My Journey

I have decided to look and see if I've lost anymore weight since I've started trying to. In July 2011 I was around 190 sometimes a bit more but I'll average it out to
190. Now Jan 2012 I'm at 173. I feel pretty good about it since I've stayed steady around this weight. I of course bounce up a few lbs depending on the day but I've stayed steady for a month or so at 173-175. I've bought some fun exercise DVD's that include weights which have helped me and I've been running. I've even ran 2 5K's! I still run about a 5K when I'm out and hope to run further as the year goes on. Plus run a bit faster so next year my 5K is in better time. Running to music helps a lot. I hope to keep shedding the lbs as I'd like to get to around 115-120. I know that's a lot but if I keep it up and work hard maybe by the end of the year I'll be close. I really need to cut back on soda and desserts. All I can do is try. I'm thankful for my family who is a good support to me. So here's to a new year and new goal of getting fit!

Weight Loss

I started my weight loss journey on July 11th. Now around a month later, 9 weeks, I am down 10 lbs. I'm sticking to my 1 lb a week weight loss it seems. As frustrating as this is at least I'm still losing weight. I have been taking a B Vitamin as well as a Slim Quick diet supplement. I take that and it seems to help curb my appetite a bit. The vitamin I think helps me not be so tired. I'm not losing weight as fast as I would like to but I'm trying to not get depressed about it. To be honest though there are days where I do get depressed, especially when someone at the store will ask me when I'm due. Really? Do you need to ask people that when you have no idea? I was in baggy clothes from cleaning and cooking, guess I can't wear those out and about. I do fit into a couple of capris from before Kallen. I will continue to try and control my portions and eat healthy. I'm still training for my 5K in Oct. I'm not exercising as much as I was but I still get in at least 3 days a week. The running is getting a bit easier and I'm actually looking forward to the race. So keep up the good work me! you're doing great. Don't get discouraged. It took 5 years to put it on you can take time to get it all off.

Weight Loss Goal In Progress

x this by 8

I started The Biggest Loser Challenge at work 6 weeks ago. Since that time I've been trying very hard to exercise and eat right. I had my sister to work-out with and help motivate me. By the end of the Challenge I lost 7 lbs. I went from 189-182. It's not as much as I had hoped to lose but with all the ups and downs along the way I am grateful for those 7 lbs lost. Now the Challenge is over but the desire to exercise and eat healthy has blossomed inside me.

Larry has been watching the babies in the morning while Jen and I exercise and that is a big help. Plus with kids being in school that helps as well. So Kait and Kam go to school, Kal takes a nap and depending on the day Kinsee might be in school so that keeps Kai awake and exercising with us or playing with Larry. If Kinsee is home they play together which is very nice. Now on to a new goal...

Jen and I have decided to train for a 5K race. We would like to sign up for the one in Mesa for Thanksgiving Day, the Turkey Trot. Before that though we have the chance to run in UT for the Dead vs the Living 5K. I'm really hoping we do this as it seems fun and running in a race benefits those we're running for as well as us. Plus having a goal for why we're running helps to not hate running so much. So we are now In Training.

Jen and I also went to a Hypnotherapy appointment the other day to help us in our weight loss goal. I was skeptical at first not knowing what to expect. But...I have to say I honestly think it is helping. I'm not sure what all she said to us while we were under but I do have the desire to eat smaller portions and to be happy with what we're eating. I want to drink water over kool-aid. I feel a little more relaxed and happy. I want to exercise and eat right. I want to lose the weight and be satisfied. I can feel myself at the weight I want to be. This may seem weird but I think I'm a believer in the hypnotherapy. I may just do it again when I feel like I need a boost or a bit of help. Since this appointment I've lost another pound! I know it could be water or just the daily fluctuations but I know I can lose this weight. I can do it!

So now 6 weeks and 2 days later I'm down 8lbs! May not seem like much but you look at that picture and multiply it by 8 and it really is quite a bit. Jen and I can do it!

