A Whole Lotta Soul Searching

What the heck happened to me? Where have I been? What have I been doing?

Well let's see, I fell off the face of the Earth into a big mess of a life. Don't worry though, just minor set backs, nothing too major. There were some life changing moments, such as the death of my uncle, followed by the death of a great uncle. It seems every time I thought I was on the mend something else would come up. Or would it? I truly think I tried to find any reason to not do what I know I needed to do.

I quit working out, my eating has gone down hill and I'm back up to around 251, but I've been able to maintain it. That's something right? But seriously, my bow business took off and I've been working hours upon hours making hair bows and trying to keep up with everyday life. I booked several photography gigs and the editing kept me busy as well. So it sounds like a good thing right? Not so much.

After much soul searching we decided that I'm going to cut back to custom orders only for my bow business. I can't give it up because I love doing it, but I definitely can't ignore my children for it either. I honestly feel like that's what I was doing and that in itself makes me feel like horrible mother of the year.

I also would really love to start focusing on my photography business more, as well getting back to the basics of me; eating healthy, exercising again, etc. Now I'm not one for New Year's resolutions. Why? Because I NEVER STICK TO THEM...

But I do need to re-dedicate myself to getting back to being healthy. We've even shortly discussed the idea of signing up for The Biggest Loser. However, I don't know how that would work with my hubby's current schedule.

So I apologize to those that are/were following me and if I left you feeling abandoned. But I'm sure you understand how things can get crazy with a family. :D

Biggest Loser {Week 4}

Week four is in the bag.... And I'm not too sure of it.

Biggest Loser {Week 3}

Week three is in the bag....

Biggest Loser {Week 2}

Week two is in the bag....

Up To My Ears in Tulle

I know I haven't been blogging much lately, but I've been up to my ears in tulle and ribbon. I had an old high school acquaintance approach me regarding my side business (tutu dresses and hair bows) and she's a vendor at the upcoming Holiday Show in downtown KC.

They want to showcase 20 of my dresses!!!! I'm on a deadline, so I have to be done by the 18th. I'm almost there. I'm also trying to stick to my Biggest Loser challenge. I figure I have to work the exercise in somewhere right? So stay tuned for that post on Monday.

And if anyone is curious.... {Bella's Bows}

Biggest Loser {Week 1}

Week one is in the bag.... it was an interesting ride and I think I'm on to some new tactics.

Zumba

I got up at 7am...me, the night owl who didn't go to bed until after 2am, but I managed to get myself up at 7am to head to Zumba. I also talked my friend, Amy, into going with me. Today was a trial run, but we both decided to go ahead and sign up for a month....

That was nice

I woke up late after staying up too late. As soon as I woke my hubby had made lunch so I sat down to eat. Then I put Baby Boy to bed. I decided that I wasn't going to wait until the evening to run with the kids. I wanted some me time and I took it. Hubby put Baby Girl to bed and everyone was asleep by the time I made it back home.

Biggest Loser ~ The Beginning

I'm a huge fan of Biggest Loser, no pun intended. I've watching it for the last several years and last season was the most inspiring to me. It truly helped motivate my new habits. So it's no surprise that two weeks ago when the new season started that I'm feeling that feeling again. Lucky for me I have a great support system so I don't "need" to run away to an amazing fitness camp and get my butt kicked on a daily basis for 5 months. Perhaps it's what I'd like to do some times, but it's not a need.

Weigh Me Wednesday...a day late.

Well it's been a month since I weighed myself and I am not in the least bit surprised. Well, I weighed myself yesterday but forgot to post it.

I'm back

After nearly a month off, I finally got back out and ran. I ran a lot tonight. Very few walks to catch my breath and I only had to stop twice. Once to pick up a toy that was thrown out and once to give Baby Boy some water. I really felt great. I was actually surprised it wasn't harder after taking such a long break. But hey, 16 minute pace??? Yes please! Now we'll see how this darn hip flexor does tomorrow. :)

I'm still here

Thank you to those who have checked on me. I'm still around, just not on the blog much. I'll make this short as I'm fixing dinner, but After my last post we took a mini vacation to Nebraska. While enroute home I received a call that my uncle had passed away. I was fortunate enough that I got to say good bye before we left the state. I was then asked to do a memorial slide show for the funeral and the dinner after the funeral, as well as take portraits for the funeral itself. Some may go, woah isn't that morbid? No. My uncle was a hero. He was a war veteran as well as 20+ year fire fighter. He was given a military funeral as well as the last rights of a fireman. My aunt wanted this celebration of life captured so I did so.

