Monday, April 27, 2009

You Know It's Monday When...

* You forget which way to turn your shower head and alternately burn and freeze the crud out of yourself
* Coffee cannot be made fast enough
* 27 pound child must be carried to car with bag, coffee, and 20-pound cat darting in front of you to get out
* Signs for "Slow down, children present" make you snarl (hey, it's almost May)
* The wrong date is on the agenda board and no one notices until fifth period
* You are inappropriately angry at the "angel" who pointed out the date was wrong
* Coffee was all gone by second period and you look wistfully at your mug throughout the afternoon
* Email does not exist until third period
* Your lesson bores you
* Face muscles actually hurt from all the eye rolling
* Final bell at 3:19 simply causes you to stare into space
* Until you remember you don't have to be there anymore
* Drive home from daycare is completely silent
* Working out is dumb
* You're pretty sure if you hear Jillian from the "Biggest Loser" exercise video tell you again that "abs don't come for free", you will march to where ever she is and eat her
* Dancing with the Stars is actually entertaining
* It is really good there is no wine in the house

Sunday, April 19, 2009

It Only Took Two Years!

For a long time, food was the enemy. During high school and college, I struggled between depriving myself of food and binge eating. I was all about extremes. Either I was running 40 miles a week and eating less than 1000 calories, or I sat on my butt watching t.v. and eating fried chicken.

My pregnancy was overall very positive and exciting, but there was one black mark. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I had to eat a hugely restrictive diet and even went on medication when the diet didn't work. Everyone told me my sugars would go back to normal after I gave birth.

They were wrong.

Apparently, I am pre-diabetic. I heard this news several months after Em was born and it was devastating. But did I start losing weight and exercising? Nope. I kept eating crap. Total denial.

Then, at the end of the school year two years ago, I walked a couple miles with my students to a park and literally gave myself road rash because of my thighs rubbing together. Not cool. I weighed myself and was shocked.

So, I went on a reasonable eating and exercise plan (myfoodpyramid.gov) and lost 20 pounds. It felt great. I lost the weight in time for my sister's wedding (and strapless bridesmaid gown), and it was a great feeling.

But it wasn't motivating, so I gained all the weight back by the next summer. Every stinking pound. And I took a glucose test and yup, I'm still pre-diabetic.

This fall I tried to focus on exercise and I did lose five pounds, which I promptly gained all back during Christmas.

February (Ash Wednesday, actually), I hit bottom. I had to go to the doctor for something unrelated. They weighed me and I saw in pure black and white that I was right back where I started. I had 30 pounds to lose again. I broke down and was inconsolable.

For one day. And then I snapped out of it.

It took me over two years, but I finally figured it out. If I want to lose weight, I have to change how I eat. Exercise is great, but diet is what gets me.

Over the last six weeks, I have lost ten pounds (I gained a couple back and re-lost them along the way.) More importantly, I have figured out some key truths about my weight:

* Food is not a reward...EVER
* Being a little hungry won't kill me
* Boredom is the enemy
* Vegetables are not the enemy
* Either are whole grains
* I can lose weight if I want to

I have another 15 pounds to lose, and I'm about to enter uncharted waters. As of Friday, I am officially a weight I have not been since my first trimester. This scares me. What if I fail?

I think the key is not to think at all. Just do. Just put one foot in front of the other. Put one more carrot in my mouth. I'm at a new place. A place where I can see myself healthy again.

Monday, April 13, 2009

At Long Last--My Spring Vacation

It felt like a long time coming, but I finally had my spring vacation last week. While I was not super excited to get back to work today, I did feel more relaxed and less snappish. (Truth be told, it is motivating to know I have three minimum days next week because of STAR testing.)

Last week included some highly diverse activities. Some slightly unnerving. Some tiring. All highly enjoyable.

Vacation, Part I

After a SUPER relaxing start to my weekend, which included a long nap and dinner out with my family, Em and I headed to Redding for our "just girls" portion of the week. My sister-in-law just had my nephew, so we headed up to lend a hand and give my 2 year old niece a much needed companion.

At first it felt a little odd to be in Redding without my husband. My niece had a bad cold and really only had eyes for her mom. I felt that I wasn't going to be a ton of help.

