Small Holiday Victories

 

This past weekend, Kevin and I had the chance to veg out, sleep in, go to dinner and Zoolights with family, and bake & decorate sugar cookies for my coworkers. I also did a bunch of meal prep on Sunday afternoon and evening.

 

While all of these things are wonderful, many of them also are prone to pose as obstacles in my never-ending battle with healthy eating.

 

 

I am so pleased that I was able to get through the weekend (weekends are always hard for me) without overeating or ruining any of my progress!

 

(This is really here just to show my pride and joy in having three separate meals going at once in a Dutch over and two slow cookers!)

 

That's my handsome (now bearded) man getting all excited about efficient and fun ways to decorate the cookies. 

 

Despite some extras here and there, I managed to exercise all 5 weekday mornings (35 minutes, 3.3 mph, incline level 3) and lose 3 pounds! Here's to small victories even during the holiday season!

 

(Had to throw in one of my little dude. Love my MacDuff!) 

 Question: How do you stay on track during the holidays??

Hello Again, Old Friend.

It's been nearly a year since I last blogged.

Life got busy.

I felt guilty and ashamed for gaining so much weight back.

I have actually gained all but 14 pounds back since my lowest weight - which was in February of 2011, I think. Nearly three years ago.

That's a lot of weight to lose and gain in four years.

Those of you familiar with this blog know most of the story; since this last February (my last post), I added switching from part-time to full-time, then adding a second job to make my work week closer to 50 hours than 40. We also moved again (only next door to where we were living before). Throw in some typical and not-so-typical life drama - and I guess you get rapid weight gain.

I could tell you that I'm only discouraged. That I am simply worn down with my own self-loathing. I could tell you that I am desperate to lose the weight.

I could tell you that all I do is look at Facebook profiles of beautiful friends and envy every photo. I could tell you that I will never again, after this moment, eat bad food, overeat, and skip exercise.

However, that would not be accurate.

The truth is, this last year has been hard in many ways, but really good, too. My focus right now is not on the crap, but on the blessings.

I have done a little bit of all the things I mentioned above, but I'm not consumed by this weight gain (anymore). God has moved me on when I haven't been able to do it myself.

In fact, God has provided in ways I'm sure I will never fully understand.

So what's next?

Well, I started Weight Watchers online again.

I currently weigh 232.2

Still 5' 2"

For five weeks I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes, 3-5 times each week. Then I had three weeks in there where I went on vacation, had Thanksgiving, and got a bit off track. But I'm back on track now. Up early to walk before I leave for work.

I've missed you all out there who joined me before. Hope to hear from some of you again. How are you doing?

All the best,
Nicole

Disneyland. Oh yes, we did.

Kevin and I joined his folks and aunt in Disneyland for a week.

This was our belated wedding present from my in-laws. Suffice it to say, we were pretty darn excited!

No one could say we aren't resourceful - this is how we deal with a bright light coming in our window at night. You like?

Our first day in the park was an early Sunday morning. January is the time to go, folks. Several rides were down, unfortunately, but we walked on to almost ALL the rides. Empty Disney streets people!!!

And music everywhere! I was in music heaven!

These lads were on Main Street singing barber shop tunes. On a 4-person bike!

Gotta have one of these shots...

I was awfully proud of this one. I did this with my phone camera! Actually, all of these photos are from my iPhone 5 camera. Pretty handy!

On our first day in the park (other than Kevin's head getting targeted by a chirpy little bird), we went on: The Matterhorn, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones, The Haunted Mansion, Pooh and Friends (I don't remember the actual name), Gadget's Go Coaster, Roger Rabbit's Ride (again...name...), and the Storybook ride. Several of these were a first for me. Full day!

Later that day, my hubby wasn't feeling too well. In fact, he was sick all that night and the next day. Poor guy. Being sick on vacation sucks.

On Tuesday we ventured into California Adventure with the whole group. Soarin' Over California was so fun! I love that ride.

The new section of CA Adven. is Carsland. Radiator Springs Racers is the ride above. So. Much. Fun!!!

That night, we celebrated Pam's birthday by going to the Blue Bayou, where we each got "fireflies" in our beverages. That was one of the best meals I've ever had. And watching people head into the Pirates ride was so neat.

After dinner, the streets of Disneyland were basically empty. We closed out the park!!!

Wednesday was spent going on some of the traditional rides and enjoying Main Street! If you haven't been to the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, you need to!

Peter Pan was a new one for me! How had I missed this before?! What a classic!!!

I'll be honest... Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was creepy. Made little kids cry with the whole going to hell thing...

The details of Disneyland are what make it so great. These two characters even had British accents!

Do you know how I got this? No, not Splash Mountain - it was closed. It was Pirates! I was wet all day! 

Again with the stunning details!!!

Back in our hotel room, we wound down with the Crowe/Blanchett Robin Hood and some cheesecake. 

On Thursday, my pop-in-law went on the Tower of Terror ride with me. No one else would go!

The line wasn't long, but there was always something interesting to look at!

As you can see, we loved it. 

Sadly, the Grizzly River Run was being cleaned out, but the giant bear was still a must-see!

Oh, the ferris wheel. Never dull.

Neither is the California Screamin'!

Post-ride hair. So cute.

I'm still not sure who Duffy really is, or why he is a prominent part of Disney now, but he is pretty cute.

Vintage Mickey!!!

I could SO decorate my entire kitchen (okay, house) with Disney!!!

Standing in line for...

My first taste of Dole Whip!!!! Yum!!!

Did you know there were coins on top of these snake heads in front of the Indy ride??

I got to drive. And we totally won. 

I have a question. When did Ariel ever wear this dress in the movie?? 

On Thursday night we went back for a Fast Pass ride on the Cars ride. So worth it. 

On Friday, Kevin and I went around both parks buying our scouted-out souvenirs. We spent all week deciding what we really wanted and checking that against our budget. Along the way, I spied some funny little things... :) 

Even with the quiet time of year, there were SO MANY STROLLERS! Why would you want to go to Disneyland if your kids can fit in a stroller?! They won't remember and it will just be stressful. Not to mention, I could totally have looted if I had a mind to. ;-)

It was actually a very relaxing vacation, so much fun, but we were glad to get back home to our own bed. 

Oh Disneyland, how we love you! Until next time!

So tell me: Do you love Disney? What do you love about it?