30 Day Shred

Last June I attempted the 30 Day Shred.  I didn't do too bad.  I didn't complete it, though.  I'd like to try it again.  It's only 30 days, right?!  I wanted to do the Bob Harper workout I have but can not find it anywhere!  Who knows what happened to it.  I did see the Jillian Michaels workout, though.  I messaged my friend Mandey to see if she wanted to do it with me.  I think I'll do it even if she doesn't, though.

So, I think this will be my friend for the next month.

Hopefully I'm not trying to do too much!  I still want to go to the gym at least 3 times per week, go on walks often, start bike riding and go on hikes! ...like I did today with my friend Kylee!!  We had a lot of fun and was out on the trails for about an hour.  There are some steep inclines!!  We are planning on going again tomorrow morning if it works out.  I'd like to go on hikes a couple times a week... and she said she'd like to as well!  It's fun finding fun ways to get in a great workout!!  We forgot to take a picture today, so we'll try to remember tomorrow.

Update:  Well, it's official.  As I was finishing this post, I thought to myself... why don't I ask Kylee to do the 30DS Challenge with me?!  So, I called her and she's in!  We also decided today that we should start rollerblading again.  When we were younger we went rollerblading a lot!  She could have been in the US Olympics for rollerblading ...while I was... happy to not be on the pavement!  Also, I think I might get rollerblades for Brayden for his birthday.  He likes putting mine on and rolling around the house.  I think he'd like a pair of his own that actually fit him.  Plus, I think he'd be more my speed!!

Mediterranean Dish

I found this recipe and modified it.  It was originally a torte.  It's perfect because our spinach in the garden is ready!  I used it in tonight's supper!  Last year, a lot of our fresh produce went to waste because I didn't know how to fix it.  This year, I know I will be using all of our produce!

I think the steam fogged my lens because the picture is a little blurry.  I might try it with chicken next time.  I think it would turn out good.  Or maybe bake chicken and saute the spinach to go with it.  I don't know... just another idea for all of the fresh spinach we will be getting.

The recipe...

Mediterranean Dish

1 lb hamburger
1/2 medium onion, chopped
Italian seasoning
2-3 cloves garlic minced
pepper
garlic salt
paprika
cayenne pepper
12 cups fresh spinach
shredded mozzarella

In a deep dish on the stove top, add hamburger, onion, garlic, and all of the seasoning (I don't measure my spices... just eyeball it) and brown hamburger.  Once hamburger is browned, drain any grease. (I use the highest percentage I can find so there is basically nothing to drain.)  Start adding the spinach in in about 3-4 batches.  Stir.  The spinach will wilt.  Once all spinach is in and wilted it's ready.  I use 1/4 of the pot and add a little shredded cheese. (In the pic it's cheddar but the recipe asks for mozzarella... I just didn't have any.)

Month 2 Pictures!

This is the initial pictures taken when I started 2 months ago compared to the pictures taken today.  I can definitely tell a difference now!  47 pounds gone!  Feels good!  I'm excited to see what another 47 pounds gone looks like!  This is one of the best beginning of summers I've had in a long time!  I am going into summer feeling good.  I actually think I could take my kids to the public pool this year.  I have taken my son one other time, but I stayed in my clothes and sat on the side of the pool.  I think I was pregnant with the girls, so I used that excuse.  This summer will be a lot different!  We will be outside in the sun so much more.  It's going to be a GREAT summer!!

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day.  Remember the ones that have served for our country.  Every Memorial Day for the last 15 years (approx), I have played Taps for the Danbury Cemetery Services.  I play once at the Otto Cemetery, named after my great uncle Harry that was killed in WWII and is buried in the cemetery.  Then we go to the Danbury Cemetery and play twice, once for the Catholic cemetery and once for the public cemetery.  Today, my last playing was terrible!  I was so embarrassed.  I will have to practice and make sure my lips are ready next year.  I forgot to have Jeremy take pictures at the Otto cemetery.  I stood right next to Uncle Harry's grave.  He did take pictures at the Danbury cemetery, though.

