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Danielle - Bonnie
We are mothers and we love: losing weight, working out, and being healthy.
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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

To fb or not to fb??

That is the question...Danielle here. So, as I have stated in a previous post, I use www.myfitnesspal.com for keeping track of my nutrition, exercise, etc. And I post challenges on there occasionally ...so then I was pondering if I should post the same challenge on my regular facebook page. Then I think about how maybe all my friends may get tired of the fact that I only post about "diet" stuff. Then I had the thought of making a fb page for M.I.L.F... then immediately after that I texted my husband and said "Sould milf have a fb page? Or is that lame." His response: "I don't know, let me think about it." 

That tells me that it's at least on the verge of lameness. So then I thought that I would see what you readers think. Would you follow a fb page? Or do you think it's lame? Either way, let me know...type out a thought, or crack a joke. And go! :D

P.S. - I had a lot of thoughts in a short span of time...what's up with that?? ;)
Monday, January 9, 2012

Texans!!

Howdy, Danielle here. So yeah, I have to start this out talking about my most favorite football team ever - the Houston Texans! I have been a loyal fan since the franchise started up back in '02. I am so happy that they are finally in the play-offs and I am so frickin happy that they won their first game. Here's to hopin they last through another round!! They are playing the Ravens, I don't know much about them. I just hope they don't play as well as my boys do.  ;)

So....let me think about what I did this last week. I rode right at 12 miles last week. I was hoping for more. But on one of my "bike days" I let the hubster talk me into going for a run. I enjoyed it, but it really reaffirmed that I like biking more than I do running. I am still going to meet my goals for the year, though. I worked out at the gym twice (I believe). On the night that I worked on my legs this is what my routine looked like:

Weighted Squats - 15lb - 5 sets - 10 reps
Reverse Backward Lunge - 15lb - 4 sets - 10 reps
Dumbbell Step Ups - 8lb - 3 sets - 12 reps
Leg Curls - 50lb - 7 sets of 10 reps
                  55lb - 3 sets of 10
Leg Extensions - 35lb - 25 reps
                          45lb - 20 reps
                          55lb - 23 reps
Glute Kickbacks - 50lb - 8 reps - 3 sets
Leg Press - 150lb - 15 reps - 3 sets

My legs were jello after that workout, and then I went for over a 5 mile ride the next night....my thighs were on fire. When I worked on my arms, I was in a hurry so I didn't have time to write it down. I will try to do that sometime this week. I'm sitting here trying to decided what I am going to work on tonight. I'm thinking I will work on my legs and butt - the same workout posted above. I will try to beat those weights and reps. I have improved quite a bit already. Yay!

OK, so as far as trying a new pescatarian dish....I kinda cheated a bit, I guess. I got stuff to make fish tacos and then the fam went to my sister and brother in-law's house to watch the game. We have had fish tacos before, but this time around the fish was grilled and not baked. I also bought some really yummy chipotle pepper sauce that I dashed all over my dinner. I made some rice and black refried beans and had delicious fish tacos while the Texans beat the whiskers off the Bengals. I'm not sure what to call the rice, but it was pretty tasty. Here is what was in it...I don't really measure when I cook...I probably should : brown rice, cilantro, fresh lime juice, 2 cloves of roasted garlic (I would have used more but the rest went into the hummus my sister made...mmmm), some fresh ginger, salt and pepper to taste. It had a good flavor but the rice was overly sticky. Do you guys think that that counts as a new recipe? ;)  I'm planning on making some of the tasty rice again tonight to go along with my vegetarian black bean soup. I'm thinking that I'm going to try and give it a bit more of a Mexican taste tonight.

And so I present to you, my fish tacos with yummy rice and black refried beans. My taco consisted of: grilled tilapia, baby romain, purple onion, some rice, a schmear of black beans, and a bit of sour cream, wrapped up in a fresh whole wheat tortilla.)


