One day at a time

Ok so to get right to the point, planning meals is really hard for me; I don't have a set date to go to the grocery (all depends on what we get paid - paychecks are always different each week), and what's going on with work and the kids.
So I randomly go to the grocery, and while I'm waiting, I have a tendency just to eat whatever .., I pick up something from a fast food place (I do try to make smarter healthier choices, but let's be honest, there's not a whole lot out there to  choice from)..., and I know this is a HUGE reason why I'm not seeing my numbers going down.
So I am making the decision that I won't allow these things to get in the way! I am going to join Weight Watchers again, and I am going to make an effort to go to the grocery, even if I am just picking up $10 or $15 dollars worth of groceries each visit.

Goals for this week:
 - Plan dinners and pack lunches each day
 - Drink at least 90 oz of water
 - Get at least 30 minutes of exercise

“This post is sponsored by Unreal Candy and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

Back on the Wagon..

This is my first post in a few weeks; no excuses except I've been a slacker. You know how 'life' gets in the way, things start going on, you get stressed, so the first thing you do is stop doing the one thing that you really need to keep on doing?? That's been me.

In just the few weeks that I've kinda' stopped doing what I had been doing, my body is telling me something is wrong; my back has started hurting, my energy level has went down, and I have a hard time getting to sleep and staying that way. It's almost amazing how quick you can go into a downward spiral fall.
So I've decided I am going to jump back in, feet first, and get  back on the wagon. I can not let day to day trials keep me from finding me, being a better me. 

This Monday on Mamavation T.V. they are going to be discussing childhood abuse and how it leads to obesity; I can say that I had a wonderful supportive, loving family as a kid. But school was always a different story. I don't have a story of not having any friends, or being a 'nerd'. In fact, I was an athlete I played basketball, softball, track whatever I could find to do. BUT I was always bigger then everyone else. No matter how much I worked out/trained, no matter how little I ate, I was never ever a size 2. Or even a 6 for that matter; I was a 9/10 at my smallest and that was never small enough. I had big thighs from my years of sports, that I would always hide in long shorts, jeans, or an oversized t-shirt. I didn't know how to be 'feminine', so I played the tomboy in all aspects. 

As I got older my insecurities combined with very strict parents I searched for acceptance and love with drinking and sex. A man that showed me attention, even if it was just to sleep with me, gave me a confidence boost, and I came off as a very confident & cocky woman. I was neither of these, in fact, quite the opposite.
This lead me to be in a very abusive (both physically & mentally) relationship with a man who now is the 'sperm donor' of my 2 daughter's. I stuck around for 7 years before I started to realize I deserved better. Now, 7 years later, I still sometimes feel those same insecurities and fears even in the wonderful healthy relationship I am in now. All because of the bullying, and insecurities I felt as a child.
If there is one thing in this life that I do, it's to make sure my daughter's (and my son) realize how valuable they are as a person inside, not just out. That they are beautiful whether they weigh 100 lbs, or 300 lbs. That health is not about weight, but taking care of yourself and being happy.

Goals for the week:

- Pack my lunch everyday for work

- Drink at least 100 oz of water per day

- Walk with my kids, at least 2 miles

- Eat more fresh food, non processed

- Get my kids thinking HEALTHY HEALTHY, HEALTHY!

This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by @GoVidaFoods. Two blogging carnival participants will each receive a food basket from our sponsor. 

Busy, Busy

So last week was a bit abnormal, I was 'relocated' to cover for someone that was on vacation, so I was at a very busy office (about 3x the size of the one I'm normally at), and I worked a TON! A few nites of not getting home until 7 or 8 p.m. and trying to get kids bathed and fed can really wear on a girl!

I didn't get as much exercise in last week as I had planned with my long work days, but I did pack my lunch and breakfast EVERY SINGLE DAY! And of course I kept up with my water challenge of drinking at least 100 oz of water
per day - I can feel a difference in my energy, and my clothes feel a BIT looser. Not checking the scale just yet, because
I have a tendency to concentrate on that TOO much - so well see what next week brings.


