It's Saturday morning and I'm still in my bed with my lap top.  The kids are downstairs with Ed who is kindly making them breakfast and allowing me the luxury of just "sitting" before being thrown into the mix.  

The plan today is yard work.  I won't be able to do much of it, but I can instruct.  LOL Our renovations from the tree debacle starts Tuesday.  We're trying to clean up the yard a bit.  I need to divide all my day lilies on one side of the house and find a sunny place to transplant the divisions.  Good thing my entire front yard is sunny now...

I went to the chiropractor yesterday.  My god that man did a miracle on my hip and lower back!  I had no idea I could be out of that pain.  I've had it constantly since 3 months and just settled myself into "this is pregnancy," and decided to just deal with it.  I'm planning to give him all my money and go a couple times a week until I deliver.  Ironically it doesn't hurt at all when I workout.  He did say I need arch supports.  Good thing I got those new shoes.  I'm sure the old ones were killing my back.   I gotta see a Pediatrist now.  The Chiropractor said insurance would pay if I got custom made arch supports from the Pediatrist.  So now I've got to set that up.  Good to know.  Maybe I can avoid some unnecessary pain the rest of this pregnancy.  Especially since I have no plans to stop working out.   I don't care if I'm wearing those hideous corrective shoes on the elliptical- I'm not quitting!!!  :)

Day of rest for me.  I may clean some.  The dust in my house is getting a bit ridiculous. 

Quick post....

Very busy day yesterday.  I managed to get in a cardio workout in the afternoon.  And weights.  Felt good.  I earned 4 APs!!  

Today I'm off to the chiropractor to try and alleviate some pelvic pain on my left side.  My friend Margo and husband Ed spoke some sense into me and told me to go.  For some reason I just hate spending money on stuff like that.  Ed's logic was: "Yeah, but if they sold a bottle of magic vitamins or pills that were $100 a bottle and would relieve your back pain- you'd do it in a heartbeat. "  True.  Weird logic.  So that's where I'm headed.

I have carpool duties this afternoon and then I'll be home with the kiddies through bedtime.  No workout today.  I thought about going on a walk this morning, but I've already worked out 4 days this week and I like the idea of being "dressed" with make up on more than being sweaty and having to take a shower again.  LOL  Lazy I suppose.  I'm hoping for some family outdoor time tomorrow.  Possibly yard work.  Getting everyone involved.  :)

Ed made me Eggs Benedict today.  YUM!!  I swear that meal never gets old.  I'm planning a taco salad for lunch and then we'll grill out or something tonight.  Possibly porkchops since that's what I have in the freezer.  There could be Oreo's involved.  Maybe.  I promise I'll count them. 

Keep on moving....

A note on exercise in pregnancy.... I keep getting comments about how impressed people are with my exercise regime and being pregnant. First off, don't be too impressed.  If you could see me you'd swear I was a whale, huffing and puffing in slow motion.  Secondly, it's not like I'm running 5 miles at a time or anything. I just move for 30 mins to an hour 3-4 times a week. And I was in the habit long before I got pregnant, so I think that's why it's second nature now. I used to workout 5-6 days a week. Now it's 3-4, so I've cut back on frequency and intensity level. I look at it like I do my prenatal vitamins. Its good for me. I'm not trying to prove anything by it- it just feels good. I wrote an essay on prenatal exercise if you want to read it. Makes me want to go to the Y more. It helps me get out and go the days when I'm really not feeling it. I'm banking that it will pay off in labor. Sometimes when I've been doing cardio for 20 mins and I'm just feeling like I want to quit, I think about labor and how to press on. Of course, I'd stop if I thought something was actually not right. But most of the time I just want to be done for the sake of being done. LOL

I had my prenatal visit and had to down that horribly sugary glucose drink. Blech. I weighed in. 178. Ahem. According to *my* scale I was only 174. I'll take *my* reading thank you very much! Still, that was the weight I was at 8 weeks pregnant with Amelia so I'm happy.


