16 weeks

So, I am now at 16 weeks along. The sad thing is, I'm bigger this pregnancy than my last 3, and I was in better shape this time to begin with! How lame-o is that?! Anyway- here are some updated pics of the belly.... We have had a crazy few weeks. Kids starting school, buying a new house, packing, moving, un-packing...etc. It's been nuts. I've been exercising through it all, but very lightly. (Mostly just walking.) But...I have NOT been eating very good. I had a hard time eating really healthy when I usually didn't want anything because I was sick. When I COULD eat, I used the excuse that I never usually wanted anything, so when I did, I was going to eat whatever finally sounded good! Bad idea. The past few weeks haven't been great ---eating-wise--- but I'm doing better now. I'm no longer nauseated...(FINALLY), and have found more motivation to cook more, and eat better again. My exercise is still modified, (obviously) but I've been trying to walk 40 minutes-1 hour every day (pushing strollers, and walking hills) to give me a decent workout without too much intensity.

I did go to the doctor's today and the funny thing is that I haven't gained a pound! How is that possible???! I figured I would've gained something since I can't fit into my clothes anymore, but nope. I'm okay with that though! I hope you are all doing well still, and I'll let you know in a few weeks if we're having a boy or a girl!!!

Bad

Is it bad that I have no motivation to do anything? I am still working out and watching what I eat as I stick it in my mouth. I have not gained nor lost any weight, but I am not happy with where I am at physically. I need the motivation again.

So I decided that I am going to start my P90X workout from day one and follow the eating program I have posted a few weeks of on here. My reward for this goal in 90 days is to have pictures taken. I have not had a picture of myself professionally taken since this picture was taken 23 years ago. I think it is time and a great motivator. I decided that if I start tomorrow that in 90 days it would be October 26th. I am calling today to schedule the photo shoot.

Here is to MOTIVATION! I can't wait and I am super excited and scared, but I will reach my goal.

Hope you are all doing great and find that motivation to help you reach your goal too.

Checking in

I've had some ups and downs over the past few weeks but I haven't given up. I've shaved minutes off my mile and 5k and I've lost 3 lbs. That has felt really good and continues to motivate me. My husband and I have set up weight loss goals/rewards and we've been exercising together. That has helped me to focus the most and continually reminds me of my long term goals instead of being lazy in the moment. Eating healthy dinners is still my biggest struggle. For the time being I'm trying to eat smaller portions at dinner time, hopefully that helps a little. Anyway, I'm still around and doing what I can. Just wanted to check in quick! :)

Little setback...

So, I've come across a little setback. Not one that I'm ashamed of though. I found out that I am pregnant again. Hooray for me! I'm about 6 weeks or so along and am due Feb. 14th. Valentine's Day. How sweet, huh? Now....it's time to make some changes in my exercising routine. I still will exercise 6 days a week, but I'm going to have to tone it down. Right now, I don't feel like I'm straining, but I'm nauseated and SO TIRED, that it's hard for me to run anymore. I tried today, and got a few miles in, but I had to walk up the hill (which I normally run) and I pretty much felt like I had just finished a 10k when I was done! Yikes. That came fast. I was getting in REALLY good shape, and now I've lost it in a matter of a few weeks! I will hopefully be able to at least walk on the days I feel really sick so I can stay in the routine of things.

Also- eating is another trick. I have to eat all the time or I get even more sick, but during the first trimester nothing sound good! I'm going to realy try hard to eat healthy this pregnancy though, so I only gain what I gained wth Madison (25 lbs.) The doctors say to gain between 25-35lbs for my height/weight, so I'll shoot for the lower! Wish me luck girls.

My goals are going to be different now, but still I'm just aiming to be Healthy! Aren't we all?!

Meals for Weeks 3 and 4

Week 3 Meals

Meal 1: Strawberry Ice Cream

1 scoop protein powder
4 strawberries
1/2 cup oats (raw measurement)
1/2 cup water
6 ice cubes

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency


Meal 2: Hot Pumpkin and Eggs

1/4 cup oats (raw measurement)
1 TB plain cream of wheat (raw measurement)
2 TB plain canned pumpkin
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Zero cal/carb sweetener of choice
1 egg
3 egg whites

Combine oats, cream of wheat, pumpkin and water. Cook in microwave or in a pan on stove top. Stir pumpkin pie spice and sweetener into hot cereal. Cook eggs as desired.