I'm STILL having a hard time adjusting to swim suit season - We were at Kings Island's water park again yesterday, and when you see all these Mom's with their little bikinis, stretch-free bellies exposed, it can be a bit depressing. But I tried to concentrate on my kids, since that's why we were there, and they had a blast! I love that my kids have no self conscience issues (yet) and can just run and play and not worry about what anyone else is thinking. I ENVY that in them..,

My goals for this week:
   - Continue drinking my 100 oz of water per day
  - BREAK A SWEAT in my work outs - continue my treadmill regiment of 40 minutes
   combination of jogging/walking (at least 4x a week)
  - Pack my lunch (and breakfast when needed)
  - Get ALL my laundry sorted and put away, and work on my 'garage sale' items
   


“This post is sponsored by Doleand hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated toobesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway

Discipline = Routine = Discipline

Discipline & Routine go hand in hand; I believe you can't have one without the other. And this week proved it.

I have always tried to keep some sort of routine in our  crazy household: Between school, sports, work and just crazy kids, it's VERY hard to keep a routine going. But I know in order to be successful in weight loss (and having an organized household) I must have them both.

This past week thru me for a loop when my husband took a unexpected vacation. He is an OTR truck driver, so normally he is only home every other weekend, but with some mechanical trouble and so forth, he ended up home this past week. Now I LOVE my husband; and I LOVE when he's home so I can spend time with him - what I DON'T love, is the lack of routine that comes with it.

Not only do I get thrown a curve ball, but so does he, and worst of all the kids. I'm a lackadaisical Mom for the most part, my former-Marine husband is um, not. SOO what our relaxed whatever-goes-as-long-as-you-get-bathed-and-homework-done-and-bed-by-10 attitude routine is, it gets turned upside down when Dad is home.

I didn't know which way was up or down, whether I was coming or going, and I was constantly breaking up arguments (mostly between kids and Dad) SO obviously my routine and discipline were out the window, along with the eating completely healthy and exercise.

Now I did *Some* work outs in, but I didn't eat the best. And as they say no matter how hard you work out, you can't out run a bad diet.., so point in case I decided NOT to weigh myself this week and I will weigh myself next Monday.

By Saturday I was feeling tired, and lethargic. So I went to the store and decided I was going to plan my breakfast & lunch for work for the entire week and I took the kids on the bike path and walked a good 6 miles. My dear husband is back at work today, and we are back to our regularly scheduled program.

Goals for this week:
   - 90 oz water daily
  - work out EVERY day, including at least 5 miles of walking
  - Continue to plan each and every meal ahead of time to
   keep from getting off track 
  - Keep a food journal 


I can't wait to get back on track this week!!! 






“This post is sponsored by Omron and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post. 
 -

Day by Day..by day..by day..

SO most of you know I put myself up to a challenge of saying NO to pop/soda/coke for my 21 Day break a Habit Challenge.., and as I sit here sipping my Diet Coke - HAHA , JUST KIDDING!
It has been a CHALLENGE!!! I seriously think I sike myself out, and worry about how hard its going to be.., and I've had a few slip ups, but over all I have MADE IT! Giving up something that has become a comfort to you for years and years.., that extra 'sugar' boost of energy to help you get thru that day., it can be VERY hard to give up.
But my pants are already feeling looser, my water intake is up so I'm more hydrated then normal - and I can tell a difference just in the mere 2 weeks I've been doing this.
I didn't weigh myself this week - I made a promise to myself that I will only do that every 2 weeks so I don't get discouraged, and I keep my goals more realistic. So no weigh in today ladies!
I kept busy this weekend, and I didn't keep a close eye on what I was eating - I indulged.., a bit. I had ribs, corn on the cob, salad, pasta salad, some potato chips.., a few cookies and peanut butter brownies, but I kept moving.., I walked, I ran I worked out, I worked in the yard, I helped the kids with things and over all I feel pretty good. I might not of taken a few steps forward, but I didn't take a few steps back either, and that's what is important!!!

