Starting to workout

Hey guys welcome back. I hope the like 15 of you who regularly read my blogs have been enjoying all the blogs I have been writing. Somehow now that I am busier I have learned better time management, funny how that works!! Anyways at the beginning of every month I sit down with my planner on the monthly page and write down everything we have planned and on the notes section I write out what blogs I want to write than look at my calender and schedule my blogs!! So I know exactly what and when I am going to write!! This year I have been trying to do a few different blogs on a more regular bases so you know when to expect them. Of course seeing as my blog writing time usually occurs during times both kids are asleep they may get missed occasionally. But I try not to miss them as its my time to just write and relax, it also helps me keep my mind busy and organized, if that makes any sense.

Haha probably doesn't seeing as this blog was supposed to be about starting to workout again and I haven't even mentioned it once in the first paragraph!!

But now I will. So starting in March, which I can't believe is this weekend boy is time flying by,I am going to start working on getting back in shape. In order to do that I will have to start scheduling my workouts into my busy days. But I am so ready to, because it gives me more energy and makes me feel healthier over all. Dustin and I have already started cooking healthier meals so this is just another step.

For now I am still going to be taking it rather easy. In March I have two workout calendars I am going to try to follow every day along with going on 20-30 min walks with Dustin and The kids on the weekends. The first calender is withe beginner calender from Blogilates which I will be doing before bedtime once at least Kyra is asleep. It is a lot less difficult than the regular Blogilates workouts were that I used to do, but I expect to see progress!! And the other workout is a really quick HIIT workout calender from BodyRockTV. I am just going to try to squeeze that in sometime during the day when little man is happy and not expecting to be held!! I am so excited to start being more active again.

Belly: 40

Butt:43.5

Thighs:23.5

Stay tuned at the end of March I will post a progress picture!!

Cold {52 WEEKS CHALLENGE}

This tree is right out front of my house!! I love love seeing it at all seasons! I love the way the branches grow, it is so beautiful!! And in this picture with the sunset it really shows how cold it was that day!!

Follow this link to see all other images associated with {52 WEEKS CHALLENGE}

Beginnings {52 WEEKS CHALLENGE}

This year is starting out with the topic beginnings, which as you all know fits perfect with my life right now. We are about to start a new journey of having two little people in our lives!! So I thought a picture of his going home outfit choices, and everything else he is going to need at the hospital!!

Lucky you all who are following these blogs you get a sneak peak of the outfits he may be coming home in/ having his pictures taken in!! They are pretty adorable and took me a while to put together I am so excited!!!

This is the first of 52, but if you follow this link it will lead you to all the future photos for this challenge: http://standingsilentlystrong.blogspot.de/search/label/52%20Weeks%202015

New 52 weeks Challenge for 2015

So if you have been around for a long time reading my blog you would remember not this past year but the year before the 52 week challenge I did. Although I didn't manage to get the pictures out the same day each week and actually ended up posting out of order, to include about 5-8 of them in a row at the end of the year just to finish them!! If you want to look at those follow this LINK!

But this year my little sister is going to be joining in also. She will probably share her pictures on the links I share on Facebook of my pictures, but maybe I will talk to her about having them to me once a week so they can be included with mine :D

So what makes these challenges more fun is having other people join in. I would LOVE to have more of you guys do the challenge with me. If you are interested in joining in let me know!! And we can find a way to include your pictures on my blog or Facebook too!! It is so cool to see what different images come out of each theme!!!

3 months into 2014

So as you all certainly know if you own some sort of computer, calender, phone etc....its already the last day of March! Which means it is time to check in on this year's resolutions so far. As usual my list of resolutions has changed dramatically in just a matter of 3 months.

Read 12 books: This resolution is one I have stuck to and frankly have been exceeding, If you follow my blog you have already read 5 book reviews this year. But I have actually already finished reading 6 books and am about 1/3 of the way through the 7th book :D

 

Blog twice a week: I have to say I think this has been the easiest one. With all these resolutions they gave me tons of fun adventures to share with you guys, and from the looks of it you are all enjoying following along on our journey!!