Meal 3: Jerky and Island Smoothie

1 1/2 oz low fat beef jerky (or turkey jerky)
1/2 orange
2 TB skim milk
4 strawberries
1 tsp lemonade powder
coconut and vanilla extract
5 ice cubes

Combine and blend all ingredients together EXCEPT JERKY to desired shake consistency. Serve along side jerky.



Meal 4: Cheesy Egg Tacos

1 egg
2 egg whites
2 corn tortillas
1 low cal/fat cheese wedge (I use a thin slice of mozzarella cheese)

Cook eggs as desired. Crisp corn tortillas in frying pan with cooking spray. Layer in eggs and cheese wedge, fold tortillas.



Meal 5: Crunchy Ranch Dip

1/3 cup low fat or fat free cottage cheese
1 tsp ranch powder
12 whole grain crackers
8 baby carrots
8 cherry tomatoes
1/2 cucumber

Mix in ranch powder to cottage cheese. Dip veggies and crackers into cottage cheese mixture.



Meal 6: Hawaiian Pizza

1 low cal/carb whole grain pita pocket
2 TB pizza sauce
2 TB onion of choice
8 zucchini slices
3 oz chicken, cooked
1 slice deli turkey
2 TB pineapple chunks
2 TB mozzarella cheese

Spread pizza sauce on top of pita. Layer all other ingredients on top. Bake on a pan in a preheated 375 oven for 25 minutes or until edges are crispy.



Week 4 Meals


Meal 1: Crunchy Pumpkin Ice Cream

1 scoop protein powder
2 TB plain canned pumkin
1/2 cup skim milk (I use almond milk)
1 cup multigrain cold cereal (I use kashi heart to heart)
6 ice cubes

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency.


Meal 2: Blueberry Pancakes and Eggs

1/4 cup whole grain pancake mix
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup water
2 TB sugar-free syrup
1 egg
3 egg whites

Combine water and pancake mix; stir in blueberries. Make 2 medium-sized pancakes OR 1 big waffle. Cook in pan with cooking spray and top with syrup. Cook eggs as desired.


Meal 3: Nuts and Cheese

1/2 cup low fat or fat free cottage cheese
1/3 cup sliced red grapes
1/4 banana sliced
2 TB slivered almonds

Combine fruit and cottage cheese and sprinkle almonds on top.


Meal 4: Zesty Chicken Rice Bowl

1/3 cup brown rice, cooked
2 TB fat free Zesty Italian dressing
3 oz chicken, cooked
6 cherry tomatoes
2 tsp Parmesan cheese

Warm the chicken and brown rice in a bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients.


Meal 5: Chocolate Ice Cream

1 scoop protein powder
1 TB plain cocoa powder
1/3 cup skim milk (I use almond milk)
1/4 cup oats (raw measurement)
6 ice cubes
1/2 cup water

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency.


Meal 6: Chicken and Bean Burrito

1 large or 2 small low carb whole grain tortillas
2 oz chicken, cooked
2 TB fat free refried beans
2 TB salsa
2 TB mozzarella cheese
chopped lettuce and onions

Spread refried beans onto tortilla. Layer with remaining ingredients and fold in half. Crisp burrito in frying pan coated with cooking spray.

Goals this week...

So, what's new girls??? My gym pass has expired, so I'm back to working out at home. The hardest part is working out as long as I did at the Gym. I usually can workout as hard, if I push myself, but it's just easier for me to do a full 45-60 minute workout when I'm gone. When I'm home, I notice the dishes, the dust, the kids' messy hair...etc. I have a hard time staying focused and sometimes give in after 30 minutes. I've been trying to give myself a good variety of workouts, and still keep up on the weights. (I only have 5 and 8 lbs, so I'm limited, but I don't want to lose the muscle I've gained, so I still try!) My week typically looks like this, now that I'm home.

I still try to workout between 6 and 7am at home.

Monday- Jillian Michaels DVD 45 minutes. (Weights and cardio)

Tuesday- Run 20-30 minutes. One toning routine. (p90x Ab ripper, OR Butt toning from Tae Bo video. (I have both of these memorized and they both take about 15-20 minutes each.)

Wednesday- Trampoline workout video. (Cardio mixed with more weights.) 45 minutes.

Thursday - Run 20-30 minutes (2-3 miles) Opposite Toning routine....different from Tuesday.

Friday- 8-minute Tae Bo cardio workout .....Free weights for 30 minutes.

Saturday- Run 30-45 minutes.

Sunday- Rest.

