Weigh In #12: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

Okay, no real walks to speak of this week. Though more than last week. Same kind of eating. I guess you may be able to tell what that equation equals. Yep, I gained again.  I gained 1.6 pounds this week. Ouch!

The great thing is, I still weigh less than I did at the start of my previous pregnancy! I even mentioned that to my doctor at my visit last week and she did say I looked thinner.

Previous Monday Weight: 223.4

Today's Weight: 225

Weight change from last week: +1.6

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 36.9

Weigh In #11: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

Okay, no real walks to speak of this week. Same kind of eating. I guess you may be able to tell what that equation equals. Yep, I gained again.  However, I can say I only gained 5 pounds in my first trimester. I guess that isn't that bad, though I had wanted it to be less. I am now in my second trimester. I gained 1.4 pounds this week. Ouch!

The great thing is, I still weigh less than I did at the start of my previous pregnancy!

I don't really see losing any more weight this pregnancy.  But who knows.  I am just hoping most of the weight gain will be baby weight.

Previous Monday Weight: 222

Today's Weight: 223.4

Weight change from last week: +1.4

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 38.5

Weigh In #10: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

It appears that being able to take walks during VBS has helped my weight.  I didn't have a huge loss.  In fact, not much of a loss at all.  But I didn't gain, and that is perfect for me right now.  Especially having to eat the pretzel (and sometimes more) at bedtime.  Before I go any further I thought I would clarify one point.  I have mentioned it in the past, but I have noticed by people's comments that not everyone is aware I am pregnant.  I know, perfect timing, in the middle of  a weight loss challenge.  Even if I lose a little, I know I will not be losing the amount needed for the challenge.  I have come to terms with that.  What I haven't come to terms with is my body's cravings for unhealthy foods and my being unable to down my salads the way I was doing before I got pregnant.  You would think that a pregnant body would be craving the healthy things.  Just doesn't seem fair.  I have to eat before I get out of bed in the morning.  Each pregnancy has been different for me.  Last pregnancy I was eating Crispix.  This time it is Life or Cinnamon Life cereal.  I have to have eggs for breakfast, either scrambled or an egg sandwich.  I've tried doing the 1 egg, 1 egg white, but seem to need both whole eggs.  I usually have some sort of cheese with this and try to get in some spinach or broccoli if I remember, which hasn't been that often lately. Hoping posting this will help me remember to add the veggie.  I have a cup of apple or orange juice with my prenatal vitamins and iron.  Mid-morning I need to have a snack.  I usually grab some sort of granola bar or cereal bar.  Lunch varies, but I miss my big salads, as I have already mentioned. We have pb&j, chicken patties, tuna, chicken nuggets, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, or bologna and cheese. Those are what we alternate through usually.  I try to get some sort of veggie, but most of the time I am making a canned veggie for the children, and as I don't like them very much I try to eat a small salad, but can't even down that.  I have been fortunate to have been able to get some tomatoes out of our garden, though they are tiny due to the lack of rain and intense heat last month.  Sometimes I eat fruit, sometimes not.  I definitely find myself eating too much junk.  I AM trying.  At least hubby limited me to one pretzel  at bedtime this week (I'm talking about the soft frozen pretzels that you have to warm up in the oven. We add a very small amount of salt and 2 thin, thin slices of deli Muenster cheese). That may have helped.  As did the hour long walks while the children were in VBS, I'm sure.  

As I said, a small loss.

The great thing is, I still weigh less than I did at the start of my previous pregnancy!

Previous Monday Weight: 222.2

Today's Weight: 222

Weight change from last week: - .2

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 39.9

Weigh In #9: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

I gained again.  I hadn't thought I had done that badly. I know the pretzels right before bed are not great for me, but I have to have something and they work the best.  Last week we also walked for an hour Sunday night.  This week I haven't been able to get out and walk.  My son no longer lives with us, he finally got his apartment.  Unfortunately, this leaves us nobody to watch the children at night. When hubby is home we liked to walk around town after the children were in bed. Not as possible now.  So, we'll see how I do next week. Here is my weight this week

Previous Monday Weight: 219.4

Today's Weight: 222.2

Weight change from last week: +2.8

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 39.7

Weigh In #8: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

I know, I chickened out and didn't post last week.  I had gained more weight (another pound).  It had been so hot, I had had no energy the week before.  I actually hadn't been spending a lot of time online anyway, because I was getting headaches and the computer was making them worse.  We also hadn't been taking our walks.  My snacking has not gotten any better either.So, here is last week's weight.  

