They Don't Remember

My kids don't remember their fat mommy. They don't remember the mommy that wouldn't go for bike rides because she was tired. Or the one that allowed them to eat fast food 3-4 nights a week. Not even the one that couldn't fit into the rides at the amusement park. 

A few things happened yesterday to help remind me of how very far I've come.....


On a bike ride...

Me: Why do you keep stopping at every block?
Sissy: I'm tired and need to rest.
Me: It's only a block. Let's try and do two blocks without stopping.
Sissy: It's easy for you. You ran a marathon. (It's was only a half....)
Me: Honey, I didn't start out running 1/2 marathons. I started out running a block and then two blocks.
Sissy: (obnoxious eye roll that I HATE) Fine. I'll go two blocks and then rest.


Well, she went 5 blocks and the rested. She was so proud of herself and so was I! We had a great talk about setting goals. She doesn't remember where I started! I'm just her mommy that runs marathons.


At the amusement park.....

Bug: Mommy go on this train with me. (Train= super small ride the parents can only go in one larger section, not meant for adults at all!)
Me: Mommy is too big. You go and I'll watch. 
Bug: BUT His mommy is going.
Me: Ok

I had taken Bug on that same ride 3 years ago. I didn't fit. The seat belt didn't fit. The ride attendant took pity on me and looked the other way. Bug was too young to know what was happening. Last night I fit. The seat belt fit. Was I too big for that ride? Yep! BUT "his mommy" was going and so was I. He doesn't remember where I started! I'm just his mommy that goes on any ride she wants. 


I've gained some weight and that has been hard. My kids don't remember where I started, but I think it's really good for me to remember. The worlds that are open to me know at 206 pounds (back on my way down to 193) are not the same worlds that I could access at 356 pounds. It's good for me to remember. It's good that they don't remember!

~Kari

Ahhhh vacation

You often hear people say that the best part of teaching is winter and summer vacation. I wouldn't say that those are the *only* great parts of teaching, but they are pretty stinking awesome! 12 days of no work makes for one happy Kari. My days have been filled with playing with the kids, digging out from under major clutter, spending days with friends and family, and, of course, working out. 

One of the BEST things about vacation, for me, is not having to worry about squeezing in my workouts. Often you hear saying like, "It's only 1/24th of your day" or "Everyone has 30 minutes to spare". Usually my workouts are 45 min to an hour, but that's not all. There is the 15 minutes to drive to the gym (30 minutes there and back), the shower that is required EVERY single day because EVERY single day I smell like a locker room (15 minutes), convincing the kids that it would be fun to go to the gym or watch a movie so that mommy can work out at home (15-30 minutes). This adds up! On normal work day my 45-60 minute workout takes between 2 and 3 hours. Then it's dinner, homework, baths, and bed. It's totally worth it, but working out does take up more of my evening or requires me to get up before the chickens to get it done before work. 

It's 11:30 AM and we are all still in our jammies. The kids have both build tents in their bedrooms. One is called Club Tent and the other is Club Super Tent. They have rules that include: no touching my toys, no rock music (this ones for Daddy), and you have to get a hand stamp to come back later. We all have hand stamps for both clubs. I've run two loads of dishes, have cleaned above the fridge (YUCK!), and am loading up stuff to take to Goodwill. It's been a productive morning and I didn't even need to get dressed. This afternoon we will run by Goodwill, the bike shop (I have these quick release brakes that we a breeze to release and now I can't get them reattached! GRRRRR) and then off to the gym for a lifting session. 

I love my job. I love helping kids. I love working with teachers. 
I love Christmas vacation. :)

~Kari

A quickie + home exercise option

Merry Christmas!!!! It's Christmas Eve (not techniclaly since eve implies evening, but you get my drift) and I'm getting ready to head to the gym. No, I'm not one of those crazy fitness fanatics that is totally addicted to exercise. I have learned over the past 3.5 years (!!!!) of weight loss/management that I am a better everything when I take 30-60 minutes to move my body in ways that are out of my "normal". The gym and kid area open at 8. I'll be the crazy lady at the door waiting for them to unlock the door. It's Monday. I lift on Monday's. :) 

It looks like I forgot to post my weigh in last Wednesday. 

