Round #2

Fail #2

Balls...

I'm trying to grow a pair.

You may notice that little MyFitnessPal app I put on the blog directly under the header photo (Can't make it smaller to put on the side). That's me trying to have some balls.  I'm hoping that it will help me stay on my meal plan.  Using the blog as accountability.  I like updating it every day just because it keeps me motivated.

Hopefully I won't fall on my face and I can keep it going until I hit my first goal, which is to get to another tens mark.  It doesn't tell you my weight.  My balls aren't that big. But I'm not far from the goal.  3 lbs. I think.  My short long term goal (did that make any sense?) is to loose 40-50 pounds by July.  Not sure how realistic that is.  At the rate I am going on this meal plan, it seems very realistic to me.  Especially with (HOPEFULLY) warmer weather coming.  Meaning I'll feel more inclined to get outside and walk.  I refuse to walk on a treadmill.  Seems like it takes forever and you never get anywhere.  At least while walking outside, you get somewhere, see things, and the time definitely seems to go by faster.

Here's to hoping and wishing!

Back on the wagon...

So after being on my new meal plan for a measly one and a half weeks (starting February 1st), I fell off the wagon and have been off...until today.

So today I'm back on it.  I did gain 3 pounds the time that I was off, but I burned out pretty quick.  I'm trying to learn to vary the foods I eat so that I have a variety.  I think my biggest mistake was going to Costco and buying huge quantities, without the variety.  Lesson learned.  I also learned I am not the biggest fan of broccoli anymore.  I think I ate too much of it that first week and there towards the end of it, I kept gagging on it.  However, cauliflower is still my friend.

Even though I fell off for a couple weeks, I still have lost weight in total since I started.  That's a positive, right?  I'm down 11 pounds since starting...that would be 14 (plus I'm sure a lot more) had  I stayed with it.  I'm hoping that this time, now that I'm learning how to count calories, get all the food in, and all the nutrition requirements in, and still vary my food.  I seem to get stuck in ruts.  For example, I like veggie burgers, so I have a veggie burger wrap twice a day...To help break that up, I have been making shrimp wraps instead.  Fewer calories and more protein = win!  But the shrimp here in Colorado, not so tasty.  I'll get through what I have and then see if the "fresh" ones at Costco taste any better.

And even though I've tried this before, I'm going to attempt cooking tofu.  I actually don't like tofu.  But sometimes I've had it and it was awesome.  I have texture issues with food, so it can't be jiggly.  So I'm going to try to cook my extra firm tofu to taste good, and hopefully without any extra added calories.  We shall see. Anyone every grilled tofu?  Grilled tofu sounds like it could be good...???

Ch-ch-ch-changes

in a good way!

So the husband and I went and saw a dietician and nutritionist last Friday.  When it came time for the appointment, husband needed a little push, but I’m ready to get things started and figured out and start meeting some of my goals.

I did successfully complete one of my tiny goals, which was to not drink soda for the month of January.  And after meeting with the nutritionist, I’m just going to try to keep that up.

What I learned was that I don’t eat enough.  And I definitely don’t get enough protein (as a vegetarian).

After coming up with a plan, one that we were kind of already doing, just not enough, we went Saturday to Costco and spent nearly 300$ on fruits and vegetables.

The plan is two have two meals and two meal replacements.  This isn’t like Optifast or Medifast or anything like that.  We were already eating protein bars for breakfast, so we get to continue that.  And so I can have either another protein bar, or a protein shake throughout the day.

On top of that I have to eat two meals that consist of two cups of vegetables, 30 grams of protein that I get from Morning Star Farms veggie burgers or cottage cheese, and also some type of 100-calorie carb (like a low carb, high fiber tortilla).

ANNNND I have to find some room in there for two fruits. Annnnnnnnd plenty of water.  And keep it all under 1100 calories.

Seems like math to me. I hate math.

But yeah, I was super full from lunch today.  Hopefully this is a good plan for us and I’ll see some changes soon.  I’m also considering signing up for Zumba… not sure yet.

Round 1!

Fail.

I wish...

I could get my photography business going....or into something that I could even call it a business.

I have a website (sort of)...I have a camera...But you always need more equipment, or help in some way shape or form.

So, every time there is a giveaway where you can win photography stuff, I enter it.  Now, I don't enter every single one.  Because sometimes I feel like I just don't need the products being offered or I truly don't like it.

In this case, I like it and I need it.

So, today, I'm entering a giveaway with Crave Photography in hopes of winning a nice new lens, 1 on 1 mentoring, and a business marketing plan, all things I desperately need and want.

So if you too would like to "Jump start your business (photography)"...then you can enter here to win!

