My journey - updated

If you remember I wrote about my weight loss journey HERE.

Today I’m going to give you an update on how I’m doing.

First – this is a picture of me in January, about 2 months before I started my “journey” (diet is a bad word so I try not to use it anymore).This is at Hailee’s birthday party – lovely, huh?



This is me today – yes, it’s a terrible picture but what can I do when I’m taking it myself with a crappy point & shoot? LOL Most of my weight has come from the stomach and waist area and my face. I’m hoping the thighs and butt and hips start saying good bye to the fat they’re hanging on to ever so tightly.



I have lost a total of 15 pounds. GO ME! :) This is the most I’ve ever lost at my own efforts – meaning no “miracle” pills. I did take Alli but when that bottle ran out I decided not to buy more...it didn't do what I thought it would so it was a waste of money.

March 23 – I started my new plan and it included Alli along with 3 workouts a week – if I was lucky.

May 11 – lost 8 pounds. Had given up sugar in coffee for splenda, switched to fat-free creamer, gave up butter, gave up diet coke (only have it if we go out), watched what I ate but not how much.

June 8 – made a BIGGER change. I was frustrated that I couldn’t get passed the 8 pound weight loss. I was so mad that I hit a “plateau” so early – didn’t see how I would ever lose all this weight. After a LOT of crying, stressing, talking to all my supporters (mom, Kimmie, Darren) I decided a big change had to be made. I considered a liquid diet but knew I wouldn’t be happy there :) So I flipped through the books that came with the Alli pills. That is when I decided to put myself on a 1200 calorie per day limit. And I knew I had to be strict with it.

I have invested in a digital food scale and weigh all my foods that are portioned by ounces and grams. I measure everything that is portioned by cups or less. I write down EVERYTHING that goes into my mouth - including coffee. I don’t drink sweet tea from QuikTrip because the sugar has calories – so I gave that up and will allow myself a diet coke instead because then I don’t have to write it down. I only drink a latte (from home) if I’ve been good enough on my meals and snacks to allow one. If I want a Starbucks then I know I'll have to give up something at dinner to make up for it. After looking back over the last 3 weeks I'm actually doing great and averaging 1100 calories each day.

I now do my workout videos 5 days each week – I am on Darren’s schedule (Tuesday – Saturday) so that when he’s home I don’t have to worry about getting my work out in and can just have fun with the family.

I don’t buy things – even for the family – if I know it’s going to be too hard to pass up for me. Darren really would love for me to bake him some cookies but is smart enough not to ask right now :)

So this change is for good – I realize I will never go back to the way it was but I also realize, after time, that I won’t want to and it’ll be easier to maintain.

I’m proud of the changes I’m making because they’re good for my family as well. Hailee gets so excited when I tell her I’ve lost another pound and that is worth all the work! AND she asks if something is healthy before eating it! Lol no, she won’t give up the candy or dessert after dinner, but she is more cautious and that is a start.

So there you have it – my journey updated. Some people think it’s a lot of work, and it is, but for me it’s just part of my everyday routine.

a wee little friend.

so my husband is in the shower. and I hear "oh honey, can you come look at this?".

here is what he shows me.



he came out from behind the shampoo and before we could get him out he was trying to go back - he liked it there.

I will now go sanitize.

Marks Paper Co. Blog Challenge June 17-27

"Using no less than 75% of Marks Paper Company’s products, use the word gift"

The Marks Blog


I decided to take this challenge! I used my new papers from my "Queen of the Crop" prize from Scrappy Jo's and made this card.




the close up - trying to show that the sentiment is attached with pop dots, lol. tad blurry huh?


{Marks Paper Company Papers (Old Fashioned Courtship Collection); Paper Reflections Kraft Cardstock; Caramelo's Vintage Binding (etsy shop); Maya Road pins; Studio G Alpha Stamps; Spellbinders Scallop Square Dies}

Use Your Stash

June 15th - the challenge was to use paint. I used brown paint for the horse and greeting. The stamps are from the Happy Trails set by Kim Hughes - you can find them at www.cornishheritagefarms.com



June 22 - the challenge this week (you have until Saturday) is to use 3 different patterned papers by 3 different manufacturers. I used Basic Grey (stripe), Sassafras (hearts), and the other is American Crafts.

the boring life-and-times

well my mom says that Jan's birthday card is pretty but she's tired of looking at it. so I'm being forced into a blog post when I'm not sure what to say!

I'll see what I can do.

*I'm getting over a very bad sunburn from the pool - forehead and shoulders are now peeling. joy.

*I'm doing great with my weight loss now that I figured out how to get passed the 8 lb freeze I had. I'll share more on that soon.

*I'd love a candy bar but the above statement would be out the window if I had one.

*Mexican food and french fries, too. :)

*my mom will be here in 13 days! the kids will drive me nuts until then!

*Oklahoma is in an excessive heat warning - it's 102 right now as I type this.

*swim lessons start on the 6th. I don't see Hailee passing this year either. she's too afraid.

