Operation Try Again: Week 10

There's two weeks left of Operation: Try Again. I'm pleased to report that at the dentist a couple of weeks ago I didn't flinch or even grip the chair when the needle went in. I didn't enjoy it or anything but it wasn't completely terrifying, so it looks like the EMDR did its thing.

I'm 75% of the way there on the weight loss goal, though last night's salty dinner may be affecting the result a little bit. Even so, five pounds in two weeks is pretty aggressive a couple of months into a program. I was feeling pretty bummed about the possibility of not making it to the finish line in time. And then I realized that if I set out to lose 20 pounds by the end of the summer and only lose 18.3, that's not exactly a failure. Oh noes! I might take until the end of September instead!

Maybe that "Own Worst Critic" thing should make the self-improvement list next time around. Seriously, I'm doing the Ease Into 5K app and it's taking a little longer than the nine weeks the program suggests. OK, a lot longer. At this rate I should be eased into 5K after about 24 weeks. And who gives a shit? I'm running a lot faster and a lot longer than I was a couple of months ago, because zero isn't that hard to beat.

Next up: BootCamp starts tomorrow!

Operation Try Again - Week Six

Oh hey, I was going to provide weekly progress updates on this adventure. Ordinarily I'd make the excuse of laziness but really, it's because I've been busy enacting the plan. When I first set out on this course, I wanted to accomplish four things:

1. Take the summer off: Done! I haven't had any hormone injections or blood draws or invasive ultrasounds since May. I have peed on no sticks and have only taken my temperature once because I thought I had a fever. I had no idea how much stress it was causing, but it's gone and I'm a much happier person for it. It was a much needed respite and may very well have saved my marriage from some serious turmoil.
2. Lose 20 pounds by the end of the summer: Summer is (roughly) half over, and I'm 57% of the way there. I signed up for the September session of Bootcamp but in the meantime I found a Groupon for a gym near the office that I've been using over lunch when I'm not at...
3. Acupuncture: Twice a week, and The Husband is going too. Have no idea what it's doing, but we'll find out in a few more weeks if it has had any effect.
4. Professional help for the needle phobia: Done! Two sessions of EMDR working through the process. I'll be able to test how well it worked before another round of treatments at the dental appointment I have to replace some old fillings in two weeks.

There you have it. In the coming weeks or months I'll check my nerves to see if the thought of going back to the clinic makes me have another meltdown and we'll see where the chips fall.

Operation Try Again - Week Three

The last time I lost a significant amount of weight (birthing a 9 lb baby notwithstanding), I was in my late 20s. Oh, I worked hard at it then too - of course I did, I had time to go to the gym five times a week for an hour and a half - and 30 pounds fell off in about four months. Sure, sometimes dinner was a bowl of Cheerios and a glass of wine, but whatever. I looked damn good doing it.

Now, I am in my late 30s. It is decidedly less easy. While my kid would love it, I'd feel pretty bad feeding her Cheerios and wine (or apple juice, if you're the "QUICK! Call Children's Aid" kind) so real dinners are a necessity around here. Wednesday night is soccer night, and Sunday is swim day (neither activity is for me) and that on top of a full time job and general family responsibilities means 5x a week at the gym isn't going to happen... ever. Instead, I do what I can.

I'm keeping up with The Plan and I've reached 37.6% of the weight loss goal. Yes, I prefer to examine percent complete rather than pounds lost. Because I am a dork. Twice a week bootcamp is challenging, but it's getting a lot more fun. I'm a little sad there is only three sessions left. We're away for part next month and there's no way I could work out the logistics to attend three times a week to make up the missed classes so I won't sign up, but I'm looking forward to going back in September. Wait, what? Yes, really.

I've been diligently using the FitBit for over a month now for all my food tracking and setting exercise goals. I've posted a more detailed review over at The Wine Fund, but suffice it to say I love this thing! I did Week #2, Run #2 of the Ease into 5K program last night. Acupuncture continues and even if it does nothing for fertility it gets me out of the office twice a week over lunch to rest in a darkened room for 45 minutes. I can think of worse ways to pass the time.

Some day, if we go through another round and it doesn't work, I'll know I did absolutely everything in my power to make it happen.

