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!

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