Small victory

I made cookies today for our fruit pizzas at school. And ended up with half a scoop of dough leftover. Not enough for a cookie. Too much to eat. 

Okay, who's kidding...love eating raw dough and there's never too much to eat. 

So, I scooped it up. And thought. Was this really going to help my body? Help the baby inside me? Help me after I give birth? 

No. I threw it out and scraped the bowl. Now there was just a little. And had to go through the thought process again. I threw it out again. 

Small victory. But a victory nonetheless!!!

You don't know me...

Yesterday's doctor visit was not so fun.  I had made a conscious decision to NOT look at the scale anymore.  I'm at the point where gaining a pound a week is normal.  I have 15 weeks to go...adding another 15 pounds will put me at about 35 pounds gained during this pregnancy.

I didn't look at the number and it was killing me.  I had asked my husband to not look either and he did glance at it.

During our visit with the doctor, the good news that came out was the baby boy is most likely not going to be a ten pounder!  Yay for me!  However, he's inside and not out yet.

I was bringing up some foot pain I am having, which I am assuming it's because of my extra weight right now on my body.  I then lost it.  The doctor (who I had seen for the first time) said if I am really having a hard time with the weight gain, that he can set me up with a diabetic counselor to create a diabetic diet.  And then I really lost it.

This doctor doesn't know me.  He doesn't know the 60 pounds I had lost through Weight Watchers.  He doesn't know that I'm a Weight Watcher leader.  He doesn't know the food I eat or the choices I make (granted, not all of them have been healthy and yes, I have overate).  He told me to eat fruit, vegetables, protein, and watch the carbs.  Don't do the pasta every night...maybe just once a week.

Well, doctor, I'll have you know that the pasta I do eat is whole grain.  I eat whole grains most of the time and have a weakness for cereal.

Nate was wonderful afterwards and wanted me to know how much weight I had gained in the five weeks since my last appointment.  Two pounds...which is less than the pound a week gain that's normal right now.

I am more determined now to continue to put healthy foods into my body when I am hungry and to fill my purse with amazing snacks so I always have a good choice.  And to remind myself that I do know what to do...I just have to continue with the willpower to do the right thing.

Bump Update

I know this will sound bad, but hear me out.  I was overweight most of my life due to poor eating habits and not knowing the value of exercise.  I lost weight through Weight Watchers and now, as I watch the scale inching upwards again, it's hard.  It's hard to wrap my brain around the reason why I am gaining weight and it's a good thing, I know.  But it's hard.  It's become a prayer to embrace my new body and to know that after the baby comes, there will be work to move back towards what is healthy for me.

So, my bump update.

Well, at the beginning of the day, it's quite small and by the time the day has progressed, so has my belly.  I'm taking these bump updates from Courtney at Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life.

Right now, I am at 17 weeks and the baby is the size of a turnip. Next will be a sweet potato.

Weight gained: At least 15 pounds, but am reigning it in.  I was up last week and down this past Saturday.  It's about listening to my body and filling it with healthy foods when I am hungry.  I also made my couch a no-eating zone, which is A HUGE victory for me!

Workouts: The first trimester was awful!  I was so tired and couldn't get off the couch.  I was at the gym Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  I did low-impact Zumba in my basement Friday.  So happy with moving again!

Symptoms: The indigestion is still happening, but not as much.  That's about it now!  There was no throwing up in first trimester!

Food Aversions:  Not really...brussels sprouts though.  And I love brussels sprouts.

Food Cravings: Carbs!!!  I'm trying to drink tons of water, so I bought some water enhancers to make it go down faster!

Sleep: I wake up at least once to go to the bathroom...I've heard it gets worse.

Maternity clothes?:  Completely!  I've bought a few maternity leggings for my tunics and a few friends have loaned me their maternity clothes.  So thankful!

Stretch marks? Maybe...but I had them from before, so who cares if there are more?

Miss Anything?  All of my venti, full-fledged filled caffeinated coffees. Having to heat up lunch meat instead of just eating it.  Tasting cookie dough (even though I barely did that before).

Fun & Weird Stuff From the Week: Maybe I've felt the baby move, but it might be gas too, so not sure.  

Baby Items Purchased: None. Not until I know if it's a boy or girl.

Looking Forward To: We have a reveal party coming March 12...and then there's a child's clothing consignment market (it's huge) the following Saturday. Feeling the baby move and knowing it's the baby.