Weight Loss So Far

I think we're on week 4 of the Biggest Loser challenge at work and I've gone from 189 to 183 (I'm rounding up the couple of ounces to get to this it was actually 182.8). Not bad I guess but near what I was hoping to have lost by now. I guess I should be happy that I'm at least losing weight, right? So yay for the 6 lbs in 4 weeks. We have 2 more weeks to go so I'm hoping to keep up the downward trend. I've been bad in the fact that I've been eating desserts again so I need to cut those back or out and then continue to exercise, maybe even add some time to my workout regime. Keep up the hard work!

Hate it!!!!

I hate that I can't lose anything or keep it off! I hate that no matter how hard I try I'm not getting anywhere. I've been exercising 30-60 min a day. I've cut back on my sweets and snacking. I'm watching my portions and STILL no success. I lost a few lbs only to have them come back on. I hate it! I hate the way I look! I hate it all. But I have 5 more weeks on this competition so I'll keep trying and keep hating how I can't be successful. Is it my age? My metabolism? The fact I only get 3-4 hrs of sleep a day? Is it because I work nights? I don't know and I'm too mad to care.

Week 1 of Biggest Loser

This week has been Week 1 of my Biggest Loser Challenge with work. I have tried really hard to cut back on my soda and sweets. I think I've done pretty good too. I didn't deprive myself of everything I just cut back. Baby steps right? I haven't had any soda except for 1 while I'm working to keep me up at night. Even that I'm trying to get away from by buying those 5 hr energy drinks. I haven't had as many desserts but I do have a small treat at times to satisfy my sweet tooth. It's all about portion control for me. I've tried eating healthier and smaller portions for my meals as well. Cutting back on potato chips at lunch time and drinking a lot more water. So after my initial weigh in of 189 my weigh in today was 185.6! Jen and I have been exercising to some DVD's that we have that also incorporate weights in them. I've moved up from 5 lbs weights to 10 lbs weights. I have Bob and Jillian from the t.v. show The Biggest Loser coming into my home to make me work out. I'm loving it and hating it. They are tough videos and make me sweat but I love it. I love feeling like my workouts are doing something for me. We also do Zumba for a day of cardio in between those with weights. I'm excited to see some good results and hope that I can continue to lose weight. I really want to make this work so I'll keep exercising and possibly increase my time doing so from 25-30 min to closer to 45 min this week. I just need to remember that slow and steady sometimes really does win the race. Also to keep cutting back on the portions and sweets. Maybe if I do it little by little I can make and keep the changes instead of feeling hungry and deprived where I'll crave and binge. So here's to another week ahead of making little changes that are good for me and to becoming a healthier person! Way to go Me on the weight loss!

The Biggest Loser!

I don't want to take a picture of just me and I don't have one of just me so I'm going to use this picture as my before picture. This week started my Biggest Loser Challenge. My company every year has a Biggest Loser Competition. We put together a team or get put on a team and then do our best to lose weight. There are weigh ins and prizes so we are accountable. Since I didn't have to pay to participate I thought why not? I have a bunch of weight to lose and so here I go! We go from July 11th - Aug 19th. So far I'm motivated, of course it just started, but I really do want to lose weight. I want to be healthy. I know it will take a while to get to my goal but I believe I can do it. So as of yesterday my starting weight was 189.0, although I fluctuate between 188-191. I want to be around 115 since that is in the middle to upper middle weight in my healthy range. I really just want to be able to fit into some of my clothes again and then eventually get down to the size where there are cute clothes. So wish me luck! I have some DVD's to do, I will exercise some outside when it's not too hot, and the hardest will be to watch what I eat. I don't eat a lot but I don't think I eat the right things. I really want to win and be The Biggest Loser!

Love my new workouts

I need to take a before, during and done picture. I have started a new workout regime this week and I'm pretty excited about it. I bought The Biggest Loser DVD a while back and now have some weights to go along with it. I also have another of Bob's Workout DVD's to use my weights with and both videos kick my butt. :) I also got in addition to those two the Zumba DVD Set with the "weights". They are actually more like maracas. I am loving it! I'm keeping track of my weight daily to see how I do. I was doing ok losing a bit each day but gained a pound today. I love the workouts but really need to control my eating. I find that hard to do when I work nights. I want to eat to stay awake. I'm definitely an emotional eater so have to really watch myself. I will keep up with this and work on it. I want to be healthy again and I have about 70 lbs to lose to reach my goal. I know it will take time and there will be plateaus and gains along the way but if I keep at it I'm sure something will happen.

