Motivation Monday

Brought to you by one of my favorite people. Jess. This girl speaks my language. Back in the day she was working for me, she saved my bacon more than once. She is full of sugar lots of spice and everything nice.

Being motivated to do anything related to improving myself had been taking a back seat ever since I had my son. He had become a priority and I had fallen by the way side. I had no energy and was starting to feel sorry for myself, then got slapped with reality when I decided to buy a scale for my hubs who needed to keep better track of his Wt for school. I hated what I seen for myself!
That's when I realized that I hadn't been taking care of myself. I made a promise on my mirror that day to put my health back on the map. Mel's contest was starting soon, so
I broke out my old DVD of Billy Blake's and he has been kicking my butt back into a nice shape.
I love having to be accountable to someone about my wt as weird as that sounds, but it helps me stay on track. My mirror has my daily goals on it and I read it every day to remind myself that I am worth it! I have also been able to strengthen my love of prayer and have been able to have more patients with everyone around me. I have been reminded when I feel down that I am worth it to our Heavenly Father and been able to make better choices for my health.
I hope that we will all be blessed to remember that our Father in Heaven loves us even when we don't like ourselves. And that with that knowledge we will be able to make those changes in our lives to help us love ourselves, whether it be the food we eat, the exercise we do, or the books we read.
Best wishes to all for a Fab and Fit Christmas holiday!!!
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Winner from Week #5 and Week #6 & notes on being dumb

Yes it is the amazing Cowgirl!!
Her points were nearly perfect
Week 5  - 374
Week 6  - 370
I would brag about her now but I'm hoping she will write my Monday motivation and I can brag on her then.

Notes about my being soooo dumb.
The whole point of me doing this little point tracker is that I know, I mean I really KNOW that when my physical body is taken care of.. 1. I am in an emotionally better place. 2. I get more of my to-do list done.
SO WHY WHY WHY have I been a slacker ever since Thanksgiving?
EXCUSES EXCUSES EXCUSES
Just before Thanksgiving I rolled my ankle and it needed a good week to heal
I went on vacation and who wants to eat healthy on vacation?
Hours and hours of sitting in the car and walking all over Disneyland made my SI joints go out BAD, literally it killed to walk after that lovely vacation.  Do I make myself a priority? NO!  I'm over-whelmed at work and running my kids in 10 different directions; so there is NO time to take care of me.  For a good month now my points, have stunk! (sad when you can't win your own contest)  I'm not exercising, then eating more sugar, then feeling like crap then drinking more soda and then feeling more stress at work and the DOWNWARD spiral keeps going!!!  So why, if I know what will fix the problem do I not do it?  Or why does it take so much time to correct my course and get things back on track?  I did, finally, make it to the chiropractor and I ran 3 miles today and I felt SOOOOOO good.

Winner from week #4

Ta-DA!  Even in the midst of Thanksgiving she scored a 315 and beat us all!
Go NOEL!!!

PS...apologies for being so late this week.
MY excuse 8 days of vacation with a laptop and no power-cord
But Mickey Mouse says HI

Never, never, never, give up

I was bugged at myself all night long.  I finish what I start, and I do that which I say I will do.  Disregard that last post.  Game is still on.  I am re-vamping my gotta wanna forward list today.  If you want to stay on the list email me back or leave me a comment.  You can play or not depending on what your given week is like.  You don't need to worry about being the low points for the week, I have some sheer white whitening kits and i-tunes gift cards to use as prizes.  Last week my week started great and then when straight down-hill.  My point total for the week was 207.  And man I felt it Monday and Tuesday....I felt like sludge.  I don't have time to feel like sludge.  I was up and on the spin bike this morning and it felt great.  I already have more energy.
Have a great day!!!

Winner from week #3 and discontinuation...

Shout out to Cowgirl once again with 350 points!!! Woot Woot!

I am typically a big believer in finishing what you've started.  However based on the comments I've been receiving from friends that thought this looked fun at first but are now stressed out of their heads with the holidays; I've decided my brilliant idea was not so brilliant.  I feel like I'm adding to your stress.  That being said I am calling a halt to my 'fun' little contest.  I will still be tracking and blogging and hopefully getting closer to my goal.  I wish you all the best in getting to yours because you Gotta Wan-it Baby!

Fabulous and 50?

