Top Of The Muffin To You!

Does anyone else remember that from an old episode of Seinfeld? I swear, with as often as I reference TV and movies, you all probably think I'm a real couch potato, and you would be right. Anyway, in that episode, it makes it out to be that the top of the muffin is the only part worthy of eating. NOBODY wants to eat the stump. The stump, is for all intents and purposes, inedible. Why then, do I long to be the stump? Do you see where I'm going with this?
I'm joining up with Shortmama, and several other fabulously...robust women to finally shred those extra pounds that we claim is "baby weight", but let's face it, you can only blame the baby for so long, before it becomes the donut's fault, or the dollar menu at McDonald's. It's not their fault, it's mine! I've gotten lazy, I've indulged too much, and my waistline and thighs have paid the price.

Boy, does that picture look all too familiar! Of course, I think the thighs are not nearly poochy enough! So, the first assignment, is to come up with 3 things we will commit to change to help us on our journey to have a body we're not ashamed to show at the beach. Not in a swimsuit! Heaven's no! Just one we can be proud to wear some comfy capris and a top, that doesn't leave us looking like the lady pictured above. Here are my 3 things, in no particular order.

1. I will eat breakfast. I've always heard that eating breakfast is one of the most important things you can do to lose weight, but I have never gotten the hang of it. I usually skip it, which I know is a no-no. So, even if it means I have to get up earlier to get ready, so there is time for me to eat breakfast before we enter the radius of lunchtime, I will do it. I will eat breakfast.
2. I will be more active. You may recall, that I set a resolution of sorts to exercise way back when and have done pretty well so far at sticking to it. I work out for 20-30 minutes a day, 4 days a week, using my Wii Active. The problem is, that the weekends become couch potato time, and you know that when you're being lazy, you are more likely to snack. Every Monday morning I get yelled at (not really yelled at, but informed) by the Wii, that I have gained weight since my previous weigh in. I want this to stop! Therefore, I will attempt to be more active on the weekend, whether it be by taking a walk, parking further away at the grocery store, doing yard work, or vigorously cleaning my bathtub. I will be less sit on my butt lazy on the weekend.
3. I will plan/regulate my lunches. I was doing pretty well for a while with eating "Smart Ones' refrigerator meals for lunch, but that got expensive, and quite frankly was not always very appetizing. Not that the food was bad, but the ones that I liked, only filled up 2-3 days a week, so I got bored with them. I would buy whole wheat bread, intending to have sandwiches every day, but that got boring, and I HATE PB&J on whole wheat bread, and I'm a bit of a deli meat snob, so my options were very limited. In the end, I would stare into the fridge for a while, and then settle on Ramen noodles (so not good for you) or leftover candy for my meal. I've decided that if I create a plan for my lunches, purchase what I like (i.e. deli meat from the actual deli, non artificial cheese slices, etc.) and switch it up weekly, then I won't run the risk of getting bored. More likelihood for success! This week, I have "spicy turkey roll ups" which is a flatbread wrap with a teeny amount of mayo (like less than a teaspoon), some turkey, a slice of pepperjack cheese, and lettuce all rolled up. The spicey cheese gives it a zing that's not boring, and it serves as a motivator to drink my water. It's more than enough to fill me up when paired with some multigrain chips, and a string cheese. I will also add fruit to my plate normally, but my kids are absolute pigs when it comes to fresh fruit, so we were all out.

I would like to say that I can give up soda, but since I don't drink coffee or alcohol, my "drug" of choice is a "large caffeinated beverage" when I've had a hard day. I will cut back, but I cannot promise to cut it out completely.

Sound like something you need to do too? Head on over to ShortMama's, and link up to the motivation train...WOOT WOO!!

