Project Life 2011: Week 3

We visited with my sister, Kelly, today, on one of her last days home for Christmas break. We went flower girl dress shopping for Maxx & Kelly's wedding and Valerie had so much fun twirling around in pretty dresses. She loves her Aunt Kelly so much; when we got out of the van at the store, she refused to hold my hand and ran up to Aunt Kelly begging to be held.

My friend, Mellie, and I decided to switch off grocery shopping and babysitting, so we can do our shopping alone. Today, I watched her three little ones, Zoe, Malachi, and Michaiah. It's so cute to see their little friendships blossoming already. Malachi and Valerie were having "dinner dates" at the 50s diner and giggling hysterically over tickle wars.

One of my goals this year is to lose 50 pounds to lose the baby weight and be at a healthy weight again. It's been rough with all my sinus issues, but I'm already feeling and seeing the difference as I've lost 11 pounds total so far. I haven't quite gone down a pants size yet, but my pants are loose and I fit into a size smaller dress for my sister's wedding!

Almanzo loves books; he is constantly pulling the chapter books off the shelf in their bedroom and paging through them pretending to read. Today, he sat on the rocking chair reading a first words book, pointing to the pictures and "reading" them to me in his own baby babble.

Today was my 27th birthday. We celebrated with a delicious and healthy lasagna dinner with my parents and brothers. My mom bought this delicious cookie cake so they could sing happy birthday to me. It was so cute watching my kids dance and clap while they sang. I am truly blessed!

Today my sinus pressure was giving me one of the worst headaches, so I stayed home from church in the morning. Ted took Almanzo with him and Valerie stayed home to cuddle with me. She is really the best medicine there is.

I started reading Ann Voskamp's book today for the (in)courage Bloom Book Club. Her words seemed to just leap off the page and grab my heart in a way no other book, besides the Bible, has ever done. I am so excited about this book and even more excited to write my own 1000 gifts list. In my own struggles lately, I have been learning just how much I need my Lord...so reminding myself daily of the blessings or gifts He has given me in the little things that fill my day is exactly what I need.

Body After Baby: Week Seven

I haven't made it to the Y at all this week and only accomplished one short Wii workout at my parents' house.  I've had horrible sinus pressure headaches lately and started another round of antibiotics (the third in the last two months).  The antibiotics are making me nauseous, even though I'm careful to take it with a full glass of water and food.  I also eat plenty of yogurt and have started taking probiotics too, but my stomach just doesn't like them.  At least I haven't thrown up (yet) and, on the plus side, I have started losing weight again.  Last week's weigh in must have been a fluke, because I am down four pounds from last week's weight, meaning I've lost eleven pounds so far.  Hopefully I can finally make it to the Y tomorrow and start working out regularly again. 

To read more weight loss journeys, check out Samantha's blog.

Body After Baby: Week Six

After stepping on the scale this morning, I was discouraged to find I've gained back three of the ten pounds I worked so hard to lose.  But, when I told my hubby, he said, "I don't really believe you gained three pounds."  "Then why would the scale say that?" I asked.  "It lies." he replied.  LOL!  Have I mentioned how much I love my hubby?  He also agreed with me that, since I'm supposed to get my period soon, so that might account for some of the weight gain.  My weight is never accurate during that time of the month.  Of course, it could also have to do with all this yummy food I ate on my trip to California...

We did, however, do a LOT of walking, because it was SO beautiful outside and it did me good to be outside soaking up some natural Vitamin D and enjoying walks along the beach.  (I can't wait to share about it...as soon as I get caught up on laundry, unpacking, putting away the Christmas stuff, and taking care of a sick little girl.) So, I think the scale lies.  And, I'm not giving up.  I am bound and determined that this weight is going to come off and STAY off (unless, of course, I get pregnant again, but let's hope that is AFTER I lose this weight so I am at a healthier weight to begin with).

