Accountability

First I have to give a shout out to the amazing Chris for making over my hot mess of a blog that hadn't been redesigned in 2 years. Thanks again Chris, you rock!

One more thing... a quick PSA before this post: I am NOT a fitness expert, nor do I pretend to be one in real life. These are things that have worked for me, and resources/tools I've found to be useful. I am not a personal trainer or dietitian, or anywhere close to either.

Ok now that we've got that out of the way, we'll get to the good stuff. Most of you know I've been on a weight loss journey of sorts, since July 1st. My starting weight was around 165 when I stepped on the scale in January/February; today the scale reads between 135-137 depending on the day. I still have days where I can't believe I accomplished my goal (weight wise), and completely surpassed my physical goals. My two favorite tools are 'My Fitness Pal' which is an app I use on my phone, you can also access it from the computer, and my second favorite is pinterest. I have an entire board dedicated to health and fitness, with a catchy little Fergie inspiration title: Workin' on my Fitness (sing it with me, G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S (and yes when I spell that word I sing that song)). My fitness pal is an app/website that allows you to input all of your personal fitness goals (height/weight-goal weight), and then you keep track of what you eat daily, and also your physical activity such as workout classes, running, walking, etc... I highly recommend it, such an easy way to hold yourself accountable.

I have been very fortunate along this journey, I've had a lot of people cheering me on, and for that I'm so grateful. It makes a HUGE difference when you have people holding you accountable. I will get random texts, emails or Facebook comments/messages from people telling me I've been an inspiration to them. I smile from ear to ear when I hear that, because 6 months ago I would have NEVER in my wildest dreams imagined I'd be influencing anyone when it came to health and fitness. A few days ago I proclaimed my new found love of green monster smoothies (click that for the recipe) on Facebook and Instagram. Today I opened up fb to see one of gf's from high school had said she tried it out thanks to me, and she loved it. A few other people wrote me to say they tried it and loved it also. I can't take credit, it's definitely not my recipe, but I'm glad people are trying it and loving it. If you replace one unhealthy meal you would have eaten with this smoothie, that's one step closer!

Cleaning up your eating is a HUGE part of changing your life style. I'm going to stick with what I've been calling it all along- a lifestyle change. It's not a fad diet, something that I'll give up on, or any other failure catch phrases you can think of. I'm in it for the long haul, baby! I'm not going to pretend I always eat clean, because I don't. I enjoy the occasional splurge, and I finally came to terms with the fact that I can't beat myself up for enjoying something that isn't good for me from time to time. Food is such a taboo issue for women, you don't want to reward yourself with food, but you also don't want to deprive yourself from the things you like to eat. Moderation and making better choices is a KEY factor! Replacing things like regular milk with almond milk, ranch dressing for a balsamic based dressing, white rice with brown rice. Those are little things you can do that shouldn't be a huge sacrifice (unless you LOVE ranch like I do, then it seems like life or death). So many things we eat are processed and just flat out horrible for us. That's why kids are hitting puberty at such a young age, people get sick so often. They even over process milk so much that they've removed all the good bacteria that we need. I plan to do an entire post dedicated to eating, feel free to offer any input you may have. I love second opinions :)

Sam has been one of my biggest inspirations, especially with running. She spent quite a bit of time on me (amidst all her law school finals) the other day giving me lots of pointers. I'm glad she feels like I'm knowledgeable enough to ask me about my clean eating habits. I have to credit my friend Kristen for being a huge running inspiration also. And my gf Jamie who keeps calling me skinny, I could kiss her! Ha! I'm less concerned with being skinny, and more focused on being physically fit. I want to be able to kick my husbands tail if need be ;) (j/k babe).

I've been focusing a LOT on my arms, here's a few shots I took the other night before I went to boot camp class. Push ups have been my best friend, and worst enemy. I'm trying to lose that jiggle that us ladies love to hate.

I never thought I would ever be a runner, and still use that term VERY loosely. I'm working towards being a runner is how I should word it. I ran 3- 5k's in the past 2 months, and felt great about it. I'd like to step up my training and train for a 10k and eventually a half marathon. I've heard from lots of runners that the biggest motivation is signing up for a race. I think the Route 66 Marathon (half for me) next fall is my goal, with a few 10k's between hopefully. 

I'm fortunate enough to have one of my best friends as my workout partner. We slacked a few weeks ago and skipped the gym for a few weeks, but momma is back and kicking butt! Ashley and I did the Color Run in early October, the Capitol Craze (which is super similar to the warrior dash) late October, and the Rescue Run the weekend of Thanksgiving. I feel like I got a little stronger every time, which is all that matters to me!

