So what have I done this month to make myself more interesting? I decided to run a full marathon.
I decided there is no time like the present and with each passing year, I am getting older and it will only be harder to do. I really want to be the kind of person that goes after what they want and makes it happen. Its going to happen this year.
What have I learned? I learned a lot about the approach. I've trained before and gotten injured so I'm taking it slow. I picked out a 22 week training plan, which is longer than the usual 18, 16 or 12 week plans. I learned about the different types of runs - Progression, Base, Recovery and Long. I went to the doctor and learned a lot more about my heart.
As of today, I have been green lighted for the marathon!! I saw a new cardiologist today who specializes in arrhythmia's and he assured me that what's going on is not in any way life threatening. Wonderful news!
I'm already in week 4 of training.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Results are IN
Echo looks good. Heart is normal. Stress test shows that exercise is actually normalizing my heart beat!!
Next up, figure out why I have "extra beats" when doing nothing.
Cardiologist specializing in arrhythmia's tomorrow! Excited to get to the bottom of this.
Celebratory carb eating happening now!
Next up, figure out why I have "extra beats" when doing nothing.
Cardiologist specializing in arrhythmia's tomorrow! Excited to get to the bottom of this.
Celebratory carb eating happening now!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Would You Light My Candle?
Do remember that song from RENT? I read a quote about Hanukah, about light dispelling the dark, about one candle making a big difference. I'm not Jewish and perhaps these sorts of comments for the festival of lights are very typical but it got me thinking. How am I going to get rid of the darkness in my life by bringing as much light as I can to my own life and those around me? Don't call this a resolution! I want to make a meaningful change to my attitude in 2012 that lasts for a long while.
We've been seeing family for Christmas, and soon birthdays and New Years'. We're not always happy with how life is going, with the choices people make for their own lives or the comments they have for our choices. Family is so wonderful and frustrating at once, its amazing.
Last week, I went to the cardiologist for an annual visit. As far as I thought, the arrhythmia I was experiencing while pregnant over a year ago had subsided. A day or so later after wearing a halter vest for a day I was told I had to double my medication and go for more tests. I'm worried and sad that this is happening. Still hoping its nothing. I told the cardiologist that I run for exercise and am considering attempting a marathon. I was annoyed with the doctor when he asked with a smirk, "How bad do you want to do it?" and then casually mentions how there are marathoners who don't finish races all the time (because they have died from some sudden cardiac catastrophe!). I mean really, I would like to do a marathon NOT risk my life, I am not insane!!! I do not want to risk my life over anything. Running gives me time to myself and a lot of satisfaction on working towards a goal, training myself to do something I was not capable of doing before I started. I'm only 3 weeks into a 22 week training program but this is disappointing to hear that I might not be able to do this or even lesser distances. I respect the marathon and especially the psyche it entails of anything being possible. It seems so crushing and liberating at once. How much does it mean to me to do one? Well, kind of a lot, doctor, its kind of hard to juggle 3 kids all the time or to find the time or an activity that gives me this special solitude and sense of accomplishment (and possibly maintains my sanity)!
So there it is, this worry, my current darkness. It has given me overall anxiety which hopefully will go away once the rest of the testing is complete. It has made me angry with family members who seem to be perfectly healthy and yet do things unhealthy or even worse just do nothing at all. It made me angry that the knee jerk reaction from some people was just simply stating that a marathon is "too far" as if you can just decide to run 26.2 miles (clearly a comment like this has no respect for the training and work involved in making yourself capable of running 26.2 miles). When stated all out like this I realize that I have allowed this darkness to get bigger. The reality is IF there is something slightly wrong with my heart and I can't do a marathon but can live a very long full life, I can live (quite happily) with that. I am going to focus on that and let it be my light.
We've been seeing family for Christmas, and soon birthdays and New Years'. We're not always happy with how life is going, with the choices people make for their own lives or the comments they have for our choices. Family is so wonderful and frustrating at once, its amazing.
Last week, I went to the cardiologist for an annual visit. As far as I thought, the arrhythmia I was experiencing while pregnant over a year ago had subsided. A day or so later after wearing a halter vest for a day I was told I had to double my medication and go for more tests. I'm worried and sad that this is happening. Still hoping its nothing. I told the cardiologist that I run for exercise and am considering attempting a marathon. I was annoyed with the doctor when he asked with a smirk, "How bad do you want to do it?" and then casually mentions how there are marathoners who don't finish races all the time (because they have died from some sudden cardiac catastrophe!). I mean really, I would like to do a marathon NOT risk my life, I am not insane!!! I do not want to risk my life over anything. Running gives me time to myself and a lot of satisfaction on working towards a goal, training myself to do something I was not capable of doing before I started. I'm only 3 weeks into a 22 week training program but this is disappointing to hear that I might not be able to do this or even lesser distances. I respect the marathon and especially the psyche it entails of anything being possible. It seems so crushing and liberating at once. How much does it mean to me to do one? Well, kind of a lot, doctor, its kind of hard to juggle 3 kids all the time or to find the time or an activity that gives me this special solitude and sense of accomplishment (and possibly maintains my sanity)!
So there it is, this worry, my current darkness. It has given me overall anxiety which hopefully will go away once the rest of the testing is complete. It has made me angry with family members who seem to be perfectly healthy and yet do things unhealthy or even worse just do nothing at all. It made me angry that the knee jerk reaction from some people was just simply stating that a marathon is "too far" as if you can just decide to run 26.2 miles (clearly a comment like this has no respect for the training and work involved in making yourself capable of running 26.2 miles). When stated all out like this I realize that I have allowed this darkness to get bigger. The reality is IF there is something slightly wrong with my heart and I can't do a marathon but can live a very long full life, I can live (quite happily) with that. I am going to focus on that and let it be my light.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Celebrity Leaf Raking
Do you hear me, Kim Kardashian?? I want you to come and rake my leaves!!
