Weekly Challenge:

Try something new. (10 pts every day, possible 70 pts)

Maybe you want to try eating a healthier breakfast/lunch/dinner/snacks. Maybe you want to try a new way to exercise. Maybe you want to try new foods you haven't tried or maybe you want to go to bed earlier. Whatever you want to try, that's new, go for it. Should be fun. I'm looking forward to this one.

Monday Challenges:

4 glasses of water (10 pts)

 Hold plank, any style, for as long as you can/want. (10 pts)

***

Tuesday Challenges:

4 glasses of water (10 pts)

15 sit ups (10 pts)

***

Wednesday Challenges:

5 glasses of water (10 pts)

use smaller plates/bowls @ 1 meal, at least. (10 pts)

***

Thursday Challeges:

5 glasses of water (10 pts)

20 push ups (10 pts)

***

Friday Challenges:

5 glasses of water (10 pts)

30 jumping jacks (10 pts)

 

Weekend challenges:

Rest and Merry Christmas!

***********

So, how did everyone do last week? I could have done a whole lot better. I was sick for a few days, so i rested and didn't even hardly drink much water, as it totally turned me off.  I don't know why I get like that when I'm sick. I love water, but then I just can't stand the taste. It was challenging. I like the idea of writing down 5 things I've accomplished and 5 things I want to accomplish the next day, but I only did that two days, this past week. Shame, shame, lol. But, I found my weight loss journal and I'll start doing better about that. Maybe I won't feel like, at the end of the day, I haven't done anything and I'll appreciate the work I do more.

Anyway, feel free to share how you did last week. Hope you all have an enjoyable week and enjoy these challenges.

@missibarraclough

@xcntrychicka

@cecilliamarie

@aidensmommy

@tiyalee

1. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

Joyful Simpleton. No question or doubts. lol  What's the point of being a genius if you're just worried all the time? Nothing.

2. Why are you, you?

Because I am who God made me to be.

3. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

No. I always like to think that I'm giving and a good listener, but I'm not always. I would want a friend who is always up for anything, will be there when you need them and you can tell anything, too. I don't think that I've ever done any of those things for one person (but close). I'd like too, though.

4. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

Losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you. That's life for me, now. Moved back to a town where my best friend is and, though we've tried to reconnect, it just hasn't truly happened... yet. And it's tough. 

5. What are you most grateful for?

Family. I don't know where I would be without these people. And I'm grateful for them and all they do for me!

6. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?

Uh, why kind of question is that? Neither. lol Although, honestly, I'd probably rather lose old memories. My childhood/teenage years were filled with embarrassing and painful things I wish I could forget, lol. But it would still suck.

7. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?

Um, yes!

8. Has your greatest fear ever come true?

No. I think my greatest fear is being alone. I've been alone in public places, yes, and that scares me more than most people could ever understand. But I'm not "alone". I have family/friends around me.

9. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?

Nope. I honestly can't remember much I was upset about 5 years ago... lol

10. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?

Hmmm.... let me think...

Probably all the times I spent spending the night or playing at my aunts house. I don't know, that's just where I remember using my imagination the most. We had this iron print (you know, where an iron must have fallen to the floor and burned it) and we would touch it and go wherever we wanted, like disneyland, for example. My aunts floor was an ocean and her foot stool was my boat and her yard stick was my paddle. Ah, fun times, fun times...  My aunt and I were very close, when I was growing up. That's what makes it so special!

I know this is a tired subject for some of you, but it happens to be one I'm passionate about. A facebook friend of mine, who is also very passionate about this, shared a link to a blog sharing a moms story about a Target store harassing her for publicly breastfeeding her child. This mom shared her story and now there's a planned international "nurse in" at Target stores on Dec. 28th. Personally, I say, Go them! I know not everyone likes the idea of nurse In's and think they are ridiculous. I think nurse in's are fantastic and here's why...

The mom who shared her story said that, had it been her first baby, she may have given up breastfeeding out of embarrassment. Let's all face it, moms CAN NOT stay locked at home just to nurse their children. Moms should feel comfortable nursing in public, anywhere they need too. More encouragement may mean more moms who are more comfortable with nursing in general and may stick with it longer and that's great! This is a great way to get it out there that nursing moms are NOT ALONE and will NOT put up with this type of harassment from stores, like Target, restaurants or any other public place. So, I'm all for nurse ins. I long for a day when breastfeeding isn't deemed some dirty or shameful act and where mothers feel the need to go some place private. We don't ask formula fed babies in public to go someplace private, and no one else is told to take their meal to a bathroom/fitting room/kept at home. If nurse in's help get that point across, I'm all for it!

