Some Updated Pics

We seem to stay on the go ALL the time now. Between Jonathan's work schedule, my training and Gabriel's school, karate and soccer, we just go go go. Luca even grabs his backpack first thing in the morning now, and will point to the door and say "out". But, busy is good. We are all doing well, and are happy to see Spring weather finally. Luca LOVES being outside, and the cold, wet days were taking its toll on us.

So, first...I officially have 20 days left before my competition. Jonathan took a updated picture of me last night. I am down 18 pounds and close to 8% body fat. This is wild to me, considering I was pretty happy with where I was before I started this challenge, I didn't think I could cut so much. I'm in the hardest "diet" part right now. My diet has been cut drastically to cut the last amount quick...so I'm very aware that all of this that I am losing these last 3 weeks will come back on fast. It will stink in a way, but I can not "maintain" this. Way too hard. This has been such a mental challenge and has definitely shown me what I'm capable of with self-discipline. Now the next thing is...I may take a week off after the competition and then come back for 6 more weeks to compete in a pro competition. !!!! Crazy, I know. It all depends on how I feel and how I do on April 9th. More to come...

Gabriel's end of preschool is right around the corner, and he is registered now for kindergarten. I take him in a couple of weeks for his assessment. He is SO excited about big kid school...the best part? You can pick your own lunch, and they even have chocolate juice if he wants! :o) It's the little things. We are trying to figure out some summer plans, hoping to hit Hilton Head with a girlfriend and her two little ones when the kids get out, and then we'll do our July 4th up in CT with the family. Not sure if we'll do much more than that. We have so much we can get into here...and I think the boys will just have a blast being in a swimming pool this summer. Gabriel is doing fantastic in his second season of soccer, and he is up in the next couple of weeks to be tested again for his yellow belt in karate. Love it! Now I just can't wait for Luca to be able to do stuff, because he just runs around like a crazy child at these places.

We took the boys last Sunday to an animal park...they both had a blast, but needless to say it wore them BOTH out. :o) (This is how Luca always relaxes in the car...with his hands behind his head.)And then all the way in the back of the car...

Luca wants to be a big boy like his brother

These two LOVE the trampoline
Just chillin' with daddy
Gabriel enjoys being goalie

Not a good picture...but I think it's funny how he carries around his smoothie (like daddy) and his egg and cheese sandwich (like Gabriel)

Half Way There!!

I have 6 weeks from tomorrow until my competition. Wow!! This is hard. The mental part when it comes to food...how you eat, when you eat, WHY you eat. We went out on a date last week, and I wanted popcorn or SOMETHING just to munch on so bad! When I bake, I have to make a big effort not to lick a spoon, or my finger....or the bowl. ;o) But, I'm doing well. I feel like I'm just doing okay, but my trainer assures me that I'm doing great. I weigh/measure again on Monday..but, I'm at least (from my stats 2 weeks ago) down 10 lbs, around 6% body fat...and I bought a pair of jeans 2 sizes smaller!! So, I'll have absolutely nothing to wear by the end of this. :o)

Here's a pic (I took myself, so not the best). And, Yes Cara! I know!! My shoulders are not straight! :o)

My Funny Valentines!

Jonathan and I decided before we were even married to not really "do" Valentines. We agreed that we should show our love to each other year round, not spend money on overpriced goodies one day a year. But, with kids, we do get cards, make things, etc. This year, Jonathan came home with some flowers and let Gabriel give them to me. It makes Gabriel SO happy to do things like this. And even better, I was able to take a beautiful picture of my boys!

2 1/2 Weeks down...10 1/2 Weeks left

So....how's it going?? It's tough. Mentally it's tough to constantly be conscious of what you're eating and when....keeping track of calories, carbs, protein, fat, fiber...I think I've got a pretty good handle on it now. That doesn't make it any more fun...but tolerable. The workouts? Exhausting! The crazy weight our trainer gets us doing is insane to me. Top that with overloading on cardio and I'm not good for much else. I'm trying to not neglect my family too much during this...but it is temporary, and I hope to make them proud and be better for it. Gabriel is totally pulling for me, and very aware of what I can NOT eat. And he tells me. :o) I'm starting to see a change in my appearance, which definitely helps and gives me the boost I need. Monday will be the next measurement/pinch day, so I'm anxious to see the results.

I'm posting a picture (definitely before) of Cara (my partner in all of this) and myself. She's probably sick of me dragging her into my ideas... :o) But she's hanging tough! And it's great support to have someone doing with me.

Don't wake daddy....

For quite a while now, I will wake up only to be scared by a small person standing next to my bed in the dark. This small person is none other than Gabriel....every morning, quietly just standing there. I'll ask "what are you doing?" and he'll say "shhhh....don't wake daddy...can I play my game?". "Yeah, sure...." I always respond.

This morning while eating breakfast, Jonathan started laughing at the fact that Gabriel just stands there....and so I asked G why he doesn't say anything. He said he doesn't know who is there, if it's me or daddy. I told him I almost always sleep on that side (unless I'm TRYING to sleep longer). Then Jonathan asked, why don't you ever wake up daddy? And Gabriel answered "because you always tell me to go back to bed." :o) OHHH. I understand now. And I was always so upset that he would wake me up and yet be concerened enough to let daddy sleep. It was just a smart move on his part.

Week 1 is under my belt....

So, I'm just going to keep a "diary" of my experience on here in case I forget how it was. Like childbirth. After it's over I may say "it wasn't that bad". :o) I think I've got the hang of the diet part...I hope. It's definitely a challenge making two meals every time - one for the boys and one for myself. I've had the occasional snippy moments, but overall I think I'm doing okay. I've even winged myself off my coffee creamer. :o( Hard to do, but I know I'll see my dear friend, French Vanilla coffee creamer, in my future.

Apparently my house doesn't smell as good as it used to (according to my father.) Well, I'm a pastry chef, and right now this girl is lucky to make pancakes for the kids without licking the plates afterwards. I officially start the "training" part on Monday. I'm very much looking forward to this! Now it won't be like I'm just on a diet, I'll actually start working towards seeing improvements! Anyways - with one week down, and I think a solid 3 pounds off my scale, I'm moving in the right directions. Now....12 more to go!!!

I Like to Move it, Move it!