I swear I get a sense of accomplishment when I finish raking the leaves. I swear I don't hate it. BUT the satisfaction wears thin when I have to rake the entire yard several times during the season. Crazy thoughts enter my head as I get some aggressions out raking the leaves. From the outside I may look like typical suburban mom raking in her gym clothes. Inside my head I am questioning why I told my husband we should go to Costco rather then rake the leaves together. In my internal dialogue I may even start referring to the leaves that get stuck under the bushes as "pieces of sh*t." Then my thoughts turn to celebrities with problems.
I really can't explain how it happens, perhaps its my own desire to get someone else to rake my leaves. Anyway, while the trickle of sweat dripped down my forehead, my mind thought of Kim Kardashian and the therapeutic value for her of raking my leaves. It also struck me as funny that I was having the EXACT same thought last year at this time except I wanted Charlie Sheen to rake my leaves. No paparazzi, no camera crew. Celebrity versus the leaves. Will the leaves make it to the curb before the public works leaf sucking machine comes? Will the celebrity put all the gross leaves in their car if they miss the public works leaf sucking truck?
I'm so sick of hearing about their celebrity problems. For some reason raking my leaves makes me wonder if celebrities had to do the stuff that regular people do what kind of perspective would that give them in their life. Would they make the same choices and behave the same way? The value for me is obvious -- free leaf raking and an afternoon to relax.
I swear I get a sense of accomplishment when I finish raking the leaves. I swear I don't hate it. BUT the satisfaction wears thin when I have to rake the entire yard several times during the season. Crazy thoughts enter my head as I get some aggressions out raking the leaves. From the outside I may look like typical suburban mom raking in her gym clothes. Inside my head I am questioning why I told my husband we should go to Costco rather then rake the leaves together. In my internal dialogue I may even start referring to the leaves that get stuck under the bushes as "pieces of sh*t." Then my thoughts turn to celebrities with problems.
I really can't explain how it happens, perhaps its my own desire to get someone else to rake my leaves. Anyway, while the trickle of sweat dripped down my forehead, my mind thought of Kim Kardashian and the therapeutic value for her of raking my leaves. It also struck me as funny that I was having the EXACT same thought last year at this time except I wanted Charlie Sheen to rake my leaves. No paparazzi, no camera crew. Celebrity versus the leaves. Will the leaves make it to the curb before the public works leaf sucking machine comes? Will the celebrity put all the gross leaves in their car if they miss the public works leaf sucking truck?
I'm so sick of hearing about their celebrity problems. For some reason raking my leaves makes me wonder if celebrities had to do the stuff that regular people do what kind of perspective would that give them in their life. Would they make the same choices and behave the same way? The value for me is obvious -- free leaf raking and an afternoon to relax.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Reading is FundaMENTAL
I've been away far too long from the blog and the reason is I've been reading. I got completely sucked into "The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo." I've been aching for a book that I couldn't put down and when I saw the movie trailer for the GWDT, I decided to head to the library and pick it up.
It was so good. I breezed through the 600 page book and was ready for more. Luckily its a trilogy. The sneaky author starts the next book at the end of books one and two so the story just keeps going. I have been unable to do anything else until all three 600 page books were read! It has been making me a little mental since my children see me sitting nicely and have a million demands for anything to constantly interrupt. I ended up staying up late and reading which results in me feeling kind of hung over the next day without having a single drop of alcohol. I am so old but who cares I finally know the end! Life can resume.
The writing itself is not anything exceptional and the books don't seem to get really going until you are about 200 pages in BUT the story is so good! Now, I really want to go to Stockholm (setting of the book) and run a marathon. Marathons have nothing to do with the book, its just like a bucket list thing for me that I'd like to run at least one marathon and why not be in an exotic place when I do it. Stockholm in the spring perhaps....
It was so good. I breezed through the 600 page book and was ready for more. Luckily its a trilogy. The sneaky author starts the next book at the end of books one and two so the story just keeps going. I have been unable to do anything else until all three 600 page books were read! It has been making me a little mental since my children see me sitting nicely and have a million demands for anything to constantly interrupt. I ended up staying up late and reading which results in me feeling kind of hung over the next day without having a single drop of alcohol. I am so old but who cares I finally know the end! Life can resume.
The writing itself is not anything exceptional and the books don't seem to get really going until you are about 200 pages in BUT the story is so good! Now, I really want to go to Stockholm (setting of the book) and run a marathon. Marathons have nothing to do with the book, its just like a bucket list thing for me that I'd like to run at least one marathon and why not be in an exotic place when I do it. Stockholm in the spring perhaps....
Sunday, October 16, 2011
51 Months of Breast Feeding, Farewell
I'm weaning the baby. No more "nursie." I can't believe the time has come already and then on the other hand I'm so over it. I am embracing my body as just my own again and forever more but it was amazing to share myself for so very long.
It started with the birth of my son in September 2006. After 22 hours of labor, this shockingly large, 9+lbs baby was put in my arms. He was so warm and smooth and I was so beyond happy to finally meet him 10 days after his due date. I put him to my breast immediately, it was so strange to be able to provide nourishment to my baby from my own body. I remember sort of reminding myself that it was completely natural and the whole thing felt simultaneously strange and empowering. So in the last five years or so this is what I've learned about breastfeeding...
