Thursday, July 12, 2012

Side-by-Side Update

Figured I would post a weight loss update as well.  As I stated last update, the loss has slowed down tremendously!  I have now lost 84 lbs.  Feeling GREAT!

You won't believe this...I JOINED A GYM!  Starting on Monday, I will be back in the gym for the first time in years!  I'm really excited about starting back...going to Zumba, Yoga, etc!  I'm sure this will energize me more than I could ever imagine.

One other development in this surgical journey...I have to have my gall bladder removed.  It is full of gall stones (they didn't exist 6 months ago).  This is a side effect of the surgery and is expected.  My surgery is on July 31st and I'm told it is a pretty quick recovery.  Just another step in this process.

So here are the before and after pictures as of now...


I'm BACK! New Blog Challenge!!

It's been a while folks!!  Since I failed miserably on my last blog challenge, I figured I would try again.  This one is a 21 Day Self Image Challenge.  I have struggled with my image for a very long time, so I thought this would be a good one to do.  I will start Day 1 tomorrow, 7/13, but at least wanted to post the specifics of the challenge.  I think this will be very insightful!

Girlstartingnew's 21 Day Body Image Challenge

Day 1 - Write as many things you like about yourself as you can. Remember to include things about your personality, your skills, accomplishments, etc.

Day 2 - What are some reasons why your body image may be so important to you? What role does your body image play in your life? What factors have contributed to your negative body image?

Day 3 - Take a moment to write down a “perfect” version of yourself. List qualities, physical attributes, successes, whatever you’d like. Now bold the things you have complete control over and be realistic about this.  What can you do to make those bolded items come true? Start slowly working towards them. Don’t expect change over night, let it be gradual and don’t expect perfection. None of us are perfect and that’s perfectly okay.

Day 4 - Name one role model you have. Why do you look up to them? Is it because of their physical appearance or because of their intelligence, motivation, dedication, etc.? Focus on your role model’s inner beauty.

Day 5 - Write three positive affirmations about yourself on three small pieces of paper or index cards. Decorate the cards however you’d like but make them as colorful and as cheerful as possible. Now, tape them on a mirror you look at everyday or anywhere else you’ll see them daily. List your affirmations below or take a photo of your cards and upload them.

Day 6 - Pamper yourself today. Give yourself a facial, a manicure or take a bubble bath. What did you do? How do you feel after doing it? Don’t feel good still? Pamper yourself some more! Today is about YOU!

Day 7 - Find something around you that catches your eye. It could be a flower, a handmade figurine, a painting, etc. What is it? Is it completely perfect? Or does it have little, less noticeable imperfections? Most likely, it has its flaws, yet it’s still amazing and beautiful. Think of yourself in the same way you think of the object.

Day 8 - Take a challenge today. Do one thing you’re usually not comfortable doing. Go out in a bathing suit, don’t wear a full face of make up, get a new haircut, go run an errand in your pajamas, etc. What did you do? How did it feel?

Day 9 - Write down three reasons why it’s absurd to believe that people who are “more beautiful” or “thinner” are happier.

Day 10 - Go ahead and look into a mirror right now. What is the first thought you have? If it’s a negative one, replace it with a positive thought. Say it out loud, even if you don’t really believe it. Keep this thought in the back of your mind today and whenever you have a negative thought, replace it with this one.

Day 11 - How long after waking up in the morning do you look at yourself in the mirror? Is it the first thing you do? Whenever you do it, try to push it back a little and decrease the time in your morning routine today.

Day 12 - How many times, on average, do you find yourself looking at your reflection randomly throughout the day? Why do you think you do that? What do you think would happen if you didn’t do it anymore? Wherever you go today, resist the urge to look into every mirror or window to check out your reflection. If you do happen to do it, keep track of how many times you do it.

Day 13 - How well did you do yesterday? Were you able to refrain from checking your appearance? If not, how many times did you do it? How did it make you feel? Was it worth it?

Day 14 - When you get ready today, I dare you to get dressed without checking yourself in the mirror. If you put on make up, use a small mirror to apply it and do your hair then get dressed and just leave the house. Don’t worry. You look beautiful. Did you complete this dare? How did it feel?

Day 15 - What’s one thing your body helped you do today? Did you run, do yoga, etc.? What if you weren’t physically capable of doing that activity? Even if you didn’t exercise today, what if you weren’t able to get dressed or shower on your own? Be thankful for the amazing and unique body you have.

Day 16 - Pamper yourself again today because you should be doing this regularly. What did you do this time? How do you feel? Remember again, today is about YOU!

