Johnson Family Beach Week- Sun and Fun at OIB

We just got back from another great week at the beach with our family.

We are so blessed.

And a bit spoiled.

While the weather wasn't exactly perfect for my selfish, sun-seeking self, it was quite perfect for three precious angels who needed a bit of overcast sky and lower temps. It was great because it allowed us a lot of time together.


There were water gun fights in the ocean...

And beach swimming holes...


And boogie boarding...

And beach snoozing...

And sand turtles...



And some precious 4 month old toes in the sand...



Such a great week with so many laughs and so many memories made!

Eleven Years and Counting...

Happy anniversary to my best friend.

My better half.

My cheerleader.

My conscience.

My running buddy.

My partner in crime.

And life.

My voice of reason (wait, that might also be conscience. Whoops.)

My entertainment.

My love.

My husband.

Losing weight on a budget? Yep, me too.

I had such a great response yesterday to this post about my personal training experience, that I wanted to write a follow up.

I feel like I needed to offer a Part 2.

An alternative.

A "just in case personal training is not an option for you right now financially or you don't live close to Heart in Sol." :-)

So, like most of my other posts about weight loss and healthy living, I'll start with a "before pic".

You know, so you can see how far we've come from here...

Beach Trip 2010


...to here.
Beach Trip 2013


Here's another one for you. I like to call this, on the left, my "TMZ Picture." You know, where you get caught in the worst.pose.ever. and have no idea the camera is on you.

Yeah.



 

 

 



 

But I digress...

So, again, not everyone has access to this guy...

 

So, sometimes, you have to be creative. And it sometimes requires some trial and error.

 

Like maybe you need to just start with either diet or exercise. Pick one. Just one.

 

For me, when I started my weight loss journey in 2010, I didn't think my life having two small kids would be conducive to a regular exercise routine. (Stay with me now....I know now this was completely a wrong way of thinking, but it's how I felt at the time and I am sure many of you are feeling the same way right now.)

 

So, I picked diet. And started tracking calories on My Fitness Pal. It's super easy with a smart phone and the app. But you can also use the online option. Its a great way to introduce portion control, making smart choices, and most importantly, AWARENESS into your daily diet.

 

Then, I introduced exercise.

 

Ya'll remember how excited I was to get this? This was back in 2008 and I did use Ellie for a while. Not regularly by any means, and looking back I feel like if I could read a novel while on her, I probably wasn't working as hard as I could have been working. We had a good run- ha- but I did send her off to a new home last week as she has not been used in a while.

 

Cost? About $350. Worth spending at the time, and definitely got my money's worth over 5 years, but I'm not sure that many of you are wanting to throw down that kind of cash right now. If you have $350 laying around, put it towards training with a professional and run for free outside.

 

But back to cost effective methods...

 

Something came over me in spring 2012 when I decided I wanted to do P-90X. It was a great experience, but I was so tired of hearing the same recorded jokes over and over again. And I had no one telling me that I was doing things right or wrong. But it was a great intro to "hard core" exercise and I am glad I did it.

 

Cost? Free...because we borrowed the DVD's. Don't buy them. Find a friend and borrow like I did. Then it's worth it.

 

[Here's in my time line where Zumba was introduced to me and I started dabbling in it. No obsession at this point, but definitely a love was blossoming.

 

Cost? $20 Living Social Deal. Thanks, Mom and Dad.]

 

So, when P-90X was over, I was hearing great things about Jillian and her 30 Day Shred. And I really loved that, too. It had a beginning and end, and I developed a girl crush on Jillian. I think if you are really starting to introduce exercise in your life, something like this- a 30 day program- is a great way to get in that habit. Make it a part of your day. It gives you something to "check off."

 

Cost? $7.69 plus tax, on Amazon.

 

And then, that's where my story changed. I needed more accountability. I needed a community. I needed a jump start. So, I jumped into Zumba and personal training and that's where I am now.

 

But July proved to be a challenging month for me. I was on vacation for two full weeks without my "community." It was very "Biggest Loser contestant goes home from the ranch." But luckily, I had a few things in my back pocket.

 

FREE things.

 

I have this great Facebook group where we do Monthly Challenges. May was a squat challenge. June was abs. July was an assortment. And August will be a squat/ab challenge. It's a great way to do SOMETHING each day of the month and then you can encourage (and be encouraged) along the way.

