Effort

It's the end of a lonnnnng day. Of course, I spent more time "blog hopping" then actually working... but still!


I tried to go on a ride with Nic this morning - but his trailer doesn't fit my bike, or there is a gadget missing, or something. So, I rode for all of 5 minutes while he tried to ride his big wheels. Didn't work so much.

Food: I had 2 eggs and 2 pieces of toast for breakfast, 1 glass of water. I had a Fiber One bar (130 cals) for snack two hours later. Two hours after that, I had a 9" sub from Subway (6" was mine, the other three was half of Nic's - he couldn't finish his... lol). For dinner I we have chicken breast tenders (I had two, less than 4oz for sure), roasted red potatoes and zucchini and mushrooms. Fruit punch Crystal Light and then another full glass of water. SUPER DELISH dinner. I have some leftovers for tomorrow! Yay!

Isa and I went for our new nightly bike ride... It's so hard to measure the distance since we zig zag a whole lot and go thru several parks, but we rode hard for 30 minutes exactly; I am sure it was at least 2-3 miles.

I think today was a good day; I could do better. I will do better. As soon as Isa is out of school, we are going to start doing Zumba 3x a week. Something fun and young for her - I think she will enjoy it!

Well, that's all folks! Another Monday come and gone!!

House full of sickies...

The past few days have been HARD... but not regarding my lifestyle change!! ;)
Still on track - so much so, I am down to 262!!
I couldn't believe it when I got on the scale today!

Love seeing that progress... makes me want to work harder!!

Now that I know everyone is going to live... lots to catch up on!

Be back soon!

Picture Perfect [just not photogenic]

Started a new trend...
I have nowhere to go, nowhere to be...
but I got up, got all did up, and I am feeling good.

Got my three mile bike ride in yesterday! It was fun & fast!!

One of the pitfalls of working from home...

I've been unlucky enough to work from home for the past two years. It makes for a perfect work/life balance. I work for a large bank, here in the U.S. so my days are filled with a lot of work. My little one Nic no longer goes to daycare though (he did for the first year, but since we bought a house and moved, we've yet to find anything close/worthwhile). I no longer need to drive my kids to school in the mornings - one walks, the other takes a bus (two different schools). I have no reason to get dressed or put make-up on.


I literally work in my pajamas. Heck, I live in my pajamas.

And when one is overweight, there is nothing worse than a make-up free, baggy pajama wearing freak.
That's me.

Generally, I have great self-esteem. I only ever worried about my weight when I was trying on clothes. All other times, I thought I looked good. I wore make-up, more shapley clothes, and made an effort.

I am sorry to say - I haven't made an effort in a long time. Yes, every once in a while I'd get gussied up to go out with the husband, or to take my daughter to a play. But for the most part - I let myself go. Like REALLY go.

I do nothing with my hair. It takes a huge force to get me to shave my legs most of the time. I am super pale white. When I look at myself in the mirror - I simply laugh out loud. Disgusted.

I decided that 2011 was going to be the year that I loved and took care of myself again. Sometime soon, I am going to purchase all new make-up. Get my hair cut (goodbye ugly ponytail, hello cute cut!). I am going to take a shower EVERY SINGLE DAY (even if my only plans are to sit in my house and work). I am going to shave those legs, EVERY SINGLE DAY (even if it is cold out and my legs won't see the light of the day). I am going to put forth a huge effort. Because I should LOVE myself and take CARE of myself.

So, I hope my new efforts (weight loss included) will work together to make me happier and more excited about things again. I am ready for it and I know my family is. I don't want them to be ashamed to be seen with their pasty white, alien looking mom.


* Please note, I take a ton of hot baths. I do not go unbathed. lol... But I spend most of my bath time catching up on my thoughts and reading (remember - 3 kids!). I need to get in the mode of taking a shower every morning to get my butt up and going for the day.

Day 2: Stats

While it's really day one for me, it's day two of my challenge.

After a dinner of this delicious soup (leftovers from yesterday):

The kids turned on the Wii for me (and got to try out my new Just Dance II game):

 

I weighed in at 266 (down from mid December by 4 pounds).  So that is my official starting weight of the new year... 266.

My workout today consisted of 10 Minutes of Wii Fit, 4 songs of Just Dance II, and up and down (all fast like) on my stairs (18 steps) 5 times.  I think it was about 30 minutes.  Tomorrow will be more traditional of a work out, I am sure. All the other stuff will be a bonus! 

