Wednesday Weigh-In: Week 5

Here we are, five weeks in, feeling stronger and stronger each week.  I'm seeing the number on the scale go down (slowly but surely) and I'm seeing muscle definition return after my 6 week hiatus from the gym.  There have been a lot of new people at the gym this month and so many of them remind me of myself 6 months ago.  As much as I miss all the free space before the new year, it's exciting to see people motivated to reach new goals.  I feel like I'm proof that it works if you commit to it.  I'm committed.  I know it's only going to get harder as our kids get older and busier.  So I want to make it as much of a habit as I can now.  I'm somewhat of a homebody.  When I get home in the afternoon, I like to be home.  So getting back out to go to the gym (especially when it's dark and cold) has been hard.  But it is so worth it.  Eating well is so worth it too, I'm having a harder time convincing myself of that one though.  I'm eating what I have to eat to reach my desired goal.  But I'll be honest, I'm not enjoying it.  I do feel better so that helps, but man why do cookies and chips (and margaritas) have to be so bad for you.  I went shopping this past weekend and I can't explain to you the feeling of being able to choose something off the rack and it just fit.  Part of this is the breast reduction but a big part of it is the weight loss and workout regimen.  I even tried on some shorts that I was afraid were going to be to small and they were too big!!  I feels so good to feel good in my own skin again.  (Now if I could win the lottery or somehow have a big pile of money fall in my lap so I can buy all new clothes that would be great!)

-1.2lbs this week.

I wasn't kidding when I said slowly.

But again, Rome wasn't built in a day.  I'm getting so close to my goal that I'm getting antsy and ready to just be there.  I feel like these last 14.8lbs are going to be the hardest, even harder than those first 15-20bs.  But they are going to be so worth it.  I could easily sit back right here and be happy with what I've accomplished.  But I'm determined not to settle for good enough.  I've got a goal and even if it takes me another six months to lose 14lbs, I'm going to do it.  

My tip for this week isn't new but I want to share it again.  Get an accountability partner!!!  Dave Ramsey defines this person as "someone who loves you enough to hurt your feelings."  and that description couldn't be more perfect.  (I realize Dave Ramsey is a money guy but this definition fits here too).  I may be biased but I think I have the best accountability partner.  We are pretty brutal to each other when it comes to honesty but I know she wants what's best for me and I want the same for her.

Week in Review

I want to get back in the habit of posting these posts just to keep up with life.

Patrick was off work last Monday for MLK day so the kids stayed home with him and I got to go to work by myself.  Folks, that is a luxury and I was very excited about it.  Patrick ended up getting called into work so I had to run home a get the kids.  We were predicted to get some winter weather on Tuesday, they were cancelling schools everywhere and I felt confident we would be out too.  We needed milk anyway and I had to get something to take to bunko so we ran to the grocery store. 

This is what my kids looked like.  AveryAnn had on no shoes and Barrett was in his pajamas.  It was a  mad house.  We got out relatively unscathed but it was touch and go for a while.  Spoiler alert, we didn't get any winter weather except for frigid temperatures.  (It did snow a little but didn't stick.)

They closed the civic center so my workout class was cancelled.  The instructor posted a workout on facebook we could do at home so Patrick kept time for me and cheered me along.  It wasn't the same as being in class with my friends but I was proud I did it.

The rest of the week was chaos.  School was cancelled Tuesday and Wednesday (after they had a holiday Monday).  Barrett was supposed to go to the dentist Wednesday morning but we had to reschedule, luckily they had an afternoon appointment available so we took it.  He had no cavities (I was shocked) and was so proud of his mustache prize.  After we left the dentist we headed to get his haircut because he needed it and we might as well go ahead and get it out of the way.  After being out for three days they had a late start Thursday.  By Friday we were just ready for the week to be over so we could start fresh on Monday.

We didn't have any plans for the weekend and I was so looking forward to it.

I needed to go through all of Barrett's clothes so my sister-in-law could look through them for my soon to be here nephew!  I love that these sweet outfits will get another wear.   

After Barrett's birthday playdate he was so excited about his presents, we started talking about gifts and how it's nice to send people thank you notes when they give you a gift.  He was very excited about the idea.  I designed and then had these cute fill in the blank thank you notes.  He isn't as excited about them now.  He wants to send them he just doesn't want to have to do all the writing.  But the practice is good for him.  It may be June before we get them all mailed out but it's the thought that counts right.

