<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><?xml-stylesheet href="http://www.blogger.com/styles/atom.css" type="text/css"?><feed xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0'><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645</id><updated>2011-07-31T13:13:36.849-07:00</updated><category term='leftover chicken'/><category term='chicken'/><category term='leftover veggies'/><category term='beef'/><category term='slow cooker'/><title type='text'>taking baby steps</title><subtitle type='html'></subtitle><link rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default?max-results=100'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/'/><link rel='hub' href='http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><generator version='7.00' uri='http://www.blogger.com'>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>31</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>100</openSearch:itemsPerPage><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-3335070218765226012</id><published>2010-05-24T04:58:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-24T05:02:36.113-07:00</updated><title type='text'>So, this is why</title><content type='html'>I decided to start counting today, but not worrying about limiting my points.  Or at least not much.  So, guess how many of my 25 I used for breakfast!!!!  More than half.  That's right, 13 pts so far.  3 Thomas' Corn bread Toast'r cakes (not something I usually have - just something I bought during a weak moment at the store yesterday, and I don't even LOVE them) at 3 pts each.  3 pts for 1 Tbsp. of butter, and 4 pts for 16 oz. of Turkey Hill decaf iced tea.  If I had not been counting I easily would have had 24+ oz. of the iced tea.  Probably followed by a bunch of pts of soda!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I guess this is a start!  Of what, I don't yet know :-)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-3335070218765226012?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/3335070218765226012/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=3335070218765226012' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/3335070218765226012'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/3335070218765226012'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2010/05/so-this-is-why.html' title='So, this is why'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-4137475167081541235</id><published>2010-05-19T05:11:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2010-05-19T05:17:50.099-07:00</updated><title type='text'>199</title><content type='html'>Yeah, that is what I saw this morning.  I checked it a few times.  No change.  199.  My highest non-pregnancy weight EVER.  I have had a lot going on, but that shouldn't be an excuse.  I know I've done what I needed to do to survive many nights with very little sleep.  I know I didn't have any extra energy, emotional or physical, to do more or think about more.  I could have done much better though!!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I need to get it together and actually make some progress, no matter how small.  Otherwise, I am going to have to waste money on some new size 16 jeans and I REALLY don't want to do that!  My 14s are not in great shape, so I'm at a turning point, LOL.  They are starting to get holes near where the back pockets attach at the top corners.  I'll pretend that it's because I stuff my phone in there, and not because of them just being too small!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I can't believe I let this happen but I need to get over it and move forward.  I am going to start drinking more water and less soda (yes, yet again), and I'm going to start counting points and getting prepared for being totally OP next week.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A new yoga studio opened very close to me.  I have always wanted to take a class at an actual studio instead of random classes at a gym.  I am going to check that out - maybe it can be a reward.  I am also going to look into gym options with childcare - that could be an AMAZING little break for me and would be so so good for me physically too!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;So, that is where I'm at.  I'm tempted to do another of my spreadsheets to see where I can be by when if I lose 1lb. a week.  We'll see!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-4137475167081541235?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/4137475167081541235/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=4137475167081541235' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4137475167081541235'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4137475167081541235'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2010/05/199.html' title='199'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-2535423623991867439</id><published>2010-03-09T10:07:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-03-09T10:11:23.876-08:00</updated><title type='text'>motivation</title><content type='html'>The summer &lt;a href="http://www.titlenine.com/"&gt;Title Nine&lt;/a&gt; catalog came today.  I want to be able to wear all of these awesome sporty outfits.  The strappy dresses, tank tops, skirts, etc.  They have such cute stuff!!!  LOVE it!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This is another summer where I won't be close to my goal weight, but I could be closER. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Some more motivation - I don't want to be the fat cookie lady, LOL!  I want people to say things like "HOW do you stay SO thin when you are around all of those cookies all the time?"  I am even fine if they are suspicious about how good my cookies could really be.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ok, off to bake!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-2535423623991867439?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/2535423623991867439/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=2535423623991867439' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2535423623991867439'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2535423623991867439'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2010/03/motivation.html' title='motivation'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-9124471768195905367</id><published>2010-02-26T05:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-02-26T05:51:25.862-08:00</updated><title type='text'>a week later</title><content type='html'>and I haven't been checking in here!!!!  192 on the scale this morning.  I have done some good meals - the Balsamic Beef sandwiches in the crock pot were awesome.  YUM.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I got cans of soda like I said I would, but I think I'd had 2 or 3 12 packs.  I need to pay attention to how many I have a day!  I need to get back on track - on a track I wasn't even on in the first place, LOL.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have to try to incorporate some exercise and work on the soda thing - those are my 2 short-term goals.  I also want to take BEFORE pics!!!  I think that will be some good motivation, but mostly, I want to be able to see how far I've come!  I want to take measurements but never know how to do them.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-9124471768195905367?