Good Evening Friends & Family!! 

I'd like to say Mark and I have NOT thrown the towel in, we are just super busy with our family! 

We have stayed focused and on track:) I want to discuss something that I remembered from 1 of the like 6 times I joined weight watchers. It's called B.L.T's. It doesn't stand for one of my all-time favorite sandwiches, bacon, lettuce & tomato sandwiches. It stands for Bites, Licks, & Tastes while cooking, cleaning up kids plates, adding cooked food to storage containers..etc. ALL of those moments...you can consume..100's of extra calories. Today however, I made BACON...and for the 1st time ever...I did not have to eat a piece while I was cooking the remainder :) That is super good for me because I LOVE bacon! So beware of these moments, that you take in much more than you should. I have also been putting away food ASAP so it isn't sitting around, screaming at me to eat MORE:) Our kids LOVE Mark's pancakes and my bacon (we cook together, I know it's sexy:)) Anyway today, we made this for all four kids. I made for us, two pieces of whole wheat toast, 1 whole sliced fresh tomato, one piece of cheese half on each piece of bread, a half portion of mayo on the bread and 2 pieces of bacon laying across both open faced slices of bread with toppings (Mark had 3). We sat down at the table and ate this with a knife and fork. We felt satisfied and did much better on our carbs/calories than having what we made for the kids! 

We are also keeping the water going without fail. Each at least consuming 5-6 20 oz containers a day. 

I still haven't succumbed to using my fitness pal app, and I NEED to do this and stop guessing, I'm okay on calories. Also, every day progress has helped so very much in our home. I have never been so very close to being caught up on laundry!! YAY, we soooooo can do this!!! 

Have a great Sunday!  We will be out of town helping our grandparents pack up their apartment. I'm planning on taking some drinks and food so we don't fail on the road. Like someone brilliant once said "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Nope not us!!! <3 <3 

168 hours later...

Well we made it through our first week with flying colors! Chelsie and I each lost over 6 pounds :)

We understand that isn't a realistic weekly goal, and we'll lose more in the beginning, but it is definitely a great feeling and a great result to use as motivation to keep on our journey!

This first weigh-in was almost exclusively diet influenced. That's not to say that we're overall sedentary day to day, because we (mostly Chelsie) have been doing a lot around the house. But only 1 "dedicated" work out for each of us in the first week, and we plan to increase that as well. 

Our first week also included no fast food and no delivery meals, for the adults at least. With our schedules, those easy meals were a norm on a weekly basis; now we (again, mostly Chelsie) just plan better for those time-crunched feedings. 

I'd have to say we're happier than 2 camels on hump day :)

Weigh In! / Week one!

Good Morning! 

Yesterday, our family was faced with some adverse situations. Emotional and tiring but together through even the toughest day, we stayed on track. Normally that may have sent me to Taco Bell, ordering the whole right side of the menu. I'm very happy Mark and I have the support of each other and food isn't the answer. 


Weigh In- I will let Mark tell you about his weight loss. I however and super happy with the results. Starting weight 224.6/ weight at 6:00 am 7 days later........ 218.4 loss of 6.2 lbs! I know people say...it's water weight..blah blah blah...I'm here to tell you, it's not coming back on me!! I have been busy every day! Yesterday even walked over 2 1/2 miles outside of my house cleaning cardio! 


We have been eating so many veggies! I went to a Farmers Market yesterday and bought some beautiful peppers/ corn/ tomatoes and my friend gave me some cucumbers from her garden. Our salad approach has been to put in a container that has a lid. I measure 2 tablespoons of dressing, add it and the shake it up with the lid on. It coats all the salad with minimal dressing. We "Share" the made salad so it is only 1/2 a serving of dressing:) Also a 1st I measured CHEESE yesterday 1/4 cup is a serving (again we share) but really..."We are in it to win it dawg!!" ~ Randy Jackson! 

It's Wednesday, before a holiday weekend! You are almost there :)   

I like to move it move it...

Since we started this journey last Wednesday, we decided to make that our official weigh-in day. So I guess that makes today "weigh-in-eve"! It's entirely possible that we've done a tiny bit of unofficial weighing to see if these changes have started to work (forever) in our favor. We'll have the week 1 "reveal" tomorrow morning!

Today was the first day we've both taken a conscious effort to add exercise to our routine. Chelsie took off for a walk with a friend, so I played soccer, did some boxing, some bowling, and played a game of beach volleyball. Thank you Xbox Kinect Sports!  

Day 6/ Hard work is paying off with energy!

Good Morning! Day 6 recap on day 7 morning. 
I have a feeling this may be how my blogging will work. 

I was so productive in our home yesterday. It's kind of bizarre how much you can do once you have goals in front of you. Our house had pretty much been ran over by my business. I had so much stock all over my house. Now we have rented a storage unit, and I have organized all of my inventory over there and reclaimed our home! In doing so, I have found so many ways to organize things and make them easier for all of us. I am on a cleaning, laundry, organizing frenzy. My motto has become "Progress everyday!" 

