So, we're asked to write a post about a few things. My first one here is going to be about my biggest fear. I admit, I have plenty of fears, most of them having to do with my family and boys. But my biggest "life/weightloss" fear is that I will never get to goal. I fear that because look...I've been at this journey off and on again for so many years. WHY oh why does it have to be so hard. I'm not trying to do quick fixes, or magic pills...I've been doing it the hard way. Yeah, I may take a "sabbatical" here and there, but come ON!!! It's been very frustrating, and well I'm the only one to blame.
SO, I say that I fear most NEVER reaching that goal. I never stop trying though... I want to BEAT that fear!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
A whole week, and a recipe!
Wow, I can't believe it's been a whole week since I posted a blog! I have a valid excuse though...I've been at home dealing with a sick little one all week long! Seriously! Fortunately the little one is finally feeling better - fever free for 2 days now - and is back at daycare! Whew!
First and foremost, last Saturday's plan was a flop. I didn't get to go to the Cardio Kickboxing class! Grrr.... But I have a plan this Saturday to meet up with a new friend and buddy up some exercise at the Y. I like the idea of a Saturday buddy, but not crazy about the $3 or $4 expense every Saturday. Hmmm... Anyway, for now it's okay.
Secondly, I lost 1lb at weigh in on Tuesday. Hey, I'll take it...because I probably didn't deserve it. But I hope it sticks with me and doesn't end up biting me in the butt come next weigh in!!!
Thirdly, I have NOT journaled all week long nor have a I exercised! GULP! That means today is the day to get back on track and really stick with my goals. One of those goals being that I really need to work on my Holiday Plan some more. I've generally been working on it...but obviously NOT enough!!!
I'm disappointed that I have all these good intentions, and then I can't even get through a whole stinking week of following through. What is up with that? What is up with ME?!!! A year ago I was literally rocking. SO, I'm trying to figure myself out and get this show on the road. What do I want more....that's what I HAVE to keep asking myself.
So, the GAG week 9 challenge is to try a new recipe. We get points for doing so, and if we use a new ingredients we've never tried before, take pictures of it , and share nutritional info we get points! How exciting eh?!! Well last night I tried something new - kind of just whipped it together. I had a few friends telling me how they make it...so I kind of just went off of that. The boys and I liked it...Hunney, well he didn't get to try it since I KNEW he wouldn't like it (frozen pizza night for him). So, here ya go!
1.5 cup(s) Green Peppers strips (bell peppers)
1 cup red Peppers, sweet
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 cup sliced Onions
Old El Paso Fajita Seasoning Mix, 2 tsp (I just used a TINY bit out of a packet, and next time probably would omit and use my own seasonings)
6 La Tortilla Factory High Fiber-Low Carb Whole Wheat Tortilla
1 can Black beans
2/3 cup Colby & Monterey Jack Shredded Cheese
3 Tbsp Daisy Light Sour Cream
Heat oil in skillet. Add peppers and onions and saute until soft, remove from skillet. Add chicken to skillet (I sprayed a little canola spray in the skillet). Cook chicken until done. Add fajita seasoning with a little water. Cook until thickens slightly. Return peppers and onions and warm. Fill tortilla shell with mixture, add 1/2 Tbsp, cheese, and beans. YUM!
*I actually ate the beans on the side - just my thing, as I always have to have a "side" with a meal...weird I know.
Serves 6
First and foremost, last Saturday's plan was a flop. I didn't get to go to the Cardio Kickboxing class! Grrr.... But I have a plan this Saturday to meet up with a new friend and buddy up some exercise at the Y. I like the idea of a Saturday buddy, but not crazy about the $3 or $4 expense every Saturday. Hmmm... Anyway, for now it's okay.
Secondly, I lost 1lb at weigh in on Tuesday. Hey, I'll take it...because I probably didn't deserve it. But I hope it sticks with me and doesn't end up biting me in the butt come next weigh in!!!
Thirdly, I have NOT journaled all week long nor have a I exercised! GULP! That means today is the day to get back on track and really stick with my goals. One of those goals being that I really need to work on my Holiday Plan some more. I've generally been working on it...but obviously NOT enough!!!
I'm disappointed that I have all these good intentions, and then I can't even get through a whole stinking week of following through. What is up with that? What is up with ME?!!! A year ago I was literally rocking. SO, I'm trying to figure myself out and get this show on the road. What do I want more....that's what I HAVE to keep asking myself.
So, the GAG week 9 challenge is to try a new recipe. We get points for doing so, and if we use a new ingredients we've never tried before, take pictures of it , and share nutritional info we get points! How exciting eh?!! Well last night I tried something new - kind of just whipped it together. I had a few friends telling me how they make it...so I kind of just went off of that. The boys and I liked it...Hunney, well he didn't get to try it since I KNEW he wouldn't like it (frozen pizza night for him). So, here ya go!
1.5 cup(s) Green Peppers strips (bell peppers)
1 cup red Peppers, sweet
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
1 cup sliced Onions
Old El Paso Fajita Seasoning Mix, 2 tsp (I just used a TINY bit out of a packet, and next time probably would omit and use my own seasonings)
6 La Tortilla Factory High Fiber-Low Carb Whole Wheat Tortilla
1 can Black beans
2/3 cup Colby & Monterey Jack Shredded Cheese
3 Tbsp Daisy Light Sour Cream
Heat oil in skillet. Add peppers and onions and saute until soft, remove from skillet. Add chicken to skillet (I sprayed a little canola spray in the skillet). Cook chicken until done. Add fajita seasoning with a little water. Cook until thickens slightly. Return peppers and onions and warm. Fill tortilla shell with mixture, add 1/2 Tbsp, cheese, and beans. YUM!
