Oh Hi Summer, How Are You?

Summer is officially here. That means what exactly? Longer days. Warmer weather. Bon fires. Camping. Fishing. Oh...and no more Home Depot!! For those that know me, I have been working at Home Depot for almost a year. This was due to the fact that last year at this time in my life things weren't so great, and I had to support myself a little more than I had planned. Almost a year later, my life is back on track (for the most part) and I have no need (well I mean everyone loves "extra money") to stress myself out and work 7 days a week... so today is my last day.

Now that I will be back to being a 9-5p, Monday thru Friday working girl...I am already planning what to do with my "free" time! First on my list is starting back up with my walks with Michaela (Monday-Tuesday are all yours baby). Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays are going to consist of lawn / house work... as I have been working so much and spending less time on these agenda items, it is going to be a lot of WTF's (literally and figuratively) to get this done! My weekends...well those are reserved for Shaun and the kids. I'm hoping they are full of day trips to the lake, beach, whatever body of water we choose...camping, and lots of fun!

I also need to get back to some sort of workout regiment. While walking Monday's and Tuesday's will be good, and house work / lawn work is always a workout -- getting back to the gym is a must. Or if not the gym, setting something up where I do it at home (and stop paying for the gym I no longer go too!). These 30 day challenges are good, and have worked for me in the past, I may check them out again. However, right now at this point in my life... I'm back to around 195lbs and you know what -- I'm happy. Don't get me wrong, there are times where I want to cry (and do) because the clothes I bought don't fit anymore, but I'm happy. Now I just need to work happy & healthy together... and maybe get Shaun to come to the gym with me (I mean I did do a whole weekend at a baseball tournament)! hehe.

Just a short Hello Summer blog. I'll keep you updated with my summer slim-down, camping trips, and any other major milestones along the way per the usual!

~Melissa
Current: 195-ish
Goal: 155lbs

Time to Graduate!

I've been pretty busy lately. Went to Ohio for my cousin Abbey's graduation over Memorial Day weekend. My cousin Connor graduates tomorrow. Still working two jobs - you know the normal busy. OK - back to my trip to Ohio though first...While I was there my lovely Aunts thought it best that I go to the gym with them. Seeing as I have been a bit lazy (ok, understatement - wicked lazy and gained about 15lbs in the last 4 months) - I said "Sure!"

Now, let me start by saying my Aunt Lori is a fitness goddess. She's this cute little thing (looks so sweet and harmless) -- though I know in a street fight she'd kick everyone's ass. My Auntie (Darlene) is built more like me -- but definitely more fit than I am.. Day 1 - Lori suggests Abs & Cardio -- great, area of most needed improvement. HA! This cute little thing had me healed over by the end of the session. THEN - I decided to go to the Zoo and walk around for 3+ hours. Needless to say, by bed time I couldn't walk, and when I got up in the morning, I couldn't feel my lower abs. Now, as if this wasn't enough, that next morning we decided to do Pilates -- ps: I have NEVER done Pilates before and had I know exactly what it was -- may have changed my mind!

However, after recovering (3 days later - no really - it wasn't until I got up on Wednesday after I got home that I could finally walk normal and didn't want to cry), I realized that not only are my cousins graduating, but I need to graduate. From what you might ask? My half ass exercise routines and eating habits. While I do not think I need to be at the level my Aunt Lori so kindly thinks my body can handle, I can step up what I'm doing and how I am doing it. As far as eating habits, wait what, eating habits -- yea, exactly my point.

To help with my graduating to better exercise and eating habits - I have started putting together menu's for each week. Before I would wing it - which would normally mean, let's go out to eat. Now we are trying to stick to a plan, and a healthy one; lots of veggies, protein, and less carbs. As for exercising, I'm probably going to have to take summer classes to graduate. My plan is to start doing things at home (there are so many free online regiments I can start with)...and then get back into a routine of going to the gym. This will be much easier when I am not working two jobs (as right now Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays are completely useless days).

As I graduate from exercising and eating - I am also going to graduate from stress. A major reason I have gained all this weight back is because I have been stressed with life, work, money, and my weight (funny right).  No more...I am finally in a happy place, at least more so than I have been in the last two years. I just got my fishing license and am picking up some poles this week (biggest stress reliever ever is fishing) -- I have these two great kids I can go and do this with now (mini golf, sports, trips to the beach) -- and an amazing man to keep me sane (how he does it I don't know, but I love him more and more each day for it).

All that being said -- please ask me how I'm doing. Pop me an email, comment on my blogs, facebook, text, snap chat -- keep me in line. I need your help! After all...Summer is coming!

Today the sun is shining and when I leave work I will be making stuffed peppers, putting a budget together, and cleaning the stress from my life.

Happy Tuesday everyone!



~ Melissa
Current: who knows
Goal: 150-155lbs
Mood: Happy, Determined