Mr F Takes Center Stage

Apparently he was just getting warmed up...

One Week Check-Up

Remember last week? Were you wondering if we were able to maintain our amazing kitchen and bath makeovers? Wonder no more...






Unfortunately it seems something had to take a backseat...

Back On Track... Or At Least Getting There

I didn't want to do it.... but... I did.
I sucked it up and got on the treadmill.
I didn't do an hour of crazy cardio but I pumped out a decent workout.
And that's enough.

Where Did The Fire Go?

This week has been a rough one for me. I've been trying to get re-motivated in regards to my diet and fitness and I just can't seem to do it. Although my weight has stayed stable my body fat had started creeping up. This is not too surprising considering that I had really let my workouts take a back seat ever since December. And try as I might I just can't get the same kind of fire burning under me that I had when I was actively losing weight.

I realize that in many ways I am in a fairly enviable situation... I have reached the thinnest weight of my adult life and have found that I can maintain it with little to no effort. But that isn't my goal. My goal is to be the healthiest, fittest, version of myself and in some ways my current weight is irrelevant. Now don't get me wrong, I'm happy with my weight and ecstatic that I can maintain it. The thing is that the weight was only supposed to be step one on my journey. This time last year when I was starting my journey I couldn't have imagined that the unstoppable focus and passion I had found for weight loss would putter out so quickly.

I still have work to do but find that without the daily reminder of snug pants and matronly arms that I don't have the motivation to go further. And this is problematic. Because if I don't have the motivation to go further who's to say how long it will be until my weight creeps up and my new clothes get just a little bit tight. I want to find that thing that got me moving everyday that inspired me to pump out six days of crazy cardio no matter what was going on with no excuses. These days I'm all excuses all the time. And every day I get further from my last workout the harder it is to get back into my routine.

While I may be maintaining I know that there is a reason this is my lowest weight. And my revved up metabolism is only going to continue to burn at this level if I continue to challenge my body and build more muscle and burn more calories. I know it and I get it.... and yet... I've spent the last four nights relaxing on the couch.

Isn't It Romantic

"Ever wonder what my old lady hairstyle is going to be?" I ask Mr F across our candlelit table for two

"Um... not really." Mr F responds

"Do you ever wonder what mine will be?" He quickly adds with a glint in his eye

Darkened Room Anyone?

Ten points if you guessed today's topic.... yes.... migraines!
This is something I've been thinking a lot about this week. I don't personally suffer from migraines but I know a lot of women who do. I think this is one of those things that is a very misunderstood and underestimated (if not under diagnosed and treated) problem. As someone who has only ever had a mild headache I can't even imagine what it must be like to literally have blinding pain. My best friend suffers from fairly frequent and debilitating migraines and I can't imagine how I would parent, or how anyone can, when they are going through one. I don't know how many of you are affected by this, either directly or through a loved one, but I imagine that the ramifications of having a seemingly invisible ailment (and I can relate to that) is stressful and frustrating.

I was listening to an NPR story the other day where people were describing their experiences and I thought that maybe this would be a useful and interesting topic. You can find the NPR story HERE. I have no idea what type of treatments are out there, or what you all may have tried, but maybe some of you could benefit from another's experience.... if not a little validation never hurt anyone. So what do you do when one hits? Has anything helped? Have you figured out your triggers? You never know what might help someone else so please do share your story in the comments.

I'll Show You Mine If You Show Me Yours

So yesterday's post about gift giving and some reader's comments... especially the one about the giant glass squirrel... got me thinking about the worst gift I ever received. I just spent quite a bit of time trying to track down an image... but wouldn't you know they don't make this item anymore?
So you will have to close your eyes and try to conjure up an appropriate image.

The first Christmas after Mr F and I were married he got me, hands down, the most ridiculous gift in all of creation.
And he got it monogramed.

What was it?

Well... I'll do my best here to describe it...

It was a light blue fleece zip up robe type garment.... with.... holes in the bottom... for your FEET!
Yes, people, I looked like a giant Teletubby!
And, NO, I am not making this up.
First Christmas as newlyweds... and he got my a giant fleece pouch with my initials on it.
He thought it would be cozy and warm and, clearly, didn't think about what would be involved every time I had to go to the bathroom!

It was kind of like a cross between THIS and THIS.
That's mine... what's yours?

