Well, this week was better than last since I lost 1/2 a pound.  Yay – better than gaining or staying the same like last week!

I am eating better, and feeling better.  I am drinking lots of water – most days the full 64 oz.  I haven’t had coffee in 3 weeks now – it’s getting easier.

My goal for this week is to eat more fresh veggies.  Up until now, I’ve had my veggies in a salad and a few steamed veggies.  But I feel that has really limited my choices because there are SO many fresh veggies out there right now.  I really want to try making something with eggplant.  Truth be told, Eggplant Parmagiana is one of my  favorite dishes, so I am on the hunt to make a healthy version!

As I see the announcement for the Mamavation Mom campaign again, I am in awe of what some of you have accomplished – CONGRATULATIONS!  It is not an easy task.  First, you have to commit to losing the weight, then do it, exercise, take care of your family and work obligations and STILL be a support system for your fellow Mamavation Sisters.  It is truly an amazing task that inspires me all the time.

Good luck with your weight loss goals this week!  Can’t wait to see what you’ve accomplished when I read your posts. 

P.S.  You might want to check out the bottom of this post http://www.wahmbahm.com/product-review-business-opportunity for some really cute thermal totes.  They are nice and big and great to carry around your lunch and snacks to work.

Tough week, I didn’t lose any weight, but didn’t gain either.  That’s a positive, I think!  Not exactly the best way to start my challenge to lose 50 pounds by July 10, 2010 for my 20  year reunion.

Water drinking is going well.  I only drink water or milk for all my meals.  I’ve only had one soda this week – and no coffee.  The no soda is no big deal, but the no coffee thing is pretty tough.  Especially with two early risers and a mama that works late nights. 

So honestly, the biggest challenge and I know the key to my ultimate weight loss success is exercise.  I’m doing my walking DVD’s because it’s too windy and cold to go for a walk with my girls right now.  I know the weather will get better soon, but I’m tired of being indoors.  And, I really don’t have anything to complain about – no snow.  But the wind and cold air isn’t much better for taking the girls out for a walk.  We’re ready for Spring!

Thanks Jessica (@fringies) for the wonderful idea of getting workout DVD’s through Netflix.  I had not thought about that before!  I already scoured the used exercise DVD section at a local store – no luck.  Might have to try Netflix again because it doesn’t look like a Wii is anywhere in my future. 

Have a great week everyone – looking forward to seeing your posts this week! 

Woo Hoo – down another 1.2 pounds!

OK, here’s the deal:
1. Sorry from being absent on Twitter lately. I will be back this week.
2. I have exactly 20 weeks to lose 50 pounds – that’s my goal.

Why 50 pounds, why in only 20 weeks? My 20 year class reunion!

Many of use have been reconnecting on Facebook and we’re planning a small reunion this year. The planning got started a little late so we’re going to do what we can and knock it out of the park for our 25 year reunion.

Now, to be honest, I’ve always been overweight. So, it’s not going to be a surprise to anyone that I still am. BUT, this is for me to feel better about myself for the reunion. So that I will look nice in whatever dress I choose. This is for me, no one else. (Well, other than my girls of course, but that’s a different motivation.)

So, my plans are simple: Eat less, move more.

The weather is getting a little nicer (even though it’s still windy). So I might be able to get out of the house for a walk with the girls. Otherwise, it’s all about the exercise DVD’s. But, I need to find some different ones for variety – I get bored easily.

So, I will be scouring the internet for some crazy deals. I still want a Wii, but that’s a purchase that’s going to have to wait for a while. If you all see a crazy good deal, let me know here, or on twitter. (@ivettemuller01)

Have a great week everyone! We can do this!

Oh boy – sorry this is late!

First off, I lost 1/2 pound.  Now, this is good news for me because DH surprised me with a wonderful early Valentine’s gift on Friday.  Since there are no “special” deliveries on Sunday, I received flowers (with my favorite lilys) and chocolate covered strawberries.   This was special because we had just been talking about the best chocolate strawberries we’ve ever had was about 12 years ago in San Francisco.  So, he wanted to see if he could recreate the experience for me since we won’t be taking any trips for a while. 

OK, back to the good news.  Since I have weaned off of sodas and only have 1 a week, I have actually found that I don’t like to drink it as much.  It doesn’t taste the same and I usually don’t even finish it.  Now, I have to say I haven’t tried this theory with Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper yet, so that might change.  So I’ve been drinking a whole lot of water and of course milk.  I can’t get off the milk. 

More good news, I moved more last week!  And, we even danced after dinner last night.  We turned on the radio and the four of us danced to the Party Music channel.  We had fun!  And yes, I broke a sweat.

This week’s challenge:  Back on program.  I enjoyed the chocolate covered strawberries, but back to work.  Before Friday, I was down a full pound, so I know what they did.  (I know we’re not supposed to weight ourselves all the time, but I can’t help it.)  The weather is supposed to be nicer this week so I’m hoping to get out and walk with the girls.  It has been so windy we haven’t been able to go out for walks.  I know my girls want out of the house – truth is, so do I!

So, here’s wishing everyone a great week!

P.S.  I installed a new comment plug in called Disqus.  I miss Comment Luv’s feature that posts everyone’s last blog, but this one will help me to interact with everyone’s comments directly, rather than my comment at the end.  Sorry to spring the change on you!

