It's that time again....

time to get my rear in gear and try to get a head start on getting this weight off for good.

Last year, Missy did a fun little bloggy thing called "Hot for the Holidays!" It really worked for me. I set some attainable goals, I got some encouragement from other friends also attempting to get Hot for the Holiday, and the most important thing for me, was that it held me accountable for my actions.

Anyone else out there wanna give it another go around? We could start *NOW* and then all you have to do is leave a comment on Fridays on how you did. You don't need to have a blog...just leave a comment and let me know how you are doing.

So I'm starting again right *NOW*

Here are my goals:

• No soda

• Drink lots of water

• Exercise at least 4 times a week for 1 hour: that could include walking on the treadmill at the gym, taking a walk outside, or a class at the gym

• Watching portion control

So those are my goals, I may add to them later, but a girls gotta start somewhere.

I'd love for you to join me....leave me a comment and let me know your with me! We can do it....we'll do it together!

Fit Friday Finale

Way back in October, October 17th to be exact, I started Missy's "Hot for the Holidays" challenge. It was a great opportunity to get my rear in gear and get the weight off. Remember my first post about it? I've got to tell you, it's been a great thing for me. Now I'm saying that I did well, but I'm just so happy with all the new bloggy friends I have made and the encouragement they have given me.

They say it take 3 months to start (or stop) a habit and I truly believe that this time doing Missy's challenge has allowed me to get in the habit of getting to the gym. I can totally tell when I don't go. I feel more sluggish, more tired and tend to munch more. I have made it a part of my routine to get to the gym. It's only an hour out of my day and I usually go while Maggie is in school, Max doesn't mind the daycare and so we are all happy. I have been going Monday, Wednesday, & Friday mornings on a regular basis now...and it's working for me. I have also been going to a few evening classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights if I can make it.

I don't really have any numbers to share with you. Since I never posted a starting number back in October it really wouldn't be of any consolation anyway. However, I do see a little more definition in my arms (not even close to what I want, but better) and my current clothes are feeling loose. When I started the 12-week challenge at Gold's Gym on 12/31 they took all my measurements. I will be measured again in 6-weeks, I am so looking forward to seeing some progress and sharing that with you!

Missy, Thanks again for starting this and keeping it going! And to all my friends doing this with me....I couldn't do it without you! Thanks for all your kind words and encouragement!


Maybe I'll post a picture when we start up with a new name next week!?!?!? (OMG - have I totally lost my mind?)

Fit Friday - What's the point?!?!?

Oh yeah, I was trying to get some of this weight off....last week was just plain bad and this week hasn't been much better.

I have only been to the gym 1 time this week, and I can feel it. I'm with Missy, I think we all have so much going on right now, that we need a little break. I find that it's hard to prioritize what has to be eliminated. For me, it's the gym. This time of year is just so busy and I can only get so much done in one day and not totally ignore my children. I want to create memories for them to enjoy, not memories of me stressing out more than normal.

So this week, I only drank water or milk during the day, I did have a couple of "mommy drinks" this week, but still no soda. However, Andy's 2-liter of Dr. Pepper keeps calling my name...but I will not cave.

I have been making all kinds of goodies, which isn't too good for the Fit Friday plan...but hey it's the holidays, it's like tradition.

So my Fit Friday friends and I are taking a break, we'll be back on January 9th to finish this fun-filled fitness festival!

Fat Friday - Week whatever!

Yes, that's correct....it's not a type-o in the title. This has been a baaaaaad (like a sheep would say) week!

Why is it that with all the goings on this time of year - when we are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior - that we have to eat all kinds of things that we wouldn't normally eat, just cause it's the holidays?!??!

I'm really not a "sweets" person.....I tend to think of myself as "sweet", but I'm more of a bring-on-the-salt kinda girl, but holy cow, I have been baking(which totally isn't my thing), eating cookies(why did I say I would help with the church cookie sale?) and snacking on my most very favorite, chocolate covered pretzels or the pretzel rings with a melted Hershey's hug inside them. Oh, my goodness....it's just been so bad!

