Sisters ski team

 And even a couple sisters ski too. My OLDEST sister doesn't ski - she knows how, but doesn't.

2 of my sisters (in-law) could care less about the water and tolerate this family vacation.

This sister (in law), Rozann, skis and enjoys is so much, they bought a boat! :) Too bad we don't live closer to water in AZ.

 Kristin

 This sister, vinyl letters after she skis........some people and their hobbies. :)

NOTS - any guesses as to what that means?? yeah, I had no idea either. 

NOTS = Not On The Sabbath (which is when we don't ski and what my dad said he wanted to call the boat)

My mom....she used to ski in her younger years and before she got 2 new hips. We have one picture of her in a head-to-toe wet suit, swim cap and a 'life jacket' that went around the waist - she HATES this picture - I love it, but I also value my life and will not post the picture. It's on the wall at my sister -the one who does vinyl lettering on boats after skiing - at her house. So my mom rides the wave runner and rides in the boat.

the Brothers (and dad)

My brothers are AMAZING skiers - not professionals and getting older every year, but they can still cut and give an awesome spray. Every time I 'try', I panic and wipe out!

Kraig

Ryan

Rustin

Steven

and my dad, the one who taught us all, - seriously he's 73!!

Skiing is one of our favorite things

When we're not being lazy, we ski! And when I say 'we', I mean 'WE': me, Lea, Lucas, Abbey and yes, even Ammon. We ski in shifts:

 Here's the early morning crew - 6:30 am......I am NOT a part of that group. :) I actually prefer the 8 am group with my nephew Brendan, since he was on a mission, I had to take what I could get. :)

 This was actually one of those early mornings - see the pj's??

 The 'little' kids

the 'Not-so-little' kids and some of us who should wear shirts to match our tan lines.....ahem, Keith.

But we ski, no matter when unless the water is too rough, then we tube or take a break.

look at that beautiful water!

 Lea's turn! I have really amazing brothers who love to help because they love to ski too!

 Rustin getting the rope ready - Lea looks excited.

 Kraig and Lea

 Steven and Lea (this was another day)

 so close!

Lucas' turn! Doesn't he look thrilled!! Uncle Rustin

 He was dragged a few feet, got a face full of water and never tried again the rest of the week. If Jeff was there, he would have tried more. I can't convince him to do anything....next year!

Abbey's turn! Again - totally thrilled!

 Uncle Steven and Abbey

 Skiing all 'by herself'....She actually had a great time.

And......if it makes you panic, then don't look at the next couple pictures, but it's Ammon's turn - he's 11 1/2 months old.

 Ammon and Grandpa

 Ammon and Uncle Steven - he did not love being in the water, but skiing he did, not so much the life jacket either.

Our newest skiers!

 And when we ski, Grandpa buys us ice cream!! We love it every day, just about breaks Grandpa's bank to pay for 10+ grandkids to have ice cream cones every day....I don't think he'd have it any other way if it gets his grandkids involved in something he loves.

And sometimes he leaves his camera in the boat and gets this:

Funnies

Last night Jeff went in to talk with Lucas - this kid is so funny, sometimes it's difficult to keep a straight face when having to discipline him. 

Jeff had just returned from playing basketball and was playing with Ammon who was suddenly 'awake' so Jeff HAD to take him out. Conversation went something like this:

J: 'Hey little man' (to Ammon)

'Hey big man' (to Lucas)

If Ammo is 'little man' and you're 'big man', what does that make me?

L: Bossy. ha!

After some more comments and questions from Jeff, Lucas finally says: 'You stink.' haha!

Tonight he was practicing the Articles of Faith - in a 'Cowboy' voice.....ohhh-kay.

Pity party's over

So my pity party of weight loss is over - time to get back to work. 

Started using www.myfitnesspal.com and it really helps - keep track of the food you eat and exercise done. 

I have a new salad recipe - very filling and tastes good. As much spinach as you can - 1 serving is 3 cups and 20 calories!! In case you didn't know, I'm allergic to lettuce...yes. lettuce. So spinach I will eat.

Spinach, craisins, feta cheese and a raspberry vinegrette.

I figure if I can watch a 30-1hr show, I can workout for at least half of it. The more I exercise, the more I can eat. :)

And had I just started and done the work, I'd be 5 weeks in and the weight loss would have occurred instead of thinking I could just do nothing major, eat what I want and lose weight - not as young as I used to be. Hopefully by New Year's, I'll be a few lbs lighter and happier with my efforts.

Failed

MISERABLY.

So I posted a few months back (here) I wanted to lose weight.....well I have not accomplished one step towards that goal. In fact I've gone the opposite direction - slowly, but the number continues to rise and my clothing is becoming even more limited to:

one pair of jeans

one very loose maxi dress

one skirt I bought 4 years ago for $4 (awesome deal!)

a few very worn t-shirts

a select few 'dress' shirts to wear with said skirt

I was going to by myself a really cute dress for this next weekend and have decided I didn't earn it, so I'll try to find a new skirt instead @ Ross.

I have joined myfitnesspal.com to keep track of my calories and exercise. Actually need to use it.

I tried the workout videos, even trying this workout: (Britney Spears inspired)

90 minutes/4x a week
Warm up: 10 minutes on cardiovascular machine (treadmill, stationary bike, etc) at a medium pace.
Abs: 50 crunches, 50 bicycle twists, 50 hip raises
Strength Circuit: Use weights to work on arms, chest, back, and lower body. Bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, and fly exercises and presses.
Abs: 50 crunches, 50 bicycle twists, 50 hip raises
Strength Circuit: Use weights to work on arms, chest, back, and lower body. Bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, and fly exercises and presses.
Abs: 50 crunches, 50 bicycle twists, 50 hip raises
Strength Circuit: Use weights to work on arms, chest, back, and lower body. Bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, and fly exercises and presses.
Abs: 50 crunches, 50 bicycle twists, 50 hip raises
Back to Cardio & Abs: 30 minutes of jogging on treadmill or elliptical machine
Abs: 150 crunches, 150 bicycle twists, 150 hip raises (Do each 3 times)
Yup that’s a total of 1950 ab exercises…how else do you think Britney looked so hot?!?!?!
Last but not least…STRETCH! And maybe take a yoga or pilates class on one of your off days.

Haven't done all 1950, but 400 in one day was plenty to make me want to cry the next day I did the first crunch. :)

I've come to this conclusion:

"I wish I was as thin as I was when I thought I was fat"

Anywho, back to the grind and continuing to do something active every day.