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/9124471768195905367/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=9124471768195905367' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/9124471768195905367'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/9124471768195905367'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2010/02/week-later.html' title='a week later'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-2644385135470623873</id><published>2010-02-18T13:45:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2010-02-18T14:14:02.930-08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='slow cooker'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='leftover chicken'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='beef'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='leftover veggies'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='chicken'/><title type='text'>a few meals</title><content type='html'>I haven't been perfect today, but I've been a little better,  and I am going to start planning meals as a way to be more healthy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Tonight I'm making an&lt;a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/easy-chicken-pot-pie/df0d82fa-a1de-4bc6-8952-a4a2533baf75"&gt; easy chicken pot pie&lt;/a&gt;.  Tomorrow I'm trying &lt;a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/slow-cooker-balsamic-beef-sandwiches/8f3b9f04-bc0d-431d-85dc-4c91eb98f0c2?added=1&amp;amp;modalclose=yes"&gt;Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Sandwiches&lt;/a&gt;.  Thanks to &lt;a href="http://culinarycreationsbyjill.blogspot.com/"&gt;Jill&lt;/a&gt; for suggesting the slow cooker recipe!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I didn't get too much at the store today, but I'll do some more planning, including healthy snacks this weekend.  I bought some 12 packs of cans of soda - I am going to try that as a way to limit and portion myself  without going cold turkey and freaking out!  I am drinking lots of water!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-2644385135470623873?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/2644385135470623873/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=2644385135470623873' title='2 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2644385135470623873'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2644385135470623873'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2010/02/few-meals.html' title='a few meals'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>2</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-6261859282359668915</id><published>2010-02-18T04:10:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2010-02-18T04:20:52.141-08:00</updated><title type='text'>here we go again</title><content type='html'>Spring and summer are coming SOON, and here I am again dreading what I'll wear and how I'll feel in my skin.  I am tired of seeing myself write about not making any progress, so I'm sure nobody else wants to hear it!  I just need to do this.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have been seeing 194 on the scale in the past few weeks - my highest non-pregnancy weight - and I'm so mad at myself!!  This morning I saw 190.5.  Yesterday or the day before 192.  I know it fluctuates.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I haven't solved my soda problem, and I still haven't been exercising.  I have started the sit-up and push-up challenges 5 or 6 times now I think.  I almost typed LOL but maybe it should be COL (cry out loud) or SOL (scream out loud).  At least it is something I guess.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I need to work on baby steps to get into some good and healthy routines.  NEED. TO.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am going to set a goal based on Kate's birthday - it's a date coming up, and it's significant since it will be 2 years since I had my last baby.  I still think about being 171 soon after I had her.  Ugh!!!!!  Ok, so 1lb. a week until her birthday is 12lb.  Wow, 12 lb. sounds like a lot and could really make a difference, right????  I'd be thrilled with 10 by then.  Then I think that I'd be 180 or so, and that isn't even that good.  LOL, yeah, well it's in the right direction and I have not gone anywhere lately.  I have to get to 180 before I get to 160!  Or 140!!!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don't even know what to say I'm going to do.  I could say I'll be OP on WW, but I don't even know.  I have to think about it more!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-6261859282359668915?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/6261859282359668915/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=6261859282359668915' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/6261859282359668915'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/6261859282359668915'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2010/02/here-we-go-again.html' title='here we go again'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-2018212039707242407</id><published>2009-12-17T05:46:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-12-17T05:50:50.291-08:00</updated><title type='text'>sit-ups</title><content type='html'>Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted anything here since AUGUST!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I haven't made much progress with losing weight or exercising since then either :-(&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I started the sit-up (crunch) challenge again.  I took the initial test on 12/8, and I just got around to doing my first day of crunches today.  I did 55 for the initial test, so according to their instructions, I started with Week 3, the 3rd column.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I did 21, 27, 21, 21, 35 (max set of at least 30).  So, my total is up to 180.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I'm not really OP or watching what I eat, though I need to be.  I'm just not sure I can add anything else to focus on before the holidays.  I want to at least do these crunches and maybe some other exercise.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-2018212039707242407?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/2018212039707242407/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=2018212039707242407' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2018212039707242407'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2018212039707242407'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/12/sit-ups.html' title='sit-ups'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-7056450476246929258</id><published>2009-08-27T19:15:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-27T19:21:51.970-07:00</updated><title type='text'>16 points</title><content type='html'>Today I drank a 2 liter bottle of Caffeine Free Pepsi.  That is 16 points.  16.  Brilliant, huh?  I guess that makes it clear why I was never losing weight before, LOL.  I just figured out that a 12 pack of cans is 36 points, and I'm pretty sure that I could drink that in a day too.  Nice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, I have been SOSOSOSOSO much better about drinking soda and non-water lately.  So, I will keep in mind that a 2 liter bottle is **16** points and move on.  I also had 2 full fat hot dogs with rolls for dinner, and somehow I'm still hungry.  Not sure how that is possible.  I just checked and it's 4pts per hot dog and 2 pts per roll, so 12 pts for 2 hot dogs if I don't count the ketchup, which I usually don't.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I still LOVE soda, but I love drinking water too.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-7056450476246929258?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/7056450476246929258/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=7056450476246929258' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/7056450476246929258'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/7056450476246929258'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/08/16-points.html' title='16 points'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-24153031075295855</id><published>2009-08-25T00:41:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T00:47:20.858-07:00</updated><title type='text'>a few more things</title><content type='html'>I am still doing my push-up challenge, though I have been repeating weeks and missing workouts here and there.  