I have never...

1. Met an ice cream I don't like.  I can eat that stuff even when it is 50 below zero. This drives my husband nuts!!  We ask him to get us Mc Donald's or Baskin Robbins at least 2-3 times a week.  BUT...one time, he said no.  This was when the Illini were in the championship game.  It was my due date with Drew and we were driving home.  As we were approaching BR, I asked him to stop.  That butthole told me no, the Illini were about to start.  Ummm....WHAT?!?!?!  He proceeded to tell me I had to wait, because this was the first time he was seeing The Illini in the championship game.  Well I told his basketball loving ass that this was the first time I was about to give birth.  Needless to say, I had to wait on getting the ice cream.  In return I made him sleep downstairs on the couch with me, in case Drew decided to pop out!  I am happy to say, he popped out the next evening after I shopped through MANY painful contractions.  I thought my labor and delivery nurse of a mom, was never going to tell me I was ready.  She just kept making me walk and shop.  Finally I took a Jacuzzi and she felt my belly and said, "yep, you can't talk and your belly is rock hard, you are ready to go.  2 hours later, my little man arrived!

2. Met a margarita I wouldn't drink.  Especially the watermelon kind.  I have been known to drink an entire bottle by the pool. Don't judge me people, it was just that good.  My favorite tequila or to kill ya, as I like to call it, is herradura silver.  SO SMOOTH!

3. Met an item at J Crew Factory that I didn't like.  Yep, I am officially an addict!  I just can't pass up their classic styles and amazing sales.  I try and buy items that are classic and will remain in style for years to come.  I MIGHT have placed a large order on Memorial Day...might. ;)

4. Met a beach I couldn't spend hours at. When I vacation, I rest and relax, no sightseeing for this chick.  To me, that is work!  In fact my final resting place will be St. Pete Beach.  This is where my family has vacationed for years.  It holds some of my fondest memories.  I now take my kids there.  I will be cremated and my ashes will become one with the gulf.  Same with my daddy.  Then instead of my kids having to visit a cemetery they can go visit me at the beach.  Of course they must drink wine, in my honor!

5. Read a Mary Higgins Clark book that I didn't love.  She is my favorite author! I started this love of her, thanks to my grandma and mom.  We passed books around.  When we are done, we write our initials in the book.  This means a lot to me because I lost my grandma a year ago yesterday.  So I can see her beautiful hand writing anytime I open a book.  It's the little things....

6.  Spent time with my sisters where I didn't have the time of my life.  We may have had some moments of fighting but when I am with them, life is so good.  We all laugh the same and walk the same.  Well my little sis and I shake our butts a little more.  This is according to my dad!  And now, our daughters have the same butt shake!  We bring out the silly in each other.  And we get each other to do stupid stuff.  Like one time at a pretty nice restaurant, we got my little sis to lick her chocolate cake, plate clean ( she was in her 20's). It was priceless! 

7.  Been on FB when I didn't want to jump through the screen and smack someone!! OMG why do people air their dirty laundry on there.  And then the ABSOLUTE worst is when a couple facebook each other, while they are next to each other, in bed!  Now come on!!! Is that really necessary?!?!?!  Yes, I have friends that do this....shoot me.

8.  Gone to Target and walked out with only what I came for.  NOPE, just can't do it.  I end up buying all kinds of stuff from shoes to thongs, to cleaning supplies.  And I went in there for a kids b-day present.  Target just speaks to me and tells me I need all that shit!

9.  Been a fan of PDA.  I just get all uncomfortable and embarrassed.  I mean holding hands and a peck here and there, is ok.  BUT....when tongue comes out and butts get grabbed, I run!!!  I saw so much of this when I lived in NYC.  Just more free there, I guess.  I don't even like watching people make out on tv.  So you know this means I cannot and will not watch porn.  I act like a 3 year old child and giggle and get all silly.  SO NOT SEXY!

10. Gone a day without telling my babies how very much I love them.  I also don't end any conversation with my sisters, parents or Ray, without telling them, I love them.  No matter what, I tell them. I don't care if I am pissed as hell!   I might not get another chance, so I live in the moment.  Those 3 words aren't said enough, If you ask me...

 

Well that's about all for this go around!  I hope you all have an AMAZING weekend!  Drink a margarita or two, tell someone you love them AND..... go to Target and stimulate the economy! :)

XO,
Lori

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Bucket List!  I figured why not link up!  I love me some summer!


1.  Finish the damn bathroom and kitchen floor remodeling!  It has only been a year!  Yep,  I have that husband.  The one that loves to start a project, finishing it, is a another story!

2. Get rid of more clothes.  I have way too much.  Lots that don't fit and lots I just don't need.  If anyone is interested in buying some designer jeans off of me, shoot me an email.  I have some size 28's I need to get rid of. :)  I am trying to simplify my wardrobe and life.  Nothing will cost more than $50!

