2014 IN BOOKS

I've been wanting to do this post for a few weeks, but I am just now getting the chance to sit down and get it together.

I love reading. I go through stages though. Sometimes I will read one book after another, or several at one time. And other times? I will go weeks without wanting to pick up a book. Weird...but that's how it has always been for me.

Anyway, for the last three years, I have set a goal to read a book a week...or 52 books throughout the year. The first year, I read 30 something. The next year I think I got to 39. And last year, I was so so so close...I think I read 49. This year, I set a goal to read 60, to mix things up (and hopefully, to actually hit 52 books this year! Ha).

I want to get better about posting reviews in smaller, more frequent batches. But, for now...here's what last year in books looked like.

Maybe it's the eternal optimist in me (ha!), but I can usually find something redeeming or enjoyable about every book I read. That being said, there are definitely books I love more than others.

LEAST FAVORITES
I normally LOVE Jen Lancaster. But, I wasn't a big fan of Twisted Sisters. I think I just prefer when Jen writes non-fiction (she has a new non-fiction book coming out this year!). I mean, this book was cute, more so after the fact.

Psychos by Babe Miller. This is the follow up to White Girl Problems. It is equally as absurd, but not near as funny.

Goodnight June by Sarah Jio. I have read a lot of praise for Sarah, so I was pretty excited about reading this book. Ehh. I really felt like she just kind of threw a bunch of stuff in the story that didn't flow. Not a fan of this book, but I will probably try something else of her's soon.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth. I know! I loved the first two books. But this was just bad. I don't want to ruin anything for anyone who hasn't read the books (or wants to see the movies without the spoiler). But I don't like it when authors end books this way. Seems like a cop out.

FAVORITES
Sandra Brown's Exclusive and Mean Streak. I've loved everything that I've read of Sandra's but I told a friend that Mean Streak may be my new favorite. The stories are always fascinating and keep me on the edge of my seat. But Sandra's writing is just so good. SO SO good.

Emily Giffin's Th One and Only. Football? Texas? Emily Giffin writing? SOLD!

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes. I LOVED this book so much. It may have been my absolute favorite of last year.

Magical Dress Making series by Melissa Bourbon. These are really cute, quick reads. They are set in a fictional town near me...and I just think they are so fun. The new one just came out...I need to go pick it up!

So there you have it. What are some of your favorite recent reads? Any authors I need to know about?

We are almost done with January 2015 and I've only read two books...so I'm already behind for this year's goals. Sounds about right!!

WEIGH IN WEDNESDAY

Happy Wednesday y'all!

So, first things first... I went to WW last night. I really wasn't sure what to expect. At home, my weight has fluctuated up and down (mostly up) since Christmas. I hadn't been to a weigh in since 12/30...so I was just preparing myself for a gain. And I did. 0.7 pounds. I suppose that is way better than it could have been.

Obviously (begin broken record part of blog post here) it could have been a lot better. In 3 weeks I could have lost 7 pounds instead of gaining .7.  BUT...I am getting out of this exactly what I'm putting in to it.

I don't want to dwell on the same ole things. I feel like every week that I gain (or don't go to my meeting) is a similar post. So, moving on.

I carry a lot of my weight in my belly. And that is the last place it seems to go from when I'm losing. Typically I lose weight in my face, chest and fingers (HA!) first. So, I started reading a bunch of stuff on how to lose belly fat. Clearly you can't just tell your body where you would like it to lose fat. Wouldn't that be nice though?! And I know you can't spot train away all your issues. I know no amount of sit ups and/or crunches is going to be sufficient to lose the flab. BUT...I did find some interesting stuff.

1. Cardio. I need to be doing more. Duh, right?! But almost everything I read said you should be doing a minimum of 30 minutes of "intense" cardio 6 (SIX!!!) days a week. Basically I need to be sweating more. My little 20 minute walks (though they still kick my out of shape bootie) aren't going to cut it for fat loss (especially belly fat loss). This depresses me to no end. Ha.

2. Stress. Apparently stress gives you belly fat. Lovely. I need to figure out how to deal with all the worrying I'm doing. I think working out more will actually help that. Of course I'm stressing out about working out more...so I don't know.

3. Sleep. I've talked about this a ton...but my sleep habits are AWFUL. I may sleep 3 hours one night and 10 the next. This is something I've been wanting to work on for a while...and I just need to work harder at getting on a schedule.

I saw a girl on Instagram the other day who sets alarms for herself at night. Like when the first alarm goes off she turns off the television or computer, she gets off her phone, she sets the coffee maker, etc. Then when the second alarm goes off 15 minutes later, she washes her face, brushes her teeth and does all her nightly routine things. Then, when the third alarm goes off 15 minutes after that, she gets in bed. I LOVE this idea. I know you'd think I could just do this all on my own...but you'd be wrong. I think I'm going to try and implement this into my nights...see if it makes a difference.

via

I know that these three things will help with my overall health and weight loss. It's an added bonus if they help whittle down my waist! I spend a lot of time obsessing over all the things I want to change about myself and my life, but if I'm being honest...I rarely make any behavioral changes in order to achieve these goals. Something has to change in order for me to change, right?!

I hope y'all are having a great week.

WEIGH IN WEDNESDAY

So.

It's Wednesday. Which means I should be sharing my weigh in results.  Especially since I didn't go to my meeting (or share my results) LAST WEEK.

Except.... I didn't go to my meeting (again) last night. Not starting off this year with the dedication I had hoped for. Geesh.

To be fair, there were several reasons (um, excuses) that I stayed home last night. I didn't feel good. I took a nap (seriously...like a 4 hour nap!! which, I promise I never do) C worked late (we normally go out for a salad together after my weigh in). And, of course... the number one reason I talked myself out of going...I knew I had gained.

