Day 22 and 23

Yesterday I decided not to do the Shred, but Kyle and I took the girls to the park, walking there and back. It was a fast paced walk and I felt like I was getting a workout. I used that as my exercise for yesterday as a change of pace. But today I was up and at the Shred again. I went back to Level 1 after a week or so at Level 3. My goal was to do all the exercises at the harder level (and with weights). I did, except for push ups. I still am at a modified push up. I'll get there.

The other day I went to Kohls to get an outfit for my date with Kyle to San Francisco. While I was trying on clothes I had the opportunity to see myself in a full length mirror so I took that chance to check out any muscles I've been developing. I definitely had some calf definition that I haven't seen in a while. I just kept flexing my calf to see it :). I was so proud.

So it's day 2 without sugar. We went to a birthday party last night and I so badly wanted to say yes to a piece of German Chocolate Cake, but I'm really trying to learn self-control when it comes to food, specifically sweets, so I said no. I felt really good about that, even though I would have loved the cake!

I can't wait to see if I lose weight after not eating sugar for 30 days. I'm ready for a healthy body!!

Day 21 - I'm Back!

Well I unintentionally took a Christmas break. We had a busy Christmas week and I just didn't make exercising a priority. But, with a fight, I returned to the dreaded Shred today. I have to finish this 30 day thing, even if I haven't done it in succession. I'm debating what to do after the 30 days. I might start running or do another video. Every time I put the dvd in the player it makes an awful noise like it's breaking everything inside of Kyle's PS3 so I might put it aside when I complete my goal.

So with all this exercise I haven't really changed much in my eating habits. I eat healthily for the most part, but I am a HUGE sweets person. With the holidays around we have had a ton of junk around and I haven't been shy. I feel like I need a serious detox from sweets. With that said, I have decided, starting today, to omit sugar from my diet for 30 days. I will do my best to eat only natural sugar from fruit...no candy, soda, ice cream (my biggest weakness), cookies, or juice. For some people, this would be no big deal...for me this is going to be incredibly hard. Kyle and I have gotten rid of the Christmas treats and are ready to do this! It will be good for Niah too...sugar for her is like a drug. We come out almost every morning to her trying to break into the treats. This morning it was, "I'm just checking on the cookies..." Rrrrright. Anyway...I'm excited for this next step in my quest for discipline and self-control. I will be blogging about exercise and this new goal I've set. Keep me accountable!

Off to eat breakfast...

Day 20

Day 2 of Level 3 - I like this level... I feel like I'm really being pushed and I feel really good after. One of the exercises is called The Superman and it's crazy because something I have a really hard time doing, Lily does with ease everyday. Pshht whatever! Only 10 more days before I reach my goal! Woo!

Day 19

I needed a change so just for kicks (literally :) ) I did level 3. And I made it through! I'm so proud that I didn't collapse in the middle of it! I did it. I'm getting stronger! I think I'm going to continue in level 3 for a while because I really like the exercises. I want to build up my strength and do the intermediate level (Natalie). I can do it! I'm getting closer to my 30 day mark, even though I've skipped some days in between. I'm counting days as the ones that I exercise. We're almost there!

Day 18

I had a guest exercise friend today! Kyle worked out with me. I've asked him to do it before, but he's usually feeding the girls breakfast or playing with them so I can get through it, but today as I turned it on, he ran to our room to change his clothes. Yay! I like working out with someone else so much better. It passes that long 20 minutes much quicker (I know, I know, 20 minutes is not that long :) ). Anyway, I've been gone another couple of days. Trying to do something consistently like this just shows me how many other things come up in day to day life and before I know it I'm going to bed saying, "I didn't work out today!" Even if I'm not making it everyday, I'm just proud of myself that I'm making it at least 5 days a week. Especially considering I didn't do anything since before Lily came.

On another note, I feel like I've had pretty good self-control when it comes to eating junk. We have A LOT of Christmas goodies in our house between cookie exchanges I've done and stuff Kyle's brought home from work and I've eaten very little of it. I don't deprive myself because then I know I'll go overboard one day, so I have one or two little treats. Yay! Aside from sweets, Kyle and I lead a pretty healthy life. It's just that one little area...

I'm working on being more disciplined in my life and eating less junk and working out is one way I am seeing a tangible difference!

Day 17

I had to take a little weekend break. We had a visitor and no one likes to exercise in front of other people :). So, I'm back this morning. It was hard to get back into it, but felt good to get through it. I'm really trying to tone up and lose some weight and just be plain healthy, so I'm motivated to keep going. I thought working out might be an acquired taste, but so far I don't like it any more than when I first started. Maybe it takes 30 days? We'll see. Anyway...to another day of exercise!!