3. Go on dates with my hubby, when the kiddos are in Florida.  I am talking movies, on a school night and dinner outside at a fun restaurant. Maybe a nice night on the porch sipping wine, talking about what a great wife I am.... ;)

4.  Day drinking with my sister, in Florida, when we go visit.  I want to reenact our day at St. Armand's Circle, that we had back in December.  We started shopping and drinking at 11 am! It was divine!!  We also had an afternoon snack of wine and pie....YUMMY!

5.  Spend as many days at the beach, as I can, when we are in Florida.  To say I LOVE the beach, is a major understatement. 

6. Grill out at least 3 nights a week.  This includes lots of seafood! 

7.  Run the Cardinal's Care 6K in STL, with my sis.  I am NOT a runner, but want to cross a race, off my bucket list.  This will be my first AND last race, I think....

8.  Drink wisely, when sitting by the pool.  This means no sugary margaritas and calorie filled beers.  I just hate ending the day feeling like a bloated pig. I want to stick to "skinny" drinks and my Beck's Premium Light. :)

9.  Take the kids to Six Flags and the local water park.  They are the perfect age for both!

10. Enjoy ever single second of the long summer days/nights! Life is too short not too.


Happy Thursday!!  Here is to everyone having a fabulous summer!!

xo

Why I think I will stay in shape, this time around...

 Twenty years ago I was at my heaviest, 265+.  Five years ago, I was at another high, 172, this is only because I looked at my medical records online.  This was an eye opener!  BUT...was it enough to make me get my ass in gear???? NOPE!  Why???? Because all I was focused on was that effing # on the scale and the size of my effing pants!!! Seriously that was all I cared about.  What is funny is when I was say, a size 12, I was SO not focused on that.  When I first started on my weight loss journey back in 92, I was just focused on losing weight and getting healthy.  I was setting out on a journey to have a healthy lifestyle.  It was NOT about some #.  I mean yes, I did say, "man I wish I could someday weigh in the 140's".  But that was not my end goal. I only wanted to weigh that because hell, I hadn't weighed that since grade school!  I know, I am a bigger girl, can't help it, I was made that way.  I am tall, I have super long arms and broad shoulders.  I also have thicker thighs, that is just how God made me.  I also have big boobs.  Well, not really anymore, but they are still not nubs!  BUT...everything fits my frame.  I will never be a twig!  And I don't want to be.  I LOVE being curvy, I really do.  But 5 years ago, I let all of that be forgotten.  I was obsessed with weighing what my license says (150) and being a size 28.  I didn't care one bit about feeling good and being fit.  Gee, wonder why I was stuck and miserable and started purging again....
 BECAUSE..... I WAS IN IT FOR THE WRONG REASONS!!!!!!!!!!  OMG why do we focus so much on people's "sizes", "#" wise????  Who gives a shit if Sally wears a 4 and Missy wears a 6 and Lisa wears a 14.  All that matters is that they are happy and healthy.  I wish the media would quit putting so much focus on that crap.  Like in this week's People magazine, they show us what celebrities eat to stay slim.  Are you F*CKING KIDDING ME!?!?!?!  Let's see former Miss Alabama Katherine Webb eats 1,120 calories a day and she is 5'11.  Now how in God's name is that healthy????  She is a tall girl, that needs calories to fuel that frame.  I mean is that what young girl's should be striving for, starvation????  Then we have the absolutely stunning Kate Upton, who has graced the pages of Sports Illustrated Magazine, being called fat.  OMG how many of us would kill for that figure!  And then there is Ireland Baldwin who is also being called fat, because she is 6 feet tall with a body to die for.  Seriously, this crap has got to stop.  Why are they being called fat????  Ummm...because they have curves???  I have curves and god damnit I AM NOT FAT!  I am fit and healthy!  Who cares that I weigh 150 pounds or maybe a smidgen less, I am HEALTHY AND FIT!  But.... if you go based on that #, I am fat.  At the same time, I can wear a size 4.  Hmmmm.... is a size 4 tiny, if you weigh 120 and HUGE, if you weigh 150??? I mean that is what it seems like to me. 

I think if more people, set out to lose weight to be healthy and fit, more people would be successful at it.  It's those numbers and media that f*ck it all up.  To many of us want to hit a certain # goal.  Which is fine, but that CANNOT be the only reason you are doing it. If it is, you are setting yourself up to fail.  I know, because I have done it. I remember getting into my first pair of size 28's.  They were William Rast and I was so excited.  So here I was, I hit my "#" goal so I could stop trying.  WRONG!!!  And let me tell you, I started to back off the workouts and snacked more.  And that just helped those lost pounds find their way back to my thighs and gave me back fat!  This time around, it is all about being healthy and fit. Nothing more, nothing less.  Yes, it feels AMAZING to fit in smaller clothes, but what feels even better, is waking up everyday and feeling good.  Feeling good because I eat healthy so I can indulge, when I feel like it. Feeling good because I exercise, not five hours a day, just 20-40 minutes, 5-6 days a week.  Feeling good because I know I am setting a good example for my kids.  THAT is why I will succeed this time.  Because for once, my head is in the right place.  I am truly at a point, where I am so used to this lifestyle, I don't even have to think about it. I know what I need to eat, what I need to do to stay in shape and I know.... that I can have 3 pieces of beer bread, and not gain a pound.  THAT....is a great feeling!

