#24 Pre-job weight

I started the job I currently have just about 3 years ago. I began right out of maternity leave when my youngest was 3 months old. I had lost all the pregnancy weight and was pretty healthy.

Since that time I managed to pack on a few (30) extra pounds. I don’t know what happened or if it was a combination of things…but about 3 months ago it just became very apparent that this was not okay for me and needed to take my body back under control.

So thinking about what happened…The city where I work has extremely limited eating choices. You can have fast food, go to the grocery store, or pho. In the past year was my most significant gain which had been filled with my supervisor being laid off and taking on her job as well as my own and then the two people I work with on Maternity leave at the same time and all those additional responsibilities. So…busy, basically.

Change needed to be made.

Somewhat starting with my running in the Sound to Narrows Race as well as a pedometer challenge that we had at work… I just started paying attention. I read a whole slew of books about health/diet/nutrition and have cut much of the carbohydrates out of my diet – not hard core Atkins, but rather just avoiding bread and pasta and empty sugars.

I’ve lost a ton of weight and feel fantastic. I went to a naturopath the other day and got on a cleanse program (#8) to help re-set the baseline and support my efforts. I’ve been continuing to run 2-3 times per week and do yoga now a couple times a week in morning. I feel like I’ve been enjoying food more than ever and making fresh good things – and bringing it to work every day as well.

So I have completely accomplished #24 on my 36 things to do when I am 36, but the new challenge for me is to maintain these lifestyle habits through the winter when it gets cold, rainy, dark and depressing. So, they say it takes 6 weeks to cement new habits – I’m giving it the whole summer for it to last a lifetime.

# 34 Go see a concert

#34 on my list of 36 things to do when I am 36 was to go to a concert (and the ones I coordinate for my work not counting.)

Gillian Welch at the Capital Theater in Olympia. Swooon! It’s a smaller theater and after drinks and dinner got into line about 1/2 hour before they opened the doors. 4th row – awesome show!

Reuben had his phone, but wouldn’t break the rules and sneak a photo when she was singing. So the pic below is at intermission of the microphones on stage.

#36 Roller Derby!

On my 36 things to do when i am 36 – i included attending a roller derby. Something I’ve wanted to do for a while but never quite gotten around to it.

So a few weeks ago we headed out. It was a night of intrigue, drama and good outfits! Dockyard Derby Dames had the championship bout and it was awesome. Having never been before I was not quite sure what to expect – but knew to get there early as it was open seating in one of the old warehouse buildings along the Tacoma waterfront.

One whole side was roped off as part of the beer garden – the other side “family friendly” but none under 13 allowed ringside. We kept ourselves busy with 3-Dollar Rolling Rock Tall Boys.

At one point the sun was streaming in through the top windows illuminating all of the rafters.

We stayed for the Femme Fiana and Marauding Mollys bout, but left 1/2 way through the Trampires and Hellbound Homewreckers.

I loved it and will be back to cheer those tough ass ladies on!

36 things to do when I am 36

I had a birthday a few weeks back and have been formulating a new list of to-do’s or goals for this next year. So to continue the tradition of 35 things to do when I am 35 – a new year and a new list! (in no particular order)

1. Join a organized group that has regular meetings
2. Make a new friend
3. CSA Subscription
4. Eliminate credit card debt
5. 11:11:11 Significant plans
6. Resubmit children’s book idea
7. Prototype of great idea
8. Detox/Cleanse week
9. Guided meditation class
10. Weekend away with hubs
11. Special day with Maren
12. Special day with Tallulah
13. Weekend trip alone
14. Send a Birthday Card to all Family
15. Register to run 10K or ½ Marathon Race
16. Pay it Forward
17. Go Snowshoeing
18. Take a class and learn something new
19. Teach someone something new
20. Set-up a consignment account
21. Set-up wholesale account
22. Keep a gratitude journal
23. Set-up website
24. Pre-Auburn job weight
25. Volunteer in Kindergarten
26. Attend a school board meeting
Carried over from 35, but still relevant
27. Photo albums/memory boxes for the girls
28. Buy a pair of fabulous shoes (and don’t feel guilty)
29. Have a dinner party with friends
30. Studio family photo shoot
31. Change to married name for all accounts/documents
32. Fix Lulu’s birth certificate
33. Give my time to something that I believe in
34. Attend live music performance (not work related)
35. Paint bedroom
36. Attend a roller derby