NSVs

**Non-Scale Victories for those that don't know.

This week I've had a couple of NSV's. One that I'm really proud of is my habit of tracking. I've been tracking just about everything on MyFitnessPal.com. (Except for this weekend. The wagon I was on crashed and burned this weekend. Just to paraphrase... Deer lease, beer, kid-less weekend.. that's really all I have to say about that.) But once I got back in town I dusted the wagon off and put it back together. I planned and prepped on Sunday and regained some sense of control.

I've been able to get up and work out twice this week so far. They've been pretty intense workouts too. I've been planning them by finding a workout on fitnessmagazine.com and pulling them up to review the night before so I'm ready to go in the morning and I don't have to think about it. I've also been incorporating Val's November Challenge workout as my warm-up. While I'm working out I've figured out if I just put on music instead of try to get caught up on the nation's events I'm a lot more focused and seem to get more out of my workout. Yeah ME!

I'm still taking Advocare MNS and that's going pretty well I think. I'm still drinking tons of water and really trying to get in my fruits and veggies errr-day. My hairdresser even said my skin was glowing! Whaaa? Maybe there's something to this whole eating right, drinking lots of water and taking care of yourself scam.

I'll weigh myself on Friday and see how I did this week. Honestly I'll be happy if I didn't gain after the gluttony of this weekend.

Cleanse and Weekend Update

Well, I did it! I finished the cleanse and jump started my healthy eating habits and I feel GRRRRRRRRREAT! I'm down 4.5 ell-bees! and almost 2inches in my waist! Holla!

 

(Yes, I'm aware  these are horrible pictures. Yes I'm standing on my bathtub. No I don't have another full length mirror. Yes I will enlist the help of my hubby for my next set of photos.)

 

It really wasn't that bad. I've been saying I want to get into the whole meal planning thing since I see that's how most successful weight loss peeps stay on track. This really helped me with that. I found myself eating almonds when I wanted something a little salty and reaching for fruit when I wanted something sweet. Off-plan I'd reach for chips and chocolate.

 

I was able to meal prep a lot on the weekend. I made South Beach quiche cups for breakfast and cooked extra veggies to add into my meals. I even got creative. One night I roasted carrots. I seasoned them like sweet potato fries and put them in the oven at 400 for about 15-20 minutes. They were pretty good. Did I say they were carrots?

 

Anywhooo, I was able to get better sleep which helped when I get up with the babe at 5 and I was able to do a few workouts which I plan on ramping up since the only one keeping me from working out now is myself. just do it fatty!  I'm sticking with the meal planning and prepping. I didn't really feel that deprived and that fiber drink made me feel full all day.

 

This weekend I also participated in my 1st race in a loooong time. It was a color run that I signed up for with a friend before I popped out the little monster. Back then I didn't know I was going to have a C-Sec or end up with pneumonia soon after which sidelined any type of training I might have considered attempting.

 

The run was so fun and kinda gave me the itch to get back out there. Kinda...

 

 

 

 

 

Let me off this Roller Coaster

Yesterday was a bad day. I was feeling down, down. Up until now on this cleanse I've been feeling pretty good. I've been planning my meals, I've been logging everything in My Fitness Pal and really felt like I had everything under control. Yesterday I hit a wall. I was feeling so bloated from all the fiber rich food I've been putting in my body that if some of it didn't get out soon I felt like I was going to explode.

I wasn't really craving anything off plan but I can't help but wonder if the detoxing I've been doing to kick my addiction to the white stuff was finally coming to a head. I mean, since I went out with a bang last week with donuts, French fries and chips was my body like  hey b*tch where's all the "good" stuff. You don't expect me to live on all these fruits, nuts and veggies forever do you? no one can live without a good dose of fried fat with a sprinkling of sugar?

I was also beating myself up for not working out. This weekend I took Colt on 2 walks and was able to get in a quick workout. Not bad right?

But once the workdays hit I slept in. I told myself to get up and when I didn't I thought oh well, you can still do it tonight when you get home. Psssshhh I guess I forgot I have a 2 month old. So for whatever reason I felt the whole day was wasted.

(On a completely vain note, my hair is a HOT MESS right now and I can't wait until I get it fixed on Thursday. So on top of beating myself up I also don't feel pretty.)

Last night I went to bed super early. Just being awake thinking about what a "failure" I've been lately depressed me. I know I need to make this whole health and fitness thing a life style change. I told myself last night to take it 1 day at a time and that tomorrow is a new day.

A new day indeed. Today I got up, fed the monster and got in a work out all before 6:30. And I'm feeling pretty good about myself. Today's gonna be a good day.

Milk Cow Blues

Well, my career as a milk cow is officially over. I'm kinda, sorta, not really sad about it. I mean, when I had Colt my initial goal was to do it at all. Then I wanted to do it while I was at home, then I wanted to do it until the end of the year. I guess my body has told me I've done enough.

I know people say you feel this magical bond with your baby when you breastfeed, and I did, but I also was doing it out of convenience. It's easy to pick him up and stick him on your boob when he's hungry. Much easier than waiting for a bottle of pumped milk to warm up at 2:00am.

