Well some new and exciting things going around here. OK not that exciting but whatever. Marching season is here and going really well. I like working with Jeffrey...I know I said it. I don't know if he likes having me around this much but I enjoy seeing him in his element. Its great! I have a new respect for him (kinda). I like this group of girls I'm working with and they accepted me pretty good. I think they mostly feel sorry for me because of whom I live with. hehe :D

I'm working on something that I will be able to expose when I'm ready. Don't worry y'all...you may like it. I will be able to tell you all more when the time comes. But until then you will stew....and you will LIKE IT!!!

No new news really on the baby front. I'm pretty much done with my OB/GYN. I'm done going there. Jeffrey and I are accepting that my doctor wasn't taking the right steps and we are DONE being taken advantage of. So yeah...

Thats about all I have for now.....Have a great weekend everyone!

Taco Pie and Banana Cake

Taco Pie

1 1/2 - 2 pounds hamburger

1 package of taco Seasoning

1 can of Pillsbury Crescent rolls

1/2 pt. sour cream

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 bag of Doritos

Brown beef and drain. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Warm oven to 375. Take the crescent rolls and lay the sheet in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Crus the Doritos in the bag.

Sprinkle about a cup of the Doritos on top of the crescent rolls. Spread taco meat on the chips. Spread sour cream on the meat. Put the shredded cheese on, then sprinkle the rest of the Doritos on the top and bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Banana Cake

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

1 egg

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

2 mashed super ripe bananas (about 3/4 cup)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or equal amount of pure vanilla extract)

1 1/4 cups confectioner's sugar

To make cake:

Preheat the oven to 375F (see note below).  Cream together sugar, sour cream, egg, and 2 tablespoons softened butter.  Add mashed bananas and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.  Add flour, salt, and baking soda; mix well.  Pour into greased 8x8 pan.  Bake at 375F for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely before frosting.

To make frosting:

Cream butter and confectioner's sugar together until smooth.  Slowly add the heavy cream; stir until smooth.  Stir in the vanilla bean paste until fully incorporated.  Spread on cooled cake. 

Note - Bake at 350F if using a glass pan.
Recipe doubles well to fit in a 9x13 pan. 

I'm back!

Well I'm back after three weeks of Smith Walbridge. This camp is what I look forward to all year. I get to see some of my closest friends for 3 weeks! I love the fraternal bond we have. It is something I honestly can't explain.

Well while living on dorm food for three weeks I can say that I came out lighter than going in. I laid off the carbs and basically ate at least a salad once a day. I also drank lots of water!! I'm happy with that result. I think it was only a few pounds but thats better than nothing. I'm now home resting up and trying to get my sleep pattern back to normal.  Especially considering 4 hours of sleep was my normal while there.

No news on the baby front. Other than the fact I have been off the birth control for a couple months now and I have been able to produce somewhat of a "visitor" on my own without it. I'm also on Metformin and pre-natal vitamins. I guess its making a difference I don't know. I am also going to start the search for a new OB/GYN. I have not heard good things about mine and after my last appointment...well lets just say he talked to me like I was first diagnosed with PCOS. It was weird...so anyone in this area have a good guy to go to let me know. :)

Another new goal is to drop some more pounds before my brother gets married in Feb. I mean since I'm a bridesmaid and all!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!! I love Jamie like a sister already so I'm glad that it will be all official now.

EH...you know...

Well its been so bleh the past couple days. I haven't had the energy to get my butt up and do something. I think I may have a "visitor" coming which would make sense to how nothing yesterday satisfied the craving. I don't know what I wanted but nothing made it better. Stupid girl problems..

Well I haven't been walking well since last week since i'm waiting for the mondo blister to heal itself. We are almost there! W00T! See...

So I think a few more days and it will be healed over enough for me to start walking again. Well to at least walk in a pair of gym shoes where it doesn't hurt. Yay!!! Although I may miss my swagger I have had...don't be jealous...

So its been a while...

Well school is over and I'm back. I know I was away for almost 2 months and my cousin reminded me I stopped blogging. Well here we are...I fell off the wagon. I'm sure I have gained weight back. I'm back on my bike and should start doing my videos again. Last weekend I walked 39.9 miles for the Avon walk for Breast Cancer. Needless to say I have a few blisters. :) So walking is out of the question until my blisters heal. It was easier when I wasn't working everyday. Well if you didn't know in April I was called to be a one on one sub aide for a child.  So I was so excited about that and it was nice to work every day. Although it was harder to keep up with what I was doing.

I am on the extended release Metformin and its not affecting me like the normal stuff did. Which is great! My doctor also prescribed me birth control. Well lets talk about that....Jeffrey went to get them for me and he told me the two of them together we 96 dollars. Yep you heard that right...the birth control was 81 dollars....not the metformin! I was PISSED! Sad thing is it was $81 with a $10 coupon. So you bet your butt Im not buying that stuff. My body will start being weird again, all off balance, but whatever...I'm paying $100 a month on my doctor bills from that place. So there was no way that I was forking out anymore money. No offense I do want a child but we will go bankrupt trying to get any of those treatments because if you are pursuing infertility treatments without insurance you have to pay up front in the full amount.

Especially now that we know Jeffrey's schedule next year we won't have time for our dogs almost let alone if we had children. It will be awful and he won't be home much. So I'm thinking this is God helping us out in a weird way. We both love what we do during the summer/fall. Marching band is our life during that time. Say what you will about band but this activity has taught me more then sports ever did.

Doctor Appt.

Well I'm back...Met with the Doc and he said that my insulin levels should be at at 10 or lower. I'm at an 11. Which he said isn't bad but he doesn't want it to get worse. Now when I was first diagnosed my insulin levels were double what the normal level should be. So i'm obviously getting a little better, but also the insulin is throwing off all my other hormone levels. So he is putting my back on Metformin (ugh...). This was the one that sometimes made me kind of sick. So he is putting me on an extended release version and it is a slower release than the normal one. I won't be able to drink but I don't do it to much anyway. I'm supposed to stay on my low carb diet and still doing my exercising. He recognized that I lost the 10 pounds and knew it wasn't easy. The Metformin will also help aide in the weight loss he said.

