So This Is Fall?

This is Jelly sitting by the living room's sliding glass door waiting for it to be opened. I'm sitting on the bed with this door wide open but she isn't used to going in and out this door. The weather is so beautiful I just had to open the bedroom door and let in the cool air as I read a book. Added bonus: our fountain plays the sweet melody of trickling water. Life doesn't get much better than this. Oh and Jelly figured out the door situation as I typed this.

So cool!

I just set up mobile blogging and I'm testing it out. This way I can use my phone to upload pictures and blogs while on the go! This will be really handy for vacation time. Plus, I love sharing pictures of random nothingness.



Sent from my iPhone

4 Week Update

It's been 4 weeks today since I started the South Beach Diet. I've lost 8 pounds, one inch in my waist and dropped a pant size. I would still like to lose 2 more pounds, but those seem to want to come off more slowly. I think I need to up my bike riding, I just have to find the time for that. Since last year I've lost 21 pounds total. I hope I never see that weight again, unless I'm pregnant. Now that I've lost a pant size, I need new clothes! Baggy jeans aren't very flattering. Overall, I'm very satisfied with this diet. I haven't been hungry, I haven't felt overly deprived, and I've seen results. What more could you ask for!?!?

The Sore Kayaker

Jordan and I went kayaking this morning in New Smyrna Beach! We went for a kayak tour that taught us how to kayak. We got to see a manatee, lots of seagulls, and Jordan saw a dolphin. It was really hot out, but it was nice being on the water and floating around. My arms are going to be really sore tomorrow, but it was actually much easier than canoeing. We got some pictures, but they are on a water camera that we have to get developed. The same water camera we took to the Bahamas 2 years ago.... It'll be fun to see those pictures once we finally get them developed!

Tomorrow we're going to see Mamaw and have lunch with her. She fell and fractured her wrist and hurt her leg 2 weeks ago. She's having a harder time getting around and for some reason the doctor wants her to have a CT scan done of her abdomen. I just want to make sure to spend some time with her so she knows how much she means to all of us.

SHARK!

While googling information on kayaking, I found this picture. I really didn't need this in the back of my mind as I try to enjoy a peaceful day on the water. The same website also felt the need to remind me New Smyrna Beach is the shark bite capital of the world. Thanks a friggin' lot!

People Actin' a Fool!

Unless you live under a rock you've probably seen most of these videos. What is UP with people these days? Each one of these people just need a good smack in the mouth from their momma. It's hard to believe they are adults.

Poor Taylor, trying to enjoy her big moment until d-bag Kanye decides to give his 2 cents.

MTV Shows

I guess that wasn't enough, cause then Kanye goes backstage and makes himself look like a bigger fool. I hope the VMAs never invite him back, and I hope his record sales drop. No one should be able to act like this without consequences.



There is a TIME and PLACE Mr. Congressman, and NOT while the president is talking! You may not agree with President Obama, but he deserves a lot more respect than this. And lets not even bring up how much respect you just lost......



"Bleep Bleep Bleeps" are really coming in handy this week. Here, Serena Williams threatens a line judge, and I quote, “I swear to God, I’m f*ing’ takin’ this ball and shovin’ it down your f*ing’ throat… I swear to God.” Right before this she got angry and smashed her racket on the ground. All while her proud mom watches in the stands.

I Lost 5 lbs!!!

Yay! I did it! Jumping for joy! I lost 5 pounds! I'm down to my #1 goal weight! AND I still have 4 days left of no carbs!

I really can't believe it's worked. Of course no one sets out for failure, but I definitely had doubts in the back of my mind. Mainly, I doubted how much commitment I'd put into it. In the book the author says most people want to stay on the first phase for longer than 2 weeks because they see so much success, and now I know what he means! Lots of people have told me "I could never give up carbs". Ya, I said the same thing! And if I can do it, ANYONE else could do it too.

I've already planned my celebration day for Monday (that will be the end of the 2 weeks for phase one). I'm going to eat as many Publix sugar frosted cookies as my stomach can handle and I want to go out for sushi. Now before you go judging, let me explain. If I don't celebrate my accomplishments, then it'll just be boot camp without any fun. But the day after that, on Tuesday, it's back to the grind! Tuesday I will add one healthy carb to my daily intake. I haven't decided which, maybe a fruit.