{ Week 8 } 100 Mile Challenge

I'm Expecting

You heard it here first...I'm expecting.

Weigh Me Wednesday

It's that time of the week again...

It's a tough road

When the hubs is off of work we tend to go for our run at night. That was the case Monday night and it was fabulous. There could be two reasons behind it...

1) It was night and a lot cooler without the sun beating down on us.

2) I was trying a new route, guesstimating how far we'd gone. Not knowing the distance may have pushed me faster?

{ Week 7 } 100 Mile Challenge

Weigh Me Wednesday

I don't remember the last time I actually posted Weigh Me Wednesday, but can I say.... I AM BACK!!!!! I apparently got over my funk, thankfully with my hubby's help, and seem to be moving back in the right direction! This was an AWESOME week.

Happy Morning!!!!

I did a sneak peak weigh-in this morning...245.4!!!!!!! Let's see what Wednesday brings. ;)

Just for fun...here's your daily dose of stupid. Donut Seeds:

http://www.castanet.net/news/Offbeat/62971/Donut-seeds

Changes...

So, the hubs and I started walking together after lunch, right? Then he says "I wonder if it's even making a difference?" I told him to give it some time. He said "No, I mean, am I overdoing it on the calories so much that walking isn't going to cut it?" Well I don't know? I count my own calories and so should he.

{ Week 6 } 100 Mile Challenge

Finding my Mojo

As you know I've been down in the dumps, today was weigh in day, but you can see there's no post. I'm not too far off from my last weigh in I don't think. But I've just lost that motivation I had...

I tell you what

Things just haven't been going good for me lately. I don't know what the problem is, why it started, but I wish it'd leave. I took some time...no reason really, just because. So tonight the hubby and I tried to get out. I ran w/ the kids and the stroller and he rode his bike, in circles around us.

I barely got through the first mile and my freakin' muscle started hurting in my shin again. >:|

So I called it a night as I was gimping trying to get home safely. But I managed a mile and a half in 22 minutes...14 minute avg pace. New record for me. So once we got home my hubby blew the dust of the rower and I attempted 4 sets of 5 minutes. I barely made it through 3 sets. I averaged 2:45 splits, which is okay just not where I've been in the past. I still have a long road ahead of me, but the silver lining is that I've lost a lot of my "gut" and it was very very apparent when I rowed. I didn't have to spread my knees as far apart when breaking...it was very nice. So I know my hard work in the past has paid off, I just need to find my motivation again. I also need to work on my tendons/muscles so that when I jog I don't get those fabulous pains. I know it all comes with time, I just wish I could go for a nice run and come home feeling great and not limp the next day.

Food wise, I'm terribly off track. I haven't logged my food for 3 days now and yesterday I only ate twice. TERRIBLE. I know better, I just don't know what got into me. So I'm moving on, going to be logging my food again, and watching what I'm eating, instead of just putting what ever is in front of me in my mouth. I can do this, I know I can...I just have to.

{ Week 5 } 100 Mile Challenge

Hot Time In The City

Last night I went for a nice 3 mile run...in 100* heat. 48 minutes after we started, we returned home. I was sooooo sweaty. I was proud, I was happy, I was disgusting to smell or touch and I was tired. But mostly I couldn't help but smile at myself. Have you ever had a moment like that? I was smiling over my accomplishment so much that I decided to try and take a self portrait, just for the sake of sharing my grin.

I'm still here...