A Report, and Some Randomness

It's the beginning of yet another month, and you know what that means! It's time for me to reveal another unattainable goal! In case you haven't been reading my blog for long, each month, I set a mini resolution, known as a RESOLUTIBILITY. If you want to know what that word means, you can read about it here. First though, I would like to update you (as my form of being held accountable) on my progress from the last two months.
In January, I set the goal to exercise. We did very well, and have continued with it up to this point. In February, I took a whole week off because I was sick. Although to date I've only lost about 3 pounds from the beginning of the year, I have been noticing some major improvements. For example: On Saturday, Roon and I decided to go hit up Old Navy for their jean sale. FABULOUS deals going on over there. Roon told me that what I should do is buy a couple pairs of jeans in a size down from what I normally wear, to serve as "motivation" to keep going. I reluctantly agreed, (because dang it, I wanted some new pants!) and went to the dressing room to face my phenomenal failure. To my incredible surprise, THEY FIT!!! I didn't even have to lay down to button them or anything! SCORE! I came out and told Roon, and asked if this meant I had to buy pants in the next smaller size, and he told me I didn't have to. Plus, he bought shorts in a smaller size, hoping that by summer they would fit, and when we got home, he tried them on, and THEY FIT TOO! I heart you, Wii Active, and all your snarky comments!
In February, we set the goal to floss regularly. We have done AWESOME at this one. I missed 3 days this month because I was sick, had a migraine, or was just too tired, and simply fell asleep before doing a proper bedtime routine. Roon started out reluctantly, but with the difference he is seeing, he is motivated to do it without me having to nag him! This should be a piece of cake to stick with.
So now, it's March. I have an appointment with my cardiologist at the end of this month, and I would love to be down a few more pounds. Mainly, I want to be down enough weight that she believes me when I tell her I am exercising regularly. So, For March, in addition to the exercise and floss, we are going to improve our eating habits. We're going to concentrate on eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while cutting waaayy down on the amount of fast food we consume. I'll miss you sirloin burger from Jack in the Box! The hardest part will be cutting out or at least cutting back on my biggest weakness...DR. PEPPER! Oh you devil in a red tuxedo...go easy on me! And what does this mean for donuts? Oh donuts! Okay, seriously, I'm falling into the pit of dispair, gotta snap out of it!
So how about a little randomness...

Bubble lost his first tooth on Friday morning. He was pretty ticked when I wouldn't let him take it to school to show everyone. Roon suggested that he could just show people the gaping hole in his mouth...that should do the trick. He finally admitted defeat when I told him that if he lost the tooth at school, the tooth fairy wouldn't come to visit. That did it! He received a handful of coins (not sure how much, the male tooth fairy was the one to make the housecall) which he shared with his siblings the next morning so they could all buy gumballs while we were grocery shopping. What a sweet kid, huh?

I got a new calling at church. For the time being, I am going to be alternating weeks of teaching the 8 year olds Sunday School class. I got to sit in with them on Sunday to get a "feel" for it. I think I have my work cut out for me. Before moving to Texas, I worked with the 8-11 year old girls, and LOVED it! Of course, they had been under my watchful eye for quite a while, and these kids have only just met me. Just a note...playing with your gum, and balancing on one leg of the chair will NOT be permitted on the weeks I teach, thank you very much!

Have a great Monday everyone!

February Resolutibility

First, I have got to say, where the heck did January go? It seems like I had just gotten used to the idea of my January RESOLUTIBILITY and now it's time to fess up as to how incredibly terrible awesome I did at it. As a reminder, I decided to exercise for January with my own personal trainer also known as annoying virtual workout girl on WiiFit. Well, Roon and I both did this for a couple weeks, then decided to give the Wii Active another shot. They have a 30 day challenge on there, and we figured...why not? We did that for 5 days, and then both came down with horrific head colds, that wiped us out to the point where I was barely even blogging we're better now, after a week long hiatus of sorts, and we jumped back on the exercise bandwagon this morning. I enjoy doing it, it seems to make my day go smoother, when we're up and active before the kids get up for school, but that in no way means I enjoy getting out of my nice warm bed at 6 am. Obviously, this goal is still a work in progress, so I will update you on that as I feel so inclined.
For February, I actually have a lot of resolutibilities that I was debating using. I have been in the midst of starting 3 of them for the last couple of weeks, but decided that since February is the shortest month of the year, I should opt to do something that is guaranteed to be easy as pie. So, my resolutibility for February is: Flossing. Gross, I know, and probably too much information, but I have not always been the most consistant with flossing. I brush. I brush often. I brush regularly, but I have definitely been known to fall asleep at night without doing a proper bedtime routine, and I have the fillings to prove it. I think in the past, it's always been too easy for me to abandon this habit. I will get really good at the routine, and then I will have to go in and have my teeth cleaned, or a filling done, and my gums will be so tender for a day afterwards, that I will "give my gums a break" and fall out of the habit. Or, we'll run out of floss. Something that totally justifies spending $1,000.00 on a root canal, you know.
So there you have it...on my quest to be a more well rounded person, I am going to continue to exercise, and make my mouth healthier. Plus, I'm dragging my husband along for the ride.