I've got some ideas cooking up with a few of my favorite bloggers for some health and fitness link ups, and am also interested in maybe having a few of my girlfriends guest post their journey's for me. Who would be interested in participating?!!

I am definitely proud of how far I've come, and know I still have a ways to go, but I'm on the right track, and that makes all the difference!

Tacky Sweater Party and Other Hodge Podge

Last weekend we had our annual Tacky Sweater party. The outfits this year were just as amazing as they've been in previous years. I always question how people seriously wear these type of outfits and think they look good?! This vest I wore, it was a real doozy.

My dad built us an amazing photo prop, that got tons of use all night. We decided from the start of the night we were going to make the photos look as awkward as possible.... Mission Accomplished!!!

Melisa, Ron and I trying 'not to smile' (I have the worst straight face EVER)

Merry Christmas, Sh#@%er was full! 

Sheena, Carrie and Ron with more ridiculous poses

Melisa and I... I think this was one of the worst. I should have taken a pic of Melisa's full outfit. She ordered this quilt material type, jumper dress on ebay. It was awful, and amazing! 

Ashley, Sheena, Carrie and I practicing the 'look away.' Clearly we all need some work ;) 

Who knew, Carrie's screen printed t-shirt from Walmart was made from my sweet vest?! Best outfits! 

Ashley and I with more awkward posing.

The party was a big hit as usual. We were trying to cook up some other fun themed party ideas to have throughout the year. I think the next party will be an 80's theme this summer when it's warmer so we can be outside. 

So who is finished with their Christmas shopping already? If you are I probably don't want to know. I haven't really even started on the girls or Gerrad. We're finished with my parents and his family (that we draw names for), but the girls are proving to be a HUGE challenge this year. All Addaline says she wants is Brave, the movie. And Macie is only requesting Just Dance 4. Easy enough, but how what the heck do we get them??!! My dad is surprising them with Taylor Swift concert tickets for next summer (stay tuned for a video of their reactions after Christmas, I'm sure the tears and excitement will be flowing). That leaves me with ZERO ideas. What are the latest and greatest things for 10 and 5 year olds that I'm unaware of? Help a sista out! 

Ashley and I started back on the C25k this week, I forgot how much harder interval training is than just straight up running. I'm trying to build up a bit more endurance before 10k training, after that comes half marathon or bust. Those words make me want to puke just saying them, AHHH! I've found so many inspiring bloggers that have really prompted me to kick my booty into high gear with working out. Not to  mention Gerrad and various friends as well. It's awesome having people to hold you accountable because you're all trying to achieve the same end goal together. If you're trying to get in shape/lose weight and don't have a workout partner, I highly suggest getting one. It makes the BIGGEST difference having someone to hold you accountable. I'm no expert, but am trying my hardest to keep this weight off, and build muscle. We'll see how it goes as I step up my training. 

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. We've had breakfast with Santa this morning, attended a birthday party, and now are headed out to watch Addaline dance at the mall for a Christmas show. Tomorrow my only goal is to stay in pajamas and watch Christmas movies with the girls all day. 

Thanksgiving Break

Our Thanksgiving break was pretty low key. I relished every minute I got to spend with the girls over our 5 day break together. The girls enjoyed a sleepover with one of the grandma's one night, and another night their other grandma came and stayed at our house. They definitely got spoiled over those few days. I love that they have such great relationships with their grandparents, makes my momma heart happy since I was never lucky enough to have that!

This is our first major holiday without my sweet father in law. It was super hard on Gerrad, broke my heart to see him hurting. My fil's sweet smile and outgoing personality were definitely missed, it's just not the same without him.

Thanksgiving day we just lounged, cooked a bit, painted nails, browsed the Black Friday ads, and enjoyed being together as a family. With Gerrad traveling so much for work lately it seems like we've been non-stop all the time. This momma needed a little break!

Snuggles and nail painting were the highlight of this girls Thanksgiving, oh and pumpkin pie with extra whipped cream!

I finally got Macie to put down the 'ol ipod and take a pic with me. Love my sassy girl! 

Saturday evening was our annual Christmas parade downtown, with a 5k beforehand that benefits our Rescue Mission. My gf Ashley and I decided we wanted to run it, and support a great cause, and my brother in law Dion decided he wanted to join also! It was my worst 5k out of the 3 I've done in the past 2 months, but at least we finished. Running in cold weather is not something I think I'll grow to enjoy. Coughing up a lung afterwards and my ribs hurting the next day was no bueno. Our 33 minute time wasn't the greatest either, whoops! (Dion ran it in 28-29)

Ashley and I had some sweet, tacky turtlenecks- penguins with scarves and snowflakes. YIKES! 

