Going to do something CRAZY

This is CRAZY, but I really want to try it for at least 2 weeks. I will give myself the weekends off (but not crazy off). Weekends are my time with my hubby to feel great and have fun, so we can't go completely mad over my next move...

I'm going to try an extreme (for me) diet. It's pretty restrictive, but quite successful, or so I've heard. I'm not only doing this to see what it does for my body, but also my mind. It's going to take some serious willpower on my part. Goodbye to my dear friends, Pinot Grigio and Sauvingon Blanc. Don't you worry, girls I will return after this is over.

I asked Teke, from SpaFit, to send along a suggestion of a diet that produces results and is on the extreme side. Teke knows my personality, so she knows she has sent me something a tad more than difficult to help me along with my project. Let's see where it takes me. Again, this is only for 10 days. I just wanted to shake up my new life up here in the northeast a bit. I'm going to try this and see what sticks afterwards.

Here is the list that Teke sent me this morning...

1/3c oatmeal,1egg w/3whites,3oz of meat

2scoops ump

1/2c brown rice or sweet potato,5oz lean meat,1c veggies

2scoop ump

6oz lean meat,1c veggies,1c salad w o&v

1scoop ump or 6egg whites w1c veggies

The crazier it gets, the thinner I get

It's happening! I'm losing the weight, and yes, my mind is going right along with it! We've now uprooted ourselves and settled into a darling New England town in CT. This little place looks like something right out of a movie -- you know, sort of Stepmom with Julia Roberts. Truly, an ideal place to live.

But, alas, we are not in that beautiful home Susan Sarandon lived in with the massive wrap around porch. We are in a 3 bedroom apartment while we still look for that perfect home. Yes ma'am, Me, C, two boys, and a dog all in a apartment on the third floor (thank heavens we do have an elevator). I'm pretty certain that just getting out of the apartment with the boys and a stroller to get into the car each day, a few times a day is one reason the weight is coming off, so I'm certainly not complaining about that. What I do hate is not having a yard that our dog and boys can just go run and play. A kiddie pool would be nice too, as it's turned pretty toasty up here.

Why not go to the local pool you may ask? Well, as soon as we got settled O broke out in a contagious skin disease that is pretty common in little fellas his age. Needless to say, I do not want to be that mother whose kid gave it to every one else, and the pool is the easiest place for it to spread. That would just be a grand way to make new friends! Poor little guy had to have them frozen off, which didn't hurt, but the aftermath is just awful. It just looks like the WORST case of chicken pox you have ever seen. And, I just would like to know how you keep a 2 year-old from scratching??!!

B usually rolls with the punches. He hasn't shown any signs of getting this skin rash from his big bro, but his daily dilemmas usually involve screaming from teething. He's learned to stand and is trying to get those feet moving as he pulls around his crib. I'm sure he'll be off and running in no time, which only means more craziness going on. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Yes, we have all kinds of daily ups and downs, and we certainly miss our family and friends in VA. It should be fun to see how this plays out. When I go home to visit at the end of the summer I may be a bit smaller, but A LOT crazier! Aaah, good thing I'm off to try hot yoga today at 11:00. We'll see if that one calms me down and puts me into a balanced state. If nothing else I'll at least get an 1.25 hours of peace and quiet while I sweat the weight off. I'll let you know how it works...

Jeans!!

I wish I looked GREAT in jeans. No matter how much I lose this just has never seemed to happen. Secretly, I want to look like Gisele in jeans (ha!). You know, those types of girls that have long, lean legs that seem to go forever that look good in no matter what type or color jean they wear.

Also, I saw my friend, Jennie, try on a great pair this past summer. She came out of the dressing room looking even more fabulous than she already did going in, and let me tell you this gal ALWAYS looks fabulous. Jennie's got that darling fit body that we all would love to have, and she has a booty to die for. Everyone would love to have and should have a friend like Jennie. She's as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. So, no, you don't feel the slight bit jealous her jeans are better than yours. The Jennie's of this world make you feel fabulous no matter your size. Lucky Me!!

Yep, that's what I wish for - a pair of jeans that makes me look thinner and more fabulous instead of sausage casing. Aaah, back to reality now..

Here is my most recent jean experience. I actually fit into a size 8 and they were a size 8 that I owned before getting pregnant with B. This is a slight victory on my way back to getting petite once again. Now, let me be honest in what kind of size 8 we're talking about here. I do not buy designer jeans - not yet, anyways. Lord, I don't think they make a size big enough in those that would fit over my knee. No, I headed to the Gap where most often I'm pleased enough with the styles and fit they have to offer.

Okay, so here's what they are for those of you that are in my boat. They are the Essential jean, and yes, they are ESSENTIALLY a mom jean. I know, I know - GASP! But, they are a size 8 and I'm going to celebrate my little victory for a just a few more weeks before I plan on squeezing myself into a more chic style. Hooray - I'm in single digits again! They do sit right below the waist and that's okay, isn't it??

I'm just patting myself on the back for not listening to my mother about jean buying. She told me I needed to try a brand called "Not your Daughter's" jean. "Come on now, Mom, I AM YOUR DAUGHTER!!!". On principle alone I shall not be taking them into any dressing room anytime soon. I don't care how great they would make my toosh look. One must have some sort of standards.

Hopefully soon I will be writing again about how I'm wearing a size 6 (or the european equivalent) in some great designer pair, but for now I'll be strutting my size 8 'mom' booty around in my size 8's.

Positive Thinking

Oh, it has been so long since I've had a chance to sit and write. So much going on here in my house and life.