*I actually ate the beans on the side - just my thing, as I always have to have a "side" with a meal...weird I know.
Serves 6
Friday, October 23, 2009
Fabulous Friday!
Really...a shortie this time! Just wanted to update a few things!
- I did not do anything new for exercise yesterday. That does NOT mean I didn't exercise, as I did 45 minutes of Step class! Yay! My thighs are feeling it!
- I think I'm starting to get a cold...I have a headache, my nose is clogged like, and in the evenings my throat feels "different". I'm fighting it though...hard! Especially since we are planning to go to the pumpkin patch tomorrow!
- I read something last night in my Prevention magazine that is sticking with me. It was a success story of a woman that lost 1/2 of her body weight...amazing story. Anyway, one of her quotes was "you won't regret what you don't eat". OMG I LOVE that!!!!!!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Two days and a bike ride!
Woohooo...I officially have a "streak" going on here! I have completed 2 successful OP day! Yay Mandie! That's how ya do it! And you know what, today is going to be exactly the same! *remember girl how this feels....AWESOME*
Last night Hunney and I played in a big pile of leaves with the boys. It was a total blast!!!! I got tons of cute pictures...and really the boys had the best of time! Then I said "who wants to go on a bike ride?!". They were soooo excited! Hunney put the little one's seat on his bike, and my big boy rode his bike. This was MUCH MORE of a chore than I anticipated. He was so slow, and I was so worried about him going out in the road, and then he'd go slow again...ugh! Needless to say it wasn't quite the intensity of a workout that I needed...but it was still a fun family activity!
That meant I had to do MORE working out. And that I did. I used a Workout Muse and did my first real round of tabatas! (how's that for NEW?!) GULP! I was sweating up a storm! It was great, because I just did it in the living room while Hunney watched tv! I kicked BUTT! After that I did my 10 min resistance superset workout! WOOHOO!
I'll probably do some more tabatas tonight, but at a different ratio. Last night I did 30:90, and that wasn't quite "hard" enough. Tonight I think I'll try 60:60, and I'm going to use different exercises. Last nights exercises went like this : Jumping rope, jumping jacks, squats, lunges, mountain climbers, jumping rope, jumping jacks, squats, squat thrust/burpee, mountain climbers. After each exercise though there was a 90 second rest... so I had PLENTY Of time to catch my breath. Tonight...something even more challenging! Wish me luck!!!
Oh, and please note that my journals are posted to the side from now on in the "Follow My Progress" area. I figured that should be in a separate blog...so it is!
Okay, some pictures from our "leisurely" bike ride yesterday evening!
He was throwing a fit because his little brother had on the helmet HE wanted to wear!
Hunney and the little one
A beautiful church we passed on our ride
My guys
Mommy and the little one
He got tired of pedaling...Daddy had to help!
Me - riding my bike
Yes, we went into the cemetery (no traffic, I had to worry less!)
Coming out of the cemetery
And a GORGEOUS tree!!
Last night Hunney and I played in a big pile of leaves with the boys. It was a total blast!!!! I got tons of cute pictures...and really the boys had the best of time! Then I said "who wants to go on a bike ride?!". They were soooo excited! Hunney put the little one's seat on his bike, and my big boy rode his bike. This was MUCH MORE of a chore than I anticipated. He was so slow, and I was so worried about him going out in the road, and then he'd go slow again...ugh! Needless to say it wasn't quite the intensity of a workout that I needed...but it was still a fun family activity!
That meant I had to do MORE working out. And that I did. I used a Workout Muse and did my first real round of tabatas! (how's that for NEW?!) GULP! I was sweating up a storm! It was great, because I just did it in the living room while Hunney watched tv! I kicked BUTT! After that I did my 10 min resistance superset workout! WOOHOO!
I'll probably do some more tabatas tonight, but at a different ratio. Last night I did 30:90, and that wasn't quite "hard" enough. Tonight I think I'll try 60:60, and I'm going to use different exercises. Last nights exercises went like this : Jumping rope, jumping jacks, squats, lunges, mountain climbers, jumping rope, jumping jacks, squats, squat thrust/burpee, mountain climbers. After each exercise though there was a 90 second rest... so I had PLENTY Of time to catch my breath. Tonight...something even more challenging! Wish me luck!!!
Oh, and please note that my journals are posted to the side from now on in the "Follow My Progress" area. I figured that should be in a separate blog...so it is!
Okay, some pictures from our "leisurely" bike ride yesterday evening!
He was throwing a fit because his little brother had on the helmet HE wanted to wear!
Hunney and the little one
A beautiful church we passed on our ride
My guys
Mommy and the little one
He got tired of pedaling...Daddy had to help!
Me - riding my bike
Yes, we went into the cemetery (no traffic, I had to worry less!)
Coming out of the cemetery
And a GORGEOUS tree!!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
One Day
That's right folks, one full day of being OP and feeling awesome about it. I know you've probably seen a few of these posts from me...but I have to shout it out. That way if I happen to lose it again, I can search and find THIS post.
Notes to self : Mandie...you feel AWESOME being in control like this. You ate the right foods yesterday, and did not once feel like caving because you were satisfied! Yeah, that's right...satisfied!!! The lunch time run was the mid day energy burst you needed...as well as those heart pumping exercises during the Biggest Loser commercials. REMEMBER how good this feels. I'm "bottling" this up for you to use at a later time. The motivation is very thick in here now...so I'm totally saving it!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay...got that out. So today I've been trying to think of what I can do "differently" with my exercise and it dawned on me...a bike ride with the kiddos! OOOH what fun!!! The temps are wonderful, and the colors of the leaves are WOW! Totally gonna ask Hunney to put the seat back on my bike for the little guy and get to pedaling!!
