The Gift of Something New

New Traditions are taking place in our home this year.

We will not spend any time with my family back home, 

as I have done every year since I was born.

BUT... We have James home, (not deployed), this year!

(That in itself is something to be Thankful for!)

I WILL NOT mind how the Christmas tree looks.

(We will decorate as a family tomorrow evening.

While we listen to Christmas songs, drink hot chocolate, 

 

and clutter the tree, unevenly, with ornaments )

I will enjoy it... 

 

And I will wrap packages this week...

 

to go along with the ones stitched onto my tree skirt. 

What's important is that we are together as a family 

this HOLIDAY season.

Enjoy yours.

Remember the REASON for the SEASON!!

 

 

Blessings

1. The weekend was spent with friends in Maryland. I truly miss living there.

2. When I weighed in this week, I about died.

3. So I started to walk again today, so I wouldn't.

4. The Holidays are creeping up on us, with THANKSGIVING on Thursday.

5. Dinner menu includes..... Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Blueberry salad, Pumpkin and Apple Pies, and Cranberry Sauce. (The kind that an 8 year old would like.)

6. I am thankful for my family around the world. I miss them, tremendously!!

7. I received a package from my MOM today. She spent a fortune on shipping, and I could absolutely smack her upside the head! But she knew how important to me it was to have something from home for Thanksgiving. Thanks MOM!!

 8. We should all count our blessings, and love our family both near and far.

 9. Happy Holidays!

Weight

It's SKY-ROCKETed.

Totally OUT OF CONTROL. and unexcusable.

I don't think I've weighed this much since two weeks BEFORE giving birth to Owen.

Seriously...

It's time to stop the MADNESS!!

Who's With Me??

PS... Please continue to keep friends,

 Wayne and Val Koop , 

 in your prayers. 

Check out her blog,

(She's a phenomenal photographer!) 

AND

 you may want

 to bring along a kleenex. ;o)

Sold Separately

Getting our middle son

to take a shower

seems to be

 the 

END OF THE WORLD!!!

(at least for him.)

(Sorry, it's SOOC!)

I was so thankful

when we lived in Hawaii..

I knew he'd shower without a fuss

after we went to the beach. 

No one likes to CHAFE.

But today.... I struggle with that little mess maker.

 And today.... he got WISE with his reply when I told him I am really not

fond of his messes, while walking through the store making 

the tremendously long Christmas list that he has.

"Mom... I come with the messes, and the messes come with me.

Showers are sold separately!!"

Well said, O.. Well said.

Being Grateful

I'm 

at my

wit's end 

with my kids

who continue to

be UNGRATEFUL!!

This is NOT how I've 

raised them. Or is it???

I would like nothing more

than to produce words of how

they mind their manners, and do

not talk back, pick up after them-

selves and do chores without having

to be reminded...It's just not that way.

UGH!! I am
grateful 
that they
are mine.

On a happier note....

We went to Maryland this weekend and spent time

with our neighbors... This is something I've been missing.

 It's November, yet the flowers are STILL

budding.

So chilly we could see our breath.

But you can't. ;o)

On with my day. I hope yours is great, too.

Mountains

Profound words escape my cluttered mind.

I want to tell you it will all be okay.

Praying for a miracle..

  Hoping for the best.......

Just as everyone else has offered up.

Giving you words of enCOURAGEment....

From the outside looking in there is strength displayed in every word you write.

But I know you need someone else's strength....

To help you continue being the beautiful, loving, caring, STRONG woman you are.

 Someone else to have the STRENGTH for you.

 Relieving the weight on your shoulders.

One and only one can do this for us....

the Lord, Jesus Christ.

 The mountain you are facing....

You don’t have to climb over it. 

Look to Him, and LET Him carry you over that mountain. 

He loves you very much.... never to betray you.

HE will always be there for you, my sister.

Don’t lose hope.

XOXOXO

Make Me Smile

It's been awhile since I have w r i t t e n anything on here.
3 whole months to be exact.

I've spent some of the day editing photos that I have been meaning to for quite some time.

We are doing fine... all of us.

