Absent for awhile, boy do I need a kick in the rear!

[lmhall2000]

It's just been snowballing around here lately, tore my biceps tendon about 6 weeks ago, still healing, threw my back out last week, luckily it was better in 5 days, my husband's job is relocating to another state...trying to sell our house and pack up so we won't be separated (he'll be starting March 15!) All this is just life, and I need to not let it stop me from reaching goal.

I haven't weighed in 3 weeks! I vowed to weigh March 1st, but just couldn't...with all the stress going on I didn't want to see where they are...don't think I've gained but I haven't lost. Instead of walking 4 miles 5x a week, I've only managed to do it 1-2x a week with all the stuff going on...and with dh leaving me in 2 weeks finding time to exercise with three kids under 8 will be tough! We homeschool and with all their activities and packing I need to do, it'll be a miracle just to accomplish the daily lists.

I'm going to the beach in 8 weeks and I want 20 pounds off....I'm probably about 180 and want to reach the 160's because I'll be wearing a swimsuit.

Any advice...or encouragment would be soo greatly appreciated!
Tara

 

[maryliz]

for you, Tara. You certainly have a full plate right now. Try not to focus on that "number" on the scale. There are only 24 hours in a day, and right now, your hours are pretty much spoken for. If you can get in the exercise, that's great. How about WATP very early in the morning before the kids get up? With all of the stress and limited time, I often reach for "easy meals" like fast food or frozen chicken fingers/fries. Do your best to keep fresh veggies in the house, and make them a big part of your meals. Stressing about eating stuff not on-plan just sucks the energy from us, so do your best to eat healthy.

We're here for you always ... you'll make it through this very busy time because you're an amazing person. Don't ever forget that

Mary Liz

 

[KathyTX]

Tara!!!! I've been missing you!

First- WHERE will you be relocating? I wanna hear the details!

Next- I'll WATP with you. We can help each other get restarted gently. Hannosmom said she'll WATP with me, too! (I've been a real slacker lately..)

And finally- you're going to have so much fun on your beach trip! I can't wait to see the photos of you, and of our darling bride! Two of my favorite people finally meeting face to face. How I wish I could be there.

 

[summersfam4]

Here goes my mouth again (taking deep breaths because I'm about to leave another LONG message ) First of all congrats on working on staying on track. When you are really busy, you're really busy, but remember,no one can make you take time to do something good for yourself but you! I know it's hard, and I am only a mother of two both under 6 so I can't imagine what it's like to have 3 under 8 and be homeschooling but I will understand next year I promise (as we are begining homeschooling our daughter in the fall, I still won't have 3 kids, but I can still give you a motivating speech and that's good for something right?). Anyhow, try to fit some exercise into your daily life just to help out on those days you don't think that you'll get a walk in. Pack all of the boxes in one room, and squat to pick them up while powerwalking them to another location where you will be able to load them when it's time for that, squat to put them down, and powerwalk back! GET THAT HEART PUMPING! Dance with the kiddo's, use different music from different countries that they are learning about, or just use this time to let them sample different music from around the world, let them see what they enjoy, and get your body moving. You can work so many different muscle groups, and it's just you and your kids, so get a little crazy, they'll have fun and so will you!
Do some math at the track that can accompany your lesson. How many laps make a mile. Why do you need to alternate lanes to make a true mile? Let them all try walking a mile with you to see how long it really is. Do some research before hand with them so that there is lots to discover. Talk about how your heart speeds up when you are exerciseing, and what a healthy heart rate is resting and working. Try it out with each one, discover how each one is different as some exercises may make one persons heart beat much faster than the next persons. There are so many ways that you can include some good old fashion exercise into your homeschooling time and it can relate to so many different subjects, math, science, health, phys. ed! Most of all keep your spirits up, stay motivated! Once you make this move, and get ready for that well deserved vacation. Remember though that there may be some tough times and while we can't always meet every goal we set to a T, working towards that goal and getting close to it and then finally there is what is worth it. As I have said before, remember that weight loss is something that you are doing for you. Because you deserve to be healthier, and feel better about yourself , also you are teaching you children about a healthier lifestyle. Remember in this time when there are so many things to do and think about to do a little something for YOU! You are special, beautiful, and well worth every minute of it!

