Once Upon a Time . . .

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Mel.
I’ll share with you the story, as it is mine to tell.

Mel was always busy. She loved to run and jump and play.
Winter, summer, spring or fall – She liked to go out every day.

In the winter she would ice skate, shovel, build and even sled.
Fall was great for football, raking leaves or even standing on her head.

Spring was made for gardening, jumping rope and riding bikes.
Summer meant it was time to swim! (One of Mel’s most favorite “likes”.)

Because she was so busy, Mel never put on weight.
She stayed tall and slender, no matter what or how much she ate.

This continued through her teen years since she was involved in many sports.
It wasn’t until college that she got all out of sorts.

Exercise became more scarce. Food choices were less healthy.
She would often tell herself, “I’ll do better when I’m wealthy.”

(Why is it that the healthy foods always cost you so much more?
It makes it hard to make a smarter choice while shopping in the store!)

Fast forward ten years later . . . now I have a different life.
I’m a sedentary woman, stay at home mom, and a wife.

I haven’t dropped my baby weight (though my baby just turned five!)
While I am living my dream life, sometimes I don’t really feel alive.

I want to be more active, healthy, strong, and an example for my girls.
I want to show them beauty is more than makeup, diamonds and pearls.

Finally feeling ready, I made a commitment to myself.
I am getting into shape, taking excuses off the shelf.

I’m ordering a salad – without dressing, croutons or even cheese.
Would you like a glass of water? Yes, I would! Yes, Please!

Protein, whole grains, fruits and veggies – I’ve stocked the fridge from front to back.
(Though I keep a dark chocolate kiss on hand when I get a sweet craving attack.)

Smaller portion sizes . . . by eating on smaller kiddie plates.
I order smart and immediately box half when I go out on a date.

I’ve started with some videos – Tony, Jillian and Jackie.
I even play on my Wii (though Just Dance makes me look so wacky!)

I tend to get bored easily, so I’ve got lots of choices
No excuse for getting tired of their faces, moves or voices.

I like to run outside, around our little neighborhood.
Unfortunately in Ohio, the weather’s not so good.

From snow to sleet to freezing rain . . . then the weather gets too hot.
Okay, let’s be honest, an easy to please outside runner – I am not.

I’d love to own a treadmill so I could run in rain or shine.
Morning, noon or night, it would be mine . . . all mine! ;o)

Actually to be honest I’d share with hubby, family and friends.
Because support from all of them will help me reach the end.

Making better choices together. Living longer for each other.
Becoming a better sister, friend, wife, daughter and mother!

*Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in the Bookieboo and Hayneedle Treadmill blogging program, making me eligible to win a treadmill. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Countdown - Days 34 & 33

Exercise - Power 90 3-4 Sweat with Ab Ripper 200; 30 minutes of Dance Dance Revolution on the Wii

Diet - I don't remember what I ate, since that was two days ago.  If I remember right, the day was pretty standard.  I wasn't perfect, but I tried. 

Exercise - None

Diet - 1 cup Honey Nut Cheerios in skim milk, 2 waffles, 4 peanut butter crackers, 1 cup Sunchips, 1 Grapefruit, 1 Orange,  I'm sure I had something else, but I can't remember.  The day was a bit of a blur.  We woke up to snow and ice everywhere.  We grabbed some cereal quick and were out the door for a dentist appointment. When we got home we felt like comfort food, so I made us some waffles.  Peanut had a fever, so we played board games, read, cuddled, and watched Beauty and the Beast for most of the day.  Due to being sick and having a thrown off schedule, the girls weren't hungry at regular times.  Not eating at regular scheduled times makes it hard for me to remember what we had.

Today is a brand new day . . . Peanut is still sick (which means that Pumpkin will follow shortly), so wish me luck on getting my exercise in today.   

Countdown - Day 35

Exercise - Power 90 3-4 Sculpt

Diet - 1 cup Honey Nut Cheerios in skim milk, 1/2 cup orange juice, 6 oz yogurt, kiwi, 1/2 can Campbell's Minestrone soup, roast beef sandwich, water, iced tea, handful almonds, Sensible Snacks Apple Cinnamon Sticks, 1/2 c frozen yogurt

Weigh In - Disheartening . . . +1 :o(

I appreciate the value of delayed gratification.  I've seen the video for the marshmallow test.


That being said, when it comes to my weight, I'm more of an instant gratification girl.   I know that muscle weighs more than fat.  I know that it is better for my overall health if I try to exercise more and eat better even if I don't lose weight.  I know that I could have done better this past week with my diet and exercise.  I also know that I like cookies, ice cream, candy, fried foods, etc.  If I gain weight when I generally avoid those foods I love so much, then it is harder for me to resist temptation. 

