We're Moving to Wyoming!

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As an update from this post we have been given a second chance in Wyoming after we declined the first offer. We gladly accepted it and cannot wait to explore a state we have never been to.

The first thing I want to do once we get there? 

Star gazing!

It'll be a little bit of a cultural change for us.

Also, we are moving in with my brother, Evan, in Kennewick, Washington thru the end of July until we move to Wyoming. Now we have a place to rest our heads while we wait to transition to our new home! Thank goodness!

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Social Media Reality Check

Yep - not all photos of people online are perfect - but my dogs look fantastic!

Inspired by Holly's post from this morning - a Social Media Reality Check:

As Holly said in her post - all too often we are convinced that everyone's life is full of roses and happy little moments (Instagram Moments, as she put it) all the time, but it isn't necessarily what happens behind the social media scenes. 

This is my Social Media Reality Check:

I started counting the days of my healthy decisions because I needed control. I desperately need control over something right now. Anything. So I chose my health. I need this control because the Friday before Spring Break Josh was told by the Dean of his department that his teaching contract was not renewed.

This is why we put our house up for sale.

We went into immediate action and started updating his cover letter, curriculum vitae, reference letters, and acquiring his transcripts. The job search (now known as the "Campaign Trail") was on and we found 11 postings in states we would consider living. Arizona, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Alaska, or Wyoming. Fortunately, there were tons of openings for a Mathematics Instructor... we just had to pick the ones we wanted. After 3 long weeks of interviewing: some 2000 miles driven, 3 Skype interviews, 2 phone interviews, and 4 in-person interviews all while still teaching full time and maintaining a spiritual life we still don't have an answer.

His contract expires in 2 weeks and we have no idea where his next job will be or if there will even be one. The house is *prayers* *fingers crossed* no longer ours in 2 weeks as well so we are also battling the insecurity of not knowing where we are going to live. In my high moments I see the adventure and search for my old spontaneous self. In my low moments (last night) I feel unsafe and lost. We do not have a home. I don't have the security a home has always brought me. I don't know what to plan for and have no idea what our future will bring. I am terrified.

Waiting on colleges to give us a decision, ANY decision - a yes or a no - is the hardest part. We can't sign a lease in Portland because we might get the call to go to Walla Walla. What is the point in renting a place in Roseburg for a month only to pack up and move again?! We have family we can stay with until the dust settles and we can finally make a decision, but then the situation with the cats worries me. How do I make sure they are happy with so much shifting of environment happening for them?!

So yes: I have my happy moments, I smile and I laugh. I have a great time with the people in my life and I post about it. This is the image I want the world to see of me because it is the image I want to remind myself of the most.

Bits of sunshine in a stormy sea.

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Day 39: Psoriasis Remedy

20 minutes, once a week to battle the psoriasis on my elbows, back, stomach, and legs.

Since we moved up to Roseburg 3 yrs ago September, I have developed massive psoriasis. Nothing helped. We assume it wass the water since we use well water which is processed through a water softener.

Anyway, in December I decided to go tanning to see if it would work - and it did!! It has slowly, but surely begun to go away. My legs are almost completely clear, my back is down to about 25% coverage, elbows are smooth (but still dry), and my stomach is healing nicely!

Such an easy remedy and I get a nap in too!!!

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Day 37: Upgrading from 6lbs to 8lbs!!!

Requiring more weight in my core exercises makes me happy!

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Day 36: Walking/Running on the Beach and Splashing in the Waves

Took the babes to the beach and played in the water.

My mom came to stay with my for the weekend and so we went to play. There may have been a doughnut consumed at some point - I'm not sure. This day was followed by yard work - lots of yard work!

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Day 35: It doesn't matter HOW MUCH you lift, it only matters THAT you lift!

Be proud of yourself for the accomplishments you earn, no matter the size!

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Day 34: Keep your eyes on your own paper, Jaymee!

There is no need to compare yourself to someone else!!!

This is one of my coworkers, whose bodily composition is naturally petite. I caught myself mentally drifting off wondering how much she was lifting and comparing my abilities to hers. *tisk* *tisk* Fortunately, I witnessed these thoughts and was able to redirect them into acknowledging that we are all on our own path to good health.

Day 34 cont: Some truth

I don't know how much I weighed when I started, but my plateau weight the last few years has been an unhealthy (for me) 165lbs. I hypothesize that I was closer to 170 when I started. Here we see me at 158. I am under 165 for the first time in 4 years. Typically, I don't care about a number, about weight. I care about how I feel physically, mentally, and emotionally about my health. Today I was curious and stepped on the scale for the first time in a very long time. No matter what that number would have been, today I feel great!

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Day 25: A Moment of Truth

Everyday, by acknowledging at least ONE healthy decision I have made, I am making progress. A few people have been asking me what I am doing to get where I want to be. It is simple really...

• I am eating less food - portion control.
• I have quit eating dairy - something which is delicious, but bloats me and makes me feel sluggish
• I am on a mostly vegetarian diet - meat has been too heavy and also makes me feel sluggish. (Seafood is still on the menu)
• I am bringing healthy snacks with me to work - like pistachios and chopped veggies
• I have cut out refined sugar - except for the occasional small piece of dark chocolate.
• And I'm exercising - only 45 minutes a day: squats, crunches, short yoga, and arms/back
• Lastly, I am working on cleaning up my digestive system. I highly recommend Dr. Christopher's Lower Bowell formula.

 It might seem like a lot, but it really isn't. Just little changes to every day life that are going a long way. I feel lighter on my feet, my clothes are fitting me better (I went down a shirt size!), and I am encouraging others to make healthy decisions too!

My daily photos, the actual paying attention to a healthy choice is helping me stay motivated! It is challenging me to make creative decisions because you all can only handle so many photos of my legs doing stuff!

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Fresh Starts

Wow... so it's been like a year and a half since my last post (I backdated my photos up until April 14th)....

Fuck it.

Yep... time to simplify and make it happen.

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Confessional: 10.9.2012

I know. I know. Look at the last time I posted which, honestly, looks like I haven't been exercising in the last 2 months. Sadly, it is nearly true. When we went to Arizona I lost my focus and got out of my routine. I did go to a gym and ran through as many of my exercises as I could without getting down onto the dirty floor. I let my diet go as well because I thought, "Hey! I'm on vacation, let's splurge." I can happily say, though, that I drank LOTS of iced green tea and spent a lot of time with long lost friends. 

For the last two weeks I have been teaching yoga, an hour and twenty minutes twice a week at the college. This is great because it is getting me back into my yoga-zone and letting me know how much my body has changed in the last 2 months. 

I have some serious work to do.

That being said, I have reached my limit. I cannot wait any longer. I MUST do something about this body and the way I have been feeling. 

My energy level has been low, I've been feeling despondent and easily distracted. Emotional doesn't even cover it. PLUS, I feel terribly bloated because I've been consuming dairy at a rate comparable to a calf and salty snacks. 

My diet needs to change.

I have signed up for Staff Fitness at the college allowing me to use the weight room and exercise equipment. I am really looking forward to doing this on the other days of the week that I'm not doing yoga. 

Yesterday marked my first day dairy free. I am saddened because that means no more cheese and I really, really love cheese. But I will survive. Now I need to find some healthy, crunchy snacks to keep in my office while I work. 

This is progress. I am excited to get back on the path to feeling amazing and healthy. Please join me in the adventure!

--JM

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