My daughter's 1st triathlon

I'm so glad that my family is active and sees me become more active and now they want to do even more to be active.  I had signed Shara-Lyn up for a kids triathlon for while my husband and son were in Canada on a fishing trip.  She was so nervous the night before and didn't sleep very well and was up with the alarm the morning of the triathlon.  The event consisted of a 100 yard swim, 3 mile bike ride which consisted of a huge hill on one end of the park, and a 1 mile run. 

She was the first to sign in so she got #1 

Her transition area all set up 

Struggling in the pool 

Changing at the transition area  

Smiling after the first lap 

Still smiling

Last lap on the bike 

Here she comes

She skipped across the finish line! 

She was so hot and worn out! 

Here she is soaked with her finishers medal

So proud of her!

She really struggled with the swimming portion of the event, but made up the time on the bike.  She passed 7-10 kids that got out of the pool before she did while she was on the bike.  I timed her as soon as she got in the pool and her time was 39 minutes.  That is so great!  She's already talking about doing it again next year.
~Crystal

Bar review...no not that kind of bar silly!!

This kind of bar!!

I've been looking for a great tasting bar that isn't too high in points, but is filling and has some protein since I don't get much protein in every day.  So, I went out and purchased five bars at the local grocery store.  BTW, why is health food so expensive?  It seems like it's cheaper to be fat and eat junk...I'm just sayin'!  Over the course of a week I tried these bars and I'm going to break it down by bar and give you what I thought of each one.  I'm also going to rate them on a scale of 1-10, 1 being the worst and 10 being the best.

MOJO

Peanut butter pretzel

All natural trail mix bar

Clif Bar & Co.

5 PP (Points Plus)

9 g protein

Had bits of pretzels, nuts and peanut butter chips

I loved the taste of this bar and it was filling.  It also wasn't too salty or too sweet.  Just the right combination of both.  Very good! 

Rating 10

LUNA bar

Nutz over chocolate

Clif Bar & Co.

5 PP

9 g protein

Great taste, filling, right amount of sweetness with just a hint of saltiness.

Rating 8

Pure Protein

Chewy chocolate chip (chocolate covered)

Worldwide Sport Nutritional Supplements Inc.

5 PP

20 g protein

Looked like a candy bar, but looks are deceiving.  This one was chalky and I really didn't care for it at all!

Rating 1

Lara Bar

Peanut butter chocolate chip

6 PP

5 g protein

Gluten free

This one looked like it wouldn't taste good at all when I opened it, but looks are deceiving.  I loved this one!  It was my favorite of all 5 and I have since bought a whole package of them.  They are worth the 6 PP.

Rating 10

Clif Bar

Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch

7 PP (a lot of PP for a small bar, but if you're need an energy bar for on the go this would be a good one!)

9 g protein

Loved the taste, but I thought for that many points it was awfully small.  But it was another favorite!

Rating 10

The Clif Bar, the MOJO bar and the Lara bar were my top 3 picks and as I said I've already purchased a box of Lara Bars.  I have also bought another MOJO bar, I loved the pretzel and nut bits. 

As always, this is just my opinion and I'm finding things that work for me and maybe they'll work for you too!

Disclaimer:  I was not compensated for this post.  I didn't receive any free bars to do this review.  Although if any of these companies want to send me some free bars I wouldn't refuse them!! 

Miles yet to go

Since starting this blog I have been keeping track of all the activity that I do.  I use RunKeeper a lot, I have it as an app on my phone but you can also go to RunKeeper's website and track your activities.  It's so nice that it tracks the mileage and the time it takes me to finish and also figures your calories that you burn.

So far this year I have logged 152+ miles!  I love that I've been keeping track because this time last year I hadn't done near that amount of mileage.  I definitely am more active this year than I've ever been in the last several years.  Obviously having this blog has helped, but you also have to want to incorporate some kind of activity in your life. 

Over the summer months the activity has slacked off, but I will be picking it back up.  Especially with several 5Ks that I have on my list that I want to do.  I have many miles to go, but love seeing those miles rack up!
~Crystal

Disclaimer:  I'm not affiliated in any way with RunKeeper.com nor was I compensated to give them a good review.  It's just the app that I use that I like the best.

To track or not to track?

That is the question. 

Do you track?  If so why?

Some people can get by with not tracking the food that goes into their mouth.  Me on the other hand I've struggled with tracking.  I do really great with tracking, then I slack off, then I just stop doing it all together.  I do better at the scale when I track because it keeps me accountable for what I'm eating/drinking/exercising.  There have been several studies that suggest that people that keep a food journal are more successful at their weight loss goals. 