It started out rocky and it seems to for EVERYONE. There was a breastfeeding class at the hospital but it was a total joke. Personally, I had stitches down low from tearing during delivery, the pain made it near impossible to sit up for the hour long class. The nurses kind of glanced over and saw my son latched on so I was OK and I left the class early due to the pain of sitting up. We got home and the alarms bells sounded with the first pediatrician appointment. My baby had lost a little too much weight. The pediatrician quickly recommended adding a little formula. I was adamant that we exclusively breastfeed but the baby would only latch on for small increments and then fall asleep. Thankfully, my amazing husband got in touch with a lactation consultant who was at a nearby hospital (not even the hospital where we had our son). She assessed the situation and offered me a nipple shield. I could have dipped that thing in gold! It was amazing. Now, my baby was really nursing, finally at nearly a week old! LESSON: Consult a lactation consultant if you are having trouble. Don't give up too easily and don't try too hard, do what YOU think is best and what ever you choose IS the right thing for you and baby.
The nipple shield worked for the first couple of months and by Thanksgiving I didn't even need it. Due to my mere 8 week (actually 6 weeks and 2 weeks of vacation) maternity leave I now had to deal with bottles and pumping. Nothing makes you feel more like a cow than pumping. Pumping is everything breastfeeding is not, completely impersonal. The whooshing of the machine, the quantifying every last ounce of milk, tapping every last drop into bottles, agonizing over the amount. The "policy" at my office for nursing mothers was for moms to see the receptionist (hopefully at her desk and not elsewhere) when you need to pump. The receptionist or who ever was covering her would then determine which office was available and dole out the key -- nothing discreet about it. Despite being in a supposedly empty and locked office you never knew when someone might accidentally pop in on you like the cleaning people or anyone with a master key. Welcome back to work, check your dignity at the door, Mama. I remember coming home after those working days, unbuttoning my blouse almost immediately after stepping through the door and re-connecting with my baby as he nursed. It was worth the aggravation. LESSON: Often being a breastfeeding mom puts you in unfair and annoying situations, expect them and be willing to face and overcome obstacles. While your baby can't say, "Thank you" it is a nice way to be close whether you are physically present or not.
For many reasons I quit my job and then breastfeeding became so much easier. I remember being so proud at my son's birthday that we had made it to the one year mark and were still nursing. I wondered whether we should stop. We were just trying to hit the 12 month mark but he liked it and I was happy to provide so why not continue? So we did continue and then I got pregnant again. It was hard to see my little guy mad at me when I denied him "nursie" and he really only needed it to fall asleep so we continued and then my daughter was born. I really wanted to avoid any potential resentment toward the new baby that he might have if I told him no and then allowed the new baby to nurse so I continued to let him nurse. CRAZY! Tandem nursing only lasted a month and then I just had to tell my almost 2 year old no more nursie. With all the new milk he was starting to prefer it to food and it was just time for him to move on. LESSON: If you really want to try tandem nursing go for it, my advice is wean your baby before its even an issue.
My daughter was easy to nurse from the beginning, probably because there was no break from nursing my son. I couldn't just stay at home though. We had a bigger family now and needed to get out of the house so nursing in public became the art to master. I remember being in the mall when she was so tiny in what I considered to be an out of the way spot and letting my baby nurse while my husband and son went into a store. I was aghast at the snickers I got. How do people snicker at a child eating? It is such a crazy culture we live in that women's breasts are all over the place in revealing outfits in magazines and movies or in person walking through the mall yet people will zero in on a mom nursing discreetly. Nursing in public only gets easier with practice. Anyway at seventeen months, we decided to wean and it was quite helpful to have a solo trip planned where I could just go on a vacation, let it happen and not be tempted to return to nursing. LESSON: Life does not stop for nursing, just go with it, your only audience is your baby.
It was only a couple of months without nursing when I became pregnant for the third time. When my second daughter was born I was a nursing pro. Everything has gone well. In the circus that is our family the demand of nursing forces me to slow down and just bond with my baby. Again, we've made it to the 12 month mark which is always my goal. Its with mixed emotions that I am not embracing the nursing for the longer/extended haul this time. I know she'll be fine nutritionally and emotionally. The sleep deprivation is killing me. I'm a bit of a zombie some days and most nights. Its not like it didn't happen at points with the other two kids but there were not this many kids to take care of before. She is amazing though and has successfully weaned with not too much effort from all day nursing, this week night nursing is ending. We're finding new snacks to enjoy and books to read instead of nursing. I'm starting my day a little earlier to avoid the lay in bed and nurse routine, also avoiding being around her with my shirt off. It is going really well. LESSON: When you're ready to wean read about it, have a plan, be ready to change some habits, especially your own.
Since I know this is my last baby, my nursing days are really ending. These 51 months of sharing myself so intimately with my babies has been such an amazing experience. I hope it makes them smarter, healthier and more emotionally stable like all these breast feeding proponents say. Even if it doesn't, I know the benefits (I am not even talking about the calorie burn). Having a warm little body in your arms against you and being able to be the only person in the world to give them the only thing in the world they want is JOY. Its hard, I know. I get it when people have their reasons for stopping. I am so thankful I was able to persevere through the tough points, that my kids didn't have any major issues with nursing, that my husband has been so supportive and understanding about how important it is for our babies. The act itself is so demanding and thankless yet it has brought me so much joy. My babies keep growing and changing so quickly its nice to look down and just take in their look for that moment. In hindsight, it is really only a moment and 51 months has passed so very quickly for me.
It started with the birth of my son in September 2006. After 22 hours of labor, this shockingly large, 9+lbs baby was put in my arms. He was so warm and smooth and I was so beyond happy to finally meet him 10 days after his due date. I put him to my breast immediately, it was so strange to be able to provide nourishment to my baby from my own body. I remember sort of reminding myself that it was completely natural and the whole thing felt simultaneously strange and empowering. So in the last five years or so this is what I've learned about breastfeeding...
