Back in time

It is honestly kind of hard to go back and look through some of these photos and realizing how big I had honestly gotten. Let alone, how big Nick was. Neither one of us really realized it. The photo of us in the carriage was in July of 2008, right after we met. I was no where near my heaviest weight, but he was at his, 398 pounds. The most recent photo of us, is me in the polka dot dress, and him in the plaid shirt. He was at 270 in the photo. 128 pounds less than his highest. My heaviest is in the photo with the pig, how coincidental. From that photo to the recent photo of us, 112 pounds. That means between the two of us we have now lost 240 pounds total. That's a human being, a large human being at that. It has been a remarkable road for us, and we continue to strive daily to improve our lives. Its not just about losing weight. It is about becoming healthy so we can have a long prosperous life together. 

Denver 2011

Seattle 2012

2012

Great Lakes Convoy 2011

Great Lakes Convoy 2012

EOU 2012

Vacation 2012

Expo 2014

MATS 2012

Seattle 2012

Bob's wedding 2013

Our reception 2010

St Augustine 2008

San Antonio 2014

Photos from the expo

Photos from the expo

Expo 2014

Last weekend was the Expedite Expo in Wilmington, OH. We made it there Thursday afternoon, after Nicks little visit to the emergency room on Wednesday afternoon. That was a fiasco all in itself. What we thought was one thing, turned out to be something ENTIRELY different.

Thursday evening started with the exhibitor meet and greet cocktail party, followed by a dance party, and we can't forget the photo booth! I love being able to attend these events, as it gives me a chance to get all dressed up, and catch up with important folks in the industry. It was quite funny to hear so many people ask Nick what I was feeding him, or rather wasn't I feeding him, since he has lost so much weight. It was also nice to hear so many compliments on my own weight loss as well.

Friday morning started off with breakfast, and Nick was feeling better, which I was more than grateful for. We walked around the show a bit, and met up with friends who were just making it in. Then came lunch, more socializing, a workshop on Expediting 101. Nick was asked to be a speaker  Thursday night, and when I showed up I was then asked to sit on the panel as well. It is always interesting the questions that you will asked.  Then the best part of the day came, casino night and the patio party. Because I had so many compliments I was feeling overly confident, and did something I have never done before. I wore a pair of skinny jeans, and on top of that, paired them with a pair of knee high boots. The festivities ensued, and by the end of the night I had a $50 gift card as a prize and some really sore feet!!

Saturday morning was bright and early, 7:30 for the Fedex breakfast. Nick was back to feeling pretty bad, so as soon as breakfast was over we went upstairs for a bit. At 11 there was a "retirement party" at the Load1 booth for a very good friend of ours, that we have known for quite a while. Then we headed back for nick to rest. I casually made my way down at about 2 for my workshop that started at 2:30. It was not the best attended workshop, well, OK, it really was a flop. It was nice to meet Big John, and Buck Black, but other than that not too much went well. I think that it being the last workshop, on the last day, right at the end of the show really affected the attendance, plus it is during the time there are a lot of giveaways.

After the show ended it was time for the driver BBQ. This year was different. This year it was to benefit Cincinnati Children's hospital, as an employee of the company who puts on the expos daughter had been being treated there for leukemia. We definitely made a donation, as it was for such a great cause. Nick was even able to eat a bit of a brat. He was feeling much better, and at about 7:30 I headed up to bed, I was exhausted, and my allergies were getting angry.

Sunday morning, Nick still wasn't feeling so great, so we decided to go home and take him to the Dr again. Today, he is doing better, with the help of cooking in the truck again.

Changes

The last few years of our lives have brought big changes. From carriers, to trucks, and our health. Between Nick and I we have nearly lost 250 pound. That's a full grown person!

How have we done this? By cooking and eating in our truck, eating healthily, and exercising. Don't get me wrong, we aren't perfect by any means, we still enjoy dinners out, and treats. But it has been a lifestyle change for the better. It started slowly. We started ordering and buying healthier food, then we started on portion sizes, cooking healthier, and eating all the time.

There is no miracle pill or surgery, otherwise don't you think that we would all be skinny? Its taken a lot of hard work and dedication.

Saturday afternoon I will be hosting a workshop with a few health professionals at the Expedite Expo in Wilmington, OH on how to be a healthier trucker. If you're in the area, I would love to see you there.

Changes

The last few years of our lives have brought big changes. From carriers, to trucks, and our health. Between Nick and I we have nearly lost 250 pound. That's a full grown person!

