Color Runnin' It. {part 2}

My favorite ideas are ones that come together with excitement and enthusiasm in a short amount of time.  That's the way this Color Run idea has happened....I posted on my blog yesterday afternoon about doing the Color Run, and within a couple of hours we had 8 members, costume ideas and possible team names.  I. Am. SO. Pumped.  Do you even realize?  Not only am I getting to do the Color Run (which is on my bucket list), but now our team is DISNEY THEMED.  With DISNEY COSTUMES.  Cue the Hallelujah Chorus.

Here's what we've decided on:  our team name is going to have something to do with Disney....like the Dashing Disney Divas or something along those lines.  We're each choosing a Disney character.  You have to wear a white t-shirt (as required by the Color Run) and we're all wearing tutus to go along with our character.  This isn't a character that's been picked yet, but you get the idea:

via

 

Belle!  So you get the idea!  We're still playing with logos, but this seems to be the favorite so far:

 

 

Here's our team and characters chosen. 

If you can't tell, I'm EXCITED.  And our team is still open!  If you want to join, we're going to sign up online....if we sign up before April 1st, we get to register for $35 ($10 off the registration price). 

Here's a new development.  I've talked a lot about Brooklyn and all the amazing fundraisers that are happening to help out her family.  One of those events is a marathon, with all entry fees going to Brooklyn.  In addition, there's a 5K in memory of Addison Jo Blair--another little Elizabethtown girl that lost her battle with the same cancer that Brooklyn's been diagnosed with.  Another girl on my Color Run team thought that we could support these two local families by running (a.k.a. probably walking) these marathons as well.  Bonus?  We get to wear our super sweet outfits more than once.  Win-win people. 

If you're interested in Color Run-ning, running for Brooklyn or Addison and wearing AWESOME Disney themed tutus, let me know.  We'd love to have you :)

Hot Mama!! Update!!

Well, ladies and gentleman.  I'm back on the diet track.  Is it fun?  No.  Is it as yummy as eating cheeseburgers and drinking Dr. Pepper?  Absolutely not.  But it's healthier.  And a healthier me means a more confident me.  One that can keep up with my daughter and hopefully be around for a long time because my arteries aren't getting clogged with McDonald's fat. 
Weigh in!
Original weight:  142.5
Last time:  131.4
This week's weight: 

Loss from last week:  1 lb.
Overall lost: 12.1 lbs.

Holy weight loss Batman!  I feel a lot better.  It took a major wake up call for me to get my diet back in gear.  I kind of had the attitude like I didn't care for awhile.  I ate out a lot.  I drank a lot of Cokes.  I ate in excess.  Until I couldn't button my pants one day and my skinny dress that I worked so hard to get back into didn't fit anymore.  Wake. Up. Call.  Ladies and gents, I'm back on the wagon!  And can I make one tiny observation??  This is the least I've weighed since before I had Avery.  I'm at my smallest I've been since starting my "Hot Mess to Hot Mama" journey.  Can I get a high five on that one? *virtual high five*  As awesome as I feel right now, I'm not done yet.  I still have 10 pounds to go before I hit my goal weight.  Think I can do it?

I'm Baaaaaack!

Hey y'all.....remember me?  The mommy behind the Super Messy blog?  Well, lately this mommy has been SUPER BUSY--and absent from the blogging world.  It's all been for a good cause though, I promise!!

Remember Brooklyn?  And the bracelets that I committed to making, selling and then donating the money to Brooklyn and her family?  Well, those bracelets have consumed my waking moments over the last few weeks.  Orders, payments, getting addresses, volunteers to make the bracelets, stressing over when the charms would arrive....and finally, MAKING them today.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining in the least.  I've enjoyed every minute of this bracelet making whirlwind.  I've loved watching the order count climb higher and higher, knowing that more money is being sent Brooklyn's way.  After multiple bracelets, knots, beads, hand cramps and FIVE HOURS LATER, all 109 Minnie Mouse bracelets are complete.   Whew. 

 

So.  For this moment, I'm caught up on bracelets.  We have no more orders coming in and the believe charms aren't here yet, so I can semi-relax other than taking payments.  Which means...I'm BACK!  With that, I'm going to do what every other blogger out there is doing today, on January 1st:  making resolutions.  A lot of people are super negative when it comes to making New Year's Resolutions.  "Who keeps them?"  "You'll make them and be back to your old ways by January 5th."  "Resolutions are a waste."  I, for one, completely disagree.  I know it's just a symbol, but the New Year is a chance to start things fresh.  I saw this completely appropriate and motivating quote on Twitter yesterday:

 

"Tomorrow (New Year's Day) is the 1st blank page in a 365 page book.  Write a good one!" 

 

New Year's is just that--a brand new year.  It's no secret....2012 wasn't the best to my family or the best year of my life.  A lot of things happened that made 2012 a year that I won't be sad to leave behind.  So, here's to starting new things and hoping that 2013 is better than 2012 even thought about being!

 

My 2013 Resolutions: 

 

1.  Be a better daughter of God.  

I LOVE my Jesus.  I love listening to WJIE and being uplifted in my faith and feeling like I can take on the world.  I love going to church and listening to the wonderful things that God has at work for my little church and little corner.  But I'm terrible about praying.  I pray when things seem helpless or when I need something.  I need to start praying whenever things are great.  Just to thank Him for another morning or another day with Marty and Avery.  I want to "pray without ceasing" (1 thessalonians 5:17).  I want to stop worrying about things and start turning them immediately over to my Father. 