So far I even have a friend coming over to workout with me! Thanks Mandy for taking time to hang out with me and work out with me. It's helping me stay motivated knowing you're coming over! I don't think anyone reads this blog but if they do feel free to come join us! I try to work out around 9:15-9:30am and then have weigh in between 10am and 11am every day. I want it to be routine so am trying to keep it around the same time every day.

Here's to having success and fun!

Progress

Well I've been trying to be healthier for about a month now I guess and I feel I'm making some progress. According to the Wii I've lost a few pounds which is a good motivator. I don't feel like my clothes are too tight. I tried to get into some of my pre-baby clothes and a few of them I can wear while some I can't. Maybe I'll try again to see if I can get into all of them or not. I have also tried cutting back my eating while at work. Instead of eating with the family before I go to work and then getting hungry shortly after arriving I have been taking my dinner with me. I'll eat a bit later and then I find I'm not quite so hungry or snacky. I still eat a bit later in the night but I try to keep it small and healthy. I've been eating chex mix and a fiber one bar. I also have been trying to drink more water and less soda. I still have my 1-2 cans a night but then drink water in between them or juice. I've discovered the management has a fridge with juice in it so I borrow one or two a week. :) Now to just eat out less and keep up the good habits.

I walk Kamden to school at least twice a week to drop him off. I drive to pick him and Kaijsa up. Kinsee depending on where preschool is depends on if we walk or not. I have also been trying to fit in some yoga for stretching while at home or at work. It's been nice to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Now to reduce my stress if possible and to keep making progress!

exercising

It's been a while since I've done a good exercise program. In the last 5 years I've had 4 babies so it's been difficult to start anything. Since I'm now done having kids I feel it's time to start again. I realize I'm much older than I was previous to babies so I know my body will react differently. I find I can't do as much for as long. I get sore more easily and out of breath. BUT, i'm determined to see this through. I feel better after working out. I've been walking Kamden to Preschool and sometimes even Kinsee to preschool depending on whose house it's at for the week. Pushing the stroller with 3 kids, Kallen stays home with daddy, is good resistance and I've been wearing my Shape-up shoes. Man do I feel the burn! I have also purchased a couple of new DVD's to work out with Bob! I got the Biggest Loser and than another one that he does. I can barely make it through the 1st workout of The Biggest Loser and the other is an hour with me doing 25 min of it. I figure start out slow and work my way up. I need to be realistic about this right? I then will weigh myself on the Wii Fit Plus to see how I'm doing. After a week or so I've lost 3.something lbs. It's a start. I have a long way to go but figure it took me 4-5 years to gain it all I can take my time losing it. I love seeing my kids try to do the workouts with me. I'll even catch them turning it on and doing it themselves! I'm setting the example of exercising being good. That's important. I have help with the kids and that helps me too. I have even started doing Yoga during my break at work. It helps me wake up a bit and get through the night. I don't know a lot of yoga moves but the few I do know take up the 30 min that I get. I'm feeling good about my beginnings and actually feel like I can do this. I can lose the weight! Now to cut back on my snacking and soda at work....

Walking

For Christmas I bought me some new sneakers, Shape-Ups. They kick my butt! I love them. I have started walking either Kamden or Kinsee to school (Preschool) when I can. It ends up being a few times a week and I wear these shoes plus push the stroller taking Kai with us. Kallen I leave at home with Daddy since my stroller only fits 3 not 4. I have enjoyed these moments of walking with the kids. I am completely out of shape but it's been fun to get out and start walking again. I also try to do some Yoga on the Wii to get some stretching in. This is a bit harder to do since Kallen will want my attention or the kids will want to play games. So I'll do what I can and try to fit some exercising and stretching in. I figure start slow and maybe I'll stick to it. Little by little right? I haven't noticed any weight loss or changes but I've only been doing it about a week. I'll continue working on it and maybe soon I'll notice some difference. :)

Long Time Coming

It's been a while since I last posted. This blog was to be for goals and motivation. After I found out we were going to have another baby, had to move from TX to AZ and then get life settled there I took a break from blogging on 2 blogs and did what I could with 1. Now that life is slowing down a bit I may be able to keep up. The family blog is all about the family. The Goals blog is about my goals and desires for the family and myself. It's a new year so new beginnings...right? I may fail and have to start over but at least here I'm writing about them and trying to keep up with them.

