Puppies

For the second time in two weeks, we just got back from the Tyler mall. There is a store in the mall that sells puppies. The dogs are absolutely adorable and you want to take everyone home with you before you leave. We asked to see a couple of dogs (of course, at my kids' request). They take you into a room and let you play with the puppy before purchasing it. My problem is this: The average dog in the store costs $1600! Yes, that is right, $1600! Some dogs that have papers cost significantly more. While the "clearance puppies" without papers start at $999. This honestly makes me ill.

There are currently 144,987 dogs waiting to be adopted at petfinder.com. These dogs run about $200-$300 which includes all shots. All dogs are spayed or neutered and most are house trained. These dogs were either abandoned or rescued from shelters before their lives were terminated.

I was pretty vocal at the pet store and am surprised I was not asked to leave. It just break my heart that so many dogs are dying every day because no one wants them yet people are willing to pay big bucks to buy a dog from a pet store. So please, before you decide to get a pet, check out the local shelters. There are some pretty amazing dogs there that would love a good home. Thumper was one of those dogs and we could not have asked for a better addition to our family.

Week I Don't Know

I have been very bad about posting and going to the gym. Life has been crazy. I wonder how I got so much done when I was working. I went to school full time, worked over 50 hours a week, volunteered at church, took care of the kids, the house and the dog and still found time to read. Whew! When I asked the question to my kids, their quick reply was, "We never saw you." How sad.

I must admit that not working has been great. I LOVE spending time with my kids. They are amazing and always find a way to make my heart smile. I have been substitute teaching a few days a week and cannot seem to get anything else done, like to going to the gym. The good news - I am down 11 pounds. The bad news - I am only down 11 pounds.

I am making the commitment to do better at the gym and with getting things done.

Week 5 February 8, 2009

Week 5 is done! I am down 9 pounds. It may not sound like much but I noticed that I had some trouble keeping my jeans up the other day. That makes the hard work worth it. I keep telling myself that I didn't get this big overnight and I will not be skinny again overnight. In my head I am still the skinny 20 year old with big boobs. Then, I accidentally see myself in a mirror or something and want to faint. That can't be me!

The water classes tend to work well for me. I love them and can work harder in the water than on dry land. I really like Zumba. It is fast, fun and crazy. I am really happy with the gym and the nice people there. Everyone seems to be so encouraging which really helps. The lady I talked to in the first Zumba class still stops me when she sees me and gives me her progress. She is doing fantastic! I am glad she keeps me up to date. It proves my point (again) that you never know how you affect others. Just by encouraging her, she has become a friend and she is still at the gym!

I need to get a new swimsuit. Only having one makes things tough. I sometime forget to dry it and the next day I end up wearing a wet suit to the gym. Gross.

Off to week 6 and more inches lost!

I LOVE MY DOG!!!!

We waited a long time for another dog. I am so glad we did because we have the perfect puppy. She is crazy and adorable. Here are some pictures of her trying to help Becca feel better today. When Thumper is content, she puts your hand or her paw in her mouth and sucks on it. Crazy mut!

Hot Cheetos

Some foods should never exist. Flaming Hot Cheetos are the perfect example. If they are to be consumed, they should come with a warning label that kids under the age of 18 should not eat them unless they are in the bathtub. Christian (9) ate some and of course, forgot to wash his hands. It is important to understand that he doesn't just pop them in his mouth, he holds onto one at a time and licks that one cheeto until the flavor is gone THEN puts it in his mouth to chew it.

Today, he was eating hot cheetos in his unique way. When he went out to get Thumper, it was raining. After he brought the dog in, it took a few minutes to discover that her now red hair came from the cheeto stains on his hands! Nasty! The photo, taken after scrubbing, does not do justice to her new tye-dyed look.

Week 4

Week 4 is done and I am down 6 pounds. Not bad for skipping a week although I had hoped for quicker progress. I know, muscle weighs more than fat....whatever!

I only skipped 2 days this week and Monday was extra duty with 2 water classes and Zumba. I really like that class although I still feel stupid trying to move my hips that way. Someday.

There is a woman in our Zumba class that has physical handicaps but she does great. She hangs in there with everyone else and gives her all. I love her! As we were leaving the gym on Thursday, I had Christian with me and I stopped to talk to this lady outside as she was waiting for her ride. I told her she was doing a good job and to keep it up. I was just being me. We chatted for a couple of minutes and then left. As we were walking to the car, Christian took my hand and said, "I love you mommy. You are so funny, you always expire people!" I hid my giggle and said, "I think you have the wrong word." He replied, "well, I know the word is not experience."

