Trick-or-Treat? Treat!

I know I said I was going to wait until tomorrow to hop on the scale but Friday is my usual weigh-in day so I decided to do it this morning.  In the last 2 weeks I have lost a pound.  Now most people would laugh at this.  I don't.  I'm happy with it.  I am happy to be in the losing direction and not the gaining.

 

I still need to work on tracking my calories (especially on the weekend) and staying focused on my exercise in the afternoons even when my schedule gets crazy with meetings, conferences, meetings and more meetings.  Exercise should be a part of pretty much every afternoon for me.

 

I did pretty good yesterday.  It was not easy but I managed not to indulge in "snack day" at school.  But once I got home all the effort that I had put into making the best choices went out the door.  My ability to resist had been put to the test during the day and so I became more lax when I got home.  I love me some Newman Os! 

 

Today is a crazy day at school.  Students can wear their costumes to school if they meet this criteria (good behavior, no unexcused absences, etc.) so the majority of my kids have on their costume.  So all morning I've been adjusting cat tails and witch's capes.  Then this afternoon we're having a costume parade and doing Trunk-or-Treat around the school's track.  It's fun but I definitely don't feel like a teacher on this day.  I am excited for a more normal routine for next week.  Then tonight is the Fall Festival.  I'll be staying at school for over 12 hours today.  I'm hoping between school and the Fall Festival I can get in a run.  Last night I packed a TON of healthy snack options to keep me going this long day.  I am going to need all the good (non-candy) energy I can get today!

4 Weeks Until Turkey Day!

Two weeks ago I created the Thanksgiving 30 Day Shred Challenge.  Today I started Level 2 and it felt good!  If you have yet started the challenge or haven't been consistent, refocus today!  You still have 4 weeks to change your body and life before the rush of the holidays.  I would personally love to lose 4 pounds in the next 4 weeks.  I'd rather not start the holiday season with "baggage".

Tomorrow is going to be a TOUGH mental day for me!  It's "Snack Day" at my school.  Teachers and staff bring in lovely, yummy (unhealthy) items to share and enjoy.  It is located perfectly in the teacher workroom.  My goal tomorrow is NOT to go in the workroom.  This is more than just a little bit of temptation this is going to be a challenge in itself.  If I stay out and away from temptations, I will feel victorious.

Please give some tips for avoiding tempting food and situations!

A Night As A Single Lady

Before I begin let me state this, I love Husband and adore spending time with him.  He is my favorite person.  Understood?  Good!

With that being said, I am one happy lady tonight.  Husband is busy with work stuff tonight (don't feel bad, he's having dinner at a local Country Club) so that means a quiet evening at home.  I only had to cook for myself tonight and were under no pre-set routines or schedules.  Typically I work to have supper ready by 6:15.  Tonight I didn't end up eating until 7 or so and I left a big mess in the kitchen; I've already cleaned it up but it was nice knowing that no one witnessed it or rolled their eyes at my mess.  I fixed spaghetti squash with sauce and reheated chicken.  I made a lovely salad with tons of extra veggies.  And have already fixed a lunch portion of it tomorrow.  I am digging spaghetti squash. It's spaghetti with out the carbs or crazy calories.   

I have watched hours of Bravo and E!.  I have played with Ella.  We have just enjoyed each other's company and it has been quiet.  The tv has not been on Sports Center once tonight!  Victory.  And to top off my evening - The Biggest Loser!

Husband should be home later tonight -- maybe 10 or so (late for us).  And I will be happy to greet him with a kiss and a hug.  But for now my love goes into making pumpkin mini-muffins (for my class) and cheering on the lovely BL contestants.

What do you enjoy doing when you get an evening alone?

Dining Room -- Before and After

Before 

(Grandparents' House that sat empty for a few years).

After

 

 

 

 

 

Dining Room Table:  Husband's Grandmother's Table

Dinning Room Chairs:  $20 each from Garden Ridge

Dinning Room Tablecloth and Placemats:  Walmart

Pumpkin Runners:  $1 each at Walmart

Vase with leaves:  Vase from Target, fabric leaves from ????

Curtain panels:  from JCPenny

Old Radio with Record Player (acts as a buffet):  My Grandfather's wedding gift

to my Grandmother (March 1950)

Wall Leaves:  From Pier One ($8 each)

Crystal and Wall Display:  My Grandmother's

Light:  Overstock.com

This was the first room I painted but seemed to be the longest room to complete.  I love it now!  I love the colors and the mix of materials. 

