Weight Loss

In the 5ish weeks that I was working in Alabama, I went from weighing 172lbs to 150 on the dot. I wasn't trying to lose weight, nor was I expecting the number to be that large. Here is what I am assuming assisted that weight loss.
- The days were beyond hot and in order to not pass out, I consumed way more water than I normally would. I don't like water. At all. Crystal Light is my hero.
- While the first week or so I was in the office, the last few weeks I was out in the warehouse working on the line. My body actually produced sweat. Ha. For those of you who don't know me well, when I was struggling with my migraines I was put on topomax. While it worked wonders for the migraines, it messed up my body's ability to produce sweat properly. My neurologist took me off of the medicine thinking that I would start sweating again. But 5 or so years later, I still struggle to break a sweat. Not so much in that warehouse. Never thought you'd see someone happy about sweating, right? ;) Sweating mixed in with remaining physically active at work seemed to help a lot.
- I cut red meat out of my diet about a month ago. I am not super strict about it and it is something I just ended up doing without any real intentions. I prefer chicken and fish anyway. I am a fan of seafood of all sorts. Ok, maybe not oysters. So it really wasn't that big of a deal. But it cut a lot of fatty meat out of my diet. And eliminated the urge to just "drive thru" and grab a burger. Works for me!
- I usually had a light breakfast, a snack at break at 9, a decent sized lunch, a snack on break at 3 and IF I ate dinner, then it would be a light dinner. A lot of days I came home exhausted and went straight to sleep after showering. But if I did eat dinner, I made sure that I had something light and it usually consisted of lots of veggies.

Losing weight is great but obviously doesn't serve a purpose if I can't keep it off. I have some ideas for keeping the weight off and hopefully losing more, but I would love some suggestions and ideas. What is your "ideal" weight? I thought I would like to get down to 125-130 but honestly, I feel SO good health wise. And for the first time in a long time I actually feel confident in myself and comfortable with my body. So my new goal may just be toning up and keep it at this weight.

Moving, Massages, and My Heart

Moving

Rachel and Heather are moved into their apartment for the most part. Yes, Rachel and Heather. I have moved back home to Jackson. I have waited a week to decided what I wanted to reveal on here. While still using discretion, I feel comfortable enough sharing the basics of what happened. I was fired from Patriot Environmental. Yes, I know how awful that sounds but I can honestly say that I did nothing wrong and I was released unjustly. A couple of weeks ago there was a sexual harassment issue at work. I was the victim and the man who was causing the problem was fired. Unfortunately, the management felt that in order to "avoid future performance issues among the crew" that I could not be a part of their team. I was given no warning and no opportunity to switch to another position (where I wouldn't be the only female). So last Tuesday I was "released" from Patriot. I have struggled with the situation. I feel cheated and hate how unfairness of the whole situation. But I am resting in the fact that I, personally, didn't do anything to justify being fired and that God has a plan for me.
I just hate the limbo phase that I am in, with no potential jobs. At the same time, I am exhausted from working 5 weeks of 12 hours days with only 3 days off. God's timing is not my own.

Massages

My days off were originally scheduled for yesterday and today. As soon as I found out what my days off would be, my mom set up a one hour massage and an adjustment at the chiropractor for me. After losing my job, I thought I would cancel my appointments. Thankfully, we still had the money set aside for the appointments and T told me to keep the appointments. I honestly needed them. Not only physically but emotionally and mentally. It was a little bit of heaven and I feel rejuvenated and ready to face whatever comes next. I have only had one other massage before and it was a 30 minute free massage. The hour was SO worth it! I had no idea. But I definitely won't be forgetting it anytime soon.

