What the Heckasheesh?!

I haven't blogged in 6 months?!? LAME!!!!! As a courtesy post, here are some photos....

Thanks Breanna Olson for taking our beautiful family pictures. We love them.

Our #2 has Turned 2!!

We had Abbie's 2nd Brithday Party this weekend.

 Since it's summer, what better way to celebrate than a water party?

 Unfortunately the Birthday Girl was feeling under the weather. (Lesson Learned: A happy healthy Birthday Girl is much more important than a fresh birthday cake and $6 in balloons.) She watched the rest of the gang have fun. And have fun they did!!
 

See the guy on the right? He didn't stay there very long.

 

He and Carl let their inner children come out and had a pretty decent water war.

Another successful homemade birthday cake! As we were looking at pictures of cakes, Abbie chose a "pink butterfly." Her favorite part was the fruit snacks. Those were Carl's idea.

 Abbie and her balloons and presents.

 She was STOKED to find fruit snacks in one of her presents! Her reaction was hilarious! She was very kind and shared some with the other party guests.

Abbie hit it big in the dress-up department this year. 2 Grass Skirts, 6 Leis, One Fairy Headband (not pictured,) 3 pairs of Sunglasses, a Glitter Baton and a Fairy Wand.

This was possibly her happiest moment the whole afternoon. Well, second to finding the fruit snacks.

Carl snagged this photo of Brady testing out the birthday goods. Brady is running away to his room to hide!

We got this from Grandma Julie. Abbie loves to help sweep the kitchen.

Peek a Boo!!

Abbie (and any other children), I promise to reschedule your party if you aren't feeling well. It's more important to me for you to enjoy your day. We love you. You bring sunshine into our lives.

Brady turned 4 this year on February 17!

He chose a football field cake. He helped me make it accurate by reminding me that the goal posts are yellow. Thanks Bud.

He was really exited about his cake!

 We played "Make a Field Goal"

Brady got 3 points! We had some other very good attempts.

 One went FAAAAAAAAAAAAAR left. I think Lissette should stick to cheering.

 After the game we had hot dogs, chips ad apples for dinner.

 Pretty Party Girls

 The Cooks

The Party was a TOUCHDOWN!! Brady loves his "football" helmet!



Along with all the other great gifts he received. Thank you to everyone that attended and sent loving birthday wishes.

Happy Birthday to my First Born, the Older Brother - Brady

Face Blog Update

In case you were wondering.....my face has improved A LOT!! I longer feel like a 400 lb woman who has "only" lost 100 lbs, leaving her smaller, yet still obese. No, I'm almost at my "goal weight." Things have returned to normal. Now all that is left is waiting for all the excess skin to shrink (what I really mean is dealing with scars, pits, and dark spots).  But until I can do fancy treatments, I'll keep exercising, drinking lots of water, eating "cleaner" foods and getting enough sleep. That seems to be the prescription for a lot of lifes ailments.

Girly Fun Times

This is why I LOVE having a little girl! Especially one with curls. Abbie is so very good at letting me play with her hair for a reasonable amount of time. She likes to put "monies" (ponytail holders), bows and "med mands" (headbands) on. I can't believe how long her hair as gotten! seems like just yesterday she hardly had enough to put into ponies.

October 2011

November 2011

42 ways to cut belly fat, censored

Taken from allwomenstalk.com, I removed the practically pornographic photos. NOT MY OWN WORK! Some of the opinons expressed are not necessarily that of this blog's owners or its management.
 
There are some links, but I'm not going to activate them. I'm running out of mommy time. Enjoy.

42 Best Ways To Lose Stomach Fat Fast …


By Jennifer

Some time ago

This fantastic list of 42 Best Ways to Lose Stomach Fat Fast includes all the tips you need to lose that belly fat that’ve been bugging you for months or even years. According to 2011 statistics, 90% of US adult population are not happy with their abdominal muscle tone and they would gladly have a flatter stomach or lose that stomach fat altogether. Not only is belly fat unflattering, but it has been scientifically linked to many health problems such as bloating, heartburn, diabetes, heart disease, stroke etc. (and you thought having a muffin top was the worst part!). The good news is losing stomach fat and getting a flat tummy or even getting those fabulous six pack abs is not as difficult and unachievable as many people think.

