My bubble butt~~

In case you haven't read all about my journey to shed some pounds, catch up ~~HERE~~. Super now that you know what I'm dealing with, continue, lol.

Yeah this is a sad little post, about my big bubble butt. I finally got it, in the gym again, after neary two weeks. Golly gee gosh, here I thought I would surely be super motivated to do my thing, finally, after all, you guys were all cheering me on right?? Yeah well, that didn't last long, and with every excuse possible, (even though they seemed valid at the time) I managed to not work out at all, and eat like a piggy. Both not very hard to do, when busy planning a party, then you have tons of leftovers, oh bad, very bad.

I am happy to say that, I did make it back in the gym for a great one hour workout. 2012 was playing, and I've never seen that movie, it was pretty crazy, and now I have to see the rest. Only saw like half of it.

Also, we are nearing the last of the leftovers, so back to normal food, and some more recipe posts, lol. I know you guys have been missing my cooking, ha ha.

Oh and for the record I have not forgotten about posting my lovely pics,  in a bikini. Should have posted them BEFORE halloween, because they are super scary, but oh well. Coming soon, I promise.

Take care all, and stay well. Wash up, and don't get sick. Those germs are everywhere.

As always ENJOY!

Special requests, or mad love always welcome:)
http://www.blogger.com/bellabeforeandafter@gmail.com

Body For Life

As part of my 100 day challenge, I put together some goals for myself. Read about it here. It was the middle of the night and I was sick, and couldn't sleep so what better to do than jot down some things I need to work on.

Clearly we have all been there, made a list, a resolution, be it for your birthday, summer, or new years. I've tried my whole life to wait until Monday to start a new habit, or the 1st of the month. Shoot, why not wait till New Years to start a new habit.

For more than 11 years now, I have been waiting, and putting off losing weight. At the drop of a hat, I revert back to my old ways, and seem to practically welcome any thing that comes across my way, as an excuse to not finish. Truth be told, I think that without fail, every time I try to start, I get sick, or my kids fall sick, which is the perfect excuse to not work out, and pig out, right. Yeay I knew you would understand.

If you read my blog, you will know that my problem is not really eating unhealthy. I have never been into junk food, processed food, soda, candy, fast food, etc. My kids also have not had access to these lovely things either. My poor husband has also come to terms with my obsession, so then how is it that I just can't get rid of this weight. Well my dear friends, eating healthy just isn't enough, when you love food as much as I do, lol. I mean really LOVE food, like I cherish food, and seriously love cooking, and feeding people till they roll over. It's the Romanian in me, I can't help it. Unless you take like 3rds and 4ths, I don't believe you've enjoyed the meal, and I get really sad. So with the same mentality if i go anywhere, I must eat like 3 or 4 servings, constantly telling the chef how fabulous the food is, which I 99% of the time really mean. So eating alot is no problem for me.

Along with the fact I hate cardio, thats just not a winning combination for losing weight. What do I mean by cardio, well anything that makes me sweat, and makes me hurt. If I run for like 30 seconds, my boobs get sore, from bouncing, my side, lungs, heart, and knee hurts. Why would I do that, hello. No I don't have double d's, just regular saggy boobs from all the years of breastfeeding. Then I start to pant, gasping for air, and my entire face is red as a cherry, and I am sweating so profusely it's pouring down. Hardly what I want to go through, and all this after only 30 seconds. lol. Pretty sad, I  tell you.

Now you are probably wondering just how much weight are we talking here. Sounds like I have a ton to lose. Let me be honest with you, I could care less about the weight. I'm not concerned with the number on the scale, or the size dress I wear. What I do care about is the fact that I can't run a mile, that I get so out of breath. That my thighs rub together when I walk. That I don't feel comforatble in a bathing suit. That I can't swim across a pool without feeling like Im  going to drown. My poor body should be stronger than this. I should be at the peak of my life, not aching when I get up of the floor, or having severe back pain, as a direct result of my HATE for anything sit up related as well. Yeay, for sure the part of my body I need to work at the most. Everything else will be a piece of cake, lol, just that tummy, short of cutting it off, I simply can not fathom how it will ever look normal. Without that tummy hanging over my panties, ya know what I'm talking about ladies. Oh don't forget about the wings in the back, under the bra, and of course we don't want to leave out those lovely handles. Who ever came up with the name love handles, is crazy, because there is nothing I love about mine. They should be called hate handles, def more approptiate.

