Sam's Journal

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I woke up this morning at 237.2lbs - pretty typical of me to fluctuate here and there so no worries. Today's eating was okay - I passed on the Chinese food that my in-laws bought for supper and avoided the Timbits they brought for breakfast. They honestly aren't junkfood nuts, promise! They know I'm working on losing weight so they didn't mind or get insulted that I didn't eat it - they're pretty awesome like that.

This evening, after an hour hike with 80lbs of babies + stroller, 7 minutes on the Stair Climber at the gym, and 37 minutes on the treadmill (That hill-climb setting is my new love to hate function).

I currently weight 236.6lbs.

I drank 64oz of water and still have time to get another 32 oz in before bed (yes, I drink water before bed - I have a bladder of steel).

Anyways, I am off to go chill for the rest of the night. Hubby is off to the gym now (seriously, Fit4Less is an AMAZING spot to go - it's 20$/month for me and I can hand my card off to my husband and he can go on my card - plus tanning and a massage bed - yes, yes, yes!).

Take care everyone and hope everyone's weekend is going swell.
 
Woke up this morning and trying to find a way to get to the gym today - I just want to go workout...And unless I feel like I 'need' a rest day (sore muscles/tired feeling), I want to go to the gym.

I think I'm broken.
 
The top ten reasons I love the gym (ps: I love top ten lists).

1) No one expects me to dump their urine from a bucket into the toilet and watch them flush while praising their genius. They also don't expect me to clean up their poop.

2) No one throws up or spits up on me. If I go there clean, I leave there sweaty, not goopy.

3) There are showers and I don't get interrupted.

4) The person at the front desk can speak my language and doesn't scream at me.

5) I can watch TV in peace - without feeling like I should be doing 'something'.

6) It's impossible to use the Stair Climber and knit/work on a kids project for the next day or fold laundry.

7) There are magazines that aren't about parenting.

8) It's clean there - and I didn't clean it.

9) When I go there, I know I won't step in a puddle of urine.

10) When/if someone starts crying, there's someone there to deal with that and it's not me.
 
Hi Sam,
I dont have kids yets and that list makes me question whether I want them haha!
It sounds like the gym has become your peaceful place, something just for you but there's nothing wrong with a rest day but maybe on rest days you could just go to have an uninterrupted shower!
 
Oh guys :D Having my kids is amazing!!! But I've been 'just mommy' for the last 2 years - I NEED that alone time. The 'crappy' (both figuratively and literally) parts of the job never are as overwhelming when your little one runs over and throws his arms around you - or when he walks over and gives you the messiest peanut butter kiss...or the first time the oldest walks over to the youngest and gives him a kiss.

That being said, parents need to remember that being a parent cannot be your only role - we're still people. We still need adult interactions, hobbies and that 'me' time. It needs to be something that relaxes you - not just an obligation outside of the house!

There is nothing more blood-boiling than people who tell me "oh I don't know how you can leave your kids alone like that". Yeah...because I just throw them in the crib/strap them to the bed and leave, right? C'mon - they are with their FATHER who is a perfectly capable, responsible and AWESOME parent. Some days, he has more patience than I do. Even taking hubby out of the equation, I leave my kids because I am a better parent when I get my time alone. I have more patience, energy and am so much more mentally focused because of that hour away...and they're generally asleep!

Apparently, kids need to be watched by their mother even when they're sound asleep for the night and their father is home...

Anyways, back to weight loss. I am taking a rest day today - I noticed at the gym, I was a bit sluggish and I do feel a bit sore/tired today so it's not going to hurt. I have a parenting class tonight so I wouldn't get to the gym until after 8pm anyways - I'm actually looking forward to an evening off. I stepped on the scale today and I'm down again! I think part of the reason I'm losing weight so fast is partly because of the gym and partly because it's baby weight that my body is ready to shed. My hormones are starting to regulate (FINALLY) after baby2 was born in March - the acne is going away and the hair shedding has ended and it's even growing back! I also feel less foggy lately which is lovely.

Starting Weight: 251
Current Weight: 235.6
Weight Lost: 15.4lbs
Weight Left Until Goal 1: 2.35lbs left
Weight Left Until Final Goal: 55.6lbs left
 
People are way too ready to judge. It's best you ignore them. I think it's great that you are able to have some time to get away & have some "me" time. Well done Sam on 15.4lbs lost already! Awesome :D
 
Thanks @cate , You're right - ignoring them is certainly the best (or first, yell on a diary about them and then ignore).

This morning I was up a couple of pounds - 237.4lbs. I expected that as I had a tad of a cheat day yesterday - not over 1300 calories but I made pizza bread and had a couple slices which was super salty but delicious. I also had a pumpkin cookie and a slice of cheese (all within moderation).

