Let's get movin' ladies!!!

I am writing this posts in hopes that I might motivate many of you, some of you, or just one of you to take some time out for yourself and get back into shape.  As women, we wear so many hats ; wife, mother, daughter, teacher, employee, friend, housekeeper, etc. etc.  It becomes so easy to lose sight of who you were before taking on all of the above roles and suddenly you wonder what the heck happened?  We've all heard or seen the phrases that jokingly refer how productive we should feel just to get a shower, brush your teeth, or have a hot dinner on the table.  While those things are important, it IS possible to achieve so much more than just the satisfaction of fulfilling our domestic roles/duties, if ya want to call it that.  It is possible to make time for yourself on a regular basis and become the strong and powerful woman God intended for you to be!  What a great example to set for your children- to show them the importance of taking care of ourselves, even as adults. 

After having numerous conversations over the past month with friends who desire so much to get in shape yet for a number of reasons lose motivation, time, drive, and/or energy, I want to give you some hopefully easy tips to get you up and doing something for yourself: Here goes...

Start slow- You've probably heard "set realistic expectations" but this is so important!  Obviously, we have way to much on our plate already so trying to fit in exercise, will take some effort and getting used to.  A lot of women start the 30 day shred with the hopes of working out every day. This is not only a bad idea because daily strength training is bad for your muscles but this is a sure way to crash and burn almost instantly or as soon as you wake up the next morning and can't even sit down on the toilet seat to go pee.  When I started working out after Alyssa was born, I set a goal for myself to fit it in 3x a week. THREE times is  a do-able, long term goal.  5-7 days a week is NOT, unless your single, childless, jobless, and care free. You won't last because things come up, some weeks are busier than others, and you have needy kids and husbands:)  I still only set a goal for 3 days a week and if I can I will add a 4th.  Usually every other week I get 4 in but when I don't, it doesn't stress me out because I have still met my 3 day goal.   Anything more is just bonus points!

Plan your workout days-  Every Sunday, I look at my calendar and circle 3 days during the week when I will fit it in.  I plan these around a variety of factors such as after school meetings, ballet class, the Bachelor:), bath nights, Madelyn's preschool days, and nights my husband works later or is out of town.  I like to get my first workout done on Sunday so that I am already off to a good start and almost half way to my weekly goal before Monday has even arrived.  Sunday is good because you have your husband home to watch the kids.Close the bedroom door, pop in a dvd or get on the treadmill or send them outside if the weather is decent and get your exercise on.  30 minutes will be over in no time and you won't have to erase or cross out your circled day on the calendar:)
Monday and Wednesday nights are my nights to veg on the couch, watch tv and relax when the girls go to bed.  Tuesday and Thursday I will either workout at school before picking the girls up from childcare and daycare or I will do a DVD around 7:30, once the girls are in bed.  Even starting at 7:30, I will have a good hour to relax afterwards and catch a show on tv before bed.

*Stay at home moms- you don't have to forfeit exercise just because  your kids are with you all day long.  In the summer, I utilize naptime for working out.  Naptime is a precious time and that much needed break from the kids so lucky for you, you don't have to give it up every single day of the week.  Just 2-3 times depending on if you use a weekend-day or not.  Put your workout clothes on before you lay the kids down for naps, this way you will be all ready to go and won't waste any more time.  Pop in a DVD as soon as they are put to bed.  The sooner you get started, the sooner you'll be able to relax and enjoy some peace and quiet:)  Depending on how long your kids sleep, you could get your workout done, take a shower and still have 1-2 hours to do whatever the heck you choose.  If you have older kids who don't take naps- allow them to watch a movie in your bedroom or somewhere else with a tv. Nothing wrong with that because remember you are making your health a priority and teaching your children the importance of taking care of their health too!

