My dad's 52nd Birthday

This past weekend we spent the weekend celebrating my Dad's birthday. We went to a local resort to take advantage of a sunny Saturday. We decided to go through the free zoo!! It was actually really nice! We ended up paying the  15$ a person to go through the animal nursery/barn. We had so much fun! We enjoyed getting to be up close with the animals and getting to learn a little more about them. I fell in love with a sloth and a fennec fox.

My Dad petting an alligator

The animal nursery lets alpacas, deer, pigs and chicken run through the barn freely. They are so friendly and sweet! They were hilarious to watch. The poor deer thought she was the mother of the pigs and continuously licked them.The deer was super friendly, case in point, she wouldn't quit eating my dress or my dad's shirt.

My Dad and Hubs playing with the deer.

We ate dinner at the ski lodge and it was so yummy! I had a flat bread pizza with blue and goat cheese, apple slices and a garlic crumble. Justin and I split a cast iron cookie dessert, it was maybe the best dessert I have ever had. I am sure it was low in calories -  HAHA!

 My parents stayed with us Saturday night and my brother was able to join us for brunch Sunday morning. I made pot roast hash, we had cupcakes and gave my dad his gifts after brunch. It was one of the best family days, and a great way to celebrate my dad! 

Goals and Weigh In

Happy Monday! We had the best weekend with my parents and brother celebrating my Dad's birthday. More on that tomorrow...
Our wonderful weekend ended with Justin and me getting a nasty cold. Luckily, I have off today so I am resting and doing some laundry. Poor Justin was up at 5am and leaving for work shortly after. I am ready for this crud to leave this house!

I did make it to weigh in yesterday, I didn't stay for the meeting because I didn't want to pass my crud to everyone. Drum roll please... I lost 3 pounds. YEAH!!!!  Now, you may remember that last week I gained 4.5lbs, so I am working on losing what I gained back. But, a loss is a loss and I am celebrating!

Last week I started my first weekly goals list - 
1. I did pretty well with the water, I slacked a little over the weekend. I did do Ok on my green tea too -but I could have did better.
2. I did pretty well with this one too. Again, the weekend was a little off, but I am proud of my fruit of veggie intake.
3. I failed. No exercise :( I am really struggling with this. I am not sure if it is because it is dark outside when I get home, the weather has been horrible or what - but I have to start moving. 
4. I kicked butt on this one. Even my cook was impressed. She made my favorite homemade mashed creamy potatoes. I HAD NONE!!! Talk about will power!
5. I also did great here! I packed all my lunches and breakfast. It is much easier to watch my points and what I am eating if I bring it from home. 
6. I did pretty well here, too! I really watched my snacking and if I had to have something - I went for a fruit or a veggie. 
Last weeks goals

1. Drink 72 ounces of water a day

       My trusty water bottle will have to go everywhere with me. I will also have a glass of hot green tea every  morning to help keep things moving and with the water intake!

2. Have a fruit or veggie with every meal and snack.

        I love fruits and veggies, I just have to be mindful and have an option ready to go during the day. 

3. Do 90 minutes of exercise (through out the week)

        It is supposed to be in the 50s towards the end of the week, I hopeful we can get a walk in with the dogs. If not I have the Jillian videos.  

4. Do not eat anything from work

      This is hard. Our cook is amazing and the treats are plentiful. But it isn't worth it. Thin taste so much better. I have to have my healthier treats and options ready just in case the mood for something sweet happens. 

5. Pack all my breakfast and lunches

     Be prepared the night before. Simple. 

6. No mindless late night snacking

      If I want to save points for a nightly snack I need to make sure it has a fruit or veggie and is low in points. No more snacks, just because. 

So this brings me to next this week's goals...

1. Water, keep the 72 ounces intake daily.

2. Drink two Green Tea's a day

3. Write down everything I eat, drink or taste. 

4. Eat nothing from work

5. Get moving. Let's try smaller - let's do 30 minutes this week.

These goals may seem silly to you, and they maybe. But it is working. Taking each week, week by week is really helping me. Are you setting goals? Tell me about them if you are!

My new favorite Pins...

You may or may not know, I am a Pinterest Addict. I love laying in bed long after the hubs and dogs are snoring softly and browse Pinterest.  I love finding things that are portent to my life and actually helpful. If you don't follow me on Pinterest, you should! Here are a few Pins that may help you!

