MOMMA OF 3 ON THE RUN TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH AND WEIGHT LOSS

Recreational Sports

2012-02-12T15:43:00.000-05:00

Today was a good day. My 6 year old daughter's soccer team won the U8 Girl's Soccer Championship. I'm proud of her team because they were a nice bunch of girls, they played hard, and they played like a team!

We make recreational sports a big priority in our life. Not the winning aspect at all, but I try to keep the kids active. I see recreational sports as incredibly valuable to building my children's character. It works on team work, cooperation, learning to lose, learning to win, and an active lifestyle.

My hope is for my children to have fond memories of living actively. I want them to remember smiling and having fun. It's hard to believe how healthy some things are when you have so much fun doing them.

So, I wanted to share a few pictures of my children playing sports because they make me smile. I hope they continue to enjoy playing sports for a lifetime of active living!

This is my son. He will be 11 in a few weeks. A new season of basketball is about to start and I am looking forward to capturing some new shots!

The league he plays in gives them a chance to do playoffs in an indoor private college's gym. How cool is that for these kids?!

This is my 6 year old. She plays basketball and soccer right now.

This is her with her #1 Championship Medal! They worked hard for this!

She played goalie a lot and really likes the position. It leaves us sitting on the sidelines biting our nails because of the pressure!

This is my 3 year old who just finished her first season of soccer. She loved wearing the jersey and getting out there too.

Thanks for letting me share!

Oh what a day, what a day

2012-02-10T17:48:00.002-05:00

What a day, what a day. Most of it isn't appropriate to post on the blog, but I am totally happy it's Friday! TGIF!!!!!

Was such a bad day, my friend and I swung through McDonalds. Not good. I had a quarter pounder with cheese meal. Logged into myfitnesspal and it was 1100 calories!!! Oh my. Should have looked before I ate, but too late!

On a good note, myfitnesspal tells me I have logged in for 45 days straight. That's a good thing! Logging and tracking and being honest is success for me!

Happy Friday! I'm going to go on a run/walk while my son plays basketball at the park to burn some calories!

Three Things Thursday

2012-02-09T18:12:00.000-05:00

1) I'm so happy it's Thursday and the weekend is almost here. It has been a rough week and I'm exhausted...mentally and physically. I love my kids, but they can exhaust me. I love my job, but it can exhaust me. I'd love to skip Friday and go straight to Saturday, but that's not likely to happen!

2) I really wish I could sit down with a fresh batch of brownies...or a bag of chocolate....or a hot fudge sundae......can you tell what time of month it is? And I'm craving chocolate like a mad woman. Don't think I can even have a little because I feel like I would go crazy. I wish my metabolism was different and I didn't have to watch every calorie in....

3) I've been wondering why women tend to gain weight when you get married and happy?! My hypothesis is that you get so busy taking care of others that you forget to take care of yourself. That is a daily struggle for me....to put my needs as a priority. I think this should be more of a discussion as people embark on marriage and motherhood. I know I will talk to my children about it!

Happy almost Friday!

Weightloss...stages of grief

2012-02-05T16:36:00.000-05:00

So, I'm still taking a break from exercise. Finishing up the antibiotic, so I will restart this week.

It's Superbowl Sunday. I didn't realize it was the #2 eating day in the US. Even more than Christmas. Wow! No parties for me this year though. Going to work the day after is too hard!

I read a message board post from someone the other day and it really made me think. It was in regards to the experience of weightloss and how in many ways you go through the stages of grief explained in the Kubler-Ross model. At first grief for allowing yourself to get to the point to need to lose weight. Also, grief for all the defenses/relationships/dysfunction that you let go as you lose weight.

Kübler-Ross originally applied these stages to people suffering from terminal illness. She later expanded this theoretical model to apply to any form of catastrophic personal loss (job, income, freedom). Such losses may also include significant life events such as the death of a loved one, major rejection, end of a relationship or divorce, drug addiction, incarceration, change in office environment, the onset of a disease or chronic illness, an infertility diagnosis, as well many tragedies and disasters.

