Our date night, a weigh-in, and an update

This past Tuesday, my husband and I went on our date to see the nutcracker.
Me in my reward dress!:It was such a fun night with my husband. After the nutcracker, we walked around Denver, and went out to a fancy dinner. I felt beautiful and girly in my dress. Joe kept complimenting me the entire night, and congratulating me on my weight loss. I was on cloud 9, and I felt so proud of myself!

***

Monday was supposed to be the end of cycle 1, and the beginning of cycle 2. Here's my final weigh-in for cycle 1:
(my starting weight was 190.4) On the 1st cycle, I lost 14.4 pounds!

Since Monday, I haven't been doing so good.
Monday I was busy, busy, busy, and didn't make time to eat. I didn't eat until 9pm! I was starving, and too tired to cook, so I had a burrito. Tuesday was our date night, and I just wanted to enjoy myself at the restaurant, and not eat yet another salad. I felt content with that decision. One fancy dinner wasn't going to kill me, or undo everything I accomplished on the 1st cycle. But of course that thought process spilled over into today. Today I've eaten 3 cookies.

UGH!

So now I'm trying to figure out what to do from here:
Continue on with the 2nd cycle, even though I haven't been doing well, and have gained back 2lbs?
Or go back to the 1st cycle for a few days to undo my bad behavior, and then start the 2nd cycle fresh?

Why did this have to go and get complicated? I was doing so well...

17 day diet- cycle 1, day 16: My Christmas dress

I was going to wait until Saturday or Monday to buy my dress, when I actually finished the first cycle. But I just couldn't wait. And I'm glad I didn't, because there was only one dress left! Luckily it was the size I needed.
I bought a clutch to go with:And a belt :) Now I just have to find a cardigan, and my Christmas outfit will be complete. Here's the outfit so far:If you're asking yourself if I hung my dress on the chandelier, the answer is yes. Yes I did.
I was going to take a picture of me in the dress, but my photographer is out of town ;) I'll be sure to take pictures on our Christmas date night!

This was such a fun reward for myself. I had fun putting it all together, and I absolutely love the dress! The bottom is flowy, and I couldn't stop twirling in it, in the fitting room.

I'm almost done with the first cycle, and I have to say, all the hard work has been worth it.

17 day diet- cycle 1, day 15: Switching it up

Friday is my last day on the first cycle. Since I had a couple less then stellar days last week, I want to extend the first cycle just a tad. I want Sunday to be the end of the first cycle, and start the 2nd cycle Monday. Call me crazy, but I just feel better about this for some reason.

I also decided to switch my reward for successfully ending the 1st cycle. Instead of getting that darling purse, I want to buy a Christmas dress for my reward. The hubby is going to take me on a date to see the nutcracker, and I want something festive to wear. Plus, with Christmas being on Sunday, I want something pretty to wear to church. I found a red sparkly dress (and a clutch to match;) at kohls that I fell in love with. I'm going to go back in the next couple days to get it! I'll most def take pictures :) That purse is definitely still going to be one of my rewards, though. I mean, that purse belongs on my arm. Maybe at the end of the 3rd cycle?

I've been reassessing my goal weight for the past couple months. My goal weight was 120 pounds; but when I look at pictures of myself at that weight, I just don't like the way I look.
120 pounds: However, when I look at pictures of myself at 140 pounds, I do.
140 pounds:So, my new goal weight is 140 pounds. It just feels right to me. I'm a women with curves, and I like that. I don't need to be a stick. With us trying to get pregnant, my 120 pound goal was stressing me out. "Do I try and reach that before we get pregnant?", "That's so far away!". A 140 pound goal seems very doable. After having a baby, I may take a second look at my 120 pound goal, who knows. For this time in my life, 140 pounds feels right.

40 Pound Reward- My First Pair of Red High Heels

When I was 206, I couldn't wear high heels.
And I really wanted to.
Really, really wanted to.

It's always been hard for me to wear high heels, because of my arthritis, but being 206, made wearing them impossible. It was way to much to carry around for my little, size 6, arthritic feet.

When I reached my 40 pound goal, I wanted... scratch that. I longed for a pair of high heels.
A pair of red high heels to be exact.

I finally found them.
On sale!
And I LOVE them!

Now, I just have to learn how to walk in them.
Right now it's pretty humorous to watch.

Hooray for 40 pounds gone,
and red high heels!

I feel fabulous!

Rewarding Myself (Homemade face mask/scrub and a treat!)

Lately I feel like I've been on a roll!
It dawned on me the other day, that
I'm actually doing this!

I feel so good inside, and I'm really quite proud of myself!
I'm taking care of myself for the first time in like...EVER!!

Last night I decided I wanted to reward myself, by doing something fun, and pampering myself!

What did I do?
I made a homemade face scrub and mask!

Honey Almond Face Scrub:4 tsp milk
4 tsp honey
4 tbsp ground almonds
mix and apply (makes 4)

Oatmeal Face Mask/Scrub:4 Tbsp. ground oatmeal (not instant)
4 tsp. fresh lemon juice
8 tsp. yogurt
Mix and apply (makes 4)
*This can be a scrub or a mask! (I used it as a mask)It was fun to make, and my skin felt so soft after!
Like seriously soft :D

Today I wanted to reward myself by making a
deliciously healthy treat for me and the hubs.
(I heart baking)

I made the hubs' favorite dessert, with a chocolate twist on it this time! (Because I also heart chocolate.)
Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cupcakes!I did the same recipe as before, only this time I used chocolate cake mix instead of white!It's oh so good!!
And only 220 calories!

It felt good to take a little time out to reward myself, and give myself a little high 5!
I have almost lost 40 pounds you know ;)
(I can't wait to take the "almost" out of that sentence! I'm gettin' there:)

Tomorrow I'm going to announce the GIVEAWAY winner on the original giveaway post!
You can still enter until midnight tonight!
Be sure to check it out tomorrow to see if you won!

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! ;D