Friday, January 29, 2010

Eve and the forbidden fruit...

Is it a coincident that Satan used food to get Eve to sin against God and that now millions of women struggle with the same thing? Anyways, I think God created Eve curvy. She was the original curvy housewife. Why else would she be ashamed when she realized she was naked after eating the fruit? If she had a super-model body she would be like, "Oh wow. Look at me Adam! I am super sexy.. hehehe.. come on over here you big hunk!" But no, instead she was like, "Ahhh!! I am naked! Don't look at me Adam! Turn around! Shut your eyes!! Oh my gosh, get me some leaves.. some really big ones!! Genesis 3:7 "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."
I heard this in a Ladies Retreat:
IN THE BEGINNING
And God populated the earth with broccoli and cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.
And Satan created McDonald's. And McDonald's brought forth the 99-cent double cheeseburger. And Satan said to Man, "You want fries with that?"
And Man said, "Supersize them." And Man gained 5 pounds.
And God created the healthful yogurt, that woman might keep her figure that man found so fair.
And Satan brought forth Ice Cream and Chocolate. And Woman gained 5 pounds.
And God said, "Try my crispy fresh salad."
And Satan brought forth Caesar dressing and garlic bread. And Woman gained 10 pounds.
And God said, "I have sent thee heart-healthy vegetables and olive oil with which to cook them."
And Satan brought forth chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained 10 pounds and his bad cholesterol went through the roof.
And God brought forth running shoes and Satan brought forth the remote control. And Man gained another 20 pounds.
And God brought forth the potato, a vegetable naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition.
And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fat fried them. And he created sour cream dip also. And Man clutched his remote control and ate the potato chips swaddled in cholesterol. And Satan saw and said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.
And God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

I definitely was defeated this whole week. This always happens to me... and this would be the time I would quit and say... "I will start again...." and give a date that is a few weeks or months away. I am not giving up this time though even though I feel like a failure right now! Tomorrow is a new day.
I did not weigh in today.. but I did yesterday and I was up a pound. I feel so discouraged and disgusted with my self at the moment.. which makes me want to eat more.
Today I got to the gym at 9:30 am for spin. I tried so hard to get there on time, or early to secure a spot in the class. It was already full. I have not yet been able to try spin because it is always full!! So I decided to work out anyways. I took the boys to the Kids Club, and at first Shane was excited about the slide, then he saw her... the mean mean old lady gym worker who seems to really dislike kids. The first time I left the boys there, when I went to pick them up, Shane was sitting in the corner crying. I said, "Shane what's wrong?" and she snapped at me, "He is on time out! Does he have ANGER ISSUES??!!!" I was shocked at her rudeness and said, "No he does not.. he is a 2 year old boy." "Well he was hitting me and we don't get hitters in here." I was curious to know how all the other kids were naturally perfect? I guess my son was the only one in there born a sinner. The next time she was there she felt the need to inform me that he takes one employees full attention. I said, "Oh really?" as I see him running around playing and having a blast. So I asked a few of the other workers how he behaves and they both said he is fine and he loves it. So today Shane saw the mean old lady and starts to cry hysterically. I just left. I was really upset and discouraged. When I came home I ate.
I called the gym and talked to the Club Manager. He apologized and told me he would take care of it, what ever that means.
This week I am focused and I am going to kill it in the gym... and at home.. I want to see -30 next Friday!!! I know I said the same thing last week, but I am saying it again. I am writing this to keep me accountable!!
A new motivation for me, is my health. Health was already a motivation, but a small one. I am sort of in denial that I am morbidly obese. I mean, I was not fat my whole life... in fact I use to be pretty foxy! I was athletic and active.... I was healthy. In my head sometimes I still feel like I am healthy. I don't have diabetes or high blood pressure. I have not had any doctors tell me I am sick from being obese. I feel good since I have been working out. I am young. I feel fine.
Then I read that being obese can cause, heart disease, cancer, fatty liver, kidney problems, trouble breathing, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, gallbladder disease and more! 300,000 Americans die a year due to obesity. Something that is totally preventable! Imagine you are 45 years old and you find out you had cancer. Then you find out, if you had not been obese for all those years, you could have prevented getting cancer. Whoa. That really hit me hard. I want to live to see my kids have kids. I want Davey and I to be active in our senior years. I want to live... and not just live... but live healthy. I have been obese for two years now, what if I already permanently damaged some of my organs from eating a bunch of crud and squishing all my organs together? Thank God there is hope though, and obesity is reversible. Wish me luck for this week!! It helps me when you (who ever you are.. anyone...if there is someone reading this) encourage me and tell me you are reading and cheering me on. =) Thank you!





