It's a Boy!

We had a little boy on Wednesday April 29th. He weighed 7.87lbs and is 20.5 inches long. Such a little man, I am already smitten by him. Oh, and we named him Calvin Jack.

Just a little humor : After giving birth I lost 20lbs! Woo hoo! Now, just need to keep that 20lbs off and work on the other (not going to mention yet) pounds. And I forgot, when your milk comes in, you add lbs back. So funny, well to me anyway.

In about a month I hope to start swimming and get this sore achy body movable again.

Any tips out there on good snack items while nursing? I fell into a BAD BAD habit with Nolan grabbing anything carb loaded in the middle of the night with him to get my blood sugar boosted back up.

DUHHH...

when you get right down to it...I'm LOST. I don't even know where to begin. I set a date to start my official start of loosing weight. It was April 1st. But when that day got here...I wasn't sure where to start or what to do. I feel so lost. I want to loose weight but what is truly the right way for me to maximize weight loss for me!!!

What kind of a "intake" plan should I be on.
What kind of a exercise plan should I be on.
what kind of weight loss should I see for my body size....
and where do I get all the answers????

HELP????

Invitation...

I hope every one is doing well. I have invited a new friend to be apart of our blog. She is a friend of mine from high school.

Welcome Tina!!!
Also if you have any one you would like to add let me know. I will be happy to add them.

I know we have a few pregnant people out there and we are excited to hear any news about you and your babies..keep us updated!

lets kick this blog back into gear!!!

{Kicking} excuses to the curb

Christina caught a nasty flu bug and since she has not been swimming the past two weeks, neither have I. Such a slacker I am! I was actually thinking of cancelling my gym membership since I was not using it like I should. I just was getting way too tired at the end of the night to gear up and go swimming at 8pm. After a day of picking up toys and cleaning, my back hurts and I feel like my hips are going to give out on me. And of course that lovely sciatic nerve shooting lightning blots down my leg adds to the fun. If you see me flinch or spaz while changing position or just walking... you know I have just been stuck my lightning. LOL

Then I had the lovely idea. I have been doing some babysitting for a girl in my ward with the idea that we would swap. Well, duh, it occurred to me that when I drop of Jaylin for preschool in the morning that I could have Tess watch Nolan during that time and I could swim. ( and skip the child care fee at the gym) I have energy at the first part of the day, and better yet, that is a perfect time for her to watch Nolan. Woo hoo!

Lesson learned: when you start to make excuses for not jumping in the pool or pounding the pavement... something has to change. And a little prayer helps to spark those answers that are easily right in front of you.

slowly but surely...

I can tell I am slowly loosing by the way my close fit but, I have yet to get a set routine in. I am cleaning a lot more house and I am a lot more busy. I have noticed more energy and that I am getting more things accomplished. It might help that I bruised my tail bone and it hurts real bad to sit!!!

I haven't seen a lot of you in a while. I know that some are just maintaining and some are just trying to survive life...and some are about to explode (one more month Sara) but I miss the ideas and just knowing that you are out there.

Know that you are helping me just by getting on here and venting life and talking about every day struggles... if you pregnant which 2 of you are please talk abut strength and weaknesses with that. I just need people out there!!!!

I hope you are all well out there!!

That which does not kill me...

There is a quote that I like; "That which does not kill me, will only make me stronger!" Well I have to tell you that today at work was straight from HELL!!!! The minute I got to my machine I got jumped on (and not by my supervisor) and the day went down hill from there. My CD player broke and I just felt like some one had pissed in my cheerios and I didn't appreciate it.

Especially because right now I am going out of my way and stepping up to try to make sure that both the cotton and the Silque lines get there work out. I am constantly being told that I am not fast enough and that they need more work out of me. I already run well over 100% and I don't know how much faster I can go. Not only does my shoulder stop me at times because of the Arthritis in it, but having had a Gastric Bypass and the diet that I am on makes it very difficult to have the energy that I need to push through the work days some times.

I don't feel very appreciated right now and it makes me upset; but I guess that there is nothing I can do about it. I just need to go to work every day and do the best that I can and remember that there is one who appreciates my hard work and that the way that other people think and feel about me doesn't matter.

So..."That which does not kill me, will only make me stronger!" is going to be my Mantra and maybe I will help me get through the rest of my week!

Thank you for letting me vent I fell a little better! Lots of Love

I have a GOAL!!

So my goal is to loose between 50 and 90 LBS by September. I plan to walk and work out at home...so I am going to need support from you all! The reason I am trying to loose it all is because I want to try and have one last baby before I am over 35. That is just a personal goal age!