Current weight: 206.1
Maintenance weight: 193

I'm getting back. I should be back into maintenance by Valentine's day. There will be no weigh in this week. Come on, give the girl some slack!

If you can't get to the gym today, but are looking for a great workout, I wanted to share with you Kelly's video. It's a great 30 minute HITT workout that you can do at home with 0 equipment. There are a few exercise that I might grab my dumbbells for the next go around, but I was able to burn quite a few calories just using my body weight. One of the things that I adore about Kelly is that she is super committed to seeing the people that take her class succeed. She made this video for us because the club will be closed tomorrow and we can't come for class. Watch out for those trench crawls. I have some pretty ugly rug burns on my arms this morning. If possible, find a smooth area to lay down your yoga mat for that part OR opt for the up/downs option that she gives. You'll do each exercise for 50 sec with a 10 sec rest. 

Let me know if you try it. I'd love to hear what you think! I did it yesterday while hubby, Sissy, and Bug were laying in MY bed cheering me on. :)

Love on your family. Have one dessert instead of two. Fill half of your plate with veggies. Make choices that will matter long after the smell of mashed potatoes has left the building. 

~Kari

What's the smell?

Secrets to a really stinky workout....

Step 1: Decide that you would rather work out at home than the gym.

This step is really important because it ensures that your kids will be able to interrupt you every few minutes with questions like:
~ Can I have some milk?
~ Sissy won't leave me alone.
~ Sissy won't play with me.
~ What time is dinner?

Step 2: Have no plan

You know that whole saying about "failing to plan and planning to fail"? It's so so so true. Walking around your house looking for exercise motivation really isn't a plan. You probably have a million workout DVD's. Don't pick the DVD (that you can't find because it's in the wrong case) until after you have already warmed up. It's really important that you cool down after your warm up before starting the DVD.

Step 3: Only have half of your equipment (see #2)

8 pound weights for everything? Sure, why not?! Of course you can lunge the same weight that you use for arm raises. Weight is weight, right?

Step 4: Quit early out of boredom (see #2), frustration (see #3), and because you are tired of listening to the kids (see #1)


Is it possible to have a great workout at home? ABSOLUTELY! Does it require a bit of planning and dedication? YES!

How was your workout today?

~Kari

Wednesday Weigh-in

It's Wednesday. 
I weighed myself. 
Truthfully, I weigh myself every morning (I know, I know). 

Current weight: 207.4
Maintenance weight: 193

Down another 1.2 pounds! Considering that I had Olive Garden list night and some pretty strong PMS symptoms, that's not too shabby.

I wish that I had more time to blog. My days (everyone's days!) are too busy. For today, you'll have to settle for a list of what's going well....

- I am recording and feeling good about where I'm at with my choices.
- I am in LOVE with my treadmill. I have discovered Netflix while running and it really does help pass the time. I miss running outside, but for now this will have to do.
- We went to Olive Garden last night and I was able to keep my meal under 700 calories (lasagna with chicken off the light menu, one breadstick, and a bowl of zuppa toscana). 
- Workouts are continuing to challenge me, but there is growth.
- My jeans, that had become too tight, are fitting comfortably and probably need me to pull back out the belts. 


What's working well for you right now? 

~Kari

Annnnddddd she's back!

Guess who lost two pounds this week?!??!! Me!!!!!!

Current weight: 208.6
Maintenance weight: 193

I'm back on my way down...... :)

Other success today:
- I confronted someone when they were unkind to me. I hate confrontation, but it actually worked out.
-  I didn't eat my way through a bag of chips even though I was frustrated with a flat tire.
- I got up early to work out because I knew my afternoon was swamped.
- I passed on pizza 3 different times today. We are having pizza tomorrow night for dinner.


It's all gonna be ok.....


~Kari