Snow what?

And we have snow!  Not a lot. Just a little dusting. The kids are delighted. I'm OK with it too. It's not winter without a little snow. The kids couldn't wait to get their gear on this morning to get out there and horse around in the snow. School is in though, so no "snow day" here. YIPPEE!  Anyway, my little guy loved getting in his snowsuit and gear. He had so much fun throwing snowballs at his big brother. It was so nice to see them have so much fun before school.

OK. Confession time. I broke. I broke hard. I ended up getting myself some Diet Coke last night. I had one on my way to cake class and I bought some more for today and this week. I did opt for the caffeine free version though. I know, I know; it's so bad for me...blah, blah, blah. I was having a really hard time. And guess what? I am doing a little better today with the eating. Although, it is only noon. My witching hour isn't until 3:00. I really know then if it was worth jumping off the train.

I guess I am like a toddler. I was having my temper tantrum and wasn't doing the things I should be doing. Today is a bit different. I've logged onto LoseIt.com (that's where I do my logging) and have been on there every time I put something in my mouth. So far, so good. Now that I have what I really wanted all along, I am behaving.

I look forward to reading Kenlie's blog over at AllTheWeigh.com . I find her to be a great source of inspiration to me because she's already lost a great deal of weight and has proven (to me) that this really can be done without surgery (as the doctor would prefer). 

I especially look forward to her FMM (Friend Makin' Monday) posts. Reasoning? She always gives me something to think about and it's not always specifically about weight loss. And I like having a topic pre-chosen for me. Like I've said before, I have a ton of things that come up within the course of the week, but by the time I get a moment in the day to sit and talk about it I just don't have the energy or the time. Working on both. 

Anyway, when I opened Kenlie's blog today to see the topic, I chuckled. Weight-loss tips? From me? No way! I am just stuck in a rut. It's one I've made for myself. I know what I need to do. I can't blame the holidays anymore. Can't even blame my husband (not that I ever did)...he's been eating much better since his bout with gout over Christmas break. For some reason, I just can't get the eating under control. 

I scoured the internet last night looking for some clues to help me with the binge and/or "closet" eating. I thought giving up the diet soda would help with that, usually does. Not this time. It's most likely that I'm dehydrated and need to drink water. I hate water.  I honestly do. Especially in the winter. I want carbonation. I long for carbonation. "Have soda water", you say. I hate that crap. "try a lemon or lime in your water". Been there. Done that. Let's face it, I am set in my ways and stubborn as all hell. I want my Diet Coke and am having a toddler's temper tantrum about having to give it up.  End of story.  

So, I guess I need to thank Kenlie for this topic. Maybe by putting down on "paper" what I've learned, what has gotten me through in the past, will help me move on through today and the future....

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Weight-Loss Tips

1. Plan, plan, plan. Simple as that. I found I do better when I know what my lunches and dinners are going to be through the day/week. The rest will fall into place. 

2. Weigh/measure everything. It's a basic foundation on this path. It's elementary. Has. To. Happen. 

3. Journal. Writing everything down is so helpful in that at the end of the day I can see if I've had enough veggies or too much in carbs. The key (for me) is to have a balanced diet. Eating too much in one category can definitely put me off track. 

4. Exercise. Not just cardio. I have found  doing  strength training is a huge key to my success. I've started using Fitocracy.Com to log my workouts. They give points for different exercises you do and you "level" up as you move through your workouts. The competitor in me loves it. 

5. Stop when I am satisfied; not when I am full. Tough distinction, but once I found that spot, it made all the difference in the world. 

So there are a few of my "tips". It's all stuff that has worked for me in the past and no it's time to put it into action for today and the future. 

I said on Friday that my weekend was all about planning. I did that...now to make the rest fall into place. I just need one good week because that will turn into two which will then turn into three...you get the idea. 

What are your tips?  

And Thank You Kenlie!  This was a great topic. The timing couldn't have been better! 

Dragging

OK. So this week hasn't been as huge of a success as last week was.
The logging just isn't happening.
The gym is winning though. I upped my bike time to thirty minutes from twenty. One small step in the right direction.

The weekend plan is to
 #1. Watch the Patriots beat the Broncos. :D
#2. Food plan for the weekend and into next week
#3. Plan, plan, plan
#4. Did I mention planning?