Just another reminder how the little things can mean so much to someone else. You should always take the few seconds to be kind and uplifting to someone. It never hurts and you will probably be blessed for it. I know the other person will be.

Off to week 5!

Christian's Life Plan

This is Christian. Yes, he has french fries up his nose. Yes, he ate them. I know, nasty but that is Christian.

He told me his life plan the other day and a friend encouraged me to share it. Christian is planning on living in a BIG mansion. He wants me to live in a BIG mansion next door with Thumper so he can play with her everyday. The driveway will be so big that you can't walk the entire way, you have to ride your bike. He will be a famous baseball player. His sister will live in a cardboard box on the street. Never fear, Christian is generous and kind hearted. He is planning on giving his sister $1 per day and bringing her food once a week. When I asked how she was going to heat up her food, he stuck out both hands, cupped them and blew into them as he politely said, "duh!"

Christian is also planning on having a boy and a girl but no wife. He wants to adopt a boy named Bob and a girl named Rhonda (after our car). If Becca needs more money, she can always babysit all four kids for an extra $5 per day. Wow, isn't he kind?

I reminded Christian that he would need to graduate high school in order to be a pro ball player. He said, "I know." I reminded him that he would need to graduate college in order to play. He said, "I know." I reminded him that he would need good grades in order to play college baseball. He said, "I am not going to play college baseball." When I asked why, he said, "Geez, don't you think I deserve a rest by then? My arm will be tired!"

I love my goofy son.

Week 4 January 25, 2009

This week is going to be better! I did not work out yesterday but today (Monday), I did a water power combo class with Penny and we are planning to do Zumba this afternoon. It is so much easier with a good friend! Although, we did get told we were talking too much at the start of the class. Oops! :)

My eating is back on track and I am determined to make this work. I know there will be up and down days but the key is to keep at it. This is a life change, not just something I am doing to be done with it.

Thanks to everyone for the great comments, they are encouraging. I love hearing from you. Keep it up!

I will post again later in the week.

Week 3 - January 18, 2009

Well, this was a bad week. Life just got in the way and there was too much going on. I only made it to the gym on Saturday for an hour with Becca. She is so encouraging and supportive it makes me want to cry (and I ususally do.) I am not sure how to work the gym in with school, church, work and kids but I will make it happen.

Eating was not as great this week either. However, the up side is I am down 6 pounds! Yahoo!!!

Week 4 promises to be better.

week 2

Whew, week 2 is over! This was a challenging week not for exercise but for life. On Monday, I did a Zumba class along with my regular workout and loved it. I had a hard time getting over the whole "sexy" thing though. That's just me. On Tuesday, I did an Aqua Power class followed by a Aqua Combo class. I think water classes are the thing for me. Wednesday, I did Zumba 101 and it was just ok. Not good, not bad. Thursday, I was substitute teaching and did not make it to the gym. Too much going on. Friday, I was substituting again and we were on an all day (8:30 am - 9:30 pm) field trip. Today is Saturday and I wasted the day and missed the gym. However, I am doing an hour on the treadmill to help stay focused.

The food is going much better. I now find myself getting hungry every few hours, especially after I work out. This is a good thing I am told. I must say, I am getting tired of cheese sticks though. I am trying to change it up with yogurt, protein bars and other high protein foods. Does ice cream have protein? Just kidding.

I have been working out with my friend Penny and it helps. It is always easier to do almost anything with a friend. Rest assured, I will still work out alone if need be.

Anyway, this has been a good week, I am actually down 3 pounds! Yahoo for me! Only ### left to go! I hope you are enjoying these posts. Please write a comment if you can. I love hearing from you. Off to week 3!

Week 2 update

Ok, week 2 and I am still alive! That is a very good sign. Last week I worked out Monday, Tuesday, twice on Thursday, twice on Friday, and Saturday. I am getting the hang of the eating thing and it is a little easier but still a brain switch for me.

Today is the start of week 2. I took a yoga class and really enjoyed it. I wasn't really hip on the idea of the whole "grounded to the earth" thing so I just talked to God and prayed. It worked well for me. I did my circuit after that and added some other machines. I went back this evening with Becca and did a Zumba class. It was great! I worked harder than anything I have done to this point and it was fun. The music was great and I got most of the steps. I wasn't the only fat girl in the class but I was the only fat girl who finished the class. Yea me!

Two interesting things - (1) there was a lady who was in the Zumba class with me and she decided she had a hard time with the steps so she left the room and continued to watch from outside. I asked her to come back in and told her I would help her. She did and I helped her (I think). She got it and did very well! She was very grateful and said she would start working out with me and come to a spinning class on Wednesday (watch for another post if I survive the class). (2) The lady who paid me the compliment yesterday asked me if I would show her how to do the ropes. I showed her and encouraged her and she did great! As I was showing her, the girl from the class came and tried the ropes also! It was wonderful!

