Survey Sunday – March 7
Just a reminder that I am giving away a Dick’s Sporting Goods $50 Gift Card! Come get entered to win!
Workout Plan:
- Monday: Ran 1.25 miles on the track, ran 1.75 miles on treadmill, ran stairs, 10 minutes on elliptical and weights. This definitely was an ADD type of workout as you can see!
- Wednesday: No workout today. My dad couldn’t make it so instead I issued an all house nap! So I did get a 2 hour nap in
- Friday: 3 mile run on the track, half mile run/walk after the 3 miles, 10 minutes on elliptical, weights
With the weather improving and becoming more spring-like, I am hoping to get a few runs in outdoors this week!
Diet Plan:
I am definitely going to sound like a broken record, but with both kids still being sick all week long, I didn’t focus on what I ate. I just ate when I wanted too and what I wanted too!
Goals:
This week I thought I would give myself some definite goals to work on! Since I am kinda in a rut.
- Drink at least 64 oz. of water each day
- Be in bed no later than 10:00 – without any t.v. or computer. My real goal is to be in bed by 9:30 and asleep by 10:00. I read a very interesting article that I saw in a tweet, that was pretty convincing about sleep. To be honest, I don’t know how “scientific” it really is, but nonetheless it convicted me. And since I am having some serious sleeping issues, I thought I would try to focus on getting better sleep.
Final stats:
I lost .6 lb! Not bad for not really “watching” what I was eating. I did try on a pair of my bigger size 6 jeans and they fit! Woot! So hopefully I am only a few pounds away from my goal! I am assuming about 4 pounds to go!
Your turn! Let me know how you are doing on your “healthy” goals! I want to know what things are working well with you and what things aren’t! Let’s do this together!
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Survey Sunday – February 28
Workout Plan:
Monday: I wasn’t able to work out since Evan was literally vomitting at the time that I should have been working out! Yep, the life of a mom. But it was the cutest thing, when he found out I wasn’t going to work out he said, ” But mommy, you need to go work out cuz it makes you healthy!”
I said, “But Evan, you are my first priority, I need to make sure you are healthy.”
“Oh, and is Carter your second pi-o-ity?”
Wednesday: Ran 2 miles on track, 10 minutes on elliptical and a mile run on the treadmill
Friday: 30 minutes on elliptical and a 1/2 mile run on treadmill
Saturday: Ran my first Race!! A 2 mile run that benefited the American Heart Association.
Diet Plan:
The first few days of the week, I ate toast, crackers and Ginger Ale because I was feeling pretty nauseous while Evan had the stomach bug. By the end of the week, we all were doing better. I didn’t really “watch” what I ate as much this week. I ate what I wanted, in moderation.
Final stats:
My weight did not budge this week. So this next week I am planning on really getting back to being strict on what I am feeding my body and making sure I am getting enough water. I am assuming I have about 5 pounds to go to reach my goal!
Your turn! Let me know how you are doing on your “healthy” goals! I want to know what things are working well with you and what things aren’t! Let’s do this together!
28 Degrees, 2 Miles, 20 Minutes
Well, I did something today, that I thought I would NEVER do! I ran my first race!
Last week, I was at my favorite shopping area, The Greene, when I noticed a banner about a 2 mile race/run/walk benefiting the Go Red Campaign from the American Heart Association. I quickly texted my friend Deanna and asked her if she wanted to do it with me. Deanna had to be there anyway, so it worked out beautifully.
I thought this would be a perfect introduction to my running endeavors. You know, since I DO have a slight phobia about running outdoors and I did agree to a 5k with some of my friends in April (Andrea, Shannan, and Emily).
If you have been following my Survey Sundays, you will have noticed that I am running on average 3.5 to 4 miles on the treadmill during these winter months to get ready for my 5k running. But I also know how my body handles the outdoors so even though I can run 4 miles, fairly easily, on the treadmill now, with hopes to have that increased by the spring, running a 5k is stressing me out! I was even stressed out about this 2 mile run. So stressed out that I didn’t even tell anyone I was running this morning!! There were 2 people who knew, Deanna and Jeremy! I didn’t want anyone to know I was running, just in case I, you know, wussed out or even worse couldn’t finish the course!
Me stressed? SHOCKER! I know, but this is huge for me, people!
When the forecast early in the week mentioned that it would be around 30 degrees and sunny, I knew I needed to attempt this!! Then yesterday, the forecast changed to snow and cold! Deanna texted me last night, after snowing a couple of inches, and said “I have a feeling someone’s not showing in the morning, LOL “
She knows me too well! SNOW! COLD! CLOUDY!