*Side note...test results back from Drs office with my cholesterol and thyroid - all good. No more trying to blame my lack of weightloss to the stupid thyroid. Phooey...it IS just me. Well, now I know and can grasp this with both hands!!!
Notes to self : Mandie...you feel AWESOME being in control like this. You ate the right foods yesterday, and did not once feel like caving because you were satisfied! Yeah, that's right...satisfied!!! The lunch time run was the mid day energy burst you needed...as well as those heart pumping exercises during the Biggest Loser commercials. REMEMBER how good this feels. I'm "bottling" this up for you to use at a later time. The motivation is very thick in here now...so I'm totally saving it!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay...got that out. So today I've been trying to think of what I can do "differently" with my exercise and it dawned on me...a bike ride with the kiddos! OOOH what fun!!! The temps are wonderful, and the colors of the leaves are WOW! Totally gonna ask Hunney to put the seat back on my bike for the little guy and get to pedaling!!
*Side note...test results back from Drs office with my cholesterol and thyroid - all good. No more trying to blame my lack of weightloss to the stupid thyroid. Phooey...it IS just me. Well, now I know and can grasp this with both hands!!!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Weekly Weigh In
Hmmm...where do I start? Okay...first off, I had a pretty good week. Not 100%, but pretty good. I lacked some exercise here and there, and honestly, didn't journal on the weekend (even though I felt I did REALLY good), and then there was my family reunion on Sunday, which well....ugh....that was hard. The hard part wasn't the "real" food, but the darn sweets! It's not something I typically have in the house, so when my boys asked for a cupcake, that meant I had to go up to that TABLE of goodies. I caved. Literally. I had almost a piece of everything! GULP! And unfortunately several of those damn persimmon pudding cookies! OUCH!
I didn't want to ruin all my hard work for the week with ONE lousy meal...so I wanted Monday to kick butt. I plan month menus to help stay on track, so I knew I could do it. Then side entrance Hunney, the PICKY eater of the family, the one who REFUSES to go out to eat and spend money on food like that - yes, he feels he doesn't get $10+ worth of food when we go out to eat, thanks to him being soooo stinking picky - he calls me at work, 4:00pm mind you, to ask if we should GO OUT to eat tonight. I believe I drop dead on the floor. "Mandie...are you there?". "uh...yeah, I'm here...OK...what do you want?!!!!!!". At this point I'm so excited, no cooking and clean up for me, eating OUT...oh my goodness what a flippin treat!!!! He says 2 scary words..."Olive Garden". My heart almost stops. The handful of times I've been to the OG I have only tried one thing...pathetic I know. But like I said, we NEVER go out to eat. So I instantly know what I'm going to have to get...the worst thing on the menu...the 1400 calorie dinner not including salad and breadsticks. I remember...weigh in tomorrow morning... ugh. But this day only comes once in a blue moon...so I cave. Why didn't I just order something HEALTHIER from the menu? I don't know...because I didn't have time to prepare?? Because I WANTED to indulge in that wonderful dish that I get very rarely....because it's a happy meal. Yea, it was wonderful...but I hated myself afterwards. The good thing is we went to Walmart and walked around for an hour grocery shopping and such. But it doesn't make up the 1400+ dinner I just swallowed. Yes, that's over my daily calorie LIMIT. Do you see the tears streaming down my face now?
The worst part...when Hunney knows how unhappy I am with the decision I made and says "well, you're going to have to determine what you want more Mandie. Staying where you're at, or losing the weight". Hmmm...really?! Are you sure? Because I'm not getting that dear!!! Somehow in the process of having our home flooded in June 2008, having to MOVE IN with my PARENTS, demolishing the old house and rebuilding...oh and let's include having to live with my parents and their family for 10 LONG months....and finally moving into our new home ...I've REGAINED...yes REGAINED 20'ish lbs, and honestly I'm STUCK. I can NOT get past this, and they won't budge. So remind me...you're just saying I have to decide WHAT I want more? Hmmm....okay, that's easy!
If only it were. Clearly I can see what I want...I can remember what it was like to be 16.4 lbs lighter (yes, I've lost a FEW from the 20)...and I want to taste that again, and move down even more. So why why why am I literally stuck here? UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have worked on goals, I'm meal planning, I'm journaling, I'm exercising (okay, not NEAR as much as I should, or was), but somewhere I must be lying to myself or something...because I'm STUCK.
Weigh in this morning.... 172.4 - a big fat maintain. I suppose I'm lucky for that, after that disgusting meal last night, and the craziness I went on those sweets on Sunday. So I'll smile and try again. It's all I can do, right?
Sigh...literally. At least the GAG challenge should be really challenging me this week. We get extra points for doing some new kind of exercise. That'll spice and shake things up a bit I suppose.
And that's what I did today during my lunch hour. After a couple of weeks of bbbrrrrrrr, cold, weather, it's warmed up a bit. So my workout bud and I went to a nearby park and ran ... drumroll.....OUTSIDE! Oh my goodness, with hills and everything! It was tough, but it was "easier". Running on the track in the gym, or even the treadmill literally wear me out. It's sooo boring. This though physically harder was much more pleasant and ...easier?! I loved it, and look forward to giving it another whirl.
This week I'm aiming for 500 extra exercise points for shaking things up. Hey, I just made a goal for myself. Maybe doing that will help get me refocused and get this weight moving a bit more. Not sure WHAT those differences are going to be...but I'm definitely going to try!!! Shoot, I may be able to get 700 points! Maybe I'll do a video, or take some pictures, but for sure I should be blogging about them!
