Yup, still working it out

So, it's been about a month since my last update. I am still working out roughly 5 days a week and trying to make healthy choices at mealtime. I do believe maintaining a weight is more stressful than losing (please don't hit me for saying that). I know I can go up and down, which makes it harder to make decent choices. I also have been needing to find some new workouts. I checked out Toneitup! today and I like their workouts, the only problem is that they show you how to do it once and then you're on your own for the other sets. It's much like Bodyrock.tv which is good.

 

Being able to enjoy some treats every now and then has been nice. MyFitnessPal now says I can have more like 1800 calories a day. That's a huge jump from before, which is hard to handle. I have also been playing lots of soccer lately with my coed outdoor league. I even got down to my wedding weight a couple of weeks ago. I have recently come up with my Mother's Day and end of the year celebrations at school. 

Anyhow, I hope everyone is able to keep finding some time for themselves and enjoying trying to be more fit. Maybe this summer I can get back into some crafting, otherwise, I might need to change the title. Here's some inspiration for the rest of May

Train-Eat-Sleep

Here's the calendar from Toneitup.com!

Ya know, I may even wake up early one of these days... maybe not. Earlier than 5 am, I think not. I'm lucky to be up and kicking 15 minutes after my alarm goes off. Who else is really tired now that the days are longer?

Where have I been? Have a seat here beside me and I'll tell you.

Apparently I'm incapable of multitasking. So in lieu of working on crafts this year, I've been working on me. Since Baby A has been born (Oct. 2010) I've done nothing for myself. I have been trying to stay afloat  with being a new mom and working full time. That junk is hard. 

I made a decision as we were opening gifts on Christmas morning. I realized that even though my family makes me so happy on a daily basis, I wasn't happy with myself. This was starting to interfere with my relationship with my son and my husband. Now, Dave has constantly supported me. If I didn't want to work out, he never said a word. If I wanted a double cheeseburger, he wiped the mustard off my cheek. He's amazing. When I continually complained about how crappy I looked, he would soothe me in the beginning and tell me how beautiful I was. Then I think he'd had enough. He started to tell me it was up to me; that I had to make the change. 

Well, I decided to listen. I signed up for MyFitnessPal.com and downloaded the app. I found Bodyrock.tv to do my workouts to. I read some inspirational thing on Pinterest:

I decided to give it 12 weeks, or 3 months of effort. To work out each day (with some rest days), eat more healthy meals, and to watch my calorie intake. It was hard. I mean I just wanted to give up every day for the first week. I think I made it because the workouts on Bodyrock are only 12 minutes, that's easy, right? I just kept going. By the end of January, I went from 142 lbs. to 132 lbs!! 10 lbs! Exclamation!! I bought new running shoes to celebrate. 

Picture from Nike.com

Then February came, I wanted to increase my workouts, so I started looking around for other options. I stumbled upon Nike Training Club. It's an app for iPod/iPhone that has tons of different interval workouts with the timer included! It is amazing! I actually started gaining muscle. I have to concentrate every time I do those workouts, which is 30 minutes at least. Concentrating keeps your mind off the pain. I got in a few runs in February, but I don't like cold weather, so I could only show off my new shoes to Baby A at home. He likes them.  My hard work in Feb. took me from 132 to 129 lbs. I blame the muscle mass. Either way though, I was still losing, so I kept it up. 

March. March was a tough month. I wanted so badly to give up and just sit on the couch after work every day. Lent was coming around, and I'm not Catholic, but I like to honor our Lord by attempting to cut something out. Well, I didn't do much, but I decided to give up on giving up. Until Easter Sunday, I would not complain or throw in the towel. It was basically a recommitment to myself. So, I would come home from work and clear out the living room and start my workout. A would come in and sit on my chest during sit ups, crawl on me during pushups, and jump with me during cardio. He's a great workout buddy. 

I needed a little more variety, so I started running 2-3 days a week. At first, I was amazed that I could run 1 mile without collapsing. Yes, that's an accomplishment. Then I just kept adding mileage, and trying to do it faster. I have even started a challenge on NikeRunning.com to see if I can outrun one of my friends (I think he's winning). During the month of March I also started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred with some of my Mommy friends. That started on the 19th so we'll have to see the results of that venture later... like on the 19th of April. In March, I went from 129 to 124 lbs. That's 5 more, people. It's not a quick process, but it adds up!

April is here, and I'm still working every day. I change it up between NTC, 30DS, running, and playing in a co-ed soccer league. I'm down to 122 lbs. now and I intend on losing no more. It took me 100 days to get to the place that I feel comfortable with myself. Am I perfect? No. I will always see that extra little bit around my hips and on my legs. I will always see the stretch marks that I can do nothing about. My body has never been, nor will ever be perfect. It's mine though, and I'm working hard to keep it in shape. Heaven forbid the Hunger Games start up here! I also want to be able to play with Asher for a long time, I want my husband to still find me sexy. I want my body to fight off what illnesses it can. Health isn't an option, it's a lifestyle. My family gets a little irritated with me now, because I don't overindulge like I used to. I still have to work on this, it's a lifestyle change, not a quick diet. Some days are better than others, but every day I'm bustin' it (my arse, that is). 

Here's some crappy cell phone pics of my progress, please ignore that I'm in my underwear and my bathroom is a mess. I change clothes 10 times a day. I also now realize, I'm standing different distances from the mirror, so it's hard to make good comparisons. Next time?!? Hopefully there won't be a next time!