I'm here. I haven't been posting much because there isn't much to post about I suppose. The weather still sucks, I'm still eating decent, and well my exercise has slacked a smidge, but my legs are feeling better for it. And with all the miscellaneous house chores being attended to, I'm still sweating my butt off in this heat. But I'll be back on the horse tonight...later tonight. They're calling for a high of 102* with a heat index of 116*. So as you understand with two little ones in tow, I have to take precautions to make sure all three of us are safe outside. And just for giggles...here's what I saw last night at 8:20pm. :(

{ Week 4 } 100 Mile Challenge

Leg Pain Sucks...But It's Curable!

Sick of my weather updates? Oh well...by the time we left at 8:30pm it cooled down to a whopping 100*.

So you know I'm dealing with some horrid allergies, but suffering through my runs. Today I got to the point that I couldn't even turn the steering wheel due to the pain between my shoulder blades. I made a pit stop at the chiropractors office this afternoon and he is a life saver! Basically he knocked out my headache and sinus pain, allowed my sinuses to drain more freely (sarcastic yay!) and made it so I can now turn my head to the right and do other activities without my shoulder area being in pain. I LOVE CHIROPRACTIC.

Weigh Me Wednesday

Boy oh boy what a week. Lots of icky feelings, I'm still snot loaded, but you know that's a whole 'nother story. Milestones have been broken and new goals set for a very close friend and well for me...

I Hate Allergies

I have chronic sinusitis...and I really thought I was going to get away without an outbreak this summer. Apparently I was wrong. Two days ago I woke up with a screaming sore throat. Last night we visited my parents and by the time I got out of their house I couldn't breathe...cat dander. :/

We came home and I took a benadryl and that was that...eleven hours of sleep. Although not uninterrupted sleep, it was nice. Apparently it still wasn't enough, all day long I kept having dizzy spells and profuse amounts of mucous leaving my nostrils. So, I really debated if I wanted to go out for a run tonight. The hubby thought it might be a good idea. At first it seemed like pure torture, but after a while it was okay. By the time we made it back I could actually breathe.

Then we took our showers and poof, I'm right back to the "elephant filled headache" and snotty face. Ugh...is it fall yet? How do you all deal? Do you force yourself to get out and walk/run or do you sit at home?

Still, I guess it wasn't too bad considering I managed a 16 minute pace.

What I Do In The Name of Health

I don't know why my determination seems to stick during the nastiest weather we see. I seem to be so determined to jog in the killer heat, but the slightest cold or rain, forget about it.

{ Week 3 } 100 Mile Challenge

Weigh Me Wednesday

It's not nearly as bad as I expected. I'm actually surprised that it is as good as it is...although my joints are terribly sore this morning, but I guess that's to be expected when you're overweight and run 15 minute miles.

Back on the Wagon

So I took several days off from walking. I need to recoup as well as get some major projects around the house accomplished...and uh, yeah I'm still working with the hubby on them. I know that it shouldn't be an excuse for bailing on exercising, but sometimes I just get in that mood. It's not like I'm sitting on my butt veggin'. I'm actually sweating my butt off, but for the sake of the 100 Mile Challenge it doesn't count. So I had to throw some strength training in so I could keep up with my miles. Good compromise I'd say.

{ Week 2 } 100 Mile Challenge

Wednesday Funk

Earlier today I posted my weigh in and it really got me into a funk. I was determined to workout none the less. As the evening drug on I sat and sat and I really, really almost didn't get out of the house. That's how bummed I was. However, the kids annoyed me into it. So I got ready, packed our stuff and put the kids in the stroller.

Weigh Me Wednesday

Hum drum, Hum drum...not a happy girl this morning. :(

Holy Bras of Steel

Did that get your attention? Well, you see I've had several "tools" on my wish list since beginning my journey. Seeing that my hubby knows I'm taking this seriously he's been slowly surprising me with the tools I need to assist me on my journey. One of those in the top priority category are good (great) sports bras.

Since you asked...

Okay, okay so it's been a while since I've updated the blog, but I've been busy working it. I've been hitting the pavement consistently and it feels great. My weight is still fluctuating around 248-249, but I attribute most of that to water retention and building muscle. I've been chugging water like there's no tomorrow because while I work out, the heat index is near 100*. Phew.

