45 Day Challenge: days 17-19

Well, I have figured out I am not good at remembering my every meal and snack anymore. Probably bc I'm not trying as hard to eat as great. I'm still eating ok, but I don't have a planned menu and it's killlliiinngggg my eating habits!!! I have been sticking pretty good to phase one still. Last night we went out on a group date and went to dinner. We went to Applebee's. Ewww, it was terrible! I did eat a couple boneless wings before my food came out. I ordered the fiesta lime chicken with steamed veggies, rather than rice. They chicken was sooooo gross I spit out my second bite. I think that may have been the first time in my life I have sent food back, but I was not about to pay for something so nasty!!!! Anyway, point of the story being, I ended up eating more boneless wings and a couple chips for dinner. But it didn't stop there... I also had some popcorn at the movie. aaaannndddd I felt like crap today. Back on track tomorrow, thank goodness!!! And no exercise this weekend either. And yes, next week is the Devil Dash, so I better get my shiz together, pronto!! P.S. I am going to try and journal my food and exercise again starting this week. As well as retake measurements. I took them about a week or so ago and I was down 6.75 inches.

45 Day Challenge: Days 10-16

Well, it's official, I am a horrible blogger!! I am not even going to try an remember exactly what I ate and did over the last week, because I probably wouldn't be very successful. I can, however, tell you that I did follow the South beach diet, no cheating (well for my official phase one time period). I did eat out a lot more than I would have liked. Mostly El Pollo Loco Chicken Avacado Bacon salad...YUMMY!!!! As far as exercise went, well, lets just say BAD! I had two issues going on... 1: Jonathan was taking a class which means I had the kids in the morning. I tried going to crossfit both Wed and Thur, but it didn't work out. Like I showed up and had to leave didn't work out. I also attempted to workout at home with our p90x videos, but this super cute 8mo old baby kept crawling under my feet. I did get a 30 minute walk in with a double stroller and 60lbs of kids, oh and 15-2ph winds blowing against me half of the way! Issue 2: this one pertains to this week, and it has everything to do with bein a girl!! I have had the worst cramps, and the 2nd and 3rd day of my period are the WORST!! Anyway, so I was not where I would have like to have been at Crossfit. Cutting rounds and doing step ups rather than jump ups by the end of the routine. VERY disappointing. But, in all honesty, the fact that I still went in my current condition is a HUGE improvement. I used to use it as an excuse to just not work out at all. Anyway, my dedication to the diet, and my attempt to stay dedicated to working out have paid off,or I should say ARE paying off (still have a long way to go!) I have lost 11.5 pounds as of today. I am going to stay on phase one for another week or so. I did have a small cheat at lunch yesterday when I ate a peanut butter chocolate chip muffin, but no other cheat in the last 16 days!!!!! At this rate, if it keeps up (hoping so!!) I will definitely meet my goal of 30lbs in 45 days, and have a month to enjoy it before I get pregnan again! Haha- I must be crazy!!!!

45 Day Challenge: Days 6-9

Wow, I am slackin' on the updates!! Anyway here we go...

Day 6:

Weight: 210

Breakfast: veggies and ranch

Lunch: Salad with Turkey and Avocado

Dinner: Faustos Carne Asada Taco Salad- no rice, no shell

Exercise: None

Day7:

Weight: Didn’t weigh myself

Breakfast: Mixed Nuts

Lunch: Vegetable Soup

Dinner: El Pollo Loco Chicken Avocado salad-no shell

Snacks: Beef jerky, Mixed Nuts, Veggies

Exercise: none

Day 8:

Weight: 205!!!!! I had to get off the scale and get back on to make sure it was correct! Woot Woot!

