Shred, Shred and more Shredding

Well, maybe not that much shredding. But, progress none the less!

This week I stayed at Level 1 again. I need to move up because although Level 1 isn't easy, it certainly has become comfortable to do and I really like the flow of Level 1.

I was able to go for two 30 minute runs and do the Shred 3 times this week. No change on the scale,

BUT (drum role........)

this morning I was able to fit into a size 4 pants I haven't been able to in over a year. I had actually tried this pair a little more than a week ago and couldn't get them past my mid-thighs. Two months ago - I had to buy a size 10 pants!

Definitely seeing decreased size/toning in the stomach, thighs and arms.

So, despite no movement on the scale, this morning was certainly a huge motivator to keep going!

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Happy Spring (and 3 days)!

Signs of spring are sprouting up around the yard!

And spring wouldn't be complete without a Momma Bird making a nest....

for her new little baby bird!

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Welcome to theShredheads

So. Lots of my blogging friends have joined I'll Stop the World and Shred With You.

I actually joined them about 2 months ago, but they didn't know. I guess I'm sorta coming out of the closet. Or rather finally getting around to officially join them.

Here's some of the basic Shredhead info:

1. Pics - not motivated enough to take them, download them and post them. You'll have to use your imagination here.

2. Tag Line - MyLossAsItIs @ MyLifeAsItIs

3. Weight - started at 130. Which probably sounds like a decent weight. Except I'm only 5 feet all. And before I got pregnant I was 118, which was slightly more than when I got married. I only gained 25 pounds with Adam, and was extremely fortunate that all but 5 pounds was gone by his 5 day check up. Those last 5 pounds were easily lost. And that was 10 years ago. And, in fact, 2 years ago I was down to 112. After lots of running and kickboxing. I felt the best I had in years. Then I found out I had extremely high cholesterol. And because I was already fit and eating right it was straight to meds for me. Then I gained 1o pounds in one month. Stopped meds. Plateaued. Tried a different med. Gained another 10 pounds. Stopped meds. Plateaued. Which put me up to 132 this past Christmas, with high cholesterol and a poor response to meds. I weighed more than I did when I came home from the hospital with a newborn!

4. Goal - to get back down to 112. Yup. 20 pounds.

5. Diet Plan - to increase fruits and veges - especially on the days I don't Shred. And decrease portions of food for all meals.

6. Personal Rules - to do my best.

7. Shred Plan - I started this back at the end of January. And I'm proud to say I've already lost 7 pounds! I don't do it every day. I wish I could. But I simply don't have the time, despite it being only a 20 minute workout. I try to get in 3-4 times a week of Shredding.

I started on Level 1 for about 2 weeks and moved to Level 2. It was OK. It was a lot of up and down. And with a heart condition the up and down was making me dizzy. So I moved to Level 3. I like that one a lot. But some days I ride the bike for 20 minutes before shredding and on those days I do Level 1. I like Level 1. I like the flow and the workout.

I know I could probably lose more if I did it more than 3-4 times a week, but that is what I comfortably have time for. And so far I've been happy with the weight loss as well as the slimming of the stomach and arms, and the looser feel of the clothes.

It's motivation to keep me going.

Do you want to join in on the fun too?

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To Have Gluten or Not, That Is The Question, Part III

And slowly, that question is getting answered (for a quick recap, see Part I and Part II).

Adam had the blood tests - no Celiacs Disease :) Which means it's just an intolerance. So much easier to monitor. And what a relief for Adam! We've already replaced cereal and snacks to gluten free versions. It always amazes me how much gluten free food there is popping up. And because it's not a true allergy, very small traces are acceptable. The upside to gluten free foods is that there often organic and have no added junk to them. As Hubby pointed out, we all eat better when he's on the gluten diet.

In just a week his head banging at bedtime is starting to decrease. Random noises are turning into repeated phrases (which are easier to fade out). He's had 2 successful playdates this weekend.

