(Day 46) Friend Makin' Mondays: Bedroom Habits

Day 46
Weight: Still a fatty!
Lbs +/-: +1 lbs - still up that dreaded one lb!

Been another crazy week in the life of Jen! (but what's new, right?)

More Dr appointments for Itty Bitty, still trying to figure out exactly what is going on. Good news....She passed her hearing test with flying colors. Had lots of blood drawn today and tests done to check her immune system and to see if her bone marrow is functioning properly. Won't hear back anything on those for about a week. UGHHHH I hate waiting. Especially when it comes to my babies! I want to know NOW!! More appointments next week with the Pediatric Ophthalmologists and the Neonatologist at St. Louis Children's Hospital. A break, please??

Stink and Shon both got new (to us) 4-wheelers! Why do I see an ER visit in our near future?! (No worries! Helmets are a requirement for everyone!) But they are having so much fun with them and it is something they can do TOGETHER! I love it!

Still "Shakin" everyday and have even upgraded my Herbalife package to the Ultimate Package hoping this is what I need to get this weight off. I do have to say that I feel better, or should I say healthier, than I think I ever have! And while my blood sugars still aren't near where I want them to be (I want to be non-insulin dependant), they are on their way in the right direction. Hopefully when I get my weight where it should be, my sugars will follow.

12 more days until my family participates in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, in honor of my cousin Penny, who passed away in December after a 10 year battle with breast cancer. She was 40 years young and left behind a wonderful husband and 3 beautiful children. If you would like to sponsor me in the Race and help find a cure for breast cancer, click here. Any little bit you can spare would be greatly appreciated. Even $5 does wonders for research and education. At the very least, please make sure you do a monthly self-breast exam. (you too, guys!) No one is immune!

Now on to Friend Makin' Monday!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links there (and here, too!) so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Bedroom Habits

1. Do you set an alarm clock? If so, for what time? My alarm is set for 6:30 during the week but I am one of those hit the snooze button 5-6 times before I actually drag my butt outta bed kind of people.

2. How many hours of sleep do you get on an average night?  I usually get anywhere from 6-8 hours depending on when Itty Bitty decides to fall asleep and how into my book I get when the house is actually quite for the first time all day.

3. Do you bring your laptop to bed? I used to never bring electronics to bed but when I got my Kindle Fire, that kinda changed. I have only actually used it in bed maybe 3 times. I try to keep the bedroom for sleepy time and well.....you know! ;) I don't even have a TV in the bedroom.

4. How many pillows do you require to sleep? I must have 2! My head pillow and my leg pillow. That was a habit that was started when I was prego with IB and it stuck. It's rather annoying, really. I wish I didn't have to depend on a pillow between my knees to get a good nights sleep.

5. Do you sleep with socks on? No way, Jose'! Feet must be nekkie, free from any covers or blankets. And Shon better not even think of trying to put his feet on mine while we sleep. That will get him kicked, quickly....and hard!

6. How often do you change the sheets? When ever they need it but at a minimum of every Sunday.


7. Do you remember your dreams? Sometimes. I have to try to remember them as soon as I open my eyes. Or it has to be something SPECTACULAR!

8. Which side of the bed do you sleep on?  Laying in the bed, I am on the left. Another habit started by pregnancy. They say the left side is the best to sleep on for blood circulation to the baby and I cannot sleep face-to-face with Shon, or anyone for that matter, even the kids, so that's when it started and now I'm just there.

9. How often do you take naps? I used to nap every single day, for at least an hour. My body was just so abused and run down that I could sleep all day, every day, if my terrorists (kids) would let me. After starting Herbalife, I don't feel so drained all the time and I have honestly only had 2 naps in the 46 days that I have been "shakin". It's a miracle in itself!

10. Do you sleep soundly? I can sleep through an earthquake. Yes, I literally have when Hayden was a baby! But let one of my kids so much as fart and I am wide awake. Its amazing the effects parenthood has on a person.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments! And hey…try saying hi to someone new this week! Happy Monday, Friends…

(Day 39) Friend Makin’ Mondays: Quick and Easy

Day 39
Weight: Fat Chance! (like that???  Fat chance! Ha)

Lbs +/-: +1 lbs - yeah I am actually up 1 lb from were I started...boohoo!

