Flab to Fab......all inclusive

Thursday Check-In

FYI- for those of you who love to see my fat rolls, I will be checking-in once again next week with "the shirt."



Do you ever wish you could be on one of the get fit & fabulous reality shows? Such as: Biggest Loser, Fit Club, etc. Can you imagine being able to be at an all inclusive resort where the opportunity to exercise surrounds you? Healthy food options are all around you, with temptations near by just to "test" your ability to withstand sweet sugary carbohydrate filled goodness?


Of course, in my dreams, this wish is minus the cameras and other people to witness my attempts. Oh, and it is okay to give into the sugary goodness once daily.

I have been lucky enough to be staying at such a place. Apparently, I have been at the "resort" for the past few years.

My husband and I had the brilliant idea to leave life in the city for a "few acres out of town." To anyone else that is contemplating this idea, may I suggest: include a high allowance of funds to be spent on a weed wacker, Round-Up, garden tools, gloves, and a few more weed wackers.

Since, our funds have not necessarily allowed for large quantities of these items, I have been spending ridiculous amounts of time in our yard pulling, prying, digging and raking. I dream at nights of buying the "Hula Hoe 1000L." Looking on the bright side though, I have been burning almost as many calories as the weeds I plan on torching later today.

I really, truly enjoy yard work. But the weeds- oh- the weeds!
We are surrounded by fields. If you have never lived in the country, let me explain. Every weed- each measly little single weed has the capability to produce seeds ten-fold. Every time the wind blows, literally millions of seeds land in my yard. Now, I realize that many people have figured out various solutions for said seeds, their yards are show places, but I am still working on it. I am quite positive the solution includes lots and lots of weed killer and a live-in nanny for the children. Neither of which are in my budget.

Our property is turning out to be the all inclusive healthy body makeover resort I needed.

This week's work out routine is proving to be my most effective yet: just plain old hard work. Out with the elliptical & Nikes; in with the gloves, mosquito spray, and hoe.

How am I ever going to stay motivated by dirt, dust, hay fever, and the never-ending pulling?

After reducing myself to bribery, (I reduce myself to this on a daily basis- just beyond television and fruit snacks this time)- I promised to take my kids to the swimming pool today. It will be the first time I have been in a swimming suit in public in over a year.

I should have no trouble staying motivated this up-coming week.

How is your flab to fab this week?



Oh- and if you would like to stay at my all-inclusive-resort for a little body magic, (AKA: be my slave and do yard work), room rates are low & include all of the free zucchini you could wish for.

Flab to Fab......I hit the pause button

All day long, I have tried to remember some brilliant attempt I have made in the past week on this flabilicious project. No such luck.

I am allowed a freebie week right? Please tell me I am right. It has been a very, very long day.

Nothing monumentally terrible has happened- it is just one of those days. You know the kind: dr. appts., embarrassing moments, comments taken out of context, an hour on hold with the phone company, tired children, Ramen Noodle dinner, and a sink full of dirty dishes- make that an entire kitchen full of dirty dishes. Seriously, not one clean spoon.
After I spent the better part of my evening wallowing in my own personal pity party, I got the urge to run.....
That's right, I said RUN! Now- don't get too excited for this exercise slacker; I didn't go- but only because it is dark outside and my little family currently has a silly fear of big foot- myself included, (scary camp stories will do that to a grown woman, you know).

I have never understood runners.
Randomly, it seems that everywhere I have been lately, marathons and talk of running has been a major theme. My nephews birthday party, the family reunion, a friend's phone call, etc.
I told them all that they are crazy. I told them all how much I hate jogging, how I haven't gone jogging in years, how I have no desire to. I think I just decided that I want to be a hypocrite. I want to run.

I think I get it. I have no desire to be in a marathon, mind you. but, I want to run. I want to release some frustration. My alarm is set. I am going before my husband is off to work.

I am going to hurt. I might not make it past the edge of our property and the only shoes I have to run in are the ones that I have used for the past few years to mow the lawn. AND, I think I am excited.

I just hope big foot doesn't get me.

Flab to Fab....... reunion routine

If you are looking for the giveaway, click here......
or scroll down to next post.

Thursday Check-In

I am writing today from the past.....sorta...... writing a post ahead of time- being the procrastinator that I am, this is a first for me....

If all goes according to plan, I should be accomplishing all sorts of active, healthy tasks as you are reading this; all while attending the worlds' longest family reunion.

Rafting and hiking are on the agenda. It is too bad that I have a water phobia and forgot my baby back pack. Boating and swimming are also in the plans- once again though, water phobia, plus a recently acquired acute fear of swimming suits, (I am working on the "cure").

Seeing how I will be lucky enough to be waking up in a beautiful cabin, next to a beautiful lake though, I will be walking- a lot- maybe I will even bring back last week's new ninja walk routine or use my babe as weights and do some arm curls while I am at it....... come to think of it, she would probably really like that.......giggling babies can motivate any sore muscles to "do it again, do it again!" And, as far as my great stealth ninja walking moves go- why not give the older relatives something to gossip about? Maybe they will all feel bad for the poor, young mother of three small children who seems to be breaking.... and offer to babysit while I go take a nap. Ooohhh- I am liking this idea. You all know that family reunions are great for good food, juicy talk and the best "people watching" there is. I may as well fuel the fire, right?

