A Busy Couple of Weeks

It's been a busy couple of weeks here at Camp Berger.  Between my parents visiting and Squish's birthday, there has been plenty of things to do and food to eat.

While my parents were here, my dad and I had a chance to run a local 5k race.  The race was run on a Friday night in conjunction with the local Balloon Fest.  The weather didn't really cooperate for us.  A couple minutes before the gun went off, the rain started coming down.  But that didn't keep us from running a good race.

My dad took second in his age group (4 seconds behind 1st) and I took 1st female.  The medals were really cool laser engraved wood.

On Saturday we spent the entire day at the festival and then went out to eat at a local restaurant.  And there was a little bit of excitement.

We were able to watch one of the balloons crash land in the parking lot across the road.  Thankfully everyone was okay.

Since my parents were here, we decided to celebrate Squish's birthday a few days early.  He requested a construction cake, and this is what I came up with.

I think he was more excited that he got to play with the decorations after the cake was gone =)

Papa spent some time fixing up the kids' bikes...  And then took one of them for a spin. (anyone else hearing the clown college theme song?)

Safety first!

Papa built the kids some new toys.

Sweet Pea took a break reading a book.

Out of the seven eggs we wanted to hatch, we got five chicks.  Sweet Pea wasn't too sure about them and tried to keep her distance. 

Sarge picked up a new cooking toy.

We filled it up with some meat, potatoes, carrots...

And set it to cook.

It was delicious and was more than enough for the 12 people who ate that day =)

So, you can see that I've been keeping pretty busy.  I'm hoping that things start slowing down just a bit so I can catch up on all the chores that have gotten missed the last couple weeks (the kids don't really need clean clothes, do they?)

A Sense of Humor

You've heard that laughter is the best medicine, right?

If that's the case, then Kelli and I are some of the healthiest people around.  Anytime we talk, we end up laughing about something.

Lately, it's been about my choice in fashion.

See, now that I'm living out in the middle of nowhere in a camper.  And starting to homestead and homeschooling, Kelli seems to think I need the stereotypical homeschool wardrobe.

Yup, a denim jumper.  And depending on what socks and shoes I wear with it, I can go from mucking out the chicken coop to church without having to change =)

I told her I was very excited to see a jumper in my size at the local consignment shop.

No TV?!?!?

Sarge made a deal with the kids the other day.  He told them that every day they do not watch TV they'll get a dime.

So what do you do when you're not watching TV?

You bury your siblings in a pile of pillows and blankets =)

I'd much rather listen to the kids laughing as Sweet Pea *finds* them than not hearing any sounds because they're engrossed in TV.

I Run 4

I've been struggling with my runs lately.  I seem to have lost my motivation...  Or at least trying to motivate myself.

But then I remember who I run for.  I run for a little girl in Florida who can't run for herself.  She was born with half a heart and a missing chromosome.  She has a feeding tube and a trach tube.  She can't do a lot of things for herself, but that doesn't stop her bubbly personality from showing through.

Sweet Pea has a runner too.  Someone she can motivate to keep going when they think they can't.  

And in return, I am encouraged and inspired by someone wanting to run for Sweet Pea.  

These two matches came about through a group called I Run 4.  It was founded on the simple phrase "You can run for me anytime."

As founder Tim Boyle says on the website: 

"We all have friends who say “run some for me” because they don’t WANT to run… what about those who physically CAN’T run?  After an inspiration from a close friend who was battling bilateral hip dyspasia – Founder Tim Boyle found a whole new inspiration to run.

The mental and emotional encouragement for both runner and honorary runner is proving to be a whole new level of motivation and awareness.  Runners are able to find a whole new sense of purpose in their running while sharing who they are running for and bringing awareness to diseases and disabilities of all types." 

Right now they are looking for people (adults and children) with special needs to match to their runner waiting list.  If you have a child, or are an adult, with special needs, please sign up and see how inspiring it can be to have a runner!

