Hello everyone! I must admit, today I was not motivated what so ever to do any exercising.... However, Carlie was sick all day yesterday so she was looking for a way out of the house. She was adamant that she wanted to go play so she was definitely my motivation today. As a matter of fact, she is my motivation everyday along with David, McKayla, and William. Without them and the support they have been giving me I know that I am doing the right thing.
McKayla said to me the other day that I don't have a fat belly anymore. I used to take offense to when anyone talked about my weight, now I'm looking for ways that people can compliment me. I want to look in the mirror and see the results of my hard work. I want others to look at me and notice the hard work. I know that we are our biggest critics and when I look at myself I don't always see what I have accomplished but my family and friends can. It is wonderful to have McKayla now tell me that I've lost the belly that I have carried for far too long.
Am I where I want to be??? Far from it. Actually I have gone so far backwards I'm just trying to play catch up to where I was a month ago. I know that struggling with this will pass in time but I am not looking at my weight gain again as a set back. I can see that I still have the waist that I worked hard for. I still have the flatter stomach (although not where I want it to be). I can feel that my butt is becoming more tone and my pecks are starting to build muscle. (My pecks are important to me because they are helping fight off the gravity that four children brings on.)
I have gained 7 pounds in a month. Is it because of lack of exercise? Not a chance. It may be a couple pounds of fat from adding more variety to my diet again but a lot of my weight gain I know is in muscle mass. I go to the gym 5 to 6 days a week, work out for at least an hour and a half but usually two hours (that's all the little ones can stay in child watch at a time), and I still don't eat a lot. I have fallen back to eating late, however, and that is something I need to change again. Even if I don't stop eating at 5pm I can stop at 6 or 6:30. But the late night snacks have not helped me.
So today, with Carlie as my motivation, I exercised for 2 full hours suffering through a shin splint to complete 2.12 miles on the treadmill in 30 minutes. I did another 45 minutes on the eliptical, totalling over 3 miles on that, and worked on my abs and other muscles for the remainder of the 2 hours. I felt so great after the workout I took the kids to the park, played a little tag, some hide and seek, "bear" family, and pushed the little ones on the swing (in the process showing them what an "underdog" was).
We had so much fun, laughing, running, jumping. Nothing can stand in my way when I have the love and laughter of my children. The hugs they share, the imaginations they pull me into. Between having to rescue my bear cubs to taking the dinosaurs out of jail, I have come to the conclusion that I am a magician who can change any environment into a world of wonder.
As I type my little monsters are hiding in the cave on my bed (my comforter) and trying to stay out of the rain. They make me want to move on and continue a journey. My imagination can take me to wonderful places when I reach different milestones. But I don't need a scale to tell me I'm doing good. I see it in my energy level and when I chase my little wonders through an empty field or even through our living room. I want to be active, I want to run, I want to be out doing things. I want to live and I have chosen to live actively.
So look deep within yourself. Who do you chose to be? Do you chose to sit on the sidelines? Do you chose to join the team and give it all you have? Or do you think you are more of the motivational person? Remember that motivation doesn't show up on the couch. Motivation shows up when you start on your journey; maybe not right away, but it will catch up with you. Drag yourself up out of the pit of no return. You have not hit rock bottom yet. I pulled myself up. Join me and we can move forward together!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
It's about that time....
Okay ladies, this post is all about us.... Guys, I can't relate to you on this topic so you'll have to pardon my apparent discrimination against you from lack of knowledge. Now, we are a society that flaunts our sexuality. However, we never seem to discuss what gives us that sexuality and the hormones that allow us to be sexual creatures....
Am I going to give a sermon on sex? Not exactly. However, I want to discuss how a girl's transformation into womanhood can sometimes lead to weight gain along with other times in a woman's life that can alter our bodies. Hormones play a large role in our body image, whether we want to believe it or not. During puberty girls normally enter what I call the "awkward" phase. You slender body is starting to develop breasts but yet you also start to become fuller everywhere else as well. I remember when I started to feel awkward in my body. I was in middle school. I looked in the mirror one day and realized that my face was puffy and I wasn't as tiny as I was before. Now I was becoming a woman, in the physical sense of the word, and what I saw wasn't exactly appealing.