Here's my not so OP tracker for today:

Breakfast:
1/2 Kashi granola bar: 2 pts
English muffin with peanut butter and jelly: 4 pts

Snack:
Glucose drink: 3 pts (guess it's the same as a coke)

Lunch:
Chips/Salsa: 4 pts
Cheese dip: 5 pts
Warm tortillas: 6 pts
House salad: 5 pts

Snack: (at mall)
1/2 mocha: 1.5 pts
Chocolate glazed doughnut (major craving): 5 pts

Dinner: (Ed' grilling)
Steak filet: 6 pts
green veggies: 0 pts

No APs :(

Total: 42 pts!!!

Today started off with Tornado warnings and a peaceful house. Fischer had school and Amelia and I had a slow morning of coffee and Playhouse Disney. Around 11am I decide I want a mocha. I back out of my driveway and accidentally bump a plumbing truck parked directly behind my drive way, across the street. At best a "ding." I get out, say I'm sorry and look at his car first. Nothing, nada, zilch. I can't even tell where I bumped him. My car had a scratch. No biggie. I assumed I'd get back in my car and go on. Oh no. This man insists on call the cops to file a report. 2 hours later a cop apologetically issues me a citation. He even apologized because he thought it was stupid, but had to issue it since I admitted to backing up. Sweet. So if I had done the WRONG thing and kept going and lied, I would have been fine.

After that ordeal I promptly skipped Starbucks and began lunch. I made Eggs Benedict which is my all time fav. First time I made hollandaise sauce from scratch. Simple, really. Two egg yolks, a squirt of mustard and some lemon juice. Wisk that in a bowl set in boiling water until thick. Then put it over a low burner and add some butter (2 tbsp). I made enough for one person. I'd double it for two. Very tangy like I like. Very fatty like I like too.

I 100% did not want to work out today. I told myself I wouldn't and played the pregnancy card to the max in my head. Then I decided I might as well get a good workout in. I'm not going to let a bad day ruin my mojo. So I loaded the kids up in the car and headed to the Y. I thought about doing Total Body since the class started half an hour after I got there. But I think my Total Body days are over until this baby is born. I just can't keep up. It's too much cardio. So, to the machines I go! I'm a big believer in changing up your workout so your body doesn't get used to one thing. I tried the Arc Trainer. Phew! It was hard. It's sort of like the elliptical, but your legs just go front to back. Reminds me of that Gazelle things that the crazy guy with the pony tail sold on that infomercial. Anyhoo, I did 30 mins of that and then 30 mins of strength training.

Here's my tracker:

Breakfast:
Brand Flakes with trail mix nuts on top w/ skim: 5 pt

Snack:
Plum: 1 pt

Lunch:
Eggs Benedict: 13 pts

Snack:
Planter's NUT-rition individual packs (need protein): 5 pts
Mocha: 3 pts
Peach: 1 pt

Dinner:
Whole Wheat cous cous topped with lean ground beef and veggie stirfry (zucchini, fresh spinach, broccoli, water chestnuts, onions): 7 pts
Salad with romaine, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, croutons and yogurt ranch dressing: 3 pts

APs:
Cardio/strength: +3 pts

Total: 35 pts

Still raining....

I woke up to rain and carpool duties. Nonetheless, I laced up my shoes and got dressed to sweat. My 9 month pregnant friend called me on the way to taking kids to school to see if I wanted to meet her to walk. Sure enough the rain let up and we got a good 2 mile walk in! I love exercising with other people because it goes by faster and doesn't feel like work.

Tracker:

Breakfast:
Bran Flakes with sliced banana and raisins: 4 pts
Mocha: 3 pts

Lunch:
Fish Taco: 5 pts
Chips:4 pts
Cheese dip: 4 pts
Iced tea (half sweet/half unsweet): 2 pts

Snack:
Red Raspberry Leaf tea with cream and sugar: 2 pts
Plum: 1 pt

Dinner:
Left over chili over rice: 5 ts
Salads with carrots, celery, tomatoes and yogurt ranch dressing: 3 pts

Snack:
Nectarine: 1 pts

APs:
Walked 2 miles: +2 pts

Total: 32 pts


Tomorrow I plan to go to a class at the Y. If nothing is happening in the morning, I'll do the elliptical. I'll skip wednesday's workout because I've got midwife appt and then lunch with my grandma!



