The plan...and what actually has been happening...

So, the plan was to workout every day this week in preporation for my race on Sunday....has that happened? NOPE =(

I have been super busy with life in general. I have had birthday parties, helped a friend move, and today I had to take my car into the shop and make invitations for my son's first birthday. This is the crazy life I lead. How glamerous huh?

I do plan on taking time out of my busy schedule tomorrow to go to the gym. My goal is to jog a mile all the way through. I was able to do this once in my lifetime, but lately I have been putting up mind blocks that keep me from reaching that goal. Practice makes progress though!! I have just have to push through those mental blocks and do it.

The food hasen't been the best, but I am trying my hardest. I need to try a little harder though.

Confession: I had McDonalds for lunch today while out on the run. I wanted Subway, but I was not going to lug two kids into the store who were tired and cranky.

Cheer: My hubby bought a gallon of icecream last night because my sister-in-law came over and I haven't had any!!

Gym visit and freaking out!!

So, I went to the gym today and I realized that July 4th is next weekend!! I have a 5k on July 4th!! I feel like I am not ready, but I know that this race will help me get back in the game. I always get a huge runners high after a race where I think I will become this awesome runner and win tons of medals and be in a running magazine...but then after a week I go back to being me weirdo self and eat everything in sight.

I'm freaking out because at my gym visit today I didn't do to well on the treadmill. I get about .25 into the first mile and already feel like I'm going to die...so instead of pushing onward...I give up and turn the speed back down. Where will I get the motivation to push through my trouble spots? I need to learn how to do it myself and not rely on someone in the race to always take me under their wing.

Take a look at these awesome chicks who are running races this weekend!! Way to go Taking the Scale by storm and  who I like to call The Lettuce Lady!!!

Confession: I really havent eaten much today. I've had 4 hard boiled eggs (yes 4) and a Medium smoothie from Smoothie King. That is not a balanced diet!!

Cheer: I actually got off my big fat butt and went to the gym!!

Bad Habits return!!

One of my most horrible bad habits have returned.....sunflower seeds!! I know the sodium is just making you cringe right now....but they are so addicting!! I could just sit there all day and suck the salt off of the seends. It is so relaxing to just on the couch and eat sunflower seeds....

But it must stop!! After today!! LOL

I have been super busy cleaning up the house and going to visit other moms with kiddos my age that I haven't gone to the gym like I have wanted to. I guess me being active around the house and at the playgrounds have helped, but nothing feels as good as a great workout at the gym. I think we are going to go today after lunch.

Confession: Sunflower seeds and carrot cake have been my downfall.

Cheer: I am being more active around the house and doing a great summer cleaning!!

New Layout for Summer

No, you are where you are supposed to be!! I just decided to change it up a little bit for summer. I am even trying this whole adding pages thing. Not sure how it works, but I see some other bloggers adding photos pages and recipes. I think I might try it out. I just added some photos of me from my high school days. That was almost 10 years ago. Boy do I feel old. LOL

Well, I went to the gym today and I wasn't too much into it. I did my 30 minutes on the treadmill and my leg weights, but I wasn't too thrilled about it and I gave up several times in the running and went to walking. I did it though!! Hopefully tomorrow I will be ina better mood and do more running than walking.

Confession: I had some carrot cake tonight. I love the cream cheese icing. MMMMmmmm....

Cheer: I went to the gym even though I wanted to just lay in bed. I have been staying up later in the night since I know it is summer and I don't have to get up early.

Self Magazine Words of Wisdom

I decided that I was going to order Self Magazine for myself and I am sooo glad I did! I just got the magazine in the mail yesterday, but since being home from my long weekend I haven't had the time to read it. Let me just say that I didn't even get into the meat of the magazine and I am already inspired.

Just 16 pages in the "Editor's Letter" really made me feel good. Here is what the first paragraph said:

"You are not the number on the scale. You are you, from the inside out. And though your weight, age, hairstyle, job title, and address change, the most important evolution takes place in the parts of you that other's can't see at a glance: your passions and interests, what's most meaningful to you."

Then the last sentence said:

"Think: What and who do I want to be today and next Thursday and a year from now? And don't give it a number-give it a name."

This was from the Editor-in-Chief Lucy Danziger. I agree with what she says and I really need to think about this all of the time. Sometimes it is hard to not worry about the number on the scale, but it is not me. I am me.