Oh and in other exciting news, I got a memory foam seat cover for my bike!!! Woohoo!!....my buttocks is so happy now (yeah when I said that in my head, I used a Forrest Gump voice). Now I can ride and ride and ride. Those 5 hundred miles don't seem so scary or overly hurtful now! Before the cushy booty padding - I could ride for awhile and it's like my bum would fall asleep and go numb. But if I made the mistake of making the slightest movement....oh there was no going back to the numbness and the rest of the ride was very uncomfortable. So, I am happy to have it (me and my butt thanks you, babe. you spoil us rotten! <3).

Since it's Monday, I think that calls for a challenge. What to do, what to do??...Since I'm starting late to this, I will get in 50 Jump-n-Squats  (2 jumping jacks and then a deep squat = 1) today, and then 100 for the rest of the days for a total of = 450 by Friday. Come on and join in the fun!!

Hmmm, I guess that that is all that I have for today. I need to get in the kitchen and get the soup on. Have a fantastic day. Drink some water and eat some fresh fruit/veggies, your body will thank you! Always remember - you CAN do it and you ARE worth it. Until next time....
Tuesday, January 3, 2012

2012 - Making it Yours!

Happy New Year to you, Danielle here. I hope that you all had a wonderful 2011...even if you didn't, it's OK. All of that stuff is in the past, even our victories are in the past.  So now is the time to start making changes to get to a better you. That is my goal overall really...I want to be the best me that I can be. That means every aspect of my life needs a good deep cleaning. I am working on myself daily. I have to remind myself that I am not my past, I am not my parents, I am not any of that. I am what I want to be. I am striving to be a better; mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and human being. In fact, I just a had an issue dealing with being a better mother. I almost shooed my son away so that I could get back to typing here. Then I thought to myself that I should listen to his tale. He had been outside playing and he was imagining that he was in Super Mario World...it was a very cute story. I'm glad that I let him tell it to me...it's not like I was putting anything of importance on hold. ;)

I realized something a while back, but I never wrote about. I guess I was waiting for the right time...and I suppose that time is now. My battle with my weight has been an ongoing process. I never loved or really liked my body. I was never really healthy (I touched on this in other posts) and I never really cared enough to change that about myself. There were times that I got determined to get fit, toned and healthy. Those attempts failed...over and over and over again. I quickly lost my self control or will power... I quit exercising and I quit caring about what I ate. After many years of living like that and then getting pregnant and gaining 50-60lbs with each pregnancy...I was really not liking my body. But I also wasn't ready to do anything about it. For me, I had to get the rest of my life on track. My husband and I have gone through some really...well...let's just say, awful times. We spent 6 years hating to love each other. We did everything that we could to end our marriage, but for some reason we just couldn't quit the other (yeah, that sounds way too much like a movie about a mountain and cowboys...but it suits the situation). We don't know why we stuck it out, but we do know now that we are so happy that we did. Our lives have taken a drastic 180 since we both decided to work on our relationship with God. We decided to give up the control, all we had done with it was make a very sad and angry home. So, it was pretty clear that we had no reason to think that we could do better than God can. We found an amazing church (www.cypressfellowship.org) and let me tell you...my life has meaning now. I have a purpose now. I have a reason to wake up happy every day. I can truly say that now my  "bad" times are what my "good" times used to be. So back to why I wanted to write about this...once my life started to gain balance (thank you, Lord), everything else became a little bit easier. I know that I am growing and changing on the inside and on the outside...and I am so thankful to be where I am now in my life. It only gives me joy, because I know there are better things in store for me and my family.

And now to the point --- My health/fitness goals for 2012:
- run a mile without stopping
- run a 5K
- run "Run 4 Your Life" (5K zombie obstacle course)
- bike 500+ miles this year
- weigh 150lbs or less
- achieve a 4 pack (after babies, I doubt a 6 pack is accomplish-able)
- cook a new pescatarian dish a week
- spend more time with my children doing active things

I also have decided to not weigh myself more than once a week. The number on that evil thing also known as a scale, isn't my focus now. I want to really increase my muscle mass and then get shredded. As I am accomplishing that, I hope to lose those last 7-9lbs. If not...I won't complain too much. I am now wearing a size 6 jeans. I have never in my life worn that size before. I don't see that changing...not at all.

