It’s been a very long time since I have checked in on my blog. The days are just so very busy right now. It’s the end of the school year, teacher gift ideas, classroom photography projects, wrapping up Box Tops contests, wrapping up the Challenge, etc, etc. Add to that the fact that May is just always a busy month for us with my daughter’s birthday, my birthday and Mother’s Day. And although I doubt any of you were thinking to yourselves, “hey, she hasn’t posted anything in a long time, what’s up with that?!?” I do apologize for my absence.
The TC2 is going well. I adore my team and my team trainer and have made some good friends outside the team as well in some amazing women and cemented my friendship with past TC gals and the trainers. As much as I walked away from TC1 saying it was the single best experience in my life, I can honestly say that TC2 was that much better. We are talking life changing here, for real.
Some of you might be thinking, “yeah, but isn’t that what she said last time?” And you would be right, it was indeed what I said last time. My goal going into TC1 was to walk away with working out and going to the gym part of my everyday life, a habit, done without even thinking about it. And it was. For a while anyway. And then I feel so completely off the wagon, I couldn’t even see its dust trail any longer.
Now, what makes this time around different? Why is TC2 different than TC1 and how am I going to keep from falling off the wagon again? That’s a good question. And seeing that it is the last week of TC2, I think it’s a good time for an answer too.
Things that make TC2 better/different than TC1:
1. My team
My team in TC1 was amazing, don’t get me wrong. And some of them will be lifelong friends. But we kind of all went our separate ways at the end of TC1 and we all had different ideas about how/if to continue the journey.
My team members this time around are all well aware that even though some of us are much closer to our goal than others, we are in this journey for the long haul. We are going to see each other through to our individual goals and then on to maintenance. This is a part of our lives. Period. We are a part of each other's lives. Period. Sorry, PSA, you are so stuck with me now!
2. My attitude
I don’t know if it was because Daniel was still getting up multiple times a night or what, but I was just so TIRED at the end of TC1. I couldn’t wait for it to be over and I couldn’t wait to ”sleep in” until 6:30 or 7 every blessed day - oh how my pre-child self would shudder to hear me refer to such an ungodly hour as “sleeping in!”
This time around, I have come to the realization that yes, I am a night owl by nature, always have been, always will be. But as much as I despise with my whole heart hearing the alarm clock go off at 4:30 or 5:30 in the morning and as much as I think it is all kinds of wrong to be driving into the gym while the moon is still burning brightly in the sky (thank GOD for DST or this would still be happening every morning!), and as much as I truly hate not seeing my children's smiling faces and getting their hugs and kisses in the morning, I have made peace with the fact that mornings are going to be my go to workout time.
Yes, I will take an occasional class in the afternoons/evenings as my schedule permits. Mostly because I love the classes like Combat and Rock Bottom and those particular ones aren’t offered in the mornings. Sadly though, I have learned that if I don’t get that workout in first thing in the morning, the odds of it happening later in the day are greatly reduced – slightly more than Tyra calling my name as the winner of ANTM, but not as good as a snowball in hell, if you get what I’m saying. In any event, working out in the morning would not be my first choice, that’s for sure. But it is the only time it is going to get done, so I am forcing myself to become a morning person, like it or lump it.
3. My plans
At the end of TC1, I don’t remember that I had specific plans. Yes, I was going to go to boot camp now and again and workout in the mornings and in the evenings. Heck, the TC was over, so I can workout whenever I want, right? Forget 6:30 MWF, I can do it at 7 am one day, 5 pm another, etc, etc. And while this point kind of blends with #2 above, it’s also about planning it out, no matter the time, day, etc.
My team and I are all going to get together Friday after our remeasurements and we are going to come up with a post-TC workout schedule. Everyone’s schedule won’t be the same, but we are each going to come up with a PLAN. Hopefully we can workout in pairs or as a team once or twice a week, but if not, we will all still support each other via facebook, texts, emails and phone calls. I will have a plan and my team will help me stick to my plan, just like I will help them stick to theirs.
4. Accountability
At the end of TC2, I had no accountability to anyone but myself. Yes, the trainers encouraged me to keep coming in and asked about me when I wasn’t there. But this time, I feel a much greater sense of accountability to my team, my friends, my trainers, Weight Watchers, and myself. I signed up for the year-long membership which stretches out the cost of the TC2 over the course of a year, but also provides one hour of personal training per month. Not only will I look forward to getting my butt kicked by my trainer at least once a month, having to get measured by her will help push me as well. I also plan to keep attending WW meetings to be accountable to the scale there. The level of accountability I now have is a huge help in keeping me on track going forward after the TC2.
I think, no wait...I believe, no, hold on...I KNOW these four aspects of TC2 listed above will keep me on track toward my goal and beyond into maintenance.
Well, I have rambled on quite long enough. It really helps for me to write it all out, so thanks to anyone who listened.
I will post my WW and TC2 official results later this week or this weekend.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Scale Hoppers Anonymous, Anyone?
Hi, my name is Heather and I am a scale-aholic. I admit it, I am. I weigh myself every morning. I get up, use the bathroom, strip down for the shower and weigh myself. The timing has to be just that because any "water" that was in my system from the night is now in our plumbing system, and I haven't gotten into the shower yet so no chance of water weight from wet hair or skin. Crazy, I know, but that's my routine.
I know that my weight can fluctuate greatly from day to day with the overall number still coming down, but I still weigh myself. Every. Single. Day. Before TCII, it would almost always backfire on me. If I saw a good number on the scale, then I would end up telling myself, "Heather, you're doing great. The scale was down this morning, go ahead and have that cookie." Or if it were up, then my inner voice is saying, "You screwed up again, you obviously can't even maintain so how are you ever going to LOSE. Go ahead, have that cookie, it doesn't matter anyway." See what I mean?
The other thing scale hopping did was had me way to focused on the number on the dial. And I know this sounds way cheesy, but that number on the scale is really just that...a number! I know that. I know that if I weighed 200 lbs, but still felt great and looked good and my clothes fit, who cares what my actual weight is???
This last point was driven home recently by our dexascan. This is a scan of your entire body that gives you your percent body fat, amount of muscle, etc. It was part of the TCII and I was really excited to see my results. Well, they were better than I expected. Yes, I have a high body fat number, no surprise there. What I was surprised by was my lean muscle mass. According to the scan, I have 117 lbs of lean muscle mass. That's not counting the other organs and tissues and such in my body. That's a LOT of muscle! LOL When I was in college I was 120 lbs, but all I ever did was run, I never did any strength training. So yes, I was trim, but I wasn't really strong or fit. Sadly enough for any of you college students out there, starving yourself so you have more beer money for the weeekend and running your butt off between parties to burn off the beer calories probably doesn't count as being fit. Sorry, don't shoot the messenger.
In any event, what does that scan mean? That scan means that I will likely never get even CLOSE to 120 again unless I lose some serious muscle mass. And I'm okay with that. I have to adjust my expectations of what being healthy means. That doesn't mean I can't be a size 7 again. I'm just going to be a much more toned size 7.
The good news is that since starting TCII, my need to find the nearest Scale Hoppers Anonymous meeting has been greatly diminished. Now, that's probably because I am showering 4-5 mornings a week at the gym and don't have access to my scale at home. But my goal this week is not to step on that scale at home (or at the gym) until my next weigh in on Thursday. Not even once. I am going to work my tail off and hope for a good number and hopefully be surprised with a great number. It's an experiment. All in the name of science, y'all. :) Wish me luck and I challenge you to do the same and see how you do on your diet and exercise routine this week.
I know that my weight can fluctuate greatly from day to day with the overall number still coming down, but I still weigh myself. Every. Single. Day. Before TCII, it would almost always backfire on me. If I saw a good number on the scale, then I would end up telling myself, "Heather, you're doing great. The scale was down this morning, go ahead and have that cookie." Or if it were up, then my inner voice is saying, "You screwed up again, you obviously can't even maintain so how are you ever going to LOSE. Go ahead, have that cookie, it doesn't matter anyway." See what I mean?
The other thing scale hopping did was had me way to focused on the number on the dial. And I know this sounds way cheesy, but that number on the scale is really just that...a number! I know that. I know that if I weighed 200 lbs, but still felt great and looked good and my clothes fit, who cares what my actual weight is???
This last point was driven home recently by our dexascan. This is a scan of your entire body that gives you your percent body fat, amount of muscle, etc. It was part of the TCII and I was really excited to see my results. Well, they were better than I expected. Yes, I have a high body fat number, no surprise there. What I was surprised by was my lean muscle mass. According to the scan, I have 117 lbs of lean muscle mass. That's not counting the other organs and tissues and such in my body. That's a LOT of muscle! LOL When I was in college I was 120 lbs, but all I ever did was run, I never did any strength training. So yes, I was trim, but I wasn't really strong or fit. Sadly enough for any of you college students out there, starving yourself so you have more beer money for the weeekend and running your butt off between parties to burn off the beer calories probably doesn't count as being fit. Sorry, don't shoot the messenger.
In any event, what does that scan mean? That scan means that I will likely never get even CLOSE to 120 again unless I lose some serious muscle mass. And I'm okay with that. I have to adjust my expectations of what being healthy means. That doesn't mean I can't be a size 7 again. I'm just going to be a much more toned size 7.
The good news is that since starting TCII, my need to find the nearest Scale Hoppers Anonymous meeting has been greatly diminished. Now, that's probably because I am showering 4-5 mornings a week at the gym and don't have access to my scale at home. But my goal this week is not to step on that scale at home (or at the gym) until my next weigh in on Thursday. Not even once. I am going to work my tail off and hope for a good number and hopefully be surprised with a great number. It's an experiment. All in the name of science, y'all. :) Wish me luck and I challenge you to do the same and see how you do on your diet and exercise routine this week.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Stop and Think!