Last night we sprung an outing to an Irish Restaurant with live music. We had mentioned we might go there this weekend. He was able to handle it with just a little bit of whining (we did leave in the middle of Sponge Bob), but once there he had a great time.

Two steps forward, one step back. And the journey of life continues.

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Your Child's Strengths

The kind folks over at FSB Associates have once again asked me to review a book for them. Your Child's Strengths - A Guide for Parents and Teachers is writen by Jenifer Fox.

I'll admit, at first my motives were selfish - I'd read the book, write a review and apply the strategies with my son. And I do plan on doing so.

However, I wasn't expecting to agree so much with Ms. Fox! Her focus is that schools are negative - focusing on the weakness of its students. We put labels on kids. We focus on their errors. And, as an educator, I've got to agree with her!

Instead, she focus on identifying children's stengths based on 3 areas (activity, relationship and learning) and nurting them. In her book she shares with the readers how to identify those strengths, and then how to make them even stronger. She include a practical workbook to practice these skills. Ending the book is an outline for the Affinities curriculum (Ms. Fox has implemented this in her school with positive results).

Her approach is easy. Her writing is simple. Her method is built on positive strategies. What more could you ask for?

See for yourself, here is an excerpt from her book:

The Strengths Code

by Jenifer Fox,

Author of Your Child's Strengths: A Guide for Parents and Teachers

In the early years, parents can do four things to set the stage for a child's self-discovery:
-Record observations of preferences, quirks, and choices
-Stimulate imagination through creative play
-Create rich memories with tradition and ritual
-Model positive attitudes and positive approaches to life

It's never too early for you to begin molding your child's memories and his imaginations. A positive environment will give your child a sense of security and confidence, and your child will appreciate your observations -- even if he disagrees with them.

Remember, strengths are not talents or skills, or what your children are good at. All those things are open to evaluation and criticism. Strengths are far more personal -- they are the activities that make someone feel strong. Your child may be good at doing math problems, but unless she feels energized by that activity, a course of study or a career choice that has a heavy focus on solving mathematical problems will probably not yield a passion for the work or a happy life. Children begin life with a strong desire to please, but they don't go through adolescence that way. Beware: a child may abandon the pursuit of a true strength if he believes you chose it for him or it is something you are attempting to impose. When I was in fifth grade, my mother dragged me to an acting class, insisting I would love acting. At that time in my life, I was reluctant to do or try anything she suggested. The more she insisted acting was my true calling in life, the more I resisted. Years later, after I interviewed for my first teaching job, the principal called, offering me the position of high school drama teacher. I told him he must have made a mistake, I had interviewed for the English teaching job. He said he thought I would make a great drama teacher and asked if I would give it a try, which I did. I loved teaching acting, which led to my own acting with a community theater. Later on in this chapter I will give you suggestions about how to encourage without pushing so you don't accidentally steer a child away from a strength.

Your role in the development of your young child's strengths should be more like a personal assistant than a boss. You can think of this relationship in the same way Michelangelo thought of his sculptures. He saw a slab of stone and knew that a masterpiece was inside it, begging to come out. His job was to see it and release it. The strengths are already in your child. Your job is to help your child see and release them.

The above is an excerpt from the book Your Child's Strengths: A Guide for Parents and Teachers by Jenifer Fox. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Reprinted by arrangement with Penguin, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., from Your Child's StrengthsCopyright © Jenifer Fox, 2009

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It's just not you I'm ignoring

It's my son now too.
As an autism behavior resource teacher I travel to a lot of schools. And my cell phone doesn't always work in all of them.
So today I missed the call from my son's school nurse that he had vomited and needed to be picked up.
My husband didn't miss his call so he got him. And took him home.
Me - I was busy at work and didn't even notice the phone message until 4 hours later. By the time I had gotten home he had also started a fever. He's now napping after being given some Tylenol.
I feel like I won The Worst Mother Of The Year Award today.

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