My Weight Loss Goal

I was reading this post and got to thinking how maybe I need to be more specific about my GOAL of losing weight.  Not just some want, wish or resolution!  So here is my goal for 2012:
I want to lose 50 pounds by the time Bug has
her baptism! 

In our church people that are raised in the church are typically baptized at the age of 8.  She is set on getting baptized.  She talks about it randomly out of nowhere.  Her birthday is at the end of June.  With baptisms come family.  With family functions come pictures.  With pictures come Sassy not happy with herself.  I can't stand my picture taken with me at this current weight.  I know that might sound weird. but I seriously am not happy right now with my weight. 

So Bug will be baptized in either July or August I think.  We will have to work on the real details of this.  I have plenty of time.

I have a long way to go to get myself to where I want to be, but I am going to work really hard at this and keep my goal.  How do I plan on getting to my goal weight of 135 pounds?


For starters, I am going to cut out soda completely!

I will admit that this is going to be so hard for me.  I have a great love for Mountain Dew.  Nothing pleases me more in the morning than that sugary tingle on my tongue from my beloved Dew.  After all I would Do the Dew!!  ;)  No more though!  Dew is out.  Water is in.  Mountain Dew has unwanted calories.  I don't want them on my waist.  So long, Dew.  It has been great knowing you.  It is over.  Get your stuff and move out, why don't ya!  Sassy is tired of seeing you.  (Okay seriously seeing this picture on here of the Mountain Dew brand makes me want one so bad.  I can tell this is going to be harder than I thought.  I thought it would be smoothe sailing from here.  Not so.  Oh what a shame.) 

I am going to replace Mountain Dew with water and drink lots of water.  It is much healthier and keeps you full longer.  Best part of all- NO CALORIES~!!

I am going to start walking and exercising.  Back when I was good and lost all that weight (and kept it off for such a long time even after giving birth), I would walk and exercised.  I loved walking.  We would walk around the park and just go!  It was such a great stress relief.  I loved it.  In addition to the stress relief, I felt so great by the time I was finished.  I would go home and shower, drink more water, unwind and soon I was ready for bed.  I just felt happy and content.  The biggest thing I need to do right now is put an exercise routine together.  It is time!  I need this.  Whether it is walking, cleaning, yard work, exercise videos (don't get me started on how many dang work out DVDs I have just sitting around collecting dust like the dust is in fashion or something), or hiking, it is time to put them in place.  It has been too long.  I have to stop making excuses.

I plan to make sure I get 8 hours of sleep.  Did you know that getting 8 hours of sleep somehow revs up your metabolism?  I was reading some article somewhere on weight loss and it stated that.  Considering I have been running on less than that for a while, maybe it is time to start working on that.  That can't be too hard can it?

I have to start eating more fruits and veggies.  Okay I will tell the truth, a lot of days I won't eat any at all.  I know that is horrible!  I have to really work on that.  It isn't that I don't like them, I have just been too lazy.  Pure laziness. 

Above all things I have to really cut back on my portions.  Let's face it- I am a total foodie!!  I love fooooooooood!  I just can't get enough. 

My coworker and I were discussing this and she said, "Being a foodie is fine.  You just have to make sure you are burning the food off afterwards." 
I said, " Let me rephrase that!  I am a lazy foodie."
She laughed and I guess she thought I was joking.  Unfortunately, I wasn't and I'm not.  I am serious.  I have to get really serious about this though.  I have to start exercising and I have to cut back on my portions really.  It isn't unheard of for me to eat big plates of things and go to town on them, only to go back for seconds.  (Sassy covers head and face in total shame.)  I know; it is really bad. 

I am a snacker.  I like to have my meals, but I like to snack in between.  Unfortunately, I reach for unhealthy things for snacks- chips, candy, cookies, cake, nackos, peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets, or anything else within reach of my fast hands.  Finishing off an entire bag of flaming hot cheeto puffs can be chalked up right to me.  (Dang it- I can't blame it on anyone else but me.)  Sad huh?  I love them!! 

I need to replace those bad foods with good ones.  I need to start having string cheese, yogurt, fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, granola and other healthy, filling foods within reach of my hands.  What can I say?  I am really bad about this. 

