We’re halfway through Body Back. We’ve been at it for 4 weeks. 4 to go. Part of me is very sad about this. I’m enjoying it. I don’t want it to be half over. The other half of me is very excited because I’m seeing results. I was 7 or 8 lbs. down in the first 3 weeks. At Stroller Strides the other day, some of the Body Back veterans told me I looked good and they could tell a difference in my physique. I walked a little taller and held in my core a little tighter. Hells yeah, ya’ll!

Then I look at this pic and realize I have more work to do. Then I remind myself to be kind to me. I’ve gestated and birthed two remarkable humans with this body.

I don’t think I’ll lose weight tomorrow morning when I weigh in. You know how you can just tell sometimes? I lost 3 lbs. last week, but this week was different. I was hungrier and lazier. Well, I won’t say lazier, but a lot more tired. I worked out 4 days instead of 7. (Except for the planks. Those were everyday.) It’s amazing to me how I’m disappointed in myself for “only working out 4 days.” Before Body Back, 4 workouts in a week would’ve meant I was a fitness rockstar worthy of multiple desserts and another beer.

Our instructor Christie made a great point. We made it to the “21 day mark.” You know how they say, it takes 21 days to make a habit? Can this Body Back life be a habit? Logging on My Fitness Pal everyday, forever? Eh, likely not. But, being aware of what I’m consuming and how much I’m working out? Yes. That can be a habit.

Okay, we’re about to start a new week. After a week of  “taking it easy.” It’s on. I feel rejuvenated. No resting on my laurels. 4 more weeks. It’s on.

I gave my babies a bath and put them in their pajamas. That’s my favorite. When they’re all fresh smelling and still a little damp in clean pajamas. I promised them a treat because Mama needed to run a quick errand. I got my jammied babies Munchkins from the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru for a Saturday night treat and spent two more dollars. Two dollars for the chance.

The Powerball jackpot is $380 million tonight. I’ll battle those odds. People always say, “what they would do if they won.” I’m talking about what I would do immediately, in the 24 hours after finding out I had the winning numbers. If I win tonight, this is what I would do:

1. Call Greyson and repeatedly check the numbers. (He’s traveling.)

2. Make him come home.

3. Put the ticket somewhere really close to me and try to sleep.

4. Call the lottery office in the morning, but they may not be open or answering calls. I don’t really know how that works.

5. Go to church, thank God, try to get my head straight and not tell anyone else.

6. Treat the kids to Chipotle for lunch because, I mean, come on, we’re millionaires, baby!

7. Talk to Greyson about hiring a lawyer and financial adviser.

8. Hopefully go to the lottery office if it’s open. I think you may have to wait until Monday.

9. Try not to tell anyone.

10. Go to the Lululemon store and get me some new work-out clothes. I feel like a lottery winner should get to splurge on the $90 workout pants she’s had her eye on.

11. Email and call Dave Ramsey. I think we’ll need all the financial advice we can get.

12. Find out from the lottery office if I can be anonymous. I’m really not interested in telling anyone or doing a press conference. Let me be clear that as a former reporter I am super-pro media, but if I can get away with not going public, I will.

13. Take the kids home for naps and hope Greyson is home by this time. I imagine he’d be on a plane immediately.

14. Start making a list of things to pay off. Our washer and dryer. I’m sick of that bill. Suck it HH Gregg. I’m a millionaire! Gimme a new TV. I’ll pay in cash.

 

This week for Body Back we’ve been given a plank challenge. Dude. Holding plank? If you’ve ever held plank for an extended period of time you know how hard it is. It works your whole body. My husband has been timing me as I hold plank. Here’s the at-home exercises I’m doing this week:

Yes, I know it’s important to focus on your form while holding plank, but sometimes you need a distraction. This is me holding a 45 sec. plank tonight. I was talking about “Thomas The Tank Engine,” and English accents. Naturally.

Sometimes Greyson doesn’t tell me when it’s really over and lets me keep holding for 10 more seconds just to prove to me that I can do it. 10 more seconds, says the guy sitting and not holding plank. Stinker. I’m gonna make him do it with me. He can. He rocks at holding plank. I’m nervous about the last day though. I mean, 10 minutes of plank would be long for a Navy SEAL marathon runner. Geez. Wish me luck.

Am I right about the accents? British people sound American when singing except for Ed Sheeran and kids, right? 

