Friday, December 28, 2012

Nutrisystem #35

 This week wraps up my 35th week on Nutrisystem
 
So......I'm sure I'm not the only one who fell off the wagon a bit this holiday season.  For about three days I ate too much junk...and by junk, I mean JUNK! I overdid it on the cookies, had some chips and other junky crap.  Thankfully, I didn't do any damage, as my weight stayed the same.  I think we all have moments like these.  We can't be perfect all the time, life is about making mistakes and learning from them.  And as long as we realize what we are doing and change things, we will be okay.
 
That being said, I went on a sort of detox...cut out the sugar and cookies,  the chips and candy and I'm back on track...no real harm done (thank goodness).
 
It was nice to know that I could eat a little crappy and I managed to stop myself from going overboard.  In the past I would have started eating the junk and wouldn't have stopped, my diet would have suffered and I would have quit (and then gained the weight back).  So, I'm glad to know that even a little slip up now and then isn't going to be my downfall, that I have what it takes to stop myself and get right back on track.
 
Here's a little funny for ya...
 
Rich and I went Christmas shopping recently, I was wearing a new coat that he had never seen before
 
he went one way and I went the other and after awhile I heard him calling about an aisle over
 
"Charlene, where are you?"
 
and then I watched him walk right past me as he was looking at me.
 
I said "Hey, I'm right here."
 
he backed up and walked over to me and laughed and said "I seriously didn't recognize you, I thought that's not her, she's too skinny."
 
 Bwhahahahha!
 
I said that's okay, I see myself in the mirror and I don't recognize me either.
 
 
 
If you would like to learn more about how to get healthy and lose weight on Nutrisystem - Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog
 
 
My Stats
 
04/27/12 - 180 (starting weight)
05/04/12 - 175 (week one)
  • 05/11/12 - 174 (week two)
  • 05/18/12 - 172 (week three)
  • 05/25/12 - 170 (week four)
  • 06/01/12 - 169 (week five)
  • 06/08/12 - 169 (week six)
  • 06/15/12 - 168 (week seven)
  • 06/22/12 - 166 (week eight)
  • 06/29/12 - 166 (week nine)
  • 07/06/12 - 166 (week ten)
  • 07/13/12 - 164 (week eleven)
  • 07/20/12 - 164 (week twelve)
  • 07/27/12 - 165 (week thirteen)
  • 08/03/12 - 163 (week fourteen)
  • 08/10/12 - 160 (week fifteen)
  • 08/17/12 - 160 (week sixteen)
  • 08/24/12 - 160 (week seventeen)
  • 08/31/12 - 159 (week eighteen)
  • 09/07/12 - 159 (week nineteen)
  • 09/14/12 - 157 (week twenty)
  • 09/21/12 - 155 (week twenty one)
  • 09/28/12 - 155 (week twenty two)
  • 10/03/12 - 155 (week twenty three)
  • 10/12/12 - 154 (week twenty four)
  • 10/19/12 - 153 (week twenty five)
  • 10/26/12 - 153 (week twenty six)
  • 11/02/12 - 152 (week twenty seven)
  • 11/09/12 - 152 (week twenty eight)
  • 11/16/12 - 151 (week twenty nine)
  • 11/23/12 - 150 (week thirty)
  • 11/30/12 - 150 (week thirty one)
  • 12/07/12 - 150 (week thirty two)
  • 12/14/12 - 149 (week thirty three)
  • 12/21/12 - 148 (week thirty four)
  • 12/28/12 - 148 (week thirty five)

  •  
     
    *Disclosure ~ I am receiving access to the website and food in exchange for reviewing the diet plan. All opinions herein are my own and were not influenced by Nutrisystem.
    

    Thursday, December 27, 2012

    In the Spotlight.....

     
    If you are looking for some gorgeous fabric at affordable prices, look no further than the Fat Quarter Shop....and bonus, they are having an end of the year sale.
     
     
     So many fun, beautiful fabrics to chose from...
     