I am going to do it though!  Hey, maybe I should do my push-ups at 3:43 am??&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I took the kids to our neighborhood park yesterday (both of them in the wagon) and walked for 20 minutes on the way there to get some extra exercise.  Every little bit counts, right?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I look at my weight spreadsheet a lot, and it really helps motivate me.  I don't freak out over it - I just focus on where I could be and not "wasting" time not losing.  This takes time, and I don't need it taking longer than it already will!!  I am a little ahead, and it says 172 on 12/28 - that would be amazing for Christmas!!  Maybe I can make 170 by then!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-24153031075295855?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/24153031075295855/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=24153031075295855' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/24153031075295855'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/24153031075295855'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/08/few-more-things.html' title='a few more things'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-1028695531802632259</id><published>2009-08-25T00:22:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-25T00:33:42.760-07:00</updated><title type='text'>insomnia</title><content type='html'>Kate woke up around 2am (actually her Angelcare monitor kept going off because she likes to sleep on her side pressed up against the end of the crib) and I am still up.  Right now I'm in the office trying to decide which one of a million things I want to do, when I should be figuring out how to get back to sleep.  I am eating a 5pt Lean Cuisine (meatloaf and mashed potatoes, LOL) and drinking water.  I have been loving eating the LCs lately - I love warm meals like that, even for breakfast.  Yesterday I tried a new one that I love - &lt;a href="http://www.leancuisine.com/Products/Details.aspx?ProductID=10897"&gt;Five Cheese Rigatoni&lt;/a&gt; (7 pts, but SO good) and had it for lunch and dinner.  Can you see a theme here?  I need to be COOKING and eating better!  I am giving myself a break though because I've been stressed and busy with helping my mom a lot after her surgery, and I'm semi-OP and doing well.  I've been seeing 187 and 188 on the scale at times - not bad since I've been at 192 so recently.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ok, now to decide between paying bills, working on the office mess, playing on Facebook, looking at spreadsheets I've made for various things, reading the latest Sookie book, or trying to SLEEP (and probably 20 other options).  Even the bills would be fun for me - I just love getting things done.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-1028695531802632259?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/1028695531802632259/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=1028695531802632259' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1028695531802632259'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1028695531802632259'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/08/insomnia.html' title='insomnia'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-6652843966118080601</id><published>2009-08-11T09:12:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-11T09:17:48.718-07:00</updated><title type='text'>one more time?</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SoGY5wriltI/AAAAAAAAAT4/6DmK-NKTW3A/s1600-h/8_10_09_weight.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SoGY5wriltI/AAAAAAAAAT4/6DmK-NKTW3A/s400/8_10_09_weight.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368740348889831122" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have 2 other copies of this, and I don't want to do this again after today!!  It's sad when I look at where I could be right now, and I don't want to feel like this anymore!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-6652843966118080601?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/6652843966118080601/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=6652843966118080601' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/6652843966118080601'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/6652843966118080601'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/08/one-more-time.html' title='one more time?'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SoGY5wriltI/AAAAAAAAAT4/6DmK-NKTW3A/s72-c/8_10_09_weight.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-651602345832752933</id><published>2009-08-11T08:42:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-11T08:54:22.315-07:00</updated><title type='text'>a new day</title><content type='html'>After posting here last night, I posted to a message board last night and got some great ideas and encouragement- thank you!   I have only been drinking water today so far, and I have had 8 pts of waffles for breakfast.  I'm starving so I need to figure out what I can have for lunch or a snack!  I need to get better prepared with meals and snacks.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am just doing this.  I can deal with being unhappy because I'm not drinking soda or eating everything I want.  I need to just get over it.  Enough already!  Eating everything I want hasn't been so great, I've tried it, LOL.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-651602345832752933?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/651602345832752933/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=651602345832752933' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/651602345832752933'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/651602345832752933'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-day.html' title='a new day'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-4277896993817984532</id><published>2009-08-10T17:55:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-08-10T18:09:40.505-07:00</updated><title type='text'>up and down, on and off</title><content type='html'>I have been doing great with the push-up challenge mentioned in my last post.  I have been keeping with it, and just re-started week 3.  I'm repeating it because I got behind last week, and I've been struggling, and I know the important thing is to just keep going.  Tonight I did 12, 17, 13, 13, 19 (74 total, girly push-ups, but still) and my total # of push-ups is at 652!  652 is good.  I am proud of sticking with it.  Tonight I did 25 crunches during one of my breaks in sets.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have been on and off with eating.  I'll wake up, count points, drink only water, and then slowly fall apart.  I guess I could say it's good that I'm trying, and I COULD just be doing nothing and not making an attempt.  But trying sucks.  I need to be doing.  I want this.  I need to want to make enough of a sacrifice.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have recently seen some fall clothes in stores and catalogs.  Corduroy pants, rugby shirts, and other things I love, LOL.  I thought about &lt;a href="http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2008/11/corduroy-pants.html"&gt;this post&lt;/a&gt; from last November.  I don't want to be facing another fall not fitting into my pants.  I don't even have money to buy clothes, but if I did, I wouldn't be wasting it on where I am now.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I don't know why I can't do this.  How can I be this unhappy with myself and yet not want it enough to DO IT???????  I feel so stupid!  