The 25 {11-15}

I challenged myself this past year by completing 25 personal goals...to read the full list go here and to read (and see) the details of 1-5 go here and 6-10 go here

11. Join a women’s bible study

This one was slightly tweaked but yielded the same results so I’m calling it a success. Earlier in the year we were approached to facilitate one of the Home Groups at our church. Basically a Home Group meets throughout the month to discuss the Sunday teaching and dive a little deeper as well as be there for each other and share what’s on our hearts. Being in our mid twenties and feeling very much out of my comfort zone we agreed to be facilitators and ended up with 12 people (5 married couples and 2 singles) we spend every Sunday night with. I was just telling Davy that it’s so cool how there are so many different walks of life and personalities all in one room that would never have befriended each other outside of church yet we keep coming back week after week and have found our groove.

12. Entertain friends/ family at least once a month at our house (12)

6 times, that’s it! We managed to have double dates outside of the home as well as dinner or fires at friend’s houses but I was really hoping we could step up our hosting game. A big factor for not completing this was our big OMG we’re moving midyear crisis and the fact that our house now isn’t even half the size of our old one! Overall I’m thankful for the friendships that have grown this year with couples we truly want to invest in.

 

13 Run a 5k (I’m too scared to say 10k)

Womp womp, didn’t happen. I’m kicking myself (ok not really there is a baby in there) for not doing this over the summer when I was running 3 miles in the treadmill on a random Tuesday night but I kept telling myself I’ll do it when it cools down. Not thinking I hope to be pregnant by then and the unknown factors like having zero energy to exercise for months then being too far along in the pregnancy to feel comfortable running 3 miles straight. I had a quick fleeting thought mid November I could hop back on a treadmill, get back my running pace, and complete a race before the belly got too big but again fleeting thought.

 

14 Wear a bikini in public

I was really looking forward to having some great picture of me on a crowded beach in a bikini feeling liberated but surprisingly once I felt comfortable enough to wear one I only had one beach opportunity. We were on a family beach trip and I wore it on the public beach for a short time but then my arms grew goose bumps and I changed. After that I don’t even think we went to the beach again so yes technically I did wear one but not the ah-ha moment I was hoping for. And no pictures, I’m so very sorry.

15 Compile a memory verse book for Moses

YES YES YES! I kept racking my brain trying to figure out how I was going to use illustrations and words and colors to make it kid friendly all while making it durable enough to last. One day BAM it hit me; Shutterfly books, I love you! I pulled about 30 verses that were short and/or pertaining to kids and collected personal and Google pictures to make the book interesting at every turn. I wanted the pictures to tie into the verses and help jog his memory; I wanted fun colors and backgrounds because he’s four! If I had too hard of time finding a picture then I’d scrap the verse wildling me down to the 25 that made the book. If you want to make a similar book (or Shutterfly book in general) but get freaked out at the $30 price tag then just wait around because they always go on sale! I’d sign up and get started on your project now then save it until a sale comes around. The week I purchased my book Shutterfly happen to send me a $20 off coupon and I checked this past week and Photo books were 40% off!

The 25 {1-5}

(The 25 list finished)

1. Print out wedding photos for an old fashion album
Isn’t it funny how we have hundreds of photos stored across five different computers and even the super important ones (like your wedding day!) you make up some excuse why you don’t print them. For me it was overwhelming…or so I thought. I spent one night in front of the computer selecting 100 of my favorites (thanks Shutterfly for the free prints) and then another night loading them into a picture frame just right! So easy! So simple!

2. See two movies in the theater in one day
Back when I was single I could easily see myself wasting away an afternoon watching two movies but now my free time is so limited this was rather tricky. It was hard to not feel guilty taking up roughly 5 hours of my Saturday and we are too busy on Sundays for this to be consider so it left a week night. I took off work at 4 and met my first movie date (Molly) at 4:30 for Life of Pi; we were surrounded by the Old Folks Home and snacked on cookies as we watched CGI blow our minds. Immediately following Davy came to meet me and we saw the wonderful Silver Linings Playbook while drinking a jumbo icee. I purposefully picked two very different movies to mix it up and surprisingly my butt didn't go numb the entire time (and if you're counting that was a total 11 hours of sitting down in one day).

3. Lose 20 pounds
This is one of the things I never thought I’d be able to cross off and I DID! I posted about the journey some already here and here but overall let me just tell you it was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I stuck to a goal, I had my struggles, I met some incredibly wonderful people along the journey, and I felt good about myself. For the first time in a long time I liked the way I looked and felt confident with not only the inside but outside. Weight Watchers is such a rewarding program and I’m already thinking about signing up in June after the little guy is here.