Wii Not So Fit

So, here we are, one week since the start of my first "resolutibility", and I must say that I have learned some very valuable lessons that I would like to share with you...

First, in no way should you believe that riding an imaginary bike, while stepping on the Wii Balance Board, looks or feels anything like riding a real bike. However, when that yappy little virtual dog starts chasing you, chances are you will instinctively try to kick him out of the way with your foot, throw off your balance, and inevitably injure your pride as your spouse stands there pointing and laughing.*

Second, the commentary that comes from your "personal trainer" will begin to sound like a broken record, and you will be tempted to throw the Wiimote at the screen in protest as they scold you for your "legs shaking a little". I would advise you not to do this, unless you want a new TV, in which case...hurl that sucker! Instead, I would suggest muting the TV, and coming up with your own dialogue to replace the comments you would normally hear. For example, you could replace "train every day to help to improve your posture" with "Your posture SUCKS! I'd better see you in here tomorrow or you know I'll be throwing some veiled insults in the form of compliments at you the next day, loser!" What? Too harsh? Okay, how about you could replace "Train every day to tone and strengthen your abs" with "Is that all you got? My grandmother has better ab strength than you!" Maybe I'm the only one that this would amuse...ignore me.

Third, while playing any and all of the balance games, you will most likely begin to wonder if the apple juice you had earlier in the day had gone bad when you notice that it feels strangely like you are failing a sobriety test. Don't worry, you're most likely not tipsy, you just really are THAT uncoordinated.

Tune in next week as I share my adventures and epiphanies about eating healthy in conjunction with exercise. It'll leave you craving more...quite literally.

*No virtual dogs were actually harmed in our feeble attempts to exercise, nor are any real dogs harmed when we exercise in the real world, because we're really more of the "embarass yourself in the comfort of your own home" kind of athletes.

New Year's Resolutibilities.

I, like most people...I'm sure, hesitate to actually set a New Year's resolution. You see, to resolve to do something sounds so definite, like you have serious conviction, and fully intend to accomplish the goal you have set, and declared to the world. Or, at least declared to your small circle of friends, who laughed at you the minute you said you would lose 50 pounds, and then encouraged you to eat another slice of cheesecake, so you wouldn't make them look bad. No. I've set myself up for some serious disappointments in the past, and so this year, I propose a new word for what I am making. RESOLUTIBILITIES. In case my cleverness is just too much for you, my new word is a combination of the two words "Resolution" and "Possibilities". This is really just a way of declaring what I would like to have happen, and intend to work on throughout the year, while leaving a little loophole, so that if I don't accomplish the aforementioned goals, I can say, "well...I only actually said it was possible, not probable".
This year I decided that my resolutibility would be to become a more well rounded person. I began this attempt by starting up this blog, and it is also a resolutibility that I will follow through, and post new things on a very regular basis. Each month, my husband and I will begin a new goal in order to help us achieve our resolutibility, and I will keep you informed of what our goal was at the beginning of the month, with an update towards the end of the month, so you can judge and ridicule me. But that's okay, because I've still got my loophole!
The goal beginning first thing Monday morning is: EXERCISE!
In an attempt to shed some of those unwanted pounds, we want to get our bodies moving. With the help of Wii Fit, Wii Active, and any other Wii game that gets us up off our hineys, we want to participate in a regular exercise program and improve our overall health. Stay tuned for this month's update, and next month's goal. I know you're riveted!

What's your New Year's resolutibility?