The sonogram did show cysts. There were a lot of small ones and a few larger ones. He isn't concerned about that much. If we get the insulin levels down they should hit the road to some degree. I'm staying on the same road that I have been on. I'm watching my calories and trying to exercise daily.

Mentally, Im exhausted. Its a lot to take in to go back to what I was doing a year ago. To be on this same road but I'm also in a better place. I'm about 10 pounds lighter and somewhat more motivated. T

he hardest part of today was sitting in the Doctors office and see at least THREE pregnant teens. I don't want to go into how it made me feel...I'm pretty sure you all can figure that out for yourself....

Friday is coming....

Well Friday is coming and that is the day that I find out what the doctor thinks of my progress, also what will come of my sonogram. I'm quite sure that she found something. But maybe i'm just being my stupid worrying self ya know. I'm just hoping for some good news. I am really trying to be positive and trying to ignore my thoughts. It is a lot easier that way...believe me! I'm a lot happier when I'm not thinking about getting pregnant. Although some of you would think that i'm avoid the issue and i'm not confronting it head on. You are exactly right. You know what happens when I do? I get depressed and I get super mad. So I do what I'm good at and I avoid the problem. So there we go! :) Friday I will post after I get back from the doc! :)

Picture Proof

This Shirt is a medium....just like the one I have on today in the picture below. 10 pounds makes a difference. Don't ya think?!?!?!

You are getting in my head...

Something about PCOS...not physical....mental...

The worst part could be the physical, but for some its the mental aspect. At first I felt alone, I wondered why me and why do I have to deal with all this. There was A LOT of tears shed. Some nights I cried myself to sleep. Now...I'm a church going girl. So my faith has been tested and I ask over and over that big question...WHY ME? But then I have to realize that this isn't just about me. It is about my husband too. My PCOS is altering his life too. Then I tend to feel worse...because I am preventing us from having kids. Its me.......

This whole thing isn't just physical...this could easily put people into a depression. I mean all you focus on is other people. All you see is everyone getting pregnant around you, family, friends, and yes even strangers. I am I happy for them? Oh yes! Then you start thinking again...when will I get to know that feeling? Then there are those dumb shows about teenagers being pregnant or the one where people didn't know they were pregnant. I don't even watch those. I can't bring myself to do it. Why would I do that to myself? So stupid...

I work in the school system. Some of those kids I would love to take home and just take care of. Then you wonder why where those idiots allowed to reproduce? But then I have to bring myself down back to earth and try not to be hateful. My faith has been tested BIG TIME through all this. I mean I wasn't a great Catholic through HS & College, but I had morals. I am one of those weirdos that saved herself for her wedding night. Also, I thought that was a gift I could give to my husband that would be his and only his. I was so scared that I would get pregnant and I wouldn't have been ready.

I'm staying upbeat about this. As I have looked back in the (almost) 5 years we have been married we had gotten by financially. If we had a baby/child to take care of there would have been NO WAY we would have bought this beautiful home that we are in now. I wouldn't have been able to be so active during the Fall and coach. I wouldn't be able to do Smith Walbridge for 3 weeks in the summer.  I think that when God is ready then we will be. Until then I will stay upbeat...I'm going to keep trying to lose weight and I will win in the end...You will see...

Doctor Appt. and PCOS stuffs :)

Well I went to the OBGYN this morning for my sonogram of my cervix and my ovaries. That was NOT very comfortable...at all! Although There were somethings that I saw and she worked on the screen that I was a tad leery about. I shouldn't get all worked up and I shouldn't have gone online and looked at other sonograms but oh well. It makes me nervous and I have to wait until April 13th to find out everything. I mean I really wouldn't be surprised if he says there are cysts. I mean I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome...It is kind of implied. 


My concern is the whole factor of as of right now we are paying FOR EVERYTHING out of pocket. I don't have insurance anymore and I can't get coverage because of the PCOS. If I do have them (the cysts)...and the Doc wants them removed...yep I think we will be in trouble. Just to get my blood work done it was over $400. I don't want to know what the sonogram cost. Honestly we were in there for 10 minutes...if that.


So enough about that...I know a few of you out there either have or suspect they have PCOS. Here are some questions that I can answer for you...

PCOS Questionnaire

When were you first diagnosed?

Feb 2008

How old were you, when you were diagnosed?
 
25 (almost 26)

How old are you now?

30

Had you heard about PCOS before your diagnosis?

Actually no. I just thought that my periods were irregular because I was so athletic. 

Looking back, what were your symptoms before you were diagnosed? 

irregular period (once didn't have it for a year), weight gain, acne, hair growth in places where it shouldn't be

What medications do you take, related to PCOS? 

Birth control pills. I did try Metformin but the way it reacted with my body was unpleasant. I hated it. I also took diet pills (prescribed by my doctor to help with the weight loss) and they were not fun either.

If you take medications not related to PCOS, what are they, and what are they for?
 
I'm not currently not on anything. Although Pre-natal vitamins are just fine.

How are your symptoms now?

They are present. The most visible is the hair growth. My arms and face are the most visible  and I try and keep them in check. The weight loss is slow but its happening. It took me three months to lose 10 pounds. I am ok with that.

Is your doctor meeting your needs? 

YESSSS!!! After years of not knowing why I wasn't having a period a friend recommended to me her OBGYN office. I found a younger OBGYN that not only knows but SPECIALIZES in PCOS. He is great and doesn't bull shit me. He tells me what we are going to do and how we will get there. 

What are your biggest fears, about the PCOS? 

