Getting back to the basics AND Vacation Countdown!

It's been a while since I've posted.  Mostly because I have been SLAMMED with work.  Busy with so many events, and even starting to branch out and travel a little bit.  I was nervous about traveling at first but after my first trip I loved it.  Despite being totally exhausted it was nice to get outside my comfort zone and the normal routine. 

Pelican Hill at Newport Beach- My favorite work destination so far!

Even though I have been slammed with work I'm pleased to say I haven't gained any weight.  But I also haven't lost any.  I decided I was ready to get back in to running again.  I was still running here and there but not on a consistent basis.  So I decided to get back to the basics and start with the couch to 5K program again.  It's been great because it forces me to run up the hills in my neighborhood which are a beast!  I was a strong runner not too long ago and am working to get back to that place again.....if not stronger than before.  When I'm not running 3 days a week I am in the gym.  Gotta build muscle because muscle burns fat....and I have plenty to burn still. 

Vacation is upon us in the Kluge household.  We are leaving in 16 days for Walt Disney World in Florida!  Words cannot describe how excited I am about this trip.  I will probably cry the first time my daughter sees Cinderella's castle.  We have planned and saved for a long time for this trip.  Planning a Disney trip is like having a full time job.  You have to be so organized and prepared to make the most of it. 

I've been reading a lot of blogs about Disney and based on what I've read, we will be walking an average of 7 miles a day. This makes my legs tired just thinking about it.  HOWEVER, I've also read that the average weight loss on a Disney trip is 5 pounds.  BRING IT ON!  With that being said, my goal is to lose 3 pounds before we leave.  I'm being realistic because I'd really love to lose 5 pounds but I know my stubborn body and 3 pounds is more likely. 

Hope everyone is having a great summer! 

Pirate invasion and the moment of truth....did I meet my goal?

Well the big pirate party was this weekend.  Hunter has been looking forward to this for weeks.  I'm going to have to pat myself on the back for this one.  It turned out pretty cute and everyone seemed to have a great time, even the grown ups!  The decor was a lot of fun.  I grew up with a sister and my first born is a girl so I've had girly parties for as long as I can remember.  So to throw a pirate party was a fun change. 

Of course the food also had to be pirate themed.  We had "Pirate Booty," "Peg Legs" (aka Corn Dogs), "Golden Nuggets" (cheese cubes), "Fish and Chips" (gold fish and potato chips), and fruit swords. 

The games were a much bigger hit than I had expected.  We had "Walk The Plank," "Hook Toss," and "Dig for Treasure."  Dig for Treasure was such a huge hit that we had to break out the water hose to clean off the kids.  Even the grown ups got in on the fun.

My kids are my everything.  We don't buy them birthday presents because I'd rather take that money and make their birthday party extra special with memories that they will take with them forever.  I think we accomplished that yesterday.  I had one happy little pirate and that fills my heart with so much joy.

Now on to the business of my mission.  Did I or didn't I reach my goal of a size 10 by Hunter's Birthday?  Well here's your answer!

I did it!.......sort of.  They fit and I could probably wear them out, but I'm not comfortable in them yet.  Probably 5 more pounds and they will be perfect.  But I was happy that I had them on, zipped them up and was able to take a decent picture of me in them.  Yay for meeting goals!  Time to set some new ones :)

A Tale of Two Weddings

Back in July we flew out to Colorado for my sister in laws wedding.  It was so beautiful and so much fun.  However, after looking at the pictures of myself I wanted to hide in a closet.  In fact we had to DIG to find an actual picture of me because I hid from the camera all night.  Such a shame because it was the first time I had my whole family together all dressed up and I didn't get one picture of the four of us together. 

Last night we had another wedding to attend and I felt like I had to redeem myself so I bravely put on that same dress.  I was pleasantly surprised when I looked in the mirror so I had to do a comparison photo. 

The hard work is paying off.  The counting calories, 5 days in the gym....all worth it so far.  I'm still a work in progress, but I'm confident now that I can do it. 

Quick Progress Update

I put on these shorts this morning and had to look twice.  Haven't been able to wear these in years.  No muffin top and my legs almost look skinny (compared to what they were).  I sent it to my mom and she asked if this was a current picture, HA! 

I apologize for the blinding white legs......one thing at a time people!

Happy Saturday!!!

Comfort Zone

Since I started this blog I've lost 6 pounds!  Before we celebrate, let me just say that these are not 6 "new" pounds.  These are 6 pounds that I had gained back and now I've lost them again.  This has been a vicious cycle for a LONG LONG time!  However, I think this time is different.  My head is in a different place this time and I'm more determined than ever.

I am currently at my body's "comfort zone."  This is the weight that I struggle to get over.  My body is like "Nope, you are just fine where you are at."  I think everyone's body goes through this.  You think you are never going to see the number drop.  But I must say that my pants fit me SO much better.  And my face does not look as puffy as normal.  This is a picture of my daughter and I before I went to work an event last Saturday.  Proud to say I'm not sporting the double chin.  It's all about the little victories.

So to everyone out there, push through your comfort zone.  One of the best things my sister has ever said to me is "If nothing changes then nothing changes."  This is so true in all aspects of our life.  Changes are hard but sometimes they are necessary.  

