Yuletide Fun

We had the busiest weekend when we went home last weekend. Every day was filled with a fun Xmas event, and we got to spend time with both of our families. It was really nice, even though we were more tired than we’ve been in a year!

Christmastime is here!

Friday night we went to my parent’s Christmas party that they throw with their best friends. It’s definitely an adult party, but we dragged Michelle there anyway. It was crazy, but I had a fun night! I haven’t seen 80% of my friends/family friends since losing weight, so Michael and I got a lot of complements and acknowledgements about our weight loss (some were SO nice, some were very rude. Lol! Like saying we look great, and they’ve known us for years and didn’t know we could look so good-looking! Hahaha, thanks).

The next day we went to the Christmas Tree farm with my in-laws to cut down their tree. We’ve gone every year for a while now (5 years? I forget!) It was Michelle’s first time there outside of the womb (last year they closed early so she missed out), and she had so much fun! 

My little family

Auntie Rach, Nona and Gramps

My little family

Yearly Xmas photo

After pretending to be lumberjacks and drinking cider, we got ready for an Ugly Christmas Sweater party. It was my first time attending one, and it was fun to decorate our sweaters! I made Michael, Michelle, and myself matching sweater vests. Ha! It was also an adult party, but there was one other baby there for Michelle to play with for a while. 

Matchy matchy!

Michael's ladies - his mom, wife and daughter (can I just add that Michelle keepts yelling "NONA!" at this picture. Haha)

Caging the other little kid at the party. LoL!

Sunday we had breakfast with my sister and two nieces, then went back to my in-laws so they could decorate the tree. My hubby’s family all have special tree ornaments they like to hang (childhood ones, baby’s first xmas, and sentimental ones), so his parents like to have the kids decorate. We got home pretty late, and then got up and left for Y at 5 am! We hate that early morning drive, but what can ya do? It was worth it.

Cousins!

 

Relaxing with Daddy after he got home from work

40 lbs down, Happy, and Healthy

I am pleased, and a little shocked, to say that I am down 40 lbs since starting to change my diet and lifestyle. These past 4 months have been amazing for my health, self-esteem, and credit card (lol). I keep thinking to myself that I look exactly the same, but then I try on size 8-10 pants and they fit, or I catch sight of some old picture of me that makes me do a double take. I never felt huge before, I just felt chubby. But man, I've come a long way and I feel like I could still lose 10-20 more pounds and look good.

In these past four months I went from being "obese" with a BMI of 31.6 to "overweight", to just barely dipping my toes in the high end of the "healthy weight" range with a BMI of 24.8. I know that there is a lot of controversy with using BMI, especially for women, but seeing "obese" on a chart with my little star next to it was horrifying for me. I've had plenty of doctors tell me I was just overweight and to focus on eating right, but I couldn't get that "obese" label out of my head. I'm officially over worrying about BMI, but it felt good to put it down that I am not "obese" anymore. Lol.

Let me clarify, I don't think people that are obese should freak out and start obsessing about their weight and labels being put on them. I think people in general should think about eating healthy and staying active - regardless of size. Our insides need nutrition, our bodies need exercise. All of us.

This month I am going to start an exercise challenge to get myself into a good routine of staying active and working on my general fitness. I created a little calendar (below) and I've already got a few brave souls ready to try it with me! I got a little ambitious by putting down push-ups (I can barely do ONE!) but I figure I've got to push myself in order to get better. Even if I fail the push-up portion of my challenge, I'll still consider it a win if I stick with it every day.

If anyone wants to do it with me, comment on this blog, or post on my SP or FB profiles! I'd love to have people to keep me accountable :)

Update

Aye yi yi! Of course right when I get into a good blogging flow, I get the flu! Last week was miserable, but this week has been much better :) I actually feel pretty darned good, which means I am completely out of excuses when it come to working out! Lol.
I'm still riding my weight loss plateau, so it's time to shake up the daily routine and get my saggy booty moving! I want to end 2013 the healthiest I've ever been. I'm on the right track, so I want to end this year on a high note.

My awesome sister Nikki is coming up to Yreka this weekend with my two nieces. I already know I want to take them to Ashland one day, and then explore Yreka the next day. I'm so excited that they are driving all the way up here on a 3-day weekend just to see us :) I miss our family! I hope my in-laws and my parents will come up too! We miss them all so much <3
My dad is currently in Yosemite fighting the fires. He was also on the Sacramento morning news this morning! I bet he is having a good time taking care of other people. Doing this is definitely his passion.

Ok, well my rambling is over. Maybe I'll have something of quality to write about soon.

Weight Loss Updates

I think my weightloss journey has been the weirdest thing in my life. While I'm elated that I'm losing weight consistently, I'm still eating junk and not exercising. I tell myself everyday that I need to start working out, but I can't motivate myself nor stay determined!

Eating right is easy, well..eating the correct amount of calories is easy. It's eating healthy, good-for-you food that is hard. Ice cream is just too tasty!!