Questions for the Moms:

• What supplies are a must?
• How many outfits should be bought for each size?  My husband and I disagree on this one?
• Cloth or disposable diapers?

Feelings

I took this photo as a just in case...to celebrate the beginning of life in case something didn't go as I had planned.

Thoughts that were running through my head at this point...

• Oh my goodness, it has to come out...
• Will I miscarry?
• How will I handle the gaining of weight?
• What will it be?
• Will I throw up? (thankfully never have)
• Will the baby be okay?
• What kind of mother will I be?
• Can I handle this?

I'm back...

I'm back.  It's been way too long and I've had a lot of posts in my head that want to be written, but I've just not done it.  I've spent a bit of time on the couch sleeping or just trying to not throw up.

For those who don't know...

More updates to come, but I might be off for a quick snooze...actually, the tiredness is much better now.

Thrilling Thursday

Things that made me smile this week...

• a weight loss
• seeing my arms in the mirror
• watching my husband work (he has such a quiet spirit)
• knowing I surprised my dad today!!!
• Fall Break
• having students share that they are disappointed in what they can do now and want to do more
• having students listen to what I say and then share when other connections are made

What about you?

Tell it Tuesday

A loss of .6!  I wasn't sure if there would be any.  I didn't track as closely and was on shark week.  

I plan on listening to my body as much as I can this week and will check in later.  

Me Monday

Yikes...I listened to a podcast from Andy Stanley about What Makes You Happy...and the answer is no thing...

People and relationships bring happiness through peace.  Peace through our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves.  This sermon was about how giving gives meaning and creates happiness.  That being selfish makes you unhappy.

So...do I continue to share what I'm doing for me?  Yes, only because I am doing for others as well.  And while I could share that, I'll keep that private.  Sometimes serving people without them knowing it is better.

Monday - watched Project Runway and time in gym and packing!  :)
Tuesday - workout class and dinner with my mom for her b-day.
Wednesday - got some other plans
Thursday - walk
Friday - walk
Saturday - walk
Sunday - walk

More to come!  :)

Tell it Tuesday

Down .8 - I'll take it!!!  I know I didn't track everything and indulged on half of a container of Buggy Bites from Ben's Pretzels.  Yummy!!!

I've got a chicken quinoa soup already made and several veggies already roasted and some chicken and fish cooked.  Set for a great week...plus we bought a banana box of Honeycrisp apples.  I'm set for a while!

Me Monday

I have planned my workouts and am pushing myself to finish a book by Friday night.

M - 2 mile run - woo hoo!
T - workout class
W - run? or elliptical
R - rest
F - gym with Nate?
S/S - get 10,000 steps both days

I want to finish Beth Moore's book on insecurity by Friday.  I just got Lysa's book, The Best Yes and am looking forward to beginning it.

Take care of yourself this week!

Tell it Tuesday

Down 1.4!!!

Yay!  I'm trying this week, to not leave as many points for the evening, but to plan some yogurt and pb2 for the evening and that be it.  

Motivated to keep working hard.  

Me Monday

This week, my goal is to finish my green neck warmer, paint my nails, file papers at school, and work out.

Monday - walked three miles
Tuesday - workout class and subbing Zumba...oh my!
Wednesday - run?
Thursday - off
Friday - off - nephews staying with us
Saturday/Sunday - cardio...somehow with some weights too

Tell it Tuesday

I weighed in after having some issues following Simply Filling in Weight Watchers.  I had a hard time not adding in my extra points and not stopping when satisfied.  I panicked and ended up going back to tracking.

My weight tonight was down .2 from two weeks ago, which is better than a gain.  I am over my goal weight (by 1.6)  and within my range, but would like to lose about five pounds...I'd feel better in my pants (considering I lose there) and feel better about not being so close to the upper range.

Me Monday

My plan to take care of myself this week is to track my snacks.  I tend to not and it bites me in the butt on weigh-in days.  

I just joined a gym here (about a mile from my house).  It's got what I need.  Treadmills, ellipticals, weights, a rowing machine, and a locker room with showers (just in case I can't get back to the house).

Monday - rode my bike to weigh in and planning on walking for at least 20 minutes.

Tuesday - my class I teach

Wednesday - workout - with Nate hopefully - cardio at the gym.

