Monthly Archives: April 2012

Fitness Fridays

My two worlds comming together! Support & Mamavation

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SUPPORT What does that  mean for me ?  The past week  I have learned that I am getting support from all sorts of different places.  As you might know I am a finalist for the Mamavation Mom Campaign.  Voting has been going on the past week. If you want vote go here.  My family and friends have been voting/sharing with their friends.  My Aunts and uncles have been talking with their friends and voting.  My Sister-in-law who never reads bloggs got my mother online to vote.   A friend from church Kara asked her entire running train group to vote for me this past week.  I love how my offline community has gotten on line to show support emailing their friends and ask there groups to vote for me.   Thank you!

In the past year ..I have heard of talk about online friends not being “real” friends which I think is BS. Many of my online friends have become offline friends through conferences, and other events.   But what about the friends you have never met face to face.

I tweeted on a Saturday night my daughter go sick 11pm at night.  I had twitter friends who showed concern when it happened and some followed up with me on her health for the next few days.  I don’t think I told my parents about her getting sick.. but because I share parts of my life on twitter in real time my tweeps (twitter friends) are there and supporting.  Then many went on to share my Mamavation tweets.

Here are some thank you to my online tweeps for there support this last week.

My lovely friend Lori of Miss Ruby Sue put up a giveaway post for me on her site for a lovely handmade  doll.   Lori and I met on line a few years ago when we are on Good Morning America together.  Lori is for a different world from me she is Idaho and is a Mormon , 2 things I am not,  we talk for hours and it is like a breath of fresh air when I talk to her.  I adore her,  she is a wonderful sounding board and fabulous  lady.

The regular commenters on my Fitness Friday post Barb, Stephanie, Diane, Hillary, and Jo-Lynne  know that they will be reading my fitness Friday post every week has kept me going. I know that they will be there  every week reading and linking up to my posts.   Thanks girl for keeping me going since January.  Something can be said about online accountability

CecilyK a great friend who asked her followers  to vote for ma as a birthday wish. Cecily originally an online friends has turned in to an amazing off line friend and a voice of reason in my life and I love her for that.

Last Monday while sitting on a train coming back from NYC, I was overwhelmed by the online support for my trek to be the Mamavation mom.  Most of my online friend who have step up to the plate and ask there fans/flowers to vote for me.  Moved to tears of happiness I was reading the comments and well wishes of my friends.  I am truly honored by your support.

So to those who say that who you meet online is not real.  It is just a means to start a relationship.  For me those relationships are supportive and nurturing.   So do I think linking up with a group online will work for me to loose weight.  You betcha.. long as I am honest.  Because my support will be watching me as I go.

I hope I win tonight to be one of the Mamavation Moms for Campaign 12.  If I don’t’ I will continue for every person who voted for me, shared my story, and talk to a friend in my behalf.

 

So how did I do this week.

I went from 267 (last week it was from 267-265)  to

263  (down a firm 4)

I am finally eating better and seeing results.  It must be from keep the food journal on line.

This post is part of the mamavation monday link up

UPDATE: I did not win the #MamavationMom contest @weightsover and @lilacmomma did the ladies are going to be awesome! Good Luck to them!

Parenting

Now I need your help! VOTE for ME!!!

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Dear Readers!! ,

All I made the finals for  #Mamavation Mom ! It is a mom fitness blog,  that is dedicated to help moms change the direction of there families to make better healthier choices.  A #mamavation Mom is someone who publicly is chosen to go through a weight/fitness bootcamp for 7 weeks.  They set me up with a trainer and dietitian and I blog about the challenges.  I really want to be one of the wining moms to be put in a fitness boot camp.

Vote for me so I can get thin!!

It is a click (no sign up)  next to the box marked BABYPOP and means so much to me.

http://www.mamavation.com/2012/04/meet-the-mamavation-finalists-vote-now.html

VOTE for BABYPOP!!!

If you can share it with your friends ..

Voting ends April 30th.

