The Cameron Chronicles: January 2011

Monday, January 31, 2011

I miss me

You know when you get married and you are so completely head over heals in love that you do everything you can to learn all about that person. Their likes and dislikes. You spend countless hours watching boxing or UFC or some other sport just because you know it makes them happy. But because it's just the two of you, you can still find some time for you, for your passions. And then, after a few years, you create these amazing beings and you are once again so completely in love that they totally consume every ounce of you. Your life is suddenly filled with play dates, school, t-ball and Yo Gabba, Gabba that you completely forget who you are.

That's where I am right now.

Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE who I am. I am proud and honored to be a Mother and Wife and there is no other title that I would rather carry. But at the same time, I can't help but feel like a part of me is missing. A part of me that I thought I left with my childhood and didn't even realize I missed as much as I do.

I came to this realization last week while at the gym. I was in the middle of working out and all of the sudden "What you Own" from the musical Rent came on my MP3 player and I smiled, a true genuine smile that I had not seen in a while. I stopped right there in the middle of the gym and let the song finish out, enjoying the beautiful harmonies and reminiscing in the first time I saw this amazing musical. See, growing up, my life was consumed with Musical Theater. I performed in at least 3 musicals a year, my weekends were spent traveling to LA to see the latest musical, front row (Thank You student rush tickets!) and in high school every day was filled with Show Choir. Oh yes, just like Glee! We sported the sequined dresses, learned the choreography and competed and won in several competitions. It was (is) my passion!

What happened? To be honest, I don't know. Maybe in my move to FL I wanted to create a new me or maybe it just consumed my life for so long. But what I do know is that in the 11yrs I have lived in FL I have seen 4 musicals. 4!! And 2 of them, I had to fly to New York to see. I guess it also doesn't help that I married someone who hates music. Seriously, who hates music?!

So, this year I'm channeling the old Krista. I'm going to listen to my favorite musicals daily and see more performances, I may even drag the hubs to one every once in a while...he owes me! Lord knows I've seen enough bodybuilding competitions to last a lifetime! I'm going to sing more...and not just in the shower! I may even audition for the local theater, who knows? It seems like such simple things to do to bring a little bit of me back, but I think it's going to make a world a difference.

Sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in life that you forget about yourself. Do you feel like you've given up a piece of you? What can you do to bring it back into your life?

McFatty Monday & Weight Watchers

I joined Weight Watchers Online last week. Instead of constantly complaining about how huge I was, I needed to kick myself in the hiney and do something about it. I mean seriously, it's been over a year since I had Bugs, I really can't blame that extra 30lbs on baby weight anymore. With my new weight loss journey, I also decided to jump on the McFatty Monday train to help keep me accountable. McFatty Monday was started by Blair (not her real name) at Heir to the Blair. If you haven't visited her blog, you must!! She is super cool and one of my favorite bloggers out there and I totes want be her best friend (in a totally non-stalkerish kind of way, obviously!)

Anyways, since this is my first McFatty post, I feel like I should tell you a little bit about myself and my goals, so here we go...

Hi! My name Krista and I'm Fat!

**in unison** Hi, Krista!!

I'm not fat like I break chairs when I sit, but in a thighs rubbing, jiggly arms, squishy belly sort of way.

I've struggled with my weight my entire life. The numbers have yo-yo'd as low as 130 and as high as, well, where I am now. * I'm not really ready to disclose that figure yet, because I'm kind of embarrassed by it and um, this is the internet* It seems the older I get the harder it is to loose the weight and having 2 c-sections is definitely not helping. I'm actually fairly active, I visit my local gym quite frequently and with my husband being an ex-personal trainer and health-food addict, we don't really have any "bad" food in our house. But as the months go by and the scale doesn't move, I decided what I'm doing on my own is not working and I need to enlist some help. My husband offered his services first, but I politely declined, because I kind of would like to stay married. So, I turned to Weight Watchers. I've heard so many success stories (one being my mom who lost 30lbs!) and I like that fact that I can still eat normal food. I mean let's get real, I love food...it's what got me into this situation in the first place!!

With Weight Watchers and the new points plus program I am allowed 29 daily points and 45 extra points a week. I've done pretty well staying within my daily points and not really using the extra. I even had my favorite "aunt" visiting this week and was able to indulge in a few of their yummy desserts to curb that chocolate craving.

Here is an example of my daily menu:

Breakfast:
Protein Shake with berries (made with Isopure Protein, water, frozen blueberries) 1pt
Coffee with creamer and splenda 1pt

Snack: varies depending on my mood-here are some of my options
Protein Shake 1pts
carrots 0pts
hummus 3pts
cheesestick 2pts

Lunch:
Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones meal 4-6pts

Dinner:
I generally just take a small portion of what I made the family. I have also been trying out some new Weight Watchers recipes. This usually runs 7-10pts

It's not really hard to stay within this "diet", my only problem is that I am hungry all the time! I know this is a good thing because it means my metabolism is working but I also hate to use my points. I'll get into a groove with it all soon, it is only my first week.

I also wanted to let you know what my goals are...

Goals:
- loose 35lbs ( I only put 30 when I signed up with Weight Watchers, but my true personal goal is 35)
- drop 2-3 pant sizes
- gain muscle ( this will be accomplished by visiting the gym and bringing the 30 Day Shred back into my life...Oh Jillian, I really haven't missed you!)
- more energy
- feel better about myself

So there you have it people...Hope you join me on this journey and wish me luck! See you next Monday!

**oh and I should also let you know that I have already dropped 1lb, I know it's not much, but it's a start!!**

Note: Weight Watchers is not compensating me in any way to mention their products or program. I am doing this on my own and paying for it out of my own pocket.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Family Time

Saturdays have become quite routine in our household. Wake up, make breakfast, sometimes head out for lunch, lounge around the house and then make dinner. Party Animals...I know! But yesterday we decided to switch things up a bit and head out for some family time.

We did start out day out like always with some cinnamon raisin french toast and eggs...yummers! Next we headed to the gym for a little family workout time. The kids played hard in the kid zone, while the hubs and I built up our muscles...or a least for me, tried to get rid of some of that flab! After the gym we loaded up the car and drove to the beach. No, for all you Jersey Shore fans, we weren't trying to get our tan on, it's still quite chilly here in FL. We did decide to do a little seashell hunting though...

Bubs had a great time building sandcastles, playing football and running up and down the shoreline. A certain someone else had a great time too, although I think she was a little cold.

While the boys got their energy out, Mom and Buggy spent our time watching the birds and doggies...she kept saying "see puppy". Cutest thing Ever!!

(Side note: How much do you love the sunglasses?

58 cents at Old Navy...I love a bargain!!)

We finally decided that we were all freezing and thought it would be a good time to head to dinner. Just up the road from the beach is a cute little restaurant called TacoLu. A friend of mine introduced me to this little gem last week and I brought some home for the hubs and it was all we could think about all week! They are known for their variety of taco's...it's simple, fresh and delish!! Seriously, if you are ever in N FL, you should check it out!

Since we weren't ready to end out Family Day, we decided to head to the frozen Yogurt place across the street. This place was awesome! They had a bunch of fun games including Super Mario Bros on old school Nintendo, put put, and bunch of old board games. They also had a list of things that you could do to get a discount on your order. Well, like I mentioned earlier, I love a bargain, so I narrowed it down to flying around the restaurant making an airplane noise for 20 seconds or getting a stamp on my forehead.

Here is what I chose...