It's a NEW day...live in it!

Happy New Year! I know that I promised I would blog more often, but that was last year-let's move on. It's a NEW day, a NEW year...a NEW Natalie- not quite. Last year, I vowed to lose weight and I did, about 30 pounds to be exact (I still have 30 more to go)! I vowed to be a better spouse by listening more and making time for "quality time", I succeeded in that endeavor as well. I vowed to focus more time on my career path and was promoted...icing on the cake! Where to next? I often question "What truly makes us (as in people) happy?" My theory is that we are forward thinkers, we always think that when I make more money, get married, get a new car, have kids, lose weight, etc...than I will be happy. And, the truth is... you may find happiness in that, but it's only momentarily until you make yourself think it's something else you need to be happy.

Be happy in today. What do you currently have in your life that makes you happy? Remember, it's the pursuit of happiness- not a guarantee. Just thinking of this puts me at peace. I  often find myself truly living in the day. I encourage that for my friends and family as well. This year, my focus is on being happy with the things I have. I am grateful. I look around and I truly have all that I asked for- a wonderful husband, two children, a great job, my health. Don't misunderstand, I still have goals, but finding peace in today strengthens me.

Dedicated to my mother, Pauline Cole. Happy 50th Birthday Mom! I miss you. I love you.

-Natalie

Hungry, Anxious & Loved

It’s been months since I blogged- I would like to blame it on the fact that I work full-time, teach part-time and not to mention that I have two kids, however, there is really no excuse. We make time for the things we want to do. So I will blog, at minimum, twice a month (baby steps people).  So let’s get to the meat (or lack of- this will make since shortly):

Why am I hungry? From my previous blogs, you may assume that I am starving myself to lose weight…guess again…seriously, not eating is NOT an option. I am using the word “hungry” to convey two different messages. I am INDEED actually hungry (for food) and I am hungry (for more- in every aspect). Last month, I discovered that my son was severely allergic to Beef, Milk, Eggs, and Nuts (or as I say, BMEN). Well, that’s pretty much everything I eat- waffles, popcorn, almonds, instant oatmeal, most bagged potato chips, peanut butter, mayo, cheese…I can go on for days. Pause- you may be wondering how this affects me…well as a nursing mom, if he can’t have it, I can’t consume it…I digress. So I have had to change my eating by force, not choice. I have switched to soy everything and I rarely eat meat, except chicken. I am sort of a…vegan.

Several concerns surrounding my son’s food allergy have surfaced, such as assuring that my daughter has a balanced diet, but also removing some simple items all together so that there are no mistakes, like replacing cow’s milk with Soy Milk, and assuring that we purchase tomato sauce without cheese as an ingredient. I also brought some dairy free ice cream (yep, they make it) and I am going to bake a vegan cake (yum). I am not the only vegan nursing mom and my son is not the first kid with food allergies (lol). However, my biggest concern is the EpiPen and assuring that anyone who is watching him, even for a minute, knows the signs of an allergic reaction AND knows how to give him a shot of epinephrine. Yep, I’m that mom.

Okay, so now let’s talk about what else I am hungry for- the thirst continues. Let’s back up first, I was promoted in May (yay) and I love my new position BUT I also turned 30 in May and as I sit back and review my plan, I want to assure I am on track. You only have one life and while you have to live in the present, you need to plan for the future. I am at a crossroads in many ways. First, we are moving to Virginia in the next 12 to 24 months and deciding which city to reside has become quite the conversation. I want the right neighborhood, right school system, right opportunity.

 Secondly, going back to school to obtain a doctoral degree is starting to make its way onto my goal sheet. In my field, a PhD would definitely assist in my career goals. It also doesn’t hurt that I love education and I want more…I’m hungry.

Moving on…why the anxiety? Well, my daughter starts a PreK-3 based program on Tuesday and I feel like she’s going off to college. I hope she adjusts well, plays well, does well. She has been in home-based daycare since she was three months old and…yes…I’m stressing. You would think I was the one starting a new school. My son begins a new daycare in October and I am sure the anxiety will continue. Again, I’m that mom.

Now, we get into the LOVE. The past few months, my husband and I have had an opportunity to go away/out and date, and it makes me feel like singing “back in the day when I young…” I love it. We have so much fun. Most recently, we attended his high school’s 10 year reunion- we danced, we sang, we drank, we laughed. I treasure these moments and they are amplified by the fact to we created two individuals from our love, which gave me more to love- my kids. Yep, I’m that mom.  

