My mother started a new weight loss and diet plan. And yes, the key word in that was new. Like so many of us, this wasn't the first, third, or even tenth weight loss plan. We are all like that, we start something, it doesn't work, or it is too hard, and then we stop. But I was excited for mom. And in a few days I could tell that this was different. She was more determined. More focused. And she was already seeing results. She was feeling better. Feeling stronger.
And it was contagious. She had gotten a few others on board. There was talk of a challenge.
Maybe that is what got me interested. I love challenges. I love the struggle of it I guess. And I could probably write a whole blog post about just that, but I won't. :) I can hear the sign of relief all the way from were I sit. :)
From talk of a challenged it has grown and evolved. It is now a 17 and counting person Multi-State Biggest Looser Challenge. Over the next 17 weeks we are all going to be counting calories and exercising. We are going to be challenging our bodies and our minds. We are promising to make better choices and try to live healthier lifestyles.
Today is just the first day, but I am already different. I have been waking up in the morning looking forward to my high protein, full of nutritional goodness smoothie. I get excited about sweating during my workout. I actually had the thought, "I wonder if I could ever run a 5K."
I joined this site called SparkPeople. You can track the food you eat, the exercise you do. It has all sorts of information on nutrition and healthy life styles. And it has a huge community of people that are all trying to be healthier and lose weight. It's like facebook for weight loss. :)
So my goals for this challenge are simple. I want to lose 18 pounds and get fit enough to run a 5K. That is just a little more than a pound a week. And as far as the 5K goes...well, I will just have to figure that out. :)
Friday, July 22
Thursday, July 14
What's up DOC?
While making lunch today I was reminded just how much my kids and I aren't always on the same wave lengths. While adding some carrots to the girls plates, Alyssa came in and asked if they were cooked carrots. I told her not this time, and she began to complain that she liked cooked carrots the best.
After telling her that she needed to make sure she had a right attitude, but that I do understand and know that she likes cooked carrots the best, but that today we where eating raw carrots, I wanted to smooth over everything. Thinking that even perhaps I could help her love raw carrots, have fun eating raw carrots.
It was at this point that I told her, "We are going to get them like bugs bunny today."
Blank stare.
"You know, 'What's up doc?'"
More blank stare.
"Common, you know, Bugs Bunny!"
She gave me this look that surely meant I had lost my marbles. "What are you talking about mom. Do you mean that movie where the kid gets left at his grandmothers house after his mom dies and she gives him a bunny?"
She had not a clue what I was talking about. Are my kids growing up in a world in which they know what an iPhone is, but do not know how Bugs Bunny is?
I am telling you, different wave lengths.
After telling her that she needed to make sure she had a right attitude, but that I do understand and know that she likes cooked carrots the best, but that today we where eating raw carrots, I wanted to smooth over everything. Thinking that even perhaps I could help her love raw carrots, have fun eating raw carrots.
It was at this point that I told her, "We are going to get them like bugs bunny today."
Blank stare.
"You know, 'What's up doc?'"
More blank stare.
"Common, you know, Bugs Bunny!"
She gave me this look that surely meant I had lost my marbles. "What are you talking about mom. Do you mean that movie where the kid gets left at his grandmothers house after his mom dies and she gives him a bunny?"
She had not a clue what I was talking about. Are my kids growing up in a world in which they know what an iPhone is, but do not know how Bugs Bunny is?
I am telling you, different wave lengths.
Tuesday, July 12
Beating the Heat
It is hot. In fact, hot doesn't even begin to describe it in my opinion. If you are in the south, you know what I am talking about. Everything is brown and dead. Nothing will grow. My poor little tomato plant managed to produce three sickly little tomatoes and now the plant is dying. (At which point I sliced it into five little slices, one for each of us. When I presented Bennett with his, I said, "Here my love, I have produced food, we will each again next year.)
There are several parts to this heat that make things hard. First, I am going to cringe when I get our electric bill. Our A/C has been running none stop for what seems like weeks. I awoke in the middle of the night with a night mare that included the thoughts of what in the world we would do if our A/C went out.
