Getting Some Weight Off My Chest (and other places)

I've never been the skinny girl. Even when I was "normal sized" way back in kindergarten, I still wasn't the one that people said "Look at you! You're just an itty bitty bit of a thing!" In about fourth grade, I went from wearing girls sizes straight into grown womens. Totally skipped the juniors section, but then Pamida didn't really have much of juniors section to pick from, and we couldn't afford any of the mall's stores. From there I gradually grew in size. Out not so much up. (I've taken Miss I'm a Little Teapot's lyrics to heart. Girl knows all about being short and stout. Preach.) My weight issue stems from several factors. I come from very sturdy Scandinavian/German/British stock. I love to bake, and to eat what I bake. Physical activity doesn't hold much allure for me. It doesn't help that I'm also pretty uncoordinated and think most sporting events are boring. I also lack any kind of competitiveness when it comes to playing sports or games. I much prefer to spend my time reading, drinking coffee, watching a favorite show, baking, or fan girling online. Combine all this and you get me.

Through the years, I've made half hearted attempts (really not even "half" hearted, more like quarter hearted) to get healthier and try to lose weight, but they lasted maybe a week or two before I lost any motivation and returned to my old friends Chocolate and Couch. Why? Because it's easier to be lazy. Easier to do what feels comfortable. Easier not to try. Didn't I want to be healthy? Didn't I want to feel better? Have more energy? Look better? Of course! Not be made fun of, looked down upon, or treated differently then anyone else? Because even though the Lord has protected me from a lot of the pain and ridicule that overweight people go through, I've still gotten some. I've had teens moo at me. I've overheard a little girl say to her mom while pointing at me "Mommy, why is that lady so fat?" I've been asked if I'm pregnant. I've had to ask for seat belt extenders on an airplane because the seat belts were too small. I'm all too familiar with the pain that is shopping in the plus size department which is typically a third of the size of regular women's sizes, and three quarters of the clothing in that department looks like something straight from your grandmother's closet. Hoorah. Again, of course, I don't like this, but I could never motivate myself to do any more than just imagine what it would be like to be healthier.

This lovely number is what can be found in many plus size departments...Fine for grandmothers, not so much for this 30 something.

All of this changed this year. My dear friend (and my brother Nick's girlfriend) Chelsey and I were talking, and I mentioned to her that I would like to walk a 5K sometime. Chelsey, who's an avid runner, said I should do the Summit Classic. I said that that would be fun, but didn't think too much more about it. Chelsey, on the other had did. She thought a lot more about it. She's a planner, folks.  Well much to my surprise, one day while she was over for dinner, she presented me with the 13 week Coffee Bean Workout Challenge to get me ready for the 5K. At first, the Lazy part of me was like "Meh, I don't knooooww." Then something in me was all "No. Why not try? It would good to get a little more active!" So before I could think anymore about it, I signed on the dotted line and committed my self to the Challenge, and guess what? I finished the Challenge. I walked the 5K. I survived, and even better something within me was sparked to life. It was like, hey if I can workout for 13 weeks and feel so much better, why can't I keep doing it? And for the most part, I have, and wonder of all wonders I've lost weight!!! What?! For the first time in my life, I have lost weight. To date I've lost almost 24 pounds. It's crazy! Gaaahh!! I still can't believe. Everytime I get on the scale and see that I've lost even half a pound I do a little dance. (No, you may not have a demo of said dance. That's for me and the scale.) So what made this attempt much more successful then others? I think the biggest reason is that it all started with Chelsey. All my previous attempts are something that I tried on my own. This time I had someone who cared about me, wanted to see me succeed in getting healthier, put a lot of time into making a game plan for me, and encouraged me all the way. That's what made the biggest difference for me. That's what I needed.

When I started out the Challenge I told myself that if by some chance I managed to lose 20 pounds, I could by myself a present. Even better a GEEKY present. Even better yet, a DOCTOR WHO present. Well, as I said above I reached that goal, and I am now the proud owner of these gorgeous earrings!

Look at them! Bask in their beautiful sheen!! 

 They're so pretty!!

Oh, I am a very happy nerd girl!