365 project: Okay okay this one flopped and I have started another similar one which hopefully and so far is being much more effective. So this resolution has changed to Photo a day for Kyra's whole 3rd year of life. (Life as a 2 year old)

 

Read and finish the respect dare This resolution thus far is still just sitting on the back burner I intend to do it but haven't had the chance to get around to it yet.

Run 2 5ks: So I did 1 day of the couch to 5k so far...Yeah this may be one of those things that I thought I was going to accomplish but....we still have 9 months you never know.

Get out of debt This is the one I am most proud of. We decided this year to use our tax refunds to finish getting out of debt so that all future refunds could go into savings to save up to buy a really nice house in the future. My student loan is officially GONE. And as of today we probably have like 200 left on the car, which is something Dustin is going to work on finishing off in the next couple days and we will be debt free. We are very excited about being weirdo's in this world!!

Get organized and declutter: I am sure that this resolution will be something I have with me for the rest of my life as I am the queen of collecting clutter and organization is certainly not something I am known for. But that being said I have made a pretty good dent into the laundry room and Kyra's room and getting rid of the things we don't need. Can't wait to have a garage sale this summer and have some of that stuff dissappear.

Maintain my 4.0 gpa So far this one has been going great. My Photography teacher however is trying his darnest to make this not happen however, docking points off my assignments for unknown reasoning.

Do 24 photo-shoots:  Uhm to say I have been an over-achiever in this area is to put it lightly. And actually I am not sure that is even the word I am looking for. Proud maybe more the idea. So many people have been coming to me to have their pictures done and I love love love doing them for them. As of today I am down to only needing 15 more for the year in order to reach this goal. And have 8 of those planned for April! And 3 in May and 1 in June. So if I some how manage to not reach this goal it will have to be because I totally gave up for some unforeseeable reason.

Go on 3 trips: So this goal may have been set a little low as traveling is our favorite thing to do. I am only including big trips into this one, so obviously our trip to Austria, and Switzerland was a check off the list. And I included the trip to Trier as one too!! But I will easily have done like 10 by the end of the year as we are likely to be moving come January. Gotta knock off everything else we wanna do here in Europe.

Reach 145 So when I originally planned to reach this I was so much closer to reaching it and have perhaps let that get out of control. But tomorrow begins the start of something new a kick start back into reaching my goals!!  So keep an eye out for updates and details in that area in the next week or two :D

 

Get pregnant This is one goal that is not going to even be started for a few more months...and I still have some weight to loose before hand so...onward.

Try new recipe once a week Uh I quit this resolution early on. If you read my blog you will see I have been trying new recipes still just not every week!

Creative 52: Week 1

So I did so good finishing my project 52 last year, I wanted to do another one this year. This year I am not going to do specific themes, but a creative shot a week.

I was going to do a 365 day project but with today being the 6th and I have only done 2 days it is clear that my schedule is just way too busy to be doing a picture each day if I want to do great pictures. That being said one of the pictures I took so far is exactly what I mean by creatives.

So to start this year off on a small scale we did a picture that fits in the palm of your hand!!

I have also made a dent on the 24 photo-shoots I plan on doing this year!! 1 done 23 to go!! I will be sharing a few pictures from the shoot in the next day or so!!

Beginning of 2014

So last years resolutions were to save money, lose weight, be more positive, and project 52. I have managed to do all three things. I am not as happy with how much we have saved as I could be, but we managed to save 4000, which is really good amount for an emergency fund. I hope to not touch that money as much as possible this coming year and if at all possible add on to it. It would be great if we had a nice little nest egg to use when we move. In the weight loss department I'm sure you have been following that journey through out the year and I'm and extremely proud of my progress I hope to loose the last 11 lbs in the next few months, and boy would I be proud! The positivity thing although I have had struggles through out the year my new found super supportive group of friends is proof that I am actually attracting the right people and keeping a positive outlook on life!!!  And as of yesterday I finished my final topic for project 52, just in the nick of time to start the next one :) I started to think half way through the year it would never happen, but I pushed on and finished and it feels good to know I stuck with something for the entire year!!

