New Year's Eve

Farewell 2011...Welcome 2012!

We had a bit of a holiday party at my apartment for some friends who didn't have any other plans. Here are just a few pics from it. :)

New Year, New Me...

So it's out with 2011 and in with 2012. 2011 was a rollercoaster of a year. So many ups and downs that I can't even begin to tell you how crazy it was, but here we are in a brand new year and for that I am so thankful. It's a clean slate and a time to start anew.

I learned several things in 2011 that will help me shape 2012 into the year I want it to be. I have so many goals and things I want to accomplish. I can't wait to see if I can make it happen. But in typical style, here is my little homage to 2011:

Things I learned in 2011

1. People Change: I can remember being in high school with my old friends and thinking that we were going to be best friends forever. Nothing was going to seperate us and we were all going to marry brothers and live next door to each other. However, after I left for college, I sought out to do bigger and better things with my life and my friends all kind of disappeared. We have all worked really hard to stay in touch and we often chat weekly or at the latest monthly, but I've realized that we aren't the same people we were. We've all grown into the people we were MEANT to be and not necessarily who we WANT to be.

2. Not being married isn't that bad contrary to popular belief: Austin and I have been together for 5 and a half years as of Dec 17, 2011. For some people, that is an unacceptable amount of time just to be "dating". However, it works for me and him. We are just as happy dating as many people are married. I hate that our "dating" status prevents us from really hanging out with the "married" folks sometimes though. I really miss a lot of friendships and often feel left out of things because of this. And even though I get emotional about it sometimes, I realize that I have to just do what is right for me and not for everyone else.

3. New friends are awesome: Austin and I have had the great opportunity to become friends with some new people recently. We met Kelly over a year and a half ago and she has totally been a great friend. We hang out often and she always has words of advice or encouragement when I need them. We met Paige and John back in June when they opened a resturant here in Byram. We went in and just started chatting them up and the next thing we knew, we were being invited out to hang out with them. Now there isn't a day we don't see them. Their friendship has helped pull me through a lot of tough times recently. I am so thankful that God has put them in my life. :)

4. I miss my college friends more than ever: Have you ever had a group of people who you just know that you are meant to be with? Well that's how I feel about my college friends. My girls from the "W" are some of the strongest women I know. Although we all seperated out after college all the way from the south east to the west, we still keep in contact and make new memories. It is so nice to have people that you just "click" with. I value their friendship so much more now that we don't see each other every day. I love you girls and can't wait to meet up in 2012!

5. True love is felt as much as it is seen: Anyone who knows my boyfriend Austin, knows that once you meet him, you can't help but love him. He is one of the most selfless people I have ever met and is more than willing to bend over backwards to help anyone who needs it. He has been there for me more than anyone else has ever been. He has dried many tears, held my hand even though we were lost, and has shared more laughter with me than anyone else. We have had our share of ups and downs, but I know in my heart that he is my soul mate. I can't wait to see what our future holds, but I know it's going to be full of love and happiness. (P.S. We looked at rings over the Christmas break! That's a step in the right direction.)

6. I've changed: Nobody really thinks about how they have changed over the course of the year, but I feel like I have really grown. I've tried to be more active in my friends lives. I've tried to help others more than myself. I've studied harder, played harder, and loved more this year than I EVER have before. I guess growing up is happening all at once because it feels like just yesterday I was turning 18 and heading out on my own for the first time.

7. Family is EVERYTHING: I have spent more time with my family this year than ever before. I have made a major effort to be a bigger part in my sister/mom/dad/cousins/uncles/aunts lives than ever before. We have been through a lot of pain this year with losing my Uncle James right at the end of May. I haven't felt pain like that since my Pawpaw passed away 6yrs ago and my cousin Anthony passed away 3yrs ago. Clinging to family has been the one thing that has helped get me through. We have laughed so much more, taken more pictures, and made more memories this year. I am looking forward to making even more in 2012.