Things I Don't Do, But Should

Things I Don't Do, But Should:

• Read each day.  I require my students to do it but rarely touch a book during the week.  Could I count reading blogs?
  
• Floss.  I start about a week before the dentist and the week after my visit.
• Clean my car.  It is a mess.  I love my car... it's paid-off and drives wonderfully but not worth the effort of cleaning it.  I no longer see my car as a "status" symbol.  It is a mode of transportation.  Geez, I sound old!  Maybe if I had a nicer car I'd take more pride in it.
• Take a vitamin each day.
• Keep in contact with high school and college friends at times other than at weddings or Christmas.
  
• Read the Bible often.
• Email or call my mother-in-law.  We have had a less than wonderful relationship.  The wedding planning process created some tension between us.  I have good intentions of creating a better relationship with her but I don't act upon it like I should.
• Go out of my way to be romantic.  I need to flirt with Husband more.
• Cut coupons.  My mom gets the paper daily but I always forget to go over to her house to cut coupons.  I know it would help me save money.
• Water my flowers.  I just pray for rain every 3 days.
• Take compliments to heart.
• Dance!  I love dancing.  I never think to do it as a workout or try to get Husband to dance with me.  
• Appreciate people as much as I should.

Thankful Thursday

I am so glad that it is Thursday!  This week has seemed longer than normal.

1.  I'm thankful that Husband and I took our "We Moved" picture.  We're sending out picture postcards to family friends with our new address.  Now I can order them, get them addressed and mailed.  That was a goal for October.

2.  Pumpkin oatmeal!  It is a wonderful and super easy!  Mix 1/3 cup quick cook oats, 1/3 cup pumpkin puree, 1/3 cup water and microwave for 90 seconds.  Top with 1 tspn brown sugar, raisins and pecans on top.

3.  I've been doing a good job of counting calories and exercising this week.  I'm focused on the Thanksgiving 30 Day Shred Challenge!  I feel better!  My mood is better.  It feels great to be re-focused again about being healthy.

4.  Different projects that have been incomplete are starting to get done around the house.  We have replaced all the storm-doors, got our dining room light and programmable thermostat installed, and after this weekend we'll have the back bedroom ready for painting and hopefully hang our curtains!  It feels great seeing the house become a home! 

Love Your Body Day

Today is the day set a side as by The National Organization for Women as Love Your Body Day.  Of course, we should all love our body EACH and EVERY DAY but I know, for me personally, that doesn't always happen.  There are days that I don't feel pretty or feel fat or just not happy with my body.  But TODAY is the day to focus on the WONDER that ARE OUR BODIES!  

When I worked as a camp counselor I would sometimes work with middle school girls.  At least one devotion during the week would be about the beauty of our bodies.  I had a beautiful quote framed to share with the girls:  Part of it included a quote by Oscar Wilde:   

"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance... My greatest mistake, my fault for which I can't forgive myself is that one day I ceased my obstinate pursuit of my own individuality."

There were also a couple Bible verses that I would read to the girls. 

• "He said to the disciples, "Therefor I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food and the body more than clothing." Luke 12:22-23
• "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." Song of Solomon 4:7
  

 

What do you love about your body?  I love curly hair, body, teeth (no braces!), and feet that move me!  Do you have a favorite quote that deals with loving your body?

image source

My Food Soul Mate

Do you have a favorite food, snack or meal that you LOVE... no matter what?  I call it a Food Soul Mate.  Well, I have found mine!

Jello 60 calorie pudding 

(LOVE the new Cinnamon Roll flavor)

+

One Lovely Apple 

(sliced)

=

My Amazing Afternoon Delight!

I also reserve the right to have more than one food soul mate and/or food fling.  I'm currently having a romantic rendezvous with pumpkin oatmeal.  And most days I'm having mid-morning fling with 100 calorie bags of kettle corn popcorn.  

Don't judge.  It's LOVE!

Do you have a Food Soul Mate?  What is it?  Share the love!

A Sweet Start to the Day

 Love Poptarts?  Do you think they're a great breakfast (every once and a while)?  Check out Lindsay of Banana and Chocolate.  She is having a giveaway from Fiber One, featuring their Toaster Pastry.

A (Wo)Man with a Plan

As a general rule I enjoy Sunday nights.  I enjoy the calm, relaxed nature of them.  Most Sunday afternoons I am busy preparing for the week.  I pre-cook many items for the week's meals, plan any outdoor exercise by the 10 day weather forecast, create a plan of other exercise including the Thanksgiving's 30DS Challenge and do any number of things for school.  So after the business of Sunday afternoon comes the quiet of Sunday evening.

