So we have been keeping a secret, which is why my blog has been very lacking lately. It is a good secret, but when it comes to weight loss, not so much helpful. I am pregnant again! We found out at the end of February that I am expecting our third child in November. We are thrilled to be having our third child and it has provided a whole new challenge to my healthily lifestyle.
First thing that had to happen was me stopping the Insanity workout program I was in the middle of. I will admit, I was a little sad when I had to do this. I have an intense love/hate relationship with Insanity and of course instantly when you are told you can no longer do something you instantly want to even more. But I did stop. I didn't know exactly what I could and couldn't do exercise wise while pregnant, but I did know that I could not feel like I was going to exercise to the point of passing out. Since then I have learned more about what exercises are good and not.
Next I had to start eating more. Normally when you are pregnant you don't actually have to incresase how much eat by very much in the beginning. But I was eating to lose weight, so I had to up my eating more than normal. My goal in the beginning was to just keep my weight the same. It was pretty easy to up my eating, and not the worst thing in the world to have to do. It has been a bit of a challenge though to get on the scale and not see the decreasing numbers. In the beginning I actually did still lose a couple pounds, putting me at my lowest weight thus far 165lbs. 115lbs down from where I started over a year ago. I kept my weight steady there for a while, but eventually did start to gain the little bit I had taken off.
I had to start dealing with the mental shift in gaining weight. I have not gained much, from where I was when I found out I am pregnant I am only up 1-1/2 lbs actually. But also there is a change in your body when you are pregnant. It seemed my tummy instantly went soft. I didn't really know that I had been forming abs and tightening my tummy quite a bit, but as it turns out I was and all the sudden all the firming up was gone it seemed. It was tough to make the mental shift to accepting that this is good for my body. This is what is suppose to happen. Baby is growing and so am I.
Now please don't get me wrong, I am very happy to be pregnant again. We are ecstatic to meet our new son or daughter and grow our family. We are blessed to be able to get pregnant and while I have morning sickness on and off all day I have had a very easy pregnancy so far. But I have had some challenges this time I didn't with my first 2 pregnancies. I didn't care then how much weight I gained, or how much I was eating or if I was getting in exercise. It just wasn't part of my life like it is now. It been a shift for me. And I am enjoying it and taking it all in and trying to stay healthy all at the same time. I will admit though it is nice to have that extra little helping at dinner and bit of ice cream and not worry if it is going to set back my weight loss.
So my blog will change for a bit. No more weight loss, but now more healthy eating and learning how to control my cravings and stay healthy for our baby. Oh and we have lots of other big changes coming. A deployment, temporary move, preschool, a new baby, and another move. The rest of 2013 will be busy!
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Decisions Decisions
Why is it that every time there is one big decision to make it seems there are a ton of other littles ones that come along and then eventually another big one? We have a couple big decisions going on right now. Nothing life changing and in the long run these things probably won't seem like a huge deal, but it's still hard. The bigger dilemma is that each final decision is going to be made by just one of us. One by Steven and one by myself. My decision I have been praying about and seeing some clarity in what needs done. Steven's choice is new and likely needs to be made in the next couple days. And yes in typical Navy style his has come up while we can only email.
It's funny while each decision is hard, I am actually thankful for each situation. They each have pros and cons but in the end will all work out no matter what we do. That doesn't mean that I don't want to break down and cry about them both, but at least I see the good in each situation. Sorry to be so nondescript about what is going on. I'm sure eventually I will be able to reveal everything, but not now. I can tell you this though, a year ago getting in shape seemed like a huge decision, it seemed like the hardest decision I had to made to change my lifestyle and now it is my everyday life. It is not a question if I am going to workout, the question is how many times this week. That feels great. I recently read that only 20% of Americans exercise regularly. I have to admit I am proud to be in that 20% now. And I am now down 115lbs because of my one big decision.
