Slacking

I've been slacking on my blog...there's been a lot going on and so little time to type it up.

I'm still down about 8-10lbs from where I started. Worked out last night and this morning I had oatmeal for breakfast (not from Starbucks which is a lot cheaper!) I've decided I need more sleep (says my doctor too) so I'm planning on going to the gym in the evenings and sleeping in a little more each morning. If that doesn't make a difference I will just go back to working out in the morning since that is the only time Alyssa can go. 3 days until Saturday...and 10 days until Phoenix! I have a feeling today is going to be a long day though. I went shopping last night and have turkey burgers for dinner tonight!

Also, there are hopefully some major changes coming (positive ones) that I can't quite discuss yet...don't want to get everyone's hopes up (including mine) in case things don't work out. It may or may not be work related ;)

Don't have much else to add. I would like to start blogging again and if my mornings go the way I would like with more sleep, I may even do it before work while I eat breakfast. Who knows :) I might be a new and improved Rachel by next month!

That's all for today :)

Love you all and thanks for praying.

Rachel

Fuh-Ridaaaaay

Don't know why i spelled it like that :) for fun maybe.

Did really well yesterday!!

Breakfast was the oatmeal and coffee, lunch was cheese wrapped in turkey and dinner was a plain crispy sandwich and half of a small frosty! I felt so accomplished :P

Worked out in the morning and played soccer at night. Went to the gym this morning, did cardio and strengthening push ups sit ups etc

Had a protein box for breakfast with my coffee

Today is crazy busy worse than yesterday which I thought was bad! ...not much time to blog

(Or respond to emails, sorry grams!)

Hopefully it gets less busy :(

Rachel

Throwback Thursday...

...to when I was skinny and thought it was fat then look at pictures and think to myself...I wanna look like that again!!

Made it to the gym this morning, did 20 minutes of cardio, burned 200 calories then did sits ups, crunches, push ups, squats, and plank. And I have soccer tonight! Double whammy. 

Planning on having turkey and cheese for lunch today. Had coffee and oatmeal for breakfast. Have a venti ice water I want to drink by the end of the day at least. 

Super exciting...this morning at 6:30 I drove to work...with my windows down!! It was beautiful outside! Now I'm inside with no windows so it could be pouring for all I know ;) pretty sure it's not.

This morning has been fairly uneventful.. Two calls so far and it's 7:30.

James watched the blazers game with me last night. That was depressing. Jeremy Lin outplayed every single one of our players by double except maybe Lilliard and Matthews...Lopez played well too. Aldridge looked like a 5th grader out there though.

I don't even like basketball but watching the games I have come to despise every player on the Houston team :P (except Jeremy Lin because he is a really good guy and a Christian). I especially dislike Harden. For some reason he makes me so mad :P

Ok you guys don't care about basketball :)

Gonna paint my nails now :)

Love, Me

Ughhhh

I have been feeling awful this last week :( most of my time has been spent sleeping or at work. Or sleeping at work ;) just kidding. Allergy shots yesterday knocked me out...I slept through to this morning after them. Food and exercise has gone out the window for the most part. Still just eating turkey and cheese for lunch but haven't worked out since last week. I'm going to do my best to go tomorrow, I just think I need sleep more than anything right now. I'll just go to bed at 8 tonight :)

Hopefully the sun will discourage people calling with stupid questions about their gas bill. Although it is the last day of the month so most calls today will be starting and stopping service I think.

Apparently I have nothing else to say today...just hope the weekend comes fast.

No Voice

Should be an interesting day as I have no voice this morning. After playing soccer last night since I needed to get some exercise, I have nooooo voice left. Seeing as my primary job function is talking...we will see how the day goes. If I can't talk, I can't do my job and have to go home since there is literally nothing else I can do. First call went ok, I joked and said my voice took a vacation without me and she laughed and said I should tell that to all my customers.

Went to the gym this morning but only worked out for about 12 minutes, burned 100 calories. I weighed myself last night and have lost some weight. Waiting to check for sure tonight before I tell you all the number I'm at :)

Shout out today to Darrien!! Happy birthday love :) we've been through a lot and even though we don't hang out very much, when we get together it's like just yesterday we were signing across the band room :) love you and hope you have a great day!!

That's all for today. Gonna stick some tissues up my nose and hope people are nice to me because I sound like and 80yr old smoker ;)

<3 Rachel

Sickie :(

I'm sick. Came into work halfway though the day. Slept from 5pm to 6am this morning with an hour in between and still was exhausted and my head was killing me...took meds and slept for another few hours then came in to work. I need the hours :/ but I'm sitting here sweating and apparently it's not even hot. Lovely. My parents have no food in their house I could eat except turkey which I ate a ton of yesterday so I broke down. But didn't eat much anyways since I don't feel good. Going back to no carbs and sugar again starting now. 

Gonna see how I feel tonight since I have a soccer game at 9:10...I didn't work out this morning and I'm trying to decide it forcing myself to workout will help or hurt me...

Not much to say today...just wish I was at home snuggling with my dogs. And maybe James :)

Planning on doing that right after work!!

Rachel

Halfway Done

Been slacking on blogging...mostly because my ipad was not in my possession the last few mornings!

I'm pretty sure that the lady who sits next to me at work got me sick. The girl on the other side of me has the exact same symptoms. My throat is killing me and my head feels like a giant cotton ball. Lovely. Let's just hope I have a voice by the end of the day...kind of a necessary part of my job.

