Happy New Year!!!
~Jenn and Susan

Hot Tip Tuesday: Taking control of the grocery bill

by Susan

Morning~ Jenn is enjoying some time with her family this week so I am writing for our Hot Tip Tuesday. It has been a busy couple of weeks and I haven't had much time to post to Fat Bottom Mamas. I pray everyone had a great Christmas. We did and I am pretty sure Jenn and her family did also; they celebrated their first Christmas with Elli. Those of you who know our stories of infertility know that this is a big dream come true.

On to the "hot tip".... As much as I do NOT like to grocery shop, I LOVE saving money on my grocery bill. Call me crazy but there a little bit of a rush when you go to the grocery store and save almost as much as you spend. I don't have a lot of time to run from store to store so it is important for me to get my list of groceries and plan out my attack. There are some great blogs you can find in your area that help you find great deals and meal plans that can cost as little as $5 for a family of four. I start on Thursday, I write out each day of the week and decide on what will be on the menu. I generally plan eight meals to have an additional option. Once my menu is in place I will list out everything that I need to complete the meals and then I head to the cupboards. Going to my cupboards after writing out my list is a big help; most of the time I will fine a few ingredients that I already have (money saved). I go to the same grocery store every week so I know how the aisles are set up and make my list to follow that floor plan. Once I get to the store I stay on track with the list. I can tell you from experience that if I do not stay to the list my groceries cost a lot more money. On a side note I don't usually go to the store until after bed time for my girls. Being able to get through the store quickly also eliminates additional spending.

Taking the time to walk through these steps has proven to save us money. I don't purchase a lot of "junk food" for the simple fact that as I am writing out my list I am more conscious of what I am writing down and not just grabbing for things of the shelves. I also use the same notebook every week. When I am stuck and cannot think of what to cook for the week I will look back through and pull something from previous weeks.

Just as Jenn has posted before get a plan and stick to it. It really does work.

Hot Tip Tuesday: Go to the Source

by Jenn
Everybody has those days. You know...Fat Days. I hate them. Despite last week's loss, I've had a few "fat days" in a row now. I just don't feel on top of my game, I kinda want to give up and (even worse) I just feel gross and ugly in both body and spirit. Unfortunately, my response to a FD is usually not a positive one.

Instead of FDs helping me to refocus and get motivated I usually respond to a FD by falling apart, getting overwhelmed and/or becoming an apathetic mushball. My mind becomes and minefield of condemnation, self-pity and defeat which leads to careless living. I hate it, hate it, hate it. I often find myself a living example of Paul's talk in Romans 7 (do what you don't want to do, don't do what you want to do) until I come to a point like Paul did and cry out "O unhappy and pitiable...I am! Who will release me from this body...?".

Thankfully, Paul writes the answer to his own question, "O thank God! [He Will!] through Jesus Christ our Lord..." If you are a follower of Christ, you have everything you need to keep going, to overcome, to get off the hamster wheel of bad thinking and choices. You have Jesus and His ressurection power (Eph. 1:19-20) living inside of you. We no longer have to yeild to sin and lesser living. We can live under grace (Rom 6:13-14).

Here's this week's hot tip: When you find yourself having one of those days or when you keep doing the opposite of what you'd like to do, GO TO THE SOURCE, JESUS. Grab your Bible, a pen, a journal (or laptop for all of you techy peeps) and begin to pour the truth into your brain and heart rather than walking through the minefield of lies in your own head. (If you don't know where to start try Romans, John or Ephesians.)

I did this exact thing this morning and walked away renewed, ready to tackle another day of food tracking, exercise, housecleaning and Christmas prep. We can do this through Jesus!

Question of the day: What is something you do to keep motivated?

Getting ready for the new year

by Susan


WooHoo to Jenn on her two pound weight lost!! I know she has been working hard and it is awesome to see results.

I wanted to fill you in on something Jenn and I have been working on for the New Year. The 20/10 Challenge. We would like to challenge our readers and ourselves to losing 20lbs in the first six months of 2010 and 10lbs. in the last six months. This is an obtainable goal, it works out to be less than one pound a week for the first part of the year. WE can do this. We are also opening up "Weigh-In Wednesdays" for all of you to check in and post comments on how you are progressing towards your goal.