Did you catch the finale of Dancing with the stars? I have never seen the show but happened to catch the finale tonight. I want Jennifer Grays abs. And arms. Holy Smokes she looks AWESOME and she is 50!!!!
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Monday Motivation and Thanksgiving wishes:

Today's blurb is brought to you by my fabulous friend and neighbor Sister Ferg.  She is a wife, mother, Grandmother and most recently released from being our RS President.  I want to be like sister Ferg when I grow up because everyone, and I mean everyone loves her.  She is "real" and wise beyond her young Grandma years.  She is constantly "doing good" and sharing the gospel.  I just love her.    She mentioned in her long list of things to do between now and the holidays was to "stay focused on remaining safe emotionally"  I asked her to expand on that thought.

Regarding your wanting a thought for weight loss,  here is a couple: 

 

The things we want the most, we forget in the moment.  And yet a diet coke and 1 Dove "chocoleta" gives emotional comfort  once in a while!

 

Emotionally eating needs to be delt with daily.   Choosing not to love certain people who trigger your eating food that you do not even really enjoy, needs to be delt with. Knowing you can love certain people "from a distance" can be very healing and positive in trying to accomplish weight loss.

Her quote about "from distance" is taken from a talk Elder Holland gave, where he talked about unconditional love.  He said that loving unconditionally does not mean you need to love up close.

Dive into your Thanksgiving feast this week and enjoy!  Then toss the left-overs and get on with being strong and feeling good.  I'll leave you with this poem I picked up from one of my offices:

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs.

We Have a Winner from week two!!

Shout-out to Cowgirl with 350 points!!!!
I think the low points was around 210?  But I can't double check because my email account got hi-jacked with a virus.... nice.  Stay emotionally, physically and spiritually strong.  Have a Great Week!!

Motivation Monday for week #3

Ya I know it's Tuesday 11:15 pm.  That's how I roll sometimes.
What do you call your mom's cousin to you?  She's technically not your Aunt, she's a second cousin?  A cousin once removed?   Her (this cousin of mine) her oldest grandson (she is actually old enough to have a grandson which comes as a shock to her and those that meet her) He, (Tyler - I think) at the last reunion said, we are part of his "spread-out family".  I could give you a bio on her, but I would be typing for a very, very, VERY long time.  So this is the part you need to know.  She has successfully raised and managed 6 AWESOME - over-achiever kids and one GREAT husband. She has an energy for life that is contagious.  She is one of the luckiest people I know.  BUT I also know behind all that luck is a whole lot of hard work and an amazing amount of positive attitude.  If you read my bluchippy blog you also will note she is the one responsible for the "get a man to help you by wearing a skirt technique".  Without further ado...the famous Janette......

Melanie’s invitation to join the “Fab and Fit Club” was an answer to my prayers.  I have been praying that Heavenly Father would give me the strength to be more physically and spiritually fit.  When you get older…you still need to be ‘fit’ in all ways.  I always had a goal to eat more veggies, drink more water (and not diet coke) but it was always ‘tomorrow’.   I do know that when I read the scriptures daily I feel closer to God and more in tune to receive inspiration but by the end of the day, it can be too easy to just crash into bed or watch a comedy TV show like my favorite ‘Frasier’! 

I took the “Fab and Fit” challenge to help me reach these goals and I’m happy to say that have done my scripture reading every night and it feels great! I can’t wait to open my scriptures but I had to buy a book light so I wouldn’t wake my husband.  We have been taught for years that daily scripture reading will bring us joy and we have to have faith that Jesus knew what he was talking about.  It is interesting to note that physiologically, what we feed our brain and body plays a big part in who we are…whether its food, good reading material, exercise, etc.  There is a book called “Change your Brain Change Your Body” by Daniel Amen, (go figure) M.D.  I highly recommend it…it is fascinating.  Basically, when we keep the commandments like keeping the word of wisdom (not going too fast, eating right, etc.), our brains function at their optimum and things start to ‘click’ physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, etc.  So…way to go for wanting to be “Fab and Fit”…your brain is already working well!

PS…Mega kudos to whoever thought up the “sweets only in one sitting”!  Now instead of eating sweets all day, I see a sweet and think that something better will come along but soon it’s after 8pm and I end up not eating sweets all day!  I find the less I eat sweets, the less I want them…and its make me feel so good!  My daily goal is to give up coke and I’ve done it for these two weeks.  It’s true…you have more energy when you DON’T drink it!

Tips:

1. For a switch up in scripture reading, go to the library and get children’s scripture stories…they are fun to read and make the scriptures easy to understand. 
2. Use Stevia instead of sugar or aspartame (which is in diet coke and is banned in many countries because it can destroy brain cells).  Add it to water with some lemon and you have a refreshing drink!  

