tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53088654601434098142024-03-06T01:59:02.836-07:00Overcoming My Sugar AddictionHi I am Amber, and I am addicted to sugar.
I am a mom of two darling children: 4 year old girl and 2 1/2 year old boy. I am a wife to a man who loves chocolate and soda.
This is my journal of Overcoming My Sugar Addiction... or weak attempts to do so!!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-76587220319525781802013-04-07T18:39:00.000-06:002013-04-07T18:39:20.524-06:00Today is a new day: Initial Weigh In
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About this time last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stopped anything that
had to do with trying to lose weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
needed a mental break from everything weight loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took it and I felt much better as a human
being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am glad I got my brain sorted
out, cause big change was on the horizon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<o:p> </o:p>In June my husband lost his job and we spent a nine months
searching and being unemployed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has had
two temp jobs and recently got a permanent job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not only did we have the job loss, we have decided to become 100% debt
free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the loss of a job it
motivated us to move into one of our small rental homes and hopefully we can
sell our largest home next year anticipating the market picks up in our area.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>This week I am moving for the second time in the past four
months and it will be a semi-permanent move into a small two bedroom house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jumbbled I know but I so has my life the past
year!!</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Those are all stories for another day, but needless to say I
am grateful to have taken a break from weight loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My younger sister recently had a baby and she
is hosting a weight loss challenge and I through nudging, I have decided to
join. This is the first time I have joined a challenge and haven’t had a plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year when I joined a New Years challenge
I had a distinct plan and I miserably failed/gave it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I came a way a healthier mental
person!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Now my body is crying for attention. It is time to get back
to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we have been unemployed
we froze all bills that were not crucial necessities including my gym
membership.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And starting next week I
will have a gym membership again and will be moved back to the town where the
gym is at.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p>So today was the initial weigh in for the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is my pics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to get a plan in place after I get
moved next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But until then, looking
forward.</div>
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Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-48522907365257913852012-04-29T21:53:00.000-06:002012-04-29T21:53:37.269-06:00Peanut Butter and Chocolate Protein Brownies: recipe bust<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I found this post I started almost a year ago in my drafts! I thought I would post it despite it being a while back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have been wanting to make my own protein bars for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I searched the internet for some recipes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended tweaking one of the recipes I found and this is what I came up with.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Before you run off to your kitchen and go to start preparing this deceiving little morsels, let me give you the low down. The name was deceiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wonderful aroma that wafted in the kitchen was deceiving, I gotta be honest with you, they weren’t very good, <strong>at all</strong>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So if I were to rate them on a five star scale it would go as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Taste* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Texture*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Chocolaty goodness**</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Energy Boost****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Although these bars were down right gross, I had to give them 4 stars for keeping my energy up and warding off hunger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often times I need a boost and I crave something sweet, but what I really need is a swift kick of energy to keep me going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This nasty bar did it for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So rather than dump them all in the trash I have stashed them away in the fridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The recipe recommended cutting them up into 8 bars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could only stomach ½ a bar, and still was given the boost I needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nutrition information is based upon 8 bars though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">One other problem I had with the recipe…. It recommended cooking the batter on waxed paper, which I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could not remove the wax paper though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled what I could off, but there was no way this paper was coming off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe next time I will try parchment paper, or just spray the pan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Please let me know if you try them out and have better luck!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or if you have a good protein bar recipe I would love to try it out. Thanks!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Peanut Butter and Chocolate Protein Brownies</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8 Servings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ cup old fashion oats</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ cup whole wheat flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 ½ cup vanilla flavored protein powder or 6 scoops (I would have done chocolate, but I didn’t have enough)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ cup dry unsweetened cocoa powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 egg whites</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tbsp chocolate syrup</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ cup natural peanut butter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">½ cup-1cup water</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Blend oats until flour. Add remaining dry ingredients. Mix egg whites, chocolate syrup, vanilla and peanut butter in large bowl. Add dry ingredients. Slowly add water until "gooey". (this does not turn into a batter; it is very thick in consistency). Pour into 9x9 pan lined with wax paper. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on cooling rack. Cut into 8 bars. Refrigerate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">211 calories per serving </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18 grams of carbohydrates</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 grams of fat</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">26 grams of protein</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 grams of fiber</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Keep in mind that nutritional content will change with brand of protein powder</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-20690053552152427522012-04-29T21:50:00.002-06:002012-04-29T21:50:30.539-06:00I Am Back!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Well, I am gearing to get this blog back up and rolling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my lengthy explanation of where I have been and what I have been up to!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">A couple months back I had to stop. Stop all of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially it was all of my internet time consuming task, but mostly this blog and my “health” goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I was neglecting was my mental health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to walk away from my blog for a while to re-gain sanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I had made hefty weight loss goals at the beginning of this year and I even joined two challenges that cost me big bucks to enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stopped all of those things too, weighing myself, counting calories, obsessing over whether or not my body was weighing less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found I was getting angry with my body and I was feeling crazy with my load as a wife and a mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a healthy place to be if you ask me!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">For my sanities sake, I had to stop it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to re-prioritize my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have visited with my doctors and I am healthy in all physical aspects, other than I am overweight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my mental health was going to pot, I just had to stop it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For one whole month I didn’t go to the gym and I didn’t fret over the food I ate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I maintained my weight for the most part, up until the past week or so where I have seen a gain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sigh…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">During my time “off” I mostly just took a step back and began breathing again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was struggling with anxiety and it was getting worst with my weight loss efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would stress over things I did not have control over like sickness, and the moods of my children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would cry and feel stressed if I couldn’t get to the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at a point of I needed to make a change, and I really didn’t want to let go of my goals I had set, but something big had to budge or I was not going to “get better” mentally. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I worried that my anxiety was beyond my control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was to the point I had made an appointment with my doctor to talk about options and possible medications.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But due to my doctor being out of town and a job change with insurance not starting up right away,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my appointment was a month out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided before I got into see my doctor I would do every thing I could to get mentally healthy before I went to see her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Normally I think most of us would benefit from exercise mentally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was not working for me, it was bringing more stress, especially because all of my efforts felt in vain because I was not losing any weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was feeling more stress about trying to get to the gym, than was good for my soul and my body!