Another change ... I'm going to stop counting calories. I know...don't faint, or start freaking out on me. If you've been looking at my journals, you'll see I count calories along with WW points. I'm going to just focus on WW points...for 1 month. Starting TODAY. It's worked sooo well for me in the past, I'm praying it will help me again.
One more spark ... I've slacked seriously on my Hundred(s) Challenges, and today I'm starting them again (well week 2 anyway) . I can do these during the Biggest Loser commercials tonight, so I have NO excuse.
I'm going to measure myself and quit focusing JUST on the scale. Maybe I'm stuck on that. I know when I was measuring myself last year (once/month), seeing inches lost was exciting. Not sure why I stopped?
Okay...I think that's enough for now ... you know how my ramblings get. Crazy confusion!
I didn't want to ruin all my hard work for the week with ONE lousy meal...so I wanted Monday to kick butt. I plan month menus to help stay on track, so I knew I could do it. Then side entrance Hunney, the PICKY eater of the family, the one who REFUSES to go out to eat and spend money on food like that - yes, he feels he doesn't get $10+ worth of food when we go out to eat, thanks to him being soooo stinking picky - he calls me at work, 4:00pm mind you, to ask if we should GO OUT to eat tonight. I believe I drop dead on the floor. "Mandie...are you there?". "uh...yeah, I'm here...OK...what do you want?!!!!!!". At this point I'm so excited, no cooking and clean up for me, eating OUT...oh my goodness what a flippin treat!!!! He says 2 scary words..."Olive Garden". My heart almost stops. The handful of times I've been to the OG I have only tried one thing...pathetic I know. But like I said, we NEVER go out to eat. So I instantly know what I'm going to have to get...the worst thing on the menu...the 1400 calorie dinner not including salad and breadsticks. I remember...weigh in tomorrow morning... ugh. But this day only comes once in a blue moon...so I cave. Why didn't I just order something HEALTHIER from the menu? I don't know...because I didn't have time to prepare?? Because I WANTED to indulge in that wonderful dish that I get very rarely....because it's a happy meal. Yea, it was wonderful...but I hated myself afterwards. The good thing is we went to Walmart and walked around for an hour grocery shopping and such. But it doesn't make up the 1400+ dinner I just swallowed. Yes, that's over my daily calorie LIMIT. Do you see the tears streaming down my face now?
The worst part...when Hunney knows how unhappy I am with the decision I made and says "well, you're going to have to determine what you want more Mandie. Staying where you're at, or losing the weight". Hmmm...really?! Are you sure? Because I'm not getting that dear!!! Somehow in the process of having our home flooded in June 2008, having to MOVE IN with my PARENTS, demolishing the old house and rebuilding...oh and let's include having to live with my parents and their family for 10 LONG months....and finally moving into our new home ...I've REGAINED...yes REGAINED 20'ish lbs, and honestly I'm STUCK. I can NOT get past this, and they won't budge. So remind me...you're just saying I have to decide WHAT I want more? Hmmm....okay, that's easy!
If only it were. Clearly I can see what I want...I can remember what it was like to be 16.4 lbs lighter (yes, I've lost a FEW from the 20)...and I want to taste that again, and move down even more. So why why why am I literally stuck here? UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have worked on goals, I'm meal planning, I'm journaling, I'm exercising (okay, not NEAR as much as I should, or was), but somewhere I must be lying to myself or something...because I'm STUCK.
Weigh in this morning.... 172.4 - a big fat maintain. I suppose I'm lucky for that, after that disgusting meal last night, and the craziness I went on those sweets on Sunday. So I'll smile and try again. It's all I can do, right?
Sigh...literally. At least the GAG challenge should be really challenging me this week. We get extra points for doing some new kind of exercise. That'll spice and shake things up a bit I suppose.
And that's what I did today during my lunch hour. After a couple of weeks of bbbrrrrrrr, cold, weather, it's warmed up a bit. So my workout bud and I went to a nearby park and ran ... drumroll.....OUTSIDE! Oh my goodness, with hills and everything! It was tough, but it was "easier". Running on the track in the gym, or even the treadmill literally wear me out. It's sooo boring. This though physically harder was much more pleasant and ...easier?! I loved it, and look forward to giving it another whirl.
This week I'm aiming for 500 extra exercise points for shaking things up. Hey, I just made a goal for myself. Maybe doing that will help get me refocused and get this weight moving a bit more. Not sure WHAT those differences are going to be...but I'm definitely going to try!!! Shoot, I may be able to get 700 points! Maybe I'll do a video, or take some pictures, but for sure I should be blogging about them!
Another change ... I'm going to stop counting calories. I know...don't faint, or start freaking out on me. If you've been looking at my journals, you'll see I count calories along with WW points. I'm going to just focus on WW points...for 1 month. Starting TODAY. It's worked sooo well for me in the past, I'm praying it will help me again.
One more spark ... I've slacked seriously on my Hundred(s) Challenges, and today I'm starting them again (well week 2 anyway) . I can do these during the Biggest Loser commercials tonight, so I have NO excuse.
I'm going to measure myself and quit focusing JUST on the scale. Maybe I'm stuck on that. I know when I was measuring myself last year (once/month), seeing inches lost was exciting. Not sure why I stopped?
