Great Expectations

Yesterday was my day to work out in the morning, but my five month old didn't cooperate. So I didn't get to work out til around 11:00 when she went down for a nap. She was sleeping in my room where my bike is, so I decided to do my turbo jam dvd downstairs.

I invited my 3 year old to come "dance" with me. I envisioned her by my side. I would be setting an example of a healthy lifestyle. I could show her how much fun exercise could be. I would be the perfect mommy. This was going to be awesome!!

So we started out, side by side. We both followed the crazy lady on the screen, bouncing, stretching, and jamming. I smiled at my little mini-me. She smiled back up at me. And then she was done. Three minutes. That's all she lasted. I spent the rest of my 45 minute workout making sure I didn't step on, kick or knock her over.

About half way through, the baby woke up! AGH! I was so frustrated I just wanted to cry. Luckily she cooed and played happily, as I listened to her on the monitor and I bounced around the room. Bless her. So there you go. If I can get my exercise in, anybody can. :)

In my daughter's eyes

Wow! I can't believe how time has flown by! My efforts at weight loss have been on the back burner until this week. I've just been too overwhelmed with taking raising 6 kids, taking Christmas down and trying to keep my head above water. Last week I commandeered my recumbent bike back from my father, who borrowed it as he was recovering from a total knee replacement. I was a little miffed when he mentioned that he had only used it ten or fifteen times. UG!

I have been hesitant to jump back on the weight loss band wagon full force while nursing my little baby, but I have started weening her this week. I'm hoping in three weeks to have her totally on a bottle. Then I don't need to be concerned about getting enough calories for me and her.

So last night as a I pedaled for my life on my newly reclaimed bike. With sweat dripping down my back and face while I tried not to gasp for breath too loudly, my eight year old daughter came into my room and stood in front of me with her big toothy grin. She just stood there, smiling at me. So I asked her, "Whats up?" and she replied, "I'm just really happy!" She was happy that I was exercising. She remembers me before I gained 70 pounds during pregnancy, and she wants that mom back. She remembers me working so hard before my pregnancy to get in shape, and she is hoping for a repeat performance.

Wow. I didn't know if I should be happy or sad. Sometimes I forget that my weight effects more than just me. It's my hope that my new little one will never know a fat mommy. That by the time she is old enough to remember, I will be the fit, healthy person I dream about.

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.