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Along with my break from the diet world, I saw a counselor to see if I could sort some things out. My hopes were that I could gain some tools to help me deal with my anxiety so I wouldn’t have to turn to a medication route.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">The other change that took place was birth control, I ran out of my prescription for the pill and I wouldn’t be able to re-fill until I had my doctor appointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I went off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspected that the hormones in the pill were partial factor in my anxiety (which has been a struggle for me the whole year I was on the pill).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started feeling better and better with each day without the pill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> T</span>he hormones were messing me up!</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here are some of the things I learned from my: </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">“break from weight loss”</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><em>-Yes, the birth control pill makes me more moody and anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a good way to live!</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><em>-Going to therapy was helpful and I was able to gain a better perspective and helpful tools for coping.</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><em>-Not working out, was a blessing for this time being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed it! Backwards I know!</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><em>-You have to put what is most important first, even if it means you have to give up something you want really bad (I had big dreams of being down 60 lbs by June! Not gunna happen!!)</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><em>-When I eat lots of sugar I am more moody and it also brings on the anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dang, I wish sugar wasn’t a factor cause for some crazy reason I like the stuff!</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><em>-When I am not exercising and eating healthy I have a hard time getting to sleep, and a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>harder time getting up in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I missed my deep sleep and the ability to fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow!</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strong><em>-But most importantly I have once again learned how important it is to Trust in the Lord!</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So here I am, ready to start making healthy choices once again. I didn’t think my break was going to be as long as it was, but I am grateful to say that I am a healthier person today, even if I still am fat! :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can think clearly again, and I am not emotionally volatile, like I was becoming a few months back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gained back a great sense of sanity and I don’t live in an anxious hole of worry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am very grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I hope all of you are hanging in there! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please do not forget to take care of your mental health as well as your physical health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They go hand in hand and if one is lacking greatly, you can not win!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a beautiful week!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New;">Amber</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-75376255778932067322012-02-23T08:18:00.000-07:002012-02-23T08:18:18.567-07:00On Leave....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am taking leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave from my computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have decided the best thing for me and my family is to walk away from my computer habits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spend too much time pinning on Pinterest, browsing Facebook and too many hours catching up on Google Reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t even start with how much time I spend checking email and time on My Fitness Pal!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am not giving up on my weight loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hoping this helps me gain focus where it needs to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how long my absence will be, but I just need to change some things up in my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I hope to return a healthier person, mentally and physically.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Take Care, </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Amber</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-53715599892249101162012-02-20T18:05:00.000-07:002012-02-20T18:05:25.468-07:00SCC Week Seven Update<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Seven Challenge Update:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a <b>NSV</b> (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge. My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be wearing a size 12!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I feel like I am getting no where, but I am determined to keep moving along and attempting to move forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did however have a NSV, My 14’s I wear most often are loose, and due to my body shape they fall off my rear when they are worn below my belly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But due to the size of my belly right now they won’t stay on top of my tummy at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really have needed to find a belt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last time I tried on my belts from my closet (which I have not been able to wear since having kids) I was disappointed that I couldn’t wear them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and my stubbornness refused to go out and buy a larger size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Valentines I was going out on a date with the hubster and I decided to try on one of my belts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to wear it at the largest size.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a little tight, but it kept my pants in place while we were dancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried on a second belt and it fits even better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am happy for this small step of progress!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has helped lift my spirits a bit.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>nutrition</b> parameters and track via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Eating this week was not so great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t track as often as I should have and I ate way too many goodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I am back on track with logging my food. I did great on water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figure if it is one small thing I can do for myself, I can chug my water!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>exercise</b> parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">My moodiness is improving, and this morning I was able to go the gym while my husband stayed home with the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to get in a solid work out with cardio and weights. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>blogging</b> at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Check..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>support.</b>.. both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Check..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"><strong>Week 7 Review</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">How was the 7th week...? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Over all, week 7, was well… ho hum….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am slipping out of my slump, so that is good news.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Did you remain sweets free...? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought this weeks challenge was to eat with smaller plates and utincels??? I normally eat on small plates, I didn’t change this up, but could have ate on my kids plates.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">How were your workouts? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">The ones that I actually got in were great! Would have loved to work out more though!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">How was your water consumption? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Great</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">What do you think of the <a href="http://realchicksgettingfit.blogspot.com/2011/12/weekly-mini-challenges.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #f48d1d;">mini challenges</span></a>? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">They are good to have. Thanks!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">What did you do for yourself that was fun? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Dancing on Valentines Day with the hubs!!I</span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">I finally got around to changing my profile picture!! Yeah for changing out my half- grin photo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you all have a great week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can already tell this week is going to be much better than the previous three!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMZOaj_XJULHqOfRBoYMqgK3xAyacqMl5uOKUmLb8uSVlm_O9R2gCRxOpiuzjjL_eA-XXVaFs-H0YEMfmMeXECQNqz5ZV8urqoP25n5wvhi8r7LQgGyYLhtXcPhh5S9MuHU5dpuPvNuPL/s1600/2-2012+profile+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMZOaj_XJULHqOfRBoYMqgK3xAyacqMl5uOKUmLb8uSVlm_O9R2gCRxOpiuzjjL_eA-XXVaFs-H0YEMfmMeXECQNqz5ZV8urqoP25n5wvhi8r7LQgGyYLhtXcPhh5S9MuHU5dpuPvNuPL/s320/2-2012+profile+pic.jpg" width="301" yda="true" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-7802919269405493132012-02-15T22:31:00.000-07:002012-02-15T22:31:25.064-07:00... There is good news too!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Okay since I vented on my last post I only though it is fare to tell you about the good things happening in my life today as well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">-After trying to sell my car for several months I have a buyer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes we had to drop the price a couple of thousand dollars, but we have a buyer and we can replenish some money in our bank account!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still crossing my fingers that it all goes through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love my car and it is hard to let it go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bought it brand new in 2006, we “upgraded” to a mini-van last September so it is time to say goodbye to my lovely little wagon!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">-Since my husband became a CPA, we have been searching for a new job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has applied many places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The past two week have been FILLED with interviews (around 10ish!!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is even on round three (the job is between him and another individual!) at a job he would really like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow is the big day for this final interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been hoping and praying this is the job for us and that it will be a significant pay increase (especially since he has never had a raise in all four year of our marriage, even when he did get his CPA!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please pray for us!