The post I've been dreading to write...

We received news last Tuesday that Kevin's dwell time is being "involuntarily waived" and he will be deploying to Afghanistan in a few weeks for 9 months. 
I went through all stages of change in the first 24 hours.  My eyes were nearly swollen shut last Wednesday.  My plans are to stay here in Washington during this deployment.  I know some don't understand and wonder why I wouldn't want to move home and my answer is: STABILITY. 
Stability is something that isn't always bountiful as a military family but we find stability where we can.  Stability for my my sake means staying put even if I may be more lonely than if I would have gone to Illinois or Minnesota. I'm tired of traveling.  I just want to stay put for a while.  I appreciate so much family coming to visit us.  We do get home when we can and it may not be as often as some would like but we do what we can when we can and what is best for us. 
In all honesty, I'm just tired right now but no means defeated.  I know we WILL get through this.  God has a plan for us.  It's hard to understand what it might be right now, but I find comfort in knowing that He is in control.  So I ask that you keep us in your prayers.  I ask that you keep Kevin in your thoughts and prayers as he is taking it extra hard this time. Pray for his safety and a safe return to us next fall.    I also ask that you pray for me and the girls. This will be an adjustment this time around.  They will notice more this time than last that he is not here.  They will most likely deal with some separation anxiety.  It's going to be a whole new experience for us even though we've been through it before.  Pray for my strength and for me to ask for help when I need it.  Pray for family and friends to be understanding and supportive even if it is from a distance.  Remember it doesn't matter where I am living.  I just want him to be here.  I'll be missing him no matter where I'm at. 
Also, please don't say to be "You signed up for this life"  =  I am very aware of that but it still doesn't make these times easier. 
I will keep you all posted as time goes on and I know that I can lean on you all for support! 
-Kristen 

Selectively Lazy

I have been slacking off greatly with this blog lately and honestly I am just not into it as much as I used to be when Lauren was a baby.  My life has been much busier with two toddlers and quite frankly I enjoy my time just loafing on the couch when I do have some free time.  So to say that I have been "selectively lazy" with certain things in my life would be a true statement.  Also, I feel like 95% of my readers are already friends with me on Facebook.  Therefore, they've already seen the pictures, status updates, and funny quotes from the kids.  I feel redundant when I come on here and writing once again about what we've been up to. 

As far as my weight loss, it's has it's ups and downs.  It's different not having the "in person" accountability during my first weight loss journey last year.  Also, my cousin Annette who is also my accountability partner is my facebook friend and we message back and forth on there.  She has requested though that I keep up my blog as well and I am going to try my best to do so!!  Another change I am making is what day of the week I will have be my weigh in.  I have been blogging my weigh-ins on Fridays but that just isn't working for me.  I feel like I work really well Monday-Thursday and then weigh in on Friday and let loose on the weekend, then what happens is I gain 1-2+lbs back over the weekend and come Monday morning I am disappointed because I have to lose that weight PLUS the 1-2lbs a week that I am wanting to lose for my goal that week anyway.  So Fridays are no more and Mondays will be my new weigh-in day.  It's when I weighed in last year and it worked well for me.  I love starting out the week with a bang and a goal to work for and I feel like this will help me stay more on track on the weekends as well.

Food:  Oh Food.  I have come to realize that I have a very bad relationship with food.  I LOVE food.  I swear if I didn't love food so much, I'd have lost 3x the amount of weight.  My goals from now on are to eat to survive.  Right now, I eat out of boredom, eat to celebrate, eat when I'm stressed, etc.  You get the picture. This is especially true on the weekends when Kevin is home, because he loves food more than me!  The thing with him though is that he workouts out everyday at work and it doesn't affect him as much as it does me. 

SO today, I am starting fresh.  I am going to be 100% honest on here from now on and I plan to use this as my journal to vent my frustrations as well along this journey.

Today's weight:  212lbs
Starting weight:  222lbs
Last weeks weight:  210.2 (up 1.8)

Total weight loss to date:  10lbs

Goal:  52lbs (170lbs)

Just to put it into perspective. If I could lose 52lbs total this time around that would put my weight at 170lbs.  That would be 100lbs lost since the day I had Kaelin.  100lbs!!!!  How amazing would that be!  So 42 more lbs to go! Let's do this. 

These are my pictures from last years weight loss journey and I plan to take more this time around. 



  November 2010: 250lbs (Down 20lbs post partum) 

March:  2011  225lbs

May 2011:  210lbs  Approx where I am right now.

Weekly weigh- in: 210.8

Happy Friday!

I have been a little absent the last 2 weeks and for a good reason!  We went on vacation!  We went down the coast of Oregon to Seaside and the surrounding towns.  It was a very nice getaway but I'll save that for another post. 

