Two Down!

I am proud to say that in the last week I have lost two whole pounds! This is fantastic because I have really been trying to make some significant changes to my diet and exercise routines. 

First of all, I actually HAVE a diet and exercise routine now :) I have never been a big fan of exercising so I have decided to make it easy on myself- I walk around the neighborhood in the evenings, do simple strength routines in our living room, and play our Kinect video games (the ones where you have to jump and run in place and basically look like a fool to win the game). 

The diet part hasn't been too difficult either. Since I do most of the grocery shopping for our house I simply read labels and try to avoid anything that is ridiculously high in calories. Don't get me wrong, I am still addicted to my Cheetos and Mountain Dew, but I counteract my junk food moments with vegetables and light yogurt :) 

So I am hoping that my pace will be between one and two pounds per week and I can gradually get to my goal weight (which is now 28 pounds away!). I think I can, I think I can, I think I can :)

Baseball Vacay

So E and I just got back from our mini-vacation to Indianapolis. His friend from high school recently got promoted to AAA and plays for the Charlotte Knights now as their relief pitcher. We left on Monday and went to a game that evening and then a game last night too. I don't love baseball the way my husband does, but I have to say I had a really good time!

Part of the fun was the fact that E got to see two of his former baseball coaches and a few of his friends that he used to play with in high school. It seems so strange that he had this whole other part of his life that I was never a part of because by the time we started dating he had been injured and could no longer pitch. I like that I get to see glimpses of his high school life because it really makes me realize how lucky we are that we found each other... if E had never broken his elbow then he would most definitely be playing baseball now instead of working at the restaurant and we never would have met in the first place. It's funny how things always work out even if it doesn't seem that way at first.

Back In the Saddle

Well, it's happened. I didn't think that it would, but I am an example. People tried to warn me but I said "No! That won't happen to me!". I was wrong. and it's time to admit it.

I have gained the Newlywed Nine.

Well, I guess that's not quite true. I've gained the Newlywed Five, but I am well on my way to hitting that nine pound mark if I don't do something about it soon! I have always struggled a little with my weight but now that I am married and making all of the grocery decisions for our little family I feel like I really need to take control and finally lose the weight that I've been fighting with since high school.

My plan? I have started making my menu and exercise plans on FitClick. I have fallen in love with this website because it is a great way to make myself accountable for all of my actions. It shows videos of exercises that normal people can do, it helps me come up with healthier meal options, and there's lots of message boards and groups to motivate me. It's completely user-friendly and I'm actually excited to start being a loser! :)

I Did It!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a good baker. I can cook a little and make up some recipes, but when it comes to baking my cookies are always flat, my brownies are always chewy and my cakes look like they've been punched out in the middle.

However, I think I have finally broken the curse! We had some mushy bananas in our kitchen that I didn't want to just throw away, so I found an easy recipe for banana bread and I am proud to say that it came out delicious! Even my ultra-talented cook of a husband approved and actually used the phrase "Wow love, this is good!", so I am quite happy. Here's the recipe the way that I made it :)

Super Simple Banana Bread

3 over-ripened bananas
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/4 cup melted butter
Preheat over to 325 degrees. Grease loaf pan with Pam. Mash bananas in a medium mixing bowl with fork. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Bake for 1 hour. I sprinkled some chopped up pecans over the top of the mixture once I poured it into the loaf pan and it tasted great!

Switching It Up

The great job search has begun! Yay... and ugh. I am starting to look for a job or internship in a photography studio because my goal is to become a wedding/senior portrait photographer. I need to gain experience though so that means that I am basically in the process of begging for any job that a studio would be willing to give me :)

For the past five years I have worked in the same company. I started serving when I was 19 years old and it was supposed to be my summer job. Five years later, I am serving for the same company in a new location. I actually do like my job- I meet lots of interesting people and every day is different. However, this is not a career for me. This is a job until I get to where I want to be professionally.

And so let the resume building begin! I am not a patient person, but I am willing to wait as long as it takes to get the career that I want. I am just waiting for that chance to work in a studio and learn from a real professional.

For now, I am off to update my online resumes and work on my interview skills :)