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">-I had a nice Valentines with the hubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to dinner then went dancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fun evening filled with Lindy hop, ChaCha and Salsa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mom was so gracious to babysit for us, it was wonderful to get out and just be alone for a little while.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So there are some really great things in the works at our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope your week is going well!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-15251714015350289062012-02-15T22:14:00.000-07:002012-02-15T22:14:27.901-07:00Mommy Blues<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Okay, vent session coming on…. Just trying to gain a better perspective of how I can accomplish my weight loss goals.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Right now my number one priority is to be a mom to my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each Sunday night as I lie in bed I get out a pad of paper and write down my goals for the next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some times my list is full of “To Do’s”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>other times it has great aspirations about calorie counting and future work outs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It feels good to map out my week and slip into restful slumber.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Sometimes the restful slumber is awakened in the middle of the night by my children crying out, for one reason or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most recent weeks have brought my teething 15 month old son, sad in painful tears throughout all hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 2 ½ year old daughter has even contributed to the all night mommy parties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Late last week she woke up at 2:30am, we brought her to our bed in hopes she would go back to sleep and we could get some rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>3:15am it was apparent that she was not going to go back to sleep, so we trudged out to the living room so dad could get some rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted to talk my ear off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is like her brain was processing so much and she was trying to process all she had taken in the previous day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sleep didn’t come until 5:30am, after her chatter, moving around getting into trouble I had had enough, I insisted she lie down and go to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After some fussing, she finally did fall asleep, and so did I.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So here I am exhausted day after day, just from my duties of being a mom/dealing with my children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did really well for many months at getting to the gym 4-5 times a week, the losing weight has been slow even on my best weeks with exercise and eating well, which is incredibly frustrating!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I guess I am calling out to all moms who have been where I am at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My intentions and goals are all well meaning in my weight loss, but honestly after getting sick two weeks ago I have really been struggling. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter (who is behaviorally challenging) and my son (who is incredibly curious) take every ounce of energy I seem to have most days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I aim high when I set my weekly goals and recently I am not able to follow through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying hard to not let it get to my head and get me even more discouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has worked for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you do the balancing act with young children?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Today I was determined to get to the gym. Our day started about 6:45am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gym childcare opens at 8:45am, closes between the hours of 1-4pm, then opens back up from 4-8pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal is to get there usually around 9:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son was having a really rough morning, which halted all plans of leaving the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister-in-law called and asked if I could watch her youngest two kids while she took the older two to the dentist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that delayed any gym plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son was still crabby and had I gone to they gym they would have called me out anyhow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister-in-law offered to take my daughter to her house to play when she came to get her kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was happy I would be getting a little break and she was happy to get to play with cousins.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I decided when I went to pick her up this afternoon I would hit the gym on my way back home when the childcare opened back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my daughter is used to going in the morning, the mix of changing things up and her being tired was the perfect recipe for disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She cried and started throwing a fit before we even got out of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hopes were she would warm up and be happier once we got inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have just stopped there at the car door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trek across the parking lot and just getting into the door of the gym were filled with crying and screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the attention of all the people working out, I even had two people get off their work out machine trying to come to the aid of my daughter when she threw herself in front of the door as it was swinging shut and she fell to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tantrumed on the ground yelling, “Candy! Candy!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure the people were thinking, “Yes, and now we know how your mommy got fat!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">One of the gym workers who knows my children came over and helped us back to the kid room, the crying continued, now my son decided to join in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kneeled on the floor trying to compromise with my daughter to get happy and play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t working, not one bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter just wasn’t going to calm down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided we would get out of there before my son started back up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">As we were leaving the gym a man who I have never seen before ( I am normally a morning gym rat) said, “Time for her candy?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I replied, “Oh no, no candy for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were not here long enough for that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter actually walked out the door as I held her brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we got outside the tantrum heated back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t going to move a muscle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swooped her up with my other arm, trying to balance her brother and my two bags, I must have looked atrocious. This is my work out, every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carrying children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days that is all I can get.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So here I sit utterly exhausted reflecting, “How can I make goals that are reachable for this stage my children are in.” I know this time is only a season, but sometimes I want to have and do it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realistically speaking, I can not. I am educated and should know how to deal with some of my situations with my daughter, for goodness sake I have degrees in special education and early childhood development!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why can’t I balance it all??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have a wonderful husband who is very helpful, but he can only do so much and recently he has had to work overtime so he has even more on his plate.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So here is the good news… (and possibly the bad news) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Tomorrow is a new day and I get to start fresh again!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So mommas out there in blog land, how do you balance the juggling act?</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-20956722596001669702012-02-12T21:59:00.000-07:002012-02-12T21:59:22.925-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Six Challenge Update:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a <b>NSV</b> (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge. My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be wearing a size 12!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Things are fitting about the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week I have been a little bloated due to TOM, but I am hoping for a great loss next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gained a pound this week and I am ready to shed it!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>nutrition</b> parameters and track via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.5in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I had a few great days with eating, and some terrible days like today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was out of control!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too much sugar, too many carbs, too out of control!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But here is the good news, I actually tracked my whole terrible day (over 2000 calories!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am back to the grindstone in the morning!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did do great on my water though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I may have even hit that goal 100%</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>exercise</b> parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I was having some real terrible emotional issues this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was battling with myself to make good choices and exercise was one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it to the gym twice, one really awesome work out and one really short work out due to my kids acting up in the childcare and me getting called back to take them out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we are on the upswing with my kids, myself and my husband being sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My son finally cut a tooth we have been waiting on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We only have one more to go and he will have most of his basic baby teeth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness because teething turns my sweet boy into a nightmare who doesn’t nap!