We will be posting more information regarding the challenge in the next couple of weeks. If you would like to join us please email weightbgone1@gmail.com and put "20/10" in the subject line. Also make sure you are listed as one of the blogs followers.

Hot Tip Tuesday: Just do SOMETHING!

by Jenn
Go, Susan, Go! I'm so proud of her for popping in that video and doing it. Aren't her "little helpers" so cute you just want to squeeze 'em?!

If you haven't noticed, Susan and I are both very motivated by the Biggest Loser. While she was doing her Bob Harper DVD, I have been breaking in my new Jillian Michael's Wii game (early Christmas present for my hero husband). Let me tell you, there is no "game" about it. That little disc is WORK! After my first session I was sore for THREE DAYS from shoulders to toes! I loved every second of it, though. It's about time my muscles felt used again. If you have a Wii, I highly reccomend at least renting this workout. It's fun and interactive and it keeps track of your weight and fitness progress. It even has some built in resolution (accountability) features!

So here's my hot tip of the week: Just do SOMETHING...often.

I'm a fairly black and white person. Meaning, if it's not perfect or perfectly planned it's not good enough. (Fortunately, motherhood is helping me toss that misperception out the back door. ) I have always wanted to have this perfect workout plan starting on the perfect time of day with all the right circumstances (clean house, sleeping baby, perfect healthy breakfast, cute outfit...). This, however, is not the life I lead...EVER. So, because things weren't ideal, I never worked out. My desperation to be healthy (and my husband's encouragement to leave dirty dishes behind) is changing all of that.

The circumstances and schedules of our lives will never be perfect. If I want to be healthy and fit I just have to do SOMETHING as often as possible. For example, some days it's easy to get Elli up from her nap, fed, bundled into the stroller and on our way for a good long walk. Other days, however, she's crying because she's teething and there is no way I'm going to get her into her coat, let alone her stroller. (Other days it's 17 degrees outside, like today, and I'm not a big fan of frostbite.) So, at that point I have two options, I can either just scratch exercise for that day or I can figure out SOMETHING I can do inside.

Here are a few ideas that I've been trying out and/or planning lately:
Exercise game or video (LOVING this!)
Dancing with baby for 20 minutes to our fave music (it's more tiring than you think)
Do some serious hardcore cleaning at a fast pace (if you're not sweating and breathing hard it doesn't count)
Go mall walking (I've heard it's not just for old people...we'll see...)
Do exercises with baby as weight (arm lifts, leg raises, crunches and stretches
Plan an event with friends that involves exercise (We did a 1.5m walk looking at lights with Susan and her fam.)

I will be the first to admit I am not even close to faithfully following this tip, but I am making fast strides and I'm proud to announce I have results to prove it! Last week I lost TWO POUNDS!!! WOOOOHOOO! Finally I have some sort of victory!

Don't give up, ladies! You CAN make progress even during the holidays. If these FB Mamas can do it, so can you! Just remember the tips! Make a plan and do something! What are some "SOMETHINGS" you can do THIS week?

Stepping it up...

by Susan

Oh my goodness.... my hips, my thighs, my calves, oh yes and my shoulders.


After weighing in one pound shy of hitting my Thanksgiving goal of 5lbs. I decided I needed to step it up a notch to make sure I hit the 5lb. Christmas goal. I wanted to go for a walk this morning but decided it would be best not to take the girls out in the 25 degree weather. It is so cold in the Pacific Northwest today and when you add the wind to that, well it just wasn't very appealing. So I decided I would pull out one of many "I am buying this dvd because I am going to work out video" brushed the dust off of it and actually pressed play.


Well, let me tell ya everyone thinks that Jillian Michaels from the Biggest Loser is the mean one, well I beg to differ. Holy cow! I did a 20 minute work out with Bob Harper and well he was just a jerk. LOL The sad thing is I was hurting within the first 5 minutes. I am so out of shape. I did also have to pause the video because I had a couple of little helpers and could not pass on the opportunity to take pictures. Yes, it is super cold outside and Ryleigh insisted in wearing a sleevless shirt with shorts.

