We have moved.....

No, our new house isn't done....I am making a move in the blogosphere to a new blog through wordpress.  So, starting now, head on over to The Leiva Life www.tonyaleiva.wordpress.com.

See you later!!

Journey to Health: Week 3 and Week 4

Work and life has been super busy the last two weeks, so I am behind on my health updates.  Overall, Week 3 and 4 have been successful weeks.  I am getting into a rhythm and the result WILL be a total of 25 pounds down or a pregnancy which ever God decides to help me out with. 

Week 3:

• Weight (Up or Down): DOWN! 1.4 pounds  --- 4.4 pounds in total --- so close to my 5 pound goal!
• Exercised? -- yes, but a reduced amount.  Walked a good amount
• Track on My Fitness Pal -- really bad about tracking, but stuck to lower calories for the week
• No Sodas -- Fail -- had soda but not every day

Week 4:

• Weight (Up or Down): DOWN! 2.4 pounds -- so if you have been paying attention......

I MET MY 5 POUND GOAL BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY!!!  Plus, I also knocked down from being in the 150s to the 14_s!!!  Always fun to see a new second number on the scale.  :)

I am sitting 6.8 pounds down in 4 weeks.  Not super aggressive weightloss, but I have been able to get stronger, handle a very crazy work schedule, deal with doctor visits and more fertility discussions, drink wine from time to time AND still lose 7 pounds. I will take it!!

Here are my new short time goals:

• I am attending a wedding on June 21st, so 4 weeks from now.  My goal is to be down 12-15 pounds total, so want to lose another 5 to 8 pounds.  (keep in  mind, I always have the caveat that if I get pregnant, this goal will obviously change...plus we are starting some new fertility procedures where doctors are telling me to take it easier and not overdo on exercise and are emotional to me, so my focus is not weight loss over everything else)
• Be able to comfortably wear these red capris to work.  I can currently button them, but they are not comfortable at this point.

How is your health journey going?  Any goals met?  Any new goals in place?  I would love to know who I am taking this journey with!

ABC Survey Link Up

I am joining Ashley over at "Man and Wife and Two Fur Babies" for a link up to learn more about each other.  You can join her link up here.  I actually love these kinds of things.  Happy Friday!!

Addictions: Chips; running; spark!; babies....LOVE babies.  Anyone ever needs a break from their littles, please call me!  

Bed size:  King -- Spencer may only be a 14 pound rat terrier, but he is a BED HOG!  Thank goodness our corporate housing was able to also give us a king.

Chore you hate:  vacuuming/cleaning floors....THE WORST!

Dogs or cats: I love both.  I don't know if I will ever own a cat, but we had them growing up and I loved them. Spencer is my only baby for right now though.

 

Essential start of your day:  Snooze; then a couple minutes checking email, facebook etc before I have to start moving.

Favorite color: I don't really have one -- although I do love adding a pop of bright orange to ensembles....NOT burnt orange -- gag me.  But REAL orange...that I enjoy.

Gold or silver: BOTH!!  Thanks to selling Stella, I have a fabulous assortment of BOTH!  

Height: 5'4

Instruments you play (or have played): Trumpet and piano --> neither very well :)

Jobs titles you’ve had: Babysitter, Lifeguard, Lifeguard Manager, Book Store Cashier (for like a month), Tax accountant, Tax Supervisor and Financial Reporting Manager.

Kids you want to have:  As many as the Lord gives me!  

Live: Does this mean location???  I live in Houston near City Centre.  Currently in a corporate apartment our house is being built.  The more progress we see on the house, the more I hate our corporate apartment and the week spoons it came with!  (seriously, you can't even scoop rice without the serving spoon bending in half!)

Mom’s name: Betty Ellen!

Nickname:  T or Ton -- that is really it.  My Dad calls me Tingy, but no idea where that really started.  When he says it, it tends to be in song form. :)

Overnight hospital stays: Nope!

