I just realized that I did not make any goals last week. I think that may be one reason I had a rough week. That and the fact that I had cruddy news in one form or another nearly every day.
I think I need some specificity this week.
1. Spiritual -- read the scriptures daily, pray twice a day (at least), and read at least one General Conference talk a day.
2. Physical -- get up between 6:00 and 6:15 am and exercise, whether I go running or do one of my boring videos at home. And maybe buy a new video to get past my boredom.
3. Emotional -- have a good cry. I need the catharsis and a good chick flick might just do the trick. But I'll have to watch it alone. I can really use a good, loud sob and I can't really do that with other people around.
4. Mental -- get organized. I need to organize my coupons. Might sound stupid, but the thought of that mess is stressing me out. Also, I need to organize our budget, some paperwork for Josh's work, and prep for our new stupid bathroom. Our bathroom is going to be very pretty, but that doesn't mean I have to like it right now. Maybe I'll go into that more on my home blog tomorrow. If I get some of my other things organized I'll get on that.
How did your goals go? And any suggestions for my Goal 3?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Meal Plan Monday
I do a rough draft menu monthly. I prefer to spend the time just once a month and then I swap stuff out as I find new recipes or defrost my freezer and find long-forgotten food in the bottom (someday we'll get an upright).I sat down and planned out March this weekend. As I did it, I was reminded of a technique that I've been taught in many home organization classes. In very simple terms, you create a list of all the meals/main dishes your family likes. Then when you do menu planning, you can just look at that list and, BAM, menu plan is done. Of course, the idea is to update that master list as you find new meals you like and remove ones that maybe you really don't care for.
I had a master list when we were childless, but I haven't looked at it since having kids. What we eat has changed a lot. Well, maybe not a lot, but I guarantee that we never had chicken nuggets for dinner the first six years we were married!
Doing my big meal plan this weekend made me think that I should recreate that master list. It is so easy to get stuck in the same meals over and over. I know I'm forgetting some really good meal that we all loved, but I have a swiss cheese brain. That master list could help fill in the holes.
And now my meal plan for this week (my crock-pot is going to be busy):
MONDAY: Ham and potatoes in the crock-pot (ham chunks, potato chunks, 2 cans of cream of something soup, a little milk, cream cheese added 10-15 minutes before serving), corn, salad, canned peaches
TUESDAY: Crock-pot Chili (Mindy's award winning recipe), corn bread muffins, salad
WEDNESDAY: BBQ Sandwiches (roast cooked with some sauce in crock pot and then shredded) on hoagie rolls with roasted potatoes, salad, canned pears
THURSDAY: Pumpkin Pancakes (from my freezer supply) and fruit smoothies
FRIDAY: Fast Food Friday
SATURDAY: Homemade Pizza (yep, we do pizza weekly)
SUNDAY: Chicken, Squash, and Sweet Potato Stew (from my freezer supply) with salad and jello
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
This Week on the Biggest Loser
To find this week's episode of the Biggest Loser, go Here or watch it below.
***SPOILER ALERT***
There's a big issue that came up this week, but first I want to cover some of the more trivial items.
First, any time MMA or Randy Couture are mentioned, our house is automatically filled with endorphins. Josh doesn't watch very many sports, but he does enjoy UFC every once in a while. In case you didn't know, the UFC (Ultimate Fighter Championship) is a fighting competition between two competitors at a time and uses Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). So from the get go of this episode, I already liked what was happening. And for Rulon to get a chance to catch up with his trainer for a few minutes was really good to see. I loved watching the Red Team just absolutely kick butt in the training center and loved that they "went back to basics" as one of them said. It was good to do, even though a few of them ended up struggling in the weigh in.
Second, the challenge looked like it would've been fun. Josh said it would be a great YM/YW mutual activity. And once the Red Team got their mojo, they rocked it. A 3 lb advantage seemed to be an incredible prize.... Until the Black Team threw the weigh in.
Third, Cara's willingness to get into the ring to box with Kaylee impressed me. How often do trainers seem to sit to the side and allow the trainee to do all the work while they stand there and tell them what to do? Often, it seems. Cara laced up her gloves and challenged Kaylee to a match. And she didn't hold a lot back. She willingly took several hard punches and allowed Kaylee to learn to literally "fight back." It gave us a new side of Cara. I like her.