We've moved, again... in case you didn't know.

I haven't been keeping up on facebook...Regardless of how useful it can be... it can cause hurt feelings.

And I don't want to go there.

He's growing up too fast.

I hope to be feeling more like my old self soon which will lead me to post more often.

For now, these are some things that make me smile.

DONT GIVE UP

Today I just want you to say a lot of prayers for my friend, V and her husband W.

Never take today for granted.

I've been career hunting again... it's always a process.

Still biking; Making the loop twice. Burning tons of calories from the various inclines along the way. Not Giving Up!!

Going to my first Major League game today... Watching the Angels and Orioles. Sitting behind visitor dugout.. wearing RED for my husband's team... the ANGELS... fitting because there needs to be some A's with V&W. Watch for me and my long hair!! ;o)

Please, Please, Please.... Keep my friends in your prayers, and if you have a prayer chain in your church, please add them.

XOXO to all of you!

Don't give up!

On the Wagon

Oh, it seems like I can't get up the motivation to get my HIND-END up in the morning.... And it's probably because the heat index is usually 5-10 degrees higher, and 70%+ humidity!! Im looking forward to some cool days ahead to jumpstart this program, again. I've pretty much made up my mind if it's too HOT and HUMID to go outside, I will drive up to the Naval Academy and run in the air conditioning.

GREAT job to those of you who ran 5Ks this weekend!! My day will come... I just know it! Update me on how you did.

Thanks again to all of you who are so supportive! You give me inspiration!!

Don't. Give. Up.

Slump

WOW!! Why does it feel like the summer is almost over??

The boys will be home in THREE weeks!!!

The "new" body I was supposed to have is still hiding!!!

"COME OUT, COME OUT....Where ever you are!!!"

Gold Stars to all of you who have been running and starting/finishing races!!

It is my hope that when you are rounding that long stretch and thinking you can't make it

You reach deep within your soul and remember...

Don't. Give. Up.

What's In a Bike?

 One light weight Cannondale bike frame

 Two of the thinnest tires I have ever seen in my life

 18 gears to keep me going up those tough inclines along the water

 One headlamp which prevents me from getting run over by cars backing out

of their drive at 430AM!! (who else gets up that early??)

 Two sets of brakes; refer to #4.

 One water bottle/holder; Hydration is a MUST!!

 One biking pocket;  keeps my iphone rain-free

 Infinite measure of love from my husband, who put it together

I AM BLESSED!!

Don't Give Up!!

Find something else if what you're doing doesn't work.

I started out walking this morning, but found I am still having random pain in my ankle and knee.

Is this the sign of old age???

I turned around and headed back to the house after only doing a half mile.

As I approached the house, I kept thinking I should just drive up to the gym in Annapolis and go lift.

But I was determined to get some cardio in.....

SO.....

I took two Ibuprofen and hopped on the bike and did my route.

I can't put into words how it made me feel knowing I wasn't going to quit this morning, and push on through.

GOOD...

Doesn't even begin to describe it.

All I have to say

IS

DON'T. GIVE. UP.

A NEW BFF

I had stepped away a couple days from running

due to blisters that have formed

on my precious feet.

That is... until three days ago.

My mother-in-law... (the gem she is)....

recommended

 Moleskin.

I think I've found my new BFF!!

Happy Running/Walking/whatever it is that you are doing to stay healthy!!!

Don't. Give. Up.

As Promised

Yesterday, we attended a Naval Retirement Ceremony,

for one of the ACINT riders at ONI.

I heard words like "GOLLY" and "GEE WHIZ" come out of

a man's mouth who swore like

WELL....

a SAILOR!

His words of his family's encouragement brought tears to my eyes.

Frankly... there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Also attending were many Admirals and Commanders, bearing

gifts of farewell.

Members of the Royal British and Royal Australian Navies were there

to HONOR this man who had dedicated his life

to serve our GREAT NATION,

and who had helped improve their countries Naval Fleets.

There is a saying that goes like this...

"Behind Every Great Man, Stands A Great Woman".

I am PROUD to be a NAVY WIFE!!