Need Snack Ideas? These may help....

Want to reward yourself? Debating on what to do?  How to keep track of the rewards -
Here is a cute idea






What are some of your favorite ways to stay motivated? Favorite Pins? Are you on Pinterest? If so let me know. Feel free to follow me! 

Valentine's Day Recap

I love country music. Ok, I love all music; but old school 90s Country Music, it is my roots. My poor husband loves my love of old school country music, heheh.  I have always said if Sammy Kershaw ever came close to my area we'd go. I love love love the Kershaw's song Queen of my Double Wide Trailer, along with all of his music really. By chance a few months ago I was on his webpage and realized he was coming 90 minutes north of us, I was so excited.

Sammy, along with Joe Diffie and Aaron Tippin, preformed on Friday the 14th at The Capital Theater. Since the weather hasn't been the best  we decided to just stay the night near the concert and having a relaxing weekend. We both took off Friday, enjoyed sleeping, having Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and being able not to rush. We got our bags in the truck and headed north. Our first stop was to drop off some stuff to Justin's dad and visit with him for a few minutes. Since it was Valentine's Day we decided to have a nicer late lunch and not really do dinner in hopes to beat the crowds. We decided on a Japanese Steak House that we love and enjoyed being the only ones in the restaurant!  After our bellies got full we got back on the road. We made it to our hotel, checked in and got settled. We just so happened to being stay next to a Cabela's (yeah, I planned it!) so Justin was eager to make that our first shopping stop of the weekend. We did a few hours of shopping there and then headed back to our room to get ready to go.

I have been scouring some of my favorite online boutiques for a perfect date night dress. And finally found it at So Lola . It was my first time ordering from the lovely boutique and couldn't have been more happier with the customer service, quality of clothing and adorableness.

Jacket - Oldnavy, Dress So Lola, Leggins Torrid, Boots Fergie

While in the concert some snow came down so we slowly made our way back to our hotel room, we were both of hungry so we stopped at Sheetz to get some MTO and crash. We were both up way past our bedtimes lol. We woke up the following morning to an amazing deluxe continental breakfast. If you are looking for a family friendly, affordable and amazing customer service hotel chain, I can't say enough nice things about Microtel Inn and Suites. We left the hotel and went to meet friends for lunch in a nearby town and spend the rest of the afternoon shopping. We found lots of great deals and were able to enjoy the weekend just relaxing and being together. It was nice to just have a small getaway and really relax. Sometimes it is nice to just have nothing to focus on but each other and having fun.

How'd you spend your Valentine's Day? 

Starting the Week off Right...

The weather finally was nice enough on a Sunday for Weight Watchers to be on. I was excited to go because I knew the last two weeks have not been the best for me. I know WW works, but part of the working (For me)  is going to the meeting and weighing in. I have said it many times that I need the support, accountability and gentle pressure from the meetings. ( I say pressure with love). I sadly gained 4.5lbs over the last two weeks. I would say a majority of the weight gain came from this weekend ... cookies, doughnuts, coke a cola, Mexican food, 750 calorie milkshakes, Japanese food... This Valentine's Day was spent indulging... a little too much ... I am ready to kick this week's ass though. Starting today.

I have been saying for the past week that I wanted to do I wanted to weekly goals, something to keep me accountable week by week and also make me healthier. So the goals are... ( I will reevaluate Monday, February 24)

1. Drink 72 ounces of water a day

       My trusty water bottle will have to go everywhere with me. I will also have a glass of hot green tea every  morning to help keep things moving and with the water intake!

2. Have a fruit or veggie with every meal and snack.

        I love fruits and veggies, I just have to be mindful and have an option ready to go during the day. 

4. Do 90 minutes of exercise (through out the week)

        It is supposed to be in the 50s towards the end of the week, I hopeful we can get a walk in with the dogs. If not I have the Jillian videos.  

5. Do not eat anything from work

      This is hard. Our cook is amazing and the treats are plentiful. But it isn't worth it. Thin taste so much better. I have to have my healthier treats and options ready just in case the mood for something sweet happens. 

6. Pack all my breakfast and lunches

     Be prepared the night before. Simple. 

7. No mindless late night snacking

      If I want to save points for a nightly snack I need to make sure it has a fruit or veggie and is low in points. No more snacks, just because. 

