Christmas Eve

Breakfast : Protein Shake

Lunch: 3 chicken tamales

Day five

So after our family Christmas, and not blowing it, I knew I could do it today...so here's what it's been so far...

Breakfast : protein shake with skim milk

Lunch : 2 turkey breast pieces

Dinner: four chicken tamales and asparagus


Snack: Fat free angel food cake with sugar free fat free pudding and cool whip.

Day four

Saturday, December 21, 2013

So today was our family Christmas on my husbands side.  Wow I thought I would blow it, but I did really good.

Breakfast a protein shake

Lunch tuna pouch and 5 crackers

Dinner Turkey and green beans.

Dessert angel food cake, with fat free/sugar free chocolate pudding and fat free cool whip

Made it through a party!  Yay!!!!!

Day Three

Day Three

Friday, December 20, 2013

I'm feeling pretty good today.  My energy is good, and so is my attitude.

Today I really tried to focus not on what I ate, but making sure I ate healthy and ate enough.

Breakfast was a protein shake with skim milk

Lunch was 5 crackers with cheddar cheese slices, and a package of tuna plain, with nothing in it. 

Dinner was chicken fajitas.  I had 2.  Plus some extra meat.

Go me!!!!!

My journey continues...

Day Two

Thursday, December 19, 2013

So today has gone about how I thought it would in one way, but nothing like I thoguht it would in another way.  After my realization last night, I thought today would be horrible.  I thought I would be totally down on myself and be so hungry I didn't know what to do.  But you know what?  I am surviving, and will survive.  By the time I get to my goal I will have a new lease and view on life, or at least that is my plan.

So I got on the scale, and it was right yesterday.  I wanted to double check, but it's still there. All of it.  But today, I am looking at things differently, I am looking at food differently, or at least trying to.  I am walking past all of the cookies, cupcakes, candy and extras that are lying around this time of year. 

I CAN DO THIS! I CAN DO THIS!  I CAN DO THIS!  I repeat this in my head constantly. I know I will be a better person both inside and out. 

I am not sure how exactly this blog will end up taking shape.  I don't know if it will always be about my journey or not, but for now it is. 

So with that, I am sure everyone is one the edge of their seats wondering what I have eaten so far today.... so here it goes.

Breakfast:  A protein shake - basically clean protein powder with skim milk

Lunch: (just eaten)  Lean Cusine Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo (yum!!!) and 1 chewy chocolate chip granola bar that has 25% less sugar. :)

Snacks: TBD

Dinner: Rotisserie Chicken and Salad.  Lite Balsamic Vinegrette dressing.  The salad had dried cranberries in it to!  Yummy!

I'll try to post what it was, and if I end up with some yummy receipes that are lowfat or low carb, or just heart healthy, I will let you know. I promise.  :)

If you have any to share, please feel free to let me know.  I am always up for a good receipe as long as it's healthy.

Take care!

Shelley

My new journey...

Day One

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

So my journey begins, again…Wow how many times have I said that before?  It’s true, for me at least.  I guess the basics are in order, who, why, where, when, what and how.  My English teacher would be so proud.  J

My name is Shelley Black, I am 37 years old.  I am a mother of one amazing daughter, and a wife of one loving husband.  Who I have to mention now, has his degree in Exercise Science and used to be a personal trainer. And I am fat.  With that being said, I know you are saying in your head it should be a piece of cake, but it’s not.  Yum, cake, that sounds good…and that there my friends lies the problem.  I LOVE TO EAT!  I am a sucker for food, but not the right food.  Sweets and Carbs.  They are (or were) my friends until now.  It’s officially, we are breaking up.  I know, I know, it’s a week from Christmas.  I know you are thinking I am crazy, but I have to prove to myself I can do it and that my friends, is why it is happening today. 

Wow, so I guess you need a few more basics about me.  Again I am 37 years old.  But thankfully I don’t feel that old.  I feel in my mid to late 20’s which is pretty good I think.  I am an avid runner, inside on the treadmill.  See we live just outside Houston, Texas in a place called The Woodlands.  And why yes, it got its name for the woods, it also gets to be hotter than the sun, and have some of the worst humidity.  That is why I choose to workout in a “controlled environment”. 

I never thought I would admit my weight, online for all to see, but again, I think for my journey to come full circle, I have to have a goal for all to know, and with that, you have to know where I started at.  My goal is to be healthy, and happy and weigh between 125-131.  That my friends would put me on cloud nine.  To get there, I need to lose 65.1 pounds.  So if you are good at math, that means I weigh 190.5.  Ok, so it’s out there.  Wow, I think I must have drunk some truth serum or something.  I never knew I would be brave enough to admit it.

