Weight loss Journey Update

Well a lot has happened since I last posted before my birthday. I exceed my birthday goal by 5.4 pounds and celebrated with Mexican food and ice cream! Twas a grand day

The next goal I set was to be down 50 pounds total by our Vegas trip in early October. I continued working out 3-4 days/week throughout September and tracking my eats using MyFitnessPal and lost another 6.6 pounds that month. So that made a grand total of 50 pounds lost since the first of the year! Yep, you read that right, FIFTY pounds gone this year…and I exceed my Vegas goal!

Can you believe the difference 7 weeks & 14lbs can make?

Kyle and I had a good time with our friends in Vegas. Sometimes when I would walk by a mirror I could hardly believe the image staring back at me! Such a good feeling! Oh and not to mention feeling confident in my swimsuit at the pool! Five months prior on our Dell’s trip, I wasn’t feeling anything close to that.

I got home from Vegas and got right back to work and lost another two pounds and busted into the 150s, I hadn’t seen a 1 and a 5 at the beginning of my weight since 2009 – pre baby weight!! At that point I was down 55 pounds total! After hitting the 55lb mark I set a new goal to be down 60 pounds total in 2016. At that point it seemed very doable, over 2 months to lose 5 pounds? No problem!

But…when trick or treat time came around my will power was weak and that snow balled into about 6 weeks of being off track with my eats. I knew I couldn’t continue with that lifestyle or I’d quickly be back where I started. Throughout those 6 weeks I still worked out normally and ate “good” for breakfast and lunch, but supper and snacking were not good. In those 6 weeks I gained about 3 pounds.

After Thanksgiving I knew I needed to reign things in and re-focus. I had worked SO hard to lose those 55lbs, there is no WAY I was about to put them back on. NO WAY! And I’ve got a goal to meet!

For the past 8 days I’ve been back on track and it feels SO good. I’ve kicked those 3lbs {that I gained during those 6 weeks} to the curb and lost another 1.2lbs and am on my way to hitting that 60lb mark! Stay tuned I plan to do something {almost} unheard of during the holidays, LOSE WEIGHT!

This is what 56.2lbs difference looks like!

Birthday Goal: EXCEEDED!

May 10th, 2016 my kids and I had just got home from a fun weekend with family at the Wisconsin Dells. It was fun, yet discouraging at the same time. I hated how I looked & felt in my swimsuit and decided it was FINALLY time to do something about it. I set a goal to lose 32lbs by the time I turned 32 which gave me 16 weeks. It was a lofty goal, but I was ready to make dramatic changes.

I’m excited to share that in less fourteen weeks (14!!) I crushed my goal! As of this morning I’m down 33.4lbs in that time and exactly 40lbs since 1/4/16! August 29th I turn 32 years old and I promise you, I’ll have increased that “lbs lost #” even more!

I decided today was a good day to join the weekly picture of my kids after church!

Time to set some more goals!

Real Life Everyday Kitchens

I'm sharing our kitchen today as part of Kelly's home tours. Make sure to hop on over to her blog to see all the other kitchens everyone has shared!

I have a love/hate relationship with our kitchen. In the 11 years we've been in our house we have quickly outgrown it and realized things we like and don't like (for our next house!). I dream of a walk in pantry, more counter & cabinet space, and huge center island (someday!). 

The first picture below is before we moved in and how our kitchen was the the first few years. 

Over the years we've removed wall paper, replaced the linoleum, re-faced the cabinets, installed new windows, tiled the backslash, and got a new dishwasher & microwave. And this is what it looks like today (except probably much messier!).  Oh and that old brown over you see on the left in the picture above, we spray painted it white so it doesn't stand out like a sore thumb, just didn't make the picture below. 

It definitely is not our dream kitchen, but it works for us right now! Most likely before we move in the next 3-5 years we will completely gut and re-do the whole kitchen. (We all know that kitchens and bathrooms sell houses!)

Thanks for stopping by!

Transformation Tuesday

12 weeks ago my kids & I got home from a fun, long weekend with family at the Wisconsin Dells...aka I spent 3 days in my swimsuit! I knew we were getting a family pool pass for the summer and I knew I didn't want to have that frumpy, ugh feeling I did that weekend in my swimsuit after each trip to the pool this summer. When we got home I started tracking my food on myfitnesspal and have been working out about 4 days a week. As a result I've lost 28.6 lbs in those 12 weeks! In total since the 1st of the year, I'm down 35.2lbs from the heaviest I've ever been (not being prego, obviously!).