Now into this years resolutions. I have a much lover list, but I love or make lists so that isn't surprising!! I think this list is extremely possible, and I look forward to how much achieving everything on it in the next 365 days will change me as a person!! 

Read 12 books I really need to dedicate more time to myself and relaxing I can achieve this by reading one book a month

Blog twice a week once a week I will blog my 365 project photos, and than once a week I will do a different post

365 project a picture a day fully edited 

Read and finish the respect dare I have been starting this book multiple times, but I need to have Dustin home for the entirety of the book in order to finish it. If you are not familiar with this book, and your with a significant other this book is worth a read.

Run 2 5ks I need a goal to work towards other than weight loss with my fitness. And this seems like a very doable goal.

Get out of debt we are getting ever so close to this being a reality...all we have to do is get the student loan place to figure out how to refinance the loan so we can pay it off...should be done by the end of the year!!

Get organized and declutter so many things in my house need organized  and de cluttered. This year is the year to do it before our pcs in 2015

Maintain my 4.0 gpa I start two classes in February, and than have mycaa funds for one more class this summer. Than hopefully the loan will be figured out so that we can get grants to continue my education this fall!

Do 24 photo-shoots I haven't decided if this number is too big or not, but I feel like two shoots a month is a good goal. I really hope to pick up some new clients for my portfolio while we are still stationed here. I really love providing beautiful photos to great families for free, it makes me feel happy!!

Go on 3 trips heck if we stay in and have to pcs in 2015 that makes this year our last year in Europe. That means we better continue to get our traveling so we feel like we really saw the land while we had the oppurtunity!!

Reach 145 this goal may seem materialistic and putting a number is kind of senseless. I know I should worry less about the number and more about the look, but I want to reach this number and I am only 10 lbs away from hitting it. I want to reach it before....

Get pregnant I am hoping to be at a healthy weight when we start ttc, so that maybe just maybe I will manage to not have GD and have to deal with the pain attached to it.

Try new recipe once a week I feel like I tend to get in a cooking rut. Which can be easily relieved by trying new recipes. And more often than not I find out I really love the new recipe and we eat it all the time!!

These are my goals for 2014, it may seem like a lot of goals, but in reality they will be spread out over 12 months which makes them highly possible. I will of course keep you updated on my progress every three months, to see just how far we come!! 

What are your resolutions?

Project 52: New

So I lied about being up early enough to catch a sunrise. So since the sunrise is the start to a new day, it fits the topic for this week. This was Christmas Eve and the sunrise was marvelous!!

For complete list of all pictures from my Project 52 follow this link to Resolutions which has links to all of my project 52 blogs.

Project 52: Old

I know you have all seen this picture before a sane sample of my editing styles, but this is also going to be my picture of something old! I only have a couple topics to do and less and less days plus I have more Christmas Market Blogs I want to get shared!!  I am way to excited to write and post my blog about resolutions for 2014. But really need to finish my resolutions from 2013 first...and I know I can do it!! I have a huge list this year in how I want to make my year as productive as possible!!

For complete list of all pictures from my Project 52 follow this link to Resolutions which has links to all of my project 52 blogs.

Project 52: Perspective

When I was out on my most recent photo-shoot I was trying out some new angles. And I thought how cute would it be for them to be just cuddling and take the picture from the perspective of the fly on the wall? It turned out beautiful!!!


For complete list of all pictures from my Project 52 follow this link to Resolutions which has links to all of my project 52 blogs.

Project 52: Candid

We made it to the park before another cold wet spell settled in on our little sleepy town :D And at the park I remembered my camera so I was so Happy to get some more fun pictures of Kyra playing always a joy and as I was reviewing what I had when we got back home. I saw this and thought couldn't be more perfect for the Candid theme.

I realize the focus is kind of off so its not super clear as it focused on the wood in front. But she looks so happy sorting the Acorns!

