Having Kids Changed Everything

(taken Mother's Day 2011)

I meant to post on Mother's day but I have been so busy that I just hadn't had the time to sit down and write my thoughts. Then Monday Blogger started having problems and I had other stuff to post, so here I am almost a week late but didn't want to skip such an important topic.

My kids are such an incredible blessing to me. Just a few weeks ago little Reese became a master walker and gave up crawling forever. They have such fun little personalities and constantly keep me and my husband laughing. I mean seriously, where do they come up with some of this stuff? Their sweet innocence and unconditional love are so pure. They have no shame and think nothing of running around naked or asking for your assistance after they have done a big #2.

A lot of my motivation to lose weight was for my children. Don't get me wrong, I wanted it too but as a mother I never wanted anything to hurt them. I worried that they would get teased at school for having the "fat mom" and that would of broke my heart. I worried that I wouldn't be able to enjoy many of the activities that they would want to do such as riding roller coasters, going on airplanes, or going to a water park. I wanted to be able to run, jump and play with them. I also wanted to be a good example of health. I wanted to teach them that you can eat healthy and enjoy it that you can exercise and have fun. I see so many over weight parents with overweight children. It breaks my heart for these kids. They get teased, ridiculed and never invited to the high school dance because they are heavy. Most of the time they go searching for love and attention from somewhere else, a lot of times at the wrong places.

I have to take total responsibility for my weight. I never was overweight until I moved away from home. My grandmother made healthy meals, packed my lunches and encouraged exercise. I am so thankful that I never was overweight as a kid. I think my life would of been so much harder. Kids can be so mean and they will find something to tease you about even if you're not overweight so why add another burden.

OK..now this is going to sound very judgmental and I try really hard not to judge people; especially on their parenting. I have learned that most of all the things that I said "my kids would NEVER do" or "I would NEVER do" has just came back to bite me in the ass. I know that parenting is hard and that all kids are different but it seems like to me that when kids are overweight that majority of the time it is the fault of the parents. We are our kids foundation, we instill their values. We need to set a good example and try to do better to eat healthy and exercise so that they won't have the same pitfalls that we have. I encourage you to incorporate some sort of exercise into your life daily. My kids favorite is to crank up the music and just dance around. We do it at least once a day! Try to provide healthy snacks and eat fruits and vegetables in front of them. (My little boy loves junk food so I know this can be hard).

The other night we were at the neighbors house and they have a huge hill in their backyard. Hudson was running up and down it like it was nothing. After about 4 times he asked me to run with him. In the past I would of came up with a creative excuse not to; but it was great to say yes and to run it not once but twice with him. He was so happy! It felt great to me. Enjoy your kids. They grow up so fast. It breaks my heart to think that one day they will not want to snuggle or kiss me. I take advantage every day of these special moments.

Being a mom has been the most rewarding job I could of ever had. Both of my kids bring me so much joy and I love watching them grow and learn new things every day. To all the mothers out there, I hope you enjoyed your special day. Mine was great. Hudson made me a cute card with his hand prints that said "Hands down your the best Mom" and the kids bought me a beautiful hanging basket of flowers. Travis also treated me to a new bottle of perfume. My very favorite! He had just bought me a bottle at Christmas and when I was in Chicago it shattered in my suitcase (my clothes will forever smell like juicy couture). I have expensive taste in perfume so I didn't even think to replace the bottle but to my surprise Travis got me a new bottle. He is a good man!

Black Bean & Corn Dip

I love this dip. I have several friends that make it and I finally got the recipe. I had to share. It tastes so fresh. Kind of sounds like a weird combo but it is so yummy. The only bad thing about this recipe is that you have to eat with chips. I recommend the blue corn chips or whole grain tostitos.

Black Bean & Corn Dip

1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can shoepeg or white corn (drained and rinsed)

1/2-1 C crumbled feta (plain)

4 scallions chopped (or a sweet onion)

1/3 C white balsamic vinegar (you can also use apple cider vinegar)

1/3 C olive oil

3-4 TBSP of sugar (more or less depending on your taste)

Mix all the beans, vegetables and feta together. Mix the dressing together and pour over. Refrigerate for one hour. Serve with Tostitos whole grain scoops.

Original recipe found at http://www.angiesappetite.com/

Easy Exercises Anywhere: Part II

Here are a few more moves that you can do anywhere! Check them out. I know that I am no super model doing these exercises but I thought that the pics would help.

Exercise 1: Squat with heels together into plie position

(Lift your heels off the ground and do a plie and hold it, try doing 8 small pulses and then going almost all the way back up)

Exercise 2: No weights One legged dead lift

(balance on one foot, bend to touch ground, come back up and hop. I tried to take a picture of the hop but it was terrible)

Exercise 3: Wall Sit

(sit with your back against a wall and go down to 90 degrees and hold)

Exercise 4: Star Crunches

(Lie on back with feet in the air, when you do your crunch open your legs)

Exercise 5: Superman

(lie on your stomach, lift your hands and feet off the ground and then pull arms back lifting your chest off the ground)



Try these at home and let me know what you think. Do you like them? Did anyone try the exercises from part I?

New Measurements

I finally did new measurements and I am proud to report the following. Most impressive is that I have lost 2 inches off my arms! That is so awesome; slowly my bat wings are going away (however it was cool to have the ability to fly)! I have also lost 1 inch off my bust, wishing for more but I'll take it. I am going to cut them off some day anyway, right? I have lost 2 inches off of my waist and 3.5 inches off of my hips..Yippee! I guess that is why I am able to start fitting in smaller pant sizes. Sadly I have only lost 1.5 inches off my thighs but I am starting to incorporate more cardio as well as doing heavier and lower squats/lunges; hopefully this will help to accelerate this process. And....I also lost an inch off my calves. No cankles here!

I'll be taking them again in 60 days as well as doing another bodpod test to measure my percentage of muscle/fat.

Easy Exercises Anywhere: Part I

I have been attending a boot camp class that my trainer does thru parks & rec and we meet at the park and do our exercises outside. It got me thinking that these moves you could do anywhere using your deck, kitchen table or other household equipment. These are just a few of the moves that my trainer has shown me, I will be posting this as a 3 part series; so more to come. You can do these at home but I do suggest getting yourself a trainer or workout buddy because it will help to keep you motivated and accountable to doing the exercises. If you need a trainer, you should try mine (if you're local) just click on the link for her information. Tammye that is going to cost you :)

Exercise 1: Wall squats with pike

(Put your feet up against the wall and squat down trying to get your butt to your heels)

Exercise 2: Sissy squats

(make sure your knees are 90 degrees and that you keep your back straight as if you were up against a wall)

Exercise 3: Push ups with leg extension

(Do a push up, alternating leg lift)

Exercise 4: Side Bends

(lower hips down, then straighten)

Exercise 5: Planks with alternating leg bend

(start in plank position and then alternate leg bends on each side, going back to middle plank in between)

Hope this gives you a few ideas. Try these at home and let me know what you think. Some of them are harder than they look. What can I say? I am starting to make them look easy! haha.