Anyhoo, I'm down to 148.8 lbs. That's 33.3 lbs from when I started Sparkpeople, but 136 lbs from my normal weight resting place of 185. At one point (not counting pregnancy!) I was 191, so any loss is exciting for me :)
However, lately I've been having a hard time not binge eating. Thankfully it's not like it used to be - it's more over-eating than binge eating (HUGE difference) - but it's still got me worried about my mental space with my new lifestyle. I wish I could emulate the mindset that these fitspo blogs have. They revel in their exercise-based lifestyles and their new workouts. They push themselves hard and eat wonderfully. I, on the other hand, am losing weight through basic math (calories in versus calories out) which does nothing for my life, longevity, nor internal bodily functions. It's just helping me lose weight, which is still awesome! I want to be strong, lean, and healthy. Being skinny and flabby and dealing with health problems does not appeal to me. Here's an article I just read on being skinny yet unhealthy: click here.
My dilemma reminds me of an article (<- click there) I read last week. Maybe I shouldn't have blown off the author's thesis, because I fear I'm starting to hold myself to crazy standards. BUT, at the same time, I really do need to step up my game. By the way, I seriously recommend reading that article. :)

Ok, sorry for another rambling blog. Let's see, I lost weight, still losing more, want to eat better and workout, but health is the most important thing! Yay blog summaries!

Weight Update

These past 8 weeks have been so productive for our weight loss! Michael and I have each dropped down a pants size! We've been tracking, measuring, and weighing our food intake, and it's paying off!

Michael has lost 30 pounds, I have lose 20 pounds! We definitely have a long way to go, but we're so pleased with the progress we're making. It's especially exciting to hear that other people can see a change in our losses!

I'd love to drop 20-30 more pounds within this next year. I know it's a lot of weight, but I have a lot to lose! I know I'll never be a skinny-mini size 2 (my body just isn't built that way - BIG hips run on my dad's side and I have 'em), but I want to be fit and healthy! I want to be able to buy things because I like them, not because they're the only options. I want to be comfortable in my skin. I want to be able to keep up with Michelle as she grows and explores. Thankfully Michael and I are doing this as a team, so we keep each other motivated and accountable. I wouldn't have made it this far without him.

Healthy Living and Life

Last Thursday, Michael and I went to a weight management class. We decided it's time to get healthy and do things right. I'm a binge eater, no doubt about it, so I've been trying to be super diligent about tracking my calories on Spark People. I really love that site, and the fact that I can scan the barcode of things I'm eating, and my calories will be tracked, is AMAZING!

Besides eating better, I am going to start exercising. I say "going to" because I haven't started yet. The backyard took up all of our time this weekend, and today I cleaned my filthy house. Who knew working with dirt for days on end would track dirt into a house, causing rocks and dirt to cover your baby's knees as she crawled? GROSS!

Tomorrow I have jury duty and I'm dreading it. I don't pump my breastmilk, and Michael will have to call into work and miss 1/2 day. Hopefully they don't expect me to serve on a trial, because I will bawl! :(
I'm getting sad! Here are some pictures to brighten the mood! They're from my blogging hiatus. They're all of the cutest Bergman ever: Michelle!

In a firetruck, visiting Papa's station!

Easter eggs and presents!

Being a cool kid on the swings!

xoxo

Weight and Backyard update

As much as I wanted to keep a running blog of the progress in our backyard, I couldn't! This yard project has dominated every weekend since we've started!

Since we started, we removed the concrete in the yard, removed the raised beds and replaced with redwood and healthy soil, dug trenches for a sprinkler system, and are 99% finished with the sprinkler installation!!!

All that's left is to finish the sprinklers, add sand and soil to the yard, add grass, and relax! Kinda. Lol. The front yard got messed up when we were taking out the concrete, so we are still trying to make everything look pretty.

Today Michael and I went to a weight management class to get on the road to healthier living. My goal is to lose 35 lbs by Xmas, but 50 lbs overall. I'm kinda nervous to start, because every other time I've started, I've failed. Thankfully Michael and I are on the same page, and we're doing this together!

Michelle started crawling, and drives around her princess scooter like a beast! She loves to pull herself up to stand, and thinks the dog is her personal jungle gym. She's really coming into her own. She has her own personality, gives kisses and cuddles, and cracks her self up all day long. I really love the little person she is becoming.

Sorry for the lack of pics, I'll update this week! Promise!

xoxo

6 months, update and a weight/natural rant

 Today - 26 weeks pregnant

 Today - 26 weeks pregnant

 February 8, 2012 - about 24 weeks, and hiding my face because I felt like a heifer. Looking at this pic now, I realize how crazy people can be when they are feeling hormonal (welcome to the wonders of pregnancy!)








I LOVE being pregnant. I love watching Michelle's body move across my stomach. I love the fact that she kicked Michael on the face when he was resting with me. I LOVE that she responds to our voices, and that she is healthy. I am in love with my bump, with how healthy I feel, and I feel so honored that pregnancy has been so wonderful for me. It makes me sad when people complain about their pregnancies, but there is nothing I can do to control others. I mentioned this a week or two ago on twitter when I was angry about the complaints..but now I'm just sad for the people who are stuck feeling that way. I thought I should update that thought on here, so I can remember this when I'm pregnant again :)

Ok, so time for a rant!

