Project Get Fit

This is one of those posts that's easy to write, but so hard to publish! Because so many people I know in real life read this blog, it can be difficult to be so open and honest on here. It's a very vulnerable feeling, but I'm hoping that writing about this will hold me accountable.

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I've always considered myself lucky to have a very good metabolism. I have a major affinity for junk food and have always allowed myself to enjoy the delicious foods in life. I was able to keep my weight and size down without even having to exercise! Pure bliss! But, after I graduated college, I noticed my metabolism was starting to slow down. When I got my first job at the law firm, I began eating at the food court every day (hello, Moe's!) and the extra pounds appeared in no time. Then we moved to California, and a few more pounds joined in! Before I knew it, I had gained 15 pounds in the 2 years since our wedding (I know that's not a huge number but I'm 5'4 so it's definitely noticeable) 

Source: someecards.com via Julie on Pinterest

Since adding on the extra weight, I've avoided certain things. I feel uncomfortable in shorts and bathing suits, so I avoid the pool and beach at all costs. And when you live in beautiful sunny California, these are places you should enjoy every weekend! This is what made me want to change- to put in the effort and actually stick with it this time. I'm tired of being so self-conscious. 

I'm never going to cut out certain foods for good. I absolutely believe in moderation, and I think by completely depriving yourself of something you love, well, it'll only make you want it more. So I've begun to eat healthier during the week and then splurge a little on the weekends.

Source: hungryrunnergirl.com via Julie on Pinterest

Today was my first day of boot camp. And now I'm on the couch, unable to move. But I did it! I was SO nervous going into it, but they were all incredibly nice. When I told them it was basically my first day of seriously working out (ever), I could see the fear for me on their faces! It was absolutely the hardest thing I've ever physically done, but I'm proud to say that I stayed through the whole thing! The instructor told me that most first-timers quit before it's over (which I seriously considered doing!) I definitely had to stop at times and catch my breath, but at least I finished! However, I despise burpees.

(I found a deal on Groupon for 6 weeks of unlimited classes for $45! Isn't that incredible!? If you live in SoCal and are interested, email me and I'll let you know the details! The Groupon ends Thursday)

So, now that y'all know my insecurities and personal feelings (ahhh!), I'm hoping that writing about it will keep me accountable and maybe motivate others. For more inspiration, head over to Lindsey's blog. She posted about this same issue a few days ago and has really encouraged me to write about it, too! If you are going through the same thing, let me know and we can encourage each other! If I can do this, anyone can :)

Living Room Makeover

After we finished the dining room, we realized the living room needed to coordinate! {This was actually my plan all along, but for the sake of my parents' sanity, I had to slowly string them along :) } The only thing that stayed in the room was the piano...I wanted to paint it black, but they weren't too keen on that idea! The room is kind of awkward because the windows are off-centered, but we found a few things to help fill the gaps.

Before:

(really terrible picture + was in the process of adding/removing stuff + cover on couch for pet hair)

After:

Furniture & Rug: Rooms to Go

I am DYING for these tables, but Rooms to Go doesn't deliver all the way out to California :(

Lamps: Target

Books: Used Bookstore   Hourglass: Kohls

Pillows: Rooms to Go

Star: Hobby Lobby

Curtains: Target

Hurricane vase: Target   Candle: Kohls

Birdcage: Homegoods   Candlesticks: Target 

Plant: Hobby Lobby (I painted the pot black)

Picture: Hobby Lobby  Large frame: Walmart   

Lamp: Walmart ($10!!)

Journal: A sweet gift from my mom's friend, Carolyn!

Ellie the Elephant: Old Time Pottery (We LOVE her)

Mirror: Homegoods

That's all the room makeovers for now....until my next trip home!

Just kidding, Dad! ;)

Dining Room Makeover

While I was home, there was a little window of time where my mom felt pretty good. So we decided to make the most of it and enjoy our favorite hobby- decorating! I have been begging my parents for a while to let me re-do their dining room, and they were finally up to the challenge! It had been 20 years since anything in this room was touched, so it was definitely time.

