Exercise routine

So Mr.J and I have been talking
about #2! YAY
However, I dont want to get pregnant at this weight
(I have lost half of what I wanted read about that here)
Since hurting my neck, I gained a few (5lbs)
Grrr.....
Now I have 25 lbs that I want to lose til we get prego again
and we want to get pregnant in or around September.
so thats about 11 lbs a month
THATS REALLLLLY HARD!
Not only that but with it being 10,000000 degrees in Arizona
its really really hard to run :(
So gym/swimming and MAJOR dieting is whats going to have to do it.
Not only are we renting a room
Mr. J is still in training for his New PD job
(which is totally awesome!)
but his schedule isn't set, therefore I have no set schedule
it doesn't help with my OCD planning issues
So heres what I'm hoping my routine will be
Monday AM Run If I have time gym that afternoon
Tuesday TBC class at 4:30
Wednesday AM swim If I have time Gym that afternoon
Thursday AM Run
Friday Gym
Saturday 830 am Muscle class at the gym
Sunday Break

I'm also going to be eating around 1380 calories a day (according to myfitnesspal app)

This is the size I would like to get back to
::Sigh:: I will get there one day, I will... 25 down 25 to go... I can do this...
Who's with me!?!

Flexibility is the Key

I like to plan. I like to plan everything down to the last detail. I'm not very good at being laid back and going with the flow...unless you catch me in the right mood, which is rare. I'm addicted to post-its and I love to write lists, that I usually lose and then have to re-write. So last year when I found out we were pregnant I dove right into super-planning-mode and started researching like a mad women trying to organize the perfect Birth Plan. I even had an 3-ring binder with multiple copies of said plan in case one was lost. It also included dividers with info for my husband, vaccines, what to do after baby was born and hypnobirthing scripts.
I was preparing myself for a natural-hypno-water-birth at Best Start Birth Center in San Diego. Boy was I in for a whirlwind of emotion when we found out Baby M was breach. We found out fairly early so we had plenty of time to try out various techniques to turn him around. I would lay with my head down, butt up in the air for 15 minutes at a time.....tried moxibustion on my pinkie toes....placed headphones at my pelvis in hopes he'd move towards it, even tried playing heavy metal at the top of my tummy hoping he'd move away from it! Lets see, we also tried using a flashlight and homeopathic pills called Pulsatilla. OH! I almost forgot - we also tried an aversion at UCSD Hospital. That's when they physically pushed on Baby M's head and rump trying to flip him around. That only resulted in me staying there all day due to my blood pressure sky rocketing during the procedure. Baby M didn't like it either, each time they moved him a few inches, he'd spring right back to where he originally was.
After the aversion failed, we scheduled a c-section for a few weeks later. At that point I was exhausted and didn't know enough about delivering a breech baby vaginally to feel comfortable with it. So we scheduled the delivery for February 11th at noon at UCSD Hospital. My plans changed, I re-wrote the Birth Plan, printed out multiple copies for my binder and mentally came to terms with it.
I in for another surprise when I went into labor the night of February 6th in Los Angeles. Baby M was born at 3:34am February 7th at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance.

My first and most important lesson as a new mom? Be flexible!

Tip of the Week #5

Is it just me or do you always have a handful of Diapers a size smaller than what your lil is in??

I have given a few to friends but
somehow I keep finding a few here and there.
Then my wonderful aunt posted something on Facebook that confused the heck out of me.
She said "Have a horrible Migraine :( Luckily I found some newborn diapers to make Ice Packs!"(mind you her son is 9 HA)
I had NO idea what she meant,
newborn diapers = Ice pack WHAT?? (and why did she have them still!?!)
Then she explained and boy is it GENIUS!!(and she had newborns because she babysat a friends baby hehe)
Pretty simple
Take a CLEAN (cant stress that one enough!)Diaper
and about a cup of water (give or take depending on the size of diaper, I'm using a Size 4)

Fill the diaper with water
(I was going to add a picture but it just looked like a loaded diaper and it grossed me out HA)

Pop it in the freezer

and in a few hours you have a totally awesome ice pack

BUT WAIT! There's more!!!

