I've Finally Lost the Baby Weight!

A couple of months ago, I mentioned in passing that I was starting a weight loss "competition" with my family.

Well, I've been working on it for the last 2.5 months and in that amount of time I've lost 4.5lbs.  I'm a pound and a half lighter than I was when I got pregnant (maybe this is part of the reason why my cup size is smaller??).

I know it doesn't sound like much, but it is something that I'm really proud of and I've been working for it every day (some days better than others, obviously, otherwise I would be down even more).

But, the whole point of this post is to share with you a couple of the tools that have helped me.  So we all know how I love my iPhone.  I've got two apps that you need to know about. 

The first one is called My Fitness Pal.  And it helps you track your calories.  And I love it.  It makes it so easy to track, because I ALWAYS have my phone with me.  So anytime I eat ANYTHING, I log it.  It helps curb the mindless snacking that I used to do because I see how many calories I scarffed in those 10 Oreo cookies.  It has also helped me not want to waste my calories on juice or soda.
It also tracks your exercise and I love "earning" extra calories because of a workout that I did.  It makes me want to workout more often.  Because I love to eat.
And it is SO easy to add new foods - especially because it has this awesome barcode scanner that will find the food for you.
So, if you have a smartphone, get the free My Fitness Pal app.  (And then add me as a friend - luckyduckywb)

The next app that I use frequently is the free Nike Training Club app.  This app is so awesome for workouts to do at home!  It has a lot of options.  15 minute, 30 minute or 45 minute workouts.  With weights or without.  All you do is push "Start Workout" and the app will time each move and then beep and tell you to move on to the next exercise in the circuit (it also has pictures and videos of how to do each move properly).  It counts down and I can't believe how fast the 30 minute workout goes by!  I'm always sweating at the end and it feels great.  The longer you workout, the more you unlock and you earn extra bonus workouts and tips.

I'm also training for a half marathon, but that only started this month, so during the holidays it was the Nike Training Club app and counting my calories that helped me LOSE weight during the time of year that I always GAIN.

And there you have it.  My two cents on what has helped me lose 4 pounds.

Now go get an iPhone!!!

My Day at the Riverton Hospital

I had this whole post going - I was telling you the time and what I was doing - but it was getting boring and long.  So I'll just tell you that yesterday I spent the afternoon at the Riverton Hospital.  First for allergy shots, then a dermatology appointment to have some moles checked/removed, then Katie had her 15 month check up.

Allergy shots are boring.  But one of my arms had a nice reation and it is still swollen and itchy.

Having moles removed is freaky.  The needle part isn't so bad, but the sawing motion with the razor blade really freaked me out and after the appointment I had to go down to the pharmacy and buy me some candy to make me feel better and not pass out.

All three of the moles that I had removed are on my neck, and I can't believe how bad they hurt.  So I had a horrible night's sleep and am now at work not moving my neck... which makes my back hurt because I'm so tense and can't turn my neck.

I have a friend that posted about having some moles removed and how she felt like she had lost some of her identity.  I understand that now.  I've had these moles since I was a very small child and they have been part of who I am.  Now they are gone and it's weird.  Mostly just for this one in the middle of my chest:

This picture isn't the best to show it, but it makes me laugh.

Anyway, I'm not going to talk about my moles anymore.  Because it feels weird and personal.  And weird.

Katie's check-up went pretty good.  Other than she hasn't even gained a full pound in the last three months.  She grew taller, but not much else.  But the doctor isn't too worried.  She looks and IS healthy.  She's just little.  Like, 2% little.

But at least she likes broccoli.

And she still loves the carousel.

It's a family picture!  Hi Tyson!

Cups

You are about to learn more about me and my cup size(s) than you want to.  So, Dad, you should probably stop reading this post.

Yesterday, with my day off from work, I took the time to go do something for myself that I have been wanting/needing to do for about 6 months.  I went and got a bra fitting.

I had been to Lace By Louise about a year ago for nursing bras and (you people are going to think that I'm crazy) was a really fun experience for me!  Its amazing how much of a difference a proper fitting bra makes in the way you feel.  Or at least, it does for me.

So yesterday I went in and got measured and the size that the lady spouted off to me made me start to laugh (almost hysterically), because it was a size that I have not been since JUNIOR HIGH.  And I told her so.  So then she says, "Well, I might be way off, so let's go up one cup size and see how that fits."

She comes back with several bras for me to try and I'm still giggling about her measurement and she looks at me weird for laughing.  So I apologize and say that it made me laugh so much because when I was fitted for nursing bras my cup size had THREE letters in it.  The look of shock on her face was priceless.

Anyway, I'm now in a very proper fitting bra size that I haven't been in since I got married, and I am so sold with their fittings and their education at Lace By Louise that I'm recommending ALL OF YOU go out and get fitted.  I came home with 4 bras (a FABULOUS sports bra that will be so great for running, a white bra, a beige bra and a black bra).  I also learned why/when you should be wearing a different colored bra with different color tops, and why my white bras are all gray.

AND, I will continue to buy bras from a REAL specialty shop instead of clothing stores that have branched out into "intimates".  I'll just tell you right now, the Aerie brand by American Eagle is nowhere near the proper sizing.  The "D" cups that I was in were smaller than the "C" cup that I am in right now... and their shape was off, which in turn shaped ME... off.

You and your "girls" are going to be together for a long time.  So you should take the very best care of them that you possibly can.  And proper fitting bra is the best way to start.

*If  When you go, put me down as a referral and I get a WHOPPING 5% off my next purchase - which will be in a few years because I spent a lot of money on bras yesterday.

Katie's Month Via iPhone

My daughter is growing up too fast.  So I'm going to share these pictures that I have of her from my phone.  She is the only thing that I take pictures of.  And I like it that way.

Waving "Hi" to Daddy.

A pink puffy coat from Grandma.

Looking oh so very Hugable.

Drinking milk while laying on her stuffed dog.



Watching the snow from her bedroom window.  I can't believe she is big enough to look out the window by herself!!

Cute snowman outfit with matching hat.

Bathtime

Learning to not be scared of Uncle Chris.

A very bad picture taken by her Daddy on Christmas morning in her new chair.

At the Emergency Room at 1am for croup. Christmas night.

At work with Mommy again for a half day during the holidays.

Playing the piano for me.

A free balloon from the grocery store.  She was SO happy.

Also, painted fingernails.

Blurry picture. Crazy bedhead. And sad that I'm not giving her the milk.