OKAY FEELING BETTER!!!

Yesterday I had major stomach pains, bloating and cramps. I have been bloated for nearly 2 weeks. Bloating makes it hard to eat a lot. That is the good thing, the bad thing is it was very uncomfortable. And nothing changed on the scale.
So even as of yesterday I was stalled on my weight, I am happy to report, Upon stepping on the scale I had lost 3 more pounds.....no bloating today!

I am so happy about that. Only 7 pounds away from my goal!
I have a choice here, do I step up my loss by loosing faster so that I can be down to my goal by January 1st OR do I just keep one pound a week and say that the Middle of January will suffice?
I think a pound a week is great!

Honestly, you'd think with the Holidays coming I would be tempted to splurge on my Calories.
I'd love to believe me!
The food (treats) look so good and smell so good but they are not enjoyable anymore.
I can have one bite or maybe two (or a small piece) then I shutter and am done.
I haven't forgotten what it all tastes like, even my favorites do not tempt me like they should.

What I am happy about, is this, come January 1st I will not have to put into my head or on paper a New Year's Resolution. LOOSE 22 pounds. I get to actually do something I want.

I will say this, today I am going to eat and eat! Because I can, then I will be sure to work out tomorrow, and go back to my plan tomorrow. I think I can afford one day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I am stuck!!

Haven't lost anything for a while. I have been very distracted by other events, some of which I will get you updated on....haven't gained though. I'll take that.
Now, back to focus on my goal. 

Celebration anyone?

I will be posting the events of the last couple of weeks. But as of today for a matter of time I am going to report.
I have lost 12 pounds. This week was a rollercoaster though, I think I have been a bit bloated, I had thought that I was not loosing anymore then were I was, not that I am complaining reallly because 10 pounds still felt like a success. My goal was 22 though. so I am only 10 pounds away.

I stepped the scale today after seeing no change and saw 2 pounds go like that. I must have been retaining water or something. I feel a lot better any way today. I have felt a little sick and tired. I know this is too much information. But I want to report my progress. Accountability has made me want to report my success. Gives me Motivation. That is the key for me! Thanks for tracking with me. I have lost not only the pounds but I have lost 6 inches in my hips and 5 inches in my waist!! I only have one pair of pants that fit, and they are getting too loose. Time to see if I have some put away. I doubt it though, This is the smallest I have been since having kids. We won't talk about before that! I will be posting updates on my family in a bit. This post is just faster!!! So it is easy to keep up on!!

Good luck ladies!!

Wahoo!!! I hit 10 pounds!

Sometimes we start out with a goal and wonder if we can actually or will actually do it!! Well, I am happy to say that I am doing it. I never had a lot to loose but I am closer to my  goal then I thought I would be, I haven't given up.
Having a treadmill at home is the best thing for me. I can run early in the morning and then I have the whole day to do all of the things that need to be done. My energy level is higher throughout the day.
I measured inches today. I have lost in total since I started this (On August 9th) 1 inch in my chest, 4 inches in my hips and 3.5 inches in my waist!! Let's just say I am feeling good about this!!! So excited!!!

Keep on movin', I know I will!

Yes, I am still at it...

I know it has been a little over a week and my progress has been a little slow this last week.
I still lost some weight though. One pound in 10 days.  I had a bit of a cold, and slept very little this last week.
Between kids, sickness and doctors appointments, I really made it to the gym very little.
I did however, find a treadmill (for $30)!!!! Wahoo!! My gym membership contract ends this month, and I just felt overwhelmed going as often as I want to run, It took my whole morning! I need the body pump classes once a week though, so that  I will miss. I do have some passes for just the classes, I think I will be using those on Saturdays though while Brian stays home with the kids.
So this week I have run on my treadmill, and have loved it. I just bought an awesome music track to run with for my Ipod!
http://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Running-Tracks-Songs/dp/B004PAF6M8

Thanks for all of you who are watching and working toward this goal with me...
Keep it up!!

Weight loss comes with some pain!

Just weighed myself today. Another pound off!
You know, this all started with an answer to my prayers. I wanted to know what I could do to feel better about myself and my body. This was the answer! As I started I didn't think I could do it.
But here I am 14 pounds to go! That seems like so many still after loosing 8 I am not even half way.
But I haven't felt hungry or deprived. So one pound a week seems good for me.
I am not complaining about loosing 8 pounds, I just wish results were faster. This is one time that I would love for time to go faster. 14 pounds is 14 weeks. JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS TREATS, that seems like a good time to put it all back on....in this case, NO WAY! I won't do it. I have been working too hard to let it go.

My caption above says weight loss comes with pain.
They say that weight lifting is the most effective thing you can do to burn calories, because you keep burning after you are done. Your body is repairing muscles.
 I'd say my body has been repairing muscles now for 3 days. I AM SORE, OUCH!!! I went to body pump Saturday morning and have been hobbling down the steps since.
But I know it is good for me on so many levels.
I will be sad to give up my Gold's Gym Membership, especially now. We need to cut some costs and this is the thing that can go. As of Oct. 24th I will need to run here at home, (when I find a treadmill), and find a weight lifting class to take once a week. That is all I need.

