MIA

Sorry for being MissingInAction.
A lot going on around here.
OMG! It is too cold.
Be on the look out for recent pics!
They will be here soon.
Promise

Weigh in Update

This is how I have felt this week!

I really don't want to post this update but it's just a fact of life. So maybe I gained a little weight last week. I did have my Thanksgiving last week so that could be the contributing factor. The truth is that I can't just blame the one day. I have to tell the truth because by golly that's just what I do...the truth is that it has been a really hard week to get motivated. It's been hard to eat as healthy as possible. It's been hard to drink all my water every day. It's been hard when working out. It's been hard to stop eating, and on and on and on. It's just been a hard week. But it's Friday and it's almost over. No matter what I am still in the best health that I have been in a really long time. So hold my head up and take each day on like it's the first day I joined Weight Watchers. And just in case anyone is wandering I have gone down 3 dress sizes and to me that's just f*ing AMAZING!!!!


So there!

Weigh in Update

-30.6!!!!
WOO HOO!!!! It feels absolutely AMAZING to be 30 lbs lighter. I can't wait to be 60 lbs lighter!!! We will have a big party when I hit 60 lbs!!!

American Idols!!!

So, the state of Oklahoma pretty much rules American Idol.
Carrie Underwood





David Cook



Jen and I at the American Idol Concert

Jordan and Brooke at American Idol Concert

The cutest idol fans ever!!!

Michael and I at Carrie Underwood's concert

Here is to 29 pounds gone!!

Last Saturday Michael and I celebrated my commitment to my weight loss at The Cheesecake Factory. The food is not the best but the Cheesecake is O.M.G. the best ever!!!!

Halloween!

Well, it's official. Halloween 2008 is over. The first year in 5 years that we didn't host our annual Withrow Halloween Bash. I know you were all extremely sad. I can't say for sure but there is a possibility of a Re-Grand Opening to the Withrow Halloween Bash. We will just have to wait and see how the cards land.
Here are some pics from the Beatt's Halloween Party!!
Myself, Erin and Mike Beatt

Kissing Royalty!

The King and Queen have arrived!

Travis Bud Best Male "Volleyball player from Top Gun" What a hottie

Molly and Erin!
Michael and I took Lex to the Castle in Muskogee the day after Halloween. It was fun and there were some good laughs and some scary moments. Especially for Steph!! LOL

Kara's Bachelorette Weekend!!

Here is to Kara, one of the greatest friends I will ever have. To the one that can always make you laugh, knows when your in a bad mood and has an ear to listen. Thank you Kara for being such a great friend to me. I love you and I am so happy that you have found someone that makes you happy.

CONGRATULATIONS KARA AND DAVID !!!!!!!!

All the Ladies!!!
Show me the BLING!!

Weigh-in update!!!

Total Weight loss in 13 weeks is -28.2!!!

So close to 30 LBS I can taste it!!! So this is more than 10% of what I weighed when I started. I told myself if I hit that 10% then I could have some cheese cake!!! So Cheesecake Factory here I come!!
Cheesecake = Lunch on Saturday!!!!!

Go Pokes!

It may not last forever but it is soooooo true!!!

Ummm oops!!

So I may have over indulged when I was recovering from my procedure on Monday. It definintely shows on the scale. However it does not show in how I feel. My clothes are starting to get baggy so I am getting skinnier but the scale just didn't reflect how I feel this week. Maybe it will catch up next week. LOL

I went shopping on Tuesday night for a dress to wear to Kara's Big Bachelorette Bash this weekend (more to come on that later)! I could actually put on a size 16!!! It was a little tight in the boobs because I have been ever so blessed in this area so I went with an 18 to look better. The point is I am getting closer and closer to my goal!!!

Health Update

Well the colonoscopy is over, and I am alive! Feel like I have been violated but I am alive! I will get a call from the doctor tomorrow with the results so I will have to give more information later. I know Michael told me some things that the doctor said but I can't remember because I am just now getting my brain back together. He had to go to work because his boss had to go to the ER this morning and has been admitted to the Hospital after complications from his surgery to remove his galbladder last week. Please keep him in your prayers.

Inspiration from the Little Engine that could!!