Operation: Try Again - Week One

A few weeks ago, we threw in the towel on fertility treatments. I was relieved as the stress I didn't even know was constantly there instantly melted away. I was sleeping like a baby. And then I started to wonder if I would regret that decision immensely 5 or 10 or 20 years from now. As we know, I do my very damndest to make decisions I won't regret later. I decided not giving another shot would be something I would lie awake at night and cry about until I was old(er) and grey(er).

So we came up with a new plan:

1. Take the summer off. Have a romantic life with The Husband that isn't dictated by the level of luteinizing hormone in my bloodstream. For TWO YEARS we've been having sex (or worse, he's been having alone time and I've been transporting the fruits of his labour IN MY BRA) when a doctor or a pee stick tells us it's time. For the next three months, we will not watch the calendar. It will be a complete break from all things related to trying to conceive. Except, you know, the activity that actually makes babies. But because it's fun and we like each other a lot, not because of some little egg in the window of an ovulation predictor kit.
2. Lose 20 pounds by the end of the summer. It might help, and it certainly won't hurt. And if our next round of efforts are successful, it will make pregnancy easier and reduce the likelihood of complications. To this end, I've joined a twice a week boot camp in a local park and have gotten back into running with the Ease into 5K App, formerly known as C25K program. I started using a FitBit a couple of weeks ago to track my eating and activity, and I love that thing like crazy.
3. Twice weekly acupuncture. It might be snake oil, but my benefit plan covers it so why the hell not? There has been some evidence to suggest it helps. I'm doing something, which is better than doing nothing. Surprisingly, the acupuncture needles don't bother me at all. Which brings me to the next and final step in the plan of Operation: Try Again.
4. Get professional help to deal with my needle phobia. Nobody likes needles, but after the injection training session at the clinic I actually hyperventilated at the thought of daily injections. Full blown anxiety attack. Not fun. I avoid the dentist because when I need to have work done I can't stand the needles. It's a problem I should deal with even if I'm not going to continue with treatments because it affects my life in other areas, so EMDR it is! 

There you have it, the new plan. One last try in the fall before we close the door and move on. If it works, fantastic. We'll be ecstatic. If it doesn't, I will know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I gave it my all. It will still hurt, but I will take some comfort in that. To keep me honest, I'll be recapping the progress here every week.

Things I Did Elsewhere: Week 15 Recap

Lousy weather has afforded me the laziest weekend I have had since I brought this kid home. I have mentioned that three is awesome, and it is. You know what you can do when you have a three year old? You can bring them downstairs when they wake up, get them breakfast, give them some quiet toys and turn on the TV, and then you can snooze on the couch. Sure, there will be frequent wakings as they ask you for stuff and climb on to pretend they're sleeping too, but you're dozing! Note: this assumes your living area is generally kept free from things that could harm a small child.

You guys, I AM SO WELL RESTED!

I got back on track with meal planning over at The Facebook Page. This week's plan includes a whole lot of veggies at my disposal now that the warmer weather has finally come out to play.

I haven't done anything over at The Wine Fund because I've been busy giving interviews to reporters for the Globe and Mail. Oh, and speaking of pregnancy (or lack thereof) after 35, I talked about joining Team Infertility at Circle of Moms, because I think a lot of people think it can't happen to them so while it's small comfort to know you're not alone, it's still some comfort.

And now, I will put my kid to bed, fold my laundry and go to bed early. Because an early bedtime is the perfect way to cap off a lazy weekend. Have a great week!

Things I Did Elsewhere: Week 14 Recap

It's Mother's Day! I spent it at an amusement park. Misguided husband? Hell no! It was awesome. I spent Thanksgiving at the zoo, Easter Sunday at a waterpark and Mother's Day on a roller coaster. The Husband and I have come to the conclusion that doing non-traditional things on major holidays IS our family tradition. I love it!

Over at The Facebook Page, I posted this week's meal plan including my special Mother's Day meal request. Forewarned is forearmed, there is talk of balls. Wait, what?

At Yummy Mummy Club, I made fun of myself and my total lack of interest in fashion since becoming a Mom in "Do I Look Like Somebody's Mother?" No mom jeans were harmed in the writing of this piece, only my pride is wounded.

And now, I will ask The Husband to take a break from making me dinner to make me a mojito so I can sit on my ass drinking while neglecting my child as she plays in the yard. Because that's what Mother's Day means to me. Have a great week!

