Merry Christmas!

I know that I haven't been blogging much lately...sorry about that. It's not that I don't love you all....it's because it's Christmastime and I'm busier, the kids have been sick (twice!), and also due to the fact that I am eating TERRIBLY!!! And not exercising much. But that's okay...it's the holiday season, and I will get back on track right afterwards. Right? RIGHT?!?!?!

So really, I am just popping in to say MERRY CHRISTMAS, a belated HAPPY HANNUKAH, and Happy KWANZA as well. I truly hope that everyone has a SAFE holiday season.

Good News!!!

As of this morning, I am officially back at goal!!!! I still have about 3 1/2 pounds of vacation weight to lose, and with Christmas goodies all around me, losing that might be just a TAD difficult right now...but don't you worry, I am going to keep trucking away!!!

Speaking of vacation...want to see the difference between the LAST time I went to Florida compared to this most recent time? Remember, both times I had a baby who was less than a year old. Feast your eyes:

Last time: (around 188 pounds)

This time: (153 pounds)

Pretty big difference, if I do say so myself. And yes, that is the same little girl in both photos! They grow up so fast!

Hope you are all having a safe and happy holiday season so far!

Fat Free Friday

157.8 today. Vacation weight is coming off.

And that's all I've got for today. The Connecticut shooting has shocked me to my core, and my own weight-loss problems just seem so trivial to discuss today. Let's all take some time to hug our loved ones extra tightly. That will be all.

Back from vacation...

...carrying ten extra pounds.

Yup, that's right. Ten.

Basically, I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. It was glorious. The whole vacation was wonderul, in fact. Ever seen a 3-year-old meet her princess heroes? Amazing.

I'm sure I didn't eat enough to gain a REAL ten pounds, by the way, so I'm guessing/hoping that some of that is water weight...let's hope it goes away fast! I'm currently sitting at 163, and am hoping to be back in the 150s by Friday. Wish me luck.

Fat-Free Farewell...

I'm off, everyone! Early Sunday morning, my family and I will be taking a vacation to sunny Florida (Disney World, to be exact. It's my ninth time going!). I am so thrilled to finally be going with a child old enough to know what's going on!

I weighed 152.8 this morning, again. Not sure I want to know what the scale will say upon my return! I will be gone for two weeks, so...wish my luck! I'll miss writing to you!

xoxo

P.S. Like my random Elf on the Shelf picture?
P.P.S. Check out the post here. My picture is third from the top...

Goals I've Hit Recently...

I hit my wedding weight (153)

I ran 5k at a personal best (30:30)

I ran 10k at a personal best (1 hour, 15 minutes...oh heck, I'm just happy that I ran 10k!)

I fit into size 29 jeans

I had to buy size small (what?) exercise pants

AND...

I manged to stay away from the bag of dill pickle chips (my favourite) that SOMEONE brought into the house (against my wishes)...

...for two days.

Oops.

Okay, so truthfully, my eating hasn't been all that great. Okay, it's been bad. Again. Too much junk, too many calories, not enough fruits and vegetables. The fact that I have not yet gained weight is some kind of miracle. I have to snap out of this! Help!

Fat-Free Friday: Decisions, decisions

First thing is first: the results of the latest poll are in, and most of you agree that it is NOT too early to start decorating for Christmas. Good. Because I've already started :)

Next up: my weight this week. I stepped on the scale today at 152.8, which is just darned excellent. As some of you may have read previously, I have given myself a goal range of 153-157, and I really wanted to be at the 153 mark (my wedding weight) before my trip to Florida. I leave in just over a week, so as long as I can maintain this loss into next week, mission will be accomplished.

So, here is where I'm stuck: At 153, my total weight loss is 45 pounds. This is great, but I just can not help myself from thinking "If I just lose 5 more pounds, I can say that I lost 50lbs". And that just sounds awesome, right? But, do I actually care about losing another 5 pounds? Am I just getting obsessed with losing weight? I'm not sure. It's hard to tell. But, with my trip and Christmas coming up, I know that I'm going to be more focused on maintenance for now, so I have some time to decide. I'd love to hear feedback, though. What do you ladies think?

And here is another crafty project to show you: a wreath I made for my daughter's room. Please ignore the dirty floor in the background...I took this photo in my basement!

Check out my Guest Post

I am please to report that I have another guest post featured on the awesome fitness/weight loss blog, Fitness Unscripted. You can check it out here.

Now, go!

Good News, Bad News, and Crafting if Up (Old School)

Guess who is in a sassy-frassy mood tonight?

Yup, it's me. Because I have good news for you all. A few months back, I decided that I would LOVE to be able to fit into a pair of size 31 jeans. Yes, I realize that might not seem like a small size to some of you, but I have big hips and a big ba-donka-donk bum, so to me, that's small.

Anyway, I went jean shopping the other day. (Now, keep in mind that just a few weeks ago, I couldn't get the darned 31s up and over my butt.) Who wants to take a guess at what size pants I ended up buying?

29s!!!!!!!!

Needless to say, I'm ecstatic about that.

The BAD news is that I've been eating like a caveman this week. Well, not really...but I've been snacking way too much on unhealthy things. It really needs to stop. Pronto. Hold me to it.

Now, onto something more fun: my big craft project. It is done. And I am excited to show you the results:

It's a felt playhouse for my kids! And the best part is this: it's actually made like a slipcover, so it fits over my card table, which makes it easy to put away and store when it's not in use! Perfect! And no, I did not come up with the idea on my own. I found it online. I'm not THAT creative!!!

And now to end this post with another picture:

Fat-Free Friday: Goal Week 1

I weighed in this morning at 154.4....which is down 1.4 from last week! Score!

Although my goal weight was 157, I'm definitely thinking that a goal range of 153-157 is what I'm looking at. And I want to get down to that 153 (my wedding weight) before my trip to Florida, which is in about two weeks. Partly because I want to have that extra "cushion" in case I gain weight while down there (let's face it, that is likely), and partly because we went to Florida for our honeymoon 5 years ago, and it would just be cool to weigh what I did then!

In other news, I FINALLY finished my BIG craft project. I'm sure you're all just dying to see it (ha ha), but you'll have to wait just a bit longer. Pictures to come soon, I promise!

I'm also excited because we had a family photo shoot yesterday, and while the day didn't go perfectly (very hard to get both a toddler and a baby to co-operate at the same time!) I do think that we ended up with some great photos. So I can't wait to see them! The photographer did post a "sneak peek" of one image online for me, so I'll share that with you now:

Is it just me, or is he incredibly handsome?
That's all for now!

Goal Post

(Ha ha...it’s funny because there is such thing as an actual goal post...in football...anyone?)

Anyway...as you can tell, I have big and exciting news...

I AM AT GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I almost can’t believe it. I’ve been waiting and wanting to get here for almost FIVE YEARS – sure, two pregnancies got in the way, but let’s be honest and recognize that those really had very little to do with my problem. My real problem was that I was eating too much and not exercising enough – and no amount of whining and self-loathing was helping me to stop.

Want to know why?

Besides loving bad, evil, greasy and sugary food (and also sitting on the couch), I also had this weird, awful voice inside of my head telling me that I just couldn’t do it. Which is especially silly, seeing as I once lost almost 40 pounds and kept it off for awhile. But I just couldn’t allow myself to believe that I could do it again.