 

2.  Be a better wife.

I will be the first to admit---I'm really hard on Marty.  He does more than I could ever imagine as a husband and father.  He helps me around the house, is extremely considerate, always puts me first, is an absolutely incredible father to Avery...and I still find things to nitpick.  I don't even notice I'm doing it.  I complain about things that aren't done instead of thanking him for everything that has been done.  That's why I'm going to restart my "Proverbs 31 Woman" journey again.  I want to be the kind of wife that makes Marty happy to come home to every day. 

 

3.  Start 2013 with only things I LOVE.

I'm a terrible hoarder.  I buy things I don't need in the clearance bin, I buy furniture when it's super cheap, I buy clothes because they've been marked 75% off--but I don't LOVE any of it.  Those clothes will come home and sit in my closet, never to be worn.  That piece of furniture will come home with me and hide in our storage shed because I can't find a place that it looks exactly right.  I want to start fresh and with things that I'm proud to show off and clothes that I feel great in. 

 

4.  Finish my "Hot Mama" journey. 

This holiday season has wreaked some MAJOR havoc on my diet.  I haven't stepped on a scale in weeks because I'm terrified of what it will read.  My pants are fitting a little tighter and I'm only wearing the shirts that fall loosely around my midsection.  Not anymore.  More packing my lunch, less eating out and more feeling like a Hot Mama again.

 

5.  Save money.

Here's where I've always struggled.  I don't blow money, by any stretch of the imagination.  But I do buy things here and there for $20 or under that adds up to a lot of unnecessary spending.  No more quick trips through the drive through--an extra $5 in my pocket.  STRICTLY sticking to our family budget--feeling more comfortable when it comes to paying bills and living everyday life.  It's time Marty and I start living the way Dave Ramsey taught us when we took his class. 

 

6.  Learn to sew.

Plain and simple.  I want to learn how to sew.  And sew well.

 

7.  Start crafting more.

It makes me happy.  It's my equivalent of a girl's night out.  It's a hobby that I love doing and is MY thing.  I stopped crafting and painting right before Avery was born.  I was exhausted and busy and stressed and overwhelmed and painting was the last thing on my mind.  Avery's older now and is actually sleeping well (please, can't talk about it or I'll jinx myself) and it's time I start crafting for myself again.  Make some extra money too.

 

That's it.  Sure, there's a million other things I'd love to do this year, but I know that making a ton of resolutions becomes completely unreasonable.  I feel these are things that I can do.  With encouragement and a lot of prayer, I can complete these 2013 goals.  Happy 2013 all.....can't wait to see the book you're writing this year!  

 

 

Hot Mess Monday {Week 16}

Hot mess Monday time.  And yes, I'm feeling more hot messy than anything else this week.  I haven't blogged, I haven't slept and I haven't exercised.  *sigh*  Hopefully next week I'll be back in the "hot mama" mentality.

Original weight:  142.5 lbs
Last week's weight:  132.4 lbs
This week's weight:

Weight lost from last week:  zilch.

Overall weight lost:  10.1 lbs.

 

I'm still feeling good about the weight I've lost throughout my entire journey.  But this week, I just felt downright chubby.  Nothing fit right.  Since it's been getting chillier, I've had to pull out my fall/winter clothes.  The problem is, I don't have any warmer clothes that really fit my new shape.  Last fall, I'd just had a baby, so I was still sporting a lot of maternity and large sized clothing.  The year before that, I wasn't pregnant, so I was wearing my skinny clothes.  Now, fast forward to this year.  I don't need the larges or the maternity clothes, thanks to my 10 pound weight loss (gosh that feels good to say), but I certainly cannot fit into my pre-baby clothes anymore. That leaves me with maybe 6 shirts and one pair of jeans that I feel good in.  I have no dress pants, no sweaters, no extra pairs of jeans for backups.  I hear you now: "So just go buy yourself some new clothes Devan."  Thanks for the advice, but we have a tiny little problem.  My daughter Avery is a tiny little thing.  Right now, at 15 1/2 months old, she's sporting 9 and 12 month clothing.  Clothing that she SHOULD have been wearing this past spring and summer for her one year birthday.  So every piece of 9-12 month clothing she owns is short sleeved or sleeveless--all meant for warmer weather.  Not 50 degrees and raining.  I've been slowly trying to build up her wardrobe with sweaters and long sleeves and jackets.  Add in Christmas presents needing to be purchased and that doesn't leave a whole lot of money to make me feel like a hot mama.  Ah well.  I guess I just need to make do with the shirts and jeans that I have and keep myself feeling good, instead of trying to fit into those old clothes. 

I have started tracking my meals again on My Fitness Pal and I'm retraining myself to watch what I'm eating.  I'm also going to start the Couch to 5K program, courtesy of my mom's treadmill.  I'm going to be printing out those quotes that I found last week {Suck it up, and one day you won't have to suck it in!}.  And hopefully, next week, I'll see the number "131" on my scale.  

Hot Mama Continues!

Hot Mama Monday continues my friends!

Original weight:  142.5 lbs
Last week's weight:  133.6
This week's weight:

Weight lost since last week:  1.2 lbs!!
Overall loss:  10.1 lbs!! 

I'll be honest.  I was dreading this morning.  I knew I had made some healthy choices and didn't snack and drank more water, but I didn't exercise and I didn't count calories.  So I really wasn't sure where I stood with this week's weight.  When stepped on the scale this morning and saw this, I had to refrain from screaming (since my husband was laying in bed not 20 feet away).  You better believe I did a happy dance though--that's why the picture is blurry.  :)

Biggest challenges this week:  Self-esteem and feeling like I CAN do this.  I get easily discouraged when things don't go my way.  So, when I woke up one morning having a "fat day" and not feeling very good in my clothes, I wanted to give up.  I wanted to drive to my nearest drive thru and get a Big Mac.  I'm terrible about rewarding or comforting myself with food.  I'm not going to lie, there are some big things going on in life right now that leave me feeling completely overwhelmed and stressed.  My immediate reaction is to turn to the comfort foods--the chips, the mac and cheese, the powdered donuts.  I never realized this about myself.  I never thought that I was the type that looked at food as a crutch.  But I do.  And I think now that I've recognized that and admitted it about myself, it'll be easier to stop it when I do feel like comforting myself with food.

