Tee hee hee Tuesday- because we all need a good laugh!

Breakfast- peanut butter toast (only one piece) and a shake (chocolate protein, almond milk, half a banana and a handful of spinach)

Lunch- my first taste of spaghetti squash- with BBQ pork on top it was pretty good. A salad on side with balsamic vinegar and sunflowers.

Snack- celery and cucumbers with hummus. Was supposed to have PB2 with celery but I forgot it... Why can't I remember everything?

Snack 2- when I got home I may have visited the cookie bar ;) if it's peanut butter surrounded by chocolate, it counts 

as a teaspoon right?

Supper- leftover turkey chili Fixate cookbook with crackers- love this healthy recipe 

Yesterday's eats are a pretty good reflection of my typical day- only thing I didn't snap a picture of is hot chocolate I had at ECFE- last night and Lucas did a decent job separating. Cried for a minute but then was fine. I went with my mommy instincts and just patted him on the head and snuck out and it worked- may not be staff approved but it was mommy and daddy approved! 

After early childhood, Lucas had supper and we played and opened a gift for 24 days of Christmas.

Then it was time for bath.

I feel like he forgot a step ;) this made me laugh a lot! Oh buddy. Here are some more things to make you laugh:

This is how I felt the entire time I was training for my half!

Sooo true! 

Monday, Monday

I have learned I do better posting the day after so when I devour food late at night, I have to disclose it ;)

Yesterday's eats:

Breakfast: Slice of toast, courtesy of my husband with a large cup of coffee

Mid morning snack:

It's so green and gross.... But it tastes delicious. Chocolate Protein shake with almond milk, half a banana and a handful of spinach. Yum yum!

My lunch was amazing. I was a little hesitant about this combo but one of my favorite bloggers swears by it- a healthy salad with an orange container of balsamic dressing and sunflower seeds and half a sweet potato topped with BBQ pork. Delicious and so filling!

Mid afternoon I had an apple.

I was supposed to have peanut butter and celery and hummus and veggies with it but I forgot my veggies for my hummus.

Check out my cranberry jeggings.... I'm trying to be fashionable and healthy.

Didn't keep me full soooo... I found half a piece of cake instead. Oops. 

It was delicious but fail to plan- plan to fail! 

Supper was roast with potatoes and carrots... So I subbed a red for a yellow container today for you 21 day fixers. Deal with it ;)

I rewarded myself for doing Plyo Fix with two cookies from our church cookie walk bag:

And then one hour before bed I tried my first Beachbody product that I cannot endorse.

I loved everything about this product- help your muscles recover while you slee. And I did sleep good last night. But the taste..... Oh the taste. Ya know those vanilla lavender aromatherapy products.... That smell is the only way I can describe the taste.  I would love to say the benefits outweigh the taste, and maybe some people actually like that  flavor, but nope. Not this girl.

Plus I may have stayed up late and felt like I was buzzing. So I finished my hummus and veggies.

100% honest, all the time! 

Meal Prep for the Week

After you binge eat for the weekend, you need to take a good hard look at your meal planning for the week ;) so instead of resting like I was supposed to while my husband and in laws took Lucas to the Butterfly House, I meal prepped instead. Here is how you do it:

Step 1: clean dirty dishes so you can use sink and have room for new dirty dishes.

Step 2: lay everything you need to prep out so you don't forget anything.  I had already started my pork loin in BBQ sauce in the crockpot but needed to bake my spaghetti squash and sweet potato , cut pineapple/peppers/cucumber/broccoli, and wash apples/cutecumbers/spinach/lettuce.  The carrots got put back because I decided my husband could peel them when he made the roast tomorrow. 

This was my first time making spaghetti squash so I was glad Hy-vee had directions next to the squash.

Except mine took an hour to get tender. 

Step 4- chop and cut and measure and Baggie and get your fridge to look like this!  Here is my meal plan for week:

Breakfast: shake with spinach and fruit and a bagel with peanut butter

Lunch: spaghetti squash or baked potato topped with bbq pork and a veggie- either a salad or cutecumbers

Snack- fruit and almonds or fruit and veggies with avocado/hummus

Supper:

Roast with veggies

Honey mustard chicken sandwiches

Sesame chicken with green beans

Tuna muffins

Spaghetti 

Homemade pizza 

Except for the squash and pork loin, I was done in 35 minutes. Not too bad for timing! 

I have forgotten to share our 25 days of Xmas experiences. Friday we drove around and saw Christmas lights. Poor Lucas couldn't see much from his car seat. Saturday was watching holiday movies- Thomas the train and Curious George for the win.

Today was my favorite so far.... Matching holiday pajamas.  Lucas tried to hide from any photos.

But eventually I found him.

I may want to smack my husband 90% of the time, but there is this magical 10%.

