New Year's Eve Half Marathon

I am going to be running in my second new year's eve half marathon on Friday. I am totally unprepared for it but I am going to give it a go anyway. I think I'll be fine. But wish me luck! I have exercised what will be five days this week and four days last week. So I think I've finally kicked it into high gear. Plus all the calorie burning through all the walking around at Applebee's. It's been really busy there lately and that means a lot of seating and bussing. So.......anyone have any new year's resolution's they'd like to share?

Mom's on board- soon

I'm with you, starting Saturday. By the time I go back to school on the
3rd I need to lose the 3 lbs. I gained back in the last 2 weeks.

Hello?

So I saw a picture of me the other day...two actually. One at a basketball game and one at Eric and Teresa's. The pictures told me that it's time to stop slacking! I'm REALLY serious now. The things I've passed up in the past couple days:
Little Ceaser's Pizza
Cookies and chocolate pudding dessert
Cookies all day at mom's (she was making them and had some laid out)
Cookies at Mel and Lorraine's after Carroling.

I really hope I can keep this up. It's go time! It's back to working out every day. No excuses.

Who's with me?

Here I am again

Sorry I haven't been here lately. I've truly forgotten to look at it lately until Amy reminded me today. Between work and Christmas shopping, wrapping, etc. I don't get on my computer very often at home. Also..nothing to report. I'm on and off the wagon more often than my bathroom light switch. Thank goodness for Mondays. I'm willing to try anything new Amy; your idea sounds good, I'm just not sure how to choose a goal for one of you. Your self-imposed schedule looks pretty disciplined. Do you just want one of us to check in with you daily to see if you stayed on the plan?

Ben, I forgot to ask today how the nibbles turned out, but I see it was a success. Now I know the tradition will be passed on to the next generation. The house is awesome. Pictures make it look pretty big.

New Idea

Hi
I just thought of this idea and came right to the computer before I forgot to do this. I was thinking that this blog is to push eachother to do better, to inspire eachother with our progress. But nothing is really happening. My idea is what if we all give eachother a goal to reach. Instead of setting our own, set some for eachother. We could either set a goal for each person or each get assigned a person to set a goal for. What do you think? Knowing me I need someone to be pushing me other than myself. Like in a work situation I always do what I'm told so I don't let anyone down. So I was thinking this might work not only for me but for everyone.
Let me know what you think.

Amy

Crappy Weekend

I did horribly over the weekend at Dave's parents. I always do at their house. But I'm back now and did good yesterday and have a goal to be good until Christmas and then just take that day off. I want to lose 10 pounds. Having this Applebee's job will be good for me actually. There is a TON of walking around really fast. I think I walked around really fast for three hours last night. So I may lose a pound or two while doing that. Plus I went running yesterday.
What's everyone else's goals now since it's after Thanksgiving now?
Ben, awesome nibbles! I bet mom is so proud!
Anna, glad you got a vacation. I bet it was so fun! I'm jealous. I've always wanted to go on a cruise.

My Last 4 HOURS

I didn't know you went on a cruise. You'll have to tell us all about it. We've never been and always wonder if it should be on our "bucket list".

So, check me out. I just spent the last few hours making Nibbles. Full Mom recipe. It came out just right. For some reason, this whole making nibbles project just makes me feel really old!

My last 4 days...:/

I am concluding a 4 day eating frenzy aboard our cruise. we ate to our hearts content including several desserts each day! we Had a great time but are heading home to reality now. we are currently waiting on the Miami airport for seven hours for our flight!

The picture is of course something I managed to avoid consuming. haha!

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Four Days

Hello All!
Four days in a row of exercising and pretty good eating. It hasn't been PERFECT, but not all that bad either.
We are going out of town for the weekend so I don't know if I will get a chance to exercise tomorrow or Saturday. We'll see.
Good luck to you all and hope you're all workin' hard!

A-Maze-zing!

I love Love LOVE the house. it looks perfect. can't wait to see it!

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Monday's Report--Amy

Successful day one! I did a dvd in the morning. Although I had to stop to wake up the boys for school a couple times and I had Owen climbing on top of me while doing sit ups and crawling under me for push ups. Adds a little challenge to the work out. I ate perfect and am working on day two now. Also, I vowed never to eat the food at Applebee's. But they do give you a free meal your first three days of work since you don't get tips during training. I have one more day of training and I will pass up the meal.
Ben--You're house is AMAZING!! Love the appliances, too! :) Hope you are enjoying the house. Can we see furnished pictures now?

Good Luck

I mean "good luck" without sarcasm. I sincerely hope you (Amy) can recommit like you say you need to do. It would be a good example for me. I'm like 5 months pregnant as well. It may be an extra challenge that you will now have cheap eats at Applebee's. Bad timing!

I am riding my bike to work every day now. It's not grueling at all, it's an easy 1.5 mile flat ride both ways so it's not really exercise, but it definitely has to be better than driving, so it's something.

Here's some pics of the house. A before, then a matching after from the same part of the house...

Recommitting!

I am TOTALLY recommitting this time! And this time, I MEAN IT! I have to mean it this time. It's not even funny. Without sucking in my gut I look five months pregnant and mom is a witness to that. No joke. So here is what I have to do: Totally eat right and workout six days a week. That's what I was doing before when my gut wasn't so big after Jaxon. It's going to be hard, but it has to be done. I am recommitting to the blog so I can report. I would like to see more of you all as well. But here is my schedule so I can follow it daily:
Monday--Strength Training DVD
Tuesday--Running
Wednesday--Strength Training DVD
Thursday--Aerobics video (high impact)
Friday--Strength Training DVD
Saturday--Running

Those might get moved around from day to day but that is the planned schedule.

My menu:

Breakfast:
Bowl of granola with skim milk
piece of fruit

Snack:
Almonds
Yogurt

Lunch:
Wrap with lettuce, tomato and lunch meat and if I have a cheese it needs to be a white cheese or fat free cheese
Side of veggies

Snack: Apple or some other fruit

Dinner:
Whatever is on our menu but healthy foods and smaller portions

Early to bed

If I need a snack before bed I'll keep it to fat free jell-o or 100 calorie pack of popcorn

How is that? Does anyone have any more good suggestions for me?

This is my new post Thanksgiving goal. Nothing has really changed but I wasn't committed before. I need to be now.

Anyone else going to join me? I know Anna is doing a lot of running so it looks like she has recommitted also. Awesome. Maybe someday we can run a race together.

Ben, where are you?

Post Turkey Day Posting

Great job Anna! I'm planning to walk tomorrow for about 45 min. round trip to Happy Valley, but it doesn't hold the proverbial candle to you runner girls. I'm going to the school to print my lesson for Sunday. I really need to find someone who can make my computer recognize my printer again.
Anna, how was turkey day? Did you go to Black Angus?

Personal best!

I'm running again! what's the deal? I ran for 25 minutes straight! I have NEVER been able to do that. must be the turkey and cherry cobbler that I'm using for fuel ;)

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Run, Run, Run!

Anna, maybe you will become a runner after all. I think it's the fastest, most effective way of exercising. In the colder months down there you should find some trails, it's much better than a treadmill. I can't go running today or yesterday because it's WAY TOO COLD for Owen to hang out in a stroller for an hour or so. But I did do an hour of high impact aerobics on Monday and plan on doing a dvd today as well. I haven't lost any weight since we started this thing. But I won't give up.

Have a great Thanksgiving and Ben, a great birthday on the 27th!

