Some motivation for my weight loss

I joined a competition that my friend Melanie put together for weight loss. It is called "The Battle of the Bulge". The competition officially starts tomorrow- but I took my before pictures and got my beginning weight today (I'm going to be busy most of the day tomorrow and knew I'd forget to do it.). After I put my post up on the competition blog- I decided I'd go run on the treadmill. I ran/walked briskly for about 25 minutes. Not great- but it's definitely a start. Then I did some ab work outs- and some arm work outs. I am exhausted from a long day ( and very little sleep last night), but otherwise, I felt GREAT after working out! I have a hard time believing in myself and that I can lose weight. It's really hard when I leave for work at about 6:45 AM, and then get back at roughly 6 pm and Kenzie doesn't go to bed until 8:30-9 pm. I will do the best I can. I have started walking during lunch at work. I walk roughly 3.5- 4 miles every other day when I can. I walk from my work to Decker Lake, around the lake and back to my work. It is incredibly refreshing. NOW THE PART I NEED TO WORK ON IS MY DIET!! I am seriously a junk-food-aholic. If chocolate is available- I eat it. I've started to do better when people offer me stuff, such as donuts, etc- but I'm still struggling. I'm trying to eat more bananas and yogurt, oatmeal, etc. I am a VERY picky eater- and these are some of the little healthy things that I don't mind adding to my diet. The next problem I have is portion control. When I enjoy something- I tend to go overboard with it! I'll eat 2-3 times as much as I should! I guess I didn't really realize how much I did this until the last month or so when I started watching the calories & portions, and thought back at how quickly I would have eaten them before.

I intended this post to be a bit shorter than it ended up. I really just wanted to put up my disgusting (in my opinion) "before" pictures. This I believe will help motivate me to get where I really want to be.

Any suggestions for additional weight loss would be appreciated. Any websites that have helped you, etc.

My baby girl is growing up so fast!! She'll be 4 months old on July 7th- coming up so quick! She continues to smile at us a lot, especially in the morning. Tyler calls her his little Pterydactyl because she sucks in so much air to make noise- that she makes a noise kind of like a Pterydactyl. It's funny! You'd have to hear it to understand!

Last Saturday my sister-in-law (and best friend), Alanna & I had a yard sale at my house. We were selling a bunch of random stuff such as: TV, VCR, ottoman, desk, lots of books, picture frames, halloween masks, cat carriers, tons of odds & ends, etc. We did pretty well for setting up late and getting rained out early. I think we made a total of about $300. We still have a lot of the stuff and plan to set it up again within the next 2-3 weeks. Hopefully we'll sell the majority of what's left. Anything other than that will end up at the D.I. Most of it is really just not worth holding on to. It was a lot of fun though. We always have a lot of fun when we're together! We just need to get Laurie to come hang out more now!

On Friday, Tyler humored me when he got home from his run- and took some adorable pictures of Makenzie on her rocking chair. They turned out really well. He is such a good photographer, and Kenzie gives him a good reason to take more pictures!

On Saturday, my sister, Laurie, & I went to a wedding of one of her friends from high school. It wasn't too bad, but we had to wait for the couple to finish taking pictures before we were able to talk to them at all. After that, I took Laurie with me to get Kenzie's pictures done at Target. Laurie helped me dress Kenzie in the middle of the store- we were almost late to her appointment because I had to feed her & dress her after we got there. Oh well, once we got there- they made us wait 10-15 minutes anyway- so I didn't feel bad.

After the pictures, we drove up to Heber for my cousin's Baby Shower & a family BBQ. It was raining so bad on the way up there, Laurie & I both freaked out a bit. Right before we made it to Heber, it was pouring so bad that I put my hazard lights on and slowed down as much as possible. My windshield wipers were on as fast as they could be and still could not keep up with the rain. It was a bit scary! We made it safe, and were happy to see some of our extended family. Pam looks so cute pregnant- and was very excited for all the cute little baby clothes that she got! I think she was most excited about the diaper genie though.

Yesterday was Father's Day. Tyler & I decided to go to church- not something that happens often, but it was nice. Kenzie talked through all of relief society- kinda funny! No one cared though because she's so cute! I didn't much for Tyler for Father's Day- which is sad because it was the first one that he was able to celebrate as a father! I was going to make him a pancake, egg & maple bacon breakfast- but he said he didn't want me to. I think Kenzie made him feel kinda good though- because she was screaming and wouldn't stop for me no matter what I did. I tried changing positions, standing up, holding her tight, setting her down on her back, putting a binky in her mouth, etc. NOTHING WORKED! She was screaming to no end. Tyler came upstairs after about 10 minutes (he had been working on his homework). He picked her up, cuddled with her, and put a binky in her mouth and she stopped crying and fell asleep within about 30 seconds. We both knew she was tired, but his was the special touch yesterday. It was actually really cute to see her want her Daddy so much. We took a family nap for about 30 minutes- then had to run out the door to my Dad's for a BBQ there. Again- it was nice to just visit with family- although this time it was the other side of my family. I forgot my camera both times this weekend- so no pictures except the cute ones Tyler took.

