Pounds, that is!
Since mid-December I have lost 6 pounds. HOORAY! I did it by simply changing my eating habits. I mentioned in a previous post that I've been choosing fruit and veggies over cereal, etc. I also started eating oatmeal every day for breakfast. I think that's what really helped. More fiber = less bloat.
It's crazy but it literally felt like one day I weighed 138 and the next I was 134. It happened so fast. Of course, once I lost the initial 4 pounds I started trying harder to keep the weight off. That's when I really got back in to my Weight Watchers mentality of the good old "Give and Take" as I call it. I will never forget the WW meeting Leader saying "Can't live without cheese on that sandwich? That is fine. Just get mustard instead of mayo and load it with veggies." That give-and-take lesson consumed my WW journey and I've picked up the habit again.
My husband has also asked for my help in improving his eating habits which is going to also help me in the long run. Since I have to set an example for him, it means I have to make the right food choices.
I am a little concerned with our upcoming vacation because my husband often thinks "vacation calories" don't count. I've warned him that I will be harsh with him and until he learns how to make good choices on his own, he has to run his meals past me. I know that seems a little controlling but he asked me to do it that way.
I'll report back next week about how we did. Send good thoughts my way - about weight loss and surviving a week long trip with the in-laws ;)
Monday, January 2, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
Looking ahead
With the New Year right around the corner, I've started reflecting on 2011 and looking ahead to 2012. I've already got a few resolutions and would like to share them with you.
1. See the eye doctor and dentist. I've never, ever been to the eye doctor and I haven't been to the dentist in well over ten years. I always hear that these two doctors are the most expensive in terms of their "cures", which explains why I avoid them. But I pay for vision and dental insurance so why not make an appointment and just make sure everything is A-OK?
2. Along the lines of numero uno, I have some lingering foot problems and I need to get to the podiatrist to get them checked out. I'm not looking forward to this one!
3. Continue making better food choices. I've lost 4 pounds this month (YAY!) just by making simple changes to my diet. I fill up on whole grains, like oatmeal or brown rice. If I'm hungry after dinner, I reach for apple sauce instead of cereal or candy. I snack on fresh veggies rather than chips. It's simple, common sense stuff but hey! It's working.
4. Be more optimistic. Ugh...this one is going to be hard. I'm a hardcore pessimist. My first challenge for being optimistic will be the annual ski trip to Michigan with my in-laws. Wish me luck!
So these are my goals for the new year. I would love to hear about yours!
1. See the eye doctor and dentist. I've never, ever been to the eye doctor and I haven't been to the dentist in well over ten years. I always hear that these two doctors are the most expensive in terms of their "cures", which explains why I avoid them. But I pay for vision and dental insurance so why not make an appointment and just make sure everything is A-OK?
2. Along the lines of numero uno, I have some lingering foot problems and I need to get to the podiatrist to get them checked out. I'm not looking forward to this one!
3. Continue making better food choices. I've lost 4 pounds this month (YAY!) just by making simple changes to my diet. I fill up on whole grains, like oatmeal or brown rice. If I'm hungry after dinner, I reach for apple sauce instead of cereal or candy. I snack on fresh veggies rather than chips. It's simple, common sense stuff but hey! It's working.
4. Be more optimistic. Ugh...this one is going to be hard. I'm a hardcore pessimist. My first challenge for being optimistic will be the annual ski trip to Michigan with my in-laws. Wish me luck!
So these are my goals for the new year. I would love to hear about yours!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
I need therapy
This blog is cheaper than a therapist, right? I sure hope so because I've got a lot going on and I need to hash it out. Please, feel free to leave a comment (even if you tell me I'm completely crazy!).
So here's what's up. This time of year brings lots o' time spent with the in-laws. I do like my in-laws, I really do. But I find them extremely annoying when it comes to Colin. My MIL always makes comments about how I spoil Colin and I feel like she's silently judging my parenting skills. She doesn't understand that Mark and I, together as Colin's parents, made a decision to follow the attachment parenting technique. Which means *ding, ding, ding* HE IS ATTACHED TO US. We are his safety, not a blanket or a toy. Yes, it is usually me more than Mark that he "wants" but every child goes through this stage.
In a few weeks, we'll be traveling 8 hours to Michigan to spend a week with them. I honestly do not know how I am mentally and emotionally going to get through it. I sincerely hope I don't have to get harsh with my in-laws but I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to have to put them in their place. I hate saying that because my personality is so anti-confrontation but they are pushing the limits.
So I'm curious...how do I learn to let my in-laws love Colin as much as I do while also getting them to understand that I am the parent, not them?
So here's what's up. This time of year brings lots o' time spent with the in-laws. I do like my in-laws, I really do. But I find them extremely annoying when it comes to Colin. My MIL always makes comments about how I spoil Colin and I feel like she's silently judging my parenting skills. She doesn't understand that Mark and I, together as Colin's parents, made a decision to follow the attachment parenting technique. Which means *ding, ding, ding* HE IS ATTACHED TO US. We are his safety, not a blanket or a toy. Yes, it is usually me more than Mark that he "wants" but every child goes through this stage.
In a few weeks, we'll be traveling 8 hours to Michigan to spend a week with them. I honestly do not know how I am mentally and emotionally going to get through it. I sincerely hope I don't have to get harsh with my in-laws but I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to have to put them in their place. I hate saying that because my personality is so anti-confrontation but they are pushing the limits.
So I'm curious...how do I learn to let my in-laws love Colin as much as I do while also getting them to understand that I am the parent, not them?
Friday, December 23, 2011
How I know I am a working mother
Today my MIL came over to watch Colin while Mark and I were at work.