But, after reading Mama Laughlin's blog,Mama about a mother with the same start weight and kids the same age as mine, I realized how wrong I was. I quickly shut up that voice inside of my head, re-joined my favourite gym, and really got serious about paying attention to what I ate.

And I am SO glad that I did.

The results?

I lost 42 pounds, went down several pant sizes, and gained an invaluable amount of self-respect.

I feel like ME again.

From this:

To this:

Also....In other news, here is our pumpkin from Hallowe’en. Who else is impressed with my husband’s carving skills?

Fat-Free Friday...???

I am not weighing myself today.

Call me a cheater...but I want to see a good number when I step on the scale. And I KNOW that I will not be seeing that this morning. Why?

I ate out last night, and I know that I am retaining water something awful. I know this because afterwards I drank water like it was going out of style, and I barely had to use the washroom. Not a good sign!

I'm saving my weigh-in for either tomorrow or Sunday, depending on when I feel like this bloating is gone. Wish me luck!

I hope that everyone had a great Hallowe'en! I have some cute pictures to show you later, so stay tuned!

What I Eat...

A lot of people have asked me what I am doing, besides exercise, in order to lose weight. Most of you probably know that I follow Weight Watchers (I do it from home, by myself, and follow the OLD Points system, because I like it, and hate change). And, obviously, it works well for me. What you may not know is that my eating habits are FAR from perfect. I consider myself very much to be an “everything in moderation” person. You won’t catch me on a fad diet or doing a cleanse because I just don’t like to limit myself too much. I believe in losing weight in the same way as I intend to live for the rest of my life. I like to have variety in my foods -and that variety includes salt, fat, and sugar. Obviously I’m losing weight, so I’m eating a lot less of that “evil” stuff, but still…in a weird way, I kind of take pride in the fact that I have been able to lose without depriving myself of my favourite things. I know that it doesn’t work for everyone, but I’m thankful that it works for me.

Anyway, enough rambling, self. Since you’ve asked, I thought I’d share with you what a typical daily menu might look like for me. Again, I can’t stress this enough – I am NOT perfect. But that’s why you read, right? I won’t put you to shame!

Breakfast: Special K Red Berry cereal and a Babybell cheese or a banana….OR 2 boiled eggs with ½ a grapefruit…OR a homemade smoothie. I make mine with strawberry yogurt (Activia, if you must know), ½ a banana, about a cup of frozen raspberries, a big handful of spinach (I promise you can’t taste it!) and about ½ a cup of milk. SO good.

Okay, so one day I ate a bunch of chocolate-covered almonds for breakfast. You caught me.

Snack: I snack 3 times a day. Or more. Sometimes too much. This first snack of the day is when I’m most likely to eat a treat, which is probably a bad idea, but nonetheless, it’s what I do. It might be a Rice Crispy square (homemade or store bought, doesn’t matter), a chocolate chip granola bar, or a big ol’ blob of sugary peanut butter. That stuff is like crack to me. Not that I have any experience with actual crack.

Lunch: This is often my healthiest meal of the day. I may have a turkey wrap on whole wheat, or some tuna mixed into a salad. I do sometimes have microwaveable meals, I just try not to eat them every day. I usually have a serving of fruit as well, and sometimes just a few crackers with a small amount of cheese to keep it interesting! Or celery with peanut butter! Or chocolate covered almonds....

Snack: I may have more junk. Or I may have Greek yogurt. Or popcorn – love it sweet and salty! Or I may realize that I’ve eaten 3 points worth of leftovers from my daughter’s lunch, and just count that as a snack. I need to stop doing that.

Dinner: Dinners are all over the place. I might have a slice of pizza, or even better, my own mini homemade pizzas. (two halves of a whole wheat English muffin with pizza sauce, a small amount of cheddar cheese, green and red peppers, a tad of onion, and turkey pepperettes. YUM!) I might have pasta, or my dad’s delicious barbecue chicken dish that I finally learned to make. But I’ve been eating more fish, and have rediscovered my love of shrimp, so I’ve been eating a lot of that. In any case, I usually have one or two vegetables on the side, and maybe a little something sweet for dessert.

Snack: I have just discovered almond butter and I am in LOVE. I smother it on an apple or banana, and it’s become my favourite late-night snack!

I often eat out once a week. I stick to the kid’s meals at fast-food places to save calories, and just try to make the best choice possible at other restaurants. Often I get something breakfast-related if it’s an option.

I also drink a LOT of water. Less if I’m going out so that I don’t have to run to the bathroom every two seconds.

I haven’t eaten red meat/any meat from a mammal in almost ten years. It just creeps me out. I’m weird, but we all already knew that, didn’t we?

So, there you go. That’s how I eat! The good and the bad!

Fat-Free Friday: Going for Goal

Guess what the scale told me today? Just guess...

I AM IN THE 150s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I weighed in at 158.4, if you want me to be specific. I am so close to goal that I can almost taste it. Just 1.4 pounds to go. I need to do it this week. NEED to! It's definitely possible, but with Hallowe'en thrown in there mid-week, it may be a challenge. And as for my pesky habit of peeking at my weight too often? I really am going to try to not do that. Because the next time I take a look at what the scale has to say, I want it to tell me that I'm at goal. I can't wait! Wish me luck!

It was so nice to get some good news this morning, because I've been having a bad week. Or, more specifically, a self-critical week. Visually, of course. Yes, it's shallow, but with my recent weight-loss I've been looking in the mirror a lot more often. Unfortunately, what I normally see isn't anything to be proud of. For some reason, when I look in the mirror, I still see myself the same way as I did when I was 200 pounds. I look huge. I feel my hair is always a mess, my eyes are too close together, my nose is too big, my lips are too small (as is my chest), my thighs are still SO BIG...and let's not ever TALK about my stretch marks! However, I KNOW that we are all our own worst criticis, so my goal this week is not to dwell on that stuff. And looking at photos helps - I am happier when I see myself in photos. Mostly, though, I'm just telling you this so that you know that weight-loss doesn't always help to fix your other insecurities. Wish it did.

That's all for today.

P.S. A lot of you have been asking me about my big craft project. Here is a hint for you. In involves felt. A lot of felt...

Crafting it Up

Let's take a break from weight-loss for a moment, shall we?

It has come to my attention (through a poll I posted myself) that some of you would like to hear more about my creative pursuits. Awesome! I love to share my final products!

It's just that I don't have any right now. Oh, don't worry. I have a big one that I am working on that I can't WAIT to show you, as well as a few Christmas-related ones that I am hoping to start soon. So, you just have to be patient. But not too patient...

...because my WONDERFUL, talented friend Jenn has given me the "OK" to post some of HER beautiful creations. I think you are going to love them. (BTW, if you live locally, I should let you know...she makes certain ones for sale...they make great Christmas gifts...)

Here they are!

Aren't they great?! I especially love the Countdown to Christmas calendar...*drools*

That's all for today!

Okay, This is Ridiculous...

First of all, I missed Fat-Free Friday again. Sorry about that. I lost one pound, by the way. Only 3.2 until goal!

Second, my eating has been TERRIBLE! Well, obviously not TOO terrible (hence the 1 pound weight loss). Mealtime is fine, but I am getting VERY guilty of eating a bite here, a nibble there...and pretending that I haven't! It's such a bad habit to get into, and I really need to make it stop. Also, I've been eating too much sugar, and not enough healthy stuff. I'm so close to my goal, I can't blow it now!

Third, we're eating at the Mandarin tonight for my dad's birthday. Wish me luck.

