Losing the baby weight

Okay, so I feel really weird writing this post, but I've been asked about 100 times to do this...soooooo here you go; my simple tips to losing weight.

Last year, after the IUD fiasco I was SUPER unhappy with the way I looked. I had just had 2 babies in the course of 2 years and my body had gone from big to small to big to bigger to... you get the point. I had a newborn and a new toddler, which mind you- neither one could do a single thing for themselves- and I was exhausted. I wanted to do something for myself and also for my kids. Every mom knows that the secret to being a good mom is being the best version of yourself that you can be. For me, I needed a self esteem boost and some energy.

I joined the gym last March-ish weighing 178lbs (give or take a few lbs to the exact start date). My highest non-pregnancy weight ever. Today, I'm at 145lbs and counting. While I do have a personal goal weight, it's not really about the number anymore.

First of all, I am NOT an expert in any of this, this is simply what has worked for me. There are NO secrets, just hard work and a little bit of advice. A little bit of knowledge I've learned over the years that I can share.:

1. First and foremost, it truly is all about how badly you want it. Wishing and hoping will get you nowhere. If you put in work, you will see results.

2. Change the way you grocery shop. If you're someone like me that struggles with self control, then you need to make sure you only have healthy foods at home. Granted, those of us with kids (or husbands like mine) can't always make sure that all the delicious treats are out of the house... so instead, I buy specific treats for myself and says "Hands off!" to Eric. Buying things that are specifically for me makes it so I don't feel like I'm missing out at all, and I actually look forward to being able to eat it.

3. Everybody has different weaknesses. Some people can't say no to sweets, some people struggle with portion control, ETC. Identify your weakness and conquer it. For me, I could go the rest of my life without having a candy bar or ice cream. i LOVE vegetables and salads, etc. My vice is salt, butter,etc... and portion control. So if I feel like I'm getting off track, I substitute with a meal replacement every now and then.

4. Ok, this is an area that I don't know MUCH about, but I just do what I can and learn along the way. Supplements & vitamins. Personally, I have tried a couple different protein powders and don't really notice that much of a difference so I go off popularity and price. 

5. Exercise. Just Do It ;)

Ok but seriously, you have to. You will be much happier about the way you look and feel if you do. Weights + Cardio is key. You will lose faster and look better if you do. The thing with exercise is that you have to stop making excuses. Ok, so maybe you really couldn't make it into the gym or you can't afford a gym membership or whatever. Find the time to workout at home. Buy some hand weights, a Jillian Michaels DVD, search Craigslist for old treadmills, buy a jogging stroller, ETC. Do whatever you need to do to make it possible for yourself. Personally, I LOVE going to the gym. It's a win-win for both me and the kids. They go play for an hour or so, and I get "ME" time AND I get to blast my music. When I can't make it into the gym, due to sick kids or lack of planning, etc I pop in Jillian Michaels and get to it right there in the living room after the kids are asleep or during nap time. 

Another thing I struggled with was not knowing what to do. I had never done any type of exercise on my own, outside of sports. I had never lifted weights. Personal training was really good for me, but I understand that it's not for everyone. So, get a Pinterest account and get to it :)

So, no excuses. 

6. Keep it fun. Track your progress, get a workout buddy, buy cute workout clothes...wtvr it is that will keep you going. 

There you have it. 

That's all I got.

Adulthood 101

I think that in high school they should offer a class called Adulthood 101 and you should be required to pass it in order to graduate. In this class, they would teach basic life skills such as:

1. How to tie a tie.

Believe it or not, both genders need to know this. Just when you think it's not important to know because you're a woman and you don't wear ties... you're 24 with 2 kids and you've married a man who doesn't know how to tie a tie. Suddenly you're scrambling around on YouTube because you've bought your husband a tie for an event in which he must wear a tie and neither of you know how.

2. How to cook the following items:

Rice
Mac N Cheese
Pancakes

3 essentials. You think you're poor in high school because you make minimum wage and you want to buy a pair of jeans that cost your entire paycheck? Wait till you're in your 20's, making minimum wage, trying to pay rent and bills with that same paycheck. You will need to know how to make pancakes.

