Cheers to you.....

Happy Birthday to the BEST parents in the entire world!



They celebrate thier birthdays just 9 days apart!!!! Happy Birthday you two! :)

Happy 30th Birthday to Husband!

As most of you know, Mr. Lyon George hit the big 3-0 in April this year and to celebrate this momentous occasion......I threw a SURPRISE party for him! :)

Here's the story......

We started his birthday "celebration" by heading to Max & Erma's for dinner with our parents and siblings, nephews and nieces!

Here he is with his Mom and the kids are below that!




Ok, so in HIS mind, his Mom and Jayme were taking Gunnar to "stay the night" with them so I could take him to pick up his surprise gift which would require him to be blindfolded........he was game! (Thank goodness!)



When we arrived at the building, I helped him out of the car......



And into the building and that's where.....SURPRISE came into play!!!!!


My great friend, Kelly, made this fantastic cake!!!!!




Our great friends, Wendy, Dve and Shive or "Blackberry Bottom Band", provided us with great music!!!


And a special thanks to my lovely friend Miss Megan! Thanks for getting everything together for me! :):):)


HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUSBAND! I LOVE YOU VERY VERY VERY MUCH!



Thanks to everyone who came! It was SO fun!!!!!

It's been 12 weeks........

So here we are, 12 weeks down on the diet and exercise regimen! :) I have now officially lost 25 lbs and approximately 30 inches from this body 'o mine!

Pictures? But of course! :)





The last 12 weeks have really gone by fast, now that I think about it. Now, don't think for a second that I didn't have cheat days or that I thought about giving up. I did.......I have cried, I have been almost down-right mean about not having certain foods.......however......the feelings that I have for myself now are absolutely fantastic! I feel confident, accomplished, proud, excited, happy and all together GREAT! :) The last 3 weeks have been difficult as I have not been able to run due to a slight knee injury, but the elliptical has become my BFF and it didn't stop me. I have completely changed my way of eating and will forever strive to be in the best shape I can be! :)
The 12-week session is over, but I am beginning a new 8-week session this week. My new goal is to lose 20 more lbs, tone and be "bikini-ready" by summer! :)
I really do appreciate all the kind words, the comments, the "go for it's", etc. from everyone around me! Encouragement is something that I need every day and everyone who has encouraged me over the last 12 weeks, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Had it not been for the random "how's it going" or "hope you're doing well" or "stay with it, you're doing great"'s, I may have stopped 2 weeks into the program! Matt is an amazing trainer and my Husband is an amazing cheerleader! My family and friends have been behind me 100% (although they HAVE eaten cookies, chips and cake in front of me while I choked down protein shakes and all the chicken and turkey burger you can handle) heehee!
Ok, enough rambling...................I hope everyone enjoys Easter this weekend!
And thanks again to all! :)

some people! GRRRR!

Just received a phone call from Lancaster Parks and Recreation in regards to my "Portraits in the Park" that will be held this Saturday, April 11th, 2009. Apparently a "concerned citizen" has made a complaint about this event.

During my conversation with the rep from LP&R he clarified that the event is kosher, all the details are ok and everything will go on as scheduled. (He also mentioned that he's never received any other complaints of this nature and was kind of surprised by the whole situation.....)

I"m actually, for once, at a loss for words and am completely and utterly flabbergasted by this. So, to clarify what's going to happen on Saturday.....

*my appts are PRE-BOOKED. I"m not going to be standing on the corner at Rising Park waving an "Images by Miss Mindy" flag and soliciting my services.

*the money exchange will now be made at another location and I will make sure this happens

*I will not rope off, quarentine or select a designated area to set up lights, equipment or anything else. It will be the usual "Mindy and her camera" situation.

I apologize to whomever is upset with me about this event, but this is my full-time job and I love what I do.

Thanks and have a GREAT day!

It's been 8 weeks.........