Wednesday, January 27, 2010

God will Strengthen me!!

There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. 1 Samuel 2:2-10

In revival last night, Dr. Goetsch quoted this whole passage from memory. He didn't give the reference, so I looked up the word "strength" in my concordance. Turns out, God has a lot to say about strength. Physical strength... what I am working so hard at getting. He says it in the passage above..."and they that stumble are girded with STRENGTH". He will give me strength. He also says in the passage above, "for by strength shall no man prevail". At first I thought, "What does that mean? He just said he would give strength to those that stumble." Then through reading it more, I realized that he said, "by strength shall no man prevail." What does prevail mean? I looked it up, it means: 1. to gain ascendancy through strength or superiority :
2 : to be or become effective or effectual. Then I looked up ascendancy, and it means influence. So God is saying, even if you are super strong, that won't prosper you, make you successful, make you influential. Just like Sampson. He was super duper strong. He killed thousands of men all by himself. Then comes Deliah and seduces him to tell her why he is so strong, and after a few lies, he ends up telling her, if his head was shaved he wouldn't be strong any more. She then told the Philistines, shaved his head and they kidnapped him. He could not do anything, he was weak. His hair began to grow back though, and he began to get his strength back. The Philistines began to use him as a show. Right before they were going to begin the show, Sampson prayed to God. Judges 16:28 "And Sampson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and STRENGTHEN me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes." vs 29, "And Sampson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood. " verse 30, "let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life." He died that day, along with all the people there to watch the show. God strengthened him. The point I am trying to make is God has to be the source of our strength or it does not matter. Sampson betrayed God by telling Delilah where his strength was.
Proverbs 31, the virtuous women. Verse 17, "She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms." In a class I took in Bible college, the teacher said this was talking about her being strong physically. He said she works out and takes care of her body. She must be strong since in verse 16 it says she plants a whole vineyard with her own hands.
This was a good bible study for me. I am always finding myself failing because I am trying to find strength in myself instead of God.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Finding Motivation

Friday was weigh in day. I was hoping for -3.2 pounds. The anticipation as I wake up and go potty. I try not to drink any water until I weigh in. I prayed right before to see the number I want. I look down to see -1.2. Disappointment! A whole week and -1.2? Ugh! That brings me to a total of 28 pounds even. I am thankful I have lost 28 pounds, but I wanted to hit 30!
What happened? What did I do differently this week? I think two major things contributed: Friday-Sunday of last week I did not count my calories. I did not binge either... there is a big difference. I ate healthy foods, had a little dessert here and there, and did not work out those three days. I know that really effected my results. The other reason I think is, I didn't do any classes last week because I was focusing on my Tri training.

This last Friday, weigh in day, I was determined to work out and count my calories all week. Weekends are so hard for me!! Davey is home, and I am more relaxed and in a go with the flow schedule. I worked out on Saturday because I took Friday off due to my soreness. I was doing good, then my husbands family came over for a couple nights. It is not their fault at all, whenever I have company I want to bake something.. and then of course I want to eat it. And I did. I made a delicious peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. I could not resist.
For some odd reason I was starting to feel queasy, yet getting cravings for chocolate. Strong cravings. My mother in law text me from the store and asked if we needed anything, and I asked for chocolate! "Oh no. Am I pregnant?" I panicked for a second then forgot about it while eating my chocolate. Sunday I felt the same way, queasy yet hungry, so I got a pregnancy test after church. When ever I think I am pregnant, a part of me always wants to be. I started thinking about having a girl, and calculating when she would be born, October. Way past my goal date...which meant I would have to postpone losing weight for about a year! At that moment I didn't care. I wanted to be pregnant. I felt a feeling of relief in imaging that I would be pregnant. I wouldn't have to stick to my goals and worry about losing weight for a long time. As soon as I got home I took the test. I was sad and disappointed when it said NEGATIVE. I got over that disappointment pretty quick though and was glad I can continue on my journey to losing weight and becoming healthier. After all, one of the reasons I want to lose weight is so we can have more kids and I don't gain another hundred pounds with the next two kids!