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

It was interesting to read this person's perception and application of this theory. He was commenting that at the anger phase, he was more judgemental and harsh on people as they also started the journey towards weightloss. Interesting.

I know I go through phases on this journey. Some phases seem easier than others. I'm currently in search of balance and moderation...in all areas of life. I can't be crazy about my food intake/diet...I have three kids and big doses of reality. I also can't be crazy about my exercise/activity schedule. I did this for several months. I burned out...I sacrificed time with my kids...I got mad at myself if I didn't exercise enough. I strive for a balance and moderation.

If only weightloss were only about calories in and calories out...it's so much more of an emotional journey.

What are your thoughts?

Listening to body post sick?

2012-02-02T18:17:00.001-05:00

Strep took this mom down!

I am better...mostly. My throat finally feels better.

I am on day 5 of antibiotics.

I'm not sure when I should go on a run or lift weights. I want my body fully healed. I'm around all kind of germs in the school and don't want to make myself more susceptible.

Everyone keeps saying listen to my body. Well I feel good in comparison to how bad I felt. Am I 100%? No, not yet.

So I am going to wait a few more days. This wasn't just a cold...it really knocked me out.

What would you do?

Food trackers....when sick?

2012-01-30T08:34:00.001-05:00

So, I'm on not quite 48 hours of antibiotics. My throat still hurts and my glands are still slightly swollen. My throat hurts worse after a day alone with the kids yesterday...I had to use my voice a lot more than when I have my hubby or my mom here.

So, since starting to get sick on Thursday evening, I've continued to track my food intake. I'm watching my calories closely these days and don't want to get out of the routine of tracking. Honestly, with the fever and sore throat I didn't feel like eating a whole lot. I ate when I could and what I could. I still don't have a regular appetite.

So, myfitnesspal.com popped up a warning about eating under calories and starvation mode. I still couldn't bring myself to eat anymore yesterday. Do I just listen to my body and acknowledge that I am sick? Do I make myself eat more even if I don't feel like it at all?

When you are sick, do you track? Do you worry about how many calories you are consuming?

Strep=down for count

2012-01-28T19:00:00.001-05:00

I have been down for the count since Thursday night. I slept most of Friday. Woke up this morning and my throat is still on fire. I've had a hard time eating or drinking. A quick way to lose a few pounds, but not highly recommended.

Decided to go get a strep test since my throat is so sore and the fever hasn't stopped. No shock that it was positive. Doctor said I win the largest lymph node award for the season...said they were so swollen he thought it might be mono. I'll take strep over mono! Then he joked that I should not let fire crackers off in my throat...that's how red my throat is.

So, antibiotics it is for me. I am hoping to start feeling better soon. I've slept a good portion of today too. I finally ate something tonight...was so hungry the pain didn't matter.

So, hopefully I'll mend and get back to "normal". Just another bump in the road. Prayers and thoughts and hopes that my children don't get strep!

Throat on fire

2012-01-27T12:02:00.001-05:00

I am down and out sick. Took the day off of work. My throat is on fire and I've been running a fever.

Who knew you could feel hot and cold at the same time?!

My throat is so sore all I've eaten is soup. Didn't even taste good....

Ugh...moms are not allowed to get sick!

Slow as a...forget that!

2012-01-24T18:31:00.002-05:00

I was reading a book with my daughter called slow as a snail. I laughed because I'd imagine that's what I look like out there right now.

When I saw my reflection running today, I felt down for a minute. I let myself get off track and lost so much that I had worked for.

Then, I turned around my thinking and said "FORGET THIS" (I think I even talked out loud to myself).

I'm out there and not on the couch. So, instead of I'm slower than a snail. I'm going to re-frame and say I'm faster than my butt sitting on the couch not doing anything, LOL. I am only competing with myself here!