That I won't be able to have my own family. I won't be able to give my husband a gift that he so desperately wants (and me too). Don't get me wrong adoption is one option that we are going to do before all this PCOS crap started. 

Other than your doctor, do you turn to other PCOS resources?

Not necessary. I joined a forum in 2006 while I was planning my wedding. Back then I never thought that this group of girls would be such a HUGE influence and support system. I can say that I have friends all over the US and Canada. Some of them have PCOS so it was a relief to me. I love those girls.

Have you switched to an Endocrinologist?
 
No

What meal/exercise plan works well for you? 

Right now I am watching my calories. I stay under 1500 and I try to do some sort of cardio exercise 30 minutes a day 4 to 5 days a week. I stay away from sugars (minus my pop). I was never a big candy eater anyway. Although my biggest weakness is Reese Peanut Butter cups. Stupid delicious candy...

What was your healthiest weight?

In high school probably 135. I am now 182 and my next mini goal is 175. I hope I get there! :)

What is your current weight? 

Like I said....182

What is your goal weight? 

160

Do you want children?

Yes...YES...YES!!!

If you do/don’t, how do you feel about other women, who don’t have PCOS, that do/don’t want children? 

That is honestly their opinion. I personally don't care what other women say/think. The only thing that hurts is when people hide the fact their pregnant from me. I'm not going to crumble into a bunch of pieces. I will be just as happy for you. I'm a big girl.

If at all, how has your relationships changed with your friends and relatives, since your diagnosis?

It hasn't. Other than I know some of them follow my blog and keep up with me. I will gladly answer questions. I'm doing this blog so I can reach out to those who won't speak up. I want other girls to be aware of the symptoms and to get it checked out before it gets to far. PCOS is hereditary. I warned my sister and her doctor is aware that I have it and is watching her. Although PCOS didn't kick in for my until I got to college when I wasn't so active in sports anymore. BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY!!! 

What's up fellow stalkers?

Well I know it has been 22 days since I posted. I have been doing well. I am officially one pound away from losing 10 pounds!!!! How cool is that???? WOOT!!!

Well I went to the doctor last friday for my yearly check up on my PCOS. They drew blood and this Friday I will have a peek at my ovaries. I will have a sonogram. I wish it was for another purpose but hopefully they won't find anything but I wouldn't be surprised if they did see cysts. I mean it is part of the PCOS (hence Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). We will see in 4 days, I can't say that I am nervous I am more or less interested. I mean I guess we will know more on April 13th when I go to see the results. My hope is that everything is OK. I can't even begin to tell you how much these three appointments are going to cost. This whole no insurance thing kind of blows...

Progress??!?!?!

Well here is the progress I have made. This is me in November at Disney.

Since then I have only lost 8 pounds but I think I have lost more inches then the pound loss is showing.

Here I am today March 4th. I bought this shirt months ago, my so called goal shirt. 

Now I know that I'm not where I should be but slowly but surely I'm making progress. I know that once it starts getting nicer out we will walk more. Right now i'm doing my videos and we walk when the weather allows.

Potato Pancakes

1/4 dry pancake mix
3/4 instant potatoes 
1 cup 2% milk 
1 egg beaten 
1/2 tsp. garlic salt 
1/2 tsp. onion powder 
1 tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste 

I added maybe 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil to the pan. They were perfect!! 

Day 54

.....Yeah I took a few days off.....of blogging....sue me?!?!

Well i'm finally back to what I was before I took a weekend off. Jeffrey and I have started doing short workout videos at night. It really really helps to have someone else do it with you because they keep you going. I'm super thankful that he is doing it with me. I have stayed under calories!! i'm doing really well and I can't think of a PCOS rant for this week yet. Give me time and I will prolly think of one. I know that you are looking for it! :)

Sculpting Workout 45 minutes - 315

Before 1450/1500
After 1135/1500

Day 47

Well I'm starting to get frustrated. I have yet ANOTHER HEAD COLD!! So mad...I can't sleep...everything I eat is so bland and when I try and breath I can't. So stupid....I hate it...

Well I'm also frustrated that eating fruit is more calories than a Smart Ones meal. Um...how screwed up is that?!?!? Calories are running my life...and fruit doesn't hold me over until dinner time. WTF?!?!

As much as I love fruit...I guess I can't rely on it for a full meal and much as love fruit salad....

Well we have worked out everyday BUT yesterday. So I will stay on my little trend...this 20 minutes every night isn't bad. I can do this...

cleaning house - 15 minutes - 73
Abs 20 minutes - 140

Before - 1602/1500
After - 1389/1500

Day 45

Happy Valentine's Day to all! Especially my hubby!!

Well I was very good today! For lunch I had a Granny Smith apple, pineapple, and string cheese. A dew...obvi! I knew we were going to be going out for dinner so I thought that I would be able to get away with fruit and be ok with calories. I didn't realize that fruit as healthy as it is. Adds up!!  I need to watch it...but I love me some fruit!! YUM! So we ate chinese and I got an egg roll and Vegetable lo mein...omg double yum!!!

Once lent starts I'm seriously considering dropping my calorie intake to 1200. I need to speed this up. I'm going to introduce more fruit, salads, and fresh foods. I also won't be on the Dew....oh god...that is next week....AHHHHH!!!!!!

High impact aerobics 20 minutes - 196

before - 1533/1500
after workout - 1337/1500

Day 44

What up y'all?!?! Well it is snowing...yay!!!! They are saying that we should be getting 1 - 3...I will believe it when I see it. Its sticking but it won't be around long. BUM DEAL!!!

Well I'm here and still no movement on weight. I have worked out on Saturday for and hour plus 2 hours of shopping (mall walking), 20 minutes of cardio yesterday, 20 minute abs today. Now if we keep this up a little each day I'm hoping it will help. At least get me back to where I was! Jeffrey is being a good sport and doing it with me so I'm not doing it alone. Plus competition is good for me. I feel like I was raised on competition...maybe because I was. This week will be tough...I'm craving sweets (thanks Aunt Flow) and tomorrow is Valentine's Day! Although I have been pretty good on calories too......