I have to get down so...
#1 I need to be healthy
#2 if i loose weight I may not have a clotting issue
#3 I will have more energy when i am pregnant
#4 I need to be more comfortable in my own skin!
#5 if I am exercising now i should be able to keep it up after I get pregnant.
#6 I need to loose weight to have more energy with my kids now while they are young!

So Any support will be Appreciated!!!

I miss you guys out there...How all are you of you doing????

The moving work out...

well I can say that moving and unpacking and having a bigger house are a big work out for me~ the moving was busy and we moved moved moved. then unpacking and cleaning a bigger house makes me sweat and super busy. I can already feel more energy and I have lost a little weight. I hope that I can gt more exercise in as time goes. I am excited to see the changes!

How is every one else out there doing???

On the Ball

Christina was a doll and dropped off this pregnancy exercise video that you do on top of those HUGE exercise balls, which I have. I have been walking on the treadmill, but if I go faster than a 3.0, I get that heavy feeling like my insides are going to fall out. (Moms out there, you know what I mean!) Anyway, swimming still works, but I have not been able to get to the gym as often as I would like since my hubby is out of the country at the moment. SO.... Christina has saved me with this video so at least I am getting some sort of exercise in. I am not worried about losing weight or anything like that right now of course, just hoping that I can stay strong and more flexible for the birth and afterwards. Of course, with it being cold and dark so early, I just want to hibernate with a good book. Now I have no excuse not to "get on the ball" and get my heart rate up for a 1/2 hour a day. Thanks Christina!

2009 Happy New Year

Hello.
I am going into the new year with great enthusiasm. I am so glad that Sara and I have been swimming together. It has motivated me to get my butt in shape. I am doing weight watchers and staying off of milk products. I have so much energy that I think I will explode outta my skin sometimes. But thank goodness I have not.....On the days I don't swim with my swimming buddy Sara, I work out on the eliptical. I also spoke with a weight trainer at 24 hour to do a buddy weight training session with Sara but since she is prego we can't do it together. So I took a bold step and stepped it up a notch and purchased 10 weight training sessions 5 weeks ago. Don't tell my hubby. I meet with Brittany (Trainer) Once a week. She kills me and I feel like Barfing but I keep on pushing thru the barfiness. Sometimes the pain in my feet have made me cry too , but my determination and praying gets me thru. It is Biggest Loser at 24. When I leave there feeling like my fat is going to fall off I feel great...My trainer gives me detailed homework for the rest of the week.
Yesterday she just told me she wants to track what I eat so she can be my Nazi life coach. ( By the way she is getting her masters right now for life coaching) I scored!!! So yeah I may be in pain and all that stuff but I feel great. I will keep you all informed how things are going. I don't know how much weight I have lost but I am going back to the WW meetings tomorrow morning at 6:30am in Campbell. This will help me know what I am losing.
Happy New Year,
Sharkbait

here are a couple

My laptops battery is going to die so that is all I can do for now.

Chocolate Pumpkin cupcakes and Taco Soup

Taco Soup
This is a Weight Watcher recipe. But don't tell your family and they will never know!

½ lb lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Mix
1 package Taco Seasoning Mix
1 14-oz can tomato sauce
3 (15 oz each) cans S&W Chili beans (I used Sunny Select brand at Lucky's)
1 lb frozen corn
1 4-oz can diced green chilies
2 cups water

Brown ground beef in large stock pot. Drain fat. Add onion, cook 2 minutes. Add both dry mixes and 2 cups water. Stir well. Add remaining ingredients. Cook 5 minutes.

** of course you normally eat taco soup loaded with sour cream, cheese, and tortilla chips, but this is good enough by itself!
1 cup = 2 points

****************************************************

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins – So good!!!!
Another Weight Watcher recipe. But once you add the cool whip your secret is safe!

1 box Devil's Food cake mix
1 15 oz can pumpkin
2/3 cup water

Mix all together with beater for 1 minute. Use muffin papers in your muffin pan. Should be able to get 24 muffins. Bake per box instructions. Top with 1 tablespoon fat free cool whip.

1 muffin = 1 point

Swimming buddy

So I got myself a swimming buddy. Christina and I will be swimming together on Wed and Fri nights at the gym near my house. Our plan is to swim for a 1/2 hour with our rates up up up. Christina has this cool watch thing called Polar that tells her what her heart rate is so that she can easily tell whether she is in her target heart rate or not. I am hoping I will keep up with the swimming throughout my pregnancy so that I can keep my back strong and well, it just feels good to be in water when you are pregnant.
Our goal is twice a week, and maybe in a month or so if we keep that up, we might change it to three times a week. I have a treadmill at home that I need to get on it, now that it is set up in our new house. Christina has an elliptical machine that she has a goal to use on the days we are not swimming.

this is an exercise blog right???