I am now entering my fourth week of consistency in losing weight and working out (I have lost weight and worked out before, but never for this long). This morning I got up and really did not want to go to the gym. I gave every excuse I could think of to stay home. But I dragged my big hiny there and got in a great work out. I felt great and motivated again....until.... I waited to long to eat and I ate way too much for lunch. Everything was "healthy", but I consumed too much. Now I probably don't have any more calories for dinner, so my mentality is, "oh well today is blown". So I go get the ice cream even though I am full. What is wrong with me?!! Ugh I make myself so mad! Now I only have 3 days until weigh in to work it off and lose to meet my goal of -30 pounds.

I am learning that I am not perfect, I will blow it sometimes, and some weeks will be better than others, but I can still just do it no matter the circumstances. I can count my calories when family is here, and if I don't, oh well tomorrow is a new day! If I blow it and binge big time, that does not make it OK to give up completely, tomorrow is a new day! The great thing about life, especially the Christian life, there is always hope!

I don't like Mondays very much. Davey left at 3:30 a.m. to go back to El stinky Centro, California for work, and when he leaves I gets real sad and sluggish. No motivation to work out, clean the house, shower, or get anything done. Thank God only two more weeks of this job. But for the record, I am truly thankful that he has a job, especially such a good paying job that should provide for his school bill. I am also thankful for his hard work ethic, all though at times I wish he would say, "No more, I'm gonna stay home and cuddle with my family." =)

Sara, my husbands cousin, my friend, and one of my followers on here, must have known I was in a slump mood, and sent me a cookbook, "Hungry Girl, 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories". I was so excited to get it! It was just the thing I needed for a shove in the right direction. I can't wait till Friday when I go grocery shopping and buy the ingredients to make the yummy meals I picked out! Thanks Sara! =)

Finding motivation can be hard, but I can do it. The cookbook, looking at the calendar and goals I want to meet, thinking of my husband and boys, working out, praying for God's help, and writing in my blog all work for getting me motivated when I want to quit. Thank you for reading and keeping me accountable! Even though I have lost a few battles, I won't surrender and lose the war. With God's help, I will have victory!

P.S. Cody fell off the bed today ;( , and Shane will be two on the 6th of Feb!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Triathlon training schedule

< My handsome husband on Christmas morning... you see why I want to look good for him?!
I have always wanted to do a Triathlon. I love to swim, and bike. I don't like running though.
I am deciding which Triathlon to sign up for. The one I want to do is $110! A bit out of my price range. I like that one because: one, it is 1/4 mile swim in a LAKE.. not ocean! I am so scared of Sharks. Two, it is pretty close to me, and three, I like that it is a 2 mile run instead of a 5k (which is 3 miles), like most are. Which ever one I decide to do, they are all around mid April to mid May. I am posting my training schedule.
Swim 1/4 mile, bike 9.7 miles, run 2 miles. Seems pretty easy right? Except I can not run for beans. I have been swimming in the pool at the gym. The pool is 25 meters long and there are 400 meters in a quarter mile, which means I have to swim 16 laps in the pool at the gym for it to equal a quarter mile. I swam 16 laps yesterday just fine. Although, I have to work on increasing my speed and not taking any breaks. I can already bike 9.7 miles. I did 13.5 the other day on a spin bike. But, this is a 9.7 mountain bike trail, which will be much harder. I have to increase in resistance. Running? I can not run 2 miles. This is going to be my biggest challenge. Yesterday I did the treadmill and attempted to run. I thought I could push myself and run 1/2 mile and reach one of my goals. I started running, and was OK at first. Then by .17 of a mile I had to stop. I was wheezing because of my Asthma and I just could not breathe. I walked and caught my breath. I decided to try again, this time for 1/4 mile. I did it!! Barley!! I thought I was going to pass out. I looked at the distance and I had only gone .13. I just kept running though. I even increased my speed to 5.6 so I would be done faster. I was so proud of myself!! But a 1/4 mile? That's it? Oh man. My knee hurts today from it.