I am hovering somewhere around 192 again, and when I look at those spreadhseets that show where I could be right now, I could just cry or scream or both!  My most recent version had put me at 184 by now.  Before that I would have been at 176.  OMG, that would be a world of difference.  Do I let it go and accept that I can't go back in time, or let it make me feel sick to the point of getting my act together?  I guess there is a balance there somewhere.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-4277896993817984532?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/4277896993817984532/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=4277896993817984532' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4277896993817984532'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4277896993817984532'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/08/up-and-down-on-and-off.html' title='up and down, on and off'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-1412373266546449325</id><published>2009-07-13T17:46:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-07-13T17:52:23.434-07:00</updated><title type='text'>one hundred push ups</title><content type='html'>Marc and I are going to start doing the 100 pushup challenge.  &lt;a href="http://hundredpushups.com/"&gt;Check out the website&lt;/a&gt; if you want to try it too!  We did the test tonight.  I did ZERO, and Marc did 11.  It's hard to believe that I could do 100 pushups in 7 weeks, but I am sure that I can make a huge improvement, and that is exciting!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I think this will be a fun thing for us to do together since we both want to get in much better shape and lose weight!  I also think that even if I'm not doing other workouts as much as I would like, I can do this!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am on and off WW, and have mostly been maintaining.  Hey, at least I haven't gained.  I've been at about 190, 188, 191, etc.  I have been looking at my spreadsheet here (in a post below) a lot lately because it really helps me see where I could be!  I am going to do this!  I have been drinking a bit more water and I have some food for some meals this week.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ok, I need to go watch TrueBlood, LOL!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-1412373266546449325?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/1412373266546449325/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=1412373266546449325' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1412373266546449325'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1412373266546449325'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/07/one-hundred-push-ups.html' title='one hundred push ups'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-4592725748647969186</id><published>2009-06-18T18:12:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-18T18:19:14.862-07:00</updated><title type='text'>day 2</title><content type='html'>I am hungry and tired and hungry.  I am doing it though.  I am OP for the second day in a row and am checking for pigs flying past my windows every time I go by.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I had a Lean Cuisine (fettuccine alfredo) for breakfast this morning, followed by 3 pts of cookie dough, LMAO.  Yesterday I had NOTHING to drink besides water.  Today I had 16oz. of McD's orange drink and 2 16oz servings of caffeine free coke.  Yeah, so that's 11 pts of beverage, and I only get 30, LOL! (5 are for nursing)  Still a huge improvement over all the soda I had been drinking, so I'll take it for now.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I know I need to eat better (more filling lower pt stuff) if I am going to make this work, but for now, counting is a huge step, and I am working on all of this.  It's hard because I'm picky.  Need to figure out some more things that I like.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ok, I am super tired so I'm going up to bed!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-4592725748647969186?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/4592725748647969186/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=4592725748647969186' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4592725748647969186'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4592725748647969186'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/06/day-2.html' title='day 2'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-1612265842627777199</id><published>2009-06-17T10:57:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-17T11:07:28.598-07:00</updated><title type='text'>where I am :-)</title><content type='html'>The joy felt while eating cookies and cakes and chips is fleeting - that is what you have to KEEP doing it!  I would get so much more enjoyment from feeling better about my body and being more healthy!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have had ENOUGH.  Enough time screwing around and not getting more healthy.  I have said this before.  I am sick of saying it and feeling it and thinking it.  I need to just do this.  ENOUGH!!!!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I can't change the fact that I am not on schedule with my original plan. Instead of being 184 lb. today, I weigh 192. I am OP today though, for the first time in a while, and I just need to DO IT!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I took before pics this morning!!!!  I have to look at them and maybe even post them here?  I don't want to scare anyone though!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here is the new plan.  I can be at goal in a little over a year.  Ok, a little over a year and two months :-)  Or, I can weigh MORE than 192, or be at 192, or somewhere in between.  Hmmm, what sounds best??  LOL!  I can be at 165 by Christmas - that sounds good!  I was probably around 165 when I got married and was in a size 8 or 10.  I can't even imagine getting to 130 anymore - 155 or 145 would be incredible!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I see myself typing things like "I am 192" and then I am reminded that my weight is not everything and I should focus on it so much!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SjkvFIxVkcI/AAAAAAAAATM/3hjK_IXqMkg/s1600-h/weight2.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 221px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SjkvFIxVkcI/AAAAAAAAATM/3hjK_IXqMkg/s400/weight2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348357797779444162" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-1612265842627777199?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/1612265842627777199/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=1612265842627777199' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1612265842627777199'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1612265842627777199'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/06/where-i-am.html' title='where I am :-)'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SjkvFIxVkcI/AAAAAAAAATM/3hjK_IXqMkg/s72-c/weight2.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-4331285258982941729</id><published>2009-06-10T17:24:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-06-10T17:29:31.335-07:00</updated><title type='text'>where I could be</title><content type='html'>Right now my weight is probably around 192.  On 5/6, I created that spreadsheet (in the post below) that showed my then-current weight of 190, and plotted out a loss of 1lb. a week.  So here it is, 6/10, and instead of being 185 (which would be AWESOME and allow me to fit in my shorts and capris without a struggle) I am up to 192.  Yeah, nice.  I need to get it together because this SUCKS!!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am  not buying more clothes, and I can't fit in much, and I'm frustrated.  