Great week!

I'm back on the treadmill trying to duplicate last week...I lost 5 pounds! woo hoo!

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Yikes! it's cold here!

Another arctic icy morning. It's now 15, with wind chill we're at -3. I think I'll try out my Yak Tracks today to get from car to school across the parking lot.- those shoe gripper things I bought a couple of weeks ago. A parent yelled at me on the phone yesterday because we hadn't removed the ice on the sidewalk by the bus loading area. Our big plastic snow shovels were useless . A couple of dads came with metal shovels to break up the ice on the stairway and it took all their time and effort just to do that. We're one of the only school districts to be on regular schedule today - All Seattle, Tacoma schools and surrounding areas closed. A lot of horror stories on the freeways in Seattle with people stranded for hours in the cold.

I actually lost 3 lbs. last week. I passed up a box of doughnuts/pastries brought in to the office by a parent yesterday. Such slow going. Exercising has dwindled this past week.

Hang in there everyone. No guilt allowed on Thursday.
I love you all.

I'm still here!--Amy

I wish I could be as strong as Anna. And I will at some point. I know I can because I've done it before. I just can't seem to get serious about things even when I want to get rid of the gut so badly! Ok, I decided that I will be good until Thursday. That's a small goal, but I think that's what I need right now. Small goals in order to meet a larger goal. I will check in and I expect to see everyone here on Friday rededicating themselves with new goals or renewing old ones! We need to revive this thing!

Didn't eat it!

Offered brownies at school...I was strong :)

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I'm on the treadmill!

Right now!!! I ran a mile and now I'm hoofin it uphill at a 10% incline and writing this right now is keeping me from being bored!

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Mom the Thriller

Mom was telling me about her Halloween thriller event so I looked it up and found a picture of it that I will share with you to show how much of party animal mom is. Unfortunately Mom wasn't in it (unless she's in costume).

So, I'm hoping this week will bring the loss of an lb or two.

Thanks
Ben

1/2 Marathon--Amy

So I signed up for another half marathon for December 31! So I have to get my butt in gear now. I know it will be no problem to run it if I just get going on the running again. So this is the week I do it. This is the same half marathon that Dave and I ran last year with our friends. This year there will be no Dave. His knees hurt too much after he was done last year. But a bunch more of my Bellingham friends will be there this year to run. It will be fun to do. I just need to train for it.

Ben, good to see you back on here! We hope to see more of you! As well as the rest of you, too.

Amy

Post Halloween, Pre Thanksgiving rededication

Like Ben, I'm putting on a push to get my groove back. This past week was good - I exercised 4 times, ate pretty well, lost 2 lbs. Whoop ti do. But some progress is better than none.
Welcome back Benj.

It's Not Thankgiving YET!

Ok, I'm trying to arise from the dust of non-exercise and semi-undisciplined eating. Our official end date is still Thanksgiving, right? So I'm thinking I have 3 weeks to get into gear. That's the way I roll...slack till the end then bust my tail to get it done. It's not a good way!!

Given the above statement, what I'm about to say may not make much sense, but I just canceled my gym membership. It was just way too expensive for the amount of times I was going. I simply need to get more creative about workouts. Now that we're in the house, I'm riding my bike to work again (it's flat and easy...but it's better than nothin)

See Ya! It's good to be back.

plugging along

I'm doing well this week.  no excess portions, eating lots more veggies/fruits/protein and a lot less sugar.  I went to the gym yesterday for the first time in a while and got my sweat on...yay!  No big stories, just trying to eat the right things.  I was down 3 pounds last week after "re-dedication" but back up 2 since Sunday for no particular reason as far as I can tell.  Hmmmmm...

Ben, we heard you moved in.  How WONDERFUL is it????  :)  Details please.

It's me--Amy

So far this week I've only done one day of 8 minute abs and then today I did my hour of aerobics. But I did a lower impact (lowered my step boxes) because I haven't done it in a long time and I haven't been keeping up on my running like I should. And I can't go running tomorrow or Friday because I am babysitting the neighbor boy all day since he doesn't have school and then all boys are here on Friday. So I will rededicate myself to running next week, I guess. And even though I made dessert for mom's birthday dinner last night I didn't have any. I was going to but never got around to it after putting the boys in bed, etc. But it was a pretty non fat dessert so I might have some today. It was fat free angel food cake and strawberry topping.
Happy Birthday, Mom!

Great Job!

Great job, Anna!
I wish I could say the same. Although I didn't do bad. But we had a very stressful night with Javen the other day and was very tired the next day and I had a handful of chocolate chips and some frosting. Weird I know. But that was all. I did well on my portion sizes and Dave had a bowl of ice cream last night right next to me and I wasn't tempted at all.
If you are wondering about Javen it was just another battle with him but this time it just went on forever. Don't worry mom, we were persistent with him and never gave in. But you know Javen, he just does not give up. He didn't go to sleep until after midnight. His "argument" didn't start until about 9. So it just made for a long night. He did wind up grounded for the first time but is handling it well.

We seek after these things

This is of good report and praiseworthy...ha ha ha... tonight we had dinner provided at school and I didn't overdo it on the portions and I didn't eat any of the desserts!  woo hoo!  More affirmation that It really does feel better to not eat it!

Reid Family Pictures 2010

Here are just a few of the pictures my friend took of us on Sunday. We had our hands full with Owen. He would not sit for ANY of the pictures. So we got what we could. We had to end a little early because his hands got wild and he slapped me right in my eye and my right eye would not stop watering. It also hurt more than it should have. But I think we got some good ones. We haven't gotten them all yet. These are just the ones my friend put on her website that I saved to my computer.

By the way

By the way, Anna. That's a lot of treats to be offered in one short week. It's amazing how much we are tempted on a regular basis.

New Approach

Today I am starting something a little tiny bit new. In the past I have tried making myself a menu for the day and just eating what I have written down and nothing else. And of course not including treats, just healthy snacks. But I've always cheated on the menu's and no one knew the difference...just me and my fat belly. So I finally got Dave to make a menu for me with the thinking that if someone else made it for me then I would be less likely to cheat since someone else is "depending" on me to succeed. Like a trainer. He wrote down everything even down to what times I should be eating. Dinners are up to me but I try to make a healthy dinner usually but my goal for that is protion control. So I hope this new method helps. I'm wearing a pair of capri sweat type pants right now that were totally baggy on me before I had Owen. Now they are not. They are not tight, but I couldn't even wear them before because they'd fall down. So that's my goal!

No cupcakes

treats that I have passed up this week:
cupcakes
ice cream bars
cookies
chocolate chip muffins

I must remember that I really do feel better when I don't eat the bad stuff!

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Gotta listen to my stomach

I'm still not doing that well.  I basically eat whatever I want and listen to my mouth not my stomach. It also seems like there is always something going on where there is special food.  I did have a hard time when Michael's mom was doing all of the cooking because (and I know I'm being a brat here because she did all of the cooking for a week), but it just isn't the food I would make and they got take out a lot too.  AND (yes, another excuse) volleyball keeps me out until 7:00 on most weeknights so when I come home I just eat cereal and too much of it.  It seems like that would still be ok but it's just not a "balanced diet" I guess.  Oh, and Michael got some restaurant gift cards for his graduation so we've been eating at restaurants more than usual (BUUUUUT, I DID eat the fish instead of burgers or pasta or whatever so THAT is GOOD).  I don't weigh myself anymore cuz I'm too scared to look.  I'll try to get back on the wagon.  6 weeks till Thanksgiving?

mom signing in

I'm wondering where everyone else is too. Keep it up Amy so we'll have something to read. I just haven't had much to contribute this week. However, I did lose 2 lbs. I go to Dr. Friday, shooting for a couple more. Two days of hip hop abs so far this week. ( my week starts on Monday). Amy, let me know if Dave has any inclination to try to fix my elliptical; if he thinks he can. If not, that's fine, I just need to know so I can try to get it out of my bedroom if I can't use it anymore. I would use it if I had it to provide some variety .