So here's the big issue of the episode: Did the parents on the Black Team do the right thing?
They started out with the Team meeting where their codependency became painfully obvious: If I love you, I'll sacrifice myself for you. If it's not obvious, I'll just let you know that I hated this meeting, its purpose and its outcome. Honestly, the parents thought that they needed to take themselves out to save the "kids." Really? Really?? Not only did they jeopardize themselves, but they jeopardized their entire team.
I think Moses hit the nail on the head when he said that they weren't doing the kids any favors by doing that. The better approach was to teach their child to survive and fight back. He and Kaylee had an incredible week. Not because they let someone else take their licks -- and Kaylee's fight with Cara proved she could take her own licks -- but because they came together, pushed through the pain and non-morning-person-ness, and worked hard.
By the end of the episode everyone was emotional, some because they had been "saved" and some because they were just relieved. But where's the accountability? Isn't that why most of us struggle with our weight and other goals? Because we've let ourselves off the hook too many times?
What did you think of that?
***SPOILER ALERT***
There's a big issue that came up this week, but first I want to cover some of the more trivial items.
First, any time MMA or Randy Couture are mentioned, our house is automatically filled with endorphins. Josh doesn't watch very many sports, but he does enjoy UFC every once in a while. In case you didn't know, the UFC (Ultimate Fighter Championship) is a fighting competition between two competitors at a time and uses Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). So from the get go of this episode, I already liked what was happening. And for Rulon to get a chance to catch up with his trainer for a few minutes was really good to see. I loved watching the Red Team just absolutely kick butt in the training center and loved that they "went back to basics" as one of them said. It was good to do, even though a few of them ended up struggling in the weigh in.
Second, the challenge looked like it would've been fun. Josh said it would be a great YM/YW mutual activity. And once the Red Team got their mojo, they rocked it. A 3 lb advantage seemed to be an incredible prize.... Until the Black Team threw the weigh in.
Third, Cara's willingness to get into the ring to box with Kaylee impressed me. How often do trainers seem to sit to the side and allow the trainee to do all the work while they stand there and tell them what to do? Often, it seems. Cara laced up her gloves and challenged Kaylee to a match. And she didn't hold a lot back. She willingly took several hard punches and allowed Kaylee to learn to literally "fight back." It gave us a new side of Cara. I like her.
So here's the big issue of the episode: Did the parents on the Black Team do the right thing?
They started out with the Team meeting where their codependency became painfully obvious: If I love you, I'll sacrifice myself for you. If it's not obvious, I'll just let you know that I hated this meeting, its purpose and its outcome. Honestly, the parents thought that they needed to take themselves out to save the "kids." Really? Really?? Not only did they jeopardize themselves, but they jeopardized their entire team.
I think Moses hit the nail on the head when he said that they weren't doing the kids any favors by doing that. The better approach was to teach their child to survive and fight back. He and Kaylee had an incredible week. Not because they let someone else take their licks -- and Kaylee's fight with Cara proved she could take her own licks -- but because they came together, pushed through the pain and non-morning-person-ness, and worked hard.
By the end of the episode everyone was emotional, some because they had been "saved" and some because they were just relieved. But where's the accountability? Isn't that why most of us struggle with our weight and other goals? Because we've let ourselves off the hook too many times?
What did you think of that?
Target Weight
I just caused contention. For those of you who know me, I'm sure you are shocked!
Let me set the scene: A woman is trying to lose 10 pounds to get to her target weight. Her mother-in-law tells her that if she (the mother-in-law) could eat whatever she wished and only be 10 pounds above her target weight, she wouldn't bother dieting. Can you picture what's going on?
In my, perhaps sarcastic, opinion, the mother-in-law's target weight then isn't the minus-10-pounds. Her target weight is then ten pounds higher than what she is saying. I meant no harm. Just playful teasing. The daughter-in-law did NOT take it that way.
Whatever. I don't even really know the daughter-in-law and I'm now fairly sure we were not meant to be friends. But this did cause me to think.