Pray about big decision. Pray about even ones that seem little. If you are confused pray. God will help guide you. Each night I pray with the girls before bed time and since Mady is still little I tell her that God wants to hear all the things we are thankful for from that day. So she prayed "Thank you God for milkshakes, and chocolate and the sun." I couldn't help but smile and laugh a little, but let's be honest I am extremely thankful for chocolate too :)
It's funny while each decision is hard, I am actually thankful for each situation. They each have pros and cons but in the end will all work out no matter what we do. That doesn't mean that I don't want to break down and cry about them both, but at least I see the good in each situation. Sorry to be so nondescript about what is going on. I'm sure eventually I will be able to reveal everything, but not now. I can tell you this though, a year ago getting in shape seemed like a huge decision, it seemed like the hardest decision I had to made to change my lifestyle and now it is my everyday life. It is not a question if I am going to workout, the question is how many times this week. That feels great. I recently read that only 20% of Americans exercise regularly. I have to admit I am proud to be in that 20% now. And I am now down 115lbs because of my one big decision.
Pray about big decision. Pray about even ones that seem little. If you are confused pray. God will help guide you. Each night I pray with the girls before bed time and since Mady is still little I tell her that God wants to hear all the things we are thankful for from that day. So she prayed "Thank you God for milkshakes, and chocolate and the sun." I couldn't help but smile and laugh a little, but let's be honest I am extremely thankful for chocolate too :)
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
My typical Breakfast
My goodness it's been a while since I have blogged. Well I have decided to really start going into one thing I get asked about a lot with my weight loss. How do I eat? What do I eat? I promise I do eat. I just finished a frozen strawberry fruit bar. It was delicious by the way. Anyways, I thought I would get more specific than I have been about what exactly I eat which could maybe inspire others to eat a little healthier or add a few more fruits and vegetables to your meals.
Today I'll start with breakfast, since it is the first and most importnatn meal of the day. Admittedly I used to skip breakfast frequently. Especially in high school and college, but now I am religious about eating breakfast. I'm sure you know it is important because eating will start up your metabloism. It starts your day right or wrong. Skipping breakfast, clearly a bad way to start. But so is starting your day with something completely unhealthy. This doesn't mean that you need to eat all fruit and eggs all the time for breakfast, but it does mean to try to make your breakfast somewhat healthy. Starting your day with healthy eating can carry you through the day. It can give you energy. It can give you a good moment of eating to look back on and think see I can do this.
Okay, so I have a few go to breakfasts, I don't eat these every single day and I change things up, but for the sake of argument, yes I have pretty consistent breakfasts that I eat. One of my favorites is 3 egg whites scramled, either 1 piece of whole wheat toast or a whole wheat bagel thin and a piece of fruit. Its a good healthy breakfast that keeps my tummy full until about midmorning when I will have a little snack. I used to think it was hard to get up and make eggs every morning, but in all reality it takes like 5 minutes to go from no eggs to fully cooked and scramble eggs. Yes you can make them in the microwave too, but it's not my favorite way to do it. I use just egg whites to save on calories. I really have no other good reason. I know there are cholesterol things with eggs, I don't have cholesterol problems though, so I tend not to pay too much attention to that.
My next go to breakfast is instant oatmeal, 1 piece of turkey bacon and a piece of fruit. Oatmeal is good for you (I'm not exactly sure why, but it is) and it's easy to make. I am not an oatmeal lover, but I have found one way to make me like it more is to add a few chocolate chips. Okay I know this isn't the healthiest thing in the world to do, and if you are suseptible to keep eating sweets after starting, it may not be the best thing to do, but for me it has helped me to get into oatmeal, and I am trying to use less chips. Like literally 3 chocolate chips, I figure it can't be that bad for me. I do love bacon. It's not great for you, but I figure one piece of turkey bacon isn't that horrible and it provides protein!
My last common breakfast is cereal. I know, nothing fancy here, but sometimes when you are trying to get out the door early and you have the kids whining you just gotta do quick. My recent cereal obsession is Chex cereal. Have you seen all the flavors they have. Love them! And please don't tell me if they aren't great for you, I have it like once a week, it's not that bad. A big thing to remember with cereal is portion control. It's easy to pour a bowl and think it isn't that much, when in all reality it can be more than you want. I used to measure my cereal out. I can now eyeball it, but yes i would measure it so I could know exactly how many calories I was having.