Workin' out

Today is the second day in a row of actually exercising. I haven't been able to say that since mid summer! I am trying to do something everyday this week. Today I ran for 42 minutes and yesterday I did a dvd with Jillian Michaels. And I'm sore today! It's a good thing! I made pumpkin cookies yesterday and I had a couple. But other than that I ate pretty well. Today, too. I think the key for me is exercising regularly. Plus, when you exercise you generally have more motivation to eat better. When you don't you tend to eat bad, too. Just a thought.

So, is this now Amy's personal blog?

second successful day

Day 2 in a row of no junk food and what I would call good enough eating. I did eat some cheese yesterday but worse things could have happened. I did go running for 45 minutes also. And thanks to my neighbor who watched Owen I could run free without pushing 25+ pounds in front of me! Yeah!
So, here's to a good Wednesday!

I Did It!

It's been a long time since I could say that I went a whole day without chocolate. I did it yesterday. There are two reasons for this. One: I am ready to commit again to diet and exercise. It's been a while since I've been motivated. I think I'm finally there again. Two: I had three fillings put in yesterday so I couldn't eat much of anything hard to chew. I did have some cravings that I wonder if I would have satisfied if I could chew better. So we'll see how I do today. My teeth feel better today but not all the way. But I need to stay away from the Chocolate either way. Until Sunday. I'm letting myself have one day a week to have a treat so I don't go crazy.

How is everyone else?
Ben, how much closer to a new house are you?
Anna, how was your weekend? Busy?
Paul, are you still checking in?
Mom, you updated so I know how you are doing......:)

Good weekend in Sunny Land

Just got back from Michael's graduation weekend. Good party, good ceremony, lots of sun. A good time was had by all. There was some celebratory food - chocolate cake, lasagne, dinner at a Mexican restaurant. (I had a taco salad) but overall I don't think we overdid too much. Hot weather makes me drink a lot more and not be as hungry. But back to reality this week and hip hop abs with Shaun T.

I'm so Lame

Sorry about my blogginess. Just not doin it that much. The Thanksgiving end time made me relax too much. I still plan on losing more weight by then. The house is just consuming all of my time and mental energy. The good news is, we really are only 5 to 10 days away from finishing.

Having the new house will give me a new lease on life. I will also start riding my bike to work again, which will help.

We're staying at Jesse's apartment this week (Julia, his wife, is out of town). It's small and we're cramped. Next week, our last hopefully, we'll be an hour away at Emily's aunt's again. Who cares if it's just one week.

I wish we could be there next week, Anna. Sounds like it's gonna be a HUGE PARTY at your house. It's just "not in the cards" for us right now.

Hola!

I'm still here. It's been a slow week. It's been going alright. My neighbor and I traded babysitting on Monday and Tuesday so we could go to our kids' classrooms so I missed my pique exercising time. And then I found a flat tire on my stroller so until I fix that I can't go running. I will do something else at some point today. It's early release today and I babysit so it will be madness here later on. But I'm still not giving up. I'm still trying.
Mom, sounds like a great workout. It's good to find something you like and that makes you sweat at the same time. Keep it up!

Mom's hip hoppin'

I tried my new routine yesterday and today. It's kind of fun. Especially because I can actually do the most of the moves. And when I can't I just keep moving to the music. I've only used one of the two CDs so far. It's 30 minutes of actual workout and the initial part is explanation and starting stuff. There's a second CD that I'll try next. It's a sweaty half hour and feels like it's being effective. We'll see.

Agreed again

Hi
I agree that in order to be successful at losing weight you do need to obsess over some aspect of it. Whether it be the exercise or the eating or the weighing in or all of the above. It definetely helps to obsess over something. We might call people crazy who do. I have someone in mind but just in case for some weird reason she comes across this blog I won't name names. Hint: We talked about her when Anna was up here and she's going through a divorce. She is totally obsessed with working out. But look at her. She looks great! I don't think there is anything wrong with getting really in to something you want to be successful at. Now I just need to practice what I'm preaching. Easier said than done, right? Good luck!
Speaking of obsessed....did anyone else watch the season premier of Biggest Loser? It was awesome! They didn't do a weigh in yet so you haven't missed much. Really...it's great motivation!

Gotta Get Obsessed

Well I think I might be making a little progress.  This week (after the ch. chip cookie pizza was devoured) I have done much better about leaving treats alone.  When I lost some weight a couple of years ago I was obsessive about weighing in and now I just don't weigh myself as often.  I need to be obsessive if I want to be successful though so now i am forcing myself to weigh in, whereas I used to force myself not to weigh myself every day.  So a couple of pounds lost is motivating me to do more I guess.

Michael's graduation is coming up soon :)  We're having a party on Saturday night (oct. 2), should be a very eclectic group of individuals...my work friends (and Tamara's mom too), michael's friends, ALL of our parents, church friends, and Michael's new co-workers!  Maybe it doesn't sound weird to you, but it is strange to me to have all those "circles" combine.  Dad may even be coming and thought you'd like to know, Mom, that he says he doesn't mind staying here at our house even with Michael's parents and you staying here.  Crowded house it will be.  Should be FUN! :)  Oh, and Michael got 12 tickets for the ceremony itself so everyone who wants to will be able to go.  :)  We're looking forward to it, and most of all to see Michael in all of his graduation regalia!

Tuesday and Wednesday-Amy

Hey all
Tuesday I found a trail to run on. It's the skagit trail that runs from here to concrete! I did not run to concrete nor will I ever, I imagine. But it was nice. It's completely flat, which is nice, but also I don't get the hill training I got in Bellingham. But beggars can't be choosers. But yesterday I didn't run. I still can't get all that motivated to do a video right now. I think it's the noise of it still that prevents me from doing it. I am on the lookout for a rug though. Today Owen got up at 6 and I know he will fall asleep if I run and I a really enjoy the quiet time when he naps at home. So I might have to see if I have time after a nap today. I babysit at 1 so we'll see what happens. I've been doing much better with my calories. More veggies and meat this week so far. It's not perfect yet. But hopefully I'll get there.
Chocolate chip pizza....brings back memories. Why isn't that in the cookbook? It's a classic. I should make it for the boys.

cookie dough and hip hop abs - what a combo.

I ordered the video set for $16.95 buy it now, from a person in California, not China; it shipped today, should be here soon. I didn't want to mess with the auction part. I'll let you know how I like it. I really need to start in again with something.


Ben; the recipe isn't in the cook book that I remember, but it's super easy. Anna, tell me if I'm missing something. I just used cookie dough- in a roll in the refrigerator section in the store. smoosh it out into a circle. I think you bake it partially, maybe 5 min. or so, then take it out and sprinkle miniature marshmallows and chocolate chips on it and put it back in the oven to melt the chocolate and brown the marshmallows. I think they'd get too done if you put them on right away. 350 degrees.

ebay and stuff

I would watch out for the .99 cents thing. Sometimes that means they'll gouge you with the shipping. If you email me a link or an eBay auction number I can check stuff out for you.

