My weightloss journey

When Jocy was born almost 6 years ago, i was pushing 200 lbs.  Me, of all people, left the hospital weighing 198lbs.  Yes I had just had a baby, but less than a year before I weighed 145lb.  And I didn't even break 130lbs until I was 22.  I was always the tall skinny girl!  I had grow to love my body in high school .  Which is a rarity, and I have to stare at myself in the mirror in a leotard and tights two plus hours a day!  I was accused of having eating disorders because I was so thin.  But it was just me.   So when I started gaining weight during my pregnancy with Jocy, it was really hard.  The restricted activity and bed rest didn't help any.  Or the extreme hunger.  But I was absolutely horrified when I saw that scale when I left the hospital!

I have struggled to lose the weight ever since.  The lowest I ever got after Jocy was 173 lbs.  But usually stayed around the 178 mark.  I struggled a lot with it.  But nothing I tried seemed to work.  When I got pregnant with Elly, I caught I really bad stomach bug and lost 12 lbs. So my weight gain wasn't too bad.  But the Christmas after Elly was born, I was at 189lb.  I was planning a girls trip to Hilton Head that summer and did NOT want to be in a bathing suit at that weight.  So my new years resolution was to get to 160lbs.  I joined Weight Watchers online and started walking three days a week with some of my mom friends.  I didn't really notice the weight coming off.  It was a lot of work.  12 miles a week pushing a double stroller.  And it got hot fast that year.  But by the time I left for HHI, I was 155!  32lbs!  I ended up hovering at 160lb until I got pregnant with Nate.  Did really well with my weight gain and was upper 170s when he was born.  I decided again as my new years resolution to lose the baby weight.  ALL the baby weight.  My goal was 145lbs. 

I signed up for WW again.  It's so easy to keep track online and I've really enjoyed their recipes.  It's been hard.  I signed up for a class at the Community Center.  And decided to train for the mini at Derby.  The first five weeks of the class, I thought I was going to die.  I was so sore, I could barely carry Nate.  I was so exhausted.  I thought working out was supposed to make me feel better.  But once that second session kicked in, I was feeling great.  I looked forward to class and it was a great de-stresser.  Didn't make the mini, Joel had to work and I only managed to get up to 3 miles.   I got a little frustrated because the weight didn't fall off like I thought.  But the inches were coming off.  I was pretty excited.  I was getting defined muscles!  After the 12 weeks, I had to stop class.  Joel was back to launch.  I have tried to keep up with  my proper eating and doing videos.  Walking here and there.  My goal date was our vacation.  And I was pretty happy when I was 154lbs when we left!  Less than 10 lbs from my goal.  I had to go buy clothes because NOTHING fit! 

During vacation, I didn't watch what I ate but we were very busy.  So I figured I probably gain a lb or two.  The first time I stepped on the scale, I about feel over.  What did that say???  I got off and got back on again.  OMG!!  Is that a 4????  I weighed 149lbs.  I haven't seen that in YEARS!!  I about cried.  Two days before I was called skinny by my Chiropractor, but this was the icing on the cake.  I'm totally satisfied with my weight!

Then today, I thought I'd step on the scale just to make sure I was maintaining.  I had a little bit more ice cream and leftover cake this week.  And I've been sick, so no exercise.  But low and behold, 147lbs today!  YAY!  Only two lbs from my goal weight.  Maybe I can make it!  Should I adjust my goal weight to 140lb?  I don't ever expect to weight less than that.  I don't want to be too skinny again.  But I want to healthy and be able to be activity with my kids.  I'd also like to start dancing again.

Anyways, I'm very proud of myself.  It's been a long struggle.  I still have troubles seeing myself the way I am now.  I still see myself from 6 months ago.  I also, would like to thank my friend Jen.  She has been my motivation thru this whole thing.  It's been amazing watching her loss over 70lbs and run a marathon!  I wish I lived closer because I know she'd have kicked my butt!  Having a workout buddy is definitely a great tool to weight loss.

me and Jocy - Sept 2009                                                   Me - June 2010

Cornell Part 2

I have no idea how we made it thru that Saturday with no casualties.  I was so tired after Fun in the Sun!  And of course.. no nap.  We got everyone in the shower to at least cool off and in fresh clothes and headed down to Beebe beach for happy hour and then dinner.  It was a nice idea to have it by the lake and the waterfall.  But when you have kids, you can never relax being that close to water.  So I spend most of the time keeping track of the kids. 

Again, the food didn't disappoint.  Even Happy hour had some good apps.  The kids greatly enjoyed the Class Notes.  One of many A Capella Groups at Cornell.  Not too bad.  Then there was a Magician so the kids would be distracted when the parents ate dinner.  Of course with our three this didn't happen.  Instead, we all watched the magician and Joel brought dinner over for the two of us.  Nate seemed to like our food more than what the kids got.  Of course... our kids will always prefer  bbq!   The magician was great!   Elly was the first to get a balloon animal and Jocy was picked first to help.  She wasn't too sure about the whole thing.  He asked if she'd like to help some more and she said no.  heheh.... but they love it.

Nate being a flirt!

After the BBQ, we dropped the kiddos off with Grandpa Bruce and Grandma Jackie.  Needed at least one night of adult time this vacation!  We grabbed Paul and Sarah (our suite mates) and headed for the tents.  It was a great time.  Especially, the random drunk people from classes near the year I was born!  The people watching is great!  I'm sure one day that will be us... except I dance way better..hehehe!

On one of the trip to the bathroom, we came across Joel's favorite A Cappella group, the Hangovers.  I've never seen them before, but were absolutely amazing.  It's surprising that there's that much talent in a smart school!  And it's an all male group.  It was great to see past members jump in and sing with the group. 