Good news:  lost another pound

Bad news:  I was sick almost all week.  I only walked once (at least it was one more time than last week I guess) and I didn’t track my Weight Watchers points very well.  I mostly ate soup and oatmeal all week.  I had the Progresso light soups which were easy to track points with, and lots of water.  But, I also drank some orange juice to get some natural Vitamin C to help me feel better.

Goal for this week:  MY EXERCISE PROGRAM!  I NEED to start my Leslie Sansone walking DVD’s like yesterday!  I need you all to remind me about exercising.   You can find me on Twitter at Twitter.com/ivettemuller01 .  I’m planning to exercise at around 10 a.m. MST when the baby goes down for a nap.  That way, I can exercise with less interruptions.  My oldest (22 months) will be awake, but she will probably like the  music.  Plus, as you all say, it’s a good thing for our kids to watch us exercise!
After being sick all week, I wore out my help so I did not get to Tuesday Morning to buy my HydraCoach on Friday as planned.  BUT, I went first thing Saturday morning and there were still plenty in stock!  So, I got my brand new HydraCoach to start off a brand new (and better) week!

WOW – week one went by fast and slow at the same time.

OK, the important stuff first.  I am down 2 1/2 pounds – YEAH!  I am happy with this since I had a few challenges

The Challenges

1. I didn’t prepare – at all to start my diet.  I did not clean the pantry and get rid of junk food.  I did not go to the grocery store to buy healthy snacks.
2. I didn’t tell my husband – so by midweek, he was wondering why I was stressing about dinner and kept asking me if everything was OK because I was a little grouchy.
3. I didn’t read my Weight Watchers stuff before starting.  I remembered how to calculate points, but I didn’t read my Week 1 booklet in advance.

My Accomplishments

1. I drank a lot of water, even made my goal of 64 oz. one day out of the week!  And, I only had one soda.
2. I moved more – and made a conscience effort to move.  I was even standing and typing…that was different.
3. I ate 3 meals on most day with snacks.  I had been skipping meals – I know that’s wrong.  So, I had to make a big effort to eat, and the funny thing is, even though I ate more, I was actually hungrier.  What’s up with that?

So, my goal for this week is to actually start my workout DVD’s.  I’ve read each and everyone’s post and messages on Twitter.  First of all, thank you so much for your support.  But second, and most important, I am beginning to understand the importance of losing the weight not for me, but for my girls.  I realize that it’s not just about me, but about teaching them healthy eating and exercising habits.  This is a big revelation for me.  Since I will do anything for my girls, this was exactly the motivation and explanation I needed.  So thank you everyone, especially Leah aka Bookieboo…I get it.

Until next week!

P.S.  Just in case you missed my update on Twitter, the Hydracoach will be on sale this weekend (2/5 – 2/7) for $9.99 at Tuesday Morning stores.  Visit http://www.TuesdayMorning.com to see if there’s a store near you.  I am going to try to get one early on Friday morning before they sell out. I just need to find a babysitter

Happy Monday everyone!

OK, so today is Monday, January 25, 2010 and I am making my public proclamation to lose weight – no, let’s be specific.  I am making my public proclamation to lose 50 pounds. 

The last few days I haven’t felt very good about myself.  I’ve stepped on the scale, and realized I’ve been gaining weight.  I just had my second daughter in May, and I actually lost weight during the preganancy.  (They say that’s normal for overweight moms.)  Anyway, I’ve gained back the 7 pounds I lost and 3 more for a total of 10 pounds.  Not good. 

I’ve tried to maintain the weight loss, but it’s been challenging.  As most of you know, I have two baby girls under two, and 3 businesses.  There’s never enough hours in the day to get everything done, let alone time for me to make myself a priority. But, that’s one of my New Year’s Resolutions, so I need to make it happen.  And it starts now.

I’ve never been “thin”.  I’ve been thinner than I am now, much thinner.  But, just like everyone else, marriage, work, babies, take a toll on the body.   But I’ve come to realize I need to get healthier now, to take care of my girls.  Maybe I won’t be so tired. 

So, this public proclamation comes after seeing an amazing group of women on Twitter support each other as part of #mamavation.  The group is lead by @bookieboo and everyone supports each other’s weight loss efforts throughout the week.  Then, it’s time to face the music. 

Part of this program is to write a blog post every Monday to let the group know how you’re doing.  So, this is my first post to let everyone know what my goal is and to pledge support to my fellow Sistas. 

Today is day one, and the only way I know how to start a diet is to go back on Weight Watchers.  I lost over 40 pounds 3 years ago (before babies) and it was the first diet I could stick with and lose weight.  For me, Weight Watchers is about learning how to eat well.  And since it worked before, I’m going to do it again.  The diet plus exercise.  I’ll be honest, the exercise is going to be the challenge. 

Exercising is always challenging, but add 2 kids and 3 businesses, plus a hubby and a house.  Oh my – you get the picture.  So, this is where I will need the Sistahood’s support.  I have some Leslie Sansone Walking DVD’s that I’ll be starting out with.  I have mentioned to my hubby on several occassions that I want a Wii but he disagrees.  I’ll have to save up for that on the side.  Maybe I can sell some stuff on eBay to earn the money. 

Gaining weight and not getting enough exercise is one of the biggest challenges with working at home.  When you are at home taking care of the kids, then go straight to work (sitting in your office), there’s not much movement.  So, you have to make exercising a priority.  Learn from my mistakes!

To find out more about this challenge and support group, go to www.mamavation.com