Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus - Must See!

I found this, and it made my day. I hope you enjoy it too.

From patient to nurse

On Saturday evening I switched roles from patient to nurse. My eight year old daughter fell while playing at a friends house and broke her arm right at the elbow. Ouch! We had to take her to the hospital, where she had surgery to put pins in her elbow to hold it in place. Since i just had surgery on Monday, my sweet husband wanted me to stay home while he took her to the hospital, but there was no way on earth that was happening. When you're hurt you need your mommy. So I hobbled along. I was grateful I had had 6 days to heal up.
Our sweet neighbors and her friends have bringing bring lots of goodies over for our family because of her broken bone. This morning a hid a plate of brownies and a plate of cupcakes in the oven just so I wouldn't have to look at them and hear them calling my name all day.

( Here is an x-ray with the pins in her elbow. ) So last night as I laid in bed after an exhausting day, ran through the numbers in my head and made some decisions. First, I decided that I will not have any sweets before the New Year, except on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day, and then with moderation. With all this sweet stuff floating around it's better for me just to have a hands off policy. I told my husband and her said, "Really? What about ice cream?" I think he was worried he wasn't going to be able to have any! lol

Second, I realized that if I lose an average of 7 pounds a month, I will reach my goal by my 4oth birthday. (That's 17 months away.) That doesn't seem too overwhelming. I can do that. If I am faster, great! If I just stay on track for 7 pounds a month, great! So, that's the basic plan.

Weigh In

I reluctantly stepped onto the scale this morning. I debated with myself about waiting until I was more fully recovered, but that seemed a lot like the, "I'll start my diet on Monday" mentality. If I have to lie around all day I should at least be thinking about what is going into my mouth. Right??

So here is the official damage. 9 months of pregnancy, taking the eating for two to the limit. I weighed in at 267.8. There it is in black and white. It looks just as bad as it did on the scale. I will round it to 268 to make things simpler.

So I am off and running. Okay, maybe walking gingerly, but I am moving forward. I have a rough road ahead of me.....

1. The holiday season

2. recovering from surgery

3. nursing a 3 month old

BUT, I have made the decision. It starts here and now. Here we go!

Recovering

I am back at home, sitting in my bed recovering. The surgery went well, but my stomach feels like it was run through a meat grinder. My sweet hubby has taken the week off of work to be and help take care of me and the kids.
It kind of scares me, but I think that while I was in recover my heart was being funny. I was still coming out of anesthesia but I remember people talking about an EKG for me. Now, I have a bruise just down from each shoulder where they may or may not have connected the EKG. Does anyone know what that could be?
I come from a long line of bad hearts, and if I am already having trouble at 38 that just scares the snot out of me. Maybe I'll be scared straight. Or just scared skinny?

Surgery- blah

Things have been crazy! We had the holiday open house on Saturday night. We had about 35 people over to our home, and raised $550 dollars to give to a family in need. It was a wonderful night and everyone was very happy to visit and enjoy being together. Now I won't spend hours in the kitchen trying not to snitch at the fattening goodies I'm making for the neighbors, or resisting their yummy treats that they bring to my house. It was a win-win.

I am going in for surgery today. I am nervous. I have an umbilical hernia that needs to be repaired. It has bothered me for 10 years, but now that I'm done having children, it's time to get it fixed. It's all part of my plan to get my body back into tip-top working order. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm such a ninny with pain. Wish me luck, and cross your fingers for me.

A REAL treat

After years of tossing this idea around, my sweet hubby and I are finally putting it into action.

Every Christmas our sweet neighbors bring their Holiday greetings, usually with a plate of fattening goodies. And we of course, make dozens of plates of treats as well to send around to our friends and neighbors. Oreo fudge anyone??

So..... This year, we are instead sending around a note inviting everyone to an open house at our home. Everyone will be invited to bring a goodie to share if they would like, as well as an envelope with the cash that they would have spent on neighbor gifts. (totally optional) The money will be combined and given to a family in need. Hopefully with this plan we will be helping others, and not ending up with a counter full of fattening-calorie laden food that we feel guilty if we don't eat.