I was at the gym bright and early this morning at 6 am for a “last chance workout” before our Weight Watchers meeting at 6:45. The poor gal that weighs us in always has to deal with half of us TC-ers coming in sweaty and gross from getting our cardio in beforehand. But she always has a smile on her face anyway. What a trooper! :)
I was proud of myself this morning because I ran the better part of the 30 minutes I was on the treadmill, only walking a few minutes, and I didn’t feel like I was going to have a heart attack! That’s a big improvement for me.
I’ve been inspired to start running again by my friend the amazing , the wonderful, the marvelous Miss M. We ran side by side on the treadmill last week and I noticed her doing “sprints” where she upped the speed for short bursts of time. My competitive side kicking in, I thought, I can do that. So I did. I didn’t get the speed up to as fast as she was, but fast for me. So this morning I did it again. And it felt good. I don’t think I’ll go back to a 6 days a week running program like I did long ago, but I will definitely start adding running into my cardio mix.
I’ve also hit spin class a couple times in the last week. My butt hurts so badly! And I’m not talking about the muscles, I’m talking a seriously bruised booty! But nothing burns more calories for me than a good spin class, so I’m going to try to keep hitting that once or twice a week, sore butt or no sore butt.
My hard work paid off this week. Even with the holiday, I lost a little over two pounds making my grand total 6.6 lbs. It might be lofty, but my goal this week is to really step it up and get as close to, if not over, 10 lbs as I can. That is another 3.4 lbs. Probably not doable, but I am going to try. If I try and get even halfway, I've still done well.
On my way to work, I stopped at Edna Valley to pick up some water. As I was walking in, I thought, "I'm starving! I had a great weigh-in, I'm going to reward myself with one of their coffee cakes!" I went in and had every intention of getting one. I would journal it and yes, it would use up a lot of my points, but I could still probably stay within my totals for the day and certainly for the week.
Then I stopped and thought about it. Do I want the changes I am making to be permanent or temporary? Do I want to eat healthy and exercise every day or just on the days that it "counts" i.e. closer to weigh in? Do I want to do the best I can for my weight loss and fitness regime or do I want to just get by and just do enough? The answers to all those questions is the first option. This is a PERMANENT change for me. It has to be, otherwise, I'll slide right back into where I was and trust me, that is not a good place to be.
Can I allow myself to have something I really like and have been craving without going completely off program? Certainly. But if I make it a regular occurrance, like getting a coffee cake every time I have a good weigh in, then what happens when I reach my goal weight? "Oh, I'm at goal, I can have a coffee cake a couple mornings a week." I know myself, I am a creature of habit. If I start doing that, I will eventually go back to stopping there every day of the week on my way to work, picking up a coffee cake and a soda. And even if I didn't gain any weight back, I wouldn't be giving my body the nutrition and fuel it needs and deserves.
Another thing that this got running through my mind is how I use food. Is food really a reward? Or a comfort? Or a way to entertain myself? Because I have been guilty of using it as all of those things on occasion. Or should food be a way to fuel my body? It should be the latter, of course. If I can stop using food as a reward, then next I can work on my emotional eating, etc. Does that also mean I will never turn to food for comfort or as a reward? Heck, no! But I can make better choices in my "comfort food" and "treats." And I can use food in those ways much less frequently.
Long story short, I walked away from the coffee cake and went straight to the water case. I went to work and ate my breakfast of cereal, milk and fruit and I am off to Trader Joe's on my lunch hour to restock my work "pantry" (file cabinet drawer) and fridge for today and tomorrow. I should be poised for another good week. Check back next time to see if my change in attitude helped!
I was proud of myself this morning because I ran the better part of the 30 minutes I was on the treadmill, only walking a few minutes, and I didn’t feel like I was going to have a heart attack! That’s a big improvement for me.
I’ve been inspired to start running again by my friend the amazing , the wonderful, the marvelous Miss M. We ran side by side on the treadmill last week and I noticed her doing “sprints” where she upped the speed for short bursts of time. My competitive side kicking in, I thought, I can do that. So I did. I didn’t get the speed up to as fast as she was, but fast for me. So this morning I did it again. And it felt good. I don’t think I’ll go back to a 6 days a week running program like I did long ago, but I will definitely start adding running into my cardio mix.
I’ve also hit spin class a couple times in the last week. My butt hurts so badly! And I’m not talking about the muscles, I’m talking a seriously bruised booty! But nothing burns more calories for me than a good spin class, so I’m going to try to keep hitting that once or twice a week, sore butt or no sore butt.
My hard work paid off this week. Even with the holiday, I lost a little over two pounds making my grand total 6.6 lbs. It might be lofty, but my goal this week is to really step it up and get as close to, if not over, 10 lbs as I can. That is another 3.4 lbs. Probably not doable, but I am going to try. If I try and get even halfway, I've still done well.
On my way to work, I stopped at Edna Valley to pick up some water. As I was walking in, I thought, "I'm starving! I had a great weigh-in, I'm going to reward myself with one of their coffee cakes!" I went in and had every intention of getting one. I would journal it and yes, it would use up a lot of my points, but I could still probably stay within my totals for the day and certainly for the week.
Then I stopped and thought about it. Do I want the changes I am making to be permanent or temporary? Do I want to eat healthy and exercise every day or just on the days that it "counts" i.e. closer to weigh in? Do I want to do the best I can for my weight loss and fitness regime or do I want to just get by and just do enough? The answers to all those questions is the first option. This is a PERMANENT change for me. It has to be, otherwise, I'll slide right back into where I was and trust me, that is not a good place to be.
Can I allow myself to have something I really like and have been craving without going completely off program? Certainly. But if I make it a regular occurrance, like getting a coffee cake every time I have a good weigh in, then what happens when I reach my goal weight? "Oh, I'm at goal, I can have a coffee cake a couple mornings a week." I know myself, I am a creature of habit. If I start doing that, I will eventually go back to stopping there every day of the week on my way to work, picking up a coffee cake and a soda. And even if I didn't gain any weight back, I wouldn't be giving my body the nutrition and fuel it needs and deserves.
Another thing that this got running through my mind is how I use food. Is food really a reward? Or a comfort? Or a way to entertain myself? Because I have been guilty of using it as all of those things on occasion. Or should food be a way to fuel my body? It should be the latter, of course. If I can stop using food as a reward, then next I can work on my emotional eating, etc. Does that also mean I will never turn to food for comfort or as a reward? Heck, no! But I can make better choices in my "comfort food" and "treats." And I can use food in those ways much less frequently.
Long story short, I walked away from the coffee cake and went straight to the water case. I went to work and ate my breakfast of cereal, milk and fruit and I am off to Trader Joe's on my lunch hour to restock my work "pantry" (file cabinet drawer) and fridge for today and tomorrow. I should be poised for another good week. Check back next time to see if my change in attitude helped!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Transformation Challenge II - week 2 and 3 summary
I promised to post a brief summary of how the TC2 has been going so far this go 'round. All in all, it's been going well. I was fortunate to have a friend of mine from TC1 join in this year as well as a friend of mine that I have known for years. We were grouped with another amazing gal to make our team of four. I am so blessed to have this team. We are all so supportive of each other, so committed to this challenge and we make each other laugh. That last bit, I feel, is very important! And the trainer assigned to our team is Lauren - yay! She's scary hard, but in a good way. And while we won't be working out with her on a regular basis (other than in boot) I know she expects a lot from us and will be a wonderful source of support and knowledge through this all.
The first week of TC2 was "orientation week." We did our medical screenings and tests (curl ups, push ups and 3 min step test), got measured, weighed, etc, etc. We also had our first WW meeting where we got the rundown on how it works, how to measure food and calculate points, etc.
The WW part, at least, is old hat to me having been a repeat offender over and over again in the last 10 years. That is a bit of an advantage and a disadvantage. An advantage because I already know what I'm doing and don't have to figure it out. It's a disadvantage because I think I took these first two weeks a little too casually when it came to food. I journaled, I tallied points, etc, but I didn't attack it with the renewed vigor of a true WW newbie. It also didn't help that it was unfortunate timing with my hormonal cycle so these first two weeks of WW, I only lost 0.6 total. But it's a LOSS, right? And I am going to kick that scale's behind next week, for sure.
Boot camp is every bit as challenging as I remembered it. Natalie is doing the Monday boot, Lauren the Wednesday and Friday will be various classes the gym normally holds at other times of the day/week. I think this is a great idea because it lets people try out some of the classes and see which ones they like.
I am trying to get my cardio in before boot due to my work schedule, but that means, 5:30 AM cardio sessions. Which means getting up at - brace yourself - 4:30 to be out the door by 4:45. That's AM people! A!!!! M!!!! Ugh. It hurts my brain to even type those numbers out. I have been semi-successful at this so far. I caught a nasty cough/cold thing from the kiddos that has hindered my efforts there a bit, but I am trying to adjust to this new start time for my day. Wish me luck!
I am really liking the cardio class on Fridays at 5:30 AM and the RPM class on Mondays at 5:30 AM so I will definitely be getting in to those every week. Wednesdays I might try the Body Flow class before boot. I love Body Flow and while it's not considered cardio, it burns some good calories and I think it's a good recovery class to take once a week. I'll squeeze my cardio in after boot on Wednesdays.
Tuesdays I am thinking I will hit the 6:45 AM RPM class most weeks and Thursdays will be cardio on the treadmill or elliptical before our WW meeting.
Whew! I think that's all my workouts. In the afternoons, if I can get a walk or bike ride in with the kids, great. Same thing on the weekends. If I can get a hike or something in, that's a bonus.
So there it is - my summary, my workout plans. Please, hold me accountable. Part of the benefit of writing it out here is that i have to face those few people who read this blog and they will hopefully ask how it's going. And that is motivation right there! I don't want to have to hang my head in shame when I see you all at the gym or around town, so you can bet I will be busting my hiney!
