Christmas, Motivation, & Love.

Sooooo, my camera officially decided to stop working on Christmas Eve.  I got it for Christmas last year, so it stopped working just in time for the warranty to be expired and just in time for me to miss taking pictures of my boy Christmas morning.  Big Steven was able to capture a few moments with his phone, which officially made me a smart phone believer.  I will be looking for deals on both a smart phone and a camera this week.

Moving on...

One of my favorite things about Christmas is getting a new scarf from Steven's Grandma:

The moment I knew i was 'in' was when I got my handmade blanket!  I love that thing so much I'm scared to use it.  I thought about putting it on the couch, but then I got worried people would ruin it or the little one would spill something on it.

What I don't love about Christmas this year is the pictures I saw of myself.  YIKES!  I have gained some serious lbs since September.  I stopped running and started eating more.  Even though I was working out, that's a bad combo for a girl with a super slow metabolism.  I am looking at the photos this year as motivation.  Big Steven got me a new treadmill and new running shoes, so I have NO EXCUSE to not pick back up on running.  I broke it in yesterday with a 2 mile run and was very pleased to see my endurance is still there. 

Big Steven and I have goals for the years to come and I definitely want to lose the weight before having another baby - not that it's happening any time soon.  I am STILL not back to my size pre-Little Steven, which is just wrong.  If I don't lose it before baby #2, it's going to be 2394839289 times harder to lose it, so I'm ultra motivated for that.

2011 has been a very trying year for my little family. 

Exhaustion + stress + mean words + cranky toddler - Jesus - alone time = no bueno.

This weekend made me really grateful for the love Big Steven and I share and the love we have for the little one - and not just because I got a garbage disposal (PRASE THE LORD), but because we got to spend a lot more time together than we have in a while.  There are a lot of people who don't like the running around, and I understand the stress of having multiple families to see over the holidays, but I love it.  I love my family, I love Steven's family, and I love that they all want us around.

I am just very grateful.

I HOPE YOU ALL HAD THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!

Smilings My Favorite + Awkward & Awesome

Do you even see that picture?!  I just die!  Every time I have a camera, he is ready to smile.  Of course, I love when he smiles in general, but smiling is so contagious.  In pictures, I smile with my mouth shut because I have adult braces; however, in real life, people get the real deal - hardware and all.  It's pretty incredible how much a person's mood can change just by smiling - and how much we can change other people's moods by smiling, too!

I used to work for a hospice company.  I absolutely loved the job itself and am super passionate about the industry; it's the reason I know my calling in life is to be a nurse.  For the most part, I was surrounded by some of the most beautiful people I've ever met, including my Mama, and continue to be so inspired by them.  In contrast, there were a couple of people that rubbed me the wrong way for various reasons.  While I know now that responding back in a negative way was a horrible idea and only cultivated worse feelings, they made it difficult to really enjoy my job and smile.  It occurred to me that I wasn't really proud of the person I was at work in some instances; while I gave and received a lot of encouragement and kindness from the the majority of my coworkers, it bothered me that I wasn't giving and receiving the same encouragement from the minority - specifically two.  So, I decided to move on.  My job now isn't necessarily the most positive working environment, but it allows me to go to school, be a mom, and make money; even if I have my complaints, I'm seriously blessed to have an opportunity to do all of these things and am incredibly grateful for my boss and his kind (albeit, stubborn) heart.  What's not to smile about?

Awkward:

- Snorting.  I snort when I laugh sometimes, which is common knowledge to my friends and family,  but it's always really uncomfortable when a 'new' person experiences the snort.

- Being told by more than one person that Zooey Deschanel's character in The New Girl reminds them of me.  I thought so myself, too, but the realization that everyone else knows me to be that awkward is...awkward.

- My two pack.  I have successfully developed a two pack in my belly, but the part where the other 4 are supposed to go is still a little bit like Jell-O, so it's in a really strange looking stage.

- Giving the neighbors and accidental 'show' this morning in my nighty letting Bella out.  I didn't think anyone would see me!

Awesome:

-GLEE started this week!  While the premiere wasn't all that great, I know it's gonna be a good season.

