Day One

It's so hard to work out with kids in the home!! So i either have to do it during nap time, or wait until they all go to bed for the evening. I would get up early and do it...but I work early in the mornings, so that makes it hard. It works out well to do it in the evenings though because Colin can do ti with me, and even though he doesn't have weight he needs to lose, we both came to the conclusion last night that we are old and out of shape!!

So the day started out with me working. I worked until 10 am and then when I got off work I had to feed the babe, and then I made a grocery list and loaded all the kids up in the car so we could go buy some healthy food. Anyway, I didn't end up even eating anything until about 1pm yesterday. I know, not good, but it was the best i could do. Overall, I did pretty well yesterday. I came out under my points, and colin and I worked out last night and it went really well. Of course I did a super modified version, but I kpet my heart rate up the whole time. The workout is called T25, and so it's only 25 minutes...which for me right now is a perfectly do-able amount of time. I also took measurements and "before" pictures yesterday. That was fun...I am excited to start making and seeing changes!! 3 kids has def changed my body! Overall, day one ended well...I just need to make sure I'm eating all my points especially because I am still nursing and I don't want to lose my milk supply.

2 Years later....

Wow!! Can't believe it's been almost 2 years since I last wrote on this blog! I guess kinda alot has happened since then. We had our 3rd baby 9 weeks ago! awesome!! Which also means its about time to start thinking about getting all of my excess weight off. You know, the same weight that has been added with each child. double awesome!! So today, on this Mother's Day... I am Re-committing myself! Tomorrow I will start working out again. Colin and I don't have gym memberships right now, so we will start working out at home doing T25. It's a 25 minute cardio workout. I am also starting something I neveer thought I would do. Weight Watchers! I am actually super excited!! Anyways, I will update again soon! I am tired. Good night

GOALS Week of 7/22

* Eat Breakfast every morning!

* Work out 3 times a week

* No eating after 7pm

I have got to get serious about losing weight. I just want to feel comfortable in my clothes and feel like I look good. I need to get motivated!

Zumba!

I went to Zumba tonight! Oh how I have missed that work out! I really did quite well for only being 6 weeks post partum. I am excited to start getting back into shape again. It was soo fun...my teacher at this gym is not as good as my last one, but i think I will like her. What also made it fun is that there were four of us girls from the ward there. Yay for friends!! It makes going that much more fun. I feel like am going to be sooo dedicated! And the best part is that this time when I get the weight off, my baby will only be about 6 months old instead of 2 years! Yay!! I feel good. Colin is a good sport for watching the kids while i go. My classes start at 8pm and he usually goes to bed by 8:30 because he has to get up at 4am to be to work by 5. He is so supportive on my weight loss journey! Well, I need to go to bed. Yoga tomorrow. I have never done a yoga class, i'm a little bit intimidated and nervous. It will be fine. It did good on my goals again today. I should drink a little bit more water though.

Day One

So, It's Monday. Today was a good day. I am babysitting a little girl for the summer so I try to keep us busy during the daytime. But, for it being my first day back, and for coming off complete snacking/sugar eating habits, I would say I did pretty well today. I didn't really have any breakfast, which I know isnt too healthy but then when we went to marcys house, we had lunch over there. I had some almonds and a few banana chips and a few tater tots. Then she made us this gourmet salad which was really really yummy. I felt goos about that. For dinner I made a taco bake casserole, and it was yummy. I know it probably wasnt the most healthy thing but at least I didnt snack all day today and I cut off my eating at 7 pm like I had set the goal too!! hooray. That is huge, because late at night when everyone is asleep and its just me time, thats when I want to eat and snack. I didnt get to work out today, but I think I will be happy for 3 workouts this week. I don't want to overdo myself and I do want to be realisitic of what I can do right now. I need ot ease myself into it a little bit at a time but in a couple weeks I will set bigger goals. I think the ones I have for now are pretty realistic for me...especially just coming out of having a baby. I decided I need to wake up about an hour before my kids (which would put me waking up about 7:30...not too bad at all) so that I can at least do the 30 day shred. That was if for some reason I cant get to the gym in the evening I sill still have gotten a good workout in. Which means my goal is to get to bed by 10:30 every night. Wish me luck!! Ususally, I don't go to bed until about midnight and then wake up when my kids do. I would like to get to bed a little earlier and then get up before them and workout, read scriptures, eat breakfast, and possibly get in a shower. That would be cool! Onto day two............

