Day 2

I just finished my T25 cardio since I am supposed to work out so I can maintain my girlish figure and make my husband happy.  I figured it was time to hook up with Arlene.

Today's lesson in the art of a happy husband actually wasn't too bad.  Even though she phrased it as the wife's job is to praise the husband and give him positive reinforcement 24/7 so that they can live in an environment where they can feel successful (um hey Arlene what about my recognition and praise?  Where's the responsibility of the husband in that?  I'm lucky because my hubby actually does praise me and I think we have done the work to make sure we aren't taking each other for gratitude even if we are just thanking each other for cooking dinner or cleaning out the dishwasher). 

I took this chapter to be more about letting hubby parent in his style.  This is something I was warned about before hubby deployed a couple years ago...that it would be hard for him to be gone so long and then hard for me to give up the reigns and control and parenting when he returned.  And it was!  I had to bite my tongue a lot and let hubby parent in his own way because his way and my way aren't always the same and that's okay. 

So, my fear in doing T25 is that I will be the person who doesn't lose an inch or pound.  I know I have to make a lot some dietary changes.  Instead of going balls to the wall and failing, I am going to try to add in more healthy options.  I passed up a pumpkin scone at Starbucks today even though I was hungry and came home and ate a salad for lunch and then I had a plum for a snack this afternoon.  I've cut way down on the amount of sugar I use in my coffee and I found a yogurt I really like that I think will satisfy me if I need something sweet.  I am trying to love myself and all extra 60lbs of me and stop being so hard on myself for being overweight.  And I'm enjoying success as a Thirty-One consultant! Check out www.mythirtyone.com/jennmcartor31 and let me know if you want to order or host a virtual party!

T25 day 2

Holy sore legs.  In the first 2 minutes of working out today I wanted to cry.  No dry heaving though!  It is clear to me that I can NOT work out when the kids are awake.  Between the baby crying in her swing while trying to fall asleep and the toddler asking for a new snack every 10 seconds and trying to work out with me and the husband rushing in to grab his suitcase in order to rush off on a work trip, I think I took 10 breaks BUT I eventually got it done.  My 25 minutes turned into 60 minutes of working out.  haha

I think the husband's fave part today was when my legs gave out and I fell over as he sat on the couch tying his shoes. 

I think tomorrow I'll have to try and work out while the toddler is in school.  Assuming I can move when I wake up in the morning.

T25 Day 1

Holy mother of .....

My cousin, who has become super fit, let me borrow the first T25 DVD and I just finished my first work out. You know how you work out and you feel good and feel like you're pretty fit and then you get pregnant and don't work out for a year and try to start again and it pretty much sucks ass...yeah that.

My favorite part, other than the 2 minute cool down at the end, was how I couldn't keep up with the woman doing the modified work out.  The absolute best part was when I had to take a break every 2 minutes to dry heave in the living room followed by going upstairs to shower, finding dog poop on the bathroom floor, and gagging into the toilet. 

Since if you looked at me naked from the front you may confuse with me

I really can't go on the way I have been.  I know I've said this before, but I can no longer see my feet. 

Wish me luck!  I'll keep you posted!

The Suit

This is the bathing suit that I bought on sale at Land's End a few weeks ago. Notice it is a bikini. Also notice that it hangs in my dining room, next to our kitchen table, in full view of the kitchen. Be aware that while the suit "fits" (if we use the term fit very loosely), no one deserves to have to see me in it (think before model on EVERY diet drug commercial ever). My goal is to be able to wear this bikini with confidence NEXT summer. I don't think I've worn a bikini in 5 years. Wish me luck!

Weekend Update: Garden & Puppies for Sale

Thursday we had 7 yards of mulch delivered. Part of the reason we wanted to get our flower beds freshly mulched was because we are having a cookout next weekend and wanted the yard to look nice. I decided to start spreading it. This was after I had already been to Stroller Strides where the theme was muffin top and back fat. I was so sore by the time I got done mulching that we had to go out to dinner. lol



Friday I did make it to the gym though and did week 2, day 3 of ease into 5k.



Saturday I got up and went to Stroller Strides and Paul got up and started mulching. I was pretty sure it was going to be an entire weekend project, but by the time I got home at 10:30 he was almost done! I put baby goose down for a nap and went outside to help. To give you some idea why I thought it'd take the entire weekend take a look at how big our front yard flower beds are! Behold!









Saturday afternoon our friend/electrician Mike came over with his girlfriend whom we had never met before. Of course she was beautiful and of course I looked and smelled like I had been sleeping outside for a week. So we're all sitting around chatting and she says how she had driven down our road the other day and saw a baby outside in a dog pen while the mom worked outside. Hi, my name is Jenn and I used a dog pen as a play pen for my daughter. We laughed so hard when I told them it was me!

