Partner is required

Okay - a partner - whether trying to get finances in order or losing weight/getting fit - is critical. I SO did NOT want to get out of bed this morning. I'm on break from work. I knew it was cold outside. It just wasn't going to happen. My dog has passed a few years ago, and if HE were still here, once the alarm went off, he would have me up and going. Our current dogs are NOT morning animals! D got me up, out of bed, made me get dressed and go for a walk. I do feel better after doing it, but that "memory" of a feeling was not going to cut it this AM :P

So, as in all things - a partner - someone to motivate you, keep you on track, bounce ideas off of and just share - is really necessary. We've done the Financial Peace University together and Dave says the same thing - you have to have an "accountability partner" when you are budgeting and working with money. I think the same applies for weight loss. I'm also not just shooting for losing weight. I need to get healthier. I was placed on blood pressure meds about 4 months ago. I do NOT want to be on them for the rest of my life. So, losing weight is important, but more importantly, increasing my cardiovascular health by increasing activity is also necessary.

We did our walk this AM. We've had a pretty good pace the last two days - about 25 minutes for 1.5 miles, but the neighborhood is incredibly hilly, so for it not being flat, I'll take the time that we've been doing. I remember way back when - we first started walking the neighborhood and it took us almost 40 minutes to do that section. So, progress. I've also noticed my breathing is getting better. On the really big hill, I'm controlling it pretty well and not breathing incredibly heavy until about 1/3 of the way up. I'm not really breathing hard until we almost get to the top. So, hopefully that's a good sign. I REALLY need to find my heart rate monitor. I found the chest strap, but I can't find the wrist monitor :P

So - weight progress this week - since Tuesday when we re-started - 3.8 pounds gone. I'm setting smaller goals. My first goal is 10 pounds. Then, it's going to go to 13. That would be a 10% loss with those two goals - 23 pounds total. But, I think I need the "quick win" of the ten pounds to stay motivated, then set a new goal. We are also using the LoseIt! App - this is great and it's free. I can log all my food and exercise and just monitor a little better. It adjusts the calories for your weight - but I'm not even concerned with that. I've just found - as I know many people who are losing weight or have lost a significant amount of weight - that food journaling really helps with weight loss. Since the app is free, it just seems reasonable to use it. I can also track my weight on it - which helps. I can actually see a graph of my progress - which is very encouraging. I think they set out to make it similar to the weight watchers app, but it's free - no meeting fees or any other fees. I wish I could export the graphs and post on here - I'll have to see if there's a way to do that :)

Re-start

Long time since blogging...
The financial part of the F and P is going better. We've had some rough spots with D not working as much as he used to - so we've been dealing with living on one paycheck for quite some time.
We are paying cash for everything - this is the Dave Ramsey plan - and we did FPU together which was perhaps the best thing we could have done for ourselves and our relationship.
We are getting married :) Just about 5 weeks to go!

On the weight loss -well, we've had to drop the gym because of money - so we are starting over. Eating a lot cleaner on the slow carb plan - NO carbs really at all - even starchy veggies are out. The only problem I have is with the beans - we have to eat them to get the protein and fiber, but I'm still not a fan :P I've given up my beloved coca-cola :P and I've realized I can live without it and feel better without it. Will update my measurements and weight - even though I don't want to do that. I did take pics of me this AM (will not be posting those until I get to the 'after' pics) to help me really see how far I need to go with this. I cannot believe how bit I am!!! This, perhaps, wasn't the best day to do that due to my snit (see below) - but oh well, done now.

I've been in a snit the past two days - so thought writing might help. It started Wed evening - had to take my dad to the hospital for PVCs - he's fine, but that really shook me up quite a bit. I'm not ready to be an "adult orphan." Very nerve-wracking for me. Thursday went by and I didn't really pay much attention. Normally, I enjoy being outside and working in the yard which is all we did on Thursday - was still in a snit. D made me walk - which was good - but I figured after all the time out in the yard raking and moving leaves and trimming and blowing leaves, then walking SURELY my weight would reflect that this AM - NOPE! Very irritating/frustrating/de-motivating. So, he made me walk again this AM. I think I'm doing better, but man was I a bitch this morning!!!

So - perhaps blogging more often would be helpful to me. We'll see. On the good side, since doing the FPU course - I added up how much we paid off in debt - just about $10K in 9-10 months. We still have a ways to go - so after the wedding, we can put a good 1/3 of my paycheck towards debt and work on becoming completely debt free! I only have a small line of credit at the bank, and then under $4K on a credit card (the last one that has been closed down forever). If all goes well - both of those gone by July. Then, onto attacking SM and kicking her to the curb for G.O.O.D! D has some debt as well - and I know we are behind on some things dealing with the house, so once we are done with the wedding, we will sit and prioritize things we need to get rid of and determine the best way to do so. Really hoping that his work picks up very, very, very soon! It would help relieve a lot of stress from both of us...