Okay...I think that's enough for now ... you know how my ramblings get. Crazy confusion!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Typical rambling post
Wow...can you believe it's Friday, AND that this month is halfway over?! I'm having a hard time grasping that! It means the year end is approaching, and much faster than I realize. I want to hit my upcoming goals, so that means I really need to put it in gear and hang on. Yes, it's going to be tough with Halloween candy, my birthday (my Mom will make me a special cake just so I can stay on track), my FAVORITE holiday - Thanksgiving, along with a work pitch in breakfast, and then of course Christmas and the parties that come along with that. Ugh. Yeah, it's going to be hard...BUT, I can do this!!!! I read something yesterday (or maybe it was the day before), that stuck with me and I keep remembering. "To get something you never had, you have to do something you have never done"... Wow! When I think hard about that I KNOW that is true. It's the exact reason I plateaued last year, and then why I got so frustrated and eventually went the other direction and regained 20lbs. Now I have that phrase to remember...and it will clear things up in my head! :) Whew! I MUST do this!
So, I'm truly in a different mind set this week. Something is clicking, and I feel relief to finally be there again. Yes, I wasted a few (10) months this year...but the important part is that I never gave up and I'm still going. This time I'm going to finish!!! I FEEL it!
This weekend dh will be racing...so that leaves me and the boys. It should be fun...we will for sure get lots of dancing in! We have my family reunion on Sunday, and my goal is to take the backpack carrier and put my little guy in it and take a nice hike! I'm hoping the 4 year old can "hack" it and walk! There will be awesome food at the reunion, but I'm going to do ok...I know I can! Besides that, nothing really going on this weekend! I like that...means it's easier for me to stay on track!
Forgive me with my journals. I keep saying I'm going to get pics and post them...but then forget... so NOW I'm going to post Tue,Wed,Thurs from this week. I don't want to go back any further since my weeks start on Tuesday. So let me do some explaining. This week I decided to start a points system up of my own. Where I get points for water, journaling, exercise, steps, calories, etc. My goal is 70/week. Maybe eventually I'll put the way my points works on the side...but I dont' have the desire to do so now. That sounds bad...sorry. I somewhat got the idea from the GAG challenge. We did points last week, and I think that seemed to really help me stay on track. I also want to say that a blog I read, Christine, does something very similar too, and I REALLY liked how she did it. So, that's where I came up with my own (hope that's okay!). Oh, and you'll see lots of acronyms... here's a little key
DP = daily points - this has to do with my own point system
But these go along with WW. Remember I count calories and pts (because that has what worked for me the best int he past).
APE = Activity Points Earned
APU = Activity Points Used
FPU = Flex Points Used
FPR = Flex Points Remaining
okay...enough rambling
Tuesday 10/13
Wed 10/14
Thurs 10/15
And a picture of my special birthday cake from last year! YUM!
So, I'm truly in a different mind set this week. Something is clicking, and I feel relief to finally be there again. Yes, I wasted a few (10) months this year...but the important part is that I never gave up and I'm still going. This time I'm going to finish!!! I FEEL it!
This weekend dh will be racing...so that leaves me and the boys. It should be fun...we will for sure get lots of dancing in! We have my family reunion on Sunday, and my goal is to take the backpack carrier and put my little guy in it and take a nice hike! I'm hoping the 4 year old can "hack" it and walk! There will be awesome food at the reunion, but I'm going to do ok...I know I can! Besides that, nothing really going on this weekend! I like that...means it's easier for me to stay on track!
Forgive me with my journals. I keep saying I'm going to get pics and post them...but then forget... so NOW I'm going to post Tue,Wed,Thurs from this week. I don't want to go back any further since my weeks start on Tuesday. So let me do some explaining. This week I decided to start a points system up of my own. Where I get points for water, journaling, exercise, steps, calories, etc. My goal is 70/week. Maybe eventually I'll put the way my points works on the side...but I dont' have the desire to do so now. That sounds bad...sorry. I somewhat got the idea from the GAG challenge. We did points last week, and I think that seemed to really help me stay on track. I also want to say that a blog I read, Christine, does something very similar too, and I REALLY liked how she did it. So, that's where I came up with my own (hope that's okay!). Oh, and you'll see lots of acronyms... here's a little key
DP = daily points - this has to do with my own point system
But these go along with WW. Remember I count calories and pts (because that has what worked for me the best int he past).
APE = Activity Points Earned
APU = Activity Points Used
FPU = Flex Points Used
FPR = Flex Points Remaining
okay...enough rambling
Tuesday 10/13
Wed 10/14
Thurs 10/15
And a picture of my special birthday cake from last year! YUM!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wanna win some Vitatops?!
Oh yeah baby...these are some of my FAVORITE snacks around! And now you can WIN some... just head on over to the blog "Watch My Butt Shrink"! WOOHOO!!!!!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Weekly Weigh In
I'm down 2lbs this week! WOOHOO! I'm happy about that, it should help me stay on track. I tried to stay moving all weekend...dancing with the kiddos, Tae-Bo, resistance training and even a 3 mile run around town! Between that and eating A LOT better, drinking my h20 AND journaling help contribute to my 2lb loss this week, and I KNOW it! :) Very happy about it.
I was not online yesterday because my nephew J had his surgery and I was at the hospital all day with my Mom and J. He did very well, and now the long recovery starts. The hospital is not allowing visitors now because of the threat of H1N1, so it doesn't look like I'll be able to visit my Mom and J anymore. They will be able to come home probably Sunday or Monday. A long time....
I said I'd get my journals posted today...but I just don't have time. Hopefully tomorrow!! Sorry!
I was not online yesterday because my nephew J had his surgery and I was at the hospital all day with my Mom and J. He did very well, and now the long recovery starts. The hospital is not allowing visitors now because of the threat of H1N1, so it doesn't look like I'll be able to visit my Mom and J anymore. They will be able to come home probably Sunday or Monday. A long time....
I said I'd get my journals posted today...but I just don't have time. Hopefully tomorrow!! Sorry!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
My Mom....