4. Start and finish five different sewing projects.
The reason I have this on my list is because my mother is an incredibly talented seamstress and I’ve seen the results of what a sewing machine and some patience can produce. Why buy something when it can be custom made to exactly what you want or you can make it for a fraction of the price. I wanted this year to make me more comfortable in front of the machine and build confidence to make things on my own.

1. Moses’ Halloween costume. It took him about 34 difference conversations to finally decide what to be and at this point we were pretty set on not going trick or treating because it fell on a Wednesday night. He needed something to wear for his school party so I whipped this little guy up with an old shirt, lots of felt, and a little tin foil. Nothing to write home about but he loved it!

The only way to make a 3 year old stand still is to allow Goofy Face, amiright?

2. Super hero capes. My distaste for Superheroes at this age is a different post entirely however I will say I don’t like him being Batman or whoever man because it instantly turns into killing. Yes I know most superheroes are good and they save but in Moses’ eye they just fight and kill. I wanted him to be able to be a Superhero but any kind of Superhero he wanted which led to the Super Moses cape. Actually the Super Moses, Alex, and Evan cape because I made his cousins one for Christmas with the idea they could all play together. My friend Kristina sent me the pattern and with a little pattern to fabric help from my Mom we put these together in December. I made sure Moses’ was his favorite colors red and purple and they each felt special with their letter on the back. I knew it was a success when Cousin Evan put his on everyday he was visiting! (Pictures coming soon!)

5. Take family photos
Seeing as I had skipped taking professional photos at all in 2011 it had been entirely too long! I knew this had to be done after I completed #3 but it was just icing on the very delicious cake to be able to announce our pregnancy through this session. My good friend Sarah who has taken all of our family pictures agreed to take these but had no idea it was a family of four session! We actually planned to take them weeks prior and I remember feeling a wave of panic as my stomach was expanding and my jeans were no long buttoning nicely. Thankfully they invented maternity skinny jeans so I wouldn’t need to change my planned outfit, just my pants.

May {The 25}

I never wanted this to be a reason I avoided blogging or to ever feel overwhelming by the tasks; it’s supposed to be fun. It has been fun. Just because I miss a few things on the list that were intended to be monthly doesn’t mean I just need to push the entire list aside, right? Right? Right.

#3 Lose 20 pounds.

Check.

…..

...

WEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Check Check Check Mark! This was the hardest most farfetched thing on my list because I was sitting at a weight I was extremely uncomfortable at yet I let it ride out for months and months without doing a thing about it. How was I going to lose 5? 8? 12 pounds? 20…gone!

#6 Write a friend a letter at least once a month (12)

Finally sent out a few letters! I knew who the first person on my letter list would be and she continued to sit at #1 for the past few months while I avoided pulling out stationary. Then one day, out of the blue, I get a letter from her in the mail! A sweet letter of encouragement and it made my day! Then I thought to myself, if this made my day why the heck am I not sending out a letter to someone every week! It feels great to get something personal in the mail and I have to remember these letters aren’t for me but to encourage the person who receives them.

#12 Entertain friends/ family at least once a month at our house (12)

It was last minute but we had my mother in law over one night for dinner before she watched Moses so we could date. This happens almost every time we do something alone with Davy’s mom; we think “Gee that was nice, let’s remember to hang out with her alone more often” and then we never do! She lives alone and keeps busy by shopping and working on her house and loving on her grandkids but it’s nice have her over. Next up we must invite my parents over because sadly we never have had them for dinner. Weird, right?

And welp, that’s it! I have a few things planned out which will help tackle the list that I’m pretty excited about considering only 3 things got done last month it’s time to get out of my bubble and live a little more!

The Weight Watcher Diary

Here’s the deal: I have a blog but no convenient place to write. It’s kind of ironic because I stare at a computer screen 8 hours a day but an office is no place to blog. We don’t have home internet (or cable, big shocker!) and trying to type anything over 140 characters is extremely annoying on a Smartphone. So all these posts float around my head but rarely flow out into sentences. For instance, the Weight Watcher daily diary I was doing a couple of weeks ago…boom, just stopped. Basically I kept with the eating and exercising the rest of the week and ended up losing 2.4 pounds at my weigh in Saturday morning.

There is no magic pill and surviving on shakes and carrots is no way to live if you want long lasting results. You saw exactly how I acted all week; I ate 3 meals a day plus snacks, I made mostly good food choices when I did eat those meals, and I got my heart rate up and burned calories. Along with that I consumed water all day everyday and took a multivitamin and…that’s it! That is the secret to success.