The winner is....

High point total for week #1 was Posh Petals at 360.
Low point total for week #1 was The One Thing at 49

Be good and keep trackin!

Last Call for week #1 point totals

Send me your point totals.  I'll be posting the week #1 low and high tomorrow.

The low point person will mail me the prize and I will forward it to the winner of the week.

If by chance you "had a crazy week" jump back in and start tracking today!

IF you want to up the ANTE fabandfitby40 (my sister) has thrown down the gauntlet.  She has already anticipated she won't be the high but won't be the low.  She'll be stuck in the middle...so she is personally committing to donate $1 for every point under 310 on her weekly total.  (remember the max is 375).  The money goes to the winner for the week. Money is tight so if that means she needs to roll out of bed and hit her knees for a prayer and a quick scripture she's going to do it.  THIS IS TOTALLY OPTIONAL.

Be Good!

Motivation Monday

Being that I know such awesome people that I want to be like when I grow up.....I'm going to be picking on you people to write a little paragraph about a given topic.  Today's Motivation Monday is brought to you by the fabulous Jill Koford.  She is mother of 3, wife to 1,  and currently serving as Primary President.  She has her own company Creative Design Inc. and she is a whiz with Photoshop.  To top it all off she is currently working on her masters degree.  AND she is NORMAL she has her good days and bad and just like all of us I know she has watched the scale go up and watched the scale go down.  She is currently looking awesome.  We went to lunch for her birthday and she mentioned how much she was liking running...Jill hates running so thus prompted my question......


You know it’s serious when you actually get a phone call and not a text from Mel! How could I say no when I actually got a voicemail!?!  When Melanie called and asked if I would write this little blurb she mentioned something about staying motivated to go out and run. At least that’s what my sleepy mind remembers. In reflecting, it seems like it all comes back to her! She’s wonderful motivation for me!!!

About  a year ago I agreed to the biking portion of a triathlon team with Mel. I put off any kind of training for a very long time and found myself having some serious doubts about whether or not I could do it. Then I mentioned something to a neighbor who wanted to get out on her bike and she agreed to help me train. When this same neighbor then invited me to run with her for some cross training I distinctly remember saying something about hating to run but that I supposed I owed her. I warned that I was a turtle and was assured that she was not part of the “serious girls group.” They run fast. She said something about stopping to walk and not running the freakishly large hill near our house. It sounded doable. At one point last summer this extremely convincing neighbor talked me into running the Provo Half with her. Ok “running” is a strong word. I completed the race. It wasn’t pretty but it was amazingly empowering and a little thought ran through my head on the drive home…we could probably do it a little faster next year. My then 12-year-old daughter joined me in the half. It was truly one of our best memories from this summer. We felt strong. Fit. Like we could do anything!

I realized I was really hooked when, in the dark, a week or so ago my neighbor and I  met under the stoplight for out morning run. It was snowing…ever so lightly. But still it was snow. It was 6am, and I loved it. It was quiet and dark and exhilarating. We still don’t run the freakishly large hill…but we do walk it rather quickly and we actually run more than we used to – there’s a bit less walking. Quite frankly I’m stunned that we still manage to go. Some days are tricky but if our little group doesn’t make it out to pound the pavement a couple of times a week we start feeling deprived and know it’s time to send some text messages and get out. We’ve adjusted for the dark a little bit. We hit the gym for boot camp three days a week. But there’s something almost sacred about out time in the wee hours of the morning when our not-so-serious group gets together for some girl talk oh and a bit of exercise.

Thanks Jilly-bean....I assume that means we are on to do the entire SPUD-man now that you've got the bike and the run in the bag...the swim is the easiest part!!!!

P.S. Happy Snow Day to Everyone - Welcome to Winter!

Done with week #1

Ok people total up those points and email them to me.
NOTE about the SCALE - I am hereby taking the scale out of this contest.  I use the scale as a guide but as noted earlier it is only one of many guides.  This contest is about feeling fabulous inside, outside, even upside-down.  You can include your  # of lbs to goal if you would like, but it's all about the weekly tally of those POINTS.

Let the Games Begin!!

Email me or leave a comment with:
Code name:
Your Goal:
And start keeping track of those points!!! See instructions at left.

Monday weigh in

18 to goal. Crap!! Up 3.
Next week I am starting the Gotta Wanna keep it off during the Holidays contest. (Stolen from the superfaband fit blog). I love the holidays. I don't love gaining weight during the holidays. Even if its only a couple pounds. That's a couple pounds in the wrong direction.

