Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Wednesday Weigh In



Today is going to be the start of consistent "Weekly Weigh-in" posts in an effort to stay more accountable and provide support to others who are needing it! So without further adieu...

 This is also the weekly weigh in picture for the current challenge I am in called "Last Loser Standing." It started 2 weeks ago and included somewhere around 400 ladies. The object of it is to continue to lose weight and essentially try to be the "Last loser standing" at the end of it, and winner gets a Fitbit Ultra. Still in it, even after Christmas lunch! I did NOT eat as well as I should have this past week. Lots of sweets and carbs. Ugh. I also only got to run 1 time over the past week because of sickness, Shelby working, gym closing early for Christmas Eve. Weird thing though....I still lost weight. I think it has something to do with some bloating that was going on :( Whatever it is...I'll take it, but I know that if I want to keep up the losing, my eating needs to return to what it was. Double boo!

Also gearing up to start the Fitathlon at the Wellness Center. Time to start brushing up on my swimming and biking skills! Next week(I believe) is the weigh in for the Wellness Center's "Maintaining through the Holidays" challenge. We weighed in the first week of November and had a $5 buy in. After our last weigh in, those who either maintained or lost weight will be entered into a drawing to win the pot. As of right now I have lost several pounds since then, but it will all come down to my weight at the end of the day on that particular day as my weight fluctuates a few pounds during the day. Fingers crossed!

Even better news...I'm 1 lb away from 40 lost. Woo-freaking-hoo! Progression pictures to come when that happens...which I'm hoping may be tomorrow or Friday...depending on the amount of water I suck down today from my spiffy new water bottle!(Thanks Jamie! :))

Christmas was a nice relaxing day for us. Just my parents, brother and his family, my sister, and my daughter and I. Shelby had to work Christmas eve and Christmas night so he slept through the day. We spent the day opening presents, watching my nephew and Lenae play with their new toys, eating, and the best part was watching old home videos. Laughing at each other's crazy hair, botched song lyrics, and wondering how our parents had enough patience to not leave us at the nearest bus stop and drive away. I never realized how annoying I was as a child! Sorry guys!! Oh and my daughter was INCREDIBLY spoiled by my parents and her Aunt & Uncle. Lots of princess stuff, Minnie Mouse, clothes, and all the Baby Doll furniture she could ever want. Her room looked absolutely nothing like this when we left the house yesterday morning. Its the biggest room in the house and I think she needs a bigger one now!



 My most favorite present of the day was my Gym Membership. I knew I would be getting 6 months to the local gym, but when I opened the envelope to look at it I was surprised to see "12 month membership" on the line. My time spent on the treadmill, weights, and pool are not going unnoticed. :) I can't wait to get back out there tonight and get some more miles on these new shoes!

I hope Christmas found everyone else Happy, Healthy, and Warm! Pin It

Monday, December 17, 2012

Let's start thinking a little bit more...

Okay, I'm going to go ahead and warn you....this one will be way off the normal topic today. In the spirit of today's post, I have thought and thought and thought about how I wanted to say this. I have gone through many emotions with the topic of this post ranging from anger, sadness, being proud, truly worried, and in the end motivated. So here goes nothing...

What will my New Year's Resolution be this upcoming January? It will not be to spend more time in the gym, to eat healthier, to give up pop, or to stop nagging my husband about insignificant things(sorry Shelby!). It will be to simply "Think before I SPEAK"  This is bolded, underlined, and italicized for a reason. It is important. It is vital in today's society. It's something that I think we are seriously lacking in, especially with the surge of social media popularity. Now I will be the first to admit that I have "posted" or said things that I clearly have not truly thought about in the past, and I regret that. I have definitely been better about that recently, with the constant thought in the back of my mind, "I run a business. A business where I care for children and where I would like the parents of those children that I care for, to respect me"

So, while I may not agree with some of President Obama's policies or beliefs, I will not attack him as a person. Because as of this past weekend, we were all so strongly reminded that he is a Father first and above all. I may not agree with Verizon Wireless' policies or procedures, but I will not speak negatively to the operator on the other end of the line. They have no say in those policies, they are merely the messengers and intermediaries. I may not agree with the prices of some clothing or products in a store, but definitely will not downgrade the sales associate as she did not come up with that price.(This comes from years of experience in retail, and tooooo many times of being yelled at because something was too expensive). My husband and I have quabbles(shocker!). We do not agree on everything. But does that mean I need to post every single bit of those fights for the public to see? No. Because 9.5 times out of 10, those issues are resolved in a matter of hours in private. But if they are seen by the public, permanent damage can be done.


Here's where I will challenge you. Do you think that you would be able to start "Thinking before you speak?" Maybe it could be about what you post on Social Media, how you react to something that upsets you in public, or how you describe your distaste about a person while in the presence of your child.

