A Healthy Start

Is it any wonder that not changing what I was eating/drinking was severely impeding my progress at the pump? Drinking lots of diet soda, eating whatever I wanted (but tracking it) and not staying hydrated enough meant that even with supplements, I was lacking in the pumping department in a major way.

I quit soda two days ago. I drank water and juice. Since I have been drinking more healthful options, I started eating better. And what do you know? Progress!

I now know why Weight Watchers gives nursing moms a whole heck of a lot of extra points each day. (If you're supplementing, you get +7 extra, if you are breastfeeding exclusively, you get +14 extra) it's because it burns a lot of calories- technically, you are still eating for two. (Actually, you are eating for two more than you ever were while pregnant.)

Anyway, this morning I made myself a really healthy breakfast.

1/4 c. egg whites
2 oz sliced ham
1 slice Kraft cheese
2 slices of 100% whole grain wheat + fiber toast
16 ounces of apple juice

I cooked up the egg whites in a skillet, placed them on the toast, and warmed up the ham in the skillet. I put cheese on it to melt and then slapped it on the toast and had myself a ham, egg (white) and cheese sandwich with apple juice. It was a whopping 16 points. I get 44 a day right now. After I ate and drank my meal, I pumped and the difference was amazing and the results were clear. I pumped WAY more than I was doing. I was maybe getting a half ounce per side per session. It would take me 4 hours to make 1 ounce, if I was lucky. Today, I did 1.5 ounces per side. That is a huge increase, 6 times what it was. (Still, I don't think I could make a whole day's supply, but I am getting there)

I know a small portion of that is thanks to taking the supplements, but a large part of it has to be eating better/staying well hydrated. It's the only variable that has changed.

For a snack/light lunch, I am going to have a smoothie

1 c. mixed berries
6 oz pomegranate-applesauce
1 c. low fat vanilla yogurt

(5 points)

And for dinner I am having stir fry. I haven't figured out the points for that yet, though.

I still need to get in my 8 glasses of water for the day. Nursing moms should get 13 cups of water or juice each day. I have had three glasses of apple juice total so far, I think I will end up with 5 glasses of juice and 8 glasses of water.

I also bought apples! So I am going to eat them for snacks.

Drake is over at my parents' house this weekend and from what I've heard, things are going really well. I think they are all enjoying themselves. Drake even has been sleeping good for them, so that is a relief. I miss him a lot more than I thought I would! I mean, I know he is at my parents and in good hands... but I miss holding him and giving him kisses and just being around him. The time alone is really nice though.

On the agenda today

~ A nice long, hot shower
~ Crocheting for a few hours.
~ Playing The Sims 3 to make some more YouTube videos
~ Cleaning the kitchen/doing laundry
~ Strength training for 30 minutes

A busy day! I can't wait until my little man comes home tomorrow. I have so much to tell him and can't wait to "hear" all about his trip! I hope he hasn't forgotten me ;)

Eat This, Not That!

If you haven't seen the Eat This, Not That! books around, I recommend picking one up (either at your local library or just your bookstore!) because it is jam packed with great nutritional advice....

Taken from Amazon.com

It tells you things you already should know. That eating real, whole foods is best. That eating processed foods is not. But it also considers real life. You know, how we go out to restaurants and like to eat our ice creams. It gives you food swaps... instead of eating 1 cup of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, have 1 cup of Breyer's all natural in the same flavor... and save a few hundred calories!

It's one of those books that gives you the information you need to realize the choices that we are making aren't always fantastic... but it doesn't make you feel guilty about eating anything. It simply gives you knowledge, tells you leaner options, and leaves it up to you to do what you will about it.

I really like it. It's small enough to toss in your purse or keep in the car for quick little dips. I got the 2011 version and it has a supermarket guide and also an extensive restaurant guide. I'm hoping to also get the supermarket survival guide, which is exclusive to grocery products and also the kids' edition. Since I'm having one and all. I'm not planning on using it as the "no diet diet" as it is called... but I am planning on using it as a reference and a tool. Like a responsible adult! wow... when did that shit happen?