There is probably a lot more I should have addressed, but I'm going to end it here. 2011 was great but I can't wait to see what 2012 holds. I hope you'll come along for the ride with me. Until then, this is Jana off to find another adventure...

Wow...It's been a while

I can't believe this is the first time I've logged on since I can't remember. I didn't realize I had let this blog get away from me. My friend Erin asked me the other day what happened to it and I really didn't have a good answer for her. But I'm now back so I hope you are all ready for me. :)

I originally started this blog as a way to chronicle how I was going to lose 100lbs, but unfortunately, I stumbled, fell, got back up, and fell back down again. Only that time I stayed down. But I'm back with a positive attitude and I know I'm going to make good things happen. But before we get into all of that, let's update a little bit about what I've been up to.

I know some of you heard about me going on a trip to Miami, and let me just say it was AMAZING! I had such a good time. There are so many things to see and do there. Below are a few of my favorite pics from the trip.

This was taken at a place called Bahia Honda. (Pronounced Bay-uh Honda) It was a little isolated beach in the middle of a nature reserve and it was gorgeous! As I layed sunning in the sand, I noticed all these sailboats moving in and I just had to nab a picture. As you can see, the water was just as clear as the sky. It was amazingly beautiful.

This is the sign leaving Key West. I was trying to get it as we came into the town, but I was driving at that point and it made it difficult. I actually got to see Mile Marker 0! I thought that was so neat. :)

This picture was taken at sunset on Key West. They have this awesome sunset festival every night and there are some interesting characters that show up. Key West is definitely NOT for kids after dark. (Thanks Brit for filling me in about the festival!)

If you ever get the opportunity to go to Key West and travel down Duval St. (Which is the equivalent of Bourbon Street in New Orleans) I encourage you too. There is a place called "The World's Smallest Bar" located smack dab in the middle and they sell these AMAZING drinks for $15. They basically let you pick a pineapple, gut it, pour all the contents into a blender with some ice, add a TON of rum, and then pour it back into your pineapple. Needless to say, one of these will make anyone feel good. I enjoyed this a LOT! :)

This is my roommate Sara Beth, with whom I shared the Miami/KeyWest Adventure with. She and I were posing in a restuarnt off of Duval St. called "The Hidden Jungle Cafe". And let me tell you, it really was hidden. If I hadn't stepped off into the alley, we would have totally missed it. (Just be aware, because it is so well hidden, they charge an 18% gratuity no matter how many in your party) (Oh, and yes, that is my real hair. I've had several people ask me if I have extensions since I'm not one to wear my hair super long)

Needless to say, my Spring Break was a blast. Some other things that I feel like I should brag about are that I have signed up for some classes through JSU that work towards my Master's degree. I know some of you reading this are going "WTF? JSU? Are you crazy?", and to answer your questions, I would say probably. However, they are not only covering the cost of my tuition, they are also paying me an $1800 supplement to attend. It's a win win deal. I get paid over my summer vacation, I get to work towards my Master's for FREE, and it will be something to keep me busy. :)

I think I've covered all my important stuff now. So I guess we can move on. Back to the original reason I started this blog...to lose weight. Well I got super busy around Thanksgiving and it got worse after Christmas and now I'm feeling so bad about myself because not only did I have to stop my workouts, but I gained back all of my weight I had lost. It hasn't felt good to be back into my "fat" clothes again.

I started back on my Weight Watchers/Atkins diet today. I'm also adding in the Jillian Michael's Fat Burn tablets to try out. (A friend of mine recommended it and said that it worked for her) Not to mention, I'm getting back into my workout routine. I worked out this morning with the 30 Day Shred and I'm going to workout twice a day, 5 days a week if possible. I'm planning on a different workout every afternoon so I don't get burned out.

I took my measurements and weight and I am so ashamed that I'm not even going to post them on here right now. I'm going to have to cope with it myself before I allow myself to put that out there.

