Category: Inspiration

My Weight Loss Story – Goodbye 27 pounds!

Officially, as of today, I have lost 27 pounds since the beginning of February! I am so thrilled and not only with the pounds lost but, the inches lost is even more remarkable. If you are reading this and you want to lose weight and get healthy, START NOW!

O, how I wish I would have started years ago, even months but I let soooo much time go by. I started this journey just a few months ago and I am seeing real results already, it’s amazing. At times, even this week before weigh in, I feel like it’s taking forever to see results but then I do a reality check. The results are there and they are real, slowly coming but surely coming. Start today!

Also, measure yourself in the beginning of your journey. I did not measure myself until about 7 weeks after I started. I measured at the beginning of April and then today… I have lost 14″ from all over, except my thighs. That is just in the last 4 weeks!

I work out just about everyday, we go to the gym at least six days a week. I do cardio using the treadmill, bike, and the elliptical. I also do strength training as well as Just Dance.

When I first started working out in February I could this machine for only 5 minutes before I was gasping and couldn’t go on.:

Then by last week I was up to 20 minutes!!

Yesterday I am happy to report that I did it for 25:38!

So thrilled at results!! Today I am going to shoot for 30!

Start today, if I can do it, you can do it!

****UPDATE****

I am up to 45 minutes now! I am shocked!

April 25, 2014
Weight Loss Success – No more Fast Food or Restaurants

I have lost 20 POUNDS SO FAR!!

I thought it was time for a before and after picture! I am at only 20% of my goal, but to me, I can’t believe it! I never thought I could do it!! I didn’t really take a formal “Before” picture but I found one taken close to the start of my new lifestyle.

Funny thing is… I lost most of it in my rear, which is great! No more shelf!! Most people I see say something after I go to walk away from them. I keep hearing “Wow, now I can really tell”, lol. Seriously though, looking at the picture on the left makes me disgusted and ashamed. I am so glad that I am finally changing! I can’t wait to buy cute clothes!

One HUGE eye-opener for me was fast food and restaurant food. Now, of course I have always known that Fast Food was not healthy but I truly didn’t realize the extent of it. Truly too, restaurant food is not better. Even those who tout a “healthy, low-cal or low-fat foods, their numbers are just double what you should have for a meal.

Admittedly, grabbing some drive-thru can be so very convenient when you are on the go and have kids to think about. But really, what I realized, I can run into the grocery store grab fresh fruit, yogurt and bottled water for the same price. They even offer cube cheese with apples slices and other types of healthy snacks in the deli area. Sometimes I will grab my boys a veggie tray and they devour it. Fruit trays, no problem, they go in a flash. My first thought is the price is so much more, but really it isn’t. Plus the nutritional values difference is unmistakable.

Or you can make the same food at home for just about half the calories.

Did You Know that new smothered burrito from Taco Bell has 700 calories, 35 grams of fat, 2260 mg of sodium, and 68 carbs???!!?!!? Can you even believe it? The steak nachos have 1190 calories, 60 grams of fat and 117 carbs!!! Yes they are the most fattening items on the menu but I wanted to show you because I was shocked.

More examples come from McDonalds. Of course we have all heard how incredibly horrible the Big Mac is, right? It comes in at 550 calories, 29 grams of fat, 46 carbs, 25 g. protein. Now look at this: the SW Crispy Chicken McWrap is a whopping 670 calories, 33 grams of fat, 67 carbs!!!?? Shocking! Even the grilled version is 510 cals, 30 grams of fat and 53 carbs. So don’t be fooled thinking wraps are better.

I am not just picking on those two big name fast food chains either, let me be clear, all fast food should be avoided. In my, opinion, restaurant food too.

This has all been an eye opener. Like I said, of course we all know fast food is bad for you, but I did not realize the reality until I started reading the nutritional information. This goes for everything in the grocery too. Check them all! Don’t forget to take serving size in to account. ONE GREAT place for a calorie counter is MyFitnessPal. They make looking up nutritional info for all food, grocery and restaurant easy. You can also track all your meals, calories, food intake, etc.

