Calorie Counting continues.

I have posted so little about my fitness journey this time round.  But as I document Christmas I want to take a minute to document a few things.  First off, I am still calorie counting, going strong for over 9 months now!  The weight loss has been really slow the last few months.  In April I lowered my calories again since things had kind of plateaued.  I've lost several more pounds since then, but it seems like I only get about 1 "loss" weigh-in/month, which has been frustrating.  I think I'm on the downhill slope and then the scale dances around 1-3 pounds.  I know that time of the month complicates things, but honestly I've been losing motivation and letting things slide a little bit.  Instead of rarely going over my calories it's becoming a little more frequent, but I'm at least trying to be accountable instead of just "eating whatever I want".  I still enter everything I eat and it's funny to see that I usually haven't "let it slide" as much as I think I have.

I do have to mention the holidays.  I decided last fall that I was going to stick with my calorie counting.  Why did I need to gain weight during the holidays??  I was really proud of myself for being so diligent and faithful to calorie counting.  Yes I ate goodies and snacks and treats...but all within moderation.  SO from Halloween to New Year's I LOST 10 pounds!

Dad & I have a dream trip coming up (more about that later) so I am trying to stick with eating moderately while preparing for that AND with the weather being pretty darn nice, I am trying to get out and walk & be more active as well.

 I wish that it got easier, but it hasn't for me.  I still just want to eat as much as I want.  I still wish I could eat 3 brownies instead of a 2" square.  I still wish I could each whatever the heck I want!  But I know that won't ultimately get me what I want, a slim & trim and healthy body.  So I'm trying to learn lessons of repentance, being accountable, moderation, diligence and perseverance along the way so that I don't abandon my efforts when the scale shows no signs of progress!

Oh, a random note.  I've been trying to make big batches of green smoothies to divy up in to little glass bottles that I can pull out and take with me in the van or sip on while working around the house.  It's helping to intake more fruits & veggies, curb cravings and fill me up more so I'm not as hungry for junk food.

One last thing, I am finally fitting (snuggly BUT fitting) in to a size 10 again! 9 months ago I was a 16/18, so that's progress!  It was so exciting to pull out "summer clothes" from last year and have them SUPER baggy!  (I know it's funny to post actual sizes because it's SO relative, but I want to remember my concrete "mile markers".)  So here's to carrying on...and calorie counting some more!

Ultimate Gift 2014.

I don't really feel like elaborating right now, but for our family this year we're theming each month after The Ultimate Gift.  Our first month's theme in January was work.  Overall it was a great thing for our family.  More to come later...