New Lifestyle Diet is great

Wow I am so excited -- people noticed this week. You know your diet is working when people notice. So this week I am down 5 more pound and 4.5 more inches. So that is a total of 12 pounds and 13 inches! I am so excited. Having lost this weight before and then getting pregnant and gaining as much with my third pregnancy as I did with the first 2 combined. Even being active (you have to love age) I gained with baby. I am excited to start week three on New LifeStyle, I will be bumping up my workouts, only being able to exercise a few days the last 2 weeks - do to life (which is no excuse) but doing home improvements I have been on the move. 

But this week I will be breaking in the new elliptical and next week loss will be great with the help of New LifeStyle Diet. Which by the way taste great. I have a hard time deciding which great flavors to go with for the day. The bars for lunch are my favorite. Of course, who doesn't want to be able to eat chocolate all the time!! Yumm.

Be sure to get started on your New life today!!

Happy Mothers day to all moms - take care of YOU!!

With motherhood comes never going to the bathroom alone again, your children wanting to talk while you are on the phone, interruptions while you’re visiting, storytelling, nap times when they won’t go to sleep, your children wanting to sleep with you, being dog tired and your children won’t go to sleep (hopefully not.) Just when you think your teens hate you and won’t share their feelings for a month, then suddenly they want to have a heart to heart! Children are complicated creatures, but we all grew up and most of us turned out okay! ☺ A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not its purpose. When we are concentrating on our family’s best interests, we still have to do things for ourselves. You must make yourself a priority in your life, or you cannot do justice to your family’s needs. Skin As with our hair, we must clean our skin too. Oils and makeup have been on our faces all day, so we have to cleanse it to keep the pores from clogging. You don’t need to be eating the sugar in your cupboard, so use it to make a body scrub. Mix it with liquid body wash; you can use brown or white sugar. Wouldn’t you like to look good without spending a lot of money? Sure, we would. Oatmeal is a wonderful skin tool. Most of us have it in our house anyway. It has anti-inflammatory products in it, which are normal exfoliates. Mix a handful of rolled oats with warm water. Put on your face and neck and scrub gently. Our skin is going to be with us for the rest of our life. We should exfoliate it every week. This takes off the dead skin cells and makes our face glow. Water is GREAT for rehydrating the skin, and it will help cut down on the wrinkles. Make a coffee exfoliation. It always helps to protect against cellulite or improving it. It is also able to help varicose veins. Use 2 cups of any kind of coffee grounds, ½ cup of sea salt, and 2/3 Tablespoon any kind of massage oil. Mix all together. You have other options; brown sugar, dash of cinnamon and vanilla extract. Regain your self-worth and confidence. Don’t run around braless and in a torn pair of sweat pants all the time. Make yourself feel and look good. You don’t have to dress to the nines, but I think you know what I mean. Motivate yourself.

Listen to your friends’ encouragement, take that “I cannot do this” out of your vocabulary. Go through some old photos when you were a young adult. Remember how happy you were? Well, you can go there again with a little work. Plan a reunion with some old friends. Play some old records and do something fun with them. You’ll be amazed at the feelings you will get from this…them too! They may be going through the same thing you are, and you can learn from each other. Of course, there is always that one… ☺

Be loyal to what you love, be true to the earth, fight your enemies with passion and laughter. -Edward Abbey

A form of codependency is to put yourself on the back burner and put others’ needs before your own. We know this is hard to do. Be careful, though. You get to where you can notice when something is wrong with someone and give him or her comfort even without him or her asking. It’s actually more than being nice. It’s more for you than them. Codependents tend not to share their emotions and just concentrate on everyone else’s problems, hoping to fix them. This can create a lot of stress for the codependent. Girl’s Night or Day Out You always need support…someone to lean on, and your friends do as well. You will be there for them and they will be there for you, hopefully throughout your lifetime. We have been friends for a very long time and don’t know what we would do without each other. We go through many relationships in our lifetime. Some of those relationships are with friends. We rely on friends probably more than our family. This is what friends are for: Laughing friends make us laugh. It doesn't matter what mood you’re in, these people know what will make you laugh... In this place and time, it is not as it was when the “Beaver” was growing up. We don't just walk around in our dresses all day, visiting our neighbors and having coffee. Now it‘s driving through the drive thru to get a $4.00 cup of coffee, while talking to your friends on your cell phone. No matter if we keep in touch in person or by phone, we still have our friends. Whatever you do, don’t lose that. Go to lunch, dinner, or a movie with a friend or friends. You could have a “hen party” at someone’s house. Talk and listen to your favorite music or play cards.

