Pump It Up!

Today the kids had a Birthday party to attend at an indoor jump park called Pump It Up.  My oldest was fine on his own, but my younger two were scared of everything... and yet wanted to do everything so guess who got to lift a 4 year old and 2 year old through inflatable obstacle courses for a good hour and a half?!  Yup, me!  Seriously, I was exhausted and SO sweaty... but it was fun!

I saw a friend of mine at the party that I haven't seen in a few weeks and the first thing she said was "Wow, you look great!"  I think she could see I've lost weight!  I wasn't expecting it, as I thought the rule of thumb was something like 8 weeks??  What's the saying?   Hold on..........

here it is:

So anyhow, it was a nice, reassuring surprise to hear that it's working!!

If hauling 2 kiddos through inflatables for an hour and a half wasn't work out enough, then my oldest came home and decided it was time to take off the training wheels on his bike!  UGH, my back!!!   

Seriously.  I. hurt. every. where!!!  

Got an email on Facebook today from my friend Daniel with some links to a great website that helped him lose 30 pounds!!  So awesome, congrats and good job to Daniel and thanks for sharing!    

Here's the links he sent me if you're interested:

Online Fitness community and to track your progress (Facebook for Fitness)
http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/

Nutrition Information and Ideas
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbmainnut.htm

Women Specific Information
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/women.htm

Real Life Transformation Stories and how/why they did it.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=FemaleTransformation

I'm really impressed and inspired with the amount of good information and healthy living amongst my peers!  And to think, I'd have had no idea had I not gone public with my goals.  So while it's a little humiliating to reveal the truth online about how much I've gained, I'd say the trade offs in help and encouragement I've received have been worth it!

Thanks again, Daniel and all of my friends who have been so helpful and supportive, it means a lot!

More New Ways of Do'n Things...

Dr. Matt is a Plethora of good information!  Check out this sweet website link he hooked me up with to help you track your workouts, food and caloric intake, and more!  Thanks again Dr. Matt! :)

http://www.livestrong.com/thedailyplate/

Today I was discussing healthy eating over the phone with my Mom and she mentioned a machine she saw on TV that does it all... and I realized she was describing the Vita Mix Blender, my good friend Carey has one!  I have been wanting one ever since she had us over for dinner and I witnessed it in action!  She took whole veggies and butternut squash and made us a delicious and nutricious hot soup in minutes, in this thing! 

So healthy, so quick and so easy!  (AND SO Pricey) but I bet it will pay for itself before too long since it has a 5 year warranty and there are endless things you can do with it.  Including making hot soups, frozen smoothies, juice, peanut butter, bread, you name it!  Whole, healthy foods, ... quick and easy! 
(P.S. They're paying me nothing to say this, (I wish they were) ;) it's just really that awesome... it's going to be my new favorite thing I can tell already)

I hesitated on the price but my Mom knew it was an awesome thing and that I would use it a ton with a growing family, and she would use it a ton while canning when she comes to visit durring harvest... so she is pitching in for my Birthday!  Thanks Mom, I love you! :)  I ordered it today and I can't wait for it to get here!  For now on it's healthy, whole eating from scratch around here... as much as humanly possible!

Here's a demo if you'd like to check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOcKnX5SKb8

The Scale MOVED!! :)

YIPPEEEEEE!!!!  :)

After 3 whole weeks of no movement, other than gaining 2 pounds over St. Paddy's Day weekend... I have finally seen the scale go down... albeit it's only 2 pounds... but hey, I'll take it!  2 Pounds is 2 pounds closer to my goal!  I started at 190... I'm now 176... that's 14 down (36 to go) ... look at me doing math! ;)

So,  I've gotta share with you my latest recipe finds... that we all loved!!

My friend, Raquel brought it to my attention that spaghetti squash makes a great substitute for pasta... as I have been missing my empty, comfort food, starchy carbs... you know.... potatoes, noodles, chips, etc...

and so I decided to give it a shot!

Started by cutting open the squash and scooping out the seeds (I used 4 squash, for my whole family).  Cook the squash in 1/4 inch of water til' soft then scrap it out into a pan with a fork, or cut it up like noodles.  