There are so many things I want to work on this year and many more that I need to work on. So here's hoping I can think of them, write them down, do them and follow up/through with them.

To begin with I think the first thing I want to work on is my spirit. I want to attend all 3 meetings at church but not only attend I want to get something out of them. So far so good as I did that today. My sub goal from listening at church is to work on making my fasts much more effective. Which leads to my first need goal. I need to work on getting things in order to find a new job. That too has a sub goal that I have been working on. I found and updated my resume. So see I'm doing good already this year!

The next goals is to fast for help in deciding what to do with my life since I now need to do this. I have some time before my job officially ends but I'd like to have everything lined up for a smooth transition. So I'll be fasting, maybe more than once, to not only find a job but one that will be good for me and my family. One that can support us and that will have health insurance. I'm considering going back to school so maybe my fasts of job will also include school and if that's the right thing for me and my family.

I will try to focus on these and post about how things are going with them in the next week or two.

I also want us to have good Family Home Evenings. I want a good lesson that applies to us all and for us to really and truly work on making our home better. Since I have Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off I think we can make this work. We can plan the lesson on Sundays and give them on Mondays. Sounds easy enough but life gets in the way. If Sundays are better than we'll have FHE on Sundays. Maybe I can follow through with this one by posting on what the lesson was on and if there was an activity. Maybe I can even take some pictures!

I think this is a good beginning.
Fasting and making it more effective.
Fasting for help in finding employment and/or going to school.
Having good Family Home Evenings.
Reporting on all of the above.

I can do this and with any comments y'all may have I know I can stick to it and make them habits. Habits that are worth having! Here's to the New Year!

So Long Diet. Hello Baby.

Today I'm feeling a little bummed. I haven't been to the gym in quite some time, haven't been good about posting, and have realized that all our goals have been torn to shreds.

The goal to lose weight is on hold for about 7 more months. I'm expecting another baby, which I'm looking forward too more than I thought I would be, but still that means gaining weight not losing it. Maybe this is why I wasn't losing it very quickly or at all. I do want to get to the gym and walk or bicycle at least to keep somewhat in shape. Maybe this will help me have a healthier pregnancy.

I haven't been eating well. We've done a lot of eating out which is also not good for the body. But how I love someone else fixing the meals and cleaning them up. :) I have been buying more fruit though if that is any consolation.

I haven't been managing money the greatest recently either. All the eating out with a family my size consumes alot of the green stuff that doesn't seem to grow on trees or magically appear on cards. :) I do have a new goal though of getting Quick Books or something and start over. Make a budget and really try to stick to it. I'm not good at this as those who know me well can attest but I do want to keep trying. Eventually I have to succeed, right?

We also aren't going on a family vacation this year. Although Larry's health has improved greatly he still has limits to what he can or rather should do. We don't want to push too hard and backslide. Plus with me being prego I don't feel like chasing 6 kids with another on the way around places. So we'll stay close to home again this summer and swim at Papa's pool. Maybe we'll try to do a night someplace fun but otherwise nothing this year. I feel bad for the kids but also realize that the older 3 have had fun things in their lives. The younger 3/4 don't know much now and hopefully by the time they are older we can do some fun things too for them to experience.

So although I'm a little bummed about things right now I do have hope for the future. I can reset goals and achieve some of them.

Off Track

Some how I've gotten off track. I was doing so well with getting up and exercising each day...now not so much. Life is catching back up with me. I find that if I'm exercising my housework isn't getting done. If I stay home to clean then I don't have time or energy to exercise. I have got to get into some kind of routine. I think my house may just have to suffer so that I can exercise and keep my sanity, I can then have energy to play with the kids, and then work the evening/night away. Housework can get done on weekends or something. This will be my new goal. I enjoy exercising and going to the gym. I love my gym membership and my IPOD - they truly keep me sane. I find I'm more calm if I take this time for myself. So here's to a new goal of balancing exercise, family, housework and work into my days.