Breakfast: Bacon and Cheese Omelet and Tomato Slices

Lunch: Rotisserie Chicken, Tomato Slices and Avocado Slices

Dinner: Pesto Chicken and grilled veggies

Snacks: Sugar Free chocolates, peanut butter and cool whip

Exercise: I got in about 10 minutes of Crossfit. I had to take my kids with me, and the baby was having none of it, so I had to leave early :(

Day 9:

Weight: 206.5 ( I am out of ice, and without ice, it is hard for me to drink water, thus I am retaining water, which I assume is the 1.5lb difference from yesterday)

Breakfast/lunch: Egg Whites and sausage patty and avocado slices

Dinner: Chicken taco salad

Snacks: Peanut butter and cool whip (light) and sugar free pudding

Exercise: Attempted to go to CrossFit, but was late and no one was there. Then came home and attempted to do p90x, but my baby kept crawling under my feet, and wanting to be picked up. So, I ended up going on a 30 minute walk pushing a double stroller with 60lbs worth of kids inside it :) Made for a good workout since half of it was uphill, against the wind!!!

Anyway, that is all for now! I am super happy with my results, and have come to the conclusion that my body just does not like to lose weight until about 8 months after I have a baby. I thought it was because that is when I would really start working out hard after my other two, but I now realize it is just how my body works, and I am OK with that, now that I understand it. I do need to get better about breakfast! I don’t think I have really eaten breakfast all week!! EEKKK! In a little over 2 weeks I am doing the Devil Dash... It would be wonderful to be at least another 6lbs lighter pulling myself over the obstacles :) Plus I would love even more to be out of the FUGLY 200's!!!!

45 Day Challenge: Days 3-5

Yup, I suck at writing every day! I think about it, but my bed just always sounds so much better at night! haha! Anyway, I am feeling great. South Beach hasn’t been that hard this time around. I think it’s because I have been so busy, I don’t have time to realize I’m missing bread and soda and sugars....

Day 3:

Weight: 212.5

Exercise: 20 minute run/walk, the P90X abs ripper (also did this one wed)

Diet: I will try my best to remember this!

Breakfast: eggs with bell peppers and onion and a sausage patty

Lunch: Turkey sandwich with Romaine lettuce in place of bread with broccoli and tomato slices

Dinner: Homemade Vegetable soup

Snacks: mixed nuts

Day 4:

Weight: 212.5

Exercise: None :( had a very long day in the sun a the Heritage Days festival

Diet:

Breakfast: Body by Vi shake with Almond Milk

Lunch: Some Spicy BBQ (didn’t know it was just bbq sauce or I wouldn’t have gotten it, but I was so hungry I ate it anyway) chicken with the insides of a pot sticker

Dinner: Faustos Carne Asada Taco Salad-no rice, no shell

Snacks: None

Day 5:

Weight: 210.0

Exercise: None- Sunday is definitely a rest day in this casa

Diet:

Breakfast: Body by Vi shake with Almond Milk

Lunch: Salad with turkey and avocado

Dinner: Chicken breast with wing sauce and fresh veggies dipped in low fat ranch

Snacks: Sugar Free chocolates, and veggies (throughout the day, not together)

I have found that I will pick one thing to snack on, and then i keep snacking on it all day. I feel great, and accomplished, already down 4.5 pounds. And surprisingly it has not been that hard this time around. I haven’t really craved bread, or soda. Chocolate is another story, hence the reason I bought a bunch of sugar free candy! It has gotten me through! Another snack/dessert I have found to be amazing is peanut butter with cool whip! OMG I could eat the whole jar! But don’t worry, I won’t! I usually just eat one serving of peanut butter, maybe a little more ;)!!

 

45 Day challenge: Days 1 and 2

I am doing a 45 day challenge. I want to lost 30lbs in 45 days. I will try my very hardest to blog daily, but seeing as this is my second day and I am already playing catch up, its not looking good! haha.

Day one:

Weight: 214.5 ( I gained 4lbs on vacation. grrrr)

Total inches: 280.5

Exercise: Crossfit- 10 squat push press (10lb dumbbells), 5 Burpess, up/down 5 flights of stairs with 10lb medicine ball- 15min. I completed just under 4 rounds (didnt get the last set of stairs in, darn. Ha!)

Diet: Breakfast- Body by Vi shakes with unsweetened Almond Milk instead of Milk

         Lunch: BLT salad

         Dinner: Mexican Chicken (taco seasoned Chicken breast topped with guac, tomatoes, spicy jack cheese, lettuce and black beans)

Day two:

Weight: 213.5

Total Inches: I will measure once a week

Exercise: Crossfit- 10 Deadlifts (35lb bar), 10 push ups, 10 sledge hammer (each side, 20 total), 30 lunges, and run a short-ish lap- 20min 3 rounds.