Worked out this morning anyways. Starting over on the 30 day challenge since I didn't keep it up after day 7. Gonna finish it this time. My thighs hurt from squats this morning. Did 200 calories on the treadmill. Taking a break from counting calories and instead cutting 99% of all carbs and sugars (aside from natural sugar from fruit). Yesterday consisted of an apple and coffee with half and half for breakfast, Oscar Meyer protein pack for snack, cheddar cheese wrapped in turkey for lunch, pulled chicken for dinner and a few pieces of turkey later at night...gave most of it to the dogs :)

Today has been grapes for breakfast with my normal coffee, protein pack again (turkey, cheese, roasted peanuts) since my stomach was growling by the time I got to work. Same for lunch and maybe some salad for dinner. 

I'm really not going to be excited if today is as busy at work as yesterday. I am definitely not up to it today. I already had to ask my first customer to be put on hold so I could clear my throat so I could talk. Yay. 

That's all for today folks. 

Rachel

Those are my real (and badly painted) nails!!

Stupid people driving and calling...must be Friday.

I don't know what it is about Fridays....is there a rule that driving laws don't apply on Fridays?

If driving to work was bad...I don't even want to think about driving home. 

Went to the gym this morning. Worked out and burned about 165 calories. Had to leave early to go home and shower because I forgot the stuff I usually bring to shower at the gym. Played soccer last night. Did waaaaay better than last week. Except Morgan kept yelling at me when I had the ball to screw me up :P I didn't score and goals and it's all your fault Morgan!! 

First call this morning I was shaking by the end of it. Didn't cry this time...I was just mad. When people use their kids as an excuse...I get so upset. You should have used your kid as an excuse to PAY YOUR BILL! This lady told me she "f****** hates me". Oh I'm so hurt. Ma'am no! I need your love and acceptance. Ugh. The little faith I had in the human race before I started this job is slowly draining away. James and I are gonna be one of those old couples who yell at people (not kids) to stay off our property. I'm sure James will have his shotgun out for emphasis :)

Going to play bunco tonight with Alyssa for her husbands brother's senior fundraiser! Gonna win big ;)

This weekend will be busy. Anyone who doesn't have an Easter program to go to should come to Laurelwood Baptist Church on Sunday at 10:15 :) I'm in the program!

It's going to be a busy weekend. Tomorrow morning we have Easter practice from 12-3 then my mom's birthday party (her birthday is tomorrow by the way) from 6 to whenever, then have to be at church at 7:30 then Easter lunch after at my grandmas :)

Nothing more to report today. Hopefully it won't be too bad of a day...

Rachel

Almost Forgot to Blog!

Almost forgot to blog this morning!!

Nothing much to report, it's been busy so far at work. It's Alyssa's birthday today so I can't wait to get off work and go celebrate with her :))

Today has gone very slowly.

I'm eating a cheese and turkey burrito for lunch....this is all for today :)

Will write more tomorrow.

Is it 3:30 yet?

Todays blog will be short. I'm exhausted. Woke up with a headache...went to the gym anyways but did some light cardio...walking on an incline and by the end just walking. I figure it's burning more calories than just lying in bed :)

Soccer last night was about as bad as I expected. I was terrible! I had gotten pretty decent towards the end of the last session I played. Out the window I guess. And the running definitely almost killed me :) I don't want to know how it would have been if I wasn't going to the gym daily.

I'm impatient on most Fridays but for some reason today I am especially. Just thinking I'm going to have to talk to stupid people all day is very daunting. 

Gonna go to the bookstore today I'm thinking. Have some trade ins :) and I'm down to one book to read! It's terrible!

Same thing for food today, just grapes in my fruit cup and the wrap for lunch. Didn't have time for coffee :( might be why I'm so tired.

I have nothing else to say for now...too....tired..

But here's my morning selfie :)

I really don't want to be here...

Rachel

The Day After Yesterday

Work is sooooo much better this morning. The automated system is actually working so I've only had one call so far. Yessssss.

I did not go work out this morning, Alyssa was up super late at a Blazers game and I have soccer tonight which will be 44 minutes of cardio so I'm pretty happy with that :) and after I can do my day 8 challenge!

I went shopping last night for breakfast and lunch food. I got fruit and made myself a fruit cup (pictured below). I am a genius because instead of using Tupperware or something to hold the fruit, I can just use a disposable coffee cup. I add blackberries, raspberries, cut up strawberries and grapes. To avoid making them soggy, I don't wash them before I put them in the cup. But then when I get to work right before I'm going to eat them, I fill the cup up the rest of the way with water, shake it, then open the top flap (used for drinking the coffee usually ;P) and poor the water out! Voila! Clean and yummy fruit! It totals about 2 cups of fruit and is about 110 calories since I don't add any sweetener or anything!

Feel free to steal my idea...it is a great one :)

Looking forward to this weekend! Going gambling with my aunts for my 21st birthday (yes it was June 2013 :P) then babysitting my favorite nephew (in-law by dating James) Solomon :)

And James has the weekend off!! I always like to have something to look forward to, it makes working seem worth it. And SEEM worth it is the correct term. I found out today that our work no longer supplies sticky notes and instead cuts up scrap paper and hands a pile of that to us. Wonderful right?

