Two Big Life Changes, Part 2

I promised part 2 of this post and here it is.  This post, especially, is incredibly personal but I just love you all so much that I wanted to share.  Also, if I had to guess, I am thinking that many of you will be able to relate to this.

My previous blog post was about my first big change of going back to work full time.  If you haven't read it, you really probably should!  LOL!  It has been an adjustment but we are all making it through!  So, here is my second big change!

I turned 40 last year, which means I turned 41 this year.  Just doing the math for you!  Something weird happened to my body when I turned 40.  I swear it was on that very day, October 2nd.  Seriously.  My body changed.  I don't know how else to explain it.  I didn't change my workouts.  I didn't really change my eating.  But, suddenly, I started gaining weight in places where I never had a problem before.  40 has done really weird things to me!  I started gaining this weight around my middle.  I started having hot flashes.  I started forgetting things.  What is happening to me? Do NOT say the m-word, anyone!  I will hurt you!


So, not only did I decide to go back to work full-time and completely disrupt my life in that way, I also decided Day 2 of my job would be a great day to start Day 1 of my new eating plan.  I hate, hate, hate the word "diet", so I refuse to use it.  I am on a "new eating plan."  Yes, that sounds much better.  My new eating plan is called Ideal Protein.  Partial meal replacement, lots of protein, zero (and I mean zer0) carbohydrates outside of certain veggies and no wine.  Yes, you heard me!  No wine!!  It has now been 15 days (not that I'm counting), since I have had Mommy Juice.  

Since starting the new job and the new eating plan, I have thrown three temper tantrums.  Have you seen a 40-year old, oops, 41-year old woman throw a temper tantrum??  My mom now has!  They have been complete with feet stamping, tears and yelling "I am an adult.  I can drink wine if I want to!"  Self-discipline is my strong suit.  I can train for half-marathons, I can get up at 4:30 every day to work out.  Eating is a whole other story and I am finally coming to terms with the fact that I am, indeed, an emotional eater.  

But, I have stuck with it.  The silly body analyzing machine tells me I have 18 pounds to lose.  Well, then 18 it shall be!  I have only cheated with 2 tortilla chips.  No, not eating tortilla chips twice.  I have literally eaten 2 tortilla chips.  

My results, you ask?  At my two week weigh-in I had lost 6 pounds and 8 inches!!  8 inches!!!!!!!  I was jumping up and down like a little girl!!  Through all the tantrums and the haze of not having any carbs (although you really are full on this eating plan due to all the protein that you have to eat, and their food is surprisingly really yummy!), I am finally tackling my final frontier on the health front.  

Why am I sharing this story of mine?  Well, I feel like we are all in this crazy life together and sometimes it is nice to know that everyone has their own struggles.  For me, right now, this is my struggle.  I have taken great inspiration from other women's stories.  My friend, Heather, is an amazing inspiration.  She went from no running to half-marathons to tri's to who know's what is next!  She may not know it, but she inspired me to run my first half!  My friend, Hilani, inspires me daily in running my own business.  I have friends who inspire me to be a better mother, a better wife, a better friend.  

I guess what I am trying to say is this:  If I can tackle this silly eating plan and stick to it and have success, you can tackle whatever it is that you are challenged with!  And you can stick with it.  And you can have success!! 

p.s.  I just signed up to run my 3rd half-marathon.  I swore I'd never do another, but here I am.  Up for my next challenge!  What is yours?? Let's do this together!   

Two Big Life Changes, Part 1

So, this blog post isn't going to be necessarily about fashion.  I do have one brewing on blazers for fall, though!!  Oh, I am loving any and all blazers.  They are everywhere and if you don't have one, please find a cute one and buy it!!  Found two really great ones at TJ Maxx that I will update on later.  But, this post is more personal and more for me.

I have had some very BIG changes in my life in the last month.  So, I guess this post is about how change, even if it is good, can turn your life completely upside down.  But, sometimes it is meant to be.  I am going to tackle my first big change in this post.  I promise to chronicle the next change later in the week!

My first change (and these two happened at the exact same time!) was going back to work full-time after 8 wonderful years at home with my kiddos.  I have been "looking" for something for about a year.  Sometimes harder than others.  But, I felt like I needed to go back to work after the girls were in school full-time.  Sad thing?  I couldn't even get an interview.  The fourteen years of experience didn't seem to matter.  It was the 8-year gap that people noticed, I guess.

In my previous life, I always worked in construction offices.  It is what I know and what I am good at.  I LOVE sewing, but I am good at knowing the nuances of a construction office.  I started chatting up the contractors working on our house, and found out they were looking for someone in their office!  The kicker???  It is right here in Parker and about three blocks from the girls' school.  In fact, the owner's kids go to school with my kids!  Small world!  They were totally willing to work with my schedule and I get off in time to pick up the girls from school.

So, two weeks ago, I went back to work!  I got my first paycheck on Friday, eight years in the making.  I get a ton of satisfaction (and frustration) from being home with my girls.  But, I have to admit, I have had great satisfaction in working again.  

But, the world of business has changed a great deal in eight years.  Did you know they don't really have fax machines anymore?  Everything comes over the internet.  Wow!!  Also, all of our files are kept electronically.  Sure, we have a hard copy, but everyone uses the electronic copies!  Fascinating.  And that darn internet has completely changed the way we do our work!  Sure, it was around eight years ago, but it is really different now!

Then there's the flip side to it all.  Being a working mom.  I didn't have kids the last time I was working.  I could come home, plop down, and relax.  Yea, not so much!  It's homework, then dance, dr.'s appointments and grocery shopping!  Did you know Target is open AT NIGHT?  I thought they closed about 3!  None of my favorite cashiers are there at night!  I have to learn a whole new group of cashiers.  Oh, the stress of working!

We are all slowly adjusting.  Dinner isn't always on the table and I forget to put the right things in the girls' lunches.  But, I think we will all survive.  Stay tuned for Part Two of My Big Life Changes!