And, just to make you all feel better about your own travels, we made it almost to our final destination today in just under 10 hours.
It should have taken 4 1/2. Life was a little more....shall we say, exciting? To give you an idea: 4 potty breaks in the first hour, a flat tire, major detour, beautiful waterfall on the detour, lots of "don't touch your sister," a little "don't lick your sister," and then a "don't spit on your sister."

Best lessons learned? The baby goes in the middle on the ride home and Skittles are great problem solvers.....I prefer the term "problem solving" to bribery, but they might- maybe- just slightly be interchangeable in some given situations of mine.

It is a good thing this week's challenge is about finding joy in the unexpected.......... let me tell you, it has been an EXTREMELY joyous day.

To my comrades in the path to being flabilicious, how are you doing?

To the rest of you: go eat some Skittles for me- but not the yellow- those are my favorite.

Project Flabilicious.....my check-in & yours

Friday's Thursday Check-In

It makes sense that a week with a procrastination challenge would have a few mishaps right? I'm a day late checking in on my Flab to Fab, but my other project I mentioned is finished! Yipee! After 3 days of being glued to the computer at all possible moments, the biggest procrastinated project of my grown-up life is done. Bed time for me this week has been at 4:30 a.m., 2:30 a.m., and 3:00 a.m. This morning my kids enjoyed Sesame Street and dry cereal and I enjoyed sleeping in.

Mom's are busy in general....but this was unbelievable. To top it off, we had company come to town last night and I had 2 meetings for other unrelated procrastinated projects.

I was taken back to my crazy-busy college days working in newspaper. Late nights, deadlines, and some stress. Too bad this time it also included a crying baby and two children begging for something other than cold cereal. I gave in and of course spent the time to also include Ramen Noodles in to their diet for the past few days.

This deja-vu of college life had me thinking and analyzing my Flabiliciousness. Maybe my metabolism really hasn't changed so much....maybe I just eat a lot more because now-a-days I have time to eat. It seems like I am feeding my "starving" children constantly- and of course, I feed myself along with them constantly.

Being so busy, I didn't have time to eat. I know this isn't necessarily a solution, but.... if I kept myself busier, and didn't snack at the rate of a growing 4-year-old, I might see results a little sooner.

So, my goal for the upcoming week is to keep myself busier- not a crazy stressful busy- but, not a "I'm busy because I am holding a baby, but still have 1 free hand to stuff my face with untold amounts of Ritz crackers."

Staying on task should also help me finish up the procrastination challenge for the week too.
A few of you agreed you were "officially" in this project with me and wanted to be held accountable. Here is your call out to check in with your results: Katie, Chambrae, Megan, Kristen, Sheri, Kirsten, Stephanie, Jennifer, and LeAnn: HOW IS IT GOING????
All of the rest of you are welcome to "hop on the bus" too......misery loves company. And, after a little candy/chip/cracker/bread withdrawals, the misery should fade away just like all of our inches...right?

Also, I am a huge believer in the concept of "free day." I have adapted it for myself to be "free moment of the day." For me, it is much easier to constantly be trying to eat a little healthier, but allow myself some small little joyous sugary moment here and there. If I allow myself a full official day off, then it is all over!

Project Flabilicious.....Thursday Check-In

Flab to Fab....a realistic view

I don't really look like this when I exercise:




However, I am seemingly a perm away from turning my physique back into this look from my past:



So, I am continuing to exercise like this:



You do what you can!
40 lb. boy in the front + 10 lb baby in the back + 30 lb. toddler on my back = good workout with no membership fee.

My vacation was fabulous, but it is time for me to hop back on the flabilicious bus.
After last weeks' lament of my weigh-in woes, the scale is going to the trash. I am sending it with my husband to work to throw away so that I don't rescue it from the dumpster in a moment of weakness. I have lots of moments of weakness.....maybe they should be called weeks of weakness.

The plan?

An official 35 day goal. I have just over a month until I can check my results. I am not looking for a perfect number, just a noticeable change in the right direction. Something.
Thanks to the advice of many of you & your comments, this is going to be my new enemy.....I mean, best friend.....I mean, way to monitor things:

I am sure you wouldn't mind me sparing the details, but as I have mentioned before, I am using you all to stay obligated....I mean motivated.
I have 35 days to lose 2" from my natural waist, along with 2" from the area that is neither the waist nor the hips; my spare tire region....

You see, I seem to have recently confused the original plan. I have been eating many many many pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, (pure heaven I might add). I have mastered savoring every last bite of those babies.....but it is time to go pack to the original plan to master the muffin top- not eat all muffins in sight.

Some of you might think this is unrealistic, some of you might think this will be an easy goal, but that is the great thing- we are all so different. Make sure your goal is for you...not what some of the rest of us might think.

So, a little reminder for myself, and some of you who said you were also working on a little body shaping.....
Here is to hoping that this:

turns in to this:


July of 2008 is the greatest month ever for new habits to begin!

