Adventures in Onderland

Today was a defining moment in my life...one I won't be sure to forget any time soon.
I've been overweight for at least the last 15 years, and while I am still not at my goal weight, I am out of the 200's as of today and that much closer to being at a healthier weight...and I whole lot happier.
I have tried many times to lose weight over the years only to see those lost pounds (plus a few more sometimes) find their way back. I'd start and stop more times that someone learning to drive a stick shift!
I really can't put a finger on what was so different January 2011 either when I decided to once again make a conscious effort to eat better and exercise more. Maybe it was the bet I had made with my brother back in Sept 2010 to see who could lose the most weight by the time my son graduated from high school in May of '11 and that I hadn't really started till January? Maybe I thought I'd see how much weight I could lose in the 3 months that Brian was going to be away from home and surprise him when he got back? Maybe it was a combination of those things or something completely subconscious. Whatever it was, I went with it! Guess it doesn't really matter what it was, as long as I was doing it right?!
I am thrilled to say, that although I had a few ups and downs in 2011 and made yet another fresh start in January of 2012, I am on a life long journey of healthy eating and exercising. It's something that I know I am going to have to work at my whole life and that's ok cause I know now I am worth it!

Motivational Monday ~ Wk 6

playing catch-up

and here I was doing so well staying on top of my blogging efforts this year and then I miss a couple of weeks. Oh well...sh!t happens right! As with other things this year, I'm not going to beat myself up over it!
I've been finding these great motivational quotes/posters on pinterest and have been including them on a weekly basis in my weight loss journal....here are the 2 weeks I missed posting
Motivational Monday Wk ~ 4

* click on image to see it full size
Motivational Monday Wk ~ 5


There are a lot of things that are contributing to what I am claiming as successes already in 2012, these weekly motivational quotes are just one of them. I am including them in my weight loss journal and will share some new pages from that when I can..I'm really happy with how it's coming together and that I've made the creative time to keep up with it. My friends support when I log into myfitnesspal every day is also a huge motivator for me. I have the app on my phone, therefore always with me, so no excuses to not be staying on track food wise!! I've been doing the 30 Day Shred dvd that Jillian Michaels has and it's really working...by sticking to it every day for 21 days straight so far out of the 30 is proving to be much more beneficial than the off and on attempt of the same program last year. I am reaping the benefits and so motivated to keep at it....sleeping better, less stressed, way more energy and, maybe my favorite part...shopping for new clothes in the regular stores....it feels amazing! Oh and I'm getting a grip on the clutter/organizing too as I've been sticking pretty closely to the calendar from my simpler life
By following her one task for the day, it's freeing up time for me to play in my scrap room too...created this layout in my spare time...

It was for a challenge issued by Chelsea over at LiitD. I'm pretty happy with the way it all came together. We've met a lot of characters on both our trips to California in 2008 and Florida in 2011 and they can be hard to scrap after awhile. Oh well, it'll all get done at some point...lol!
Hope you're having a great weekend!

Scrapbook Sunday

It's been a looong time since I shared anything scrappy/crafty so I wanted to do that today...besides, I missed posting my Fab 5 Friday so this can take it's place this week...

A layout about taking the boys to see the Blue Man group while in Florida last Spring break...it was AWESOME!! Carsyn even got pulled from the audience to participate on stage...sooo cool! The boys loved the show...Brian and I knew they would as soon as he and I saw them in Vegas a couple years ago.



This layout was created with a challenge issued over at LiitD last summer during the members online summer long crop. Chelsea challenges us to use "I hope you never forget" in your title. I wanted to remind Zack of a few things as he prepared to leave home and move to University.


This was another title challenge from the online summer crop that another member had issued. The title on your layout needed to be "Happiness Is" Now there a lot of things that make me happy but these photos, and the feeling I had when I put these "fat" pants on still brings a huge smile to my face.


Now that I have my own scrap/craft room,(there was one good thing about Zack moving to University...lol) I plan to spend more time creating and will be able to share more often. My addiction to Pinterest is also helping with creative mojo. Do you Pin?

Motivational Monday Week 3

Fab 5 Friday

This week has been so crazy busy...I feel like I've been rushed/on the go everyday...looking forward to the weekend that's for sure!


making the bed before leaving the house...may seem like a no brainer to most but mornings fly by in this house so making time to get this done each day was a big deal for me

managing to make decent suppers for the family despite the hectic schedule we all had this week

the number of nights I actually managed to stay awake long enough to read before falling asleep

the number of times I worked out...need to up this next week...easing myself back into it is over

making the right food choices each day to keep me within or under my calorie allotment as indicated @ myfitnesspal

Weekend plans include pizza and movie night with the family, some shopping, laundry/housework and for sure some creating!
How about you?

Motivational Monday Week 2

Fab 5 Friday

Losing 5 pounds this week after getting back on track with healthier eating, loggin into myfitnesspal, drinking lots of water every day and starting workouts again!!


Staying on top of the Organize and Declutter challenge I found at My Simpler Life


only working 3 days this week topped the highlight list for sure



two nights in a row I was able to get into my scrap room to create...that was fabulous! I don't normally have time to create during the week...hoping this continues for 2012!


I feel great...physically and mentally!!

I hope your new year too has gotten off on the right foot!
Have a great weekend!!

Motivational Monday

sooo true...I've said this to myself many times

Just a little reminder and motivator


In an effort to keep myself on track, I altered a dollar store composition book into a weight loss journal...
this is the front cover

the back cover

the first page created yesterday...on the first day of my journey

Will be adding to it daily...can't wait to look back on it a year from now to see how far I've come!

I hereby declare

As a lot of people do at the beginning of a new year, I too, am making a commitment to live a healthier lifestyle...again!
Started out many times before, only to get caught up in life and putting other peoples needs ahead of my own.
That changed for more than half of 2011 (when I started a healthier lifestyle last January) and I am pleased with the results I achieved in the time I was committed. However, it's time to finish what I started and I am determined to make my last year in my 30's the year that this weight comes off and stays off once and for all! I will be 40 and fabulous...LOL!!
Any goals or resolutions for you?
Wishing you all the best of health, happiness and many great memories in 2012!