If you are a runner (or walker!) sign up as well, but know there is a wait for matches right now.  Let someone who can't become your motivation for doing what you can.

To find a runner to be matched with or to find someone to run for, click the “Match Me” link. Just sign up and when you get matched – dedicate your runs/workouts to your match!!  You can make signs, tshirts, body paint, whatever you want to do to make your match feel special!!  Upload pics and tag the child’s parent on the facebook group!  Give  your running a whole new motivation!!

Berger Kid 4ce Interview

Kelli did this with her kids a couple weeks ago, and now my kids wanted in on the action =)

What do you like to do?

Junior (8): Go hiking, hunting, building forts.  Being with my family.

Girly (7): Ride my bike, jump rope and hula hoop.

Squish (5): Play with trains.

Do you like to play video games?  Which ones?

Junior (8): Yes, Monster Jam

Girly (7): Sometimes, if they're girly ones.

Squish (5): I like to play train ones.

  

Do you play video games everyday? 

Junior (8): No

Girly (7): No

Squish (5): No

What do you like to eat?

Junior (8): Peanut butter sandwiches, bacon, French toast

Girly (7): I like to eat macaroni and cheese.

Squish (5): Pepperoni pizza

What is your favorite snack?

Junior (8): Peanut butter sandwiches

Girly (7): Animal crackers

Squish (5): Animal crackers

What do you want everybody to know about eating healthy?

Junior (8): Eat lots of fruit!

Girly (7): Eat salads!

Squish (5): Eat carrots and broccoli! 

There you have it.  Words of wisdom from the Berger kids.  Sweet Pea was trying to answer the questions for me, but I still haven't gotten my Sweet Pea to English dictionary ;)

Reminiscing...

I've been doing a bit of reminiscing lately.  Both my girls have birthdays in May.  Looking back it's hard to believe this little beauty:

Has turned into this amazing 7 year old.

Or that this precious bundle: 

Is now an adorable 2 year old.

But more than that, I've been thinking about my time here in TX.  Three and a half years ago, Sarge got orders moving us 1000 miles from our family and friends.  And today we are packing up the house to make our next move to OK.  

As I look back on the friends and opportunities I've had here, I realize that each one has helped me move forward and to grow.  There are so many things we would have missed out on if we had stayed in WI.

I met a great bunch of runners through the DRC (Dallas Running Club).  And ran my first relay race and my fourth marathon.  I learned what it was like to run through the TX summer and to appreciate the *cool* WI summers lol!  But, on the flip side, I realized how nice it is to run through a TX winter and not have to stay inside because of below 0 windchill and feet of snow on the ground.

I met an incredible group of women through my MOPs group- including Kelli =)  And because of that, Mom 4ce was born!

I've been inspired by countless people who have made changes to their lifestyle and improved their health.  And in turn, I've inspired others to start making changes in their lives.  

Even though change can be scary, sometimes it needs to be embraced.  You never know what opportunity is waiting around the corner.

A Typical Day...

The life of a busy mom isn't the same as a typical day for everyone else.  Not only do we have to get ourselves up and out the door, but we also have to get our brood ready.

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about knowing your numbers.  Now I want to show you two different scenarios.  One will focus on the mom who eats the typical diet and the other will focus on the mom who has taken the initiative to eat healthier.  Ready?

Mom A gets up early, gets herself ready for work and then gets the kids moving.  While the kids are eating breakfast, she's making sure lunches are packed, backpacks have all the necessary papers and little Johnny has both his shoes.  Five minutes before heading out the door, she realizes that she hasn't even had her coffee yet...  No problem, she'll just stop and grab something on the way to work.

Kids get dropped off and mom heads to the coffee shop drive through to grab some coffee and a scone.  Doesn't sound too bad, does it?  But wait, let's look at those numbers!

A 12oz latte can run upwards of 300 calories.  And that scone?  That can check in at almost 500!  Just in breakfast, Mom A was eaten 820 calories!