I am a little nervous to put this plan into action. What will people think? Will they want to participate? The few people that we have talked to have been very positive and excited about it. I am excited not to have to come up with a creative original treat for everyone, spend hours in the kitchen or be tempted to snitch as I make those treats. It will be nice to visit with everyone at the open house as well.

So what do you think? What are your plans for your neighbors?

My own master

Happy Friday!!
So I didn't make it to the gym last night, but I did this morning. This was a big deal, because I hauled my 2 and a half year old, and my 10 week old with me. I put the toddler in the daycare, and pushed my baby. This is huge, because if it works, I can incorperate it into a daily routine.

So, with my cute babe parked drowsily next to me I battled the elliptical. I had my ipod with me this time which made a huge difference in enjoyment and helping the time to pass. I was listening to AIDA the musical. Totally rocks if you haven't seen it. Anyway, there is a line in one of the songs that Aida sings where she says,

"You talk as though you've been enslaved, if you don't like your fate, change it. You are your own master, there are no shackles on you."

I loved the reminder that even though sometimes I feel like the victim, ("oh poor fat me") I am in charge of my own destiny. I control my future. I put this weight on, and no body is going to get rid of it except me.

Working on it!
The song is Enchantment passing through from Aida.

Balance

First off, thank you all for your kind words of support. It's so great having people who understand exactly what you are going through!

In that same regard, I am hoping some of you mom's out there have some good advice. I am nursing, so my main focus is eating healthy and working out, but I'm not sure how much I should eat. Do I eat a "normal" amount of food, for an average person? That would not be enough to sustain my 260 pounds and so I would lose. (which is totally what I want) But is that enough to nurse my baby and give her everything she needs??

You would think that by my 6th child I would know, but nursing has always been a great excuse to let loose and eat whatever. After all, I was still eating for two, right? So what is the correct amount of calories to eat? I'm shooting for working out 4 times a week. 45-60 minutes each time. Does everything go to the breast milk first, and then to me?? Anybody know??

I am loving the sore feeling of my muscles. I had forgotten that I had muscles! That ache makes me feel stronger, and I love it. Yesterday I pulled out an old vhs tape and did a dancing workout from the 90's. I'm hoping to run to the gym tonight with my sweet hubby.

Well, that's about it, everybody have a super great healthy day! (and thanks for any words of wisdom)

My first trip back the gym

Monday was my first trip back to the gym. I was excited and nervous. I showed up and it was jam packed. Ug! I hate that. I decided to walk the track first. So round and round I went, pushing my little babe in her stroller. I did not look like an athlete. I did not feel like one.

After a mile I was VERY lucky to find an open Elliptical machine. Even luckier that there was space next to it for a stroller. Yeehaw! I started out, and after one minute I was praying that I could make it to ten minutes. At ten minutes I thought, "Okay, if I can just push through to 15 minutes." At the 15 minute mark, 20 minutes didn't seem so far away, and at 20 minutes, I figured I could push through to 30 minutes. And there it was. I made it 30 minutes on the Elliptical. Yes. I have to admit I felt pretty darn good about my effort. (Never mind that I was on the lowest level) And I felt a teeny tiny bit like.... an athlete!

Oh so worth it!!

This is my little Emily. She arrived the beginning of September. She is amazing and we all love her to pieces. But..... the toll to my body was a heavy one. The sad news is that I gained back EVERYTHING that I had lost before. That's right. 70 pounds.It was a tough pregnancy. I had to take it easy for the first few months, had low iron that made me even more tired than normal, and battled depression. Could I have gone through the pregnancy without gaining it all back? Yes. Did I? No.

So we are back to square one. My baby is two months old now, so it's time to get back at it. I went to the gym last night, and I will let you know how that went, but right now I need to go care for my little one. Just wanted ya all to know I'm back at it!

I'm still alive!!

