Funny!!

This is an actual picture from the streets in Richmond, CA. Funny!!

Weight Gain Weight Loss!

After my car accident I gain approximately 12 lbs, due to not exercising and not being able to cook as much as I did because I was in pain. Therefore, Jesse and I ate out more than we normally did. 12 pounds doesn’t sound like a lot but on a 5 foot petite woman like me it was a lot of weight.

Once I got my strength back and was physically able to exercise (primarily weight lifting and running) I really started to get back into the habit. After three months of working out and running like crazy, I actually had not lost a pound but actually gained weight from my muscle gain (or fat but I prefer to think it was muscle). It was ridiculous! I was lifting the most I had ever lifted and was running 6 miles 3 or 4 times a week and nothing was happening.

I decided that if exercising wasn’t helping me lose weight that I would have to change my eating habits. I was debating between starting the Nutrisystem or Weight Watchers, but I eventually chose Weight Watchers because it fit my lifestyle that I have.

First couple of weeks I was quite hungry but my appetite eventually changed. Slowly but gradually the weight starting coming off between 1-2 lbs a week since mid September of this year. Hiking Machu Picchu made not only me lose weight but Jesse too. Jesse lost like 10 lbs hiking in Peru and I lost like 5 lbs. Weight Watchers completely changed my point of view on eating; I’m eating and feeling SO much healthier. I have horrible migraines and ever since I starting eating better my migraines have drastically reduced to almost never happening.

All in all, I have lost 16 lbs with only a few more pounds to go just because we all want to lose those 5 extra pounds, eating and exercising better (though I haven’t exercised since Peru, but that’s somewhat understandable). I still eat my pizza, chocolate and other yummy bad food but now I know what junk food costs me. That doesn’t mean I’m staying away from them forever but only once in a blue moon.

Melissa

Tourist Visas

Janette got denied her tourist visa on Monday, the reason given being that she didn't make enough money. Melissa and I filled out Affidavit's of Support, got them officially notarized and everything, declaring that the visiting alien would not become a drain on the system while she was up here and staying with us, specifically so that wouldn't be an issue.

Anyway, with a few exceptions (notably Europe) everyone who wants to come to the US on a tourist visa has to pass an interview and overcome an assumption that they will immigrate, just stay here once they get here. That's reasonable, given our situation as the most kick-ass nation on earth, but it's crazy that they'd keep visitors out specifically because they won't enforce their own rules. If it were more difficult for companies to hire illegals and harder for illegals to find work, then it would be easier to bring in visitors, legitimate visitors, without the fear that they'd stay. That makes sense all the way around, except that our salad might be more expensive.

I'd like to rant and rave, but I know that people have limited attention spans.

Excited

Melissa is lying, she knows why she's excited. Her cousin Janette is interviewing with the US Consulate in Lima on monday at 7:30 in the morning to see if she gets a US tourist visa or not. Most are denied, but we hope she get's through. So if you're the praying type please pray for Janette (to get her tourist visa).

Random Thoughts

I'm excited and I don't know why. Maybe about Thanksgiving and Christmas, having great times with families and friends.

I'm glad it's fall almost winter. Jesse's birthday is next month, my work situation is better, I feel healthier. Rocky's not that much of a butthead. I had lunch today with Jesse so that is always a perk. We lost the BMW but now we don't have a car payment and our insurance is WAY cheaper, we only really need one car.

Life is good.

Melissa

Gym

If you're a man and you go to the gym, don't ever do this:



Please.