My goals for this week:
   - Keep off the pop!
  - Drink 90 oz of water per day!
  - Organize my laundry baskets that I'm pretty sure threw up all over my bedroom
 - Continue eating meals at HOME and not eating out
 -Get as much cardio work out in as possible - walking, working in the yard, playing with the kids..,
  make the cardio FUN!

Staying motivated

It's been 1 week since I decided I was going to break my 'pop' habit (again) and quite the 'coke' once and for all..,and let me tell you something, it's not been easy. I don't know if it's all in my head me telling myself I'm NOT allowed to have something , or if it's really how addicted I've become to it AGAIN. All I know is 2 days I 'cheated' in some fashion and I'm not proud of it. I mean it's ONE thing I am trying to conquer, just ONE thing and it's proven to be a challenge.
BUT I do know it's paid off. I have watched what I ate (but not strictly) and I've worked out (again, not strictly) and I'm DOWN in the SCALE.

It's been a few weeks since I weighed myself, but last post I was at 240.5, now I'm at 234.7!! Down 5.8 lbs, which isn't a huge amount but considering I am very happy with it. 

I've decided that I will weigh & measure myself every 2 weeks and I have a goal of losing 35 lbs by the end of the summer. I can't remember the last time I was under 200 (probably about 8 yrs ago or so), and THAT is my goal right now.

It's very hard to stay motivated sometimes; It's easy to give up, or think your never going to get there and eat that ice cream, or snack on those chips when you feel the benefit of it RIGHT NOW, it's hard to resist it and choice an apple instead and wait and wait to see the results..,

But I've printed this and put this on my frig and pantry..., 

a bit extreme maybe, but it's TRUE.., you can't  continue to eat unhealthy foods, (AND DRINKS) and expect results. You have to CHANGE YOUR THINKING AND YOUR HABITS

So I am also going to start posting pictures every 2 weeks just to keep myself in check. Instead of saying I don't have anyone to take my picture, lol, I am using the mirror at work so they aren't the best but it's a picture.

Goals for this week:
-Drink 84 oz of water per day

- STAY AWAY FROM POP. PERIOD.

-Eat 3 meals and 2 HEALTHY snacks

- Walk at least 4 miles a day

21 Day Break a Habit Challenge

So I have this problem - When I decide I am going to do something, I go all out, like 110%. I'm like an extremist in every form, except the form that KEEPS AT IT. When I decide to go on a 'diet' I empty my house of everything unhealthy, and fill the frig up with healthy foods, I buy the vitamins, the supplements, the books, the videos. But the problem is, after a few weeks when I'm tired of it, and I just can't live up to the perfection I give up. Instead of slowly taking it one step at a time, I throw myself in Biggest Loser style. Problem is, I'm not on a ranch with nutritionalist , personal trainers, and an open schedule.  I'm a full-time working Mama with 3 kids, a house and a dog and a husband who is only home 2x a month. So instead of jumping in head first, I've decided to put one leg at a time..,

So a few of my friends and I have decided we are going to do some 21 day challenges for the rest of the year, to break these 'bad habits'  one at a time, so we can stick with it. The first challenge is POP (i.e, soda,coke, whatever you call it). When I first started my new lifestyle change Jan. 10th, I gave up POP in it's entirety cold turkey; I lost 16 lbs in the first 2 weeks, and I attribute the bulk of that to giving up the pop. But I got a virus, drank some sprite to calm my belly, and have been sucked back in by this horrid beast {which is more addicting  then anything I've ever tried to give up} AGAIN. And slowly but surely I've skipped a work out here and there, grabbed Mickey D's instead of something else, and gained nearly 10 lbs back that I had lost.
So I'm trying this approach - slow and steady wins the race.  I am going to break one habit at a time, until they are all broken; I don't know how long it's going to take, but I'm going to do it. I need to do it for ME and for my kids - It's not OK just to walk around life half participating in it. 