This morning I was thrilled and a little shocked to see that I had lost that pound and was back where I was two weeks ago.  We have taken a few more walks with the children this week (still hot, but not near as bad). And last night we took a night time walk. When we got home I checked the time and saw we had walked for an hour!  

I have also been eating salads again.  Our little store has a very limited selection.  For a while we have only been able to choose Dole's Greener Selection or the Iceberg Lettuce.  I just don't really like these.  They finally got some Classic Romaine in, and I had a couple of really nice salads this week.  

I have to say I was surprised because we had eaten out at Burger King yesterday and had ice cream for dessert.  Hubby's parents were down helping my son move to his new apartment.  We needed something for dinner besides the few leftovers we have.

So I am happy to be back at

Previous Monday Weight: 220.4

Today's Weight: 219.4

Weight change from last week: -1

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 42.5

Weigh In #6: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

Okay, the late night snacks I need to eat before going to bed and the exhaustion which is keeping me from my late night walks have contributed to a weight gain this week.  Of course the fact that whole grain snacks make me feel nauseous and I gravitate toward the chips and donuts etc didn't help.  I will just have to try to do better next week.  Because this much of a gain is too much even for pregnancy

up 2.4 pounds.

Previous Monday Weight: 217

Today's Weight: 219.4

Weight change from last week: +2.4

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 42.5

Weigh In #5: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

Now that I am pregnant I am obviously not going to be losing 2 or 3 pounds a week.  I am trying to eat the best I can.  At times that is hard because that healthy whole wheat can turn my stomach because it is too dry. So I have an easier job eating food that I know is not that good for me.  Fortunately I haven't had any trouble eating my salads yet, so I do try to get at least one a day.  In fact, the other day we got to try our version of the Wendy's Berry Almond Chicken Salad.  I had seen Debbi post about it a few weeks ago in a post called Salad Power.  Last week I got to try Wendy's version and I really liked it.  I saw that Debbi's recipe calls for raspberries which I didn't have in my Wendy's salad (not sure if I was supposed to or not).  So we had blueberries, strawberries, honey roasted almond slices, some sort of baby lettuce mix (2 cups) and raspberry walnut vinegarette, not sure the brand, but they didn't have the Ken's brand, though they have lots of other Ken's Steakhouse dressings. We added chicken as well.  My son really enjoyed it.  I would like to see if I can find the Ken's dressing as this one tasted a little too vinegary.
We have taken at least one walk a day I think.  I have not done a good job recording anything this week.  I haven't always gotten more than one walk though. And sometimes it is only a slow walk with the children because it is just myself with the girls and one of them needs to walk.  We had 3 late nights last week (soccer game and fireworks were two of them) and I just had no energy for extra walks.  I have not had a lot of energy at all.  Naps in the afternoon.  Only one walk at times.  And it doesn't help that I need to snack before going to bed.
With all that I still lost .4 pounds.

Previous Monday Weight: 217.4

Today's Weight: 217

Weight loss from last week: -.4

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 44.9

Also linking to






Over at A Hippo With a Headband

Weigh In #4: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties!

We are a tad bit in a rush today to go to see the fireworks, but I wanted to get my post in because we won't be back until really late.  So, I am just posting my weight with no exercise or explanation or anything.  Will post my Slimmer This Summer post later tonight or tomorrow morning.

I have lost weight since last Monday, though, like last Monday, I am the same as last Wednesday.  What is up with that??

Previous Monday Weight: 217.4

Weight on Wednesday: 218

Today's Weight: 217.4

Weight loss from last week: 0

Weight change from Wednesday: -.6

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 44.5

Weigh In #3: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

This was definitely a better week.  I have been recording what I eat over at Spark People.  I was really surprised how fast the calories were adding up. I was doing better at the beginning of the week.  (Better eating healthy and better remembering to record.) Last night I messed up, but I didn't realize how many calories and grams of fat were in some of the foods and I misread the package and ate too much of the chocolate rabbit.  I insisted in trying to walk it off though, so we walked about 3 1/2 miles last night.  

