Weight Loss Wednesday

Here we are again. Each week seems to fly by! The goon news is that even though I went camping and ate camp food, I still have managed to loose 2 pounds this week! I've kept up my exercise and on Monday I started my friend Karen's diet. This diet is based around the Michael Thurmond's 6-week body makeover. She did not buy the whole diet packet, she borrowed information from someone else who had. So she gave me a list of what she has been eating and I am now taking from that list and making it my own. I know I should really just find what works for me, and I am trying.

So here's mainly what I've been eating. Egg whites, oranges (supposed to be grapefruit but the store didn't have any when I went), chicken, brown rice, vegetables, ground turkey, and greens for my salads. All healthy, not much variety. Any ideas for really yummy salads would be appreciated. I need to go shopping again though.....

Emma Woods Camping

We went with Kevin's cub scout pack for our first all pack camping trip this past weekend. We went to Emma Woods State Park in Ventura. The pack had some money left over from last year, so they paid for the camping fee and provided all of the food. Pretty good way to go camping! We arrived on Friday evening. No pictures of that day because we spent our first hour, at least, trying to set up the tent before it got dark. Any pictures would have been of Garrett and I arguing about how to put up the tent! Zach said it best when he said, "It would have gone faster if you guys weren't fighting about it." Wise little one....

We went to bed early that night after a few ghost stories in the tent. Woke up around midnight because Zach had suddenly become sick and was saying he needed to throw up. Luckily I had a trash bag near by and he was able to make it in there. The night continued like this off and on until finally the sun came up. We decided that Garrett would take Zachie home because Kevin really wanted to stay and he said I should stay with him since he had already been camping with Daddy last year. The rest of the day consisted of playing on the beach, building sand castles, digging holes, and taking some short breaks back at the tent. The fog started rolling in around 5:00 and with all the fires that have been happening around us people were staring at the fog saying, "Is that smoke??" We're not used to fog around Santa Clarita. Of course it wouldn't be camping without S'mores around the campfire at night too! Kevin made some new friends and he was so happy that we stayed.

Some friends kindly offered to give Kevin and I, and all of our stuff, a ride back home so Garrett didn't have to come back and get us. I was happy to get back to a nice hot shower but could have stayed in the cool beach weather for another week!

Lucky Me!

Just found out I won a giveaway over at Roseylittlethings blog! I love winning things, no matter what it is. This time I got to choose between two items and I chose to receive the cupcake tin and liners.

So, thanks Jen! I feel so lucky today. :)

Weight Loss Wednesday

I just finished a half hour on the Wii Fit and I'm pretty sure that our dog was thinking I was crazy as she was watching me hula-hoop. I'll tell you though, that virtual hula-hoopin' is a good work out! Unfortunately my good old Wii told me I have gained two pounds this week. I know we fluctuate daily, but truthfully I know why I did not do well this week. It's the weekends that get me. I do well all week, and then weekends come and I just go for it all.

This past weekend we had a garage sale for our 3-day walk. We were busy Friday afternoon setting up and all morning Saturday. So into my mouth went not only a huge breakfast burrito but also one yummy donut. Not to mention that Garrett offers to bring home In-N-Out on Sunday and who can resist that?

So, what to do?? I can already tell you that this coming weekend is not going to be a good food weekend either. I am looking forward to it though! We are going camping with Kevin's cub scout pack in Ventura. We haven't been camping as a family, with the exception of our backyard, ever! The pack is providing the food though, and although I will bring along some of our own fruits and drinks, I don't honestly plan on eating salad while everyone else is enjoying camp food.

Next week though, I think I am going to try my friend Karen's diet that she's been on for 4 weeks and has lost 14 pounds. It's a fairly straightforward diet, but not much variety...which often leads me to go a little crazy. Maybe I'll just try it for the first week and see how it goes. I need some kind of plan, because the "eat right and exercise" routine isn't seeming to be enough to keep me focused.

Fun at the Beach

Some long overdue pictures from our labor day BBQ at Matt's house. Thanks to Paula for the pictures and to Matt for hosting. We had fun playing in the ocean and the boys and I even attempted some boogie boarding. The best part was hearing Kevin scream when the sea weed would get anywhere near him! Next summer I am going to learn to surf (you hear that Matt, that means you need to teach me!).

Weight Loss Wednesday

Mr. Wii Fit says that I have lost 2.2 pounds since last stepping on him 2 weeks ago. Every little bit counts! I don't have a working scale, so I am relying on the Wii to tell me how I'm doing on my quest.