Things I did elsewhere: Week 13 recap

How the hell did it get to be Sunday night already? I do not know! It was less busy than last week, but just when I thought I could rest on my laurels another one of those wicked kid bugs blew through the house and knocked me on my ass. Good times! I still managed to find the the time to do some stuff elsewhere.

Over at The Facebook Page I shared this week's meal plan. We had company for dinner last night and served Chicken Parmesan Rollatini with polenta and Caesar salad for dinner, and tartufo for dessert. The Rollatini was pretty good, but if I were to do it again I would have added a few chili flakes to the sauce and topped it with some shaved parmesan to bring a little salt to the party. That may be because I used salt-free soup stock, so YMMV.

At The Wine Fund, I talked about Incentria (big, fat fucking waste of time - that's my two cents worth, which is literally all I have earned there) and Favors and Flavors, a one stop shop for breastfeeding support and supplies. I also submitted posted an article on parenting honestly on Circle of Moms.


Have a great week!

Things I did Elsewhere: Week 12 Recap

Made with love. By The Husband. Because I can't bake worth a shit.

It's Birthday Week! The Husband and The Parasite have birthdays less than a week apart. If you think that means a busy week, you're absolutely right! The big girl's party was yesterday. She was too excited to nap and was still pretty darn tired today, which led to a 2+ hour nap. Curled up with me. Which she hasn't done in ages. Not gonna lie, it was totally awesome.

Anyway, it means I didn't get around to doing a whole lot of stuff elsewhere. I did post our meal plan which includes a plea for help on what the fuck to do with pounds of leftover lunch meat. Any ideas?

Things I Did Elsewhere: Week 10 Recap

Zut alors, yet another weekend has gone by. How? Why? I just don't know. The in-laws are still here which is cool because SURPRISE! It's not a one night visit, it's a three night visit. Apparently determining when someone is coming to our home and how long they are staying with us is too much to ask of The Husband. And we all know how much I love surprises. I'll deal with him... later.

At The Facebook Page, I shared this week's meal plan, including tonight's feast of ham and scalloped potatoes. From scratch. Because I am that damn good. I use the Canadian Living recipe enhanced by a whole lot of garlic, and while it takes a long time it's dead simple. If you currently make scalloped or any other kind of potatoes from a box, stop that! There's just no comparing them to the real thing.

Over at The Wine Fund, the app of the week is Flashlight. No, not Fleshlight, silly! FLASHLIGHT! It turns your phone into a flashlight, and it has been more useful than I ever imagined it would be. You want to learn about cool apps first don't you? Well then sign up for the AppSmitten newsletter and the app world is your oyster. Note: If you sign up using that link I earn a small commission.

Things I Did Elsewhere: Week 9 Recap

Holy crap! How is the weekend over already? It feels like I just left work on Friday and now it's time to get ready for another Monday. But not without first telling you about all the stuff I did when I wasn't here. 

At The Facebook Page, I shared this week's meal plan and my Wednesday night "OMG, I don't have the stuff to make what I was going to make for dinner and now what?" recipe for brown rice and mushroom sauce. You should just like the damn page already so you don't have to wait for me to post a recap on Sunday for all this awesomeness. I mean, I might forget and THEN what would you do? Oh, you'd carry on with your day? I see...

Keeping with the foodie theme, over at The Wine Fund I posted a review of the Longo's Pad Thai Meal Kit. It was a bit of a thumbs down. I didn't do an app of the week because I didn't have time to play with anything new and I don't want to recommend anything not well tested. But you should still sign up for the AppSmitten newsletter because you are cool and you want to learn about cool things first. Yes, I get a small commission if you use that link but if you'd rather not, you can Google them to start learning about the apps you need to make your life easier. 

I'm helping to spread the word about a petition calling for a Royal Commission on election fraud in Canada. Wait, wut? I know! If you're Canadian just click the link, check it out and decide for yourself if you think you should sign it. I did. And on that happy note, I'm off to bed. Toodles!

Things I Did Elsewhere: Week 8 Recap

Well, it's been a pretty shitty week here at Casa del Host. But even though things suck for The Husband and I, our kid still has to eat so I made a "Give yourself a break" meal plan and posted it over at The Facebook Page.