So no matter what your size is, rock the body God gave you.  If it is still a work in progress, rock it every step of the way! Set goals, but don't let a pair of jeans or a bikini be the only reason you want to hit those goals.  Make new skinny jeans, a sexy new dress or cute bikini be "rewards", for doing so well.  Doing so well with your new, happy and healthy lifestyle, that is!!! :)

XO,
Lori

Staying on track this holiday weekend!

Today I am guest posting for the FABULOUS MARCY, over at The Mustache Diaries!! I love this girl.  We connected on so many levels, the moment we met on IG.  She is SUPER FREAKING FUNNY!  And....so damn motivating. On days I don't want to work out, I text her and she makes me...lol!  Happy Friday!

XO,
Lori

Shocking your system

I thought I would touch on exactly what I do, to keep myself plateau free.  Or at least how I TRY..... to avoid plateaus.

The main thing I do is switch up my workout routines on a regular basis.  I never do the same things each week.  Even if I am doing say Ripped in 30 or 30 day Shred, I do other things as well.  One week it might be throwing in some 20-30 minute kickboxing workouts.  The next week, I will throw in some tabata.  The week after that, I do both of those, along with JM.  I try and mix up what one I do at lunch, and what one I do at night.  I also always switch up my rest days.  And if I can get outside and walk or run for 20 minutes, I will throw that in.  I don't want my body to ever get used to one thing.  I know it is working, because I am still sore, each week.  I am on week 2 of Ripped in 30 and I am still getting sore.  Same with tataba, that thing kicks my ass, every time.  Not in the way that it is hard, but each time I do it, I push just a little harder.  Like when I do squats, I do them lower.  High knees, I go higher. Skaters, I go lower.  I am always pushing myself. WHY????  Because I like to see just how far I can go.  AND...I want to see just how great of shape I can get in!

When it comes to food, I try and mix it all up.  I stay with the same calories, I just mix those calories up. When we eat and drink the same things, every single day, our bodies stall.  Same with workouts.  If you are doing the same workout every single day, your body gets used to it and you stop progressing.  You gotta trick that bad boy!  Here is what my week looks like:

Sunday-Ripped in 30, bike ride.
Monday-Jill Coleman 24 minute kickboxing
Tuesday-Rest Day
Wednesday-Ripped in 30, 19 minute tabata
Thursday-Ripped in 30
Friday-Jill Coleman Kickboxing
Saturday-Bike Ride, Ripped in 30
Sunday-Ripped in 30, taebo

As far as my meals go, this week, we are grilling out each night.  We have done chicken, pork chops and turkey burgers so far.  I pair my protein with a veggie and a carb. I have been having Fage Greek yogurt (plain) with fresh fruit like watermelon and pineapple, for my snacks.  This is the time of year that I LOVE to eat.  Fresh fruit and grilling, does it get better than that.  I have also been drinking a lot less wine. Not that I ever drink more than a four ounce glass during the week, but now I have a Becks Premium light.  I have this while the kids are playing and the hubby is grilling.  For breakfast I have been making my own oatmeal. I throw some old fashioned oats in a baggy with the flax seed.  When I get to work, I throw in some fresh strawberries and pop it in the micro for 2.5 minutes. SO yummy and no artificial crap in it.  You know like the instant packs have.  My mid morning snack has been 35 calorie high fiber toast with all natural peanut butter.  SO YUMMY!  Lunch will be a salad full of fresh veggies.  I am loving cucumbers right now with sriracha peas and my own vinaigrette with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  I also throw in some blue cheese crumbles.  After the salad I will have either some protein and a sweet potato or a healthy choice meal.  I try to avoid packaged meals but sometimes, I have to take the convenience route. 

With the holiday weekend coming up, I am already thinking of meals to plan for the family.  I don't use the holiday's as an excuse to be "bad".  I just don't want to feel like shit come Tuesday. I see lots of fresh fruit, veggies and grilled food, happening! I will also bake some yummy strawberry crisp and make some mock ice cream sandwiches with my PB2, cool whip, graham crackers and Hershey syrup (the low sugar kind).  Healthy food doesn't have to be icky and boring!

Happy Hump Day!!

XO,
Lori

Could you take a naked yoga class....

Happy Monday!!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!  My family spent the entire weekend outside.  We rode bikes, played ball, dug for worms ( I watched from a distance), dug a hole to China and did crafts.  It was just too beautiful to be outside.  It was hot, but there was a nice breeze. 

So today's post stems from an article I just read in the latest issue of Fitness Magazine.  One of the girl's was asked to take a naked yoga class, for her story.  The editor chose her, because she knew she was the least likely to ever take one.  SO....could you take a naked yoga class????  My answer, HELL TO THE NO!!!  There is no flipping way!  Ummm...I do not need my lady parts twisting and turning in someone's face.  Oh and this was a co-ed class.  PLUS....people tend to let farts sneak out in yoga.  I don't need that happening either!  My instant answer of no, made me think about this, " Am I comfortable being naked".  I thought a lot about it.  I even got naked and stood in the mirror, for a bit.  I was like, hmmm....not bad, I guess.  I mean I am 41 and have had 2 kids and lost a ton of weight. 

