Weber Pathways

Weber pathways has many programs this summer--free guided hikes all along the Wasatch mountains. (for information click here )Chris and I have joined a Wed. hiking group that meets at 6pm. Last Wednesday, we met at the 22nd trail head for a 3 mile hike. He carried Simon, and I carried Nikon. Here are some photos from our adventure.Simon reminding everyone to HYDRATE! Water is important!
Half way through we realized Simon was out! Daddy was still going strong! <3
I love the amazing views. These are just my favorite of our photos. I hope to be able to take many more as we do the next 7 weeks!

Norbert leo

Yesterday was an awful day. I had a day full of whiny kids and horrific cramps. About 4, I took 3 naproxin and by 6, was wishing I'd taken 4. By 8:30 I was exhausted and ready for bed. We brought the kids home from their play date and got ready for bed. Scripture reading didn't go very well. The kids were literally bouncing off the walls. *where do they get the energy?* Simon bounced off the bed and I had my own 3 year old moment and gave up on recounting the story of King Benjamin. I went into my room, ignored Chris's advice that I rise above it, and went to bed. My sleep was crummy, but I found myself awake at 6am with fierce cramps. I laid there for 20 minutes before deciding that I was going to take a different action today. I went downstairs, and got in my workout gear. Grabbed the ipod and earbuds and went for a run. I am not a great runner; I'm more of a power walker. But, with Norbert Leo blasting in my ear *Thank you Jason Robert Brown for inspiring his lyrics* I ran just over a mile, and power walked another. 2 miles of no cramping pain. Norbert Leo Butz has a way of reaching a level of emotion in his singing that I've never felt before. He really brings you to where he is in the music and I respect that. His voice is also completely incredible. I've you've never heard "The last 5 years," I strongly encourage you to do so. I feel energized, and a bit better than yesterday. While I'm sure the fury of the ovaries will strike again, I feel that I took charge of my day early, and hopefully I'll keep the leading role of my attitude for the day. I hope to get to go through the SL temple today with my sister. But for now, there's laundry to fold...isn't there always?

neglect

This blog has become severely neglected. Much like my weight goal. heh. Chris and I have been still doing family walks-3 miles a few times a week. He carries Simon in the hiking pack and I push Ava in the stroller. The past 4 months have been about...maintaining. I've proven to myself that I'm able to stay in this realm of 145-148. Bootcamp starts back up Tuesday at 6am. OUCH! I know. But, I'm excited. Perhaps it's this session that will get me back to the 135-140 range. This last stupid 10 pounds is just....well, you know. a BEAST! Summer time is (soon) here and that means warm weather from 6am-11pm--no excuses not for working out, walking, running, swimming. It will all be done. My hubby is strinking before my eyes. He carried Simon a 5K! that's AMAZING! We're doing this! Our kids are witnessing and living it with us. no more neglecting the blog. no more neglecting the workout. Let's get back on this and MAKE.IT.HAPPEN.

I attempted to run on Angie's treadmill today. She has an awesome Nordic Track. It has a digital screen, a built in fan like 100 different programs. When I got to the 'run' stage, I had to shut it off. I hate HATE the feeling of gravity and fat. My body sloshing up and down. It grossed me out to feel it all. How do I get beyond this? Obviously, as I run, my butt is going to jiggle and thighs etc, but how do I get to where I'm not weird-ed out by that?

biggest loser

When I was pregnant with Ava, I LOVED the Biggest Loser. The next few seasons were more drama than inspiring so I stopped tuning in. This season, however, is so amazing. Last week's episode, a 51 year old mom went home. Her 'reveal' of being home, she's down to 138 pounds. She started over 200 pounds. If she can do it...so can I. I've been so discouraged. I've spent a whole month at this stupid 145-147 mark, but I can't give up. I know that I haven't given myself the workout time that I needed, so really I should be proud that I've been able to maintain a weight all month with like 4 workouts for the whole month. Maintaining a weight is as much of the battle as losing it. I mean, what's the point of losing 50 pounds, if in 3 months, I'm packing it back on? I need to get my butt in gear over to the store and get myself some weights and roll out that rug in the garage and MAKE.IT.HAPPEN. Do I want to be successful? Do I want to love my body? When I love my body and I know that I'm making progress, I'm happier. I am more loving and affectionate with my family. Lately, I'm not feeling that proud of myself, and it's really showing in my relationship with Chris. I want to know that he's complimenting me, not because he's my husband and should love me no matter how heavy I am, but because I really am looking good. I want to be amazing for myself and for him. I want to be amazing for my kids. The better job I do at taking time to find quiet moments to check in with my Father in Heaven, and taking 30 minutes to an hour sweating out my frustrations, the happier and more functional a mother I will be. This is what it's all about. Not just some numbers on a scale, but a happier, saner me. The cuter reflection is a bonus, not the goal. It's good to take time to remember that.

log jam

I've hit another plateau it seems. I've been between 145-146.8 for like 3 weeks. I get to like 145.2 and then pop right back up to the 146.8. These things do happen. I take it as a comfort that Chris seems stuck at 232. So, we've created a way to explode this log jam of weight loss. On nice days, we pack Simon in the hiking carrier and Ava in the stroller and go for family walks. We usually go to the park and run around the soccer fields. Ava loves to be chased, and Simon gets a kick out of crawling, or being run in the carrier. Also, three times a week, we get the kids ready for bed-dinner, bath, jammies, and put them in the car. We drive out to Chris's office, they fall asleep on the way, and park them in the garage where the workout equipment is. Chris does 30 minutes on the recumbent bike, and I do 3 minutes cardio, and then 3 sets on the weight machine and back and forth. Then, Chris does 30 minutes on the weight machine. We stretch and head home. Last week was the first time Chris has worked out with me. We was sore to boot! He injured his right leg about 12 years ago in an accident. He's missing a good chunk of his leg muscle and skin, so we are limited in what he can do at the moment. No running, jumping, or heavy leg presses. Low weights, high sets. Same results just a little slower. His legs are already the sexiest muscles I've ever seen from walking all over on his mission, so I'm not too concerned. We're mainly working on his upper body strength with the machine. I'm hoping we're still on track to hit our goals.

bye bye fat face--hello single chin

Check out the blog title picture vs. my head shot. Kind of crazy. My chin and neck are no longer melting into each other. Single chin is BACK!