Each Monday you will weigh in and email me your code name, pounds to goal and your points from the previous week. I will post the info in a sidebar on the blog under your code name. Looser for the week sends the winner for the week a prize. (Something small). Like a hey good job! Card! Or whatever.
Points work as follows:

1 pt per hour of sleep 8pt max
5 pts for 30 min of exercise 10pt max
3 pts for am prayer
3 pts for pm prayer
5 pts for scripture study
1 pt per serving of fruit and vegi 5pt max
5 pts for only having 1 sweet
5 points for not eating after 8pm
1 pt for every full glass of water 6pt max
5 pt bonus YOU declare ie.. not drinking soda

55 points a day - mon - sat
45 points on Sunday (exercise rest)
Total available points for a week 340

Tell your sisters, friends or neighbors, the more the merrier for the holidays!
Think about it and email me your info next Monday.


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Monday Mornings

I've decided to change my weigh-ins to Monday morning. I'm hoping it will prove to be incentive to be good over the weekend.
15lbs to go Have a good week stay strong!
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Skinny vs. Healthy

I know I missed last weeks weigh in and none of you called me on it!!!! Thanks for nothing. What are you wrapped up in your own lives? It's ok I completely understand. I have been thinking lately about skinny vs. healthy. My whole ENTIRE life I've been aware of my weight. (gotta love the genes) I secretly hated and still kinda do those people that can eat anything and not gain weight. In Jr. High and High school especially I thought this just isn't fair...Wa_la welcome to your 30's and some of those super skinny eat anything you want in High School girls are not so super skinny. (Evil laugh enter here). I know I'm awful but I'm honest. However there exists still that gene pool that can (even in their 30's) eat whatever in the hell they want to. So UNFair... BUT BUT BUT. I have decided after an experience last week that just because they can have ice cream for breakfast, they never have to worry about their clothes fitting it does NOT mean they FEEL GOOD. They feel like crap! (At least the one I spoke to). As my friend Amy says Eat to Fuel not to Feel better. MY problemo is that for so long the sugar yeast bugs living in my body have convinced my brain that I can get more done if I had a little diet coke on board or that the ice-cream or chocolate bar or yummy warm bread is going to make me FEEL better and after busting my butt I 'deserve' to feel better. HELLO PRIDE. I don't deserve anything. God has given me this body as a gift and I need to take care of it. Saturday I pretty much had a free day which ended with some of Brian's homemade popcorn. By Sunday morning I felt like crap and then by the time I starved through church I came home and ate more comfort food. WHEN WILL I EVER LEARN!!!

I had a crazy day today and I actually avoided a doughnut at Bomans and it feels so good tonight to know I DID it. I was in the middle of screaming children and I did not give into temptation. While blog surfing tonight I was reading Tiffany's blog and she linked to her friend's blog where they have a contest going where not only do you get points for working out and eating right but for praying and reading the scriptures! What the ???? And then it hit me. Brilliant!!! If I really want to re-charge my batteries to have more energy to get more done. Diet Coke is not the answer. I need to 'go to the well'. My prayers are good but my scripture study has STUNK lately. SO game on! If you want the link let me know. I'm too tired right now to find it. Before I sign off BIG SHOUT OUT to Tiff for being within 6lbs of her goal weight!!! YOU ROCK SISTA!

Weekly Weigh-In

17 lbs to Go! That still sounds like a lot, but that number is shrinking. Earlier this week I put on an old pair of jeans that finally go over my hips and bottom. Yay! However my gut still hangeth over the top. Boo! I have 6 weeks to get that 17 to a Big FAT 0.

Weigh-in Wednesday

I know its again Thursday morning but this is from yesterday.
# to goal 19
That's a four pound loss which is awesome but it doesn't feel any different. I'm not complaining its just odd to me how some weeks the scale will move and it all feels the same and other weeks the scale doesn't move but your pants are loose. SHout Out! To my friend Amy she has a few less "pants on the ground" meaning they now fit instead of sitting in the dreadful pile of Don't Fit. Way to go girlfriend!!!

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I take it back

Every pound counts. I'm sticking with the 23 number.
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Weekly weigh in.

What the french toast!! I'm up one pound. Ugg. Actually considering my diet this past week including the to die for peach desert my neighbor brought over last night (which I consumed all by myself)....I am not surprised.
I am cleaning the slate today, getting back on the wagon, whatever you want to call it. As of today I've got 23lbs to go to reach my goal. I'd like to hit my goal in 8 weeks. For easy math the new goal is 24 pounds. Roughly 3 pounds a week. I'm going to need to kick it!!!! Big time!!!!
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STOP don't do it!

