I bet you thought I forgot about this blog...well most days I have. Some days, I would think of it and consider sitting down to type out an update of what has been a very hectic year. Here are the highlights!
July 15, 2012 - We welcomed our second child James (known to others as Jimmy or Catfish) His birth was ahhhmazing. I had an extremely successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean.) After laboring for 3+ days, we were blessed with a very healthy almost 9 lb. baby (8 lbs. 15 oz....but he pooped right away. I carried that poop for over 41 weeks. That was at least an ounce of poop. He was a 9 pounder. End of story.)
Spring 2013 - "Let's sell our house!" Annie says. We dump money into fixing, painting, and patching everything that needed it. "Not yet!" Says God. Well played, Lord. Well played. We are still in out itty bitty house. Two growing boys, 2 dogs, a cat, 4 fish and a turtle...we need some more elbow room. Prayer and petition is that name of the game right now. Trying our best to slow down and listen to what God wants for us.
July 20, 2013 - Ryan's brother gets married in AZ. At the wedding, I look around and I am the fat one. Ryan is the fat one. The only healthy people in our family of four is our kids. Why do I continue to eat and drink things that I won't let my kids have? If I don't think it is good enough for them to put into their body, why am I putting it in mine?
August 2013 - I have an "F This!" moment. I am not going to be fat anymore! We are done having kids and now I want my body to be how I've always wanted. After Danny, my goal was to be healthy so I could have a healthy second pregnancy. Now, my goal is for me to be healthy for the rest of my life. I do not want my kids to have to worry about me when I get into my 50s and 60s because I never took care of myself.
August 26, 2013 - Started Couch to 5 K. Week 1 Day 3 complete and I feel like a super star! On my last "run" I made it just over 2 miles in half an hour. Never thought that was possible for me, but this program is gentle and forgiving. On my off days of C25K, I walk with a mom from preschool and work on upper body. Need to get this fat out of the way before I sculpt my killer bod!
August 31, 2013 - Have an awesome night with a friend at a Husker game. She is truly an inspiration. Down 40 lbs and rocking it. She is full of helpful tips that seem like common sense that I could read off of someone's Pinterest boards, but they mean more coming from her. Here is a woman who has literally done exactly what I am striving for. I listened as she told me what her motivators were and how she had to change habits to achieve her goals. She is now up to running 5 miles every time she steps her foot out of the door to exercise. Love her!
That brings us to the here and now. Ryan has grudgingly decided to do C25K with me. I know he can do it, he just needs to have his "F This!" moment.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Sunday, April 15, 2012
NEWS!
I quit posting updates for a couple of reasons. Number one was because I wasn't really making any progress. Number two is that I am pregnant! We wanted to make sure we could tell as many people in person before it "went viral." I'm due July 6th, but I'm setting my mind to go a wee bit later. I've done an early delivery and I'd rather this baby was well done! We had been trying since last April and much to my surprise it took until October to get pregnant. I am so excited about this new addition to our family and can't wait for all the fun (and sleep deprivation) ahead of us!
Even though I'm expecting, I'm not expecting to gain the 50 pounds I did with our first. My checkups are going great and I'm already passing tests I was failing last time! My glucola test (for gestational diabetes) was awesome, my blood pressure is fabulous, and my weight gain is right on track with 8 pounds! At this same point in my last pregnancy, I was having to retake glucola tests due to borderline results, peeing in a cup every time I turned around because I was spilling protein (an indication of pre ecplamsia), had rising blood pressure, and I was already up 30 lbs.
I'm not not trying to gain weight, it just finally clicked in my brain that the extra 300 calories I need to grow a tiny human does not mean man-sized breakfast portions, 2nd helpings at dinner, and midnight bowls of cereal. Really, it's like a cereal bar and a cheese stick. Wrapping my head around this has made for a much better pregnancy. While I do still indulge, I do it in moderation. It also helps to be chasing after a 3 year old. I'm so tired by the time he goes to bed, all I can think about is sleep, not what kind of snack I should grab.
I just started my 3rd trimester! Time is really flying. My husband and I joke that this baby gets "womb neglect," because we are too busy to obsess over it like we did with Danny. From here on out, expect updates to be about having a healthy pregnancy. Then get ready for a post baby tune up! I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding in October, so my plan is to get back to post baby numbers and then some by that time. Last time it took me a whole year just to think about losing baby weight. This time I'm ahead of the game!
Even though I'm expecting, I'm not expecting to gain the 50 pounds I did with our first. My checkups are going great and I'm already passing tests I was failing last time! My glucola test (for gestational diabetes) was awesome, my blood pressure is fabulous, and my weight gain is right on track with 8 pounds! At this same point in my last pregnancy, I was having to retake glucola tests due to borderline results, peeing in a cup every time I turned around because I was spilling protein (an indication of pre ecplamsia), had rising blood pressure, and I was already up 30 lbs.
I'm not not trying to gain weight, it just finally clicked in my brain that the extra 300 calories I need to grow a tiny human does not mean man-sized breakfast portions, 2nd helpings at dinner, and midnight bowls of cereal. Really, it's like a cereal bar and a cheese stick. Wrapping my head around this has made for a much better pregnancy. While I do still indulge, I do it in moderation. It also helps to be chasing after a 3 year old. I'm so tired by the time he goes to bed, all I can think about is sleep, not what kind of snack I should grab.
I just started my 3rd trimester! Time is really flying. My husband and I joke that this baby gets "womb neglect," because we are too busy to obsess over it like we did with Danny. From here on out, expect updates to be about having a healthy pregnancy. Then get ready for a post baby tune up! I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding in October, so my plan is to get back to post baby numbers and then some by that time. Last time it took me a whole year just to think about losing baby weight. This time I'm ahead of the game!
