ODAAT – 119 of 366 – View

Today’s prompt is “with a view” – I opted to take a picture of the the view from the end of my street.

I live in a very scenic area. In the distance is Guntown Mountain. It’s a tourist attraction that resembles the Old West. They put on a show and there is a really great tourist spot to take a picture of our area.

There are a lot of areas that are just rolling hills and farmland around here. It’s pretty, but I also enjoy seeing the city. I like small towns, but sometimes living in a town with a population of only 2,000 people tends to get rather dreary.

Not that I want the hustle and bustle of the big city, so for now I’ll take the quaint scenic view in my backyard.

ODAAT – 118 of 366 – YMCA

Today I opted to use the prompt “someplace I went”

So, I took a picture of the place I visit almost on a daily basis now.

This is what greets us as we drive up to the Y, it sits on an island. The ‘A’ is missing, and the bushes cover up the part that says ‘Family YMCA’, but it still looks pretty.

A few weeks ago there was an accident at the Y, an elderly person went forward instead of reverse and hit the wall to the main cardio room.

There has been a construction crew working on rebuilding the part that got damaged. So a lot of the equipment has been moved around. Everyone is ready for it to be back to normal.

We used to have a membership the Y when we lived in Fremont. It was a really big facility. This one is not near as big, but it gets the job done.

ODAAT – 117 of 366 – Little Things

Today’s prompt was “Little Things” – I took this prompt and applied it to the changes I am making in my diet.

As much as I would like to just completely overhaul all the food I eat, it has to be done in small steps.

There are some changes I need to make, we switched to whole grain breads awhile back. We used to eat whole grain pasta, but I’ve been getting the “normal” pasta lately. I think I’ll go back to the whole grain again.

Using my “LoseIt” app has helped me to see where my calories come in each day. It also helped me realize I wasn’t eating enough each day. I’m also increasing my water intake and trying really hard to watch my sweets. I’m also making sure I allow myself some “wiggle” room so I don’t feel like I’ve deprived myself.

The weight is slowly coming off, but as I continue to make better choices, then I know this time my habits and my weight will balance out. I’m definitely not aiming to be skinny. I want to be healthy.

13 lbs down, still got 22 to go

FINALLY!!!  I think I broke through my weight loss plateau.

I am happy to report that I am now down to 221. The majority of the aches and pains I was experiencing have left. I occasionally get some ankle pain, but it’s not like it has been.

I still continue to workout six days a week. About three of those days I am now incorporating weight lifting into my workout. My legs are getting a good workout on the elliptical and the treadmill, so I have mostly been focusing on my arms, namely my triceps. Carl and I have been going into the free weight room together, he helps me when I get stuck. I’ll be happy when they have the main cardio room back with the other weight machines. It takes quite a bit of effort to do a set, since you have to put your own weights on and then remove them once you are done. The other machines you just move a pin, way easier.

I know I still have quite a ways to go, but I am really liking the results so far. Areas that had curves, that shouldn’t have, are now gone. My clothes fit so much better and they look better too. Carl said he wants to know when he will start to get his energy back, that is something I am feeling more now. I also don’t sleep as long as I used to either. I used to be able to sleep for 12 hours or more, that was just not good for obvious reasons. Now if I sleep longer than 8 hours, I feel it.

So this is just me, posting a reminder to myself to keep on keeping on. You will get to your first weight loss goal, then you can move on to your next goal.

ODAAT – 116 of 366 – Back lit

Yesterday’s prompt was “back lit” – this is a fun attempt to get pictures using the sun to light up your subject, but not be a silhouette. You have to time this just right.

Well I knew what the prompt called for, but I still wasn’t sure what to take a picture of. Well after an eventful time at the Y, the kids and I were greeted to this sight.

Akasha and Inky were resting in the window, and lo and behold, the sun was at their back. I couldn’t have captured a better back lit picture if I tried.

They are my window dwellers, they crack me up because with all the windows in our house, they have to share.

ODAAT – 115 of 366 – Buds

Today’s prompt was “buds”

We made our bi-weekly trip to the library after we went to the Y.

For some reason, I have not been paying attention and only just today noticed these gorgeous flowers.

I knew they were a type of rose, and thanks to Google yet again, I was right.

These are called Carpet Rose, I think they are really pretty.

It’s kind of funny, but that old saying “Stop and smell the roses” really applies here. I try very hard to pay attention to my surroundings and yet, these flowers proved to me that I am not always paying close enough attention. I’m glad I didn’t let them pass me by.

ODAAT – 114 of 366 – Lunch

Today’s prompt was “vegetable” – this one wasn’t too hard to accomplish.

After working out at the Y, Jayson said he’d treat me to lunch. He really wanted Dairy Queen and even asked if they had salads.

So here is my lunch, I actually prefer romaine lettuce to iceberg, as it is actually better for you.

I chuckled when I realized the packet of salad dressing comes from Marzettis – that is where Carl works.

The girl handed me two packets and I gave her back one. I know full well that using both of those packets would just defeat the purpose of my workout. And yes, I should have gotten grilled, the crunchy chicken is my weakness. *blushes*

ODAAT – 113 of 366 – Sun’s Rays

Sunday’s prompt was “soil” – I just wasn’t feeling it. I took a picture, but it didn’t come out like I wanted. In fact, this was my back up picture.

I don’t know what it is about seeing the sun’s rays breaking through the clouds.

I guess it just makes me think of heaven or God’s glory shining through.

Either way, it always makes me pause and smile. Just something about those rays breaking through brings me a peace in my soul and calms my spirit.

ODAAT – 112 of 366 – Old Barn

So today I went “off prompt” – well make that yesterday since I forgot to post, but I did take my picture yesterday.

I’ve been wanting to snap a picture of this old barn. I see it when we’re driving to Horse Cave.

I’m not sure why, but our area is riddled with what feels like tons of old abandoned barns.

Sadly, there are quite a few houses like that in our area too.

I’m sure they all have a history, but now they are just old structures decaying on the side of the road.

I really like the vines creeping up the side, they really add character and it shows how long this building has been left unattended for quite some time now.

ODAAT – 111 of 366 – Ears

Today’s prompt was “Ears” – I took another self-portrait. LOL!

I was actually just playing around with my camera. Testing out the self-timer.

When I scanned through my pictures, I noticed this one. I’ll be honest, I’m a little vain – LOL! I think I have really pretty blue eyes.

I also noticed that my picture fit the prompt, as you can see my ears – namely my earrings.

I promise, I’ll try to keep the self-portraits to a minimum.