Nikki is still not into school. Maybe something to do with the fact that since she started we've had to get her out of bed at 6 am and drive in heavy traffic for 90 minutes, change in the car, etc. We're staying at Emily's aunt's house far away these days and it makes things difficult.

Good news is, I really think we're only 10 days away from move-in.

Anna, is that chocolate chip cookie pizza recipie in mom's cook book? That was darn good stuff. Our kids would LOVE that.

hip hop abs

Mom, I don't trust the sellers who have questionable English syntax.  Glad you're looking for something new and different.  That's important to stay interested in exercise. :)

I'm still here

I've been reading your posts.  I just don't have much to say.  still unmotivated to really get going.  I only work out once a week.  I had a nostalgic taste for chocolate chip marshmellow cookie "pizza" like we used to make when we were kids so I made it on Sunday.

That's about it really. 

Monday--Amy

Monday was alright. It was POURING rain and it just wasn't inviting to go running so I didn't. And I didn't do anything else. That part was lazy. But I ate well and I feel good about that.
I'm off to a great start today as well. The sun is shining and I am going running when the boys leave for school.

Anna-where are you? You got on our cases to blog more but we haven't seen you much! ;)

BTW--Biggest Loser starts tonight if anyone is interested. Great motivation!!!

Mom needs eBay advice

I'm looking at a workout video called Hip Hop Abs with Shaun T. Anyone heard of it? The informercial look like fun because it's music and basically dance moves. There's lots of them on eBay with widely varying prices. What's with $.01 with just 40 minutes to go? Should I expect tons of bids at the last minute? Or I could buy now for 14.99. The TV infomercial price is $60. Is it a red flag that they're all being shipped from China and the seller sounds like someone very unfamiliar with English syntax? Shipping is free on some of them and ETA is 2 weeks.

Agreed

Yeah, Mom and I talked today and I decided that the 1/2 cup of skim milk for my cereal is probably just fine. I think if I cut out the cheese and ice cream and fatty dairy's like that and add more protiens and the dreaded veggie....I will see results. I will get my dairy free ice cream sandwiches to satisfy my ice cream craving. I hope that works. Why is it that ever since we started this thing I feel fatter? Hmmmmm......(I know I haven't been putting in the effort. But I think I'm finally getting back to the point where I'm sick and tired of feeling this way and that it's time to recommit.)

clarification

I need to clarify.  My friend, julie, did not eliminate dairy, she just reduced it.  She doesn't drink milk either anyway, she drinks soy milk.  My thought is she just reduced how much cheese she eats.  Eggs are fine.  Milk is fine, especially since, as mom mentioned, it does have some protein in it.  And Julie is a vegetarian so she eats plenty of proteins that are of course not meat.  Breakfasts are hard to get any protein into without feeling like you're eating a ton.  Just google protein foods and you'll find tons of stuff.

BTW, Heiress?  Wow! 

Why Wait?

I decided....why wait? I was just trying to put off something that shouldn't be put off. So I am going to start Monday the no dairy/more protien. It's the day before the biggest loser premier so I think I'm going to TRY and go as long as I can throughout the season and see what results I get. I know I'll have slip ups from time to time, but I'm human. Anyone have any breakfast suggestions? I usually eat my good ol' granola or grape nuts. But without milk or yogurt, am I just left with fruit and toast? Eggs, I guess......


TTYL

Mom here

I can see limiting dairy , but eliminating it is eliminating it cuts out sources of protein ( milk, eggs, cheese) , which is what you're wanting to increase. I guess more meat ( watch portions, because it can be high calorie (beef especially) and beans are a great source, although not a popular favorite with a lot of people. I'm up for that, which I don't think will be too hard because I don't drink milk anyway, and have pretty much eliminated butter and cheese is now a seldom thing with me.

Friends at Last

Well, Nikki made a friend. Her name is "heiress" - (So LA! - I'd say "so BeverlyHills" but we sadly can't claim that anymore). So she's back to normal. I can sleep nights now.

I'm doing pretty well on eating better - still needing to cut out the little chocolates at the office that I have here and there. After looking over pics from Bham, I realize how I'm probably fatter than I ever was! This is going to be a life-long battle if I want to make any visible progress.

Speaking of which, I know Amy's not a facebooker and mom probably hasn't checked in a while, so I'll post some pics here for your benefit. I'll select ones that have you guys in them.

Have a nice weekend.

Ben

Thursday

Nothing much to report. No exercise and I ate pretty good. I think I will start that no dairy, more protien thing starting October 1st and try it for a month. Then I'll go from there depending on how easy it is to do and if I can manage it while still offering "normal" food to the fam. Anyone else want to join me?

Not a bad week for mom

Still doing okay, but the exercise is still a challenge. The rainy season has started and it's hard to get motivated to get out and walk in drizzle. Wednesday was beautiful though and I walked to Fairhaven and back, ran into Doreen on the boardwalk. Last night I did my own exercises (in front of the TV to not die of boredom.) Ran in place, some calisthetics (sp?) for about 20 min. Could have cut out the bedtime snack.
I hope things are looking up for Nikki - and Javen too. Has he found a friend to spend recess with? They're both normal, friendly kids; hard to imagine they haven't assimilated yet. Maybe they have by the time I'm writing this. Ah...the trials of childhood.

Wednesday's Report--Amy

Hello!
I DID go running yesterday for about 40 minutes. It was good to exercise first thing in the morning and just get it done. I ate pretty well until dinner when we had pancakes. So overall not a BAD day. But I could have done better.
Anna, I think cutting the dairy and adding protien like your friend sounds like a good idea. Maybe that will be an after Thanksgiving goal for me. Not quite ready to do that. Or maybe after Christmas after all the cookie baking is done. Maybe a New Years Resolution. I don't know....maybe I shouldn't put anything off and just do it now? Can anyone give me a list of protien foods? I know meat is, but what else? My main problem is a lack of knoweledge about healthy foods.
Anyhow...here's to another day!

Anna's Report

good reports everybody.  I saw ben's pics of the washington trip on facebook.  looks like a nice place to live Amy, even if it isn't b'ham. 

Well here's my struggle.  I leave for work at 7 a.m. and with coaching I don't get back till 7 p.m. I do fine for food during the day and dinner is usually ok.  It's just hard to cook after such a long day.  Yesterday we went to McDonald's for a school fund raiser but I did good there: salad and a yogurt parfait.  And it tastes good too.  but I snack WAY too much at home at night too so that is what I need to cut.  I still need some more motivation...nothing is helping me just stop snacking.

I have a friend who has lost 15 pounds without doing very much exercise by adding protein and veggies and cutting dairy and a lot of sugar out.  Somethin' to think about I guess. 

I also haven't been able to work out except on Saturdays so I am totally looking forward to the end of the season so I can work out.  And coaching these teams is a pain, I had to kick a kid off the team today for starting an almost-fight with an opposing player at another school.  lame. 

That story about Nikki is about the saddest thing I've ever heard.  It reminded me of DJ Tanner on Full House where she ate lunch in a phone booth so the other kids would think she was so busy talking to her friend on the phone that she couldn't eat at the lunch table.  AND she wore the same outfit to school as the teacher!  Nikki probably didn't have THAT happen!