Samantha suggested doing a 30 Day Challenge instead of the regular Body After Baby Challenge.  I think I might join in on doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, but not every day.  There are often days (like the last three) that I don't make it to the Y, but I could still use that to get a workout in.  So, here is my tentative schedule for working out this week:

Thursday - 30 Day Shred 

(or Wii workout if the kids are well enough to visit my mom...Valerie was throwing up earlier...ugh!)

Friday - Water Aerobics

Saturday - 30 Day Shred

Sunday - Rest Day

Monday - Spin Class

Tuesday - Spin Class

Wednesday - Rest Day

I'm hoping to get some new shoes for Zumba soon, because my arch has been bothering me a lot.  I told Ted he could get me some for my birthday, but I don't know what to get.  Any suggestions?

Body After Baby: Week Five

This is going to be a quick post, because tomorrow morning I am getting on a plane with Amanda to visit our sweet friend Veronica for a Cupcakes in California adventure.  I can NOT wait! 

I am so excited to share that I have finally started losing weight again.  I have lost TWO pounds in the last week, bringing my total weight loss to TEN pounds since I started this challenge.  Ten down, forty more to go!  My goal this month is to lose eight pounds.  I am really enjoying my Y membership and happy that I was finally able to get back into a workout routine after the holidays.  The arch of my right foot has been bothering me, so I've decided I need to buy some better shoes for Zumba.  Any suggestions?  Then, I want to buy some water shoes for Water Fitness and eventually get some spin shoes for Spin Class.  I found out at Spin Class yesterday that Saturday, January 22nd - my BIRTHDAY! - is Super Spin Saturday.  Ted did the ride last year, so we decided we will both do it together this year.  It is a fundraiser for United Hearts for Health, a partnership providing medical supplies and clean water for Rosita, Nicaragua.  Ted says he's going to ride for three hours, but I don't think I could do more than an hour.  It will be fun to do the ride alongside him too.  I also might have promised him he could take me mountain biking once this summer...can you believe it? 

Check out Samantha's blog for more of the Body After Baby Challenge.

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My wishes, goals, dreams for the new year...

• Lose a total of 50 pounds by my sister's wedding in July to be back at my pre-baby-baby weight and be able to fit into my wedding dress again.
• Take a photo a day all year long of every day life and document it Project Life style.
• Memorize a bible verse every week, so His word is alive and active in my heart and in my life.

Words to live by this year...

• "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of PEACE and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  (Jeremiah 29:11)
• "...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be CONTENT."(Philippians 4:11)

Body After Baby: Week Four

It has been one crazy week for me.  On Thursday I realized I was still sick with a cold after two weeks and it didn't seem to be getting better.  In fact, I was feeling worse.  I had been fighting a sinus headache for almost a week and had horrible drainage and sinus pressure.  Friday morning, I finally called my doctor, because I was miserable.  It turns out I had another sinus infection.  Yes, the second one in the last month...or maybe just a continuation of the first.  So, I was put on a different antibiotic and told I would need to see a specialist if it didn't clear up this time.  This morning, as I type this, I still have sinus pressure.  I'm no longer congested, but the pressure and headache are still there.  So, I guess I'll be calling my doctor again this morning...

On Sunday morning, I woke up after a very fitful night of sleep (or lack thereof), because my stomach felt terrible.  I started puking and then crying, because the only time I really throw up is when I'm pregnant.  I would love to have another little one...but not quite yet.  I really, really want to lose this baby weight before another one comes along and I just don't quite feel ready to add a third little one to our already crazy life.  But, then my hubby and Almanzo had diarrhea and on Monday my dad and brother were throwing up as well.  So, we all caught some kind of nasty bug.  Of course, I think my upset stomach was also related to the antibiotics, because I still had a tummy ache last night and haven't been very hungry the past few days.  Seriously...can I just be healthy, please?

Needless to say, I've only made it to the Y once in the last week.  Yesterday morning I wanted to go to Spin class, but still wasn't feeling 100%.  So, I decided to go to water aerobics.  It felt good to be working out again, but I realized I really miss working out.  Crazy, I know.  I never thought I would enjoy working out as much as I do or that I would miss it when I am sick.  My hubby reminded me yesterday that there will be bad days for exercising, but there will also be good days.  I'm looking forward to having good days again.