It started out rocky and it seems to for EVERYONE. There was a breastfeeding class at the hospital but it was a total joke. Personally, I had stitches down low from tearing during delivery, the pain made it near impossible to sit up for the hour long class. The nurses kind of glanced over and saw my son latched on so I was OK and I left the class early due to the pain of sitting up. We got home and the alarms bells sounded with the first pediatrician appointment. My baby had lost a little too much weight. The pediatrician quickly recommended adding a little formula. I was adamant that we exclusively breastfeed but the baby would only latch on for small increments and then fall asleep. Thankfully, my amazing husband got in touch with a lactation consultant who was at a nearby hospital (not even the hospital where we had our son). She assessed the situation and offered me a nipple shield. I could have dipped that thing in gold! It was amazing. Now, my baby was really nursing, finally at nearly a week old! LESSON: Consult a lactation consultant if you are having trouble. Don't give up too easily and don't try too hard, do what YOU think is best and what ever you choose IS the right thing for you and baby.
The nipple shield worked for the first couple of months and by Thanksgiving I didn't even need it. Due to my mere 8 week (actually 6 weeks and 2 weeks of vacation) maternity leave I now had to deal with bottles and pumping. Nothing makes you feel more like a cow than pumping. Pumping is everything breastfeeding is not, completely impersonal. The whooshing of the machine, the quantifying every last ounce of milk, tapping every last drop into bottles, agonizing over the amount. The "policy" at my office for nursing mothers was for moms to see the receptionist (hopefully at her desk and not elsewhere) when you need to pump. The receptionist or who ever was covering her would then determine which office was available and dole out the key -- nothing discreet about it. Despite being in a supposedly empty and locked office you never knew when someone might accidentally pop in on you like the cleaning people or anyone with a master key. Welcome back to work, check your dignity at the door, Mama. I remember coming home after those working days, unbuttoning my blouse almost immediately after stepping through the door and re-connecting with my baby as he nursed. It was worth the aggravation. LESSON: Often being a breastfeeding mom puts you in unfair and annoying situations, expect them and be willing to face and overcome obstacles. While your baby can't say, "Thank you" it is a nice way to be close whether you are physically present or not.
For many reasons I quit my job and then breastfeeding became so much easier. I remember being so proud at my son's birthday that we had made it to the one year mark and were still nursing. I wondered whether we should stop. We were just trying to hit the 12 month mark but he liked it and I was happy to provide so why not continue? So we did continue and then I got pregnant again. It was hard to see my little guy mad at me when I denied him "nursie" and he really only needed it to fall asleep so we continued and then my daughter was born. I really wanted to avoid any potential resentment toward the new baby that he might have if I told him no and then allowed the new baby to nurse so I continued to let him nurse. CRAZY! Tandem nursing only lasted a month and then I just had to tell my almost 2 year old no more nursie. With all the new milk he was starting to prefer it to food and it was just time for him to move on. LESSON: If you really want to try tandem nursing go for it, my advice is wean your baby before its even an issue.
My daughter was easy to nurse from the beginning, probably because there was no break from nursing my son. I couldn't just stay at home though. We had a bigger family now and needed to get out of the house so nursing in public became the art to master. I remember being in the mall when she was so tiny in what I considered to be an out of the way spot and letting my baby nurse while my husband and son went into a store. I was aghast at the snickers I got. How do people snicker at a child eating? It is such a crazy culture we live in that women's breasts are all over the place in revealing outfits in magazines and movies or in person walking through the mall yet people will zero in on a mom nursing discreetly. Nursing in public only gets easier with practice. Anyway at seventeen months, we decided to wean and it was quite helpful to have a solo trip planned where I could just go on a vacation, let it happen and not be tempted to return to nursing. LESSON: Life does not stop for nursing, just go with it, your only audience is your baby.
It was only a couple of months without nursing when I became pregnant for the third time. When my second daughter was born I was a nursing pro. Everything has gone well. In the circus that is our family the demand of nursing forces me to slow down and just bond with my baby. Again, we've made it to the 12 month mark which is always my goal. Its with mixed emotions that I am not embracing the nursing for the longer/extended haul this time. I know she'll be fine nutritionally and emotionally. The sleep deprivation is killing me. I'm a bit of a zombie some days and most nights. Its not like it didn't happen at points with the other two kids but there were not this many kids to take care of before. She is amazing though and has successfully weaned with not too much effort from all day nursing, this week night nursing is ending. We're finding new snacks to enjoy and books to read instead of nursing. I'm starting my day a little earlier to avoid the lay in bed and nurse routine, also avoiding being around her with my shirt off. It is going really well. LESSON: When you're ready to wean read about it, have a plan, be ready to change some habits, especially your own.
Since I know this is my last baby, my nursing days are really ending. These 51 months of sharing myself so intimately with my babies has been such an amazing experience. I hope it makes them smarter, healthier and more emotionally stable like all these breast feeding proponents say. Even if it doesn't, I know the benefits (I am not even talking about the calorie burn). Having a warm little body in your arms against you and being able to be the only person in the world to give them the only thing in the world they want is JOY. Its hard, I know. I get it when people have their reasons for stopping. I am so thankful I was able to persevere through the tough points, that my kids didn't have any major issues with nursing, that my husband has been so supportive and understanding about how important it is for our babies. The act itself is so demanding and thankless yet it has brought me so much joy. My babies keep growing and changing so quickly its nice to look down and just take in their look for that moment. In hindsight, it is really only a moment and 51 months has passed so very quickly for me.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Me with my Pixie
Well, I've been mulling it over for a long while and finally decided to take the plunge... chopped off my hair. I marched into the hairdresser with a nice picture of Michelle Williams (which I can't even post) and asked the hairdresser to try her best to make my extremely straight hair look like Michelle's. I'm happy with the results, but still working on styling my hair.
