National Pay It Forward Day

Today is National Pay It Forward Day. I had never heard of this day till I joined the awesome company I belong to, Scentsy Family. Scentsy Family celebrates this day each year with their employees at corporate. It is amazing, they give EACH employee $10 to Pay It Forward in some way. You can read about what they do on their blog. Visit Scentsy Family Bog!

Want to know more about National Pay it Forward Day? You can read all about it here on their official website. Honestly this day is one of the best day's I believe on our calender and I hate I did not know about it sooner!

So this year we are starting the day off by paying for breakfast for the car behind us in the drive through. Out side of that I have not planned out much but I know I will do many more things!
There are so many things you can do today and check out this GREAT printable I found through Pinterest. What a GREAT way to tell someone what you just did! I am turning on the print NOW.

So What can you do to Pay it forward today? Here is a list of my top 10 ideas (of course there are multitudes more!

1. Pay for someones food that is behind you at a restaurant.
2. Drop off out grown clothes at a shelter or post online for free.
3. Give Teachers, Postal Worker, Fire, or Police a small thank you gift.
4. Put money on a random layaway.
5. Help an older citizen put groceries in the car or take they cart to the return.
6. Return all random carts in a parking lot to the store.
7. Drop flowers off at a nursing home.
8. Take bottles of water to customer service for employees working outside.
9. Place in date coupons through out a grocery store.
10. Pay on someones water, gym, cable, etc bill.

What will you do today? Make today special for a few people and ask them to Pay It Forward. You never know when someone may bless your life!

Hit Rock Bottom

So if you have been following my blog you know I struggle with my weight. The motivation is on and off again and I guess boils down to psychologically I have not wanted it bad enough. I mean truly if you want something bad enough nothing is going to stop you. Instead I find excuses NOT to work out everywhere. I am a very busy person.... there is no denying that, yet I know I could find a way if it mattered to me enough.

This morning I hit rock bottom and when I say rock bottom I mean I ended up under the rock.I got up this morning and made my family homemade blueberry pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs. I ate two pancakes (very little syrup-- not a fan, some eggs, and one piece of sausage. After eating I sat at the table not feeling great and a light bulb went off~~~~ This is how I used to feel every time I ate when I was pregnant. Now don't worry I KNOW I am not pregnant so I tore through the hutch to find my old sugar meter. See through all 3 of my pregnancies I was VERY bad gestational diabetic. I am talking specialists and insulin shoots several times a day. My body stopped producing insulin while I was pregnant yet after giving birth my body would bounce back.

I am not going to talk about all the details but needless to say I knew then I needed to lose weight and take better care of my body. Fast forward two years after my last child was born..... the last few months I have felt off. When I say off I mean tired ALL the time, no energy, no drive. I am thirsty NON stop and just have told my husband something is wrong. Well that something hit be hard like a rock today.... After breakfast my sugar was 245..... one hour later 283, two hours later 300!!!! If you don't know about sugars.. ALL those numbers are bad and I mean VERY BAD.

I have spent all morning crying. See we are a one income family and my husband is the one that works. We love his job but it is a mom and pop place with no benefits. I am a full time college student and have three kids. The last time I checked on purchasing insurance I was quoted $475 (lowest) a month PLUS a $50,000 deductible. I am high risk because of my weight (250)...... well let me just tell you there is no way we can afford that and keep a roof over our kids' heads. I feel like a failure.... a failure to myself, a failure to my kids, and a failure to my husband. I knew this was coming if I did not do something to change my life around. Don't get me wrong I did change things.... all sodas have been banned from my kids (always have been), adults can not drink them in my house either. I drink water all the time and we have started eating better. Thats was not enough and I knew it was not enough.

I am worried. I don't know what to do or where to turn right now. I know I am not going to give up and I know where I have to go from here (up) but I am not sure I can. I have hit rock bottom and the only place to go is up. Just needing support, prayers, and motivation to turn it all around.