I realized I couldn't just eat chips anymore. I had to work at staying healthy and looking lean. By the time I entered high school I was feeling much better. I had become healthier and my body was finally starting to even itself out. I had an hour glass figure and was completely happy with my self image. Once I was out of high school I had my first child, a wonderful baby girl, and that's when other hormones started to change my body. Now I couldn't just lounge around and eat healthy. Now I had to stay active and eat healthy to maintain a proper weight.
Of course staying active wasn't on the top of my list. After my wonderful McKayla I had 3 more children; William, Carlie, and Davey. I had just given up on the fact that I would never be slender again. And now to this day I'm still not sure if that will ever happen. My hormones and metabolism seem to have me at a stand still. No matter how hard I try I can never seem to lose the weight. It seems like a conspiracy sometimes.
Now I started exercising and eating healthier than I have ever done before. I had lost 11 pounds and then what happened???? I got my period! Yes, I get it every month. I have for the past 15 years. But now I have cravings for chocolate and sweets which I have never had before. I am realizing that throughout the years my body has changed and that means that my habits must change. I put on 5 pounds since the last time I wrote and it is because I gave into those cravings. It will not be easy next month trying to come up with things to do so I don't eat chocolate or cake all the time.
I am planning on building a garden box on my deck. With that I hope to be able to grow wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables. Hopefully that added activity will help deter my cravings for the unhealthy sweet foods and lead me to eating more healthy naturally sweet foods....
So what was the motto of this story??? Honestly, I don't know. Initially I was hoping to talk about a woman and menstrual cycles and how that can lead us to weight gain. Somehow I got sidetracked, though, and now I'm not sure where I went. It may be just a bunch of rambling but in my head it made perfect sense.
Ultimately, I want women to realize that as you age your body changes and the way your body responds to certain things changes as well. The world is forever changing, that makes us no different. We must find ways to cope and re-evaluate ourselves. Find your triggers and see how you can diffuse the situation before it becomes a massive explosion.
Like I said, a bunch of rambling, but I hope someone got something out of it. Keep working towards your goal, I know I am. Gym for me 6 days a week, one day for rest. Stay motivated and I will continue this journey with you.
Am I going to give a sermon on sex? Not exactly. However, I want to discuss how a girl's transformation into womanhood can sometimes lead to weight gain along with other times in a woman's life that can alter our bodies. Hormones play a large role in our body image, whether we want to believe it or not. During puberty girls normally enter what I call the "awkward" phase. You slender body is starting to develop breasts but yet you also start to become fuller everywhere else as well. I remember when I started to feel awkward in my body. I was in middle school. I looked in the mirror one day and realized that my face was puffy and I wasn't as tiny as I was before. Now I was becoming a woman, in the physical sense of the word, and what I saw wasn't exactly appealing.
I realized I couldn't just eat chips anymore. I had to work at staying healthy and looking lean. By the time I entered high school I was feeling much better. I had become healthier and my body was finally starting to even itself out. I had an hour glass figure and was completely happy with my self image. Once I was out of high school I had my first child, a wonderful baby girl, and that's when other hormones started to change my body. Now I couldn't just lounge around and eat healthy. Now I had to stay active and eat healthy to maintain a proper weight.
Of course staying active wasn't on the top of my list. After my wonderful McKayla I had 3 more children; William, Carlie, and Davey. I had just given up on the fact that I would never be slender again. And now to this day I'm still not sure if that will ever happen. My hormones and metabolism seem to have me at a stand still. No matter how hard I try I can never seem to lose the weight. It seems like a conspiracy sometimes.
Now I started exercising and eating healthier than I have ever done before. I had lost 11 pounds and then what happened???? I got my period! Yes, I get it every month. I have for the past 15 years. But now I have cravings for chocolate and sweets which I have never had before. I am realizing that throughout the years my body has changed and that means that my habits must change. I put on 5 pounds since the last time I wrote and it is because I gave into those cravings. It will not be easy next month trying to come up with things to do so I don't eat chocolate or cake all the time.
I am planning on building a garden box on my deck. With that I hope to be able to grow wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables. Hopefully that added activity will help deter my cravings for the unhealthy sweet foods and lead me to eating more healthy naturally sweet foods....
So what was the motto of this story??? Honestly, I don't know. Initially I was hoping to talk about a woman and menstrual cycles and how that can lead us to weight gain. Somehow I got sidetracked, though, and now I'm not sure where I went. It may be just a bunch of rambling but in my head it made perfect sense.
