoon – so we went to Ijams Nature Center.

Jon and I needed some time alone + it’s really been just a gorgeous weekend.

I’m not sure why we don’t walk there more often.

So: I spent an hour w/the trainer + spent a day digging/planting/weeding/mowing/blowing/spreading mulch + hiked/walked/jogged just about 9 miles overall.

Good enough.

Food stuff:

Lunch before we left for the hike on Friday = chicken wings (marinated in a jerk sauce) + a chickpea salad.

(Jon made the chickpea salad with a cucumber, Feta, tomatoes, some olive oil, onion, garlic & basil. Fabulous. Even the pickier of the kids ate it and liked it.)

On Saturday, he made a hash type concoction for breakfast with a couple of sweet potatoes, an onion & bacon.

I’m not sure that lunch even occurred since we were so busy, but dinner was simple because of the yard exhaustion.

We had bagels for breakfast today (too dark) because I shot down Cracker Barrel.

Lunch was good.

Dinner tonight was simple again. Jon wanted a Reuben, so we bought a loaf of bread and each did our own thing.

I don’t care so much about all of the candy in the stores right now – so we didn’t buy any to have around today.

My indulgence? Half of an orange scone (picked up this morning w/bagels) (that I just noticed appears to have a fleck of dirt right on top – that I no doubt consumed) …

… with PB ice cream.

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Such a fun weekend. I’m sad it’s over.

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I’m serious about the clothes thing I posted earlier. Not fishing for compliments. I take criticism very well – especially of the you look a little pregnant and the skirt’s too big variety. Going to try to post throughout the week if I’m not rushing around like a crazy person.

I’ve complained about having to dump all my clothes and start over – a process that’s ongoing – and I know it sounds ridiculous – but I still hate it.

The whole thing is uncomfortable/new. I’ve spent the majority of my adult life either being seriously limited because I was a size 22/24 or transitioning down and feeling hesitant to spend much on clothes.

Now? I’m kinda ok – and ready to figure out how to move forward. Plus there’s the whole job thing that requires attire a little better than Target yoga pants.

Today:

(Note: I didn’t wear those shoes to work. Had an early morning personal appointment so opted for extreme comfort. Though the shoes I DID wear aren’t really uncomfortable – because I just don’t do that – just slightly more appropriate for my work environment.)

I would’ve been very hesitant to wear a shirt like this even 15 pounds ago.

So.

Idiot?

This new size/body stuff is still such a work in progress.
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This week has been sorta off. Our Monday group walk was rained out. I didn’t get home in time to make it to Pilates on Tuesday. Haven’t met with the trainer yet.

We chose to eat out last night – with the caveat that we walk afterward.

We didn’t go far because I was tired + it started raining – but it was something.

I am seriously looking forward to having an active weekend.

I’ve asked just about everyone and no one has claimed it or even acknowledged that they meant it for someone else and accidentally put it in the wrong office. Thing is – I’ve been there 3 months. I doubt it was an accident – but I’m not sure how else to explain it. Clients don’t have the freedom to roam + none of mine would be there – with the ability to make it to my office – without me.

Very strange. I left it with the office manager. No way I’m eating random candy that nobody will claim knowing anything about.
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I’ve discovered that it’s pretty nice having a 3rd person around who eats just about anything. Jon and I have always shared our meals + now Cody shares with us, too.

His (23rd!) birthday is coming up soon, but our schedules aren’t compatible – so we’ve been celebrating this weekend.

We ordered a bunch of stuff to share last night.

And did the same at lunch today since my dad & step-mother arrived for the weekend for more celebrating (eating).

We had fun.

I’m glad he’s here.

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The 6th month anniversary of Jon’s cancer diagnosis is April 4.

That seems unbelievable to me.

On one hand, I’m glad he went from diagnosis to surgery within a week – and has long been done with recovery. On the other hand, everything happened so quickly and intensely that we had almost no time to process everything as it was happening. I feel like we’re still coming down from the stress + adjusting.

He has his second 3 month blood test/lung scan in mid-April.

I might have to stop writing the appointments on my calendar so that I’m not reminded every day of the month. SO glad he’s so closely monitored, but the constant reminder is torture.

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So here’s another weird thing: I can’t read (some) weight loss blogs/articles/whatever anymore.

