Exercise & Weight: Update #1

Remember my post about exercising five times a week with a goal to lose a pound a week during the holidays? Well in that post, I said I would provide three updates. Since I'm doing this for ten weeks I figured I would post about every three-or-so weeks.

So here we go. Have I kept up my end of the bargain by exercising five times a week? The answer is yes! The first week was the most difficult because I was still doing clinical. Since then, I have actually been getting some type of exercise EVERY day (except Sundays).

Has this made a difference in my weight? Yes and no. The first week I didn't track my calories or anything-- exercise was the sole goal. I figured if I tried too many things at once I would quit. Well, it didn't work. Didn't lose an ounce that first week.

I knew I needed to change something, so I added in My Fitness Pal. I had used it throughout the Summer but I couldn't keep it up during school. In an attempt to get some real weight loss, I picked the habit back up. I became more aware of what I was eating, which helped me to plan out meals and only take healthy portions. Despite my effort... No weight loss. Ugh.

Week three: I knew I couldn't give up. It was during this past (3rd) week that I began to feel stronger as a result of the daily exercise. I could also feel myself getting more and more tired each day. Seriously though, I pass out the moment my head hits the pillow. It was during the second half of this week that I saw new, glorious numbers on the scale! Can I just tell you how good it feels after three weeks of extreme effort to start getting results?

So at the end of this first segment I have lost two pounds. Not the three I was looking for... but I'm hoping my body gets the idea and cooperates for the rest of this adventure.

Seven more weeks and seven more pounds to go. Can I do it? We'll find out...

[P.S. Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Uh oh.]

Playing Catch Up.

Wow. It's been a while. Here's an update with lots of picutres!

 Nov 6... yes, it was election day, but it also marked 6 months of Vince's life! 

 He spends most of his time on his tummy. I am impressed with how content he is to play on the floor with his books and toys.

A very happy little boy.

Vince really enjoys his solid foods. Sometimes things get a bit sticky...

 He sits up pretty well, but tumbles over if he gets too excited or upset.

Buddy also loves to crawl ALL over us.

 He gets around like an inch worm. He scrunches up and then shoots himself forward.

If he can get his hands on something, he grabs on and refuses to let go.

 Hahaha. Love this goofy smile.

(Thanks Grandma for making him such a cute hat!)

I'm amazed by the things Vince notices. Here he is playing with the sunlight!

Everything. And I mean everything. Goes into this little boy's mouth.

When we eat dinner I have to shove my plate onto Paul's side of the table so Vince can't reach it.

Paul grew out his beard for fun. Vince would laugh so hard when Paul would give him kisses cause it tickled him. Adorable.

Kaitlin had her baby, Rylie! She is so teeny tiny. Vince went to meet his new girlfriend. When they get married he can say, "I've known you since you were born!"

 Big sitter boy looking dapper for church.

Snow storm in November!

I love how beautiful the snow covered trees and mountains look.

Paul and I were excited to put Vince in his snowsuit and take him outside. He wasn't quite sure what to think of it.

This is Korin. She is an amazing woman. For the past few months she has been my preceptor at UVRMC for my Capstone clinicals. I cannot explain how patient and kind she was as I stumbled along and tried to learn how to be a "real" nurse. This picture is from my last day! It was so bitter sweet to know that may have been my very last time taking care of patients in a hospital. But I can't deny that I am full of excitement for my future as a homemaker.

 

Paul surprised me at work and brought Vince so they could see me in the hospital setting.

Just a few more weeks until I am officially graduated. It seems surreal that I am going to be done with school. Ohhhhh man, I can't wait!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Kait and Garen came over on Saturday to carve pumpkins with us. Theirs were a lot more intense than ours. Afterward, we went to our ward's Trunk or Treat. We went late and all of the pizza and donuts were gone. Talk about a crying shame! Regarless, Vince was the cutest little bee you've ever seen. We're going to dress him up again tonight for a party at the Asay's!

 Vince: Bee, Libby: Flower patch, Paul: Honey

 How could you not love that face?!

Paul's had a mustache with those huge clown glasses.

Mine had star eyes.

