Ok.. so it’s REALLY starting to occur to me that I’m pregnant. I think I’ve been distracting myself in case something happens but it hit me yesterday that I’m over two months! I’m not completely out of the worry zone but every day that goes by I get more confident. Once I hit the 3 month mark I may celebrate with a video and do video updates once a week or so. That would be more fun then photos I think. We’ll see.

Time really has been flying. I’ve had some of these links in my inbox since early August. Did you know it was September? I just realized this morning. That’s just pure craziness!

Anyway, let’s get to these links and then I’ll update a few things. You remember the old Thursday Thoughts drill, right? :)

• First of all did you see this article about Brian’s twitter diet? I’ll be screaming the power of blogs and social media when it comes to weight loss or simply living healthier until the day I die. This blog was started over 5 years ago for the same purpose and here I still am. Maintaining the loss, living consciously, reaching goals and hopefully inspiring others. It’s why I started BlogToLose. It’s why I’m planning another conference. It’s why I still keep my food journal on twitter. It’s why I will write this blog for as long as humanly possible. Can you tell I’m passionate about this? Really. I am. :)
• Since I’m on the healthy blog bandwagon I’ll use this time to mention Healthy Living Blogs. A fabulous directory of… well… healthy living blogs. What can I say? They have the perfect name. ;) Healthy Living Blogs is a growing, enormous bunch! I’m proud to be apart of it.
• Let’s move to my favorite subject besides blogging, FOOD! I have two great links saved. One is about portion distortion. It’s really getting out of hand, isn’t it? I swear, we ordered dessert the other day to split among the 3 of us and it was STILL too big. I get the whole value thing and that we love getting more for our money but there’s a point where it’s just ridiculous. It’s like we are addicted to the ‘more is better’ mentality.
• Speaking of addiction, according to this article, "studies show that some foods actually have a narcotic-like effect on our brains" They put chocolate, sugar, cheese, and fast food in their top 5. All of which I can honestly say are problem foods for me.
• Finally, I’m going to end with this post on thought provoking questions. You guys know how much I love to ask the Question of the Week. I’ve been doing it for 2 and half years now and still get a good conversation going now and then, like last weeks, Do You Count Calories, Fat or Weigh Your Food?. I plan on using some of the questions listed in that post as inspiration for future weeks.

My Updates this week…

• I’m cooking more and more now that I’m home and it’s been wonderful! This week on GreenLiteBites I made us two new dinners, Parmesan Dusted Chicken Fingers with Whole Wheat Pasta and Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce and Sweet Sausage and Vegetables over Bulgur. I also whipped up a healthy snack yesturday using salmon and little guy and I recorded ourselves making our favorite smoothie. Oh! and I’m also working on getting all my recipes categorized by points. It will probably take me a few weeks but I’ll do a few every night before bed and let you know when it’s done.
• The FitBloggin’ site hasn’t seen many updates BUT I’ve been working by butt off on the conference. I finally posted a tentative schedule and I’m reaching out to speakers via email. I hope to have many more updates next week.
• Last week on RoniNoone.com I griped about the iPad and this week I answered a question about giving credit to recipe sites.
• Finally, on BlogToLose I’m kicking off this holiday weekend with a challenge.
• Oh! Wait.. one more! I’ve updated my Training Schedule. I’m still back and forth on the marathon this december. Have to talk to my doc (getting a new one in 2 weeks) to see what she thinks. I may drop down to the half. Either way, I’m still running! I’ve slowed down considerably but I’m listening to my body and I feel fabulous afterwards!
• Update: I totally forgot!! Don’t forget I am co-presenting a teleclass on Tuesday!! Click here for more info!

I think that’s all I got me in tonight. I’m slowly finding my self-emplyment groove. I can see it only getting better from here on out. :)

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Topics included in this video include….

• Scale Disappointment
• Retrying Weight Watchers
• Weight Loss Rewards
• Running Breathing Techniques
• Snack Recommendations

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Laura is an author and speaker. Her main area of expertise is simplifying. Simplifying your life, getting rid of clutter, physical clutter, mental clutter, schedule clutter, etc.

I NEED her. :)

As someone who routinely overbooks and has her hands in so many projects sometimes I CRAVE simplicity. It’s why I took the huge step of leaving my job. I just had too much STUFF going on in my life. I mean, I still do and in a way I want it. I love what I do and I want to keep doing it but there have been times where I’ve been completely overwhelmed. My house would be in disarray (remember these pictures), my calender would be a mess (if I was keeping one), even my computer was a disaster! It would be so disorganized I couldn’t find anything. That’s just not a fun way to live.