Mom A gets to work and gets caught up in meetings.  Lunch time rolls around and she heads out with a couple co- workers to grab something quick.  Mexican sound good, so they head to the corner shop.  One fajita bowl and 20oz unsweet ice tea later, Mom A has eaten an additional 840 calories.

Mid- afternoon rolls around, and Mom A starts feeling the slump.  She heads to the vending machine to grab a pick- me- up snack.  The trail mix looks pretty healthy so she picks that for 150 calories.

Mom A leaves work, heads to get the kids to practice and decides to stop for supper somewhere because the kids are starved and they won't be home until late.  Drive thru is the easiest, so down to the local burger joint.  Mom A starts thinking that she wants something a bit lighter, so decides to order a salad- because a salad is healthy, right?  Usually it is, but this time it adds up to another 560 calories. 

Total calories for the day are 2370.  Doesn't seem too bad.  After all, I eat about 2000 calories a day.  But, did you know that just 100 extra calories a day can lead to a 10lb weight gain in a year?

Mom B's day actually starts the night before with a little planning.  She gets the coffee pot ready to go and sets the timer.  Coffee will be ready when she wakes up!  She pulls a roast out of the freezer and puts it in the crock pot with some diced onions, carrots and potatoes.  The crock pot goes in the fridge until morning when she'll set it to cook on low all day.  Lunches get packed and set in the fridge.  Backpacks are organized and set by the door along with Little Johnny's shoes.

Morning rolls around, things aren't quite as hectic.  Coffee is ready and Mom B adds some creamer (80 calories).  Then she toasts a piece of bread and adds some peanut butter (250 calories) and as she's walking out the door, she grabs an apple (77 calories).  

Lunchtime rolls around at work, and Mom B heads to the break room to heat up leftovers from last night.  Moroccan lentil soup checks in with about 480 calories.  Mid- afternoon slump and the trail mix comes out (150 calories).

It's a busy night, but Mom B knows there's supper waiting when they walk in the door.  Slow cooked roast with potatoes and carrots come in at 680 calories.

Mom B's today for the day totals up to 1717 calories.  There's even enough wiggle room if she wants to enjoy a piece of dark chocolate =)

Before you get all up in arms and tell me it can't be done, I've been both Mom A and Mom B.  I've worked the long hours and then had to get supper on the table.  With a little planning and time management, it's easy to eat healthy (and cheaper!).  

If you're looking for weekly meal plans that are easy and healthy, contact Mom 4ce.  We have customized meal plans available for the busy mom and her family!

Why?

People ask me all of the time why I get up at 430 to exercise.  

I get asked why I workout so hard. 

I get asked why a lot. 

My why, is simple.  I LOVE it!  

It isn't to lose weight, that is just a side effect. 

It isn't to fit into a dress, although I do now. 

I am enjoying cleaning out my closets. 

I enjoy playing with my kids and not getting worn out. 

I LOVE being a role model to my kids, family, and friends. 

I enjoy reaching my goals and setting new ones. 

However, I mostly just really enjoy my workouts and love finding new ones.  

Find what you love and stick with it!

What motivates you?

Having something that motivates you is a great thing.  It's what gets you out the door, gets you eating better, making healthier choices.

But have you seriously thought about your why?  

I hear so many talking about wanting to lose weight for a vacation or a high school reunion or a wedding...  Those are all good reasons, but what happens once the event is over with?  Most of the weight comes back. You lose your motivation because you no longer have that goal event in front of you.

Why not make you motivation something that isn't event based?  How about your kids, your grandkids?  What about your husband?  

They all deserve a healthier, fitter you.  But, you know what?  So do you.

You are worth the work.  You are worth taking the time to exercise, taking the time to learn how to eat healthier.  

Don't believe that?  Then take some time every day to say it to yourself.  Better yet, print something out with the words "I am worth it." on it and hang it up where you will see it every day.