What worked:  I think I'm beginning to understand what I can and can't have.  I know which foods I used to eat before my diet began and I know their calorie counts and I know to stay away.  I know to drink more water and snack on baked chips or fruit.  It's beginning to register. 

I know I've been saying it for awhile now, but I AM going to exercise.  THIS WEEK.  I may have lost 10 pounds during this journey, but I'm not really feeling it yet.  My jeans are still too tight, I still see the extra weight under my chin.  And I know that's not going away unless I work for it.  So, to guide me, a few quotes I found by following "Fitness Motivator" on Twitter:

"Motivation is what gets you started.

Habit is what keeps you going."

 

"The only workout you'll regret is the one you never did."

 

"Less sugar, more fruit.  Less meat, more veggies.  Less soda, more water.

Less worry, more sleep.  LESS WORDS, MORE ACTION."

 

And, my personal favorite:

 

"SUCK IT UP, then one day, you won't have to SUCK IT IN."

 

So.  Suck it up Devan. 



Hot MAMA Monday

I think I'm going to change the name of today.  Instead of being a "Hot Mess Monday,"  I'm thinking it should be retitled a "Hot MAMA Monday" because that's exactly how I'm feeling.  Why? 

Original weight:  142.5 lbs
Last week's weight: 134.2 lbs.
This week's weight:

Loss from last week:  0.6 lbs
Overall weight lost:  8.9 (you might as well say I've lost NINE pounds!)

I'm back in the 133s y'all.  Finally.   It's been baby steps, as I'm not completely back into the swing of things and used to being disciplined and super healthy again, but I'll get there.

Biggest challenge:  Watching what I'm eating...again.  You don't think that a hamburger here or a trip to the drive thru there every once in awhile will affect your eating habits, but it completely does.  When I stopped disciplining myself and allowed myself to be a little more lax on what I was eating and how many calories I was consuming, I lost control.  Not to the point where I was binge eating or eating out everyday, but I definitely stopped watching and even caring what I was putting into my body.  Horrible mistake.  Now it's back to watching every snack and counting every calorie.  Not fun, but it produces results and it's how I'm going to get close to my goal weight.

What worked: 
Staying active.  I've been chasing after Avery, doing laundry, picking up, dancing...whatever it takes to not be a bump on a log and sit on the couch all day.  Still not "formally" exercising.  I just cannot find the motivation.  Ugh. 

See you next "Hot Mess Mama Monday!"

Hot Mess Monday {week 13}

I have been a TERRIBLE blogger this week.  I've had a bunch of post ideas floating around in my head and absolutely no time to even think about doing them.  I apologize.  So I'm starting again with a Hot Mess update.

Original weight:  142.5 lbs
Last week's weight:  134.2

This week's weight:

Loss from last week:  0 lbs.

Overall weight lost:  8.3 lbs.

 

Craaaaaaaaaaaaaap.

 

Biggest challenges:  Life is ridiculous, whirlwind, pure chaos right now.  I don't know which way is up, I haven't been to the grocery in over a month (leaving nothing but spiderwebs in the cabinets) and the drive through has become my best friend.  Lately, I can't sleep.  I wake up a lot during the night, have trouble going back to sleep and I feel like complete and utter crap every single morning.  I don't feel like making a lunch in the morning because I barely feel like getting up to take a shower.  So I've had a love/hate relationship with the drive-thrus.  I love it because of the convenience.  I hate it because of the expense and the havoc it's wreaking on my smaller stomach.  But I can't find the motivation to get up early enough to pack a lunch and make healthier choices.  Maybe I can invest in one of those shock collars that will give me a little jolt of electricity any time I even think about pulling into McDonald's.  Any suggestions or tips on how to avoid the fast food would be greatly appreciated.  Or tips on how to sleep through the night without drugging myself would also be appreciated. 

Hot Mess Monday--back from vacation!

You may (or may not) have noticed that there was no Hot Mess Monday last week.  That's because I, along with my hubby, in-laws and sweet little girl were soaking up the rays in Daytona Beach and Disney World (more on that later).  Now that I'm home, it's back to reality and back to my diet.

Original weight:  142.5
Last week's weight: 134.0
This week's weight:

Change from last week:  +.8 lbs

Overall loss: 7.7 lbs

 

Strangely, I'm okay with this.  I went on vacation.  I ate things that I wouldn't normally eat if I were at home and trying to watch everything that went into my mouth.  I didn't count calories, I didn't second guess my food decisions, I didn't feel guilty.  This doesn't mean that I went crazy and ordered the most greasy, fattening-ist (I know that's not a word) things on the menu.  In fact, I did try to eat somewhat healthy.  I chose grilled options instead of fried.  I pased on the drive through breakfast and Krispy Kreme donuts in favor of a small bowl of cereal.  I didn't finish everything on my plate, therefore not stuffing myself to the point of being sick.  And these are probably all reasons why I only gained 0.8 lbs in 9 days instead of 5 lbs.  But now it's back to real life and back to making good decisions.  Hopefully next Hot Mess Monday, I'll be seeing the number "133." 

Hot Mess {week 11}

Hot Mess time.  You may remember last week when I went super downhill and ate like crap.  Was I better this week?

