before & after

12:48 PM Posted by Roo

I've been needing a change. Something not permanent, something fun, something just for me. I decided to try going lighter with my hair. I have always loved it dark red and it fits my personality, eye color, etc., but I wanted to do something out of the ordinary. I took a picture of my daughter in to the stylist (cause her hair is so pretty - see?) and said, "Can you do this?" and "Can I actually wear this color?"

Kyle Karissa Summer 2010

Her answer to both was yes. However, I had a LOT of red in my hair so it's similar to my little girl's but with more reddish tones. What do you like? Red/before? Blonde/after? There is no wrong answer. Unless you tell me to go brunette which is definitely the wrong answer. Because brunette makes me look even paler than I already am.

haircolor

Just curious to see what my readers/friends think. I probably won't keep it for the long term but it's a nice change for the moment.

confessions, check-in and more

6:21 PM Posted by Roo

Wow guys this has been a crazy, busy week. So busy, in fact, that I am still baffled by the fact that it's Thursday night. I can probably count on my fingers the number of hours we've actually been home this week (sleeping time excluded). But *big sigh of relief* starting tomorrow (Friday) it's not as crazy. Which is why I picked Friday to be my "let's try this again" day.

I did weigh-in on Wednesday and was up 1.4. I had a few thought-provoking comments last week (thanks, sisters) and Christie suggested maybe I was bored with Weight Watchers. At first I thought, nah I'm not bored, but after a little more mind-chewing on it I thought ok maybe she's got a point. It's not that Weight Watchers doesn't work. I know it does. When you follow the plan. My problem is my lackadaisical attitude towards it. So I thought - Hey, why not change it up? It's not like I'm 100% devoted to it (as evidenced by my weigh-in) and if something else doesn't work I try something else or even go back to counting Points. That being said, I've decided to try calorie counting. It will still require logging my food but I only have 1 number to deal with (for now) instead of 3. Something I've noticed is Weight Watchers is also all about the fiber and I'm not going to disagree that fiber is good for you but I've noticed, for me, it seems like the more protein something has the more filling it is and the less I want to snack/eat mindlessly.

Speaking of protein, I'm going to totally change topic here, has anyone tried Chobani Greek Yogurt? Oh. My. GOSH. It is the BEST yogurt I have EVER tasted. And the bonus? Zero fat and 14 grams of protein. It. is. awesome. If you like yogurt, that is. It's a little pricier than the other brands. Sale price at my local store was 10 for $10. But definitely worth it.*

chobani

Ok, back to my thoughts here (by the way this post has been writing itself in my head all week): Calorie counting is what I'm going to start tomorrow. I have a plan in place and a guide (thanks, April...you are awesome).

Exercise also needs to make its way "back" (get it, my back problems? Ha!) into the picture. My back is doing great and there's really no sense in putting it off. Game plan? 3 days run/walk (Couch-to-5K program) and 2 days strength training. I am working with Team in Training to get rescheduled for another half-marathon and am going to start looking for a local 5K to train for (gotta have a goal, right?).

WATER. Must. drink. water. We all know my crazy addiction to Diet Coke. And I KNOW it's not good for me. New plan = 80-100 ounces of water and 1 Diet Coke only if I meet the water requirement first. (This one scares me.)

So next week when I check in I will visit with you on how it went with calorie counting, exercise and water.

And finally, I need accountability. I was going to request a volunteer to be an accountability partner and I would return the favor - BUT seeing as Shrinking Jeans is starting a new challenge on Sunday and it includes teams, I'll be counting on my teammates to kick me in the butt if necessary.

*Photo courtesy of chobani.com. No one requested or paid me to post my adoration for this yogurt but I would definitely consider promoting these yogurts if contacted. I love 'em that much. Hey, I'm just sayin...

baby got back

12:55 PM Posted by Roo

Hey, you know that song by Sir-Mix-A-Lot..."I like big butts and I cannot lie..."? Anyway, the name of the song is Baby Got Back. And while this post has nothing to do with butts, it does have everything to do with my back. And maybe my butt too since the pain was in my butt as well? Hmmm, ok.