Garden

 Here is the garden.  The location of the garden is where the house I grew up in was.  In the summer of 2002 it burned down.  This is the second year my dad and I have had this garden.  Last year I was taking classes and couldn't help out as much.  This year I've had a lot more time to be able to help.  Also, the girls are older and it's easier to let them roam and play while I work in the garden.  We put an old swing set up there for them to play on.  We also got a little kiddie pool for them to play in.  This weekend they had fun in that!  We camped at the acreage last night and it was a lot of fun!  We had a couple friends over and sat around.  It was beautiful outside.  We woke up in the night and it was a little chilly so, Jeremy went home and got a few more blankets for us.  I'm excited to go camping again!

These are pictures from every corner of the garden.  We've done a lot of work in the garden and have a TON of work still.  Weeding is an ongoing process.  Once we get one area weeded, then another, then it's time to weed the other again.  It keeps us busy though.  Spreading the mulch helps with the weeding.

In the garden: onions, broccoli, asparagus, parsnips, dill, tomatillos, peas, potatoes, radishes, beets, cabbage, carrots, spinach, tons of different varieties of peppers, a bunch of different types of tomato plants, green beans, pickling cucumbers, slicing cucumbers, sweet corn, acorn squash, and sunflowers (that haven't come up... might replant)  Yet to be planted: sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, butternut squash

I think that's just about everything.  Today we picked some radishes and my dad cut spinach.  Radishes aren't exactly my favorite but I will eat them.  I do like spinach!  I actually have a new dish that uses spinach.  I will have to make it again soon and show you all!

The kids entertain themselves while we work.  See that old shed in the background of the girls picture?  I think we are going to try to turn that into a playhouse of some sort.  Right now there's a bunch of junk in there.  I think the kids would have fun with that.

 Kylee and Ainslee swinging

Brayden monkeying around

New Walking Partner!

I have a new walking partner!!  We went on our first walk today!

Meet Sookie...

We got Sookie as a puppy last summer.  She is a great dog.  She is a mix (golden retriever/border collie mix ...and I think there might be a little lab, too)  In case you are wondering about her name... mine and Jeremy's favorite TV show is True Blood on HBO.  The female main character is named Sookie.  Believe it or not... this is her first walk.  Terrible isn't it?!  We have a fenced in backyard where she roams and runs.  I got her a leash but it was one of those retractable ones and it said on it not to use with dogs that resist or pull.  I put her on it one time and knew that I had to get something different.  So, lastnight I got her a harness and a regular leash.  Today I hooked her up and off we went.  She did not like it at first.  She laid down and jumped on me.  She kept jumping on my back.  She pulled hard against the leash.  After about 2 1/2 blocks, she was starting to do really well!  We walked for awhile and walked up to the acreage and checked on the garden.  The storm that rolled through lastnight made the trees drop some branches but it wasn't too bad.  We went on with our walk and even stopped and talked to someone for a couple minutes.  She did great!  I need to get her out and about more to become a little more socialized.  I'm glad I have a new walking partner!  I do have another walking partner... I will introduce her another day... :)

Yesterday I was weeding and transplanting my hostas.  Look what I found when I went out there!

I guess that is another bonus to losing weight and being more productive!!  The old me probably wouldn't have even been out there in the first place.

Weigh Wednesday

Another unbelievable week!!  I was a little concerned about this weeks' weigh in.  I didn't get to the gym because I had been outside and in the garden so much.  This weeks weight loss is 8 pounds!  Just goes to show that any activity is good.  I now know that I can get out and do things that I enjoy, like being outside with my kids or working in the garden and still have success!  I don't have to be sweating away in the gym (although I do like going to the gym.)  The best part about this week?  I spent so much time outdoors with my kids.  That is so much... I got to be outdoors, I got to spend time with my kids and hubby, and the kids were outdoors playing, too!