The one good thing about being sick and not very hungry is that I have once again maintained my weight from last week.  I haven't lost any, but I haven't gained any.  So, I am still at an overall weight loss of 8 pounds, which is still a great start.  Plus, I'm really glad I didn't gain any over the holidays.  Now, if only I could be healthy and start working out on a regular basis again... 

Check out Samantha's blog for more of the Body After Baby Challenge.

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Also, the winner of my Two Year Blogiversary Giveaway is...

Jenilee

Congratulations Jenilee!  I'll be in contact with you about fabric choice and your address.  Is anyone else interested in purchasing a handmade hobo purse?  I would sell them for $18 and you could choose your own fabric.

Body After Baby: Week 3

 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

During my devotions this morning, I came across this verse and the phrase "my grace is sufficient for you" really stuck out to me.  I've been struggling with some depression related to winter blues, grieving over the loss of my grandfather, and the exhaustion that comes with being a mom of two little ones so close in age.  I've been learning to cling to my Lord lately and to trust Him to see me through the storm.  I've been so thankful for verses like this that remind me of the promises God has given me.  The word "sufficient" means to be content, to be enough, or to be satisfied.  No matter what, I can have peace and joy, because His grace is more than enough for me.

I was disappointed this morning to step on the scale and realize I have not lost any weight in the last week.  But, thankfully I haven't gained any either, which is a good sign after having the first of several Christmas parties and our Carols & Sweets concert at church on Sunday.  One thing I struggle with at parties is overeating, so my goal this year is to watch my portion sizes and try to choose some healthier options while still treating myself to a few Christmas goodies here and there.  Plus, Ted will be home all next week, so we'll be able to take turns watching the little ones and doing our workouts.  We've also talked about going snowshoeing one day if we can find a babysitter and are thinking about taking the kids sledding or at least out for some fun in the snow.  

I realized over the weekend just how important exercise is for me, especially in the winter.  I finally caught the cold my little ones had and wasn't able to workout until Saturday.  Being sick and stuck indoors during the dark, cold days of winter left me vulnerable for the sadness and despair to set in, leaving me feeling hopeless and lost.  It wasn't until I finally made it to the Y on Saturday morning for Spin class that I realized how much exercise really helps my mood and my energy level.

Also, I never thought I would allow my husband to talk me into riding my bike on the trainer in the basement while watching one of his Spinervals DVDs.  But, yesterday, I was desperate to get a workout in, so I convinced Ted to let me workout for 35 minutes before he did his workout.  He was shocked and had to take a picture to remember that moment.  One of our cycling friends, Melissa, teased me "next thing you know Ted will be babysitting during the Citizen WORS races."  LOL!  I don't know about that...but, then again, I never thought I would ride a trainer because I was so anxious to get a workout in.  

For more of Mama Notes' Body After Baby Challenge, check out Samantha's blog.

Don't forget to enter my Two Year Blogiversary Giveaway for your chance to win a handmade custom purse.

Body After Baby: Week 3

This past week I only made it to the Y once.  On Wednesday, I ended up taking my son to the doctor because he was wheezing so badly.  It took two nebulizer treatments to get his wheezing under control and then we had to have an x-ray to make sure he didn't have pneumonia.  It turns out he had bronchiolitis, but, with such a strong family history of asthma and the fact that his lungs were premature at birth, he was put on a liquid prednisone to help his lungs fight the virus and at home nebulizer treatments as often as needed until his wheezing was gone.  He also had an ear infection so, even though it didn't look like pneumonia, he still needed antibiotics too.  It took two days of nebulizer treatments until he was finally acting and sounding like himself again. 

I was completely exhausted and then we got hit with the first blizzard of the winter - over 10 inches of snow and 50 mph winds.  Needless to say, we didn't go anywhere over the weekend either.  Plus, I started coming down with a cold too that settled in my sinuses again and left me with huge sinus pressure headaches and an inability to breathe through my nose. 