While it's cooking I sauteed an onion and garlic (I did 4 cloves, love garlic), cayenne pepper to taste (cayenne pepper burns fat*bonus*) and salt to taste (or for us, Mrs. Dash), OH and some fresh thyme.  

I sauteed them in olive oil, sprayed instead of poured.  

In a casserole dish, I spread out the squash noodles, on top I poured a mixture of lowfat grated cheddar cheese and lowfat sour cream (1/4 cup) of each, spread my sauteed onions on top and covered with another 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese and some cut up green onions!  

Bake it for 15 minutes at 350 degrees... and then try to tell me it's not a comfort food?!  Delish!

On the side I made cauliflower pancakes.  Again, wash, cut and cook your cauliflower til' soft in a little water.  Smash it up, mix it together with an egg or two, depending on if you use half the head of cauliflower or the whole thing.  Add salt (or Mrs. Dash) to taste, 1/2 cup of lowfat grated cheddar, and again, cayenne pepper to taste.  Sautee for 3 minutes on each side! These were amazing!!  My kids wanted 2nds, and 3rds but I had to cut them off for fear that their little tummy's might get to painful with gas bubbles!

For dessert, yep, I'm allowed that now that dark chocolate is not only heart smart but also helps to burn fat.... I found these cute little cake lollipop molds at Five Below.  I made an oil-less, butter-less cake mix using my Mom's homemade applesauce instead.  Melted dark chocolate and milk in double boiler (next time I'll use less milk, mine came out a little too runny/gooey... but we ate them anyway) and rolled the cake balls in crushed peanuts, almonds and sprinkles!  The kids had a blast doing this with me and I've discovered they will do just about anything for a cake ball... including sweeping my floors! ;)

I had two and I was satisfied.  Sweet tooth happy, weightloss happy.  Win-Win!!

Get'n Foxy on the "Mighty Fox" River

I've lived in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for 6 years now... and only 2.5 miles from the GIT (Grand Illinois Trail) a beautiful trail of over 575 miles!  I knew it existed thanks to my Brother In Law Joel who is an avid biker and probably knows about every path on the continent?!   But ask me how many times (before today) I've actually gone to see it?
None.  Yep, none.  Why?  I have no idea!  It's gorgeous out there, what the heck have I been doing?

And Dr. Matt... you'll be glad to know I am SERIOUSLY considering a good bike purchase now after seeing this path today!  It's just too much to see, and too far to go on foot!  I'm enticed and I want to see more!
Joel, Matt... and anyone else out there reading who loves a good bike ride... come on out!

http://chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/summer2003/weekendexplorer.html

It was a gorgeous day today, in the 60's but sunny, perfect for a good run!  The Fox River was invigorating as was the breeze off of it!  The birds were singing, blossoms were blooming, butterflies flying... I forgot my ipod and didn't miss it!  Spring sounded absolutely beautiful!

I enjoyed an easy and fairly quick 5 miles ... something about some new scenery does wonders for your spirits and your stride!  My foot didn't even bother me today!  It was an absolutely perfect day!
(and again, wish there were more like today)  ... normally it's tougher, but days like today go a long way in helping you push on through!

Here are some pictures from the day:

Oh Crap... Was That Today?!

Today was a deadline.  A Deadline for something kinda big.  Something I hope I wont always wonder "what if" about.  Something, I don't think I was able to blog about but I think I'm safe in doing so now... that I missed the deadline.

So here it goes.

When I started this blog... if you've been following, you know I only did so with the intentions of having an outlet for my thoughts and emotions while I train for this 15k, a way to be held accountable and/or receive advice by you guys... my family and friends.  A place to journal what I'm putting in my body to become more aware.
As a bonus, I was hoping that this process of change would inspire a new found respect and bond with my oldest son who until now has not been that impressed with his old Ma!
And finally, I was hoping to inspire others along the way... which I hope I have!

I can honestly say that after one months time... this blog has already served it's purpose... and more!

