Day 4 of 30 Was Blind...But Now I See

weight today: same

Total lost: 0 in 3 days

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:195

2 oz banana:50
1 tsp of flaxseed oil:40
vanilla protein shake:110
total:200
--------------
running total:395

1 large egg:70
1 large egg white:10
1 lefse:70
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
3 oz of sliced strawberries:27
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer for coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:262
--------------
running total:657

vanilla protein powder:110
2 oz banana:50
1 tsp of flaxseed oil:40
total:200
--------------
running total:857

3 oz chicken breast:105
6 oz of boiled broccoli:60
1/3 cup of brown rice:55
1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
bites of son's chocolate icecream toffee bar:20
1 Blue Bunny Orange Dream Bar:70
total: 355
------------------
total: 1212

Today's challenge: Keeping to it.

Planned fitness: 50 minute chest and tricep workout, 2 mile run, my abdominal routine twice.

Note on Picture: Yesterday I was out of bananas so instead ate three or four slices of Natural Ovens Bakery Weight Sense Right Wheat bread. They are 50 calories a slice. I buy the kids' bread from Natural Ovens because there are on additives, no preservatives. In fact, everything in this bread is so healthy for you that it has to be eaten within three to four days or it will start to go bad. So, it has to be frozen. The reason the ingredients go bad is because everything is natural and fresh for you...kind of like fruit or vegetables. This bread is made in Manitowoc, Wi, but they also will ship. This bread is definitely more expensive than other bread, but I just can't make myself give the kids white bread or its cousin...wheat (which in most cases is just white bread colored brown). This stuff is the real deal. Their number is 1-800-558-3535.

Was Blind...But Now I See

After I wrote yesterday's post, I realized what a tough question it was that I had asked you all to answer.

How can anyone tell me...how to regulate my time better? I'm the only one that can figure that out. And I think I've figured it out.

This whole epiphany came to me yesterday and is tied into the whole all-or-nothing personality, that I think more people than don't have. Until about eight months ago, we didn't even have the internet in our house. It's like we were behind the times or something...or were we?

Here's another analogy...turning on the computer is like turning on double bright headlights in the dark and pointing them at a deer as it's crossing the road. He was going along his life, all fine and dandy until he looked at those lights. Now he's so entranced by those lights...that he just keeps staring...all the while the other deer who didn't look keep going on with their life. If that deer doesn't stop looking...he's going to get run over by a semi-truck.

If only the deer could turn off the lights...he could finish crossing the road and do whatever it is that deer do...mate, dance, eat grass... lope through fields.

When I'm at home, just knowing that I have access to the computer...I think blinds my mind towards other thoughts related to what needs to be done.

When you tie that into my personality, it's like...either I'm intensely thinking about and doing my blog and everything related to it or I'm masterminding the organization of the house. I don't think I can passionately do both.

The difference between that deer and us is that we have the ability to turn off the lights...if we just would. So, I'm going to test this out.

I'm going to literally turn off my computer during the day. My mind will know that it won't have access to it until after the kids are in bed or way early in the morning. This way, my all-or-nothing mind will say ok...it's no computer...so I guess it will be all about the house. See this...all...or...nothing. And since I haven't figured out how to do inbetween yet, why not use what I know about myself to my advantage, to the kids' advantage...my husband would love a clean house again.

Now, I know this post has nothing to do with dieting, but part of taking control of your eating involves taking control of your life. Instead of just letting food find me, I schedule in when I eat it. I decide the amount that needs to be eaten. I decide what areas of my fitness need to be worked.

If I can do that for my figure...the same principles must surely be able to be applied to other areas of my life. I make the computer schedule...I schedule it in.

If any of you have ever followed the Problogger or read any of his blog. He blogs from 4-6 a.m. and then again later at night. During the time inbetween, he works an eight hour job and spends time with his family. Maybe he understands the affect the computer can have on your mind.

Actually, I don't think I'll probably blog any less time, but this way...I think I will be more productive in the areas that need my attention because my mind will be more focused on my immediate real world.

