Cross Country

The next two weeks....

I ran 6.13 miles on Saturday, & I wanted more. Two more miles than the other day but still not enough.


We are leaving in about an hour for the Bay Area to visit family for a week. Then we come home to Lancaster for a day, pack our moving truck, and leave for Tennessee.

The next two weeks is going to be quit an adventure! I am nervous/excited/anxious. I really want to be causious about what I eat. My body and my palate has totally changed what it wants and craves. I don't desire to eat fast food, but that's what we will be eating. I don't desire to sit 8 hours a day in the car, but I have too. I want to run and eat healthy.

I have been feeling sick lately because we didn't want to buy a bunch of groceries, for obvious reasons. So the food we have been eating has been convenient food. My head hurts, my stomach hurts, and I am tired. Glad I was able to run 3 times this week to even things out.

My plan for our road trip: Subway & Running.

I don't want to gain any weight back, and I don't want to feel like crud. I LOVE eating healthy food. Did I just write that out loud? Wow. I really do enjoy my salads, and a bowl of peaches with lite cool whip. My lean turkey sandwiches, baked Lays, and yogurt.

Bottom line. I CAN make healthy choices on the road, and I am determined too. Amen.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Addicted

It's official folks. I am addicted to running. I ran 4.12 miles today, and it just wasn't enough. I wanted to go so much longer, but the boys were in the daycare at the gym. Not to mention all the stuff I have to do before we leave for Morgan Hill on Monday, then we move right after that!

I really didn't have time today to work out at all, but I made some time and took the boys to the gym so they could have a work out in the play place too. We were all so excited. I was so sad that this is one of my last times at the gym here in Lancaster. Don't ask me why I get sad over a gym. I love my gym. And I don't like change.

I can't believe that 4 miles isn't enough for me. Really, I never would have imagined that I could ever run more than 1 mile, and now 4 isn't cutting it. It's A W E S O M E.

Also good news, I am back down a few pounds. Yay! And have you noticed? I changed my goal on my ticker. Wahoo only 17 more pounds to go! I like this. This is what I am focusing on for now.

My week has been insane. The boys dropped a brand new can of pink paint, and the top just popped off, and......yup. Pink paint all over my living room carpet. Spent two hours cleaning it, and scrubbing it with nail polish remover. This is why I had to run today.

If I don't work out, I don't think clear. I do things like this....

So ...I may have accidentally called the wrong man a stud last night [meant to text that to my hubs, but text it to a young single guy who will be helping us with our house]. He really is a stud. Which is why it was so embarrassing. Almost as bad as the time I grabbed another mans hand. And those two are almost as bad as me getting into the wrong car at the drive in, and sitting in it with strangers who were staring at me for 5 mins. Only Me.

Have you ever done anything like that??

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Happy

I just got done with a glorious 8.19 mile run.

Running makes me happy. I'm not sure why, the endorphins, and the fact that I CAN run maybe?

It's not that while I am running I feel super strong, or think that I look good, or love the scenery.... (my neighborhood is a bit boring, and I always pass the elementary school at recess time and I find myself waiting for some smart Alec kid to yell, "Run fatty!" as I go by).

I really think what I love the most about running.... is that,
I CONTROL HOW FAR, HOW FAST, and HOW LONG I RUN. And.... it's satisfaction in the moment. When I finish, I know I just did something great. I know, I can say, "I just ran 8 miles" and that not many people can say that. It's something I CAN do.

I know I control my weight, losing or gaining, but that takes time, patience, waiting, waiting, and waiting. While a good long 8 mile run? It only took me 1 hour 45 mins and I get the same accomplished feeling as seeing the scale read a loss.

I'm a little addicted to it. The satisfaction it brings me. It makes me feel that, even though the last 3 weeks I have been eating as much as an Elephant, and it's Mom..... I'm not a loser. I can still DO something most people can't. And that, my friends, is a healthy addiction.

