Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Update...
I haven't really blogged in forever it feels like, so I thought I would just write a quick update. The next few months are so busy for me at work as the past month has been and I haven't had a chance to really blog. There is not much to update on. My convention in December went well. I got to see a record snow fall in Las Vegas while I was there. That was a neat experience. Unfortunately I also suffered a miscarriage with my first pregnancy. I keep telling myself it will happen when the time is right. I'm still eating healthy and going to the gym. We had to find a new home for my baby Sasha. That was a very emotional time. But I know she's in a great place. We were very picky where she went and Mike even made home visits beforehand. We had to make a decision to get rid of her b/c she just doesn't handle being around children well. It was enough to make both of us nervous. She went to a retired couple who loves her to death. I'll never forget her. I'm hoping to see some good results at my weigh in tomorrow.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Weekly Weigh In...
Well, I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't weighed myself weekly. I do know that total lost so far is 18 lbs! I hope to keep it up! Woo Hoo!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Weekly Weigh In...
Well, I think the Holiday break went pretty well. I didn't overeat on Thanksgiving but I did eat what I wanted. I also ate out a couple times but it's harder when we're off work for so long and sometimes depending on where we're at we don't always have a choice in what to eat. I'm still proud of myself though. I did lose some weight but only a 1/2 lb. But a half is better than none. =) And at least I didn't gain. I was so afraid of weighing myself this morning and I was just so happy to see I didn't gain. Next Thurs I leave for my business trip for 9 days. It will be hard b/c I can eat whatever I want and there are so many nice resturants in the Hotel! =) But I'm going to try really hard to stay motivated. Afterall, I have lost 13 lbs total now and have worked very hard to get where I am today. On the days I have a choice for lunch I'm going to try to order salads and at dinner I'm going to go ahead and order what I want, but watch how much I eat of it. Afterall, it's not very often that I get to order a nice juicy steak without worrying about the cost. And let me tell you the steak at the Bally's steakhouse is awesome!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Weekly Weigh In!
Yea! I finally broke my 1.5 lb a week slump... =) not by a whole lot, but I did and I'm very happy. I lost 2.5 lbs since last week. And to top that off I tried on a pair of dress pants this morning that I last tried on 2 weeks ago and they were still far from buttoning....and they buttoned this morning! I still can't wear them b/c they are still tight enough they give me a permanent wedgie =). I'm still thrilled though b/c that shows me how far I've come in the last couple months. It makes all that hard work and portion control worth it! And it makes me want to work even harder on Thanksgiving Day to watch my portions and eat the good foods over the bad ones.
Oh, total lost to date- 12.5 pounds!!
Oh, total lost to date- 12.5 pounds!!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tips for Permanent Weight Loss!
10 Strategies for permanent weight loss
1. Exercise is essential for weight loss
It's nothing new, but exercise is probably the most important predictor of whether you will succeed at long term weight loss and weight loss maintenance. In order for exercise to be helpful in weight loss, you should strive for a minimum of five 30 minute sessions per week. The good news is that recent research has shown that three 10 minute sessions in a day are as good as one 30 minute session. This helps many in combating the old "no time for exercise" excuse. Be certain to find something you enjoy. You'll be more apt to stick with it. Try walking with a friend, joining an intramural sports league, participating in outings with a group like The Sierra Club, or trying some classes at your local gym. Once you give exercise a chance, you will begin to enjoy its positive benefits on your psyche as well; you will literally become "hooked."
Having trouble getting a workout in? Why not try one of these Diet Channel recommended programs:
15 minute boot camp workout
Power workout for busy executives
10 minute workout for busy moms
Want to Build Muscle Strength? Check out these 3 Home Fitness Options
Cap Barbell Omega Recumbent Bike - 16 levels of computer controlled magnetic resistance allow you to workout at the level that best suits your fitness needs. Home Gym Systems - If you have the room at home, splurge and get the weight training system you need. Plain Old-Fashioned Barbells - Get some dead weights, head to the garage, put on some music, and start pumping.
2. Weight loss and weight training
We chose to list this separately from the "exercise" category because of the significant weight loss benefits attached to weight training in and of itself. The basic equation is this: the more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you will burn. This is why world class weight lifters must eat thousands of calories a day to maintain their weight. Muscle is active tissue, fat is not. Thus, muscle "burns" a significant number of calories each day for its own maintenance. In her book Strong Women Stay Slim, Miriam Nelson, a Tufts University researcher, showed that a group of women who followed a weight loss diet and did weight training exercises lost 44% more fat than those who only followed the diet. While aerobic activity can help burn calories, muscle's where it's at when it comes to giving your metabolism a significant daily boost even at rest.
Read Cardio and Strength Training: How do you create a balanced routine? to find out how best to pursue numbers 1 and 2 above in tandem.
3. Keep a diary for triggers that hinder weight loss
Keeping a food diary can be a huge asset in successful weight loss. Devote some time each day to record what you have eaten and how much, your hunger level prior to eating, and any feelings or emotions present at the time. A food diary can provide a large amount of self-awareness. It can identify emotions and behaviors that trigger overeating, foster greater awareness of portion sizes, and help you discover your personal food triggers. Study any patterns that emerge from your food diary and identify where you may be able to make more healthful changes. A food diary provides an added benefit of keeping you focused on and committed to your goals. Start keeping a food diary today by printing our food diary.
4. Stay focused on being healthy, not on becoming thin
Many people become more successful at long term weight loss when their motivation changes from wanting to be thinner to wanting to be healthier. Change your mindset to think about selecting foods that will help your body's health rather than worrying about foods that will affect your body's weight. The Food Pyramid offers a basic outline of the types and amounts of food you should eat each day to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal health.
5. Find out why you overeat
All too often overeating is triggered by stress, boredom, loneliness, anger, depression and other emotions. Learning to deal with emotions without food is a significant skill that will greatly serve long term weight control. The Solution, a book and national program developed by Laurel Mellin, RD, helps participants to identify their eating triggers and respond to them without food. A research study showed that the participants in this program demonstrated a better rate of long term weight loss maintenance than those who simply diet and/or exercise and don't address behavioral and emotional issues. Chronic over-eaters and "emotional eaters" can be significantly helped by learning new behavioral skills such as those Mellin presents. You can also seek help with behavioral and emotional eating issues from a licensed counselor or psychologist in your area.
6. Weight loss support: join a weight management group
A big key in long term weight control comes from receiving encouragement and support from others. You can check to see if groups such as Jenny Craig offer programs and resources in your areas. You may also wish to check with your local hospital to see if their registered dietitian conducts group weight loss programs.
7. Weight loss and portion control
With the advent of "super-size" meals and increasingly huge portions at restaurants, our concept of normal serving sizes is a distant memory. Be mindful of the amounts of food you consume at a sitting. When necessary, divide your food in half and ask for a take home bag. It is all too easy to be a "plate cleaner" even when served enormous portions. Learn to pay attention to your hunger level and stop eating when you feel comfortably full, not stuffed.