I weigh myself once in a while (always 165 – 167 lately) and generally care very much about what goes into my mouth + how frequently I exercise.

The tedious dwelling, though? About calories and weight and what to eat and when to eat it and whether a gain is water or muscle? Eh. Just not feeling it anymore.

I’ve definitely moved into a new phase of this stuff. Or the whole Intuitive Eating thing has truly changed my mindset. Idk. All I know is it just seems so … something (sad ?) … to me now.

I’VE BEEN THERE. Good god have I been there. I SO understand it. I still have the perfection issues + tendency to believe I’m not working hard enough/doing enough/etc. BUT. I’m just really, solidly, completely over most everything else – and glad I made it here.

I’m having no problem whatsoever maintaining my 165ish weight. Not losing easily – something I still want to do – but I’m ok with it taking some time.
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We’re still doing the walking program. I really enjoy it and will be sad when it ends.

Jon and I walk a lot – but I hope we keep up this group/social thing, too – somehow.

Still going to Pilates and still working out with the trainer. Not much has changed lately.

I’m thinking about maybe doing the C25K thing again (for the 8th or 9th time?) since I’m feeling like it might be a little easier now that I’m almost 20 pounds lighter (!) than the last time I tried + I’m feeling like I need a challenge. Something to work on/toward.

We’ll see.
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We went to ATL last weekend.

Jon’s mom always feeds us well.

(grilled chicken + steamed asparagus + mashed rutabaga + grilled eggplant + sauteed spinach/mushrooms)

The point of this story?

Somebody is SO OLD he had to borrow reading glasses to read fine print.

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Henry is seriously struggling this year re: allergies and has been yanking his hair out again + creating sores. It’s sad, but it’s also kinda cute.

Friday night, I left work, drove 90 miles to meet Jon & his child #4 (and Henry) at a college they’d toured earlier in the day (and where she did a recruiting practice re: the sport she plays), ate dinner w/them, went to see a movie (21 Jump Street), and stayed overnight at a hotel in that town.

Saturday, we ate breakfast pretty early + they drove me around the college and showed me the stuff they saw the day before + we drove around a different college to check it out + we drove a couple hours home because Henry had a vet appointment and I had a haircut appointment to attend.

I forgot to eat lunch during all of that. Let me repeat: I forgot to eat lunch. ME! Totally not in an obnoxious way, either – which is the only way I thought something like that happened. I remembered when I felt shaky.

We cleaned the house (dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, etc.) + did laundry + paid bills + cleaned out the closet and packed stuff up for donation.

I’m pretty much just about completely starting over because nothing fits anymore. I’m over it. Considering everything, it would be cheaper/easier/more practical – short-term – to just gain weight and hang on to my entire wardrobe. But that’s ridiculous, right?

My little brother came over to visit, so Jon grilled hamburgers for dinner.

We were in bed at 9PM. Not interested in St. Patrick’s Day partying around here these days.

This morning, we ate breakfast (eggs + slices of a tomato) before doing our weekly grocery shopping + Target trip + we went to the dreaded mall so I could shop for some new clothes (where I found nothing) + we stopped at Kohl’s for the same (where I also walked out with nothing) + we drove around a neighborhood we’re thinking about moving to in the future.

Lunch happened.

We split these two:

We did more cleaning + the rest of the laundry + did all the food prep for the upcoming week (i.e., chopping up a ham & a pineapple, etc.).

I was eager to spend some time outside, so we went to Cody’s and walked near him.

Came home to mow + weed + work in the yard for a couple of hours. Ate a quick dinner (rotisserie chicken + roasted asparagus & green beans). Talked on the phone to various family members. Jon’s ironing our clothes for the week right now before we head to bed.

All this craziness means everything is done, though. This is the only way we’d be able to exercise as much as we do given our work schedules + eat the way we do + easily pack lunches each day + sleep 8-9 hrs/night.

Preparation is so important. It’s the only way I stay (mostly) sane.

I’m tired, though. Exhausted. Ready to hire a mower + shopper + house cleaner so I could maybe read a book.

Saturday morning, Jon and I went on a date. We’ve done incredibly well with the restaurant restriction thing – so we really look forward to stuff like this now.

(@ Harry’s Deli: sausage, leek & cheese stratta + sweet potato latkes + bacon on the side + some kind of squash butter).

