OK I am all stamped out. So Im finally going to share some things many of you seem to want to know. I know this is primarily a stamping blog but I also share everything else! Basically if its on my mind, something going on in my life, the world knows about it. Why not share a huge part of something I have struggled with?

 You all are just so sweet for all the lovely comments regarding my latest new photo! I am eatting healthy, exercising DAILY, and drinking lots of water. I really feel amazing about myself, and am proud I have accomplished what I set out to do. I changed my life for ME. No one else.

I didn’t think anyone would care to read the times I’ve posted aobut my struggles or my exercise stuff and whatnot but MANY have, as it is part of your struggles too.

Now this is LONG so you can stop. No guilt 😀

I have to say spilling all this for the world is NOT easy! Especially sharing my awful photo of a day I felt my worst. The words weren’t as bad as sharing the PHOTOS!! I know this all just rolls out on my blog but I almost deleted it like 20 times. No lie. Its a truly sole baring post. I felt if I can write all this to share and help then I better suck it up and SHOW you that it all works.

Reality of it is, I have been thin my whole life. Never struggled with my weight. Never worked out. I was just thin and had NO interest in being in SHAPE. Well then I get pregnant with Alexa. It was a stressful pregnancy and it was the start of what I call “stress eatting”. I began eatting to fill my worries and fears. Not sure if it helped, but it did allow me to gain 72lbs! Nice huh? I felt so defeated after giving birth, thinking it would just FALL off over the next few months. NOPE! Only lost like 25lbs, kept the rest. Anyway I really thought I’d NEVER be thing again. Well,  I worked it off and got in shape after my divorce. I never felt better.

So began the rollercoaster of weight issues.

I went on to have Noah, lost the weight. Then I had Amber, lost the weight. Every time with exercise. 

 So there I was thinking I didn’t really  have an issue since it only came with pregnancies.

Then Alexa got Cancer. My problem came back! Having NO activity LIVING in the hospital for about a year, my best friends were cream cheese brownies, lots of sugar and coffee and whatever other bad thing I could possibly get my hands on at 2am, to help me not deal with my emotions. Over the last 2 1/2 years I see photos of myself where I got to my FINAL weight point, would work it off, then slowly climb back up during another cancer crisis. I would eat my worries away. If I did eat something bad, I would “punish” myself for it, by then eatting something else. Not good. Also the never ending fad diet, not easy to stick with forever!

So I decided for a healthier eatting LIFESTYLE change. Thats why I LOVE Dr. Phil!! He is so realistic about it all. Diets don’t last forever. You need to change the way you LIVE.

I don’t care how thin you are, or your gene pool, if you eat really bad it will catch up with. Once you have those fat cells, they are ALWAYS there, waiting to fill up!

Now I can think of a MILLION excuses as to why I could stay unhappy with myself, WHY I would wait to start-tomorrow, then tomorrow turns into weeks. Why I have NO TIME to exercise, but do have time for other stuff. There are NO MORE excuses. NOW is the time. I put my TODAY outlook on so many other aspects of my life, to finally use it work on this issue now.

I know not EVERYONE is interested in this, but many are, so I’m here to share. If it helps ONE of you, then fabulous. As women I think most of us can say we battle with our weight and what we *think* we should look like.

Now keep in mind I’m not a doctor, or dietican. I am a stay at home mom, to 3 kids, with an INSANE life and a BUSY daily schedule. Just like many of you. I’m just happy to share things that have worked for me and that is basically HARD WORK, with a concious effort to eat healthier. I take food ONE obstacle at a time, and relish in my defeating each as it comes, not looking forward. If I have something I shouldn’t I have it in moderation, and make a better meal choice for my next meal. All about balance.

I have no magic pill or wand that can make anyone healthier or an easy fix to get into shape. Getting out of shape is EASY, getting IN shape is hard work. If it were easy everyone would be models 😀 I had a goal and then worked my hiney off (literally) to reach that goal. The biggest hurdle we all have is our MIND set.

