AHOY!
I'm really looking forward to this month. While our Disney trip last week was on the less-than-magical side, taking a full week away from the shop and DH's jobs and most stress did SO much good. I was able to finish all open orders before we left, so I came home with nothing that HAD to be done right away. With coming home on Wednesday, but DH and I both taking off the full week, we were able to really get some sleep and get on a more regular schedule. Yesterday was DH's first day back at his day job, and today is his first day back at both jobs, so I'm hoping we can keep it up. We also came home to a bare pantry, so we were able to reset completely there, too. We hit the grocery store this weekend and Sunday was spent putting together some DIY lunchables, making protein smoothies, hard boiling eggs, making egg muffins, etc. I'm determined to make this stick!
We're going back to Disney on November 30, and literally coming home two days later. I'm so excited. I haven't seen the Christmas decorations in person since 1998 (I was 9!) and DH has never seen them. I can't think of a better way to bring in the holiday season. We're doing the dessert party for the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM show at Hollywood Studios (really, who do they put in charge of naming this stuff now? Disney, hire me.)
Long Term Goal: Be down 60lbs, or be in size 10 clothing - whichever comes first.
This has been my goal for years now, and I really want to make it happen. I put my goal this way because I think a size 10 is where I would feel most comfortable - I truly can't imagine myself being any smaller than that. I think the 160's (so a 60lb loss) would put me in that size range, but I'm not 100% sure, as it's been so long since I was either number. At 199 I was a 14, so it's possible I could hit size 10 before I enter the 160's.
Shorter Term Goal: Be down 40lbs by April 22, 2017.
This puts me 10lbs below wedding weight, and in a good place physically going into MOH's May wedding. I've given myself the April 22 goal date because Dapper Day weekend is April 29 & 30, and I'm going to move forward as if we're going that weekend. I'd rather get to April and not be able to go but still be down some weight, rather than wait until I know for sure whether or not we can go and have to scramble or settle. Aiming for April 22 gives me a week to make any alterations to clothing if I need to. I know it will require a lot of dedication and pushing to come down 40lbs in just under 6 months, and honestly I am nervous that I'm setting myself up for failure, especially with winter approaching.
November Goal: Be down 7lbs by November 30, 2016.
I'm starting November with a weigh-in of 220.4lbs - up 1lb from when we left for Disney a week and a half ago, but considering all the yummy food I've eaten in the last 2 weeks, I'll take it! 7lbs seems like a lot, so I'm hoping I'm not biting off more than I can chew. A loss of 7lbs this month keeps me on track to lose 40 by April 22. After seeing our photos from last week's trip, I'll be happy for any weight loss at this point!
Plan: Low-carb/high-protein, more water, add in some cardio, TRACK!
Yesterday was a really good day, eating wise. The chocolate is still a thing but I'm not going to beat myself up over it at all. I need to start back tracking what I'm eating, though, as I started to get in my head because I *felt* like I was eating all day long - but since everything was high protein and low carb, I logically know I'll be eating more frequently throughout the day... it's just a matter of not psyching myself out and trying to prevent myself from eating just because I *feel* like I'm eating all the time. I enjoy the numbers game of tracking once I get back into the habit of it. It's just a matter of doing it.
I need to find some fun dance-style exercise videos on YouTube. I used to dance a lot when I was more involved with theatre, and I've always enjoyed it. I'm hoping doing it that way rather than forcing myself to make mindnumbing laps around the block or chaining myself to the treadmill will make me more likely to actually do cardio often and consistently. The weather is supposedly to fall to the 70's this week after record high 90-degree temps the last few weeks, so I'm really looking forward to it. I'm hoping that with the cooler temps, I can get DH and myself out the door for at least one mile walk in the mornings before he goes to work.
Obstacles: Me!
I don't think Thanksgiving will pose a big issue. It's just one day out of 30 days, and in thinking over the dishes we usually have at our families', there's nothing horrifically terrible. I'll need to watch my dressing and yam intake, but for the most part it's lots and lots of turkey. Perfect lean protein! Disney will be a couple of "free" days but since the amount of walking we'll be doing usually combats that, and after a month of eating better I don't think I'll be able to stomach as much junk, I'm not too worried about those 3 days.
Arrr, mateys! Let's swash some buckles!
just going by how my clothes feel, I try not to be married to the number on the scale. My goals is to lose enough that my clothes are comfortable, and check my weight a couple times this month. Overall I still have about 25 lbs that I want to lose and my goal for that is to get back into my healthy habits, ditch the cocktails during the week, focus on protein and completing my step goal 5 days a week. 
Melanie for hosting!
Party time! 
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Good luck everyone!