Ultimately, I want women to realize that as you age your body changes and the way your body responds to certain things changes as well. The world is forever changing, that makes us no different. We must find ways to cope and re-evaluate ourselves. Find your triggers and see how you can diffuse the situation before it becomes a massive explosion.
Like I said, a bunch of rambling, but I hope someone got something out of it. Keep working towards your goal, I know I am. Gym for me 6 days a week, one day for rest. Stay motivated and I will continue this journey with you.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Off the Wagon
Okay, so this past week I felt a little "entitled". I felt entitled to eat whatever I wanted, that is. I have not lost anymore weight but I have stayed relatively the same weight. I had taken myself off of such a strict schedule and that was a big mistake. Not only did I not lose any weight but I felt myself slipping right back into that horrible "food addiction" that I had suppressed for over a month. Disappointment settled in my gut and I have concluded that "entitlement" doesn't necessarily become a good thing.
For the past week I have done everything in my power to tell myself that what I was eating was okay because I deserved it. Wrong, Lauren! I deserve to be healthy, not gorge on empty calories or grease filled foods. Not what I had been working towards at all! I had been doing so well. Also, I kept telling myself that as long as I wasn't gaining weight and I was still working out I was doing okay. That is incorrect also.
I have worked so hard and I was going to throw it all away because of stupid excuses. I refuse to make excuses anymore. I will not eat that double cheeseburger because I ran 3 miles that morning. Instead I will eat a chicken caesar salad. I will not have that piece of cake for dessert. Instead I will reach for a fat free pudding cup. I will not have that soda that I haven't had in over a month. Instead I will have that glass of water that has given me renewed energy and life.
I am not going to become a statistic that falls off the diet wagon and doesn't get back on. I have brushed off my dirt and fixed my motivation. I am getting back on the wagon and weight loss will commence once again.
Good luck in dieting!
For the past week I have done everything in my power to tell myself that what I was eating was okay because I deserved it. Wrong, Lauren! I deserve to be healthy, not gorge on empty calories or grease filled foods. Not what I had been working towards at all! I had been doing so well. Also, I kept telling myself that as long as I wasn't gaining weight and I was still working out I was doing okay. That is incorrect also.
I have worked so hard and I was going to throw it all away because of stupid excuses. I refuse to make excuses anymore. I will not eat that double cheeseburger because I ran 3 miles that morning. Instead I will eat a chicken caesar salad. I will not have that piece of cake for dessert. Instead I will reach for a fat free pudding cup. I will not have that soda that I haven't had in over a month. Instead I will have that glass of water that has given me renewed energy and life.
I am not going to become a statistic that falls off the diet wagon and doesn't get back on. I have brushed off my dirt and fixed my motivation. I am getting back on the wagon and weight loss will commence once again.
Good luck in dieting!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day
I'm not really big into Valentine's Day. I think that you should show that kind of love and affection throughout the year. Valentine's Day has become a commercial holiday and, as I still buy my hubby a card, I don't see a reason to spend one day celebrating. To me, it's a day to not only love your spouse, boyfriend/ girlfriend, children, family, etc. but a day to love the most important person of all. Love yourself!
Today I didn't eat a box of chocolates, I went to the gym and climbed a mountain on the treadmill after running 2.5 miles on the eliptical. I now feel so refreshed and, honestly, I didn't want to stop. I love the way I feel after I get done a good workout. I love the feeling of accomplishment. I love the feeling of self worth that I instill upon myself.
After the gym, feeling so wonderful inside, I played outside with the little ones since the sun was shining high and warm. We played on the swingset and Carlie found a "bug" on the slide. She called me over and had actually found a small amount of snow that had been spared melting from the shade of the playhouse. She decided to bombard me with itty bitty snowballs! Can you imagine? That little stinker tricked me! There wasn't a bug, just snowballs waiting for me to come over. With the extra energy I had acquired while at the gym I was better able to enjoy the beautiful day that was bestowed upon us.
So when you are wishing everyone around you Happy Valentine's Day, why not add that person in the mirror? That person will be with you forever, rain or shine, ups or downs. That person will never abandon you. Love that person like you would love anyone else. That person in the mirror deserves it and that person in the mirror will appreciate that you have not forgotten about them! How will you show that you love them?
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you out there! May your day be full of love and joys.