Original weight:  142.5
Last week's weight:  134.0
This week's weight:

Loss from last week:  0
Overall weight loss:  8.5 lbs

Biggest challenges this week:  I didn't lose, obviously.  Strangely though, I'm okay with it.  I've had a TON of people tell me that they can notice a difference and that I look good.  They say it takes 4 weeks for YOU to notice a difference, 8 weeks for those CLOSEST to you to notice and 12 weeks for people OUTSIDE your circle to notice.  Well, we're on week 11 and I'm getting comments from others, not just my family.  Am I where I want to be?  Not yet.  I still have 14 lbs to lose before getting to my goal weight.  That's not really what's important to me though.  Would I LOVE to be 120 pounds again?  Abso-freaking-lutely.  But what's more important to me is continuing to eat healthier and set up a healthier lifestyle for myself.  To zip up my size 6 jeans and feel good in them every single day...not just on my skinny days.  To feel proud when I take a picture with my daughter or my husband and be able to share it willingly on Facebook and not worry whether or not I have a double chin.  These things are more important.  The scale is just a number--it doesn't define me.  Do you think someone is going to look at me and say "Oh girl, she is obviously not 120 pounds.  She's gotta be at least 125!" Or do you think they're going to notice when my clothes are fitting better and look healthier?  I'm voting for option two.

What worked this week:
My journey is still continuing.  I hope to lose weight this week (although we leave for Florida on Friday and I will probably consume my weight's worth of crab legs while we're down there).  I'm still proud of myself, no matter what the scale said this morning.  I don't have to think really hard to make healthier options when I make dinner or go out to eat.  I just know what's better for me and what I should stay far, far away from.  And that's a huge step in itself.  Before, I would guess at calorie counts and think "Surely a chicken sandwich at McDonald's is better than a hamburger."  Not always the case, my friend.  I'm already on my way to living a much healthier and fulfilling lifestyle than I was before.  And that's more of a reward for me than a half a pound loss this week anyway.

Hot Mess {week 10}

Hot Mess Monday.  I knew this day was coming and I wasn't looking forward to it.  Here's why:

Original weight: 142.5
Last week's weight: 133.2
This week's weight:

Difference from last week: +0.8 lbs
Overall loss:  8.5 lbs

*sigh*
Biggest challenges: I could make a million excuses for this week.  I haven't been sleeping.  I've had a sickness that's lingered in my body for a month in a half and I haven't felt like doing anything except sit around and eat comfort foods (i.e. french fries, mac and cheese).  I've barely been home to make dinner and attempt to be healthy.  Reality is, those are all excuses.  The reality is, I've eaten like crap.  Reality is, I've been exhausted and had zero energy to cook or work out or anything.  No excuses.  I take full responsibility for this one.

What worked this week:
Nothing.  I was bad and I paid for it this week. 
I'm getting back on my diet horse today.  No more eating like crap.  No more feeling like crap.  No more being lazy.  I want to be a hot mama.  I want to be the wife and mother that Marty and Avery are proud of.  I want to feel good about myself again.  Yes, I realize that I don't have to be some size 2 skinny to have my husband and child proud of me, but I want to say that I did this the healthy way.  To say that I lost my baby weight over time and did it right.  I didn't starve myself, I didn't become a gym rat that ate nothing but hummus and water.  I did it a realistic way....by being a wife and mother and living my everyday life while making healthy choices.  I CAN do this.  I CAN be a Hot Mama.  Scratch that.  I WILL be a Hot Mama.  Until next week....

Hot Mess=Me

If you were to look up the word "Hot Mess" in the dictionary, a picture of me from this week would be right beside it.  I've been hot messing it up all over the place.  Let's get to the weight loss.

Original weight:  142.5
Last week's weight:  133.6
This week:

Loss from last week:  0.4 lbs
Overall loss:  9.3 lbs

Biggest challenges this week:  I'm going to be completely honest with you guys.  I'm surprised I lost this week.  I had to mentally prepare myself to step on the scale this morning because I was expecting a number that was quite a bit higher than my 133.6 from last week.  I ate like crap.  And, as a result, I felt like crap.  For some unknown reason, I cannot sleep.  I wake up in the middle of the night (or my child wakes me) and I cannot. go. back. to. sleep.  I lay there.  I think about all the things I need to be doing.  The checkbook balance.  What I'm going to wear tomorrow out of my 30 items.  What I'm going to get people for Christmas.  Before I know it, I'm getting like 4-ish hours of sleep every night (I'm a 9 hour a night kind of person).  It's exhausting.  It also makes it extremely hard to function as a normal human being during the day.  Enter caffeine--and lots of it.  I have probably been drinking 2-3 "Cokes" a day.  So not healthy.  Also enter drive-thrus.  I'm exhausted, so I don't have the energy or the want to make my lunch in the morning.  So, I've been a regular customer at the McDonald's drive-thru.  I can tell that my body has gotten used to less fast food because yesterday, I felt horrible.  Stomach pains, bloating feelings, the works.  My body was completely telling me "STOP FEEDING ME CRAP!"  So, this morning, I woke up on time and made myself some lunch.  And I've only had one Coke.  Hopefully steps back to being the healthy me that I've been working so hard on.

What worked this week:
{1}  I've started exercising.  I'm working on strengthening my ab muscles again.  After Avery was born, they were pretty much non-existent.  Every night, while I wait for my sleep-aversioned princess to drift off, I lay in her floor with my legs up on her ottoman and I do 100 crunches.  I'm hopefully going to increase the number of crunches and introduce some cardiovascular exercises, because that's where the calories are burned!
{2}  Finding better snacking options.  At work, we have a popcorn machine.  I've been adding dried cranberries to my bag of popcorn.  Healthy, sweet, salty..perfect combination!!  I've also started portioning off my snacks.  Instead of taking a big bag of chips with me to lunch, or to sit on the couch and snack on, I put the portion size in a Ziploc bag and only allow myself that amount of food. 
{3}  Making dinner again.  I had been sadly slacking on my domestic responsibility of making dinner for my family every night night.  I can't remember the last time I'd made dinner for the two of us.  I sat down and made out a grocery list for 2 weeks from healthy recipes I'd collected.  Better than raiding the fridge for junk to eat because Mama didn't make dinner.