Pet peeve:  When people are in line, but not really in the line or moving up with the line so you have that awkward time where you are questioning -- are they in line?  are they going to move up?!?!  AND When you are taking a shower and the shower curtain gets blown into the shower and the curtain sticks to your leg.  (I call it attacking shower curtain)

Quote from a movie: I quote Friends pretty regularly.  In HS, my friend Erin and I would quote "I do not know!" from Hercules very regularly. 

Right or left handed:  Right Handed

Siblings: One brother -- name Scott.  I love him!

Time you wake up:  This fluctuates...somewhere between 5:30 and 7 depending on the day.

Under My Bed: Flat tupperware boxes to hold my "off season" clothes and excess totes.  We are in a very small apartment, so I am having to get creative with space!

Vegetables you dislike: Cooked broccoli....ick.

What makes you run late:  I am very poky in the morning, so I make me run late!

X-rays you’ve had done: none

Yummy food you make:  Hmmm...I make really good soups and desserts.  I love to cook, so I am always trying new things...some are huge victories...others, not so much.

Zoo animal: Baby Elephants!!

Journey Towards Health: Week 2 Progress Update

Ok, Week 2 has come and gone!  It was another overall successful week.  

• Weight (Up or Down): DOWN! 1.4 pounds 
• Exercised? -- yep!  Goal was 4 times -- this last week was so much fun exercising wise...read more detail below.
• Track on My Fitness Pal -- yes!  Not a perfect week...but pretty good.
• No Sodas -- Fail -- had soda three times but not every day.

I REALLY enjoyed exercising this week and did a bunch of different things.  It definitely helps that the weather in Houston is GORGEOUS right now.  Here is how my week went down....

• Monday -- Gym and did Back and Biceps, Abs and a little cardio
• Tuesday -- Ran at Memorial Park and then walked the loop with Mallory and Baby Truett
• Wednesday -- Slow Flow Yoga 
• Friday -- Running at Terry Hershey (sprints)
• Saturday -- Spin **see below

Health Highlight of the Week:  "Cinco de Mayo Spin Fiesta!!"  

My Friend Erin invited to an outdoor Spin Class through Define.  

It was gorgeous on Saturday.  The Spin class was an hour and incorporated upper body too.  I LOVED it...seriously so much fun and so challenging.  They had food provided after by Snap Kitchen and Dish Society.  Ya'll Dish Society has REALLY good farm to table food.  Super fresh and so tasty.  They had this drink that was delish!

Such a fun week.  Grateful to have a few weeks without going out of town so I can get into a routine.

Here is to another healthy week!!!

Let's Get Real -- This girl LOVES salad.

I LOVE salads, but when you are trying to eat healthy, salads can sometimes be the hardest choice because at most restaurants they come full of lots of veggies, but also lots of calories between all the toppings and dressing.  

I went to Barnaby's on Wednesday and had their Sausalito salad.  I requested no tortilla strips.  I picked it because it had lots of veggies, a vinaigrette rather than a cream based dressing and a lighter cheese.  Ya'll, this salad was AMAZING!!  It had a cumin vinaigrette on it which was fabulous.  I make my own dressings at home pretty much every time we had salad, and I had never though to make a cumin vinaigrette, but will be trying it next week!  

Anyways, this salad was really good, but pretty healthy overall.  Romaine lettuce, cabbage, chicken, peanut pieces, queso fresco, jicama, grape tomatoes and viniagrette.

What are your favorite salads???

Encouragement for you....

I have no idea how long this song has been out, but it is new to me and I feel the lyrics are beautiful and so refreshing.  I have a handful of friends going through some really tough things right now -- where they can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, or are just worn because life can be exhausting and hard.

I love sunrises and the idea of a new day.  God's restores us each day and allows us a fresh start.  He forgives our mistakes from the day before and His grace is sufficient.  I also love the idea that he can carry us through each day....some days are just plain tough and it really helps me when I can focus on just getting through today and remembering that tomorrow is a new day.