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>blogging</b> at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I haven’t done any additional blogging this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am hoping that will change too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just have been struggling and I haven’t really wanted to do much of anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I am doing better and I am keeping a very detailed “behavior log” This is where I am writing down every detail of my day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the first column I am writing my action: eating, sleeping, how my body is feeling, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second column is a comment on how I feel, or my reaction to what I ate, or just more details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I am looking for patterns in my eating behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been really moody and emotional lately and I would like to see if I can find any patterns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I already know that sugar and lack of sleep contribute to my moodiness, I just would like to log it all on paper for a little while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am aiming for a week of detailed logging, then I will go from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now I am on day three.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>support.</b>.. both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I have read many of your blogs, and have commented on some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have cut back on commenting as well, but again I hope to get back in to that as well.</span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Week 7 Goals</span></b></div><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"></span></b><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Are you keeping them the same...? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Yes, for today I will be keeping my goals the same.</span></span></div></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #4e2800; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Are you switching it up? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">I will be soon, but I am working on getting things in order at home.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #4e2800; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">What has become like a habit? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Water!!! Yeah for being hydrated.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">MINI CHALLENGE.... Eat with smaller platers and/or utensils....</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-66812898832430052032012-02-06T09:01:00.000-07:002012-02-06T09:01:40.118-07:00SCC Week Five Update<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Five Challenge Update:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a <b>NSV</b> (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge. My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be wearing a size 12!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>nutrition</b> parameters and track via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>exercise</b> parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>blogging</b> at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>support.</b>.. both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Week 5’s Goals in addition to my goals above:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">No Caffeine!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Take my vitamins every day this week!!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">WARNING…. I am crabby!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">This week was a bust! Monday I got in a really great workout, which was nice but that is about the only good that occurred.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">I was sick with the flu, my son is still recovering from his ear infection and still is waiting on two more teeth to poke through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter was super crabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband is sick as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning he even woke up with pink eye. Arrghh.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">I have been frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t really address any of my goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was barely functioning a good part of the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I lost weight, but not because I ate well and exercised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure it is because of dehydration from the loveliness of the flu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure my weight is already climbing due to my period due any day now and I am super crabby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying to put frustrations and illnesses behind me and working on stepping forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still pretty low energy, so I am not sure when I will get in my next good workout, but I am hoping to be feeling well enough by this afternoon to be moving again.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">So capping last week……</span></div><ul type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Best moment...? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">When my husband called in sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know sounds crazy, but I could hardly lift my own arms, let alone my kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sick too, but he was able to rest and care for the kids, as I laid dead to the world.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Not so great moment....? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">See above.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Any funny stories...? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">none.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Are you where you hoped you would be in this journey? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">No, I want to be well!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And truly break my pre-holiday weight!</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Tell why or why not?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Would you like a buddy for the last 6 weeks of the challenge...? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Sure, that could be fun.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Anybody wanna chat online sometime...? </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">?? maybe?</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">So onto week 6!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><i><u><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">Mini-Challenge</span></u></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;">: All water all week. Modify as necessary. I think I can do this!</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span></b></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-65696386981834584462012-01-30T09:57:00.000-07:002012-01-30T09:57:46.411-07:00SCC Week Four<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Four Challenge Update:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a <b>NSV</b> (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge. My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be wearing a size 12!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I did some measurements over the weekend to see how I have done over the month of January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lost an inch on my waist, belly and hips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was happy there was a decrease, I had a rough week and was a bit discouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to look at the positive side of things and keep trekking along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the month I lost a total of 5 lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now finally to my pre-holiday weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it took the month of January to work off the months of November and December!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>nutrition</b> parameters and track via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">They say that it takes 21 days to form a habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it 22 days with out candy, cookies and sweet baked goodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can honestly say I have not formed a new habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is going to take more than 21 days for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week I was weak!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really weak, I folded and gave into cookie dough and candy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a little bit nearly every day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Giving up goodies cold turkey isn’t the best solution for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I do better if I allow myself to have goodies here and there and just make sure I track it to stay with in my allotted calories.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I was a bit disappointed that I haven’t lost more with my efforts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>exercise</b> parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">This week I got in 4 workouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They probably averaged 45 minutes, some were longer, some were shorter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had great aspirations to make it to the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both my kids are sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Started with coughs, then came the fevers, ear infections and now they are slowly on the mend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still sick though, I was really hoping to make it to the gym today!!! I guess I will be doing an at home work out once again!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">With my kids being sick, I have had a terrible time keeping up with my personal wants and goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also struggling to feel well and am fighting off the germies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to not giving up and continuing to move forward!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">This week for my new exercise I created a playlist on youtube of a beginning zumba work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you guys all checked it out!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>blogging</b> at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Check!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>support.</b>.. both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Check! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Week 5’s Goals in addition to my goals above:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">No Caffeine!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">This won't be a problem for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t drink coffee, tea or soda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I need to come up with a mini goal for me this week that will actually be a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">How about take my vitamins every day this week!!!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">I hope you are all doing well!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep your heads held high and February will be a great month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am looking forward to winter winding down and spring right around the corner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Have a great week!!</span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-40167753050151263792012-01-24T15:45:00.000-07:002012-01-24T15:45:23.307-07:0030 Minute Beginning Zumba WorkoutFor those of you in the spring chick challenge who are looking for a new exercise to do this week and don't know what to do here is a play list I created on youtube for beginning zumba. Most of the songs are instructed by tiffanyloveszumba. Again, I am having trouble embedding things into blogger, so here is the link!<br />
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It is pretty low impact, runs for 30 minutes and I think is a nice intro to Zumba. Let me know what you think.<br />