Day 16

Woo! 1st day past halfway to Day 30! I plan to continue after the 30th day, but I want to make it there first :). It's Friday, Kyle's off, I just wanted to be lazy (that's everyday, I know :) ). But I thought about my encouragement yesterday and got up and did it! One thing I noticed today is I can get much higher up when I am doing crunches. I love seeing tangible results! I can't wait to see my little post baby pooch melt away (if I don't get pregnant with baby #3 first ha!)! Tonight and tomorrow night we have Christmas parties to go to...I'm already devising my plan for self-control when it comes to sweets consumption, but it will be hard this month with so many Christmas goodies everywhere I look! And I LOOOOVE sweets! Anyway...tomorrow we'll visit Day 17.

Halfway There! Days 14 and 15

Don't worry! I worked out right after I posted my blog last night. I did it knowing I had said I was going to! And then I woke up this morning and got right to it!

I was encouraged this morning when I asked Kyle if I look any different and he said "You look tighter." That's enough for me to know that my body is changing. Then I asked if he thinks I can do more since first starting and he said, "Are you kidding?" "YES!" More encouragement to me because I know he will tell me the truth, even if it's not what I want to hear.

Okay, I finished Day 15...15 more to go! I can do this!

Day 13

This is coming to you a day late. I didn't work out yesterday morning, but I asked Kyle to hold me accountable to do it in the evening after I put the girls to bed. I did. And I worked out hard. I'm tired of not being healthy and I'm ready to get serious. So I pushed myself. It was hard, but I felt good. This morning I decided to work out tonight again and now I'm wishing I did it earlier, but I'm going to finish this blog and do my workout! No excuses. So Day 14's update will be after. Stay tuned...

Day 12

Woo! I woke up and without hesitation went straight to the family room for my morning work out! It was encouraging to hear Niah and Kyle clapping me on. I just am not so into exercising, but I know I need to do it for my health so I'm trying to get that to motivate me. I started trying to push myself a little more in each exercise. It felt good to push a little harder! I'm still working on going from start to finish without stopping. It will come one of these days!

When Life Gets in the Way...

have said before if I don't exercise first thing in the morning, chances are I won't get to it that day. So...I haven't been consistent that last few days. Wednesday I didn't get to work out in the morning and got home late, bringing with me a sick hubby. Thursday morning I went to MOPS and didn't have time, so Friday I had to get back on track. I brought my clothes and Mod and I worked out together at her house. Exercising with someone else makes it so much easier and more enjoyable! I completed Day 10 and felt much better! However, Friday night Niah caught the bug that Kyle had so we were up the entire night with a barfing 2 year old. No fun. Saturday morning my body was exhausted and I didn't want to stress it more.

Day 11 - I woke up this morning and since I didn't want to take Niah to church just in case she still has germs, I worked out first thing. I'm glad I was disciplined and got it done! I want to try to complete the rest of the 30 days in succession!

Day 9

The point of me blogging is accountability, so I'll be honest. Today was hard. I barely finished. I stopped in the middle and came back to it. I don't know why it was so hard, but I felt so weak! I don't want to get lazy and do what I normally do and quit. So I'll press on! Here's to a better day tomorrow!

Day 8

I woke up, put my shoes on and worked out. If I don't, the day will slip right past me. Today I was back to level 1. I almost finished all the first circuit...even the push ups! I can feel my body getting stronger! Plus I had my coaching team out in full force...aka Niah. She's definitely becoming the exercise expert and is sure to keep me going :). I'm getting close to the halfway mark, 7 more days! Ok that's not that close, but I'm being optimistic. Now off to start my day!

Day 7

Day 7 - Well, it's been 7 days of working out. Technically I have not done it everyday so it's been a little more than a week, but 7 days have been done! I seriously have to do it in the morning or I lack motivation. But today, I made a pact with myself that I would do it no matter what. And I did. I decided to try level 2 just to see what it's like and all I have to say is, that kicked my booty! I am not ready for level 2 yet. When I'm exercising for the first time in over a year I probably shouldn't get too far ahead of myself. So, no thank you to the plank jacks or the skaters or the pushups that you walk down into. I'm still working on regular jumping jacks and even being able to do a pushup. I don't need you yet. Someday!

So back to level 1 tomorrow!

Days 5 and 6

Day 5 - No, I'm not lagging behind in exercise, just in my blog posts. Well okay, I have skipped a couple of days, but not for lack of motivation. Tuesday my wonderful hubby let me sleep in. The only problem was he woke me up as he was leaving for work and the rest is history. I didn't have 20 minutes in the entire day to devote to exercise. I came home late Tuesday night and to be honest, was physically and emotionally drained and chose to rest with Kyle rather than do my workout. So Wednesday morning I was back at it.

Kyle had to leave for work really early so he could take a half day so I worked out with Niah and Lily by my side. In that short 20 minutes Niah wacked Lily in the head with the metal bar on her chair, told me 13 times "I want you" and pushed my bottom down as I did pushups, saying, "Mommy, get your whole body down, like this." But I finished!