Off topic: Is it bad that I kinda want to watch the new 90210 show?

25 weeks

Awwwww...it's Friday....

Got lots done today. I ran to the post office to send off my Happiest Baby on the Block educator certification stuff. Hopefully in a few weeks I'll be "official" in how to swaddle the hell out of a baby and "Shhhhsh" them to pieces. Then I hit the park and walked 2 miles. Felt good. I expected my back to hurt, but I focused on tucking my tailbone under and my abs in and it seemed to help, though it looks kinda funny. Then I ran to the grocery for some stuff.

The weather here has brought me back to life. The heat has let up some and the air is circulating again. I was so grateful to get outside and exercise. The breeze just made my day. Can't wait for Fall and all the time we'll be able to spend outside again...without water involved.

I've been on a chocolate kick lately. I'm trying to combat it with healthier alternative. So I bought some Yoplait Whips- Chocolate Mousse and some Bryer's yogurt with Oreo topping. I'm know it's not idea, but at least it's portioned out and I can get a little of the stuff I'm craving. As opposed to buying Oreos and eating 10 at a time.


Here's my tracker:

Breakfast:
Cheerios with skim: 4 pts

Snack:
Mocha: 3 pts
Cinnamon bagel chips: 4 pts (I opened them in the store cause I was having a melt down in blood sugar)

Lunch:
Chicken salad sandwich on wheat: 7 pts
2 Sweet pickles: 1 pts

Snack:

????

Dinner:
Crockpot BBQ chicken courtesy of Kelle: 4 pts
Onion roll: 3 pts
Baked beans: 4 pts
Cheddar Biscuit (courtesy of Lindsey): 4 pts

APs:
Walked 2 miles: +2 pts

Total Goal: 35 pts

Don't move!

Fischer is off to school already. Amelia is still asleep. It's 9:15am and I'm drinking coffee in silence. No one move or I swear I'll kill ya! :)

Two things that may have solved my back woes.

1. New shoes. My mom was sweet enough to buy me a new pair of training shoes at an outlet mall last weekend in Boone. Originally $79 and marked down to $29 thank you very much! They have made a huge difference in how my back feels after a workout. My nasty New Balance (which I'm not a fan of NB shoes, but they were free samples) weren't doing anything for me. For running I prefer Mizuno. For walking and aerobics I prefer Nike trainers. Anyway, I'm loving the shoes and my back.

2. No more treadmill. I'm afraid all this time the treadmill has been the culprit with my back. I've been doing the Elliptical and machine weights and have had no issues at all. I think I'm hitting the phase in pregnancy where I need minimal impact. So looks like I need to stick with swimming and the elliptical. I hope I can still do step at least once a week....

Anyway, no workout today. Amelia and I have playgroup at 10am and then the days is ours to make. I've got a pot roast already in the slow cooker so that's my dinner plans. I'll update with tracker later.

Yawn...

I've been up and in my car since 7am this morning running around and I'm tired. Quick post to give you my tracker. I made it to the gym this afternoon. 3 miles on Elliptical (whatever that means) and weights. The looks at the gym are getting more and more frequent the bigger my belly looks.

Tracker:

Breakfast:
Trail mix: 3 pts

Snack:
Mocha: 4 pts
RF coffee cake: 7pts

Lunch:
1 fish taco: 4 pts
Chips/cheese dip: 8 pts

Snack:
Apple: 1pt
1 slice salami: 2 pts

Dinner:
2 slices pizza: 12 pts
Salad: 5 pts

Aps:
Elliptical/weights: +3 pts

Total: 43 pts!!!!

Heavy points day. Good thing Flex are still in play.

Not a good start, but honest nonetheless...

I got up early before Fischer's school and ran to Starbuck since we were out of coffee. I spontaneously bought 2 chocolate glazed donuts (one for me, one for Ed). I figured, 5 pts, I can do that. Then on the way home I ended up eating both of them. I was starving, but felt sick by the time I was done. WTH? That was part of my old self creeping up. 10 pts wasted on empty sugar. Sweet. Or rather sour....

