New Year, New Commitment

It happens every January 1st. It's inevitable. We crazy human beings start making deals with ourselves about what we're going to start doing or what we're going to stop doing. And what happens? By February 1st we're back to our old ways. For the most part.

Some people talk about not making resolutions. They talk about changing your lifestyle instead. They make it sound easy even with the "this will take a long time to achieve" disclaimers in .5 font. So, what's a person to do?

I am, by no means, an expert on this and can't even say I've led by example for a long time. However, what I can offer is honesty in this endeavor of fitness and changing a sedentary lifestyle into a healthy, active one. I can also offer some resources to help you get going.

In the next few weeks I'll be posting the charity fitness events that you can get involved in in your neck of the woods on GymMama.net. I'll also be starting a monthly newsletter, featuring guest fitness writers and posting more links than you can shake a stick at. The GymMama Shop will be updated and the handmade GymMama ArtFire Shop will get some new goodies as well.

I'll be looking for more GymMama's of the Month and featuring weekly giveaways on Mondays (what better way to start the week?!). Downloadable fitness tracking sheets, goal pages, and so much more will also start popping up. It's my renewed commitment to GymMama.net.

If you'd like to get involved by writing a column or submitting events I encourage you to do so. Email me directly at GymMama {at} GymMama.net. It's tough going alone, but with all things, a little help from some friends makes change so much easier.

See you in 2009!

5 Followers for Monday - Please?

Seriously. I want a follower. Or 5. The first 5 to follow my super fun blog will each win a special snazzy prize. I'm not announcing it yet, but golly gee, you'll like it. (Really, it's because I haven't decided what it's going to be yet.)

So, please, for the love of Pete, someone, anyone, follow my blog! Please?

If the President-Elect Has Time to Exercise, Why Don't I?

I saw an article in The Philadelphia Inquirer today about Obama's workout obsession. Maybe "obsession" is a bit inaccurate. "Dedication" might be more fitting. Now. whether you're an Obama fan or not, you have to admire his visible passion for a good workout.

How is it that the soon-to-be leader of the free world has 90 minutes a day to exercise and I don't? For some reason that seems oddly peculiar. Maybe I need to hire some Secret Service guys to watch my kids and convince my husband that the gym membership fee really does fit into our budget.

"Sorry, honey, but we really can do without food this month. Me having a gym membership (and Secret Service babysitters) is much more important."

Yeah, don't think that's going to fly.

Maybe Obama just has extra hours in his day. Like 26 instead of 24. Maybe it's a little known perk of presidency.

Okay, I admit it. This post is just about jealousy. I want 90 minutes a day of uninterrupted, trainer driven workout time. Maybe I should run for office.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!




May your holiday be filled with those you love and who love you. May your travels be safe and your heart be light. Merry, Merry Christmas!

The Puffy Pink Jacket Test

In 2004 I got a puffy pink winter jacket. Soft and cozy. Since 2006 I have been unable to wear it. Mainly, because I'd gotten too big. Not a good feeling when you can't zipper your coat. Not a good feeling at all.

SO, yesterday, when the windchill was a big fat ZERO, I decided to try it on and gues what?! It's ROOMY! Not only does it fit, but it's comfy and cozy and ROOMY! I could wear a sweatshirt under that thing and still be comfy!

That, my friends, is weight loss progress.

My Pants Are Too Big

Really. They're too big. I know that one of the results of losing weight is that you actually get smaller, but I'm just not financially prepared to invest in a new wardrobe. What's a girl to do?

I've brainstormed some ideas...tell me what you think...

1) Pin the falling-down-to-my-feet pants at the sides and hope the pin doesn't come apart. (Have you ever had that happen? You sit down and OMG! the pin comes apart and you feel like you've been shot?! Yeah, it hurts. A LOT.)

2) Start wearing only stretch pants. Sadly, they don't look any better now than they did 4 sizes ago, but at least they stay put.

3) Make EVERY day pajama day.

4) Eat more and forget the whole "fit" thing.

Seriously, I need some input here. Anyone? Anyone? Bueler? *sigh*

Going with the flow

Last night there was a change of assignments at work...just as I was almost done mine and feeling good about getting ahead and being able to have a 5 minute break before I left. It was one of those moments when you have to consciously choose how you're going to react.

I chose to go with the flow, switch to what I had just been assigned and do it with a cheerful spirit. Something I haven't been very good at doing lately. And let me just tell you, it made a world of difference. I think the health of the spirit is often neglected, but without a healthy spirit, a healthy attitude, there can be no healthy body.

We're more than just our bodies and there's no gym for our attitudes. But we can choose to work out our troubles and fill our thoughts, our reactions and our spirits with the positive. It makes you feel a whole lot better. And the best part is...it's free.

As my kids like to say, "Put some gratitude in your attitude." (Thank you PBS!)

(Our Thanksgiving table...family....things to be thankful for.)

Have a great day!

The USPS Killed Moody the Cow Pig

Poor Moody. He left home looking like this:



He arrived at his new home looking like this:




After some mad painting last night I think Moody the 2nd will be ready to be shipped out on Friday (at the latest). *sigh* Poor Moody.