Thursday - PT conferences - night off

Friday - run after school

Saturday - cardio and weights at gym

I Choose Me...

Tonight, I am choosing me.  I am choosing to be good to myself.  I am choosing to set up a schedule for the week.

I also hate that I am not blogging as much.

It might help if I focus on certain things through the week.

So, just thinking through...

Monday - Me Monday - my schedule of how I will take care of myself each week.

Tuesday - Tell you Tuesday - how my weigh-in on Monday went.

Wednesday - What I Ate - meals from the week or a day.

Thursday - Thrilling Thursday - things that made me smile this week.

Friday - Five for Friday - five things...might be random, not sure yet.

Saturday/Sunday - not sure yet...any ideas?

Thanks for putting up with me...and letting me continue my journey here.

Here it comes

Well, September is going to bring some challenges.

First, I am going to use the Simply Filling technique in Weight Watchers.  It helps me eliminate more of my processed snacks (which I can still eat, but I count).  I also have to listen to my body.  That's often the hardest.

Two, I joined a StepTember challenge at a nearby church that Nate and I tried out on Sunday.  I'm not giving up on my home church, but I don't love the 40 minute drive and it would be nice to get connected with people in this area as well.

The challenge from the church is Bible readings from Colossians, drinking water (not sure how much yet), and walking (or running) a daily mile.

Ready to embrace the challenges!

Changing it Around

I set up the kitchen ahead of time, but as you use places, you discover things.

Such as, I love my lazy susan cabinet, but what do you do with the never-ending top cabinet?  My Tupperware and plastic containers ended up wanting their own zip code.  I stacked them...or so I thought.  And then, they kept disappearing to the back.  Frustrated with being frustrated, I made a change!

I ended up buying a few turntables and moved a lot of my baking items and ingredients there and the Pyrex, Tupperware, and small containers into the lazy susan.  Love it!!!

Gaining...both on the scale and mentally

So I gained at my weigh in.  Not a big amount.  1.5 pounds.  I'm still at goal.

But I also gained some knowledge.  I eat my feelings.  Duh...

I know I gained because of poor tracking...Um, I think I didn't eat 49 extra points during the week or did I?

I know I gained because I ate when I wasn't hungry.

I know I gained.  But I also gained some power.

After the meeting, I came home and measured my meal and tracked it.  Every lovely bite of the sweet corn that I had bought at a farmer's market down to the gram.  I also had to wait another 3 hours before my hubby would be home.  Three hours to fill.  And I wanted to fill it with food.

I made myself go through why I wanted the food.  The answer was shocking and powerful.  Because I wanted to avoid doing work.  I didn't want to finish the laundry and make the bed and put away the clean clothes in the basket.  I didn't want to wipe off the counters and fill the dishwasher.

I let myself eat my nightly snack of yogurt, pb2, fruit, and cereal.  But tonight, I also made myself eat with a teaspoon.  It slowed me down and made me think.

After sharing with a friend about wanting to avoid doing work and wanting to eat, I hopped to it.  Played some music and got the sheets onto the bed.  Put the new load into the dryer...and now I'm trying to decide if I should do some school work or read...hmmm, avoidance issues???

So thankful...

It's gone.  My old house.  And I'm finally okay with it.

We visited my family (now three hours away - an extra half hour got added to our drive) and when we drove home last night, it felt like it.

I was so incredibly blessed to have so much help move into my new house and a dear friend who left behind one package.  Such a sweet and thoughtful gift of snacks and cleaning supplies...just thought my blogging world should know that I'm finally home and loving it!

Landscaping

I am not an amazing landscaper...but I am committed to learning and growing and creating a beautiful place where others and myself can relax and enjoy the beauty of God's creation.

Here are some before and after photos of what we've done so far...

Front

Front now...still not done.  The evergreen on the far left is now gone.

Before (back)

Before

In progress...just pulling weeds and mulberry trees.  I hate mulberry trees!

Current...in progress.  We (many different family and friends and myself) trimmed the plants, pulled some, and pulled out some extra coneflowers on the right.

Pulled out some of the sweet pea that was overtaking the left side...broke my heart.  

Before...lots of weeds and trimming needed.

After

No before picture, but trimmed up the boxwoods and evergreen trees.

Before, long view showing what's overgrown.

After...

The evergreen has a tree shape again!

Panoramic shot...starting to look better!