Celebrity Crushes

I'm going to branch off topic a little.  One of my besties at Mama Mandolin had a topic awhile back about celebrity crushes.  She listed her top 5 celebrity crushes here.  I have been thinking about it... I made a list... I'm sure I have forgotten someone haha!  ...but here we go....

Denzel Washington -I had to add him.  For an older man, he's got it.

Yes.  Justin Timberlake.

Chris Powell - Love him!

Ryan Reynolds -I fell in love with him in Van Wilder.

Gilles Marini - In my opinion, he is HOT!

Alexander Skarsgard -I can't complete this list without having 

someone from True Blood and "Eric" is really nice to watch :)

Feeling Self-conscious

I've had the opportunity to get out of the house a few times in the last few days.  I went out for the 4th of July to a friends house to see the parade and hang out at their annual 4th of July party and then to a rodeo in a nearby town.  Yesterday was my 10 year class reunion... it's hard to believe it's been 10 years and it's amazing how much people haven't changed!  Tonight one of my best friends had a little get together to celebrate her birthday... it was soo hot and muggy out!  I was sweating like nobody's business... thank goodness I wasn't the only one.

My class reunion I had feelings of self-consciousness.  It didn't help that upon walking up to the event a classmate of mine that is a total prick (but will act super friendly to your face) saw me and made the stupidest face... I'm pretty aware of people and know when people are looking at me.  I never say anything though... why bother?  It does make me uncomfortable though.  This doesn't always have to do with my body.  Over the years there have been many things about myself that may make me embarrassed that I am well aware of and believe me, I see when people stare, look, whisper... I just try to remind myself that they aren't perfect either (even if they think they are!)  ....so back to the original topic... he made a stupid face that I was well aware was directed at me and it immediately put me in a sour mood.  Who wants to lose a bunch of weight, pretty much put it all back on before and during pregnancy, have a baby, and 3 weeks later go to a gathering where a bunch of people are probably all judging you.  Oh well, I will just have to look and feel fabulous at my 15 year reunion!!  Luckily, I had Annika with me so a lot of people were paying more attention to her ...score!  Plus, maybe they'd be more willing to cut me some slack, knowing that I just had a baby.  Aside from my jerk classmate, I did have a fun time catching up and hanging out with my classmates.  We had a pretty small class and I'd say we were all pretty close, so it's fun to get together.

 Here are my classmates that came (about a third of my class)

I have decided that this summer I need to make a goal to get myself out and about and not just hangout in the air conditioning with Annika.  We My dad, has the garden up and running... I had originally planned on working in it a bunch, but I'm not sure how to do that with a newborn.  I might just have to sneak up there a little at a time, I guess.  My idea/goal is to walk 2 marathon's during my maternity leave.  It's totally attainable... about 6 miles/week.  I know a goal like this will help me get out of the house and get a little exercise in.  I will track my progress on here.  I think by making an effort to walk, drink more water (a gallon/day), plan and eat nutritious meals, and get out of the house with the kids, I won't have to think so much about how much weight I will lose because it will work itself out.  I do know that I don't want to be wearing the jeans I currently wear... I put on "real" jeans (not maternity) for the first time the other day and was not too excited that I had to pull out the biggest pair of jeans I own... ugh.  By the end of this summer I would like to be down at least one size.  Also, they say that breastfeeding helps with weight loss... hopefully that proves to be true!

The Stork has Arrived!

Hey Friends!!  I'm proud to announce my new daughter!!

Annika Abbe

7lbs 9oz 22in

born June 16th 

I had a scheduled c-section because the girls were born that way and my area doesn't offer VBAC's but she had other plans.  She totally came by surprise!  Here is how my day went...

My friend Andrea called me in the morning and her and I met up with our kids at a local park for our kids to play and to have a little picnic.  It was pretty nice out and sunny.  There was a picnic table there but it was in the sun so we moved it a few feet into the shade... Andrea is also pregnant now! ...so two pregnant women moving a picnic table... not our smartest move.  Soon after that I felt like I was peeing my pants a little... which I thought was really weird and really irritating.  I stupidly went throughout the day thinking that I was peeing my pants.  I finally told Jeremy about it and how irritating it was.  He suggested my water could have broken... but I didn't believe him.  An hour or two later I started to believe him.  We were having a grill out at our house for Father's Day.  I decided after my dad and sister got there that I better get checked out.  We headed to the hospital, which is an hour away.  On the way we had to stop for gas, return a couple Redbox movies, and stop at Walgreens for an SD card for the video camera.  About 10 minutes into our drive I realized I was having contractions about 3 minutes apart lasting about 30 seconds... thankfully they weren't painful (since we made all the stops... which Jeremy still laughs about).  We got to the hospital and they confirmed my water had broken.  Everyone started moving pretty quickly and a couple hours later she was born!  Best Father's Day present I have ever given!!

My day now consists of sitting around holding and feeding her.  The last couple days I have wanted to get out of the house.  The bad thing is, during the day I want to protect Annika from the sun and heat and in the evening when it cools down a little, the mosquito's are out and in attack mode.

We do plan on getting out for the 4th of July.  See a parade, maybe go to a rodeo, and see some fireworks.  Have a fun and safe weekend!

Update!