I need to plan healthier meals out and stick with it.  The laziness just takes over sometimes, I swear it.  I can buy some healthier things to make meals with but without sticking with it, it just goes unused in the fridge, when in turn I reach for the easy and lazy things to make.  Can anyone say Ramen or Macaroni and Cheese?  Spaghetti-O's anyone?  Oh you're tired of that?  Ummmmm how about some...  some.... some...... uhhhhhhh...................................uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....................... microwavable burrito?  No?  Ummm.... go find something for yourself then.  ;)  So I have to get real serious about making better foods AND STICKING WITH IT AND MAKING IT!!! 

(I am such a terrible mom sometimes.  By the time I get home I am so beyond tired to the point that I just want to crash out and sleep.  It doesn't help when you have a boss who screams and belittles everyone at various times.  It would be one thing if he was consistent, but I swear this guy is bipolar.  One minute he is nice and joking with everyone.  You think everything is going great.  Then suddenly he is screaming over something that is not a matter to be screaming.  I swear if this economy was better I would be out of here in a heartbeat.  Unfortunately, as we all know, the economy and job market are stinking.  Peeeeewww what is that stench??  Oh wait, it is this dang job market and economy totally stinking up the place.)

Back to this whole goal thing though--- I am going to stick with this!  I have to.  By family pictures for Bug's baptism, I need to have myself down to size.  Then maybe I can start fitting in my old clothes.  (Yes, I am guilty.  I have held onto them because I wanted to be back to that size and didn't want to part with my clothes.  I am such a hoarder.)

So what goals do you have in place for this next year?  I can't possibly be the only one here who plans to actually follow through and do something with this new year.

2012 is Coming

2012 is coming!  Changes come with a new year.  As I look around me, I just can't be satisfied with my weight.  I have put on so much weight to the point of embarrasement.   I am disgusted with myself.  I now weigh more than I did when I was 9 months pregnant!!! 

A few years ago I got real serious about my health and worked out hard, as well as eating healthier and kept it off.  I got pregnant with Jack and lost the weight right away.  I was at my old size in no time.  I felt happy and content.  Above all things, I felt healthy. 

Then, enter my sister.  My big sister was in a horrible living situation with roommates. They were taking advantage of her to the point she was paying the majority of things.  Out of frustration, she moved into my house and rented a room.  For any of you who know my big sister, she has always been a bigger person weight wise.  Soon her eating habits and unhealthy ways started really rubbing off on me. 

McDonalds, fast food and junk food were very abundant in our house suddenly.  Candy and soda.  Fattening processed junk.  Impulse buffet trips just for the heck of it.  Eating out.  Suddenly I didn't exercise at all. 

She has been moved out of our house for a long time now, but those poor habits have really stuck with me, unfortunately.  I hate to admit that I drink my beloved Mountain Dew EVERY SINGLE DAY now.  Some days it isn't just one can either...    I don't really eat fruits and veggie too often.  Healthy string cheese, yogurt, and various heatlhy snacks are nonexistent in this house.  My clothing is at the largest size I have ever been at.  It is disgusting for me!  Yet, I have just continued on and on.

As I look around me this morning, I am filled with shame and saddness.  I worked soooooo hard all those years ago to get myself at a weight that I was content with.  I was healthy and confident.  I was happy. 

This week I have decided that I am going to get serious about my health again and stick with it.  I want to start walking again.  I want to start eating healthier foods.  I want to be a good example for my kids.  Above all things I want to have self confidence in myself and my weight. 

I want to be in my skinny clothes again.  I am not going to disclose my current clothing size out of pure shame, but I want to get to my old size 5-7 again!!!!

I want to do this all for me.  I need this.  This past year I have really focussed on entering online giveaways.  It has been to the point where I don't want to do anything else.  I was so focused on entering so I could provide a big Christmas for my kids.  I am going to continue to enter, but I think it needs to be in moderation.  It has been to the point of complete and total focus in the past.  No more of that. 

It is time to get myself to a point where I am satisfied and happy with myself.  2012 here I come!!  Beware 2012 because I am going to change a lot this year.  I am going to work so hard and not just let this be some random new years resolution that I drop within a week or two.  2012 you are my year.  The year I will work on myself very hard.  I can do this!!

What do you intend to do in 2012?  Let's hear your resolutions intended changes!!

2011

2011 is coming to an end.  This year as I look back and think hard of all the new and different things I have done this year, I can't help but be proud of myself.  This year I did some pretty different things.