Today I didn't eat a box of chocolates, I went to the gym and climbed a mountain on the treadmill after running 2.5 miles on the eliptical. I now feel so refreshed and, honestly, I didn't want to stop. I love the way I feel after I get done a good workout. I love the feeling of accomplishment. I love the feeling of self worth that I instill upon myself.
After the gym, feeling so wonderful inside, I played outside with the little ones since the sun was shining high and warm. We played on the swingset and Carlie found a "bug" on the slide. She called me over and had actually found a small amount of snow that had been spared melting from the shade of the playhouse. She decided to bombard me with itty bitty snowballs! Can you imagine? That little stinker tricked me! There wasn't a bug, just snowballs waiting for me to come over. With the extra energy I had acquired while at the gym I was better able to enjoy the beautiful day that was bestowed upon us.
So when you are wishing everyone around you Happy Valentine's Day, why not add that person in the mirror? That person will be with you forever, rain or shine, ups or downs. That person will never abandon you. Love that person like you would love anyone else. That person in the mirror deserves it and that person in the mirror will appreciate that you have not forgotten about them! How will you show that you love them?
Happy Valentine's Day to all of you out there! May your day be full of love and joys.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Moving in the right direction
Well, I still haven't been able to beat the dreaded plateau. I was hoping that once I was under 160 I would start losing again.... Failure.... Oh well. On Friday Dave and I decided to join the local YMCA again. We took Carlie and David swimming. We had a blast! I can't wait to take McKayla and William tomorrow night!
Yesterday Dave and I went to work out for a little bit. We each did 30 minutes/ 3 miles on the eliptical and that was definitely enough. Today, since child watch isn't open on Sunday's, I will be visiting the Y alone. I will have Pandora on rocking out to Pop Hits of the 90's. It's amazing how songs from my past make me want to get moving again.... Sometimes I think and wonder what I did when I was younger to stay so fit. I moved around, a lot.
Before I had my car I used to walk almost everywhere. I remember saying that once I got my license I would still walk everywhere. Well, that didn't happen. I think, though, that I will once again start doing that on nice days. If I have to go to the store that's right across the creek, why drive? There is a sidewalk from my house to the Dollar Store or Food Lion. I can just walk there. Also, if I really want to move I can walk that mile to the gas station to get that gallon of milk... or why not 2 gallons? If I have 2 gallons I can lift weights on the way back. :)
Imagine everything you can do in a day. You really don't need a gym membership to lose weight, however it is convenient on those really cold, rainy, miserable days. I saw on tv the other day that walking 2,000 steps a day will burn 100 calories. How can you incorporate an extra 2,000 steps a day? That seems like a lot when you look at it in a whole. But what if you do it subconsciously? Do you ever take your glass to the fridge to pour your milk or juice? Why not leave the glass on the furthest part of your counter, walk to the fridge, get the milk/ juice out, walk back to your glass, then walk back to the fridge... ending with the walk back to your glass? There you added 20- 30 steps depending on how large your kitchen is. Yes, it adds time. Yes, we are a society where we try and find ways to cut corners so we can make room for other activities in the day.
Here is a challenge: Try adding 2,000 extra steps a day into your life. So what if that diminishes the amount of time you sit on the couch to only 1 hour and 50 minutes instead of 2 hours. We are an obese society and the first way to change that is in the home. As much as it is good for schools to improve habits in children's lives it is more important for parents to begin at home.
I maintain a household with very little snacks or sweets. I incorporate fun ways for my children to snack. We make ants on a log or silly faces with fruit. They like snacks but I find that at the grocery store they ask me for bananas, tomatoes, grapes, apples.... They don't ask for potato chips or cookies. This is because I started at home with teaching good habits. That's where it needs to start.
So work on the challenge, keep motivated, keep moving. I know that I will not stay down for the count. I get back up and I keep working at it. My goal is not unattainable, it is just taking me a little longer than expected to reach it. I will make it, though, and so will you. Let's continue to do this together!
Yesterday Dave and I went to work out for a little bit. We each did 30 minutes/ 3 miles on the eliptical and that was definitely enough. Today, since child watch isn't open on Sunday's, I will be visiting the Y alone. I will have Pandora on rocking out to Pop Hits of the 90's. It's amazing how songs from my past make me want to get moving again.... Sometimes I think and wonder what I did when I was younger to stay so fit. I moved around, a lot.