Saturday the weather was absolutely beautiful!!!  We played outside as much as we could (in between clothes sorting).  

Patrick got the four-wheeler out and rode around the yard.  

I ordered AveryAnn these shoes thinking they'd probably be a little big but she could wear them at the end of the summer, well they fit perfectly.  I'm hoping she doesn't outgrow them before summer.

One of my goals for 2018 is to read through the bible.  I bought the one year bible last year and started strong but didn't stick with it.  This year I've started taking my showers at night and getting up a little bit earlier and have 30-40 minutes of quiet time each morning.  Day 21 felt like a milestone so I had to document it.  I'm not sure I'll ever be a morning person but I am loving this time each day.  I wake up looking forward to it.   

The whole weekend was beautiful!  This is what it looked like most days.  We're soaking it in and while I don't want to wish the time away but I'm looking forward to spring.

Hanging at the office with my girl.  She will bring me my phone and say "I want picture!"  She's a total mess and I am loving this stage.  She's getting so much personality and I feel like she learns something new everyday.  

That gets us caught up.  These are the days that I know I'll miss.  It's not the big things, its the little, everyday things that make a life.  

Wednesday Weigh-In: Week 4

I'm officially back in ketosis!!! Finally!!!  I know some people need more variety in a diet but I need something that eliminates certain foods.  I needed to get myself back in ketosis so I wouldn't want to eat cookies or sweets for fear of knocking myself out.  It's not worth it.  I feel like you can be a little looser with "good" carbs once you're in ketosis.  I don't know why but it was a lot harder for me this time.  I just kept telling myself that it was worth it.  I would feel better.  My workouts would yield better results.  I would sleep better.  I would wake easier.  For the most part these are all true.  I know from past experiences it'll be another week or so before the intense cravings for sweets goes away.  I've got a couple of  keto friendly recipes I want to try for sweets.  Another benefit of getting control of my diet and eliminating soft drinks...I went to the dentist yesterday for my cleaning and I had zero cavities.  I've almost always had at least one cavity every visit (twice a year) for most of my adult life.  So no cavities is huge.  (My dentist is probably sad for that $300 he was probably counting on from me this month.) I'm afraid that the next few months are going to be busy for us.  I really am making it a priority to workout but it's going to get tricky fitting it all in.  Patrick is having to do a lot more at home than he is used to (which it totally fine, and he doesn't mind.  It just makes me feel a little selfish.).

I'm -1 lb this week.  Doesn't seem like much but every little bit counts.  That's how I've lost the first 50lbs, one pound at a time.  That's how these last 16lbs will come off too.  Just have to be patient.  I want to wake up and be at my goal and that's just not realistic (well actually I guess one day I will wake up and be at my goal, but not without a few weeks of work first.)  

I wanted to share kind of what I eat most days.  

I have the same thing for breakfast week day.  A cup of coffee with 1/4 of a vanilla premier protein shake.  I'm not usually hungry in the mornings so I don't usually eat anything but if I am hungry I'll have a mini babybel cheese.  On the weekends I usually cook breakfast.  I'll have bacon and eggs or sausage and eggs.  This weekend I made these keto sausage balls.  I've been eating them some this week too. 

You can find the recipe here.  They were so good.  A little greasy but Patrick thought they might be better than regular sausage balls.

For lunch during the week I'm spoiled and my boss buys my lunch nearly everyday so we eat fast food most days.  I'll have a grilled chicken club without the bun, hot dog without the bun, bacon cheeseburger without the bun, salad with grilled chicken and ranch, buffalo chicken wings with ranch or steak fajitas without the tortilla.  You can have all the toppings with the fajitas so I don't even miss the tortilla.

For dinner I usually cook something.  My son and husband are somewhat picky.  Patrick will at least try everything, Barrett won't even try stuff.  My favorite is Mexican.  We do that at least once a week.  Everyone else will either eat taco shells, tortilla or use chips to make nachos.   

