66

52 weeks ago today I started my journey to become a healthier me. The number above? Is how much weight I have lost in those 52 weeks. 66 pounds. 66!! Sixty freakin' six!! I'm pretty stoked about that!!

So...how did I do it? I've changed two major things about my life - food and exercise. First I tried to regulate the amount and types of food I was eating. I started using the Points system from Weight Watchers, and it really helped me feel motivated. I noticed results right away, and it has helped me to regulate my food intake (i.e. I measure almost everything I eat). I'm making healthier choices for myself - and for my family. All of us are healthier because I changed the way I cook and grocery shop.

When I get asked about what I eat, I tell them I eat what I want. And that's completely true. I just eat less of it - and I make sure it's reduced calorie and lower fat. I've gotten used to eating low fat (or fat free) cheeses, yogurts, sour cream, milk, coffee creamers...and so have Jon and the kids. Splenda and spray butter have become two of my very best friends, and I wouldn't be able to survive without all of the yummy (and fiber-filled) Fiber One snacks. 100 calorie snack packs are also one of my favorite things in the world, and I have rediscovered my deep and abiding (and very annoying and messy) love of air-popped popcorn.

As far as meals go, I eat toast for breakfast. I eat a sandwich or soup for lunch (I would be lost without Arnold sandwich thins and Progresso or Campbell's light soups). I make the same dinners I made before, but I don't use butter on anything. All veggies are steamed, meat is grilled, salad dressings are light, mashed potatoes are made with fat free chicken broth...I cut corners wherever I can. And the results have been wonderful. Not only are we eating healthier, but the meals have been tastier, too!!

Secondly...I exercise every day. And believe me. I hate it. I hate everything about it. Sure I feel better afterwards, but finding the motivation to actually do it is sometimes next to impossible. I have a pretty strict schedule that I try to stick to as much as possible. Sundays are my "free" days - I do something very light (like a short walk). Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are my Jillian Days. And dude...I hate that woman. But I manage through it (mostly by calling her nasty names, or envisioning her face at the end of my fists while I'm punching) . Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays are my Leslie Days. Now Leslie I like! She's annoying as hell, but not enough to make me want to hit her. I vary my walks...but most of the time I stick with a fast three-mile workout.

Those are my "tricks". I changed the way I eat, and I increased the amount of exercise I do. When I started, I didn't really have a goal in mind. I just wanted to be healthier. Well, that and I didn't want to have to shop in the plus-size section of stores anymore. And I'm there. I can chase my kids without being too winded, and I'm down 5-6 dress sizes. My goal for this year is to maintain what I've started (if I lose more, great; if not, also great).

It's Official!

Janna's 2!! Which means she's no longer a baby. She's officially a toddler now. A bonafide Big Girl. Or as she likes to call herself, "Janna Ellen Princess Monkey".

Miss Monkey is growing and growing. Well, kind of. My Girl is a big ball of sass wrapped up in a wee little package. But she's cute! And very smart. And fiercely independent. And extremely cuddly. She's just such a great Little Girl!

Since I love boring you guys with pictures of my kids, allow me to share the last 12 months with you. I already posted her first 12 months in pictures here, so I'll pick up with month 13.

Janna - 13 months. Calling Gramma has always been one of her favorite things to do!

14 months - Janna would happily stay in the tub for hours if you let her.

15 months - BOO!! It's almost time for Halloween!

16 months - The climbing has begun! Keeping Janna off of any and all furniture (box, step, whatever) has become nearly impossible!

17 months - Christmas Eve!

18 months - Mommy's boots are so much fun to wear!

19 months - Janna insists on feeding herself. And since that's easier (for me) than listening to her whine, I allow it.

20 months - I love "riding" bikes!

21 months - Janna has discovered the joys of crafting! Playdoh, crayons (she doesn't eat them anymore!!), markers, paint...she loves to make things!

22 months - Darth Janna! Everything Sissy has, Janna wants! She idolizes her siblings!

23 months - The pack and play has become a jungle gym. Janna likes to nap, but when she's done, she DONE.

24 months - Happy Birthday, Baby Janna! You might not technically be a "baby baby" anymore, but you'll always be our baby!

Another Person's Garbage...

...is very often my treasure. I love to dumpster dive - and I don't have a problem admitting it. People (myself included) throw away so many useful things without thinking about it. In the late winter of 2008 I found this in my next door neighbor's trash pile:

It's a child's desk. It was painted white, and there were decals, stains, cut marks, and all kinds of filth all over it. I figured that we could simply repaint it and use it for Gabriel. Jon and his Dad (pictured above) stripped the desk last fall and discovered that underneath the 452 layers of white (and then brown) paint was a sturdy desk constructed from solid maple.

Jon decided that with Gabriel going into Kindergarten he would use the summer to finish what he and his father had started. So we took the desk with us to PA. Jon did all of the sanding, I did all of the staining.

What do you think?

I think it turned out beautifully! The top of the desk is so smooth...and it looks like satin. I love it! It's the perfect size for The Boy's room. It has built-in pencil holders and the shelves on the side are perfect for his books. Instead of buying him a cheap piece of faux-wood junk, he has this. A beautiful piece of furniture that should last him forever. And it was FREE! (Well, we did have to buy stain and extra sandpaper, but the $20 or so spent on that was totally worth it!)

I'm Baaaaack!!

The week was fantastic! I won't go into detail now (cuz I'm too tired), but I'll add pics sometime this week. I took so many pictures I literally had to go buy more SD cards for my camera. It was one of the best weeks I've ever had. And I know the Hosers loved it, too!!

Checking In...

I'm in PA. And having the best friggin' time EVER!! The kids have been having a blast playing...and playing...and playing. They have been outside every day, all day...it's been amazing.

I'll update and add pictures when I get home. I'm going back outside with my hubby!!