Tuesday's Report--Amy

Tuesday was ok. I ate pretty well but with Javen home and Owen not taking great naps there was no opportunity to exercise. I am going right after the bus leaves today so I WILL get in my run today no matter what. And I will do better at actually counting the calories. I have been just guessing lately and I'm sure I'm way off.
Ben--So sad about Nikki. I also wish Javen and her could take long walks together. Doesn't she have some friends from last year or is this a new school? I hope things get better for her real soon.
Till Tomorrow!

school

We're staying 1 and a half hours away from work/church/school this week so we're doing a lot of commuting. On Nikki's first day of school, we totally miscalculated the traffic and ended up taking 2 hours to get there and Nikki was 45 minutes late on her first day. Poor thing.

So it's been 2 days for her so far and she hasn't met anybody and eats lunch by herself and does hopscotch by herself at recess. She even had Emily ask her teacher for permission to read a book at recess. The teacher of course granted her wish and so today Nikki just read her book. So sad!! I wish Javen was at her school so they could take long walks together at recess.

Decent day of food. Working out will simply not happen in the next few weeks, so I have to rely on low cal intake to hope for any results.

Bye

Mom's a sweatin'

Just got back from walking 40 min. to Fairhaven and back and up the stairs. Did well so far with calories but haven't had dinner yet. Rice and steamer veggies to stay under c count. Sorry about the sick kiddos Amy. The last I heard Owen had it too. He must have had a quick recovery. Yesterday, the first day for kindergartners, we had a kid who cried so loud and long and his mom stayed with him way too long. Once she was gone he settled down and had a great day.

Ben, I found a few things that I'll send back. Are you missing your razor?Hope Nikki had a good first day of school.

Vacation is such a great excuse

I guess for some reason it seems OK to eat very poorly when your away from home. I just didn't make any special effort to eat well last week. I had a good amount of pie, seconds on granola cereal, tons of chocolate-covered Quaker granola bars, and some fast food here and there.

I think the Thanksgiving end date also had me feeling that I have enough time to 'repent' later.

I'm back on track as of today, but still over by a couple hundred calories. At least I'm trying.

Had a good time in Bham. Life is good there. I totally approve of Amy's new neighborhood and house - seems like the perfect situation and a real step up from the last place. The kids had a lot of fun hanging with Grandma and the cousins.

Highlights of the trip for me:

-Peaceful drives in wooded surroundings

-Burlington - Sehome Football game (just cuz it was a uniquely local thing to do and different)

-Stanley Park (sorry, it was just us on that trip)

-3-meat burger at Concrete area outdoor restaurant

Lowlights:

-Jaxon/Javen car fighting incident

-Emily and I both sleeping on the Reid Couch (our choice, Amy offered an air mattress that I was too lazy to inflate)

Thanks mom for letting us use your car so much!

My Report for Monday--Amy

I did just alright today. I did great until dinner. I made this dish that probably isn't low on calories. But I did eat well for breakfast, had a quick low cal lunch and then dinner. And I'm so full and feeling fat! Nice. I was going to go running after I went shopping today but as I was shopping I got a call from the school nurse saying both my kids are in the office sick! Javen came in first and then 15 minutes later or so Jaxon came in with a tummy ache. Javen has the chills and a fever and it turns out Jaxon was just homesick. Jaxon's teacher said he had several melt downs in class crying at nothing, etc. He did complain of a tummy ache in the morning and did have a fever on Saturday. But got over it Sunday morning. So maybe he was just still tired from being sick and might still be adjusting to being at school so long. Who knows? But he said he missed me when he got home and that's why he was crying. How cute is that? Javen was teary eyed when I got there too. My poor babies! Anyway, so I couldn't go running and I think Javen might stay home tomorrow. I'll try to do a strenght training dvd. Aerobics is still too loud.
Till tomorrow!

Race Pictures

Here are four links to pictures of me running. They are horrible, but here's proof I did it!

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=07Q600DG020055&po=55&pc=234

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=07Q600DG020057&po=57&pc=234

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=07Q600DG020056&po=56&pc=234

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=07Q600DG040242&po=242&pc=259

You'll have to copy and paste it. I don't know how to make it so you can click on it. It's not working for some reason.

I'm in, ready to go again

I'm still status quo this week, which tells me I could really be doing better if I go back to a consistent exercise regimen. I'll have to do the step aerobics even though it's hard to get motivated to do it. I'll do some walking as long as the weather holds and before it gets too dark before and after work.
I'm going to the Olive Garden Monday night with the FHE group but I' m not going to get any pasta. I'll have their salad and soup deal.

I already Confessed

Ok, so I did already admit that I won't be blogging last week because Ben and Emily were here and eating right was going to be hopeless.....and it was. I promised on my last entry that I will be back tomorrow to the fully committed blogging and eating my allotted calories, etc. I have a pantry now and I plan on charting my calories every day on the inside of the door. I plan on fully committing myslelf again tomorrow. I do feel fat and icky because of it. I haven't been eating right for over a month or so. I went running on Thursday and ran a 15K on Saturday. (nine miles) My camera man said he didn't know he was to be taking pictures. Big bummer. So I don't have a picture right now until the race posts the pictures on their website. So stay tuned. But it was a beautiful day for a race and I did really well considering I haven't been running much this summer. I didn't walk or get really tired the whole time. My friend, Francys, dug deep to run faster the last quarter mile but I couldn't match her. So I did lack there. But overall I did really well. I would challenge all of you to do a race sometime. It's fun and addicting and an easy way to stay motivated all year. Even if you just walk the race that is still fun. I ran into Javen and Jaxon's kindergarten teachers who walked the race and they said they are going to do it every year now. They are hooked and it's good motivation.
Anyway, you can bet you will see more of me blogging starting tomorrow night! I hope to see everyone else back on here everyday like we did in the past as well.
Till then!

I'm starting to get upset with you all.

I'm still holding steady, don't know what it's going to take to really light my fire so I can lose these 10 unwanted pounds.

Well I can only assume that you all are eating bad things too much and not exercising since you're not saying otherwise.  But you are all TOGETHER in the same place so what's up with THAT? 

So 'fess up.  Or I'm gonna start talking real smack about you.

Here I am again

I'm here, just not a lot of good stuff to report, like the rest of us I guess. No good excuses, just need to rededicate myself to the exercise program and going back to really eating good. I know I can do it, it's just been easier not to. Duh.

We intended to go to Hovander Park today, but got rained out. Chuck E Cheese was plan B. Back to work tomorrow. Weigh in - stayed the same again. COuld have been worse.

Here I am

I know I said I'd post every day and I will......I will. I haven't because I still haven't been good. I did go running again on Friday and found some quieter streets to run on. I only ran for half an hour though. I'm not liking running on concrete. I really miss the trails. I know I won't do good with a diet this week with Ben and Emily being here. That's still an excuse but really, do you really think I will be disciplined enough to be eating perfect this week? Let's be realistic. So I will check in this week and then REALLY get back on it next week. I WILL!!!! I have to!
You'll see!

Where are you?

Amy, I thought you said you would post every day!  Come on!  Well I went on a super hard hike yesterday.  I've been on it a few times before and it has never been as hard as it was this time.  We didn't even make it to the top this time but I have never sweat so much.  I guess it was too hot for a hike.

I didn't weigh in yesterday...I was a little afraid but I am working on eliminating the junk from my diet again.  I've just indulged too much and need to get strict again.

I am going to the gym in a few minutes and then we're taking the boys to a Diamondbacks game today on our day off. 

And where ARE the rest of you?  What's the deal?  Amy's right...it's like a ghost town.  So what are your excuses?

