New Pics to Share

Seems all I have been talking about lately is weight and exercise. So, I will keep that part brief.
I'm doing great. Still doing the 30 Day Shred everyday. Still losing. Still eating what I should be. Still happy as ever.

Moving on.

I havent posted pictures in a bit. So, this is our week (ok maybe 2 weeks) in pictures...

I bought the ratties a handmade rat hammock online. They were beyond thrilled with their new place to hang out.

The kids and their Disney sweatshirts.

Probably the GROSSEST place I know of. The tubes at Chuck E. Cheese. Talk about a Petri Dish. Yuck.

This picture is cute, but you have to look close. The pink things are Ally's legs and the blue is Joey's arms reaching around her to help her into the tubes. Such sibling love.

And lastly, a picture of Ally being a ham.

Milestone #1 Reached

Today was a good day. Every morning, the first thing I do is get on the scale. Which, I know is frowned upon. Weighing yourself everyday is not recommended....But, it works for me. And I will continue to do it. This morning the scale told me I had lost 20 lbs since I started this plan in December. 20 freakin pounds!! GONE.

And I have to admit, its been quite easy. MUCH easier than the last time. I've changed up the program a little bit. I tweaked it to fit ME.

I spend about 1 1/2 hours exercising everyday. I do the 30 day shred for 1/2 hour in the morning. And then 1/2 hour on the Gazelle (to equal a 30 minute walk) and then 30 mins of yoga or pilates. The Gazelle and yoga I do after the kids goto bed, when I have time to myself. Its easy to jump on the Gazelle for 30 minutes while I watch TV. I dont do any specific workout. Just moving is good enough for me. Sure beats sitting on the couch.

The 30 day shred must be the HARDEST workout I have ever committed to doing. We are still on level 2, and everyday when I finish I feel amazing. Who would have thought that a 30 minute DVD would provide better results than hours at the gym??

The proof is in the measuring tape. I've lost 5 inches around my waist. That is incredible. INCREDIBLE.

As far as food goes, it takes a little time to get used to a new and different way of eating. Setting yourself up for success is the way to go. If you dont buy junk, you cant eat junk. I use PEAPOD to order all my groceries. I can take all the time I need, and I can organize my thoughts and meals. Add things to my cart and remove things from my cart. For me, its a fantastic tool.

I always have a veggies and bean soup in the fridge. When I dont have time to cook, its an easy meal to microwave. And its a perfect snack.
When I do cook, I double the recipe and divide it sensibly into containers and throw them in the fridge. Mike takes them to work for lunch, and I'll sometimes have them for dinner. It works great, and I end up cooking less.

I get most of my recipes from realage.com Its a great site for TONS of Healthy Weight Ideas.

I DO NOT EAT:
High Fructose Corn Syrup
White Flour or any foods with white flour in them
Sugar
Trans Fats
Hydrogenated Oils

I EAT:
Everything else. lol Multi-Grain Hot cereal every morning for breakfast. Lots of fruits veggies and whole grains...Lots of beans, and lean proteins. Red Meat once every two weeks...
I try to eat 5 times a day. For snacks I usually have a small glass of V8 or a piece of fruit.

I DRINK:
Tea, Lite Silk Soy Milk, and Seltzer water. Flavored seltzer water is great for when you want something sweet. Flavors like Peaches and Creme or Black Cherry hit the spot without any calories or sugar. And after 3 weeks of no sugar, seltzer actually tastes sweet. :)

I need to start drinking regular water. I'm working on that.

The one thing I DO NOT do is count calories or measure my food. Thats too much work. If I have to work too hard, I more likely to just give up. Instead I try to keep my tank on 3/4 full. I've been listening to my body and its cues. Am I hungry because my body needs food, or because I just "feel like" eating something? I dont just reach for things without thinking about it first.

For me, just paying attention to how much food I am eating, and when is all I need to keep myself in check. The scale tells me I am doing a good job.

More than likely there will be a time when I plateau, and I will need to take it up a notch. I will burn that bridge when I get there.

We leave in February for Disney World. My goal is to lose 22 more pounds by then. I know I can do it. I've come this far, no turning back.

"You cant be overweight if you dont have a lifestyle to support it." -Dr. Phil

My 2008 Questionnaire

Stole this from All & Sundry...