Abs - 140
1402 / 1500 - Calories before
1262/1500 - After

Day 40 - PCOS rant of the week

EEEEK!!!! Another milestone day....and by that I mean it is day 40 lmao. Well No real like weight loss to speak off. Yeah I took 2 days off and it sets me back. It wasn't like I over did it on sugars. I just didn't avoid carbs. Well with PCOS it is very easy to gain weight if you don't watch what you are eating...and I don't mean by putting it into your mouth. Ugh...I gained back about 2 pounds. Yep. In one weekend. How shitty is that? Thank you PCOS. Here is the other stupid thing...its a pain in the @$$ to lose the weight. For every few pounds a normal person can lose I would lose 1. So every pound counts for me and it is also really exciting. Again then I see others drop pounds like its nothing. Really? How is it fair that I have to lose this weight to get the happiness of a child. Thats my goal...not to look good...to get pregnant. Also to say "Screw you PCOS!" That would be my ultimate moment. I want to win...and if you ask my family (especially my brothers and my cousins) Lahey's never finish last....

Walking 30 and Cleaning 30 - 273

Calories 1435/1500
after - 1162/1500

Day 38

Alrighty...and I'm back on track!! Well sort of...So I wasn't thinking this morning and didn't grab my lunch so i got a small burger and fries with a dew...BUT...I only drank about half of it. So making progress....then tonight I made my favorite diet meal. Taco salad!!!! YUM!!! Fat free refried beans, 93/7 ground beef, lettuce, some shredded cheese and mix. Its so good and soooooo full of flavor. Since I started with this diet. I don't know how people could eat ground beef with any less fat than 7%. Quiet honestly the thought of it makes me sick. I add enough other flavors. I think its a lame excuse. Tomorrow I think we are either doing chicken or pork. I don't know which.

I have to do some creative thinking with Lent coming up. I don't eat fish so I will have to do something different on Fridays. Maybe peanut butter and sugar free jelly? I will have to come up with something. Maybe having like a fruit salad or something. If you all have any ideas that would be great! I like sharing...Or I may have to stalk my vegan friend's blog... :)

Tomorrow you can possibly expect my PCOS rant for the week...Oh don't you worry your little heads....I have one..... :)

Exercise - 20 minute Ab workout - 140

Calories before - 1107/1500
Calories After - 967/1500

Day 37

Ok well. I'm BACK FOOLS!!! I had a great weekend and I can't wait for another girls weekend!! I did and didn't watch what I ate. So yeah.

Today i'm back and i'm under calories. I don't have the energy today for some reason. I was falling asleep at 4 and I don't know what my deal is. Oh course I didn't because I know myself and I know that I wouldn't sleep tonight. It could be that I subbed pre-school today and they wore me out. Who knows! I am going to at least do my ab workout.

Well Lent is coming up and I know what I will be giving up....it will suck butt...i will hate every minute of it....it will be...DEW...ugh ok I said it...god save me and how I will act toward others....

Calories - 1413/1500

Day 32

Well I have fallen off the band wagon today. I had a burger and fries for lunch and ribs and a baked potato for dinner. I didin't eat the whole potato like I usually would, ya know like skin and all. I'm kind of disappointed in myself thou. Those ribs...omg....those ribs....they fell off the damn bone I mean I pulled the bone and it came away clean!!! so good....so juicy....drooooooooooooooooooooooooooool.....................

I know I know...you don't have to say it...i blew my calories....i know i did...i'm scared to find out how much....

I will also be gone on a girls weekend this weekend...I will try and be good...try is the key word...lol! I haven't seen my girls in almost a year. I will guarantee that there will be wine and there will be cookies.



I did the math...I went 200 calories over...well shit..

Day 31

Well guys I did well today. I made sure I had enough calories to have a little slice of cake. It was good and its definitely the flavor I want for my cake. The marshmallow fondant was such a nice touch and a sweet little surprise! It is definitely a keeper! No exciting news today other than the fact that I did some house cleaning and had the house open to air it out. It was kind of nice actually. If I wasn't so pooped I would write my diary for you but you will just know I ate cake..lol

Exercise - walking (fast pace)  35 minutes - 245

Before - 1563 / 1500
After - 1318 / 1500

Day 30

30 days....30 flippin days people! Well I have done well and I had my first real trial today. Jeffrey made my trial birthday cake yesterday. We let it set up over night in the fridge. Well I didn't have enough calories left today to have a slice. So I served him a piece and didn't have any. Thats right...no cake. It really sucks but if I just say "Oh It's ok I'll go over this one day". Well then one day turns into more than that. My dad would tell me to quit being a cry-baby-bed-wetter and not to cheat. So I'm not cheating...I'm being good and maybe tomorrow I will have more calories available for a small slice of what will be my birthday cake. Jeffrey said it tasted good and like a bakery cake. So I will just have to trust him on that one.

Breakfast
Banana

Lunch
Chili
mac and cheese
dew

Dinner
NY Strip Streak (8oz.)
1/2 cup potatoes
1 cup of broccoli

Snack
1 whole pickle

Exercise - Walking very brisk pace - 20 min - 140 calories

before - 1508 /1500
after - 1368 / 1500

Day 29....WEIGH IN!!!!

Well y'all...Almost 30 days into my diet. I did weigh in today....now I won't lie...December 30th I weighed in at 192 (eeek I know) today I weighed in at......dun dun dun...185.6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOWN 6.4!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!


Oh yes people...we are still losing!!!! I'm so excited!! I actually screamed a little when I saw the number. I am almost back to the weight I was this summer. And it took me 3 months to lose 10 pounds like time I did this. Well clearly I wasn't on the right diet. Low Carb is working for me. I'm happy!! I do miss my carbs sometimes but once and a while isn't bad. Today I got my pizza fix...homemade! I know what was in that crust I know what I put on top of my pizza. There is something about making something yourself. More pride. It was great!