13 Week Mini Tri Training Schedule: (All this is on top of any classes and weight training I do.
Week one (last week): See how far you can swim(I swam 20 laps), bike( the farthest I got was 13.5 miles) and run (yesterday I could only do 1/4 mile).
Week two: Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Swim 16 laps, bike 10 miles on level 2
Tuesday, Thursday: Walk/Run 2 miles. Run 1/4 mile
Week three: M, W, F: Swim 16 laps in in 25 minuets, bike 10 miles level 3
T/Th: Walk/Run 2 miles in 28 minuets
Week four: M, W, F: Swim 16 laps in 23 minuets, bike 10 miles level 4
T/Th: Walk/ Run 2 miles in 27 minuets
Week five: M, W, F: Swim 18 laps, bike 15 miles
T/Th: Walk/Run 2 miles in 26 minuets, run 1/2 mile
Week six: M, W, F: Swim 16 laps in 21 minuets, bike 10 miles levels 2-6
T/Th: Walk/Run 2 miles in 24 minuets
Week seven: M,W,F: Swim 16 laps in 2o minuets, bike 10 miles levels 2-7
T/Th: Walk/Run 2 miles in 22 minuets
Week eight: M,W,F: Swim 18 laps, bike 15 miles
T/Th: 2 miles in 22 minuets
Week nine: M,W,F: Swim 16 laps in 18 minuets, bike 10 miles levels 2-8
T/Th: 2 miles in 21 minuets, RUN 1 FULL MILE!
Week ten: M,W,F: Swim 16 laps in 16 minuets, bike 10 miles levels 2-9
T/Th: 2 miles 20 minuets
Week eleven: M,W,F: Swim 16 laps in 15 minuets, bike 10 miles levels 2-10 in 14 minuets
T/Th: 2 miles in 18 minuets
Week twelve and thirteen: M-F: Swim 16 laps in 15 minuets, bike 10 miles levels 2-10 in 14 minuets, run 2 miles in 17 minuets.
Wow!! I feel like that is so far from what I can do. I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to.


Saturday, January 16, 2010

Reeesult!!!!!

Results!! Yay! Yesterday was weigh in day and .......I was down another 2.5 lbs!! That is a total of 26.8 pounds lost!! I am so excited I am finally seeing results. I still have so much more to lose though, it seems impossible sometimes. But, I think only about 3 more times of losing what I have lost and I will be at goal! Wow that doesn't seem so bad!
I have never ever gotten to my goal weight. I have lost weight before... when I tried out for the Oakland Raiderettes, for my wedding, when I started working at LA Weight Loss our first year of marriage, and after I had Shane. But I never made it to my goal weight. With every event I had to lose more and more to reach my goal weight. I really would lose weight than gain it back and more.
I know sometimes people hear my goal weight, 134 pounds, and think, "You should set a more realistic goal. That is a lot to lose." 134 pounds has been my goal weight for so long, and I have never made it there!! Now if I reach 145 pounds and I feel happy with the way I look than fine. After all, I have had two babies, my body will certainly be very different than the last time I was at 134 pounds (8th grade maybe?)!
It is not an unrealistic goal. I am 5'4" and according to the chart in my "Calorie King" book, a healthy weight for me is 110-134 pounds. That is not why my goal weight is 134 pounds though. My goal is 134 because I have this thing with the number four. I like everything to be a number four, or divisible by four. I am crazy I know! My Dad's favorite number is four, I think that is where I got it. Anyways, I feel motivated and ready to finish it this time, and to maintain!! That will be the real challenge.
P.S. Davey is home for the weekend...we missed him so much. He said I looked firmer! I said, "Yeah?! Well I did lose 2.5 pounds since you last saw me." He he! Reeeesult!!

In case you don't already know.....

Being a Christian, I absolutely have to put this on my blog. I would be NOTHING with out Jesus. March 2, 2003 He saved me from my life of sins, and made me a blessed child of God. If it was not for God I would not be married I am sure, I would not have my boys, I would not be happy, and most of all, I would not have ETERNAL LIFE. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." If I had died with out Christ as my savior I would not have eternal life, and I would go to a literal place called hell. Luke 16:23 "And in hell, he lift up his eyes being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off.." It is not God's will that any perish. 2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." God loves you and me so much he sent His only Son to die for us, so we could have a way to heaven. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, you can do it now! You can just ask God to forgive you for all your sins, and tell him you accept HIS gift for you, Jesus. Romans 10:13 says, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved." Once you are born again (saved), you are always a child of God. I am so thankful to God for what he has done in my life, and that is why I want to share it!! :)

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Goals and Rewards

I made this list in July when I started this journey. I knew it would be easier to reach small goals rather than one huge one. I have already met the first two goals... but I still have to reward my self for them (yay). Davey signed the paper so he promised me he would try his best to give me each reward. He also wrote "I love you babe, I know you can do it!" <3>

