Mr. Singer

A year ago I was in Arizona visiting with my Mom. While I was there, my husband and I fell in love with their (my Mom and roommate Cyndi's cat) Singer.

He was a such a love! He would sit in my lap and sleep with me and just want to be loved all day. He was so handsome and so fat and just a friendly cat. He was afraid of his own shadow, too!! But he was so sweet and he was like our cat away from home. They had other cats, but Singer was just a good boy. We started calling him Mr. Singer. Whenever I talk to my Mom now I always ask how he is doing.

When my Mom called on Thursday to wish us a Happy Anniversary she told me sadly, that they were going to have to put their oldest cat, Jasmine, to sleep. She is 20, has no teeth and was peeing every where. I was sad, but I didn't really spend too much time with her. She slept a lot and spent most of her time with my Mom. She casually mentioned that Singer was "missing" but he does that a lot. He goes out for the day and comes back at night.

Well, yesterday, Singer still had not come home. They had Coyote's around the area. One got all the chicken's in a neighbors yard. So they are now afraid Singer was eaten by a Coyote. I'm very sad and heartbroken.

Hopefully, Singer will come back. He really is a unique cat.

It has been done!!

It's done! I have my goal weight set at 160 pounds! Actually, my doctor said 165 pounds would be fine, too. But I like 160 pounds. She was so happy to see me (my doctor) when she walked into the room. I seriously am the luckiest woman in the world to have such an amazing doctor. She is so sweet, kind, funny, caring, and understanding. She told me she wanted to march me into every room to talk to all the patients about weight loss so I could encourage them to lose weight and show them it could be done.

After my doctor's appointment, I had a little time to kill before my Weight Watchers meeting so I stopped into one of my favorite stores, Plato's Closet. I picked up two new shirts. I love that store. I could spend all day there.

I headed over to my meeting where I promptly gained. I new that was going to happen. I've been half assing things. I won't lie to you. I am getting serious about it again though. My weekends haven't been perfect after my anniversary dinner tonight (listen-this girl wants to celebrate) I am going to be 100% WW again. But in all honesty, I am so happy with myself and that is all that matters.

I also handed over my doctor's note and I'm so happy. I have 3.6 pounds to reach goal. My leader, Nancy, is on vacation for 2 weeks so I hope I don't hit goal while she is gone. That would kind of suck.

Now, that doesn't mean I'm not going to still try to get to 150, but for right now, I am just going to be happy with hitting goal and making lifetime.

Oh, did I mention next weekend I am getting to meet this lovely lady?

If you don't watch "The Biggest Loser", this is Olivia Ward, who won last season. She lost 129 pounds. Isn't that awesome? I'm so excited. I cannot wait to meet her.

Also next month I plan to blog EVERY SINGLE DAY! I did 31 days of blogging a few years ago in October and loved it. Can't wait to do it again!!

11 Years

Today is my 11 year wedding anniversary!! Unfortunatly, I am not at the Cape like we planned. Because my husband started a new position at work and couldn't take the time off. So I am home (I still took the time off) and he is not. Plus, he has karate tonight and doesn't really want me to go to see him "belt up".

Yep. Basically, I am home by myself all day today. Kind of sucks, right? But he promised me a nice dinner tomorrow night and a nice weekend together. So I can't really complain. And I get a 5 day weekend out of it.

New Orleans

So this chick, is most likely going to New Orleans in about 2 months. Why? Well, because my husbands new job is sending him and I invited myself along. Why not, right? I have the vacation time and I told him he isn't going without me. Plus, I've never been and I've always wanted to.



I've decided I need to get myself in "the best shape" I can between now and November 29th. I've been sort of blah about my eating and exercise. Oh, I've been running PLENTY (I did 15 miles Friday-Sunday). But I haven't been to the gym or really been following a healthy eating plan. So why not try to get into the best shape I can for a vacation? Right? I'm sure I'll be eating my way through most of it anyway.