Well, Feb 5th has come and gone, and, no, I do not have my spray tan. I was doing so great with my work-outs and then I got the stomach flu (YUCK). Then, I had to head to NYC for the Gift Show and to CT for some house hunting. THEN, I came home to snow, snow, and more snow! Over it! Back on track now and hope to be getting that tan by Friday afternoon before an event on Sat.

I've decided to really concentrate on positive thinking for the next few weeks. My brother's wedding is coming up and, hooray for me, I found a great dress - Thank you BCBG for designing something elegant, fun, and beautiful for us post-preggers. Now, onto fixing the mindset to feeling beautiful.

#1 - Because I'm at home with 2 little boys and because I try to keep up with my business that is in another town, (yes, i used to have quite a hip, successfully full-filling life owning a gift and home accessories boutique) I don't seem to have time to blow dry my hair. Hey, at least i get a shower most days.

Anyways, my positive thought is that I have the most healthy hair I've ever had - maybe even better than when i was a little girl! Thank you Pantene Pro-V for helping me accomplish this and to Jeanie at Onyx in Salem for keeping it looking good. Yes, most days I look like wreck with my hair in headband and scrunchie - yep, a scrunchie. We certainly wouldn't want to break these new-found luscious locks with an elastic.

#2 - I don't really have a #2 yet, but I will come up with one soon.

Thankfully, I have 3 fabulous men who help me feel beautiful every day. C always tells me I'm beautiful, and O tells me he loves me "with his heart", and B just bursts into smiles every time I look at him. I'm certain that these are the only things that should matter, but if they were the ONLY things then I wouldn't be writing this blog in the first place.

Ladies, you understand, we must dig deep inside ourselves to feel strong, beautiful, smart and downright fabulous, but let's just face it, a great pair of jeans or a LBD, a great lipstick shade, drop earrings, and a dynamite pair of heels doesn't hurt either. Oh, and great hair :)!

one week down

Finished one week of my four days, 45 minutes of work-outs and I feel GREAT. Back to jogging once again! I've also stuck with the Jenny Craig plan but with some of my own little changes. I went down to the 1200 calorie meal (i was on the 1500) and I decided it was not crucial for me to have one of their meals at EVERY meal. That is just way too much processed food for me. I use their food for 2 meals and then fix my own 3rd meal. I will say if you're needing a jump start this gal Jenny knows what she's talking about. Looking forward to monday to see if I've lost anything.

Now, onto something much more important than the size of my waist, thighs, and rump. Did you see the Hope for Haiti Now program last night? It was fantastic! All the stars came out for a wonderful cause. The outpouring of care, love, and donations was amazing. As I was watching I thought to myself that it would be so awesome (there is no better word I could think of) if we all felt this way ALL the time. Yes, we need to help these people in their time of need and we truly want to help. These people need food, water, and medical care and I'm proud that our country is rallying together to get it to them. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like if we kept this feeling in our heart and let it lead our minds when making important decisions for our own country and fellow citizens. Just a thought...

Win a Prize

Ugh - it was measurement day today. Talk about a real downer it can be. I've worked so hard this past week on watching what I eat and working-out each day. I know it's going to take more than a week, but I'm ready to be back to my old size 2 self (like yesterday). I know that J. Crew is going to be coming out with some cute clothes soon and I do LOVE spring fashions.

I'm trying to get ready for my brother's wedding at the end of February. I have my eye on a lovely BCBG black strapless dress. I picture myself looking stylish, confident, and downright elegant while toasting him and his beautiful bride. The wedding is in Panama - bring on the hot weather. Wooo-Hoooo!

I'm the kind of gal who loves incentives. Aaaah, a prize to keep me going. This worked in the past. I once wanted to lose 10 pounds. I made a deal with my then boyfriend that if I worked out 4 days a week, 45 minutes, for a least 4 months I would win a trip to Paris. He was not a huge fan of this, but I begged for him to agree. I needed a reward at the end of the tunnel. Of course I stayed on track and looked fabu when I landed in gay Paris. I have to say I looked and felt more than fantastic when he proposed at the Sacre Couer!

Okay, I won't be negotiating any trips abroad anytime soon with the current economy, but I can look forward to the 'little' luxuries that I try to find along the way. I just love a spray tan - YES I DO! Here's my next game I shall play. I will go back to my old 4 day, 45 minute routine (these must be hard-core, result-producing work-outs) for 3 weeks. At the end of those 3 weeks (friday, feb 5th) I will treat myself to a little color. Spray booth here I come again, old friend!

I'll have to come up with a list of some other fun 'prizes' (manis, pedis, facial, etc) If you read this and if you care to send along some other suggestions I would love to hear them.

You may have noticed that it is Friday night and it does happen to be 8:00. What in the world is this lovely lady blogging away for when she could be out on the town celebrating with friends? Well, I had a very important date night with my 2 year old, O. this evening. Nothing could be better than pizza (2 slices) and Finding Nemo with a great guy!

I called Jenny

I did it - I called on her. I kept hearing Valerie ask me if I had called Jenny so I decided to give it a go. Yes, it seems quite expensive, but then again so are all the meals and cocktails I have when going out.

Today was my first day and I have to say it was very easy and tasty. I knew the meals were good because I would always steal my aunt's meals when she was visiting. It seemed as if I was always eating throughout the day, which of course, kept me feeling full (just like they said it would).

Today's menu was lovely except for the dinner which was spaghetti and meatballs (not bad, just not my fav). Lunch was a delish turkey burger. My evening snack was just divine - 2 cinnamon twists. And, I got to eat a lot more than that today!

Now, I don't want to be a slave to the food. I enjoy cooking and eating but I just need this jumpstart to get me going again. We'll see if it works...

Tuesday night is Biggest Loser - Hooray! I do love this show.