I run for personal satisfaction, not to please others. But sometimes I get these thoughts in my head. Like.... I'm sitting in church, behind a fit young guy and I think.... I bet he can't run 13.1 miles. Or 7. Or 8. Or 9. Or 10. Or even 6. And I feel superior to him, even though I would never ask him/her..."Hey buddy! I bet you can't run 13.1 miles! Well I can!". No, I would never. But I know.. and that's all that matters.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

The End.

"Figured out why I'm overweight. The shampoo I use in the shower that runs down my body says, 'for extra volume and body.' Going to start using Dawn dish washing soap. It says, 'dissolves fat that is otherwise difficult to remove'. "

If only it were that easy.

Tonight I made chocolate chip cookies. I ate too much dough while baking them and was too full to eat any cookies. I'm sick. Literally. And mentally. Sick of myself for treating my body badly for the last 3 weeks.

This has just been a short time in "the down swing". If you haven't read Keelie's post on "Waiting for the Upswing" , you really should. Anyone who is on a weight loss journey can relate to this, and it was VERY helpful to me!


This short post is to simply say..... it's the end.

The end of this crazy 3 week long fiasco of eating whatever I want. I'm done.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Porch Swings Part 2

First thing off my chest: how much I need to work out. I have not sweat since my long run on Monday, and it's Friday! I have an uncontrollable desire to just RUN out my front door, and keep going until I feel less stressed. I won't though, because I think my boys would freak out when they eventually realized their Mom wasn't in the house.

My eating is, well, not being tracked. Sometimes I don't eat, sometimes I just throw food in my mouth. Right now I am eating 2 low fat Waffles with a tiny bit of lite cool whip and peaches on top. Too bad right before this I scarfed a handful of tortilla chips because all I've had all day is a cup of coffee. I can feel and see myself getting fatter. Confession- weighed today at 192. Up a total of 5 pounds!! I could just close the lap top and ball my eyes out right now.
I feel bloated all the time. I feel yucky and hate the food I am eating. I miss my healthy, scheduled life. LIFE is busy right now, and my healthy habits are not prevailing. I haven't been on track since before we left for TN. It's been way too long. And it must S T O P. Here's what's going on.........

Tuesday we announced that we got and accepted the job in Tennessee! We are officially moving at the end of this month. We have been busy packing and preparing. We are having a garage sale tomorrow to sell all the stuff we are not bringing with us. We've also had issues with our house, such as, dishwasher spewing out bubbles all over the kitchen floor, oh and a tree root problem with our pipes which ended up with waste overflowing into our bath tub. Yup. Can you imagine the clean up. Not fun.

Back to the exciting and happy news! We are so thankful for this opportunity from God. You all know we've been praying and seeking for God's will, and for a ministry to serve in for a very long time......long before my husband graduated from bible college which was almost a year ago.
We look back now and can see why we had to wait. It's such an amazing feeling to know where God wants you and to have complete P E A C E about it.

Oh how I am going to miss.... California [the sunny beautiful state of which I was born and raised], the Pacific Ocean, my favorite city: Santa Monica, Disneyland [Shane too. He has been praying for Jesus to provide one more trip so he can shoot the bad guys on the Buzz ride]. THE BEACH, Hollywood, MY MOM. Being only 5 hours from family. My church, my pastor, all my friends, my home, my beloved 24 Hour Super Sport gym, being 3 minuets from Walmart. Just knowing that if I wanted to...I could put my boys in auditions for Gap commercials. Diversity, crazies like this, that you see in Venice......
Having neighbors, having a backyard fence, having a Burger King, Del Taco, and an In & Out Burger right behind my house [literally right behind my house. I am looking at the Burger King sign now...] JUST KIDDING about missing these ;) got ya.
Hearing sirens at night [yes, this lets me know there are people out there], hearing the train go by, everything being close together, no curvy roads that make me car sick, not having to worry about snakes in my yard, the ability to see miles and miles away because it's F L A T. And.. of course.... all the wonderful and accessible, huge races California has to offer [obviously won't be able to do all the races on my race schedule]. There are tons more things I am going to miss. I know it, and am preparing myself for this huge transition.