Kelly

 

[mowsie dreamer]

Originally posted by lmhall2000
All this is just life, and I need to not let it stop me from reaching goal.

It may be just life, but you've had an awful lot of life to deal with lately. I think you've done great to be going through all of this and still manage to find time for some exercise!

Just take a deep breath and get on those scales. Not knowing is much more stressful and you'll feel so much better just knowing you're in control of that hateful old scale.

Tara, in the next few hectic weeks, remember to take some time to be good to you! You deserve it!! And when time permits, pop in here and visit with us a minute for a little support and inspiration. The one thing you won't get is a kick in the rear!! That would make us throw our backs out. The most you can hope for is a gentle tap on the noggin!

 

[DoeWDW]

Tara, many s for you!! You've been through so much and there's more to come! I agree with Kelly - get those kids to exercise with you during "school" time. Also, do a cooking / nutrition unit and get them to help you make healthy snacks and meals!

Above all, take good care of yourself! Otherwise you won't be well enough to take care of everyone else.

Tara, best wishes for smooth sailing over the next few weeks!

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

Tara,

Just wanted to tell you that I think you are doing great. I homeschool too. I have a 5th grader, 2nd grader and a 4 year old Tom Sawyer,.....uh,....I mean toddler.

Life seems almost overwhelming right now for you. Just do what you think is best. If that means you need to slow down a bit, do it. You probably can't fit everything in that life of yours right now. Maybe you could make a list of your top priorities and go from there.

Not sure what I would do in your spot, except just try and SURVIVE!

You are an inspiration to all of us, Tara. You're going to do it, don't worry.

 

[kayeandjim00]

Hi Tara - I was just thinking the other day that I hadn't seen a post from you in a while! Glad to see you back!! I think with everything you have going on to get in 1-2 exercise days a week is pretty incredible! Sometimes we just have to do the best we can! I KNOW you'll get to Goalville soon! :

 

[perfectmatch300]

Phew! I thought MY schedule was hectic! At least I don't have 3 kids to homeschool!
Our house is on the market, we're getting ready for our move to FL. My biggest problem is that both DH & I are packrats, plus we have 2 other households of "stuff" besides our 2 households to sort through. It all adds up to a lot of stuff. Neither of us has ever sold a house outside of the family before, so we're stressing about that big time. I know the house will sell quickly, we just listed it yesterday & already we have someone who is interested in making an offer. I am sure everything will fall into place, but right now it seems like everything is happening so fast. At least we're not planning to move until mid-May! Good luck to you & your family on your upcoming move. Let's both stay on plan while we do this. I'm counting on you to lead the way!

 

[Debbie]

Welcome home, Tara! You are sure one busy lady. I can only echo the "take time for you" refrain. You are a special lady, and an inspiration to us all. So ((((HUGS)))) to you!

Maybe we should start an: I'm ready to begin again, Finnegan, WATP group so that we can get it all together, get over the stalls and the slumps.

 

[lmhall2000]

Oh! WHY HAVEN'T I BEEN HERE!!!!???? Y'all have made me feel so much more in charge! I feel like life is a big punching bag staring me in the face and I've been letting it take its swings at me....duh, time to hit back!
First, Kathy! I'm so disappointed we won't be moving to Texas! I really wanted to have a partner in training! But, dh has received a great position with General Dynamics...they're bigger than the company here and Huntsville (next to Texas and Virginia) has the most jobs in his field..which hopefully means we won't have to put the kids through any more moves until college...and a little selfish note, this also means they'll qualify for in-state tuition at Auburn (my alma mater) so that has me pumped...now to just start brainwashing them into thinking there's no other choice! Oh and I've got to get the WATP tapes, that will have to be my form of exercise...going tomorrow to pick them up...I'm gonna try for the 3 miler and see if I can make it through...I've worked up to 1 hour on the treadmill at 3.8-4.0 so I've got to keep pushing myself.
Mom of Sleepy, Bashful and Baby doc...you were chockful of great ideas..that part of my brain has been on suspension the past few weeks and was so grateful to have someone else do the thinking for it. I am really into the music! We're delving deeper into pirates right now...maybe some cool Caribbean rhythms! And you will oh so love homeschooling...I can tell by your ideas that you're ready for the challenge! I've learned more in 3 years and seeing my children learn how to read is amazing! If you ever need someone to bounce curricula off of...write me! I've seen/done most of it! Tonight was my daughter's 6th birthday so we had homemade pizza, brownies, homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast (I actually avoided these!) and I caved and had a dove bar...but tomorrow I am starting anew and tackling one closet at a time! They will be packed!
Count me BACK ON TO GOAL! And when I reach goal you will hear the biggest WAHOOOOOOO!!!
I'm here for you guys...thanks for being here for me!
Tara