Sweet Dreams

"Remember tomorrow there is no school.... so feel free to sleep in.
Take a nice long sleep and sleep as long as you can." I say to Kid as she gets ready for bed

"Okay" Kid says as she heads up the stairs

I'm Just Asking

If people give you gifts you don't want, can't use, or just plain don't like, what do you do?

Do you tell them and give it back?

Do you try to make a shady return without the receipt?

Do you keep it and bring it out for their visits?

Do you put it in a special "re-gifting" closet?

What is the proper thing to do.... and more to the point... what do you do?

This Week The Plan

This Week's Menu is Brought to You by Canine:

This should be a really cheap week. The only things I need to buy are for the Chicken Soup this weekend. Everything else I have already got in the freezer! Thanks Canine :)

Monday - Spaghetti & Meatballs w/ steamed broccoli & carrots

Tuesday - Chicken, Shrimp, & Veggie Faux Lo mein

Wednesday - Tomato & Meatball Soup w/ salad

Thursday - believe it or not we are going on a real date! (unheard of)

Friday - Cornflake Crusted Tilapia w/ green beans

Saturday - Take Out

Sunday - Chicken Soup & Homemade Bread



Diet & Exercise:
I'm trying to get up to at least 20% of my caloric intake coming from protein. I probably started out two weeks ago at about 40-50 grams of protein and I need to bump it up to at least 100 grams a day. I will say that on the days I get close to 100 grams I am MUCH more satisfied throughout the day and have a lot less sugar cravings. Now keep in mind that I eat over 2000 calories a day so 100 grams is the goal for me. If you want to aim for 20% protein divide your calories by 5 and then that number by 4... the result will be your protein gram goal. This is not by any means a cray high protein diet but if you are a carb oriented person like myself this might be a good way to try and balance your diet out.

Last week I didn't make all my exercise days... that seems to be the story of my life lately! This week I'm shooting for 3 Crazy cardio session of 70-80 minutes each and 2 full hours of pilates. If I can't seem to fit in more 5 days (and I can't) then I'm just going to working really hard on the days I do workout. FYI.... I've got a new incline routine for anyone that is bored or has acclimated to my old routine... this one KICKS your ass. I'll post about it tomorrow.



Cleaning, Chores & Errands:
You may recall that I've mentioned our new carpet issues.... you know that something is shedding all over it and I have to vacuum at least every other day now otherwise it looks like this:

Well I think I've identified the culprit:

We got this blanket for Christmas, and although it is soft and warm, having bits all over the rug isn't worth it! So I'm putting it in the basement for the week to test my theory out.
In the meantime here's what I've got on tap:

Monday - vacuum & stain treat

Tuesday - grocery shop and run laundry

Wednesday - put away laundry (wait till you see the modifications we've made in this department!)

Thursday - write & send Baby's b'day thank yous (finally got out Kid's xmas ones last week!)

Friday - vacuum & spend time online shopping for a new desk (that has storage!)

Saturday - spend 45 minutes doing actually cleaning
(kids are crazy I'll be back....)

The Cleaning Continues

BEHOLD!

Before:


After:

(sorry this is sideways)
Before:

After:
(again sorry)
It might be hard to tell how much cleaning out went into this closet makeover... but it really was a major overhaul.

The Cleaning Is In Progress...

Last night Mr F issues a challenge...

(it's short folks and worth it for my nighttime fashion alone)

BEHOLD!

Please

I kindly request that ALL reader's watch this video

Mrs F Plays The Blame Game

And in an unexpected turn of events Mr F submits his own video for your review!

The First Step Is Admitting You Have A Problem

Hello we are the Furious Family and we have clutter management issues...














You might recognize many (okay all) of these "hot spots" from other posts. Believe it or not we actually manage to get most of these cleaned up on a regular basis.... but clearly our *storage* and *organizational* systems are inadequate since our house inevitably looks like this every Friday. We do understand how to clean and put things away it is just that we are clearly missing some BIG piece of the puzzle. It might be that we have 2 closets in the whole freaking house, or it might be that we hoard things with an apocalyptic like fervor. Either which way something has to change.... because I've got nine baskets in the living room alone and even that is not coming close to keeping all this crap in order.