It was my lunch and supper. It wasn't on my diet today I didn't count calories. Although I didn't over do it! I have drank SO MUCH WATER today it is redic. I will be back to my workouts tomorrow. I still feel all head cold like. I'm having coughing fits so I'm trying not to do to much in the working out area because its hard to stop the coughing. I may just do abs tomorrow because it isn't cardio-ish. Well I hope you all had a great weekend. I know I did!!!

Day 27

Well today I had my first true craving for something that I haven't had in a while. PIZZA!! I know...there was a frozen one in the freezer and they have really good pizza form the gas station across the street. But I resisted...so to cure the sweet taste I was wanting I had a egg salad sandwich (made with Miracle Whip) and some Chili. So after that I felt a tad better. I guess it was a weird combo to eat together but not as weird as you southerns have a peanut butter sandwich with your chili. (Weirdos!!!) So I hope I made a better choice than giving in and making a pizza.

After 3 weeks in being "back to school" I have averaged 3 days a week subbing. I filled up my car on January 15th...I still have a half a tank!!! I went from filling up twice a week to once or twice a month. Talk about a HUGE difference. I really miss my Charleston School friends but this is SUCH a better choice for me. I'm getting to know the teachers and the principals. The vice principal came up to me today and said, "We are keeping you busy aren't we!" It is nice that they notice.  I'm not as stressed and feeling like I'm finding my place down here. I have more time for me and things are falling into place I feel. I kind of like this feeling actually.

Breakfast
Banana

Lunch
Chili
mac n cheese (little bit)
cheese
dew

Dinner
egg salad sandwich (miracle whip)
chili
mac n cheese (little bit)
cheese
5 crackers

Snacks
Pickle

Exercise - 30 minutes Cardio (Turbo Jam - Cardio Jam) - 296

Before = 1477/1500
After = 1181 / 1500

Day 26

Well I'm still nursing this stupid head cold. Walking is totally out of the question since its raining. This is my second night alone and I think I have done pretty well. I'm under 1200 calories again. My Fitness Pal app is telling me to eat over 1200 or my body will go into starvation mode. I'm just not hungry...so I don't know what to do. Do I force myself to eat so I stay above 1200 or just not worry about it?!?!? I don't know...Any help y'all?? Never thought this would be an issue with me...Honestly...

Breakfast
banana

Lunch
chili
shredded cheese
mac n cheese
Dew

Dinner
Mini Chef Salad
Cream of chicken soup
10 saltines

Snack
Pickle

Walking around school about 30 minutes total - 127

Before walking - 1144/1500
After walking - 1017/1500

Day 25

Woot!! Hey y'all!!! Well i'm sorry for sucking yesterday and not posting. I know that you all missed me. Don't lie to yourself...

Well here is my PCOS rant for this week...the stupid hair growth! I think that is the most visual and most annoying. Since women with PCOS produce more testosterone than a normal woman (yes women you do produce some of that male hormone) we grow hair in places that men grow hair. So belly, arms, and on your face. Now you may not think of this as a big deal, but it is just as coarse as a mans and its BLACK. I didn't think it was a big deal at first and I'm part italian so I just thought it was normal. It is stick straight and yeah. It is something that we don't like to talk about. It also embarrassed me! I mean who wouldn't be?? Until I saw a Dr. Oz type show about PCOS. A woman asked about what she could do about her hair growth on her face and arms (since it was the most noticeable). He said those two words... "Shave it". I mean really why the heck not? What is worse? So I did...is it degrading? I think so but I don't want people staring at my face with black hair coming out of my chin...no! My arm hair is a different story I dont shave it. I can't bring myself to do it. I trim it...I have to. It is super embarrassing...to have to explain to people why I do it. But such is life! I hope that you enjoyed my colorful insight... :)

Breakfast
Banana

Lunch
Kristie's Chef Salad
1/2 Pickle

Dinner
Chili made with extra lean beef
8 Saltines
1tbs cheese
1/4 cup mac and cheese

Calories before cleaning 1103/1500
Calories after cleaning 998/1500

Day 23

Well today is Monday...BLAH!!! Well I did weigh in today...down another pound!! 5 total in 3 weeks!!! GO ME!!! I also subbed today so I thought it was fun...I was a one on one aid.

Breakfast
Banana

Lunch
2 small chicken breasts
cup of broccoli

Dinner
10 oz Top Sirloin Steak
cup of broccoli
dollop of potatoes

Walking around school 30 - 127 calories

Calories 1170 / 1500 - before
             1043 / 1500 - after

Day 22 - Sunday Funday!

Here we are day 22 and still ticking. Today I did weigh in and no change. BOOOOO! UGH!!! So frustrating....The only update that I could think of is that my clothes are fitting differently. My jeans are the most noticeable for me. Also when I look in the mirror I can see a shape finally...I know i'm curvy...but more definition if that makes more sense. I'm doing a little bit of P90X since the weather hasn't been really crappy and all menstral! So I'm trying to be better by if I can't walk or something to do that. At least I'm trying to do something everyday during the week and take the weekends off.

As lazy as I am....I'm not posting food Ill post my calories for ya...

1145/1500 - WOOO

Day 19

Not a very exciting day today! I subbed at Ste. Marie today. Pretty sweet having a minute drive to work! It was a whole different breed working with Kindergartners!

