Ahhh, new love

So we are still stuck in sicko land here. It is either the kids or me, me or the kids, but none of us are all healthy at the same time! I hate it. Right now I'm on antibiotics, inhalers, allergy meds, cough expectorant (helps loosen things up), and still think it is turning into pneumonia. I love that we live in an area where fresh produce is so abundant, but hate the fact that it puts lots of allergens into the air. I don't think I have had a healthy September/October for the past 9 years.

On a brighter note, we have a new member of our family. He arrived yesterday (no, I didn't have another baby! lol), and his name is Brownie. He is an Australian Shepard, 4.5 months old, and so stinking sweet. In less than five minutes he was a welcome addition to our household, sitting prettily, fetching, laying down when told, and chasing the bigger boy around like a loon. Shorty (our Corgy) was a little confused as to why we would think we needed another dog, but she is mature for her age, so she doesn't get that playing chase and fetch with the kids is FUN, and it can be done even when you are an old lady at the age of 1. They have since established who is in charge, and are getting along great.

It Aint Easy

I'm sorry I have ditched the blog in the past week. We are suffering with yet another round of viral bugs in our house. Thankfully this time, the kids are sleeping at night. But during the day, OY! Whining, snotty-ness reigns supreme.

This last Thursday was the Big Guy's and mine 3rd wedding anniversary. We did jack squat to celebrate. Wait, I got him an Oakland Raiders Jersey because that is what he wanted. (I wanted some time for just the two of us, and something romantic or sweet, like a love note) I got NADA but a kiss on the forehead and a happy anni on the way out. Men stink, love stinks, blah, blah, blah. Big Guy doesn't understand why I am completely bent about this.

I really didn't ask for anything but time. HE went to his union meeting that didn't end up happening, and instead of coming home to the wife and kids on a special day, he hung out and ate with the few guys who showed up. Got home and promised we would do something this weekend. Friday night rolls around and he hangs out with the tattoo artist for a couple of hours, then his dad, then it is time for bed. Saturday he left the house at 9 am, didn't get home until after 10 pm, spent all of 30 minutes with us (read ME) to eat dinner. Sunday he did actually spend some time with our oldest son. But as soon as I got back from my shopping nirvana, he left to see his friend that he "hasn't seen in a couple of weeks". Got home and it was time for bed. Monday, he went Walmart shopping with us. And on none of those days did I recieve more than a peck on the cheek.

I'm completely irked. Understatement. Pissed off fits better. All I wanted was to cuddle up in bed and watch a movie. Or get a stupid "I love you so much, thank you for being my wife" note.

It Hurts So Good

Living a healthy lifestyle is not easy. In fact, it is incredibly hard. If you are a junk food junkie or a carb addict like me, you are bombarded daily with temptation. The little people in your house like to have graham crackers on hand. The bigger little people (so what if she is already 2 inches taller than me! She will always be one of my little ones) need snacks and prefer (quite vocally in that whiny tone that is like nails on chalk board) that they need the individual pudding packs for theirs. And then there are the chips. OH.MY.LORD. Save me from chips. I don't even LOVE Doritos and they call my name at 4 in the afternoon. Why does the big person (that would be my husband) insist on having doritos in the house?

I keep a vast array of healthy choices on hand. Apples, nectarines, bananas, mangos, strawberries. Plain yogurt to eat with those fruits. I keep brocoli and carrots, and baby bells and sugar snap peas(which out of all those things listed, is the ONLY one that I can just sit and eat and eat and eat because those little suckers are sooooo flipping good) in the veggie drawer. And yet, if I am starving hungry or just craving something to snack on, I find my hands reaching for the chips or puddings or grahams on their own. My brain is saying, eat an apple, it will fill you up and stick around for awhile. Plus you know, we have that whole apple a day saying.. and still it is reaching. So I eat my apple, and glare at the stupid chips.

Because you know what? I am not busting my ass on the stupid treadmill or lifting weights to blow it all to hell with a stupid bag of chips. SO THERE!

I gave up the Shred. I know, I know. Two weeks ago I was all "the shred is the most awesomest, makes you want to cry because it kicks your butt" routine. But the shred wasn't shredding me. Granted, I can do a push up now, and my cardio vascular endurance is greatly improved. But my waistline and butt weren't improving and sad to say, that matters far more to me right now than my heart health lol. So I went back to the basics for me. Body for Life is probably one of the easiest and most effective lifestyle chaning programs I have ever attempted. When you are exercising 6 days a week it quickly becomes a habit. And you get hooked on those endorphins. I brag to my friend (who spends a whole HOUR!!!) on her cardio about how sore I am. Like it is an honor badge. And I guess in a way it is. Those sore muscles from my 3 days a week with weights signify change. My muscles are experiencing tiny tears so they can rebuild to be better, leaner muscles. There are a lot of bragging rights associated with a cardio workout that leaves your legs limp like spaghetti noodles and you so whooped you want to puke. (yes, I am an exercise sadist, I strongly believe in the no pain no gain mantra).

And I find it much easier to reach for my fruits and veggies, filling up on whole clean, fiber rich foods when I know that if I eat those chips or that snack pack of pudding it will negate some of the hard work I put in earlier that day.

So follow along if you want for the next 12 weeks as I get ripped (or at least back to baby-making shape). And if you are looking to make a huge life changing transformation with your body and your lifestyle, check into Body For Life. It really does work.