One more tip – chips are still a weakness of mine, tortilla chips to be exact. Something interesting I learned in my quest to find a healthy chip – there really are no healthy chips, like none. 🙁

BUT I still allow for a few in my weekly menu. Important note – Tostitos Original are DOUBLE the calories and carbs as regular as classic yellow Doritos – which I think taste better anyway. I was kind of shocked to learn of it. If you compare the backs, the info looks the same but the serving size is double on the Doritos.

In all reality, I need to cut chips out. Any good alternatives that you know of?

Hope you are joining me in this quest for weight loss success! Stay tuned…

Created by MyFitnessPal – Free Calorie Counter

April 2, 2014
Top Ways to Start Losing Weight

Recently I started the journey towards a new, healthy me. I had heard it all, over the years. How to lose weight. Every thing from the cabbage diet to pills to shakes, etc. You know the drill, we are pounded with quick, easy solutions that really don’t have any lasting effect. We also all know the best results happen the right way. What we need is a healthy diet and exercise which are the true keys to a lasting lifestyle change. It’s not about trying this or that. It’s about changing the way you eat forever. You don’t have to deny yourself and eat foods you don’t like either.

What is working for me?

1. Track your food intake. I am using Sparkpeople.com and I started tracking my food immediately. I was amazed at how many calories some of my favorite food had. I had never thought about everything single thing I ate in a day, now I know exactly where I am at.

2. If you do not have a full set of measuring spoons and cups, get some. Measuring absolutely everything, you will be amazed at how many servings you really eat. This way you can know exactly how many calories etc. you are eating per day.

3. Buy a food scale. I bought a digital one on Amazon for under $20, I love it. You can change the units and it is also a timer. Weigh your food, just like measuring, do it to everything you eat.

4. Compromise. I love cheese. I love bread. I did not want to completely give them up so I found an alternative. I started buying low-fat cheese and 45 calorie bread. I also started eating lowfat yogurt. I recommend Fage greek yogurt 2%, its is delicious, creamy, low-fat, GMO free and contains no “junk”.

5. Get a mileage tracker. I have a FITBIT ONE and I am addicted to it! I love it. It tracks my steps, flights, miles and calories burned and my sleep. I had no clue how little activity I was getting before I started wearing it. Now it keeps me on my toes. If my mileage is low for the day I take a walk around or throw on Just Dance on the Wii. My current goal is 6k steps a day although I am considering bumping it up to 7k. Ultimately I want to be at 10k a day, the daily recommended amount for a healthy adult.

This is my Fitbit Dashboard, you can also track your food and sync up with SparkPeople too!

6. Work out! Get active. I am going to the gym 5x week and I am loving it. I finally passed the hump of making myself go, now I want to go. Great investment for our family! Start slow, work your way up.

Start now! You can do it! You really, really can!

March 19, 2014
Weight Loss Week 3 – The Importance of a Good Gym

Woohoo and Yeehaw! I lost 5 pounds this week!! I feel great, have more energy and I am getting into the groove of working out.

I am thrilled at this new lifestyle! I have more energy, my mood is better, I sleep better.

One huge factor in this process has been our new gym membership. My husband and I joined a local Gym that is suitable for the entire family. We had initially joined a local rec center but that proved to be a bad option. There was literally nothing for my kids to do, which is ironic for a recreation center. Thankfully, a friend recommended a local Gym so we went and took the tour.

I was blown away at this place. They have everything you need and more! It is 2 levels, tons of square footage, an indoor pool, tanning, sauna, steam, the list goes on and on. The best and MOST important part – there is an entire children’s workout area! My children love it! They have circuit machines, treadmills, a climbing wall, Dance Revolution and Wii Sports on a big screen. The “coaches” lead children through stretches and they even lecture on healthy eating and taking care of your body. It is fantastic! Here is a video and it is already 7 years old, the room is even cooler now!

I did have one friend warn me about this Gym being a meat market and gym rat hangout but my first thought is: I don’t care who is there or what they look like I am there to work on ME, period. The cool thing is…. it’s not like that at all. There are people from all walks of life and all levels of fitness.