I'm really trying to do at least 3 miles on the treadmill, at least 3 days per week. I then include a longer outside run, usually on Saturdays, and then walking with my 3-day group on Sunday mornings. Our group is up to about 8 miles on those Sunday mornings. This week I was busy with popcorn for cub scouts on Saturday, so I did my long run on Monday, 7 miles. It's my longest run since back in May. So, I am slowly working my way back up so that I will be ready when the next marathon comes around.

Problem is when I start running more I think I deserve to eat more, so I end up eating junk. I am buying more fruit to eat in the afternoons and trying to drink more water or flavored water. In the evenings I typically make fairly healthy meals anyway, but I am filling half of my plate with salad so that there is less room for the other stuff. Tonight we are having hummus with pita bread and I bought some salmon burgers at our new Trader Joes. We'll see what the boys think of those.

Pictures from our fun beach day will be posted soon. Gotta get some breakfast going!

Just Made Up My Mind....

I'M IN! WATCH THE VIDEO.....

L.A. MARATHON

Weight Loss Wednesday

This week was a wash. Too many fun things to do over the weekend to think about losing weight. I didn't weigh myself, but if I gained anything I'm blaming it on Uncle Matt's cupcakes! :)

Tune in next Wed. to see if this whole thing is just a bunch of baloney or if I am really going to try and lose some weight!

Sail On Sailor

The boys and I had a great time sailing with Uncle Dennis on Saturday. We headed down a little early so we could stop in at Namie's house and try and beat the traffic. It's been a few years, I think, since I've been out on Serenity Now. The boys have been out more than I have. Since they are getting older I was actually able to enjoy this trip and not have to worry about them or watch them so carefully this time. It was fun to see them so comfortable on the boat! Of course I did end up with Zach on my lap for the last part of the trip, but I guess there is only so much a young sailor can handle.

We got back into the dock and got to have a great dinner down by the water. What a treat to find an open picnic table on Labor Day weekend! Zach passed out on the way home as soon as we hit the freeway. Kevin, on the other hand, managed to stay awake the whole ride home listening to Harry Potter on tape and then wanted to watch the movie after we got home.

Oh, and one other special thing we gained from this trip..... meet "Red Head". Uncle Dennis so generously gave this to Kevin to borrow. It's a red tail hawk that is about 40 years old, as he made in while in college. It's been carefully protecting Kevin's legos for the past few nights.

Thanks again guys for a great time!!

Team Safe at Second

Sue, Melissa, Susan

Mary Jo, Jacque

Dawn, Christine, Me

November is getting closer and I realized I had yet to introduce the team I am walking with for the 3-day walk. Valencia/Santa Clarita has a small town feel and since meeting these ladies we have found we that we have all these other connections to other people around town. I originally joined with this team because I knew Christine. I had worked with her son at Pediatric Therapy when he was 2. He just turned 5 and I love being able to follow my kids progress!

Now that we are a team of 8 we will ultimately raise at least $18,400. I am just so excited to be finally doing this! I am getting close to meeting my minimum and I KNOW I will make it there. Thank you to all who have helped me come this far.

Weight Loss Wednesday

My week has been a bit hectic with Zach's breathing problems, but I managed to work out 5 out of the 7 days. I'm using my treadmill again because the air is too smokey outside, but also made it to the gym one day for a kickboxing class. Classes are my favorite because they make the time go by so much faster!

My Wii Fit tells me I have not lost any weight this week. I'm ok with that for now. I feel like I have, so that makes up for in in my mind. Next week though, I would love to see some actual results on the scale. Speaking of Wii Fit, Zach and I have a lot of fun with it. It's pretty much the only game on it I will play, well with the exception of the occasional Rock Band. I wouldn't say I could use it for my only form of exercise, but I am going to try and use it once a week to check it and I like doing the strength exercises on it.

I have had a salad almost everyday this past week, usually for lunch. This is a pretty good accomplishment for me. I HAVE to get to the grocery store soon though, because I've almost run out of things to put on my lettuce and just lettuce will not cut it. My favorite thing on a salad is avocado and I know they are high in fat, but I'm allowing myself some to make my salads taste better to me!

Ok, that's it for me..... you can check out these blogs too to follow others in their weight loss journey:

Summer Swanson of: Artful Life

Jen Smith: Rosey Little Things
April Oritz of:The Art Chics

Sarah Chimblo of: Sew Sarah

And as a bonus, doing this is getting me to post a few more times during the week too!

From the Stadium to the Sea

Today is the first day to sign up for the 2010 L.A. Marathon. This year they are changing the route and running from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. I've almost decided to do it.....just need a little more time to think about it!