Ditto

I may not be in quite the funk you sound like you are in, but I still haven't really progressed what with several ups and down since we began.  I'm just not consistent. Gave into temptation a couple/few times this week at school...costco muffins!  Horrible.  And my BFF and her BF of 4 years broke up this week so I indulged and we ate some "comfort food" together to cope. 

I did go to the gym today and I am going to go on a hike tomorrow so I'm still working it out, but it's the food that hangs me up  WAY more than the ice cream...ummm...I meant to say exercise...we have ice cream in the house and it is clearly on my brain.

In a Major Funk

Ok, So I'm in this major funk right now that I can't get out of! I think it's been since Pearrygin that I have been struggling to stay motivated. Maybe it's the moving, maybe it's adjusting to a new life here in Sedro Woolley. Really, those are just excuses. I looked at myself in the mirror just now and I LITERALLY look 6 months pregnant! I don't want to be pregnant but I wish there was a reason I look like this other than pure laziness. I haven't been counting calories or exercising at all. I did go running yesterday but it was not enjoyable at all because I had to run along the highway with cars whizzing by all the time. No fun. There are no trails here at all. I don't know what I'm going to do about that. I CAN'T give up running. It's all I've got as far as exercising. I do aerobics and stuff but until I get an area rug, I can't really do it here because it's so loud on the hardwood floor and Owen wakes up. I am going to run in that 9 mile race still next Saturday and I think I'll be fine, but I really need to find something around here that will work for me. I will try again tomorrow to find somewhere else but I don't have high hopes. Anyway, I need some suggestions on how to stay motivated other than the pregnancy look because I've been sporting that look forever and it doesn't seem to motivate me enough. I guess I just need to go back to blogging every day and reporting calories and stuff. But is anyone reading it anymore? This blog is like a ghost town lately. I know everyone is super busy with work and school and houses so I understand. But I'm going to be trying to write a blog every day to keep me on track. I hope that helps! Any other suggestions?

Mom made a little progress

Down 3 this week, one more to go to get back to a couple of weeks ago. What a struggle! I'm super tired so I'm going to bed.

Anna Staying Steady

looks like I'm down about a half of a pound.  It kinda sucks cuz I'm constantly thinking about food and what and when I'm going to eat next and I haven't really changed weight all summer.  It's a lot of mental effort ya know?

I went to the gym yesterday for what they call "Saturday Seminar." It's just a class and its hard.  I was already kinda sick with a head cold and half way through I felt like puking but I made it through.  They made me race against my friend Tamara in a weight pushing contest...I lost...she's five years younger than me and I was feeling sick so that's my excuse. 

I meet with Mitch the trainer a week from tomorrow and I really want to show him some results so I'm going to go hard this week and be ready for that. 

Amy, your house looks great! I love the floors and the kitchen is like a million times better than your old house!  woo hoo!

Amy in the house!

Amy, congrats on the house. Looks great! It looks like a good amount of space. I'll bet you enjoy the open larger kitchen, too- no more orange box !


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Checkin' In - Mom

Not much to report. Some slippage with exercise . The elliptical is out of order, the pool is freezing - feels like a lake, so that leaves me with the step aerobics tape. Not my first choice so I've only done it twice this week. Evenings continue to be my downfall calorie wise. It's hard to stop eating when I'm just satisfied, not full, but it feels like I made some progress anyway . We'll see tomorrow.
Paul - beard looks good, but maybe a change is due? I'm going to make a change this week too - some darker 'lowlights' in my hair to tone down the blondness.

Not much new here--Amy

Not much new here either. But I did sneak a weigh in the other day and it was another pound less. Don't know why except maybe the whole fat weighs less then muscle thing. I might be losing muscle since it's been a while since I worked out. I really haven't been doing well with routines over the past month. But like I said before, I think a better routine will be developed next week. The best time for me to work out is in the morning but Owen gets up at 6 and I can't really do much without him being at my feet. I wish I could get him on a better sleep schedule. And next week I'll have more time to explore running trails/places around here. I have a bad feeling I won't find much here but that I'll have to drive to Burlington to run. But I guess I'd do that if I had to.
I know you want pictures of the house. I have some taken but not everything is put away and the house doesn't look perfect in them but they will give you an idea of what it's like. I don't have them on the computer yet. Maybe during Owen's nap I'll do that. Right now he's climbing on me and trying to type with his feet.
Paul.....I think you should shave go for it with the beard. But that's just me.

posting for postings sake

So, nothing really new to tell, "just postin". I suppose my eating habits are still improving. I stopped eating large lunches that left me useless afterword. Now its lighter and healthier lunches that make for a better second half of the day, and an overall lighter feeling. Wish it was cheaper to eat less since I eat out for lunch everday, but it doesnt seem to be. Yep, thats about it though........thinking of shaving the beard, any thoughts?

Ben's excuse

So I don't really have a good excuse for my lack of posts and lack of real effort lately. Living in others peoples homes (even when they're on vacation) just tends to take motivation away. We are getting very close to moving in. We're trying to get a lot accomplished before our week in Bham. Kitchen counters, interior paint and window trim etc. will all be done by the time we get back. Then it will only be details like faucets and flooring. So, we're optimistic, but it won't be too soon.

I need to make time to get back to the gym, that would be a good move for me.

Anna be busy

lack of posts due to combo of business and laziness. didn't gain or lose last week (same with mom) so looking better for most this week I guess! I started the volleyball season this week so I'm gone from 7 am to 6 pm mon-Fri now...ugh. it will be over in Oct...looking forward to that already! looking forward to pics of your house Amy :) hope y'all are having a good week.

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I'm Here Still--Amy

Hello! All moved. No Pictures yet. I will when I think things look decent enough. We don't have really cute furniture or anything so it doesn't look as good as it can. But it's getting there.
So I was daring enough to weigh in this morning and it was 3 or 4 pounds less than last week even though I haven't been working out or eating right. Maybe it's just all the moving, I don't know. I've GOT to get back on a routine, though. I think that might happen starting next Wednesday when the boys go back to school. I will have all day to myself and Owen. I can explore looking for running trails and parks and stuff. I will do what I can to exercise before that.
So, what's going on with everyone else?

Mom's muddling along.

I dread Sunday's weigh in because this has been a rough week health-wise. I haven't exercised since Monday and have snacked too much off and on. Between work and helping Amy and Dave to move or babysit, there hasn't been time for anything else. Not that I'm complaining. I'd have the guilts too and would feel like a bad momma if I wasn't helping out. You all know what moving is like, especially with young kids underfoot.
Here's an anecdote to end on that I'm sure you'll find amusing. Last night I took my car in to have brakes done and I borrowed one of Dawn and Greg's cars for a few days. They left it at Amy's when I was watching the kids and when I left to go home I had a terrible time figuring things out in the dark. I didn't know where any of the controls were and couldn't find the interior lights. The doors had locked me in and I couldn't get the key in the ignition. As it turned out I'd been trying to put it in what I think is the 4-way flasher. I must have sat outside their house for 10 minutes trying to orient myself enough to going. I didn't think I'd ever get home. I was feeling trapped and finally I just started pushing every button I could find until the lights finally came on and I made my escape. The car sits so much lower than mine, probably like my old car but I could barely see over the steering wheel. I'm sitting on a pillow tomorrow.