We are what we continually repeat, so one day, you won't have to try and convince yourself you're worth it. You will know it.  

Kelli's Post

Here is a Facebook post that I put up recently.  It got a lot of good feedback so I thought I would share it with you all.

I struggle with being real and sharing my personal "stuff" on here because I want to seem like "Superwoman." Here's the truth though, I am human. I like chocolate. I like wine. I skip workouts. I don't always push myself. Then, I brush off my knees and get back to work on being healthy.

Government Adjusts Weight System to Help Country Lose Pounds

WASHINGTON DC, APRIL 1--

Alarmed by a growing obesity rate across the country over the last decade, the United States Government has instituted sweeping changes in its system of measurements and weights.

The most significant change involves increasing the value of the pound. One current pound will be valued as 1.1 pounds under the new system. What does this mean? Fewer pounds per person. For example, a person who previously weighed 167 pounds would now weigh just 152 pounds.

"We think these changes will help the country solve its obesity problem," said April Wahn, Community Director of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). "When eating right and exercising don’t work, these new standards can help people reach a healthier weight. It’s not the only answer, but it’s a start."

To underscore this point, Wahn estimates that this change alone would bring the number of overweight Americans down dramatically, from 63% to 49%.

To help people adjust, the US Office of Weights and Standards will make available scale calibration kits that can be used to bring any scale in line with the new standards. You can call 1-800-000-0401 to receive your free kit.

Consumer groups are responding to this change with enthusiasm. One local news editorial claimed, "It’s about time the government stepped in and did something about the country’s weight problem. It needs to be fixed – and quick." 10,000 scale calibration kits have already been distributed. But the biggest challenges in retail packaging, fishing regulations, and newborn weighing still remain.

"This isn’t going to be something we can incorporate overnight," continued Wahn. "It could take years and millions and millions of dollars. But in the face of unhealthy weight levels, we’re running out of options."

Wahn refused to comment on the growing opinion that numbers on the scale are becoming increasingly unimportant in the creation of a healthy lifestyle.

In related news, Happy April Fool's Day!

-- By Mike Kramer, SparkPeople Contributor

My Motivation, My Sweet Pea

Sweet Pea has an appointment with her physical therapist this morning.  She always works so hard.

But always ends up in tears. (But on the bright side, she does take nice long naps after she done =))

It got me thinking today.  How many of us sit around and complain that we can't do something?  Or talk about getting active?  I have to stop myself most days.  How easy is it for me to get up and go for a run (physically, not mentally =P)?  

Sweet Pea can't just get up and go.  Everything she does takes so much effort.  She has to be taught how to move her body correctly.  We have to spend extra time working on strengthening her muscles so that she can sit, so she can crawl...  

But in the end, it's going to be worth it.  One day she will be out there running with her brothers and sister.  Just not today.  Today she was working on standing and not giving us spaghetti legs =)  

What about you?  What's keeping you back today?  Is it just an excuse? Or is it something that you need to really work at to overcome?  Are you ready to start working so that your "one day" will be here sooner rather than later (or never)?

Abs of Steel

I saw this on Facebook and couldn't help but chuckle.  It is Monday morning, AGAIN and we all need to laugh and have a great day!  

I Give up! I Quit!

We all have moments where we just want to throw in the towel and quit.  We feel overwhelmed with everything we have to do and might even feel like we're not getting the help we need.  We focus on what we're not accomplishing instead of focusing on what we have accomplished.

Take some time today to celebrate those little victories.  Celebrate that you didn't eat that cookie.  Celebrate that you got 10 minutes of walking in.  Celebrate that you drank more water today than you did yesterday.

And in another month, you can look back and realize how far you've come and how much closer you are to your destination.

What victory are you celebrating today?  Share it here or over on our Facebook page!

Motivational Monday!!!

It is "Motivation Monday" again.  I don't have a great long post for you.  Therefore, I will leave you with this.......