Thanks so much for helping me and my family,
Sherry
and the Aikens Clan

Fitness Fridays, Parenting

Mamavation Monday- Changing a Family

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This past week has been interesting. I have been eating way better and have increased my running. But I also gained some help not only from the mamavation team….  My son age 11 has committed himself to me.  He is a competitive swimmer,  something that I have always encouraged because with health issues that run in our family diabetes  and  psoriatic arthritis .One of my biggest gifts to give him is a love of Physical activity of a life long sport like swimming.  Right now,  he is taking a beak from his beloved sport for spring after 3 year straight of swimming (he normally swims over 100 laps a night).  Telling me “Mom I want to swim this summer and back in the fall because I want the 5 year plaque.” (swimming will continue)

My son is a great trainer pushing me and  he wants to walk/run with me.  It is a challenge for him also even though he does dry land with swimming, they run around the track once.  So my son is jogging with me around the block.. which this week is the big block 2 + miles.  We do a run walk combo.  He also told me he wants to do the 5K with me in June.

But the biggest surprise came last night.  My husband was joking with my son and asked him if he wanted to walk home. He said yes,  I joined him we walked 3 + miles home from the restaurant.  We left while my daughter was in the restroom.  Once I returned home my husband told me  our daughter age 7 was very upset.  Basically she threw down at the restaurant because she wanted to walk with us.

I said to my husbands “She would have never made it,  She was exhausted”  he agreed..but she was not having any of that..

She cried  “I wanted to go”

She has been asking since I started. running, But I thought it was too far for her little legs.

She then told me “Mommy I have been training at school.  I walk every second recess around the big circle (large playground) .. since you started running in the winter.”

Crush my heart she has been running since January.. she never told me.  She just kept saying she could do it.  I walk/run in the morning while they are at school normally, so I never gave it a thought.  She wants to do what I do and be with me. Bless her heart and I will be a better Mom.

The little voices in my life needed to be heard.. and my new good habits are rubbing off.

I am getting a great sense of clarity on what is import. I am loving the quality time with my son (soon with my daughter) I am getting on these walks.  They are eating better already!!

Physical activity:

  • Monday 16th- walked and did Mamavation hazing
  • Tuesday 17th -walked/ran 1.5 miles with club and did the hazing
  • Wednesday 18th- walked/ran 2 miles did hazing
  • Thursday 19th- walked/ran 2 miles did both hazings
  • Friday 20th walked/ran 2 miles did both hazings
  • Saturday 21st walked/ran with club 1.75 miles, walked 2 miles at zoo, walked 3 miles  home from restaurant did hazing and took two ibuprofen, fell asleep with my daughter.

Food:

I got better with my food middle to the end of the week. I am taking the process seriously. It is very grueling to be the next Mamavation Mom.   Wish me luck I hope I am chosen to be a finalist announced tomorrow night.

weight  269-267

Feeling- Great more energy and know everything is fitting better

I am a Finalist… Please vote for me BABYPOP!!

Update: 4/30- I did not win Mamavation Mom  but I will still continue the battle for a healthy life.

 

 

Fitness Fridays

Cracks in my Pavement #FitnessFriday

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So I think more why am I not losing, cracks =doubt….  The truth is like to eat (hello I am over weight for a reason).  When I was diagnosed 3years ago as a diabetic I weighted 297 pounds that is right 3lb away from 300lb.  Over the last 3 years I have lost 30 lb.  The reasons is you can loose weight when you have out of control diabetes,  some is because I am trying to cut sugar and eat better.   But now I am at 267 and standing still  no real loss… So in January I started working out  I figured the work out would help and it is.

But my real problem is I cheat .. I love butter, salt, pasta, and cheese (My cracks).   I talk myself if I eat veggies with butter and salt. Pasta I cann’t stop at a cup,  I have to eat 3,  so portion control is an issue.  I stay up late and get the 12 oclock munchies.. I head for cheese of chips next thing I know I eat almost a full meal. Bad Sherry.

Every time I diet,  I get to this point.. right around 30 lb I start to play mental games with myself.  Bargaining and trading with my food saying,  oh I can have this one thing..   So what am I going to do?  I am going to hold myself accountable push through it.

As you know I am applying to be the Next Mamavation Mom from my Friday Fitness last week.  I find out this Monday  if.. I mean when.. I make the finals, then voting starts.    If I don’t,  I still plan on following along at on my own using the support of the Mamavation community.  I signed up for the Mamavation 2 week challenge it starts April 30th.

I did drink the BookieBoo/ Mamavation Juice.  Because I am too strong and tired of playing games with myself.

  • I will miss you butter, salt, 2 cup of pasta, and extra cheese.
  • I want to listen too myself when I am full, eat more often smaller meals,  and not go for the bad stuff.
  • I want to be the best I can be and be there for my family.   It starts with me.

I am going to post my weight on Monday Mamavation For the Carnival Link Up.

I ran this week I ran and worked out it is getting easier and I am going longer.