Eating, well, we have really just ate tons more fruits/veggies mostly veggies, and limited meats and carbs. We are eating more frequently, smaller portions. We have water bottles that you can move the count from 1-6 keeping track of how much we drink. I have noticed, the obvious if you keep drinking water all day you feel full most of the time. When you eat, you just naturally eat less. Also, I feel so much energy, from I assume the water and eating right. A month ago, I could not get moving, forcing myself to do the basics. Now I am accomplishing more in one day then a whole week before. Sadly that is the truth. Yesterday I also drank 6 waters, which has to be a record for me:) One squirt of Mio goes a long way. When you are busy working you need to drink more anyway. Logic..who knew..what those experts say is true! 

Set a goal, even a small one will help "Keep your eye on the prize!" 

Tomorrow is our 1 week weigh in!! I'm ready!! We got this, in the bag:) haha 

Go out there and have an Incredible day!! <3 

Day 5 on the Fly

Busy day! Mark and I had a very sensible breakfast, while the kids had doughnuts. We had planned a Sky Zone day for the twiblings, Wes & Jord for their belated birthday. I'm not sure how we did this, but we took 11 kids with us! The normal party food was available. Donotos Pizza, Cupcakes and Soda. Mark and I had a piece of pizza, with water and no cupcakes. I have to admit though after a day like that, we did also indulge in 2 pretty large glasses of wine before bed! Moderation = Key! 


I was so tired by 10 last night I was tucked in bed, so I am blogging now for yesterday. Happy to report though, a great night of sleep 8 hours, made Monday morning MUCH easier!!! 2 days to the weekly weigh in!!! 

The F in day Four stands for Football!!

Today was pretty scary when the alarm clock went off at 6:30 am. I had a horrible night sleep with this gunk I have. The lil guys had Football photos at 7:15 this morning. Then a game at 9:00 am. Then NFL Punt Pass & Kick competition at 2:00 this afternoon. Now the Colts game!! I'm so happy with our little Steelers, not even because (Jordan made his 1st TD of the season) but because we had a total TEAM effort and I love that so much! Second at the P. P & K competition ALL 4 of our kids competed! Yes, including our 13 year old daughter! Last night Olivia (and she has been playing backyard football with her bros for a couple years) gave the guys a run for their money with an awesome move and TD. So today I encouraged her to compete and she WON 1st place for her age!!! Also Jordan won 1st place in his age and overall only 1 child did better in all age groups!! So we have 2 kids moving on to regionals:):) 

Now about our weight loss challenge. I've learned I can eat a 1 piece sandwich to cut back on my carbs and calories. With saying that, I also have learned I don't need a cup of mayo (Hellmans I still <3 you) I can put a light covering and only on the one piece of bread = amazing! SO I put a piece of whole wheat/ high fiber bread on a plate, light coat of mayo, then half of a tomato( thanks to my buddy Irenea) sliced, then a piece of cheese and last about 3 oz of oven baked turkey. I I cut this sandwich with a knife & fork and felt very satisfied for 250 calories and filled with good nutrients. So know you can cut back calories and enjoy the same satisfaction! It takes a little ingenuity but it is worth a couple mins of thought and a couple pounds, you will lose! 

Now time to cookout and watch the Colts and relax. Ohhhh I bought an eggplant, can you give me any healthy recipes? My plan, grilled with mushrooms and a slice of cheese like a veggie burger, but not tonight:) Maybe tomorrow!! 

1st Weekend

So Chelsie and I avoided a previous pitfall today, which gives us nice motivation to carry on. Most Saturdays our schedules are pretty full with kid activities and today was no different. We started with football pictures followed by a game (which we won!). Then we had a few hours until we had to be back for the annual Punt Pass and Kick competition. Normally we would go for something quick and easy for lunch.  Today that would have been Taco Bell, and we would have each probably consumed 1000+ calories and thought nothing of it! So, we got Taco Bell for the kids, but we got a salad to share from Papa Murphy's - with low cal Italian dressing! It was actually very good - Chicken Bacon Artichoke. Tonight we will be grilling out, making more good choices, and feeling good at the same time :)

Day 3 / Operation Christmas Tree

Well Well Well, Welcome diversity! 
I woke up snotty, sneezing, sore throat, and ears! Thank you Mr. Bristol <3 Everyone keeps telling me it will get worse before it gets better:( I think in my own non-scientific mind that everyone that shares/passes germs will get the same infection. However I think... (this is usually where it gets stupid) because I am usually in good health (Minus a migraine here and there) that I will get the MOST mild case this lil bug has to offer:) We'll see, please don't double cross your fingers. 

Mark and I ate rather well, medicated our daily needs as well as our current, I can't breathe issues. He is still journaling on My Fitness Pal App. I have yet to engage in this necessary activity. I know even from my Weight Watchers days, journaling IS the KEY. So Tomorrow if I'm not dead, that will be my goal. 

Mark is feeling better, thank goodness because we both can't be suffering together. I knew I was getting sick when I had a diet soda, sunshine, Friday, and Guns & Roses (November Rain) on in my car and I could not clap, sing at the top of my lungs, play the drums on my steering wheel, and Almost cry, thanking God for my secular moment in time that reminded me, everything is gonna be okay that I was INDEED getting sick:(

Tomorrow Football right off the bat for the twibs, and more Sunday plans. God Bless <3  http://www.xmasclock.com/

Day 2 and my hubby is ewww....

