Long lost blogger

Why hello there!  I am such a blogger slacker.  No real excuse cause it's not like I am not on my phone (or iPad or laptop).  :)

January always means new things to better myself.  Time and time again I have had good intentions but failed in my follow through.  At the beginning of the year God spoke the word Thrive to me.  The word was already in my head.  You see, I am attending a conference for my Young Living business in February this year.  (www.thethriveconference.com)  We've been talking about the word Thrive and what it means in our Facebook groups.  It's made me think deeper on it.  So much so that I am making 2015 my year to Thrive.

What does that mean?
This means
*that I am working harder to create, protect, and KEEP my quiet time with Bible reading along with completing the Bible in a year.
*that I am getting back to the gym (took a break a few months ago when I was sick and never got back) and sticking with it!
*that I am focusing more on my family.  Because of this I am taking a Facebook break right now for at least 21 days.  I chose this for our church-wide fast because I am horrible at being on Facebook way too often.  My house and parenting (along with marriage) shows for it too.  So it was something that needed to go.  I will have to set boundaries for sure after the fast is over.
*that I am living life to the fullest.  Making memories like it's the only day I have.  Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.
*that I am going to be a completer, finisher, conqueror this year!  I am tired of not completing what I want to finish.
*that I am doing this all with lots of accountability to keep pushing me forward

What about you?  Where can you focus on Thriving in life?  What goals do you want to complete in 2015?

Mamavation 5k

I’m running a virtual 5K with #Mamavation on March 30th. Would u like to join me? http://bit.ly/YGWaHR #mamavation5k

January results

I challenged myself to complete Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred in January.  I can say that I completed it.  Was it exactly as planned?  No, but I did it!  I completed 17 out of 30 Days.  There were a few days where I did other exercises.  I also had a few days off due to a bout with tonsillitis that landed me in the emergency room getting a CT scan.  (Luckily, it was not an abscess like my Dr thought...but I will end up getting my tonsils removed at some point this year.)  So I give it a completed sticker and a thumbs up!  I was noticing results within 3 days!  That really helped me to keep pushing through.  If I had to have a complaint about the program it would be the lack of a status bar telling you how much longer you had.  Maybe I'm spoiled having seen those in other programs but I find it helps me push if I can see just how much longer I have left.  Then again the planks and jumping jacks were hard enough.

So how were my results?  Well....I lost 5.2 lbs total and also a total of 7.75 inches all over!  4 inches off my waist alone!  I was very excited about that one.  My stomach is one of my trouble areas that I don't like.  I need to get to eating even better so that I can continue to lose inches there and get some lean tone.

Also in January I weighed in for Scale Back Alabama again this year. I did it last year and was able to lose over 20 lbs. In the last year I gained 10 of that back. I plan to lose at least that 10 and more for the program this year. I'm keeping my exercise programs changing to keep it fun. I'm also using varying foods so that my body doesn't get used to any one thing.  I would love any healthy recipes that you want to share!  As a working mom (well part-time at least) now things are a little harder.  I'm still learning the balance of working, having a child in school, and keeping house.  2013 is going to be the year I manage a lot of things better!

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Bring on February!!  I am starting a new exercise program tonight!  I am starting Slim In 6.  I have done this in the past but never completed longer than 2 weeks.  I am going to go the full 6 weeks this time!  The plan is to workout 6 days a week with a rest day.  I will still be doing doing family walks to help Marshall.  I will not allow the walks to be an excuse not to do Slim In 6.  That will be an add-on so that I am not only teaching my kids the benefits of exercising, but doing it with them.  Usually on our walks I push Keelan in the stroller and Corgan rides on Marshall's shoulders.  Towards the very end they both are antsy and ready to run a little bit.  We both enjoy running with them.  It's a good burst of energy at the end.  I love that our kids are loving to work out with us.  Now to get them more on board with eating good.

One Year Challenge

I joined a One Year One Ton Challenge with a local group a few weeks ago.  I'm down 1.8 in the last 2 weeks.  Not ideal, but not bad.  Just time to push it a little harder!  I plan to start up Slim in 6 tomorrow and do it for 6 days along with walking/jogging a 5k on Saturdays (as I can).  Rest days will be Sundays.  The One Year One Ton Challenge is for all of us to lose 100 lbs.  It's a big goal for me (cause that puts me right at if not a little below my goal weight).  I am going to do my best to attain the goal anyways!