I did end up going to Spin Class on Saturday morning and it felt really good to workout.  Of course, it was one of the hardest workouts ever and I felt like puking or dying for most of it, but, afterwards, I felt really good.  It is seriously the best stress reliever and mood enhancer ever, especially when you live in the frozen tundra also known as Wisconsin.  My plan for next week is to take tomorrow off again so I can finally get rid of this sinus pressure.  Friday morning I'm going to try to go to water aerobics and Saturday morning I will go to Spin Class again.  Sunday is always my rest day; then Monday is Zumba, Tuesday is Spin Class again, and Wednesday is another rest day.  I'm looking forward to getting into a workout routine again.

Despite not being able to workout, I was still really good about following our meal plan to eat healthy and watch my portion sizes.  I have found that simply eating healthy - eating mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, making meals from scratch instead of buying boxed meals, choosing healthier food options, and looking out for ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and all the nasty preservatives that are in so many foods - really helps me to feel better physically.  Plus, I love knowing that I am teaching my kids to eat healthy and build healthy eating habits for the future. 

All the healthy eating has paid off too, because, when I stepped on the scale Tuesday morning I was excited to see that I have lost FOUR & A HALF pounds in the last week for a total of EIGHT pounds!  I've already exceeded my goal for December for the Body After Baby Challenge!  I entered another challenge my hubby told me about to lose 10 pounds by Christmas (mostly because there are some amazing prizes I could win and my hubby would love me forever if I did...well, he will love me forever either way, but you know what I mean), but that was starting with my weight just over a week ago, which means I need to lose 4.6 pounds by Christmas yet.  I think that is definitely possible, don't you?  I also told my sister, Kelly, that my BIG goal is to lose 50 pounds by her wedding in July so I can look good and feel good when I stand up in her wedding.    It would also put me at a healthy weight just under the weight I was at when Ted and I were married 5 years ago.  Wouldn't it be fun to model my wedding dress again???

Body After Baby: Week 2

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

I came across this verse in my morning devotions yesterday and memorized it so I could meditate on it all day.  It is just what I needed, to be reminded that my only peace comes from the Lord and that I need to keep my focus on Him, even when I'm feeling down.  Over the weekend, I was feeling really down, for many reasons that I won't even try to explain.  I had another meltdown on Sunday, but I am so thankful I have been blessed with a godly husband who reminded me of God's promises once again.  Monday morning, I woke up refreshed and thankful that His mercies are new every morning.  

Last night, I was watching The Biggest Loser and Ted said, "This show isn't just about losing weight; it's all about emotions...they don't need a personal trainer; they need a psychologist".  I realized part of what he was saying was right.  My struggles with weight have a lot to do with my emotions.  When I'm stressed or feeling down, I don't pay attention to what I'm eating and end up eating more than I should.  Over the years, I've also used my own health issues as an excuse for not exercising.  I've been afraid to even try working out at a gym, because I didn't want to make a fool of myself.  But, I'm so thankful I finally put that fear aside and joined the Y.  It is one of the best decisions I made, because, according to my bathroom scale this morning, I have lost a total of 3 1/2 pounds! 

Last week, I made it to the Y five of the days.  This week, I went to Zumba on Monday and Spin yesterday.  Spin was SO hard.  I thought I was going to throw up, but the lady next to me kept motivating me to keep going.  She encouraged me to think about why I'm doing this.  She said, when it's really hard, to think about my kids and imagine them in trouble at the top of a hill and I need to get to them as quickly as possible.  It really helped, because I was able to push myself more than normal.  She also told me that if I enjoyed a workout, it wasn't a good workout.  Ted laughed when I told him that, because he's always moaning and groaning before he goes on a bike ride.  He keeps telling me it's not always fun, but when he's training for a goal (to race fast in his mountain bike races), he knows he has to do it.  I was exhausted last night, but it was a good kind of exhausted.

I was planning to go to Cardio Dance today, but my little ones are sick with really nasty coughs.  So, today will be my rest day.  Depending on how the kids are doing tomorrow, I would like to go to water aerobics.  I will probably go to water aerobics again on Friday and Spin on Saturday.  Then, as usual, Sunday will be another rest day.