So those are my breakfast go tos. I do love other kids of breakfasts too, especially a good breakfast casserole, which i actually have in my fridge right now. I made it for dinner and it is delicious. It is a lower calorie version of one my mom used to make every Christmas morning. Want the recipe?? Check it out here http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/2012/03/breakfast-casserole.html
Today I'll start with breakfast, since it is the first and most importnatn meal of the day. Admittedly I used to skip breakfast frequently. Especially in high school and college, but now I am religious about eating breakfast. I'm sure you know it is important because eating will start up your metabloism. It starts your day right or wrong. Skipping breakfast, clearly a bad way to start. But so is starting your day with something completely unhealthy. This doesn't mean that you need to eat all fruit and eggs all the time for breakfast, but it does mean to try to make your breakfast somewhat healthy. Starting your day with healthy eating can carry you through the day. It can give you energy. It can give you a good moment of eating to look back on and think see I can do this.
Okay, so I have a few go to breakfasts, I don't eat these every single day and I change things up, but for the sake of argument, yes I have pretty consistent breakfasts that I eat. One of my favorites is 3 egg whites scramled, either 1 piece of whole wheat toast or a whole wheat bagel thin and a piece of fruit. Its a good healthy breakfast that keeps my tummy full until about midmorning when I will have a little snack. I used to think it was hard to get up and make eggs every morning, but in all reality it takes like 5 minutes to go from no eggs to fully cooked and scramble eggs. Yes you can make them in the microwave too, but it's not my favorite way to do it. I use just egg whites to save on calories. I really have no other good reason. I know there are cholesterol things with eggs, I don't have cholesterol problems though, so I tend not to pay too much attention to that.
My next go to breakfast is instant oatmeal, 1 piece of turkey bacon and a piece of fruit. Oatmeal is good for you (I'm not exactly sure why, but it is) and it's easy to make. I am not an oatmeal lover, but I have found one way to make me like it more is to add a few chocolate chips. Okay I know this isn't the healthiest thing in the world to do, and if you are suseptible to keep eating sweets after starting, it may not be the best thing to do, but for me it has helped me to get into oatmeal, and I am trying to use less chips. Like literally 3 chocolate chips, I figure it can't be that bad for me. I do love bacon. It's not great for you, but I figure one piece of turkey bacon isn't that horrible and it provides protein!
My last common breakfast is cereal. I know, nothing fancy here, but sometimes when you are trying to get out the door early and you have the kids whining you just gotta do quick. My recent cereal obsession is Chex cereal. Have you seen all the flavors they have. Love them! And please don't tell me if they aren't great for you, I have it like once a week, it's not that bad. A big thing to remember with cereal is portion control. It's easy to pour a bowl and think it isn't that much, when in all reality it can be more than you want. I used to measure my cereal out. I can now eyeball it, but yes i would measure it so I could know exactly how many calories I was having.
So those are my breakfast go tos. I do love other kids of breakfasts too, especially a good breakfast casserole, which i actually have in my fridge right now. I made it for dinner and it is delicious. It is a lower calorie version of one my mom used to make every Christmas morning. Want the recipe?? Check it out here http://www.eat-yourself-skinny.com/2012/03/breakfast-casserole.html
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Being a better Mom
So I have never really participated fully in Lent. I did not grow up in a Catholic or Lutheran church, so I never did it. It didn't seem like a big deal to me. A few times I have tried things like giving up chocolate or sweets, I never really was successful at it though. But I also never really felt like that was something that God wanted me to do. But I do know that God wants me to be a better parent. He wants us all to be better parents. To be the best that we can. SO I set out to find some things that I can do to be a better Mom. So here is my little list of things I am trying to do to be the best Mom I can.
1. Yell less. I am not a big yeller. I never really have been. Steven and I don't have huge screaming matches or anything like that. But have you ever had a 2 year old? They don't listen to a darn thing you say sometimes. And it gets frustrating. And in frustration at times I will yell. But I am trying not to. I am trying to stay calmer and take a breath before I get to that point. I am not always successful. But it is helping. There are times that I think yelling is appropriate. LIke to warn of danger or call them if they are running away or something like that. But outside of those times, I am trying not to yell.