I was actually really proud of myself - my 'cheat day' was delicious but it wasn't 'eat everything in sight' or 'cram everything in my stomach until I'm feeling sick'. I didn't go to the gym because I recognized I need a rest day - and it felt good. I got to my parenting group, enjoyed it, went home and was in bed by 10:30pm (to finish up "The Hobbit").

I'm heading to the gym tonight which I'm excited for. I am a better mother and especially a better wife when I have that time to myself!

Finally, I ORDERED MY CHRISTMAS TREE TODAY!!! We don't begin to put up decorations until after November 11th (a personal choice and no judgement to those who start before) but I am so excited to have a real tree this year! I'm just more excited to have my family at home for the first time and with Christmas being on a Sunday, we get to attend Christmas Service at church which is just such a joy!

Cheers all!
 
SamanthaMacG said:
The top ten reasons I love the gym (ps: I love top ten lists).

1) No one expects me to dump their urine from a bucket into the toilet and watch them flush while praising their genius. They also don't expect me to clean up their poop.
Click to expand...

tumblr_nwj6y4Diwi1rf6ailo1_500.gif
 
Top 10 List Time!!! Have you ever had that day when you're feeling like a bottomless pit? You eat and eat but can't get full? I haven't eaten a lot today but I cannot see to feel full - or even sated. So, here's my top ten tips to avoid unnecessary snacking, munching or picking away at food.

1) Get your butt on Weight-Loss-Fitness - Seriously, get on here and write. Take 5-15 minutes and just write out why you are in a munchy-mood, why you're snacking or why you're just feeling like you 'need' to eat (unless you're actually hungry, in which case, please go eat food).

2) Drink tea/water - I absolutely love cranberry apple tea and mint teas. They're warm and comforting and feel like you're eating something without any calories. I also love cocoa teas (peppermint chocolate is delicious) so explore what you like. Even pouring boiling water over a cinnamon stick is amazing! Most of my tea is caffeine free so I can drink it anytime.

3) Work out - If you think you're hungry because you're bored, go work out. Fitness Blender has some great 5-15 minute videos that can be just enough to re-motivate you.

4) Clean something - You can't eat and clean, right? Right?...nevermind, you can but it's not that healthy. Try to clean something small (make your bed, clean off the table or do some dishes). The smell of cleaning products and the distraction from eating can be that distraction to get over the boredom and wanting to eat something you don't need.

5) Youtube -Look, I love Buzzfeed! It can be the ultimate distraction and (with my tea) helps me ignore that I want to eat something that I don't really need (Like the pumpkin-ginger cookies in my fridge for Bible Study tomorrow).

6) Remember, Remember, Remember - I think one of the biggest things is to focus on why you don't want to snack right now. Do you need a snack? Yes? Eat it. If you are just eating for the sake of eating, remember the reasons why you're trying to lose weight/get healthier and decide if you still want food.

7) Female Times - Sorry guys but it's got to be said...that time of the month is horrible for me wanting to snack. I try to remember that I am burning more calories on those days and I don't need to snack because, woot, it's great for my diet plan. I keep the crap out of the house so if I truly want a snack, I've got to bundle up and go to the store...so usually I just go to bed.

8) Have a snack ready - If you genuinely want a snack, grab an apple, cucumber slices or something fresh and healthy - if you don't want that, you're not truly hungry.

9) Go for a walk - You can't really munch when you've left your cash and cards at home and are bundled up for a walk.

10) Be prepared - The munchies come at the strangest times and they can be HORRIBLE! That empty-pit feeling is even worse because it doesn't go away. I always remember that if I'm really hungry, I will eat an apple or a boiled egg - something that actually works towards my goal. I also try to remember that, unfortunately, the junk food has a lot of added 'crap' in them and a ton of sugar and sodium which doesn't just affect me right now, it also makes me crave that garbage for days later. I don't meal prep but I do think it can be really useful to help aid weight loss and the dreaded munchies. If you need to keep your goal on the cupboards and fridge, that can help too - I personally use Pintrest.

So here I am, on WLF, drinking tea and watching Youtube :) Yeah, I'm having a munchie day and it's not defeating me.

I deserve better than that!
 
I think having a diary is one of the best ways to help you stay on track for so many reasons. The main one I think is that you are analysing what you do & why. It's great therapy! You're doing well Sam & you will succeed :)
 
My goodness, what a day. After hubby got home, I got supper on the table for the boys and him, kids bathed and the oldest minion to bed - then hit the gym for 70 minutes of cardio. Ouch.

12 min on the stair climber
18 min on the elliptical at 6-8 speed
38 min on the treadmill doing hills.

OUCH!