Now that I've reached the 20+ pound mark, I know that I can reach the 40 pound mark. (Yes, I've bribed myself with the promise of another geeky gift to myself when I reach that goal.) I'm realistic about the fact that it's going to hard. Winter's coming. The short days and snowy, icy weather make it much harder to get outside. My hermit tendencies become even more prevalent in the winter. It's still not easy to eat healthy. Chocolate cupcakes, french fries, and bacon all still sound a-mazing. I'm going to keep working at it, though because I've got the Lord, family and friends cheering me on, and now I have proof that I can do this. 

Thanks for reading!

Manda

Thankful Thursdays 09/05/2013

September is here, folks! Yay for fall!! I'm so ready for it. The sweaters, the boots, the scarves (I have a serious scarf fetish...), the pumpkins, the fall foliage, the crisp mornings, the hazy evenings, and the baking...oh, the baking! I love it so much that I've already decorated the apartment for it ( no judgey judging, mmm-kay?), and yes, I made my roomie roll her eyes and laugh at me over this. She still loves me, though. ;)
Okay, enough of this fallishness (Get it?! Fallishness instead of foolishness? Oh, the wittiness abounds!). Let's get back on track.

1. Morning rain showers. I know some with disagree with me, but I adore rainstorms. I love cloudy, cool days waaaay more then hot, sunshine-y ones. Why? Because they give a girl an excuse to curl up on the couch with a book, a cup of coffee, or an old musical. Sigh, that's my idea of the perfect way to while away a few hours...

2. Classic car shows. I know. I know. Me? A fan of car shows? What?! I do really enjoy them. Why? Well, my Dad is an upholsterer, and he worked on a number of classic cars while we were growing up. So naturally, I developed an appreciation for them. Also, I'm somewhat of a history nerd, and I especially love the 1920's-1970's. This 50+ years span is where most classic cars fall into so there you go. Plus, they're so pretty, what with the vibrant colors of paint and shiny chrome finishes (What. I'm a girl. Of course, I'm going to say a car is pretty.)!

3. Re-reading a favorite series of books, and still loving them as much as I did the first read through.

Happy Thursday, all! Thanks for stopping by.

Thankful Thursdays 08/22/2013

The things that I'm particularly thankful for this week...


1. Running into an old friend that I haven't seen in forever, and the enthusiastic embraces that followed.

2. Long, goofy/angsty, girly chats with my most awesome roomie, Boots.

3. Yelling "Love you!" across the street to my name twin ;)

4. Random texts from mah Bestie about how we're going to be crazy chicken ladies not crazy cat ladies when we grow old together.

5. Singing "Oceans" by Hillsong United at the top of my lungs in my car. (Especially the "Yeah, yeah" part.)

(Have a listen.)

6. Reading through the Psalms, and the peace and encouragement that those Words bring me.

7. Buffy binge watching.

8. Peanut Butter Cheerios.

9. Finally getting back into "the get my butt out of bed and go for my morning walk" groove again.

10. The enthusiasm and fire that the youth at my church have... even though they wear me out just watching them and make me feel a wee bit old...

There you have it! Hope all my 'Bots are having fantastic day, and thanks for reading.

Thankful Thursdays 08/15/2013

Music: Way I Am - Ben Rector



Well Thankful Bots, we're halfway through August...sheesh. That's all I have to say to that! Though, I'm sure Moms throughout the land are rejoicing because their precious little ones are finally returning to school, ( and all the Mamas heaved a huge sigh of relief...) For this episode of Thankful Thursdays I'm going to try something a little different. I'm going to do a little photo collage of some pics that show you, my readers, some things for which I'm thankful (I'm sure this will be a nice little break from my usual wordiness.). Hope you like! As always feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

Thankful Thursdays 08/08/2013

Folks, we're in August already...how in the name of Gallifrey did that happen?! As one of my favorite bloggers, Angela over at Birdie Belle puts it "I don't know where you live, but for those of us who live in Northwest Montana heading into August means we have roughly 19 hours of summer left." Click here to read the full post birdiebelle.blogspot.com/2013/08/summer, you won't be sorry! She's hi-larious! In fact, you should just probably read all her posts. She's that awesome. Anywho, summer does seem to winding down rapidly. The light is changing. Up in the higher elevations the leaves are already getting a yellowish tint. The sun is coming up later and setting earlier. Fall's a-coming! Even though I'm completely not ready to have winter again, I do love fall. In fact, it's my favorite season. So in reality, I'm not too sad to have summer leave us. Enough of seasonal stuff, let's get on to the thanksgivings.

