Life is back to normal :)

I never knew how much I appreciated "normal".

We had Casey's funeral on August 5th, in California.

(Me with all my siblings and my Dad)It was therapeutic to see family, and to have closure to this tragedy.



On the way up from California, we spent a couple days at the Belagio in Las Vegas, to celebrate our anniversary (a little early).When we got back home, we visited with my Brother-in-Law, who was in town...

Then we celebrated our actual anniversary...And then we spent the week with my nephew, Caleb, who came up to visit after his father's funeral.

Busy. Busy. Busy.



This past week I've finally felt like life has slowly returned to normal.

I've cooked, and cleaned, and simply laid in bed and watched TV. Because I could.



During the past (crazy) month, I took a vaca from my diet. It was kinda annoying to me that amidst all the craziness of finding my brother, and making funeral arrangements, I was still obsessed with calories, and losing weight. I mean, seriously? I had just lost my brother, and the majority of my thoughts were still on, "I wonder how many calories are really in that donut?" I just wanted to take a break from it all. There is more to life then just calories and pant sizes.



And when I say vaca, I mean like no healthy thoughts entered my mind. I wasn't even trying to have the "balance" that I believe so strongly in.



Since Monday, I have been slowly trying to work in things like fruits and veggies...and things of the non-fried variety. Oh and water. Hello water! My body seriously did miss you. I still need to get my chunky butt back to the gym, and I am still horrified to step on the scale. I'm guessing I gained a good 10 pounds during my month long vaca.



It is good to be back to my :Deliciously Healthy life, and to bloggin' all about it.



THANK YOU for all of your support!

I heart you more then chocolate.

California, Cheeseburgers, and our new puppy!

I thought it had just been a few days since my last post, but it's been over a week! Yikes!

My husband recently got a new job, where he's traveling a lot. Last week, he was in California. I grew up in CA, and hadn't been back in 5 years! So, I decided to take a last minute trip, and tagged along with him! It was lots of fun, and I'm very grateful I got to go!
It also meant I got to spend my hubby's birthday with him!
(b-day dinner at Rain Forest Cafe)
There was lots of food temptation in CA! I wanted to eat all the food I grew up on, like In-N-Out!And I did.
I feel like I got back handed by a cheeseburger.
Truth of the matter is, I didn't exercise moderation while I was in CA. I went a little over bored on all the good food CA has to offer. I came home a little dumbfounded. I thought I had more control then that. I thought I had learned how to have a balanced life. I guess I still have a lot to learn...
Aside from the calories, isn't this the cutest caramel apple?
I gained 6 pounds during my stay in CA. Yikes!!
But 6 pounds isn't going to get me down. I've learned a lot from this experience. Like to never let my guard down. I'm going to move on, with my head held high. It's not the end of the world, and I will reach my goal!!

Besides being on vacation, there's another little thing that's been soaking up all my time...

Meet Moxie:Our new little puppy!
We now have 3 dogs! :
Kisses, a lab mix: Thumbalina, a Carin terrier, Poodle mix: and Moxie, a Pomeranian, Yorkie mix:House training is brutal, but we love her, and all of her puppy kisses!
Aren't puppy kisses one of the sweetest things in life?

Blast!

We got back from our vacation Sunday night.
We had a blast!!

We stayed at Moose Creek Ranch, right on the border of Idaho and Wyoming. It is absolutely beautiful there!I was in awe the entire time!

It was SO much fun seeing all my family, and being around so many relatives!
Everyone noticed, and
congratulated me on my weight loss! It felt like my hard work was paying off, and it felt pretty darn good!