Hope you all had a low-key Holiday spent with family and/or friends. I'm looking forward to the next holiday event we're having: our annual tacky sweater party. Look for the hideous photos to come next week!! 

Because I'm a Slacker

I realized I never posted any of our family photos we had taken last month. Maybe because I've been avoiding blogging again, whoopsie! Thanks Darci for the kick in the butt today reminding me to blog :)

 I think these two are my favorites!

I love how this one depicts their little personalities so well.  

This is typical for Macie and I lately, Lord help us. The preteens/hormones are no joke! 

Weekend Recap

After a weekend spent with a few of my favorite bloggers, I've been inspired to get back on the wagon. I've felt like I lost my blogging mojo for a long time. I'm going to try to get it back, again!

Friday night my favorite women and I had a girls night in, pj's required! Ashley hosted a Favorite Things party, and we all got to go crash her place, enjoy a delicious dinner (prepared by moi), drink wine and open presents. What more could a gal ask for?!

Saturday morning I loaded up super early with Lindsey (aka Nancy in the blog world), and hit the road for Tulsa, OK to meet some of my favorite ladies that I've been bloggy friends with for the past few years. The ONLY pleasant thing about 5am on a Saturday was my venti PSL, I thought about kissing it for the photo. Just keeping it real!  

Holly and Aly ventured to Tulsa to listen to Mama Laughlin speak, and watch her run her 2nd half marathon the next day in the Route 66 Marathon. I had only briefly skimmed Mama L's blog, but decided what the heck, a chance to meet Holly, Aly and Darci (who I had only stalked on instagram but was still pumped to meet), I was in! 

Here we are with Brandi (Mama Laughlin) after she spoke at the expo about her weight loss journey and her training for running her half marathon. She's a pretty inspiring gal! Look her up!

I FINALLY got to meet Aly, and give her a big 'ol squeeze. She's just as cute in real life as she is on her blog. Love this girl times a thousand! 

Don't even get me started on Turkey hat guy, hey old man perv! Gag! 

Me, Darci, Lindsey and Holly before our night on the town, which turned out to be 6 hours spent in the same restaurant because we were having such a blast. 

These ladies are hilarious, and kept me laughing all night. So fun to be goofy and enjoy a night out. 

Darci and I practicing our pageant face!

We also learned I cannot take good selfies/OOTN (outfit of the night) photos. Hello goofy face. I could never be a fashion blogger with the 'look away' face. Sheesh!

Thanks so much ladies for an amazing weekend. Can't wait to get together again with Darci, Lindsey and hopefully Holly. We'll have to drag Aly down for a weekend sometime soon. Check out their recaps from Tulsa, they're sure to be entertaining! 

I'll start blogging more about my fitness journey as well. I've run a few 5k's lately, and have another one this weekend. Darci is trying to talk me into running a 10k with her and Holly in Kansas City in January, we shall see. I'm not sure I can keep up, but let the training madness being (maybe ;)). 

Hope you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving spent with family. I'll be enjoying wearing my fat pants with the rest of my family. Thank you Addaline for deciding our attire for turkey day should be pj's... that's my kinda get together!

Well Done

There's a song that's played on K-Love called 'Well Done.' I heard it one morning on my way home from the gym and it just hit me. Like a ton of bricks, a flashing light, and all other metaphors you can think of. There's a line in the song that says:

I'm gonna run this race

To hear You say well done

I know that I fail on a daily basis. Sometimes I even think I set myself up for failure by expecting too much of myself and others. My personality is a bit extreme where perfection is concerned. I KNOW I drive my husband and kids crazy at least daily if not more, with this trait. I'll blame my parents... Just kidding mom and dad {kind of}.

As I sat one morning watching my 10 yr old spread peanut butter on a piece of bread, it took everything I had to not get up and do it for her because she doesn't do it my way. REALLY MOLLY?! Get a grip is what I'm thinking to myself. Why do I have such a hard time letting go of the reigns and letting people do it their own way? I need to be saying 'well done' instead of 'that's not good enough.' I'm going to make it my own personal goal to start giving more praise and less criticism.

I've been having the worst internal struggle lately. I have things I've stuffed deep down that I haven't even expressed to my husband, which never happens. I've got to stop beating myself up so bad over the littlest things, and sometimes just pat myself on the back and say 'well done.' We're all hard wired to need praise and affirmation, I need to do a better job at remembering this as a Christian, wife, mother, daughter and friend. Sometimes being everything to everyone is a little exhausting, and I need to just flat out admit that I can't do it all, and that's OK!

I want my girls to know I laugh all the time, and not know a mom that's so serious and uptight. I pray that I can start letting things go and lighten up a little. To learn to go with the flow a little more instead of always holding on to the reigns so.darn.tight.