I’m happy to say I’m getting better.

SLOWLY.

Like everything, it takes practice and change does not happen overnight. I keep sane by doing what I can when I can and surprisingly, things get accomplished!

When Laura asked if I’d be interested in her Lighten Up! course it intrigued me. She was inquiring if I was interested in teaching it with her but I was more interested in actually taking it! So we decided to try something new. Laura will be running the course and I’ll be providing insight into one specific area, diet and food clutter. For the rest of the course I’ll be more of a student or teachers aide if you will. Learning, sharing and providing my insight and experiences.

This is new to me on many level. For starters, I’ve never taken a teleclass and honestly, I didn’t even know they were still around! I’m fascinated by this way to communicate and share information and I’m curious how it works. Maybe it’s something I’ll be able to offer in the future. Who knows? It could be fun!

If you are interested in trying it with out with me click here to register. The Lighten Up! 101 course is free and there is no obligation to sign up for any additional courses. There are 2 scheduled classes to choose from, one just a week from now…

• Tuesday, Sept 7 9PM ET
• Saturday, Sept 25 2PM ET

Laura is offering a CD of my interview and a $50 coupon off the full 5 week course for the first 50 people that sign up. Oh! And if you are a facebook fan, she just started a fan page for the course where she is already sharing some great info!

So be honest, am I the only teleclass newbie out there? Have you taken one? Love it? Hate it? I’m curious! I only have a week to figure it all out!

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I immediately said, "No."

Sure I’m going to gain weight. I’m pregnant! I already have gained weight. You are suppose to gain weight. My body is going to change and grow and stretch and support a new life. It’s an amazingly wonderful miracle and I don’t think you truly understand it until you have a child of you own.

The way I see it, I have a choice. I can stress and obsesses about every little thing I put in my mouth and every little ounce the scale goes up OR I can embrace the fact that my body has a higher purpose at the moment. It’s not about me or how I look in a bathing suit. It’s about bringing a new, amazing life into the world.

So I’m going to do what I’ve been doing for the last 5 years. I’m going to live the life I want to live. Nourish my body and soul the best way I know how. Eat good healthy food. Enjoy the little things. And give this little being the best chance I can. After all, it didn’t ask to come into this world. I made that conscious decision and I owe it to him/her to do so.

As for the weight I will gain. I have no doubt that after the baby is born I’ll lose it because just like Jasmine, I know the Secret to Weight Loss. ;)

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Tomorrow my little man starts kindergarten. I know every mom says this but… I really can’t believe it. Every day I’m beyond grateful for him. He has changed and effected my life in so many positive ways. Don’t get me wrong he has his moments, remember this little gem? OMG I re-read that laughing out loud. Boy have we have our issues but overall he is a joy to be around. Remember Funderwear day? Or when I recorded us reading Dr. Seuss? And just today he asked if he could go running with me. He really is my ultimate Motivation Turned Workout Partner.

Anyway, let me stop before I get teary. I’ll be shedding enough when I put him on the bus for the first time tomorrow morning. SO… this morning started with a run. I had 9 miles scheduled as per my marathon training but I decided on 8 mid run and shortened my loop.

Chart taken from Nike+ web site after sync. Click here to see how I did it.

I’m really starting to feel the effects of pregnancy on the running. I’m 7 weeks, still super early but according to BabyCenter.com my uterus has doubled in size and I have 10% more blood volume. I’ve also been extra tired and my morning sickness is increasing daily. Of course all of these things effect running. I’ve been taking more and more walk breaks listening to my body and simply doing what feels natural with no pressure or expectation.

After the run, little guy and I did some more Fun Fusion. This is his new obsession. We took a pic the other day of our creations…

He loves these things and they are so fun!

Anyway… soon it was time to hit the grocery store to stock up for the week. We already got our produce loot from the farm on friday…

Someone asked me on twitter how a family of 3 eats all that. Honestly we already made a dent in it. Between taco night, a huge batch of veggie skillet, my veggie omelets, and packing the vegetables for Little Guys first Kindergarten lunch, half the peppers and 2 of the summer squashes are gone. Plus most of the onions, half the tomatoes, a few of the hot peppers and the cilantro. It’s funny but once you integrate the vegetables into your routine, you use way more then you realize. Plus the beauty of the getting a bunch of veggies weekly sort of forces you to figure out ways to use it. Which I find super fun!

The rest of the day was filled with laundry, clean up and even a nap. Little guys clothes are out for tomorrow. His lunch is packed, backpack’s by the door and I’m ready for my first day of work at home, childless. I have so much to do!