Plan meals around your workout-  This is important because if you are someone who will have to do your workouts later at night (after kids go to bed), you are going to have a difficult time if you just had a big, hearty meal.  On the days when I workout at school, before coming home, I make sure that I have dinner in the crock-pot so that getting home around 5 won't stress me out.  If I plan to workout when kids are in bed, I make that a "leftovers" nights so that hubby and kids can still eat and I can warm my dinner up later.  If leftovers are not an option for that night, try something lighter, such as a bothy soup.  My husband can eat a light meal and then walk/run 1-2 hours later, I cannot so I will have a protein bar or a healthy snack around 4 to tide me over until I can workout and then have a meal.  Another good pre-workout snack is a piece of toast with peanut butter and banana slices. yummo!

Switch it up!  Don't pick a dvd and do that every single time you workout.  Even if you like that particular dvd, you will inevitably get tired of it and lose motivation at some point.  Find 2 or 3 that you enjoy and rotate them, day to day, week to week, or month to month but switch it up!  I have 2 jazzercise dvds, 1 Jillian Michaels, and a treadmill that I rotate regularly.  Since my husband has been working out on the treadmill, I do my dvd on the days he is planning to walk/run.  On the weekend, I will use the treadmill.  I don't do the same dvd more than 2 times a week to keep it fresh and prevent BOREDOM.  If I have an entire dvd routine memorized, I get bored and it's time to get something new.

Use weights-  You don't have to use weights with every single workout but fit them in a couple times a week if you can.  This is how you will begin to see results as your muscles will tone up.  THIS, my friends is higly motivating when you start to see the results:):) (dvds incorporate the weigh lifting)  Better to be strong than skinny!

Be fashionable-  You can look great and workout at the same time!  Don't wear frumpy old t-shirts and shorts.  If you look frumpy, you'll feel frumpy.  It is not realistic to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on new workout clothes but get an outfit to begin with.  Then, from there, reward yourself with a new outfit after a month of making your 3 day weekly goal.  Eventually you'll build up a nice wardrobe and when the weather finally warms up you can head to the park (Cascades) with your hot mama workout gear and show off all your progress for the public to see!! (TJ MAXX is a great place to find cheap and cute workout gear)

Count calories-  Now, I know this can bring up many mixed feelings with people.  Some people naturally control their portion sizes better than others and can mentally keep track of what they are eating or have an "idea" of where they're at throughout the day.  I am one of those people- I don't NEED to count calories because I've always been pretty aware of the content of what I put into my mouth.  If I want to have McDonald's some night, I'll make a conscious effort to eat  light during the day, or if I feel like snacking on chips, I'll take some out of the bag, rather than eat straight from the bag--you get the idea.  My husband on the other hand, has just started counting calories in the past couple of weeks and has become increasingly aware of the hidden calories in much of what he usually eats.  For example, he bought a juice from the gas station the other day (in effort to get healthy and skip pop).  To his surprise he learned the juice had almost 500 calories.  Although, I'd been telling him that for years, it had never sank in until that day.  Now he is using the "MyfitnessPal" app and with tracking his calories and staying within his daily limit, he's lost NINE pounds in the 1st 2 weeks!!  He is drinking more water or calorie free drinks, still eating out for lunch often but limiting his portion sizes when it comes to dinner in the evening.  He said he feels so good because for the first time in a long time- he actually reaches a point where he feels hungry before it's time for a meal. 
Maybe a calorie counting app is for you and maybe it's not but be aware of what you eat.  Don't deprive yourself but do make conscious choices throughout the day.

Be persistent- If you have a bad "eating" day don't beat yourself up.  It happens! Don't throw your workouts out the window because you failed in the eating department.  Tomorrow's a new day and you start fresh when you wake up. In fact, I am a firm believer of having 1day out of the week when you allow yourself to eat whatever you want.  I think your body gets used to what you're putting into it and when you suddenly have some not so good foods, you jump start your efforts by throwing it off for a day. I'm no doctor so I can't back it up scientifically, but I like the theory and it works for me!:).

Alright, ladies, are you motivated yet??  Get up and get moving for yourself!  Not everyone will be comfortable in a bikini but you can all be comfortable and confident in a bathing suit this summer!  If you have stomach issues from pregnancy's don't fret.  You can rock it in a super cute one piece this summer! Tone up and show off your arms, shoulders, back and legs!!!