What is my target weight? Why is it my target weight? Is it something I really think I can accomplish or is it just that misty, far-off number that sounds good?
In this scenario, I think for the mother-in-law, it is the latter. She doesn't REALLY want to be at that target weight or else 10 pounds above would never been good enough.
I'm about 10 pounds away from my wedding day weight. (okay, as of today's weigh-in, I'm 14 pounds away, but 10 sounds better with the story I'm working here.) That isn't good enough for me. I want to be that wedding day weight. Actually, I want to be 15 pounds less than my wedding day weight. I'm working for it. I'm fighting for it. As soon as I reach a point where I say, "Hey, scale, that number sounds good enough!" I've set a new target.
I can't give myself any slack. I can't say, "I'm at my pre-pregnancy weight. That's a sweet place to be." Once I do, I'm stuck. Instead I have to say, "Whew! Made it to pre-pregnancy! Check one off the list. What's next?"
I have to keep moving forward. I have to keep challenging myself. As soon as I become blaze, my target weight will change.
If you take your eye off of your goal, it is very easy for that goal to change.
Let me set the scene: A woman is trying to lose 10 pounds to get to her target weight. Her mother-in-law tells her that if she (the mother-in-law) could eat whatever she wished and only be 10 pounds above her target weight, she wouldn't bother dieting. Can you picture what's going on?
In my, perhaps sarcastic, opinion, the mother-in-law's target weight then isn't the minus-10-pounds. Her target weight is then ten pounds higher than what she is saying. I meant no harm. Just playful teasing. The daughter-in-law did NOT take it that way.
Whatever. I don't even really know the daughter-in-law and I'm now fairly sure we were not meant to be friends. But this did cause me to think.
What is my target weight? Why is it my target weight? Is it something I really think I can accomplish or is it just that misty, far-off number that sounds good?
In this scenario, I think for the mother-in-law, it is the latter. She doesn't REALLY want to be at that target weight or else 10 pounds above would never been good enough.
I'm about 10 pounds away from my wedding day weight. (okay, as of today's weigh-in, I'm 14 pounds away, but 10 sounds better with the story I'm working here.) That isn't good enough for me. I want to be that wedding day weight. Actually, I want to be 15 pounds less than my wedding day weight. I'm working for it. I'm fighting for it. As soon as I reach a point where I say, "Hey, scale, that number sounds good enough!" I've set a new target.
I can't give myself any slack. I can't say, "I'm at my pre-pregnancy weight. That's a sweet place to be." Once I do, I'm stuck. Instead I have to say, "Whew! Made it to pre-pregnancy! Check one off the list. What's next?"
I have to keep moving forward. I have to keep challenging myself. As soon as I become blaze, my target weight will change.
If you take your eye off of your goal, it is very easy for that goal to change.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Deisre & Goals
OK. I'm sick and tired of being tired all the time. I know that if I were to buck up and eat better and exercise more frequently and with more effort put into it, I would feel so much better. It amazes me how an extra 5, 10 or even 15 pounds really can affect your life. My problem.... I want instant results. I want to see changes in 2 days that I know will really require 2 months of work. Ugh.
My desire for instant change is still there. But I feel I really need to change my desires. I desire strength. I desire energy. I desire to fit into my swimsuit a little bit better by summer. I also desire to avoid long term health issues that can result from being a little too heavy. I do not want to get diabetes, and with my pregnancy health history and family history, I'm at high risk.
I have come a long way actually. Here's a photo of me, not quite at the biggest I have ever been. This was taken about 3-4 weeks before Jaxon was born. My whole body hurt. I got bigger. My waist line was measuring at 46-47 inches. My father's eyes popped out of his head when he heard that number.
I was actually exercising 4-5 days a week and really watching what I was eating. I also had 4 liters of amniotic fluid (one quart is typical).
This is the most current picture I could find that shows my tummy in all its current glory. This was our annual family Christmas pageant. These are Dennis' parents and Jaxon (he's a shepherd).