With pretty much any injury you want to do heat and ice 20 on 20 off.
So now we need a heating pad? NOPE GRAB ANOTHER DIAPER!!!
Fill it with water (again depending on what size diaper for how much water)
and pop it in the microwave.

Now I'm a super freak when it comes to things catching on fire.
(okay Im OCD DON'T JUDGE!)
It freaks me out to put anything in the Microwave that is not supposed to go in there.So I just put it in for 30 seconds at a time until I get the temperature I want.

Let me just tell you, I hurt my neck last week SUPER bad (been going to the gym a lot lately and that's what we think did it)I was in a ton of pain and these Diapers SAVED MY LIFE! okay okay not literally, but helped sooth my pain. it was so nice because they could be shaped to what I needed and they were soft (unlike real ice packs)

Genius right!? Big thanks to our awesome Aunt Amanda! (YOU ROCK!!) Hey maybe one day she will guest post for us! She has all sorts of AMAZING ideas from organization tools to interior decoration (that's her profession) to amazing Momma Ideas. Hummmm, that's going to be something I need to talk to her about!

Bad Blogger!

I do apologize friends!
I hurt my neck while working out
and because of my neck pain I have had INSANE migraines
Not fun I tell ya!
My head still hurts but I wanted to do a quick post.
I'm OBSESSED with Pinterest!

If your not on it your missing out!! So many amazing pictures/crafts/ideas it will blow your mind! I'm on it for hours! ha Right now you have to go on a waiting list to join :(
So this is what I am going to do.. I have 4 invites right now woohoo!!
If you would like one of them let me know by leaving a comment with your email address and Ill send you the invite! You gotta hurry though I only have 4!

Increasing Milk Supply

I've recently started pumping a couple times a day. Because of Baby M's spit up problem I've read that you can add 1tsp of formula to 3oz of breastmilk. Now D and I are dead set against giving Baby M formula, we both strongly believe that 'breast is best'. However, since Baby M spits up so much (up to 20 times a day) I reseached ways to increase the calories in breast milk. Adding 1 tsp to 3oz of breast milk will increase the calories from 20 calories an ounce to 24. Doesn't sound like a lot, but I was hoping it would work. And I was very careful with the type of formula I bought, we ended up buying a formula made from goat's milk. (trying to keep Baby M away from dairy and soy is overprocessed these days.) The funny thing is that Baby M, is actually having an easier time keeping this down. I'm not sure if it's because the milk is now a tiny bit thicker or heavier? But his spitting up has decreased to less than 6 times a day. Plus he's gained weight!
Now back to increasing milk supply, since I'm pumping and only breastfeeding during the night, both D and I are afraid that my milk supply will dwindle. Breastfeeding stimulates the milk supply more than pumping ever will, so before this happens, if it does, I started taking Fenugreek. Fenugreek is a natural herb that is known to increase milk supply. And it does! I started taking it 3 days ago (2 pills, 3 times a day) and I've already noticed an increase while I pump! I also noticed a hilarious side effect. To know that you are taking the correct dosage, they say that your sweat and urine start to smell like maple syrup. I laughed at this, because well seriously?! I am hear to say that my sweat now smells a bit like maple syrup. ha ha

Have you tried anything to increase your milk supply?

Tip of the Week #4 - Multi-tasking

I know that this tip probably goes without saying, but multi-tasking is how I get through my day and I how I keep my house looking 'decent'. While Baby M sleeps, I sweep, clean the sink and fold a load of laundry and reorganize the baby gear in the living room. Everything may not be done perfectly and completely, but it does get done and quickly.

*while microwaving that bag of popcorn in the evening, instead of staring at the microwave take those 3 minutes to put dishes away, wipe down the counter or take out the trash. A lot can be accomplished in 3 minutes!

