I've lost count...

I'm going back on Medi-Clear after the Christmas and New Years. I've really let my eating habits go after my fast, and feel worse than I did before.

I have two big tubs ready and waiting for me. I'm being realistic and not starting until after the holidays, as I know I have a hard time resisting special holiday treats right now.

So it will be back to no wheat, gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, caffeine, etc. And back to LOSING THOSE POUNDS!

And as a side note, my H.S. reunion in coming up in Sept/Oct 09, so I have to get going now to look fabulous.

New York Times

Forgot to publish the link to the NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/30/fashion/30skin.html?_r=2&ref=health&oref=slogin&oref=login

It was also reposted in many other papers and blogs including Celebrity Baby Blog on Nov. 4th and then in the Commemorative edition of The Oregonian on Nov. 5th!!!

EXCITING! People who I know and don't know have written to say they saw it, and loved it! I feel famous!

I lost count!

I lost count as to how many days into my cleanse/elimination diet I am now. I had big hopes to blog about it everyday, but I am a super busy girl, and just cannot find the time.

Anyway, it's going well. I am in the middle to end of week 2 - I had to eliminate meat and legumes out of my diet this week in addition to everything else (dairy, soy, wheat, gluten, tomatoes, corn, food, etc.) so I have been eating like a rabbit all week! Fiber and protein form my Mediclear which I put into a smoothie with fresh or frozen fruit, rice milk and pear or carrot juice. Plus, lots of good fruits and veggies, rice and potatoes.

It's been interesting. Thought I'd be dropping the pounds like nothing... not so much. I have officially lost about 7 pounds since I started on Monday the 27th of October, which I guess is a lot, but doesn't feel like it. I figured I am consuming between 500-1000 calories each day, so you'd think I'd be dropping a lot more! My blood sugars are staying consistent though... it was 91 3 hours after my morning smoothie.

Next week is my last week drinking the stuff. This coming Monday marks my last week, then the Monday after that I start introducing foods back into my diet. What should I try first???? I know dairy is going to be a NO GO, I know I have issues with it.

Anyway, it's been fun but very challenging. I am a lot stronger and have done SOOO much better than I thought I would.

That's all for now.

Day three and mocktinis!

Since I cannot have coffee or alcohol on this cleanse, I've come up with some fake it drinks to replace my favorites. When I have the nudge for come coffee, I have a spoonful of Black Strap Molasses instead, or I'll stir it into hot water to give me the warmth my morning cup of coffee gives me. When I'm wanting my glass of wine, I have a mocktini instead - club soda with 3 green olives in it. Luckily, I have not been deprived of juice. I can still have some Knudsen's and Odwalla juices, so thankfully I have that.

My headaches are still raging like always. Worse even today. SOOOO thankful I have a chiro appt. later today. Hoping today will be a better day. I will be gone most of the day, so that will help.

Oh, and this morning, I was down 3 pounds! THAT'S HUGE, especially given that's what most of the black team lost last night on The Biggest Loser.

Day two.

Today is day # 2 of my cleanse/elimination diet. The first day was hard, but exciting. I felt more energy, and was not hungry. I felt like I could taste everything better, and enjoyed it, feeling refreshed this was a good thing. Today is a whole other story. Today I have stayed home, and the demons come out. I am totally hungry (mental/emotional) and craving everything that I cannot have. I feel deprived and cheated.

I know I have issues with food, but I had no idea it was this bad. I am totally an emotional eater. No wonder I'm overweight! I've been lying to myself for so long saying I eat healthy and there is no reason I should be overweight. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE CREAM PUFF! This isn't even the hard week. What am I going to do next week when I don't get meat (chicken or fist) or legumes either??? I will be at my lowest of lows!

I'm going to vent here when I feel like giving up. I have to do this for my own health, to figure out what's causing my headaches and pain, but also to get back on track. To gain control again.

This is going to be hard, but it will be worth it.

*for I.D. purposes, I am using MediClear by Thorne Research and following their guidelines for diet.

She Drinks!

No, not me! Lil Sis.... Finally using a sippy cup, and this past weekend, a straw and a regular cup too! I had no idea she knew how to drink from a straw - how did she learn that???

Right now, she's sipping from Big Sis' Princess cup with water. She's so proud ;)

And this does not mean we're weaning anytime soon... the girl is still very much addicted to the boob! Especially at night, where she nurses almost all night long.

New York Times!

We are going to be in the NEW YORK TIMES! OMG!!!