I'm already achy but it really did feel good to get up and move. I challenge you that if you haven't done some kind exercise today before you sit on the couch and settle in for the evening get up and move. You'll feel better and will be more motivated for tomorrow.

Hot Tip Tuesday: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail"

by Jenn

Well, I didn't make it. Nope. Thanksgiving came and went and I did not lose 5lbs. In fact, I gained 3 and lost 2, so I actually ended up a pound up. BOOOOO. (Insert all lame exuses, including sickness here.) Thankfully, during this little mini journey, I believe I have received a major wake up call and as a result I have begun a new adventure. I'm excited to share it with all of you, however, that is for another time.

In the meantime, what is one major lesson I have learned from my T-day failure? The same lesson my husband has tried to engrave into my brain since we married nearly 12 years ago. MAKE A PLAN!!! He loves the quote, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." I have to admit, that cliche' gets REALLY annoying at times, BUT he's the one who has lost 110lbs all on his own...so he has some pretty hefty (no pun intended) leverage behind his beloved quote.

It's one thing to have a goal (aka 5lbs by Thanksgiving), but it's pointless if you don't create a do-able strategy and stick to it. If you're anything like me a goal can be easily swept to the side if you don't have a plan and a constant reminder of that plan in front of you.

So....although I 100% (plus some) failed my attempt at losing 5lbs by Turkey Time, I haven't given up! I'm still going to aim toward 5lbs by Christmas (yes, I know, there ARE parties to attend and temptations all around, but isn't there always?). This time, however, I HAVE A PLAN and I'm putting things and people around me to help me stick to it.

I'm not going to share my entire plan with you because I'm fully aware that everyone is very different in how they achieve their health and self-discipline goals. I will, however, leave you with one little bonus tip...

IF YOU BITE IT, YOU WRITE IT! If you've ever attended a Weight Watchers meeting or watched the Biggest Loser, you'll notice that one of the biggest points of strategy is to keep track of what you put in your mouth whether solid or liquid. I'm following this strategy by using an old (and quite blank) food journal I had from a previous season at WW. To remind me to use it (and so my husband can see it and keep me motivated) I placed it on top of my microwave with a pen. I'm at the microwave a lot prepping baby food and bottles, so this is the perfect place.

Pray for me! I could really use the momentum of a 5lb loss and I'd love to go in to Christmas feeling good about the choices I'm making.

Your Turn: What strategies do you use to keep yourself working toward the goal?

Weigh-In Wednesday: A confession of a "cokeaholic"

by Susan
I have a confession, I cheated. We were at our parent's homes this weekend and I drank a coke, ok maybe it was more like three or four. Oh the temptation. I haven't been keeping coke in the house which has made it easy to stay on track but I got to my mom's and there they were; shiny red cans all nice and chilled. My mom knows that is my drink of choice and she had "stalked up" for me.
Romans 7:15 (NKJ) Paul says: what I will to do, I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. That is how I have been feeling lately. it is so frustrating to know what I need to do but without any thinking I let the temptations over rule. The next month is going to be full of temptations; it is going to be my choice to continue the cycle or break out it.

I mentioned before that I have been trying to pick up my bible when I want something instead of going to the cupboard and staring at the possibilities. This has helped me when I am at home but it is difficult to do when I am at someones else's home even if it is my mom's. Today I was reading a post on my pastor's blog about memorizing God's word verbatim with references. After reading that I decided to adjust my weekly goals and start memorizing scripture to remind me that I can make good choices when I am not at home.

Here are my goals for the next week:

1. I am starting to read in Ecclesiastes and I am going to work on memorizing this scripture: ...A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the trusted stronghold. Prov. 21:22 For me the trusted strong hold is food.


2. We are spending a lot of time with our extended family the next couple of weeks and I want to make sure to have some time for just DJ and me.


3. Logging my food and working towards burning 500 more calories per day then I eat.

Next week I weight-in on the scale to see if I made the goal of 5lbs for Thanksgiving.


~Susan

Hot Tip Tuesday: GET RID OF IT! (aka Magic Fudge)

by Jenn
I know our postings have been a bit sparse, but all of your SAHMs understand...if it's not one thing it's another!

