okay, yes, this post is 12 days tardy.
Sorry.
Let's pretend it April 1st.
Ok, we're good now right?!??
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It's already April 1st!!! Can you believe it?!??!
(see, I'm good at pretending)
Well, I'm officially 6 weeks into this wild journey...
and it's been THRILLING & HUMBLING to say the least!
so, let's get to it...
VICTORIES:
1. (as of today 4/1/13) I've lost 12 pounds!!!
which apparently is the average weight for a miniature dachshund. So I've lost a mini wiener dog. yep. that's not weird at all!
2. Our family of 5 went on an *amazing* pre-easter trip to Bodega Bay, California with my parents, my grandpa, my younger brother, sister-in-law, youngest brother, his girlfriend & our mail man. APRIL FOOLS! (remember it's April 1st, stay with me.)
The vacation was awesome, but the true victory was that I worked out EVERY DAY we were there! YAHOO!!!!
It was truly a no-brainer.
I always had people to watch the boys.
I had the encouragement & inspiration of my hubby (he ran 4 miles every morning - He's a rockstar.)
AND my fabulous sister-in-law to work out with each day (love you Amanda)!!
I've only worked out with Scot, the husband, and one friend. ONE TIME.
(Lorie, i love you.)
So conquering this fear of insecurity by letting someone else see, in my mind, my pathetic work out efforts, was a MONSTROUS victory!!!
the sand & hills kicked my butt.
but that is literally the point... right??!?!
Amanda & I after our extremely difficult beach work out.
Yay, we didn't die!
Yay, we didn't die!
Scot's amazing views from his morning runs!
Not even my most favorite two candies in the whole universe that only come out at Easter. WILL POWER BABY!
My Tribute to My Candy Loves:
See's Candy Scotchmallow Eggs : AH-MAY-ZING!
(my addiction is a equally blamed on my mother for providing one of these in my Easter basket every year & my father for passing down the "chocolate kryptonite" gene.)
Cadbury Mini Eggs : AMAZEBALLS!
(no explanation needed. If you have had the great pleasure of eating one or a whole bag of these delicious morsels, then you know.)
And yep. this is what is sitting on my counter.
pure torture.
STRUGGLES:
1. I'm still having a hard time finding a groove for work outs. In my day to day life, with the kids, there is just sooooo much improvising, adapting & conforming to their immediate needs, wants, schedules, that I too easily dismiss my work out time.
(this in no way is a sob story about poor Erin. No, I'm talking about my pitiful self discipline to make time. There is time. I'm just really good at filling it and my kids are the perfect scapegoat.)
So I'm still a good Mom.
I promise.
Most of the time.
Insert God's grace HERE.
2. Running has been SUPER hard for me.
So I've been walking hard. Trying to run... and then walking hard again.
...but after I finally get out there,
we have a great neighborhood to run in & my BOB stroller is awesome!
(especially when there is only 1 kid in it, an extra 60 lbs. of stroller & 2 year old weight is enough!)
3. Though I'm down a mini wiener dog, It is still difficult for me to feel joy in my victories. Being motivated to change requires you to desire something better or different than the present or the past.
For me, weight loss, or healthy lifestyle changes, or youthful living, or getting in shape... what ever you want to call it, requires me to have some level of conviction, unhappiness or discontentment with my current status. Which is good in keeping me accountable & most of the driving force in my efforts, but it has also made me MORE aware of my discontentedness, MORE in tune with my lack of energy, & emphasizes MORE of my unhealthy body image.
This awareness can get me down fast.
I'm still learning, with the help & encouragement from family, friends, & now my Instagram workout friends, that this journey is:
CRAZY. HARD. REWARDING. & MY LIFE.
So, being joyful in small, day-to-day victories isn't natural for me, but it's slowing adding up to be a pretty awesome accomplishment.
INSIGHTS / REVELATIONS / TIPS:
1. (more of a reality)
I haven't shown any before pics, 'cause I still feel like I am "BEFORE".
I haven't shown any before pics, 'cause I still feel like I am "BEFORE".
So throwing all my insecurities out the window... here are a few.
(this was the week before Easter, so I was already about 8 lbs. down. I'll have to fish around for some true before pics later.)
ok. ok. that's enough.
(sooooo, the spinach salad did have bacon & eggs in it.
But it's was still low calorie. I promise.)
3. If you eat it. Let your kids & family eat it.
I'm so careful and detailed to count my calories & make a healthy meal for myself while resisting the temptation to eat my kids food...
And then I hear, "Whatcha making Mom? Looks good. Can I try it? Yum! I wanna share with you!"
In my most Chris Farley-scariest-snarl ever, I bark, "Lay off me, I'm starving!"
Hahaha! My kids like the food so I make 2 servings. I DON'T SHARE!
1 cup Life Cinnamon Cereal
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup fresh strawberries
1/2 cup (4 oz) Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
Total: 220 calories
and a bowl for the baby.
RECIPES:
...still no mind blowing creations here, just a few of my favorites:
1. Favorite super fast lunch or afternoon snack:
** Peanut Butter Rice Cake **
1 Quaker Lightly Salted Rice Cake
2 Tbsp. Skippy Creamy Peanut Butter
Total: 130 calories
** Berry Medley Smoothie **
1 cup (8 oz) Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
1/2 cup (4 oz) Greek God's Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt
1 cup chopped fresh strawberries
1/2 cup frozen berry mix (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)
1 banana
1 cup spinach
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Total: 330 calories
So, here's to April being a successfully wonderful month full of joy in the "right nows" of life!!
(spoiler alert: it's already been victorious!!!)
until May 1st.
Bye.
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