What I've Been Eating

I'm bored tonight...my hubby is working so here you go.

{ Week 1 } 100 Mile Challenge

Weigh Me Wednesday

Fantastical day!!! Killer weigh in; kickin' bike ride; and a very worn out lady.

It's been a whirlwind

I feel like I've been neglecting the blog, yet again. But in truth I've been busy walking, raising the kids, keeping the household going and gardening. I've also been helping the hubby out with yard chores. Bare with me as I have several pictures to share with everyone. As you can see above...numalicious food from our garden. Yummy kale (perfect for baked kale chips), cherry tomatoes (awesome snack food), gypsy bell peppers and a purple beauty bell pepper, and a mix of chile's and jalapenos.

Shut the Front Door!

No way? It's just not possible? Am I dreaming? Pinch me...go ahead. OUCH! That hurt. Okay, so I'm thiiiiiisssss close to hitting the 30 pound loss mark. How spectacular is that?

Weigh Me Wednesday

Well it's been an interesting week of ups and downs and the scale proves that. I'm not mad, I'm not sad. I'm content. BUT...I will not remain content. As soon as I can, I'm getting back on my walking schedule and moving forward with my 100 mile challenge. Yup.

Where I'm At

Can you tell where we were?

Did you miss me? Well you'll be pleased to know that our road trip was successful. I took fresh bananas, cuties, grapes, pre-cut strawberries, cheese sticks, fully frozen smoothies, freeze dried fruit, and several bottles of water. Oh yeah! For what it's worth, from now on we will totally be bringing grapes and strawberries along. I used Mason jars w/ lids and rings to keep the fruit fresh and from getting squished in the cooler. The glass jars also helped keep the fruit super cold.

Saturday after our cousin's wedding we took the kids back to the house and I plugged in my calories....I was under 1,000 for the day. OH NO. So I did the stupidest and most logical thing at 10:20pm and sent the hubby off to McDonald's. *shaking head in shame* I can't be too shameful as I truly needed the calories and there weren't many other options at that time of night in a podunk town.

Quick Update

So I have the bestest husband in the whole wide world!!!! I have me a new BOB. YAY!!!!!!! As soon as we got it I set it up and took the kids for a spin. Now I don't know if it just having a new toy or if it was due to the not-so-heaviness of the BOB, but it seemed like I was flying.

Seriously I hit my first mile in 15 minutes...15 minutes while WALKING. I hit my second mile by 32 minutes. I completed my walk in 52 minutes. That's 17 minute miles. How freaking awesome? I also jogged three times during our walk, which probably helped my time but it was only for 30 seconds or so at a time.

I felt like I was on cloud nine. On my last half mile we walked by three people standing beside a car parked on the street. This lady was smoking a cigarette and there was no avoiding the plume of death. I wasn't even a half a foot past her when Baby Girl hollered out "Pee-eeew, that stinks." I about died on the spot, rolling in laughter. I mumbled to myself that I knew what she meant, then I decided to jog again, just so I could get away from them faster. Ah, kids.

Alrighty, time to turn in. This mornings weight check: 250.2 = awesome.

Weigh Me Wednesday

Short and semi-sweet.

Why I'm Worried

Here in the not so distant future we'll be taking a road trip. This will be our first road trip since I started my weight loss journey. I'm getting a little nervous. In the past we would pack fruit snacks, trail mix, various snack crackers...not exactly all healthy. Add to that we generally hit the nearest McDonald's for an overnight breakfast or midday lunch...not exactly adding up to be a good time on the waist line.

I'm fretting over what I can take for a five hour ride. I plan on taking any bananas left over at that time, maybe some cuties, otherwise I'm sorta stumped... anybody have any suggestions?

Secondly I won't be gone that long, so I'm not sure how worried I am about getting a workout in. I think I'll be okay skipping two days, but who knows I may take the kids for a leisurely walk because quite frankly I'm enjoying it.