It has been forever since I've posted. It has taken me a long time, but I'm finally at a good place in my pregnancy. I was so frustrated at first to have lost so much weight, and knowing that gaining weight was inevitable. It was a tough pill to take.

But now I have less than 12 weeks left. I am having a sweet little girl, and I am very happy.

Have I gained weight? Yes. A lot of weight. But I am healthier than I have ever been with any of my pregnancies. I can go to the park and "waddle" around for two miles and feel really good. It is a great feeling knowing that I will be going into labor much better prepared than ever before. (which is saying alot, since I've already had 5 babies!)

And, I know that I can jump right back into things once my little one is born. You are all such great examples of hanging in there and being healthy. Thank you! Thank you!

Sliding backward

Wow. It is amazing what a difference a few weeks can make. This time for the negative. I have felt so sick and yucky. There have been days (like today) when I have hardly crawled out of bed. Exercise has been out of the question. Even if I felt well enough, I am not allowed to due to some pregnancy complications that I have had. :(

I haven't been eating well at all! It is hard to find something that sounds good to eat, let alone something healthy. So to sum it up, I have been sitting around doing nothing and eating crap. I have gained 20 pounds.

I should be feeling better in about two and a half weeks. I am dying to feel like myself. I did do squats the other night. My sore muscles felt wonderful. I have missed that feeling. As long as everything goes okay, I should be able to start exercising around that time. I just don't want to slide so far backward that I feel helpless. Any thoughts, ideas, or prayer would be helpful.

Time flies when you feel like crap!

Wow! Time has really flown by. We had our first Dr's apt. on Tuesday this week. He did an ultrasound.... and everything looks great! I'm 8+ weeks along and really feeling like crap. We went ahead and told the kids on Tuesday night. They were super excited. (even our 15 year old)
I have had a hard time not eating everything in sight! I am hungry ALL the time. Getting to the gym has been a challenge since I am also SO tired. In just a few short weeks my life has totally changed. I figure I have about 5 weeks left til I'm feeling better. (for the most part) It will be Spring time then, and I can hardly wait.

Until then, I am doing the best I can. It's funny, but the fatigue I'm feeling reminds me of before I had lost weight. Oh well, I couldn't ask for a better curve ball. :0

6 Weeks and too tight jeans!

Sorry I have been mia. This week I have been working on a huge PTA project, and I have to teach a 40 minute lesson to about 35 women on Sunday at church, so I've been trying to work on that too.

Today I am six weeks along. I feel like crap, but I guess that is good. I've had two miscarriages before, so I'm grateful for signs of a healthy pregnancy. Here is a picture of my handsome little guy (or gal) What a good looking kid!

I am realizing that I had a lot of NutraSweet/aspartame before I was preggo. Slimfast was my go to meal. Quick, easy, no thought required. I am having a hard time making the switch to "real" food, and having to put thought into everything I eat. I would LOVE any suggestions for quick and easy meals. I used to start the day off with a slimfast. Now I'm going for yogurt, 1 piece of wheat toast, and 2 boiled eggs. Thanks to all of you on your yogurt suggestions. I am loving the Stoneyfield and Brown Cow.

My cute size 16 jeans are getting tight around my tummy. :( With six kids, my stomach remembers just how to pop out!) It's a little hard knowing I'm going to be getting bigger before I can get smaller. All my cute summer clothes I bought for my Christmas Cruise will have to be packed away. I'll be waddling around by the time it's warm enough here to wear them. Ironically, I gave away all my bigger clothes (maternity and regular) to good will. If you see a naked pregnant woman walking around in a month or two, you'll know it's me! Oh well. Everybody have a great healthy day!

3 day Weekend

For the 3 day weekend, we had a snowmobiling trip planned with our family, and two other families. There was 19 of us in all!

This is a picture of my hubby. He likes to play in the powder. I of course took it easy now that there is a "baby on board." Riding made me nauseous, so I mostly took pictures and took care of my 2 year old.

