13 is not what it used to be

When I was thirteen, I was a pimply mess.

I couldn't pull being cool off to save my life, but now

we have a 13 year old son, who couldn't be cooler if we had frozen him ourselves.

Alex has been wanting his 13 year old pics done as soon as he turned 13,

but the procrastinator in me made him wait until yesterday.

It was fun traipsing all over downtown and the Great Salt Lake with him.

He wanted a "Neyo" look. I let him design every shot. It was fun to see what his vision was.

Good job Alex, 13 looks good on you!!!

Growing up...

 As parents we are not usually up for surprises from the kids when it comes to education...but

last night there were great surprises all around.

Above you see Alex with two of his main buddies, Cody and T.J.

These three boys have grown up together for most of there lives and just so happen to also be in my carpool, so I get to see them most everyday and talk and get to know them.

Jr high was a nervous step for me.  I don't know why.  I actually enjoyed and did great in Jr. high.

But times have changed!

 Last night as Melinda, Sherri and I sat in the auditorium watching as our boys were announced for various awards throughout the year, I for one, could not believe how far my own boy had come.

This first year of Jr high was nearly impossible to survive.  But Alex did it with determination and gratitude.  He leaves the 7th grade with an overall 3.93 GPA with the last quarter a 4.0.

This from a kid who struggled with great health issues the entire year! 

Now who says there are NO miracles!!

He walked away from the awards ceremony with two academic awards & two civic awards, one being in math!

This is such an accomplishment, because his disorder supposedly effects the area of the brain that processes math and language.  He has maintained a "A" in this class the entire year, even through the surgery!!

All of "my boys" did great.  I am so proud of their accomplishments.

(the pics of the boys on the side are on their first day at Matheson.)

Aiden also added to the mix of my pride.  He graduated from Pre-School last weekend.  Although the program was a little long, he did a great job.  I was worried that he would be a too rough for school, but according to his teacher, "He's an awesome kid."

He made friends easily and learned a lot about sharing with others.  Now we are preparing him for Monticello Academy.  I am so excited and looking forward to the upcoming school year.

I am most excited about seeing him in his little uniform. 

(which in my lowly opinion, every school should require uniforms, but that 's just me).

Good job to all of my boys.

Weigh In & thougts about habits

So everything seems to be moving along in the correct direction.  One of the things I have learned along the way is that this lifestyle change I am making is a new habit I am trying to introduce to my life. 

A new GOOD habit.

With that being said, and reflecting on the saying "Bad habits are hard to break,"  I'd like to add...

"Good habits are hard to make."

and they are!!!

Making a good choice in what to eat is a daily struggle for me.  Luckily, I have getting a little bit stronger everyday.  The one thing I have have done is I am allowing myself one day a week to not think about calories and weight.  I am allowing myself to eat "freely." 

That doesn't mean that I am spending a day gorging myself with whole cheesecakes, burgers and ice cream, although, the thought has crossed my mind on the cheesecake.  With that little "break" I still have found that I am eating better and I don't feel like I am depriving myself.

I am loving the fact that I am reading about what I am putting into the my "machine."  It is so important.  

I hope all of you are learning along your journey.  I know I am.  I am so appreciative of this place we all are welcomed to be.  Thank you all for your encouragement and support.  Have a fun week.

My Stats

                   Last Week          This Week

Weight:         234.0                     232.5

Height:          5'3"                       5'3"

Hips:            49"                         49"

Waist:         41.5"                       40.75"

Thighs:        28.5"                         28.5"

  

 Arms:         17.75"                        17"

 Chest:        45.5"                         45.5"

PS.  I am ordering this T-shirt  for me, are there at least 11 more of ya willing to order the same one with me so we can all get them for $15.00 each. Let me know, by leaving a comment.

'Friday Night' ***update***

So my sister in law was a little excited to find out what this little number was all about well, Jan here it is:

'Friday Night'

okay...this little number SOLD in under 3 hours!!!!

Lifestyle change, Habit or Wishful thinking...again.

I have been doing this great search to find out why I want to lose weight.

I could give all of the answers everyone else gives:

"...to feel better about me."

"...to get into my old jeans."

"...to get ready for my class reunion"

(thank goodness this is not my reason and if it was I have a lot of time...thank goodness for that too.)

But honestly, I don't have a TRUE reason to want to lose weight.

My hubby loves every single curve. 

 My kids don't seem to have issue with it. 

I can ride an airplane and not buy a second seat.

SO WHY????

I used to think that it was my duty to be a skinny gal.  The prophets have said, .."our bodies are temples."  And I have on more than one occasion have uttered those damning words (they only become damning once I look in the mirror and really see what my poor choices have resulted in).

Yes I am a hypocrite.

So I still don't know why. 

But I will still keep making this change I have chosen to make or allow this to become a new permanent habit...no more wishful thinking again, I HOPE!!

I think I am making the right choice.

What do you think?

I knew this day would come, but I am not at all unhappy about it. 

1 lbs. lost. 

My body feels good and I feel the inches are melting.  Not to mention my stamina for things seems to be getting better.  If nothing else my self image in my mind is getting better.  What little clothing I have, feels better.  Motivation to keep moving forward.