Diet: Breakfast- Body by Vi shake with Almond Milk

        Lunch: egg whites with veggies

        snacked on a lot of salty stuff like a pickle and some green olives (my feet and hands are not happy with me now)

        Dinner: Italian Chicken and salad

I need to work on snacking between meals. Tomorrow my goal is to get some veggies cut up and easy to grab. My body is tired after a 2 week vacation and getting back into the swing of things, but I guess that means I am working hard!

Accomplishments...

So, it has been a week of accomplishments... Yay!

Scorpion Warrior:

My hubby ran (well, we really mostly walked) this with me. He is so sweet. I obviously was not doing this for time. I really just hoped to finish in under an hour, and I did! But my truly most important goal was to finish. There were two obstacles that I could not do (I thought there would have been more) One was this tire hurdle thing... Yah, my fat butt could not jump high enough to get over it! It was like 4ft tall, if that makes it any better! LOL! The other was the A-frame board with a rope...not even close! Jonathan did have to help me on the 5ft wall also. But it was so fun! I am going to sign up for the Devil Dash that is May 12th! It is a 5K, so I really need to train for it. But I still have a few months, so I think know I can do this one!!

CrossFit:

Well, if you read my last post, you know how CrossFit was going for me. It was weird, this week something just clicked. Not sure what it was, but I guess I realized the reason why I was having such a hard time was all mental. I guess I was afraid of taking too long (the other guys are all super fit and lap me by like 2 times), or maybe I just didn’t think I could do it. This week I went in and kicked ASS!! I finished the entire routine WITHOUT cutting reps, or rounds! I was so proud of myself, to say the least. I wish I could go more than 2 times a week, but 2 times a week is what my schedule allows. But don’t fret, I still went the gym also, and did a 20 minute pure abs workout with 25mins of cardio. It hurts to laugh, cough, sneeze, you name it.

My CrossFit routines were:

Wed:

Up 5 flights of stairs, across the top of the parking garage, down 5 flights of stairs

20 Kettle Bell swings (15lbs)

15 air squats

10 Hand release push-ups

x3 rounds... I finished in 23 minutes! Could be better, but I finished it!

Thur:

5 tire jumps (15.5" tire)

5 squats with weights (10lbs in each hand) on the minute for 7 minutes, then a short lap

x2 rounds (last minute was 7 reps)

This day sounded so easy (I was not foolish, I knew it wouldn’t be) but it was anything but. I was exhausted by the end!

I am so happy I have finally gotten over the mental hurdle that was keeping me from doing my best. I feel a lot better about myself, and am so excited to continue getting stronger! I just need to build up my running. My body is still not ready for the running yet. I still feel too heavy to run. It hurts my knees pretty good, and my shins hurt (I’m sure that’s more technique that weight tho) I'm hoping to be running by mid-April. Now that I have gotten over this mental hurdle, the next thing to get over it making excuses as to why I can’t eat healthier :)

Girls stuff...

So I have gone back and forth on what I am about to write about. I thought, " I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable." and, "There are men that may read my blog." Then, today, I thought, "This blog was going to be written raw, and in the moment, and really to inspire other moms like me."

With that being said, there is one time a month that I hate being female. And while my hormones are all wacky-doodle, it extends to somewhere between 1-3 weeks!! Yesterday I did not work out because I had the. worst. cramps. And I have been sooooooo fatigued! I just want to sleep...all day! Well, today I knew I HAD to get a workout in. I have the Scorpion Warrior race this Saturday (which I am nowhere near ready for). So today I went to CrossFit, and left so pissed off at myself. I completely felt like I was going to die in the moment, so I thought. When I got in the car and started driving home, I was totally beating myself up... Why didn’t you try harder? Would 15 more burpee's have really killed you (still convinced yes on this one! I hate those SOB's!)? Did I even sweat? I'm so lazy!.... all these thought running through my head, while I have cramps, and can barely keep my eyes open. Sometimes I think men have it so easy! No excessive sleepiness, no cramps that make it feel like your uterus is going to fall out, and no what comes after those lovely cramps... BLAHHHHHH...