***If you join MyfitnessPal- we can be "friends" and motivate each other over there:)  I love to hear when my mommy friends are working out so brag, brag, brag about yourself and I will cheer you on!!!

Winter Wonderland {in pictures}

Sweet Sigh of Relief:)

Lots has been happening around the Wheeler house as of late!  As with every Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year holiday season, there are lots of things to get done, places to go, and people to see.  Due to my lack of organized thoughts right now, I will give a bullet list of our recent happenings:

• Thanksgiving came and went in a flash.  We traveled a short distance to my brother and sister-in-law's house in GR.  We had a great dinner and sat around afterwards watching my SIL, Heidi and her SIL, Brenda, figure out their plan of attack for Black Friday Thursday shopping starting at 8pm.  It was fun to imagine going out, facing the crowds, and finding some sweet deals but it all reality my bed hotel bed sounded much better at that point.  We headed back to our Holiday Inn around that time and Grandma and Papa Wheeler took the grand kids swimming.  Alyssa was a stinker to try and get to bed but eventually fell asleep in the pack-n-play.  Around 3 am, Madelyn awoke in a coughing fit and couldn't get that pesky cough to let up.  I worried about Alyssa waking up and our whole sleeping plan being thrown out the window.  So Madelyn and I got up, out of bed and drove over to the neighboring Meijer at about 3:20am.  It was pretty empty however, there were a few shoppers here and there drinking coffee and appearing to be "killing time" as they sat on the carpeted areas leisurely browsing the ads.  I wasn't sure if they were waiting for a certian time for a sale to start or just what they were doing.  We bought some Delsym cough suppressant and after giving it to Madelyn, we did a little toy browsing ourselves (just to be sure the medicine would kick in).  About 4:15 we headed back to the hotel and she was able to get back to sleep. It was a fun day/night.
• For those of you who are close to me, you are aware of my brother's troubles.  He is sick, very sick and he needs help and prayer- a miracle really.  After a long cycle of hospitalizations and self destructive behavior, he is now in Florida and hopefully on the road to recovery and spiritual transformation.  It's hard to see and feel God when things are going badly for so long, but one thing I do know is that He is in control- always.  I am trusting in His mercy and grace and that God has a plan that will ultimately prevail.
• Another more serious note- My great Aunt Peg passed away a few weeks ago.  She had become suddenly ill and while in the hospital suffered a severe stroke that she never was able to recovered from.  She was a wonderful lady whom I spend many Christmas eve's, summers and 4th of July's out at her lake with her and Uncle Bill.  We will miss her dearly!
• On a more positive note:) Madelyn's doing great in Preschool! We had her first parent-teacher conference in November and she's met and exceeded all preschool academic goals.  Things to work on include being able to dress herself to go outside (zipping her coat) which she has since mastered, voluntarily going to the bathroom rather than waiting until the last minute (big surprise there!) and she is already doing much better.  I am so proud of the sweet, young, caring little girl she is becoming.  I pray she always keep the kindness she possess now and continues to love learning.
• Ballet is going great at Academy of the Arts this year.  This is her 2nd year but 1st at this studio.  Morgan isn't her teacher but we enjoy seeing Morgan each week because she arrives for class shortly before Madelyn's class ends.  Looking forward to her recital in the Spring and celebrating with Morgan as it will be her SENIOR recital!!! (tear..)
• Tomorrow is Madelyn's preschool Christmas party and the kids are going to sing songs for us.  I am excited to be a part of it!
• Now for the inspiration behind the title of this post- Sweet Sign of Relief....I AM A MASTER TEACHER!!!! I just completed my master's in reading and I am just over the moon thrilled to have this behind me!  I no longer have to spend weeknights online making posts to the discussion boards or my weekends writing papers. I'll always have a lot on my plate with working full-time, being a mom full-time, and taking care of a household but this certainly lightens the load a bit.  
• Sometimes when I look out the window or drive down the road- it's hard to think about Christmas only being a week away. With the sun shining and the roads being clear and dry it's easy to start dreaming about Spring Break....beaches....warm sun....sand....I'll stop now.  We aren't even close to that time yet.
• February will be a gooooood month:)
• For now- Its back to work tomorrow to finish up this final week and then 2 weeks off to spend with my beloved family. I am just SO, SO, SO excited to be with my family this Christmas season.  I have so much to be thankful for and so many wonderful people in my life. Life is so very good right now. Praise the Lord!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Alyssa Lou!