Round 2

Here I am....back again, almost a year later. Long story short.... At the beginning of September last year I found out I was PREGNANT! Hooray. Then the sickness hit! I lost a bunch of weight. Was on in home IV's and meds, and was really really sick (this wasnt a surprise to me, I got super sick with Mayli). I had every intention to eat healthy once I started feeling better. But it didn't happen. What happened was that when I started feeling better and could finally keep food down, I ate and ate and ate!!! And then gained a lot of weight back! It can't be good for your body to lose and gain weight that rapidly, but here's how it went. Got Preg around 175lbs....got sick and got down to about 155....gained it all back plus more! When I gave birth I weighed 218lbs. GROSS! Right now my sweet little guy is 6 weeks old, and I am at 205( the biggest I have EVER been!). Square one. Bummer!! I have to start all over, but the great thing?? I know I can do it!I have done it before. I have the desire so bad, i just feel like circumstances are a little bit different this time. Which just makes it a little bit harder. I have to be more conscious, plan my time better. I don't have my very own gym membership anymore, I am relying on going with a friend. Which is awesome....but it makes me nervous to have to depend on someone else. Plus, there are so many other factors now. Do I have someone to watch my kids, do I have the money to buy healthy foods, is my friend going to be able to go and WANT to go when I do? I hope eventually we can budget for a membership for me, but right now it's just not in the cards. I know I don't have a gym to be successful, but honestly that's when I can exhibit the most self control. Leave me to do it at home by myself and it makes me nervous. That's why I'm afraid. But I CAN do it. I WILL do it. I am going to start small and then work my way from there. Here are this weeks goals.

** Don't eat ANYTHING after 7pm 

Right now this is my biggest pitfall!! After everyone goes to bed I take time for myself and check fb or watch tv and I will just eat and eat and eat...I need to eat something salty, then something sweet to counter the saltliness, then something salty to counter the sweet...I am constantly eating late at night and its not good!

** Get to the gym at LEAST 3 days this week (and try to work out the other two at home)

My friend is on board for the gym 3 days this week. 2 nights of zumba and one night of yoga.. (I have never tried yoga...I'm kind of excited)

** Cut down portion sizes

** Drink lots of water

** Seriously limit sugar intake.

These will be good goals to start out with. Nothing too extreme, but doable. Wish me luck!

The End!?

(We got our family pictures done....i don't think I have felt this good for family pictures for a while! :)

So sad this competition is already coming to a close! I really feel like I have accomplished a lot and have learned quite a few things.

** anything is possible... I can do hard things :)

** weekly weigh in's are not a good motivator to me....too many factors go into it. (tom,water weight, etc.) but they were still really god to help keep me on track.

** I love the camaraderie with the other ladies participa

ting. I love hearing successes, fails, and all of the in- betweens

** All of the giveaways and advice were awesome...it was fun to be a part of a blog

My mind is drawing a blank....It's late, I know there is sooo much more I wanted to say. But

before I go.. I wanted to post a before and after pic of where I was 27lbs ago when I first started working out. I may have not lost all of that during this competition, but it for sure has helped me to stay accountable and keep on going!

(these are kind of gross pics, so pay them no mind....just look at the change)

Gross....can't believe I'm posting this back shot!! But I LOVE seeing the difference : )

And with that... I guess this game is coming to an end! It's been good.

skinnnny jeans

Let me preface: When the skinny jean trend came out, I was completely against it! I told my self I would NEVER own a pair of them, they were just horrific. Plus, I feel like only certain people can pull off "the look" and rock them. Guys should NEVER be seen wearing skinny jeans. As the trend grew and they became more mainstream, I think I accepted them a little bit more, but still never wanted a pair of them. I just couldn't see my self wearing them.