I am heading to the gym tonight to lift. I even have a routine all worked out...goooo me! The hubster and I had the opportunity to go to the gym together and he was able to school me on how to use some of the free weights and other scary looking machines. I was actually using the bench press the other day...and the real leg press..(insert the eeeewws and the aaahhs here). I'm excited to go down a totally new and different road, I am putting myself way out of my comfort zone. It's a bit scary, a bit exciting, a bit exhilarating. 

Whelp, that's all I have for the day. Continue to strive ever forward. You CAN do it and you ARE worth it! 2012 is going to be covered in awesome sauce. 

P.S. I am working on the layout and trying to figure out the "look" I want it to have. Something totally went haywire on the old blog. I'm not sure if there was an update and my code no longer worked or what. But sorry about that (if anyone even noticed). I'm out, like a brussel sprout.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Feel the Burn!

Good morning, Danielle here. I hope you are having a fantastic day thus far. I have been lackadaisical as far as my blog goes, It's pretty obvious that I lost some steam when the holidays hit. Plus I didn't want to just repeat myself, repeat myself, repeat myself. Even though I got lazy with typing out what I was doing,  I didn't get lazy when it came around to working out. I was talking to the hubster the other night about how I haven't posted much lately. He said that he had noticed that he hadn't gotten any updates . Then I spent some time thinking about it and I decided that when the new year starts that I will set a certain goal for each week (1,000 deep squats, 1,000 jumping jacks...etc) and I will try 1 new pescatarian recipe a week (that one will be tough for me, I'm pretty set in my ways...lol). I do enjoy cooking and I definitely need to expand my repertoire.

Alright, as far as fitness goes I'm doing good. I have gone to the gym 3 times this week thus far. I plan on going for a ride tonight. It's been a while since I have been on my bike (I really have to get a new seat...my butt would be very thankful!) and I think I will try to go for a 5 mile ride tonight.

Now let's talk about food....mmmmm. I'm still having my oatmeal for breakfast. I have tweaked it some though. My yummy Vanilla Berry Oatmeal recipe = 1/3 cup oats, water (I use the water spout on our fridge and count to 5), cinnamon, small palm full of frozen berry medley. Then I cook it in the microwave for 75 seconds. Once it's done I add a sprinkle of brown sugar, half a scoop of my vanilla whey protein, and lastly a splash of milk (sometimes a add a few walnuts crushed up on the top). Stats (w/o walnuts): calories- 137 / carbs- 13 / fat- 1 / protein- 18 / sodium- 54

I somehow haven't gotten tired of it. The vanilla protein makes it taste really good and gives it almost a creamy texture. And since I use a medley I always get a different amount of different types of berries, which makes it taste a bit different each day.

And in other news, last Sunday....you know the day that the Texans beat the Bengals and secured their spot in the play-offs, yeah that day ;) Once church was over I got home and decided to totally go through and reorganize my closet. I found a box that was full of clothes that I haven't seen in a few years. And in that box I found my true skinny jeans. They are jeans that I bought when I was 18yrs old. I pulled them out of the box with a squeal and then I of course had to try them on....


And they FIT!! Holy moly I was in total shock and disbelief. I even wore them out to my church's Women's Christmas Party. It was quite a surreal moment. I honestly didn't think that I would ever be able to get them up over my thighs, let alone that they would button. WOOHOO! I'm excited because now that means that I have another pair of jeans that fit. I do need to get a patch for the back pocket...it's starting to rip at the corner. :D

I decided to give myself a challenge, and for today it is to do 15 deep squats every time I have to use the bathroom. I do the squats after the serious business is done, of course. Otherwise....well I'm sure you can imagine and it wouldn't be pleasant. I'm not sure if the hubster will be going for a run while I'm biking or not. And let me take a second to send a huge shout out to him. He has gone and worked out at the gym everyday this week thus far (he is up at 5am and heads to the gym) and he has gone for a walk/run every night. GOOD JOB BABE!!