I had my follow-up at the pain clinic a week ago tomorrow and opted to try a 2nd shot. It worked, people!!!! I actually had zero numbing down my legs when I left (I did the first time) and by the next day ZERO pain in my back. None, zilch, nada. Amazing. Now I'd like to try cortisone shots in my neck, shoulders and head. Cause my back feels SO GOOD.

You know what this means, right? This means that my slackin self since early May now has to get up off her lazy butt and start exercising again. Crikey.

i love myself. i really do.

5:40 PM Posted by Roo

This week's mini challenge at Shrinking Jeans was to find 3 ways to love yourself each day in an effort to stop negative self-talk.

Here's my list from this week...

1. Painted my toenails
2. Took longer than usual showers & showered every day (big accomplishment, yo)
3. Shaved my legs twice
4. Got a manicure
5. Took an extra few minutes and put on makeup (I've been skipping that quite a bit the last few weeks months)
6. Wore perfume
7. Started taking my multi-vitamins again (I had started slacking and they always make me feel better)
8. Only had a few bites of the shared dessert our family had out the other night (instead of gorging myself)
9. Smiled at myself in the mirror more than once
10. Just finished my meal plan for next week so I am prepared to eat right and stay within my Weight Watchers Points range
11. Made a girlfriend date with my BFF to go see a movie this weekend
12. Reminded myself that I am strong and capable of whatever I set my mind to
13. Wore a dress and cute shoes when running errands a few days ago
14. Made time to just sit and relax a little more than usual

Do YOU love yourself? Prove it. Do something nice for you.

shrinking days of summer - finale

11:23 AM Posted by Roo

I run with the Sisterhood

Today marks the end of the Shrinking Days of Summer Challenge over at the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans. This week I am down 0.6 but up 2.0 for the challenge. I'm not beating myself up, I'm not stressing about it, I'm really okay with it. There's always next week and the week after and....well, you get my point. It's a daily commitment. It's a daily choice. Some days I choose to stick to Weight Watchers and count my Points. Other days I don't. And until I make that commitment DAILY, I'm not going to see much change. I'm going to continue to gain and lose the same few pounds. I know this.

The challenge I am having is sticking with it daily. I know I can do it and I know it works (lost 60 lbs on Weight Watchers before). But that was before kids. I also know that I'm struggling with life at the moment and the stresses associated with it. I know I need to take care of me regardless of what hurdles come my way. I say I will and then something is thrown in my path that catches me off guard and I am sidetracked for however long. Any suggestions on how to stop getting distracted and FOCUS?

confessions

3:00 AM Posted by Roo

True Confessions

THE BAD:

I am still struggling with feelings of anxiety and being completely overwhelmed. I realize this has a lot to do with the fact that I've been benched since the beginning of May. Plans I made, things I had looked forward to had to be cancelled. I haven't been able to tackle as much of the unpacking at the new house as I wanted to either.

Said feelings of anxiety, frustration, etc. stress other relationships. I tend to pull away from my friends and my spouse and immerse myself in the kids. I realize this isn't ideal but it is what I do.

I have had too much ice cream this week. But hey, what can I say? All the cake was gone.

THE GOOD:

2nd appointment with the pain clinic is today. May get a 2nd shot. We'll see what the doctor says.

The cake is gone.

The playroom is 98% complete (need to touch up where the painters tape took some of the pain around the trim with it).

I've had more water this week than in the past several weeks. I'm proud of myself for that.

And there you have it...this week's confessions.

recipe: fresh strawberry crepes

5:18 PM Posted by Roo

We had yummy strawberry crepes for dinner tonight. Breakfast was my plan originally (eggs, etc.) but then I saw Weight Watchers tweet this super easy recipe and I decided to try it instead. You should too. I promise you won't regret it!

And yes, it's listed in desserts but it still made a terrific dinner. Hubs requested bacon as well so we had bacon on the side.