I was half tempted to flake out! Because after all, I do have 2 sick kids at home who need me !
This morning I texted De and said I wasn’t going to be there. Then I texted to see how the pavement was after the snow. She of course texted back and said it was pretty clear and the weather wasn’t too bad. DARN HER!
I was laying in bed, my heart pounding, because I knew I needed to prove to myself that I could do this. I had to do this!! And really I had no good excuse now! I had even told Jeremy I wasn’t going. I got up with the kids around 7:30 (the time registration began), fed them breakfast, yelled up at Jeremy that he didn’t need to get out of bed because I wasn’t going. I looked at the clock, 7:50.
“Okay I have exactly 20 minutes to get dressed and out the door to make it there in time to register”. Registration closed at 8:45.
So in a last minute decision, informed Jeremy that I changed my mind and was going, threw my clothes on, found my missing running shoes (my good ones that I couldn’t find since Wednesday, they were in the ditry laundry basket under the dirty laundry), straightened my hair (come on now, you never know who might take my picture), put enough makeup on that I didn’t look dead (I know, I know) and headed out!
I got there and made it to the registration line at 8:40! Whew, and then realized I forgot my money and had to run back to the car! But all went well and I was at the starting gathering right on time. Deanna met up with me and made fun of me for a short time because, yes, I was slightly freaking out!!
About a mile into the race, I heard “MOMMY” and there was my crew! They showed up and cheered me on! Needless to say that was the highlight of my morning!
With all of that said…We did it! We ran the 2 miles. I did have to stop and walk a couple of times, because that cold air was hard on my virgin lungs! (my lungs rebel against the outdoors) But we did it!!
We pulled around the last corner and saw the time. 20:42. Deanna yelled, “We HAVE to make it in under 21:00 so we sprinted to the finish line!
20:58! Hey, I know it’s not the fastest or most impressive time, but it is a miracle time!!
I DID IT!!
And to top it all off, I won a $50 Gift Card to the Greene, as a Door prize, WOOT!!
Survey Sunday (A Couple days late): February 21
Well, even being a few days late, I felt the need to do a quick recap on last week’s health and fitness routine. You know life just got in the way and I didn’t get around to doing it on Sunday (or Monday). But for those of you that are helping me keep accountable, this is for you !
Workout Plan:
Monday: Snow Day 
. Although my Dad would have came no matter what, I didn’t really want him out in the snow and besides that it would have required me to shovel 6 inches of snow off the truck before heading to the gym. So I gave myself a Snow Day!
Wednesday: 3.5 mile run, no weights. I was worn out. I even tweeted that that run felt like a marathon. So I ran and went home.
Friday: 3.5 mile run, light weights. I did 3 miles on the treadmill and then had enough nerve to try the indoor track. I ran a 1/2 mile on the track.
Saturday: I normally take the weekends off but for some reason I felt the need to go work off some pent up anxiety. I was stressed for whatever reason – could be the fact that I hadn’t taken my BC correctly last week and my hormones were wacked out! I did 35 minutes of elliptical and ran a *fast half mile on the treadmill. *fast for me
Diet Plan:
I was HUNGRY all week, like the stomach growling hunger! Don’t know really what was going on but instead of fighting it, I ate all. week. long!! And nothing really healthy either. I admit it! I pigged out. I ate healthy meals but ate dessert and snacks too!
I have continued to menu plan, but haven’t posted for a few weeks due to the busy schedule and not having to cook every night!
Final stats:
Despite the fact that I had a fail week, I was able to lose a half pound. So my total weight loss so far is 8 pounds! At one point in the week, I lost an extra 2 pounds and was super excited until I realized it was due to the previous stated BC mix up. I tend to lose around 3 pounds of water weight at the beginning of my “cycle” and by the end I gain it back. Oh the joys of BC!
Your turn! Let me know how you are doing on your “healthy” goals! I want to know what things are working well with you and what things aren’t! Let’s do this together!
Survey Sunday – February 14
Workout Plan:
Monday: 4.25 mile run (hill program on treadmill) plus weight training
Wednesday: 4.25 mile run (hill program on treadmill) plus weight training
Friday: 3.50 mile run (hill program on treadmill) plus weight training
I made my goal again this week. I may need to re-evaluate my goals. But I have increased my mileage this week along with increasing my speed. So I am very pleased on my progress.
A funny story: K-Love was giving away tickets to travel to Nashville to run the 1/2 marathon in Nashville with Toby Mac. I have sworn off anything over a 5k right now, just until I complete my first one. But I did call in several times to win those tickets because Evan LOVES his Toby Mac! So for the love of my son, I probably would have trained a little harder so that I could participate in that and that Evan could have met Toby! But unfortunately for Evan, I didn’t win any tickets! Besides I could have hung out with Christine too. Right there is enough to train for an 1/2 marathon – Ha!