Well I'm glad that I have been under calories pretty much this whole time. Well I'm only down 4 pounds...while others are dropping weight. Thats what is a pain in the @$$ about PCOS. It is so easy to gain the weight, but losing it is a whole different story. It is almost twice as hard. My clothes are fitting better which I did notice. My issue I think is that I'm not a dainty girl. I have muscle...especially in my legs and my butt-O-steel. I never really considered myself big or too overweight but what I am is preventing me from getting pregnant. Which in my opinion is LAME! Just saying... My mini goal is to lose 15....then another 10 after that. So total 25 (I'm sure you did the math).  We will see...I have the issue of getting tired of not seeing results and I let go of what I'm doing. I can feel a difference...but seeing it is a whole different story. All I see is my belly, boobs (like you could miss those stupid things), and gobbler (as Jeffrey calls it). Sorry this is one of those days where I feel weird and sort of down. It happens I have my days just like everyone else.

Also I haven't really been feeling all that great so my food choices haven't been all Atkins approved...

Breakfast
None

Lunch
Chili (97% fat free beef)
shredded cheese
dew
potato chips

Snack
Doritos (Ranch)

Dinner
bacon
cream of chicken soup
crackers

Exercise - Total walking throughout the day (about an hour) 255
low impact aerobics (ab workout p90x) - 106

Before exercise - 1368/1500
After exercise - 1007 / 1500

Day 18

Well today I didn't sub. Boring...I laid around all morning...literally. Then I had to get up and do something. It was cold so I avoided the outside today. So I vacuumed the house and did 3 loads of laundry. Oh yes...folded and put away...did the dishes and put those away too! Then I figured I should shower and about that time Jeffrey got home so I made dinner. Then he had youth choir at church and I thought I would do some Plyo in the P90X. GOOD GOD!!! I will feel that tomorrow...

Thats about it...sorry!

Breakfast
Fried Frankfurters

Lunch
Homemade Chili (97% percent fat free beef)
Shredded Cheese
Doritos (150 calories worth)
dew

Dinner
8 oz. Flat Steak
1 1/2 cup of Broccoli

Dessert
Homemade Banana Ice Cream

Exercise - Cleaning for an hour 213
Aerobics for 30 minutes - 298

Calories - 1540 / 1500
After exercise - 1029 / 1500

Day 17

Hello to my faithful followers! I hope your Tuesday went well. Mine was pretty ok. Minus our FREAK thunderstorm that woke me up this morning. I was so mad! UGH anyway...Well I subbed again today that would be 4 days in a row! GO ME! I'm enjoying getting up later and not leaving my house until like 7:40am. It beats leaving at 6:30 and driving an hour!!!!

Well I think I did ok today. I do need to find a better breakfast option on days that I sub. Its hard sometimes especially when everything I usually eat need to be cooked. If I wasn't so lazy at the end of the day I guess I could pre make something. I don't know...No true PCOS updates for me. I go back in March to get labs done and an ultra sound of the ovaries. I also told my doc about the no insurance thing since I quit my job. He is so awesome he not only gave me three months of free samples he also gave me $10 off coupons for the per-scribed stuff. I'm so happy! Although those labs are going to cost me an arm and a leg!! I hope they tell me that my insulin is lower. If not someone is going to get hurt...or I'll just be pissed. One of the two...

I know the cookies were not good choices today....

Breakfast
2 Chocolate Chocolate Peanut butter chip cookies

Lunch
Cup of chili
dew
2 Chocolate Chocolate Peanut butter chip cookies

Dinner
2 burgers
2 pieces of low carb bread
1 cup of broccoli

Dessert
1/2 cup Homemade Banana ice cream

Walking around at school all day (total est. 1 hour) - 255

Calorie Count
Before walking - 1645 / 1500
After - 1390 / 1500

Day 16

So I have been MIA a few days....deal with it! :) I know you have missed my random ramblings and all. Well ANYWAY here we are 2 weeks in and I'm down one more pound. SO a total of 4 pounds! Should it becoming off faster? I dont know...maybe. Well again thanks to PCOS weight doesn't come off as easy as it would with a normal healthy person. Although gaining weight is easy!

...Stupid PCOS...make me so mad sometimes. Sometimes I wonder why me? What did I do wrong? I did things right...I waited until my wedding night. I look to God and ask why. Where are the answers? Sometimes I don't understand why things happen. I think God has a sick sense of humor..lol! Jeffrey was saying watch you quit your job....lost your insurance...and you will lose this weight and BAM you will get knocked up. One would like to think that would be my queer twist of fate.

A lot of things happened in my life and I never understood why. Then looking back I can see why. They changed my path and shaped me to who I am. This pregnancy struggle has probably been my hardest I have ever had. But I'm still here...I'm still pulling through...I still wake up every morning. I enjoy my time with Jeffrey and my puppies. I enjoy my summer camps and my autumns been completely filled with marching band and guard. My time will come...I just have to wait and be patient...right?

So I made my own homemade ice cream tonight thanks to Pinterest!

Cut 4 bananas into slices and freeze them for an hour or so...

Then after you freeze them put them in a food processor until they look gritty...add a dollop of peanut butter or powdered cocoa if you like...i didn't

Then keep on going until it smooths out...and refeeze!

Breakfast
2 eggs with ham
4 slices of bacon

Lunch
1 cup of Chili
shredded cheese
8 crackers

Dinner
NY Strip Steak 8oz.
1 cup of Cauliflower

Dessert
Banana Ice Cream

Exercise - Walking 30 minutes and a very brisk pace - 213

Calorie Count - Before 1482/1500
AFTER - 1269/1500
231 left

Day 12

Here we are....almost two weeks into the diet. Well I'm finding..at least the past couple days I'm not eating enough calories. To where the program i'm using is telling me to eat more. Ugh...I know I'm just not finding things I want to eat so by default I make a salad. So tonight after I put in all my my food I only ate 880 calories today. Which apparently is not good or my body will go into starvation mode or something. So whatever....so I had two pieces of pizza to bring up my calorie count. How lame is that? Well here is my diary. Sorry I feel like a Debbie Downer today...