Hey everyone!  I know it's been awhile.  I wanted to stop back in and give a little update.  I'm currently almost 28 weeks pregnant... time is flying by!!  To date I've gained 20 lbs from my first Dr's appointment to the most recent one ...so a little more than I was hoping for but not too bad.  Lately my gym life has been nonexistent.  I actually canceled my membership.  I still have the rest of this month to use it, so I'm going to try to get in there a few days to make it worthwhile.  I just haven't been using it and really, it's been a waste of money.  I figured it's getting nice out so I will probably be trying to get outside more anyways.  Lately, any extra time in my day I've tried to spend either sleeping or (if I have the energy) cleaning.  I know, I'm sure if I did a little exercise I'd probably have more energy... but I currently just don't have it in me.  Luckily, my place of employment has a bonus with this gym that you get a free membership signup!  So, this isn't goodbye, YMCA... It's just, cya later! :)

I have been a little... worried... about how my body will be after this baby is born.  I won't be able to start up Take Shape for Life right away.  I'm really trying to save any extra money I can.  I guess I might have to do it "the old fashioned way" ...I'm hoping it's something I will allow myself  to follow.  I've never been very good at keeping up with eating right.  For some reason, though, I was able to keep up with TSFL... so, if I can get back into that mindset... I know I will do well (probably just not as fast).

I'm not the only one with up's and down's ... my friend Andrea has been struggling, too.  Her and her husband are in the process of moving into a new home and doing a little remodeling.  I know that she will get in her groove... it might take a little extra time, but she will.  Here are the latest 2 video's.

Andrea Fleck - Week 4
Andrea Fleck - Week 5

Success story!  My SISTER is working hard!  She broke up with her boyfriend (actually fiance, but I never really wanted to admit they were engaged... haha) in December.  Soon after, she started coming to the gym, working out and probably eating healthier.  I got her hooked on the Expresso bike, I think she's been walking (or at least she went for a walk the other night), and she started Brazil Butt Lift.  I don't know a lot about that workout program but apparently it works!!  I have no clue how much weight she's lost but she's looking great!  I'd bet she's lost somewhere around 30 lbs!  Rough estimate of her heaviest is probably close to 200 lbs.  I should see if she took any "before" pictures ... maybe she'd let me post them?! :)

Everyone Struggles

 So, Andrea's video this week shows how she has been struggling.  I was with her yesterday and she was disappointed in her progress.  She was also disappointed with her coaches.  She said they don't really have good advice to help her for her body.  Nothing specialized for her.  She said all they basically say is, eat more vegetables.  I understand that there really isn't a huge secret and eating more vegetables is a big part of the process.  I was going to give her a bunch of ideas to help her out, snack ideas, meal ideas, and tips to make her more successful.  Are there any tips that you guys can add to help me out?!  Thanks!!

 Andrea - Week 2

Andrea isn't the only one struggling.  I have only been to the gym once in the last couple/few weeks.  I really don't know why.  I've just felt like sleeping more!  I've gained weight, too!  My weight gain was something like 10 lbs at my last visit.  Not to sound like I'm making excuses (which I am) but I really do believe that my weight fluctuates during the day.  All my appointments have been in the morning and the last one was in the afternoon.  My next one is in the morning again, so, we will see what happens.  I've also been having high blood pressure this pregnancy.  I had high blood pressure when I was pregnant with my son, too.  I sure hope that goes away after this baby is born!

Andrea's Getting Fit!

Check out one of my best friends, Andrea!!  She was chosen to be apart of a local Get Fit Challenge.  I'm so excited for her!  Excited that she was chosen and excited that she is working for herself to be healthier.  She is so brave to put herself on TV and and admit to everyone that she is overweight.  That takes a lot of guts!!  To be honest, I've never looked at her and thought of her as overweight... but maybe that's because I've always been so worried about how I look that I don't look at my friends in that way.

Here is the link to the first segment that was on TV.  Andrea Week 1

Andrea just got married last May.  She had a beautiful and fun wedding.  She has two little girls and is getting ready to move into a new house.  She is one busy mama, but I know she will succeed because she is a really strong woman, with more confidence than just about anyone I know.  I will try to keep you updated on her progress.  I figured it would be good to post about the success of another since I'm not losing weight.

Speaking of, I had an appointment yesterday and I'm back to what I was at my first appointment.  I feel like I've gained weight in the last 8 weeks!  It's hard to believe I'm already about 1/2 way through!!  I can't decide if I'm lucky or not that this baby will be born in the summer.  Will I be able to get out a lot and go for walks and whatnot or will I be stuck inside with a baby all summer?  I want to get the garden going, but will I be able to get into it and weed?  I'd like to say I will and that the vegetables I get from the garden will be great to have when I'm on maternity leave.  I really wish I had some squash or green beans or fresh grape tomatoes right now.... and I really hope our carrots this year turn out as delicious as they did last year!  The year before, they were kinda duds.  Today it is fffrrreeezzzing outside!!!  I'm excited for spring and summer just to get away from this frigidness!!

Ironman Challenge

My gym is putting on an Ironman Triathlon Challenge -and you have an entire month to complete it!!  Why hadn't I thought of doing something like this for myself before?!  They have their challenge starting February 1st and you have until the 28th to complete all three events (swim, bike, run).  You can do the events in whatever order you want, all you do is track your progress on their bulletin board.

Here are the Distances:

Swim 2.4 miles
(35 laps = 1 mile.  Can attend Water Aerobics class - 1/2 mile per class)

Bike 112 miles
(Can use Elliptical or Arc Trainer or Group Ride cycling class - 10 miles per class)

Run/Walk 26.2 miles
(Can attend 60 minute Group Step/Kick/Groove class -3 miles per class)

I'm still trying to decide if this would be too much for me.  I want to keep fit and workout but I don't want to overdo it.  I still have a little bit of time to decide.  If I don't do the challenge through the gym, I will still do the challenge, but it will be on my own.  I will chart my progress but will give myself more time to complete it.  I think it will be fun!  Let me know if you want to join in on the Ironman Challenge!!