And again, there lies my problem.  I hide behind what I think I should be.  Don’t get me wrong, emotionally I love myself and am comfortable with who I am.  Physically, well, not so much.  I don’t want to get to the point of no return.  I don’t want to be the one that people feel sorry for, although they already might.  I REFUSE TO BE THE “FAT” FRIEND!!!!!!!  It’s not me; it’s not what makes me happy.  And that is all about to change.  So, with falling on my knees in front of my God and asking him to help guide me through this journey and with the support of my family and friends I am going to SUCCEED!  I am going to be the person I want to be.   I have an extremely supportive husband, daughter, parents, sister, and friends, and I know that they will help keep me going in the direction I need to go.

Will you come with me?   I am taking a leap of faith right now, by documenting it all for the world to see.  It just takes one step, and you can start right now and have a friend to go with.  If you need support, let me know, if you need to scream or shout, let me know, if you need someone that can give you a pat on the back and support your goals and achievements, let me know.  If you need a hug, even if it is virtual, let me know.  All of these things we can support each other in.  I know I will need the support as it will be not only a weight loss journey, but a life changing journey as well.  Good luck my friends!

Your not for long fat friend,

Shelley 

Stationery card

Joyful Memories Christmas Card

Create unique Christmas cards with Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Neglect and Bluebonnets!

Wow, it has been more than just a while since I have been on this blog. I almost forgot my password. How sad is that. I think I have just been so busy with life that this blog hasn't had a chance. I have been reading all of the blogs I follow almost daily, but just haven't had the calling to come back to mine. Well, I can't guarantee that I will be on here daily, but maybe weekly, or at least monthly. There has been so much going on I don't even know where to start. So with that being said, I will post a recent picture of our family deep in the heart of Texas, in of course bluebonnets! They are almost done blooming, and they were beautiful this year!

Enjoy until next post!

Last weekend in pictures

Good friends, beautiful days, lots of fun!

So much to say, so little time

So, I have to admit I have been ignoring my blog again. Well, not really ignoring, I have just been busy. With what you ask? I don't know honestly, but I guess the writer's block has just been there. I have pictures from Cas' 6th birthday, but they aren't going to be posted now. They are at home on my other computer, so I will have to get them to share later. We have a six year old in the house now, and wow, has she grown up. Both physically and emotionally. I am amazed what a 6th birthday will do. The "little girl" that was five is gone, and now, the "big girl" that is six is here. She is still sweet, and loving, but she is getting more self sufficient. I can say that I am enjoying it more. We seem to get along better now. Call me crazy.

Anyway, I know that this is a rambling post, and without any pictures is a little boring. So I promise to be back and with pictures soon!

Until next post!

Where were you that fateful day?

Speaking from experience we all have that day, I remember vividly where I was when that first plane hit the tower on September 11th. I remember sitting out on the trade floor as I worked for an energy company at that time. I remember all of the televisions that were up around the trade floor to see day trading and the stock numbers. I remember hearing someone say "Oh, no what is happening?" to look up and see the tower starting to crumble in front of my eyes. I remember the horror of our faces as we watched a the plane hitting the tower and could see all of the smoke. I also remember the news crew that was there being speechless for a moment. Not knowing what to say or do. Then the real horror set in. A voice from our office said, isn't that where Jay Shaw was working?" We all started to compare conversations we had with our former co-worker Jay before he left and moved to NYC. You see, Jay went to work for Cantor-Fitzgerald, that was located in One World Trade Center, and had floors 101-105. All we could think of from that moment for quite a few moments to follow was maybe Jay didn't go to work that day, maybe he was sick or on vacation. We all started praying, praying for the people that were in the towers, praying for the emergency crews, and most of all, praying for Jay. Hoping that maybe he was one of the lucky ones. Well, I am sure that you are wondering and I do have to say unfortunately Jay's life was not spared. But with that being said, I do believe that Jay went to be with God that day. I do think he is a guardian angel.

After being what I felt was so close to the attacks that day, flash forward to April of 2011. Mike and I were planning our ten year wedding anniversary. We were discussing where we wanted to go. We talked about the beach, Las Vegas, and then Mike said what about NYC. I thought about it, and decided sure, why not. I had always wanted to go to NYC, and it seemed that it would be a great time to go. So, we planned our trip, and this past June headed out.

Little did I know how much that trip would mean to me. I was able to see Lady Liberty in all of her glory, and see Manhattan by day and by night, but most importantly, I was able to see Freedom Tower and see New York City recovering. It was an emotional but amazing trip.

I will never forget September 11, 2001.