Monday, September 19, 2011
**Ignore any soft sobbing you think you may hear during this post...
I'm up almost 20 lbs. Ew, gross. Not the weight on my body, but that fact that I let it come back. I welcomed it like an old friend. "Oh hey Sugar Cookie andThird Second Helping! How've you been? It's been so long, why don't you stay a while and we'll catch up!" They stayed alright, and then they invited Dr. Pepper and Homemade Bread. They've been here since about April. I like to keep telling myself that having ankle surgery made me gain weight. At first I lost weight, but then I gained back even more.
I'm doing exactly what I hate. I'm complaining and not doing ANYTHING! I despise people who complain but refuse to take action. I put together a little floor routine to do everyday. Once I tweak it, I'll post it. The Hubby and I were talking about getting an eliptical or stationary bike because they are low impact for my still stiff ankle. Right now the weather is nice enough to be walking outside, but I'm thinking into winter and what the weather will be like. Lotta talk, little action.
I did start charting my weight on a calendar. I think that since numbers have such an impact on me, it's good to keep them somewhere I can be reminded of how much weight I want to lose. Let me throw down some really fun math for you all...
210 starting weight
-35 inital loss
175
-10 surgery loss
165
+5 little post surgery gain
170
+20 major post surgery gain
190
Soooo...still trying to get to my goal
155=190-x
x+155=190
x=190-155
x=35
That was totally uneccesary, but I wanted to show off my mad Algebra skills. You're welcome.
35, bring it baby!
I'm up almost 20 lbs. Ew, gross. Not the weight on my body, but that fact that I let it come back. I welcomed it like an old friend. "Oh hey Sugar Cookie and
I'm doing exactly what I hate. I'm complaining and not doing ANYTHING! I despise people who complain but refuse to take action. I put together a little floor routine to do everyday. Once I tweak it, I'll post it. The Hubby and I were talking about getting an eliptical or stationary bike because they are low impact for my still stiff ankle. Right now the weather is nice enough to be walking outside, but I'm thinking into winter and what the weather will be like. Lotta talk, little action.
I did start charting my weight on a calendar. I think that since numbers have such an impact on me, it's good to keep them somewhere I can be reminded of how much weight I want to lose. Let me throw down some really fun math for you all...
210 starting weight
-35 inital loss
175
-10 surgery loss
165
+5 little post surgery gain
170
+20 major post surgery gain
190
Soooo...still trying to get to my goal
155=190-x
x+155=190
x=190-155
x=35
That was totally uneccesary, but I wanted to show off my mad Algebra skills. You're welcome.
35, bring it baby!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Moving Forward
I am down 5 pounds over the last 7 days! It's funny how the fear of gaining weight again can really kick your butt into high gear. Portions and will power...that's how I'll get to my goal.
I actually really like that my story is not like one of those that you see on infomercials for workout DVDs or diet supplements.
"Susie lost 89lbs in just 4 weeks!"
But what you have to look carefully for the teeny tiny fine print at the bottom of the screen that quickly flashes the words..."Results NOT typical"
Isn't that convenient? You might lose 89 or you might lose 3 or you might gain 8! Why can't I be shown the typical result? Why can't they tell me "Listen lady, you stir this baking powder into your coffee and nothing with happen, but if you couple it with diet and exercise, you will lose weight." Doesn't that seem like a DUH moment? I could couple diet and exercise with skydiving and I'd lose weight! Slow and steady wins the race! Time for another before and after eh? 
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Gain and Pain
Ten pounds...I've gained ten pounds. I was telling my friend yesterday that it really freaks me out because I know how easily 10 can turn back into 35. I'll chalk 5 pounds up to vacation and another 5 to sticking to my vacation eating habits. I think I really need to quit coffee again. I load it up with cream and sugar and who knows how many empty calories. That means at least a week of caffiene headaches...yay.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Happy Summer!
What is it with grief that either makes you under eat or over eat? I had to put my sweet dog to sleep last week and I felt like I was on a roller coaster of not only emotion, but food. I felt like I barely ate for 2 days, then gorged myself. I think the only good sign now is that I know food really doesn't make me feel any better. The more I ate, the worse I felt about myself. Add that to being a sobbing mess for 3 days...doesn't make for great self image. It was *ruff.*
On a more positive note, I traded in some books and movies to Hastings. It's a multi-media store that will buy your stuff off of you. With my store credit (they will also give you cash but I figured I'd spend it there anyways) I bought a AM/PM Yoga DVD and an Ab workout DVD. That's right...expect washboards in 6-8 weeks. I've done the PM yoga part and it was very relaxing, although some of the positions were a bit difficult due to the stiffness in my ankle. No worries, I just made it my own and pretended like I knew what I was doing. When I feel like it, I'll tackle the AM and the washboards.
In the mean time, Danny and I are swimming. Now when I say we're swimming, I mean that I fill up the baby pool, stick my feet in and watch him do laps. The temperature is finally rising and I have a feeling we will be making much more of an effort to jump into Nana and Grandpa's big pool. Speaking of being outside in this gorgeous June heat...you should totally watch Dear 16 Year Old Me... I know about sun damage and skin cancer, but this really drove it home. I literally got done watching this and ordered Hawaiian Tropic Firming Island Moisturizer. It's a sunless tanner (and bonus, firming lotion if that even works.) I slap some beloved SPF on over it and I'm good to go! I've been using it for about 2 weeks, specifically on my legs and have noticed a nice tint. Nothing drastic, orange, or equator-y but just a nice soft color. The firming end of things? I'll let you know if my thighs ever quit jiggling.
Weight wise, I'm maintaining, which is all I really care to do at the moment. I'm fine with my numberssort of , but I need some serious tone! I think I saw a bingo arm trying to set up residence next to Mr. Trapezius!