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Took the kids on vacation without my husband. Not that I wanted to, but he couldnt get time off from work. It was the first time I had to parent alone for any length of time. And we all did just fine.

Also this year we started donating to charity.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

My New Years resolution was to be more positive and to strive to be a better me. Its still a work in progress.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, my niece was born in January 2008.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, not extremely close to me, but he will be missed & we had to say good-bye to our family dog

5. What countries did you visit?

Just the U.S.A

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

My own income. But until the kids are both in school, I dont see how that is possible. And more time to spend with my husband.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Christian dying in Iraq, having to put the dog to sleep after 15 1/2 years, registering to vote, voting, and the big finale Election Day

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

We all made it safely another year. That is pretty amazing, isnt?

9. What was your biggest failure?

Jumping off the healthy lifestyle bandwagon. Glad to say, I am back on.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

No, thankfully.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A Brand New Washing Machine. (How sad is that?)

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My kids. I could not ask for more respectful, polite, loving kids. They amaze me everyday.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

That stupid mother in Florida who killed her daughter.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills. Bills. Bills. Joey. Ally.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Christmas. For some reason this year, Christmas gave me so much joy, and so much to be thankful for. I fell face first into the entire Christmas season.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Apple Bottom Jeans and Boots with the fur. Joey still sings that song.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier, much happier
b) thinner or fatter? thinner, barely
c) richer or poorer? richer in life, about the same in finances

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Read more, saved more, spent more time with Mike and kept better in touch with friends

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Waste my time with the DVR and computer (but here I am on the damn computer)

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Big breakfast at my house for the in-laws, Lynz and Scott, and then the afternoon at my grandma's house

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

I've been in love for a LONG time.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

LOST

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Not anyone additional, maybe just a little more hate towards the individuals on the list

24. What was the best book you read?

A New Earth

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

I rediscovered Stone Temple Pilots

26. What did you want and get?

Time. And Health.

27. What did you want and not get?

The stupid loan paid off. Maybe next year.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

I rarely go to the movies, and I rarely ever watch movies.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 28. All my friends came over and we had a relaxed party.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

More debt paid off, an awesome family vacation would have been amazing and being able to have been there when my brother got married.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

Comfortably simple.

32. What kept you sane?

My kids cute little faces. Mike. All my friends who listen to me bitch and moan. Starbucks. Target. Shopping Online.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

John McCain

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

The whole election had me at the edge of my seat. Not the result I was hoping for, but we will see how it all plays out.

35. Who did you miss?

Samantha. And Bob.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

OMG, Did I meet anyone new this year? I guess I will go with Lynz bf, Scott. But I think I am cheating but I think they met before this year started. I need to get out more.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

"Time waits for no one at all. No, not even you"

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"With the eyes of a child
You must come out and see
That your world's spinning 'round
And through life you will be
A small part
Of a hope
Of a love
That exists
In the eyes of a child you will see" -The Moody Blues

Christmas Book is Closed

We had a fantastic Christmas. All around, it was great. The kids were totally "into it." From the second they saw the Christmas tree with the display of presents all around, until the very last gift was open, they were ECSTATIC.

Mom and dad worked very hard to get every detail right. From the wish list, to the milk/cookie/carrot plate, even Santa's snowy boot prints. We did our best to make it as magical as we could for them. And not to toot my own horn, but I think we succeeded.
We had a total of 11 people at my house Christmas morning. I made a HUGE breakfast. And it was a great time to spend with family and friends. The kids went straight to work ripping open package after package. Getting more and more excited with each gift they opened.
Mickey Mouse called to speak with Joey and Ally to tell them about their upcoming Disney Vacation. (The vacation is a Christmas gift from my BFF and her BF) And we all couldnt possibly be more excited.

Christmas night, we tucked the kids in, and went straight to work putting the house in order. Mom doesnt like it when the house looks like a tornado came through. The Christmas decor was all taken down, wrapped up, and reboxed for next year. The Christmas tree came down and is awaiting pick-up outside. This gave us ample room to put the kids toys together and make the house look organized.
Now, I'm looking toward the New Year. 2009 is going to bring about changes. The biggest one is Joey will be 5 and will need to start school. Just thinking about it makes me feel weak. But, thats a topic for another day.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Hiatus

Well, good news and bad. First the bad news. Healthy eating and exercise flew out the window this past week. Good news, ITS BACK!