The Bible gives us some encouragement regarding taking life one day at a time.....

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."    -2 Corinthians 4:16

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”  - Lamentations 3:22-24

I hope and pray that if you are finding yourself in a day or a week where you honestly don't know how you will make it, that you find comfort in knowing that when no one else can relate and you feel isolated and alone, Jesus is walking beside and can empathize with your suffering.  He can understand feeling isolated and hated, he can understand not fitting in or feeling outcasted.  He can relate to the hurt and pain you are going through.  He has felt loss and devestation.  He has been betrayed and ignored, mocked and scarred.  You are not alone.  The sun will rise again tomorrow and He can bring you a comfort and joy that you can't even explain.  

Here are the lyrics to this beautiful song.

When life has cut too deep and left you hurting
The future you had hoped for is now burning
And the dreams you held so tight lost their meaning
And you don't if you'll ever find the healing

You're gonna make it
You're gonna make it
And the night can only last for so long

Whatever you're facing
If your heart is breaking
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on
Lift up your eyes and see
The sun is rising

The sun is rising

Every high and every low you're gonna go through
You don't have to be afraid I am with you
In the moments you're so weak you feel like stopping
Let the hope you have light the road you're walking

You're gonna make it
You're gonna make it
The night can only last for so long

Whatever you're facing
If your heart is breaking
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on
Lift up your eyes and see
The sun is rising

Even when you can't imagine how
How you're ever gonna find your way out
Even when you're drowning in your doubt
Just look beyond the clouds

Just look beyond the clouds

Whatever you're facing
If your heart is breaking
There's a promise for the ones who just hold on
Lift up your eyes and see
The sun is rising

The sun is rising

Even when you can't imagine how
How you're ever gonna find your way out
Even when you're drowning in your doubt
Just look beyond the clouds

You're going to make it!  Love to all!!

Journey Towards Health - Week 1 Progress Update

I have found that for me, the best form of accountability is transparency, so I will be doing a weekly post to track my progress on health.  This will allow me to encourage myself by reflecting on my successes, but also to challenge myself and focus on the areas where I didn't meet my goals.  Its like my weekly "weigh in".  Plus it will keep health at the forefront of my mind.

OK, so let's take a look at how the last week went?

• Weight (Up or Down): Down 1.6 pounds -- this is actually less loss than I was expecting, but it is progress and that is all that matters.
• Exercised? -- yep!  Goal was 3 times and I exercised four times. 
• Track on My Fitness Pal -- yes!  Not a perfect week...but pretty good.
• Fit Bit Goal -- This was not as successful.  I didn't make my step goal every day and have now misplaced my Fit Bit, so this goal is MIA for the time being. 
• No Sodas -- FAIL!  I had soda at least 4 times.  

So, overall not perfect and definitely room for improvement. I am trying to schedule out and plan out my meals and exercise for the week so that I am more inclined to complete all the tasks.  Here is how this week is looking thus far (subject to change I am sure!)...

THIS WEEK'S HEALTH GOALS:

• 4 separate workouts
• No soda
• Track food every day
• Practice discipline and self control at all the work functions this week that include food!

SHORT TERM GOALS:

• Get my running pace per mile below 10 minutes per mile.
• Lose 5 pounds before Memorial Day
• Clean out one are of the apartment per week

LONG TERM GOALS:

• Clean out all of apartment
• Lose 25 pounds

Last week was a great first week of changing my focus...looking forward to another good week.

Oh and Spencer says "Hi!"

A Trip Up North

Last fall when Beth Moore's 2014 Living Proof Live schedule came out, I noticed that there was an event in Eden Prairie, MN in April.  Mom and I discussed attending and inviting my grandma, aunts and cousins.  Since we live so far, we NEVER get to do things like this with family and I am so blessed, as mentioned in a previous post, to have a lot of women in my family with great faith.  This is the only thing I regret about living 1200 miles south of the rest of my extended family.  We decided to go with it and make a girls trip out of it.  It was such a perfect week.  Mom and I had never traveled just the two of us like that, so it was very precious time.