This gives me a good blend of Cardio days, Weight days, Mixed days(circuit training), and toning days. I hope if I can stick to it that I am working enough different muscle groups plus cardio, to see some more results.

The hardest thing for me is still eating. I like white flour and sugar WAY TOO MUCH! Ahhhhhhh!

My nutrition goals this week are...

Drink MORE water....this is getting easier since it's warming up here quite a bit now.
More Vegetables!!!!
One WHITE a day. (Either white bread, roll, or small treat.)
Nothing after 7pm.

Wish me luck!

Recipes

So my camera died. Looks like no between pictures going to be posted any time soon. I hope that by the end of the goal date, I will be able to post those pictures. May have to buy a new camera.

Here are the recipes that help burn fat. They are easy to make and are pretty good to eat. Be sure to eat the first meal within 1 hour of waking up. You eat these meals every day for a week and then switch to the next week when time. I will post week 3 when I finish it and so forth. There are 12 weeks total.

Week 1

7am Meal: Banana Ice Cream (Shake)

1 scoop protein powder
1/2 banana
1/4 cup oats (raw measurement)
1/2 cup water
6 ice cubes

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency

9am Meal: Egg Burrito

1 large low carb whole-grain tortilla
1 egg
2 egg whites
2 TB salsa
1/2 piece of fruit

Scramble eggs and place with salsa into tortilla. Crisp on each side in frying pan sprayed with cooking spray and serve with fruit.

11:30am Meal: Fruit and String Cheese

1 fruit
1 mozzarella string cheese

2pm Meal: Mexican Rice Bowl

3 oz chicken, cooked
1/4 cup brown rice, cooked
1/4 cup black beans
2 TB corn
1 TB fat free sour cream
2 TB salsa

Combine all ingredients together in frying pan sprayed with cooking spray. Remove when warmed and serve in a bowl.

4:30pm Meal: Apple Crunch Chicken Salad

3 oz chicken breast, you can use canned
1 TB light mayo or miracle whip
1 TB fat free sour cream
1/4 apple, diced
1 cup plain cabbage mix
2 large whole-grain crackers

Combine top 5 ingredients. Top with crackers (crushed) and salt and pepper.

7pm Meal: BBQ Chicken and Sweet Potato Pie

4 oz chicken, cooked
2 TB low cal/carb BBQ sauce
4 oz sweet potato or yam (raw measurement)
1 TB fat free sour cream

Marinate Chicken in BBQ sauce. Add sour cream to baked sweet potato with no cal/carb sweetener of choice and cinnamon on top.

Week 2

Meal 1: Blueberry Graham Ice Cream

1 scoop protein powder
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup water
6 ice cubes
1/4 fiber cereal (Fiber One works really good)

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency.

Meal 2: Scrambled Eggs and Apple Pie

2 TB cream of wheat (raw measurement)
2 TB oats (raw measurement)
1/2 cup water
1/4 apple, diced
1 egg
2 egg whites
2 TB salsa
1/2 pkg sugar-free apple cider powder

Scramble eggs in frying pans sprayed with cooking spray. Top with Salsa. Dice apple and microwave for 30 seconds, remove. Microwave cream of wheat and oats with water for 2 min. Remove and stir in apples pieces, sugar free apple cider powder, and cinnamon. Serve with eggs.

Meal 3: Candy Bar and Fruit Snack

1 meal replacement bar
1/2 piece of fruit

Meal 4: Chicken and BBQ Baked Beans

1/4 cup black beans
1/3 cup barley, cooked
2 oz chicken, cooked
2 TB low cal/carb BBQ sauce
1 cup steamed broccoli

Combine all ingredients together except for vegetables-delicious warm or cold. Eat broccoli on the side

Meal 5: Bean and Cracker Cheese Spread

16 whole-wheat crackers
1 low cal/fat cheese wedge
1/2 cup shelled edamame beans

Dip crackers into cheese. Beans can be eaten warm or cold.

Meal 6: Fiesta Fish Dish

5 oz white fish
2 1/2 TB couscous (raw measurement)
1/2 cup mushrooms
1/4 cup onions
1/2 bell pepper
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup plain cabbage mix
2 TB fat free sour cream
2 TB salsa
cilantro

Grill or bake fish with fresh squeeze of lemon or line in pan sprayed with cooking spray. Saute vegetables in frying pan sprayed with cooking spray. Combine 1/4 cup water and couscous in deep bowl and microwave for 3 min. Combine all ingredients together and top with sour cream, salsa, fresh lemon/lime, and cilantro.