Well- there's an update on the last week or so. Hope you enjoyed it.

Oh, and an update to my last post- I've lost about a pound...woohoo! Not as much as I was hoping for- but it's a start I suppose.

Realization of how un-sexy stretchmarks are...ugh!

I realized today that I am going to Bear Lake in 3 months... my body is not in any shape to be in a swimsuit. I tried them on tonight just to see how it would look. Not a pretty sight!!! Stretch marks from having a baby is just not a great way to feel/look good in a bikini. I think that Bear Lake might be the motivation that I have needed to start working out again. The hard part is that Makenzie is only 3 months old- so I can't really do a whole lot while I'm watching her- and I don't have a gym membership...hmmm...

Also- the cookies, cake, banana bread, brownies, birthday cake & ice cream are not making losing weight any easier!! I keep justifying what I'm eating- but the truth is, I have been eating more junk than real food in the last week, and it makes me physically feel disgusting, and sick to my stomach. My willpower sucks! But- I think I'm going to put a more conscious effort into eating a little better (keep in mind I'm a picky eater), and working out.

I think I'm going to try taking my daughter on walks every night after work. I know that won't drop pounds, but at least it will get a little exercise in. I would take my dogs too- but if you know my dogs- you know that it's not a good idea to take them along with the stroller unless I want it to be tipped over and dragged along behind them.

Now that I'm done complaining...I think I'll go do my short workout before bed, and maybe start fresh tomorrow. My goal is to lose AT LEAST 10 pounds by August, but who knows if I can do it or not...wish me luck!

Catching up

Hello again!! It's been a while. A lot has happened since my last post, but I won't bore you with everything.

I got sick a while back. I was so dizzy that I couldn't even take care of Makenzie! That was no fun! Luckily, I have amazing family members that were willing to help out when needed. Don't worry, I'm much better now!

On May 3rd- we got Makenzie blessed. Her uncle Zach blessed her. He did a really good job, and we really appreciate that he was able to do it. He drove out to Taylorsville from Layton for only an hour or so because his little boy was sick. Sad!! We then had a small get together at my house afterwards. It was nice to have family and a few friends stop by. Makenzie looked so cute in her blessing dress!! Unfortunately we didn't get as many pictures as I would have liked. By the time we got home from Sacrament meeting she was hungry so we hurried and got a few pictures. We had to change her into something else to feed her because we didn't want her to get formula on her dress. She's a messy eater!! :)

Last week I had to go back to work... :( It's hard every morning. I got quite accustomed to spending all day with Tyler, and Makenzie! I miss both of them a lot every single day that I go to work. The good news is that it makes me appreciate every minute I spend with them that much more! My weekends are so much more important to me now than they were when I was on maternity leave. Because now I actually have to do something during the week.

Time goes by so quickly, doesn't it? Seriously! Where did March go, and April? And now May is more than halfway over. My baby is already 10 weeks old! Crazy! She's adorable, fun, happy, and did I mention adorable! I have so much fun with her- especially now that she smiles at me, and not just during her gassy times...lol. I say "I love you Makenzie", and she gets a really big grin on her face almost every time! I love it! Unfortunately, when I try to get it on video- the camera distracts her so I can't get her to do it as much. She is just mesmerized by the lights.

So, on Saturday, my uncle Greg hosted a party at his house for all of the cousins. Tyler, Kenzie, Laurie & I all went together. We ate bbq food (my hot dog was pretty much burnt to a crisp- but you don't complain when someone else provides the food...), played Guitar Hero world tour with some of the cousins. Most of us were too chicken to sing, but Tyler rocked out! lol. He has fun with Karaoke type stuff. I played the guitar- I am pretty good at that. BUT- ONLY on the video game...hand me a real guitar and you'll have to cover your ears!!!

Sorry for the random spurts of info on my life during the last month- I'm at work and getting distracted easily... Hopefully during the next week or so I'll be able to actually work the whole time I'm at work...we'll see.

Adventurous days

So- the last post was done in the middle of the night, when I was tired and very frustrated! I wanted to put an update to that- After that feeding- when I put Kenzie back to bed she went right to sleep, and only got up to eat and went right back to bed 2 more times that night. Last night, we put her down at 9, and she went to sleep within about 5 minutes of crying. I woke her up to eat 3 times during the night, and she was good pretty much all night! I was amazed, and I got the much needed rest! :) Makes this momma happy!