I had another good run and am starting to notice my body is responding. I actually felt some of the endorphins today....not just the struggle.

What kind of self-talk do you have to do?

Weekend positives

2012-01-22T09:40:00.001-05:00

I love the weekends. It's nice to spend time with the family and enjoy each other.

I also love the sleeping in factor. With the kids and hubby sleeping in, I was able to go on a run alone yesterday. It was a good one. The best in a month for sure! I'm slowly getting my endurance back. Was able to run (slowly) for 16 minutes without a walk break. That is progress!

I also love having time to cook. I made some mini egg breakfast things. I made a batch of pancakes for the kids. I also made my yummy spinach pie. I added a little more feta this time but it is only 183 calories a piece!

Here is the recipe:

Cook 3 packages of frozen spinach. Drain water well. Set aside.

Whip 1/2 cup egg beaters. Add the spinach. Add 1 1-2 cup reduced fat feta. Add 3 tb grated Parmesan cheese. Add 1 can (1 cup) water chestnuts chopped up.

I used Athens fillo dough. The box with 2 rolls. Each roll has 4 servings, 20 sheets This recipe uses one roll.

Spray 9by13 pan with cooking spray. Layer 3-4 sheets of dough on the bottom. Spread 1/3 of spinach mixture on top. Layer with 3-4 sheets of dough. Spread 1/3 mixture. Layer with 3-4 sheets of dough. Spread remaining mixture. Layer with remaining fillo dough. I lightly brushed on a little egg beaters so the top browns.

Bake at 350 for 40 min or so. If not brown enough on top you can broil for a few minutes.

I made this up so you could play with it. You could Add more egg and make it more protein. I like the crunch of the chestnuts but you could do without them. I'd like more feta but it's good like this.

Happy Sunday!

This and that

2012-01-20T17:55:00.000-05:00

Couldn't figure out how to title today's post. So, a little of this and that.

1) I had a migraine 2 days this week and it really sucked. Migraines are no fun!

2) I had a terrible run this week. My heart rate kept spiking up way higher than normal. I took it easy and did more walking then running, but it was kinda weird. Maybe it was migraine related?!

3) Why do mom's always put themselves last? I can do and do for others, but still struggle with doing for myself. This spans taking the time to do something for myself and buying things for myself.

4) I ate a cupcake today...a yummy red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing. It was awesome, but I had a major sugar crash. I haven't really limited sugar per se, but when watching calories it just happens. This was the biggest crash I've ever had. It must have been jam packed with sugar!

5) I had some crazy dreams about the past this week...people and events. It was crazy weird and I'm not sure why it surfaced in my dreams. I do believe sometimes we have to be reminded that there is no time for regrets of any kind. It all happens for a reason and it all has led to where I am today. I love my husband. I love my children. I have great friends and family. I have a job I love. No regrets! Just respect for where I've been and what I've done. And respect that what I do today will lead to who I will be and my life for the future.

Happy Friday!!!!!

And the scale moved

2012-01-18T17:36:00.000-05:00

Week 3 back at it. I'm tracking all my food. Trying to track some other stuff on the food journal, but that is a work in progress. I've been exercising...mostly walking and walk/running.

I was so frustrated to not get that first week back at it big loss due to excess water and etc. That scale and I are not friends, LOL. I'll take a week 3 big loss instead!

Well this week's weigh in resulted in a 5lb loss! I'll take that. My body is responding and that is good.

In addition to the scale victory, I'm liking how fast my endurance is improving. I'm liking how I am feeling. I need to remember when my motivation is low!

My goals have to remain realistic for my life and lifestyle right now. I got so caught up in mileage and competition that I got burned out emotionally. My life is busy and crazy. My focus needs to remain weightloss and health. So, if I only get in 30 minutes of a run or walk/run that is OK! I had gotten so caught up in some competition (within myself) that if I couldn't fit in enough mileage/time then I just didn't get out there at all. That's warped. So, I will remain focused on what I need to focus on right now and live vicariously through all my runner blogger friends for the mileage/races/events for right now!

