ummmmmm...

weigh day??? what weigh day??? ok so I totally forgot this morning and did not do my weigh in.. which I am alright with, because I do not need the bad news right now. Our trip has been postponed for another 2 weeks.. which is fine with me because both girls have a terrible cold, and I am coming down with one. ICK. So now I am ready to go.. but there is no rush.. ahhhhhh I feel much better about it.

My diet has gone down the toilet so starting tomorrow, since I dont have to worry about leaving, I can get back on that wagon!! I am hoping to lose at least 5 lbs by the time we leave...

Thought I would leave more pics of my beatiful little girls... Bailey is 16 mos.. and she is a doll.. dont worry, that is not a real tatoo.. it just wouldnt come off after halloween!!







Amber is 3 and into everything. She has such a fantastic imagination... I sometimes wish I could live in her world.





So... now that I am stress free... I am feeling very confident. I hope all is well with everyone else and will try to catch up on my blog reading!!


Have a Blessed Day

Water world...

I didn't drink one glass of water yesterday.. and I am feeling terrible today...It's amazing how your body totally tells you when you are feeding it trash instead of premium fuel! I am back on track today... and am definatly going to fill my water jug and carry it around with me. As for food... I am just going to do the best I can with what we have. Since we are leaving I am trying to use up as much of the food that we already have and not go grocery shopping. Its not that bad really.. lots of canned veggies... tuna fish.. that kinda stuff.

As for excersize today.. I will be doing alot of phsyical stuff today with my hubby. Moving the treadmill to my mom's is a HUGE workout because it weighs so much... I am going to my Kempo class, but only to say goodbye :( ... then I am off to my moms again to build a dog run, put in a doggy door and build steps... when we come home I have to load up the goat and take him to the lady that is caring for him while we are gone. Billy goat is a two legged goat that we got from a rescue shelter. He is very sweet and can walk around on his front legs with his butt in the air... kind of like a handstand. I will miss him very much, but he will be well cared for.... then, if I have enough energy, I will come home and do a tae bo dvd.. at least the abs work out..

So.. my day is full.. but my spirits are still high. Yesterday went so smoothly, I was able to be in and out of the court in 10 min with both girls original birth certificates..... surprising really... I am ready to get todays list done...

I wish you all an 'on track' and blessed day...

TGIF

So my diet has taken a backseat to everything else right now. I am trying not to binge.. and trying to eat healthy, but to be honest.. right now I am just not thinking about it.

Today I have to drive to a neighboring town to pick up my girls birth certificates... this afternoon I have to start cleaning out the kitchen and getting rid of everything parishable. Hopefully I dont get rid of it by EATING it!! I dont think I have anything like cookies or chips.. I quit buying those a long time ago, so I think I'll be ok. I am taking my treadmill to my moms so that she can use it while I'm gone (it was hers to begin with ) so I will not be walking until we get to the island.... I LOVE saying that... the island...it just sounds so...tropical!!

MOM: I found out that they have computer access at the library there..so yes.. I will be emailing you often. Hopefully I will be able to keep up my morning blogs.. but it will depend how far the library is to where we will be living!!

I am trying not to stress about anything.. and everything is actually falling into place rather easily... hopefully it will continue to do so.

I am soooo excited to get there! I dream of eating tons of fresh fish, shrimp and tropical fruit... walking everywhere... stolling down the beach everyday... swimming... I have a feeling this may be my ticket to finally changing my 'lifestyle' in more ways then one!!

So.. I am off to continue packing... hope everyone has a wanderful and blessed day!!

November 8th...

My fravorite line from Annie is "oh my goodness, oh my goodness"... which is what I have been muttering all morning. The results are in and we are moving to Puerto Rico on next wednesday.. Nov. 8th... oh my goodness. I have soooo much that has to be done. I had made a list , but every time I turn around I am adding to it... and nothing has been checked off yet. AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaack. I am beyond excited to go.. and cannot wait to see the island.. but am a little overwhelmed at the thought that we are finally going.. somebody pinch me..

So... I am off to try and finish at least one thing on my list!!

Have a Blessed Day.. and please, keep me in your prayers.

I Found the Cure!!