Exercise your right to vote!!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Ok!

So here it is...
I am baby hungry! I need to get this weight under control. I know I can't move when I am pregnant and this size! I need help. What are some of the things you guys do to keep you thinking about weight loss!

I have also discovered this:
1. that I don't seem to sweat much when I am exercising...my heart rate is up and I feel the muscles being worked and I see a difference in my body. but I dont seem to sweat. Never have been much of a sweater when i work out...Not sure why!

(Before work out look at my tummy)

(you can see that my tummy is smaller)

2. I sweat like crazy when I clean house! I get going and I get a great work out! So I have been trying to get a even pull between them.

3. I want to drink Tons of water. I Crave it! I drink at least 3-32 ounce cups a day or more. That isn't a problem!

4. Walking to deliver books is a great work out. How ever I only do that 2 weeks of the moth. So I need to figure out a way to get the walking thing in as a family on the other weeks!!!

5. I need to get a really healthy meal plan going! More veggies and fruit and right portions on everything else!

So there it is. That is what I need to work on!

This week I need to get out catalogs so I will be walking on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday...and of course on Friday as the kids trick or treat! Wednesday is our wards Halloween carnival. I will work on "Work outs" in the mornings it was starting to help with loosing fat on my sides and butt and my arms.

So I am going to aim for that!

How is every one else out there doing???

So I have been doing house work! that is it and I am lucky I am doing that. I pulled a muscle in my neck. It hurts bad! so Iam just trying to function.

Mel for what you went through last week just surviving the day mean you are doing GREAT!

I got the nutritional facts for tha mac and cheese i will add them to the recipe!

Hope you are all doing well!

well.....

I did pretty well with my eating but alas no exercise. I have decided that I am not going to weigh myself everyday. I think it stresses me out. So I will do my wiegh in's on monday. So my goals are to workout today and eat well.

MACARONI AND CHEESE

My friend found this in a fitness magazine!

2 cups elbow macaroni (8 ounces)
2 cups reduced-fat milk
2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup American cheese, cubed
1/2 cup coarsely crushed seasoned croutons
2 tablespoons finely shredded Parmesan cheese


1. Preheat oven to 350 'F. Cook pasta according to package ; drain and return to pot.

2. Meanwhile, in a large screw-top jar, combine 1 cup milk, flour, mustard, salt and pepper; cover and shake until combined. pour into a medium saucepan. stir in remaining 1 cup milk. cook an stir over medium heat just until bubbly. reduce heat to low. add cheddar cheese and American cheese,stirring until melted. pour sauce over pasta, stirring until combined. spoon into a 1 1/2 quart casserole.

3. bake, covered, for 15 minutes. in a small bowl, stir together croutons and parmesan cheese; sprinkle over casserole. bake uncovered, about 5 -7 min.

and that's it!

{New recipe}

We tried this new recipe last night and Chris and I loved it. The kids actually ate the fish, which was surprising. Thought I would share. I am keeping on to this one! So if you like fish, here is a great and EASY recipe.

Halibut with Beans and Spinach
serves 4

2 TBS Olive Oil
1 TSP minced garlic
4 (6oz each) fresh halibut fillets
1 3/4 cup chicken broth
2 TBS lemon juice
2 cups frozen chopped spinach
1 can (15 oz) Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
Generous dash of crushed red pepper

1. Stir in olive oil and garlic into skillet. Add the halibut and turn to coat the fillets with the garlic and oil.
2. Heat the halibut on medium high and cook for 4 minutes, turning the fish halfway through. Remove the fish with a spatula and set aside.
3. Stir in the broth and lemon juice and heat to a boil. Then add the beans, spinach, and red pepper. Return the fish to the skillet. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for two minutes or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and the mixture is hot and bubbling.

** the fish and spinach are so healthy for you and the beans give you that extra umpfh to feel full.

Let's try this again...

Okay I fell off the wagon last week due to one hell of a week. Sick dog, no sleep, my period, sick kids ya know CRAZYNESS. So I am back on track again this week. Yesterday I had 1200 calories but no exercise. I am going to try to get some exercise in today and try to only have 1200 calories. I'll let you know how things go tomorrow.

{A Renewed Friendship}

I went swimming last night at the gym near me. It was freakin awesome! Aside from being a little slow since I have not included swimming in my workout for a few months, hmmm.... since last fall really when I swam at Ohlone. I have only swam for fun, so I am excited to have this back into a routine at a super convenient place. If I wasn't swimming at night, I could walk there.