BOTTOM LINE. God won't lead us where we shouldn't go, and when we do His will, He provides sufficient grace to get through it.

Sure there is going to be tons of things I am going to miss and I will cry over them I am sure, but nothing is more precious than serving God and knowing that what we will be doing, will be counted for Eternity!! Matthew 6:20-21 " ²⁰But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: ²¹For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

I am SO thankful!! I am thankful that, God didn't allow us to move to Morgan Hill a couple months ago like we were planning, because then we wouldn't be moving to TN, to do God's will. I am thankful for PS 37:4, He gives us the desires of our hearts. I am so thankful, that we will still be in the USA, and in a wonderful, beautiful state! I am so thankful for the 100 acres we get to live on, and for the 6 bedroom 2,700 sq ft ranch house that we get to call home. I am so thankful that we get to have a big garden, chickens, goats, horses, and cattle if we want to.

I am thankful that my boys will learn to work hard on a ranch and not sit inside and play XBox their whole teenage years [oh..if you didn't know...I HATE video games. I am thinking about maybe letting Davey and the boys get a Wii. But my kids will not be allowed to play video games where they so vividly kill people, steal cars and see women dressed like hookers. Okay, that was just a side note.] I am so thankful that we get to invest in 13 young men, and many more in the future, and to see them grow into, hopefully, great men of God, and to know that we had a part in that. I am so thankful that my husband will now get to come home every night, and most of the time be working right outside our home. I am thankful for the Internet and phones so we can easily keep in touch with our family and friends. I am thankful, that God has a predestined plan for our lives, and all His children (Romans 8:29). I AM SO THANKFUL FOR GOD'S GRACE, HIS LOVE, AND HIS PEACE. God is so good.

I am hoping and praying to get my act together with my eating and making time to work out these next few weeks. I know driving 2500 miles across the country won't be the best way to maintain my weight, so I need to get a hold of it now. As soon as hubby is home today... I am off to the gym. Must sweat.. need to run...

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Easy

Went to the gym today intending to do Yoga and get in a good long run. And I did.

I ran 7.08 miles and it was easy.

I could have kept running. There were two reasons I stopped.

1. I got runners tummy (also know as the "Runners Trots" but thats yucky so I don't call it that) and had slow down for a little while, this was around 6.20. I could have pushed through longer and eventually it would have gone away. Of all the things that you suffer through when you run long distances (bloody toes, cramps, fatigue, ect) runners tummy is the worst for me. I've always had a really sensitive stomach since I was a little girl. I hate when my stomach is upset.
And 2. Davey and the boys were waiting for me at home and I already did 45 min of Yoga plus the 97 min run. That's a long time. Aren't they awesome? I just love them.

I am in love with "The Zone". It's a point when you run where you don't feel anything but adrenaline, and you feel like you could go forever. You run harder and stronger. It's amazing!

I can't believe, that me, a Curvy Housewife, that couldn't run 1/2 a mile when I started this journey, and couldn't run over 1 mile 5 months ago with out stopping and walking, can now run 7 miles, with out walking, and it was easy.

Yes, I've ran 8 miles with out stopping, and 10 miles with out walking at all, and I did a 1/2 marathon, but I wouldn't say any of those were easy. This 7 miles, pshhhh. It's got nothing on me. Booya! And that's how I control you BODY! You don't control me anymore, and you haven't in a long time. So get on board.

Do you get runner's tummy? What's your easy mileage? I want to know :)

Baby Fever

Don't worry. This post isn't me rambling the whole time about how much I want another baby.

Or maybe it is. Just FYI, I'm not pregnant [that I know of].

I really feel ready for another baby. I am as anxious as a cat up in a tree.
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

God is in control and His timing is perfect. Some people may think it's too soon and others may think it's been long enough. But ultimately, it's up to God.