I keep looking at my weight from a week or two after having Kate last year - 171!!!!  I have to get over it and just move on.  I was stupid, but I can fix it.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;DH and I talk about TTC at some point if we EVER think we can handle it - and if we are going to do that (despite a lot of fears I have!) I would LOVE to be thinner!!!!  Maybe that will help me focus.  I have a limited time, and I'd love to be as healthy as I can be if we are blessed with another pregnancy.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-4331285258982941729?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/4331285258982941729/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=4331285258982941729' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4331285258982941729'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4331285258982941729'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/06/where-i-could-be.html' title='where I could be'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-8641476093708704214</id><published>2009-05-06T10:13:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-05-06T11:40:20.121-07:00</updated><title type='text'>patience</title><content type='html'>I don't have much.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have patience with certain things.  I could spend hours on tiny details to make something perfect - a craft or some other project.  I have patience with the kids.  I can relax and let Ryan do something on his own, even if it takes an hour instead of five minutes - and I can just enjoy the process.  I can sit with the kids and count blades of grass if that is what they want to do.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;However, I do not have any more patience to not be in the body I want to be in!  I have been screwing around for months and years now.  Every day that I don't make some effort to lose is another day I will be fat.  Another day I will be self-conscious.  Another day I will not be enjoying my body as much as I could.  I thought about how to word that last sentence, because I do enjoy and appreciate my body at any size.  I am thankful for everything it can do.  I have been blessed to carry and nurse my children.  I can hold them and dance and run with them.  I just know that it could be better.  I could be happier.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Below is a plan if I lose 1lb. a week.  Starting today.  I don't know for sure if I can keep up with a schedule like that - maybe 4lb. a month is more realistic?  I will have to see!  It has been a long time since I honestly and consistently tried.  I just know that over a year (reaching 130 on 6/30/10)  is already long enough to wait.  I don't want to wait even longer than that!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;On the flip side, this gives me hope, because 130lb. would be like a dream, but I can look at this and see that I can be at 160 before Christmas!  That doesn't seem to bad.  I would be thrilled with 160, 150, etc.!!!!  I am not even sure if I want to be at 130.  I'll think about it when I get closer!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SgHY2v8mnuI/AAAAAAAAANM/42Og2WOkhOk/s1600-h/weight.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SgHY2v8mnuI/AAAAAAAAANM/42Og2WOkhOk/s400/weight.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332781868878569186" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-8641476093708704214?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/8641476093708704214/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=8641476093708704214' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/8641476093708704214'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/8641476093708704214'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/05/patience.html' title='patience'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SgHY2v8mnuI/AAAAAAAAANM/42Og2WOkhOk/s72-c/weight.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-1531585099696834716</id><published>2009-04-14T10:06:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-14T10:11:05.711-07:00</updated><title type='text'>ok, Easter is over</title><content type='html'>I was NOT good with my eating, but it's over, and I need to get back in control.  I had some incidents with Nestle crunch eggs, and an even worse incident with a bag of Mint Milanos (not even an Easter food!)  Ahhhh, I really really love Mint Milanos,  but not as much as I'll love losing weight.  I checked this morning - I have stayed the same at 190, so I am happy with that - and I am ready to move forward.  I still feel great about starting with counting a few days ago, because I think it DID make a difference with the holiday!  I also felt good about working out, though it wasn't easy being so sore and cleaning in getting ready for our dinner!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I will work out at least twice between now and the end of the week!  I will also be counting from now on!  I need to figure out something with the candy that we have in the house!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-1531585099696834716?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/1531585099696834716/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=1531585099696834716' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1531585099696834716'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1531585099696834716'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/04/ok-easter-is-over.html' title='ok, Easter is over'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-6411435685219952559</id><published>2009-04-11T10:18:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-11T10:45:22.535-07:00</updated><title type='text'>feeling good</title><content type='html'>This morning I woke up and thought "why does it feel like there is a knot behind my knee?" and then remembered my workout last night :-)  I actually like being a little bit sore, and it motivates me to keep going with eating well and exercising.  I guess it's just a reminder of how hard I worked and it makes me want to make even more progress!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I actually like working out, so I don't know why I have so rarely done it in the past &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;ummm&lt;/span&gt;, 3 or 4 years???  Like I can count on one hand the number of times I've done a workout DVD or video in that amount of time.  I like to be prepared, and I always think that it will be worth spending the money, so I have . . . the firm, 30 day shred, &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;tae&lt;/span&gt; &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;bo&lt;/span&gt;, &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;pilates&lt;/span&gt;, many different yoga &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;dvds&lt;/span&gt; and videos (LOVE doing yoga), some NY ballet workout, and probably others I am forgetting.  Oh, and I have a step and the videos that go with that.  I also have a total gym (complete with &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"&gt;accompanying&lt;/span&gt; videos of course) in the basement, and I DO like that too, even though it has hardly been used.  I also have an exercise/balance ball and some ab contraption, LMAO.  All this and I don't even watch infomercials!  &lt;span&gt;Anyway,&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt; my point is that I am going to DO this stuff now, instead of just collecting momentos of my optimism and high hopes.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I also don't want to spend anymore money on this!  I could probably do a different thing every day for over a month and not repeat a workout!  Today I went to the library and took out a hip hop workout DVD - it has to be back in a week, so I might try it out.  