I think I can I think I can....and I DID!!!!
-23
I lost another 2.2 pounds and I have not been eating the healthiest due to my "Junk Food Diet". I do have to admit that I work out at least 6 days a week, 3 with a trainer and cardio on the other 3. Sundays are the hardest to do cardio since the place I work out at is closed and it's starting to get cold outside. I asked Michael a.k.a. Santa to get me a treadmill for Christmas but now that I have been doing so much on the elliptical I think that would be a better choice because it gets my heart rate up faster and higher which in turn burns more calories than just walking on a treadmill. The elliptical is not as painful on the legs, ankles, and knees for me so let's just see what Santa can do this year. Of course I know you will all agree with me that an elliptical will be a great addition to Michael's man/media room! He seems to disagree. Can someone talk to him about that, he doesn't always listen to or hear me.

Slight Set Back...(Some content may not be suitable for blogging....individual discretion is advised)

So, Monday, October 6th I had an appointment with a Gastroenterologist. Something I had been putting off for way too long. I will have a colonoscopy on October 20th. It has to be at least 10 days from yesterday because I have an infection they have to clear up before they scope.

Here's where it gets depressing for me...I cannot stick to my Weight Watchers regimine (I don't call it a diet)...because it is a High Fiber Nutrition Plan and that can cause a problem with my infection that noone would want to happen....What does this mean? In the doctors words she wants me to have a Junk Food diet for 2 weeks. This is when I lost it. I looked at her and said there was no way I was going to do that. I instantly started thinking about real "Junk Food". What she really meant to say was I don't want you to eat anything with High Fiber. How does one assume that a Low Fiber diet = "Junk Food" is besides me. When I think of Junk Food I think of drive thrus at least 2 times a day and that just scared the bajeebies out of me.

So once I got past the Junk Food comment I realized that I can probably maintain my weight for the next 2 weeks but there probably won't be a major loss like the past few weeks. I can still follow the Satisfaction guideline so that I don't overeat, I can still have vegetables they just have to be cooked so they are soft, the weirdest thing is I have to eat white bread...I didn't even eat white bread before I went on Weight Watchers...

This too shall pass and I can overcome all things through the power of GOD.

Please pray for my body to heal.

Thank you,
Chrissy

Goal!!

-20.8

It's one goal down and several more to go...one of my original goals was to lose 20 lbs before New Year's...and it can now be marked off the list of goals. Each week gets easier and easier but the end of the week when I see how my hard work is paying off that's what makes it worth it...when friends, family, and co-workers say how good I am looking that's what makes it worth it...when I put on a pair of jeans and they are not as tight at the time before that's what makes it worth it...when I go in a loop on my belt that's what makes it worth it...when I am working out and I feel like I can keep walking longer than the time before that's what makes it worth it...when I just sit and think, life, that's what makes it worth it.

Thank you all for your love and support.

Thank you!

Thank you all for your prayers for Seth, Amy, and Logan...they are getting good news from the Dr's in Houston. Keep praying, it never hurts to pray more and more.

Noone ever said life was easy...

how true that saying really is...I am just having one of those weeks...I was so busy last week and this past weekend and now I am paying for it. I hopped on the scale yesterday and I about had a heart attack. I just have to remember that a few bad days doesn't mean I have to throw in the surrenduring towell. Keep my head up and look forward to my goal...so needless to say I am not looking forward to weighing in this evening even after the happy hour with work at four...yeah I wouldn't plan on me making it to weigh in at this point...I would assume it would be ok for me to put it off until Saturday after my workout. Yeah, that's it! I am definitely going to look at the brighter side and weigh in on Saturday because then I will have 2 more workouts in and lots more walking under my belt...So I will have to post the details after Saturday...let's all just pray that I gain the strength to make it to Saturday and that the results are surprisingly pleasant!!

7 pounds away from 10%!!!

-17

With a weigh in on Saturday I lost another 3 pounds. It probably would have been a little less if I would have weighed in on Wednesday like normal, since I was in Denver it was a little difficult to weigh in...so I am remembering that when I weigh in this week. I probably won't see that big of a number but as long as it is in the right direction I am good with that.