This is my favorite dinner.  I've made several pinterest recipes.  Another favorite is chicken baked with broccoli, cheddar cheese and bacon.  We usually have hot dogs at least once a week because everyone will eat them.  We mostly eat chicken.  And I usually just bake it and then add some sort of side, usually something starchy for them and then green beans, broccoli, or Brussel sprouts for me.

I've made fat bombs from pinterest as something sweet I also will have a spoonful of Halo Top ice cream for a sweet treat.  I also found this week Planters Salted Carmel peanuts.  They are a little high in carbs but if you've got the macros for them in you day they are a great little treat.  

So that's a little peak into my daily food diary.  Some days my macros are perfect.  Some days I'm just surviving.  My biggest tip if you're to eat keto is at first just focus on staying within your carbs.  Eat as many calories as you need to stay full without going over on carbs.  You probably wont go over by much but it will help avoid the need to snack and make bad choices.  I still use this thinking in some situations.  

That's it for this week.  Let me know if you decide to start so I can cheer you along! 

2018 Goals

Last year I got a planner by Ink and Volt and I loved it.  (You can see last year's post HERE.)  Usually with planners I can't find them about 8 months into the year.  I still had and used this one in December so I decided to order another one.  I felt like it really helped me stay focused and motivated. Whatever it takes, right?!  I didn't list all my specific goals in that post (probably because I was scared of failure.)  I didn't complete all my goals last year, in fact I probably didn't even really get started on some of them.  Last year my "theme" for the year was ME.  I wanted to start taking better care of myself so that I could better care for my people.  I can say without a doubt I achieved this.  I started eating for fuel and taking care of myself.  I started working out and building muscles.  I started reading books again.  I feel like overall, I really started learning to love myself.  Not just my physical body but also who I am as a person.  I want to be someone my family is proud of and for them to be proud of me, I first needed to be proud of myself.  I finally feel like I can say that I'm proud of Me.

This year, the last Thursday of 2017, Brittany and I sat down together and evaluated the year, did some self evaluation and brainstormed what we wanted 2018 to look like.  (If you're into goals and you've never done some sort of self-evaluation, I highly encourage it.)  I felt like it was very eye-opening as to how I actually spend my time versus how I should spend my time to achieve my goals.  Also what takes up time that adds to your life versus what drains you.  Finally, I looked at the things I wanted to start, change and achieve in 2018 and set specific, measurable goals.  I separated them into daily, weekly and monthly goals.

This year the planner included a page to "bring your year into focus".  It asked three simple questions to help define what you'd like 2018 to look like.  I really loved this feature this year.  It like having a little self-reflection right with you all the time, if you need some reassurance.

The first question is, "What do you want to leave behind this year?" My answer, Bad Habits.  Bad habits with food, social media, attitude (my reactions), money (overspending), selfishness, wasting time, procrastination.  The second question is, What are the things you want to learn this year? My answer, Health.  Mental health, choosing joy, not playing the comparison game, reading more.  Physical health, continue working out, cooking healthy meals for my family (that they will eat).  Spiritual health, start daily quiet time, read through the one year bible.  This was a goal last year that I didn't achieve. I really want to make this happen this year.  The last question is, "What would it look like if this year went perfectly? What would you have/be/do?  I said Peace!  At peace with my body, both mentally and physically.  At peace with our home, start some updating, get it decluttered and organized.  Get rid of crap we don't need or use.  At peace with work, I want to grow our little sign company but I've always been too scared of failure.  I want to step out and try to offer new products and really grow.

Using those three questions and answers  I came up with my overall theme for 2018.

DISCIPLINE

:Train to obey rules or a code of behavior.

I'm training myself to obey these rules and adapt a new code of behavior for my life.  (This sounds dreadful, but I'm really excited)  Through discipline I want to make good choices, wake up early and choose joy, everyday.

Now for my goals.  Some are serious, some silly.  But they all mean something to me. 

Read 12 books (one per month)

Send birthday cards in the mail.

Add $50 to my savings account per month. (I know this should be higher but baby steps)

Workout 3-4 times a week.  (3 weeks in and going strong)

Lose last 20lbs. (preferably before April)

Family physical activity-Monthly (hike, swim, walk, etc)

Date Night- Monthly (even if it's dinner and a movie at home)

Daily quiet time (I'm 20 days in and craving this time each morning)

Do one Random Act of Kindness-Weekly

Wear a bikini-Confidently!