Changing

I will preface this with saying I am not a fitness expert and will claim to know very little about the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to living healthy.

With that being said..... let's get to it.

You aren't seeing the scale move. Everyday it becomes your obsession. You know in your heart of hearts that you are giving it your all. AND.... YET.... you don't see those numbers fall.

Let me tell you that it's basic physiology. Muscle weighs more than FAT. There is NOTHING you can do about it. So STOP looking at the scale. Put it away for the month, and enjoy how your body is changing and your clothes are starting to fit differently on you.

Then, AND I MEAN ONLY THEN, in a MONTH........... pull that scale back out and see where you are at. The "optimal" weight loss for a month is 2 lbs a week. If you are looking for something more than that... STOP what you are doing and refer back to line 6. It's no joke, folks.

IN OTHER NEWS

Yesterday, I bought my first size 12 dress. It's been over 9 years since I have been able to fit into a size 12 ANYTHING.                              

NINE YEARS PEOPLE!!!

I will post photos tomorrow. So until then......

DON'T. GIVE. UP.

The view

Who wouldn't want to get up and see this every morning??

That's just ONE of the reasons I am up and out the door by 5:30.

Regardless of how tired I am I

DON"T. GIVE. UP.

I am now running almost 3 miles, but going 6. I am walking/running the whole way;

Alternating at the points where

I need to get that really deep

breath in.

6 weeks ago, I couldn't run 1 ful block without having to stop.

Thank you for your support and encouragement!!

I might make it to that 1/2 marathon in September afterall.

Don't. Give. Up.

To Whom It May Concern.... (you know who you are)

I know you took your commenting ability off...

and for good reason, I will give you that.

But....

How else am I going to share with you that I, too, made BLTs this weekend?

And who doesn't just LOVE the Food Network's easy access

To some REALLY great food???

The waiting game is the hardest, I am finding out.

Expect the worst, but pray for the best??

Makes you enjoy the time, regardless the mood either are in.

The boys leave for Colorado on Thursday....

I've been asked WHAT on EARTH am I going TO do WITH myself??

I suppose I will be lonely, however we all have webcams

I'm sure alot of SKYPING will be done.

The day is gloomy; a fitting mood.

Be WELL. Know that I am thinking of you. Be BLESSED; for you are loved.

Remember....

Don't. Give. Up.

he LOVES me.... he LOVES me knot

Recently my husband ran out of body wash, which I normally purchase for him,

but on a trip to the market Sunday morning

he purchased his own; a new kind, and one that he normally uses.

The first time I took a "whiff" of the new kind

I knew that I would not like it as well as I did the old... maybe I'm stuck

in my "old" ways??....

James asked how I liked the new scent, and I was pretty frank with him...

it WAS NOT him!

At least it was not the aroma I was used to.

Last night after my run, to which I came home and found he had already showered, I started the shower

and stepped inside, and inhaled deeply....

You know... like when you are smooching your love and your souls are connecting....

I grinned ear to ear.

he LOVES me!!

I love this man with all of my heart. It's little things like this that make our love grow.

Have a Blessed Day!!

Don't. Give. Up.

Update

Yesterday my husband put the bikes together, from when the movers had taken them apart.

Yes... It's been a month. ;o)

I also set out to start two-a-days, not including the little bike ride we went on together.

So Much Fun!! And who knew how sore my WOOHAA would be today from the seat???

This morning I must have needed that extra sleep because I hit snooze twice

Then turned the alarm off.... all together.

But who wouldn't want to get up

to this view???

Apparently, it was ME!!

( Maybe after I take R2 into the car doctor

I will catch up on the workout

that I missed

this

am)

I have to remember that giving up is not an option!!

So Do You!!

Don't. Give. Up.

My family

I love him for so many reasons... but most of all it's because he can make me laugh when I want to cry.

And those boys.... Well, they are heaven sent!!

We all should be grateful for the land we live in, and the men and women who

served and continue to serve our country.

He makes me proud to be his mother.

His smile melts my heart.

And those arms... nothing beats being all wrapped up in them.

