Inspirational Blog: Mama Laughlin

While surfing pinterest (yet again) the other night, I came across this blog and I am totally hooked.  I usually always find blogs of those who have lost weight, and I always do walk away with more motivation and inspiration from them.  However this blog was different, in a good way.  I feel like I identify with this lady in more ways than one.  For starters, our weightloss journey and goals are pretty much the same.  She started her weight-loss journey at 198 pounds after giving birth to her son, and she is currently at 138 pounds! She's my hero... literally lol.  Every time I read her blog posts, I'm reminded of my goals and when I have little doubts, I remind myself that there is someone who was like me, and she's at 138 pounds now! So suck it up and work! lol.  I also remember reading (I think on a different blog) about what kept this person motivated to lose all the weight, and be healthier... What was her motivation?? Her answer to this was she had determination. That's what kept her motivated, because without it there was no motivation.  And that's what I'm realizing... I'm more determined than anything to achieve my goals... and when I realize how much determination I actually have that's what keeps me motivated, and that's what's going to keep me motivated for months, years to come. Anyhow that's my thoughts on it... be determined, and it'll keep you motivated!

EMZ Crew; Weightloss Journey Updates

I love my EMZ Family! They give me so much motivation and keep me going in my efforts to live a healthier life, and keep shedding those pounds and inches.  This morning we met at the Sorenson Center to kick off the First Annual Utah Pacific Islander Health Week.  I woke up at around 330am to drop the hubbs off for work, and then I came home woke the two older kids up and got everyone ready to head out to EMZ.  My kids are such troopers, and I am so glad they love going with me to Zumba, even though they don't have a choice. lol.   You could tell everyone was excited for today, however, I guess I missed the memo about Big Buddha being there from FOX 13 News.. I mean if I knew I would've tried to look just a little bit skinnier... err.. better lol.  jk! It was really fun though I wish I would've gotten my full hours worth of workout, minus the interruptions.. but like I said, it was fun so I didn't mind.

Here's a few pictures from this morning:

Me & Big Buddah, just a little sweaty here, had to run and get a pic before he left! 

One of the male instructors- Liu, and my EMZ Workout Partner Penina!

The Trio! Met these two through EMZ, and they keep me pushing and motivated!

Penina, Ame (one of the instructiors, she does Hot Hula!), Me, and Mele

Me & Penina

Group Picture with Big Buddha!

Some of the AMAZING instructors that continually give their time and talents
to help us all live healthier lives! 

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Now for some weight-loss updates! Last post I talked about my weight-loss journey... Here are some numbers from my journey so far:

Post-Partum Weight: 213 Pounds

Starting Weight: 206 Pounds

Current Weight: 196 Pounds

First Goal Weight: 185 Pounds

Second Goal Weight: 175 Pounds

Third Goal Weight: 165 Pounds

... Then we'll see what happens from there...

Now to be clear my post-partum weight is how much I weighed literally right after giving birth to baby Hinckley.  My starting weight is where I was at when I actually really started on this journey that I'm on.  So yes I'm super ecstatic to be under 200 pounds.  The last time I remember being under 200 pounds was last year before we went to Hawaii to celebrate Kesaia's first birthday... So it's been almost 20 months since I've been in the 100's. Frikk.. finally!!! lol. I'm 11 pounds away from achieving my first goal of being at 185. Now the reason why I set my goals like this is because I want them to be realistic, achievable, small goals that'll keep me determined and motivated.  I also took my measurements last week and have lost a total of 10 inches. So that's awesome! I continually find inspiration from wherever I look, and I can kind of feel myself becoming a little obsessed with being my fittest self, but that's not a bad thing.  Hopefully I can keep shedding those pounds and inches, and maybe in a few more months I'll be down to my first goal. 

I seen this on Pinterest and thought it was HILARIOUS!
This is so me, except my babies were about 6/7 Pounds. 