Meet with Lisa monthly (Body Fat Analysis)

Establish phone free areas and times

Organize house room by room

Cook 4 nights a week

Drink water everyday

Monthly Budget meetings

10th Anniversary vacation!!!

Those are my goals this year!  So far so good.  I'm proud of the progress so far.  (I know we're only 3 weeks in) Most people have given up on their resolutions by week three.  I'm still hanging in there.  I'm shocked by how much I enjoy getting up early to read my bible and quiet time.  I'm still loving working out and making my body strong.  I'm learning to love cooking.  I've almost finished my first book of the year.  I'm excited for all 2018 has in store.  (I'm almost nervous to admit the joy I feel about this year for fear that something tragic is looming around the corner. But I can't let myself worry about what I don't know.  I can only celebrate what I do know). 

I want to get back to posting my monthly goals here.  I enjoyed having that record and accountability. 

Wednesday Weigh-In; Week 3

We're already 3 weeks into January.  Just when I thought things were getting back to a good routine we thrown a couple of snow days to shake things up.  We also had a birthday party and one last Christmas celebration this weekend.  I'm officially done with celebrating for a while so I can get back on track.  I am struggling big time to get back into ketosis this time around.  Part of it is I just haven't buckled down and gotten serious about counting and tracking macros.  I've been tracking but not as strict as I need to be.  I have gotten back to working out regularly.  My goal is HIIT 3 times a week and so far I've been able to maintain that goal.  Class was canceled last night but our instructor posted a workout on facebook for us to do at home and I did it.  I was very proud of myself.  Now if I could resist sweets everything would be great.

I'm -0.4lbs this week.  It's not much, but I'll take it.  I have got to get serious about my diet if I'm going to get to my goal.  This time of the year is so hard for me eating wise.  Coming off the holidays that were filled with indulgences and it being cold and stuck inside all the time just makes me want to eat all the time.  I try to only have healthy stuff in the house to eat but it's hard with the kids and a husband that likes treats.  I've been much better about cooking at home.  I've just got to stick with it and not snack.  I can do it.  I want to do it.  I need to do it.  I'm feeling so much stronger since I've been back in the gym, I want my diet to match my work there.  I'm the only one that can change that. I'm ready! My goal for this week is to be in Ketosis by my next Wednesday Weigh-In post.  

I think that's all for this week.  I'm going record some of my meals this week so I can give a little glimpse into what I eat to get into ketosis. (It's kind of boring but it works).

January Recap

I really want to get back into the habit of blogging about our every day life again.  Poor AveryAnn doesn't have nearly the documentation that Barrett did and I want to fix that.  (I'm hoping to do weekly posts about life)  Here's January so far. 

Barrett went back to school on the 2nd.  It was so cold.  We had several days where the temp barely reached freezing.  The fountain at school froze and Barrett was convinced Elsa had been there.  He got a new teacher this semester and he does not like change.  Drop off was terrible that first day, it was like it was the first time I'd left him ever.

I love this picture of Patrick and the kids.  They had a hard time readjusting to normal life after he'd been off for the holidays.

Barrett dressed himself.  He was so proud.

I got Patrick tickets for him and Barrett to go to the Monster Jam.  I also got hem the preshow pit passes because I knew Barrett would love getting to see the trucks up close.  I was not sure if he would like the actual show because he's iffy about loud noises.

They didn't get to use the pit passes and I was so upset (mad actually).  (I called and complained to ticketmaster because they were there in enough time but they weren't let in.  They actually refunded the whole amount I paid for the pit passes and the show tickets.  I was shocked)  He was so excited anyway.  They took lots of pictures from their seats, got some lunch and waited for the show to start.

All smiles while they were coming out to be introduced.

And after they started racing.  He couldn't handle when the trucks were racing.  It was just too loud so they left early.  But he has talked about it like it was the best day of his life.  It made me want to be more intentional about spending one on one time with him.  I think quality time might be his love language.

Monday was the National Championship game.  These cuties wore their Bama gear for the last time this season!

