Down another pound! 😀

Yippee! 186 today! Almost down 10 lbs from that crazy 10 lbs weight gain in July. Fewee. Then only 5 more pounds until I reach 181 which will be my lowest weight in like 3 years. Goals! (I was 182 earlier this year but honestly I'm way less fluffy then I was at that point!) 

And here I was upset all week because the scale wasting moving. I *seriously* need to stop weighing everyday!!! Anyways... After doing more research I am feeling great about IF!!! I did make some more changes pretty much right away after my first post a week and a half ago. I decided to not do Keto. I know you guys I KNOW im all over the place. I just started sticking with flexible dieting (I'm super flexible lol...I am focusing on reaching protein goal and staying under my calories. I've been right around 1600-1800 calories depending on how hard I work out). AND doing IF and bam. Results are coming. I can see my shoulders and quads are coming along nicely :) yay! Ditching body pump was a good move for me. Even though I do miss it!! This was today. Still have a super long way to go but I'll take what I can get! Happy Friday! 

Weigh in and Carb Sweet Spot

187.2 on weigh in day (Saturday). I lost another 1.5 pounds this week. I know that's good...but I want more! :) 

I now know what I can tolerate and Ice Cream has been my sweet treat. I've been indulging a little too much... 

Must nip that in the bud! I think I can get to goal in about 5 months if I just stay strong. 

Carbs are tricky. For me it helps to lower my carb intake. But I kept wondering how much?! Then I found this! 

Atkins says keto is less than 20grams but that's too hard for me. So I'm aiming for less than 50, but as long as I'm less than 100 g of carbs a day I'm happy. 

I'm anxious to see 179.... It's so close I can taste it!!! No more ice cream! Or maybe just very little... ;-) 

My friend bought me this book! I'm excited for the recipes! It goes well with my low carb eating. 

Hoping to report another loss next post. Stay tuned :) 

180's & low carb

Done with whole 30! Whoot whoot! Comparison photos. 

Left 199 on day 1 of whole 30.

Right 188 on day 30! 

As I stayed on FB, I wasn't even %100 perfect. I was for a few weeks than had a little dairy here and there. I know that's like TABOO in "Whole 30" world but ya know, I'm not perfect. So, yeah. 

I did my best. :) 

Yesterday I allowed myself some natural ice cream, with enjoy life allergy free chocolate chips. Yummmm. I also had a cup of chocolate milk :P 

Then I went to Starbucks and ordered a sugar free Carmel iced americano 

With heavy cream & she may have given me the wrong drink but it was sooo good I couldn't give it back! It was so sweet though, I could only drink half. 

Yesterday I went grocery shopping and bought all I needed for low carbing. Today I was really good and have had about 25-30 carbs. 

My friend BOUGHT me the Trim Healthy mama book and I'm so excited!! Ya know Staci tried to talk me into it lots of times but I always had an excuse. Then I talked her out of it, now here I am considering it. Sorry stace! :/

So my plan is to stay low carb/THM. It's almost the same right? 

I was trying on clothes at target last night & hating it. All my clothes are too big for me (I've lost 22 lbs in the last 6-7 weeks!) 

But I couldn't enjoy it...because I hate my stomach & hips! 

I admit, I am inspired by woman's bravery to post their before and after of their tummies. So brave! I'm not gonna do that..ever. Lol....this is embaressing enough. Gah! Hopefully there are only ladies reading :) 

I sooooo do not want to post that photo. But hey, I'm real. This is me. My stomach is the way it is because I birthed 4 boys in 5.5 years. I am posting it to document my progress. And, I should be proud of where I'm at. It's all thanks to God though. He is my strength & my help. 

Another note: on Instagram lots of people feel the need to explain why they post progress photos. But I'm always like, "you don't have to explain, we all follow you because it's motivating!" Ya know? So I hope no one gets tired of my progress photos. (Not that I post many, but maybe I will start lol) 

Left is March 14, the day before we moved. 216 lbs

Right is yesterday, August 11, 188 lbs. 

I know I still have a loooong way to go. Lord willing the next pic I'll be smaller and STRonger. 

To all the mamas and ladies out there, trust me when I say you can do it! We can do it. 

Weigh In

I lost 2.7lbs! Whoot! That's a total of 30.7 lost since I started, not since the baby was born. But since my goal is 100 lbs, I'm going for total since I started. :) 

So happy to have a loss. But felt like it could have been more, I was bloated still Friday morning. 

I'm not sure why. I think it was the salad I ate for dinner Thursday night. Sometimes raw green veggies don't sit right with me.

Monday-Thursday last week I didn't eat after 6:00pm. It helps me a lot. I weighed myself just about every day this week, which I don't really think I should do. You all know why! 

Friday night was Valentines night. We actually got a babysitter and went out! We took the little bambino of course, but he was sleeping so no big deal. 