The Hubby and I with our youngest baby boy.
My husband continues to inspire and motivate me too.
And doesn't he look Hott! ;)

Post-Baby Weightloss Journey

So it's been about a month since I've taken my wantings to lose weight seriously.  I've started to go to Zumba (EMZ) on my days off (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) and it was suggested by a friend of mine to do the Jillian Micheal's 30 Day Shred, so I've also added that to my exercise regime.  In that month I've only lost about 6 pounds, however I know I've lost more inches because I'm finally able to fit into my size 12 jeans that I haven't worn in over a year and a half, so that's encouraging. lol.

So let's rewind back to the beginning, when I was pregnant with Hinckley, at my last appointment (before giving birth to him) I think I was like 228.  My pre-pregnancy weight was 210 lbs, and when I gave birth to him and weighed in I was 213 lbs.  So of course I was ecstatic that I was already 3 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight.  Between giving birth to him and the 3 months to follow I lost about 7 pounds, and before I started exercising I was at 206 lbs.  So currently I'm at 200 lbs.  1 more bloody pound then I'll FINALLY be under 200 lbs, and I haven't been under 200 in about a year and a half now.  (Sorry I know that's a lot of numbers to process lol)

Losing weight is definitely more of  mental game for me than anything else.  I always have to remind myself that the number on the scale isn't as important as the inches I may lose.  I guess I thought that I would lose a lot more weight a lot faster, like I did after having Kesaia, but my exercise regime now is much different then how it was back then.  Back then I was walking 5 miles a day, and really limited my foods to sandwiches, and veggies.  So from what I read I'm sure I was losing fat and muscle at that time.  Now I'm really try to eat balanced meals, and I have a certain calorie range (because I'm still breastfeeding too), and as far as exercise, I'm doing strength and cardio and I know that by doing so I'm building more muscle, so that's a good thing.  

This week has been a little bit of a tough one for me mentally, but I'm determined to stay on track.  I keep telling myself that some progress is better than NO progress, and hey I gotta give myself props for basically doing this all on my own, versus the last time me and the hubbs were doing it together.  I know it's better for me to do things slowly but surely, versus trying to lose it all in only a couple months, because that didn't work for me last time.  Here's some progress pics (mostly for me to remember and keep me motivated):

This was taken 9/16/12

9/30/12

10/1/12 First day back to EMZ

Started doing Jillian Micheals 30 day shred 10/8/12

After another workout (30 day shred)

Finally fit into my size 12 jeans, want to get down to a size 10 (at least!)

Working out (yet again!)

Post work out Monday 10/22/12

10/25/12 post-workout 30 day shred (level 2, day 3)

So I'm mucho ecstatic for progress, and I know it's going to take a few more months to get where I would like to be (at least 175 lbs, and at a size 10) but I know once I get there, it'll be a great accomplishment for myself, because I did it in a healthy way and it'll be easy to manage afterwards as well.  Oh, and let's not forget my biggest motivation... My Husband!  He has lost a TON of weight, people ask how, and I tell them it's just from him running at work (he works at Costco- Front End... so he runs back and forth putting back things, grabbing things for members, and doing carts.. and he's a super hardworker so he is always on the go!)  Most of our marriage he's been at about 280/285 lbs, currently he's at 235 lbs! It's amazing, and he's reaped so many benefits from being healthier and smaller.  He definitely has a lot more energy, and he doesn't have as much knee pain so yayy for that!  Here are some pics of him:

These pics were from earlier this summer when I was still pregnant (May/Beginning of June 2012):

Below are some pics from when I gave birth, and a few weeks after. (Ending of June and July)

 And here are pics from last month (my birthday 9/15/12 and baby's blessing 9/30/12)

My husband looks amazing and I've been semi-jealous at how much weight he's lost! But he has definitely motivated me to get in shape (and stay smaller than him lol.. cause I refuse to be bigger lol). 

