bump, set, spike it, that's the way I like it!

I love playing volleyball. I am actually pretty good at it, too. I also like basketball. I have been playing basketball with some ladies at my churchhouse every thursday night for a few months now. But it's safe to say every time I play with these ladies I am either the worst player or at least in the bottom three. But I have enjoyed the break away from home, the adrenaline rush, and most of the sisters have been very nice to me, even though my skill level isn't as high as them. I have been improving my skills though, which is good. I played Jr. Jazz basketball for about 3 or 4 years as a 10-14 year old, and I was okay. I also played church basketball every year I was in young womens. I'm pretty sure most or all of these ladies I play with played on their high school team and some of them college ball.
As for volleyball, I played one year in high school, and every year in churchball. I just started playing with a team in Springville in Springville's city league women's volleyball. They give us shirts and everthing. We had our first game on thursday night and I rocked it! It was so fun. We won both of our games. Sweet! It's safe to say I am a much better volleyball player than basketball player. After our games I went over to the church to play basketball and man I was bad. Oh, well. I need to find more oppurtunity to play volleyball in the future but for now this works out.
The past six years I haven't played very many team sports mostly because my hubby, Justin doesn't really like them. But this year I am making a vow to play even though he doesn't play. I forgot how much I really do love it. I really do. It makes me happy and gets me in a better physical shape. What more could I ask for?
My goal is to play an organized sport at least once a week.

The South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet (SBD) is a good diet for me because it encourages you to eat a lot of the same type of food I ate a lot of growing up, meats and vegetables. My dad went on his mission to Japan, and hunting has been a hobby and profession for him ever since I was a baby, so stir frys with a lot of meat or seafood and vegetables were a staple in our home growing up. I also love meats, seafood, and vegetables so that works out well for me. The SBD also allows cheese, which happens to be pretty much my favorite food ever since I was a little girl, so bonus. If you don't LOVE meat, seafood, veggies, and cheese than I do not recommend the SBD to you.

breastfeeding and womanhood

So, I am going to start The South Beach Diet on Sunday, January 31st. I did the same diet in 2008 and lost 15 pounds while on it. Then, I found out I was pregnant. So, I couldn't continue because I was pregnant obviosly, then had my daughter, Francesca, and have been breastfeeding her. She is now almost nine months and she is starting to wean. So I figured it was safe to start this diet now. Currently I breastfeed Francesca twice a day, for 5-10 minutes each time. I think she will be completely weaned in about 4-6 weeks. I also have heard that a woman loses about five pounds after weaning a child so that will work out good. Francesca has been my best nurser so I am a little sad that she is weaning but I feel that it is time. I breastfeed my two sons for about 7 1/2 months each so ten months will be a great accomplishment for me.
I am a little worried about my hormones and emotional state because ever since my daughter started weaning I have been a little moody. I talked to a nurse at my OB-GYN's office and she said it was normal so I don't feel as bad and since I am expecting it I can prepare for it. Oh the joys of being a woman, I love it but, wow, dealing with the emotions is tough, for me and everyone around me I am sure. Also, my aunt said the first week of The South Beach Diet most people are grumpy. My husband, Justin said he will be completely supportive of me going on this diet so I know that will help tremenously.
In addition I wanted to point out that we don't plan on getting pregnant for about 4-5 years so now is a good time to lose the weight, because I can keep it off, at least for a few years.

Why I need to lose weight

1) My current weight is considered "overweight" in the textbooks.
2) I feel like I could do more as a mother at a lower weight. Play more, be more confident, be a healthier example, etc.
3) I feel like I could be a better wife to my husband. (better lover, more flexible, sexier, more attractive)
4) People would respect me more as a confident healthy woman.
5) I could save money on food.
6) Taking time out to exercise would be beneficial physically, mentally, and emotionally.
7) If I could accomplish getting to a better weight, I would feel a lot more confident to do more.
8) To get rid of that slothful, lazy feeling I have been having lately.
9) To look better at my brother's wedding.
10) So I can have the excuse to buy an entire new wardrobe.