2. Put away the technology and to do list and play more. I will admit and I think a lot of honest parents will admit as well, that I am guilty of at times being on my phone or computer when it isn't really necessary. My children deserve my attention. And I make a decision to give it to them or not. So I am making the decision more and more to give it to them. To play more. To teach more. I ignore my phone more. I have turned off the TV and gone outside more. I engage more with my kids and its fun.
3. Let go more. Let my kids get dirty. Care less about whether their clothes match and more about letting them make decisions. Give them more opportunity to make decisions of their own. Yes they are only 2 & 1/2 and 1 &1/2, but they can still make simple decisions. Let them help more. This means at times that the dishes don't get put away exactly how I want or basic chores like sweeping take longer, but it does mean they are learning to help.
So I'm trying. I'm putting in an effort. Which I think at times as a Mom that's the most important thing. Even if your kids aren't in perfectly matching clothes with the perfect bow and shoes. If they are laughing and having fun and learning the right things from you, you are doing something right.
1. Yell less. I am not a big yeller. I never really have been. Steven and I don't have huge screaming matches or anything like that. But have you ever had a 2 year old? They don't listen to a darn thing you say sometimes. And it gets frustrating. And in frustration at times I will yell. But I am trying not to. I am trying to stay calmer and take a breath before I get to that point. I am not always successful. But it is helping. There are times that I think yelling is appropriate. LIke to warn of danger or call them if they are running away or something like that. But outside of those times, I am trying not to yell.
2. Put away the technology and to do list and play more. I will admit and I think a lot of honest parents will admit as well, that I am guilty of at times being on my phone or computer when it isn't really necessary. My children deserve my attention. And I make a decision to give it to them or not. So I am making the decision more and more to give it to them. To play more. To teach more. I ignore my phone more. I have turned off the TV and gone outside more. I engage more with my kids and its fun.
3. Let go more. Let my kids get dirty. Care less about whether their clothes match and more about letting them make decisions. Give them more opportunity to make decisions of their own. Yes they are only 2 & 1/2 and 1 &1/2, but they can still make simple decisions. Let them help more. This means at times that the dishes don't get put away exactly how I want or basic chores like sweeping take longer, but it does mean they are learning to help.
So I'm trying. I'm putting in an effort. Which I think at times as a Mom that's the most important thing. Even if your kids aren't in perfectly matching clothes with the perfect bow and shoes. If they are laughing and having fun and learning the right things from you, you are doing something right.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Feeling Good!
Well a couple days ago I was stuck in the 170s but I broke through that! I am happy to say I am down to 169lbs (111lbs down)! This seems big to me because of my next big goal. It may seem like a weird goal, but I think there are others who can understand.
So what is this next goal...I want to weigh less than my husband. Steven is a skinny guy, I have fattened him up a bit since we got married, but he is just one of those people that can eat whatever and not gain a pound. I know, darn him! So it's my upcoming goal and being in the 160s seems important for that because that is typically where Steven is. So I am feeling much closer to it!
I am also excited to be nearly halfway through with my second round of Insanity. I have one workout left until I get a rest week. I have learned some things in the past month of Insanity. The big ones being I workout best at night and I like "fighting" types of workouts. I love punches, kicks and such. So I am looking into MMA style workouts to do next. Crazy sounding, I know. But I think they look fun. And I think I could do it. I also have like 3 other workout DVDs and programs I am wanting to do, so I should stay pretty busy with them. Which is great to keep off the weight and keep losing!
This is a picture of me this morning! And an unnecessary of my girls, just because they are cute!
So what is this next goal...I want to weigh less than my husband. Steven is a skinny guy, I have fattened him up a bit since we got married, but he is just one of those people that can eat whatever and not gain a pound. I know, darn him! So it's my upcoming goal and being in the 160s seems important for that because that is typically where Steven is. So I am feeling much closer to it!
I am also excited to be nearly halfway through with my second round of Insanity. I have one workout left until I get a rest week. I have learned some things in the past month of Insanity. The big ones being I workout best at night and I like "fighting" types of workouts. I love punches, kicks and such. So I am looking into MMA style workouts to do next. Crazy sounding, I know. But I think they look fun. And I think I could do it. I also have like 3 other workout DVDs and programs I am wanting to do, so I should stay pretty busy with them. Which is great to keep off the weight and keep losing!