8: Lose weight slowly with small changes
Try to remember that "losing 15 pounds in two weeks" is nothing to celebrate. It is important to realize that the more quickly weight is lost, the more likely the loss is coming from water and muscle, not fat. Since muscle tissue is critical in keeping our metabolism elevated, losing it actually leads to a decrease in the amount of calories we can each day without gaining weight. Fat loss is best achieved when weight is lost slowly. Strive for a weight loss of no more than 1-2 pounds per week. One pound of weight is equivalent to 3500 calories. By making small changes like eliminating 250 calories a day from food and expending 250 calories a day from exercise, you can lose one pound (of mostly fat) per week. You can calculate how much time you need to exercise to burn 250 calories by clicking here. You can calculate your caloric needs by clicking here, and then subtract 250 from that number.
9. Eating slowly can lead to weight loss
Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That's because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy and savor every tasty morsel.
10. Weight loss through eating less fat - but do it wisely
We've known for some time that limiting high fat foods in the diet can be helpful with weight loss. That's because fats pack in 9 calories per gram compared to only 4 calories per gram from proteins or carbohydrates. To many, the message to limit fats implied an endorsement to eat unlimited amounts of fat-free products. Just to clarify, fat-free foods have calories too. In some cases fat-free foods have as many calories as their fat laden counterparts. If you eat more calories than your body uses, you will gain weight. Eating less fat will help you to lose weight. Eating less fat and replacing it with excessive amounts of fat-free products will not.
1. Exercise is essential for weight loss
It's nothing new, but exercise is probably the most important predictor of whether you will succeed at long term weight loss and weight loss maintenance. In order for exercise to be helpful in weight loss, you should strive for a minimum of five 30 minute sessions per week. The good news is that recent research has shown that three 10 minute sessions in a day are as good as one 30 minute session. This helps many in combating the old "no time for exercise" excuse. Be certain to find something you enjoy. You'll be more apt to stick with it. Try walking with a friend, joining an intramural sports league, participating in outings with a group like The Sierra Club, or trying some classes at your local gym. Once you give exercise a chance, you will begin to enjoy its positive benefits on your psyche as well; you will literally become "hooked."
Having trouble getting a workout in? Why not try one of these Diet Channel recommended programs:
15 minute boot camp workout
Power workout for busy executives
10 minute workout for busy moms
Want to Build Muscle Strength? Check out these 3 Home Fitness Options
Cap Barbell Omega Recumbent Bike - 16 levels of computer controlled magnetic resistance allow you to workout at the level that best suits your fitness needs. Home Gym Systems - If you have the room at home, splurge and get the weight training system you need. Plain Old-Fashioned Barbells - Get some dead weights, head to the garage, put on some music, and start pumping.
2. Weight loss and weight training
We chose to list this separately from the "exercise" category because of the significant weight loss benefits attached to weight training in and of itself. The basic equation is this: the more muscle tissue you have, the more calories you will burn. This is why world class weight lifters must eat thousands of calories a day to maintain their weight. Muscle is active tissue, fat is not. Thus, muscle "burns" a significant number of calories each day for its own maintenance. In her book Strong Women Stay Slim, Miriam Nelson, a Tufts University researcher, showed that a group of women who followed a weight loss diet and did weight training exercises lost 44% more fat than those who only followed the diet. While aerobic activity can help burn calories, muscle's where it's at when it comes to giving your metabolism a significant daily boost even at rest.
Read Cardio and Strength Training: How do you create a balanced routine? to find out how best to pursue numbers 1 and 2 above in tandem.
3. Keep a diary for triggers that hinder weight loss
Keeping a food diary can be a huge asset in successful weight loss. Devote some time each day to record what you have eaten and how much, your hunger level prior to eating, and any feelings or emotions present at the time. A food diary can provide a large amount of self-awareness. It can identify emotions and behaviors that trigger overeating, foster greater awareness of portion sizes, and help you discover your personal food triggers. Study any patterns that emerge from your food diary and identify where you may be able to make more healthful changes. A food diary provides an added benefit of keeping you focused on and committed to your goals. Start keeping a food diary today by printing our food diary.
4. Stay focused on being healthy, not on becoming thin
Many people become more successful at long term weight loss when their motivation changes from wanting to be thinner to wanting to be healthier. Change your mindset to think about selecting foods that will help your body's health rather than worrying about foods that will affect your body's weight. The Food Pyramid offers a basic outline of the types and amounts of food you should eat each day to give your body the nutrients it needs for optimal health.
5. Find out why you overeat
All too often overeating is triggered by stress, boredom, loneliness, anger, depression and other emotions. Learning to deal with emotions without food is a significant skill that will greatly serve long term weight control. The Solution, a book and national program developed by Laurel Mellin, RD, helps participants to identify their eating triggers and respond to them without food. A research study showed that the participants in this program demonstrated a better rate of long term weight loss maintenance than those who simply diet and/or exercise and don't address behavioral and emotional issues. Chronic over-eaters and "emotional eaters" can be significantly helped by learning new behavioral skills such as those Mellin presents. You can also seek help with behavioral and emotional eating issues from a licensed counselor or psychologist in your area.
6. Weight loss support: join a weight management group
A big key in long term weight control comes from receiving encouragement and support from others. You can check to see if groups such as Jenny Craig offer programs and resources in your areas. You may also wish to check with your local hospital to see if their registered dietitian conducts group weight loss programs.
7. Weight loss and portion control
With the advent of "super-size" meals and increasingly huge portions at restaurants, our concept of normal serving sizes is a distant memory. Be mindful of the amounts of food you consume at a sitting. When necessary, divide your food in half and ask for a take home bag. It is all too easy to be a "plate cleaner" even when served enormous portions. Learn to pay attention to your hunger level and stop eating when you feel comfortably full, not stuffed.
8: Lose weight slowly with small changes
Try to remember that "losing 15 pounds in two weeks" is nothing to celebrate. It is important to realize that the more quickly weight is lost, the more likely the loss is coming from water and muscle, not fat. Since muscle tissue is critical in keeping our metabolism elevated, losing it actually leads to a decrease in the amount of calories we can each day without gaining weight. Fat loss is best achieved when weight is lost slowly. Strive for a weight loss of no more than 1-2 pounds per week. One pound of weight is equivalent to 3500 calories. By making small changes like eliminating 250 calories a day from food and expending 250 calories a day from exercise, you can lose one pound (of mostly fat) per week. You can calculate how much time you need to exercise to burn 250 calories by clicking here. You can calculate your caloric needs by clicking here, and then subtract 250 from that number.
9. Eating slowly can lead to weight loss
Did you ever notice that thin people take an awfully long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help take off pounds. That's because from the time you begin eating it takes the brain 20 minutes to start signaling feelings of fullness. Fast eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute signal has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary significantly depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy and savor every tasty morsel.
10. Weight loss through eating less fat - but do it wisely
We've known for some time that limiting high fat foods in the diet can be helpful with weight loss. That's because fats pack in 9 calories per gram compared to only 4 calories per gram from proteins or carbohydrates. To many, the message to limit fats implied an endorsement to eat unlimited amounts of fat-free products. Just to clarify, fat-free foods have calories too. In some cases fat-free foods have as many calories as their fat laden counterparts. If you eat more calories than your body uses, you will gain weight. Eating less fat will help you to lose weight. Eating less fat and replacing it with excessive amounts of fat-free products will not.