 

[PartyofSix]

Hey my friend. I am not letting you off that easy. Listen to me get back on the scales. You MUST see where you are so you'll have a starting point. Get back to what works for you. Get back to WISH get back to slim fasting for a little while for lunchs, and think about all the time you DON'T have and plan ahead. When you get to the store pick up some great healthy choice pizza's I love the pepperoni and veggie. I also love the lemon pepper fish very yummy. I have one of those with a salad if i'm extra hungry. I eat the salad while the pizza is cooking. That will save you time and effort of thinking ahead while you are so busy with the kids and packing and helping Louie get moved. Also it keeps dishes outta the sink when you are showing the house. You can do this Tara you have shown what a winner you are and i can't wait to see you in April. You have 58 days to get this done and you can do it. I know you can. I'm with you every step of the way. Remember drink your water nothing else and watch the scales slide your way! You are awesome Tara!

 

[summersfam4]

Tara, I don't know where you are relocating, but it's sounds like you might be halfway close to me. I live, in GA south of Atlanta 13 miles from the Alabama border, and about 15-20 minutes from Auburn Oh, and don't worry I probably will have lots of homeschooling questions for you next year, right now my plan is getting to the BIG expo in April (and to include Epcot in our family DIS trip in September, as a fun filled homeschool day)! Have a great day! Onward and Downward!!

Kelly

(edit: oops, sometimes I'm so slow I just read Huntsville is going to be your new place of residence, jeepers, you would think that I would learn to read first and ask questions later lol thank goodness DH wants to teach some of homeschool too, I am so lost sometimes mom always said that if my head wasn't attached I would have lost it by now, whereas I always said, "if you happen to see it one day slowly rolling by please return it promptly, it's needed")!

 

[Hannosmom]

Tara!! I missed you!! Please don't leave again, it makes me worry, .

I just wanted to give you a hug and tell you not to stress. You know how to do this, you are an expert, so I know you will lose those pounds before the beach trip.

DD says HI! The pin you sent her last summer has created a monster. She is a wacko pin collector now, LOL. She asks about you often.

In the small world department, my dh works for General Dynamics, too. Go figure!

Relax, de-stress and smile a lot!
Love you lots! (and KathyTX and I would love to have you join us on our WATP )

 

[tiggerlover]

Tara,

I have been trying to reply to this post for a couple of days now and time was always short and I wanted to give it my proper attention so I always stopped. First let me say I have missed your posts, you are always so positive and you have inspired me along the way! It sounds like you have had a jammed packed schedule and if it wasn't one thing it was another, life can get away from us sometimes....I am just glad you are back.

It is hard to stay with something when our lives get overwhelmingly busy, but it is a fact of life and we just have to do the best that we can. Since you said you don't think you have gained, that is a really great thing and you are managing to get some exercising in instead of none. But think of all of the extra work you are doing preparing for the move, those are things you don't normally do and they are definitely a form of exercise.

As for losing 20 pounds in 8 weeks, don't allow yourself to get stressed out about a certain number with all that you have going on. If you focus on doing your best and settling with the end results it may help you not to stress as much. And remember we are all here for you!

{{{{TARA}}}}

 

[ohMom]

tara - ((((HUGS))))

i'm so glad you are back I missed you!!!

you're doing great, better than you think b/c you turned here for support and not the cookie jar or the pizza man. Ok, ok, so you were off plan for a bit, now you are back in control. Take it day by day. We are all here, human and with our flaws that means we stumble, rub our knees, and then try try try again. It's a lifestyle change, and it's hard. darn hard! you can do it though, you are sooooo worth it my friend!!!

i admire ALL of you homeschooling mom's -- that is such a challenge!! pat yourself on the back, you are a good Mom -- your kids will be so grateful that you chose healthy and will be around for a long long time in their lives

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome back, Tara. We've missed you.