After last Sunday in Moorehead park, Jeremy and I decided to get a tent and take the kids camping.  I'm on EMS call this coming weekend so we decided to just put the tent up at the acreage.  It's going to work out well, because we have a pile of brush that needs to be burned.  So, we will have a bonfire and let the kids roast marshmallows and hot dogs.  We asked some of our friends to come over to hang out, too.  The nice thing about just going to the acreage is the fact that we will be close to home if it doesn't work.  This will be our first time camping with kids... or each other for that matter.  Brayden is super excited... I'm just worried about the girls and how well they will do.  I think it's going to be super fun!

Scheels had tents on sale this week.  I stopped by today and got this one...

It sleeps 9!  Which will be great for us.  I know we only have 5 in our family but I'm sure we will have a lot of stuff with us where ever we go and the extra room will be nice.  So excited!!

I'm going to have to have another picture blog!  I still need to get pictures of the garden I promised AND it's time for Month 2 pictures!!  I'm really excited to compare these.  I think this month I will notice a bigger change in the pictures.  I mean... 47 lbs!?  That has to show (or not show) somewhere!

A little adventure

This afternoon we were hanging out and I wanted to do something.  When we went to Niobrara, we had a lot of fun on the trails.  It got me thinking... there are tons of places right around where we live that we can explore!  So, today we went to Moorehead park (where Jeremy and I married) and went on an adventure.  I took the stroller but I don't think I will next time.  The girls walked the majority of the time anyways... except for on the bridge.  Jeremy had to work so he couldn't go but I do plan on going back.  There are tons of trails there for us to explore!  There are also several more parks around here with walking trails that we can go on.  I plan on taking the kids and exploring them all!!  To top it off it was a beautiful day.  After we went through some trails we went to the playground.  We ended up staying in the park till after 7:00.  I was able to take a few pictures but my camera battery died.

                                       The kids exploring. 

   The girls.  Kylee and Ainslee.  Not sure why Kylee made the funny face.

   Going across the bridge.  I was glad I had the stroller here.  I would have been very nervous without it.  It was wobbly!  The kids loved it though.

Picture time!

I have so many things to show you all!

First off... I got a haircut as part of a gift to myself for reaching my goal.  I really like it!!  I also got hi-lights!  My friend Linda cuts my hair.  She has cut my hair since High School!  Last year, we were both so busy and I wanted to cut off my hair to give to Locks of Love.  I finally just went down to the local hair lady, who cuts Jeremy and Brayden's hair.  She cut off 17 inches!  I planned on going back to Linda to have her cut it how she does so I just had it cut straight off.  I'm glad to finally have some layers back in my hair.  Here is the before and after...

                               It's still a little wet but ... Isn't that SO MUCH better?! 

I also wanted to show you a few pictures from the wedding.  I realized afterwards that I didn't take any of the wedding or any of her decorations... just of people.  I guess during the wedding I was busy doing everything that I needed to do.  I was a personal attendant and one of the hosts.  I stayed fairly busy the entire weekend.  The wedding was at Ponca State Park.  It was so nice!  I really want to go back to the park and stay sometime.  Even if we don't get a cabin we could just spend the day there or even camp.  The kids are getting old enough that it might be possible to camp.  I think we might try it out this summer. 

            This was the night before, after the rehearsal.  These are pretty much all of my closest friends... minus a couple.  We have all been best friends since High School.  (from left to right) Linda, Kylee, Mindi, Sammie, Andrea, and me.

                               During the wedding.  Mindi and me.

               Me, Andrea (the beautiful bride), and Jennifer ...one of my other closest friends from H.S. ...unfortunately we don't get to hang out as much but I still love her! :)  Andrea's mom sewed her wedding dress (and all the bridesmaids and flower girl dresses)  isn't it beautiful!  I wish I had a view of the whole thing... the bottom part was very detailed and pretty.