OK kids, so I am trying something new today. One of the blogs I follow ( Unexpected Fortune ) participates in what is called Friend Makin Mondays, started by another blogger, Kenlie. I have been reading her answers as well as Kenlie's and decided this is a great way to mix it up a lil bit and not just focus on my struggle with this weight loss but to let all (4) of you get to know a little more about me. I just hope I can find a few minutes on Mondays to get on this!

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links there too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Quick and Easy

1. When is your birthday? November 25th
2. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?  A couple months ago
3. What did you eat for breakfast this morning? Wild Berry Formula 1 (Herbalife) shake with frozen mixed berries....Yum-O!
4. Who is the next band/artist you will see perform live? With any luck, Dave Matthews!
5. What is the last song you listened to? Bad Neighborhood - The Urge
6. If you could be fluent in any other language, which one would you choose? Russian
7. Does anything on your body hurt right now? Right this minute, I believe I am actually pain free...for the first time today (if my heart and brain don't count)!
8. What’s your favorite sports team? GO BLUES!!!!! (one of my future tattoos will be some variation of the BlueNote)

9. How often do you watch the news? I used to watch numerous times a day but it's just so depressing anymore, I don't think I have watched in days.
10. Do you wear glasses? Yes...well I am supposed to anyway.

(Day 26) Where does the time go?

Day 26
Weight: Nope!
Lbs +/-: -0.4lbs

I can not believe it has been 3 weeks since I have attempted to update my blog. Man, life sure moves fast. So many things have been going on in my life that the computer has been a distant friend. But things are finally starting to look up!

Shon and I finally have new (to us) vehicles!  I believe the devil was testing our faith. It's funny how both cars go out on the way to church....2 weeks in a row! Nothing like being down 2 cars with 2 people needing to get to work and school. Shon got a truck that he wanted and I finally got the minivan I have been needing! Now I just need to sign Stink up for soccer! ;)

A couple weeks ago, I took Itty Bitty for her 9 months check up. She is an enormous 15lbs 4oz.

Olivia at the Zoo in March

Such a difference from her 2lbs 9oz when she was born.

Olivia just a few days old

It seems that Olivia has been having issues with her blood platelets being low. We knew this was going on in the NICU but at that time was told it was an effect of being born so early and would correct itself. Apparently that wasn't the case. In February she contracted RSV and was put in the hospital for a few days. When they did blood work, it showed her platelets were low then but nothing was ever said or done about it. Her pediatrician just happened to look over her labs while at her check up and discovered this. So she has been having weekly labs to check her counts (which are slowly climbing but still very low). I just want to know why.

On a good note, Hayden graduated preschool! They had a wonderful little program where the kids sang and danced and made all the moms cry. Ok so at least one mom cried. *points fingers at herself* Twice! 

The little caps are so stinkin cute!

Hayden's Preschool Graduation 2012

Harvard here we come! HA!

So between vehicles, blood work, graduations (PS Congrats Cody and Brittany! WHS 2012), the garden/flowers and life itself, I have been one busy Momma! Hopefully things can slow down a bit cause this girl wants to do some more fishin! Wish me luck!

(Day 4) Yeah I'm a Slacker!

Day 4Weight: Might disclose one day!
Lbs +/-: -0.4lbs (as of day 3)

OK so it didn't take long for the "blog every day" thing to end. Still going strong with my shakes though, following my nutrition plan to a T...well pretty close to a T. Maybe a lowercase t. ;) In all seriousness, this is by far the easiest "diet" I have ever been on. And when I couple the Herbalife plan with Weight Watchers for my dinner meal, I should be to my goal weight in no time.

Sorry for not updating yesterday. Was a little busy with both kiddos home all day and trying to figure out what to do about a vehicle. Plus I had a headache out of this world. Not sure if it was stress, lack of caffeine or the horrible toxins leaving my body with my new found nutrition but what ever it was, I am SOOOOOO glad its gone today. And with the vehicle problem being solved for the time being (thanks Mom and Dad), my stress level is back to norm.

Speaking of Dad, tomorrow is my dad's 75th birthday! We're taking him out to dinner to the restaurant of his choice. (God please no White Castle, teehee!) Pray that I make good choices with my meal selection for the evening. I'm sure I will do just fine but if I know my dad, we will be heading to some big ol steakhouse. But as far as I know they all serve grilled chicken so I should be alright.

Well the rain has finally stopped and the sun is shining so with this new found energy that I have today, I am taking the baby outside to soak up some Vitamin D and do a little work in the swamp...I mean yard.

Wish me luck!