Here is the newest updated picture of me. This is before I headed to the gym Monday evening. I am really trying to work on the definition in my arms. They haven't felt sore in a while...I think that means it's time to switch it up!


Alright, well that's all that I have for now. Keep on heading towards your goal. Baby step after baby step if need be. You CAN do it and you ARE worth it! I'm out like a brussel sprout! 



Monday, December 5, 2011

Holi-daze!

Hello, Danielle here. I know it's been a while since I have typed out some stuff. I spent quite a bit of time and had a post all ready to go, I went back to add my photos and *POOF* it was gone. It just disappeared, the excuse was some sort of server error. I was bummed but didn't have more time to go back and re-do it all. And then I have just been super busy doing the whole mom and wife thing.

So the last time that I recall being here, I was talking about Thanksgiving. Here is a quick run down on how that all went:

-got to meet my adorable niece Sonora, finally!
-had tons of fun with family and friends.
-didn't over indulge but enjoyed the desserts and sides
-didn't sweat not having any turkey (I had my salmon fillet and salad)

Friday after Thanksgiving, we hauled all the Christmas decorations down (I climbed up in the attic and helped with that...SHOCKING!). In little over 3 hours we were able to get the lights up and the yard decorated. I am very thankful that we did, as the next day a storm blew in and it was wet and cold all day. 


The Saturday after turkey day, we worked on the house and got the tree set up and decorated. We had to have our hot cocoa and cookies first, though. And don't fret, I straightened out the lopsided tree topper ;)


Now about my diet and working out...and the such. I did really good last week, I worked out 6 days in a row. I took Sunday off, because it can be hectic all on it's own without trying to squeeze in a work out. 

I am getting quite frustrated, I have gained almost 5lbs. :( I am much too close to weighing 160 again. I'm trying to figure out if it's water retention or maybe I'm not eating enough. Ugh! It's irritating though, to say the least. My clothes aren't fitting me any different (I don't think) All the ones that are too big, are still way too big. All the new ones I bought, still fit. I just want to know where the extra elle bees are coming from, ya know. I would take my measurements, but my measuring tape has disappeared. I'm pretty sure that it's being used to make some sort of a contraption somewhere in the house. For all I know it could be being used as a rope to keep some stuffed toy tied up and captured. I'm positive that one of the offspring ran off with it. So now I need to either; search the house over looking for it, or buy a new one. Buying a new one seems to make the most sense and would be quicker and easier. 

Breakfast today was oatmeal with frozen berry medley and some protein powder (yes, I'm still eating my oatmeal. At least one would be able to say that I am loyal...lol). Lunch will be a big ol' salad with a boiled egg and some cashews. Dinner...I haven't even had a chance to consider what it will be. I am planning on heading to the gym tonight to start the week off on the right foot. Tomorrow night the hubster and I will be doing Kickboxing at home. We found it on OnDemand...it's funny. Neither one of us are very coordinated, so watching us try to follow along....it makes for a good laugh.

Alright, I think have you all caught up on the "important stuff". So what are your food/exercise plans for the day? Are you doing things to improve your health and your life? Just remember that you ARE worth it and you CAN do it.


Friday, November 18, 2011

Nothing Can Bring Me Down!

Danielle here, wishing you all a great day! I hope you are bundled up. It's actually a bit chilly out! Goodness I love weather like this. I need to be somewhere that actually has a winter. Living in Texas it seems to be hot and then we have a few cold fronts through out fall and winter and then it's back to the sweltering heat...blah!

What did you have for breakfast today? I had the usual...yup, you got it. More oatmeal with blueberries and Greek yogurt. But today I mixed it up....ooooooh aaaaaah! I added in 1/4 of a scoop of protein. And just that small amount added 7gm of protein to my breakfast. Good deal!! It gave it a nice flavor as well. 

