My Mommy Style

Colorful heels | Fashion Friday

August 16, 2013

by Kelli France | Editor-in-Chief of Chic Magazine | Professional Photographer | Mama of 4 These heels deserved their very own Fashion Friday post. They are THAT fun! I just love how they dress up a simple graphic tee. I am in LOVE with this graphic tee (which is on sale, by the way). I adore the...

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Turning a Basement into a playroom: Part 1

August 13, 2013

Recently I have started converting our third bedroom/playroom into a “Big Girl” room for Jayne to make room for the babe coming in November. It was nice to have an actual playroom but truth is my kids hardly ever played in it unless other kids were over. I wanted to take a picture of at...

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The truth hurts…and other weighty matters

August 13, 2013

So, I just updated yesterday…but I feel like I left out a few things: I really hate being completely honest…and vulnerable, but I’m going to be. Only because I think I’m not the only one who struggles with these things…weight that is. Talking about it openly can help to facilitate the discussion of health in...

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Camille Walker
Cassia,

I didn’t know you had a struggle with binging/purging and my heart aches for you knowing that it has been such a roller coaster. But one thing I do KNOW about you in that you are one of the strongest willed fighters I know. (And a beautifully, positive person.) I have no doubt that you can do this and be in a happy, healthy place with your body and mind. You are so incredibly inspiring and I just love you.ReplyCancel
Alena@TheHomemadeCreative
Thank you for sharing your story, and with such transparency. I have a question for you, if I may, and if you’re comfortable answering it. Why do you credit the HCG diet with your struggle with binging and purging? I ask because I did that diet 2 years ago, before conceiving my daughter, and I didn’t experience anything like that, despite having previously struggled with an eating disorder (Compulsive Overeating with Dissociation), and found that I was able to maintain the basic eating style (veggies, fruit, lean meat, no grains, healthy seasonings) for almost a year (it kinda fell apart at 8 months pregnant because, despite my baby being extremely healthy, I bought into the lie that only having gained 7lbs, and losing 3 sizes, couldn’t be healthy, and I started eating highly fattening processed foods out of fear, which made my pregnancy end in a lot of discomfort for me – and I only gained 3lbs in 2 months). Anyway, I am curious why you believe that the diet was responsible for this issue, as I’ve never heard that before, and am actually planning to do the diet again next month (I had PPD for 5 months, after my daughter’s birth, and gained 56lbs).ReplyCancel
- Cassia Denton
  Alena, I’m actually really glad you asked and I think maybe I’ll amend my post with the “why” because I do think it’s a very good thing for people to know who might be considering the HCG diet.
  
  For me, it’s kind of a “this is a potential side effect” type of deal. Not that it for sure will happen to everyone who does this diet, but that from my experience and many of my friends, family and HCG online community friends, MANY many people struggle with eating disorders after the diet. A lot of it has to do with doing such an extreme diet and depriving yourself for so long. Part of it has to do with the binge (“loading”) at the beginning of the diet. The concern for many is that disordered eating can lead to an eating disorder, and the 500 cal. hcg diet is so restrictive that it certainly is disordered eating. For me, and I know many others, the idea is that there is such a desperation to lose weight, that you’re willing to do something drastic. It becomes somewhat of a trigger or gateway to eating disorders. For most that I’ve talked to candidly, binging is the problem and for some it’s anorexia. Personally, I technically fell into both (and all three since I would also purge.) I would eat so so few calories during the week, and binge and purge on the weekend. When I originally did this diet, I did it with 8-10 family and friends. ALL but one gained it right back, and the one keeps it off with an eating disorder. Another eventually lost the weight, but she got there through healthier avenues…namely, smaller portions and a whole lotta exercise. 🙂
  
  After coming off the diet for the second time and truly struggling to maintain, even despite my incredibly low caloric intake, I could not keep it off. I did some serious research and chatted with a few health professionals and found that my basal metabolic rate had decreased substantially. Our bodies are really amazing things, aren’t they?? So, if we subject them to starvation, they’ll learn and adapt. So it says, “okay, if you’re going to eat less, I’ll use less.” We’re pretty efficient like that!
  
  So another fantastic side effect that I experienced and is not at all uncommon, was substantial hair loss. I mean…it was scary how much I was losing. Also, my fingernails would peel…that’s not right!?
  