You get the idea.
I would really love to write more but my bones are stabbing me right now and it's all I can think about. I have my appointment in two weeks at Dana Farber; I swear the pains start up right before I have an appointment just to stress me out even more.

I will be OK.

Happy Monday! 

Last week's changes were a success!  I managed to get myself off of the dreaded diet soda (again) and I made it to the gym three times. I was hoping to get in there over the weekend but was unable (and probably a bit unwilling) to make it work. 

This week's goals:  Weigh, measure and journal every morsel that enters my mouth. Take my vitamins and prescribed meds (I'm so bad with that!). Drink more water and have at least 2 vegetarian meals.  

Small changes add up quick. I need to pick a few things to work on each week so I don't fall flat on my face. Once I really get these basics down, I will be better off with the weight loss. No more maintaining for me. Time to get down and dirty. 

Until then, let's see about some FMM...

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Getting To Know You

1) What is one of your favorite ways to spend a Saturday? It depends. Saturday's are usually filled with doing projects around the house that I was unable to get done during the week. It's also a time for some much-needed "me" time. I'm a stay at home mom. I love being with my kids and realize how lucky I am to be able to stay home with them, but I need breaks sometimes. And finally, we will have some family fun by way of playing outside in the nicer weather or playing games or watching a movie or....

2) List your top three favorite TV shows.  Grey's, Private Practice, Biggest Loser

3) Would you rather be in pictures or take them? Take Them! Although, I am getting more comfortable with being in them. 

4) Why do you blog? I find it therapeutic in a way- it keeps me accountable. I don't typically get to write about all the things that I am thinking about. If only my computer could be hooked up to my brain on a daily basis!  I always have these great thoughts but by the time I actually have the time to sit down to write, I've either lost the ideas, I don't feel like talking about it anymore, or I just don't have the time/energy to write. 

5) Share five websites that you visit regularly…

Facebook -ugh! Another thing I should give up! 

Pinterest

Various blogs

News sites

6) If you could have lunch with one person from your Twitter list who would it be? I don't really use Twitter. I have a Twitter account but am rarely on there. 

7) List a few of your favorite snacks. Cheese (That's going on the list of things to get rid off real soon), yogurt, crackers

8 ) Do you have a pet? If so, what kind?   I have 2 cats. 

9) Which three material possessions would you struggle to live without?   Computer, iPhone, scrapbooking supplies

10) What’s your favorite drink? Ummm...diet soda?  OK - now it has to be Tea (hot only) or water.

11) Do you enjoy cooking? I HATE cooking. I stress out about dinner every day! 

12) Do you have children? Yes!  2 boys. 7 and 3. 

13) What are your favorite hobbies?  Scrapbooking and cake decorating

14) Would you consider yourself to be shy or outgoing? Depends on the situation. I was always shy as a child. Although, I do believe my shyness was more of a confidence issue than a shyness issue. Anyway, if I am around people I know, I am very outgoing. New situations tend to make me more "shy" until I am comfortable with my surroundings. 

15) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would you change? I'm already working on my health. That's the biggest and most important thing to me right now.  

16) Who is your favorite actor/actress? Don't really have one. Seriously, I don't. 

17) What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this week?  I'm pretty boring. Very sad, but true. It's all about getting back into the routine from all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. 

18) Do you live near your family or far from them? Close. My parents live with us in an in-law apartment on my house. It's actually the house I grew up in; my grandparents lived in the apartment when I was growing up. My in-laws, on the other hand, are about a 4 hour drive away. 

19) List three of your talents. Maybe this is something I should change about myself. I don't view myself as being talented. I'm told my cakes are pretty cool. 

20) What is your greatest attribute? I'm caring. 

Week One

Here we are, nearing the end of Week One. All over again. That's right, I am starting fresh. It's a new year and a new month so why not just start fresh?  

As I stated in my last post, my goals for the week were to cut out soda (again) and to ease back into the gym routine. So far, so good. I haven't had any soda since Tuesday. I was dragging a bit yesterday and had a slight headache this morning, but I'm hanging in there. I know in the long run I am going to feel better and will eat less. 

The gym has also been a success for me this week. I've made it in three times. I did two full-hour workouts and just did a 25 minute cardio on the bike today. My muscles are a bit achy; I wouldn't have it any other way!  I've worked out a baby-sitting schedule for the rest of the month so my gym days are all on the calendar. No excuses now! 