I am Strong enough I can do this!!!

Thanks for your continued support

Sherry



 

Fashion, Product Reviews

A Great Dress for a Plus Size Girl! Land End Review

Lands’ End Plus Size collection is a great. I was asked to review a piece as  part of Lands End  Show Us Your Style.   As a tall plus size women I often have a hard time finding clothes that fit me and look nice with out being a tent dress. My fit problem is that I have a small chest, larger hips, and I am tall.  My style is wearing dresses,  for the past few years I have been wearing them and they make me feel girly.   I love this Lands End Plus Size  shirt dress.  It make me look fantastic, others thought so too.  The shirtdress is so tailored wonderful, it flattered my body in all the right places. The chest was perfect enough room, and it did not pull in the front. The shirtdress is so well made with an attention to detail both inside and out,  of course I always expect the best quality from Land End.

I love the medweight fabric it is  eyelet cotton fabric.  I took my measurements and bought true to them. This dress is a Size 22.  I am 5’10” and the dress hit right to my knee so it was a great length.

The Women’s Plus Size Sleeveless Eyelet Shirtdress  is full lined and is great 2 seasons dress wonderful for spring and summer.  I wore this dress to a Moroccan restaurant this past weekend I wore it with a scarf around  my shoulder, just in case it got chilly.

  • My jewelry: a gold ring necklace, simple gold hoop earrings, and  2 gold  bracelets.
  • My Shoes: a nude wedge or great sandals would look fabulous.
  • My nails were a great bright coral color.  I love a bright color on your toes when you wear peep toe shoes
  • My Options for the future is to also get a great belt, and wear with my large sun hat.

This Lands End shirt dress is so great for travel and is a classic look that I am looking forward to wearing for seasons to come. This dress retails for $135, so an investment staple and quality for your wardrobe.  It is offered in 2 colors washed red and navy.   I can wait to try more plus dresses from the collection.  Lands End makes plus girls look great!  

My pictures were taken by my 11 year old son I want to thank him for putting up with his mom

Disclosure: I did receive this dress from Lands End as part of this promotion.  The opinions in this post of are  mine and my honest opinion of the product.

Parenting, Philadelphia

A Simple Childhood Test that Saves Lives- Guest Blogger

SimonFund?  Sudden cardiac arrest?  A simple Test that can save my kids life.. A friend told me about Darren, Phyllis, and their son Simon Sudman. I was moved by the Sudmans lives.  She asked if I would mind writing a blog post about the importance of Simon’s story.  I said of course, Then I asked her for one better,  if they could tell Simon’s story to me as a parent… So I can share it with you as a parent.  I would like to welcome my guest bloggers Darren & Phyllis Sudman two amazing parents saving others children.

Guest Blogger: Darren & Phyllis Sudman

At the time, Britax was the best car seat; Combi, the best lightweight stroller; Dr. Brown’s, the best bottles.  By best, I also mean safest.  However, none of that mattered because Simon only got to use them for 96 days.

Our son, Simon Brach Sudman was born on October 21, 2004 with near perfect Apgar scores.   He sailed through his well baby checks. He smiled for the first time in December.  He died on January 24, 2004 at three months of age.  He was napping and didn’t wake up.  All the books told us what he should be doing in utero.  They told us about car safety and gas bubbles.  They never mentioned sudden cardiac arrest.  We were prepared to protect our child . . . so we thought.

Sudden cardiac arrest takes the lives of thousands of children every year.   It can be a sleeping baby (15% of all unexplained sudden infant deaths).  It can be a recreational swimmer (unexplained drowning).  It can be a competitive athlete.  It can be a good driver (unexplained car crash).  We learned all of this after Simon died.  We want you to learn about it now, because the most important two things we learned were: sudden cardiac arrest in children is not rare; and it can be prevented close to 90% of the time with a simple, non-invasive test, an ECG/EKG. We screen our kids’ eyes and ears, but we neglect to screen their most vital organ.

We created Simon’s Fund to raise awareness about the conditions that lead to sudden cardiac arrest and death in kids.  In seven years, we have conducted free screenings for over a dozen schools and checked almost 4,000 hearts.  We have helped 36 kids discover an undetected, potentially fatal heart condition.  You can learn about some of them at www.simonsfund.org. Based on our screenings and the screenings of similar organizations, one out of every 100 kids has an undetected heart condition. That’s our 1%. Please get your kids screened and pass the word along.

