My Brand New Year

2014 has come to a close and I, like many, was ready for that to happen. It wasn't a bad year by any means but it wasn't a fantastic year either. We made some good memories throughout the year...a trip to the Dells, camping with the boys for the first time, building a deck. My biggest accomplishment was losing 18 pounds. It's certainly nothing to scoff at but I didn't walk away from the last year with that one "big" memory or accomplishment. And while that's ok, 2015 is going to be different.

2015 is going to be the year of Me. I'm taking the opportunity of a brand new year to become a slightly better version of me. I won't claim to become a brand new me because there are parts of the current me that I enjoy such as the sarcasm and wit that everyone has grown to love. ;)

After taking a hiatus for the holidays, I'm back with a brand new challenge. Glenn Jackson and I are embarking on a three-month weight loss challenge with big things at stake. The person who loses the biggest percentage of weight by March 31 gets a coveted prize. For him, a new gun. For me, a beautiful new Coach purse. I've managed to mostly maintain my weight loss from the competition with my brother (only up about a pound) so I'm not starting out in a bad place. I'd like to walk away with a 20 pound weight loss but I'm shooting for more than that.

I know this will be tough. Glenn's got a lot more to lose and hasn't been "dieting" since August like I have but I'm not giving up without a fight. Last year I had every intention of completing a half marathon and even went so far as to sign up for it but I didn't follow through for several reasons, only one of which is completely valid, in my opinion. I don't think I'm cut out for a long run. Short ones? Those are definitely more my thing. So 2015 is my year of 5k's. 12 of them to be exact. I haven't signed up for any and I don't yet know when they'll happen but there will be 12 of them.

I'm on a mission to make this year great. I want to better my body so I can keep up with my kids and get off this damn blood pressure medication. But I'm also looking to better myself personally. For instance, I want to become a better parent. The kind who doesn't feel like they're always getting upset with their kids because they don't listen or constantly talk back. I don't claim to be a perfect parent nor am I am a bad parent; I just want to be a slightly better one. :)

I know this next year will not be without its challenges and disappointments but come December 31, I want to look back and see more good times than bad ones. I am committed to making 2015 my year and with a little faith, I know it will happen.

Water, Weight Loss, Water, Oh and More Water

One week into my newest challenge with my sister-in-law and I'm down 5 pounds. Sounds great, right? Well the reality of it all is that when we weighed in a week ago, it was in the middle of the day after we'd eaten. Plus I was coming off my Thanksgiving binge. I'm back down to where I was when my brother and I finished our weight loss challenge so if you look at it from that perspective, it's not that impressive. But really, all that matters is that I've lost weight.

My personal challenge for December has been to drink half my body weight of water every day (in ounces). 6 days in and I've managed to do it every single day. And let me tell you, it's hard. I have absolutely no problem drinking water at work but at home, especially over the weekend, it's difficult because you get distracted by kids and housework.

I have noticed a few things though.

1. My lips aren't dry and cracked like usual.
2. I pee about 12 twelve times a day and I can tell my system is being flushed.
3. The skin on my hand that was once chapped is almost gone.
4. I don't feel bloated like I usually do.

I'm interested to see where I'm at by the end of the month. I know water can be a big contributor to weight loss so I'm crossing my fingers! Kate and I are competing until mid-January and I'd love to be able to pull 15 pounds out of this challenge. Plus I could really use another manicure. Send positive thoughts, people!

Pre-Turkey Day Weigh In Results

Turkey day is almost here and with it, the end of the competition between me and my brother. Now I don't know about him but I'm certainly not going to complain about the results because it means he has to take my kids for a weekend!!!

Nathan lost 2.88% of his body weight and I lost 4.43%. I'm incredibly proud of both of us. We both stuck to our guns and managed to pull off an incredible weight loss over the last 6 weeks. And we're not done yet!

I'm officially down 18 pounds since the end of August. That is such an incredible feeling especially because it means I'm down a pants size. I've still got a long ways to go but I'm definitely happy with how far I've come in three months.