We have changed our goal for Summer Vacation. We are planning as a family to go to Washington DC. We are super excited for this and are very grateful to Heather's Dad for letting us visit him. This will be so much fun for the family. 2 days driving, a week in DC with a possible day or two in NY, and then 2 more days home. Busy but fun. I have almost 2 weeks off, just a couple of days shy of 2 weeks, so we have time to drive and relax and have fun. Let's hope we can save what's left of our Tax Return for the trip. Must Save, Must Save, Must Save...

My next goal is to also keep the kids busy in extra sports or something. I think they are starting to go stir crazy being home and together all the time. Kait has soccer and violin. Kaijsa has piano and will hopefully have classes and job soon. Kam has T-ball. I want to get Kinsee into Gymnastics, possibly after 3rd b-day. Another thing to save up for but a must I think. I love having family time and togetherness but sometimes being apart is good too.

Well...here are my new goals and wishes. I sure hope I can make them happen.

Weight loss is at a plateau of 165/166. I'll round down to 165 because that makes me feel better. :) I will keep working on it and my diet. It is such a life altering and life long change and goal. So hard for me because I'm an emotional eater. Oh well. Here's to future days and achievements.

On a Roll!

I decided a while back to renew my committment to losing weight. I did this by joining a gym, after the trial period to make sure I'd like it, and trying to eat healthier...again. This time it's WORKING!!!! I've gone from 183, a couple of months ago (maybe less?) to "drum roll please"....166! I'm so super excited! I can't say as I really see a difference but it's nice that the scale is. I am LOVING the gym. I went to a spinning class and it kicked my butt but I loved it. I can't wait to do it again. I'm enjoying my yoga/pilates (whether the class, Wii or DVD's) and I have even started to like running. The eliptical is still a favorite as well. I want to try the kickboxing class but haven't gone yet. I'm just glad to finally see the weight coming off. I got myself a new dress for Easter to reward myself. Also with my bonus money from work in addition to the gym membership I got myself an IPOD so I have something to listen to while working out. The kids enjoy the Kids Club and that is nice as well. Makes me not feel so guilty for going. Anyways...I just wanted to share my progress with y'all. I still have a ways to go but I know I can't do it all at once. Plus I'm sure I'll have set backs but I WILL keep trying and doing what I can. Here's to losing more and reaching my goal!

On a side note we may be changing our summer vacation plans but are still going to be able to save up and do something fun for/as a family. Just waiting on those pesky tax returns. Oh well, at least we're getting something, that's better than nothing. I'm starting to realize how blessed I am and how grateful I should be. It only took me 34/35 yrs.

New Breath

Ok, so after venting and being upset for a while about my lack of weight loss I've made some new steps toward achieving what I want. I got a bonus this year from the company I work for! So with this extra money I decided to get a gym membership to 24 Hour Fitness. I'm not usually one for gyms but felt like I needed some extra help. I got a 2 year membership from Costco, because this was the better deal, and went today. I had a free trial memebership for a week and enjoyed going. They have a Day Care room so the kids can go and play while I work out. They love it and I love it too! After a week or so of not weighing myself but still getting some exercising in I re-weighed myself today........and YAY!!! I lost 6.*** according to the Wii. I am now 172.something. I'm just going to round down because that makes me feel better. :) So 172 it is. This may not seem like a lot but when I've been bouncing between 177 and 183 usually around 179 this is a good surprise for me. I'm excited. I will still do my Wii Fit Plus and the other exercises that I bought. I love doing the exercise ball and I really enjoy Yoga/Pilates. Now I have the Gym to go too as well. I haven't been to any of the classes yet but I want to. I want to try the spinning and kickboxing especially. I have enjoyed the Eliptical and Treadmill. It's nice to work up a good sweat. So here is to starting anew and breathing new life into my goal of losing weight.

Give Up or Keep Going?

This is a short post because I'm getting tired of my goals and not being able to reach them. I'm going to have to rethink things I think. I once again weighed in today and I'm back up to 179. I hate HATE THIS!!!!! Granted Valentine's Day was rough on the diet, all the food and candy. I have been exercising but obviously that's not doing anything. Today I started to exercise and then the Wii shut off and lost all that I had been doing. Needless to say I gave up today. I'm just too dang frustrated. Plus the 2 little ones are driving me INSANE! They just make working out at times more frustrating and it makes me more angry instead of calming and relaxing me. So today is a bum day. I'm mad, frustrated and ready to give up.