I am blessed to have this family of mine.... I hope you are blessed with yours!

Week Three

This is WEEK 3 for me.

It seems so hard to keep up the motivation.

I watched week 17 of the Biggest Loser... and THAT, my friends,

Is MOTIVATION!!!

Giving up is NOT an option!!

My weight has remained the same, and I won't remeasure until the begining of week 5.

Pledge to Get Healthy... and

Don't. Give. Up.

A Simple Smile

Two weeks ago my husband was hit into a semi, which then proceeded to run over the right side of the R32.

After, what probably seemed like a lifetime for him, he decided he was going to purchase another R.

And to see him smile again...

Well, that's something no photo could capture.

You just had to be there.

Don't. Give. Up

Motivation

That's what I need. That's what I need to give you. That's what we need to give each other.

M.O.T.I.V.A.T.I.O.N.

What gives you the motivation to get up each day and commit to being healthy??

Today, I could have easily given up when doing AB RIPPER X...

But....

Instead I chose three little words that have become the center of my universe.

I pass them on to you..........

D.O.N.'T.  G.I.V.E.  U.P.

(PS... You know who you are that passed it on to me!!
 I thank you from the bottom of my heart! )

Weighted Walking

Yesterday I started walking with 2 lb hand weights/dumbbells. 

Believe it or not.... today I am a little sore.

I remember a day when I would giggle

at the speed walkers

 who would go zipping by

 carring their weights.

Now...

 I am one of those weight carrying fools.

And, you know what???

It Feels Great!!

Don't. Give. Up.

I'm a L.O.S.E.R.

One Week

Over 1500 Ab Ripper Situps

20 miles on the books

7 days of eating sensibly

And a LOT of help from Tony Horton and his team

What does that equal??

It equals me losing over 7.7 LBS AND 9 INCHES off my body!!

So, YES.............. I AM A L.O.S.E.R.  and I am proud to be one!!

Don't. Give. Up.

You're Beautiful

Dove

As hard as it is somedays to stay motivated due to life's happenings.... Here is one thing to remember.

You ARE Beautiful!! In every single way.

Curious, I was, so I measured my thighs. I'm down a 1/2 inch on both, and it's just been 5 days.

DON'T. GIVE. UP.

Sample Menu

Why is it that when you want to find something you can't? I have been looking for two weeks for my nutrition guide to P90X and I can not find it. Which box has not been left unturned??!??

Here is a sample menu of 1600 calories. I can't stress enough how important it is to eat 5-6 times a day. Why is that? It boost your metabolism, and doesn't make it feel like you are starving yourself. In conjunction with moderate exercise you can see some great results. Just remember.... DON'T GIVE UP!! You might not see results for 3-4 weeks. Keep on truckin along!

Breakfast


Amount              Item              Protein               Carbs                  Fats                 Calories

12 ounces coffee-w/caffeine        0.40                  1.40                     0.00                    8.00

1 cup                Milk                    8.00               11.00                     5.00                120.00

1 tbps cream,fluid,half and half    0.44                 0.65                       1.73                  19.55

1.5 cups cheerios                         4.50               34.50                      3.00                165.00

Total:                                         12.98               46.26                      9.73                305.22

AM Snack

1 each apple-medium with peel     0.30                21.10                 0.00                    81.00

Total:                                          0.30                 21.10                 0.00                    81.00

Lunch

2 each bread whole wheat-slice    6.00                24.00                 2.00                   140.00

1 each orange-medium                 1.10                17.40                 0.30                     69.00

.15 cup mayo                               0.32                 8.47                11.77                   137.37

2 ounces turkey breast/white meat 17.00             0.00                 0.40                      76.50

12 ounces Coca Cola-diet w/ caffine 0.00           0.40                 0.00                        0.00

Total:                                              24.42         49.96              14.47                     422.87

PM Snack

1 each banana-med.                       1.20               26.70               0.60                       105.00

Total:                                             1.20               26.70                0.60                      105.00

Dinner

5 ounces Halibut - broiled            37.50                 0.00                 5.00                       198.75

