How I've Lost 18 Pounds

Me today at 144 pounds.

I've had a few people ask about my recent weight loss.  First, I have to give credit where credit is due.

In January of this year, my friend Nikki invited me to be a part of a weight loss competition.  After struggling for two years to lose weight, and getting nowhere fast, I was eager to shake things up a bit.  So, I joined in on the competition.

This wasn't just a competition that rewarded the actual weight that was lost, it also encouraged people to make healthy decisions by giving points for doing things like drinking 8 glasses of water, keeping a food diary, or not eating sweets.  If you did these things, you got points.  There would be a points winner and a weight loss winner.

So, reluctantly, I started keeping an online food journal.  Once again, I've got to thank Nikki, because I was planning on just upping my workouts to win.  She told me I needed to keep the journal to get points.  So, I did.

Most of us started using MyFitnessPal.  It's a website and an app.  The app allows you to set a goal and pick the type of lifestyle you lead.  At that point, it gives you a calorie goal to say under.  If you exercise, you get more calories to eat.

The iPhone app was exactly what I needed, because I always have it with me.  It's incredibly easy to plug in what I eat and how much I've exercised.

*I also have to say that the EXCELLENT instructors at Germantown Athletic Club should take some credit as well.  They make the classes fun and work my butt off!

I still have 12 more pounds to go before I reach my goal, but I'm feeling good!

The pictures below are from our honeymoon in October.  Here, I'm around 155.  

 October 2011

 October 2011

October 2011

These pictures are from around Christmas 2011.  In this picture, I'm around 160.

 December 31, 2011

Christmas 2011

Here's another one from back in 2009.  

October 2009

Now, the fun pictures!  I am currently at 144.  Some of these pictures were taken along the way to my goal.  I feel like a million bucks in all of them!

With Nikki in March 2012

March 2012

April 2012

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012

Many of you know that I have struggled with my weight my whole life.  About 5 years ago, I weighed 185 pounds.  I was incredibly miserable.  I decided that make a change.  It took about a year, but I lost about 40 pounds.  It was after maintaining that weight for a couple of years that I gained 15 pounds.  That put me back at 160.  (I blamed falling in love and wanting to hang out with my new boyfriend all the time for that weight gain.  Who wants to exercise when you can cuddle?!)

Here are a few of those fat pictures from my first time around.  I don't know dates.

Freshman Year of High School

Sophomore Year of High School

 Junior Year of High School


I didn't win the competition, but I am soooo happy with the results.  If you're struggling with weight loss, get the app!  Try it for a week.  You'll be amazed.

Love,

Corrie

Trying Not to Cringe Watching The Bachelorette

OMG.

Ari just said he loved Emily.  They've known each other a few weeks.  All the while, she's been dating a dozen other guys.

How do you know you love her?  You don't.  You love the fine dining, the amazing travel, and don't forget, getting to be a celebrity with cameras following you everywhere.

Why do I watch this show?  It makes me cringe.  Sometimes, I even have to fast forward, because I get so uncomfortable.

Geez.

Now, I have to get back to the show.

Recommendation: Boudreaux's Butt Paste for Your Bikini Zone!

Okay, if you're like me.  You STRUGGLE with bikini zone bumps.

I have seriously had an extremely difficult time dealing with this until earlier this year.

My friend Caren recommended trying Boudreaux's Butt Paste.  It's supposed to be for diaper rash, but as I discovered, it can do amazing things to heal bikini bumps.

It's not the "cure all" that I wish it was, but it is the best thing I've come across on the market.

My other recommendations are to use a brand new razor when shaving, use plenty of shave gel, and take your time.  When I get out of the shower, I start by putting some baby powder on the area, then I usually rub on the butt paste.

This stuff can be found in the baby aisle at Target!

Happy Summer!

Yeah Right: The Invisible Bra

When I was a reporter, I always wanted to be one of those consumer alert product tester reporters.  I was never given the chance.  That's okay, because this blog will give me that opportunity.

I've decided to (HOPEFULLY!) post once a week about a product that makes me go, "Yeah right!" when I see it advertised.  In the end, I'll give you my full opinion.