Back in May I set a goal to lose 32lbs by the time I turn 32, which gave me 16 weeks to get that done. (32lbs from my weight at that  point in time, not my highest weight) I knew it'd be tough, but I wanted to set the bar high and really challenge myself. I wasn't happy with how I looked or felt and I needed to change that. I don't know how many times in the past 12 weeks I've said no to birthday cake and sweets. It was so many times and so out of the norm, Adelyn (she's 5!), asked why I don't eat cake anymore! When she said that it stopped me in my tracks! She and her brother are 2 of the biggest reasons I'm doing this and am more committed than ever. I need to set the example of a healthy lifestyle now. I don't want my kids to struggle with weight like I have. And just to note I will be eating birthday cake again...and I have had a few treats over these past 12 weeks, but I've said no more often than yes. It's all about balance and moderation!

The left picture is May 2016 and the picture on the right is August 2016 - 12 weeks and 28.6lbs difference!

Speaking of struggling with weight, those who know me know that ever since college, or so my weight has been like a roller coaster. I lost weight before my wedding, over our first 3 years of marriage gained about 40-50ish pounds and in 08-09 lost 50 pounds. I maintained until I got pregnant in 2010. I gained about 40 pounds when I was pregnant and lost it all by the time Adelyn turned 1 which is also when I got pregnant with Avery (July 2012)! I don't know the official number that I gained with Avery, but my pregnancy with him wasn't very healthy. Ever since he was born (March 2013) I've been struggling to get back to my "happy" weight. My little sister got married in August 2014 and I got down within about 12 pounds of that weight, but stress and the "busy-ness" of life crept in and within a year and a half I had gained 41 pounds! So add that up and you get 53 pounds. January 2016 I was FIFTY THREE pounds heavier than my lowest weight. 

This is me and my sisters (and chewbacca!) in December 2015 when we were in San Diego...I look 6 month pregnant! In fact, people were asking if I was, not to my face, but asking family members. How embarrassing! 

I never would have guessed that I'd be 3.4lbs away from my birthday goal at the BEGINNING of the month. How I see it right now, I have 2 choices, I could let off of the gas a bit and just coast into this month and, most likely, hit my goal. Or I could keep the intensity high, keep tracking ALL of my food, and hitting the gym & meet or even EXCEED my birthday goal. I don't think I need to tell you which option I'll be doing! ;) 

This picture is from this past Sunday - I'm 35.2lbs smaller than the previous picture and I'm healthier, stronger, and happier than ever before! It was Adelyn's idea to take a family picture and I'm so glad we did!

I still have a ways to go before I get back to my "happy" weight, but that's ok. I'm on the right track! Stay tuned!

My First "Fix"!

I received my first Stich Fix box in the mail this weekend! If you don't know what Stich Fix, it is kind of like a personal stylist. You simply fill out the Stitch Fix Style Profile and their personal stylists will handpick a selection of five clothing items and accessories unique to your taste, budget and lifestyle. You can buy what you like and return the rest! I thought it would be a fun way to spice of my wardrobe (tshirts & yoga pants have dominated my SAHM wardrobe these days!) and maybe get a few things that I normally wouldn't choose for myself. 

When I filled out my style profile I did it right through the app and it went really smooth! The other cool thing you can do, is link your style profile to a pinterest where you can pin outfits you love and your stylist will use it to help choose your five items. You also can choose how often you want to receive a fix, every 2-3 weeks, monthly, every other month, every 3 months, or on demand. 

There is a $20 styling fee, but if you choose to keep one or more items that $20 gets deducted from the price of that item(s). Within your style profile you can indicate your price range. I chose the option that said "the cheaper, the better"! In my opinion, the items aren't "bargain" shopping, but I love that they are chosen for me, sent to me (I don't have to go anywhere!), it's free shipping, they are quality items and they are things I wouldn't normally choose for myself. The five items I received ranged from $28-98. Oh and if you keep all 5 items you get 25% off your entire fix!

Without further ado, here is a quick little video out my first fix! Check it out!

The jeans and the dress were both super cute, but too small. Also the cut of the dress did not flatter my shape. This is the other cool thing about Stitch Fix, you can be VERY specific about things like that (which I should have!). For future fixes I'm going to note that I only want empire waist dresses because those flatter my shape much better than the drop waist style that was sent to me. 

Talk about being specific, look at the personalized note I received in my fix: 

I love it! That tells me she read all of my requests I included in my style profile! The Ezra top was one that my cousin received and was SO cute! And the cargo vest is something I requested and have pinned multiple times on my Pinterest style board. You also get this handy card to give you some inspiration on how to style your items you received. 

The vest, the gray top, and the gold necklace were my favorites from this fix (the jeans are ones I already own)! I'm keeping the vest and the necklace. The top is a tad snug around my hips, sadly I'm going to return it.  