So it looks like little J is going to have to have surgery tomorrow. Poor thing. I'll be heading up to the hospital after I get my little guys off to school and daycare and my workout for the day in. It'll be a long day, but I'm taking my Mom some groceries, so we can eat "good" and skip out on the cafeteria.
Today I've spent the day doing laundry, cleaning my fridge, micro, the catch-all room (my step sons room every other weekend), and at the store. I'm wore out, yet I still need to get a run in later, when the boys are in bed. I just can't keep my mind off my Mom, and all that she is doing for J. She's missing weeks of work to take care a child that is NOT hers...and honestly, one that isn't even that close to her, not like my kids are. She's awesome, and I love her so much. Thank you Mom for doing all and being the best Mom and Mamaw ever.
Well, I have a few things I want to get finished....so off I go. Oh, and it looks like I won't be getting my journals up on Monday since I'll be at the hospital...I'll have to do that Tuesday...
Today I've spent the day doing laundry, cleaning my fridge, micro, the catch-all room (my step sons room every other weekend), and at the store. I'm wore out, yet I still need to get a run in later, when the boys are in bed. I just can't keep my mind off my Mom, and all that she is doing for J. She's missing weeks of work to take care a child that is NOT hers...and honestly, one that isn't even that close to her, not like my kids are. She's awesome, and I love her so much. Thank you Mom for doing all and being the best Mom and Mamaw ever.
Well, I have a few things I want to get finished....so off I go. Oh, and it looks like I won't be getting my journals up on Monday since I'll be at the hospital...I'll have to do that Tuesday...
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Sunny Saturday
After several days of rain, the sun finally peaks out today!! It's gorgeous...and it's spreading to our moods. The kids and I cleaned the house, okay...I cleaned the house, but they gave it a shot. My oldest even put up toys - after he cried about it for 5 mins. They helped dust and sweep...and have been on their best behavior. Yeah, the sun is definitely contributing to that.
Yesterday I went to the hospital to visit my nephew and Mom. My Mom and I ate lunch, while J napped. Oooh how I love hospital cafeteria food...or even McD's, but we chose a place that served wraps. Oh my was it ever good. I had a veggie that was on a sundried tomato wrap. It was LOADED with veggies, a bit of couscous, feta and tampada. It was awesome! The best part...I stayed on track!!! It was a nice visit...but I feel for my Mom. She's there alone with J ... and though she has her laptop and knitting, hospital days are years. I'll go up again tomorrow, and maybe this time take her some food, eating out gets old...even if you love it.
Well, I should get on with my workout....I wasn't able to workout yesterday, so I REALLY need it today!! Move more Mandie :) I'll post my weekend journals on Monday.
Yesterday I went to the hospital to visit my nephew and Mom. My Mom and I ate lunch, while J napped. Oooh how I love hospital cafeteria food...or even McD's, but we chose a place that served wraps. Oh my was it ever good. I had a veggie that was on a sundried tomato wrap. It was LOADED with veggies, a bit of couscous, feta and tampada. It was awesome! The best part...I stayed on track!!! It was a nice visit...but I feel for my Mom. She's there alone with J ... and though she has her laptop and knitting, hospital days are years. I'll go up again tomorrow, and maybe this time take her some food, eating out gets old...even if you love it.
Well, I should get on with my workout....I wasn't able to workout yesterday, so I REALLY need it today!! Move more Mandie :) I'll post my weekend journals on Monday.
Friday, October 9, 2009
TGIF!
Wooohooo! It's Friday friends! I'm excited too. I don't really have anything to be excited about though. Maybe that's why...means I'm not stressing about how I'm going to stay on plan for the weekend. This should be simple. And I like that. I have the meals planned out for the weekend and I will be working out and getting my steps IN! :)
Anyway, this is a fly by post since I have much to do!!!
Thursday Oct 8 Journal
Anyway, this is a fly by post since I have much to do!!!
Thursday Oct 8 Journal
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thinking Thursday
I have a lot going on in my life right now. Seriously, from one angle to the last A LOT on my plate...and though I feel overwhelmed with it all, I feel I'm back on track to finding me again. I think if I take the time to focus on me, I will be fine. I worked on my weightloss goals, reasons, steps, obstacles, solutions, rewards and timeline yesterday....and having that will help me with the rest of this journey!
My coworker tells me that I am being tested with all that is going on in my life right now... and she says "stop to think about what it could be teaching me". Even though it's lots of negatives, there will bloom a positive. I'm trying to find that right now. I think it's that I don't cave. Yes, I have a lot on my plate between a severely burned baby nephew, a water/mold problem in my brand new home, a naughty cat that is pushing my buttons, finances (don't we all know about this one!), and other issues here and there - I'm just blah! But I'm not caving. I'm going to make a positive out of this. The positive is that I'm going to stick it out, and I'm going to see a loss on Tuesday!
The best news? The weekend should be much more successful. I have a Longaberger party on Saturday, but I'm making healthy treats, and I'll go racing after that. But I'm determined to get in my steps, drink my water and stay on plan!!!! I think I'm fairly excited for this weekend and not having to worry about going here and being tempted by this or that. I can make it!
Wednesday 10/7/09 Journal
My coworker tells me that I am being tested with all that is going on in my life right now... and she says "stop to think about what it could be teaching me". Even though it's lots of negatives, there will bloom a positive. I'm trying to find that right now. I think it's that I don't cave. Yes, I have a lot on my plate between a severely burned baby nephew, a water/mold problem in my brand new home, a naughty cat that is pushing my buttons, finances (don't we all know about this one!), and other issues here and there - I'm just blah! But I'm not caving. I'm going to make a positive out of this. The positive is that I'm going to stick it out, and I'm going to see a loss on Tuesday!