Costco VIP Party

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted (horrible.. I know)... but here's to trying yet again! It's been a little crazy since coming back from my grandmothers funeral, and we've been busily trying to catch up on everything, and enjoying the last few weeks of summer.   Kids are doing wonderful! and so are we!  Fehi transferred over to the Costco in Spanish Fork last week Friday, and he loves it there! Yesterday was their grand opening, and he says it was crazy busy.  We were able to attend the VIP Party on Wednesday night, and that alone was craziness! I've never been to a Costco VIP party so I didn't know what to expect, so when we got there it was a little shocking. The parking lot was packed full, people had to park out on the road. When we got inside there were a TON of people. We walked around, and they had tables set up with people serving samples of their food, and this wasn't no small sample served in a cupcake liner, it was a big sample served on a plate.  They were even giving out free roses, and they were serving their food and drinks for free as well.

We only got through one section of the store before we left, because it was just too crazy busy and we lost Moe in all the commotion. Of course we found him in the toy section, but after that incident I suggested to the hubbs that maybe we should leave, though now I'm regretting it because I didn't get a slice of their juicy-fattening pizza lol. Shucks!  It was great though to meet all of Fehi's co-workers. Here's a few pics from the party:

Where has the Summer Gone?

I just realized that my summer is pretty much over! The last month and a half has gone by so quickly that I don't even know really where to start.  I did go back to work back in the beginning of August. I had worked about 2 weeks and then I had to go back to Hawaii for my grandmother's funeral.  I literally feel like most of the end of my summer has been flying back and forth from Hawaii.  I guess that's not something I should be complaining about, but it is when part of that is flying all by myself with all 3 of my kids (I'll never do that again lol).  Well in all that has been happening and all the trips we've taken in the last month, I haven't had a chance to really update you on anything.

First off, my Baby Hinckley is now 2 and a half months old.  A few weeks ago he had his 2 month appointment with his Pediatrician Dr. Vierra at Hillcrest Pediatrics.  He also received his first set of shots, which he handled like a champ! At his appointment he weighed in at 14 pounds, and measuring ... hmm I forget but I'll get that piece of info for you when I can. ;) But he's a pretty big boy, I don't remember either of his brother (Moe) or sister (Kesaia) weighing that much at their 2 month appointment.  Breastmilk must be working for him this time! ;)

Asleep and waiting to see Dr Vierra

Right before getting his shots

Extra cuddles and hugs the rest of the day after getting his shots

My little trooper!

In other news, I'm glad to saw that our son Moe is FINALLY potty trained! Woo-hoo! It was such a struggle at first, but I'm glad we pushed through and got him trained.  I first started training him as soon as we got back from Hawaii (the first time). It was frustrating because he only had accidents for the first 3 days.  On the fourth day, when we weren't harassing him as much, he woke up and said "Mom, I go mimi ok?" (mimi is tongan for "pee") And so when he said that I said "Ok Moe.. go" not thinking he'd actually go in the toilet, then I heard him going so I jumped up looked in the toilet and I swear, I never thought I'd be so happy to see pee in the toilet. lol.  I just started jumping up and down, and cheering for him and telling him how happy and how proud I was of him.  Then we call his Aunty Mele (he calls her "Lele") and let her know, then called Nana (my mom) and let her know also.  His treat for doing that was getting him some spider man underwear's and he LOVED IT! It took a little bit longer for him to get going #2 in the toilet, but now a month later he's doing awesome.  I've only had to deal with him wetting the bed once at night, but I'll take it all over diapers any day!

Happy to be a big boy and wear underwear! No more diapers! :)

When I first started potty training Moe, I was also trying to potty train Kesaia at the same time.   I quickly stopped that and decided to them one at a time.  So today I've officially started potty training with her.  I hope that she picks up quick on it because she's gotten to see her brother go through it, so let's hope it's a lot smoother than the last time.  I've already prepared myself to deal with accidents for the first couple days, but we'll see where she is at the end of the week.

 So as far as our kids are doing, they are growing up, they are full of energy, and we definitely love them!