Been having some pain in my knees with jogging lately so I've been walking more than jogging.  I'm hoping the Slim in 6 will help build up my muscle strength and help lengthen my jogging times.  I feel like I should be further along in running...and I probably should...but it's been a long hard process.  Gotten to at least Week 5 of C25K three times now.  Got to Week 7 at the beginning of the year when I got bronchitis.  It's still a goal to complete the whole program sometime!  I refuse to beat myself up over it though.

Looking through the calendar of 5ks here locally to see which ones I can do.  I have a few that I really would like to do.  Now to get the money!  :)

Runner's high

Finally!  It is finally back!!  My runner's high that is....and maybe my blogger's high too (well maybe!).  Marshall was ordering pizza for supper tonight.  I knew that if I was going to eat it that I needed to run.  So I made myself get on the treadmill while the pizza was on the way.  I got in a quick 1.25 miles.  Most of that I ran too.  I pushed myself a little harder.  I had a little bit of arch pain and a cramp in my side.  So I focused on breathing, technique and drinking some water.  It helped the pains go away and I was able to run more.  I also got my MOTOACTV finally calibrated for the treadmill.  Now I can make sure to use it more when I do my treadmill runs!  I have a feeling that there will be lots of those this summer.  It's been so crazy hot here lately.  Course tonight was nice and cooler with a breeze.  Made me want to get out and do another run.  However there was some lightning nearby so that wouldn't have been a good idea.  :)

Both of the boys aren't feeling good.  Chest/head colds.  Coughs, snotty noses, gagging from drainage, and wheezing cries.  *sigh*  Poor babies.  I hope they both get to feeling much better!  Already seems like a better day today.  At least Corgan will take something to help.  They're both a bit whiny lately too....probably just from not feeling good.

So ready for a new goal so I'm challenging myself to lose 5 lbs by the 21st.  That's 2 weeks.  I'm going to be strict on myself again.  Eating much better, counting calories, drinking at least 95% water (the occasional coffee and tea....no carbonated drinks), and exercising regularly.  I have got to get my butt back in gear.  I think it will help my back and neck pain I've had for almost 2 months now.

11 weeks til Warrior Dash!!!  I WILL commit to finishing an exercise program whether it be Slim in 6, 30 Day Shred or Couch 2 5K.  That's another goal to have done before Warrior Dash.  I would love to be down 20 more lbs by the WD.  I can do it!!

*singing* Don't stop...Don't give up

Yes I am singing in that title.  Keelan is quite fascinated with Yo Gabba Gabba lately.  One of the songs on there is called Don't Give Up.  It's a quite catchy song....as they all are....and I find myself singing it.  Guess it could be a theme for me with my getting healthy journey.  I'm trying my hardest to get out of the slump but it's just getting harder and harder...and the days til Warrior Dash are getting closer and closer.  It doesn't help that I've been dealing with back and neck pain pretty bad for over a month or two now.  I, however, will not allow that excuse to validate an end to my journey!  It's NOT over!  So until I breath my last breath I will continue to sing "Keep trying.  Keep trying. Don't give up. Never give up."

Insanity

5k update: I finished the 5k on Memorial Day in 48:32. That's a little bit slower than my last 5k....but I was having some foot pain and it was extremely hot out. Still not a bad time for walking the majority of it.  I just didn't push myself like I wanted to do.  I didn't get good sleep the night before for some reason.  It was still nice to get out for a run and have my husband there with me.  He didn't run with me this time...but he did take some pictures.  Here's one.  :)

24 Day Challenge is almost over.  I haven't been eating good at all.  I was so strict with it for a bit.  Then Mother's Day and my birthday happened making it hard.  I have 2 more days left.  This weekend I will do measurements again to see how they have changed.  I'm focusing more on them than the scale.  

I've changed up my training a little bit.  I have downloaded the 10k app for my phone.  It's a couch to 10k type thing so I will just pick up where I was in C25K.  However I haven't done any running other than my 5k this week.  We started Insanity by Beachbody on Tuesday....doing it Tuesday and last night.  Tonight I did the 30 Day Shred level 1 workout.  Might try to get a run in tomorrow.  I don't think I can do extra workouts and continue to run 3 days a week.  I want to work on strength most of all to prepare me for the Warrior Dash that I am doing in Sept.  That is something that is going to push me to my limits for sure!  So I'm doing everything I can to build up my strength and endurance.