That's just my opinion.

If you'd like to read the blog I read, here is a link. This shares the moms story of what happened in her own words.

http://anurturingmoment.blogspot.com/2011/12/target-stores-target-nursing-momsagain.html?spref=fb

And I LOVE shopping at Target, but this makes me a little angry and upset with them. Shame on you, Target!

Thoughts?

My newest facebook discussion is about doing santa or not doing santa. Surprisingly, well not really, most people I know DON'T do santa. I didn't figure they did, because it's all about Jesus. Anyway, that's fine. I don't care. I really was on the fence for a while, too. Because I listened to those who were all like, "you're lying to your kids and one day you're going to be caught in your lie and if you teach them that they shouldn't lie, you're a hypocrite". Totally took the fun out of it, for me, because that was in the back of my mind.

I wasn't real big into the Santa thing for the first couple years, but this year we've just gone with it. She's gone to see him at the mall and she did ask him for something and I honestly don't mind saying all her presents, at least from my husband and I, are from him. We don't need ALL the credit, lol. It's not like EVERY gift she ever gets on Christmas is from Santa, it's just the ones from us and not all of them. That's how my mom did it with us.

And that's kind of where I'm at. Using my own childhood as an example. My mom did the santa thing with us, though I don't ever remember seeing him at the mall. I do remember making lists for him and whatever. It wasn't the only thing we talked about, though. It wasn't all Santa this, santa that and I don't remember being brokenhearted when discovering he wasn't real. Honestly, i don't remember one shed tear over the whole thing, I just grew up. Big whoop.

And I think I grew up pretty responsible. It's not like that "lie" for having fun ruined me and turned me into some criminal, so I do think people need to calm down about that, honestly.

So, that's kind of where I stand on it. I'll just do things like my mom did with us, because there was absolutely NO HARM done. I'm just not going to get all bent out of shape over it.

*And because I failed to mention this, as I usually fail to mention something I wanted to say, one comment I read was on an approach I really like, now. Talking about santa being a fictional, fun character to enjoy, but not a real one. THat way, no lie, no heartbreak and still fun. win win, I think!  I think that's more the approach I want. I guess I should clue my sister in to that, though, cause she's big into Santa with the nieces and nephews...*

I don't want anyone to judge me (lol, I know how silly that sounds). I just need to work through some emotions I'm feeling.

My daughter had her first sleepover with my sister, last night. It was lovely. I mean, there's only a few days a year where this type of stuff can happen. This would be the second time, in 2011, that we've gone overnight without her. Since we do the co-sleeping thing, you can probably imagine why I love that so much. It's just a little break to have more room in the bed. Despite the fact that my husband made up for her room and was pushing me out of bed last night, I still enjoyed it.   And I was able to get some much needed projects done around here (organizing dressers and clothes, sweeping behind the stove, etc.) and I just enjoyed some much needed "me time".

Anyway, this is the second time like this that I have absolutely panicked. Not because she went away, but because she came home. But let me explain that a little better. Normally, If I get a few hours of time away, nothing changes. I'm fine. SHe comes home, we resume our day and nothing is different. Even when my husband and I had our overnight valentines date, I didn't come home feeling all emotional, but there was a trip to Dayton we took without her and the way I felt then almost mirrors now.

She came in the house, didn't want to hug me and she wasn't mellow at all. She was all over the place, unpacking and repacking her suit case, telling me to get out of the kitchen, so she could mop the floor. I asked her, "did you miss me?", not a word. Then, she went into her tantrums, as usual. Then, I guess, I just sort of panicked and had to cry in the bathroom. I don't know if it's the fact that I feel she's growing up so much that she's already distancing herself from me (which is really silly, since she's only 3) or if it's more me just feeling sad at how predictable life is? I mean, when we took our trip to Dayton, with just my husband, I really enjoyed time for us two. And then, once we were back, it was back to us three.... all the time. Maybe, maybe, I get a little panicked about that, because I miss that little bit of freedom (which is why I said please don't judge me, because I'm just being honest and I still wouldn't change anything. I love my daughter more than anyone could ever know!).