Yep... thats right.. I found the cure that stops any craving to binge! Its called "The Flu". LOL. Came down with a terrible case last night. I was shaking so bad last night that my side of the bed was soaked in sweat this morning. Not exactly what I had in mind for exercise.. I am feeling a little better this morning, although I am extremely nervous to put anything in my tummy.

So today will be a day of breaking in the new sofa...and lots of water. I dont think that will be a problem. I will probably walk my two miles.. but at a slower pace then usual.. that way at least I am still getting the body moving.

Totegirl... sounds like a challenge!!! I accept! Lets see how many perfect days in a row we can rack up.

Have a Blessed Day.... and dont forget to take your vitamens!!!

Recipe..

I made this soup yesterday and I just HAD to share with you...it is sooo yummy and perfect for these cold winter days!

Maple Squash Soup with Apple

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, coarsley chopped
2 large Granny Smith apples (1 pound) peeled, cored and cut into chunks
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon gound cumin
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 package (12 oz) frozen winter squash, thawed
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup 1% milk
1/4 cup pure maple syrup


In a soup pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and apples and cook, stiring often, until tender. Stir in cinnamon,cumin, salt and pepper.

Add the squash and broth. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer covered, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.

Puree the soup in batches in a food processor or blender. Return to the saucepan and stir in the milk and maple syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often. Allow it to cool slightly and serve.

Makes 6 servings

Per serving: 180 calories, 3 g protein, 37 g carbohydrates, 4 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 500 mg sodium, 7 g dietary fiber

Sugar Rush Headaches...

Yesterday was a blast. We took the girls to our churches Trunk Or Treat party. The girls got to run around and by the last car Amber FINALLY got the hang of it and ran up to the lady and said 'tickorteet'... it was soooo cute. The highlight of the night was going to Granny's house where, instead of candy, Amber got a Barbie and horse and Bailey got a baby Elmo.(hmmmmm, can we say spoiled??) We got home early, which was great since it was getting really cold. We let them dive into their candy and by 9 pm they finally passed out on the floor. This morning I think they have a bit of a sugar hangover LOL. Amber is STILL wearing her princess dress...and Bailey is trying to stay as far away from the pumpkin as possible!!

So, as for me, I did give in to the candy demon... but not too bad. I had 3 pieces, and then put up all the candy. thankfully, the girls got mostly candy and not chocolate.. which is my weakness.. and my hubby took the left over chocolate that we had to work with him today to give out. So.. I am temptation free today. I followed my goals pretty well yesterday... I ran on the treadmill, drank lots of water, stretched... but I did eat candy and I did not have the energy to do Tae Bo last night :(

This morning is another trip on the treadmill and then I am going to do the Abs Tae Bo this afternoon during nap time. I need to continue with drinking lots of water... I came up with a little way of making sure I drink enough.. I drink 2 glasses before and after every meal.. that way I am not really that hungry when I eat.. and I definatley feel full afterwards. That give me 96oz of water plus my tea that I drink all day...should get me up to 124oz..

Another day... another mile or two!!

Have a Blessed Day

I'm Ready, I'm Ready, I'm Ready

Ok.. so yesterday was a blurr.. but I did fairly well on my diet, cut portions and NO EXCERSIZE. I swear.. I cant seem to get it together. LOL

So today:

1. Run 3 miles this morning on the treadmill
2. follow my diet...
3. drink LOTS of water
4. STRETCH
5. STAY AWAY FROM HALLOWEEN CANDY!!!!!
6. Tae Bo workout (1 hour)

I am in a good mood today and feel energized.. so I think it will be a great day.

Another great 'tea quote'...

Secrets of the Sea:

"With foam and spray and a boundless roar, the sleepless sea calls us toward the shore. The wisdom of all life lives here, where the land and water kiss, a shimmer of waves and wind whispering the secrets of our origins. How easily we are lured by scientific knowledge to measure this mystery - calculating geology, biology, climate. But when an offshore breeze gusts life inot our lungs, we feel our souls brim with immeasurable passion for the testament of the waters. By simply sitting, listening, breathing, we feel the pull of the tides and the immensity of the sea connecting us to all things"

-Todd Runestad





Have a Happy Halloween... and keep your hand out of the candy bowl!!

Puerto Rico

I know.. I swore I was done talking about it.. but this is good news!

