Christmas Crazies

(minus one)

Joining Up Again

So, on Tuesday (as I posted) I decided to re-join my old gym. I had cancelled my membership a little over two years ago for two reasons: one, I was having trouble finding the time to go, with a busy toddler at my side and a husband working shifts; and two, I was attempting to save money. Blah blah blah. It was a terrible decision, but also the right one at the time.

I am not currently the heaviest I have ever been, but I am starting to creep back up there. I am still not ready to share my weight, because I am so embarrassed about it. My binge eating has become a monster unto itself. So I thought about it, and remembered just how much healthier I tend to eat, and how less often I binge, when I am exercising regularly. And our schedules allow me to have the time to do. So I took the plunge.

I am so glad that I did! I have only gone to the gym once (today), but I already feel more confident! This is why I decided to join now - during the crazy holiday season - instead of waiting until the new year. I needed that confidence boost.

Wish me luck!

Guess What I Did?

After a two year hiatus...I joined the gym again tonight!

Good for me?

Weight Weight Weight

Just a quick little update here.

I struggled a lot this month to keep my eating in check. My six week challenge didn't quite go as expected. I haven't lost much at all during the past few weeks...but thankfully I haven't gained anything! I have also stuck with my Couch 2 5k program, so I am definitely feeling stronger!

My 10 year wedding anniversary was today (yay!). Mine and my Mom's birthday is tomorrow, as well as Canada Day, so there will be a lot to celebrate!!! After that though...I am really going to try to get my focus back! There is still a lot I want to accomplish...

Size Updates

So, I went out last weekend with my Mom and sister for an early birthday celebration and shopping spree. My birthday isn’t until July 1, but we wanted to hit up the mall before the summer stuff got too picked over. We stayed overnight, slept in, and ate lots of glorious calorie-ridden food. It was wonderful, but…I don’t think I am going to weigh myself until next week when the bloat goes away more!



While shopping, I started to notice the changes in my body, so I thought I’d give a bit of an update about that. I do not yet feel comfortable stating my weight, but I am ok with opening up about sizes.

When I started out in January, I was attempting (sometimes unsuccessfully) to cram myself into size 18s. I was in complete denial about the fact that I had reached a point where I was a size 20, and I think I only allowed myself to buy one or two items of clothing in that size. I remember buying a pair of size 18 jeans that were so tight I couldn’t really even wear them – but I still bought them, telling myself that denim stretches (it didn’t – not enough at least!) I was busting out of my size XL shirts, and depending on the style, sometimes needed to shop for those at plus size stores. That was a hard pill to swallow. I accepted that, being bottom heavy, plus-sized pants were sometimes the way to go, but when I needed dresses and tops in plus sizes, I realized just how out of control my eating and lack of exercise had become.

Please do not think that I am putting down anyone who wears plus-sized clothing. There are many beautiful, gorgeous plus-sized people out there, and they shouldn’t feel shame. You CAN be plus-sized and healthy and confident. But I was NOT healthy. I was that size strictly because of really terrible habits, and was basically abusing my body. It was not good for me.

Now, with 20+ pounds gone, I have noticed the progress. I am now buying size 16-18 bottoms, and size large-xlarge shirts (depending on the store of course). It was a great feeling when I would put something on in the size I thought I’d need, only to realize I needed a size smaller. That hasn’t happened in a very long time!

I even spent a pretty penny getting a fabulous, high-waisted two-piece bathing suit from Torrid. I felt like a million bucks in it, so it was worth the cost!



I also bought some cheesey sunglasses from there as well. They are silly but awesome at the same time. (Excuse the crummy quality of the photo...it's time for a new phone!)



Oh, and the morning before I left, I managed to run a mile in 11 minutes and 20 seconds. This may seem slow to some of you, but I started this season at about a 13 minutes mile!!! I have a long way to go before I am back where I was, but I will get there! I just need to find the right Couch to 5k program to follow. I think that’s how I’ll start.

Two Weeks In

So first thing's first: I had a pretty good week this week, despite feeling a bit under the weather and having to skip a couple of my workouts. I am really trying to evenly mix cardio and strength training, but that just didn't happen this week. I did, however, manage to eat pretty well, rather than using illness as an excuse to not care. And I lost almost 2lbs. Happy with that!

I mentioned last week that I had started a six-week plan, but I didn't really give any details. Part of that is because I am not following any sort of formal program. I just kind of made up my own goals in my own head, which include:

- Exercising at least 4 days per week, mixing strength training with cardio
- Increasing my running speed
- Eating more vegetables
- Eating more lean meats
- Watching my calorie intake a little more closely
- Consuming fewer carbs (since I am a carboholic!)

My hope is to lose about 10lbs in these six weeks. But I know I can't control how quickly the weight comes off - I can only control how I go about it. So I am really trying to put my focus on my own actions, and just accept whatever happens on the scale.

I also realized that I really need to start following a Couch to 5k program again, because I am getting a bit lazy/distracted with my running. (You can read my original running story here and here. I feel like I am more successful when I have a plan. Right now I can only run about a mile before I need to stop to walk, and it's a pretty slow mile. So I am looking forward to having more success with that, especially now that the weather is being more cooperative!

Maybe someday soon I will feel confident smiling and not feeling like a chipmunk!

Party Post

People used to enjoy (or at least, it seemed that way!) seeing my posts recapping my kids' birthday parties. While I don't go completely "over the top", I do try to make them fun, and add some homemade things into the mix. I missed recapping my daughter's party last year, as well as my son's this year. As I just finished up ANOTHER party for my daughter on the 20th...I figured it was a good time to catch you all up!

Last year, when my daughter turned seven, she asked for a "Superhero Barbie Party." Done!



Of course I had to label the bathroom to match:










Capes and masks acted as favours...and also made for great props when posing in the life-sized Barbie box I made!







Among the games was "Punch a Cup" - you know, to practice their superhero moves, AND get little gifts!



My sister's friend made the cake and it looked amazing!



This year's parties were scaled back. I hosted my son's at a local gymnastics place, and my daughter's at the bowling lanes. All of the kids had a blast, and I did try to incorporate the themes they requested (Emojis for my son, and Trolls for my daughter). I have to say...it was a LOT less work, and a LOT less clean up. But I kind of missed having the chaos in my home!

I made this cake and thought it turned out pretty well! Very easy - and tasted amazing!



I always have a fun time coming up with the perfect favours to give out...



I am pretty sure that this foam pit was every kids' favourite thing!



I did do a tiny bit more for the Troll party - I swear girls are easier to plan for!



Okay I am running out of steam!!! Hope you enjoyed the photos!