Note to self: free days are toxic and you're gonna be sick! It started with a football game on Saturday. I shared a hot dog with Rems. UofU has awesome dogs and they always taste best at a game. Sat night until about 2amI was busting a move to get ready for Noahs blessing and need a fully loaded coke. Sunday of carbs carbs and more sugar n carbs with a little lunch meat thrown in. Between wine cake, peach crisp and all of my favorite things I'm gonna be sick. I seriously have a sugar headache this morning and my belly is still rolling. ugg moral of the story. It all looked divine and they used to be my favorite things but truth be told after not having sugar for so long it didn't taste as good as I thought it would and this morning after feeling is not worth it. I gotta go find some celery! Have a good week!
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Weigh-in Wednesday

I know its Thursday, I'm a little behind.
Loss this week 2 lbs
Total 25lbs
Total since delivering Noah 3 months ago 45.
22 more to go.
I still get intimidated by that 22 number but I keep telling myself: PATIENCE!! a pound at a time a pound at a time, every pound counts!!!!
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Follow through and humble pie.

I actually did what I said I was going to. I took a trash bag and hit the pantry, fridge and snack cupboard. I tossed everything from frosted mini wheats to graham crackers. I even emptied the cookie jar. And wa-la two nights in a row now- no midnight snacking!!! I hopped on the scale to see if it made nay difference and it did...down 2lbs. Feeling pretty good I put on my favorite shorts and t shirt. I was helping Zoe get dressed and she said, mom your belly is still fat. Thanks Zoe. At the pediatricians office today they have all glass elevators. Not sure why. Entertainment for the kids but torture for the mom because it allowed me to see every fat roll on my back and sides. SUPer! Nothing like elevators and your 4yr old to keep you humble.
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Long Haul

Weigh-in Wednesday
Bad news - no weight loss this week
Good news - 3 pairs of work slacks that didn't fit last week fit this week!

I'm bummed about the no loss situation but excited about the pants fitting. I need to adjust three things for next week, and I think I can get the scale to move.
1. Start drinking early. I know I sound like an alcoholic but I'm talking about water. If I start downing it early in the day it helps with cravings etc.
2. Get ALL the Damn treats out of the house. Sorry kids. But I can't seem to control the late night snacker. Sooo if the only option is healthy stuff at 2am so be it.
3. Increase activity. Brian was traveling last week and again this week and I use that as an excuse to not exercise.
NO more!
I'm on it Blue Bonnet!
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Weigh-in Wednesday week 5

Goal 23lbs
Actual 22lbs

DANG IT! This is the first week I'm short on my goal. Which is interesting because I've put in three hard work outs already this week. HOWEVER that is typical my body. Whenever I've been on vacation from the gym and head back the scale goes up. sooo frustrating, but I kind of expected it. Also my cycle started and I haven't had that pleasure in the last 11 months.
I walked into Deseret Book in Bountiful yesterday and it smelled like heaven...or at least that's what Heaven better smell like. Freshly baked rolls and sugar cookies. They had sugar cookie samples that were the size of my thumb nail. I did have one, which I don't believe is harmful, but then driving Rems home from therapy I stole about 4 fries from his happy meal. I'm telling ya those bites do me in! My sweet friend Amy gave me the BEST gum and a big box of fairly non-harmful fudgsicles. I might need to keep that gum in my mouth at all times. It's the Layers gum by trident stawberry-orange. YUM

2 for 2

Oh happy day for school starting. Having a schedule is a good thing in my book. (Most days). 2 days in a row I've actually pulled back my eye-lids at 5am and gotten my booty out of bed to go exercise. My biceps are sore....love that feeling.
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Cherry Hill

I've got a sleeping baby on my lap at the pool. I am observing this lady next to me and she is super petite and skinny. BUT there is still a little cottage cheese in her trunk and I know its awful but somehow that makes me feel better.
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"Pants on the Ground"

I would break into song but it would need to be called "Pants on the floor" I have a gigantic stack of pants, shorts and Capri's stacked on the closet floor... just waiting for me. SERIOUSLY WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO FIT? I'm happy with the progress so far, but it just reminds me I have a way to go. Thank heavens for stretchy skirts. I have 3 outfits I rotate for work. My poor offices probably think I'm loony bins, and can't remember what I wore the previous week. I still have 27lbs to go and out of the stack 1 pair of jeans and 2 pairs of shorts fit. The rest are waiting. Someone out there tell me at some point you've had a similar stack.

