90 Day Challenge

June 22, 2012 I began a 90 day challenge. A challenge to change my lifestyle. A challenge to focus on my health and wellness. I have 39 days left to go for this first 90 challenge and so far I have seen amazing results!

Down 15.1 pounds. 6 inches slimmer.

THAT is success. :)

I'm doing a 90 challenge, but really? Really this is a new life for me. I'm not just going to stop once I hit 90 days. I really reached a point where I was done. Done with my fluctuating weight. Done with starving myself for a few weeks while I "dieted" only to break down and binge, packing on every lost pound I worked so hard to lose.

Right now I'm doing a combination. It may be too complicated for some, but it works for me, and the proof is in the pudding! I am drinking two ViSalus shakes a day. Usually for breakfast and lunch, but sometimes I will have them for breakfast and dinner. For my 4 remaining snacks and meals I am doing Weight Watchers. The shakes I make have anywhere from 6-9 points. It varies based on what recipe I make.

I use MyFitnessPal, it's an app for my iPhone, to track everything I eat. It helps me watch my calorie intake, and also helps give me nutritional information to calculate my WW points.

This isn't a race for me. Some may scoff and say that 15.1 pounds in 51 days isn't that impressive. That only averages out to 2.1 pounds a week. For me it was more like, 4 lb's one week, 0 the following week, and 1 lb the next week. Sometimes even going up, then back down. It used to bother me. Now it doesn't. Because it doesn't matter if it takes 6 months. Or 9 months. Or two years even! I am going to get the weight off one pound at a time until I am healthy!

I've learned a lot about food recently. {Thanks to some awesome friends!} And in doing so I've learned how to eat right. I am NEVER hungry. My horrid cravings have ceased. And I'm learning that healthy eating can be absolutely DELICIOUS!

I am really careful to not deprive myself when I do have cravings. If I am craving something sweet I eat fruit, if I want chocolate I will have a chocolate ViSalus shake for one of my meals that day. The shakes really help with a lot of my dessert cravings. And sometimes I will have a slice of pizza or a few french fries. To me it's about moderation and portion control! For me personally it's not realistic for me to completely cut out "bad" foods. I've had to learn how to moderate and control and in doing so I've kept myself on track, and within my goals.

I am also learning to take "bad" things and make them healthy! By making swaps, and preparing foods differently, I've been able to enjoy amazing food and stay within my calorie and weight watchers points goals!

I learned the hard way in the past that when I try and completely cut things out of my diet I end up going crazy, I "cheat", binge and then throw my hands up in the air and say "#$% it I ruined my diet now!". Now I'm learning to moderate what I eat and it's kept that from happening. If I do mess up I don't sweat it. Tomorrow is a new day. There's no "starting over" because I don't give up! I move on!

Do I plan on drinking two ViSalus shakes a day for the rest of my life? No. Could I? YES! I could, and I would want to! They're really that good...But no, once I hit my goal I plan on continuing with the eating healthy meals and snacks and cutting out the shakes. My plan is once I hit my goal to go to just one shake a day, for breakfast, for a while. But then eventually cutting that out too. {Maybe, to be honest, I don't know, I could very well go on to have a ViSalus for breakfast every day for the rest of my life!}

My biggest struggle in all of this is working out. I HAVE to have someone to workout with and I really need to get past that and learn to go to the gym alone! I've got to step it up in that department and I'm sure when I do I will see even greater results!

Anyway, I just wanted to share with everyone the awesome change going on right now! If I can encourage anyone to make healthier changes that would be awesome! If you have any words of advice or encouragement please share!

PS If you're interested in learning more about ViSalus and starting your own 90 Day Challenge {CLICK HERE}!

New Chore System!

We just implemented a new chore system here in the Renwick household!

These are daily chores and they each have an opportunity to earn up to $.34 a day. Blue chores are worth $.02 a day and orange chores are worth $.05 a day. The blue chores are "mandatory" chores like brushing their teeth, making their bed, minding mommy & daddy, etc., all things that should be done regardless, but the system helps make them fun! The orange chores are more traditional chores, things that help around the house like sweeping the floors, wiping the counters, etc. They're age appropriate things that help them learn responsibility and also encourage them to do their part of housework.