So I am at 8 weeks today! Here's the scoop.....I am now down 22 lbs and well over 20 inches less of a person! (I have misplaced my original measurements sheet about 3 weeks ago, so we had to guesstimate my measurements at that point.) However, this last week alone, I lost 5 inches and 6 lbs!
Last week, I noticed I was getting lax on my diet....I would have a handful of this or a bite of that (all of which the "this" and "that" were foods that are not included in my diet). So Monday I decided that I need to tighten my diet back up to where it was during the first 4 weeks.
During these last 4 weeks, we have increased my weight on lifting days and I have found a new love for running! My new goal I have set for myself is to run a 5K on May 23rd here in Bremen. Four weeks ago, I was so super pumped when I ran 10 mins without stopping to walk......yesterday I ran 34 mins without stopping to walk and in the 34 mins I ran 3.1 miles. I still workout with Matt two days a week and the other days I go to New Energy. My attitude overall is completely different.....I'm a MUCH happier person to be around these days! :) Husband says he's got his old "Mindy" back........


Ok, ok so here's the pictures........



I wanted to wear the same thing I had on in week 1 and week 4, so here's that pic.


And here's week 1 to week 8......I had to do it! :)



Soooooo, there ya have it! I have 4 more weeks to go on this regimen, then who KNOWS what Mr. Packer has in store for me! heehee!
Again, if you need more information or are interested in talking with Matt at Healthier U, give him a call at (740) 215-2629 or stop by the studio at 721 E. Main St in Lancaster! :):):)
AND THANK YOU to all of you out there that have been supportive! It's fantastic and great to hear from everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week 1 to week 4

As most of you know, I began a hard core training regimen and eatingp lan with Matt Packer at Healthier U in Lancaster. I have battled my weight for a year or so - last year from January to December, I worked out every day - I did various cario workouts religiously and ate pretty healthy.....never lost a pound or an inch.....:( total sadness.....
Fast forward to January 13th, 2009. I started on a eating plan and began seeing Matt twice a week. The first week was a little rough....brown rice, chicken, eggs, veggies and protein to a picky, carb-loving eater is NOT fun! :) But, I said I'd try it and that I'd eat perfectly and that's what I did. Eating every 2.5 to 3 hours is hard to do....I pack a cooler with my food, my protein shakes, my snacks...I have to pack it all because as everyone knows, I'm on the go, ALL THE TIME!
The workouts at Healthier U are never the same.....I love how Matt changes the routine up - one day we'll do more cardio than others, other days we'll do more weights.....it's fun and I honestly look forward to my hour of gym time by myself! (Well, that was, until Lyon started joining me on Mondays! heehee!)
My first week I lost 6 lbs.....I got on the scales just out of curiosity and was so surprised and exicted! On January 20th, I did some body measurements. I waited a week and did them again - I had lost 6 inches overall! The next week, another 5.5! :) I am now going to New Energy two other days during the week - something that I would have never done! I had no idea what workouts to do and where to start! :)
As you can see, this "project" has been extremely successful for me right out of the gates! The plan is to run this for 12 weeks and see where I am....I have my 10 year reunion this year, my husband turns 30, we're spending 2 weeks at the beach this summer and my best friend is getting married....I need to be fit and look good! Sooooooo.......life is good.

Here's my photo comparing week 1 to week

>

I'm extremely happy about my results thus far and am SO excited to see what the next 8 weeks are like! I will do a photo from week 4 to week 8 and another from week 8 to week 12! :)
If you're interested in checking out Matt's gym, please do! He has a myspace - www.myspace.com/healthier_u and his number is (740) 215-2629. The gym is located at 721 E. Main Street in Lancaster and he's typically there Monday through Friday after 5pm and on Saturday mornings! Check it out or message me if you're interested!!!!!!!!!!!! Your first workout there is always FREE!
Just wanted to share! :)

Pat myself on the back moment of the day....

Tuesday, February 10th was the one-year anniversary of the last time I smoked a cigarette......this, my friends has been one of the greatest things I have EVER done for myself........and my kids and Husband!
I love that I don't spend $4.50 a day on them....that's a lot!
I love that I don't HAVE to wear perfume if I'm not feelin' it that day....
My clothes smell GREAT! ;)
My breath is great.....I don't have to chew gum ALL the time now! ;)
My hands don't stink.....nor does my car, coat, scarves, hoodies, hair.....i could go on forever!
My kiddos just love that I don't smoke....Gunanr says to me all the time, "Momma, yooooo don't smoke....and IIIIIII don't smoke.....dat's good stuff! Cigooooreeeets are gwoss!"
Don't get me wrong....I miss them terribly! I STILL have a craving for them a lot....I miss them....it's like losing a best friend....but, I"m pumped I made it a year!
There's my "pat myself on the back moment" of the day!