These goals are something I know are attainable. They will require effort and work, but a little work isn't a bad thing! In our WW meeting the leader was talking about looking at one week at a time, something I am big on. So here is my next attempt to making me healthier. How was your weekend? Any indulgences? Please tell me I wasn't the only one who got caught up in the romance of food....

Update....

We woke up to more snow. They are saying the worst will be over by 2 and there isn't snow in the forecast for days so I am happy! I haven't minded the snow this year but I am ready for spring and sunshine!

My bedroom window view at 7am


 

I have been in a funk this week. Justin has worked late two nights, work has been shoving yummy food in front of my face and I haven't been getting my water intake in as well as I should. Weight Watchers was cancelled due to snow on Sunday and I have went downhill since then. We are heading out of town for the weekend and my hope is to eat well while not being home. (not that being home helped this week) I am nervous and dreading weigh in on Sunday :(

I also was hoping to do a goal post this week, and as you can read, that didn't happen.  Already failed on that goal, lol. But I am going to work on it this weekend and get it up for Monday! 

I am going to go make a cup of coffee and get ready to head to work. Stay safe and warm, friends!

Absent...

I am still here! I have came down with a horrible cold and have been exhausted.  I have been sleeping as much as possible and work has been non stop so I have been staying late getting things done. I am hoping for a regular post tomorrow!
                               

5 on Friday

I am linking up today for 5 on Friday!  I hope everyone has a great weekend!

1. Guess what is in the forecast this weekend?? More snow! Justin and I have been getting extra snow clothes the past few days, we usually have one good snow storm a year and then flurries here and there. Not this year!
 

We love our new house but wish it had more land! We have been riding our 4 wheeler when we can and I am hoping we get enough snow this weekend to go sled riding :)

2. Goals - I am working on my goal post (haha blog post, not football). I am hoping to have it ready for Monday! I am going to try and break up my goals in to two week increments. I am hoping that helps me stay on track.  Small steps, small steps.
                                                       

3. I have been asked a few times if I have any other form of social media that I use regularly. I am a huge Instagram fan! If you are on Instagram come find me! I post lots of dog pictures and pictures of silliness! It will let you get a better look at my daily, boring life. And let you meet Olive and Buster!

4. I made another Pinterest project last night. My poor husband has been at work for the last 24 hours straight :( So I got crafty while he was away.  I wonder if he will even be awake enough to notice ( I put it in the bathroom)

http://supersavingsblog.blogspot.ca/2012/02/my-husbands-valentines-day-gift-i-love.html

 5. Friday is my meal planning day. I am in desperate need of some ideas! What meals are you making that you love and that are healthy? So far I know I am making these:

YUMMMM

Don't these look so good?

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!! 

Diet Bet Results

So Diet Bet is over.... and..... drum roll.... I won :) YEAH!!! On Wednesday morning I weighed in at 271.4, a total weight loss of 11.6lbs. I am happy with that. I had a tough week in the middle of the bet but I was able to pull out of it, get my head on straight and really buckle down and lose it.

I will submit my official weigh in pic to diet bet Thursday morning because I just got the word verification email so my official weigh in weight maybe down a little more :)

I honestly have to say that my expectations of Diet Bet have surpassed anything I could imagine. The out pour of support and well wishes has been a HUGE motivator for me.  I was a Diet Bet newbie and now I am hooked! 

Sadly, the weather did not allow me to get active like I hoped. No excuses really on why I didn't use my at home stuff. I hate using equipment to exercise and the motivation the last few weeks to go and do it hasn't been there. I know that I am going to have to really step it up with movement and exercise to keep doing well with the weight loss. But right now I am conquering my food issues, and I am happy to report I am doing so much better with my choices! Tracking and writing down everything I eat has been a huge eye opener. It really has cut out on mindless snacking and junk. 

As far as measurements go (measurements in inches)

Left Thigh - 32.5 - 31 - lost 1.5 inches

Right Thigh 31 - 30  - lost 1 inch

Bust 48 - 47 - lost 1 inch

Waist 49- 48 - lost 1 inch

Left Bicep - 15 - 14 - lost 1 inch

Right Bicep 14.5 - 14 - lost .5 inches

For a total of 6 inches gone! And let's be honest if I would have moved more, I would have lost a lot more!

