{30 thoughts} busy being busy!

I totally fell off my 30 thoughts wagon last week. I thought about writing a few times but we were just SO dang busy! The downfall of being so busy means eating out. Today I'll divulge where I was and what I ate last week. I will be back-posting tips & thoughts so don't you worry! There is still more to come!

Monday we got some photo's taken! Just because we don't have cute kids doesn't mean we can't get our pictures taken. Right?? After taking pictures it was 6:30 and we were 30 minutes away from home and hungry! We went to Thai Orchid in downtown Vancouver and it was delish! I had the yellow curry with brown rice. Next time I might get just a chicken & veggie dish instead of the curry.

Tuesday we went to Grand Central Bowl with Jason's work. A company that works with him has a bowling night in Portland every year! Even though I was on restriction with my shoulder I still bowled a round!! We also exchanged names & numbers with some people our age in his industry so we are looking forward to make those connections! Since it was a business dinner it was catered and had free wine. I'll be honest here - I had two glasses of wine and three pieces of pizza. And you know what...I felt like crap ALL night! I also had a huge salad so it wasn't all carbs! Thankfully there were no desserts there otherwise I'm sure I would have eaten them!

gimp bowling

Wednesday I went to a book signing at Annie Bloom's Bookstore in Portland! We listen to and met Kelly from The Spunky Coconut! It was so fun to meet her and get our new cookbooks signed by her. Sabrina and I ate out a a fabulous restaurant called Marco's. I can't wait to take Jason there someday! I had a special that was chicken, potatoes, and veggies. It was delish and very worth it. I was full but not stuffed.

Sabrina, Kelly, and I

borrowed from Kelly's IG. That's me at the bottom right!

 

Thursday was BUNCO. Bunco is always full of bad food. Well, not always. Last month myself and another barre3 babe brought the food and it was all healthy! This month there was pulled chicken with Hawaiian sweet rolls, CANDY, Ritz crackers filled with PB or Nutella dipped in white chocolate, hummus and veggies/chips. And wine. This was really the first time in 1.5 years our Bunco group broke out the wine. I had one small glass and drank it through a straw. I definitely ate too much but I did have a Pita Pit salad before so...that must count for something?!?!

 

This weekend we actually had really good food choices. We'd both eaten out SO much during the week that it didn't even cross our minds to eat out!

 

I'm thankful I didn't go {too} overboard in eating and that I have a fun, busy life!

 

Fingers crossed {that I continue to make good choices}.

{30 thoughts} the new girl at work...

I realized the other day that people at my new school don't know the "old Annie". They don't know the Annie that weighed 220 pounds, ate processed foods, and was miserable.

September 2011

Crossing guard duties

They know the "new Annie". I feel new compared to how I was 2 years ago but yet, I feel like this is who I was meant to be all along. I just hadn't found my place in the world or hit my tipping point!

I am trying to really stay positive at work even when I don't feel like it! I am eating left overs & salads for lunch every day. I go workout after school! When I leave, people ask me what time my barre3 class is or if I am going to the gym. At lunch people ask where I got the recipe for my dish.

barre3 strength. I broke the stapler ;-)

It is so much more fun being the positive, balanced, and healthy teacher. My days are full of schedule changes {I teach 12 groups a day}, lots of kiddos, and paperwork. I am using my time much more efficiently at work, focusing on present during any part of my day {not checking email/phone}, and making sure that first and foremost I am happy.

Because when I am happy, I can do anything.

Fingers crossed {that this year is my best year yet}!!!

the price of my success...

I spend a LOT of money on myself...but not in the way you might be initially thinking.

As a teacher I don't make much money. After the house and the car payment are sent in, I have less than 50% of my check left. We've been in debt before and have no desire to go back there again. I need to be careful with my money which is a hard thing because I am so impulsive. But I am working on it...

One thing I have always spent a decent amount of money on is my health. In the past that consisted of processed foods, Costco trips, multiple doctors visits every month, medications, and buying bigger & bigger clothes. Now, I still spend quite a lot of money on my health but it's certainly more of a positive trend!

Here's what I know I spend each month on my health. For this most part these are rough estimates but I feel that it's important to keep it real! I'm referring back to before the surgery and what it will be now that I am on the path to healing. Surgery was an oddity, that's for sure.

Massage, Chiropractic & Acupuncture - $125 or so.
New Clothes - $100 or so
barre3 - $130 or so
Groceries {out of the joint account} - at least $400 a month

In my life massage, chiropractic adjustments, and acupuncture treatments have definitely been a huge part of my success. I have been with my massage therapist since 2010 when I first injured my back. My chiropractor really helps keep everything in line. Acupuncture it took me a little while to "believe in" but now I am a convert. But more than just receiving services from these people...they are my community, my supports, and I know they care for me. The energy I get from them is amazing. My goal now is to go to each of them once a month which will cut my cost by $50 a month.