  I will say, that if an individual was considering gastric bypass or something like that, this is probably a safer option. But really, I’ve always known that to make a real change, it has to be for life. I can’t just starve myself for 8 weeks and go back to regular eating, but after the deprivation of the 500 calorie diet, it’s just too tempting to indulge a bit.
  
  I wouldn’t presume to tell you what to do, you clearly know what you’re getting yourself into and how to maintain, I just think that if you’re willing to be a little patient, maybe you’d really like weight watchers or the carb cycling from Chris Powell’s book? (of course there are lots of other programs that are equally awesome, I’m just a fan of those two) I’m really happy with the results so far!! I’m not yet 3 weeks in and I’m down 10 lbs.
  
  I am really sorry about the PPD…I know it’s the worst. And if you’re like me, it’s really a weird thing, because never in my life have I been prone to depression, but that time right after baby arrives is really rough on my body image.
  
  Either way, I hope you’ll keep me updated. Losing weight, however one does it, takes hard work and dedication, and I can always use the inspiration!!! 🙂ReplyCancel
Kali
Cassia- Bless you for your honesty, because truthfully, you are helping others by being so brave. Like you said, you are not alone. There are a lot of people in your same boat. I have done the whole weight loss thing 3 times as well and it is awful hard. But so rewarding when you do it the right way. You are looking incredible and have always been stunning in my eyes, no matter what the weight. What is inside of your shines through to your outer appearance which is why you are so beautiful. I am impressed with your self discovery, how you educated yourself on what works for you and then applying it. YOU ROCK.ReplyCancel
- Cassia Denton
  Kali, first of all, thank you and second, you’ve totally been my inspiration!! I even mentioned you in my first post here: http://www.mymommystyle.com/?p=4967 I love what you’ve done and you’ve always done it the right way!!! You’ll be proud of me, I actually signed up for my first 5k!!! 🙂 (only because it’s a color run, and if I’m going to do a race, it ought to be very fun and colorful!!) We’ll see how that one goes and go from there. 🙂 Funny, I used to LOVE running??!?! What?? I was crazy 🙂 I wish I was still that crazy!!ReplyCancel
Krista
You are seriously amazing! The more I read, the more I REALLY wish we were closer. Dang it.

I think you look great. WTG. I wish I had a talent for writing and putting into words exactly how I feel, but I’m terrible. A lot of this sums up how I feel.

Thanks for posting.ReplyCancel
Brittany Littleton
I think I am insulin resistant too! I would love any info you have!!!!ReplyCancel
- Cassia Denton
  Hi Brittany,
  Sorry this is so slow!! I kept trying to reply from my phone, but it just wasn’t working. But now that I have a computer again, here we go.
  One of the most frustrating things for me was that when I would go on diets, I would eat super lean, healthy greens, complex carbs etc. I would NEVER go over 1200 calories and yet, I couldn’t lose a lb to save my life! In fact, I even sometimes gained a lb?? I was exercising with personal trainers 3 days a week and working out on my own another 3 days a week. In fact, on the days I worked out with my trainers, I did 2-a-day workouts. All in all, I lost less than 5 lbs in 3 months of that rigorous schedule! My trainers never believed that I was following a strict program and the nutritionists didn’t believe my food logs either. In the end, they all just gave up on me. Only me and my husband knew for a fact that I was following their programs religiously!! I kind of gave up on myself too at the time. So, I went off their programs for another 3 months and at whatever I wanted and gained exactly 2 lbs?? How did that make any sense?? It didn’t…at least not at the time. But then, like I mentioned, I was doing research about pregnancy and pcos and I came across a random article about insulin resistance being the culprit of so many of my problems. After self-diagnosing, I was pretty sure I had it, but then I went to the dr.’s to have some testing done. It originally came back inconclusive, but after a couple more tests it was confirmed. That was about 5 years ago…testing has truly come such a long ways since then!! All I know for sure is that when you go to get tested, be sure to tell the doc to look at your insulin levels, NOT glucose. Especially if you’re already sure you don’t have diabetes, that test will be wrong for a person with insulin resistance.
  