I LOVE short hair. I feel like every outfit looks more stylish, more Euro, with short hair. I think I appear to be a lady who is not afraid to take chances, dare I say daring! I feel brave, bold, etc. Is that what I look like when I hop into the driver's seat of my minivan after strapping all my kids into their car seats? Anyway, I don't really care too much how others perceive me but I thought I'd share some of the comments I've gotten (the good, bad and indifferent).
Note my before and after shots...
This was not a subtle change and somehow this seems to invite LOTS of comments.
#1 Did you cut your hair?
(yeah, and?)
#2 You cut your hair.
(Should this be news to me or you?)
#3 I see you cut your hair.
(Do I say thank you?)
#4 Wow! That's a different look for around here.
(Huh?)
#5 I didn't even recognize you. (Followed by) I really like it.
(Thanks!)
#6 Love it!
(Thanks, me too)
#7 Rock star Momma!
(ya think? Thanks)
#8 So adorable!
(Thanks!)
#9 You're brave!
(Smile)
#10 Did you mean to do that? It makes you look really young!
(yes, and you are socially awkward but saved it!)
Not that I would expect anyone to say they dislike my choice of haircuts but I think its hilarious how obvious it is when someone dislikes it and yet still feels compelled to comment!
This really was a reward to me. I never would have done this with all that extra weight on. Now, it will be motivation to keep the weight off.
I LOVE short hair. I feel like every outfit looks more stylish, more Euro, with short hair. I think I appear to be a lady who is not afraid to take chances, dare I say daring! I feel brave, bold, etc. Is that what I look like when I hop into the driver's seat of my minivan after strapping all my kids into their car seats? Anyway, I don't really care too much how others perceive me but I thought I'd share some of the comments I've gotten (the good, bad and indifferent).
Note my before and after shots...
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
#1 Did you cut your hair?
(yeah, and?)
#2 You cut your hair.
(Should this be news to me or you?)
#3 I see you cut your hair.
(Do I say thank you?)
#4 Wow! That's a different look for around here.
(Huh?)
#5 I didn't even recognize you. (Followed by) I really like it.
(Thanks!)
#6 Love it!
(Thanks, me too)
#7 Rock star Momma!
(ya think? Thanks)
#8 So adorable!
(Thanks!)
#9 You're brave!
(Smile)
#10 Did you mean to do that? It makes you look really young!
(yes, and you are socially awkward but saved it!)
Not that I would expect anyone to say they dislike my choice of haircuts but I think its hilarious how obvious it is when someone dislikes it and yet still feels compelled to comment!
This really was a reward to me. I never would have done this with all that extra weight on. Now, it will be motivation to keep the weight off.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
All Eyes on Me or Not
More practice with the camera. Trying to get the sun shining on/through their eyes b/c I noticed how pretty it was and then no one wanted to sit still and let me take the picture.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
First Game
Today was my first day as assistant soccer coach. Its me, 2 other dads are head coach and 2 more assistant coaches, plus the team of 12 five year old boys. Very excited that I think I can add a lot to the team. It was definitely worth it just for the one kid who said, "She's going to play?" I am teaching them something even if its not necessarily about soccer. The dads are great but don't have my enthusiasm. Next week I am going to have the boys do some sort of "Go team" cheer in the huddle which I was disappointed no one suggested this week. My little guy was reluctant to participate during the drills but came around in time to do the scrimmage. Plus I got chosen to be class mom!! Still do not know which kid's class I was selected for but I don't really care which class.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Proof of Autumn
Practice makes perfect. I was noticing some of the fall colors in the yard and decided to practice my focusing with the camera.
Zero deleted pictures!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Photography Class Needed
I had lots of fun baking with my son this morning. Decided to take pictures of our hard work and realized two things (1) I really do love our camera and (2) I sorely need instruction on using it. These are my attempts to get the camera to focus on different things. This was a hilarious situation convincing my son the cookies still needed to cool off while I took the pictures. Perhaps you can see his shadow as he hovered in the pictures. Anyway, I took at least a dozen pictures and these are the only clear ones. Have no idea how I would do this if say the subject matter were moving even a tiny bit.
I think I got it on these next two --
background is in focus and forefront in the next one.
I like how these look, like you can taste the cookie. Just want to be able to do this without so many attempts. Does everyone take three times the pictures they want while trying to get the right focus on their camera, only to delete 75% of their pictures immediately after importing them from your camera? Or is it just me?
Friday, September 23, 2011
New Project - Class Mom
I crossed going back to school off the list for this fall since we could be moving in the new year. I volunteered to be assistant soccer coach of my 5 year old's soccer team. After completing a really dull three hour training/certification class and then getting finger printed, the roster has come out. There are no less than 2 coaches and 3 assistant coaches for a team of 11 kids. I doubt the coaching is going to be the project I had hoped for, seems like they have plenty of hands on deck.
Back to school night at my kids' school offered another opportunity, class mom. I've been slightly scared about being class mom b/c I've heard mixed things about it. Apparently the class mom's pay for all the parties and treats through out the year which can get costly if you are partnered with other class moms that want to spend a lot. On the up side, you get to attend all the parties which the kids (and me) are always super excited about. I believe the kids don't need a lot of money spent on them but creative activities make it more worthwhile for them. Hopefully, I will get picked and be partnered with like minded moms.