Debating about which race to sign up for next.  Maybe one for the end of June or early July.  I've found a 4th of July one that I would like Marshall to do with me.  We'll see about that.  I'd love to get in runs with him.  He used to run lots of miles every day....so I want to help him get back to it as it is something he loves. :)

24 Day Challenge

I am on Day 4 of my 24 Day Challenge. So far so good! I'm really enjoying eating even healthier...eating cleaner. The clean eating is so that the cleanse phase works better. I've already lost 5 lbs. I had a little cheat this morning at our ladies' brunch at church but I made sure the majority of my plate was healthy fruit. I skipped the cookies and the cute cake pops. I did have a small sweet treat, a few baby quiche, a sausage ball, mini cinnamon roll, a breakfast casserole and 1 glass of fruit tea. The rest was fruit. Didn't go back for 2nds either. I've gotten a lot better at that. Before I would have such a full plate and go back for even more....overeating. Overeating was my major weakness when it comes to potluck style or buffets. I always want to try some of everything. I have found that my choices have gotten much better but also that I don't neglect myself of sweet treats either. I just don't overindulge in them anymore. I'm trying to cut them out completely right now so that the cleanse can work better. I'm not feeling like I'm missing out on anything. Course I will have a Mother's Day and birthday in the middle of this 24 Day Challenge. Oh well. :) I've challenged myself to 30 miles in 30 days. I have 12 days left in that 30 days and 17.44 miles left to run. Hope to be able to get it done! Only a week left on my 30x30 list....gotta get a move on! :)

5K update!

I did my first 5K this past Saturday! It was so much fun! I started it out jogging...and it felt GREAT! So great that I pushed to see how far I could go running before walking. I wore my MOTOACTV and listened to a local radio station during the race. I wish it had been the Christian station but it wouldn't pick up even though I was really close to the studio. :( I was able to run the first 7 mins....a half mile. I think I only stopped because I got to that half mile mark. I didn't need to stop...so I need to work on pushing it a little more. After that 7 mins I walked approx. 1 min-2 mins and then jogged again for a few mins. I tried to keep that interval going...walking a few and jogging a few. I think only once did I walk for more than a few mins. I would say that I ran about 70% of it - maybe more. Not bad for my first 5K or considering I had bronchitis the week before and was only able to run 1 time in the 2 weeks before. I finished in a time of 46:58. I had a first goal for 50 mins. I kept an eye on my MOTOACTV and saw that it could be possible to beat 45 mins so I pushed a little harder. However right at the very end I started getting a side a cramp....so I walked it out as best I could. I did run across the finish line! :)

I started C25K over this week. I will finish it this time and be able to run even longer distances without stopping. I'm hoping to be able to share running with my husband and kids as well. Running is something that Marshall used to do and that he misses. I also plan to get bikes for the both of us so we can have other ways to exercise as a family. It's very important to us to instill good exercise habits in our kids so they don't end up overweight. Exercise will help us all to have better attitudes with each other as well.

I need to look over my 30x30 list cause we're almost down to the last month before I turn 30! I haven't done good on my Bible reading at all. That should've been the number 1 thing to complete on that list so I'm going to have to get back on it big time.

Scale Back Alabama

So I had my weigh out today for Scale Back Alabama which is an 11 week weight loss program the state does to encourage weight loss. I lost 20.6 lbs in that time! I'm down a total of 23.8 lbs for the year! Only 1.2 away from 25 lbs which is 10% of my body weight I started with! I can't get over how much I've lost so far. It feels so good and boy it shows in my clothes and the way I feel.

I actually bought my first dress that wasn't in the plus size dept for Easter this weekend. I'm not in those sizes completely yet but that dress was and it felt GREAT! I got lots of comments which made me so happy. :)

My first 5K is only in 2 DAYS!!! I'm so excited and a little nervous all at the same time. I need to find what I'm going to wear. My shirt that I bought at the beginning of the year for it is TOO big....as are my shorts. I have another pair of shorts that may work. Will figure that all out tomorrow. Gotta plan a good dinner for tomorrow night as well. :) I will update again after the 5K with how I did.

