How to Live With Your Parents (but not for the rest of your life)

Let me just put this out there:

I still live with my parents.

Put your eyes back in your head. I KNOW it’s a bit weird.

And actually, by “still live with”, I really mean “live with again”, and by “I”, I mean “my husband, kids and I”. Yes, we are just one big, happy, multi-generational family.

Seriously, it’s not as crazy as it sounds.

And it’s not as rare as you may think, either. A surprising number of North Americans live in these type of family households (of course I forget the actual percentage, because I’m cool like that, but I think it was somewhere between 15-20%). Not to mention other countries and cultures where this arrangement is the norm.

We used to live in a condo. Now, we don’t. I don’t want to bore you with details about the why and how, but let’s just say that it isn’t the horror story many people may think. All of us get to save money and share household work…and it’s kind of nice having extra help with the kids. It’s pretty much like having free, live-in nannies…who tell you how to parent your kids. And hog the kitchen. (I’m KIDDING, Mom and Dad. Well, kinda).

Here are some pros and cons of sharing a home with another generation:

Getting Ready In the Morning

Pro: People are around to help watch the kids, so that if I get behind schedule (which is often), I don’t have to rip my hair out trying to get ready while two kids wrap themselves around my leg.
Con: I can’t walk around half-naked…not that I do that….

The Kitchen

Pro: Yay! People to share cooking duties with (I hate cooking. I’d rather swallow fire.)
Con: There is literally someone in the kitchen ALL the damned time. Tripping each other.

Bedtime

Pro: If both of my kids are “just done for the day” at the same time, and my husband is at work, I can have help putting them to bed.
Con: Extra excuses for my daughter to NOT go to bed. “But I need to hug Grammy! But Grampy didn’t give me a kiss! WAHHH.”

Pets

Pro: Between us, we have three cats, two dogs, and a fish tanks. So much animal life around all the time!
Con: SO MUCH animal life around ALL THE TIME.

Is this plan forever? No, not at all. But for the time being (and for my sanity), it really has been a blessing…

Mostly…

Fat-Free Friday

Summer Slimdown 2013 - Week 1's results are in!

I..........lost a whopping 0.8 of a pound.

I'll take it. Last weekend was horrendous. Besides, I have a new plan for the upcoming week, which I am actually excited about. I'm going to focus on getting more activity in, even if I only have 20 minutes. No more of this "Oh, if I don't have an hour, there is no point" garbage. As always, I ask that you wish me luck! I've love to lose 2lbs this week. It will be a challenge to do so though...

Also...I thought this was funny/neat. For my wedding anniversary in June, I ended up wearing the same dress as I had the previous year. Yes, I'm lame!!! But this time, I weighed about 30 pounds less. I made a little side-by-side photo thingy, and am happy to say that I DO see a difference...even though it's mostly in the face. Do you? *note...I cropped my husband out of the frame...not because I'm self-centred, but because he prefers his photo not being plastered over the internet. Lamesauce.*



Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Recommitment - Summer 2013

Whenever I'm reviewing my weight-loss journey (note: SO sick of the word "journey" being used to describe this!), there are two "start" dates that stick out to me most: March 1st and July 20th.

March 1st (2012) was the date that I first started to reign in my bad eating habits. I started off slowly at first, making small changes only, but managed to lose about 15 pounds in 4 months. Not bad. Not bad at all.

The other date, July 20th, was just about a year ago. This was when I really got my butt into high gear, started exercising, and got really serious about changing my eating for the better. I was proud to say that with a lot of hard work, I lost another 35 pounds. That made 50lbs total. It was an amazing accomplishment in my eyes. Still is.

But as you know - because I can't shut up about it on here - I have been struggling lately. And that 50-pound weight loss has dwindled to less than 40. I am still proud of myself...but I'm also scared. I can feel myself letting go again, and we all know what that means: if I don't take control once again, I am going to end up back where I started...overweight, unhealthy, and miserable.

So, I've recently done what I had to do: I faced the scale, re-took my measurements, and, of course, snapped some "before" photos.

Welcome to Brenna's Summer Slimdown, 2013.

I weighed 162 when I checked the scale a few days ago. There were exactly 6 weeks from that date until September 1st. Just like last year, I have designed myself a six-week program with the goal of losing 10 pounds before September. It won't be easy, but it's manageable...I did it last year, after all! And if I do it again, I will be back in my goal range of 148-153 pounds once again.

Here's hoping...

SHARKNADO!!!!

Has anyone seen the movie Sharknado?



I saw it before everyone was talking about it. That makes me cool, right? I'm so proud.

For the record, Sharknado is, by far, the WORST movie I have ever seen in my life. I kinda love it.

The writing is terrible. The timing is terrible. The special effects are REALLY terrible. The acting? Well, the Australian guy and that dude from 90210 are okay, but otherwise...terrible. Basically, I was rooting for the sharks the whole time.

And yes...it's ACTUALLY about a shark tornado.

Watching the movie, all I could think was, "Seriously? THAT was the final copy? THAT was deemed decent enough to actually put on the air and...SHOW PEOPLE? And WHY is Tara Reid in this? And why are her kids so old?"

I'm pretty sure that my four-year-old could make a better version using sock puppets.

It really is awful. Just, awful. But you have to see it, if you haven't already. You just have to. Come join the cool kids.

Oh, and it's just been confirmed that they're making a Sharknado 2. I can't wait!

P.S. What the crap is Sharktopus? Must go google...