Anyway, today while I was at CrossFit doing our lovely routine of 15 pull-ups, 20 air squats, 25 Push-ups, 30 burpees, and a 1/4 mile-ish lap, followed by doing the same thing reversed, I was thinking... How in the HELL am I going to do something like this for 2.5 miles! I couldn’t even finish the routine as it was written up to do. I ended up cutting the reverse routine in half. I’m not sure if I was just in a funk, or if it’s because of my up and coming period that will be arriving soon. I am trying not to psyche myself out for this race this weekend, because I really am just doing it for fun. I do not want to end up mad at myself for not doing "good enough". I need to stay focused on doing what I can, and being happy with that, and more importantly, having fun with my husband!

BLLLAHHHHHHH.... time to move on with my day now...

Shrinking Thunder Thighs...

Well, once again I have been slacking on the blogging... however, I haven't been slacking on the exercising. I have started back to CrossFit and am still meeting with the trainer.   I am officially registered for the Scorpion Warrior, so I need to get ready! I am going to die, but at least I can say I tried, right? haha!

CrossFit has been awesome! Last week my calfs tightened up so bad I could barely walk. I'm sure it was quite the entertainment watching me attempt to walk up and down the stairs. After yesterday's CrossFit workout, I can barely move my arms up to my head to brush my hair, put on a shirt, etc... my shoulders HURT! But it feels good, and it is making a difference, ever so slowly, but a change, none the less. And although the numbers dont say much, I can say that I can see a difference. My 15in biceps arent so flabby, even though they are the same size... but yippeeee for my thunder thighs shrinking!

I am still working on the eating part. I dont know why I am having such a hard time with it! I usually am pretty good about once I decide on it, I stick to it. Not this time! I am S.T.U.G.G.L.I.N.G. to eat healthy. My fridge is full of healthy stuff...produce, yogurt, turkey lunch meat, humus... do I eat it? No! Instead I dont eat anything, then by dinner I am so hungry I eat everything I shouldn't! BLLAHHHH..... Gotta shape up the diet, then I would probably start melting away like Frosty the Snowman in Las Vegas!

CrossFit

Today I went to crossfit. I am nowhere near where I was 2 and half years ago, but I didn’t die, and I did most of it... I talked with my trainer and he is going to amp up my sessions and incorporate some CrossFit into them! YAY! So by April I plan to be back at CrossFit 100%!!

How I'm feeling about results, thus far:

 I still feel fat, Ha! Sucks, but true. Although, I am noticing some serious difference in my bicep and shoulder area. The reality is, I will always have linebacker shoulders, it’s just what my mama gave me ;) But if they are toned and fit, then they will be alll goood :) I haven’t lost any more weight. I could say the 'ol cliché "because muscle weighs more than fat" But in my case that is not what is going on, lol. It that damn thing we call food! It controls me! I have been better since I finally went grocery shopping. Not too many splurges, mostly healthy. Daily exercise has been a struggle, but I am really focused this week in changing that (by the way, my week starts on Wednesdays) I want to be down 30 more lbs. by summer, I have to get focused!

Oh, by the way, my sister is doing Insanity. She is also blogging her progress. Take a read, http://www.feesh88.blogspot.com/

...until next time!

Scorpion Warrior...

... here I come! Ha! I signed up, I will most likely die, but at least I will be dying next to my husband! It will be the weekend after our 7 year anniversary, should be fun! I better get serious if I plan on making it all the way thru without just running past some of the obstacles! lol. For 8 more hours, there is a deal with LivingSocial for $27 sign up fee...

http://t.livingsocial.com/deals/167645?ref=email-jp&rpi=49551746

Wish me luck! Maybe if I have something to aim for, I will work harder!

I'm so LaMe...

I'm soooooo regretting NOT signing up for the color run! It looks like everyone had so much fun! And so many of my friends did it! I swear every other post on Facebook was about the Color Run.

UUGHHHH I'm SOOO LAME!!!