If you're looking for an update on my goal of 5lbs by Thanksgiving, there's good news and there's bad news...here it is...

This morning I decided to finally weigh myself. Unlike Susan, who is scale obsessed, I avoid the scale like a plague. Ignorance is bliss, right? Well, I was sick over the weekend and the only things that "sounded good" were nachos, fudge and Coke classic. Normally these things wouldn't even be in my house (HONEST, just ask my friends, our food selection is very boring and fairly healthy thanks to our lack of self-control) but we had just had a leaders retreat and all of the leftovers came to my house. SO...when sickness hit I was able to indulge my weaknesses, NOT GOOD. Needless to say, it was time to face the music and weigh in.

This first time I stepped on the scale I was shocked, it said I had LOST 12lbs!!! Perhaps this fudge was MAGIC FUDGE!!! How could this be? So I moved the scale to a different spot on the floor and weighed again...12lbs down, AGAIN!!! Could this be? Is fudge the next weight loss miracle drug?! Knowing the unlikeliness of this (but secretly hoping deep inside), I moved the scale one more time and all of the magic left...3lbs up. Boo. (ah well, it was nice while it lasted) That's definitely the BAD news.

Here's the GOOD news. Yesterday, while trying to regain my footing after being sick for three days, I couldn't stop thinking about that fudge just waiting for me with all of it's creamy goodness contrasted against it's crunchy nuttiness (ok, I'll stop). I found myself walking toward the freezer (I had put it there in an attempt to avoid it...and yes, I ate it frozen, don't judge) several times telling myself that I would just have "one more piece" and then be done with it. Well, friends, one more piece turned into SEVERAL more pieces. Finally I got a hold of myself and did the unthinkable...I THREW THE MAGIC FUDGE AWAY! That's right, the fudge that was delicious and comforting (and deadly) went into the garbage never to be seen again (well, at least until Christmas comes along with some new fudge).

So, here's my hot tip of the week: When you know you just can't handle yourself around a certain food item, GET RID OF IT! I knew the moment that fudge entered my house that it would be a problem. I couldn't, however, stand the thought of throwing it away. So, I put it in the freezer in the garage far away from my normal roaming patterns. Usually this would work for me, but we're talking about FUDGE, people, this is not the USUAL temptation! So (although a little too late) I finally did what my first instinct had told me to do and threw the lovely fudge away (in the OUTSIDE garbage-this was serious).

For all of you food-savers who can't stand the thought of "wasting" food, don't panic. There are other options to throwing food away. You can give it away to a skinny friend (sabotage?), you could share it the moment you received it (which is what I should have done at the retreat), or you could send it to work with your spouse. The method doesn't matter, but the principle does. If you know you can't handle a certain food item in your house GET RID OF IT! One moment of food waste is ok for the sake of the health of your waist.

Wednesday Weigh In ... on Thursday

by Susan

Man, I am exhausted. You would think being a stay at home mom I would have so much time on my hands. I wish. I was so disappointed that I didn't get my "Wednesday Weigh In" posted on Wednesday. I know it sounds a little lame but i have huge problem with constancy in my weigh loss and I really wanted to break that. I am really good about logging my meals, exercising and being healthy for maybe two or three days and then everything flies out the door. So I am a day late but I'm posting.
I read an article this week 10ways to cut 100 calories on the Everyday Health website. It states that if you can cut 100 calories per day it can result in a 10 pound weight loss. Guess what one of the tips was? go on a beverage alert! "Obvious drinks to avoid sodas"! The article goes on to attack my coffee creamer. Two of my most favorite things. I have to say that I have been told to cut out "my coke" and i will loose weight. I have done it before while trying to conceive and remained "caffeine free" for 9 months with my first baby. When i was pregnant with our second I found a loop hole. I could have 300mg of caffeine a day. So I went searching. I found out that 20 ounces of Coke only has 51mg of caffeine. As I am writing this I am embarrassed at how pathetic and addicted I sound. It is time; I'm going cold turkey.