So, this is my goal for the week...to track everything!  Maybe it will get me over that 15 lbs hump that I've been dancing around for the last few months!

So, I'll leave you with this thought...

IF YOU BITE IT, WRITE IT!!!

~Crystal

Weigh in 7/27/11 {Crystal}

Starting weight: 245.6
Last weeks weight (actually 2 weeks ago):  234.0
Current weight: 231.2
Gain/loss: -2.8
Total gain/loss:  -14.4
Pounds to 10%:  10.6
Pounds to short term goal:  32.2
Pounds to long term goal:  71.2

I decided to do this a little differently.  I put up some shorter term weight loss goals.  With WW that's kind of how you have to look at things...small goals first and then the bigger ones.  So, I put on here how much more I need to lose to get to my 10%, how much more I need to lose to get to Onederland (back in the 100s), and of course my long term goal.  I like seeing these shorter term goals because they seem attainable.  One day, one pound at a time.
~Crystal

NSV!!! {Non-scale Victory}

I just have to post this!  I dug a jean skirt out of the closet that I've tried on a couple of times, but it was just too tight.  Then I tried it on again this week and it fit!!  I came out and my daughter says, "Ooh!  That's a cute skirt, is it new?" (she liked the detail on the side) I told her it wasn't and that I had dug it out of the closet and hadn't been able to wear it for a while.  She said, "Congratulations Mommy!" and gave me a huge hug.  That is better than any number on a scale!  I'm glad that my kids are noticing changes in me and are so supportive of me!!
~Crystal

Inspiration from Ironman World Championships

My daughter and I were watching the Ironman World Championship that takes place in Kona, Hawaii a week ago Sunday and we were so inspired.  Not only are the elite athletes amazing to watch as they just seem to bust through the pain threshold to push to victory, but the stories of the ones that have overcome so much to get there are amazing. 

The Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a marathon (26.2 miles) and you are given 17 hours to complete the whole event.  The elite, the best of the best, athletes finish in a little over 8 hours.  While that is great and I applaud them and I still was cheering them on, there are the ones that choke you up watching them. 

The mom who while training on her bicycle was hit by a car and broke several bones in her back and several other injuries.  Seeing her cross the finish line I developed a knot in my throat. 

Or the man who was a Gulf War veteran and had battle cancer and won only to have it come back again.  He made laps around the hospital ward and did sit-up in his hospital room all while being hooked up to chemotherapy and IVs.  Seeing him cross the finish...tears started welling up.

Or the woman with the stress fracture who made it through the swimming and bicycling portion and had to walk the 26.2 miles with a boot on her foot.  More tears.

Or the man who not long ago was a prisoner addicted to drugs.  He overcame that through running and now has found a better life.  More tears.

Or the 80 year old man who was competing in his 26th Ironman, even more tears. 

I saved this on the DVR so I can watch it over and over again when I'm not feeling very motivated.  It is a great inspiration.  Not that I ever have the desire to do an Ironman, but to know that these people can do it despite of their diversities, I can do anything I set my mind to.
~Crystal

Lazy Days of Summer

I think it is so true what they say about the lazy days of summer.  I had every intention of "going back to school" not as the fat mom.  But sometimes the best laid plans fail.  It's been so hot here the only activity I've been getting is short bike rides and leisure swimming.  I don't really count the swimming since all we do is basically float around.  I've been just downright LAZY!!!  Going to bed late = not getting up early while it's somewhat cool to exercise outside = eating late for breakfast/lunch/dinner = not wanting to do anything = eating whatever is in sight = GAINING!!!  I'm hoping once school starts and we settle back into a routine things will get better.  My husband and I made a deal that once school starts we'll get up early and while he runs I'll bike to build up my stamina and then eventually maybe I can run with him.  For now I'll continue to be lazy and enjoy what little time I have left with my kiddos before they head back to school.
~Crystal

Brooks shoes

I always like it when people review things so I know whether they are good or not.  Today I'm giving my opinion, and that's all it is, my opinion.  I'm no expert on shoes, but I'm just giving you my experience with what works for me. 

One thing you have to know if you're going to do any kind of exercise is you have to have a good pair of shoes that fit well and that feel good while you're doing any activity.  A good pair of shoes is key.

I first purchased a pair of Brooks running shoes in 2008 before our trip to Disney World.  They saw some miles during that trip...at least 50 miles were walked in 8 days.  They held up so well and supported my heavy body.  My feet only hurt the last day of our trip, but I think that was more of the weight on them for the whole week and not the quality of the shoes. 

