Disneyworld Vacation 2011 - Part 1 (of many)

Thursday, January 27, 2011

We have been wanting to go on a family vacation, just the 4 of us, for quite some time.  Since we don't live near any family, all of our vacation time has been used to go to one side of the family or the other, both of which take a day of travel to get there and back.  This time, we decided it was time to go to Disneyworld!  The kids were ecstatic!  The Hubster, Sweet Pea & Monkey had no idea really what to expect.  I had some sort of idea since I grew up going to Disneyland, but it was all still new to me!

We booked our tickets in November and were excited to get the Free Dining Plan. Yay for free meals!  Little did we know those meals would be as interesting as they were.  More on that throughout my updates, later!

The kids didn't ask EVERY day when we were going to go, but they knew it was sometime soon.  So, I found some Disney paper on clearance and made a paper chain countdown.  Monkey had the blue Cinderella paper and Sweet Pea had the orange Tigger paper. The Hubster & I had the black Mickey paper.  Such an easy way for them to count down their trip!  They loved it!

Don't mind the ugly curtain on our back door. We think it's been there for 34 years (since the house was built)

We decided that since it was a long drive, we would break it up into two days of travel.  We were set to leave on Thursday after school got out. Pick up the kids and GO!  But, lo and behold the weather kept the kids out of school, so I ran around town with them trying to do final prep.  It all worked out though!!  Even though they were out of school, we still didn't find our way out of the garage until 2:12pm that day since The Hubster had to work in the morning and I just wasn't ready!

So excited!

Doing her arm pumping dance in the car.

Dreaming of warmer weather

And a trip in the car wouldn't be complete (no matter how far), without Monkey taking off her socks.

The love these two have for each other just keeps growing. So glad they are best friends!!

We made our way out and to Macon, GA for a quick night's rest.  Whenever we go to a hotel, the kids LOVE playing on the luggage carts!

Bedtime!!!

Get out of my head!!!

I have so much running through my brain right now, it is manifesting itself onto my computer and the gazillion tabs I have open. So, in order to remember what I have been wanting to look at and keep track of it (yes, I know I can just bookmark them all, but how often do I really go back and look at those bookmarks?), I'm just going to link them from here.

What's running around in my brain?  Healthy meals and snack planning, VBS, trip to GA, house closing, trip to WV, house painting and moving, MOPS planning for next year, birthdays, and oh yeah, keeping up with friends and family - including the ones that live in my house!!  I know there is so much more running around up there, but I've got to get it out somewhere.

Crafts:  I love doing crafts and activities with my kids!  Especially in these warmer, icky months when it is unbearable outside, it is fun to do some other stuff in the house.  Here is a great site for fun activities for the younger ones.
I want to make this!  Such a fun and beautiful way to display family rules!

Recipes: I am always looking for new recipes and lately with not having baked much, I really want to get back into it, but with healthier options.

Power Bar Recipe

Primal Magic Bar Cookies

Mediterranean Chicken - We don't eat much pasta or gluten around here, so I have to figure out a substitute for the pasta, but the flavors sound delicious!
Spinach Salad - I keep going back to this and just haven't made it yet!  Ooooh! It looks so yummy!

Resource for Paleo Recipes

Things to do:
Great resource for knowing some of the stuff that is going on around here.  Here's another!
Get rid of the fruit flies!!  Sometimes our bananas get really ripe and I just didn't take the time to cut them up and freeze them for smoothies, so nice little friendly fruit flies come to visit.  This has worked like a charm!

Phew! I feel better now!  Ten tabs down, only eleven to go!

Cold, hard, fats! I mean, Facts!!

I grew up playing sports.  Soccer, swimming, track, dance and gymnastics for a short time, baseball (yes, baseball, not softball) and just running around to and fro wherever I was to go. Then, I entered college and the midnight runs to In-n-out and a local diner became a norm.  You all know what I am talking about.  Either that, or the big thing of ice cream and chocolate chips my roommates and I would eat while watching tv together.  Basically, unhealthy eating and knowing partially that it was bad, but not knowing completely what the late nights and the bouts of bad food were really doing to my body.