Here are my goals for this week:

1. I am still working on finishing the Song of Songs series. I tried to finish it last week but it was longer than expected. I have also been reading in the book of Hosea.
2. Take Ryleigh on a date.
3. Log my food and NO COKE. I am also going to work toward Jenn's goal of 5lbs for Thanksgiving and 5lbs. for Christmas.
   

Here are the other tips for cutting 100 calories:

1. Make oil substitution


2. Go on a beverage alert


3. Change up the coffee


4. Modify the recipe


5. Portion control counts


6. Learn to say "no thanks"


7. Beware of condiments


8. Watch out for toppings, dressings, and dips


9. Make smart food substitution


10. Drink responsibly

Here's to a good week. ~ Susan

I'm Back and ready to jump!

by Jenn
I took an unintentional hiatus from blogging both here and there, but I'm back and ready to get this weight loss party started! I know what you're thinking, "She sounds too ridiculously peppy to be talking about dieting." Perhaps I do sound a little silly, but I can't help but get excited because I finally have a goal that is measurable, challenging and yet (with some serious hard work) still attainable. Are you ready to hear it? (drum roll please...)

My goal is to lose 5lbs BEFORE Thanksgiving and 5lbs more BEFORE Christmas!!! I know, I know, it's the holiday season and it's crazy to try to lose weight in November or December, but I have great logic behind why I chose this goal.

I have been overweight going on over 10 (yikes) years and there have always been "great" reasons to wait on losing weight. I was dealing with work, then I was dealing with infertility, then miscarriage, then infertility drugs, then work stress, then friendship stress, then IUI procedures then (finally) pregnancy, then a new baby, then a busy summer, then-oh wait-then is NOW. I've come to the conclusion that there is never a "good time" to lose weight. There is, however, always time to hate having a fat bottom, low energy and zero confidence. (Funny how that works, isn't it?)

So, here I am, jumping back in to weight loss with a head full of excuses on why this is bad timing, but a heart just as full of reasons why I must be who God wants me to be. (Besides, maybe working so hard to lose 5lbs will keep me from gaining during the holidays???)

Here's my game plan for this week: Exercise at least 4 times and write down what I eat.

Here's to 5lbs by Turkey Day...Geronimo!!!

Wednesday Weigh In

by Susan
I wanted to share a success for this week. I haven't been weighting myself for a few weeks. I tend to put a lot of focus on the number and not on my health so I decided I would put the scale away to remove the temptation and to change my focus. For the most part I have done pretty good. I realize how much of a habit it was for me to step on the scale. I know it was at least once a day if not more. Anyway, since it has been a couple of weeks the curiosity was getting the best of me and I weighed myself. Woohoo!!!! I was down 6 POUNDS! I am so excited. To be honest I am not sure what changes I made to have dropped the pounds but I don't want those pounds back again.

The next few days we have a lot going on but I am determined to be focus on my goals. I do feel like I have a new little "hop in my step" to help push me through. Just to recap I have set my goals up in 3 part; My walk with God, Family, Health.


Here are my goals for the week:

1. My intimacy with God. This has been a so heaving on my heart since our church's Ladies Retreat. I know he desires it from us but how... My time with my bible has kept me in the Song of Solomon. I have also been going through a study of the Song of Solomon with Mike Bickle of iHOP I would like to finish the series.

2. Spend one night this week without the t.v. on and just hang out with DJ.

3. Drink my 64oz water every day this week. I'm also trying really hard to go to my bible when I get bored instead of the fridge.
I am trying to find some type of exercise I can do while my hand and toe are still healing. Please let me know if you have any ideas.

I'm looking forward to another great week. ~Susan

P.S The scale is back in the garage... ;-)

Positive Lists

By Susan
After reading a blog I decided I was going to list the positive things for working out and I am sad to say I couldn't think of 10. Maybe that is my problem I don't see the benefit or reward for loosing weight. Here is what I came up so far. I'm going to think of six more things. I have to!