I lost 0.4 pounds this week. Which is fine. But like I mentioned, I haven't been putting 100% into my eating. I'm perfectly happy with where I am right now, but I need to tone up my stomach. Putting on a pair of jeans for the first time in months on Friday was a wake up call. I don't wear them very often but it's gotten cold very quickly and I didn't want to a dress or capri pants. I need to dig out my long pants and skirts for fall. I hate to say goodbye to summer already.

I'm pretty excited about this trip. My husband will be working but I can go out and explore while he is doing his thing. Should be a lot of fun though. I can't wait.

Are you kidding me?

Really? Really? Look at this weather! 40's at night? Seriously? This is why I want to move out of Connecticut. Before you know it it will be 20 degrees during the day as a high and 400 feet of snow on the ground.

It's a small world after all

I can someone please recommend a good deodorant or a good detergent or something I can spray on my workout clothes? HOLY HELL do my shirts stink something fierce! And that is AFTER I've washed them. I nearly passed out when I was out on the treadmill and realized that smell in the garage was ME and not some poor dead animal. I had washed the shirt already and hadn't even started running yet. Yikes!! Problem is, I don't use anything strong because of my allergies. I use Tide Clear so it doesn't cause any problems. Maybe there is something I can spray on my clothes? Or again, a deodorant?

It really is a small world. We have a new girl at work and we got to talking and it turns out her boyfriend and I went to high school together. I didn't remember him at first (I really tried to block out most of high school-but what heavy girl didn't?) but after awhile I remembered him. She was talking to him at one point and asked him if he remembered me and I said to her "I was a little bigger then." And she said to me "Sarah said she was big then, but she is super tiny now." Which of course I laughed about. So today we were talking again and she was looking at my pictures in my cubicle and she couldn't get over my wedding photos and me now. She wanted to know how I did it. She also said I look so different. That I am so "tiny". I just don't think of myself as tiny. It's not a word I use to describe myself.

Anyway. Today I climbed back into bed after my alarm went off. I was so tired. Work was exhausting yesterday. But I got back up and went for my run. I can honestly say I was half asleep through most of it and don't remember it. Ha! But that is alright. I did it.

And it was another crazy, exhausting day at work. Which means I'll probably have a hard time getting up tomorrow morning. But Friday is a rest day so I can totally use that to help me get up in the morning. I hope.

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my night before I pass out from exhaustion. I can't wait to sleep this weekend.

Really True Blood?

Seriously? What was with the end of the season finale of "True Blood" on Sunday night? What the heck?! I'm still stunned!!

And I'm currently totally addicted to "Mad Men". My coworker has all 4 season on DVD so she let me borrow them. How awesome is that?

A lot of smoking and drinking going on. But it's a very addicting show. And I can't stop watching.

I'm truly exhausted today. I got up, ran 4 miles and worked 8 hours. Work was so busy. Something was in the air today for sure. I swear I never sat down and I wore heels today. Which I think was a bad idea. When I came home, I started laundry, started dinner, fed the cats, did dishes and made sure dinner was done for the hubby so he could eat before he ran off to karate. I'm beat. Now that hubby has his new position, he works later so I am trying to make dinner for BOTH of us and have it done or at least going for when he comes home. Check me out, right?

I scheduled my appointment with my doctor to talk about my goal with Weight Watchers. My appointment is next Friday, the 23rd. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time.

So very tired. I'm going to catch up on some blogs before I fall asleep. Whew!

Not one

The plan was for 8 miles today. And I was ready to do that when I hit the treadmill this morning. But my body was not. I suppose it could have been the alcoholic beverage I enjoyed last night. Maybe? You think?

So, I did 6 miles. Which is just as great. And I have decided my long runs will be on Saturday instead. Which is fine, too.

And I am going to change my training plan. Next week will be 7 miles. It's all good. I can do this. I'm ready for it.

I also survived the Birthday party today without eating cake. Without eating junk actually. There was not ONE HEALTHY OPTION at this party. Until they brought out the fruit. It was tough. But I filled up on fruit until I thought I might burst.

Now I'm off to watch some Mad Men. I'm finally getting to watch this show. I've always wanted to.