Yesterday, Tyler & I spent the morning cleaning our house because we had Tyler's side of the family over for a barbeque. It was a lot of fun! Our little nephew is so adorable! He had fun playing Tyler's drums, and playing with the toys that were on Makenzie's high chair (he used it yesterday because Makenzie is still too little to use it). We all visited for a while, and after they left, Tyler & I showered & got ready to go get pictures taken by my brother, Mikey. We met at their place, and then went to Wheeler Farm. We didn't even bother parking...there was too much going on- people everywhere, and no where to park. We drove right on through and headed to Gardner Village instead. We spent an hour or so walking around and having pictures taken. It was fun. Then we came back here and hung out while getting the pictures transfered over. A lot of them turned out really good! Thanks Mikey!!

Today, I made Tyler some strawberry waffles for breakfast (regular ones for me). He enjoyed them. After that, we got Kenzie ready, and took her to see her Grandpa! He was very excited to see her, and had fun holding, feeding, burping her and playing with her. We spent the morning sitting on his porch enjoying the warm weather. As we were sitting there- we decided it would be a good day to go for a walk. My dad, his girlfriend Pat, Tyler, Kenzie & I headed out for a nice stroll down Jordan Parkway for an hour or so. I was definately good to get out of the house on such a nice day!

Frustrated and tired

So, I'm beginning to think the whole "cry it out" thing is over rated! I put Makenzie down at about 9:05 with a clean diaper, and a full belly. She cried almost non-stop until 12:00- by which time she's hungry again. At that point, I waited for a small break in her crying- and then went in, picked her up an fed her again. She is finally asleep (probably only temporarily now), but I don't know if I can plan on that lasting for too long. I'm so confused about the whole thing! Do I wait until she wakes me up to feed her the next time- or do I just plan to get up when I know she should eat? OR- am I supposed to not feed her and just wait for early morning to hit? That brings me to nap time...do I let her cry it out then too?

I love being a mom- but all of this is a bit overwhelming, and confusing! I felt so bad for just letting her cry for hours tonight that I wanted to cry with her. I know it's not the end of the world, and she won't remember any of it anyway- but it's hard to hear her crying and do nothing about it...intentionally! :(

We'll try it again tomorrow and hope it goes a little more smoothly...I'm going to go try to get some sleep during the few minutes I have now.

More about Kenzie...(big surprise, right?!)

New sleeping arrangements for the little one...I'm excited, but a bit nervous! We are trying out having Makenzie sleep in the crib in her nursery instead of in the pack'n'play in our bedroom. This will be starting tonight. I'm prepared not to get much sleep, but I guess that's not much different than normal. I suppose we'll just have to let her cry it out...Ugh. That part sucks. She seems to be happier when we leave music on for her- oddly enough, my Lifehouse CD ("No Name Face" is the CD name) seems to do the trick. At least we've found something that calms her down a little. SO...That brings up the questions: do we really let her cry it out? Or do we try to cater to her every need? Or somewhere in between?? I suppose I'll try letting her cry it out for a few nights (if i can keep my sanity long enough to do so!). Hopefully it will run more smoothly than I am anticipating.

Anywhoooooo that's enough about that! So, this last Sunday was Easter- we decided to take Kenzie to church. I should have been a little more prepared!! I fed her in the morning at about 8:30- and forgot that meant she would be hungry again between 10:30 and 11:30. Well, our Sacrament starts at 11:00. So, needless to say, as soon as we got there- she was hungry! I fed her in the foyer for the first little while during sacrament. She didn't finish the bottle, but would not take anymore. I took her back into the Chapel and sat with Tyler for about 20 minutes. At that point Makenzie decided she wanted the rest of the bottle that she had not finished earlier. She let out a loud wail. I grabbed her and ran out to the foyer. Unfortunately, because I was in such a hurry- I left the bottle in the diaper bag near Tyler...but since she was crying, I didn't want to go back in. I ended up spending the remainder of the time in the foyer holding the binky in her mouth to keep her quiet. The good news is that one of my old young women leaders (who I haven't spoken with in years) was in the foyer as well, so I got to catch up with her a bit. Tyler & I decided not to stay for class, but that we'll try it again another week. After church on Easter, I decided that Tyler & I needed to do some family pictures for Easter. After all- you only get 1 first Easter per child :) The pictures turned out alright, but I'm hoping to get some better family pics soon. My brother, Mikey, is going to take some for us next week (it was too rainy and wet this week). We were talking about going to Wheeler Farm. I haven't been there in quite a while- so it should be fun.

Here are some pictures from Easter and today and a video from this morning. Enjoy them!