Fitness Tip #4

Yup

Definitely discouraged.

4 weeks = no weight loss

BUT

We did go bowling Saturday night and I bowled two games without my arm ever feeling sore!

I'm getting stronger.

I didn't exercise once last week. 

I know!

It kinda started off on the wrong foot with the whole ER thing and I never jumped back on.

But this week will be different.

I promise!

So here's my next tip for myself and you.

Fitness Tip #4

Drink lots of water!

It's about the only free thing left in this world: Calorie free, fat free, cholesterol free, and it comes straight from your tap!  Keep a water bottle* with you at all times and don't sip, guzzle.  Room temperature water is much easier to drink in large amounts than ice water.  Try it, it goes down better.  Women need at least 90 oz a day and men 125 oz a day, (that's approx. 11 cups and 16 cups respectively.)  Caffeinated beverages DO NOT count as part of your water intake.  Water regulates our body temperature, transports nutrients, acts as medium for metabolic reactions, carries away waste, and provides structure to our cells.  Even better, a body that is well hydrated feels less hungry!

*So a friend of mine just told me that she bought a new water bottle with a sippy straw (as shown above) and has fallen in love with it.  She drinks a TON of water because she loves carrying her new water bottle along with her and sipping up the straw:)  Hey, if that's the trick, go for it!!
p.s. I love the advertisement for these things
"Just bite and drink, no need to turn it upside down and squeeze anymore."
which is what totally sold my friend:)

Scariest Experience of my Life

We woke up normal, just like any other regular day.   Targhee had some text books to read and I had some dishes to get done so I entertained Leilani at the dishwasher while Targhee read.   She climbed up inside and laughed and played as she watched me wash dishes-   all very exciting from a higher point of view.   She grabs the tupperware and dishes and I put them back in.   Fun game- let me tell ya.   She had been working on trying to pull a glass out but it was a little wedged so I continued drying just when she yanked hard enough to get it out.   I went to take it from her, she dodged and slipped.   Down she fell with the glass in her hand and it shattered everywhere.   She fell on the glass. I picked her up see blood everywhere.   Freak out!   Targhee runs in.   I grab a towel and still see more blood.   Where is it coming from?   I finally see about an inch gash out of her forehead.   Freak out again.   Shaking, crying, and trying to hold a towel on my babies head we rush out to the car and speed to the emergency room praying the whole way there.   I got her to calm down in the car but when we got to the hospital she started screaming again.   Dumb secretary lady on the phone.   Mom and Dad and baby covered in blood pacing the floor wondering if SOMEBODY is going to help us.   Finally get us in a room.   Nurse comes in and starts cleaning blood.   Volunteer lady brings cute little hand made teddy bears, books, and bubbles to distract (mostly mom, but it worked for Leilani too).   We realize that she has two gashes, one in her cheek and one on her forehead.   The doctor comes in (everyone is quite calm by the way- don't seem to be in any hurry).  Leilani goes under anesthesia.   Mom and Dad cry as they watch their little girl lie limply on the hospital bed.   Doctor stitches up the gashes (stitches take about 45 minutes)   Leilani starts coming out of it after about 30 minutes into the stitching but says "Hi" very sweetly over and over.   They give her more anesthesia.   She's out for good this time.   Doctor lets us examine stitching.   Mom's pretty impressed, Dad's stressed.   Leilani decides to sleep and sleep and sleep.   It's nap time.   Who wants to be woken up during nap time especially after anesthesia and such an eventful morning?   Mom and Dad try not to stress out but do just a little bit more because she won't wake up.   Finally doctor comes in, gives her a little bit harder shake than Mom and Dad have been and Leilani wakes up, loopy and confused.   Wait for about an hour for the effects to wear off.   Leilani takes everything like a champ, but is a little annoyed that she can't stand up and run like usual.  

We might look calm in these pictures, but I assure you, we were not.

Waiting in the ER for the doctor

Somebody made these adorable bears for the hospital.  I can't tell you how much that meant to me thinking that someone did that so my little girl could have something to cuddle.

