New Kicks

So as I've been losing weight I have set a lot of goals and planned some rewards for myself along the way. The first major goal was to get under 300lbs, which I accomplished about 3 weeks ago. My reward for this goal was running shoes. Not just going to the nearest sporting goods store and finding some, I wanted to go to a running store. I had heard about both Road Runner Sports and Super Jock N Jill, being in Bellevue I tried Road Runner first, but when we went in they said it would be 10-15 minute wait and 40 minutes later I still had 2 people in front of me so we left. Super Jock N Jill was all the way in Green Lake so it took a little longer to get to, and we had to wait til a Saturday, but it was totally worth it. I walked in and the sales associate that greeted me asked what I was looking for and I told her I was new to running and she walked right back and started asking questions, looked at my old pair of shoes I had brought in and brought out a pair for me to try on. She watched me walk around in them and told me what kind of gait I had and brought out 4 brands of supportive shoes for me to try on. When I narrowed it down to 2 pairs she had me try one on each foot and it made my decision easy, then she had me run outside up the near hill just to make sure they worked well for me. All in all the whole process took less than 30 min, and I was being decisive, though I think even if I wasn't they would have been patient. They were really focused on getting me the right shoe for me, no pressure, no sales pitch, just wanted to do what was best for my foot. I absolutely loved it. Also, they told me that if for any reason they end up not working out for me to just bring them back and they will refund or exchange no problem. I tell you, they have gained a customer for life. 

Now for a pic: 

I ended up with a pair of Brooks and they are like walking on really supportive clouds. Of course as soon as I got home I HAD to go try them out!

When I was a kid I used to always pretend I was faster in my new shoes, c'mon admit it, you did it too. I use Run Keeper to keep track of my runs and it gives me my min/mile pace, and I was actually faster...I'm sure it has more to do with my losing weight and improving, but hey, the shoes get a little credit. 

18:41 Min/MI is my second fastest time, and this route has a big hill that my fastest time doesn't. This week I'll be starting the official Couch to 5k running plan so I should be getting faster and faster, my first goal is to be able to jog a whole 5k and I'd really like to get down to 15 Min/MI for that. 

The new shoes will help keep my ankles and knees happy.

On to the next goal, 50lbs lost. I have 14.4 to go til I'm there! 

4th of July

I hope everyone had as relaxing of a 4th of July as we did! For the past few years we've gotten togehter with friends or family for a low key BBQ. This year Steve's brother Brian and his wife Shelly invited us over to their house down by the park to have dinner. Shelly is wonderful and made a delicious dinner that was healthy! I volunteered to make dessert and was inspired by Abby at Aberdeens Kitchen by her mini Flag pie, so I decided to try to make a 4th of July Pie. I had all the ingredients on hand for a berry pie.

Here's a pre-oven picture:

After it was baked it looked like this, berry pie has a tendency to bubble over, but it didn't mess things up too much.

Here's as we  were about to serve the pie, it turned out great, I used a little more cornstarch than normal and as a result no goopy berry mess, slices came out just perfectly! 

Here's a pic of Brian and Shelly and our adorable niece Lana. She will be all smiles and then as soon as the camera comes out you get a scowl...I guess she doesn't like paparazzi. 

I've been trying to teach Lana the important things in life, like high 5's, which she does when she feels like it and only if I'm the only one looking as she has yet to do it in front of anyone (I don't think anyone believes me but she DOES give me high 5's) And on the 4th we practiced taking selfies. 

Here's Steve and I with Lana. The shorts I'm wearing haven't fit for awhile and they were a size smaller than the clothes I've been wearing but I tried them on and they fit! Which was nice.

And finally here's a short clip of Lana waving her flag. She loved the flag and anytime someone would take it from her she'd get mad and you got a death stare, girl has mastered the death star before even turning one. I think she smacked everyone in the face except herself, and especially loved to hit her daddy in the face with it. 

Weight Loss

Well, apparently I'm terrible at blogging. I haven't posted in over 3 years. I think I'll start posting more often now, though I've said that before....

One of the positive things I've got going on right now is I've been focusing on losing weight since the beginning of February this year. I've tried numerous times in the past, and had success, only to lose focus and go back to square one the next time. I've always had the best success when logging my food and making sure my calorie outgo is more than my intake. To do this I use MyFitnessPal, and so far this year I've lost 34.4 lbs.

