So I am sorry to say that I did not exercise a single minute this week. I have been so overwhelmed with the crap I have been dealing with lately and the frantic scramble to get my house back in order before all of the kids come home from summer vacation. I have made some progress so far, but I am still falling behind in other areas, namely exercise. The worst thing? I didn't even eat healthy this week. I put on weight instead :(
My small silver lining: I had to buy new shoes this week and I found some shoes by Danskin that are supposed to help tone while you walk. I figured, what the heck. They were the same price as the regular tennis shoes, so why not? Since I walk the kids to and from school every day (total of 2 miles a day), maybe it will help. We'll see.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Scrappy Saturday - Dress Form
I have a confession to make: I am obsessed with upcycling right now. My poor husband probably thinks that I have gone crazy. I have dug through our closet I for anything that is outdated, ill-fitting, or otherwise shoved into the back of the closet. (I have a huge box of "supplies" now)
The only problem is that I don't always have the time or ability (I wear Geordi in a Moby wrap most of the time I am crafting) to fit my new creations on myself. So, during my obsessive hunting of DIY blogs, I came across a tutorial for making a custom dress form of duct tape. (Hooray for cheap alternatives!!) So I convinced Riker to let me go crazy and buy tons of duct tape, and then talked him into being my helper (lots of bribing him with back rubs).
I went the route of using cellophane and, as a piece of advice for anyone who chooses to do it, make sure the room is COLD. I wrapped myself up in the middle of the night when it was 73° and had the fan on and I was DRENCHED in sweat by the time I cut the thing off. But it was well worth it. For a minimal cost, I have an awesome dress form made just for me! Check it out:
![]()
The only problem is that I don't always have the time or ability (I wear Geordi in a Moby wrap most of the time I am crafting) to fit my new creations on myself. So, during my obsessive hunting of DIY blogs, I came across a tutorial for making a custom dress form of duct tape. (Hooray for cheap alternatives!!) So I convinced Riker to let me go crazy and buy tons of duct tape, and then talked him into being my helper (lots of bribing him with back rubs).
I went the route of using cellophane and, as a piece of advice for anyone who chooses to do it, make sure the room is COLD. I wrapped myself up in the middle of the night when it was 73° and had the fan on and I was DRENCHED in sweat by the time I cut the thing off. But it was well worth it. For a minimal cost, I have an awesome dress form made just for me! Check it out:
That's right my friends. That bad boy is made out of DUCT TAPE! I bought a bunch of cheap tape because the tutorial didn't really specify how much to get. I wound up using 3 rolls of 40 yard grey tape and wrapped myself in 4 layers (I still think I should have done 5, but it was late) and 3 rolls of decorative tape to cover the finished product (totally optional as it is much pricier than grey, but looks SO much better! Plus, it helped keep the cheapy grey tape taped together, as it was having difficulty along the back seam once it was stuffed). I also used 3 old pillows to stuff it. Total cost? $15 including tax. WAY more affordable than the $100 adjustable form my sister bought years ago. (Another note: when the directions say wrap the mid-section snugly, they mean SNUG. I didn't do it tight enough and it shows. My belly doesnt really poke out that much).
So now I have a second me (if only it could clean the house too...) and, I have to admit, it is a little weird to see exactly how my body looks. Riker, on the other hand, says it looks really good and is begging me to make a leopard print bodysuit. Hmm...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Weighty Wednesday-Healthy Me
Since I had a new baby nearly 5 months ago (has it really been 5 months already??) I have been like most other new moms and concerned with getting back in shape. Although I only put on 19 lbs when I was pregnant and then delivered a baby that was nearly 10 pounds (lucky me!), I was actually overweight when this all started. Now, while I am actually considerably lighter that when I got pregnant, (I actually weigh nearly 15 lbs less!!) I am still considered overweight for my size.
Don't get me wrong, I am not at all depressed by my weight and/or overall health. I actually have reached the point where I honestly don't care what my weight is. I care about being and feeling healthy and I am not there.
As soon as my dr cleared me to exercise again, I started doing P90X, which I got from my sister for Christmas. I LOVE it. The only problem that I have encountered is that it is an hour of my day EVERY day, which is sometimes hard to do with a newborn (you want me to do an hour of cardio at 5 am after going to bed at 11:30 and waking up 3 times to nurse?!? Forget it!)