 

If you want to join this group, message me on FB...I'll add you happily!

 

 

 

Cost? FREE.

 

It's also great having a running buddy. I love running alone, but I also love a good 45 minutes of uninterrupted, sweaty time with this guy...

Cost? FREE.

While on vacation these two weeks, I was able to run 5 days and did anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes of circuit training exercises (just using my own body weight- sit ups, crunches, push ups, lunges, squats, leg raises, etc.) a few days as well. I made time in the day and made it a priority. It needed to be done.

I had only brought two piece bathing suits. Ha!

Diet is something I still struggle with and really try to keep in check. So many times you want to say "well, I worked out so I can eat whatever I want tonight." Nope.

I mean, I indulged.
But, I didn't go crazy.

And I still used My Fitness Pal to keep myself aware of what I was putting in my mouth. And how much.

It's a battle. I'm not gonna lie.

And it's always something that I will have to actively work on and deal with and be aware of.

And I'll be sure to keep you posted as I do. :-)

Before and After: A Heart in Sol Love Story

It's time for another installment of "what Jaclyn is doing these days to keep herself in check." This is a pretty easy post to write because I had already written the story about a week ago for my trainer when he asked during the month of July for us to send in our stories of "before and after" our time at Heart in Sol. It may be slightly redundant for those of you who have been following my story, but since I have been "kicking it up a notch" since March, I thought it was worth sharing where I am right now.

 

Here's what I sent in....

 

April 2012 (right around the time I redeemed my Living Social Zumba deal) to July 2013

 

And just because I wanted "extra credit," I also have a bathing suit shot for you. I think Jake and I both slimmed up. ha!

And the story...

 

My parents bought me a Heart in Sol Living Social deal for Christmas 2011. My mom said, "All the young people I work with love it." I said, "Hmm." It wasn't that I was avoiding Zumba- I just never really gave it a second thought. I went "couch to 5K,” I was “shredded” by Jillian, and I am a P-90x “graduate.” I felt like I had been successful in introducing exercise into my life, but those programs all had a beginning and an end. And each time a program ended, I felt frantic- like all of a sudden I was going to balloon back up 10 jean sizes in 5 days. So, I cashed in my Living Social in April 2012, and I went to Zumba class maybe 4 times the month of April...and that probably definitely included May, too. And then I realized that it expired in July, and I can NOT let a deal expire. So, I started going regularly to use up those punches. And then I found a teacher that I loved. And he made me sweat. Like a lot. And then, when I went on an extended vacation, I found that I missed it. Like a lot. Which made me wonder..."What is it about Zumba?" And it hit me. There is just something about Zumba that's good for your soul (Sol?). For anyone's soul really- dancer or not. But
most definitely good for my "full-time working mother of 2 worship leader" soul. Zumba truly allows me to be 100% “in the moment." For 60 minutes, I seriously cannot think about, worry about, plan
ANYTHING. I can be completely "empty-minded” for an hour and just BE. And sweat. Like a lot.

 

So, I Zumba’ed my heart out for several months. And felt great. Zumba was the cardio exercise that not only got my heart rate pumping, but also filled my soul with a joy that I didn’t know I was
missing. But I was still eating. A good amount. And probably definitely not the best things you should be eating in the “healthy lifestyle.” (Zumba works up an appetite, you know.) So, while my heart was full and my head was happy, my waistline was not as small as I would like it to be. I realized I needed accountability. Because as awesome as Zumba is, no one from H.i.S. was
going to call me if I didn’t come to class or lecture me when I went out for chips and salsa after class.

 

So, I asked Patrick about personal training. I needed something new. I needed a jump start. I needed that accountability. In March 2013, almost a year after my first Zumba class, I started my personal training journey. And after day 1 I knew it was EXACTLY what I needed. I LOVED it. Patrick was encouraging from the beginning, setting an achievable, yet challenging, weight loss goal for our first 12 weeks- 15 pounds. I lost 16 and eagerly signed up for a second round.  At every session, Patrick is motivating, entertaining, educational, inspirational, challenging, and just plain FUN. I look forward to every session with anticipation of what we will do and how far I will stretch myself.  (And how many times I will experience muscle failure and happily fall flat on my face.)

