Happenings with The Glossons

We have been keeping busy lately between work, catching up with friends, and just trying to keep the apartment in order.  Things have been going really well for us, though, and I can't think of much that would make life better right now (well, maybe just a few things...).  We are both quite happy and loving life!

First and foremost, the interim position I started in October has been extended yet again, so now I've got steady income until the end of the school year (around mid-May).  The situation of how this position has temporarily opened up isn't the best story, but I am getting experience and making a full teacher salary at the moment.  There are, of course, rumors that the lady may never come back and I could luck into the job, but it is really just a waiting game.

The money, however, is coming in handy.  We wracked up more than a little credit card debt from the summer/early Fall, so our first priority has been to pay that down.  We have paid off two cards, and have one left to go.  We have also made big dents in my student loans, too.  The current plan with these next two paychecks (April & May) is to pay off the last card and pay off one of my loans completely.  This will allow for us to better manage being a one-income household over the summer while I (hopefully!) land a permanent teaching job.  Plus, with all that debt off our back, we are going to be able to start paying extra on the car and start putting a little in savings for the future.

We are also still working on our weight and general health.  We've both made great progress so far.  I am hoping to have lost 5 more lbs. by mid-April, and I'd really like to be under 170 by summer.  My final goal, of course, is to be an average weight for my height, so I've got to get under 150.  We have started playing a little tennis, I have been doing some walking in the afternoons, and we are looking into purchasing bicycles so we can start riding again.

We are mostly settled into our apartment at this point.  We think we are going to be able to stay here for another year beyond our lease (up in December), then get ready to buy a house.  Another year will really give us time to save, plus figure out where we really want to settle.  If I end up with a job where I am now, options are Murfreesboro, Columbia, Spring Hill, or Franklin.  We'd like to stay in Middle TN, so those are good options along with Lebanon, Nashville, or other suburbs of Nashville.  The big factor is going to be where I get a job, so we are planning to just stay put for now.

We are also hoping to take a trip to visit family in Seattle this summer.  Casey gets lots of vacation time, I will be off in the summer, and we haven't seen his sister, her husband, and our super cute nephew in a couple years.  We are still in the planning stages, but it is looking like we will be able to do it now that I'm going to be making some extra money.  Yay, vacation!

Nothing else exciting yet, folks.  Here's to hoping for a great rest of spring and an awesome summer that is full of excitement for us!

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

So, it has been almost 3 weeks to the day that my husband and I started Weight Watchers.  So far I have stayed within my points (with the help of the "Weekly Points" they give you in addition to your daily amount).  I have lost about 15 lbs, which seems insane, but I am sure I will hit a point soon where it starts to get a lot harder.  I can say, though, that I have become a lot more attentive to what I eat and have started to make some different choices both at home and when we eat out.  Some of the choices have been easy to make, some are struggles.  The proof of watching the number on the scale drop each week is proof for me that it is worth it, though!

Here are some changes I have made so far:
1) Stocking the House with Lots of Fresh Produce--The nice thing about Weight Watchers is that all fruits and most vegetables (sorry, potatoes...) are "power foods" and are also zero points, which means you can eat as much as you want anytime.  I have found myself reaching for carrot sticks or grapes instead of chips and popcorn when I need a snack now, plus we are making sure every meal we eat includes a few "free" items.

2) Eating Breakfast EVERY Morning:  I have developed an enjoyment for sleeping until the last possible second over the years, so many times breakfast would get skipped or involve a drive-thru or convenience store to save on time.  Since we started Weight Watchers, though, I have been making sure to eat something or grab something from home before I walk out the door.  Bananas are great, and we have found that Eggos are actually pretty low on the points scale.

3)  "Can I get a side salad instead of the fries?"--Most places offer a salad or fruit cup as a substitute for the beloved fries.  And, guess what?  As long as you don't get ranch dressing with the salad, you can usually get just as filled for a lot less points.  You do have to watch out for cheese and croutons on the salad, but as long as it isn't loaded with cheese, it should be ok.  (Note: This has been one of the hardest changes for me because I LOVE fries.)

4) Bunless Sandwich Options--Bread is high in carbs, which means it is high points in Weight Watchers.  Lots of places offer the option to get your sub or sandwich "in a tub" (as a salad), or, my favorite, Jimmy John's allows you to get your sandwich as an "Unwich," meaning it is wrapped in a big piece of lettuce.  Also, we found that rye bread is actually pretty low in points in comparison to whole grain, wheat, or white bread.  (Note:  This has also been a hard choice for me because I really do like bread and sandwiches.)

5) Water vs. Milk--I have always loved milk, but turns out that even skim milk costs you points.  So, I have been drinking a lot less milk and a lot more water.  This is probably good and bad, but I am still learning how to eat within the points and still feel satisfied, so it has been a cut I have needed to make.  I hope I can go back to drinking at least a little milk once I get better at the points management and choosing best options.

Those are the big things I have changed up so far, but I am sure I will find more corners to cut and ways to improve.  So far, Weight Watchers has totally been worth it, and I am hoping to reach my target weight by the end of the year.  Then the trick comes to maintain...hmmm...