Here is this week's activity log.  We actually did walk on the 24th, but we didn't get home until after the date changed on the Wii, so it went on the next day's log.  And we haven't walked today yet.  In fact, we will be heading out as soon as I have finished posting.  The 23rd we walked from the library, so only a 10-15 minute walk, but Tabitha was walking too so it was a slow walk.

Here is the last two weeks'. Definitely got more recorded this week.

I have lost weight since last Monday, though, like last Monday, I am the same as last Wednesday.  What is up with that??

Previous Monday Weight: 220.2

Weight on Wednesday: 217.4

Today's Weight: 217.4

Weight loss from last week: -2.8

Weight change from Wednesday: 0

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 44.5

Also linking to




Over at A Hippo With a Headband

Weigh In #2: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

I did not have the greatest of weeks, but if you figure in that we had birthday cake and I had 8 cookies on Friday (some at VBS some at home) I guess I could have done worse.  I actually thought I was going to do better because 2 days while Tabitha was in VBS last week, I took Amelia and Hannah on a 1 hour walk around the town we were in.  Unlike our hometown which is flat all the way around, the other town had a few different places with inclines.  The one was quite steep, so I figured I was getting a great workout.  Unfortunately I forgot to record every day again (We come home from our walks and get the girls ready for bed, by the time I remember it is after midnight and you can't go back on the Wii to record in the Activity Log).  I like having it on the Wii, but I guess if I keep forgetting to record it I might just as well write it down before I forget.  Each day this week I at least took a walk around town in the evening, I don't believe we missed once, even on the days I took the hour long walk.  Though one day we only got to go to the bridge and back because of road work.  Here is what I did record.

I can't believe I am still looking at the 220 on the scale.  I did lose weight from last Monday, but it is the same as Wednesday.

Previous Monday Weight: 220.8

Weight on Wednesday: 220.2

Today's Weight: 220.2

Weight loss from last week: -.6

Weight change from Wednesday: 0

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 41.7

Also linking to


Over at A Hippo With a Headband

Weigh In #1: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties! and Slimmer This Summer Check In

I had a pretty good week.  I had a bit of a problem keeping track of my food.  I didn't always remember what I had eaten by the time I got a chance to get on the computer.  I got it as accurate as I could and posted it last night.  My water intake wasn't quite as much as it should have been for the challenge, but I was getting 8 cups in a day.  We took a walk every day this week, I believe.  If hubby was home we usually got in an extra walk after the children were in bed (big brother was here in case of problems), and if he was working I usually took turns with Steven stepping/jogging on the Wii Board for 30 minutes while watching tv.  Don't let the picture confuse you, I forgot to get on the Wii a few days.  Oops

I was thrilled to see a loss this week.  I was so close to 220 I bought myself that outfit I had thought abut buying for my birthday.  Yep, two months later than I wanted to, but I am looking at 220 on the scale.  I realize it is .8 more, but I am thrilled that I am losing again.  I am so thankful for these challenges.

Previous Monday Weight: 223.4

Weight on Wednesday: 221.8

Today's Weight: 220.8

Weight loss from last week: -2.6

Weight change from Monday: -1

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 41.1

Also linking to





Over at A Hippo With a Headband

Starting Weigh In: Plus Size Bloggers Tracking Challenge: Bye Bye Booties!

I was thrilled to see I had lost weight this week.  Yes, I am using the digital scale from now on.  Even if my balance board starts working it will keep my results consistent.

Here I am today (excuse the blurry shot)

A little better shot:

Here I am on May 4th

I actually weighed about the same. 

Previous Weight (starting weight): 226.4

Today's Weight: 223.4

Weight loss from last week: 3

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 38.5!!

Weight Loss Wednesdays A Day Late, Plus Two New Weight Loss Challenges

I am frustrated and excited at the same time.  I have had another week of not meeting my goals.  I know I have gained weight, I am just not sure how much.  The balance board is once again not working.  The batteries were left in it and it drained them too much again I guess. The last time this happened I had to buy brand new rechargeable batteries, because the charger would not charge them sufficiently enough to be used in the balance board.  So, I now have to use the digital scale, which might work out better, because I noticed one thing about the Wii Board, it was not always very accurate.  It would give me different weights within minutes of each other if it was moved a foot.  Unfortunately the digital scale is a least 2 pounds off from the balance board according to Steven.  I am actually putting this week's weight down as a new starting weight.  That is because I am starting two new challenges for the summer.  Plus Size Bloggers is once again hosting a challenge, and this time there are lots of prizes.  Head on over to join up, the challenge officially starts on June 6th and runs through August 29th.  What kind of goal are you looking at? A loss of 15 pounds in this 12 week period.  Think you can't lose that much in 12 weeks, don't worry, there are prizes just for checking in and tracking your progress.

