A little of this and a little bit of that…

#1

You might want to sit down for this.

I haven’t consumed a carbonated beverage since Feb. 1. Yep, this little coke lover, has avoided coke, pop, soft drinks, whatever the hell you call it for 36 days. Not like I’m counting or anything.

They said it would be easy. They said you wouldn’t miss them after a few days or weeks. WRONG. BIG FAT WRONG.

I think about Coca Cola constantly. How it would make my pizza taste better. How it would make a crappy day better. My body just wants it.

But… I haven’t given in, with the exception of a teeny tiny sip of my brother’s Big Red Slushie.

So, where do cokes and I stand? How have I been feeling?

Let’s start with the latter. I feel great. My clothes fit better. I’m not bloated. For those reasons alone, I may just give them up forever. I’d rather eat my calories anyway. I still drink tea and lemonade occasionally, but I’m also drinking a ton of water.

Will I really NEVER ever drink another beloved can of coke? Probably not. I’ve created this little contest in my head. If I can lose the last 5 pounds of baby weight, I get to celebrate with a coke. 5 more=another coke until I’m down to pre wedding weight from almost 7 years ago.

Isn’t it weird how I aspire to be that weight again? I think I want to be that weight because that’s the last time I remember not weighing myself. Just liking my size and not caring what the number said.

So, how’s that for motivation? And shorts. Most definitely, shorts!

#2

I’ve started reading again. We’ve had several snow days in the last month which in turn I get to stay at home. I have been so lazy and it’s been great. I needed to be lazy. Teaching is rough. My class is rough. We are busy. We don’t spend much time at home during the week so its been nice to be forced to be home. Actually, it’s been wonderful!

I’ve updated the READ WITH ME tab with the books I have been reading! Enjoy!

Midpoint

I don’t claim to be a super mom (well, maybe a little) but I like to believe I manage things well. I am a full time wife and mother, a full time employee, and a graduate student. My house is never clean and there is always laundry to fold, but I get S**t done. Excuse my language but if you knew me in real life that is exactly what I would tell you if you asked me how I balance everything?

I firmly believe if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen. No excuses. I believe life is all about the choices you make or let others make for you. (Shout out to my momma and MK Linda Toupin) We are all given 24 hours a day, use your time wisely. If it’s paying off debt, losing weight, or in my case going back to school; if you want it bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen.

I did not take my decision to go back to school lightly. I cried to my husband nightly about what I should do and prayed to God for direction or a sign that I was making a smart decision. I was so worried I would be sacrificing time with my daughter and it would hurt her. I knew what my end result would be, I would be a teacher and do something I have always wanted to do, but the journey scared me a little.

Looking back, my only thought is I wished I had started school sooner. At the end of April I will be at my halfway point and I am set to graduate my 42 hour MAT program in December of this year. 1.5 years of my life is all it cost. (and $$$ student loans but such is life) That’s not bad at all. My daughter has not been neglected one bit. In fact, on the nights I have class her Aunt Amanda comes over (if daddy is at baseball) or she spends quality one-on-one time with her daddy and he puts her to bed. I am very lucky to have the support of my husband and family.

This picture encouraged me to write this post. I put Dora on in the living room tonight so she could play while I was in class in our office. She came in and pulled out some markers and sat in the office with me and that was fine by me. I want to remember these good memories of the time I went to school when Kendall was two and see how I made it all work.

If I can encourage anyone who is struggling to make a decision in their life, whether it’s school, work, or hobby related, I hope this was of value. There is never a better time to start something than today!

BEFORE Pictures Eeek

I can’t believe I’m about to do this but we are all friends, right? RIGHT?

These were taken 2 weeks ago. I wouldn’t be posting them if I wasn’t on week 3 of C25K. I wouldn’t be posting these if I was going to start the Ripped in 30 program with my husband per his request that he wants to do “one of those crazy” workouts. Isn’t that cute? He wants to do it after Kendall goes to bed. Ha! Date Night!

Anyways, every one else and their mom has posted their BEFORE pictures on the internet and it seems to hold them accountable. I mean I will DELETE this blog before I post pictures where I haven’t lost any weight. Seriously.

So here it goes…

  

(excuse the hair flip motion shot)

Here are my stats as of today.

Weight 163 (-4 loss from August holla!)

Goal 145

Size 10 pants (Goal size 6-8)

Arms – 12"

Chest – 36.5 (D’s please holla!)

Waist – 31

Hips – 37.5

Thighs 23.5

These are my measurements after I did 3 weeks of the 30 day Shred. I have lost 8.5 inches and KEPT them off. I’ve also kept off 4 pounds.

I need to KEEP working. Starting with Week 3 Run 2 tonight… Laters!

New Year, New Me

I have refrained from making new years resolutions in the past. I mean I guess every year I want to lose 20 pounds and save more money but those are boring. Plus I feel like sometimes we set ourselves up for failure when making resolutions. However, it’s fun to set some goals when you have a fresh new beginning to the year.

In no particular order, here are mine:

• Find a home church and get involved
• Decorate our new home
• Start a regular workout regimen
• Cook more new recipes
• Find a career I love ? new job?
• Read a book, or two? I haven’t read a book since I was preggers
• Practice patience with others
• Be kind to my husband everyday even when he drives me crazy
• DO more fun activities with Kendall – like mommy & me gymnastics?
• Relax more
• Take more pictures
• Go on a weekend trip with Chris

The new year is always fun. I always feel so refreshed and happy to start fresh. Did you make any resolutions???

