WW | Snow Day!

We found Mr. Jason shoveling when we went on our walk.

Thanks for taking our picture Mr. Jason!

Take It Off Monday | Week 8

The dust has settled after sickness hit our household and I am happy to say I have kept off the weight I lost while sick. I don't recommend getting a stomach flu to help with your weight loss program, but hey, I'll take it. As soon as I felt better and was able to hold down my food long enough to give me the energy I needed to exercise, I worked my butt off last week. I started running again on the treadmill and continued with my new favorite exercise, POP Pilates. I do think the hardcore exercise and eating well helped me stay on track.

Weight loss this week: 0 lbs
Weight loss to date: 6 lbs

Weight left to lose: 14 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success:  Exercise

Set-Backs: 

Exercise: Running on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

All Purpose Cleaner

An "All Purpose Cleaner." That's me! For the last four years anyway. I clean anything and everything and sometimes multiple times a day. (Why does my house always seem messy? Tackle that in another post on another day.) Having kids means having messes--messes I truly never thought I would ever clean up such ass projectile poop exploding from one baby's rear on the changing table into a closet full of clothes! All these messes have caused me to try out all sorts of cleaners, especially those labeled "All Purpose." But all those brand-name cleaners really add up, not to mention the fact that who knows what the chemicals in them are let alone how to pronounce them.

Then came Pinterest.

As soon as I logged onto Pinterest I was amazed at all the home remedies and "recipes" if you will for home cleaners. Everything from glass cleaner to DIY laundry detergent. I have tried several of these concoctions and finally came up with my own that really does a great job on a lot of surfaces. At first I was very precise with the amounts I mixed, but then I just started eyeing it and that works just fine for me. I haven't figured out the true cost of my cleaner, but I can tell you it is a fraction of the cost of other expensive brands and made with ingredients most people already have at home. So, here is my own "All Purpose Cleaner" recipe.

1 spray bottle from the Dollar Store
Splash of Rubbing Alcohol
About a half cup of White Vinegar
About a half cup of Water
A few squirts of dish soap

Heat up Vinegar and Water and pour into spray bottle. Add the alcohol and dish soap. Agitate or shake to combine.

And there you have it! This cleaner works wonders in the kitchen and in the bathroom and is safe on most surfaces (Believe me I have tried). You can even add a few squirts of lemon juice to freshen it up if you dislike the vinegar, but the vinegar smell does dissipate after a few minutes. For really hard to clean areas on my stove top, counters or bath/shower, I sprinkle some baking soda on the surface before I spray the cleaner. The vinegar interacts with the soda to help break up any crud. One Pinner soaked her vinegar with orange peels for a week or so before mixing her cleaner. I tried this method, and while it did smell great, it was actually hard to get the orange oil/color off whatever I was cleaning so I don't recommend the orange peel method.

Are there any DIY cleaners you have tried and fell in love with? Or hated? I'd love to hear about them.

Take it off Monday | Week 7

So I wish I could say that I did really awesome this week and stayed on my exercise program and ate well causing a drop in the scale. And while I did ok, I had a stomach bug Saturday and Sunday. I have not been that ill since getting the flu with the kids two years ago. I even had to resort to drinking the kids Pedialyte. Blech! Still today my tummy cannot handle much. I have no idea how this will affect me next week, I know the loss was a fluke, but it did feel good to see a lower number on the scale. Perhaps with great diet and exercise this week I can see a similar number next week.

Weight loss this week: 3.5 lbs
Weight loss to date: 6 lbs

Weight left to lose: 14 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Continuing to exercise

Set-Backs: Getting sick

Exercise: Cardio on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take it off Monday | Week 6

OK, so I know it is Tuesday, but bare with me. I wasn't even going to post this week because I am so frustrated. I saw no improvement this week even after exercising four days. I'm not sure if it its from Valentine's Day pasta, cake and candy. Perhaps the Martini's I enjoyed with John, but good grief I didn't think I could sabotage my whole week in one day! Really trying to think positive and push forward, but a measly 2.5 lbs in six weeks does not get me excited.

Weight loss this week: 0 lbs
Weight loss to date: 2.5 lbs

Weight left to lose: 17.5 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Continuing to exercise

Set-Backs: Valentine's Day goodies, my period (maybe TMI but its the truth)

Exercise: Cardio on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take it Off Monday | Week 5

I'm really trying to focus on the fact that I reached my goal of exercising five times this week rather than the fact that I am up one pound. So High Five! and Ugh! at the same time. I'm hoping the extra pound is either from the fabulous sushi dinner John treated me too on Saturday or the yummy pizza we had with the kids after church yesterday. I know, I know, not the best food choice, but sometimes you've just gotta have an everything pizza with Jalapenos.

Weight loss this week: +1 lbs
Weight loss to date: 2.5 lbs

Weight left to lose: 17.5 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Working out 5 times this wee!

Set-Backs: Gained 1 lb

Exercise: Cardio on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take it off Monday | Week 4

Yay! I saw another drop on the scale this week. I really think it has to do with exercise. I didn't quite reach my goal of exercising five times, but I did manage to get in three work outs. On Thursday I did yoga (Inhale with Steve Ross--used to be on the Oxygen channel) and Friday and Saturday I chose POP Pilates. All three of these can be found on YouTube. YouTube is a great resource for finding different workouts. Variation is a must for me. When I fail to keep up with an exercise program, it is most likely because of boring repetition. Additionally, I must have jammin' music to keep me motivated. So, if you are in need of something to spice up your exercise routine, I recommend a search on YouTube.

Weight loss this week: 1.5 lbs
Weight loss to date: 3.5 lbs

Weight left to lose: 16.5 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Finding workouts I really like

Set-Backs: 

Exercise: 3 times ... My goal for this week is 5!