Puppy anyone?



So I had decided not to do a vegetable garden this year. The past three years have been epic failures in the vegetable garden department. I have 4 raised beds and 3 summers ago my tomatoes were out of control. Two summers ago I was in my first trimester and too sick to take care of my veggies. Last summer Paul was in Afghanistan and I was home alone with the baby. Paul asked me if I was going to do a garden this year because he wanted to rip the beds up as we're moving next year. I said give me two weeks and if I haven't gotten the beds planted then you can get rid of them. Initially I thought I'd just do 2 container gardens, one with a tomato plant and 1 with strawberries.



Two weeks came and went and I had done NOTHING in the vegetable garden. Well, today I went over to our neighbors and they were getting their garden ready for planting and of course now I want a garden. So while Emma napped I went outside and prepped 2 of the beds. Plus I washed our patio furniture and raked out under the table. I was en fuego!



I came back inside and told Paul to saddle up because we were heading to Home Depot (after we stopped for ice cream...I've never seen Em use the sign for "more" more than she did for ice cream lol). We get to Home Depot and we also wanted another plant to fill in an empty spot in the flower bed. Home Depot had these cool whiskey barrels so we ended up getting 2 of those instead. Then we had to pick out flowers to fill the containers and then I thought about how my bestie Cory is coming next weekend (along with our bestie Katie). Cory is an AMAZING gardener and her yard ALWAYS looks unbelievable. She just did a big veggie garden and I knew I needed to get my act in gear and get some stuff planted! One of the whiskey barrel containers.



I already had these 2 containers done, but think they were getting too much sun so I moved them to a more shady spot which also frames our basement door. Hopefully the flowers perk up before Cory gets here! I don't want to be embarrassed! Okay, maybe I should swap the one container and propane tank aka grill brush holder.





I also had these containers done by the mud room door. You can't see the pot in the back, but it used to belong to my grandfather. It's an old cauldron and my grandfather used to plant red and yellow flowers in it and then stack wood under it so it looked like a fire. Somehow a friend of my dad's ended up with the cauldron and then last year asked if I wanted it. I was so happy that he thought of me. My grandpa was an avid gardener. When I was a little girl my grandpa owned the lot across from their house and it was entirely vegetable garden. I can remember looking for worms with my grandpa for him to put in his garden.





I love love love hydrangeas and already had 1 from last year, but decided I wanted another one. So, here is a little area near our grill that now has 2 hydrangea, a new Guinea impatient, lavender, and hen & chicks.




I had some leftover flowers and a leftover hanging basket so I combined the two for a new hanging basket of flowers.

Our neighbor brought me over an avocado plant. I decided to leave it in the pot so we could bring it in in the winter and take it with us when we move next year. Please ignore the decripit and uneven staircase and bizarre concrete block wall the people before us did. Our plan is to redo that area with wood stairs and flower boxes. We really would like to do a deck, but aren't sure we want to spend the money.

And finally my vegetable garden. I planted some heirloom tomatoes and lettuce in one bed. I think there are some leftover strawberry plants from last summer in there, too. In the other bed...well, I desperately want to own a pumpkin patch some day so I planted pumpkins, cantaloupe, and watermelon. Ignore the fact that the grass is much too high and needs cut.

Last night we were in bed and asleep by 9pm. I wonder if we'll even make it till 9 tonight. Cory, eat your heart out! (okay, I really should post some pics of her yard because it still is way cooler than my yard. lol)

The Gym

I have worked out...wait for it...every day this week! I ran outside once, ran at the gym twice, and tomorrow will be my second day at Stroller Strides this week. Go me, go me, go me (with a little cabbage patch dancing going on for effect). I even used the dip and chin up machine at the gym today (I hadn't done that in over 4 years and used to love it...my arms rocked when I did it on the regular). Although I am constantly bombarded with the realization that if I don't get my eating under control I will never lose weight. For a year now I've debated going to a food addicts anonymous meeting. I have a friend who went and lost 100lbs, but she had to give up fat, flour, and wheat...no bread, no pasta, no chicken wings, no wine...only eating a very specific menu and I just don't think I have that in me. I could perform brain surgery before I could give up chicken wings and wine. Sigh.

And apparently every person I know who has lost weight recently has done so through major changes in their diet. Why are foods that taste so good so bad for me? Much like my obsession with douchebags in my late 20's it seems. Ugh.

I guess I can continue to make little changes. For example I've given up sugar in my coffee and have started using agave. That is a huge step for me! I used to be a 4 teaspoons of sugar per cup type of person so to use a couple teaspoons of agave is a big deal.