Oh well.  I'm going to try to go all in for week two.  Wish me luck.  If I don't see or feel some difference though, it will be hard to stay motivated. 

Any words of wisdom?

Countdown - Day 36

Exercise - Another walk/jog while the girls and Doc rode their scooters.  We were planning a little Just Dance Kids, but the sun was shining so the girls wanted to go outside instead.  Unfortunately, it was cold out so we weren't out as long as I would have liked.  We spent about 30-45 minutes exercising.

Diet - 1 cup Honey Nut Cheerios with skim milk, handful of pretzels, my pasta leftovers from Ruby Tuesday, a handful of movie theater popcorn YUM!, a Dum Dum Lollipop, One Pizza Hut breadstick, Salad with chicken lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and no dressing, water, a small slice of pizza, handful of almonds.

Again, not my best day.   Apparently we eat out way more often than I realized.  I'm beginning to think that this is my main problem.  I try to eat healthy when we're out, but it is so much harder if the kids are eating yummy stuff while I'm munching on a dry salad (that was supposed to be made with Romaine lettuce, but was actually iceberg.)  I will say that I just love the kids' snack packs at the movie theater.  For $5 the kids get a tiny drink (no need to get up and pee during the movie), one Laffy Taffy, and the tiniest bit of popcorn.  They usually eat everything except the tiny scraps of popcorn that get stuck in the corner of the box.  I get those!  It works perfectly for me.  I get a taste of popcorn without the guilt that comes from eating the large bucket (because it is the best deal!). 

Since I've decided to only weigh myself once a week, tomorrow will be my first weigh-in.  Wish me luck!  I feel like I've done pretty well so far.  I've been far from perfect (but I'd never be able to maintain perfect, so that doesn't bother me too much), but I think I've done pretty good so far.   After today, I only have 5 weeks left . . .

Countdown - Day 37

Exercise - Power 90 3-4 Sweat with Ab Ripper 200

Diet - banana, 1 cup Honey Nut Cheerios with skim milk, 6 oz yogurt, 1/2 banana, Ruby Tuesday Vegetarian Pasta (1/2), a handful of Chex Mix, Burger King TenderGrill Chicken Salad without dressing

I was out and about tons today, but I don't think I did too bad considering.  I've discovered that the best thing to do when going out to eat is to order something fairly healthy and only eat half.  If you ask for a box when you order or as soon as they bring out the food, you won't be tempted to eat more.  Immediately cut the portion in half and box it.  Eat the half that is on your plate and you don't be tempted to eat just a couple more bites. 

Countdown - Day 38

Exercise - 30-45 minute jog with the kiddos while they rode their scooters . . . Yay for a sunshine filled day!

Diet - banana, 1 cup honey nut cheerios in skim milk, water, 1cup chex mix, 6 oz yogurt, 1 oreo, 1 peanut butter cup, 1 pull and peel Twizzler, 3 slices of thin peppered turkey on a Bagel Thin (I switched it up a bit today), handful of almonds, kiwi, strawberries, salad with grilled chicken, lettuce, and almond slivers, watermelon jolly rancher lollipop

Okay, today was a horrible day.  I have no idea why, but I was craving something.  I couldn't figure out what it was so I just kept trying different things.  No matter what I ate I didn't feel like it was right or enough.  It was very strange.   Tomorrow is a brand new day!

Countdown - Day 39

Exercise - Power 90 3-4 Sculpt

Diet - Banana, 1 cup Honey Nut Cheerios with skim milk, 6 oz yogurt, 3 slices of thin peppered turkey breast on a multi grain Arnold's Sandwich Thin, 6 strawberries, 3 mini Quaker rice cakes (cheddar), water, handful of almonds, 1 cup of Sensible Snacks Apple Cinnamon crisps, 3 Hershey's Kisses, Salad - lettuce, pepperoni (The kids were eating homemade bagel pizzas and it looked good, so I threw on a couple slices!), peppers, 16 oz green tea (iced), banana

Countdown - Day 40

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today wasn't my best day, but it wasn't too bad either.  Here's how I did . . .

Exercise - Power 90 3-4 Sweat and Ab Ripper 200

Diet - banana, 1 cup honey nut cheerios with skim milk, 6 oz yogurt, grapefruit, 1/2 orange, handful of grapes, 4 strawberries, 3 thin slices of peppered turkey on an Arnold's Sandwich Thin (multigrain),  handful of almonds,  handful of goldfish, 1 Fresco Chicken Soft Taco, 1/2 Regular Chicken Soft Taco, Water, banana, 3 Hershey's kisses (It is Valentine's Day!)

As hard as it was, I did throw away my kids leftover nachos and tacos from Taco Bell.  Why do I have such an issue with that?