I swam for a half hour and got past the point where my chest burned and was tight and it felt great. I felt strong afterwards, loose, and some of my body kinks got worked out. I can't wait to go again tonight. I am going to try and swim 3-4 a week, and then use the elliptical 2x a week.

Experts say 1/2 hour exercise a day. I need to do that. It is not going to be crazy marathon training exercise, but I need to get my butt movin. I need to get past the excuse that housework is exercise. It is, but I know I have to step it up past that and actually get my heart rate up.

So, my cap and goggles have renewed our friendship.

What are you ladies doing for exercise?? I am thinking of dusting off my old Bollywood dance exercise video for fun. hah hah In the privacy of my own home of course!

Walking

Last night we walked for a bit and tonight we are going to walk 2 miles I think. We load the kids and Avon books into our stroller and off we go. Who knew Avon would be exercise!!! I would have to say it makes me keep going. So I can't complain there. So walking is my exercise for the next few days.

Time to get out the cap and goggles!

I just moved into our first home. It's official. We are home owners. Woo hoo! And guess what is just down the street from me? A 24 Hour Fitness Sport Center. That means they have a pool. Swimming is my exercise of choice. Yes, I enjoy swimming. So much so, I used to drive 20 minutes at 5 Am to swim At Ohlone's pool for a semester since it was the cheapest way for me to have access to a pool. It was outdoors and cold but I stuck it out.
I have not exercised in about 2 weeks. Now that we have moved in and are kind of settled, I need to get my tusch over to 24 HR Fitness. There is nothing more motivating than being in a bathing suit at a gym to help me be wiser about my food choices!
So ladies, I will make it to the gym this week for the first time and begin to set up my exercise schedule.
I gained 5lbs last month, but after moving, I am back down. I can attribute that to packing up and unpacking these past two weeks!

Hey, I need some healthy recipes that kids would enjoy. Any suggestions all you Moms out there?

Saturday was go go go...

I never stopped walking and moving on Saturday. we just went and went. I woke up feeling super sick but after about 11:30 I was feeling better and we decided to go out. I felt really good till 7:30 and then I was feeling crappy again...but at least I moved and moved during the sick feeling!

day 6

Well I didn't have as good of a day today. I didn't get exercise in again and I ended up eating about 1400 calories. I had a low blood sugar and it made it so I went over in my calories. I think tomorrow I am going to have a free day.


I got up this morning and gained 2 lbs back. WHAT THE ??? Anyway I guess next week I need to get a little more aggressive.

day 5

okay day 5 was busy of course. I didn't get my exercise in but I only had 1210 calories so that ain't nothing to shake a stick at. It is so hard sometimes to have so little calories but in the end it will be worth it RIGHT?

I woke up and weighed this morning and I was down another pound YEAH!!!!

Wholey busy week batman..

I haven't been able to get anything done between home, family and Avon I have been more busy than ever. I feel good about that. I want to have the stamina to keep going. I have not got in the "true exercise" but I have been more active than normal. I do want to get eh exercise back in. I need to make it work and no matter what!!!!

Im down some

I woke up this morning feeling a bit smaller so I decided to weight in. I was down 2 lbs yay! I know I have been busy with work and home. Because of being busy Im not eating as much or snacking. Im still not good with water intake or exercise. Thats all just keeping updated.

day 4

So day four was CRAZY busy. I ended up only getting a 30 min workout. I made Adam go for a scary walk after it was dark. It was alot of fun. I live right at the foot of the mountains and to take a walk in my neighborhood means it is straight up hill. My legs were dying. So even though it was only a 30 min workout it was intense to say the least.

I only had 1200 calories so I think I was fine on the calories for the day. And I got on the scale and was actually down 3 pounds from yesterday morning. I hope they stay away.

Anywho I am glad that I am updating daily because it is keeping me honest. When I want to give up I just think about me having to blog about how I gave up and I don't want to give up.

day 3

Okay so I rocked it on my exercise yesterday. I did a 30 min workout (25min treadmill and 5 min crunches and weights). Then in the evening Adam had an hour football practice and they have a path that goes around the path so me and rick walked that the whole practice and the little ones played on the playground.

As far as eating goes I had around 1300 calories.

I did get a little frustrated because I got on the scale this morning and gained a pound. Seriously pissed me off but whatever I am not going to let it get me down.

Good luck ladies!

keeping up with the rymers..

Melanie you are rocken the casaba!!! I can't keep up with you. you are doing great!