There was a trip to Hot Truck, of course.  So good... but so bad the next day. Glad we only have one every five years.  Joel and I have officially decided that we will be attending all the reunions.  He's been to 3 out of 3... might as well keep it up!  So Cornell, we'll see you in 2015!

Cornell

We left KC on Wednesday morning, bright and early.  Glad we did because it took us a while.  Between having to find a Walmart in Boonville, MO for a tarp, to the multiple bathroom stops for the kids, it took forever to get to Louisville.  We made it in time for a yummy home cooked meal from mom.  Thursday morning, we loaded up again, minus the dogs, and headed to Ithaca.  This time, the drive was less eventful.  We made it in 11 hours.  We had a goal to get there in time to meet up with Paul and his fiancee for dinner.  We made it in plenty of time.

 

Unloading the truck into the dorms was a fun mess.  Got a good size room, which was good since the girls were sleeping on the floor and Nate in the pack and play.  The dorm was a confusing mess tho.  Who ever designed it was definitely on some time of drug.  Our room number was 9234.  building 9, floor 2, suite 2, room 4.  Really??  So that's why you have to be smart to go to Cornell.... just to find your room!   Our room was by a door out so we thought it would be easy to park the truck outside the door and unload.  Great idea until we set the fire alarm off. :)  Got unloaded just in time for happy hour!  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a pic of the dorm room.  Forgot to take a lot of pictures at Cornell.  Hard trying to keep track of three kids and socialize. 

Thursday night we went for pizza and since this year was the biggest reunion in 15 years... it took forever to get dinner.  Which turned out to be a theme most of the weekend.  By 10pm we gave up on eating our pizza as the kids melted down.  Made the haul back to North Campus and we all crashed by 10:30pm.  I doubt Joel has ever been asleep that early at Cornell! :)

Friday, we had breakfast and then off to stroll around campus and downtown.  Joel had a mission to find a new jacket and was told by his co-workers he needed a new hat.  We managed to buy something at all three stores we hit.  But did get Joel a new jacket and hat.  Even found him an NCAA tourney shirt.  All the kids got something.... even Joel picked out a shirt for me.  Mission accomplished.  Afterward, we wandered downtown looking for lunch.  Found a new (well since we've been there) Indian restaurant and hit up the buffet.  The waitress was very impressed our kiddos ate!  Afterwards, we walked back to the dorms in hope of a nap.  Not so much. 

So off to Happy Hour.  Luckily, there were many kids, so the girls had a blast running around so we got a little time to be social.  Then a big group of us headed off to The Pines for dinner.  I'd never been there but was told great burgers.  And were they right!  Unfortuantely, it was super crowded and had to wait.  We finally get seated..... and WAITED and WAITED.  We were sitting with another family and doing our best to keep the kids calm.  But somehow... we ended up being the LAST table served.  Are you kidding me.  Thankfully our kids were great and the meltdowns weren't bad.  Being the last table worked out because we let them run while we ate!  Another late night!  I told Joel I'd stay with the kids and he could go off to the tents for the party. But he wandered in not too much later and crashed.

Saturday was the big day at reunion.  Full of activities.  And the inlaws were in!  Get a little help and then babysitters for the night.  Started the day with a yummy breakfast, then met the inlaws.  Walked around campus and hit the Bookstore again.  I wasn't looking forward to lunch since the last "box lunch" I had at reunion was HORRIBLE.  But to my surprise, it was really good.  Right after lunch was "Fun in the Sun" for the kids.  They had all kinds of activities, I was really impressed.  There was a huge inflated obstacle course, a clown, crafts, a DJ, and of course Ice cream!  Elly loved the Cornell mascot that stopped by and Nate danced to the Marching Band.  Jocy was off running around with her new friends.  We were one of the last to leave and by this time we were all a hot sweaty mess!  Nate and Elly passed out on the way back to the dorms.  The inlaws headed back to their hotel for a nap before the kids and I had hoped for one too.  Unfortunately, the 20 minute cat nap was enough for them. 

Now you will be bombarded by pictures.....

Nate loved playing in the rain!

The girls with their pink poodles

Ice Cream time!

ok since this take so long.... i will continue the Reunion blog later......

The Big Vaca

So I'm going to attempted to blog about our amazing vacation!  The girls are reading their library books and Nate is playing with his cars.  So I'm hoping to get some things posted!  I'm going to do this is phases.  There are four parts to the trip. I'm amazed we fit in so much.  We got to see both sets of grandparents.  And family on both sides.  Plus friends!  If we had money that magically appeared in our bank account, we would have never come home!  Ithaca is a beautiful place!  Cornell has such history and amazing architure.  And the lakes and hills are breathtaking.  Connecticut didn't disappoint either!  I think the kids, well the girls anyways, could live at the beach.  Joel and I joking picked out our beach house. :)  The weather was perfect!  Sunny and upper 70s - low 80s.  A little bit of rain but nothing that bothered us.  I told Joel I wanted to live in CT. Love the cooler summers... but then he said I'd hate the cold winters.  But wait... we not only get the HOT summers but the miserably COLD winters.  Hmm.... I don't see a difference.

Anyways, we had an amazing time.  Got to see lots of family and friends.  And got to relax!  It was great to finally be able to take Nate and Elly to the beach. 

Home Sweet Home

After 12 days of vacation, we are finally home.  We had such a great time that I didn't want to come back!  I have about 600 pictures to go thru and I will post all our adventures!  So it will be a few days.  The worst part is I didn't get all the pics I wanted!  HA!  Plus there's this little thing called unpacking that must get done. 

So bare with me.... there is a LOT!