Breakfast
Banana

Lunch
Dew
Kristie's Chef Salad
Doritios (150 calories)
4oz Hamburger (97% Lean meat)\

Dinner
2 eggs
onion, green pepper, ham
4 pieces of bacon

This is the point where I only have eaten 880...

Snack
2 slices of pepperoni pizza

Calories
1356/1500

Day 11

Today was my first day of subbing was today. I loved it!!! I missed it...I forgot what that felt like to be in the front of the room. It was nice!

Well I wasn't feeling it today. I was off my schedule because of subbing and well just didn't feel like eating. I did anyway...no dessert tonight though. I'm kind of excited about the snow we are FINALLY GETTING although it has pretty crappy timing...I was supposed to go home this weekend. With them getting more snow than up and the 30mph wind gusts and country roads don't always mix. Jeffrey is also worried about me driving...AWE!

Breakfast
Banana
3 pieces of bacon

Lunch
Banana
Dew

Lin-ner
2 eggs with onion, green, and red pepper
4 Sausage links

Dinner
1 1/2 cups salad
onion, green and red pepper
2 tbs bacon bits
italian dressing
shredded cheese

No exercise today other than walking in the school...

Calories
1072/1500

Day 10

Ok here we go day 10. I tried to be good today...it was one of those days where I just couldn't satisfy a certain taste. I couldn't figure out what I wanted either. I think that was the most frustrating part!! UGH!!! So I tried to find what that taste was. I wasn't all that successful...so yeah...

I'm so more tired than usual. I think the lack of carbs is getting to me. I hade to make a deal with myself to get out and walk! I just really need to suck it up and man up and just deal.

So in 144 days I will be walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I have done it before so I know what to expect. I am so excited to be back in it. The past few years I haven't been able to go and I was heart broken. This year I'm back and pumped!!! Hopefully this weigh loss will help me walk that 39.9 miles...I don't care soreness and blisters aren't half as bad as what cancer patients have to go through...

Breakfast
4 slices of Bacon
2 eggs
onion, green and red pepper
ham
2 sausage links

Lunch
dew
1 banana
1/2 pickle
Kristie's Chef Salad

Dinner
1 Brat
7 Lil smokies

Dessert
1 piece of Cinnamon Crumb Cake ( i know...i know...)

Exercise
Walking with Dogs for 30 minutes at a brisk pace = 141

Calories
Before exercise - 1635/1500
After exercise - 1494/1500 (6 calories to spare) UGH

Day 9

I thought that I would show you guys what some of my meals look like. I also decided to try low carb bread. It wasn't awful...it wasn't great. I just need another texture element. I also don't plan on eating it everyday. Here is what my 400 calorie breakfast looks like. It is also really filling!!

Breakfast - 406

Low Carb Bread
2 Sausage Links
2 eggs with onion, ham, green & red pepper

Lunch - 433

Dew
1/2 pickle
2 meatloaf minis
1 banana

Dinner - 359

Taco Beef (97% Lean)
Lettuce
Shredded Cheddar and Mozzarella
Onion
Green and Red Peppers

Dessert

1 banana
1/2 pickle
2 tangelos

Exercise


Light/Moderate Cleaning - 214

Calorie Count


Before exercise - 1458/1500
After exercise - 1244/1500

Day 8 - Sunday...weigh in day...

Yes today was weigh in day. Awesome. I need to try and make a habit out of doing this weekly so that I can know where i'm going progress wise. Well I know that to get my most accurate weight it needs to be in the morning...before eating, after "Number 2", and after showering with no clothes. So as this week has gone on with the different eating trend and walking I haven't felt any different...more tired really. So I wasn't expecting much. I mean I was weighed at the doctors office on December 30th and that was the number I was going to start with. Seems like a good starting point really. Well I got out of the shower and got on that scale....and I lost....

3 POUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HECK YA !!!!!!!!!!!!! I am pumped!

Food Diary


Breakfast
None


Lunch
2 breaded Chicken Breasts
1 tablespoon of mashed potatoes
1 cup of salad with a pinch of shredded cheese and italian dressing
1/9 of a banana pie (DONT JUDGE ME..my mother in law makes the best pies!!!!!)


Dinner
1 cup salad
green peppers
ham
zesty italian dressing
bacon bacon
a pinch of shredded cheddar cheese

Dessert
1 banana
1 pickle
2 tangelos

Exercise - Walking very brisk with dogs 30 minutes - 214

Calories Before Exercise - 1674 / 1500
Calories After Exercise -1460/1500

Day 7

I will have to update this later since I will be heading out tonight. I can't promise that I will be good but I will try. I already blew it by eating Taco Bell for lunch. Although I did rake leaves for about an hour today. Yes, I know its January and we were raking and burning leaves today. Sad thing is...we have flowers starting to come up. I think Mother Nature has screwed up all the plants and trees and animals. I mean there are still squirrels out and crap!! Shouldn't they be hibernating? It is supposed to be winter...snow...cold...NOT ICE!! Well we are heading out and I will put in my food diary for the day and my calories (god save me).

Breakfast
Ham
onions
Green peppers
2 eggs
2 pieces bacon
3 sausages

Lunch
Double Decker Taco
Pinto's and Cheese
Mini bag of doritos
Dew

Dinner
1 cup pulled pork
Seasoned french fries ( i know bad choice)
Bite size tortilla chips
garden salsa


Dessert


NONE!!!


Don't judge me! lol

Raking leaves for 60 minutes - 348
Leisurely walking around Walmart 30 minutes - 130

Before exercise - 1865 / 1500
After 1387/1500

HA HA!!!! I was still under!!! BAM

Day 6

Well y'all nothing to really report today sorry. I mean I guess other than the fact it was 57 flippin degrees!!!! Its January 6th and yeah that warm. So ya know what I did...I washed my car!! Thats right!! My car looks pretty and all shinny!! 