I am not weighing in today, since last week I used to to start the weening of my first bad habit, so I will weigh in next Monday. I am determined that in these 21 days I WILL break this habit, and you can follow me here to track my progress:  http://21habit.com/goals/show 

This post is sponsored by Dole and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

Mamavation Monday - May 7th

So I was a bit off this weekend with my weight loss journey. I won an awesome trip to a B&B in Virginia Inn at Mount Vernon - it was SOO relaxing and QUIET. My husband as many of you know, is a Over the Road Truck Driver; which means he is only home about every 2 weeks or so (if were lucky) so a few days away together ALONE without the kids is a miracle in itself. We really enjoyed the QUIET (we didn't even have a T.V. imagine that! Nor cell service -though I was able to check in a bit thru the wifi service they provided). We ate at local establishments, took hikes in the mountains (warning: chiggers are EVERYWHERE in Virginia or so it seems where we were! Some even came home with us!), we went to the movies TWICE, and we just enjoyed each others company. It was great to not stress or worry about things and just be us.
We enjoyed the peace and quiet and the wonderful ORGANIC non processed food. Now this is one thing I am very jealous about (which is obviously not the lack of cell service) is that this little town in Virginia has that most Ohio towns don't - tons and TONS of farmer's markets. I mean every where I looked there were signs to come buy their fresh fruits, veggies and MEAT! Free range chickens, non processed sausage and bacon. I mean it was FANTABULOUS! 
This has actually motivated me to search out the few Farmer's Markets that we DO have near my town and hit them up this weekend. I think that my kids will enjoy helping and   I know I would much rather support our local farming community versus the big stores.






















This post is sponsored by Dole and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”at the bottom of your post."

Your Life Follows Your Words

As may of you know I've been a bit of a "Debbie Downer" lately.., This is out of character for my normal positive thinking self. The scale #'s were not dropping like I wanted or expected and after speaking with Andrea (who may I add, has been AWESOME at helping support me this past week), I decided the scale and I are going to take a break from each other for a few weeks - with that being said, I DID have to get weighed for my life insurance policy and can I tell you I think they cheat??! That scale told me I was SIX pounds more then the one at home said, but I refuse to allow that to get me down.

So yesterday I went to church, still feeling a bit down and hard on myself.., you know when you get in those funks and you feel like you don't deserve or will you ever be that person you want to be? WELL God must of known what I needed because our Pastor preached on how YOUR LIFE FOLLOWS YOUR WORDS.

I started thinking about it as I was sitting there, and she is completely right. Not only in being healthier/loosing weight, but every aspect (money, relationships, parenting, etc). You even hear motivational speakers talk about the power of positive speaking -

But it's a bit more then positive thinking; it's that you should know that God's will for you is to be WHAT YOU WANT TO BE. Instead of saying "I'm always going to be fat.", or "I could NEVER do that", or "I will never be a runner".., we need to SPEAK IT AS IF IT WERE.

• I AM A HEALTHY WEIGHT
• I AM GOING TO DO THOSE WORK OUT'S
• I AM A RUNNER

No more 'debbie downer' here. I will continue to remember that your life follows your words and I will do everything in my power to make that truth.

I am excited about this week because the NEW #2weekchallenge is starting AND I get to go out of town to a B&B with my hubby! 

Mamavation Monday April 23rd

I normally try to stay pretty positive about my weight loss journey, and last week I was on top of it. I worked out even when I didn't feel like it. I made a journey to the store to buy HEALTHY food options, not just for me but my kids too. But when I got on the scale this morning I almost cried. Instead of loosing weight from all my hard work this past week, I've gained.
Now I can tell you 110% that I have been COMPLETELY honest in my Journal on the Mamavation forum. I have logged EVERYTHING I ate, logged all the exercises I did (or even the lack thereof), and right now I am just feeling discouraged. I didn't expect big #'s like I did when I first started, because I went cold turkey on sugar and pop and I know that's where my big #'s came from - this time I wanted to reduce sugar and pop a little at a time, so I didn't go back to it like I did after my first 2 week challenge..., I figured I would at least drop a pound or two..,but to GAIN? Granted it was just a pound, but a POUND IS A POUND! 