I have now used my MOTOACTV twice....once for a walk with the family and then today for a run. I LOVE it!! It's so easy to motivate me cause I can look at my wrist (I'm using the wrist band) and see my pace. I can adjust my speed to better my pace. I love the FM radio feature. I haven't used the MP3 portion just yet. Need to play around with it and see how it works.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated in any way with Motorola. They sent me a free MOTOACTV to try and share how I like it. I am not being compensated for my time or words in any way.

Size change!

I did some shopping today and was pleasantly surprised to find that my size had changed! I am now down 2 pants sizes and 1 shirt size! Woohoo! I only bought a shirt today but I can't wait to buy new pants. I am selling some of my bigger stuff to help the budget so I can get new (to me) clothes. There is a yard sale group for plus size clothes on Facebook. I'm hoping to not need the group for too long as my big goal is to wear misses sizes instead of plus size! :) It can be done.

Not sure what my weight loss is this week just yet. I will weigh in at church in the morning. I'm hoping for at least close to 2 lbs or over 2 lbs. I'm 2 lbs away from 15 lbs gone!! So ready to get to that 15 lbs.

Still running. Got in 2 runs this week along with a Slim in 6 workout and 1 night of Zumba. Will run tomorrow afternoon to get back in the groove. My body is sore from my last run. I had done the Slim in 6 workout earlier that day. Trying to keep my workouts different so my body doesn't get too used to anything. So far so good. 6 weeks til my first 5K race!

Running

I am using the Couch25K program on my phone to train for my first 5K. I have picked the date for my race (April 14th). Now I just need to register. I am 5 weeks into the C25K program. Week 4 got increasingly hard for me. Today's run was a bit challenging. I ended up doing it inside on the treadmill since my husband was out with friends. I pushed right through it. I am trying to find a different location than my neighborhood for my next run to see if it changes anything. Maybe I'll try a track.

I recently joined a group of others in a Biggest Loser challenge at church. Each week before we weigh in, we will have the option to do a 5K or a boot camp workout. I won't always be able to make the weigh ins at the usual time so I will be doing several of mine on Sunday mornings instead of Saturdays. However this Saturday I plan to give the 5K a shot. I'd love to see where I am in my training and run most of it if I can. I will update how I do as well as how each week's weigh in is. It is an 11 week program and will end the week after my 5K.

I am also doing a program through our state as well called Scale Back Alabama. There are challenges to win cash prizes. Our group is the Skinny Girls in Fat Suits. hehe We need to lose at least 10 lbs to be eligible for grand prizes. It is a 10 week program...ending the week of my 5K. I will update on Mondays how I do with this.

So I obviously have enough to keep me busy to get this weight off! :) I am keeping track of water intake (at least 8 glasses a day!), calories, and exercise. It's already paying off. People are noticing that I'm looking slimmer. I believe I am down 8.2 lbs in the last 3 weeks. Not a bad start! So keep me on my toes and keep me accountable. I want this so bad I can taste it! Skinny is coming!!! :)

30 by 30

I am hoping to get back into blogging again. Mainly because I have made a 30 by 30 list (30 things to do/complete before I turn 30 which is on May 20th). I've been posting stuff on Facebook but I want to write more about it so I will be blogging about it. Plus I've adding blogging to my 30 by 30 list. :)

Here's the list so far. I still need to add to it cause I'm not up to 30 yet. These can be found at Pinterest.

1. Read Bible all the way through

2. Book 5 new weddings

3. Go to the batting cages

4. Start Disney fund

5. Go to drive-in movie

6. View each day as a gift

7. Use 10 ways to love

8. Get rid of clutter

9. Make magnetic goal/dream board and put it up

10. Go on a hike

11. Go to a restaurant that has been on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives - DONE! (1/7/12)

12. Get a tattoo

13. Clean entire house

14. Win a free cruise for first kidless vacation

15. Date night every month

16. Have a family photo shoot

17. Buy a mini-van (this is a maybe on the list because it's not financially possible right now)

18. Become bone marrow donor

19. Catch a fish - DONE! (1/20/12)

20. Have boudoir shoot done - DONE! (1/19/12)

21. Read "The Five Love Languages: The Secret To Love That Lasts" - DONE! (1/11/12)

22. Eat more fruits and veggies; try new ones

23. Take a "Spirited Art" class - scheduled for 2/3/12

24. Learn to crochet

25. Photo scavenger hunt

26. Lose 30 lbs

27. Run first 5K

28. Blog more

I need to add 3 more because the mini-van one is a filler. I will blog more about each one. I just wanted a post with just the list. :)

