August 31, 2012

Diabetes


 
 
I was diagnosed at 28 weeks with Gestational Diabetes while pregnant with Amelia. It was a total shocker to everyone (not one member in my family has had diabetes). It can honestly happen to anyone- even children. I am walking to help raise money for those who do have it, and to help fund research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes.
 
Please help me raise money HERE (either to me or a general donation to my team) to help end this. I totally understand if you think diabetes is not as big of a deal when compared to other things in life.... but the costs alone to pay for those who have it should be enough to want to help!
 
Here are some scary facts*
 
Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—have diabetes.
Diagnosed: 18.8 million people
Undiagnosed: 7.0 million people
Prediabetes: 79 million people

Under 20 years of age
  • 215,000, or 0.26% of all people in this age group have diabetes
  • About 1 in every 400 children and adolescents has diabetes
Age 20 years or older
  • 25.6 million, or 11.3% of all people in this age group have diabetes
Age 65 years or older
  • 10.9 million, or 26.9% of all people in this age group have diabetes
Men
  • 13.0 million, or 11.8% of all men aged 20 years or older have diabetes
Women
  • 12.6 million, or 10.8% of all women aged 20 years or older have diabetes
Even scarier?

Cost of Diabetes
  • $174 billion: Total costs of diagnosed diabetes in the United States in 2007
  • $116 billion for direct medical costs
  • $58 billion for indirect costs (disability, work loss, premature mortality)
Factoring in the additional costs of undiagnosed diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes brings the total cost of diabetes in the United States in 2007 to $218 billion.
  • $18 billion for people with undiagnosed diabetes
  • $25 billion for American adults with prediabetes
  • $623 million for gestational diabetes

** All factual information gathered from The CDC

A big thanks to those who have donated or are already walking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


August 30, 2012

My new blog design

So upon my searching for simple cute blogs, I came across Shabby Creations with some great looking templates. There are some cute affordable premades (such as this one), as well as different packages. Just thought I would throw it out there in case anyone is on the lookout!

Thanks Shabby Creations!

August 27, 2012

Free Cute Blogger Templates

So, I have always enjoyed changing my blog templates. Something about a new face every now and then makes me happy. However, I have the most difficult time finding actual FREE cute Blogger templates that are simple and cute. I thought I would share some of the sites I have found, in hopes of making your life much more simpler. Just make sure to follow the instructions from each site!

Enjoy!

Leelou Blogs
Simply Fabulous
The Chic Boutique
Blogaholic Designs
The Cutest Blog On The Block
Blog Designs By Shelia
Louise Franks Blog Designs
Junelily
Suck My Lolly
made by madeline
Blog Designs by Dani
Delicious Design Studio
ipietoon

And some Free Blogger backgrounds

The Cutest Blog On The Block
Leelou Blogs
Blogaholic Designs
Simply Chic Blogs
Shabby Blogs
The Background Fairy


Here are a few Free Headers

Free Web Headers
The Cutest Blog On The Block
The Background Fairy
Blog Tipz



August 24, 2012

I am now officially a Weight Watcher's member!

So I took the plunge today when I found a coupon for 30% off the first month. Instead of it being close to $43, I only paid $29.95. Love a good deal!

So with this $29.95, I get unlimited meeting attendance and online tools. I remember when I had joined half-assed some years back, that the online recipes helped me out quite a bit. I was able to cook for both my husband and myself, but using healthier options for meals. This time I am going all in.... I WILL conquer being overweight!

Flab to fab, here I come ;)

 

August 19, 2012

The light is on!

So this weekend I had an epiphany. Like a Whoa, how the eff did I not realize this before!!

I have known in my head that I had weight issues for quite some time now, but I literally had a light bulb go off in my head. I CAN lose weight, I just to limit certain eternal factors in order to complete my goal!
Read: No trying to get pregnant, no late night glasses of wine (or in general no alcohol), and no fatty pick-me-up foods. Add in to this mixture birth control pills, after dinner gym time (after the wee one goes to bed) and meal planning, and VOILA! A happier me.

I have been charting to get pregnant again (My Chart)- for those who don't know my story, I conceived my daughter via IUI (Intrauterine Insemination). It took 4 tries and lots of medication in order to bring this beautiful little girl into our lives. I don't ovulate on a regular basis. Hell, I hardly ever ovulate. My charting has shown this to be true yet again, which brings me to realize we will need to go the medical route again to conceive a sibling. I am not physically ready, nor mentally ready to do this, so what perfect timing to concentrate on feeling better on the inside by losing weight? While I always said I would never go back on BCP's (birth control pills), I feel like this is the only sane way I can focus 100% of my attention on my health and fitness. I always think/dream in the back of my head "what if I'm pregnant", which leads me to go easy on myself.

So here are my goals:

1. Make appointment with OBGYN to get on BCP's

2. Set specific days of the week to workout

3. Try to take the stairs, or do any kind of 'additional' mini workouts on those off days

4. Pack my lunch daily for work

Here's a few pictures from this past week of fun at the fountains that helped me finally get it. While I am not fond of these photos (or sharing them for that matter), they are me, and I am beautiful (I mean that in the most self-loving, non conceited way). I will feel much healthier and be happier once I am at a healthy weight... and sharing these photos as I go will help me get there.

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This time is for realsies. I HAVE to make a change for myself, my family, and especially my daughter. I want to be a healthy example for her.

So here I go!