Week 2: The Snot Monster

Mr Sunshine, full of sickies and ready to share

Last Saturday I felt the tickle in the back of my throat.

Oh no. This can't be happening.

I should have seen it coming though since E-Man and Bear were just getting over a cold.

But I was so careful, I washed my hands, I washed THEIR hands...

E-Man and Hubs at the hockey game

Alas, it was unavoidable. The sickies were coming. I tried to ignore them. We took the boys to their first hockey game that night and Bear and I shoveled cough drops into our mouths the entire evening.

Sunday morning it all started going downhill for me. By Tuesday I had a full blown cold. I sent my husband out for Sudafed (you know the kind, they keep it behind the pharmacy counter because it's made with special components).

Kids will be kids, even when Mom has a cold

I also fell off track with my food. For a couple days, all my body wanted was fluids and the next couple days it wanted comfort food. I gave in. While I didn't over indulge or go crazy with calories or anything, I also didn't eat much of the good-for-you food that I should have. Exercise was non existent unless you count the three hours on Saturday I helped my sister move her belongings into her new place (countless trips with heavy furniture up three flights of stairs). Okay, you pulled my arm, I'll count it.

In finality, I took the week off from focusing on getting healthy so I could get healthy. Yes, that made sense when I wrote it, not so much when I say it outloud. But you know what I mean. As I type this blog, I am sitting in bed, still have a box of Puffs plus with Lotion at my side, and pretending I don't have mom guilt for the unfulfilled requests of playtime from my kiddos the last two days.

Weight loss this week:

This brings the total weight loss to 10 pounds.

Did I meet my week two mini goals? Not entirely. I didn't even calculate my water intake this week but I am going to have to say I probably didn't get 48oz everyday. At least I got my exercise in last weekend. Would that count as cardio or weight lifting? ;)

Mini goals this week: Still sticking with the original water goal. I am bound to get it down this week. I am adding 30 min of exercise to a total of 3 hours this week.

Next week's post will surely have more to report. This week is in the books.

Read More

Week 1: The Detox. Please Send Cookies.

Last Friday, I shared with you my first post in this journey to become a healthier version of myself. Want to know how I feel?

LIKE CRAP.

But it's a means that will justify the end. My body is hating this detox. I would LOVE to tell you how awesome I feel and how much healthier I am and yadda yadda yadda but really folks, it's only been a week. GIVE ME COOKIES. The first two days weren't so bad because I was all  RAH RAH RAH I'm eating better, I'm making changes. Then day three and four were a kick in the stomach. I was SOOOO HUNGRY. I combated that hunger with more water but I also relented a smidge and had one of my child's chicken nuggets and some whole grain crackers. This food thing is a battle. It's something to work on and sometimes those consolation crackers are what you have to do to make it to the next day and start over. I've been an emotional eater half my life. Food was a friend, a comfort. It wasn't energy or fuel for my body, my body wasn't my temple, it was simply a drug to calm the anxiousness, the nervousness, the stress. Previously, when trying to change my ways, I never acknowledged the reasons I craved chocolate or carbs. I never before admitted how the euphoria of a milkshake helped me justify my eating habits. Part of changing and growing means to admit those things, even if others judge you for them. It's your war, your inner fight, not theirs.

In order to get behind the wheel and be in control, I returned to a plan that had worked for me in the past. This time with a changed mindset and clearly defined goals. So for the first thirty days, in order to get a jump start on changing how I eat and to learn portion control, I ordered Nutrisystem. The food is getting better, Nutriystem is constantly changing their menu, and most of the selections are tasty. I've learned from prior years experience to avoid any of the meals with red sauce (spaghetti, lasagna, red soups, meats in sauce, etc) because they have too much of a "Spaghetti-Os" or Chef Boyardee taste. Ick. Now, I know Nutrisystem isn't the answer to really changing what I eat but for me, it's a transitional program.

This past week, I've eaten more fresh vegetables than I have in a long time and rediscovered my love of steamed cauliflower. I also like how the Nutrisytem food is filling. A couple nights ago, I subbed out one of the dinners and ate a Lean Cuisine instead and it was a huge mistake. Lean Cuisines are not filling, I completely wasted my calories on that meal and was hungry a couple hours later.

So what am I doing to curb the milkshake cravings? I have a secret. I used to make fun of those Yoplait commercials where the woman would brag about having Strawberry Shortcake or Boston Cream Pie flavored yogurt as a dessert or snack. I would LAUGH at that woman and think, "How sad, she's eating YOGURT for dessert!" as I gobbled spoonfuls of Ben & Jerry's.  Guess what I ate for dessert or snack this week? Yoplait Light Key Lime Pie with Graham Cracker Crumbs at 170 calories. And you know what? IT WAS DELICIOUS.  I never thought I'd be a convert but whaddya know?

Something else I changed this week was starting a new product called It Works! Greens. Every morning with breakfast, I pour eight ounces of filtered water, add two scoops of Greens, and mix. It cannot be easier. It also cannot be cold water or there is no way I can chug it down, but with room temp water it's quite palatable. (Although I wish I'd bought the berry flavor instead of the orange). I do however feel much better in the morning and definitely feel more energy. I will be taking the Greens for at least the first month and will update again next week :)

If you remember, I had two small goals this week; drinking at least six glasses (48oz) of water a day and getting at least two hours of exercise this week. Did I make it? Everyday I drank at least 36 oz of water and there were some days I drank 64oz. If it were averaged, I would say I made the goal but if being literal, then no. I did an hour and a half of yoga this week and over two hours moving furniture up three flights of stairs and around rooms of the house. I am going to count the exercise goal as met. It's a win since I am usually a couch potato.