Diet Plan:
I stuck to my plan this week. I can honestly say that I did extremely well watching what I ate and making healthy choices! But on Friday, a group of friends met up at Steak N Shake and I gorged. Because I LOVE their Frisco Melt with Cheese Fries. I admit it – I.ATE.ALL.OF.IT plus a milkshake and it was good ! And then on Saturday we were coming home from a birthday party and were just hungry and I didn’t feel like making anything. So we stopped and picked up a $5 pizza from Little Ceasars. And I enjoyed too much of it ! Ha ha! But you know what – I enjoyed it. I don’t feel too guilty because it has become a rarity that I eat out!
Final stats:
I have lost a total of 7.4 pounds since the start of my choice to become healthier! I am okay with that!
Your turn! Let me know how you are doing on your “healthy” goals! I want to know what things are working well with you and what things aren’t! Let’s do this together!
Survey Sunday – January 31
Workout Plan:
I made my goals again this week! And even threw in an extra quickie in cardio yesterday, because I really needed some pizza!
I am “training” for my first ever 5k. So I have really been working on getting my cardio in with each workout!
- Monday – ran 3.35 miles plus did weight training
- Wednesday – ran 3.25, no weights, just plain tired!
- Friday – ran 3.25 plus weight training
- Saturday – 27 minutes of hard cardio (1.5 miles running plus some elliptical work)
Diet Plan:
I can honestly say that I no longer crave fast food! And an added benefit, the boys don’t either. We all are perfectly content to make it home from wherever we are at and eat an healthier meal! And I guess another added bonus is that I am no longer able to eat as much as I previously eating. After Wednesday’s workout, I was beat. Weak and starving, I made a HUGE bowl of whole wheat spaghetti and about half way through it I was full! I pushed it aside and didn’t feel the need to continue. So I know after weeks and weeks of changing my eating habits, I am finally able to notice a difference. But I STILL crave pizza!! I really could live on pizza and pizza alone .
Menu Plan:
Okay so besides the last minute pizza dinner yesterday, we stuck with it! We enjoyed the two new dishes: the low sodium tacos (I made it with 1/2 96% lean beef and 1/2 ground 99% fat free turkey) and the white chili! Both are keepers in my recipe book!
Final stats:
I lost 2.6 pounds this week, making a total net loss of 5.8 pounds. I’m getting there, slowly but surely. Even though I have lost more weight, none of my clothes are fitting well yet (I mean my “fat” clothes even, not even going to get out my skinny clothes for a few more weeks)
Your turn! Let me know how you are doing on your “healthy” goals! I want to know what things are working well with you and what things aren’t! Let’s do this together!
Survey Sunday-Boot Camp January 24
Workout Plan:
I made my goal again this week! You know what? There are 2 main reasons that I have done so. First, as I said last week, my dad coming consistently makes a huge difference. Although I know he wouldn’t mind getting a day off now and then, knowing he is coming really just makes me get dressed and go! Secondly, knowing that I am going to write this post every week, helps me keep accountable. Yes, all 17 of you who read this . Thanks to all for the encouragement!
I ran 3.25 miles on Monday, 4 miles on Wednesday and 2.5 miles on Friday. Each of those workouts, I also did weights! I really do feel that I am getting physically AND mentally stronger!
Diet Plan:
As I mentioned last week, I am not a breakfast eater. I really don’t like eating first thing in the morning, but really do pay for it by lunch time. I tend to not eat and then BAM! I am starving and find myself eating everything in the cabinets. So I decided that I would drink meal replacement shakes in the morning, and if I have a morning that I have time, I will make a fruit smoothie. It’s not a very exciting plan, but it is working for me right now! I have one right when I get up and one right before I work out and it has done wonders on keeping my blood sugar stable. I am finding myself being able to make wiser decisions also, because I am not famished and reckless!
Secondly, I did something this week that I can say I have never done. I placed fresh fruit in a bowl, sat it out where I would see it. I keep all my fruit in the refrigerator and forget it’s in there most of the time. And I hate biting into a cold apple. So I placed some apples, pears and oranges in a bowl and noticed that when I went into the kitchen in need of a snack, my eyes would automatically see that bowl and I grabbed for a piece of fruit instead of rummaging through the cabinets. I know, it’s not earth shattering or rocket science, but it’s kinda a big deal for me !