Well I guess this is a never say never kind of lesson. As I was browsing online the other day, (I work reallly early mornings 4am, so I have a little bit of time first thing to look browse) I saw a coupon for 20% off American Eagle. I love that store- but just havent been able to fit into anything from there for a while... they cater to smaller sizes. So I was looking in their clearance ( which usually consist if size 00's and 1's because it's what they have left) But they actually had a size I was willing to give a try.

I did it. I ordered them. They were a good price, and I wanted to try them out. I think my husband may disown me...he still hasnt caught the skinny jean craze and he thought I was crazy. They came in the mail yesterday!! Of course I was out for the day, so colin texted me saying they had come. I couldn't WAIT to get home to try them out. Of course my expectations weren't too high. First of all, they were skinny jeans. Secondly they were in a size I probably wouldn't be able to fit into yet. I kind of ordered them blindly just hoping that I might be able to wear them someday.

Well guys- the moment of truth has come. I tried them on, they fit, i think I like them! They are tight. I think it will take a little bit of getting used to...and maybe a little while before I step out in public with them, but this is huge coming from a girl who vowed never to own skinny jeans. I asked my friends on FB opinion's about them and the general consensus was that most people LOVED them. Who knew!?

The best part? They are a size 12! I know that's not super skinny, but coming from a 16...that's a big deal. Not to mention I am tall so I will never be a size 4...I am happy! Before I got married and was in really good shape I was around a size 8-10. That's my good size. I am soo close I can feel it. It feels good. Since I have started this helathy eating/ working out thing in april I have lost a total of 27lbs. I am loving the way my body feels, the way I feel emotionally. I am about 20 lbs away from my goal weight, and I know I'll get there! I think at the end of this I will post my "before" from 27 lbs ago...and then now. I do love seeing the progress! And I am the proud owner of SKINNY JEANS! eek.

Back and up

So we made it back safely! It was SUCH a nice trip. So great to get away. Just what I needed, however just what my body did NOT need. Unfortunately, there was a lot of this....(eating out) that's the hard thing about vacations. And I didn't censor what I ate... which made the scale go up a few pounds. Am I bummed out? Way! but I made the choices....let's just say this weigh in won't be very pretty. On the flip side, a couple of hours after we got home I was back at the gym. I am hoping in the next two days I can work out hard and get the scale moving back down in the direction I want it to.

I feel dissapointed, but not defeated. I have been feeling kind of down... in all aspects of life. It makes me think it's just crazy girl hormones because it just came on suddenly last night. You know the kind that make you not feel like a good mom, or wife, or anything? It will pass quickly, but I don't like days like that! Those are the days you just want to sit and eat chocolate and watch a good chick flick and avoid all responsibilities! But I don't have the time to indulge right now...oh well. The sun will come out tomorrow.

Escape

We are leaving. Getting away. Going to a cooler climate. I am SO excited, and I just can't hide it.... I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!! (i know you were singing along:)

I just have to get through this looonnng day of work..4am-230pm, and colin has to get through a looong test....MCAT....kind of serious, determines our future....and then we'll be off to San Diego! Going from 115 degree weather to 75-80 degree weather with the beach...i think I'll take it!

Aside from camping over a short weekend, this will be our first real family vacation all together...with just my little family! I can't wait to just get away and not have to worry about anything. The only thing i will have to worry about is relaxing, maybe going for a jog along the beach.

Hooray Hooray Hooray!! Have a great weekend :) I'll be back Wednesday

Battle Scars & Victory

So My sister and I had this friendly competition going on. It was pretty intense! There were a bunch of rules that were involved. This started back in the end of june and was supposed to last until august first. This was a work out/ eat healthy competition. These were the rules:

