I'm back!

So this week has been GREAT!!!  It really started last week when I started hitting the gym and working out before I went to work.  This week the exercise has continued and this week I was diligent about logging in my food and keeping my 500 calorie deficit.  I got on the scale to day and it reflected my hard work!!!  I'm back down to 298!!!  That is were I was February 11th.  I see the day counter for the 1/2 marathon tick away and I know I don't have time to waste so I am working hard.  I feel great, appreciate all the great support, and I am happy!

Not the Spring Break I had planned!

So this week and next week I am on Spring Break.  We had planned to do a day at the spa, relaxing, getting massaged, soaking, just enjoying the relaxation.  We planned on going to Sea World or Disneyland with the kids.  We planned on going to Arizona for the Cleveland Indians Spring Training Baseball games.  It was going to be fun and exciting, a great Spring Break.  Things don't go as planned sometimes!!! Our washer decided to die, it's the motor so it will cost a good chunk of change to fix it or maybe even buy a new one.  Then on Tuesday I went out to get in my car and it wouldn't start.  It made a clicking noise, a loud clicking noise.  I thought it was my battery but all my lights and radio came on so it's the starter.  That going to cost us more money! 
So we are now doing a stay-cation for Spring Break.  We have made a nice dinner every night and sat together and ate dinner.  We have had family movie night, The Flight of the Navigator.  We have started planning and pricing our daughters Sweet 16 birthday party which will be in November.  We have watched shows that have piled up on our DVR, and we have walked around the mall just to get out of the house.  The best part so far has been our family hike up Mt. Rubidoux.  It was suppose to rain yesterday but it was sunny and pretty outside so we decided to go outside and get some exercise.  My brother and his girlfriend have been hiking up the mountain a few times a month and now I wanted to try it.  We packed everyone up and headed up the mountain.  It was a nice hike up, we took the less steep but longer route up the mountain.  I had the baby strapped to me in the pouch and my husband ended up carrying our 2 year old on his shoulders.  We talked and laughed while walking up the mountain.  The kids climbed rocks and jumped off rocks.  We had to stop while a snake slithered across the trail (my husband is deathly afraid of snakes so that was not a fun part for him) and then we continued on our path.  We finally reached the top and my legs were BURNING!!!  I had a 16 pound baby strapped to me so that was an added workout, which I loved!  She was great in her pouch, looking at everything, smiling as people passes, and talking while we walked.  Anyway, up at the top the view was beautiful even with the clouds that were rolling in.  We got lots of pictures; we even got a picture with the place where we got married almost 10 years ago in the background.  We all had huge smiles on our faces, it was a great family day.
The lesson learned here were two things: First, you don't need money to have fun family time!  The second thing is family exercise is fun!  You don't need the gym to get out and have a good workout!  So the Spring Break is not going as planned but it is going GREAT!!! Get out and enjoy the outdoors, we are!!!

Weight loss is hard!

So I am finally getting back on track! I am logging my food, I am exercising, and I'm going to bed at a decent time.  Weight loss is so hard because life sneaks in and takes over.  I have been wrapped up with work, grading papers, tutoring, lesson plans, and yearbook.  I'm at work late or grading and I find myself munching on crap.  I am so busy with the 4 kids; swim practice, religious education classes, choir, tennis practice, and just everyday running around. I am happy that I haven't broken down and grabbed fast food however, that's my one steady accomplishment! My husband is going to school full time is on campus 2 nights a week so it gets hectic at our house.  We are happy and busy people but I tend to forget about my health and my goals.  We haven't started eating junk dinners but meals haven't been planned out as they used to be.  And when do I find time to exercise? I haven't! I haven't been going to bed early to get up early and forget about working out in the afternoon or evening.  The only time I could workout was early morning while everyone else was asleep. I can see a big difference in my emotions, my energy level, and my eating when I'm on the right track.  So I have made a few changes this week and plan to keep it going or die trying!
Last week I joined the gym because I was getting bored with my workout videos.  I have gone twice and down the elliptical machine and now getting ready to jump back in the pool (I love swimming and was on the swim team in high school).  I have started planning out dinners again.  And I am going to bed at a decent time so I can get up and go to the gym at 5am.  It's a small price to pay for the way I feel and to see my health get better.
Weight loss is not easy and no one ever said it would be easy but I did gain two pounds from my lowest weigh in, so I am back to 300 (man I hate that number) but I hope to see a difference this week!  Anyone out there that is trying to get healthy, stick with it! It is all worth it and you have lots of support throughout your journey, I know I feel it!  Thank you for your support and kind words.  One day at a time, one pound at a time!

It's a new month

So I haven't posted a blog since my "Perfect Weekend" back on the 13th.  I have let "life" take over and have not focused on my health.  I have been going to bed later than I would like and as a result I have been getting up too late to workout.  I haven't been planning my dinners so I have not been eating as great as I should have.  I do have to celebrate the small victories that I had over the last few weeks regardless of me not being as disciplined.  I still have not had quick yucky fast food!!!  I have had In-N- Out but it's not a regular thing and I don't consider them in the same catagory as Jack In The Box, Taco Bell, or Mc Donald's.  I went to Vegas last weekend and worked out both days; a workout in the fitness room and a walk/job down The Strip.  I also was able to control my eating and snacking.  And in the last few weeks even though I haven't been counting calories like I should and I haven't been working out like I should I only gained 1 pound.  Which I am happy about, I was afraid it was going to be more.
 

So today is March 1st and I am starting a new month and getting back on track.  I did have a rough morning though.  I had a very vivid dream that my husband and I were at the park with all 6 of our kids running around.  My husband and I were smiling and hugging, just enjoying watching our kids plays.  The kids were running and laughing and their laugh was that hardy kids laugh, straight from the belly kind of laugh.  The kids were the age they are now except Bella was about 1 running and falling with her older brothers and sisters.  Phillip and Adam were the age they should be today, 7 almost 8.  Phillip looked a lot like my Elizabeth with light skin and light hair.  Adam looked a lot like Arcadia, with darker olive skin and dark hair.  The Boys were so handsome and had the same BIG smile as Arcadia, Zach, Elizabeth, and Bella.  Anthony and I had the BIGGEST smiles on our faces.  We sat in the grass and just enjoyed the view, soaking up what our love has created.  When I woke up I felt at peace, happy, and carefree but it didn't last.  I realized it was a dream and I started crying; I wanted it to be true, I wanted to experience it, I wanted the kids to experience their siblings.  I cried off and on all morning, even in my classroom my eyes would get watery.  These feelings then made me want to EAT!!!  I wanted chocolate, I wanted a Dr. Pepper, I wanted ice cream, I wanted something but all I had was some chocolate and I allowed myself some.  It was just too overwhelming, I had never had a dream like that.  I had some chocolate and then put it away, away from where I was working.  I went on with my day.  I am grateful for the dream and it was beautiful but it did mess me up today.  I'm just glad I didn't jump overboard and binge!!! 

Like I said today is a new month and I have my next goal to focus on, another 10 pounds.  I am going to finish this blog and pop in my Turbo Jam video to get a workout in today!  I have been counting my calories today and I am ready to get back on track!!!

I wish you all a Happy March and I hope you make it a great one!