Adventures In Weaning

I haven't breastfed Beaner in about two weeks. She still asks for it if she wakes up from a nightmare, or hurts herself, or is generally in a bad mood. I offer a substitute of dried fruit, or a cheesestick (her favorite) and breastfeeding is forgotten. Her nursing sessions were already down to before nap and before bed. Months ago we replaced the nap nursing with "napsnack" which is some crackers and a bit of milk. We replaced the evening nursing with "milksnack" which is usually milk and some banana, or turkey breast.

It makes me sad that our breastfeeding journey has come to an end, simply for the fact that it was an easy fix for comfort and made middle of the night wakings much easier. The upside is that the comfort can now come from my husband, instead of my breasts. They are creating a stronger bond and I am not always the first one she runs to if she has an owie, or has a question. I am also glad that I will no longer have to deal with the gasps of incredulity when people find out Beaner is 2.5 years old. "You're still breastfeeding?" I definitely won't miss those conversations.

Next up, weaning her off television. If I have to watch Team Umizoomi one more time...

A Change Is Gonna Come

I generally don't like to announce things when I start doing them, or think of them, because I have had issues in the past with following through. Be it because I am a Mom, have ADHD, or am just too scatterbrained sometimes, my list of things to do gets larger by the day.

8 weeks ago I entered into a "biggest loser" type challenge with some of my girlfriends. None of us live in the same city, so it was all done online as far as supporting each other, sharing triumphs and setbacks, weigh-ins, etc. We weighed in every week, we held ourselves accountable, and we made it a monetary based challenge. Great motivator, yes?

I starting tracking my calories (I highly recommend the MyPlate feature over at LIVESTRONG) and was stunned by the amount of garbage I was putting in to my body. I don't tend to overeat but what I DO find time to eat was no good for me. I decided then and there to make a complete lifestyle change. I started working out every day, eating healthy, and generally kicking butt!

On Friday we did our final weigh-in to determine the challenge winner. Lo and behold, I won! In 8 weeks I have lost 24 lbs and countless inches off my body. I am now completely and utterly addicted to going to the gym. I get alone time, I work out and get those lovely endorphins, and the feeling from losing weight carries over into every day confidence. That and losing weight is a fantastic reason to buy new clothes!

I have miles to go, and probably won't complete my ultimate goal until summer 2012, but I'm making progress, and that's more than enough to keep me motivated.

What's your motivation this Monday?