Short or Tall - Plump or Skinny - I Love Me for....ME!

I typed this blog on a Sunday instead of Monday like I normally would…. I am sitting here at Camp Allen where I have been for the last few days for a scrapbook retreat. We are staying at a beautiful log cabine with rocking chairs facing what is suppose to be called the lake…damn drought. But all in all it is beautiful out here. I would recommend this place to everyone.

I was thinking this weekend we are all sorts of walks of life. Some tall and skinny and some short and plump and it amazes me regardless our shape and height people are happy being who there are. I think it is SO GREAT that people out there are not starving themselves to get skinny. Case in point this weekend I don’t think anyone here was caring that we stuffed out mouths with carbs after carbs after carbs. Now I was good however, I ate my healthy snacks, did portion control and pace myself and took my shake, supplements etc.  Maybe not my trainers ‘dream’ come true but come on let’s be realistic I am NOT perfect and well this is a retreat. Hahaha

I did weigh myself this week however and for a 5’ gal I am 135…now some people will say what is wrong with that well to you nothing to me well that is a lot for me. I want high school weight or close enough but want to do it in the healthiest way possible so if I will be 110 at age of 70 so be it…just kidding-ish But I have been weighing obsessed which I HAVE got to stop. The scale isn’t going to change from this morning to tonight by much. Luckily my scale is at my parent’s so I can’t keep getting on it like I would want to. The good thing however is I have love and support regardless if I fail from my sister, my sisterhood here at #Mamavation and all the sponsors that allow and support us to do this in the best ways possible. One day I will have the hard abs, the tight butt and legs to die for until them I am just … well me and so far I like me J

Mamavation Monday:

This weeks blogging carnival is sponsored by EatSmart Products. Two bloggers will receive an EatSmart Precision Pro Diet Kitchen Scale.

How have you recently stepped up to support someone in your life? (online or IRL)

I have a dear friend/business partner who is like a sister to me. We have only known each other for a short time but somehow God has totally but us two together. We are so alike in many ways and support each other.

Anyway her husband lost his job and God knows I know what that was like…raising three kids and no income coming in and no savings (what is that?...lol) Well this weekend I was with her and we were talking about our kid’s birthday parties. She stopped and thought how most likely she won’t be able to do one for the other two kids like she did with one this year. I told her since I know when their birthdays are I will make sure somehow I will save money for both so they can have a birthday party they wanted and if there was anything else I could attempt to help on to let me know. It is far ahead I know but I told her that no matter what I support her and will do my best to help whenever I can where ever I can.

We all have to be here for each other regardless what life may throw at us along the way. I am a true believer in KARMA and well it can be a bitch if we don’t play our cards right. That is why I am willing and wanting, which is the most important part, to help and support my friend. I know if the shoe was on the other foot she would do the same for me.

Well this is all from me for now…until the next time…Hope everyone has a terrific and blessed week.

This post is sponsored by Eatsmart Products and I’m writing this to be entered into a EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale giveaway hosted by Mamavation

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pleding to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go to www.mamavation.com for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. Join it! You will NOT regret it…I know I don’t!

60 Challenge Day 1 / What Brings a smile to my Face

What a rocky week I had last week. My husband left that Monday to go back one last time (so they claim….again) to Singapore. I love the fact he has a job and he makes good money BUT I hate the fact he leaves for long periods of time….BUT there is the part of me like the peace and quiet and one less person to worry about. I guess I can’t have it all huh LOL

I have been suffering from some sort of crazy itchy rash on my arms and legs only. Can’t figure for the life of me why I have this stupid thing but it is driving this mom insane…Sad when I have to use my curling brush to scratch it since my nails aren’t doing the job. Crazy I know but it worked.

Our oldest daughter was at cheer camp at K2 Academy and her teacher was very impressed with her ability that she suggested to put her on their competition squad. So now I have to convince my husband to cough up the money to pay for this…Ahhh I sometimes feel like the cartoon Cathy…lol

My two boys however have given me the run for my name…Oh my a 2 and 4 yr old and boys at that are fighting like craszy…The youngest one starts it but the older ones doesn’t help situations. Heck my 4 yr old told me Sunday morning when I told him to stop jumping on my bed, ‘Why mommy? Because you said so?’ (picture this with an attitude)…I laughed inside but I looked at him like ‘Do it now or see the evil side of me’

AN AWESOME highlight to my week however is by the grace of God and my trainer Hilary Hanger, she posted a 60 Day Shred Challenge which I have signed up on. I start today on my diet and we will get my workout plan ironed out this week. I am going to try to blog everyday but if not for sure 2-3 times a week…so be on the lookout…I hope to post progress photos too J

What accomplishment have you done recently that brings a smile to your face?

The Number one accomplishment I have recently done to bring a smile to my face is joining my trainer Hilary Hagner and participate in her 60 Day Shredernator Challenge. Let the weight loss begin baby!!! J

http://www.shednshred.com/index.php

This post is sponsored by Joggermom and I’m writing this to be entered into a yoga mat giveaway hosted by Mamavation .