After she got all stitched up and was out from the anesthesia.  She looked so peaceful but so little and helpless.  It was hard to let her stay there.

She woke up and feeling really weird, but was still a trooper and a sweetheart.

We’re home now.   Leilani is a sweetheart.   Snuggling every now and then.   She’s still confused at why she can’t stand up and why Mom and Dad have to help her walk everywhere, but she’s taking a nap now and I’m trying to relearn how to breath in customary easy breaths.   She’ll only need the stitches in for a week and then they’ll keep the tape on it.   The cuts were clean and the doctor said the scarring should be very minimal.   When I first saw the gash I thought they might have to do a skin graft or something so I was really pleased that the stitches closed it up so nicely.   I just keep thinking of my beautiful baby’s face with huge scars all over it and want to hide my face and cry, but I keep trying to remember when my nephew Dallin got burned and how you can’t see a single scar now.  

Probably the scariest experience of my life.   I don’t like feeling so helpless and thinking that if I would have only done this or that, it wouldn’t have happened.   I know things like this happen and they will continue to happen, and it could have been a lot worse so I am just counting my blessings that she is just fine.   Let’s just say Targhee already has plans to throw away ALL our glasses and get plastic everything.   He’ll probably have the whole house bubble wrapped by the end of the day.  

Fitness Tip #3

So, I have to admit I'm a little bit more discouraged this week.

I don't think I've even lost any weight from when I started.

Those two pounds were iffy.

We haven't had a scale throughout our married life because I've always said I don't really care what my number is, I just care how I feel when I look at myself.

But since I was being serious about losing weight this year I decided to make the investment.

Ok, not really an investment, more like $7 at Walmart, which I think is part of the problem.

It's not digital.

I can't read the numbers when standing straight up, and if I try to lean over the weight changes.

*Sigh*

When I weighed in yesterday it said I had gained two pounds from my starting point.

I threw my hands up and said I give up.

Not for good.

Just for a second.

So here is my fitness tip for this week which I think is my biggest downfall.

Fitness Tip #3

Feed Yourself Lean

All the exercise in the world cannot compensate for poor eating habits.  Our bodies need regular, lean, and fiber rich meals.  Do not diet; rather eat small amounts, more often.  Rotate meals and snacks every 2 1/2 to 3 hours without fail, and your body will start metabolizing much more efficiently.  Skipping breakfast is not an option for you.*  Eating after dinner is not an option.  Stop 3 hours before bedtime for optimum calorie burn.  Meals and snacks should be an equal portion of lean protein and fiber rich carbohydrates.

*Skipping breakfast is how the sumo wrestlers train. Who here wants to look like a sumo wrestler?  Ha! Not me!  When we skip meals our body automatically stores what we do eat as fat because it thinks it needs to go into survival mode.  Eating small portions (200-250 calories) every few hours fuels our bodies and it actually burns what we eat faster.

We are going to do what fit people do, not what fat people do:)

Spider Solitaire

So I started playing Spider Solitaire over Christmas break since I didn't seem to have anything serious pressing on my time and lining cards in chonological order seemed like an ok thing to do.

I've always been partial to the "easy" game with all black cards of one suit but one day Targhee looked over and said, that game is too easy for you, you need to do the two suit game.

Woah!

So, I tried it, and with a little bit of coaching from him,
I won! 

Well, ever since then I have had a ridiculous obsession with Spider Solitaire.

While cooking dinner, I think to myself, "this needs to sit for 10 minutes, that gives me just enough time to play some solitaire."

While taking a shower I think, "I need to relax for a second after I get out, maybe I'll play a game of solitaire."

Before doing my homework, "maybe a quick game of solitaire will help me focus better."

It's like the need to get ALL of the cards organized has somehow come up on my list of things to get done and I'm stressed if I don't get it done.

Lame?

Yes! Yes, it is:)

 As if playing a game of solitaire will really help me focus better before doing my homework- no it's really just me procrastinating just a LITTLE bit longer before actually doing my homework.  Which is actually what this post is as well:)

So, fellow procrastinators, pull out the drawer that has been driving you nuts for months and reorganize it.
Fold those fitted sheets in the fancy way that takes twice as long.