Fourth - I have a bit of an "in your face" story for you. Well, actually, it's an in MY face story. And I think you might get a chuckle out of it, especially if you read my previous post about why the scale is a jerkbank.

So, you already know that I failed at last week's goal of NOT peeking at the scale in between weigh-ins. (And, for the record, I've already failed again this week - but it's looking good, folks!) I REALLY need to stop that habit...so I'll try that, starting NOW. Anyway...last Thursday, I was dying to take a look, despite the fact that I normally weigh myself on Fridays. Why I couldn't wait just one more day, I have no idea. Anyway, I got myself ready - took off my clothes, went to the bathroom, stepped on the scale, and...

...nothing. The battery had died. So much for my "peeking".

Well played, scale. Well played.

Maybe next week, I'll just have my husband hide the darned thing so that I'm not tempted to jump the gun and look...what do you think?

In other news, I am working on a fairly big craft project that I can't wait to show you guys...but you'll just have to wait until I'm a bit farther along!!! Be patient!

FAIL!

I have failed at my goal of not peaking at the scale this week. I've already done it twice. (I'm sitting at about the same weight as last Friday, if you're interested)

New goal: not peak for the REST OF THE WEEK. Hopefully I can achieve that!

There's always next week...right?

Fat-Free Friday, a Day Late.

Weighed in at 161.2 yesterday. Down 1.6 pounds in a week, and you know what that means?

Less that five pounds until my goal of 157!!! Ahhh!!!! I'm hoping to hit that int he next three weeks...

But...I know how easy it is to get obsessed with what the scale says. It's a habit that I'm trying so hard to break. So, my goal this week is to not peak at the scale even ONCE before my weigh-in on Friday. Hold me to it ladies!

In addition, I have composed a list of reasons why we should not get too hung up on what the scale says. So, for your viewing pleasure...

Why the Scale is a Jerkbank…

1. It doesn’t care when you are retaining water
2. It can’t tell the difference between fat and muscle
3. It doesn’t accept “It’s my time of the month” as a valid excuse
4. It makes you pay if you ate a big meal the night before
5. It seems to forget that one pound is approximately 3,500 calories. Heaven forbid you eat an extra 200 calorie ice cream bar...
6. Sometimes, it punishes you even when you’ve had a week of eating healthy and exercising
7. Sometimes, it makes you appear larger, even when you are losing inches
8. Sometimes, when you just KNOW that you are going to rock your weigh-in, its battery dies
9. It pretends that your husband never gains weight, despite the fact that he eats like he’s preparing for hibernation
10. It is insensitive to the fact that you’ve had a really bad day, have been working really hard and need and DESERVE to see a good number

Have something to add? Leave me a comment!!!

I am Thankful For...

What I'm thankful for (among other things):

1. My beautiful children

2. My health

3. My new and improving body

4. Being blessed to live in a free country

5. Chocolate! (gotta throw in a fun one!)




Happy (Canadian) Thankgiving!

Fat-Free Friday - After Vacationing...

I am THRILLED to report that I did not gain any weight this week, despite going away for four days and eating much more than I should have. In fact, I even lost a whopping 0.4 of a pound. I'll TAKE IT!

Also...seeing as this weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving, I'm officially done my "Thinner by Thankgiving" challenge. My goal was to lose 6.4 pounds (this would bring me down to 163 - officially 35 pounds lost!). Well, I'm currently sitting pretty at 162.8, so needless to say, I did it!

So what's my next challenge? Fat-Free Florida! I am going away at the end of November for about two weeks. Where am I going, you ask? Walt Disney World! It's one of my favourite places in the world, and will be so much more fun with my two kids!

I am determined to be at goal by the time we go! (The last time I went to Florida, I weighed 188 and didn't particularly like people taking photos of me!) In fact, I'm hoping to reach my goal (or at least be pretty close) by the beginning of November. That's less than 6 pounds in four weeks. Let's see how I do!

I'm Back!

That's right, peeps, I'm back from my mini-vacation! It was great - lots of shopping, fun with the kiddos at the water park, and even more shopping! I seriously spent way too much money, but that's okay, because I budgeted for it! It's all about the budget, people!

Wanna know how my eating plan went? Well, let me tell you...

FAIL!!!

So, I don't really want to tell you about it, ha ha. Let's just say that I ate a LOT less than I usually do on vacation, but still came back 2.8 pounds heavier. Let's hope that some of that is water weight and comes off by this Friday's weigh-in!

Now, for my big news of the day: I ran my usual 5k route this morning, but this time I did it in LESS THAN 32 MINUTES!!!

That may not be fast for other people, but for me, this is HUGE! My goal was to do it in less than 35 minutes, and previously, my personal best had been 36+. So I am DAMN proud of myself after this morning's efforts! Kinda makes up for that 2.8 pound gain :)

Thanks for your advice, Brandi! It helped!

Fat-Free Friday, on a Wednesday

I'm scrambling to get ready for my mini-vacation, so this post will be short.

I weighed myself today, and the scale said 163.2. Happy with that.

My goal was to hit 163 by Canadian Thanksgiving, which is October 7th or 8th (sorry, I don't have my calendar with me right now), so as long as I can maintain my weight over the next week and a half, I'll be pretty happy.

While I'm gone, can I ask a favour? For those of you who run...can you please leave me a comment with some advice on how I can increase my speed, and shorten the amount of time it takes me to run my 5ks? I can't seem to break the 36-37 minute mark, and it's frustrating!

Thanks in advace! See you when I get back!

STATS!!!

First of all, if you haven't done so already, please fill out the poll located on the right-hand side of this blog. I'm getting great feedback, and want to hear more!

Secondly, if you haven't read my previous post, please do so. Mostly because I want you to see the photos of me and tell me how awesome I am (kidding...well kinda...I actually just want someone to tell me that I don't dress like a total dork, lol. I feel like I forgot how to be fashionable while I was heavier! Any fashion tips would be appreciated!)

Now, onto the "real" post...


If you read my blog, you are probably a woman, and statistically, that means there is a good chance that you are trying to lose weight, or at least have tried to at some point in your life. And I know that when I am trying/have tried to lose weight, there is nothing I love more than reading stories about others in the same boat. And what do I love most to see? Pictures, and STATS! Tell me your size, your height, your weight, and even more importantly – tell me if you’ve always struggled!

So, for your viewing pleasure today, here are some numbers from my own weight-related journey…

(I’m 5’9)

First of all, as a child, I always felt like the “chubby one”. But, in reality, I only felt that way because my sister was so darned skinny! Still is! Sure, I had a little bit of extra chub some years, but most of the time, judging by old photos, I was a pretty healthy weight.

So, then what happened?

High school: When I went to high school, our province still had a grade 13. So I was in high school for five years. During that time, I usually weighed somewhere between 139-145, usually at 140 (except when I was sick and stressed and it plummeted to 115-119)! I think I was closer to 145 by the time I graduated though! I mostly wore size medium shirts, the occasional small, and I think most of my pants were size 11…which really makes no sense, because I’m sure that I must have been at MOST a 9…I must have worn my clothes big back then! Of course I felt fat at the time, but looking back, man I was THIN!

Around 115lbs...not a good look for me...

Freshman year of university: I didn’t quite hit the “Freshman 15”. My weight was probably 150-155…clothes were starting to get snug, but I still think I looked pretty good. Of course, at the time I thought I was a cow.