Here's the jeans my mom bought me.  It's not the best picture but I figured I'd post it anyways.

I will be back later with pictures of the garden.  I'm actually just taking a break for a bit.  I spent about 4 hours in the garden already today.  It's looking pretty good.  We have almost everything planted!!  Now we just have to finish mulching, hoeing, and weeding.  We are going to have so many wonderful greens from the garden!  I'm so excited!!  Can you believe we have 35 pepper plants?!  A bunch of different varieties that I'm excited to cook with.  I've already had a little radish.  It shouldn't be too long before they are ready. 

Oh My Gosh!  I nearly forgot!  I weighed on Thursday and weight loss this week (since starting over on Monday) is 2 pounds.  Actually, I could consider it more, because after last week I believe I had gained a little back.  So, back on track and I'm at 295 lbs.  3 more pounds and I will be at the lowest weight since during my pregnancy with Brayden!  Exciting!!

Dusting myself off

Well, last week was .... not the best.  I didn't have a loss, but I kinda expected it.  I hadn't been to the gym and I went off the deep end with eating off plan.  It did show me that I can't for one second let my guard down.  So, I started fresh and I'm back on plan.  I WILL NOT GIVE UP!  I brushed the dirt off and got myself back in the game. 

I realized I need to set some new goals.  Goal #1:  Reach 292 lbs by 5/23.  That is next Wednesday.  I ordered a bunch of Mary Kay and will give it to myself when I reach that goal.  The reason I chose this number is because that is my lowest weight since during my pregnancy with Brayden (who will turn 7 on June 10th)  Goal #2:  Reach 273 lbs by 6/24.  That is the day of my family reunion.  That weight is one pound less that my weight at my first Dr.'s appointment when I was pregnant with Brayden.  I had originally thought it would be neat to reach that weight by his birthday but setting that goal, I'm afraid, would be setting myself up for failure.

I went to the gym today for the first time in several days.  It felt good!  I rode the expresso bike and beat my ghost!!  I'm excited for next week, I work evenings so I'm going to go to the two Group Ride classes next week! 

I have had a ton of things going on in the last two weeks!  I've been thinking about all the tings I want to blog about!  My friend gave me several pair of her old workout pants that she has "outgrown" ...so awesome, since I only had two ...one that I like to wear to the gym.  Now I have options! haha!  My mom bought me two new pairs of jeans.  My old ones were very worn out and she refused to patch them anymore.  I didn't really want to buy new jeans yet but I'm glad she offered.  It worked out perfectly because they just so happened to be having a big sale!  AND... I was able to buy them in a size smaller than I thought I'd be buying!  I started my journey wearing a size 28.  My size 26 jeans were getting big on me so I figured I'd be getting a size 24 ... the same size of the shorts I bought and wear.  When I got there, the jeans I used to get were not being made anymore and they now make these tighter tummy technology jeans.  The sales lady said that most people have to buy a size smaller... and I did!  My jeans are both a size 22! 

This last weekend I was at my friend Andrea's wedding.  It was a beautiful weekend!  I thought it was awesome that I had reached my goal and my dress fit nicely.  When I bought it, it was tight but it fit well at her wedding.  I felt pretty and not really too self conscious.  I loved how my hair was done... I'm going to try it myself sometime.  Which brings me to my next topic... I think I'm turning into a girl!  LOL!  I mean... I just bought a bunch of makeup and am excited to get it!  I wear makeup sometimes... like when I go out with friends or other special occasions.  I don't wear it on a daily basis.  I would like to, though.  I think I look nice with makeup on.  I also have been watching hair tutorials on a blog a friend showed me.  I think losing weight and gaining confidence and self respect has inspired me to want to make myself look more beautiful.

I will be back tomorrow (hopefully) with some pictures!! 

WOWZA!!!

You guys are never going to believe this... this weeks weight loss is... 8 POUNDS!  I was soo shocked!!  YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?!?!?! 

