The Beginning of a New Decade...In Years And Weight!

Dear Diary...

Well, here I am.  Thirty years old.  It seems weird that I've been on this planet for thirty whole years.  My twenties are now forever behind me, but the memories will hopefully always be with me.  I accomplished so much in my twenties.  I had good times and bad.  I can only hope that the next ten years won't disappoint me, and I'll have plenty of memories to make and achieve just as many goals - if not more.

I have very big hopes for this year.  Huge hopes, in fact.  I hope that this year is the year I finally get a teaching job.  I also hope that this is the year I get below 200lbs.  In fact, I hope to get below 180lbs... but I don't want to get ahead of myself.

I don't remember much about my 20th birthday.  Actually, if I'm being honest, I don't remember my 20th birthday at all.  That was a birthday when I was in the midst of some tough times.  I was a semi-single mother to two very young children.  Peanut was 22 months old, and Butter was 11 months old.  That was a lot to handle as a 20 year old girl.  But, you know what?  I made it though that very rough patch of my life.  I put on my big girl pants and did what I had to do.

My life is much better, now.  I now have three wonderful children.  I have a man that I love and is my best friend.  I have the most awesome parents.  I have a younger brother and sister who I've watched grow from young children in to responsible teenagers.  I am a college graduate - twice over.  I have a job that offers me the ability to do what I love.  I have a house that keeps us warm in the winter and cool in the summer.  Life is good.

But this post isn't just about me getting all sappy about turning 30, right?  No.  Today may be my birthday, but it's also weigh-in day.  When I woke up this morning, it was the first thing I thought of.  Was I going to start my birthday off with yet another gain?

Last week, I weighed in at 241.2lbs.  That was a gain of 1.8lbs from the previous week.  I swore that I wasn't going to see that number again.  Although, I didn't exactly do what I needed to do to make that happen.  That's why, I just couldn't believe my eyes when I stepped on the scale this morning and saw...

238.6lbs!!!

Not only is that a loss of 2.6lbs from last week, but it's also 1.2lbs lighter than what I was on my very first weigh in of 2012!!!  That means, I get to put back the money that I lost last week from my Reward Jar.  Even though I lost 2lbs this week, I'm sticking to only giving myself money for weight lost below my starting weight.  So, I might not have earned any money yet, but I'm moving in the right direction!  I've entered a new decade with my age AND my weight.  Yes, I know that decade means 10 years... but just amuse me in letting me use it for my weight too, m'kay?

I kinda knew that I might have a loss this morning after weighing in for the Biggest Loser yesterday.  Last week, I weighed in at 241lbs for that.  Yesterday, I weighed in at 239.5lbs.  That was 1.5lbs lost - and I had drank a few cups of coffee before my weigh in. 

I also finished cleaning out my closet last night.  Just like I said I would.  All of the clothes that I will be wearing in the near future are nicely stored, and in plain sight.  That way, each time I walk in to my closet, I'll be reminded of what's waiting for me.  I also decided to put all of my work-out clothes on the shelves above my hanging clothes.  They are now easy to reach, and are also staring me in the face each time I open my closet door.  I guarantee that they won't be collecting much dust after the gym opens on Saturday!

I said yesterday how I expected to wake up this morning feeling different.  More motivated, in fact.  I would wake up knowing I was now 30 years old, and it was time to buckle down and start doing what I've set my heart on doing for the past 10 years:  Losing weight.

You want to know something?  I did wake up feeling exactly that way.  The scale was then icing on the cake.  I said cake and don't even feel like eating cake.  That's major improvement already!  I feel strong.  I feel ready.  I feel empowered.  If I can lose 2.6lbs in a week with just being more cautious with what I eat... just imagine the numbers I could be pulling once I get my body moving and grooving at the gym.

Before I go, I have to share this with you.  Yesterday, I received my first birthday present that I've ever received from a student.  I almost cried.  The fact that this little 3rd grader managed to remember that it was my birthday, and then get me a little something goes to show the amazing students I work with.  She got me a giant Hershey Kiss and a Spongebob Krabby Patty sucker.  The gesture was amazingly wonderful and sweet.  I'm going to eat them, too.  In very small portions, of course.

Alright, my birthday couldn't have started off any better....and here's hoping the day builds on this fantastic start.

Till next time. ;)