I don't see a lot of change in my pictures and my close still fit the way the did a few weeks ago, (I wish the grey shirt I wore in the first pictures wasn't MIA - the two grey shirts are literally a size different, so they fit a lot differently) but that isn't discouraging to me! I am losing weight the healthy way and I am doing it the right way.  The scale is moving and  I am happy. I know I will get to celebrate some none scale victories soon enough! Right now I am treasuring my scale victories! 

I have been doing well on Weight Watchers, and I will continue to go to meetings (apparently I do better with support lol) and count points. I also will continue to blog about my weight loss(http://cassiechole.blogspot.com/) and I am also going to sign up for another Diet Bet. (If anyone else is going to please email me or leave me a comment and let me know what bet you are starting/joining - I am up for anything!)

I am proud to say my water intake is at least 70 ounces a day. Just in water (not counting fruits, coffee or hot tea). I am not sure if I got 70 ounces in week before Diet Bet. I am also signing up for my first 5k! I am not going to pay money for something and not do it, so I might as well get busy and motivate myself.  I am going to sign up for a May race, hoping the weather breaks in March and I am able to get outside! 

Honestly, I think what has helped more than anything is knowing that I have to check in here every week. Having someone to hold you accountable is huge. Since this is now over, I have asked a friend of mine and my husband to help me stay accountable. And I am asking all of you bloggers to keep checking in, I love hearing from you!  If I could offer any advice to help you get started it would be track everything you eat, up your water and surround yourself with an amazing support system! Thank you for supporting me and helping me lose 6 inches and 11.6lbs in 4 weeks! 

Quick Notes

Things are very busy at work but I wanted to check in - please excuse the bullets but this is the fastest and easiest way to recap y'all

1. Diet Bet - It is over.. Not keeping anyone in suspense but SkinnyMeg will be posting our official results tomorrow.  I will post them when she post them :)

2. Biggest Loser. I will not spoil it for anyone who hasn't watched it yet. But what were your thoughts on Rachel. Personally, I thought she looked a little to thin. She looked great when she left the Ranch and I think she got a little carried away once she went home. Her arms, her face... It just isn't healthy.


















3. Snow. Oh my goodness, the snow. It is finally just raining here today, but tonight they are calling for more snow! Luckily we have made it to work safely everyday so far and haven't had any major issues. I am thankful for 4wd and a husband that gets the best snow tires every year. (After the sticker shock wears off, lol).


4. Welcome! I have had a lot of new readers this week leave me awesome messages and the sweetest emails! I am working on a way for you to get my post via email for those who asked. That is my goal this week is to get an email feed up and running!

5. Meal Planning. This week has been a bit tricky. I have made meals, but because of snow days, getting help up at PTA meeting till 8 and company - dinners haven't got as planned. But I have counted every single thing and am happy to report I stayed on track!

6.  Water intake is going well. I finally feel hydrated - I can't believe how much water makes a difference in how I feel daily. I have some new weekly goals I am going to be posting on Friday. I am going to start doing two week goals and seeing how they work. Stay tuned :)



7. How are you?! What is going on with your weight, weigh-ins and goals? Leave me a  comment and let me know!

Happy Monday

Happy Monday from a snowed in WV girl. We got 13 inches of fresh snow last night and into today. It is beautiful. For the first time in years my school was closed so everyone is enjoying a snow day! I burnt a few calories by shoveling out the driveway. Came inside to warm up, eat a fresh berry salad, Lean Cuisine and catch up on housework :)

This was at 6:45am. 

Looking out my driveway after my husband left.

I went to Weight Watchers yesterday, down 3lbs :) I am happy with that. Diet Bet ends this week, I am excited to post my numbers and take my measurements to see how I have improved. I know I am not going to see big results on my measurements because I haven't been moving as much as I should be, but the scale is moving down so I will take it, for now. 

How was your Super Bowl Sunday? I am a Seahawk fan so I was happy. ( I love the city of Seattle) Although, I do love Peyton. I was happy Seattle won. We didn't do much, we both took our designated spot on the couch and watched the game, the not so great commercials and enjoyed watching the snow come down!

What yummy snacks did you make? Any that were low calorie and healthy? 

Have a great Monday, friends! Let me know what you are doing to keep your week on track!