We had a sticker chart implemented before that they just grew bored with, and to be honest I got tired of having to print off new sheets every month, buy more stickers, etc. I'm sure they will grow bored with this system at some point, but I will just come up with something new to do. ^_^ {I have a few ideas in my "arsenal".}

I actually got the idea from a Chick Fil A kid's meal bag! It had a summer "bucket list" with summer activities on the clothes pins. I thought it would be neat to do with the chores! I picked up little mini pins and buckets at Hobby Lobby and I think all together I spent maybe $5.

Before bedtime every night they will count out their pins in their bucket and get paid for the day. They all have jars that they keep their money in. Soon I plan on teaching them how to split up their money 3 ways. For spending, saving, and sharing.

Cousins Make the BEST Friends

GJR 1 Year!

Grayson James, it came and went buddy! Your first birthday! You are officially one year old. :) You are growing SO fast and are more like a toddler and less like a baby everyday! It's almost too exciting to be sad, but alas there is still that sadness there that you are growing so very quickly.

You are so brilliant son! You learn several new things EVERY DAY and it just blows me away! Today, after your morning diaper change, you picked up your diaper, and I watched, silently, as you toddled into the kitchen, right up to the trash can, and threw the diaper away! It's so apparent that you watch us and everything we do and learn so much from it.

You are up to SO many words! It's hard to remember them all. Here's a list:
Mama {Sometimes for some reason you call me "Nana".}
Dada
Bubby and Josh {Sounds like "bubba" and "dotch".}
Hailey {Hay-eee}
Leah {Eee-ahh}
Ball {Bow}
Diaper {Bi-pur, you really emphasis the "per", it's darling! ^_^}
Grandpa {Gam-Pa}
Kay Kay {Day Day}
Milk {Mole, this is new, in the past few days you've been saying it along with signing.}
Cracker {Ckr-Ckr, you emphasis the last syllable and go up a pitch with a lot of your words, this is one of them.}
Piggie {You say, buppa, which sounds nothing like "piggie" lol, but we know that's what you mean.}
Bye Bye
Hi
Bad Boy {Ba Boy}
Up {Uh-hh you make this a two syllable word and go up in pitch at the end.}
Down {Doe}

These are words you use all on your own, but you will repeat almost anything back to me. {If you're in the mood.}

{Your dramatic display at Monkey Joes}

Your dramatics are decreasing in some ways. But you're still known to throw yourself to the ground, and/or slam your head into the floor. You also arch and/or go limp when you're going for the full-blown production. You are SO ACTIVE! I have a hard time getting pics of you anymore. :( They're all blurrry. I get one sly smile and then you're off to conquer some new activity. You are into EVERYTHING. I mean everything. The house is in pure mess and chaos, and there's no keeping up with you. You're super fast too. It's a tough combo! One of the funniest things you do? When you have something and are told "no, no Grayson!" you will throw whatever's in your hand in one direction and then run in another direction! It's hilarious!

Random memory: When we say "chicken nugget" you shake your head and hands, and say "aahhh!". It all started with your crazy sister Leah. :) She would go crazy when I said "chicken nugget" funny and make a funny face, and you started copying her. ^_^

{Practicing for the big day!}

You're still nursing, 372 days and counting! There doesn't seem to be an end in sight, not any I'm looking for anyway. Your brother and sisters were so different and weaned themselves yet you show no interest as of yet. Maybe it will sneak up on me one day, I don't know. Right now I'm just trying to cherish these moments with you! You have finally mastered the straw and I have been buying the sippy cups with straws. You don't do as well with normal spouts. You really don't drink much else than your milk though. You're beginning to eat more, and while it's hard to get you to try new things, usually when we can get a bite in you, you realize it's yummy and then will eat more. But if you're stubborn, and we can't get you to try a bite there's no chance of getting you to eat. You love chicken nuggets, really any meat! Chicken, hamburger, bbq, meatballs, you're a little carnivore! You also love watermelon, cooked carrots, goldfish crackers, or any cracker really. You are not the biggest fan of chocolate surprisingly.

