Hi Everyone!

I haven’t posted a Mamavation post in a while. I haven’t gone anywhere.

I’m still working on my weight loss and I’ve made some great progress. For those of us that chat on Twitter, you know I’m still there.

The only reason I haven’t posted in a while was for a couple of personal reasons and a misunderstanding. “What?” You might be asking. Well, let me explain.

I know Mamavation and the Sisterhood is all about losing weight responsibly and in a healthy way. I am 150% for that. About 4 years ago I lost 30 pounds on Weight Watchers and have kept it off even through 2 pregnancies. So, I know the commitment it takes. I still use my WW cookbooks and point system, even though I’m not officially a member any more.

I have tried over the last 1 year to take off more weight sensibly on my own. But I’ve been struggling. Just like every other mom in the world, I run out of time for me every single day. Between the girls, my 2 businesses, the house, my hubby…well, I don’t need to explain anything else.

So, my biggest challenge was eating healthy, making quick and sensible meals while chasing the kids. So, I decided to supplement my diet with 2 protein shakes per day and a sensible dinner for the whole family.  Now, I know that “shortcuts” are not encouraged, but it’s working for me and the protein shakes are more healthy than the other stuff I had been eating before. 

In the last 8 weeks or that I have been on the protein shakes, I have lost 8 pounds and 17 inches.  The 17 inch loss has been nothing short of amazing.  I’ve lost 4 inches off my chest, 3 inches off my waist and 10 inches off my hips.  I’ve been able to shop in my own closet and wear things I haven’t worn in a couple of years.  

I mistakingly thought that since I was doing protein shakes that I couldn’t be in Mamavation any more.  But, thanks to @gutimom for correcting me and setting me straight.   The other personal challenge I had is that I felt badly that I wasn’t able to keep up with all the posts for the Mamavation moms.  I try very hard to read as many as I can, but I have to admit I couldn’t get to them all.  So, I felt badly that I couldn’t support the wonderful group that was supporting me.

But, now I understand a little better about how the support works and I will continue to work at reading everyone’s post.  If I don’t get to you right away, please know that I will get there eventually throughout the week.  If anyone has a “trick” to keep up with all the posts, please share them with me.  I’m open to any and all suggestions!

My next goal is to get a Wii system so I can workout online.  I’ve been to some Zumba dance classes and had a lot of fun!  I would love to keep going to those it’s just that the dance studio I was going to is closed for some renovations for a few more weeks.  I have a CD with music, but I haven’t been able to keep up the intensity like I did while taking a class with a bunch of other women.  An audience is a great motivator!

Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.   

Looking forward to reconnecting with everyone and see how you are doing.  There are a lot of pregnant Mamavation Moms – I guess it IS in the water!  HA!

Have a great week!

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!