Buying new clothes is fun but SPENDY!! One way I have buffered the cost is consigning a lot of my plus size clothes at a store called Spankys. It seems to be that I haven't been as lucky as others at finding clothes at Spanky's to buy but I have been able to get a few checks from them to go buy things elsewhere. Just last week I got a $62 check from just about 3 months of clothes. It seems to have helped that the clothes I bought were of good quality! This year I will spend way more on clothes than I will next year. I tend to wear my clothes for a long time, I've had the same undies, PJs, and socks for YEARS! I'm not about fashion - I'm about comfort!

barre3. It wouldn't be a post on this blog without barre3!! In all seriousness, I know barre3 is spendy but to me it is worth every penny. For the last year plus I was buying class packages which at the Vancouver studio is about $170 for 10 classes. Problem was, I was going more than 10 times per month. My plan going forward is to sign up for the 3 months at a time pre-paid plan which is $130 per month. I know...expensive to some!! Also, watch out for internet deals on places like Groupon & Living Social. There is also the barre3 online option which is only $15 a month...if you are able to make yourself workout at home!
I also have a gym membership that I rarely use but it is there. My parents got us the 24 hour Costco 2 year membership for Christmas last year and something tells me that might be our Christmas present again in 2 years. My hubby uses his almost daily so it's nice that I have it so I can go.

Groceries. I mean, we have to eat! I am trying to be better about planning meals with like ingredients, making some previously processed foods at home, and watching for sales. I admit, I'm not that much of a planner. Or at least, haven't started to enjoy planning on that level. One day!

Here is how I justify what I spend my money on...

* I don't dye my hair and I only cut it every few months.
* I don't get my nails or toes done - ever. Well, maybe once or twice a year when my Mom invites me!
* I have one purse that I use every single day of the year. And it was a $70.
* I have less than 15 pairs of shoes. No joke. And they all have a purpose and I wear at least once a month. Many of them are years old!

A few other tips...

* I use the library for quick read that I won't read again. Books that I want for my betterment (PCOS books, health books) that I will refer to again I buy.
* I don't get magazine subscriptions. Can you say Pinterest?!?!
* I use coupons. I'm shameless about them. But I'm not a crazy coupon lady, I promise.
* I use reward cards. Pita pit, best buy, you name it - I have a rewards card for it. A lot of rewards cards give you free things in your birthday month so watch out for those too!

my purse, key rewards, coupon organizer and rewards cards/gift cards.

I keep all of these in my purse at all times that way I am always ready!

All in all, there are ways you can make what you want, work! For me, I want (really, need) to workout at barre3 and so I make it work. I need new clothes so I watch for sales and use coupons. I ask for very specific things for birthdays and holidays like dutch ovens, food scales, purses, and store specific gift cards. I don't feel bad about sending people links (or to my Amazon Wish List) to what I truly want and will use because getting something that I won't use isn't fun either! I am also very fortunate that we have family who are willing and able to get us nice gifts. I also like to spend my money on experiences (games, trips) or crafts instead of stuff that will sit on a shelf or closet.

Going forward it is my goal to think about everything I buy. What purpose does it serve? How often will I use it? Can I get it at a different price elsewhere? Do I need it at this moment in time or can it wait until a holiday?

Fingers crossed {that I can change my spending habits & save some money towards my dream}...

there's always time for a little celebration!!

Last night my hubby and I dressed up, went down into Portland, and had a nice & fancy dinner at McCormick & Schmick's Harborside at the Marina! We had some celebrating to do {and some gift certificates to use}!

Jason & I :) Love him!!!

 



At first I went into this dinner and I was in a "I'll have whatever I want (likely something I shouldn't have) mood" but then once I sat down my conscious really got the better of me. Maybe conscious isn't the right word. My thought pattern went like this...

- I want the blackened chicken pasta with alfredo linguine.
- But, I had cheese a few days ago so I don't know if I need that much dairy today.
- Plus, I might have dessert which might have dairy in it.
- I still want chicken though. What about the Parmesan chicken? It's still dairy but not as much as the alfredo sauce.
- Order glass of Riesling.
- Talk to waiter. Tell him I do want the chicken pasta but I don't want the alfredo. Waiter suggests that we do a veggie medley on top of noodles that have olive oil instead.
- BINGO!

I forgot to take a picture of my dinner but it was delicious. It was the Parmesan crusted chicken breasts with linguine and tomatoes & fresh basil. It was fresh, it was light, and it was perfect & just for me.

I've said it many times on here and many, many more times in my life - YOU have to be an advocate for yourself. Whether it is going to the doctors or eating as best you can at a restaurant you are the only one who is truly looking out for you!!

it wouldn't be an Annie post if there wasn't a comparison picture!

left ~ April 2012

right ~ May 2013

Because I made the decision to change my meal I felt better about myself, I am proud of myself, and I ordered {almost} exactly what I wanted for dessert. If I had had my choice {and I did, I just chose something else} I would have loved to have had the cheesecake with berries and next time that is available I just might. This time, though, I decided to share the MOST delicious apple pie upside down pie with vanilla ice cream with my husband. There's something fun and intimate about sharing a dessert...and my husband always lets me have the last bite! He's sweet like that.

Have any of you made any good choices recently at a restaurant? Salad instead of fries? Sharing dessert? I'd love to hear how everyone out there handles eating out!!