     
     

     
     
    I just purchased some flannel to make myself some new pajama pants, but I'm seriously considering going back and buying some of their awesome Christmas fabric for next year's projects...
     

     
    fat quarter shop has all your fabric needs, not to mention...
     

  •  
     
     
    Happy Shopping! 
    

    Wednesday, December 26, 2012

    Review Extravaganza 2012: Week 3

    It's been a lot of fun looking back at this past year while doing the year in review with Emmy and other bloggers.  So far, I have reviewed the first and second quarters of the year.
     
    This week I'm recapping July, August and September.
     
    In July, I was mostly focused on exercising and enjoying my time with the kids.
     
    Nathan and I made these awesome jello cookies
     
     
    And we made this super cute fish craft
     
    
     
    We also celebrated Nathan's 7th birthday
     
     
     
    In August, Rich and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary
     
    Nathan finally learned how to ride his bike without training wheels
     
     
    and the kids went back to school
     
     
     
    September, I started college and reflected a bit about it.
     
     
    Nathan made this sweet handprint tree for autumn
     
     
     
    he also made a cool painting using materials that we found on a nature walk
     
     
    and this cute acorn craft as well
     
     
     
    If you haven't already joined us, there is still time to get in on the fun.
     



    Just check out the link and join in....there are some super cool prizes to be won too (including an apron made by your's truly).
     
    Next week, I will finish recapping the year by sharing all the fun we had during October, November and December.

    Monday, December 24, 2012

    Felt Ornaments

    we made felt ornaments this year.
     
    every year we try to make a new ornament to save as keepsakes.
     
    some examples of past ornaments are...
     
    cinnamon applesauce cutouts.
     
    salt dough ornaments
     
    recycled christmas cards ornaments
     
    and now felt ornaments.
     
     
    we used felt (obviously), cookie cutters, buttons, fiberfill, thread and ribbon
     
     
    trace your pattern onto the felt and cut them out (you need two of each)
      
     
    sew on some buttons for decoration
     
     

     
    sew two of them together leaving room at the top to add a ribbon for hanging and room to stuff them with the fiberfill.  when you are done adding the stuffing sew them closed.
     
    all four younger kids made at least one.
     
    the little boys gave some to their teachers as gifts and the rest are hanging on our tree.
     
    too cute...
     

     
     
     

    Friday, December 21, 2012

    Nutrisystem #34

    Today, wraps up week number 34 on Nutrisystem.
     
     
     
    Slow and steady wins the race, I say...cause it's working.
     
    I think sometimes it would be nice to lose weight quickly, but then I don't think I would have learned as much about myself or about exercising and eating healthy, if I did it fast.
     
    Plus, research shows that when you lose weight slowly, chances are that the weight will stay off...and that's what I'm going for.
     
    These tips are from Nutrisystem's blog to help you get through the holiday season. Posted by Meredith Bandy, Public Relations Manager at Nutrisystem
     
    The holiday season is a dreaded time for many people on a weight loss program, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are 10 easy ways you can enjoy the celebration days without feeling punished or sacrificing your Nutrisystem progress.
     
    1. Have a plan. Think things through before you get to the actual holiday meals and parties. Maybe your strategy is to take tiny portions of different dishes; that’s okay. If you’re cooking, you might want to have your bottle of water with you in the kitchen, so you’re less tempted to snack. Do what you can to stay away from the appetizer table. Plan to avoid anything that’s not homemade. The point is that if you go in with a plan, you’ll be less likely to get caught off-guard.
     
    • - Utilize “The Low GI Cookbook – Nutrisystem Edition,” for cooking up some delicious holiday meals such as the Roasted Pumpkin and Mushroom Lasagna or Pork With Honey Glazed Apples, while staying on track and not depriving yourself of the holiday festivities. The cookbook is available for purchase over the phone or on nutrisystem.com.
    2. Stay on track. Holidays are not the time to skip meals in an attempt to “bank” calories. That’s a strategy that can backfire miserably. Instead, eat everything on your meal plan leading up to the holiday event, and make sure you’re drinking all your water. You’ll be less likely to overindulge at the big event.
     
