The Fast is Over!

My sugar fast has come to an end. Yes, I did it! Here are the most commonly asked questions I heard during the 40 days!

Q: So, have you lost weight?
A: I lost 15 pounds. Not bad, but that wasn't just because of sugar. I joined myfitnesspal.com (highly recommend it, it's free) which gives you a daily calorie target. It also has an amazing database of foods and logs exercise too (thanks for the tip Amy and Caroline). I also exercised 4 times a week. I did two days of 60+ minutes of high intensity work outs (running, elliptical, step class, etc.) and two days of toning (Pilate's or strength training). That was pretty doable. This body still needs tons of toning and a few more 15 pound losses (sigh)...

Q: Did you completely go off ALL sugar?
A: No, come on people. This is me. I gave up all TREATS (candy, chocolate, cake, brownies, etc). I still ate bread and pasta (and condiments). I probably would have done better without these things, but really I know I can't live without regular food. I still haven't made the "food is only to fuel the body" connection. Probably never will. I still enjoy eating socially. The good news is that since I wasn't wasting so many calories on sugar, I could fill up on food. I ate pretty healthy, but no starving going on.

Q: Did you have sugar with drawl?
A: Amazingly enough, no. The first week wasn't that hard for me. Later on, the afternoons were the roughest time for me. That is the time I really wanted to rip open a snickers!

Q: Did you cheat?
A: No! Okay, I guess so if I have to count the one time I mindlessly ate apples with caramel dip at McDonald's, the very first week. I didn't even realize it until 5 minutes later! But, I never snuck into my pantry and gobbled up treats (I have come so far =))!

Q: So what was the first sugar you ate?
A: The treat I really missed during my "fast" was chocolate chip cookies. So, I had frozen one from a lunch date with some friends at Paradise Bakery. That was my first treat. Along with 5 mini Reese's eggs and some trail mix with m&m's. The result wasn't good. I got a stomach ache, big time. The candy was NOT worth it, didn't even taste that good. The cookie, um...that was pretty tasty.

Q: What now?
A: I honestly had so much energy without sugar, I felt awesome. We have a trip coming up and I would love to lose a few more pounds before then. So, I will eat treats this Easter Weekend, but starting Monday another 3 week sugar fast.

Q: The best part?
A: Realizing that I can say no. I have always felt pretty weak, but I did it. More to prove it to myself then anyone else. The weight loss and energy are a bonus. Also, I had some amazing family and friends who joined me on this 40 day journey. My friend Amy said it was like silent bonding. I love that, exactly what I felt. I love you girls. Hope you feel healthier too!

Q: The worst part?
A: Passing up cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory. That was hard! I better head there this weekend...

Any takers on my 3 week challenge?

Vday fun

I loved Valentines this year. It was nice to spend it at home with the kids and those I love!

We turned our house into "The Love Cafe".


The kids waited on us over a candlelight dinner. I never imagined they would have loved it so much, they took their job seriously! They loved waiting on their grandparents and aunts and uncles too.


We finished off the evening with our usual cookie decorating. My last real sugar high! Yes folks, still going strong on my no sugar. I loved love day this year....Can't wait to do this again!

I LOVE Candy

If you know me, you know I love sugar. LOVE. IT. Love it so much (you know the old saying...I could marry it). Seriously, I can't remember a day in the last few years that I haven't had some sweet treat. Mmm. Love treats, a lot.

But I am giving up sugar for the next 40 days!! Can I do it? If you see me...remind me or ask me how I am doing. I am just going to appologize right now if I am grouchy. Sugar brings out the best in almost everything about me (except my waistline!).

So, here goes craziness...

The first step back is the hardest...

Really, 10 months ago was my last post? Wow!! Honestly, I have been trying to think of some super fabulous post as a comeback... But, superfabulous just hasn't been me lately!! Not. At. All.

But the sun has been out this week,

Richard and I did go to Hawaii over my blogging hiatus, (proof of my love of the sun)and I feel a part of me coming back. So, we will see if I can EVER make it back to blogging. Seems like a long shot. I so love the spring and summer. And, I so loved blogging at one time.

So, what do I do...update you on my life for the last 10 months? No...I'll spare you that. I love quotes. I love that a few sentences can move me, inspire me, and push me to change. I love that a couple of lines can make me laugh, cry, and lift me. And so it seems fitting to come back to blogging with a thought...

“If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance.”
-- Andrea Boydston

Well, I am breathing and here goes another shot at blogging...

Getting to it, finally

1. Crafting. I really love creating things, but there are just so many other things I need to do that I rarely, if ever, craft anymore. But, I got a little crafty for valentines, look what I made
2. Organizing. I love everything organized and in its place! I am so very far from organized right now. But I finally got Karissa's bows organized. I saw this on someone's blog a year ago, and finally got to it!

3. Don't laugh too hard, but I took a dance technique class last week. Crazy as it was, it was fun, until the next day when I couldn't walk down the stairs. I forgot how dancing uses so many muscles. Any takers in going to the class with me? No pictures from this one!

4. Home projects. Since we moved into our home in WJ we have kind of decided on just letting it be. We did so much in our last home and then we moved. Since we aren't sure if this is our forever home (if only I had a different driveway!) we have been layed back on the home improvements. But, our neighbor built us some shelving in the kids closets and Richard and Sam painted. Loving them so much!

So, it feels good to have a couple of things checked off the "would like to do" list.

I've been a bad friend...and something free from me...

So, on my blog break, not only did not update MY blog but...I didn't update myself on anyone else's blog either (sorry, but I still love all of you a bushel and a peck). I was tagged a few times and totally intend to respond to those tags.

This wasn't really a tag (responses to other tags coming...)but I want a homemade item from my cute friend Kacee, so I thought this was fun. And, in Stephanie's words, like paying it forward or something. Kind of wondering if five people will even respond since I have fallen off the face of the blog world for 3 months, but here goes....

Lucky you!

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year. {might be a little while}
4. You will have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or maybe even some creation I haven't even invented yet (but heaven knows it will most likely be totally fabulous and creative... :). I may draw or paint something (no, I really won't do that). I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me!* *Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!* *

I have a blog? What Joey needs...

I really have meant to post every week for the last three months, but for some reason I just couldn't bring myself to do it! Avoiding for some reason. Maybe because I can't think of anything interesting, funny, witty to say.

So, to start off the year right I thought I would bloglift from someone funny and witty (thank's Jane)! My list of what "Joey Need's" according to google...(you can do this too, just type your name and needs and post the first 10 findings)

1. Joey needs some Nikes (so true, I need new aerobic's shoes)
2. Joey needs to shoot more
3. Joey needs formula (hope not)
4. Joey needs some help (always)
5. Joey needs some encouragement (yes)
6. Joey needs a sidekick
7. Joey needs a nap (love it)
8 . Joey needs to start a blog (amen, or just update)
9. Joey needs an angel
10. Joey needs a home (how about just a clean one)