Wow, it's been almost a year since my last blog entry! What a year it's been. We've adjusted to being a family of five, we've had some ups and downs, and the kids have grown like you wouldn't believe! Matt is going to be the runt of the litter, I believe. He turned 1 on May 27th and weighs about 20 lbs. He is still wearing some 6-9 month clothes and is just a little peanut. Phillip finally hit the 40 lbs mark and it wearing size 4T clothes. He is tall and thin. Olivia is now 5'5 (at 11!!) and weighs a whooping 105 lbs, so she's obviously tall and thin too :)
My whole world! Look how much Phil looks like his Daddy. And Matt looks just like Olivia!
Speaking of thin, Mike and I are well on our way to being thin, FINALLY! I started on a new healthy lifestyle in January of this year and I have now lost 65 lbs and 50" of FAT! I've gone from a size 24 to a size 14/16. I still have 50-60 more lbs to lose, but I feel great! Mike started in March and has lost 55 lbs (MEN!!) and more inches that I can keep up with. He is BUFF! He has been working out an hour every day and looks amazing! He's gone for a 42/44 waist pant to a 34/36 and from an XXL shirt to a M. It's amazing!
I need to update this picture, as I have lost more since then, but I like this one :)
We feel so much better. We have energy and stamina, it's like a whole new couple! Doing this together has been so helpful. Together, we've lost 120 lbs! Mike only wants to lost 25 more and I believe by the end of the summer he will be at his goal. I plan to be to my goal (size 6/8) by December. I'm trying to slow down my weight loss a little, as I don't want to have tons of lose skin to deal with.
One more....
We're losing weight with the help of Advocare and one of the products that I take is Catalyst, which helps pull in the skin. So far, it's worked like a charm. I've lost 9" off my waist and I really expected a saggy, loose belly (like it is after you have a baby), but everything is firming up nicely. Hopefully, it will continue that way.
The pictures on the right are from this past Christmas, we were miserably FAT, the one on the left is from date night in May. Mike has lost quite a bit since then.
We have some exciting plans this summer. Olivia leaves for Youth Camp on Sunday. She will be gone 4 days. It's the highlight of her year (as it was for me when I was young). I'm excited for her, she will make memories that last a lifetime. After camp, Olivia and I are headed to NYC with my Uncle Phillip (yes, my Phillip is his namesake). Uncle Phillip is taking us on a neice's trip and I am so excited!! We are going to have a blast. Then, after that, Mike and I are headed to Dallas for an Advocare Success School and a mini vacation. We love getting away together and I've never been to Dallas, so I'm super excited. The grandparents will be dividing and conquering the grandchildren :) Thank GOD for grandparents!!!
Then, come August 1, Olivia starts the 7th grade! Where in the world did the time go? I'm amazed! She grown into a very sweet, tenderhearted, smart young lady. And, in my opinion, she's a beauty! She has the whole package. We've tentatively decided to hold Phillip back and have him start kindergarten when he's 5 almost 6, instead of 4 almost 5, so it will be a couple of more years until I have another in school. By the time Matt starts school, I'll have an 11th grader, 2nd grader, and kindergartener. How funny is that?
Well, that's the update on the Bells. Life is so good, we are so blessed, and looking forward to the last half of 2012.