- The Redskins being 2-0 for the first time in 4 years.  HOLLAA!

- A two pack > A keg.

- Big Steven's cousin had her twins this morning.  Two very big, healthy baby girls!  She's one of the sweetest people I know and has a GIANT heart, so this blessing for her makes me ultra happy.

- Crockpots.  'Nuff Said.

- My Chocolate Banana Muffins.  To be continued...

30 Day Shred Update - Day 12.

Pardon the darkness of the vid; I messed up the settings and didn't feel like retaping.

'F' is For Fitness.

Really, 'F' is for 'Friday' - and a few other choice words - but today, it's for 'Fitness.'

I am not expert at fitness, I just try to stay motivated to be healthy.  Honestly, being in a relationship with a man who is incredibly fit (and incredibly delish!) is a nice motivator.  It can also be a little bit annoying.

As much as I scold my love for being naturally fit, I know it doesn't just come naturally.  He works his N-U-Ts off and, on top of that, lifts weights and goes for random runs.  His random runs make me want to punch him as well because when I go for random runs, I almost die; he, on the other hand, comes back looking hotter than ever.  ANNOYING.

Okay, now onto the motivating part...

His fitness makes me want to be fit, too.  I want to be able to keep up with him and Little Steven (who will undoubtedly be an athlete like his Daddy) and not feel like I'm lagging.  We're also going to the beach next month and I don't want people wondering what Mr. Shirtoff (c/o the funniest video posted on my wall by EP)  is doing with Chubs.  Listen, I have an okie dokie self-esteem; I don't think I'm hideous and I don't think I'm large, but I do think I could use some work.

So, here are some little tips I've received over the last few months during 'Operation Beach Babe' that have been useful:

- Drink a lot of H2O.  By a lot, I mean a lot.  I keep a 40 oz water bottle at my desk and I drink at least 1.5 a day, then I drink lots of water when I get home.  I was told a long time ago that if your pee is not clear, you're not getting enough H2O.  Truth?  I don't know, but it's just a little standard I choose to live by.

- Eat Dinner Early.  We do this in our house by default because we're early risers, but I really believe it's helped me to at least maintain my weight.  Even on weeks when I don't work out and eat like crap, I don't seem to gain weight.  I'm much more likely to be active afterwards because it's still early enough to hang out with the baby, clean up, and then work out at soon as Little Steven goes to bed.  It's really been a great change for me.

- Cardio, cardio, cardio.  As a mom, I know I feel like I'm going all the time, which must mean that I am burning super calories.  I probably am, but there is nothing quite like getting in a good 30 minute (at least) cardio sesh when I'm able.  I attempt to do it at least 3 times a week, and usually go beyond that.  When I don't work out, I don't lose weight.  I could eat like a bird all day and still stay the same weight if I'm not working out...does that make sense?  No, but that's how it works for me.

- Weights.  Mr. Delish (Big Steven) suggested that adding some light weights would help me increase calories burned and tone up.  I have an issue with 'wings' under my arms, so I started trying this about 2 weeks ago.  Let me tell you, it's definitely working already.  I've only been using 5 lb weights when I'm on the bike, but my arms are definitely getting a bit more toned and I'm feeling better about them, not to mention more motivated.

- Self Esteem.  This has been a BIG factor in whether or not I'm successful in the past.  If I am down on myself and talk about how much I loathe my body, I tend to quit easily.  If I look at working out as a way to feel better about myself, AND appreciate the smallest of changes (i.e., 1 lost lb or leaner looking arms), I am significantly more successful.  This also helps me to lose weight the 'right' way as opposed to harming my body.

- Determine your motivation.  Like I said earlier, I want to be able to keep up with my boys.  That is SO important to me.  I never want to feel like I'm too out of shape to play with them.  I also want to feel like I'm giving Big Steven a run for his money...a little competition is good for my soul.

I have a good ways to go before my body is where I want it to be, but at least I know I'm working toward something.

What are your best tips?  I'd love to hear what you guys are doing to be in shape!



P.S. Happy Father's Day, My Love.  We are so lucky to have you; you're a hard worker, you're a great provider, and you're incredibly easy on the eyes.