Another thing that makes the heat hard, is that the girls can't really go outside and play in the heat. I mean when the temperature is 105 F (or higher,) it is too hot to play outside. They have been shut up in the house so much lately, they are practically bouncing off the walls and hanging from the ceiling fans.
It is no wonder then that my nerves are frazzled and I feel like my house is constantly a mess and that I can't seem to get anything done.
So today while waiting for it to be time to go pick up Bennett from work, I took the girls to McDonald's to play. The girls get to play with other kids and get all that energy out. And Bonus: McDonald's has WiFi so I can get online and blog about the experience. (Shouldn't I now get free chicken nuggets or McFlurries for advertising for them?)
Not that I would eat the McFlurries. I am trying to lose weight. And so far I feel like I am failing miserably. I have gained THREE pounds. Now maybe that weight gain was because I enjoyed a little too much Chinese and Mexican food this weekend. Or maybe it was because for some reason this weekend the two youngest decided to have a contest on who could nurse the most, so that three pounds could simply be excess booba juice weight.
Okay, well back to beating the heat. I think that it is just something I will have to manage one day at a time. But with no end in site of lessening temperatures I am going to have to come up with even more ideas. How are you beating the heat this summer?
There are several parts to this heat that make things hard. First, I am going to cringe when I get our electric bill. Our A/C has been running none stop for what seems like weeks. I awoke in the middle of the night with a night mare that included the thoughts of what in the world we would do if our A/C went out.
Another thing that makes the heat hard, is that the girls can't really go outside and play in the heat. I mean when the temperature is 105 F (or higher,) it is too hot to play outside. They have been shut up in the house so much lately, they are practically bouncing off the walls and hanging from the ceiling fans.
It is no wonder then that my nerves are frazzled and I feel like my house is constantly a mess and that I can't seem to get anything done.
So today while waiting for it to be time to go pick up Bennett from work, I took the girls to McDonald's to play. The girls get to play with other kids and get all that energy out. And Bonus: McDonald's has WiFi so I can get online and blog about the experience. (Shouldn't I now get free chicken nuggets or McFlurries for advertising for them?)
Not that I would eat the McFlurries. I am trying to lose weight. And so far I feel like I am failing miserably. I have gained THREE pounds. Now maybe that weight gain was because I enjoyed a little too much Chinese and Mexican food this weekend. Or maybe it was because for some reason this weekend the two youngest decided to have a contest on who could nurse the most, so that three pounds could simply be excess booba juice weight.
Okay, well back to beating the heat. I think that it is just something I will have to manage one day at a time. But with no end in site of lessening temperatures I am going to have to come up with even more ideas. How are you beating the heat this summer?
Thursday, July 7
A Smoothie A Day
So I have been drinking smoothies. And like so many good things in life...chuckle....it began with a blog, Mountain Moving. Like this mountain moving woman, I have wanted desperately to get back in shape, to be able to get up in the morning without feeling like something a truck ran over in the night. I am only 27, not 97. I am tired of just wishing I could lose the last of the baby weight. I am tired of by mid afternoon feeling like I have no energy at all. Basically, I was just all around tired.
Now I realize that some of this tired has to do with the same reason it has taken me ten minutes to write this much of a blog post. I have three young kids. There are always faces, noses, hands, or butts to wipe. There is always a meal or snack to be made or planned. Hair to brush and clothes to put on. Games to play and fights to break up. And this is just before lunch. You mamas out there know what I am talking about. And let me just say that my kids are not the kids that will sit quietly in a play pen while mommy works, as one "wise" woman I over heard lately suggesting to a poor frazzled young mom. My kids are the kids that at the age of two I find on top of my refrigerator.
I will give you a minute to ask the question begging in your mind to be asked.
(pause)
Common, you know you thought "What?"
Yes, you heard me right, I have found my then two year old on top of the refrigerator. Why? Because that is where mommy put the left over Easter candy. How, you might also ask? Well it was quite simply actually. She simply climbed up on top of the trash can to the counter. Next by simply using my kitchen aid mixer, she climbed the rest of the way to the top.
So I think we have established that I am tired, and we haven't even gotten to how many times I can still be gotten up at night, although thankfully that number has gone down.
