Kickin' my Donkey

My husband hates it when I say that, "Kickin' my donkey", but it sounds so much better than, "Kickin' my a..." .  Well, you get the idea.  Last year after Miguel left for his mission, I gained some weight.  I'm not sure if I was depressed, just not running around cleaning up after that mess maker or maybe just the change in hormones.  Either way, I gained weight and it got away from me.

Interesting how trying on your summer shorts and not having them fit will give you motivation.  Some people might look at that as motivation to go shopping.  Not me...well, not all the time...So instead of new clothes, there was that day I was out grocery shopping at the World that is referred to as Wally and I saw this.

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It was cheaper than a whole new wardrobe...Now I've worked out with Jillian before, you know...in my family room, and she can kick my trash like non other. So, I thought what the heck?  What do I have to lose? Besides a size or two.  

What motivates you to get healthy?

Do you have some secrets for losing weight?

Laziness and Fall

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I know how I have mentioned before my love of running and yoga. It's what sustains me and makes me feel alive. Come fall, though, my body wants to hibernate and nest inside my comfy, cozy home while the sun sets earlier and earlier. I have become complacent with my exercise and thus a pesky 7 pounds have added back on to my mere 5'3" frame. 7 pounds people! I guess I need to start wearing this little guy again.  I love him!

It is ironic...I become stressed in the early fall when school starts, and I let things go. The VERY things that help keep me sane and clear and stress free. KT drug me back to the gym last week. Almost kicking and screaming, I might add. I didn't want to go...But, I am glad I did.

Once I get back into the habit, I crave it. My body and brain need it, and my blogging gets better and more frequent, too. 

Ta ta my peeps...I'm off to the gym °Ü°

Homeschooling, hair loss and 15 pounds heavier

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Once upon a time, about 5 years ago, I was a homeschooling mommy. Yes, it's true, I had a lapse in judgment. No offense to those who home school. I have a true appreciation for homeschooling, and I really admire what you do for your children. It just wasn't the best choice for me. The first year, wasn't too bad, I taught Miguel while TJ was in 6th grade and Ladybug was in kindergarten. Miguel struggled with ADHD and CAPD. I hate labels, but he had them...He couldn't even write a paragraph. I thought some one on one might be the answer after the school system seemed to fail him. It was fun and we gained a closer relationship.

The next year, TJ wanted to come home and be schooled with me as well. There had been some scary events at school that just didn't make him feel safe.  Instances where kids were bound and beaten on the football field. I must admit, I didn't feel safe either. So I agreed to bring him home, then I felt that if I was going to do it for the two of them, I should do it for Ladybug, too. Teaching three grade levels was such a challenge. It was so hard jumping from phonics to algebra to science. My brain just doesn't work that way.  I put on 15 pounds and started losing hair from stress. I love my kids and loved having them home with me, but didn't love who I was becoming, a fat, balding screaming mom. The very next year I got two of my kids into a charter school and TJ decided he would man up and deal with public school.  He's only had to defend himself in a fist fight once!

My hair has recovered, but those pesky 15 pounds are still causing me trouble...Sometimes I briefly flirt with the idea of homeschooling Ladybug again. I think that would be awesome. Someone please slap me back to reality.

My love affair...

I have a little companion, a buddy, really, who goes every where with me.  He is small and black and follows me every where I go.  I call him Bud.  There is no sense cheating on him, because, inevitably, he will know.  He is the Body Bugg.  Let's face it, after the food orgy over the past few weeks, it is time to do a little calorie counting.  I love this little contraption that helps me track my calories burned vs. my calories consumed.  I am a visual learner, and this is such an eye opener!  It is the BEST toy!  If you are considering weight loss, I certainly would recommend it.  I think it is so much better than any of those special foods diets.  I've seen people go on those only to regain their weight when they were done with the foods.  With this little contraption, I get to eat what I eat.  I read labels more diligently.  I consider the calories before I put something in my mouth.  Like...two miles of walking only burns off two cookies?  CRAP!  We will have our ups and downs together, Bud, and I.  I'd like to think he will stick with me through better and worse and think and thin. But, hopefully, more thins in the future.

**The FTC requires bloggers to state whether they have received any sort of compensation for their product review post.  With regard to this, I would like to disclose that I have not received any kick back, I just reviewed this product because I like it.**