Weight Issues

So where to begin…. So a few months ago, the end of August/early September I started going to the gym almost every day if not every day. When I had first got on the scale to see my starting weight, I was taken back, I have been at a solid weight for years, and the number I saw was 50 pounds heavier than I thought I was at. Mind you I can hide my weight very well, yes I know I am fat, but if you knew the number you would not believe this is how I look. Even at my highest weight in high school (only 25 pounds heavier than I thought I was) I was 3 sizes larger. So it also scared me to see the number, because I have been wearing the same size for the last 4 years.
Over the past months, I have lost 38 pounds, it is not my ideal weight loss, but I also did not go for 2 ½ months in the middle and what not. I have still continued to eat what I have when I went to the gym as often it was just the extra added exercise I cut back on. On an average week when I do go to the gym 5 times, I loose about 4 pounds regularly which is healthy figure for my body type. Since starting the gym. The very few and far between nights that I am free, I am exhausted and want to go to bed early. I have also been under a lot of stress with my job and It has started to take a toll and me and my health.

Most of my closest friends and family know that I have a cyst, and her name is Helga. I hate her, she comes and bothers me unannounced, uninvited and brings lots of pain. I have also been having strong stomach pains the last few months. I finally got into a doctor to be seen and after getting on medicine to hopefully shrink Helga, and lots of blood work I was referred to a general physician. This past weekend I spent the long weekend in bed sick because somebody in my office so kindly gave me strep. I had the appointment set up a long time ago, so it all worked out getting antibiotics for my virus and getting checked out for the other problems. While there, she did some poking around and lab works and ordered me for an abdominal ultra sound.

This morning I had the joys of going to the new IHC Medical Center Hospital for the test. Words cannot describe how much pain I felt! The tech when he got next to my gallbladder, I fought back tears from the pain. When he turned me on the side to get better pictures, he finally asked “Does that Hurt?” When he asked it was discomfort, but the next place he moved it I screamed! He then told me “Unofficially, off the record, you do have lots of small gallstones”. Oh what fun! Now I have to wait until my Doctor “officially” calls me tomorrow to tell me the results so we can go over options. After discussion with those close to me and people who have had theirs removed, I think I am opting for the removal of my gallbladder. I guess I will find out tomorrow the plan of attack and see where this goes.

Thinking back, this is probably related to my rapid weight gain, and the tougher time taking it off. After research, the gallbladder is an organ that is nice to have but generally removed if problems occur, just like with your appendix. The main function is to take complex carbs, cholesterol, etc and break them up for your body to digest easier. The worst I have heard people say, is that sometimes there are certain foods that is harder for your body to digest, but for the most part it is the better option. I guess we see and I will try to blog about this more when I have a free second.

Life Changes!!!!

So for anybody that really truly knows me, my heart belongs to the Northwest! I love everything about it, the Rain, the Trees, the Friends, The People, even the crazy awesome Hippie’s! I have been living here in Utah for a little over 3 years now, and some days it feels like a lifetime! I decided to move here to be closer to family and I felt a prompting to be here. Mind you, this is the longest time I have been away from the PNW, and it is killing me inside! I have a tendency to pick up and move at the drop of a pin, and that was why I had promised my mom that I would live in Utah at least 2 years. I have given it enough time, and it is time to close this chapter in my life I’m afraid.


My friend that I used to work with at my previous employer prior to being laid off, is also working in the same office again with me (thank you to a wonderful referral bonus :) She has been trying to get hired on with a police department and utilize her military background and criminal justice degree. She has gotten through the initial screening of Tacoma PD, and has been asked to come test for them. The process all in all will take roughly 4 months. She is going up the last weekend in March for the BIG test, I would love to join her on a weekend getaway, however I will be in Myrtle Beach with my mom for her Christmas present, yes a 9 day vacation to the east coast, and we are both counting down the days!