This post will share my trip -- it will be long, so read at your own risk.  Lots of photos, but this trip is one that REALLY meant a lot to me.  I am SUPER close to all of my grandparents and I know that life is limited and want to take advantage of every opportunity I can to spend quality time with them. They have invested so much into my life and are such role models of faith, healthy long term marriages, joy in family, serving our country, taking care of each other and cheering each other on.....I count my blessings every day!

Here we go!  Not going to be in perfect order....

Mom and I were jet set and ready to go BRIGHT and EARLY!  On an express jet, which I thoroughly dislike.  Why do they need to make planes SO small???

We spent the first half of our week in the cities with my Mom's side of the family and attending Living Proof Live.   The weather started out beautifully...highs in the low 60s, and the week got progressively colder which the pictures will show.  :) 

We landed and were able to take Grandma and Wally to lunch at Perkins and then headed back to Grandma's condo.  We had made plans to have dinner with my cousin Alicia and her husband Ben that night.  They are both ministers, so they weren't available the rest of the weekend due to work, so we wanted to make sure and catch up.  I didn't get a good pic of me and Alicia sadly.  (Alicia - next time I see you, we are taking a picture!)  Alicia is three years younger than me, but I feel like we are very similar in a lot of ways and as we have grown up, have grown closer.  I wish I could see her more and support her ministry more in person, but alas I cannot.  My Aunt Kathy (Alicia's Mom) was planning to come to Grandma's too after work and my cousin Erika decided to come by last minute with her kids.  

Erika has just moved back to MN from VA, so it was the first time I had seen her in almost 4 years.  Erika and I were SUPER close when we were little because we are 6 months apart in age.  We could never coordinate where we were both back in MN visiting at the same time, so I was very excited to see her and meet 3 of her 5 children I had yet to meet!  Her kids are precious.  We met at the park at Grandma's church so the kids could run around. 

Mom and Grandma enjoying the GORGEOUS weather.  One of the first warmer days in MN, so the natives were loving it.  To me, it felt like fall.

Aunt Kathy, Alicia and precious Lucy.

Baby Mikey, Lucy, Erika, Kathy, Mom and Grandma

Mary Rachel was serving me and Mikey "breakfast"

Alicia playing with Mary Rachel

Finally got a pic of Lucy....she turns away from the camera like my niece Alyssa -- she has the sweetest giggle and smile

Mikey Boy

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday, Wally took us out to lunch and we ran a couple errands with Grandma and then headed out for Eden Prairie to LPL.  I wasn't sure how LPL would compare with Beth's Tuesday night studies at HFBC.  It was grander, but the teaching was just as good and the worship was PHENOMENAL!!!

Mom, Grandma and I on night one.  Love generational pictures!

My Aunt Sheryl attended the seminar with us.  I LOVE her!!

They started the evening with worship.  The first song was an amazing version of Forever Reign and really set the tone of the weekend.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE worship and could have worshiped the whole time!  

One of my favorite memories of Friday night was that I was able to worship with my Grandma by my side.  Although I don't have a picture, I would like to paint one for you because it will forever be grained into my mind. As they were wrapping up the evening with worship, Grandma was standing on my left side.  She put her right arm around me, so I put my left arm around her.  I had my right hand in the air and peeked over and Grandma had her left hand raised.  It was beautiful.  I so admire the faith of that woman.  Her and my Grandpa who passed away 10 years ago were the perfect example of a solid marriage and complete faith and trust in God.  The weekend we were in MN, it was the 10 year anniversary of Grandpa's funeral so it was neat to be with family and reflect back.

Saturday Beth brought great lessons about living out our faith daily.  It was a great time of learning...I would highly recommend you attend if you are able.  The only stop in TX in 2014 is in Lubbock.

