Weight Loss-February

Well, I am going to be a little more realistic with my weight loss blogging! I am going to MAKE sure to blog monthly...if I get more than great, if not I am okay with it!!
But, I have lost ten pounds!!! That is a whole big bag of potatoes, y'all! I am pretty excited. That was my goal, ten  pounds a month and I did it! Yay! I have also lost 18 inches!! That my friends is exciting, too!! I am very proud of myself and PLAN to keep up the hard work!

Advice:

1. Have self motivation! You have to want this on your own. While accountability is great for me, I have to want to change and can sneak anything at any time! I am motivated and want to get to my goal weight and stay there!
2. PLAN- It is key for me to plan my meals throughout the day. I must know what I am eating for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Don't leave your health or meals to chance. If you have a plan you're more than likely going to stick to it. This will leave less of a chance for you to eat something bad for you!
3. Water, Water, and more water-I have a water bottle with me somewhere, almost all of the time! The more I drink water, the less I drink cokes. It is a win-win for me!
4. Exercise-This is what I need to work on the most. I am getting 3-4 days in on the elliptical. But, the more calories you burn the less that are staying on your body!

I am still a work in progress but closer than I was before! 50 pounds to go!!

Weight Loss Monday

What a week last week was....Wooo! Are you ever just thankful that a week is over? Last week, I got sick for the first time in a long time! I was so bummed! I hate missing work, but we did get a snow day in there so that was good!! Anyways......I did really well eating healthy when I had an appetite! So, all things considered today was weigh in day! 

I lost 4.8 lbs! My sister who is in the journey with me lost 6 lbs!! I would say we both did great! So till next week...eat healthy, excerise, and have someone to keep you accountable! 

Weight Loss

This is something I don't want to write about, but know I need to. I am scared and know people judge me for how I look. I have always struggled with my weight. Let me stop and say now, I am not one of those people that thinks I am so ugly and everyone looks at me as a fatso. I have confidence. My weight has been something I just try to look past. But I know from family history, I need to get it under control. So, starting Monday my sister and I are going to begin a weight loss journey together. My goal is to lose around 60 pounds by the time school starts in August. Do you want to see my picture for motivation?

 

Here it is! This was my Freshman year of college!!

I was a little small here. In fact, this is the smallest I have ever been.  I had just done a little crash dieting for a friends wedding...my dress was ordered a couple of sizes too small. So, motivation and inspiration comes from this right here! I plan to blog about my journey. We will begin Let's Lose program in Greenwood. I want to let people know what I am eating, how I am exercising, and what I am doing to succeed! Please help to encourage and keep me accountable in anyway possible.  READY, SET, WEIGHT LOSS HERE I COME!!!

 

 

The past 6 months...

Wow....I promise I want to be better at blogging. It just hasn't been a priority for me! What have been my priorities lately? Well, I have focused on being an awesome aunt to two amazing nephews. It has been so fun to watch Roman, aka Romo grow. I have been blessed to watch my sister become a mother, too. Also, playing with Peyton and watching his mind get smarter and smarter has been exciting for this teacher. Speaking of teaching, I have a great class this year. I love my kids and this year has been fun. Then, I have spent time with my life group girls. The sad news is we only have 6 months left with time....I guess time flies when you are having fun! So, for now I will leave you with some pictures of the fast few months! Love you all.

Can you tell I love pictures! These are just a few! I plan on blogging more soon...some exciting stuff, too! :)