OMG It's Monday!

It is Monday..... how did that happen? Last week was Spring break for me in school and instead of being a good girl and staying on top of everything in school...... YEP you guessed it I did nothing. SO now I am struggling to catch up and stay ahead. So where did last week go?

For one I am participating in Mamavation's 2weekchallenge. Let me just say this right now....... LOT"S of hot baths! I realized how out of shape I am YET how a simple challenge can get me moving. I have been hitting my 10,000 steps AND doing the daily workout. Don't worry MrBookieboo I will get Pyramids in today as well. I have not weighed in this week because I truly want to see how the two weeks results are!

I have not been to the gym this past week. For one my mom being in has really messed with our schedules, but as I do not see her very often I made an exception this week. I am also SUPER proud of myself this weekend... Faith's 2 year birthday was Saturday and I did AWESOME!

I served cake and cupcakes, smoked chicken and pork, potato salad, baked beans, veggie tray, cucumber sandwiches, and stuffed strawberries. I ate around 4oz of the smoked chicken with only one teaspoon of BBQ sauce, tons and tons of veggies, about 15 cucumber sandwiches (party turned into a spa party lol) and only one stuffed strawberry. I drank some lemonade and water avoiding the sweet tea and soda. Oh course my kids and husband drank the tea as they do not drink soda, I was taken back by the number of kids who were allowed to drink soda though. Dinners have been okay but not great falling back on Subway since we have been so busy this last week.

Goal for this week: to hit the gym at least 3 days plus complete the 2weekchallenge. I also am praying about applying to be a Mamavation mom, I could do it this time as their is NO chance of getting pregnant during it lol :)

Time to Spring Forward

So Sunday was Spring Forward..... Who of you forgot? I changed my clocks but other than that Im still stuck on the falling back.... Falling back on old habits. I am the queen of making excuses and before I know it we are in March. Yes March and I have once again failed to make progress on my resolution. Thinking back I know this is NOT where I thought I would be today this year.

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy about some things in my life this year.

• School is going good. 7 more classes and 9 more months and I will have my associates.
• I am finding more time for my kids.
• Business is going good and my team is growing.
• I am eating better and Fruits and Veggies are my staple NOT carbs.

That's where my list ends though. I am yoyo'ing with my fitness goals. I will say when I am working out I give it my 100% all and I walk away very proud. The problem is I do it for a day or two and then life gets in the way and before I know it a week has gone by since I last hit the YMCA or even the yoga ball. I want this I REALLY do.... but I don't know how to make the time and stay motivated.

I look at myself in the mirror... this is NOT who I want to be. Intimacy between hubby and I is nonexistent.... and it is because of me. I am not comfortable, I don't want to be touched or looked at, and even though I am sure he does not feel the way I think.... I am gross. (This is not to say everyone over weight is gross but to me I am)

I get busy and then all I want to do is go to bed, then I get depressed because I feel lazy. YES I know I am not lazy. Running my in home business', helping 60 people run theirs, doing a full time college load, taking care of three kids and a husband...... I am a busy person BUT when it comes to getting myself healthy I am lazy. I let excuses consume me and I TRULY do not know how to break the habit.

I am proud of the fact that I am eating better, I can go so far as to say I am eating HEALTHY for the first time ever. I have given up soda 100%, no fast food (Saturday I ate Chick Fil A and I was sick the rest of the day!), and I am making sure fruit and veggies are stocked fully in my kitchen.

I need to be pushed..... I am competitive and don't like to lose. I think that is why I did so well almost three years ago. I need people holding me accountable. I know losing weight, getting healthy, my family..... should all be enough to get me going yet it has not been. I need help.... I need accountability..... I need tough love (yet someone that when I do it makes me feel accomplished and great) I need something to help me stick to this. I am lost and I don't want to continue on this cycle but Im so worried I will. I would love phone calls asking if I have worked out and if I haven't a good talking to. Someone to celebrate with when I do.....