Day too came early hence the sleepy eyes and blurriness

Grandma and I on day 2

Mom and Grandma

At the end of her discussion on Saturday morning, Beth had a time where she allowed others to share what God was telling them and then she would expound on their thoughts or pray or whatever she felt led to.  At one point she brought a girl down who had lost a child and had anyone who had lost a child stand up.  Beth prayed and then asked another woman to pray.  I did not stand up, because I felt that they were talking about women who had lost child after birth, not miscarriage...but the Spirit was definitely moving and although God has me in a great place right now regarding the miscarriage and TTC, I was getting a bit down in the moment.  As the woman was praying she made the comment, "We will get to see our children again in heaven and be able to hold their hands again."  In  my mind, I started thinking, "But I never got to hold my babies hand" and other doubting comments.  Beth followed the prayer with stating, aside from the loss of children, many women have suffered loss through miscarriage.  She then said, "this loss IS real.  Do not minimize your loss because you haven't physically met these children.  Your loss IS real."  In the moment I just lost it.....in a good way, because I hadn't realized how much I had tried to minimize my loss in comparison.  I wasn't sitting next to my mom, but looked down the aisle and my aunt and mom were sobbing, and so was I.  My mom moved down and hugged me and said "We will get to celebrate your children soon!"  It was a really sweet moment and led to a great convo between Mom and I later.  Love that my Mom is my closest friend.  Often times, people stop me and say "You know, your Mom is really special.  She is just really special."  I feel so blessed that number one I can say "Yes, BELIEVE me, I know she is."  As well as being able to say she is not only my mom, but my friend.

Saturday night was pretty quiet.  I did go for a run because the weather was amazing!  Nice and cool.

 Sunday was Palm Sunday.  It was Wally's birthday.  Wally is Grandma's close friend.  I find it very neat and a great picture of God's perfect timing, that on Palm Sunday 2014, which happened to be the 10 year anniversary of Grandpa's funeral, we were able to celebrate the 89th birthday of Wally, a new man in Grandma'a life that makes her laugh and brings her joy.  

We went to church and then headed to lunch to meet up with a bunch of our family and then we headed up north to spend the remainder of our trip with my other Grandparents.

Happy Birthday Wally!!

All the kiddos -- we were able to see Charles and Robyn and their sweet little girls Fable and Alyce.

COUSINS!!!

The whole gang...I love how all the little kids snuck into the picture!

Our time up north was very relaxed which was needed because the first half of the trip was super busy.  We got to walk together a lot, enjoy the FREEZING temps.  It was 20 degrees!  Grandma made great food and we just chatted and laughed for three days.  It was perfect!  Their house at the lake is so gorgeous.  Should have taken more pics...their sunsets are ridiculous over the lake.

Just out for a nice spring stroll -- what!

Although this was an accidental photo I love it.  My grandparents laugh ALL the time!!!  

I always love visiting with Grandma and Grandpa.  My Grandma is somewhat reserved, but ever since my miscarriage has been one of the few not afraid to ask me how I am doing.  She has been a huge support for me.  Grandpa thinks we will end up adopting.  God only knows at this point. :)

I have a confession:  I LOVE LOVE puzzles.  Well, Grandma does too, so i knew she had a bunch at home, so Sunday when we arrived, I picked one out and Grandma, Mom and I spent much of our time on this puzzle for the remainder of our visit.  I think i picked her hardest puzzle! :)

BUT WE FINISHED!!

Anyone still with me???  That was our trip!  Lots of great memories...much needed time off work!

Comment if you made it to the bottom and I will enter you into a drawing for something from Stella and Dot. :)

It's the journey.