This is a picture of me this morning! And an unnecessary of my girls, just because they are cute!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Getting Stuck
Okay so I haven't been blogging much recently and I feel like my lack of writing is directly related to my hard time losing weight. Recently I felt a bit at a stand still with my weight. I have been stuck around the 172lb mark. That is not bad, it is a long way from where I came, but it isn't where I want to end, so I know I can lose more. It is normal to hit a bump in the road when it comes to weight. It's normal to get stuck, but I haven't really gotten stuck yet. So this has been tough. I wouldn't say it is a plateau, I haven't been stuck on one weight for that long, I like to just think of it as stuck.
So I haven't written about it much because i didn't feel like it was a very fun thing to read about, but the truth is it's a real part of weight loss. This happens to not just me, but everyone at some point. This is real life, it's what just happens. So I want to talk about it a little. I know for me what it is, I know why I am stuck. It's my own fault. It's my eating. I have been working out great, keeping up with Insanity and it is still kicking my butt. Every time I still want to collapse afterwards, so I gotta be working pretty hard. But my eating has suffered.
I have gotten comfortable with my eating. Too comfortable. Around the holidays I would allo myself to have a little extra food or extra dessert so I didn't feel like I was missing out. Unfortunately that has kind of continued in a not great way. I have still been losing weight since the holidays, but its been harder. I've noticed myself feeling more worn down at the end of the day when it's time to workout. And I know it's because I've been eating too much junk. I will think to myself, well I am going to workout tonight, so I'll have an extra cookie. And doing that once a day isn't horrible, but doing it many times throughout the day, isn't the best.
Stress has also played a big role in my poor eating. In the past I have always turned to food for comfort in stressful times. I always found that a big piece of cake or some some chocolate could help me feel better. Well not really, but temporarily. Changing those habits are hard. It's hard to teach yourself not to just turn to food because you are stressed or sad. And trust me recently I've had lots of reasons to be stressed or sad, and I've tried eating and it just makes me feel worse. The next day whenI get on the scale and see no progress or weight gain I then will get a little down. Its just a vicious cycle. So I am putting in extra effort this week to eat better. Yesterday I ate more fruit and veggies, which for me is really key in weight loss. Keeping my belly full of good for you food, helps me stay away from the not great food.
Try not to let a little time of stuck get your down too much. It happens to everyone. Just this morning I was super excited to see I unexpectedly finally got to a lower weight. 171lbs. I was so happy I did my happy dance on the scale. Yes I have a little dance I do on the scale when I lose weight. Laugh if you want (it actually is funny), but it make sit a little more fun!
So I haven't written about it much because i didn't feel like it was a very fun thing to read about, but the truth is it's a real part of weight loss. This happens to not just me, but everyone at some point. This is real life, it's what just happens. So I want to talk about it a little. I know for me what it is, I know why I am stuck. It's my own fault. It's my eating. I have been working out great, keeping up with Insanity and it is still kicking my butt. Every time I still want to collapse afterwards, so I gotta be working pretty hard. But my eating has suffered.
I have gotten comfortable with my eating. Too comfortable. Around the holidays I would allo myself to have a little extra food or extra dessert so I didn't feel like I was missing out. Unfortunately that has kind of continued in a not great way. I have still been losing weight since the holidays, but its been harder. I've noticed myself feeling more worn down at the end of the day when it's time to workout. And I know it's because I've been eating too much junk. I will think to myself, well I am going to workout tonight, so I'll have an extra cookie. And doing that once a day isn't horrible, but doing it many times throughout the day, isn't the best.
Stress has also played a big role in my poor eating. In the past I have always turned to food for comfort in stressful times. I always found that a big piece of cake or some some chocolate could help me feel better. Well not really, but temporarily. Changing those habits are hard. It's hard to teach yourself not to just turn to food because you are stressed or sad. And trust me recently I've had lots of reasons to be stressed or sad, and I've tried eating and it just makes me feel worse. The next day whenI get on the scale and see no progress or weight gain I then will get a little down. Its just a vicious cycle. So I am putting in extra effort this week to eat better. Yesterday I ate more fruit and veggies, which for me is really key in weight loss. Keeping my belly full of good for you food, helps me stay away from the not great food.