I'm not perfect.  I had a crappy week and I will probably pay for it when I step on the scale next Monday.  I can't dwell on it.  Time to shake it off, forget the past week and start fresh.  Back on my journey to being a HOT MAMA!

A Labor Day Hot Mess Update

It's Labor Day and I have the day off from work, but that doesn't mean I'm taking a break from a Hot Mess Monday update! 

Original weight:  142.5
Last week's weight:  134.2
This week's weight:

Loss from last week: 0.6 lbs
Overall loss:  8.9 lbs

Biggest challenge this week:  Exercising.  I've been eating really healthy, budgeting my calories and being a really good kid when it comes to passing up fast food and french fries.  But I don't exercise.  Probably because I've never been an exercise person.  I don't really know how to do it.  I pinned a few ideas for simple, mommy-fied exercises that I think are possible.  I know that the weight is going to stop falling off at some point because there's only so far a healthy diet can take me.  I've got to WORK to get the fat to come off.

What worked this week:
1.  Better lunches.  Instead of throwing a ham sandwich with mustard in a bag and calling it lunch, I've found better, more exciting options.  Whenever I go to the grocery, I cut my vegetables up as soon as I get home and put them in tupperware containers in the fridge.  That way, when I'm making my sandwiches or salads or sides, I can easily throw them in.  Normally, I'd be in a hurry in the morning, want some green peppers on my salad, but decide it would take too long to get it out of the fridge, cut it up, put it back in the fridge, so I'd just leave it out.  I highly recommend doing this extra step when you get home from the grocery.  It's easier to eat healthy when veggies and fruit are within easy reach. 

2.  Better snacks.  I struggled with snacking when I was at work.  My go-to snack was always chips.  Greasy, not filling, but fulfilled a salty craving I would have.  I've found something better.
I'm OBSESSED with these things.  I've only tried the crackers and cheese together, but I'm thinking of all the possibilities.....like sundried tomatoes!  Best part?  Only 105 calories for 9 crackers and one wedge of cheese. 

Not much else to report.  I'm just taking it day by day, eating healthier....and hopefully beginning to exercise soon.  Till next Monday.....

Hot Mama-ing it up!

Week 7 people!  It's hard to believe that I've been doing this for almost two whole months!

Original weight:  142.5
Last week's weight:  135.0
This week:

Weight lost from last week:  0.8 lbs

Overall weight lost:  8.3 lbs

 

Yipee!!

Biggest challenges this week:  The Kentucky State Fair.  On Thursday, I went up to the State Fair with my family and I told myself before I went that I was giving myself a day off from my diet.  What's the point of living if you deprive yourself of every single thing you want?  So I had a corn dog.  And cheese fries.  And my parents took us to Olive Garden afterwards.  And I loved every minute of it.  The State Fair wasn't the problem...it was the days afterwards.  I had allowed myself whatever I wanted on Thursday, so it was hard to get back into super-discipline mode and eating healthy again. 

What I think worked:

{1} Even though I ate whatever I wanted at the fair, I also walked my butt off in the process.  Hours of walking around looking at crafts, vendors and animals.  I also walked a ton on Saturday at the Heartland Festival.  Had to contribute a little to my weight loss. 

{2}  I've been sick.  For 3 weeks, I've had a cough and what I thought was allergies.  This weekend, it all came to a head and I literally didn't feel like moving.  Nothing was important enough to get up off the couch...not even food.  Sunday morning, I was in the process of making oatmeal and fresh strawberries and I cut myself pretty deeply while slicing the strawberries.  Needless to say, I had no breakfast.  Then the rest of the day was spent drinking water and snacking on very small things.  No, it was not the healthiest way to lose weight.  Contrary to popular belief, if you starve yourself, your body's metabolism shuts down and it becomes harder to lose.  So don't do it.  I plan on making up for my food-less weekend. 

Here's the best part though.  Yes, I've lost 8 pounds.  And it feels great.  But I am finally starting to LOOK skinnier.  You may have noticed that I haven't put up another "flab" picture of myself.  That's because I wasn't noticing much difference in that department.  Until this morning! 

Remember the before?



After!

It's a very slight change.  I still have flab.  I still have my "pregnancy pooch."  But it's getting firmer.  And smaller.  And that's all I can ask for.  Wahooooo!!!!  Finally leaning towards being a Hot Mama instead of a Hot Mess!!

Closet Nightmares No Longer

Tonight, I declared war on my closet. 
I'm tired of being depressed every single time I pick out an outfit to wear in the mornings.  I'm tired of wishing I had different clothes that make me feel good about myself.  I'm tired of having to use brute force anytime I want to put laundry away because my hangers are jam packed full of clothes--probably over half of which I never even wear.  No, I'm not at my goal weight or size.  But does that mean I shouldn't get to wear clothes that I feel amazing in?  Why should every morning because a struggle between "That doesn't fit anymore" and "I still feel kind of pregnant in that."??  Too many times, I've fought my closet, and it won.  Tonight, I'd had enough.  I tossed and purged and weeded and threw.  And this was the result:

Helping Hand and/or Goodwill is going to be getting a visit from me tomorrow.  It was more than a little ridiculous how many clothes I had that were rarely worn.  Some probably never saw the light of day after I added them to my closet.  I'm a sucker for sales and clearance racks.  If I see a shirt that's even halfway presentable, I'll talk myself into buying it.  You know the dialog: "If I put this shirt with just the right pair of shoes, it'll look really cute." or "If I find a tan cardigan to wear with this dress, it'll hide the sleeves and it'll be adorable."  Problem was, I never had the right pair of shoes or found a tan cardigan.  So those pieces lived in my closet, never to come back out.  Ridiculous.