We were interviewed about childhood eczema, as Big Sis has it very bad, since she was 2 weeks old. Our dermatologist recommended us as a family to talk to about it, and later in the day Camille from the NY Times called me and scheduled an interview for the next day.

She asked many questions and I told many stories. I shared my doubts and fears, our triumphs and successes, and a lot more. I understand how journalism works, so I wont be surprised if it's only two lines about us, but still.

Today (Saturday) a photographer came to take our pictures. They took some family portraits, some of the girls playing, some of Big Sis alone, and some of her current rashes.

I am told it's going to be published mid-October. I'll know a sure date later in the week.

This has been pretty exciting. We get to be part of an educational piece on a disease that has really affected our family, and HELLO, New York TIMES! US! WHOA!!!!

Okay, I'll simmer down.

Will post more about it when I know.

i give up!

i can't stick to any kind of diet to save my life. literally.
i know i need to lose weight, and want to so bad, but apparently not bad enough to stick to it.

perhaps i have not found the right way that works for me. perhaps i really do not want to lose weight. i do not know the reason.

what i do know is i had to pull my fat jeans back out ( i saved one pair). i have terrible hormone inbalance, and have been a bloated and moody lately (I AM NOT PREGNANT!) and have gained 5 pounds i the last two weeks, in addition to my cycle being totally off. i know, tmi!!!

*sigh*

so, for now, i am not going to bother. i will continue to do what i am doing or not doing) until something changes.

on a positive note, i did walk in the Susan G Komen last weekend, and that felt good. maybe i need to get my fat ass back in the gym more. where on earth do i find the time or childcare though?

Weight Loss attempt # 2

I'm so sick and tired of being overweight. 

I have a hard time sticking to any one thing. I have a really hard time finding time to get to the gym. I lack solid motivation. 

I'm going to try another "diet". It worked for me in the past and even though I know it's not a great permanent solution, it may help me get the ball rolling. Once I get past the first 20, I can usually lose it at a steady, healthy pace. I've been in the same 3-5 lb range for the last 3 months. I need to get past this plateau. 

So as of today, I'm reducing my carbs and sugars to less than 20g per day. HARDCORE! I will be checking my urine and blood sugars daily to be sure I'm not harming anything to much. I will check my weight twice a week. As the pounds start going down, I will increase my daily count of carbs/sugars. 

For this first week, no bread, no sugar, no fruit, ice cream, candy, nothing "good" or "comforting" shall we say. I will eat meat and veggies (not including potatoes or carrots).

I wont post my actual weight, but I will post increases and decreases as we go along. 

HERE WE GO AGAIN! 

Let it be done.

The website is done! It "launched" yesterday. HOORAY! Now, let's see some business to offset the costs!

Big Sis started school today. Preschool! I got lots of pics and video, and we celebrated by going to the mall and getting chicken nuggets - her request! Retail Therapy- That's my girl~!

Nothing new to really post right now. I'm trying to keep Lil Sis calm enough to get some work done, so I'll post more later. 

While you were sleeping....

I feel like I can only get work done online while everyone else in the house is sleeping. It's the only time I have the peace to be on the computer for longer than 5 minutes. 

Tonight, I'm working with a web designer for Instinct Parenting website. It's currently a wordpress blog, which has served me well up until recently. I need more of an e-commerce site now, and more professional look and whatnot.  It should be up by Sept 1st. I'm writing and sending content now. My eyes feel like they're going off in different directions! So tired!

I haven't been trying to lose weight or go to the gym lately. I really wanted to be at half goal by Halloween, but it doesn't appear that will happen. If I wasn't so damn tired (lack of sleep, baby is up twice a night still) I'd try to get to the gym really early in the A.M. I should at least try once this week. I think it would help if I had an accountability partner. Someone to meet me there and work out with me. I can't afford a trainer, so that's out of the question. 

In other news, I am no longer working for Lilaguide. I'm possibly going to be working for two other local companies. One I'd be doing Ad Sales, the other Marketing Coordinator. Both of which I'd love to gain experience in. 

It's now past 11, I really should head to bed, so I have no reason to get up at be at 24hr Fitness at 5 am! HA!

Yah, I stopped tracking

I stopped tracking the weight stuff. Life got really busy, and I lost my motivation. I'm still on the losing end, but not really trying. In fact, I may be ending my Weight Watchers membership. I don't attend the meetings anymore, and I can weigh in at home. I know, I know... it's proven those who attend meetings lose more weight... Yah, but $39 a month can pay another bill for me, or part of the preschool tuition.