I think the next step is to add more fruits and vegetables into my diet. I really feel like we don't eat a lot of processed foods (which is part of the reason I struggle with couponing. I just don't ever buy the crap they have coupons for). I cook dinner every night (Emma has curbed our dinners out on the weekends), but there are still nights that we order in pizza (a couple times a month). I think adding a green smoothie will help me add in more fruits and vegetables to my diet and help me lose weight.

When I was finishing up week 2, day 3 of ease into 5k today all I could think was how am I going to run 2 straight minutes next week and I think a fat person ate the thin person I used to be. I used to be in such good shape. I lifeguarded, swam during my breaks, worked out, roller bladed to work, ran, walked...I was so active! And over the last 10 years it's almost like my will to care what I look like has been sucked right out of me (and yet surprisingly I met a very handsome, great man who fell in love with me). I've gotten fatter and fatter and fatter as the years have rolled on, but now that I'm a mom I don't want a fat kid. I think it's negligent when parents allow their children to eat junk food (I'm not saying we don't ever let Em try sweets) as a primary meal source or be super heavy. You are the parent. You set the example. I am Em's mom. I need to be an example of a healthy lifestyle for her and I want to be here for a long time for her.

So I am going to secretly stalk my friends who have recently lost weight and made healthy lifestyle changes and do what they do. Please encourage me. Please tell me how you've lost weight. I need the help and encouragement. I've gotten the working out down, but I need to get my eating under control.

My name is Jenn and I am an overeater. Help!

You Know That Feeling

So I had the best of intentions this week. I was doing so good working out at home and I was motivated to go meet my mom in Jersey and work out every day at the gym at our hotel. I brought my sneakers and gym clothes and I was ready!

Got here Monday afternoon, saw my Grammy, went to dinner at a local grill, had the BEST chicken parm EVER, and a huge glass or two or three of wine.

Tuesday was determined to work out and my mom told me the gym in our hotel was closed for some reason. I saw the sign on the door. Sadly it was true. Closed. Bah humbug!

Work out outside you may say. Our hotel is on the busiest highway ever. If I tried to work out outside there is a good chance I'd get hit by a car. Tuesday night tried another place we'd never been...2 huge glasses of wine later (what is it with NJ???), filet mignon, lobster, and the most amazing dessert (tiramusu, cheesecake, and chocolate sponge cake in ONE cake covered in chocolate ganache) later and I am happy.

So feasting my way through NJ has continued and now I feel like I may explode. Overeating, over drinking, and a week of being sedentary has made me so uncomfortable. And my mom is coming home with us for the weekend and we are going to Maine for lobsters on Saturday.

Next week...total detox diet. Especially because my skinny minny high school friends are coming Labor Day weekend.

Has anyone ever had a colonic? Maybe I'll ask for that for Mother's Day.

PS Have you checked out my new facebook fan page???

Go Me!

I finally have gotten back into my work out routine this week, working out 4 days! Twice I went to the gym and completed week 2 of ease into 5k (yeah I'm a rebel...no starting over at week 1 for me, just jumped right in to week 2 and didn't struggle...yay!) and twice went to Stroller Strides which I really enjoy (even though it kicks my behind).

Next week Em and I are headed to NJ, and my mom is going to watch Em while I work out in our hotel gym. Yup, for only the 2nd time ever I will actually work out while being out of town. lol

I feel good working out. I am slowly working on the food I put in my mouth (this week's change was stopping sugar in my coffee and using agave instead) and increasing the number of fruits and vegetables I eat. I want to be healthy. I want to be a good example for Em and I want to live a long, happy life.

Why don't you join me???

Fat Girl No More

You know how they say at some point in every addiction you reach rock bottom.  Well my addiction has been overeating and I've hit rock bottom.  Or at least I hope this is rock bottom because if I gain any more weight I am going to sink like a rock this summer in the pool. 

I think what the real trigger for me has been, not only understanding how much weight I've gained in the last 10 years (45lbs y'all!), but knowing how easy it would be to gain another 45.  Also when your hubby comes back from his deployment and the 2 of you weigh the same...well, that's just the kick in the teeth you need.  Of course my hubby's been home since mid January and I've just not come to the realization that things have got to change.  Okay, I've always known things have got to change, but right now I feel good about the upcoming changes. 

Knowing I am possibly going to see 2 of my dearest friends this summer who are both moms and both super skinny (Emily and Cory I'm talking about you!) and that there is a possibility bathingsuits will be needed...um, hello no one wants to be the fat friend.  Not that Cory or Emily or their wonderful husbands would ever make me feel uncomfortable, but still. 

I've also gotten to the point where I am embarrassed to be naked in front of Paul.  He tells me constantly all the time how beautiful I am and how much he loves me, but I want to feel proud of myself in front of him and right now I don't. 

When you have a belly that rivals Santa Claus and you can feel it jiggling like a bowl full of jello all the time it ain't pretty people.  Ain't pretty at all. 