Fresh Strawberry Crepes
POINTS per serving: 3
Servings: 8
Serving Size: 1 crepe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Level of Difficulty: Easy

5 large egg whites
1/8 tsp table salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 cup fat-free skim milk
1 cup all purpose flour
8 sprays cooking spray
1 pound strawberries, hulled and sliced very thin (about 3 cups)
1/4 cup powdered sugar


In a medium bowl, whisk together egg whites, salt, vanilla extract, melted butter, milk and flour until just combined.

Coat and 8- or 9-inch skillet with cooking spray; set over medium heat. When pan is hot, add 1/4 cup of batter and tilt skillet to cover entire bottom of pan with a thin layer of batter. Cook for 2 minutes; flip over. Top with 1/3 cup strawberries; cook for 2 minutes more. Fold crepe over and slide onto a serving plate; cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining ingredients; sprinkle with sugar.

Devour and enjoy!

shrinking days of summer: week 7

3:00 AM Posted by Roo

I run with the Sisterhood

Umm, wow, it's been a while since I posted weigh-in deets. I've kept it updated in my sidebar but haven't actually blogged about it.

I'll be perfectly honest. I haven't been as successful with this challenge as I had hoped but I also know that I really haven't given it a whole lot of effort. And I know that in order for ME to be successful I need to do the necessary stuff (the stuff that works for me/keeps me on track) - like drink all my water, write down my food, stay within my calories, etc.

This week I'm down 1.0 pound. I'm not sure how with the daily cake servings I've had but I am down and I'm very happy about that. Knowing my body those pesky carbs will grab me on the scale next week.

I've also decided to change my weigh-in days to Tuesday morning so that I'll have time to write my post and schedule it for Wednesdays. I'm really hoping that will work better for me and I will actually do this again weekly (which also keeps me more accountable!). This weigh-in actually took place on Tuesday this week so it's nice to go to bed on Tuesday knowing that this is all taken care of.

Hoping all of my fellow Sisters did well this week! They are an amazing group and lots of support. Love them!

fessin up

3:00 AM Posted by Roo

True Confessions

Instead of listing all of my transgressions since my last confessions post let's just go with the last week, shall we?

I have eaten cake every day since Thursday. Every. day.

I have consumed very little water.

I feel sad (although I can't pinpoint one specific reason).

I let people hurt me more than I should. I know I need to let go but sometimes that's easier said than done. Especially when said people end up hurting my children and are too self-absorbed to even see it.

And now for the good things I've done. What? You didn't think I was going to be all down and out, did ya?

The playroom has been painted an amazing blue (Ocean Sigh by Valspar pictured on the walls on this page). And the chalkboard wall is awesome. (Pictures to follow once the room is completely done with wall decals, etc.)

My oldest (the co-sleeper who then slept in a separate bed in our room) is sleeping in his own room all night every night.

My daughter is finally starting to get the potty training thing even though we still have a long way to go.

I got a lot of laundry done on Monday. As in 4 loads, yo.

I have been successfully avoiding that thing I love to do when I'm down (retail therapy). I've been sticking to what we need not necessarily what we want. Except for the playroom table and chairs I got for the kids from Target. And the hand-painted light switch cover, too. But I covered that with my money from my work-at-home part-time gig so I don't feel guilty.

I researched and now have the information to join my local YMCA. I'm waiting until after my doctor's appointment next week before getting a visitor's pass and checking it out; but at least now I have my homework done and I'm ready to go when I get the green light.

And totally off topic for this post: Speaking of the back, I'm still having problems (not as bad as before the first shot but there's still a lot of pain). It'll be interesting to see if the doc wants me to work through it or give me another injection. But hey at least I can actually do normal stuff now (swing my daughter around, dishes, laundry, grocery shopping)! That, in and of itself, makes me very happy.

children

3:18 PM Posted by Roo

I originally posted this on my family blog. But since Mel wanted to link it up in her weekend post I thought I'd repost it here on my public blog. Thanks, Mel! Share away!