In the mean time, Danny and I are swimming. Now when I say we're swimming, I mean that I fill up the baby pool, stick my feet in and watch him do laps. The temperature is finally rising and I have a feeling we will be making much more of an effort to jump into Nana and Grandpa's big pool. Speaking of being outside in this gorgeous June heat...you should totally watch Dear 16 Year Old Me... I know about sun damage and skin cancer, but this really drove it home. I literally got done watching this and ordered Hawaiian Tropic Firming Island Moisturizer. It's a sunless tanner (and bonus, firming lotion if that even works.) I slap some beloved SPF on over it and I'm good to go! I've been using it for about 2 weeks, specifically on my legs and have noticed a nice tint. Nothing drastic, orange, or equator-y but just a nice soft color. The firming end of things? I'll let you know if my thighs ever quit jiggling.
Weight wise, I'm maintaining, which is all I really care to do at the moment. I'm fine with my numbers
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Walls...
People talk about hitting a wall when it comes to running, writing, daily tasks, weight loss or patience. In my life, these walls have names.
The first wall is called Ankle Surgery...
This wall is annoying, frustrating, necessary, and about to be broken down. I only have about 2 more weeks of limited activity before I can get back to doing crazy things like walking and stairs.
Initially after surgery, I lost weight due to several factors. I was in too much pain to get up for anything more than a bathroom break, so that eliminated my knack for snacking. I was also too nauseated to keep much down. After the first couple of weeks, things slowly got back to normal and I got back to snacking. So what was an initial loss of 10lbs has still resulted in a loss, but now I'm only down 5lbs, which is fine with me because I lost it for the wrong reasons anyways!
***
If you're curious here are the multiple procedures that I went through to get myself stable.
Evans Procedure
Brostrom Surgery
Calcaneal Osteotomy
None of these are fun to go through, but neither was the pain I was in sometimes daily.
***
My other wall is named THE LAST 15!
These last 15 lbs have weighed on me (PUN INTENDED) for far too long. The longer my weight stagnates, the farther and father that goal of 155-160 feels. I get comfortable with my fat and let it sit there while I sit there. Being laid up these past few weeks have made me more motivated to kick things into high gear once I'm medically cleared.
Another wall that we struggle with as a family is called Someday
Someday...
We'll add on to the house
We'll do major renovations
We'll have time to relax
We'll have more space
We'll travel more
It's so fun to dream, but we keep catching ourselves in the future and not enjoying the here and now. Sometimes I need to pull myself back here when I was just 20 years in the future. Time is flying and 20 years is going to be here in a flash. In the meantime, I want to focus on taking care of my body so that in 20 years I can still do all the things I'm dreaming about today!
***Congratulatory shout out to my dear friend who is kicking butt at weight loss! She ran the Lincoln 1/2 marathon earlier this month! Check out Amber's Story!
The first wall is called Ankle Surgery...
This wall is annoying, frustrating, necessary, and about to be broken down. I only have about 2 more weeks of limited activity before I can get back to doing crazy things like walking and stairs.
Initially after surgery, I lost weight due to several factors. I was in too much pain to get up for anything more than a bathroom break, so that eliminated my knack for snacking. I was also too nauseated to keep much down. After the first couple of weeks, things slowly got back to normal and I got back to snacking. So what was an initial loss of 10lbs has still resulted in a loss, but now I'm only down 5lbs, which is fine with me because I lost it for the wrong reasons anyways!
 |
| In Niobrara for Mother's Day I like to refer to it as "Das Boot" |
If you're curious here are the multiple procedures that I went through to get myself stable.
Evans Procedure
Brostrom Surgery
Calcaneal Osteotomy
None of these are fun to go through, but neither was the pain I was in sometimes daily.
***
My other wall is named THE LAST 15!
These last 15 lbs have weighed on me (PUN INTENDED) for far too long. The longer my weight stagnates, the farther and father that goal of 155-160 feels. I get comfortable with my fat and let it sit there while I sit there. Being laid up these past few weeks have made me more motivated to kick things into high gear once I'm medically cleared.
Another wall that we struggle with as a family is called Someday
Someday...
We'll add on to the house
We'll do major renovations
We'll have time to relax
We'll have more space
We'll travel more
It's so fun to dream, but we keep catching ourselves in the future and not enjoying the here and now. Sometimes I need to pull myself back here when I was just 20 years in the future. Time is flying and 20 years is going to be here in a flash. In the meantime, I want to focus on taking care of my body so that in 20 years I can still do all the things I'm dreaming about today!
***Congratulatory shout out to my dear friend who is kicking butt at weight loss! She ran the Lincoln 1/2 marathon earlier this month! Check out Amber's Story!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Dear February,
Thanks for the artic blast that nearly drove me insane with intense bitter hate for this midwestern climate. Then you did something that totally redeemed yourself. Today it is a beautiful 64 degrees. You knew I needed this little warm spell to get me motivated for Spring and more importantly, Summer! I know you have plans to drop back down into the 30s, but you're entitiled...you are Mr. February after all.
With love (and hate),
Annie
I am so sick of the Y. Ryan is too. We were talking about how waaay back in november, how excited we were for join and have a facility to work out, but it wears off. Now we want to be back outside and if all this ice melts, it looks like thats a good possibility. Time to change things up!
Thanks for the artic blast that nearly drove me insane with intense bitter hate for this midwestern climate. Then you did something that totally redeemed yourself. Today it is a beautiful 64 degrees. You knew I needed this little warm spell to get me motivated for Spring and more importantly, Summer! I know you have plans to drop back down into the 30s, but you're entitiled...you are Mr. February after all.
With love (and hate),
Annie
I am so sick of the Y. Ryan is too. We were talking about how waaay back in november, how excited we were for join and have a facility to work out, but it wears off. Now we want to be back outside and if all this ice melts, it looks like thats a good possibility. Time to change things up!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Chugging along!
