A skinny day perhaps?

So, I'm feeling STRONGER!!

And here is a pic I took last week before I went to the gym, before gravity set in.  I have not seen the scale go down significantly.  My weight flucuates, 2 down-1 up, but I do know I have lost inches.  We haven't remeasured me yet.  The trainer measured me before my first session in several areas.  I feel my jeans fitting different.  So progress!!  It feels great.  My one wish is that I could eat even better.  I can definitely tell you that belly fat comes from the junk we eat!  lol.  When I eat well, the next day I'm not bloated and feel great.  If I slip up, even once, I can tell.  It's good and bad.  I feel like I beat myself up too much and obsess over what I eat a tad too much.  That's a recipe for disaster. 

This blog is keeping me accountable.  When I can no longer afford the trainer, which will probably be sooner than later, I am hoping this thing keeps me honest.  So, thanks!

Erica :)

I did it. I registered.

I registered for my first 5K in about 10 years.  I used to run a few 5Ks here and there before I had kids, seems like in another life.  That was many pounds ago. 

I registered for the Louisiana Marathon 5K/ Fun Run.  We'll see how fun it is.  I have a few things I need to do to maximize my training.  First up, I need to map out a dedicated route to run.  I just take off and end up trying to think too much while I am running.  Do I turn here? here?  How long will it take me to get back?  Will I get back?  All questions I am battling in my head which equals too much thinking.  I plan on doing that today, possibly.  I logged into daily mile.  Something I haven't done since March.  Ouch.  I thought for sure that website was gonna keep me motivated.  Strangely enough, I have not been "logging" my new found fitness.  I thought that surely would be my motivator for continuing.  I'm actually kinda glad I have jumped into it "unplugged".  The trainer is great, she's great at motivating me.  I also find myself not wanting her to think I'm weak.  I think that's a plus:)  I think I found a great fit for me and that definitely makes a difference.  I haven't told her yet.  It was a kinda spontaneous thing I did.  My endurance has definitely increased and I think I can manage 3+ miles of running come January.  Or at least, I hope I can:)

Ahhh dreaded pictures, that's what I need to do.  I know, I know.  No pain, no gain.  Pictures would definitely be painful.  They are great motivators though.. this I know.  I really need to get some taken.  I want to be able to do some before/ after shots.  My trainer believes in muscles.  Not just looking like an athlete but being stronger, as well.  I love this.  She has made me realize I have muscles in places I had long forgotten about. 

What I will do now, is show you a few of the pictures that started my body image self loathing.  A few months ago, in the summer, we had family pictures taken.  The pictures are absolutely beautiful of the hubby and kids.  Of me, not so much.  When I was trying to find something to wear, I remember thinking, I just want to be comfortable.  Well, that's what I was, and that's definitely the way I looked. 

  (Thanks Mustard.Seed photography. Lindsey is awesome.  The pictures are gorgeous.)

See.....

Fat.  I mean, not hideously so, but definitely larger than I picture myself.  Face, a little too full.  Arms, without definition.  Belly, looking pregnant with #3. 

So, I am a month, give or take, into my transformation:).  I haven't taken recent pictures, but I hope to soon.  I am feeling better- much better.  My stomach is a tad less bloated:) and more importantly I am more conscious of my health.  I have drastically reduced soft drinks in my life and unnecessary sugars.  Sugar is the devil, I do believe this.  It also brings out the devil in my children.... so this I have limited as well. 

I would love to hear other stories or links to other blog mommies trying to battle life, fitness, kids, etc.....So, come on peeps.  Let's share some inspiration.....

Working on my Fitness

So, I hired a personal trainer.  She is brutal.  I knew it would be hard, but it is so much harder than even what I thought!!  I decided that for once in my life I want to give it all I have and really try this getting in shape thing.  I've always been average size and as life creeps by and I get older, it seems the weight doesn't come and go like it used to.  It comes but it doesn't go.  I'm packing on the pounds and for the first time in life, it is bothering me.  My thought has always been, it's life- why be miserable.  Dieting and exercising to me is misery.  I wish it were not like that and I try to have that drive but it's just not there.  So for the next 6 weeks, I am manufacturing the drive.  It may be fake, but for the next 6 weeks, I'm pushing through it.  My thought is at the end of this 6 weeks, I will love the results so much- hopefully, I will stick with it.  I started this lifestyle change, read-torture- last week. 

Before last week, I easily drank 4-5 cokes a day.  I LOVED white Bunny bread and cake mix, yes cake mix.  I was getting out of control.  I felt like crap all the time.  Now I know it had to be from all the sugar, the yo-yoing it does with your body.  I have never really cared about dieting or "good" foods.  I grew up eating big Sunday dinners and maw maw getting her feelings hurt if you didn't clean your plate.  We have no problem eating in our family.  All the food is GOOD and fattening as hell.  I've been doing a little research and reading a bit about food choices.  I've made so minor changes and hoping to make a few more.  The hardest thing for me is how do you change the way you cook?  I mean the way you cook is learned.  I learned it from my mom, who learned it from her mom.  I don't know a "less fattening" way and learning one seems hard.  I mean, I don't have half the stuff in my pantry that these new recipes call for.  So a few of the small changes I have made- more water, of course.  I never really drank water.  I know, I know, terrible.  Now, I'm drinking lots.  Between 4-5 bottles a day.  No soft drinks, however, yesterday I did break down.  I hadn't had one in a week almost!  I changed to honey wheat bread, natural peanut butter.  I cook egg whites now, instead of yolks.  I have been getting turkey ground meat instead of hamburger meat.  That's been difficult.  I don't like the way it looks when its cooking.  I know that what goes into your mouth is 75% of the way you look.  I can work out all I want but if I don't change my eating habits, it won't work.  So, I guess we'll see.