  This gives me a good idea. I know a doctor who has spent a lot of her life studying weight issues and insulin resistance…I’m only hesitant to ask her to write a post because she works at the same clinic I went through to do the HCG diet…while I don’t think it’s entirely horrid, I just don’t think it’s a good solution to most weight problems…so…idk…I’ll talk to her and see if she’d like to write a post on insulin resistance for My Mommy Style. She knows SOOOO much! I’d refer you to her if you live in Utah by chance? She works at the MD Diet clinic in Ogden Utah.
  
  Anyway, One of my favorite things that I found after I learned that I was Insulin resistant was The Insulin Resistant Diet. HEre’s a link so you can see what I’m talking about….It’s not just good because of the diet, but because of the information. I actually think the diet is really great though too…but I just personally always need to mix my diets up so I don’t get bored. 🙂
  
  http://www.amazon.com/The-Insulin-Resistance-Diet–Revised-Updated-Fat-Making/dp/0071499849/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377616583&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Insulin-Resistance+Diet–Revised+and+Updated
  
  This is also a really great article about insulin resistance and how to self-diagnose as well:
  http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-31/health/sc-health-1031-diabetes-insulin-20121031_1_insulin-blood-sugar-diabetes-educator
  
  You can easily get yourself tested at a hospital as well. What will be really useful about getting diagnosed is that you’ll be able to get a prescription for Metformin (make SURE you get extended release, or you’ll get nauseous!!) which will really help you start to lose weight if that’s your goal, and just maintain healthy insulin levels in general. In fact, I really need to ammend my post to add the fact that I just started taking metformin again since it really helped me lose weight last time, but after all the moving I’ve done, I forgot about it until my mom just reminded me.
  
  I hope these couple of things help out in some way. Knowing if you have it can really help you figure out how to proceed with your goals, whether it’s to get pregnant, lose weight or keep yourself from getting diabetes.ReplyCancel

Weight loss update

August 11, 2013

Weight loss progress update: This week went pretty darn well. I’m down another 3 lbs which puts me only just shy of 10% of my body weight lost. I’ve also lost 10 inches between my waist, hips and thighs! Just to recap, I’m mostly following Chris Powell’s program from his book, choose to lose more...

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Weight Loss Update

August 11, 2013

Weight loss progress update: (to read my previous post and get 30 awesome workout songs click here) This week went pretty darn well. I’m down another 3 lbs which puts me only just shy of 10% of my body weight lost. I’ve also lost 10 inches between my waist, hips and thighs! Just to...

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Aleesha
SOunds like you have a great plan! You are such an awesome example! I am hoping to get started on an exercise routine, but keep putting it off everyday and I really need to do it for my health. What keeps you motivated to do it everyday?ReplyCancel
Cassie
Hey Leesh! Thanks for reading! The biggest thing motivating me right now is the team competition. I’m in that challenge competing together with my family and when I’m tempted to not workout, or to get an extra scoop of peanut butter, I remember that I do not want to let them down! And then the next thing is our trip to Hawaii. I’m planning to have our family pics taken on the beach, so giving myself a timeline to aim for is also really motivating!! I know I won’t be to my final goals by then, so when we get back I think I will attempt my first 10k…or mini-triathlon. I think having something that I’ve paid for and HAVE to train for will also keep me motivated.

What have you been trying??ReplyCancel
Krista
Hello, Cassia!

I LOVE to read the posts you write. I haven’t commented until today, for some reason I felt the need.

First, you’re going to Hawaii?? I’m SO jealous. And family pictures on the beach? What? How do I get on that? haha!

Second, exercising is definitely not easy. It is a constant battle. I find myself literally laying on the floor in tears asking myself why I let myself get ‘this far’ and why ‘can’t I just get the results I want now’. I’ve been working out consistently since February 7, 2013-5 days a week, sometimes twice a day. I wasn’t willing to change my eating habits back then because I LOVE food and knew I wasn’t going to stick with it. I wanted a lifestyle change, not a diet. Yeno?! I lost about 10lbs from February-July. In 5 months I thought I would see more results than that. I was so discouraged.

At the beginning of July I was given the opportunity to purchase Sean T’s (Insanity) new workout DVD’s, called T25. It was a challenge that I was able to participate in. I was elated. I knew I could do better if I was pushed and held accountable by other people and not just myself. I started July 15 and the challenge ends on September 20, it is a 10 week program. When I first started I was eating whatever, whenever. There were so any people getting great results but I wasn’t moving anywhere. I was doing T25, playing bball some days, Zumba and jogging. I was exercising so much and still not seeing the results I wanted and that was when I realized I HAD to change our eating habits.