I am also proud of myself for keeping my portions under control this week. We had two birthday parties with pizza. I LOVE PIZZA. I could live on pizza and only pizza alone. But I made a conscious effort to eat a minimal amount and enjoy what I was eating. Along with pizza at the birthday parties, you can’t forget about cake! I love cake!! But I didn’t eat one slice! I actually didn’t want any – since I made 2 cakes this week, the thought of eating any of it kinda made me sick!
Menu Plan:
There was none this week. We were only home 1 evening this week! Yikes, it was a crazy week. But as I said above, I made a conscious effort to make wise eating decisions.
Final stats:
I lost 2.2 pounds this week! After not losing anything last week, I am relieved that some of those stubborn pounds came off. So total I have lost 3.2 pounds so far. I don’t have really a goal weight in mind. I just really, really, really want to get into my cute size 4/6 clothes again. When that happens I will be content! I am assuming I have another 10 pounds to go!
Your turn! Let me know how you are doing on your “healthy” goals! I want to know what things are working well with you and what things aren’t! Let’s do this together!
Survey Sunday: Boot Camp January 17
Workout Plan:
I made my goal again this week!! It definitely helps that my dad comes over every Monday, Wednesday and Friday so I really don’t have any excuse not to work out ! I definitely wasn’t up for working out on Friday but since my dad was coming over and I really had no reason to cancel him, I went ahead and worked out! I felt great after ward even if I didn’t want to do it to begin with. I did 40 minutes of cardio each day – ending with a 3 mile run on Friday plus weight training each of the 3 days!
I need to start focusing more on running for the next 2 months since some of my Big Deal Mom Friends and I are doing a 5k in April! So the first week of February, I will begin doing some running outside to get trained for it! As you might recall, I, ummm, don’t do well outdoors. So this will challenge me!
Diet Plan:
Overall, I am pleased with what I did this week. I did go out for dessert once this week and had movie night and snacks with the family one night. It seems that my body is getting used to the workouts more, and I am not as hungry as I have been.
I haven’t been hungry in the mornings so instead of worrying about what to eat or not eating at all, I have been drinking fruit smoothies A LOT, and for mid morning snacks I drink energy shakes. Not very exciting but it works for me right now!
Menu Plan:
I stuck to my menu plan this week! I feel really good about having a plan each week and sticking to it! This week will be interesting considering that we will be home one night for dinner! WOW! It is going to be a busy week!
Truth Time:
I am feeling stronger! That is a good thing! I am still tired and worn out but I continue to stay optimistic that these changes will transform my health. I do have several doctor’s appointments in the next couple of weeks, so I will continue to eat healthy and workout until those appointments (and of course after them).
Final stats:
I gained a pound . Net loss of 1.6 pound so far! I am slightly disappointed, I have to admit. But I know that I am doing everything necessary to being healthy and just hoping that the weight will come off soon!
Your turn! Let me know how you are doing on your “healthy” goals!
Treadmills and Random Thoughts
As you already know, I have been kicking butt on my cardio. Okay, I wouldn’t go that far, but I have done a reasonably good job getting my cardio in during the week.
I don’t particularly enjoy being on a treadmill or elliptical for 40+ minutes. Shoot after 5 minutes, I am mentally finished with my workout! But I persevere with one hope: every few workouts, I have an amazing run. One of those runs that could last indefinitely. The secret? My mind goes completely relaxed (Which is a rarity these days! My mind is constantly going and racing and thinking about too many things)! The music takes a back seat and I barely hear it, just enough for the beat to keep me on task. And whatever is on the T.V. just almost becomes a blur! It’s beautiful, really! I don’t think about how bad my legs or lungs are hurting. I don’t think about how bored I am. I don’t think about how much longer I have to do it (remember my 40 minute goal)! Because, for those few minutes, my mind isn’t thinking. It, too, is taking a break!
Well, Monday was not one of those days! My mind didn’t go to a happier, more relaxed state of being, which left me having some less then entertaining and thoughts that I’m slightly ashamed of, but will share them with you anyway. Why such a negative attitude during this time? Because I was stuck on a darn elliptical because all of the treadmills were being used! Yeah, I can get kinda impatient if things don’t go my way!
So here were some of my random thoughts during my date with the elliptical:
- Okay, man, please do not stop your running to check an email on your iPhone. Which normally wouldn’t pi$$ me off except you are straddling the treadmill and not using it. If you can’t multi-task then get off of the TREADMILL!
- Girl with a perfectly structured body. I hate you! I hate your cute little body! I hate your cute little Air Force Marathon Shirt! I hate your thin, well defined legs! And most of all I hate that you have been on the treadmill longer then the 20 minute rule and running at an 8.9 mph pace!!