Happy hump day all!

Slow...walk breaks....yep

2012-01-15T14:56:00.001-05:00

Ok according to myfitnesspal I'm on day 20 of my restart. I'm doing pretty well. I feel good and the scale is starting to respond.

I went on a walk/run today. I still need to take my walk breaks. Between my legs and my heart rate, walking is not an option. I'm trying to listen to my body and do what I need to do. I'm slow. Even slower than Before.

But ya know what, I'm out there. And I'm burning the calories. Time will tell how quickly I can progress, but for now I'm happy to say I'm out there moving my body and burning calories!

Saying Good-bye

2012-01-13T18:05:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is the memorial for my mom's dear friend that passed on Christmas day. My mom and I were among a small group that spent those last moments with her (thanks to her children for allowing us to be there). It was quite shocking as she was diagnosed with cancer and one month later had passed.

Spending the last moments with someone is a life changing experience. I don't have words to fully express the way I feel about the experience. I know that she was loved and passed surrounded by the love of family and friends.

I am very sad that this individual will no longer be around. She was a strong woman with a strong personality. I identified with her as we had a lot in common. She loved my mother, she loved my children, and I feel blessed to have known her. I will never forget the support she gave me when I was breastfeeding my babies.

We will say good-bye and celebrate her life tomorrow and I know I will forever be changed from the experience of sharing the last moments with someone.

Three Things Thursday

2012-01-12T19:42:00.001-05:00

1) Sometimes you really do have to believe that things happen for a reason. If it is difficult and painful, someday you will see that it was meant to be. I have to believe this and tell myself that over and over!

2) Tracking/journaling food really keeps me in perspective. It's amazing how quickly the calories add up in a meal. I wish I didn't have to do this, but when I don't my portion sizes creep up and I forget to add things. I have to remind myself of this!

3) Packing my lunch helps me make better choices and is cheaper. I make my kids' lunches every night. Why don't I do the same for myself? Well, I have this week and I need to stick to it!

Pushing a stroller is hard work!

2012-01-10T18:47:00.001-05:00

I push a double jogging stroller. My six year old will jump in when she's tired. My 3.5 year old always rides.

My 3.5 year old weighed 37 lbs the last time she was on a scale. My six year old weighed 57 lbs.

That's almost an extra 100lbs. Its hard to push!

Tonight I did my walk/run by myself. No stroller. No kids. Just me and my music. Way easier!

Anybody have tips for making it easier with the stroller or is it just the way it is?

The Grind

2012-01-09T17:45:00.001-05:00

Today was the first day back at work after our Christmas break. 18 consecutive days off! That was NICE!

My kids woke up at 6 am. All three quickly got out of bed, got dressed, and chattered away. School doesn't start back until tomorrow, but my older two went to the after school care program and my youngest went to her daycare. I couldn't believe how smoothly it went. I guess tomorrow will be the true test...or next week sometime when the novelty of going back and seeing friends has worn off:-)

I packed my lunch. Some of my leftover spinach pie. It's always easier to stay within my calories when I pack my lunch!

I wasn't prepared for the grind though....I was hoping everyone would come back refreshed and in good spirits. That's what I get for hoping, LOL.

Came home from work and was feeling pretty exhausted (emotionally and physically). Hemmed and Hawed.....decided to have some fun with the kids. Strapped on my heart rate monitor and set up the Wii Just Dance. We danced for 20 minutes and all of us broke a sweat. My (too cool) 10 year old son even played with us! You can totally intensify it and way more fun than an aerobics DVD. After that, I went in our garage gym and lifted weights for 20 minutes.

So happy I made myself move when I really just wanted to lie on the couch and call it an early night! So happy that I was able to have some fun with the kids in the meantime!

Tomorrow is Day 2 of the Grind.....