Back to school night at my kids' school offered another opportunity, class mom. I've been slightly scared about being class mom b/c I've heard mixed things about it. Apparently the class mom's pay for all the parties and treats through out the year which can get costly if you are partnered with other class moms that want to spend a lot. On the up side, you get to attend all the parties which the kids (and me) are always super excited about. I believe the kids don't need a lot of money spent on them but creative activities make it more worthwhile for them. Hopefully, I will get picked and be partnered with like minded moms.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Back to the Blog
So I've taken a month off from the blog and what's happened? An earthquake, a hurricane (which cancelled my triathlon), flooding in the basement (a week after the hurricane!), birthday parties, LOTS of birthday parties and figuring out the fall/school routine.
I've been putting lots of energy into my projects. My husband and I successfully made a playroom in our unfinished basement. I hosted a birthday party in the house for my son's 5th. My husband hosted a fabulous sit down dinner in honor of my daughter's first birthday and my birthday too. Lots of fun things except for the storms and flooding.
I did not intend on taking a month off from the blog but I'm kind of bored with it. Having no major project in my crosshairs, I can't figure out how to remedy the situation. I don't want the blog to end so I will have to persevere through this lull. Seriously, I'm considering taking a class about blogging b/c I want to write more concisely and with at least some focus.
So update on my previous projects... Triathlon was cancelled due to hurricane Irene. I am 100% confident I would have done well and that is good enough for me. I vow to do a triathlon in the future since I purchased tri-shorts and want to use them! I made lifetime member at WW and in all the business of the last few weeks was not able to go for a weekly weigh in. I went last week and I was down 1lb! I'm really feeling like the weight/eating is somewhat under control right now but I will continue attending meetings when I can. I'm hungry for a new challenge.
I've been putting lots of energy into my projects. My husband and I successfully made a playroom in our unfinished basement. I hosted a birthday party in the house for my son's 5th. My husband hosted a fabulous sit down dinner in honor of my daughter's first birthday and my birthday too. Lots of fun things except for the storms and flooding.
I did not intend on taking a month off from the blog but I'm kind of bored with it. Having no major project in my crosshairs, I can't figure out how to remedy the situation. I don't want the blog to end so I will have to persevere through this lull. Seriously, I'm considering taking a class about blogging b/c I want to write more concisely and with at least some focus.
So update on my previous projects... Triathlon was cancelled due to hurricane Irene. I am 100% confident I would have done well and that is good enough for me. I vow to do a triathlon in the future since I purchased tri-shorts and want to use them! I made lifetime member at WW and in all the business of the last few weeks was not able to go for a weekly weigh in. I went last week and I was down 1lb! I'm really feeling like the weight/eating is somewhat under control right now but I will continue attending meetings when I can. I'm hungry for a new challenge.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
All Shapes of Me
In honor of my officially becoming a life time member of Weight Watchers tomorrow. I thought it fitting to finally post some pictures of myself. Looking at pictures instantly bring back thoughts from the time the picture was taken. Here we go horrible pictures of myself and thoughts...
This is me Christmas 2009. I thought I loved this dress. When I saw this picture I was so disappointed. I looked so different from how I felt inside. My clothes look tight and uncomfortable. What was I thinking not sticking with my usual black? Could the scale possibly be right? I'm in the 170s?! Hello, New Years' Resolultion! I'm going to train for a half marathon and lose weight ASAP and I was DETERMINED.
Six months later....
Six months later....
I got pregnant. I wish I could say I was nine months pregnant in this picture. Nope, its June 2010 and I was due in September. Suffice to say once I saw this picture no more pictures were allowed. I have no idea what my weight was in the picture but with each pregnancy I gained like 50+ lbs. Again, when will I learn my lesson? I thought this bathing suit looked great until I saw my picture! Stick with black already! Anyway, I was in good spirits because with all my determination from New Years I was regularly working out. I was not able to do the half marathon due to the pregnancy but I did do a 10 mile race at about 14 weeks pregnant. At this point in my pregnancy I had already had thyroid surgery (which was so stressful) but before the whole weird heart thing that started (way more stressful).
September 2010 was the birth of my third child, my wonderful baby girl. Only good news has come since her birth. The thyroid was nothing once removed, the heart issue was just some weird thing too. I cried with joy when some time in November I took a final cardiac test and everything had gone back to normal. All of that worry and stress energy has been channeled into making myself appreciate my life and work on being healthy for a life time.
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| Can't go wrong wearing black! |
Monday, August 15, 2011
Triathlon Training Weeks 6 & 7: Feeling Shakey
I thought week 6 was going awesome but then with all the vacation preparations I was not able to do the long swim or the long run (like I thought I would easily fit in). Disaster! Week 7 (still on vacation) I was only able to go for runs. I did all the running I was supposed to do plus some extra but no biking or swimming. While on vacation, I was feeling really nervous about the triathlon. I still have not actually registered for it AND swimming in the ocean seems SCARY and tough. Plus there's all these annoying little details that would probably get answered if I just registered but how does my bike get to the transition spot? Where do I change my clothes after the swim? To add fuel to the fire the Nautica Triathlon in NYC occurred while we were on vacation and I read that 2 people died! Crazy!
On second thought, its on my "To do" list and I really want to cross something off! Must. Stay. Strong. Here I come week 8!
On second thought, its on my "To do" list and I really want to cross something off! Must. Stay. Strong. Here I come week 8!
Fighting to get back to Routine
Highly recommend two week vacations, it was great. Unpacking has been torturous! As it always is. Now to get back to organizing this house and my work out routine.