Natalie, Version 5.2

Inspired. Driven. Excited. These are all of the features of Natalie, Version 5.2, in homage to my 5.2 pound weight lost in 7 days. WHAT?! Yes, this is correct. This is not a typo: 5.2 POUNDS, 7 DAYS. I lost nearly a pound a day my first week back on the Weight Watchers plan and this version of myself excites me and challenges me to truly commit to Natalie, Version 30, and then my ultimate goal of Natalie, Version 60!

With that said, was my first week hard? I would say it was a bit of a challenge at times but I prepared myself by stocking my refrigerator and pantry with healthy items (fresh fruit, brown rice, fiber-rich whole grains, vegetables, fat free dairy products, lean meats, beans, etc.) and not denying myself to occasional goodies, which for me is the single serve Twinkie, 100 calorie mini brownies, and Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.  I had at least one (sometimes two) of these delicious goodies a day.  While I am changing my lifestyle/eating habits-I would be kidding (and depriving) myself if I cut out the things I love, like Twinkies and ice cream. lol. Everything in moderation is the key. Who said you can't eat what you love in lose weight? I made delicious meals: chicken burritos (think Chipotle), turkey burgers, southwestern chicken salad, fish (by Mrs. Paul's) with brown rice and veggies. I ate oatmeal (a lot), turkey and cheese sandwiches, and maybe two boxed meal, like Smart Ones Chicken Teriyaki Stir-fry, which I added an additional cup of broccoli...it was very filling. I worked out (once)- Zumba on Wii. Umm, I need to workout more this week...every week.

My version of a Chicken Burrito (after one bite)

 Okay, so now I am in the midst of week two, striving to lose at least 1.5 pounds this week. Challenges? Yes. Valentine's day. Ray made me about 30 chocolate covered strawberries and Raina (with my aunt's assistance) made me cupcakes, cookies, a bouquet of heart-shaped lollipops, and a small box of chocolates.

On one hand I was thinking "how sweet," and the other side of me (the I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT side) was like "seriously? I mean seriously!" So I decided to take a page out of my mother-in-laws book and be grateful (which I truly am), eat  maybe one, and give the rest away. I ate the tops of the small cupcakes over the past two days and the heart-shaped lollipops and box of chocs remain closed.

If this was a test, I would pass, which is great...considering I'm sleep deprived. Cole is on his own sleep schedule for now. I don't expect him to be on a good schedule until June. Gotta love the babies. #UpAllNight:)

-Natalie

What is the McCarter Life?

So the question has been asked and the answer is simple (sort of). The McCarter Life is a life of love, laughter, dreams, adventure, passion, honesty, faith, perseverance, and blessings. It is my life and the life of my immediate family. It has been my life for the last four years, since November 11, 2007- my wedding day. That was the day I became a McCarter and started living the life. Since then, Ray (my King) and I, have made two little McCarters, who also live the McCarter Life. I am blessed to live this life! In it I have become a wife, mother, homeowner, graduate of a Master's program (go BSU), author, national recognized researcher, professor, higher education advocate, and so much more...I am truly living the life...the McCarter Life.

The Journey...It Starts

To blog or not to blog? Clearly, I decided the answer was to blog. Today I rejoined Weight Watchers after my one year hiatus, which included nine months of pregnancy and a weight gain of about 50 pounds...grr! So now that my son is 7 weeks old and the OB has cleared me- I am READY!

I need to lose 30 pounds to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and an additional 30 pounds to get to my goal weight- that's right 60 POUNDS...makes the movie 7 pounds sound like a light weight (even though it was really heavy)...if you didn't see it, I highly recommend it...ok...back to this weight "issue." I am SUPER EXCITED...I even had Ray take a BEFORE picture to be used once I reach my goal.

The Weight Watchers plan allotted me extra weekly points because I'm nursing exclusively.  On one hand, that's great because it will allow me to ease back into the plan, on the other hand, I may not lose the weight as fast as I desire. According to WW, a nursing mom should lose no more than one pound a week, Babycenter.com says 1.5 a week. My goal is to lose the first 30 by May 22, 2012- my 30th birthday. So apparently...to be safe...I should only lose 23 pounds maximum by my birthday...UGH! The sacrifice of motherhood. I am going to just focus on the plan and post the weekly weight loss...but "Imma let ya know" that I won't be mad if I lose more than 2 pounds this first week...usually the first week on any weight loss plan (if followed correctly) is the best week because you body goes into a bit of shock. Last time I joined WW, I lost over 5 pounds my first week...hopeful that this time will be the same (or close to it). So maybe I will lose like 3 to 4 pounds this week to jump start things allowing me to at least lose 25 pounds by the big day and allow spanx (thanks Sara) to do the rest...lol! #WishMeLuck

I.AM.READY! 

-Natalie
Lovin' and Livin' the McCarter Life