Next step, I took a picture of myself naked (I did have on a pair of string bikini undies).  Oh yes, I sure did!  It took a lot of courage for me to do this.  See I NEVER EVER go naked. I have never been one to sleep nude or walk in front of my hubby nude.  I cant even undress in front of my sisters or mom.  I will stand there holding my boobs in my hands, or turn my back to them.  I remember being at a spa in NYC one day and all these women were  just dropping trou, right there! OMG I was like where do I look????  This woman was talking to me NAKED!!  I guess since I am not comfortable with myself being naked, I am also not comfortable with others being naked, around me.   It all stems from that lovely thing called body dysmorphic disorder.  I totally have this.  Yeah, pretty messed up, I know.  But....what I see in the mirror is NEVER what I see when I am looking at an actual picture.

 Ok back to me being naked...I was SHOCKED at what I saw.  I was actually surprised that I was OK with what I saw.  First off, my boobs don't actually hang as LOW as I thought they did.  I mean they were pretty normal looking actually.  Next thing, my butt and thighs didn't have near as much cellulite as I think they do.  And the loose skin, wasn't THAT bad.  I made a point, to focus on things that I actually "liked".  I told myself, I was NOT going to focus on anything I found not so likable.  So I wonder, does anyone else see one thing in the mirror and another in pics????  Is this just a female thing, or do guys have the same issues.  Have any of you taken a naked selfie, to see how you "really" look???  Watch I am the only one that has...lol!  You all are going to label me the "picture perv" from now on!  And in case you are wondering,  I did NOT send the picture to my hubby!  I immediately hit delete photo.  And yes, I know, nothing deleted, is ever truly deleted.  So me and my birthday suit are somewhere out there is cyber space!  If you do have negative body issues, I suggest you do this, and ONLY focus on what you think looks pretty ok.  It was very therapeutic for me.  I mean I am not going to start working out nude or join a gym, so I can undress in front of people, BUT...I might just stroll through the living room naked, after the kids are in bed.  My husband will most likely wonder who the hell the naked lady is, in our living room!  This will be due to the fact that I will run through so fast, he won't get a chance to I.D. me!!

XO,
Lori

Oh My Gaaaaaaaaaaaawd!!

Well today was one of those days, I just loathe!  I woke up feeling all bloated and just plain icky!  It was humid in the house, (I am too cheap to turn the air on....yet).  So I feel like my thighs are the size they were 20 years ago.  My hair was just NOT cooperating and I couldn't find jack sh*t to wear!  And yes, I know, I have a closet FULL of clothes!  But things from last summer, just don't fit.  And as my husband reminded me, that is a good thing.  Well yeah, because they are in fact baggy, BUT....how much more freaking money do I have to spend on clothes.  Some of you are probably going, "umm...is she bitching about having to get new clothes"?  Why yes, I am!  See I told you, it is that kind of day!  I  must have tried on a gazillion different options this morning, and I HATED them all.  I ended up in a shirt that is ill fitting and cropped jeans that make me look like I have a flat ass!  At one point, I was carrying on a not so nice conversation with myself, in the closet.  Oh Lord if anyone heard me, they would have had me committed ASAP! I am just pissy, period!  So here I thought, I was ok, in a plaid shirt with my jeans.  Yeah, until I looked in the mirror.  When I took a look, I immediately started to sing, "Green acres is the place for me. Farm livin' is the life for me. Land spreadin' out so far and wide Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside". Are you all singing it now????  AND THEN...I start bitching to Ray about how I am just crabby and to please just let me BE crabby.  So......he proceeds to tell me I look hot. UMMM...WHAT?!?!?!  And here was my response...it's a long one!  "Are you kidding me, I look like a f*cking farmer, and you think I am hot.  This week I have looked kinda hot when I was dressed up and you didn't say a word.  But when I dress like Elle May, you think I am hot"???  He said, "yes, honey, I like to tell you, when you least expect it, because you always look hot".  Ok points for hubby, but I am not buying that line of BULL, he is sellin!  But I love him anyway.  So at this point, I go BACK upstairs and change again.  My plaid shirt was just too baggy and made me look sloppy.  I chose a more fitted button up that is pink.  For some reason, pink just makes me happy.  Oh and I paired it with my new flippy floppies from J Crew that I got for Mommy Day.  I will say, I am still freaking crabby, and I look forward to 5:00.  Only because I am gonna sweat off some of this water retention and gain in back in beer!