Here are some of my favorite excuses: I hate water…okay then drink diet coke, water, and put crystal lite in your water. I don’t have time to track what I eat…but you have time to tweet? It’s THAT easy people! Or I can’t put it 5 hours a week at the gym…so go outside and brisk walk for 30 minutes. In fact, you don’t ever have to exercise to lose weight if you’re tracking your food but I can guarantee it will help.

There are some days (like this past Tuesday) where I convinced Davy to order breadsticks and I sat there and  ate 5 of them for dinner or days when I don’t count at all because x,y,z but then I get right back on it and continue to look forward.

My Week: Thursday

I’ve never addressed the water intake but I have a wonderful 24oz Starbucks (duh!) cold cup and I drink about 4 or 5 refills of it each work day. At home I only drink water and if I work out I easily go through a water bottle or 2. So yeah, I love water and so does my body!

Thursday

7:15- I roll around and realize the boys are up and Davy is still here- victory! I lay in silence and listen to the boy’s conversation…Moses informs Davy the difference between how Mommy and Daddy go peepee and I slightly die inside.

7:15-8:15- I’ve been craving a smoothie so I whip one up first thing.

Berry Green smoothie: 1 frozen banana, handful of blueberries, two strawberries, blueberry greek yogurt, ½ cup skim milk, large handful of spinach. Throw it all in the blender and breakfast is served! Note: using a brown frozen banana adds extra chill and so much more sweetness because of how ripe it is. Anytime my banans turn brownish I throw them in the freezer for smoothies or banana bread. To peel simply heat in microwave 30 seconds and it’s soft enough to pull off). I sit in the freezer while I continue to get ready. Moses wants a smoothie too but only drinks about two sips of it before giving it back to me. He wants just to want!

8:30- While driving to school I remind Moses that he gets a popsicle after school if he behaves today because after yesterday’s melt down at school he didn’t get any treats. He ensures he’ll have a GREAT day!

10am- my stomach is a little upset; not sure if it’s all the dairy or the spinach or what but I’m in no mood to eat.

12:15- I eat a frozen Smart One spicy Thai peanut chicken noodle thing because I’m hungry and I’m hoping it will just make whatever’s wrong go away. I took a short lunch at my desk which was way too short. I eat a Dove chocolate because I’m in denial lunch is over.

3pm- Just feeling crappy and bored and like I want to eat something naughty. This ALWAYS happens to me on Thursdays and Fridays because I’m ready for the weekend and think that will make it all better.

      Snack: Mini bag of popcorn and another Dove. Blah…I want a cupcake!

6:15pm- The boys are happy because my MIL is coming over for dinner AND we are going on a movie date after we eat!

Food: Skinny Taste Jalapeño Popper Chicken with a side of roasted red potatoes and salad. I put ½ of a red potato on my plate (just to taste it but not indulge) but mostly fill it with lots of salad and a small piece of chicken. Not going to lie, the chicken is amazing!

8:00pm- Oh hi, worst decision of the week. Here I am on a date wanting something sweet and we are at the Publix bakery. I get a frosted cookie that I know is a terrible idea but I do it anyways. It taste amazing but about an hour later I realize it wasn’t worth it and make a mental note this unsatisfied feeling is greater than the one I had thinking that a cookie would make me satisfied. I work too hard to let these things trip me up. I forgive myself and move on because it’s too late but lesson learned.

11:00pm- the movie was long (Hunger Games; Hubs read the series but had yet to see the movie…he loved it) and we’re exhausted.

My Week: Tuesday

Tuesday

7:15- Moses comes in our room and cries when he realizes Daddy’s gone to work. This new position is an adjustment for all of us.

7:15-8:00- We quickly realize the power is out so it’s a strange morning. No TV or hair straightener or standing with the fridge open; I get hot quick and we’re out the door early.

8:20- Since I’m early I figure I’ll get my Publix shopping out of the way; the store is practically empty and although my cart is loaded full it only took 25 minutes. I have already browsed Skinny Taste as well as my pantry and picked out meals for this week; I’ve been trying to spend around $75 a week on groceries so I’m cutting down on extras and keeping to the list. I always do a couple chicken dishes mixed with a shrimp or beef dish to keep Davy happy.

Staples in my cart are: Strawberries, bananas, apples, oranges, mangos (have been on sale lately), bell peppers, onion, spinach, frozen broccoli, Board’s Head Everroast chicken, shredded cheddar for my boys, bread, greek yogurt and regular yogurt, eggs, egg whites. These foods make up breakfast and lunches as well as snacks.