I got out of the shower Friday and found this on my bed. 

Good job babes :) 

My husband made a reservation to a nice restaurant in town. The only reservation they had was for 8:30pm, so we went shopping first. We got there 10 mins early and there was a line out the door of people who HAD reservations. No hostesses helping anyone. So we went and walked and came back at our reservation time. Waited and waited and finally decided to leave. 

We went a an Italian place with no wait..which says something lol. It was ok. The food wasn't very good but at least I got to spend uninterrupted time with my husband :) we laughed and talked and had a great time. 

Yesterday I spent so much time (6.5 hours!) cooking and food prepping!!! I got about a dozen or more meals made and prepped. I wrote out how many points are in some of the meals. And I made two sugar free cheesecakes. 

I bought one rotisserie chicken, and I had a whole chicken frozen which I cooked a few days before. I used those two chickens for chicken burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and I have some shredded for chicken pot pie. Then I made with ground sausage: breakfast burritos, egg and sausage biscuits (made parties for this), calzones and I prepped ground sausage and cooked potato for Zuppa Toscana.  I also baked 6 potatoes for my husbands lunches (he likes them before he weight lifts) and I made whip cream for my coffee for the week :) you know me and cream! 

I also made a big homemade juice which was so delicious..accept my juicer broke AGAIN! Grrrr. The plastic just broke while juicing. I'm so mad. I'm gonna have to buy another juicer since I've had it for a year and I have no recipt. It's a juiceman in case your wondering. 

  

Granny Smiths, carrots, and oranges. Yum! 

Ok, gonna try to nap. Or read. 

Update on Cody, Weigh In, Pics

Cody is doing much better! Praise The Lord. All the stool tests came back negative for bacterial infection but dr still thinks he had one. Since they didn't do a stool test the first ER trip his body had already been fighting it for a week.

Reece now has a fever & diarrhea...which is really scaring me. I can't handle another week like last week! I've been missing church so much.

Weigh in: 173.1
Last week 174.8
-1.7 happy with this! Can't wait to see 169!

Here are one pics from today, if your friends w me on FB or Twitter you've seen them..:-)

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh In & Budgeting

Last week: 181 {up from our getaways}

This week: 178.8 {was really hoping to hit 177! Dang it.}
NEXT WEEK!!

We used almost all of our tax returns to pay off debt. We have paid off all hospital bills, all credit cards and our van! Whooty whoot! We are doing Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. Now all we have left to pay off is some family that loaned us money for school bill, and a down payment for our condo we bought, and then sold.  {Bad idea.}

Then we get to start saving for a house. YIPPE!

Converting to a "crunchy" {natural} lifestyle can be quiet expensive, my oh my.  When I was not doing well physically {TMJ, extreme stomach pain, and gallbladder disease}, all the research I was doing was pointing to my food choices. Which is why I no longer eat gluten and actively try to eat clean.

But there was always a sentence like, "as well as...environmental toxicity". Such as, heavy metals toxicity, fluorosis {for real. too much fluoride in my water!??}, toxic cookware {teflon}, dishes made from china, dangerous cleaning solution, using and heating plastic ware!!!! That's just to name a few.  I was on super overwhelmed over load.....still am. Few..need to take a deep breath.

No I don't think any of the above was the culprit. But I did decide through all the research I did we would slowly start replacing things in my house when we could. The things I thought was most important. Like a water filter for instance.

It's impossible for anyone to change all these things {that I never even thought of to be harmful in the first place!} overnight. In fact, I didn't even know if I wanted to believe all that. After all, why would our government put fluoride in the water if it wasn't safe? Why would the Tupperware companies not have a warning label on the box that stated 'when heated, chemicals seep into the food'... WHY would anyone be OK with selling a pan that when heated secrets gas that instantly kills birds that are in the same room... I mean, they would be out of business right??

Amongst other materialist things on our wish list,  we have to plan and budget for them.  I'm thankful my husband allowed me to purchase a few things to replace.  We just bought this water filter system, and I bought some glass sippy cups, coffee mugs, and a water bottle.  I was surprised to see that almost all our mugs were made in China.

You may think I'm crazy. But when it comes to our health, I rather be safe then sorry.  There's never a way to totally eliminate toxic materials we come in contact with. It's all around us. We breath it everyday. 

Some great easy ways to reduce toxins are: 1. Purify the air in your home. Get house plants.  Two for every room will purify your whole house.  Just buy one or two for your living room..that will make a huge difference! {Isn't God's creation amazing??}.  And, open your windows! Even if it's cold, air out your house every day for at least 10 minuets.  My windows and sliding glass door is open right now.
2. Sweat! Our bodies way eliminating all kinds of junk.  3. Take a detox bath: 1 cup Epsom salt, 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 cup baking soda, a few drops of essential oils if you have them.
4. Wash non-organic fruits and veggies with vinegar and warm water, let them soak in it for a few minuets as well. 5. Clean with soap, water and vinegar!