Disclaimer:
It should be noted that this morning the house doesn't look as bad as in these pics. These are really the worst case scenario. It should also be noted that we really do know how to clean and organize (really) we just clearly don't know how to maintain it in that state for more than 12 hours (while the kids sleep). Here are the things to keep in mind while reviewing this issue: When Mr F is out of town I am able to keep the house spotless... and in fact feel motivated to do so (unfortunately he does not travel for business). That doesn't mean it is Mr F's fault... I'm just saying there is something about the dynamic that fuels the clutter. Other major issue to keep in mind is that we SERIOUSLY lack for adequate storage and that is a legitimate issue with this house (and don't write in to hang shelves people... shelves full of crap look even worse... and we have old plaster walls, few interior walls, lots of windows, and shelves is not going to happen until we can get built-ins). Also I've already tried FlyLady and I gave it a good six months... it didn't really work for me. Okay now you can have at it. Keep in mind I may not do any of the things you tell me to do and I'll probably still post whiny complaining disorganization posts in the future... so comment at your own risk ;)

* Hot Spots is defined as ALL horizontal surfaces in our home (except the ceilings... so far).

Sometimes You Find That Perfect Piece

We're You Wondering....

If Mr F remembered Valentine's Day this year? Don't worry I reminded him a couple days ago NOT to repeat the "no gifts" V-day mistake he made two years ago (and no Mr F I'm never gonna forget it... or let it go!).

Well I was quite pleased, and surprised, to have these delivered to my door just moments ago...


And yes he did sign that Mr F. Our alter egos are just a little more in love with each other than our real selves ;)

Happy Valentine's Day

See?!?... I Don't Make This Stuff Up

Finally I'm vindicated by both mainstream media and science! Remember when I told you NOT to drink/eat artificial sweeteners? Well it turns out my theories were on the money. So put down the Diet Coke and walk away. Because people that crap is not helping you lose weight, in fact it may very well be making it harder for you to do so. Don't believe me? Well the scientists at Perdue do... you can read about their study HERE... there is a video too (with Diane Sawyer no less... watch it!)

You think I don't have something more to say on the topic?!... You should know me better than that by now.

The Question Is Not Can You Do It... It Is Should You Do It

I'm talking about eating out people. Can you eat out and still live a healthy lifestyle... and more to the point can you lose weight doing it? I think trying to stick to a healthy caloric intake and eating at a restaurant is like being a recovering alcoholic at a bar. Could the alcoholic just order a club soda? Yes... but after a bad day or under just the wrong circumstances they would be setting themselves up for failure. We can all see that.... but when it comes to eating out there seems to be a brain block. We all like eating out. Who doesn't? You don't have to cook and even better you don't have to clean up after yourself. We used to like to eat out too. But when I started dieting last year that was the FIRST thing to go... because as much as I like taking a load off... I believe it is too hard to lose weight while doing so. It just takes a quick look at your local restaurants nutritional information to give you a good smack in the face. I think you have to decide what you really want and if you want to lose weight you might have to give up being waited on. Now that doesn't mean I don't think you can go out every once in a while, but if you are eating out a few times a week than I think that is something you need to think about changing.

For all of you who feel you just cannot give it up here are my restaurant tips:

If possible look up the nutritional information BEFORE you go. If you know how many calories are in your favorite dish it might be easier to pass it up... and you should decide what you will order and stick to it.

If you can't find the nutritional info then you can take one of two strategies:

#1 When possible split your meal with your spouse/friend/child

#2 When ordering your meal ask for an extra plate (or a box) and IMMEDIATELY divide your meal into two... get the extra plate boxed up when you go.

#3 Order an appetizer for your meal. Trust me this is going to be pushing the 300-500 calories most dieters have allotted for dinner.

#4 Ask the waiter NOT to bring the bread/chips/crackers and if you are drinking a drink with calories (gasp) ask them not to bring you refills.

#5 ALWAYS get your dressing on the side and dip your fork into your dressing instead of pouring it on.

Now I didn't make it 10 months without going out to eat or getting takeout. I prefer to order take out since it is much easier to call and place an order for a healthy choice then to resist temptations when you are sitting there looking at them and smelling them! We had 4 takeout options that I felt really good about and enjoyed what I could get in my calorie range. That worked for me on the days that I didn't want to cook... but even that I have kept to 1 or 2 times a week.