- Dear Old Woman: Yes, you, the one that has been going at a snails pace for 20 minutes (remember the previously stated 20 minute rule) then stops the treadmill and starts it back up for another 20 minutes, so she doesn’t break any rule. But I know you broke it since I have been preying over your treadmill. We do have a track that you can walk on! {but happy that you are still active at your age – You go girl!}
- Dear sweaty man, right in front of me! Didn’t really know a person could sweat that much, just by walking! GROSS! Maybe you should take a breather and let someone else on that beautiful treadmill!
I finally got a treadmill. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing the elliptical, but lately the rush of running has taken over and the feet don’t hurt as much. I did finish my 40 minutes of cardio with a beloved treadmill. The man with the iPhone decided to finally get off since, you know, he wasn’t actually using it!
Don’t fret, I am not normally this mean of a person. Fine who am I kidding ? If I am going to go work out, I need every body to stay at home so I can work out! GEEZE!
Survey Sunday – Boot Camp January 10
Workout Plan:
I made my goal of working out 3 times a week. I worked out three days plus a night of EAActive with Jeremy. I did at least 40 minutes of cardio (walking, running and/or elliptical) plus weights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. My workouts are becoming longer in length now that my endurance level is getting higher.
Jeremy wants to get in on the action and making a goal to do EAActive with me on the nights I don’t work out. This was his idea and since it doesn’t hurt to get in a little more exercise for me, I am going along with it!
Diet Plan:
A nice advantage of me trying to get healthier, is that we aren’t spending money going out to eat and stopping to get snacks (this one is my fault since “snacks” included my Starbucks/Caribou runs and the kids got a cookie), which this aspect is making Jeremy much happier !Our grocery budget has increased but our “Eating Out” budget has decreased.
I did pretty well this week on eating healthy, except with the harder workouts, I am more hungry. I ate when I was hungry and found myself snacking a little more than I should have. BUT I WAS HUNGRY – ha ha! So hopefully, my body will adjust a little more this week and I won’t be as hungry!!
I sorta-convinced Jeremy that he needs to make a conscious effort to eat a little healthier! Jeremy has a wonderful metabolism. He can eat and eat and stays thin. He has the habit of eating out many work days. So I encouraged him to take lunch meat and condiments to work so that he has food there. He doesn’t necessarily need to lose weight, I just worry about all the junk he eats. He only ate out once this week! Which is such an improvement! And even turned down a few impromptu lunch invitations from co-workers.
I didn’t try anything new this week! I went with dinners that I knew my three boys would like. I made the Beef Enchilada Pie for Jeremy since this is one of his new favorites! I also tried Trader Joe’s whole wheat pizza dough and used low fat cheese on our homemade pizza. It was soooooo good! The boys ate it up and I didn’t feel as bad knowing that the ingredients were much healthier than ordering out! That will be showing up on my menu plan often!
Truth Time:
Okay, I have a confession to make! I feel like crap! I wish I could report that the changes I have made have done miraculous things to my body, but it hasn’t, yet! With working out during the boys naps, I don’t get any “down” time. So by the end of the day, I am just plain beat! Also it has affected my daily chores schedule too. Which I am trying to work out the kinks. I try to get the mandatory things done like cleaning the kitchen and picking up the main floor but the bigger items that need to get done (laundry, cleaning the bathrooms etc.) have fallen behind. Hello, I ran out of clean underwear this week (I know TMI but that is how bad it got this week!)
Besides the losing 2 hours of “me” time and the extra time cleaning, Carter is going through, let’s just say, hmmm an “I need to be held ALL.THE.TIME” phase. So most cooking and cleaning has been done with a 30 pound weight on my hip! Which has accounted for the lack of cleaning and increased tiredness also! As much as I love being needed, I am hoping that this phase finishes soon, because the dust bunnies and the dirty clothes are about to finish me off! Because right now, I would rather have a slightly disheveled house than a screaming, tear faced child following me around!
I know that eating healthier and working out, is the best thing for me! I won’t be giving it up anytime soon, so trying to figure out how to make it all work is next on my “to-do” list! I am making Doctor’s appointments this week for a physical and an eye appointment (since my headaches have increased), just to make sure that my extra tiredness, achiness, insomnia, irritability aren’t due to another reason!
Final stats:
Pounds lost: 2.6 – WOOT!
Your turn! Let me know how you are doing on your “healthy” goals!