Can't wait to read the rest of the magazine!!

Confession: Me and hubby are fighting already since being home....kinda making me over eat a little bit=(

Cheer: I went shopping and got some fruit, salad, and carrot chips for the week! Planning ahead!!

Boobies!!

Yep, that's right!! I am doing a post about my boobies!!! LOL

No, really. This is sush an awesome NSV!!!

Ever since I was a young teenager I have had huge boobs. Not just a little big, but huge. When I was twelve I was almost a C cup. Can you just imagine the stares I got from boys??

Well, three years ago my mom and I went to a specialty bra store because I had no idea what my bra size was at that point. I just knew that I couldn't fit into any of the bras at the chain stores like Walmart and  Target. So, when I was there I thought I was a large C cup, but boy was I wrong! I was a 42 DDD. Can you believe that? I was shocked and kinda embarassed that I had been wearing such a small bra and I should have been wearing a DDD!!

So, what is my NSV?? While on my Anniversary trip with my hubby in Dallas we stopped by this large outlet mall. We stopped by a bra store because the bras I have been wearing for the past 3 years were starting to tear and just sag. I had a lady measure me and she asked what bra size I thought I was. I told her I was wearing a 42 DDD. She was shocked! She said that I was now measuring as a 42 D. I totally didn't believe her. I just went and got my DDD and headed to the dressing room. And guess what?? It was way too big in the cup size!! I could fit both boobs in one cup (Not really, but you ge the picture)!! I was so happy I almost started crying!!

I was so happy that I went and tried on some much smaller bras and I felt fantastic. I would like to be a C cup again. It's really hard to find cute tops when you have a large chest. None of the new styles look cute, you just look trashy. So, my running has been paying off and I didn't even realize it!! Woohoo!!!

I am waiting for a phone call tomorrow to see if I have a new teaching job. I hope I get it!! I will let you guys know as soon as I do!!

Confession: I didn't eat so great on my trip=(

Cheer: I went down two cup sizes!!

Blog Award!

A HUGE hout-out to Debbie of Weight to go: Diary of  Fat Chick for giving me this awesome blogger award! I really appreciate it and need it right now=) If you haven't seen her blog, you should really go check it out!! I love reading it=)

The rules of this award are to tell you seven things about me that you may not know and then to pass it on to seven other bloggers....

1) I sucked my thumb until I was in the 2nd grade. I know!! Sounds crazy huh?? I tried to hide that I was still doing it from my parents like hiding in my closet, ducking behind a blanket in the back seat of the car, and sitting on the couch with a pillow (so obvious). It wasn't until I saw a girl doing it at school in front of everyone that I stopped.
 
2) I am addicted to Young Adult Fantasy novels. Anything with vampires, faeries, and talking animals will get my blood pumping. Maybe that's why I want to be a Librarian some day!!
 
3) I teach students who have English as a Second language and all I can speak is English!! LOL. Funny huh? Most of my students are from Mexico and El Salvador and when they speak Spanish I have no idea if they are cussing me out!! That's why I have some girls in my class give me crazy looks when they talk about bad stuff so I know if what they are saying is bad!! LOL
 
4) I have one sister named Rachel who lives in San Antonio and she is about to turn 30 on Sunday!! Happy Birthday sis! We shared a room until she was 18 and moved off to college. I was about 14. I was so sad when she left because I was sooo used to sleeping in the same room with someone. We are now the bestest friends!
 
5) I have one brother named Andrew and I think that he is the smartest kid around. He is 23 years old and just graduated from the University of Texas in Austin. Go longhorns! He is an Engineer and is super smart. There was a point where him and I didn't get along because he had some anger issues when he was in high school, but we are pretty cool now.
 
6) I had been dating my husband for 5 months when I found out I was pregnant with my first son. We got married three months later and then I had my son in December of that same year. My parents were no thrilled at all at first (they are very religious), but after they realized that my hubby and I were really good for each other, they kinda slacked off a little bit. No one thought we would last this long ( 5 years tomorrow!), but another son later, we are still going strong! We both finished getting our degrees and we both have great jobs and a nice house!
 
