New Year's resolutions in action!

Back in November I joined Weight Watchers. So far I've lost 8.8 pounds (and counting). I've found that as long as I stick to the points --continue tracking-- and work out on a regular basis that's when I see the most success. The holidays have been a challenge. But, I haven't seen a dramatic gain from them. I do feel that the term "Momentum" is truly applicable in this case! My hubby asks why I decided to join WW before the holidays. I say it's better than if I didn't because during my meetings they announced that the AVERAGE weight gained during the holidays is 12 pounds. And, that's just the AVERAGE! If I hadn't joined Weight Watchers when I did, I would have tipped the scales at over 200 pounds. Now, you can ask my friends and co-workers if I look "that heavy" and they would so "no way". I have the curvy body type that hides the pounds well. It's a blessing and a curse all in one! It's been a curse mainly because it perpetuated my denial of my weight because no one thought I "looked" overweight when the scales were telling me otherwise.

This all brings me to New Year's resolutions. I've been using my gym membership on a regular basis. So, it was interesting to see all the extra people at the gym today no doubt working on their resolutions. I vow not to be one of those people who go gung-ho the first couple months of the year only to drop off in February and give up. Like I said, I've built up enough momentum to get into a good routine. My weightloss goal for 2010 is to lose 36 pounds to get to my BMI weight for my height (5'3"). This is definitely doable. 36 pounds divided by 12 months is only 3 pounds a month loss. If I were truly ambitious, I could try to cut that time in half to lose 6 pounds per month for 6 months! We shall see...

I'm planning on working some strength training into my workout. Cardio is my favorite. I always feel like I have to push myself to try any strength training. We had a family gift exchange for this past Christmas. I asked for Jillian Michael's 30-Day Shred. I haven't started it, yet. I do have two of her books. I'm impressed with her go-getting style on The Biggest Loser. I'll let you know how I like the DVD after I try it!

Tyler's birthday

It's so hard to believe my second child is turning 1-years-old tomorrow! It just seems like I gave birth and now he's already climbing our basement stairs. We're holding a family birthday party this Sunday. I found a bakery that will put Linus (from the Peanuts) on his cake because Tyler is our little Linus. He's always sucked his thumb and requires a blankie for bedtime. The bakery is charging us an arm and a leg for it, though. Oh well...we'll have pictures for posterity, I'm sure! :)

Evan...the "Artiste"...

Evan decided to become quite the artiste. He recently colored the TV, front living room window and wall above the couch in orange crayon. Luckily it's removable. I do wonder if some of this is my fault because I got him so excited about the "Clean Up" song from Barney. He seems to be into making messes now just so that we can sing the "Clean Up" song together. LOL ;)

Back to Work

Back to work after my one-week vacation with my family. I wonder if my boys miss me. MIL is watching them today. Not as slammed as I thought I would be. It helped to check my e-mail from home a couple of times, although hubby reprimanded me for doing "work".

I got to work out at the Y this afternoon. 30 minutes on the treadmill with headset on watching the news. Probably shouldn't have been watching the news during my workout b/c they were talking about the L.A. Fitness massacre. Apparently that George Sodini carried what appeared to be a grenade onto a bus the previous week. I rode that bus a couple of times before. Crazy to think that this guy could've been on the bus at that time. But, I digress...The workout felt great! Hopefully I can get back into a regular workout schedule soon.

Impromptu Picnic

I love impromptu picnics! We had one with my in-laws at our house today in our sun porch. Corn on the cob, watermelon, h0t dogs & hamburgers, chips & cheese...mmm....tasty!

Stamped Paper Folded Box

I am so proud of myself! I made my first stamped paper folded box. I can't wait to make more of them. This is just the beginning!

Beautiful day in PA

I enjoyed a beautiful vacation day with my family today. First we went to The Living Treasures Animal Park in Donegal, PA. It was a neat petting/exotic animal zoo. It has everything from chickens, ducks and ponies to llamas, camels and lemurs! Evan became more interested in playing in the gravel, though, near the end of our self-directed tour. He kept throwing the rocks up in the air saying "popcorn!". LOL...

Then, we visited Grandma at church camp in Rockwood, PA (near Seven Springs). She was pleasantly surprised to see us as we came unannounced. She gave us the "grand tour" of the facilities, inlcuding where she cooks all the great camp food (can we say...homemade mac 'n' cheese?!) and where she sleeps (all the ladies in one big room...one guy in his own separate room). She introduced us to her "WV hubby" (Chuck) who we already previously met at John's grandmother's funeral viewing. She thought it was funny that Tyler was wearing a bib with the word "Friday" on it because apparently Chuck's last name is Friday. She said he's part of the clan, too (not so much).

Dad and Evan played hoops for a little while on the b-ball court while Grandma and I talked and I held Tyler. We discussed the recent massacre at the L.A. Fitness Gym in Bridgeville. She said that my sister-in-law who was there at the time was contacted by L.A. Fitness for counseling if she (or her friend, Andrea, who was there with her) needed it.

Finally, we went swimming at the beach at Laurel Hill State Park, not more than a mile from the church camp. It was a beautiful day. We found a cozy spot near the back of the beach under a shady tree to keep Tyler out of the sun while he rolled around on the beach blanket. Evan loved playing in the sand. He did venture into the shallow end of the lake a little. We had fun splashing each other.

We rounded the night off with some tasty pizza and rigatoni from the local pizza joint (one of many!). Tyler got "tubby time". Of course, Evan helped give Tyler his bath by trying to pour water on Tyler. I had to be sure he didn't pour it directly on Tyler's head. It's so adorable seeing Evan and Tyler beginning to interact more and more. Evan is 2 years and 4 months old whereas Tyler is 8 months old. Evan gets a kick out of making Tyler laugh while riding in their car seats in the back of our 2-door cavalier.