I missed last weeks check in so I'm playing catch up today. 
I will admit that on vacation, I did not eat the greatest and of course did not go to a gym.  We did do some short hikes and I did take an hour long walk on the beach one morning, but despite that when I weighed myself Monday morning (4days ago) I was back up to 216.  Queue tears.  I know it was due to the way I ate on vacation, and of course PMS.  Sounds like an excuse but seriously a few days before my period, I totally bloat up and even look pregnant and puffy.  It's crazy.

I jumped right back in Monday and have been hitting the gym and making healthier choices. 
This morning I weighed in at 210.8. Whoohoo!  My original goal was 205 by 8/31.  Seeing as though that is a week away, that is pushing it.  I cannot lose that much weight in a healthy manner in one week.  The most important thing is that I am not giving up and the more and more I do this, the more and more it becomes a lifestyle not a 'diet'.  It helps that Kevin is doing it with me now.

That's all for now.  I hope you all have a great weekend and keep reminding yourself that the weight didn't come on in a week or even a month, so it's not going to come off that quick.  Just keep up the hard work everyone! 

Starting weight:  222lb
Today's weight:  210.8
Total weight loss:  11.2 lb

Weekly weigh-in: 212.4

212.4 
Down another 1.8lbs! 
It has been a ridiculously challenging day today at home with our kids, so the weight update is about all your going to get.  I hope to get back on track with actually blogging about the kids/recipes/etc. Not just my weekly weigh ins. 

Anyway, have a great weekend!

Starting weight:  222
Today's weight: 212.4
Total weight loss:   9.6lbs

P.S.  I was pretty stoked today because I ran for 7 minutes  without stopping!  I know for some of you, it may not seem like much but at the end of June when I started this journey, I could not run for more than 30 seconds at a time without feeling like I was going to keel over and die.  So I'm pretty excited and on my way to a mile straight!

Weekly weigh-in: 214.2

Down 1.4lbs from last week.  I am happy to see the scale gradually go down.  Still my one major fault is weighing myself everyday.  I'm obsessed.  I know!  I almost need Kevin to take it away and hide for the week. 
I sucked it up this week and put the girls in childcare at the gym.  I made it to the gym 4 times since the last weigh in. 
It's been a super busy week at our house and I would have gone more to the gym but Kaelin has had a snotty nose for a while and I was informed by the gym childcare that they don't allow kids with snotty noses if the snot is green/yellow.  I understand where they are coming on but come on, kids have snotty noses. Kids pass germs.  Kaelin has been a snot bucket since she was born. In Kansas I don't there was more than 2 months total that she wasn't without a snotty nose because of allergies.  They (allergies) seem to have subsided once we moved and I honestly believe she just has a cold because of the climate changes and the fact that she is teething and her fingers are always in her mouth.  Also, I have been sneezing like crazy and I sometimes here Lauren sniffling but nothing to the extent of Kaelin's snot-fest.  There were a few days that it was super sticky/thick and greenish, so in case of an infection I got her into the doctor this morning.   I'm actually taking both girls for their well checks and a few issues that I have concerns with.  Anyway.  My beef with the gym child care is that I would never jeopardize the health of another family by sending my SICK child to their care.  In fact the lady told me they only had to wipe Kaelin's nose once in the 90 minutes that she was there.  I don't think that's too bad..but still green and that's a no no to them.  So my point is.  If she had a fever, or was throwing up etc.  I would do what any other daycare would say:  Keep her home for 24 hours until fever subsides.  But she doesn't have a stinking fever! 
Sorry for my rant but I just think the runny nose rule is dumb.  I have kept her home the last two days and probably throughout the weekend and we'll see what the doctor says today.  It'll be one of 3 things.  Common cold (most likely), sinus infection (possible because of thick/green consistency) or once again allergies. 
So snotty nose kid = me not getting to the gym the last 2 days.  Kevin's days have been very long (14 hours ) and by the time we have supper and clean up, I just don't feel like leaving in the evening.  I actually really enjoy go during the day and getting out of the house for a few hours.  It makes me really enjoy my evenings home with my family instead of despising them. 

How was your week ?  As a parent or some of your are teachers/caregivers...  Is the snotty nose rule a little overboard or do you think they are on the right track? 

Starting weight:  222
Current weight:  214.2
Total weight loss:  7.8 lbs

Goal:  205 by August 31st.  9.4lbs to go!  That's about 2.35lbs per week for the next 4 weeks. I can do it!!

Weekly Weigh-in: 215.6

Hello all! 
Down a little over a half pound from last week.  I was hoping for more but it is what it is. 
I had some killer workouts this week.  Club Circuit Boxing whoooooped my butt. BIG TIME.  I burned around 700 calories in the hour long class. I could barely walk for 2 days but it was well worth it.
I'm still working towards 205 by August 31.  That's around 10lbs in 5 weeks. Totally doable.  Counting on you all to hold me accountable!