It's almost like one day you wake up and realize that your life is no longer on the path you thought it was going to take and a new pair of jeans are needed because you fell victim to "The Freshman 15".  Through the years I have shifted from losing the weight and gaining it back, still never completely knowing what I was doing.  One program would tell me that "this" is okay, but don't eat "that". Another would be the exact opposite.  What is someone to do with that information when they don't have a background in nutrition and are confused by all aspects? Well, eventually, hopefully... you find Crossfit (or an excellent chef). 

For me, I need the trainer. I need the person who has more expertise than I do and can help me figure out my own body and what it needs, with me. I've been working with a trainer and going to Crossfit classes 3 days a week since January.  The verdict? I LOVE IT!  Seriously, I am addicted to going to the workouts, getting my butt kicked, feeling sore the rest of the day and sometimes the next and always going back for more!  Crossfit is all about getting a full body workout, including cardio in a shorter amount of time.  You go all out for 12-30 minutes and you're done! With a bit of strength training or gymnastics and flexibility beforehand, you're all set for your WOD (workout of the day).

Every so often, Lindsey (my trainer), does a challenge.  It's basically an "eat your best" challenge, but with it applies Paleo and Zone principles.  As a family, we have tried hard to cut out a lot of different foods that just aren't good for us.  When we bring them back in, even for a short time, we realize that our body just doesn't feel the same.  I'm proud of us.  We've done really well.  Of course we have some slip ups, but we are still trying and plugging forward.  With the last challenge that is ending this week, I think I am finally starting to breakthrough and understand a bit more about it all!

My stats (what I have lost) in this 8 week challenge:
Weight Lost: 9 lbs
Hips: 1 inch
Bust: 1 inch
Waist: 2 inches
Around Belly Button: 3 inches
Right arm: 1 inch
Right thigh: 1 1/2 inches
Butt: 1 inch
Fat: 4.8%
BMI: 2.8%

Max weight lifted:
Shoulder Press: 63 lbs
Dead Lift: 163 lbs
Power Clean: 81 lbs
Back Squat: 143 lbs (Yep! That's me! Getting into my back squat. Only about 73# on the bar at that time)

Never in a million years would I have thought that I could lift that much weight and even know what those terms meant!  I still have a loooong way to go, but the fact that I have found a niche for me. A program and a way of life that works for me and my family, is amazing!  It is such a supportive group of men and women, all in different stages of healthiness and walks of life, but we all have one thing in common. Crossfit!  When I walk out of class, I feel like I have accomplished something great and am ready to start my day. I challenge you to try a class near you!  Believe me, you'll be hooked!

What have you accomplished lately?

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

I am! Oh my goodness, I am so afraid of the Big Bad Wolf! That is, until I realized I can conquer him! My brick wall has gone up!

Disclaimer: This will be a long post. Mostly for me to chronicle my past and present to my future. So, if you want the meat of the post, go down to the bottom and read THE PLAN. Otherwise, enjoy!

Last Monday, we had a fantastic speaker at our MOPS group. Lindsey came and talked to us about her program she leads in the Family Ministry Center (FMC) at our church. Wow! Can I just say it was phenomenal! Perfect timing and exactly what I needed to hear! Lindsey is a trainer and nutritionist. She has learned so much and is willing to spend time with others and share it with us. I am so grateful for her heart to share what she loves AND to do it in a loving manner.

If anyone knows me, they know that I could stand to lose "a few" pounds and get back to my happier, healthier stealth 137 lb body. Yes, it is going to take some time, but at least I am finally there.

So, who is the Big Bad Wolf? In this case, there are several wolves. 1) Food. Oh, sweet, delicious food! 2) Exercise 3) Time & Energy 4) Money.

1) Food: I love food. I love it when I am happy, I love it when I am sad, I love to rejoice with it and to help others by bringing it to them or celebrating something over food. I love food. I love to cook and I love to bake. Oh boy, have I been in trouble! Recently, I have learned quite a bit about myself and my relationship with food. Yep! I am an emotional eater. Did you ever have a clue? Anyway, I have known this, but recently, I have started replacing my emotional neediness on food, with journaling, doing a few jumping jacks or picking up a glass of water. Small changes, right?