7) I am allergic to fake sugar. Any drinks or food that has aspartame makes me have the runs for days. LOL. I get so sick to my stomach that I am in and out of the restroom for days. Try teaching a bunch of sixth graders and having to hold it for 70 minutes!! Not good. I realized I was allergic when I was in college on my first WW experience. I drank Diet Cherry coke all day because it was zero points but I was going #2 like all the time all day long. I couldn't sit through a class without having to leave a few times (proff's don't like that) and my stomach was killing me! The doctors thought I would have to get my gall bladder removed, but then my OBGYN asked if I drank diet soda. I told her all the time. She said to stop drinking it and within a few weeks my stomach went back to normal! Now when I drink diet sodas I can only have a few before I know if I don't stop I will feel hell again!!
 
That's just a little bit about me!!
 
Now, my seven people!!
 
1) Christina at Making Healthy the Norm
2) So Over Fat
3) Little Mrs. Married at Try Try Again
4) She Woke up Fat
5) Erica at Fashion Meets Food
6) SYL at Live, Smile, Run
7) skinnybiatch at 28, Single, Fat & I've had enough
 
Congrats ladies!! I love reading each of your blogs!!
 
Confession: My hubby and I went and ate a new restaurant without kids tonight and we each got a dessert and had a couple of beers!! I had a "Double D" cupcake!!
 
Cheer: I have been doing so well this week on exercise!!

Stress, Stress, and more stress

Boy do I need a vacation!! LOL

Friday my husband and I will be celebrating our 5 year Wedding Anniversary. I can't believe that it has already been 5 years. Some days I feel like a newlywed, and some days I feel like we have been married for 20 years. We have two kids, two careers, and each of us has stresses that can cause some friction sometimes. This morning I think the stress of home life and maybe a new job (cross your fingers) kinda hit me. I sent my husband a sappy text message asking him if he still loved me or was he just here for the kids. And blah, blah, blah. Financial stress has really played a huge roll in the way we have been treating each other lately. He called me back and said that he loved me and I shouldn't ever have to worry about his feelings for me and that he will try and show me his feelings more....so I ate a pint of icecream! LOL. I think I needed a little rocky road to calm me down.

So, this weekend my hubby and I are going to Dallas, TX  (about a 4 hour drive) for a workshop that I have to attend for work. It realtes to the job I have now and hopefully my future job too. The workshop always falls on our anniversary weekend, so it is kinda nice that he gets to come with me. The company pays for the room, so that is always nice. I think it will be a great weekend for us to get to know each other again. No kids. I will post pictures of the event when I get back on Monday!

Confession: I had a pint of icecream and I am about to eat a fun bag of chips! LOL

Cheer: I have really stepped up my workouts lately. I feel so good when I finish them!! I plan on bringing workout clothes with me to Dallas!

5k and feeling great!

Today I went to the gym and did a 5k on the treadmill. This morning I signed up for my third 5k this year on July 4th. I am really looking forward to it! I thought a great way for me to train is to do a 5k on the treadmill every day. I wasn't too thrilled with my time though. I know it will get better after a week or two, but I am happy with myself because I kinda stepped it up a little and got my legs going pretty quick.

I'm feeling really good about myself right now. I think it is because summer is here and I feel more relaxed. I still have a few stresses in my life, but the working out has really helped me relax a little bit better. This is my first summer with two kids, so I am learning as it goes.

I am looking forward to going to spinning class tomorrow. I never made it to Zumba. I had a pretty stressful work related phone call on that day that kinda had me down in the dumps. I am not letting a stupid thing get me down in the dumps. I am an awesome person and I can't have people getting me down. I think we might go for a family swim tomorrow too. A photo of me in my swimsuit might appear on the blog...but I'm not sure yet. It's pretty scary.

Confession: I haven't been getting in my water lately. I also need to eat more veggies and fruits.

Cheer: I worked my butt off today and I am feeling really happy about it!

Family Retreat and 2.2 loss!!

Last Weeks Weight: 193

This weeks weight: 190.8

Loss: -2.2

First off, yeah for the 2.2 loss!! I credit the gym for this awesome loss. I wanted to post on Friday, but we had to leave and I haven't had access to a computer.