Next Year: My weight hit, from what I remember, 160+. I know that at one point it hit 175 and I got my butt in gear and lost 10 pounds, but it quickly crept back on.

First peak: 183 – I saw that on the scale in early March of 2006. I was nervous that my Maid of Honour dress for my sister’s wedding wouldn’t fit, as some of that weight had been gained recently, and her wedding was only 2 ½ months away! This is when I got serious, and realized what I was capable of. I starting following Weight Watchers, using my mom’s old books, and hitting the gym hard. I was pleased with the results.

At my Sister’s wedding: 161 (And, for the record, the dress was a tad too big)

First goal: 145, which I hit the following autumn. I ended up settling around 148 for awhile, then got up to 153 – but that was okay! I was wearing size medium shirts (and the occasional small), and size 7/8 or 9/10 pants, depending on the brand.

My wedding, June 30, 2007: 153 – the same weight as when I bought my dress, so I was happy with that because it meant I didn’t need much in the way of alterations!

I may have had some wine...

After the honeymoon: 163! Holy heck! A lot of this was probably “water weight”, but I didn’t get a chance to find out just how much of it was because…I didn’t get my eating back on track after the honeymoon. BIG mistake. Regret, regret, regret.

Second “peak”: 195, just a year after getting married. Now THAT is a problem.

Pre-baby weight: 187

Post-baby #1: Went from 222 (while pregnant) to just under 200 pounds after giving birth without having to try, before getting back down to 187 with just a bit of effort.

Time it took to lose baby weight: 6 months, although most was lost by 5 months.

Lowest weight after baby #1: 172

Pre-pregnancy weight with baby #2: 180. He was born this past February.

Post-pregnancy weight baby #2: Went from 219 (while pregnant) to 198 after giving birth, without trying. Then I started following Weight Watchers again.

Got down to 183 and then my weight loss stalled because my eating was all over the place. And after a couple of months of THAT…I really got serious. (I consider 183 to be my “Recommitment” weight). I was sick of trying to squeeze into the largest size pants at my favourite store (and not succeeding…size 15s, if you must know) and wearing Large or Extra Large shirts.

Time it took to lose pregnancy weight: 6 months (again!), which means that I hit it at the beginning of August this year.

Current weight/size: 164.6 pounds...and counting! Wearing size medium shirts, size 11 pants (Okay, so to be honest, I have only bought pants from one store, so I have no idea what size I fit into in other stores…) I can run up to 10km without stopping (when I have time) and feel so much stronger! Hoping to continue on until I feel fabulous!

Fat-Free Friday

This week kind of sucked cold air. I'm hoping I'm PMSing, because that would be a great excuse for how I felt. I was ravenous. Constantly. I craved sugar, and ate it like there was no tommorrow. And carbs? They were my BFFs. BUT...for the most part (mostly...) I stuck within my daily "Points" values, and despite my worries, I did manage to lose one pound this week. Happy with that, all things considered.

Also, I had a HUGE victory while out shopping - I tried on a bunch of shirts at my favourite store. All of them were size medium. And ALL of them fit! Been waiting so long for that to happen again! Here is one of my new shirts (not the most flattering one, but who cares, I love it!):

This week will be a bit different for me. I'm going on a mini-vacay at the end of next week, so I will be weighing myself on Wednesday instead of Friday. And I will be crossing my fingers and toes that I will NOT gain weight during my vacation...and maybe I will even see a loss the following week. A girl can hope, right?

So, here is my vacation plans:

Day 1: Eat breakfast at home, count my points the rest of the day. This day will probably be fast-food eating, so hopefully I can make decent choices.

Days 2&3: Forget about counting points, and instead make the best choices possible (while allowing myself a few treats), and focus more on portion control. Maybe do some minor strength training in the hotel room since I won't be working out otherwise.

Day 4: Same as Day 1.

Wish me luck! I'm sure I'll need it!

P.S. Please do the poll on the right hand side :)

P.P.S. Please add my button to your blog!

Running Story Part 2

So, where were we? Oh yes. Getting my post-pregnancy lard butt into shape once again...


My pre-pregnancy weight was 187. I was not happy with that, but it wasn’t the highest I’d ever seen on the scale (195 at that point in time) so I accepted it. I gained 35 pounds during pregnancy, and through eating better (not great, but better) I managed to lose it all within six months, which was my goal. I even managed to NOT gain weight on a family trip to Disney World right around that 6-month mark. Score. (Does that cancel out one of my previous “fails”? I say yes!)

With my little peanut...

But, that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to get back in shape. Like, for real shape...not my fake version of “it’s not so bad” denial-shape. So, I started working out. Sometimes. Not consistently, but enough. And then, on a February day when it was unusually warm for that time of year (which is the only reason I remember what month it was), I decided to give running another shot.

Prior to this, I had tried, here and there, running on the treadmill. I found it was physically easier than running outside, and had managed to once get up to 10 minutes. But that wasn’t the kind of running I wanted to do. I wanted to feel the breeze, have the wind in my hair, blah blah clichéd blah.

And I did! I can’t remember specific details, but I’m sure that I walked a bit, ran a bit, walked a bit, ran a bit...you get it. I was pretty proud of myself, and vowed to continue on with my running plan.

Of course, I didn’t. Fail again. But I did continue working out – sporadically. Man, do I ever know how to quit a good plan! I still didn’t have a gym membership at this point, but I had access to a treadmill, and spent an unhealthy amount of time watching weight-loss shows in order to find exercises that I could do in the comfort of my own home. (Note: merely watching weight-loss shows does NOT, in and of itself, make you skinny. Who knew?) I got down to 178 by my daughter’s first birthday, lost a bit more...then got a new job where people kept making delicious food that I just couldn’t say no to, and gained some back. All the while NOT running, and rarely working out. Super fail!

But...when my daughter was about 18 months old, I decided to go for it. I’d try the running thing again. AGAIN! The first time I went out, I think I lasted 5 minutes before I had to walk. But then, a really wise (and hot as heck) friend gave me the best advice ever: that the first five minutes are often the hardest, and to just NOT give up. So I didn’t. The next run, I lasted 10 minutes. The next time, 15. Eventually, I got to the point where I could consistently run for 30 minutes without stopping, and sometimes, if I was having a good day, I could run up to an hour!!!

Holy crappies! Of course, when I say “run”, I mean “slow jog”. But that didn’t matter. I was proud of myself.

When my daughter was approaching two years of age, we decided to start trying for baby #2. I decided that in order to NOT let myself get obsessed with trying to conceive (I had previous fertility problems that make getting pregnant difficult), I would try to lose during this time as well.

I got pregnant the first month. Which was awesome! But I’d only lost 3 pounds. Still...I weighed 180, which was a whole 7 POUNDS (sarcastic woot) less than my previous pre-pregnancy weight, so I decided to just accept it.

9 months pregnant...

During my pregnancy, I gained 39 pounds, and lost over 20 pounds with the birth of my son. That left me at a post-pregnancy weight of 198 pounds. I got down to 183 by following Weight Watchers once again, but then my weight loss stalled because I was really unmotivated. That was, of course, until I read Mama Laughlin’s blog and realized that it was NOT impossible to get fit after having two kids, and that I COULD do it. I mean if she could, why not me? And that’s when I REALLY became a runner!

Newborn bliss...

You see, sometimes it’s just about having the right mental stamina. In a short few weeks, I have gone from barely being able to run to being able to CONSISTENTLY run 5k without stopping . And I’ve gotten faster (not FAST – but faster!). And once, I even ran 10k!!!! 10k!!! Me! The non-athlete.