Welcome to my first and last post for January 2011. Things are going pretty well, considering how much we have going on. The only things is that we went on vacation on Jan 13th and I have not been back to the Y since. Yeesh, I know! Over 2 fulls weeks of sleeping in (as much as a 2 year old will allow) and I'm finding it so hard to get back into my groove. I'm going tomorrow and I'm going to weigh myself.
Also I'm doing SlimFast again, and I figured if all I did this last summer was SlimFast and I lost 10 lbs, then what could I lose if I actually coupled it with good diet and exercise? I know what you're thinking, "Thats crazy person talk! You can't diet and exercise!!!" Oh yes I can, and I am going to.
Waaaay back in December (or November), I got back on the coffee. I can't kick it for the life of me! I'm even going so far as to making decaf in the afternoon. I think its because I feel so cold all the time (fat kept me warm!) So now I constantly find myself drinking coffee, hot chocolate, hot chai, tea, whatever! I can get my hands on to warm my bones. That's also now a running joke in our family. I told my husband and my mom that I'm cold all the time now because I'm so super skinny. Just being obnoxious, but now that's kind of a thing we'll say if one of us is cold. Lame and true, but a fun inside joke. I had a client once who had gastric bypass and lost something over 100 lbs and she was telling me how she used to sweat constantly and now she could never get warm and her feet hurt. I thought that was really interesting, because now I can relate to the being cold thing, but I never thought about the feet. We have fat pads on the soles of our feet, isn't it funny to think that if you lose enough weight, your feet will get skinnier? But in losing that padding, she began to have foot pain. Just an interesting tidbit!
I'm weighing in tomorrow and I'm expecting a huge gain, but we shall see!
Also I'm doing SlimFast again, and I figured if all I did this last summer was SlimFast and I lost 10 lbs, then what could I lose if I actually coupled it with good diet and exercise? I know what you're thinking, "Thats crazy person talk! You can't diet and exercise!!!" Oh yes I can, and I am going to.
Waaaay back in December (or November), I got back on the coffee. I can't kick it for the life of me! I'm even going so far as to making decaf in the afternoon. I think its because I feel so cold all the time (fat kept me warm!) So now I constantly find myself drinking coffee, hot chocolate, hot chai, tea, whatever! I can get my hands on to warm my bones. That's also now a running joke in our family. I told my husband and my mom that I'm cold all the time now because I'm so super skinny. Just being obnoxious, but now that's kind of a thing we'll say if one of us is cold. Lame and true, but a fun inside joke. I had a client once who had gastric bypass and lost something over 100 lbs and she was telling me how she used to sweat constantly and now she could never get warm and her feet hurt. I thought that was really interesting, because now I can relate to the being cold thing, but I never thought about the feet. We have fat pads on the soles of our feet, isn't it funny to think that if you lose enough weight, your feet will get skinnier? But in losing that padding, she began to have foot pain. Just an interesting tidbit!
I'm weighing in tomorrow and I'm expecting a huge gain, but we shall see!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
On my way to another great year!
Even though I didn't come close to achieving my goal in the timeline I initially set out in my first blog entry, I'm still very happy with my accomplishments this year. We've pushed some (baby) plans back so that I've got more time to get to my ideal weight, but it's all for the best. 2010 was so good to me! We celebrated 3 years of wedded bliss, our son's 2nd birthday, vacations, family bonding, and lots of love! These last 15 pounds are tricky, but I've got a new plan of attack for 2011. Wish me luck!
Enjoy a few before and after pics from last Christmas to this one!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
How I'm handling the Holidays...
I love love love this time of year. Not for the crappy weather, not for the gifts, not even for the liquor laced eggnog....no, I love it for the food.
Nothing says "Happy Birthday Jesus!" like gorging yourself with the people you love. This Christmas marks one full year since I knew it was time to take off my baby weight. You can see the picture that got me motivated from last Christmas here. So here we are again Christmas, I've been waiting for you so you can see the new me. I am not to my initial goal weight, but I am down to pre-baby weight. I'm actually down to my high school weight, but I gained 20 lbs senior year so I don't really think it counts. I know that Christmas is waaaay more important than some weight loss, but the way I see it, I've just added who knows how much more time to my life to praise Jesus.My baby brother-in-law graduated from college this past week. We drove up for it (despite a blizzard!) and ate wonderful food, stayed in a hotel, swam, talked, and had a blast. It was such a great reason for us to all get together and I know my husband could not have been more proud of his little brother. My mom sent along a pack of Joe-Joe's. These are Trader Joe's version of an Oreo, filled with bits of candy cane. I'm pretty sure I ate 3/4 of the box. So that was obviously a mistake.
Right before we left for the graduation, my mama, son and I had gone to visit relatives in Kentucky for about a week. I really was mildly impressed with myself. We ate in a lot and cooked for my beloved 92 year old relatives. I can't even pick out something that was totally outrageous that I may have eaten or gorged on. The only thing that comes to mind is that on the 13-16 hours we were on the road (one way) I would buy RockStar Energy Drinks at some of our stops...
Things are going well and maybe by Christmas 2011 I'll be to my goal weight...hopefully sooner though!!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Good news, bad news situation...
I'll go with bad news first, because I like to end on a good note.
I have high cholesterol. Not insanely high, but high all the same. I went in for a physical a couple of weeks ago so that I can make sure all my levels are good, or if any need improvement. Initially he said, everything looked great! Then my lab results were mailed to me. Everything was fine except for one, my cholesterol. Normal is under 200 and I am at 206. I'd rather be much much further from 200. HDL (High-density lipoprotein) was high at 62, but it is referred to as your good cholesterol because it is responsible for transporting your cholesterol back to the liver to be processed. Then, in true doctor fashion, a barely legible "acceptable" is scribbled across the front of the report and signed by my doctor. This may be acceptable to him, but I want to be in tip top shape before we have another baby to help prevent any complications on my end. I was so frustrated, because I felt like I'd been doing everything possible for me to be healthy and this kind of blind sided me. So now for the good news...