How have we done this? By cooking and eating in our truck, eating healthily, and exercising. Don't get me wrong, we aren't perfect by any means, we still enjoy dinners out, and treats. But it has been a lifestyle change for the better. It started slowly. We started ordering and buying healthier food, then we started on portion sizes, cooking healthier, and eating all the time.

There is no miracle pill or surgery, otherwise don't you think that we would all be skinny? Its taken a lot of hard work and dedication.

Saturday afternoon I will be hosting a workshop with a few health professionals at the Expedite Expo in Wilmington, OH on how to be a healthier trucker. If you're in the area, I would love to see you there.

Oy

So, my happiness challenge has been stalled. I haven't been quite so happy. Facing some challenging times right now, just got to make it through.

Oh, what a day

So today's challenge is to meditate for 5 minutes per day. No biggie for me, I do that when I do my yoga, typically before bed. Cardio, I'll get that taken care of later.

I'm feeling a bit down today, and can't seem to shake it. I need to remember everything happens a specific way for a reason. We had a really really good load cancel on us, but as a wise man told us, not everyone will be a home run, so we justbsit back and wait.

On the plus side within the next month we will be 100% debt free. That's a great thing for us, because we want to start saving money to buy a house cash. A lot of people are looking down on us for that because we don't have a home of our own, but what is the point of almost paying double for a house with 30 years on interest?! That's just crazy to me. Plus it will be nice to say, "I am X years old and own my home".

Anyway, to continue with the challenge, today I am thankful for great advice from great friends. I am thankful that there are still good people in the world that are willing to help others. And finally I am thankful for everyone who takes the time to read my writing.

A meaningful thing did happen this morning. While waiting for nick to finish his shower and older gentleman started talking to me. He pointed out he knew I was one of the girls from the most beautiful contest , he knew by my smile and eyes. He said that I belonged in the top three as I have done a lot for the industry and portray a great persona, and that Ingrid deserved to win. I entirely agree with him :)

Today I would like to recognize a great couple. They have been our mentors for the last two years since we came over to Fedex. They always told us that we deserved better things in life, but never realized it. Thank you B&J!

Well, I am off to do the usual task, clean the truck!!

Pump it up

So, I swear I didn't skip day 4 of the happiness challenge, just was a bit busy. For today you are supposed to start incorporating 15 minutes of cardio into your life. I definitely did more than that. Putting the truck back together after being off for a week was a bit challenging. If you know me at all, I over pack. I could be going somewhere for one night and still take five outfits. Well, I packed for the two of us, for a week, not to mention bringing all of my dirty laundry hone to my parents house :)

To add from the last three days challenges as well, they are as follows:

I am thankful for photography, it allows me to capture photos of things so when I get old and have a hard time remembering I can look back at the photos, and jog my memory.

I am thankful for having a comfortable bed, it really makes life much easier. I get a good nights sleep so I am not crabby, which I am sure makes Nicks life easier too.

I am thankful for telephone communication. I like being able to stay in contact with friends and family that I do not often get to see.

Something meaningful from the last 24 hours was getting back in the truck to find my roses nearly dried perfectly. This is the first bouquet of roses Nick has ever boughten for me. It was one night while I was asleep, not feeling well, I woke up and found them.

I would like to recognize my sister. She is a great mother. Before she had P, she was not on the best path, and he changed her life for the better. I remember her changing a babies diaper while babysitting one time with plastic grocery bags on her hands. It is funny how she changed, but I am very thankful.

I am back off to bed for now

Relaunch

Today I am re-launching my blog. In the past things have never really been geared in a specific direction, but now they will be. I will now be writing about things that happen in our daily lives, as well as things that we choose to do differently, in a positive manor, to change our lives, our health, and our careers for the better. I am hoping that you will join me on our new journey.

I have chosen to do the 30 day no fail happiness challenge, that a friend has posted on Facebook. I am currently on day 3, and have decided that I will publicly share it with you all.


The first day is to name 3 things that you are thankful for, and to continue for the rest of the month.

1. I am thankful for the family that I have that is here to support me in whatever that I do. We are facing some health challenges in our family right now, and it is great to know that we can be there for each other.
2. I am thankful for my health. I received the news that all of my checkup tests came back normal, and that there is once again no sign of the cancer returning.
3. I am thankful for the fact that I we are stable enough in our lives that we have been able to take the time off to be here with my family for the things that we are facing.

