Yummy dinner

Tonight I made this chicken stir fry recipe for dinner and it was very yummy. It has a kick of spicy--which we didn't expect. Easy to make as well!

Celebrations

I've been asked a lot lately how I plan to spend my summer. Although it will be shorter than expected (returning to work July 1), I do have many things to look forward to during the month of June. My little sister's engagement party in Indy, Huntsville to celebrate Sophia's birthday and Eli's baptism, Father's Day, July 4th weekend in Georgia, and squeeze in zoo trips and storytimes at the library with Brooklyn--I hope to go back to work in July to relax!

Another milestone happened last weekend when we cleaned out our closets and donated four trash bags full of clothes that are too BIG to Goodwill. We're used to donating stuff that is too small, so this felt very good.

I keep forgetting to mention that another health benefit from our journey has been that Tom's snoring has pretty much disappeared. I've woken up many times during the night and there hasn't been any snoring. YEA!!!! He had surgery for his deviated septum, tonsils removed, and other stuff four years ago to help with his sleep apnea. They told him the rest was up to him--to cure the snoring and apnea, he had to lose weight. That he has done!

Last night was the finale of The Biggest Loser and I was completely amazed at all the contestants results. We did a weigh in and here are our results:

Amie lost another 4 1/2 pounds for a total of 50 1/2 pounds

Tom lost another 2 pounds for a total of 43 1/2 pounds

I met my pound for pound challenge! I pledged 50 pounds thinking it was a far-reaching goal. WOW! I can't believe I met it! My new goal is another 30 pounds. I'm giving myself the timeframe of my sister's wedding in September 2011.

Here's to the next phase of our journey! Thanks for traveling with us!

Blessings

The past couple of weeks I have been reminded of the many blessings in my life. This Mother's Day as the Bishop of Nashville said a blessing over mothers at Mass, I got a bit emotional because I absolutely love being a mom and it defines who I am. I strive every day to be the best mom I can be and just hope that Brooklyn knows at least an inkling of how much I love her. Nothing quite describes the love a mother has for her child. It's undefinable.


As many that I know also experienced and survived the disastrous floods last week, I am very thankful for everything I have and that we did not have to experience that trauma personally. I am truly touched by the spirit and courage of my friends who experienced losing their homes and belongings to the rivers. I had the opportunity to go help in the clean up a little and wish I could have done more. I enjoyed helping out a guy named Will who needed help packing up things he could salvage (who knew the skills I learned moving so much growing up would help in a disaster as well). Our super-woman team of Deb, Pam, Jenn, Stephanie, and I did everything we could in our three hours only to find most everyone in the neighborhood we were at had plenty of help. The volunteer spirit is thriving!


We haven't given a update on our weight loss, so this is where we are:


Tom has lost another 4 1/2 pounds for a total of 41 pounds and I have lost another 5 1/2 pounds for a total of 46 pounds. Here are a few pics from Mother's Day. Doesn't Tom look so skinny??? I am in my new skirt that is two sizes smaller!

It's a lifestyle

After nearly four months on this journey, I've recently come to realize how our efforts to leading healthier lives has transformed into a lifestyle. It is coming natural to us and is a part of our everyday decisions. We've had some low times in the last couple of weeks, but we continue to encourage each other to keep pressing forward to reach our goals. An unexpected thing that has happened is how our relationship has strengthened as well. The desire to want the best for each other and the pride we have for each other has brought us closer to each other. Every time someone tells me that Tom looks good, I feel so happy and proud of him.

This past weekend we did a small amount of shopping, which gave us a boost of encouragement. Tom fit very comfortably into shorts two inches smaller and also bought a large size Cubs t-shirt. He use to get an extra large if not 2XL. I was very happy when a skirt for work fit me at two sizes smaller than my other skirts and I also bought a few shirts in a smaller size. Sounds like we may have spent a good amount of money, but shopped at Ross and Old Navy to get cheap prices so we aren't investing a lot of money when we hopefully will need even smaller clothes.

As we watch our inspiration tonight (The Biggest Loser), I watched the contestants complete a 5K. It inspires me to research any that might be in the Nashville area and make it a goal for myself as well. Anyone who wants to join me would make it even better! I won't promise to run it, but I want to complete it!

We are also nearing our goal for the Pound for Pound Challenge. It feels good knowing someone in need is benefitting from this journey and getting the food and nutrition they need.

It feels good to feel good.

40.5/37.5

We've hit another milestone! I've lost 40 1/2 pounds and Tom has lost 37 1/2 pounds!!!!!!

Gangsta Style

I had a good laugh today when Tom walked in from grilling out and his shorts were almost around his knees. He was rollin' gangsta style since they were so big! I guess we will have to budget for a new summer wardrobe. My capris and shorts are big as well, but not falling down as much as his.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks as the floors were finished and we decided to change things up a bit in the house while we had the opportunity. There are still a few things to put away/figure out, but we feel good with how things are looking. Here is a before and after of our floors:

This project actually goes along with our goal of financial responsibility. We invested our tax return into our house instead of what we have done in the past--spending it on "things" that don't show for anything. It felt very good to complete our first big home improvement.

We've continued to eat healthy and watch our portions. The temptations were numerous with the stress of the house being out of order and such, but we stuck with it. Today I put a dress on for Easter that was two sizes smaller and it fit great and it felt wonderful. I actually wore it with a lot of confidence. Here are the results:

Tom lost another three pounds for a total of 35 pounds!

Amie lost anotehr three and a half pounds for a total of 39 1/2 pounds!

Weeks 10 & 11

It has been a busy couple of weeks. We are preparing for the installation of hardwood floors tomorrow. Today is "moving day." We'll pick up the u-haul truck and clear out the downstairs after church today. I am ready to say a huge "good bye" to this carpet! I'll post before and after photos once it is complete.

Brooklyn and I had a fantastic Spring Break week. We did lots of fun activities during our stay-cation. I think the most budget friendly and surprisingly fun for her was the library. She is at a great age to be excited about seeing all the books and interacting with the other kids. The week also included painting pottery, the Tennessee Aquarium, and the zoo. I cannot wait to take advantage of our zoo membership this summer. It is well worth the money! A lesson I learned from this week is how easy it is to go out and do something and be active. It's easy to stay at home and get into a rut. This week I looked forward to our next activity.

Tom and I continue to lose a few pounds. We are really looking forward to spring weather so we can get fresh air while getting the exercise in. And here are our numbers...

Over the past two weeks Tom has lost 3 pounds for a total of 32 pounds and I have lost 4 1/2 pounds for a total of 36 pounds!