Monday rolled around and I gained a little confidence. I took both girls to the park, and they did great. I ran them ragged by chasing them through the park in a large loop. (By the way, running around a park for 45 minutes with two toddlers is fantastic exercise.)

We got back to the house, and I shocked the heck out of myself. While my sister-in-law went to a doctor's appointment, I watched all three kids. Now, yes it was naptime, but this is an accomplishment for me. The only toddler I've ever really been responsible for is my own daughter. I handle teenagers great, but little ones give me pause. (Turns out they are more similiar than one would like to know.)

Tuesday included a new first. All three kids and Summer and I piled into the car for story time at the library. Things went smoothly, but both us moms were pretty excited when nap time rolled around.

The rest of the visit went smoothly, but everyone seemed a bit frayed (girls included) by the end of the week. My in-laws all caught Elizabeth's cold, and everyone was dragging by Thursday. It was a great time, but Em was thrilled to be heading back home to see Daddy.

Vacation, Part 2

Unfortunately, Em only got a couple hours with Justin before he had to head to class. She and I tried to find an Easter dress that she wouldn't totally reject (we were only somewhat successful.)

Later, after a much-needed break watching Cars, my dad came over with his girlfriend to pick up Em for the weekend. I knew everything would be great, but it was sad to send her off. However, Justin and I had plenty to do to get ready for Vegas.

The next morning, I actually woke up and did my make up and blow dried my hair. This is huge for me. I typically spend no more than 10 minutes getting ready, shower included.

Justin and I headed to Vegas, enjoyed an uneventful flight together, and actually engaged in adult conversation (keep it clean, people; it was about teaching!) We met my mom and my sister's mother-in-law at the airport. My sister and brother-in-law joined us later at the Trump.

We had a great room. The Trump is right off the strip, within reasonable walking distance, and the rooms are nicely appointed. My favorite was the HUGE bath with jets. Took two baths. Yes, I did. It was awesome.

The highlight of the trip was going dancing with the entire group. My mom doesn't drink, but she boogied with us until 3 in the morning as the rest of us acted a fool. It was a really fun night, which we paid for a bit in the morning. (Hey, that's what "hair of the dog is for!")

The next day, my sister arranged for a 30-year-old-themed scavenger hunt and decorated my room with 80's/90's memorabilia. It was totally sweet! And the hunt gave us things to do as we waited for food and walked around Vegas.

Saturday night was a little more subdued, but we still had a great time. We went out for a nice dinner at Diego's in the MGM Grand (I highly recommend, by the way.) And Sunday, Justin and I said our good byes and made our way back to Sac.

I really missed Em by the end of the weekend, but it was great to have so much time with my husband. It'll be awhile, I imagine, before our next trip, so I'm glad I had such a great time.

Whoo-hoo! I'm 30! :)

Saturday, April 4, 2009

My New Nephew






Here he is: Justin Allen Shettell. Born March 26th at 8:30 am. We are so happy to finally meet him!

Lo Hicimos!

Or in non-Dora language: We did it! My family and I made it to Spring Break. I feel a little rough around the edges, but all in all, I am excited to have a week off.

Basically, the last couple months have been a blur, which is awesome because all my activities haven't been super fun.

A little recap:

January--The beginning of second semester for both my students and for myself. I started probably the most difficult class in my whole graduate program. It wasn't that the subject matter was that hard; I was just pretty wiped after three courses. It didn't help that the class was taught by the superintendent of my district and one of the most powerful people in my district.

February--This is a bonkers month for family reasons, but work and school certainly did not help. I got a couple days off, which was lovely, but I had family obligations up the whazoo. Here's February in our household--my husband's birthday, then my father-in-law's, the Valentines' Day, then my mom's birthday, and then our anniversary. After all the celebrating, I was bummed to find out I had regained all the weight I lost in the fall.

March--One word sums it up: diet. I refocused on losing weight (AGAIN). I've made some head way and hit a goal. But I am a little concerned because I'm at a weight that I haven't been able to get past since pregnancy. I really need to. My health depends on it. I do not want to have Type-2 diabetes.

What April Has in Store--

* Spring Break (Thank God!)
* My 30th Birthday
* Testing for my students
* Final grad class for this school year
* Beautiful weather (hopefully)

I have a lot of things to accomplish this month, but this weekend I am happy to slow down, spend time with my family, and meet my new nephew. It should be wonderful.