Before:

After:

Furniture: D&M Furniture, Woodstock, GA

Charlie's new obsession, the beautiful rug

Rug: Homegoods

Boat: Homegoods  Balls: Hobby Lobby

Curtains: Target   Picture: Homegoods

Letters: Photographer stand in Savannah, GA   Frame: Target

Mirror: Homegoods ($29!!!)  Vase: Old Time Pottery   Candlesticks: Target   Candles: Kohls

Wrought Iron: Hobby Lobby

Curtain pulls: Target   Beadboard: Home Depot

As a rule, we only shop at inexpensive stores, which consisted of Homegoods, Hobby Lobby, Target, Walmart, and Kohls. We don't even go in the pricy stores, it's just not worth it! The beadboard is my favorite part. We simply bought the panels from Home Depot, my dad cut them to size and nailed them on, and I filled in any minor gaps with caulk. It cost less than $100, and we were so happy with how it turned out! I think if I could do college all over again, I'd get my degree in interior design. It's funny how much my mom and I enjoy it....we are giddy throughout the whole process! 

We also finished the foyer. Just a few little touches and it looked completely different!

A drawing of our house, reframed

Cross: Hobby Lobby

Mirror: Walmart   Table: Old Time Pottery

I'll be back tomorrow with their brand new living room!

Life Updates

I'm back in California! Here's the story of the past week. 

Last Monday, we found out my mom's first bloodwork results. As I told y'all before, her TSH levels had to be at least 30 before she could have the radioactive iodine/whole body scan, and we found out on Monday that it was only 3. We were stunned and sad, and pretty much moped around for the rest of the day. We were so worried that if she felt like she did at 3, what would she feel like at 30? Or higher?

We got the amazing news on Tuesday that her 2nd bloodwork was at 20.7!! Now we were stunned and SO HAPPY! The amazing part was that she really didn't feel different than she did at 3, so we were hoping that her symptoms wouldn't get worse as her numbers increased. The amazing part through it all is that her symptoms weren't as horrible as we had expected- they were still really bad, but not the nightmarish things we had read about online. Typical symptoms during hypo hell include severe headaches, body aches, exhaustion, nausea, vertigo, hair loss, hallucinations....all really scary things. My mom has experienced lightheadedness, lack of energy, and pretty bad vertigo. She can't stand up or walk without getting very dizzy and nauseous, but compared to what we were expecting, this was manageable. She simply didn't walk around unless it was necessary. 

Once we found out she was at 20.7, we assumed that she would reach 30 by the next blood test, which was on Thursday, meaning she would have the radioactive iodine/body scan the following week. And we figured since she didn't feel much worse at 20 than she did at 3, she may feel about the same at 30+. So I started thinking about going back home to California a little early.

I had been gone exactly a month, and it's an understatement to say I missed Doug and the fur babies. But at the same time, I felt SO guilty for leaving my mom, just like I felt SO guilty for being away from Doug for so long. It's a very weird feeling- desperately wanting to be in two places at once. This past month has been the hardest, weirdest experience where I've basically felt every emotion possible, simultaneously. I was being torn in so many different ways. I was missing my life in California, yet I was so happy to be back home with my family. 

Once we decided it was time for me to go back home, I thought that surprising Doug would be fun! I had always planned on going back after my mom's body scan, so he wasn't expecting me for another week. So on Friday, I called him during his lunch break and told him he had to stay at our house for another 20 minutes because I was expecting an important package. 15 minutes later, he opened the door to a long-lost wife.

I have spent the past few days kissing them all non-stop. My sweet Maisy has been permanently attached to my hip, per usual, and Pep and Diego have been extra snuggly. I was shocked at how big Diego has gotten, I feel like he doubled in size!

As for my wonderful mom, her 3rd blood results were 37.7!! She is scheduled for the radiation tomorrow (Tuesday) and body scan on Thursday. Please pray for the scan to be clear so she can be done for a year! And thank you all for the support and encouragement y'all have given all of us. I am so blessed to have made so many real friends through this little blog.

Even though a huge chunk of my heart is in Atlanta, it's so good to be home.

Girl's Day on Balboa Island

I don't know about y'all, but I could really use some happy/pretty pictures right now. Before I came home to Atlanta (a month ago!), I had a girl's day with my sweet friend Britney. 

We strolled around Fashion Island in Newport Beach, then spent the rest of the day wandering the streets of Balboa Island. Balboa is both Britney and I's favorite place in California, and like true bloggers, we walked around for hours with cameras attached to our faces. 

OBSESSED with this door.

Y'all know my posts aren't complete without cute pictures of animals! This little lady greeted us as we walked by.

Cute Britney!

Britt posted about our day, too! You can see her beautiful pictures here.