The Daily Grind

I've been doin just alright this week, meal times are easy and well structured but after dinner I kinda lose it on treats.  I use stupid excuses like "I deserve it" and what not...but truly, I deserve better than treats, right?  I've gotta start thinking THAT way.  And I try to brush my teeth within an hour of dinner so I won't be able to eat again after that.  I went to the gym twice this week which really is kinda hard with work and I feel bad cuz I go pick the boys up from the after-school day care then we drive right over to the gym where they go to the gym's day care...it makes me feel like a bad momma...so much guilt.  Then by the time we get home there is no time for anything except dinner and packing lunches for the next day, getting the boys showered and making sure their homework is done.  (Not that Luke's homework is all that stressful...today he had to run in place for 2 minutes and see if his heart was beating quickly). 

Checking In--Amy

Hello.
Sorry for the lack of entries. Been a busy week. Dave and I have been going down to the house every night this week to paint, build shelves, install appliances, etc. It's been very expensive, but the cost of moving in will slow way down when we move in. Why does paint have to be so darn expensive? But really, thanks a lot, mom for all your help with the painting and the babysitting. I know you are tired so we really appreciate it. I've been trying to make dinners for us before we leave and bring it with us so we are not getting fast food for dinners this week. It worked great Monday and I made the healthy meal yesterday but we didn't have a chance to eat it. So Dave pulled into McD's and I did get something. So I will eat the healthy dinner for lunch and try and find something more healthy that is grab and go for tonight. Any suggestions?
I did get a chance to go running yesterday morning at 6:30. I have so much to do that fitting in exercise during the day is really hard this week. It may not happen. When things settle down I will figure things out.
I like the idea of weekly goals. My weekly goal for this week is to be down at least two pounds. But with the madness this week, I won't be down on myself if I'm not.

And hello Paul! Nice to see you joining our efforts.

Here's to a better week.-Mom

Hey Paul, good to hear from you. You look like you don't really need to lose weight but its always good to be eating better in general .

Today feels good- lunch out with the elementary secretaries - Chef's salad at Cascade Pizza. Not hard to resist temptation when you're lunching with 15 women. At least 10 of us had the Chef Salad special. Does that make me one of the 'ladies who lunch'? -( reference to a Barbra tune.)

2 steps fwd...

Welcome paul. Good to hsve you, even if only sporadically. Yeah, a vegetarian influence can only be good- calorie wise.

My week was bad too. I reported 185 but I'd been down to 183 earlier and I totally lost my good mind all together today and yesterday. I had 2 carls jr burgers today and a container full of choc covered almonds and 2 cokes. Yesterday I ate an entire $5 bag of choc covered macadamia nuts in one sitting. Emilys back now so that will be a stabilizing influence on my wild ways. Now I know why Genesis says "it is not good that man should be alone".


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A tough week...put it in the past.

Yikes, looks like it was a tough week this time around!  Hopefully that should give us all resolve to stick to our guns a bit more, right?  How about setting some short term goals...weekly goals?  and posting on the blog more often...??

And wow, nice to see a new face 'round here!  Hope you're able to check in every now and then, Paul.  Love the prison work out btw...nice!

I'm Here now! Dont expect much from me as my internet at home is useless. I'm at work now and whenever I start typing the phone rings or someone comes in(pesky customers:)), so I realy only get a few minutes here and there on-line.
So, I dont currently own a scale so I will have no idea if I lose weight other than when my pants start falling off...I am eating a lot better, thanks mostly to my calorie concious vegetarian girlfriend, and I do my "prison " workout, sit ups, push ups and what not...Over the last month or so I feel a bit lighter than before so somethings working.
I gotta bounce, I'll try and keep up...

First major setback - Mom

Yikes! - gained 4 last week. I see how much effect a few indulgences can have. Back to school treat time for me too at school. Pizza party for all elem. secretaries, nibbling too much in the evenings. Good job of resisting temptation, Anna. I'm still exercising but not as much I guess. Back to the plan. Goal for this week is to get back to where I was a week ago. It'll be hard to get exercise in this week, between work in the day and helping Amy and Dave paint in the new house in the evenings ( or babysit while they paint). It's 6 am now, so I think I'll go do some steppin' with the workout girls.

Anna Anticipating the Weeks Ahead

Tomorrow is my first day of school so back to a strict schedule and not many breaks.  I am setting a goal to lose 3 pounds this week, I know it is within realistic limits cuz I weigh about the same thing I did a month ago, only lost 3 since we started tracking.  I want to lose 7 more at least. 

So that is my goal by Thanksgiving.  After T-day I will set a new one, MAYBE won't be a weight goal, maybe a measurement goal instead?  I personally think after Thanksgiving this blog should not change at all in terms of structure.  Just set a new goal and keep posting.

This week we had breakfast provided 3 times and lunch provided once and ice cream on Friday.  By the third breakfast I'd had enough so I ate my own low cal breakfast and passed up the cinnamon rolls.  With as much stuff as they offer I should start making a list of foods I did not eat and you can see how fast and easy it would be to pack on a few by hanging around a teacher's lounge.   On  Tuesday I declined cheesy pasta lunch and cake.  And on Friday I declined the ice cream but it looked really good.  My principal asked why I wasn't eating it and i told him I had to weigh in on Sunday for the blog and he thought that was cool.  He is a big guy and has lost a lot of weight over the summer.  He didn't eat the ice cream either FYI.

I also went to the gym yesterday for the first time in over a week!  I don't know how much I'll be exercising for a while. :(

Accepting August 15 results now

Please email, or text, your weekly results to Anna.  Thank you :)

Running late

Running late for the bus on the first day of school!

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mom jumps in again.

I'vemissed several days; been very busy. All of a sudden my leisurely summer is gone and I'm thrown back into intense mode for a while. Meetings, meetings and more meetings at work to introduce updates in procedures, etc. and a couple of new programs that are pretty time intensive to learn. The first of the year is so crammed full that I can't wait to get home and get into the pool in the evening when the sunny bunnies have retreated. My house is pretty torn up with unpacking all of the boxes that were packed a year ago. My goal is to get everything back in good order before Ben et. al. get here in Sept. I'm purging yet more stuff and it feels good to get even more organized. I definitely don't want to end any of the blogging. And the health practices will always be part of our lives from now on, and we can continue to contribute whatever we want. Just not so structured maybe? I feel that I'm doing ok this week, but not spectacular. I want to be spectacluar!

Anna Reports: Back to work, Been Sick, Saw the Safstens...This one's got it all!

Insulation in the house...great progress!  And the time out picture...so sad );  (Mom, that is a frowny face with a tear...now there is no end to the emoticon education you will get you know.)

Anyhoo, this was my first week back to school without the kids.  It has been just alright.  They are feeding us a lot (breakfast every day and lunch tomorrow for the coaches) so it hasn't been perfect but better than the last few weeks).  I also have had a hard time this week cuz I've been a little sick, just a head cold with lots o' coughing, but I haven't been able to get to the gym because of that and because of work so the real world is difficult to deal with.  I'll go to the gym this weekend but don't know if i'll be able to go much more than that through the year.

We had the Arizona-Safsten bash at our house last Friday and that was totally fun.  Camille, Kaarin, Miriam & John, Danny & Laura, and Shaerna & Kevin came with 10 of their kids between them all.  For the food record, we had sub sandwiches and they brought salads and desserts.  I did really well for caloric intake on that meal btw.  We laughed a lot about the old neighborhood and our families and decided that we are both very lucky families to have had such great neighbors and all that.  We decided that when Mom comes to visit here in October that we will have to do it again and that Ben will have to make a drive to Phoenix then too...they'd LOVE to see you! :)  It is weird that they all live here in my neck of the woods and we haven't managed to get together till now.

end date and pics

When we say 'end date' we mean the end of this leg of our journey on healthy eating and/or weight loss. It should NOT end the blog. We may want to restart with a new diet challenge after Thanksgiving. It's just important to have a goal to look forward to when doing this and I think Mom's idea of T-day is a nice date.