The best news? The weekend should be much more successful. I have a Longaberger party on Saturday, but I'm making healthy treats, and I'll go racing after that. But I'm determined to get in my steps, drink my water and stay on plan!!!! I think I'm fairly excited for this weekend and not having to worry about going here and being tempted by this or that. I can make it!
Wednesday 10/7/09 Journal
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
GAG Week 6 Challenge
This weeks challenge is a PERFECT one for me. I actually like the ideas of getting points for doing things, and seem to do fairly well with it! So....I should succeed and get me back on the RIGHT track! It will be easiest for me to track it here, since there is SO much to do! :)
Water – 15 pts per 8 ozs
Supplements – 10 pts per day
Stay OP – 25 pts per day
Exercise – 25 pts per 30 mins
Sleep: 6 hours = 10 pts
7 hours = 15 pts
8 hours = 20 pts
Blog – 25 pts per day
Team Support = 50 pts (check in with them two times this week!!)
Holiday Prep = 50 pts
Do Something for YOU = 50 pts
Tuesday - 205 pts total
Water 150 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 0 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 0 pts
Wednesday - 316 pts total
Water 216 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 25 pts
Sleep 15 pts
Blog 25 pts
Thursday - 446pts
Water 291 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 25 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 25 pts
Team Support 50pts
Friday - 230 pts
Water 150 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 0 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 25 pts
Saturday - 368 pts
Water 188 pts
Supplements 10pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 50 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 25 pts
Something for YOU 50 pts
Sunday - 305 pts
Water 150 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 25 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 25 pts
Holiday Prep 50 pts (yay I got presents wrapped and my wrapping paper all sorted and ready!)
Monday - 190 pts
Water 135 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 0 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 0 pts
TOTAL WEEKLY POINTS ~ 2060
Water – 15 pts per 8 ozs
Supplements – 10 pts per day
Stay OP – 25 pts per day
Exercise – 25 pts per 30 mins
Sleep: 6 hours = 10 pts
7 hours = 15 pts
8 hours = 20 pts
Blog – 25 pts per day
Team Support = 50 pts (check in with them two times this week!!)
Holiday Prep = 50 pts
Do Something for YOU = 50 pts
Tuesday - 205 pts total
Water 150 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 0 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 0 pts
Wednesday - 316 pts total
Water 216 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 25 pts
Sleep 15 pts
Blog 25 pts
Thursday - 446pts
Water 291 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 25 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 25 pts
Team Support 50pts
Friday - 230 pts
Water 150 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 0 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 25 pts
Saturday - 368 pts
Water 188 pts
Supplements 10pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 50 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 25 pts
Something for YOU 50 pts
Sunday - 305 pts
Water 150 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 25 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 25 pts
Holiday Prep 50 pts (yay I got presents wrapped and my wrapping paper all sorted and ready!)
Monday - 190 pts
Water 135 pts
Supplements 10 pts
Stay OP 25 pts
Exercise 0 pts
Sleep 20 pts
Blog 0 pts
TOTAL WEEKLY POINTS ~ 2060
Weekly Weigh In
My internet went down yesterday as I was typing my blog...so I couldn't report in my nasty horrible bad weigh in. I gained 1.4. Yeah, disappointed in myself. But know what caused it. Several higher calorie days too close to weigh in. Not only am I disappointed with THIS weigh in, but the way I've been going about this. I have been sitting still now for too long, even though in my mind I feel like I've been trying. Deep down I have NOT.
So yesterday I must also note that I splurged...thanks to being so mad at myself. I suppose it could have been A LOT worse...but seriously Mandie, not what you're supposed to do. Today is better!
Here's my journals
Monday Oct 5
Tuesday Oct 6
So yesterday I must also note that I splurged...thanks to being so mad at myself. I suppose it could have been A LOT worse...but seriously Mandie, not what you're supposed to do. Today is better!
Here's my journals
Monday Oct 5
Tuesday Oct 6
Monday, October 5, 2009
Journals
That's basically all I have time for today. The weekend was fun, and I splurged maybe a little too much on Saturday...but I believe it was still a successful weekend :) Anyway, I really only have time to post my journals...tomorrow I weigh in and REALLY hope the scale is my friend!
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Friday, October 2, 2009
Finally Friday!
That's right my little chick-a-dees it's....FRIDAY!!!! I've got a good busy weekend planned out of town with my 2 little ones...for my girlfriends wedding reception, should be a blast. I'm confident in succeeding this weekend even with being out of town. I know that I am WORTH this...and I CAN do it!
I want to admit that I did NOT want to go workout today at lunch. You know what I wanted to do instead? Eat....yeah, and not just what I brought/planned....but something terribly good and fattening and derailing....Qdoba. But I have the best coworker in the world, and she PUSHED me to go workout with her. Whew. Thank you D! She's my rock...because if I would have caved to my cravings, that would have only set me up for ... gulp ...disaster already for the weekend, and we all know I don't want that! SO...I went and ran 2 miles and then did my 15 min FYM supersets...KILLER 15 mins I want to add there!!!
I now feel even more confident I can do this. I'm taking a veggie tray to the reception, so I can fill up on those! WOOHOO! And I've got my workout clothes packed...just in case I can squeeze in a few moments of jumping jacks. etc. MOVE MORE MANDIE!!! Gotta remember my weekly goal of 10,000 steps on the weekend...so I've gotta be moving!!
Hope all my fellow GAG'ers have a successful and fantastic weekend!! I DOUBT I'll be online this weekend, and that stinks, because I'll miss out of some points, but it'll be okay.