Next stop, the 10 pound mark! Maybe that celebration will be a whole new wardrobe!

Labor Day

One week ago today I started this carb free thing. I've lost three pounds. It has been easier than I thought it would be. I haven't been hungry or felt wiped out like I thought I would. I haven't cheated or even been as tempted as I was expecting. I figured I'd go to dinner and just have one chip, or to the birthday party and just have a small piece of cake. But somehow I've avoided doing that.

Honestly, the only reason I really think I've managed to REALLY do this full force is because of my stubborn personality. I said I was going to do this, so, gosh darn, I'm gonna get it done. I'm not concerned that much about losing weight, although I will be disappointed if I don't reach my goal.

In other Labor Day news, we went to my parent's house for a cookout. It was laid back and simple. We tried a new recipe with the steaks, coffee and ginger snaps rubbed into them. It was pretty good. My mother learned that I'm a big girl and I'm not afraid to touch raw meat. And I stayed within my diet. We even had some Carb Smart vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. Well, they had apple pie and ice cream, I had just ice cream.

After the family time, Jordan and I came home and worked on the yard. It's somehow relaxing, although it tore up my nails and cuticles. Now Vernon and Jordan are watching the FSU/Miami game, and I sit here bored....

Labor Day Weekend

This weekend has been great (and it's not over yet!). Friday night our neighbors, Rick and Steve, invited us to dinner. I was hoping it wouldn't be one of two places because of the diet, Chili's or Olive Garden. Chili's because of the unlimited chips, and Olive Garden because of the unlimited bread sticks. Well, Rick decided on Chili's! Ends up I need to thank Rick. I managed to not eat a single chip and I ate within the diets limits! I was very, very proud of myself, and more than a little shocked that I did it!

Saturday morning we drove Rick and Steve to their cruise out of Cape Canaveral. After dropping them off we went to Cocoa Beach. We only stayed for maybe 2 hours and I got so pink! Just on the front side though. You would have thought I hadn't been to the beach all summer, but it was the first time without SPF on.

After the beach I met up with Erin, who was in town from Atlanta. It was great catching up with her. Did some light shopping, enjoyed a little Target time, sat at Starbucks solving the problems of the world. The usual for us. I actually stayed out after midnight....

Which wouldn't have been a problem but I had to do the church nursery for the first time this morning. Me and one other worker had one baby between the ages of new born and 18 months. That baby got some extra special treatment!

After church we went to Aunt Paula and Uncle Mike's for Aaliyah and Eli's 4 year birthdays. I really miss seeing Amanda and Aaliyah is getting so big. It was great seeing Kory and her little baby belly. They found out on Thursday she is having a boy, Jackson Warren (Warren after her dad who has passed away). It was great talking with Kory today, she's such a sweet person and she and Michael are going to make excellent parents.

As for the actual birthday party it was a typical 4 year old party. Yelling, screaming, crying, making sure they don't drowned in the pool and a bunch of kids having the time of their little lives. Jordan and I are DEFINITELY not ready for kids. And family time is completely exhausting but worth every minute of it.

I made it through the party without eating any cake, chips, bread, then I came home a realized I had potato salad (big no-no). Whoopsie! But I weighed today and have lost a total of 3 pounds since Monday!

Day 4

- I'm getting sick of eggs for breakfast

- Ricotta cheese is nasty

- I had 4 small fried shrimp. Yep, I cheated, but I was at mom's house (could have been A LOT worse)

- I've been staying remarkably full

- I lost another half pound!

This Is So Doable

Today was day #3 carb free. I haven't been hungry once, my cravings are surprisingly minimal, and yesterday I had more energy than I had in a long time! Last night we had salmon and tonight we grilled fillets outside. I actually ate asparagus that I liked. I did sneak a little red wine with the fillet (which is ok for phase 2, but not phase 1), cause steak is just wrong without some red wine.

I weighed yesterday and got a good idea of what my starting weight is. Today I weighed again just for the fun of it and the scale SAID it was a pound less than yesterday. I don't put too much stock in it, cause I could weigh 2 more pounds tomorrow, depending on the lovely female hormones. If I lose 5 lbs I'll be satisfied, but the goal is 10.... we will see.

For being on a diet, and a somewhat extreme one, this is pretty doable. I've liked everything I've eaten so far, and discovering new things I didn't know I liked. We will see how I feel in 4 more days when we hit the one week mark.