Girls are great

I've been really trying to slow down and just enjoy life, (now that christmas is over...Man Santa creates stress). And I've really become fond of the little moments, like my girls giggling on the floor and rolling around in their new Christmas Pajamas...

or watching them snuggle up to dad for a story.

Normally we hurry home from the gym, but yesterday I let Macie walk too, and we all enjoyed the silence of the newly falling snow...Macie and Aleia listened to it crunch under their feet, and tasted the cool feathery flakes on their lips and faces, and as I looked up into their bright excited eyes, I found a moment of true happiness.

Disclaimer

Ok, so my sister gave me flack for posting pictures on facebook where i'm not completely covered.

• First of all, I have to say that it took a lot of guts to hit "post" on that.
• Second of all, given the context of the note, (which she may not have read) I figure that a picture can speak louder than words. No one would take health advice from a fatty. They are just not credible!

And now motive: honestly? I've done weight watchers, I've tried Jessica Seinfields "Deceptively Delicious recipies, I've tried to encorporate a Medeteranean diet, I've tried a lot of things to be 'healthy". I've always excercized...ALWAYS. But this is the first time, where I learned exactly what to eat so I wouldn't have cravings. I know exactly how much food is enough,and I know how to adjust it for all of my family members specific needs.

Now, I don't feel guilty eating, or feeling full. I enjoy my food, and don't beat myself up over not making it to the gym. I don't exercize as hard, and I know that I'll be just fine! 90% of how we look is what we eat. I read all the tips on how to be healthy from magazines, and just smile because I'm allready doing all the things they say! It's all included in the Live the Life program. I never knew how to encorporate all the tips and ideas before. "eat more fish, eat some nuts, add citrus...etc etc etc." But now, it's just part of who I am.

Lastly, my heart hurts when I hear of people starting up diets and joining programs. Because unless we are taught how to eat to maintain horomone levels and insulin, we all will give in to "emotional eating". Kristi teaches all of those things. It just makes so much sense! So, I hope no one was offended by my unmodest pictures. I stand by my reasoning.

My "Live the Life" Experience

So, I don't normally publicize these kinds of things unless people ask. But this has been so life changing for me, I realy wan't everyone to try it out! I can't think of anything but good that can come from this, so I'm going to go out on a limb a little bit.

A few months ago I was frustrated because I was going to the gym religiously and ate healthy and wasn't getting the results I wanted. I found a program called Live the Life, iv'e been able to loose the weight, and keep it off. I'm so much happier! And I know that it's ok if I don't get my workout in. Live the life gives you 12 weeks of meal plans and workouts and tells you exactly what and how to eat, with the grocery list and everything. The workouts are simple enough to do at home. And not only does she teach you positive life changing habbits, but tells you exactly what is best to eat at fast food joints, or restaurants, and it realy is a lifestyle...not a yoyo diet.

I've been able to loose 13 pounds on Live the Life, and have continued the lifestyle for six months now. I honestly can't think of living any other way. Honestly I think the biggest change that I've made is a mental change. I'm a lot more positive in my mind. Not just with eating or working out, but with everything. I used to beat myself up over things, but now I can get over things a lot easier. I don't dwell on my mistakes as much, and I am a lot better at positive self talk.

Some other benefits have been :

• I'm more confident in myself
• my family is eating healthier
• the girls really like the food.
• I don't have to spend all day at the gym now, or plan my life around aerobics classes
• I've even been able to cut grocery spending.
• I usually spend around $60-65 a week on groceries for our family.
• Matt's lost 20 pounds just from the diet part alone.
• My mom just started too, she says she's lost 12 pounds the first 4 weeks, and I think the hardest part for her is eating all the food. Darn! ( I have no problem eating a lot of food):o)

I know a lot of people may be looking for a lifestyle change for the new year. So, if you are interested, check out Kristi's website, or I'd be happy to talk your ear off about it :o) So if you are interested, here are some links. Here's for Men: https://kristiapproved.infusionsoft.com/go/ltlmens/dixistix/ Here's for Women: https://kristiapproved.infusionsoft.com/go/ltlwomens/dixistix and here's a little bit more about it: https://kristiapproved.infusionsoft.com/go/ltlgneral/dixistix/

Before After

Before After

The-Christmas-Spirit

The-Christmas-Spirit

Coast Pictures

Ok, I pulled these pictures off of Matt's facebook page. At least it's something!

Pacific Beach

Grandpa was giving out rides to cute girls

A walk thanksgiving Morning around Leonards 'neighborhood'.

Thanksgiving

We went to Oregon for Thanksgiving. Yea! Something to blog about! It was truly awesome. My favorite part was going to the beach. (Yes, we were frozen solid afterwards). It was a drive-on beach, so Matt got drive our car on there. He loved that. I loved playing in the tidepools and caves (the tide was out) and picking up sand dollars on the beach. Afterwards we went to a coffee shop and got hot chocolates. I think that was Aleia's favorite part. :o) We also spent lots and lots of time with Matts family, which was SOOOOO nice. We loved visiting Oregon...the lush green, the morning fog, It was really beautiful.

I can't get any pictures up right now. Hopefully some to come.