Anyway, she is really excited and hopes she gets this job. She has applied for Las Vegas, King County (Seattle), Pierce County (Tacoma) and Portland PD. I have lived in all of those places, and I would move with her to every place except Las Vegas (been there, done that….). The likelihood of her taking Tacoma is very likely, and I excited to say I will more than likely move with her! We were looking at houses today, and found great rent for really cheap and by the waterfront. One in particular is in Gig Harbor, where I grew up until I was 10 and misses so very much!

The best parts will be, being back home in the land that I love, Being close to family I do not get to see very often, a 2 hour drive back to Vancouver/Portland so I can visit more frequently on the weekends, my friends who I miss and care for deeply, the beach, the weather (I am the happiest when it rains) and the city life I miss. Of course there are some sad things, but I can live my life the way I want to, and be closer to those that helped raise me. I will miss my aunts and uncles that I have grown closer to, but I knew in the beginning that Utah was never my permanent home. And even by some crazy miracle that I did ever get married here in Utah, I could never see myself raising a family here.


Either way, I have been thinking very strongly about this move since my most amazing trip back home to Vancouver in October courtesy of the Jacksons. I was sitting the airport waiting for my plane that was delayed and I could not contain my great sadness in saying goodbye to those I care about. So many people helped raise me and make me who I am today that I lost full and utter control when I had say goodbye and leave. Not to mention everything the Jackson’s have done for me and how amazing their family is, it is strange to think the oldest son is already 12, I CHANGED HIS DIAPERS!!!!!

Anyway, I am excited thus far where this year has taken me. Things to look forward to this year (in no particular order) Starting my new business (Pampered Chef), a dating life again (yes, it’s been awhile since I have felt comfortable to get out there again), New friends and old, Trip to the east coast in March/April (adding 7 states to my list), Trip to Chicago in July, Moving back to the NW, great roommates, and last but certainly not least a new nephew in April! So far, GREAT New Year and decade!

Life's New Adventures

So I have decided to something special with whatever little free time I have. Last Friday night I went up to Centerville to see a really close friend who recently was married. It was great, and mostly because it was a girls (well almost) since her husband was out of town on business. Her co-worker was having a Pampered Chef party and she had to go. I have LOVED going to them since I was about 10 years old! That was when everything just clicked!

As of this Friday, I will officially be the newest Pampered Chef consultant! I am super excited!!! I have always thought it would be fun to sell, but just never really given it much thought! I am not the type of person who likes to sell stuff, and especially if I do not believe in it. I know I worked at Best Buy for many years, but the beauty was that I did not have to sell stuff unless I wanted to. And I know everybody and the sun pretty much sells Avon, Mary Kay, Scentsy, etc, but I really do think this is going to be amazing!

So since I am now going to be selling these products on the side, there are tons of perks, and I excited to hit the ground running! If you Host a show (an actual party or even just a catalog party) in my first month of signing up, you get a free extra Host gift. You will also get the Host gift for the month we are in, free products, up to 60% off other products and anytime you want to order something for the next 12 months an additional 10% off! Pampered chef also comes with a Lifetime Warranty on most of their products and some of your older products that may have been broken or not working properly we have replacement parts.

One thing that I have learned starting training, is that most, well 80% of all the products are under $20. The average family eats out at least 3-4 times a week because they don’t have “time”. Well that is what I love about the Deep Dish Baker, is that you can make a healthy meal in less than 20 minutes!

We made Chicken Fajita’s in the microwave! Yes, the Microwave! I know, microwave chicken sounds dirty, and I would not have believed this If I had not seen it myself! We sliced fresh onions, red and green bell peppers, place chicken and rubbed it with Chipotle Rub and cooked it for 15 minutes. Because of the stoneware and the way it cooks, the chicken came out super juicy and tasty! Not only that, we checked it with the thermometer to make sure it was done fully, and when we put it back in for a few minutes, it did not lose any flavor! In less than 20 minutes we made chicken, fresh salsa and guacamole! It was a healthy meal and way cheaper than going out to a restaurant to buy it.

Until I get my website up and running, please email me at amber.coonce@gmail.com to either look at becoming a consultant, hosting a party or if you just want to buy products.