Goals and Rewards
Goal #1: Lose 10 lbs. Reward: $10 at Target
Goal #2: Lose 20 lbs. Reward: Buy a shirt from Old Navy
Goal #3: Lose 30 lbs. Reward: A new pair of shoes
Goal #4: Lose 40 lbs. Reward: Buy a whole outfit
Goal #5: Run 1/2 a mile straight. Reward: A Jamba Juice and a $10 movie from Target
Goal #6: Run 1 mile! Reward: New work out outfit
Goal #7: Lose 50 lbs. (wow) Reward: I month tanning
Goal #8: Do a small Triathlon. Reward: Just the accomplishment of that is enough!
Goal #9: Reach 175 lbs. Reward: Pedicure and an outfit
Goal #10: Reach 160 lbs. Reward: Get a massage
Goal #11: Run a 5k. Reward: A date with my husband!
Goal #11: Reach 145 lbs. Reward Get hair done (cut and color)
Final Goal: Reach final goal weight of 134 lbs.!!! Reward: Go shopping and VACATION TO HAWAII!!! Aloha!

Future Goals I have for Fitness:
1. Half a marathon
2. Half an Iron man
3. A marathon



Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Shhh Shane it's a library!

Having two boys under the age of two, it is not always easy going to the most quiet place in town. Today was one of those days. I have my routine. First we go to the magazines where I get my Cooking Light, and Good Housekeeping. Then we go scan the movie section. Last we go get a few books. I've been dreading the day when Shane figures out how to unbuckle his straps in the stroller. Today was that day. He jumped out of the stroller and ran down the magazine isle shouting at the top of his lungs. As he was laughing and shouting, he was also opening and slamming shut the magazine cupboards, which of course are metal. They make a very loud "Bang" sound. I thought, "Oh no, can this get any worse!" As I was chasing after Shane, Cody realized he was alone in the stroller. As he saw me chasing Shane up and down the isle's, he started to cry. People were coming to see what was going on.... I was so embarrassed.
I decided to not make the situation any louder, so I whispered in Shane's ear as I twisted it, "That is no acceptable! You are being a very bad boy!" of course he started crying. In the movie section he began throwing all the movies off the shelf. I seriously wondered if I had the wrong kid. I looked around for MY son. My son would never behave like this! Ha I wish. Workers were coming over to pick up the movies, and people were saying "Shhhh!" to us. I was sooo embarrassed. Why are kids worse in public? That is when I want him to act the best. All the lessons and training at home are suppose to be fruitful while we are out!
Chasing and dragging him did work up a good sweat though.

This morning I did an "Advanced Step" class. It wasn't called advanced for nothing! I was in the back of course. Might as well have been the front though. They turned and spinned and stepped all over the place. Whenever the whole class would turn around as part of the routine, I was the only one facing them all. I left 40 minuets into it, and as I left a lady stopped me and said, "Don't be discouraged! It takes like a month to get the hang of it! Come back next time!". That made me feel better.
After Step, I did a 20 minuet spin session to a video on the bike. When I was done, I could not feel my tushy!! Why are those seats so small? I think they are even small for normal size people.

I made the mistake of going to Walmart really hungry. I tried to be strong!! I kept saying over and over in my head, "Just do it!!! Just do it! remember!!". I regret to say I gave into temptation and bought a cheesecake,donuts and cookie dough. Then we got McDonald's!! What is wrong with me?? I could not eat hardly any of it because it made me feel so sick. Well that's a lie, I ate a lot of it and that is why I feel sick. I think I have a binging disorder. Is that such a thing? How am I going to over come binging.... that's my next research topic. Now I have two days to work my butt off before I weigh in.
I am signing up for a Triathlon. I have been researching them, and I think it will be good to have something to train for. The one I am leaning towards is in the beginning of May and it is a small one. 1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike ride, 2 mile run. More on that to come.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Just Do It