This gym also offers over 100 classes a week and they are always packed. I want to try them, they sound like a blast but my worry at this point… I wouldn’t be able to keep up or last. I want to go to the Senior classes first, lol. I figure in 2 months I will be ready to join the classes. I would like to get in better shape and work on flexibility and endurance.

I have been doing 4 miles on the bike and half mile to a mile on the treadmill. I set it at Incline 3 and speed 3. I plan on bumping it up every couple of weeks or so. I am also doing strength training with the guidance of my husband, he helped me put together a routine.

My husband has always been an exerciser so he is thrilled at all of this! We go every night when Dad comes home from work. We come home and have power smoothies and a light dinner. It’s been great.

Ready to join me in a new lifestyle journey? Would love to hear your weight loss stories too!

Cheers!

February 27, 2014
Losing Weight, Getting Healthy Week 2

I made through Week 1 and am well on my to Week 2. I lost 1 pound. That’s it. I was devastated at first because in my mind, I worked pretty hard so far. When I spoke to my Mom she reminded me that a box of butter was a pound. When I thought about it that way, I was happier. One pound is more than none and better than gaining, right? I am not giving up, this is my time.

This week, I cut back even more on my portions and I stayed satisfied. In fact, at times, I wasn’t hungry at meal time. I am starting to love greek yogurt so very much. I need to eat more fruit but it seems like my favorites are never ripe this time of year. I tried to eat a can of fruit cocktail and let me just say it was not a pleasant experience.

I started using Just Dance on Wii just about everyday and I love it! It is a fun way to get moving and burn calories. There is even an exercise mode that keeps track of calories burned. I would love to buy more of them.

I will keep on trucking and focus more on eating fruits and veggies.

I started upping the incline on the treadmill and the resistance on the bike too.

Stay tuned! I will continue posting about my journey to losing weight.

February 17, 2014
The Beginning of My Weight Loss Journey

This is it! I can really feel it this time. It’s different than ever before. Recently I began the long, rewarding weight loss journey of heading to a healthy lifestyle.

THE CHALLENGE

A couple of weeks ago my Mom emailed me to offer up a weight loss challenge. She offered me money to lose weight!

The challenge specifics: “I will pay you $5.00 a pound. If you continuously lose weight from now until May, I will up it to $10 per pound.”

Wow! Ok so honestly the first thought that popped into my head was ‘I must really be bad if my mom is willing to pay me so much to lose’. I was sad but the reality was, I needed to start a change. She was concerned about my health, I have 3 boys to think about being around for.

I decided to accept the challenge. I needed to go weigh myself since I have never owned a scale. I went into to the neighborhood rec center and they let me use their scale.

Can I just say that I was seriously shocked about how much I weighed? I know that might sound crazy but I really did not realize how out of hand it had become. The last time I weighed my self was with my last pregnancy, six years ago.

Reality strikes. It was time to change forever. I was ready too, just so very ready.

I didn’t want to blog about it at all at first because I was afraid I would fail, it seemed overwhelming. The amount of weight I wanted to lose seemed like an impossibility, I felt too far gone.

Yet, I went for it anyway, I took the first step and then second and third.

Like I keep saying it’s different somehow. I know I won’t fail. I want this. I will succeed.

Follow me on my journey. Join me!

February 10, 2014
Summer-in-Winter Party
This past weekend, with several storms looming over most of the country, it was cold and snowy. While the country was bracing itself for it all we were getting dressed up in shorts, tshirts and sandals.

Crazy? Nope! Just a Summer-in-Winter party my very good friend puts on every year. Everyone was encouraged to wear summer clothes. The kids thought we were crazy at first!

We started off the evening with summer related words taped to our backs, we then had so ask questions and try to guess what the word was. A good ice breaker.

Then we had a obstacle course of sorts and teamed up in pairs, 1 child + 1 adult.

The events included:
- ring toss
- egg on a spoon
- spooning water into a cup
- a ping pong toss
It was so much fun, I was teamed up with my 4 year old! He did really good!

After that we gathered and everyone was asked to put 3 pieces of bubble gum into their mouths, chew until soft and then pull it out and sculpt something.