As a person who successfully got rid of stomach fat quickly in the recent past, I’m here to give you 42 Best Ways to Lose Stomach Fat Fast that truly work. I promise you that if you start implementing these effective ways for losing abdominal fat one by one, you’ll get the perfect stomach you always wanted before you know it! So, let’s get started!

The best ways to lose that belly fat fast:

1. Make a plan

Before you do your first sit-up or dump that Cola down the drain, you need to make a plan for your weight loss. losing belly fat takes some work, and you have to put together a realistic plan you can refer to once you start your weight loss program.

You’re not going to lose all the fat around your waist in 3 days, and you will definitely need to break some sweat before you achieve your goal. Just remember, that it’s completely doable and if you put a bit more time into it and keep implementing these best ways to lose stomach fat fast, you’ll get the body you wanted before you know it.

So, just make a realistic list of things you are going to do to start losing that stomach fat (by picking minimum 10 ways to lose belly fat described below), add 3 deadlines you could use as a check point (for instance, 1, 2 and 3 weeks after you start your weight loss journey). Once you have done that, make sure you are consistent with the routines you’ve chosen, make notes, to see which changes you are sticking to and which are giving you problems. Replace the ones that just don’t work for you with new routines from these 42 ways to lose belly fat fast.

Remember to check your progress weekly and add 3-5 new ways to lose stomach fat every consequent week. If you follow the instructions from the above, you’ll lose that stomach fat in a matter of weeks!

2. Carry water everywhere to start losing stomach fat

Whether you’re on a weight loss journey, you’re trying to lose belly fat, or you’re just trying to be healthier, it’s always a good idea to keep well-hydrated, and to do that, you’ll want to keep a bottle of water with you everywhere you go. Sip from it every now and then, and you’ll feel fuller, more invigorated, and you’ll also be a lot less likely to indulge in a sugar-laden soda or juice if you’re not thirsty! This is a sure way to lose stomach fat fast, try it for a week and you’ll see what a difference it makes!

3. Color your plate

Did you know that the more colorful your meal, the more healthful it’s likely to be? Think about it: carrots, peppers, spinach, tomatoes: they’re all brilliant colors, and they’re all very healthful choices! Keep your plate colorful and you’re well on your way to losing that belly fat!

4. Cut out fast food – it’s an absolute must for having a flat tummy

Fast food is the worst culprit in the battle against stomach fat. It’s convenient, sure, but it’s loaded with calories and fat, and those calories and fat head straight to our “problem areas,” our bellies and butts! Skip the fast food, or at least opt for healthier fast food options, like salads (without fried chicken or calorie-rich ranch on them) instead of fries. But if you are really set on losing stomach fat fast, avoid the fast food altogether.

5. Cut out soda

A serving of soda contains more calories than a large banana, with none of the nutritional value. many of those calories come from high fructose corn syrup, which our bodies don’t really know how to process, and which often ends up turning into belly fat. Ditch the soda and save those calories for something much better for burning belly fat!

6. Doing your weight bearing exercises – one of the best ways to lose stomach fat fast

If you think you’ll need to spend the rest of your life doing sit-ups and crunches only, so you can burn belly fat and keep it off, that’s not quite true. You’ll need to do all sorts of exercises, in moderation, including weight bearing exercises, like brisk walking, jogging, and the like. Remember, overall fitness and nutrition is the key for losing stomach fat, and making sure it doesn’t come back!

7. Do your non-weight bearing exercises, too!

In addition to the weight bearing exercises to help you burn belly fat, you’ll also need to add non-weight bearing exercises, like biking and rowing. These two (weight bearing and non-weight bearing), combined with weight training and cardio, and some yoga thrown in for good measure, will give you a lifetime of fitness and good health — and of course will melt that belly fat away for good!

8. Don’t be complacent!

Once you’ve got the body you want (no belly fat in sight!), that doesn’t mean it’s time to rest on your laurels. Don’t stop exercising. Don’t stop eating right. Keep up with your plan, and you’ll keep your new hot body!