1. I started entering online giveaways and ACTUALLY WON!!  So many years I thought all these giveaways were just gimmicks and that no one actually won.  I couldn't believe when I actually won something.  It was so fun and unexpected.
2. This year was my first time ever driving to Arizona.  I didn't just drive a short distance either.  Scottsdale, Arizona is pretty far I discovered.  The best part was seeing so much snow on the way, even though we didn't get to stop and play in it.  I drove all the way down there to pick up Bug's new bedroom set that I just happened to have won online.  The only stipulation was that it had to be picked up down there.  It was a Mommy and Bug trip.  Just the two of us.  I literally woke up at 2 in the morning, had Bug up and dressed and ready, gassed up and we were out of town by 3.  We drove straight down there and back, not stopping for fear that the rain was going to get us.  Imagine if you will, looking behind the truck with brand new furniture and seeing dark rain clouds circling!  Pretty scary.  I was so terrified of the furniture getting wet that I just kept driving and driving.    There was no way I was stopping and getting this furniture completely ruined after driving so long and being so exhausted. 
3. Adding to the above the first time I took such a long road trip running on three hours of sleep.  No nap, no rest stop resting or anything.  I must admit that it was an extremely long, tiring day.  In the end though, it was totally worth it.  The look on Bug's face was priceless when I told her it was for her.
4. I took Jack and Bug up to the mountains and hiked while there was snow out.  It was so fun and unusual.  I loved it.  Bug completely fell on ice and I just couldn't stop laughing.  ( I know I am such a mean Mommy!)  We also had a little lunch and just enjoyed the outdoors.
5. I drove up to our family reunion up in Utah by myself and the kids.  I had never driven up there on my own.  It was such a fun trip and I completely loved it.  I intend to do this more often as long as they keep the reunions going.  We also actually camped out.  I hadn't camped since.... someone died!  (Long while ago when Bug was just a tot we went on a camp out and one of her grandma's friends had a heart attack and died.  It was very unexpected and she was only in her 40's!)  So it was fun making cool memories of camping.  The kids totally loved it.
6.  I had a mostly giveaway Christmas for my kids with my winnings from giveaways and we had such a blast.  I spent a little over $20 out of pocket for Christmas and we had one of the biggest Christmases (as far as gifts) ever.  I worked really, really hard at my online giveaways in hopes of winning for Christmas gifts.  It really helped a great deal.
7. I finally filed for Child Support!!!!!  Yes, you read that correctly.  After all these years I finally did it.  No, it isn't even close to completed, but at least I took the steps necessary. 
8. I started really working on my food storage.  I have a long way to go on this but at least I took the first steps and really started to dive into it.
9. Oh yeah, I MADE HOMEMADE BREAD FOR THE FIRST TIME!!
10. ?????

Hmmmmmmm for the life of me I can't really think of much else right now to make it to number 10.  I am going to have to work on this next year to make a lot of new things on next year's list. 

This next year I intend to get healthier.  I want to lose a significant amount of weight.  I won't announce the number out of embarrasement.  hahahaa  But I want to work really hard at it.  I want to start walking.

I want to start a real budget.  I want to start writing down where all my money is going.  I mean REALLY start getting serious about this.  I am very frugal and watch my money but I want to get more serious on it.

What do you intend to do this year? Anything spectacular?

Chuggington Table Giveaway

As you should know by now from reading other posts on here, my son is a  huge Chuggington fan.  I have been trying so hard to win one of the cool Chuggington tables.  I want one so bad to go with his Chuggington train set that Santa just brought him.  Right now if you head on over here to Rockin Mama, she is having a giveaway for one.  I am keeping my fingers crossed very tightly for this one.  Wish me great luck!  I think I may really need it.  Chuggington is such a great brand and I love their products.  They are dependable and durable for little ones.  (Hey they NEED to be durable if MY son is playing with them, hahaha.  He can be pretty rough on things without even remotely trying.) 

Chuggington Table Giveaway

Currently if you head here to The Mommy Files, you will see an amazing giveaway!!!!!!  Woo Hooooooooooooo!  She is giving away a cool Chuggington  Let's Ride the Rails Table. 

Now anyone who has a Chuggington lover will know just how awesome this giveaway is.  As mentioned before on my blog, Jack is receiving a Chuggington train set this year from Santa.  Instead of having to have his train set on the floor, it would be GREAT to have this table for him. 