Picture me at 7:25 AM (roughly 5 minutes before she was due to arrive) rushing around making sure every last item was picked up and every surface was clean. Colin was in one of his "OMG dontyoudareputmedown!" moods so I was toting him (and a sippy cup full of milk) on my hip during my whirlwind. All the jostling around must have upset his stomach because before I knew it, he was burping. A lot. I thought "Please don't throw up" and then it happened.
Curdled whole milk spewed out of his mouth, down his bib, on to his shirt and pants...and landed right on the side of my sweater.
I handed him to my husband, who I thought would wipe him off so I could wipe myself off. Unfortunately, my husband just stood there with a dumb look on his face while I quickly wiped off my sweater. Then he kindly handed Colin back for me to wipe up. Fan-freakin'-tastic helping skills that man has.
I changed Colin's clothes faster than I ever have because I mean, I can't let my picture perfect MIL smell curled milk on him. She arrived just as I pulled the shirt over his head. Perfect timing!
Mark and I rushed around some more to get ready to leave for work and in the hustle and bustle, I forgot to change MY OWN SHIRT and I didn't even realize it until I took my coat off at work.
Now picture me sitting in my cubicle all day, every so often getting a whiff of the curdled milk.
I just hope no one noticed!
Picture me at 7:25 AM (roughly 5 minutes before she was due to arrive) rushing around making sure every last item was picked up and every surface was clean. Colin was in one of his "OMG dontyoudareputmedown!" moods so I was toting him (and a sippy cup full of milk) on my hip during my whirlwind. All the jostling around must have upset his stomach because before I knew it, he was burping. A lot. I thought "Please don't throw up" and then it happened.
Curdled whole milk spewed out of his mouth, down his bib, on to his shirt and pants...and landed right on the side of my sweater.
I handed him to my husband, who I thought would wipe him off so I could wipe myself off. Unfortunately, my husband just stood there with a dumb look on his face while I quickly wiped off my sweater. Then he kindly handed Colin back for me to wipe up. Fan-freakin'-tastic helping skills that man has.
I changed Colin's clothes faster than I ever have because I mean, I can't let my picture perfect MIL smell curled milk on him. She arrived just as I pulled the shirt over his head. Perfect timing!
Mark and I rushed around some more to get ready to leave for work and in the hustle and bustle, I forgot to change MY OWN SHIRT and I didn't even realize it until I took my coat off at work.
Now picture me sitting in my cubicle all day, every so often getting a whiff of the curdled milk.
I just hope no one noticed!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Optimism - Day 1
Today I followed rule number nine: decide to be happy.
As the article says, I woke up today and told myself that it would be a good day. I vowed to not let anything bring me down.
I believe I'll be making this part of my every morning routine...right before my coffee :)
As the article says, I woke up today and told myself that it would be a good day. I vowed to not let anything bring me down.
- Colin screamed while I put on his coat...no biggie. It may have taken a few seconds longer, but it was on.
- I got cut off on the way to daycare. D*ckhead move, but whatever. I didn't get in a wreck so all was well.
I believe I'll be making this part of my every morning routine...right before my coffee :)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Half full or half empty?
I am very much a pessimistic person. My proverbial glass is always half empty. I forever want more out of my life and sometimes find it hard to be truly thankful for what I have…not because I am not grateful for my job, family, home and health…but because I want all of that and more.
Ever since having Colin, all I want to do is stay home with him. I hate that he is the first kid at daycare and the last to be picked up. I hate that someone else gets to watch him grow up and see all the funny things he does during the day. Every pay day I am reminded that I work to basically cover health insurance and daycare expenses. I complain to Mark that I'm unhappy but that doesn't get me anywhere because I know he can't change it right now and he just ends up unhappy. It's a vicious cycle.
Are you catching on to how this fuels my pessimism?
Today...while sitting all by my miserable self at my miserable job...I decided that I have had enough. Enough negativity. Enough of feeling down on myself. It is high time that I flip the switch and gain some optimism for a change! I came upon this article and decided I am going to follow all the steps. It's kind of like an early New Year's Resolution, if you will.
Each day (or as regularly as I can) I will write about how I did at least one of the steps that day. Hopefully this will keep me accountable to actually go through with it!
Ever since having Colin, all I want to do is stay home with him. I hate that he is the first kid at daycare and the last to be picked up. I hate that someone else gets to watch him grow up and see all the funny things he does during the day. Every pay day I am reminded that I work to basically cover health insurance and daycare expenses. I complain to Mark that I'm unhappy but that doesn't get me anywhere because I know he can't change it right now and he just ends up unhappy. It's a vicious cycle.
Are you catching on to how this fuels my pessimism?
Today...while sitting all by my miserable self at my miserable job...I decided that I have had enough. Enough negativity. Enough of feeling down on myself. It is high time that I flip the switch and gain some optimism for a change! I came upon this article and decided I am going to follow all the steps. It's kind of like an early New Year's Resolution, if you will.
Each day (or as regularly as I can) I will write about how I did at least one of the steps that day. Hopefully this will keep me accountable to actually go through with it!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Just some videos
Just a couple videos of Colin I wanted to share because he is just so stinkin' cute and funny!
He was so excited when we told him he was going to a pool party!
This is the best I could do to get his dance moves on video. The kid can't help but dance whenever he hears any type of music. Once I asked him if he's going to be the next Justin Bieber and have girls screaming "OHMIGOD IT'S COLIN TESTA!". His response was to laugh and shake his head "No". Good answer, buddy!
He was so excited when we told him he was going to a pool party!
This is the best I could do to get his dance moves on video. The kid can't help but dance whenever he hears any type of music. Once I asked him if he's going to be the next Justin Bieber and have girls screaming "OHMIGOD IT'S COLIN TESTA!". His response was to laugh and shake his head "No". Good answer, buddy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)