Now for some goals:
I currently am walking 3 miles on the treadmill 3x a week and going to my dance (clogging) class 1x a week. I really need to put some muscle toning into my routine. So, I plan on adding pilates or yoga 2x a week. I also will probably switch up my aerobic routine to include some weights.
I also need to cut way back on the treats. I am really good at keeping my food portions correct during meals and scheduled snacks, its the few (handfuls) of cinnamon bears, or grabbing a palm full of m&m's throughout the day that is really holding me back.
Any suggestions on how to control the mindless snacking I so dearly am addicted to?
My desire for instant change is still there. But I feel I really need to change my desires. I desire strength. I desire energy. I desire to fit into my swimsuit a little bit better by summer. I also desire to avoid long term health issues that can result from being a little too heavy. I do not want to get diabetes, and with my pregnancy health history and family history, I'm at high risk.
I have come a long way actually. Here's a photo of me, not quite at the biggest I have ever been. This was taken about 3-4 weeks before Jaxon was born. My whole body hurt. I got bigger. My waist line was measuring at 46-47 inches. My father's eyes popped out of his head when he heard that number.
This is the most current picture I could find that shows my tummy in all its current glory. This was our annual family Christmas pageant. These are Dennis' parents and Jaxon (he's a shepherd).
Now for some goals:
I currently am walking 3 miles on the treadmill 3x a week and going to my dance (clogging) class 1x a week. I really need to put some muscle toning into my routine. So, I plan on adding pilates or yoga 2x a week. I also will probably switch up my aerobic routine to include some weights.
I also need to cut way back on the treats. I am really good at keeping my food portions correct during meals and scheduled snacks, its the few (handfuls) of cinnamon bears, or grabbing a palm full of m&m's throughout the day that is really holding me back.
Any suggestions on how to control the mindless snacking I so dearly am addicted to?
Monday, February 21, 2011
Meal Plan Monday - President's Day Style!
What can I say? I love me a meal plan.
Monday - Kraft Mac & Cheese with hot dog chunks a'la Billy's request (it is his birthday)
Tuesday - Chicken Nuggets for the boys/Date night for grown-ups
Wednesday - Meatloaf a'la Cathy (since we didn't have it last week)
Thursday - Oven Oatmeal a'la $5 Dinners
Friday - Fast Food Friday a'la Subway (got a gift card)
Saturday - Pizza Night a'la Five Buck Pizza (love us the gift cards)
Sunday - Chicken Penne Pasta a'la Jeri Dawn
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Weekly Goals
How did your goals go this week? What did you work on and did you succeed?
I missed my workout yesterday, but otherwise did a pretty good job of keeping my goal for exercising. My morning routine is turning into more of a morning necessity everyday. I'm happy about that.
So tell me how it went: success, failure, and the gray areas in between.
I missed my workout yesterday, but otherwise did a pretty good job of keeping my goal for exercising. My morning routine is turning into more of a morning necessity everyday. I'm happy about that.
So tell me how it went: success, failure, and the gray areas in between.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Menu Plan Alternate
I have been enjoying the menu plan. I'm starting to develop a bit of a habit; though I admit that if it weren't for this blog, I'm not sure I'd have kept it up.
So score one for the blog.
My little sister just posted a pretty nifty idea. I could retell it; but I think I'll just link to her variation on the menu plan. Maybe it's an idea you could use.
Honestly, I do a little shuffling in the week depending on what I'm in the mood for. I don't think this is bad; I think it is flexible. Sarah's idea is even more flexible.
So score one for the blog.
My little sister just posted a pretty nifty idea. I could retell it; but I think I'll just link to her variation on the menu plan. Maybe it's an idea you could use.
Honestly, I do a little shuffling in the week depending on what I'm in the mood for. I don't think this is bad; I think it is flexible. Sarah's idea is even more flexible.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
This Week on the Biggest Loser
In case you missed Tuesday's episode of the Biggest Loser, catch it Here or watch it below:
***SPOILER ALERT***
This week's episode was one of the lesser active. There was a lot less drama than there has been, thus creating a lot less controversy to cover.
We started with the pop challenge for use of the gym. What do you think? Is the gym necessary? I thought the challenge was a fun one. One that we would've done as a synergy exercise in our Seminary class in high school. And I loved the the Red Team was led by an Eagle Scout.