A bit behind already

It's already the second day of the new year and I have yet to post any goals or resolutions.
It's not my fault, really. Well, maybe it is in a way.
You see, I was super sick (as in bed ridden) during Christmas Eve and Day... we couldn't do our normal celebration. We postponed it until yesterday (to ensure all of the germies were out of the house).

So... while it was my intention to get going - hard - yesterday, I was loaded with presents and lots of good food. I also was a bit of a couch potato. =(  However, I did make dinner last night - and it was sooo good and very healthy! And I've started my water kick. No more soda and juices for me!

Today was another weird day - but I am sure to be on track for tomorrow. I've already stocked my fridge with good for us food and have a meal plan created for the entire week.  I've got plans to get my scale & camera out tonight to document "the start." And finally, the kids and the husband gave me Just Dance II  so I will be getting my workout in for sure.

I may have been slow to start - but I am ready to continue!

Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday!  Tomorrow it's back to work for me and back to school for the kids. I've really enjoyed my three week vacation - but I think I am ready for a schedule again!

Right around the corner...

The new year is right around the corner, and I am feeling fine!
I ate breakfast today - Yay! I don't always eat breakfast, but I am determined!

I am working on my shopping list and meal plan for the week - I will post in a bit.

I've just downloaded a few dozen apps on my Droid... including a calorie counter!

I will be updating my pages (what I ate, workouts, etc) on a daily basis.

I am ready to start the challenges (Marcy's and Syl's) in January!

I don't currently have a scale in the house, so I will have to use my Wii Fit one... With the way the TV is positioned, I have to work out on carpet, but I have to do the weighing in on tile. Otherwise it thinks I weigh 20 lbs less than I really do. :P

Did I mention I am ready and excited?!?!

Have you met Marcy?

I found Marcelle [link]about a year ago - I read her entire blog, one entry after another. And then one day, she went private (at least on her older/other blog). I still kept her in my blog roll and checked out her blog regularly, hoping that one day I would get in.

No such luck.

Until one day (okay, a few days ago), I was reading Syl's blog - about her challenge - and I saw in the comment field a note from Marcy. I almost died.

I immediately clicked on her profile, to make sure it was her. It was.
And then I began to read. I wanted to see what Marcy had been up.

That woman truly amazes me.
I am drawn to the fact she lives in Germany as I lived in Germany myself for about five years (back in the 80s). I am drawn to the fact that she is South African - what a gorgeous country.
I am absolutely drawn to her before and now pictures.  She looks like a lovely lady... but that NOW picture on her blog has me stoked.  It makes me want to get up and shake my ample bottom. It makes me want to eat well and work out mucho.

I got my eye on Marcy - and whether she knows it or not - she is inspiring me to make this lifestyle change, once and for all.

Proud to myself...

I am so proud to myself... =)
I've been drinking lots of water as of late.
Which is good...
During the first half of the month, I drank so much Dr. Pepper that I thought I was going to explode.

I don't ever want to feel like that again.

With the weather being a bit cooler, I find I get myself into a funk.
Yes, I live in Arizona - No, we don't get too bad of winter weather.
But I miss my WARM days.

So it's going to take EVERYTHING plus focus to get me thru the next 60-90 days. That means I am going to have to take advantage of EVERY SINGLE sunny day there is and get my ample bottom OUTSIDE.

I am working to collect recipes for my meal plans now and loading up my iPod... and looking to find different (and free ways) to get my exercise in.

I am ready to change my life.

 - - - - - -

The kids and I went for a 3 mile bike ride today. It was sunny and 60 degrees! We have recently moved out to the "country." Not a lot of bike paths, but we were able to go around our community. It was a nice ride!

For dinner we had chicken (a little EVOO to brown and then simmer in Chicken Broth, then added spices), and pasta, and then steamed brussel sprouts. Oh and slices of apple. Instead of making the customary 5 chicken breasts (for our family of five), I made three. We each got a smaller portion, but more veggies and apples. The kids didn't like the sprouts too well, but at least they tried them. My littlest one, Nic, hardly ever eats dinner anymore. He wants to snack all of the time, and if I have unhealthy snacks in the house, that's what he eats. We've been forcing him to stay at the table and eat a little something each night because we are worried about his nutrition. Tonight, he ate all of his chicken, his pasta, and 4 apple slices (with a little bit of Peanut Butter). I couldn't believe it.  Shocked.

I am sitting down now to work on menu plans for January!

still alive

I survived the sickies!
Boy it's been a hectic week...

But I am still around...
doing loads of research and getting myself ready for twenty-eleven.
I've got goals...
and I AM going to get moving.