9. Don’t starve yourself! It won’t help you lose stomach fat faster.

Starving yourself will not help you burn belly fat. Cut calories, by all means, especially the empty calories, but to be healthy, and lose belly fat, you need to eat well. Starving yourself is dangerous, terribly unhealthy, and it won’t work anyway!

10. Don’t deprive yourself, either!

In addition to not starving yourself, don’t feel you have to deprive yourself all the time either just because you want to lose stomach fat. Is this carte-blanche for eating an entire carton of Ben & Jerry’s? No. But you CAN have a small dish, once in a while, to keep the edge off your cravings, and to remind yourself that life is good! Now, could there be a better way to lose stomach fat? :)

11. Don’t give up on your goal to lose stomach fat fast

After a couple of weeks you might find that you’re not losing weight or inches anymore. What gives? Don’t give up, sweetie! That’s just a plateau, a sign your body is adjusting to all of the positive things you’re doing. Keep going! You’re getting there! You are now much closer to losing all that stomach fat than ever!

12. Don’t try to isolate

It’s a scientific and biological fact: you absolutely cannot isolate one set of muscles and lose fat just in that one spot, and that includes belly fat. If there’s a product or pill that promises otherwise, it’s a scam, straight up. To lose stomach fat, you need to change your diet and exercise habits, all over. It’s that simple. Truly!

13. Drink a glass of water before you eat

If you’re thirsty, you’re going to eat more. Isn’t that strange? But it’s true. So before you sit down to eat, drink a glass of cool water, wait a few minutes, then dish out your sensible portion and begin to eat. Much better! You’ll be surprised at how effective this way to lose stomach fat is. Give it a try!

14. Eat 5 small meals a day to lose stomach fat fast

Rather than eating three large meals every day, switch to five smaller meals: a light breakfast, a mid-morning snack, a light lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, and a balanced dinner. Smaller portions more often will keep you from feeling hungry. And by the way, when I say “snack,” of course I mean something healthful, not a Twinkie! This way to lose stomach fat does not require a lot of sacrifice, all you need to do is figure out a schedule for your meals, and, with time you’ll be surprised at how eating 5 meals a day will become your new healthy lifestyle habit.

15. Give yourself 20 minutes to feel full after the meal

Did you know that it takes a few minutes for your tummy to realize it’s full? That’s why it’s important to eat slowly and take little breaks between the courses. Otherwise, you’ll end up over-eating, undoing all of the diet magic you accomplished that day, and that’s not what you want if you need to lose that stomach fat fast.

16. Get the right fit!

No matter how thin you are, if you’re wearing jeans that are too small, you’re going to have unsightly muffin top — so make sure you have the right fit, even if it means going up a size or two, and you may not need to burn as much belly fat as you thought! Now, this is probably the easiest way to “lose” stomach fat fast, but bear with me, there are many more ways that will actually require action.

17. Get your cardio going for losing stomach fat faster!

While weight bearing and non-weight bearing exercise is important to help you lose belly fat, you’ll also need to add cardio to your routine. Try for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week. What counts as cardio? Anything that makes your heart pound hard for that entire 20 minutes: bouncing on the trampoline, dancing your butt off, running, you name it! Any cardio is good if you are determined to lose that stomach fat fast.

18. Have a specific goal in mind for your weight loss

In any endeavor, it’s important to have a goal, and keep it in mind. Make sure your goal for losing stomach fat is realistic, and write it down, repeat it: it’s your new mantra. This goal will keep you motivated on the days when you don’t want to exercise, and when that pint of Ben & Jerry’s is calling your name.

19. Ignore the hype when it comes to commercial products for losing stomach fat fast

Let me say this once and for all: if a special diet plan, a pill, or a piece of workout equipment promises to help you burn stomach fat fast, it’s a lie, no matter which celebrity says it works. The absolute only way to burn belly fat fast is to change your diet and exercise… sound familiar? It’s the second time I’ve said something like this in this list. It’s that important. Be skeptical of new products that promise miracles. They’re a waste of your time and money!