Our little Alyssa turned two the Saturday after Thanksgiving and we had a big family party for her at our house.  With Madelyn's help we decided on the My Little Pony/rainbow theme.  I had planned to make the famous layered rainbow cake and some layered rainbow jello cups but ended up only making it to the cake.  I opted for a date night on Friday rather than staying in the make colored jello cups.  I am glad I decided to forgo all the extras because we had plenty to eat with 10 large pizzas, chips, dip, cake, ice cream, punch and soda.

Alyssa woke from her nap around 3:30 with a fever of 102.9 and bright red, rosy cheeks.  This was a duplicate of Madelyn from a couple days before.  I gave her some motrin and continued on with the party plans.  She perked up after the medicine kicked in and had a good time with the guests:)
She did a great job blowing her candles out and thoroughly enjoyed her own piece of cake afterwards.

Madelyn and Reilynn enjoyed setting up stage in Madelyn's bedroom to perform for anyone who would watch.  In the pictures below you can see the audience lined up watching them.

Alyssa couldn't quite figure out the whole opening of presents things just yet.  It's a good thing she had her sister and cousin, Reilynn there to argue over who got to help open the next present:)  They were a big help, as always:)
Some gifts included a quite a few cute outfits, boots, Little People Princess Castle,  Leaptop, Fur Real Pup, and Radio Flyer trike.  She loves the trike and loves to have us push her around the house on it.  She'll really love it when we can get it outside in the spring!  Thank you to everyone who came and helped make this day a memorable one for our sweet girl.  We love you all!

Day 19, 20, 21 thanks:

I knew it would happen at some point this month with the craziness of everything and it did this week. I missed my last 3 thankful posts but ill catch up now...

Day 19- I'm thankful for our jobs. I'm thankful that both my husband and I get to do something we are passionate about and get paid for it. I'm thankful for the means provided by our jobs that not only pay the bills but allow for some fun here and there as well. I'm thankful that at a time when so many go without, my family has more than enough.

Day 20- I'm thankful that parent teacher conferences are over and we now have  wonderful 4 day weekend ahead of us for nothing but family time.

Day 21- I'm thankful for my  daughters. Oh how I am blessed with their sweet, sweet selves.  I'm so thankful to have not just one healthy girl but two healthy girls to nurture and raise into (hopefully) passionate, we'll rounded young ladies someday.  I can't imagine a life without them. Praise god for his blessings on our family!

Day 18 Thanks:

I just received confirmation that my final Capstone C project was approved and needs no revisions! yeah! This is a final project in my Master's program that runs in conjunction to my classes.  I am now down to a measly 3 weeks and I will graduate!! For THAT, I am thankful! I am thankful I was able to pay my way through this program over the last 18 months (not by using student loans) and even more thankful I will be done writing papers. :):):)

Day 16 Thanks:

So thankful for chiropractic care! I've been dealing with almost daily headaches for the past few months and it's been insane the amount of sinus headache medicine I consume.  Well not the amount, more like the number of days I have to take a 12 hour pill.  I'd say I have been experiencing horrible, horrible, headaches 5 days a week.  After taking a sinus pill, they clear up but it's not normal to have to take medicine that often! I finally got back to the chiropractor 2 weeks ago and I am so thrilled to report that it's been a solid SIX DAYS since I've had a headache. (last Sunday!!)  This is just amazing.  I had so much going on in my neck that was clearly causing the head pain.  Thank you, Lord!