Do you worry about stuff like this, or is it just me?? LOL

PS Thank you for any comments. They let me know people read and keep me motivated to keep writing.  :)

Weigh In

4.7 pounds lost! Whoot!! I am good with that...I want more though. :)

Total of 61.7 pounds gone...now I just need to lose 4.3 more to get where I was a couple months ago, then PASS THAT!

This week has been kinda rough. It's so easy to say "no sugar & gluten!" but so hard to actually do it.  So easy to say, "starting whole 30 again!" So hard to actually stick with it....BUT "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!"

I am doing my best (which often isn't as good as I can do..) at not eating sugar & gluten, but I've decided no matter what I eat, I'm going to log it and try to stay with in my calories.  {I say "try" & I'm gonna do my best" because I hate it when I say "I won't" then I do.}.

Hope next week I'll be that much closer.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh In & Progress Pictures

Last Week: 200.0

This Week: 198.0 

Whoo hoo!!! I am very happy with that loss. And yes....One HUNDREDS! Never ever ever going back. I have a book called "Out Smarting the Female Fat Cell After Pregnancy". I've read it a couple times. She says, losing weight in the first six months postpartum is VERY hard if you are breastfeeding. She said studies show that most breastfeeding women lose the most weight between 6-12 months postpartum. I think my body is finally letting me lose the weight. I know for some women they are back to their pre-pregnancy weight in just a couple months, but NOT ME! This will be the fastest for me, I am 5 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight with Reece!! And only 12 pounds away from a weight I haven't been since before I got pregnant with my first.  Wow. I am so happy! I THANK JESUS my Rock for helping me! 

Here is me on the left only 3 months ago, and today me on the right. This is only an 8-10 pound difference (not exactly sure). Wow. I fluctuated and didn't lose for a while {remember}, so,  I've lost 8.2 pounds in 6 weeks! Since March I've lost a total of 14.25 inches! I can really see it in my mid section. 

I've been really frustrated with my arms though lately.  Seems like they won't budge! UGH! I don't want to wear a sleeveless dress to the wedding (15 days!) with my huge arms. I really want to buy a new dress for the wedding but...things are tight. I'm trying to sell some things on Ebay. Hopefully it works out. My clothes are frustrating right now. Some are too tight still, and some are too big. Yuck.

Poor Reece, his fever finally broke last night but he has been crying ALL day. He didn't want to eat, or sleep, or sit, or play or lay, or anything but me hold him standing up. ;( I think he's teething. Poor baby.

I weight lifted twice this week, but really need to up my work outs. I don't want to lose muscle. That's my goal this week, work out 3-4 days a week...and RUN. I am desperate to run. Doing good, staying below my calories, eating pretty clean, and drinking LOTS of water. Which is also helping my heart. I have an apt w Cardiologist on Tuesday.

Thanks for reading :) 

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh In & Scary

Weight Last Week: 200.8
This Week:             200.0
                
So close!! It should have been this week...but I was soooo busy. Can't believe it's already been a week since my last post!!

Next week for sure.

So this is what's scary. I don't want to talk about it too much cause it makes it worse.  I have been getting heart palpitations for a couple weeks that are more than normal for me.  I saw the doctor Tuesday and he seemed a little concerned (which sort of freaked me out) and said I had an irregular heartbeat.  So he refereed me to a cardiologist. Which takes 3 weeks.  Nice. In the mean time I've been seeing what triggers them but can't pinpoint something.  I've been thinking about it a lot. Today I put on my Heart Rate Monitor and it was jumping from 70's to 200's. yeah not good.  I was freaking out. So I sat down and was nursing the baby and suddenly I started feeling like I was going to pass out.  I got so super light headed and my HRM read 207.  Whoa.  I quickly put Reece down then began going down....I called 911, was able to walk to unlock my door for them (barley) then lay down on my left side. I was praying and so so scared. I really thought I was dying. 

Once they got there (Davey arrived at the same time) I was starting to feel better.  He saw my HRM was saying 200 than 100 than 207 but his accurate HRM read 94. That was a relief. He said mine was wrong and seemed like I was making the problem worse by seeing the high number.  I think he was implying an Anxiety attack.  But I don't feel anxious...well only about this!!!!

He wanted me to go in the ambulance just to be sure and I got faint a couple times here and there while there. My EKG was fine. I was in sweats, with my hair on top of my head, NO BRA, and no shoes. Oh my ghetto.  I was so embarrassed. Especially when they made me get off the gurney and walk to a waiting area and wait....all alone.  I hate the ER.  Ugh. 

Doctor didn't do much.  Said to wait for a cardiologist.  Nice, thanks.  I talked to both of my parents and they both said they have had this. My mom takes medicine for anxiety and my Dad had this happen to him twice when he thought he was having a heart attack but it was really indigestion.

