Inspirational Weight Loss Books (part 1)

In my journey to be a healthier me I have learned that I am EXTREMELY externally motivated.  So when I discovered my local library had a couple of Biggest Loser autobiographies I decided to see if they could provide as much inspiration and motivation as the show gave me.

The first book I read was Believe It, Be It:  How Being The Biggest Loser Won Me Back My Life by Ali Vincent (Rodale, 2009).

Ali Vincent is the first woman to win The Biggest Loser.  Her book describes how she became an obese woman, how she became a contestant on the reality show, and how she became the winner.

I appreciate Ali's honesty about her tumultuous childhood and the negative impact it had on her.  I also respect the blood, sweat and tears she put into winning her season of Biggest Loser (which I haven't watched) and maintaining her current weight and fitness level.  But the book didn't inspire me very much.

In fact, it left me feeling somewhat dissatisfied.  Oh, don't get me wrong!  I'm motivated to work hard and eat right after reading Ali's story.  It's just that I didn't really connect with her life experience.  My childhood was a walk in the park compared to hers.  I am married with 4 children while she has always been single and has no kids.  I have a faith that influences every aspect of my life and Ali (at least by my understanding from the book) walked away from her childhood Mormon faith and doesn't practice any religion today.

I'm having a hard time putting my finger on my dissatisfaction with the book.  I think it stems from the differences in our world views.  As a Christian I believe Jesus is my strength and helps me achieve everything good in my life.  Alli doesn't share that belief so she takes credit for her amazing transformation.  Please don't misunderstand me.  Jesus didn't do the sit-ups for her or eat the salads instead of pizza.  But so much focus on "I, I, I" just seemed kind of empty to me.

That being said my recommendation for this book is eh.  Maybe you will glean a few tips and come away from it more inspired than I did.  I don't regret reading it but I won't be buying the book or telling friends that they just HAVE to read it.

Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you about a weight loss book that DOES inspire me.

Are you familiar with Alli's story?  Did you watch her win?  What weight loss books have inspired you?

Picnic at the Park on Family Fun Friday

The best fun is usually free.

The kids and I recently tested that premise with a visit to Roger Williams Park in Providence.

After 7 years as a mom I've learned to keep picnics simple.  I make peanut butter and honey sandwiches and cut them into quarters. 

The quarters are more manageable for little hands.  The honey soaks into the bread so it isn't messy like jelly.

We also take our re-usable water bottles, a container of baby carrots, and napkins.  This time we shared some leftover fruit salad but usually I cut up apples for us.

After we finished eating we explored the park a little.  The kids wanted to play around the Temple of Music.

Sam does his hardest to stay with the "big kids" but his little legs just aren't as fast as theirs.

I think Ellie agrees that the best fun can be free!

Visit Fun Mom Friday at Please Pass the Salt for more family fun ideas.

Remodeling Our Bathroom

We are just having tons of fun at the Stephanie's Mommy Brain house {read that again with strong sarcasm}.  We are hoping to put our house up for sale in a month or two so we've been feverishly doing house projects.

First, we painted the boys' bedroom.  Then we painted and installed a closet system in our hall linen closet.  And now we've (and by 'we' I really mean Hubby) pulled everything out of our half bathroom and are in the process of filling holes, replacing the vinyl, replacing the toilet and sink and painting.

My poor husband is soooo tired.

Here's a peak at all the work he's been doing.

Before the Demolition

Inspired by Destruction House on DIY

Demolition Ben

I pulled off 95% of the incredibly ugly paneling.

Ellie helped carry the paneling out to the dumpster.

A not-so-clean slate to work with.

After 7 years of living with an incredibly ugly bathroom I'm finally going to get a beautiful one.  Just in time to sell it to someone else.

Have you ever remodeled a bathroom?  How'd it go?