Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
P90x 90 Day Results!
Over the weekend, I finally hit my 90th day of P90x. I DID IT!!!!
When I started this program three months ago, I'll admit I was a little scared. The program has been hyped up so much, and since I definitely wasn't in shape, I wasn't sure if I could do it. Although the program is intense, I absolutely believe anyone who really is committed to changing their bodies can do this program.
I've found that its often mental roadblocks that get in your way rather than physical ones. If you set your mind to something--really set it to a task--and know that no matter the obstacles, you will do whatever it takes to achieve your goals, you can do anything. It may not be easy, but nothing in life worth having ever is. You can always modify a workout to what you are currently capable of achieving, and work your way up. But if you tell yourself out of the gate that you can't do it, you won't.
I am so happy with the results I saw with this program. And more so than just the number changes. I have really made a lifestyle change, and I can't see myself ever going back to eating the way I did before. And not exercising? That's not even a possibility.
So my numbers? Make me want to cry. In a good way. I knew going into this that even if I worked really hard, I probably wouldn't see the results you see in the infomercials. My hormones have finally just balanced out after my miscarriage, and losing weight with hormone issues can be a problem. But I'm happy with what I've achieved.
During the 90 day program, I lost just shy of 10 pounds, 11% body fat, and 18.5 total inches! I lost 5 inches off my waist, 4.5 inches off my hips, 3 inches off my chest, 6 inches off my thighs!
To put it into better perspective, I lost two pant sizes. I went from wearing large shirts down to mediums. I can even squeeze into a size small dress here and there. It's amazing. It's motivation to kick these last 15 pounds out the door. It's just...awesome. Yeah, awesome pretty much describes it.
So what's next for me? A little bit of everything. Towards the end of the 90 days, I started to get bored with the same stuff all the time. I still love the program, but I need even more variety than twelve different workouts apparently. So right now, I'm just winging it. I now have the Insanity program so I'm trying to stick to that most of the time, but will throw P90x, Turbojam, Taebo, and whatever else I can find that doesn't suck into the mix.
Bring it!
When I started this program three months ago, I'll admit I was a little scared. The program has been hyped up so much, and since I definitely wasn't in shape, I wasn't sure if I could do it. Although the program is intense, I absolutely believe anyone who really is committed to changing their bodies can do this program.
I've found that its often mental roadblocks that get in your way rather than physical ones. If you set your mind to something--really set it to a task--and know that no matter the obstacles, you will do whatever it takes to achieve your goals, you can do anything. It may not be easy, but nothing in life worth having ever is. You can always modify a workout to what you are currently capable of achieving, and work your way up. But if you tell yourself out of the gate that you can't do it, you won't.
I am so happy with the results I saw with this program. And more so than just the number changes. I have really made a lifestyle change, and I can't see myself ever going back to eating the way I did before. And not exercising? That's not even a possibility.
So my numbers? Make me want to cry. In a good way. I knew going into this that even if I worked really hard, I probably wouldn't see the results you see in the infomercials. My hormones have finally just balanced out after my miscarriage, and losing weight with hormone issues can be a problem. But I'm happy with what I've achieved.
During the 90 day program, I lost just shy of 10 pounds, 11% body fat, and 18.5 total inches! I lost 5 inches off my waist, 4.5 inches off my hips, 3 inches off my chest, 6 inches off my thighs!
To put it into better perspective, I lost two pant sizes. I went from wearing large shirts down to mediums. I can even squeeze into a size small dress here and there. It's amazing. It's motivation to kick these last 15 pounds out the door. It's just...awesome. Yeah, awesome pretty much describes it.
So what's next for me? A little bit of everything. Towards the end of the 90 days, I started to get bored with the same stuff all the time. I still love the program, but I need even more variety than twelve different workouts apparently. So right now, I'm just winging it. I now have the Insanity program so I'm trying to stick to that most of the time, but will throw P90x, Turbojam, Taebo, and whatever else I can find that doesn't suck into the mix.
Bring it!
Monday, August 15, 2011
He's Home!!!!
Deployment numero uno is in the bag! Michael is home!
Yeah, this post will probably have a lot of exclamation points in it. I can't help it. I'm ecstatic! These last four months have gone by both quickly and slow as snails. It's weird how time works that way sometimes. But now he's home. And our family is back together.
Evie is ecstatic. She couldn't keep still while we waited to meet him at the Passenger Terminal this morning.
There is always a lot of hurry up and wait in the military, as you've heard me say before. This morning was no different. I called to get the arrival time, and I was told an hour earlier than I had anticipated for. So I had to rush around like crazy because I was also told to arrive early to ensure I'd have a seat on the family bus to meet him getting off the plane.