I have been focusing on my food intake for the past three weeks and I am going to continue that, but I going to be really start getting my mind focused.  I want to find out what is my heart's goal in all of this.  I just don't want to lose weight and still not be "healthy" all around. 

So the 1lbs loss.  I am excited to say I think I may have gained some muscle.  YEAH!!  I know I have in my thighs.  They still burn. 

My Stats

                   Last Week          This Week

Weight:         235.0                     234.0

Height:          5'3"                       5'3"

Hips:            49"                         49"

Waist:         41"                         41.5"

Thighs:        28"                         28.5"

  

 Arms:         17"                        17.75"

 Chest:        47"                         45.5"

Good things happens in 3's

What a great weekend!  It started on Friday, with David graduating from the U . It was everything he had ever wanted and even a little more.  The day was just beautiful.  It was great to watch Alex and Aiden see this great accomplishment for their dad.

We have really emphasized to the kids that education is not a luxury, privilege or gift, is is their duty to obtain it and no matter how long it takes is MUST be done.  That is the main reason that I have decided that I must continue on with my degree, no matter how difficult it may seem.

It was nice to have David's parents come, but I am sure they would not have missed anyway.  They love him so much.  I am appreciative of their support and love for him and our family.

Saturday, Aiden finally had his first soccer game.  I was "crazy lady with a camera." Dave kept yelling at me to get off the field.  I think I even caused a delay of game trying to get the shot I want.  I am a nut.  I love watching this age.  They are so fun and fearless.  Aiden made some new friends as well.

Aiden had a chance to be goalie and he blocked  2 goals.  Needless to say the  Snakes...

WON!!

I think the only sad thing that happened that day was the Jazz lost, which created a sour mood in the Armstrong house, but by the time it was over everybody was ready for bed.

Sunday, brought on mother's day.  It started off sour, but got better.  Aiden painted me a great masterpiece, which I really do love and gave me bunch of new kitchen tools, Alex, made a pencil drawing of me as a superhero and gave me some aroma sticks for the van, Dave sent be flowers (I actually got them on Thursday) and chocolates. 

I feel so much love from these fellas.  I am a lucky gal and mama.

I'm a HUNGRY GIRL!!!

I told you I would tell you about this book I was waiting for. Well, here it is.

I don't know about you, but when I have ever tried to make a lifestyle change or do a "diet" (a forbidden word for me).  I have always felt deprived, crazed about getting in the right number of this and that or just going....

HUNGRY!!

I know for me that being hungry is not the best path.  I have tried so many different recipes, but my concern ,at that moment was, I don't want to have to cook two meals, one for me and one for them.  I just don't think that is economically sound considering the times.  At least it's not for me and mine.

So when I started Shredding I was nervous about what I was going to eat.  All of my old favorites came back into play.  I love a spinach smoothie for breakfast (don't go eww, my kids beg for it when they here the blender going), and my hummus is the best I've ever had.  And the list goes on. 

But even those yummies can get BORING and I go hungry again.  But I was recently introduced to a website. http://www.hungry-girl.com/.

Hungry Girl is AWESOME!!!  Recipes for 1 that can easily double, tripled, even quadrupled.  It includes the calorie counts and all of the vital nutritional into one would want and need.  All of the recipes I have found to be easy to make and takes up very little time.  I recommend it!!! 

This especially GREAT for you Weight Watcher members.


She includes the points for each.

The author has several books out and I am definitely adding her to my cookbooks.  Below is the one I have from the library and the other is on it's way.  I am really excited about it.  200 under 200. 

I love to eat, but how great is it to be able to eat and not feel hungry all the time.

Weighing In on a few things

It has been an awesome week of really looking at my current lifestyle and making the effort to change things.  I am so appreciative of myfitnesspal.com and the wonderful people I have met there. 

The women have been so supportive and encouraging.  It is so important that whenever possible we tell one another " good job!"  "keep it up"  "I know you can do this."  It may sound simplistic, but many of us just need the encouragement.  We need that extra push to really convince us that

...we are worth all of the hard work

&
to hear someone say those things is great of everyone's self-esteem and image.

(remember, some of us may not hear any of that at all)

So I say to all of you:

I'm so proud of the many first steps we all are making.

You can do this.  It is hard and you are worth it.

Don't give up if you have a set back.

I ate 250 more calories than I should have, but today is a brand new day and can't do nothing about yesterday.  

My Stats

                   Last Week          This Week

Weight:         242.5                    238.5

Height:          5'3"                       5'3"

Hips:              51"                       50"

Waist:            43.5"                    41.75"

Thighs:           30"                       29.5"

  

 Arms:           17"                       18"

 Chest:          47"                       47"

I feel really good about what has been happening to my body.  Last week I was so concerned about getting the right calories in.  I still am a little concerned with that, but with guidance from you and a myfitnesspal.com friend, I am not going so crazy.

I am learning to make better food choices and I am getting a lot of much need quiet time (exercise).  This is so important to me.  I look forward to the coming week. 

And at my next post I will have a book that was introduced to me that I think will be beneficial to all of us, especially the hungry girls amongst us.  ME!!!