Dinners normally call for a mix of: yellow rice, beans, sweet potatoes, brown rice, panko or Italian bread crumbs, squash, various seasonings or sauces I have at home.

I spend $90 at Publix and I know I still need to do another dry run at lunch…crap! Not on budget!

9am- At work I make a bowl of greek yogurt with slices strawberries and blueberries; it tastes awesome! I have some coffee later on but only half a cup. I don’t need coffee to function so sometimes it’s just for flavor.

12:15- I’m still not that hungry so I eat a banana before heading to Wal Mart. I hate Wal Mart but you can’t beat their prices of some dry food or brand name things so it’s my go to maybe once a week. Blah, not nearly as fun as Target!

Food:  I eat some sliced lunch meat, sliced bell peppers, and blueberries because I’m hungry but not starving and I need something quick as I’ve already started to work again. Fun fact: you don’t need bread or other dry starchy carb thing with every lunch; fresh food is satisfying especially when you slice it all before you sit down and have a big spread to pick from.

3pm- Hmmm here comes 3pm hunger. I want something fun so I check the points on this new organic cinnamon crunch cereal I bought and it’s only 3 points for 1 cp! Waa hoo hello bowl of cereal for snack!

5:45- Feeling hungry but there is no way I’m eating; dinner is soon! I’m low on my points today but I feel like I’ve been eating…soon it’s 6pm and I’m out the door.

6:15pm- Unload all the food and start dinner. The boys get home (waa hoo) and we play and cook.

7:00pm- Dinner: Grilled flank steak with a black bean, tomatoes, and corn (fiesta flavor) salsa (Skinny Taste) with a side of yellow rice. Its yum and the flavors are great so no cheese or sour cream needed!

7:15-8:00pm- Play time! We do some memory games and goof off; in between I’m prepping the sausage egg mcmuffins I’m making for Davy for his breakfasts. He needs something fast in the mornings and a twitter friend gave me her recipe. They were super easy and I’m already thinking of ways I have make them Weight Watcher friendly.

8:00pm- I snuggle with Moses and read a few books before bed.

8:15-9:00pm- Me and Hubs kick it on the couch. We are half watching TV, half talking, and I’m dicing fruit for the popsicles I’m making.

9:00-10pm- I get on the treadmill and watch TV while Davy plays video games then unwinds with TV. He’s exhausted and heads to bed by 9:30. I finish my 2.5 mile run and stretch on the floor while finishing my show before cleaning up and heading to bed…I’m shutting down by 10:30pm.

My Week: Monday

If you're sick of hearing about exercising, eating right, and losing weight, then press the back button and run away! While my Weight Watcher journey has sort of taken over the blog these last few months it doesn’t mean that’s all I’m focused on; my boys, house, work, family, and social life are still very much a part of the daily happenings. I thought it would be fun to share a glimpse into my week and how I’m juggling (not mastering) it all.

Monday

7am- waking up to the alarm; Davy is already gone for work.

7:15-8:15- laying out clothes for Moses, doing my makeup & hair, and figuring out what to wear and what to pack for lunch. I bring my bathroom box into the living room to get ready so I have time to talk with Moses and be present in his morning. He of course is eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while watching a movie. If we have a banana he will ask for that first and breakfast is always accompanied with a glass of milk.

Food: I had time to make a fried egg and a slice of toast w/ 1 tsp of butter; it was a 5 point breakfast but very satisfying and tasty!

9am- At work I get a cup of coffee w/1 point of creamer.

10:30- I’m hungry but I’m busy so I just keep working

12:00- I’m too hungry to focus and I hate that I’ve waited this long…mistake! I’m staying in for lunch but realize throwing off my normal Monday lunchtime grocery shopping routine was a bad idea. I like to get out for lunch but today I’ll just sit around.

Food: I eat a Smart Ones quesadilla for 5 pts with a side of sliced bell peppers.  I finish and I’m still hungry and I know it’s because I didn’t have a snack. I decide to eat my 3 pt Greek yogurt too then its back to work.

3pm- I’m hungry, as I always am at this time. Today I know the plan is to work out hard so I want something that’s going to satisfy. I eat an individual cottage cheese (2%) an individual unsweetened pure applesauce (0 pts!) and a Dove mini chocolate. This week I discovered all of the Dove bites are 5 for 6 points (around 1 point each) so I’ve picked up the caramel filled milk chocolate ones as well as my traditional dark! I love BOGO; thanks for the heads up Tamera!

