Thin By 30: Halloween Do Over and the size M victory!

Our Halloween do over was a HUGE success! The first Halloween since moving into our home that we've had so many kids! We've been here 5 years and each year I could count the kids we've had on my fingers and toes. I rarely get over 12. But this year we had 28! I can only assume that the numbers were due to the weather (it was warmer in the high 50's) and that the wind stayed down. It could also have been due to the fact that so many kids around here do trunk or treat at school or church on Halloween and they don't go door to door anymore and were free to use the extra night for bonus candy. Either way, it was great!

All 3 of our kids dressed up this year. Grace was a mermaid, Benjamin was Thomas the Tank Engine, and Liam was a monkey. They each took a pumpkin pail and Bill took them around with the wagon and a pillowcase to store extra haul. He claims they fell a lot getting out of the wagon and he thinks some candy was lost that way (not really gonna cry over that), but they managed to bring home as much candy as we had purchased to give away. I always create baby safe baggies (lunch bags with low sugar, peanut free and choke safe snacks) and then kinder bags. Bags that have around 6 pieces because small kids get tired more quickly and therefore hit fewer houses before heading home. The older kids get the left over assortment and they usually get between 3-5 pieces depending on the rush. No one is disappointed at my house. With Bill's decorations even the adults have a good time.

From left: Benjamin (3), Liam (2) and Grace (5)

My witch costume (you can even see my 75lb weight loss gift here. A Pandora bracelet from my husband's Aunt Marian. It has a blue (you're a star) charm and a garden gnome. I love gnomes).

On to the size M victory!

Friday I got out my "new" cardigan. Little fact: I enjoy sweaters and cardigans. Being a fat girl for so long I developed a love of layering clothes to "hide" my fat. It didn't really mask it, but actually just tried to cover it. Anyways, the cardigan in question was purchased in September when the fall clothing was set at our local grocery department store. I loved it as soon as I saw it. A full zip grey cardigan. Pockets and a high collar. Adorable. Amazingly the size L fit and I wanted it. So, despite the fact that I really could wait for the purchase, I bought it. Anyone around this part of the country could tell you, that when buying fall/winter clothes it does not pay to procrastinate. All the good stuff is snapped up in a hurry cause it gets cold fast. Well, that darn L sweater was getting big. I've noticed it before. I like to wear them to work to "hide" myself and lately that zipper area has looked stretched out. It has a bulge in the lower belly area that makes me look fatter than I really am. So I asked Bill to be honest (not something men are known for regarding women and weight questions). The old, "Honey, does this make me look fat?". The answer was, yes. So, when we went out for some last minute groceries I scoured the racks for my cardigan. Low and behold! They had a few left and on clearance for 30% off! There were 2 mediums and I happily purchased 1. I'm not planning for the future, so if and when the day comes that my M no longer fits, I'll happily go back out and buy a S. I long for that day.

Saturday morning and it's rainy and dreary and I'm, dah dah dah dah!, wearing my new M cardigan! I also had another great weigh in today bringing me so much closer to my goal. Another amazing achievement, Bill and I both weighed in at 183 after lunch. That, was FANTASTIC! Finally I weigh what he weighs and I am no longer heavier than my 6'2" husband. I'm getting there.

Current weight: 181.6
Goal weight: 159 (100lbs less)

Healthy goal of 164 for no longer over weight.

Current BMI: 27.6
Overall body weight lost: 29.88%

SHAZAM!!!!

Here are some pics to enjoy!