Riding in the car with Moses

Riding in the car with Moses

“Uh oh, Charlie (the train) fell down.”  (He tossed him off the edge of his car seat)
“Get Charlie, Daddy.” ( I want him back now)
“No over there. No over there. That way. Right there Daddy!” (Frustration is building as his directional language barrier is getting bigger and he realizes Davy doesn’t understand where he is)
“Moses, I can’t find him” Davy proclaims (Moses’ biggest fear)
“He is swimming in the middle of the basket.”  (His motorized train engine is one and his wheels and turning but stuck in the middle of the toy basket)
“Ah, here he is, Moses.”
(Face lights up) “THANKS Daddy…that’s what I’m talking about!”
Moses: ….are younggggg
 …..on fireeeeee
 …..uh oh ooooo
 …..tonight, we are younggggg
Moses, are you singing this song on the radio right now? I question.
Yes.
Who likes this song?
Daddy!
 ….unnnn
 …..oohhh yooo
(He doesn’t really know the words besides tonight we are young but he hears Daddy blast it and sing along so he knows the general sounds the words make and wants to sing too!)

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.