Tomorrow brings family, good food, and a lot of be thankful for, including my wonderful family and friends. And for just one day, I'm going to eat whatever I want! Saturday kicks off yet another competition with my sister-in-law. She's going on a cruise in January and is trying to fit into the dress she wore at our wedding. Me...I'm just looking for an excuse to be able to buy clothes in a smaller size. Hopefully we both get what we want!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Progress: One Day At A Time

Apparently complaining about hitting a plateau was enough to kick start me up again. All I'll say is I'm pleased with where I'm at. I'd like to leave my brother in suspense for the next week. *insert smiley face here*

I didn't get up and work out this morning. I just didn't have the energy. But I'm not beating myself up. I'm trying really hard to live by the philosophy of taking it one day at a time. I will have good days and bad days and everything else in between. There will be days where I won't see any progress and will want to do nothing more than give up (read: last week) but I won't. And there will be those days where everything goes right and I go to bed feeling fabulous. Those days? They're the best days and the ones that make this journey worthwhile. Today wasn't one of those days but it was a step in the right direction.

Plateaus Are The Worst!

Why does losing weight have to be so hard? I did so awesome during my challenge with my sister-in-law but this current challenge is harder for some reason. I'm down a little over 4 pounds, which is nothing to scoff at but it seems like no matter how hard I work out or how much I watch my calories, the weight just doesn't want to come off.

I'm trying to tell myself that I'm actually building some muscle, and maybe part of that is true, but I'm not sure that's it. I've done fairly well with getting up in the morning to work out (not 100% mind you) but I've been pretty consistent. I get at least 30 minutes in at a time. And I've been pretty good about sticking to my calorie count. I'm not doing anything different than I did during my first challenge. If anything, I've stepped it up. So why is it that when I step on the scale, the number doesn't move? It's so frustrating!

I'm sure stress doesn't help and I've had more than my fair share of it these past few weeks between work and children with ear infections and bad attitudes. Don't get me wrong...I'm happy with the fact that I've lost over 14 pounds since the end of August. I'm just feeling a little defeated, particularly this last week.

I've got two more weeks in my challenge with my brother and I need to get past this plateau. If anyone has any tips or tricks to get my body kick started again, I would love to hear them. I can't let him win!

Wednesday = Whining, Workouts, and Wine

Today has been a bit of a challenge. Getting up this morning about killed me. I was snuggled in all cozy in a super deep sleep when my stupid alarm clock chimed in to remind me, "oh yeah, you vowed to get up early to work out". I just read that in my head with a super whiny/bitchy tone. It accurately describes how I was feeling.

Then, my workout was interrupted twice. Once because the dog didn't come when I called him. Nor did he come the next 10 times that I called him. I discovered him still snuggled in bed. What an ass! Then I had to go potty. I gave up my workout after 25 minutes. Today, that will have to be good enough.

The kicker was getting a call at 10:30 this morning to tell me that Keegan was running a fever of 102. I tried to call Glenn as I had a full schedule but to no avail. Cancel said meetings, get him a doctor's appointment, and lo and behold, ear infection! Poor little guy. He's holding up pretty well despite everything but I can tell he's miserable. He actually snuggled with me before he fell asleep. That's pretty rare these days as he only does one thing and that's move...fast. Hopefully some antibiotics and a good night's sleep will make everything all better. If not, mommy's always got wine!

Mornings Will Never Be My Friend

I managed to drag my butt out of bed for my first workout this morning. It was not pretty. I don't think my eyes cleared until well into my workout. Perhaps the sweat dripping down into them helped.

I did Tae Bo. It was exhausting. But as I sit here in my sweaty clothes drinking a big glass of water, I'm reminded that I did it. I got up, got my butt downstairs, and completed a 30 minute workout. And now I'm done for the day. I can come home from work and enjoy my evening with my family.

Mornings may not be my friend but they will definitely make my nights more enjoyable.