So no fun. 

Praying it's just anxiety and not my heart.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh In & So much more

Last week 202.4
This week 200.8

Whoo hoo!! That's almost under 200!!! Ahhh I can't wait.  And this time I will NEVER see it again. ever ever ever! Persistence really pays off. Because I can tell you it was so discouraging not seeing the scale move those 3 weeks, but now it is and I am so thankful I didn't quit.

So a little sad news, I won't be able to do Weight Watchers for a while.  I just can't afford the $40 a month right now.  Shane is starting pre-school in August and that's $60 a month, and they both go back to gymnastics in July which is $80 for 6 weeks.  yikes.  But it's ok! For some reason I do better on my own...the weight is really coming off now (Thank YOU Jesus). I am still faithfully using MyFitnessPal.

So I'm kinda obsessed with medical and health research. All kinds, Heart Disease, Autism, Obesity, common colds, and my favorite study, Cancer.
 I have watched several documentaries and have a whole stack of info (books, articles, magazines, and DVDs) from the library.  Some of the most eye opening documentaries I've watched are, "Food Inc", "Anti Cancer" "Forks over Knives" and "Food Matters".  WOW.  We really, REALLY have no clue what we are eating and what it's doing to us.


Educating myself on all this has been such a huge blessing.  It's no longer just about weight loss...it's about SO MUCH MORE!!! It's mine, and my family's health.  It's thriving. It's eating what God intended us to eat. I keep finding myself amazed that God has provided everything we need to thrive.  He gave us all the healthy food from the earth to eat to nurture our body. It's when we create and eat things that aren't what God intended us to, that we get sick. It's not always the food that makes us sick, it's the LACK of food, or nutrients. Real nutrients. 

I mean, all these articles and research are stating that over %90 of cancer is preventable with a healthy diet and exercise.  Meaning, only less than %10 is inherited. According to Stanford.  As well as many other studies I've read. I've also read how cancer can be reversed through diet.  Wow.

I'll give you an easy example of which I saw on one of these documentaries:

"According to the FDA a teenage girl's diet is acceptable as the following:
A bowl of sugar filled cereal for breakfast with non fat milk, at school she will receive: mashed potatoes (from the box) canned green beans, piece of cooked ham, and a white roll, with an option for canned fruit and a soda.  For an afternoon snack she'll have a snack size bag of cheese it's. For dinner she will have a hamburger on white bread and French fries, with ketchup, and ice cream for dessert."

Where are the nutrients?? She will eat like this every day and be walking around with, ADD, Pre-Diabetes, no energy, and has a cold all the time. You might be wondering, "well can't she just take a muli-vitamin and be fine??" Well....I am researching this right now, but No. She will not be fine with just a vitamin. Otherwise every person in America that eats like this and takes a muti-vitamin wouldn't be sick ever.

It's safe to say I am obsessed with learning about all this.  Here's a little secret I haven't told anyone but my husband yet....I am looking into getting some sort of degree or diploma or certificate in health and nutrition.  We'll see :)

Ok I could go on and on but Reece is rolling all over the house right now and I gotta go clean my house because I have a newborn photo shoot here tomorrow. :)

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh In & Cody's Birthday Party!

Last week 205.6
This week 205.6

That's three....THREE!! weeks in a row where I have stayed the same!!! fjdkahjfhja;kajhfdafdakj!!!!!!!

That's gibberish for words I can not say...

What is going on?? I mean....what is going on?!!!! I would be LESS shocked if I was up or down .2 or something...but the same exact weight? Mind boggling. 
What is it?
Fluid? Really?
Too many points??
Not weighing/measuring well?
What??

All I know is next week IT WILL be down.  Oh yes it will.  Or I'm gonna kung fu the women that weighs me in every week.  This week she says, "Hm. You're the exact same again. Bizarre" silent pause..... "Ok!! We just need to break through this plateau.  Maybe you should start exercising. Use your baby as a weight maybe?"
I give her a blank stare. 
Me: "I do exercise. I run quite a bit..."
WW Lady: "Oh, ok.."
Me: "Um, do you think I need to eat my activity points since I am breastfeeding?"
WW Lady: "No, you don't have to..I mean, I don't know."
Me: "Uhhhhh.... Ok? thanks..." walk away totally confused.

I was determined to get into the meeting this week, so I said my NSV, that I ran 7 miles with out walking.  Everyone clapped. It was sweet. I left all 3 boys with my Mom on Friday, and went running. Oh boy it was HOT. I did 4.3 miles.  I almost threw up from the heat.  9 on my schedule for this week.  eeek. 


Cody's party was such a blast.  Lots of people came, and Cody was speechless when he opened the door and saw Spiderman.  First there was shock, then He jumped in his arms.  Unforgettable.

Pictures are worth a thousand words... so here they are.

