My New Look!!

Before-- Long Hair and After-- Short Hair

I did it!! I finally cut my hair! But I also made another change... I lost 14 pounds! My whole youth/childhood, I was very active in sports and so I was lucky enough to never have to worry about my weight. When I started having babies, I pretty much decided that that was the way I was going to look now. Well, when we moved here 3 years ago, I realized I really enjoyed working out. It was a great break from the kids and left me feeling renewed and happy. However, after 2 years of working out, though I had lost inches and my clothes fit a little better, I never lost pounds like I wanted to.

Before-- 14 pounds more to love, at the Beginning of April and After-- 14 pounds lighter, today

Two months ago, at the beginning of April, I decided to start counting calories. And let me tell you, I have learned SOOOO much! I have realized that I was snacking ALL day long and I didn't even realize it-- a few chips here, a cheese stick there, etc. When I started accounting for everything I put in my mouth, I stopped putting everything in my mouth. (I also followed all of your advice about healthy snacks like snap peas, my favorite healthy snack, and drinking water, etc.) I also realized exactly how much each food accounted for, which I never knew before. For example, eating 2-3 Hershey's kisses is okay for a treat but a bowl of ice cream is a ton of calories! I have also realized that when I start craving sweets really bad, I just have to push through it, and then the reward comes-- pounds lost! I have also realized just how important it is to exercise (at least when you love food as much as I do!! LOL!!) I workout with a group of ladies in my ward for one hour on Mondays and Fridays, doing a circuit training that one lady leads for us. (Yeah, my ward is so awesome! They also have a "Biggest Loser" club on Tuesday nights.) On Tuesdays, I am dancing in the adult clogging group at my girl's dance studio. On Wednesdays, I play basketball for an hour with another group of ladies. On Thursdays (and any other day that I miss something) I workout at Curves. On Saturdays, I used to play in a Women's Soccer League but we are currently on break right now. I really love the days that I workout because I am able to eat more and have a treat and still make my calories/ still lose weight. Also, did you know that breastfeeding burns 300-500 calories a day?? Cool huh? Anyway, I am hoping to lose a total of 30 pounds when all is said and done-- 1 more pound and I will be halfway there. I am totally happy with the progress that I have made so far-- 14 pounds in 2 months. And even though my whole life I've said that I would NEVER count calories, it is so worth it! I really don't feel like I am missing out all that much. Plus maintaining a weight is so much easier then losing. I will be able to eat about 700 more calories a day when I start maintaining instead of losing.

As for the haircut, I went up to Gig Harbor (where we used to live) and had my friend highlight and cut my hair. I have never been so nervous for a haircut, ever!!! I am so happy that it turned out! I really like it! :) And so does Grant!! It is so much lighter and I have a greater desire to fix it because it is pretty easy.

Thanks so much for voting in my opinion poll on what to do with my hair! Sorry that I kept you in suspense for so long!! ;) The Final After Photos