So... This was the day I was all nervous about, because I knew I'd have to weigh in and I just... didn't know what the scale would translate too. I didn't have as good of success as last year, but I didn't gain! lol There's the plus. Plus, even though I, technically, lost about 1lb (Yeah, I remember how I said that 1 lb in 6 weeks was bad and... that's what I did, lol).  I suppose, putting my sights high and wanting 10 lbs in 6 weeks was unrealistic. Dur. Should have known better, lol.

But, despite what the scale said, I had a few successes

1. The 30 day shred gave me new confidence in workouts and it did change my body, leading me to number 2

2. I'm down a pant size and a shirt size. That's the biggest thing and that's going to take me far, I'm sure. The motivational boost of that is awesome!

The real point behind my "weight loss challenge" was more to adapt healthy habits, and I did that. Even if I wasn't always careful and did go overboard in the last two weeks. Oh well. I still got something out of it, and I hope you all did too, and I'd love to do another one, soon. (Maybe before summer hits, I will host another challenge for those interested! I just have to come up with some new ideas, first, and that's not always easy).

***

So, now I'd like to know how you all did, if you want to share!

Either way, Congrats on getting to the end and I thank you for your interest! Way to go, everyone! Good Job!

@missibarraclough

@cecilliamarie

@aidensmommy

@tiyalee

@xcntrychicka

@xxbarbiexx21

@lookingpro

My daughter just hates to pick up her toys. Some nights, I just end up doing it myself (which is a mistake that I'm correcting), and other nights we "take turns".

However, lately, she's just not been into it, even with me saying, "lets take turns putting the toys in the bag/toy bin".

I also was getting super angry over it. I pulled out my "No Cry Discipline Solution" book (by Elizabeth Pantley) and, yep, I was doing it all wrong. lol  Such a waste of energy to get angry over that, when all the anger does is make the child more determined not to do it.

So, instead, I'm keeping calm, offering 1 warning and any toys that are not picked up are getting taken to the basement. I told her she can have them back, once she starts helping me pick them up. I've done that for two nights, now, and she doesn't seem to care. She gets the idea, because she tried to run away with the bag that held the puzzle pieces, so I wouldn't be able to take them to the basement. Meh. I just have to continue following through and she'll get the idea. Normally, if she doesn't help pick up her toys, I put them away for a whole day and then she gets them back.

I'm pretty okay with this plan, but I'm going to re-read that book and get some more tips. But, I thought I'd ask all the moms out there what they do with a stubborn child who doesn't help pick up their toys? What are your methods of dealing with it?

my main one (well maybe the only one lol) is walking a marathon.

And I don't even mean in one day. (I might even try doing this twice, this year!)

I'm going to walk a marathon over a two week period (I'm actually going for more 30 miles in a two week period). That's my goal.  Hey, why not, right? It's good enough for me. I'll use a workout dvd I can use right in my living room. I plan on using either Leslie Sansone or the Biggest Loser Walking DVD I have. Hopefully, Leslie, though. I love her. She has these awesome DVD's for 5 mile walks and I'd do that 3 days a week, for two weeks. Viola, marathon done!

I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be a challenge.

And I really thank Jillian Micheals. The 30 day shred, if nothing else, did one good thing for me. It made me actually believe that I can do anything I put my mind too. I used to hate that DVD, but it makes me feel so powerful and strong and now I feel like I can push it with my workouts.

*And, really, I've probably already walked 30 miles in my life. Duh. But, still, not necessarily in a two week time period!*

***

I also go this cool idea... somewhere, can't remember where, exactly. This woman pulls out of a hat the workout she's going to do, everyday. Great idea or what?! I'm going to try it. like a surprise workout. I think that sounds kind of exciting.

What fitness goals do you have?

Well, now that the holidays are all over... I'm hoping to get back to normal. It's pretty hard to get a workout in around here when everyone is home but, at the same time, I'm a huge fan of not making excuses. Sometimes, you just gotta do it anyway. And I have. My second thing that made me not want to do it was being sick. I woke up hardly able to breath and I was sore so I decided to continue resting myself. And it stinks. I know some people can workout when they are sick and I admire that. I was going to take it easy, do something easy... but, alas, I didn't.

Then, during bri's good nap, I had a coughing fit. I was coughing so hard, my chest hurt. My chest and my shoulders and down my arms. Kinda scared me, but my sister said that was normal.

So, I can't wait to get rid of this cough. Seriously.

I'm also getting excited for my birthday. 1 week to go! My hubby agreed to me getting a haircut, but I can't do highlights. Lets face it, highlights are pretty expensive and it's really not a necessity. Plus, you have to keep doing it, once it's done, because it grows out. So, Oh well. I'm happy with just the haircut.

Then my  mom is buying me jeans.