Of course, I have a few worries about getting pregnant. After the miscarriage [13 weeks pregnant] in July, I am scared I will miscarry again. Also, I am very scared of gaining all the weight back. I just reached my pre-pregnancy weight, and that took me 3 years! What if I gain it all back?? What if I'm so tired I can't work out and I lose all my ability to run?
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I still have my goals of doing an Olympic triathlon, a half Ironman, and a full Marathon. But it's amazing how God has shifted my priorities and wants. I KNOW that I will accomplish these goals one day. I will keep training for them until I do get pregnant.
Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

When the day comes and I see that positive test, I will continue on this journey. Just a tad different path. I will continue to count my calories and eat very healthy foods. I will add a few hundred calories to my diet for the baby. I know me, and if I don't track my food, I WILL eat too much.

I will try will walk/jog at least 4 days a week while pregnant. I will do strength training and swim. I will keep my body healthy with whole grains and by moving. I will keep losing and trying to get into a 12 and the 170's until I get pregnant. I will wait upon the Lord. He is good.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Spudnuts

Spudnuts is a donut shop here in town.

I use to go to it REALLY often.

I haven't been in over a year.

I went this morning. I bought 11 donuts. [didn't have enough for a dozen, they only take cash...by the way...who only takes cash these days?]

The owner didn't recognize me. 57 pounds lighter and over a year of no Spudnuts donuts. Much of what I lost was because of eating her marvelously warm soft donuts.

We use to be on a first name, no what I order basis. She always gave Shane free donut holes when he was a little baby.

Every Sunday morning Davey and I would get a 12-18 donuts for out Sunday School class. We always ate one in the car on the way there. Then take home any left overs. When I was pregnant with Shane I would buy half a dozen at least once a week and enjoy them.

This morning, my kids were amazed with the donuts because they don't remember ever eating any. I had 3. YES 3!!! Can you believe it?! Horrible I know. One was an old fashion maple. Then a small chocolate chocolate chip. Then later, a maple bar.

But I'm not upset about it! See, I'm changing. I'm okay with that because the rest of the day I ate good and tomorrow I will as well, and so on. When I got home this afternoon just about all the donuts were gone, and I was glad. And it was a great treat for my family, and I realized... it's just that. A treat! Not a once a week thing. Donuts are for treats. I've been feeling deprived since I never eat one in Sunday school anymore. I'm glad I got them, and I'm satisfied.

Dinner tonight: Turkey Burgers and Yam fries.

Do you eat donuts? What is your favorite??

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Damage Done.

Weighed in this morning to see the damage from the trip. Up 3 pounds. I was actually relieved. I thought it would be more like 7! Ugh. Back at that silly dreaded 190 number that I can't leave! But let's take a few things into account here.

1. Body finally getting regular again from traveling. Why does traveling do that to you?
2. I finally, FINALLY! weaned Cody. Last Thursday was the last time I nursed him, and after 21.5 months, it's bitter sweet. Ladies, you know what I mean when I say that affects the scale.
3. All the Butter consumed.

Tomorrow I will be back on track with my calories. I worked out today. Did a 7 mile ride on the spin bike, then a 2.5 mile run/walk. A short Brick work out. I wasn't feeling it today. Probably all the butter. Oh and speaking of butter....in TN when ever I would be telling anyone about myself and I mentioned that I've lost 57 pounds or that I've done 3 triathlons or ran a 1/2 marathon, they all just stared at me. You could hear the crickets people. They were not impressed.

It would be a major change to go from a state so "health conscience" as California with many races accessible to a country town maybe not as into whole foods and marathons. I'll just have to be more determined to find the community that is involved in that.

The first triathlon of the season is in 17 days! I'm not sure if we will be able to afford the $100 entry fee though. :(

I have two major goals I am really going to push myself to attain. First, get into a size 12. A comfortable 12. I'm almost there...sort of. I have never really been a 12. I went from an 8 to a 14 when I first gained weight, than stayed a 14 until I went into a 22! So. A 12 would be AMAZING.

Second, get in the 170's. Far far away from 190's.