Down another pound... that is 24.5 pounds gone!!! I thought more, and decided one weigh in will be good, and it will be Friday's. I already can't wait!
I have been thinking a lot lately about whether or not I can actually do this. Can I reach 134 by 8/28/10?? Can I maintain it if I do? I never stick to anything! But then I thought to myself, "Adrienne, JUST DO IT!!" There have been many things in my life that I have to continually be faithful at, and I don't give up on them! Why is this different?
I never want to quit growing in Christ. My marriage is something we will, with God's help, never give up on. When I had the boys and I was trying to get nursing down I wanted to give up, but I didn't, and I made it through, and I am so glad I did. I am so glad that I got saved almost 7 years ago and I didn't give up on going to church. I try and be faithful at my bible reading and prayer everyday. I am so glad I didn't quit college and I graduated. I don't and I never will give up on being a mother! None of these things are "easy", but I did and do them! I CAN DO THIS TOO! With God's help, nothing is impossible! He is sooo good. All the time. I read in my devotions this morning, that even if we feel like God is not being good to us, or that He doesn't love us, He is and He does!! Because He is God! And unlike us, He never changes. He was, is, and always will be good. Because that is who God is, LOVE.


Davey is working four hours away Monday-Friday ;( and I miss him so much. When he is gone I just want to eat! But instead, I decided to take it as a focus time and see how much I can lose while he is gone. A little obstacle has come my way though, knee pain. My right knee is killing me, and this morning at the gym I had to do the bike. I am not sure what I am going to do. I wasn't ready to get in the gym pool yet, but I might have to. I know the more weight I lose the better it will feel.

So far I am ahead of schedule to reaching goal. I like that.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Skiing is for the skinny

Down another pound today! That brings me to the total of 23.5 pounds lost!! Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah! I decided I am going to weigh myself on Tuesdays and Fridays.... starting next week.

So.....Skiing.... It is a goal I have to do when I am fitter. I really don't think it would be a good idea for me to try and ski right now. I doubt they even make Ski clothes as big as I would need them. Forget the fact that I would probably fall and roll down the hill, landing finally at the lodge looking like a huge marshmallow ready to plop into a massive hot tub of cocoa to defrost, it would be very dangerous. Not just for me, but for any children or small people skiing in my vicinity. I could just imagine myself taking out kid after kid on my way down the hill. But what I really think would happen is as soon as I got off the lift (if it could hold me) I would realize what a bad idea this was and I would take off the skis and slide on my butt down the whole hill.
I use to ski every year when I was little. My parents took us to Oregon or Shasta. I loved it, and I was good at it. I would always be right by my Dad's side on the steep hills as my sister and Mom would be on the baby slopes hanging on to each other for their lives. (He he love ya Mom and Britt!)
The last time I went skiing was in junior high with a friend and her family. I remember feeling scared since I didn't have the protection of my parents. Her parents just left us to do what ever we wanted, so I just followed along with her and her sister. We rode the lift up the hill and they didn't get off at the lower stop. Or the next stop. Or the next. But the second stop from the top. Yep. I knew I was in for it. I did debate taking off my skis and sliding down the hill, but she wasn't acting scared so neither did I. Besides I spent the five hour drive up telling them all my ski stories. I got really nervous when I didn't see anyone up there our age....and they were all wearing professional ski wear. You know the really tight, shiny spandex (how does that keep them warm anyways?). My friend took off with out a word. So I started to go, with my skis crossed so I would go slow of course. I quickly realized she didn't know what this slope was more than I did..... it was covered in bumps... big bumps....small bumps.... long and tall bumps. It was a slope with jumps!!! I lost my cross stance and began to go really fast. Before I could slow down I hit my first jump. I flew about a foot off the ground. Somehow I ended up to the very right of the slope (I think I was trying to get out of everyone's way). Uh-oh... big bumps!!! And trees!!! I seriously thought I was going to die. I was trying to dodge the trees so much since I had practically drifted off the slope, I was hitting every big jump, and flying in the air. It felt like I was five feet off the ground, but I am sure it was only two, if that. I zoomed passed my friend who had fallen at the top and was using her skis as a sled and her feet as a brake to get to the bottom. Proud to say I never fell. I arrived at the bottom of the slope in perfect condition. I even got some compliments from others on the same slope. I meekly said, "Oh thank you. It was nothing." as I tried to keep them from seeing my shaky hands.
I don't want my first trip back on the slope to go like that, but I can't wait for the option.
P.S. That was a %100 true story. :)