When we got back to the house we were so excited to see our new road. The bumpy, windy road we live on was paved while we were away. Its still quaint with less bumps. Then we bring our sleeping troupe of kids into the house and check out their room with brand new refinished wood floors! Wow! It looks so good! It looks so good it is paining us to put any of their toys back in so our new project has started. We are making a playroom in our unfinished basement. More to come on that later. I am also itching to paint the kids' room a new color. Finally we went into our bedroom and admired our newly "skim coated" walls, we had the bumpy plaster walls and ceiling repaired in our room. It looks great also. Less of the "Wow" factor since we had the walls painted the same color that was already up. The next day, I went outside to check out the roses and they are doing AMAZING!!! So all good news on those fronts.
The laundry on the other hand is so daunting especially with the playroom project underway I don't think I can even get to the washing machine. There's gotta be a downside, right?
When we got back to the house we were so excited to see our new road. The bumpy, windy road we live on was paved while we were away. Its still quaint with less bumps. Then we bring our sleeping troupe of kids into the house and check out their room with brand new refinished wood floors! Wow! It looks so good! It looks so good it is paining us to put any of their toys back in so our new project has started. We are making a playroom in our unfinished basement. More to come on that later. I am also itching to paint the kids' room a new color. Finally we went into our bedroom and admired our newly "skim coated" walls, we had the bumpy plaster walls and ceiling repaired in our room. It looks great also. Less of the "Wow" factor since we had the walls painted the same color that was already up. The next day, I went outside to check out the roses and they are doing AMAZING!!! So all good news on those fronts.
The laundry on the other hand is so daunting especially with the playroom project underway I don't think I can even get to the washing machine. There's gotta be a downside, right?
Weight Watcher on Vacation
While on vacation, I was flooded with so many positive moments. I felt great in my bathing suit. I'm not saying I look like a supermodel, I just felt really comfortable. Making sand castles, running after the kids, swimming. I was not spending any time wondering if I should get my cover up on or just about my appearance in general, I felt so healthy it superseded everything else.
This was my last couple of weeks of WW maintenance. Since I couldn't go to my regular meeting I went to the nearest WW office which happens to be the one my MIL goes to. Very interesting hearing a new leader and being in a new group of people to discuss eating, etc. Still love my leader Linda the most! The first Wednesday I was up 1.8 lbs, which made me exactly 155 lbs, aka my WW goal weight. I was fine BUT thinking this is going to be a real nail biter!! I still had one more full week of vacation before the final weight in to becoming a lifetime member. One full week of ice cream on the boardwalk, bagel breakfasts galore and lots of eating out with children who always order french fries but don't finish them. Ugh! I was pretty good though and the ability to go on a morning run nearly every morning helped tremendously. I showed up for last week's weigh in wearing only a dress/beach cover up (my lightest outfit) and I was down 0.8 lbs!! 154.2 lbs makes me a LIFE TIME member!!!!
It was a little anti climactic since I was not at my regular meeting. The computer did not reflect my status as maintenance complete for some unknown reason so it was like they had to take my word for it. They asked if I wanted to celebrate today and I said no. I would prefer to "celebrate" with my regular meeting. Part of me was thinking it would keep me on the straight and narrow for the rest of vacation, knowing I had to again make goal to celebrate at my regular meeting. Now I'm home and eating horrible. Remember that bag of chocolate chips that I finally got rid of a few weeks ago? I bought it during a "2 for" sale and now the second bag has opened!
This was my last couple of weeks of WW maintenance. Since I couldn't go to my regular meeting I went to the nearest WW office which happens to be the one my MIL goes to. Very interesting hearing a new leader and being in a new group of people to discuss eating, etc. Still love my leader Linda the most! The first Wednesday I was up 1.8 lbs, which made me exactly 155 lbs, aka my WW goal weight. I was fine BUT thinking this is going to be a real nail biter!! I still had one more full week of vacation before the final weight in to becoming a lifetime member. One full week of ice cream on the boardwalk, bagel breakfasts galore and lots of eating out with children who always order french fries but don't finish them. Ugh! I was pretty good though and the ability to go on a morning run nearly every morning helped tremendously. I showed up for last week's weigh in wearing only a dress/beach cover up (my lightest outfit) and I was down 0.8 lbs!! 154.2 lbs makes me a LIFE TIME member!!!!
It was a little anti climactic since I was not at my regular meeting. The computer did not reflect my status as maintenance complete for some unknown reason so it was like they had to take my word for it. They asked if I wanted to celebrate today and I said no. I would prefer to "celebrate" with my regular meeting. Part of me was thinking it would keep me on the straight and narrow for the rest of vacation, knowing I had to again make goal to celebrate at my regular meeting. Now I'm home and eating horrible. Remember that bag of chocolate chips that I finally got rid of a few weeks ago? I bought it during a "2 for" sale and now the second bag has opened!
Vacation Bliss
Vacation was much needed rest, relaxation and family time. Exactly what we were hoping for when we planned on renting a beach bungalow at the Jersey shore. The shore house we rented happened to be for sale so with the glee of being on vacation and enjoying the sea air we wondered/dreamed would buying a beach house be the life style change we crave? It was a tiny house with hardly any space around it, as minimal as it gets, perfect! No lawn to take care of, no room for excess inside the house and with such close quarters you wanted to get out of the house and get to the beach. Again, perfect. We even had great weather! Before vacation started, I was thinking to myself if this state screws us with bad weather on vacation, I will want to leave so fast. But vacation was pretty perfect all around and we got everything out of it that we wanted yet WE STILL WANT TO MOVE! Its so hard to decide to leave family and I'm sure we'll still have moments where we are unsure about things but we can't shake this feeling and I'm glad. I am keeping track, the bathroom remodel we longed for, the shore family vacation, check, check, we are doing everything that we've wanted to in NJ and still the desire to be in a new place does not subside (at least not for an entire week).