I feel like Curious George and he feels like a graham cracker. But it's pretty sweet to lay here in our matching pjs :) 

Happy Sunday :) 

Acceptance

Alright.... Let's get honest. I am off the wagon. And when I go off the wagon, I go far far off the wagon. And guess what.... It's ok! Yup that's right! Trust me, I have spent way too much time feeling guilty about eating naughty things. And it took taking this weekend off to rest and finally start to get better to remember that this is what makes me... Me!

Don't believe me? Here is what is ate last night instead of working out..

And then some...

(Buy this- Target or Hy vee. Trust)

And then I had some unpictured Fruit loops. 

Not one iota of guilt. Even when I indulged in donut Sunday with my boys.

Because I know that if my clothes start to get tight, I can tighten up my eating again.  But I was pushing myself to do something I wasn't motivated to do right now. Come January... I have a goal. Right now- no goal equals no motivation. And driving myself to do something I wasn't motivated to do was just making myself miserable- mentally and physically.

I am finally on the mend. No thanks to this:

I had a real good laugh over that one  because that is my life to a T. 

I've been able to get a nap while Lucas did which has helped, as had some NyQuil. 

Shopping also helped.

Yes I did buy two identical sports bras and two ALMOST identical white shirts.... Maybe I shouldn't have gone shopping while sick and tired :) 

Hope everyone had a relaxing peaceful weekend before the holiday craziness hits next weekend and week :) 

My Story

So I haven't posted the past few days because I have NOT been doing 21 day fix.  I have been eating 1/4 a tub of ice cream and snacking on chocolate Kisses like my life depended on it.  I did do Upper Fix X and Lower Fix X but I also undid them with a bowl of Special K cereal immediately after.  I am back on track today and it seemed like a good time to tell you my "story".  I am hoping some of you can relate.

In high school, I never had to worry about my weight.  I could eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.  And I did.  My friend once tried to take me running and I made it two blocks before collapsing in a snow pile.  My mom and I would go to the gym and be so impressed when we lasted 10 minutes on the elliptical. You've heard of "skinny fat"<--- definition of that.

Fast forward to college when my eating habits worsened.  Late night food runs to the Bump, calorie loaded coffee drinks every day (multiple times a day during finals week), and my definition of exercise was to read a magazine and ride the bike while my friends ran (suckers!) at the gym.  When I moved out of the dorms, I was 15 pounds heavier and my self-esteem was gone.  My amazing roommate and I made attempts at healthy living and would regularly go to the gym but it seemed like every time I would start to build up my running (20 minutes on the treadmill was a BIG deal back then), I would get sick.  Because I still did not have a clue.  I didn't take vitamins, I loaded up on carbs like oatmeal and brown rice and thought I was healthy, and my portion controls were CRAZY. The only time I lost weight was when I was studying for the GRE and applying to grad school because I was so busy I don't think I took time to eat (once I figured my life out, I quickly gained that all back).

When grad school hit, I got a little bit smarter and started tracking calories.  Then I fell into the pattern and would do great during the week when I had a routine of going to class and practicum but would fall apart on the weekends when I could relax and let loose.  I probably lost 5 pounds during this time but was still unhappy.

And then I moved home my internship year.  And I got a personal trainer because my wedding was a year away  and who doesn't want to look and feel good on their wedding day.  I did Advocare, Nutrisystem, and a whole lot of other stupid diets and in the end I lost 10 pounds.

Before moving home

A few months later

I got married, moved in with my husband into the House of Horrors and was instantly depressed. I was away from my friends and family, I didn't know anybody, our rental house should probably be condemned... so I sat in a chair and ate... and ate... and ate.  I made a half-assed attempt at P90X but it didn't stick.  And the weight slowly came back.

When I realized that it was lose weight or buy new clothes, I went EXTREME.  I started doing daily meal plans, counting calories, running again.  I  didn't go out with friends.  I didn't make holiday cookies with my mom.  I literally yelled at my husband if he put a cup of cheese in a recipe when it called for half a cup because now the calories were off.  If you haven't heard of orthorexia, look it up and you will get a glimpse into what my life was like.   Looking back, it was insane and I was miserable.  But I was my high school weight again!

And then.... I got pregnant. 

And life wasn't about me anymore... it was about my beautiful baby boy who made me a better person.

I easily lost my baby weight thanks to exclusively pumping for Lucas for 9 months (I am an expert on all things pumping if you ever find yourself in that situation).  But I knew that I needed to find a healthier way to live.

Enter my friend loaning me her 21 day fix containers and workouts.  And it CLICKED.  Finally! Healthy eating guidelines that kept me full and satisfied.  Workouts that were tough but easily doable because it was 30 minutes, not an hour like P90X.  Letting myself have a treat every know and then. And THAT is when I decided to become a Beachbody Coach.  My goal is to help other people who have been on this up and down journey find the program that works for them.