My hubby just called from work and told me that over the weekend the job down in PR approved a 3rd man.. so we ARE going!!! We will be leaving in a few weeks.. so I have to make another list (since I threw out my first one in a huff and puff thinking we weren't going) of things that I have to get done before we leave. Yeah!! I'm so excited.. just goes to show you... things have a wierd way of working out!!

Weigh-In #2

Ok.. so no loss this week. No gain either though.. so that is good. Thanks to everyone who left such wanderful comments yesterday. thank you , I appreciated every one of them. I have taken a step back and looked at what I was doing as far as my diet is concerned. I have found two problems... first, I am eating great.. but my portions are HUGE. So from now on I need to cut them in half... Second, I am not drinking the water I should be.. for some reason I am just having a hard time with that. For those worried I was going to start starving myself on 1200 calories a day.. dont worry!! I think my clories will drop just by cutting my portions. As far as snacks.. I will just be drinking protein shakes... so I think this will work. I guess we will see on the next weigh day.

I walked 3 miles yesterday in 40 min. I felt great afterwards, so I am definatly building up my stamina. I have to find a replacement for my trail walks with the girls.. the weather is too cold to take them out now.. I think I am going to try doing more of the Tae Bo dvd's.... I still walk on the treadmill every morning.. but I get bored of that if I do it twice a day.

As for stress.. well my life is full of it right now.. I am trying to pull myself away from things that are causing me to stress.. but you can only do so much. I am quitting the Praise Band at my church.. too much drama and too much time away from my family. PR is a no-go. My hubby got passed up for the job by his two brothers..which, without going into too much detail.. was REALLY wrong of his Dad to do. So unless they call for a 3rd man.. we will not be going.. (sorry Ivy) It breaks my heart because I was really looking forward to it..(and the bonus money would have gone towards adding on to our house) but... se la vi.

So today I am walking and rearranging the the dining room...(I am liking this new workout routine of just moving furniture..LOL) thanks again for all the support.. it means alot to me. If it weren't for this blog and the people I have met on it .. I probably would have given up already.

Have a Blessed Day

Can We Say.....

SELF SAB-O-TAGE ??? yep.. I did it.. and I am kicking myself in the butt for it. Yesterday was TERRIBLE as far as my diet is concerned. I think I ate that pound right back on. ERRRRRR.

I am done talking about PR.. thanks for letting me rant and rave.. but I am going to get back on track here and pay attention to the task at hand.

I talked to a doctor yesterday and he said that with the hysterectomy, my metabolism may have slowed down ALOT.. so he suggested eating UNDER 1200 calories a day.. YIKES.. thats like two salads..no dressing. LOL So.. no more 5 meals a day.I am down to a bowl of cereal in the morning.. and one for lunch ...and then a healthy dinner. No snacks.. and LOTS of water. Lets see if this works for me. I am so mad at myself this morning that I am going to get on the treadmill for 1 hour before I have to get ready for church.. and then get on again this evening for another hour. I am going to work this pound off before tomorrow mornings weigh in.

Have a Blessed Day!!

Breathe In... Breathe Out... Breath In....

So I woke up this morning feeling a little better about this whole PR thing.I'm not sure if I'm just okay with the whole thing now, or if the 12 hours of sleep has something to do with it. I'm still a little pissed off.. but I have figured out what I will do. I will get as much done this weekend as I can to be ready to go on Wednesday... If we have to wait another month..then at least all of that will be done. (mom... I am going to try and get Jasmine in on Monday... no promises) Thanks Lisa...your comment helped.. I realized I just had to take it as it comes.

Anyway...my diet went out the window yesterday.. I was stressed out and mad so I started eating. Pizza..candy..gummy things.. I actually realized what I was doing and went to bed early just to stop eating. Luckily my hubby didn't mind having to stay up with the kids and then putting them to bed.

Today I have Kempo for 3 hours this morning.. and am going to try and get some walking in to make up for yesterdays binge. I have a ton of water to drink today.. and a million things to do.. so I am off.

Have a Blessed Day

puerto rico...