You know as I stood there in the mirror, I saw the old me.  It wasn't a good feeling.  I have come WAY too far, to let that negative thinking come back into my life.  At least now I recognize it.  I know that I did not gain 50 pounds overnight.  At least today, I was pissed that clothes were too big, instead of too tight.  God I remember those days of just standing in the closet crying, because nothing fit.  I remember just being so defeated.  I think today proved that no matter what, I am still going to have days, when I am not happy with how I feel or how I look.  The big difference is, I am able to get over it.  I refuse to let this set me back.  As I type this post, I already feel better.  I think blogging can be so therapeutic.  Maybe because I know a lot of the readers have walked in my shoes.  They are reading this and shaking their heads going, "yep, I know exactly what she is talking about".  I never used to have that before.  I was surrounded by all kinds of wonderful friends and family, but none of them had ever been through a struggle with their weight or body image.  So unless you have truly been through it, you don't quite get it.  I mean I know everyone has days when they can't find jack shit to wear and they feel fat.  But it's just not quite the same.  When someone who has struggled with their weight has these kind of days, it brings back so many different emotions.  Like I sat there and thought, "OMG what did I eat that made me gain this weight".  OK WHOA LORI!!!!  I had to check my shit right there!  I KNOW better than this.  But see, when you live your life for so long, with that unhealthy mindset, its inevitable, that those kind of thoughts, find their way back, to your newly "healthy brain".  You just gotta tell them to go take a long walk off a short plank! :-)

Thank you for letting me bitch!!!  Especially about something that I know is just stupid.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  It is going to be in the 80's and sunny here!  I hope to spend the majority of the weekend outside!!

XOXO,
Lori

Hitthing those lovely plateaus and the devil...I mean the scale. :)

Today I thought I would touch on hitting plateaus and why I really wish we didn't put so much emphasis on that damn scale.  I did a little research and here are some of the reasons I feel like the scale should be avoided.  Especially if you are an every day offender.  I can see weighing in once a month, every other week and MAYBE once a week.  But the everyday stuff needs to stop.  I am telling you, if I weighed myself every day, I would be a hopeless mess.  I would have cried, cussed, hit something OR someone (most likely Ray, I like to blame him for my mood swings :o) ) and I would have given up!!!  I mean no way would I ever think that someone that weighs 150 pounds could wear a size 4 or get into a size 27 jeans.  To this day, I go by how my clothes fit and how I look in those #selfies that annoy some! ;) BUT....If I didn't take selfies to gage my progress, I wouldn't see how I TRULY look.  And if just one of my progress pics, gets someone off the couch and sweating to JM, then my job here is done!

Now onto my lovely research!  I know that when I started this last journey to get some definition and those last 10 pounds off, I got super discouraged, at times.  I remember working out and then going to try some pants on and they were tighter!  W. T. F.  How could that be.  Was I seriously gaining weight from eating healthy and working out????  I remember telling my sis this and she said, sometimes when you start a new workout regimen, you gain some weight.  She is a marathon runner and this has happened to her.  She also told me to check and see if I was eating enough calories.  I was eating 1200.....NOT ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!  Please believe me when I say this, your body needs more than 1200 calories a day!  Especially if you are working out. Once you dip below 1200, your body goes into starvation mode.  This means your metabolism starts to behave like a snail...NOT GOOD!  I kid you not, when I upped my calories from 1200 to 1430 (net) the pounds came off and the muscles appeared! I just wish it didn't take me 41 freaking years to figure this out!

So here are some reasons you might be plateauing or even gaining weight:

 Not eating enough calories. It may seem counter intuitive, but eating too little can actually stall your efforts to lose fat. As Cathy Leman, a registered dietician and creator of NutriFit! says, "...if there is a severe restriction in calories, the body may counteract this reduction by slowing down its metabolism." Be sure you're eating enough calories to sustain your body if you've increased your activity.

Eating too many calories. It may seem obvious, but we sometimes eat more after starting an exercise program to compensate for burning those extra calories. Most of us think we're eating a healthy, low-calorie diet but, unless you're keeping a food diary, you don't know how many calories you're really eating. Most people are surprised when they start keeping a journal and adding up the calories--it almost always turns out to be more than they thought. Keep a food diary for at least a week or use an online tracking sight like Calorie Count to get a sense of what and how much you're eating. If it's too much, you can make changes in your diet to reduce your calories. And try to avoid the mindset that says you can eat whatever you want since you're doing all this great exercise. To lose weight, you still need to monitor your calories.

 

(I am SO guilty of this!  I never took into consideration all the crap I was "snacking" on as I was making dinner.  OR...the little bites here and there, that I took from the kids.  I am now a dedicated MFP user and it helps SO much)!!

 

You're gaining muscle faster than you're losing fat. If it seems that you're getting bigger after you've started a weight training routine, it may be because you aren't losing body fat as fast as you're building muscle, a common problem. Genetics can play a role; some people put on muscle more easily than others. If that's the case for you, don't stop training. Instead, you might simply adjust your program to make sure you're getting enough cardio exercise to promote weight loss and focus your strength training workouts on muscular endurance by keeping the reps between 12-16.

Water can alter your weight by as much as 10 pounds (or more).
Think you just lost a few pounds from that serious spin class? Don't get too excited—it's just water loss due to sweat. And the amount of water in your system has a heavy influence on the number you see on the scale.