Do the dishes by hand instead of putting them in the dishwasher because it makes you feel productive when you have no desire to actually be productive

and play your spider solitaire game 8 times before you actually win

because

homework can wait:)

Actually, no, no it can't which is why I end up staying up way to late doing it, but does that stop me?  Nope;)

10 Things I've learned since becoming a mom

1. Spending time with my child is the most important thing. 
It's easy for me to get caught up in the things I have to do (or want to do), and sometimes feel annoyed that Leilani is whining at my feet, but one day it hit me that the reason she was whining was because I wasn't spending time with her.  After that, I've tried to make her the very first priority by getting her involved in what I was doing, (because there are things that I do have to do) so she didn't feel neglected.

2. The gospel of Jesus Christ and his plan is true. 
I didn't just learn this in the last year, but my testimony of it has definitely been strengthened.

3. Use nap time wisely. 
It took me a little while to get this one.  In fact, I'm still learning it.  But, whether it's cleaning the house, taking a shower, taking a nap, or doing homework, those few hours are precious.

4. Laugh!
Situations can easily get thrown out of proportion in the moment, but if I can just remember to laugh about it.  Nothing is really that bad.

5. It's ok! 
I don't have to be the perfect mom, the perfect wife, the perfect homemaker, the perfect visiting teacher, the perfect anything... in fact, I won't be.  My dishes won't always get done, my house won't always look well put together, my little girl won't always have bows in her hair... and it's ok!

6. Always plan an hour longer to get ready than you think you should.
 I don't know if I've been on time for anything since becoming a Mom.

7. Make time for your husband. 
It has been so important for Targhee and I to go out every once in a while just the two of us.  It gives us a few minutes to leave behind the business of life and remember how much we enjoy each other.  A happy mom and dad make happy children.

8. Take time for yourself.
Simple as that.  My projects have provided some much needed me time.                  

9. Raising a child is hard work!
There is no sick leave, no vacation time, no leaving the office, I am a mom 24/7 whether I want to be at that moment or not:)  and beleive me there are times that I wish I could drop kick Leilani out the door, but then pay day comes, (a snuggle or a kiss, a sweet giggle and happy smile), and being a Mom is the best thing in the whole world.

10. Don't be afraid.
I'm still trying to learn this.  Every time a new stage or phase comes means change and I've never been a huge fan of change, probably because of the fear of the unknown, but so far each change has brought new learning and growth.  So future come what may...and I will learn to love it!

Fitness Tip #2

I have to report that I didn't do as well as I did the week before.  I let other priorities get in the way of my exercise time.  I realized how unhealthy that is, but how much of a reality it is too.  If we don't put our health at the top of the priority list it will get pushed down to the bottom without any effort. 

But, I am down two pounds this week!!

Which means my current weight is 151

Fitness Tip #2

Fitness gets a non-negotiable 1/2 hour a day, 5-6 days a week  

Make time for it, and NEVER miss.  How many 1/2 hours have you wasted away gazing at the television or perusing the Internet?  It's only a 1/2 hour, whether you have to get up at 4:30 am to fit it in, or give up something less worthwhile, DO IT!

I might also add, if you do happen to miss, don't beat yourself up over it and think that you've ruined the rest of the day or week.  Everyone wants to be 100% at brushing their teeth right?  But, if you miss a night, do you call off the whole rest of the week too?  Of course not!  Brush em in the morning and start again:)

I'm a big girl now!

My little baby turned into a little girl on Sunday! 

She's ONE!!

We wanted to make it a special day for her so in the morning both Targhee and I went to get her out of bed  (usually we just take turns, one or the other).  We started singing Happy Bithday as we walked in the door and all I could see were these concerned, almost frightened, little eyes peering over her crib.  I'm sure she was thinking mom and dad have gone a little mad. We played with her and got her all primped for church.

The cutest one year old you ever saw:)

I made her cake for her.

