Monday, March 26, 2012

For My Health

On Dec. 31, 2011 I returned home from Florida. It was vacation...so that meant lots of eating out and drinking beers on the beach.

After a few drinks, I walked into the bathroom and found a scale.

I was feeling bloated.

Fat.

Uncomfortable.

And the scale showed it.

239 lbs.

Surely that was wrong.

Surely the scale was broken.

I decided to pee and see if that would change anything (YES I DO THAT!) I'll remove hair ties sometimes to see if that makes me lighter.

238.

Well, a year of work down the drain.

At that moment, I was determined to make 2012 my year.

The lowest number I ever saw on the scale in 2011 was 218 lbs and that was in August.

August 11, 2011.
218 lbs.
I couldn't wipe the smile off my face all day.

It took me 7 months to lose 20 lbs.

Today - I proved I am kicking butt.

Today - I proved I am moving much quicker with my weight loss goals.

Today - I proved passing up buttery popcorn is worth it.

Today I proved hardwork pays off.

Within the past 3 months, I've lost 20 lbs.

This morning, the scale said 218.5 lbs.

I stepped on it like 24 times to confirm accuracy.

It would go up high- once at 231 lbs and then it quickly go down to 216 lbs!

I felt like I was on The Biggest Loser.

I mean, in the last week alone I've lost six lbs.

I told my best friend Toni last night that I'm not losing weight for anything or anyone else.

I'm not losing weight for a dress.

I'm not losing weight for my husband (or anyone else for that matter).

I'm not losing weight for a certain number on the scale.

I'm not losing weight for a vacation.

I am losing weight for myself.

To live longer.

To live happier.

To live healthier.

And when we have kids one day, I want to be a fun mom.

I want to be the mom who runs around with her kids in the sprinkler. 

I don't want to hide in the house, ashamed of my appearance.

I want to be a MILF (again - one day).

Diabetes runs in my family and so does heart disease. During my last check-up, I told my doctor about my problems losing weight. I explained that I fuel my emotions with food and admitted that I'm awful with portion control.

I was hoping she would give me magical pills. To control my huger and appetite.

Instead, she told me to get a workout buddy and try Weight Watchers.

Looks like the true secret to weight loss really is....working out and eating better. WHO KNEW!? ;)

My skinny workout clothes were busted out tonight! :)
I haven't seen these in MONTHS!
 So if you are searching for weight loss inspiration, I encourage you to look no further than the mirror.


Do it for you.

And only YOU.

Much love,
Ashley




Sunday, March 25, 2012

Creeping into a Size 12

One month ago I bought these pants:

Size 14

One month ago these pants were tight.

Today, these pants are baggy.

The best part?

I've never worn them!!!!!

There is no reason for them to baggy....EXCEPT for losing some inches on my waist line!


I am creeping into size 12 pants.

And that, my lovely blog readers, is a huge accomplishment worth celebrating!!!!!

Off to watch The Hunger Games.

The real test will be resisting the buttery popcorn later...wish me luck!

Much love,
Ashley

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Making A Tradition: Shamrock Run and Walk 2012

On Saturday, my mom and brother woke up for our first race of 2012: The Shamrock 2012 Run and Walk.

Devin wasn't completely awake at this point...
I woke up feeling GREAT! The scale said I was officially 16 lbs down!!! Down to 222 lbs. I was BEYOND excited. Last year when I was trying to lose weight, I didn't get to 222 lbs until July! It's only March...and I'm feeling WAY ahead of the game.

This will be my year.

On the other hand, Mom had a swollen ankle. Like really swollen. I actually asked if she wanted to sit this year out because it looked so bad!

She promised she felt fine, put on her ankle brace and said she was prepared to power walk the entire race. Maybe run a little bit.

Deal.

It was a perfect morning. Beautiful weather.My family. Fitness. Downtown Indy. My friends.

So on the way down there, I had to express my excitement. And pump up my mom and little brother too.

"Alright everyone, we are all going to share what we are most excited about today!" I said.

I do this often. I always try to set people in a positive mindset before a race or any major event.

"Devin, you're first!" I said.

"I don't want to die," he said.

"Okay, you aren't playing fairly," I said. "No one wants to die. But let's just say - you're going to beat your time from last year and you don't want to get hurt. Mom, what about you?"

"Well, I'd like to beat our time from last year!" she said.

"That's a good plan!" I said.

I paused. Waiting for someone to ask me why I was excited. A few moments of awkward silence and mom said, "What are you looking forward to about today?"

"Well," I said - wishing I had prepared a speech in advance, "I am looking forward to doing this as family. Not a lot of people can say that they've done a race with their mom. Or bother. Or both! This is our tradition. But really, you can't say anything is a tradition until the second year. And this is the year we can make truly this race our tradition."

***

After we crossed the start line, Devin was gone! We yelled and wished him good luck. He was missing baseball practice, so his coach was making him get an excellent time.

"What time should I get?" Devin asked his coach.

"I'll tell you once you tell me your finish time," his coach told him. "And if I don't think you did well enough to miss practice, you'll run it again at a better time."

Well, that was inspiration enough to get Devin's butt running right from the start!


Turns out Devin finished 25th in his age group!!!! There were more than 3,000 people who did the race! I think he finished in about 38 minutes. What a stud.

Mom and I decided to power walk the race all the way through. And let me tell you- she is a power walking machine!! We spent most of the race with my good friends Sabrina, Gina and Adrienne.