Survey Sunday – Boot Camp January 4
This will be a pretty short post, that I can sum up in just a short few sentences. I did after all promise I would be accountable and give weekly updates. So here it goes:
I ate, and I ate, and I ate all kinds of unhealthy and yummy things while Jeremy was home for the Christmas Holiday. He was home 11 days and we had a great time eating out. No menu plan was kept and no thought went into whether or not I should eat the third piece of pizza or that cheesecake. BUT I have to admit, that although I enjoyed the tastes and yummy goodness of all of those oh-so-unhealthy meals, I felt terrible. Literally! Not terrible in the sense that I was guilty, but physically terrible. I had stomach issues and headaches, I was swollen all week and actually have been fighting off a migraine for the last couple of days.
I knew in the back of my mind, those things would happen, but we were on vacation, so I rolled with it. And another added bonus (insert sarcasm): I gained back all 4.5 pounds that I worked sooooo hard to work off.
So I will begin again tomorrow and look forward to my rings coming off my fingers someday soon, and my headache to go away and my digestive track to get back on track, not to mention my muscles to get worked out and the return of my runner’s high.
Can’t wait to get back on my schedule and get back on track!! Let me know how you all are doing with your healthy lifestyle goals. Can’t wait to hear from you!
Survey Sunday (Boot Camp Week 2 Review)
I can say that I had a great week this week, until Friday night came, then it went way, way down hill, and fast! But tomorrow is a new week and I will begin again. Jeremy and I had a date night Friday night to one of my favorite restaurants and I admit it – I gorged! And it was good. But I didn’t stop Friday night, it continued into Saturday and finally today! I think since Jeremy is home, I am not on my “normal” schedule and it just throws me for a loop and I lose all self discipline. By the way, I’m paying for it tonight! I feel terrible!! I am swollen and bloated, so I do have another reason not to eat this poorly for a long, long time!
Menu Plan Boot Camp Week 2:
I tried several new recipes. Here is the break down of what the peanut gallery thought of the new food choices.
- “Healthified” Chicken Quesadillas.: YUMMY! I loved these so much I put them on this weeks menu plan!! I made up the chicken mixture on Monday and kept the leftovers for Tuesday and Wednesday’s lunches. Easy!!
- Cheesy Pizza Pasta: This was my favorite meal so far in the last 2 weeks. But you need to remember that I LOVE me some pizza. This tasty dish will be my go to pizza fix! I made it with Whole wheat pasta, turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni and no fat cheese and Jeremy couldn’t even notice the difference. Now, unfortunately neither of the boys like it which is weird since they both love pizza also – go figure. The recipe made a large batch – too much for us to eat even after leftovers, so I think I might try baking it in 2 different batches next time and freeze one?? Don’t know how well it will freeze.
- Chicken Tortilla Casserole: This dish was all right. Jeremy and I both agreed that it lacked a little bit of something, not quite sure what the “something” is but it needed just a little bit more flavor. I think if I were to make this again I may add salsa instead of chopped tomatoes? Also, the boys HATED it. Evan actually gagged! I would eat it again, so I don’t think it was that bad !
So I didn’t have the luck of last week, but this is a learning process, right?
Work out plan:
I did a great job in this aspect of my Boot Camp! I am up to running a 1 1/2 to 2 miles each time plus a 10 to 20 minute elliptical warm up! So I am burning around 400 calories in just cardio. I also did weight training 3 times this week.
Final stats:
I lost 4.2 pounds (total so far) by Friday, but after
this weekend my weight fluctuated back up. I really think it is water retention due to the large amounts of restaurant foods we ate. But then again, I may have just gained back that weight! I am not too disappointed, and can’t wait to get back on track tomorrow! My body definitely feels better when I eat healthier!
That’s how I did this week, how did you do this week? I would love to hear from you!
Survey Sunday (Boot Camp Week 1) – December 13
Last week I started my quest to get back into shape
and lose the weight that I have packed on these last few months. As a part of my accountability and a promise I made that I would let you guys know how the new recipes panned out, I want to share with you in this post how my week went.
Menu Plan Boot Camp Week 1:
I tried several new recipes. Here is the break down of what the peanut gallery thought of the new food choices.
- Although I was making my fruit smoothies for myself, the boys hear the blender now and come a runnin’! I guess I should be making a little extra for them each time !
- Whole Wheat Zucchini (and a batch of carrot) Muffins were a hit. The boys LOVED them and Jeremy did too. I would recommend these to everyone.
- Healthified Chicken Ceasar Pitas – I enjoyed these at lunch every day. I liked them and would make them again. They actually held my hunger very well through the afternoon, which I enjoyed even more.
- Healthified Beef Enchilada Pie – this was this week most popular. Jeremy loved this dish and said it was a 10 out of 10. I will definitely be putting this recipe in my rotation.