She loves the Baby Einstein videos and this catepillar is their trademark or something.  She giggles and claps every time it comes on the screen.  I'm not sure she recognized what it was, but she pointed and said "oooh" when she saw it, so I call it a success:)

We held the party at my Mom's house so that we could have Targhee's family and my family join us.

She was spoiled spoiled.  But she was a very grateful one year old and was so excited to play with all of her new toys.

She dove right into the cake as soon as it was placed on her tray.  At first she was a little annoyed at the pink sticky stuff between her fingers, but then Grandma gave her a taste and it was all over from there.

Messy Messy:)

I made a video of important clips from her first year but I couldn't get it to download. 

Does anyone else have problems downloading videos on here?

Sugar Overload!

Looking back at this year, both Targhee and I agree that we have been blessed with a very special child.  She is sugar and spice and everything nice.  She knows when to pull out the sugar and she KNOWS when to pull out the spice:)  It has been so rewarding watching her grow and develope.  She is a smart cookie to say the least and we are so proud of what she's already accomplished this year.  I know she is meant for great things and was sent here at this time for a very wise purpose.  I can hardly wait to see her personality develope even more.

We love you Leilani!

Happy First Birthday!!

Her one year stats:

• Weight: 21lbs (50%)
• Height: 29 inches (50%)
• Repeats the first sound of almost any word you say to her
• Loves to read books
• walks/runs everywhere
• will not keep any shoes on (or as she would say it, "sh" on)
• likes friends, especially if they are older.  She can watch them and learns very quickly to catch up to what they are doing
• eats almost anything put in front of her, potatoes still take a little convincing but I think it's just the texture
• loves peek-a-boo and playing with daddy

Feelin' a Little Loony

Have you ever felt like this...



...without the "wonder woman"! 

That's exactly how I feel right now. 

The world is spinning in craziness around me and I have to try to figure out how to stay on top of it all.

I knew this is how this sememster would be, which is why I tried so hard to enjoy my Christmas break, but I'm never really excited for it to actually happen.

I'm already burried over my head with homework and life seems to be moving at a faster speed than last week...sigh.

Guess I need to go start digging.

Fitness Tip #1

Well I weighed in today and I still weigh 153, but I'm not discouraged. 

This is a learning process and I feel I did the best I could with what I know so far.  I've exercised every day and eaten to the best of my knowledge.  It's only been 5 days.  This is a marathon, not a sprint. 

So since I'm learning as I go, I thought I might share some of the things I'm learning with you.  My sister who prepared herself to be a personal fitness coach gave me all sorts of material with helpful tips that I am going to share with you.

Tip #1

Commit to a lifestyle change

This is not a quick weight loss plan or a temporary goal, but a way of life that is healthy, practical, and doable.  All of the other steps will do you no good if you are not committed to change habits and make new ones.

Are you ready to commit?

Operation Get Fit has Commenced

Yup I know this sounds like a New Year's resolution but I assure you, it is not.

New Years resolutions are made and broken in a matter of days or weeks.

This is my life style change.

The new year just brings about new opportunities to achieve my goals.

A year ago I had a baby.

I got fat.

50lbs fat.

I lost most of it when the baby was born but have kept the rest the entire year of 2010.

My poor husband is sick of the words, "I am fat!"

So, I am going to change that.

Finally.

I'm kinda doing this Biggest Loser style where I show the entire world my discustingness and then work week by week to turn it into beautifulness.

I'm trying to find motivation here and having all of you to report to, whoever you are who read this, I'm hoping will give me the push I'm looking for.

Because you are all going to be extremely disappointed in me if I do not follow through with my goals, right! 

RIGHT!!

Goal:

Plan of Attack:

Wake up: 7:00am

Put on workout clothes.

Work out for 30 minutes

I'm going to be doing the Chalean Extreme workouts which has done wonders for my sisters so wish me luck.

Record my workouts and eating habits on My Fitness Pal.

My starting weight is: 153

It's not really the weight that I care about, it's how I feel about myself.  I guess the weight is just a way to measure progess.  This is something I've been wanting to do for a long time now and the circumstances are just right now for me not to have any excuses.  So here goes nothin!!