To top it off, with everything being so hectic and crazy, and feeling like I live at church, I haven't been to the gym but only 1 time this week! I am going today, but that will still only be twice this week! Yikes!

And just one more thing to add to this awful week! Tonight is our monthly cards group which is so NOT a healthy place to dine. My favorite slush that Nichole makes will be there for me to drink and I just can't disappoint the hostess! This slush is so yummy! Drinking this wonderful slush isn't part of my Fit Friday plan either, but I will drink it, so I'm doomed!

Saturday starts a new day! Wish me luck this next week, it has to be better, right?!?!?

Fit Friday - Weeek 8!

My "plan" for the week didn't go as planned! Max and I ended up with the flu. I got it Saturday morning and was in bed ALL day. The vomiting and "other" stuff every 20-30 minutes was not fun.

Max didn't start until in the middle of the night Saturday night, so then I was up with him every 20-30 minutes. (Wanted to make sure hubby didn't get it....I'm so thoughtful!) It wasn't a pleasant sight.

It didn't last too long, and Monday I was feeling almost 100% better. The one good thing about it was that I lost a few pounds (3 to be exact!) and I haven't put it back on as of yet. I still don't have much of an appetite and that is fine with me. Maybe my stomach shrank a little, who knows! I would totally be okay with that too!

The bad part of the week is that I haven't been to the gym at all. I just wanted to take it easy and make sure we where okay before I started back. Oh, and I drank 7-up! But I think when you are sick, it should be okay.

Hope all my Fit Friday friends had a better week with the exercise and I really hope that the flu bug doesn't hit your house. Stay healthy, we only have 20 days til Christmas!

Fit Friday - Week 7!

Holy cow, I can't believe it's Friday already - the week just flew by. We had an awesome Thanksgiving with a great meal and lots of new family memories. Here are a few pictures of the kids in their turkey shirts!

Papa & Sloan

The inspiration for the first turkey shirt!

Then three more shirts!

What a great group of "turkeys!"


Thanksgiving 2008!

Now on to Fit Friday! I started the week off with a grand plan for gym time. I really wanted to get four days in before Thursday. Well, I got three in! And I just got back from my body pump class today! So that is four 1-hour classes for the week and I can be happy with that.

I totally feel like I did okay with all the food I was surrounded by. I ate a small helping of most things and just one (yes, I said one) helping of mashed potatoes. Yeah Me! Everything we had was delicious and the bigger problem for me is going to be all the leftovers and keeping those portions under control.

Ready for my BIG problem of the week? "Mommy drinks" Yep, I said it for all of Blogworld to hear. I spent way too many calories on cocktails this week! I had enough this week to last me several weeks.... (maybe even into 2009!)

So my plan for this week:

More gym time, more water, watch my leftover portions, and NO Mommy drinks (wish me luck!)

Check in with all my friends over at It's Almost Naptime and see how their week was!

Fit Friday - Week 6

Let's just say that this week was much better than last week - thank goodness!

It still wasn't a perfect week, but is there such a thing?

I haven't been that concerned with the whole scale issue, but when I do check, it hasn't been too different. I tend to fluctuate between three different numbers depending on the time of day. I'm really hoping that the reason the number isn't changing is because I'm gaining muscle which weighs more than fat. I really hope that is the reason. The number honestly doesn't bother me, because I am starting to feel a difference in my clothes and that is what really makes me happy.

I only got to the gym three times this week, maybe I'll still go this morning. I've had a sick kiddo this week and today while she is at school, I have a lot of errands to run. Hum, errands, does that count as exercise? I'll park way out in the parking lot...I promise!
Rambling...sorry....Three times at the gym is my goal, so I'm not totally slacking, but I would really feel better to get one more in. We'll see!