P90X is an extreme workout when looked at as a whole, but when broken down into daily workouts, they are actually manageable. Riker used to be in the Marine Corps (he got out 2 years ago) and started the Classic routine. It whipped him pretty bad. So, I started on the Lean routine instead (besides I want to lose inches, not look like the govenator).
I will be honest, the first two weeks were awful. I didn't do every video, I was incredibly sore in places I didn't know existed, and I was worn out. I got discouraged and quit. After a few days, I noticed that I felt worse and I still wanted to get back in shape, so I started over. This time I managed 3 weeks. By the end of the 3rd week, I felt amazing. I was making it through every video and was actually able to do things I hadn't before (barely, but I could do it). However, life got in the way again and I wound up missing a few days. That turned into a week (it's amazing how much your body turns on you when you stop exercising), which turned into two...
Now, I feel icky again and not just because I am disappointed when I look at my body in the mirror. I feel lethargic and dull and I hate that feeling. So, I am going to start over. It will be interesting to see how this works with school starting next month (could be good, could be bad), but I will deal with that when I get to it. For now, I am just taking it one day at a time.
As a disclaimer, I am NOT one of those die-hard fitness gurus who hits the gym all the time. I am an average mom who has NEVER been considered "skinny" (or tall for that matter. Dang 5' 2"...) and has always been several steps behind the gurus. Just to prove it, I will be posting my measurements each week. Maybe I will even post a picture or two. (Ack! That's scary to see those... Hopefully it will get better!)
Today's measurements:
Waist: 31 in
Hips: 40 in
Weight: 142 lbs
Body Fat: 34%
Goal:
Waist: 28 in
Hips: 38 in
Weight: 125 lbs
Body Fat: 30%
![]()
![]()
Don't get me wrong, I am not at all depressed by my weight and/or overall health. I actually have reached the point where I honestly don't care what my weight is. I care about being and feeling healthy and I am not there.
As soon as my dr cleared me to exercise again, I started doing P90X, which I got from my sister for Christmas. I LOVE it. The only problem that I have encountered is that it is an hour of my day EVERY day, which is sometimes hard to do with a newborn (you want me to do an hour of cardio at 5 am after going to bed at 11:30 and waking up 3 times to nurse?!? Forget it!)
P90X is an extreme workout when looked at as a whole, but when broken down into daily workouts, they are actually manageable. Riker used to be in the Marine Corps (he got out 2 years ago) and started the Classic routine. It whipped him pretty bad. So, I started on the Lean routine instead (besides I want to lose inches, not look like the govenator).
I will be honest, the first two weeks were awful. I didn't do every video, I was incredibly sore in places I didn't know existed, and I was worn out. I got discouraged and quit. After a few days, I noticed that I felt worse and I still wanted to get back in shape, so I started over. This time I managed 3 weeks. By the end of the 3rd week, I felt amazing. I was making it through every video and was actually able to do things I hadn't before (barely, but I could do it). However, life got in the way again and I wound up missing a few days. That turned into a week (it's amazing how much your body turns on you when you stop exercising), which turned into two...
Now, I feel icky again and not just because I am disappointed when I look at my body in the mirror. I feel lethargic and dull and I hate that feeling. So, I am going to start over. It will be interesting to see how this works with school starting next month (could be good, could be bad), but I will deal with that when I get to it. For now, I am just taking it one day at a time.
As a disclaimer, I am NOT one of those die-hard fitness gurus who hits the gym all the time. I am an average mom who has NEVER been considered "skinny" (or tall for that matter. Dang 5' 2"...) and has always been several steps behind the gurus. Just to prove it, I will be posting my measurements each week. Maybe I will even post a picture or two. (Ack! That's scary to see those... Hopefully it will get better!)