Since I'm a teacher, I'll rate it A, B, C, D, or F!

This week's lucky winner:  The Invisible Bra

As you can see, the bra claims to be invisible under clothes.  I bought this for $14.99 at Target.  The reason I wanted to test this is, I am currently in process of working on another blog where I try to make a white t-shirt and jeans new and fresh each day for a week.  Basically, I want to just use accessories to change the look of my white t-shirt.

But to do this, I needed a bra that would work under a white t-shirt.  I also don't want to wear a tank top under my white t-shirt.  I want it to work with just the bra.

So, here goes...

The bra worked!  Honestly, this is the best bra I've ever attempted underneath a white shirt.  I am extremely happy with it.  

To be fair, I'm also posting me wearing my usual bra underneath the shirt.  This one does have a little more padding than the invisible one, but it's very similar to most bras you see out there.  There's little thought given to the bra lines showing through the t-shirt.

In the 1st picture, I know it's hard to tell a difference between this bra and the invisible, but in person, it's there.  There was definitely a line in which you could tell where the bra stopped.  From the back, it's a little easier to tell.  The bra easily shows through the shirt.

Bottom Line:  The Invisible Bra gets an A!  

Currently Reading: Maggie Lee for Good

Wow.  I'm completely blown away by this book.  I'm on the third chapter, and I cannot put it down.

If you've ever dealt with loss, you should consider this book.

Maggie Lee Henson was a beautiful 12 year old girl who was in a church bus accident (The bus was traveling from Shreveport, Louisiana to somewhere in Georgia.) back in the summer of 2009.  Three weeks after the accident, Maggie Lee died.  This book was written by her parents.  Since I'm only 3 chapters in, I can't yet tell you what the whole book is about.  I can, however, tell you what I know.

Here is an early story written by a Meridian newspaper about the crash.

I was a reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana at the time.  I had the heartbreaking task of reporting on this horrible accident.  Most of that day was a blur.  I remember coming into work that Sunday.  Usually, it's a slow day in the newsroom.  Only the weekenders are in.  On this day, I remember our news director being in there, along with several other non-weekenders.  It was then that I remember hearing the news about the bus crash.  We immediately went into breaking news mode.  We were on the phone with reporters in Meridian, MS (close to where the crash happened), church people, and friends of people involved.  In situations like this, you want to be respectful to the families, but you want to find out exactly what is going on.  It's a difficult task.

I remember feeling a strange connection to this story.  I have been on countless church trips.  I've ridden in buses just like this one.  I made so many wonderful memories on church trips.  I never even thought about the possibility of crashing.  As reporters, you try to not get too emotional with a story.  With this one, I absolutely couldn't help it.  I was holding on to hope that Maggie Lee would be just fine.

I ended up doing a phone interview with her mom just days after the accident.  The story was titled "Praying for a Miracle."  I was touched by how open Jinny Henson was.  She was also so kind and so full of hope that God would in fact bring a miracle.

A few days after the story aired, everyone at our station was devastated to have to report that Maggie Lee didn't make it.  Another child involved had died right after the accident, but Maggie Lee had survived three weeks.  We had all been just hoping and praying she would make it.  I burst into tears when I heard the news.  I remember being relieved that I was a producer that day and wouldn't have to actually be on camera to read the news.  I wouldn't have made it through.

I was then given the task of reporting on the funeral.  I learned so much about Maggie Lee.  My connection with her continued as I learned of her love of theater and music.  I too at her age was hoping for the opportunity to one day entertain people with my voice and dramatics.  I was most impressed to learn about how kind she was.  She took up for others.  She wanted to be a better Christian.  She seemed to have more maturity at 12 years old than I did at 26.

Flash forward to her birthday... October 29th.  Her mom organized a day to celebrate the person Maggie Lee was.  She was kind and did things to help others.  Her mom called this day Maggie Lee for Good.  To participate, all you have to do is do a good deed.  I got to follow along Jinny Henson that day as people all across Shreveport did good deeds in the name of Maggie Lee.  It was a beautiful event.