 

 

I know the image isn't perfect but for the theme it is. Couldn't decide between color and b&w! 

For complete list of all pictures from my Project 52 follow this link to Resolutions which has links to all of my project 52 blogs.

Project 52: Relaxation

I had all these amazing ideas for this but let's face it, I am not going to make it to the beach by the end of the year that would be too far for me to take baby girl alone!!

So this is the best way I know to relax!! Feet up after a good workout and Grey's Anatomy!! You may think that the lighting seems awful, but if I had harder lighting it wouldn't be as relaxing, and this is how it truly looks most nights at my house or at least until classes start again!!

For complete list of all pictures from my Project 52 follow this link to Resolutions which has links to all of my project 52 blogs.

Workout til your happy!!

So lately I started a new workout routine, and I am getting some awesome results that my friends and family are noticing!! Since so many people have asked how I am doing it and what my trick is. I have previously done an article on my diet Diet Vs. Eating Right.

But now I am dong Blogilates with Cassey Ho. I downloaded her app on to my IPad and for only 99 cents a month I get a new calendar with 2-6 videos to do a day, and somedays even have fun things to do like paint your nails, or water drinking challenges!

Her best quote: "Working out should be fun, it shouldn't feel like a chore or you will always hate it!!"

Plus Cassey is just super amazing. I love the variety of having new combinations of videos each day!! I also love that she has lots of cardio that I can do from home!!  She does have a beginners calendar also for people just starting out!! And her videos will make anyone want to keep going as she has this super outgoing fun personality and encourages you the whole way through. 

I am super impressed with how my body is changing. I HAVE ABS!!  And also my love handles are just melting off its the workouts I have been looking for for a long time. In just one week I have already lost 1.4 lbs and 1.75 inches from my body! Other workouts I have purchased were just to repetitive often with 4-5 different videos that you replay throughout 30-90 days. And to me doing the same thing over and over was bad cuz when a day on the calendar had a video I had done 10 times and hated I would dread that day, and or just make that day my rest day! And the other website I had been attempting to use was great and some day I will end up going back to it, but it was far to advanced for me right now.

I am in no way sponsored by Cassey Ho at Blogilates.com I just really want to give her a shout out for the awesome videos that she puts out almost weekly and how much it is helping my fitness goals!! And I have already got 2-3 people from my Facebook world trying her stuff and loving it!! Feels great to help out people with something at is working!! 

Here are my results so far!! I hope to keep this up during class this fall, and next fitness blog might just be an awesome picture of abs!! Here's for hoping!!

Potty Training Chronicles

Day 1: I went Into this so positive I knew all too well it was gonna take more patience than I can usually muster, but I wanted to make it a good experience for her. After her first nap and her managing to dirty three pull ups in 2 hours I decided we were gonna do the naked method after all cuz I assumed I would be able to watch her and catch her in the process easier without one on. This went well until you turn your head for a millisecond. Potty training the naked method means you can't be on the computer or watching a show you have to literally be watching the toddler non stop. She peed on the floor 3 times and pooped once within a 40 min time frame, I put her on the chair every time and she wouldn't go in the chair!!  I picked up so much pee between her and the dog who can never listen when spoken to. Over all day one was exhausting, gonna need some meditation to refill my patience for day two. Oh yeah gave up on naked method at 1630. And just kept trying to set her on the chair every 20 mins until bath time.

Day 2: I knew I had to start each day fresh, no matter how frustrating the day before was you can never make progress without trying. So I started out excited about potty training again. And you know what we made some progress. However we haven't had any pottys in the chair we are spending more time actually sitting on it. I bought a couple apps that help you track and have video and game rewards for going on the chair. And have decided since I have plenty of stickers and we bought a package more of her choice, that she gets a sticker each time she tries which makes trying less scary. She even follows me to the bathroom for potty time every 20-30 mins. And we sing the potty time song!! It is very frustrating when she goes in her pull-up right before potty time. Still learning. Also gave up on the naked time it was no fun for anyone baby, dog or mommy. So we are doing with pull-up just to get the idea of visiting the potty frequently this week. Next week we are gonna try wearing panties instead so she can tell better when she is going!! We bought a 6 pack so hopefully she makes it to the toilet a couple times so we aren't using them all in one day!!