Now, back to the elections! (Proud to be Canadian tonight, folks)
 
great effort on the cardio, don't forget the strength training part of exercise :)
 
Thanks Trusylver! I always say my 'strength' training comes throughout the day - with 2 kids under 2, I'm repeatedly lifting 26-27lbs of baby in each arm...why can't they just sit still and let me curl them? Add a stroller to the mix and it's 80lbs of pushing on paths :) It may not be perfect but I definitely need the gym time to run out my frustrations and stress and the typical day around the house is a workout of epic proportions!

Today I'm down to 236.2lbs which is fine by me. I made sure to drink a lot of water after last night's workout and I realized I had been feeling a bit dehydrated lately so I'm upping the water by as much as I can handle.

I had a really exciting moment this morning - a woman at bible study asked me if I've been losing weight and she's now hoping to get to the gym with me tonight. I was really proud that I was able to say "I go to the gym" and it's my 4th week in? Maybe third...I'm not sure. It's just what I do now and I'm sticking with it (especially since we paid for the entire year lol).

I don't know about anyone else but I also get SUPER excited when I see a grocery store flyer and it has real food on sale - not cans, not junk, not frozen, breaded whatever-sticks but grapes, bananas, apples, carrots, onion, garlic, celery (okay, not celery - I don't like celery), kale, etc etc. I get so excited to go grocery shopping because it's food we will actually eat!

My goal with food is to eat as naturally as possible. I am mostly vegetarian but if I wanted meat, I wouldn't deny myself. I love foods that have simple ingredients especially for my kids. I want them to understand where their food comes from. My two-year old has already helped with our parents hobby-farm and helps collect eggs, play with the chicks (gently) and has been around during 'chicken-killing time'. It's part of life down home and it's something they will understand. If they choose to not eat meat because of it, that's okay. If they choose to eat only ethically produced meat, I'm okay with that too. I'm sure my sister would LOVE to take them hunting when they're older...if they're interested.

Anyways...back on point, I'm feeling awesome today - I plan to take the kids to the park to enjoy this wonderful autumn day and go for a walk. The oldest (from here on referred to as Minion 1) loves to walk beside the stroller where Minion 2 has just started crawling. It's so exciting to know next year they'll both be walking and going for small hikes with mommy and daddy.

Apart from that, there's not a lot more to say. I'm sure I could start a rant about the elections but...not going there. I hope Trump leads with a wisdom not yet seen by him. That is all.

Peace out, folks!

I'm off to do the dishes :)
 
Today is 'that' sort of day. I want to sob my eyes out and I'm just so stressed out that I'm 'hungry'. I've been avoiding the kitchen completely except to make my kids something for a snack/lunch because of this. I know if I eat something I'm craving, it'll be more and more and more.

We've made crafts (a guitar pick wreath Christmas tree wreath for my husband, 2 baby food jar ornaments - a reindeer and a snowman), I've been cleaning and now I'm just ready to dye my hair and clean. I'm following my own advice earlier on what to do to avoid binge-eating.

I am definitely going to the gym later today.

I think there's a few reasons I'm feeling so off today. Daylight Savings Time is messing up my kids schedule - they are waking up earlier, having a hard time napping when they are supposed to and falling asleep at supper time. We're trying - it's just going to take some time.

Today was payday which means bills. We are paying off my husband's student loans and we're down to one last payment but my goodness, we've had a 300$ food budget each month for 4 kids (which is HARD) which includes eating at a restaurant so...we haven't. I pay the bills so it's always stressful to make sure everything is paid (and it always gets paid), and what we 'need' vs what we 'want'.

I also 'broke up' with a friend today. Doesn't that sound weird? It's a person who has been in my life for years but since his separation from his wife, he's definitely not the same person - or maybe he is and I've done the growing up. I don't really know to be honest. It's like watching a train-wreck in slow motion - you want to say grow up, smarten up, you've got kids, be an example etc etc etc..and I've been kind about it but I finally just had enough. My husband and I have a no drama rule - we don't invite it into our lives. We will try our hardest to help anyone who wants help through problems but if you're inviting it into your life and doing the same things over and over again, I really don't have time to sort out your problems while attempting to run daily life here. I'm sure this sounds horrible but it is so easy to be swept up in people who are just drama-queens - so we use our judgment and our judgment was this person wants to complain and talk, but doesn't want to change to be able to stop complaining.

Finally, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with my weight loss. I woke up at 236.2lbs and I so badly want to be down to my Goal 1 this week (235.25). I know, right? I'm grumpy that I've only lost about 15lbs...I need to smarten up here. We have a 'don't be mean' rule in our house - you can be sad, angry, upset, frustrated but we expect everyone (right down to our 2 year old) to be respectful, polite, and caring. You cannot truly express that you love someone if you are being cruel when you're upset so why am I mean to myself? Why do I say this stuff to myself and get angry with myself for not being 'good enough' when I'm doing awesome? I think I need to work on loving myself more.

Anyways, this is my day - raw, uncensored, tired and exhausted. Hopefully, it gets easier today.
 
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