Dinner is almost done. Tonight I made homemade Blueberry muffins and grilled, marinated chicken topped on salad. Can't wait to eat it! Then Church! Have a great night! And by the way. I love you all, all my readers and followers! Thank you for your comments and for the follows. :)

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Porch Swings

This is a tipical front porch set up in Tennessee. I even noticed that the really trashy mobile homes there had a porch swing! It was awesome. You will be driving, and see a beautiful, huge country home. Then about a hundred yards away a shack where some real hillbillies live. It was an amazing thing. Our friends said it's like that all over Tennessee.
We had a great time. Really missed my boys though. The ministry we went to see is amazing. Quit unique too. It's a boys ranch. There are 13 boys there ages 12-18. They live on the ranch in a dorm. The boys were very impressive. They say, "Yes Ma'am. Yes Sir." They are more respectful than the average teenage boy in California not having problems.

The Ranch has a house on the property for the director and his family. We got to tour it, the current director and his wife live there now. It was beautiful. There were a few other houses on the 100 acre ranch property as well where other staff live.

Can you believe it. I only took TWO pictures while in Tennessee!! What was wrong with me?! Well, we were so busy with church and their missions conference. And eating. All the time eating. I wasn't complaining. I love food. But my gallbladder sure did. I had an attack Sunday afternoon. Luckily I had pain meds and was able to rest and I felt better for church that night.
The southern food was so good. Very rich, thick, buttery, and delicious. I would get full off 1/4 of my plate! Too bad most of the time I didn't listen to my body, and I kept eating. Davey was like, "Who are you?! Why are you eating so much?" hahaha. I didn't know why! I really wanted to experience the south I guess!

The home we stayed in was so beautiful. We stayed with the couple that started the ranch 35 years ago. They once lived in the house on the ranch. It was a true country home. No one in TN has back yard fences. So odd to me. Neighborhood dogs roam free. Is this weird to anyone else? They thought it was funny how I couldn't get over it. They also thought it was hilarious when I found out the name of the town in TN the ranch was in. Calhoun. I said, "Cowhoun??!" They laughed and laughed. I also amused them when I couldn't get over all the trees. When we saw the ranch I said, "This is more like a forest than a ranch." They told everyone I said that!

To me that is the forest. It has more trees than bare land. The house on the ranch is nestled up against a hill with trees all around the house.

The church, staff, and pastor were all so awesome. As soon as we met the boys I wanted to hug them all. After the first day we met them they kept asking us if we could move there. :) It was so sweet. One young boy Carlos said, "Can Davey be our dorm supervisor?" I said, "Well where am I going to live?!!" he thought, and said, "There is a double wide trailer on the ranch!" hahaha. So cute. Then when we were leaving they asked us when we will be back.

The boys have some issues, all different reasons why they are there, but I believe they have so much potential to be used greatly by God.

A few things I'm concerned about are, adjusting to living in the country, 30 minuets from town and from church. Also, the protection of my boys. There is a pond on the ranch. The ranch boys do swim in it, but there are water snakes. Also they have Copper Head snakes on the ranch and they are deadly. One of the staff boys was bit by one, thank God he had on snake bite boots. We were also warned about poisonous spiders all over out there. These things may seem very insignificant, and they probably are, but as a mom I don't want my boys to get bit by something. Obviously. That's a mom's job. They comforted me that in the 35 years they have never had the snakes or spiders be an issue (except the one time). Typically the snakes don't want to be bothered. Plus I'm planning on bringing 100 mongoose with us. That should help.

It's really awesome how we could have chickens and cows and horses, and I can have a garden. But again there are big huge black garden snakes. Harmless, but I'm a city girl. If I see a snake, I will faint. The boys will have the biggest playground ever when they are big. Quads and horses for riding around it. And, I think it would be good for me to learn how to get my hands dirty. Some good old fashion hard work. But.... dun dun dun.... 30 mins to a gym and school for the boys. Yikes.

Whatever God's will is I want it! I know He will not lead us astray. He cares about us and our boys and our future. I know I would be super homesick for a while, but God's grace is sufficient. We are really praying and seeking counsel from our pastor and others about this.

Love, The Curvy Housewife