[266]

I've had strep throat and a cold for almost a week.
I thought I was a goner.
I couldn't eat for three days...
and lost seven pounds.

lol...

The new year, new me is almost here.

[scale]

I got on the scale at my cousin's house today....

273

I am stunned.
Not much else to say right now.

[anxious to get started]

We have our family's Christmas "eve" dinner this Friday... and after that, I should be ready to go with saying no to junk food.

I've already started drinking more water... and last night, for dinner, we had 3 veggies and a little bit of roasted chicken. 

I am seriously thinking about checking out Weight Watchers again (but seriously this time).

I am kinda ready for the holiday season to be over with. I am ready for the new year and these new challenges!

[arggghhhhhh]

No, today is not National Pirate Day - I don't think.
I feel GROSS!

First, good news. Maybe my crying and moaning yesterday about the Benjamin's?! Well, God is good (but you already know that, don't you?!).  We've had an old truck of ours on Craigslist for over a year now, the husband not being too aggressive. It's in perfect shape, it just doesn't run. Well, someone finally bought it yesterday. 1000 smacker-roos. Nice.

We became debt free earlier this year (except for our rent and van payment)... and then decided to buy a house. We went from having my whole salary being extra each month to having new bills and expenses (landscaping, furniture, etc) - so we are relearning to say no to certain things (eating out).  So, we are not in a desperate way - we just had a desperate moment.

But again, that moment is over.

Momma was a the grocery store last night stocking up on more veggies and roasted chickens! Go me!

The whining today is about how I feel.
I feel like crud.
I think I drank no less than 5 Dr. Peppers yesterday. And I can't remember the last time I had water that didn't have tea added in.

My insides hurt and my outsides are crazy.
So glad I am working on this now.
And so glad I said "goodbye" to the Pepper man. I will miss him, but the taste is so not worth the 150 calories and 40 grams of sugar per 12 oz can.  I do not drink diet - so if I can't have the real deal, I am fine with water.

Water - I am challenging myself to get at least 10 glasses in today! My innards need it!

[two twenties]

Long story short... I am outta cash this week. Hate to admit that, but such is life.  Who knew purchasing a new home would SUCK the dollar bills right outta ya?!

Thankfully, I hit Sprouts a few days back and have some good veggies to munch on. I have $40 to spend at the grocery store today... We need some stuff to go with the veggies.  I have a pantry full of stuff - so we will be getting creative with what's in there. But the whole being broke thing doesn't really jive with eat fresh & healthy thing.

A few things in my fridge...
Brussel Sprouts
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Zucchini
Apples
Tangerines
Celery
Tomatoes
Potatoes (in the pantry, to be accurate)
Asparagus
Lemons
Limes

I have NO meat (of any kind) in the freezer, so we will be feasting on veggies and what ever is in the pantry (pasta, I am sure).   I don't want to spend my last $40 on meat, so I think I need to get some cucumbers (I bought 5, but the husband and kids love eating them with lemon and salt)... some milk, some bread (school lunches), some eggs, and cheese... I guess I should make a list. A real one. On paper.

Thankfully, we are well stocked on the essentials (TP, paper towels, and such)...

This just goes to prove I need to get my organizing on... Can't be running out of food. That whole not eating thing?! That's a whole other kind of diet. [one i am not interested in!]

Is it the 15th [pay day] yet?! ;)

[go ada!]

Seriously... this week's episode of the Biggest Loser had me in tears.
I am very proud of what Ada has accomplished. She deserves to be in the final 3.
Off to go vote.

[exclusive premier]

No one has ever seen these photos.
They were the photos I waited over 15 years to take.
I dreamed about these photos.
And since taking them, they've been hidden like some deep dark secret.

These pictures are from the day we got the keys to our first home (Sept 9, 2010).
I normally share everything with the world; whether it be on Facebook or on my family blog.
I couldn't bring myself to post these.

Maybe on our one year anniversary I will have better pictures to share.
No... not maybe. For sure.

[again?]

A lot has happened since I last posted... I have another blog that chronicles my daily & family life, so I am still writing, just not on this here blog. Which is a shame. Now, more than ever, I NEED this blog. I need to be held accountable for my bad choices.

I just turned 34. Just, as in yesterday. Do you know what that means? That means that in less than 364 days I will be 35.

Do I really want to weigh this much at 35? Do I really want to be THIS unhealthy at 35?
No.
I don't.

I thought about starting a new blog [again] to document this next year of my life... but I think I will stick it out with THIS blog.