I'm happy with myself

I gained. I knew I was going to gain. I gained 2.8 pounds. Blah, blah, blah. Now I am back to thinking I should just stay at 160 because my body truly probably enjoys that weight. I struggle so badly to get under 160 and stay there. But once I see 159 and under I feel so good. I call it my "happy place". Those last 10 "vanity pounds" are such a bitch.

I have been struggling the past few weeks. It's true. I think a lot of people have been.

I could totally get a note from my doctor saying "Sarah's goal weight should be 160 pounds" and I could be at my goal weight with Weight Watchers and be done with it. I could stay there for 6 weeks and BOOM! Lifetime membership and no more paying. But, do I want to do that? Maybe. I might make an appointment with my doctor and talk to her about it. And maybe I could continue to try to get to 150 pounds and see what happens. I struggled all summer long.

I no longer want to fit into a size 8, which is why I changed the name of my blog. I am happy fitting into size 10 clothes.

I'm happy with myself.

Holy shit. Did I just say that? I totally did. I'm happy with my flabby thighs and my extra skin on my stomach and my muffin top. And my jiggly arms. All of this are BECAUSE I lost 120+ pounds. All of this can go away with some toning up and with some surgery (when I have a tummy tuck in the near future). I would much RATHER be right where I am RIGHT NOW. RIGHT HERE at 162 pounds. Instead of where I was.

I have rough days of feeling sorry for myself. Of hating myself. But it could be a lot worse. I worked damn hard for this.

I just want EVERYONE to know that Weight Watchers is the most amazing weight loss plan out there. It truly is. I love it and stand behind it 100%. I helped me get back to being the person I wanted to be and I'm so, so, SO happy. Not that other weight loss plans don't work. But for me, Weight Watchers is THE plan. I can eat what I want and lose weight. What is wrong with that?

I also ran 5 miles today. And I'm running 8 tomorrow. And after that, we're going to a 1 year old's Birthday party. Which I am so excited about (really, no, I'm not. But there might be cake and I am having cake after running 8 miles. Damn straight).

Fair food

Thanks so much for your support on my decision to run a marathon on my treadmill. YES! My treadmill. Haha. I'm so excited about it. I'm just looking forward to saying that I ran 26.2 miles. And "training" for something. I'm just a treadmill runner.

I have some amazing news. My husband, who just started at his new job back in March, was promoted yesterday. To the I.T. department. Which is HUGE for him. It's what he went to school for and what he loves. He gets a company phone, a laptop, and his own office. Stuff I DON'T get and I've been at my job for almost 11 years. I've been asking for a laptop for a couple years now. Anyway, it's also more money. Which is great. He already started in the new position today. I'm so proud of him. He's a really smart guy and totally deserves this.

I sort of forgot to mention I ate my weight in fair food on Sunday. Ice cream. French fries. Fried pickles. Hmmm. Whatever. PMS and TOM were kind of in control. Which means I'll be gaining this week. But, I am okay with that. I had fun and that is all that matters. I saw a cow being born. I shopped. I ate. I walked around and enjoyed myself.

I'm going to be so happy when this week is over. It's been a rough week. I've been hungry. Really hungry. And stressed out. And pissy. And just not a happy person. I started feeling more like myself yesterday after I visited the Chiropractor. That always helps.

But with the new job for my hubby we may not be able to go to the Cape. But we'll go another time.

Run your own race

I've decided that I want to train for a marathon. Why? Because. Just so I can say that yes, I ran 26.2 miles. And I am asking EVERYONE to join me. You don't have to run 26.2 miles. You can do 5k, 10k, a half marathon or whatever you want.

I'm going to be running it on my treadmill. YOU can run wherever you want. A treadmill. Outside. Anywhere you feel comfortable.

And the day of the race? 01/08/11. That gives me 18 weeks to train starting this Sunday. Plus, I can take the day after off from work, should I need to rest.

I will be following Hal Higdon's training guide, which is what I used when I trained for my half. It worked before, so why not again?