20. Ignore the scale

I hate the scale. We all think of it as the end-all, be-all of weight loss measurement, but it’s not. First of all, as women, our weight is prone to fluctuate a little on its own with our own natural cycles. Also, as we build lean muscle and lose stomach fat, we’ll actually gain a little weight, though we’re losing inches. Ignore the scale. Or, if you just can’t help yourself, keep the weigh-ins to a minimum, maybe once a week or every two weeks.

21. One of the best ways to lose stomach fat – knowing your portions

Do you know how big a serving size ought to be? Try this: pour what you think is one serving of cold cereal into a bowl, then measure it against what the side of the box says is a serving. Most of us pour double what the suggested serving size is! And worse, restaurants tend to serve more than twice the serving size, especially in meat and in fats. A serving of meat ought to be about the size of a deck of cards. Most restaurants serve a portion of chicken or beef that’s at least twice that — be sure you know what a serving size looks like, and save the rest for left-overs.

22. Maintain good posture to start losing stomach fat

Want a quick tip to make it look like you’ve lost inches, even when you haven’t (yet)? Suck your tummy in, put your shoulder back, keep your head up, and, with this good posture, you’ll look (and even FEEL) much fitter — it’s even easier to breathe this way! In a way you’ll be toning your abdominal muscles, and as you know – they are essential in losing stomach fat faster.

23. One word: swim!

I know I sound like a broken record, but if you don’t exercise regularly, you’ll never lose belly fat. One of the best ways to exercise, and the most fun this summer, is to swim! The water resistance provides superb low-impact for joints and muscles, and it’s fantastic cardio, too! Anyone can do it… try it and you won’t believe how much more toned your belly will be!

24. Read the labels (even on diet food)

Even the foods that are supposed to be designed for dieters can be loaded with nasty chemicals and even far more calories than we need. Always check the labels on the food and drinks you’re about to have — and again, make sure you know what a serving size is! It’s crucial for losing stomach fat fast.

25. See a pro

Your doctor, personal trainer and plastic surgeon should NOT be last resorts in your efforts to lose belly fat. Before starting ANY exercise regimen or diet plan, see your doctor, especially if you’re diabetic or if you have had an eating disorder in the past. And a personal trainer can be a friend indeed in your battle against the belly bulge — they know even more tips and tricks than I do, and they’re always willing to help! And once you lose weight, you might still want to tighten things up (loose skin), and that’s where a plastic surgeon can help.

26. Strengthen your core

Your belly muscles are part of a network of muscles called your core, and they’re vitally important to fitness and good health. Do exercises specifically to strengthen your core, and you’ll not only burn belly fat, you’ll also have better posture, and you’ll be far less likely to ever suffer from back pain… what a bonus!

27. Substitute the sweets to lose stomach fat faster

I have a terrible sweet tooth, so it’s always a challenge for me to cut sweets from my diet. I learned a trick, though: sometimes it’s possible to substitute the sweets I crave with something better! Fresh berries or sweet plums, frozen juices, even dried fruits without added sugar — all of these make my sweet tooth happy, without adding the extra sugar and empty calories that I usually get from sweet treats. Try this way to lose stomach fat fast and see how beautifully it works!

28. The perfect push-up?

No, the perfect push-up isn’t at Victoria’s Secret, it’s in the gym (or even at home)! Did you know that a push-up, done correctly, is the perfect exercise? It’s good cardio (if you do enough of them together), it’s great for strengthening your core, and it even helps build lean muscle in all of your other muscle groups. Marvelous! How many push-ups can you do correctly?

29. Try reverse sit-ups

This is one of my favorite exercises, and I always love to share it! Sit on an incline bench, then lay back HALF-WAY, then come back up. It’s sort of a reverse sit up, and it’s a lot harder than it sounds! Add these to your work-out routine, and you’ll see what I mean!

30. Work together!

Why is it always easier to diet or exercise with a friend? I’m not sure why, but it’s true. Enlist the aid of a work-out or diet buddy, and burn belly fat and lose inches together! You can inspire each other, help each other, and even have a little friendly competition.