Hope I'm not losing anyone here, I've been doing tons of rambling, and sharing all the reasons, why until now I have been unsuccessful.

Let me give you guys a glimpse of home, and let you know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Once upon a time I actually used to love working out with weights. Have always hated cardio. Never stepped foot in a class at the gym. Then recent;y discovered I really LOVE the gym classes. I got into yoga, and shocked myself at how quickly I progressed. Pretty cool stuff. Took some cardio like classes, and was a mess during and after, but stuck with it, and I survived, enough to actually look forward to going again. So much so that, I enrolled YET again with a gym, (have been a member or some gym, for practically the past 15 years) no joke. As a matter of fact, guess what. I am so cool, that I actually have 2 gym memberships right now. Yeah, I had to get another one to a Life Time Fitness, because well they have a pool, and rock wall, and basketball, yadda yadda, which I of course hardly ever go to. My other gym is Golds, which I do go to more often, as it's right by my house.

So what's the point here, you are still asking. Ok I'll tell you. 3 days ago, I started a 12 week challenge which I conveniently waited, you see, to coordinate in my mind the perfect timeline. 100 day challenge, yeah but heavans, I have to do a 12 week program, and hmmm, I want to finish on new years eve, so oh I have to start on October 10 for this to happen. Great I just bought myself almost 2 more weeks of chillin, lol. I know crazy but true. Ok so anyhow, 3 days ago, officially I have started my program. For the gazzilionth time, and my hopes are high. This whole blogging thing, is great motivation, I tell you. No matter what, I have done things in the past 2 months, more quickly because I knew I had to follow up on my blog about it, especially when I go open my big mouth like I'm doing now. Then after it's posted, I don't want to make a fool of myself by not following thru so, therefor I make it happen.

Oh please lord, let this be just like that. I have tried to do this challenge so many times, has it always been for the wrong reasons? Am I doing it now for the wrong reasons? I don't know, and really at this point don't care. I just want to get it done already. Don't laugh, but it would be a dream come true to be on the cover of Shape magazine or something. Me someone who NEVER had a one pack, let alone a six pack, me who can hardly go get the mail, without huffing and puffing, me who has not been able to get rid of my baby pouch for over 11 years. Yeay, me. Ok so I may never be on the cover of any magazine, but hey, a girl can dream right. Shoot, at this point, the only thing that matters, is showing you all I can do it, and in the end, I will have shown myself. Nothing can beat the feeling of finishing something you started, and for me this has been one heck of a long time coming.

Wish me luck guys, I have a long way to go, but with only 80 days to go, I think I can, I think I can. I know I can, I WILL.

I will update with the program that got me started on this whole 12 week thing, next time, and if you can possibly stand to see some before pictures, I will post them. I took them as part of the process, and every time I look at them, I cringe, however I REALLY believe that as long as they are hidden in the drawer, where nobody can see, it is useless. I took those pics to motivate me, and I hide them, out of sight, out of mind, you know. Once I show you guys, it's all over. The cat is out of the bag, and there will be no turning back.

Sounds, kinda scary, so let me sleep on it. Till next time, just know that, I have been at the gym 3 times, this week, doing nothing other than CARDIO. Treadmill, and I kinda watched what I ate, but more on that later. Rocky start, with the kiddos, trying to come down with a cold, also, and my house is still a mess, and planning a party, and well you know, life.

Thanks guys for reading how I feel, and please let me know if you have any of these problems, how you overcame them, and if you have any advice for me.

Pictures, menu, and wourkout schedule to come soon, keep your eye out, and follow me along on one of the most important BEFORE and AFTER's I will do.


As always ENJOY!

Special requests, or mad love always welcome:)
http://www.blogger.com/bellabeforeandafter@gmail.com

Some goals, and sick of being sick.

I'm up now for the fourth night in a row, not able to sleep, I have so much congestion, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, head hurts, you name it. Not happy, but drinking my cup of tea and working on my blog, seem to be doing the trick, as I am feeling a lot better reading all your lovely comments. More on that later. I have some things to say about comments. he he.