I have thought about trying the insanity work out. Hubby and I bought it a year ago and it is still sealed. I heard it is HARD and I mean really hard. I was watching the infomercial today as I sipped coffee and its crazy but I want that shirt. I want to be able to say I did it.... look at me!

I want to RUN a 5k and finish the couch to 5 k program..... I want to make a change in my life. How, How, How, do I get there.... How do I stay motivated, How do I stop making excuses? What has worked for YOU? Please share your tips and tricks..... I want to make a change!

Velata Recipe of the Month—March 2013 Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries

jessicabolingifts.velata.us    

Yumm These will be made for Faith's second birthday party next week. They look so good!

100 To Lose Redo

Okay its official I am on a redo. Life keeps getting the best of me and pushing me away from my goal. I am on a redo though, After seeing my best friend I am re-energized to do this. She looks so good and is well on her way to a healthy lifestyle so here I come. I will make time...... I was doing good anyways till I hurt my ankle a week ago. So this is my first Mamavation post in a few weeks, yes shame on me. So time to update you one me.

I took my measurements last night and was not happy. I really have some work to do, but I knew that already. Hubby is doing this with me though and that helps. We are still going to the YMCA and I have a trainer there. I really like Kyle and he pushes me, I found I work harder when I am with him because I don't want to 'let him down'.

I made a play list on my iphone. I love it and it helps keep me going. I know when I am doing the C25K I start singing and acting a fool which keeps me focused on something other than the clock that seems to speed up when I'm walking and slow down when I'm running.

• Airplane by B.O.B
• Animals by Nickelback
• Bellas Final (Pitch Perfect sound track)
• Cinema by Skrillex Remix
• Cooler Than Me by Mike Posner
• Without You by David Guetta
• Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson
• Fight for all the Wrong Reasons by Nickelback
• Follow You Home by Nickelback
• Glad You Came by The Wanted
• Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5
• Just a Dream by Nelly
• Moves like Jaggar by Maroon 5
• Next Contestant by Mickelback
• one More Night by Maroon 5
• Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
• Payphone by Maroon 5
• Rockstar by Nickelback
• S&M by Rihanna
• Side of a Bullet by Nickelback
• Titanium by David Guetta ft Sia
• Too Close by Alex Cross
• We R Who We R by Kesha
• Yeah! by Usher

I took my before pictures this last week and Ken's too. Here they are:

 He wants to bulk up and tighten up.

 Yeah these were hard to post.

So far I have started using my yoga ball at home, I have bought the FITBIT which I LOVE, will post more about it later, we are taking a multi vitamin  and a fish oil each day, going to the YMCA, and watching what we eat. I am going to do it this time!

You can do this with me. Follow me on facebook, Pinterest, twitter, and instagram.

Week 1 Day 1 C25K

Oh my... I am alive. I thought last night I might die. I decided to begin doing the couch 25k program. I was so nervous about doing it..... I am NOT a runner I am a crawler lol. So hubby came home from work and off to the YMCA we went. Drop the kids of at their workout aka childcare and to the gym we went.

I hesitantly approached the dreaded treadmill and turned on my music. I have to say it was hard.... okay really hard and I am sure I sounded like a dying cow BUT I completed the day one challenge. I really attribute a lot of my success to three things....

1. Hubby doing the elliptical next to me not even sweating or panting hard (can I say I hate men).
2. My best friend is two hours away doing the same thing as me.
3. My rocking workout playlist. (I will post that this Monday)

 After nearly dying on the treadmill I walked (okay kinda of wobbled, picture cooked spaghetti walking and that's what I looked like) over to my bikes. I did 4 miles on the bike while again my husband worked out on the treadmill watching tv and breathing fine. The YMCA trainer spotted me on the bike and came over to make sure I would be at my session tonight..... oh no I'm going to die.