Mini Blogging Break

I am on vacation this week!

We're not going anywhere (except for day trips), but I find that the break in routine has also lead to a break in using electronic devices. And that includes blogging.

So...I guess I'll see you next week? Maybe sooner?

Feeling Fat (It’s Not What You Think)

I’ve been feeling fat lately.

But not in the way you may think.

I know that I don’t I LOOK fat. Sure, some of my clothes are a bit snug due to this little recent weight gain, but they still fit. And since I’m still working out, I do think that my body is continuing to change in a positive way. Besides, I’ve been at this long enough to know that gaining a little bit doesn’t instantly make you go from skinny-mini to beached whale status. Especially when you are tall, like me.

So when I say I FEEL fat, I mean just that: it’s how my body FEELS. It’s just like how I felt before I turned my life around and started getting active.

I feel sluggish, like I have less energy for no particular reason.

I feel frustrated with myself, for letting food have control over me (as if I don’t have a choice in what I put in my mouth).

I feel disappointed with myself for temporarily treating this lifestyle change as a diet, and becoming so strict that I felt the need to rebel against it.

That is what I mean when I say that I feel fat. I may look better, but my emotions better match where I was almost a year ago. And I don’t want to go there again.

Yes, it’s been almost a year since I since I rediscovered my love of exercise and healthy food. Let’s hope that, in the next couple of weeks until then, I can continue to improve.

P.S. Yikes! My blog has seriously been lacking pictures lately! Sorry about that!

I Forgot to Tell You Guys...

I got two "gems" (ahem, sarcasm) from last week that were directed my way. I can't believe I forgot to mention this earlier! They just made my day...except not...

First, someone asked me if I was pregnant. Right after staring at my bloated-from-too-many-cookies tummy. JUST what a girl needs to hear when her self esteem's a bit low, right?

Second, someone else told me that when I wear my hair down, I look like I'm 38 (I just turned 29!). Fantastic. I already feel old!

Please tell me why people don't think before they speak!!!

Wimper...

Remember Katie?

Do you all remember the blog swap I did a few months back with my blogger friend, Katie?



If not, please check it out. Katie is an amazing young woman who has survived and overcome so much in life, including the loss of a child, news that she should never become pregnant again, and a kidney transplant. She has also been blessed with a wonderful husband, strong faith, and two (adopted) boys who are the rays of sunshine in her life.

I am writing this post because Katie has some wonderful, incredible, MIRACULOUS news that she's ready to share with everyone. For those of you who remember Katie, or who just like reading about unexpected joy in others' lives, please check out her blog here! You'll be glad you did!

Fat-Free Day Late

160.4 yesterday.

So annoying. Not going down as fast as I'd hoped...

The Wagon

As with some other things in life, we often refer to someone who has discontinued their healthy eating plan as being "off the wagon". As my regular readers know, I have been off of it for quite some time. But I'm making progress once again. I'm not exactly "on" the wagon, so much as I am hanging off the back, clutching the bumper for dear life...but like I said, it's progress.

I took some "before" photos yesterday, which I will share with you soon. I also printed out some weekly food planning sheets, so I'm all ready to go. Being back in weight loss mode is frustrating, but at least I'm getting things under control while I'm still at a healthy weight, and my clothes still fit. Albeit snugly.

I apologize to my faithful followers for a lack of more inspirational posting. I've been a bit down in the dumps for awhile. I sincerely hope that you will hang in here with me, and provide me with some much-needed encouragement as I continue along my journey.

Back into HARD CORE Weight Loss Mode

Okay, that's it. I've had it. I've been eating like garbage. You all know this. I haven't been exercising as much as usual. You know this as well. But what you may not know is that I also haven't been feeling well because of it. And so, my habits need to change...change back to how they used to be.

I weighed in this morning at 162. That is nowhere close to my goal range. I can no longer act like I'm in maintenance mode . It's weight loss time again, baby. And I'm ready to hit it...hard!

Bring on the salads and leaner meats.

Bring back the almond butter and crunchy apples.

Bring back exercise classes and running goals.

It's time. And I think I'm ready.

10 Things You Need to Know About Canadians.

Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians! It's also my (and my mom's!) birthday, so we've been celebrating all day!

In honour of this special day, I have thought of 10 different things that you simply MUST know about Canadians. And here they are:

1. Let's get this one out of the way: we do NOT say "a-boot"! I don't know how this vicious rumour got started...but we don't!

2. We DO say "eh". A lot.

3. We like to stick u's in words like "colour" and "honour", and pronounce other words in completely nonsensical ways (one weird example: "lieutenant" becomes "Left-tenant" when you're in Canada)

4. We are extremely proud of our hockey heritage.

5. We are even prouder of our beer. (I don't even like beer, but don't your dare insult it!)

6. Every so often, politicians in a certain area will try to cull the local beaver population - and are met with a public revolt. The public wins. Yup, we love those pesky rodents.

7. More of us watched the 2008 US election than typically watch our own elections, because our politics bore us...and most of us know the words to the US national anthem...or at least pretend to...

8. Many of us don't know anyone who owns a gun

9. We complain about our year-long maternity leave, because gosh darn it, we want even more! And we have no idea how other countries who get less time do it!

10. We honestly believe that there is only way REAL way to make a poutine: fresh cut fries, cheese curds, and homemade gravy. And that "Canadian bacon" you Americans eat? It's nothing like what we eat here.

Hope you've enjoyed learning a little bit about my Canadian heritage!