Looking forward to soccer tonight...hopefully my knee won't hurt :/ I feel like I'm at least in moderate shape and I'm assuming I won't die from all the running :) never really know...it's been about 8 months since I played last! James is coming to watch...I told him if I was too bad he can watch the other game :)

I'll let you know how the game went tomorrow :)

Lots of Love,

Rachie

Wondering What Wednesday Will Bring (couldn't think of another W word)

Wednesdays are usually my favorite day of the week besides Friday because call volume is usually pretty slow and I know I'm halfway through the week and made it through the two hardest days!

Gym this morning consisted of 10 minutes on the treadmill and 14 minutes on the elliptical for a total of 220 calories burned. Then we did day 7 again because I didn't do squats yesterday. My legs are finally starting to not hurt every time I move but only managed 25 this morning so 30 more tonight...

I know it's going well when I'm soooooore.

This morning, I did a double take in the mirror when I was just wearing my under tank top which molds to my body...my waist exists!! Before it was there but resembled more of a flat line than a curve. And this morning, I saw an hourglass shape! Yay!! We are going to measure ourselves tomorrow so we can start tracking that way too.

Oatmeal for breakfast with my normal coffee, totaled 195 calories. I lowered my calorie allocation for each day to see if it makes me lose more weight faster. Don't worry, I won't starve myself :) I 

like food too much!

Work started out interesting this morning. Our automated system was down so customers couldn't make payments or get balances or anything. So the first little bit was a little crazy but helped it go faster :)

I'm going to make today a good day. I have a Starbucks protein box for lunch and I'll be meeting James and Tania at stanfords after work. Thinking I'll get salmon and veggies. I know I've been drinking enough water since I've gone to the bathroom 3 times since I woke up at 5 this morning...TMI I know :)

Nothing else to report today :)

<3 Rachel

Tuesday...Pig n a Poke

For those of you who haven't seen Supernatural you will not understand my blog title for the day :)

Exciting news! I weighed in last night at 204 :) that's 8 down from 212!!!

This morning I did 20 minutes of cardio on the elliptical and burned 210 calories then did day 7 of the 30 day challenges. Could not do the 55 squats this morning...did 50 with James last night and he made me do real ones and I thought I had broken both my legs :) will be doing the squats tonight. 

Seeing the scale dropping is very encouraging :) every time I lose some weight, I do better the next couple days because I'm motivated!

Interesting thing...our gym provides bagels the first Tuesday of every month :) which cracks me up...temptation for the weary? I grabbed one, was only 330 calories with the cream cheese. That way I didn't have to spend money at Starbucks for breakfast :)

Going to be turning in my resume for a new job...wish me luck! I need to get out of this place ASAP. This morning hasn't been terrible. Yet. Hopefully if the weather is nice enough people will forget their gas got shut off :)

I just wanted to say how blessed I am...I have a boyfriend who loves me, a family who is always there for me, and a best friend who I would hang out with all day every day if I could :)

Anyways, here's to hoping for a good day :)

Love, Rachel

Wake Me Up When Friday Ends...

Well today went downhill real fast.

Started out with a great workout with Alyssa. Did treadmill intervals for 22 minutes, burned 200 calories then did our challenges

4 push-ups

5 sits ups

20 crunches

35 squats (my legs are killing me!)

Then I got to work. My first call of the day made me cry. I could not stop crying for 20 minutes....I was in the breathing issue mode...I was pretty near hyperventilating and could not calm down and it was making me more upset that I couldn't calm down! My supervisor took me to her desk and showed me some cute clothes she bought for her great grandma and my favorite person on support desk (our go to when we need help with an account) answered which is good because I thought I was done crying but I wasn't so she talked me though it and was very sweet. She called him back for me.

Calls have been ok since. It was just a terrible way to start off the day. And it wasn't a quiet cry. All of my friends were coming over to make sure I was ok. I probably sounded like I was dying!

So today can only get better right?

I hope so.

Lost my appetite for breakfast...soup for lunch. Yesterday I went a little over on calories I think, I had one drink that I had no idea how to figure out the calories in it so I didn't track it. Had a chicken burrito and only ate half. I did have a few chips and some rice though. I could have done better but yesterday was a bad day too. It's going to cost me $100 that I barely have to put a whole new tire on my car and hope this doesn't happen again soon so I can save up money for better tires. Apparently tires are the only thing not covered by my car warranty. I even had Tania call and they didn't budge. Going to try the manufacturer today but I doubt they will do anything since it may have been a result of getting run off the road back in the snow. Ugh. 

I need a relaxing weekend.

Rachel

Thursday!!!

Today is a mix of good and bad. 

Good: I was at the gym by 5:10 and did 30 min of cardio and 8 min strength (30 day challenges)

Bad: I got about 5 hrs of sleep

Good: Coffee and oatmeal for breakfast, quick line at Starbucks :)

Bad: My car tire has a bubble in it and I'm scared to drive on it, may have to have roadside assistance (free) come put on my spare tire so it doesn't blow out on me

Good: I'm feeling great this morning after burning 240 calories with my workout :)

Bad: My first call of the day was my least favorite and most time consuming type of call I can get at this job...can't tell if that's just getting over with the bad early or a premonition of what is to come ;)

So with all of those I'm pretty much at even :)

I'm going to try really hard not to weigh myself every day because it fluctuates so much...I need to pick a day of the week and only weigh myself that day.

