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!