So today I went to Costco and had lunch... also had a reality check. I think I consumed 25145682 calories today. Half of which were consumed at Costco. I know I have said "I need to get back on track" like the last 4 posts, but really I do, and I am. I went grocery shopping, and have HEALTHY food in my house again, and all the junk is pretty much gone. My trainer wants me to count calories, which totally intimidates the hell out of me, but I know I need to do it. I need to lose weight by this summer. I want to get to my pre-pregnancy weight by June. That’s 30 pounds. I know I can do it because I have done it before. My amazing husband has been so supportive. I keep making comments such as, "I want to be skinny." "I wish I wasn’t so fat." etc, etc... He finally said to me, "Why don’t you just do it to be healthy?" He is so amazing, and although he doesn’t always say the right things at the right time, he definitely did that time. He is absolutely right. I need to make my focus on getting healthy, feeling stronger, and having more energy. Getting skinny is just a side effect of what’s most important.

I have also started taking B-12 vitamins... well, I took it once, but I bought them finally! :) I heard from one of the Dr. shows that is helps with a lot and that women can become deficient easily. I also related to a lot of the symptoms (which I think most women do, just because of how were made). I figure it can’t hurt, so I'll give it a try!

I think my hormones are still WAY out of whack. Actually I know they are, and I guess they should be. It’s only been 6 months since I had the baby, and I know I am being too hard on myself. But my emotions are still so all over the place. One day I'm on a natural high, and another day I feel depressed, some days I’m extremely irritable (my poor kids) and then I have days where my anxiety is so bad I'm constantly looking over my shoulder because I'm just waiting for a loud noise, or someone to scare me! lol. Not to mention, I am always supppper tired. I have a few days with energy. Actually yesterday when I took the B-12 I had tons of energy and didn’t get sleepy till around 10pm. It was nice. I got a lot accomplished, but not working out of course. Plus, it is supposed to increase your metabolism, so I have heard. We will see how it goes. In the meantime, I am going to write up my meal plan for the week so I won’t be so likely to veer way off course again.

Back to the Color Run thing... I found a website that has a ton of upcoming races with links to register. Now I just need to choose one. I'm thinking the Scorpion Warrior looks fun. I don't know if I could be ready for that in 3 weeks though... Here is the website: http://www.runningintheusa.com/race/List.aspx?Rank=Upcoming&State=NV&Page=1

Enjoy, and sign up for a race :)

opinions, please...

So, I have been working with the trainer for a month now. I feel good, like I'm making some progress. But I don't feel like the level of intensity is where I want it to be. I want to feel like I'm going to barf by the end of the workout, or half way through would be even better.

 I'm trying to decide... do another month with the trainer? Or start back to crossfit?

I feel stronger, I definitely have more endurance, I think I'm ready....

Can I get myself on a routine to get up at 4:45AM to get to the Rec Center in time? It sounds good...

Get up, get my work out in at 5:30, come home and be showered and dressed BEFORE my kids wake up, take them to school, run errands, come home, get them fed and down for naps, clean my house, cook dinner.... HA! Sounds like the perfect Suzie Homemaker life, right?

 Aye, I think I can pull that off! I think I would have more energy too.

Anybody want to add their two cents?!

Personal Trainer

Another week with the trainer down. Im not sure what my results are exactly, but I can FINALLY see a difference in the mirror! YAY!!!! It is by no means a huge difference, but my arms are a little more toned, and my ba-donk-a-donk is getting a little firmer. Feels good to actually see a difference, and its even better to hear my hubby say something, on his own, with out fishing for compliments. Now if the scale would just be nicer to me!! I guess if I stopped eating out EVERY DAY, I might see that change too.

The trainer has me doing various exercises, but I have a new favorite that KILLED my notsoLOVEly handles. While sitting up on your knees take an exercise ball above your head, kinda bend/twist to the side till the ball hits the ground, then come back up. 12 reps, 3 sets. AMAZING!! Cant wait for more torture next week! Thinking another month with the trainer, then maybe back to crossfit??

If you are thinking about getting a personal trainer, DO IT!!! At the Henderson Rec Centers its only $25/hour! Totally worth every dollar!