If anything, I hope this post encourages you all to see that...learning to control your eating behavior is a discipline that will help you to succeed in other areas. That's my theory at least. I may not be agreeing with that when I can't visit the computer during the day. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hey, maybe I should take some before and after pictures of this place...cause it's looking really messy right now.

Day 3 of 30 My Attempt At Inbetween

Weight today: same

Total lost: 0 in 2 days

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of poweder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 195

1 tsp of peanut butter:33
1 slice of Natural Ovens Right sense bread:50
vanilla protein shake:110
total:193
---------------
running total:393

1 large egg:70
1 large egg white:10
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of cottage cheese fat free:80
3 oz of sliced strawberries:27
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:267
---------------
running total:660

vanilla protein shake: 110
2 slices of Natural Ovens Bakery Right Sense wheat bread:100
toasted with 1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
total: 225
-----------------
running total:885

1/2 into 2 hour work-out ate 1 slice of wheat bread:50
---------------
running total: 935

3 oz chicken breast:105
4 oz of boiled broccoli:40
1 slice of white Italian bread:50
with 1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
with 1/2 tsp of sugar:7
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
chocolate toffee bites from son's ice cream bar: 60 (est)
total:307
----------------
running total:1242
Today's challenge: Staying hydrated and keeping focused even though I'm feeling a little tired today.

Actual fitness: bicep and back work-out, 5-mile run,

Note on picture: I'm trying to incorporate more vegetables in my diet and this is what I ate last night. 3 oz chicken breast:105, 4 1/2 oz of boiled broccoli:45, 1/3 cup of brown rice:55, 1 tsp of Smart Balance Light butter split between the broccoli and rice: 15, total: 250. This dish,though very low calorie...actually filled me up.

My Attempt At In-between

Remember when I talked to you all about me being an all-or-nothing type of personality?

I'm either on a diet...or I'm eating chocolate Dove caramels by the bag and gaining weight by the millisecond.

Halfway? What's that? Happy medium? Only if you want to be only half-way happy...

A clean house? What house...I have a house?

Not when I'm on a diet and blogging about my diet I don't have one...

he, he...so I'm trying to make light of something that is actually a little bit of a dilemma for me. How do I reap the benefits of blogging about my diet efforts all the while, manage the house with five kids, keep it clean and organized? How do I spread out my efforts in such a way that I don't overindulge one area while ignoring the other?

Maybe I'm preaching to the choir here. Maybe you all know what I'm talking about, after all, you also blog too.

So, while I am making fantastic strides in the fitness and diet realm, let it be known, that I'm also trying to get a better handle on the "other" realm...the...how shall I put it...the not-so-fun realm.

Does anyone have any good ideas on how they keep things balanced between maintaining a blog and getting the other important stuff done?

Gosh, if I could just be as disciplined about keeping the ole' homestead organized as I do with counting my calories, this place would be spotless. Well, maybe I don't because, I don't wear my house on my hips.

I know...I'll do what my husband suggested, I'll start a blog on cleaning my house...the problem is...I wouldn't know where to start. Messes overwhelm me.

"De-Junk 20 rooms in 10 weeks"

Aiy yai, yai! Sounds like a trailer for a scary movie to me. I know...maybe my sisters-in-law should start blogs on that because they are great cleaners.

But if I know them, they're probably too busy keeping up on things to blog...hmmm.

Day 2 of 30 A New Goal

Weight today: same

Total lost: 0 in 2 days

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar: 15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 195

2 oz banana:50
vanilla protein shake:110
total:160
--------------
355

1 large egg:70
1 large egg white:10
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
3 oz of sliced strawberries:27
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 Laughing cow bite: 5
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:267
--------------------
running total: 622

4 oz banana:100
vanilla protein shake:110
total: 210
---------------
running total: 832

3 oz chicken breast:105
4 1/2 oz broccoli:45
1/3 cup of brown rice: 55
1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter: 15
1 tbl of powder creamer for coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 250
---------------
running total:1082

Today's challenge: Staying positive and re-focusing on a new goal

Planned fitness: 60 minute leg work-out, 2 mile run, my abdominal work-out twice

Note on picture: I had chocolate cake last night for my son's birthday. I estimated it to be about 225 calories. With a few small scoops of Blue Bunny premium light vanilla ice cream at 40, a total of 265.