Before long, this gym is going to pay me to come and work out! I am going to be a poster child before long!

Remember to keep encouraging others!

Week 1 update

Well, this eating every three hours is really hard. I am full and can't imagine eating anything but I press on. Went to the gym twice yesterday and once again today for 2 hours. I ran Becca through my routine and she was worn out. I even did better than her on some things! Wow!

You never know how the smallest thing can turn around someone's day. It doesn't take much, it doesn't take money, just kindness. Yesterday at the gym, I was pooped. I felt yucky, fat and ugly to be honest. (Way too many mirrors in there for fat girls). When I got to the locker room, a lady I had never met said, "You are really good on those ropes! I was watching you from the treadmill upstairs and you are really working them! Good for you!" She didn't know me, yet she turned my evening around by her kind and encouraging comment. I recommend that everyone do things like that. You never know the difference you may make.

See you in a couple days!

BTW - my thighs are fine now, you just have to keep working at it!

Diary of a Fat Girl - week 1

I am going out on a limb and blogging my difficult trail to getting skinny again. I will be as honest as I can in the hope that it may help someone else get motivated or may make someone laugh.

Believe it or not, I used to be the skinny girl everyone told to gain weight. I actually tried to gain weight by eating entire large pizzas. Nothing worked. At 5'9" and 120 pounds, I was the "stick girl with no butt". People actually made fun of me back then because I was so skinny.

Today is no different, people see me differently because I am fat. I am still 5'9" and weight quite a bit more than 120 pounds. Sadly, I am not brave enough to tell my actual weight, but I will be posting my weight loss so you can see my progress and draw your own conclusions. I may even get brave and post a before and after photo (only if I get skinny mind you).

If you are my friend you will be reading this and saying, "You are not fat!" That, my friend, makes you a liar. Kind, but a liar none the less. I know I am fat. I am not thrilled with that fact, but it is a fact just the same. I love my friends and could not ask for better ones. You love me for my insides and I appreciate that.

Being fat has its challenges. You have ugly clothes. Let's face it, fat girls do not look cute in skinny girl clothes. For those fat women who wear skinny girl clothes, STOP IT! YOU ONLY LOOK BAD! Fat girls should never, ever, ever wear spandex, thongs, mini skirts, leather, mid-drifs, halter tops or bikinis. EVER!!!! I have trouble fitting in seats sometimes. For example, the old movie theaters where the arm rests do not lift up, the older airplanes, some rides at Disneyland and so on. You know people already seated on the plane are thinking, "please don't let her sit next to me!" I have had people ask me when I was due (never, ever say this unless you know with 100% certainty that the person is actually pregnant).

Most of my weight gain came from having children. I gained 50 pounds with each one and never really lost it all. I have tried every diet trick in the book including but not limited to, phen-phen, cabbage soup, weight watchers, exercise, alli, slimfast, dexatrim and too many others to mention. They don't work. I am smart enough to know the key is to balance good nutrition with exercise. That's it! Simple.

I signed up at the gym two days ago. Becca and some friends are going to keep me motivated and hold me accountable. I need that. My membership came with three free hours with a personal trainer. My best advice on that is to get a really cute trainer. This way you will work twice as hard and hold your stomach in while you exercise! Bonus! We talked about my goals, eating habits, exercise and how to eat. Here are his thoughts on eating: 1) Eat when you first get up even if it is a piece of toast or yogurt. This gets your metabolism working first thing in the morning. 2) Eat small meals or snacks every 3-4 hours. This keeps your metabolism working all day long, even when you are doing nothing. I used to eat one or two big meals a day and nothing in between. 3) Eat more protein and drink lots of water. I usually do ok on this one. 4) Exercise. I do this off and on. He set up a routine for me to do 4 days a week with adding cardio days if I feel like it for an extra push (calories, not muscle). 5) Stay off the scale. I already do this because I don't like the whirring sound it makes when the needle flies around the numbers so quickly. :) (remember, it is ok to laugh).

Yesterday, after the first circuit which took about 30 minutes, I felt great. I did the treadmill for 20 minutes after that and went to go buy better food. I didn't really feel like I had a tough workout. All was well. Today, I could hardly sit down and stand up without wanting a cane. The top of my thighs are killing me! What a workout that must have been. The hardest thing is sitting down to go to the bathroom. Yikes!

My goal is to work out at least 4 times a week, eat more frequently and make better food choices. I will do my best to blog once a week so you can monitor my progress if you want. If not, that's ok too.