Postpartum weight loss

Up until recently I wasn't doing much to lose the baby weight other than working out. With the help of breastfeeding I was able to lose all but about 5 of the pounds I gained from pregnancy. I realized unless I change things up more it wasn't coming off, considering all the working out I was doing.

Due to breastfeeding though, one has to be careful not to restrict their diet too much or the milk supply will be affected. I had heard that Weight Watchers is good for breastfeeding. I did it a few years back under the old points program, but I didn't have a clue how things were being done under the new PointsPlus system. I also didn't want to do the actual program with meetings and such. Plus it is not cheap.

I did a lot of research on the net trying to figure out the new system. This website was good at describing the new formula. I also found this website to help determine ones actual allotted points. Notice the addition of 14 points for breastfeeding. I like that. Now I realize that this is not the actual program. And I am most certainly aware the actual program is awesome and has many additional perks. Steven being a math guru understands how they are coming up with their stuff, I of course just do it and try not to over analyze. He was nice enough to put it on an excel spreadsheet where all I have to do is put in the numbers and it figures them out on its own. Pretty accurate I might add as I compared to several Smart Ones entrees I purchased with points put on the box. Be sure and round up!

The idea is smart as it helps you choose smarter options and not look at the overall calories which can be misleading. For example note below...

Small Easter brownie, delicious I might add, is almost 6 points, using the PP formula. Again I round up.

The fat alone makes the point value jump.

Now look at this as comparison. If one were to eat this whole bag of steamfresh mac and cheese with broccoli it would only be 7 points total.

The brownie will not go far in filling you up. I have been eating this way for the past week and have lost 4 pounds. Granted the first week is supposed to be more than normal. I anticipate losing 1-2 pounds each week. I have also started working out less often but running more with the kids. We (Gage, Kieran, and I) started training for a 5k a couple of weeks ago. I am hoping to lose 10-15 pounds more to get back to where I feel my best. Even 5-10 extra pounds on a shorty is no fun. I don't have a set time frame as long as it is going down I will be content. So we shall see how this works.

Colorful St. Paddy's day!

Only not so much green. I have taken a liking to chalking. I used to love to draw with chalk. Thanks to Pinterest I got this idea of chalking my hair. Tried it on Kieran's hair last night and it was very easy to do. Did it on myself today.

1. Wet small strand you want to color.

2. Rub chalk on it going downward.

3. Let it dry then set with curling iron.

Belated 4 months!

It's hard when the birth date falls on the 31st to keep up. Heston is growing like a weed. He is 14 lbs 13 oz(50%) and 25.5 inches long (60%). He is rolling over back to front now and has been doing the front to back for awhile. He loves his play gym mat and exercauser. Aside from those sicknesses from daycare he is doing well.

Rough few months...

As far as losing grandparents in our household. Steven's grandfather passed away in the early hours of the morning. He has been struggling with health for quite some time but suffered a stroke yesterday. We drove down to McAlester so Steven could hopefully see him before he went, which he did. While the passing is sad, it is a relief that he is no longer suffering. Funeral is on Tuesday.

Rest in Peace, Russell Anthony Wilcox

Heston meme of the day!

And just like that...

It's March!! Ugh, this year is flying by and is showing no signs of slowing down. Heston is growing so fast. He is once again sick, thanks to this crazy winter and daycare. He was diagnosed with Bronchiolitis and an ear infection on Monday. I think we caught it early as he wasn't even acting in pain from the ear infection. He had a cold for over a week and one morning he awoke with the wheezing so I took him in. Come to find out the cold had nothing to do with it and was a whole different virus that just started. Good think I took him when I did. He had a breathing treatment and got some albuterol to help open his airways. Apparently lots of babies are being hospitalized for this. He seems to be fine mood wise. He stayed home with Steven on Monday half a day and on Tuesday since I no longer get paid days off.

Speaking of my job(s)... things are going well and I am getting more and more busy with all 3 of my jobs. My contract and private practice are picking up and I am starting to find a better balance with splitting my time. Overall I am pleased with the balance and mix of all three of them and prefer it to one job with more hours. I think my personality is suited for this.

I am going to change topics to a more serious and sad one to ask for prayers for a family that lost there little boy this past week. While I didn't know Amy and Nathan, I went to school with both of Amy's sister Kristen and Melissa and their father was one of my professors. Little Tucker was 15 months old and didn't wake up from a nap. At this point they do not know what happened. This is so heartbreaking and it's been in my head and heart all day today. Right now they are taking donations for a memorial fund to help out with the financial burden that goes with the loss. Please check out Melissa's blog for more info. on that and please keep this family in your prayers. http://melissamcmahan.blogspot.com/