Here's some pics of the kids and house.


You'll get a kick out of this one. I"M IN BIKER SHORTS!!!. I totally got peer pressured into this biking excursion with the Clark boys and dad and Steve. This was not bad - good exercise, but definitely not a picture I ever envisioned myself to be in (i'm 3rd from left).












Here's little Brady in "Time Out" for screaming too much. Breaks my heart. Tough love.


















And here's Nikki at Temple Square last week - trying to look thoughtful with her new $2 book of mormon



















and Brady, not so thoughtful, but what a big boy he is (actually, he's still small for his age)


















A shot of the inside of the house now. not very easy to see what's going on, but there you have it

Question--Amy

So, what do you mean by "end date"? Do you mean ending the blog? Ending the "Diet"? What's going on? I don't see why we need to end at all.

My Wednesday was ok. I didn't exactly count calories. I got busy with packing and stuff and just didn't. But I snuck in a weigh in and I'm already down two. Don't report it yet until Sunday. It's amazing what one little vacation can do to you and if you just cut out all the junk and snacking that a little weight can be lost.
That's all for now.

Today is signing papers day for the house and tomorrow we close! Yeah!

Tuesday's Report--Amy

Yesterday was another good day. I met my calorie intake and I did run for about 45 minutes or so. I really didn't want to go. I had NO motivation for it. So I called mom and asked her if she could watch the boys while I ran so that gave me a reason to go. I couldn't back out then.
Ben--I didn't mention that I didn't change the logo because I was gone for a week and didn't know until I got back and by then everyone had already talked about it so I felt no need. Good job on your 2 pound weight loss. I hope to have something like that this week.

Down 2 lbs

Anna,
I apologize for giving underserved credit to Amy. Funny how Amy never mentioned that I was giving her credit for Anna's work....hmmmm. I don't know why I assumed it was Amy, I just did.
Red meat theme is actually kinda cool for the food blog.

Mom, I am trying not to smile when I envision you doing the step video 2 steps behind the instructor and almost stumbling off into a fall. I feel for you, but you gotta admit, it would be a funny sight for someone watching. Like "Knee on root of tree" - painful for you, but still makes me smile.

I'm doing well this week, even w/o working out. I'm down to 183. That's 7 from the beginning!

Anna, consider that my official text/emailed weigh-in. 183, started at 190. I'll be more discreet about it in the future, but since it's already out there. Will you be reporting back people's % weight loss number? I think mine would be a 3% loss from the start. I'd like to be 175 one of these days.

Yeah, let's aim for a Thanksgiving Day ending. What a great way to end it! There is a slight possibility we'll be with Anna on that day anyway. I can just imagine the amount of chocolate pie we'll be consuming on that day. I think I said "that day" too many times.

Emily is in Utah for a week. The house is still more than a month from being done. It's wearing on all of us. I sure hope it's worth all this! I'll send pics soon.

See ya
Ben

Spark People

Hi
I just wanted to share with you the website I use to track my eating. You can use this for lots of things but I find the calorie counter most helpful. It also tracks the sugar, fat, carbs in the foods you eat also. You can track your exercise also. You get points for everything you do. Not sure what points get you other than a trophy on your site. But you can also join blogs and message boards and talk to other people about goals and things. I don't do that but you might find it nice. So here is the website. Check it and see what you think. It's free to join.
http://www.sparkpeople.com

Good and Bad--Amy

My first day back to healthy living was good and bad. I didn't eat any junk food all day and I ate 1500 calories. So that was good. The bad was I never did exercise. I was unpacking from Pearrygin and packing up boxes to move in a couple weeks and doing butloads of laundry. But really those are just excuses. I could have gone running after Dave got home. But we just got to talking and time went by too fast. So today is a new day and I will do something during Owen's nap whether I like it or not.

Still progressing - Mom

Down 3 lbs. for last week. total of 13. I don't expect it to be really notiecable until 20 or so. I either do the step aerobics or swim almost every day. ( I've been doing the step aerobics without the step the last couple of times - ever since I missed the step while watching the girls and stumbled and almost fell. I still do the steps and feel like I've had a work out.)

Back from Pearrygin

Hello! I'm back from the lake and vacation. It was a lot of fun and it was hot but it did rain a lot more than I wanted it to. It was POURING with thunder and lightning the day we got there for set up. It sucked. We were all shivering and trying to keep the kids occupied while trying to set up tents in the rain. Ovarall though it was a nice time. Both Javen and Jaxon tried knee boarding but didn't like it. Jaxon went twice and Javen tried once. They both say they will be willing to try again next year. Jaxon also tried another new thing. He jumped off the rope swing. It was a different rope swing this year. Not as good as last years. The parks department chopped down the tree the rope was on so people wouldn't do a rope swing. Liability reasons. But that didn't stop someone from hanging another rope on another tree. But this time the rope didn't go out as far and you dropped into the weeds. Jaxon still did it twice and Javen once. I have pictures but I haven't uploaded them yet.
Anyway, as far as eating went I was definetely on vacation. It's way too easy to just get up and grab a snack. And it's too hot to have the energy to cook something really healthy. We have some Pearrygin tradition foods that we only have once a year so I lived it up and ate those foods knowing it would only be for the week. We always get costco muffins for the week there. Again, the only time we eat them all year. We always bring Juice Squeeze drinks that you just have to have at Pearrygin. And stuff like trail mix, licorice, cookies, etc. And of course trips to town for ice cream. I said I would try for one time but that one time turned in to four. But twice I had a child size serving. Does that count? So I did give in to peer pressure and went there with the whole family group and took the boys more than I thought I would. I did eat a lot more fruits and veggies than I normally do there because of my prepared bags. But I didn't eat all that I made. But I'm back to being really serious about it now. I have written down what I have eaten so far and will log my calories right after I'm done here. I will do some aerobics today as well. Probably during Owen's nap. I weighed myself this morning and I'm up three pounds. :( But hopefully that will change very soon. Oh! One more thing....Dave and I went running three times while we were in Winthrop. But we only ran three miles each time. Could have been better, but Dave didn't want to go further so I just ran with him.
Anyway, here's to a successful week!!!!

Send Weekly Results to Anna

In an effort to keep accountability (some of you are slackers...haven't seen much activity on the blog) and need to get on the ball) and a healthy spirit of competition please email or text this weeks results in terms of pounds lost to me so I can tally our "scores."  Perhaps there might be something (along the lines of a fancy gold star...don't actually have something in mind but I will accept your ideas :) ) in it for each week's winner!  Woo hoo!

I gotta few things to say!

It is NOT muscle!  I ate like CRAP for 3 weeks...tons of sugar and candy and I didn't work out for two weeks.  Don't go making me think it's all good and not to worry about it. 

Can we be clear that Amy is NOT the one who made the logo...I made it and now that Ben mentioned it, it DOES look like raw meat...maybe I can look into changing that.

As for end dates...maybe we can go till thanksgiving then start over again with new goals.  When I brought up end dates I did not intend that we should stop doing the blog afterward.