    3. Set a goal. There’s something about holidays that makes people forget what they do the rest of the year. Do you already have weight loss goals set up for November, December and January? If not you can start today. Once you’ve set a short-term goal, decide on a way to reward yourself once the goal has been reached.
     
    4. Drink smart. Face it, overindulging during holiday events—whether it’s an office party, a family gathering or a neighborhood open house—can add a lot of extra calories to your day. In addition, when you’ve had too much to drink, it tends to weaken your previous resolve and derail any strategies and plans you might have had. Besides, you don’t want to end up as that karaoke-singing family member or neighbor everyone will be talking about for the next month.
     
    5. Trim the calories. This tip is especially useful if you happen to be the primary cook for an event. In baked items, replace the fat with an equal amount of applesauce and the sugar with a sugar substitute; substitute a quarter cup of egg substitute for every egg called for in the recipe; replace butter with low fat margarine; replace whole milk with 1% milk and sour cream with yogurt; reduce the amount of nuts called for by half. And don’t forget both veggies and salad.
     
    6. Enlist support. Trying to maintain your Nutrisystem program can be hard at the holidays, but there’s no reason you have to go it alone. Ask for your family’s understanding or even their help, so nobody’s trying to foist “seconds” on you. Nutrisystem counselors can help you strategize, based on your individual circumstances. Or you can go to the Nutrisystem Discussion Boards, where you’ll find people who definitely understand what you’re trying to do. Discuss your concerns; share tips of your own, or join one of the many weight loss challenges. Some of them are specifically geared to the holidays. Introduce yourself well before the event, so you have that support already in place.
     
    7. Keep moving. Instead of just sitting around after dinner, suggest a family walk, or organize a touch-football game. Most people will be grateful for the chance to move around, and it can keep you on-track with your exercise plan.
     
    8. Quality not Quantity. If you do plan to indulge in some of your traditional favorites, use portion control
     
    9. Eat Before You Go. Whether you are hosting or just attending a holiday function, be sure to eat your Nutrisystem entrée before the festivities begin — that way you won’t be tempted to overeat during the meal and will be able to stay on track.
     
    10. Embrace the holiday spirit. This last tip may just be the most important: You can get so caught up in all the planning and hoopla that you lose the whole meaning of the holiday season—coming together with friends and loved ones. It’s the time that’s really valuable, not the food and drink.
     
    For more tips on how to get healthy and lose weight on Nutrisystem - Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog
     
    My Stats
  • 04/27/12 - 180 (starting weight)
  • 05/04/12 - 175 (week one)
  • 05/11/12 - 174 (week two)
  • 05/18/12 - 172 (week three)
  • 05/25/12 - 170 (week four)
  • 06/01/12 - 169 (week five)
  • 06/08/12 - 169 (week six)
  • 06/15/12 - 168 (week seven)
  • 06/22/12 - 166 (week eight)
  • 06/29/12 - 166 (week nine)
  • 07/06/12 - 166 (week ten)
  • 07/13/12 - 164 (week eleven)
  • 07/20/12 - 164 (week twelve)
  • 07/27/12 - 165 (week thirteen)
  • 08/03/12 - 163 (week fourteen)
  • 08/10/12 - 160 (week fifteen)
  • 08/17/12 - 160 (week sixteen)
  • 08/24/12 - 160 (week seventeen)
  • 08/31/12 - 159 (week eighteen)
  • 09/07/12 - 159 (week nineteen)
  • 09/14/12 - 157 (week twenty)
  • 09/21/12 - 155 (week twenty one)
  • 09/28/12 - 155 (week twenty two)
  • 10/03/12 - 155 (week twenty three)
  • 10/12/12 - 154 (week twenty four)
  • 10/19/12 - 153 (week twenty five)
  • 10/26/12 - 153 (week twenty six)
  • 11/02/12 - 152 (week twenty seven)
  • 11/09/12 - 152 (week twenty eight)
  • 11/16/12 - 151 (week twenty nine)
  • 11/23/12 - 150 (week thirty)
  • 11/30/12 - 150 (week thirty one)
  • 12/07/12 - 150 (week thirty two)
  • 12/14/12 - 149 (week thirty three)
  • 12/21/12 - 148 (week thirty four)
  •  
    *Disclosure ~ I am receiving access to the website and food in exchange for reviewing the diet plan. All opinions herein are my own and were not influenced by Nutrisystem.