Anyway, moving on! It is what it is and now I need to make the rest of the day healthy. I'm making some chili for dinner. I always make my chili with lean ground beef. Cuts out a ton of unnecessary fat. I don't really have a recipe, I just throw in what I have. :)

Here's my recipe:

Chili:
Lean ground beef
1 large onion
3 cloves of garlic (crushed)
1 can light red kidney beans
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 can chili beans
1 big can crush tomatoes
A little marinara sauce
1 can spicy V-8 juice
1 bottle of beer
Any green veggies, dice up really small (zucchini, green pepper)
Chili powder
Cayenne pepper
Cumin
Salt and Pepper

I'm going to make the chili around lunch so that it's been stewing for a while come dinner time. I'll serve it with brown rice instead of crackers.

For lunch I'm going to eat the same salad I had yesterday that I posted. My friend Jenny made that salad for me when I went to her house and I loved it. :)

Today was the first day of school for the kids. We did our pictures, kissed them good bye and I was FREE! I swung by Starbucks and headed to the Y. I did the elliptical for 30 mins and then weights. I focused on my legs. I did squats and inner and outer thighs until my legs were shaking. I want to strengthen those muscles for the end of pregnancy and labor.

I then headed home, took a bath and then BAM I was off to pick the kids up already. We got home and I put myself and Amelia down for a nap. Ed hung out with Fischer while he finished work. I didn't wake up until 5pm!!!! And when I did I woke to this wonderful smell of asian food in my kitchen. Ed made this great veggie stir fry with asian noodles. Mmmmmm.....

So today was nice, relaxing day.

Here's my tracker:

Breakfast:
FF yogurt: 2 pts
Trail Mix: 3 pts

Snack:
Mocha: 3 pts
Banana: 2 pts

Lunch:
Bed of romaine with a little ww pasta, cannellini beans, sundried tomatoes, feta cheese, artichokes and red wine vinagerette.: 12 pts

Snack
Alternative bagel with cream cheese and homemade blueberry jam: 3 pts

Dinner:
Asian noodle stir fry: 8 pts (estimating)

FF chocolate pudding cup: 2 pts

APs:
Elliptical and weight: +3 pts

Total: 32 pts

Weekend in the mountains...

Trail running.. (or walking)

There's a great trail about 4 miles from the mountain house. It's 1 mile for the while loop. We went around twice. It's very peaceful. So peaceful that sometimes you wonder if a mountain cougar is going to sneak up and snatch you!

And they say black is slimming.....

My sister Lindsey and Ed running ahead of me (I was a walker)

Every time I've gone on this trail there are horseback riders. The horses are beautiful. Their poop all over the trails....not so much.

Just some ducks

As I looped around I climbed a hill and at the top I looked up and saw this deer staring straight at me. Not very far at all. We both froze and I slowly lifted my camera to capture the moment.

Me and my man...

Me and my beautiful sis...

Me and my mom (handling the rope that pulls the kids on the tire swings)

Weekend in the Mountains...

We picked blackberries right out of my mom's back yard. Unfortunately I forgot my camera and was too lazy to hike back up the hill to get it. So here are some pics of us enjoying our blackberries:

Amelia is intent on showing us her blackberries in her mouth...


We hit the outlet mall and the kids just about flipped when they saw this..

These are the coolest tire swings evah! They are shaped like horsies and the kids woke up every morning and rode them while we drank coffee.

6 months (kinda)

23 weeks! And you can see my new dark color on my hair...

Hump Day....

Sorry, my elementary teacher always called it that every single wednesday so now I say "hump day" in my head on wednesdays.

Still busy. We're leaving town this weekend to retreat to my parent's mountain house. I'm trying to get my doula stuff done (recertification is a bitch) and mailed in and get the kid's supplies for school. Since we won't be back until Sunday afternoon and school starts Monday- I gotta have my ducks in a row.