Have a good week all!
The first week of TC2 was "orientation week." We did our medical screenings and tests (curl ups, push ups and 3 min step test), got measured, weighed, etc, etc. We also had our first WW meeting where we got the rundown on how it works, how to measure food and calculate points, etc.
The WW part, at least, is old hat to me having been a repeat offender over and over again in the last 10 years. That is a bit of an advantage and a disadvantage. An advantage because I already know what I'm doing and don't have to figure it out. It's a disadvantage because I think I took these first two weeks a little too casually when it came to food. I journaled, I tallied points, etc, but I didn't attack it with the renewed vigor of a true WW newbie. It also didn't help that it was unfortunate timing with my hormonal cycle so these first two weeks of WW, I only lost 0.6 total. But it's a LOSS, right? And I am going to kick that scale's behind next week, for sure.
Boot camp is every bit as challenging as I remembered it. Natalie is doing the Monday boot, Lauren the Wednesday and Friday will be various classes the gym normally holds at other times of the day/week. I think this is a great idea because it lets people try out some of the classes and see which ones they like.
I am trying to get my cardio in before boot due to my work schedule, but that means, 5:30 AM cardio sessions. Which means getting up at - brace yourself - 4:30 to be out the door by 4:45. That's AM people! A!!!! M!!!! Ugh. It hurts my brain to even type those numbers out. I have been semi-successful at this so far. I caught a nasty cough/cold thing from the kiddos that has hindered my efforts there a bit, but I am trying to adjust to this new start time for my day. Wish me luck!
I am really liking the cardio class on Fridays at 5:30 AM and the RPM class on Mondays at 5:30 AM so I will definitely be getting in to those every week. Wednesdays I might try the Body Flow class before boot. I love Body Flow and while it's not considered cardio, it burns some good calories and I think it's a good recovery class to take once a week. I'll squeeze my cardio in after boot on Wednesdays.
Tuesdays I am thinking I will hit the 6:45 AM RPM class most weeks and Thursdays will be cardio on the treadmill or elliptical before our WW meeting.
Whew! I think that's all my workouts. In the afternoons, if I can get a walk or bike ride in with the kids, great. Same thing on the weekends. If I can get a hike or something in, that's a bonus.
So there it is - my summary, my workout plans. Please, hold me accountable. Part of the benefit of writing it out here is that i have to face those few people who read this blog and they will hopefully ask how it's going. And that is motivation right there! I don't want to have to hang my head in shame when I see you all at the gym or around town, so you can bet I will be busting my hiney!
Have a good week all!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
She MUST be crazy, right?
Apparently people, I am. Crazy, that is. Insane. Seriously, out of my mind. Why, you might ask? Because I signed up for the Transformation Challenge again this year. Yep, I'm going back to 6:30 am workouts and killer trainers, journaling every bite that enters my mouth and drinking enough water to fill my kids' wading pool each day. I remember how hard it was last year. And when the alarm went off at 5 am last Monday, I thought to myself, "dear God, why did I do this again???" But as I was creeping down the stairs trying not to wake the family, sneaking out the front door and driving down to SLO in the pitch black of the pre-dawn hours, I remembered how good it felt at the end. How much better my body felt, how much improved my attitude was and how it changed my life.
So if it changed my life, why do I have to do it again? Apparently, I'm a slow learner. I let some of those changes fall off over time. I let myself become my own lowest priority after about six months. But I swear that I will not let that happen this time around.
If you want to refresh your memory on what the TC is all about, read my post from last year here. This year, EQ has added an element to the challenge that I am really excited about - they have teamed up with WW to help us with the food and nutrition side of things. We have a weekly WW meeting just a few doors down from EQ and I am looking forward to the accountability and support these meetings will provide.
So wish me luck. I am behind already on posting, but I'll try to put up a weekly update. If I have time, I'll do a week 1 and 2 summary later this week, then a week 3 wrapup this weekend.
So if it changed my life, why do I have to do it again? Apparently, I'm a slow learner. I let some of those changes fall off over time. I let myself become my own lowest priority after about six months. But I swear that I will not let that happen this time around.
If you want to refresh your memory on what the TC is all about, read my post from last year here. This year, EQ has added an element to the challenge that I am really excited about - they have teamed up with WW to help us with the food and nutrition side of things. We have a weekly WW meeting just a few doors down from EQ and I am looking forward to the accountability and support these meetings will provide.
So wish me luck. I am behind already on posting, but I'll try to put up a weekly update. If I have time, I'll do a week 1 and 2 summary later this week, then a week 3 wrapup this weekend.
Monday, November 30, 2009
The missing piece of the puzzle
Since school started in August, I have become low man on my own totem pole once again. I am a bit confused by it as it really seemed like through the Transformation Challenge earlier this year, I had really changed my lifestyle. I was making healthier choices in my food, my daily life and exercise had become a very good habit…going to the gym was a given, almost every day. Packing my gym bag was just part of my daily routine without giving it any thought. And while I hadn’t managed to lose any more weight from the time the Challenge wrapped up to the time school started, at least I hadn’t gained which was a biggie for me.
Then school started and I think every mother can relate to the craziness that is shuffling kids to and from school, working (at home or out of the home, it’s still work!), housework, laundry, lunches, sports practices, etc, etc.
I think what added to my chaos this year was our attempt to save some money by not enrolling Grace into the afterschool program we had previously paid $400+ a month for. We just couldn’t afford it any more. Between friends, family, Girl Scouts and adjusting my work schedule, we manage to get her picked up every day from school. But it adds to the stress and the time constraints that were already in my life. I do question whether the stress and time is worth the $400 a month, but it’s not really a question of that at this point. Money is tighter than ever for us and we just flat out can’t pay it this year. It’s not a choice, unfortunately.
Add to the changes in my work schedule (somedays working 6am to 2pm, other days working 9am to 7pm) my doctor put me on Yaz for PMDD. Boom! 10 lbs gained, the first week, without changing anything else in my life. Whoa! What is THAT all about??? Talking to friends, they all had the same phenomena occur. Lovely. So when I see my OB on December 21st and she asks why my weight isn’t down as she had talked about at our September appt, I can tell her because of the stupid Yaz, that’s why!
Ok, so enough background on the why’s of my being back to within one pound of my heaviest weight - which also happens to be the weight I started out the Transformation Challenge at back in March. What am I going to do about it? Why can’t I put myself first consistently for more than just a couple months? I think to get this weight off and make it stick, I really need to look at the reasons why I eat and the reasons why I obviously don’t feel I deserve to be thin or happy.
Really, my life is pretty darn good other than my weight. My marriage is stronger than ever and our sex life is still pretty happenin’ despite three kids and my weight gain. My kids are blessings, each and every one. My job is good – good pay, decent benefits, flexible and understanding about sick kids and field trip chaperoning. I have wonderful family and friends who are always so supportive and loving. It seems that being thinner and healthier would be the last piece of the puzzle to make it all complete. I just need to find that piece...you know, the one that you can't find, that you swear must have never been put in the box at the puzzle factory, that you look for and look for and look for in the shag of the carpet, or blame your husband for accidentally throwing it away or worse, hiding it from you on purpose. That piece that finally turns up right where you were looking all along.
My mission is now not just to lose weight and get healthy, it's to find that missing puzzle piece and make it all fit and make sense. Today, I start this weight loss journey for what will hopefully…nope, gotta be more positive than that…for what WILL BE the last time! Wish me luck!!
Then school started and I think every mother can relate to the craziness that is shuffling kids to and from school, working (at home or out of the home, it’s still work!), housework, laundry, lunches, sports practices, etc, etc.
I think what added to my chaos this year was our attempt to save some money by not enrolling Grace into the afterschool program we had previously paid $400+ a month for. We just couldn’t afford it any more. Between friends, family, Girl Scouts and adjusting my work schedule, we manage to get her picked up every day from school. But it adds to the stress and the time constraints that were already in my life. I do question whether the stress and time is worth the $400 a month, but it’s not really a question of that at this point. Money is tighter than ever for us and we just flat out can’t pay it this year. It’s not a choice, unfortunately.
Add to the changes in my work schedule (somedays working 6am to 2pm, other days working 9am to 7pm) my doctor put me on Yaz for PMDD. Boom! 10 lbs gained, the first week, without changing anything else in my life. Whoa! What is THAT all about??? Talking to friends, they all had the same phenomena occur. Lovely. So when I see my OB on December 21st and she asks why my weight isn’t down as she had talked about at our September appt, I can tell her because of the stupid Yaz, that’s why!
Ok, so enough background on the why’s of my being back to within one pound of my heaviest weight - which also happens to be the weight I started out the Transformation Challenge at back in March. What am I going to do about it? Why can’t I put myself first consistently for more than just a couple months? I think to get this weight off and make it stick, I really need to look at the reasons why I eat and the reasons why I obviously don’t feel I deserve to be thin or happy.
Really, my life is pretty darn good other than my weight. My marriage is stronger than ever and our sex life is still pretty happenin’ despite three kids and my weight gain. My kids are blessings, each and every one. My job is good – good pay, decent benefits, flexible and understanding about sick kids and field trip chaperoning. I have wonderful family and friends who are always so supportive and loving. It seems that being thinner and healthier would be the last piece of the puzzle to make it all complete. I just need to find that piece...you know, the one that you can't find, that you swear must have never been put in the box at the puzzle factory, that you look for and look for and look for in the shag of the carpet, or blame your husband for accidentally throwing it away or worse, hiding it from you on purpose. That piece that finally turns up right where you were looking all along.
My mission is now not just to lose weight and get healthy, it's to find that missing puzzle piece and make it all fit and make sense. Today, I start this weight loss journey for what will hopefully…nope, gotta be more positive than that…for what WILL BE the last time! Wish me luck!!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Christmas is a-comin!
