week 2 highlights

the good

exercised everyday for at least 45 minutes

ate fruits and veggies daily

cooked healthy dinners for Jeff and I every night this week

only had 3 weak sangrias on Friday night

the bad
I can't think of anything I would do differently

the verdict
I'm down 2 pounds

Goal #55 Team Leader Update

The teachers at my school have been buzzing about next year's new leadership format. Every one's theories and predictions were creating some nervous energy inside of me. Luckily, when I walked into my interview last Friday I was able to regain a sense of calm and spoke clearly.

It was a formal interview with the two administrators in my building, which was kind of akward since I've worked with them for 2-5 years. I did almost all of the talking and I felt like I was blabbing on and on, but when we finished and I turned to see the clock, I saw that I had finished my hour-long interview in 20 minutes! whoops! I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing and I got mixed theories from my friends.

My prinicipal called me into her office the following Thursday and asked if I would lead the new Intermediate Team which will consist of teachers from 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. That's all I really know so far..... but I've gotten the impression that the formal interview is going to be a cake walk compared to the real work ahead.

Oh well....another goal down!

Goal #37 Read for Fun

Jeff and I started reading this book during lent. It was the perfect time to read it because the book is broken down into forty short chapters that are labeled from day 1 to day 40.

I recommend this book to anyone who believes in heaven. It gave me a new perspective on life and what happens after we die. It made me realize that what happens in our lives here is only the beginning of our story, the cover page, if you will. Understanding that concept makes the daily rigors of life seem more manageable.

It seems to me that most people, myself included, have a great fear of death. After all it is life's biggest unknown and a tremendous source of sadness when we lose a loved one. After reading this book, I honestly understand the meaning of "going on to a better place" and I am comforted by Dr. Rick Warren's perspective on the after life in heaven.

In my opinion, this book is best read with someone. It helped to reflect and discuss the ideas in each chapter with Jeff. I'll admit that it is a lot to absorb. We haven't finished it entirely, yet. There is still more for us to learn, but even reading pieces of this best-seller will have an enlightening effect on any Christian.

week 1 highlights

the good

• skipped some tempting treats in our teacher's lounge this week
• went to happy hour with friends and stayed for 4 hours while only drinking diet coke
• really controlled my drinking at Kara's shower on Saturday... only ONE margarita! And, it was my 1st drink of the week
• did some exercise every day except for Thursday's happy hour

the bad

• ended up having 3 beers after Kara's shower, which is not bad (only one beer and hour), but it exceeded my 2 drink weekly limit
• had some late night snacks with everyone when we got back to my parents house

the verdict

• I'm down 3 pounds.

Goal # 55 Be Team Leader

Being a grade level team leader is not something we usually have much control over at my school. In the past, our principal has appointed the person she wanted for the job. This year things have changed.... a lot. She asked the staff to let her know they were interested by emailing her a couple of paragraphs. At first I thought, this is great.... no one else on my team wants to do it and I stated my case as to why I thought I'd be a good fit for the job.

But, yesterday my principal informed us that team leaders as we have always known them are not going to exist next year. I am scheduled for an hour long interview to see if I will be a good fit for her new vision for next school year. Hmmmmm. I'm not sure what to expect. It sounds super intense. My interview is on Friday, I'll keep you updated on how it goes.

Check Myself Before I Wreck Myself

Although I have several health goals, I never intended for this blog's main purpose to be about weight loss. But those of you who read this of course know that it is something I struggle with. I have the metabolism of a manatee and can put on weight with one bad decision. Thankfully, when I come clean with myself and you, my loyal supporters, on this blog I find it easier focus and live my best, healthy life.

For me, weight loss is all about my mindset. When I am focused, I accomplish great things. When I let my guard down, I begin to unravel. It happens fast... skipping a walk because it's raining..... going out to dinner instead of cooking.... choosing wine instead of water.... before I know it I am back up 7 pounds, which is what happened over the past 2 weeks. Its fun while it's happening and I convince myself I'm still in control, but obviously I am not.

So where do I go from here? Here is what I'm thinking my plan should be:

1. walk everyday
2. shred (or similar) every other day
3. continue eating fruits and veggies daily
4. limit alcohol to 2 drinks a week

This is basically what I did in January and I felt fantastic. I would like to commit to this new plan until summer vacation, which is exactly 8 weeks from today. I know it's likely that I'll have a day when I don't follow this plan perfectly. That's realistic. However, I'd like to confine it to that day and not let one bad decision lead to me spiraling out of control again.

On Sunday nights I'll blog about how well I followed this plan during the week. Knowing that even one of you will read it and hold me to my word will help me make this a top priority again. BIG THANKS to anyone following me on this journey!

Goal # 61 Clean and Organize My Closet

Okay, this is an embarrassing picture to share. I'm hoping that everyone who reads this can relate and has their own messy spot that they like to keep hidden. My closet had gotten so out of control that this picture doesn't do it justice. I spent some time this week pulling clothes that can be donated and organizing the items I am keeping.

I hated realizing that I have 6 different sizes of pants hanging in my closet. I lined them up according to size and tagged the hangers with colored labels so I can easily find the black pants that fit at the moment. As soon as I move down to a new "color" I'm trashing the super sized duds and never looking back! The day I get to yellow I'm celebrating... not sure how yet, but I'll think of something!

Goal #37 Read for Fun

There's nothing like a couple of 8 hour drives to get some good reading done! I read 2 very different, but equally great books this week.

The first one was a collection of raw and hilarious essays about comedienne Chelsea Handler's life. It's titled Are you There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea. This book made me laugh out loud. Is has some shockingly funny anecdotes. If you've ever seen her hidden camera show, Girls Behaving Badly, or her E! talk show, Chelsea Lately, you have probably heard her very dry, raunchy sense of humor. If you like her at all, you'll LOVE this book. It is an easy, fun read!

On the way home I read Mary Higgins Clark's new book called Where Are You Now. She is known as "The Queen of Suspense" and this book lives up to her reputation. Where are You Now is an edge of your seat page turner about a college student that disappears from his dorm room in the middle of the afternoon and is never seen again. BUT, he calls his mother every year on Mother's Day to let her know that he is okay. It is an intriguing story right from the start with layer upon layer of twists and turns and suspiciously creepy characters. I loved every minute of it!