Before I had my car I used to walk almost everywhere. I remember saying that once I got my license I would still walk everywhere. Well, that didn't happen. I think, though, that I will once again start doing that on nice days. If I have to go to the store that's right across the creek, why drive? There is a sidewalk from my house to the Dollar Store or Food Lion. I can just walk there. Also, if I really want to move I can walk that mile to the gas station to get that gallon of milk... or why not 2 gallons? If I have 2 gallons I can lift weights on the way back. :)
Imagine everything you can do in a day. You really don't need a gym membership to lose weight, however it is convenient on those really cold, rainy, miserable days. I saw on tv the other day that walking 2,000 steps a day will burn 100 calories. How can you incorporate an extra 2,000 steps a day? That seems like a lot when you look at it in a whole. But what if you do it subconsciously? Do you ever take your glass to the fridge to pour your milk or juice? Why not leave the glass on the furthest part of your counter, walk to the fridge, get the milk/ juice out, walk back to your glass, then walk back to the fridge... ending with the walk back to your glass? There you added 20- 30 steps depending on how large your kitchen is. Yes, it adds time. Yes, we are a society where we try and find ways to cut corners so we can make room for other activities in the day.
Here is a challenge: Try adding 2,000 extra steps a day into your life. So what if that diminishes the amount of time you sit on the couch to only 1 hour and 50 minutes instead of 2 hours. We are an obese society and the first way to change that is in the home. As much as it is good for schools to improve habits in children's lives it is more important for parents to begin at home.
I maintain a household with very little snacks or sweets. I incorporate fun ways for my children to snack. We make ants on a log or silly faces with fruit. They like snacks but I find that at the grocery store they ask me for bananas, tomatoes, grapes, apples.... They don't ask for potato chips or cookies. This is because I started at home with teaching good habits. That's where it needs to start.
So work on the challenge, keep motivated, keep moving. I know that I will not stay down for the count. I get back up and I keep working at it. My goal is not unattainable, it is just taking me a little longer than expected to reach it. I will make it, though, and so will you. Let's continue to do this together!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
One Entire Month!
Today I reached my 4 week mark, aka my 1 month mark! Yay! So far this whole dieting and exercise thing has been pretty easy. However, this last week (my birthday week) I did not behave as I should have. My exercises weren't up to the standards I had been putting on myself, but they were there none the less. I haven't gone an entire day without any exercise what so ever so that is pleasing....
What else is pleasing??? My plateau has officially been surpassed! I haven't been below 160 pounds in at least 3 years and as of this morning, along with the 2 mornings prior to today, I have been 159 pounds! Now you may not think that is a big deal but when you haven't been in the 150's in at least 3 years, you can see your toes without bending over your belly, and you can run 2.2 miles in 30 minutes THAT'S an accomplishment. As of today I have lost a total of 11 pounds. 11 pounds in just 4 weeks! That's amazing!
I have become so happy with myself that I find myself looking in the mirror not in disgust but rather with a smile on my face. I am beginning to love what I see when I look in the mirror. I am not there 100% but I would say that I am 22% happier! (That 22% is the 11 pounds I have shed off of my 50 pound goal) Being happy with myself is allowing me to be happier in general, on a day to day basis. I love waking up in the morning and cooking the kid's breakfast. I haven't ever done that on school days. I normally would give them a toaster strudel or waffles and call it a morning. I find myself cooking eggs, bacon, toast, muffins from scratch. I think my kids are starting to like having a home cooked breakfast now. It's kind of a disappointment to them when I oversleep and they have to have a pop tart and banana instead of eggs and toast.
Dave has been a wonderful support this past month. He has tried to do exercises with me on his days off but he doesn't get as motivated as I do. I don't mind, though, because he does work long days and he probably really doesn't want to exercise once he does finally get to relax. Me, I find exercising relaxing. I used to say that I did my best thinking in the shower, now I also do it while running, crunches not so much.
I like when I run in place in the mornings and David and Carlie come up and they will each hold one of my hands and run with me. We are having some quality time that they don't even realize is good for them. But they have to be careful, sometimes the monster comes out in me and I chase them around the kitchen and living room. :) McKayla has agreed to run with me when she can and William wants to start running with me as well. I like the fact that they are motivated, no compelled, to run with me. I know that one day they won't want to so I will definitely take any type of quality time with them that I can.