Other than that, I've been working on my other websites and blogs. I really should go back to school for web design. I really should. Or at least learn the basics.

The girls are growing like weeds. The little one turns one in less than a month. Makes me so sad.

That's about it for now. The little one is crawling on me.

WL Challenge, update & success~!

It's been an okay week. Have not got to the gym every day as I had hoped, but at least every other day.

I am in LOVE with the SmartOnes Dragon Shrimp Lo-Mein! I would live on these!!! SO good, and only 5 points!

and the huge success....

I'M IN A SIZE 14 JEANS! hecks yes. Back in September, I was wearing size 22, now 14!!!! That' what I wore in high school. I'm still heavier than what I was in HS, but the size of my pants are the same.

So, it's going well.

Be sure and visit RagaMuffin Soul HERE to learn more about what I, and many others are doing!

Weight Loss update week 1

The RagaMuffinTop Challenge

I am participating in an online weight loss and activity challenge hosted by blogger RagamuffinSoul. Click here to join or see how other participants are doing.

For the first week, we are supposed to :

1. You must have a measurable goal. - My goal is to lose 20 pounds by August 12th
2. You must place a photo or video on your blog each weekend and give us the scoop on how you did. - I will do that.
3. You must link back here so that the readers of your blog get to see how the rest of us are failing or succeeding. - Done
4. You fill out the linky thing below and then people can get to your blog from my front page and we can cheer each other on. - Done.

So, I'll post my first pic and measurements later today. I will be using Weight Watchers and 24Hr Fitness as my tools to achieve this goal. Here we go!

ugh! bad Lauren

by dreamtattoo related [laurenpdx.blogspot.com]

My Toon

Introducing...

by dreamtattoo related [laurenpdx.blogspot.com]

Busy, busy, BUSY! I've been working my big 'ol butt off lately. Teaching Babywearing workshops, Univera, expos, volunteer work, etc! All good and productive, but man! I'm happy to have a night off.

Toddler's birthday party in 3 weeks, and those people still have not sent the invites I paid for... GRR!

My mom and sister are coming up for the weekend. Mother's day and all... :)

Baby has my shoe in her mouth. I probably should go get that!

"It's a sunny day"

Every morning, we are greeting by the toddler coming upstairs to announce "It's a sunny day"! Even if it's not really sunny out, this is her way of telling us she's up, and ready to go. We tell her she can't come up until the sun it out, and it's no longer dark. She's right... it IS a sunny day. Both yesterday and today!

Since the weather agreed with us, yesterday after we got home from Church, hubby did some yard work, and I let the toddler ride her bike. Baby was on mama's hip in a New Native carrier.

The yellow jackets are flying around outside, which prevents us from going out on the deck. It's a bummer really, since that's where the BBQ and bistro table are. It's also where I put the toddlers little pool.

Going to look at two houses tonight. Still waiting to hear back about offer on Camas short-sale house. This one is also a SS, but it's nearly an acre. We stopped at an abandoned house that's been on the market for some time now. Looked inside and around. BLACK MOLD! Huge lot, could make flag lot even... but the house that's currently standing (just barely standing) is probably a complete tear down. It's a very "Armando" kind of pick - for those who watch Flip This House.

I am scheduled for my Prayer Counselor training for the Portland City Fest .

Must be PMS

I'm craving some weird *ish tonight. First, I had steamed brussels sprouts. Next a banana, now Special K Chocolate Delight. Each of these were a very specific craving. NOOO, I'm not pregnant. Just hungry.

In other news, its going to be a fun weekend. I am going to the Fox Chase Neighborhood Health Fair (Saturday), then to a few sample/trunk shows.

I won 9 auctions on eBay from Expressiva. I LOVE their nursing shirts, and can't afford average $32 per shirt, so this way, I got 9 for $52~ SWEEEET.

It's been a long, hard week. I'm so glad it's done. Time to relax and enjoy. Especially considering the toddler's birthday party is in a few weekends!!!

Ramblings

Month End Goals:

7 more people to team
2 Customers, 1 possible associate
Can I do it in 2 days? I think I could!

Other news: I need a nanny, one day a week, possibly two, until Big Sister starts school in Fall.

Finished my training last night for Lactation Specialist. I'm going to miss that class.

Both girls are sick with colds. Baby cries if I am not holding her, Big Sis just keeps reminding me "I have a cold, Mama".

Back to work ;)

Coming soon to a screen near you...

FIRST POST!~ Blah blah blah... Will post more later.