Plus Size Bloggers Bye Bye Booties Challenge

To help me along the way to making the goal for this challenge I am also going to be joining in on Debbi's Slimmer This Summer Weight Loss Challenge

There are a few more details with her challenge. Here is the low down:We need to 1. Blog our goals!!2. Track food and water as it is essential (This is the one I may have trouble with. Anyone have any simple quick ideas for tracking while trying to keep up with 3 little girls?)3. Watch calories and drink water (I am actually not following this quite as stated as I am still nursing)4. Get moving!5. Stay accountable and blog weekly with results.6. Have fun7. Challengers should support other challengers.
Head on over to Debbi Does Dieting to check out the details.
I am not sure how to show my weight.  It was obviously a gain. I was snacking, eating after dinner, eating sweets, not getting my water, not drinking my green tea, not exercising.  Which is still bothering me.  I started out May with such high hopes and it was a complete flop. I am going to put the last two months behind me.  April was bad, but May was worse.  And because of the Balance Board not working I am not sure how my weight compares.  According to the numbers I am actually more than I was at the beginning of the May challenge.  If I take into account that my son says the digital scale is usually 2 pounds more than the Balance Board then I ended this month at about the same weight.  From now on I will be using the digital scale for my weigh ins, that way there will be no confusion.  Unfortunately that means no pretty pictures of my Mii.  Oh well.This is a new start:

Today's Weight (Starting weight for the 2 challenges): 226.4

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 35.5!!

I'm also excited because I am going to be guest blogging over at Plus Size Bloggers.

Weight Loss Wednesdays May 25, 2011

I didn't do that great this week. I had decided last week that I really need to focus on the children more and have been having great lesson times with them. But I had to sacrifice my exercise time in the morning.  I understand it is important to take care of myself.  I understand that I need to exercise.  But I was getting to the end of my morning and wondering where it went.  We have been getting out more to the park and for walks, so I am more active than I have been.  My snacking was terrible though, as was my water and tea consumption again.  Though these last few days I have been working on improving those.  I don't think I met any of my goals.  However, I did lose .8 pounds, so I am pleased.

Previous Weight: 222.4

Today's Weight: 221.6

Weight loss from last week: .8

Total weight loss for May: 2.4

Total Loss since weight loss journey got serious on December 13th 2010: 40.3!!

I was also pleased to notice the other day that Plus Size Bloggers is starting a new challenge for the summer months- June 6-Aug 29.  Head on over to check it out.

If you would like some encouragement on your weight loss journey I invite you over to Tots and Me (my main/homeschooling blog) to enter my giveaway for Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping Up the New You.  I even have some extra entries for anyone who is on a weight loss journey.  Come check it out!!!

Plus Size Bloggers: March Contest Ending Measurements!

It is time to record my measurements for the challenge over at Plus Size Bloggers .  This month it was all about the measurements.  Here are the results:


                                Feb 28, 2011                                 March 31, 2011

• Neck:                      14 1/2                                            14
• Upper Arm Left:        18 1/4                                             17 3/4
• Upper Arm Right:         18                                                17
• Chest:                     47 1/2                                            46
• Waist:                       46                                                43
• Abdomen:                   43                                                 41 1/2
• Buttocks:                   55                                                 53 1/2
• Upper Thigh left:       30 1/2                                             30
• Upper Thigh right:     30 3/4                                              29
• Calf left:                 18 1/4                                              18
• Calf right:               18 1/2                                              17 3/4
• Upper Knee left:       20 1/2                                              19 1/2
• Upper Knee right:        20                                                 19
• Total Inches:           380.75                                              366

I lost 14 3/4 inches this month.  Not sure if that is good or not.  But it feels good to me.  My dresses are flowing again and not tight, they reach down further on my legs.  That is how I know I have been losing weight and inches.