#1. I am UNDER 300 POUNDS!  Never again will my weight start with a "3"!  YES!!

#2. I have officially surpassed my goal of reaching 299 lbs by Andrea's wedding. 

I am so excited!

Also, on the agenda of totally awesome... I did a class at the gym today!!  I did Group Ride.  Which is a spinning class.  I've been wanting to, but have been too chicken to try it, but I finally got the courage ...with the help of my friend Jodi, assuring me that I wouldn't die... I survived and it was FUN!!  I got there early to make sure I had my bike set up how it's supposed to be.  There were a couple people in there that helped me.  Then more people came in and the instructor came in.  He asked if there were any new people and I raised my hand.  He came back and helped me get my bike set up.  He put the handles down and raised the seat up.  Perfect!  We started out and I was doing well.  Then we stood.  My legs were burning so much!!  I thought... How the heck am I going to get through this.  I can't stand and pedal worth a darn!  Then he said.. and that's the warm up... LOL!  Wow this is going to be interesting.  But you know what?  I really got the hang of it and by the end I was standing for a long time and pedaling while were were "going up a big hill."  It was so much FUN!!  There was an older guy next to me that was really nice.  He asked me a couple times during the class how I was doing and at the end he told me I did a good job.  :)  There is one thing that I noticed.  While riding, my knees and thighs kept running into my tummy and boobs.  It will be nice when they get smaller so I don't have to have that contact.  The instructor told me afterwards that I will probably be sore and it will take a couple weeks of going a couple times a week to get used to the seat.  I don't feel too bad right now.  Next time I will have to turn up the intensity a little bit more.  I was worried this time about pushing myself too much and getting too worn out by the end.  Don't get me wrong... I was pretty worn out at the end and my legs felt like rubber.  I sweat soo much, too!  I thought it was funny when I stood my sweat would hit the front wheel. ...it was worse because in the beginning of the class I dropped my towel and I wasn't going to get off to pick it up.  I'm so glad I went!

What a GREAT DAY!!

Good day off!

Today was a pretty good day.  It started out really nice thanks to my hubby!  I got to sleep in!!  WAHOO!!  You will never believe this peeps... I slept in until 12:15p.m.!!  I could not believe it!  Obviously, I was super exhausted and needed it.  I did have a little twinge of feeling that I was wasting a day off but I was pretty productive this afternoon.  When Brayden got home from school we went up to the acreage and started cleaning things up.  Jeremy mowed and I picked up sticks and pulled weeds.  He got about halfway done mowing and realized the mower had a flat tire.  So, he's going to fix that and finish it this weekend.  It was so nice being able to take the kids up there to run around.  We also took the dogs to run.  They all had fun!  A few days ago we took a swing set up there for the kids to play on when we go up to work in the garden, mow, or bale hay.  There are also a couple apple trees there that have low branches that Brayden likes to climb up into.  It was nice to work outside on such a nice day.  There are several trees up there that drop branches all the time, so I had a lot of branches and sticks to pick up.  I started working up a sweat!

Yesterday, I went to the gym and did the first running workout!  I did 5 min walk (3.0mph), followed by 15 min. of jog 1 min (5.5mph) and walk 1.5 min (3.0mph).  It felt great!  I'm going to go again before work tomorrow ...Last Chance Workout!  Since I didn't work today, I didn't weigh today.  I will weigh tomorrow when I get to work. 

I decided that I need to think of something to reward myself with.  It IS rewarding to feel good, have my clothes fit better, see the numbers on the scale go down, and get compliments... but I want to do a little something to pamper myself.  I think what I really need and want is a haircut.  My last haircut was so long ago... I cut off a TON of hair to donate to Locks of Love.  I'd also like to get my nails done before Andrea's wedding.  I think if I make it to my goal before her wedding I will do both.  At that point I will have lost at least 35 lbs since starting TSFL!

OK... I'll be back tomorrow to update you on this weeks weight loss!