Our Weekend in a Nutshell

Sometimes I feel like we have weekends where we totally overextend ourselves. Labor Day weekend was definitely one of those. We were go, go, go from Friday evening to Monday evening. We enjoyed lots of outdoor time, Gerrad's friend from work had a big clay pigeon shoot at his house in Nebraska, so we made the trek across the border for that. Sunday we spent at the lake with some of our friends. Monday we cleaned pretty much all day, and ran some much needed errands. It's so nice when G is off on a weekend so we can all be together.

My dad thought it would be a good idea to let Macie shoot a small handgun this weekend. I nearly had a panic attack and could barely watch. She did great and loved it, but this mom was not too thrilled.

Playing outside and watching dad and Grandpa shoot guns all day is super exhausting!

Kristen and I at the lake. SO glad for another gorgeous day to finish out lake season.

Love these two!

I found some Honey-Do projects to keep Gerrad plenty busy while he's off this week. Here is one of the things I found on Pinterest that I'm patiently waiting for him to make me for the kitchen.

And another thing I'm waiting for- I want to frame the tv in our bedroom that's on the wall. Hopefully it turns out as cute as this one!

This coming weekend is going to be another busy one. Chiefs football starts, and we're leaving at 5:30am to start on our tailgating adventure- cannot wait! I'll make sure and take lots of pics.

My Weight Loss Journey

For quite some time, Gerrad and I have been discussing trying to lose some weight, and try to improve our overall health for ourselves and the girls. We wanted to set a positive example for our daughters, and also feel better about ourselves in the meantime. Sometime in June some friends of ours at church started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. They had such great response, of course it sparked our interest. Gerrad took Advocare during college when he played football, so he was plenty knowledgeable about the product when it came to muscle gains, but he wasn't aware of all the trim/active lines that Advocare offered. We started researching it, and decided to give it a go. On July 1st we started our journey to a new 'us' and haven't looked back since.

Over the winter I had put on some weight, like most of us tend to do over the holiday's and when it gets cold outside. You wear baggier clothes, and just really don't notice a few pounds here and there. I hadn't stepped on the scale in quite some time, and decided in February enough was enough, so I hopped on the scale and saw a number I've NEVER seen before (except when I was pregnant): 165 lbs. I'm going to be completely transparent here for everyone. I know I'm not the only female alive who has struggled with weight. I've always maintained my weight/size going between an 8 or a 10 for the past 10 years or so. Over the winter I had gotten to a 12 and decided that was enough. In March I started cutting my portions, and occasionally walked around the neighborhood, but nothing too serious. I got off about 15 lbs or so doing that. When we started Advocare July 1st I was weighing in around 149-150 lbs. My weight as of today is 137.8 lbs. I lost almost 30 lbs over the past few months, and couldn't be more proud of myself!

Overall I just FEEL so much better, and it doesn't hurt that I feel like I look so much better as well. I'm currently wearing around a size 6, some 8's depending on the store. I've NEVER in my life seen a 6, even in high school I wore about an 8 and was fairly average size. My goal is to not lose anymore weight, because I feel like I look healthy right where I'm at, but just to continue to tone up- which is hard, I'm not gonna lie! Toning this mommy tummy has been nothing short of a constant daily struggle.

This is me around Christmas, I really notice a difference in my face when I look at old photos...

This is Easter...

This is from just a few weeks ago...

Here are my before and after photos from day 1 of the challenge to day 24...

I've been taking a product called Catalyst that helps build lean muscle, and I've been working my arms like a mad woman, trying to get rid of the jiggle. Gerrad's friend and I were goofing off a few weekends ago comparing muscles, and let me just tell you how excited I was that mine were more defined than his...

For those that want to know what I've been doing besides the challenge, I've been trying to get into running, but it's definitely a slow start. I go to the gym with one of my girlfriends 3 mornings a week, and try to do some things at home also. I know how important cross training is when you're running, so we do a ton of ab, arm and leg workouts. There are SO many great resources on Pinterest... here is the link to my fitness board that has a few of the workouts I've been doing. We've also converted to a clean eating lifestyle. No fried foods, no dairy, no sugar, we're trying to avoid white flour if possible, and I haven't had a coffee OR soda since July 1st. That's a miracle for anyone who knows my former love of Diet Dr Pepper. It's embarrassing how much soda I used to drink, GROSS!

I'm definitely not trying to shamelessly self promote here, but I know quite a few of you are trying to work off a few extra pounds, and I'd love to hear from you, and help motivate you if needed also! There are so many of you that inspire me all the time to stay on this fitness goal!