Nothing too drastic. I've gained maybe a pound since I hit the 18.3 pound mark at the end of December. So it's not like I'm freaking out over that pound. I am, however, freaking out over the fact that I seem to have lost my motivation. Easy come, easy go. Right?

I had errands to run earlier today, so I got lunch out. This is a bad, bad habit...that even my taste buds are sick of (that's how you know you eat out too much...when nowhere sounds good). And I just couldn't help but think how hard I am making this on myself. I mean really. Losing weight...the actual process is REALLY simple. I KNOW what to do. I KNOW how to do it. I KNOW I am capable of doing it. I also KNOW that it works when I do it.

The problem? Me. My emotions. My laziness. I feel like this is a broken record type blog post. I am sure it would take about 2 seconds to find a few other posts that mimic these exact sentiments. But... that just proves that this is my real issue.

So, I cam home, I reset my WW password (cause I haven't logged on in so long that I forgot it). And I tracked my insanely high point lunch.

Then, I thought about something I read on Facebook the other day. It was a post by one of my favorite authors, Jen Lancaster. You can read the post I'm talking about here. Basically, she repeats what I've read several times over and what I've known for years. You've got to get down to the root of the issues.

I mean, yes, I know WHAT to do to lose weight. I could probably write a book on it. BUT...what I don't know is WHY I DON'T DO IT. I used to think it was just because I liked chocolate and peanut butter....especially together. But the older I get, I feel like there is more to it than that.

I don't have any deep dark secrets in my closet like some people you read about (that have to tackle those demons before they can lose weight). But clearly, there is some road block here that is a lot more profound than my love of all things carbohydrates.

So, I'm going to work really hard on just doing what I need to do (tracking my points, getting in my healthy checks, and trying to be more active). But, I'm also going to be doing some soul searching...which if I'm being honest...I hate to do.

And, I'm going to go to my weigh in next week. Because, if there is one thing I know... avoiding your problems rarely makes them better.

SHE BLOGS

So much for good blogging intentions in the new year! I have been super busy playing catch up with design work. And answering emails (because I didn't for almost 2 weeks!). 

But, I've also been really, really, SUPER busy...

watching Scandal!! Ha. I've seen people talk about it on Facebook for a couple of years...but I didn't think I would be interested. I mean, Sunday nights are for football. And Revenge. And now Madame Secretary (love!). 

But, on January 1st, the hubs and I were laying on the couch and thought why not try one episode on Netflix. HA. It's taken every ounce of self control not to watch all the episodes while C is at work. But as soon as he gets home...I'm like "let's do this!". Such a good show. 

We've also been working out. Shocking, I know.  But, I assure you it's about the most pathetic attempt at working out anyone has seen. It's super cold here, so I can only manage about 10 minutes outside before I feel like my muscles may snap in two. Which is a good thing...because 10 minutes seems to also be about as much endurance as I have anyway. We keep plugging along though. 

Last night, we even went to the gym. It was just too cold to even think about doing our regular walk outdoors. And I mean, we pay for the gym membership when we pay our rent every month...so why not use it, right? 

I missed my weigh in this week because I was at the doctor. Nothing serious, just allergies/sinus/asthma issues (they all hate the heater!...makes me sick every year). But, I am looking forward to next week. Praying I hit the 20 pound mark!! 

I still haven't taken down our tree. It just makes me so sad. I got a bunch of ornament organizers though, so that is making the process a little bit more enticing. Maybe I will finish it this weekend. Of course, I'll probably just be watching Scandal...

:: 2015 ::

my scripture for the year

Happy New Year y'all! Hope everyone had a safe and fun NYE. We were super low key...like dinner at 8, followed by some frozen yogurt and then in bed by 10:30. We did manage to celebrate the countdown, but I think we were both asleep by 12:15. Cozy....but also kind of lame. We both vowed to live it up a little bit more next year.

I always think of the new year like I'm going to wake up with a new found motivation to be and do all the things I need to - to be the "new" me. You know, the "resolutions" me. Naturally, this never happens. I still crave donuts and despise housework. Ha. Always a work in progress.

Over dinner last night, C and I talked a lot about some changes we want to make this next year. We broke them down into categories...Faith, Health, Finances, Travel, Relationships, Miscellaneous. I think they are all pretty basic resolutions. We want to get healthy, grow closer to one another and God. We hope to travel more, buy a new home, pay off some student loan debt and work on some career goals. You can read more about my 2015 resolutions here.

I've been doing the monthly goals thing for the last few months. While I'm never 100% successful with them, I do feel like writing down a handful of things I want (need) to accomplish over the month is a great motivator. I'm not too proud to tell you that if I don't write things down....I don't do them.

Anyway, C is going to start doing a list of his own... and I'm excited to see how much more we can accomplish this year. A good portion of 2014 was spent on the couch watching Law & Order reruns. Entertaining, yes... but not so conducive to productivity.

:: work out 10 times
:: hit the 25 pounds lost mark
:: refinish buffet
:: refinish dining room chairs
:: go to eye doctor and get new glasses & contacts
:: go to Kimbell to see the Faces of Impressionism exhibit
:: go to church every Sunday
:: daily exercises
:: go to Stock Show (with Dalton!)
:: put Christmas up (and organize as I do)
:: blog 10 times
:: read 5 books
:: read Bible regularly
:: work on budget (ongoing)
:: cards calender (send!)
:: make bracelet
:: work on garage (it's a MESS)
:: wash Jeep (seriously)
:: dinner with friends
:: watch Cowboys WIN playoff games (yes, more than one!!!)

Here's to 2015!