Water down those cravings

I'm going to post about things I notice are working and some that are not...
"Water down!" The common link in every weightloss plan out there. Drink your water. I've found on the days my water intake is good I crave sweets or carbs less. Or if I am craving something I'm not allowed to have at the moment I STOP and ask myself am I really hungry or am I thirsty? or tired? Tired is a given but usually I am thirsty.
"Gettin Busy" (not that kind of busy the other kind of busy). When I am craving something and I find myself opening the fridge or the pantry to just stare at what's in there, or if that brownie is literally sitting on my brain yelling "eat me" I have found if I go do something else like start a load of laundry or get busy cleaning out a drawer, the craving will pass.
"Just a bite is bitter sweet" This one is still being refined. I previously had the notion that just a bite would help the craving go away, and certainly a bite is better than the whole thing. Right? I have found for me personally the more I have a sip of this or a bite of that the stronger the cravings become. So yes a bite is better than the whole thing and having a piece of cake is better than eating the whole cake but it packs some bitter consequences.

Weigh in Wednesday week 4

Goal total 20
Actual total 21
Desperate times call for desperate measures. I'm going to have to duck tape the entire kitchen. My night-time snacker is out of control! Its weird because I'm not totally sleep walking or in this case sleep eating but darn close. I had about 6 nilla waffers down the hatch before I remembered OH ya. I'm not supposed to be eating these in the middle of the night. My SIL had a sister that was a sleep walker and they tied her foot to the bed post. I might need to try it. Any other ideas out there?
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Wednesday Weigh-In wk3

Goal 15 Actual 17.
That's only 2lbs this week. Which is ok but I was hoping for more. This was a hard week for the food plan. My late night snacker sugar monster has returned and when I'm up with Noah at 1am and 4am I have NO will power. I actually duck taped the cookie jar last night so I would stay out of it.
I am pushing hard to do 3lbs this next week. I need to stay true to my food plan and increase my exercise (which has been major slacking).
Wishing you Healthy and Happy!
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Cravings

I bombed out late last night. There is something about Sundays and sweets! The minute Brian left for the cabin I thought crap I'm in trouble. The chocolate covered graham crackers were calling my name. With no one around to watch me cheat. I CHEATED. Ugg BAD BAD BAD. I do hope to get to a place where I feel like I can afford the calories of a yummy cookie and enjoy it. I'm just not there yet. And did I mention when I got up with the baby at midnight and again at 3am and 5 am. I had a cookie or two each time. Someone STOP ME!
The weird thing is today. I didn't have a single craving. I kept to my eating plan perfectly. One of two things I think happened. 1. I got the craving out of my system and out of my head. Or 2. I was better hydrated today and I ate my meals on time. Vs waiting until after church to eat. If its #2 that's a quick fix. If it's #1 what am I going to do next time that craving strikes again?
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Replacement Strategy

Tonight driving home from Bear Lake I was really tired and for various reasons my nerves were shot. I really really wanted that endorphin kick that I used to get from a diet coke or something sweet or salty to munch on in the car. NOPE not on the diet plan for today. So there I sat with my bottle of water. I asked Brian what he thought a good replacement strategy was for that quick calming endorphin release that used to come from a soda or a sweet treat.
His answer.....Sex....
Ha- ok buddy pull the truck over but this is gonna be tricky with 4 kids in the car. Other than Brian's idea (which is great but not always realistic in given circumstances) what would your idea be?
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Weigh-in Wednesdays

I'm trying to not make this about the numbers. BUT if the goal is a number I guess I should monitor it weekly. As stated earlier the entire pregnancy put on 67lbs (ouch). I didn't get serious about the weight-loss portion until 2 weeks ago, at that point I had 46 to loose which seemed pretty daunting. I decided to break it down into smaller goals. Today's goal was 8lbs. Actual loss was 15.
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Skinny Button and "Don't Stand so close to me"

I wish blogger or Photoshop had a skinny button. You could click on the button and it would instantly make you look skinnier. Every click would make you look 5pounds lighter. I have never looked good wet. Boating, swimming, you name it, between my somewhat but not really naturally curly hair and my round face, wet is just not my thing. My goal was to do the swim portion of the Spudman. I had a decent time of 26minutes. Looking at all the awesome athletes around me, it made me feel good that at least I was there participating. I just had a baby 7 weeks ago and I've got a weight loss plan and I'm sticking to the plan...feeling good and then I saw this photo.....