Still haven't had soda. Well, I did have a sip yesterday. Poor Maggie (the kiddo that has been home from school the last two days) wanted Sprite. I poured some into her cup and that is when it happened. I took a sip! And you know, it wasn't that great. So now that I've had my fix, I'm hoppin' back on the wagon!

So next week is going to be the true test. I'm talkin' about Thursday here, people! You know, the holiday that all you do is eat, eat, eat! Complete torture I tell you!

I'm going to try really hard to get to the gym several times before Thursday. I'm going to try to really watch my portion control and I'm going to drink a lot more water and maybe a little less "mommy drinks." Oh, who am I foolin'!

But friends, on Thanksgiving Day, I will be cautious and aware, but I am still going to eat my mashed potatoes. My most favorite thing ever is mashed potatoes and gravy, in fact...I might just have seconds on the potatoes and skip the pie! Oh yeah, I love them that much.

So to all my Fit Friday sistas, enjoy the time with your family and be thankful for all you have! You are all beautiful to me! Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Fit Friday - week 5

Well, so I knew it would come. The dreaded week of bad, bad eating. This has been it. It's not pretty....prepare yourself.

Let's just say that when it comes to trying to be good while going out with the same couple twice in one week to places that only have "bar food" is impossible. At least for me.

So here's how it went, remember the hot wing dip at scrapbooking last Friday night? It was so yummy and since I only had a Fiber One bar for lunch and no dinner, I could justify the many scoops (platefuls) I had. The one good thing about that is that I did NOT eat after 8:00 that night. Oh, and that is so hard when all the goodies are just sitting there waiting to be eaten. Thanks again Princess for the dip, I think I've had my fill for a while, so you won't need to make that anytime soon.

Saturday night, we took the church youth group to a hockey game and Superchick concert. Andy and I and "the other couple" stopped to grab a bite before we left. We went to my favorite "hot wing" place. This is my favorite because their wings are not messy. I feel that it would truly be a sin for me to go there and not eat the wings....so I did. And they were yummy as usual.

Do you see the pattern here....it's not good.

Sunday wasn't much better....I picked up the kiddos from spending the night with their cousins and stopped to get them some lunch on the way home. Yes, I could have just ordered something for them in the Culver's drive-thru, but did I? No!

I next few days weren't too bad....but then last night we went out with the above stated couple again. (The youth event doesn't count as a "get-together" since there wasn't any beer involved) We went to another "bar food" place where I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich...okay not too bad you say, but really I only ordered that out of quilt after sharing the platter of fried everything. It was fun, the beer was good and I will start again today at trying to be good.

So that is all the bad stuff.....there is a little bit of good stuff:

I've been to the gym 4 times this week. Sunday afternoon pump class (Culver's quilt), Monday AM body step, Wednesday AM body step and today (Friday AM) pump class!

Still NO SODA! Yippee! Oh, but just let me tell you how much I love the sound of that soda can opening...I so miss the bubbles!

No eating after 8:00 p.m. And thanks honey for helping me out here....the smell of the microwave popcorn about 9:30 and then your comment, " You can't have any of this right!?!?!" I stuck to my guns, but can you try to do your munching AFTER I'm in bed.

This goal of not so many of the "mommy drinks" just isn't going as planned. However, I do feel a little better for drinking the beer with only 64 calories. Somehow their marketing tool has worked on me, seeing the 64 on the label just makes me feel like I'm doing good.

So there is my sinful week with food! I hope your week was better, you can check in with all my Fit Friday friends over at It's Almost Naptime.

Fit Friday - week 4!

Well, lets just say that Halloween (or any holiday for that matter) should be like the "free spot" on a bingo card. It shouldn't count! All that candy just callin' your name! It's just NOT fair! I ate a Butterfinger and a 100 Grand bar (oh, those are soooo yummy!) all in the same day! And they were delicious!