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What are you trying out for your new exercise this week???<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFB92E48586C0E4CA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFB92E48586C0E4CA</a>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-26952555146203495472012-01-23T07:21:00.000-07:002012-01-23T07:21:01.280-07:00Hypoglycemia and Your Blood Sugar<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I found this video on youtube, that gives a great explanation of your body’s chemistry and how our bodies work.</div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuA3uYS2ws8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuA3uYS2ws8</a><br />
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Sorry, I tried to embed the link, but it wasn't working.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-84746601537939518032012-01-22T13:15:00.000-07:002012-01-22T13:15:21.340-07:00SCC Week Three Update:<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Three Challenge Update:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a <b>NSV</b> (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge. My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be wearing a size 12!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Yesterday I dug through my bins of clothing that I stashed away post pregnancy, due to not fitting any longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy to say I found another pair of pants that fit me from my closet, they are size 13 and very loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>12’s still are not even close to buttoning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My determination will get me there! And I am down another two pounds this week.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>nutrition</b> parameters and track via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tracking via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">(add me as your friend—ambreee)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I did well with tracking and water this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really tried to stay near my calorie goal as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did pretty good and it is nice to be able to feel good eating less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying to get in a lot of veggies and a little bit of fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fruit isn’t good for my blood sugar, so I try to keep it at a minimum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still rocking my January goal of no sugary sweets, but today I feel weak, and I am battling wanting CANDY. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arrrrgh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only another week and a couple days, until I will allow myself a couple treats. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">This week I also tried to steer clear of white flour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did pretty good, except for two meals where I was out of the house and I completely forgot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so focused when I am at home in my own kitchen, but it just skipped my brain, when I was out and about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though I ate out twice I still was good on my daily calorie in take.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>exercise</b> parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I got in 5 great work outs (for the third week in a row!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am trying to push myself, and work smarter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am waiting for that day where I have lots of energy for all this healthy exercise and eating!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are days like today where I am just exhausted and would love to stay in bed, but just isn’t going to happen with my two little ones, who need care.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I had my first session with my old/new trainer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to have someone push me and get me moving again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The morning of my session, I felt like I was coming down with the flu, my body was achy all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a workout sore, but a sick sore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I debated all day if I should call and cancel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that I felt a little better by the afternoon and I should give it my best and go to the session.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am glad I went, but I wonder if I am having a hard time with my energy due to fighting a bug, that just doesn’t want to leave. It is that or my body is going through a process of detox and getting rid of gunk!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>blogging</b> at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Check!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>support.</b>.. both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Check! Yesterday there was something wrong going on with Google Reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could read your blog posts, but when I tried to click into your post to comment, I wasn’t able to even get the page to open up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was having trouble today as well, so hopefully it will resolve itself soon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Week 4’s Goals in addition to my goals above:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">*Find a new exercise!</span></b></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-155079146934485052012-01-15T22:53:00.000-07:002012-01-15T22:53:48.266-07:00Chocolate Temptations Resisted<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So last night I almost gave in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Going grocery shopping with the hubs is dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves to sneak lots of goodies into our cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I can talk him out of it, but sometimes I turn off the nag and let him do his thing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Our shopping trip last night he only threw in three evils: Little Debbie Brownies, Chocolate Poptarts, and a 2 liter of soda.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I had made up my mind I wasn’t going to touch his treats, but I was very, very tempted and weak last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were kicking back with the kids in bed, he threw a couple of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chocolate Poptarts into the toaster and man the scent that wafted!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It smelled like he was baking brownies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My salivary glands started going and I was feeling like I was missing out on something good.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I told my husband that I was about to give in and eat some of his chocolate goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me to stick to my word and not eat any of it!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I stayed clear of his goodies and had some sugar-free ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hardly compares, but I am continuing to refrain from any sweet baked goodies and candy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Low and behold it is the 15<sup>th</sup> and I have made it half way through the month!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">How are you doing with your new 2012 health and fitness goals?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is helping you keep to your guns?</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-75189260834953936452012-01-15T22:20:00.000-07:002012-01-15T22:20:22.408-07:00SCC Week Two Update<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Two Challenge Update:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a <b>NSV</b> (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge. My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be wearing a size 12!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Jeans are still feeling good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even with period bloat this week, they were not uncomfortable like they have been in weeks past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have lost a pound in the past week. Yeah!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>nutrition</b> parameters and track via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I am doing really well with tracking the first half of the day, then afternoon evening hits and I have a terrible time finishing my day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal was to track 5 days and I didn’t track 5 compete days, but I am working at being better at this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I completed my day and was only 1202 calories, so I was right on track with no exercise today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am doing good with water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days a little low, some day a little more.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I am still steering clear of the baked goodies and sweets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have allowed myself to have some sugar free ice cream and sugar free pudding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is nothing like the real stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would much rather have a cookie, brownie or something baked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>exercise</b> parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session (more details to come)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I got in 5 workouts last week. And so we are on track there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really sore, and really tired (due to TOM), but I kept on tracking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am looking forward to my first session with my old trainer on Tuesday.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>blogging</b> at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YES!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Check!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>support.</b>.. both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. YES!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Check!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;"><span style="color: blue;">I didn’t do so well at the mini challenge this week, I forgot about using my non-dominate hand to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did try it though and I learned I am pretty skilled with that hand too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bummer, I don’t know if it would slow me down!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Week 3’s Goals in addition to my goals above:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">-No white flour this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to make some whole wheat bread and other yummies (tortillas, maybe pitas).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have got to re-train my brain and get off my husbands white bread!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">-Continue the no sweets.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Have an awesome week!!!</span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-53546617256560240752012-01-12T13:39:00.001-07:002012-01-12T13:40:13.642-07:00Good News For The Winner In Me!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> ....side note, I have to quit blogging! My baby has just woken up!...