Brian and I have been talking about eating more at home and one of my desires is to start cooking from scratch. I have some reservations because I love baked goods. If I made my own biscuits, I'd probably make them all the time and be a huge fat ass. I am trying to come up with a solution for that... but I love cooking and want to continue to expand my knowledge and make great, home made meals.

Reading the Eat This, Not That! book has shed a little more light on to the subject of nutrition for me. I realize I have little knowledge in that area. I mean, I know what calories and macronutrients are. I know the difference between a complex and simple carb, but I don't know enough about the rest of it.

I want to make better decisions about eating. I don't know if I will ever get to the point where I love fruits and veggies, but I am hoping that even swapping out one food for a slightly better version will help me get to that point. Brian wants to go balls to the wall and get rid of soda, caffeine, and anything that is not 100% natural. I love how he can eat fresh fruits and veggies all the time... but I am going to need to take baby steps.

I'm interested in hearing your recommendations for books and movies/documentaries on nutrition and eating better. But please- nothing that is all like "100% vegetarian/vegan- meat is evil!" stuff, because I am not really interested in becoming meat less. I just want to be more informed. Scientific, non-biased (or as little bias as possible) views will be my best options. 


Also, I just bought a Kindle so anything that is an e-book = win ;)

How to Turn a Bad Day into a Good One

Today started out insane but ended on a good note. 

I was at work and we were in our on the job training session, which we have for 30 minutes at the beginning of our shift and 30 minutes at the end of the shift. The meeting ran over by 15 minutes- This is the busiest day on the calendar for the Company and they were stressing the importance of attendance, adherence, and following policy and code of conduct. Lots of people across the US depended on our team today. Go Team!!

I get ready to log in to my phone so I can start taking calls, except I hear music. When I first got my headset I was picking up radio interference from a local station. Nothing major, it was really soft, barely audible Christmas music. I had my trainers listen in and they couldn't hear anything- it was all on my end. I did all the troubleshooting I could but to no avail- it was still there. No big deal, I will just deal with it and then go about my day. 

The next day the music was a little louder, but still pleasant Christmas music, so again, I just ignored it and did all my calls. 

Today though, it was 2 different radio stations and the music was blaring. Songs were overlapping (one station was playing Pink and the other was playing Jason Mraz, which sounds horrible together, fyi) and DJs were yelling, adverts were telling me to buy now, don't delay! It was impossible to hear anything on the other line. I had to log off and go out and buy a new headset. 

I spent about 10 minutes online researching *which* headset to buy- I didn't want to make the same mistake again-  and then I called the store to make sure the headset was in stock before driving out there. I got there, got the box and looked it over. Seems like it was the same one I was researching, so I made my purchase. $110.  While leaving, my stomach grumbles and I realize I am so hungry. I should stop by McDonalds and just grab a quick bite to eat- but I get in the wrong lane and its a "turn only" lane so I was forced to skip the drive thru. Accidental Victory #1

I get home and set it up with my current phone, except its the wrong type of phone. This headset needs to be corded, with a base that has the numberpad on it. I had a cordless phone with a number pad on the handset. Double fail. I made a sandwich (sliced chicken 1 oz, with fat free swiss on whole wheat) and then head out

I went to Wal-Mart and got the correct type of phone for $25.While waiting in line to purchase, I see a case of soda pop and decide I want a diet mountain dew at least. I walk over and open the case, and grabbed a bottled water by mistake. Accidental Victory #2 I finally get home again and the Company calls me asking me where I was. I told them I was having tech issues and I had already talked to Coach A and they told me to report to Room X and Payroll when I get sorted. I thought they were going to fire me then and there, because until my two week of on the job training are up, 100% attendance is mandatory. Turns out they needed more help and were calling everyone- they didn't even care. 