I'm then hoping to go shopping with my sister, maybe get a few new shirts and some workout DVD's and re subbing to my magazines.

Anyway, I need to get some tea, watch Fear Factor and go to bed. Who knows, maybe tomorrow is the magical day this cough will go away and I won't have to take any more yucky cough medicine! That would be wonderful.

Mondays Challenge:

Rest

****

Tuesday's Challenge:

6 glasses of water

30 jumping jacks

****

Wednesday's challenges:

Journal about your weight loss challenge. what was easy, what was hard, how you feel, anything.

***

Thursday, Jan. 5th:

Weigh in and reward yourself!

******

Yay! We're almost to the end. Hopefully, you've enjoyed this and feel pretty good. So, good luck to everyone!

@cecilliamarie

@aidensmommy

@missibarraclough

@xcntrychicka

@tiyalee

@lookingpro

@xxbarbiexx21

Yay!

Now, goodnight!

It includes...

cough syrup

hot tea with honey and lemon

orange juice

Apples and kiwi

Vitamin D

Chicken noodle soup

(maybe a sugar cookie or two *shhh*)

Water

And, hopefully, some sleep.

Happy New Year, everyone!

When I first heard on Inside Edition that there was controversy over that tragic Christmas Day fire, that killed a womans 3 children and parents, I was floored. Once I heard what the criticism was over, I got pissed. Seriously pissed.

So, you don't think the mother did enough? Really?

I just have a message to all the critical losers who think that.

Why don't we put you in a fire, in your own home with all your family, and lets see how well YOU DO. Lets see how YOU HANDLE IT. And lets see how you handle the death of YOUR family members, while other people throw it in YOUR face that YOU didn't DO ENOUGH? You probably wouldn't like that, would you?

Bastards.

Pretty sure that most of these idiots haven't even been a situation like this, so who the hell do they think they are to say what they are saying? I don't really care if you'd rather die in a fire with your kids than live, you weren't there, you don't know what she tried to do, so shut up. Gosh.

I just can't believe people. I really can't.

This poor mother just lost most of her family. And these idiots think they can throw that in her face, blaming her. Again, bastards.

Just shut up.

There's a really clear line when something becomes unfair and completely insensitive. This is WAY OVER that line. To think that it's okay, shame on them. They should all be seriously ashamed of themselves and I really hope they are.

*Sorry, this just really ticks me off*

I just want more freedom. And, by that, I mean freedom with money. I ran some errands with my sister. I saw a cute gift I thought my little cousin, who will be turning 6 soon, would like. Couldn't get it. We're celebrating my Gramma's 89'th birthday, tomorrow. Couldn't get her anything. Then I'll see just a random thing I'll want to buy. Can't get any of it.

But I always go back and forth. For example, sure, it would be lovely to see a workout DVD at Target and just buy it, because you can. But, for me, that translates to getting a job and losing time with my daughter. What do I want more? Life is not about all the stuff we can buy. I'd rather live a simple life, where I don't buy useless crap (though, I really don't consider workout DVD's as useless crap. Nope, not at all. but a silly calendar? Yeah. A cute sweater? Yeah. A sandwich? Oh yeah. You get my drift)

Anyway, I'm considering it. All of that would be easier if I had my drivers license, though. I hate the thought of driving and I seriously hate the thought of dealing with people again. Some days, I want to go back on anxiety meds. Other days I think why on earth do I want to dependent on medication, if i really don't have to be? yeah, i have anxiety issues... but... c'mon. Who knows what the pill will do to me in several years, why would I do that? Not that I'm totally, 100% against the idea. If I truly needed it, I probably wouldn't hesitate. I've had depression before and was on like 4 different meds. It was crazy, but they did help. I don't know. I'm not depressed, I'm just anxious.

I also would like to, maybe, start donating plasma again. But, I'd still probably have to find a cheap clinic, get a doctors note that my stupid heart is okay, and then go back. And, I don't want to be totally deferred, because I can't control my anxiety. And if all i'm going to be is an anxious mess, why even bother? But, it's been over a year. Maybe I've changed?

I don't know.

So, maybe getting a part time job would be worth it. All I know is, if I do get a job, day care would have to make sense. If most of my pay is going to daycare, forget it. FORGET IT. Not happening. But, who knows.

Meh.

This is just me rambling.

I'm full of thoughts.

I'd love to turn my brain off for a while and just be content and not wonder if I should do something different. Being content would be nice, lol.

My sis and I took a trip to Target, tonight. Boy, was it lovely. No crowds! lol

Anyway, tried on a pair of jeans, in a size smaller. And, yeah, they fit. And they looked better on me. It was such a jolt of motivation. I was like on cloud 9 after that!

I tried on some shirts, too. The only one that didn't fit was the maternity top, LOL, but the other one, in a size smaller than normal, FIT.

Ah, I love this...