Here's a pic of me from December, I'm not sure exactly how much I weight at this point as I avoided scales like the plague. My start weight in February was 329.4 so I was probably somewhere around that.

I put on my jersey again recently and where it used to be tight on my midsection I've now got loads of room. 

Then I started documenting my success, here's a pic of the progress I've made so far: 

And my least favorite perspective, the dreaded profile shot:

I never realized that I didn't have a neck. I've been really glad to take the photos as sometimes it's hard for me to see the progress, but when I look at the photos it's staring me in the face. It's weird to think that I'm now 16 lbs away from losing 50 lbs, 16 lbs doesn't sound like that much. 

I've been working out for the past month and a half about 5 days a week, trading between Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and doing a Couch to 5k program. I've noticed some changes in myself since starting the workout program, first off, I have ankles again. Also, I have a lot more energy. We did a yard work day at my grandma's house and I was able to participate a lot more (plus it was an excellent work out). I can now run up our 3 flights of stairs and not be winded at the top, and biggest change is that I actually enjoy exercising. First thing I do Saturday mornings is go for a run. 

Steve's been losing weight too, he's lost about 20 lbs now, mostly because we've been eating more veggies and monitoring our serving sizes better. I'm a little jealous that he hasn't really exercised much (save going with me a few times) and he's lost 2/3 of the weight I have, but hey, I've still lost more. 

In Sickness and In Health

I think when we said our vows "in sickness and in health" Steve didn't realize that I was going to make him prove it.

I meant to blog every week, but a few weeks ago I started suffering from the symptoms of appendicitis. After a few days of feeling crummy, running a fever the pain in my stomach got worse so we went to the Urgent Care Clinic, who in turn sent us to the ER, and after 4 hours we learned.....that I didn't have appendicitis. I followed up with my Dr. a few days later...who also thought it was appendicitis and maybe it was slow to onset, so back to the hospital for another CT scan, yup 2 count em 2 CT's in a matter of 4 days and again no signs of appendicitis, just inexplicable pain. They never did figure out what was wrong with me....I think if they can't figure it out you shouldn't have to pay the absurd bills.

Steve finished up the school quarter, just waiting for his grade. Taking on English next quarter...which is almost his least favorite subject, but best to get it over with right? His comic is going well, if you haven't checked it out yet, you should... http://3rdpersonlife.blogspot.com It is well worth a look.



We checked out a new church today, Crossroads Bible Church, which we really enjoyed. We have really struggled to find a church that we like that is close enough to our home that we can really get involved in, but I think that problem may be solved. Crossroads is fairly close, there's small groups that are near our house and we both really liked the pastor. This is putting an end (hopefully) to a year of church shopping. It wouldn't have taken so long if Steve's work schedule had had Sunday's off, like it does now, but hey, we've solved it and we're happy.

In other news, we went to our friend Eric's birthday party at Mukelshoot Casino on Saturday, which was really fun. We went to eat at the $25 buffet, which is a good meal style for my 6'5" hungry husband. The food was delish and we played the penny slots for awhile...and when I say we, I mean I, Steve watched me play the penny slots would be a more accurate description. All in all it was pretty fun.

Here's Steve enjoying the Buffet



So that about sums up life at the moment.

Here's a picture of me on my tippie toes trying to be tall enough to fit in a picture with Steve.

We're Back

One thing I have learned so far in married life....I am a terrible blogger. We have had so many joyous and exciting things going on in our life together that have gone undocumented. Unless of course you count Facebook status updates and tweets. Let's see here's a year and a half of marriage in recap.

Steve:

Steve's been working as a security guard, he spent the first year of our marriage working at Bellevue Library, keeping hobos out and shoes on. The schedule was not so desirable as he worked until 10 most nights and worked on weekends, but we were able to have lunch together and late evenings. He always had a stack of 8-10 comic books....I'm sorry....Graphic Novels or "books" as Steve calls them and I had full reign of the TV until 10 (though I would have gladly given that up for having Steve home).

He started school at Bellevue College working towards a degree in animation, which has been going very well. So far he's a straight A student. He's taking one class at a time as he is still working full time.

In January he was moved to a site at work where he had to work nights, 6 pm to 6 am. That was the worst week. He got home as I was getting up and he left for work as I was getting home, we didn't get to see each other unless Steve got up early to have lunch with me, which being the wonderful husband he is, he did. Fortunately he only had to work that schedule for a week and the was moved to days and Mon-Fri! Hooray! This was an answer to a year long prayer, and our time apart when he was working swing and days made us soo appreciative of spending time together. Although now I don't get to watch as much reality TV as Steve can't stand it.