I love Chuggington.  It is a great brand with great customer service.  I love the durability of their products and just how great they are.   

Head over and enter the giveaway today .  I want this table so badly for my son.  I know he would totally love it.  If any of you win, let me know so I can be happy with you.

All Aboard.... :)

Christmas is almost upon is.  I can't believe it.  Really I can't.  I have been so busy and on the go lately.  As you all know, I have been working extra hard this year to provide a great Christmas for my kids this year.  In my never-ending effort to work hard at entering giveaways, Santa scored an amazing Chuggington train set.  I will admit that I was literally doing a happy dance when I found out.  I just couldn't believe it.  As you all know from previous posts, being a single mom sure isn't easy financially.  Christmastime for some reason just about scares me because there is always something else that comes up that I owe on.

So Jack is getting this awesome train set for Christmas now and I am so beyond excited to give it to him.  I can't wait to see his expression and excitement.  Today as I was just looking around online, I found the ultimate giveaway!!! 

Right now if you head here to Real Moms Real Reviews, they are having a... GIVEAWAY for a Chuggington TABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!  Yes, you read that correctly.  An awesome giveaway for a table for his train set.  I want this so much.  It will be much easier than having his train set on the floor and having to be cleaned up or stepped on.  I can only imagine his ultimate excitement at this table. 

I am crossing my fingers and hoping that I win this.  Even if I don't, you should head there to enter.  What a great giveaway.  Enter now.  It ends soon.  :)

My Financial Bucket List

A Financial Bucket List.  Do you have one?  There are so many things I could put on this list for myself.  Some of the items might mean nothing to some of you but could mean a lot to me.  You might have some on your list that I would think are unneccessary but it is yours. 

My Financial Bucket List:
1.  Pay Off My Mortgage in Full- Considering I just bought my house less than 3 years ago, I have a ways to go on this.  I can't wait til the day I don't have a mortgage payment to make, considering a large majority of my paychecks go toward my house.
2. Save Up Money to Visit Wales With My Kids- For any of you who don't know, my mother lives in Wales.  That is where she is from.  Her and my father married and when they divorced years later, she decided to go back to be with her family.  I have a whole side of my family who I have never met.  Some of them I have emailed, facebook messaged/ wall posts, etc.  However, I have never met any of them in person, with exception of my mother of course.  I think it would be awesome to finally have the chance to meet them and enjoy their company.
3. Save Up Money to Visit Big Ben in London- I don't know why, but I have always been interetsed in seeing Big Ben. 
4. Buy a New, Reliable Car- My car is seriously a piece of s*&^!  One minute it works, and the next it just breaks down.  It is horrible.  I have had my car now for 6 years.  I would love to have a new one.  My dream car is a Lincoln Navigator.  Other choices that come to mind would have to include a Dodge Journey, Ford F350 (don't ask me why but I have ALWAYS wanted a big truck for me), Dodge Avenger, Toyota RAV4, and the list could go on and on.
5. Start a Retirement Plan- Enough said
6. Obtain Health Insurance- Yes, we are living without health insurance.  It is scary when you think of it.  However, due to my limited income I can't afford it.  It is scary.  Work doesn't offer it. 

I am entering a cool competition right now for sharing my financial bucket list, that is the $500 Give Me Back My Five Bucks competition. Head there and enter right away.  This ends today.

$500 Giveaway

If you head here right now you can have a chance to enter a giveaway for $500.  I’m posting this to enter a contest offered by Check ‘n Go at Creating Motherhood! I want to win a $500 gift card! Enter to win here: http://bit.ly/plaidcash

When driving around I never know how reliable my car will be that day.  One minute it runs and the next minute it literally just breaks right down.  Imagine driving and starting to break at a stop light and it just dies.  The scariest is when I am driving with my kids in the car.  It is so scary.  I have had it looked at by a good Christian mechanic, and he can't seem to figure it out.  I haven't been able to afford to take it in to a big shop, but it sure needs it.  As a single mom, money is always tight, and I swear around November and December money seems extra tight.  With $500.00 I could finally get my car worked on.  I am sure any of you could use $500 extra in your pocket.  Head there to enter the giveaway for a chance to win. 


 

Chefs Catalog Giveaway

Currently Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms is having a Chefs Catalog giveaway.  Up for grabs is a $250 gift certificate to Chefs Catalog.  I was browsing Chefs Catalog and found so many amazing kitchen items.  I totally want a pressure cooker and some awesome bread pans now.  "As soon as the giveaway ends, you can shop on line at your convenience! There’s no crowds to fight or traffic to sit in!"