Healthy Eating Tips for Thanksgiving Day!
TOP 10 TIPS TO AVOID PACKING ON HOLIDAY POUNDS
1. Get plenty of sleep. Being tired often triggers eating pangs.
2. Drink plenty of water. If you don't take in liquid, the body retains it, increasing body weight by 10 to 15 pounds.
3. Curb appetite by loading up on "good carbs" - high fiber veggies like beans, whole grains such as oats and brown rice and fruits.
4. Limit your intake of proteins.
5. Keep stress levels down by walking, exercising and meditation. Stress can spark the appetite.
6. Avoid "bad carbs" like high-starch potatoes, breads and desserts.
7. Vinegar reduces the body's absorption of "bad carbs" so use a variety of vinegar with olive oil for salad dressings.
8. Stay away from foods with hydrogenated oils and the sweetener aspartame. These substances do not aid in weight loss.
9. Choose foods with "good fats" like soy beans, avocado, nuts and seeds, fish like salmon, tuna and halibut and leafy green veggies.
10. Keep in touch with a pal who has similar diet and health goals to boost your willpower during the holiday food feast.
I especially like # 10! Thanks, Patty! Lol..... =)
1. Get plenty of sleep. Being tired often triggers eating pangs.
2. Drink plenty of water. If you don't take in liquid, the body retains it, increasing body weight by 10 to 15 pounds.
3. Curb appetite by loading up on "good carbs" - high fiber veggies like beans, whole grains such as oats and brown rice and fruits.
4. Limit your intake of proteins.
5. Keep stress levels down by walking, exercising and meditation. Stress can spark the appetite.
6. Avoid "bad carbs" like high-starch potatoes, breads and desserts.
7. Vinegar reduces the body's absorption of "bad carbs" so use a variety of vinegar with olive oil for salad dressings.
8. Stay away from foods with hydrogenated oils and the sweetener aspartame. These substances do not aid in weight loss.
9. Choose foods with "good fats" like soy beans, avocado, nuts and seeds, fish like salmon, tuna and halibut and leafy green veggies.
10. Keep in touch with a pal who has similar diet and health goals to boost your willpower during the holiday food feast.
I especially like # 10! Thanks, Patty! Lol..... =)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thanksgiving Plans...
Well this is my first Thanksgiving in a few years to be home and not on an airplane! See, my job requires me to be on a plane every thanksgiving and headed to Las Vegas. I know...you're probably thinking..fun, fun....but believe me it's 90% work. =) Somehow our dates got messed up and we're not flying out this year for our annual convention until December 11th. So I get to be home for Thanksgiving and I get to see Vegas decorated for Christmas! Our plans for Thanksgiving are to get up and go to Thanksgiving Mass at church at 6:30 am....that will come early! I'm sure after that we will grab a small fast food breakfast somewhere and head towards Success, MO. We will stop by my Great Grandma's for a little while, then head just down the street to my Grandmas house for lunch. We will probably stay at my Grandma's for an hour or two and then head over to my best friends' parents (from high school). I will eat just a little at my grandma's so I can save some room for a little at Kandy's house...Yummy! It's going to be hard since I have been working out and dieting, but I am going to try my best not to over eat.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Thursday 13!
 |
2. My Husband 3. My Step Daughter (who turns 7 yrs old on Thanksgiving!) 4. My God Daughter (who turns 2 yrs old Dec. 1st!) 5. Family 6. True Friends 7. My Job 8. My first house....finally! 9. 10 lbs I have lost so far.... =) 10. My motivational work out/diet buddies! 11. My Faith 12. My dog Sasha! who sleeps 20 hrs of the day...lazy dog! =) 13. Our Freedom as Americans |
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Weekly Weigh In
Well, Again...just another 1.5 lbs lost. I guess I'm still happy b/c I could have not lost any. I think I am going to try to not go over board on my cheat meal of the week. Last Sat. Mike and I went to Ruby Tuesdays for our cheat meal and boy did I eat a lot. I had a big 'ol burger, fries, fried cheese and a blondie with ice cream for dessert. =( I don't think my one cheat meal for the week is what ruined my results but I think I will still not eat as much next time. I'm still trying to work out at least once a day and have changed up my workout a little to hopefully help with losing weight. I am going to do one more new thing too with my diet. I've decided that when we go grocery shopping again I am going to try to get as much low sodium food as possible since sodium causes you to retain water. It's worth a shot. =)
Total Lost to date- 10 lbs.
Total Lost to date- 10 lbs.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday Weekly Weigh In...A day late
Ok, so yesterday was weekly weigh in's for Patty, Annette, and I. I forgot to do my blog yesterday tho... =) Again, I only dropped another 1.5 lbs., but I'm not getting discouraged. Muscle weighs more than fat so maybe we're just getting buff....lol.....but the positive thing is I do feel like I have lost inches and some clothes are fitting looser. I also tried on a pair of dress pants this morning and they were a little closer to buttoning again. =) So overall I think we're doing a good job girls! I've been at the gym at least once a day if not twice. So in a way I feel like I should be seeing bigger results but they will come. So until next Wednesday.......
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Weight Loss Journal Summary
Breakfast- Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal- 160 cal
McD Parfait w/ Granola- 160 cal
Drink- Caffeine free peach herbal tea- 0 cal
Snack- Quaker Buttered Popcorn multi-grain cakes! (Yummy)- 90 cal
Lunch- Lean Cuisine 4 cheese pizza- 360 cal
Drink- Water- 0 cal
Snack- Quaker Cheddar/SourCream multi-grain cakes!- 90 cal
Dinner- Campbells Steak and Potato Soup- 240 cal
Drink- Skim Milk- 80 cal
Total Cal- 1180
Gym- Morning 45 minutes
Gym- Evening 1 hr 10 min.
McD Parfait w/ Granola- 160 cal
Drink- Caffeine free peach herbal tea- 0 cal
Snack- Quaker Buttered Popcorn multi-grain cakes! (Yummy)- 90 cal
Lunch- Lean Cuisine 4 cheese pizza- 360 cal
Drink- Water- 0 cal
Snack- Quaker Cheddar/SourCream multi-grain cakes!- 90 cal
Dinner- Campbells Steak and Potato Soup- 240 cal
Drink- Skim Milk- 80 cal
Total Cal- 1180
Gym- Morning 45 minutes
Gym- Evening 1 hr 10 min.
Wednesday Weigh In
Well, this morning was weigh in morning. I only dropped 1.5 lb since last Wednesday, but I blame my 2 day work function last week.... =) I can't totally blame it but I did eat a lot of food I shouldn't have. I have been working out twice a day most days and I'm hoping that next Wednesday I see some BIG results. But, I am still happy with what I got today. At least it's going down and not up. That is always good I guess! Woo Hoo!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Baby-sitting
I almost forgot to blog about last Monday night. Last Monday I watched my friend Patty's children, Thomas (3) and Arianna (10 months??) so she could have dinner with her husband when he got off work that night. It was a fun night...hehe...we got to watch most of "A Goofy Movie", I got to change a poopy diaper...hehe..., and watch Arianna walk from the couch to the chair while thinking "I hope she doesn't fall". I let Thomas play with my giant stuffed dog pillow named Otis, after Mike and I's first dog. Our first dog was a yellow lab and Mike bought me the pillow b/c it looked just like Otis. =) Thomas loved Otis. And of course the night wouldn't have been complete without pictures! 