I ate way too many carbs. I ate way to much of everything! I did find some Brown Cow Greek yogurt that is yummy. I ate that too. :)

Ug! I am always hungry now. I am always tired, too. Small price to pay for a little bundle of joy.

The new ME

The old me would have already thrown in the towel.

I would have already given up. With the new pregnancy development, the old me would have already stocked the fridge with yummy treats, for the baby of course! I would have stopped exercising because I was too tired.

But, the new me is still trying to eat healthy. (despite the cravings and fatigue) I am still working out. :) I know that as I get further along, it will be harder. I will be more tired and have more nausea, at least until I'm 15 or 16 weeks along. I will take it one day at a time. I'm trying to make sure that I am not eating anything with artificial sweeteners in it. Any great suggestions for yogurt? I am dying at how many calories the reg. yogurts have.

NO WAY!!!!!

So last week was a CRAZY one. I just felt so tired and had the munchies all the time. I couldn't figure out what was up.

Apparently, the Eastern Carribean is a very romantic place.

That's right folks, I'm expecting!

For those of you counting, yes that is number 6 for us. Although suprised, my sweet hubby and I are very excited. (and yes, it will be our last little bundle of joy.)

I went through a mix of emotions at first. I've lost so much weight it is hard to put that on the back burner for now, but on the up side, I have never gone into pregnancy this healthy before. I intend to maintain my level of fitness, and continue eating healthy. I am anxious to talk to my dr. about how many calories I should be eating to make sure my little one is covered.

I know it will be a challenge, but I will continue my new healthy lifestyle. I took the pregnancy test Sat. morning.... then another one Sat. afternoon. Ya know, just to be sure. Saturday night I hit the gym. I was tired, but I felt good taking care of myself. Well, that's whats up with me. :)

Gym Etiquette...Help

Can someone please tell me what the proper gym etiquette is??? I went to the gym on Tuesday night and it was PACKED. Everyone is turning over a new leaf for New Years I guess, which is great, but every machine was taken. I was so frustrated. My first choice is the elliptical, and I finally found a bike near the ellipticals where I could "stalk" the people riding them and grab one when they became available.

There are 30 minute limits on the machines, so I knew it couldn't be too long before I could grab one. I sat down and started peddling. I noticed the girl on the elliptical next to me had ridden for 26 minutes. SCORE. Well I peddled, and peddled. She hit 30 min, 34 min, 36 min, finally at 37 minutes the guy next to her hopped off and I lurched for his elliptical machine. In the time it took me to move my stuff 8 feet, two people came up and asked if I was using the elliptical. Yet this girl just kept going! Finally I leaned over to her and said, "I think there is a 30 minute limit on the machines." She smiled sweetly and said, "Oh I know. I'll be off in a minute."

So tell me what the deal is. I've only been going to the gym for about the last 6 or 7 months, but it seemed so rude to ignore everyone waiting. I will be the first one to tell you, that if the gym is not full and there are elliptical machines available I will put in 40 minutes. Was I wrong to say anything?? Can you ask someone if you can use the machine when they are done? I don't know what "proper gym etiquette is." I really don't know what to do, but I hear the gym will be crowded for at least a few more weeks, so I'm open and tips. Thanks!

Jillian kicked my Butt!

So last night I did a Jillian Michaels exercise dvd. As promised, I will give my very professional (ha) review.
It was Jillian Michaels Banish Fat Boost Metabolism.
This is basically a 50 minute workout including a 5 min. warm up and 5 min. cool-down.

Going into the warm up I knew I needed to take my daughter to dance and since it was by the gym, I thought I would stop by on the way to supplement my work out. No need.

Jillian's workout consisted of seven 6-minute circuits. She totally kicked my butt. At the beginning of the 6th circuit I sat down on my bed and watched her jump around in disbelief. I have been working out consistently for almost 9 months. I thought I would do a little better, but I was wiped out. I rested for a minute, and then got back up so I could try and finish. That was a good thing, because right after I started again, Jillian starts talking about how she hates people who get to the end and quit.