*at least one 1000 calorie work out a week

* work out 5 days a week

*no sweets/ junk/ processed food etc

* we could allow our self one dessert per week

*no fast food

*only one sit down restaurant visit

If you didn't complete, or completely disregarded any of the rules, you lost. It was pretty intense, but because I had started changing my bad habits to good habits slowly and before the competition started...it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating. Notice how I said it was supposed to last until august? Well, it didn't.... I WON our little sisterly competition. I'm sure she didn't want me to really boast about it, so what do I do? put it on my blog...it's ok, she doesn't read it anyways. honestly. But I am sure one of my other 5 sisters will and let her know. (if you're reading this right now, and you are a sister...don't tell her!) She's the sister that is very focused and determined, so it made the victory extra sweet. What's the fun of winning if you can't share at least a little bit :)

So speaking of this sister, we sometimes go work out together. It's fun to work out with other people. I definitley hae a lot more fun... I think I like it so much because I don't get as bored. Well, I shared my love for Zumba with her, so today she invited me to come try out her love. Spin class. I was a little bit nervous and intimidated, but i figured it would be fun to try out. we got to the gym a little early to get a couple extra calorie burn in. Then the spin class started. It was good at first, then after about five min is when I really started to feel like i didn't like it very much. The bike was acting weird so i got off and switched bikes. I feel like i'll never get adjusted to that tiny little hard seat on my behind. Let me tell you I am already SORE! i will be walking awkward tomorrow for sure! not comfortable. The transitions felt a little bit awkward...going from sitting down to standing up, it just a bit tricky because you peddle faster when you sit and then when you stand it has to adjust. Well on one of these "adjustments" my foot slipped out of the foot strap and went over the pedal and it came back around and totally caught my calve under it and scraped it all up.
There's going to be a big bruise, and it looks worse in person. Anyways, luckily no one saw because I felt really clumsy. I don't feel like I want to go back to spin class again anytime soon, but I don't think I gave it a fair shot so I'm sure I will end up back in one sometime or another.

On a different note- I have had a pretty good week. Worked out every day so far, and have eaten pretty good. I started another challenge with the same sis who lost..(teehee)... with kind of the same guidelines. We'll see how this one goes...we're headed to San Diego this weekend! I am sooo excited to get away, but the traveling part and eating healthy just don't mix that good. What works for you when you travel?? I would love advice!!

Did it!

So I dragged (drug?) my little bootie to the gym on tuesday... if you remember correctly i DID NOT want to go. But I did, and like many of you said, I felt wayyy better afterwards. Zumba totally kicked my rear after a weekend of eating horribly and not moving around. It's amazing what just a weekend away will do to you! crazy. I felt like I had never worked out before in my life. I guess not to mention it's that time of month.. (which it seems like it happened for all of us contestants around the same time! weird) and it is always hard to work out during that week. Needless to say, I made it through the workout....and came home with a huge headache. bummer. My workout yesterday was awesome though... an hour on the treadmill doing intervals. It felt good to be back in the swing of things! phew.

mixed emotions

I worked out SO hard last week. I ate well, and the scale did not budge. Usually I lose about 2 lbs per week. I was a bit disappointed. I finished up the week with a loss...not a big one, but at least it was still a loss nonetheless. I weighed in a day early because we were headed out of town on a camping trip. FUN! But not fun for the eating. I seriously FELL OFF THE WAGON big time this weekend. I ate everything I could. Talk about messing with your digestive system!! Wow. I was eating really natural and clean, to eating sugars and non-healthy snacks! (oh, and I have a little once a month visitor who decided to grace me with its presence) <--- this also explains why no budge on the scale last week!!! Oh well, it is a new week. We got back yesterday. I didn't work out, and I am seriously contemplating not going to zumba today! The thing is, I know that after I go I will feel SO much better and my week will be back on track. If I don't go, that will lead to a downhill spiral of bad. I just have to go. Monthly visitor or no monthly visitor!

Goals This Week:

**Go to the Gym 4 days this week

**Do one, 1000 cal work out

**Drink all my water each day

**Encorporate more fresh veggies

Here's to another week! I am sooo not in the mood to work out, or eat healthy... but I WILL get back on track. I won't let one weekend throw off all my hard work. It's such a mind game. You can go along just great, be sooo motivated, and then all of a sudden something happens (like a . ) and it throws it off. At least it was just one weekend. By the end of this week my weight will be back in check!