Yesterday was quite successful. I only ate 4 calories over my limit and went to my favorite place for dinner and had an enchilada and didn't eat too much of it :)

I was really hungry when I got home...but I was going to bed anyways so I didn't eat like I normally would have. I'm seeing improvements in my behaviors and attitude towards health and eating and I'm super excited about it because it takes a habit to lose the amount of weight I am wanting to. I think I'm definitely headed in the right direction :)

In total right now, last I checked I'm 5lbs down from what I was a few weeks ago so I'm at 207...7lbs more until my first goal will be reached!! I'm 8% towards where I want to be.

I've been drinking ALOT of water so that's really good too. And I do burn a good amount of calories walking to the bathroom and a squatting leg exercise when...well...you can figure it out :) the toilets here are gross that's all I'll say on that matter ;)

On that note...hope you all have a good day!

Rachel

(Grandma...I love YOU more.)

Cell Block A...Middle of the Week Calm Before the Storm

Wednesdays I usually don't mind. They tend to be slower in call volume but sometimes that makes the day go slower too. I'm driving moms car today since yesterday someone pointed out an air bubble on my front tire which is unsafe to drive on. Sounds like I'm going to need a new tire. Yay money...James is going to help me figure out if the tire is still under warranty. The people at the dealership were just talking me around in circles about whether they would help me or not. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be driving my car again :)

Workout was good this morning, I was late again (apparently I need more than 3 alarms?) and only did 18 minutes but I burned 172 calories because I am starting sprints to prepare for starting soccer back up next Thursday :) I cannot wait! I have missed it so much!

Yesterday was a rough day work and car-wise but was quite healthy. I ended up eating about 173 calories over what I have allotted for the day so I pulled out the old DDRmax dance pads and set a calorie limit and danced until it was reached :) burned 189 calories that way. I had a Taco Bell chicken quesadilla for lunch but the calorie count isn't terrible and I made up for it. I had IHOP for dinner and only ate 2/3 of my pancakes and half of my hash browns because I wasn't hungry anymore. Which I usually have a hard time doing. If it's not something I can take home, like pancakes soaked in syrup, I tend to eat it all to not "waste" food. But "wasting food" is better than gaining fat!

I was really encouraged because last night talking to James on the phone, he mentioned he noticed a difference in my looks on Monday :) since he sees me everyday, it is rare for him to notice a difference.

After Hawaii I slacked for a while and ate bad and was back up to my highest weight. Yuck...I'm determined now. I'm only going to be weighing myself on one scale (so it doesn't vary and depress me) and I'm going to try to limit myself to once a week on the scale so I'll see the results the best. My first goal is to get under 200.

Oatmeal for breakfast this morning :) yet again...didn't pack a lunch cuz SOMEONE (mom...) threw away my soup ;) love you mom! Definitely subway today.

Since I typed that first part of this blog, it's been 30 minutes with only one call. It could potentially be a long day :) I have a good book and my ipad so I'm not too concerned :) hope you all have a good day!!

Love, Rachie 

Morning selfie! (Grandma, I stole that cardigan you gave Jenny as you can see :P)

Life in Cell Block A

The people in my row at work say we are in cell block A. I am in A214. :)

Today hasn't been bad. Had some really pleasant customers so far which is surprising. Maybe it won't be too bad for the first day of the month. Wistful thinking probably ;) although it is april so hoping less people will call about their bills since it didn't BlLIZZARD in March :)

This morning was quite successful besides waking up late which isn't new for me. 

I wish I had done more cardio...I did 10 min on the bike, about 55 calories burned, then 7 minutes on the treadmill (with an incline but I was dying!) which burned around 70 then we did the first day of three different 30 day challenges. We are doings the plank challenge, abs and squats, and push-ups. 

Our push ups were PATHETIC! It was almost sad!! Okay...it was sad...but it will get better! I have 5 lb weights at work with me so I'm gonna start doing that in my downtime. This was my breakfast today 

It tracks my food, water, and exercises. So I can keep track of myself. And Alyssa :)

Thinking subway again for lunch. Keep for getting to pack myself lunch and I don't want to resort to Taco Bell so subway it is :)

That's all for today folks!

Rachel

The Jury is Out...

So the jury is still out on how this Monday is going to go...it is the last day of the month so call volumes could get crazy and then tomorrow is the first day so it could get even worse...

But I started my day out great :)

Met Alyssa at the gym, ran/walked for over a mile on an incline for about 22 minutes, wanted to reach the 200 calorie mark which I did :)

Showered in record time (sometimes it takes a system!) and got Starbucks on the way to work.

Had a blonde roast with half and half and a protein bistro box (didn't eat the apples). It was very good and filling. Planning on subway for lunch.

This weekend was wonderful. Some potential absolutely amazing news coming soon regarding a couple different parts of my life. Don't worry grandma, I'll call you not make you read it in my blog ;)

Thinking I'm going to start planning meals...been eating out a lot and I tend to eat more that way :/

And this will be a trying week for James...so if you think about him please pray. He works 7 out of the next 8 days. And pray for me that I can help him in any way I can to make life easier.

We had a really touching prayer night just between the two of us last night. We were praying over some new job possibilities for both of us and getting through this week and being joyful in trials. I was crying happy tears by the end (you all know me and emotions!). I always break down when he prays so sweetly for me. Don't let it out that he has a tender heart for those he loves. ;) I'm a lucky girl. 

Here's to hoping its a great Monday :))

Love, Rachie

Bad start to a Friday...