Oh boy! Has it been a challenge. Like I said before if I had to change my eating habits it had to be a lifestyle change or I would NOT stick to it. I’ve been researching ‘clean eating’ thinking that was the route I’d like to take. I’m not willing to do everything organic so I knew I would have to make some adjustments, which meant it wouldn’t be strictly ‘clean’, but I knew it would be better than what we were putting in our mouths before. We are only 2 week into the clean eating and my family hates it. I’m not going to give up. I’m just going to try a little harder, find better recipes. A lot of people have success losing weight and have changed their ways of eating when it comes to ‘clean eating’, so I know they aren’t miserable and hating the food they eat or they wouldn’t do it, right?! Maybe the problem is me. Ha!

Anyway, since starting my exercise journey in February I’m VERY pleased and proud of the goals that I’ve made and that I have accomplished thus far. Although, I said I wasn’t getting the results I wanted I was still getting RESULTS. That is key and something I need to keep reminding myself. Results are still results, regardless of the size. 😉

I will share with you a few of my goals.

1. Get off the couch… THAT I DID!
2. Exercise at least 3 times a week, totally doable. I DID. And sometimes 5 days a week, twice a day depending on what is going on.
3. Find a love for running. Oh man did I hate running. HATE! I Pushed and pushed and pushed myself to keep running even when I dreaded it. But I wanted to find a love for it. So bad. And guess what? I HAVE! I don’t get to run often because my husband is busy after he get off work and can’t take care of the kids, so when he can, I’m off. I take full advantage to get the gravel beneath my feet. 🙂

4. Sign up for a race. I’m not a marathon runner, or even a half marathon runner. I’ve HATED running. Always have. Until I found a love for it. I wanted to run a 5k or even a 5 mile race, but that was pushing it. August 3, 2013 I ran my FIRST 5 mile race. And I didn’t stop. It was difficult, but nothing compares to running across that finish line.

5. Mini-Triathlon. This is a HUGE (emphasis on huge), goal. Mabe even a long term one. I’m not sure I will ever accomplish this one because it terrifies me, but wouldn’t it be cool?!

6. Get out of my pre-pregnancy jeans. I’m not sure why I haven’t met this goal yet. It seems weird to me since I HAVE lost weight. Maybe my hips got bigger with my 4th baby? It is still goal.

These are just a few of my goals that I wanted to share. They are not all of them, but a few. I’ve met A LOT of them already this year and the year is only half over. I love it. And I’m proud of my goals this year.

Now that I took up your entire comment section you can delete this after you read it. Thanks for letting me share. Everyone wants you to accomplish goals. They are important. And it CAN be done. It is nice to be held accountable to other people as well and not just yourself. But yourself IS enough. 😉

Good luck, Cassia. Wish we lived close so we could meet our goals together.ReplyCancel
- Cassia Denton
  I totally appreciate you commenting Krista! Take up all the space you like!!!! It’s always so nice to know I’m not the only one on this journey.
  
  It’s funny you mention the T25 program. I was really interested in joining, but I JUST barely bought the tapout program (which is WAY too hard for me, but I do it anyway lol) and have been following Powell’s book I mentioned. I didn’t really want to spend another $180 a month right now while I’m saving up for Hawaii too. I’m glad to hear that you really like it. I know that when I’ve been successful is when I really switch things up every 8-12 weeks, so I will probably get the T25 program when I get back from my trip.
  
  I definitely understand how vital the diet portion iS!! Jeez. I wish it weren’t so. I’ve lost weight before by diet alone….and I mean, SUBSTANTIAL weight loss too. But when I did that…well..to be honest, I have an entire post series I could and likely will write about that experience…I lost the weight, but it was a really negative experience.
  
  Back to the T25, I’m guessing if you’re in the program right now, you’re doing the shakeology? Do you like them? I have to say, I REALLY like the diet from Powell’s book. It is definitely something I know I could do the rest of my life, and I plan to. I like the carb cycling and now that I’m going onto 3 weeks into it, I’m finding it easy to follow without thinking much about it; plus, the reward day is nice, and realistic. LEt’s be honest, I absolutely will not swear off all brownies for the rest of my life, but now I can reign in my cravings and stick to it just the once a week after a job well-done all week long.
  