This dvd was marketed for "those just getting started, or ready for a hard-core workout" I would say it is definitely the latter.

Pros: I thought it was a great total body workout. It really works your whole body, including your arms, which I tend to neglect.

Cons: There is music playing in the background but Jillian doesn't always follow the beat. Some people might not even notice, but in my younger, thinner years I was a dancer, so it bothered me a little.

Overall: I enjoyed my workout, even though I told Jillian that I hated her at least 5 times! I look forward to getting my butt kicked again.

I'm so relieved!

Part of my worry about going on my two week vacation, was that I would lose my drive. My desire to improve my health. Let's face it. I've spent my whole life (well, at least the last 25 years) trying to find that drive and motivation. Trying to gather up enough faith, strength, determination to change my life, or at least my waistline.

I am happy to report that the desire is still here! Despite my pizza flub. I'm so happy knowing that somewhere inside of me I still care about how I look and my health. I really feel like my whole way of thinking is changing. I'm able to look at the long term instead of just today or tomorrow.

I used to think that exercise was punishment for those of us who weighed too much. I thought exercise was purely to loose weight. I had no idea how good you feel Physically and Mentally when you get your fanny off of the sofa and start moving.

I picked up two new workout videos this weekend, and I'll let you know what I think. And, if any of you have tried them I would be curious as to what you think. The dvd's are...
1. Jillian Michaels - Banish Fat Boost Metabolism
2. The Biggest Loser- The workout 30 day jump start.

Well I'm off to get my girls off to school. Everyone have a great, healthy day!

Easier said than done!

Curse you Papa Murphy's pizza! Yesterday, the leftovers from New Years were staring up at me begging me to eat them. It was the chicken herb Mediterranean pizza. I am not a huge pizza fan, but this kind of pizza is GOOD. I didn't want to be rude, and offend the pizza, so I had a slice for lunch. It was so tasty that I had another. Today I decided to look up the nutritional info. UGH! 300 calories a slice and 13 grams of fat! Hopefully I learned my lesson, and I'll check the info next time before I chow down.

On the up side of things, I am down 3.5 pounds from my holiday splurge, so only 4.5 more to go til I'm back to my pre-cruise weight. Right now I'm sitting at 198.4. The kids go back to school on Monday and I'm looking forward to a return of routine. It will be good to be back on a schedule.

New Years Resolution

Alright. Lets get this straight. I am so not a fan of "New Years Resolutions." Every year for as long as I can remember, I have promised myself - This will be my year!- And every year I fail. I hate it. This New Years it was an amazing feeling to know I just needed to keep doing what I have been doing. You know, the old fashioned thing... eat less and work out.

I had a little bit of a cold yesterday, but still went to the gym. It seemed like the natural and right thing to do after gaining 8 pounds on a holiday cruise. Which is actually a huge step for me, because the old me would have seen the weight gain as a failure, and given up for a week or two, falling even more behind.

I went to the gym again this morning and got an hour of cardio in on the elliptical (40 min) and the bike (20min). I wanted to quit earlier, but I kept thinking about that stupid tee shirt- work for what you want, blah, blah, blah (see previous post) and I kept going. I was glad afterward.

So my friends, my New Years Resolution is not to have one, just keep doing what I've been doing. (the good stuff not the mistakes) :) Have a great weekend!

I survived

I survived paradise, and now I am home. I had a wonderful time with my family and only got slightly sun burnt.

The beaches were wonderful, and it was great to be able to not feel like such a beached whale. The last time I was on the beach, I was 65 pounds heavier! I only made it to the gym once on this trip but spent tons of time with my family.

The food was wonderful as well! I went ahead and enjoyed myself, (after all it really was a special trip.) I have a gain of 8 pounds to show for my indulgences, but I'm hoping to get the first 3 or 4 off quickly and really only have to work hard at the next 4 or 5. I am already back on my healthy eating plan.

Everyone have a wonderful New Years Day!

Oh, I saw someone wearing a tee-shirt. It said, "Don't wish for what you want, WORK for what you want!" I love it!