Yesterday just seemed to be an off day for me. I felt lazy and just not quite up to par. I'm not sure what was up with that. I also, was busy online and taking care of my oldest son (who is now covered from head to toe in the weird rash...poor guy! He has a doctor appointment today so we can get to the bottom of it.) Being extra busy means that I don't have any pictures to share with you today. But I do have a new addiction to tell you about. If you live around Cypress, TX there is a group on facebook "Beg, Borrow, Buy, and Sell in Cypress" - there is one for Children's stuff and then another for everything else. I was busy yesterday going around the house and picking through the stuff that I need to purge, taking pictures of it and posting it to the group. Hey, I might be able to make a few bucks to add to the Christmas fund :D. If you are looking for anything, check it out. And if you aren't from Cypress, see if there is a group for your area. Or maybe you should be the one to start it. :)

Lunch was left over Baked Veggie Alfredo and a salad...yum yum yummy! And some how I made it through the day without having a snack...I don't know how that happened, I love eating. I guess I spent too much time in my chair cruising the internet. During lunch my good friend called and we discussed what we are going to do for Thanksgiving and what time we are going to eat and what I am going to eat. This is my first holiday season that I will not be eating meat. I think this might be a bit of a challenge. I LOVE turkey and all the fixings. I look forward to that meal all year long. So I know that I will have to dig deep and use my self control. I have it all planned out. I want to get a yummy fresh caught fish fillet and take it over to her house and cook it up. I will also be taking a big salad, a fruit salad and maybe a desert. A bottle of wine is also a must have. 

Before I knew it the hubster was home...and there I was still in my chair getting frustrated with facebook, most of the ads that I was trying to post didn't work right. I was having so many issues trying to load a picture...it was super frustrating. He asked what I wanted for dinner and I honestly don't remember answering him, (sorry babe). We had frozen pizza and a big salad. And even after that was calculated up in my food diary, I still had almost 500 calories left and I hadn't worked out. So I decided that yesterday was just a blah day all around and that I was going to have some chocolate and then not work out. It was nice! Even after the chocolate and some nuts I was still under...I also didn't get any where near enough protein. That doesn't make me happy. That is why I decided to add the protein to my breakfast today.

After my daughter was down for the night and my boys had finished their popsicles and got ready for bed, my husband had to run to the store to get some more children's allergy medicine (hoping it would help my son with his rash - it didn't). I decided to go take a nice long hot shower and relax. I hopped on the scale while the water was getting hot and I couldn't believe what it said. I stepped back off, let it zero out and turn off and then I stepped back on. Low and behold, it was the same - 155.6 - WHAT THE WHAT!?!?!  Shut the front door!! That means that I am only 1.6lbs away from being at my pre-baby weight. I am still shocked about that. Like I stated in my first blog...I never have stuck with anything before...until now. I am elated and a bit in denial. It's like it's all a dream and I am going to wake up and the old me will be looking back at me in the mirror. I guess if that ever happened, then I would start the whole process over! It would be more than worth it. Once I reach 154, I will then decide if I want to start maintenance or if I want to lose another 5-10lbs. I may be making that decision next week or in a few days...who knows!! :D

Until next time, drink a glass of water and move your body today. And then strive to do it again tomorrow. Remember that you Are worth it and that you CAN do it. :) I'm off to go peruse the new listings on Beg, Borrow, Buy, and Sell...have a fantastic Friday!!


Stats for yesterday: calories- 1033 / carbs- 109 / fat- 52 / protein- 31 / sodium- 1288 / water- 48oz
I am not too happy with my protein and my water intake - striving to do much better today!!

P.S. - My bicycle is finally at the store and it can be picked up today...I am so excited!!!! YAY! :D I haven't been this excited about anything since I got my Sony Alpha 390a.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

I Jinxed It...