We joined our local YMCA. When I first started losing weight I was very anti-gym. Mostly because I did not want anyone to see me run, jog, walk, or crawl on a public treadmill. I feel like losing this first 35 pounds has given me more self confidence about working out in public. Plus, I have been doing my workout videos for like 10 months now and I am getting super bored with them. I got up this morning, with a little elbowing from hubby, at 6:30 am. Did you know that in the beginning of November the sun is not even making a effort to come up by 6:30?...I really don't care for winter. I did a mile run on the elliptical. I've been having some knee/hip/ankle/back pain, so elliptical was the most comfortable. It felt really good to run and get my blood pumping, and hopefully it will help with my cholesterol too. Then I jumped on an ab machine (do not know what its called, but its the one where you support yourself on your elbows and pull your legs up to your chest). I hate hate hate sit ups or crunches. I can never do them just right and I always end up straining my neck, so I'm going with the machines from now on. Then I worked my back a little, hoping to slim down my adorable lipoma. Plus I loved when I used to have those back dimples, oh, some day I'll see them again.
I feel awesome. Hubby and I are going to take turns every other day with getting up early and working out, but taking Sundays off. This will mean 3 days of workout a week for each of us, without losing out on family time. He made a good point the other day. If I can lose 35 pounds with relatively mild diet and exercise, imagine what my body would do with more intensive exercise. Food for thought!
I have high cholesterol. Not insanely high, but high all the same. I went in for a physical a couple of weeks ago so that I can make sure all my levels are good, or if any need improvement. Initially he said, everything looked great! Then my lab results were mailed to me. Everything was fine except for one, my cholesterol. Normal is under 200 and I am at 206. I'd rather be much much further from 200. HDL (High-density lipoprotein) was high at 62, but it is referred to as your good cholesterol because it is responsible for transporting your cholesterol back to the liver to be processed. Then, in true doctor fashion, a barely legible "acceptable" is scribbled across the front of the report and signed by my doctor. This may be acceptable to him, but I want to be in tip top shape before we have another baby to help prevent any complications on my end. I was so frustrated, because I felt like I'd been doing everything possible for me to be healthy and this kind of blind sided me. So now for the good news...
We joined our local YMCA. When I first started losing weight I was very anti-gym. Mostly because I did not want anyone to see me run, jog, walk, or crawl on a public treadmill. I feel like losing this first 35 pounds has given me more self confidence about working out in public. Plus, I have been doing my workout videos for like 10 months now and I am getting super bored with them. I got up this morning, with a little elbowing from hubby, at 6:30 am. Did you know that in the beginning of November the sun is not even making a effort to come up by 6:30?...I really don't care for winter. I did a mile run on the elliptical. I've been having some knee/hip/ankle/back pain, so elliptical was the most comfortable. It felt really good to run and get my blood pumping, and hopefully it will help with my cholesterol too. Then I jumped on an ab machine (do not know what its called, but its the one where you support yourself on your elbows and pull your legs up to your chest). I hate hate hate sit ups or crunches. I can never do them just right and I always end up straining my neck, so I'm going with the machines from now on. Then I worked my back a little, hoping to slim down my adorable lipoma. Plus I loved when I used to have those back dimples, oh, some day I'll see them again.
I feel awesome. Hubby and I are going to take turns every other day with getting up early and working out, but taking Sundays off. This will mean 3 days of workout a week for each of us, without losing out on family time. He made a good point the other day. If I can lose 35 pounds with relatively mild diet and exercise, imagine what my body would do with more intensive exercise. Food for thought!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Typing quick! Nap time is almost over!
Hitting up a few topics today...
#1 Our son turned 2!
This seems so ridiculous to me. I sometimes can't believe he is even here, let alone that he is 2. We had a fishy party! It was adorable. A few of his little friends came fishing and we opened presents and he blew out the candles on his fish cake and we ate fish shaped cookies. I had so much fun getting everyone together and getting ready for his party, I came down off a huge emotional and sugar high when all was said and done. I ate more sugar cookies and a weeks time span than I have all year. Not to toot my own horn, but the cake and cookies were delicious! My hips are not thanking me.
#2 Pumpkin Patch
This is my favorite time of year despite how bad all of our allergies are. We went to the pumpkin patch and watched our guy run (no wobbly walk this year) though the attractions. It was such a fun time. Also I didn't notice till I started looking though last years pictures that I wore almost the exact same thing this year as the year before. This is weird and makes for good comparison pics!
#3 We have baby fever!
I don't know if its because I have a 2 yr old now or what, but we have babies on the brain. Our timeline for the next year and a half is crazy, but a baby is in there somewhere too, jut not sure when though! I had so many issues with our first I want to make sure I am in tip top shape before we get pregnant again. I want to reach my goal weight (thanks to the cake and cookies I am still looking at another 15 lbs.) I went and got a physical just to make sure blood pressure, cholesterol, and whatever else they can check is all normal. My doctor, whom I love, was great. Said I should definitely get down to goal before getting pregnant and that will really help with any complications that I could prevent on my end. I got a big pat on the back for losing weight in a timely and healthy manner. Glad I am going about things right and its actually working for me!
#1 Our son turned 2!
This seems so ridiculous to me. I sometimes can't believe he is even here, let alone that he is 2. We had a fishy party! It was adorable. A few of his little friends came fishing and we opened presents and he blew out the candles on his fish cake and we ate fish shaped cookies. I had so much fun getting everyone together and getting ready for his party, I came down off a huge emotional and sugar high when all was said and done. I ate more sugar cookies and a weeks time span than I have all year. Not to toot my own horn, but the cake and cookies were delicious! My hips are not thanking me.