Me and my bestie, Taylor on her birthday!

So what’s the moral of the story? I have no clue. I should probably have thought about that before rambling on like this, eh? (What are we at? Fail #17 by now?). But, I guess if I were to sum it all up, I would say this: do not allow that voice inside of your head to convince you that you CAN’T do something. That voice is a jerkbank (trying to keep this a profanity-free blog, peeps) and has no idea what it’s talking about. Want to know what you CAN accomplish? Ignore that voice, lace up your runners, and go find out!

Fat-Free Friday, and Award!

Don't worry...part 2 of my running story is coming soon, I promise!


But, I've noticed that I post my weight on here every Friday. I guess that's because it's my "official" weigh-in day, and I always can't wait to brag about share what my progress is like. So it only makes sense to make an official post every Friday relating to my weight-loss, and what I accomplished the previous week. Consider it done.


Also, for those of you who get bored by the fitness/weight-loss stuff, keep reading! I was nominated for an award, which is posted later on below, and it will contain other information about me and my life :)


Anyway, this week's weigh-in was pretty darned awesome, if I do say so myself. I didn't really do anything differently, to be honest...well that's partly a lie. I MOSTLY didn't do anything different...except that for the last two days this week I tried to eat really clean. I also replaced one of my cardio classes with a strength one, so...maybe that made a difference? I'm not about to complain either way! I'm well on my way to achieving my next mini-goal! And better still? LESS THAN 10 POUNDS UNTIL GOAL!!!!!!!!!!


Now, onto my blog award...


I've been nominated!

Thank-you, Brandi, (check out her blog here)aka Mrs. Awesomesauce, for nominating me!


The rules of receiving this reward are...

1. Nominate up to 15 fellow bloggers, who are relatively new to blogging.
2. Let the nominated bloggers know they have been nominated.
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4. Thank the blogger who nominated you, and link back to them in your post.
5. Add the Versatile Blogger award picture to your post.


Slight problem here...as I don't know very many people who are new to the blogosphere. So, due to that, I only have 2 nominations:

Fitness Unscripted
Stories by Stasia


Now, who wants to hear 7 random facts about myself? YOU DO, of course!


1. Okay, I have to steal this one from Brandi: "I'm a math nerd. I used to create algebra problems to help me sleep when I was a teenager." I DID THAT TOO!!! I'm not sure whether to be excited...or completely embarassed that I just admitted that to a whole bunch of people!


2. I am full of anxiety. I twist and pull my hair out in my sleep sometimes. My husband thinks it is uber-attractive, as you can imagine.


3. I have REALLY long toes. They look like fingers. And I can move my baby toe all by itself, on BOTH feet!


4. Dr. Suess, Jim Henson, and Walt Disney are my heroes. If only all adults would retain so much of their childhood creativity and whimsy...imagine what our world would be like...


5. I think that monkeys look creepy. They're just too much like people. STOP LOOKING AT ME, MONKEYS!


6. I can't see very well out of one of my eyes, due to a virus that caused scarring. But when I look at the night sky, it looks like there are about 17 moons, so that's cool I guess...


7. I was born on my mom's birthday, which is also Canada Day. My daughter was born on my grandmother's birthday, and my son was born on my aunt's birthday. Cool, yes?


That's all for tonight!!!

How I Became a Runner

Let’s get something straight, here: I absolutely, positively, FIRMLY believe that my body is NOT meant to run. I am tall with a “bad back”. I have big hips that prefer to sway from side to side – a motion that I obviously have to fight during my workouts. My thighs rub together – always have, no matter how thin I’ve been (and that includes when I was sick in high school and carried a measly 115 pounds on my 5-foot-9 frame). I have water skis for feet. I’m just a mess.

And let’s face another reality: I was never very active, and when I was, it was reluctantly so. Sure, I played baseball as a kid/teen, but that’s because I liked the game and the social aspect (and because my parents made me). I also took swimming lessons, lifesaving, and even syncro – but that was because I liked the class atmosphere (and because my parents made me), and I only ever pushed myself as much as what was expected of me. I never had any expectations for myself.

Enter Ms. C, my grade nine Phys Ed teacher.

This was the first year that I ever actually liked physical education class, and it’s probably because it was an all-girls class (and also probably because 3-year-olds have better sporting skills that some of us did, so I didn’t stand out too badly as the non-athlete!). Ms. C made the activities so much fun – that is, of course, until we began discussing the year-end exam.

In the past, a grade nine exam would have consisted of showing your skills in several different areas: basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc. But Ms. C had other ideas. In lieu of the more traditional route, we were instead instructed to run or jog for 30 minutes straight – and that would be all. If we could do that, we would get 100% on our exam. Or if we ran for 15 minutes, we’d get 50%. Or, heck, you could not run at all, because the exam was only worth 5% of our final mark, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world to completely blow it. Or not show up.

That is, to most people. I, however, was not most people. I was an unhealthily obsessed over achiever. I graduated from high school 5th in my class with a 93% average. Overachievers like me do NOT get crappy marks on final exams. There was only one problem: I could not run. Not at all, not even a little bit.

I’m not sure if Ms. C actually thought that this running thing was the best option, or if she chose it for the aforementioned three-year-old sporting skills. In any case, Ms. C was fair. Knowing that this would be a challenge for some of us, she gave us plenty of class time to practice. She mapped out a 5 kilometre route for us near the school, and off we went.

Well, off THEY went. I could run for approximately 15 seconds before collapsing on the ground in an out-of-breath heap (seriously, that actually happened once). No big deal, I thought. I just need to run slower. So I tried that.

FAIL!

This was going to be harder than I thought! I whined and moaned, and spent our in-class time walking because I was too embarrassed to try to “train” with the rest of the girls. I would have to do it on my own time. And dang it, that was really going to cut into my studying, flute/piccolo/piano practicing, and Will and Grace watching. Crud.

But, I got to it. The first time I went out, I decided that I was NOT going to stop running unless I was going to fall over. So there I was, 14 years old, old-school tape deck in hand, really to roll. Er, run.

I think I lasted about 5 minutes.

But then something amazing happened. The next time I went out, I told myself that I JUST needed to run one more minute than “last time”. Instead, I ended up running for 15! Sure, some of it was “jogging on the spot”, but the point is, my feet never stopped moving. And then I thought, hey, maybe I can do that TWICE next time!

And I did!

And when exam time came, I kicked its sorry little butt! I jogged slowly ran slowly the entire 30 minutes and earned my 100% grade.

And then, I stopped running. Totally and completely, 100%. Even years later, when I joined a gym and got fit the first time, I never really incorporated running into my exercise regime. I still found it too hard.

But all that changed after I had my daughter a little over 3 years ago, and found myself with extra baby weight, marriage weight, and no gym membership. It was time to do something drastic! So I decided, once again – about 10 years later – to once again try out the whole running thing.

To be continued...

More Q&A, oh Happy Day!

I know that you have all been frothing at the mouth to read the rest of my Q&A responses, and as you know, I aim to please! Here it is!


11.What "exercise" works the best for you/gives you best results?

I do a wide variety of different exercises, but I'm a big believer that you have to mix strength with cardio. My favourite strength work out is a class called "Body Pump" that is featured at my gym, because honestly, it's the only way that I can really push myself with strength. Otherwise I get lazy and move on to cardio rather quickly. I also like to do exercises with 5-lb hand weights (at home) that target my triceps. As far as cardio goes, running it making a huge difference in my body, and I'm learning to love it! I also do Zumba and other gym classes, but I think that the running is causing the most changes.