My Halfway Mark!!

So I hit my halfway mark of weight loss on the 16th!!! Woot Woot! One more pound down and I will be at my pre-pregnancy weight...( of course I had gained a lot of weight before I got pregnant) But it is still exciting to say that I am half way there! hooray hooray!!

ugh.

Yesterday my best friend came into town. I have not seen her for over a year....So naturally we went out to eat! Not a very good combination when you are trying to lose weight. We literally sat and ate and talked for about 2 hours. Since food was just right in front of my face and we were just chatting away, i was eating a good amount of that time! eeek. I haven't weighed but I am sure I am up a little bit. Oh well. It was really great to see her, and I really can't dwell on it too much...It's really not that big of a deal. Today is a new day, and luckily I don't have any more old friends coming into town.

(ps- I did have a salad for my main dish if that makes a difference:)

Back to the TOP

I figured It was time to update my blog since my blog was all the way at the bottom of the list....saying it hasn't been updated the past 3 days. Too Long....So here I am, Back at the top! (for a little while at least)

The first week of this competition has turned out great! I LOVE all the ladies competing, i LOVE reading the other blogs, and i LOVE the support all of the readers give to us.

I was really happy with the results of the first week. Here's the Rundown:

* Worked out 5 days. 2 Days of weight training, and the other 3 days were Cardio (two of which were Zumba...my ULITMATE favorite!)

* Did not eat ANY processed food, or junk food...i.e- chips, candy, soda.

* Completed at least 1 thousand calorie workout

* Did not eat any restaraunt or fast food

* Drank my Green Smoothie religiously everyday! (i WILL do a blog post about this soon:)

* I DID allow myself one treat this week....it was in the form of a frozen treat...picture this... Oreos crumbles and pressed onto the bottom of a pan, mint chocolate chip ice cream, and whipped cream drizzled with chocolate syrup. YUM. I was craving it all week. And I ate it and did not feel one ounce of guilt!

ok- so that's the run down, it does sound a bit extreme...however along with WLB, I have a competition also going on with my sister that involves MONEY! ( we even went out to buca di beppo for a friend's bday and I WATCHED as everyone else ate) now that's commitment :) Most of those things mentioned in the above list are some of the stipulations for our own little competition....that wouldn't be a normal week. However I would LOVE to make that the normal week for me. Can you imagine how healthy my body would be!?

Well, here's to another week...hopefully it will be as good, if not better than the first!

My little Cheerleader(s)

For me, it is so important to have a good support group in place when working out. It helps me stay accountable, motivated, and on the right track. I understand that we don't always get the support we need from home, or from friends....which can make this whole "working out and eating healthy" quite tough! Trust me... I understand!! My husband is lean, and can eat about anything which is awesome for him, but way detrimental to me. He doesn't need to watch what he eats, which makes it tough. Luckily, I have a sister who has some of the same goals... but for the most part, I have had to get my support from different sources! Probably the CUTEST source I have is miss may! GO MOM!
"Wow...this cheering thing is tough...I need to take a small water break"

Trust me, this is not how her face looks when I drop her off at the gym kids club.... which makes it 100% harder.

So, for my biggest support group i use a site called "My Fitness Pal" (www.myfitnesspal.com)

I LOVE this site. I can't even tell you the impact it has had on me. I tra

ck my calories there. For some, this may be a daunting task...and at the beginning for me it was.... I don't track every day 100%..but it has definitley made me more aware of what I am putting into my body and the nutritional breakdown of each item. Besides the calorie counting, I have made countless friends on that site. They offer tremendous support. Many of them have the same weight loss goals or work out goals. Sometimes, I find myself checking MFP more than facebook! :) You can read (and see pics) of success stories....which is a HUGE motivating thing. To actually see real people like me, experiencing success. The people on MFP are the most positive, encouraging, group of people!! Seriously check it out. I can't even name the amount of time I have been picked back up when I have been feeling defeated. If you do join MFP....add me as a friend :) I will be your number one fan!!!