I hope everyone has an awesome week!!! #mamavation

Diet Tricks

I don’t know about you but I LOVE to read magazines that give you some tips about diet, cleaning, organizing, etc.

So in Good Housekeeping they say to….

1.     Take it OFF, KEEP it OFF – we need to lose the white carbs (hard for me since I hate wheat, though I am trying various ways to make it tasteful). We should redefine our diet with few starches and more lean meats, nuts, low fat dairy and whole grains. Apparently it also helps maintain our blood sugar level and keep us full.

2.   Some people eat lots of salads and veggies and less fats and carbs (watch out for the dressings)

3.   Other do cardio work outs…I personally LOVE ZUMBA, JAZZERSIZE, Biking, and swimming…most of these you can do at home and or with your family…who doesn’t like to dance like no one is watching lol

Heck pull out your mom’s old school techniques…I learned as a pervious dancer and cheerleader to always keep your navel to your spine (don’t suck in your breath, use your mussels)

I hope this helped get some ideas…even though it is already summer it isn’t too late to start…You will have trials and errors and that is okay too you are only human no one is perfect.

This is a journey of all kinds of weight loss for me and I am sharing everything I can if it is how my day went, how much I lost or gained or ideas…if you have any suggestions or this helped you I would LOVE to hear it!

P.S. Do you like ice cream bars? Instead of buying that (those are about 360 cals) get Dibs instead (ONLY 15 cals)…they are WAY less calories and fun/clean to eat lol

Changes in My Life - Bucket List

I have sat day by day wondering what changes I need to make in my life. Should I lose weight and how much, should I take marriage classes or better yet parenting classes...how can I be a better person, wife and mother? All these questions I have laid at the feet of GOD. Praying about it on a daily basis as should anyone...Only HE has the right answers at the right moment of time...

The answer is YES to it all BUT the only way I KNOW I can accomplish anything is through HIM.

Today HE gave me an answer to a question that has weighed on my mind for the past couple of years...
So I was looking on my Facebook page and saw pictures that my pastor's wife posted about Burundi, where they are serving right now, and my heart is just yearning to go so badly. Should I save up money and serve with the Batwha? Then a calmness and warmth came through me...YES...I want to help them build a home, give these children a BIG HUG because they deserve it. I don't care if I get dirty day by day or become sore because I worked...just the fact I went, served and experienced that is all I want. Have them teach me someone and visa versa...Really they will be teaching me :-) What person doesn't want to experience something like this? Yes I would hate to be away from my family BUT I will come back with a new perspective on life...a change that I need at this time.

So I guess I will be saving some money, and hopefully I will make it to Burundi in 2012. Surprisingly that is a small weight off my shoulders...

One of the MANY ways we can lose weight, check things off your Bucket List...

What gaps in your nutrition knowledge do you want to fill?

This is the topic on my new group I just joined...

My gaps that I would like to fill in my nutrition knowledge is proper portion sizes per meal, what is considered a healthy everyday kind of snack, and what can I feed my family that is healthy that we ALL will like to enjoy.

I am sure like most of my friends we all tried ALL sorts of 'diets'...most of which it never worked. Come to find out though changing the way you eat and healthy living/lifestyle/and proper nutrition is the way to go...Funny because my pediatrician always encourages me and my children to nutritious foods but how we 'ignore' this suggestion yet it eventually comes back as we get older.

I personally am about portion size...my trainer Hilary Hagner always told me to keep it in portion size...meats the size of my hand, as many veggies as I want and carbs less then my fist full...BUT how do I do this without looking like a crazy mad woman, which I am LOL JK, and eyeing it properly?

I have a weakness for chips or anything salty but what is considered as healthy in that department? You know what I am talking about girls...THAT TIME calls for SALT or even CHOCOLATE lol I just want some without the guilt or the extra pound.

My last gap is how can I still eat like we should but still make it where my family can't tell the difference of the fact it is 'Good for Them'? It has to be tasteful so they will finish their plate...

Hopefully I will have these questions answered and more...when I do I will share them with you :-)

This post is sponsored by Omron Healthcare and I’m writing this to be entered into a Omron Go Smart Pedometer giveaway hosted by Mamavation

New Healthy Begining

June 2011 is a NEW month for myself and my family. Gotta eat healthier and get motivated even in this kinda heat (104 seriously lol) to get out and moving! Gotta be a good role model for my kiddos :-)
Ate a pretty good lunch, grilled chicken, salad with cucumbers and light on the dressing...Now if only I can break my Starbucks and Cola habit (yeah that may take a while lol)
BUT I have to say I am SUPER excited to be meeting NEW positive friends/moms like me who sometime will fail and even with that we are still human and still can cross the finish line :-)
GOAL = get this giggle to tone, lose some weight and be in good shape
Follow me and cheer me on! :-)