My children are my world and it saddens me at how fast they are growing. I have not always been a model parent but by becoming healthy I am able to become a role model that will pass on from generation to generation. Today children are planted infront of computers and video games but I don't think that should be the case. I remember having to do special testing through elementary school where we had to run a mile and do pull ups, sit ups, everything. I used to think it was torture but now I wish that they had more testing like that. Academically you can be smart but being physically smart is good as well. I don't want to have my life shortened by any amount of time because I am unhealthy. I want to be around for generations to come. I want to tell my great- great grandchildren about how it was growing up in the late 90's.
I love everyone who has been supportive in my endeavour to lose weight. I will continue and make everyone proud!
What else is pleasing??? My plateau has officially been surpassed! I haven't been below 160 pounds in at least 3 years and as of this morning, along with the 2 mornings prior to today, I have been 159 pounds! Now you may not think that is a big deal but when you haven't been in the 150's in at least 3 years, you can see your toes without bending over your belly, and you can run 2.2 miles in 30 minutes THAT'S an accomplishment. As of today I have lost a total of 11 pounds. 11 pounds in just 4 weeks! That's amazing!
I have become so happy with myself that I find myself looking in the mirror not in disgust but rather with a smile on my face. I am beginning to love what I see when I look in the mirror. I am not there 100% but I would say that I am 22% happier! (That 22% is the 11 pounds I have shed off of my 50 pound goal) Being happy with myself is allowing me to be happier in general, on a day to day basis. I love waking up in the morning and cooking the kid's breakfast. I haven't ever done that on school days. I normally would give them a toaster strudel or waffles and call it a morning. I find myself cooking eggs, bacon, toast, muffins from scratch. I think my kids are starting to like having a home cooked breakfast now. It's kind of a disappointment to them when I oversleep and they have to have a pop tart and banana instead of eggs and toast.
Dave has been a wonderful support this past month. He has tried to do exercises with me on his days off but he doesn't get as motivated as I do. I don't mind, though, because he does work long days and he probably really doesn't want to exercise once he does finally get to relax. Me, I find exercising relaxing. I used to say that I did my best thinking in the shower, now I also do it while running, crunches not so much.
I like when I run in place in the mornings and David and Carlie come up and they will each hold one of my hands and run with me. We are having some quality time that they don't even realize is good for them. But they have to be careful, sometimes the monster comes out in me and I chase them around the kitchen and living room. :) McKayla has agreed to run with me when she can and William wants to start running with me as well. I like the fact that they are motivated, no compelled, to run with me. I know that one day they won't want to so I will definitely take any type of quality time with them that I can.
My children are my world and it saddens me at how fast they are growing. I have not always been a model parent but by becoming healthy I am able to become a role model that will pass on from generation to generation. Today children are planted infront of computers and video games but I don't think that should be the case. I remember having to do special testing through elementary school where we had to run a mile and do pull ups, sit ups, everything. I used to think it was torture but now I wish that they had more testing like that. Academically you can be smart but being physically smart is good as well. I don't want to have my life shortened by any amount of time because I am unhealthy. I want to be around for generations to come. I want to tell my great- great grandchildren about how it was growing up in the late 90's.
I love everyone who has been supportive in my endeavour to lose weight. I will continue and make everyone proud!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Just a little thumbs up....
For the past couple days, thanks to my wonderful husband and children, I have been running around our little town and listening to music. I thank them because without them wanting to take a bike ride on my birthday I never would have known which ways to turn without ever travelling the same way twice. Being less repetative has helped me in wanting to run.... Even in the three days that I have been doing this I can feel a difference in the way my body is reacting to an increased need for endurance.
Yesterday, fearing that I would not stay out long if I went alone, I took Minnie (our little jack russel) with me. By the time we had only gone about half way I was literally dragging her behind me. I figured that she would enjoy being out, she likes walks, but she does NOT like runs. Today, still fearing that I would not stay gone long, I asked McKayla and William if they wanted to go with me. McKayla said that she would so off we went.
Almost immediately I had to explain to McKayla how to pace yourself so you don't make your body too tired off in the beginning. She slowed to my pace and we kept going. By the time we exited our neighborhood through the back way she was complaining about being out of breath. Trying to keep her motivated and wanting to still run with me I told her to breath in through her nose and out through her mouth, taking long slow breaths, not rapid breathing. We got a little further and we were chit chatting on how cold it was this morning and how no one else was out at 8:30 in the morning. (My children still don't realize the concept of sleeping in.)