"Water makes up approximately 65-90 percent of a person's weight, and variation in water content of the human body can move the scale by ten pounds or more from day to day," says Jeffrey A. Dolgan, a clinical exercise physiologist at Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach, Fla. This is one of the main reasons diuretics are so popular—they flush the water out of your system, resulting in only a short term weight "loss"—but they don't help to change your body composition in any way.

 
(So just ride it out and avoid the "magic" but not really "magic" pills.  Your body will adjust and let that water go)!!

 

A lot of factors can influence your weight—including your workouts.
Have you ever noticed that right after (or even a day or two after) an intense workout the scale goes up? That's normal, and it doesn't mean you've put on ‘weight,' Dolgan says.

"A person's scale mass is a combination of muscle, fat, bone, the brain and neural tract, connective tissue, blood, lymph, intestinal gas, urine, and the air that we carry in our lungs. Immediately after a workout routine, the percentage of mass in each of these categories can shift as much as 15 percent." Intense workouts cause variability on the scale due to factors like hydration status, inflammation from muscle damage repair (we call this delayed onset muscle soreness), even the amount of intestinal by-product or urine and blood volume, Dolgan says.

 

 The scale says nothing about your fitness level or body composition.
As noted above, the scale can't tell you how much of your body weight is muscle versus fat, which means if your goal is to improve your fitness level, it's not the best tool for measuring improvements.

It's true that many people either gain a little weight or don't see any change on the scale for as long as 4-6 weeks after making a significant change in their level of exercise. This is often explained as "gaining muscle while losing fat" but that isn't quite accurate. This extra weight is usually water.

When you start doing more exercise, your body begins storing more fuel in your muscle cells, where it can be used easily and quickly to fuel your workouts. The process of converting glucose (carbohydrates) into fuel that your muscles actually store and use (glycogen) requires three molecules of water for every molecule of glucose. As your muscles are building up glycogen stores, your body has to retain extra water for this purpose. That's what causes most of the initial weight gain or lack of weight loss. This is a good thing—not something to worry about.

However, despite what the scale says, you are actually losing fat during this time. The extra water retention will stop once your body has adjusted to its new activity level. At that point, the scale should start moving down. You'll end up with less fat, and muscles that can handle a larger amount of

 

I know that the above happens to me, when I go balls to the wall, with my squats.  Those thighs of mine BURN and they swell..  BUT...a few days later they go back to normal and get just a tiny bit smaller. 

 

I hope that this post helps those that are struggling a bit.  Or if you are feeling defeated by the scale or your routine.  Sometimes I just shock my system, to get through a plateau.  I change up all my meals and my workout routines.  It kind of wakes up my body! 

 

Happy Hump Day everyone!!  I must say I am LOVING the nice weather here in IL. :o)

 

 

 

 

It doesn't get better than this...

I just got back from Mother's Day breakfast with my babies.  I swear if I could stay with them at school all day (like they begged me too, I would).  I think as the years go by, I realize, that my true purpose in life, was to be a mommy.  Don't get me wrong, there are days when I want to pull out my hair and chug wine, straight from the bottle!  BUT...that lasts all of maybe 2 minutes.  I am so close with my mama and want to always have that, with my kids. 

My Andrew James is the MOST amazing little boy.  He is not only sweet, he is loving and care free.  He has a tender heart and at times, wears it on his sleeve. Kinda like me. :)
 To me, he is perfect! He can't get enough mommy hugs and smooches.  And...he always tells me how pretty I am, who can hate that.   And... that I am the best mommy ever.  I cherish those hugs and kisses. When he gets in trouble, he is ALWAYS remorseful.  He always tells me he is sorry.  Which to me, shows me that Ray and I are doing something right.  When he gets in trouble at school, he is also in trouble at home.  We need for him to know that we back his teacher 100%.  Punishment is always a timeout in his room.  We tell him it is his time, to think about the behavior he was punished for.  When I look into his little blue eyes, I see such unconditional love.  He looks at me and his daddy, like we are the best parents ever!! But you know what, at 41, I still feel that way about my mom and dad.  They are AMAZING parents.  They never ever told me I couldn't do something and always loved me no matter what I had done, to disappoint them.  And Lord knows....I disappointed them.  But to my parents, as long as I learned something from the "not so good" that I did, then they knew they had done their job.  Even to this day, my mom and dad give me guidance and love me unconditionally, even when I am NOT so lovable!

On to my Olivia Iris.  Oh this sweet independent girl!  She is full of life, 24/7.  There is never a dull moment with her.  She is so wise beyond her years.  She loves everything girlie...make up, clothes, bling and purses.  Oh and she is only 6 and LOVES high heels! But at the same time, she can hit a baseball out of the backyard and climb trees, pick up bugs and roll around in the mud.  To me, she is just perfect!  Unlike her brother, she is not one to stop and smooch on you, just because.  She is too busy for that! When she is sick, is about the only time she is a snuggler.  But she is the one that loves to just hang out in my room and watch tv.  We do this  many nights.  She will fall asleep and I will carry her down to bed.  I cherish these moments.  Liv is my shopping partner.  She LOVES to shop at Old Navy  and Target.  Hmmmm...kind of like her mommy.  And Lord knows she loves to spend money.  But she knows, it has to be on sale, for mommy to buy it.  I never ever pay full price for anything.  Well except for groceries.  But even then, I buy generic when I can.  Liv is a true go getter.  No one can stop her from getting what she wants.  She is a total over achiever.  She does NOT get that from me...that comes from her daddy. :) 

If I was told to make a list of everything I wanted in my children,  it is all of the above things I mentioned.  I am so blessed to have the babies I do.  I still sit in awe of them.  I will watch them sleep and get such a warm feeling inside.  The love I have for those two precious babies grows every single day. 