And the little Vince pumpkin had a baby boy hat on it.

My mom had us stop trick-or-treating when we turned 12.

After that I never much cared for Halloween.

I've enjoyed Halloween more this year than usual.

Perhaps having kids of my own will rekindle my love of this holiday.

Let's count to ten.

My goal was to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight by SIX months. Unfortunately, that is in SEVEN days and I still have NINE pounds to go. I have lost ZERO pounds in the last EIGHT weeks because I have been exhausted with school, clinical and being a mommy. Luckily, I only have TWO more clinicals left. Paul and I decided we are going to exercise FIVE times a week. We will be doing this for TEN weeks aka through the holiday season. Yes. My goal is to lose ONE pound a week during FOUR holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. I will post THREE more updates about how we are doing with our goal. Wish us luck!

Finally!!

Vince rolled from his belly to back at 2.5 months.

We have been waiting and waiting for him to roll from his back to his tummy ever since.

He has been rolling up on his side and scootching allllll over,

but he refused to roll.

Tonight, he finally did it!

Thanks fuzzy blue bear for motivating my son.

Note: Paul insists I clarify that he is not the fuzzy blue bear...

Oh Happy Day!

I am so giddy right now. Why? Because I already know that this week is going to be awesome:

1. Yesterday Paul and I set some really good goals for ourselves. I always feel motivated and ready to conquer the world after I set goals.
2. I only have to do ONE 12-hour clinical this week. Hallelujah! It will be so nice not to do multiple clinicals this week.
3. Warren Miller on Wednesday = Cheap ski tickets for Paul (Skiing is horrifying and I currently refuse to do it).
4. A date with the hubs on Thursday! This will no doubt be the highlight of my week. We're doing the Halloween Full-Moon Lift Ride at Sundance. We'll be bundled up, sipping Ghirardelli hot chocolate from a thermos, enjoying the moon, trees, mountains and the time alone (sorry Vince...)!
5. Carving Pumpkins with Kait and Garen on Saturday. Last time we did this I was pregnant. This time Kait's pregnant :)
6. The ward Trunk-or-Treat party on Saturday night. My sister, Ruth, is letting us borrow a bee costume for Vince. It's size 0-3 mo. He'll almost be 6 mo on Halloween. Alas, he's a little boy and the costume fits like a glove. Pictures to come.

Now can you understand why I'm so excited for this week? I bet you're even starting to feel giddy for me!

Oh, and I'll be DONE with clinical in less than 3 weeks. Boo yeah!

Irreplaceable.

Last night for Family Home Evening (FHE) we bought pumpkins, ate ice cream and watched a talk from the October 2012 LDS General Conference. 

Paul picked it and I loved it.

It was entitled "Brethren, We have Work to do"

Watch it below.

You won't regret it.

 

After we watch or read a conference talk we discuss what we learned or felt.

Naturally, it is concerning that we live in a time when men are demeaned and considered unnecessary.

As our discussion ensued, I realized that I had no concerns about Paul falling into this trap.

He has already proven himself to be a hard-working, faithful provider, Priesthood holder and example.

But his work isn't over.

Now he is working to make lasting and meaningful footsteps for his son to follow.

The lessons that Paul teaches through his daily actions are unique and irreplaceable.

When he leaves for his job each day he teaches the importance of hard work and being a provider.

When he comes home and plays with Vince instead of watching TV he demonstrates that family is first.

When he calls the family together for prayer he exemplifies how to be a patriarch.

When someone is sick and he gives them a blessing he teaches the importance of being worthy and ready to use the power of the priesthood at all times.

When he reads to Vince he ingrains a love of learning and imagination.

 When he fulfills his church calling his actions display the depth of his testimony. 

When he shovels the driveway of an elderly couple he shows that service and love of others is greater than love of self. 

When he loves me he shows Vince that women are to be respected and cherished.

As a mother, I know that I could not teach all of these lessons on my own.

I am grateful that I have been blessed to have a husband who understands his roles and responsibilities as a man. I hope that Vince can learn from his example and make his wife and kids just as happy as Paul makes his.