I’m off to watch the rest of Mad Men and then it’s bed for me. Oh! and I’m still keeping my food journal. I think it will be fun throughout the pregnancy to see how my appetite increases…

Table provided by Roni’s Food Tweet, Eat, Post Generator. Follow live @RonisFood

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Anyway.. I have some updates on the training front that I need to tell you and also a fun new project I’m experimenting with in the next few weeks but all of that will have to wait for another post. Tonight I wanted to share the weekend quote and then go pass out. The whole first trimester exhaustion thing is hitting me hard! I’m tired and “the girls” are sore, REALLY sore. I’m sure you know what I mean. I think I’m going to have to buy more supportive running bras!

Ok.. enough babble… on to this quote! I stumbled across this one just surfing around but couldn’t find an author anywhere. It’s one of those fabulously simple thought provoking statements.

“To create more positive results in your life, replace “if only” with “next time”.”

I love that it reminds us to look ahead instead of back. Own the decisions you’ve made and if you don’t like the results from then then change your approach.

Genius!

No?

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Now… GO TO BED. You’re exhausted.

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I’m so proud to be a part of this book and movement. Click here to buy Operation Beautiful and here to read my Marathon Story (where the picture and my contribution to the book came from.)

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Anyway I had quick conversation with Dinneen aka eatwithoutguilt tonight on twitter that got me thinking.

She tweeted…

If you count calories, fat grams, or weight your food — you do NOT have a healthy relationship w/food. Sorry to tell you that..

my response…

Not sure I agree.. RT @EatWithoutGuilt: If u count calories, fat or weight your food — u do NOT have a healthy relationship w/food

@EatWithoutGuilt If u overeat & binge u don’t have a hlthy relationship either. There is a middle ground, being aware is a huge part of that

Her Response…

@RoniNoone Counting calories can help in beginning…but not sustainable. No way. Not over long run. And who wants to?

@RoniNoone And overeating & bingeing are def not healthy relationship w/food. I totally get that. It’s about balance :)

Mine…

@EatWithoutGuilt Agree.. but there has to be a balance. Everyone is in a different place. We need 2 educate not make people feel ashamed

Please excuse the "twitter talk" we do only have a 140 characters to get our points across but I think you get the gist.

As someone who’s been on both sides of the fence with food her tweet struck a cord with me. Probably because I am a food weigher and I feel I have a very healthy relationship with food. A much healthier one then when I was bingeing on entire stuffed crust pizzas and sneaking little Debbie snack cakes.

I don’t obsessively weigh. I don’t bring my scale to restaurants. I don’t even weight for every meal. But I use my kitchen scale as a tool to educate me on portion sizes. When I try a new cereal, I like to see what a serving looks like. When I want cheese (a trigger food for me) I weight out a serving as to not go overboard. I also use the scale a lot when measuring ingredients for GreenLiteBites.

Again, maybe I’m biased but I think you can have a healthy relationship with food if you count calories or use a food scale. I agree with Dinneen that you aren’t going to want to do it forever but you may very well be at a point in your journey where you are learning or even gathering information on you eating habits. And I think using a scale for measuring or counting points/calories/fat/etc for accountability is very helpful.

I’m sure others disagree.

So….

Do You Count Calories, Fat or Weigh Your Food?

How do you "weigh in" on this issue?

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I had a WONDERFUL day! It was my first official day home since leaving my job. Me and Little Guy had so much fun hanging out. I played. I cooked. I cleaned. I worked. And it all started after an early morning trip to the Radiology department.

In case you missed my Blissful news from BlogHer, I had a positive pregnancy test. I decided to share the news as I’m horribly stressed when trying to keep a secret. Especially THIS secret. So I spilled the beans. Then I got sick, REAL sick and given my history the doctor thought it was best I go for an early ultrasound.

Well I’m happy to say…. I heard and SAW a strong heartbeat on the little bean!! So I guess it’s a official! I mean.. you never know what will happen but I’m embracing this and it’s something I’m extremely happy about. EXTREMELY!

Now.. you may be asking about that teeny tiny race I signed up for in December. You know, the MARATHON. At this point I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing. That may change after I talk to my doctor on Wednesday but either way I’m definitely going to vegas. I’ve already booked my flight and hotel. The way I see it.. I can always walk it. There are just too many amazing bloggers going to miss out. Plus.. it’s Vegas! VEGAS! Only my second favorite city ever! :)

Anyway today really was a great day. Besides the wonderful news, I made a family pleasing dinner, Dry Rubbed Pan-Fried London Broil and then Little Guy and I decorated the driveway. So much more fun then just watching tv. :)

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