(Day 2) Still Goin Strong :)

Day 2
Weight: Still not tellin!     
Lbs +/-: TBD



Day 2 is another shake-cess! The tea is getting easier to "choke down" and I am finding the shakes are satisfying my immense sweet tooth! Not even looking at the basket of left over Easter candy with anger and disgust anymore. I can't wait to try the other flavored shakes so I can try some of the recipes my "Shake Commander" (nutrition coach) has come up with. I've decided Cookies n Cream and Dutch Chocolate are next on my list.

Now the down side of my day. My car decided to take a big ol poopy heading down the highway. YIPPEE! Transmission is a goner. This couldn't have happened at a better time (insert sarcasm here)! Nothing like being stuck at home all day with 2 kids and no vehicle. Now I have this awesome gym membership and no way to get the 15+ miles there. Oh when it rains.....

But I refuse to sit my soon-to-be-not-so-fat ass on the pity pot. Everything happens for a reason. And this too will somehow work itself out. It always does! I am determined to keep my head held high and never give the devil the power to get me down.
Oh I hear thunder. Guess that means the storms are rollin in. Perfect sleepin weather. Guess it's time to take my booty to bed. Looking forward to day 3....sorta! More weight and measurements. ICK!
Wish me luck!

(Day 1) My First Day as a "Shaker"

Day 1

Weight: To later be revealed!      

Lbs +/-: TBD

I must say that day 1 was a huge success. While it took me a while to get motivated, I finally did my weights and measurements. EEK! Man, I hate the scale! I always have. But now I seem to have developed a nasty revulsion towards a tape measure as well. I am hoping that changes one day.

So with the worst part being done, I decided to get the plan rollin. I have to be honest. I am not a tea drinker....AT ALL! But I hesitantly agreed to try it anyway. Thank God for the Peach flavor and a little bit of Splenda or there is no way in hell I could choke this stuff down. I had Shon try a sip and he said it wasn't bad so I guess it's just me being anti-tea and pro-soda. I just pretend it's a Jager-bomb and slam it! Instead of hoping to get hammered, I am hoping to get healthy and the added perk of the caffeine to ward off the headaches since I have completely cut out soda.

The shakes are actually very good. For breakfast I had the Wild Berry shake mix, with skim milk, frozen strawberries and peaches mixed in the blender. Yum-O! I can't wait to try different concoctions just to mix it up a bit but I found out the shakes are good just mixed with milk.  I did start to get a little hungry between shakes but I was told to make sure to snack between shakes and drink lots of water. So I had a high protein snack like a boiled egg or an apple with peanut butter! If this plan continues to be this easy, I'm going to be thin in no time!

I also joined Club Fitness today. $10 a month! Who can pass that up?! It's a little more if you need the daycare, want to join in the classes or be able to use other clubs but still cheap as hell. I have family that goes there and Shon joined as well so I guess I'll have some workout partners. Anyone else wanna laugh at my jiggly ass on the treadmill? Ha! One day I will post my starting weight, and my progress, once there is progress. I look forward to day 2 and hope it continues to be as easy as today was.

Wish me luck!!

(Day -1) My Final Day as an Over Indulging Fat Girl!

I have never been a "blogger" or one to really even talk about myself, but here goes!

All my life I have struggled with my weight. The older I got, the bigger I got. 2 kids didn't help with anything either! At 30, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Talk about scary crap, although at the time, I didn't realize just how serious it was. It was never something I really took seriously. I would take a pill here and there to try to "control" this disease but couldn't wouldn't take it regularly. When I got pregnant with Itty Bitty, I was placed on insulin, but as soon as she was born I slacked off on that too. Recently I had an epiphany. I took a good long look at my life, my health, and most importantly, my children. I wanted to live for my kids. I NEEDED to live for my kids!
 A lifelong friend called me the other day to talk about some products he sells, and uses himself. Herbalife. He told me about his struggle with his weight, how his products work and how he lost over 90 lbs in less than a year. We talked about my diabetes and how he though his products could help me. I decided to give it a shot. We ordered French Vanilla Formula 1 shake, Wild Berry Formula 1 shake, Peach Herbal Concentrate (tea), Formula 2 multi-vitamin, and Formula 3 Cell Activator. It sounds like alot but the way its broken down, it seems like a very easy plan to follow. Guess we'll see cause my products arrived today. I can't wait til tomorrow to get started. I hope to one day be a diet regulated diabetic. No longer dependant on pills or insulin. Tomorrow starts a new day and a new life!
Wish me luck!!