I arrived at the terminal only to be told the plane would be there later than I had been told on the phone. So I hurried, and would now be waiting quite a bit longer than expected. And as people trickled in, those running the desk disappeared.
And suddenly I received a text message from Michael saying they would be landing in a few minutes. At the original landing time.
We never did get bused to meet them. Men overloaded with baggage just suddenly started filing through the door, looking tired and disheveled, but glad to be home. And of course, Michael wasn't even one of those people on the first busload of those returning.
After what seemed liked forever, Michael finally walked through the door. Evie was over the moon excited to see him. As soon as she saw him, she took off running, yelling "Daddy!" and gave him a huge hug as he swept her into his arms. She's not letting him out of her sight for a long time, I can assure you.
Evie and I colored a welcome home sign for Michael last night. Evie was super excited for him to see it. As soon as we pulled on to our street, she yelled "Welcome home, Daddy!". It was too cute.
After doing some paperwork tomorrow morning, Michael is all ours for a couple weeks. It will be fantastic to get to spend all our time together for awhile, getting us all used to be in the same place again. It'll be an adjustment for sure, but well worth it. He's HOME!!!
Yeah, this post will probably have a lot of exclamation points in it. I can't help it. I'm ecstatic! These last four months have gone by both quickly and slow as snails. It's weird how time works that way sometimes. But now he's home. And our family is back together.
Evie is ecstatic. She couldn't keep still while we waited to meet him at the Passenger Terminal this morning.
There is always a lot of hurry up and wait in the military, as you've heard me say before. This morning was no different. I called to get the arrival time, and I was told an hour earlier than I had anticipated for. So I had to rush around like crazy because I was also told to arrive early to ensure I'd have a seat on the family bus to meet him getting off the plane.
I arrived at the terminal only to be told the plane would be there later than I had been told on the phone. So I hurried, and would now be waiting quite a bit longer than expected. And as people trickled in, those running the desk disappeared.
And suddenly I received a text message from Michael saying they would be landing in a few minutes. At the original landing time.
We never did get bused to meet them. Men overloaded with baggage just suddenly started filing through the door, looking tired and disheveled, but glad to be home. And of course, Michael wasn't even one of those people on the first busload of those returning.
After what seemed liked forever, Michael finally walked through the door. Evie was over the moon excited to see him. As soon as she saw him, she took off running, yelling "Daddy!" and gave him a huge hug as he swept her into his arms. She's not letting him out of her sight for a long time, I can assure you.
Evie and I colored a welcome home sign for Michael last night. Evie was super excited for him to see it. As soon as we pulled on to our street, she yelled "Welcome home, Daddy!". It was too cute.
After doing some paperwork tomorrow morning, Michael is all ours for a couple weeks. It will be fantastic to get to spend all our time together for awhile, getting us all used to be in the same place again. It'll be an adjustment for sure, but well worth it. He's HOME!!!
Friday, August 12, 2011
MilSpouse Friday Fill-In
I'm counting down the days until Michael gets home. It's days people. A small amount of days. I'm sort of tweaking because I'm so freaking excited. I hate wishing away time, but I just want these next few days to go by quickly! So in order to help me pass the time, I participated in Wifey's Military Spouse Friday Fill-in again this week. Enjoy!
1. The best thing my parents taught me to do when I was a child was _________________.
To be my own person. Even though I often felt like my parents were unnecessarily strict a lot of the time, I realize now that they always let me be me. My parents were both big into sports in high school, but when I'd rather take classes in summer school than go out for softball, they didn't pressure me. I never felt like I had to be something I wasn't in order to please them, and I know that can be a rare thing. As a parent, I know you have expectations of what you want your children to be, but I hope I can do just a good a job as my parents at letting Evie be who she is, rather than who I think she should be.
2. However, one thing I wish they did differently was _________________.
My childhood was a good one, so there really isn't much I would change. Although they did a great job of letting me be me, I do wish my independence hadn't been stifled for as long as it was. I'm not even sure if independence is the right word. But I'm an opinionated person, and am absolutely not a blind follower. I don't do something just because I'm told. I want a reason or an explanation for why things can't go as I would like them. Evie is pretty much a carbon copy of myself, and I notice this quality within her already. I hope I can find a better balance than my parents did at being the in-charge parent and letting her make her own choices.