We go here fairly often and always leave with a box of pastries. Yesterday?

We ate (some of) a pecan sandie as we walked around.

And a little bit of a peanut butter + chocolate cookie.

I’m not a huge fan of hard cookies and am not interested in eating things I don’t just LOVE these days … so we threw away most of the PB cookie (and I left most of the pecan sandie for Jon).

We chose a chocolate babka, too, that we decided to eat later – and I wound up passing on that, too.

Who am I these days, right? I don’t know. I still amaze myself sometimes.

These things were perfectly fine – just not fabulous given my preferences – so … I don’t know. Why bother?

I’m thinking this is how “normal” people eat?

Anyway.

That walk? We just wandered around for a few miles after breakfast since it was sunny and warm(ish).

After that, we spent 6 hours on the couch catching up on Downton Abbey.

Today, Jon made an “empty the refrigerator” breakfast.

Swiss chard + a red pepper + a squash + garlic + bacon + eggs on top – baked.

He always prefaces meals like this with statements about how it’ll probably be awful. Not sure that he’s ever been right.

We skipped lunch while we were out running a bunch of errands so I was STARVING by the end of our afternoon walk.

Cody (little brother) lives in a part of town that’s fairly close to Oak Ridge … plus Jon works in Oak Ridge and often walks at the Arboretum … so we picked Cody up and headed there.

It was hilly (as are most walks around here).

It was a beautiful day – so I didn’t complain much.

I laugh every time I look at this one. He looks thrilled.

Dinner was worth the wait.

Jon used this recipe but subbed pork ribs.
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I’m having clothing issues (again).

I have zero idea what size I wear these days. I went out and bought all new pants (for work) maybe a month ago or so because I could barely keep the old ones up – now the new ones are too big, too.

I’m almost ready to get rid of stuff like this that’s probably a size too big.

My jeans, though? I don’t know.

These are the best fitting ones I own. They’re ok, but I can fairly easily pull them down/off without unzipping even just after drying – and after 4 mi of walking? Serious sagging.

I know this is a good problem to have. I should probably be excited about starting over again – but I am extremely hesitant. Is this what happens with the smaller sizes? This needing a new size every 5-10 pounds? This is new territory for me.

I have spent so much money on new sizes throughout this whole thing. It’s ridiculous.

I’m cheap, obv. And hate shopping. And have no idea how to dress myself. And this:

Spending a ton on clothes is so not my priority right now. I can’t stand the sagging and the frump, though.
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I mentioned that I have a crazy commute, right? It takes just under an hour to get to work each morning – and the same to get home each day, obv. I’m catching up on all kinds of listening.

Right now, I am loving Jillian Michaels’ podcast. I am not a big fan of The Biggest Loser and wasn’t interested in listening to her first podcast because I just assumed it would be irritating – but I started at the beginning this time around (she apparently stopped & then returned in 2011) and have been working my way through.

I’ve also been catching up on Fat 2 Fit Radio. I started listened to them at the very beginning of my weight loss – stopped – and am now just about caught up.

As always, I don’t agree with everything anyone has to say – but I think both of these podcasts offer decent, doable & realistic advice/info without a bunch of BS. Definitely recommend checking them out.

They’re keeping me entertained, anyway.

One thing he told me before arriving last week? He wants to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle + be active.

Game ON.

Jon’s been working with a trainer lately who mentioned a Knox Walks program organized by the local track club.

Participants are asked to commit to attending one group walk every week for 9 weeks. In return, walkers will receive weekly educational material on fitness and nutrition, a t-shirt, and entry to the Knox Walks 5k on May 5, 2012.

Cody got here late last week just in time for the Saturday kick-off – so we jumped on it. Jon and I + his child #4 + Cody all signed up.

The first walk was pretty short since it occurred at the kick-off:

And it was cold …

But we opted to do it a second time.

We went back Monday night for the first official weekly walk.

I think it’s a great start for Cody. There’s little chance I would’ve otherwise gone straight from work to walking on a cold Monday night – so I’m glad we signed up, too.

I took him (and Jon) to Pilates on Tuesday night where he reported that he felt as if he might die from the pain – so I’m not so sure I’ll get him back there.

Now? We’re working on getting him away from frozen taquitos covered with fake cheese dip and the godforsaken Mtn Dew.

One step at a time.