Fit Friday (Update)

Whew, it's been a while since I've done a Fit Friday post even though there's a Friday in every week. Things have been plugging along in the weight loss/fitness section of my life - a bit slowly these days, but moving nonetheless.

I gained about 40 pounds when I was prego (and dare I admit that this was the least amount I've ever gained whilst with child? I know. Total porker.). When Fischer was 6 weeks old I stepped on the scale and found that I actually weighed the exact same as I did on my last day of pregnancy I might have died a little inside when I saw the scale that day. So instead of wallowing in self pity (okay, there was probably still some of that) I got to work. I changed my diet, started logging my food in a journal, drinking water, and began working out like it was the only way to heaven {thanks for that Holly, it's will forever be my favorite}.

Fischer is now 11 months old and I am proud to say that I am down over 60 pounds. I haven't seen the 130s since early high school, but I've been comfortably in them now for about 6 weeks. I feel like I look like I weigh more than that (does that make sense?) so it's hard to throw numbers out there, but I am proud of my accomplishment so I'm doing it anyway. :)

Better than the number on the scale is the way I feel. I can run now. I actually enjoy running (most days). I feel strong and I know that the muscle I have worked hard to put on my body makes me the healthiest I have ever been in my life and that feels great!

Recently Jeff has been doing research on eating "Paleo" style and even though I don't agree with the idea behind how they came up with "Paleo," which is essentially eating only the types of food that some believe "cavemen" ate (I believe that God created the earth in 7 24-hour-days and not over millions of years, so I don't actually believe there ever were "cavemen") - but anyway, it's an amazingly healthy way to eat and I told him if he wanted to try it, I would support him and do it, too. 

We've been eating that way (strictly veggies, fruit, nuts {almonds}, and lean protein) for over two weeks and ohmygoodness we both feels worlds better - I mean, I didn't even know I wasn't feeling my best until now. Our energy levels are way higher, Jeff has lost I-don't-know-how-much weight (he won't step on the scale, but I can see the changes already), we're sleeping better, and cravings for crap are almost zilch now (nothing a shot of almond butter and an apple slice can't cure). 

Anyway, we're loving it! It takes more planning, time, and money (fresh/whole food is expensive, especially when it's all you're eating!) but it's so worth it.

Okay - off the soap box... Pretty much that's where I'm at with all of that. I'll try to keep you updated on how it's all going more often than every few months. Remind me if I forget! :)

Hope you all have a great weekend!

cop out

  I'm too lame to make a "real" post right now (and by the way, "lame" means crazy-busy) so this is all I have for this month this week today:

early to bed

Since we're all sick around here (coughing, stuffed up noses, you know - the works) I decided to have the kids go to bed a little early the other night and just read for a half an hour.

When their half hour was up, I (lovingly of course) said, "Okay guys, it's time to put your books away and get some sleep."

Jack says, "Can we puh-leeeeeeeeze finish the book we're on? We just started!"

"Well, what book is it?"




"Um....The Bible."



{Right. I'll just let you lay there for, oh,Idon'tknow, seventeen months until you finish it. Sure.}   

rendering lard

Yes, you read that right.

Rendering lard.

I did it this morning.

We (as in my Dad and my husband) butchered our last pig on Friday and after cutting and wrapping all the meat on Saturday, we cut up the excess fat (and that pig? he had some!), put it in the crock pot (and other pots on the wood stove) and melted it down to liquid. This morning I strained the liquid, let it cool a bit and then put it in jars to freeze and be used as needed for baking, etc.

Homegirl feels backwoods country today, that's for sure!

date night?

Jack: "Hey Mom, remember that one time that Grandma and Papa took all of us kids to the dentist because you and Daddy were on a date?"

Me: "They took you guys to the dentist for us because we just had a baby and we were still in the hospital."

Jack: "You guys go on really weird dates."

my moments of joy

Joy is:

- Coming down the stairs to find your husband sitting criss-cross-applesauce at the end of the hall shouting out things like, "Slither like a snake!" then seeing that the hall floor is covered with bubble wrap and realizing that the point of the "game" is for the kids to come down the hall like the animal he shouts without popping any of the bubble wrap.

- Mowing the lawn with the baby strapped in the ergo on my back and hearing him just laugh and laugh in my ear as we go around and around the yard.

- Having your son come back in from playing outside for an hour and say, "I'm sorry I smell like dirt. I was in the garden killing slugs and pulling weeds."

- Banana bread. (Can I get an 'amen!'?)

- Having to hose the cows down because they won't stop trying to lick the soap off the rig you're trying to wash. {True story.}

- Your daughter (who is becoming a little lady right before your eyes) still requesting for you to braid her hair on occasion.

- Your 10 month old doing sign language.

- Finding your 5 year old asleep. In the back of the closet. Tucked in a plastic storage bin.

J.O.Y. (!!!)

weekend

This weekend I was able to get a way and go to the coast for 3 days with some of my favorite people. It was just us girls (Natalie and I) and some other amazing ladies and their daughters and honestly, it was just what I needed.

We laughed. We talked. We watched movies and ate cinnamon rolls. It was amazing.

Oh, and also? This might have happened:

{I'm guessing that this is why you aren't supposed to bring a boy to a girls weekend.}

The boys had fun while we were away, too. Jeff had left for a business trip on Wednesday morning, so about 3 hours after I left on Friday he came home to hang out with the boys (they stayed with Mom and Dad till Jeff got home).

This is what our boys do while the girls are away:

 

All in all a great weekend was had by everyone, but we were all glad to be home Sunday afternoon, too. I sure do miss my husband when he's gone!

Anyway, what have you guys been up to lately!?