Weigh-In Wednesday: Week 1

Ladies and Gentlemen (this is pretty optimistic, I’m sure there is probably only one person reading this blog)

I have decided to lose weight.  This gluten-free (here and here) diet has been a work-in-progress.  I’ve had a few slip-ups (all accidental) but I think I’m on the road to doing this forever.

I have begun to experiment in the kitchen.  I tried gluten-free cornbread and gluten-free chicken pot pie.  I loved that both recipes called for easy (read CHEAP) ingredients.  The cornbread was phenomenal although I did add 1/2 can of creamed corn to it and almost 1/4 cup of sugar (we like our cornbread sweet).

Now it’s time to lose weight.  I will say that while I am overweight I have not gained weight in over a year.  I weigh lass than I did when I gave birth to Bear.  When I started last week, I weighed in at my typical amount as I have for the past year.  So as long as I can lose the weight, I think I can successfully keep it off.

Starting Weight:  0lbs.  Yes, you read that right, I’m weightless.  No, just too ashamed to admit my weight in front of the world.  I’ll give you a hint, it has 3 digits.

Todays Weight: –2.5 lbs.  I actually reweighed myself and I’m down 3.5 lbs, but I’ll use the morning weigh to keep things accurate.

I did well this past week.  I have not changed my eating habits, simply portions.  I’m trying to use the 0-5 rule.  Eat when you are hungry, when you’re tummy feels empty like a 0.  Stop when you are halfway full, about a 5 on a 0-10 scale.  Obviously you could eat a ton more and stuff your face and be at a 10+, but that won’t fly.  I eat one plate full and drink water only with meals.  30-40 minutes later if I’m still hungry, I’ll have a snack.

So far, it hasn’t been too fun.  It seems every smell and sight trigger cravings.  But I figured if I can make it through the first two weeks, it will get easier. (It WILL get easier).

My goals, hmm…I hope to lose 2 lbs a week.  That is a healthy target.  I need to start exercising and getting out, but the weather is back to being miserable for the time being.

Sept 17 we are going on a family vacation (well for 2 days but it will be fun).  That is 3.5 weeks away,  I’m hoping to be down another 6-7 lbs.

October 29 we have a wedding to attend. That is 9.5 weeks away.  I think that will be my goal for the 20 lb mark (I’m already 2.5 lbs in)

I’ll reward myself with a fancy new dress (I need one desperately).  I’ll start daydreaming about one I can get, but most likely I will buy it off the rack.  Whatever strikes my mood that day.

What are your tips, tricks, advice, or warnings as for losing weight?

I know, focus on health and not the number on the scale (or my pants size).

What is it about those box mixes

 

that always seem so intriguing?

I’ll be the first to admit they could be a frugal DOWNFALL for me.  I cannot seem to pass one of those fun boxes without saying “Oh look honey, _______ bread mix”.  (Insert pumpkin, banana, chocolate chip, or any other type of quick bread mix).

I did buy one that makes two loaves of pumpkin bread at a Bent N Dent for $1.00.

                           source

Before I went gluten-free.

It’s been sitting in our pantry, hanging out for quite a while.  We did a basement clean-up on Saturday.  We had our house insulated in July (Our home was built in 1952 and did not have newer insulation.  It made for very cold winters and very hot summers) and they had us move all our stuff away from the basement walls so they could insulate the foundation.  Our basement is our storage area so we had a lot of stuff all in the middle of one room.

So we organized, decided what to donate and purged the pantry of expired items.  Most stuff in my pantry is canned goods, but there were a few things from my gluten days ($0.50 boxes of Hamburger Helper, Regular Pasta, and some baking mixes).  I purged what was expired, maybe only 2 boxes, gave other stuff to family members and decided to bake the mixes for Hubs to take to work.

I started thinking about it thought.  I paid $1.00 for this mix, it included a can of pumpkin and the dry ingredients.  I had to add 4 eggs, 1/2 c oil and 1 c water.  I’m sure it was a bargain compared to buying 2 loaves of pumpkin bread from a bakery or restaurant, but it was a waste for me.  We grow our own pumpkins most seasons (we took this year off because Bear was going through a rough time) so I have TONS of frozen pumpkin.  I can’t imagine that flour, sugar, baking soda and baking powder would equal $1.00 for me.  

Also, I ALMOST let it expire.  Because that’s what happens for me.  It draws me in to to the ease and convenience, then sits in my pantry out of sight, out of mind.

Do you have any items that could be a frugal downfall?

The Wish List of a Special Needs Mom

1) To see my son take a step, even if it’s assisted in a gait trainer.

2) To hear the word “Mama” even if it’s not directed at me.

3) To be able to pack cute Bento lunches for him because he still hasn’t figured out chewing.

4) To have him develop separation anxiety because sometimes it feels like he doesn’t know I’m Mama.

5) The only needles my son will endure are vaccines.

6) To be able to use a restaurant high chair, because he still cannot sit unsupported.

7) To not have tears at the scariness of the unknown future.

I know that Wish 7 could be applied to all children, however my fears are founded.  Parents fear their children being bullied in school, marrying the wrong person, getting caught up in the wrong crowd.  I fear my child never being able to attend school because of his cognitive skills, I fear him never having a friend much less a spouse. 