And even though my primary concern is my health, a benefit of getting healthier is weight loss. My total weight loss this week:

Yes, a shocking 8 pounds which means I don't expect much for next week.

This week's water and exercise goals:

1) Continue to drink 48oz of water a day (gotta get this one accomplished before I increase it!)

2) Get at least 2.5 hours of exercise this week

Share with me your tips and tricks to staying on track! I'd love to hear what you have to say.

*note - I am not an It Works Distributor, nor was I compensated in any way by It Works or Nutrisystem for this blog post. I am just a regular gal trying to get healthy and I'm blogging about it.

Read More

New Post, New Day, New Me

This being my first post on this blog, I thought it only fitting to start with my first day of the new me. I am starting a journey to lose the weight and lead a healthier lifestyle. Now, I've been here before, on and off the last six years or so, but this time something is different. THIS TIME I MEAN BUSINESS.

My weight has fluctuated since high school. My junior year I was a slim 125 lbs and a size six. When I graduated, I was a size 13. During the next five years, between depo-provera shots, depressing relationships, and eating my feelings, I shot up to 220 lbs. I was 22 years old and needed to do something. I started getting more exercise into my day and eating less fast food. My youthfulness allowed me to drop forty pounds over the course of the year without really even trying. How lucky.

Hubs and me on our first trip to the Oregon coast, 2006

 At 23 I married my husband and later that year we had our first son, E-man. Pre-pregnancy, I was 212 lbs and only gained 32 lbs during those nine months.

six months pregnant with E-Man

Three days after having E-man (10 lbs 0 oz), 30 lbs had melted off. I went home from the hospital in pre-pregnancy jeans. However, I kept eating for two and gained back some of the weight over the following year. 

A few months after E-man turned one, I was 25 and pregnant with our second son. I started that pregnancy at 220 lbs. I suffered through hyperemesis (severe morning sickness) until the fourth month. I lost 20 lbs but then gained those 20 lbs back the last five months.

40 weeks pregnant with Bear

My total weight gain on the doctor charts ended up being zero. 10 days after having Bear (9 lbs 9 oz), I  was down to 200 lbs.

Over the next couple years, I stayed about the same, gaining 10+ lbs, dropping 10+ lbs.

about 20 lbs lighter after a go round on Nutrisystem, approx weight 200 lbs

At 26, I suffered from a severe nerve disorder called Trigeminal Neuralgia (more about that at a later time) that left me bedridden for a year. When I was 28, I was pregnant with son #3. I started that pregnancy at 216 lbs and ended it at 252 lbs, gaining 36 lbs.

about 40 weeks pregnant with Mr Sunshine (10 lbs 2 oz)

This time, the baby weight did NOT melt off. I was 29 and my body was no longer performing magical fetes. I hadn't taken the greatest care of myself through my twenties so my body wasn't repaying me with the gift of bouncing back. I also suffered from post partum depression (which I did seek help for). I cycled through all the diets but at the time, my heart just wasn't in them. My motivation would fizzle after falling off the wagon and I returned to my old ways of sedentary behavior and emotional eating.  I am now at my highest weight EVER. Yes, I just admitted it. HIGHEST EVER. I am also at my unhealthiest and I feel the worst I have ever felt.

My boys are now ages seven, five, and two. I want them to have a healthy mother. I already see how much I am missing out because I can't keep up. I just can't. I have to stop to catch my breath when chasing them at the park. My back starts to hurt after hiking too long. My butt can't handle the seat of a bicycle. Colds last longer than they should. And probably the most embarrassing for me right now is how my shirts start to hike up and my three-time c-section stomach tries to peek out the bottom. I hate the way I feel. I have to change now or I never will.

I would love to lose weight but my major goal is a healthier me. I owe it to my body, to myself, and to my family. I have a plan and I hope you'll read along and offer encouraging support. I don't know where this journey will take me but I do know that I can't let myself fail again. 

So how am I starting this journey? First, I am heading back to an old friend, Nutrisystem. I tried Nutrisystem twice before and I DID lose weight, but I wasn't serious then. At least not as serious as I am now. I gave up after I was doing so well and thought I could keep going on my own. Later I realized I wasn't ready to go alone, I didn't have the right support system or the right goals or motivation. 

As of today, I am taking a daily dose of Greens from It Works! I have tried samples before and I love the way Greens make me feel. (note: I am not a distributor of It Works!, my lovely friend Kat is guiding me through the It Works products). I am also putting my ever-so tired husband on them as well. Our progress will be reported.  

My mini goals this week?

1) Drink at least six glasses of water a day. We have a Brita filter and I bought some lemons. I tend to drink more water when it's easily accessible and I love "spa" water, (water infused with citrus or cucumber). 

2) Get at least two hours of exercise this week. I know that sounds like a lame goal (only two hours?) but honestly, I am such a couch potato I am hoping that a small goal will make it easier for me to get off my you know what. 

So that's the beginning. I will definitely post before, during, and after photos as I progress. As of this morning I've already had my Greens, a glass of water, and my Nutrisystem breakfast. I feel like blasting some music and dancing around the house while I do my stay at home mom chores (which other parents know is NEVER ENDING). Keep checking back for updates or subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss a post.

Read More