Doggie Day Care Day!
Today was Sasha's monthly trip to the Doggie Day Care for playtime, bath and nail trim. She played hard all day and got a good bath. She is clean, shiny and smells very good now. This time she got an orange bandana. Here are some pictures. Yes, mommy gets picture hap
py! =)
py! =)
Halloween
This year was the first year Mike and I really got into passing out candy since we have our own house. It turns out I bought too much candy and am now trying to pass the calorie filled treats onto others... =) But it was fun. I was happy to see that most children had parents accompanying them either to the door or at least waiting at the end of the driveway. Some parents even thanked us for handing out candy. My friends Patty and Elizabeth brought their children by too. I was able to get a picture of Thomas (Patty's son) and Lily (Elizabeth's daughter). 
Monday, November 3, 2008
Weight Loss Journal Summary
Breakfast- 400 cal
Snack- 90 cal
Lunch- 340 cal
Snack- 100 cal
Dinner- 440 cal
Total cal- 1370 cal
Gym- Early Morning- 1 hour
Gym- Evening- 1hr
Snack- 90 cal
Lunch- 340 cal
Snack- 100 cal
Dinner- 440 cal
Total cal- 1370 cal
Gym- Early Morning- 1 hour
Gym- Evening- 1hr
Saturday night Movies....
Saturday night Mike and I rented movies. Well I guess I should say Mike and I rented 1 movie together and then I rented one for me...=) We rented the movie "21" based on a true story. I liked it. It was kind of neat actually to watch how they counted cards. I enjoyed it.
I also rented "Sex and the City". Mike is not one to watch girl flics with me but for whatever reason he sat thru this one with me..=) Of course afterwards he said I owed him big time...hehe...and that was his one girl flic for a long time. I don't get him to watch them with me very often. I enjoyed the movie, but thought it drug on for a little too long.
I also rented "Sex and the City". Mike is not one to watch girl flics with me but for whatever reason he sat thru this one with me..=) Of course afterwards he said I owed him big time...hehe...and that was his one girl flic for a long time. I don't get him to watch them with me very often. I enjoyed the movie, but thought it drug on for a little too long.
Weight Loss Journal Summaries
Well, I feel like I ate way too much food at my work function last week, but I'm still weighing the same, 1/2 lb less actually. But I've worked my butt off at the gym everyday I think just to even out all the food I ate. =) Sunday was cheat day for me and man did I ever cheat bad, we had waffle house for breakfast and lunch at Sonic! hehe....so after lunch I went to the gym for about 1 hr so I didn't feel so bad about cheat day. I'm going to try extra hard to really watch my calories the next few days and work out twice a day if possible. I hope to see some good results come weigh in Wednesday! I feel a lot better, that's for sure.
Oh, and my friend Annette joined the gym now with Patty and I. So there's 3 of us to work out together and motivate each other! Fun Stuff!!
Oh, and my friend Annette joined the gym now with Patty and I. So there's 3 of us to work out together and motivate each other! Fun Stuff!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Weight Loss Journal Summaries
Ok, so I know I'm like way behind on my journals...but I'll just sum it up. Sunday is what I call my free day of the week b/c Mike and I always go out for our Sunday breakfast after church. Let's just say I had a huge breakfast and it was yummy. I've been doing good at sticking to my 1200 calories a day. I have worked out everyday except Sunday for at least 1 hour. I've been getting up at 4:30am....Yuck..I know...but it makes me feel so much more awake for the rest of the day. Patty did join the same gym too, so now her and I will work out together on the evenings she wants to go. So I could end up getting 2 workouts a day! Woo! =) So Wednesdays are weigh in days for us and I weighed myself this morning and I lost 3.5 lbs. Woo Hoo!
Now the tricky part about this week is the next 2 days are an out of the office work function for me. All our meals are provided the next 2 days with the exception of breakfast. It might be hard for me to stick to my 1200 calories but I am going to watch my portions.
Now the tricky part about this week is the next 2 days are an out of the office work function for me. All our meals are provided the next 2 days with the exception of breakfast. It might be hard for me to stick to my 1200 calories but I am going to watch my portions.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Weight Loss Journal Summaries
Friday 10/24
Breakfast- McD bacon egg cheese biscuit - 430 Cal
Lunch - Lean Cuisine pepperoni french bread pizza- 290 Cal
Dinner- Beef filled Ravioli and cheesy garlic bread =) Yummy!
Gym- 1hr
Total Calories- ???
Saturday 10/25
Breakfast- 6in Turkey Sub on Italian Herb bread- 380 Cal
Lunch- 6in Turkey Sub on Italian Herb bread- 380 Cal
Snack- Quaker multigrain mini cakes - 90 Cal
Dinner- Ckn Noodle Soup - 300 Cal
Skim Milk - 80 Cal
Gym- 1hr
Total Calories- 1230
Breakfast- McD bacon egg cheese biscuit - 430 Cal
Lunch - Lean Cuisine pepperoni french bread pizza- 290 Cal
Dinner- Beef filled Ravioli and cheesy garlic bread =) Yummy!
Gym- 1hr
Total Calories- ???
Saturday 10/25
Breakfast- 6in Turkey Sub on Italian Herb bread- 380 Cal
Lunch- 6in Turkey Sub on Italian Herb bread- 380 Cal
Snack- Quaker multigrain mini cakes - 90 Cal
Dinner- Ckn Noodle Soup - 300 Cal
Skim Milk - 80 Cal
Gym- 1hr
Total Calories- 1230
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Weight Loss Journal Summary
Breakfast- V8 Acai Berry Juice - 110 Cal
Quaker Cinnamom Roll Oatmeal - 160 Cal
McD Parfait - 160 Cal
Lunch- Lean Cuisine Spinach Mushroom Pizza - 330 Cal
Wheat Thins - 140 Cal
Water - 0 Cal
Dinner- Campbell Chunky Pot Roast Soup - 240 Cal
Skim Milk - 80 Cal
Total - 1220 Cal
Quaker Cinnamom Roll Oatmeal - 160 Cal
McD Parfait - 160 Cal
Lunch- Lean Cuisine Spinach Mushroom Pizza - 330 Cal
Wheat Thins - 140 Cal
Water - 0 Cal
Dinner- Campbell Chunky Pot Roast Soup - 240 Cal
Skim Milk - 80 Cal
Total - 1220 Cal
Thursday 13!