I love my Brooks shoes for the simple fact that they offer so much support and stability.  I have tried many other shoes and I feel that Brooks are the best for me. 

I purchased my second pair of Brooks shoes back in April just before the first 5K I did.  My first pair were worn out and had so many miles on them I knew it was time to get a new pair. 

I loved the feel of them, but I noticed that the top of my foot was going numb when I was walking and then the numbness worked it way up my leg.  Well, come to find out I really needed a wide width and didn't know it. 

Let me tell you, it pays to go to a local store that has people in it that know how to measure and size you.  I went to our local sports store and took my shoes in and immediately the lady knew that my shoes were too tight in the toes leading to the constriction of my toes thus the numbness.  So, I purchased a new pair of Brooks shoes.  They are that good!  I love my Brooks and the next time I need shoes I will definately make sure that I get sized properly to avoid buying shoes that don't fit properly. 

My newest pair that fit great!

Again, this is just my opinion, but maybe it helps you with something you've been struggling with.

~Crystal

Disclaimer:  I was in NO way compensated for this post.  I purchased these shoes myself and am giving you my unbiased opinion on these shoes.

Skipped my last weigh in

Yes, I did!  I skipped my last weigh in.  Why?  Well, let's see...my husband and son were out of town (out of the country) and unavailable to speak to for 9 days.  What else was there to do but eat and eat and eat some more.  Before they left I had made cinnamon rolls...from scratch...from the Pioneer Woman's cookbook.  They were DELICIOUS...and calorie laden...and DELICIOUS!!  Also, to pass the time my daughter and I had Chinese one night, Pizza Hut one afternoon, some McDs and I made homemade pretzels one day.  Needless to say the scale was giving me some #s that I wasn't too happy, but had no one to blame but myself. 

But, I also read this on one of the blogs that I stalk regularly: The Active Artist

"Whether you weigh in or not, it doesn’t change what happened. Sure you can ignore it and hope that by working your butt off next week you’ll be back to where you were. But then, instead of having a week where you get to celebrate being back on track, you just have two weeks where you stayed the same. No lesson learned, no acknowledgement of your efforts."

This is so true!  So many times I've skipped my weekly WW meetings in the hopes of avoiding the scale and avoiding everyone at the meeting.  The only person I hurt by doing this is myself.  I need to weigh-in in order to stay accountable.  Even if I have an "off" week or two or three.  I'm not learning my lesson by not weighing in I'm just perpetuating bad habits and bad choices.  I will try my best to no longer "skip" my weekly WW meetings. 
~Crystal

Crystal is Crazy!!!

Oh my goodness!  Crystal had me cracking up over that last post!  Well, here I am!  A lot has happened since I last posted.  I turned 40!!  I am one of five in my family that have or will turn forty this year.

My cousin, Chad, me, my husband, Kenny, my twin sister, Heather, and her husband, Kevin

  If I had to turn 40, at least I was in good company!

I haven't exercised at all since my last post and my eating has been out of control!  I ate to celebrate my husband's birthday, my birthday, and my son, Ethan's, third birthday.  I went to Shipshewana and bought an Amish cookbook.  Yeah, that's just what I needed.  A whole book dedicated to providing delicious recipes for all kinds of carbs like pies, cakes, cookies, breads, etc.....

See...

Here's the cookbook!

Here's the new mixer I bought to make the recipes that I shouldn't be eating!

And these are the delicious peanut butter cookies that I made using both of them!

What the heck?

I not only fell off of the wagon, but someone backed it up and ran over me a few times with it.

So that's a little bit of what I've been up to.

I think I better get back on it, don't you?

Thanks for the encouragement, Crystal!

You are too FUNNY!

Wanted...skinny or not!!!!

If you haven't noticed already there's been something, or should I say someone missing from the blog lately.  It's been a busy summer I know, but we have to keep each other accountable and I've missed my blogging buddy!!  Please come back HOPE!!!  All you blog stalkers out there leave some comment love encouraging her to come back to the fold!!  ~Crystal

Late Night Munchies

This always makes me think of that commercial...not sure what it's for...but the jingle is "Late Night Munchies!"  That seems to be my problem here lately.  I do so well during the day not snacking or binging at all, then come 8-9pm I am standing at the pantry looking for something to munch on.  I find something and that's not really what I want and then I go find something else.  By the time it's all said and done, I've gone through almost every snack imaginable and still haven't tamed the cravings.  I'm not really sure what's going on, but I need to figure something out to keep this from happening.  Maybe just go to bed or find something to do with my hands.  I've come too far to let this get the better of me! 
~Crystal