I just hate the feeling. After I cried, though, we had a little tea party and then, after a massive tantrum over butter (and me having to clean it all up), I rocked her to sleep and she's currently out. Yeah, it's 6:32. And she's asleep already. I don't know what that means, lol. I'm fine now, but now I miss my husband and wish he didn't have to work tonight and we could all 3 just cuddle in bed, because I really need that. *sigh*.

 

This is something I've been thinking about for a while. Here are my thoughts...

My first, and original, goal weight was 140lbs. I hardly ever remember getting on the scale as a teen, but I was a healthy weight, but the number that pops in my head is between 130-140. So, that's why I went with 140. Plus, I think for my height 150 is considered overweight, so I thought I'd go under that. However... when I was in the 160's, I was happy. And I don't think I looked too bad.

I don't know if anyone else watched the Biggest Loser Finale, last night, but a lot of those girls looked incredible, and they were still in the 150's-180's. I'm sure the 120's are great for some people, and I would love to be that weight believe me, but I want to be realistic.

I've pretty much changed from 140 to being happy with being in the 160's or under. Then, once there, maybe a relax a bit and still hope to drop lower, but not being unhappy if I don't. My problem is, am I just settling then? I don't want to settle, either. But I do want to be happy. And, honestly, I think that's the most important thing. Who knows, maybe I still won't be happy. I have fears of that. Even though I've dropped over 20lbs, I still have moments of, "I can't stand my current weight". Instead of being all happy that I'm not where I used to be, I'm just unhappy with where I am. I don't want to be like that forever. I want to actually enjoy my body, if that's possible.

So, I don't know. If I'm happy in the 160's, I should just be happy with that. If I'm not, I can keep losing. I don't want to settle, I just want to be happy.

What do you think?

 

None of this is all that important, but since it is fresh on my mind, I will share my thoughts.

The walmart by our house is a hole in the wall. A dump. First thought tonight was trashy.

Anyway, not all of this is the stores fault. Some of it is also the customers, so... here we go.

1. I was all prepared to buy a planner, but considering that no one can put anything back where they got it, i had NO IDEA which planner belonged to which price. I had a $5 limit, and thought I had picked out a $5 planner but alas, it was a $3.97 planner. For the love of all things holy, people, put that crap back where you got it! Stop mixing it all up...

2. There was a lady in front of us who wanted to buy Scotch Tape and wanted to know the price, as it didn't have a price on it. The cashier then went on to explain how the price stickers on the racks made it much easier than price stickers on every individual item. Well, after hearing the price of said scotch tape, the lady decided not to buy it. She said, "as a customer, we can't always know how much we're paying for things", to which the cashier went on about how good their system was. yeah, the system may be good and all... but not if PEOPLE DON'T LEAVE THINGS WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE  (which takes me back to point 1). He then said, "Well, if you're buying it at walmart, you know it's going to be a good price". Which leads me to point 3.

3. I found a DVD I want to get my daughter, for Christmas, 1 cent cheaper at target. Now, it may be one cent.... but it's one cent! Isn't walmart the place that will match prices? Where you're supposed to find things cheaper? I think not. Really, walmart, $10? I can get it for $9.99 at Target. When I think good deals, I think Walmart. Now, I'm thinking Target. Even if it is a penny.

4. I was also going to turn in my pop cans, so I had some extra money to shop with. Well, I guess it's impossible to clean out the machines, because all but the Glass one weren't working. Thanks. I don't get out much, so the one good chance to turn them in was wasted.

5. This walmart in particular is always short on cashiers. I swear, I think about all the unemployed people and how rich walmart is and I just don't get it.

6. The elephant my daughter loves to ride is still broken. I know that's not on the top of their priority list and I'm sure it's not their fault it's broken. Considering I've seen Preteens sitting on the elephant, I'm sure they contributed to it's broken-ness. Which begs the question, why are older kids/people sitting on an elephant made for small children? Ya'll ruin it for the ones it was made for... and their parents. (LOL)

 

I've been trying to listen to my body more and I just feel like I need to rest. However, laundry piles up and, with a 3 year old, what doesn't get messy? The floor is gross, her toys are everywhere and now we have play dough all over the place, most of which is dried out from not being put away. Amazing how play dough can go missing, too.