I know many of you have little ones (kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, you name it) to buy for so I thought I'd pass along these great deals! Coupons.com has some amazing Hasbro coupons on a whole slew of toys. Many of them are for the toddler and younger set, but if you have someone buy for in that age range, this is a great savings opportunity.
1. Go to www.coupons.com
2. Select "toys" from the list on the left of the page
3. Click the coupons you are interested in
4. Click print
I have printed two copies of a few of these so while I know there is probably a limit to the number of copies you can print, I know it's more than two. And no photocopies because IF the clerk is paying attention, they aren't supposed to take them without the little polka dots on the expiration date which don't come through on a xerox. :)
Other tid bits:
- A lot of these coupons are for $5 off and some even for $10 off!!
- Target has a lot of the toys, but not all of them are in-store so you're dealing with shipping, etc
- If you aren't opposed to shopping at Walmart (personally, I hate the place, but would go there for some of these deals!) then you can save even more. Their prices are more reasonable than Target or even Kmart most of the time. But in this case, it might pay to do some research on the web before you go. You can check for in-store availability on both the Target and Walmart sites.
- Coupons don't expire until January 2010
Example: Playskool Step Start Walk n Ride for my nephew
Target price: $20 plus shipping
Walmart price: $16 in store (they have these in the Paso store - yay!)
Coupon: $10 off
Final price: $6!!!
Crazy low prices, ladies and gentlemen. Have fun saving!!
1. Go to www.coupons.com
2. Select "toys" from the list on the left of the page
3. Click the coupons you are interested in
4. Click print
I have printed two copies of a few of these so while I know there is probably a limit to the number of copies you can print, I know it's more than two. And no photocopies because IF the clerk is paying attention, they aren't supposed to take them without the little polka dots on the expiration date which don't come through on a xerox. :)
Other tid bits:
- A lot of these coupons are for $5 off and some even for $10 off!!
- Target has a lot of the toys, but not all of them are in-store so you're dealing with shipping, etc
- If you aren't opposed to shopping at Walmart (personally, I hate the place, but would go there for some of these deals!) then you can save even more. Their prices are more reasonable than Target or even Kmart most of the time. But in this case, it might pay to do some research on the web before you go. You can check for in-store availability on both the Target and Walmart sites.
- Coupons don't expire until January 2010
Example: Playskool Step Start Walk n Ride for my nephew
Target price: $20 plus shipping
Walmart price: $16 in store (they have these in the Paso store - yay!)
Coupon: $10 off
Final price: $6!!!
Crazy low prices, ladies and gentlemen. Have fun saving!!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Why I love this crazy roller coaster ride we call motherhood
Scott had to go to work early on Friday so we could not share the drop off duties like we do on a lot of days. We are fortunate and there is only one day (Wed) that all three kids need to be in three different places, luckily not all at the same time! In any event, I was dropping off all three kids, only in two different places on Friday - yay! :)
The morning was going relatively well....we all got out the door early - a tremendous feat in itself - so I told the kids we could stop for donuts since they ate their healthy breakfast and we had a little extra time. Got to the donut shop, got all their requests processed and ordered and got us seated, relatively calmly in the tiny little Templeton donut shop without too much disruption to other customers. Averted a small crisis when Ian almost burst into tears because he thought I forgot to get him his chocolate milk. No, no, my little man, it's right here, buddy, Mommy wouldn't forget.
Partway through our morning treats, Gracie has to use the restroom. No big deal, right? Well, except the bathroom in this particular establishment is way back, past the counter, through the kitchen and around the corner with some very narrow passageways between the donut making equipment. I look at Ian and Daniel calmly eating their donuts. I can't imagine either: a. traipsing back through all that with the three kids in tow, or b. leaving the boys out front alone to cause complete chaos in my absence. "Gracie, can you wait until we get to school? It will just be a few minutes?" Nope. Note to self: NEVER leave home without everyone using the restroom, even for the 15 minute trip to the donut store. "Do you think you can go back by yourself if I ask the lady if you can use the restroom?" Yes. Whew! Ok, crisis #2 averted. I'm feeling pretty good.
Everyone finishes their donuts, we clear off the table and throw away trash, walk out onto the lawn of the donut shop and there is a HUGE delivery truck which Daniel is so excited to see. Grabs my hand and pulls me closer saying "big tuck...big tuck!" Major warm fuzzies on that one. Load everyone in the car uneventfully.
Get to school, get everyone out and onto school grounds, then let Daniel down to "run free." He loves Gracie's school playground. He runs around in and out of the sandbox and the walkways babbling to himself and using his new words: whoa! and wow! So fun to watch! Get Gracie into class successfully and start heading back to the car with the boys. On the way back, Daniel is scuffing through the sandbox, laughing at the cloud surrounding him, looking like pigpen in miniature. He gets to the edge of the sandbox and the step down is large enough to make him hesitate for just one second. Before I can even begin to move in his direction, there's Ian, playing the good big brother, holding out his hand to help Daniel down. Major warm fuzzies!
Do you think my day could continue to go this smoothly? Well, of course not.
Daniel does not want to leave. Nor does he want to be carried. Or hold my hand in the parking lot. So what started out as a blissful morning turned into my carrying my youngest child out to the car kicking and screaming the whole way with other mothers looking at me like I'm an abusive parent because their kids were obviously old enough that they'd forgotten what it was like to deal with a toddler or apparently had never had tantrums when trying to be forced into their carseats. As these moms wander off to their cars with their well-behaved children, but of course not without a glance our way with that "what is she DOING to that child?" question on their faces, I continue on in what feels like my final exam in baby wrestling 101. No toy or sippie cup of milk, no brother playing peek a boo or mommy saying, "C'mon! We're gonna go see Grandma!" is going to calm this child. Oh, no. He is behaving as if he were a vampire and that car seat were made out of garlic. I start to think his skin will actually melt should it come in contact with the Britax.
But alas, my will is stronger than his and he succumbs. He does melt...but only into a limp, crying, snotty, sweaty little boy. He begrudgingly allows me to buckle him in and screams at the top of his lungs as I wipe his nose and face free of tears and snot. Then, when the entire parking lot is cleared and no one else is there to witness my success, to hear the silence, he picks up the travel magna doodle I'd been trying to appease him with for the past 10 minutes and starts happily scribbling away, babbling and laughing. Seriously, kid? I kiss his cute little sweaty head and get in the car.
Of course, it has been uncharacteristically humid lately and I am now a big sweaty mess myself. With snot on my shirt. And smeared donut glaze I must have missed with the baby wipes when cleaning Daniel's hands. And I just realized I forgot to put deodorant on this morning because I was interrupted by one of the three kids when trying to get ready. Nice. Going to be a lovely day, I can tell.
But as I was driving to Grandma's to drop the boys off, I had one of those moments that makes you realize that it really is indeed all worth it. Ian and I have a game we play, trying to see who loves the other one more. I love you more than all the stars in the sky! I love you more than all my hot wheels! No, all the wheels on all my hot wheels! That sort of thing. So Ian starts this up while I'm driving away from the school. We banter back and forth and as I'm getting on the freeway he's trying to think of something to top my, "I love you more than all the sand on all the beaches in the whole world!" I hear "um....um...I love you....um...." He's thinking about it. Finally he blurts out, "I love you more than all the boogers in my nose!" Stifling back the laughter, I conceded, "Okay, you win, buddy, you love me more."
Yep, it's going to be a lovely day after all!
The morning was going relatively well....we all got out the door early - a tremendous feat in itself - so I told the kids we could stop for donuts since they ate their healthy breakfast and we had a little extra time. Got to the donut shop, got all their requests processed and ordered and got us seated, relatively calmly in the tiny little Templeton donut shop without too much disruption to other customers. Averted a small crisis when Ian almost burst into tears because he thought I forgot to get him his chocolate milk. No, no, my little man, it's right here, buddy, Mommy wouldn't forget.
Partway through our morning treats, Gracie has to use the restroom. No big deal, right? Well, except the bathroom in this particular establishment is way back, past the counter, through the kitchen and around the corner with some very narrow passageways between the donut making equipment. I look at Ian and Daniel calmly eating their donuts. I can't imagine either: a. traipsing back through all that with the three kids in tow, or b. leaving the boys out front alone to cause complete chaos in my absence. "Gracie, can you wait until we get to school? It will just be a few minutes?" Nope. Note to self: NEVER leave home without everyone using the restroom, even for the 15 minute trip to the donut store. "Do you think you can go back by yourself if I ask the lady if you can use the restroom?" Yes. Whew! Ok, crisis #2 averted. I'm feeling pretty good.
Everyone finishes their donuts, we clear off the table and throw away trash, walk out onto the lawn of the donut shop and there is a HUGE delivery truck which Daniel is so excited to see. Grabs my hand and pulls me closer saying "big tuck...big tuck!" Major warm fuzzies on that one. Load everyone in the car uneventfully.
Get to school, get everyone out and onto school grounds, then let Daniel down to "run free." He loves Gracie's school playground. He runs around in and out of the sandbox and the walkways babbling to himself and using his new words: whoa! and wow! So fun to watch! Get Gracie into class successfully and start heading back to the car with the boys. On the way back, Daniel is scuffing through the sandbox, laughing at the cloud surrounding him, looking like pigpen in miniature. He gets to the edge of the sandbox and the step down is large enough to make him hesitate for just one second. Before I can even begin to move in his direction, there's Ian, playing the good big brother, holding out his hand to help Daniel down. Major warm fuzzies!
Do you think my day could continue to go this smoothly? Well, of course not.