- Skillet Lasagna – Was okay but it didn’t help that I didn’t follow the recipe instructions and had too much water in it. I tried to cook the extra water off but it was still really runny. But I would definitely make this again because despite the screw up both boys gobbled it up.
- Potato soup – This was a great soup on a cold day! I am not really into soups but it was an easy recipe (which is what I like) and it tasted great.
So I was 5 for 5 on the new recipe selections. Can’t wait to try some more out this week!
Work out plan:
I worked out the 3 days that I had scheduled! I did cardio for at least 40 minutes each day (combination of elliptical and running because I have workout ADD) and did some weights. My goal was to burn 250 – 400 calories each time and I succeeded even though on Friday I took it a little easier because my feet were ACHING!! I guess I worked so hard the first 2 days that my body rebelled by the end of the week. I also spent A LOT of time on my feet with the cake preparation, which may had an impact also. But needless to say, I achieved this week’s goal of working out 3 days.
Final stats:
I lost 2.8 pounds this week. I did cheat Tuesday night – I had a glass of wine with dinner! And I cheated on Friday night by having a icing-less cupcake and half a bag of mini rice cakes – but I WAS STARVING for some reason. I am assuming it was because of the stress I put on my body all week and the stress of the cake being picked up. But other than that I wasn’t hungry with my meal plan and 2 small snacks a day.
I didn’t do well on sleep this week. I was up until 1:00 two nights this week working on “the cake”. But at least I didn’t waste my time on the computer . So I think that goal was partially made – ha ha! I couldn’t believe that I went almost 3 days without checking my google reader and Twitter.
That’s how I did this week, how did you do this week? I would love to hear from you!
Survey Sunday!
Many, many weeks ago, I wrote a couple of posts on how I need more structure in my life and how I felt I was just barely getting by. So I thought I would reevaluate (or survey) how I have been doing since then. To get caught up from the beginning here are the 2 original posts (HERE and HERE). Here is the original list (in black) that I composed to get started on trying to get control of the tailspin, in green is what I have done so far:
- my household duties- slacker - I feel that I have made huge improvements in this area. On most days the house is cleaned when Jeremy gets home. I have made a flexible schedule where I vacuum twice a week, the main floor (kitchen, the boys rooms, the living room and a bathroom gets cleaned once a week and the laundry has been under control now for almost 4 weeks. I do laundry twice a week and everything is folded (maybe not put away).
- my workout duties- slacker – Nothing! I am still struggling with this aspect of my schedule. Although Jeremy and I have discussed making this a priority, I just have had no motivation. And to make things harder for me, my membership ran out last month and getting it renewed wasn’t budgeted yet. I usually use Christmas money for this so I will wait another month. But just so you know I am NOT making excuses, I did check out some DVD’s from the library to try in the interim, just haven’t opened the cases yet.
- my “one-on-one time teaching my sons” duties- slacker – We are still running around trying to get as much outside time as possible, but I am being more deliberate in “teachable moments” while we are out. I have also made mandatory DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time every day. I have been working on Letters and numbers with Evan more and making more Arts and crafts a priority.
- my “one-on-one time paying attention to my hubs” duties- slacker – You may have noticed that I am not on Twitter as much as I was. I have made it priority to not work on Blog stuff at night after 9:00 and decrease my Twitter time at night also. Now I have been flexible with this, if Jeremy is working at night, I may get on here and there but other than that, I stop all computer stuff at 9. I also try to get all housework done during the week so that Jeremy and I can play during the weekends with the boys instead of both of us doing “chores” during the weekend.
- my dinner duties-slacker – There has been an improvement, but not good enough. I would say, dinner is ready when Jeremy gets home 3 or 4 times a week. So this week I decided to get back to meal planning and actually writing out the plan to keep me accountable but also allow Jeremy to know what’s up so that he can help out also. Having a written plan help our communication out!
- my eat healthier duties- slacker - I try, but along with working out, it is just easier to eat whatever the kids are eating or most days I am not hungry and forget to eat until I am STARVING then I raid the refrigerator while the kids nap and eat anything and everything in sight. This is where menu planning has helped me in the past. If I know what I am eating before hand (I used to plan breakfast, lunch AND dinner when I was pregnant with Carter) it truly keeps me on track.
Here were my original goals and I have crossed off the ones I feel I am doing well with and the ones that aren’t crossed off, I will focus more on in the upcoming weeks.
- Workout 3 mornings a week – including cardio AND weights
- Spend 15-30 minutes with each son per day, individually doing activities that are age appropriate and educational.