Originally I thought I'd be pregnant by  now, but I'm not so we've decided to take a break from that thus giving me zero excuses to not be serious about my weight loss!  No excuses.  I've joined a gym and found that I actually really enjoy it.  I went to Stroller Strides this morning and while I felt like I was going to throw up most of the class I do feel like I got an awesome work (and I didn't even cry...much) out so my friend Jessica and I will be doing that with Em and Felicity.  (FYI Jessica is a skinny mom, too.  Her work out pants do NOT roll down under the weight of her belly.)

And then it's such a gorgeous day out that I went outside and raked leaves for an HOUR!  Do you know how hard it is to rake leaves especially when your lunch was a 200 calorie lean cuisine????  You'd have thought I had just finished running a half marathon the way I was panting.  But I felt so proud of myself because it was something that needed to be done, I got an extra work out from it, and I may or may not be working off the credit card debt I ran up while Paul was deployed (I was sad.  Don't judge me. lol Seriously though credit cards are no joke.  Don't be a loser like me.). 

I've also been tracking what I eat on the my fitness pal app.  And I have decided that I am going to train and run the Disney Princess Half Marathon in 2013 AND I've enlisted the help of several good friends to run with me (and Paul). 

I'm putting it out there that I'm starting this journey at 191lbs.  Holy hell.  How did it get this bad? 

If you're doing something great to lose weight and it's working for you then brag on yourself and leave a comment sharing your success. 

Ooops, gotta run.  The tiny dictator is up from her nap. 

Pear, Apple, Muffin top, Pooch

Oprah's January O magazine had an article called "Your Biggest Dressing Dilemmas Solved."  Since I walk that thin line between looking like a mom who hasn't slept in a year and looking like a homeless person I thought I better read this article in depth.  Basically it talked about how to solve "your most pressing body problems once and for all through strategic use of shapewear, clothing, and accessories."  Of course what I read was "you don't have to go to the gym or eat healthy in an attempt to lose weight because you can hide it all with clothing and scarves!"  Until I started the article and realized how many problem areas I have.  Let me just give you a quick recap of what my problem areas are:

Turkey neck: thank goodness not yet!  Although double chin wasn't mentioned and this is an area on which I'm teetering on the edge...luckily I've noticed that my double chinness is most related to the mornings after I have too many glasses of wine.  So now I just watch my drinking more carefully.

Muffin top:  A muffin top can be solved with $70 panties or some $49 pants.  Their solution to get rid of it for good: to give up alcohol, sugar, processed carbs, and excessive dairy...well, really who would even want to live after giving up all those delicious things and you have to exercise on top of it...no thank you.  And I know Paul's not gonna spring for $70 control top panties so I guess I will just continue to buy bigger sizes of my fave Target jeans and khakis. 

Pooch:  Considering I look like I could birth and house baby kangaroos in my pooch this is an area I struggle with...it's even better now that I have the famous after baby hangover (95% of moms will know what I'm talking about,  the other 5% are skinny, have flat bellies, and have clearly sold their souls to satan to get that way).  I don't see myself walking around in high waist panties (are they made of gold???  Why are they so expensive???  Maybe it's all the extra material needed to make them high waisted) to go to the grocery so maybe I should start saving up for some surgery (the most effective option according to O magazine).  Oh, you can also disguise with fitted tunics. 

Armpit fat:  Thank goodness I live in the cold northeast and no longer have to worry about tank tops.  Or nice clothes. 

Bat wings:  I'm getting there, but am not ready to fly away yet. 

Mom butt:  This is a flat butt.  I've got more junk in my trunk that JLo so I don't need padded panties or butt lifting shorts. 

Chub rub:  My thighs rub together so much when I walk I'm surprised my underwear don't catch on fire.  I have worn the inside thighs out of many a pair of pants from my chub rub (what a depressing phrase that is).  Their solution is to wear thick biker shorts and tights under clothes and I will confess that I've worn bike shorts under skirts and dresses to avoid rubbing all the skin off my inner thighs when I walk. 

Cankles:  No, my ankles are quite shapely thank you. 

Back fat:  I look like I have 4 boobies...2 in the front and 2 sprouting off my back.  A former nickname of mine given by a friend...Backfat Betty (why does the name Betty follow me everywhere?).

Double boobs:  I have saggy post breastfeeding boobies so my cups no longer runneth over.  But if you have bigger breasticles then you might have this problem.  If so get properly fitted for a full coverage bra..no demi cups for you. 

As I realized that I can't afford to buy a whole new wardrobe to cover my muffin top, pooch, armpit fat, chub rub, and back fat I decided to join the gym.  I've been pretty consistent about going and I'm quite proud of myself for that, but today I got my butt kicked by the senior citizens. 