I've been trying to go to the gym at least 5 times a week.  2 of those days are personal trainer days- but they are only 30 min sessions.  I hope to eventually be able to do some cardio after these sessions, but right now, it's not happening.  The other 3 days- I go and do cardio.  ellipitcal, stair master, treadmill, zumba- I think next week I'm gonna go try and swim also.  I haven't checked out the pool times yet. 

So tell me readers, Do you work out?  Do you love it?  hate it?  What do you do to stay in shape?  Do you care? not care? Do you eat well?  Tips to share.... anything....

I would post a picture and do a whole before after thing, but I'm not the best at follow through.  I have the best intentions in the world, but we'll see...........

Took the lil munchkins to the zoo last week. Here is a cute photo from the day. I'm having major issues with my photography skills. I took lots of photos that day and the last 1/3 of the pictures are all blurry. Too close, too far, not enough light, enough light. nothing I did helped it. I'm at a loss. I keep trying though, day in and day out. I photograph and photograph, hoping to get better. lol. I read books, forums, etc. This photography thing is NOT easy and I just want to take decent pictures of my kids and craftings. I could not imagine this as a living, although if you are good, with God given talent, I'm sure it is very rewarding.

Yay for Crafting

                                      

Yay for crafting!! I'm sending this blog post from my phone, so it's an experimental post. What do you think of my makeup bag? Cutesy huh? It's oilcloth on the inside so you can wipe the surface. Much needed for a makeup/ carryon bag right? I'm gonna make a few more and give one away right here on this blog soon. Stay tuned for details. Oh, and can anyone help me re-do this blog. Tips on moving things around, new background? I can't remember how to do it. Thanks! Have a great day!!!

followers........

Anyone know how to get "followers" on your blog.  I mean, I know some people read my blog, but how do I get dedicated followers?  Well, first, I guess I have to blog something interesting everyday.  Ok, so I'm gonna think on this and get back to you.  I do several "creative" things, I'm home Mon-Thursday with the kiddos, and I take lots of pics.  I also am a "deal seeker."  I love to find a great deal!  I also love to share the deals I get.  Ok, so there are some ideas.  Anyone else have any?  Would love to hear them......

I just won a free pair of glasses from Coastal Contacts.com!!  They do this giveaway pretty often.  You have to pay shipping and tax and for any "extras" you add on, like UV coating or tint, but hey--- 21.73 for a brand new pair of Tommy Bahama frames and presciption lenses is GREAT.  I'll post a pic of them when I receive them. 

XoXo,
Erica

Hudson's Very Gabba 2nd Birthday

So, our baby turned 2 last weekend. It was bittersweet. He is our baby. He's growing too fast. I just want it to slow down. He's so sweet at this age though. So loving, but so rough and tumble. I didn't baby him nearly as much as Madden and that has made him more self sufficient. Already at 2, I can see he has a determination about him to get things done..... his way. We joke and say how he's a true red head with his temper. As I write this though, of course, I am just prone to gush over how well behaved and great he is, really. Both my boths are wonderful. We are so very blessed. Thank you God for my beautiful boys and all the days, hours and minutes you have allowed me to be their mom. Thank you, Thank you!

So, I had this bright idea I wanted the Gabba characters one way or another.  After searching and then realizing there are no adult Gabba character costumes made.... anywhere.  Apparently, you can't rent them and you can't buy them unless you're willing to give your kidney.. (really expensive).  I looked and saw wall decals for sell for an obnoxious price as well.  39.99 a piece.  To me, that's too much.  My whole "you can do that" took over and before you know it, I was down 200 bucks at Hobby Lobby, a full on projector set up in my dining room and colored paper stuck to the walls.

So, it took all day, and I'm left with a few marks, dents, adhesive on the walls, but hey, I was planning on painting that wall anyway:)  Now just sooner, rather than later.  I'm usually not a big "commerical" theme planner when it comes to my kids parties.  They usually aren't "into" things on TV and such.  My other son had a fireman party this year, the firetruck came.  That was awesome but for some reason, Yo Gabba Gabba doesn't bother me at all.  It's a "cool" cartoon to me.  It sends good messages and even has a little bit of 80's music mixed in here and there.   Hudson took to Yo Gabba Gabba like I've never seen.  He LOVES it, so we figured why not?

Have you ever tried finding something Yo Gabba Gabba? It's very few and far between.... and the stuff you do find is overpriced by second marketers. I don't understand this really. It's on Nick Jr., you'd think they market the show like every other show. Anyway, here are a couple pics from the party. Hope you enjoy:)

He saw the wall characters when he woke up that morning.  He was dancing and pointing.  It was the cutest thing!

Brobee, Muno and Todee... our special guests :)

The treat boxes and my centerpiece

Lil Hud man

He wanted to touch them

the hats and blowers and a cool painting I got from an artist on Ebay.  Very talented guy.  Great shippping too.  Wish I could remember his name.....

The cake was an awesome creation by my Aunt.  That lady is truely gifted in whatever she does.

A few candies and pretzel sticks

Us with the birthday boy

Blowing out his candles

He loved the cake and that made me smile

Our family

and some pinata action

and Hudson's new ride....

MOM!!!

I love it when the kids don't want to take a picture but mom wants to reallllly bad. This is the picture you get :)

Soap.com

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XoXo
Erica