Ken decided he would begin to blog with me this time. We are committed to this process of healthy living. Ken will be blogging here on this blog with me..... look for his first post this weekend. I am so excited to share this journey of our life with all of you. Look for our beginning photos this weekend... Until next time drink some water :)

YMCA and Me

233...... Yep 233 is my current weight. That is ALOT but for me it is great! I started this year at just under 250. That is the highest I have been at since 2004..... That number has been my wake up call. I will NEVER see that number on a scale again.

I realize now I have been blogging for almost 3 years. WOW, what has once been a couponing and giveaway blog is beginning to take on the saving my life blog. I am seeing my life in new light..... One where my education, health, family, and friends take more priority than extra money or new things. I am not saying that is all nice, just that my focus has changed. Looking back I remember the scale saying 350 after the stillbirth of my daughter in 2001. I had hit an all time low in my life. Horrible marriage, abuse, low self esteem, and now losing the one thing that could have loved me. Three children later I am realizing them lving me is NOT the issue..... me Loving me is the issue.

Yes I know I should love myself as I am and accept myself but I simply can not. I have become lazy, self condemning, and a quitter over the years. This is not okay and it is not a person I can love. So I am making some changes.....

Ken and I joined the local YMCA this month. This was a huge step for us and also an accountability measure. See the accountability in it is that if I am going to pay for something I am going to use it (the frugal comes out in me). We got a family membership and although it is a small center in the middle of no where, it gave us the one most important feature we needed to succeed...... CHILDCARE!

Yesterday was our first day using the center. I kept my heart rate at 175 for the entire time I was there. I would love to tell you I worked out for an hr or two but in truth I died minutes after starting. In the end I accomplished one mile on the Elliptical, .5 mile on the treadmill, 2 miles cycling and a .5 walk. It is not much and to those that work out that is probably a warm up BUT for me it was GREAT! Before leaving I scheduled myself for a workout routine session and a trainer session which will take place Thursday evening. After leaving the Y, Ken and I stopped at Subway where we both ate a 6inch (mine on wheat his on flat bread) of chicken breast and ALL the veggies, no cheese no mayo but a little red vinegar.

This is a SLOW process but one I am excited to begin and share. The trainer told me something that hit a chord with me yesterday:

My weight loss is: me cooking in a slow cooker not a microwave... a healthier choice but one that requires patience!

Grinch Dinner 2012

I know Christmas is over and most of you can wait the next 350 days till it comes again, BUT I had to write this post. Christmas was very busy in our house and I never got to write about our Grinch Dinner. I wish I could take credit for the idea (since it is so killer) but the idea actually came from KT's Cooking blog. I did change some things from how she did it, and made it more for us....

Our Life in Pictures 365 days 4-7

Day 4: Hanging out with friends playing the Wii U

Day 5: Warning on my InStyler LOL

Day 6: Calling it an Early Night.... At least for me, after pulling an all nighter.

Day 7: I WILL NEVER see this number again!

Losing 100 Pounds of Me

So in 2010 I joined the Mamavation community. I had found a great group of ladies that supported each other and helped each other to become the moms they needed to be. After all most of us want to keep up with our kids which means being in shape. That year I was voted in to being a Mamavation Mom.... What is that you may ask? Well taken from their site:

Mamavation Moms lose weight in a boot camp experience without having to leave the home. They are set up with support, tools, and professional coaches to help transform mind and body on this journey. As they are learning healthy living and losing weight they live their lives on a stage for seven weeks. The campaign becomes a virtual docudrama with real challenges and victories as they become the stars of the campaign.

I could not have been happier but life got in the way. As a blogger I was going to New Orleans for a few days of fun and blogging connecting with others in Mamavation and Blogging world, but in a "real life" setting. Two days before leaving I was in a car accident (husband driving) and although it was not bad it was bad enough. Then In New Orleans I felt 'off' I blamed it on the rigid schedule of being in the Mamavation boot camp. I know I was not pleasant to be around and lost friends during this trip. Less than a week or two after coming home I realized this was more than a bootcamp/weight loss problem..... I was pregnant!