Day 3: Most of the day went just the same as yesterday, it takes A LOT of patience, you have to realize no matter how many videos you watch or blogs you read your kid is not the same kid as theirs. Each kid learns differently, and frankly if this is your first child your learning right along side them. We still go into the potty every twenty mins but I'm realizing you do end up having to stay longer if you want them to really go specifically the first week or so until they learn how to turn on and off their pee/poo. So with a lot of free time on my hands I took kyra into the bathroom after drinking a juice box about 10 mins later. We sat in the bathroom for like 40 mins before she went, I had her sit on the chair at least 30 mins of that time and than just let her play in the closed off bathroom. Which was when she finally started peeing, she started peeing 3 times standing up and I would quickly move her to the chair. The third time was the charm and she finished peeing in the chair!!! I was so excited for her!!! We jumped around clapped danced hugged and got candy!! She was so excited and the pride was running through her. Now I just hope we can keep this up!!

Day 4: I woke up today in a funk. Just didn't have the energy to even workout kinda funk. So after three days of intense potty training we are gonna just wear pull ups, and try to potty every once in a while but not on strict 20 min intervals. I think we need a break, from baby boot camp. Progress will continue as long as we still do potty time, so a break won't hurt anything.

Day 5:  I feel like all day long we have either been running errands or sleeping, the cold has taken over so not much potty training has been going on today, tho every time I change her pull up, I have her sit on the potty for 5 mins or so just to keep reenforcing the idea!! My sister came up with the good idea of using cloth diapers without inserts as underwear when we are home help absorb some of the mess, and allows her to still feel what happened. We have a busy weekend coming up but plan to continue to do potty time as often as possible.

After a week I have realized that when people say potty training is the hardest thing you will ever do they ain't lying!! Doesn't help that we caught this cold right in the middle of the week. I plan to on the next 3 days we have empty to try again with the baby boot camp version of making her try every 20 mins, and may even go back to naked time!! Consistency and Patience are the essential ingredients to Potty Training. Stay tuned for more adventures with potty training.

Progress on my Resolutions

Has it really been 9 months already. This year is just flying by or is it me? Haha yes it really is, I mean I am already thinking about resolutions and things I want to do differently next year. Specifically with this blog but it is going to take the rest of the year to make the decision on what to with it.

So last time I checked in on my resolutions things were going pretty well I had adjusted somethings so basically my resolutions were adjusted to:

1.Save money
2. Love my Body
3. Work to be a better person.

So we had gotten back up to 1000 dollars in the savings but with Dustin being stateside, and my emergency trip home we ended up spending some of that and having to get a 3000 dollar loan to get me home. Luckily we are getting paid separation pay, which has helped us pay that loan back so by the end of the month we will be done paying on that, and will be able to start putting that sep pay into savings.
On top of that we have been constantly paying on our other debts (car and student loan) and having talked to our banks are happy to announce by March the car will be paid off!! NO MORE 500 dollars a month payments!! Which also means our insurance should drop that on top of the fact we are both turning 25 next year so that will help too! So although we may not get that much saved this year, we will have a huge chunk of money headed that way by this time next year!!


Love my body. Well leave to states kind of did a number on this area, there is so much yummy food to eat. And its hard to get a workout in when you are trying to keep on the go and visiting. But I came back to Germany with the motivation to do something about it. I was going to do the 30 day shred with my mom, but she is working a lot and had trouble finding time to do it, and the workout is too repetitive for me I like doing new things everyday.
So I went back to watching and browsing Blogilaties videos and doing them. Than I came across her recent video talking about an app. I had to check it out and its amazing I pay 99 cents a month for a full workout plan!! Plus recipes, and an area to chat with fellow Blogilaties doers. I love doing pilates and that makes me love working out which allows me to work on my body and love all the things it can do!!