Cooking and in denial

2012-01-08T14:07:00.001-05:00

Today is my last day of Christmas/winter vacation. I go back to work tomorrow and the kids go back Tuesday. There's still a bit of denial going on.

I've truly enjoyed this break. I feel like I've spent some quality time with my kids! I also realized that in the 2.5 weeks that we have been off, I've cooked for them and we have not eaten any meal out (except date night with my hubby last night).That not only saves us money, but it is much healthier!

So, I got on a cooking spree this morning to avoid thinking about going back to work or starting the countdown to Spring Break.

First are some low-fat blueberry muffins. They look yummy and will make an easy grab and go breakfast for hubby and/or the kids.

Next are some healthy mini egg frittatas for my for breakfast. I made a dozen and they only have 37 calories each! And they are tasty!!

Next is a batch of homemade pancakes for my son. See, they bought me a griddle for Christmas. My son loves pancakes and loves them homemade. Much cheaper than frozen ones and I can control the ingredients. He pops them in the microwave to warm them up and can say he had homemade pancakes for several days:-) And I can pretend to be supermom!

Last but not least is my treat to myself. My healthy version of Greek Spinach Pie. So yummy. I baked a 9X13 pan of this...cut it into 8 pieces. When I calculate the calories, it is only 149 for each of the 8 pieces. My mom was here with me and ate a piece. She then asked (begged) to take a piece to work for lunch tomorrow. She thought it tasted better than some of the others she's tried. Yummy!

Anyone have any good recipes they want to share? I'd much rather think about that than going back to work tomorrow:-)

The scale is not my friend

2012-01-06T08:13:00.000-05:00

I have been back on track for 12 days now. That includes journaling every bite, weighing, measuring, making sure I am drinking my water.....

I also started back to walk/running 3 days a week and walking most other days. I'm burning calories. Wearing my HR monitor to estimate. I've lifted weights 2 days a week.

12 days isn't long...I know that. But usually when I get back on track so tightly, I see a dramatic weight loss these first weeks. What have I seen? 1 lb......

The scale is not my friend. I really should bust out my tape measure again....

I know I am doing all the right things. I feel better already (mentally and physically). I know I'm not lying to myself. I know my body has to cooperate eventually. Just stinks that I didn't get that big loss quickly that can be so motivating.

My body is probably in a state of shock....just have to stick to it. I looked back at my logs and when I started c25k my body was in complete shock and I didn't lose any weight for 4 weeks and then in one week I lost 8. I had lost some inches along the way.

My body just needs to catch up with my mind and maybe I'll stay off the scale for a few weeks.

To watch or not to watch

2012-01-04T13:28:00.001-05:00

We DVR'd The Biggest Loser last night. Wanted to be able to fast forward through all the commercials:-)

We are still on vacation (start back Monday), so I had the time to watch it this morning. My kids finished breakfast and were playing nicely, so I snuck to the bedroom for some alone time and TBL.

About 15 minutes in, my 6 year old came in and sat with me. She started watching. So, do I continue to watch TBL or turn it off? Can a 6 year old understand all that is involved with the show? Am I ready to answer questions? Am I ready for some observations she might make about me?

I decide to let her stay. She yells, "there's a guy that looks like Santa...is it Santa?" and I couldn't stop laughing (you probably had to have watched the show to get it). She did ask some questions. Why are they all big? Why are they crying? Why are they puking? Why are they on the scale? Why are those guys (the trainers) yelling at them? Why, why, why......

I answered all the questions honestly. Then, we packed up and went on a walk/run together with little bit (my 3 year old) in the stroller. My goal is for honesty with my children and to help them build a strong self-concept, active lifestyle, and a healthy relationship with food. No small goal there!