P.S. I went way over my points this weekend. Lots of water and fruits/veggies today.   

I'm FED up with no progress. Digging down deep this week & asking God to help me. 


Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh In 4/28/12

Last week 206.8
This week 203.9

Ever have scale dilemmas?? Well, my Weight Watchers meeting is at 7:30 AM Saturday mornings.  I went to bed at 12:30 AM. I slept through my alarm!!

I woke up, brushed my teeth, got dressed, and headed to the meeting. I was really bummed because I couldn't get Reece to nurse well before I left, and I was in a hurry. He's been sleeping through the night...need I say more?? Definitely had several ounces in there.
When I got on the scale at WW it read, 205.6. Down 1.2 from last week. I was ok with that. Not thrilled since I was really good and worked hard this week. But I accepted it.

I decided to WI when I got home after I fed Reece just to see.  I usually ALWAYS count my home scale since I never want any confusion, but since I re-joined WW I wanted to go by their scale. 
After I fed him I was shocked to see 203.9.  Wow! That's the lowest I've been since having Reece!! Whoot! That also brings me to a total of 40.1 lbs lost since July 2009. Since I've always been using my scale, I know I really have lost this weight.  But my dilemma is, do I keep weighing in at my house after WW or should I just weigh at WW and use their scale?? I mean if there is a .5-1 pound difference than next week when I weigh there and it if it says 203.0 that's 2 pounds according to them! But only .9 according to my scale...ya know?? What should I do??

Kimberlynn and I have become accountability partners. It's really helping! We spoke last night on the phone and it was great. :) We were talking about how freeing it is to not weigh every day. Honestly I want to weigh in one time a week on one scale...so I suppose I should hope Reece eats before I leave for WI than count WW scale right?? But if I did that today than I wouldn't be as motivated as I am now. Know what I mean?? Ugh I hate the scale.
D I L E M M A.

Anyways. The meeting was really motivating today. One lady there had lost 48 pounds! Another hit -70 this morning and spoke about it a little bit. I really like what someone said today....

   
So I made peace with the 1.2 pounds. Although I was REALLY hoping to get below where I was on Easter Weekend.  {According to my scale I did, see how this is confusing?} 
I'm thrilled to lose 2.9 pounds or 1.2 pounds. Either way I lost. 

I am changing.  I really am.  I am getting full faster. My cravings have changed a lot. I want results. 

Here's to a good week for all of us.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

What's working.

Not sure why I am blogging so much lately.  I guess I just have so much in my mind! This weeks been great. I am staying with in my WW points everyday and so far I've gotten 20 Activity points!! Generally you get 1 point for every 10 mins so....that's a lot of minuets I've worked out so far. :)

Did I tell you I ran 5.25 miles the other day outside while pushing Reece in the jogger, with out walking once?? Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah yeah yeah.  {Please don't ask me why I always have to quote Dori}. I was so flippen excited about that. I felt GREAT.  I listened to Jillian Michaels Podcast and time flew by. It R E A L L Y restored my running confidence. I'm no longer worried about the 13.1! I have to thank my $60 old treadmill because running on it is HARD. So running outside seems so easy. Yay.

What's working for me....

1. Not having access to a gym is actually OK! I was worried. But I LOVE having a treadmill, I know I can get in some miles with out leaving the house.  I also like my work out DVD's.  Another thing is we started running at this nice park that has a big pond. It's just under a mile around the whole park. We really enjoy running it and it goes by fast.

2. I started weight training this week as well. Today will be day two, and I like it.

3. I like what I am eating. I am in the grove of easily preparing foods and having them ready and accessible. I made home made Buffalo Chicken and it is D E L I S H. I made extra and ate some for lunch yesterday. Eating foods I like is really important to me.

4. When I want a snack, I've been eating fruit. Berries, watermelon, cantaloupe ect. It is 0 points and it is really filling!

5. I am drinking more water.  You always hear, "It's water weight!!" well what does that mean??!! I just found out it means that if you aren't drinking enough your body will HOLD on to your water because it doesn't know when you will get more. Amazing.

6. Not weighing myself. I am excited for weigh in, but also kinda wanting to go longer with out weighing myself.  It really does a huge number on me mentally. I feel free with out weighing, but at the same time I want to know that I am making progress.

Well that's all for today. Thanks for reading! xoxo

Love, The Curvy Housewife

32 Weeks Pregnant

Photo Source BabyCenter.com

Wednesday's Weigh In
Up 2.8 pounds from last weigh in! Bringing my total gain to 16 pounds. I don't know why sometimes I gain 1/2 pound a week, others 1 pound, and some almost 3. I am happy my baby is growing and gaining weight. He sure is growing too, my stomach feels like it can't stretch anymore! But I know it will.

According to BabyCenter.Com a 32 week baby weighs about 3.75 lbs and is about 16.7 inches long! Whoo hoo! Grow baby Grow!!!