4:30pm- my mouth is bored therefore I’m “hungry”; I fill up my 24 oz cup with yet another glass of cold water and chew a piece of gum. I look over my points and get excited that I have enough points to have a good dinner and maybe another Dove; I remind myself that I don’t need to eat. Chill out Caroline, its just food.

6:15pm- I walk in the door to find my boys aren’t home so I slowly get ready for the gym and look over my new magazine (Women’s Health) that’s just arrived. I scored an entire year subscription for $4 and it’s a fun treat to have around the house. I hate that I don’t see the boys before the gym because we normally have this time together.

6:45pm- I hate you conditioning class, but I love ya! This class is non stop weight lifting, squats, leg lifts, pushups, blah blah blah I hate it! BUT the instructor is crazy awesome and I push through knowing it’s doing my body good.

7:45pm- Hello Zumba! The happiest workout you will ever do; my instructor is a few inches short of five feet tall with a personality everyone needs on a Monday. We dance, get a little dirty, and sweat! I normally never do the classes back to back so today I’m exhausted and leave the class a few minutes early.

9pm- Hello Hubs and hello evening! Davy is about to start his working at home and I find something QUICK to eat.

Food: 2 slices of bread (4 pts which I don’t think is worth it but I have 9 points for dinner and so I splurge) I fried egg, ¼ an avocado, a slice of tomato, and just enough honey mustard to wet my bread. If it wasn’t so late I may want chocolate or more food but this was a fuel dinner, not really an enjoyable meal time.

9:40- 10:45 Time for a shower because I stink!! I’m tired today and I know Davy is not too far behind me to bed. I read over my magazine and wait for Davy to get in bed. I love that there is no distractions in bed except each other so we talk and catch up on our day then catch up on our dreams.

The most important thing for me is that I’m fitting exercising and eating healthy into my life, not letting it take over. It’s now more of a priority but it doesn’t mean that’s all I am; having a perfect body but no one to share the weekends with simply isn’t worth it to me! Today will be the longest amount of time I spend away from the boys all week. Tuesday, I’m ready for you!

Geraldine Hoff, daisy dukes, and weight loss.

This post is for anyone who has struggled losing weight, especially those who love food like a best friend. The thought of giving up my daily indulgences was really scary; but I need sweets, I can’t live without sweets I told myself. Weight Watchers will work because I’ll just eat vegetables and sugar all time because there is no way on earth to live life without masses amounts of sweets. My words may have a humorous tone but I’m completely serious. I am was addicted….I was addicted….I am no longer addicted…the addiction has been broken (Philippians 4:13). Not until my lovely mother kindly pointed out to me a couple weeks ago I’m an emotionally changed person. No longer do I get stabby and angry when I don’t have a sweet in my hand exactly 15 minutes after finishing a meal. No longer do I jump in my car at lunch and hit up the nearest sugar joint. I’m free from my sweets addiction…it no longer controls me! No more! Yes of course I still like sweets and still enjoy eating them but most days I get by with 1 or 2 bite size dark chocolate Dove miniatures. I’ve never been so strongly addicted to anything else in my life but I’m assuming this is what it feels like to overcome any addiction; freeing, strong, happy. Kind of like Geraldine Hoff flexing her bicep showing the world she CAN do it (Philippians 4:13).

I’ve lost 19.5 pounds since embarrassingly stepping on that scale at Weight Watchers 3 months ago. The #3 challenge on The 25 seemed so scary and now it seems obtainable. I’m half a pound away from reaching that goal and it’s only May! Do you know what that means? I have over half the year left to continue to get healthy and get my body in the kind of shape I desire. 

Remember how I said I want to be healthy and happy about the way I look? I’m getting there…and it feels wonderful. But with everything self-consuming comes a consequence; walking the fine line between getting healthy and happy and getting too consumed with outward appearance that my vanity balloon explodes. While it takes building self confidence to push through this journey it can quickly turn into an obsession about how I look. Yes I’m looking at my body for results of the weight loss but I don’t want it to ever turn into an obsession. I’m transparent on here (duh, it’s the internet, ya’ll) but ask me about my weight in person and watch my face turn red. It’s extremely awkward to talk about yourself and more specifically the thing you struggle with the most; it’s just the new hair highlights, it’s just instagram, it’s just this shirt, it’s just anything but kindly accepting the compliment. Basically thank you to everyone who has been kind during my changing look but you’ll never catch me in a crop top and daisy dukes!

I’m thinking a before and after picture once I hit this goal so if you have any particularly unflattering picture of me around the holidays last year or really anything in the last year I would love a copy!

