Rak Attack

We have been really busy this summer and the fun isn't over. I'm hoping to get everything posted.

Sydney had swimming lessons earlier this summer. She did awesome!!! A friend of mine from high school, who now works with Nick was doing private lessons. At first Sydney refused to put her face in the water, go under the water, or swim on her back. After 4 lessons, She was putting her whole face in the water to blow bubbles, swimming on her back, using a kick board almost all by herself, and jumping off the diving board! We are so proud of her!!!

Zoe all of a sudden started saying words just over a week ago. She has the sweetest little voice. Listen to when she says the word blue, you can tell it's like she's calling for someone. When we went to our cabin about 2 weeks ago, my brother Eric brought his dog, Bleu. All weekend long the kids were calling for Bleu and Zoe picked up on it.

I was able to drop a couple pounds which is good to know, but obviously not enough to feel a difference. I have noticed I'm getting full on less food, and I'm really excited about that. Also, my cravings for sweets has lessened a bit, which is a really big deal for me. I'm feeling good, just keeping at it and waiting to see the pounds drop off :)

BREAK DOWN...

Calories: I did pretty good at staying close to my 1350 calorie count each day... until I went to Bear Lake with some wonderful friends. Then I threw my goals out the window. I mean really, who can pass up those delicious Bear Lake shakes, and that yummy philly cheese steak sandwich! Not me :) I did cut back on my usually vacation candy intake, but not enough to counter the shakes and sandwich. Monday I got back on the ol' Diet, and went a tad over my calorie goal, but stayed within the goal that sparkspeople.com has set for me. So I'm feeling pretty good about my eating changes.

Exercise: I hit my goal and exercised 4 days this past week. I need to get more cardio, so that is something I'll try to work on this week.

Eating out: I did not eat out... until we went to Bear Lake. There we ate out 3 times. So considering it was a vacation... I'm satisfied that I did that well :)

Until next week... "Move more, Eat less!" ~ Dr. Laura Schlessinger

I'm planning on making some changes in my life and home, and I've decided to document it here so that I have some accountability, as well as an incentive :) 

First change:   Eating habits.  I stepped on the scale yesterday morning, and found that I weighed as much as I did when I was 6-8 months pregnant.  Aaaggghhh!!!  What happened!  I guess this whole getting older thing is taking a toll on my metabolism.  I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted and it never affected the scale (even after I had Sydney).  Which leads me to my next change...

Second change:  Exercise.  I've never done well at keeping an exercise plan.  I've just done my thing, and it's never been a problem, until now.  I'm so out of shape!  After stepping on the scale yesterday morning, I decided to put together an exercise routine, lunges, lying abductions (that's what they called them online:), leg raises, and crunches.  I felt really good yesterday morning and afternoon.  By late afternoon I could feel my thighs, butt and stomach tightening up,  so I stretched some more.  This morning is hurts to sit down, or even take a normal size step.  At least I know I worked something... right?  Hopefully I didn't injury anything :)

Third change:   Eating out.   This is a little embarrassing, but on average I eat out at least 3 times a week (that's a good week).  Isn't that ridiculous?  I work part time at home and take care of my 2 little girls.  I don't have the time or money to keep doing this! It takes so much effort to pack the kids up to go anywhere, not to mention the time it takes to drive to the restaurant.   There are a couple restaurants across the street from us, but I have to be pretty desperate to pay that much money.  The next closest restaurants are 15 minutes away, so it usually takes an hour or more to pick the food up.

Fourth change:   Sydney's room.  Not that Sydney really cares what her room looks like, but it's so boring!  The walls are white, her bedspread is white (it was mine when I was a little girl), the "decorations" on her shelf are some that I had growing up, but they just look pathetic really, and she has a light pink, green and purple valance above her window that seems too baby-ish for her now.  Needless to say, this is not my definition of a fun room.  So I'm thinking I need to get some color into it, but I don't really know where to start.  Do I find a bedspread that we like first, and then find paint and decorations to match?  I'm on a very tight budget so I can't really go all out.  Maybe I could even keep the white bedspread and just spend money on paint to add the color.  Any advice is greatly appreciated,  I am not good at this stuff.

So here's the plan...  I'm going to eat 1,350 calories or less a day, focusing on my fruits, vegetables, and water intake.  I'm still considering whether or not to allow myself a free day.  I don't want to restrict myself so much that I start binge eating.  I'm going to exercise at least 4 times a week.  I'm only going to allow myself to eat out 1-2 times a week (this includes date nights with Nick).  I'm planning on this helping me save money, so I can redo Sydney's room :)

What do you think?  Am I going too easy on myself, or have I set unrealistic goals.  I'm hoping I can create better eating and exercising habits for myself, and that they become life long.  I'm planning on doing an update in a few weeks or so... stay tuned :)