Aug 28th...What a difference a year makes!

Here's a photo just before I got the call to begin the hypnosis program.  There were a lot of tears shed that day. Some Mommy tears of joy for Morgan and sadness for my baby going to Kindergarten. Then other tears as Brian and I had a "discussion" about the fact that I needed to do something about my weight.  At the time, I was considering going back to Jenny Craig and was on a 6 month waiting list for The Key Hypnosis. 

August 29th, 2012

The Key Hypnosis called a week later and I started the program on September 13, 2012. I can hardly believe I haven't had anything sweet or carb-related for almost a year.

But if you ask me if it's worth it? Hell ya! Because when I look at today's pictures, there is no doubt - even for a second - that I am missing anything at all! In fact, what I have gained in my health, my self-confidence, and a renewed joy for my life - oh and don't forget those size 12 "skinny" jeans!  All of these things far outweigh an ice cream cone, a slice of bread, or even a glass of wine (which I truly do miss!)

 August 28, 2013

June 18...Maintaining Balance

Something I have worked extremely hard at over the past year or so at is finding a solid work-life balance.  It's not always easy and sometimes it's nearly impossible, but working at it everyday counts more than you know. 

What I am learning is that something ALWAYS suffers. In our life, it's usually a clean house. I'm oddly OK with that.  I like a clean house as much as anyone, but between working a full-time job and raising 3 small kids, it's just not on the top of my list on a daily basis. I tend to reserve a clean house for guests and entertaining. 

The idea of balance has been top of mind for me lately and a topic of conversation with other working moms and friends. We all struggle with it. 

Whoever said "Women can have it all" is a complete and utter liar.  It's simply not possible. 

However, timing, sometimes, is everything. 

As you know, I really enjoy and find value in my Mommy Podcasts. I am listening to the Power of Moms ones in order, so the "Perspective of Balance popped up on a day I really needed it....(http://powerofmoms.com/2012/08/perspectives-on-balance-episode-38/)

My key take away was this - take 5 minutes every night to identify 1 thing to do for your family, for your job, & for yourself the next day. This exercise allows you to consider what each area of your life needs and to focus on that need.  It's a nice tool to have in my pocket and has helped me over the past 2 weeks to constantly consider my priorities on a daily basis.  

I know that I will not always be balanced with my family because sometimes my job requires more focus and attention and on the flip side, my job may not always be #1 because there are things in my family life that take the priority for that day, week, ect.  

The key for me, really, is simply being OK with not always excelling at everything at all times and always remembering my top priority IS and always will be my family.  

But part of that priority has to allow my job a place in our life. It just does. Lucky for me, I like my job and I'm pretty good at it. Also, lucky for me, I'm fortunate to have flexibility in my day if needed which allows me to participate in school activities. It's this amazing flexibility that allows me the balance I crave and need as a working mom. 

Life will constantly require an adjustment of priorities in order to maintain a happy family, a happy mom, and a happy boss!

But the struggle is totally worth it when you get it right - 

Morgan's kindergarten celebration. The moment she saw us in the audience!

Mommy & Morgan, post celebration!

 

June 3rd - Perception vs. Reality...such a funny thing

It's a tricky thing our perception of ourselves.

Why is it that when we are bigger we think we are smaller and when we are smaller we think we are bigger?

I'm not sure if I am the only one this happens to, but I wonder about overcoming this false perception a lot.

Here's the thing -

When I was bigger, I never felt as big as I was. Every time I would see a picture of myself (which are few and far between!), I would think, "I'm not really that big, am I?"

Now, the reverse is true. I can't wrap my head around my actual size. It boggles my mind to buy a medium anything, and I still think 16 pants fit.  They don't!  I feel bigger than I know I am.

And  -

Why is it that I only focus on the muffin top complimented by cottage cheese belly and the swinging arm fat? When I should focus on how much smaller I am and how far I've come.

Why is it so hard to love ourselves for who we are today? Not that we shouldn't strive to be better, but we really should be grateful for the body we have today and thankful for all it can do for us.

I think this is especially true if you take a moment to think about all the people who would give anything for a capable body - the sick, the elderly, the victims of the Boston bombing...you catch my meaning.

So my goal today - be happy with the body I have. Be intentional. Be grateful. Work to make it stronger, but be less critical of the way it is today.

May 2nd...has it really been that long?

Not sure how I left 6 weeks slip by, but life has been a little nutty lately...sorry about that!

Everything is still going strong from a diet perspective. In my opinion, the weight loss has slowed down a bit, but that's ok. I'm still in a 14, but they are loosening up a bit, so a 12 is not far away! I know exercise is key to losing the rest of the weight. Now, it's a matter of fitting it in.

