the birthday list (and a little more gratitude)

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So, I really should have posted this on my birthday, but that’s okay…I’ll post it today and that will be okay. But first, my gratitude list for today:

  1. I’m grateful for long weekends in Arizona where it’s sunny and 85 in November. I realize my family that lives there doesn’t love this, but I do!
  2. I’m grateful for nieces and nephews. I have the cutest ever!!! From 16 to 2, they are all darling and I love each of them because they are mine! They are each so special to me!
  3. I am grateful for yellow box cakes and chocolate tub frosting. My favorite birthday cake!
And now for the birthday list – 11* things I want to do while I’m 33 years old…many inspired by the number 3 (and yes, I’m trying to be realistic about these):
  1. I will lose 33 more pounds this year. And then I will be done with losing weight…and just have to maintain it.
  2. I will force myself to go to three Mormon single social events. Yes, I said three. That’s it. And it will be forcing.
  3. I will run 3 miles 3 days a week.
  4. I will run 3 road races.
  5. I will host 3 dinner/dessert parties at my apartment. 
  6. I will go on at least one real 3 day vacation…one where I stay in a hotel, or on a cruise ship, or something like that.
  7. I will read 3 non-fiction books.
  8. I will pay off 3 credit cards – that’s almost all of them…debt is fun! 
  9. I will learn how to bake 3 new desserts. (Someday I will own a bakery and it will be fantastic!)
  10. I will take 3 “arts” related lessons (photography, guitar, watercolor, or something equally fun).
  11. I will print off 33 pictures and create a scrapbook from my summer internship last year.
*In case you’re wondering why 11, it’s because that covered the list of things I want to do this year…and I really like numbers that are a multiple of 11. Yes…I’m weird that way. It’s the nerd in me. 

the great weight loss of 2010

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The past three years have not been the kindest to me in terms of my weight. I hit an all time high last April (graduation time) which means I have all of one graduation picture I can stand and most of my grad school pictures make me slightly depressed. That said, grad school was a lot to manage in terms of time commitments and eating commitments (late night study groups, “networking” lunches, etc, etc), so I can’t be too hard on myself.

But, I was determined to make some changes once I graduated. During the six weeks I was in AZ before moving to New York, I was on a very regimented, doctor supervised diet. I did another round of the diet over that past six weeks (this time I wasn’t quite as successful, but I still lost quite a bit…it’s harder to do while working and living in New York). I am finally feeling comfortable in my skin again. And I’m fitting into my cute clothes that I haven’t been able to get into for three years.

I’m definitely concerned about gaining the weight back. I think maintenance requires lots more strength of mind and will than losing the weight…when the numbers on the scale are going down, the motivation is high. When you’re working hard to just stay the same weight…not so motivating.

Anyway, here’s what losing about 30 lbs looks like. (Yes, I am shamelessly tooting my own horn.)

I still want to lose more…but I definitely wanted to celebrate my progress.

birthday inspired – attitude of gratitude ’10

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  1. I’m grateful for Facebook and all of the “happy birthday” wall posts I received today. I know it’s not as personal as a phone call or email (and I am grateful for the calls, emails, and texts I received also), but it’s kind of fun to know that all of these people, even if just for two seconds, were thinking about me on my birthday.
  2. I’m grateful for communication technology that allows me to talk to people throughout the world with just a thought!
  3. I’m grateful for direct flights from JFK to PHX so that I can spend part of my birthday with my family!

friends inspired – attitude of gratitude ’10

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  1. I am grateful that 15 years ago I became friends with one of my dearest of all friends, Jennifer. And being friends with Jennifer led to me being friends with Sarah. And being friends with Sarah led to me being friends with Kelly and Candice. So basically, I’m really glad Jen was born. Happy Birthday Jen!
  2. I am grateful for the new friends I am making in NYC, and especially at work! Today I got to spend the day at Cornell interviewing candidates with one of my coworkers. The four hour drive both directions helped me to get to know her much better and vice versa and having friends at work just makes my job that much better.
  3. I am grateful for all of my MBA friends and the advice that they are willing to give me when I really need it.