The second pile is clothes that make me feel terrible about myself right now.  The ones that I remember wearing in my skinner lifetime and want to be able to wear again and cannot bring myself to throw away.  The ones that were torturing me.  I may never be able to wear them again, and that's okay.  I'm just not ready to part with them just yet.

The third pile, I'm a little embarrassed about.  Okay, really embarrassed about.  I'm guilty of keeping (and still wearing) a lot of my maternity tops in my closet.  When I lost a lot of weight when I was still nursing Avery, I put a lot of my maternity clothes away for my next pregnancy.  For some reason or another, I still held onto a choice few of my shirts that I really liked or thought I could pull of as looking non-maternity.  Truth is, I couldn't.  Truth is, I was probably hanging onto them as a type of security blanket to slip back into in case I ever had a "fat day."  No more of that.  They're safe and sound in a tote with the rest of my maternity clothes.

 

There's nothing like a good-old closet purge.  I highly recommend one.  Now, I'm going to (very slowly) build it back up with clothes of quality that I feel really good about.  Great pieces that make me feel just as great.  Tonight, I fought the closet.....and I won. 

Hot Mess Monday {week 6}

It's Monday, so you know what that means....Hot Mess time! 

Original weight:  142.5
Last week's weight:  136.2
This week:

Weight lost from last week:  1.2 lbs

Total weight lost:  7.5 lbs. 

My 120 lb goal seems completely attainable.  It's not just a faraway number I once set for myself.  This is real.  And it could happen.

Biggest challenges this week:  Still feeling okay about myself.  Even though I've lost 7 1/2 pounds, I've felt kind of blah most days this week.  Like my clothes don't fit, like I look completely bloated in everything I wear and like I don't want to go try on any clothes EVER because I'm afraid I'll get depressed and quit the whole weight loss journey all together.  The 7 1/2 pounds I've lost is completely awesome.  I'm so proud of myself.  I feel great most days.  But there's the doubt that creeps up into my head and makes me say "You don't look any different" whenever I look in the mirror.  Listen, I'm not stupid.  I know that this journey wasn't going to happen overnight.  I knew that once I started losing, my pregnancy fat wouldn't just fall off magically.  But I had hoped to feel a little bit skinnier by now.  I'd hoped to be able to put those size 6 jeans on and not have to suck it in a little whenever it was time to button them up.  But this is a marathon, not a sprint.  Slow and steady wins the race.  And one day, God willing, I will feel completely rocking in those skinny jeans.

What I think worked:
{1}  My Fitness Pal.  I've downloaded it, I've tracked my progress for over 20 days, I've talked about it on here.  Seriously people.  Down. Load. It.

{2}  Healthier snacking and lunches.  I've become OBSESSED with the Undressed Skeleton blog.  She's a girl that lived a heavier life in high school and college and decided one day that she needed a change.  She has some great, unconventional foods for breakfasts, lunches and snacks that I never thought about before.....multi grain bagel with bananas and cinnamon, anyone?  Or how about healthier homemade PopTarts?  After taking quite a few ideas from her website, I went on a grocery shopping spree and stocked up on fruits, veggies and multi-grain items that are going to fit in nicely with my new diet.

{3}  Being more active.  This week, we painted at work.  And I mean, really, hard-core painted.  Painting a room burns 288 calories an HOUR.  I feel like I need to go home and paint my entire house.  I was sweating, I was burning calories and it was awesome.  Probably a big contributor to my weight loss this week.

Keep on keeping on, my hot messes.  It's not an easy journey.  You are making an incredible lifestyle change.  This is for your spouse, for your kids....but it's mostly for YOU.  We spend our days wiping butts, rewinding the DVR, cleaning spit-up, don't we deserve to feel awesome too?  Til next Hot Mess Monday all.....

Feeling a little less "Hot Messy"

This Hot Mess Monday is so special, it's happening on a Tuesday!  I fully intended to post yesterday, but my wonderful husband surprised me with tickets to see Easton Corbin.  God bless that man.  So, here's my Hot Mess post, one day delayed.

Original weight: 142.5
Last week:  136.6
This week:

Weight lost:  .4 lbs. 
Not ideal, but as my co-worker put it....I lost!  I didn't gain, I didn't maintain, I lost!  Who cares if it wasn't a whole pound.  I LOST.  No flab picture because it looks the same in that shirt.  But I. Feel.  Awesome.  Seriously guys.  My flab picture looks the same, but I feel skinner.  I've been eating healthier and been making a conscious effort to be more active and I feel great.  I have more energy and I actually look forward to sweating.  Amazing what a few lost pounds will do to you.

Biggest challenges this week:  Snacking.  I have got to figure out a way to have smart and healthy snacks for myself.  If I'm not careful, I could sit in front of the TV, watch an episode of  Bunheads and finish off a half a bag of chips.  I've pinned a couple of snack ideas on Pinterest that I'm going to have to try.  I just don't love "healthy" food....hummus, granola, nuts, that kind of stuff.  But I DO love these:

Only 100 calories and it fills me up for breakfast.  Also, it makes 5 year old me very, VERY happy.