1 cup rice-white cook steamed       6.00               62.00                 0.00                       164.00

1 tbps Thousand island-reduced cal. Kraft 0.00    3.00                  1.00                         20.00

1 spear broccoli                                      4.50        7.90                 0.50                         42.00

1 small salad-sm. Garden w/tomato, onion 1.30      9.50                 0.40                         49.00

Total:                                                       84.50   82.40                10.90                        660.75



Grand Total:                                          123.39    226.42            35.70                        1574.84



Grocery List

Food Quantity

Apple - medium with peel 7 each

Banana - medium 8 inch 7 each

Bread whole wheat - slice 14 each

Broccoli 7 spears

Cheerios 10.5 cups

Chicken Breast / White Meat 28 ounces

Coca Cola - diet 84 ounces

Coffee- w/caffeine 84 ounces

Cream, fluid, half and half 7 tablespoons

Halibut - broiled 35 ounces

Mayo type, reg., w/salt 1 cup

Milk - 2 % fat 7 cups

Orange - medium 7 each

Rice - white 7 cups

Salad - small garden 7 small

Thousand island - reduced cal. 7 table spoons

Turkey Breast / White Meat 14 ounces

Give or take fish and chicken; although they are "white meat" the calorie difference isn't that significant. Change the calories up a little if you use chicken. I prefer using Italian on my chicken and eat my salad plain. ALSO... I wouldn't do the diet soda, but I would do the GREEN TEA, which ever kind is available. The little packets you pour into water might work just great!!

If you have some quick meal recipes that you would like to share, please post them here so we can all benefit from what is making you healthy!

Everyone have BLESSED and HEALTHY day!!

PS sorry its unformatted, but at least you get the idea!

FEEL THE BURN

My husband looks at me funny and starts to giggle as I try to shimmy myself up off the couch because my legs are so sore... How'd that happen? I did legs two days ago, and just feel it? I thought I was scott free from the AFTERMATH BURN...

I guess not....

Which brings me to something I want to talk about today. You all are grown adults, maybe not mature, but grown.... You know what you should be eating, and what you shouldn't. HOWEVER... there are plenty of POWER foods out there for you that you may not think about eating.

You need to eat to lose. Sound like a silly concept?? It's completely true, tho!! It's WHAT you eat that matters. I am going to give you what I ate yesterday, and you see what you ate... ARE YOU REALLY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS JOURNEY???

Before I went on my walk, I had a banana, full glass of H2O (Which by the way tastes like the water I grew up on at my Nanna's so it's a comfort food...weird, huh??) with my JMFB pills. When I got back I ate a Thomas multi grain english muffin with 2 tsp of peanut butter and a whey protein drink with strawberries 1/2c milk and 1c apple juice.

For snack I ate a banana. For lunch I ate some California rolls with Wasabi and 1tbs of soy sauce. For my afternoon snack I had picked up some Dry Roasted Edamame (soy beans) at the Fresh Market, which I had about a 1/4 cup.

I splurged at dinner.... I made our favorite... German Style Spaghetti (Spaghetti Carbanara). However I did leave out the heavy whipping cream and just made with the EGGS, Bacon, Parmesean Cheese, and Spaghetti. This is one noodle I can't do wheatly, but can do healthy. AND, it must not have been too bad with the bacon fat because my body didn't have a "REACTION" to it like normal when I eat any fats.. Those of you who have had your gall bladder out may know what I'm talking about.

I did drink a couple glasses of water before and after work yesterday, but my real treat was the SoBe Honey Green Tea that my husband bought for me over the weekend. ( I LOVE THAT MAN... at least most days)

Here's the down low on my two fav new things I have added to my eating:

Dry Roasted Edamame: it comes in different flavors, including Wasabi. only 4gs of Fat, 10gs of Carbs, BUT weighs in with 14gs of PROTEIN and 8gs of FIBER.... which your body needs!!! 1/4c is only 130 calories, and not only makes you feel full, but alleviates those hunger pangs that you get.

