Smooth and Flexible

What is smooth and flexible and last a really long time?  Give up?  It is leather...the traditional third anniversary gift.  I think it is very fitting as a marriage that is smooth has to be flexible.  Of course, all married couples would know I wasn't being honest if I said these first three years have been nothing but blissfulness.  It has been joyful, and my love for Sunshine has grown more and more each day.  However, it has taken the not so smooth times to make us grow closer and our marriage stronger.  God has been so good to me, and I am so blessed to have him in my life.  He is a wonderful husband...the sweetest man I know.   

I pray he always has this look when he thinks of me and our family.

Happy Anniversary my dear Sunshine!

It's Time to STOP!

Okay, this title could go in so many directions, because I need to say it in several different areas of my life.  My first thought was this blog.  I read other blogs, and I think "that was good" or "I'm inspired and encouraged."  Mine?  Not so much.  It is SO boring!  I started thinking why is it I like others, and other than those bloggers being good writers, they are being honest.  I haven't been as honest in my journey the last a couple of weeks as I probably should have been.  Part of me wants to be, but then there are parts that don't want to say write too much.  Of course, a non-functioning brain is part of the problem as well.  I seem to have inspirational moments when I'm not anywhere near a computer or piece of paper.  When I am near one, I tend to forget what I wanted to say, or I just want to write something to just have said I am doing my missions.  The funny thing is I'm doing the missions, but I don't always put them into practice everyday.  Yes, I know it is okay to not be so strict on myself, but it is time to stop the excuses!  I'm tired of being this way, and the only way to change, is just to do it! 

Days Day 16: Stop Overeating Part 1 and Day 17: Stop Overeating Part 2  cover one of my biggest problems, and that is overeating!  I do pretty decent while I'm at work, since I have to plan my meals/snacks ahead of time. However, in the evening it is a little more difficult. I'm putting the leftovers away, and I'm trying to eat slower. The last year has been eating as fast as I can just so I can eat.  Didn't matter what it was or how much, I just needed food. Now it is time to slow down. I have even decided I would eat at my mother's pace the next time we eat a meal with them. She is so slow, but it would do me some good to do the same.  I would probably taste my food more, and quickly learn that I really don't enjoy some of the foods I think I do. As for why I overeat, I need to address several areas.  Probably the top three I deal with are the clock reads it is time, cost effective/doesn't go to waste, and rewarding myself. The last couple of days, I've caught myself "rewarding" myself. Oh, "I deserve it" for whatever reason. No more!  It is time to stop encouraging unhealthy habits and fueling my emotional eating!  I wonder if I'm saying that because I know the Hersey bars are now out of the house?  :-)

If only I was this cute with food all over my face....

One Day, Two Days, Three Days, Four

I'm behind in the blogging, but not behind in my missions.  Day 13 Get Organized for Exercise and Day 14 Get Equipped for Exercise were somewhat easy.  I already have a gym membership, the workout DVDs I need, workout clothes, iPod, and other gear.  There are a few things I would like to get, but aren't necessary at this time...a new pair of running shoes, a fancy gadget like a heart monitor or the Nike Fuelband, and maybe one day I can save up enough money to have a treadmill or ellipitcal at home. Having figured all that out, I can't use them as an excuse which brings me to Day 15: Stop Making Lame Excuses.  Seriously!  Can't I get a break?  I do believe I have mentioned before how I can make up some excuses.  "I'm too tired" or "I have no motivation!" or just the plain ole "woe is me!"  Sigh...since I have come up with these excuses, I do find myself trying to come up with ways to get more movement in. Yes, it isn't the 10 minutes or more of exercise, but extra steps help, don't they?  I think my motivation at home will have to be the timer.  It is amazing what I can do in 15 minutes.  Just a year ago, I was living my life in two hour increments which were then broken down into 15 minute increments.  I got more accomplished then, so it is back to using the timer. 

Now Day 16: Stop Overeating Part 1  I think I will wait until tomorrow to combine it with Day 17.  Besides, I need one more day to focus on my mindless eating. Speaking of eating...went to what was suppose to be a healthy meal demonstration today.  While the food was good and simple, I was disappointed with the demonstration.  There must have been some confusion as to what exactly was suppose to happen, because even the chef asked why we were there.  Thankfully, the food was simple enough that I could even figure it out.  I think we will be having sauteed mushrooms along with green beans and almonds in the near future.  Yum!

A Weekend of Egg Hunting

This past weekend, Pecan went from no egg hunts to having participated in three.  I was just happy she found (with some help) at least one at each, so I could take a picture.

Friday night, she and her Gran searched for eggs in the backyard. 