From FUGLY to UGLY

I suck. I haven’t been writing because I haven’t been very good. Life has taken over my plans and my good eating habits… or maybe that is just lack of self-control. I blame it on the Girls Scouts.

WHY DO THEY HAVE TO SELL THOSE DARN COOKIES?!  

Ok, confession… I actually screwed up before the cookies came along. I eat GREAT when I eat at home; unfortunately I haven’t been doing that very much! Gotta get back into that habit!

I started with a personal trainer 2 weeks ago. He is kicking my butt. It hurts to get on and off the toilet, but yet that makes me feel really good!? I feel pretty good, other than being sore. Next week he will give me a nutrition plan. For some reason I have had no self-control this past week 2 weeks. I want and do eat everything I see! UGHHHH!! It’s like the 2 weeks of HELL I put myself through for Phase One of South Beach was for nothing! I wish I could just work out ALLL day so I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted! HA!

I took my measurements back in October, they were FUGLY then. I re-measured the other day… now they are just UGLY. I did lose about 8 inches total. Mostly just my behind and my chest. Most of what came off my chest was probably just from not nursing anymore, but I will take what I can get! Anyway, it was comforting that I have made SOME progress.  10lbs and 8inches ain’t too shabby. Hopefully by the end of this month I can move my measurements down to just Ugly.

 Baby steps. I’ll get there.

Cheater, Cheater, Crap Food Eater!!

so during phase one of south beach, i didnt dare cheat. i even had horrible dreams about cheating on the diet and feeling sssuuuuppppeerrrr guilty, just from a dream. well, today i cheated, big time. i went to olive garden and while i was there i ate two bread sticks, and soup and salad... i dont even want to think about the number of calories i consumed at lunch. then for dinner, it was a faustos carne asada salad...bbblllaahhhhh...  i feel like total crap, not only from eating horribly fattening and high caloric foods, but mannnnn do i feel guilty. i feel like i just cheated on a test, or betrayed my best friend or something... i wont be doing that again.

p.s. i wrote this from my phone, so for some reason it wont let me use symbols or my caps button... so my grammar, and possibly spelling sucks in this post haha...

good night everyone, and happy healthy eatings.

4.55%

Well, I made it! Today was my last day of phase one. I may stay on it for another week. I haven’t decided yet. I am down about 10lbs, that’s 4.55% weight loss... and for some crazy stupid reason... THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME!!!! 10lbs is alot to lose in 2 weeks. But, I don't feel like I look any different, therefore I am not happy with the results. I feel like a cry baby, because I worked hard at self-control to lose 10lbs, and I won!! I made it to the gym a few times. I haven’t been in about a week, damn life getting in the way of my plans. I am going to go tomorrow morning for sure though. I HAVE to go, "NO EXCUSES" (I have been watching Biggest Loser, can you tell?).

Last Thursday I went to weigh in for the City of Henderson Lighten Up challenge... can we say EEEWWWWWWW....

That was depressing! 50% body fat... HALF OF ME IS MADE OF FAT!!!!!! Wow, what an eye opener! I advise you to find out your body fat, that will give you a serious kick in the pants. I did not think I had that much body fat. I’m still not sure how a scale can determine the amount of body fat you have, but whatever, it’s still gross, and humiliating. Can’t wait to go back in March and see something more reasonable... what is reasonable anyway?? I know it’s nowhere close to 50%, that’s for sure!

Anyway, I have been feeling down these last few days. I think it is a result of not going to the gym, so I don’t feel like I have given it my all. I guess I was expecting to see more results than just what the scale is telling me. Oh well, I still have about 2 weeks to get down to a 16. I can do this! I know I can, I need to prove to ME that I can. Plus, it would be nice to get back to feeling some-what good about the way I look, because it ain’t happenin’ now...

Until next time...

City of Henderson is trying to motivate the community...

I think I may join in on this... who wants to join me?

HENDERSON, Nev. – It’s time to lighten up. This is the citywide weight loss challenge being issued by the City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department to everyone who lives, works and plays in Henderson.