I added the circuit to my cardio workout today.  This is supposed to be the super easy, no adjusting the seats, very easy to adjust the weights for people who haven't worked out in awhile.  It's so easy that instead of word instructions there is just a picture.  So, the first machine I don't realize the other side of the machine says what the machine is (ab crunch, lat pull downs, etc.) and I look at the picture and I think it's some sort of arm exercise.  I finish the exercise and move on.  I'm on about the 5th machine when an older woman comes in, gets on the 1st machine, and I realize oh that is an ab crunch machine NOT an arm machine.  That makes much more sense!  So I head back over that way and notice that she has increased the weight from what I had on it by like 40lbs.  Now you may be thinking "But wait, you thought it was an arm machine so that makes sense."  I initially had that thought until I COULDN'T DO THE EXERCISE ON THE WEIGHT SHE HAD IT SET ON.  I had to decrease it back down by 40lbs.  Sad.  She was like 55 years old. 

I do the circuit for 3 reps of each machine and by the end I can barely breathe.   I am huffing and puffing like I've just run a frickin marathon!  I used to be in such good shape (ok that was like 14 years ago, but still I think about those days all the time)....what happened to me???

Then my friend Rebekah (who is also my doctor by the way) has raved about the arc trainer and how awesome it is.  As I've just watched a 75 year old rock the arc trainer for 45 minutes while he read a newspaper I thought piece of cake.  Hahaha jokes on me!  First I could barely balance on the stupid thing much less read a magazine and then within 30 seconds of starting I felt like I was having a heart attack!  I made myself complete 5 minutes all while holding on with a death grip in case I went flying out the 2nd floor window. 

To round out my target goal of 30 minutes of cardio I finished with a leisurely stationary bike reading while reading my Better Homes and Garden. 

And then I came home and took a nap. 

Blood Test Fail

Since I am blessed to be married to someone in the military and thus blessed to have excellent health insurance you best believe I take full advantage of that.  I have been to the doctor more in the last 2 months in Florida than I have been the entire 2 years we've lived in New England.  In my defense I have been sick.  Both baby and I have fought terrible upper respiratory infections and she also had an ear infection.  2 rounds of antibiotics a piece and steroids for me and I finally thought we were better!  Alas I appear to be sick...again.  At first I thought maybe I had developed some kind of allergy to the Christmas tree we just bought because my symptoms started the same night we bought the tree home.  I've been taking allegra and using the NeillMed sinus rinse, but I seem to be getting worse and not better.  Ugh!  I can NOT do another round of antibiotics! 

I digress.  Anyways as part of my excellent health insurance my pcp asked if I wanted to have my cholesterol, etc checked and I convinced him that I may have a thyroid problem and he should check (without telling him that I've had my thyroid checked before, it's always normal, and that I consistently gain weight because I am beyond a terrible eater--literally the only vegetables I've had over the last 2 days have come in the form of chicken Caesar salad and the only fruit I had was a slice of pumpkin bread from Starbucks and some lemon in my ice tea.  I told you BEYOND terrible). 

So I go in for my blood test today.  It's a fasting blood test so it's 9am and I have had nothing to eat or drink yet.  It must've been casual Friday because the nurse had on jeans and flip flops (PSA if you wear flip flops make sure your toes aren't fugly looking.  Bare toenails are okay, but half painted chipped nails are not).  She puts the rubber thing on my arm and starts looking for a vein.  She keeps pressing in the center of my elbow crook and I finally tell her that they usually use the vein slightly to the side.  One thing you don't want to hear your nurse saying as she gets ready to shove a needle in your arm is "Your veins are just so small."  Repeatedly.  As in over and over.  The first try was a prick and a miss.  The needles in my arm, but she totally misses the vein.  Oops.

Move on over to the left arm.  Rubber thing on, pressing around looking for a vein.  Again, I point out the vein slightly to the side and offer up that they usually use a butterfly needle.  She asks if I've ever had blood drawn from my hand.  Really?  We're going there?  She asks if that's ok.  What am I going to say?  No.  The butterfly needle goes into my hand, blood starts to flow into the tubing, and then nothing.  Her response, "What happened to the blood?  Where did it go?" 

So it's back over to the right arm and I kindly say to her, "If you want to get someone else I promise I won't judge you."  Cause seriously who wants to be covered in bandaids from a simple blood test.  She laughs and says unfortunately there isn't anyone else.  The pediatric nurse apparently does even less blood draws than she does and the other choice is my actual PCP who probably hasn't done one since med school. 

The next tool she pulls out is to put the blood pressure cuff on my arm and inflate it as much as possible.  This time she actually hits the vein AND gets blood out.  During all this I have to say, "Um, my hand is falling asleep" at which point she looks down and notices that my hand is, in fact, turning purple.  "Oops your hand is turning purple," as she laughs.  Oh lordy. 