1 - I will be practicing self control
2 - I will be healthier
3 - I will be more fun for girls
4 - I will be an example for my girls

http://ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2009/10/get-excited-about-working-out.html

~Susan

Setting myself up

By Susan
It is Wednesday and time to check in. I haven't been as consistent in my blog writing like I want to be; hopefully I can get on track. Having the cast removed from my hand definitely makes it easier to type.
I have been doing ok the past couple days. I haven't been eating like I planned but I have been drinking my water which for me is a huge accomplishment and I have been getting out and walking with my girls. I am doing something; however, the grand plan in my head has me running miles and super skinny by this point. Did I mention that all that was to happen on the first day?
I'm trying not to get disappointed that the pounds haven't melted away just because I drank some water and went for a couple of walks. I know that it took years for me to get this way and I can no longer think I can change that in one or two days. I have decided to take some steps to keep me from dwelling on things the first is I have put some scriptures up in my bathroom, on the frig and in my wallet and the second is to remove my scale from the bathroom. Another big big help has been my weekly talks with Jenn. Jenn is the only one (including my husband) that knows my "real" weight. I think it is important to find a friend, someone you can be completely honest with about struggles and to celebrate accomplishments rather it is losing weight or trying to be the person God intended for you to be. These are the things I believe can help me at this moment. I realize as time goes by there will be other things to deal with and to conquer but this is where I am choosing to start. What are some things that can help you get started ?

~Susan

Here are the scriptures I have posted:

1Peter 1:13 (NIV) "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed"

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control

Brownies for breakfast

By Jenn
Hello blogosphere! Susan has been wonderful getting this all set up for us. You'll probably learn quickly through our writing that I may occasionally have great ideas, but (thankfully) Susan is much more of a "follow-through-er".

So, while Susan has been working hard on getting focused, I have whined about being UNfocused. Ok, that's an understatement. While Susan was working hard on accomplishing a daily goal, I was eating a brownie for breakfast. (Before you jump to conclusions of judgement, think about what you would have done with a perfect corner of brownie staring at you from the counter to your left and a ice cold glass of milk to your right. I'll just bet you would have found it irresistible too!)

These kind of life choices are exactly why I am participating in this new blog adventure. I want to be able to resist the brownie, perhaps not EVERY time (I am still human, after all), but 95% of the time. I want to have the ability to make a batch of enchiladas and not end up eating them straight out of the fridge at 11pm. I want to WANT to get outside and MOVE. I want to be able to walk in to any store and know they carry jeans in my size. Above all, I want to be a person of self-control and discipline. I want to honor God with my spirit, soul AND body.

So, here I am. I'm a living example of Romans 7:15. I don't want to be eating brownies for breakfast. I don't want to be unhealthy. I want to be vibrant, active and loving life both in and out. My actions, however, have not supported a vibrant, active lifestyle.

That is all about to change. I don't know how long it will take. I don't know what all we're going to have to do, but it's going to get done! 2 Timothy 1:7 says "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." If God's word says it, then we can live it. And if Susan and I can testify to anything, we can testify to this: With God ALL things are possible! (we'll share more of that story later)

The last day 1

by Susan

Whew… my last day 1 is in the books. I think it went pretty good. It was such a gorgeous fall day. The girls and I went for a walk and spent some time playing outside. We spent our walk looking for different shapes that are in the environment around us. Can I just say I love how Reagan says octagon. So cute.

I wish I would have done better drinking my water. I don’t get it, why is it so hard for me to drink water?

I am looking forward to spending time with Jenn, and her family tomorrow. Our families are going to the pumpkin patch. Yay! We will also having lunch at Panera Bread. I am planning ahead and have already decided what I will be ordering. It is my favorite thing there Smoked Turkey Hot Panini sandwich (without cheese) and the Broccoli Cheddar soup. The entire meal is 890 calories and 35 grams of fat (ouch) however half of my sandwich will be shared with Reagan so my intake of calories should be 590 calories and 26 grams of fat (still ouch). I am actually feeling pretty good about my choice.

So here are my goals for tomorrow:

1- Have a healthy low-cal breakfast
2- Stick to my menu choice
3- Drink 32oz of water

~Susan

Day 1 AGAIN!!!

by Susan
Well, here I go starting Day 1 for the one millionth time. I know I need to make my goals obtainable or I won't follow through so for today:

1 - get outside and take the girls on a walk
2 - drink water

~Susan