Here we go! Day one of my senior year! I'm indescribably excited about starting my classes, and seeing some of my professors!

Dieting has still been going well! It really hasn't been too difficult so far! My friend Brooke has been a great diet buddy! I haven't weighed in a couple of days, so I'm excited for the time that I finally do!

My class schedule, however, seems to pose a challenge. On almost every week day, I have classes during the normal lunch hours. To fix this problem, my room mate Megan, and I are going to pack snacks to eat throughout the day and then we plan to head to the cafeteria for a light late lunch, after our classes.

Today's snack is homemade trail mix. The recipe is unique, but simple to make:

- Cheerios

- Unsalted Peanuts

- Raisins

- Dried Apples

- Dried Apricots

- Banana Chips

- Dried Pomegranate

Hopefully, it is as good as it looks!

Well, I'm off to my first day of classes!

Love you all!

What do you call an over weight monster? Obeast!

Day three of being back to school, and I am already seeing an improvement in my diet slump!

I really wasn't sure how being at school compared to being at home when it comes to dieting. At home, there is a lot more control over what kinds of foods I'm surrounded by, and I can exercise anytime that I want. But, at school, I have a lot more exercise options, and the Salad bar is always open!

I really enjoy being back at school. I have some of the most amazing friends, and I spent most of the summer wishing that I could see them more often. So, now that I can visit whenever I want, I'm kind of on cloud nine!

My stress levels are totally under control too. I haven't felt bogged down by financial problems or relationship problems at all since I've been here, which makes life in general easier! Typically, when I'm super stressed, my problem solving methods include cookies, brownies, pizza, and a lot of self pity. So, needless to say, when I'm stress-free being on a diet is a "piece of cake"!

I've eaten really well the past two days. I think I had more vegetables yesterday than I've had in a couple of weeks. My body loves healthy foods!

Exercise has come pretty easily so far too. All of the walking around campus is a good way to burn extra calories. My friend Corinne and I went for a short walk last night. We both had other places to be so it didn't last long, but it was enough to get my heart pumping, and we were able to do some much needed catching up!

That's about it for now! I will try to post a lot over then next few days before classes have to be my main priority!

Back to school and Starting Over

Hey everyone! Sorry for such a long hiatus!

I have been so busy with vacation, a wedding, and moving back to school, that I honestly haven't had much time to update!

But here I am, in my new dorm room! I am so excited for the next year of my life. I feel like its a time to start over. I am living with three amazing women and taking classes with amazing professors... and everything is just amazing!

So, hopefully my health habits can become just as amazing!

To be honest, they haven't been so great the past couple of weeks. After vacation I could never truly get back on my diet, and I was so stressed out that I didn't care.

I know that I've gained a little bit back... but the thing that I HATE the most about it, is that I have to write about it on here. I wanted to create this blog to focus on my weight loss successes... but it seems like lately, my overall tone is that of failure.

But that is about to change!

So, stick with me and get ready to see transformation! I hope that over the next few weeks, I can bring new light to what it means to be a happy, healthy, college student!

I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaack

"Okay, lets take pictures of ourselves so next year we can be the same size or bigger"- Wendy

What a week! Big waves, water spouts, family theatrics... all in a good week at Geneva-On-The-Lake! I had a great time hanging out with family and friends.

We went swimming, did crafts... and, of course, enjoyed the good food both at home and on the Strip.

Which is why you are here, reading this... right?

Well, I ate... a lot.

It was hard not to. Being a food addict surrounded by all of your favorite foods is like being an alcoholic and spending a week in a bar. Not good!

I started the week off doing pretty well... which I think is ultimately what stopped me from gaining 25 pounds over the course of the week.

The problematic behavior started, in my opinion, because I started eating a lot of salt. At home, I never add salt to anything, and most of the foods I eat (even when I'm not dieting) are kind of low in sodium. So, even though I wasn't eating a lot calorie wise, I was retaining water, and gaining weight. Even though the I knew why I was gaining, the raising number on my scale was enough to make me totally let loose.

...and it felt so good!

As I mentioned before, I ate a lot. Hamburgers, fries, pizza, creamed chicken, and apparently a whole bag of sour patch kids (which is a story I'll save for another day).

For the first time in months, I totally let lose, and for once I don't feel too guilty about it. Sure, I gained a little weight (somewhere between 3 and 6 pounds). But that's okay, because it will come back off!

I had a good time, and for once in my life, I didn't let my problems with food control my life. I would consider that a successful vacation!