Finally we are done and I immediately drive to Starbucks for a breakfast sandwich (hello bacon & gouda I love you) and a venti decaf nonfat mocha with whip cream.  Delic! 

So we shall see....nothing I'm sure....

I guess I'll have to give up my dream of a thyroid problem as excuse for my weigh gain and move on to my goal of being on The Biggest Loser.  Sigh...

It Really Is True

I always thought people that had kids would make up stuff so that people who didn't have kids would decide to have some and share their misery.  Stuff like "it's different when it's your own kids."  This was mostly said in conjuction to somthing gross happening usually involving a substance coming out of the nose, mouth, or bottom. 

I remember gagging when my God-daughter woke up with a terrible cold after spending the night at my house.  I've never seen so much snot and subsequently spent the entire drive to take her home gagging. 

But

It really is true!  It's different when it's your own kids.  I've picked boogies out of Emma's nose more time than I can count because my nails work way better than that stupid boogie catcher and even though I gag when I cough up my own phelgm the last week she threw up in my bed 4 or 5 times because she was congested and I didn't gag once.  I admit she has had some diapers that have made me gag a little, but those were way stinky and gross. 

In other news we are settling in to our lives in FL.  We've been here 2 weeks as of tomorrow and I will be celebrating by pre-ordering my new iPhone.  Yay!  Paul is almost halfway through with his deployment.  Double Yay!  Yay! 

And I've started a Couch to 5K program in an attempt to get in shape and lose some weight.  I am so out of shape that I will be repeating week 1 next week, but at least I'm gettin out there and the days I don't run I make myself walk.  Emma loves the stroller and looking around so at least she is enjoying it. 

I am off to read in bed.  Em is finally back in her crib after sleeping with me for the last several days.  Tomorrow Grandma is babysitting so mommy can go get a facial and a massage.  Wish her luck! 

My Mt. Fuji

Our friends Chelsea & George recently climbed Mt. Fuji in Japan.  Now considering I couldn't even make it to the top of the Bunker Hill Memorial I know without a doubt that I could not make it to the top of Mt. Fuji.  Could not, would not, don't want to.  Nothing about spending 7 hours climbing through the night, sucking on a can of oxygen, to see the sunrise followed by altitude sickness sounds fun to me.  God bless the people that do it though cause that sh*t sounds hard. 

That being said Em and I have been walking around Horn Pond.  It's a pretty good size lake near us that is surrounded by paths and trails.  There are tons of people there all the time so I feel pretty safe (although one day I wandered down a path alone and then was a nervous nelly walking back after it dead ended because I have watched too many Criminal Minds episodes).  Saturday I met a man there..he has 5 great grandchildren ranging in age from 7 months to 15 years (4 girls and 1 boy), is a retired police officer and prosecutor, AND goes to the gym 3 days a week and walks 3 days a week.  All I could think was "Gosh, I suck."  My eating is out of control and walking for an hour a day is really only stopping me from getting any heavier versus actually losing any weight.  I have not only fallen off the Weight Watchers wagon, but the wagon was struck by an ice cream truck and destroyed.  I am addicted to sugar as evidenced by my cavity.

Sunday my friend Danielle came with us and I wanted to look for an old reservoir that is there.  We found a trail heading straight up the side of a hill so off we went.  Five minutes into our hike and I am gasping for air.  I wished I had one of those cans of oxygen.  I wasn't aware that Emma weighs 80 lbs.  Up, up, up we go and I fall farther and farther behind Danielle.  Mostly I am hoping she will say we can turn around although I should've known that Danielle is much more athletic than me and that was not likely to happen.  At one point she went ahead and yelled back that it flattened out around the bend.  Um, BIG FAT LIAR.  It was flat for about 8 steps and then it was back up hill. 

On our journey up we passed a man who was RUNNING down.  He stopped and offered to push the stroller up because it was really steep.  Oh all that is holy, I was so tempted to take him up on his offer, but I reached deep into my heaving gut and manned up (remember I walked 60 miles in 3 days without training). 

Finally we made it to the top!

You can't really tell from this pic, but we could see downtown Boston

the reservoir

My eyes are shut tight because the sweat dripping into
them is burning my retinas--that's not a smile,
it's a grimace of pain

Horn Pond

Of course what goes up must come down and we spent what seemed like forever trying to determine if we could continue on the path we were on or we needed to go back the way we came.  Turns out the path we were on was not conducive to pushing a stroller down as evidenced by the fact that one part of it was sheer rock.  We headed back down the path we came up and who should pass but the man who offered to help us with the stroller.  Apparently he was just running up and down the mountain.  God love him.  This man passed us like 8 times.  I was just trying to keep the stroller from hurtling down the mountain.  Thank goodness for the wrist strap. 