I finally get back on line and logged in and reported my tech issues, I'm all set up ready for calls. An hour goes by, not a single call. Others were waiting too- the call volume dropped. Thankfully. It dawns on me, I probably don't get lunch or breaks as I went from a 8.5 hour shift to a 5 hour shift. I asked my bosses, but I still get to take my lunch at the regularly scheduled time. Which turns out to be 3 minutes from the time I asked. Then I went to lunch. 

I only handled about 5 calls today, but each one of my callers was a happy individual, I had them laughing on the phone, I kept them entertained, and I was able to help each and every one of them. 

I was dreading today but it was actually a really good day despite the tech issues and the stress. I made healthy choices (albeit unconsciously) and it worked out for me in the end. 

I logged off today and realized just how lucky I am. 

Frugal Living

I spent today looking at our budget. Our spending, our debt, and our income. This fueled me to not only become thrifty, but frugal.

We can make ends meet now- but only just. What happens if an "if" happens, like the car breaking down.
What will we do? We certainly don't have a savings! And we can't really budget for one with our current circumstances.

So frugality is my option. Sure we could work more. We already do. We jump at every opportunity to put a little extra cash in our pockets.

Studies have also shown that being physically healthy is linked to being financially healthy. You can also guess whether or not you will keep your weight off, based on your credit report. If you're credits a mess, you can almost guarantee that you're going to be one yourself. 

The Game Plan looks a little something like this:

1. Call all creditors and negotiate a lower interest rate. I have one thats 25%!!! Eek...
2. Print out coupons. Use them at the store.
3. Only shop on sale days. I found my store's weekly circular on-line and can see if there's a sale going on in my store the day I want to go shopping or not.
4. When I go shopping, use said coupons. Whatever it says I saved- I am writing a check for that amount and putting it in my savings account. Because, I figure, I'd spend the money anyway, and this will help pad my savings account. Which is thread-bare at the moment.
5. Use the library more. Not only can you get books, but you can get movies too.
6. We canceled our cable sometime ago, and have gone back to Netflix. At $9 and some change a month, I get unlimited instant viewing and 1 dvd, traded out as many times as I like. This is down from $90 for cable/internet.
7. Canceling my Curves membership. I don't go. I do incur a cancellation fee, but it's an extra $34 I'd be saving a month. One month of Curves=Two months of Weight Watchers online. I think I know which I prefer!
8. Any extra income after our "base amount" ie bonus, overtime, etc, will immediately be put to use to pay down our debt. Sure it sucks... but its better than living week to week.
9. Hubby has a habit of wanting every new video game (let's face it, I like them too) but it's expensive. Especially if you want two  or three a month and you only play through them once. The solution for this is Gamefly. Gamefly is a lot like Netflix, but for games. Its different than say, Blockbuster, because there are never any late fees. And you can buy the games discounted through their website. But there's also places like Half.com for that.
10. You can make your own cleaning supplies, as well as laundry detergent, fabric softener, and dryer sheets using- what else? Vinegar and baking soda! (as well as a few other things mentioned here) 
11. Sweepstakes! Hey, most cost nothing more than a minute to enter, and you can win lots of really cool things- anywhere from gift cards to phones, skis to houses! The possibilities are endless. And yes, I know most are legit on Online Sweepstakes because my mom's won gift cards, a phone, and some skis, as well as a few things. I haven't won anything yet :( She's really lucky though lol

Hey, if I can barely take care of me and hubby, what happens when puppy becomes 3? I need to get this under control now, so its not a problem later!

Did you know that you can freeze eggs? Milk? Cheese? Bread? How about tortillas? Here's a list of other things you can freeze.

I will try this for a month and let you all know how it goes. I plan on doing a spread sheet too, for comparison reasons. Yay! Let the frugality begin!

Post any other tips or suggestions you have, and we can all help each other out :)