- Have a healthy dinner ready for my husband, at least 4 nights a week. Keep in mind I have the luxury of eating at my parents one night a week and my in-laws one night a week. That gives us 2 nights of freedom.
- Have a routine set up for daily chores – blah!! Not really looking forward to this one.
- Limiting my computer play time (Twitter, Facebook, checking email) to 30 minutes a day.
- Working on this blog 30 minutes – 1 hour a day, or a total of 7 hours a week.
- Spend more time on daily devotions, in the Word and in Prayer
Hopefully I can report back in a couple of weeks with at least another item crossed off the list.
You Mean I am Not the Only One…
When I wrote the post Scheduling to Schedule, I felt like a BIG loser in the “Mom” world, because so many moms can juggle babies, house work, volunteer work and even full time work amazingly, that I find myself often feeling inferior. But it was so amazing to hear the comments and emails that I received from that post and what was even more ironic, I came across 2 different posts that same night from Renee (Me, Myself and Mommy) and Christine that were very encouraging also.
Wow, maybe God is telling me that it is okay to feel a little inferior. And no, I can’t do it ALL on MY own. And yes, my priorities are somewhat in line, because my relationship with my boys, above house work and blog work, needs to come first. Do I need to continue to work at being a better mom and wife? Yes, but now I am little bit more encouraged to know that I am not the only one trying to figure this out!
I realized that I am definitely not alone in this journey of being a better mom, wife and friend. That in my admission of my faults, I helped others get inspired to re-evaluate their priorities. I can’t wait to hear the stories from all of you who sent me some love from that post, because we are in this together! Please keep me updated on the good things you are doing.
Related Posts:
Scheduling Time to Schedule
I have a confession for all of you. This summer I have been a complete slacker on most priorities. Let me break it down for you even further:
- my household duties- slacker
- my workout duties- slacker
- my “one-on-one time teaching my sons” duties- slacker
- my “one-on-one time paying attention to my hubs” duties- slacker
- my dinner duties-slacker
- my eat healthier duties- slacker
As you can see, I have made it a point to play all summer long with my boys. I haven’t cleaned like I should have, worked out like I should have, taught like I should have, eat like I should have. I have pretty much goofed off all summer…and let me tell you something…I enjoyed almost every minute of it!
But reality has sunk in. Unfortunately, this Ohio weather will be changing soon and I will no longer ask myself in the mornings, “should we go to the pool today or go to the park?”
I will not have the luxury of lounging with Evan in the mornings while Carter takes his morning naps – because I have a feeling that sometime soon he will officially be down to one nap a day.
As a teacher, there is something magical about August! August brings on the need for change, the antsy-ness of getting back on a schedule, the excitement of new beginnings. Even though it also brings on a little uneasiness of having to break from vacation and sad that the free-time is over. Fortunately for me, that part isn’t in the equation any more since I am a SAHM. This August still had the same effect on me, even though I will not be returning to the classroom this year.
I long for a new challenge, new things to teach my kids, some structure in my free-flowing ways.
I have tried several times this summer to make a schedule and stick to it! But unfortunately those schedules have been dismissed and forgotten very quickly.
My very good friend Jenny, you may of heard of her before, from Mommin It Up! is in need of a schedule too. Don’t worry, I am not passing judgement on her, we have discussed this many times while running after our kids and together we have decided to try to keep each other accountable with our schedules. That got me thinking, I am going to write a post about it so that you guys can keep me (us) accountable. She will posting hers too!
So starting this week I am going to do the following. Think of these more like goals right now, but in the next couple of weeks, I hope to have a finished calendar to show off!
- Workout 3 mornings a week – including cardio AND weights
- Spend 15-30 minutes with each son per day, individually doing activities that are age appropriate and educational.
- Have a healthy dinner ready for my husband, at least 4 nights a week. Keep in mind I have the luxury of eating at my parents one night a week and my in-laws one night a week. That gives us 2 nights of freedom.
- Have a routine set up for daily chores – blah!! Not really looking forward to this one.
- Limiting my computer play time (Twitter, Facebook, checking email) to 30 minutes a day.
- Working on this blog 30 minutes – 1 hour a day, or a total of 7 hours a week.
- Spend more time on daily devotions, in the Word and in Prayer
Let me just tell you, I really do like being on a schedule! BUT if I don’t have to be on one, I find myself using my time very unwisely and floundering around like a fish out of water, and that does not benefit the lives of my 3 men and really doesn’t benefit me either!
So I am asking for you help!
- Please keep me accountable.
- Also let me know if you have made any personal goals for yourself and I will try to keep you accountable too!
- Do you have any tips for me, because I need all the help I can get!
Related Posts: Working It…Or Trying to Anyway