Nothing exciting to report...today hasn't been too great. People drive stupid in the rain and was 7 minutes late to work despite leaving in plenty of time. Woke up with a bad headache so I didn't go workout...then I found out they counted every day I was in Hawaii as a different attendance occurrence. So I got the talk from my supervisor that I could be "terminated at any time" due to my attendance. So basically if I ever do something they don't like, they have a reason to fire me. Been writing a rocking cover letter all morning between calls. Gonna start sending out applications like crazy...

Have tomato soup for lunch...had coffee this morning. A white mocha...so it definitely had sugar.

Next week needs to go better with exercise and diet. My fault. Its hard to motivate myself when other things are going wrong. I don't know what I would do without Alyssa :) I felt bad not going with her this morning...but hey if guilt is the only motivator I'll take it :P

Halfway done with work. 3:30 please come soon.

Rachel

Almost Friday....

Well...I set three alarms to wake me up so I could go to the gym this morning. Even went to bed in gym clothes so I could just get up. I must have really not wanted to go subconsciously since I apparently turned them all off in my sleep. Woke up at 6:25....I usually leave for work at 6:20. I made it...clocked in 1 minute late but that's not bad considering I didn't speed :P

My meals are soooooo good...at work. 

Then I get home and it all "goes to hell in a handbasket". 

When I bring food to work....I only have so much I can eat no matter how much I want to. When I'm home, I'm only limited by the amount of money in my bank :)

Last night wasn't horrible...stopped by Stanford's and had an interesting experience there....

But I are fine. Had the salmon oscar which is really quite healthy. Salmon, crab, dipping the fork in the sauce instead of pouring it all over.

Then I got hungry on my way home from James....here's what's frustrating. I didn't even want Taco Bell but I was hungry and there was nothing else around. So I did. :( 

So as of right now I'm making a vow. No more Taco Bell and no more soda.

Alrighty....now you guys have to hold me to that :)

Planning to actually get back to working out tomorrow...if not in the morning James has the day off so he would probably go with me after I'm off work. 

We are thinking about going on a date tomorrow :) we have cinetopia tickets...any good movies out?

I just love my doggies :)

Rach

Another 3 day week...on accident.

Sorry about the lax on the blogging. I never do it over the weekends and I've been sick these last two days :/ which means my eating has suffered and I haven't been working out. Today I'm getting back on track with eating and gonna start working out again tomorrow. Alyssa has been sick too :( which totally lowers my motivation to work out :P after the Hawaii trip...I ate well for three days, then I got sick. So I'm pretty much back to where I started which is frustrating. It doesn't take much to go from doing so well to back to square one. Arg. 

Breakfast was 1/2 costco blueberry muffin, second half is for snack later today...lunch is chicken dumplings my mommy made, and lots of water for the day. Dinner is going to be something at Stanford's...thinking ill do salmon or something healthy like that. 

I reeeeeally don't want to be at work today. I need a new job ASAP. And I'm really aiming on finding one in Vancouver...the taxes and the commute are killing me :/

So I've realized that as a general rule in my life...I need something to look forward to in order to help me complete my goals. For example...just getting through work, I tell myself I get to go home and read my book and snuggle with James. That's just a small one :) and doesnt always work as motivation. Hawaii was obviously a big motivator. And James and I are probably going to a Winterhawks game on Friday which is something to look forward to. And he has the weekend off so we can actually spend time together :) (he worked Saturday and Sunday this last weekend and it sucked!)

So I need to plan something fun. Only problem is...fun usually needs money to happen :) at least a little money. And these past couple pay checks have been sadly lacking due to vacation and being sick :/

I'm seeing a connection here. It's like a circle. Getting healthy means being sick less. Being sick less means going to work and making money. Making money means I can take care of bills and have some left over for fun. Having some left over for fun means I can plan things to look forward to. Planning things to look forward to motivates me to do and be my best. Doing and being my best causes me to be healthy and there's the first part of the circle :) hmmm. Amazing how it can get thrown off so easily.

Waiting for groupon to send me my sketchers fit band :) then I can start posting my calories burned and steps taken...and it tracks my sleep too! Awesome. 

1 1/2 hours down...7 to go!!

(From the Winterhawks game with Alyssa in Friday!)

Love, Rach

3 Day Weeks :)

I want to work three days every week!

Returning to the cold in Vancouver has been depressing. It's under 50 degrees outside but in Hawaii it didn't dip lower than 68!! 

James and I are suffering withdrawals. 

Worked out this morning...it's like starting over again because of the vacation break...I worked out a couple days but not daily. And the last few days my eating got bad. 

Had a headache this morning so I did some running but mostly walking for 25 min, had a Quaker bar for breakfast before and half a bagel afterwards with an ice water and a blonde roast with half and half. Tomato soup for lunch and don't know yet for dinner.

I didn't sleep well last night so today should be interesting...hoping today is reeeeally slow for calls. I can't deal with stupid people today. I already started the day spilling coffee on my white shirt :( needless to say...I'm wearing my jacket all day now :)

After some drama that recently happened at my work, I have deleted about half of my Facebook friends. So...if you're reading this, you made the cut ;) which means...

A.) You don't cause drama

B.) I care about you knowing what's going on in my life

C.) I want to know what is going on in your life!

Anyways...good times :)

Have a good day! Pretend you're in Hawaii. It's what I'm doing :)

Love, Rachel

Hawaii Review!

Sorry guys, didn't want to waste time on my ipad in the most beautiful place in the world. :)

Here are some pictures and tomorrow will start back up on health!

My favorite thing in Hawaii was just sitting on the beach watching James and the kids play in the water :)

And now I'm back in Vancouver....TAKE ME BACK! 

