Here We Go.....Again

Seriously, I gotta do something. So, I'm gonna start getting up at 6 before work and walk. That'll be good for me and get my blood pumping before work! My friend Emily is running in the St. Jude's Half Marathon in Memphis in December and wants me to walk it as well. I figure if I start walking in the morning, I'll get myself prepared for that. My first half marathon even though I'll be walking most of it!

My Chance to Dance....

I'm watching this show on CMT called "Your Chance to Dance" and I feel like it was made for me and my friends. You learn dances to popular songs. I've already seen Backstreet Boys and N'Sync on the show. I love it!!! Nothing like wasting your Friday night away in front of mindless TV.

In other news...I've started using my exercise ball that I bought. I've done the abs, arms, and legs exercise 1 time each. Much harder than I thought. My friend Hannah said I should videotape myself because of the stories I was telling her. Oh well.

I'm back to work now. Time for a new year and new outlook. My verse for the year is Phillipians 2:14: Do everything without complaining or arguing.

I leave you with a few pictures of the cutest baby I can think of:) I love this picture of my brother and his son.

Hot in Here....

Well, St. Louis that is. It has been crazy hot in St. Louis. Softball and volleyball games have been almost unbearable, but that does not stop me from going to the pool. Obviously:)

My lovely little nephew is already 1 week old. It does not seem possible. I promised some pictures, so here ya go:)




Seriously, how cute is this child??? He will definitely be spoiled by me:)

If you want to check out my other pictures from the summer I have a website: http://hdurall.shutterfly.com/. Feel free to follow my life through pictures!

This past week has been awesome. Spent a lot of time with the Stulls this week. Went to the Muny to see Beauty and the Beast. I loved it of course and then went to El Maguey after church on Wednesday. Christina and I hit up Trainwreck on Friday and I actally really enjoyed the band. Thank goodness, cause the band on my birthday was just horrible. Always have a good time with those girls!

My friends and I finally booked and nailed down our trip for July. So excited! It is just gonna be a relaxing beach vacation in Florida. Should be a really good time.

On a more serious note, I really enjoyed the service yesterday at church. The worship was amazing...great songs. I'm a sucker for worship songs. I feel like its the way I relate and communicate with God the best. Yesterday the songs were just for me...at least that's what I thought:) Pastor Ron is doing this amazing series on prayer. Yesterday hit home for me. Just the reminder of praying without ceasing and waiting on the Lord to answer prayers. God has perfect timing and sometimes it is hard for me to remember that. But, I will serve Him and worship Him while I wait. Love that!

Noah

My nephew has arrived!!

Noah David Durall was born on June 19th at 6:28 p.m. He has been in the NICU since he was born, but he gets to go home today with this parents! Yay!!

Everyone goes home today and I'm sure I'll have pictures up soon!

Sum sum summertime

This summer has been absolutely great so far. It started out with my 28th birthday bash with my friends. So much fun at Kobe Steakhouse and then chillin at Westport. The band at Trainwreck was horrible, but at least the rest of the night was great. Here's a picture of Cynthia, Emily, and I at my birthday!



That weekend I also went to Pittsfield to visit my grandparents. I'm glad I went that day because that week, we had to put my grandpa in the Alzheimer's unit of a nursing home. It was a very hard decision for my family, but I think this is best for him.



Memorial Day was eventful. We went to a service for my grandpa that the funeral home put on. It was a very nice service, but ever since then I just haven't been able to stop thinking about my grandpa. Such a strong, determined, Christian man. You are missed every single day Grandpa.

That night my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and grandma went out for my birthday at McCormick's and Schmicks. Great food and great company. Love that the head chef there is a parent of one of my students.

Beth and I left for San Diego for her to run her 3rd marathon. So proud of my friend Beth. We had an awesome visit and stayed with a friend from college. We went to the beach, Mt. Soledad, and downtown. It was a great relaxing vacation. Here are some pictures from the vacation.





When we returned, Maeve and I went to Columbia for Beth's 30th birthday and enjoyed some Shakesphere's Pizza and frozen yogurt. Good stuff:)


Lastly, my friend Lacey and her family are moving away today. All the girls from church got together and had a great goodbye dinner. It was awesome hanging out with everyone. Love ya Lacey and I'll miss you!!



That's my summer so far. So excited for things to come. I'm back on track with my workout and eating healthy. Possibly another trip with my girls to a beach. The best thing.....my newphew should be here soon!! Due date is the 26th. I'll keep ya posted!

And the Winner IS.....

ME!!!

I won the whole Biggest Loser contest at school. I didn't end on the greatest week. I gained this week and I thought I had one more week to make it up. Boy was I surprised when I learned this was the last week.

However, I ended up with a 5.11% of weight loss from the beginning to the end. I'm pretty proud of myself. This week I'm trying a new recipe called Spinach Lasagna Rolls. I'll let you know how they turn out. I'm loving this new website I found. More to come.

Progress....Progress....

Well, I haven't posted in a while. But, I've been doing great. I lost 4.2 pounds this last week, which makes about 17 total so far. I've had some slip ups, but I'm on track. I've done well with my exercising and I'm super happy with myself. I'm becoming more confident and I'm starting to feel my clothes being looser!!

Today I ran 3/4 of the way around my apartment complex loop and I probably could have done more, but it was getting dark. My mom always said to not walk/run in the dark...ha!

Looking forward to achieving my goals....one goal down already. The second goal is acheivable, but here's to hoping it gets acheived!!