*deep breaths*

It's 3:30pm and Ameila has not had a nap today. We had a play date this morning and didn't get back until 2 ish. In order to survive the remainder of the day I've convinced myself she'd be in better hands at the YMCA, so I'm going there to work out. Though what I really want to do is nap. On the way there I have to mail my thick doula paperwork, pick up a prescription, and then swing by Pet Smart for a turtle filter. Blue Bell and Gary (the turtles) are pissed off. Their filter is dirty and stinky.

So combined with rushing around, some incline walking and weights- I should earn around 20 APs, right? Okay, max 3. Did I mention I have 6 loads of laundry to do as well??

Here's my tracker for today:

Breakfast:
Raisin Bran with skim: 4 pts

Snack:
Mocha: 3 pts

Lunch:(Courtesy of my friend Jenny)
Salad of romaine, sundried tomatoes, canelli beans, artichokes, lil' pasta, feta cheese, and dijon vinegarette: Guessing 9 pts
1 slice of salami: 1 pt
1 coke: 3 pts

Snack: (late afternoon before workout)
Homemade hashbrowns: 6 pts
Peach: 1 pt

Dinner: (Picking something up since we're leaving town and don't want to cook)
10 pt range

APs:
Treadmil walking and weights: +3 pts
Total: 34 pts

Been busy

Sorry faithful readers of my lil' old blog, I've been a bad blogger. We've had lots going on and I've been using any free time to finish a paper I'm working on for my doula stuff. If I write the words 'water immersion' or 'hydrokinetic effect' again I think I'll shoot myself! I hate papers. I'm a test taker. I'm a master of memorization and suck balls (did I just say that?) at formulating ideas into a nice, neat paper. Don't get me wrong, I got lots of ideas- I just don't want to spell correctly, come up with a thesis statement or note my sources. I want to make sweeping statements without having to give any sort of backing behind it. :)

Anyhoo, in the midst of all this I've been eating like college kid. The main victim has been the tub of Nestle Tollhouse ready to bake cookie dough in my frig. Why in the world do I buy stuff like this? It's like dangling crack in front of a crack addict. Cookies are not the enemy, it's the *amount* of cookies (and spoonfuls of cookie dough) that I mindlessly ingest at any given moment.

Today is a new day. And it's conveniently Monday, so I'm off to a good start! The kids are I are going to the YMCA this morning. I'm getting on the treadmil! There aren't any cardio classes this morning, just Body Sculpt. And I've been doing more strength than cardio lately, so I need to work in some cardio. I plan on doing at least 30 mins of brisk walking on a slight incline. I've found the incline helps my back. Then I'll do some weight on the machines.

I really want to go to the grocery, but truth is there is stuff in my frig and pantry that needs to be used. Does that ever happen to you? I just want *new* stuff in my frig. Not the same old stuff. That same can of black beans keeps staring me in the face every time I open the cabinets. What I really want is to open my cabinet and have a perfectly made Willy's burrito sitting there ready to eat.

Zoo day

Took the kids to the Zoo today. My pics are on Ed's camera, which means they are on his computer, which means he needs to upload them on his flikr account before I can share them with you. :) Hint Hint Ed.

Anyway, it was HOT. My mother in law Susan and myself took the kids and planned on getting in right when it opened to avoid as much heat as possible. I cannot imagine how hot it would have been if we waited until later, cause it was already ridiculously scorching. My brain stopped working at some point. I think I sweat 5 APs just existed in the heat.

The kids, nonetheless, enjoyed it. We saw everything on their list of "to see" and enjoyed a train ride around the park.

I also got my hair colored this evening. I decided to go back all natural and nix the highlites. Too much up keep. Now my hair is one solid color- dark brown. :) I'll post pics soon.

I'm tired. Here's my tracker:

Breakfast:
WW muffin: 3 pts
Mocha: 2 pts (didn't finish it)

Snack:
Trail mix: 4 pts
Water, water, water

Lunch:
1 slice of pizza at the zoo cafe: 8 pts
1 kiddie size coke: 2 pts (I was craving coke)

Snack: (planning a late dinner)
Raisen brand cereal with skim: 4 pts
Nectarine: 1pt
Red raspberry leaf tea with cream and sugar: 2pts

Dinner:
Taco Bell beef taco: 5 pts
Taco Bell Fresco chicken taco: 4 pts (not very good)

Total: 35 pts

At Ed's request....

see more pwn and owned pictures

Feeling better...