I think the reason I failed before was because I wasn't 100% commited to making the change. I made excuses so I could eat what I wanted and skip workouts. I think I've got my head in the game now so that I can REALLY succeed this time. :)

But anyway, I'll try to be better about my posting and I'll once again post my meal plans in case someone out there needs some help and wants to use my plan. I hope everyone has a Marvelous Monday! Until then, this is Jana off to find another adventure...

Year's End and New Year's Resolutions

Can you believe that December is almost completely over? Talk about insane. It feels like just yesterday that 2010 was just beginning and we are about to be into 2011. I don't know what to say or think. Wow! On another note, I have already made it through half of the school year. My does time fly. :)

My weight loss has not been where it should be due to the holidays and just not having time or the energy to work out and do what I should. I plan on getting back on track as of Jan 1, 2011. No better time than the present to get started.

My break has been awesome. It is so nice to be off work for two solid weeks. I've spent it catching up with friends, family, and some much needed sleep. I get to help my roommate move in this week. Should be interesting.

Christmas was AMAZING! I was beyond spoiled rotten and I can't tell you how happy I have been with everything I received. My parents spoiled me beyond measure. I got a brand new HTC Windows Phone and a VIAO laptop. I am just so thankful for all they do for me and this was just icing on the cake. I enjoyed my other gifts as well. :) I can't wait to spend some of those gift cards and try out my new straightener and wear some of my new jewelry. :) I am so blessed beyond measure.

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday as well. I look forward to hearing from everyone soon. :) Until then...this is Jana off to find another adventure...

Long Time...No Post

I know its been about two weeks since my last post and I just wanted to do a brief update for everyone. Weight loss is going good...I haven't lost anymore, but I have lost some inches which is just as good, if not better as far as I'm concerned. I'll def be posting measurements prior to Thanksgiving week. :)

I'm feeling much, much, much better! Thank goodness that my medicine worked. I'm really staying away from alcohol for a LONG time just to make sure that I don't mess anything up that the medicine has helped me get better.

Tonight was "Book Fair/Grandparent Night" at GRI and I pulled a 12 hour day. I am EXHAUSTED! I have been in bed no later than 9pm for the last several days. There is so much going on at work that you barely have time to do anything that isn't a meeting, or planning, or staying after school to go to a meeting or planning. It's very stressful. I can't remember another year that I have stayed after so late.

I was notified today by the Discovery Travel Group that they would love for me to get a group of 5 students together to go to Costa Rica for 8 days! I get to travel free once 5 students pay. It's around $3500 with airfare included and we have until June to come up with the money per student. I've invited two other teachers in 4th grade to help me work it out with parents because the 3 of us REALLY want to go! How amazing would it be to travel in the rain forest? I hope it all works out.

Well I said I was going to keep this brief, so I'll do just that. I'll update as soon as I can. :) Until then...this is Jana off to find another adventure...

Much Needed Update

So I know I have not been as religious about updating as I should typically be and I could give you a million excuses, but the honest truth is that I've just been too busy and too tired to update recently. Life is coming at me fast and I'm just trying to take it as it comes. :)

For those of you who don't know, I have been having some really odd health problems this entire month. It all started with the normal sinus junk that I get every year and wound up escalating into something that I could possibly have been hospitalized for had I not had it checked out. I have contracted some sort of bacteria that has gotten into my kidneys and my stomach and it has made life the past week absolutely miserable. What I thought was sinus drainage making me feel naseated the last several weeks, was actually this bacteria. Everything came to a head on Sunday of this past week when I got home from a visit to Alabama and began throwing up and having other bathroom issues. I've been chugging pedialyte and gatorade and hardly eating anything for fear of getting any sicker.