1. The satisfaction of getting back to my normal routine. Vacations are wonderful, but they're not exactly the most relaxing. For a this quasi-introvert, there's nothing like coming home, getting back to work mode, and just chilling at home during the evenings. It may sound boring to some, but to me one the best ways to spend an evening is at home with the roomie, the cat, and the Netflix. This is pretty much me every day...

(Photo credit hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com)

2. My friend/co-worker/comrade in arms, Camie. Our poor boss didn't know what he was in for when he put the two of us together. He knows now, but it's too late to change anything! Muahahahahah!!! We...ahem...share (vent/complain) with each other our difficult patient interactions. We have very similar tastes when it comes to mostly everything...except chocolate. I adore it. Camie could take it or leave it. That's just weird to me, but then no one is perfect ;) We swoon together over Benedict Cumberbatch and Tom Hiddleston. We're both book fiends. She's a fellow snark-er. Camie is an amazing seamtress and knitter. Like mind blowing good...cray cray good...for reals. She's someone who will listen to all your problems, give you great advice, but also call you on your crap if need be (The world needs more people like this). She's just all around pretty awesome. Camie, I know you may never see this, but on some off chance that you do just know that you bless my socks off, and I love you to bits!

(This is where a picture of Camie would go, but I don't have one. Sadness...)

3. Going into my hometown library, knowing all the librarians (all three of them) by name, and them knowing me by name...priceless.

Catching Up

Music: Viva la Vida - Coldplay
           Lay 'em Down - Needtobreathe


Well, hello there! It's been a bit since I've posted, but I was on vacation last week. I decided that spending time with my family in the real world was more important than posting a new entry. Sorry! Also, I apologize that this is not going to be one of my normal "Thankful Thursdays" posts. Sorry again. If the word "family" caught your attention, yes, my parents, brothers, and I went on our first family vacation in I don't know how many years. Besides a few moments were no one wanted to make a decision (one of the brothers coined the phrase "passive perfectionists" to describe all us), it was awesome. Four days on the Oregon coast = perfection. Plus, it was really fun going on a trip together where everyone is an adult (well, in age, but not behavior). I saw light houses, beaches of all shapes and varieties, seals, enough sea gulls to last a lifetime, ate waaaaaay too much (trying to get back on the healthy eating bandwagon again has pretty much been a lost cause this week), visited Voodoo doughnuts and the Goonies house (!!!!!!!!!! I was in movie nerd heaven), read Anne of Green Gables for the 100th time, and just generally laughed at my families antics.

Since our return back to reality, I've been trying to catch up with everything. Honestly, it's kind of hard. Work...what??!! Bills don't take a vacation...ppssshhttt, how rude! Going to bed at a decent hour....okay, well that's not too hard for me. Anywho, that's why I'm not posting a full post today. Hopefully, next week I'll be back to normal (well, normal for me. I'm not most people's definition of normal.). I'll leave you with a few photos to give you a taste of our trip.

(Oh heeeey, just hanging at Voodoo Doughnuts, y'all.)

(An 80's child's dream, the actual Goonies House)

(Stupid birds followed us everywhere...you would think we're by the ocean or something.)

(Breathtaking...)

Single Thoughts...Part Two

Well, dear reader, thanks for returning. Hopefully, I didn't scare too many off with my confessions. As promised, I'll be sharing about what I admire in a man. First though, a little more on my previous encounters.