SoBe honey Green Tea: ZERO calories (WOOHOO), It isn't called Lean and Mean for nuthin. It boasts about 17 carbs for a 20 ounce bottle. ( I am okay with that because I am not drinking cream with my coffee.) AND need I say more than it's GREEN TEA, which has said to help aide in weightloss???!

Journaling what you've eaten in a day will help you stay accountable. PEOPLE, don't cheat yourselves!! You are SO worth the goals you are trying to attain!

Tell me what you've eaten in the last 24 hours. Be honest. Don't cheat me. Don't Cheat you. Don't give up.

Have a BLESSED HEALTHY DAY

PS... I will try to answer any questions today that may have been posted yesterday and I didn't get to. I have the day off so have a little time. But for now.... I gotta go walk!

WEIGHT LOSS GOALS AND HAPPENINGS THE FIRST FEW DAYS

It's been a journey that I am ready to end.... being out of shape and over weight!


I've been struggling for quite some time to make time to work out and time for myself. Yes, Yes... I know I had all the time in the world when I was in Hawaii... but when my husband was home I wasn't motivated. Even though he is home now, I am motivated more than ever to lose this weight!!


Each day I will try to post what I've done the previous day to help keep you all motivated. Holding each other accountable is also going to help us all in reaching our goals. With that being said... Here is where I am at as of Monday May 17, 2010.


I am taking Jillian Michaels Fat Burner because I purchased it awhile ago, and I hated to see it go to waste. I bought it at GNC, not knowing they were TWICE the cost than at Target. I also have bought some WHEY Protein powder that I am using as meal replacements, adding fruit, water, 2% milk, and ice to. Last night I tried it with banana, and I did NOT like it, but still drank it. I also ate some California rolls... 6 to be exact. Depending on your caloric intake they can be a perfect snack if used in conjunction with your recovery drink. I would really like to SHAKE it up with SHAKEOLOGY, but for now this will have to do.


I also am incorporating P90x workouts into my daily routine. I can't do all of them because my arm still is not healed all the way from last summer, so no push ups for me. I also am walking.


This is what I did yesterday... I was up  and out the door at 6:20. I went for my walk, in the rain, which I am guessing is about 2 miles, maybe more/ maybe less. I haven't driven it yet. However, it feels right around that mileage. After my walk I put in the AB RIPPER CD from P90X, and did that. (It felt incredible and I can actually feel those muscles that are hiding!!) After I got off work and cooked the boys dinner, I did the LEGS AND BACK CD....(I feel those butt muscles today!!)


Today I went for my walk, then did the CHEST SHOULDERS AND TRICEPS CD. I did NOT do the push ups on the ground, which is the main course of that CD, but I did use weights, incorporating other moves that could still be beneficial... ALSO PEOPLE... I use the wall doing standing push ups since my arm has really been bothering me. And then I did AB RIPPER X. ( Tony says you don't need to do it everyday, but Im gunna venture out and say I know some who use it everyday and they look great. )
(It is so embarrasing to post this, mind you, because I haven't been this heavy EVER without being pregnant.)


Starting Weight: 189.9lbs.... Yes, I said it... Can you see how NOT thrilled I am to be almost 200lbs???


Everything is measured in Inches
Neck: 13
Chest: 40 1/2
Left arm (under shoulder, fattest part of arm) : 14
Right arm (under shoulder, fattest part of arm): 14
Left bicep: 13 3/4
Right bicep: 13
Waist: (1" above belly button) 36 1/2
Belly: (at my roundest) 43
Hip: 45 1/2
Buttox (bottom of my cheeks):44 1/4
Left Thigh: 27 1/4
Right Thigh: 27 1/4
Left Calf: 16 1/2
Right Calf: 16




Well... There you have it. I am going to do a photo in a bikini that I would really like to see myself in sometime this summer, just to give you an idea of where I am, and to see the progress on July 18th. the importance of that date is just a friendly bet, and will NOT end my body transformation.


Thank you all for being supportive and encouraging. Feel free to post comments and be supportive who are also trying to shed those comfort pounds. The more supportive we are to each other, the easier it is to feel motivated.


Have a great day you guys!!