In other news....it's MAY!!!! YAY!!! Almost summer!

Halfway there!!!

So, I set a mini-goal for myself way back when and I'm halfway there!!! I am down a total of 14.0 pounds so far and my goal for myself is 28 pounds down by my 28th birthday on May 28th! I have started really working out and doing some running. I'm actually enjoying getting outside and walking/running. I'm pretty proud of myself and I'm starting to become someone I really enjoy being with!!

Week 3

I WON THE WEIGH-IN AGAIN!!!

Very exciting. I lost 3.2 pounds this week and that brings my total to 11 pounds in 3 weeks. I'm pretty proud of myself considering I haven't really even started exercising yet. I can't wait for spring break...c'mon Friday!

Week 2.

I won the weigh-in at school this week...YAY!!! I lost 2 pounds this week which brings the total up to 7.8 pounds in 2 weeks. Very excited for that. This week has been kind of crazy eating wise anyway. I got my girl scout cookies and I had a baby shower that I went to. Other than those slip-ups, I did pretty well this week.

Last night I made spaghetti squash for dinner. It's actually really good. I also ran across this recipe on a blog for black bean brownies and I tried those. They aren't to bad. Definitely not a brownie, but still get the fudgy flavor and everything.

I'm enjoying this time in my life as I learn new recipes and embark on a healthy lifestyle change. Hopefully, I'll be getting more money as the contest goes on!

One Small Step for Me....

So, today was the first weigh-in at school. I didn't win the money for the week, but I am very happy with my progress.

I am down 5.8 pounds for a 2.21% of weight loss. Very happy with that and I really didn't even exercise this week. I've done well counting calories, but I need to incorporate exercise now.

I'm on my way!!!!

It's been a month

...since my grandpa died.

...since I've been to the gym.

...since I've followed my eating plan.

BUT...

I'm back.

My school is starting a Biggest Loser competition and winner takes home $110 in the end. So, the food journal starts again. The gym is calling my name. Here we go. I'll keep you posted on the ups and downs and percentages of weight loss.

Here we go...AGAIN!

A Bump in the Road

The last few weeks of my life have been crazy, eventful, and stressful to say the least. I have been trying to stay afloat and, needless to say, have gotten off track from my eating and workout routine. I guess I should start at the beginning...

On January 20th I got a horrible phone call at 6:00 in the morning. My dad called to tell me that my grandpa passed away at around 1:15 that morning. I wasn't ready for that news...I guess in my mind it wasn't time yet. But over the next week, I was able to make peace with my grandpa's death.

My grandpa was the most godly man I knew. He never complained and was completely stubborn. He never let on that he was in pain. I know without a doubt that he is rejoicing in heaven right now and Jesus is one lucky guy having my grandpa around. I learned much about my grandpa as my family looked back, laughed, and reflected on the memories. It hurts not having him here on earth with us anymore. I'm sure I'll have a difficult time at the next holiday or family gathering. I wish I would have told my grandpa how much he meant to me and how much I love him. He was such a rock for our family and he prayed for each one of us each night. I know that my grandpa prayed every night for my future husband. I look forward to meeting the man that my grandpa prayed for faithfully and I hope to meet him soon.

So, of course, I've been in a pretty rough place the last few weeks. I haven't really exercised and my eating hasn't been the best. I need to get my life back on track and not get into a worse place. So, next post will be better. I'm gonna make it be. Until then...

First 2 weeks

Well, it hasn't been easy, but I think I've done pretty well these first 2 weeks back to school. I haven't had fast food at all, which is a pretty big accomplishment for me. I've done pretty well with the workout schedule. I've gotten to the fitness center as often as I could, only missing 1 day...I think. I factored it Girls night to my equation, but I didn't factor in a happy hour with the co-workers. So, that kinda threw me off this week. But, I went today. So, not too shabby for me.

I've also been in the Word every morning and writing in my gratitude and prayer journal. It's good to get in the Word and start my day off right. That's all I got blog, just trying to keep myself accountable!

SNOW DAY!!

So, we are back to work for 3 days and we get a snow day! Definitely excited to have the day to relax and take it easy. Just wanted to put it on record that my goals are going pretty well. I have been in the Word every morning with my journal that I'm keeping. I got my fitness center membership renewed and my eating has been pretty good this week. I planned my meals for the week so I wouldn't stop and get fast food and it has really helped. On the fitness front, my friend Beth sent me a few articles to read, which was nice. But, this week has been crazy busy and with the snow I haven't specifically stuck to my schedule. But, I'm doing pretty well and will keep getting better! Enjoy the snow day!

2010!!

New Year's Eve was great. I absolutely enjoy having my college friends in the same room every year. That's the only time that it happens. Well, every year we have a motto for the year. This year the motto is 2010 - Let's try it again! I'm living to that motto. I told my friends that I was setting a goal for myself. I told them about the 5K and running. Wow! I have all runner friends, so they were super excited and encouraging. They are trying to get me to run 4 miles by June...I don't know about that, but at least I have a support system and now I have to do it since I told people. Can't slack off!

I do not want to start school again on Monday. I'm just not ready to go back. However, Monday starts working out, healthier eating, and more time in the Word with God. I'm going to start a gratitude/prayer journal. I'm going to write 3 things that I'm thankful for each day and my prayer journal and watch God work in 2010! But, for now, I'm going to enjoy my last weekend before I have to go back to work:)