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">I have some good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several sponsors for the local challenge I am doing. At the initial weigh in I entered a couple of drawings </span>for free training and such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I received a call a couple days ago that I won a months worth of free training, gym membership or fitness classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this is a marketing thing to get business stirred up, but the cool thing is this business is the business of my former trainer (</span><a href="http://www.fitclubboise.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Johnny’s Fit Club Fitness</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">) </span><a href="http://overcomingmysugaraddiction.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-for-reflections.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">where I won the challenge</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> four years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few months after our challenge Johnny, my trainer started this business.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So the short of it all, is I chose the free month of training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And my former trainer Johnny is going to train me again!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Our first session is next Tuesday! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Yeah I am excited to have someone to push my butt again!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-53826253574036247432012-01-12T13:32:00.000-07:002012-01-12T13:32:00.210-07:00Weight Loss Challenge Accepted<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Well I did it, last Saturday I took the plunge paid my $50 and decided to join a lo<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1804252372">cal weight loss challenge/competition.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="http://hdiabetescenter.com/weightloss/" target="_blank"> </a> </span>I did a little game play before the actual weigh in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loaded up on salty meals the day before and knowing that my period is on its way, I knew I would retain a ton of water, as I usually do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gained some water weight overnight, but nothing too crazy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So I am committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The challenge ends June 7<sup>th </sup>(my 4<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary!) and the reward for the one with the highest percentage of weight loss wins $3000, second place $1500 and third $500.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me this is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have some monthly challenges and meetings from the sponsors of the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan on participating as much as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <a href="http://hdiabetescenter.com/wp-content/allup/WLC_brochure_2012.pdf" target="_blank">Here is the PDF brochure for the challenge</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The place where we did the initial weight in was the same place I went for nutritional counseling 13 years ago, <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Humphries</placename> <placename w:st="on">Diabetes</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype></place> (for my hypoglycemia).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know if I can follow the diet I was prescribed then, I have a great shot at some awesome weight loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I followed it to a tee then, I lost 40 lbs (and was down to 125 lbs), I did that in 6 months with no intense exercise, just walks and bike ride here and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when I followed my diet I felt like a new person, I was no longer lethargic, exhausted and falling asleep in the middle of my work day!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1hWYHx0jQqFfP-B7e4vJnbQFym9BUi_YiSFROh1FVqQCsknwqHI3epBDT8SCtjx04J6K0VIx4_Fyuu25C_V0_iEfxIzKVLzf2jDeEKGRD3yJTh1R2XIf0MFweuCrxXRIro_aeEx7t-nV/s1600/1999+december+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1hWYHx0jQqFfP-B7e4vJnbQFym9BUi_YiSFROh1FVqQCsknwqHI3epBDT8SCtjx04J6K0VIx4_Fyuu25C_V0_iEfxIzKVLzf2jDeEKGRD3yJTh1R2XIf0MFweuCrxXRIro_aeEx7t-nV/s320/1999+december+17.jpg" width="127" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture from way back then!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Happy Day, lets get moving!!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-84906191160332494982012-01-12T12:56:00.000-07:002012-01-12T12:56:23.984-07:00Size 12 Goal Pants...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazN7phMfyyS-iYm9aRXcTSM7ZKNJASS9iCwXf4FuT4cAEAuWdiuHW4JpdOwTXJGn8bfbhr4AdOFFbCdTOnHenprd4hUESSFALlg9_PEH4YqqQQuODWOK53yiPwULbercyaKnYQpx2rUaM/s1600/1-9-12+Goal+Pants_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazN7phMfyyS-iYm9aRXcTSM7ZKNJASS9iCwXf4FuT4cAEAuWdiuHW4JpdOwTXJGn8bfbhr4AdOFFbCdTOnHenprd4hUESSFALlg9_PEH4YqqQQuODWOK53yiPwULbercyaKnYQpx2rUaM/s320/1-9-12+Goal+Pants_edited-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Not the happiest looking picture of myself, but here are the size 12 pants I have chosen as goal pants to be able to fit into by March 19, the end of the Spring Chick Challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can see I have many inches to loose around the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darn trouble spot!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Let’s Get Moving!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-91387059100912316002012-01-12T12:53:00.000-07:002012-01-12T12:53:41.698-07:00My Christmas Gift!! Polar FT4 HRM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3uhuY95ZW1rxrqSlO3uR3pUpMfjaOKReLmPJtLaTmlD5zX1rMx-sAPWksXXFMdoQwsnoLDcpqF-cGmXAbMmao0_IRqG33AG3kBxVE93bhxzu00fBiVYMS9EPyGQKeo7c3wLc7vhJEDOt/s1600/Polar+gift1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3uhuY95ZW1rxrqSlO3uR3pUpMfjaOKReLmPJtLaTmlD5zX1rMx-sAPWksXXFMdoQwsnoLDcpqF-cGmXAbMmao0_IRqG33AG3kBxVE93bhxzu00fBiVYMS9EPyGQKeo7c3wLc7vhJEDOt/s320/Polar+gift1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My Christmas gift arrived last week and I have been thrilled with it!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I got a Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have loved seeing what I am burning while working out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been especially motivating while working out at home while my little #2 naps.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My goal is to burn more with each 45 minute work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know this isn’t exactly going to happen when I am doing my weight training and toning sessions, but it is still nice to have a way to challenge myself.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Happy Moving!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjim3EEnPhiQV1oau60GIbxvyr5EdzUivCnsTpby1MA_9_OsIl7mi4xSfMhdCd0H7yJX9dR9NRU14hkJesrlOXk5vXnyS-cW8SNWChw9R2HMpbHdWikvQCfHLdHLJ7oTv_AKyKJNXrjzbeW/s1600/polar+gift2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjim3EEnPhiQV1oau60GIbxvyr5EdzUivCnsTpby1MA_9_OsIl7mi4xSfMhdCd0H7yJX9dR9NRU14hkJesrlOXk5vXnyS-cW8SNWChw9R2HMpbHdWikvQCfHLdHLJ7oTv_AKyKJNXrjzbeW/s320/polar+gift2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-28441811047059517232012-01-12T11:48:00.000-07:002012-01-12T11:48:56.299-07:00Tagged, and you are it!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">I have been tagged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I started writing this up several days ago and for the life of me, I can’t remember who tagged me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sorry for not crediting you!! It can be a challenge just to keep up with all of you awesome blogs!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">Here were my 11 questions</span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #233d16; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Do you have a favorite quote or saying, if so please share. </span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding” Proverbs 3:5-6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words to live by.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">Do you know your blood type? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">I think I am A+, I am not completely sure though. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in left 5.5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">Have you ever been in a fist fight? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; tab-stops: 5.5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">No fist fights for me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; tab-stops: 5.5in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; tab-stops: 5.5in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">If you could meet any living person who would it be & why? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Dieter F. Uchdorf, he is an apostle of God and an awesome example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to spend lunch together just chatting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Here is a link to one of his <a href="http://lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/forget-me-not?lang=eng" target="_blank">recent talks: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Forget Me Not</i></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">If you won $500, what would you buy for yourself? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">I would buy an Ipad to see what all the hype is about.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">What is the worst gift you ever got at Christmas? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">I think when I was 14 I got an old fanny pack with dirty used socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gift from my step-brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t exactly great friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gift almost made me cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>{I dreamt about this, after writing this post initially, annoying!}</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">What is your best feature? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">My smile, I really need to change my profile picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I choose it, because it doesn’t really look like me, I have a fake smile in that picture!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">When was the last time you cried? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">This morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stressful morning mixed with hormones.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">When was the last time you made someone else cry? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">About an hour ago I made my 2 year old cry because she wanted to wear her bead necklaces to bed, and I took them away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had two near choking accidents today with her (vacuum cord around the neck four times while dancing and sticking a quarter in her mouth with running around).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So yeah, she is making me a little paranoid and crazy today!!</span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">Where would you love to take a vacation? </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">I would love to visit <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Hawaii</place></state> again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lived there when I was 18-19 years old and I haven’t been back since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love to see the <placename w:st="on">Big</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Island</placetype> and Maui, two places I have not been and show the hubs all the places I visited when I lived there (on <place w:st="on">Oahu</place>).