Shannon:

My life is not nearly as exciting as Steve's. I have been working for my uncle at Farmers for 3 years in April. I enjoy it for the most part, but working with family can sometimes be taxing. I have been working on crafting and baking experiments, longing to be a Martha Stewart but have oh so far to go. I have so far made a stuffed Lamb (big help from Skye Van Dyken) and I have made a camera case. Also, my pants are no longer too long for me now...I am now skilled at hemming pants. I have a few projects that I want to get started on but since Steve has been home I have been more focused on spending more time with him, and loving every minute.

We are in a Monday night small group where we play games and grow relationships. I was so excited to have Steve have the night off and be able to come. I think some of the members thought I was making up that I had a husband. We have a lot of fun and get our nerd on, something I have been doing a lot more now that I am married to Steve

I think that my husband took a secret vow to turn me into a full blown nerd. I know more about Batman than most boys and I can tell you about the alter-egos and girlfriends of more super heros than I care to admit. I have also almost completely watched through Stargate, both SG1 and Atlantis, but I think the biggest thing for me, what makes me feel the most nerdy, is that now I am into gaming. Steve got me to play Gears of War 2 on the xbox and I love it. Friday night in our house has became "Gears Night" where we get on and play with his brothers and dad online. I never really understood before how Steve could get on and play for 3, 4 or 5 hours at time, but now I do. Also, I'm getting pretty good.

And that is about the last year and a half for us. As a couple we are doing so well and falling more and more in love every day. I find myself thinking how lucky I am to have found a wonderful man who cares about me more than I could have ever imagined.

I am going to try to update on our life more often, and include some photos, put up our projects. Steve is starting a web comic blog at www.3rdpersonlife.blogspot.com starting Monday. Read it, it's great.

Count Down: 6 days

Halloween came and went with no incidences, which I am thankful for. I seem to be extremely paranoid that I am going to sprain an ankle or break something right before the wedding. I am probably being over protective, but better safe than sorry right?

We went to my great aunt's memorial service yesterday afternoon. It was a nice service. A lot of fun memories of "Grandma Shirley". She left her games to me and my brother, which was very fitting because that is what we grew up doing when we visited her. My grandpa that passed away last year and Grandma Shirley were two of my cribbage partners. They taught me to play when I was 4 and I've been playing ever since. I had to teach Steve how to play so I'd have a new partner.

Steve is almost done cleaning out his room. I think it's the cleanest it's looked in a long time. I swept the floor for him and dusted his window seal, don't think either of those chores had been done recently. He also found yet another box of action figures. Yep, that's all that is under our bed. Our kids won't need any toys, we have all the action figures from Steve's childhood. I should have kept my Barbies then we'd have a whole crowd.

Hopefully after this weekend the only thing Steve will have to move in is his clothes, which have to stay for now because my wedding dress is taking up a big portion of our closet, and he's not allowed to see it so he isn't allowed to open the closet at all. He'll see it pretty soon though, in 6 more days.

Work is going to be tough knowing that the wedding is on Saturday. I had problems focusing on Friday and I even got off early that day. We'll see how it goes, there's only 3 full days I'm working, 4 for Steve, poor guy has to sit through 10 hour days. Thankfully after we make it through this work week we can look forward to vacation.

For our Honeymoon we're going on a cruise. It goes from Long Beach to Catalina Island, then a day in Insenada (sp?). My first grown up vacation, and my first cruise. I am really excited.

6 days to go!

8 Days To Go

Little over a week until the wedding, and I couldn't be more excited. I was thinking this morning that this is my last weekend as a single lady. I was also thinking, this is my last weekend of having the bed to myself, now I'll be sharing it with a GIANT, good thing it's a king.



Steve's been moving all his stuff into the apartment, between that and the gifts we've been getting the apartment is looking smaller and smaller, but it is nice to finally be able to cook with utensils. I've been cooking with the bare essentials for the last 3 months so it's wonderful to get back to a proper kitchen.

We're going to pick up our marriage license this afternoon, which is really exciting, it's really getting time. Therefore we are not doing anything for Halloween, as I would probably injure myself, because I'm so coordinated. Week to go!