                                

Have you ever tried Stitch Fix? I'd love to hear about it in the comments. Are you new to it and want to try it out? Click here to sign up through my link. And then once you're signed up share it with your friends, you get a $25 referral credit once your friend receives their first box! 

#momlife

April 1^st, 2016 I got a new job title.

I said goodbye to dress pants and hello yoga pants.

It's likely that I have a rock {or two} in my pocket. {thanks my rock loving little boy}

My house gets messier quicker than it ever has {we’re here all the time}.

I’ve got extra {spiderman} undies in my purse.

Instead of reading Federal registers, work email, etc, I read children's books. 

My lunch hour is no longer spent alone.

Speaking of lunch, it usually isn’t warm.

I don’t get sick days, vacation, or break time.

Daily conversations revolve around dolls, trucks, & potty talk.
I've become an excellent referee & negotiator. 

My schedule involves swim lessons, story time, bike rides, and play dates.

I repeat myself, A LOT.

TV entertainment includes Disney Jr, princesses, & super heros.
I answer questions all.day.long.

Instead of my name badge, you might find a sticker {or 2!} on my shirt.

I get mushy kisses throughout the day.

I give magical kisses to take owies away.  

I treasure after nap snuggles.

I’m blessed to spend my days with my kids.

I’m a full time stay-at-home mom, best job ever.

#momlife

Stick around, I plan to share more about why I have this great honor of being a full time mama!

Weekly Meal Plan

Another week, another meal plan! I am trying a new recipe on Wednesday night. I'm trying to find more family friendly healthy recipes. If you have any good ones, send them my way! Hope everyone has a great week!

Monday: Leftovers {aka clean out the fridge night!}

Tuesday: Daddy's Choice! {Mom has Bible Study!}

Wednesday: Skinny Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake

Thursday: Bubble Up Pizza {Adelyn's request!}

Friday: Supper with family/friends

Saturday: Taco Salad

Sunday: Pizza Night!

Weekly Meal Plan

I wanted to try a few new recipes this week. I feel like we have the same 20 things over and over. The chicken broccoli rice casserole on Monday was delicious, the kids loved it, and healthy to boot! I call that a win! I'm hoping tonight's new try is just as good! Notice our Fri-Sun meal plans? Yep we have a fun, family weekend ahead of us! Can't wait!

Monday: Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

Tuesday: Daddy's Choice! {Mom has Bible Study!}

Wednesday: Skinny Cheeseburger Casserole

Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas, Corn, & Fruit {Supposed to have them last week and plans changed!}

Friday-Sunday: At Wisconsin Dells!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Weekly Meal Plan

Well my first week being a full time Wife/Mama (I still need to post about this!!) was great on the meal

plan front...BUT I got off track for a couple weeks. I think since I was home more I figured I could just wing it each night, but I really didn't like that plan too much. Today Adelyn helped me do the whole meal plan. She even wrote my grocery list for me! Our menu this week is pretty kid friendly! 😉

Monday: Bubble Up Pizza, Salad, & Cottage, Cheese

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes, Roasted Potatoes, & Fruit

Wednesday: Pigs In A Blanket, Carrots, & Fruit

Thursday: Chicken Quesadillas, Corn, & Fruit

Friday: Supper out @ Wendy's!

Saturday: Dinner @ a Friend's house 

Sunday: Pizza Nite!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Weekly Meal Plan

One of my favorite things that I feel like keeps our day/budget in order is a meal plan and I haven't done it in FOREVER! So I'm back at it and hope to start a trend in our house! I usually plan for the week and then shop what we need based on that plan. And who doesn't love knowing what's for supper each night!

Monday: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches & Green Beans

Tuesday: Chicken Bundles, Roasted Potatoes, & Salad

Wednesday: Bubble Pizza & Salad

Thursday: French Dip Cupcakes & Fruit

Friday Lunch: Mama out of town, kiddos @ Auntie's house, & Daddy's working

Saturday Lunch: Mama out of town, kiddos @ Auntie's house, & Daddy's working

Saturday Supper: Daddy Duty!

Sunday Brunch: Pancakes & eggs

Sunday Supper: Pizza Nite!

Hope everyone has a great week!

I'm Baaack!

Hello...

Is this thing on??

Well almost 2 years later I'm FINALLY deciding to get back to blogging! We have some exciting changes coming up for our family {more on that later} and want to make sure I get back to having a "journal"! Also I attended a blogging conference right here in my hometown last weekend that reminded me how much I enjoy blogging!

If you're still here, drop a comment and let me know! More to come :)