So, this weekend has been crazy!! I have been in Louisiana at a Family Retreat. It was my husbands side of the family and I had a blast. They are always so much fun and are easy to hang out with. But, with family always comes food. Here is a few pictures of what I had to deal with: Food, Food, and more food. We had about two things of veggies (drowned in butter) and the rest are full of meat. Brisket, chicken, pork chops, pork ribs, chopped beef, sausage,  and deer wraps. It did a number on our tummys if you know what I mean. I tried so hard to resist, but ribs are my favorite! I didn't do too abd on the meat....but the desserts....yummm...We had every pie you could think of, brownies everywhere, and cakes you could only dream of. However, it was not all a loss this weekend. We also did some outdoor activities. I played volleyball all night long! I was serving, jumping, and running around like I was a little kid. I didn't even get winded!! In thepast if the ball rolled too far away I would just leave it there, but not this weekend! I actually ran after the ball and chased it down. I even got under the truck when it rolled out of reach. I didn't even breathe hard!! It was great!! Here is a picture of me and my son.

Spinning and Swimming

I will first start out with the swimming part. My son had his first swimming lesson today and I think I was more scared about it than he was. I tried my hardest to not let him see the fear I was going through inside me. I want him to like swimming. Now, I like swimming. But I have had a few too many close personal experiences with drowning, and I am fearful of him swimming. I think I have almost drowned three times and they were not the best of experiences. I was actually suprised that he got in the water. I think it's because I was giving him thimbs up signs during the whole thing. When he first got in the ladies arms I almost started crying, but I pulled it together and we finished the lesson. I was a good mommy! I didn't freak out and cause a scene!! LOL

The second part is Spinning. I took a spinning class today for the first time. Proud of me? I am. I almost made it the full 45 minutes, but my baby buzzer went off and I had to go tend to the kiddos. My 10 month old was tired and cranky. Oh well. I had a great time and I am looking forward to going next Tuesday. It was a lot of work and I could feel myself using my leg muscles pretty good. I got a good sweat in. Hopefully I can go the whole 45 minutes next time.

Tomorrow I am meeting with my future sister-in-law for lunch. She doesnt know she is yet, but my brother said he was going to ask by the end of May. It is June....but I promised to keep it a secret. He's killing me! And Thursday I have my first Zumba class. Wish me luck!!

Confession: My eating was not so great today. It started off good, but I was tired and we just ordered out pizza tonight. I even had regular Pepsi with it.

Cheer: I took a class at my gym! I was so nervous, but I did it!!

A fun day at the gym

I am so glad that I joined our local gym. I actually look forward to going now and my kiddos do too. It was probably the best thing I have done for myself. I might go every day this summer! I don't feel guilty about dropping off the boys for 30-45 minutes because the people there are so nice and the 4 year old has so many kids and toys to play with.

Tonight I am signing up for my third 5k race. I hav ebeen practicing running on the treadmill the last 4 or 5 times I have been there. I can run for about a half a mile before I just want to give up. But this is going faster than I usually do outside. The race isn't until July 4th, so I still have time to practice keeping my momentum going. I literally have sweat dripping down my face after my treadmill run. Today I walked for .25 miles and then ran the rest of the 1 mile. I was pretty happy with myself. That one mile took me 13 minutes to do. I know I can do better. I have done it at around 11 before. Then I walked for another .25 miles and then jogged the last three minutes out for a total of 25 minutes. I was pretty proud of myself.

I also did some weight lifting. Nothing to heavy. Mostly did legs and abs. Tomorrow is arms and more treadmill. Who knows, I might do the elliptical.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Confession: I have nothing to confess right now, but the night is still young! I am very proud of my day today so far!

Cheer: I went back to the gym to workout after we left this morning when my sons swimming lessons were cancelled. I was very proud!

Great Weekend

I had a great weekend with the family. My husband's family love to do BBQ cook-off competitions, so that is where I was all weekend. Before heading out on Friday I did go to the gym. Yesterday I pushed to kiddos in a stroller in 90 degree plus heat all day, so I counted that as my exercise.

The food is pretty good. I have been trying really hard to watch what I eat. This weekend was full of BBQ and carnival food. I think I did pretty good of staying away. The alcohol on the other hand...not so much.

Tomorrow my 4 year old son to start swimming lessons. He is a little scared, so I will let you know how that goes.

Not much left to say. I hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Confession: I had a little too much alcohol!!

Cheer: I had a really great workout week this week!

Update on Motivation

So, I really like my motivational/rewards chart. It is hanging up in my bathroom so I can be reminded of it every morning. I know that eventually I will be able to do all of those things every day, but right now I am kinda struggling. The water every day is hard when I am not around water. I am actually not drinking much of anything really. Also, you would think that blogging every day would be easy, but as you can see it's not. I have been so busy lately! But school is out now, so I will be able to do it more.