7 Hours to Freedom!

I will be the happiest person ever at 3:30 today! (Aside from my abs killing me cuz Alyssa and I did abs and arms like champs today!) After 3:30 today....I will not be back at work until 3/19! Nothing makes me happier than not going to work :)

This is my awesome schedule.

Saturday: workout, massage chairs, red light therapy, mani/pedi, family party, dinner with the work girls

Sunday: church, then packing

Monday: workout, help James pack and relax

Tuesday: 5am leave for the airport to Hawaii!!!!

Saturday: meeting up with Heather in Hawaii :)

Tuesday: back from Hawaii

It's gonna be an awesome time!

Yesterday I did mostly good on food. Had that protein box for lunch, has 4 mini pieces of candy for snack when I was hungry, had a plan crispy chicken sandwich and 3/4 of a soft pretzel...my biggest downfall was the three sugary drinks I had at the Tool concert last night. But this morning of abs and arms made me feel better :) also...my belt is a loop or two tighter today :)) 

Today's lunch is a pb&j sandwich with apples and peanut butter for snack if need be!

I'm going to continue to post while in Hawaii...will be accompanied with some pictures I'm sure :) James and I are going to be sharing a lot of meals and he said he would workout with me too! Cuz I doubt my family will ;) mom and I may do hula dancing classes....see, I don't wanna slack. Alyssa and I are gonna be ready for this summer and every week makes a difference!

That's all for today folks!

Rachel

Missed Wednesday...oops!

As my grandma so lovingly pointed out...it was a good thing I called her last night otherwise she would have no idea what happened in my life on March 5 2014 since I missed my blog!

Yesterday I did really good on eating. Pb&j for breakfast, coffee with half and half, apples and peanut butter for snack, tomato soup for lunch and a plain crispy chicken sandwich for dinner was all I had for the day. Workout yesterday was cardio and arms. Did day 3 of couch to 5k with Alyssa and some weight lifting for arms.

Today, pb&j for breakfast...packed myself one for lunch but forgot it :/ so I stopped at Starbucks for my normal coffee and water and got a protein box meal to have for lunch :) this morning we did legs, a little arms and intervals....only 10 minutes of intervals for me, she did 16 minutes but she ate Mac n cheese last night ;)

We were discussing this morning that we have been expecting results waaaay too fast. That's why before I would always give up after just a couple days. Because you don't see it right away. But in reality...we've only been going to the gym for 4 days :P that's not that long. And doing at least 30 minutes every morning for the first week is pretty good. And we aren't gonna let up until we are where we want to be. Then we can cut it down ;)

My jeans fit better though! I used to have to work to get the zipper up all the way..the last inch was a challenge usually. But now it's smooth as butter :P 

I tend to always lose weight in my butt first!! So annoying. I like my butt!! Can't it all come out of my stomach :) yes I know...that comes last. 

I'm also going to start deskercising. Yes that's exactly what it sounds like. Exercises you can do at your desk. I have a wall I can do wall sits at while waiting for phone calls to come through :) also have some leg exercises that make me feel the burn even while on a phone call. It might look weird to my coworkers if I start doing the squats they recommend :)

That concludes my day so far.

James gets home tonight and we have tickets to the Tool concert! I'm way excited. Then after tomorrow, no work until Hawaii! It's gonna be a great next two weeks :)

Love, 

Rachel

P.S. Grandma...I love you more!!

Tuesday is better than Monday,

And Monday wasn't bad at all! It went by much quicker than I expected. I did great yesterday with food and exercise. Didn't eat anything if my stomachs wasn't growling and drank nothing but water and one cup of coffee with half and half!

Met Alyssa at the gym this morning at 5am and we did 10 minutes (Alyssa did 15) of cardio then 10 minutes of abs then 10 minutes of speed intervals on the treadmill!

For breakfast I had half a bowl of apple oatmeal, on the way to work I stopped at Starbucks and got a tall blonde roast in a grande cup, the rest of the way filled with half and half.

I feel great this morning! Feel bad for my poor co workers who have to listen to my energy babble out in the form of nonsensical sentences :) it's ok though...they love me :)

And the best news! Within the last week....I got on the scale and was at 212...yuck...

This morning, I got on the scale and I was at 204!!!!!

I know some is water weight...but I don't need ANY extra weight on me :) I'm super excited!!

It's all about the portion sizes I tell ya!

My goal is by Hawaii (Tuesday 3/11) that I will be under 200! I may even get there before. I'm planning on walking a lot in Hawaii and I would like to do some beach running potentially. I think I'll be used to waking up early after doing the gym thing this whole week. Gonna make James do it with me :)

Today is looking to be a great day. Still missing James :( but it's kinda fun taking care of his house and dogs because it's like being on my own. Don't get me wrong....I do want him coming back ;) 2 more sleeps until he's home!

Until tomorrow friends and family :)

Rachie

Yuckday

Actually...it hasn't been a terrible Monday YET. Woke up at 3:45... Yeah nuts I know but I went to bed at 8 :) took care of all the dogs...had apple oatmeal for breakfast then met the beautiful Alyssa Hillyer at Planet Fitness which we signed up for yesterday! We did cardio for 30 minutes on the treadmill with the fat burning setting. The incline was killing me! Took a shower and headed to work :)

I feel more awake now than I usually do...duh...I was awake for 3 hours by the time I got to work instead of being awake for 45 minutes :P

I did get coffee but I just got a Starbucks blonde roast with half and half, no sugar. I was hungry once I got to my desk since I ate at 4am...having some apple slices with peanut butter and I have my left over Olive Garden from yesterday for lunch! Since I only ate half which was the perfect size. It was the crab topped chicken. Probably the best thing I've ever had there. And not too unhealthy. Didn't eat a single breadstick and took my soup to go! 

