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?