You LOVED your little birthday cake! You dove right into that thing with gusto! You weren't timid or shy at all. :) And of course, you made SUCH a mess. ^_^

Random Memory: You pick up Joshua's guns and make machine guns sounds! It's hilarious! We first noticed it maybe a month ago. You blow raspberries basically as you point the gun at random things. We were even able to get a little video of it. You make me laugh so much!

{You love pasta! Well...actually it's the meat sauce you love. ^_^}

You love being outside, reading books, dancing, playing "I'm gonna get you!" with mommy, being tickled, blowing raspberries, your family, sleeping with mama and dada, your milk, snuggling when you're sleepy, running, baths, popsicles, toys, chewing nerf bullets {still}, "jumping" on the trampoline, playing with Joshua, being baby'd by Hailey, riding your zebra {although it's not match for a good leg horse}, loving on "babies {any baby doll or stuffed animal}, "sweeping" lol you have a silly obsession with the broom and walk around with it, and the dustpan, often. I'm also beginning to think you love making a mess. Any kind of mess, any place, any time. :)

{Birthday kisses from bubby and sissy.}

I love you SO, so much!! It's impossible to describe or express! You're SO incredibly sweet! You make my heart melt every single day I see your face. Thank you SO MUCH for making me your mama! ♥

Here's a quick look through your first year! {And also the back of your party invitation! ^_^}

11 Months
10 Months
9 Months
8 Months
7 Months
6 Months
5 Months
4 Months
3 Months
2 Months
1 Month

Gleek

My name is Brianne. And I am a full-blown gleek.

At least...I think I am.

Honestly I don't really know what that term fully means. If it means that im completely in love with, and obsessed with the Fox network's wonderful comedic drama 'Glee' then yes, I am 100% gleek.

I just can't get enough of Rachel Berry, Kirt Hummel, Finn, Mercedes, Santana, Brittanie, Quinn Fabray, Noah Puckerman, Tina, Artie, Mike, Mr. Shuester, Emma, or Sue Sylvester.

I'm about 2 years late to the game. And I'm okay with that. It all began with a Wii game...I have the Glee Karaoke Revolution and while singing my heart out I begin wondering the back story to these clips I was seeing. Then I remembered that I had seen Glee on Netflix but at the time had no interest what-so-ever in watching what I believed at the time, to be a ridiculous show.

But I caved. And so I wouldn't have to do it a lot alone, I forced my husband into sitting down with me and watching the very first episode. I couldn't stop at one, and my husband ended up enduring THREE episodes in a row! {God bless that man.} The next day I couldn't wait to put my hands on my blu ray remote and watch episode 4! I suffered through my morning routine, rushed Leah off to preschool and then raced home to breeze through my chores before nestling into my couch for a Glee marathon!

I'm not going to share how many episodes I watched that day. {May have been 10 or so...I'm really unsure.}

I breezed through season 1 and 2 and was distraught when I saw season 3 was not on Netflix I cried a little bit and then remembered my saving grace! Hulu Plus!!!!!!!!!! Yay!

Okay to make a long story not as long, I am now on season 3 and I seriously just love this show. I don't know why. I just do.

Are there any other Gleeks out there? I seriously am beginning to believe I'm the only person around who loves this show...so make me feel better and share in this love!

Annual Photo Taking Rant

Sometimes I find myself in these kicks where I want to get out there and photograph anything and everything! I really miss doing sessions sometimes.

It doesn't help that I'm a photog nazi. And my kids are super reluctant to get in from of my camera. And if they do they're at the age where I have I threaten their lives or else I get bunny ears and tongues and crossed eyes and funny faces.

My wish? A bag that's safe enough to carry my camera with me everywhere! I don't want just portraits, I just want to capture more of LIFE!

My iPhone is AWESOME for that, but sometimes I just want the comfort of my big 'ol DSLR.

The thing that I DON'T miss and could do without is editing. Hell, not even editing, just getting them from my camera to my computer seems like a chore most days.

I can't help but giggle at the timing of this rant. It's like clockwork. Every year, it seems at this time I'm posting a similar rant. And it's usually then I vow to capture more every day and then I begin documenting our Summer only to fade off and fail a few weeks or even days in.

Now vows this year. Just rants. ;)

Okay. Rant over.

Brinley

I snapped this at Hailey's 7th birthday party, I am putting together an order of prints and had to order this one for the wall.

My niece is gorgeous!