A New Goal

Hi, everyone! It's me.

Yes, I finally revealed myself and it wasn't so bad. Thank you all for your enthusiastic congratulations. It's the day after the ten week countdown, and I'm still basking in the glow of really making it happen.

It was my son's birthday last night, and I celebrated with a piece of yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I enjoyed mixing it up with the kids and taking a few swipes here and there of the batter and then the frosting.

When I finally had my very own piece after he blew out his candles, I noticed something had changed about the way the cake tasted.

The frosting had an aftertaste. I kept thinking that it didn't taste as good as it used to taste when I loved cake and couldn't get enough of it. In fact, I glanced over at my husband after the kids had mashed chocolate all over their faces, arms and table and said, "Should we throw it away? "

"Of course," he said.

For the first time...in I think ever...I could care less that that cake was thrown away.

Do you guys realize how big of a deal that is for me? I know, Sunshine Meg, you understand. To not feel so attached to cake? To not morn it's loss as it's dropped into the garbage?

Now, I'm not saying that this feeling will last or that I still won't want other food...but what's the word I'm looking for...

Freedom...it felt freeing to not "need" or "desire" that cake. I went running afterward, and actually felt a little annoyed that my stomach felt a little queasy from eating the cake with all the sugar that was in it. Oh, and for those wondering, I did take a break from doing my ab routine twice last night.

I'm still glad I ate the cake...because then I wouldn't have known that I didn't need it after all.

This is how I want to live, people. I don't want my cravings to control what I eat.

I want to be able to tell the food where to go.

Well, I see that this post has gotten away from me. I meant to talk to you about my next goal. Remember how I said that it's important to have another goal lined up for after you've reached your first goal? So that you're building upon your successes?

Well.........part of the reason for wanting to lose weight in the first place was because our 8-year wedding anniversary is coming up on October 7. Also, my birthday is coming up on October 14, and I wanted to look good for those events.

So, my next goal is to improve on myself by leaning up a little more over the next 30 days. At this point I won't go into specific numbers...but I will still post the same way I always have.

"Thank you again, for being such wonderful supporters. It really has made all the difference."

Sunshine Spectacular...(Diet) Desperado Song

Hi, My name is Sunshine Mama, and I just lost 20 pounds in 10 weeks!

(Diet) Desperado
(Thank you Eagles)

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out over-eatin' for so long now
Oh, it's a hard thing
To take control and stop cheatin'
And start counting cal-0r-ies
If you don't know how

Don't you grab that extra helpin'
It'll be on you later
You know that holdin' back is always your best bet.

Now it seems to me, some fine food
Has been set at your table
But you only want the food that makes you fat.

Desperado, oh, you aint gettin' no lighter
Your pain and your stresses are not solved with food
And control, oh control, well, that's just what your needin'
Restriction is freedom in more ways than you know.

Do you cover up in the summer time?
Do you wish it'd snow, so your rolls would hide?
It's hard to tell your waist line from your hips
You're losing all your confidence
Ain't it funny how weight chases all that away?

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down and start loosin' with us today

It may be tough, girl, as a diet desperado
You better let yourself love you...it's never too late.

Day 7 of Week 10 Whistle While You Whittle

Weight today: lost 1 pound

Total lost: 20 pounds in 10 weeks

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer for coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 195

4oz banana:100
---------------
running total: 295

1 large egg:70
1 large egg white:10
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
3 oz of sliced strawberries:27
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total:262
------------
running total:557

vanilla protein shake:110
1 Ritz cracker:16
1 Laughing Cow bite:5
total: 131
---------------
running total:688

4oz chicken breast:140
1 tsp of Bacon Ranch dressing:23
5 oz of broccoli:50
with 1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter: 15
6 oz of sliced ripe tomatoes:36
with 1 tsp of sugar: 15
1 tbl of powder creamer: 30
with sweet-n-low:0
2 Laughing Cow bites: 10
total:319
--------------------
running total:1007

Today's challenge: hydration keeping on-calorie.