Ewweee! It was funny but ooeey-gooey. Here are some of the results:

On to the food. Is there another better than yummy summer party food?

Grilled hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, fresh fruit, pico de gallo and chips.

We had a great time and look forward to next year! I think the snow storm we had made it that much more fun!

We even had to turn off the fireplace because we were so hot from playing games!
February 10, 2014
Fun Christmas Countdown Project

There is nothing like this time of year. Carols, cookies, friends, families, lights, and JESUS! My friend and I wanted to do something fun for the little ones to countdown to Christmas. We decided on little wrapped presents each marked with a day # representing how many days left until Christmas. Our countdown began December 1^st so I had my kids start with 24 so they would know how many days until Christmas.

Supplies Needed:
Toilet paper rolls (12, cut in half to make 24)

Tissue paper cut into 7×4 rectangles

Pipe cleaner to close ends (approx. 4″)

Avery Circle printer labels (optional)

24 Fun, inexpensive gifts (see list) We purchased ours from three different stores – the Dollar Tree, Walmart and Mardel. We only purchased multipacks, nothing individual.

We spent somewhere around $30 for 6 kids total, not bad!

Wrap the roll in the tissue paper, tie one end with a pipe cleaner, insert prize, tie the other end, add # sticker.

We displayed them in a big basket, each night when we do Advent we let the kids open their prizes.

Start now! Your kids will love it!

FULL LIST of goodies:

1. A Christmas Stamp

2. Drum Ornament

3. Jingle Bell Ornament

4. Gumball

5. Jesus tattoo

6. Noahs Ark eraser

7. Christmas eraser

8. Mini YoYo

9. Sticker

10. Mini- Bubbles

11. Christmas Wristband

12. Christmas Ring

13. Jeweled Ring

14. Snake

15. Jelly Frogs

16. Mini games

17. Bouncy Balls

18. Chocolate

19. Mini – Slinky

20. Glow in the Dark flower

21. Avengers necklace

We doubled up on a couple to finish.

Enjoy this Christmas, spend some time each night talking about the arrival of our Savior! Merry Christmas!

December 4, 2013
Making Your Home a Haven – Women Living Well

A few years ago I came across video from a homeschool Mom, she had videos on homeschooling, also songs for preschoolers. It was a great help when starting out in the homeschool world. I started following her on Facebook and she now has thousands of fans. She posts Bible Studies, Devotionals and challenges. The blog is called Women Living Well.

This past Summer she posted a marriage challenge. Each week she posted inspirational and motivational articles that were geared at strengthening your marriage. What a refreshing topic too, to delight in your husband and to love and cherish him. I was hooked. This Fall she has posted a brand new challenge and the title alone got me!

“Making Your Home a Haven” was another blessing from this Godly woman I have come to consider a mentor of sorts. Check this challenge out! Especially now, in the midst of Fall. When all the schedules fill up with sports, activities, festivals, school, you name it. This is a great way to start the Fall off intentionally. Starting off with a goal of serenity and peace for you and your family. How can you go wrong? Join me!

October 2, 2013
Summer Bucket List

YES! Every Summer I keep a mental list of things I want to do with the family. You know, all the fun summer stuff and activities.

But usually every Summer it’s not until in the last weeks of August that I suddenly remember everything I wanted to do!

So, this year, by way of Pinterest, as always, I was inspired to do BETTER. How? Write it down! Of course, a summer bucket list!

Why had I not thought of this before! Armed with a huge easel pad and my most favorite BIC markers, I went to work.

Coming up with anything and everything. Still want to add more.

After Memorial Day weekend was over we had already crossed some things off, yay!

Some to-do’s involve the getting up to the gorgeous Colorado Rocky Mountains, some others are places in Denver, while others are just simply silly fun things we can all do together.

A few are inviting some very special people over who have not been to our new house, these items are the most important.

One item I added was a concert that I am really hoping to go to, hopefully the hubby will go for it since it’s now on the summer bucket list, hee hee. I plan on adding more as we go too! Now I have no excuse at the end of Summer!

On the refrigerator door.

May 29, 2013