I need to keep this up though. I am on a wheat roll! (don't eat white bread if I have a choice).

By the way, I included below a nasty picture. This is what one pound of fat looks like.



Good luck to you and thanks for your support!!

Take a moment and laugh it up!

Still working on it.

After my last post I thought I would update you with an OFFICIAL number.
I was 135 at my Dr. Appt.
So I didn't gain, Yet by Thursday of this week I have not lost any thing, looks like I need to work a bit harder or play catch up!

It did, however, make me feel good as I stepped on the scale and before seeing the numbers, the nurse said "okay, lets weight you, skinny little thing". That made me feel great. I asked the doctor if I was at a healthy weight.
He said, I was at a healthy weight for an American women. Not sure what that means.
 I am now in the normal weight zone, and have left the OVERWEIGHT category. Time to change my life insurance, I can save money there. YEAH!

The last couple of weeks have been a bit stressful, but I feel myself coming out of it. I haven't been going to the Gym like I needed too. I am pretty impressed though that I haven't binged on sweets, what has usually been my down fall.
I just don't crave sugar anymore.

As long as the scale keeps climbing down I am satisfied.

Do scales Lie?

On Saturday I was at 135, Then Sunday I was at 138. I am taking 135 and running with it though.
I ate quite a bit of the NO NO foods after looking at the scale thinking I deserved to indulge a bit.
I had two too many slices of Pizza It was soooo good. But the next day, I was bloated and felt quite awful.
I haven't had that much white carbs for a very long time. Though it was a momentary pleasure I was slammed with a headache the following day. I am thinking the scale went up because I indulged and I was a bit "Bloated".
Yeah, I may be sharing too much but I am accountable for something.

Today is a day of cleansing, Veggies and Fruits, water and Herbal teas.
I started today with ONE egg and some wheat toast. I think we are on a getting this week off on a good start.
I will be eating a lot of tomatoes fresh from the garden (thanks to my Mother in Law). Am actually excited to get back on my disciplined diet of healthy foods, though indulgence was nice, it was momentary. It left me feeling sick. I think my indulgence in Dark chocolate and almonds is Just right.

The Good news this week is though,is that I have lost inches. I haven't taken measurements since I started this and I am happy to report I have lost 2.5 inches around my hips, 1.5 inches around my waist.
My perfectly fitting pants are loose and just don't fit right anymore. This is good and bad, as they were my favorite pair of khakis. Really, not sure if I should complain about this.
Madi's baptism will be in one month, it would be nice to even out my weight loss to 15 pounds by the time that comes around, good news is that is only another 7 pounds of weight loss in 4 more weeks, if I work a little harder and don't indulge for the next month it is possible. However, I'd be happy to make it 12 pounds which is my goal after all, an extra 3 would be nice to report.

I will keep working on this goal, now I just need to figure out how to get better sleep!

 I know this is my family blog, and I do have some pics to put up on here, I will soon.
I just wanted to update those of you who have been following this journey of my life.
I always write about my family and my kids. This is why I am doing this! SO that I can be there for them.
Thanks for your cheers and support!

YUP! It can be done!

I am down 6 pounds, should be 7 but I won't complain.

I think with a bit more effort this week I can make up that goal. Here's to hoping.

I'm gonna keep on, keep on movin'

One pound lighter.
I really fell of the ban wagon a bit this week, on nutrition and the gym.
I didn't track any calories.
But Oddly I still lost some weight.
The biggest thing I think is the sweets and drinks.
Although, we went out to eat. I did not order soda.
And while at home, I didn't have any treats.
The only thing I am allowed to have is Semi Sweet Chocolate chips.
That satisfies me enough. Only one serving and I am good.

So with those little changes I still managed to meet my goal.

More success!

Another Pound yes, my goal was one a week and I have last 3 pounds total. It has been 3 weeks.
So yes, it could go faster still here's to hoping.

I wish it was more, the gym was only visited once last week due to a cold that my son had.

19 pounds to go to get to my goal weight!
When I meet that goal that will be by Christmas, Meaning I will need new clothes for Christmas!

So I have decided to do it... Loose weight, and get fit.
I have upped the ante, if you will. I Signed up with www.livestrong.com and am currently  studying the AMEN Solution to healthier and happier you.....
Tracking Calories has been quite freeing. I was surprised about that.
My Goal is one pound a week. That would put me at my goal weight by Jan.
So I won't have to make a goal of loosing weight.
I will then start training for the Dirty Dash!
My starting weight is 142 as of August 11th, 2011
I weighed my self today and not even a week later I have lost 2 pounds!!! Wahoo!!
I hope you don't mind but I am going to be quite honest here about my progress it gives me another thing to be accountable for.

So I am going to ad some pics...
These are really, really bad pictures, I had just come from working out. Need I really say more.