*before throwing that dirty towel in the laundry, dampen it and clean the bathroom floor.

*same goes for a dirty sock or that shirt you wore today, use it to dust your end tables and dresser. I'm totally not joking! I do it all the time.

*as you cook, clean! It's better than waiting till the end when you have a sink full of dirty dishes and a messy kitchen!

My only point today is DO WHAT YOU CAN WHEN YOU CAN! It doesn't matter how it gets done, as long as it gets done.

Dear 16-year-old Me,

I saw this video this morning and thought this was too important not to share.


When I was 16, I'd go to the beach with tanning oil instead of sunscreen. I would even use tanning beds during the Spring in order to 'prep my skin' for a Summer full of laying in the sun. Looking back I realize that 35 SPF would probably have been a wiser choice than the dark tanning oil SPF 4 that I would buy. Even today putting sunscreen on is an after thought unless I'm going to the beach or the lake. Silly me forgets that the sun is out every day even if I'm only washing my car or at the farmers market. I rarely burn and I tan easily, but I know that doesn't mean I am immune to skin cancer.

Looking back there are a few things I'd tell the 16-year-old-me like don't waste another second dating losers and take school seriously! What would you tell your 16-year-old-self?

Dairy & Sugar Free Ice Cream ... and YES it's good!

I love LOVE love ice cream. And since being on the Candida Diet I obviously haven't been able to eat any. Well I've finally gotten creative!


INGREDIENTS:

~1 quart Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (chilled)

~1 pint Non-Dairy Creamer (chilled)

~1 dropper full of English Toffee Stevia

~1 dropper full of Vanilla Creme Stevia

Follow the freezing time and bowl preparation instructions for your ice cream maker. I used a Cuisinart Automatic Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream Maker.

Turn your ice cream maker on. Pour in the chilled Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk, chilled Non-Dairy Creamer and both Stevia flavors. Allow 25-30 minutes for the mixture to thicken. Serve immediately!

It helps to CHILL the Almond Milk and the Non-Dairy Creamer in the freezer for about 45 minutes before you begin. The consistency of this 'ice cream' will not be as thick as regular ice cream, so if you would like it to be thicker you can use heavy cream instead of the non-dairy creamer.

Other flavor options that can be added : diced strawberries, blueberries, ground instant coffee, sliced almonds, chocolate stevia, lemon stevia ... etc.

If you're looking for the liquid Stevia flavors try going to VitaCost.com, Whole Foods or Sprouts.

My worst nightmare

So this is a post that I DIDNT want to write, Why? Because
I'm humiliated
I'm mortified
I'm ashamed
I'm scared
of what...
my weight...
Before I got pregnant I had gained a few (and by a few I mean WAY TO MUCH) Since high school (almost 50 lbs) I was working out and being active but being comfortable in a relationship, (okay and maybe drinking and partying a little too much and being on the pill) Well, I'm sure you know how easy it is to
Lose control of your weight. I had lost control of my weight and BAD
THEN
I got Pregnant. I dont know my exact weight but Im guessing I broke 200 right around the time we conceived
(I want to cry just thinking about that)
(That's my awesome parents and I was wearing high heels in not that tall!Im only 5'6)
but do you see how big I was !!???!!!! UGH By the time I went in to the hospital I was 242lbs DO YOU REALIZE HOW BIG THAT IS!!??!
UUUUUUGH.... Then I had Baby girl... and granted I lost a lot of it... But I was still at 215lbs and a size 18, being over 200lbs was killing me. I was the athlete the one in shape that had a great athletic body and I felt like a flabby mess. I went to the Drs and was prescribed Phentermine. I lost 15lbs (so 200lbs) but it stopped working and then I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism which meant losing weight was difficult (felt like it was impossible)
But I didn't want to give up, I knew I could be happy with my body, I KNEW I needed to work out... BUT HOW?
Then I found my life saver
Running....
Now I know so many of you are going to say "I cant run" "I hate running" and that was SOOOOOO me but I found Couch to 5K
It has CHANGED my life...
I finished my first 4.2 Mile Race on April 16,2011 with My Dad Brother and Husband (and a friend)
I was hard, I cried many times. But I stuck with it... I lost 20 lbs in 9 weeks and I am in a size 13 again! Now I weigh less than I did when I got Pregnant!! I still have 20 lbs I want to lose (30 actually but Im setting my goal at 20 for now)
(Im in the Yellow shirt and that's my gorgeous and motivational friend Kathryn!)
So there I did it.. I shared my worst nightmare... I'm scared to death of what people will say I'm scared of Anonymous comments because I have read some really mean ones... but I want to be honest, I want to maybe help someone. And truthfully I wouldn't mind someone saying "Hey Im in the same boat! Lets be friends and we can help each other!!"