I swear sense I made the goal I haven't been able to stop moving long enough to exercise. but for me the moving and getting things done and not stopping actually I like. I need to getup the stamina I use to have. me going and going and going to me at this time is almost better than exercise. I haven't been able to stay this busy with out feeling tired or worn out in yrs. But i do want to get the exercise in...so I will work on getting it in this week...at some point. How ever I feel that while cleaning my house I got a better work out Because I sweat more cleaning that I do working out...LOL go figure!

day 2

Yesterday went pretty well. I stuck with my calorie intake and I got in 2 workouts. I stepped on the scale today and was dissapointed to not see any weight loss yet but I am not loosing hope. Let me know how you all are doing.

Today

Yesterday I stayed SUPER busy and walked with my family last night. I haven't had a chance to work out today...but the day is not over yet. I am doing OK so far...staying away from sugar is good need to still get water in today. I got myself up to drinking 3- 32 ounce glasses of water a day. I figure that is a good amount...I am going to try and work out a bit tonight. I have to scrub my house down now and decorate for Halloween. I have another lady coming by tonight to sign up for Avon. WOO HOO. so that is where I am at right now.

I need to work on eating breakfast first thing so I get it in!!!

day 1

Okay so I worked out twice and did pretty well on my eating. I ate 1500 calories and I only wanted to eat 12-1300 but I am not going to be too hard on myself. Deb how did you do yesterday?

I want to work out twice today and stay within the 12-1300 calorie range again.

Goal setting!

Ok so for this week I want to exercise the rest of the weekdays.
I will continue to watch my sugar intake and water intake!
I can do this...
I will get healthy...
I want another BABY!!!

another go at it!

Okay so I have a little over 5 weeks until my trip. I have not lost a single pound. So now that there is only 5 weeks left I have to kick it in the butt NOW!

I am feeling encouraged and I have already done my morning workout. I am going to try to stick with the program I was doing before when I wanted to loose weight in January. I lost 15 pounds in those 5 weeks and hopefully I can do the same.

As far as exercise I think I am going to add running. I despise running but I figure if I only run maybe 10 minutes in my treadmill workout than I will speedwalk for the remainder of time. My goal is to do the treadmill workout 2 times a day.

Last night I told Rick I want him to be mean and make me do it and he told me he didn't have the heart to be mean but he did say that we can do an evening workout together. So I guess some support is better than none right?

As far as my eating goes I am going to try real hard to stick to the natures edge shakes and try to only eat veggies, fruit, weight control oatmeal, tuna and cottage cheese. I will probably eat what I make everyone else for dinner but I will modify my meal a little.

Wish me luck peeps cause I really, really, really want to loose at least 15 pounds before my trip.

On the go again....

That is it! I have to loose weight! If I want more kids. That is IT! I have to get a goal or something down. Something to work towards. I don't think I am done. I don't want to be done either. I want 1 more. In the shape I am in I cannot have a child. I am not healthy! I need to do this.

I am missing out on comments and talking on here. I still check every day to see how every one is doing. So please lets not quit!!! I need all of your ups and downs to keep me going. AND YES downs help me to. I need to know that I am not the lone Fat lady struggling in the world! So COME ON CAMPERS LETS BUCK UP!!!

I have been better with my sugar intake. we are eating far less at my house. I feel the energy levels rising more and more each day. I cant say that I notice weight loss but I am going to focus on the feeling better part! So Here is to getting back on the Wagon...Please join me!

Why is it so flipin hard?

I wish losing weight was as easy as breathing. I know I'm a skinny person trapped in a few layers of fat. I need to like healthy food. Eclairs are just to good to pass up at a baby shower. Steak dinner with a baked potato and a onion bloom is OK to eat for your anniversary right? Cinnamon toast for breakfast cause I need to grocery shopping. Do I sound like anybody else or am I just a big loser that cant get it together. I want to lose weight I just need something to change and I know its something that I have to find in ME to do it well. So needless to say I haven't been doing well with the whole losing of weight thing.
I am going back to work in a salon. I will work evenings and Saturdays. I hope this will get my energy level up some by keeping my house together and working part-time. I'm sad I have to go back to work after being a SAHM for 4 1/2 years but I think the economy is hurting us and everybody badly right now. That's whats up with me.

Sick!

Sorry I have not posted in a while. My family has been sick. We all have chest colds. I have not worked out at all in 2 weeks. I hit a wall when I gained the 12 pounds while working out. Then when I was ready to get back in the saddle I got a cold that makes me feel like I can't breath. We are still sick but I plan to get going again after I feel better. Also I have been trying to keep my water intake going and eating right. I don't see any weight loss again I only see more energy! That is my update. How are you all doing out there?