I remember I was so mad that night.  Shreveport was hit with some crazy weather.  Because of that, the story only aired on our midday show.  I was so angry that we didn't get to put more about the story into our newscast.  I remember thinking, people want to hear about this!  I understand severe weather is a big deal, but to me, this was an even bigger deal.

I'm so thankful that God has put his arms around Maggie Lee's family.  John, Jinny, and Jack are truly special people.  I know that there will forever be a hole in their hearts, but they are living their lives.  I know it's what Maggie Lee would have wanted.

I can't wait to read more of this book.  I've sobbed my way through three chapters.  Seriously, if you've had to deal with loss, pick up this book.  It's definitely comforting me through a difficult time.

To purchase this book, click here!

Love,

Corrie

Moving On!

I'm trying to move on and get past the loss of the baby. It's
incredibly hard. One minute I'm fine, then next I'm a basket case.

It's helpful to have such a wonderful husband. I've never felt this
close to him. Being wrapped up in his arms at night can cure just
about anything.

Friends have also been helpful. My cousin Becca invited me over to
swim. We just stayed out in the sun and talked for a couple of hours.
It was good to just relax.

Also giving us hope is knowing that our own friends have been through
what we're going through. Saturday night we found out about a couple
who tried for six months to have a baby, got pregnant, then had a
miscarriage at almost the same time we did. Two months later they were
pregnant again. They now have a very beautiful 6 month old.

Still, the not knowing is the worst part. What if we try to get
pregnant again, but are unsuccessful? Worse yet, what if we go through
another miscarriage? I can't stand the thought. I don't know what
would be much lower than that. I know people go through this, but I
don't know how they make it.

It's at times like these that I wish we could fast forward one year and
see how things are. I hope at this point next year I'll have just
delivered a healthy little baby boy or girl. But who knows? It's at
times like this that you just have to have faith. I'm trying, but gosh
this is hard.

Another thing that's helping is throwing myself into exercise. I gave
myself all of last week to finish mourning. I allowed my self to be
lazy and drink wine. This week, I may still drink some wine, but I am
exercising like crazy. I want my body to be in tip top shape when we
are given the okay to start trying again.

Thanks for reading!

Love, Corrie

The Worst Day

Have you ever woken up bubbling with excitement about an event that was 
to happen that day?

Yesterday, that was me.  I woke up and lay in bed for a few minutes 
enjoying the butterflies.  I was ecstatic.

The reason:  At 9-weeks pregnant, I had a 1:45 doctor's appointment.  
This was to be my second appointment of my pregnancy.  The first one 
confirmed the pregnancy, and this one would be our first chance to hear 
the heartbeat.  My sweet husband Michael was going with me.  I cannot 
tell you how excited we both were.

Then, I got out of bed.  I went to the bathroom.  Not to give TMI, but 
I noticed bright red blood.  If you've ever been pregnant, you probably 
heard that a little spotting is normal.  This was not normal.  I 
immediately burst into tears and called my doctor's office.

The on-call nurse told me to come in as soon as the office opened.  
That was about an hour away.  After I got off the phone, I called my 
husband and told him what happened.  Through all of this, I am sobbing 
uncontrollably.  I made a few more calls to some co-workers and my mom. 
 My precious mom also burst into tears.

I tried to stay calm.  It really could be nothing, but I think in my 
heart I knew that something just wasn't right.

I finally met Michael at the doctor's office.  We still had to wait 
about 15 excruciating minutes.  All the while, I am just praying and 
hoping that it was just a fluke.

Finally, we head back.  We are immediately put in the ultrasound room.  
She puts the jelly on my belly and starts looking with her little 
machine.  Quickly, she tells me to empty my bladder and come back.

After that, she does a vaginal ultrasound.  She kept moving it around 
looking, trying to find a heartbeat, but there was nothing.  At that 
point, she told us the fetus appeared to be a little more than 6 weeks 
along, and she can usually find a heartbeat.  She said that technically 
she couldn't made a call until 7 weeks, but that it appeared this 
little one didn't make it.