Today's measurements:
Waist: 31 in
Hips: 40 in
Weight: 142 lbs
Body Fat: 34%
Goal:
Waist: 28 in
Hips: 38 in
Weight: 125 lbs
Body Fat: 30%
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Tasty Tuesday- Tofu Cheesecake
Two posts in one day... Guess I'm off to a good start! (really, it's just that everybody is gone, the baby is sleeping, and I am avoiding housework)
Some of you may see the title of today's post and go running for the hills. Trust me, at one time I would have been there with you. However, this is one you may want to sit still for. :)
Last night, Riker and I went out to try a new restaurant. One of our favorite Japanese places, Mikuni's, opened a new location, and since we have been to many of their other locations, we figured we would go try it out. Instead of being our traditional sushi bar with a few amazing appetizers, their new location is more family based and their menu reflects that. Instead of pages of amazing rolls and nigiri, they focused on tapas and traditional Japanese entrees to be shared among a group. There were so many to choose from that we honestly sat there debating our order for nearly 20 minutes! We finally settled on Curried Rice, Salmon Carpaccio, and our regular order of Flaming Shrooms (absolutely amazing if you ask me).
Now, I am not one for curry, so Riker ate most of it, although I was pleasantly surprised by it. I was mildly disappointed with the salmon only because it lacked the WOW factor I have come to expect from Mikuni's. However, the dessert more than made up for it. We ordered a slice of the Tofu Cheesecake (we tend to order something way off in left field every time we go, just to keep things interesting). Now, I am a huge fan of cheesecake, but often tend to be disappointed when I order it at restaurants. They always seem to taste full of preservatives, almost fake. This was different. It came with a scoop of green tea ice cream that melded with the flavor of the cheesecake beautifully, and it was obviously fresh (not shipped in frozen). It had a pleasantly mild earthy taste. It did NOT taste like a plain cheesecake, but more like it was flavored with something. If I had not ordered it, I would have NEVER guessed that it was made out of TOFU! I was so impressed by it that after I got home, I promptly went searching for a recipe to try to make it myself. I have found two that seem promising. I am going to try one this week and see how it turns out (I can't talk myself into making two full cheesecakes in a week). Here's hoping!
Some of you may see the title of today's post and go running for the hills. Trust me, at one time I would have been there with you. However, this is one you may want to sit still for. :)
Last night, Riker and I went out to try a new restaurant. One of our favorite Japanese places, Mikuni's, opened a new location, and since we have been to many of their other locations, we figured we would go try it out. Instead of being our traditional sushi bar with a few amazing appetizers, their new location is more family based and their menu reflects that. Instead of pages of amazing rolls and nigiri, they focused on tapas and traditional Japanese entrees to be shared among a group. There were so many to choose from that we honestly sat there debating our order for nearly 20 minutes! We finally settled on Curried Rice, Salmon Carpaccio, and our regular order of Flaming Shrooms (absolutely amazing if you ask me).
Now, I am not one for curry, so Riker ate most of it, although I was pleasantly surprised by it. I was mildly disappointed with the salmon only because it lacked the WOW factor I have come to expect from Mikuni's. However, the dessert more than made up for it. We ordered a slice of the Tofu Cheesecake (we tend to order something way off in left field every time we go, just to keep things interesting). Now, I am a huge fan of cheesecake, but often tend to be disappointed when I order it at restaurants. They always seem to taste full of preservatives, almost fake. This was different. It came with a scoop of green tea ice cream that melded with the flavor of the cheesecake beautifully, and it was obviously fresh (not shipped in frozen). It had a pleasantly mild earthy taste. It did NOT taste like a plain cheesecake, but more like it was flavored with something. If I had not ordered it, I would have NEVER guessed that it was made out of TOFU! I was so impressed by it that after I got home, I promptly went searching for a recipe to try to make it myself. I have found two that seem promising. I am going to try one this week and see how it turns out (I can't talk myself into making two full cheesecakes in a week). Here's hoping!
Topic Headlines
Okay, here we go...
I am planning on trying to post on a daily basis, although with 4 kids, our busy schedules, and all of the court nonsense we are juggling, that may not always prove to be possible. We shall see how it goes. Thanks to Blogger putting out an app for my phone, it may be a little more reasonable, but who knows.
Since I have just a wide variety of things rolling around in my brain right now, and since this blog is an attempt to maintain my sanity, I figured that I would attempt to organize a few of those things into weekly topics. That way, I can spend some time on each thing that interests me without getting stuck in any one thing for too long. Good idea right? I sure hope so :)
So, my idea for topic headlines is as follows:
Monday- Miscellaneous Monday
As the name suggest, I can post about whatever I want without having to categorize it. That way, if I feel that I should spend more time on a topic this week, I have an extra day. Or if I feel like writing about something totally off topic, I can do that too.