Day 2- Write down something meaningful that happened to you in the last 24 hours and continue for the rest of the month.

In the last 24 hours I have had many meaningful things happen to me. One that sticks out in my mind is my little nephew curling up in my lap this morning right after he woke up because he wanted to cuddle.

1. I am thankful for the fact that we work for an owner that allows us, within reason, to do whatever we need to with our truck, our time off, and many other aspects of trucking.
2. I am thankful for the few true friends that I have. Trucking has shown me who my true friends really are, and the ones who are only there when they need something.
3. I am thankful for technology that allows me to be in contact with those who mean a lot to me in my life.

Day 3- Reach out to someone you know and praise them.
My husband deserves so much more praise that I give him. He deals with me, and that is a lot all on it's own. He has been here for me through so many things. He was my rock when I had cancer, he stepped up and went on the road on his own, when I needed to take care of family things at home. He has devoted his entire life to me, and for this he deserves so much more recognition than I could even give him.

In the last 24 hours, something meaningful that happened to me was learning the compassion that others have for the hard things that we face in life.

1. I am thankful for my husband loving me the way that he does.
2. I am thankful that we were able to go up north and visit my dad for the first time since Christmas. We were also able to go down to my great uncles house and visit with extended family.
3. I am thankful for having a large sleeper on our truck that allows me to be able to cook healthy things for us while we are away from home.


I am looking forward to sharing our past and future journeys with you, and that you stop back by to see what is in store!

~Jenny~

rant time

A bit of a rant... I wish people realized how easy, and how much healthier it is for them to cook on their truck versus eating out everyday.

When we were in the KW we had a tote with George Foreman, electric skillet, smoothie maker, toaster, and all of my cookie utensils and spices. When it was time to cook, usually when nick was driving I would either sit on the floor with everything, or on the bed with a little fold up table. We were on a very strict budget so eating out was not an option. We actually went from August of 2012 until December of 2012 only eating out twice. And that was for our birthdays. Even during that time of year when I had to go home for weeks at a time, nick cooked his meals himself. In 2013 when we moved into Ginger, with the exception of MATS, 95% of everything from February until May was cooked in the truck.

 We actually saved over $5000 last year, by cooking in the truck. I know thay sounds like a really high number, but that is only $8 per day, per person for the days that we were out. Thats like one meal at a fast food restaurant. Don't think that we are just eating cereal and sandwiches, because we aren't. We eat a lot of "luxury" foods, that most people go out for. Steaks, chicken, pizza, burgers, fries, pasta dishes. We've even had seafood.
Yes, it does take a bit more time, but it is worth it knowing what goes in your body, and saving money.

The road to health

When we came back from our cruise, I looked at the photos, and it became quite obvious that I really needed to do something about my weight. I had definitely let emotional eating take a toll on me, and it was time for me to do something about it. In the last two years and four months, I have lost over 100 pounds. Going from extremely morbidly obese, according to that jacked up bmi chart, to obese, and my goal, will put me into the overweight category. It has not by any means been an easy journey. There are days in which all I want to do is drink Coke and eat zebra cakes, but I know that I can not do that. I do still have them occasionally, as a special treat.  I do have more photos, but I am sure you do not want to be bombarded with photos of me, but here are a few to show the progress. I have a few more recent ones, but havent had the time to update them anywhere yet.  It has all been done with food changes, eating in the truck, not eating out, and having control over my emotions. Learning what being hungry was, vs being bored or sad. Also, portion control has been a big thing. Not eating the whole small bag of potato chips and only eating the correct serving size. Once it gets warmer outside I am looking forward to getting out of the truck and being active. I am sure that this will aid in getting me to my goal as well. If I ever get there, at that point, I will have lost over half of me, enough for a whole human being. To me that is just amazing.

This was taken in Seattle in March of 2012. I think that I was around my highest weight at this point. 

These are the same exact pants that I was wearing in the photo above

This is a side by side of me from March 2012 and December of 2013. 

big changes

Over the last year we have made MANY big changes in our lives. In February of last year, we signed on with Fedex custom critical in their dry box White glove division, and started a new chapter of our lives. In October of last year we made the advancement to a White glove temperature validated unit, with a much larger sleeper, and great ammeneties. It has been much different but such a great changed. I know have the space too cook for us, do crafts, clean, do dishes, decorate my truck like home, and live so much easier!! I plan on keeping up with my blog again so look forward to more reading!!!