And I felt like ATilla the Hun. I didn't know if I should give up or be bound a determined to have a better photo next year. Now part of the problem is the ugly white very large t-shirt combo with the non-sport hat and glasses. BAD combination. But I had forgotten to pack anything to throw on after the swim and it was sooo hot and bright and my hair was a matted mess that I had to put on the only pair of glasses and hat that I had. To top the whole thing off I'm standing next to skinny and skinny. Jill and Laurel my OTAH team are awesome beautiful girls. They both happen to be pretty petite through the shoulders. Instead of feeling great about this accomplishment I look at this picture and I'm ashamed. I guess the truth hurts. I remember reading in a weight loss article somewhere that you need to take a good look in the mirror and really look at your body. Often when we are becoming over-weight we start to avoid mirrors and don't want to see how bad it's getting. Now if I were to go stand next to someone 80lbs overweight (there were none around I looked) and take the same picture minus the bad T hat and glasses combo, would I feel the same way? Either way I've decided I am B.A.D. Bound and Determined to have a better photo next year. Better swim time. And better feeling about me no matter who I'm standing next to.

Party on!

I did it! I actually survived this weekend and stuck to my game plan menu of food. AND it STUNK! I was totally grumpy about it. If I'm roastin smores with my kids I wanna have a smore. I don't love hitting the shake shop watching everyone else enjoy while I sip my water. I have spent the weekend thinking how many of my life events or 'fun things' involve a boatload of calories. Sunday family dinner, vacations, weekends at the cabin...from weddings and funerals to date night so much of it is about yummy eating. I need to wrap my thinking around the fact that I can go to the cabin relax and enjoy without getting sucked in by the yummy treats, burgers fries and shakes. If I just knew for sure they were going to be serving those things in heaven I could give them up for good??
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A weighty question

To weigh or Not to weigh...that is the question. If I'm going to give up sugar, diet coke, chocolate and all that...I pretty much want instant results. In this part of my journey I would like to not only take the baby weight off (plus a little extra) but also change the habits that put on sooo much baby weight and the little extra. I do believe our bodies are temples and I want to feel good inside this temple. I want to live a long healthy life and I want to feel strong. lalala so does everyone else I know. Back to my bad habits... In the past when I weigh myself and the scale is not what I expect, I get frustrated. When I feel that frustration I want to give up and go have an Oreo because OBVIOUSLY my efforts are not paying off.. or are they? Or have I deceived myself thinking my efforts were enough to get me where I wanted to be? I am considering either weighing myself once a week or not weighing myself until I reach the end of my 4 weeks. What do you think?

On Second Thought

I had way too much drive time today to think. I won't forward these posts anymore, everyone I know is way too busy to for these trivial thoughts...so I will still be here blogging away. May the force be with you.

InBox

I have committed to this 4 week diet and will probably be posting more than usual to keep my fingers busy on the keyboard vs reaching for the cookie jar. If these updates are a pain in your inbox let me know and ill take you off the forward list.
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Part two of the first day back

Woops hit send before I finished that last post. Long story short... Its been a good day and starting tomorrow that Scale is gonna move!
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1st Day back to work

Yesterday I went shopping because I literally had nothing to wear to work. (Ok I do have one skirt that fits) After hours of shopping I found one outfit I liked. (Seriously not fun to be shopping when you still have 45 of the 65 lbs you gained while pregnant to loose)....not to mention the styles these days. I've done the leggings thing once in jr High and I have zero desire to ever do it again. And skinny leg pants and Jeans.??? Hmm NO.
So I have my one cute outfit, my hair actually turned out decent. Dani had the kids under control and I was out the door! My nice offices told me I looked great which is good because they may see me in this same outfit for the next 4 weeks! I made the decision to wean the nursing thing down to just night time. Having just made that decision yesterday my boobs are about to explode! Its a good thing the outfit includes a loose fitting short sleeve cardi because my RT could seriously poke someones eye out. Last stop of the day the OB's office for my 6 week check. I hate her darn scale its even worse than the one at home!!!
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Why I Wanna