Journey

2012-01-03T14:55:00.001-05:00

I took my blog down for a little while. I've been up and down in my struggles along this journey. Why did I take my blog down for a while? Because I felt like a phony.....a failure in the running arena. I look at who I follow and who follows me on the blogs....a lot of running folks. The running community is overall very welcoming and supportive! I've received a lot of love from you all. I thank everyone for that!But in my head I felt like such a failure and like I couldn't come and blog when I wasn't running. So, I just took my blog down. The problem with that is I cut my ties to some of my support system....some of my motivators!My journey is about eating healthy, exercising, and being a good role model for my children. Running is a tool for me on this journey. I have a long way to go to get back to where I was before (taking a 6 month hiatus is like starting over) in the running and weight area. I hope I am welcome by my readers to talk about all areas of a healthy lifestyle that are part of this journey. I hope that I am welcome by my readers whether I am running or not. I hope that I am welcome by my readers as I am....someone who has ups and downs...good times and bad....

Happy New Year

2012-01-02T10:06:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year to everyone!I have one more week off from work and the kids have this time off from school as well. It's nice to have the time to just be!Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome back to the blog world! It can be difficult to be so public regarding personal struggles. So difficult to admit when we have fallen. So difficult to be transparent. My struggle is food and exercise. I have to be careful about both to lose weight and stay in check. I am good at routines, but having 3 kids and a job messes with my routine sometimes, LOL. I have a hard time rebounding when I go off of routine. This last hiatus lasted too long! Denial hit hard as I looked in the mirror, avoided the scale, felt my clothes tighten, and felt the embarrassment increase. I think that embarrassment led to more avoidance. I am not embarrassed anymore. I am forgiving myself again and moving on. I can only start where I am right now and learn more about myself in this journey.Off for a walk/run when the kids finish breakfast. One step at a time. One step at a time!

Oh how fun this is

2011-12-31T11:12:00.003-05:00

So, I have forever struggled with my weight/body image. Forever. I remember doing Weight Watchers Exchange, Jenny Craig, Soup diets, Slimfast....anything that promised to make me as skinny as my friends.

I wish I knew then what I knew now. I could never have been as skinny as my friends. They have totally different body types. I wasn't even fat/overweight, but with each "diet" I put on more after in the rebound. Oh....the regrets.

I've learned a lot about nutrition through all of this. I could probably tell you the basic caloric and nutrient count of most things. I don't always apply this knowledge, but it is there in my head.

Hubby has always been able to exercise and be good. Well, we are getting older and the goals are changing. So, now he is trying to pair better nutrition with all the exercise.

He got an ipad for Christmas and downloaded the myfitnesspal app. Great app! I downloaded the app for my iphone too and it is very user friendly. Love the scanner option.

The funny thing is to hear hubby enter his food. I hear all kinds of noises, moans, groans, and other sounds. He had no idea about some of his favorite foods. He is trying to enter food before he eats it since he isn't good at estimating yet. I laughed so hard this morning when he called me to see if I would look up his favorite smoothie at smoothie king. You should have heard his intake when I told him how many calories his favorite 32 ounce smoothie had! I'm lovin this!

It's nice to have my partner more aware. I think it will help me.

While I am laughing, I'm also being very sarcastic because as a man (and a foot taller than me), he gets a boat load more calories than I do. Darn men:-)

It's my birthday

2011-12-29T12:55:00.002-05:00

Today, I turn 36 years old. I am truly blessed and I know it.

Hubby and I have been having some very honest talks about food/exercising/parenting and balancing everything in our worlds.

We are committing together to log our food and motivate each other when we are unmotivated. It's been funny to watch my hubby enter food into his food diary....he had no idea the calorie load of some of his favorite foods.

I'm recommitting to my goals and myself. It is so hard to fall and get back up. But I look at myself in the mirror everyday....I just need to be more honest with myself sometimes.

I celebrated my birthday with a run/walk. The first in four months. Yes, four months. No reason to not be honest. And honestly, it felt awesome. I have a long way to go to get back to where I left off, but you have to start somewhere.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I look forward to being around!