Non weight loss related post

Okay, so this has nothing to do with weight loss and has a little to do with me bragging on my daughter a little bit.  I posted earlier about the kids participating in a running clinic and training for a one mile run.  A few days after the Fast Track Mile was the last day of the running clinic and they had a party for the kids that participated in the clinic.  They also gave every kid a stop watch so they could time themselves.  During the party they gave three special medals to one child from each age category.  When they got to the category that Noah and Shara-Lyn were in the instructor was talking about how this person had never missed, was very dedicated, was encouraging to others and always had a smile on her face.  It never crossed my mind that she was even talking about Shara-Lyn until she said her name.  I was shocked and so was Shara!  Running is something that I never thought she would like, but she thoroughly enjoyed it! 

Shara with her instructor Kim

Shara-Lyn with her first medal

The back of it says "Heart & Sole"

Very fitting, she truly did have heart and soul when it came to running.

BTW, she is doing her first triathlon a week from tomorrow.  She is so excited and the only question she had was if I was going to be there to take pictures!  I'm so proud of her!

~Crystal

Weigh in 7/14/11 {Crystal}

Starting weight: 245.6
Last week's weight: 233.4
Current weight: 234.0
Gain/loss: +0.6
Total gain/loss: -11.6
Pounds to goal: 74

I have a post coming about what's been causing the gains and the meager losses.  I'm really struggling with doing good for 1/2 of the week and not doing so good the other 1/2 of the week.
~Crystal

Meeting Ben & "Pa" and some new friends

As anyone who reads this blog knows I have mentioned Ben several times.  He announced a few months ago that he was going on a 40 day 31 city Do Life Movement tour across the country.  At each stop they meet and mingle, do a 5K and then head out somewhere (usually Panera Bread) to eat.  I really wanted to go and meet him, but the closest location was St. Louis.  I thought it over and asked Craig if he would mind driving there so I could meet Ben and his "Pa" and he took a vacation day so we could go.  Have I mentioned how great he is?  Hes' such a great guy!  So, we headed out on the 3 1/2 hour drive to St. Louis.  We had to factor in they hour time difference and allow for traffic.  That left us getting there an hour early, which I was nervous about because I didn't want to seem eager, but as we pulled up I was glad that someone else was there already.  I also didn't want to totally GEEK out meeting Ben and "Pa", but I was SUPER excited!  I've been in such a slump for the past two months and I thought meeting and talking to Ben would ramp up my motivation.  After meeting Ben and "Pa" we started talking to the other person that was already there.  We met John.  He is a super nice guy and started his weight loss "journey" just the day before I did.  He has lost a total of 30 lbs!  That's what the Do Life Movement is all about, meeting people who are on the same path to health and fitness.  People started showing up, people of all shapes and sizes.  I have to say Ben and his dad are the most genuine, caring, friendliest and funniest people you'll ever meet.  Ben's charisma about what he's doing is infectious!  So, after a few instructions from Ben we got started on the 5K.  Ben starts out running with the runners waits at the 1/2 way point for everyone to come through and then walks back with the last walker.  So, Craig and I got started.  If you know St. Louis at all you know how hilly it can be especially the area around the zoo.  That's where the 5K was.  For being so hilly and super humid and hot that day I was happy with my time of 54:30.  No it wasn't the best time, but that's not what it was about.  It wasn't about a PR or beating someone, it was about getting together to motivate and inspire others.  Here's a few photos from the event:

Ben and I doing the "finger point"

You'd have to read his blog to understand this.

Craig, Ben and I

A big thanks again to my wonderful husband for driving to

St. Louis and back so I could have this opportunity!

Ben giving some instructions and directions on where to go

The St. Louis Do Life Movement group

As a group has lost 1,175 pounds!

The Start/Finish line

And they're off!

The 1/2 way point 

Ben waiting at the 1/2 way point encouraging all the way!

Ben, "Pa" (John) and I afterwards at Chipotle 

This is John.  It was so great meeting him and getting to know him. 

I think we've made a wonderful new friend!

So, that was my experience with the Do Life Movement and I wasn't the least bit disappointed.  Maybe next year Ben can come closer, like Indy!  We did try to talk him into doing the Indy Mini Marathon and it would be great to see him there!

~Crystal

WOW! I'm feeling good today!