So I have been a lot more positive in most manners. Of course the Army itself gets to see my bad side because they know how to push my buttons. But I think a trip home with a little help from family was just what I needed. Plus I have started to surround myself only with people who are positive and just want to enjoy life. Amazing what a differince that makes, you hear it all the time but you never really know until you try.
Also going back to school next month again!! I love school and I am so proud of myself for getting a 4.0 last semester, and making the Deans List that was all the encouragement I needed!

So this is gonna be my last check in until the end of the year/new resolutions blog in December! See ya around the blog and keep an eye out for some awesome changes in the future.

Project 52: Looking out

I took this subject as looking through something. And I thought riding front row on Germany's oldest train and showing the view was the coolest opportunity for this topic!

For complete list of all pictures from my Project 52 follow this link to Resolutions which has links to all of my project 52 blogs.

Fall Bucket List

So as part of the fall fun, Kyra and I designed a fall bucket list of the top ten fall activities we want to do together!! We than drew them onto a poster board and placed it near the front door so that we can look at it everyday and than make ourselves get around to doing them all by the first of December!! I hope for no early snow so we can make them all happen!!

Here are the pictures of us making our list and the finished results!!

I got a little close and got a mark on my nose!!

Project 52: street photography

So I went on a walk for an hour this evening and got the pleasure of taking some pictures while I was out!! This topic isn't until June but I had to take advantage of the opportunity when I got it! Wiesbaden is full of tags on about any flat surface you can find, and they range from trashy to pretty, although there are some areas I want to really go photograph I think I will save them for another blog. This was a simple one, and I just thought it was pretty colored. And I was able to get a cool angle and good lighting before sunset.

For complete list of all pictures from my Project 52 follow this link to Resolutions which has links to all of my project 52 blogs.

Project 52: Flowers

     Alright guys, this one has come very late, it was supposed to be done by March 9th or so, but with the extended winter we got here and what seems like a lot of places!! So it wasn't really until this last week that the flowers have really started to come out.

    With the warm weather my walking group also started meeting up to walk also. As I was walking to post, I walked over the foot bridge and saw the prettiest tree ever. The plum tree. It is all in bloom and has the prettiest flowers. I just love how it arches over the path and really is just the prettiest back drop!


   I love this tree:

For complete list of all pictures from my Project 52 follow this link to Resolutions which has links to all of my project 52 blogs.

Diet vs eating right

So I wrote saying I was starting a diet, but in reality I am simply adjusting to eating a 1200 calorie day with healthier food aka no more fast food junk, only lean meat, fresh fruit and veggies, and less carbs. I split it up between five times a day, and have to say I am rarely hungry now. I enjoy feeling full and having my metabolism running constantly! So far my only issue has been wanting sweets but I curb that with either a protein bar from Special K as a snack or tea with honey before bed.

It is going to be a way of eating I plan to keep up with. The best way to track what i am eating that I have found is myfitnesspal app. It tracks both your foods and exercise. I think it is an ideal tool for maintaining weight as it shows you how many calories you should eat at your size. It than adds extra calories to your allotment when you add exercises. So if your trying to loose weight you only wanna eat your original amount or you'll be eating the calories you just burned off.

An example of my meals if you would like to have an idea of where to start, here is what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast was a packet of fruits and cream oatmeal made with hot water.

Snack 2 hours later was a protein meal bar from Special K.

Lunch I had 3 slices of turkey lunch meat on whole wheat bread with a little mustard and a slice of Swiss cheese. With a banana.

Second snack was a slim fast shake.

And dinner was two salmon filets, half cup of rice, and a cup of boiled spinach. Delish!!

And near bedtime I was craving sweets so I had a cup of sleepy time tea with honey to sweeten it.

It really is easy to eat healthy like this most of the thought process is in portions. And eating every 2-3 hours!! Hope your weight loss journey and my own go as well as planned.