12.What is a typical daily schedule for you? What types of workouts do you do?

I'm on maternity leave (I'm Canadian, so we get the option of taking a year off) so I have no schedule right now, lol. It gives me the time to work out once a day, which is awesome. Sometimes I do it in the late morning, after the kids are up and either my husband or parents are available to watch them, and sometimes I wait until the evening. It really depends on what we have planned that day. The key is being flexible!
Aside from the workouts I mentioned above, I also sometimes do a step class (it's way harder than it looks!), a high intensity cardio class called "Body Attack" (I nearly die every time), or sometimes "Body Combat" (a marital arts and boxing-type cardio workout). I also use the treadmill at the gym or the elliptical. I do have some workout videos, and my favourite is the 30-Day Shred! And I always - ALWAYS - take one day per week where I ONLY go for a walk, nothing else. Gotta give the body a rest!


13.What is your biggest mistake on your journey so far? If you could go back and do something differently...?

Not starting sooner!!! Argh! So frustrating! More specifically, I really wish that I hadn't waited so long (several months) before REALLY starting to add fitness into my weight-loss regime. I helps me get results faster, sure, but it also helps me out MENTALLY. And that, in and of itself, is worth all of the sweat!
You don’t need to bust your butt for an hour a day, people. Even 30 minutes a few times a week can make a big difference if you are consistent. You just have to make those 30 minutes COUNT!
Also, I wish that I had taken more “before” pictures. All I have is two crappy ones where I look really ugly, and I hate posting them. (Don't just go by the scale! Measurements and photos help so much!)


14.What was the last book you read?

“Electrified Sheep”. It’s a sequel to “Elephants on Acid”. These are NOT novels, folks. They are easy-to-follow overviews of real science experiments that have been performed throughout history. (Yes, I’m a nerd, this is not news to anyone who knows me). Some of the things these scientists did really paved the way for big improvements in our daily lives. Others...not so much. I mean, who really thought it was a good idea to try to raise a chimpanzee as a human child? Or give acid to an elephant? And why oh why do so many scientists use their “junk” in their experiments? (And yes, I am talking about THAT kind of “junk”. Pervs).
But if you DO like science, I’d recommend these books. Just beware: scientists were not always so kind to animals, so you may want to skip a few stories if you are sensitive to that. br>

15.How often do you craft?

It comes in spurts, honestly. Right now, I am in the middle of a big project, so about once a week I work on it for several hours. Normally I craft a bit more in the winter months than in the summer, especially around holidays. Cake and cupcake baking, however, is year-round! Feel free to share your designs with me!


16. Being a busy mom how hard is it to motivate yourself sometimes?? How do you push yourself off that couch :)

Well, keep in mind that I am on maternity leave, and while it's certainly busy with two children, I don't get quite as worn out physically as when I am working. However, I found that when I first started working out, it was hard. But then I quickly realized how much more energy I have when I do exercise, and that really helps motivate me. Also, seeing results - nothing gets me more pepped up than a good weigh-in, new measurements, or seeing some "before and after" photos!


17. Where do you find your meal ideas/inspirations? That's a big stumbling block for me....there is so much out there, I just don't know where to look!

Since I'm not a great cook, I've been following simple recipes, usually found in "Four Ingredient" cookbooks. (So yes, you literally only need four ingredients. I also have a Five Ingredient Crockpot cookbook.) I've also been starting to look on Pinterest for healthier recipe ideas, and also blogs of other moms, especially those who are trying to lose weight. Okay, so I mostly look for dessert ideas. Sue me.


18. With WW, do you count calories or servings (like 1 veg, 1 protein, 1 bread, etc.)?

Weight watchers has a "Points" system, where points are calculated for foods based on calories, fat, protein (if you follow the new system, which I don't) and fibre. You have a certain number of "Points" to eat each day. Technically you could eat whatever you want as long as you stay within your daily Points and still lose weight, but they definitely emphasize eating balanced. If you only eat junk, you will use up your points very quickly and go hungry later! Personally, I've been trying to get in a lot of fruits and veggies, more protein, and less carbs. I still eat carbs, but because I'm a carbo-holic, I have to watch it!


19. Consider this a "would you rather": So if you had to pick being at goal weight but 2 sizes above your goal size or being at your goal size but 15lbs higher than your goal weight which would you pick?

Well, since the whole point of me being on this journey (besides for health) is to get thinner, I would pick being a smaller size even if it meant that my weight was a bit higher than I'd like. That’s in theory,k of course. With that said...in REALITY, I'm sure it would drive me absolutely crazy to get to a point where the scale wasn't budging no matter what I did. Despite my best efforts to feel otherwise, my success (as far as body image goes) is tied to the damn number on the scale! What’s up with that!


That’s all, folks! If you ever have a question for me, do not hesitate to leave it in the comments section of one of my posts! I’ll be happy to answer!

30 Pound Weight-Loss Pictures!!!

Yes, yes, Part 2 of the Q&A will come soon, blah blah blah. But for now, I am excited to announce that I have officially lost 30 POUNDS!!!! I've gone from 198 to 168 (I'm 5'9) and it feels great!

You want to see pictures? Of course you do!

I am especially happy with the changes to my midsection. Even ten pounds ago, my belly was noticeably bigger:

I know that it's never going to be perfectly flat. Keep in mind that 7 months ago, it looked like this: (yes, those are stretch marks. Deal with it!)

It grew rather rapidly (I'm a nerd):

I have no idea how to make that picture any bigger...maybe it can't be, or maybe I'm incompetent. We'll never know (hopefully). Anyway...I couldn't be more pleased with my progress to date, and I look forward to sharing the rest of my journey with you. Eleven more pounds to go!

Q&A Time!!!

You asked...I answer!
Between here and the Fit Camp posters, I've received enough questions to do a Q&A Part 1 and Part 2. So, if you missed it the first time around, feel free to send in your questions, and I'll add them to the next segment.

Oh, and let's just get it out of the way now: I'm 5'9 :)


1.Do you tend to eat the same foods? I have read eating the same breakfast, etc speeds up weight loss.

I have read that as well, that your body can burn off food faster if it's "used" to eating it. But I'm not sure if the science is solid, and I've always wondered if that would make you more likely to eventually hit a plateau (because you're never "switching it up")...??? In any case...I'm a pretty boring eater, so my breakfasts and lunches do tend to be similar. For breakfast, I typically eat either a) a bowl of cereal (usually Special K Red Berry, or if I'm in an evil mood, Fruit Loops) with a piece of cheese, or b) two eggs with a side of fruit. For lunch, I've often been having either a veggie wrap on whole wheat bread, or a tuna wrap. I'm pretty boring, as I said. Supper is when I have more variety. And snack time . Gotta get those treats in somewhere!


2.Vitamins! Do they really work or are they just a synthetic chemical the body doesn't even know what to do with? And how do I get my hair to grow? lol (vitamins didn't work lol!!)