3. With that being said, you will also need to be able to run a mile. Although not necessarily essential based on how much you care about your health...but if you're going to live off pancakes, ramen and the like... You're going to want to embrace exercise.

4. How to stock your closet to look like you are a functioning adult. The key here is that you don't have to actually be a functioning adult, but you do need to look like one. They should provide you with a list of the basics; staples in both black and white, jeans, a black dress, etc. But most importantly: Jackets. So important. You can't wear a ski jacket to a wedding and you can't wear a peacoat to the gym,etc. I mean... you CAN...but you shouldn't.

5. Ringing out the sponge when you're done is lifesaving.

6. Laundry. I feel like an entire semester could and should be dedicated to the secrets of laundry. Many marriages could be saved, if we all just knew how to do laundry. You're going to spend the rest of your life doing it, might as well figure out now that there's a reason you wash towels separately, and theres also a reason you don't throw a brand new red towel in with your whites. I entered college not even knowing which machine was which. It was tragic. You live, you learn... but your clothes, they don't always survive.

7. Never burn bridges with people who drive trucks. And always maintain friendships with lots of strong guys. There will inevitably come a time when you need to move. Or be a mormon, because they're awesome in that department as well.

8. Bills, bank accounts, credit cards, ETC. I truly have never understood why they don't teach you about this in high school. Or maybe they did and I wasn't listening? It's possible. BUT still, they should have had a flashing sign or something that told me that this was IMPORTANT.

Budgets: lifechanging. Treat it like a Nike slogan. Just Do It.

Credit Cards: love/hate relationship. Treat your bank account like you treat your best frienemy. Because that's exactly what it will always be to you. Keep it in perspective.

Bank Accounts: You know that one friend, your BFF when it comes to texting? That's your bank account. Talk to it and talk to it frequently. Always check up on him and see how he's feeling. If you haven't texted in awhile, replenish the well and send him a hello text.

9. Call your mom.

Until you start your own family, she's the only one who really cares. You'll find that out when you're barfing green turf on the morning of New Year's Eve.

10. Most importantly: treat people the way you want to be treated. Don't be a judgemental prick, and always take the high road. 

Holidaze 2012

Just some fun pics from the Holiday Season :)

Thomas & Woody join the Thompson family

Christmas 2012


Santa always outdoes himself at the Thompson house.
He's just so smart and such a savvy shopper, I'm surprised he's not a woman (!).

This year, we had two main things on the boys wishlists.

Ryan: Woody, Woody, Woody (from Toy Story)

Tristan: Thomas the Train. Thomas, Thomas, Thomas.

And what do you think Santa brought the boys?

We've started a fun tradition of having breakfast at our house on Christmas morning. It works perfectly for me because I think Christmas Day is reserved for PJ's and toy playing and I don't want to shower or put makeup on until like 4pm ;)

Daddy hard at work... Pretty sure he's sleeping while he's cooking...

Our breakfast chefs! (Me & JayC made the coffee!)

We thought this was hilarious: The fire makes sounds like a "real" fire... when Ryan went to grab the "flame" Tristan yelled "NO! DONT TOUCH!" haha smart kid :)

Eric's new hoodie from yours truly!

my favorite part of christmas.

Haircut Day!

The time came and went. and then it went on for a few more weeks. Ok FINE! About a month...maybe, possibly even more.

Ryan's hair grew into a mullet, and it was so fun to play with and put into a little ponytail that I just could not bring myself to cut it. I was afraid to cut off all of his "babyhood". But geeze. Now I look back and I wonder to myself, what was I doing to this poor kid? He looks so much better now :)

BEFORE:

After:

I think I did a pretty good job! Slap an apron on me and call me a hairstylist.
Wait, no. Don't do that at all. This was beginner's luck.

Oh, and Tristan got his haircut too!

Yeah, I know. What a pill ;)