As you may have read a few days ago, I started a challenge, a 100 day challenge, and you can read all about it HERE. It was pretty vague, what exactly I was going to do, so let me try and set this up for myself now, lol, and give you guys an idea of what I had in mind for myself.

1. I need to get up EARLIER, so I can have some much needed mommy alone time. 
2. I need to stop getting mad, and angry, at every little thing. VERY hard for me, I think I have some anger monkeys permanently attached to my body ( Anger Management ring a bell), plus I'm a Romanian, very similar to (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) kind of woman, always nagging, yes I don't know what to do with myself if I'm not nagging, and talking loud is JUST WHAT WE DO. But seriously enough with the excuses, I want to change if even a little. My kids, and husband actually FREAK out if I talk nice, which cracks me up. They think I'm up to something, BAD. I know you guys think this sounds impossible from someone as seemingly sweet as me, which I am, everyone will tell you that I am, lol, I just yell A LOT and have a short temper. I'm very impatient, and get annoyed easily. So I want to work on being a calmer person, and not getting so frustrated to easily. This sounds and is pretty easy, but I feel so weird staying calm, when my 3 year old wipes his dirty bum on the carpet you know, or I have to tell my 11 year old 50 times to do something, or even my princess, yeah that cutie can annoy me like nobody else, she is a mini me. 
3. I need to make an effort to not look like I desperately need to have Stacie kidnap me for WHAT NOT TO WEAR. I have been known to be so homely it's not even funny. Being a sahm, has many benefits, and not having to get dressed properly, or do your hair, should not be one of them, but for me, it is. I find ABSOLUTELY no reason to get dressed up, just to cook, and clean, let alone do my hair, and put on makeup, YEAH right, but then I should find a middle ground. I'm working on it, and that is something that I've been wanting to change for a long time. 
4. Spend EVEN more time with the kids, and husband, and family. Again totally weird, because that's all I ever do, spend time with the kids, but I don't want it to be just in the car, from here to there, I mean quality time. I want to start playing games together, creating art, going cool places, just talking. It's still a bit hard, because while my almost 6 year old daughter, wants to do EVERYTHING grown up, my little guy still is a baby, and has no clue about rules, or waiting in turn, so games, and stuff is really challenging unless, we do something especially for him, which then the rest of us get a bit bored of. So like everything else I need to find a way, and slowly working on that too. 
5. Pamper myself, if only once a year, but darn it woman, just do it. LOL. This has been one of those things that has ALWAYS come last, for like over 10 years now. I know I'm not alone, and many mommies are victim of this too. It's so bad, though, and I want to change that. I'm not ever going to be one of those salon addicts, EVER, unless they come up with a organic, non toxic environment that is cost effective. Seriously, not into all that, but I do LOVE hair, and makeup, so it's really weird. I love it, but hate it too. I haven't colored my hair in a long time. I have SERIOUSLY long gray hairs, and I'm only 31, but I still don't color my hair. I have gone through many hair changes, but the more into non toxic, and organic I get, the harder I find to justify putting all those chemicals onto my body, just to look good, for who anyway. I have seen many women with gray hair, look very beautiful, :(, but do I want to be one of them, before I even hit 35, umm probably not. So still looking into options, but for now, lets just say, I'm content, with being natural. Makeup, I love it, but again, really trying to find healthier alternatives, and those COST, so why wear it, unless for a special occasion, is my thought. I am beautiful just the way I am, and wish I could make others feel like that too, but going back to #3, not so pretty when it's 3 in the afternoon, and I'm still wearing my pajamas, and my hair isn't even brushed. Come on girl, get with it, you'll be fine. Oh and constantly wearing workout clothes doesn't count as getting dressed up, lol. 
6. Losing about 15 pounds. I'm guessing this should do the trick. Who knows, maybe all it will take is 7, or more like 20. I'm not concerned about the number on the scale, I'm concerned with the way I feel, and the way I look naked. There I said it, I know I said I was beautiful just the way I am, but I was not made to have flabby tummy, and cheesy thighs. I was made to be healthy, and I lost my way, so I need to get back to the way God, has made us all. HEALTHY, and even if you have something you were born with, or without, that is how god made you. I just don't believe God has made any of us fat, and couch potatoes. So get up, and stop eating that JUNK, and drinking that S**t, and get healthy. (not exactly talking to anyone in particular) so please don't get offended, just talking like to myself, and aloud. This is what goes through my mind, all the time. It seems so simple, and in reality, I'v never had a problem eating healthy, but clearly that's not enough. Never been a fan of soda, THANK GOD, never bought to many processed foods, hardly eat at a fast food place, I think not, but REALLY exercise, and stick with it. Not exactly me, until NOW. Watch out, for REALS, this time. I want to get healthy, and I mean like triathalon healthy. I have never enjoyed running, and have never gotten into cycling, or swimming, but why not. I'm perfectly capable, so why not do something, as simple as that. I just want to be the best I can be, and do the most I can with this body and life of mine. I need to be healthy though, so here's to BEING HEALTHY. All of you, do you hear me, just be HEALTHY. Define what that means to you, and think about it, don't make excuses, and say you are fine, with being 200 lbs. There is nothing healthy about that. Our bodies, are not made to carry so much weight, so realistically think about it, and all the things that would improve in your life, if you were HEALTHY. Then Make yourself a GOAL, and DO IT. 
7. Keep my house clean. This is a biggie too, and under my personal things to do, because it is my responsibility to see that it happens. How I do it, is not the point, but that it gets done is what I'm after. I am a long believer that I cannot preach something unless, I can do it myself. So unless everything I do is put away, and spotless, I don't feel right asking the kids to do it. I know some of you might have just fainted, but I feel like I should set the example and if Im not able to do it, ,then how can I expect anyone else to. That's why I need to see that everything is done, and I know my kids will follow. This way of thinking of mine, always gets people all worked up, but it's the way I've always thought, and I'm just big on it. Lead by example, and others will follow. Hopefully this holds true, and will always work. So make sure to always set good examples, that is what I'm trying to do, and it's REALLY hard. I must do it though, I want my kids, and everyone around me to be well, and healthy, and happy. I feel like I have the world on my shoulders, but I would have it no other way. It's a lot of responsibility, but I know I've been on this mission my whole life. SO now my time has come, and I'm out to change myself, and the world. 

