Biggest Loser workshop

This past weekend I went to my biggest loser workshop.  It was down in Buda (about 45 minutes South) and started at 7:30 am.  I didn't want to be late, so I was out of the house at 6:30!

It started with a VIP reception with some of the contestants.  2 were from season 2 (before I watched - ryan and pete), one from season 4 (david), 2 from season 7 (sione and filipe), and 3 from season 8 (liz, dena and tracey).  The stuck together for a bit, but eventually walked around to meet us fans.  A few I wasn't really a fan of during the show, and didn't really want to meet them.  I think my perceptions of them were right too... I met sione and filipe - who were great!  Just like the show!  There were my favorites.

I also met Dena, and we discussed the hardships of the contestants being away from their families.

There were fitness workshops - bootcamp, towelmoves, yogalates, skinny mini, and zumba.  There were also cooking, roll away pain and fat myth workshops too.  We only got to pick 5, so I did the bootcamp, towelmoves, cooking, skinny mini and roll away pain.

The workshops were good, and there was a variety of people there - from the super fit to those getting started with their fitness goals.  I feel that in all I probably worked out hard core for 1 1/2 hours!

The best part was talking to the contestants (most did fit my preconception of them) and the panel they had at lunch.  People asked them everything from how long they worked-out a day (4 hours with trainer, 2-4 hours of homework a day), did they do their own cooking (yes), did they get paid ($50/day for earlier seasons, $100/day for later ones), and how they felt about the show (positive how it helped them).  Being on the show did affect their families (how they changed their way of eating, etc.) and they did have a hard time returning back home (no clothes fit, dropped by the show - no trainers, $$, etc.).

It was a great day.  I returned home just in time to head back out to pick up Tessa from the airport at 5:30. We got home, Ry made a super dinner of white chili, and I fell dead asleep at 8 pm!  And didn't get up until 8:30 am on Sunday.  Seriously, it has been since way before Nate was born that I have been able to sleep 12 1/2 hours!

Now to figure out how to work out this week!!

20 lbs!

I did it!  I have finally lost 20 lbs since I started Weight Watchers last April.  About 10 months.  The first couple months were great, since I was breast-feeding and all.  But through weaning, 2 miscarriages, the holidays, finding time to work out, etc. that last 5 has taken awhile.  But I did it!  I'm now almost 10 pounds under when I got pregnant with Nate!

To celebrate I'm going to the Biggest Loser workshop tomorrow.  Pictures to come!  A whole day, alone, to discuss nutrition and fitness, as well as see some of my favorite contestants.  I'm sure blessed with a husband who encouraged me to go and will  be home with Nate for this day-long event!

19 months...

Well, the teen months are over.  And to celebrate that Nate has really started communicating.  His current spoke words include mom/ma, dad, football, yes, no, nana, teda (tessa), papa, juice, wawa, tuto (pacifier) and night night.  His signed words include all done, more, touchdown, baby, ball, dad, eat, dog, thank you, snow, rain, water, dance/music, sleep, cat, happy, please, tuto, I'm sorry, milk, book, bread, toast, and drink.

We are in amazement of it.  He really like to tell us stuff, sometimes using made up words, but often some signing or real words come through.

Football is almost coming to an end.  Nate has been watching many a game with me...I hope the Olympics will fill our sports void next month!

It is super cute when he wants to play - he signs "more" in the living room and wants us to chase him.  He's even learning how to chase us!

What have we done?  We celebrated Ry's birthday, got to meet Thomas' new sister Helen, played with friends - especially our neighbors!

Here are a few of our favorite pics!

Small Successes - February 11

It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph.  


1.  Finally put away last week's laundry and have this week's done and put away!  Seriously, this is quite a feat for me!!


2.  Was able to make some important phone calls regarding financial issues (homeowner stuff and life insurance) that has been on my list for weeks.


3.  Met with a friend this week who shared her struggle with infertility with me.  Figured out that I don't have to fight with the devil, just need to work at pushing him back.  And found a great article on one woman's fertility that truly gave me hope!  

The Biggest Loser

For the last few years, I have loved watching the Biggest Loser.  I love to see people change their lives, and that of their friends and community.

I got an email from groupon today.  The Biggest Loser is coming to Buda for their Work Out Like a Loser workshop and I got a VIP ticket for the price of a regular ticket.  A day-long workshop, and chance to meet the contestants, VIP seating, VIP parking, etc.  I can't wait!

Can I brag on my husband?

Today, Ry was my knight.  He was getting ready to go to work, and noticed my tire had a flat (I've been having issues for awhile).  He pumped it up, took it to Discount Tire, got it fixed (it had 2 nails and a screw in it), came home and THEN went to work!  What an amazing guy!!  We had only a little playdate scheduled for today, but he knows how these escapes keep my sanity through the day.

Thank you Ryan!  You are the best!  I am soooo lucky!!

photo session!

Last December, one of Tessa's friends Abbey went out with us for a photo session.  We went to Mayfield Park and had a blast taking a couple hundred pictures (including a few with my brother and Tessa).  Here are a few of our favorites!  If you want to have photos done, she is your girl!  Great price, digital copy, and she's planning to go to UT for photography in the fall.  She is also a nanny, so does super well with kids.  I think we have our photographer set for the next few years!