But finally I faced the fact that I had to do something. And some of that something included things that I have done before and I know helped. One of those things is taking a vitamin B complex supplement. I personally like the sublingal kind that you put under your tongue and they dissolve. You can read some more here about the things that a B supplement may do for you.
The other thing that I have started is drinking a smoothie first thing in the morning. Mountain Moving Woman as I have dubbed her, has been posting about the benefits of the smoothies that she has been drinking everyday, and I though, why not. So out came my blender, and I began making smoothies. And not just any smoothie. A super smoothie! (Feel free to insert hero music here...it's what I did in my head when writing this.)
Here is the recipe to the basic smoothie that I have been drinking each morning.
Super Smoothies
2 cups frozen fruit (I like blueberry, mango, peach, pineapple, strawberry)
5 oz super food juice (For example Sambazon Acai with Blueberry and Pomegranate)
1 capsule of the following
Panex Ginsing
Green Tea
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Omega 3 6 9 Complex
Cinnamon with Chromium
All of these you can simply open and empty into your blender, the capsules don't mix well
1 scope of protein powder (I use a simple vanilla whey protein powder that you can get a walmart)
2 teaspoons of Stevia in the Raw sweetener
Place all ingredients into blender. Add water to blend to consistency you like. Enjoy!
This recipe is my base that I have been adjusting each day using different fruit. Sometimes I add milk instead of water and it makes it more like a milk shake.
You can add different supplements that are right for you. There is lots of research about different supplements and the benefits that they can have. I am not a doctor, and do not know your current medical conditions. Use with caution. (If I had a lawyer, they would make me say that.)
I have felt better in the past two weeks than I have in a long time. I have had more energy, and have even lost a few pounds. Is it the smoothies? They can't have hurt. If nothing else the extra vitamins and minerals have to be healthy for me. :) Let me know if you have a smoothie recipe that you enjoy. I would love to try it out.
Now I realize that some of this tired has to do with the same reason it has taken me ten minutes to write this much of a blog post. I have three young kids. There are always faces, noses, hands, or butts to wipe. There is always a meal or snack to be made or planned. Hair to brush and clothes to put on. Games to play and fights to break up. And this is just before lunch. You mamas out there know what I am talking about. And let me just say that my kids are not the kids that will sit quietly in a play pen while mommy works, as one "wise" woman I over heard lately suggesting to a poor frazzled young mom. My kids are the kids that at the age of two I find on top of my refrigerator.
I will give you a minute to ask the question begging in your mind to be asked.
(pause)
Common, you know you thought "What?"
Yes, you heard me right, I have found my then two year old on top of the refrigerator. Why? Because that is where mommy put the left over Easter candy. How, you might also ask? Well it was quite simply actually. She simply climbed up on top of the trash can to the counter. Next by simply using my kitchen aid mixer, she climbed the rest of the way to the top.
So I think we have established that I am tired, and we haven't even gotten to how many times I can still be gotten up at night, although thankfully that number has gone down.
But finally I faced the fact that I had to do something. And some of that something included things that I have done before and I know helped. One of those things is taking a vitamin B complex supplement. I personally like the sublingal kind that you put under your tongue and they dissolve. You can read some more here about the things that a B supplement may do for you.
The other thing that I have started is drinking a smoothie first thing in the morning. Mountain Moving Woman as I have dubbed her, has been posting about the benefits of the smoothies that she has been drinking everyday, and I though, why not. So out came my blender, and I began making smoothies. And not just any smoothie. A super smoothie! (Feel free to insert hero music here...it's what I did in my head when writing this.)
Here is the recipe to the basic smoothie that I have been drinking each morning.
Super Smoothies
2 cups frozen fruit (I like blueberry, mango, peach, pineapple, strawberry)
5 oz super food juice (For example Sambazon Acai with Blueberry and Pomegranate)
1 capsule of the following
Panex Ginsing
Green Tea
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Omega 3 6 9 Complex
Cinnamon with Chromium
All of these you can simply open and empty into your blender, the capsules don't mix well
1 scope of protein powder (I use a simple vanilla whey protein powder that you can get a walmart)
2 teaspoons of Stevia in the Raw sweetener
Place all ingredients into blender. Add water to blend to consistency you like. Enjoy!
