Wanting to Write

It has been a thought in my head since I was a child that I would like to write a book. Early on, I had some creative bursts and would make up a story, often drawing on personal experiences. Now that I have even more experiences under my belt, like motherhood and understanding more about abuse and family relationships, I thought it might be a good time to actually write something down in earnest.

Nothing has been set in stone. I may just try my hand at making something into fiction. All I know, is that many people have said my life is so full of drama I figure there must be at least one story in there somewhere.

In other news, I fell down the stairs during our workday last Saturday. No one was able to watch the boys as I had initially planned (they got sick), so they were my first priority... but during naptime, I was going to organize and exchange toys from their play area. I had gone upstairs to soothe Jonah back to sleep and decided to bring a handful downstairs to add to my pile. Those of you who have been to our home know that our stairs are steep and the steps are shallow (your foot doesn't fit on the stair completely) and they are taller than normal stairs. On the way down, I wasn't holding the railing (because my hands were full) and my foot slipped.. and kept slipping down one stair, two, three stairs and finally on the fourth stair I completely lost it and fell headfirst down the rest of the way through the gate entrance. Thankfully, Jeremy was home and was able to wait on me the next couple of days... he even took Monday off work to help me with the boys.

As he has gone back to work for the rest of the week, I noticed my ankle (though not broken) has not been feeling better over time... it is actually feeling worse because I am needing to be on it so much taking care of the children. Oh, the complications of life.

Well, that is my little bit of excitement for the month.

Day Three on South Beach

I have to be completely honest.... I do NOT like eating only proteins. Jeremy and I talked last night about this diet and he isn't convinced that this is very healthy to do to my body. Until yesterday, I had not cheated at all (except for a piece of gum... dire straits for my breath).

Jeremy also said he would help me with exercising more, so I went outside with him and helped rake and pick up grass piles to put on the compost. I broke a sweat and gained a few more mosquito bites, but I am convinced that exercise is key when it comes to losing weight (just ask Jillian Michaels). Back to my eating, though: since I was losing my desire to eat at all, I skipped supper and woke up so hungry I couldn't sleep. So I ate a cookie with a couple sips of milk.

And this morning.... I found I am FINALLY under 220!!!!!

I will stay on this diet to continue the weight loss, but will also "cheat" at times just for the sake of sanity.

Day One on South Beach

Well, my day is half over and as I write, I have a plate of my attempted omlette on my lap. It turned out to be just a layer of egg (because I had too much I tried stuffing inside, it wouldn't fold) and scattered all over the top is a mixture of tomatos, orange pepper, turkey bacon, and mozzarella cheese. Honestly, it's not half bad.

My major concern is that I am badly craving my dairy right now. From everything I have read and people I have spoken to, cravings go away after about 4 days. Just waiting.

To start, I had to go shopping for key items for this new "way of life". Alongside my healthy choices, peppers, turkey bacon, ricotta cheese, nuts, etc. was also chocolate ice cream and orange juice. My family is not going on this diet with me, so these temptations will still be in the house with me while I am working to change my health and my weight (bummer for naturally thin and healthy husband and children).

Another struggle I am realizing is that I just do not take care of myself the way I ought to. Even though this is a diet where you don't need to be hungry... as usual, I am too distracted with my children to take care of my needs. This is not just a new phenomenon. Even when I am NOT dieting, I'm always hungry... I just tend to over-eat the wrong things once I do take the opportunity to stuff my face.

I did weigh myself first thing this morning... and I have stayed steady at 221 pounds. I am hoping to break the 220 mark sometime this week.

Have a wonderful day of eating healthy and wise!

More Change

I have had a few of you friends ask me how my weight goals were coming... and they had sort of stagnated. I couldn't get below 223 and then kept jumping back up. This was frustrating me to no end, so I changed my diet again... I cut out breads (as much as possible) and limited my dairy intake. I am not going extreme because it isn't practical... but as well as I can. I am eating my carbs in the morning (for the most part) and dessert around lunchtime (it's impractical to think of cutting them out completely... there are too many cookies lying around for the rest of the family). But I am monitoring how much I eat and when I eat them. I am also trying to not eat anything after 7pm, which is difficult because we normally start supper at 6:45. No snacks, no nothing.