I am SO annoyed. We just found out that we could be leaving as soon as the 1st of November.. which is only 5 days away....but.. we might also have to wait another month... GOOD GRIEF.. what the heck am I supposed to do? I've got animals to find homes for...two kids and myself to pack enough clothes and stuff for 1 year ... and THEY CANT MAKE UP THEIR MIND??? UGH... I kinda dont even want to go anymore... I am gritting my teeth and giving myself a headache.. so I'm going to go fix myself a cup of tea and stair out the window for awhile... maybe I'll figure it all out... and maybe they'll call and give us an exact day and time of when we are leaving.. YEAH RIGHT!!

anyway..I feel better now.. thanks for letting me vent!

My girls....

TGIF

Good Morning. I will quit telling you how cold it is, because I think it is going to be cold for at least 4 more months... so just remember that I am freezing my butt off (I wish!!) while I am writing every morning!!

Is it just me, or is it freakin' expensive to eat healthy?? Good grief, I spent as much as I usually do, but got HALF of what I normally get. Natural Peanut Butter... 4.49... the stuff I usually buy... 1.19... You would think that food without all that extra crap would be cheaper.. not more!! UGH.. no wander the majority of the US is obese.. its cheaper!!

Ok, now that my griping is over.. yesterday went well. I did have a snack that was not part of my diet (one packet of the kids gummy snacks) , but I jumped right back on track. I walked my mile on the treadmill and did my ab routine. I am thinking that I need to up my walking though. I did a mile last night and , although I was sweating, it did not feel like I really exherted myself doing it. So starting today I will do my regular 1 mile walk in the morning (because that is all I have time for) and then do 2 miles in the evening.

I cant beleive weigh in #2 is only a couple days away.. this week sure went by fast.

Today is the day we are supposed to get the news on our move to Puerto Rico... I am hoping it is soon.. I would love to be on the beach Christmas morning! I have been day dreaming that when we come back in a year I will be thin and TAN.. there's nothing like moving to an island for a year to lose 60 lbs and get a tan. LOL

By the way.. the living room looks great.. moved all the pictures around (I am a picture freak when it comes to my kids) and today .. the bedroom!!

Have a Blessed Day!

"Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr"

It is freezing this morning. The fireplace is roaring again. The snow level dropped again last night, so no doubt snow is around the corner. ICK.. I hate snow. Anyway, I am sore this morning from my upper body workout yesterday... but it feels good! It is too cold to take the girls anywhere today, so I will have to come up with something to do at home. I was thinking of re-arranging the living room.. that should give me a workout.. and the kids will get a kick out of 'helping'.

Dont really have too much to say today.. so I will leave you with another 'tea quote'

"When it is only through age that one gathers wisdom and experience, why this endless struggle to seem young?... Remember that beauty works from within, it cannot be put on and off like a garment, and it depends far more on the culture of the intellect, the tastes, sentiment, and affections of the soul than the color of the hair, eyes, or complexion.... Be kind, noble, generous, well-mannered, be true to yourselves and your friends, and the soft lines of these tender graces and noble virtues will reveal themselves in the face...we cannot be one thing and look another... There are indelible marks in every face showing the real life within."

-Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Today is walking on the treadmill and abs...

Have a Blessed Day!!

ouch...ouch...ouch...

Woke up this morning with some terrible knee pain. They are a little swollen, and just ouchy. So , I think I am going to lay off the running and just walk. I'm sure its from the 200 lbs pounding on them over and over again. Anyway, walking will be just as good as long as I keep the speed up.

Ran yesterday and did the Tae Bo Abs workout... that felt good! Today is walking and upper body conditioning.

My diet is going great. Have not cheated in awhile. I bought some no fat yogurt and whey protein powder so that I can make some healthy smoothies to drink in between meals. Matt is trying this new Abs Diet.. which suggests that you eat every 2 hours...they say:

"Most diets are a about eating less food or about restricting you to certain kinds of food. Most of them work in the short term, because if you reduce your calorie intake, your body starts to burn itself off in order to keep itself alive. Presto, you lose weight. But here's the problem: the first thing your body does when it's short on calories is to dump the body tissue that takes the most calories to maintain. That's muscle. So on a low-calorie diet, your body burns away muscle and tries to store fat. Sure, you'll lose weight, and you'll eventually start losing fat as well. But when you "go off" your diet, you'll start to put weight back on. And guess what kind of weight you'll gain? Pure fat. Because you've taught your body a harsh lesson: It has to be on the lookout for potential low-calorie periods in the future, so it had better store fat just in case. You've also used up valuable calorie-burning muscle, so you're likely to end up fatter than you were before your diet. That's why people who try diet after diet not only don't lose weight, they gain it.

