Goodbye 2010!!

It's been a long time since I've posted here. Sorry about that. I thought I should get on here and post something before the year ends. Unfortunately, I'm resorting to one handed typing so it's going to be brief.
I hate "resolutions". Everyone fails. I don't want to fail. So, I've set attainable goals for the next year:
1. workout in some fashion at least 2 days a week- even if it's dancing around the living room with T to The Wiggles, or getting a solid set of sit-ups in while playing on the floor.
2. I'd like to run again when the snow melts away (I'd like to go today since it's 48* out). My goal is to run at least 4 races by the end of the year. I have 3-4 already picked out and I'm just waiting for registrations to be available.
3. Spend less.
4. Declutter the house through donation, selling, throwing out, and recycling. Keep it decluttered and live a minimalist lifestyle. This one may be the toughest for me. I love Things.

I guess I should do a 5. keep up with this blog. Post updates on my goals, recipes I've tried, my weight loss challenges, and DIY projects.



Happy New Year to you.

Quick update on races...

First- how the heck did I lose over 2 months in posts?! Recap- I ran 2 5ks. First 5k (9/4) was a terrible course- super hilly and just plain terrible. I didn't do too bad for my first race and minimal training: 34min 45sec. My second race (10/16) wasn't terrible but not great either. It was a relatively flat course and I should have sailed through it. Trouble was, I ran 2 times betweem the two races. I hurt my knee and it just hurt too badly for me to run. Overall, didn't do too bad considering. I even closed the gap between mine and Dave's times. 33min 33 sec.
I'd like to sign up for another race in November, but I can't find anything that will work with schedules and locations, and length of race!

Feeling Sore...

So, I ran Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Friday I did 30 Day Shred. I feel it today, not as bad as after my run yesterday though. I'm signing up for a race on Sept 4th. Dave will run with me if we can find a babysitter. I'll also be doing one on Oct 16th to benefit the kids I work with when I am working. I hope to get a workout in today, some how. I'd like to do both the Shred and run, but with company coming at 1, I don't think that will happen.

It's On!

So far, I've run twice. Once a couple weeks ago, and then again last night. I took my dog out with me both times, something I will not do again. Who would have thought I would be in better shape than my dog! I had to practically drag him while running. The only time he was in front of me was when we ran into the driveway and he realized where we were. He took off straight for the pond. Guess he likes swimming better than running. I've forgotten how much I like to run. It feels good and I feel like I've done something good- just for me, something I don't get a lot of time to do daily.
Dave and I have figured out that we will alternate days of running. So the days I run, he'll stay home with the kids and encourage me to run. The days he runs, I encourage him to run and stay home with the kids.
I still have hopes to run a 5k this year. I had plans to run multiple, but I don't know if I can do that. I'll try though! My work is hosting a 5k again this year to support the at risk/placed out of home kids and the programs we run for them. I'm definately doing that race in October. Maybe one in September too. In fact- goal for today: register for a race in September. Why the heck not, right? Who cares if I don't run the whole race, at least I'll complete it!

And for a quick update on our day to day stuff:
Ben is sleeping through the night more and more, so that's helping me catch up on some much needed rest. He still will only nap in his swing, but at this point, I'm ok with it. I figure he sleeps well and it's probably pretty good for his reflux. Yup, I said that nasty "R" word. The doctor thinks he has it too and offered medication for it, if I thought he was in a lot of pain. I'm leary on giving infants medication so I turned it down with the agreement that we could call for medication in the future.
Tyler is doing awesome at home with us. It's allowing me to focus more on his potty training. He's going #1 pretty regularly now. He's still not up for #2 in there though. We'll continue to work on it. He's enjoying playing outside and going to the playground during the day. He's a big help to daddy in the fix it area of our home. He's always carrying a tool around with him "fixin' stuff". We've only had one accident this summer, so far. A scray and potentially devastating accident. Fortunately, Dave was right there and reacted quicker than I could imagine. Tyler was playing out on the deck and fell in the pool when he bent over to get a ball he kicked in there. He was unharmed and unphased by the ordeal, thankfully.

"There are only 2 choices; make progress or make excuses" --Ellen Mikesell

Motivation is MIA...

This stinks. I stink at staying motivated... or even getting motivated. It should be easy, I have it hanging in my closet, staring at me daily. It's a dress I need to fit in by October. I think the problem is- I bought it 4 sizes bigger than what I was at 20 weeks pregnant (first pregnancy I blew up in weight and kept it all on and was afraid this would happen again). I haven't tried it on, but I imagine it will be big on me and I have to alter it anyhow. Guess maybe that's why it's not really motivating me to lose the weight. grrr...
I go to the doctor next week so hopefully I'll be able to start running soon. I have timing issues, but fortunately daylight lasts into the night and past bedtime for Tyler. I think after 7:30 is the safest time for me to go running--- unfortunately it's after a meal and relatively close to when we eat.
We've skipped the walks to the horse farm this week due to temps in the high 80s and 90s. It's tough to justify taking Ben and Tyler out for walks when it's 85* at 9:30am, as it is today. And due to those temps, I've also skipped doing my workout videos- no AC and it's been registering hotter in the house than outside!