I found my twin (Gina) at the start line!

Mom and I finished at 1:00:24.9. I placed 233 for my age group! I am not sure if that is a good or a bad thing, but I'll take it.

Mom and I averaged 15:06 per mile, which isn't bad for racing with a bummed ankle!

Post-race, we got lost downtown and I couldn't find my car. So all-in-all, we shared a lot of laughs and probably walked a few extra miles.

Much love,
Ashley


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Did You Hear?

Did you hear that....


I've lost 14 lbs in the last two months.

Can't stop smiling. 
 More details coming soon.
 In the meantime, I'll be smiling.
Much love,
Ashley 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The Key to Failure

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."

-Bill Cosby


Monday, March 12, 2012

A Lot Happens in 10 Years

Last Monday night, I cried myself to sleep.

The emotions of the day combined with the news about the devastating tornadoes were simply too much to handle.

Especially during a difficult time of year.

It's been 10 years since I lost my grandpa. 

I started to think about everything he's missed.

My sweet 16th birthday.

What? You didn't have chip & dale's at your surprise 16th birthday?

My first car, which was actually the big blue van you and grandma owned. 

Big Blue - pictured here with a flat tire.

I miss the Gladiator van.
Senior night of cheerleading.

I was NOT coordinated at all.
But I made the team because I was full of spirit.
And made people smile.
My senior prom.

Best prom date, ever.

My high school graduation.

Senior picture.
No, I wasn't a Hollister model, but thanks for asking.
Just kidding. =)



My first true love.

Grandpa, I promise he treats me good. He cooks. He cleans.
He makes me laugh. He inspires me.
And he likes fishing. You would love him.

My sister's high school graduation.

She is the best. Don't know what I would do without my beautiful sister.

My first college graduation (yes, I graduated college twice).

I transferred to IPFW for the Dental Assisting program that December.
By January, I was already registered to go back to Ball State for my Bachelor's in Journalism.
You know me, I couldn't make a decision to save my life.
I changed my major probably 47 times.
Your first great grandson.

The boy who captured my heart from the moment I met him.
Braxen Darrell.
Grandpa, he is a keeper! :)

Your second great grandson.

Landen, the boy who smiles and melts my heart.
Who comes running full blast into my arms when I see him.
I'd be lost without my nephews.
My second college graduation.

Mama T & me on graduation day.
Mom is still beautiful as ever.
My wedding day.

Such a beautiful day.
Justin got me a heart shaped locket with your picture in it.
I put it in my bouquet.
You were close to my heart the entire day, Grandpa.







Cierra's high school graduation.

The grandkids.

We are all older. Maybe a little wiser.
  
Grandpa, we all miss you.
Grandpa and Grandma.

Grandpa and Grandma.
Grandpa probably said something rotten, which is why is laughing and grandma is smirking.

I wish you could go fishing with Justin.

I wish I could eat breakfast with you on Sunday mornings after church.

I wish you would sneak up behind me and rub your aftershave on my face. I know I hated it and got mad at you, but looking back - it makes me smile.

I wish I could eat oranges with you as a mid-afternoon snack.

I wish I could listen to you yell at Cub's on TV. Maybe this will be their year ;)

I wish I could eat sauerkraut with you (I actually like it now!!). 

A lot happens in 10 years. 

But I know that I've got a lifetime ahead of me. And I can't spend that time wishing you were here...so instead, I'll be celebrating our memories. While I know you aren't here with me physically, I believe you are here with me in spirit. I believe you are on my shoulder when I need you the most. When I need someone to look out for me. To guide me in the right direction. You're there.

Miss you, always.

Much love,
Ashley

Monday, March 5, 2012

Winds of Emotion

Today was overwhelming.

Exhausting.

A few moments I was sad.

Mad.

Stressed.

Confused.

Frustrated.

A few times I laughed.

I smiled.

But overall, I would say my day was a wind of emotions.

When I came home, I tried to detox myself.

I grabbed a Diet Coke from McDonald's (my weakness and current addiction in life). 

I was welcomed with lots of kisses from Mr. Bandit, which SERIOUSLY helped.

Later in the night, my mom text me that my step dad was deployed to help the victims of the tornado in Henryville, Indiana.

He got there last night.

He said it was awful.

I wasn't fully ready for what my mom said next...

A whole family of five died.

A young family.

The dad was 21.

The mother was 19.

The babies were 3, 15 months and 2 months old.

How?

Why?

It doesn't seem right.

It doesn't seem fair.

All I can think about is how a mother lost not only her children, but her grandchildren.

And here I am in the same state. Dwelling on my stresses of the day...which now suddenly seem so small.

When I think about the winds of the tornado that destroyed the town of Henryville, I feel selfish. I feel ridiculous for getting so worked up over the small things.

My wonderful company has agreed to match all the donations we bring in tomorrow for the tornado relief effort, which illustrates the compassion and support my company.

Tomorrow Justin and I are going to donate $50 in memory of that family. And in effort to give hope to those who are rebuilding their lives one day at time. Some with nothing. Some who lost absolutely everything.

The devastating tornado, which feels SO close to home, is a true reminder to count your blessings and not your problems.

Be thankful for the home over your head.

For the food on your table.

For the photos you proudly share on your walls.

For the clothes in your dressers.

For the people in your life.

And most importantly, if you are reading this post...you've lived through another day.

And you have the gift of tomorrow.

Much love,
Ashley