From Jan. 9 through Jan. 12, participants (ages 14 and up) may visit Heritage Park Senior Facility (300 S. Racetrack Rd.) or Henderson Multigenerational Center (250 S. Green Valley Pkwy.) to sign up for and weigh in to the free Lighten Up Henderson program. Those accepting the challenge can work out on their own, at a fitness club, or at a City of Henderson recreation center, where fitness room memberships are available for as little as $15 per month for unlimited access. The challenge is designed to support people in their efforts to get fit and lose weight.

The final days of the challenge are March 26-29, when participants are invited back for a final weigh in to see how much they have lost. City of Henderson fitness memberships will be awarded and recognition given by Mayor Andy Hafen for the most “lightened up” in each age bracket.

“Two-thirds of the adults in Clark County are overweight, and this can lead to a host of health issues, many of which could be prevented with regular physical activity,” said Sally Ihmels, Recreation superintendent, City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department. “We’re hoping Lighten Up Henderson motivates people in our community to make positive lifestyle changes and turn Henderson into a healthier, more vibrant place to live, work and play.”

For additional information, visit cityofhenderson.com/parks or call 267-4070.

The nationally accredited City of Henderson Parks and Recreation Department provides premium services through diverse and innovative parks, recreation and natural resource opportunities. It serves the community with seven recreation centers (including a facility for adults 50+), 11 pools, 53 parks, five skate parks, two sports complexes, more than 65 linear miles of trails, Acacia Demonstration Gardens, the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, and thousands of programs for people of all ages and abilities.

A case of the Mondays

Was today a Monday or what?? Nothing worse than a Monday at work going by soooooo slllloooowwwww! It causes the munchies, and there are lots of bad munchies around my office. M&M's, popcorn, chips, and a whole vending machine (that is luckily at the other end of the building and downstairs) to get whatever isn’t around the office. I don't know if this is true for all diets, but days 5 and 6 are the HARDEST!!! I could smell fresh bread from a mile away; I can taste chocolate cake that I am envisioning in my head... ughhhhh. but luckily for me I brought my handy dandy peanut butter for my celery (peanut butter is ok in small amounts during phase one... I may got beyond my small amounts on some day, but me and peanut butter cannot go without!)

And then the gym... I was pumped to go this morning, packed my gym bag to go after work and everything. As 4 o'clock drew near I found myself trying to find a reason not to go. I'm tired... I'll be too tired at work tomorrow... I just don’t feel like going... Then I said to myself...Down 5 pounds in 6 days!! Haven't cheated one time!! It only 30 measly minutes on the elliptical!!

So I went, felt great that I overcame myself, essentially. Then I decided to see if I still hate the treadmill as much as I used to... I do. 10 minutes and I was toast! 10 freaking minutes! So annoying!!! Then to the weights... man are my arms weak! Then some abs work, it’s amazing what having a baby does to those poor muscles. Overall, I’m glad I made myself go, but very annoyed and frustrated at starting over... AGAIN!!

I blame it on the case of the Mondays. I am already fighting with myself about going tomorrow. I packed my bag, I'm sure I'll go... I just won’t start with the treadmill ;) Plus, it will be Tuesday, it already makes it better!

South Beach and Me

Well, just finished up day 4 of South Beach... a cracker never looked so good! Haha. I didn’t take my weight before I started the blog, I’m pretty sure I was right around 220-ish. Today the scale read 217.5, so a couple pounds lost. Hoping to be down at LEAST 10 more by next Tuesday and a size 16 by the end of the month. Although a cracker looks so good, I would hate to ruin the progress I have made. I have gotten to the gym only twice. Life gets so crazy. I really need to focus on making the gym as high of a priority as brushing my teeth... it really is equally as important if you think about it. I feel good though- sore-but good. I’m not feeling a huge difference physically (yet) but mentally I feel great. I haven’t cheated one time since I started the diet Wed. Not one carb (from breads, pasta, etc.) and NO SUGAR... both of which are my ultimate weakness. I can’t wait to be done with these two weeks... not so I can eat carbs and sugars again, but bc I know I won't want them. I will admit now though, I will cheat next Saturday bc it is Zoies birthday party. But I will only cheat very limitedly ;)