Philippians 4:13- I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. 

my weight loss and small babies.

My one month checkup happened last week but since my weigh-ins are not until Saturdays I had to wait to share the news.

I’ve lost 10 pounds.

That’s a baby. That’s 10 numbers going down on the scale. That’s half my goal.

Well actually my In Caroline’s Head “goal” is 25 pounds but when I first wrote The 25 I thought writing 20 was scary enough that there was just no way I could make it to 25. But here I am, already halfway to that 20 and well on my way to my goal. Honestly, my goal is to feel better on the inside and out, to be healthy, and active, and happy, and heck, put on clothes and feel good how I look in them!

Most importantly, I’m feeling great! The first 10 days I was down 5 pounds of mostly water weight (because who really loses 5 pounds in 5 days) and then after that it’s been determination and praying that’s got me to where I am. See I’m not just plumpy from “genetics” or “big boned”…I’m plumpy because I freaking love food. Staying on course has been a daily choice with the first 2 weeks literally being an hourly choice. The best part about the program is in all honestly I can eat whatever I want. I was really craving Starbucks last week so I worked my entire day’s points so that I could enjoy 6 points through a green straw. My saving grace has been dark chocolate; 1 little piece is 1 point so in the afternoons if I just HAVE TO HAVE IT I’ll have 1 and be done.

I keep the house stocked with foods I enjoy and that I can eat so I’m not tempted and I’m not spending 2 hours every night planning out my eating life. SkinnyTaste.com has never been more important to me than it is now because it has graciously already calculated all the points for me AND I already know how delicious her recipes are.

Making good food choices has been helpful but for my mental sanity I’ve formed this small support group that keeps me going every day. We are always asking each other how it’s going that day or give each other motivation or share recipes; it’s been wonderful!

This coming month the most important thing for me is to not lose focus. I understand the weight will not come off as easy anymore and some weeks I may only lose .5 pounds BUT I have to keep going every single day. I have goals and a few things on The 25 list requires me to be at a different state physically (a bikini in this current body, no way!) making this weight loss journey even more important to me.

This blog and particularly these post make me very transparent which is not always the most comfortable thing to put out there HOWEVER if my journey gives just one person the inspiration to start loving yourself more than doughnuts then it’s worth it! From a girl who loves food more than shoes I promise YOU CAN DO IT!

me + sweets

One big thing on my {25} list was to lose 20 pounds. I picked 20 because I’m pretty sure that was post baby/married weight but regardless of the number I am sick of being heavy. It’s funny because in my mind I thought after Moses was born I could shrink back down but instead my body settled into a new form of itself and then slowly grew larger and larger. I blame those dang $2 incredibly delicious and buttery and savory and glorious greasy state office cafeteria breakfasts and basically sitting on my butt all day at work. I also shouldn’t belittle the fact that I am in love with food. I would eat because I was bored or it was an office treat that day or I was having a bad day or I was having a good day or I was emotional or I was ___ (fill in the blank). 

It also doesn’t help that I am head over heels addicted to sugar. People laugh and say oh me too….but I don’t think on the level I am. I crave, sneak, savor, and indulge in sweets every chance I get. I whine and cry until I get some and since I’m an adult and can do whatever I want that means I’m eating sugar every day. 

Welp, enough is enough.

Seriously, enough has to be enough.

I joined the gym mid 2011 and lost about 5 pounds only to see it creep back on then off again.

So enough is enough.

I…..needed more.

I…..

Joined Weight Watchers.

Why Weight Watchers? Because I can still eat whatever I want, in moderation. Because I can still cook a meal for my family. Because the choices are limitless. Because it works.

I really didn’t want to share on here until I was 10 pounds lighter and running miles daily and yadda yadda BUT I need the accountability. That’s another reason for Weight Watchers, those weekly motivational meetings and weigh ins. Since this has become such a big part of my daily life it only felt right to share my struggles and victories. Get ready for a bumpy but rewarding ride!

Hi, my name is Caroline; I’m addictive to food and ready to get help.

{smiles}

You know it’s been a good weekend when:

• You spend quality time with quality people.
• You eat over 100+g of sugar in one 24 hours period…including but not limited to carrot cake, frozen yogurt, Ben & Jerry’s, a doughnut, and cinnamon rolls.
• You keep guard for any employed customers of Wal Mart so you’re 14 year old sister can climb a display of deer corn to get the perfect planking picture.
• You “cone” the night crew at McDonald's.
• You get cussed out in front of your 14 year old sister and toddler in the parking lot of a grocery store for no good reason at all.
• You stay up past midnight.