Planned fitness: my abdominal routine twice

Note on picture: 8 oz of freshly picked, sliced tomatoes:48, topped with 1 tsp of sugar:15, 3 oz of grilled chicken breast: 105, 6 oz of boiled broccoli: 60, with 1 tsp of Smart Balance light Butter:15 total:243 the perfect meal to keep the calories low. Plus it tasted great!

Note on weight loss: My husband double-checked the scale with me and affirmed this weight. In fact, it actually looked like it was a 1 1/2 pound loss. You never know I just may lose more tomorrow.

Added note: Photos tomorrow!!

Whistle While You Whittle

Do any of you remember the song that the dwarves sang as they went off to work after they left Snow White in their cottage?

Whistle While You Work
Whistle While You Work...

I changed it to Whittle, because that's what I feel like I'm doing to myself with all these abdominals and sit-ups that I've been doing for the past two weeks. There was only one day that I missed doing my sit-up routine.

And I have to tell you, it's been challenging to keep up on doing all these sit-ups. I initially wanted to split up my sit-up routine to once in the morning and once at night, but have ended up just saving them all for the night. So, at night I end up doing 450 sit-ups in one sitting.

Talk about a chore. I'm not doing any whistling. Some nights it was really hard to get those sit-ups in. I didn't feel like doing them. And actually it was the side-sit-ups that really burned the most. But now that I'm getting closer to the end of these 10 weeks, I think my waist has been getting smaller.

I think the whittling is working. I've lost 2 inches on my waist in two and a half weeks.

I may not be whistling while I'm whittling, but I'm definitely whistling at myself the next morning when I wake up and my stomach feels flat and sleek---er. :)

So, here's the scoop, folks. I've decided to indulge you all with a few photos of myself. One or two after shots and a few before shots.

I think this is the first time in my life...when I have actually taken pictures of myself for the sole purpose of showing other people the results of my dieting and work-out efforts.

So, Sunshine Mama will be showing herself soon, first thing Monday morning.

Day 6 of Week 10 Grip Your Goal With Superglue

Weight today: lost 1 pound

Total lost: 19 pounds in almost 10 weeks

3/4 cup of oatmeal: 225
2 tsp of sugar:30
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 285
---------------------

vanilla protein powder:110
3 1/2 oz banana:87
total:197
----------------
running total: 482

4 energy gels during run:400
Espresso bean 2x caffeine
Strawberry banana no caffeine
Orange Roctane 2x caffeine
Chocolate Outrage 1x caffeine
----------------
running total: 882

vanilla protein shake:110
1 slice of Natural Ovens Bakery Multi-Grain bread toasted: 110
with 2 tsp of Smart Balance Light butter: 30
total:250
---------------
running total: 1132

1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese: 80
4 oz of slice strawberries: 36
1 tsp of sugar: 15
3 oz grilled chicken breast:105
8 oz of fresh sliced tomatoes:48
with 1 tsp of sugar:15
6 oz of boiled broccoli:60
with 1 tsp of Smart Balance Light butter:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 404
---------------------
running total: 1536
Today's challenge: Balancing taking in enough calories for my long run, hydration.

Planned fitness: 12 mile run, my abdominal routine twice

Note on picture: 2 oz (when dry) Ronzoni Smart Taste thin spaghetti:180, 1 tsp of Smart Balance Light butter:15, 3 oz chicken breast:105, 1 cup of salad, 7 = total: 307. The spaghetti tasted great!

Grip Your Goal With Superglue

Right now I am gripping my goal with all my might. I have a death grip on it. A strangle hold on the notion that I'm going to lose 20 pounds in 10 weeks.

When I decided to blog about this goal, it was like spreading super glue on the palms of my hands. And now that I'm so close, I've locked onto my goal, with the super glue creating an air-tight seal.

Ok, so enough about gripping.

I just hope that 20th pound drops by Monday morning. If it hasn't dropped by Sunday morning, I shall be employing a technique that I will reveal if need be as one last attempt at hitting that weight.

If I don't hit 20 by Monday, it won't be because I didn't try.