I'd say my eating was about 50/50.
I did excellent on the road trip there! (THANK YOU for all your helpful tips!!) The snacks I brought were perfect, and kept me satisfied from Colorado to Idaho (which was a 10 hour drive),
I didn't eat "healthy" while I was there, but I kept an eye on my portions most of the time. There were times I passed up yummy goodies, and times I joined in on the fun!(moi eating an all natural chocolate ice cream cone)
I felt good about my choices, and most of all, I felt in control. When I made the decision that I needed to pass something up, I would, and I wouldn't think of it again. When I decided to partake in the unhealthy goodness, I didn't obsess over it, and enjoyed myself! I drank lots of water, and I felt like I was being pretty active. The ranch was big, with cabins, a club house, one large cabin, and horse stables, all spread out across the ranch. There was a lot of walking going on, between all the places. I felt like I was burning a ton of calories, walking around looking for my husband! Next time we go, I think we're going to have walkie talkies on us (we didn't have phone service), so I don't have to walk around the entire place looking for him, lol!

The road trip back on the other hand, wasn't so good. I was slightly annoyed that the healthy snacks I had saved for the trip back, were being eaten up by someone else. So, I ate what my husband was eating, which were chips, and M&Ms. Now I realize I could have worked harder to pick up new healthy snacks, but at the time I was annoyed, and I threw my hands in the air. BUT, I stayed away from the soda in the ice cooler, and drank water instead. For lunch I got a salad at McDonald's, instead of the big mac like I wanted!
I wish I had done better, but I could have done a lot worse!

All in all, it was an awesome vacation!
It was so nice to feel in control, and not obsess over calories the entire time!
What was even better, was not worrying about my weight the entire time! I wasn't embarrassed to have family see me, and
no energy or time was wasted worrying about my weight!
Instead, I was simply focused on visiting with family, and having a good time!(Moi riding a horse for the first time!)
***

"Blast!"
Was what I yelled out, when I stepped on the scale this morning and saw 168.
I gained 1 pound since last weeks weigh in....

But you know what? That pound is going to be lost, along with many others. It's not the end of the world. I had fun on my vacation, built lots of fun memories... and I gained a pound. It could have been 3. Heck, there have been times I came back from a vacation 7 pounds heavier!
I'm still pretty proud of myself!

Deliciously Healthy Road Trip

We're leaving in a few days for our family reunion!

The family reunion is in Driggs Idaho. I think it's about an 8 hour drive from Colorado.

I absolutely LOVE taking road trips!
I love being in the car with my husband and family, and all the laughing and playing around that goes on, on the open road. I love the music, and the scenery. I love the excitement, and counting down the miles left until you get to your destination!
One of the biggest things I used to love about road trips, was the food! I loved going to the store, and stalking up on lots and lots of snacks! I loved going into the gas stations, on a hunt to see what goodies I could find (it would seriously excite me). And I absolutely loved eating fast food for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
My goodness that's a lot of unhealthiness!

Eating those things hardly sound fun to me anymore
(high 5 to me;)
It gives me a tummy ache just thinking about it!

This road trip is going to be completely different from all the road trips I've taken!
It's going to be deliciously healthy!

I went to the store to load up on snacks, as I usually do before a road trip, but this time the hunt was on for yummy, light, healthy snacks!
Here's what I came up with :

• Grapes
• Cherries
• Carrots and snap peas
• WW string cheese
• Berry granola bars
• Wheat Thins
• And water to fill up my water bottle!

I think I'm going to pick up 1 or 2 more things.

What's your favorite part about road trips?
What do you like to bring on a road trip?

When we stop for fast food, I'm going to get a fruit parfait at either McDonald's or Chick-Fil-A for breakfast, and a salad or wrap for lunch at wherever we stop at.

I'm not sure how healthy I'm going to be able to eat while I'm there. I'm going to put a lot of my focus on my portions, like not eating my weight in my dad's mac-n-cheese :) Other then that, I'm going to make healthy meals when I can, drink lots of water, and it's my goal to go on a little hike each morning with the hubs!

I feel good about this.
Real good :D

***

Today's weigh in had me at 167, for a 1 pound loss!
I'm 1 pound away from losing 40 pounds!
WooHoo!

Psst... Scroll down to see my blog award post!