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2 Wear a size 6 or maybe 4 again.... (wishful hoping!...Lol) 3 Look the way I looked when Mike first met me 4 Self Esteem 5 Be at a healthy weight before we have children 6 Wear a hot swimsuit....Lol... 7 Get to buy new clothes! 8 Get a new Tattoo, or two 9 Not run of breath so easily 10 Able to get family pictures I'm proud of 11 Patty.....my new motivator!! 12 Lose 25 lbs in 3 months so Patty and I can get our rewards 13 Lose 50 lbs in 6 months so Patty and I can get our grand prize (We set rewards for ourselves) |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Weight Loss Journal Summary
Breakfast- McD Fruit & Yogurt Parfait (w/ granola) - 160 Cal
Snack- Quaker Dipper- 150 Cal
Lunch- Lean Cuisine 4-cheese pizza- 360 Cal
Drinks- Water & G2- 70 Cal
Dinner- Campbells Sirloin Steak/Vegie Soup- 260 Cal
1 Cup Skim Milk- 80 Cal
Total Intake- 1080 Approx.
Exercise- None =( but we did go fill out our membership papers so we're ready to start! I know, I know...... =)
Snack- Quaker Dipper- 150 Cal
Lunch- Lean Cuisine 4-cheese pizza- 360 Cal
Drinks- Water & G2- 70 Cal
Dinner- Campbells Sirloin Steak/Vegie Soup- 260 Cal
1 Cup Skim Milk- 80 Cal
Total Intake- 1080 Approx.
Exercise- None =( but we did go fill out our membership papers so we're ready to start! I know, I know...... =)
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Weight Loss Journal Summary
Breakfast- Raisen Granola Bar -140 Cal
Snack- Quaker granola Dipper -150 Cal
Lunch- Lean Cuisine Pepperoni -370 Cal
Drink- Water and G2 -70 Cal
Dinner- 2 small boneless country ribs & Greenbeans ? Guess it at 500 Cal?
Total Cal Intake- 1230 Aprox.
No Exercise, plan to join gym tomorrow evening!
Snack- Quaker granola Dipper -150 Cal
Lunch- Lean Cuisine Pepperoni -370 Cal
Drink- Water and G2 -70 Cal
Dinner- 2 small boneless country ribs & Greenbeans ? Guess it at 500 Cal?
Total Cal Intake- 1230 Aprox.
No Exercise, plan to join gym tomorrow evening!
The Biggest Loser.....
Ok, so I know I've said several times (since putting on my after college weight) that I'm going to workout and diet and shed these pounds. And well, I start and a couple months later I'm back to my normal routine. Well I think this is the time... =) I really really plan to stick with it, and not just to lose weight, but I need to get healthy. I am badly out of shape.
Mike and I canceled our gym membership in Springfield back when we moved into our new house. We would now be further away from the gym we liked and the drive after work and gas prices was not cutting it anymore. Since then we haven't re-joined anywhere. This last month I've felt the need more than ever to join again. We started researching gyms in our town. Surprisingly enough, there were at least 4 and I think there is a 5th one. We crammed in 3 tours last night at the ones we considered our top 3 choices. I think I know which one I want to join and we are going back Wed. when the manager is working again to take one more quick look and more than likely start our membership. 3 of the 4 gyms in our town are right by our house! If we wanted to walk to either of them I would say its a 5 minute walk, maybe 10 tops. The one I think we're going with has a child play area (don't need it now, but in the future it would be nice), it's NO contracts (I hate contracts...Lol), NO enrollment fees, and its 24/7. You just get your programmed key card to let you in when there is no staff on duty. That will work out well for us b/c Mike likes to get up early and go work out before work. And when I say early, I mean he likes to get up EARLY!.... =)
My friend Patty is also thinking of joining a gym. She lives in the same town as me. I hope she joins with me so we can workout together but I also want her to pick the gym she likes. =) Today we were talking and we decided on a way that we can help each other stay on track and motivated. I suggested starting weight loss/exercise journals. We can keep track of what we eat/drink throughout the day and the amount of calories, exercise that day...etc.... I suggested we meet up to check in but I know our schedules can be different sometimes....then I thought what if we did a blog entry each evening, like a short summary of our journals...so that we could read each others and comment on it. We also decided to make Wednesdays "weigh-in" day. When we blog on Wednesday evenings we can put if we lost any weight. We decided not to put how much we weigh on the internet.... =) Just if we lost any..... I'm very excited about our plan. Hopefully, the motivation of a friend and knowing they are doing the same thing will help.
All of our other "Blogger" friends are welcome to join our adventure..=) The more people involved...the more fun we can make it!
Oh, we also thought we could share any helpful tips with others too...such as new foods you find or anything that is helping you.
Patty we CAN do this! =) Looking fwd to my first summary tonight!
Mike and I canceled our gym membership in Springfield back when we moved into our new house. We would now be further away from the gym we liked and the drive after work and gas prices was not cutting it anymore. Since then we haven't re-joined anywhere. This last month I've felt the need more than ever to join again. We started researching gyms in our town. Surprisingly enough, there were at least 4 and I think there is a 5th one. We crammed in 3 tours last night at the ones we considered our top 3 choices. I think I know which one I want to join and we are going back Wed. when the manager is working again to take one more quick look and more than likely start our membership. 3 of the 4 gyms in our town are right by our house! If we wanted to walk to either of them I would say its a 5 minute walk, maybe 10 tops. The one I think we're going with has a child play area (don't need it now, but in the future it would be nice), it's NO contracts (I hate contracts...Lol), NO enrollment fees, and its 24/7. You just get your programmed key card to let you in when there is no staff on duty. That will work out well for us b/c Mike likes to get up early and go work out before work. And when I say early, I mean he likes to get up EARLY!.... =)
My friend Patty is also thinking of joining a gym. She lives in the same town as me. I hope she joins with me so we can workout together but I also want her to pick the gym she likes. =) Today we were talking and we decided on a way that we can help each other stay on track and motivated. I suggested starting weight loss/exercise journals. We can keep track of what we eat/drink throughout the day and the amount of calories, exercise that day...etc.... I suggested we meet up to check in but I know our schedules can be different sometimes....then I thought what if we did a blog entry each evening, like a short summary of our journals...so that we could read each others and comment on it. We also decided to make Wednesdays "weigh-in" day. When we blog on Wednesday evenings we can put if we lost any weight. We decided not to put how much we weigh on the internet.... =) Just if we lost any..... I'm very excited about our plan. Hopefully, the motivation of a friend and knowing they are doing the same thing will help.
All of our other "Blogger" friends are welcome to join our adventure..=) The more people involved...the more fun we can make it!
Oh, we also thought we could share any helpful tips with others too...such as new foods you find or anything that is helping you.
Patty we CAN do this! =) Looking fwd to my first summary tonight!
Date Night, Movies, and Football....
On Friday night (last week) Mike and I decided to do date night! Woo Hoo...we had some rebate checks burning a hole in our pockets. =) We went to The Palace and watched Pineapple Express. It was very funny and we quoted it all weekend. After the movie he surprised me by taking me to Braums to get my favorite dessert, reeses peanut butter cup mix...Yummy!
We also rented Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay on Saturday. They were both very funny also.