My Heart

The one good side I have seen out of being "sent" home is that I get some much needed time with the hubby. :) Yesterday we had a date day and just spent time enjoying each others company. After my appointments we ran some errands. Before it would have just felt monotonous and part of the everyday routine but it was good. He even took me to the fruit stand, checked for cut open watermelon before I got out of the car and did not complain about fruits and veggies for a single second. It was a miracle. ;) We ate dinner at Soul Shine Pizza and created our own pizza. Wheat crust, marinara sauce, crawfish, sauteed onions, and green bell peppers. We created a crawfish etouffee pizza. SO delicious! We had planned on going to see the movie Killers but we still had a few hours to kill before it started. We talked about going home but I knew that if I went home I wouldn't want to get back out to go to the movie, so T suggested that we go to the Renaissance shopping center. He took me to Barnes and Noble and let me sit and read for almost an hour. It was so sweet and relaxing. He went and looked at car books. Of course. ;) We walked around window shopping a bit, got a waffle bowl of ice cream to share then headed to the movie. The movie was pretty cute. I love Katherine Heigl and I definitely liked Ashton Kutcher in this movie. Usually his characters get on my nerves. Just keeping it real!
It is nice to sleep in and not set an alarm clock but I wake up between 4:30-5 every morning like clockwork.I am usually able to fall back asleep around 6 and can sleep for a couple hours longer. It also never fails that I am ready for bed when the sun goes down.

Later this week: Weight loss, keeping it off and good eats!

Has it really been a month?

I've been working in Alabama for a month now. Time seems to have flown by but I am sure that has to do with the fact that I am working 12 hours a day and have only had 3 full days off since I got here.
I miss blogging so much! I try to at least read some blogs but I have not commented faithfully at all. Thankfully, Honey(Heather) brought her laptop down here with her and she is sweet enough to share it with me. That's right. 3 Clegg girls all working down in Mobile together. :) Our town home will be ready this coming Friday and I am SO beyond excited about not living in a hotel.
T has been able to come down here to visit twice and I am so thankful that on his days off that he is willing to drive 4 hours to be with me, even when I still have to work. Those are precious moments that I absolutely cherish. I asked to have this upcoming weekend off so that I could go home and move some things back for our apartment but it was not approved. I haven't been able to go home since I got here and I am having withdrawals. I miss T, my family and my friends but I know that this is temporary(even though it is a long term temporary). Hopefully there will be some normalcy in my schedule and routine once we move into the apartment.
Some things I appreciate:
- T. He is so sweet and so supportive. This is by no means easy but we both know it is necessary. He is forever patient. He had about an hour to teach me to drive Heather's standard car and, though I am by no means good at it, I did it!
- My job and work family. This job has and will enable us to not struggle so much financially. If you have been around this blog for any amount of time, with both of us in college and working average paying jobs while in school, money has been a serious issue. My first paycheck was for a week and a half and, basically, equalled what T and I were making together in a month at home. I still can't even wrap my mind around it. But I am very grateful and blessed.
- My parents and siblings. My whole family was together on the 4th of July since I was graced with having the day off thanks to watermelon. :o) Then my mom came back and spent some time with us "big girls". More moments I cherish. My sisters, Rachel and Honey, are an ultimate support system. Rachel and I work the same shift but on completely different areas of the site and she is still living with family friends while I am at a hotel. Heather is working night shift so we only catch little moments together every once in a while. Despite not seeing them consistently, I am so grateful to have them here with me.
- Jade. After working 12 hours with all men, it is SO nice to have a female to hang out with after work. I met Jade through her brother, who works with me in the Boom Repair Shop, and we instantly hit it off. She works in the office for one of the subcontractors and she is basically the only female with that company. We are both starved for female companionship. ;) 

Some things I am looking forward to:
- Moving into our apartment
- A trip home, whenever that may be.
- Getting into a routine.
- Cooking, blogging, and making the most of my evenings.
- Getting a DVR. :) I have cable in the hotel but with our crazy schedules we can't really watch any shows consistently. I look forward to being spoiled and having it on hand again.
- Buying a brand new mattress and bedroom furniture for the bedroom that Honey and I will share.
- Having my dog Lady here with us once we're in the apartment. T and I decided that Lady should come stay with me so I can have some "company". He will be keeping Coach with him in Mississippi. Coach doesn't adapt to new surroundings as easily as Lady does and he enjoys the yard and being able to run free. So even though Coach is "my" baby, he will be staying at home with T and Lady will be coming here.
- Mani and Pedi with Jade sometime this week.