This weekend we “babysat” my little sister and in turn got to act like teenagers.

Note to self: eating too many sweets and not working out for 5 days straight will make you gain back all the weight you’ve lost in the last two weeks.

Lies and Glorious Saturday Mornings.

Alright, here are the two truths and a lie. 

1. True. I just need to push myself those first couple days and then it becomes routine the rest of the week. When I’m dripping sweat at 7am it may not be joyous and wonderful but once I walk out the gym doors I feel great. It’s a daily mental battle to go but once I’m there I know I’ve made the right choice. My next hurdle will be controlling myself on the weekends and making sure I stay active. 

2. Lie. Last week I mentioned how mentally/ emotional messed up I was feeling and after going to the gym the last thing I wanted to do was clean. The laundry this weekend was out of control but thankfully the main house is “picked up” enough for me to stay sane. Tonight it’s folding and putting away (I could fold for hours but actually putting the clothes in their place seems 

impossible…am I the only one?) all the clean clothes and tackling the back bedrooms. 

3. True. Shocking, I know…trust me, my mouth was hanging open the whole time. I used to feed him pureed veggies as a baby but his toddler years have been a battle getting in those daily greens. We always make him eat 1 or 2 bites (because we’re those evil parents) but actually requesting broccoli was a game changer. He was literally stuffing them into him mouth holding his hand out for more! I will be sure to make more this week in hopes this wasn’t a onetime thing.

I normally don’t do a weekend wrap up but since it was so glorious I have to share a snapshot of our Saturday. I woke up happily at 8:30am (which is sleeping in at our house) to find the boys already awake. Actually they had been awake since 6am and were getting dressed to go on a walk. Davy decided to make an 8 cup pot of coffee then drink the entire thing by himself; he informed me he updated every application on his computer and made two Facebook albums before I woke up (I don’t know if he has ever posted an album in his life)! He was practically jumping off the walls and the boys insisted we take an “adventure” walk to my mom’s house….4.3 miles away! So…we did! The walk is mostly a one big road with lots of hills but we took our time and enjoyed the beautiful fall weather; it was just what I needed to cure my mental blockage. We talked about stupid news topics (like the pros and cons of legalizing Mary Jane) and more serious topics like our future as a family and what our next big life adventure will be. We made a pit stop at a bagel shop for breakfast (at the outside tables, of course) to consume every calorie we may have burned during the walk! After resting our feet and showing off our skills on the trampoline at my mom’s we went to the best pizza place in town for lunch outside. Pizza was following by ice cream and then followed by Moses’ nap and gearing up for our evening. It was one of those days that I treasured every hour and wore a constant smile; life is a beautiful thing.

Two truths and a lie.

Two truths and a lie; you decide. 

1. I’ve worked out 5 times this week!  1^st cardio session was after our trip Sunday when I felt as big as a house eating all those sweets. Two mornings I was at the gym before work doing cardio and two nights were my favorite sweat dripping insane cardio class. I feel great!  

2. My house is incredibly clean! I was sick of all the mess so each night I’ve been working on one room making it perfect. Sweeping, dusting, putting things were they belong and not in another junk pile. I’ve even made boxes for trash and donations so I can get rid of all the extra crap for good!

3. Last night I was heating up my dinner plate when Moses came over and asked for a piece of broccoli…as in actually wanted vegetables. I gave him one and he munched down and asked for more. After that he proceeded to eat half the broccoli off my plate literally piling it into his mouth. I would go hungry every night if it meant my baby was begging for greens! 

You decide where the chain stops.

A few months ago I went out searching on the internets to find a good weight loss/motivational blog to help me refocus my eating and exercise habits. The very first one I came across was Roni’s over at Roni’sWeigh and I have loved it ever since. You can read all about her on her own site but basically she used to be very overweight and through Weight Watchers, food journaling (brilliant), exercise, and an entire emotional journey she is now a completely different person. I love that she has kids, a house, a husband, emotions, but still finds a way to meet her goals by eating right and exercising by a Flexibility Consistent method (if you can’t go run at your ideal time of 6am then do it at 8pm when you have time…that sort of thing).

  

Earlier this week she has this quote and little motivational segment about it:

“You decide where the chain stops”

  

Just because you have one bad meal doesn’t mean your entire day is ruined…one bad day doesn’t have to into one bad week…one bad week doesn’t have to turn into one bad month….ect. You decide when the chain stops….you decide when to make a change. Just because I ate a handful of M&M’s doesn’t mean I have to skip the treadmill waiting for me in the playroom. Just because I was too tired to get up to exercise doesn’t mean I need to eat Chick Fil A tonight. You decide where the chain stops.

