202.4

Also worked out today. No sugar. Crab cakes for dinner, though, so not low fat:)

10 Pound Challenge 8 Week Update

Today, I weighed 203 lbs, with four weeks left to go.  So I have to lose 2 lbs a week between now and April 9th to be entered into the drawing.  I admit it is not likely.  But I hate failing at challenges, so I want to give it my best go.

On the other hand, Monkey and Football are only four months old, so they still get all their nutrition from breast milk.  So I don't want to restrict my eating in a way that might affect my milk production.  (At the end of April , when they turn six months old, I am starting Weight Watchers again.)

So here is my plan:

For the next four weeks I will:

1) Weigh myself every morning

2) Work out every day.  Weekdays will be at least 30 min in the pool; weekends at least 30 min of walking.

3) Eat no junk food.  If it is not highly nutritive, I don't eat it.  That means absolutely no cake, ice cream, sugar cereal, sugar in my oatmeal, cookies, or anything else that might come my way full of empty sugars.  I will continue to drink all the milk I want, and to eat all the meat, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables that I am hungry for.

4) Blog every day about my progress to keep myself accountable.

I started off today weighing 203 lbs, swimming 2 ten min sessions and walking 2 5 min sessions, and eating no refined sugar.  Only 27 more days left to go!

Week in Review - 3/4 - 3/11

Weight not going well - I weighed 201.4 lbs this morning.  More on my plans for this tomorrow.

Made it to church, and am plugging along in the Bible.  Am getting really bored of the battles of the Israelites, and they sure did have a lot of them.

Only worked out twice this week.  My hip is killing me, and I am exhausted all the time.  However, I know that if I would just start working out again, I would get more energy.  But I am so tired ...

Money is still boring and on track.

I got some shooting done!  We had a possum in the henhouse.  You have to kill them once they have discovered the chickens, or they will eat them all one by one.  So I shot it with a handgun using personal defense ammunition so as not to damage the house.  Not exactly target shooting, but at least I didn't miss.

My in-laws are in town this week, so posting will remain sparse.  Have a good one!

Free EBook Friday - The Awakening

This week's book:

Book it reminds me of:

Although they seem dissimilar on first glance, these are both novels about alienation and New Orleans society.  The Awakening doesn't have vampires, of course, but the quality of the writing is quite a bit better.  This edition also contains some terrific short stories that explore racial and social themes in a very modern way - it's hard to believe that Kate Chopin died in 1904.  If you liked The Help, you should get this just to read Desiree's Baby, her most famous short story.

Note: If you can't see the books, turn off AdBlock for this page.  Book prices are subject to change quickly; this book was free when this post went up.

Week in Review - 2/26 - 3/3

I weighed 200.6 lbs again today.  I worked out three times this week, so my goal is to up that to four next week.  Also, I brought home a pile of girls scout cookies, which I need to avoid until Mr. Goat eats them all.

My mom's party went well yesterday.  My uncle is still very sick but they are not sure what the problem is.

Everything else is pretty much on autopilot.  I am totally exhausted and both babies are asleep, so I am going to crash out.

Free EBook Friday - The Emperor's Edge

This Week's Book:

Book it Reminds Me Of:

Set in a steampunk-ish world, this is the story of Amaranthe Lokdon, a female law enforcer who excels at her job and desperately wants to break through the glass ceiling.  When the emperor's top adviser promises her a promotion if she can apprehend a notorious criminal, what can go wrong?  Forced into intrigues within intrigues, she discovers that all is not as it seems in the empire, and even within the palace itself.  Amaranthe must decide where her ultimate loyalties lie, and then survive the anger of all the other factions.

I liked this book so much that I purchased it in paperback for Christmas for my in-laws, who are also sci-fi/fantasy readers.  I've also read and enjoyed book two of the series, Dark Currents and Ice Cracker II, a collection of short stories in the world.

Note: If you can't see the books, turn off AdBlock for this page.  Book prices are subject to change quickly; this book was free when this post went up.

A Completely Legal Way to Get a Giant Tax Refund!

Give birth to twins at the end of the year.  (Hey, I never said it was frugal)

Our tax refunds (fed and state) hit our account today.  With them and the money I have saved over the past few months, I can top off our 2011 Roths and still have a 6 month bare-bones emergency fund!

I'm going to skip the details on the end of February's challenge (no more cleaning accomplished) and I'll give out Libester Blog Awards (thanks Allison) next week, because I am totally zoinked.  My uncle is in the hospital, my mom is managing his care, and I am managing the preparation for the 30 person luncheon she is giving on Saturday (agreed to long before my uncle got sick).  Bed time for me!