We were still having a nice run until about 1/4 of the way through our run her side started hurting.... "Can we just stop running?".... "Why do we have to run the entire time?".... "You know that playing is exercise, too? You don't have to run!" This became an ongoing thing throughout our entire run. However, as we were jogging and I was listening to her complain about being tired, we saw a lady being dropped off by her friend at her house. When the friend backed out and drove past us she smiled, nodded her head, I waved, and she gave us a big thumbs up.
I had to explain to McKayla that a lot of people don't think to include their children in things. This was a way, even though it wasn't much fun for her, for us to bond and spend time together. Not only that but it shows that I am the kind of parent that I want to be, the kind that doesn't let their children sit inside all day and watch television or play video games. It is necessary to teach at least this value to my children.
I was always athletic when I was younger, trading it for boys when I became a teenager, but I always liked being outside. I went from being that active person to a young mom, to a young wife, and then a young mom again and again and again. Somewhere in my love of being outside I lost the active part in that for myself. I am slowly regaining that active part while trying to enforce in my children that exercise can be fun. Running can be fun. And McKayla is right, playing is exercise, too.
So I'm not going to sit on the sidelines anymore when the kids are playing outside. I am going to become more active in the lives that I thought I held a pretty firm grasp of before. Now, though, I am seeing otherwise. I can initiate that game of tag instead of waiting to be pulled into it. I can pull out their bikes more instead of them asking to go for a ride. I can change a lot and I will. I will begin to see the world through the eyes of my children and just let go. I will not be the prude that I would be sometimes. Sometimes is not good enough, never is more like it!
I saw some crocus's on our run this morning, already starting to peek their buds out of the cacoon of gras that is part of their beauty. While the buds are starting to come up early I am realizing that McKayla is starting to bloom as this beautiful, remarkable, wonderful young girl. She is getting to the age that she no longer wants to do silly stuff with Mom and Dad. Maybe running will be just what her and I need, a way to bond that isn't "embarassing" to her.
For now I will stick with the fact that I got a little thumbs up from a lady I have never met, showing her approval of the changes I am making in my life whether they be for my family or just for me. Talk another day.
Keep your head up, your smile on, and these words in your heart, "YOU CAN DO IT!"
Yesterday, fearing that I would not stay out long if I went alone, I took Minnie (our little jack russel) with me. By the time we had only gone about half way I was literally dragging her behind me. I figured that she would enjoy being out, she likes walks, but she does NOT like runs. Today, still fearing that I would not stay gone long, I asked McKayla and William if they wanted to go with me. McKayla said that she would so off we went.
Almost immediately I had to explain to McKayla how to pace yourself so you don't make your body too tired off in the beginning. She slowed to my pace and we kept going. By the time we exited our neighborhood through the back way she was complaining about being out of breath. Trying to keep her motivated and wanting to still run with me I told her to breath in through her nose and out through her mouth, taking long slow breaths, not rapid breathing. We got a little further and we were chit chatting on how cold it was this morning and how no one else was out at 8:30 in the morning. (My children still don't realize the concept of sleeping in.)
We were still having a nice run until about 1/4 of the way through our run her side started hurting.... "Can we just stop running?".... "Why do we have to run the entire time?".... "You know that playing is exercise, too? You don't have to run!" This became an ongoing thing throughout our entire run. However, as we were jogging and I was listening to her complain about being tired, we saw a lady being dropped off by her friend at her house. When the friend backed out and drove past us she smiled, nodded her head, I waved, and she gave us a big thumbs up.
I had to explain to McKayla that a lot of people don't think to include their children in things. This was a way, even though it wasn't much fun for her, for us to bond and spend time together. Not only that but it shows that I am the kind of parent that I want to be, the kind that doesn't let their children sit inside all day and watch television or play video games. It is necessary to teach at least this value to my children.
I was always athletic when I was younger, trading it for boys when I became a teenager, but I always liked being outside. I went from being that active person to a young mom, to a young wife, and then a young mom again and again and again. Somewhere in my love of being outside I lost the active part in that for myself. I am slowly regaining that active part while trying to enforce in my children that exercise can be fun. Running can be fun. And McKayla is right, playing is exercise, too.
