What's new:
Fitness and Health
I am "on plan" for Weight Watchers! Woot! I love the Weight Watchers program. It really works if you put in the effort and follow it. I rejoined on October 1st, 2013 and am over 20 pounds down. Last time I tried Weight Watchers I did the online gone to a meeting every week, but I haven't been 100% committed each week. I have been following their "simple start" 2-week program for the last week and a half. It focuses on the Weight Watchers "power foods" (lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, and more). The simple start is a nice plan on I will probably return to it when I need a break from the traditional method of tracking. If you are familiar with Weight Watchers, it is similar to the "Core" plan or the "Simply Filling" technique. It gives a little more structure, but it still flexible.
After the last meeting of 2013 I bought the Weight Watchers "Plan & Track 12 week journal." I resolved in the new year to track every day for these first 12 weeks. I usually tracked online using my computer, but I sometimes forgot. I also tried tracking on my smart phone, but it's been acting up for several months now so that process was frustrating. This tracker is a nice size to keep in my purse. I also like the "My Week at a Glance" spread which gives a week calendar to note what you plan to have or meals, activity, events. It also has an area for notes, gives tips, space to write a grocery list and list dishes you plan to try. At the end of the week there is a page for a wrap up to be filled out at or after the meeting (weight lost/gained, meeting notes, etc.). I give this tracker a big thumbs up.
In addition to Weight Watchers, I am also giving myself a daily grade based upon various healthy habits criteria. For example: flossing, drinking enough water, exercise, and eating enough fruits and vegetables. I'll try to do a post in the future about this grading method. I was typically an "A" student so this is a way to achieve small acts towards the greater goal of fitness and health.
Wedding News
I got engaged last June! My wonderful fiancé and I are getting married this October and are slowly crossing things off our to-do list. We expect our wedding to be attended by 200+ people (300+ on invite list right now). We have a minister, ceremony location, reception location (and caterer), photographer, and a few other things planned. I'm scheduling a dress shopping soon and am glad to have dropped some pounds before trying on dresses. I have a style in mind, but am willing to try different things. Other things we plan to do soon includes finalizing the wedding party (I have my girls selected, he still has a few to ask), setting up a wedding website, book a cake baker/decorator, book the wedding decorator (we plan to DIY a lot of this, but rent a few items to bring the look all together), start our registry, and a thousand other things.
Weddings are a lot of work, but so are marriages. I'm so lucky to have this guy, and am excited to celebrate our commitment to each other. It's not all wine and roses (heck, he doesn't even like wine!), but we do have love and dedication.
Miscellaneous Updates/Notes
My fiancé and I moved to a duplex in September.
We're celebrating 2 years next month! (But I'm really looking forward to several things in February!)
Wisconsin is cold in winter (not new, not really an update, just a reminder)
Stay warm, classy, and positive.