(There are more banks at my etsy shop - Lizard Lips Boutique.)

Donuts, Pigs & Exercise

Two 12 hour-ish days this weekend. I figure lots of calories were burned running around, pushing wheelchairs, serving coffee and transferring people. Of course, I also had goldfish crackers, 2 cans of soda, a delicious (and please, let me stress delicious!) Boston Cream Donut with the most decadent chocolate poured on top, and peanut butter cups. I'm hoping my snack-y intake was less than my calories burned. I doubt it, but here's hoping.

I sold another piggy bank on my etsy shop. Hopper is leaving home. A sad, but happy day. First Flo and Cloudy, then Moody and now Hopper. I think I'm going to have to get painting.

The end of the Gym Mama Biggest Loser Challenge is tomorrow. No matter what the outcome I'm just excited I lost weight during it. I'll post the results on Wednesday.

Well, I'm off to play outside with the kiddos. Or stand around and drink coffee while they ride their bikes. Either way, it's exciting to get outside in just a long sleeve shirt a week before Christmas. Reminds me of our years in Phoenix.

Sunny Side Up

A morning with snafoos.

Woke up grumpy after being awake for 75% of the night. Thank you very much baby teeth that have decided to torture my daughter.

The boys were...testing the limits of my tiny bit of remaining good humor.

The van wouldn't start. That to be found out only after the three kids were buckled in, the packages were loaded in to take to the post office and it was 35 minutes before lunch. I thought it was the alternator.

Then things started to get a little better.

My brother arrived and jumped the car's battery with his super-duper police battery charger. He said it was just the battery. Not the alternator. And that it still had some juice, but just not enough to start the car.

My husband came home to help if we wanted to get a new battery.

We went to the post office to mail the packages and there was NO line. AND my hubby stayed in the car with the kids so I could go in BY MYSELF.

We went to BestBuy to pick up a new wireless printer/scanner/copier/fax (wahoo, on sale for only $79!) and, because I had ordered it online for in store pick-up, it took me only 5 minutes to get in and out of that crazy place.

We had lunch together. TOGETHER. Meals rarely happen together around here anymore and I miss it.

Now, we're sitting together. The boys engrossed in Flubber, hubby asleep while snuggling with the middle bambino, the baby happily playing in her pack-n-play, and me getting caught up on "stuff."

So, now we're good. I'm going to set up the printer in just a few minutes, but I thought I'd enjoy the uncomplicated bliss of this afternoon for just a bit longer.

Thursday's Blog Giveaway!

Today's the day! We're having a Blog Giveaway!




Featured today is the "Plant a Tree - Join ArtFire" cell phone cozy! My cell phone is not included - sorry! I always grab my ID, debit card and cell phone when I head out the door to exercise or play with the kids. And, I know this will be a shocker, I always end up dropping something or forgetting where I put my license, etc. It's a mess. SO, I made the cell phone cozy.

THIS cell phone cozy will make talking about ArtFire easy if you're as excited about it as I am. The conversation may go something like this:

"Hey," says your friend. "Nice cell phone cozy."
"Thanks! I won it from a blog giveaway at ConfessionsOfAGymMama.blogspot.com and wow, that lady is just awesome and you should read her blog and buy her things on ArtFire."
"What's ArtFire?"
"It's this really cool site where you can buy and sell handmade things. For each person that registers they're donating a tree. See? Tree on the cozy and now a tree in the forest, because I registered."
"Does it cost anything to register?"
"No! It's free! Sign-up today! And if you want your own cell phone cozy just go to GymMama.ArtFire.com."


I especially like the beginning of the suggested conversation, so be sure to include it. hehehehe

Anyway, to win your very own Plant A Tree - Join ArtFire Cell Phone Cozy just email me at GymMama {*at*} GymMama dot net. (Obviously, you'll need to format that into an actual email address.)

If you don't win, you can always purchase your very own handy dandy cozy (and great marketing tool!) at http://GymMama.ArtFire.com.

Good luck!

I Jinxed the Weather

Too funny...I posted the last entry, got up to let the pony outside and it's POURING AND COLD. Guess we got home just in time! =)

Outdoor Exercise in December

Today is a rare day in SE Pennsylvania. The weather is warm (almost 70!) and although it's grey and rain looms on the horizon, it's actually pleasant. Two days ago it was so cold I couldn't feel my fingers...and I was INSIDE!

So, the kiddos have been getting cabin fever and today was the day to break it. We headed off to our favorite zoo and spent an hour walking around and around and around. We did quite a few laps and I know from having done the MS Walk there a few years ago that we logged probably about 2 miles. Two glorious outdoor miles in December.

What a treat!


Speaking of the MS Walk...Team Gym Mama will be there in April. I'll post the link to sign-up as soon as I get it done. I hope you'll join us!

Attack at the Nursing Home

I've been attacked.

Three crescent moon shaped gauges now reside in my left wrist. Thank goodness I'm right-handed.

Yes, apparently, being a CNA is not only hard, underpaid, weight-loss inducing, but highly rewarding work, it's also DANGEROUS and potentially SCAR-PRODUCING!