31. You need to eat more meals and more often to lose that fat

Don’t get too excited because at the same time you need to reduce the size of your portions. Eating 5-6 small meals per day will first of all prevent you from binging or overeating at meal times and it also keeps your metabolism running as it is constantly burning up food. Check out 5 Tips on Eating Often and Losing Weight … for more information!

32. Never skip breakfast

Skipping breakfast can actually be one of those things that cause stomach fat! If you don’t eat after many hours of sleeping your body goes into ‘starvation mode’. This is bad news for shedding belly fat as it slows your metabolism down in an effort to save energy and burn less calories. In fact a lot of dietitians advice that the best breakfast is a heavy one.

See what great healthy breakfast options you have in 15 Healthy Breakfast Ideas …

33. Carefully monitor the food you are eating

One of the best ways to lose stomach fat fast is to try and eat more fat burning foods such as brown rice, whole grains, vegetables, natural fruits, skimmed milk, lean poultry or meat, seafood and egg whites. I’m sure you already know all the ones to avoid as they are likely to be your favourites! The list includes pizzas, burgers, deep fried foods, bakery foods, fatty meats and all products that contain lots of sugar. Learn which foods are the worst in 10 Worst Foods for Your Hips …

34. Eat slowly – it’s an easy yet surprisingly effective way to lose stomach fat fast

Get into the habit of taking smaller bites and chewing them slowly because that will ensure that you consume fewer calories and do not over-eat. How? Well, it takes our brain about 20 minutes to register that we are full. So if you don’t take your time to eat, chances are you’re eating past the point where you’re full. Eating slowly gives you enough time to realize when you should stop. It also leads to better digestion and let’s face it, you enjoy your food more that way.

35. Do the most effective exercise efficiently

Cardiovascular exercises are the ones that get your heart thumping and the fat burning, so cardio workouts such as brisk walking, jogging, aerobics and cycling are the best ways to lose stomach fat fast. If you exercise before breakfast your body will burn the excess fat in your body as there is no food available to burn, making it the best time to burn off that belly fat. To know which ones are the most effective, check out these exercises for losing stomach fat fast.

■5 Tips on Eating Often and Losing Weight …

■10 Things You Will Need for Fast Weight Loss …

■7 Fastest Ways to Lose Weight …

■7 Most Effective Exercises for Losing Weight …

36. Drink, drink and drink again!

Keeping your body hydrated is essential to lose stomach fat fast because, if you are dehydrated your liver won’t function and the fat burning process won’t be as effective. Drink lots of water and also hot green tea neutralizes the effects of fatty foods. Learn how this works in 10 Ways How Water Helps You to Lose Weight …

37. Get more sleep if you want to lose stomach fat

If you are not sleeping at least 7-8 hours per night you will find it difficult to find the energy to work out and eat well. Studies show people who are constantly tired have slower metabolisms. So, make sure you get a good night sleep every night!

38. Cut down or eliminate alcohol consumption

Because of the effects alcohol has on the liver, drinking alcoholic drinks slows down the body’s natural fat burning process. An occasional glass of red wine is probably the best option as not only is it low-carb but it has some other health benefits.

39. Take the long way to lose stomach fat more rapidly

Try to resist taking short cuts in order to increase your movement and metabolism. Park in the space furthest away from the entrance, take the stairs instead of the lift and when possible walk and leave the car at home. This is definitely one of the best ways to lose stomach fat fast! See other great ideas on how you can burn more calories during the day!

40. Reduce your salt intake

Excessive consumption of salt makes the body retain water. This makes the abdomen appear bloated. We can get enough salt from our diet without needing to add it to our food. Also junk food contains a lot of salt and is best eliminated in order to lose excess fat.

41. Avoid stress

You may find it surprising but stress can cause weight gain. Not just because we are more likely to stress eat, but when our body detects stress it releases a lot of hormones that cause changes in metabolism. Bad news for belly fat! See how you can become stress-free with these 5 Easy and Cheap Techniques to Beat Stress.

