I keep failing, but I'm not giving up!

I know, I've done so many posts about weight loss and not giving up, but I guess I was choosing the wrong time to start a regimen, or my heart really wasn't in it. Maybe I just wasn't ready to give up some things. I also think I have set myself up to fail. One of my biggest pitfalls to date is that I have continuously failed to find an exercise program that I enjoy; therefore, I don't stick with it. 

I also fail to hold myself accountable. If I mess up a day, I just give up; I have learned that I can't do that. There will be days that I mess up, but I have to start clean the next day. I can't just ignore the bad days. I have to count them, learn from them, and move on. I also have learned that I need to be accountable somewhere besides in my head as well. The solution to this is that whether its bad or good, I have to post a weekly update on this blog. If I don't have any progress one week, that is okay, I'll learn from it the next. 

Here is the plan. I may deviate from it, but I will update if something doesn't work or If I add to it. 

I have to do this for my health, and for my family's future. (Also- I wouldn't mind wearing a two-piece swimsuit for the first time EVER)

1. I will have only 1500 calories a day for the first week 

1200 calories a day for 2 weeks after that

1000 calories a day after that 

2. I will record my calories every day, no matter how well I do

3. I will substitute Splenda in my coffee, instead of sugar

4. Over the next 2 weeks, I will work up to 10 glasses of water a day

5. NO (and I can't stress this enough- NO) Mayonnaise - and I love it

6.  Do a cleanse (either juice or leeks) every 4 months

7. I will have desert no more than 2 times a week

(one regular and one sugar free)

8. Continue on my exercise hung

9. Research and begin Couch to 5k

10. Stop mindless snacking. 

11. Start eating a small, healthy breakfast

12. Reduce my bread consumption. 

13. Start taking vitamins

These are the biggest ones:

14. Even if I have a bad day, start clean the next

15. Update Beautiful Imperfection once a week on my progress

16. DON'T GIVE UP

Also, I urge you all to hold me accountable. If you see that I haven't posted anything about it, ask me. 

If you have questions or suggestions, let me know. 

I'm all for help. I just want to succeed. 

I WILL succeed!

What I accomplished today:

1. Set up a SparkPeople account

2. Got a weight loss tracker widget

3. Held myself accountable by posting this. 

My motivation for today:

Snapshots of Bliss: My Happiness Journey

This is my very first 'Snapshot of Bliss'

As I mentioned last week, I am starting my own happiness journey. 

You can read about why here: Life is Perfect

I will also keep you up to date on this blog. 

I hope to get some other bloggers in on the action, as well. 

My intentions are to post a photo every day of something that makes me happy. 

I will also be adding some elements from other projects. 

Hopefully I can spread some happiness.

Or at the very least, show everyone who reads that there is always something to be thankful for. 

You can follow along here: Snapshots of Bliss

Hello 2012

I have to say, that even though there were lots of happy moments in 2011, I am so glad its over.

Ready to move on to bigger and better things. 

Believe it or not, this is the first year (EVER) that I have written New Year's resolutions. 

I know, I am so strange!

So, I am taking this a step further and sharing them with my readers. 

 

Here goes:

1. Have the prince potty trained
2. Find a job
3. Take a picture every day
4. Start my very own happiness project
5. Craft more and open an etsy store
6. Post more recipes on Cupcakes & Sweet Tea
7. Join in on Project Marriage
8. Create a landing page for all of my projects
9. MOVE into our own home
10. Start reviewing web services for my readers. 
11. Lose 100 pounds
12. Exercise 3 days a week, and eventually elevate this to 5 days a week
13. Post on at least 1 blog every day
14. Spend more time outside
15. Start writing my book
16. Create an organizing system I am satisfied with
17. Learn to bake a cake
18. Learn to decorate cookies
19. Grow my hair out
20. Post more about me as mommy! I love this life!

What a wonderful Christmas

I am so blessed to have had  such a wonderful Christmas surrounded by so much love. 