I came to the conclusion (at the suggestion of a nice Cammer) that my blood pressure dropped yesterday. The only way I distinguished it from a blood sugar drop is that a dip in blood pressure can be triggered by coughing, sneezing or urinating. Guess what I was doing? Urinating. Anyway, I'm feeling better and loading up on Gatorade today because the heat is just out of control.

I made it to a Body Sculpt class today. I arrived 20 mins early and did some walking on an incline on the treadmill before hand. Felt good. I was so hydrated, I felt like I could go on and on.... LOL Stopped by the grocery to pick up some milk and eggs and a sub for lunch. Ate lunch and ended up sweeping and mopping my floors. 2 dogs and a cat require lots of upkeep multiple times during the week. It had been at least a full week since I had swept or vacuumed. So you can imagine the fur balls fluttering all over the floor. Drives me mad. Felt good to get it all cleaned up and tidy.

Now I'm running the bath and will hopefully catch a snooze. Amelia is down for a nap and Fischer is having quiet time in his room.

Here's my rough tracker. Not totally sure what we're having for dinner yet.

Breakfast:
Luna bar: 4 pts
WW muffin:3 pts
Mocha: 3 pts

Lunch:
Publix turkey sub on wheat: 9 pts
Salt and Vinegar chips: 4 pts
Gatorade: 3 pts

APs:
Treadmill: + 1 pt
Body Sculpt: +2 pts

Afternoon snack:
Nectarine: 1 pt
Raspberry Leaf Tea with milk and sugar: 2 pts

Total so far: 26 pts (including APs)

I'll figure out something for dinner. Maybe a veggie stir-fry with whole grain rice. Or maybe an omelet with goatcheese (Ed's been talking about making that) We'll see...

After our tree debacle this weekend I've been trying to get back into the swing of things and it seems like everything is working against me. I made sure to go to bed early last night just get some rest. Sunday night we slept at Ed's parents house since the power was out and for some reason AMelia decided she would wake up all night long. So I was ready for bed at 8:45pm last night. Thankfully the kids slept until 8am this morning, which is nothing short of a miracle. Ed made them breakfast and I rose slowly. I packed us all up, ran to the bank, then to the Y. Planned to get on the treadmill and just read my book for book club. 5 mins into my workout the childcare workers come get me and say she's had an accident. I couldn't figure out why she had an accident as she had a diaper on and I opted not to bring her in training pants today. (She's potty training and I had to leave my workout last time because she popped in her pants.) Well apparently she asked to go potty (Yah Amelia!), but no one helped her on to the toilet, so she didn't pull her dress up and just peed all over it. Ugh. I had no change of clothes, so I had to leave. So my carefully planned workout failed.

Next plan of action is to get on the treadmill here. Mark my word, at SOME point today I will get on that treadmill and walk at least 30 mins. I cannot do outside walks due to the heat, so the treadmill will have to be it. I usually go to Total Body on Tuesdays, but I think my body is not keep up with the class. Last two classes I felt some cramping. That's my cue to back off. Walking will be my bff during this last trimester. :)

Here's my tracker for today. I'm breaking it down into calories for some of my "special" blog readers that don't "get" points and think I'm eating too little and malnourishing my child. (Read the comments from my post last Friday : "climbing back on the wagon...") LOL How can I be malnourishing my child if I've already gained 28 lbs??!!! Does this mean I get to eat more???!!! Chick-fil-A milkshake: Here I come!