Heartbroken is a word that is overused.  I thought I had been 
heartbroken before, but I have never truly experienced that until this 
particular moment.

We spoke to the doctor shortly after.  He confirmed that the baby 
didn't make it.

I know he's had to break that awful news to so many couples, but the 
way he talked to us, and the hurt that appeared to be in his voice made 
us feel like this was the first time he'd ever seen a miscarriage.  He 
was so kind and so comforting.  He hugged me and told me there was 
nothing I did wrong or could have done differently to change the 
outcome.  He said that healthy pregnancies are hard to mess up.  
Something must have been wrong from the beginning.

We then sat in a waiting room as he got ready to schedule me for a D 
and C.  Michael and I were wrapped in each other's arms and crying our 
eyes out.  A woman also waiting, who appeared to be at the office for 
some sort of routine checkup, came over and told us she was praying for 
God to comfort us.  I will never forget that woman.  She didn't have to 
say anything, but she chose to let us know she was thinking about us.  
It meant so much.

After that, we went to the hospital to prepare for the D and C.  
Everyone we interacted with was so incredibly kind.  I cannot stress 
how nice that was to experience.

Soon after I got to my room, my mom and dad came.  Mom was incredibly 
distraught.  In a way, it helped to see that.  It helped to be able to 
hold her and cry my eyes out.  I couldn't have made it through that day 
without Michael, Mom, and Dad.  I also couldn't have made it without 
all of Michael's family praying for us in Louisiana.

We ended up waiting at the hospital for 6 hours.  I was crying off and 
on all day.  Mom rubbed my back and feet.  Michael held my hands.  Dad 
made me laugh.

Finally, I went back for the procedure.  I remember them rolling me 
into the room.  There were like 5 people doing different things to me 
all at once.  Then, I was gone.  I woke up to a sweet nurse sitting 
beside me, and tears streaming down my face.

The baby was gone.

After about 45 minutes in recovery, I was back in a room with my 
parents.  The nurse brought me the greatest Diet Coke I've ever had.  
(I had not been able to eat or drink anything all day.)

After the nurse saw that I could keep that down, I was allowed to get 
dressed.  My parents picked up my medicine, and Michael drove me 
quickly to Chick-fil-a.  Then, we were home.

Michael and I cuddled the entire night.

If anything comes out of this as being good, it will be how close 
Michael and I have been brought together.  I thought I loved him more 
than was possible before.  Today, I know that my heart has even more 
room for love for him.  He has been my rock through this.  He has been 
the world's most amazing husband.  You never know what to say in these 
situations, but everything out of his mouth has been so incredibly 
comforting.

The day after, I went back to work.  I took it very easy.  The whole 
time, I couldn't wait to be back home with Michael.

When I got home, I had two sets of flowers on my porch.  Those ladies 
have no idea the amount of comfort they brought me.  Thank you so much.

Shortly after, we received an Edible Arrangement from Michael's 
parents.  YUM YUM.  Food always helps comfort.

I pray that Michael and I are pregnant again soon.  It is the most 
wonderful feeling in the world.  I will tell you one thing, this 
horrible situation will make finally having a baby even that much more 
special.

I have faith that whatever is supposed to happen, will happen.

I haven't mentioned much about God and my relationship with him in this 
post.  Without my faith, I wouldn't have gotten out of bed yesterday, 
or today.  I know God has a plan.  I know that our sweet little baby 
that didn't make is now in Heaven.

For those of you who consider me a close friend, please don't be sad if 
you didn't know about this pregnancy.  Hardly anyone did.  Just a few 
close family members.  Maybe a total of 10 people.  We didn't want to 
tell because we were worried something like this would happen.  Now, I 
kinda wish more people knew.  I wish I knew of more people who had 
dealt with this.  It seems to be a subject that is a little off limits. 
  

I don't think it should be.  Ladies, we need to be able to talk to 
each other about this.  We need to be able to comfort each other.

Thanks so much for reading this and understanding my heart.

Love,

Corrie