I have to admit - that at the current time - I have NO idea how much I weigh. I know I am completely UP from what I weighed at the beginning of the year, and that makes me sad. I haven't changed any of my habits (good or bad), so old age must be kicking in.

When I went to the doctor last month with my husband, I jumped on the scale for a quick sneak peak: 270.
How is that possible!?

I can tell you, in the past, I've been happy with myself - no matter what I weighed. Sure, I hated clothes shopping. But my weight and health didn't stop me from being happy.

But as of late (as in the past 2 weeks)... every time I see myself in my bathroom mirror - I stop, look, and laugh. LAUGH. I am laughing at myself; at the way I look. I look horrible. I've completely let myself go. My skin, my hair, my body, my health. All of it. Gone. I am surprised my husband hasn't kicked me to the curb. I laugh because I cannot believe how I've let myself go. I look like trash.

I don't want to look like this. Part of it is that I work from home, so 5 days out of the week, I don't go anywhere... no need to get take a shower, get dressed or put make-up on. I've become incredibly lazy - which is horrible for a weight loss regime.

We just bought our first house, so I've been much busier the last three months - but lazy always wins. Any time I have a few spare minutes or hours, I am on the computer or in front of my television. I don't want to live like that.

I have a wonderful, beautiful family - my husband and three children. We can ALL benefit from changing our lifestyle (as I'm sure I've mentioned before).  My husband keeps stick-poking me to join WW again - for ALL of us. He's not happy with the weight he's put on.

So, I am starting there - going to check out WW; see what's up.

One way or another, we have to make this year - our 34th - our best year yet. We have TOO much to live for.  Why choose failure, when SUCCESS is an option?!

[ it didn't burn down ]

I am impressed that The Gym didn't burn down when I walked through the doors.

And nobody snickered.

Or pointed.

Or tried to convince me I was in the wrong location.

I am overweight and way out of shape. But I plan to keep it real.

This is why I went to the gym today:

Despite what you might think... I am NOT 13 months pregnant with triplets.

The husband took this shot on our vacation this past Wednesday.

I don't FEEL that fat.

That's what's making this SO hard.

Just as a side note, after seeing how horrible my hair looked in that picture, I cut it off.

And got it colored.

But that doesn't change the shape and health of my body.

Back to my AM workout.

(wait, I should add I had a medium banana - to get me going!)

I started off on the treadmill.

3mph 1.5 incline

I lasted for 7 minutes...

My calves are soooo tight.

And my shins are killing me.

I am not sure how I fix either of those problems...

More working out?

After the treadmill, I did some upper body weights.

Well, it was with a weight stick, pole thingy.

That felt good.

After that, I tried the elliptical.

For abt a minute.

I hate that thing.

Then I wandered down to the recumbent bikes.

I can handle that better than the treadmill.

I rode (?) for 2.5 miles - in 10 minutes.

Still not a whole lot, but at least I wasn't still asleep in my warm and cozy bed.

After the bike, I jumped back on the treadmill

and ran for 1 minute.

5.6 mph with a 2% incline.

I had to end the workout a bit short, mostly because I was dying,

but also because my dad needed me to take him to work today.

Before I picked him up, I stopped at McDonald's...

to use their restroom.

Nothing more!

Here is a pic of me after I got home...

Then it was time to get the day started.

Since my fridge was now loaded with veggies, veggies, and more veggies...

It was time to make breakfast for me and the kids.

Egg and Cheese English Muffin

Apple Slices w/ Almond Butter

Glass of Water

Wait, I don't have one veggie listed there.

Don't worry, I saved those for lunch and dinner.

Speaking of lunch...
Whole Wheat tortilla with sliced turkey, Munster cheese
and spicy mustard...
with carrots, a small banana, and a few almonds.

I had another Chiro appointment today, which is good because

I am able to get my stretches in, a massage, and an adjustment.

For dinner...

We had turkey breast (grilled), roasted zucchini and yellow squash,

corn on the cob, and Mandarin oranges.

Just to put it in writing, I don't have a great starting weight.

My scale broke.

Someone dropped something (liquid) on it, and it went

kaput!

We have another scale that read 265...

I think it's between 265 and 270.

Too bad I couldn't find the scale that read 145!

I forgot to weigh myself at the gym.

I was too busy dying... remember?

[ got my list, checking it twice ]

We are home from vacation...
It's time to go grocery shopping.
I've used all of my favorite blogs to get inspiration (especially Jessica's).

As soon as we get back I will post my meal plan for the week.
Everyone is home, no more summer school - so that means breakfast, lunch AND dinner meals to plan!