It is so dadgummed hot that you sweat without even trying- 105 degrees here today.

It is too hot to bake cookies, (or muffins- for that matter).

Gas is too expensive to drive to the store just for the cookies or muffins.

Fruits and veggies are everywhere and taste so much better this time of year. Vegetables? Really? Do I have to? Low fat ranch dressings have come a long ways my friends!

My idea for today is to brush your teeth with the freshest mintiest paste you have any time you feel the need to munch. It really does take away cravings. Your waist line (or lack thereof), and dentist will thank you.

What simple tips do you have?

Also, if any of you really are wanting to join this Project Flabilicious, let me know, and I will be happy to "check in" on you as well. Accountability isn't just for the kids anymore.

Project Flabilicious.....Reality Check

In just a mere 2 days, I will be partying it up at my high school reunion. Well, as much as a mom who doesn't drink, with 3 small kids traveling by herself to a high school reunion can party it up.....bring on the apple juice!

While packing my bags, there was much debate with my body vs. my brain.

Finally, I settled on bringing an extra $20, counting on Grandma's babysitting services and crossing my fingers on finding a great deal on a great shirt.

My good friend Holly, from college, whose body type is identical to mine, will be joining me. She hasn't aged quite as "gracefully" as me though. She has always worked out, but the basic body shape is the same- mine is just hidden under some extra layers. Her reunion is in a week. We are going to hopefully find the perfect summer shirt, with sleeves (no flapping wings for me), and that magically makes me look 10 lbs. lighter. Any good shopping ideas out there?

I know, I know, last week I told you all that I don't care what others thing too much....... And really, I couldn't name off any people that I feel like I have to look good for, but I do want to feel cute. I will have a better time and enjoy myself more if I feel better about myself. That being said, I will hopefully not end up being a complete hypocrite, and spend hours primping just so I look great for my old boyfriends......except that I didn't have any serious boyfriends in high school- so yea for me, that takes care of that!

Anyhow- on to the reality check portion of the day:

I was so excited, ready to let you all know about my progress so far. I have only been really committed for a few weeks now to getting back in shape, and according to my scale at home, I have been doing quite well. Key words: according to my scale at home.

After traveling cross-state today, I climbed aboard this "vintage" scale from Grandma's house, ready to reaffirm what I already knew, success.

Apparently the saying "They don't make 'em like they used to," also includes scales.

Apparently my scale at home is off by 10 lbs. I made a frantic phone call to my husband at home with an affirmed, "Yes, I knew that our scale was off by 10 lbs."

Apparently you need to spend more than $10 at the local discount store to have an accurate scale.

I should have never weighed myself to begin with. I would have been a much happier girl. And that is why my friends, my scale is now going in the garbage, I will not be buying a new one and will try to be satisfied knowing that I am starting to feel better. I have been proud of my efforts so far- nothing dramatic; just lots of walking and a lot more water.

Apparently, it would have been a good idea to have really taken this lesson to heart weeks ago, but it is the seemingly apparent lessons that are sometimes the hardest to grasp.

Oh- and if you happen to be at my high school reunion, please don't imagine the belly photos I posted while talking to me. Thanks.

#2......7 days of 7's

7 is the name of the game this week. Today, April 7th, is the start of 7 new challenges. (Of course you can start whenever you read this.)

I realize most of you are still working on challenge #1 and are sporting some beautiful hair do's.....yea for you....now there is more to do! :) I am trying to be a tad organized and always start the new challenges on Mondays. Organization does not come natural to me, so if I am even borderline to showing some organization skills, I had better run with it!

Now then, for you "hardcore" Ponytail Challengers; you need to do all 7 challenges every day for 7 days. Those "easing into the waters," just try and do 1 challenge each day.

Some of these are a bit silly, ridiculous even. The idea for this week's challenge is that you will have some fun, "let loose," start a good habit or two and maybe- just maybe- burn a few extra calories.



Here's to 7....now, go and do:

7 sit-ups & 7 jumping jacks, (if you're really challenging yourself: 7 sit-ups/jumping jacks, 7 different times each day).

pluck 7 hairs that are mysteriously growing where they shouldn't be.

1 somersault, (that 1 somersault is bound to hurt in at least 7 different ways).

drink 7 glasses of water, (I know the recommended amount is 8- baby steps people, baby steps).

say out loud, 7 times, (this is where the ridiculous part comes in), "I am superwoman!" (Besides, it will make you laugh, and anyone who hears you too- it's all about spreading the joy....)

read 7 pages of something enjoyable that you don't ever take the time to read.

wear an outfit with 7 components- dress up! This means more than jeans and a t-shirt. Underwear doesn't count. Accessories do. Example: shoes, pants, shirt, belt, necklace, ring, earrings.




Easy, right? Cheesy? Yes. Nerdy? Maybe- but are you surprised? Does nerdy really seem far fetched after reading my last post?

Have fun and I can't wait to hear what you think! Hmmmm, I am having a sudden craving for 7-up. I am not just saying that..... I really do think that would taste extremely good right now. The 7-up company is going to have to pay me some royalty fees if there is a sudden rush on 7-up this week.

Good luck "super women!"