Anyway, there wasn't much of a choice. I had to do laundry. I had to organize her blasted toys. I did take my time, though. The one thing I haven't done is any workouts. So, my last workout was last Thursday. I really hope to be back to my normal self by this Thursday. Don't' want to ruin all my good progress. But, I know with the way I'm feeling, there was no way I could do the 30 day shred. Nuh, uh. She would have had me puking, for sure. I know some people can workout when they are sick, but I tend to just rest my body, hoping to get better faster. But, taking it easy isn't easy. The inner check list just piles up and, while you may be resting your body, your mind is certainly not at rest. Mine sure isn't. Ugh.

However, some good news! My sister took my daughter for the entire night. yes, that's right, she's spending the night. Her first sleepover. My husband is a little sad, because he goes back for another overnight work shift and will go 4 days without seeing her. He already misses her. But it's better to do it now, than on the weekend. Besides, my sis works on the weekend, so It would never work. But, I'm excited! I'll miss her too, of course, but now I can continue to, slowly, get this place in order. Oh my goodness. And considering that, since mommy has been feeling ill, she has been acting very badly (whining, tantrums, oh my), I'll get a break from that, as well.

I can't wait to get back to my normal self.

I was telling my sister about how I've been feeling and she pressed on my sinuses, which hurt, so she thinks that it might be a sinus infection. Still don't know why I felt so weak, unless it was just the fact that I didn't eat much. But, Aleve D at least helps with the headaches and pressure. Maybe that's why I've been having so many headaches lately. Again, though, I just want to get back to normal.  Even though, I'm sure, the weight loss from this will be another thing I'll look back on and be thankful for, lol.

*No, I'm not*

As I was lying on the couch, yesterday, too weak to really move and having no appetite, it was a rather unsubtle reminder of being pregnant. Whenever I get sick, I'm always reminded of being pregnant and feel more thankful that whatever sickness i have will leave in a few days but, when I was pregnant, it lasted pretty much the whole time (give or take one month). Then I think to myself, "why would I ever want to be pregnant again?". lol

Ah, the first trimester, when I was pretty much glued to the couch and needed help with basic tasks like taking a shower. Yeah, that was interesting. And then all the throwing up. I honestly didn't think I would ever have an appetite again. I was told I would, but when you go for months not wanting to eat much and throwing up most of what you do, it it's a little hard to believe. (And yeah, it did come back... with a vengeance!)

I look back on it though, when I'm not sick, and think, "yeah, I could do that again! Not that hard". Looking back on labor, "Yeah, I could do that again. No problem". Recovery from labor... maybe not so much. lol I'm slightly kidding, I guess.

I would actually love to experience a pregnancy where there isn't much morning sickness or nausea. I really would. But I hear hyperemesis is genetic and my mom had it really bad, my gramma had it really bad and then I had it really bad...  

But, believe you me, It was all worth it. I'm still sick, so I'm not fully into the, "I could totally do it again" mood, but I know that it's worth it, none the less.

My cousin is currently 41 weeks pregnant. She's miserable, can hardly get off the couch and thinks the baby will never come. As one person commented, they were twitching at the idea of being 41 weeks pregnant. Being honest, I would too! lol

My conclusion is this, the things we moms go through is absolutely Amazing. The sacrifices we make for our little bundles of joy, is amazing.

Moms are amazing! Period!  Makes me a lot more thankful for my mom and all she went through for me! It's an amazing gift. It really is!

Weekly Challenge:

Spend 5 minutes, before bed, writing down 5 things you accomplished and 5 things you want to accompish tomorrow. (10 pts every day you do it. possible 70 pts)

******

Mondays Daily Challenges:

4 glasses of water

Go to bed 10 minutes earlier

Hold plank, any style, for 30 seconds or as long as you can.

******

Tuesdays Daily Challenges:

4 glasses of water

40 jumping jacks

******

Wednesdays Daily Challenges:

4 glasses of water

20 crunches

******

Thursdays Daily Challenges:

5 glasses of water

Stretch

******

Fridays Daily Challenges:

4 glasses of water

25 push ups

******

Weekend Challenges:

Eat 3 servings of fruits and/or veggies all days

Choose 1 chore and spend 10 minutes doing it

 

You can write all this down, print this out or just refer back to this post all week. Hope this makes it easier for you all!

@missibarraclough

@cecilliamarie

@aidensmommy

@xcntrychicka

@tiyalee

Have a good week!