On Saturday, we went to the egg hunt at my home church with her other grandparents.

Then Sunday, she hunted at her grandparents house.

She doesn't understand what that green piece of paper is, but her daddy would be proud she found a Federal Reserve note. 

Is My Independence Hurting Me?

Day 11 - Ask For Very Specific Help and Day 12 - Grow Your Weight Loss Support Network

Okay, this should be easy, but it hasn't been for me.  I'm a very independent person, and I think I must do it all without any help.  I know it is a crazy way to think, but somehow my brain thinks I shouldn't rely on anyone.   Just ask my parents, friends, and even Sunshine.  I even discussed this with a friend of mine today as she is the same way. 

I'm still working out what it is I really need help with, but I did contact a friend who is a dietitian to help guide me in the right direction regarding nutrition.  Even when you know what to do, it is a huge challenge to change your lifestyle.  As for exercising, I'm struggling with it.  As I've stated before, I'm trying to go during lunch, but this week hasn't gone so well.  My motivation has been a little off, but so has everything else.  I'm going to reevaluate, and pick back up either this weekend or Monday.  I didn't even walk Pecan around the block last night, because I'm still limping from Tuesday's workout.  I don't think I will be using that machine for a while.  Going back to the elliptical and treadmill, and I have to figure out when I can do some toning.  Maybe Sunshine and I need to look at paying for a trainer or find a friend who can tell us what we need to do.  Any takers?  :-)

Good news about my support network is that I have a great one at work.  My employer even has a wellness program that encourages everyone to live better.  I'm going to a food demonstration Monday during lunch, and the menu sounds yummy (chicken breast with mushrooms, green beans with almonds, fresh fruit, and casesar salad) all for under 500 calories.  I'll let you know how it goes. 

Came across this picture today, and I thought it is a good demonstration of how much sugar is in our drinks.  Wish I could remember where I found it to give proper credit. 

My Food Debate

And some how just like that (snap)...my post for Day 10 - Detox Your Diet Supplies disappeared.  I guess it is in Blogger's Never Ever Land.  I went to publish it, and there was nothing to publish.  I was a tad frustrated, so I gave up for the night.  I know there was something in there about having a difficult time throwing away good food, because it was a waste of money.  I also remember something in there about going to workout yesterday on a cross-trainer machine which was a tiring workout.  I even have knots in my legs today.  There was also bad news of me not having lost any weight.  I'm pretty sure the food in the house is to blame, but I am doing better at not buying the "bad" stuff.  It will soon be gone.  I'm thinking I will look over what is in my cabinets, and then plan next week's meals around it.  This help me get it out of the house, see if I can resist certain foods, and even better, it will help get it out of the house. 

For those of you needing a picture of Pecan, here is one of her with her first lovey.  She started carrying it around Friday, and hasn't let go even to eat.
 

It's a New Week

Yes, it is a new week with a fresh start, and I'm already behind.  Of course, I just noticed the title on my last post "...Does I have to Count It"  I can't stop laughing!  I'm not sure what my original title was, but I recall changing it.  Guess I forgot to double check it. 

Over the weekend was Day 8 - Splurge Strategically Part 1 and Day 9 - Splurge Strategically Part 2.  I love snack foods, and most of them are the high calorie treats I don't need.  Actually, after making my list of the ones I do love and the ones I don't, I was really surprised by the outcome.  I love pizza, wings, chips, brownies, Oreos, ice cream, Mexican, and fried rice.  I can do without chicken fingers, "extra" bread, sauces, and some cheese.  As you can tell, I need to really think through my lists.  I've already decided that I don't need to purchase certain things, so they won't be temptations at home especially at night.  I also need to finish pulling out all that I have, and putting them in an out-of-sight container.

As for today, I did okay until I ate half a piece of caramel cake.  It was so good, but that is a lot of calories I won't be getting back.  I did make a good choice in walking to the conference center instead of driving over.  That was almost 4,000 aerobic steps total.  Wise decision!  I took dinner to our children's minster and his family, so I just cooked extra for us.  Pork tenderloin, sauteed zucchini, applies and cranberries, and mac-n-cheese.  I'm not the biggest fan of mac-n-cheese, so that is easy to pass.  Thankfully, the remaining items were healthy.

I have several things on my heart I would like to blog about, but it is going to take a few days.  I haven't been resting at night, so it makes it difficult to concentrate.  Hopefully, rest will come soon, and I will be able to think again.  Yes, pictures from the Easter weekend will come whenever I find a few good ones of Pecan.  She never wanted to slow down for the camera, so most of them are of her on the go.  :-)