DOMESTICATING MYSELF WITH FRUGAL LIVING

Before Friday night, when I took my family and in-laws out to eat because I did not feel like cooking- we had not been out to eat in quite a while. I've been really trying to cook more, buy more produce, and keep up with my kitchen duties. I cannot-and will not-lie to you... Cooking just isn't fun for me! It's very stressful! The dog under my feet, tripping over the car, kicking toys and magnets, little hands pulling food off the counter- onions burning my eyes, the heat, splatter, waiting, tasting.... It's too much!

Now baking: I LOVE to bake-when there isn't a 2 year old running around who thinks the oven-glass door is a mirror for her to sit in front of and watch herself make awesome faces. So baking doesn't actually happen too often, but when it does I enjoy it!

 

Yes, I attempted to do a slow-cooker-week a while back but life got in the way. This week I am serious about it! I made some meatballs last week that we're so delicious, they were immediately requested for this week and claimed as a new favorite dish. That's motivation!

 

I'll figure out dinner first thing in the morning after I take note of the pantry and freezer inventory for my shopping list. After that I will meal plan the rest of the week. Through out the week I'll post my meal plan, ingredients, prep, cook time, and results of the meals.

 

No pizza or perogie dinners (favorite go-to's when we come home late/are tired) this week, ONLY meals that have been slow cooking.

 

 

Send me your favorite recipes to try out! Post them below if you'd like them to be public of private email me!

WEIGHT LOSS: FACIAL PROGRESS

 Before: 9/2011  During: 6 & 7/2013

I didn't realize how heavy I had gotten. This wasn't due to pregnancy. This was 2 months of a crumb-cake and Pepsi diet. Trying to keep myself awake with a new born, eating something that would fill me up quickly. How incredibly fast the weight came on, and how incredibly slow it is leaving! But, IT IS LEAVING. The first progress pictures I am sharing, and I hope I'll have more soon. As nerve wracking as this is, it's also liberating and motivational to me.

I owe thanks to my family and friends who are endlessly supportive (and patient with my constant blabbering's of weight loss)!

My current short-term goal is to lose 8lbs by 8/28. 15 Days. :)

GETTING BACK ON TRACK

I've been very neglectful of my blog this month. With The Queens birthday, keeping up with school, adding on an additional short course to expand my Illustrator knowledge before I actually need it in a class, and going to the gym, I haven't had any ideas or desire-honestly. I'll be better now, I promise.

From May 15 - June 15 I lost a total of: 4 pounds.

I want to scream when I write that. 4 measly pounds in a month! How discouraging!

However, from what my close family members have told me, they have seen changes in my body, face, and my overall being. I am more active and much more happy. I am energetic and enthusiastic-not that I wasn't before-but now it's become annoying! I am encouraging everyone to come with me because it makes me feel SO GOOD everyday I go, I want the people I love to feel good, too.

So, they say it takes 4 weeks for you to see the changes in yourself, aaaaand I see some. Not as much as I'd like to see in a month, but I see them. Mostly, I feel them, and that may be even better!

 

I was going to post before and after photos at 1 month, but the change is so miniscule that it would be more of an embarrassment to show my bare body at the moment. I am really hoping to get to my birthday goal. For that, I need to lose 13 pounds in 2 months, 1 week. 1.5 lbs a week. Possible? Yes. Difficult, immensely at the rate I am going!

 

I flaked a bit when it came to my FITplan book because I've been so busy and so much more active than the book tells me to be. I enjoy writing it all down at the end of the night but I am usually doing homework until 3am. By that time, who wants to write more and prolong going to sleep? Not I!

 

I also got new sneakers today from Zappos.com and I have to say, I love them. I love their variety, their free shipping both ways, and their service. I am unsure about the shoes I ordered ONLY because they are not as bright in person as they are online, but they feel great. I'll decide tomorrow. I'll be ordering from Zappos again within a few days for some slip-on sneakers for The Queen. :)

 

I want to post some freebies here, but I don't yet know how to! Help! Teach me how to bloggie, teach me- teach me how to bloggie! Ha!

MOTIVATION.

LEG PRESS: (unknown weight. 6th bar.) 5x8

CALF RAISES: (same machine, same weight) 5x8
CHEST PRESS: (unknown weight. 4th bar.) 2x6  (3rd bar): 1x6 1 1x8
LEG EXTENSIONS: 78lbs 2x6  66lbs 2x8
MID ROW: 115lbs 4x6  135lbs 1x6
SEATED DIP: 99lbs 1x6  86lbs 1x6  72lbs 2x8
BICEPS CURL: 70lbs 2x6  62lbs 2x8
SHOULDER PRESS: 76lbs 1x4  69lbs 1x6  62lbs 1x8 55lbs 1x8
LAP PULL DOWNS: 117lbs 1x6  102lbs 1x6  85lbs 2x8
LEG CURLS: 115lbs 2x6  97lbs 2x8
OUTER THIGHS: 140lbs 2x8  120lbs  2x8
INNER THIGHS: 120lbs 1x8 90lbs 2x8 100 1x6
CRUNCHES: C 2x8  R 2x10  L 2x10  C 1x10

SQUATS: 45lb bar 2x25lb weights = 95lbs 3x8

TREADMILL: 31.5min 2-3.5 walking & power walking, 1:30 5.5 jog.

