Taking Our Lives Back!

You know I love, love, love my kids, but for some time now (5 + years to be precise) I feel like they've been sucking the life out of me! All SAHM with young children can relate, so I won't elaborate. For months leading up to the new year, I knew it was time to make a change. It's also our 10 year anniversary in a few months, and so in my head I've dubbed this THE YEAR OF BEN & SARA. I need to be the girl I once was, the person my wonderful husband fell in love with, not the grumpy-always-tired-feeling-fat girl I've become.

The plan began on 12/26/10 with goals to go out at least once a month with my husband, and to spend more one on one time with my kids (so I don't feel guilty for the rest of my awesome plan). I am happy to report that we have been on two kidless dates out, and one kidless movie night in. SO FUN! I forgot how nice it was to relax, cuddle, and watch a movie without kids, laptops, and other distractions.

Then my birthday rolled around and we started our Fitness Challenge. We are almost 3 weeks in, and it's been such a HUGE blessing in my life! I have been sleeping for at least 7 hours (almost every night), exercising for an hour a day (almost every day), eating healthy foods, and drinking tons of water. I try to eat 3 fruits, 4 veggies, no processed/packaged snacks, no sweets, and no soda. I have lost several lbs. so far, have so much more energy, and have developed some really good habits. My hungriest time of day is always from 4 to dinner time, so now I pack the kids in the double stroller, K gets on his scooter, and I rollerblade them to the park. Hunger gone! Ben has also gone down a belt notch....woohoo!

(Rollerblading with the kids would've been a better picture, but I'm feelin' sassy tonight, & don't have any of me in my blading glory. Which btw, K told me today I needed knee & elbow guards...thx for the tip, son!)

I crave exercise now, the kind that has me dripping with sweat & pushing myself really hard. The kind I haven't had consistently since I was in high school. I'm lovin' it, and if Ruby girl has to fuss a little while in her highchair eating breakfast with her 3 yr old babysitter & the TV, so be it! If we're having fish for dinner or any other meat or veggie combo that the kids don't love, it's take it or leave it time, baby! We are taking our lives back...the year of Ben & Sara is in full swing and we are not backing down!

For a related, but much funnier view on parents taking their lives back, watch the 1/6/11 episode of The Middle. You'll laugh, I promise!