I cannot wait for Christmas! I spoiled Michael rotten this year. Usually I cave and give him a present early but this year I'm staying strong! He will just have to wait and be patient :-)

My Mom is going to make a ham for Christmas dinner. I have a half a day of work on Christmas Eve then I have Wednesday and Thursday off. I'm really feeling it this year, very much so in the spirit! Every Christmas Eve my Mom and I take a ride around town to look at all the light decorations that people have up. One year I was driving and we were so mesmerized by someone's beautiful décor I drove right off the road and into a snow bank! Michael had to come pull us out. It was hilarious; I got us stuck pretty good! And that's when I drove an Explorer with all-wheel drive! I can't believe I had done that.

I have been doing well with everything else. I still have not heard anything about an air time/date for the Dr. Oz show. I messaged the producer the other day inquiring about it. I am thinking it may be a new years resolution episode? I have no idea.

I probably won't be on much until after Christmas.

So until then,

<-- This is how many remember me. From what people tell me now, I look like a whole different person.

I have been looking through old pictures lately. I don't even recognize myself in some of them! In some ways I really do feel like a different person. I have changed so much in the past year it is unreal! I never thought I would ever get to this point, let alone maintain my weight after being 100 pounds down. Granted I did have my ups and downs but I have always gotten myself back on track. As this year is coming to an end I look back and smile. We always focus on our failures more than we do our accomplishments (at least I do) and I need to remember to not be so hard on myself. A negative attitude has never gotten anyone anywhere. From what I have accomplished; I feel healthier, happier & a better person because of it. I also feel more womanly & like I have an identity. When I was 338 pounds I had no idea who I was, or what I wanted in life. Losing my weight has completely changed things for the better. I will NEVER regret the decision that I made to start this process because it has been the best gift I could have ever given myself. Not to mention I probably gained 10 years of my life back! In situations like mine, you can reverse the clock and ultimately change your future.

I am still working to get to my ultimate goal weight. Now that I have gotten myself back on track with things, I am ready! I had went through a little slump but now I am back on the move and have put myself back into the mindset that I need to be in. I shed off what I had gained so it should be nothing but results from here on out!

I am finally noticing major hair growth! I started applying coconut oil about a month ago to the ends of my hair when I'm in the shower. I am so happy because I am trying to grow my hair out for my wedding this upcoming June!

So it has been a little while since my last posting! I have been keeping on; keeping on. The best is yet to come and I can feel it in my bones.

I just got back upstairs from a 40 minute workout in the basement. Tonight I got the hee-bee jee-bee's! I have a lot of my Halloween stuff stored down there and some of my props freak me out! I keep thinking they are going to move and come get me but I suppose it puts the extra pep in my step LOL - Since I have started working out on a regular basis again I cannot believe my mood difference! It's amazing what a little exercise can do for not only the body but also the mind.

I still haven't heard from the Dr.Oz show. I'm thinking it might be a new year's resolution episode or something like that. The producer did tell me over the phone that they would stay in touch with an air date/time but I can't help but be anxious! 

I almost have all of my Christmas shopping done. I can't wait! I did some gift exchanges yesterday and I have to say I thoroughly enjoy watching people open their gifts more than I do my own! I spoiled Michael this year; I can't wait for him to open his. I think my Mom is going to do Christmas dinner at her house. We usually have ham, mashed potatoes & all that stuff. It's crazy to think Christmas is less than 2 weeks away! I feel like I just finished cleaning up after Thanksgiving dinner ha-ha.

I need to get my butt in gear with this wedding stuff! I have to get working on sending out our invites/finding addresses. I only have a little over 6 months before the big day! There is so much to do that I rather not think about it. Now it is to the point where I am going to have to start thinking about it and get stuff figured out. So far I have a deposit down on the photographer, the venue booked and the invites in hand ready for addresses & that's it! I'm starting to feel the pressure! June 21st is the day. I hope everything falls into place.

I got 2 new pairs of glasses. The picture below is my sassy pair. I love them! I wish I could do contacts but I just can't. I get all pale in the face and almost pass out and I don't know why! The whole process of inserting it in my eye just skyrockets my anxiety through the roof!

Our tree all set up just missing the presents! I don't put them out until the night before just because my dogs would have them destroyed by now! Plus it adds to the excitement on Christmas morning; even though I'm almost 25, I still believe in Santa ;-)

My dress came in that I got for Christmas. I can't believe how well it fits too. I was expecting it to be a little small but it works! It had a funny sizing chart so I wasn't too sure. Also my Mom surprised me with new shoes to go with it!

I made myself a pan grilled chicken salad for dinner last night and I made the same thing for dinner today. I have been on a salad kick lately!

So last night I worked out in the basement and I am feeling it today! I am going to work out again after I post this. Last night I did 40 minutes. I have been doing workouts on and off but I know I haven't been giving it my all. Nothing mentions worthy lol - but last night I really kicked it up a couple notches and afterwards I felt great. I got that feeling of rejuvenation that I used to get when I was making good progress. Even though my calves are sore and the fact that I really, really don't want to workout tonight, I'm going to grin and bear it for it is only a good kind of pain. I just keep thinking on how good it made me feel last night. It was a great stress reliever and I got lost in the beats of the 90's lol...

I did get a reply back from the Dr.Oz show today but still no word on an air date/time.

I didn't waste any time after Thanksgiving to start busting out the Christmas stuff! I always get a real tree every year and I went and picked one out yesterday. I got all of my Christmas decorations out and am still going through things/decorating! I decided to go with all blue lights this year. I got in on a dirty sale yesterday and scored big on my lights and new topper! All in all I saved $80! I was so pumped.

I have been having a hard time getting back into the groove of things after Thanksgiving. I am forcing myself to do a workout tonight in the basement and not put it off like I have been all weekend. But hey, who doesn't have a hard time with weight-loss around this time of year. I have been very careful this year. I didn't gorge myself like last year and I didn't even finish what was on my plate on Thanksgiving. After having cooked and smelled dinner all day I didn't have much of an appetite by the time it came to sit down and eat. I also got rid of my leftovers ASAP! Turkey is ok, but as it goes for the rest of the food I didn't want it hanging around here because I know I would have been tempted! I think I gained 15 or so pounds last year from Thanksgiving/Christmas if I remember correctly. I am NOT letting that happen again!

Other than that I have been doing well! I am going to be getting my monthly visitor soon so it has been extra hard for me lately to get up and go! I just have to keep thinking of the DR.OZ show and let that motivate me further! I am not physically going to be on the show (though that would be awesome) BUT just the whole situation is so cool and it really propels me into a positive direction! (How could it not?!) I am still waiting to hear back with an air date/time. It is driving me nuts! I sent out an e-mail earlier today inquiring about my paperwork I sent back so we will see. I'm not expecting a reply back today because it is Sunday. Keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow but I will let you all know as soon as I find out anything!