On a side note, I miss the days of being able to go to a store and try something on before buying it. I've bought a few things to try to wear this weekend for a baby shower I'm going to, only to come home and find that it looks hideous on me...Boo = [

So, if you have any motivation to share, please pass it along.

Delicious Dinner: Fish Tacos

First things first: a quick update from June 22. My upcoming events were a partial fail. We got out for that walk- which ended up being much longer than we planned. The dog ran away and we couldn't find him. So we walked and walked and then turned around to walk to the horse farm that's a mile away from our house. Tyler loves this place. Fortunately, a few horses were out- 3 very large ones and a mini. No luck in finding the dog, until we got home and Dave called to tell me he finally got his phone and there were a number of messages from a neighbor saying she had Riley and wanted to return him. She was super nice and even drove him back here to the house so I didn't have to pack the kids up in the stroller/carrier to go get him and then try to walk with him on the leash while pushing the stroller. Thank God we live in a nice community still! Oh, and no haircut either.

So, on to the reason for the post. We're so excited that my brother in law and sister in law are back in town to live!! We had a spur of the moment playdate yesterday for Tyler and Maya (neice). It was great. Tyler needed a few reminders to be gentle and nice to Maya, but overall I think they did well. Tyler is pretty possessive of his belongings since Ben came to be, but he's learning.
MacKenzie was a great guest and made us dinner too! Fish Tacos. I was nervous about them, but excited because it seems to be a popular dish lately, and we need some variation in our fish menu! She used this recipe http://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/295411/mario-lopezs-fish-tacos-with-avocado-and-black-bean-salsa/ and it was FANTASTIC!!! The salsa is something that I think we'll make frequently and just eat with chips. Yum.
Had to share!

Day 3 and Day 1

Day 3 of counting points. I've been doing ok... well, I think I have been. I'm slacking in keeping exact count of points, but I'm logging what I'm eating. So at least I'm seeing what's going in daily.
Day 1 of exercise. Yes, I said I was going to wait until my appointment next week, but I thought about it and figured I could do what I could and then stop if I needed to or adapt the workout to feel comfortable. If it hadn't been raining today- I would have gone for a walk with the boys. Hopefully tomorrow will be nicer. Instead I did a Crunch Gym Ab blast video. 32 minutes of cardio/abs. Felt good. I'll be trying to do it daily-ish when the boys have coordinating naps. (Thankfully Tyler took a nap today- yesterday was a big fight and then multiple breakdowns at night due to no nap!)


I managed to do some dishes and clean the kitchen up a bit today, and folded the laundry that's been sitting in the laundry room for a few days. I just need to figure a time to get the clothes put away. Now would be great, if Ben would sleep for a few minutes while NOT laying on me! I'll take the snuggles though :)

Upcoming events:
Hopeful for a walk tomorrow morning. Toddler Storytime at the bookstore tomorrow and/or Thursday. Taking Tyler for a haircut at a barber shop with a cool car he can 'drive'. This weekend, Dave has off (tentatively) and my inlaws and some friends are coming up for a visit.
Dinner tonight:
Calzones and salad. ::runs off to find a good calzone recipe::

Getting a slow start

I've meant to start counting points when I first started the blog. Not happening. As of tomorrow, the start of the week, I will count. I need to find my WW calculator but until then, I'll use paper and pen.
I'm getting anxious about working out. Is there a safe thing I can do before I'm cleared by the doctor?
Also frustrated at the race schedule. There were three 5ks I planned to sign up for this fall. I just double checked the dates and two races are on the same day- both of which I want to support. I'll have to see if anyone else will run one of the races with me, then make my choice that way.

On to a busy, warm Saturday. I'm taking Tyler and Ben to B is for Books (a local bookstore) to meet Curious George. Tyler's crazy about that curious monkey lately.

It's all about Accountability

Since having 2 kids, I'm realizing that I need to be held accountable for my actions- even if those actions are simply what I feed myself (and my family) and how much I'm moving day to day.
After having my first son, Tyler, I held on to a lot of pregnancy weight for a long time. It took me going back to work to lose it. I refuse to allow myself to remain in that same situation after having my second son, Benjamin.
I've set goals for myself and I will post them here. I will update my progress to reaching them and any barriers keeping me from reaching them.

OVERALL GOALS
Weight Goal: Lose 20lbs
Fitness Goal: Get moving, build strength and stamina, Run a few 5Ks before the end of 2010.
Reach an overall healthy lifestyle

*Now, I have to wait to workout for another few weeks before my doctor will clear me, but that won't stop me from working on what goes in my mouth. I utilized the Weight Watcher's program over a year ago. I'm going back to it- but this time I'm going to try to do it without having to go to meetings and paying for the program. I know the program already so I should be able to re-incorporate this into my life again, right?

Wish me luck!