Tracker:

Breakfast: (5 pts/320 cals)
Bowl of grapes, blueberries, and pears (courtesy of Ed- thank you): 1 pts (100 calories)
1 piece of toast: 0 pts (40 calories)
Luna Bar: 4 pts (180 calories)

Snack:
Mocha: 3 pts (174 calories)

Lunch: (10 pts/ 600 cals)
Salsa Salad with romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, red pepper (all veggies-100 cals), black beans (1 pt/110 cal), salsa, 1 oz shredded cheddar (3 pts/110 cal):4 pts
Ranch dressing: 4 pts(148 calories)
1 wedge of kid's leftover quesadilla: 2 pts (120 cals)

Snack:
2 Nestle Tollhouse cookies: 4pts (120 calories)
grapes: (1 pts/100 cals

Dinner: (16 pts/588 cals)
Hamburgers made with lean ground beef (4 pts/230 cals), slice of cheddar (3 pt/110 cals) and a Sara Lee ww bun (3 pts/120 cals):
Sweet potato fries: 3 pts/150 cals
Glass of wine: 3 pts/88 cals


39 pts (went over 9 pts)
Looky there- 2500 calories!

My baby is so malnourished...

****update****

I have to go back on my word and tell you that I am not working out today. Right before dinner I got really ill and nearly passed out. I don't know what it was but I got really hot, broke out in a sweat and felt like I was about to fall over. I screamed for Ed (who was outside grilling burgers) to come in and help me. He got me on the couch to lay down. It took about 15 mins to feel good enough to walk upstairs and get in my bed. I've been lying down ever since. Weird and scary.

I'm currently gulping water and hoping *that* doesn't happen again. I feel totally fine now thank God.

Pics of our fallen tree...

Trees that fall...

Popping in to say our beautiful, 100 year old tree fell on our house and neighbor's cars during a storm last night. :( Thank God no one was hurt and the only damage was our porch roof, fence and dents in the cars. I'm actually more sad that the tree is gone. Our poor front yard was so shaded and beautiful. All my hastas and hydrangea's will now need new homes. We are now a desert oasis.

I'm at my sweet in law's with the kids while our power is out and the tree experts untangle power lines from the tree. Good times!

Today was NOT a good OP day. :( Feeling pitiful.

Climbing on hands and knees back ON the wagon...

Folks, it has NOT been pretty the past week. Remember my post about Tuesday being "one of those days?" Well that day turned into Wednesday and Thursday. And now I'm sitting here feeling yucky. That's the truth about eating crap all the time, you feel awful. It's not even worth it.

Luckily I also made it to the grocery store. I loaded up on fresh food and OP staples. Today is the beginning of getting back on the wagon! I do not want to load on any more weight than I have to for this pregnancy. I remember how awful I felt when I tipped the scales at 230 lbs at 9 months pregnant. I could barely move. Right now I'm 168 lbs (deep breaths) and half way through. I have control over whether I pack it on. Now I just have to walk it out. It's weird how you feel so in control and then one day can throw you back into that spiral. And the truth is, I think those of us who struggle with our weight will always be susceptible to that downward spiral in any given moment. I think what protects us from going that route is a solid habit. Strengthening the discipline muscles. Being able to resist something and it not feel like the end of the world. One thing that works for me is when I tell myself that *that* particular food will be there tomorrow and I can have it if I want it. Because if I make that food the" forbidden fruit of the day," then I will want two tons of if here and NOW.

Good news is that I made it to a Step class yesterday. I'm really beginning to love Step. It's 60 minutes of cardio that leaves me feeling energized, despite how depleted I feel beforehand. I'm going to the Y again today to walk on the treadmill. I normally HATE going to gym just to walk on the treadmill. I think that's what make people pay gym memberships and never go. It's boring. I'm huge class fan. But today there are no classes I can take (can you imagine a pregnancy woman doing pilates?), so I'm going to get some cardio in without having to deal with the heat outside.

Here's my tracker:
***updated from the course of the day***

Breakfast:
3 Kashi Go Lean waffles: 4 pts
Syrup: 2 pts
Butter: 1 pt (out of ICBINB)
1/2 banana: 1 pt

Snack:
Mocha: 3 pts

Lunch:
Chicken sandwich on french bread with cheese, raw spinach and lite mayo: 8 pts

Snack:
White peach: 1 pt
Another peach LOL: 1 pt

Dinner:
Whole Wheat Spaghetti with ground chicken and vodka sauce: 8 pts
Ceasar salad with croutons: 3 pts
2 slices garlic bread: 5 pts (it had buttah)

APs:
3 miles on Treadmill: +3 pts

Total: 37 pt minus 3 APs=34 pts