  Keep me updated!! I LOVE hearing about other people working on bettering themselves; it really encourages me to keep rockin’ it every day. 🙂ReplyCancel
Krista
Yes, you’re definitely not alone. After four children and one back to back pregnancy my body really hates me. Ha! I’ve got a lot of work to do.

I do like T25. Realistically I love it because 25 minutes a day is do-able. Anyone can do 25 minutes. Perfect for parents.

Yes, I’m doing shakeology right now. Problem is. I can’t continue it. I can’t afford to spend $138.00 p/month to supply it. It is not in the budget. I’m sad because it is a great supplement, but it is incredibly expensive. If I had the money, you bet I’d keep it around. So, I’ve gotta find a different supplement when this one is gone. *heavy sigh*

Maybe I should check out the diet from Powell’s book. Or at least read about it and see if it something I would ‘stick to’ for good, and not for a short time. If you’re 3 weeks into and feel you can do without event thinking about it, that is great. Exactly what I need.

I too, will never swear off the sweets in my life. But everything in moderation, right?! Or at least I’m learning to tell myself that and train my brain that way. CTM

I will be checking in from time to time to see your progress. I have pictures of me in February till now. Not a huge difference but they work. I would be willing to share them with you, if you’d like. I still have A LOT of work that needs to be done.

I have pictures of me when I started in February, to the most recent (yesterday). If you’re interested I could share them with you. Keeping in mind I still have a long way to go. I’m excited what they will look like come September 20, but that is not the end of my journey, just a start to a new one. =)ReplyCancel
Krista
^ Oh dear, you can totally tell I stepped away for a minute and came back to finish what I was writing… Oops! Repeats are good, right?! CTMReplyCancel
- Cassia Denton
  HAha, I’ve done that lots!! 🙂
  
  If you’re looking for a good supplement, I do the gold standard whey protein (I posted a link in the post so you can check out the contents and price), which I usually get from GNC with my membership since you get 20% off…but I think that the amazon price is the same as gnc’s 20% off?? maybe. plus, with amazon prime, it’s free shipping, which I like since it’s sometimes hard to get out with twin toddlers and a 3 year old! lol
  
  Yeah, that shakeology is pricey!
  
  I would totally love to see progress pics!! If you want to send them privately, you can send them to my email, just cassiadenton AT gmail DOT com or if you wanna inspire others too, you can post them on MyMommyStyle’s FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/MyMommyStyle
  
  I actually have seen quite a bit of progress…but I haven’t been brave enough to share my “before” photos…It’s like, I just wanna pretend it never happened. Because I actually GAINED weight AFTER the twins were born…ugh! Who does that?? this girl, that’s who.ReplyCancel

Roasted Spaghetti Squash with tomato-garlic sauce and chicken meatballs

August 10, 2013

I purchased these roasted garlic and basil chicken meatballs at Costco the other day because they looked good, but as soon as I got them home I had a major brain fart moment and couldn’t figure out what to make with them. After a quick google search I found this delicious recipe from...

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Nautical Pallet Board Decor – You’re gonna love this!

August 9, 2013

Hello. So thrilled to guest post today on My Mommy Style. We are a mom and three daughters who love to do a variety of things and share them with our friends. We hope you will come and over and visit us at www.polkadotpoplars.com. I am so excited to be guest posting today on My Mommy...

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Things to buy in Target’s Dollar Spot right now

August 9, 2013

I was at Target yesterday and of course I had to check out the dollar spot. Dang that dollar spot!! It always gets me because there is always something I have to get. I was so excited about my finds yesterday that I needed to share. They had a variety of abridged, illustrated classics....

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Mambo #5

August 8, 2013

I don’t have much time to blog right now, getting six kids ready for school in a week and a half – but I always have time to make useless videos. All of the kids love laughing at our faces, and we have memories to last a lifetime, even when when we are busy! Enjoy!...

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Sharks made out of envelopes

August 8, 2013

Does anyone else out there go crazy for shark week!? We do at our house! We watch entertaining and educational shark videos at night and during the day we have been making shark pictures and crafts. We even headed over to the library and checked out some fun shark books. This is a simple craft...

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