Good day

So I weighed myself today and it was down a bit. I am now at 177.something. The Wii doesn't give me the ounces so I guess on those. But I am in between 177 and 178. I finally went below 179! YAY! I'm going to round down because I feel like I work my butt off to get where I'm at. Larry got me for Valentines Day the Wii Fit Plus. Some of you may be thinking "What?" "Why?" but I asked for it. I also got me a pair of exercise pants in one size smaller than I bought at Christmas time. So I feel like I'm making progress, even if I'm not. We opened the Wii game early because the kids didn't want me to wait till V-day and since I'm not a huge lover of Valentine's Day I said Ok. We are loving it. There are some really fun games and a few new exercises on it. Even Kamden and Kinsee are able to play a few of the games and they are loving it. I think it's really good for them to learn to play. It teaches them to take turns, to balance, their right and left, hand -eye-feet coordination, etc. We've been having a good time. I'll save the pants for the actual day of V-day. I'm just excited that I lost a couple of pounds, finally! Larry also has a new program on his I-touch that helps me keep track of my caloric intake and burn of calories. I love it. Knowing what I'm eating and taking in plus burning is really helping me to stay on track. I have a few weak moments but overall I'm glad of the new steps I'm taking and that my family is helping me. I'm glad they love me for who I am and how I am but it's nice to feel better about myself too. Thank you Larry and kids for loving me and helping me on my path toward fitness and good health!

Part of the good health for my family is the Dr. We've had several appts which I mentioned on my other blog. This year WILL be the year we get healthy no matter what. We'll find a way to afford to fix us all up or die trying. :) Ok so let's not hope it really kills us.

Hope all y'all are doing well on your goals. Keep it up! We Can Do It!

So Angry

I'm angry today because once again I'm not losing any freakin weight! I'm so frustrated with this whole process. What is the use of dieting and exercising when it's doing NO GOOD! I bounce between 179 and 183 all the time. No matter how much I cut out or how much I'm exercising I'm not losing any weight. If I do I just gain it back. I gained 3 lbs just by going to bed last night! What is the point?! I've been exercising since October or at least November. I should lose around a pound a week. I understood gaining at first because I'm rebuilding muscle but by now I should be losing! Nope, nada, nothing. I need to start seeing some results or I'm going to go postal!

Little Blessings

I did my weigh in today and lost 3.5 lbs! I'm excited even if it's not much. I'm now at 179.something. I'm just glad it was a loss instead of another gain. I will continue to keep working out and trying new things to keep me interested in exercise. I'm enjoying the excercise ball and yoga/pilates. I've also done some jumping rope, which I remember being so much easier when I was a kid. At least I'm doing something though right?

As for our family goal of saving up for summer vacation we're doing ok. We've added some and borrowed some from the pot. Whatever we do borrow I try to put back in. I'm also trying to come up with a backup vacation plan that we all like just in case we can't save up enough. I have the time off of work so that's not the issue. I just want to do something fun.

Kaijsa is working on finishing the Book of Mormon before New Beginnings in February so she can get her Medallion. She is almost done. I'm so proud of her. She is also getting much better at the piano.

Kaitlyn is doing well in school but needs to focus a bit more on Spanish. She has the opportunity to work for violin lessons and is considering doing this. I think it's a great idea. The teacher even offered to let me work as well and take lessons with her. I may just do that.

Kamden turned 4 and I've noticed some calming down but not a lot. But every little bit is nice. :) He's such a sweet brother. So caring and loving.

Kinsee Belle is doing well. She is working on getting potty trained. This is going much slower than with Kamden but she is trying. She loves to go in the toilet and get a sticker for each of her successes.

Kaileigh is rolling over and sitting up. She is talking more and laughing lots. She even stood up holing on to her chair the other day and took a step. I think she'll walk and skip crawling. If she does crawl I don't think it will be for long. She's a sweetie.

Kira is in UT and saving up for Girl Scout Camp. She is doing well in Basketball.

We're all holding up ok. We'll just keep working on our big and little goals.