Day 17 - Write a love letter to yourself. Tell yourself you’re beautiful. Thank your body for all the wonderful things it can do. Show yourself the compassion and respect you have for your best friend or significant other.

Day 18 - Finish the following sentences.
I like myself because: 
I’m an expert at:
I feel good about:
My friends or loved ones would tell you I have a great:
My favorite place is:
Were any of the statements negative? If they were, replace them with positive thoughts.

Day 19 - Take another challenge today. Do another thing you are usually not comfortable doing. Wear a tank top or a skirt, dress up if you normally wear casual clothes, dress down if you normally dress up, etc. What did you do? How did you feel?

Day 20 - Being nice to others usually makes you feel better about yourself. Give two different people a compliment today, strangers or not. Then smile at ten different people, again they can be strangers. Commit one random act of kindness to another person. Did you do this? How did it feel?

Day 21 - Write as many things you like about yourself as you can. Remember to include things about your personality, your skills, accomplishments, etc. Did you write more things today than you did twenty one days ago? 

Friday, May 4, 2012

Side-by-Side Update: 05/04/12

I haven't done one of these in a while, so here we go!!  The new pic was taken today, 5/4/12.  I have lost 75lbs in a little over 4 months.  Seems to be slowing down, but I am still happy with the result.



Friday, March 30, 2012

From THAT, To THIS!

First and foremost, I would like to straight up say that I flopped on the 30-day challenge.  I will try to catch up on that...

Now for the most important thing...I am down another size!  I have never put my sizes on the blog before, but here we go!

December 16, 2011 - Size 24 (really should have been a 26 but I refused to buy bigger clothes!)



March 30, 2012- Size 18


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Spring Training Recap (This will be Day 20 of the Challenge)

Day 20:  Spring Training Recap
(I didn't like today's prompt, so I'm choosing to do something I like!)

Most of you know by now that I was in Arizona last week for Texas Rangers Spring Training!  I had an absolute blast with my friends Ashley and Rachel.  I thought I would recap a little through pics! 
Here we go...

In the cockpit...they asked me to fly from El Paso to Phoenix, but I didn't want to show off!
Me and Rachel w/ Jesse...the best Flight Attendant EVER!

Our first game...we had shirts made just for the trip!

Me & Rach at the game against the White Sox.

Craig Gentry...Rachel's future husband.
Mitch Moreland...Ashley's future husband (once she figures out how to get him to divorce his wife).
We all know how I feel about him!

Ran into Jeff Francouer in Walgreens...super nice and super handsome!

Day 2 at the practice fields...Ashley, me & Rachel.


Met Emily Jones and snagged a pic w/ her.


I'm pretty sure he was looking at me while being stretched!  Hehe!!


Day 3:  Chillin' in the convertable...on our way to shop.


All dressed up for our fancy dinner, courtesy of Rachel's Duncanville Mom.


Day 4:  Me w/ Mike Napoli

Me w/ Joe Nathan

Me w/ Mark Hamburger


Me & Ashie at our last dinner in AZ.

I took tons of pictures...like over 900 I believe...so this is just a little sample.  We had an amazing time and I am so grateful to have friends that enjoy baseball just as much as I do!  Thanks girls for taking the trip with me.  Can't wait for next year!!!


Thursday, March 15, 2012

It is the little things...

The little things, or shall I say victories, make me happy.

For the first time in years, this happened when I sat down on the plane to AZ...

THE SEAT BELT BUCKLED AND
I HAD ROOM TO SPARE!!!!!

I used to always have to ask for a seat belt extender, which was so embarrassing!  To sit down and be able to have that much belt left over almost brought me to tears!!  It is a small event, but meant the world to me!


Day 19: 30-Day Challenge

Day 19:  Nicknames you have; how did you get them?





Ton - This one is quite obvious.  All of my friends call me this.
Bestie - This one was given to me by my BFF, Ashley.
Half Pint - I was 2.5 months premature and weighed 3lbs, so my Mom called me this.
NuNu - This one is from my husband. Started as Moochie Norris, turned into Noochie, then NuNu.
Slick - My Daddy has called me this since I was a little girl.
Monkey - Another one from my Daddy.
Boobie - My Uncle Tim gave me this one when I was little...have no clue why.
Yer Yer - Given to me by my friend Sharon and her Mom. They called me Tonyer...then Yer Yer.
Tonie - Given to me by my friend Kari and her Mom...again have no clue why.
Rabon - This was my maiden name, and I was called this in high school.
Tonski - My friend Jason calls me this.
Gal - My Granddaddy called me this.