This was a severe shock to me as I was taking birth control very adamantly I might ask. I was not happy as I had lost around 50 pounds or so since joining Mamavation earlier that year. I also was not ready for a third child..... but God had other plans. I had to drop out of the Mamavation program and focus on an impending child and a failing marriage. Right at two years later I can say I have a wonderful daughter and a stronger marriage..... I am also back up to the high weight of 250!

I have decided I am done.... It is time to have a new me! I recently messaged Leah (@bookieboo)
to ask if I could come back to Mamavation and she simply asked me to write a post, link up, and come back. I was so happy at this second chance. So here it is:

I am back up to 250 but I am determined to lose the weight needed and be a healthier mom for my kids. This time I am not alone in that my husband will be on this journey with me. Soda is out of the house and water is the thing we are drinking. I need all the help I can get though. This is why I asked to join Mamavation again. I am a competitive person.... I do best when I am in that scenario and when people are cheering me on and pushing me harder. I am asking for that again Mamavation please help support me and I will you. I WILL not let you down.

“This post is sponsored by Schick Intuition and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

New Year 2013: New ME

So the world did NOT end on December 21, 2012. How do I know..... well it is indeed 2013 and a new year which means a new me. I set resolutions every year but they are always the same. I tell myself I will lose weight, I will stop drinking soda, etc. This year is no different but I am adding more profound things to the list as well. I am really ready for a new me and this is the year I will do it!

I mean I have accomplished a lot of the years. I have three wonderful kids who are the love of my life, a husband that constantly either drives me insane or madly in love with him, I went back to high school ten years after the fact and graduated, I am almost to my associates degree with a 3.91 gpa, I am a director in Scentsy Family, and I am finally gaining self confidence. I am still NOT satisfied. I want more!

So here they are my 2013 New Years Resolutions:

• Lose weight. This is top and foremost. But instead of just saying it I have a plan! All soda is BANNED from my house. If you want a soda leave! I will be counting my calories using Myfitnesspal.com If your a member look me up (angelface041206@yahoo.com). I also will be exercising more, starting with the 30 day shred. NOW I know I tried it before and when I could not do the whole video I gave up and never tried it again. I won't do that this time..... I will keep pushing each day to do FURTHER till I can do the whole thing.
• Work my business like a business. Instead of simply hoping my business works itself I am going to start getting out there and working it.
• School will be more a priority! I know I am a good student/learner and I take advantage of that. Instead of studying I wait till the last minute and cram and pass. Well last semester it caught up to me and instead of all A's I got one B since I waited till the last minute and ran out of time to turn things in. This WILL not happen this semester.
• Be a better steward of time and organization. There is only 24 hours in a day and I seem to not use them very well. I am going to make a schedule this weekend and start following it. Blogging, school, facebook, down time, kids activities will all be on it. I WILL get more done because I will not be wasting time!
• Make my marriage stronger! Date night once a month at least has to be a priority. I finally realized this year that one of our biggest problems is we were NEVER a coupl but instead a family from day one. We have to learn how to be a couple instead of always mom and dad.
• Get out of debt..... with our income tax we should basically be able to pay off almost if not all our debt. I want to keep it that way this year instead of falling back on the dreaded credit cards all the time. 

So here they are in a nutshell. This is what I want to accomplish in 2013 and I  have 52 weeks to do it in. I will be blogging more and hoping you will follow my progress on it. Whats your resolutions this year? How will 2013 be a better year than 2012 was in YOUR life?

Our Life in Pictures 365 days 1-3

Day One: New Years with best Friends!

Day Two: My third Favorite Wine.

Day Three: My new Obsession!

Wordless Wednsday: It's Just Three Little Things