I am going to try to indulge my need for new DVDs by using the library instead of my bank card.  I DO wish they had Zumba though (already checked).  Maybe a Zumba DVD can be a reward at some point if I keep up with this!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I just finished eating a yummy Stouffer's meal for lunch.  I think the fact that it isn't Lean Cuisine makes me happy somehow, and it's only 6 pts.  I even checked myself twice today.  It's called "&lt;a href="http://www.stouffers.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=195&amp;amp;ServingSizeId=0&amp;amp;ProductGroupId=0&amp;amp;SearchText=baked%20chicken&amp;amp;ServingSize=&amp;amp;ProductGroup=&amp;amp;cP=1&amp;amp;isPOn=True"&gt;baked chicken breast&lt;/a&gt;" and has a piece of chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy.  I end up adding some salt, but I really enjoy it.  Ok, this post is already WAY too long, but I will also say that I NEED to be better about not letting myself get so hungry in between eating.  I sometimes don't know what to eat, or stress about counting and figuring portions for something random, so I don't eat.  This makes a lunch of cookies seem that much more appealing!  Note to self: it is not the end of the world if my point estimate is off a little bit either way - it does not have to be perfect!!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-6411435685219952559?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/6411435685219952559/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=6411435685219952559' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/6411435685219952559'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/6411435685219952559'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/04/feeling-good.html' title='feeling good'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-2162520473788570663</id><published>2009-04-10T19:08:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-10T19:12:31.160-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I did it!</title><content type='html'>When I wrote it here earlier, I didn't have much faith that I would ACTUALLY do the 30 day shred for the first time tonight (since I haven't been good with these things for as long as I can remember), but I wrote it, and I wanted to DO IT!  So I did!  I am beat - it kicked my ass!  I am so excited though!  I did the level 1, with the modified easier exercises, and I barely made it!  It is only 20 minutes though, and I know I can keep doing this!  YAY!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have 20 minutes.  Every day.  There is never a day I'm too busy for 20 minutes.  I will come back and look at this paragraph as needed, LOL!  If anyone reads this and sees me say otherwise, please call me on it :-)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-2162520473788570663?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/2162520473788570663/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=2162520473788570663' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2162520473788570663'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2162520473788570663'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-did-it.html' title='I did it!'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-3912110349619800836</id><published>2009-04-10T11:39:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-10T11:44:36.743-07:00</updated><title type='text'>more about counting</title><content type='html'>That was a false alarm, Kate didn't wake up, but I know she will soon, and I need to GET CLEANING!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have only had 2 sodas so far today which is huge.  I had a ridiculously high point lunch (18), but I ate something in the freezer that is now gone and no longer a temptation.  AND, I realized it wasn't worth it, so I am not tempted to buy/eat that again.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I need to adjust my points to not include full-time nursing now that Kate is eating more solids, but I am still not ready!  I figure that if I am currently eating WAY more than my 35 pts (my pts just went up today when I logged my new weight, LOL), I should stick with 35 for a week or so and THEN make a change if I am not losing.  I guess soon enough nursing won't be an issue at all, but for now I'm just going to take these baby steps and see where they take me.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-3912110349619800836?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/3912110349619800836/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=3912110349619800836' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/3912110349619800836'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/3912110349619800836'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/04/more-about-counting.html' title='more about counting'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-1942454562657281194</id><published>2009-04-10T11:09:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2009-04-10T11:26:18.928-07:00</updated><title type='text'>life is too short . . .</title><content type='html'>&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;to not be happy with myself just the way I am, even at my current weight&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;to not be more healthy so that I can enjoy my body and life even more&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;to not shop at a store I love because their clothes don't fit me&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;to sometimes feel like things are on hold until I get to a certain size or weight&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;to not be thrilled that someone wants to take a picture of me&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;to have to force myself to be in a picture with my children, because they are changing every day&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;to not LOVE how I look and feel&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am sure I can go on, but you get the idea.  I need to be making progress!  I need to be getting closer to where I want to be!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am counting points today, even though I have been eating A LOT.  Today is my first day counting in months - probably since January.  When I counted in January, it was probably only for a few days.  Sunday is Easter and we are hosting, and I do NOT plan on worrying about points that day.  I will be reasonable, but I am not going to worry too much about it.  I am just proud of myself for not waiting to start again until Monday.  I can still do well today and can get some practice at doing this all again!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I will try my 30 day shred today for the first time.  I was going to do it last night, but Marc said I shouldn't because we have so much cleaning and stuff to do before Sunday.  Ya know what?  I didn't do that much cleaning last night anyway, and I could have worked out instead of watching some extra TV.  I can take baby steps, even when I have a lot of other things going on!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have more to say but I have to go get Kate before she wakes up Ryan (yes, he is napping!)&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-1942454562657281194?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/1942454562657281194/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=1942454562657281194' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1942454562657281194'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/1942454562657281194'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/04/life-is-too-short.html' title='life is too short . . .'