Sunday Mike made a HUGE pot of chili. We took it over to a friends house and watched football games all afternoon and ate lots of food...too much food... =) But it was a good time. And since our friend has a 52 in (I think?) plasma screen TV with HD, it's also fun to watch TV over there! And hey it's a good excuse for when Mike asks for a new TV...."Just go to Dave's house"..... =)
We also rented Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay on Saturday. They were both very funny also.
Sunday Mike made a HUGE pot of chili. We took it over to a friends house and watched football games all afternoon and ate lots of food...too much food... =) But it was a good time. And since our friend has a 52 in (I think?) plasma screen TV with HD, it's also fun to watch TV over there! And hey it's a good excuse for when Mike asks for a new TV...."Just go to Dave's house"..... =)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Thursday 13!!!
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2 Skid Row - 18 and Life 3 Aerosmith - Crazy 4 Guns and Roses - Patience 5 Bad English - When I see you Smile 6 Cinderella - Don't know what you got 7 Warrant - Heaven 8 Poison - Every Rose has its Thorn 9 Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar on me 10 AC/DC - You shook me all Night Long 11 Whitesnake - Here I go Again 12 Night Ranger - Sister Christian 13 Faster Pussycat - House of Pain |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Thursday, October 9, 2008
Thursday 13!
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2. I need to process credit cards 3. Did this person already register? 4. Why did they send this in twice? 5. I need to set up a tour for Friday to go look at the new gym 6. Is it worth joining a gym again...will I actually go? 7. I need to set up a payment on my credit card...Yuck! 8. Will I ever finish touch up painting in the bathroom, or will my eyes keep finding spots that need more paint? 9. I really don't want to work this Saturday, but know I really need to... 10. Will our new phones be here by tomorrow? 11. Will I be able to get the rebate I was supposed to get on my new phone? 12. Will I ever figure out how to use my new phone....=) 13. I really need to eat my lunch instead of letting it get cold first everyday. |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Saturday, October 4, 2008
An Evening of Pampering for the Girls!
Tonight was a much needed Girls' Night! Patty, Annette and I went to get Spa Pedicures together. I love going to get pedicures and my favorite part is the awesome massaging chair you get to sit in while you are getting pampered from the knees down. =) It is the best 30-45 minutes of your life.... =) And I LOVE the foot massages! Annette was so funny...she didn't know what to expect exactly and she was cracking me up! This was her first ever pedicure. She kept pushing all the buttons on the remote that controls the chair and I was waiting for her to push a button that would throw her out of the chair or something.... =) 
Another room...
Well today we are finally starting to work on what I call the back bedroom. It's the room that has served no purpose thus far except a place to store junk we don't want to go through. =) I cleared all the "junk" out of it earlier and Mike has begun tearing down the yucky paneling. Next he will start scraping the popcorn stuff off the ceiling so that we can repaint it and make it flat. I can't wait. It will look so much better. We did our bathroom ceiling a few weeks ago when we refinished the bathroom and it looks so much better. There's so much work involved in home projects, but I like to see the end result. Our house already looks totally different than when we moved in and I can't wait until the Big Finale.....whenever that may be. =) Here is a pic of one of the walls after the paneling is down. We will repaint the room white for now until we decide on a use for the room. 
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thursday 13....
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2. Baby Mama 3. Nim's Island 4. Monster House 5. College Road Trip 6. Hairspray 7. Kung Fu Panda 8. The Wedding Date 9. The Dark Knight 10. Zodiac 11. Interview with the Vampire 12. Made of Honor 13. Georgia Rule |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Sister's Weekend
This past weekend my 2 younger sisters came to stay with me again. They are 14 and 7. The youngest actually just turned 7 last Thursday. We had a small birthday party for her at my house Friday night. It was Hannah Montana themed of course! We rented lots of movies and we also went the theater to see Kung Fu Panda, which was hilarious. I did not think it would be as funny as it was, but it surprised me. It is really cute. The girls loved it. Some other movies we watched were....Surfs Up, Monster House, College Road Trip, Baby Mama, Hairspray....here are some pics
Doggy Day Care
Sasha went to Doggy Day Care last Thursday. It was bath time which also means play day at the day care. She is always so nice and shiny when she comes home. She has a new bandana each time she comes home. This time the ladies gave her one with Sunflowers on it. It is my fave so far. I thought it was so so so cute! So, of course, I took pics.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thursday Thirteen
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2. My Silly Dog Sasha 3. My Home 4. My Family 5. My Friends 6. My Job 7. My Saviour Jesus Christ 8. Answered Prayers 9. Yahoo Chat..... =) 10. I guess that brings us to the Internet... =) 11. My good friend Elizabeth reminding me to do my Thursday Thirteens... =) 12. My God Daughter 13. Girl's Nights!!! Chic Flix and Food! |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Saturday, September 20, 2008
My New Haircut
I got my hair cut off today, finally! I have the world's thickest hair and I can only handle it long for a certain amount of time. I also have to have it thinned out really good or else my hair is one huge fur ball. =) It's back short the way I like it. It's a lot shorter in the back and gets longer around the front. We're also going to get the little things finished up in the bathroom today. We've been re-doing the bathroom for a few weeks now and I'm SO READY for it to be finished. The only things left are little paint touch ups here and there and some other minor details. Everything in the bathroom has been replaced now except for the tub and the floor. I think our next big project here in a couple months will be replacing the living room and master bedroom floors with hardwood flooring. I can't wait for that!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
My Dog Sasha
Mike and I LOVE dogs. We love them so much if we had the room we would have a dog farm! We have always wanted a dog. We tried twice before actually. But we lived in apartments and it just never worked out. We felt like we were neglecting them b/c they were cramped in an apartment or else there were neighbors to complain. I do not miss apartment life! We wanted to rescue/adopt a dog and that was our plan until we saw this little girl needed a home or else she would go to the pound. We were the first to contact the woman who had her and she promised to hold onto her until we could get her. We were a week out from closing on our house and had no place to put her until then. I drove out to pick her up March 1st, 2008. A friend of mine offered to go with me so I wouldn't have to go to a stranger's house alone. I was glad she came with me. The house was very dirty and I could tell Sasha was so happy to get out of there. Sasha wouldn't eat for 2 weeks after we got her. Well, she would nibble here and there but she refused to eat. We finally got her into the vet for a checkup and her shots. The vet was able to tell us she had 2 types of worms and 1 of which he said dogs only get from very nasty environments. We felt so bad for Sasha. I was so glad at that point that we had taken her and I did feel like we had rescued her. She was not the only dog at that house so I'm sure the other doggies were sick too. Sasha's medicine to get rid of the worms was not cheap. She also had some type of infection from them. He explained to us why she wasn't eating and what she was feeling inside. They gave us some special dog food that would not hurt her stomach. After a couple of weeks she was well. She started eating normal and she's a very happy dog. 
Mike and I love Cesar the Dog Whisperer and we follow all his techniques. It has worked wonders for us with Sasha, not that she was misbehaved b/c she wasn't, but it keeps her in line and she knows who her pack leaders are. =) Once a month I take her to a Pet Motel in Ozark and let her spend the day in what they call Doggy day care. She gets to stay all day and be pampered by the ladies there and have play time with other dogs her size. She also gets a bath and her nails trimmed while she is there. It is a day all about Sasha. And she knows where I'm going to when I take her. She goes nuts when we pull down the street the motel is on. She can see all the other dogs in the play area and she wants to be with them. The ladies up there love her. They always want to keep her.