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; mso-fareast-font-family: "American Typewriter Light";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";">Please share one interesting fact that you think people would be surprised to know. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "Courier New";"></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">I have two degrees in education (elementary education and early childhood special education) I used to teach special ed preschool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quit teaching to be an at home mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People ask me all the time if I miss teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">Nope, not At All!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love being at home with my kids and teaching them, the most rewarding job ever!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if I think I am going to go crazy with my active little monsters!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">11 Random Things about Amber</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">1- I love maps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to study them and dream of vacations and road trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I am on road trips I like to have the map out and see how far I have gone and how far we will be going. I am old school, no GPS for me (at the moment).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">2- I was a nanny for many families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nannied on the east coast (D.C.), west coast (<city w:st="on">PaloAlto</city>, <state w:st="on">CA</state>), <state w:st="on">Hawaii</state> and <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Idaho</place></state>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I paid for all of my college by being a nanny.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">3-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I first met my husband, I could not stand him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drove me crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we went on our first date I couldn’t believe that we actually had so much in common that I needed to check this guy out more!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">4-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost drowned once while kayaking the <place w:st="on">Salmon river</place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything turned out okay, but I was pretty scared. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">5- Since becoming a wife and mother (and gaining 60+ lbs) I have had a hard time finding my new identity.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">6- I like rocks. Small pebbles, big boulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just like rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to climb them, and collect them although it has been a long time since I have picked up any rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I need to get out side more!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">7- I love to garden, up until it gets really hot out in the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the garden always suffers </span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Gulim; mso-hansi-font-family: Gulim; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">8- I used to be an avid biker (cyclist).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite brand of bikes are Cannondales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I currently have a Trek road bike and an Electra cruiser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to start biking again now that my kids are a little bigger and fit a little better in the bike trailer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">9- My parents are divorced and my mom remarried our blended family totaled 11 kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We lived in a 3 bedroom house for a couple years, all the kids shared one bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about crazy times.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">10- I worked at Taco Bell at a teenager and had never really eaten there before I started working there.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: top;"><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">11- Chocolate Chip cookies are me weakness!</span><span style="color: #233d16; font-family: "American Typewriter Light"; font-size: 9pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Here are the rules:<br />
1. Post these rules.<br />
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.<br />
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post.<br />
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.<br />
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">6. No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ blah blah blah, you actually have to tag 11 peeps</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Sunshiney; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Gulim; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I am breaking the rules…. If you have not been tagged yet, consider yourself tagged, I would love to learn more about you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There you are!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Gulim;">Here are your questions…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;">What is something you are proud of accomplishing?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;">Where is the furthest place you have visited from “home”?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;">What is one thing you want to accomplish by summer?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;">What is your favorite way to exercise?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;">Do you have a hobby that defines you? If so, what?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;">Have you had any encounters with a famous person?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;">Where is the last place you drove your car to, besides home or work?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;">What personality trait do you seek to have?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim; mso-bidi-font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Gulim;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the best day of the week, why?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim;">10.When is the last time you went for a walk, just to enjoy the scenery?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Gulim;">11- What was your favorite childhood toy or activity?</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/4644405835451869/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtluzUh8pqn8r2JcOlyd-lSCIxJE31Xl1xHwzKDd634k6jspKWVWWs7-zxCb7NGs5oWkI9gk2du7HWK0zZJ7p42n8VPKLHHROtLVUZyWVomFX_e1kOKEmpymcJejJofFPoQVC4Giag1TjX/s320/6602806665_e3ea3305cb_z%255B1%255D.jpg" width="207" />Credit</a></div>Have a Great Day!!!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-28912292722627491072012-01-09T17:25:00.000-07:002012-01-09T17:25:50.790-07:00SCC Week One Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-29YJ5PJ-P4QfTckKKWuqsHjHIuWbgQQmX43Zv0OwAbP_N5hWagjw-7wfo3wq11d_17oKuNqGltOYyZhLSQxL6DVGLV8D40yIXJHam-Xm6g5CeFCtJh3R46eEVOLtyIMiVUQ1a3C6CS9/s1600/Spring_chick_CHallenge_logo1jpg%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-29YJ5PJ-P4QfTckKKWuqsHjHIuWbgQQmX43Zv0OwAbP_N5hWagjw-7wfo3wq11d_17oKuNqGltOYyZhLSQxL6DVGLV8D40yIXJHam-Xm6g5CeFCtJh3R46eEVOLtyIMiVUQ1a3C6CS9/s1600/Spring_chick_CHallenge_logo1jpg%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) </span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Week One Challenge Update:</span></b></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a <b>NSV</b> (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge. My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be wearing a size 12!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I am currently wearing my size 14 jeans and I have to say, the holiday bloat is subsiding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hoorah!! They fit much better today than they did even a week ago!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exciting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried on my 12’s today and took a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have some serious work to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am happy to be moving, to get them back on my body!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>nutrition</b> parameters and track via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I started out the week great at tracking, I choose not to the last couple of days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal this week is to track at least 5 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am doing great on the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also doing good at giving up sugary sweets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had no baked goods or candy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, it is a huge success.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>exercise</b> parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session (more details to come)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I got in 5 workouts last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went to the gym 4 times and got in a solid 45 minutes and made an attempt to workout at home while my kids were around and it was a feeble attempt to burn calories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My kids were all over me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not the greatest workout, but I am moving along!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>blogging</b> at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YES!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I have got in a few blog posts and for me that is a big improvement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life gets the best of me sometimes and blogging gets put on the back burner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>support.</b>.. both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. YES!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I have commented on several blogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried putting all of the challengers blogs on my sidebar, but I had technical difficulties and it never happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got frustrated after my third attempt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have several other challengers in my google reader, and I will work on supporting my fellow challengers.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">A great week one, let’s go ladies!! Keep it up!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-44116197056875672292012-01-04T13:33:00.001-07:002012-01-04T13:34:57.374-07:00Weight Loss Goal Rewards..<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I got in a little bit of a slump last year of not really caring about my weight loss anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not sure what triggered it, but I decided to re-visit my rewards for weight loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was rewarding myself every 10 pounds, and I decided I needed a little lift more often, so I have revised my list and changed my goal gifts to every 5 pounds now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here is my updated weight loss goal rewards:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 28pt;">Aspire</span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 28pt;">…</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 28pt;"></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 28pt;">Reach</span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 28pt;">…</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 28pt;">.</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 28pt;">Work</span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 28pt;">…</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 28pt;">..