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-4370214713859207111</id><published>2009-03-02T06:45:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2009-03-02T06:54:40.335-08:00</updated><title type='text'>water where the soda used to be</title><content type='html'>&lt;a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SavxMvuQ51I/AAAAAAAAAKY/b0DjTZtG7Ck/s1600-h/IMG_2765.JPG"&gt;&lt;img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SavxMvuQ51I/AAAAAAAAAKY/b0DjTZtG7Ck/s400/IMG_2765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308601787057497938" border="0" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Look at my pretty new water bottles, &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"&gt;LOL&lt;/span&gt;!  I am excited about them!  The pink &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"&gt;Camelbak&lt;/span&gt; one makes me want to fill it with milk (but I won't) because I think it would look even prettier with the white beverage inside :-)  So far I have had 24oz. of water and have loved it!  Having the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"&gt;Camelback&lt;/span&gt; with the bite valve (though it's weird to bite and suck, &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"&gt;LOL&lt;/span&gt;) was convenient when I was feeding Katie this morning - because I could have it on the couch next to me and didn't have to worry about Ryan spilling it.  There are so many times I'd like to have a drink but don't because it's not easy with the kids.  So, I think I might favor that one so far.  I do think I want to order at least one more.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I had realized that soda (besides being the most delicious drink in the whole word) was convenient because the cans were in the fridge, ice cold and easy to grab.  So, with the purchase of these water bottles, I am trying to &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"&gt;achieve&lt;/span&gt; the same thing.  I think 3 will be better than 2, because right now I refilled the &lt;span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"&gt;Camelbak&lt;/span&gt; and I might need it again before it's as cold as it can get.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I was drinking AT LEAST 6 cans of regular (caffeine free) soda a day - which is &lt;span style="font-weight: bold;"&gt;**900**&lt;/span&gt; calories!!!!  And like I said, that was a minimum!  SO, I am hoping that this change alone will help me lose a few pounds!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-4370214713859207111?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/4370214713859207111/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=4370214713859207111' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4370214713859207111'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4370214713859207111'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/03/water-where-soda-used-to-be.html' title='water where the soda used to be'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MppUpeEahR4/SavxMvuQ51I/AAAAAAAAAKY/b0DjTZtG7Ck/s72-c/IMG_2765.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-8337999953940671716</id><published>2009-02-25T05:03:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2009-02-25T05:10:18.788-08:00</updated><title type='text'>6 months</title><content type='html'>In the next week I want to take some "before" pics and really focus on losing weight in the next 6 months.  I want to see how I can do from March 1st - September 1st.  If I lose 4lb. a month, that would be 24 lb. and would put me at 161.  That would be amazing for me - that would probably be less than when I got married in 2003.  So, I am going to be working toward this, as well as taking other baby steps to make my life better!  I have been doing great with making little steps to improve our house and reduce clutter.  I really think that this goes hand in hand with eating better and exercising.  Everything seems to go better when the house is clean!  I still have a long way to go, but I'm definitely making progress!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-8337999953940671716?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/8337999953940671716/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=8337999953940671716' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/8337999953940671716'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/8337999953940671716'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2009/02/6-months.html' title='6 months'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-2293092203234352849</id><published>2008-12-10T05:19:00.001-08:00</published><updated>2008-12-10T05:22:09.530-08:00</updated><title type='text'>blah</title><content type='html'>I updated my "progress" section with my new weight.  It's so sad for me to see that my pre-pregnancy weight was 183, and I was 171 about 2 weeks after delivery, and I lost all of that progress.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I still have the tags on those pants and I might return them.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ok, maybe I'll post again on a more positive day, LOL.&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-2293092203234352849?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/2293092203234352849/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=2293092203234352849' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2293092203234352849'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/2293092203234352849'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2008/12/blah.html' title='blah'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-449482138498310290</id><published>2008-11-27T17:47:00.000-08:00</published><updated>2008-11-27T17:57:19.397-08:00</updated><title type='text'>corduroy pants</title><content type='html'>They are some new motivation for me.  I have a pair of 12s that I bought from Eddie Bauer over a month ago now.  They were snug but fit, and I thought I'd lose a few pounds and they'd be perfect.  Now they are even tighter and I really can't wear them.  Tags are still on, what to do?  I found some 12s in the basement that fit, but again, are tight, and I can't spend money on 14s that I don't want to be wearing.  I love love love wearing corduroy pants in the winter - they are so cozy and comforting, like a warm hug. I want so badly to have clothes that I love and feel great in.  Clothes that make me feel like I look as good on the outside as I feel on the inside (happy).&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I tried giving up soda about a week ago.  I had zero soda for almost 2 days.  This was after a wake-up call when I realized I had 2 12 packs in 3-4 days.  I felt good giving it up, but I wasn't quite ready and have been very stressed with a lot going on including Kya being very sick.  I gave myself a break and am just being more reasonable and trying to drink more water for now.  I just didn't have any extra energy to devote to anything else.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have been making progress with getting the house organized, and I truly feel that it is all a big picture.  Little things I do now to make my life better will make it that much easier when I am ready to be more hardcore about losing weight and exercising.  As I am typing that sentence I realize that giving up soda cold turkey is NOT a baby step, and that is probably why it didn't work for me right now!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;baby steps . . .&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-449482138498310290?