I am happy that weight LOSS won’t need to be a part of my New Years resolution! I can focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and work on other goals instead. I’m not where I ultimately want to be yet, but I know I am not far. I am determined to get through the holidays not a pound heavier. My goal is MODERATION! I don’t need a whole pumpkin pie to make me happy. Only a sliver.

I’m not on a diet, just changed my eatting HABITS, so its not a constant deprivation.

I have received MANY inquiries as to what I have been doing to exercise, and eat to lose weight.

I can’t even believe I am going to say this, but over 12 weeks I have lost 35lbs! I didn’t realize I had 35lbs to lose! LOL! OK well I wanted to lose it, but didn’t REALLY think it would actually happen. 

 My “OK I am so done with this” moment came on my 30th birthday in May. I was turning the BIG 30, and wasn’t happy. I wanted to be a HOT 30. I wanted people to say “What! You had 3 kids?!” not ‘Well, you have had 3 kids”.

Here is my AWFUL photo that I didn’t even want to look back on

My birthday May 3rd.

we-love-you.jpg

I HATE it. This was me. Its also the ONLY photo I let anyone take of me for MONTHS!

Now here was one from Alexa’s birthday Sept 29. Feeling and looking like myslef.

me-and-girls-2.jpg

Now I didn’t actually DO something about it until the first week of September. I know! I told you, always “tomorrow”.

Now after losing another 17lbs-this is on the 7th of November

me-cropped.jpg

See the difference?

 I don’t believe in scales. They make you CRAZY! So I don’t own one. Since Alexa has monthly doctor appointments I began weighing myself there ONCE a month. For ME,that was a good thing. Right before I started in August, then the following month September lost like 18lbs, then again last month (which I had hit a plateau so that wasn’t a fun scale day :C) lost 4 lbs, now this month lost another 13lbs . Boy was I super duper happy when I saw the numbers on the scale this past Wednesday! It was MORE than I thought it would have been.

I started a work out that had me take my MEASUREMENTS the day before I started the workout program. So I figured watching those measurement , and my CLOTHING was most important.

I also marked the WEEKS on my calendar on the fridge, to keep me on track, and knwoing where I was in the programs.

 I never leave the house to get in a amazing workout, and I do it in my living room! LOL! In between all my daily things with the kids 😀 I have an elliptical machine, which was what I started with (had it for like 4 years) but I mainly use DVD’s. Many of these videos also have QUICK workouts for your SUPER busy days. I try to keep mixing it up so I don’t get bored and I work different muscles.

IMPORTANT NOTE! Im not affiliated with ANY of these programs. I just feel like I could be on their advertisements though !LOL! They truly helped me get to my goals.

So here is what I do

I do my best to work out EVERY DAY!  Now that may seem excessive, but not when you start to enjoy it, and look forward to that time. Even if its 10-20 minutes. We ALL can find 10 minutes in the day. SOMETHING is better than NOTHING! Its now a part of my daily routine, and if I don’t get to it then I feel tired, blah and CRABBY!! I love having it be part of my day now. Its like my coffee use to be.

NOTE: the first 2 to 3 weeks of this lifestyle I was not overly thrilled with the working out and change in eatting habits!

Now when I eat I use a KIDS plate, or just dish out HALF of what I would normally have on my plate. PORTION control! It is RARE I am still hungry after I eat the smaller portions. I think we get use to eatting MORE, so we THINK we need more, or are still hungry because we are mindlessly eatting all the food on our plate.

Once I got over the CRAVINGS it was smooth sailing. It also takes about 2-3 weeks  to have your first real “WOW! Are you losing weight? You look great” compliment, so that helps!!

I chose the Mitch Gaylord Melt it off program. This is THE one that actually got me motivated to START! I found it motivating and helpful. It was the commercial that made me take that first step back to health.

