THM Changin' It Up

Whoa.  Just so you know, do not go almost 3 months without bread, pizza, etc. and suddenly have it.  Not good.  Not good at all, my friend. 

I was tempted to try the free Sam's take 'n bake pizza that I got from joining through Groupon.  Ok, I DID try it.  And then I felt like I had a boulder in my stomach, dragging me down, for the rest of the night.  Not good, my friend.

Another thing.  Don't go to a hotel buffet, indulge a little in goodies like a pancake or a biscuit, with all the other stuff you're allowed to have.  Fingers swell up like the sausage links you consumed, hands begin to itch, and you pray rings will come off later that night.  Talk about pain. 

Sadly, this is all how I used to live.  Maybe not to that extreme, but I didn't realize how good I'd been feeling until I felt so poorly.  Now, I know. 

We had gone to a seafood festival for our 11th Wedding Anniversary this past weekend.  We dined on crab legs and lobster, shrimp, and more, and most of it was actually on plan.  However, I did over-indulge a little bit.  I did find out I LOVE Greek seafood--who'd have known?--but I probably should have held back a little better.  I came back about 3 lbs heavier, but I'm assuming most of it was just bloat; I'm now back to the 22 lbs lost.  This means I'm a mere 12 lbs away from finally losing ALL the baby weight I have EVER gained!  YAY! 

Weighing In

It's been awhile since I last posted--it's just so difficult to find time to even think lately.  I'm pressed to get my syllabi, lesson plans, assignments, etc. all finished before my three classes begin later this month.  My classes are all full--even my Sat. class!

Anyway, I'm still continuing my food plan--the THM way of doing things.  I've lost 22 lbs, 12 inches, and I can finally fit into some of the skirts for work that I haven't been able to wear in years!  Yay!  My hair seems thicker and longer, and my skin is softer (for instance, my heels are no longer cracked and rough, but that is also due to the use of Lansinoh cream on my heals!).  I do feel better over all, and yet I'm a little disappointed. 

No one has said a single word except one extremely nice friend/mom from school.  Oh, and my hubby.  I know some people may be bugged from phrases like, "You look like you've lost weight," because it insinuates you were likely overweight previously.  However, I'm not one of those people!  lol  I enjoy my food, and I feel I'm actually fueling my body instead of ravaging it with GMOs and other harsh food bi-products, so I will continue following this plan for as long as the Lord has me on this path. I am doing it for my daughters, for my husband, and for me.  But...it would still be nice to know my dedication is recognized! 

I say this knowing full well I don't necessary remark on others weight loss journey, but now I realize maybe I should.  Shame on me.

Roomates

We've finally made the transition from Jules being in our room in a bassinet to being in Laeah ' s room in a crib. Yes, I actually bought a brand - spanking new crib for my last child at 7 mos. But, it does transition to a toddler bed and then a full one, although I doubt we'll keep it for the full bed. Anyway, I did shed a few tears...and then I went to sleep.

July 4th

Happy 4th of July!!

We took some family pics (sans the daddy because he was dressed to work on the house instead of getting all prettied up).  This was the only pic in which everyone is doing what they were told to do and someone isn't glaring off into space.  More kids = more awkward family photos.  I like it.  lol 

Quick update on Jules:  she rolls from front to back, back to front, and she'll sit up if you place her in that position.  If on the couch, she will raise herself off the boppy and sit up.  This is all because she had a 6 mos check up last week at which the doctor recommended her for physical therapy because she wasn't strong enough.  She decided to show that doctor!  She wouldn't put weight on her legs for the doctor, but then again, the doctor made us wait 2 hours, past naps, etc. and expected Jules to perform well...whatever! 

Food Plan

Hello! I've been a little distracted lately, as I've been doing a complete overhaul of the way I eat/look at food. Honestly, I got tired of feeling so...fat. Yes, I just used the "f-a-t" word. I'm not counting my journey from pregnancy weight, but from my last pre - pregnancy weight. The above pic shows me 8.5 lbs down from that weight, 15.5 lbs lighter than when I graduated with my master's degree in 2011. I have since lost another 4 lbs, for a grand total of 12.5 lbs and 6 inches since May 26th! Yay!

I am following the Trim Healthy Mama plan, which simplified means I've cut out most sugar; I eat every 3-4 hours; I don't eat white potatoes, white milk, or regular bread; and I don't combine too many carbs with too much fat. No, I don't do a lot of counting. I invested in Build A Menu, which meal plans, provides a priced shopping list, and recipes. Also, this plan has just clicked with me for some reason. There are several supportive and recipe - providing facebook pages and blogs, and I food journal with pictures on the ap Two Grand. These supports have been a tremendous help!

I actually don't mind the way I look in the pic above (although I wish my shirt wouldn't have been pulled down from the baby carrier), so a lot of inflammation is just gone...it's wonderful. Oh, and this is my pic with my valedictorian nephew at his grad party...so proud of him!

Six Months

 Jules is now six months old!  My how big she has gotten!  At her doctor's appt a few weeks ago, she weight 15.4 lbs, which is almost the size of Laeah!  I love her chubby little thighs.  I love her giggle when I brush her chin with my fingers.  She has begun babbling, and it's obvious she will not be overlooked!  She still likes to take cat naps, which drives me crazy (oh, yes, please only sleep for 5 minute intervals; much can get accomplished this way!).  She doesn't like to fall asleep until late at night (we're talking 1 a.m. lastnight, people!), and she sucks up cereal like a champ and has recently begun eating baked sweet potatoes.  She has the least amount of hair of all of our children, so she will probably have the most once she gets older. 

Quick Updates

Busy, busy, busy...(can you name that quote?  Hint:  It's a Christmas movie)...

Next week marks the end of school for my oldest girls.  Yay!  Not looking forward to beginning school on July 31st, though!  And the preschool Snugglebug attended is closing, so I'm already wondering where/if I'll send Laeah.  I feel like the one Snugglebug went to didn't really benefit her, so I don't know if homeschooling will be the best option or what I'll do. I had planned on sending Laeah to school while I began homeschooling Lovely, but we'll see how everything works out.

Speaking of Laeah:  it looks like she'll be getting tubes in her ears soon.  She's had ear infection after ear infection, and she has terrible allergies.  She's been on allergy medication for at least a month, probably longer.  Knowing what I know now, I'm afraid Snugglebug probably had a lot of sinus infection as a toddler/child, but I just didn't recognize her signs.  She's been getting terrible headaches lately, even throwing up after a major headache/migraine.  We started her on allergy medication, but she continues to have headaches, so migraine medication might be necessary.  I also need to institute local honey to see how that helps. 

Speaking of food:  I started Jules on organic brown rice cereal yesterday.  I was exhausted with her waking up every two hours throughout the night, and she just didn't seem satisfied.  I'm hoping to continue nursing, but as I've said before, I haven't exactly been successful in the past.  I've made it almost twice as long as with Laeah, though, so for that I'm happy. 

Anything else new?  I'm too tired to realize it if there is...!