BIKE OF DEATH: 26.24 minutes (I aimed for 250 calories/6 laps.)

 

 

 

There came a point in my life very recently that I whole-heatedly decided that enough was enough. The Queen is almost 2, and I am still the same weight I was when I gave birth to her. That is unacceptable. Women pacify it by dealing out comforting thoughts such as "It usually takes about 2 years to get the weight off!" and "Well you have no time- it'll come off on its own!" Thank you, but that's not the case.

The case is was that I wasn't trying to get the weight off. It's that simple! I'd get into these super-overdrive-motivation modes for 3 days, just to give up as quickly. The work outs were too hard, I couldn't keep up, my joints, my lungs, no time, no energy, school is in the way, it's the holiday-- how many things can get in the way of me?!

 

The answer then: a lot!

The answer now: myself.

 

I've stopped trying to find the time to go to the gym, and now I make the time to go. I feel so good each day I go- it's motivation that carries me through the day.

 

I have friends that have been in the same boat that I was/am in. The only thing that I can do is encourage them. It is SO, INCREDIBLY HARD to get out of the rut you can get stuck in. Not only for mothers, either. Women in relationships that put the comfort pounds on, college freshman 15, birth control weight gain, health issues- whatever the cause and case may be. It is hard to find the motivation and to hold onto it. I know- I did it for 2 years now!

 

I started this blog as a way to keep up anonymously with my progress, but lately I've realized that not everyone is as verbal about their insecurities as I am- but they are still struggling with the same thing I am. So, here I am. Accountable for my actions and inaction. Putting myself out there like my friend did for me. I am on a mission to get my old body back, and then improve it. I am on a mission to show my daughter that I can keep up. I am on a mission to improve my health so I can be her superhero. I am on a mission to chase my dog around the block every time he runs away, and not feel like I am about to implode. I am on a mission to skinny jeans and pretty tops, wearing tank tops and lifting my arms, stepping out of the plus size section and getting back into my favorite stores. I am on a mission to feel confidence, to walk with my head high again- because I've been teaching my daughter to look down at the floor. No more.

NO. MORE.

I'm on a mission to becoming A MILF. Yeah. I am on a life changing mission that started with a realization, baby stepped into quitting soda, tumbled into joining the gym, and is snow balling into working myself 110%, sweating without caring, and eating with purpose.

I am on a mission to be proud of myself-inside and out-because I am working for it.

<3

Peace, Love, Sweat, & Happiness.

 

 

 

A Clueless moment from me to my friends:
My machine just started inclining without letting me know and I yelled out "what the F%#$ is happening?!" in a panic. It was like an earthquake. I shouldn't be allowed here.



 

PROGRESS

2+ WEEKS WITH NO SODA. ABSOLUTELY NOT A DROP!

So my last post was about how dedicated I was to losing weight using Insanity by The Queen's 2nd birthday party in June. Well, I should have known better! If it isn't life, or school, or overwhelming circumstanced getting in the way of my late night work outs- it's my exhaustion by the end of the day. Once I missed a day, it was too easy to keep on missing 'em. If I am being perfectly honest here, I hate that damn work out. It is so impossibly hard to keep going with all thing jiggle going on with each jump! So, I quit.

But wait a second! I DID however join a gym! My sister told me about a gym that opened up less than a month ago right by my laundromat. Sweet! GTL, baby! I went and joined! I had some anxieties over going alone but I finally had big sister babysit me through a work out and tonight, I went all by myself! THAT is a personal achievement for me.

So I've done the 30 minute circuit on both days, which includes:

 

Leg press
Hamstring Curl
Chest Press
Biceps Curl
Triceps Extension

and I throw in a few reps of:

 

Abdominal Crunches

 

There are more machines that work the thighs, the back, and the arms. All of which are killing me!

I love it!

 

I also purchased this book by GAIAM called FITPLAN from Target. I wont go into detail, but this is right up my ally. I like to keep a track, draw, doodle, and have something to DO with all of this information at the end of the day. I like to be accountable for my food decisions and my inactivity- and reading it will help motivate me in all aspects. It is an 84-day (12 week) planner with a bio at the beginning and at the end. It focuses on your energy and mood levels as well as your activity, diet, and exercise. Check it out if you're into this sort of thing.