  

This method can be true in other aspects of your life (you know, for those of you that have eating perfect and exercising daily down) such as your attitude. Just because you yelled at your husband for eating the last apple doesn’t mean you need to be angry the whole night…just because you had too much to drink last weekend doesn’t mean you need to do it again this weekend (I’m just using broad examples, not real life stuff…I have my hang-ups but this is not my secret way of out-letting all my internal battles). You get the point; you decide where the chain stops.

 

If your needed eating or exercising encouragement I urge you to check out her blog. Some days it may only be a food journal post but each week I feel encouraged after reader her blog and I bet you will too.

Mid week reminder.

Remember those awesome fruit popsicles I talked about? We cannot stop eating them at our house! Later in the week I made the tropical version with dices pineapple, mango, kiwi, and orange just and HOLY MOLY they are delicious! Davy was hesitant to try them thinking they were bitter but then quickly realized how much flavor they had! So easy to make and store and eat and eat and eat! I think mentally after Moses is in bed I want to be eating a little treat so being able to naw on a 40 calorie fruit popsicle for 15 minuets does wonders for me. If you haven’t already made them, you must!


Also remember that secret I mentioned a couple weeks back about bloggy stuff? Well get ready because it will be ready in a couple weeks! Still not sharing what it is however I will do an (obvious) teaser in advance so you won’t miss it!

Tip of the day: exercising will give you more energy! Sounds like an oxymoron because exerting all that energy should drain you, right? Nope! Even if it’s a 20 minuet jog or fun group fitness class; moving around will boost that energy you need to get you through the day. I have to remember this little tip about 1,587 times a week. Another thing exercising will help you do is be more conscious about what you’re eating! Mentally there is no way you can exercise for 45 minutes then sit down and clean out a pint of Ben & Jerry’s; you would hate to “ruin” all that work you just did.

(I’m sure majority of you already knew this time but if I need to be reminded 1,587 times a week you do too!)

Food Challenge Day #3

Day 3 of our challenge went a little something like this.



Breakfast:
Me- Bowl of Kashi cereal with Organic Valley milk
Moses- Bowl of dry cereal 
Davy- gone before we woke up so unknown!

Lunch:
Leftover Mexican night….and sweets! When I received an Earth Fare email coupon for a FREE container of organic baby spinach with a purchase of $5 I knew the sweet gods were telling me I needed to go! I picked up some more bananas, more yogurts, my free spinach, and a cannoli from their bakery. Oh the Earth Fare bakery, why must you be so wonderful? I debated caving in for a pint of Ben & Jerry’s or gelato but I figured the cannoli could be eaten and forgotten in one swoop. Needless to say it satisfied my sweet tooth and WILL BE the last sweet I purchase this week….hopefully.

Dinner:
The side item was sweet potatoes cut into cubes tossed in olive oil and baked. Until last year I never really knew how to pick out a good sweet potato; I always thought the ones that were oozing should not be eaten however that’s hardly the case. The darker they are the better and if they are oozing that means they are even better. Thankfully I picked up 3 small potatoes and when I cut into them they were a nice bright orange with a little white juice pouring out from the center.
For the main entrée we had turkey burgers (1 lb package found in the packaged meat section) with shredded onion and zucchini mixed into the patties. I’ve always loved to add vegetables to turkey burgers because they make them extra juicy and flavorful. I seem to always forget however those soft juicy patties should not be placed on the grill because they start to fall into the grill grates. They were not a pretty sight but tasted great (next time I’ll remember to put them on the George). I placed the burgers on toasted bread with big leafy lettuce and ranch dip I made using the leftover Organic Valley sour cream and ranch seasoning I had. The warm burger paired with cool ranch and sweet potatoe wedges was the perfect meal for the warm spring time night we had.

Last night was the first struggle we had with staying on our food challenge. Davy made the suggestion of going out to eat and I could hardly say no. We had the cash, we had the time and having someone else bring us dinner sounded a lot better than cooking it! I thought back to my original intentions last weekend and what this challenge meant to me. Yes it was so easy to drive thru a fast food line or munch on whatever is on sale but what is that doing to my body? I feel like I’m constantly failing in the eating better/ exercise department and I need this week to prove to myself I can stick with something. I can make the right food decisions at every meal and feel good about where my food is coming from. So I said no to eating out and Davy quickly agreed. We cooked up dinner while playing with Moses on the back porch and happily ate our dinner; feeling good about the choices we are making.