Sorry this is short, but I'm spending my time with Kevin and the girls today since Kevin's working all weekend. 
I hope you all have a great weekend!

Starting weight:  222lb
Current weight:  215.6
Total lost:  6.4

Weekly Weigh-in: 216.2

Down around 3lbs from last week!
I know for a fact some of it is water weight. I may not weigh myself in the future on my period.  It was such a let down when I did.   Seriously some days I was 8lbs higher than the last.  This was a huge disappointment since I have been making healthy eating choices all week and exercising. One night I was in tears because I felt as if the weight was never going to come off.  Kevin reassured me it would, and it has slowly started to again.


I do count my calories by using the Livestrong calorie counter app on my phone as well as a Polar heart rate monitor for my exercising. 
I know some people don't like to "count calories" but it really works.  Even if you just write down everything you eat in a notebook on your counter everyday. It worked for me last time and I am determined to make it a daily part of my life..not just my diet.  It takes a bit to get into the habit but after a week or so straight of doing it, it just becomes natural to do it.  Somedays I have every meal and snack (except supper) plugged into my tracker before I even sit down for breakfast.  Then I know I have X amount of calories to eat for supper, or I need exercise X amount if I want to splurge. 

I have also cut out soda/pop.  From as long as I can remember, I have been a diet pop drinker.  I LOVE Diet Coke.  Love is an understatement. Although 0 calorie, studies have shown lately that the artificial sweeteners in these can be very damaging to our health.  It was hard the first few days because I craved that sweetness to go along with my salty snacks.  That has slowly started getting better and I try to eat fruits for my sweets craving and I drink around 100oz of water a day.  Water does get a little mundane, so I bought some lemons and limes yesterday for some flavoring. 

I didn't go to the gym everyday this week, in fact, I maybe only went 2-3 times.  Kevin had his wisdom teeth out on Monday morning, and the recovery hasn't been as easy as we anticipated it would be.  I did get up and go to the gym early on Tuesday morning before the girls woke up and then again on Wednesday night.  Kevin had to go back to work yesterday, swollen face and all.  He was gone for 13 hours yesterday (normal) ..but I felt bad running out the door within 40 minutes of him getting home.  I told him I would go when the girls went to bed, but they decided to throw us for a loop and refuse to go to bed last night until nearly 10pm.  Since the gym closed at 10, obviously I wasn't going to make it.  I think I'm just going to have to suck it up and sign the girls up for the childcare and go to the gym during the day.  No excuses then.  It just breaks my heart to leave Kaelin screaming and scared and I'm still nervous about Lauren and the potty.  She does great and I can't even remember her last accident, but she doesn't do well in public restrooms. So hopefully I can get her to go before we go and avoid any public accidents or freakouts. 

Okay..so that is my week.  Sorry for the long, random, choppy, post!

Let's wrap this up! 

Starting weight:  222lb
Current weight:  216.2
 Down 5.8lbs total. 
1st Goal:  205lbs by 8-31


How was your week?

Weekly weigh-in 220.6

Dun Dun Dun.....:)    It's that dreaded day!  Or is it??  It's the start of a new chapter and hopefully a lifelong change of a healthier lifestyle with the encouragement of friends and family!  I would like to check in once a week until our goals are met, and then after that, we'll figure out a check in/buddy system for maintenence/fitness etc. 

I started this journey almost 2 years ago.  I stepped on the scale the morning I had Kaelin and it read 270lbs.  When Kevin left for Iraq I was 255lb.  When I joined a gym in December 2010, I was at 251 lbs.  Kevin came home from Iraq in November 2011 and my weight was 196lbs.  That's almost 60lbs in the 12months of his deployment. 

After he was home and we were settling and re-adjusting, the scale would read 201, 204, 208, 215, 218 and where I have been stuck for the last few months at 222lbs. 

Last week I weighed in at 220lbs.  This week I am at 220.6.  A little over 1/2lb weight gain this week.  I made it to the gym only 3 days out of the last 7 and I plan on going again tonight. 

I went to a class called Club boxing circuit. OMG LOVE IT! or hate it too..but it was fun!  I've never been to a class where we actually get to put on gloves and punch and kick the crap out of the bag.  It was so exhilarating.  The part where she made us run back and forth in the gym and then only stop us to make us do jumping jacks? Yeah,that part totally sucked but it was at the beginning and we got it over with!  I've heard rumors she sometimes makes the class sometimes run the parking lot. Not looking forward to that! 

As far as healthy eats, it's been an on and off struggle. I have good days and bad days.  The first few weeks are brutal when reducing caloric intake. It feels like I'm starving!  I've tried to just make smaller/healthier meals and snack. Slowly and surely it's getting better. 

How was your week? 

Starting weight:  222
Today's weight:  220.6

Down 1.4lb

Here I go again...

