Jenn vs. The Scale

Here I am, once again, weight loss attempt #who knows? I feel like my struggles with my weight are starting to define me. At this point in my life I should be a weight loss coach - I know so many tips and tricks, recipe modifications, healthy fats vs. unhealthy fats, carbs vs. proteins, and workout regimens. Hell, I could be a fitness guru. Yet...here I am, still struggling. I hate it. I would love to blame my genetics for my body composition and while I know they play a part I also know I have to take responsibility for my intake and output (there was only one in a million chances I was going to end up thin with my DNA makeup - that one  thin gene went to my brother, damn him!). Unfortunately for me I was blessed with the metabolism that requires me to accountable 99.9% of the time. Bleh.

I realize I'm not morbidly obese and 25 pounds does not qualify me for The Biggest Loser but it's still enough weight to make me feel like a failure. Constantly self conscious. Constantly comparing myself to others. Wishing I could wear a bikini or a perfect pair of designer jeans. Just once I would love to forget about belly fat, back fat, love handles and sucking in. About the only things I love to try on in a department store are shoes and bags. Oh yeah- and jewelry.

So once again, my friends, I've rejoined Weight Watchers. I've been a member at a few different points in my life but most successfully before my wedding. I was extremely motivated at that time in my life and I was determined to lose the weight. I didn't want to look back on any wedding photos and feel any disappointment in myself. On my wedding day, I was the thinnest I had been since high school.

Slowly but surely over the last few years the weight has crept back on. Not entirely but enough to where I just feel disappointed, frumpy and frustrated. I only have myself to blame. I have lots of excuses and a crazy life but ultimately I control my weight. I know this...I've always known this. So why does it have to be so hard?

I'm hoping this time will be different. I'm hoping the lifestyle modifications will stick with me for good. I know I will always have to count calories, watch my portion sizes and exercise regularly and I want these things to come naturally, like breathing, just something I do without having to constantly think about it. So this time, I may not have the motivation of fitting into a wedding dress, but I have the motivation to want a better, healthier, and thinner life for myself. I'm putting my right foot forward, tracking my WW points and attending my weekly meetings. Accountable. Excited. Motivated. So if you see me out and about, feel free to ask me, "how many points is that?"

We ♥ Football

Okay, okay. So I get it...most girls don't love football. And most girls loathe the thought of losing their husbands (or boyfriends) from August to February, spending weekend after weekend watching countless games. College games, NFL games, Monday Night Football - it all seems never ending.  But I say, "if you can't beat 'em, JOIN 'EM!"

My husband is a crazy mad man when it comes to football. He's practically Rain Man when it comes to football statistics. Our friends and family won't even call the house when they know the Bronco's game is on (apparently it's bad luck). Back in the day, I used to take Sunday afternoons as an opportunity to catch up on my sleep. Cardy would be glued to the TV and I'd be zonked out next to him on the couch. He'd always beg me to stay awake to watch the Broncos and just to appease him, because I love him, I would do my best. Slowly and surly I started to familiarize myself with the players and specifics about our team and after a while I got quite good. Cardy knows a heck of a lot about the game (Rain Man, remember) and he was always willing to stop and explain the details.

I began to really like our Sunday afternoon rituals. So much so, I joined a Fantasy Football league. It was an all girls team and it really helped me understand more about the NFL. I had to know key positions and players, scoring, schedules, etc. After playing in this league, I not only had a better understanding of football, I was actually starting to love football. I can carry on actual, intelligent conversations with my male peers and my husband is thrilled with my new hobby.

Fantasy football is pretty much a national phenomenon and is the current obsession in my household. I play in a league with all boys. Cardy is our league commissioner and we hold live drafts before the season begins. Did I mention this is an obsession? It's pretty dorky but it's something we enjoy doing together.

Here's a picture of everyone in our league (minus Shane who lives in Texas).

This was Zoe's first draft. She's a football freak too.

My beautiful draft board. I create this board every year so we can know our order, who's been picked, what the trends are (it's color coded, of course).

This year, I picked #1. We draw numbers out of hat just to be fair. The #1 pick is the most anticipated pick in the draft. I chose Chris Johnson, a running back for the Tennessee Titans. CJ2K as we call him.

Here's our family pic (too bad it's a bit blurry). As you can see, we're true to our team. Zoe didn't have a choice, she's a Bronco's fan by default.

Go Utes!

Go Utes!
What an awesome season so far! We've been lucky enough to score tickets to all of the games (Thanks Brittany & Stan!).

Godina Fun

We've had a lot of fun spending time with our nieces and nephews this summer. My brother and sister in-law moved back home from Reno and we are so excited! I missed the kids while they were away so it's nice to have them so close.

Since they've been back we've had our annual summer party at Grace & John's and we've loved going to Tony's football games. I love the Godina bunch!

Fun Additions

I love decorating my house but it's funny how long it takes me to get around to doing things, especially when it comes to hanging pictures on our walls. We finally hung these shelves in our computer room- I bought them over a year ago. I even had all the frames and most of the pictures ready to roll. Of course, Cardy, who thinks I don't let him have any say in our house, chose a few of the interesting (to say the least) inserts.

Cardy is my professional hanger (is that a title?). He is so precise when it comes to measuring and making sure everything is straight and in place before he makes any holes in our walls. I guess this comes from having an amazing carpenter for a father. He did a great job and I'm in love with the final product!

Here's what Zoe was doing while were working

3

3 years and I still adore him...dearly. I love him more & more every single day.

It's pretty amazing to be married to your best friend- Someone who makes me smile and laugh out loud daily. Someone who makes me feel comfortable, no matter what. Someone who cares about me so deeply. I am lucky.

Dog Lake

Last month we took Zoe on a hike to Dog Lake in Millcreek Canyon. We loved it! The trail is gorgeous, you can't beat the mountains in the Fall. We didn't know what to expect taking this hike. We had heard mixed reviews on the intensity of the trail. The hike was a little longer and a little more strenuous than I was hoping. Luckily, I was prepared with enough water, snacks and good shoes. I tried not to complain too much, especially when we would see kids and even a few pregnant ladies on the trail. I guess if they can do it, so can I.

At the end of the trail, Zoe was excited to see the water and couldn't wait to get wet and play with the other dogs. We hung out at the lake for a bit and enticed Zoe into the water with sticks to fetch until she learned to swim. We were so excited when she first did it. It's amazing how innate swimming is for dogs. As soon as she realized she could paddle, it was all over- we have a swimmer!

For as difficult I felt the hike was on the way up, the way down smooth sailing! In fact, we ran down a good majority of the trial. It was such a good day spent with Cardy and Zoe. I love getting outdoors and being active - it makes me feel so good!