Crafts and Weight Loss

That's right. I said it. I find that if I have a constant remind of what I'm trying to achieve, that it makes it more real to me, and I continue to do what I'm doing. Don't know what I'm talking about? Some people I know will cut out pictures of super models, and say "that's who I want to look like" - and if that's what helps you then you should continue to do that. But I need something more. Seeing these airbrushed women gracing the covers of weight loss magazines and what have you, it hurts me more than it helps. I see it and think - " I know they're already slender and gorgeous, but on top of that, they're airbrushed. I don't want to be airbrushed. I want to be real." And then I beat myself up asking myself why I didn't do this years ago. It's just no way for me to function. So, I went on the hunt for things that I could do that were both interesting and helpful. Currently, in my room I have three jars, two mason jars, and one large jar that I got for Christmas from my "second mom" a few years ago - it's purple and says "Henbane" on it, and I love it. Now however, said purple jar has become a coin collector with a hand written sign that says "Honeymoon Fund". As a server, I come home with a lot of coin change, so it's all started going in there and it's become fairly full and not just with pennies.

The other two jars are the ones that have been helping me out. One I've had for about a week and a half, and the other I just got today.

This is my workout jar. I got this idea from one of my fellow brides on Instagram (a photography iphone app, my user name is MyDahlia). We're both servers, so we always have cash on us after work. I thought that this was such a cute idea, that I decided to do it, also. Self explanatory, really. For every work out I do, I drop a dollar into the jar. I'm not entirely sure what I'll use the money for, or how much money I'm going to end up with. One thing I do know, however, is that I'm not going to touch the money for a very long time. It sits there, and the only thing that happens with it, is that money goes into it - but never out of it. Every day, no excuse, a dollar will go into that jar. :) As of tonight, there will be 10 dollars in it. 

The next jar I found the idea for on Pinterest (my addiction). All it takes is a package of flat marbles (which you can get at Michael's or Walmart, I got a large bag at Michael's for $6. And then a mason jar, which you can find at any grocery store, but I got mine at Michael's for ~$2. Now there are a few ways that you can do this. You can fill it up with your current weight, and remove (x) amount of marbles for how much weight you've lost at your weigh in, you can leave it empty and add marbles per weight that you've lost , or you can fill it up with the amount of weight that you WANT to lose, and remove the marbles at every weigh in. I chose the latter. 

Currently, there are 128 marbles in my jar. I will remove some at my weigh-in next week. Hopefully. But not only was this a great idea as far as motivation goes, but I though it would make an interesting conversation piece and one day - when this journey is over, I will fill the jar with the rest of the beads, and then use is as a decorative piece in a room somewhere. For now, however, it's simply a remind that I have awhile to do everything that I need to do. But I'm willing to work as hard as I need to to make things happen the way that they should. The power of one - one thought, one action, one solution. That's the motto of the Not An Effin' Barbies. And I think it's fitting. The last thing that I want to share with you all is a gift from my future husband. Before we went to the gym last night, Brian gave me a journal to record my progress, and he even bought himself one. I was so surprised that at first, I'm sure he thought I was upset - which was why he said "Don't take it the wrong way". I of course assured him that I took it positively. I track all of my foods and my works outs with WeightWatchers (it's an excellent program!), but this journal is also a really good idea, too - and I'm glad he is so support of my choices and willing to help me as I'm trying to help him. 

Until next time,

Heather