I could eat them up they're so cute!  I went to Matt's house to watch the game.  I watched the playoff game there and we won so I felt like I owed it to the team to go over there and watch the championship.  It was a rough start.  We made my parents leave at halftime because we were losing and they weren't there for the playoff game so we just knew that was why we were playing like crap.  We were all losing hope.  Then Tua came out for the first possession of the second half and our team had life again.  We came back and tied the game and tried for a last second field goal to win but missed.  We were headed for overtime.  We were not excited.  Georgia had won their playoff game the week before in overtime.  Their kicker was on the mark.  To say we were nervous would be an understatement.  They got the ball first and we held them to a field goal.  Our first down was a loss of 16 yards.  Great.  Before we really had time to get too upset the next play was in motion and it was a 40+yard pass for a touchdown!!!!  We won!!!  It was probably my favorite National Championship since 2009!

AveryAnn's first ponytail!

 

She woke up at 4:30 one morning and insisted she was up for the day.  She then fell asleep on the way to work and slept in my arms for the morning. 

Friday night Patrick got called into work so Barrett and I watched Frozen and drank hot chocolate after AveryAnn went to bed. 

Saturday was Madelyn's 2nd birthday party.  It was a "Let it Snow" theme and the temps were perfect.  It was so cold!  AveryAnn was obsessed with this shopping cart that has a place for your bay to ride.  She also filled the cart with her babies.

Saturday night, we finally got to celebrate Christmas (and Barrett's birthday) with Patrick's family.  (funny side note, Barrett thought he was turning 6 since we were celebrating again.  I had to convince him we were just celebrating his 5th birthday again).  It was so good to see the Hortons and be with everyone. We're so thankful everyone was healthy and we got to be together.

AveryAnn got this puppy (that whines) and a high chair, stroller and pack & play set for all her babies and she's been in heaven playing with all of it!

Sunday we went to church and I went to the gym.  Monday Patrick was off work so the kids stayed home with him while I went to the office.  Then he kept them again while I went to Bunko.  And now we're all home again for a snow day.  We're still waiting on the snow.  Hopefully it shows up because Barrett is going to be so upset if it doesn't.

New Year's Eve

We haven't done anything for New Year's Eve in years and we were so excited to actually have plans this year.  We went back and forth about what we wanted to do.  I wanted to go bowling, no one else seemed excited about that.  Patrick called one day and said Sister Hazel was playing at the Alabama Theatre for their 90th birthday celebration.  I love any excuse to go to the Alabama Theatre and I was excited to get to dress up.  We made plans to go with Jeremy, Jessica, Brittany and Seth. 

We were all really excited until we realized how late midnight is, and how old we were.  So I made a giant iced coffee while I was getting ready.  You know you're old when your pregame for the pregame is coffee.

Funny story, Brittany and I both kind of stalked this sequin dress at Target all December long.  We wanted it but had no where to wear it and knew it would be silly to buy.  Well when we decided we'd be spending NYE at the beautiful Alabama Theatre I knew sequins would be perfect so I went back and grabbed up the last one.

We met at Jeremy and Jessica's house for pizza and drinks before the show.  We decided to all ride together and Jessica offered to be the DD

Meanwhile, back at my parents house the kids were partying hard.

Every year.  Oh that little NYE newborn.  I can't believe how quickly the time has passed.

We walked in just as Taylor Hicks was starting his set.  I loved him on American Idol.  I love that he loves Birmingham and he's a really good performer.

After his set he had a little meet and greet in the lobby, I didn't go get in line but I did see him taking pictures with fans. Just a super nice guy.

We're so excited to be out with grownups!  Also we're tired.

Sister Hazel was great.  Took me right back to middle school.  It was a fun little time warp.  The quit playing around 11:30 to give everyone enough time to go outside and countdown to the lighting of the new "Alabama" sign on 18th street.  It was freezing so we killed time taking pictures in the lobby.

Jeremy and Jessica

Brittany and Seth

Patrick and me.

Then we made the guys take our picture.

Then we made them let us take their picture.

With the Alabama sign that's always been there.

And the new one!

Group shot!

Both signs all lit up!

We quickly got to the car because it was so cold.  We headed back to Jeremy and Jessica's house, ate more pizza and then headed home.  It was such a fun night and the perfect way to close out a banner year welcome in a new one.  2017 was good to me.  I learned a lot about myself.  I'm so proud of all the progress I made.  I'm so excited looking forward to all 2018 has in store.  It's going to be a great one!