Tuesday- Tasty Tuesday
I LOVE cooking, but don't always have a chance to do something fun every day (yes, my kids eat mac and cheese out of a box on occasion). This will be my chance post about all the fun and tasty things I have tried in the last week (or will try).
Wednesday-Weighty Wednesday
I am trying to get my health on track and need a weekly accountability day (weigh in, update, confession :O, etc). Also an opportunity to share things I have learned and struggle with.
Thursday-The Project (I tried to find a title that started with a T, but this was the best I could come up with)
A week-by-week project of loving an individual on purpose and with a plan (I will explain more on my first Project post)
Friday- Family Friday
I believe that my family is THE most important thing in my life, even if it is not the easiest. I want to be able to share what I have learned about building relationships within my family as I have an interesting family dynamic. Look forward to posts about spouses, ex-spouses, biological children, step children, siblings, parents, in-laws, all kinds of fun things!
Saturday-Scrappy Saturday
I love crafts (almost as much as cooking). I love working with my hands and having the satisfaction of creating something myself (part of the reason I love having babies). This is my day to post about any project I am working on from sewing, knitting and crochet, to scrapbooking and home improvement.
Sunday-Spiritual Sunday
I put Sunday as the last day because I want this day to be a relaxation from the rest of the week of craziness. This is the day I am most looking forward to. Watch for posts regarding my study and learning of the gospel and my testimony of my Savior and how it all fits into my everyday life.
Well, if any of you are reading (and I ever wind up keeping up with this schedule), I hope that you find a topic that interests you. I know that I am looking forward to next year when I can go back and read through my own posts and reminisce about what I've done this year.
So, on to posting!!
I am planning on trying to post on a daily basis, although with 4 kids, our busy schedules, and all of the court nonsense we are juggling, that may not always prove to be possible. We shall see how it goes. Thanks to Blogger putting out an app for my phone, it may be a little more reasonable, but who knows.
Since I have just a wide variety of things rolling around in my brain right now, and since this blog is an attempt to maintain my sanity, I figured that I would attempt to organize a few of those things into weekly topics. That way, I can spend some time on each thing that interests me without getting stuck in any one thing for too long. Good idea right? I sure hope so :)
So, my idea for topic headlines is as follows:
Monday- Miscellaneous Monday
As the name suggest, I can post about whatever I want without having to categorize it. That way, if I feel that I should spend more time on a topic this week, I have an extra day. Or if I feel like writing about something totally off topic, I can do that too.
Tuesday- Tasty Tuesday
I LOVE cooking, but don't always have a chance to do something fun every day (yes, my kids eat mac and cheese out of a box on occasion). This will be my chance post about all the fun and tasty things I have tried in the last week (or will try).
Wednesday-Weighty Wednesday
I am trying to get my health on track and need a weekly accountability day (weigh in, update, confession :O, etc). Also an opportunity to share things I have learned and struggle with.
Thursday-The Project (I tried to find a title that started with a T, but this was the best I could come up with)
A week-by-week project of loving an individual on purpose and with a plan (I will explain more on my first Project post)
Friday- Family Friday
I believe that my family is THE most important thing in my life, even if it is not the easiest. I want to be able to share what I have learned about building relationships within my family as I have an interesting family dynamic. Look forward to posts about spouses, ex-spouses, biological children, step children, siblings, parents, in-laws, all kinds of fun things!
Saturday-Scrappy Saturday
I love crafts (almost as much as cooking). I love working with my hands and having the satisfaction of creating something myself (part of the reason I love having babies). This is my day to post about any project I am working on from sewing, knitting and crochet, to scrapbooking and home improvement.
Sunday-Spiritual Sunday
I put Sunday as the last day because I want this day to be a relaxation from the rest of the week of craziness. This is the day I am most looking forward to. Watch for posts regarding my study and learning of the gospel and my testimony of my Savior and how it all fits into my everyday life.
Well, if any of you are reading (and I ever wind up keeping up with this schedule), I hope that you find a topic that interests you. I know that I am looking forward to next year when I can go back and read through my own posts and reminisce about what I've done this year.
So, on to posting!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)