Some things I've been feeling lately: Guilt. Guilt that I am consumed with baby things when I have two precious boys already that need my attention. Guilt that I want a natural childbirth, but that at 16 weeks pregnant I had surgery and had to undergo Anastasia which my baby got and morphine after the surgery which my baby also got. I have been worried all that effected him in some way. I have also been feeling guilt that I am so excited and anxious for him to come that I am not enjoying these last few weeks with my boys and husband. I am working on that one!
7 weeks 6 days until he is born now! Still got a lot to do. Waiting for the right time and the funds to get the things I need so I can finish. :)

I have been loving my walks lately. I wish I didn't live 30 mins from the gym. It's so perfect, how I can put boys in the kids watch, which they love, then walk outside on the trail, in peace and quiet. I really enjoy praying, listening to "positive affirmations" on my HypnoBirth app, and listening to podcasts. It's so refreshing and peaceful.

My sister called this week and asked if she could be in the room when the baby was born. I of course said yes, but had to explain how I am planning a natural birth and that it will be very different that what we are both use to.
My husband seemed a little sad that it wasn't going to be just us two anymore, but I know in the time of it he will be glad I have someone else to encourage me and massage me, ect when he gets tired. He said he is fine with it because I'm the one giving the birth, but I am going to double check to make sure he's really ok with it.
I would love my sister to be there, but this was the first time we were going to be just us two. When Shane was born, I had my Mom, and Sister in law Karissa there. Then with Cody my good friend Vanessa. Those were both great experiences, but I had an epidural, so I was more social. This time it will take a lot of concentrating. If anyone would be in the room this time I'd want it to be my sister. I don't mind if she seems me not at my most conservative (I will be in and out of the tub), I know she will encourage me and rub my back and hair if I need her too. But I am also worried I may just want to be alone with my husband.
Have you always had someone besides your husband in the room with you?

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Wednesday's Weigh In & Baby on the Brain

Yesterday I weighed in half a pound less than last week. Happy I didn't gain more than 1 this week! That is a total of 12 1/2 pound gain. I'm happy with that for 30 weeks.

Everything lately on my mind is B A B Y. Baby stuff, nursing baby, baby's room, labor & delivery. I am pretty sure my husband is just tuning me out now when I talk cause it's always about birthing stories I read or interesting facts on babies. I've also come to the point where that's all I talk about with anyone. Yup. Even the ranch boys. You know how to get a room full of 10 teenage boys quiet? Start talking about the documentary you watched on Netflix about natural childbirth. Actually, after all the "Ewwws!!!" I got several boys telling me they've seen a real birth on video in health class in public school as early as 7th grade!!! WHAT THE HECK?!!!

They said it was to "scare" them out of having un-protected sex. [God forbid they teach on abstinence right?]. Ok, I am so not going there. Let's just say my boys will not be attending public school. Anyways......

I feel like 10 weeks is SO far. Yet SO close! Because I have been getting so many contractions, (last Friday was intense) I want to be prepared for him at about 35 weeks. I was thinking this already, then I had a sweet conversation with one of our dear ranch boys mom. She had TONS of Braxton Hix's contractions with her last two babies and they both came at 35 weeks.

I know it is very likely he will be totally late (like Cody) but I'd rather be ready than sorry. So I have a lot to do in 5 weeks! Wash and put away all his clothes, buy a diaper bag, back his diaper bag, wash his car seat, bassinet, and swing and set all of it up and put it all where I want it. Wash his sheets, finish some last touches on his room, get important things such as diapers, wipes, Lanolin (must haves!), pack our hospital bag, WRITE OUT OUR BIRTH PLAN!!, and so much more.

We have been very busy this week. It is the Boys Ranch 36th anniversary, and every year they have a HUGE celebration/service on the 1st Sat of October at the ranch property. So this Saturday we will have hundreds of guests at the ranch for a big service, BBQ, potluck, Open house thing. It's our first, so we are nervous. I have to have my house ready for several Pastor's to come through it, which means....cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning.

I have been sick the last few days, and Davey has been working non-stop on the ranch so I have had no break from my boys, and no time to work out. The Lord is stretching my patiences that's for sure!

On a positive note, Cody is doing SO well potty training!! I am SO proud of him. He goes pee in the potty all by himself now. #2 is a little more tricky but he's getting it. So much easier than Shane was! It's a blessing. Shane is talking like a pro. Seriously he sounds like a 5 year old, and he's as tall as one almost too (and he's only 3.5). The baby is getting very BIG!! He is super duper active. Which I love of course.

I had a prenatal appointment yesterday and it went well. I wish they would do an Ultra Sound. I miss seeing him and would love to know what position he's in. Even though I think I know from his movements, I would like to make sure he is head down.