G.O.A.L.S

I think to be successful in anything, you have to set goals. In this case for me...it's weight loss goals. I like to have my long term goals and my short term goals. I feel like the battle of losing weight is so overwhelming. Especially if you have a lot to lose. When I first started losing weight I didn't like to think of the WHOLE amount I had to lose. It became very discouraging... and almost always the first thing that popped into my head was that it was impossible.

Then I started working out, and losing 1 pound at a time, and I find that as I just take it pound for pound, day by day it is SO much easier for me. I don't have to look at the big picture but rather just what I am doing for that particular day!

I know probably many of you guys have come to that conclusio

n a long time ago, but for me it was so mentally liberating! To me, it really is a mental battle...sometimes more than a physical battle. I feel like if I eat one bad thing in a day i'm doomed. I might as well just give up for that day. Or, wait until MONDAY to try again! The everyday choices....to work out? or not to work out? what to eat? why did the scale not move? But the more you do it...the more you see results, and that is motivation!! So that is why i have to have my short term goals...little things to reward myself with when i hit a certain milestone. One Pound at a Time!! :)

Here's my cheesy Acrostic poem!

G-et out of the house and workout

O-nly put healthy foods into my body

A-llow myself occasional treats, so I don't go completely overboard! (key for me) if I feel deprived, I WILL fall off the wagon

L-ook for ways to add variety to food (recipes) and workouts

S-tay on track...an occasional slip won't defeat me!

The Characters

So since I am on this 7 week journey of health.... I decided maybe I should introduce some of my favorite people, or I guess the people that you will be hearing about most often. The ones that deal with my healthy( and sometimes not so healthy) habits on a daily basis! First of all, we have My sweet husband Colin. He is going to school full time, preparing to take the MCAT, and hopefully within the next year be into medical school. He studies hard, but doesn't leave time out for play, or spending time with us!!

Next we have miss may (mayli). She is seriously the most spunky little 2 year old I know! She has such a sweet personality and is the light of our life. She says and does the funniest things that just keep us laughing. She is the center of attention and she KNOWS it!

Well I thought I had more introductions to make. B

ut apparently not. I guess I could go into all of my parents, siblings (i am the youngest of 7), and nieces and nephews (23) but we would be here for a while so I'll spare you!

I feel so much better now that I have made proper introductions :) And I guess it would only be fair to tell you a little about myself. I am a stay at home mom. I do work part time from home which is a huge blessing. I started my weight loss journey on march 28th.... and have lost 22 lbs in just a little over 4 months. WLB is another way to keep me accountable and going towards my final goal!

MONDAY, Monday, monday....

Why is it, that with every new thing that I start always has to be on a monday. Of course it would be illogical to start anything on a wed, thur, or even the weekend. There's just somethin

g about that fresh day...the start of the week. It gives you the whole week to accomplish that thing which you set out to do, "starting monday."

My husband teases me about this quite often. Mostly pertaining to weight loss and working out. He just doesn't get it, while I try to explain the best I can to him that you just don't start anything this monumental in the middle of the week! It's a mindset I put myself into...like, I have the whole weekend to eat what I want an

d then I will start fresh monday. You can't just say one day you're going to do something, and then actually follow through. Who does that !?

Where's the preparation!? (apparently I'm just a glorified procrastinator...but we've all been there right?)

That is why I am sooo glad this competition is starting on a Monday. I have no excuse. Really. I have had all weekend to prepare, eat, and have fun. And Colin laughs! But what he doesn't know it the mental clarity this gives me to be starting fresh, renewed, and ready to take on the challenge. Not only to make me a healthier weight, but also have more energy for my family. Especially more energy to our relationship. I think he will appreciate the change, and come to see the value of "starting on a Monday."

I guess the more I think about monday's, the less I am convinced that they are so great. School always started on monday. Work always starts on the dreaded monday. In the Netherlands and according to wikipedia Monday is the most common day to commit suicide. (weird) I gue

ss I am digressing. The whole point is, I guess I can see my husbands point of view when he said that if you always wait until monday to start something it will never happen. I can appreciate that, but no matter what happens... I will always start working out and eating healthy on Monday