I've been really good about sticking to our meal plan.  One thing that has helped me make sure I'm eating healthier is to only have healthy food options available.  I don't buy junk food and very rarely use processed foods.  I tend to shop along the outer edge of a grocery store - fresh produce, deli, meats, dairy products.  We don't eat out very often.  In fact, we've only eaten out once or twice in the last two months.  I enjoy cooking and I've learned how to cook healthier by using whole wheat pasta or bread instead of white, olive oil instead of cooking spray or vegetable oil, and fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned or processed products.  Some of our snack options include whole wheat crackers (like triscuits or wheat thins), carrots and homemade hummus, yogurt parfaits, baked tortilla chips and homemade salsa, and string cheese.

I've never been a fan of pork or beef, so we mostly cook with chicken, salmon, shrimp or tilapia.  The only beef I use is beef from my father-in-law's cattle, so it's really lean.  I've never been a fan of soda or sugary juices either.  My only downfall is coffee, because I like to add creamer and sugar and I am slightly addicted to Starbucks.  So, this week, since Samantha suggested cutting out one unhealthy habit completely, I'm going to avoid Starbucks and only drink tea or water.  I also need to be more consistent about drinking enough water, so I'm going to keep a filled water bottle with me at all times. 

Also, as I was writing this, I got my daily bible verse email from K-LOVE.  "He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along."  (Psalm 40:2, NLT).  I just love how God brings the perfect verse to my mind just when I need it.

Don't forget to enter my Old El Paso Family Taco Night Review & Giveaway before Friday at 2:00 PM CST!

Body After Baby: Week One

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God."  (Psalm 43:5) 

Lately, I've been struggling with grieving over my grandfather and not being content with who I am.  The grieving process leaves me weary and, in turn, causes me to stress about anything and everything way more than necessary.  I worry about being a wife who honors and encourages my husband as to the Lord, because I am a stubborn and selfish sinner by nature.  I struggle to be patient with my children and to raise them up in the Lord, especially on days when I'm exhausted from lack of sleep or just plain having a tough day to begin with.  I stress about being healthier and to be content with the body God has given me, especially after having two babies in two years and really disliking the word "exercise".  

This verse in Psalm 43 really hit me tonight at bible study.  Why should I be downcast when I have a hope and salvation?  The only way I can get through the turmoil within me is to put my trust in Him and let Him lead the way.  So, as I begin a journey to be healthy and lose some weight that is my focus - to remember the One who created me and allow Him to change my heart, because true beauty is in the heart.  "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."  (Proverbs 31:30)

I am going to blog about this journey along with Mama Notes, because I need that extra motivation and accountability.  In order to be at a healthy weight for me, I have about 50 pounds to lose.  For the month of December my goal is to lose 6 pounds.  Ultimately though, these are my long term goals:

1. Make working out a habit.

2. Make eating healthy a habit.

3. Make hiding His word in my heart a habit. We got a Y membership a month or so ago and I want to get into the habit of working out 5 or 6 days a week.  I have really been enjoying some of the fitness classes - Zumba, Spin, and Water Aerobics.  Being in a class like that really helps me stay motivated, because I hate exercising on my own and having an instructor telling us to keep going and work harder prevents me from giving up so easily.  Here is my schedule this week: Zumba on Monday, Spin on Tuesday, Aqua Abs (water aerobics) on Wednesday, Zumba on Thursday, and Spin on Saturday.  So far, so good! We also have a healthy eating meal plan Ted bought after I had Valerie.  The meal plan is basically a menu of what I should eat for each meal along with three snacks through the day based on the amount of calories I need.  We really like some of the healthier snack options like hummus and carrots or yogurt parfaits.  We did this meal plan for almost three months before I got pregnant with Almanzo and I was able to successfully lose several pounds.  And, I can't believe I'm doing this, but my hubby said that since I don't really want to I probably should so it will be extra motivation.  So, here is a before picture, in all it's post-baby-baby belly glory...