This recipe is my base that I have been adjusting each day using different fruit. Sometimes I add milk instead of water and it makes it more like a milk shake.
You can add different supplements that are right for you. There is lots of research about different supplements and the benefits that they can have. I am not a doctor, and do not know your current medical conditions. Use with caution. (If I had a lawyer, they would make me say that.)
I have felt better in the past two weeks than I have in a long time. I have had more energy, and have even lost a few pounds. Is it the smoothies? They can't have hurt. If nothing else the extra vitamins and minerals have to be healthy for me. :) Let me know if you have a smoothie recipe that you enjoy. I would love to try it out.
Saturday, July 2
Better Mom Boot Camp
It has been almost a year ago that I found another blog that really inspired me. The lady's name was Hannah Keeley. Well she just released a new inspirational series, and it is totally free. It consists of three days worth of lessons, that include a video, lesson outlines, action steps, and more. I just finished the first day, and have been so touched. It is exactly what I have been needing lately. I hope that if you feel lead, you look into it.
Friday, July 1
Beach Bums
What is that saying about the best laid plans of mice and men?
Bennett had a retirement party to go to. After failing at getting a sitter for the girls, I decided to stay home with them while Bennett attended the party. Thinking to make the best of it, after all where up from their naps, I asked if they would like to go play in the sprinkler outside. It has been so hot lately that I thought the cool water would feel great myself.
Now getting three girls ready is an event all to itself, even if we where just going outside. But with only a few cravings for chocolate and a few moments in silence counting to ten, I managed to get us all suited up, and out the door.
Within moments the girls were enjoying to sprinkler and I even was positioned just so that I was getting a few drops here and there. The girls were enjoying themselves and I was enjoying watching them. Memories flooding of days gone by and my own times of playing in the water. And then something else sparked a memory.
In the scorching heat of a Texas summer everything is desperate for relief from the dry and hot weather, including wasps. Within moments of spotting the first wasp dipping down to play with the girls in the water there were now five, no make that closer to ten wasp all clamoring for time in the water. And the girls were right there running along with them. I began to be concerned, as even more showed up, that the girls would step on one.
So with a bit of grumbling, and even one brave "I don't care if I get stung" comment from my five year old, we went back into the house. Quickly racking my brain for some way to recapture the moment, I came up with a spark of pure genius, or desperation, depending on how you look at it.
Grabbing a few freshly laundered towels that were sitting folded on the couch (I knew that me getting the laundry actually folded the same day it was washed was too good to be true,) I said to the girls, "Let's pretend to be a the beach, we will watch a beachy movie too!" I quickly let the girls pick out a towel, help them spread it on the living room floor, and grabbed for the netflix remote. After typing in "BEACH" in the search box I found a "Barney Let's go to the beach" episode. Perfect. The girls watching the movie, Alyssa looks at me and says, "now we need a beachy snack."
Running (okay so not really running, we have to be realistic) to the pantry, I looked for anything that would work as a beach snack. Seeing the graham cracker crumbs I had a moment of inspiration. Below is the recipe for a "Beachy Snack."
Beachy Snack
1 Box Chocolate or Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 Cups of Milk
5 Tablespoons Graham Cracker Crumbs
Various "Beach" items Example--Goldfish crackers, Swedish fish, Paper umbrellas, fruit roll ups cut to look like beach towels, etc.
Mix Pudding according to package directions. Pour into four bowls in equal portions. Top with graham cracker crumbs. Decorate with Beach items. Enjoy!
The girls really enjoyed our impromptu beach party, and I did to. Plus I remembered a very important lesson that I learned from my mother growing up. There will be plenty of things in life that don't turn out like you want them to. But there is always the chance to make the best of any situation, and make a lasting memory.
Okay, the girls are done and now arguing over who gets what beach towel. :) Time to go mommy.
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Bennett had a retirement party to go to. After failing at getting a sitter for the girls, I decided to stay home with them while Bennett attended the party. Thinking to make the best of it, after all where up from their naps, I asked if they would like to go play in the sprinkler outside. It has been so hot lately that I thought the cool water would feel great myself.