The Countdown . . . 42

Something very exciting is happening . . . exactly 42 days from yesterday. 

While I'm not going to tell you what it is (until after it happens), I will tell you that it is something that I am motivated to get in shape for.  I've been trying since before the new year.  I've not been dedicated though.  I work out hard, then I get lazy.  That is not going to happen this time.  I've decided.  I've committed.  I will succeed.  (Any BeachBody customers recognize that tagline?)

In order to stay on track, I will be posting here on my blog regularly.  I'm hoping by posting, I will be able to see patterns in when I struggle the most with staying on track.  Knowing the problem is a necessity in trying to fix it.  I will try to post daily, but make no guarantees.  The actual workout will take priority over writing about it.  So, if I only have time for one or the other then you'll miss a day or two of updates.  Many of the updates will be short.  Those of you following me on Facebook, fear not, I will not post every workout update in your feed.  I don't want to lose followers over my mission . . . just weight.  :o)

To give you an idea of my goals, I'm going to give you a bit of information about me.  However, I'm not going to tell you how much I weigh.  I will tell you that on Saturday I weighed exactly 13 lbs more than I did before I got pregnant with Peanut.   When I got pregnant, I was at a decent weight, but not my ideal weight.   My goal is to lose 20 lbs.  Will I lose 20 lbs in 42 days?  Not likely!  However, I hope to be at least half way to my goal by Saturday March 26, 2011.    How am I going to do this?  Well, here's what I've done so far -

Saturday
Exercise - Tony Horton's Power 90 Sweat 3-4 with AbRipper 200
Diet - 1 Banana, 1/2 c orange juice, 1 c Raisin Bran w/ skim milk, 6 oz yogurt, 1/2 can Italian Vegetable Soup, handful Almonds, 1/2 grilled chicken breast, rice pilaf, fresh fruit cup with pineapple, grapes, and apples, water

Sunday
Exercise - Tony Horton's Power 90 Sculpt 3-4
Diet - 1 c Honey Nut Cheerios w/skim milk, 1/2 c orange juice, 6oz yogurt, 1/2 can Italian Vegetable Soup, handful Almonds, salad with grilled chicken, peppers, carrots and lettuce, 1 grapefruit, blueberries, grapes, 1 banana, water

Wish me luck!

My Weight Journey

As a mom, woman, person in our present day stress and junk food-filled society, I have weight issues. Am I obese? No. Am I overweight? I guess that depends on who you ask. I would say that I am. I am definitely not "in shape" and have been working on developing both a healthy life-style as well as a healthy body image (for both myself and my girls). Approximately one year ago I invested in Tony Horton's Power 90 program and it was great. I lost approximately 15-20 lbs and was back at my pre-baby weight and size. (Though admittedly, I don't think clothes will EVER fit me like they did before I had my girls.) Unfortunately, Power 90 got boring and I got lazy. I've only put on about 5 lbs of the weight I lost, but I don't want to go back to where I started, so I'm starting another weight loss/maintenance journey. I purchased EASportsActive and began a 30 day challenge. I loved it for the first week or two . . . then got bored again. I got tired of hearing my trainer say the same positive things . . . it seemed so insincere (but really, how sincere can a video game be?). I grew irritated with the Wii not registering my movements on a few of the exercises. Now I know that there are some exercises that I might not always do exactly right, but the bicep curl . . . every day?!?! I'm pretty sure I know how to do a bicep curl. It isn't like it is rocket science. So, here I am, trying to find a new exercise program and a way to keep myself accountable. Any suggestions?

In addition to exercise, I need to find a way to control my food intake. I am an emotional eater. When I am sad, angry, depressed, happy . . . I eat! I eat to drown my sorrows and I eat to celebrate my accomplishments. I am aware of this, and sometimes I can control it. Other times, I fall short in my attempt to count calories and eat in moderation. As Paula Poundstone once said, "I've decided that perhaps I'm bulimic and just keep forgetting to purge." Rather than purge, I have decided to try Sensa. According to the Sensa website,

"The scientific principle behind Sensa is remarkably simple. As you eat smell and taste receptors send messages to your brain which release hormones that tell your body it's time to stop eating. This is a phenomenon we call Sensory Specific Satiety. By enhancing smell, Sensa Tastants were designed to help speed up the process and trigger your "I feel full" signal, so you eat less and feel more satisfied. Because Sensa works with your body's natural impulses, rather than against them, there are no feelings of hunger or intense cravings."

So, I'm hoping that it works. I think that maybe, just maybe if I can have some help in eating less it might increase my motivation to work out more. Wish me luck!

*I have not received any product nor compensation for this post or any related to it. Everything contained in this post and all future weight related posts are solely based on my own opinion (unless otherwise indicated in that post).