It was so much fun to see the little prince on Christmas morning

Also, because I'm still in the Christmas spirit, I am giving this blank frame for FREE!

Just click here to download!

Enjoy, and you can find more of my goodies at NIGHLON

Habits change over the years...

 I have always loved shopping, especially for others. It wasn't something I ever dreaded doing unless I had to find something like a white button down shirt (which you can never find when you NEED one). I enjoy being out around people and that feeling of success when you find a great deal on something really amazing. I was never one to shop online. That is, until this year!This Christmas, I was more about bargains than finding the absolutely perfect gift!

Enter: become.com! Become.com is basically a one-stop search engine for shopping. They have an amazing internal search engine as well as wonderful buyers guides! There's even a coupon section. Become.com has an amazing comparison shopper feature that I have never seen before. Its one of those things where you think "why didn't I think of that?" This feature shows the total price after tax, shipping, and everthing and lets you compare THOSE prices. Amazing, right?

Another thing that I absolutely love about Become.com is actually one of the main reasons that I never shopped online before. I am huge on spending money locally. I believe we should put our money back into the community when we can. With Become.com, we can do this. They have an amazing local shopping feature. Just find the item you want, type in your zip code, and you will see a list of the stores local to you that sell that item. Use this feature to keep money in your community, to test an item before you buy it, and even get it quicker.

Now, it gets fun! Being the mommy to a little boy is getting more and more exciting as the days go by! I realized that it won't be long now until my amazing 15-month-old starts playing sports. As exciting as this is, my wallet isn't so exciting. There will be so much equipment to buy over the years: balls, bats, shoes, cleats, support briefs, clothing, and even band aids. Since I have discovered Become.com, I will be able to even throw in a reward of two in addition to the must-have items. Maybe some fun baseball necklaces for boys!

I even had a really genius idea for become.com. I could help my dad restore his boat by searching " boat seats clearance " This would help him get the boat fixed soon, which means we would be on the lake sooner. FUN FOR ALL! Who knows what I can accomplish when the website does so much multi-tasking for me. I do believe that my new discovery will pay off. 

My New Project

I have decided today that I will start a happiness challenge. 

Details coming soon.

Wish me luck!

Let's Fight Cancer

There are so many lives affected each year by cancer. Too many to count. The statistics don't include family members, friends, coworkers, or the random people we say hello to every day!


Its not really something I talk about, but my family has had many losses and hospital visits due to cancer. I truly believe cancer touches every one in one form or another.


No one is granted and exemption. Anyone could go to the doctor tomorrow and be faced with the very real possibility of cancer. Its heart breaking.


Especially now that I'm a mom, I want a cure found in my lifetime. I don't want to see my son face this horrible disease!


We need to all band together and help support the search for a cure!




Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the American Cancer Society

Letters to Santa

This time of year always makes me think of all the traditions my Mother held tight to every year. These traditions will always have a warm spot in my heart. We always colored an advent calendar; took food to charities; stood outside stores ringing bells; and woke to reindeer tracks and Santa’s muddy boot prints. However, I think what stands out to me the most would be our letters to Santa.

In case you haven’t noticed, my childhood was quite different from most. We have a strict, but very loving Mama who instilled in us many important values. Most of all, she taught us responsibility, manners, respect, gratitude, and thoughtfulness. Things were no different at Christmas time.

Every year, after the tree was put up; the old world Santas were placed around the house; and the Nativity scene placed on the sidebar, it was time to write our letters to Santa. We would sit at the dining room table with homemade hot cocoa and Christmas cookies. Mama would turn on Christmas music and bring out her box of stationary. Inside this box, was the prettiest Christmas paper ever! The best part, it was only used for our letters to Santa. She even had special pencils for us to use.

