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!

Take it off Monday | Week 3

I didn't want to step on the scale this morning let alone write this blog post. I just knew I hadn't lost any weight. But that wouldn't be very honest to my self or to this blog. There will always be set backs and with two toddlers and a husband who is gone twelve hours of the day, maintaining a regular exercise routine is just darn tough. And then there was the freezing, wet, and grey weather that just makes you want to curl up on the couch with something sweet to eat and yummy to drink or yummy to eat and sweet to drink ( I promise I didn't do that). This week I am happy I didn't gain and I will leave it at that.

Weight loss this week: 0 lbs
Weight loss to date: 2 lbs

Weight left to lose: 18 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Making fairly healthy meals, drinking lots of water

Set-Backs: Being really tired and a little down due to the yucky winter weather

Exercise: 1 video...My goal for this week is 5!

Book Review | The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

I've never written a book review, and perhaps this doesn't even count because I have not finished the book, but I must share how much I love this one. A couple Sunday's ago, one of the Pastors at our church mentioned a story book Bible he recently purchased for his grandchildren. I tapped on John's shoulder asking him to make a note in his iPhone of the author so we could look it up. About a week later, the same book came up on one of the blogs I follow. I knew I needed to get this book.

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Loyd-Jones is wonderful. Written for children ages 4 and up, this book tells the stories of the Bible in an entertaining and easy-to-understand fashion. The illustrations provided by Jago are vibrant and a perfect accompaniment. Each individual tale is written in a way to demonstrate how every story in the Bible fits together to tell one greater story, the story of Jesus. How the early books of the Bible tell of His coming and the later books fulfill that promise.

Every nap time and bed time each of my kids gets to pick a story. This book is always chosen both times by my four year old. He loves it and cannot get enough of it, often wanting to read more than one story from its pages at a time. He already recognizes the connection of each story to Jesus and excitedly says,"Just like Jesus!" when we finish.

As an adult I too am enjoying reading Loyd-Jones' book. It effectively summarizes the same passages I read each day as I work through The One Year Bible on my Kindle. If you are looking for a storybook Bible either to introduce Jesus to your family or to accompany your family's devotional time, I strongly encourage you to buy this book.  

Take it Off Monday | Week 2

So I didn't loose any weight this week, but I didn't gain any either. Considering that I had raging PMS (John could probably attest to that) and gorged myself of buffalo chicken dip and beer yesterday, I think that's pretty good. I stuck to my plan of not drinking alcohol during the week and, in addition to cutting out the extra calories, I think I'm sleeping better too. John and I also worked out together 3 evenings this week. I really enjoy working out together for two reasons. Number one, he is a great motivator. Number 2, its a great way to spend the evenings doing something worthwhile, rather than plopping down in front of the TV.

Johns 49ers won their game yesterday. For them that means they are going to the Superbowl. For me that means I have a couple weeks to loose a few more pounds before I make the super yummy buffalo chicken dip again! In case you're interested, I've posted the recipe below.

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing

1/2 cup FRANK'S® REDHOT® Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or FRANK'S® REDHOT® Buffalo Wing Sauce

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cups diced cooked chicken. (I roasted a chicken and used the breast meat but you can use 2 cans canned chicken too)

DIRECTIONS:

HEAT oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir until smooth.

MIX in salad dressing, Frank's RedHot Sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken.

BAKE 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.

Weight loss this week: 0 lbs (ahem, did you see the recipe above?)
Weight loss to date: 2 lbs

Weight left to lose: 18 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Working out 3 days this week, still not drinking alcohol during the week

Set-Backs: Beer and snacks during the game on Sunday

Exercise: Video three evenings this week. My goal for this week is 5!