Remember last year when I lost 50+lbs when Kevin was deployed.  70 total since Kaelin's birth??  Well I seem to have found 20+ back and well that's just not cool, folks.  It's of my own doing!  I'm the only one to blame.  For months I blamed it on Kevin coming home and eating out at his favorite places but it's not his fault at all.  It's only my own.  He didn't put the food in my mouth.  He didn't make me sit on the couch watching t.v. every evening.  He actually encouraged me to go to the gym. I just wasn't "feeling" it.  I would go strong for a week and then lose the groove.  He would tell me it was okay to go, but I somewhat felt guilty (and still do sometimes)  leaving him in the evenings to go to the gym.  I know I shouldn't but I do.  There are other days I am running out the door to get out of there.

I have tried at home workouts and just cannot get into them.  Paying for a gym membership gives that ooomph to get out the door and use the services that I am paying for. 

I haven't been extremely consistent since joining 3 weeks ago. So far I have taken a Zumba class (eh...love zumba just not this particular class...will give it another shot)  ..  Body works plus Abs (ouch..good ouch) and Spin (love/hate and butt ouch the first few times) 

I want to get into a routine with the treadmill/elliptical.  I have tried the couch to 5k and I never make it past week 1.  I am going to try intervals on my own and go from there.  Small goals and my first one is to be able to run a mile without stopping.  Sounds small but I have only ran a mile once in my life in highschool...never since. At this point I can only run about 2 minutes before I need to walk. 

Weight wise:  I am going to make realistic goals. I know it took me months to put it on so it won't come off over night. My goals are 1-2lbs/week, and hoping for 15lb weight loss by August 31st.

To help me keep accountability I am linking up with Mrs. V @ Getting that Glow.   She has been working hard on her own goals and is doing fabulous. 
Weigh ins will be on Friday mornings.  I will be posting on my blog and then linking up in her comment section. 

If anyone is looking for some accountability for weight loss, fitness goals, or even just living a healthy lifestyle, let's all work together and encourage each other! 

Even if you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your goals/accomplishments/or needs for improvements in my comment section. 

Who's with me?

Flag Day

Happy Flag Day, and Happy 236th Birthday to the United States Army.

Visit this site via Taste of home.  For every person that views the recipe, Taste of Home will donate 10 cents to the USO up to $100,000 !!! 


10 cents may not seem like a lot but 10 cents allows a deployed soldier to call home and speak to their loved one for free.  Those 2 minutes are a little slice of heaven for the soldier and their families.  So click away please and pass it on!!

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Flag-Cake?keycode=ZUSOFB

On the road again...

Let me just start this by saying THANK YOU.  Kevin and I have many people to thank for their support and help during the last few weeks.  First of all to our families.  We love you all very much and are so lucky to have such supportive, loving parents, siblings and cousins.  Specifically thanks to Kyle and Mike for helping Kevin carry all of our huge furniture and appliances.  We would have never been able to do it all ourselves.  Thanks to Kevin's mom for her thorough cleaning and Kevin's sister Karla and cousin Ashleigh for keeping the kids occupied while we were busy trying to get everything done. 

Thank you to my parents, and sister for coming down so soon after Kevin left.  The support and love for you all to take off work and be down here to just be with me really meant the world.  I love you. 

Thanks to my dad for not even blinking an eye and driving an hour to pick up the u-haul trailer to haul my car.  I almost had a melt down when they called on Tuesday and said they didn't have any trailers in Manhattan even though I had reserved one days prior.  You didn't even question anything and said you would drive to go get the nearest one. 
Thanks to my mom who stayed up talking with me when she got there even though she was extremely tired and it was after midnight.  I am known to be talkative but at the time I was just lonely.  Thank you for just letting me cry.  Seems like everything makes me cry but you don't judge and always are there to comfort me.  Thank you for putting a fire up my butt and getting EVERYTHING done yesterday so we could head home.  I still don't know how we managed to get all of the cleaning and packing done in just a matter of a few hours!

Thank you to my sister Stephane for being an amazing Auntie and taking care of the girls yesterday morning and allowing Mom and I to get a head start on organizing and then allowing me to have coffee with my friends.  I know you were super exausted at the end of the day.  I totally appreciate your help. 

Sincere thanks to ALL OF YOU!  We were able to get everything done and leave early.  We were able to spend a nice evening at a hotel in Kansas City and soon will be on the road again bound for Illinois.  6 hours left to go today.  Maybe a little longer depending on how many stops we have to make.  Everything is going smoothly so far. 

I am not looking forward to the unpacking and organizing, but I know it will be all worth it once it is finished. 
I know that we made the right decision to move back to Illinois, not only for our financial well being but for my emotional and physical well being.  The year to come will be filled with every emotion from tears to joy, but because of our family and friends and faith, we will get through this! Thank you!