*Braden...oh my Braden. that child scares me. he has KILLED one of his front teeth (at the young age of 3) and I pretty much think there's more to come from the natural born clutz

*Darren isn't happy with the weather either. especially when he has a lot of customers asking for extra stuff this year that they normally don't ask for.

*suppose those said customers don't like the excessive heat warning we're in.

*why is it a warning? it's here. nothing more to be warned about.

*our hot tub is {mostly} fixed and I'm so happy! we keep it at about 93 in the summer and just soak in nice comfy water while everything outside dies from the heat.

*I've been SUPER busy with stuff for the Aug/Sept issue of Ready, Set, Create and the Use Your Stash blog! can't share though. hehehehe

okay - 2 pictures is all I have - not many photo ops when we're staying indoors.

Hailee and her sunkissed cheeks - spf 50 couldn't keep the red off of her.



and Braden's dead tooth. see the lovely shade of grayish/brown (it's actually darker now)

Jan! oh Jan!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Happy Birthday DEAR JAAA-AAAN!

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!! ♪ ♪ ♫

big WAHOO! for Kimmie!

everybody give a big shout out to Kimmie! She had her first card picked up for publication!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will be appearing in the November issue of Scrapbook Trends so make sure you buy your copy when it hits the shelves!!!



Congrats Kim - I'm so proud of you!

#19

Well "pebblesjns" never got in touch with me so a new winner is being posted. I had Hailee pick a number and that is our winner.

so post #19 - congratulations! you are my new winner!

Kelly said...

i hoard bling! I love my stickles and self adhesive rhinestones!

6/01/2009 12:26 PM

PLEASE email me (link on right) by Friday with an address so I can mark you down as my winner!!!!

busy busy me!

I've been a "mad scrappin woman"! LOL

first - this card I made a few weeks ago but couldn't share it. It was made as an example for the fabric challenge on the UYS BLOG that was posted yesterday. The bird was cut out of fabric using my Big Shot and a Nestabilities die.

The rest of these layouts were made for challenges over at SCRAPPY JO'S.

this was for a layout about MY favorite outdoor past-time.

this was for a layout about what roughing it camping is like -

here's the layout based off of the week #1 sketch

and finally a "recipe" challenge - 3 pictures, 1 photo corner, 2 patterned papers, 1 cardstock & 1 "outdoor" embellishment (the frog).

there's one more layout that I did but I'm not sharing because it's ugly. LOL

here are some more pictures from a few days ago...





I think that's it. I darn hot here and I hate it. I'm ready for FALL!!!!

and the winner is.....

PEBBLESJNS!!!!!


Congrats - please send your mailing address to useyourstash@gmail.com with the subject "Corey's Blog Winner" and I will get this ready for mailing at the end of the month!


thank you all for your posts - looks like we all have issues hoarding our stash! and THAT is why you need to participate in our challenges from now on! :)

look for the first challenge on Monday the 8th over at UYS!!!!

even more fun!

there is another fun post over at UYS! go check it out!

come back here tomorrow to see my randomly chosen winner of a mini album and some shiny chipboard letters!!!

Welcome Welcome!

If you're here then you are at the end of the Use Your Stash blog hop! (if that's not how you got here then you need to go to www.useyourstash.blogspot.com and read the info!)

Make sure you leave a comment on this post telling me what supply you are hoarding in your stash and I will randomly pick a winner for a fun little prize from ME! maybe if ya'll beg I'll share a picture of what you can win!

so - if you have commented on everyone's blogs go back to UYS and leave a comment there telling us that you've completed the hop - that will get you into the drawing for the Core'dinations prize pack!

and don't forget to wish UYS a happy 1st anniversary - thank you all for a great year and let's hope the 2nd one is just as fun and exciting!


**prize will be mailed at the end of the month**

RSC calls

August/September 2009 Page/Project calls for Ready-Set-Create

1. Color combo: green and yellow
2. Back to school
3. Labor day (the holiday OR pregnancy!)
4. Layouts or cards featuring Woodland/wildlife creatures (deer, owls, birds etc)
5. Family reunions

SUBMISSION FORM:
Email:
Project title:
By:
Supplies:

Deadline: July 10, 2009 MST at midnight

Please copy and paste the short submission form into an email to Jen@readysetcreate.com.
If your work is selected you will be notified, and receive a free downloadable copy of the issue your work appears in

Submissions must not be included in any online galleries, blogs, or stores until at least 30 days after the issue your work appears in has been released.

www.readysetcreate.com

Sprinkler Fun

Here's what the kids did on Saturday! (yes, I know he's in undies - swim suits haven't been purchased this year yet!)







when they were done I gave them baths and got them dressed for a few errands we had to run. They sat together on the couch and waited for Darren and I to be ready. Pictures like this just make me all mushy inside!!! ♥ ♥ ♥

the garden gnomes

ha! gnomes! that's a new funny name for my little people!

this is the latest we have ever planted our garden - but when you get 23+ days of rain what can you do? we thought of skipping it but the thought of not having our candy corn made us sad!

so here's little man with daddy's hat and rake - off to work he goes!




and here's little gal......dancing I do believe. maybe it's a good luck dance for the garden?? lol




and here she is again. supervising. "good work, dad. keep it up."


and no, you won't see me in the garden. believe me - it's better I stay out of it and behind the camera! :)

SUPER kids day!