Now getting three girls ready is an event all to itself, even if we where just going outside. But with only a few cravings for chocolate and a few moments in silence counting to ten, I managed to get us all suited up, and out the door.
Within moments the girls were enjoying to sprinkler and I even was positioned just so that I was getting a few drops here and there. The girls were enjoying themselves and I was enjoying watching them. Memories flooding of days gone by and my own times of playing in the water. And then something else sparked a memory.
In the scorching heat of a Texas summer everything is desperate for relief from the dry and hot weather, including wasps. Within moments of spotting the first wasp dipping down to play with the girls in the water there were now five, no make that closer to ten wasp all clamoring for time in the water. And the girls were right there running along with them. I began to be concerned, as even more showed up, that the girls would step on one.
So with a bit of grumbling, and even one brave "I don't care if I get stung" comment from my five year old, we went back into the house. Quickly racking my brain for some way to recapture the moment, I came up with a spark of pure genius, or desperation, depending on how you look at it.
Grabbing a few freshly laundered towels that were sitting folded on the couch (I knew that me getting the laundry actually folded the same day it was washed was too good to be true,) I said to the girls, "Let's pretend to be a the beach, we will watch a beachy movie too!" I quickly let the girls pick out a towel, help them spread it on the living room floor, and grabbed for the netflix remote. After typing in "BEACH" in the search box I found a "Barney Let's go to the beach" episode. Perfect. The girls watching the movie, Alyssa looks at me and says, "now we need a beachy snack."
Running (okay so not really running, we have to be realistic) to the pantry, I looked for anything that would work as a beach snack. Seeing the graham cracker crumbs I had a moment of inspiration. Below is the recipe for a "Beachy Snack."
Beachy Snack
1 Box Chocolate or Vanilla Instant Pudding
2 Cups of Milk
5 Tablespoons Graham Cracker Crumbs
Various "Beach" items Example--Goldfish crackers, Swedish fish, Paper umbrellas, fruit roll ups cut to look like beach towels, etc.
Mix Pudding according to package directions. Pour into four bowls in equal portions. Top with graham cracker crumbs. Decorate with Beach items. Enjoy!
The girls really enjoyed our impromptu beach party, and I did to. Plus I remembered a very important lesson that I learned from my mother growing up. There will be plenty of things in life that don't turn out like you want them to. But there is always the chance to make the best of any situation, and make a lasting memory.
Okay, the girls are done and now arguing over who gets what beach towel. :) Time to go mommy.
Obituary
Yep, organizing the house died. And from the scene around my house, it was a slow, painful death. I would like to believe that it is possible to live a clean and organized life, but despite all my efforts, I don't see that happening. Perhaps I am not trying hard enough, perhaps I have not found the right combination of organizing, cleaning, recleaning, and threatening the kids not to make a mess.
hummmmmm.....
Well, in other news my husband and I took the youth group from our church that we lead to camp last week. It was a wonderful time, despite the +100F temperatures. The kids spent the week at my moms, and I faithfully pumped several times a day. But as many of you may know, when you are struggling not to become dehydrated yourself, when you are dealing with the emotions and tentions of camp, and when you are nursing two older children, pumping just isn't as productive. But not to worry. As soon as I got my girls back the 19 month old went to work and made sure that my milk supply was revamped and available. Needless to say now I am a hormonal mess, as my body thinks I have started breastfeeding all over again.
Oh well. Hear that....it is the endless supply of laundry calling my name. Should I answer?
hummmmmm.....
Well, in other news my husband and I took the youth group from our church that we lead to camp last week. It was a wonderful time, despite the +100F temperatures. The kids spent the week at my moms, and I faithfully pumped several times a day. But as many of you may know, when you are struggling not to become dehydrated yourself, when you are dealing with the emotions and tentions of camp, and when you are nursing two older children, pumping just isn't as productive. But not to worry. As soon as I got my girls back the 19 month old went to work and made sure that my milk supply was revamped and available. Needless to say now I am a hormonal mess, as my body thinks I have started breastfeeding all over again.
Oh well. Hear that....it is the endless supply of laundry calling my name. Should I answer?
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