Leaning on Him



I know that I can not do any of this without God's help. I need His strength to help me everyday. I have tried on my own several times and have been unsuccessful. I have to remember to pray everyday for Him to help me not give into cravings, to be organized enough to plan my meals, to be on time with my day so I don't just grab something fast and fatty because it is easy, to make it to the gym five days a week, and to not let any of my other duties go. Sometimes I feel like losing weight is a full time job!! You have to be focused, planned and organized. You have to study cookbooks, calorie books and new work outs. I have to be completely obsessed with it to stick to it. I constantly look over my goals, and challenges. I try to get my hands on any magazine with real success stories in it. It's easy to be so consumed I let my house go a little, or I am worrying about my dinner and not what I am going to make my husband and boys. But the awesome thing about Christ is HOPE! He wants me to pray about all these things. He wants me to be successful at losing weight for several reasons: 1. My body is a temple of the Holy Ghost! 2. To be in good health 3. To be a good testimony 4. To be attractive for my husband 5. To learn how to be disciplined! 6. To raise my boys healthy 7. When I lean solely on HIM and I lose the weight, HE is glorified! 8. So I can do all HE wants me to do.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. That is going to be the verse I claim through this journey to a healthier life.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Page One of "Chronicles of a Curvy Housewife" the book

< This picture is of us on our wedding day. Me at 159.5 pounds.


Introduction:
I am 5'4" tall, I have long blonde wavy hair and blue eyes. I tan really easily, and I wear a size 10 shoe even though I am short. I use to wear a 9, but I heard your shoe size goes up from pregnancy. That's the excuse I use, but it is probably because I have gained a hundred pounds since high school. I am the wife of a handsome, hard construction working,
all American, devoted, Christian husband. I am the mother to the most amazing,beautiful boys: Shane David (17 months) and Cody James (10 weeks). I am a curvy Christian woman that loves God, my husband, my boys, being a homemaker, photography, weddings, baking, Christmas, the beach, swimming, traveling, reading love stories, and shopping.
My favorite places to shop are Target and Old Navy. They both have my size, XXL.

Roses for Mom? Not so much....

Shane was helping his daddy rake leaves out front the other day. He loves being outside with his daddy helping.. its sooo cute!! Until.....he falls head first into our rose bushes, which are covered in thorns!!!!!!!! My poor baby had scratches all over his face. He came inside with a bush of roses for mom, all over him.
On the losing weight note... I have been faithful to work out and eat right...well almost. Temptations having been coming on strongly. My in laws are here visiting, and with them is... 1,2,3,4,5,...6 people! So that means food, and a lot of it. It seems like whenever you have any sort of family gathering its focused on food. It is just one thing I want and need to learn how to adjust in my life. I CAN order something healthy. That has always been an excuse for me. My husband calls me the queen of excuses. I always have an excuse for why I am starting Monday, or why I can't work out. Now he always tells me, "NO Excuses!!!". Now I say, "No excuses, I know. BUT...." and give another excuse.
I really do not like veggies that much. I can't find a yummy way to make them!!! My nephew Clint is 4, he takes after me in this department. My sister was trying to get him to eat green beans, and he refused. So she said, "But Clint, this is Hulk meat!!! The Incredible Hulk eats these to get big and strong!" and he replied, "Oh, OK." and he ate them all. :) I need to think like that, and just eat them.
WEIGH-IN?? I am addicted to the scale. I weigh myself everyday!! Two reasons I am pondering a weekly, or bi-weekly weigh in: 1. I get so disappointed when I am the same.. or God forbid up .2 lbs and it makes me want to give up.
2. Weighing once or twice a week keeps me on track for the week.
BUT..... if I weigh in once a week, I know how to manipulate my eating and working out so at the beginning of the week I can be a little more lenient, then push it harder at the end. Is this healthy?? What do you think I should do? I am leaning on two weigh-ins a week...??

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Do fruits and vegitables count?

It is debatable.
I normally do count the calories from fruits and vegetables... but if I eat more than what I wrote down it won't really matter. Right??
One of the many times I attempted to lose weight I joined Weight Watchers. At a meeting the leader was talking about trigger foods. Don't eat the foods you can not stop eating once you've started. Her "trigger food" was.... WATERMELON!!
I could not help but frown and think.. "If that is the one food you can't stop eating, you don't really have a problem!" Then a lady burst out and said, "Watermelon?! Are you kidding me?!! Lady, we didn't all get here by eating watermelon! You know what I mean?"
I guess they could all add up if I didn't count any of them. But do the calories from fruit and veggies ever make you fat?

Hellooooo Gym...