Speaking of food, the App of the Week is Cook's Illustrated - The Best of Everything. I really quite like it. I have provided more details over at The Wine Fund. It's better if you already subscribe to Cook's Illustrated because it unlocks a bunch of members only content and your favourites automatically sync, but there's still plenty of good stuff to be had for non-subscribers. The ability to add ingredients right to the shopping list from the recipe is particularly awesome.

How do you find cool new apps? Well, you could randomly plug things into the search tool in the App Store and hope for the best, but there is a better way! Sign up for the Appsmitten newsletter. You pick your device and your areas of interest, Appsmitten gives you a custom summary of apps you'll love. Sure, I'm an affiliate and if you sign up using the link provided I'll earn a small commission, but that's not why you should do it. You should sign up because life has enough needles in haystacks, and pointless searching is for Luddites. You're not a Luddite, are you?

Things I Did Elsewhere: Week 7 Recap

Yes, I did miss a few weeks. I wasn't doing bloggy things elsewhere because I was busy teaching my daughter how to be a world traveler. She's had a total meltdown in an airport now, so I think she's all set.

At The Facebook Page I posted the back to reality meal plan and my recipe for a crockpot beef stroganoff. Which doesn't involve a crockpot. It's less complicated than it sounds. Want some ideas for what to make for dinner this week or a recipe me tested and me approved to be quick and easy for a weeknight meal? Don't feel like waiting for me to get around to posting a weekly recap? Can't say I blame you, patience is a virtue but it's not one of mine. Go ahead and "Like" The Facebook Page already!

At The Wine Fund, I posted my review our holiday (Awesome! The holiday, not the review. Though I think the review is pretty good too...) AND the first of what I plan to make a weekly feature, the App of the Week. But I might not actually get around to posting an app every week because, as we already know, I'm really quite lazy. Want to know a better way to find out what's the latest and greatest in the world of apps? Sign up for the appSmitten weekly email update. Pick your device, pick your categories of interest and sit back and watch with glee as you receive suggestions for apps YOU want to know about. Yeah, I'm an appSmitten affiliate and I get a small commission if you sign up for the newsletter, but that's not why you should do it. You should because you're pretty cool and cool people should know about cool stuff first.

And finally, want to know how The Husband and I have managed to keep up our sex life since becoming parents? Well, we haven't. But you should still read the article I wrote for Circle of Moms for tips on keeping in touch without keeping touched.

Have a great week!

Things I Did Elsewhere: Week 6 Recap

This week's meal plan included our Superbowl Sunday extravaganza. I accidentally invited the neighbours over for dinner on the big day, and The Husband kindly called off the divorce proceedings. I was felled by a super stomach bug on Thursday, but I was fine within 24 hours so I carried on with the dinner party. I did not count on The Husband coming down with said bug today. In the middle of dinner. I'm pretty sure that's a social faux pas in most cultures, but I will get over it. I'm sure our guests will too.

Also on The Facebook Page, I am helping to spread the word about bringing birth centers to Ontario. Sure, it's partly because I turned into a dirty hippie the minute the pregnancy test turned positive (settle down, I mean with The Parasite), but I'm also very cheap and it just makes good financial sense. Oh, and over at The Wine Fund, I posted a review of the Miami hotel my friend and I stayed at on our husband-free, kid-free getaway.

I don't know if I'll get to a weekly recap next Sunday for reasons I am not at liberty to disclose at this time, but fear you not! I just means the following recap will be jam packed with awesome! You have yourself an awesome week. Oh, and it looks like congratulations are in order for the Giants. Um, good job?

Things I Did Elsewhere: Week 5 Recap

So I'm two days late with an update of what I've been up to elsewhere. I should take the issue of blown deadlines up with the boss of this here blog. Oh... I'd blame it on laziness, but in my defense I've been a little busy with treatments and a sick little girl. And then there was the mountain of laundry in the aftermath of the sick little girl. Good times!

I didn't get around to posting anything over at The Wine Fund, but I do have plans to share a review of the hotel my friend and I stayed at in Miami so check back later this week. Or maybe you want to wait until next week's recap to make sure I've actually done it, because, you know, I get sidetracked. Hi! I'm Dory. 

At The Facebook Page, I *finally* got around to sharing the recipe for my awesome roasted potatoes. Yes, they are that good. You should try them. I also posted this week's meal plan.
 
Have a good rest of your week!