So far, I lost 4 more pounds... total of 14.5.

I will keep you guys posted.

Happy Pills

Quite a bit has happened in the last month. Aside from starting my weight loss goals and working out, I have also been to the doctor to discuss my postpartum depression.

First things first. Since starting my workouts and diet plan, I have lost a total of 12 pounds. I took a brief hiatus from working out because I was feeling rather ugh-y from two periods in three weeks... the joys of re-entering the non-pregnant state. I am going to start my workout regimen again next week... the Biggest Loser workout tapes are on request from the library.

The next most important thing that happened was that I was diagnosed with postpartum and was prescribed some "happy pills". I am no longer the "Mother from H---" and the boys are very happy about that. Honestly, though, it was very apparent to me that I was not reacting the same way I usually do and couldn't seem to enjoy anything about my life. That is not normal for me. Now, I feel like I am myself again and am not overwhelmed or having a breakdown when I have to leave the house. I am enjoying my children again.

Jeremiah is going to be turning three this June. We are planning a school curriculum for him and it will consist of (most likely) four subjects: music, Bible, reading and math. I have already begun his Bible teaching. We have a "Bible book" that I read to him during his breakfast time and we are learning one verse a week. He has learned Genesis 1:1 and is currently learning Genesis 1:27... he has been asking to "learn another one" which shows me that he is enjoying his education and is ready for more.

Well, that is my family update for now.

Jeremiah grabbed the home phone from me and was pushing buttons (which he knows is not allowed) and when I asked him about it he said, "I'm talking to someone... CHILL!"

Gotta deal with that boy!

Week 1

I have succesfully completed my first week exercising and dieting (by watching how many calories I eat) and.... LOST 5 POUNDS!

I'd say that is a pretty good result.

Monday: Exercised with Kathy Lee Gifford cardio tape and stayed properly on the diet.
Tuesday: Exercised with The Biggest Loser cardio tape and stayed on my diet.
Wednesday: Day of rest because of soreness from the BL tape... a little loose on my diet.
Thursday: Did some butt-buster exercise for 5 minutes and rested because I was still sore.
Friday: Exercised again with the BL tape... stayed on my diet.
Saturday: Day of rest (because it's a weekend!) and splurged a little on the diet (because it's the weekend!).

All in all... very well done, I think. :-)

Did weigh: 230
Now weigh: 225

A Weighty Issue

Since getting married, I have gained an inordinate amount of weight.

At our wedding (size 10)

My size 8 jeans met Jeremy in 2006... after being married for 6 months (just prior to getting pregnant), I was a size 16. Now, don't get me wrong... numbers aren't everything. But, according to my BMI and all that junk, I am officially obese.

(nearly present day... at a 2x)

After having Jeremiah, I really tried to be active and walked 3 miles roundtrip to the library... but didn't lose much of anything. During my pregnancy with Jonah, we were riding our bikes 8 1/2 miles until the doctor told me to stop. Now, I am at a lovely 230 pounds after pregnancy. I am baring all because I want the encouragement from everyone to know exactly where I am at physically.

Last week, I started interval training. I have spoken with my cousin and my brother (who are both fitness buffs) and they have encouraged me by giving some ideas of how I can exercise without spending money or going outside (since it is a balmy 4 degrees today).

Unfortunately, despite running between chairs and fitness tapes with Kathy Lee Gifford (which actually packs a punch) and some stretching yoga for an off day, I have NOT LOST A SINGLE POUND (I actually gained half a pound).

Today, I picked up some discounted frozen meals that help me count calories easier rather than trying to figure out what and how much I can eat of the food I make for the rest of the family. Jeremy is a carb freak... and I can't eat that or I get fat (as evidenced). So, I am now stocked up for at least a week of prepackaged meals to help me get started.

I will try to check in and update you (and myself) weekly so we can see progress... hopefully for the better.