Try not to let a little time of stuck get your down too much. It happens to everyone. Just this morning I was super excited to see I unexpectedly finally got to a lower weight. 171lbs. I was so happy I did my happy dance on the scale. Yes I have a little dance I do on the scale when I lose weight. Laugh if you want (it actually is funny), but it make sit a little more fun!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Out with the Old
So there are lots of great things about losing weight. One not great thing is the need for new clothes all the time. Okay it's not so bad going shopping, but when you know clothes aren't going to fit for that long, it's hard to want to spend money on them. So I usually stretch things. Especially jeans. I had been wearing jeans that were about a size too big and didn't realize how bad they looked and how much bigger they made me look until I wore a pair that were the right size.
The need for getting new clothes also comes with the need to get rid of clothes all the time. I have done 2 big purges of clothes and now have a laundry basket where I just put clothes now that need given away. It's kinda sad though. I recently tried on a dress that I have only worn a few times, I have it for probably 5 or more years. It's a little low cut and definitely not an everyday dress, but I had been keeping it thinking at some point I would have an occasion to wear it. But I tried it on and it is just far too big to even try to keep it. Honestly I have like 5 dresses hanging in my closet, but only 1 really fits. I just keep some to make it seem like i have more. Not for anyone else, just for myself. If I was being really honest with myself I would probably get rid of like half the clothes that are in my closet. But there aren't that many, and it would probably make me sad.
Its hard to get rid of clothes sometimes though. Its a mental war. It's like committing to being a smaller size. It's saying I will not gain that weight back. I will not get back to that point to wear those clothes. And the smaller the clothes I throw out, the harder it is. It was easy to get rid of the XXL clothes, I hated that size. The XL were a little harder and I still have a few, but still I was proud to be able to do it. Jeans are even harder. I have kept a pair of my biggest size, just to remind myself of how far I have come. I am currently wearing 12/14s and I am struggling to get rid of my 18s and 16s. I need to do it. While it is hard it also helps. It gives me no back up. I don't want to go back to those sizes, so I just need to do it.
Is there something you are trying to change in your life but you have been keeping a fall back? Something that will help you slip back into your old routines if you need? For me it would be easier to gain the weight back if I didn't have to face the music and buy bigger pants. So looks like I will be donating some clothes soon :)
Oh and this is my closet. See not that many clothes (it used to be completely packed full of clothes, now there is lots of extra space). And I can count like 10 of those shirts that I need to donate.
The need for getting new clothes also comes with the need to get rid of clothes all the time. I have done 2 big purges of clothes and now have a laundry basket where I just put clothes now that need given away. It's kinda sad though. I recently tried on a dress that I have only worn a few times, I have it for probably 5 or more years. It's a little low cut and definitely not an everyday dress, but I had been keeping it thinking at some point I would have an occasion to wear it. But I tried it on and it is just far too big to even try to keep it. Honestly I have like 5 dresses hanging in my closet, but only 1 really fits. I just keep some to make it seem like i have more. Not for anyone else, just for myself. If I was being really honest with myself I would probably get rid of like half the clothes that are in my closet. But there aren't that many, and it would probably make me sad.
Its hard to get rid of clothes sometimes though. Its a mental war. It's like committing to being a smaller size. It's saying I will not gain that weight back. I will not get back to that point to wear those clothes. And the smaller the clothes I throw out, the harder it is. It was easy to get rid of the XXL clothes, I hated that size. The XL were a little harder and I still have a few, but still I was proud to be able to do it. Jeans are even harder. I have kept a pair of my biggest size, just to remind myself of how far I have come. I am currently wearing 12/14s and I am struggling to get rid of my 18s and 16s. I need to do it. While it is hard it also helps. It gives me no back up. I don't want to go back to those sizes, so I just need to do it.
Is there something you are trying to change in your life but you have been keeping a fall back? Something that will help you slip back into your old routines if you need? For me it would be easier to gain the weight back if I didn't have to face the music and buy bigger pants. So looks like I will be donating some clothes soon :)
Oh and this is my closet. See not that many clothes (it used to be completely packed full of clothes, now there is lots of extra space). And I can count like 10 of those shirts that I need to donate.
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