If I can do this, so can you. I have been an active person my whole life, but I still had to work hard. I know it's daunting, no matter how much you have to lose. JUST DON'T QUIT! It may take longer, but you're going to make it if you just keep going. You can buy any workout program you like, but I did most of my stuff with free apps, and an old workout DVD. It took me the 90 days they promise you. You just need your body weight, maybe some hand weights, and determination! You get out what you put into a workout. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you think I look hideous, keep it to yourself. 

Quick and easy

This year has been a little insane. I have hardly had time to work on any crafts. This was one I finished right before I went back to work. 

Inspiration:

Finished product:

It was extremely simple. Sara Ortega walks you through the project if you click the picture above. Here's a brief run down. 

Get some oven bake clay. I chose Sculpey from Michael's, I got white, but you can get silver which may prevent you from having to spray paint.

I just formed it in a small ball and flattened it. Then I had Baby Z push his finger print in. Then I grabbed my Dollar Bin stamps and pushed in his initial "A." My niece also made one for herself. 

It was so easy and fun. I just followed the baking directions and spray painted them in Sterling Silver. I might make them smaller next time, but overall, I'm pleased!

Simple bathroom makeover!

Now that all of the Hullabaloo is over, I can share some of my projects that I've completed!

 Those of you who know me are well aware of my clutter issue. Well I sporadically clean out most of the house. The one room that is constantly neglected is our master bathroom. Those drawers are horrific. Don't worry, I didn't take any pictures so my mom won't be embarrassed by me.

We all have this bag... don't lie

Anyhow, I found some awesome ideas on, you guessed it, Pinterest. Feel free to follow me by clicking the button on the right, I'm fun. 

Inspiration:

Decor Hacks is where this picture originated

Finished Product:

Please, don't be jealous of this project's intricacy. I am not finished. I am hoping to find some cute thin fabric to cover the board, or I'll make a stencil and paint it.

I got the all of my supplies, meaning 2, at Walmart. I found this silver magnetic dry erase board in the office supply area for $9.

Then I found these Magnetic "buttons" on the next aisle over with the kid crafts! They were a whopping $2, actually less, but I hate cents. Why do we even use them?? This makes me happy since changing out makeup won't break the bank!

Then I cleaned my make up containers off and attached...

 

Voila!!

This entire project took me less than 30 minutes. A slept the whole time.

This is one I've been working on for a while. The jewelry organizer. I had a box, well I still have a box, but I'm hoping it will become more or less obsolete. I wanted to get it off the counter so I found this gem...

From iheartorganizing!!!

I kept telling myself I'd go to the hardware store and buy some radiator cover material. Well I have yet to step into that store. My first goal was to find a cute frame. I went to Goodwill many times, and failed. I found plenty of other good finds, but no cute frames. So I ventured out to another thrift store and found a bamboo memo board. It was already black, so I left it and I just pushed my earrings through it. I plan to connect eye hooks to the top and hang my necklaces from it too! All for $.75!

Do you remember this post?

Well I was wandering through the local grocery store and found whole coffee beans on sale for $1. I thought to myself, "At least the bathroom will smell like coffee for a day or two. That might help me get out of bed!" That random musing led to this...

The brushes fit so much better and I don't have to wiggle to get them in and out. I like it! Plus they do smell good!

I also found this cute idea from a Flickr user

I was able to find the Ball jar at the same thrift store mentioned above for less than $1 then I found the votive for $.35 SCORE! The only problem is that it was a frosted orange. I love orange, but that's not a color in my bathroom scheme. So I used some Krylon Dual Black spraypaint and here's the finished product.

No more searching for Q-tips or cotton pads!!!

Anyhow, these are my minor updates to our Master Bath. I know it's not fantastic or groundbreaking, but maybe they'll help you out!

What room should I tackle next??

Yay! It's finally the Christmas season!

Here's my first Christmas printable! I made it using Tagul.com and I think it turned out well. I plan to print mine on a cute piece of scrapbook paper and then I'll frame it where my Thanksgiving printable is now. 

 {Click here to download the PDF file} I  also found some plain glasses at Goodwill's 1/2 off First Saturday of the Month, along with two candle sticks. I primed and painted them, then I had to decide... I went with orange (didn't have red at the time). Then some hot glue, and voila... Apothecary jars.

Go Vols! or just Halloween decor

Here's how I've decided to display my Christmas cards. I saw plenty of options on Pinterest, but couldn't find a place better than the kitchen cabinets. Just Ribbon and some strong tape and you have a simple card display.

I didn't have any clothespins to use, so I went with paper clips and I attached a cute wire to the end. Ribbon would work too.

Merry Christmas to all!!!

It's been a long December so far, we have been so busy! Here's my latest Christmas project! For my awesome family, I made Christmas Cookie and Peppermint Cocoa mixes in a jar. Jar gifts have been floating around for a long time, so here is what I made!

 Inspiration:

Source: Tipjunkie

My version:

 I just used some Avery labels and Picnik to make the labels cute

I got the recipe from Bakerella and just changed out the M&Ms for red and green Christmas ones. I left out the nuts at the end, I didn't have any space for them! If you decide to make them, I had to pack it down in the quart jars with the baking powder jar, it was the only thing that fit into the wide mouth... there are a lot of TWSS-isms in here, please stick with me... oh heavens.

Click here to download the jpeg for the labels

Then I got the Peppermint stick cocoa recipe from MyRecipes.com. This was super easy to make. 

I cut out scrapbook paper to cover the lids and I printed the directions on labels. I used clear labels, which was ok, but next time I'll use white labels. I would have made them cuter, but I ran out of time. I'm a bit of a procrastinator.

Click here to download the jpeg

If you'd like to print my "easy" directions, click here.