This one was the real start of everything for me. Yes, it was from an infomercial and it works!! I love it. It uses a 2lb “G Ball”. At first I couldn’t do MOST of it, but within 3 weeks I was seeing great results. My brother is in tip top AMAZING shape. He is a professional arm wrestler and he would make fun of the workout. Well I made him do it with me, and I kicked his butt with this video! I felt great! LOL! He was definitely impressed and surprised. Granted I STILL can’t do some of it, but that gives me goals to meet.

This is the one when you start, where you take your measurements. There is nothing like doing the MATH when you are LOSING weight.

I have gone down 3 pant sizes. I now weigh what I did in highschool D only I am actually toned! LOL!

I have lost 7 inches from my chest (OK honestly not THAT happy about that-but oh well! LOL!) 6 3/4 inches from my waist, and 6 3/4 inches from my hips!

Now some other DVD  favorites of mine:

The Biggest Loser-Cardio Max- Purchased at Target.

There is NOTHING like wanting to QUIT your workout, when you have people far larger than you KICKING your butt, doing the SAME workout! You can customize this and it too have various levels to work up to. If you have seen the TV show you know these are people JUST like YOU. So get moving 😀 Its really amazing.

Jillian Michaels- 30 Day Shred-another Target find. This is my current “go to” workout.

She is the insane one from the Biggest Loser. She works them super hard. So when I saw this video I knew I needed it! LOL! She has a  series of 4 levels. 20 minute ONLY- kick your butt (in one exercise quite literally), I think Im going to throw up, amazing workout. This helped me get off that Plateau. In 3 days of her workout I lost ANOTHER 1/2 inch from the measurements! I DO recommend getting in decent shape before beginning this one 😀 That is just MY opinion. But you are guaranteed results in a 20 minute workout, and its so true. I feel I sweat even more in this one, than some of the hour workouts I do.

I also use Turbo Jam. Another infomerical. 

I love this one. It combines boxing exercises to kick your but with an aerobic like workout. At first you need to get use to the moves, but once you do you have fun. I used this once after I had Amber and needed to get back into shape for when Jay & I got married.

Pick Your Spot Pilates-Yes another Target one. This is full of 10 minute segments that really work you! Who can’t find 10 minutes? IF you are reading this post, then you certainly can fidn that 😀 AFTER you read my blog! LOL! This one was perfect after I had Noah. Having a colicky baby and little time I got back to pre-pregnancy weight in no time.

If you don’t know what is Pilates-this type of exercise is PERFECT for those of you with back, and joint issues, or who don’t want to jump around to break a sweat. You don’t need to be like a human GUMBY doll to do these, like you do in yoga.

I like this stuff when Im tired, or just want to work on strength. You do get a good workout. I’m still into the cardio/weight training  stuff at this point, but still use this one several times a month.

Honestly if you aren’t doing this for YOU, then it won’t work. I reached my limit. My “it” moment when I had enough of failing at the “diet” and saying TOMORROW. Enough of NOT wanting to be in photos or feeling icky about myself. Enough of buying clothes that make me LOOK thinner, when I want to just BE thinner! Now I go in the store and get something OFF THE RACK!

First thing is first. Be realistic. Be honest with yourself. Write your goals down.

Some of this is from the Mitch Gaylord journal and it truly helped me. I also put a photo of me that I LOVE in plain view for me to see when I am working out to remind myself of WHERE I wanted to be! Next to it was my WORST photo, so I had a visual of WHY I was really doing this. Now that BAD photo is gone, but my old one is still there to keep me going.

So now ask yourself-

Why are you doing this?

What is your purpose or desire for changing yourself?

What is your ideal vision of yourself?

What past limiting beliefs have stood in your way?

What are you committed to doing to relieve those beliefs?

What was your defining moment of needing a change?

Then get that photo and start that journal

The important thing to remember is in the beginning ALL of it is difficult. Its alife change. There may even be some excising you just can’t do! Try to modify them if you can, and try to keep up as much as you can. Before you know it, you will be a PRO! Just keep with it. Keep moving.

Next people asked what KEEPS me motivated.