3. One thing I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t is _________________.
Traveling. Does that count? I've never been anywhere. Only in the last year and a half have I even been outside of the Midwest. I want to visit every state and as many countries as I can before I die. I want to stand in buildings that are older than I can even fathom. I want to visit museums and look at treasures from around the world. There is so much of the world that I haven't seen and can't even really imagine until I've been there. Please, Air Force, have pity on me. And send us Overseas!!! :)
4. One thing I never thought I’d try but I have is _________________.
Writing a novel. Like, a real novel. That I want to publish someday. I've always loved writing, and I've dabbled with short stories and poetry here and there. But because I love novels so much, writers are all on this huge pedestal to me. They are like, superstars. So it's hard imagining myself reaching for that pedestal for myself. It's a weird feeling. But at the same time, very exhilarating. Now I need to finish the darn thing.
5. If I could give my 16-year-old self one piece of advice I’d tell myself_______________.
I'd tell myself that high school doesn't last so don't worry about those four years so much. The person you are in high school won't be the same people you are ten years, or even five years later. Enjoy the moments, but they really aren't "the best years of your life." That's such a stupid thing that we tell high schoolers. I wish I wouldn't have been so afraid to be me.
1. The best thing my parents taught me to do when I was a child was _________________.
To be my own person. Even though I often felt like my parents were unnecessarily strict a lot of the time, I realize now that they always let me be me. My parents were both big into sports in high school, but when I'd rather take classes in summer school than go out for softball, they didn't pressure me. I never felt like I had to be something I wasn't in order to please them, and I know that can be a rare thing. As a parent, I know you have expectations of what you want your children to be, but I hope I can do just a good a job as my parents at letting Evie be who she is, rather than who I think she should be.
2. However, one thing I wish they did differently was _________________.
My childhood was a good one, so there really isn't much I would change. Although they did a great job of letting me be me, I do wish my independence hadn't been stifled for as long as it was. I'm not even sure if independence is the right word. But I'm an opinionated person, and am absolutely not a blind follower. I don't do something just because I'm told. I want a reason or an explanation for why things can't go as I would like them. Evie is pretty much a carbon copy of myself, and I notice this quality within her already. I hope I can find a better balance than my parents did at being the in-charge parent and letting her make her own choices.
3. One thing I’ve always wanted to try but haven’t is _________________.
Traveling. Does that count? I've never been anywhere. Only in the last year and a half have I even been outside of the Midwest. I want to visit every state and as many countries as I can before I die. I want to stand in buildings that are older than I can even fathom. I want to visit museums and look at treasures from around the world. There is so much of the world that I haven't seen and can't even really imagine until I've been there. Please, Air Force, have pity on me. And send us Overseas!!! :)
4. One thing I never thought I’d try but I have is _________________.
Writing a novel. Like, a real novel. That I want to publish someday. I've always loved writing, and I've dabbled with short stories and poetry here and there. But because I love novels so much, writers are all on this huge pedestal to me. They are like, superstars. So it's hard imagining myself reaching for that pedestal for myself. It's a weird feeling. But at the same time, very exhilarating. Now I need to finish the darn thing.
5. If I could give my 16-year-old self one piece of advice I’d tell myself_______________.
I'd tell myself that high school doesn't last so don't worry about those four years so much. The person you are in high school won't be the same people you are ten years, or even five years later. Enjoy the moments, but they really aren't "the best years of your life." That's such a stupid thing that we tell high schoolers. I wish I wouldn't have been so afraid to be me.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
You Know It's Time for Preschool When...
...your three year old suddenly decides she's Miss Independent.
When we got home from our trip to Texas, it's as though Evie threw a switch to turn her independence on. She's always loved doing things on her own, but she's never been above asking for my help either. I can usually trust her to play quietly while I take a shower or leave her inside watching a movie while I mow the lawn. She's never gotten into mischief that would make me feel like I have to keep her chained to my side.
Until this week.
It started off with her getting her own juice boxes from the fridge. She's usually allowed to get her own snacks from the fridge (i.e; yogurt, string cheese), but she always has to ask for a drink. Juice boxes are usually saved for when we are in the car so she knows they are off limits most of the time. Apparently she wasn't happy with that rule anymore. She now sneaks them out, and has figured out how to assemble everything correctly.
The next act of independence happened when Evie decided she wanted to play with the glow stick bracelets her Grandma had sent her. I hadn't had time to put everything away from our visitors and our vacation so she found them. Instead of asking me to open the package, she decided to embark on that one alone as well.
She used her step stool to climb onto the kitchen counters, where she then proceeded to shimmy in front of the microwave to reach her safety scissors that are stored on top of the refrigerator. She got down safely, and was able to cut open the package by herself. Imagine my surprise when I opened her door and saw the scissors and discarded wrappings on the floor.