    

    Monday, December 17, 2012

    Review Extravaganza 2012: Week 2

    I'm joining Emmy again for week number two of the year in review.  This week we are focusing on the months April, May and June.  Look here for my review of Jan. Feb and Mar.
     
    You can still get in on the fun and share your year in review too, by linking up.  There are some really cool prizes being given away too (including one of my aprons).
     
     
    April brought some big changes....in some really awesome ways.
     
    I turned 40 years old and got accepted to college.
     
     
    My family threw me a party on my birthday
     
     
    I wasn't the only one that was special, Nathan was student of the week too.
     
     
    I also become a Nutrisystem Nation Blogger....who knew when I started that little venture that I would go on to lose over 30 pounds (and counting).
     
     
     
    May brought even more fun our way
     
    For Mother's Day, I shared the sweet and hysterical answers of the children of some of my favorite Mom Bloggers - asking why they thought their mothers were the best.  I also lost my first ten pounds.
     
    The little boys started baseball again
     
     
    The kids continued to enjoy their new love
     
     
    I shared an old, but cute Memorial Day craft
     
     
    And the boys made these "thank you" gifts for their teachers.
     
     
     
    In June, we celebrated Anthony graduating from high school.
     
     
    For Father's Day, the kids shared why they love their dad.
     
     
     
    Nathan made a cute tissue paper butterfly
     
     
    and the boys found some tadpoles in a pond, brought some home and watched them grow into frogs.
     
     
     
    Make sure to link up and join the fun and share your year in review too....who knows maybe you'll be the lucky winner of one of my aprons. :)
     


    Sunday, December 16, 2012

    Hey Mom, Look What I Did (#61)

    Welcome to the 61st edition of
     
    Hey Mom, Look What I Did!!
     
    I'm still playing catch up on all my projects...been such a busy last few months, thankfully I'm done with the biggest chuck of stuff (school), now I can focus more on Christmas.
     
    take a look at some of my faves from this week....
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    You can check out some of our favorite crafts from past year's here....
     
     
    Now, it's your turn to show us what you've been working on this week and I can't wait to see it!!

    Please share your craft projects, baking activities and other fun kid friendly adventures. Grab the link button and put it on your blog, if you like, so that others can find us and share in the fun too.

    There are no requirements, but I would love if you would follow this blog via GFC.

    I also would like to invite you to come hang out with me on facebook and twitter, where I feature and share some your fabulous projects during the week.

    Thanks for joining us....Hope to see you again soon!!
      
    
    
    Adventures In Mommy Land

    2012 Review Extravaganza Week 1

    I'm playing along with Emmy's Mom One Day at a Time's blog...and doing a year in review....I'm a bit behind on this, as they are starting week two and I'm just now getting to week one.  If you'd like to play along, there are some really cool prizes that they are giving away (including an apron that I made). 
     
    Here's some of the fun stuff my family did this year....

    In January
     
    I opened my etsy shop and started selling aprons.
     
    I usually only make a few of the same fabric...so they are mostly one (or two) of a kind
     
     
    it actually feels like it's been a lot longer than a year.
     
     
    We also
     
     
     
     
    February was one heck of a crafty month for us.
     
     
     
     
    I made this be mine bunting
     
     
     
    We had valentine eating monsters at our house
     
     
    We celebrated our presidents with log cabins and other fun stuff.
     
     
    and Nathan had lots of "sleepovers"
     
     
     
    In March
     
    we adopted a new family member
     
     
     
    We made these fun cherry blossom crafts
     
     
     I also shared one of my most prized possessions
     
     
     
     
    Why don't you join us and share all the wonderful things that you did this year with us as well.