Baby Roman

Wow! Today or yesterday....was a wonderful, hetic, amazing day! We will never forget July 8th in our family!! Just to give you some background, Alexis was suppose to go the baby Dr on Friday only to find out her doctor had a family emergency. So, they rescheduled her appointment till Monday at 2. Taylor decided not to go because he has already taken off alot, so I was excited to go! I woke up after sleeping over 8 hours! Praise the Lord!! (More to come on this!) I called Alexis and she was not feeling well at all! She told me she was having some contractions and thought her water was maybe leaking. Then, she said she was going to lay down and for me to come about one. When I got there, she told me she had changed 4 times because of her leaking but her contractions were not consistent so there was no way she was in labor. We decided to head to the doctor early "just in case" she could be in labor. Just before we left I asked if she wanted to grab her bags or sit them by the door. She said yes but I need to put a few more things in them. If anyone knows Alexis she is a planner! I am talking down to the second planner! This was not normal for her but a God thing in my eyes!! So, she finished packing and off we went! I was excited to be with her and going to the baby doctor! We got there and walked in and Alexis looks down and says, "Amber, my pants are wet." We quickly went upstairs to tell the receptionist I was shocked how quickly we went back! She told the nurse and and she said, "Oh, honey I think you will be taking a trip downstairs." (labor & delivery floor). Then, in came DR right when he walked in water went everywhere. Of course, being the supportive sister I burst out laughing. I mean what else do you do. Alexis said I am so embrassed. The DR calmly stated, "Better here than at walmart." He then told Alexis her water had in fact broke and he was calling to get her a room now to get labor rolling. Things moved pretty fast...we were checked in by 2.....Sweet Baby Love was here by 9:18!! He weighs 6 lbs. 10 oz. He is 19 inches long.
Roman Case Sterling, you are so loved already! We are so glad you came into the world! I can not wait to watch you grow, learn, and love! Always remember your roots, build a relationship with Jesus, and love with all your heart!!

Forgiveness

I know I need to write this, but it is HARD. I know God's Grace is enough for me, but here is the deal. I have made so many mistakes. I mean people really don't even know. I am sure if anyone I go to college with reads this, they are like oh I know. But here is the real deal. God knows it all, and he forgives me anyway. Wow! It is so amazing to me. I mean I am one of those people that can make the same mistake 100 times before I learn that it is a mistake. But, God knew that and forgives me because his son Jesus died on the cross for me and my sin. I feel so many times that I am not good enough....guess what.... I am not. That is the neat thing about Grace. I don't have to do good works. What I do have to do is work harder to read God's word and get to know him better each day. I have to strive to live a life that will glorify him. All this to get me here:
These last few months have been a struggle for not only me, but especially my best friend. She has went through one of the toughest times in her life. She found out in September her husband was having an affair, then her Grandma unexpected passed away. This is what I can tell you without all the details. Her ex-husband had become one of my best guy friends. He was someone I could talk about sports with, trust to get advice from, and just talk to him. I can tell you this. I have been able to forgive him for the affairs, but he said some hurtful things to someone that means so much to me. I still see lots of times how these comments have hurt her. It breaks my heart. I know just like God shows me grace I need to do the same....it is just hard for me! I am praying that this forgiveness comes and that I can get there! I know I will. Isn't God's Grace a wonderful thing!

Summer Lovin'

Well, for anyone out there who has summers off you know it is wonderful! I love my summers! For a little recap, I finished my 5th amazing year of teaching! I had a great group of kids. They were respectful and sweet...I am sad to see them go to 6th grade. But, I left them a couple days early to go on a vacation with my bestie from college, Mayci! We left on Friday, May 31 and went to Cozumel. We stayed at Park Royal! This place comes HIGHLY recommended by me! If you want some where with sun and fun....go here! We loved it! We basically laid by the beach or pool and ate wonderful food! It was a relaxing and fun vacay. I will post a few pics, because pictures make everything better right?!?! Then I returned to do a week of Professional Development...no my favorite after a week off, but hey it actually was fun and educational. After this was over it was family time! My Dad's side of the family came in for Father's Day weekend. We had a baby shower for my sister and lots of fun family time! I love my family so much! Once this was over, it was my week with Nakia in Branson. We had a blast! She is so much fun and a joy to be around. Last week and this one, hopefully, are very chill weeks! I have had lunch and dinner with friends and just enjoyed laying out by the pool. So yes, I love summer so very much! Hope everyone else is loving summer as much as me!!