How did you lost weight or overcome your worst nightmare?

Keepin things shiny!

So I'm not going to sit here and tell you my house is SPOTLESS...
In a perfect world..
the floors would be mopped
Every bed made with perfect tucked in corners
every meal would be home cooked and delicious
Baby Girl would be dressed in a cute outfit
Having fun while learning (And being a baby Genius!)
I would have the cutest Dresses with sexy High Heels
and always wear my Apron
and Mr. N would be making millions and not even going to work...
Sigh.... I can dream right!??!!
But like ALL that is EVER going to happen.
So I do my best!
I have tried Flylady and it worked for awhile
It really helped me start getting in the habit of cleaning
However I fell off that wagon once I started working again
I have been figuring out what to do, how to get "back on"
but have failed miserably
Then I found something that totally works for me
Martha Stewart
(I never thought those words would cross my lips ha)
My problem was I need a list and Flylady's was just a tad to in depth for me
I was to... um... {un} Organized (hehe) to create one myself
And Martha amazing Martha Created these super general
Yet totally perfect checklists











I printed these babies up and added them to my
Family Management Binder
(Cover Page is by iHeartOrganizing If you havent seen her blog GO NOW!! AMAZING!)
BAM! Who is excited to clean? This girl :)

Now this isn't the answer to keeping a spotless house
But its a step in the right direction!
So if this is something that might work for you go print off those checklists!

How do you keep your house clean??

Candidas

I recently had to go on the Candidas Diet. We had taken little M to a holistic doctor in Santa Monica to see if we could remedy his spitting up and his low (but steady) weight gain. During Dr. Karlin's testing we came to find out that little M has Candidas. I was on so many antibiotics because of the C-section that they had killed off any and all of the good bacteria in his digestive track. The solution? I had to go on the Candidas Diet and we both had to start taking probiotics. If you've never heard of the Canididas Diet, take a second and look at it here : The Candida Diet. It's tough. The first few days are the hardest, especially if you are like me and have a sweet tooth. My next few posts will be a few recipes that are sugar-gluten-dairy-yeast-free!

Though it's been a challenging 3 weeks, the benefits make it worth it. I lost 12lbs of baby weight!! Only 8 more to go and I'll be at my goal!

Tip Of the Week #3 - Date Night (at home)

Who doesn't love getting a babysitter and getting out of the house for the night?
(Im pretty sure I can say EVERYBODY!)
However, with finances so tight lately
and exhaustion from going all day with a lil
its sometimes IMPOSSIBLE
So what to do?
AT HOME DATE NIGHT BABY!!

What do you need? Not much
I had pictures... where did they go.. have no clue ha
Dinner
Something that you dont always cook or his favorite meal, heck order out!
A black (or any color) table cloth
I actually used a sheet!
Rose Petals
From my favorite place in the whole world... The Dollar store!!
Music
Pandora is awesome
And Dessert!

Put the kiddos to bed or in the spare room with a movie,
and spend dinner just the two of you
Little moments like that will help strengthen your relationship
and who doesn't love that!

Check out The Dating Divas They have some FABULOUS ideas

Check back for more home date ideas!