42. Stay motivated to lose stomach fat fast!

How can any of these best ways to lose stomach fat fast work if you’re not motivates? Think about what could help you stay motivated. Keeping a food diary, joining an exercise class or rewarding yourself for small successes are great ways to keep you on your toes. But most importantly, if you do hit a low, don’t punish yourself or binge. Just start afresh and keep a picture of those dream abs handy! For more motivation, read about these ways to get great abs if you are a girl.

If you can stay motivated and on track, I guarantee you that these Best Ways to Lose Stomach Fat Fast will work! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, though, just start implementing these ways to lose stomach fat fast one by one. You’ll be surprised at how easy it really is. And in just a couple of days you’ll notice that you have started losing stomach fat already! So why not start today? Make a promise to yourself and pick the first way to lose stomach fat fast you’d like to start with. And if you have any tips on best ways to lose stomach fat fast are, you are most welcome to share them in the comments! When it comes to weight loss, there can never be too many tips!

St. Patrick's Day 2012

On Wednesday, I thought it was St. Patrick's day. I had wanted to do something fun for breakfast, but, ah, well, we slept in and Carl was already gone so I forgot about it. We had no real plans for the day. My Sister-In-Law had been sick and it was a BEAUTIFUL day. I thought it might be nice for the kids' cousin to get outside since his Momma surely didn't feel up to it. I know I'd love someone to care for my kids for an hour or so while I'm feeling yucky. So we arranged to come over. I threw a too-small green shirt on Brady and Abbie's shirt happened to have a green letter on it. I put on my green-ish shorts and off we went prepared to avoid all pinching. (Because my SIL is SO big on silly holiday rules and cousin was well versed in the area *note the sarcasm)

During our visit I told Brady to go pinch his aunt because she wasn't wearing green. That's when I learned St. Patty's day wasn't until Saturday. So, I felt dumb, and slightly embarrassed. But at least we hadn't gone out into public. And I had more time to prep for a green breakfast and other fun things!

Now, I'm not big on doing cute, fun traditions that seem to be yet another excuse to have candy hanging around the house. Mostly because I don't want to have the responsibility to make sure the Leprechaun comes back year after year. That's no fun. I know. I can be lame. But, I try to keep things real around here. So when I can do things, I will.

This year I Pinterested around a bit to see what I could come up with. I gleened a few ideas and put this together:

A Leprechaun for Mom and Dad: Egg Head, Green Pancake Body, Sausage legs (I should have halved the sausages to make arms to, but I was winging it by that point.)

For the Kids: A Shamrock/Four Leaf Clover Green Pancake, A Skittles Rainbow over a cool whip cloud (yes, I gave my kids Skittles for breakfast and they LOVED them) which led to the "pot of gold" of scrambled eggs. Eggs got Leprechaun Repellant Ketchup and a Sausage to defend their gold. (Again, winging it.)

Brady was skeptical of the green pancake, smelled and said he wouldn't eat it. Abbie gobbled hers up. Brady did end up eating the pancake and asked for more. Green food isn't so scary after all.

We each donned a green shirt for the day. Even Carl busted out his lime green Regions t-shirt. There was no pinching of the Behunins today! As Abbie and I were out shopping, we picked up some free fries with green ketchup from Burger King. Brady, again skeptical, did enjoy the green food after giving it a try.

We had the Luck of the Irish with us for dinner. It wasn't planned, but just sort of came together. Our dinner was green-ish with, among other things, turkey burgers (I wrapped mine in lettuce to be more green,) green ketchup (courtesy BK,) avocado and pasta with green noodles. I was impressed with Miss Abigail who ate 1/2 a raw tomato and 3/4 of an avocado and asked for more of each!

I found these cute little hats on Pinterest. They looked simple enough to do on a Saturday afternoon. While the kids were taking a bath I put them together. When they were done I said "Look! I found some Leprechaun hats!! They must have left them behind!!"  

They are Striped Fudge Cookies dipped in chocolate, with chocolate and mint chip dipped marshmallows with sprinkle bands.

 Brady likes them.

Abbie likes them. Well, at least she likes the marshmallow on them.

Maybe she'd dig the cookie with some avocado on top.

Strange side effect of Leprechaun Hats: Children seem to grow gotees after consuming them. Some children produce more than others. Some seem to ooze chocolate from the mouth.