I don't know if it's a new determination or what.  Here's what I've done already today:
Good health Guidelines
Activity
.75 mile jog in 10 minutes = 3 AP
1 mile walk in 15 minutes = 2 AP
100 sit ups = 1 AP
Shoulder press w/5 lb kettlebell
50 x each arm for a total of 100
Leg lifts w/5 lb kettlebell
50 x each leg for a total of 100
Knee lifts w/5 lb kettlebell
25 x each leg for a total of 50 = 1 AP
Water
I've had 40 oz (5 cups) already
Milks
I've had 1 serving (vanilla WW smoothie packet) in my smoothie
I'll have the other in my iced coffee
Fruits & Vegetables
ALL IN ALREADY
These were in my smoothie
2 cups of berries = 4 servings
3 cups of spinach = 3 servings
Banana = 1 serving
Total of 8 servings of F&V!!!
Healthy oil
2 tsp olive oil in my smoothie
Can't even taste it at all!

I still need to take my vitamins and finish my water for the day, but I'd say that's a great start by 10 am!
~Crystal

Weigh in 7/7/11 {Crystal}

Starting weight: 245.6
Last week's weight: 233.6
Current weight: 233.4
Gain/loss: -0.2
Total gain/loss: -12.2
Pounds to goal: 73.4

A loss is a loss and that's all I have to say about that! 
~Crystal

Weigh in {Crystal} from 6/30/11 (A little late)

I'm way late on this blog entry only because I wanted to pretend that it didn't happen.  With the family reunion we had spanning a few days I didn't eat the greatest and it definitely showed on the scale, BIG TIME!  I'm going to take it in, think about how to do things different and move on!

Okay from now on I'm going to do my weight loss a little different.

Starting weight: 245.6
Last week's weight (actually 6/23): 231.8
Current weight: 233.6
Gain/loss: +1.8
Total gain/loss: -12.0
Pounds to goal: 73.6

A minor setback, but time to get back on it...again!!!!
~Crystal

Fast Track Mile

Yesterday my family and I did the Fast Track Mile.  We had planned to do it as a family, but things worked out to where I ran/walked with my daughter and my husband ran with my son.  You could tell when you got there that people were there to get the best time they could.  There were a lot of school teams there to see how fast they could do the mile.  That's not the reason I was doing it.  I was doing it to prove that I could and to do something active as a family.  I didn't have the best clock time, but to me that's not what mattered.  What mattered was running down the street 2 blocks from the finish holding my daughter's hand and watching her cross the finish line.  I do feel like I held her back by not being able to run the whole thing, but she did even care.  She kept saying to me the whole time, "You're doing great Mommy!  Keep going!"  That made it a little easier!  But at the same time it made me feel bad.  I'm supposed to be encouraging her and there she is my little 7 year old encouraging me and pushing me.  My husband and son did so well.  The running clinic really has helped my kids and now they love to run!  They loved it so much they want to do the kids triathlon in a few weeks.  Noah won't be able to do it because he'll be in Canada on a fishing trip, but Shara-Lyn wanted to do it.  She asked if she did it would I take pictures.  So, I signed her up and I'll be cheering her on! 

My kiddos getting ready to run!

Mother and daughter

Shara's time 13 minutes 44 seconds

My time 13 minutes 49 seconds

Father and son

Noah and Craig's time 8 minutes 51 seconds

Father and son running side by side

Next year I will run the whole thing and I will get a better time! ~Crystal

****WARNING!! EPIC FAIL!!!****

I feel like the last two months have been an epic fail!  I will admit to my failures and admit that I haven't been a good girl.  I haven't been staying on track.  I haven't been tracking my food.  I haven't been exercising.  I haven't been taking care of myself.  I haven't been doing what I need to be doing to succeed.

EPIC FAIL!!

I'm not sure what's been going on.  It may be a lack of motivation.  It's definitely a lack of self control.  I've been on a downward spiral with the food and exercise.  You could say I've fallen off the wagon.  I start out with the best of intentions and something trips me up or I get too down on myself if I make a mistake. 

For the past few months I have been on a pattern of weighing in on Thursday and then thinking that Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are just free days.  Then I start to feel guilty and start tracking and trying to do better on Monday. 

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with having a treat or even with having a bad day every now and then.  It seems like I've been having a bad two months. 

I'm not sure what the reasoning behind all of this is, but I am determined to figure it out. 

Maybe it's true what they say about the lazy days of summer.  I've been trying to keep the kids busy and keep them involved in activities, but maybe in doing that I've forgotten to take care of myself.

I'm going to make a promise to those of you that read this blog and to myself that I am going to make more of an effort to stay on the right path.  I may stray off and venture away to smell the roses or get distracted along the way, but I'm going to take it meal by meal, day by day.

I need to get back the motivation I had when Hope and I started this blog!  Can someone tell me where to find it?
~Crystal