I have had some questions that I want to respond to...

Q: Is it hard to do weight watchers?
A: Yes, I will not lie. It's not that it is impossible it just takes time and oraganization to get going. Once you get the hang of it, which took me about a month, then it gets much easier. At first you have to look everything up before you eat it to know how many points you are using. Now I am at the point that I am making the right decisions that I can look up the points after I eat to write them down.

Q: How do you work out so much? (3 days a week with a trainer and at least a mile on the other 4 days)
A: I know that this will help me lose weight that much faster and the more I am working out the better I feel. Sometimes I have so much energy at night I can't go to sleep. As a matter of fact my original goal was to lose 20 pounds by new years...it's not even October and I have already lost 17!! How crazy is that?! I know that is because I finally started working out!

Weigh in Update!!!!

-14

I lost 2.8 pounds this week. I started working out regularly and walking at least 20 minutes per day. It's hard work but it is so worth it. I can't wait to shop at stores like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, The Limited, New York and Company.... The list is endless!

David, David, David!!!

That's right I saw David Cook last night at the American Idol Tour Concert at the new BOKCenter. We thought we had bad seats, turns out the arena was smaller than I imagined and we (my sis Jen and I) had pretty good seats and used our camera's to get some good pics. So, you can only imagine how dead my camera battery is right now. Don't worry it's on the charger and I will share the pics and video soon.

I love David but I am so mad that he forgot to stop by and makeout before he left for Kansas City. There has to be a way that I can meet him I just have to figure out what 6 degree of separation can get me there. So if you have info on that...sharing is key so speak up!

So I have added David Cook to my "list" along with Matt Damon. It might be easier to meet David than Matt so I will keep you posted if that every comes true.

LGLM5K Sept 21st 1pm

Yes I will be walking to remember someone I have never met. But this guy Matt is such an inspiration to strength and showing what it takes to be a single parent.

When: Sunday, September 21st 1pm
Where: Riverside Drive south end just before 71st at the statue and water feature
Dress: Wear Pink for Liz!

Details are on Matt's Blog. If you are a first time reader of his blog please read the blog on the right that reads if you haven't been here before. And I will warn you if you are a first time reader then you better have a box of kleenex ready.

Here's to strangers friends!

Cel-a-brate good times!

-11.2

This is how many pounds I have lost in 5 weeks on Weight Watchers!! I have also been walking on a regular, almost daily, basis for the past week! Today I start my work outs with a personal trainer at Fitness Together. I want to watch those pounds just shed off like a snake getting new skin!

Great Job Lex!!

Check out this video of Lexi's Cheerleeding squad. They are so adorable.

Lex is getting really good at her cheerleading! Keep up the great work!

Vacation in Houston

Here are some pictures from our vacation in Houston when we were trying to see Hurricane Gustov. We had to wait until we got home to catch all the rain.

We visited the Downtown Houston Aquarium, which is free if you just want to walk through. If you do the extra exhibits and rides then that will add some money. Oh, there is a $6.00 parking fee unless you can find some where else to park or get lucky and run the gate.

Really big fish!

Pretty Bird!

Michael touched a sting ray! You know I would not!

They also had a White Tiger exhibit. Such a pretty kitty!

The Kitty's were really friendly with each other!

This is the line of traffic headed south after Hurricane Gustov hit land. The traffic was backed up for about 10 miles.

There were close to a hundred utility trucks headed south to help restore power.

And here is the open road behind us that has no traffic.

Here you can see the open road in front of us and the line of traffic headed south. We actually went down there at a pretty good time traffic wise. When we were headed south everyone else was going north and vice versa.

Just before we were leaving I put Aubrey down for a nap and Michael read Beck some books. He really likes his books and Michael did a really good job at all the animal sounds. Way to go Uncle Mikey!

Our Stint as Parents

Michael and I had a stint at being parents. Dakota was a wanderful child except when she got really sick and we had to take her to the doctor (thank you Jen for helping). Here are some pictures of Michael and Dakota when we returned her to her real parents. And yes he is driving.

Wow, and while on vacation!