Daniel does not want to leave. Nor does he want to be carried. Or hold my hand in the parking lot. So what started out as a blissful morning turned into my carrying my youngest child out to the car kicking and screaming the whole way with other mothers looking at me like I'm an abusive parent because their kids were obviously old enough that they'd forgotten what it was like to deal with a toddler or apparently had never had tantrums when trying to be forced into their carseats. As these moms wander off to their cars with their well-behaved children, but of course not without a glance our way with that "what is she DOING to that child?" question on their faces, I continue on in what feels like my final exam in baby wrestling 101. No toy or sippie cup of milk, no brother playing peek a boo or mommy saying, "C'mon! We're gonna go see Grandma!" is going to calm this child. Oh, no. He is behaving as if he were a vampire and that car seat were made out of garlic. I start to think his skin will actually melt should it come in contact with the Britax.
But alas, my will is stronger than his and he succumbs. He does melt...but only into a limp, crying, snotty, sweaty little boy. He begrudgingly allows me to buckle him in and screams at the top of his lungs as I wipe his nose and face free of tears and snot. Then, when the entire parking lot is cleared and no one else is there to witness my success, to hear the silence, he picks up the travel magna doodle I'd been trying to appease him with for the past 10 minutes and starts happily scribbling away, babbling and laughing. Seriously, kid? I kiss his cute little sweaty head and get in the car.
Of course, it has been uncharacteristically humid lately and I am now a big sweaty mess myself. With snot on my shirt. And smeared donut glaze I must have missed with the baby wipes when cleaning Daniel's hands. And I just realized I forgot to put deodorant on this morning because I was interrupted by one of the three kids when trying to get ready. Nice. Going to be a lovely day, I can tell.
But as I was driving to Grandma's to drop the boys off, I had one of those moments that makes you realize that it really is indeed all worth it. Ian and I have a game we play, trying to see who loves the other one more. I love you more than all the stars in the sky! I love you more than all my hot wheels! No, all the wheels on all my hot wheels! That sort of thing. So Ian starts this up while I'm driving away from the school. We banter back and forth and as I'm getting on the freeway he's trying to think of something to top my, "I love you more than all the sand on all the beaches in the whole world!" I hear "um....um...I love you....um...." He's thinking about it. Finally he blurts out, "I love you more than all the boogers in my nose!" Stifling back the laughter, I conceded, "Okay, you win, buddy, you love me more."
Yep, it's going to be a lovely day after all!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
1/2 Marathon Training - Week 1, Day 3
Technically this is only day 2 for me, since I missed a workout. But rather than have the numbers all mixed up between the training calendar and here, I'm just calling it day 3.
I mis-read my training plan in my rush to get to the gym on my lunch hour. I thought it said 2.5 miles, but it really said 25 min of running OR X-training. I did the 2.5 miles which worked out to about 25 min anyway, so we'll call it even. Here's the stats:
Time: 5 min warmup + 28 min + 5 min cooldown = 38 min total
Avg Heart Rate: 133
Max Heart Rate: 162
Calories Burned: 312
I also took Sculpt today and here are the stats for that:
Time: 57 min
Avg Heart Rate: 117
Max Heart Rate: 143
Calories burned: 327
I probably burned more than 327 cals in Sculpt but I forgot to start my monitor until the second or third track. Close enough though.
The run was a struggle today and I'm gueesing that's because I ran 3 miles yesterday, which was a lot for me. So today I had to take a few breaks walk twice for 0.10 - 0.25 miles. But I finished strong, taking the last quarter mile at 4.8 mph, which is fast for me.
Tomorrow's a rest day and my legs could definitely use it. Friday is another workout and then our 4 mile run on Saturday. Wahoo! Keep fingers crossed it stays cool and overcast Saturday morning until my run is done. Then the sun can shine all he wants.
Happy Hump Day All!
I mis-read my training plan in my rush to get to the gym on my lunch hour. I thought it said 2.5 miles, but it really said 25 min of running OR X-training. I did the 2.5 miles which worked out to about 25 min anyway, so we'll call it even. Here's the stats:
Time: 5 min warmup + 28 min + 5 min cooldown = 38 min total
Avg Heart Rate: 133
Max Heart Rate: 162
Calories Burned: 312
I also took Sculpt today and here are the stats for that:
Time: 57 min
Avg Heart Rate: 117
Max Heart Rate: 143
Calories burned: 327
I probably burned more than 327 cals in Sculpt but I forgot to start my monitor until the second or third track. Close enough though.
The run was a struggle today and I'm gueesing that's because I ran 3 miles yesterday, which was a lot for me. So today I had to take a few breaks walk twice for 0.10 - 0.25 miles. But I finished strong, taking the last quarter mile at 4.8 mph, which is fast for me.
Tomorrow's a rest day and my legs could definitely use it. Friday is another workout and then our 4 mile run on Saturday. Wahoo! Keep fingers crossed it stays cool and overcast Saturday morning until my run is done. Then the sun can shine all he wants.
Happy Hump Day All!
Mixing it up a bit
Since the Transformation Challenge has ended, I have been hovering around the same number on the scale for weeks now. I just can’t seem to break past to a new low. I know my body can get there, it’s been there before and way beyond. But I’m on somewhat of a plateau. Even with the stomach flu last week, I’m right back up to where I was the week before. I had rather hoped a few of those pesky pounds would just take the hint already and stay gone.
I mean, really, it’s not that surprising that I lost 10 lbs in those three days given that I was so dehydrated and ate nothing for two of those days. And I expected to gain a few back…sadly, my body had other ideas.
Ok, ok, maybe it was the ice cream and French fries I had the first day I got my appetite back. But c’mon! Even if you say those two items were 5000 calories, which I think is a little high, it seems that couldn’t possibly counteract the four days straight of averaging less than 500 calories in saltines and jello, could it? Could it?? COULD IT???? Just agree with me here, I guarantee things will move along much more quickly if you do. Thanks.
In any event, I’m stuck. Can’t get past that number-that-shall-remain-nameless on the scale. So I’ve decided to mix it up a bit. Make some changes. What’s that definition for insanity? Doing the same thing and expecting different results? Ok, then.
Changes to my food plan:
1. No eating after 7:30 PM. This has been very successful for me in the past, I just have a hard time sticking to it for longer stretches. It is challenging because sometimes I don’t get to eat until after the kids are in bed. But I’ll just have to make more of an effort.
2. No sweets. I don’t eat a lot of them right now, but I do have a small goodie about every other day if it fits in my points for the day/week. No more. I’m allowing myself one treat a week on Friday nights. Not gonna go overboard, not gonna eat all my flex points and then some in ice cream, but a normal-sized portion of a treat once a week should be okay.
3. No white flour; only whole grains. Nuff said.
4. Try harder to get at least 6 servings of fruit/veggies per day
5. No more diet coke!!! I have said this before and I hopefully won't have to say it again. I'm quitting the diet coke habit once and for all. Water, water, water, water!!!
As for mixing up the exercise, I am hoping the cardio boost I’m getting from the City to Sea training is sufficient as far as that is concerned. I am still going to hit Combat once or twice a week, Fight Club from time to time and of course, Sculpt and Rock Bottom.
Wish me luck. Watch here for -hopefully– weekly updates on my battle with that stubborn scale.
I mean, really, it’s not that surprising that I lost 10 lbs in those three days given that I was so dehydrated and ate nothing for two of those days. And I expected to gain a few back…sadly, my body had other ideas.
Ok, ok, maybe it was the ice cream and French fries I had the first day I got my appetite back. But c’mon! Even if you say those two items were 5000 calories, which I think is a little high, it seems that couldn’t possibly counteract the four days straight of averaging less than 500 calories in saltines and jello, could it? Could it?? COULD IT???? Just agree with me here, I guarantee things will move along much more quickly if you do. Thanks.
In any event, I’m stuck. Can’t get past that number-that-shall-remain-nameless on the scale. So I’ve decided to mix it up a bit. Make some changes. What’s that definition for insanity? Doing the same thing and expecting different results? Ok, then.
Changes to my food plan:
1. No eating after 7:30 PM. This has been very successful for me in the past, I just have a hard time sticking to it for longer stretches. It is challenging because sometimes I don’t get to eat until after the kids are in bed. But I’ll just have to make more of an effort.
2. No sweets. I don’t eat a lot of them right now, but I do have a small goodie about every other day if it fits in my points for the day/week. No more. I’m allowing myself one treat a week on Friday nights. Not gonna go overboard, not gonna eat all my flex points and then some in ice cream, but a normal-sized portion of a treat once a week should be okay.
3. No white flour; only whole grains. Nuff said.
4. Try harder to get at least 6 servings of fruit/veggies per day
5. No more diet coke!!! I have said this before and I hopefully won't have to say it again. I'm quitting the diet coke habit once and for all. Water, water, water, water!!!
As for mixing up the exercise, I am hoping the cardio boost I’m getting from the City to Sea training is sufficient as far as that is concerned. I am still going to hit Combat once or twice a week, Fight Club from time to time and of course, Sculpt and Rock Bottom.
Wish me luck. Watch here for -hopefully– weekly updates on my battle with that stubborn scale.
1/2 Marathon Training - Week 1, Day 2
After being on death’s door last week, yesterday was my first day back at the gym in over a week. I was a little nervous about being able to keep up in Combat. Adding to the anxiety was the fact that the City to Sea training starts this week and while I was up to running 2.5 miles a few times a week before I got sick, I wasn’t sure what I’d be up to this week.
Combat was much better than I expected. I tried to push myself as hard as I could and I don’t think I have ever worked that hard in that class before. It was a killer class and I am proud of myself for my effort. I only wish I had my heart rate monitor on (d’oh! Left it in the locker room!) to know how many calories I burned because I’m guessing - and keep in mind this is just an estimate – I’m guessing it was a lot! And I forgot that I was even sick last week because honestly, it felt like I hadn’t really been away from the gym at all. Well, that’s probably a lie, but just a white one. I think it was a little tough at first, but once I forced my brain to stop thinking about the fact I hadn’t worked out in many, many days, then my body forgot too. Funny how that works.