Well friends, thank you for your support:) We are certainly blessed that we have a network of many amazing friends and family. 

As with most challenges and plans...things "come up." Mark yesterday went from congested, sneezing and looking like he was gonna cry (which never happens) when I was talking to him... To I can't breathe, constant snottiness and crying non stop..at least one eye. So weight loss came second, to sitting around looking like dying. ( He is still super handsome, but a man..a sick man..who could do nothing today!) 

I on the other hand will break my arm off, patting myself on the back. I non-stop cleaned and worked on organization. Laundry was in full force. I even cleaned the "kids" bathroom. Which I'm pretty sure, if I don't make it to Heaven will be my punishment in Hell! 

We have made excellent food choices. I have to start using my fitness pal app tomorrow. Mark however in his super sick stage, diligent in the techno arena, so I ask him how much was that meal..snack ect. was. Tonight, I bought our kids, hot & ready pizzas. Usually this is our opportunity to order "fancy pizza" Papa John's pizza with tons of garlic butter, (when the kids are almost in bed delivery). Tonight Oven roasted turkey sandwich & brussel sprouts :) Yay! We also started drinking water yesterday. Today continued and increased amounts. 

Lastly...some days this may be a sentence..or 15 paragraphs. My punctation is horrific, but keep in mind that is not what this is about. I will try to post a link on Facebook daily. Don't feel obligated to read everything, this is really for our accountability and dedication. I will look forward to hearing tips/tricks from ya'll pros out there on weight loss though. 

Goodnight friends <3 

Day 2

I didn't weigh in today; I'd probably be disappointed. I think Chels and I did a great job sticking to our plan throughout the day but obviously results aren't immediate in this arena. 

As the evening grew short and our schedule was still variable based on Carson returning from his football game, I was ready to succumb to a Totinos pizza for dinner. Luckily, my wife held us strong at that point at made cabbage, potatoes, and sausage for us! 

Today, another great food choice by Chelsie: she got us Healthy Choice Italian  Pasta Bake :) Calories, portion, carbs, fiber, protein were all friendly for us. Sodium is the typical black sheep in these prepared meals, but with greatly increasing our water intake, hopefully that's not an issue. I know when we're pressed for time that's usually when we make worse choices, so by having some Healthy Choice(s) only a few minutes away from ready at all times we should be able to avoid that pitfall. 

For our exercise today, we decided to move Jordan's tv downstairs. That may not sound like a big deal, but it's a 36" TUBE tv, and our house is old with narrow stairways. Maybe tomorrow we'll attempt a more traditional workout, like moving pallets around our yard :)

Chelsie's Christmas Challenge 25lbs by Dec 25!!

Mark and I are very excited to do this weight loss challenge! We are also super happy to share this with anyone wanting, needing or REQUIRING accountability <3 Like he mentioned our type II diabetes diagnosis stopped us in our tracks. We have made some improvements, but so much more is required for a healthier future for us and our family. 

My personal goal is  25 lbs down by 25 December, Christmas!!! If you know me,  I love Christmas and would love to have this awesome gift to myself. This is only my 1st goal. I didn't want to share my weight after Mark and I weighed in this morning, but I feel it is part of being honest with myself that it is a problem:( So sadly I weighed 224.6 this morning:( The ONLY good thing about this is that finally we have made a plan to change this silly #!! 

So, if you have tips to share or join us on our couples journey, or even go walking with me, swimming or..okay maybe more walking... I'm told my friend today, I'd like to ride a bike, and Luckily I have one, just not sure I want to look like an elephant on a tricycle yet! If you did not get an image in your head, something is wrong! Share any of your healthier recipes with me please:) We know how to eat right, but doing it is going to require some changes!! PLEASE NO ONION RECIPES, I'm a baby! 

Last, I would like to say, March 15, 2014 I will be...40..and that is my second goal, 40lbs down by 40th Birthday, hence the name of our blog. 

I would also like to give a personal "shout out" to Melanie Mullins and Susan Jones. Yesterday I spent some serious time reading their journeys with weight-loss. They both have been through a lot and have managed to get right back up on that horse! You ladies are my inspiration <3 ya girls!

Kick-off! Or, the line in the sand...

Happy Hump Day! Today I am making my weight loss goal public:

I plan to lose 40 pounds by my 40th birthday. (December 19th for those of you playing along at home)

Hence the blog name.  Chelsie and I have talked about making some lifestyle changes since we were both diagnosed with type 2 diabetes earlier this year, but we haven't really laid out a plan, so hopefully this will be just that.  I have also been diagnosed with and take daily medication for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and I have sleep apnea.  Much of that is genetic, but all of it would benefit from me losing weight.  Today my starting weight is 282.8

Chelsie has also set a goal for herself as well, but I'll let her reveal that in her first post here.

So, this is our kick-off to making changes! We're not planning anything unique or exclusive, just being acutely aware of what we're eating and drinking, and adding some exercise to our lives.