Swap places each time. All moms should try to have one of these activities at least once a month. Your spouse needs one too…if you get one, then they need one too!

You can make an audience see nearly anything, if you yourself believe in it. - Mary Renault

A hot bath will really get you relaxed. Try a little bubble bath, candles, and pour yourself a glass of wine (if you drink.) Play with your pet. They love you unconditionally and you are their whole world. Just think how happy that makes them…it will make you happy too! We believe that they are part of our families, and they know when we need their attention the most. Animals have a strange way of detecting when we are sick, sad, depressed, or worried. Notice that they will stick closer to you during these times. They usually don’t want anyone else around while they are comforting you. Watch a funny television show that will make you laugh aloud. This releases dopamine, which makes you happy. Get some aromatherapy candles: • Chamomile – eases anxiety and helps you sleep. • Lemon - refreshes and clears your mind. • Ginger – gives you energy. • Fennel – relieves tension and stress. • Ylang-Ylang – lifts your mood and nervous tension. • Lavender – calms and relieves tension. To Reduce Aging • Exfoliate your skin by using a loofah sponge. • Cellulite – Add 1-cup whole milk to a warm bath. • Moisturizing bath – Add 1 cup milk and 1TBSP honey to a warm bath. "The highest reward for a man's toils is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it."

Join a local “mom” group…moms of twins, or walking moms. Just find a group whose members walk together a certain number of times a week. If they don’t have groups in your area, start one. It is a great networking source and a built in “babysitter finder” with people you can trust. Having a massage feels like paradise. Nowadays, there are so many other spa treatments that make your eyes roll back in your head! Just imagine a whole day at the spa, being pampered and not having a care in the world; just go on and have the whole deal. Some spas offer champagne, and most have soft music and incense that will put you to sleep as soon as you hit the table. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

Start with a pedicure and a wonderful massage chair. Have a manicure. Then move on to the massage; there are many types out there depending on your individual need or taste. Some of these will be; trigger point therapy, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, or a hot stone massage. We go every now and then and can tell you that it’s ALMOST the best feeling in the world! Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling. Reduce Your Stress Everyone gets stressed out from time to time, but we have to work at lowering it in our lives. Feelings of stress are caused by the body's instinct to defend itself. This is good in the case of emergencies, such as getting out of the way of a speeding car. If you just stood there, I wonder what would happen. SPLAT!! Women are especially good at dwelling on the past. You may have an instance where you were wronged. Put it away. What are you gaining? Something good to try is writing your worries on a piece of paper, wad it up, and throw it away. Try not to worry about them again. Just TRY, Girlfriends! However, stress can cause physical symptoms if it goes on for too long. It can make you feel anxious, afraid, worried, and uptight. You must try to let it go. This happens to all of us, so try not to let it worry you; just try to make it go away, even if it means going to the doctor. For the most part, people keep all of this inside…the worst thing you could do. They’re scared and believe that they are the only person going through this…guess what??? Most of us go through this at one time or another. Each person has different concerns that create stress and each needs a blueprint to reduce it. People who have mental disorders, such as: bipolar, depression, codependency, anxiety, etc., have an even tougher time reducing their stress. Sometimes they suffer just like the rest of us do, but maybe are afraid to ask for help. You must take responsibility and deal with it, to release it from your life. Doctors can help you with therapy or medicines. Relaxation Training This can help with addictive behaviors such as drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. It can help with anxiety, stress, pain, and depression. You can even manage your hot flashes…WHEW, turn on the fan! Most of these conditions may also require standard treatment...people use relaxation training to alleviate anxieties from long-term (chronic) conditions, such as HIV or cancer. You are intensely aware of all thoughts and feelings that pass through your mind. Take slow, deep breaths and do the progressive relaxation. Start with one muscle and move over your whole body. You tighten and hold that muscle for a few seconds and then relax it. Do this with all of your muscles, from toes to head. You will find that when you get up to your head, you are fully relaxed and can rest. You can also practice relaxation training by stretching, breathing deeply, or using the same movement repeatedly…like walking, swimming, or running. You can calm yourself by breathing in and breathing out to relax. Scrunch your toes and ankles and raise your feet and toes. Tighten your thighs, go to water aerobics classes, and exercise. A pulse rate of 60 is good. If our heart is racing or flopping, lean forward so that your heart rests against your chest. Cough, shrug your shoulders, or twist. All of this helps. Try it…we have, and it has become a daily ritual in our lives. Praying to your “HIGHER POWER” is a great way to relax. Override bad thoughts with good thoughts. .When you keep a journal, it will let you put down all of your fears and concerns on paper. (DON’T LIE!) You can also write down what kind of day you had, feelings, or just anything you want. Nobody will read your thoughts but you, so work on your concerns one at a time. Now go buy a journal. Stop and smell the flowers, watch television, take a hike; a nap, relax in a lawn chair, ride a horse, read a book, listen to music, or fall asleep.

