Christmas + Family + Vacation = FOOD.

I love my family. A lot. They live in Florida and I live in Mississippi, so when we get together, we do it up right with copious amounts of beer, foods (fried and otherwise, I mean, c'mon, we're in the South), and family time.

These things are a recipe for disaster when it comes to getting healthy (and we wonder why my entire family has weight problems??). We ate so much seafood that I swear my blood is now probably super salty. And I'm pretty sure I drank my weight in Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus (it's why my dad happened to have around) and I also only managed to work out once while I was in FL - even though my dad has an exercise room RIGHT THERE on our property. Lazy - party of me.

However, somehow, I managed to weigh in this morning at 198.8. I guess I didn't do any seriously significant damage to my weight loss endeavors. But I'm just not sure how!

I ate these on Monday:

Please. Stare at their delicious cheesiness. Check out that homemade ranch dressing at the top left. Now, imagine the smell. I'm so upset there isn't a Cruisers anywhere near me. HELPFUL HINT: If you ever go to Jacksonville or St. Augustine, FL - you need to go to Cruisers Grill. But don't expect to stay on your diet. You need to eat those fries. And a burger. NOM. Please give me a moment, I need to wipe away some drool. ::Insert Elevator Music Here::

AAAAND WE'RE BACK. 

Basically, Christmas was great. I got to see my family, I got to eat yummy food, and my clothes still fit when I came back. Now, did I eat healthy food? No. No I did not. Did I exercise enough while I was there? No. No I did not. But dammit, It's CHRISTMAS. Jesus just likes me and wanted me to indulge in some yummy food before I get back in the saddle for 2012 - with my dad in tow (and hopefully Brian too)

I hope you had a wonderful holiday! Its almost 2012 - what are your resolutions?

It's Official

I doubted myself and my ability to actually complete this half marathon thing all week. Okay, more than all week. I've been doubting it since I had the idea to do it. As you can see by this ticker - it's getting close to decision time.

I weighed all of the pros and cons. Con: I haven't been able to train like I wanted. Pro: I have a friend coming from Oregon to do this with me. Con: 13.1 Miles is a LONG way. Pro: If I finish, I can SAY I've finished and feel like I made a huge accomplishment. Con: I don't exactly have the right equipment (attire, shoes, etc). Pro: I can GET the right equipment.

Eff it. I signed up and forked over $75 to run/walk 13.1 miles on January 7, 2012.

Now I guess I need to get my butt into as good as shape as I can before then. I went to the gym last night - did just over 5 miles and felt great afterwards - but my hip was a little sore. I need to look into what that's all about and how to fix it. I think getting new shoes will definitely help.

So now I need a playlist! I normally listen to TMR, but I think 13.1 miles calls for some constant pumped up music - anyone have good suggestions?

HOORAY!

I finally reached my under 200 lbs goal! I weighed myself this morning at a slim 198.8 lbs! WOOT!

No, seriously, I did a dance. I also woke up my sleeping husband and he gave me a high five. I then proceeded to text a huge number of my friends that I had finally made it under the 200 mark and I was 1 minute late to work because of it. Whatever - I'M UNDER 200 POUNDS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER!

CELEBRATION TIME!

5ks and December and New Pants - OH MY!

Greetings, world! It's been a bit of a busy time for me recently, so I apologize profusely for not blogging as much as I should.

First off - It's December. I have exactly one month to get my butt somewhat in gear for this Half Marathon thing. I'm scared. I can't run forever. 13.1 miles is forever. I haven't been able to run as much as I'd like because of this stupid cold/sinus issue. I did, however, run a 5k on Saturday! The Jingle Bell Jog benefiting the Children's Cancer Center at Blair E. Batson Children's hospital in Jackson, MS. I finished a few seconds faster than my last 5k, and I was sick and there were hills, so I'm not complaining too much.

Jingle Bell Jog 5k - 12/3/11

In case you were wondering if I won a medal this time...no. No I did not. Check out all of these people - and that's not even close to when the race was supposed to start! I didn't have an easy age group to compete again this time, so just finishing and getting a bag o' swag and a cool t-shirt was my "prize" this time. I'm okay with it.

I did the whole thing by myself. I don't think I like running races alone. I need a running buddy. Someone to keep me motivated or at least be waiting for me at the finish line. I also got kind of jealous because other people had husbands/wives on the sidelines cheering them on at different points in the race...I wish Brian would do that for me, but I get that it's early on a Saturday morning usually. Maybe one day he'll surprise me.

Anyway, thanks to all of this running I've been doing, I was in need of new pants to wear to work. I showed a friend of mine that I was able to dance like MC Hammer in my old work pants. These are even long enough, hooray! I love Loft. Fitting in Loft (and Anthropologie) was one of my motivators for losing weight. I haven't tried shopping at Anthro, but I can't wait! I hope something will fit *FINGERS CROSSED!*.

Oh and since it's December, here's me this morning. Sorry I didn't do this on the 1st...and I'm sorry my boobs look wonky, that bra sucks, it's more for sleeping.