I didn’t get into the gym early enough to run before Combat, which was my intention, so I went back after work and ran then. On the training plan was 3 miles or 35 min. I picked 3 miles just to see if I could do it. Amazingly enough, I could. I ran for the first 2.25 miles, walked a half mile, then pushed through and sprinted the last 0.25 mile. It felt good. It kicked my butt…but it felt good. Here’s the stats for anyone interested:
Warmup: 5 min at 3.5 mph walking
Cooldown: 5 min
Total time: 52 min
Distance: 3.26 miles (including warmup/cooldown)
Max Heart Rate: 166
Avg Heart Rate: 141
Calories burned: 470
Two days down, sixty-seven more to go…but who’s counting?
Combat was much better than I expected. I tried to push myself as hard as I could and I don’t think I have ever worked that hard in that class before. It was a killer class and I am proud of myself for my effort. I only wish I had my heart rate monitor on (d’oh! Left it in the locker room!) to know how many calories I burned because I’m guessing - and keep in mind this is just an estimate – I’m guessing it was a lot! And I forgot that I was even sick last week because honestly, it felt like I hadn’t really been away from the gym at all. Well, that’s probably a lie, but just a white one. I think it was a little tough at first, but once I forced my brain to stop thinking about the fact I hadn’t worked out in many, many days, then my body forgot too. Funny how that works.
I didn’t get into the gym early enough to run before Combat, which was my intention, so I went back after work and ran then. On the training plan was 3 miles or 35 min. I picked 3 miles just to see if I could do it. Amazingly enough, I could. I ran for the first 2.25 miles, walked a half mile, then pushed through and sprinted the last 0.25 mile. It felt good. It kicked my butt…but it felt good. Here’s the stats for anyone interested:
Warmup: 5 min at 3.5 mph walking
Cooldown: 5 min
Total time: 52 min
Distance: 3.26 miles (including warmup/cooldown)
Max Heart Rate: 166
Avg Heart Rate: 141
Calories burned: 470
Two days down, sixty-seven more to go…but who’s counting?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Because I'm lazy...
I'm literally cutting and pasting an email I sent some friends this morning. Read it and you'll know why. :)
-------------
Sorry I've been MIA. Here's the timeline of our last week:
Thurs: Scott picks up kids from daycare and learns three other kids puked that day. Nice.
Sat: Gracie started vomiting, felt better Sunday though...
Mon: Gracie started in again
Later Mon: Scott started
Sometime between Mon and Tues: Ian and I started
Tues pm: everyone seemed relatively well - whew!
Wed early am: I started again. And again. And again. Every 20-45 min for 12 hours. I would have gone to the hospital, but by the time it was convenient for Scott to take me, I felt I was through the worst of it. I am probably still dehydrated and would probably be recovering better had I received fluids, but I'll manage. I think I could have come back to work sooner had I done that, but oh well, it's just work, right? LOL I'm back today though dull-eyed and saggy-tailed. :)
When I called the dentist in SLO to cancel the kids' appts on Tues morning, they said I was the third parent to call and cancel because of stomach flu that morning and it was only 8:45! Watch out and stay healthy...and obviously stay away from those damn Thayers! LOL
Seriously though, if I haven't responded to email or something, that is why. I literally did not leave our master bedroom for two entire days.
On the plus side, I dropped 10 pounds (well, 9.8 to be exact and obviously all fluid, but I'll take it!) in two days and kicked my diet coke habit since I haven't been able to drink it fand now I don't even miss it. As my Nana would say, "there's some good in all evil."
Happy Friday! Hope you're all well!!
-------------
Sorry I've been MIA. Here's the timeline of our last week:
Thurs: Scott picks up kids from daycare and learns three other kids puked that day. Nice.
Sat: Gracie started vomiting, felt better Sunday though...
Mon: Gracie started in again
Later Mon: Scott started
Sometime between Mon and Tues: Ian and I started
Tues pm: everyone seemed relatively well - whew!
Wed early am: I started again. And again. And again. Every 20-45 min for 12 hours. I would have gone to the hospital, but by the time it was convenient for Scott to take me, I felt I was through the worst of it. I am probably still dehydrated and would probably be recovering better had I received fluids, but I'll manage. I think I could have come back to work sooner had I done that, but oh well, it's just work, right? LOL I'm back today though dull-eyed and saggy-tailed. :)
When I called the dentist in SLO to cancel the kids' appts on Tues morning, they said I was the third parent to call and cancel because of stomach flu that morning and it was only 8:45! Watch out and stay healthy...and obviously stay away from those damn Thayers! LOL
Seriously though, if I haven't responded to email or something, that is why. I literally did not leave our master bedroom for two entire days.
On the plus side, I dropped 10 pounds (well, 9.8 to be exact and obviously all fluid, but I'll take it!) in two days and kicked my diet coke habit since I haven't been able to drink it fand now I don't even miss it. As my Nana would say, "there's some good in all evil."
Happy Friday! Hope you're all well!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
If you let someone else pack your gym bag, double-check it before you leave the house
First, let me say that my husband is an amazing, wonderful, sweetheart. He is always so helpful and supportive. Today he was helping me get out of the house to Body Combat before work and he packed up my gym bag with my street clothes and such. Awesome, thanks sweetie!
Then he calls me on the cell when I'm just a few minutes away from the gym (and 30 miles from home) to let me know that he thinks he forgot to put my bra in the bag. Eep! Since I go to work straight from the gym and don't have time for the hour round trip, I'm thinking, what to do, what to do...
When I got the the gym, I checked my bag and sure enough, the bra wasn't there. Luckily, the gym had sports bras for sale in their little shop area. So I purchased one to wear to work since the one I had on would be disgusting once I got through with Combat.
Cut to the shower room after class. I get out of the shower and dry off and start to get dressed. I start to put the new sports bra on and get it over my head and my arms partially through when I realize that I'm stuck. The combination of the snug fitting sports bra (they didn't have my size so I had to go one smaller and cross my fingers) and my semi-damp, fresh from the shower skin had caused the bra to twist around itself as I pulled it down and it was now stopped around my neck and upper arms. I was standing there with my elbows flailing in the air in an attempt to get the damn thing to either move up and off or down and into place where it belonged.
After much grunting, tugging, and pulling...success! Thank god there weren't any other women in the locker room because I'm sure that would have been quite the show. My second attempt went a bit more smoothly. Having learned from that first experience, I put my head through first, then one arm at a time and was able to get it on without too much trouble that time. Whew!
And I tell you what, I am looking STYLIN' now. Because I have such an awesome figure to start with, that smooshing my boobs down with a too-small sports bra to make me look even more frumpy is really working for me. Girls, watch your men cuz they're all gonna be wanting me looking like this!
Then he calls me on the cell when I'm just a few minutes away from the gym (and 30 miles from home) to let me know that he thinks he forgot to put my bra in the bag. Eep! Since I go to work straight from the gym and don't have time for the hour round trip, I'm thinking, what to do, what to do...
When I got the the gym, I checked my bag and sure enough, the bra wasn't there. Luckily, the gym had sports bras for sale in their little shop area. So I purchased one to wear to work since the one I had on would be disgusting once I got through with Combat.
Cut to the shower room after class. I get out of the shower and dry off and start to get dressed. I start to put the new sports bra on and get it over my head and my arms partially through when I realize that I'm stuck. The combination of the snug fitting sports bra (they didn't have my size so I had to go one smaller and cross my fingers) and my semi-damp, fresh from the shower skin had caused the bra to twist around itself as I pulled it down and it was now stopped around my neck and upper arms. I was standing there with my elbows flailing in the air in an attempt to get the damn thing to either move up and off or down and into place where it belonged.
After much grunting, tugging, and pulling...success! Thank god there weren't any other women in the locker room because I'm sure that would have been quite the show. My second attempt went a bit more smoothly. Having learned from that first experience, I put my head through first, then one arm at a time and was able to get it on without too much trouble that time. Whew!
And I tell you what, I am looking STYLIN' now. Because I have such an awesome figure to start with, that smooshing my boobs down with a too-small sports bra to make me look even more frumpy is really working for me. Girls, watch your men cuz they're all gonna be wanting me looking like this!
Friday, July 17, 2009
I have been remiss
I haven't been blogging much lately. Probably because I've been really busy just trying to juggle work, exercise, kids, home, etc, you know, the usual drill we all juggle every day. But things have just been busier than usual of late. My apologies to the few people who follow this blog because I am just sure you breathlessly await every post from me. HA! :)
Anyway...I will post soon, I promise, with a summary of my progress in the TC, measurements, what I'm doing for workouts and nutrition now, etc.
Other news in my life...I've finally gotten back into scrapbooking and I am so, so excited about. I have done about 18 pages in Ian's (yes Ian's, haven't gotten close to Daniel's yet) baby book and I can feel the creative mojo coming back to me. I'm going on a crop weekend next weekend with some friends and we have ideas to use our Cricuts to make all kinds of adorable word books and all sorts of things. I can't wait! So you'll probably start seeing some posts on crafty stuff up here soon too.
Ok, off to Body Combat at the gym to take out some workplace agression in a more appropriate place than my cubicle wall or a particular software engineer's face. Have a good one!
Anyway...I will post soon, I promise, with a summary of my progress in the TC, measurements, what I'm doing for workouts and nutrition now, etc.
Other news in my life...I've finally gotten back into scrapbooking and I am so, so excited about. I have done about 18 pages in Ian's (yes Ian's, haven't gotten close to Daniel's yet) baby book and I can feel the creative mojo coming back to me. I'm going on a crop weekend next weekend with some friends and we have ideas to use our Cricuts to make all kinds of adorable word books and all sorts of things. I can't wait! So you'll probably start seeing some posts on crafty stuff up here soon too.