(Above:Freedom Tower being worked on)


(Above: Lady Liberty as seen from the Top of Rockefeller Center, also known as Top of the Rock)

Until next post, where I promise to post more pics.

Please don't ever forget!

What's going on...

So I have been posting a little less these days. Guess life is just a little bit crazy. But today, I decided to tickle people by letting you know what is going on. We are officially a house of a first grader. It seems that I am back in school, between the homework and the artwork and projects, there is never a dull moment.

This past weekend was hotter than Haitis. (And I can officially say that as I have been to Haiti before). It was over 100 all weekend. So, we had to find other things to do. Why not, indoor, blacklight put put golf! We had a great time. It was so much fun. And I even got a few pics for you. I know you are excited.



Well, until next post, enjoy the pictures.

My first day of school for my first grader

Cassidy didn't have a huge change this year at school. She has in the sense of becoming a big first grader, but she didn't have to change schools, and she knows half of the class already. So for her, she just felt it was another day of school, except most of her friends were back. Next year will be different since she will be going to a different school, but I am not going to worry about that today. I get to my office around 6:00 in the morning, so I missed this first day of school, but next year I plan on being there, if Mike will let me. So, of course I am partial, but I have to say, my big girl was adorable! What do you think?

This first one was in the morning...


These two below are from after school. We did homework, and Cas even got an after school treat, homemade ice cream!





Until next post!

Old Pictures

I was looking through old pictures and can't believe how much my munchkin has grown up. Here is one taken from late spring. My little girl isn't so little anymore. And man, she has some legs on her. Don't know where the height is coming from, I am only 5'6 and Mike is 5'6. I have a feeling she will be taller than the both of us. Uh Oh! Well, enjoy until next post!

From May 4, 2011

Better late than never

I have a kindergarten graduate in my house. Did you know that? Cassidy was so cute on graduation day. I would love to freeze that moment in time. However, now it is already two months later, so I guess that won't happen. She did great. She even read word for word a saying that her teacher gave her. My baby knows how to read! YAY!!!!

Well, enjoy the pictures (sorry about the set up of them, but I am having issues!)
Until next post!

Celebrations

So, I just celebrated my 35th birthday. I know, I know, you want to hear all about it. And believe me there is a lot to tell. Luckily I remember all of it, and can tell you about all of it, unlike my 30th birthday.


Anyway, it was a great time had by all. I had my cousins Kelly and Chris and their kids, one of my best friends Patty her husband Mike and their daughter, and my other best friend Janine, her husband Edison, and their kids.


Needless to say, we did have a few drinks, but the most fun we had was playing Minute to Win It games! Everyone had a blast, and we even set up the challenge to win a coveted trophy. Well, I wish I could say that Mike and I one it, but we didn't. But, our friends Janine and Edison did. They kicked booty as a team.

Here are some pictures of the night.







Enjoy, until next post!

Cheer Camp

Cassidy and her cousin Bailey recently went to a cheer camp at our church. They had a blast! Here are some pictures from their fun.







Until Next Post!

A day at work...with Mom

Every year my office has an official, "Take your Kids to Work Day", and boy do they do it up right. It starts about 7:30 in the morning with breakfast and a book fair, and then the fun begins. the kids travel from room to room learning about Oil and Gas and what their parents do. There was so much this year. We learned about Geology, we learned about life offshore, and we learned how to take care of the environment, just to name a few. There was even a live owl when we went to learn about animals and the environment. Not to mention that Energenie (our mascot) was there. Cassidy loved Energiene, and had no problems getting her picture taken with him. Here are some pictures of my big girl at Kids at Work day 2011. I took some with my camera too, but don't have them ready yet. So, you will just have to enjoy the ones that are here thanks to the photographers from my office.








I will post some more of my own tonight when I get home.
Until Next post!

The Blue Man Group at Astor Place Theatre

While we were in New York went decided to go to a show. We are not real Broadway people, so we looked and looked until we could find something that both of us would like. We ended up with tickets to The Blue Man Group, and we were not disappointed. It was an amazing show and there was not a bad seat in the house. (Unless you didn't wanted to be covered in paint!) Luckily, Mike and I were sitting in the upper mezzanine and had an amazing view. The Blue Men even scaled the walls and came up to see us. WOW!









Until next post!

New York

Mike and I recently traveled to New York City for our ten year anniversary. Neither one of us had ever gone to NYC, and we really enjoyed it. Although it was a lot, and I do mean a lot of walking, since it was just the two of us we were able to take as much time as we needed. We packed everything we possibly could into two and a half days. I had to come home to rest! Anyway, here are a few pictures from our adventures.