Fingers crossed {that next time I go out I can make good choices}...

the conundrum of clothes...

I know...another post about clothes.

But right now they are what is on my mind.

In the past 16 months I've gone from a size 18W to a size 8-10-12. So not only do I look different but different clothes fit. Old styles that used to fit my obese body curves no longer fit. I could walk into Lane Bryant and know I was a 2 Red Square. Now, I can't even go in there and find anything. Not even undies. That's right...my undies don't fit. I need a new brand but I've worn LB undies for oh, 8 years and I LOVE them but they just.don't.fit anymore!

Many of my 1X and 18/16 size clothes I have donated or sold to consignment shops. But now I have to decide what to do with the 14/12 clothes. Do I keep them? I don't WANT to go back to that size but life happens. And if life negatively happens and I have to wear those sizes again I sure as hell don't want to be buying bigger sizes again.

BUT...It is my sincere hope that life doesn't happen {or if it does I can handle it}. So....do I alter my clothes that I have now that are too big but I only wore for a few months? Last fall I bought some nice 3/4 sleeve shirts for work. I only wore them for a month or so until it just got too cold and I had to wear long sleeves. Now they are way too big but I want to wear them. I've thought about getting them altered {taken in} so that I can wear them through this summer. But once I alter them, I cannot go back.

Another part of this is how I look in clothes...but maybe I'll save that for another post ;-)

Alterations are certainly a cheaper alternative to buying a whole new top wardrobe. I have a wonderful lady who altered some of my 1X/XL shirts into Large's last summer and now I want them smaller! Is this normal?? I even had my swim suit altered!!!

Then there's the thing of swim suits. We bought tickets last night to go to Arizona for a few nights over spring break!! Then I realized I needed to go swimsuit shopping. I know my chest is still rather large and needs supports so "regular" swimsuits won't work. The most supportive suits are plus sized suits {they have the padding and shelf bra}. I guess I just need to BUCK UP and do it this weekend...but I am dredding it. I found the BEST suit last year on LB and I should have just bought 5!!! Then I could alter them to all different sizes. I swear if I find "the suit" this summer that's what I'm going to do!!!

Clothes really are tricky! I don't want all these nice, new clothes I bought last year to sit in my closet for a few years until I decide to get rid of them. I want to wear them...that's why I bought them. For the most part I think I am going to alter many of my tops but buy some new bottoms.

Fingers crossed {that swimsuit and undie shopping goes good this weekend}...

the night before...

While I am a morning person, I am not someone who likes to get out of bed in the morning. I like to lazy around, reading the news and playing words with friends. It's a habit I'm hoping to break. I'd say I spend a good 30 minutes in bed every morning on my phone. It's a sick addiction. I leave about 7:30ish to get to work in 10 minutes.

Then there is my husband. He works in downtown Portland and if he left for work at 7am to get there by 8am he'd end up getting there at 8:30am because there is so much traffic. He somehow manages, at least 3 days per week, to get up at 4:30 AM {the one where it is cold, dark, and wayyyy toooo early} to go to the gym so he can workout and beat traffic. I just can't do that. I tried once and it wasn't a pleasant experience.

Because we both have odd routines in the AM we have really been focusing on getting ready for the next day, the night before. I make my breakfast & lunch and Jason's when he doesn't have a business meeting the next day. We both get out respective (but matching) gym bags ready! It really does make getting out the door on time a lot easier!!!

My hubby's clothes. He wears his workout gear straight to the gym.

 

All my bags. Yellow is my work stuff bag. Purse. Snack bags for before the workout.

Gym clothes for en evening workout. Shoes too - because I found out once I can forget them!

 

Does anyone else get ready the night before?

 

Fingers crossed {that we can continue these habits}...

back to school...and out of synch!!!

Well, it's back to work for me... I love teaching but man, being a special education teacher can be a draining job!!!

I am definitely trying to be a creature of habit this year and so far it is kind of working...I really need to stop working 10 plus hour days so I can get to Barre3!!!

 

~creating habits at home~

 

~ making my bed every morning. I have never, ever, ever in my life done this. It isn't very pretty but it is done and tidy looking. I do it while brushing my teeth so many that is why it is messy ;-)

 

 

~ cleaning up my stuff in the bathroom before I leave

 

~ making my lunches at home the night before

 

I've been documenting my lunches on my Instagram Account. You can find me under the hashtag #annieslunchbox

 

first day of school!

yesterday.

 

~food management. Last night when I was making dinner I was triple-tasking. Making dinner, packing my lunch for the next day & cutting veggies for the next day's dinner!

 

Since I just started services two days ago I have yet to really go into a routine at school...we'll get there!!

My biggest goal is to figure out how to schedule and plan exercise! One of the nice things about Barre3 is that you can sign up online ahead of time and if you don't go/don't cancel you still get charged - which is really motivating to go!!! They have 4:15 times and 5:30 times most days which will eventually work for me (someday) when my schedule simmers down!! I've also been doing some mybarre3 and I am doing the "28 to Great mybarre3 challenge" starting next week!!!

I'm so excited to get started and see what it is all about!!!

 

If you're a teacher...how do you fit exercise in your schedule?!?!