Ok, off to Body Combat at the gym to take out some workplace agression in a more appropriate place than my cubicle wall or a particular software engineer's face. Have a good one!
Anchoring
Weight Watchers defines anchoring as “a process for creating cues and triggers to remind yourself of your weight goal and the inner resources you have to achieve it.” Your “anchor” is an object that reminds you to stay on track, something that can re-focus you when the going gets tough. A little something you can keep with you and look at or touch when you need it.
I’ve always had a tough time in my previous WW experiences to come up with an anchor. Ideally, it’s something that’s with you always so whenever you are tempted, feeling out of control, etc, you can bring yourself back. I don’t carry a purse, don’t even always have my keys if Scott drives, so attaching something to one of them wouldn’t work. I never really gave it too much thought. Yeah, it was a tool WW gave us to help us succeed, but I did okay without it, so whatev, right?
Lately, I have found myself touching my muscles. Not in a Divinyls, “I touch myself” kind of way – get your mind outta the gutter! But in a wow, I have muscles kind of way. You can’t always see them, but they’re there, believe it or not, under the layers of flab and they are getting stronger all the time. Occasionally I even catch a glimpse of them before the flab shimmies back over them, trying to hide them from the world. They’re just waiting for their moment to shine…when all the flab is gone for good and the muscles can bask in the glory of the sunshine. Ok, that last bit was a little corny, but you get what I’m sayin’, right?
In any event, when I’m sitting at my desk, or waiting at a stop light, I frequently find myself squeezing my biceps, or poking my quads. Sounds weird, I know, but I just can’t get over how firm and strong they feel. Me. The girl who has been struggling with her weight for so long, has muscles? Now, who’da thunk it? Even ask my family, I make Scott, my sisters, my mom, all of them, feel my muscles whenever I see them. It’s not unusual at a Voigt family gather to hear, “Feel my butt!” And they do. Now, that’s real love!
Last night driving home, I caught a glimpse of my bicep bulge out of the corner of my eye as I turned the steering wheel on a corner. And I thought…”there’s your anchor, Heather.” My muscles. They’re always with me and when I touch my bicep and feel that strength beneath the skin it reminds me that I am strong. I am stronger than any temptation that comes my way. I am strong enough to make it to the gym, even when I just want to go home and eat ice cream. I am strong enough to get myself healthy for my kids, for Scott, my sisters and parents, and most of all, for me. Ok, that last bit was corny too. But it’s the truth, so there!
I’ve always had a tough time in my previous WW experiences to come up with an anchor. Ideally, it’s something that’s with you always so whenever you are tempted, feeling out of control, etc, you can bring yourself back. I don’t carry a purse, don’t even always have my keys if Scott drives, so attaching something to one of them wouldn’t work. I never really gave it too much thought. Yeah, it was a tool WW gave us to help us succeed, but I did okay without it, so whatev, right?
Lately, I have found myself touching my muscles. Not in a Divinyls, “I touch myself” kind of way – get your mind outta the gutter! But in a wow, I have muscles kind of way. You can’t always see them, but they’re there, believe it or not, under the layers of flab and they are getting stronger all the time. Occasionally I even catch a glimpse of them before the flab shimmies back over them, trying to hide them from the world. They’re just waiting for their moment to shine…when all the flab is gone for good and the muscles can bask in the glory of the sunshine. Ok, that last bit was a little corny, but you get what I’m sayin’, right?
In any event, when I’m sitting at my desk, or waiting at a stop light, I frequently find myself squeezing my biceps, or poking my quads. Sounds weird, I know, but I just can’t get over how firm and strong they feel. Me. The girl who has been struggling with her weight for so long, has muscles? Now, who’da thunk it? Even ask my family, I make Scott, my sisters, my mom, all of them, feel my muscles whenever I see them. It’s not unusual at a Voigt family gather to hear, “Feel my butt!” And they do. Now, that’s real love!
Last night driving home, I caught a glimpse of my bicep bulge out of the corner of my eye as I turned the steering wheel on a corner. And I thought…”there’s your anchor, Heather.” My muscles. They’re always with me and when I touch my bicep and feel that strength beneath the skin it reminds me that I am strong. I am stronger than any temptation that comes my way. I am strong enough to make it to the gym, even when I just want to go home and eat ice cream. I am strong enough to get myself healthy for my kids, for Scott, my sisters and parents, and most of all, for me. Ok, that last bit was corny too. But it’s the truth, so there!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
What we've been up to and 5 things
Well, summer's in full swing at the Thayer household as evidenced by:
1. several loads of towels and swimsuits a week
2. bottles of sunscreen all over the house and in each car
3. flip flops and sandals everywhere you turn, from sub-miniature a.k.a. Daniel's size on up to adult size with a few different sizes in between.
4. Gracie's refusal to wear anything other than a tank top or sundress
5. Both the older kids' hair getting blonder already from the chlorine and the sunshine
I do love summer. I only wish I had more time to spend with the kids during these next few months. But without much cash for a vacation or vacation time to take off work, we'll make the best of it. On the occasional Wed, we will do the concerts in the park, on the occasional Friday we'll do the movies in the park. We'll go to the beach a handful of times and the lake a handful of times. Luckily they can sleep in on Tues, Thurs and Fri as they are home with Scott and that means we can be less stringent about bedtimes on most nights except Sundays and Tuesdays when he and I both have to be at work early. So with the late light we can go for bike rides and walks after dinner and head down to the park. We'll also set up our pool soon since the heat seems to be here to stay now. So the kids will be all over getting in the pool after dinner or while they're waiting for dinner. We'll BBQ and I'm going to try to convince Scott to spend some of our tax refund money on a new patio table. It's crazy, but we have terrible luck with tables, having had four of them damaged by windstorms, fallen tree branches and the like in the 12 years of our marriage. We're left with a nice abundance of mis-matched chairs and he is hesitant to buy another table as he assumes it will just get crushed, broken, shattered yet again. But if I can convince him, then we'll eat a lot of dinners outside as well. Even without the patio table, we can spread out a blanket and have a picnic out there too. Anyway, we plan to spend a lot of time outdoors this summer, one way or another.
The other sure sign of summer is swimming lessons. Swimming lessons are at 5:30 pm, which is nice. It was a pleasant surprise to find a few years back that the Paso pool had lesson times that actually fit a working mother's schedule. Imagine that. Something the other pools in the area had overlooked. So we're in the second week of session 1, then we'll have two weeks off, then four more weeks of swimming lessons, then two weeks off before school starts. Gee, when you say it like that, the summer sounds so short!
I love the fact that the Paso lessons are every day for two weeks. I know a lot of other pools ofter one or two lessons a week for several weeks. But in two weeks of swimming every day, the kids improve so quickly! Last summer, Gracie moved up three levels in 6 weeks of lessons...she started in 2, moved to pre-3, then moved up to 3 and at the end of the summer, they recommended her for level 4 this summer. It was crazy to watch her improve. By the end of the summer she was a little fish! Or a little mermaid, as she would probably prefer to be called.
Ok, enough rambling, I should get back to work. This blog is being read (dare I say followed? lol) by more of my friends and family now so I won't be focusing solely on fitness and exercise any more, but providing peeks into our crazy lives as well.
Oh, and I can't forget - my 5 things I'm grateful for today:
1. My nutrition session with Shelley - so helpful, and motivating and informational
2. body combat with Carey...love working out with that girl and love any of Lauren's classes
3. a supportive and loving husband
4. dinner with "the girls" tonight after work
5. 10 days off work in t minus three days
Ciao!
1. several loads of towels and swimsuits a week
2. bottles of sunscreen all over the house and in each car
3. flip flops and sandals everywhere you turn, from sub-miniature a.k.a. Daniel's size on up to adult size with a few different sizes in between.
4. Gracie's refusal to wear anything other than a tank top or sundress
5. Both the older kids' hair getting blonder already from the chlorine and the sunshine
I do love summer. I only wish I had more time to spend with the kids during these next few months. But without much cash for a vacation or vacation time to take off work, we'll make the best of it. On the occasional Wed, we will do the concerts in the park, on the occasional Friday we'll do the movies in the park. We'll go to the beach a handful of times and the lake a handful of times. Luckily they can sleep in on Tues, Thurs and Fri as they are home with Scott and that means we can be less stringent about bedtimes on most nights except Sundays and Tuesdays when he and I both have to be at work early. So with the late light we can go for bike rides and walks after dinner and head down to the park. We'll also set up our pool soon since the heat seems to be here to stay now. So the kids will be all over getting in the pool after dinner or while they're waiting for dinner. We'll BBQ and I'm going to try to convince Scott to spend some of our tax refund money on a new patio table. It's crazy, but we have terrible luck with tables, having had four of them damaged by windstorms, fallen tree branches and the like in the 12 years of our marriage. We're left with a nice abundance of mis-matched chairs and he is hesitant to buy another table as he assumes it will just get crushed, broken, shattered yet again. But if I can convince him, then we'll eat a lot of dinners outside as well. Even without the patio table, we can spread out a blanket and have a picnic out there too. Anyway, we plan to spend a lot of time outdoors this summer, one way or another.
The other sure sign of summer is swimming lessons. Swimming lessons are at 5:30 pm, which is nice. It was a pleasant surprise to find a few years back that the Paso pool had lesson times that actually fit a working mother's schedule. Imagine that. Something the other pools in the area had overlooked. So we're in the second week of session 1, then we'll have two weeks off, then four more weeks of swimming lessons, then two weeks off before school starts. Gee, when you say it like that, the summer sounds so short!