I wouldn't say Sasha is the perfect dog, but I like to think she is. =) But there are times she tests us and it's just every so often out of the blue. We will come home and she will have some how found something and of course chewed on it....what else would a dog do with it? =) But usually we have done something to make her mad. For example she doesn't like it sometimes when we both get home from work and have to leave immediately for something else. And I don't blame her. She's alone all day and longs for 4pm when Mike gets home and then 5pm when "Mommy" gets home. Mike says sometimes I love her too much and I get in trouble for spoiling her. But it's so hard. She knows when Daddy is mad and then she will come to me and look at me with those HUGE brown sad eyes. She is a nut but I love her.
Thursday 13!!!
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2. My maiden name and married name both have 3 syllables and the exact number of letters 3. I am 26 4. I highlight my hair 5. I have one dog...Sasha...my baby, well a big baby.... =) 6. I have been married 3 yrs and 3 months to this day exactly 7. I graduated Houston High School 8. I graduated College of the Ozarks 9. I have 4 younger siblings 10. This is my 2nd attempt at blogging... if this counts =) 11. I wear a green bracelet for Kidney Cancer awareness everyday 12. I'm Catholic 13. I'm a Step-mother and Godmother |
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008
My First Blog "The Background"
Well, here it is my first blog. I guess this one will just be a summary of my life in general right now. I'm currently working as an Accountant/Assistant Registrar for a Non-Profit organization, IAFE. I am not going to try to explain what IAFE stands for or what we do. It is way too confusing.... =) I am going on my 5th year at my job and was lucky enough to have this job offer before I graduated college back in 2004. I enjoy my job but like anyone there are days I wish I did something different. I get to travel to Las Vegas, NV once a year for 9 days, all expenses paid for...so I guess I can't complain. That itself is worth it! The first year I went was also my first plane ride....I drove my co-workers nuts with all my anxieties about flying...haha...but now I LOVE flying! I would actually rather be in a plane, than a car.
I've been married to my wonderful husband Mike for 3 years now. I know that God sent him to me. He has changed my life so much since first meeting him and all for the better. I am a completely different person. I would probably not be in a good place if not for him. He has shown me what a "Husband" should be. Sometimes I'm in awe at him. He loves me so much even when I think I don't deserve it. Words that describe him are: Loyal, Faithful, Understanding, Non-Judgmental, Honest, Father, Partner, Laid back, Smart, Optimistic, Spiritual....I could go on and on all night. Sometimes I wonder how he got stuck with me...=) A good friend of mine told me once we go together b/c we balance each other out. For example where he's relaxed and laid back most of the time, I am stressed or worried all the time. He always sees the glass half full and as hard as I try 75% of the time I see it half empty. He brings me back to reality and I realize I am truly blessed in my life and the world is not going to end b/c of what ever I'm freaking out about. There are a lot of things we're completely opposite about, and a lot we're the same. It keeps things fun and interesting though. =)
We had been married for 2 years when I decided to inquire about the RCIA process in the Catholic Church. RCIA in a nut-shell is the adult confirmation process in the Catholic Church. It's forever long...approx 9 months give or take...but very much worth it. Mike was raised Catholic and all of his family is Catholic. This was never a problem for us me not being Catholic. Yes, there are some that think I only did it b/c he was. But those who truly know me, know that was not the case. I would have done it along time ago if I felt that way. Anyway, Mike and I had been saying for the last few years, "We need to get back into church"...easy to say of course, but not so easy to dedicate ourselves to. I told him more than once I would go to Mass with him. I would decide later if it was right for me or not. And he was open to trying other churches. I went to church with him for about a year before I decided, "Yes, this is for me". I had been to SEVERAL churches throughout my life but never felt the way I did now. We found out when the next RCIA sessions were starting and we BOTH started going. Yes, Mike was already Catholic but wanted to support me by being by my side through all of it. And he was....He came to every meeting with me. This was also good for him b/c he had fallen out of church for a few years while he was in the Army. He learned just as much as I did. While I was going through my life changing process of converting, my mother-in-law was sick with Cancer. She passed before my Confirmation day. You take a "Confirmation" name in the Catholic Church when you are confirmed. Most pick the name of a Saint, one that has played a role in their lives, or maybe they feel a connection to. However, I decided to pick someone that had a HUGE influence on my life and my decision to become Catholic. This person was my mother-in-law, Judy. She was a devout Catholic woman. She was the Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, Mother-in-Law.....everything I could only hope I could be someday. Her name was Judith Eileen. I took the name of Judith Eileen on my Confirmation Day. When Father blessed my forehead with the Oil of Confirmation he said those words that brought tears to my eyes (and my husbands), the words we had both longed to hear...."I confirm you, Judith Eileen...." That was truly one of the most happiest moments of my life so far. And I could feel Judy with me. The entire night I knew she was there watching both Mike and I. It was a night words can't explain.
And there's also my Step daughter Charlisse, or Charlie....another blessing in our lives. Charlie is the spitting image of her father. Some days I cannot believe how much she looks like him. =) She has beautiful, shiny red hair. She will be turning 7 soon, on November 27th. I can still remember when I first started dating Mike and she was hardly 2 yrs! Where does the time go? I cannot believe how she has grown when I look back at her pictures. We don't get to see her as often as we would like to. She lives in CA with her mom. She LOVES Disney princesses! And she knows Disneyland like the back of her hand! That's the perk of living down the street from Disneyland....every child's dream! She is so smart! And I'm not just bragging...she really is unbelievably smart! I remember a couple years ago when she told Mike she was going to be a Palentologist when she grew up! Of course I was first taken back by the fact she knew what one was....I think she was 5 or so??? Whenever we get to go visit her we enjoy doing things such as going to the beach, park and aquarium. I have to admit...I too...LOVE the aquariums!!!