Progress and backtracking

I've made minimal progress on packing. Gotten a few more totes (Rubbermaid containers) of stuff packed. Using what we have of those from storing the clothes the boys have outgrown. I'm donating everything they have outgrown or that we don't need. Trying to minimize what we have to move. Even though we're moving to a bigger space, I want it to feel big and not as cluttered. I know that's what Marshall wants too cause he has said it. :)

We've had backtracking on our weight loss efforts. We haven't done so good with eating lately. The biggest problem is my grocery shopping. We haven't had enough in the house so we've been eating out way more than we've needed. That's not good not only on our bodies but also our budget. We're trying to watch the budget good so that we'll be ready to close on the 24th for our new house. We're going to be buying new furniture so we need to have money for that. I'm trying to be budget friendly with that. Luckily with our Team National discounts we'll be able to get very good, well made furniture for major discounts. (For example, the dining table I blogged about before with 6 chairs is less than $500!)

We have also had some problems with the bank that is doing our mortgage....mainly due to not reading Marshall's emails. He's trying to give them everything that they need. It's stressing him out that they're not getting things right. Latest thing is they just found out that every paper has the address spelled wrong...ugh. Please pray for Marshall to get everything straightened out and that we don't have any more problems so that we can get closed on time.

It's June!

Normally June only means a birthday for Corgan and Father's Day but this year it means moving into our first home. Both Marshall and I almost couldn't sleep last night because we are so excited about the house. I'm sure the next 3 weeks will go so slow. haha Hopefully slow enough to get everything done but not too slow. :)

Corgan has been playing his first season of t-ball this year. He has a makeup game tonight and the last one is on Saturday. He missed out on 3 games due to weather this year. He has really enjoyed playing. He has a fit about it until he sees his coach. Once he sees his coach he's constantly asking him, "Where do you want me to play coach?". I think that is the sweetest thing ever. Makes Marshall and I very proud of him. Corgan has also been taking gymnastics the last 3 weeks. I used a coupon we got in the mail for a month of free classes...so he only has 1 class left. He has really liked it. I think we want to try to get him a few more classes later if we can afford it. :) Corgan will be 4 on June 18th. I think we will go to Chuck E Cheese to play and then CiCis (or the other way around) to eat. We'll have a party for him once we move into the new house so we'll have lots of room to invite friends and family over.

Keelan is my little mockingbird. He is such a jabberjaws and will repeat (or at least try to repeat) everything you say. It's so wild to see how different he is from his brother. He has a big vocabulary and most of his words are very clear to understand. He loves to play in the dirt and get dirty. The boys' bathtub stays covered in dirt and grime from my dirty boys. :) It means they're having fun though so I don't mind. Keelan will be 2 on August 11th. He will definitely be having a Sesame Street party cause he LOVES all of the characters....especially Elmo! (affectionately known as Mo-Mo). We'll probably do a pool party of sorts for him since we'll have a backyard to do it in.

Marshall and I are getting back to exercising and losing weight. When we realized he wouldn't be going overseas we let it go a little. Time to get back on track! We took a walk as a family on Tuesday night regardless of the hot humid temps and it felt so good. I want to get back into doing my Slim in 6....maybe with Zumba classes mixed in either at home or when I can afford to go to classes at Corgan's gym where he takes gymnastics. We will also be getting our treadmill from Marshall's grandma's house since we'll have space for it now.

I think that's the biggest updates about June. I'm hoping to lose almost another 10 lbs this month (or shortly after the month ends).

Happy New Year!

I'm hoping with the new year for several new things! Most people make New Year's resolutions. I have before but I've very rarely succeeded. 2011 is going to be a new start for me in so many ways. Here they are in no particular order:
1. Start blogging more - so I can see what God has done in and through our lives. Also to see how my boys grow.
2. Start reading the Bible more along with daily prayer and worship times
3. Start exercising daily - Marshall and I started the BeachBody Slim in 6 program on January 4th. I plan to blog about this journey along with pictures and updates.
4. Start eating better

I'm sure there are more that I can add later. These are the most important ones right now.