#2 Pumpkin Patch
This is my favorite time of year despite how bad all of our allergies are. We went to the pumpkin patch and watched our guy run (no wobbly walk this year) though the attractions. It was such a fun time. Also I didn't notice till I started looking though last years pictures that I wore almost the exact same thing this year as the year before. This is weird and makes for good comparison pics!
 |
| 2009 2010 |
I don't know if its because I have a 2 yr old now or what, but we have babies on the brain. Our timeline for the next year and a half is crazy, but a baby is in there somewhere too, jut not sure when though! I had so many issues with our first I want to make sure I am in tip top shape before we get pregnant again. I want to reach my goal weight (thanks to the cake and cookies I am still looking at another 15 lbs.) I went and got a physical just to make sure blood pressure, cholesterol, and whatever else they can check is all normal. My doctor, whom I love, was great. Said I should definitely get down to goal before getting pregnant and that will really help with any complications that I could prevent on my end. I got a big pat on the back for losing weight in a timely and healthy manner. Glad I am going about things right and its actually working for me!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Another 5 Pound Marker!
Yeah baby! That's right 175!
And I was fully clothed when I stepped on the scale! I heard a stand up comedian tell a joke one time about how he could never get a woman naked. He finally figured out that all he needed to do was put a scale in his living room and every woman who stepped on it would strip down naked first. Cracked me up, because everybody does it. Or at least I do, or was that an over share?
Any who...I am now officially down 35 pounds! AHHH! I get butterflies in my stomach when I think about that accomplishment. I was chatting with my dear sweet Papa Bear this evening, and I was telling him about how I am so over lying about my weight and people who lie about their weight. But then I also revealed that it is much easier to share your numbers once you are already down by a lot as opposed to when you haven't lost anything yet. When I was 210 lbs, I didn't go shouting it from the rooftops. At least not until I was ready to do something about it.
***Small confession...I did put 160 lbs on my license when I recently got it renewed. BUT! By the time I have to renew it again, I will definitely be below that number, so that's not really hurting anyone, now is it?
Super random thought...have you ever watched Biggest Loser and when they show the weights of the contestants and they weigh more than you, but you're like, "No! They can't weight that much because I don't look that fat!" What is up with that?! Is it TV? Is it our distorted self image? But then you see that one picture of you from that awful angle that caught you totally off guard and you see it. You see your Biggest Loser before picture. That's what happened to me. I saw a terrible picture (see below) of me at Christmas last year and I was horrified, but motivated!
This is a horrible "before" picture...
Ummm, I still look pregnant...after more than a year!
This is a dorky self photo of yours truly. I was waiting in the car while dear hubby went in to pick up the most delicious pizza in the Midwest. It is beef and cream cheese. It is to die for and every time we go to Lincoln we treat ourselves to a big fat slice, or four. I feel like in you can tell that I am getting my old face shape back. More oval, less acorn. Is acorn a face shape? Well it was for me about 35 pounds ago!
This was last weekend and it was our first family camping trip. Ignore my creepy red eye. We gorged on s'mores and bacon. It was awesome and I felt like a dough ball afterwards. Its hard to eat healthy while you're camping, so I'm cutting myself some slack. The 175 number came almost a full week after this adventure, so I still earned it!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Busy Busy Busy!
So many things are happening for us!!! Our tree service came today and took down out two monstrous dying trees. While they did that, my mom watched the babe, and I painted. Big surprise! I invented another project that I had to do.
Out little man is almost 2 and the changing table is a little small for such a big boy! I really wanted a long, low dresser. Something that until he is potty trained, we can keep the changing pad on top of the dresser and still have a spot to change him in his room.
On Saturday we went to an auction and I found the most perfect dresser for our son's room. So I got the dresser for $20 and we are hanging back looking at what other people are bidding on and the matching nightstand comes up for bidding. No one is interested so I got it for $2.50! Such a deal and cute too.
Last night I sanded them all down and wiped them clean and today I painted them....wait for it...red. Yes, red. I was scared. Who gets scared of paint? I do apparently. My dad is a woodworker at heart and I always grew up hearing that you never paint over a nice wood grain. Well this had nice grain, but was about 30 years behind in it's stain and color. But it had awesome lines. I never understood what "good lines" meant, whether is was a car or boat or piece of furniture. Saturday "good lines" finally made sense. The dresser has such sweet little curves and painted red it looks ahhh-mazing. I am in love!
Tomorrow we are going to get some fabric and other odds and ends for Hobby Lobby to add to his room. Then, hopefully in the next 2 weeks, we can get some color on the walls and really finish it off. I know I am doing things a bit backwards but I had to pick what would be the easiest to do while he was sleeping. The walls are going to be tricky because usually I paint when he is napping or after he has gone to bed for the night, but now I've got to work with him or send him to Nana's for the day!
(I'm going to get some pictures up as soon as I can snap a few while the babe isn't sleeping!)
I am tired, my hands hurt. My finger really hurts! I sliced it open cutting watermelon the other night. But I accomplished something today that in my opinion looks great!
Do you feel it? Its coming...that huge, ugly, irritating "but"
But...
I have been an eating machine! I literally had 2 dinners tonight. We ate at 6 and then at 8:30 my stomach was growling again! So I had a bowl full of grapes, then (movie butter) popcorn, and now a huge glass of chocolate milk. Now I know this may not sound like a 2nd dinner, but the calories are all there my friends. Plus, I begged Ryan to bring me home a Dr Pepper. NOOOOOOoooooo! I've been doing so great. The other day I was stuck at the house with no car seat and called to ask my dad if he would bring me a pop.
What? Who is this person?! I do not drink pop anymore except on special occasions or at the movies. So who is this crazy delusional woman calling people like a drug addict asking them to "drop off the goods"?
Hi, I'm Annie and I'm a popaholic. This is why alcoholics don't just have one once they are sober. This is why people are "clean" for X amount of days, weeks, months, years. You can't go back, not for second, otherwise you think, "Well I only had the one, so that's OK and I'll just make sure I go for a walk or something." But let me tell you my dearies, 1 turns into 2 and 2 turns into 3 and 3 turns in...ok well we can all count, you get the picture.