After our hard work we took our sweaty bodies and headed to Orange Leaf for some fro yo.  I've been wanting to try it, it was good, I probably won't go back.  My night ended with a soak in the tub, praising God for giving us this tub.   

So I sit here watching Kate Plus 8 and I wonder the following:

How can I get Paul to pay for me to have lipo and breast implants like Kate?  She looks way skinny!

When and how did she become such a hateful person?

Gotta go.  Have a busy day tomorrow packing for Dallas and running errands. 

Stroller Strides

Last Friday Em and I decided to check out Stroller Strides.  For those of you not familiar with Stroller Strides first let me tell you what it is NOT.  I had no idea what to expect and had envisioned a group of women serenely (okay, maybe at a fast pace) walking around the park, chatting, while pushing their strollers.  Boy, was I ever so wrong!

We started off with warm ups that included placing the strollers in a circle so we could side shuffle around them and jog as we sang a song.  Of course I didn't know the words so I could concentrate on breathing and moving fast enough so that the person behind me didn't crash into me. 

We then pushed the strollers to the next station.  This involved squats and lunges while singing "Old McDonald Had a Farm."  Let me just tell you that Old McDonald almost had someone pushing up daisies on  his farm after the song was over.  I was so out of breath!  I hate squats and lunges anyways so doing them while singing and focusing on not keeling over was a little beyond me. 

The next station involved arm work.  Okay, that doesn't seem so bad until there was more running around the strollers in the form of musical chairs or in this case musical strollers and the loser had to do 10 jumping jacks.  Don't think I lost because I would've knocked a biatch down to avoid jumping jacks.  Again, all this occurs while singing, but luckily I don't know the words.

We then head onto the baseball field and are told to run around the bases 4 times.  If you know me you know I can't run 4 feet, but I can't not do it.  I start jogging and tell the woman behind me to feel free to pass me.  The whole time I'm hoping she doesn't step on me when I fall over.  Thank goodness there was no singing because all my energy was going into breathing and staying upright.  Surprisingly the woman never passes me so I at least beat one person. Of course a skinny mother of 2 almost lapped me, but at least I finished without walking, throwing up, crying, or passing out.

Then came jumping jacks...while singing the Hokey Pokey.  Do y'all realize how incredibly long that song is?  I am already drenched in sweat at this point and out of breath.  I'm sure some people wondered if I was having a seizure as my jacks were..well, sloppy may have been an understatement 

Finally, it's on to push ups...on bleachers.  While singing.  Kill me now. 

We finished up with sit ups.  I can rock some crunches.  I don't have 6 pack abs...I have a keg.

Of course I then rushed home to shower and meet a friend for lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings.  lol  So much for those calories burned. 

It was a lot of work out...much more than I expected.  We will be going back.  I have a slight cold so we'll see how I feel at the end of the week.  And this time I will be better prepared mentally.  Those women are tough!

So Big

Our day started off with a donut and coffee.  I know, I know.  But I love me some weekend Donna's Donuts coffee and donuts.  When we got home we skyped with Paul.  Poor guy usually never sees me in anything but my jammies because we skype in the morning...well, before lunch anyways.  After hearing how hot the Polish military women are maybe I should step up my game.  hehe



Skyping with Daddy (I like how they have the same smile)



Sasha & Baby Love

Our baby girl is getting so big and I just love all the new stuff she is up to!  I've been slacking on the weight loss stuff...I think my love of food and my hatred of exercise get in the way of any actual weight loss occurring.  Paul is still on The Biggest Loser: Afghanistan Edition and I had told him I was going to do yoga today and then Em fell asleep in the car and not at home so instead I took her for a walk.  Usually I put her in the car seat, put it on the stroller, and off we go. And then she usually fusses until she falls asleep.  Not very relaxing or enjoyable for either of us.  So tonight I decided to try and put her in the stroller, no car seat.

Stylin'

Hey, what's up?

Little ham loved it!  She wore her sunglasses with pride (thanks Aunt Brittney & Uncle Corey) and didn't even try to take them off (it may be because they were strapped around her head).  There was no fussing and no sleeping.  It has definitely motivated me to walk more with her because she seemed to enjoy being outdoors so much.  I even signed up for Stroller Strides today to try out a few times before we head to Florida.  I figure I'll meet some mom's in my area and get some exercise in at the same time.  And Tuesday we are going to an infant playgroup for the mom's group I joined. 

I used to make fun of the military spouses who didn't work because it seemed like I was the only spouse who had a job and now I am loving my new status as the typical military spouse...staying home, raising babies.  I never thought I'd be so traditional, but here I am.