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/449482138498310290/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=449482138498310290' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/449482138498310290'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/449482138498310290'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2008/11/corduroy-pants.html' title='corduroy pants'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-7492212816435414312</id><published>2008-09-15T19:15:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-09-15T19:21:35.809-07:00</updated><title type='text'>ok, I'm back, with a new goal</title><content type='html'>So I haven't posted here in over a month, but I am working on getting my focus back now, so I just have to move forward!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I have actually been just under 180lb. lately, so  that is something for now.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My new goal is to have things more together so that I am not up all night (cleaning, making icing and cake, etc.) before Ryan's birthday party on October 11th.  That is just under 4 weeks.  I will also try to eat better and lose a pound or two or three before then, but I just want to slowly get things more organized.  I think if I do that, the weight loss will come.  Or at least I'll be more prepared.  I HAVE been cooking more, and I'm focusing on not wasting food that we buy.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Anyway, about Oct 11th - so many times, we are vacuuming right before an event.  Sometimes Marc will be finishing his shower as guests arrive.  Not fun.  It is SO stressful to do things like that, and I want that to be history!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I wrote "October 11th" on the chalkboard in our hall that we pass every time we go in and out of the garage.  Hopefully that reminds us to take baby steps to get things ready ahead of time!!!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-7492212816435414312?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/7492212816435414312/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=7492212816435414312' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/7492212816435414312'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/7492212816435414312'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2008/09/ok-im-back-with-new-goal.html' title='ok, I&apos;m back, with a new goal'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-5755980263322233644</id><published>2008-08-14T04:33:00.001-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-14T05:01:03.870-07:00</updated><title type='text'>in the weeds</title><content type='html'>I was just outside walking the dogs and was looking at all of the weeds.  Same thing.  I thought about how I haven't REALLY weeded in a month (because I didn't have a few hours to spend on it), but if I had done a little each week or on a few different days, it would be so much better right now!  Ok, I am stopping myself from adding "weeding" and a million other things to my goal list - because a bunch of baby steps taken at once is still overboard and going to extremes - one baby step at a time, LOL.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I am going to start checking out the CHOP recipes (link at right) and I'm also planning on making the buffalo chicken in the crockpot in the next few days (maybe Saturday).&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-5755980263322233644?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/5755980263322233644/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=5755980263322233644' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/5755980263322233644'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/5755980263322233644'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2008/08/weeds.html' title='in the weeds'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-7745299223422939708</id><published>2008-08-14T02:41:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-14T02:45:49.917-07:00</updated><title type='text'>that was hard, LOL</title><content type='html'>I *just* posted below about how I am working on setting small baby step goals, but it still felt ridiculous to type that I should exercise once a week as a goal!!  I have to see how it works, but I am forcing myself to put something down for now!!!  Once a week is an improvement over nothing.  Why can't that be enough for even one week????&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If anyone is actually reading this and has advice I'd love to hear it!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-7745299223422939708?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/7745299223422939708/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=7745299223422939708' title='1 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/7745299223422939708'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/7745299223422939708'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2008/08/that-was-hard-lol.html' title='that was hard, LOL'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>1</thr:total></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5046220465394278645.post-4635927320136723885</id><published>2008-08-14T02:22:00.000-07:00</published><updated>2008-08-14T02:37:52.868-07:00</updated><title type='text'>I can do this!</title><content type='html'>I reserved this blog name about a week ago, and I am just getting to posting now.  I want this to be a place that I can journal about my efforts to change my eating and exercise habits.  I also want to work on just changing things about how I do things - by taking BABY STEPS!!!!  This skill would help me in so many ways.  I tend to be very "all or nothing" - I think it comes from my perfectionism and it contributes to my procrastination.  I love some aspects of this, and I don't want to change it entirely (if I even could!).  I just want to be able to deal with it better - to not let it cripple me in certain ways.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I tend to go overboard with trying to lose weight or exercise and I don't get anywhere!  It's not enough for me to set a goal like exercising once a week, for even 5 minutes.  I think to myself that a goal like that sounds too small - and do you know what I do?  I do NOTHING.  No exercise.  I am a pretty active person, but I don't end up doing anything more formal in the way of exercise.  SO, doing a few minutes would be something, and hopefully it would lead to more!!!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I reserved this blog name the same night that I posted on E about the brownies being in the oven.  I got so much helpful advice in that thread, and I still think about it.  It helped me a lot, and still does.  I ate those brownies, a little at a time, and enjoyed them without being out of control!  I am not ready to be OP quite yet, but I want to start making some small changes and be more mindful of my eating.  I am not sure how I am going to end up formatting things here - I might put my goals in posts or off to the side somewhere??  It doesn't have to be perfect :-)  This is just step and I can change it!&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5046220465394278645-4635927320136723885?l=amysbabysteps.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</content><link rel='replies' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/feeds/4635927320136723885/comments/default' title='Post Comments'/><link rel='replies' type='text/html' href='http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5046220465394278645&amp;postID=4635927320136723885' title='0 Comments'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4635927320136723885'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='http://www.blogger.com/feeds/5046220465394278645/posts/default/4635927320136723885'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://amysbabysteps.blogspot.com/2008/08/i-can-do-this.html' title='I can do this!'/><author><name>Amy</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='16' height='16' src='http://img2.blogblog.com/img/b16-rounded.gif'/></author><thr:total>0</thr:total></entry></feed>