Yoga & Stretching Yoga is a science practiced for thousands of years. It is supposed to fuse the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one entity. It gives you strength and balance. If given the right tools it can find synchronization and heal itself. Yoga is thought to be therapeutic. It helps you become more conscious of your body's posture and alignment. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax. It can make you feel better, give you more energy, and have a peaceful attitude. Be sure that before you start yoga to do some stretching exercises. This will heat up your muscles and make them more limber. Although most yoga classes end in a relaxation pose, classes that give emphasis to slow, steady movement and gentle stretching are best for stress relief. Injuries can occur when yoga is not practiced in the right way. It’s best to learn by attending group classes. Once you’ve learned the basics, you can practice alone or with others. The greatest revenge is to accomplish what others say you cannot do. When odds are one in a million, be that one.

Quiz  Feelings of stress can cause the body to _______ itself.  What is codependency?  What is Relaxation Training? Explain step by step.  When you laugh, what happens?  How will a journal help you?  Name two mental disorders.  How can you “throw your worries away?”  Stress can cause _________________________________________.  Animals have a strange way of _________when we are _______________________________.  Yoga is thought to be _____________.

How does one become a butterfly? You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar." -Trina Paulus

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The Momma Guide -- Chapter 2

For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program. -Bob Wells

To balance everything in our lives can make us feel like we are trying to accomplish the “impossible dream.” We’ve been there and it’s not impossible to balance your lives; you just need some tips. A filing cabinet is a great way to keep things organized. Purchase a box of Manila folders, hanging folders, labels, and magic marker. Use the hanging folder for major categories, with subfolders. For example, the major category is Insurance. Sub folders would be Car, Life, Medical, or Homeowners. Label each folder. Some others could include banking, loans, taxes, medical, and more. We, as moms, should delegate tasks to our children (and hubby) no matter how old. This will help them become responsible adults…even your spouse will become more responsible. Everyone needs to know how to wash dishes, (even with a dishwasher) make beds, and carry out trash…just sharing that will help you out. We know that this might be a tug of war to get your family to do this, however, hold your ground. We all need help and moms are not the only ones who live under the same roof. If they don’t do it the way you want, don’t get mad. Any help is better than no help at all! At work, we have everything organized as well. Keep a task pad with your priorities on it and check them off after completion. You can use your computer if you have one. We do this and it makes such a difference in our priorities. Make sure of any overtime so that you can adjust your schedule at home or arrange to have that day off. Many employers are flexible with this because so many mothers are working now. We both have multiple businesses that need attention. Sometimes moms wear various hats and need help. Be sure if you want to schedule a vacation that you do so in plenty of time. It would best if you put it in writing and have your supervisor sign off on it, just in case there is a discrepancy. Life throws many obstacles at us. Managing all of them can be very stressful, especially if you work…believe us, we know! We all must take time out for ourselves too. Work and family cannot take up all of your life…schedule time just for you. Put a calendar on your refrigerator and schedule days as to time off...“your time,” vacations, special days for children activities, etc. That way you will always know what’s going on, even if your mind doesn’t register. Cha ching! "Whenever you see darkness, there is an extraordinary opportunity for the light to burn brighter." -Bono