What I think worked:
{1}  Last week, I talked about the My Fitness Pal app on my iPhone.  I seriously love it.  It's great to be able to see how many calories are being consumed and burned every day.  But this week, I discovered something new, thanks to my friend Hope.  She asked what my "username" on the app was and she added me as a friend.  I can see every day that she lost "x" amount of weight or that, on Tuesday, she came in under her calorie goal.  Knowing that she can see the same for me has been incredible motivation.  I think "Put that bag of chips down because Hope can see that you went over your calorie goal today."  It's so much better when you have a friend along on this journey.
{2}  Because of this app, I have been able to learn what I can and can't have.  I know my expected calories and what kinds of foods I should stay away from.  I can check an entree before going out with my family and know what I can have for dinner and what amount.  Seriously y'all.  If you're dieting, download this app (I sound like a commercial, don't I?). 
{3}  Trying not to be so hard on myself.  If I give into temptation and get myself a Sausage McMuffin, I don't obsess about it all day.  I realize that I've made a mistake and make up for it by eating healthier for lunch or dinner.  When I think about how much I still have to lose, I think about how far I've come so far.  "You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time."  Baby steps.  I'm not going to lose 20 pounds overnight.  It takes work and it takes patience.

If you're not feeling good about yourself and you're looking for a change, start today.  I'll be your friend and support you every step of the way.  We can do this together!! 
Till next Hot Messy Monday!

Hot Mess {week 4}

Hot Mess Monday!  And I've felt every bit of the "hot mess" part this weekend....but that story is to come later....

Starting weight:  142.5
Last week:  136.6
What I saw on the scale this morning:

I edited out my feet this time.  You're welcome.

Well pooh. 

I didn't take a picture of myself this week because my flab is the same.  Exactly the same.  Grrr.

Biggest challenges this week:  Being away from home and eating healthy.  Thanks to a new app (more on that in a second), I've been tracking my calories and I know what's good for me when I'm eating dinner at home and when I'm packing my lunch for work.  Eating at a restaurant is a little more challenging.  For example, what do you eat at a Mexican restaurant when you always order a beef chimichanga and you have NO idea what the calorie count is?  Working on that.

What I think worked: 

{1}  Well, I didn't lose anything this week, obviously, but I do feel like I'm eating healthier thanks to a new app that I downloaded.  It's called "My Fitness Pal."  When I first added it to my apps, it asked me my current weight, goal weight, my job activity level (sedentary, dang it) and how much I wanted to lose (a pound a week) and then set a daily calorie consumption.  I'm allowed 1,500 calories a day.  It sounds easy, but I'm here to tell you people, it isn't.  AT. ALL.  When you're used to grabbing the occasional breakfast at McDonald's or a bag of frosted animal crackers when that 3 pm hunger pain hits, you don't realize how many calories you're actually eating during the day.  This app has made me aware of everything I'm putting in my mouth, how many calories it contains and how many I'm leaving myself for the rest of the day.  Also helpful when I know I'm going out for dinner that night because I can allot myself more calories for dinner by eating a smaller and healthier breakfast.  It's been ridiculously helpful and I feel like more weight is going to fall off because of it.

{2}  Remember my goal to "break-up" with the McDonald's drive-thru?  Currently, our relationship is very much on the rocks.  I've been there once this week and that was to get a Dr. Pepper this morning.  He can cry all he wants to, but I'm definitely not missing that jerk.

Goals this week:

-->Start exercising.  I've set a exercise schedule for the week.  It goes a little something like this:

Monday--Walk the neighborhood with Avery....possibly join a local yoga class

Tuesday--Just Dance or Wii Fit and Couch to 5K workout at the parentals

Wednesday--Arm flab workout

Thursday--Repeat of Tuesday

Friday--Cardio DVD

Saturday--Couch to 5K workout

Sunday--Rest

-->Research healthy breakfasts.  Make ahead options are always a winner in my book.



Til next week my hot messes!

Hot Messing it all up in here.

Hot Mess Monday---and yes, I realize that it's almost Tuesday when I'm posting this.  It's been a "hot mess Monday" in every literal sense of the word!  Onto the update!

Original weight:  142.5
Last week:  138.8
This week:

Wow.  Pedicure, anyone?

Weight loss from last week:  2.2 lbs

Overall weight loss:  5.9 lbs

Pretty darn good, if you ask me.  But I have a loooooong way to go.

Biggest challenges this week:  Portion size.  I am a terrible judge of how much of a particular item I'm supposed to have.  I'm seriously thinking about signing up for Weight Watchers Online to help me with that.  

How I've lost weight this week:
{1}  I've tried to make a conscious effort to before more active.  Less snacking, less TV and sitting on the couch, more cleaning around the house and dancing to music on my iPod (yes, really).
{2}  Less fast food.  I'm really trying to get to the point where the idea of the McDonald's Drive Thru turns my stomach.  Baby steps.
That's about it.  Between my daughter's birthday and my cousin's wedding, I haven't even had time to think about working out, much less do it.
Now, here's my "before" pictures.  I just want you to know that I had to actually give myself a pep talk to post these on here.  These are more for me than anyone else.  It's pictures for me to look at and use for motivation.  *deep breath* I cannot believe I'm about to do this.....

This outfit is one that I wore back in my ballet days.  It's my hope to fit into it again....and look skinny in it again. 
Goals this week: 
-->Work on the baby fat.
-->Tone my arms.  I've noticed in recent pictures that my arm looks gigantic...and unproportionate (is that a word?).  My arm looks like it's taking up the entire picture and it's the first thing I notice when I see a picture of myself.  That's gotta stop.
See you guys next Hot Mess Monday!

Hot Mess Monday!

It's Hot Mess Monday!  Did I lose any weight? 

Last week's weight:  142.5
This week's weight:  138.8 (I apologize for not having a scale picture here....I weighed myself this morning and forgot to take a picture....next Monday!)
Total loss:  3.7 lbs.