Yesterday was Hailee's "Super Kids Day" (aka field day) at school. OF COURSE Braden and I went! Here are some photos.


{Braden outside before we left for the school - what a handsome little Devil}





{Hailee at the basketball "center". The playground was divided with different activities and every 15 minutes the groups would move. This was the only time I was able to get pictures of her. But I'll tell you now - she is NOT going to be pro basketball when she grows up! lol}




{and the after. one minute he's smiling at me because I'm taking him to Starbucks for chocolate milk...the next he's folded in half almost snoring!}

CBI31

The challenge at Cuttlebug challenges this week is to make a 3D project - and their sponsor is Create & Treasure! How perfect that I just made a mini using their board books! I also used my CB embossing folders so GO ME! This is a mini for Hailee's 7th birthday! enjoy and thanks for stopping by!

did you hear???

Use Your Stash is having a party! check it out!

www.useyourstash.blogspot.com

let's see...

first I have to say I'm excited that this morning my mom and I booked her flight and she'll be here July 7th! The kids will be in swim lessons so she'll get to watch them and take pictures for me!

next - I've been busy with the upcoming issue of RSC and the June stuff for the UYS blog - that means in June I'll be able to post pictures. Some of the things I've made are cards and they will be for sale - if you want to see them before I can show them publicly - just contact me and I'll send you the images.

what else....well, Hailee is almost done with 1st grade! Her last day is May 28th and that's late because of snow days.

I need to give a hout out to Neil and Jennifer - today is their 1 year anniversary!!!! Congrats you two!

I can't think of anything else so I'll just share a few things I've made for an online crop I did this weekend at Scrappy Jo's.

my journey.

March 23, 2009 I started a new weight loss journey. I know, I’ve said it before….but believe me, this time it’s different. I even surprised myself when I realized that this time it IS for real.

My realization came on Darren’s birthday, April 21^st. We were out to dinner and I had to really look at the menu and figure out what I could eat that would keep me under my 15 grams of fat maximum (I’ll explain that later). As I’m looking over the menu I think to myself “I can’t wait until I can order whatever I want without counting fat grams”. Later – as I’m eating – it hit me. I will NEVER be able to eat what I want. I’ve had a weight problem my entire life and that’s not going to change. So I need to change. This time I have. Here’s what I’m doing different.

1. I gave up candy – I haven’t had a Twizzler since day one, March 23^rd. That’s big for me. I like candy and I like sugar. (I do keep mini York Peppermint Patties in the freezer for emergencies - but I've only had a couple)
   

2. I no longer use sugar in my brewed coffee. I’m using Splenda along with fat-free creamer.

3. I drink water. Lots of water. I really don’t like it, but know it’s beneficial to my health and weight loss.

4. I gave up diet coke…at home☺ I still drink it when we go out, but at home it’s just water and coffee.

5. I don’t use butter or margarine. If I have toast for breakfast I use a small amount of peanut butter instead – it has the protein I need as well as the healthy fats I’m allowed.

6. I am no longer making myself 3 latte’s a day. Yes, I love my espresso machine and would drink 3 each day – but now I allow myself one, knowing the calories aren’t good – but the rest of the time it’s just brewed coffee. Yes, I do drink a lot of coffee – but after reading 1-5 I would think you could allow me my coffee without shaking any fingers at me! ♥

7. I’m taking Alli. On the Alli plan you can only have up to 15 grams of fat per meal. At first that was hard, but now I’m having a hard time getting enough. But with watching calories at the same time it can get confusing – it’s still something I’m working on but it is becoming easier every day. I’m learning what I can eat and how much and those are skills I need.

8. and here’s the kicker folks – I exercise! I bought a Jillian Michael’s DVD and I like it! In fact – my Mother’s Day present is 2 more of her video’s along with her book! I can’t believe one person has affected me so much! She’s the push I’ve needed.

Well, I’m down 8 pounds. No, it’s not much – but the best way to lose weight is to lose it slow. SOOO, if I keep at this pace I will be at my goal by March 23^rd of next year! With the support of my family, Darren especially, and my dearest friend, Kimmie (aka My Cheerleader), I know I can do it!

I’ve heard my daughter comment on my belly and butt on more than one occasion and that really hit home. I realized I needed to do something not only for myself, but for my kids. I am so strict about them eating healthy and playing outside for exercise that I must set a good example.

This is a life change – and I’m finally ready to make it. I wish I would’ve done this 20 pounds ago – or after Braden was born….would’ve made this task a lot easier! But – better late than never I hope.

If you’ve read this far – thank you. I just wanted to tell my story so my friends and family know where I’m at right now. I don’t want to be the fat sister – the fat daughter – or the fat mommy anymore.

I also know that you need a support team – so if anyone out there ever wants to talk – click on my email link on the side and drop me a line! I’m more than happy to listen!♥