On the other hand, I did throw out the four pieces of left over cake from our Halloween get-together! Just seeing it sitting there waiting for me to eat it, was just too much. And the kiddos picked out their 10 items of candy and the "witch" took the rest! Oh, how I LOVE that witch! Thank you for saving me (and the kids) from all that candy goodness!

So the week has gone well, except for Halloween night!

• I still have not had any soda! Yeah Me!

• No seconds at dinner

• I've been to the gym three times already this week and am also attending a class later this morning. My goal was to go 3 times a week, so this is above and beyond!

• I have had some mommy drinks, but haven't overdone it!

• And this week I haven't eaten anything at all after 8:00 p.m. - although tonight, I'm scrapbooking with friends at church and we always have some great ol' snacks....but that will be next weeks confessions right?!?!? I will try to be good, but when that hot wing dip calls my name, I can't be rude!

This Fit Friday has been great! Missy @ It's Almost Naptime and all the girls involved have provided some great motivation for staying on track!

But I felt I needed a little more! Remember a few weeks ago when the TV crew was here to interview me about "Moms who Blog!" Well, the segment aired last night! I will share it with you here.

If seeing myself on TV isn't enough to motivate me to get this weight off, just knowing how many others saw this clip, should!

Fit Friday - Week 3, or whatever week it is!

I started out so well this week. I went to 1-hour classes at the gym on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I feel so good when I get done. (I totally hate it while I'm there!) My plan was to go all 5 days. Yes, that would have been exceeded my goal, and I'm all about that, however I started feeling icky again yesterday. Dizzy, lightheaded and achy. I decided I better not push it. Instead I took a hot bath at 6:00 last night and got right into bed. Still feeling weird today, so I 'm skipping the gym today too. I'm a little bummed, but at least I did still get in my 3 days! That makes me happy.

As far as how I did this week:

• Still no soda, oh believe me, there were several times that I put my hand on the little fridge and then read the note!

• No seconds on meals

• I even left food on my plate a few times - this step is hard for me, since I totally hate to waste food

• I DID eat 2 peanut butter cups this week(not the same day) - Darn Halloween candy! When does the candy witch come???

• I ate healthy snacks (except the pb cups!) Here is one of my new favorites:
  Max calls them "Sunshine seeds!" Isn't that cute! Yes, they are salted, but when you buy them at the store, look at several bags because some bags don't look as salty as others, I did try to get one with less salt. Oh, and they do have just roasted, but I am SO a salt person.

• I drank water, but still need to drink more

• I also bought a battery for my scale, I know I said it wasn't about a number for me, but I got a little curious.

• Oh, and here's the biggy! I did have some "mommy drinks!" And they were soooo good. I will try harder next week to try not to have as many.

• I only ate after 8:00 pm one night. That's pretty good!

So there it is! Week 3 wasn't too bad, but week 4 is going to be great! Hop on over the Missy @ It's Almost Naptime to check in on everyone else!

Fit Friday - Week 2!

Since we are doing Fit Friday, my "new week" is Friday to Friday. I'm going to try and remember all the goods and bads of the week and honestly post them here. Several others are joining in on this Hot for the Holidays! You can still join, just hop over to Missy @ It's Almost Naptime and sign up!




I'm feelin' like I did pretty well this week!

Last Friday night we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant that is super close to home, super fast, and super yummy! I'm not really a huge fan of Mexican food, but hello! chips and salsa could be like family members to me. I usually eat way more chips and salsa than I did that night. I was so proud. I usually get 2 hard shell beef tacos with all the fixings, but instead I asked for my sour cream on the side rather than having it slathered across the entire top. I also opted out on the very yummy and usually much needed frozen margarita! I drank water!

Saturday was pretty good too. We grilled salmon for dinner (my favorite) but then ventured out to our favorite ice cream shop. This was the last day to go as they were closing for the season. I chose a vanilla kiddie cone instead of my very favorite small Butterfinger blizzard! Yeah me!