Side Note:  2 and a half weeks until Hunter's birthday party.  Which means I have 2 and a half weeks to kick it in to high gear to fit comfortably in my size 10's.  Exciting, because I think I can do this!!

Spring BREAK.....what is that?

I love spring break for my own selfish reasons.  I love that I can go to bed at night and not have to set the alarm. I love that I don't have to wake up only to struggle getting my kids up, fed, dressed, lunches made, folders signed, hair done, teeth brushed and out the door to school.

But at the same time I don't love spring break because it throws off our routine.  I work from home so trying to entertain your kids while getting your work done is a challenge.  I am swamped with work.  I'm an event planner full time and I have 3 events next week.  Monday was the first day of spring break and I had broken up countless arguments between both kids and had to break out the first aid kit THREE times!  We had a busted lip, scraped knees and a spider bite.  Never a dull moment. 

By day 3 of spring break, Kaylee had been diagnosed with strep throat, Brian got a crack in the windshield of his brand new car and by this time I have lost my sanity and my patience with this so called spring "break."

However, this has NOT stopped me from getting my workouts in.  In fact, it was a much needed escape from the craziness at our house.  I took my O2 Gold an hour before I left and then chugged down a rehydrate mixed with Arginine Extreme (Advocare products) and I was ready to tackle a good workout!  Monday I tried out Body Sculpt and am forever hooked!  It may say it's a full body workout but our instructor decided to work out only our lower half of the booty.....I mean body!  Holy soreness!  I've been running for almost 3 years now but nothing could have prepared my legs and butt for that.  I haven't done that many squats in the past 5 years combined.  But it felt GREAT!  Tuesday I took on Zumba once again.  That class is just pure calorie burning FUN!  I will be taking a mid week break today to let my body rest.  But I will be right back at tomorrow.

So we are only 3 days in to spring break.  Can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store for us.  Hope everyone is enjoying their "break" (if you get one). 

EXCITING SIDE NOTE:  I tried on a pair of 10 shorts this past weekend and they buttoned and zipped.  I didn't say they were cute or flattering.....but they zipped! 

Here we go!

Here we go!  This is my first ever blog post.  I wanted to create this blog for no reason other than to motivate myself and maybe someone else. 

Let me introduce myself to anyone who may not know me.  My name is Lana.  I have been married to my husband, Brian, for almost 10 years.  We have two awesome kids who keep us on our toes constantly with their active lifestyles and witty personalities.   I’m a stay at home mom and as if that wasn’t a busy enough job, I am also a full time event coordinator.  I love my job and the flexibility of being able to raise my children.  It’s challenging juggling being a mom, wife, employee, housekeeper, accountant, cook, maid and everything that comes along with all of those titles.  I wear a lot of hats around here.

The downside to wearing all these hats is that it makes it very difficult to make time for ME.  I know we all struggle with this.  I feel guilty just leaving the kids with my husband for as little as 30 minutes while I go to the grocery store.  Over the years I have lost myself and who I am.  And as result I have packed on the pounds.  I’m angry with myself for letting it get this way but there is only one person who can fix it.  Notice I said PERSON.  There is no magic diet, no magic pills or special drink to shed the weight.  Only I can change myself.  I am the only one who can make good food choices for ME and have the self control to say no to that extra slice of pizza and YES to a side salad instead.    I am the only one who can get myself up, put on my gym clothes and go sweat for 2 hours. 

I started this blog because I need something to hold me accountable.  Last year I set a New Year’s Resolution to run a 5K race every month and end the year with Half Marathon.  I’m happy to say that I completed that resolution.  It was the first New Year’s Resolution I think I have ever completed, and it felt good.  But what really kept me going was the fact that I had a group of people following me on Facebook and cheering me on.  There were MANY races that I did NOT want to go to.  I was too tired, it was too cold, too hot, or I just didn’t wanna (in my 2 year old whiney voice).  The thing that got me up and to that start line and through to the finish line were all the people supporting me.  

So this blog is for myself.  I don’t care who reads it or who doesn’t.  This is my way of keeping myself accountable.  Last year I started the year off at a size…..wait for it……18.  I ended the year in a size 12, and I’m very pleased with that.  But I know that I did not work as hard as I know I am capable of.  I know that I could have made better food choices.  And if I had, I might have been in the single digits.  But we could play the “what if” game all day.  This year is a new year, and today is a new day.  I vow to make time for myself.  It might take me away from my family for a few hours every day,  but if it makes me healthier and happier it’s all worth it….for everyone!

*Goals*
-I’d like to be a size 10 by my son’s birthday party (April 12^th)
-I’d like to be a size 8 by the end of the year
-I will spend 2 hours working out every day for 5 days a week.
-I will log every calorie that I consume and stick to my calorie goal

Notice:  Not once have I mentioned losing weight or the number on the scale.  You know why?  Because that doesn’t matter (at least to me).  What matters to me is being able to fit in to those cute summer shorts and/or having pretty arms in tank tops.  So I don’t use a scale.  Instead, I buy smaller size pants and use those to evaluate my progress.  I am not an expert on losing weight and getting fit.  I don’t think anyone has to be an expert.  It’s simple, quit eating crap and get off the couch.  Make yourself the priority.