I've been married to my wonderful husband Mike for 3 years now. I know that God sent him to me. He has changed my life so much since first meeting him and all for the better. I am a completely different person. I would probably not be in a good place if not for him. He has shown me what a "Husband" should be. Sometimes I'm in awe at him. He loves me so much even when I think I don't deserve it. Words that describe him are: Loyal, Faithful, Understanding, Non-Judgmental, Honest, Father, Partner, Laid back, Smart, Optimistic, Spiritual....I could go on and on all night. Sometimes I wonder how he got stuck with me...=) A good friend of mine told me once we go together b/c we balance each other out. For example where he's relaxed and laid back most of the time, I am stressed or worried all the time. He always sees the glass half full and as hard as I try 75% of the time I see it half empty. He brings me back to reality and I realize I am truly blessed in my life and the world is not going to end b/c of what ever I'm freaking out about. There are a lot of things we're completely opposite about, and a lot we're the same. It keeps things fun and interesting though. =)
We had been married for 2 years when I decided to inquire about the RCIA process in the Catholic Church. RCIA in a nut-shell is the adult confirmation process in the Catholic Church. It's forever long...approx 9 months give or take...but very much worth it. Mike was raised Catholic and all of his family is Catholic. This was never a problem for us me not being Catholic. Yes, there are some that think I only did it b/c he was. But those who truly know me, know that was not the case. I would have done it along time ago if I felt that way. Anyway, Mike and I had been saying for the last few years, "We need to get back into church"...easy to say of course, but not so easy to dedicate ourselves to. I told him more than once I would go to Mass with him. I would decide later if it was right for me or not. And he was open to trying other churches. I went to church with him for about a year before I decided, "Yes, this is for me". I had been to SEVERAL churches throughout my life but never felt the way I did now. We found out when the next RCIA sessions were starting and we BOTH started going. Yes, Mike was already Catholic but wanted to support me by being by my side through all of it. And he was....He came to every meeting with me. This was also good for him b/c he had fallen out of church for a few years while he was in the Army. He learned just as much as I did. While I was going through my life changing process of converting, my mother-in-law was sick with Cancer. She passed before my Confirmation day. You take a "Confirmation" name in the Catholic Church when you are confirmed. Most pick the name of a Saint, one that has played a role in their lives, or maybe they feel a connection to. However, I decided to pick someone that had a HUGE influence on my life and my decision to become Catholic. This person was my mother-in-law, Judy. She was a devout Catholic woman. She was the Daughter, Mother, Grandmother, Mother-in-Law.....everything I could only hope I could be someday. Her name was Judith Eileen. I took the name of Judith Eileen on my Confirmation Day. When Father blessed my forehead with the Oil of Confirmation he said those words that brought tears to my eyes (and my husbands), the words we had both longed to hear...."I confirm you, Judith Eileen...." That was truly one of the most happiest moments of my life so far. And I could feel Judy with me. The entire night I knew she was there watching both Mike and I. It was a night words can't explain.
This Life changing process meant so much to us that we decided to return the next year, but as Sponsors. In RCIA, each person is given a Sponsor. A Sponsor basically is just a friend that is already Catholic. They become very close to you throughout the next few months and are there to answer any questions you might have, or find the answers for you. My sponsor is now one of my best friends. So, we return to RCIA the next year =) We are paired up with a married couple. Wow!, another life changing experience. We now got to watch not only 2 more people make the decision to bring God into their lives, but we got to watch a married couple grow together. It was so wonderful to watch these to learn and grow. Both of them were looking for a change in their lives and searching for faith. And not only were they going through this, they had a baby girl. They were making a commitment for their family. Mike and I got to know Tonya and Adam and became good friends. Now, Tonya had never been baptized so part of her RCIA process included Baptism. I, being Tonya's Sponsor, was also considered her Godmother at her Baptism. Tonya was so so so excited about being Baptized. It was truly a blessing to watch her receive the Sacrament of Baptism. I was already baptized years ago, so I wasn't Baptized again when I went through Confirmation. So the second time around I was getting to see things from a different perspective. Her husband, Adam, was already Baptized as a child. Being by their sides on their confirmation night was another blessing. Tonya cried as she was confirmed and this brought tears to my eyes. I was so happy for her.
Next, would come another life changing experience for both Mike and I. Tonya and Adam asked us to be Megan's Godparents! My heart jumped when she asked me. She had sent me an email asking me and I hardly got through the email when I realized what she was asking and I almost jumped out of my chair at work. Godparents...."Wow"...now that's an honor! I love hearing stories from my husband about his Godparents and the influence they have had on his life. They were very close. It wasn't just one of those...."Oh my Godparents are so and so"...they were actually parents to him too. They were in his life as much as possible. They were 2nd parents to him. I find his relationship with his Godparents truly amazing. And now I would receive that blessing......the opportunity to be a Godmother! Wow!!! I guess technically I was already Tonya's Godmother but this is a little different... =) Of course I responded YES YES YES!!!! and Thank you! =) It was an honor and a blessing to be there when Megan was Baptized. It was an honor to stand there by her parents and make a commitment along with them to Megan. I framed a picture of Mike with his Godparents for Megan as one of her Baptism gifts. Mike was 1 year old in the picture. It was a professional picture his Godparents had made with him. I wanted Megan to have it. Someday, I know it will mean so much to her....not that it doesn't now....but when she's older and looks back it will be a wonderful keepsake.
Here is another picture of her...is she not the cutest thing ever?!?..... =) She is adorable and will be 2 years old on Dec. 1st. I'm sure Tonya thinks she's growing way too fast!....haha.... We had dinner with them a few weeks ago and I hadn't seen Megan for a couple months. Oh my gosh!...had she changed! She was talking...or attempting to talk.... =) and her facial expressions were cracking me up. She has learned the facial expressions for things such as: Happy, Sad, Angry, Surprised (my fave!!!).....you just tell her which face to make and she does! It is so cute. We ate at a Mexican resturant and she eats soft tacos, no lettuce. She still likes Mike's bald head! And we had fun trying to get her to say our names. Tonya emailed me the other day with a picture of Megan's new big girl bed. She is moving up to a toddler day bed and she picked it out herself!!!! I believe Tonya is re-doing her room in Dora decals too. Megan loves Dora!! What little girl doesn't.... =)
Here is another picture of her...is she not the cutest thing ever?!?..... =) She is adorable and will be 2 years old on Dec. 1st. I'm sure Tonya thinks she's growing way too fast!....haha.... We had dinner with them a few weeks ago and I hadn't seen Megan for a couple months. Oh my gosh!...had she changed! She was talking...or attempting to talk.... =) and her facial expressions were cracking me up. She has learned the facial expressions for things such as: Happy, Sad, Angry, Surprised (my fave!!!).....you just tell her which face to make and she does! It is so cute. We ate at a Mexican resturant and she eats soft tacos, no lettuce. She still likes Mike's bald head! And we had fun trying to get her to say our names. Tonya emailed me the other day with a picture of Megan's new big girl bed. She is moving up to a toddler day bed and she picked it out herself!!!! I believe Tonya is re-doing her room in Dora decals too. Megan loves Dora!! What little girl doesn't.... =)
And there's also my Step daughter Charlisse, or Charlie....another blessing in our lives. Charlie is the spitting image of her father. Some days I cannot believe how much she looks like him. =) She has beautiful, shiny red hair. She will be turning 7 soon, on November 27th. I can still remember when I first started dating Mike and she was hardly 2 yrs! Where does the time go? I cannot believe how she has grown when I look back at her pictures. We don't get to see her as often as we would like to. She lives in CA with her mom. She LOVES Disney princesses! And she knows Disneyland like the back of her hand! That's the perk of living down the street from Disneyland....every child's dream! She is so smart! And I'm not just bragging...she really is unbelievably smart! I remember a couple years ago when she told Mike she was going to be a Palentologist when she grew up! Of course I was first taken back by the fact she knew what one was....I think she was 5 or so??? Whenever we get to go visit her we enjoy doing things such as going to the beach, park and aquarium. I have to admit...I too...LOVE the aquariums!!!
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