Want to read more about the test Please visit www.simonsfund.org.

Also I want to link up to Jessica Found the Marbles her boys recently had the test done by SimonsFund.

Fitness Fridays, LIfe

Fitness Friday Mamavation

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This week is a little different.  I noticed my family is really with my program.  Last week we went to an Easter egg hunt in the same park as the dog park.  Of course I took the dog- Lloyd need to be socialized.   After the egg hunt my son said Mom let go to the dog park.

I said “ok lets go get the car.”

He said “no mom you are trying to be healthy lets walk.”  So he made we walk down and back up the hills to the dog park.

Then tonight I said you want to go for a run her said yea sure.  I can also see changes he is aware of his choices.  My son is a competitive swimmer but season we are taking a spring off.  He said “Mom I am not eating as much because I am not swimming.  I just noticed I am not as hungry”.  I am impressed we do not discuss weight or fat in our house we talk about healthy choices.

He is my own personal trainer.

This week I joined the Fleet Feet North Whales Running Program.  It went well I showed up 3 minute late and missed the start I ran ¼ of a mile to catch up only for the group I thought I was chasing take off running.. Just when I thought they were switching to walking they ran faster.  So know I know not to be late this Saturday.

So this week I am applying to be a Mamavation mom. If I am chosen I will work with the Mamavation team in a 6 week boot camp.  Which will include nutrition  help, fitness help and just basically a good old fashion fitness kick in the pants.  I really admired Leah Segedie aka @Bookieboo  and the community of support she gives to women to help them create a healthier life.

Here is the video why I want to be a Mamavation mom.

How can you help me?  Please tweet this for me:

Hey @bookieboo! I want @Babypop  to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support! http://bit.ly/aorv3Y

Then If I am chosen as finalist please vote for me.

Thanks for your continued support.

Fitness

  • Monday- walked
  • Tues- walk /run 1 mile
  • Wed- walked/run around the block
  • Thurs- walked/run around the block

Weight : 265

Parenting, Product Reviews

Dr Meg Meeker, Vicks and the Flu

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So I got to go to a lunch with Vicks and author / Dr. Meg Meeker.  It was a great learning experience, I wish she was my kids pediatrician .  Currently for the last 4 years my kids have not gotten sick but they will it is only a matter of time.  My kids were very sick little kids.  My son a daycare kid until the age of 4 was sick all the time.  Like many working parents thee is a level which a sick kid  will head to day care.. runny nose acceptable.. fever not acceptable.  Cough at night acceptable.  It is  struggle and choice every working parent fights with.

With my daughter I was home.  So was she for weeks and weeks did she miss day care when she  got the flu.   Then the Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among infants and young children.  I was so tired during that rota period running a business and dealing with a nonstop laundry sheet and diaper change.

So during the lunch with Dr. Meg Meeker I learned a few things:

  • Know your kids normal temp.. track it see what it is in the morning, after noon and night
  • Having a certain level of humidity (moisture) in your house helps to avoid the flu
  • if you suspect the flu if you head to your Doctor with in the first 24 hours they can give you/kids a shot to shorten the length of the flu
  • Try a children’s Tylenol  or children’s Advil on your child to reduce fever, some fever need to run there course to help fight the infection.
  • Call your doctor for high fever over 101
  • Follow your gut Mother intuition is one of the best line of defense when dealing with a child’s illness.

Some products I learned about from vicks to make Flu Season  easier.

Try a humidifier like Vicks Germ Free Humidifier to avoid dry air in your home. The V790N Vicks® Warm Mist GermFree Humidifier kills 99.999% of germs, bacteria, and mold in the water before its warm mist ever touches the air.

The V980 Vicks® Behind Ear Gentle Touch Thermometer with Fever InSight™ Feature is gentle enough for a sleeping baby and is clinically proven accurate at detecting fever with instant one-second readings.

The Vicks  humidity monitor is awesome.  I knew the humidity in my house was too dry and the vicks monitor let me know how bad it was.  I added the Humidifier and correct the issue.  I feel so much better i know what I can control and avoid the flu.

To learn more check out behindear.com

Also Vicks will donate For each share of our “What will you share this cold and flu season?” video, Vicks will donate a Behind Ear Thermometer to Baby Buggy, a non-profit dedicated to providing U.S. families in need with essential items for their children. Here is a link to the video on our Facebook page

 

Disclosure: I did receive products from Vicks, Dr. Megs Book and Lunch at Plate. My opinions and writing in this post are all of my own.