On my walk I was thinking about what it takes to make a happy relationship and while I posted my thoughts on this in SUYL--Marriage Advice I was also thinking today that it is really about a genuine desire to put your partner or spouse first.  In return they should also put you first.  I know that putting Paul and Emma first in my life (after God) makes me happy which in turn makes me a better wife and mother.  If you are in a relationship in which  your partner puts themselves first then it's time to find a new relationship.  Unfortunately a lot of women don't think they deserve a partner who cherishes them or puts them first and so they take what they can get without a true understanding of their own worth.  I have a friend who is in a relationship like that now and it makes me sad because I think she is an awesome person and I know the guy she is with doesn't realize that and is not her true love.  He puts himself first and doesn't seem to realize what a gem he has.  I just pray for the day that she wakes up and realizes that God has someone out there who is perfect for her and breaks up with her boyfriend so that she can find that perfect person.  Her boyfriend is a nice enough guy...he is not just the guy. 

I am off to bed.  We are going to church tomorrow and yes, I double checked the time.  lol 

Having a glass of wine and WW be darned!

Clearly day 2 of WW has gone well.  I emailed a friend who is a lifetime member of WW and looks super amazing--def a hot mom.  She said go to the meetings.  I had already signed up for 3 months of WW online and don't have a sitter for the munchkin, but am thinking I might could go to meetings this fall when we are down with my family. 

The munchkin woke up at 3:30am and again at 6:00am for boobie juice.  This doesn't really bother me as I miss her when we're sleeping.  So my day started with me throwing on a very attractive outfit at 6:30am to take the garbage out as I was too lazy to do it last night.  As I had to throw away our old, plow damaged mailbox that my husband left lying in the weeds by our garbage can I also got to contemplate what I would do if confronted by a snake or spider (I mean really is there a better home for a snake or spider than an abandoned mailbox lying on the ground).  Rest assured no animals were seen as I gingerly hailed this stupid mailbox out of the weeds while trying to touch as little of it as possible in case the aforementioned snake or spider made an appearance.  The munchkin then let me sleep for another couple hours and we were up and headed downstairs by 9am. 

The first crisis of the day was a family medical issue.  It wasn't really a crisis for me as there wasn't much I could do, but def involved coordination, etc. for other people.  Things seem to be worked out, but there were numerous phone calls between parties all day as well as stress and worry. 

The munchkin has not pooped in a week which has led to her being quite fussy all day.  We've done the thermometer trick, belly massage, bicycles, warm bath.  No poop.  My plan is that if she had not pooped tonight to call the ped in the morning.  This will be important in the rest of the story. 

I love Chili's chips, queso, and salsa.  Thanks to WW I will never be able to eat there again as I looked up online to see how many points my usual Chili's lunch was.  Let's just say the mystery of how I've gotten so fat is no longer a mystery.  If you don't follow me on twitter (Jenn_uineLife in case you are interested in my mostly random and I hope funny tweets) then you may have missed that I ate at Chili's not once, not twice, but 3 times last week. 

So, I'm trying to figure out where I can eat lunch and stay in my point range and fill out stuff for the post office as my daughter fusses.  I finally just threw her in the car seat and we headed to Friendly's.  My grilled cheese, fries, and ice tea was surprisingly not as many points as you'd think.  Plus up to this point I'd had almost no points thanks to the banana I had for breakfast.  Hallelujah she slept through lunch.  We headed home and she actually let me finish filling out the envelopes.  I nursed her and we headed to the post office.

The men that work at our post office are awesome.  I got a lollipop. 

We then headed to B&N so I could check out the new Nook.  I pre-ordered one even though I'm still not super sure about it.  I def didn't want the color one b/c I wanted to read outside, but the new one seems to have such a small reading surface.  I don't have to buy it when it gets in so we shall see. 

I gave the munchkin a bottle at B&N, got me a skinny iced latte, and took her to the restroom to change.  Munchkin is in the phase of loud noises scaring her which results in her crying.  I dropped the diaper wipes box on the tile and she started crying. 

And then she pitched a fit.  You know the kind of fit that causes other people to stare at you in horror and pity as your child stiffens their entire body and screeches like a banshee.  I felt so bad for her!   Of course it was 4:30pm and our ped was gone for the day so I called my lactation consultant.  She could hear the screaming and suggested I call the on call doctor.  The munchkin literally cried herself to sleep in the car and has been reasonably okay since then.  It's a good thing since the on call doctor never called me back!  I will be following up tomorrow as she still hasn't pooped and still a little fussy. 

So, it has been a long day and I am having a glass of wine or two (I had boobie juice in the fridge I needed to use up anyways).  Thank goodness hubby comes home tonight because I am exhausted!  I don't know how single moms do this.  God bless them!  Here's hoping tomorrow is less stressful.

Weight Watchers-day 1

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