Hello and a very happy day to you. Danielle here :) Yesterday was uneventful. Once again the normal stuff for a mom. I won't bore you with all the glorious details. Breakfast was the same as the day before and the one before that. I'm sure that by the end of the week that I will be extra bored with my blueberry and cream oatmeal. I guess I need to think of something different for tomorrow...Any thoughts or ideas? Let me hear them :)

A little before lunch time I got a message from the hubster. He wanted me to put eggs on to boil so that he could make tuna when he got here. I was in the middle of previewing and editing yesterday's blog when I got the message. Once I was done and had hit the publish button, I went to the kitchen, grabbed the eggs out and put them into their hot tub and then I just started making the tuna. Sometimes I make lunch too ;) Once he got here he was all shocked and asked me what I wanted...hahaha. OK, OK so on rare occasion I make lunch...He finished it up once the eggs were hard boiled. Quoting one of the most awesome-est shows- "What's gonna work? TEAM WORK!! What's gonna work? TEAM WORK!!" I have watched a lot of kids shows in my time, can you tell? :) (extra points if you know the show...and btw, points don't matter)

calories- 263 / fat- 10 / protein- 56

Once we were done eating, we had some time before he had to be back at work. So we did what any hot married couple does with their extra time.....Oh yeah, you got it - we played some PS3. Modern Warfare 3 to be exact ;) We were trying to beat our previous score on a map in Survival Mode (we did, by the way *self high five*) Then it was time for him to head back work and for me to do some more motherly things and think about what to make for dinner. 

I decided to do my Baked Veggie Alfredo. I came up with the idea after going Pescatarian. We used to have Chicken Alfredo a lot, but since we are chicken free at home, I switched it out for a rainbow of veggies. This is what I do- saute some diced white onion and garlic in evoo. Then add in some chopped; carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, and frozen broccoli. I let that cook down but make sure it still has some crunch to it. I HATE mushy squash and zucchini. I then season the veggies and add in a jar of  Alfredo sauce and let it simmer as the whole wheat pasta boils. I then layer sauce/pasta/sauce until it's all gone in a baking dish then finish it with a sprinkle of mozzarella on top. Then I cover it with foil and bake it in the oven on 350 for 15-20mins. I just want it to be all heated through, you can remove the foil and brown the top if you want. It's a big hit with the whole family and it's pretty darn tasty if I may say so. Serve it with a big salad, of course.

calories- 318 / fat- 15 / protein- 8

After dinner I changed and headed for the gym. I kept notes of my 
work out so that I could share it with you all :)
This is what I did:

25mins - Elliptical (HIIT)
30mins - Spent on weight machines
100reps / 130lbs Calf Presses
40reps / 40lbs Rear Delt
40reps / 60lbs Fly
100reps / 130lbs Leg Press
10mins - Core work/calisthenics 

time spent- 65mins / calories burned- 466

So, after a very unexciting day and a nice workout I got home and was informed that my oldest son had some weird sort of rash that was very itchy. I don't know when it appeared or how long he has had it. But it isn't pretty. And it likes to move from place to place on his body. We covered him in Aquaphor and gave him some allergy meds. It goes away and then comes back. I'm not sure what is going on with that. If it doesn't get better soon we will take him to his pediatrician. I do know that he enjoying his vacation from school. He has been watching cartoons and is now playing the Wii. His little brother asked if he could stay home from school to help take care of him...He is too cute. But I'm pretty sure that the main reason he wanted to stay home was to do the exact same things that his brother is enjoying, minus the itchy spots. :) 

Stats for yesterday: calories- 1411 / carbs- 118g / fat- 74g / protein- 90g / sodium- 1698mg / water- 72oz

Until next time, remember that you ARE worth it and  that you CAN do it!! And now I have been asked to do a Push-up Challenge with Bonnie. Rules are: 1 minute - max reps...Join in and try to beat our scores. I will post them once they are done. (Side Note - I haven't tried to do an actual push-up in a very long time...so this will be fun!)

Danielle- 30 [Modified or Girly Form, whichever you prefer ;) ]
Bonnie- 23 [I believe they were the standard ones]