So those of you who don’t know what the South Beach diet is, READ THE BOOK!!! It’s like $8 at a book store for the paper back . And now they have a new one that has an exercise routine too. Anyway, the book is awesome. It explains WHAT your body does with the food you eat, WHY you feel the way you do after certain foods, and gives you solutions to changing your lifestyle to healthy eating habits. I don’t follow it exactly. I make it work for me. I can’t do low fat cheese, or eat turkey bacon... but eating regular cheese and regular bacon in moderation still works. This time around (I have done it after each baby) I am trying more foods, experimenting more. For lunch today I ate everything I would eat in a sandwich, on a large piece of lettuce. For dinner the other night I cooked some chicken on the stove seasoned with taco seasoning and a little bit of green enchilada sauce, cooked it almost done then threw it in the oven with some cheese over the top to finish. Then I dressed it with guacamole, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, beans, and fresh salsa... SO YUMMMMYYYY!!! And guilt free!!! Once you read the book, you will know what you can and can’t eat. There is still soooo much that you can!

On the menu for this week:

Vegetable soup

Mozzarella Chicken Bake with squash and zucchini

Lettuce Tacos

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Turkey Chili

Teriyaki Chicken

And some other yummy things...

A good substitute for those sweet tooth cravings? Russell Stover's sugar free chocolates. You would never know they are sugar free!!

And did I mention, watching Biggest Loser is such a motivation. I know I will not pull numbers like them... But DANG, can I have Dolvett for just ONE WEEK!!!! I wish I was rich so I could afford him!! Haha!

Anyway, I am feeling good, I feel like I’m making progress, and I know I am going to accomplish what I have set out to do. I was overwhelmed with the response I got from my first post. I feel blessed to have so much support, and I am rooting for everyone else who shared their feelings too! We can all do it; all we need is the desire :)

My introduction

My name is Tiecha, I am a mother of 3 daughters; 5, 3, and 4mo. I have been married for almost 7 years. That’s the basics.

When I was in high school, I weighed 125lbs. I played sports, I wore bikinis, I was crowned as a beauty queen. If you saw me today you would never know the above was my past. Since then, I have gotten married to an amazing man, had 3 beautiful daughters, and lost my 125lb-self inside of a 95lb real-life fat suit. This just hit me yesterday… I am 95 POUNDS heavier than I was when I graduated high school 8 and half years ago, that is almost 100 POUNDS.

GROSSSSSS!!!!

There is not ONE excuse that is even remotely good enough for this to have happened.  3 kids DOES NOT = 95lbs. It is embarrassing to admit this. It breaks my heart that I could let myself go THIS much. I see obese people and I think, “How could you live that way?” Uh… HELLO? How can YOU… I?? It is crushing to my self-esteem, and my confidence. There are days that I am embarrassed to go anywhere because I am SO HUGE! My clothes don’t fit right, and I still look pregnant in most of them. I should never feel so ashamed of myself that I don’t want to be around other people. That is CRAZY TALK!! But it is my reality, and I need to change it.  I know I am still an athlete, who apparently checked out quite a few years ago. My weight has fluctuated dramatically since having kids. My lowest since my first daughter is 180lbs (still not acceptable) my highest 220 (minus being pregnant. That was 228).  I have always used the excuse of having babies for my size. That is unacceptable. My husband and I do plan to expand our family by one more in the next 2 years, and normally my thought would be," Just wait until you're done having kids, THEN worry about getting skinny again." I don't want that mentality anymore. I want to get skinny NOW!

My goal? 150.

So as you can tell I have my work cut out for me. I am signing up for a 5K for the end of February. I started the South Beach Diet today, and got my fat butt back to the gym. I have done the SB in the past (after each child) and lost between 20-40lbs; I hope to do the same again.

My intentions with this blog are to keep a journal of my thoughts, feelings, failures and accomplishments. I hope to motivate myself through your comments, and I hope to inspire other moms to get up and peel off their real-life fat suits. Because that’s all they are, they are just a suit that we can remove when we are ready to make it happen . I know I’m more than ready.

Disclamimer: If you don’t have anything nice to say then just keep it to yourself. It is not easy to come out and admit your weight, and let yourself be vulnerable to others. Please feel free to leave words of encouragement, your experiences, and your accomplishments.