So I was down 3.5 pounds from yesterday! Yay. Brings me back to the total of -22.5 pounds lost. I was hoping I would be down a few pounds that I presumed was bloating from eating salty foods. A day of eating healthy and sweating.. and Tada! Bloating gone.
I went back to the gym today. It's a new 24 hour fitness, which I am a member of, but it's been so long since I've been, that I didn't even know they moved! And oh my word it the nicest gym I ever worked out in. My elliptical had a TV on it!! I guess this is common now.. but I've never seen anything like it! I did 40 mins on it and it flew by. I was nervous to go in to the free weights room, but decided I had to start sometime... so I wanted to get it over with. I felt so good after.
Recipe from the dinner I made last night: From biggest loser cookbook (revised by me)
Indian Curry Chicken Wraps
2 tbsp Lime Juice
1 tsp Curry Paste
1 tbsp Light Mayo
2 oz grilled chicken
2 tbsp red onions
1/2 cucumber
1 tomato
1 whole wheat tortilla

Cook the chicken in water, season. Mix Lime juice, curry, mayo, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and chicken in a bowl. Spread on a whole wheat tortilla, and enjoy!
Makes one serving.
Yum it was good.

Friday, January 1, 2010

In the Beginning....

In the beginning God created me... not skinny.. but not fat either. I was just right. All through high school I weighed 140 pounds.. and I thought I was fat. I remember in the seventh grade I went to the doctor for a normal check up. When the doc weighed me the scale read 119 pounds. I did not think anything of it... until...........
The lady doctor said, "You are a little over weight. Don't gain any more weight and you will grow into it." That is when it all started. From then on I began to obsess about my weight. I started doing crazy liquid diets. Fasts. Protein concoctions. Working out like crazy.. although the working out really started when I was a toddler. My Dad was a professional body builder. I loved working out like him.. or trying to. When I was in elementary school I would wake up early and do Denise Austin Aerobics to the TV show. But now came the dieting.. and with that began the binging. I would do some crazy diet, and lose a few pounds. Then by the third or fourth day be so starving I would eat, and eat, and eat. After all I was a growing child!! Right?
In high school I was a dancer and a cheerleader. I was in pretty good shape.. although still always dieting. When I graduated I stopped dancing and cheering, so the weight came on. More dieting... more binging. Long story short.. my husband and I had been dating since I was a freshman in high school and he was a senior, on and off. In January 2006 he proposed to me!! Awe how I love him.. sigh. <3 Anyways.. a wedding dress! I had to lose weight.. and I did. I hardly ate and I worked out everyday. August 4, 2006, our wedding was amazing. I looked and felt better than I dreamed...
On our honeymoon I swear I gained back almost all 15 pounds I lost. It was simple really.. I was eating normal again.. more actually, and not obsessively working out.
Then came the two boys.. Feb 8, 2006 came our first beautiful boy, Shane. Along with him came 66 pounds.. then May 9, 2009 came our second beautiful boy, Cody. With him came 44 pounds. Yep a total of 100 pounds from babies. Not the boys fault.. mine. All the cravings for donuts.. more donuts... and oh yeah donuts. Although some of that weight was babies, water, and all that stuff that comes with having a baby. Here I am now writing a blog of my weight... I have been writing a book since July, "Chronicles of a Curvy Housewife". I have been contemplating a blog since then. I will be adding pages from my book here and there.
Since July 2010 I have lost 23 pounds...except for the five that crept back on since the holidays. So down 18 since July. January 1, 2010.. it is the beginning of this blog, of a healthier life style, and this is the year the dieting and binging ends. No more diets. This is a new life. My health, my husband, and my boys deserve it. My goal is 134 pounds. And my goal date is my 25th birthday, August 28, 2010.
I am still uneasy about announcing my weight to everyone.. so not yet. Even though I know you can do the math.. there is something about writing the number where anyone and there Mom's can read it. Even though I am sure no one is reading this.. who would? :)
So here is the plan.. it is simple.. I like simple. 1. Eat 1,600 a day (I am still nursing Cody) 2. Don't eat after 6:00 pm 3. And work out 4-5 days a week.
Do you think I can do it?? I know I can. And I will!! Blog=accountability. Davey, my husband is so supportive and he knows I can do it. So I am going to do it. Enough writing.. I am going to go do it.
PS a special shout out to my friends trying to lose the baby weight.. Britt (sis), Sara, Christina and Janell. :)