Oh and if I lose 20 pounds this year… I’d be ecstatic!

Happy 2011!

So I pondered writing a "Year in Review" post for 2010 but the lazy part of me figured whoever wanted to read up on our year could just go through my blog archives... mmmk?
Instead I will post another picture of the cutest baby in the world who made our year! This year has been all about Kendall! I started the year hoping I would get pregnant soon and ended the year with the most beautiful blessing in my arms. It's been the best year of our lives!

So 2011... this year will obviously be another great year as we enjoy all 12 months as a family of 3. It will be fun watching Kendall grow up and flourish into a little girl. I am in no hurry for her to grow up but will love and cherish (and blog about) every second of my daughter's adventures.

I usually don't make resolutions but I thought I would write a few things down.

1. Lose 25 lbs (preferably before pool season)
I want to be a fit mama in the pool with Kendall.

2. See to it that my hubby finishes his last semester of college and throw him a party!

3. Go on a family vacay

4. Cook more new recipes

5. Do some things to our house

6. Pay off our credit cards

That's all I've got! Most important I just want to enjoy Life!
What are your resolutions?

March Madness Baby!!

Hello March!
One month closer to spring! I'm getting so excited about spring. My favorite part about spring is SPRING CLOTHES! I love going shopping this time of year because all the happy colors are out!

I purchased these two tops this weekend from Old Navy! Aren't they cute????

























I know I'm not supposed to be shopping until I am a smaller size and my credit card is paid in full but everyone needs a reward!!!! All work and no play makes Shelli sad! :( Plus these are medium sizes and I have always worn a medium size up top! It's the pant size I'd like to change!!


It's still freaking cold outside but I'm going to start walking today. It is part of my new March goals - to walk around the neighborhood everyday. If for some reason weather does not permit this activity I will just double up on some days. Walking is very effective and relaxing plus Wilson the pup likes it too!!!

Have you made any March goals?

Hello February - January Review and Valentine's Day Ideas

I love this month! Everything is pink for Valentine's Day! I lit a pink "sweet nothings" candle at my desk at work this morning. :)
I had a wonderful snowed in weekend. Friday I had an MK party that was an amazing success! Saturday the hubs and I did not leave the house. It was fun watching Wilson play in the snow. We got a good 6 inches so we had a nice romantic day in! We watched a few movies and I made rice krispie treats. Bad idea! They were all gone by Sunday after noon! Sunday I had my usual breakfast at the parents and ran a few errands. I watched the grammy's last night and called it a night.

January in Review :
January Goals
- Track what I eat using sparkpeople For the most part Yes
- Read 2 books Not even close - still reading Eat, Pray, Love
- Reach mini goal weight (-5 lbs) - reached -2.2 lbs
- Get tax stuff ready to file Yes!

February Goals
- Finish Eat, Pray, Love & read another book
- Keep tracking on sparkpeople
- Reach mini goal weight (-8.8 lbs)
- Pay off credit card with tax return (if we get one!)
- Save $$$ for backsplash project

Chris asked me a few weeks ago what I wanted to do for Valentine's Day and to his surprise I told him I wanted to go to White Castle. You see I'm not really into celebrating Valentine's Day. Yes I expect flowers and a card and for my husband to acknowledge Valentine's day but I think you should act all romantic and go on dates all the time not just celebrate one one particular day. Anywh0 I had always heard of people going to White Castle - they apparently thow down some paper tablecloths, print menus, put candles & flowers on the table and you have to get reservations!!! LOL I will take pictures!

Aren't these cute? I just bought them for a steal!!

I wake up at 4pm

Okay seriously... I get like a huge wave of energy at 4pm (when I leave work for the day). I'm so ready to go home and do something fun with Chris or something more than sit at a desk in general. Yesterday I went home and cleaned my entire house. I even dusted the light fixtures and the top of the fridge... so really cleaned, right? I lit a bunch of candles too - I love making the house smell all cozy.
So the last 2 Thursday's I've been weighing in - I really should not have done it this morning. Repeat after me. Do not weigh in on monthly visit week. You just can't trust those numbers that week. I will weigh in next Thursday for a more valid number. There is 10 days left for January so I'm giving myself until Feb 4 (a Thursday which leaves me 2 weeks) to lose -5 lbs. I can do it!!! It may get strict and ugly at home but I am determined to watch those numbers move!


Tonight I'm making a Taco Ring for dinner. I had a big lunch so I will be having a simplified wheat tortilla wrap thingy but I will eat leftovers for lunch yummy!

I already have my grocery list handy and I'm just waiting for the clock to read 4:00 so I can go on my merry way!


After dinner we may ride up to Lowes. We have been thinking about all kinds of home improvement projects we would like to try. I will list them in another post sometime! I want to look at some tile ideas for a kitchen backsplash! Here is an old picture of my kitchen from when we first got married. It honestly still looks the same. I love the paint color, counter tops and cabinet finish - now I just have to find a tile backsplash to bring it all together. Any ideas?