Over the h0liday we were invited SO many places, and had SO many people over. I dont know if we were coming or going. Actually, in hind sight, we didnt do so bad. Probably could have done without the pudding squares and Chinese food. But, it could have been much worse. I did stop myself from baking. We made one batch of roll-out cookies with the kids. (Because that is holiday-must-do.)

I surveyed the damage this morning. Up 3 lbs and 2% on the body fat. Grr... Serves me right.

Today, is a new day. And as my favorite blogger, Linda Lee, pointed out so well:
"There’s no reason why you shouldn’t start now. If you need to start over, that’s okay: start again now."

We have officially started over. Back to the 30 day shred. Back to whole grains, lean protein, veggies, and water. Bye-Bye to you Sugar, White Flour and HFSC. You are poison.

The plan for the Treadmill has been put on the back burner. We are going to Disney in February. We need to save our extra funds for that. So, the Tony Little Gazelle is coming out of hiding and back into motion. It will do, until we get something else.

The Eve of the Eve

I have been a mommy and wife for 4+ years now. And there is one thing I have yet to figure out.

How the heck can I keep my house clean?? HOW? HOW? HOW?

Mind you, my house isnt dirty. Its just not as put together as I would like it to be. For instance today was my day to clean my house top to bottom in preparation for Christmas morning. I had two rooms completely and totally clean to my standards.

And then my mom showed up to spread Christmas joy in the form of Christmas presents for the kids. Dont get me wrong, I am glad she came over, and the kids had a blast tearing open her packages, but geesh. I just cleaned that room!



And then I gave up. Clearly there was no point in pursuing house cleaning, when I would just need to redo it tomorrow.

Being that I am doing the 30 day shred, and trying to live a healthier lifestyle, I pretty much banned Christmas cookies in our house this year. However, I've come to realize, every kid should have the fun of making homemade cookies for the jolly man in the red suit. So I caved.

Into the mixer went the butter, sugar and white flour. I enlisted the help of my bff, Lyndsay. Rolling out cookies and use cookie cutters is a rite of passage. Joey was happy to do a few. Ally, on the other hand, would still be sitting at the table right now if I let her.

Oh, and here is a fun picture of Ally and the rats.

I thought I would take a few pictures of our Christmas decor. Its been up since the day after Thanksgiving. And once the Christmas holiday is over with. So is the tree and everything that goes along with it. I get anxious to take everything Christmas down and restore the house to original order. And based on the kids Christmas lists, we are going to need the extra space. Seriously.




Tomorrow will be my day to clean the rest of the house. Who am I kidding? I will be cleaning the whole house. And I will shamelessly park the two little tornadoes in front of the TV to watch Christmas Specials.
I am planning a nice Christmas breakfast. And all the prep work will be done tomorrow. I still have to run out with my niece to get her shoes. I have a few more things to wrap. Its Ally's turn tomorrow to move the star on the Advent calendar. And then we get to help Santa put all the gifts around the tree.
Its going to be a busy day. But well worth all the effort for the Grand Finale Thursday morning!

Christmas Anticipation

Other than one small gift, I AM DONE SHOPPING. D.O.N.E. Done. Well, other than that one last gift. Mike is in charge of picking it up anyway, so technically, I am done.

I hit the mall today with my bff, and we both finished everything up. 99.97% of my wrapping is completed, and I am giddy with anticipation of Christmas morning.

I bought Ally Christmas PJ's so she can look festive on film while opening her Christmas presents. Joey's, Mr. I-dont-grow-much, still fits into his Christmas PJ's from last year. I also bought Ally a frilly, lacy, velvety, over-priced Christmas dress. She loved it, until it got stuck on her head on its way off of her. She has no desire to put it back on. Now I have buyers remorse. Its going back tomorrow.

I never posted our Santa picture from this year. What an experience that was. Joey made it clear he would need to stand while speaking to Santa. Not at all interested in sitting in some strange mans lap. Ok, by mom.

Joey asked Santa for Scooby Haunted House, Thomas and Percy Carnival and the Rhinosaraus with the birds. (The rhino with the birds thing took me forever to figure out. Took the help of an eight year old)

Ally was in shock. She was terrified of the jolly old man. And barely muttered something about a princess.

She wasnt having her picture taken without mom and dad their. So, it became a family shot.

Merry Christmas Everyone!