I’m having a rough go today.  It’s a hard journey to trek when test results are up in the air.  95% of the time, I’m okay.  4% of the time it ekes into my thoughts, and I push it out.  And then 1% of the time I bawl my eyes out.  I have a good soul-cleansing cry and still doesn’t help the future seem less scary.

Am I enough?  Do I have the skills to advocate for my child?  I am strong enough to push him to his limits?  Am I organized enough to coordinate all the therapy, doctors visits and other things that go along with it?  Do we have the financial resources to supply Bear with all the equipment assistance he will need?  What about if he can never be independent?  Do we have the finances and patience to care for him forever?

Today is a day that tests my faith.  It’s a day when I have to do extra devotions, read more bible passages (including a bunch of upbeat Psalms) to keep chanting “God will provide”.  He gave us this situation and he will gives us the map to this journey.  It’s just really hard not having a legend or a compass to help navigate this map.

Sometimes it seems so peaceful, passing beside still water and green pastures, and then comes the valley of the shadow of death.  His word is a light unto our path, but sometimes that light is only a firefly and it’s difficult to keep track of, flashing on and off.

It’s like when you’re power goes out and you’re patiently awaiting the lights to return.  Sitting by candlelight makes you realize how much you appreciated the light.  You cannot simply picture reading my the flicker of a candle or cooking dinner this way.  And when the light comes back you are overjoyed and gracious.  I know the light will come back.  I know we will find our way through this, but sometimes I swear I pass the same tree over and over again and feel like I’m going in circles.

4 years ago…

I married my best friend.

It sounds so cliché, but he is truly my best friend.  He is the only person I can share absolutely everything with.  He is my support when I am stumbling, he is my best critic, and my best encourager.

He has been through the sleepless nights and the heart shattering sorrows and amazing joys. 

He is the love of my life.

I can’t wait for what’s coming next.

Mountains baby, mountains!

Life is moving

at an alarming pace!

My Mom is on her way here right now.  I should be overjoyed, yet there’s a feeling of trepidation.  Why you ask?

She’s on her way for a babysitting job.  Hubs and I are heading out tomorrow afternoon for our first vacation WITHOUT Bear.  I’m thrilled and nervous at the same time.

We’re heading about 40 minutes away to a Bed and Breakfast for some quality adult time.  We’ll cook dinner together and eat (hopefully not in awkward-we-don’t-know-what-to-talk-about-besides-Bear silence) and just relax.  We have a few visits planned for Saturday and just some relaxing downtime.

Yesterday was a rough day.  Bear refused to nap and the only thing I needed was one hour to lay down.  I hadn’t slept much the night before (my knee was bugging me, stupid humidity) and all I wanted was to lay down.

I finally called Hubs and cried/vented to him, made myself a cup of coffee and dusted myself off.

We started over.  We went to the bank and I had to sing scream “Skinnamarink” and “This Old Man” to keep him awake on the 4 mile drive.  We abandoned our trip to Target because of his heavy eyes, came home and got ready for bed.  I pajama’d him, gave him a bottle and medicine, rocked him, and laid him down.  45 minutes later he was still awake.

I surrendered.  Hubs came home and I went and finished mowing the lawn.  He played with Bear until about 7 (2 hours after I put him down, 13 hours since he awoke for the day) and he finally went to bed.

Pictures to come after this weekend.  I need it.

The future is a bright place.

I will be the first person to admit that I have struggled since Bear was born.  I’ve struggled with the past, present and future. While I think I will always struggle to look back on my birth story (and the following weeks) with any type of joy,  I’m coming into my own about today and tomorrow. 

I’ve always seen Bear’s accomplishments and successes as nothing short of a miracle.  However, there was always a nagging thought in the back of my mind about what he SHOULD be doing.

These past few days.  I see a miracle.  A true example of the blessings God bestows upon us.  Nothing else.  Nothing less.

This doesn’t meant that it won’t be difficult. It simply means it will be beautiful.  Some of the biggest challenges in life have the most amazing outcomes.

My son is a sight to behold.  With an amazing dimple deep in his right cheek and amazing spot deep in the center of my heart.

Cheers to today and tomorrow.

What’s the best part of naptime?

When the UPS man shows up!                                                    
          

A quick inspection by the cat…all appears well            


Kudos to Macy’s for no packing peanuts!                                   
                               

Yay for toaster ovens!


I have a toaster oven.

I thought it was a great idea, it’s extra large capacity means that I can fit more in and use our oven less. That logic failed. We’ve been in this house since November 2009 and I think I’ve used it two, maybe three times.

It is the worst toaster oven I have ever used.  If I use the bottom rack the food burns on the bottom, if I use the top rack the food burns on the top.  I have to flip the bottom rack upside down so that it’s close to the middle.  I received it as a wedding gift off of our registry. 

In an effort to consume less electric (and produce less indoor heat in the summer) we have a new toaster oven.  It is small and hopefully will work well.  Oh and big thanks to my Mom for the generous gift.


Disclaimer- There were other items in that shipping box.  Macy’s did well with filling it and having very little excess space.