The main challenge was won by sheer brute strength. It's possible that the Red Team could've gotten more questions correct if they'd had more time to think, I believe. However, I also believe that the Red Team is at a disadvantage in the food department. They had so many weeks of no hands-on training. The Black Team is absolutely ahead of the game in that department.
I was happy to see Rulon have the beginning of his breakthrough. Josh made a comment that I agree with. He said that he doesn't think the new trainers get to the emotional heart of the matter with the contestants like Bob and Jillian do. So to see him struggle at the beginning of the week and then find his inner-strength at the weigh in was a relief.
About the weigh in: was choosing to sit out Irene a good decision? Obviously, in hindsight, the better decision would've been Arthur. I thought they'd choose Courtney.
But what about the Black Team and the notion that they are the underdogs? Not all of them believe it, but there's enough whining that it's annoying. They haven't lost a single player since the Unknowns returned to the ranch. They are killing at the scale. Can they even qualify as underdogs? I'm thinking.... no.
To see Jay go was sad. Especially since he works so hard and had a good number on the scale. Is it a wise decision for the Red Team to stay loyal to the original members or should they be picking off the smaller people now?
Here's hoping they don't have to make that decision next week.
***SPOILER ALERT***
This week's episode was one of the lesser active. There was a lot less drama than there has been, thus creating a lot less controversy to cover.
We started with the pop challenge for use of the gym. What do you think? Is the gym necessary? I thought the challenge was a fun one. One that we would've done as a synergy exercise in our Seminary class in high school. And I loved the the Red Team was led by an Eagle Scout.
The main challenge was won by sheer brute strength. It's possible that the Red Team could've gotten more questions correct if they'd had more time to think, I believe. However, I also believe that the Red Team is at a disadvantage in the food department. They had so many weeks of no hands-on training. The Black Team is absolutely ahead of the game in that department.
I was happy to see Rulon have the beginning of his breakthrough. Josh made a comment that I agree with. He said that he doesn't think the new trainers get to the emotional heart of the matter with the contestants like Bob and Jillian do. So to see him struggle at the beginning of the week and then find his inner-strength at the weigh in was a relief.
About the weigh in: was choosing to sit out Irene a good decision? Obviously, in hindsight, the better decision would've been Arthur. I thought they'd choose Courtney.
But what about the Black Team and the notion that they are the underdogs? Not all of them believe it, but there's enough whining that it's annoying. They haven't lost a single player since the Unknowns returned to the ranch. They are killing at the scale. Can they even qualify as underdogs? I'm thinking.... no.
To see Jay go was sad. Especially since he works so hard and had a good number on the scale. Is it a wise decision for the Red Team to stay loyal to the original members or should they be picking off the smaller people now?
Here's hoping they don't have to make that decision next week.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Reflect on Success
I officially name this day
It's been very easy to be hard on myself for not being perfect. So as I was out struggling to keep myself running today (some days are a lot easier than others) I thought that I needed a pick-me-up. And if I need one, maybe others do too.
So think of where you are. What have been some of your recent successes? Anything: physical, spiritual, academic, emotional, philosophical, whatever. What have you done well?
I saw a picture of myself today.
This is me on September 11, 2007. No, my t-shirt is not baggy on me. It's a 2X-Large. When I was that size, I had no idea how big I actually was. Now that I've been down about 40 lbs for nearly two years, I can see the difference between then and now. I still have more to lose, but keeping 40 lbs off for two years is a good thing. A very good thing. I still bask in the glory that I was recently told by the OB that I have a "runner's heart." A much better thing to hear than what the docs were telling me in 2007.
What's something good that you've been able to accomplish?
Reflect on Success Day
It's been very easy to be hard on myself for not being perfect. So as I was out struggling to keep myself running today (some days are a lot easier than others) I thought that I needed a pick-me-up. And if I need one, maybe others do too.
So think of where you are. What have been some of your recent successes? Anything: physical, spiritual, academic, emotional, philosophical, whatever. What have you done well?
I saw a picture of myself today.
What's something good that you've been able to accomplish?
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