It gets better! I went to my favorite bar for dinner and ordered the chicken enchilada. I got my soup to go and water instead of my angry orchard that I usually get. It's the first time I remember not eating too much of that enchilada and now I have it to look forward to for dinner! I won't have to buy any more food this week since I have left overs :) lunch and dinner is taken care of and split up into the perfect portion sizes!

So the gym we got memberships to is so cool!!

The normal plan is $10 per month for the basic but we did the $20 because we get unlimited use of the tanning beds, red light therapy, and massage chairs! SCORE! You can't even get tanning for that amount per month. We are going to be soooo sexy ;) hahaha.

I'm so excited we are doing it together. We are going to go every morning. And if she goes, I'll go and if I go, she goes. Which means we will always go :P and when I'm in Hawaii... (9 DAYS!) I'll text her and make sure she goes and I'll go running on the beach!! ;)

I'm in good spirits today even though I miss James. I did get to start off the day with my sister from another mister ;) Maybe it won't be such a terrible rotten no good kind of day. :)

Love, 

Rachel

HCTSGIFF

Holy Cow Thank Stinking Goodness It's Freaking Friday is my title :)

This week has been rough so I'm fairly proud of myself that I have managed to not eat the worst and I have gone running these last two days :) done with day 2 of couch to 5k! This morning I had raspberries for breakfast and soup for lunch with a vente water I'm halfway through. Bought a super cute dress last night that's BARELY too small for me. Everything fits perfectly but the zipper has issues the last 2 inches :) it's my Hawaii dress so I have some work to do! I think I can lose an inch or two in a week and a half. I'll do my darndest.

Not much to report. It's been a crazy day at work today. We had maybe a 30 minute break where the calls weren't back to back but been crazy besides that since this morning. I wouldn't be able to make it without my crazy co workers who make me laugh! Princess...you just crack me up. All day erryday ;) Michelle...sorry you're in pain today but know that you help make my days go by :) and Sam...what can I say. Locked bathroom doors and crazy bipolar married people :) 1 hour and 15 minutes to go for me.

I literally just looked down at my chair and thought to myself...why am I not wearing my seatbelt?!

Yes...I'm sitting at my desk. Not in a car. Apparently I feel like I need a seatbelt to deal with the crazy people I do all day :)

Anyways, James is going to Canada Sunday through Thursday....so I'm gonna work out and eat well so he can tell I'm skinnier when he gets back :) I'll be dog sitting for him so his dogs might be skinnier too!

Here's me today! I put make up on for once. Wearing a super cute skirt I got too ;) date night maybe? Let's see what I can talk James into!

Love, Me!

The Day Before Friday

Yesterday as a day was terrible....however I didn't do terrible on food after work which is good. I had a bagel w cream cheese for lunch and dinner was my favorite chicken enchilada with tomato soup. I ate about half the number of chips I usually do with it, and was able to stop when I was full instead of stuffing myself like I usually do with that meal (since it is my favorite). Did not eat anything else the rest of the night....

I COMPLETED DAY 1 OF COUCH TO 5K!

This is apparently my pre run look.

And this is Jenny's dog post run.

Felt okay after the run, my lower back hurt...so massage today maybe? My mom says if I exercise she will pay for my massages :)

Not too sore today which is good :) and started off the day with a bowl of honey bunches of oats...yes I was up early enough to eat them! Amazing. I've been monitoring my sleep so that should be interesting to see how that's working. I don't get very much sleep. I seem to have this subconscious thing where I find things to do up until around 11 pm before I force myself into bed and my morning alarm is set to wake me up during my lightest sleeping between 5:15 and 5:45. Which at the most is less than 7 hrs assuming I fall asleep right away. I'm going to try going to bed at 9 tonight and see what happens :)

Love,

Rachel

Bump on a Camel's Back Day

Today's post is all about perspective. 

Let's start with the fact that it's a Wednesday. Here we can go with the glass half empty glass half full scenario. Some people see it as the week being halfway over. Others see it as still having half a week to go. There's still the same number of days from Wednesday to Saturday...but your perspective will have an impact on your decisions. 

On my way to work this morning while driving around teeth clenchingly bad drivers...I was thinking about the saying going a mile a minute (since I was going 60 and was trying to figure out how long it would take me to get to certain exits :P) and I realized that going a mile a minute can be looked at with two perspectives. Normally this expression is used in reference to humans and busyness, and since it is not a normal human trait for us to physically be able to go 60mph without a car, you could be saying that someone is doing things unnaturally fast. Or for someone who does not know our strange English expressions that we have an abundance of, I would imagine for the saying "going a mile a minute" to make sense, it would require someone to get in a car and speed up to 60 mph. 

For some reason...this morning that seemed like a revelation especially when I think about my goals. How I strive towards my goals each day is a matter of perspective. If I look at my diet with the here and now perspective that I usually have...I eat too much. I'm hungry, I'm not satisfied, this tastes good so I'll eat the whole thing. If I look at it with the future perspective....like if I eat the 4pc fish and chips from burgerville then an hour later eat a Wendy's chicken sandwich, burger, and frosty...I will gain two lbs overnight. Let's just say yesterday was even worse than Monday and I tend to my "wounds" with food as a salve. And now I look back and say to myself "why did I not think of today yesterday?" now that my belt is buckled one hole looser than yesterday.