I signed up (with my book club) to do a fun obstacle course race in September, so I am hoping that gives me the motivation to get out the running shoes and working on my 'couch-to-5k' program!

I promised some photo's, so here are some before & now shots...

A family trip to Santa's Village - Aug 2012

 

And recently -

Boston Strong Day - April 2013

As you can see, still a little love handles/muffin top to work out, but pretty decent results if I do say so myself.

~Cheers~

Mar 13th - 6 months down...

Today is the 6 month anniversary of when I started the hypnosis program and what a great and rewarding 6 months it's been.

I can't speak highly enough of the program.  I see Julie Ann Kibe of The Key Hypnosis (http://thekeyhypnosis.com/) - for anyone who may be interested and local in MA.

I still have a lot of work ahead of me and the true test will be when I get into maintenance mode. This is where my true fear sets in!

For now, though, I am focusing on getting rid of the last bit of weight- only 2 more sizes to go - and celebrating the extreme success I have had over a VERY short period of time.

A quick celebration recap-

• My blood pressure is way down (last read was 120/80) and my cholesterol is down a bunch too.
• I've gone from a size 22 to a 14! I'm embarrassed to admit the first number,but it really does show how far I've come. I may even be inclined to take a photo or two and post some before/current shots.
• I am down to the last of my "skinny" clothes in the attic. I have 2 pairs of size 12 capri's w/ tags on, but that's it. I only had a few 14's up there. I didn't realize (or used selective memory) that most of my "skinny" clothes up there were 16's. 
• All of the dresses I wore the summer I got married and to all the weddings we went to around that time (10+ years ago) are too big. 
• I haven't had anything sweet (sugar, soda, fruit, ect) or anything with any significant gluten (bread, flour, beer, ect) since the day before I started the program. Not even a glass of wine & that one is hard!!
• I have significantly more energy, patience, & self-confidence.

So now, after a few moments to pause and reflect, I can say this - I am happy - truly & deeply happy - and that is the best gift I could have given myself and my family.

Mar 6th - Things that help with Balance

Since there really isn't anything new or exciting to comment this week in regards to weight loss, I thought I would share some websites and podcasts that I love and have found really helpful as I continue to strive for balance in my life - especially when it comes to mothering

1) Busy Mom Survival Guide - PJ Jonas is a homeschooling mom of 8 and runs a very successful business - Goat Milk Stuff. She is the sister-in-law of my high school & college roommate.

http://goatmilkstuff.com/Busy-Mom-Survival-Guide.html - I subscribe via iTunes.

2) Power of Moms - I don't know anyone here, but I do enjoy their podcasts. I haven't gone into their website all that much. I subscribe to the podcasts via iTunes and started with the 1st one.

http://powerofmoms.com/learning-tools/podcasts/

3) Scary Mommy - You probably see links to this on my Facebook page, but I just find it funny - hysterical, actually.

http://www.scarymommy.com/

4) Pinterest - well, you all know Pinterest, but I find it really does make me "appear" to be a Super-Mom, when I really am not. I am a copy cat and proud of it.

http://pinterest.com/trsboston73/

5) Groupon, Eversave, Living Social, Amazon Local, Family Zip, Breathe NH - I use all of these sites frequently to find deals and savings for me and my family. I can't tell you the last time I paid full price for a hair cut....

http://www.groupon.com/
http://www.eversave.com/boston/bottoms-up-detail-2
http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/2-boston
http://local.amazon.com/boston
http://www.familyzip.com/
https://www.breathenh.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=948

That's all I got. Enjoy!

-tammy

Feb 28th - On feeling skinny

I am going to preface this post by stating that I know I am not skinny - not yet anyway! And by that I mean, when I walk down the street I am pretty certain people (aka: strangers) don't look at me and say "That's one skinny girl..."

However, I feel skinny and with that comes an ability to carry myself with confidence. I stand taller. I walk prouder. I feel like - in the first time in AGES - that I actually look 1/2 decent in clothes.

Happily, I am running out of "skinny" clothes in the attic. Some of the things up there, with tags on them, mind you, are actually too big. Isn't that exciting?

Well, the exciting part is that come spring and summer, when I am done losing and ready to maintain, I'll be forced to go shopping...bummer for me!

What I am realizing, though, is that it really doesn't matter what size I end up - feeling skinny and feeling good about myself is what does. So I may never be a size 6, and I may never be that girl on the street, but inside I sure as heck will be. :)

Don't get me wrong, I still want that tummy tuck - dang twin pregnancy - but with a little Spanx, it might not be that bad....And, if I actually exercised, it's even possible, I could look decent in a bathing suit this summer.

So, here's to feeling skinny at whatever size that is for you. Right now, it's a 14/16 for me, and I am pretty freakin' happy with that!