Monday, February 25, 2013

We Changed Our Minds

Last week was tough.  Between me being under the influence of TOM, my husband on deadline and only coming home to sleep and my son having a double ear infection with NO symptoms (besides ear pain), I was ready to throw in the towel.

The highlight of my week was my phone chat with Leslie Gail, my health coach!  The name 'Health Coach' just doesn't do her justice.  She's been so helpful to me and has really given me so much clarity when looking at why I do things and finding solutions to my families struggles.  Having her check in with me weekly has keep me on track!

I had a few very specific goals going into this.

  •  I wanted to conquer my sugar addition once and for all.
  •  I wanted to put my family on a healthy path.
  •  I wanted to help my son who was slightly over weight. 

I have a month to go with Leslie and I'm happy to say that we are doing great on all of these goals!  The fact that I only bought ONE box of Thin Mints even though I walk past children selling them every single day is a great testament to how my sugar addiction is going.  Interestingly, the less sugar I eat, the less I want wine.

One thing that has helped my son tremendously is what he eats for snacks.  We've eliminated chips, crackers, cookies and juice.  Instead, he now eats protein balls, organic granola bars, fruit, vegetables and occasionally....pretzels.  We've cut his portion sizes and he now needs less food during the day and rarely asks for seconds.

Often he doesn't even need a snack anymore.  When I add more protein to his meals, he stays full longer and then he is really hungry for dinner at night and is more likely to try a new vegetable or eat ALL of his healthy meal.  Being hungry is very motivating!  HA!

I figure that we've eliminated a couple hundred calories from his day and this has resulted in him losing 5 pounds and his little belly is almost flat.  His pants fit better and he runs more at recess.  He tells me that he's faster now and can catch the girls.

I'm really proud of him because he is learning good habits and our discussions about being healthy and active are sinking in.  I took him to the doctor on Tuesday and the receptionist told him to come see her on our way out.  She gave him a Sponge Bob Gummy Candy.  These are the worst candy in the world....have you seen these things?


As we were walking down the hallway to the elevator, he looked at me and said, 'Really?  The doctors office gave me candy?  That's not very healthy.'

No, little one.  That is NOT very healthy and you have been paying attention!  Normally, I'd reward his positive behavior with food, but our new plan calls for rewarding kids with books and legos.  He picked a book that he could read while he rested in bed.  

In only two months, we've change our habits and are regularly making good choices.  We changed our minds!  



If you would like to contact Leslie Gail to assist you with your goals you can find her at New Life Focus, on twitter @gr8lifecoach, and on facebook.  You don't have to live in Colorado to use her services.  She can Skype with you anywhere in the world.


Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Bye Week

I'm taking a bye week. Is that how they spell it in football? You know what I mean right, that week when the team doesn't play. I've decided that every time TOM shows up, I'm taking a bye week.

TOM is trying to play some tricky game on me....I think he's invited his friend MENopause to the party because OMG, I have been a mess this month. (If you are a dude reading this....Stop Now) Cramps, migraines that last for days and crying fits so bad that you'd think I'd just been kicked off from The Bachelor.

I did manage to go for a long walk with my family in the cold and wind on Saturday. GO ME! We bought our son a scooter so that both children would have them and so I could chase them around the park. Now...it's all up to me to drive them and their scooters to the dang park. IT'S ALL ON ME! 

Oh...right, it's winter in Colorado and the threat of snow is always around. The days are getting nicer, it just means I'm not consistant yet-but I'll get there.

  Goals for Week Seven Eight


Linking up with The Java Mama for The Biggest Loser.

TheJavaMama

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Step Up My Game

I'm really tired of losing the same 2 pounds over and over again. I know I'm making better choices but I need to step up my game.  I keep saying this...but I've got to get my heart rate up.  I've got to RUN!

It snowed and my momentum came to a screeching halt.  We even bought my son a scooter so I could chase both kids around the park.  Maybe today...if the weather cooperates. Maybe I started this training business too soon.  It IS February in Colorado.....

I've also got TOM breathing down my neck again.  And if I want to keep from gaining next week, I've got to go Paleo. It's the only thing that works.

  Re-visit Goals for Week Six
  • Drink More Water  Not Really
  • No Booze (ONE Glass of Wine)
  • Exercise 4 Times  (Yes, but didn't RUN)
  • Food Journal   YES
  • Lose 2 pounds  Almost
Starting weight:     211.6
Last week:              210.6 (+ 1.6 pounds)
This week:              209 (- 1.6 pounds)
TOTAL LOSS:         -2.6  pound


Goals for Week Seven





Linking up with The Java Mama for The Biggest Loser.

TheJavaMama

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Damn Pizza

About a month ago, I had my first physical in 5 years.  I'd been putting it off for a while because I was afraid.  Although I knew that I'd been making small adjustments to our diet, I knew the numbers would tell the true story.

Once you have those numbers in front of you....you can't deny what needs to be done.  You have to take action or face the consequences.  Those consequences are heart disease, cancer and DEATH.


You might think I'm being dramatic.  I might be a little bit, but the facts are that I have slightly high bad cholesterol, low good cholesterol and I'm getting close to the pre-diabetic line.  I'm also very low in Vitamin D.

The good news is that the numbers aren't so bad that they can't be corrected.  I've caught it before things get out of hand and I've done damage that can't be fixed.  Again, I'm reminded that my baby steps aren't working and it's time for drastic and dramatic change.

It's time to exercise and it's time to get my family active!

I think it's also time for me to stop eating pizza.  I had some on Friday night and I felt terrible for two days! UGH!  And I gained two pounds and I'm having trouble getting rid of it.

REVIEW Goals for Week Five:
  • Drink More Water! YES!!
  • No Wine/Beer/Vodka YES!
  • Exercise 4 Times (even if it's just dancing for 10 minutes) Just twice.
  • Write in my food journal  YES!

Starting weight:     211.6
Last week:              209 (- .8 pounds)
This week:              210.6 (+ 1.6 pounds)
TOTAL LOSS:         -1  pound

Goals for Week Six

  • Drink More Water
  • No Booze
  • Exercise 4 Times
  • Food Journal
  • Lose 2 pounds
Linking up with The Java Mama for The Biggest Loser.

TheJavaMama

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

I Wanna be a Runner

Monday afternoon I decided this is the year that I become a runner.

I then spent the next 3 hours recruiting friends,  researching 5K races, creating and naming our team's facebook group. #RunForThePils(ner)

Have I mentioned that I'm a little bit Type A?  Now, I just need to be a little bit type A with my training and pay my friends to kick my ass.

By the way, I picked the name of our team because all of the races I selected to train for...have beer at the end.  Then someone told me ALL races have beer at the end.  Why hasn't anyone ever told me this before.  I would have been a runner a long time ago if I'd know.  I'm willing to lots of things for beer!

Here are a few races that we're training for.



The Cherry Creek Sneak, April 28th 2013  A really fun 5K.  People wear costumes!



The Drop Your Drawers 5K, May 31st 2013  This is a race for charity that helps provide underwear to low income children.  What a great cause!


The Highland Running of the Bulls, July 13th 2013  This is a hoot!  Run down the street while being chased and beaten with pool noodle wielding Roller Derby Girls.