I purposely buy clothes that are a LITTLE tight, or the next size down. I work to make them then fit! I wait a week or 2, then slide them on! That is the BEST feeling. I am also refusing to GO UP a size. If things get snug, I now know to kick it up a notch and not let 10lbs creep back on. THROW AWAY those bigger clothes. Then you have NO safety net! LOL! I mean it!

So that is it. Now for the FOOD stuff.

I MAKE myself eat breakfast! Its the most important thing you can do to get your metabolism going. I read NO CARBS in the morning. It makes you MORE hungry through the day, so I have yogurt, cottage cheese, fruit or something like that. Don’t get me wrong me wrong I still eat the occasional waffle! LOL! Just not so much syrup and butter. I aslo LOVE Quacker Oatmeal (weight-loss one) in banana bread! So filling and really yummy.

I cut out my coffee, and if I do drink it I use fat free cream and Slenda (that was the hardest part)

I drink TONS of water! Usually a full glass before meals. And I LOVE the Crystal Light packets. The water alone helps. The packets spice it up so it doesn’t get BORING!

No more SODA! I use to love diet Pepsi. Now it makes me SICK!

Have healthy snacks on hand. Readily available. I love granola bars, nutragrain bars, and stuff like that. They are tastey. and low cal. There are SO many 100 cal packets of things you can buy there are NO excuses for KILLING your healthy eatting with a SNACK! Also only eat ONE!

Make sure I stay on TOP of my hunger. If I feel hungry I eat something healthy before it turns into a handful of chips or cookies. Usually 2-3pm is my point of real hunger!

I take green tea pills. I heard they help metabolisim. Not sure if its true but oh well.

I cut my portions in HALF!

I LOVE SmartOne frozen meals! They really good, are quick too. Part of my problem would be skipping lunch cause I don’t eat what the kids do. They are really yummy, and are along line with Weght Watchers. They even have desserts! Also yummy. I like the points system so you can whatever you want. I think that “diet” works for so many because you can eat whatever you like, but it teaches moderation! I just try to live in moderation mode.

Going out to eat. Well like my meals I don’t clean my plate! I also try to go for something “healthier” than I would normally eat. Im not talking salad, Im just saying instead of FRIED chicken I may look for GRILLED! LOL!

I don’t snack after 7 pm!

If I want something bad I ask my self 100 times if it is really worth eatting! Often just by checking the calories I don’t want it bad enough. Then if I did. I usually feel sick after from all the sugar, or I can’t even finish it! NOT a bad thing 😀

Don’t go to the food store HUNGRY! NO! NO! NO! That is when the worst decisions are made.

Most importantly I have recruited my husband as reenforcement! Before we go somewhere that I KNOW may be full of temptation I ask him to keep me in check. By this I mean, I run by him what I am thinking of eatting, he will then say Are you really sure you want to do that. What about having X instead?

Now he isn’t doing this on his own and to be annoying. I ASK for it! It saved me many times from regretful eatting.

Lastly in recipes substitute LOW fat or NO fat items. We always did this so that wasn’t a hard transition for me. I think it adds up though.

So I think that covers it. I hope I helped someone in some way by sharing my own issues, and helping you see I am a TYPICAL person just like YOU! Same struggles. Im not famous, I don’t have a chef, a personal trainer, or any of that fancy stuff that movie stars have. I am a daily work in progress, but I am doing it. I feel so much better that I did 12 weeks ago! THAT makes it all worth it.

Better yet since its a way of living, I don’t feel deprived! I CAN have something. I just don’t have as much.

Start now and by the holidays you could seriously be transforming yourself too.

I hope this didn’t seem like a big ole lecture. Someone on your back doesn’t help you to want to get healthy. I just felt I would openly share what so many have contacted me about.

Now that Im done Im back to thinking I should delete this! LOL!

Oh well. I am leaving. I have Noah’s Party to get ready for.

I will leave you with this quote I always tell myself:

Let TODAY be your TOMORROW!