WOW that was weird, and not really sure how that came out, or how it reads, so sorry if I kinda freaked you guys out, BUT, it is like the middle of the night, and I'm just rambling, but hopefully tomorrow this will still make sense, not only to myself, but some of you too. 

More to come later but for now Have a Good Night, and see you guys later. 

As always ENJOY!

Special requests, or mad love always welcome:)
http://www.blogger.com/bellabeforeandafter@gmail.com

A new follower, and boxes from Sams Club

Part 1~~~
Hey guys as Part of my 100 day challenge I started yesterday, I was up at 5am this morning. I wanted to be able to get an hour or so of QUALITY time to myself, and since it's my choice what to do that makes me happy, working on my blog it will be, he he. My goal is that for the rest of the day when kids are around, or husband is home, I will give them my UNDIVIDED attention, until they can't stand it anymore, and tell me to go blog, lol. Yeah as if that will happen.

Ok so anyway, I noticed I had a few new followers today, BIG :) and while checking out this lovely over at Bouffee Bambini I came across one of her more recent posts about a couple who documented nine months of their  with over 1,280 still pictures, and made it into a mini documentary for their new baby girl Eliza, so after watching it, and crying, cuz it was the cutest thing ever, I had to share the smile, and happy tears with you guys too. Thanks Hanna for bringing a smile to my face this early in the day, and for having a fun, and adorable blog too. I love it!!!


Here's the video---Eliza
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Part 2~~~

I made the dreaded trip to Sams Club yesterday to buy trash bags, lol. Yes I know why is that so scary, I'll tell you. Trash bags cost me about $9.00 for a huge box, not bad, that's why I go to Sams Club, but does ANYONE, EVER escape without spending like $300, not me. It's like a consumers worst nightmare, being sucked into the merchandising marvels, who make it seem like you can't live without yet more pasta, or detergent, how about more coffee, chips, whatever, you get the idea.