It really all started in December, when 2 weeks before Christmas, The Hubster and I tore through the house and threw out most of our processed food, sugary snacks, salty snacks and anything that we would turn to for a snack or treat. It was hard at first. I started putting some mini-chocolate chips in my yogurt, just to give me that "taste" of sugar. Now? Not really craving it! We don't have it in the house and it is going to stay that way! I let myself cheat a little bit at the MOPS meeting though. I mean, really... who can resist all that yummy food???

2) Exercise: I love to exercise. Once I start doing it. I feel good, I'm happier, I feel better about myself and even my outlook on life in general. When I don't do it, of course I feel more sluggish and well just blah... The Hubster and I tried the Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred. We've done it before, but this go-around seemed incredibly difficult. I couldn't believe how out of shape I was. I mean, me. I used to play full games of soccer (with a few puffs of my inhaler), swim, run around everywhere. And here I was finishing, but not satisfactorily the short Level 1 exercises. And here I thought I could make it on the Biggest Loser. You know what I'm talking about, we all think we can do it better than they can! Since I am not on the show, I knew something had to change.

3) Time & Energy: The Hubster leaves for work by 7 and depending on the night, gets home at 5 or 7 or 8 that night. Doesn't leave a whole lot of time for me to hit the gym and since my kids are both fighting taking naps, I don't have that hour or two to myself to get a good video or workout in, so I just don't. And since I don't make the time to workout, I don't have any energy and get frustrated when I do try and fail. Horrible excuses, but that is exactly what they are. Excuses. No more!

4) Money: Fortunately, our FMC has a yearly fee of only $50. So, for the full use of the gym and even the huge play area for the kids, I can (if I find the time) get a great workout in, utilize the trainers and have a safe place for my kids to play. Unfortunately, there isn't childcare, so finding that proves to be difficult.

THE PLAN:
Finally! I am down to the plan! After many discussions and going back and forth with our budget, we have carved out some extra funds for me to join the amazing CrossFit classes that Lindsey facilitates. We also decided that I could join the 6am class on M/W and The Hubster would just go in to work a little later those days. Thanks Hubby!

This morning, I went to one of the workouts to see really what it was all about and boy was I in for a big surprise! First surprise? I was able to jog around the track 3 times with a partner, while talking and not needing my inhaler (I have exercise induced asthma, fun huh?). Then, we were shown a few things and started putting weights on and doing some lifts. I think I have done some weight-lifting classes in high school, but nothing real, since then. It felt so good to do it! One of the sets were to do sumo-lifts and really squat down. I HATE SQUATS!!! After learning a few more things, cooling down, stretching, etc. The class was over. Short and sweet! And then... I could barely make it down the stairs! Oh my were my quads and legs like jelly. The rest of the day was spent "running" after my kids and squealing with pain in most of the steps! Good pain though. Definitely a good pain. I did something with my body this morning and It. Felt. Good.

But what about the plan? Tonight I joined several other ladies I know for the Intro classes to Crossfit. We learned how to do some of the moves, which unfortunately for me included squats. Let me just tell you that getting up and sitting down are going to be difficult the next few days! We will have the Intros for M/W for the next two weeks. Learning about the exercises and how to do them correctly so when it comes time for the workout, we are all set and can jump right in, or in my case, hobble a little bit!

The Hubster and the kids also joined me afterwards for the the Nutrition Seminar. Loved it! Taught me more about different foods, what they do to or for our body and how to take care of ourselves.

So, at the end of the night, I stood in sheer horror as I took off my top layer and let little ol, fit and healthy Lindsey take a picture of me as the Before. The Never Again. The old me that has died and will be a part of my testimony. I am joining in on a Paleo challenge (eating the foods God has made, not man) for the next 6 weeks. Changing our diet and exercise routine, shedding the pounds, eating healthier, teaching the kids how to eat more healthy and feeling good about these decisions all along the way.

I have quite a long journey to get back to my high school 137 lb weight, but I know I can get there. No, I am not going to share with you the before pictures (I haven't even seen them), but I will tell you that this journey will be amazing and hard and everything I want it to be, as long as I put myself forward, get off my rear and change my life.

*Even if you don't want to join in this endeavor, please feel free to keep me accountable by asking if I've been Paleo that day or written in my food journal, written in my prayer journal, had a workout, etc. The best way to conquer something is with the people you love, with their support and our own courage and of course with God's gentle hand guiding the way. Won't you join me?