Something came about that I never saw coming.  A couple weeks ago I received an email from a Television Producer.  I almost deleted it with out reading... figuring it to be spam or something.
Nope, she found my blog on BlogHer and asked me to apply for this new weight loss show they're doing on Oxygen to air this fall.

Qualifications needed were to be between the ages of 20-35.  Check.
Must need to lose at least 50 pounds.  Check.
Must have a big personality!  Ummm, Check, I think!?
Then she said the words:
"Over the Top!" "Fierce" and "Sassy!"   Hmmmmm !?????

To which the Brave Husband quickly decided, "You are not what they are looking for!"
Hmmm again.

I'm not sure whether I was hurt or complimented by him saying this.
I suppose it depends on what you mean by 'over the top, fierce and sassy!?'  If you mean obnoxious & annoying?  Then I'll take that as a compliment.

Then we went to see Hunger Games over the weekend and on the way out he said, "Katniss reminds me of you!  You'd be just like her!"
Katniss for those who have been living under a rock and haven't yet read or seen Hunger Games (I kid) is the main character.   I considered that a compliment... but it only confused me further.
Katniss, I would say is pretty fierce, sassy, and dare I say over the top, No!?

Well, I was supposed to have my written application along with a video sent in by today... and seeing as I've completed neither... I guess I've let the opportunity pass me by.  I'm not sure how I feel about it.

I'm not sure if I really wanted it or not... or if I was just so honored to be considered and contacted in the first place!  I was more excited that a TV Producer read my blog and liked it enough to contact me!  That, to me, was more encouraging and exciting then being on TV.  The idea of being on TV kinda gives me anxiety.  So I don't know... I do know I spent almost an entire week now trying to decide if I was what they were looking for or not... or if they were what I was looking for or not... until the opportunity just passed me by.  Oh well.  It's true Mel fashion to procrastinate and examine something to death... and do nothing.  :/  Boo me.

Water...With A Twist of Happy! :)

Today was a day of running my errands... I ran to the store to get groceries... ran to the school to pick up the boys... and the library to return a book!  After dinner we went for a walk, the 3 kids and I... down to the neighborhood field to watch the big kids play frisbee golf.  It was a good day!  Productive and a good amount of walking/jogging mixed in.

I had a craving for a Chef's salad today so I started hard boiling some eggs and picked up all the ingredients I'd need while at the store!  It took a while to get it together, but it was worth it!  So nummy!  If you use a nonfat, light dressing (I like Italian), and a reduced fat cheese (or no cheese) it's not too bad for you either!  And if you're like me (and you sometimes get tired of just drinking water)... then throw in some fruit, or cucumber... and voila!
Super yummy, and so pretty!!  (since we eat and drink with our eyes first, right?!)  :)

Have You Heard The Word?!

Be still my heart... not only can dark chocolate help your heart... chocolate can also help you lose weight!
Scientists at the University California San Diego completed a study in which out of 1,000 participants, those that ate more chocolate had lower BMI's.

http://fitbie.msn.com/lose-weight/can-chocolate-help-you-lose-weight

Pinch me, I'm dreaming right?!  Two very good reasons to eat more chocolate (within reason of course).   See, I knew there was a reason I crave chocolate! ;)

In other good news... I have been educated in the world of Starbucks.  It may not seem like a big deal, but I'm in a book club now that is meeting there once a week I want to be sure that I'm ordering the lower calorie, lower fat options of what I love.  So the nice lady behind the counter was kind enough to teach me the difference between a 'skinny' verses 'light'... skinny has sweet n low instead of sugar, light has sugar, you can have skim milk and/or soy.  Both do not have whipped cream... so my order for now on will be as such: decaf light mocha frap grande.

I speak Starbucks!  :)  Welcome to the world, Mel!  Now if I could just get smart enough to figure out  my smart phone... I should probably start by charging it... that would be good!

This week, Spring Break is over and it's back to the grind!  I'm actually looking forward to getting back onto our routines.  I think I'm going to exercise every day this week... even if it's on the wii, or elliptical, something every day for at least a half hour.   I need to make up for all the slacking off I did on break!  Cheerio folks, cheerio! ;)