Our children need US. They need our TIME. They need our ATTENTION. In the end it doesn't matter how many toys they have/had or how much money we spent on them. What matters is our RELATIONSHIP with them. I see it in my own children and I wish other people would see it with the children in their lives. When they're little (like now - mine are 6 and 2), yes they like stuff (heck, I'm 34 and I STILL like stuff). But what makes them smile, what makes their eyes light up, what makes them HAPPY is when I sit on the floor and PLAY with them. When I READ to them. When I push them on a swing or splash in the water with them. When I give them ME. When they're older I hope they remember that. I know that I remember that my parents gave me them. And it's still with me even though the stuff from my childhood isn't (well except the stuff my mom boxed up and has recycled with her grandkids). If you have children in your life step in and be involved before it's too late, they grow up and aren't interested in spending time with you because you weren't interested in investing in them when they were little.

it's not that i don't want to share...

5:46 PM Posted by Roo

I realize I have been VERY quiet about my weight-loss journey and everything remotely related. I haven't posted weekly weigh-ins or Tuesday confessions. Yikes! This really isn't on purpose. The move has been taking precedence over everything really. There is so much unpacking left to do. And painting. Lots of painting. But I am finally starting to get into a groove and plan to be back on track with posting and staying caught up starting now.

My son was actually the kick in the rear I needed when he looked at me and said, "Mom, I thought when you got the shot in your back we could start running together." Yes, that is the plan. I'm still having some pain going down my leg but nothing like before. I will see if the doc wants to give me a 2nd shot when I go back on the 20th. For now I'm trying to take it easy but I need to find a local gym in the new town and now that the temps seem to be going down (or is that just Mother Nature playing mean tricks on me?) I do believe family bike rides are in order until I get the thumbs up to start the Couch-to-5K plan again.

recipe: lemon-glazed chicken

5:32 PM Posted by Roo

I'm always on the lookout for healthy yet delicious recipes. I don't remember when it was but Cool Running tweeted the link to a recipe for Fiery Lemon-Glazed Chicken. At the time I just sent the link to my email and forgot about it. I realized last night (when cleaning out my inbox) that I actually had everything on hand to make this so I made it for dinner tonight. I did modify it for what I had in my pantry so here's my version.

Lemon-Glazed Chicken
Serves: 4

1/2 cup brown rice bread crumbs
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup honey (the honey in my cupboard had hardened so I ended up using Lemon Creme Honey for Tea by Republic of Tea)
3-4 shakes Tabasco sauce
1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil


In a shallow dish combine the bread crumbs, garlic, salt and pepper and blend together. Dredge both sides of the chicken in the crumb mixture.

In a small bowl combine the lemon juice, honey and Tabasco. Set aside.

In a large non-stick pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, cover and saute until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan.

Add the lemon and honey glaze to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the glaze becomes syrupy. Return cooked chicken to pan, flipping the chicken once to coat with the glaze.

Remove from pan and serve.

If you try it let me know. We loved it and will definitely be having it again. The glaze is amazing and it took less than 30 minutes.

hot

8:07 PM Posted by Roo

It is so flippin hot on the east coast. Brutal. Stifling. And I'm sure I can come up with a few more adjectives if necessary. Warnings have been issued so the kids have been banned from playing on the new swingset and playing in the kiddie pool until the overwhelming heat subsides a bit. Needless to say they're not too happy about that. They'd much rather be outside. And me? Well let's just say I don't want to leave my house unless it's absolutely necessary.

How's the weather where you are?

hopeful

7:05 AM Posted by Roo

Hopeful. This is how I feel this morning. I visited the pain clinic on Monday morning and received my 1st steroid injection in my lower back. I was pretty sore around the injection site but woke up this morning to NO PAIN. After doing some things (like a load of laundry and unloading/reloading the dishwasher) I did experience some discomfort but nothing - nothing - like what I've been dealing with the last few months.

At the moment I'm on restricted activity - meaning no jumping the gun and restarting the 1/2 marathon training - but I can take the kids for walks around the neighborhood and I can start on the treadmill again starting at 5 minutes and working my way up slowly. I return to the doctor on July 20th for a re-eval and possible 2nd injection depending on how I'm doing.

So yes, I'm hopeful. Very hopeful.