So yesterday was no exception, I thought of buying way more, just because I knew I would eventually need it, so might as well get it while I was there, lol. Yeah OK, not this time, Sams Club, not this time. While I did get a few things in addition to the trash bags, like nesquick, a bag of ORANGE microfiber cloths ( trying my version of something Halloween , lol ), and a super size bag of assorted chocolates, because there were none at the checkout for 50 cents, had to buy a whole bag, just to give DINO one mini bag of M&Ms, ok two, but shhh. I did manage to leave the rest behind. The way I did it, besides having an EXTREMELY inpatient toddler with you, who was screaming every 2 seconds, for more chocolate, or that he was tired, and to take him home, was this. Since trying to eat as much ORGANIC as possible, it was a pretty easy choice not to stock up on the stuff I used to. Such as spaghetti sauce, which I buy at TRADER JOES now, for about the same price as Sams. Or my produce, apples, romaine, potatoes, carrots, etc. which I buy ORGANIC for not the same price (higher) from reg stores, usually Kroger, but since they are on the DIRTY DOZEN @ EWG'S I do try and buy organic, especially those things. This website, is so full of useful and SCARY information on all things we use on our bodies. You should really check it out, if nothing else but to get an idea of what is in your sunscreen, or shampoo, or toothpaste. Scared the heck out of me, and while I thought yeah I won't make that switch for a while, not that important, it has been made slowly as well. More on that later, I promise, as I really want to bring attention to this even if only in my small way.


Ok and the trip was pretty much completed for under $40,, woo hoo. Then with literally nothing in my shopping cart, NEVER happens, I end up leaving with it OVERFLOWING with boxes. 


Yeah BOXES, there was one that caught my eye, then another, and before I knew it, I was trying to find all of them, that were like that. Ideas were swimming in my head like mad sharks, and I couldn't resist. By this point, my son was freaking out, and everyone at the store, was looking at me all weird, but hey I NEEDED these, you know cuz,  I would NEVER find them again, if I didn't snatch them up right there, and then. I am so glad I did, because I have some goodies in store for you guys, well for me I guess, and hopefully you will think it's cool enough to copy, lol. Isn't that the ultimate form of flattery anyway? 


You want to see the boxes, Ok here's a couple, and now that you saw it, don't go trying to beat me to anything yet OK. I want to be the first, yeah I wish, to show you all my IDEAS on what to do with these boxes. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

Thanks for reading all this, and I hope you did, it was actually IMPORTANT, so if you didn't go back and read, much better. Thanks :)

**Reminders**

Don't forget to enter any cool projects you are working on NOT Halloween related HERE.

Anything and Everything HALLOWEEN related HERE.

Attention everyone, I just accidentally found out the COOLEST thing ever, while adding these pics, they were all highlighted, and when I clicked add image, ALL 3 added at the same time. If you already knew this please don't laugh, BUT I was spending like FOREVER adding each one individually and oh man this is awesome. So there you have it, a new tip, and you found it here. lol. Ok, I guess  it's still early, and I'm just acting silly now, but Those boxes up there, are RAD. I hope to take what is in my head, and make it happen, and hopefully it will be even better when done, and not another one of my moments, Bad moments, that is. 

As always ENJOY!

Special requests, or mad love always welcome:)
http://www.blogger.com/bellabeforeandafter@gmail.com

100 DAY Challenge

Hi everyone, this may not be too exciting for everyone, but I've set myself for another challenge, and seeing as how blogging has REALLY helped me keep to some other things already, I've decided this should be a TOTAL success finally.

I desperately need to get some things in order, and really need to change some things personally, so I can be a better mommy, friend, wife, daughter, sister.

I don't have my list completely set up, but today was my first day, with only 99 more to go till the new year, which always marks a new start for me, but I never manage to get there, you know. I really hope that with everyone's support, I can make some real changes, and finally make these things happen.

More later with a list, even it's its partial. Like seriously coming up with 100 things isn't hard, but I need to be realistic, and think of what really matters, and prioritize,  so that by next year, I am a new and improved Bella, ready to take on even more, without stressing.

Linking up to some great parties, hoping to get some motivation, so help me out girls, show me your love, and any help is totally appreciated!!!

Thrilling Thursdays@ Paisley Passions

As always ENJOY!

Special requests, or mad love always welcome:)
http://www.blogger.com/bellabeforeandafter@gmail.com