This morning I DID NOT WANNA drag my booty to the pool to swim. I wanted to drop Zoe off at dance at go back home and crawl into bed. The whole 'wanna' thing is for me, about wanting 'it' (feeling good in my skin) bad enough that I'm willing to do what it takes to get there. But what about when I don't want to >>> It's not about even feeling Neutral, it's plain not wanting to do what I know I should be doing. I think this is normal. I think everyone, even Jillian Michaels, (ok maybe NOT Jillian) has times where we don't want to do what we KNOW we should be doing, we WANT to do the very opposite. I think (my hypothesis) is that successful people DO what they should DO, or have planned to DO to reach a goal, even during the times they don't want to.
The next part is for me; to serve as motivation during those times I don't wanna. Between my OBgyn and every office commenting on how 'big' I am or that I look 'so pregnant' I have developed a weight complex. I'm actually considering not attending some up-coming events because of my complex. It's got me thinking..
I don't ever want to feel this way again. Granted pregnancy is an excuse but I never want to carry around 40 extra pounds. With extra weight this is what BUGS: it hurts to move, it hurts to bend over, it hurts to breathe sometimes. I get winded climbing the stairs. My face looks different. My wedding ring is tight. My physical activity with my kids is limited... and the list goes on. I remember a couple of years ago I had dropped about 15lbs right before ski season started. I distinctly remember how good it felt coming down that hill vs. the prior year. I want that feeling back. (I know patience grasshopper, I still need to be pregnant for 5 more weeks).

H.A.L.T.

Copied from msn's home page about how to think like a skinny girl:
Add the word "halt" to your vocabulary, says Gallagher. More than just a command (as in stop eating that entire sleeve of cookies), it's an acronym that stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired -- the four most common triggers for emotional eating.
If you're truly hungry, eat a balanced snack, such as a handful of nuts, to tide you over until your next meal. But if you're angry, lonely, or tired, seek an alternative, calorie-free solution to your emotional need. Blow off steam by going for a run or just jumping around - the heartbeat boost will help dissipate your anger. Lonely? Call a friend, e-mail your kid, or walk to the park or mall. Being around others will make you feel more connected to your community (even if you don't bump into anyone you know). If you're tired, for heaven's sake, sleep!

But what if you're pregnant and just really craving those peanut butter chocolate bars?

Loving motivation from a spouse

Last weekend Brian comes walking in the kitchen and says to me, "This Spudman isn't that far away, you've got to get on it!" I'm limping around because of my SI pain and I've got to 'get on it'. FINE swimming is the one thing that doesn't aggravate my pain, other than getting my lazy bum to the pool. My goal for this week was 3 good days of exercise regardless of what my pain level was and 2 of the 3 needed to be pool days. I did it! Next week I'll go for 4 maybe.

Baffled

I really believe the scale is possessed. I've worked out maybe 5 times in the past month. I've pretty much been eating like crazy because food finally sounds good. I just spent 2 days in Las Vegas and the calories eaten in Vegas I'm sure Did Not stay in Vegas and I stepped on the scale at the Obgyn and I haven't gained anything in 4 weeks. Crazy!
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Give up?

I've been dressed to exercise since breakfast this morning. It hasn't happened. I've done everything but that. Its almost 3pm I really should get dressed for the day, and maybe put on some lipstick.
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7000 daily calorie burn

Did you catch Biggest Looser last night? I know they wear the Body Bugs and have daily calorie burn goals but they never tell you what those burn goals are. It got a little heated with the Red team during the weigh in and it came out that they are expecting a 7000 daily burn. Wow. I don't think my polar version of the Body Bug counts that high. 7000 day in and day out. Hmmm my 350 burn during my 20 quick run on the treadmill is feeling a little wimpy!!!!!
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Super Cool

I'm just leaving combat and this lady had on white terry cloth short shorts and a purple vellor tank top. I know you're thinking wow, I was as well at first glance. I don't even know where you buy vellor work out tanks. The cool part was she could totally pull it off. She had strawberry blonde hair and a smokin body. Good for her. Keep your eyes peeled for terry shorts and vellor tanks I'm gonna need some in about a year when I get my body back! Have a great day!
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Note to self

Bring good book to OB appts. It is not a good sign when you are pulling into the parking lot and your OB is pulling out. I've cleaned out my purse, played with my phone and read two magazines. Waiting waiting waiting
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3 reasons

I am almost 4 months along and I am down to two pairs of jeans. The everyday pair are hanging on by a thread. Literally they are thread bare in the inseam area, and have as of last friday, turned into good size holes. Brian commented on the strategic holes in my jeans as I sat on the floor with the kids. He then asked why my jeans always got holes /wore out in that area. (In case you're confused we are talking about the very top of the inseam where the inner thighs rub together.). I proceeded to educate him that there could be three possible reasons for this:
1. Extra softness in that area gives my kids a nice soft lap to sit on.
2. It provides extra cushion for the pushin
Or
3.I have inner thighs of steel and my muscles just happen to bulge at that point.
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