Okay, I had my weigh in last night. I lost another 3 pounds last week. And did I mention I was on Vacation in Houston and did not eat as well as I should have!!! Amazing what watching what you eat and being more active can do. I'll post some pics of vacation in Houston later.

My total weight loss is -9.6 pounds!! Only .4 of a pound from 10 pounds and almost 1/6th of the way to my goal of losing 60 pounds!!

I can't wait to see my doctor in October. She is going to flip! Just imagine how many pounds I will be down by October!!

Motivation 101

So I received a coupon in the mail yesterday from The Limited. Don't know how I got on the mailing list because I haven't shopped there since I was in High School. Why? Because that's the last time I could fit into their clothes.

So talk about motivation...I can't wait to wear a suit from The Limited.

That will be my reward when I hit my stretch goal to lose 60 pounds! Especially since they are not cheap suits!

Here's to Logan!

Please take a few moments to read about Logan. A friend of mine is having a baby boy in December and they found out that he has a heart defect. Please pray for Logan, Seth, and Amy.

God Bless!

My Happy Pants!!! LOL =)

Here is a story of what I am calling "My Happy Pants".
About a year and a half ago I bought these grey slacks at Lane Bryant (what I call the big girl store). They were pretty long so I just tossed them in the back seat of my car for about 6 months until I could get them altered. So, then I finally made it to Snow Whites to get them altered and what do you know but those suckers where so tight it almost cut me in half. Low and behold I still had them altered "Just in Case I lost Weight" (don't we all do that? the hope that someday you will lose weight and fit in to half the clothes that you are hanging on to). Thank God I have a huge closet. I know that there are at least 60 pairs of pants that don't really fit right now, but they will soon.
So I decided to try those pants on this morning...... and they fit better than a glove (not tight like OJ Simpson's glove). A glove that is comfortable and even has room to wiggle!!!! So these pants that a year ago pained me to even try on fit better than ever!!! That's what I call "My Happy Pants"!!!

After 3 Weeks on Weight Watchers I have lost a total of 6.6 pounds and some inches off my waist!!!!!!!

So close to 10 pounds I can almost taste it!! When I hit 10 pounds I should reward myself with something! I am thinkging a Weight Watchers Cookbook. I know that doesn't sound like a treat to many but I love to cook so the healthier I can cook the better for everyone.
I did get some recipes off the internet last week and made some dips for Angelo's surprise party last Saturday. Did anyone notice that everything I made was reduced fat or fat free? Minus the tostitos and crackers of course. By the looks of it when they were scraping the pan I would say they had no clue what so ever. Or at least it didn't make a difference in the way it tasted.

Week Two on Weight Watchers

I lost another .8 of a pound. Bringing my total for two weeks to 4.6 lbs lost. I had a really big lunch yesterday. I won't do that again. It's not easy to plan every meal out in advance, but I am getting better. I have usually created a dinner menu but now I have to do breakfast and lunch. And it's not easy to eat downtown within walking distance because there are not any healthy choices or if there are it is at least $10 per meal and that is with water. I have finally brought my Smart Ones meals to work and put them in the freezer so this will help for sure. The only thing is that I need more veggies during the day and I always forget to package them up before leaving the house. I am going to try to package several days worth at a time in the evening so I can just grab and go. I'll keep you posted on how that works.

Exercise! I know I shouldn't sware on my blog but that's my goal is to do at least 15 minutes of exercise per day. Think I will walk the stairs in my house since it's raining. Or even go window shopping at the mall. I do need to get more face wash from Clinique.

I love this reminder card that our WW leader gave us so much that I have to share it with everyone. The card reads...
My Goal is to Lose a Minimum of 1 Pound each week for the remainder of 2008!
By Labor Day I will have lost 2 Pounds!
By Halloween I will have lost 10 Pounds!
By Thanksgiving I will be 15 Pounds Lighter!
By Christmas I will have lost 19 Pounds, and
By January 1,2009 I will be 20 Pounds Lighter!

This helps put everthing into perspective and allows my goal of a minimum of 1 pound per week to be a SMART goal.
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Tangible

I hope I can inspire you!

