its all about the money...and health

I was just talking to my mom about money...its always her main topic of discussion because there never seems to be enough. I was trying to tell her how to cut down on the things she doesn't need to make more money for the things she needs.
#1 is pop. Meijer has sales on pop at least twice a month for 8 bottles (20 oz) for 4 packs for $11, plus the .10 cent deposit. So, that is $14.20 a month on pop. If she cut that out that's $170.40 saved! You can even get soda water and add things to it for that fizz need and still save money.
#2 is potato chips. Its close to $4 a bag. You can get 5 lbs of potatoes for the same price and make your own. You can save almost $50 a year on that if you make your own, plus all of the other things you can do with potatoes.
#3 is snack food. Its empty calories in anyone's diet. Little Debbie needs to die sometimes. Your cheap "food" is killing us. Sure its yummy, but I can make cookies for cheaper than your 12 yummy treats. I prefer fruits and veggies over the snacks. I can feel better (and fuller) with something of health and nutrition. Like right now my fave meal is sauteed onions and mushrooms with some pepper and garlic salt with cottage cheese. Its so yummy!
Same goes with meat. The red meat all the time isnt good. Add some chicken or fish int here! I love fish I adore it really. There is so much you can add to it to make it taste awesome. A little spice goes a long way sometimes.

Sometimes its amazing what little things can help you. I am no exception. I have cut a lot of things out of my life to make sure Carter has the things he needs. I have cut out candy and pop and I honestly feel great. I just put things in water now to give me that sweet I crave. Even grapes kick the sweet tooth crave too. Now I dont go denying myself it either. I tend to have ice cream once a week or two just to give me a chocolate boost (Cookie dough ice cream all the way!) Plus I measure my stuff. You'd be amazed how far things go when you measure. Plus you don't over do it when you keep an exact amount of what you have.

Now that I have talked about making potato chips I am going to. Maybe that will be another post.

You can work out TO much!

I decided for my sanity to do one work out a day. The past week I did yoga or abs with the shred. I wasn't going to bed until 2am because I was so pumped! Maybe I can ease back into it, but for today I did abs and Jillian kicked my ass (as always) I couldn't even finish it because I was in pain...I stop when it gets to that hurt point. I did break a sweat at least. Tomorrow will be the shred...I'm kinda excited to do it again. I would do it today, but no way I am way to tired already. Jillian is killer to me.

level 2

I started level 2 on the shred, I'm dying. But then its also harder and I have added another work out in there too. I feel awesome. I've lost nine pounds in 2 weeks. its getting more noticeable to me. I am kinda excited to see Nathan next weekend to see if he has noticed.
I have added yoga meltdown and 6 week 6 pack to my regime of Jillian Michaels work outs. She does work. I will not deny that one bit. I only got them Friday and have done them each once. I like them both and they are both killer too. They help me in different ways that you cannot believe. As much as I hate her, I love her too only because I am finally doing something about getting healthy. I want to be healthy and fit. If heavier people than me can do this, I know I can do it too. Its all about motivation.
Like, last night I did not want to do it because I really didn't have a good dinner (one hot dog, but also had cottage cheese and tomato as a side to it and some watermelon for dessert) But I am amazed how just that one thing made me feel blah. But I knew that if I didn't do it that crap of a dinner would get to me. Let's just say I am sore today. My sides hurt from Friday still from all the ab work I did, but I am not going to lie I like it. I know my muscles are changing for the better.
When I started this I was on the brink of 200 pounds. I have never been that heavy in my life (I was like 190 and HATED IT) I am down to 180-182. I am almost to pre-pregnancy weightm which is 176. That is my first goal to get there. Once I hit that I want to get down to 145-150 minimum. That is a good spot for me. I was that when Nathan and I met and was happy there. I checked my BMI for that range and its perfect. At the moment I am just over weight. For my height anything lower than 145 is just sickly. I got down to 130 at one time and I looked horrible. I was TOO SKINNY. Plus the diet I was on wasn't a good one either. Power bars and salad don't do a body good.
I have changed how I eat. I cut out pop ( I have had one at the movies last week and barely drank it, I prefer my water now) On the topic of water I drink it all the time! I have a cup by me as we speak/type/read. I tend to fill it up 2-3 times a day and when I work out I drink a couple of them because I sweat so much more. As for food I just make better choices. I dont snack on junk food. Where I babysit, they tend to have a lot of processed foods, so I take grapes or cukes or something of health with me so I do not go nuts. I do not miss junk food (though today is rest/cheat day and I got me cookie dough ice cream. I have been dreaming about it since Friday.)
Maybe I will be brave enough to post photos of me soon. I have pics, I can see my difference, but I don't know if people want to see my in my underwear!