Well I am really surprised. I mean I have had some friends come out and tell me that they also have PCOS. I mean I think it is great that we have an outlet. Someone to talk to that KNOWS what you are going through. I myself joined a blogging/chat group about 5 years ago that they have been my support group. The girls I go to for advice and I they don't judge me. They aren't afraid to tell me what they think. I never felt alone and I can say I have friends from coast to coast....literally! :)


It isn't easy to admit that you are having issues reproducing. You can't give your husband the best gift in the world. Especially when he has given you everything. I'm also sure it just makes you SO MAD every time you hear about these teenagers getting knocked up or shows like "16 and Pregnant". I personally don't watch those shows. It is just asking to be depressed. I mean even if you work in the school system (like I do) and see kids that yearn for loving parents. It is like a stabbing reminder that you aren't able to successfully get pregnant. It is all a mind game but you need to choose when to think about it. 


Also I got called to sub next week. I have a full day on Wednesday and a half day on Thursday. I'm kinda of pumped. I was running out of things to clean here at the house. Hence while I cleaned my car. WOOOO!


Food Diary


Breakfast
Ham
Onions
Green pepper
2 eggs
2 slices of bacon
2 links of sausage


Lunch
Dew
Kristie's Chef Salad

• Ham
• Shredded Cheese
• Green Pepper
• Bacon Bacon (Tastefully Simple)
• 2 tbs Zesty Italian Dressing

Dinner

1 1/2 Cups of cabbage

2 lightly breaded chicken breasts

Exercise - Light/Moderate Cleaning (Car) - 217

                Walking 45 minutes - 215

Calories - 1451/1500 before exercise
               1019/1500 after exercise

Day 5

Here we are 5 days in! I haven't cheated yet either...WOOO! Well I can definitely tell something is going on. I'm not feeling bloated anymore which I think is a good thing. I don't really think that was ever a good feeling so I feel we are on the right path.

I do need some good recipes though because what I eat is very mundane. I don't mind my breakfast every morning because I think it is good. Other than that its kind of same ole same ole. Lean ground beef, pickles, chicken, bacon, and onions. Well I know when we go shopping next week that I'm going to get other things. I'm going to look for low carb bread and some gluten free items. That way I can have some bread. I just want a different texture. I was going to attempt Chili but my husband refuses to eat it. Beans or no Beans. What happened to taking one for the team? Jerkface... as he makes biscuits and gravy for his second dinner tonight... maybe I need to try fajitas...just a thought...

FOOD JOURNAL


Breakfast
2 eggs
onion
ham
green pepper
4 pieces of bacon

Lunch
1 whole pickle
banana
Meatloaf minis
Dew

Dinner
Kristie's Chef Salad

• Ham
• Shredded Cheese
• Green Pepper
• Bacon Bacon (Tastefully Simple)
• 2 tbs Zesty Italian Dresing

Homemade Burger (97% lean beef)

Broccoli

Cabbage

Dessert

1/2 Pickle

Banana

15 Grapes

Exercise - Housework (217) and 20 minute walk (145)

Calories - 1198/1500

**Before you all freak out the My Fitness Pal app takes away calories when you log your exercise/activity for the day.**

Day 4

Well not really much to report today. I took Jeffrey's phone in to Verizon today. He got a new one! He now has a smartphone he can be cool like the rest of us and have apps and all that jazz. He has an HTC Thunderbolt. Its seems neat BUT I think my iPhone is better lol! Not like i'm bias or anything. Other than that i haven't done much. I'm still nursing my back. I don't know what I did BUT it has been super painful. I have been alternating heat and cold. So getting out to walk or do anything active hasn't been happening. It has gotten miles better since Sunday.

Food Journal later tonight!

OK here we go....Food Journal for the day...

Breakfast
Nothing....Just wasn't hungry...

Lunch
2 Hard boiled eggs
3 mini meatloaf thingers
8 oz. Beef Bottom Steak
Mt. Dew
(this is what happens when I dont eat breakfast I guess)

Dinner
Kristie's Chef Salad

• Bacon Bits
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Hard boiled eggs
• Green Peppers
• Lettuce

Dessert

1 Banana

15 Grapes

1/2 Pickle

Walking at a brisk pace for 30 minutes - 217 burned

Calories 1368/1500 after walking

Day 3

Well here we are at Day 3 and Jeffrey is back at school. I feel good knowing that I don't have to drive a hour to work and an hour back home. I will really miss all my friends I made at Jefferson and Carl Sandburg. Although subbing will be good for me BUT I don't like the uncertainty of not know when I will be working. Its ok though I am better off emotionally and the stress is way less.

Being less stressed and more relaxed is already bettering my chances of the preggo-ness. I'm kind of excited just to be able to do my own thing. Being able to walk during the day and do housework. Maybe read a book or just watch TV. I just want to stay active and make sure i'm drinking water and staying on my diet. I'm sure Jeffrey will love to come home to a clean house and dinner on the table. I'm also sure the dogs are going to love not being caged all day too. I'm sure I'm going to get sick of it soon enough.

One thing that I really miss doing is decorating cakes. For me, doing it was very therapeutic. I feel like I was pretty good at it and I wouldn't mind getting back into that again. Although I don't really know the demand for cakes here in Sainte Marie. Especially since its only a town of 300 people. I love baking and trying new things. Today I made meatloaf mini's I took my mom's meatloaf recipe. Cut the bread crumb part in half and made my own little meatloaf snacks! If you want the recipe just message me on Facebook.

 

I hope you enjoyed my ramblings! Food Diary to come later....

Food Diary


Breakfast
2 eggs scrambled with onion, green, peppers, and ham
4 pieces of bacon

Lunch
2 hot dogs (no bun)
1 banana
1 pickle whole
1 Mt. Dew

Dinner
5 oz. Corned Beef
1 cup Cabbage

Dessert
1 banana
15 Grapes
1/2 Pickle

Walked 30 minutes with dogs - 143 calories burned (It was cold!!!)

Calorie Count = 1466/1500