As I'm wrapping up week one, I'm starting to think about what my goals for next week should be. I have many, many things that I would like to cut out of my diet but certainly don't want to do it all at once. I also have a number of questions for the Doctor that I would like to have answered before making too many changes.  So, for now, I think my goal for next week will be to journal. I do so much better when I am keeping track of every little morsel that I put in my mouth. I am going to couple the journaling together with measuring. I got to the point where eyeballing it was what I was doing, but because I haven't been in the weight loss zone for quite some time I really need to get back to the basics. 

I'm not too worried about the weighing in stuff just yet either. My main focus is on changing some bad habits and making some good ones happen. The rest should fall into place. 

Happy and Merry Everything...

...to you, that is! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season. 

For me, the holidays seem to just take over. I am busy in November with prepping (crafting) for my son's school. They hold a holiday fair where the kids come in and purchase gifts for their loved ones. It's such a wonderful thing to have this opportunity for the kids, but it's a lot of work. Exhausting. The fair is held during December. It's only 3 days long, but it's a loooong three day!  Believe you me!  It always takes so much out of me. Always happy when it's all done. And now the preparations for next year begin. 

And here we are in 2012. 

2011 had some bumps. Some larger than others. Some scary. Some just a nuisance. Made it through all the same though. I ended up gaining a little through the week of Christmas. Having the whole family home all at once really did me in. I gained a few pounds but am well on my to losing those pesky things. 

So, with my little gain, I still ended up with a total loss of 36 pounds for 2011. Not too bad. Certainly could have been better, but I am not about to belittle my accomplishments!  No way, no how. 

2012 is going to be better. It has to be. I've learned a lot about myself in the months where my losing was *almost* constant. I learned even more during the months where I was stagnant - pretty much since the end of September. 

My plan is to work on one or two things at a time as to not get overwhelmed. This week is about getting back in the gym and getting off the diet soda *again*. Diet soda is the bane of my existence. It won't stop taunting me. Yesterday I had 1/2 of a little bottle; none today. Taking it one day at a time. As far as the gym goes, I did my first workout in 2 weeks last night. It was rough going, but it really did feel great! 

I will be back in the gym tomorrow night and am working on a sitter so I can go Friday morning as well. 

So far 2012 is going along as planned. Would I like to be in this full-throttle? Sure. But it's hard getting 100% back on the wagon. I know from the past that when I go into things full-throttle, I fizzle out in a matter of a few days. I feel a lot safer taking baby steps. I know this way I will make small achievements which will eventually lead to big and better things. 

I have a lot more floating around in my mind right now that I would like to write about. But I have a million things going on around me and can't concentrate. I just really wanted to make sure I sat down to start blogging again. It's something that has helped in me in the past and hopefully will continue to keep me motivated. 

What are your plans for 2012?

Oh phooey!  I'm not getting any better with posting. I'm not getting any better with keeping on with my plan either. Guess that's why I am avoiding you? 

I'm still maintaining my weight. I'm OK with that seeing all the Christmas parties and such that have been going on and that are filling up the calendar as we speak. My ultimate goal right now is just to make it through. If I can get to the gym and do the best I can with the eating, I should maintain and then I can really focus once all this stuff is done. So hard to concentrate when everyone around you is talking about and serving up loads and loads of treats. I did turn down ice cream last night, so I am heading in the right direction right there. 

And now for some fun...

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: I am…

1. I am good at… being a Mom.  At least I hope I am. :D 

2. I am happy when… I'm with family and/or friends. 

3. I am working on… being an elf with all the decorating, shopping and wrapping I'm doing these days. Almost done! Also working on keeping the eating in check this holiday season. I would like to at least maintain through New Years! Oh, and am working on blogging more...good thing New Year's is coming...another resolution!

4. I am interested in…scrapbooking, photography (really need to take a class)

5. I am always… tired. Well, seems that way these days. 

6. I am enjoying… decorating for Christmas. I purged a lot last year and the year before. Now I'm working on rebuilding my decor. Having tons o'fun! 

8. I am reading… blogs and status updates. I have my beloved Kindle. Haven't read a book in quite some time though. Best get back to it before I forget how to read. 

9. I am concerned about…Cancer. I don't think about it every day but I do think about it. Gotta keep positive thoughts though. 

10. I am looking forward to…the weekend. Heading to a Christmas party - second one in as many weeks. Can't wait to have a little fun!  Then I can't wait til Christmas!  

Now it's your turn!