October 1st Journal
I want to admit that I did NOT want to go workout today at lunch. You know what I wanted to do instead? Eat....yeah, and not just what I brought/planned....but something terribly good and fattening and derailing....Qdoba. But I have the best coworker in the world, and she PUSHED me to go workout with her. Whew. Thank you D! She's my rock...because if I would have caved to my cravings, that would have only set me up for ... gulp ...disaster already for the weekend, and we all know I don't want that! SO...I went and ran 2 miles and then did my 15 min FYM supersets...KILLER 15 mins I want to add there!!!
I now feel even more confident I can do this. I'm taking a veggie tray to the reception, so I can fill up on those! WOOHOO! And I've got my workout clothes packed...just in case I can squeeze in a few moments of jumping jacks. etc. MOVE MORE MANDIE!!! Gotta remember my weekly goal of 10,000 steps on the weekend...so I've gotta be moving!!
Hope all my fellow GAG'ers have a successful and fantastic weekend!! I DOUBT I'll be online this weekend, and that stinks, because I'll miss out of some points, but it'll be okay.
October 1st Journal
Thursday, October 1, 2009
A quickie today...
Wow...October 1st...already??? I've got goals to create...I've been slacking in this dept. So hopefully this evening I'll be able to make the time to work on that!!! If I do, tomorrow I'll be posting them! The weekly goals I set up on Monday...well, I've been doing awesome with them! Yay Mandie!!
This has to be quick today folks....I'm super swamped at work. I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone that has been posting on my blog lately...and WOW! Some people even said my enthusiasm with my workouts has MOTIVATED THEM!?! I'm super excited about that...and honestly, flattered. Thanks girls!!! I'm sure in the future (near) I'm going to need that motivation myself and will come looking to you all! So get on it!! K?!
Today I'm really refueled and on fire. I'm finally on a new/old level. I say new/old...because it's new now...but it is old...because I've been here before, and not too long ago. I'm making the RIGHT choices, and the exercising is through the roof again. I'm excited. I also admit I'm a little nervous. The weekends are what ruin a fantastic week for me...and look where we are, headed for a weekend. Who would've thought I'd be saying I'm "dreading" the weekend?! Ugh! This weekend the boys and I are headed out of town. My friend that married in Vegas (last month!) is having her reception. We will be staying at her house. There will be a keg of beer. There will be a ton of GOOD food. I know how it will turn out. I'm WORRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no way, no how, I'm going to get around this. I know ... deep down that I will have a few drinks when the boys hit the hay...and I will eat things that are high in calories. I suppose the key is a) eat SMALL amounts. b) MOVE MORE. I'm going to take my weights, I'm going to take instant oatmeal, I'm going to take some apples and bananas, I'm going to take my water bottle, I'm going to take my journal....I'm going to try. Again. That's all I can do, right???? MOVE MORE MOVE MORE MOVE MORE MOVE MORE..... If I want to succeed, I must make this a priority. LIMITATIONS....I have to remind myself of that, ALL weekend long. I can do this....I want a good weigh in...I REALLY want to get back to my low weight.... I can do this....
Oh, hubby's "stuff" casserole last night was horribly awesome. I say horribly because I could've ate until I got sick! Seriously! I had 1.5 servings (.5 more than I anticipated/planned), but it's okay. I worked out later,...and it didn't derail me! Plus it was SUPER NICE to have someone else make dinner! YUMMY HUBBY!!!
Well, work calls....(and I noticed this really wasn't all that short! Just call me a chatty!)
Journal 9/30/09
This has to be quick today folks....I'm super swamped at work. I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone that has been posting on my blog lately...and WOW! Some people even said my enthusiasm with my workouts has MOTIVATED THEM!?! I'm super excited about that...and honestly, flattered. Thanks girls!!! I'm sure in the future (near) I'm going to need that motivation myself and will come looking to you all! So get on it!! K?!
Today I'm really refueled and on fire. I'm finally on a new/old level. I say new/old...because it's new now...but it is old...because I've been here before, and not too long ago. I'm making the RIGHT choices, and the exercising is through the roof again. I'm excited. I also admit I'm a little nervous. The weekends are what ruin a fantastic week for me...and look where we are, headed for a weekend. Who would've thought I'd be saying I'm "dreading" the weekend?! Ugh! This weekend the boys and I are headed out of town. My friend that married in Vegas (last month!) is having her reception. We will be staying at her house. There will be a keg of beer. There will be a ton of GOOD food. I know how it will turn out. I'm WORRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no way, no how, I'm going to get around this. I know ... deep down that I will have a few drinks when the boys hit the hay...and I will eat things that are high in calories. I suppose the key is a) eat SMALL amounts. b) MOVE MORE. I'm going to take my weights, I'm going to take instant oatmeal, I'm going to take some apples and bananas, I'm going to take my water bottle, I'm going to take my journal....I'm going to try. Again. That's all I can do, right???? MOVE MORE MOVE MORE MOVE MORE MOVE MORE..... If I want to succeed, I must make this a priority. LIMITATIONS....I have to remind myself of that, ALL weekend long. I can do this....I want a good weigh in...I REALLY want to get back to my low weight.... I can do this....
Oh, hubby's "stuff" casserole last night was horribly awesome. I say horribly because I could've ate until I got sick! Seriously! I had 1.5 servings (.5 more than I anticipated/planned), but it's okay. I worked out later,...and it didn't derail me! Plus it was SUPER NICE to have someone else make dinner! YUMMY HUBBY!!!
Well, work calls....(and I noticed this really wasn't all that short! Just call me a chatty!)
Journal 9/30/09
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