The grand finale happened yesterday while I took a quick shower. When I came out of the bathroom, Evie proudly proclaimed that she had painted me a picture of a fairy, and that it was now hanging on the refrigerator. After the other acts of independence this week, I very warily walked into the kitchen.
There was a wet green-painted fairy hanging on my refrigerator.
I give Evie some credit on this one. Not only did she squirt only a small amount of finger paint on the ice cream lid that is used for that purpose, but she also used the correct paint brushes. And remembered to strip down to her panties so as not to get her clothes full of paint. I did have to wash the magnets holding the painting up because the paint hadn't dried yet, but that's a minor detail.
If she had only remembered to ask to paint, it would have been a moment of Mommy pride.
As it stands, I still had to control my laughter. I don't know where all this independence suddenly came from. Granted, she's three and a half, so I knew it was going to pop up sooner or later. And she does know her Daddy is coming home in a few days so maybe she's getting all her mischievousness out before his arrival.
All I know is, I can't wait for preschool to start in a few weeks! Those couple hours a week are going to seem like Heaven.
When we got home from our trip to Texas, it's as though Evie threw a switch to turn her independence on. She's always loved doing things on her own, but she's never been above asking for my help either. I can usually trust her to play quietly while I take a shower or leave her inside watching a movie while I mow the lawn. She's never gotten into mischief that would make me feel like I have to keep her chained to my side.
Until this week.
It started off with her getting her own juice boxes from the fridge. She's usually allowed to get her own snacks from the fridge (i.e; yogurt, string cheese), but she always has to ask for a drink. Juice boxes are usually saved for when we are in the car so she knows they are off limits most of the time. Apparently she wasn't happy with that rule anymore. She now sneaks them out, and has figured out how to assemble everything correctly.
The next act of independence happened when Evie decided she wanted to play with the glow stick bracelets her Grandma had sent her. I hadn't had time to put everything away from our visitors and our vacation so she found them. Instead of asking me to open the package, she decided to embark on that one alone as well.
She used her step stool to climb onto the kitchen counters, where she then proceeded to shimmy in front of the microwave to reach her safety scissors that are stored on top of the refrigerator. She got down safely, and was able to cut open the package by herself. Imagine my surprise when I opened her door and saw the scissors and discarded wrappings on the floor.
The grand finale happened yesterday while I took a quick shower. When I came out of the bathroom, Evie proudly proclaimed that she had painted me a picture of a fairy, and that it was now hanging on the refrigerator. After the other acts of independence this week, I very warily walked into the kitchen.
There was a wet green-painted fairy hanging on my refrigerator.
I give Evie some credit on this one. Not only did she squirt only a small amount of finger paint on the ice cream lid that is used for that purpose, but she also used the correct paint brushes. And remembered to strip down to her panties so as not to get her clothes full of paint. I did have to wash the magnets holding the painting up because the paint hadn't dried yet, but that's a minor detail.
If she had only remembered to ask to paint, it would have been a moment of Mommy pride.
As it stands, I still had to control my laughter. I don't know where all this independence suddenly came from. Granted, she's three and a half, so I knew it was going to pop up sooner or later. And she does know her Daddy is coming home in a few days so maybe she's getting all her mischievousness out before his arrival.
All I know is, I can't wait for preschool to start in a few weeks! Those couple hours a week are going to seem like Heaven.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
Don't Forget the Tissues
A couple of weeks ago, I posted some lighthearted videos done by military members to remind us all that humor is essential in life. While deployed or stateside, military members need to always keep their humor in order to get through the day.
Today, I'm posting a few more videos. But these ones are a little different. These videos are tribute videos that usually make me bawl my eyes out, and I only allow myself to watch them once in a great while. Sometimes during a deployment or even just a separation, I need to take a few minutes to just let myself cry away all the pain and frustration at being without my better half.
So enjoy these videos. But keep your tissues nearby!
Today, I'm posting a few more videos. But these ones are a little different. These videos are tribute videos that usually make me bawl my eyes out, and I only allow myself to watch them once in a great while. Sometimes during a deployment or even just a separation, I need to take a few minutes to just let myself cry away all the pain and frustration at being without my better half.
So enjoy these videos. But keep your tissues nearby!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
Evie and I are on our mini vacay in Texas this week so enjoy Wordless Wednesday. Because that's all you're getting from me until we're back! Don't you just love the goofy fun Evie has with her Aunt Promise? And I'm totally digging my new hair color! :)
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