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><s><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">209: Yesterday</span></s></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><s><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">199: hair trim</span></s></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><s><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">189: pedicure</span></s></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">184: Color Hair</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">179: Bedroom makeover</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">174: New piece of workout equip.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">169: Weekend Road Trip<u style="text-underline: words;"></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">164: Hair Cut</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">159: Pedicure </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 22pt;">(down 50 lbs)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">154: Family Pictures</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">149: New outfit</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">144: Energetic Body Wrap</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">139: New Book</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">134: Manicure</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: BOSSHOLE; font-size: 22pt;">129: special vacation </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: 20pt;">(down 80 lbs)</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Happy 2012ing!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-77308056070797393262012-01-02T22:39:00.000-07:002012-01-02T22:39:06.522-07:00Challenge for $$ Reflections<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am debating about joining a local weight loss challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It begins this Saturday and goes through June 8<sup>th</sup> (my wedding anniversary!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first place prize is $3000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I could drop my sugar habit for six months, it is possible I could win this challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a winner you know???!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Four years ago I joined a fitness challenge at my gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was determined, I was motivated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a six week challenge and was measured by the greatest amount of fat percentage lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were only 8 people who participated, but I did have tough competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember all the details and numbers, but I do remember only loosing around 5lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I lost 10% of my body fat and won the challenge!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great boost in my roller coaster of adventure. Here are my before and after pictures from the challenge.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchD6tY5ZoFwz7fh36zVGa8svI2jzaLBSu2ahSUnUaqwlptSzoPYO8lFGdy3vlO7Ks8DNw1_CC5a3L4WTdFVtaXl2mQjFFIA0XSZVphxYVsN51nFwDgO-oR7CPJdR57FdLExE-TFEcHCCP/s1600/2008+weight+loss+challenge+results.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchD6tY5ZoFwz7fh36zVGa8svI2jzaLBSu2ahSUnUaqwlptSzoPYO8lFGdy3vlO7Ks8DNw1_CC5a3L4WTdFVtaXl2mQjFFIA0XSZVphxYVsN51nFwDgO-oR7CPJdR57FdLExE-TFEcHCCP/s400/2008+weight+loss+challenge+results.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have always wanted to be trim and fit and have taken great efforts to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has always been a challenge to keep my weight at bay, but since I have had kids, it has been even more difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The body I once cursed and felt like it was oh, so large, I would love to return to today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perspective!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">So if I join this challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would like to return to the 150lb beauty, I was four years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am a numbers person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked up the past two years winners of this challenge and one lost 30% of her body weight and the other lost 26%.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">For me to drop 30% I would be at my ideal weight of 140lbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I get it accomplished <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by June 8<sup>th</sup>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is possible, but being a mom now, can I do it???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I can do it, I am just not sure how the road there will look exactly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dropping everything and going to the gym doesn’t exactly work with two toddlers who need a lot of attention from mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when I plan it into our day, things come up (teething, sickness, need of a nap or just plain cranky! All of which seem to happen a lot in my life!).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Oh decisions, decisions!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe if I could make a goal of what I would do with the $3000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The possibilities are endless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new camera housing for my 50mm Nikor lens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cruise vacation with the hubs to <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Alaska</place></state>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nice little nest egg for the kid’s savings accounts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe a special trip shopping and to the spa, ahh... a day of relaxation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have almost talked myself into the challenge. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will see what happens between now and Saturday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It costs $50.00, so for me if I drop the money on the table I will need to commit to make it worth it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of coarse I aim to win if I join, but I do know that the ultimate winnings are a healthier, leaner more in shape body!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I can get my sugar habits under control this is very possible!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Any advice or words or encouragement are welcomed!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Happy 2012ing!</span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-70059821474057257652012-01-02T22:10:00.000-07:002012-01-02T22:10:26.122-07:00Two days into 2012!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Two days down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here I am wrapping up the 2<sup>nd</sup> day of 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would call it a success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My main goal for January is to go with out sweets for the month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far I have resisted cookies, fruit snacks, Breyers chocolate Oreo ice cream, and a multitude of left over Christmas sweets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My husband is taking all of the goodies to work to clear out the pantry and I am happy to have it gone.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I haven’t gotten back into the habit of drinking enough water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason over Christmas I got out of my good water drinking habit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time to get back in gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was close to my goal today, but I have some room to improve.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The hubs and I got to the gym today. It was nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really felt great to be moving again after taking several weeks off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though it felt great, I was exhausted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat down to do some reading and I was out cold for an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nap was nice though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t get to take naps often, so it was a nice bonus of having my husband home for the day.</div><br />
Happy 2012ing!!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5308865460143409814.post-6997445478022591052011-12-31T18:41:00.001-07:002012-01-02T22:41:16.429-07:00Spring Chick Challenge Intro<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I am in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have decided to join the spring chick challenge!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is my introduction and my focus points for the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am pressed for time today so this will be brief. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will give more details and pictures in future posts. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I am Amber (overcomingmysugaraddiction.blogspot.com) and I am a sugar lover (hence my blog name).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am 33 years old and live in <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Boise</city>, <state w:st="on">Idaho</state></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can email me at (<a href="mailto:overcomingmysugaraddiction@gmail.com"><span style="color: blue;">overcomingmysugaraddiction {at} gmail {dot} com</span></a>)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Over the summer I did an online blogging challenge (Slimmer this Summer).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was awesome for me to set specific goals and keep to a great plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lost 12 pounds and felt great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then I have been struggling with eating and getting consistent exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact I know I have gained a bunch of weigh over the past week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had a few holiday binges and it is time to get back into gear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am ready to see the scale and my pant size move the other direction!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I may alter my goals a bit once I get more time to write a more details, but here is what I am committing to at this moment!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">So here are the focus points for this challenge:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a <b>NSV</b> (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1.5in; mso-list: l0 level3 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">§<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be wearing a size 12!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>nutrition</b> parameters and track via MyFitnessPal </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to a set of <b>exercise</b> parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 1.0in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session (more details to come)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>blogging</b> at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>YES!!</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">Commit to <b>support.</b>.. both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. <strong>YES!!</strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #4e2800; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt;">I am ready to kick off this new year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited to get to know new bloggy friends and to keep moving!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526446746350014470noreply@blogger.com7