I love the fact that the Paso lessons are every day for two weeks. I know a lot of other pools ofter one or two lessons a week for several weeks. But in two weeks of swimming every day, the kids improve so quickly! Last summer, Gracie moved up three levels in 6 weeks of lessons...she started in 2, moved to pre-3, then moved up to 3 and at the end of the summer, they recommended her for level 4 this summer. It was crazy to watch her improve. By the end of the summer she was a little fish! Or a little mermaid, as she would probably prefer to be called.
Ok, enough rambling, I should get back to work. This blog is being read (dare I say followed? lol) by more of my friends and family now so I won't be focusing solely on fitness and exercise any more, but providing peeks into our crazy lives as well.
Oh, and I can't forget - my 5 things I'm grateful for today:
1. My nutrition session with Shelley - so helpful, and motivating and informational
2. body combat with Carey...love working out with that girl and love any of Lauren's classes
3. a supportive and loving husband
4. dinner with "the girls" tonight after work
5. 10 days off work in t minus three days
Ciao!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Five Things and Nutrition & Fitness Update
Five things I am grateful for today:
1. casual work environment that allows shorts on a beautiful Friday
2. a beautiful Friday
3. my housecleaner coming today!
4. going to Ventura on Sunday to see my family
5. good friends
I haven't posted in a while and I wanted to give an update on where I am with my plans for fitness and nutrition.
I signed up for Weight Watchers with a friend. We weigh in on Wednesdays so I'll try to post my progress here each Wed. I am trying to journal in my EQ journal: 1. because they want us to continue to turn them in on Tuesdays starting 6/30. 2. because I still want to pay attention to fat, protein, carbs, etc. I just added columns for fiber and points.
As for exercise, I signed up for a boot camp package which includes meeting with the nutritionist four times over the next eight weeks and meeting with the sports psychologist four times over the next eight weeks. I am trying to hit boot camp 2-3 times a week, rock bottom 1-2 times a week and occasionally throwing in a strength session out on the floor with a friend or two.
I'm trying to get my cardio in 5-6 days a week. I'm shooting for a mix of running, RPM and Body Combat. Running is 2 miles a few times a week. I decided to drop out of TNT as I just don't have the time to commit to the fundraising right now and my bronchitis was taking longer to go away than I expected so I was missing some of the training sessions and already felt behind. I am doing the City to Sea half-marathon in October so I'll post my training progress here. I'll be training with the EQ team starting August 8th.
I think that's about it. I am still trying to get my before and after pics to post here. I'll be meeting with my trainer from before the TC to see how much stronger I am and what my measurements are. She measured in a lot more places than they did for the TC so we're both anxious to see how that turns out as well as how much more weight I can do on my various exercises, etc. I'll have to do a post-TC progress post here soon. Just gotta get all my data together.
Happy Friday everyone! I wish everyone an enjoyable weekend!!
1. casual work environment that allows shorts on a beautiful Friday
2. a beautiful Friday
3. my housecleaner coming today!
4. going to Ventura on Sunday to see my family
5. good friends
I haven't posted in a while and I wanted to give an update on where I am with my plans for fitness and nutrition.
I signed up for Weight Watchers with a friend. We weigh in on Wednesdays so I'll try to post my progress here each Wed. I am trying to journal in my EQ journal: 1. because they want us to continue to turn them in on Tuesdays starting 6/30. 2. because I still want to pay attention to fat, protein, carbs, etc. I just added columns for fiber and points.
As for exercise, I signed up for a boot camp package which includes meeting with the nutritionist four times over the next eight weeks and meeting with the sports psychologist four times over the next eight weeks. I am trying to hit boot camp 2-3 times a week, rock bottom 1-2 times a week and occasionally throwing in a strength session out on the floor with a friend or two.
I'm trying to get my cardio in 5-6 days a week. I'm shooting for a mix of running, RPM and Body Combat. Running is 2 miles a few times a week. I decided to drop out of TNT as I just don't have the time to commit to the fundraising right now and my bronchitis was taking longer to go away than I expected so I was missing some of the training sessions and already felt behind. I am doing the City to Sea half-marathon in October so I'll post my training progress here. I'll be training with the EQ team starting August 8th.
I think that's about it. I am still trying to get my before and after pics to post here. I'll be meeting with my trainer from before the TC to see how much stronger I am and what my measurements are. She measured in a lot more places than they did for the TC so we're both anxious to see how that turns out as well as how much more weight I can do on my various exercises, etc. I'll have to do a post-TC progress post here soon. Just gotta get all my data together.
Happy Friday everyone! I wish everyone an enjoyable weekend!!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Here we go again...
This morning I went back to boot camp at the gym. I know, I know, you thought I was done with all those insane early morning workouts. But to be perfectly honest, I missed them! I felt like I was floundering a little bit since the challenge. I was trying to go in and do weights on my own and then I would do my cardio. And while I felt pretty good about the cardio, I still knew I wasn't pushing myself enough and knew I needed to start taking some more classes so I would push myself even harder.
As for the strength training, my team and I had chatted about getting some group personal training sessions going, maybe go once a week for four sessions or something so we know what we're doing when we go in on our own. But in the meantime, I needed to have a plan. So I signed up for the post-TC package #1 which includes:
24 sessions of Boot Camp (MWF at 6:30)
4 sessions with the nutritionist
4 sessions with the sports psychologist
Last night I hit rock bottom for the first time in weeks and I thought I was going to die. And then this morning was my first morning back at boot camp. I knew going into it that it was going to just about kill me. For three reasons:
1. I haven't done boot camp in three weeks
2. I got about four hours of sleep last night so I was exhausted
3. It was Lauren's day. Nuff said.
And even though I have been running on the treadmill and lifting weights and doing the machines these past three weeks....it....kicked...my....butt. And my quads. And my hamstrings. And my biceps. And my triceps. And just about every other muscle you could think of. By the time we were done, all my muscles were twitching like I had a dozen nervous tics! But it felt good. I'm sore already, but it feels good.
Sick, isn't it? 4 months ago if you would have told me that I would have liked getting my hiney kicked like that, I would have asked for you to share a little of whatever you were smokin'.
Ah, it's good to be back!
As for the strength training, my team and I had chatted about getting some group personal training sessions going, maybe go once a week for four sessions or something so we know what we're doing when we go in on our own. But in the meantime, I needed to have a plan. So I signed up for the post-TC package #1 which includes:
24 sessions of Boot Camp (MWF at 6:30)
4 sessions with the nutritionist
4 sessions with the sports psychologist
Last night I hit rock bottom for the first time in weeks and I thought I was going to die. And then this morning was my first morning back at boot camp. I knew going into it that it was going to just about kill me. For three reasons:
1. I haven't done boot camp in three weeks
2. I got about four hours of sleep last night so I was exhausted
3. It was Lauren's day. Nuff said.
And even though I have been running on the treadmill and lifting weights and doing the machines these past three weeks....it....kicked...my....butt. And my quads. And my hamstrings. And my biceps. And my triceps. And just about every other muscle you could think of. By the time we were done, all my muscles were twitching like I had a dozen nervous tics! But it felt good. I'm sore already, but it feels good.
Sick, isn't it? 4 months ago if you would have told me that I would have liked getting my hiney kicked like that, I would have asked for you to share a little of whatever you were smokin'.
Ah, it's good to be back!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Family Photos
My friend Carey was kind enough to take some pictures of my kids. Here are a few of the pics. I can't wait to see all of them. I like that some of them aren't your typical portraits but more of the kids at play, etc. I haven't really been in any pictures of the kids for some time now and I can't say that I loved the shots of me, but at least it's documented - my children do indeed have a mother. If I were to die tomorrow, they'd have pictures of us together at least, right? LOL Anyway, just thought I'd share.
June Craziness and Five Things
Things have been kind of a whirlwind since the Transformation Challenge finished up. School is almost out and it’s been wrapping up Box Top contests and final issues of PTO newsletters and end of the year teacher and staff gifts and all that fun stuff. Gracie gets out on Thursday, and Ian finishes preschool the same day. Then it’s on to summertime – spending days at Janet’s and Grandma’s, swimming lessons, soccer, time in Ventura, time at the lake, concerts and movies in the park. Probably every bit as busy as the school year, but everything seems like more fun because it’s OUTDOORS! I love summer, love the sunshine, love the weather….love it, love it, love it!
First, let me list my five things to be grateful for. Thank you to Jean Steel for providing me with this idea. I think it’s great as it helps me to focus on the positive and not the things I naturally gravitate toward complaining about. Here we go, five things I’m grateful for today:
1. The last Box Tops contest of the school year is behind me
2. A boss that’s understanding enough to let me have a fairly flexible schedule
3. That Gracie won a Kookey in the Box Tops drawing. She watched enviously and patiently while I gave out six of them to other winners throughout the school year. So glad she won one fair and square!
4. A nice, cold diet coke this morning. I know, I know, not the best thing for me to drink, but I needed the caffeine today.
5. Two days off this week – Thursday and Friday!
I’ll post again soon, maybe later today, with my latest plans for fitness, diet, also with my official results and pictures from the Transformation Challenge.
First, let me list my five things to be grateful for. Thank you to Jean Steel for providing me with this idea. I think it’s great as it helps me to focus on the positive and not the things I naturally gravitate toward complaining about. Here we go, five things I’m grateful for today:
1. The last Box Tops contest of the school year is behind me
2. A boss that’s understanding enough to let me have a fairly flexible schedule
3. That Gracie won a Kookey in the Box Tops drawing. She watched enviously and patiently while I gave out six of them to other winners throughout the school year. So glad she won one fair and square!
4. A nice, cold diet coke this morning. I know, I know, not the best thing for me to drink, but I needed the caffeine today.
5. Two days off this week – Thursday and Friday!
I’ll post again soon, maybe later today, with my latest plans for fitness, diet, also with my official results and pictures from the Transformation Challenge.
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