Okay, enough fretting. I forgot to weigh in this morning, so we'll see what the scale says tomorrow. :)

Step Into Summer {Final Week}

Oops, looks like I'm a smidge behind this week. It's been very busy in our home as of late. I've been pushing through the pain, so to speak, and walking as much as possible. I did run into a little snag here the past couple of days when I did my best time on a three mile walk. I ended up with two blisters on my right heel. I tried using some healing band-aids and walking last night but I only made it a quarter of a mile and I had to ditch both shoes. :( I did complete a mile...barefoot though, so I should get some credit right? LOL.

I CAN DO IT

Tonight/Today was amazing!!!! Our best friends called to let us know that they set up a water slide in the front yard and we were welcome to come hang. They also set up a big pool for the big kids and a baby pool, with whale slide for my little two munchkins. So of course I *gulp* put on a swimsuit (a maternity swimsuit), got the kids suited up, and headed out. It was fun. Both kids thought they could get in the big pool, but I quickly through them in the baby pool and they were super excited about the slide. We spent hours out there.

Why I love DailyMile

1) I can map my route before or after my workout. I can also view it in "street view," "satellite view," or "terrain." It logs every inch of my walk and tells me just how far I went or planned on going.

 

2) It lets me look at my workouts from several different angles, such as how many times around the world I've been; how much gas I've saved, how many workouts, and my total miles.

3) Best of all...it tells me how many donuts I've burned off. :D

Seriously, it's an amazing tool. So glad I gave it a try.

Green Smoothies and then some

Today's lunch is brought to you by I.B. Lazy. :)

I went to bed around 2, and slept until 11, thank you hubby. I woke up refreshed and hungry. Of course it wasn't exactly breakfast time so I opted for an easy nummy sammich. Whole wheat bread, 1 slice of laughing cow in lieu of Miracle Whip and a 2.8oz can of Albacore Tuna. I followed it up with a cup of sliced strawberries and a cup of skim milk. Nummy.

Weigh Me Wednesday

I am so behind the ball today...sorry. Today's weigh in was no where near where I'd hoped. :( It's all mental right now I can guarantee it. But if I've learned anything from Alison, it is that I just have to keep my head up, stick to the game plan and watch it pay off in the near future.

More Wish List Items

My wish list is growing by the moment...after the sweltering heat here I've been looking for ideas to help wick the moisture away and I think I found a pretty reasonable one from Bondi Band.

Step Into Summer {Week 4 of 11}

Sweet week folks. I'm super excited about how this week turned out. I took two days of rest, but other wise am continuing to improve the length of my walks. I started out shy of three miles and was going to try a 3 mile walk last night, but ended up just under 4 miles, thanks to the hubby. So what happened with last weeks goals?

Quick Post

The hubs walked with us tonight and we were just shy of a 4 mile walk!!!!! Seriously, I was aiming for getting close to a 3 mile walk, but 4?? Wow. Nice job by the hubs. Now I'm going to drag my legs of lead into the shower. Night Night.

Glad it's not just me

So I'm super excited to see that it's not just me that is having "mental issues" when it comes to splurging. Now I feel a little more normal. I'm guessing part of it is the fact that I no longer "require" five pounds of chocolate in one sitting in order to feel good. So after having gone so long without having candy my body pretty much said "Hey, what the heck are you doing?" And after chugging down water all night and day I feel much better.

Not to mention I got out and walked with the kids tonight. We took, technically, two days off and tonight they had later than usual naps, so that made dinner later, and our walk later. I had to cut it short, but still managed to squeeze two miles in 45 minutes and that included stopping and talking to a stranger and her young daughter for about five minutes.

Speaking of walking, we visited a retailer yesterday and "test drove" a BOB Revolution Duallie. Can you say LOVE ? So now I begin saving my pennies for a very expensive, necessary stroller because our current double stroller isn't intended for the kind of "abuse" I'm putting it through. I have a feeling that it's going to fall apart if I keep up my pace and eventually get into running again.

Isn't is pretty? I'm not sure if I love the shock system or the lightweight feel to it? Both kids loved it and I know I will...once I have one of my very own. ;) For those of you with kids, what joggers do you have? What do you like about them or hate about them?