Day 6 - I skipped Thanksgiving day. We were at Kyle's grandparents' house Wednesday night and Thursday morning and who feels like working out after a Thanksgiving feast? So I did day 6 Friday morning, after running out for one item that was on Black Friday sale. I feel my body getting stronger. I was able to do almost all the jumping jacks and jump rope and even did quite a few of the push ups!

Goal - Still to complete ALL the jumping jacks and jump rope! Once I do that I can move on with a new goal!

Days 3 and 4

Day 3 - After a long day, we got home from church at 9:30pm and the last thing I wanted to do was exercise. But Kyle lovingly reminded me I had committed to a 30 day thing, no breaks. So, I did it. It was the hardest day yet. I definitely prefer starting first thing in the morning. But I worked through it and finished! I'm still not quite able to complete all the jumping jacks and jumprope in a row, but no doubt in a couple days!

Day 4 - Woke up this morning and did the video first thing. I'm still working toward my goal and then it's on to finishing pushups. My upper arm strength is zero and pushups are really hard for me! I'm excited to see my progress in the next few weeks!

Day 2

Day 2 - 30 Day Shred
I did day 2. I already felt like I wasn't completely dying through the entire thing. Goal completed. I did all the jumping jacks, my least favorite part!

I had a little sidekick with me today. Niah did it too...she's too cute. Maybe for day 3 Kyle can get a picture of her doing it.

Goal for Day 3 - to complete all the jumping jacks and jump rope exercises.

BTW, I'm starting with level 1...I'm going to do that until I can follow the advanced girl easily, then I'll go to level 2 and then level 3.

Who's with me?

30 Day Shred - Day 1

I've been saying since Lily was born (7 months ago) that I'm going to start working out. I ran one time last week and it felt really good, but reality is, sometimes I can't leave the house in the morning and if I don't do it in the morning I won't. So, I decided to revisit the brutal 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels. However, I don't want to do it for a week and lose motivation. So I'm going to blog about it as a form of accountability.

So here's Day 1. After not working out for at least a year, it was really difficult! The worst part for me is the jumping jacks and pushups. I also stopped a few times. My goal for day 2 is to complete the entire circuit of jumping jacks.

Diapers

I have started really trying to save money in our budget through coupons and good deals. One of the blogs I follow, Hip2Save, recently posted a deal for diapers on Amazon.com. I did some bargain hunting and ended up with 192 diapers for $16.74...that's .08 cents per diaper! Wow! We normally pay about .20 cents per diaper. I like this new couponing thing!

I'm Back!

Part of the reason I haven't blogged in months is because I don't have a computer. I use Kyle's computer at night when he's home, but never seem to find the time to blog. This week Kyle bought me a netbook...a small version of a laptop...and I'm super excited to start blogging again! So check back often, I promise to blog more regularly!

More Fabric

I finally have a set theme for the baby's fabric! I have my main fabric and some supplementary, although I'm undecided as to which I will use for sure! Check them out!

This is almost exactly what I was envisioning when I first started thinking of the room as a girl's room...I love these colors! And with our black furniture and tan walls...

Here are some of the other top contenders that complement this fabric.

I guess I really like the greens...I have to narrow those down to just a few. I love all of them though! It's gonna be hard!

I'm also trying to figure out how I want to use these. I plan to use all the ones I choose in the bumper, and I'm debating on the bedskirt. I'm also thinking of framing them as wall art...

Other ideas? Thoughts on which ones to choose?

Baby's Room

Even though I won't be able to decorate the baby's room until Matthew leaves, I am starting to think of what I want it to look like. There are so many options! I am going to make my own bedding, like I did with Niah's room, but I can't decide on one theme. Here are some choices I am looking at. www.hawthornethreads.com is where I've been searching. They have so many different fabrics and you can click on a color and they give you all the coordinating fabrics. I was thinking of doing more plums with the green, black furniture and tan walls...thoughts?

It's Potty Time!

We've had the "big girl" potty in our guest bathroom for months now. Niah has been fairly interested in it, but mostly as a place to stand :). She sometimes carries it in pieces around the house, and sits on it when someone else is going potty. But last Monday we were at Kyle's brother's house and their daughter used the potty for the first time. Then Tuesday Jaime posted a Facebook status that MJ had pooped on the potty. Out of excitement I told Kyle and Niah heard and kept saying, "Mimi poopoo potty?" Next thing we knew she was in the bathroom wanting to go on the potty. So Kyle took off her diaper and let her sit there, but nothing. We decided to let her run around diaperless for a while and sure enough she said, "Potty again" and ran to the bathroom. Neither of us followed just thinking she'd play in there, but she came out after a couple minutes asking for her pants to be back on. Kyle looked and her bum was wet! He ran in and she had tinkled in the potty!! We are at the beginning stages of potty training. She sat down and immediately went again yesterday. I guess it's time to train myself on how to train my kid to potty in the toilet...I have NO idea what I am doing! I'd love to only have one child in diapers at a time!! I realize baby #2 comes in just a few months, but maybe not long after Niah will be in panties!! Here's Niah after we discovered she had peed in the toilet!