I discussed with my Midwife all that I want on my birth plan, which I will go more into detail in another post. I am so glad she was supportive of my decision to go natural. She said the hospital as well would be supportive. She is not an advocate of either way, she is happy to support her patients how ever they decide. It would be nice to have a doula to encourage me in those very painful moments that I can do it. But I don't really want to pay for one, so my husband is going to be one active supporter on Labor day!

Thanks for reading, I know you all missed me. ;-) wink.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh in 15 weeks

187.0 This morning. The 2nd time I got on the scale it said, 185.0. yes I weigh myself more than once sometimes. My scale usually never says two different numbers, so this was odd. But I will just go with 187.0.
I have surgery scheduled for Thursday. PLEASE continue to pray for my baby to be fine during the surgery.
So what will happen after surgery?? Will I eat craving I've had for 4 months and gain a bunch of weight?? I hope not. But I am going to indulge a little bit. For instances, I am taking my husband out to dinner for his birthday at the end of the month, and I am going to get what I want. Yes. It will be glorious to eat something that tastes good. And when we go to Disneyworld in 3 weeks, I won't have to be paranoid the whole time that something I ordered really was cooked in oil when they said it wasn't.
I just had another horrible attack of pain. Pain so bad I thought it was causing labor. The pain comes and goes when I am sick, and right now I feel okay just weak. My neighbor took my boys for me so I can rest. Thankful for friends willing to help.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh in & doctor

I think I lost another pound. Think because I am super constipated... gross I know... and weigh the same as last weigh in, with clothes on. Then at the doctor I was the same, w shoes and after I ate. So anyways, I say I lost a pound.

So happy I was able to see the doctor!! Finally getting our insurance situated. Got to see our beautiful healthy baby on the screen and his/her strong heart beat. My appointment started with them taking like 7 vile of blood. Seeing white, head getting hot, going to pass out.... But I didn't. I'm pretty tough. Must be all my extra cushin. Then I had to get a whole body physical, thank God it was a woman, you know what I'm saying? It was actually a mid-wife. Pretty neat! Never seen one.

The nurse couldn't find the heart beat on the sound monitor, but she warned me it might be too early.. didn't comfort me. I was freaking inside. So the mid-wife ordered an ultra sound, where I saw our healthy bun. Praise the Lord! The lady that did the ultra sound randomly said, "so you have two boys?" and I said, "yes, we are hoping for a girl!" and she said, "Well it's really early, but I don't see any boy parts. But remember it's really early." How exciting!!! I can honestly say though, I would love another boy. Boys are easy and awesome and drama free. But I am not gonna lie, I really want a girl. PINK PLEASE!! As long as the baby is healthy, I am happy :) I feel so blessed. God is so good. Here is what the baby looks like right now at 11 weeks.
Tomorrow my Mom, the boys and I are going to my sisters in Alabama for two nights. My sisters baby shower and my nephews birthday. So excited!! But I will really miss my love. He's been working like crazy so I've barley seen him. Have a great weekend!!

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh in. Finally!!

187.4

Hallelujah.

I am officially at my pre-pregnancy weight from both my boys.

This is an amazing feeling. 57 pounds gone!!

BUT.... I am very aware that I still have more to go. And I am aware that my body does not look like it did before I had kids. That is frustrating. But my boys are worth it. They are love scares. Ha.

Yesterday I went to the gym and cycled on a Spin Bike on the floor. I did it for 90 minuets and rode 30 miles! I wanted to do 30 miles, but wasn't sure if I could. But I did and I felt amazing. I always make sure my Spin Bike has "road" on it. I never cycle with out tension. And I did some really tough climbs. I was pouring sweat, and people were staring. It was fun!

Tonight we are having a new couple to our church over for dinner. I am making a not too healthy meal of chicken, tortellini, Alfredo sauce, garlic bread, asparagus, and brownies. I do not want to gain weight back. I will be mindful of my portions.

Have a great weekend!

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Attack-My plan to get off the 190 fence.

I've been going back and forth and back and forth from 189.6 to 192. I know. It's my fault. I admit it. There are plenty of reasons why I have not gone below 189. I won't bore you with them since they all have to do with being inconsistent. In December I made a weigh in chart, starting with January. Each week I lose I get a sticker. Jan 15 I was 189, then 191.6 than 189 for two straight weeks, and today I weighed in, at 192. Maybe because I am currently entertaining a guest named Aunt Flow.

Bottom line. This relationship with 190's has got to end. It's like 189 keeps going back to her ex that knows he's so bad for her. But she's so comfortable with him, so it's so easy to go back. Well, 189 has gotten T I R E D of mister 190's. She's ready to move onto a healthier relationship, even though that means being uncomfortable for a little while.