We love to go and get a massage together. You feel so good and relaxed as your problems just melt away…try it! Call up a girlfriend and just go. Hire a baby sitter or a family member so you can be there with a clear mind. Then you can devote the “down” time to mom without worrying about the kids. Most of us seem to be “responsible" for the household. We take care of the family, run kids around, usually work, pay bills, etc. We sometimes feel as if the weight of the world is on our shoulders, even if we don’t show it. We have to be perfect for work and home, but we cannot be perfect all the TIME! I’m sure that you have seen those “SUPERMOMS.” You wish you had it all together as they seem to, but you have no idea what goes on at their home. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Then again, learn how to say “no” no matter how bad you want to say “yes.” Don’t worry about being a super mom if it is going to wear you out. Do what you can do and don’t let people make you feel guilty or stressed out for saying “no.” Saying “no” feels good…try it! This is a huge problem for women. We are taught to nurture and adjust ourselves to everyone’s problems. We feel guilty when we tell a person we cannot do them a favor. Be sure and check your schedule or tell them the next day when you know for sure. This will reduce your stress when you later notice that it has put you on “overload.” Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. At some time or another other, people break when they have to do everything and keep up appearances. It’s just because men are not usually good at these things. However, don’t take it all on yourself. You are not the only responsible person in your marriage. We must ask for help when we need it because if we don’t, “burnout” will set in as well as fatigue, aches, pains, mental problems, depression, and exasperation. DON’T EVEN GO THERE IF YOU CAN HELP IT.

Even though you feel as though you’re the only one who can manage everything, trust your spouse…I’m sure they will come to the rescue. This may make them realize and appreciate what you do and see that they are more a part of your family when they help. Let go of that “my way or the highway” idea. Let him do things his way, and if there’s something that really needs changing…just talk to him. You cannot be “super mom"” all the time. You need to spend quality time with your spouse. Don’t forget that. You may be tired from your day’s work, but sit down and talk about your day together. Make sure you have the time to be intimate without the kids hammering on your bedroom door. Sometimes this can be a frustrating feat, but I guess all of us moms have been in that situation before. You MUST take 30 minutes to 1 hour a day to do something for yourself. It may be taking a bubble bath, lunching with friends, having a manicure, shopping, getting a body wrap, (while taking off a few inches) taking a walk with your spouse …something that relaxes you and makes you feel good. Children need that quality time too. Moms should make sure that we sit and talk with them about their day. Go somewhere they want to go once a week, if you can…be involved. Also, don’t forget that they need time with your spouse too. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. - Winston Churchill

Take pride in the way you and your kids look - we have so many of our friends’ children who show up here and there with miss-matched socks. It’s not that hard to match socks...you can even do it in front of the television. We do this and make it a game or family time to talk! Our bodies need lots of rest to refuel for the next hectic day. Get up a little early and take a walk, run, or go to the gym. This invigorates you for your busy day and will help with the depression that comes with feeling overwhelmed. We need to realize that having happiness in our lives can help tremendously. Recognize your power to choose. We don’t have to do what others say, do what you want to do…unless it’s your job…he-he! Use your strengths and weaknesses; this will work to your benefit. You can try changing things around. Do the opposite of what you’ve been doing, such as taking a different route to work. This is like a game and should be very enjoyable. We can all get a little bored with our everyday routines. Our dreams are very important. Try to realize them if you can. If not, try to find something else that you can accomplish. It’s hard to glance back and see that we are not at a point in our lives to accomplish these goals. Something is constantly there to replace them. We merit all the happiness in our lives as we can possibly obtain! Do something to make someone else have happiness in his or her lives. (That is what we are trying to do with this book.) Hold the door open for someone, offer to help an elderly person load their groceries…pay it forward, it will always come back to you. Fill out the following. It might help you know what areas you need to work on to find a better balance in your life. "Optimism is a cheerful frame of mind that enables a tea kettle to sing through its in hot water up to its nose." 1. What really matters to you? 2. What activities can you get rid of? 3. Are you a workaholic? 4. What do you need to do to take care of yourself? 5. Does your family eat dinner together? 6. How can you find time for you? 7. How can you simplify your life? 8. Who can help you if you need it to balance your life? 9. How can you “pace” yourself? 10. When was your last checkup? 11. Do you have a “family night?” 12. What were your goals in life before you had kids? 13. What are your goals now? Dream as big as you can dream, and anything is possible.

Quiz  Managing life’s obstacles is ________.  ___________ tasks to your children and hubby.  Schedule your tasks due to ____________________________.  What is a good way to schedule your vacation at work?  Why do you need “balance” in your life?  Organize all of your duties and _________ them.  Name three things your family can help with.  Why are “do it all” wives not happy at home?  How much exercise should you get each day?  Name two things that the whole family can do while watching television?  Name two things your children can do to help you.  If you don’t ask for help soon, what will happen?  What are two things that you can do to relax? What Women Want: To be loved, to be listened to, to be desired, to be respected, to be needed, to be trusted, and sometimes, just to be held. What Men Want: Tickets for the World Series.

Chapter 2 of  The Momma Guide by Traci Davis & Vicki Holleman-Perez