You know growing up, I never thought I would have kids.  It just wasn't something that I HAD to do. Until I FINALLY  met the right man.  I think that makes a huge difference.  I saw in him all that I wanted in a daddy, for my babies.  And can we talk about the moment I met my babies for the first time.  TALK ABOUT BEING MADLY IN LOVE!!  I mean WOW, how could this be.  I was so in love with them. It is the kind of love, you just can't get enough of.  When I am away from my babies, I miss them terribly.  They are my world.  I hope they always know how loved they are.  Not a day has gone by in their little lives, that I haven't told them I love them, at least 15-20 times.  I don't care if I am madder than mad, they always know I love them.  Too many people in the world lack love. I think when you are surrounded by love, life is a bit easier.  I also try so hard to show my kids that they need to love themselves first.  Just the other day, Drew was getting so discouraged when he was learning to ride his bike.  And yes, he is 8 and is just learning.  See Drew has a very rare brain defect. He was born with C-ACC,  complete agenesis of the corpus callosum We didn't find out until he was 4 and it was found when he had a sever headache.  With this, it takes him longer to learn things.  Once he learns them though, he is good to go.  It just takes more time.  I just tell him, "God gave you a very special brain and you should be proud that God chose YOU, to have this".  So back to the bike riding.  I told him NEVER EVER doubt just what you are capable of.  I told him look, "had mommy not given up on battling her weight, she might not be here today, riding bikes.  I told him to always keep trying.  Say to yourself, " I CAN and WILL do this".  What do you know, 3 practice nights later and Drew is officially riding his bike, all by himself.!! But what was even more special during this time, Drew was SO happy and excited for sissy, even though she learned first.  He actually told her he was proud of her.  Another moment when as a mom I go, "I guess I really am doing alright with this parenting thing". :)

I also tell both my kids, to always always stand up for kids that are being bullied.  Be there for them, they will need someone on their side.  I also tell them to NEVER EVER call someone names.  I know they will, it is inevitable, BUT...that doesn't mean I won't stop telling them this.  Too much of this goes on because quite frankly it starts at home. 

As a mommy, I have a job...this job is to teach my children that they are individuals.  So just because Johnny did it, doesn't mean Drew and Liv should.  I always tell them, mommy and daddy will find out...lol  And believe me, they know.  As soon as I pick them up, first thing they tell me is how their day went.  We also have a policy that telling the truth will never get you in trouble, BUT...lying always will.

So on this mother's day weekend, I want to be with my babies.  I want to sit back and enjoy those 2 precious gifts that God gave me!! I don't need a spa treatment or time alone.  All I want is the loves of my life...Drew, Liv and Ray.  I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.  And if you are a mommy, Happy Mother's Day!

 

 

Finish the Sentence Time...

Unlike my sibling(s) (that I love very much)....  -I am NOT naturally thin and cannot eat whatever I want.  Lucky biotches!!

My best friend says... - "I dare you"  which leads to me flashing my butt to some stranger or driving through the Hardees drive-thru, in reverse...

People call me... - a dork or goof ball...see above answer as to why they do this.

I most often dream... - about being on a beach somewhere...it where I am most happy

The best part of my day... - when I am with my babies.  No matter how tired or cranky I am from a long day at work, they ALWAYS make everything better.  (even when they are being turds). :)

I really don't understand... why there is SO much hate from women to women.  I just don't get it.  I think we all need to channel our inner dude and let that shit go!

I get really annoyed... when people don't use proper grammar.  Like when they say pitcher when they mean picture.  Drives me NUTS!

There's nothing like a... a nice glass of Savignon Blanc.  Come on did you really think I would put something other than wine.

Lately, I can't get enough... Oatmeal/banana pancakes.  I have a SERIOUS addiction to them.

One thing I am NOT is... graceful.  I fall on average, about 5 times a week.  I spill stuff, drop stuff and run into every wall, I come across!

I spent too much money on... clothes for Liv.  The child wears a uniform 5 days a week and goes to school, year round.  BUT....has the wardrobe of a true diva!  Yes, this must stop...but it won't. She IS her mother's daughter.  

I want to learn.... to play the piano. I gave it up and I NEVER should have. Damn my mom was right, once again...

If I ever met _________, If I ever met Jillian Michael's, I would... thank her for kicking my ass on a regular basis and I would also have to tell her she needs to shut the heck up!  Woman talks WAY too much during my sweat sessions!

I can't stop... watching Reality TV.  It makes me SO thankful I am a boring girl from the Midwest!