 

 

Finally, I want to just address something for myself. I start my 9th term today (each term is 2 classes/6weeks long.) Digital Manipulation. (you cannot fathom how long I've waited for this class!) I started August 2011, semi-immediately after The Queen was born. She kicked my perspective into high gear- a gear I've never had before her.
Now she is almost two, and I haven't stopped. I'm damn proud of myself. I have big plans for myself, and this is the first major step in getting those plans in motion. Two years have passed by SO quickly. I can't wait to look back at myself two years from now and see what I've accomplished as a student, toward my career, and as a woman. Motherhood is my priority but I am not letting myself fail as an individual. I will be an inspiration to her.

 

 

Be Your Best.

WEELKY CHALLENGE: WEEK ONE

I'm going to start a challenge segment. These challenges will all be under the same theme: becoming frugal and partially-homemade. We really want a house. Like, badly. The trouble is- we are both clueless about budgeting and saving! I don't know how to cook, he doesn't know how to eat (pizza, perogies, chicken parm. The End.) and we don't know how to stop going out to the store and buying useless crap we do not need! We are both guilty of doing this, and by taking these baby-steps challenges seriously- I hope to implement a new lifestyle for us as a family.

Step One: No Rules.He doesn't like when I put new rules into effect. Which is why, no new rules have ever gone into effect that were directed at us adults. :\ So by labeling them as challenges- he will secretly be supportive instead of combative! Ha!

Step Two: Discipline.

Well, I don't have any of that. By sticking with the challenges, I hope to build patterns and habits, leading me to spend less, save money and time, and learn A TON of new information that otherwise, I'd be blind to.

Step Three: Committing.Committing to the project. A full seven days-no excuses are good enough! No skips-ies, time outs, pauses, or quitting. Each challenge must be met-completely. This is building discipline, by committing no matter what.

Challenge One: Completely Crock Pot

This week, starting Sunday, I will use my crock pot every day.

Usually on the typical weekday morning, I let The Queen wake me up around 8-8:30. I'll give her some milk, we do the whole diaper banter thing, put one of her assorted educational entertaining DVDs on, and I get to making us breakfast. Within this time I could VERY easily get a meal into the crock pot and turn that bad boy on. Why don't I? Because I have nothing prepped or planned. This week, its ON!

Mini-challenge. Learn to use my rice cooker! ;)

Have any simple-mouthed recipes to share? Any challenge ideas that incorporate becoming home-made or frugality?! Let me know- I might just accept that challenge! 

BREAKING UP WITH SODA

I am breaking up with you, soda. Your carbonation bloats me, fills me, and gasses me in ways no woman should experience. Your acid is eroding my insides, your caramel coloring is staining my teeth. Your sugar is keeping the jiggle in my wiggle. Your caffeine is starting to give me the shakes. I love you, soda. I truly, deeply do. We have been together for as long as I can remember. No one can part us; but me.

I have to say good-bye, soda. It is for the best of myself and my future that I terminate our relationship. Maybe someday I will find self-control, and will come to visit you on an occasion. Maybe that day will never come. To say your sweet, bubbling love will never cascade across my lips again would be too extreme; too terrible to admit. For now, this is good-bye.

Always your love,

Fatty Fat Fat

Sugary drinks are the biggest source of added sugar in the U.S. diet. Each 20-ounce bottle of soda contains 16 teaspoons of sugar -- that's  22 packets of sugar and 240 empty calories in one bottle! (http://www.kickthecan.info/soda-facts)

 

Rest Day!

Today is my intentional rest day from INSANITY. I say intentional, because it took me 10 days to complete the first week-not including that fit test! Between being too sore to function & too busy with school, I had to start with the most important of my tasks & put off the least important for another day. I even debated on skipping rest day, but my butt cheeks decided for me when they were sore getting out of bed this morning!

This is the farthest I have gone with INSANITY in my 3 attempts at it. This is huge for me! Even though it took me 4 extra days, I still kept going. The effort was not lost- either. I already see results in what my body can do physically. At the beginning I couldn't (&wouldn't) jump. Without jumping, this takes out a large portion of the workouts- but I modified them if possible OR did squats in their place.

Things I physically could not do on Day 1, that I could do on day 6(10)

Basketball Jumps
Suicide Drills (bent knee push-ups. Lets not get carried away!)

Heisman
Mountain Climbers (my wrists couldn't support the angle while I brought my knee in)
Knee In's (Plank, jump in, jump out. I refer to them as fat-pincher's.)

I've also noticed that I can do more of the exercise than before. Where I would crap out at lets say 10 Heisman's (Heismen?) on day 2, I'd crap out at about 15/20 on day 6(10). I know my body pretty well from years of dancing, and I am sure I will be able to keep up with about 85% of the work out someday. I'm really impressed with my progress in the last 5 workouts. Its motivating- & I am really starting to wish I never gave up the first time I tried.

I don't expect miracles to happen within the next few weeks, but I do expect improvement. I demand improvement. The more results I see, the more motivated I feel to keep pressing on. I am VERY excited to build my body, endurance, stamina, & confidence back up! <3

I think May 13th will be 8 weeks. That sounds good for a progress photo, I'd say.

Dun dun dunnnn!!