If you head HERE to Deal Hunting Diva's site, you can enter her AMAZING giveaway for... 

wait for it......

wait for it.....

A VTech MobiGO Touch Learning System and Game Storage Cartridge!  :)

Woooo hoooooo!  How fantastic huh?  What is it you might be asking?  Well, the coolest thing ever!!

Vtech’s MobiGo Product Description: Put your kids on the cutting edge with VTech’s MobiGo Touch Learning System. Touchscreen technology makes learning fun as kids look, listen, and touch! This touch technology educational toy allows your child to tap, flick, pat, and drag their way to learning and fun! Numerous learning games teach basic skills including math, vocabulary, spelling, logic and categorization.

From Deal Hunting Diva's Site:
The MobiGo Storage Cartridge allows kids to have all of their favorite downloadable games with them in one place. You insert the cartridge into your MobiGo, connect it to the computer, download your games from the VTech Learning Lodge, and they are automatically stored on your cartridge. Learning on-the-go with your favorite educational toy has never been so easy! This is a pretty neat feature.

Head there now for this giveaway!!!  This is a very short giveaway.  You'll want to enter this right away.  :)  Happy entering.

New Age Mama's Think Geek Giveaway

New Age Mama is having a super, fantastic giveaway!!!!!

  Have you heard of Think Geek yet?  If you haven't, check out that site and you will see some awesome things that I just can't get enough of.  Do you have any geeks in your family?  Their items would make great Christmas gifts. 

From New Age Mama's site:

If you are looking for a fun gift this holiday season, than Think Geek is the perfect place to start shopping. You can shop by price, category, or even pick stocking stuffers using their convenient search engines! Be sure to check out their sale section for savings on already low prices. Whether you're looking for toys for kids, fun finds for the die hard collector, or even something for the techie geek in your life, you can find it all and more at Think Geek!

Well, New Age Mama is having a giveaway for a $50 gift card to Think Geek. 

If I won, I would totally buy the Nintendo Monopoly.  I grew up playing Nintendo and Super Nintendo.  Mario is so awesome!  I know I am not the only Geek out there, so get over there and enter! 

A $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway

Right now if you go here, you can enter for a chance at Practical Frugality's $100 Target Gift Card Giveaway!!!  Wooo hooo!  I love Target.  They have such great things there. 

If I were to win, I would totally purchase some glass bread loaf pans so I can make a bunch of fresh, homemade bread.  I would kindly share with neighbors and friends.  I love fresh bread.  mmmmm.  I made some this week and it was my first time ever making bread.  Let me just tell you, it was AMAZING!! 

Well, head over to Practical Frugality now for your chance and happy entering!  :)

I won!!! :)

I WON!!!!

Woooo hoooo!  I won an awesome giveaway over at Familylicious!  This giveaway is the one that I won.   What is it that I won you ask?  Well, I won a LullaPet with an MP3 player. 



I am super excited.  My daughter is going to love this.  How awesome is that???  Check out their blog.  I am so happy right now. 

Invest It Wisely's $300 giveaway

Invest It Wisely is having a $300 giveaway.  With the holidays soon approaching, I know this could help so many people out.  Make sure you enter.  What I love is that they will be donating half to charity.  How awesome.  Head there now!

Autism United Giveaway – $300 Sears Giftcard Giveaway

Autism United Giveaway – $300 Sears Giftcard Giveaway!  Here is an awesome giveaway at Mommy Matter.  How would you like $300 to shop at Sears?  How about a gift card in that amount?  I would love one.  I surely could use it. 

This giveaway starts Dec. 5th and runs to Dec. 15th, 2011 and is for a $300 Sears Gift card available via email which can be used for online shopping or printed out and used in you local Sears store. This gift card is the perfect item to be able to bring a hard year to a happy ending. At Sears you can get a wide range of gifts or items on your list that will ensure everyone can have a gift.

Calphalon Slow Cooker

If you go here you can enter a giveaway for a Calphalon Slow Cooker.  I love slow cookers.  They are perfect for winter time.  Just throw the food in and go.  No worrying about it.  Make sure you enter soon, as the giveaway ends in two days.  Who can't use a slow cooker?  Check it out now !  :)