I am undecided on the vitamin front! I mean, your body can only absorb so much of one nutrient at a time, so if you are eating pretty balanced, you probably wouldn't need vitamins (I am not a doctor, however!). But in the case of deficiencies, I know that they can be helpful. I personally have to take iron supplements, because my body just doesn't absorb iron very well from food. And I believe that everyone should take their prenatal vitamins if they are pregnant or trying to become pregnant!
As for the hair issue...
I messaged my friend Katie, who is a hairstylist, to better answer this question. (Don't read her blog? You should. It will change your whole perspective on life). Anyway, here is what she said:
"Taking vitamins helps a little! Other than that just limit your use of hot styling tools and pulling it back as they both cause breakage! It won't make your hair grow faster it just keeps it from breaking and being dry and brittle." Oh, and trimming your hair frequently will not make it grow faster, but since it will also lead to less breakage, it may help you grow your hair OUT faster, because you won't have to hack so much off when you do get it cut.


3.How old are you?

I am 28 years old!


4.What's your shoe size?

I'm a size 10...which can be annoying, because sometimes clothing stores around here sell really cute shoes, but they rarely have any 10's! And even stores that DO carry size 10 tend to sell out of them ASAP. (Note to those stores: if you sell out of a certain size quickly, it PROBABLY is more common that you think it is. Order more shoes, dammit!)


5.What's your favorite healthy food?

Hmmm...well I LOVE milk (I drink skim, have since I was a child), and I also really like cucumbers! And I'm pretty much bff's with raspberries...mmm...raspberries...


6.Favorite Fat Girl food?

Ha! I'm supposed to pick just one? I think it would be a tie between dill pickle chips (with dip...yum yum yum) and a Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake. I also LOVE chocolate, but I don't consider that so bad because I am able to limit myself to a taste here and there! With chips, and also with DQ, I want to dive head-first into whatever serving size is in front of me. And not stop until it's done.


7.When are you going to do a 5K? :)

Oh frig. I don't know. I'm really thinking about doing this year's Terry Fox run, but it's so SOON. Maybe too soon. I mean, I can run 5k and all, but I need more time to mentally prepare myself! I get so much anxiety when it comes to new situations! I wanted one that is a bit later in the fall, but I'm not having any luck finding any where I live. I'm also looking at one that's on New Year's Eve...but I'm just trying to decide whether I want to run on New Year's Eve, lol...


8.What's one thing (top 5) on your bucket list?

Well, I've already done my #1 thing, which was to have children! But right now...I'd LOVE to one day go back to Northern Ireland and once again see the Giant's Causeway. (Don't know what it is? Google it. It's the most freaking beautiful sight you'll ever see in your life).


9.Do you cook a lot? Does your child eat what you cook?

I freaking hate cooking. Which is probably why I mostly eat cereal, eggs, and wraps :) So I wouldn't say that I cook a lot, but I am getting better at it. Also, I don't eat red meat, or any other meat from a mammal (I haven't in almost a decade) so when I do cook it's a lot of chicken!
My son is 7 months old, and yes he eats the baby food that I make :) My daughter is three...she is an interesting one. She basically only wants to eat vegetables and milk products. I have been informed that I am not allowed, in any uncertain terms, to complain about this. Apparently some people would throw a parade if their actually kid wanted to eat a vegetable. But as a result, it's very hard to get her to eat "meals"...she's more of a grazer. We're working on it. She's getting better.
I'd much rather bake a batch of cupcakes than cook...are we starting to see why I ended up with a weight problem? Lol!


10.What are some of your favorite kid-friendly recipes?

See above, ha ha! But I did see a neat breakfast idea on Pinterest that I'll share with you. It's simple, and is a creative way to get in a serving of fruit: Basically, you take a banana, coat it with peanut butter (or soy butter, whatever your kid can eat), then roll it in Rice Krispy cereal. Then, slice it into circles. Voila! Breakfast "sushi"!


Now, onto Part 2...

Send me your questions!

I will be doing a Q&A in the near future! Feel free to comment on this blog: any questions you have - whether they are fitness, weight-loss, mom related, or something else - will be answered!

Six weeks ago...

Six weeks ago I weighed 183 pounds. (I'm 5'9). I had already lost 15 pounds through healthier eating, but had stalled because let's face it, my habits weren't amazing, and I wasn't very active.

Six weeks ago, I joined a gym, keen on getting back into the fitness swing of things. It had been about five years since I'd been at the gym (when I got married, ate like a pig, and gained all of the weight I had previously lost back - and then some).

Six weeks ago I decided to REALLY start following my Weight Watchers plan.

I started my own, personal "Summer Slimdown", seeing what I could do in the last six weeks before September hit. Today, I am pleased to share my results.

Today, I weigh 169.4. I have also lost several inches. I am very proud of what I have done so far, but I'm not done yet! I have at least 12-16 pounds to go, but at least now, I know that I can accomplish my goals. I'm officially the thinnest I've been in five years, and that stupid BMI is forced to stop calling me "unhealthy"!

So what's up next? "Thinner By Thanksgiving". Hoping to lost at least 6.4 pounds in the next 5 weeks. Hold me to it!

And here are a couple photos...183 vs. 169.4!!!

I'm a (Weight Loss) Nerd...

So, you all know by now that I'm in the middle of a weight-loss plan (this message was brought to you by Captain Obvious). A few people have asked me what I'm doing, how I'm eating, if I'm following a plan, etc. Well, I'm following Weight Watchers (the old plan, because I hear that the new one makes everyone angry and full of rage), working out at the gym, running...you know, the usual. But, there is one BIG thing that I find is really helping me, and it's my little secret. But I'm going to share it with you, even though it makes me sound like a big, giant nerd. Here it is:

I make up challenges for myself, and give myself little goals along the way. Okay, that part in and of itself isn't nerdy. Lots of people go into a weight-loss or fitness plan with small goals in mind. "I want to lose 10 pounds by summer", or "I want to run a 5k". So what is so geeky about what I do?

I name my challenges.

Oh, yes.

And I don't include other people in them. I name them...just for me. Lame?

For the past six weeks, it's been my "Sizzling Summer Slimdown". And next up is "Thinner Thanksgiving". (I'm Canadian, so our Thanksgiving is in October). After that will be "Fat-Free Florida" (our vacation in November), and then "Ho-Ho-Hold the Pounds". I TOLD you I'm a geek!

So there you have it. My silly little secret.

Loving my New Work Out Shirt...

(Love LMFAO)

Want your own cute workout shirts? Check out Ruffles With Love on etsy!

Guest Post (Mine)!

I am thrilled to announce that I have a guest post featured on Fitness Unscripted's blog. (Good news - it features PICTURES, something that my own blog is seriously lacking. I'll work on that, I promise). What is Fitness Unscripted, you ask? Well, I'll tell you:

Have you heard of Mama Laughlin? If not, you should. Go check out here site.

Basically, she's a mom of two who lose 60 pounds after her first child, got back to her size after her second pregnancy, all the while writing a very honest, real, and humerous blog for all to see. She has a ridiculous amount of followers, which is not surpising. She's an inspiration, and deserves the attention!

Anyway, a couple of the ladies who follow her blog decided to make a facebook group dedicated to health and fitness (and, of course, weight loss), and that lead to the creation of a new blog! It will feature posts from members of our group, during our various transitions. Cool, eh? (I'm Canadian, so yes, I say "eh" a lot!)

Please check it out!

I crave change...

Okay, that post title isn't exactly accurate. In truth, I'm just a tad uncomfortable with change. Some might say that I don't "adapt well" to it. It's not that I intend to be inflexible or anything - it's just that certain things cause me unhealthy amounts of extreme anxiety, and change just happens to be one of them. (No worries, though. I'm being medicated for it...)

