BL Update

OK, so I've been doing the Biggest Loser challenge for a month now. And I have to say, it's not that bad. It's actually going pretty well. I've been stepping up the exercise to five times per week, and added more variety to my workouts.

Spin, for example. That class always freaked me out: a bunch of sweaty people on their stationary bikes, pedaling away in a darkened room. I'd pass by them on my way to the "fun" classes: Total Body Conditioning, Strength with the Bosu Ball, and, my fave, Zumba. But then a friend told me she loves spin and I decided to give it a shot.

The first class, I seriously felt like I might keel over right there on the cement floor. It was SO hard. But then I went again, and again. And each time, it has gotten easier. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy, just... more do-able. As in, I don't feel near death anymore. And I like that it's a raw workout. You know what to expect, no surprises, it's tough but you power through and it's done.

I've also been keeping better track of my food intake. This is the hardest part for me, as I LOVE to eat. I love treats and bread and everything in-between. The most difficult, but I believe the most effective, food-related thing I've done is committed to no eating at night. After the kids get to bed, I want to sit on the couch, relax, and EAT. It's my way of rewarding myself after a long, hard day. But no more. Well, usually no more. But when I do eat in the evening (at the baby shower last night, for example) I try to limit it. I'm always grateful the next morning when I don't feel bloated and hungry because I ate so late at night.

And, Erik has also been very disciplined in his eating and exercise habits lately, so that has helped a TON. We got chubby together, and we're getting skinny together. It's what we do. He has been doing awesome, I have to say.
So enough babbling, Let's get to the results. Drum roll, please.......

One month down, 10 lbs lost. Got rid of the weight I put on during the holidays (what can I say, I love to bake at Christmastime), and FINALLY busted through the number I've been hovering around for the past year and a half. It feels good, really good. But there's more work to be done. I'll keep you updated.

And on an unrelated note, as soon as I figure out how to upload pictures from my cell phone I'll write all about our exciting visit to the ER. Stay tuned....

Way Back When-sday: Bedhead

Way back when my sweet Olivia was 11 months old, she liked to nuzzle her head into the corner of her crib. She would scoot herself over until her head was touching the bumper pads and rub her head back and forth, over and over again. I think it was the way she relaxed herself before falling asleep at night.

Thank heavens for the invention of hair detangler.

Two Wheels

This afternoon as I sat chatting in my driveway with my neighbors, our children rode their bikes and scooters in the cul-de-sac.


As I was attempting to keep my one-year-old's fingers out of the hummus, my neighbor suddenly asked "Did you see that?!" I looked up to see my five-year-old on his friend's bike.

And he was riding it!

This may not seem significant or even interesting to you. The thing that makes it both significant and interesting to me, is the fact that this was his first time on a two-wheel bike, EVER. He doesn't yet own one (Santa thought about bringing him one this year but then decided on this), and his sister's bicycle is too big for any of us to have even thought of having him try it.

Notice the awesome "car wash" another neighbor mom engineered. Isn't she creative?!

He spent the rest of the afternoon, happily taking turns borrowing his friends' bikes. This one, a neighbor girl's old bike, was a bit small for him, but I was amazed that he picked up this skill so quickly.

He obviously inherited his athletic prowess from me.

Not.

Big Fat Loser

This is what both my husband and my sister have mistakenly called everyone's favorite reality show, "The Biggest Loser." And thanks to my friend Tracy, I am now part of a local Biggest Loser club.

We did our initial weigh-in last night (Ouch! That extra holiday cheer has really adhered itself to my waistline!) and for the next 16 weeks we will weigh-in weekly and compare our percentage of weight lost with the others in the group. At the end of the 16 weeks, the person with the highest percentage of weight-loss wins! We each put money in the pot, and the first-place winner wins 75% of the pot, 2nd place gets 25%.

And I have to say, most of the women in the group look like they have maybe 5 lbs to lose before they will be in the "too-skinny" range. Which means, me and my currently-large hips have a pretty good shot at winning!

Sixteen weeks sounds like a long time, but I figure if I actually stick to it and thus lose weight at a reasonable rate (an average of 1-2 lbs per week), by the end of the 16 weeks I will FINALLY be at good, healthy (don't forget HOT) weight.

Wish me luck!!

Don't Worry, It Isn't Blood

I made red velvet cupcakes yesterday and let Ben lick the beater. Think he liked it?

Way Back When-sday: Snowed In!

This one is for all my friends who live in snowy regions of this beautiful country of ours. This time of year can be so cold and dreary, it's important to keep things fun and exciting so you don't get bogged down.

Long, long ago, during a month much like the one we are presently experiencing, at a university located in Provo, my roommates and I decided to pull a prank on some of our favorite gals in the apartment complex. You know, just to show 'em we care.

Late at night (which, unsurprisingly, is when we seemed to get all of our "great" ideas) we sneaked down to their first-floor apartment and shoveled snow until it completely covered their front door.

We packed it in tight and built a wall of snow that concealed the entire door. It was hard work, but we were young and spry back then.

Not like today when our bodies have been worn down by pregnancies, children, and old age.

Or maybe that's just me.

So anyway, we went to bed giggling and speculating about who would be the first to open the door in the morning. It just seemed hilarious to open the front door and see a wall of white. I mean, who wouldn't think that's fun?? Luckily, they were good sports about it and didn't get us back for at least another week.


Here is our friend Amy J., being a good sport about yet another prank performed by the unstoppable girls of S-303. I hear it took them awhile to get out their door in the morning. I would feel bad, but really, there's got to be some drawback for living on the first floor. I mean, they never had to climb any stairs--how fair it that?!

If you need a fun idea to break up the dreary, snowy winter, feel free to borrow this one! It's a classic!

Santa Was Good to Us This Year

At the last minute, Santa decided to bring us a trampoline this year. The kids were so excited! After the initial argumentative adjustment period--they were jumping in each others' personal space, I guess--the kids have LOVED it! They have played on it together every single day.

Santa just set up the actual trampline part for Christmas morning. The kids were so excited when they came outside in the morning and saw it. We let them jump on it for a few minutes.

I never had a trampoline as a kid, but I totally remember that nobody had safety nets. It was all open-air jumping and exposed springs. Probably not the safest idea.

Who IS this crazy kid? She certainly didn't learn that move from her mother.

We spent most of Christmas afternoon putting up the safety net around the tramp, and the kids have been on it ever since.

Think he likes the new toy?

She learned how to do fancy spins.

"I think I'll just stand right here and watch."

So I think Santa made a good choice this year. Hooray!

Hopefully I won't be blogging about trampoline-induced injuries any time soon.