 

As of March of this year, I have lost about 20 pounds. I am not only pre-baby weight, but pre-wedding weight and probably right about high school weight. My arms have never looked more defined, and my abs (I can actually say that I have abs now) saw the sunshine at the beach this year. But, most important, I am happy. And extremely proud. And after 5 months, I still look forward to each training session.

 

Like a lot.

[Side note: Personal training is a complete luxury item in our life right now. Like DVR. And lawn/weed care. But I'll tell you, it's completely worth it. We've made other sacrifices to accommodate this added expense and I don't regret it one bit. This is the only life I'll have and I want to be happy and healthy and be the best "me" that I can be. We don't eat out as much, which saves money (and calories), and we try to conserve other places to make this work. I encourage you to consider it if you have even the slightest interest, and if you are in the Triad area, I know a great place you can check out. Hee hee.]

[Additional side note: Heart in Sol is not endorsing me for this post, however if they would like to, I would be happy to take an endorsement. See above note.]

Way Back When-esday: Cousin Edition

All three cousins at 4 months old playing on their activity mats.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Beach Re-cap #2 of 2: But wait, there's more!

While the weather was 98% gorgeous and we spent a ton of time outside (thank goodness for good kids who are getting older, do not require naps all the time, and love the beach), we did also have plenty of fun doing other things.

When you vacation with a film maker and production manager, it seems only natural to make a commercial one night.

Right?

It really started with Chad telling Eric about this random meal that his brother told him about. Someone Chad's brother works with LOVES a meal of branch lettuce and eggs. Eric thought that was the most random thing ever- and apparantly a great topic for a commercial, so in about 2 hours, we churned this baby out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1aD50JpnKA

It's random, I told ya.

One of MY favorite things at the beach are these...

Our family demolished 10 pounds of those suckers.....and agreed that next year we will need 12.

We celebrate many birthdays, both belated and advanced and actually on the day.

The kids LOVED their presents from their aunt and uncle.

It took Jake a while to warm up to his puppet, but they soon grew very tight.

And Brooklyn received this awesome Magic Set that, I kid you not, was pretty amazing and mind blowing. She may have a future in Vegas....wouldn't Daddy be happy about that?!


And yes, a special man turned 36 while we were at the beach. Happy birthday, sweet hubby.

And then he, in return, gave a 30th anniversary gift to our aunt and uncle, a serenaded Hootie song.

We had several evening get togethers with one of our favorite families.

And I always love some quality time with my favorite mama.

"Down time" involved playing on Apple products...

Or just plain snuggling...

And I happily obliged when Brooklyn asked is she could give me a pedicure.

Because of all the birthday and anniversary celebrations, we found ourselves making quite a few desserts. Nothing like walking through Ocean Isle with baked goods.



Good thing I ran 5 days while there...because I think I ate cake 6 days.


It really was a great week, but I miss everyone already! I wish I could pack up my brother and sister-in-law in my suitcase and take them home with us. Thank goodness for social media to stay connected....and thank goodness our kids still have no concept of time and seem to pick right up with them minute one. :-)

Beach Re-Cap #1 of 2: Sand and sun all week long!

What a great week at Ocean Isle last week! With just rain as we drove in Saturday and 20 minutes mid-day Wednesday, we were very lucky to have great weather and special time with awesome family and friends for 7 days straight.

This year, the boys were roomies.

Too cute.

And the girls were roomies. Brooklyn was THRILLED to be in my bed....and I made sure there were plenty of pillows between us so she didn't continually jam her feet up my pj shorts all night long.

Not much outside time day 1, but plenty of snuggling time and wearing bathing suits.

Love.this.beach.


Our first slushie of the week. And there were many more where this came from.

So many that Jake pretty much knew the drill right away and had no problem bringing up his cup and ordering his daily strawberry.



Sand monsters. :-)


They also had a great time in the pool, where this week, Brooklyn learned to do handstands and Jake started jumping in by himself (with his puddle jumper).

The requisite family pics...


"Surfer" kids



Of course, the BEST part of the week was quality time with Uncle Eric and Aunt Caroline.

And lots of great Nanny and Grandpa time.

Bocce is a favorite for several.

But I prefer the water and my beach chair. :-)

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for a GREAT family week at the beach. This 9th annual fun-fest never disappoints and we are so grateful for this time every summer!