So frustrating. 

I have a firm belief that ANY diet will work if you have a future perspective. But how do I get there?

Everything in this culture is about the here and now. Just do it. Do what feels good. Buy this now (on credit but we aren't talking about my spending issues today!). Live in the moment. 

Let me tell you...if I lived in the moment my whole life, I would be 400lbs!! So obviously I have the capability to do it...I just don't. Why? No freaking idea but it drives me nuts.

If you have a secret to solving my problem let me know :)

Had coffee this morning...also have a large water and my normal bacon egg and cheese biscuit.

Not bad. Could have done without the coffee...oh well. I'll have subway for lunch instead of Taco Bell. 6inch.

Grrr.

Rachel

Tuesday is Better Than Monday

Starting the day with a large water and bacon egg and cheese biscuit.

Have raspberries for snacky type foods and more tomato soup for lunch. 

I've found out that I tend to fail after work so that's when I need to start paying super close attention to what I am eating. When I'm at work...I only have so many options of things I can eat. On the way home, the possibilities are pretty much endless. Taco Bell happened on the way home yesterday and after how bad of a day it was...I ate too much.

Also....no more Girl Scout cookies. I apparently can't control myself around them!

I was about to say "here's to hoping today is different" but that's my problem...I can't just hope. I have to actively DO something about it. Today is allergy shot day so exercise is out of the question..so gonna have to focus on my food intake. 

These idiots are the best diet plan ever :)

That's all for now folks! Tune in later for more riveting posts in the life of Rachel :P

Rach

 

Dreaded Monday...

I hate Mondays. Yes...I know everyone hates Mondays so I'm really not unique in that :) But Sunday nights then become torturous to me because I begin what I have termed "pre-dread" which is where I dread the dreading. It gets quite complicated from here :) Needless to say...today should be interesting. 

Update for the weekend....

Saturday:

Cheese and bacon bagel (yummy and not too much food) for breakfast...

Then nothing until garlic cheese bread, minestrone, and crab stuffed ravioli and spumoni ice cream all of which I ate waaaaaay too much of at dinner at the spaghetti factory. So thankfully I didn't eat lunch :)

Sunday: 

Blueberry scone with large water (instead of coffee like James got)

Shredded beef chimichanga and rice for lunch with my favorite 3 month old and her amazing parents :)

Also had a few Girl Scout cookies while hanging out with the best nephew in the whole world.

Aaaaaaand left over chicken enchilada with a few chips at 9pm since my stomach was yelling at me by  then.

Overall Sunday was better than Saturday. And I started out this morning getting up too late to get breakfast so I had 5 lemon Girl Scout cookies which is actually only 140 calories. I have more tomato soup for lunch. Mmmm. Which means no Taco Bell. Yay! If I don't bring lunch, Taco Bell is my go to because it is cheap and fast since I only have a 30 min lunch...so bringing my own food is a good start for me :)

That's all I have for now. Will post either later today or tomorrow if I have nothing exciting to say ;)

Love,

Rachie

Friday

Today started off on a good note. Woke up in time to have breakfast. Had a bowl of honey bunches of oats. And I brought my lunch today! Tomato soup from my favorite restaurant of all time Billy Blues in Hazel Dell. I'm there probably three times a week...it's bad :) It actually is bad though because I always get a chicken enchilada and eat waaaay too much of it. I'll need to start boxing up most of it before I start eating...

In between calls this morning I've been working on my new app called "spending". Appropriately named, it tracks my income and spending. I matched it with my primary checking account to start yesterday which was pay day. That way I can track my spending patterns. Here is my pie chart for spending in the last day :)

Will post more later! 

Rachel

Decisions and Outcomes

I've decided I need to start blogging. There are a few changes I am wanting to make in my life and am finding that while I'm not lacking accountability necessarily...since James and my family are all very supportive, it's just too easy to hide things from them (like eating a whole box of Oreos in an hour...) where it's harder for me to hide stuff when I write it all down :) maybe that doesn't make sense...but then again when does life make sense? 

My other reason is that while I enjoy Facebook...there are certain things I don't want to post for everyone to see and would prefer that only people who actually care would see it. So obviously if you're reading this right now you must love me ;)

I have a couple different goals that I would like to state here so me (and you) can track my progress over my posts.

1) I would like to lose 60-70lbs (yes guys I really need to lose that much)

2) I would like to become more financially stable, I would like to have an emergency fund of $300 to start, my goal is $800-$1000

Hoping that this second interview I just did yesterday (2/20/14) will result in me getting a job with Rebound Physical Therapy! That would give me an automatic 10% raise since I wouldn't be paying lame Oregon taxes anymore!!!

Today's first goal didn't go so well....have only been drinking water which is good and I had a bacon egg and cheese biscuit from mcdonalds which actually isn't bad for me as long as I don't get coffee too. But for lunch.....had a bean and cheese burrito aaand a crunchwrap supreme :/ such yumminess...too much food and not even good food....

Second goal isn't doing too bad. It's payday and I downloaded a few expense tracking apps that I'm going to set up tonight!

Nothing else exciting to report for the day. Will post tomorrow how my goals are going :)

Love,

Rachel