The Abs Diet isn't a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am approach to weight management. Oh, you'll lose weight, and you'll lose it fast. But you'll lose fat, not muscle. And you'll keep that weight off for life. You'll follow the tenets of the Abs Diet for life, too, because its about eating lots and lots of great food in smart ways."


Since Matt is doing this.. I figured I would do it too. It really isn't that far off the diet I am following now.. it just adds the smoothies in between meals. It makes sense to me!

I am hoping for a beautiful day so that I can take the girls to the park.. but it is looking a little windy again.

We got some news last night about the move to Puerto Rico.. they called and talked about money.. appearently they give $200 a week for food and the condo is a 3 bedroom condo that ALL of us will have to share. I dont think it will matter though... just Matt and his two brothers are going... so the girls and I will have the condo to ourselves most of the day. And I already knew I would be cooking for everyone anyway... They said they would call back on Friday with more info and hopefully the date we are leaving. YEAH... I can't wait to see the beach.

Have A Blessed Day!!

Addiction...

Monday went well. I was able to take the girls on the park trail and we walked the 2 miles. That was about all the exercise I did... but I am sore this morning. I think part of that problem is that I didn't drink enough water yesterday. I need to focus on that today!

I was talking to my wanderful hubby about food. He was saying it was an addiction, just like any other addiction. He would know, bless his heart, he has been sober for 3 years now... with an occasional beer here and there. I always tell him how amazed I am that he has done so well. Then I realized .... HE WAS RIGHT! Food is an addiction for me. I realized it even more when I was driving down the street, and right next to the bar in town is a McDonalds...Pizza Hut...Taco Bell.. So it made me feel even more convicted. Just like he has to drive past that bar everyday..I have to drive past that fast food. Just like he doesn't go out and buy beer to put in the fridge.. I need to not buy fatty food and snacks to put in the fridge. Just like he did it.. I CAN DO IT!!

So, today is running and upper body conditioning...

HAVE A BLESSED DAY

WEIGH IN DAY #1

So one week down and one pound down..WOOOHOOO. Of course I was hoping for a 5 lb loss... but I know that -1 lb a week is better then +1 lb a week (which is what I was doing before the diet). I have also lost 2.5 inches ... that is fantastic! I can feel the difference in my waist and chest... I thought for sure my hips had gained 2 inches, because of all the running, my butt has gotten a 'lift'. LOL ... My legs are much stronger and even my posture has changed... Matt says he sees a difference in my walk now too.. hmmmm, guess the inner thigh isn't getting in the way too much! All in all, I think I did really well for my first week. My spirits are lifted and I am ready for the next week of challenges!!!

Today I am taking Amber for her 3rd birthday pictures... I cant believe she is 3 already! If the weather is not too cold or windy, I may take them for a quick walk around the park trail..

Thank you to all my family.. who have been keeping up with me. Molly: I never expected YOU to write me, it was a VERY nice surprise. Thanks.

Well.. my tea pot is boiling and I have a full day ahead of me. I have to run 1 mile before we leave this morning.. I look forward to my morning run now, it really starts my day off on the right foot.

Have a Blessed Day!!

Apple Pie Sunday....

Its a great morning for baking Apple Pie... which is good, because I had to make two of them for church today. We have a pastor appreciation brunch this afternoon.. and that is my contribution.

Yesterday was great. I ran a mile in the morning, keeping up my speed to 15 min/mile. I then ran off to Kempo for 3 hours and got a good stetch and workout in. The diet went well.

Today I am off to church and then home to run and do my upper body conditioning. Tomorrow is Weigh Day...YIKES. I came to the conclusion.. I dont care if the numbers dont move..just as long as they dont go UP!

Nattie: Kempo is a Hawaiin Martial Art. It envolves forms, hand to hand combat, knife fighting and take downs.

I will leave you with this REALLY cute picture of my girls trying on their halloween costumes...

Have a Blessed Day