I knew I'd just know when the time was right to quit. One day last week, I was trying to feed him and after an hour of both of us getting frustrated I had to supplement with formula. It's just not worth it anymore. He needs more to eat and I'm making less. It's more important to satisfy his needs than to make sure I make it to another "goal". I tried pumping at work and feeding him when I got home but it's almost like my body said it's over, you did what you had to do.

I mean, some people can't do it at all. Or their baby doesn't latch. Or they have a hard time with mastitis and clogged ducts. I didn't have any problems and he ate like a champ, I just finally quit producing. He was so little when he was born it's amazing to think that I was solely responsible for feeding him and helping him gain weight back and blow past his birth weight in the 2 months he was exclusively on breastmilk. A woman's body is truly amazing.

1 week old

7 weeks old

 



I'm using the last of my pumped milk to supplement the formula he's now on. I know it's the best thing for him now and that's what I have to keep in mind. I wasn't expecting to feel a little sad about it. I mean, he needed me and only me for a while there. Now anybody can pick up a bottle and feed him. It also frees us up some. All I have to pack now is formula and a bottle and not worry about keeping my breastmilk cold or making sure I can pump if we're going to be gone longer than a few hours. (I can also get my drink on and not worry about testing my milk... holla!)

It was nice will it lasted but it's nice that it's over too. It just reminds me of how fast time flies and how quickly life changes with this little guy. It's all worth it and I'm loving every minute of it.

10 weeks old

Initial Thoughts on the Cleanse

So I’m a couple of days into the cleanse. So far, it isn’t too bad. I did a good job of planning and prepping this weekend. This is my first time having my whole week planned out so each day and I can just grab my food and go. I do sometimes have to call an audible and do my best when life happens. Like today, I ended up with the Boss at lunch and he wanted to have Italian. I ended up with some grilled chicken and veggies tossed in marinara sauce. Not bad right? (even though Fatty wanted chicken and pasta tossed in creamy gorgonzola cheesy goodness with maybe a sprinkle of bacon)

 That fiber drink is rough! Whew! I mixed it with a little bit of Tropicana 50 OJ and it made it go down smoother. I also blended it with a little bit of ice so I could convince myself the consistency was from blended ice and not roots and tree bark or whatever is pulverized into the mix. I have to be honest; I was worried about all that fiber at once, especially after reading the title of Holly’s post. I get some pretty good action from a Fiber One Bar but so far it’s been ok. I was really pretty full all day but still ate my snacks and light lunch I had planned.
 

I like the Mango/Strawberry spark. I only had it before breakfast and since I don’t drink much caffeine during the day that was enough for me. I do have an emergency stash with me though.

 Workouts have been non-existent. I was using the little monster as my alarm clock but fortunately he’s been sleeping until 6. So while I’m thankful for a little extra sleep, I’m going to have to set my alarm if I want to get my ass up and moving before he wakes up.

That’s it for now, nothing too exciting. I’ll check back in a couple of days.

All Aboard!

The little monster is 2 months old so I guess it's time I ditched my pregnancy cravings.  I didn't really crave anything specific but if I wanted it I had it. Like if I was driving around thinking Ya know what sounds good... an ice cream sandwich? I had to have it. Now, I have these cravings all the time for sugary, salty, spicy anything but most of the time I can convince my inner fatty that I really don't need it. When I was pregnant I gave myself the green light. Baby was hon-gray for some Hot Fries. Don't judge me!

 Before I got prego, I loved to work out. I love boot-camp style/HIIT outdoor workouts and I really try to love running. I also liked to drink beer and eat so I can't say I was exactly fit and trim but I'm not a couch potato either. I worked out throughout most of the pregnancy until the end and ended up only gaining 23lbs. I've already lost it but I am no where near where I want to be. I'm softer and clothes fit tighter in different places. I need to get my ass back in gear.

 

 

I decided I'd try the Advocare 10-day Cleanse since I've heard so much about it from other bloggers. Little did I know Holly and Mel are starting it too. So, I've officially jumped on their crazy train and will blog my progress. Yikes!

 

My order was supposed to be here today but will be delivered tomorrow instead. BUT I'm already ahead. I've planned out all my meals, grocery shopped and prepped for the next 5 days. Who is this girl?! Since I had everything going I started on my meal plan today. So eating-wise, I'll be 2 days in before the official cleanse begins....hopefully.. that way if I get another ice cream sandwich itch, I can still scratch it. hold up fatty...

 

Since the little monster is getting up at or around 5 I'm going to start working out after I feed him. He's an alarm clock you can't snooze through.

 

Well, that's that. Here we go, all aboard the crazy train.

 



Work, Work, Work

Well, back to the grind. I can't believe it's been a month since I posted. Wait.. yes I can. Things are so cray right now. The little monster is 2 months old! Wowza! I haven't even updated anything about him. Here's a couple of  pics:

 

 

BAM! He's eating and sleeping and pooping and that's about it. Actually he's starting to smile a little.

He's the cutest little monster out there! I swear he changes every day.

And now I'm back at work... Boooo!

Actually I'm glad to be back...kinda. I loved staying home with him but I couldn't do it full time. I was getting a little cabin fever.