The easiest goal has oddly enough been exercising for 30 minutes every day. I LOVE going to my gym and I am so excited that I signed up. It is 30-45 minutes of just ME time and I don't feel guilty because I know that they love going and playing with other kids.

Next week I will start a spinning class and a Zumba class. A little nervous about the spinning class. It seems like a lot of strength is needed for that. We shall see!!

I weighed in on Friday morning at 193. A little frustrated because it is higher than when I started in February, but I have to keep reminding myself that I have also dropped 2 pant sizes. I just need to keep reaching for my goals!!

Confession: I had some alcohol at the BBQ cookoff last night. I also caught myself searching the whole house for Sunflower Seeds!! Thank goodness I didn't find any!!

Cheer: I have really improved running on the treadmill! I see the sweat just dripping off of me!! I actually look forward to going to the gym now!

I need some motivation....in comes the charts!!!

So, this month's "Fitness" magazine really got me thinking. It has a fantastic article by Carey Rossi about rethinking how you see your weightloss journey. One example is: YOU THINK: "The scale is stuck, why bother?" when you should be thinking: RETHINK: "This pudge will budge."

I started to rethink a lot of things and that got me motivated. I decided to make goals, put them on a big chart and create a reward system for them. Here are some pictures!

These are my goals that I want to accomplish every day.

1. No Mindless snacking (unless fruits and veggies)

2. Drink 64 ounces of water

3. No regular soda

4. Eat breakfast

5. Do some type of exercise for 30 minutes

6. Count calories on Livestrong.com

7. Wash, fold, and put away a load of laundry

8. Do dishes right after dinner

9. Write on blog

10. Write (on my novel)

This is where I will keep track of my weightloss.

This is my awesome reward system! I wrote down all of the my goals along the left side and broke it up where 5 stickers will fit in each section. If I complete that goal for the day then I will get a sticker. Once all five stickers in all 10 goals are filled up, I will reward myself with something. I will put the rewards up at the top of that section. I am still unsure of what I want all of my goals to be. I know the first one I want is a new workout outfit because I'm feeling kinda shlumpy at the gym in oversized t-shirts and the same workout pants.

This is a closeup of my rewards chart. As you can see, I've already missed on a few for the day. The snacking and water wern't the best today. I didn't count caloreis, but I can still write on my novel a little bit tonight after the kiddos go to bed and I can still do laundry. Didn't eat at home (Subway) tonight, so no dishes and I am writing on my blog right now!

I will keep updating my chart and showing you my results! I think this is a great idea and I am looking forward to getting my stickers!! We did the same thing for my 4 year old when he was learning how to be potty trained! LOL

Confession: I snacked on chocolate today. They were in my desk and as I was cleaning it out I found them and just put them in my mouth!! Dark chocolate with mint cream filling. Yummm...but now no sticker!! SO not worth it!!

Cheer: I went and worked out again even though I had a long day at work. And instead of stopping for McDonalds afterwards like my kiddos wanted, we went to Subway! I didn't even buy a cookie! LOL

Gym visit

I had another great gym visit today. I decided to just work on the treadmill today and then do a little leg work on the weights. I walked for 5 minutes at a 3.5 pace, then I stepped it up for 5 min at a 4.5 pace. I did this off and on for 25 minutes. I then focused on my inner and outer thighs with the weight machines. I did 3 reps of 30 on each machine. I really don't like keeping the boys in the little daycare for too long, I think around 30-45 minutes is enough.

I had a small victory today. I went to go and get my hubby and I some "adult beverages" at the gas station (because today was a long day) and I thought about getting a candy while I was there. In my head I was literally trying to convince myself that I needed chocolate. But, I didn't get it! I said, "Laura, you are making an awesome low calorie meal tonight and you are drinking some calories tonight. You are worth more than a candy bar!" And it worked! I talkd my way out of chocolate!

Here is my low calorie pasta meal I got out of a recipe book my mom gave me a couple years back. I will post the pic and recipe on my next post!

Confession: I had pizza for lunch and didn't mointor my intake very much. We had field day today. A bunch of 12 year olds running around in the heat and me sitting in the heat watching them sucks.

Cheer: Even though I felt super tired today and almost drove past the gym, I still went! I even came home afterwards to make a healthy meal!!