I was so nervous about my weight when I first got pregnant. I have always struggled with my weight and perception of myself, so I was worried about gaining too much and not being able to lose it. So, I have been taking really good care of myself and what I eat. I'm a vegetarian, so it's both easy and hard to eat healthy. Sometimes veggies don't sound good, and I just want a big plate of pasta.

When I first got pregnant I lost 10 pounds (how, I don't know!) without being sick or changing much about my lifestyle. As time has gone on, I haven't gained back but 2 of those ten pounds. My last doctors appt (last Friday) was frustrating for me because my doc said if I don't gain 5 lbs by my next appt she is sending me to a nutritional counselor. Um...if my baby is measuring normal (which she is), and I am healthy, then what is the problem? My mom only gained 16 lbs during her pregnancy with me!

I think doctors try to control pregnancies too much. I understand that some people have complications or problems, but so far nature is letting my body do its thing, and everything is great. I want my body to naturally progress the way it wants to, and I want to birth naturally. So far, I've had to make sure to repeat these things over and over because people think they know best. Sorry, but women have been giving birth for as long as there has been people, so I think that instinctively my body knows what to do.

This all being said, my doctor is totally for my desire to be all natural, she's just obsessing over my weight. Oddly enough, it's other people are trying to talk me out of natural childbirth! Natural. NATURAL. What my body was made to do and feel. Ah life, if there is one thing I hate, it's other people telling me what to do, especially when I've never asked for advice.

Ok, rant over!

Update

Oh Bean, Mama loves you so much, but the damage you're doing to my body is unacceptable. I mean, lowering my immune system during midterms? Not cool. Yep, I'm sick...I keep wondering if that darned flu shot would have prevented this (it's in the beginning stages, so I'm not sure if it's the flu or a cold).

So, I stepped on the scale and I've lost more weight; awesome right? No. I am getting big and my clothes are fitting differently. I was hoping my belly would just kinda stay as-is until it popped out. I don't really get how the scale is going down, when I am getting bigger, but at least it gives me a little more room to grow on the scale in my later months.

Last week, instead of writing the paper I'm currently taking a break from, I moved 50% of our office into our cat's bedroom. Yes, our cats have a bedroom. After moving our recliner, bookshelf, and movie/cd spinning thing into the room, I carried about 20 engineering textbooks into the room, reorganized the existing furniture, and set everything up (Michael got all mother hen on my ass, by the way. He says I need to take it easy - why?- and let him move the big stuff). I hate to brag, but it looks fucking awesome! The office is still kinda in the funky/half empty state I left it in, but I'll have more time to get it ready for Bean during the winter holiday away from school. I like sitting in this room, imaging where I'm going to stick everything, and how I'm going to decorate. The previous owners must not have used this room for much, because the carpet looks awesome and there are no little holes in the wall I have to patch. We're really lucky.

It's so crazy to think about classes ending in 3 weeks! I can't wait for this break; I really need it. Also, we get to see the baby on the 28th in a regular ultrasound, and then on the 11th of December for the creepy 3D ultrasound to determine the sex. How cool?! We will be able to call the baby something other than "it" or Bean in about a month! Have I mentioned baby name ideas on here? Well, shit! For a little girl, we love the name Michelle (or Misha for a nickname), and for a boy we are struggling between Sam and Michael. I have been in love with the name Sam for a long time, but we both adore the name Michael (shoot, my husband is Michael and so it his dad - family names, gotta love 'em). We'll probably decide once we know the sex for sure. In the mean time we're debating the whole Michael K Bergman III thing, or going with a different middle name, or going with Sam. Aye yi yi. Naming people, it's something you have to live with forever! Very stressful.

Uh oh! Hubby is coming and I promised I'd be working on that damn paper! Lol!

Weight Gain

Being a healthy weight is something that's always on my mind. I'm just one of those people that eats right, but still carries a heavy load. The frustrating thing about this while pregnant, is that my problems will negatively  influence my baby's development. My baby is at risk for being overweight too, if my weight gain gets to be too much. Then, there's the risk of gestational diabetes on my part, which could make my baby way underweight! I know I'm overweight, and I think I technically drift over to the obese category every once in a while. Not to sound like a dick, but I while I'm overweight, I never think of myself as obese. It's a scary word, but apparently one I need to hear.

Based on my BMI, I shouldn't gain too much weight with this pregnancy. Really, it would healthiest if I gained 15 pounds. Only gaining this much means I need to lose some fat while I gain some fetus, which might be hard. I mean, if losing weight is so easy, don't ya think I would have lost some a long time ago? Well, either way I've started focusing on my weight and what I eat (pretty much like I always have) and we'll see what happens.

I'm scared to be that woman who gains a bunch of weight w/ my pregnancy, and then never loses any. I want to be healthy to promote a healthy lifestyle for my little bean. If I can barely lead a healthy lifestyle now, how will I do it when I have extra baby weight and a little one in tow? It's time to make a change. Hopefully a public declaration will keep me accountable.