I'm going to offer a little piece of knowledge that every student who passes through the doors of Hoeflin Stonehouse in Manhattan, KS(An early childhood lab school) learns. "Do not speak about children in public, or even when you think you are in private. But if you do, choose your words carefully. You never know if an aunt, uncle, grandparents, or parent of that child is sitting at the table behind you, in line at the grocery store in front of you, or someone you come into regular contact with unknowingly. It could hurt that person, even when you are not intending to"

That speaks volumes doesn't it? I think this can be applied to most everyone or everything in this world today. How would you react if you walk up behind someone to hear them denouncing you, your husband, or even worse, your child? How does it make you feel to have your job performance discussed publicly where everyone can see it, without your knowledge first? How would it feel to be yelled and publicly humiliated for filing a piece of paper in the correct file, because that is what your job description entails? I'm willing to bet that your answer to each one of those questions went something like "Well I would be upset. That's not fair"

Do you know what I, and so many other women(and men too) have to deal with? While standing in line at the gas station I frequently hear "That **** officer gave me a ticket. Who the **** does he think he is?" "Cops aren't real people, they're ***holes" There are constantly rumors that are spread, in an attempt to discredit or humiliate those who are not guilty of what is being said. Or seeing things posted where an Officer is denounced for doing their jobs. People are so quick to rely on Officers in times of need, vehicle assistance, or in worst cases, complete terror. I sit at home most nights and wonder if it's the night my husband will be responding to a dangerous call to help an innocent person, and in turn leave a little girl without a Father. I fullt understand that this is his job. But do you know what else is in their job description? Upholding traffic laws. Investigating theft. Taking accident reports. Patrolling. I have been stopped a few times. I have received 2 tickets in my 9 years of driving. The first one I wasn't happy about. I was angry at the officer. The second one, which came about 2 years ago? I understood. I clearly was above the speed limit, I was clearly breaking the law. I was not happy about it, but was not upset with the officer. I was upset with myself.

I get that there is usually a need to deflect personal responsibility and blame your faults on others. I have done this one too many times to count. But with how the world is today, maybe it wouldn't hurt to start accepting responsibility for our actions, choosing our hurtful words more carefully, reaching out to those who may need a little more care or love. We keep hearing of all of these senseless acts of violence taking place, and I can't help but wonder what more could have been done to help that man who ran into that Elementary School and felt the unconscionable need to take innocent lives. I can't help but wonder how that man in Topeka who killed 2 men doing their job, may have been raised to not respect the law or people upholding the law. I understand that people have free will. Some people grow up to do things that they were not directly raised to believe in. But why not try harder? Why not think about the message we are sending our children, our neighbor's children, or the impressionable young teenager who is listening in on your lunchtime conversation? Instead of them hearing "Stupid pig gave me a ticket for speeding in a school zone", how about letting them hear "You know, I deserved that ticket. It has deterred me from speeding there again, and potentially hurting a child who is riding their bike to school" Or instead of publicly posting "**** Obama. I bet his kids don't have to eat this kind of crap"(where mind you, there are children that now have Facebook), either don't say anything at all or opt for "I am considering writing and calling my representative to discuss my concerns over the recent piece of legislation" Let them see you conduct yourselves in a respectable manner.

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny. 

-Tome Krause


I would much rather my child grow up to respect Law Enforcement Officers, the Mayor, the Governor, and the President, than to blame everyone else for the laws she could potentially break. I want her to grow up to be a productive member of society who has total respect for laws that are set in place to protect people, property, and animals. I want her to think before she makes a comment about a friend who is wearing the same thing 2 days in a row. I want her to think before she responds to hearing someone publicly insulting her father. Most of all, right now I am grateful that she cannot fully comprehend the things that I hear while she is in my presence.

So please, if you do nothing else for your Resolution, do this.



I will leave you with this as to pay tribute to Cpl. Goigan, and Officer Atherly.

"The Final Inspection"

The policeman stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass. 
He hoped his shoes were shining. Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman. How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To My church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't, Because those of us who carry badges
can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny, That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here.
They never wanted me around Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much, But if you don't.....I'll understand.

There was silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly, For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, policeman, You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in hell."

Author Unknown
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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Oh Christmas time, Stomach Flu, and Weigh in Wednesday

I am finding out how hard it really is to keep up the gym routine during the Christmas parties, family gatherings, sickness, and just general end of the year busy stuff! I came down with the full on stomach flu yesterday morning while getting ready for work. And then several more times after that. It seemed to be on it's way out the door around Lunch time. Woke up this morning feeling like nothing ever happened. So we shall see if it stays that way tonight when I give the treadmill another shot.



It has been since last Thursday that I have gotten my quality time at the gym :( Total sadface. I fully intended on going Saturday morning, but after the marathon of Duck Dynasty and the 1 bottle of Moscato on Friday night, that wasn't happening. Saturday night was Shelby's work Christmas party...and well...let's just say I felt even worse on Sunday. So here we are on Wednesday and I need to quit with the excuses! I WILL run tonight, I WILL lift weights tonight, I WILL drink all my 80 ounces of water! Bad news...there is another Christmas party this weekend...
Just kidding...hopefully...

The Wellness Center is putting on a "Fitathlon" from January-March. The goals are to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles. Now let's be honest...swimming is something I downright suck at am not that strong in. So maybe this will give me the push I need to try it out and it's something new that breaks up the monotony of workouts!

And just because I am SUPER excited about my new Christmas presents, I'm going to brag a little bit more :) Can't WAIT to try out these bad girls! I have heard and heard how amazing Brooks shoes are...and will finally get the opportunity to try them. I also opted to have the other half of my present be 6 months paid at the Wellness Center. It will go to much better use than anything else I would have wanted!!

And here's a little gem for you on Weigh in Wednesday! Down another 3 lbs. That is now officially 6 lbs from Pre-Lenae weight and 2 lbs from 40 gone!! It's becoming more and more real with each shirt, pair of jeans, and workout pants that have become too big. I'm having serious issues while I run now because I am constantly having to pull my pants back up. Guess it's time for the next size down!(and yes I know, I need to repaint my nails :))

When I get that 40 lbs I will do some more progression pics!! I'm excited to see the change!


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