Sunday evening was spent at a corn maze and wienie roast with the youth from our church! I had 1 hot dog (I can only eat them when cooked over an open fire) and I passed on the s'mores. It wasn't really that hard to pass up, I hate to get all sticky!

Monday is my normal gym day! I do a 1-hour body step class. It always kicks my butt, but I LOVE it! I've been drinking more water, but I have also been drinking skim milk for lunch!

Tuesday night I made a great 30-minute roasted chicken recipe for dinner. It was yummy, easy and not too bad for us.

Wednesday is my other normal gym day, however I didn't get to attend that class. I was at church, helping to cook dinner for later that night. Got a visit from my "monthly friend" this day too, and we all know how those days can be. I caved just a little and ate a peanut butter cup about 3:00ish. Oh, and I felt so much better after I did!

Thursday night I attend a 1-hour body step class to make up for the one I skipped on Wednesday. I was totally pooped after that.

And finally, I just got back from my Friday morning 1-hour body pump class at the gym. Which mean that I did get my three 1-hour class in at the gym this week! Yippy!

So all in all I think I did pretty well.

• I didn't have any "mommy drinks" all week! Oh and that's a hard one!
• I didn't eat after 8:00 p.m., except for Wednesday night, I shared some popcorn with my hubby!
• No seconds!
  
• I didn't drink any soda! Nope, not a one!
  
• Got to the gym 3 times this week: Monday AM, Thursday PM, and Friday AM
• Did better, but not great with water!

The first week always seems to go pretty well, it's all these future weeks that I have to work on. I think checkin' in with my new fitness friends is really going to help! I hope you all had and good week as well and let's keep up the good work!

Fit Friday - Week 1!

It's official, I have come the conclusion, that I MUST do something about this weight. It's not going away on it own. For the last several weeks a few of my friends and I have been trying to think of a good way to keep each other motivated. And it is hard. I do so well one week and then the next week I do horrible and make up all kinds of excuses and try to justify my actions with something or another. And it has to stop! Today is the day!

Missy @ It's Almost Naptime has started Fit Fridays and I'm joining in. I need to have some goals and really try to get to them.




Here they are:

Goals:

• More upper body strength....I am so weak, sometimes I don't know how I am able to lift my kids.
• To have my current clothes fit better. My several pairs of jeans are a little tight (but there is no way in H-E- double hockey sticks that I will buy the next size up!) It just not going to happen.
• To work on my baby tummy and arms and really try to get the muffin top under control and some definition in my arms
• I'm not really going to worry about the actual number, I would rather feel the results as to see them (if that makes any sense)

Here what I will do:

• go to the gym at least 3 (1 hour) classes a week
• stop finishing food off of my kids plates (oh how I hate to waste food)
• drink water, water and more water (I'm so bad at this.....not that I drink soda instead, I just don't drink anything)
• portion control !! Yes, this is my big problem. I really don't feel that I eat bad throughout the day, but when dinner comes, I'm hungry, so I eat more than I should.
• We are going to start using the "salad" plates for dinner. Smaller plate, smaller portion and no seconds!!!
• Little healthy snacks throughout the day, that way I won't be as hungry at dinner time. These are my new favorite veggie, String less sugar snap peas! Yummy!
• Saying "NO" to the extras when out to eat.....no mayo, no sour cream, no extra cheese! Goodbye good friends, I will miss you, but I know I don't need you.
• Oh, one little confession from early this week. I had a busy day on Monday and I only had a Kashi bar for breakfast (I know bad me), I had been running around doing all kinds of errands and was headed back to get the kiddos when I stopped at a Jimmy Johns and got a #4 (Turkey Tom and yes, it had mayo) I ate the entire sandwich, it was so good. I won't be giving Tom the complete boot. I can still have the #4, just without the mayo and cheese! It won't be the same, but I don't want to be the same either!
  
  So there it is! It's in writing for all of my two followers! I will be posting how things are going next Friday, so stay tuned.