You may have noticed that two out of the three examples, I was approached by family members not the man himself, and this has happened several other times. Some well meaning mama comes up to me (or up to my own dear mama), and states "You should meet my son! You two would be so great together! Next time he's in town I want you to meet him." Then I do meet the much talked about fellow, and...nothing. Oh, usually they're perfectly nice and very pleasant, but that's it. No spark, not even a puff of smoke. So after all these meet and greets, I've come to this conclusion. For some reason, I seem to be the kind of girl that parents want for their sons, but the sons don't want for themselves. Sigh, oh well.

Before I launch into my list of what makes a man a Manda Man (hey, that's kinda catchy!), let me just say I know I'm not perfect. I'm very aware of my faults. I can be very stubborn. I'm overweight. I can be very opinionated. I'm just okay in the looks department. Nothing to write home about. My taste in movies is extremely random. Same for my taste in music. I can be insecure around men (especially single, attractive men) outside of the men in my family. I can sometimes hide it well, but not always. If I can't hide it then I'll usually have one of three reactions around them. First, I'll talk a lot, laugh too loud and much, and use movie quotes and silly voices. Second, I won't say much of anything, but I'll smile politely and frequently (all the while, I'll have an internal voice telling me to say something, anything, even if it's just to ask them how their day was.). Third, I'll adopt the Ice Queen act. I won't say much of anything either, but instead of smiling, I avoid eye contact, stare off into the distance, and occasionally pretend that I have a very important text to check. I can be a homebody. I'm not super adventurous when it come to the outdoors. On and on I could go, but I'll spare you. Now to my list. Here we go.

1. He must be a follower of Jesus Christ, and must love Him more than me.
2. He must be willing to be the spiritual leader in our home.
3. He needs to be able to make me laugh.
4. He needs to put up with (or even better like/love) Doctor Who, Firefly, and BBC dramas, and love me in spite of my geeky, nerdy, fangirl ways.
5. Picky eaters had better learn not to be.
6. He needs to respect his parents even if they don't have the best relationship.
7. My dad, mom, and brothers must like him.
8. Chocolate brown eyes are a bonus, but not a must. (Benedict Cumberbatch aquamarine eyes are a wonderful alternative.)
9. Tattoos are fine. Just don't expect me to get any. I'm too indecisive.
10. Be able to join in on movie-quote-athons.
11. Be willing to head boop with kittens.
12. Be willing to go to concerts and plays.
13. He needs to be someone who will never ever abuse another human being. Any kind of abuse. I have NO tolerance for a man who thinks that kind of behavior is okay or justifiable.
14. Love home baked goods.
15. He needs to be a manly man of God. No pasty, soft church boys. (I do appreciate a nice dresser, though. You can be manly and still dress nice.)
16. A man who will protect and stand up for me and any future children we may have.
17. Have a desire to do short term missions.
18. Be okay with never being called "babe", but instead being called numerous other, sometimes silly, pet names. No baby talking either...blech...we're both adults here.
19. Preferably a non-smoker/tobacco chewer.
20. Big, strong hands are a bonus...(Was that too far? Probably...Yeah, that was too far.)

I know it's a pretty exhaustive list, and some of the items are silly. I'm a goofball so what do you expect. As I said in the last post, some people may tell me to stop being so picky, but when it comes down to it, I don't want to be. I would rather be picky and single then un-picky and settle for some guy just because I'm tired of being alone. Not only would that be unfair to who Christ created me to be, but it would be just as unfair to that guy. How awful would that be to know that someone "settled" for them? It would be a sure fire recipe for disaster and most likely end in divorce. Not cool, and not for me.

I'll end with this. I wrote most of this yesterday evening, and was feeling kinda sorry for myself. Well, wouldn't you know it today as I was scrolling through my Facebook news feed I came across this quote from Lecrae, "Be patient. Being single is better than being in the wrong relationship." Whaaaaaaaa?! Talk about confirmation, Lord! Seriously, it brought such a smile to my face. Here I was wallowing in self pity and woe is me-isms, and God sends a brother in Christ rapper to write on his Facebook page the very thing that I needed to read to boot me out of my pity party. How amazing is that?! I actually thought about not posting this entry, but I thought no, maybe someone reading this is feeling the same and this post and it's ending will be as uplifting to them as it was to me.

Thanks for reading, and thank you letting me vent to you all.

Manda