So I'm not going to sit on the sidelines anymore when the kids are playing outside. I am going to become more active in the lives that I thought I held a pretty firm grasp of before. Now, though, I am seeing otherwise. I can initiate that game of tag instead of waiting to be pulled into it. I can pull out their bikes more instead of them asking to go for a ride. I can change a lot and I will. I will begin to see the world through the eyes of my children and just let go. I will not be the prude that I would be sometimes. Sometimes is not good enough, never is more like it!
I saw some crocus's on our run this morning, already starting to peek their buds out of the cacoon of gras that is part of their beauty. While the buds are starting to come up early I am realizing that McKayla is starting to bloom as this beautiful, remarkable, wonderful young girl. She is getting to the age that she no longer wants to do silly stuff with Mom and Dad. Maybe running will be just what her and I need, a way to bond that isn't "embarassing" to her.
For now I will stick with the fact that I got a little thumbs up from a lady I have never met, showing her approval of the changes I am making in my life whether they be for my family or just for me. Talk another day.
Keep your head up, your smile on, and these words in your heart, "YOU CAN DO IT!"
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Week 3
Well, this is not going to be much. Today is my 3 week weigh in and I am so happy with my progress! As of today I weigh 160.4 pounds, down a total of 9.6 pounds in 3 weeks. I have lost 5.6% of my body weight so far and only have 40.4 pounds to go before reaching my goal! I am super duper excited to share this with everyone! I was so excited that I starting jogging first thing this morning! I knew it was going to be a good day!
So many exclamation points uptop.... That is ALWAYS a good thing to be that excited in what you have accomplished. So, Happy Birthday to me for getting to that 10 pound mark (if you round up but close enough for me!). I figured that today I wouldn't share a weight loss excersise or technique that I use. I would really like to share my new favorite bread recipe..... It's "Delicious Pumpkin Bread" and the name does not do justice to just how delicate and decadant this bread actually is. So here it is, hope you enjoy as much as my family and I did!
5 eggs
1-1/4 cups vegetable oil (use unsweetened apple sauce for reduced fat)
1 can (15 ounces) solid- pack pumpkin (I used puree)
2 cups all- purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 packages (3 ounces each) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix (I used instant)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add oil and pumpkin; beat until smooth. Combine all of the remaining ingredients; gradually beat into the pumpkin mixture.
2. Pour into 5 greased 5-3/4-in. x 3-in x 2-in loaf pans (or make them into muffins which I did and that was the perfect portion size!). Bake at 325 for 50-55 minutes for loaf, 20-25 minutes for muffins, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Yield: 5 mini loaves (8 slices each)
Nutrition Facts: 1 slice equals 150 calories, 8 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 27 mg cholesterol, 96 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein
(Source: The Tast of Home Cookbook)
I like to serve mine warm but next time I think I may let them cool and mix up a cream cheese frosting to put on the top. Added calories but also added yummy!
So many exclamation points uptop.... That is ALWAYS a good thing to be that excited in what you have accomplished. So, Happy Birthday to me for getting to that 10 pound mark (if you round up but close enough for me!). I figured that today I wouldn't share a weight loss excersise or technique that I use. I would really like to share my new favorite bread recipe..... It's "Delicious Pumpkin Bread" and the name does not do justice to just how delicate and decadant this bread actually is. So here it is, hope you enjoy as much as my family and I did!
5 eggs
1-1/4 cups vegetable oil (use unsweetened apple sauce for reduced fat)
1 can (15 ounces) solid- pack pumpkin (I used puree)
2 cups all- purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 packages (3 ounces each) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix (I used instant)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add oil and pumpkin; beat until smooth. Combine all of the remaining ingredients; gradually beat into the pumpkin mixture.
2. Pour into 5 greased 5-3/4-in. x 3-in x 2-in loaf pans (or make them into muffins which I did and that was the perfect portion size!). Bake at 325 for 50-55 minutes for loaf, 20-25 minutes for muffins, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
Yield: 5 mini loaves (8 slices each)
Nutrition Facts: 1 slice equals 150 calories, 8 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 27 mg cholesterol, 96 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein
(Source: The Tast of Home Cookbook)
I like to serve mine warm but next time I think I may let them cool and mix up a cream cheese frosting to put on the top. Added calories but also added yummy!
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