Before this blog came along, like anyone else, I would often times have to re-form my goals because of some birthday party I attended where I over-ate, or if I went out of town and overeating there messed it up. Or heck, just the stresses of life in general is sometimes enough to derail you from your goals. Each time this happened, I would have to restructure my goal again...and change the predicted completion date.

Through this method, I would eventually meet my weight loss goals. Like I talked about in yesterday's post, I kept trying. In fact, that's how I know I can lose 20 pounds in 10 weeks.
But I will have to say... this is the first time, where I've had an on-line group of supporters actually watching my every move. And quite, honestly, I think the accountability is allowing me to do even better.

I echo Jack's post yesterday about allowing other people to help you out. To encourage you. To support you. It really does make a difference. I think it's made a difference in my success so far.
I was just talking about this the other night with my husband, and I figured out that it's been four years since my weight has been down this low.

Four years, people!!

This is no small feat. I directly attribute this to being accountable through this blog and for your support.

So, if this blog is the superglue, then you guys are the cement.

If you can't grip it all by yourself, maybe having someone there to help steady your grip is all the difference you need...to succeed.

So, start your blog today?

(That was for you, dad)

Day 5 of Week 10 My Hot Date With Gym

Weight Today: same

Total lost: 18 pounds in 9 1/2 weeks

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 195

vanilla protein shake:110
2 oz banana:50
total:160
---------------------
running total: 355

1 large egg:70
1 large egg white:10
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
3 oz of sliced strawberries:27
1 tsp of sugar:15
2 Laughing Cow bites:10
1 Ritz cracker:16
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 288
-----------------
running total: 643

vanilla protein shake:11o
1 1/2 oz banana:37
total:147
---------------
running total: 790

2 oz of spagetti:180
3 oz chicken breast:105
1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
1 cup of salad:7
total:307
---------------
running total: 1097
Today's challenge: Staying hydrated and on calorie.

Planned fitness: 3-mile run, My abdominal routine twice

Note on picture: Do you ever feel like the lone pancake trying to be little while the other pancakes look on? We had pancakes the other day and my husband crafting a few little pancakes seemed funny and unnatural when looking at the regular size of the other pancakes. If it's not trying to look smaller, then it's eating smaller portions that will make us stand apart from a culture whose restaurants put enough in one portion to feed three people.

My Hot Date With Gym

How do you all like this title? Does the red color add even more hotness to it?

This came to me after I couldn't think of the one I wanted to use. Gym is a mood changer. He makes you feel better, he gives you good ideas and he helps you lose weight.

Yah, so go make a date with Gym. Your husband won't even mind.

But, actually I've been wanting to write this article for a little while now and after what happened yesterday, well...made it seem like the perfect time.

Life is so hectic. So stressful sometimes. Meeting with Gym yesterday seemed especially tough. The kids (the four younger ones) were being naughty. It was hot and muggy outside, and I'd been with the kids ALL day and was up to HERE with their shenanigans.

So, by the time I got to see Gym and handed Our Darling Kids to the child-watch people, I felt tired and worn out before I even got in to do my work-out. With about an hour and fifteen minutes to work-out, I felt like there was no way I was going to relax enough to enjoy Gym or reap his many benefits.

But, as usual, the most amazing thing happened. After only about five minutes with Gym, I completely forgot about my children. Children...what children...I have kids?

Well, at least the four younger ones. I weight lift with my 14-year-old daughter.

She began telling me about her day at high school. I said "hi" and had small talk with a few regulars who also date Gym and I before you know it I was on my way to a better mood.

After I weight lifted, we ran for a few miles, and I learned even more about my daughter's day. During the run, I calculated in my mind my next goal after this 10 weeks is finished.

When I finally returned 75 minutes later to pick up my naughty children, I noticed thinking that they didn't seem so naughty after all. I felt happy, energized, and had a brilliant idea for my next goal.

Wow. All that with only an hour date with Gym? Now that's a hot date.

I think you all know my point. Exercise is a mood-changer, it makes you think more clearly, plus there's this other side benefit...it helps you lose weight.

So, when you hit one of those days when it feels like your crawling and clawing your way to meet with Gym...keep pushing to get there. Be encouraged.

Gym has sweet little surprises waiting for you.