It’s cold, right? If you’ve been following along during our Weeds To Wow adventure with Fairview Garden Center these past few months, you may have realized we can’t do much in the yard in late January or early February. Even in North Carolina, the experts at Fairview know this may not be the ideal time for some of the awesome planting we want to do. What to do in the winter? Bring it inside!

Charlotte was so excited when I told her Fairview’s own, Aubrey was coming to play and make a “Fairy Garden.” I didn’t know exactly what a Fairy Garden was, but when I saw photos, I knew the girls would love it. It’s a perfect way for kids to get their hands in the dirt and do some planting on cold days. All Charlotte had to hear was “Fairy” and “Aubrey.” She was game.

The girls couldn’t start until they had on their fairy wings and dresses. Once they had proper fairy attire, the fun could begin. Ten steps! Check out this video to take you through the whole process:

I loved this project so much! Charlotte checks on her fairies everyday. Beware, sometimes overzealous 4-year-olds make a mess in the dirt. I have it on a shelf high enough that Henry can’t reach it, but Charlotte can stand on a stool to see it. That vacuuming you saw? It has continued. It’s okay though. I don’t mind. I love that she has “her plants” in the house. She loves knowing about the roots, stems and leaves of each plant.

Here’s some of the plants we used:

Tell me what plants you’ve used in a Fairy Garden. Have you ever made one with your kiddos? How long did it last? If you’re in Raleigh/Central North Carolina, check out Fairview’s class schedule. They have a Mommy and Me class to make Fairy Gardens coming up in May! Don’t let “fairy” scare off your boys. It’s a fun garden project for all kids. Be creative and put what you want in there. There are so many class offerings this winter and spring. Ya’ll know how much I loved my wreath class. Have fun! Happy planting.

It’s 10:00 pm the night before the Super Bowl. I’m staring at huge bags of tortilla chips, jars of queso blanco and other nacho necessities on my kitchen counter. I’m catching up on episodes of Shark Tank with my husband if anyone cares. We’re baller. Don’t hate.

We’re hosting the Super Bowl party for our friends. Specifically, our Fantasy Football league. We’re having a “Build Your Own Nacho Bar,” hence the chips.

Wait, wait. What do you call cheese that isn’t yours? Nacho cheese! (Get it? “Not yo” cheese.) Sorry, I’m really punchy and tired.

Anyway, I’m starting to realize the clean eating expected during Body Back is extremely difficult during the weekends. Super Bowl aside, we just left a Chili Cook-Off at church. There were nearly 15 different chilis to sample. Across the room? 15 different homemade desserts. I asked Charlotte what she wanted to make for the kids’ dessert cook-off. She said instantly and emphatically, “Chocolate pie!!!!”

Really sweetie? Are you sure you don’t want organic fruit salad with no added sugar?

Of course not. I used my favorite recipe for Chocolate Chess Pie  and had some sweet and wonderful moments with my little 4-year-old. Yes, I licked chocolate from my fingers and had a tiny sliver at the event. I’m a firm believer in not missing out on any fun or enjoyment. Just ask my husband. But, in the past I’ve gone too far. At Super Bowl parties in previous years I have downed beer, eaten wings and topped it off with a cookie cake with the competing team’s logos. I’m not even kidding you they had homemade chocolate covered potato chips that year. Gah! Amazing.

Oh, it is now 2:00 pm on Super Bowl Sunday. I got tired while writing this post last night. Then it was crazy this morning. I thought Henry was sick. We took him to the doctor. He’s not sick. Teething. Having a tough time. It was a rough night. Sorry. I’m back. 

Anyway, I’m all for the exercise and clean eating of Body Back. I’m down 5 lbs. in two weeks, so obviously I’m loving this. Even more than the weight, I just feel really good. I’m getting stronger. A gagillion crunches and lunges will do that. However, I do want to enjoy the Super Bowl nacho bar with my friends. I’m not going to restrict my diet to an extreme. I want my kids to see me healthy AND enjoy some indulgence WITHIN REASON.

My solution? Portion control. I have a plan. I’m skipping beer. Water only. I’m loading up my plate with veggies from the veggie tray. Instead of smothering my chips with cheese, I’m putting a small serving size on the side to dip some chips into. I’ve looked up all the calories on My Fitness Pal so I know how much I can eat ahead of time. Our instructor Christie always reminds us, “Plan ahead!”

The USDA reports that Super Bowl Sunday is the second largest food consumption day for Americans, behind Thanksgiving. I get it. Wings are delicious and the game is usually boring. So, plan ahead so you won’t overdo it and you can look as hot as Katy Perry or Tom Brady. Game on!