The kids are fascinated by my bandages. Notice the plural. BandageS. Multiple bandages.

So, it happened with the last resident on my assignment. Jane Doe (obviously, not her real name) decided to lunge out of bed and dig her amazingly sharp nails into my wrist while commenting that I was a woman of the night...all because, well, because Alzheimers is the worst disease ever.

On a side note, I lost another pound. Wahoo. Go me!

(I'll try to post pictures of my war wounds later. I know you're dying to see them.)

GymMama is on ArtFire!

Register on ArtFire.com

What is it? Well, ArtFire is a lot like etsy...but easier! Easier to search, easier to find things, easier to sell things on. Since exercise is hard, shouldn't finding handmade things be easy? (hehehe...totally unrelated and didn't make a lot of sense...just go with me here!)

Anyway, I've opened a Gym Mama shop over on ArtFire.com and for each person who registers the shop will get credit. So, if you make things and want to sell them online sign up as a Verified Seller. Seriously, you can't beat the $7 monthly fee considering there are NO listing fees and NO final value fees - ever. You can list as many things as you want - even a gazillion! And if you're one of the first 5,000 shops to sign up that $7 fee is for life.

If GymMama gets 10 Verified Seller accounts opened through the referral link by 12/31/08 we'll never have to pay. Why is that so exciting you ask? WELL, no fee = more money donated to charity. You see, 20% of all profits from the sale of items in the store will be donated to charity. No fee = less overhead = more profit = bigger donations. See? It's a GOOD thing!

If you just want to browse and shop or open a free shop that's awesome too! Just put GymMama as the referring shop. We won't get credit for the free store for life, but it will help in a contest for a scooter. Don't ask.

So, click on the link above, register, sell and shop. Oh, and our link is:


GymMama.artfire.com

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Well, my baby girl is a year old today. It hardly seems possible. What a year!

I got to thinking about my physical health this time last year. Obviously, I was very pregnant and very post-pregnancy all within a few hours time. Funny how that happens.

I may not be going to the gym or working out religiously, but I'm in much better shape now than I was even before I got pregnant. That, to me, is amazing. I wanted to lose weight, but I didn't actually think I would. I had, in some part of my brain, resigned myself to the fact that I was going to be a size 14 forever. That was just going to be it.

How exciting that a year after having my youngest I'm in a size 10 and on the way down. That's a good thing. It's encouraging. And I never believed it would happen.

So, if you're reading this and thinking that you'll never get to where you want to be....just start. Do something. Anything. You can do it.

Gym Mama Biggest Loser Challenge Update

Only 2 weeks left for the Gym Mama Biggest Loser Charity Challenge. So far I've lost about 7 pounds in 10 weeks. Not bad, but not that super either. Hey, at least I've lost.

I'm aiming for 10 pounds lost. Not my original goal weight, but one that's achievable.

Good luck to ALL of the contestants. Here's wishing you smaller waist lines, skinnier thighs and happy, healthy hearts!

Top Ten

Almost a month since my last post. Holy cow. Time flies. So, in case you're wondering what I've been up to...let me bore you with the details... =)

1) I've gone to Chuck E. Cheese not once, but TWICE in the last 30 days. Unsubstantial pizza, sugary soda and lots of bright lights and noises that can make you develop a twitch. Both boys wanted their birthday meals there, so we went. Honestly, I think Daddy may have had more fun than the boys.

2) I forgot about the Exercise Ball DVD and was facing a hefty overdue library fine when the super sweet AV Lady from the library called and told me to high-tail it in there while she was there. Thank you, AV Lady. You are my hero. (I'm glancing over the "forgot about the DVD" part in hopes you won't remember that I was supposed to actually USE the video for exercising.)

3) I was told by a 91 year old woman that I looked better fatter and my hair shouldn't be partially pulled back, because it looks awful that way. Seriously. Forget the hair part and focus on the beginning. "I looked better fatter." Who says that?!

4) I am now down to the 150s. Comfortably so, I must add. Truly, it's the 3 hours 5 nights a week of busting my buns at work. My legs were burning from walking so fast the other night. Who needs a gym when you have a nursing home?!

5) Thanksgiving. I cooked, I ate, I worked...and there went all of the calories. Bonus points for work.

6) I've been crafting. Mostly to keep from exercising, I think. I'm going to be making exercising thingy-ma-bobs to go with my exercising theme, so check back.

7) Fall decorations down, Christmas decorations up. Hot chocolate - yum.

8) 300 tissues, 3 sniffly kids, 1 sniffly husband....priceless.

9) Avoiding the blog since I haven't been formally exercising. There. See, you didn't think I'd admit to it did you?

10) Trying to figure out how to design a fabulous website idea in my head. The idea in my head...not the website. Oh, stop already, you know what I mean.

So, there you have it. Weight lost, turkey eaten, avoidance admitted. What more could you ask from a blog post?

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Oh! I started Twittering! Follow me at www.twitter.com/GymMama I'm still not a twittering fool, but hey, I'm working on it!