Twelve goals for 2013

Hookay, so these are NOT New Years resolutions...because we all know those never happen.  I'm actually starting this in October so I'll have time to think about it.  This is a list of twelve things that I hope to accomplish in the year 2013, in no particular order (also, trying to do it as if I don't have a job yet, because that changes a lot of things).

1. Lose 50 pounds.  Ambitious, maybe.  But that's like one pound a week.  I can hack that, right?  I do play on going to see a nutritionist and make a plan.
          UPDATE: Nutritionist seen.  On a meal plan. Down 11 lbs.

2. Get my photography blog up and going.  I got it back under control, but still don't have all the kinks worked out.
          UPDATE:  Website/Blog is all clear and up, check it out! www.alexisburton.com

3.  Be more active.  That kinda goes with #1, but I want to be more active in general, not just for exercise.  But since we live in CO, I want to try to take advantage of the hiking, maybe start biking, and definitely do a lot more walking.
          UPDATE: Looking into learning to ski.  Bought the pants.

4. Complete the Couch-to-5k program.  This goes with #1 and #3.

5. Have a family portrait taken.  All four of us, ha!  This will definitely be towards the end of the year,   AFTER I lose the 50 (or more) lbs. haha

6. Build something (like a coffee table/storage bench).

7. Refinish some of the furniture we got from Craig's List.
           UPDATE:  One down, five to go.

8. Branch out in clothing styles.  I did buy a pair of skinny jeans...but....I'm still not 100% convinced that that was a good decision...
          UPDATE: Liking the skinny jeans, got a pair of very pink shorts.

9.  Do not take for granted the area in which I live.  Every time we move somewhere, where there are cool things/places nearby, we always say, "We live here, we can see it any time." Hopefully that'll stop in 2013.
           UPDATE: See #3.

10. Be more open to activities that I previously would have said "No" to.
           UPDATE: See #3 and #9.

11. Limit Facebook and Pinterest time.
           FAIL
12. Make better decisions and stick with them.

Well, there it is.  Something to tackle in the '13.  Hopefully I can get work on these throughout the year to make 2013 better than 2012.

Oh, beeteetubbs

I quit....

but I already have a babysitting job lined up that pays me twice as much....so I'm not too torn up about it.  And....we get to go to Iowa for Christmas...

I think I made a mistake...

I bought skinny jeans....


I look like a meatballs on toothpicks....This was too embarrassing to post as a Facebook status....

Although, Ed, my mom, and a BFF said they look pretty cute.... I'll wear them....sometimes...

How do you....

quit a job?  Especially, when you don't want to give them the professional 2 weeks notice?  I basically had the final straw today at the big ole craft store (we're not supposed to say the name of it on social media, especially if we're not saying positive things. Not that I think my blog, with a whole readership of 2 will have any affect on said craft store).

After just a few weeks of working there, they wanted to promote me to manager....I guess because the current management can't get it under the control, and I had control of the front in in a few short weeks.  But then the big boss came in and made a bunch of cuts, so I actually didn't get promoted.

I feel like I work too hard, for too little.  I'm always available when then need me and when they say jump, I generally ask how high?  They've been able to call me in on my day off and I've been there.  They also ask me to stay late all the time, which I do, no questions asked.  They give me tasks that they expect to get done while I serve the customers.  and I do. and I do it well. and fast.  So fast, they bring me more stuff to do and comment on how other employees can't get their acts together and do anything.

Well, today, after having arranged everything with another employee to have Saturday off, because I haven't had a Saturday off since I started working, it all fell through.  I had asked another employee to switch with me, which she agreed to.  Then I asked the manager to change it on the schedule to make it official.

The next morning, I noticed that it had not been changed.  So I asked the employee again if it was ok, she agreed again, and then I told the manager again.  So after about  FIVE days of this, I asked again and the manager said, oh well the employee said she might not be able to switch, ask again.  So I did.  And of course, the employee now says she couldn't.

Has the manager switched it five days ago when I asked the first time and all was agreed to, I wouldn't have to worry about finding someone to "cover my shift."  Which two management members told me, very rudely, that I still had to do.

Had Manager1 taken care of everything, I would be all set.  I already tried to get my shift covered.  Manager1 didn't carry it out on her end, confusing the employee who then went ahead and made plans for Saturday.

It's not hard.  I mean, had manager1 (who is the hiring manager and makes the schedules) had done her job in a timely manner, you know, like I am expected to do and DO do, then I would not have gotten the shaft, like I ALWAYS do!

So therefore, after lining about some better paying jobs, in which I work less and get paid almost double, I would like to quit Craftstore without giving two weeks, because I don't need them as a reference.  And they can have the shaft!

(Although, I feel bad, because they probably get the shaft every day by other more incompetent employees.  annnnnd it's the holiday season.......grrrrrrr...bah, humbug.)