All that Holiday Fare

It is crazy!! All that good food rolled into one season. I know why the average person gains 5-10lbs during the Christmas season....yummy desserts and casseroles. :) I am trying to do my best and stay on track! Last year when I started on my weight loss journey, I remember eating a whole bunch of those wonderful pigs in a blanket. I came home and looked up the points (I was doing weight watchers at the time) and would you know those things are 4 points each! My point allowance was 23 or something like that. I know that I had to have had around 10 of them and was still not full. I guess it's all about being smart and prepared. This year I resolve to eat before I go to the holiday parties. That way I can try to stay in control of how much and what I consume. I only have about two weeks to get down to MY goal weight. 120. Then I will start to train with Coach Bailey. I can't wait!!

Pics of old me

Okay, I have had a TON of people ask me how much weight I have lost. The truth is, I really don't know. I do know that I have gone from a size 14 to a size 6-8. YEA! I wanted to share some pics of me right after Drew was born and some from the summer. Hope you enjoy seeing the progress.

BTW - My husband noticed my abs for the first time today. He was impressed! That sure makes a girl feel good!

On to week 2

Well I made it thru week one, and now I am on to week 2. Coach Bailey will not be happy to know that I sneaked a few Cheetos yesterday. I'm trying though, I am back on to strict diet/focused Brittney. Especially after looking at my picture. EEEEWWW! It's funny how you "think" you look and how you really look. I can definitely tell where I need to work, EVERYWHERE!!! :)

End of week ONE

I have finished the first week of dieting and training. Starting weight: 134. After this week I weighed in at 128.5. I have to admit that it is hard. I am sore and hungry!!! I keep telling myself that I have made it this far, why would I mess it up know. I did breakdown yesterday and I had a coffee (with cream and splenda). I just had to have one. I got it from McDonald's. It was sooooo gooood. So I think I am going to let that be my reward once a week. I am not sure if I get a cheat meal once a week but if I did here are some of the things I would consider.

Chocolate Cake
Brownies
Hot Chocolate
Chocolate Milkshake
Chocolate chip cookies

Oh, wait I said meal. Ok, maybe a slice of pizza or some baked ziti. Or some homemade mac and cheese!! YUM! Ok. I have to stop I am making myself hungry again. :)

Starting Something New

Over the summer I thought about joining a Hip-Hop Dance class. I really had one goal in mind. To learn enough dance to be able to (one day) do a fitness competition. Well, wouldn't you know that one day is now. I am still in my dance class but my recital for December is coming up, after that I will stop going to dance and start with a personal trainer. Or Coach. I have to lose 20 lbs before January. I hope that I will be focused and determined enough to stay on course. My diet right now consists of protein and veggies. Yum! I keep making dinner for the kids and just thinking how good that mac and cheese looks and that Coach Bailey won't know. :) What got me passionate about fitness competition is doing cardio in the gym. They have magazines everywhere that shows these competitions. The girls are beautiful!! I guess I have always been intrigued because I named my son after Monica Brant. Anyway, I will keep you updated on my physical and mental fitness as I go. Happy Dieting!

Junk

I am convinced now that I no longer need all my "junk". I have been cleaning out all my yard sale and thrift store finds for the past couple of months. I used to pride myself on the fact that I could decorate my whole house from a thrift store. True you can find some great deals, but who needs a whole garbage bag full of mismatched coffee mugs just because it was $5.00. Since getting rid of a bunch of things I feel better and my house is cleaner. Now I can actually see all the stuff that I want. My new rule is that if I do not wear it in a year ( I'm giving myself a while) then it goes to the consignment shop or thrift store. I have also noticed that I am not cleaning all the time now. It has opened up my time and my heart to be a better mom to my kids. I don't feel so weighed down all the time. Not only has it helped me mentally and physically but spiritually as well. I believe it is biblical (although I don't know where to recall it from) to keep our lives free and clear of anything that will keep our mind off of Him. And that was exactly what I was doing. If I could not find something, I would just go buy it...again. And then I became obsessed with having everything to fit into a perfect lifestyle - which was unattainable because I had all this "junk". Whew, exhale and smile.

Special Delivery

Today Brant said that he had to go to the bathroom. He wanted me to come in and wipe him, I told him I would be there in one second....He then preceded to yell, "Mom, I have a Special Delivery"!

Start up

Well I have an opinion on everything, so I have decided to start a blog. I don't know how much I will be able to do; but hopefully be able to get on here enough to keep everyone connected to know what is going on in my little brain. The good and the bad (hence the name "Cheese & Whine").

Special moment for today: We made smores with Brant. After Rocky tried to start a fire in the wet backyard with no luck, we had to move to the grill on the porch. Drew got some of the chocolate and made a total mess on the hardwood in the dining room. He even had some on the chairs! Rock being the "good Dad" that gave him the chocolate, had to clean it up too! After we had had our fill and was cleaned up we shared some of that gooey goodness with Nana & PawPaw.