My plan, is to be healthy about this plan. At first I thought, "I have to do something drastic, like eat 600 calories tomorrow." Immediately I knew that's not right. That is what crazy yo-yo dieter/bingers do. That is not going to be me! So I've decided to forgo this weigh in on Saturday seeing as I weighed today and it's that time of the month anyways. Then I am going to eat my normal caloric goal of 1,200 calories a day through Sunday to just stabilize my metabolism, and my mind, and still be under my BMI (1,600). Monday when I am not as sore, and can work out, I will eat 1,000 for a kick in the pants. Then Tuesday through Saturday (weigh in day) I will eat the normal 1,200 calories a day again. Hope this will help get me past this dreaded number, and not be unmanageable.

OH. And...GULP. I commit....to NOT....weigh my self until a week from this Saturday. Oh my. I can't believe I typed that out loud. It may drive me crazy, but I think it's necessary.

I read over at Real Fat this post about a recent weight gain on her weigh in day (found her blog on Sara's blog list, and love it). She is a godly example of how to lose weight. She came to terms that a 1.5 gain is what it is and no big deal. I was surprised to read that from her because to me she is super successful! Check out her before and afters.

So now I don't feel as bad. I'm not the only one that struggles or gets stuck. But I am ready to move on from this "plateau" [self induced plateau that is].

I really want to say no to temptation, and to be consistent for a good length of time and see what happens. I don't deprive myself. If I want a brownie I eat it. Sometimes that is a good thing I think. I have not binged in a really long time. What was the cause of binging? The idea that I would NEVER be able to eat a brownie again. I know now that is so far from the truth. I will eat lots of brownies in my life. So no need to eat the whole pan today.

But there is a line here. If I give in to one brownie, it's not a big deal. But my mind gets crazy...I think, "There goes the whole day." Again, not true! That is why a brownie can get me in trouble. So even though I won't go eat the whole tray of brownies after having one
or two... I will stop tracking my calories for the day and go over them, even if it is with healthy food. I have lots of learning to do still. I need a Jillian moment. I'm close to a brake through, I can feel it.

And ya know, I can see how my ups and downs could be really annoying, but this is a REAL weight loss journey. I am a Mom to two small boys, a wife to a husband that does need me, and a busy homemaker. Life happens, and it is what it is. I am moving forward. [This is a pep talk to myself. Thanks for listening].

The photos from Surf City Half Marathon are in! You can see mine here. There are some really good ones! I think it's very unreasonable to charge so much for the photos as they do. It's really a bummer. I just want to download a few and I can't with out downloading all for $60. Bummer. Check them out if you want!

Gotta job jump on the laundry and take care of my little buckaroos. Here's too being consistent for 9 straight days.

Love, The Curvy Housewife

Weigh in & countdown to Surf City Half Marathon- 8 Days

I am getting nervous. Why did I decide to pay $100 to run 13.1 miles? Oh yeah, for an awesome medal.

Okay so that's only part of the reason. I know it's so much more than a medal. It's proving to myself that I can do it. And, after this, I know that the marathon and 1/2 Ironman are possible. I am getting worried though because my longest run in a few weeks was 7 miles the other day. I walked/ran that. The furthest I have ran is 10 miles. It's time to start tapering, so I shouldn't go run 12 miles. The stud muffin husband is working a side job this morning so I might try to run 5-6 when he gets home, than 2 on Monday. My knees are very sensitive right now too. I can't get hurt.

I am not looking at this race as a race. I just want to F I N I S H. I know I have said that before, but this time I will most likely be the last person across the finish. Do I care? Nope. Okay so maybe a little...
There will be a day and a time for racing. It's not this time. After reading this post from Healthy Ashley about how she feels being last or close to cut off times during her extreme races (Ironman, 50 mile Ultra Marathon, 50K's, now planning a 100 mile ultra) I have a different outlook. Today, to me, is just to finish. Next race, may be to compete.

Weigh in today: 189.6 Not happy about it. I was 189 two weeks ago! I am glad I lost the 2 lbs I gained while away, but I was desperately wanting to see 188! Which brings me to this topic.....

Calorie Staggering. Have you ever heard of it or tried it? I have a friend that does it and it works for her. It's something like, 1200 one day, 14oo the next, 1200 again, then 1600. Supposedly helps your body to not get use to the amount of calories you are eating. Hmmm. I may try it.

And here's another topic I want to get back to... B I T E S. Yes I did an experiment and added them up, and it equaled about 500 calories!! Whoa. Definitely more aware now.

I did have an awesome Non Scale Victory this week though. We did some spring cleaning and I found 3 big garbage bags of clothes from college and when I was first married that I have not been able to wear in a long time. Guess what..two of the three bags just about everything fit!! Size L skirts and shirts! Best part is, it's cute stuff too. Whoo hoo!

I got these photos from See Jane Run in my email from the photographer. I thought I'd share. I always wear this shirt during races, it reminds me to JUST DO IT! Just finish. I'm happy that I am about 10-15 pounds lighter now than in these photos. Whoot!

Have a great weekend!
Love, The Curvy Housewife