Also, I am not sucking in....I know it is a bit Gross.
But It will really help me track my progress.
So wish me luck on my journey!

YES, I AM BEHIND A BIT...Okay alot!

So....I am behind, deal with it! I got it done, right?

Here is our family photos for the spring, this was a nice day *Sarcasm* We were all dressed and ready to get our photos done at my Mother In Laws house, I had spent the last hour and a half getting us all to look as good as we could, as you can see here we look great. I had also packed to stay over night, and that is also a huge undertaking even for just one night for 5 People. So the van was packed and we were all piled in. GREAT, LET'S GO!! So, Brian went to lock the door and it wouldn't lock! REALLY?

Yeah, it wouldn't lock. The lock was actually broken. So we actually had to get a new one.

So these photos were done at our house that night.

I refused to do them again, after all I had done to get ready.

All in all I think they turned out okay! We need a better camera, oh well!

Here is My Madeline Lori Palmer....she loves to pose.
She is 7 here and missing some teeth, plus growing a few more.
She is loving her school and is doing very well.
She has a lot of friends. Here best friends are Claire and Jenna.
She looks forward to having play dates with them.
She loves books, her biggest accomplishment is the book that she has read....31 chapters, Called Wildgirl, a book about horses her most current passion.
She loves to sing and dance.
What a delight to us all




Cute here too!





This is my Eleanor Joyce Palmer.
She is almost 5 here.
She is so excited to be going to Kindergarten soon. This maybe a long summer while we wait.
She is attending preschool at NUAP (Northern Utah Autism Program) where she serves as a role model student for kids who are learning how to socialize and behave as other children should.
She is such a wonderful example and has so much patience. She has really grown to be a leader there. She makes the teachers there laugh and smile all the time. AS YOU CAN SEE!

Here is my Owen Gabriel Palmer, he is my busy busy busy 2, soon to be 3 year old boy. If I am loosing weight it is the "chasing Owen exercise plan"....you should try it, Really you should, I could use the break.  He keeps me on my toes.

He climbs on everything. I have found him in my washer now several times. Thank goodness there is an agitator. He has been learning to talk and sing  better each day.

I'd love to say that he is potty trained or at least training. We aren't there, not yet. But he is certainly a funny little kid. Everywhere he goes he wins the hearts of the Ladies. He walks to the back of the chapel each Sunday to shake there hands and these 50 year old widows and single women just giggle.

He is wearing glasses and does pretty well. He gets sick of them so we have to watch him, but he is adjusting.  He got his first suit (as you can see here). You should see this "Little man" wearing his suit looking so grown up, then he throws the biggest fit you have ever seen in is suit, it just looks funny! What a wonderful character. Hope I can keep up with my little heart breaker!

MY KIDS FEET! I had to try this one!

Christmas morning PILLOW PETS!  

Owen resting among the Christmas Mess!      

Madi in her Elf Costume for her Christmas Play "Elf impersonator" It was so cute!

Madi here is getting an award for MASTERY. She has such dedication to her work in school. What a great example! I hope she sticks to it! The sky is the limit when it comes to this girl's mind!

Random Recipe: Four Pork Dinners, One time Crock-pot

I Got this recipe over a year ago and meant to share it.
I lost the directions and wanted to retype it so here it is....I have it now.

I have made this meal several times: simplifies life so much.
I even made this meal the day we moved into our house so that I didn't have to stop and cook for the busy days that follow moving in, IT SAVED ME!

I hope you enjoy it like we do.

Four Pork Dinners, One time crock-pot:
I have tried this with chicken and beef, all are equally delicious.

Slow cooker:
4-5 Pounds Pork Roast (any cut)
One can of Chicken/ Beef/ or Vegetable Broth
1/3 Cup Franks Hot Sauce
1/3 Cup of Worcestershire Sauce

- Cook all day until done.

BBQ Sauce (for 2 meals):
1/2 cup Ketchup
1/4 cup Mustard
2 T. Franks Hot Sauce
1/4 cup Molasses

The Meals:
Pull out only what you will need for the meal and keep the rest in it's juices and put it in the fridge.

1- BBQ Pork Sandwiches
Heat up the pork you need mix it in with the BBQ sauce
Hamburger or Hoagie Buns
Top with Coleslaw (Optional, but so tasty)

2- Pulled Pork Tacos
Heat up the meat needed
Taco Shells or Soft tortillas
Serve with taco toppings (Tomatoes, cheese, lettuce)
Really good with cilantro and limes too.

3- Stir Fry
Heat up the meat needed
Your Favorite Stir fry sauce
Mix in a bag of Frozen Stir Fry Vegetables ( Or Fresh if you Prefer)
Serve over Rice

4- BBQ Pizza
Pull the meat needed
Pizza Dough (any kind)
Spread the BBQ sauce on the Pizza dough
Top with Vegetables (Suggest: Bell Pepper, Tomatoes and Onions)
Top with pork
Layer of Cheese and follow directions on the dough, or cook until done.

Submitted By: Amy Palmer (From Kristen Lewis)