Biggest challenges this week:  Finding time to work out and eat healthy and staying away from extra Cokes. 
How I've done it:
{1}  I've cut my Coke/soda intake WAYYYYYY down.  I was probably drinking 3-4 sodas a day before I committed to this challenge.  While I haven't been able to quit cold turkey, I'm slowly weaning myself off.  I have only been drinking one can of Pepsi/Dr. Pepper a day.  Which is a big deal, considering my kid decided to develop the sleeping pattern of a newborn this weekend.  Any time I felt the urge or the want for a Coke, I made myself a big glass of water or a very small glass of sweet tea.  I really believe this is probably the biggest reason for my loss this week.
{2}  I haven't joined a gym or started any kind of work-out regimine, but I have been trying to work in little exercises during my every day routine.  While brushing my teeth in the morning and before bed, I will stand in front of the mirror and rise up on my toes and then back down.  If I'm playing in the floor with Avery, I'll do some crunches or bicycle exercises while she's busy.  I've even incorporated Avery into my exercises.  Lifting her up and down off the ground 10 times is the equivilent of having a 20 lb weight...and she thinks it's hilarious!  
{3}  No more McDonald's.  I did have to run through the drive-thru yesterday because I wasn't home and was headed to church to help with Vacation Bible School.  But I chose a chicken option and kept my drink small (darn you McDonald's and your automatic large drinks you give away!)  I really think this is where the majority of my extra weight comes from and I look forward to more falling off as I break up with the McDonald's drive through.
{4}  Choosing healthier lunches and snacks.  I've been making sure to fit more veggies and fruit into my lifestyle.  Last week, I made a lazy lasagna chili for dinner that had zucchini and onion inside.  Not only did I get veggies in for dinner, but I sauteed the leftover zucchini and had it as a side dish for lunch the next day. 
That's all I've done.  I do plan to find a work out routine that I can fit into my crazy mommy lifestyle that's more structured than lifting a laundry basket or ballet moves while I'm brushing.  Despite my loss this week, I feel flabbier than I did last week. 
Here's my before picture.  Lord, I cannot believe I'm about to do this.  I don't take pictures of myself.  Ever.  But this is a rare moment when a picture was taken at one of Avery's friend's birthday party.....

Now, before I get a ton of comments, I know I'm not fat, okay?  These are simply areas that I do not feel comfortable with and want to change.  Do I know it could be worse?  Yes.  But do I know that it could be better?  Absolutely.  Hence my "hot mama" journey. 

P.S.  Have you checked out Sarah and Leticia's progress yet??  We're just three mommies trying to lose the weight together!  Wanna join us?  The more the merrier!  On to Week 2!

Hot Mess no longer.

I'm done playing around.  I'm done saying that I'm going to lose weight and do all of these things to shed the baby pounds and then pull right back into the McDonald's drive-thru the next day.  Where'd my motivation come from?  Check out Mama Laughlin's blog and her progress from "former fatty" as she calls herself to a size 4.  She lost 60 + lbs.  And has two kids.  I have no more excuses.  I'm tired of being all talk and no action.  I'm tired of being self-conscious.  I'm tired of taking forever to get ready in the morning because I hate how everything looks on me.  I'm tired of being afraid of new clothes and the dressing room.  I'm tired of not being confident enough in my body to even want my husband to see me without a shirt on (sorry if that was TMI).  So, I'm beginning my "Hot Mess to Hot Mama" journey.  Today.  I'm going to document my weight and take pictures and share my journey.  It's my hope that I won't be judged by my extra baby fat or how I look in my "before" pictures.  I just hope to build up a support team and feel good about myself again.  And this is how I'm going to do it:

Weight: 142.5
Biggest weaknesses when it comes to my weight:  fast food, Dr. Peppers, snacking, unbalanced meals. 
Goal weight:  120
How I'm gonna do it: 
{1.} No more Coke.  Not long ago, I said I was going to cut myself down to just 1 can of Pepsi a day.  So far, it's not happening.  I've found that I have zero willpower when it comes to drinking sodas and I can't have just one.  If I've had one, it opens the door to more and before I know it, I've had two cans of Pepsi and a large McDonald's Dr. Pepper.  No, my daughter still doesn't sleep well.  But there are other ways to stay awake during the day than a constant caffeine intake.  Water makes me feel good and that's all I'm allowing myself. 
{2.}  Work-out.  I don't know that I'm comfortable yet with going to a gym.  I'm slightly asthmatic and LOATHE running because I look like a dying cow with my thundering feet and wheezing breaths.  Maybe work out videos?  I'll keep you updated on what works best for me.
{3.}  Motivation.  Every week I'm going to do a "Hot Mess" update, complete with a picture of the scale and myself to show you if I'm making any progress.  It's easy to sit on the other side of this computer and vow to change, but if you guys never see me, I can go on pretending that I'm living this healthy lifestyle.  Through pictures, you will know if I cheated.  You will know if I've lost any weight that week or that month. 
{4.}  Having a support system.  This is the best part....I'm not doing this alone.  My friend Sarah from "Our Family of Three" and I are doing this together.  Her daughter is just 3 months older than my Avery, so she knows all about having the baby fat hanging around.  She'll be documenting her progress and will be guest posting on what works for her.
{5.}  Feedback.  I'm not a gym rat.  I hate working out, I hate sweating and I hate the idea of eating like a rabbit forever and never enjoying another burger.  But if I want to feel good about myself again, I have to suck it up.  But I need your help.  What works for you?  What healthy recipes do you have that you'd like to share?  What's the secret to building endurance and running without collapsing a lung and wanting to die?  I'm all ears. 
This won't just be my journey to lose weight.  I'm going to work on all areas of my life that aren't making me feel like a "hot mama" right now.  It's going to be a self-discovery and self-love trip as well.  I don't like myself much right now.  I'm a hot mess....minus the hot part. 
Hopefully, with all of these factors, I'm going to lose my Avery weight and have confidence again.  Flabby to fabulous, here I come!