This Sunday evening I spent on my bed with this week's agenda page staring right back at me.  A whole new fresh week is beginning.

My goal this week is to plan out my eats as much as possible the night before and stick with the plan.  I did this last spring and it really helped me lose some weight.  I don't need to lose much weight right now (3 lbs) to get back to where I was maintaining during the summer but I know the key to success for me is tracking my calories.  I tend to be a grazer so without a plan I will graze.  So I wrote out Moday's plan.

I am also not going to weigh myself until the end of the month (a few days less than 2 weeks away).  I'm going to use my calorie-tracking as my progress instead of my weight.  I will weigh myself the morning of Halloween.  I hope the number will be a "treat" not a "trick". 

Then I enjoyed some time with my favorite person and canine.  

 

 

Do you make a plan for the week?  Do you have any goals for the week?

Yard Sale Find

One of my goals at the beginning of this month was to prepare for and have a yard-sale.  Yesterday was the day.  It was a good yard-sale but really, really cold (45 degrees with wind -- burr!).  We sold some furniture that we don't need for this house and some clothing.  And of course Goodwill got a lot of donations.  Yay for tax write-offs!

The most exciting part of the day, aside from selling our old dinning  table and chairs for a nice price and having major cash in my pocket, was getting this collection of Yoga Booty Ballet DVDs.

My mom's co-worker was going to sell them but when she saw me admiring them she gave them to me with the ball and band!  SCORE!

I haven't yet tried them but I love dancing and ballet.  Also I'm just excited to have some more options in my workout DVD collection.  I'm also planning to ask for some more DVDs for Christmas as well.  

Any workout DVDs that you LOVE that 

I could add to my Christmas Idea/Wish List?  

Kreativ Blogger Award

Wednesday I was pleased to read that Kelly of Part of Life is Having a Good Ponytail gave me an award.  I love Kelly's blog!  She always incorporates a good balance of real life and health and fitness information.  Thanks Kelly!

With this award I am to list 7 things you don't know about me.  So here goes: 

1. On my wedding day I sat in bird-poop.  Bright purple bird poop was on the back of my dress.  We were having a picture taken sitting on a bridge, but a bird had enjoyed the location before me.  Thank God for Shot spot sticks!
   
2. One of my favorite jobs was working at an overnight church camp.  We worked from Sunday afternoon - Saturday lunch and got paid only $125 a week.  It was still the best job ever! 
   
3. When I'm bored I think of what I would in order to make-over people.  In grad school classes (imagine a room of middle-age to older teachers/day care owners) I had to work hard not to focus on that.  I know that sounds means and cruel but really a good haircut/dye job, make-up and a well fitting outfit can really change someone's look.  
4. My Mom never drove a mini-van and I have never owed Uggs or Crocs.  And I have no regrets.
5. I live in the country and I like it that way (country song reference) but sometimes would love to live in a big city for at least a month.
6. I loved the t.v. show Dawson's Creek and still do!  I am so proud that it was filmed in my state, NC.
   
7. I love Julia Robert's movies.  I have more of her movies than any other.  I have seen Steel Magnolias many times but still cry.  I think Julia and I would be friends.

Jennifer Q of Finding My Stability

Therese of Healthy, HOTT, Housewife

Angie of Angie Eats Peace

365 Runs, Hopefully (who is running a marathon this weekend!)

Kelly of She Wears a Red Sox Cap

Thanksgiving's 30 Day Shred Challenge

Do you believe we are 6 weeks out from Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season.?  Six weeks from tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  Crazy, I know.  And with Thanksgiving and the Christmas season  comes family commitments, parties, shopping, snack days/treats at school, etc.  Although I love Christmas, the music, the movies and the fun I also know it is a crazy distracting time.

So I decided to create a Challenge for myself.  I am going to complete the 30 Day Shred (again).  I love the 30DS and how it so quickly changes my body.  I have 6 weeks (5 days/week) to complete it so I don't have to do it every day.  This plan works for me.  Following Thanksgiving and this Challenge I plan to continue with the Shred but vary the levels.   

Most days during the week I'm going to get up early (5:15) and Shred before getting ready for work.  I did it this morning and felt great all day.  Like Julie, of Julie Golean wrote, it's all about preparing the night before and having a plan.

Anyone else interested in being 

Shredded by Turkey Day?  

Tomorrow I'll share my newest Blogger award (so happy!).   

Happy 200th Post!