Plus I had some decaf coffee with my cream and sugar this morning, along with Swedish Pancakes. Why did I have coffee? No caffeine so there's no benefit there, just empty calories. Shame on you Annie, not cool! OK hopefully 3rd time is a charm, and this is the last time I'll have to renew my New Years resolution (until next New Years).
I do solemnly swear to not pollute my body with sugar, excess fat, carbonated chemicals, or anything deep fried in golden goodness.
Let's hope this sticks, but not to my arteries ;)
Out little man is almost 2 and the changing table is a little small for such a big boy! I really wanted a long, low dresser. Something that until he is potty trained, we can keep the changing pad on top of the dresser and still have a spot to change him in his room.
On Saturday we went to an auction and I found the most perfect dresser for our son's room. So I got the dresser for $20 and we are hanging back looking at what other people are bidding on and the matching nightstand comes up for bidding. No one is interested so I got it for $2.50! Such a deal and cute too.
Last night I sanded them all down and wiped them clean and today I painted them....wait for it...red. Yes, red. I was scared. Who gets scared of paint? I do apparently. My dad is a woodworker at heart and I always grew up hearing that you never paint over a nice wood grain. Well this had nice grain, but was about 30 years behind in it's stain and color. But it had awesome lines. I never understood what "good lines" meant, whether is was a car or boat or piece of furniture. Saturday "good lines" finally made sense. The dresser has such sweet little curves and painted red it looks ahhh-mazing. I am in love!
Tomorrow we are going to get some fabric and other odds and ends for Hobby Lobby to add to his room. Then, hopefully in the next 2 weeks, we can get some color on the walls and really finish it off. I know I am doing things a bit backwards but I had to pick what would be the easiest to do while he was sleeping. The walls are going to be tricky because usually I paint when he is napping or after he has gone to bed for the night, but now I've got to work with him or send him to Nana's for the day!
(I'm going to get some pictures up as soon as I can snap a few while the babe isn't sleeping!)
I am tired, my hands hurt. My finger really hurts! I sliced it open cutting watermelon the other night. But I accomplished something today that in my opinion looks great!
Do you feel it? Its coming...that huge, ugly, irritating "but"
But...
I have been an eating machine! I literally had 2 dinners tonight. We ate at 6 and then at 8:30 my stomach was growling again! So I had a bowl full of grapes, then (movie butter) popcorn, and now a huge glass of chocolate milk. Now I know this may not sound like a 2nd dinner, but the calories are all there my friends. Plus, I begged Ryan to bring me home a Dr Pepper. NOOOOOOoooooo! I've been doing so great. The other day I was stuck at the house with no car seat and called to ask my dad if he would bring me a pop.
What? Who is this person?! I do not drink pop anymore except on special occasions or at the movies. So who is this crazy delusional woman calling people like a drug addict asking them to "drop off the goods"?
Hi, I'm Annie and I'm a popaholic. This is why alcoholics don't just have one once they are sober. This is why people are "clean" for X amount of days, weeks, months, years. You can't go back, not for second, otherwise you think, "Well I only had the one, so that's OK and I'll just make sure I go for a walk or something." But let me tell you my dearies, 1 turns into 2 and 2 turns into 3 and 3 turns in...ok well we can all count, you get the picture.
Plus I had some decaf coffee with my cream and sugar this morning, along with Swedish Pancakes. Why did I have coffee? No caffeine so there's no benefit there, just empty calories. Shame on you Annie, not cool! OK hopefully 3rd time is a charm, and this is the last time I'll have to renew my New Years resolution (until next New Years).
I do solemnly swear to not pollute my body with sugar, excess fat, carbonated chemicals, or anything deep fried in golden goodness.
Let's hope this sticks, but not to my arteries ;)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Down 4 Sizes!
I was going to wear my only pair of jeans to the Husker game on Saturday, but they were hanging off me! I was excited and bummed all at once because now I was left with a fashion dilemma. So the fam and I went shopping today! I was a little anxious as I walked into the mall. Pac Sun, Hollister, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21...these are the stores that cater to the "itty bitty" people. The 00, the XXS, the teeny, tiny, little women you can fit in my (now) size 12 pocket. I grabbed an 11L and a 13L. Sweat beads dripped down my face as I asked for a fitting room.
The following is my inner dialogue...
"Which size do I try on first?!" "Try on the small and be disappointed if they don't fit, or try on the big and have my hopes dashed when they fit perfectly and I can't even try the smaller size?" "Shouldn't I just be happy I'm no longer shopping in the Plus section?" "Or that I can even find something in the mall that fits me?!"
Its literally been years since I could shop for jeans at the mall. I'm usually stalking around Old Navy with my jeans that are so big, I've actually folded them and put them in my husbands basket. Ugh. So I decide to go big or go home. I try on the 11L first and, although a teeny bit snug, they fit...wonderfully I might add. No major muffin top, no breath holding, no gut roll coming out over the front. Yay! Well it was a sale and it was buy one get one 50% off. I was all about that, except they didn't have 11L in any other styles I liked. So we hopped around to a few more stores and we ended up at American Eagle. I haven't shopping at AE in quite literally 5 years. They also only had 1 pair of 12L in one style, but they were jean perfection. Did you know that if they don't have it, they will order it online and ship it to your house for freeeee?! So I bought the one pair that fit like a dream and my other fantabulous pair is on its way. So it was still buy one get one 50% off. I still had some issues with spending money on a pair of jeans that I hopefully won't fit into by the end of the winter, but I needed this.
The following is my inner dialogue...
"Which size do I try on first?!" "Try on the small and be disappointed if they don't fit, or try on the big and have my hopes dashed when they fit perfectly and I can't even try the smaller size?" "Shouldn't I just be happy I'm no longer shopping in the Plus section?" "Or that I can even find something in the mall that fits me?!"