Never have I ever... Had a wing or rib.  They freak me out! Just can't do it.  The whole eating meat off of an animal's bone, is just too much for me to handle.  My daughter on the other hand, licks them clean!

 

Reese Witherspoon... is human.  I won't lie, if I got pulled over, I would try anything I could to keep from going to jail.  One time my sister and I were getting kicked out of a bar (that's a long story) and she looked at the bouncer and said, "hey I am a cop, you can't throw me out".  Umm...she is not a cop.  BUT...I loved her a little more that night, for trying to be!

 

 

Sometimes you just have to indulge and NOT feel guilty!

Well I did just what the title says...these past few days!  I indulged!  Yep, I sure did and I don't feel bad about it.  Don't get me wrong, I am not all woo-hoo, pat myself on the back for my shitty eating.  BUT....I have yet to obsess over it.  I feel OK!  That wouldn't have been the case a year ago.  Last year, I would have obsessed and obsessed over every ounce of that bad food, entering my mouth.  I mean here is how Saturday night went, as far as my eating (BTW- we were over at some friends for this fat fest)!  I ate not one, not two, but THREE pieces of beer bread smeared with jalapeno cream cheese.  AND...not the light shit, the real deal!  And this was AFTER I ate an entire entrée of Thai basil chicken and 2 crab Rangoon.  I also snacked on some chips and salsa, cheese and crackers AND about four blueberry pineapple margaritas.  Can you say, OINK! On Sunday, I went right back to healthy eating and didn't feel one ounce of guilt.  Then came an evening out with my girls and Carrie Underwood!  Instead of asking Jesus to take the wheel, I drove!  Which means I once again, indulged!  I don't do this often, but due to scheduling, I did it twice in 3 days...lol  Last night at dinner, I had a veggie burger with American cheese and jalapenos.  I scraped out the innards of the bun, to cut down on unwanted calories and carbs.  Not sure why because I paired this burger with sweet potato fries!  Oh and I dipped them in ranch dressing.  Once again, not the light stuff, the real full fat version.  I also had 2 bud lights.  THEN....we went to the concert and I proceeded to have 2 more beers.  Hey....don't judge, when in Rome.... 

I woke up this morning and I feel great.  Once again, no guilt!  WHY???? Because I have my healthy lifestyle in check!  I was good for both breakfast and lunch on my pig out days.  I worked out as well.  I guess the biggest thing I noticed is this, I never once obsessed over what I was eating/drinking.  I wasn't sitting there thinking, "OMG I am going to gain 5 pounds because of this".  Because quite frankly, that wouldn't happen anyway!  It is NOT like I ate an extra 3500 calories x 5! I wish I would have had this mindset years ago!  Because had I thought like this, I would have been much thinner, I am sure of it.  Because when you allow yourself a day or two of "unhealthy" eating, you tend not to overindulge.  You aren't feeling deprived.  I make it a rule....I have at least one "eat what I want" day a week.  Usually this falls on a Friday.  It's a nice way to end the week!  If you are buddies with me on myfitnesspal, you will see that this is the day I don't log all my meals.  I don't need or want to know, all that I am consuming. I just don't care!!  This is also another reason I refuse to have a scale in our house.  I mean had I climbed on that thing this morning, I might have cried.  And heck, it would most likely have been from water retention.  I mean my sodium intake these past few days, has been a bit much...lol  I just don't need that negative thinking in my life anymore. 

Not to long ago I saw a pic on FB and on skinnymeg31's IG account.  It was a group of women, all different shapes and sizes, that weighed 150 pounds.  Ok so this is about what I weigh, I think.  I didn't look a thing like any of them, nor was I a size that any of them were.  I am a size 4/6 or 27-28.  None of these women were.  SO...it goes to show you, that # on the scale really doesn't mean jack shit! It is simply a #, that most likely fluctuates at least 5 times in one day.  And another thing I have stopped obsessing about or even considering, is BMI.  That is just a crock of shit.  I am 5'9 and weigh 150 pounds and it says my BMI is 22.1.  Ummm... that is only 3% away from being considered overweight.  WHATEVER!!  I am lean and fit, and that is all that matters to me!

We all need to remember one thing, when it comes to our weight and what works.  WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT!  What works for me, may not work for anyone else.  When people hear 150 pounds, I am sure most go, "dang that is a lot of weight".  But really it's not.  Or you might see someone that weighs 110 and go, "dang she needs to eat".  NOT TRUE!  This person could be super fit and healthy.  We all need to stop with the stereotypes.  Me being one of them.  I have gotten much better.  But there are times, that I will in fact compare myself to others.  Gotta stop!

Sorry this was kind of all over....lol  It must be from all that beer I consumed!  I cannot tell you that last time I had more than 2 beers in one day!  So having six in 5 hours, is a lot for me! Hope you are all having a fabulous day!  If you ever get a chance to see Carrie Underwood, do it!  I am not a country fan really, but she was amazing.  You leave her concert happy!  Oh and she gives $1 from every ticket sold, to the Red Cross.  So not only are you having a great time at her concert, you are helping out as well!

XO,
Lori