This is the 200th post of Balance for MEre.  When I began this in April I couldn't envision what this blog would be like.  Now I realize how valuable it is for me in their journey of health and well-being.  I have NO friends that are interested in fitness.  Husband is the only workout partner that I have.  Having this blog has allowed me to create friendships with people with these similar interests.  So thank you to all the readers out there who have read and commented on this blog.  Your support is very much appreciated!

 
I found this quote and I really like it and thought it was appropriate.

You must begin to think of yourself as becoming 

the person you want to be. 

 David Viscott

I decided to include some pictures from where I blog.  Our computer is set up in the living room.  Where do you blog?

Ella had to be included too!

It's the Great Pumpkin

Last year one of my teacher friends, who attends Weight Watchers meetings, told me about this awesome recipe for pumpkin muffins.  It is super easy... only 3 ingredients: a box of spice-cake mix, one 15 oz pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup water.  

Mix together and pour into muffin tins. 

It makes about 24 muffins with each muffin being about 100 calories.  I love these!  They are moist, easy and well stay fresh for several days.  I have plenty for the week and plenty for sharing at work.

About MEre

I am a newly wed. 

I am an elementary school teacher. 

I am a daughter, sister, friend. 

I am a person who wants to be 
strong, healthy, and fit. 

I want to work to balance all areas of my life. 

My name is Meredith.  I am 27 years old and live near Hickory, North Carolina.  It isn't the most urban or hip area to live but it is home.  I grew up and live on my family's farm.  I love the land and the beauty it contains.

I attended Elon University and majored in Elementary Education and Special Education.  While there I became a sister of Alpha Chi Omega.  At Elon I met the wonderful man I would marry.  After graduating from Elon, I earned my M.Ed. in Literacy and Language at Salem College.

I currently work as a second grade teacher and absolutely love it!  I love teaching skills that my students will use for the rest of their lives.  I enjoy fostering a sense of respect of self and others within my students.  My favorite time of the day is when I read to them, their mouths agape and eyes sparkling.

On July 14, 2007 I married the most wonderful man!  On that day I felt proud of how I looked.  I had spent the previous 6-8 months watching my diet and working out.

After getting married I fell into a diet and workout rut.  I still worked out and tried to eat right but had no passion.  But in early 2009 I got the "running bug".  Since then I have enjoyed running 5Ks, 8Ks and 10Ks.

 I have goals of completing a half and full marathon in my lifetime.

View My Complete Profile

Change the Point of View

This morning I woke up and I was feeling "uh".  I didn't sleep well, woke up in a bad mood and wasn't feeling "it", even on a Friday.  I went to the bathroom and did my Friday morning ritual of weighing myself.  The number is 3.5 pounds higher than I was maintaining this summer but I'll can refocus and get back on the track that got me to the maintenance number.

In the foul mood that I was in, I looked at my naked self in the mirror and didn't like it.  I didn't like my thighs or my stomach.  I got in the shower and started thinking.  I realized my thighs have not grown in the last week or month.  My stomach isn't that different than it was when I was maintaining the weight.  Nothing has changed but the way I was looking at myself.  I decided that once I was out of the shower I would dry off and focus on 2 things I loved about my body.  I did it.  It took me about 30 seconds of time to change my mood around.

I have a beautiful body!  It's an amazing and lovely piece of work.  I've got banging curves and strong legs.  Am I built like a model?  NO!  But I'm still GORGEOUS!     

Anyone else loving their body?

Pretty Is As Pretty Does

Growing up I remember asking my mom if I was pretty.  Her reply back to me was "pretty is as pretty does".  I hadn't thought about that line in years until I was reading with a my reading group kids.

I was reading the book Cindy Ellen (a Western version of Cinderella).  For all the teachers out there the genre of the month is Fairy Tales, Tall Tales and Folk Tales so I was reading different versions of Cinderella.  Cindy Ellen's fairy godmother told Cindy Ellen that "pretty is as pretty does".  I told the group that I could make a "connection" to this story (yet another teacher term) because that's what my mom would tell me.  A particularly sweet girl in the group raised her hand with a big smile on her face and said her mom had said the same thing!

Do other moms say this to their daughters?  I hope so.  It's amazing how many ads are out there and everything our kids are exposed to.  What did your parents teach you about beauty?
 

The Best Wedding Present Ever

Two years ago my brother gave Husband and I the best of all wedding presents.  He gave us a dog.  He gave us Ella.  It is hard to believe that two years ago this little fuzzball entered our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She is definitely our baby!

Do you celebrate your pet's birthday?  We do!  I also like to remember her adoption day (today).  If I'm this celebratory with our pup, I can't imagine what I'll be like with real babies.