“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” 
― Ernest Hemingway

I am NOT one of those people that can eat whatever I want without showing any consequences.  I have always dealt with weight issues and as I look back in pictures, I can see my weight going up and down.  Once I quit working at PwC and was able to have a normal schedule where I could commit to working out and actually be able to get to the gym, I was able to build a pretty active lifestyle and maintained pretty well.  When we miscarried, it through everything out of whack and I have the tendency to "earn" bad food habits if work is stressful or life is wearing me down, so I justify poor food and exercise choices due to everything else I have being thrown at me.  Really...it is just excuses.

Well, if you can relate, you know you have a long term "this is my ideal weight/size" goal, but progress towards that goal takes TIME and LOTS of effort.  Well, to compound my challenge, every month since we have started trying to conceive, the last two months I worry if I am overdoing it.  "What if I am pregnant and this workout is too strenuous?" etc etc  These thoughts only escalate having miscarried and knowing that not all babies "stick."  If you have been there,  you can relate.  Please know that I know nothing I am doing is really that strenuous.  I am not a professional weight lifter and I am not under eating causing my body to lack nourishment.  I know that my miscarriage had nothing to do with something I did, but if you have been there you know those thoughts go through  your mind.

Anyways, I finally got to the point where I was going month in and month out excusing my way out of being healthy through food and exercise.  Stress at work, busy lifestyle, baby woes...you name it, I have used it as an excuse.  Well enough is enough....it really boils down to one decision at a time.  Will you make a good one or a bad one.  Although the long term goal is there, I feel I need to focus on my short term daily goals.

My sister in law is the BEST role model you can find when it comes to being healthy.  She has never done anything drastic to lose weight, or counted calories...probably rarely weighs herself, but over the last three years she has shrunk down to being in amazing shape.  Seriously she looks great.  She still eats well, she still gets to drink wine, but she makes more good choices than bad ones.  She is my role model.

Anyways, I need some kind of accountability, so I am using My Fitness Pal to track my calories, because I am not at a point of maintaining my weight, I do need to lose weight.  Plus the accountability of My Fitness Pal helps me to make better choices.

Here are my daily/weekly short term goals to build a healthier lifestyle:

• Wear my Fitbit and get at least 5000 steps on days I don't work out and 10000 on days that I do work out.
• Track calories and exercise on My Fitness Pal for accountability
• Exercise at least 30 minutes at least 3 times per week. (hope to increase this eventually)
• No SODA other than a rare occasion
• Wine only on the weekends (if at all)

Anyone else working on a healthier lifestyle? I would love to hear what your goals are...maybe we can challenge each other.  I hope to post once a week at first about my progress, more so for my own accountability.  I will be honest about my failures and successes.  Unless I actually get pregnant, I will not allow myself to use that excuse any more.  :)

Let's Get Real - The Beauty of the Heart

I just got back from a week in Minnesota visiting family (post with pics of our whole trip to follow).  While we were there, my Mom, Grandma and Aunt attended Beth Moore's "Living Proof Live."

It was a wonderful time of teaching and worship.  The worship was PHENOMENAL!!  I am NOT a good singer, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE worship.  This was one of my favorite songs from the event.

At one point I was sitting there in worship and started thinking about the blessing of being able to stand there and worship arm and arm with my family.  As I raised my hands in praise, I glanced over and my Grandma had arm around me and one arm in the air praising as well.  It was an amazing moment that brought me to tears and a moment I will never forget.  My Grandma has been a role model in my faith for as long as I can remember.  How blessed to have such great role models between my Grandmas, Aunts, Mom of course, cousins.....all not only family by blood, but sisters in the faith and it.is.beautiful.  

I knew the women in my family are wonderful, generous, compassionate people -- but the beauty of their hearts is beyond compare.  I am so grateful for being able to attend LPL with them....we live in different states, so the opportunity to attend things like this are very limited.  

Here are some pics from LPL.

Mom and Grandma

Mom, Grandma and Aunt Sheryl 

We are reading to head to Eden Prairie from Grandma's

Blurry.....wish it wasn't

I have a few other posts about my trip to Minnesota.....stay tuned.