So why the post title? When on earth could someone like me POSSIBLY crave change?

When it comes to the seasons. I crave a change in the weather.

Do not misunderstand me. I adore summer. I was a summer baby, and I've never really grown out of it. It's definitely my favourite season. But, aside from my summer loving, my favourite time(s) of the year is when that magical time happens - that first hint of a new season approaching.

It's when summer heat starts to give way to crisp, cool autumn days, and you can just smell it in the air. You begin to anticipate the warm colours of fall, the leaves falling from the trees, and visions of apple cider dance in your head.
It's when you're sick of all that autumn rain, and you first detect that snow may be coming. You imagine the twinkling of Christmas lights and Hannukah menorahs, envision snowmen lining the streets, and laying warm and cozy on your couch, in front of the TV, hiding from nature's next storm.
It's when you just can't take one more cold day, and the first promise of spring appears, and you can finally begin ditching your winter coat.
And it's when you realize, as you're cranking your a/c one day, that the long, glorious, pool-filled days of summer are fast approaching...

To me, it's bliss. Pure bliss.

Why crafting is just like weight loss...

I know, I know. That title makes no sense. Or does it? While they may seem like two completely things - crafting and weight loss, that is - I believe that there are some definite similarities. Sure, one involves sitting on your big ol' behind and using the least amount of muscle as possible, and the other involves getting that big behind to be, well...less big. But, look beyond those stark differences, as I ask you to consider these three things:

1. Both seem like a good idea...at first.
I could spend HOURS planning my weight loss program, my exercise regime, my caloric intake, and imagining what I'll look like when I'm finally "at goal". And I could spend just as many hours drooling over felt play food and holiday decorations, daydreaming about how much my daughter will appreciate her next gift from Santa. Yup, both seem like great ideas...until you realize that all of the planning and preparation will not result in the much-coveted final "product" until you first engulf yourself in a whole lotta time-consuming WORK! Then, you are tired just thinking about it all!

2. Both lead to huge amounts of procrastination
Just like I often don't WANNA go workout, I often have trouble getting inspired to craft. "But I don't WANT to work on the playhouse tonight. I want to sit on the couch, eat potato chips and whine on my blog!" I mean sure, once I get going (either with exercise, healthy eating, or crafting) I very easily get "on a roll" and don't want to stop, but until that point, I find myself trying to find every excuse in the book to avoid doing both.

3. Both have incredibly worthwhile results
Just like seeing the scale go down those last pesky ten pounds, finishing a craft project gives you the feeling that you've really accomplished something. And in both cases, you've got something great to look at afterwards! The only problem? You can't help but start to wonder about future projects...and the cycle begins again...

So, you see, crafting and weight loss can definitely be compared. Especially if you're a nerd like me, who appreciates a good over-analysis. Now, stop reading, and go do something! I have some scizzors and glue waiting for me...

I am uninspired...

That about sums it up. Every time I come up with a great blog topic, I forget what it is by the time I come to sit at my computer!

So...I want YOU to give me a blog topic. Nothing is off limits (mostly). Let me know what you want to hear!

Things NOT to Do in the Summer (when it's hot as heck)

1. Decide to go for a run. In your long, black shorts. Without bringing water. In an area with no shade. With no sunscreen.
2. Clean your house, unless you have primo air conditioning. It's just not worth the sweat.
3. Your makeup. Just don't even bother...
4. Drink hot beverages. Yes, I'm talking to you, you weirdo. What is wrong with you?
5. Wear pants. You're making me hot just by looking at you!

Actually, I love summer. But this year's temperatures are a little too much, even for me!
How are YOU coping with the heat?

So Close!

As of today, I am only 1.4lbs away from my prepregnancy weight. Sure, I have more weight to lose after that, but still...hitting that number will be a big relief for me.
Who thinks I can do it by this time next week?

Why Weight?

So, I am not special. Like many moms out there, I am trying to lose weight. Also like many moms out there, I am not only trying to lose BABY weight (of which I only have about 4 pounds left, thank you very much) but also MARRIAGE weight. Admit it - you know what I mean. I am hoping, that by writing this post, I will hold myself more accountable. I will eat better. I will exercise more. And I will have a better attitude about my body. I WILL fit into my old clothes - even if it takes time. Who else is trying to lose weight? What helps you stay motivated?

Award Nominations...

Alrighty...so, even though I am still awaiting more questions for my future Q&A post (see below and please comment) I feel the need to share that I have been nominated for two awards:

So here are the rules (rules are included for both awards):

1. Link back to whoever nominated you.
2. Write 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Nominate 11 bloggers.
The next couple were rules from the Liebster award only:
4. Let everyone know when you nominate them.
5. Make up 11 questions for them to answer.
6. Answer the questions that have been given to you.

Just like Shanny, who nominated me, I am nominating my favourite bloggers for two awards instead of just one. Just follow the 6 rules listed above, and you'll be done!

My Random Facts:

1. I can move my baby toes independently, as well as some others, which makes me very good at picking up objects without bending over
2. My idols are Walt Disney and Jim Henson - and basically anyone else who doesn't lose their childhood imagination
3. I love Christmas - I'm already in the planning stages for the next one!
4. I would love to win the lottery (who wouldn't?!) but I rarely buy tickets
5. I'd love to be a stay-at-home mom forever, but finances won't support that (see above, hee hee)
6. I barely have any eyebrows - I have to draw mine on
7. I rarely get sick
8. I refuse to believe that anyone ACTUALLY likes sushi...
9. I had to be tested for HIV as a child, after a blood transfusion in the 80's
10. I have NO interest in seeing the Hunger Games
11. I am a night owl, for sure. No one told my circadian rhythm about 9-to-5 schedules...

Questions from Shanny for the Liebster award:

1- Do you have a phobia? What is it?
- Flying!
2- What came first, the chicken or the egg?
- Egg. Dinosaurs were laying eggs far before birds came along :P
3- Describe yourself in 3 words.
- Obsessive, Loving, Nutty
4- Are you a night person or a morning person?
- Definitely a night person
5- What is your favorite dessert?
- Chocolate cake, from a box
6- Love at first sight, yay or nay?
- Undecided, honestly!
7- Which one would you choose: books, clothes, or gadgets?
- Clothes.
8- What is your favorite hobby?
- Music, although I don't make time for it like I should. I play the piano and flute, and also the piccolo
9- Where are you right now?
- In the family room
10- Why do you blog?
- To record my thoughts, share my creative/craft projects, to reflect upon my family life...so many reasons!
11- What is your favorite season?
- Summer!

Here are MY questions for everyone:

1. Do you give yourself a bedtime? If so, what time?
2. Do you have any recurring dreams?
3. What is your favourite number?
4. Do you have pets? If so, what?
5. If you could bring one famous person back to life to have a chat with, who would it be?
6. Describe your living quarters
7. Name one thing you love about where you live
8. What was your favourite subject in high school?
9. How long can you hold your breath?
10. What is your favourite holiday?
11. Name your favourite unhealthy food

Here are the Nominees! (For both awards)

1. A Baby, Maybe
2. When Hello Means Goodbye
3. Three Cheers for Babies
4. Homemade By Jill
5. The Busscher Family
6. Our Journey to Embryo Adoption
7. From Gummy Bear to Sweet Baby
8. Jenna's Journey
9. Through Clouded Glass
10. Down at Fraggle Rock
11. Cupcakes and Candy Canes

There you have it!