Why do I want to train after I decided not to run my half next month? I don't know. I just want to have something to TRAIN for.

I hope you will join me. If you do, please blog about it so we can get others involved. And I made a (corny) little button to add to your blog. Just link it back to this post if you wouldn't mind. Leave me a comment on this post, too, so I know who is in.

Follow me on twitter so we can talk about our training. Or email me at runningformyself at yahoo.com so we can talk about it there.

I hope you will join me!! It would be fun to have others training "with" me.

If I can do it, so can you.

I am totally kicking September's ass!! I ran 6 miles today. I went with a plan to run 4 and when I hit that, I went for 5 and thought "Why not?" and went for one more. I haven't run a 10K in awhile and it's awesome to know I can still do it.

I lost 1.2 pounds this week. Hurricane Irene and all. So that leaves me with 9 pounds until goal which is 150 but I want to hit 145 just to have a cushion. I'm super excited and feel like everything is falling into place. Funny how this time around I don't beat the living CRAP out of myself if I have a bad day. If I had a "bad day" I would weigh myself the next day and totally lose my mind. But not this time. This time is for real and I know that I'm not always going to make the right choices or exercise when I want to. But I'm human and it's okay to take a break. It's okay to have pizza or french fries if I want it and not worry about what is going to happen tomorrow on the scale. It's okay to rest for a few days when my back is sore or we don't have electricity (or a snow storm blows in-that is the next big thing we'll be dealing with here). Because I know that the next day I can get back on track. I won't gain back 120+ pounds in one day. Not even a week. I know what I have to do and I am doing it.
We're all doing it. If I can do it, so can you.

As much as I hate to say this, I'm pretty excited about Halloween. It's my favorite holiday and I am hoping we get invited to a party this year so I can dress slutty. What? I earned it.

The hubby and I both have a 3 day weekend. It's unusual for him not to work on a Saturday so I'm taking advantage of it. I am going to be picking up Saturday's again at work myself, so it's nice to have the time with him. I'm doing it because (a) we need some extra money and (b) I have so many charts to scan into the online system. I need to get that done.

Enjoy your weekend my friends! I know I will be.

What happened to August?

Irene has come and gone. My town did not really get hit too badly. We did lose power, just like I thought. I got u at 8am and was ready to hit the treadmill, but...the power went out at 8:30am. I was less then thrilled. I spent most of Sunday eating. I had filled my Kindle up on Saturday night so I had plenty to read.

And plenty to eat.

But, on Monday, I forgave myself. It isn't worth getting mad over or upset over or beating myself up over. Monday was a new day and I treated it like that.

Our power came back in 23 hours later. So I didn't get to run on Monday morning either.

I got my run in on Tuesday and I had planned 3 miles, but that turned into 4. And today I ran 4 miles. I loved my run on Tuesday. It was nice and cool outside in the garage and I just loved it. But this morning it was hard for me to get moving. As usual, I was glad I ran once I was done, but my legs were heavy and I was just not feeling it too much. Tomorrow I hope to feel it a little more.

I was disappointed with my mileage for last month. I didn't even hit 50 miles. My plan for this month is 60. I know I hurt my back and had to rest up. Plus, I plan to continue with weights 3 days week. I haven't been to the gym yet because they WERE out of power but got it back Tuesday. So I hope to start back on Saturday and go from there.

I hope that the state of Connecticut gets their power back 100% soon. A lot of our patients are without power at work and they are suffering without it. They are so afraid they are going to run out of oxygen and I don't blame them. It's tough on them. We've been swamped all week with calls and we're doing the best we can.

Despite my Sunday eating, I am looking forward to my weigh in tomorrow.

I feel like it's already turning into fall here. We've been having cool mornings and evenings. And the days aren't that warm anymore. We didn't get much of a summer at all. Hard to believe it's September. My 11 year wedding anniversary is in 21 days. We're going to Cape Cod and I cannot wait. Just for a few days, but it is where we went on our honeymoon. I always enjoy going back.

And I am looking forward to a 3 day weekend. I need to relax and not be at work for a few days.