Now I'm not perfect... hence the lack of posts the past few days.  But I used to stay up at night feeling so guilty about eating like that and creating plans to help me "fix" the damage I did.  Not anymore. Right now the only thing keeping me up at night is my cough, my son, and my dog.  I am able to go out and enjoy a meal with friends without guilt because I just adjust what I am eating at other meals or tighten up on my eating plan the following week.

I'm not able to balance everything all the time... sometimes I let Lucas watch way too much Winnie the Pooh.  And if I'm in a bad mood, my husband better watch out.  I forget to pray and thank God for my blessings.  I yell at my parents.  I'm snappy towards co-workers.  But I can't even describe to you how much more balanced my life is now than it was even 2-3 years ago.  I'm healthier (don't let this current illness fool you), happier, and a better person and I strive to continue on this track.

If you're ready for a change, send me a message or email me at kaylamariedejong@gmail.com and I am ready to help you!

Day 8 and 9- time for a mental health day

Here is a quick recap of day 8 from my Instagram (5mylife)

That is Birds Eye brand buffalo cauliflower if you can't see it. I still don't like cauliflower very much but this was good.  Turkey Meatloaf is from 21 Day Fix Extreme guide and it was really flavorful and filling! 

30 minutes of running to end my day because I shut my early alarm off and went back to bed for awhile... At least I got r in! 

Today's eats included:

Breakfast: half of a bagel with peanut butter

Morning snack: yogurt and banana

Lunch: same as yesterday- stew meat, rice and cucumbers

Snack: clementines, almonds and celery with PB2 and some candy... Couldn't help myself... And then I had some tuna on crackers because I was STILL hungry... Or was I just bored? I don't know

Supper: leftover meatloaf, the crust of Lucas' peanut butter sandwich and some cucumbers

And one of these:

They were good but I moved them to my husband's side of the snack cabinet ... I have better things to invest my cheat calories on!

Gifts for last night and tonight for 24 days of Christmas:

Not so impressed with his pajamas.... Just wait until he sees Mom and Dad in matching ones for pajama night!

Today's gift was a finger puppet bath mat from our Bluum box. No picture of him holding it because it got tossed at me as he ran to try to open other gifts... Kids :)

No workout tonight. This mama is done. For the past few weeks Lucas has had a meltdown every time we have tried to separate at early childhood and I feel frustrated because is my kid having the meltdown but also because I feel like I am inconveniencing the staff so I end up staying with him. If they would give me even a hint of reassurance or advice, I would feel better about leaving him. But they don't... One more week so I'm trying to let it go but it's tough. I don't want my kid to be "that kid" but I also have no good ideas for how to help him work through it. After the holidays we are goingto have  grandparents come more often to babysit so Lucas gets used to us leaving more but that's the only idea I have so far... Any other parents have advice and I am open.

So I am spent and curling up with some trashy TV and venting here seemed like a much better idea... Hopefully this extra rest kicks my cold for good. I'm so tired of coughing.

Stay balanced everyone... I am. 

Day 7... One week in!

Well I am reflecting on my week and it could have gone better but considering I was sick, it could have gone worse.

Breakfast was a bagel and peanut butter and coffee, followed by a diet mt. dew. Yup I am off the wagon.  Lucas and I played hard and then I had a yogurt before we headed outside.

Many calories were burned getting him dressed.

Came back inside and played awhile

Before lunch.

I'm sure we have better places to color than this...

Lunch was chili, crackers and some veggies from Target.

I'm still not a big fan of cauliflower without cheese but this at leastadenit tolerable. 

Lucas decided we should nap together... So we did!

When he woke up, we had a snack. Almonds and apples for me, apples and goldfish for him.

We went to a friend's house for a book party she was having... With homemade cream puffs. I had a few bites of the TWO Lucas ate. Everything in moderation right?  I had another pop too... Better choice than the wine is what I figured.

Came home and played until Mike came home and then I meal prepped like a mad woman. No pics because my phone was downstairs but I:

- made 2 pounds of stew meat for protein at lunch

- divided rice for lunch

- cut celery for snacks 

- made a pound of taco meat

- washed and sorted cutecumbers for snacks

- divided yogurt into smaller containers

All while making BBQs for supper which I had with a side of green giant veggies (2 servings). Once my supper digested, Lucas and I did Yoga Fix Extreme.

And opened a gift for 24 Days of Christmas.

Would have provided hours of entertainment but my husband couldn't handle the mess it was making... Who would have thought he'd be the neat one? 

I switched over to the next calorie bracket because I've been so hungry and low energy... have one protein left for the day which I will probably have a shake for once Lucas goes to bed.

Going to try to be better this week. Every day is a new chance!

Hope everyone had a balanced weekend!