Week One

I lost 3.8 pounds in my first week on Weight Watchers!!!
It feels great to see that all that hard work during the last week is paying off. It was not easy but now I can see why it is so important to follow all the guidelines and stick too it. Stay continued for next weeks weight in!

Weight Watchers!

I started Weight Watchers! I will keep everyone posted on my weekly progress. I have to loose 24 pounds to reach my 10% goal. So here it goes...stay tuned to next weeks report.

In the mean time check out this quick Pita Pizza Recipe.

Pita Pizza- 7 Points
Top a large whole wheat pita with 1/4 cup bottled spaghetti sauce, 1/2 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella and 1/4 cup sliced mushrooms. Bake at 400 F for 10 minutes.

I used fat free cheese and it wasn't that bad. It didn't look as melted as other cheeses would but it tasted the same.

I have had a hard time eating my amount of points daily. I have to eat 30 points a day. I have shorted myself several days. I have to get used to eating more frequent smaller meals and they say the first week is the hardest. I am actually looking forward to getting on the scale next Tuesday to see if I have made any progress. The next part is incorporating at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. They say that this will increase my appetite and I won't have a problem eating the 30 points. It's easy to eat 30 points of junk food but much harder to fill it will nothing but healthy food. Not to mention that healthy food is more expensive at the grocery store. Luckily this will mean less eating out so it should even out. Oh, just in case you are wandering I can only have 1 alcoholic drink per day and you cannot pile them up for one day and each 1.5 fl ounces of liquor is 2 points. That doesn't leave much room for a mixer in points. So, you will have to bare with me and see less of me in the social environment of the bars and parties. It's all worth it in the end to me. My goal is to loose 60 lbs and get off of my cholesterol, asthma, and blood pressure meds. I can't wait to go to my doctor in October and tell her all of this! She will be floored to know that I am finally doing something about what I eat. So if anyone ever wants to go for a walk, just call me!

The Bath

Here is the closest Aubrey and Beck will ever get to bathing in the big tub again!! A dry clothes on pic to remember the times!!

Kids Kids Kids

So Jen, Aubrey, and Beck got to town yesterday. Let me just tell you something....

So I thought oh I can handle 2 kids! It's bathtime! Oh you just don't know what an alomost three year old can do? I was drying Beck off and putting lotion on him and of course it's one of those moments where you were only turned for a second and then....Oh My Gosh! Aubrey had splashed so much water on the curtains, walls, floor, rug, and window. It was like a tornado hit the bath water. Well it was just Aubrey. I have never wanted to spank her so much. But thank goodness her mommy came in and took care of the spanking. I thought about it this morning, I should have taken a pic, but at the time I was just too upset to think about a picture.

Unfortunately that will be the last of the baths in the big tub. =( Poor Aubrey was just trying to have some fun!

Needless to say, after time out and apologies she went straight to bed.

Clarissa's Wedding Shower

Left to Right Back to Front: Nicole, Stephanie, April, Jenny, Julie, Erica, Chrissy, Andrea, Missy, Sarah, Clarissa, Stephanie, and Miya.
Sunday, July 13th our girls group got together to celebrate with Clarissa her upcoming wedding. Here are some great pics and some great girls! Thank you all so much for taking the time to honor one of our great girls. She was so happy and truly appreciated everything everyone did to celebrate her wedding.

Stay Tuned...

Please be patient. I'll get some updates posted soon. I promise!

XOXO
Love,
Chrissy

Random Pics

Beck on Easter 2008Aubrey at the Easter Egg Painting Party
Lexi at the Easter Egg Painting Party
March Girls Birthday Dinner at Delasandros

Mikey and I...awww how cute!
Nicole and Andrea at Nicole's Semi-surprise Party!
Andrea petting Sophie Wophie!
Erica the host at Nicole's Birthday Party
Stephanie and Kara at March Girls Birthday Dinner
Erica at March Girls Birthday Dinner
Aubrey, so sweet Mikey and I at Southern Hills
Bonnie and Dave's Wedding at Southern Hills
Mikey playing Uncle with Beck
Feist Concert
Dakota needs to learn how to relax!

CJ's Surprise Birthday at Grey Snail

Chris Daughtry at Cain's Ballroom

I just wanted to share some of these great pics...