I will continue on this week - tweak my food intake, do more work out's, drink more water.., I will continue on and try not to let this get me down. It's a marathon not a sprint, right???


















This post is sponsored by New Balance Shoes and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

Mamavation Monday Post April 16th

I have a tendency to be a little impatient - just ask my husband or my kids. When I get an idea in my head, I am on it and on EVERYONE else is supposed to be on it too!! And I want it done NOW. So when it comes to the long haul with weight loss, I have a tendency to get discouraged.., You work your booty off (literally) and it takes soo long to show. And it's not that I don't know it won't show - I have gotten the weight off before - its just the constant battle. And when I have a bump in the road, it's REALLY hard to get back back on track again. We had my husband's family in town and some how we ate out almost EVERY meal, I decided to 'cheat' and since then I've managed to NOT get back on track.., and gained weight back in the process. =/  

So instead of continuing my downward spiral, I've decided to give MYSELF a challenge. Since it takes 12 weeks (see picture to the left), I've decided to put myself on a 12 week challenge.  And with each  Mamavation Monday post, I will be posting a picture of my scale. This helps YOU keep me on track, and motivation for me! (I'm a bit competitive so there's NO way I'm going to let that scale creep up on me!)

I'm actually up about 9 lbs since I first applied to be a Mamavation Mom in Feb. BUT I am STILL down 16 lbs since I decided to make a change on Jan.1oth of this year. ., though it's been a bit of a yo-yo, I believe I am still getting into my GROOVE and I know that I will be successful.

Here's my scale for today: I really don't like the number, but it's better then 255 which is where I started this year!

I have a few challenges for myself this week, and if anyone wants to join just tweet at  me here and we can help keep each other accountable!!

 “This post is sponsored by Motion Medica and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway

An entirely unique cleanser for those who put their skin through the wringer with all the sweat, heat, bacteria and dirt you encounter with a fitness lifestyle. Dermatologists agree, after a workout, you will want to go beyond the surface and get deeper down in the pores to remove bacteria, sweat, salt and oil and returns skin to proper PH to prevent acne, dullness and dryness.

Mamavation Monday April 2nd

Today I don't feel worthy to write this post - We had company in town this weekend, and though I WORKED OUT, my eating habits were less then perfect.., We ate out nearly all of our meals because of the convenience with soo many people, and I can FEEL it in my energy level, my mood, and my 'gut'.
It is soo hard to withstand temptation - TGI Friday's, Smashburger, Penn Station - what does one who is trying to be 'healthy' order in these situations?? I went for what I considered 'lighter', 'chicken and shrimp' at Fridays, a grilled chicken instead of a burger at Smashburger, skipping the mayo at Penn Station. But when you look at the calories, and the lack of fruits, veggies, fiber.., you realize that it's not enough. You have to constantly and consistently make the effort to EAT RIGHT. When I have these 'cheat' days, it's not a reward.., it ends up being a bigger challenge to get motivated for the week ahead. I'm tired. I'm MORE hungry, I'm grumpy, and I'm overall NOT HAPPY.
Looking back to January 10th when I decided once and for all I'm going to LOSE this weight, I see my motivation lacking.., the past few weeks haven't been easy, and I've been frustrated. The close friends I had joining me in the journey are no longer on the journey, or soo extreme I can't keep up (no bread, no sugar, no nothing but meat and cottage cheese - but of course diet pills help curb your hunger, but I don't think that this is the HEALTHY way to get at your goal weight). I feel more alone, but in a way it makes me realize that I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DO THIS. I must DO IT FOR MYSELF! As long as I don't give up, and continue on, I know I will be successful. I have to work thru the hiccups, no one else can do it for me.
I have decided to keep myself accountable by daily listing my work out's and food diary online, and weekly posting my weight - I must keep on it, make it my #1 goal to get to that happy place I so desire. I'm not even talking a certain weight, or even a certain size, but when I can look in the mirror and say again, "DAMN I'M HOT", and have the self confidence & self worth that no matter what the number on the scale OR my jeans says, I KNOW I AM.