Its literally been years since I could shop for jeans at the mall. I'm usually stalking around Old Navy with my jeans that are so big, I've actually folded them and put them in my husbands basket. Ugh. So I decide to go big or go home. I try on the 11L first and, although a teeny bit snug, they fit...wonderfully I might add. No major muffin top, no breath holding, no gut roll coming out over the front. Yay! Well it was a sale and it was buy one get one 50% off. I was all about that, except they didn't have 11L in any other styles I liked. So we hopped around to a few more stores and we ended up at American Eagle. I haven't shopping at AE in quite literally 5 years. They also only had 1 pair of 12L in one style, but they were jean perfection. Did you know that if they don't have it, they will order it online and ship it to your house for freeeee?! So I bought the one pair that fit like a dream and my other fantabulous pair is on its way. So it was still buy one get one 50% off. I still had some issues with spending money on a pair of jeans that I hopefully won't fit into by the end of the winter, but I needed this.
Thanks to my patient hubby who waited outside 4 different dressing rooms juggling my purse, the diaper bag, and our very impatient son...and thanks for paying!
I now highly recommend American Eagle's Artist and Boyfriend style jeans.
**Side note. I really do not like skinny jeans. I know that people can pull them off, I'm just not one of them.**
Favorite Boyfriend Jean
Artist Jean
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Let the chaos begin!
We are gearing up to start a major renovation/addition to our under 1000 sq/ft house. The addition is mostly garage and probably wont be fully completed for a year or so, but I still just can't wait. Two car garage, wrap around porch, actual grass in my yard. Is that every girl's dream? I just made the feminist movement take two steps back, but I really don't care. I am pumped! I've been reading this great blog lately, Thrifty Decor Chick, and I cannot stop! She's awesome. Ryan is not as excited as I am because now I have projects all over the house. I'm currently painting my bedroom furniture. I'm taking before and afters (just like TDC does) so I'll probably post them once I have everything just so.
"How is she going to tie this into weight loss?" You might be asking yourself this question right now. Here is how...
Apparently idle hands feed my belly! I'm a grazer by nature, but with a task, project, or what have you, I find myself much more in control. Loving it and loving the face lift our house is getting!
Wish me us luck!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
My Personal Pico
Every time I make Pico de Gallo, its a different variation. This recipe is pretty close to what I do almost every time...
3-4 Large Ripe Tomatoes
1/2 Onion (or more)
2-3 Green Bell Peppers
(I sometimes put in Jalapeño, but mine didn't come up this year!)
1 Medium Cucumber
1-2 TBS Minced Garlic
1 Tsp Chili Powder
2 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Emeril's Signature Seasoning
1 TBP Lemon Juice
1t Tsp Black Pepper
Fresh Cilantro
Fresh/Dried Parsley
Tortilla Chips for dippin'!
This is roughly my recipe, but do your own thing! Its fresh, its healthy, its in season!
Sometimes I'll add popcorn shrimp...ugh so good!!! Since my garden is literally overflowing with most of these ingredients I have been making this stuff up in a huge mixing bowl and having it for lunch and dinner some nights! Love love love it! The seasonings are mostly things that you should have in your cabinet anyways, so its only a little pricey when you make it for the first time and have to buy everything.
3-4 Large Ripe Tomatoes1/2 Onion (or more)
2-3 Green Bell Peppers
(I sometimes put in Jalapeño, but mine didn't come up this year!)
1 Medium Cucumber
1-2 TBS Minced Garlic
1 Tsp Chili Powder2 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Emeril's Signature Seasoning
1 TBP Lemon Juice
1t Tsp Black Pepper
Fresh Cilantro
Fresh/Dried Parsley
Tortilla Chips for dippin'!
Chop up all the chop-ables
Add seasonings
Enjoy!
This is roughly my recipe, but do your own thing! Its fresh, its healthy, its in season!
Sometimes I'll add popcorn shrimp...ugh so good!!! Since my garden is literally overflowing with most of these ingredients I have been making this stuff up in a huge mixing bowl and having it for lunch and dinner some nights! Love love love it! The seasonings are mostly things that you should have in your cabinet anyways, so its only a little pricey when you make it for the first time and have to buy everything.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Yum yum!
Today Danny and I had lettuce wraps for lunch...1 head of lettuce $1.89
1 pound ground turkey $2.38
1 bag of Steam in Bag rice with veggies $2.25
Splash of soy sauce
Brown turkey in a skillet and cook rice according to directions
Mix rice and turkey together and add a splash of soy sauce
Un-peel a leaf from the head of (washed) lettuce
Add Turkey/Rice mixture to lettuce and roll up to eat like a taco
Credit for this goes to two people
PF Chang's - they serve something similar as an appetizer
My little brother and his GF - They started making these a few weeks ago but with boca burger meat (which is probably even better for you)
I decided to go super healthy for lunch today, since I had some girlfriends over for lunch yesterday and we had Pizza, Bread sticks, and Chocolate cake. I felt guilty. Especially when one of them said, "I feel bad I was reading your blog all morning and now we're eating pizza for lunch!" Thanks for rubbing it in Al!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Found a cute little site with some motivating scripture! Here are a few...
- "Do you not yet understand that whatever enters in at the mouth, goes into the belly, and is cast out into the sewer?" ~ Matthew 15:17
- "Be not anxious for what you shall eat, or what you shall drink ... or what you shall wear ... Isn't life more than food? ... and the body more than clothing?" ~ Luke 12:22; 29
- "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." ~ Matthew 4:4
- "The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." ~ Romans 14:17
- "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit ... therefore; glorify God in your body." ~ I Corinthians 3:16; 6:19-20
- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”~Phillippians 4:13
- “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”~ Phillippians 4:6
- “Whatever you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” ~1 Corinthians 10:31
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