Now, my mama is a bit different from most when it comes to writing to Santa. There were rules involved. Not only did we have to use our best handwriting, but we also had to actually write a letter- no lists allowed! We were only allowed to ask for one thing. Most of all, we had to show appreciation. Our letters were to include a thank you for last years gifts; a thank you for being nice to so many kids; and what we accomplished that year. I didn’t understand why we did this, but now I am so thankful that my Mama did this. After we wrote our letters, we made Santa a gift- usually an ornament.

As I sit here writing this, I wonder what made her think to do this. Also, I wonder whatever happened to those years of gifts for Santa from three children with an amazing Mother. I have my suspicions that they were either given to family members, the sick and elderly at hospitals or nursing homes, women’s shelters, or even to random charities. I will ask her one day. These are traditions that I will definitely keep going with my own son!



At the following websites, you can find areas to let your children email letters to Santa, as well as receive a letter from Santa!

http://emailsanta.com/

http://emailsanta.com/email_santa.asp

http://www.aletter4santa.com/

http://www.northpole.com/

http://www.freelettersfromsantaclaus.com/free_printable_letters_from_santa.asp

enjoy these links!

Our Latest Adventure: Potty Training

So, our little prince is now a whopping 14 months!

Wow, how time flies!

He is walking amazingly well, and has been off the bottle for a while. 

He also tries to take his diaper off when he is wet....

So I came to a conclusion:

POTTY TRAINING

time is upon us!

Here is the plan:

we take him to potty A LOT!

His potty plays music, so that's an added bonus

the really great surprise that Nana got him: Hershey's kisses after he uses the potty!

Its been 6 days, and he is doing surprisingly well.

For the past 2 days, the only accidents have been at naptime and night time.

I'm quite impressed!

Seeing how much he is growing, I cannot believe how tiny and fragile he was.

It makes me think of a paper I was given by the doctor, while I was pregnant.

This is what it said:

A Newborn's Conversation With God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven, I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy," God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. You will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again, the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweetest words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?" God said, "Your angel will defend you , even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name!"

God said, "You will simply call her MOMMY."

This was the most amazing thing for a young lady who was so unsure of how successful of a Mother she would be to hear. I knew nothing about kids, but this helped me know that I would always figure it out.

Even if I couldn't, our angels would help us!

Testing Diet Food: Weight Watchers Smart Ones Satisfying Selections

As you all know, dieting is a problem for me.

This may be because I'm a new mom, because I am easily distracted, because I am lazy, or it could simply be because I love chocolate!

Who knows, but it doesn't really matter, because dieting is one thing I really am bad at!

Recently though, I was given the opportunity to test the new Weight Watchers: Smart Ones frozen Meals. These are called Satisfying Selections. The are larger than most diet entrees, even including larger pieces of meat! 

These meals come packages in a bag so that you can either cook them on the stove top or even steam them in the microwave. Pretty handy!

My favorite part: With the amazing taste, you wouldn't believe they have fewer than 400 calories!

If you are a Weight Waters Lady, that is between 8 and 10 points!

They even have 25 or more grams of protein, which is pretty handy for chasing around a toddler!

The varieties include: 

Sesame Chicken

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

Ziti with Meatballs and Cheese

Chicken with Broccoli and Cheese

Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry

That's actually a decent range for a new line!

I went with Sesame Chicken (because I have an unhealthy love of it) and Chicken with Broccoli and Cheese (because I am a picky eater and I don't like Alfredo or Teriyaki- I know, I'm a strange, strange lady)

I was actually really impressed with the taste of these meals. 

Another reason that I'm not a good dieter is this: 

I see diet food and I run away.... 

Once again, this is because I am a picky eater.

I do, however, see myself picking these up when I pick up frozen dinners for the family!

These are definitely meals you should not run away from screaming!

They are definitely at least worth giving them a try!

I am now willing to even give the Alfredo and Teriyaki a try...

If I don't like it, I'll just give it to the Knight, he won't know that its diet!

Disclosure: This post is part of a SocialMoms product evaluation, for which I’ve been selected. I’ve been compensated for my time with 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and don’t necessarily reflect the opinions of SocialMoms or Heinz.