I missed Monday of work because my temps kept flucuating between 99.5 and 103. Thankfully by Monday night my fever had broken and on Tuesday I attempted to go to work. However, I was having severe back pain that had begun on Sunday and I attributed it to having wretched so hard when I was vomiting. Turns out I have had this nasty kidney infection for a while now and was totally unaware. I left work and went to the doctor to have it checked out. He put me on two different anti-bacterial drugs and informed me that if it is no better after ten days, I may need to look into something else because it could possibly be deadly! So everyone cross your fingers that it takes care of itself. It already feels better today and I'm only on day 2 of my meds.

The doctor demanded that I stay home at least until Thursday to give the medication time to work and I'm glad I did because it has made me so tired. I do miss my students, but to be honest, I've missed my health even more. It has not been fun trying to put on a happy face and work out and do what is needing to be done while feeling like garbage.

In other news, I am currently down to a weight of 255! I can thank the stomach virus for getting me there, but I'm going to keep it off and hopefully have more off by the end of next month as well. I've been working out 4 to 5 days a week, except for the last two weeks because I've been so tired from being sick. Hopefully I can get back on my schedule on Monday of next week. I'm just trying to give myself time to get well.

Other than that, life has been wild! I'm working more than I have ever worked before and our principal is having us do all of these events, etc that require us to spend more time at school and it's a bit overwhelming. I'm trying to be positive about it, but sometimes you just want to go home after work and not worry about meetings and activities.

Austin and I are good. Just taking it day by day. He is still looking for a job and I am praying that he finds something soon. Even though he has no bills, he is always trying to help me out because of how low my pay has gotten. I never knew how much he helped until he couldn't anymore. I hope for both of our sakes he figures out something.

I hope that everyone is doing well and I am looking forward to seeing you all very soon. Ready to see my girls for the first time in months and hopefully playing catch up. Until then...this is Jana off to find another adventure...

I'm a Quarter Way There...

So Friday will officially make a quarter of the school year gone! How time flies! (Thank goodness)

I know it has been a few days since I last posted and I wanted to take care of that right now. :) I'm dedicated to keeping this blog going and keeping everyone posted on progress.

So far, according to my scale, I've officially lost 15lbs, but it changes daily. (Some days it is higher and others it is lower) I'm still working out daily, although the last two weeks I've had to take a day here or there off for a variety of reasons. However, even though tomorrow is the fair, I'll be going immediately after school to work out so I can go out and enjoy the fair as well. As far as inches go, I've lost right around 24 inches from all around my body. The measurements are listed below:

Week 1 Measurements

~ Chest: 45 inches
~ Arms: 15 inches (each)
~ Thighs: 29 inches (each)
~ Hips: 54 inches
~ Waist: 48 inches
~ Start Weight: 280lbs (*Gasp*)

Week 7 Measurements

~ Chest: 40 inches (loss of 5 inches!)
~ Arms: 14 inches (loss of 2 inches for both arms!)
~ Thighs: 25 inches (loss of 8 inches for both thighs!)
~ Hips: 50 inches (4 inches lost!)
~ Waist: 43 inches (5 inches lost!)
~ Current Weight: 265lbs (*Still a gasp, but much better!)

I'm finally seeing results and it's exciting, but I hope to see more as I progress with my workouts. I'm going to have to step up my workouts to get this weight off a little faster. I have two weeks until my parents Halloween party and I need to get another 4-6 lbs off and another 4 inches off my hips and waist by then. I know that it is a lofty goal, but if I hit it hard, I can do it. I just want to look cute in my costume.

I've found myself getting on a slippery slope because I haven't been as careful with what goes in my mouth as I should be. I'm def going to have to work on that. If I want to make my goal by my goal date, I've got to get it together and with Thanksgiving and Christmas fast approaching, I've got to do it fast.

Work is going alright. We've just been so busy at work I really haven't had time to be worried about anything. I am looking forward to our fall break on Monday and I know I just have to survive these last three days and 9 weeks testing and I'll be on a LONG weekend! :)

I hope everyone is doing great as well and I hope you will leave me a message and show me some love. It's so much easier to keep this up when I have support. :) Until then, this is Jana off to find another adventure...