Friday, July 29, 2011
I Love Lemonade
As with most worries, you list them all out, look them over, sit with them for a day and magically nothing seems so worrisome after all. Must remember that for next time. Yesterday, was so busy getting errands done. The most important errand was taking my baby to the doctor. I could've cried out of happiness when the doctor told me the baby's cough was just a cold. Normally, I don't get myself so whipped up but knowing she was exposed to another little kid who got really ill made me worry A LOT. Welcome back, frog humidifier, I'm so happy to see you. The baby just needs humidifier time, rest and fluids! Squashing that worry alone made everything else bother me a lot less.
Next, I got the grocery shopping and lots of vacation packing done. I even sent it with my MIL down to the beach. The packing seems a lot less daunting since I got all/most of the general house packing done and the dog is now with my in-laws. Now I just have to pack the clothing stuff, toiletries and make a list of the stuff I forgot. Just the usual!
Moving and Money. The home repair stuff, we just decided on what to do and I'm feeling really good about that. Decided to remove carpeting and get the floor refinished in the kids' room plus have the walls repaired in the master. We will be happier living here with those things done and/or it will help us sell this house. Ah, much better to have a decision made. Bonus for us, it will all be done while we are on vacation!!
Finally, Week 5 of Triathlon training is going strong. I did my brick day just fine, I also did my combo day of short swim and short run. Rest day in between was key, no Jello legs this week! I did the short swim yesterday and was feeling sluggish and a little tired. Hmm? And then I realized its probably because I ran three miles just before the swim!! ha! I should be able to get my swim in today and can't see why I wouldn't be able to get my long run in over the weekend. Go me, another full week of all the work outs!
Slightly concerned that my last 2 weeks of WW maintenance I will be on vacation. Wondering if I force myself into a midriff bearing bikini, will it scare me straight for the next two weeks??
Next, I got the grocery shopping and lots of vacation packing done. I even sent it with my MIL down to the beach. The packing seems a lot less daunting since I got all/most of the general house packing done and the dog is now with my in-laws. Now I just have to pack the clothing stuff, toiletries and make a list of the stuff I forgot. Just the usual!
Moving and Money. The home repair stuff, we just decided on what to do and I'm feeling really good about that. Decided to remove carpeting and get the floor refinished in the kids' room plus have the walls repaired in the master. We will be happier living here with those things done and/or it will help us sell this house. Ah, much better to have a decision made. Bonus for us, it will all be done while we are on vacation!!
Finally, Week 5 of Triathlon training is going strong. I did my brick day just fine, I also did my combo day of short swim and short run. Rest day in between was key, no Jello legs this week! I did the short swim yesterday and was feeling sluggish and a little tired. Hmm? And then I realized its probably because I ran three miles just before the swim!! ha! I should be able to get my swim in today and can't see why I wouldn't be able to get my long run in over the weekend. Go me, another full week of all the work outs!
Slightly concerned that my last 2 weeks of WW maintenance I will be on vacation. Wondering if I force myself into a midriff bearing bikini, will it scare me straight for the next two weeks??
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
When Life Gives you Lemons...
Hate to post when I'm not feeling particularly positive but this is my outlet so I will take these lemons and make some lemonade.
Lemon #1: The most minor "lemon" is vacation packing. Ugh. I do love vacations and day trips, we are so lucky to be able to do them. BUT packing for them gives me such anxiety. Hello self! We are not going to be in the middle of no where you can always get what you need when you actually get there! Deep breath.
Lemon #2: Baby might be sick. She has a weird cough and I'm concerned it might be something major since we just had company here and they became ill right after they left. My poor baby. We're going to the doctor tomorrow!
Lemon #3: Money. We are really trying to be conscientious about our spending since the move is potentially on the horizon. Spending on anything makes me want to cringe lately. Why does it seem there is always pressure to spend more and have more? I just want less and simple!!! Come to me, Less and Simple, why do I have to work so hard for that!?
Lemon #4: Moving. I do love the idea of a new place but I'm also happy here. I'm not scared of meeting new people or figuring things out with the schools or housing. My only worry is that my husband will find himself in the same work/life balance which is our main reason for moving (in addition to just trying out a completely different place, oh and better weather). Will we get everything we want out of moving or are we going to look back and suddenly realize we had it pretty good in NJ? But the move is not imminent so for now its just second thoughts about actually doing it and whether or not to do home improvements or not. Somehow I feel like it might be easier if it was a sudden thing with a job offer in hand.
I guess those are my only lemons as of now. In my angst over all this I did some purging of the arts and crafts cabinet. Note to self: Purging while angry leads to much more successful purging.
As I took out the garbage tonight I was still thinking about this morning's post about what to do next. I had a generally good day yet I'm letting all this worry into my mind. I think the universe is telling me something. I am going to look into meditation yoga class. I even sent my husband a note that we should do it together, we've both said that we wanted to in the past. We've been talking about doing a date night this may be perfect.
Weight Watchers today went well. I was up 0.6 lbs probably b/c I ate breakfast. 153.8 is perfect for the maintenance though. It was nice to have a week where I didn't jump too much in either direction. One of the very motivating women at the meeting made lifetime member after losing 118 lbs. Our leader who we absolutely love was not there today so the meeting itself was not all that great. I'm still thinking about last week's motivating comment. "There is no perfection only perseverance."
Lemon #1: The most minor "lemon" is vacation packing. Ugh. I do love vacations and day trips, we are so lucky to be able to do them. BUT packing for them gives me such anxiety. Hello self! We are not going to be in the middle of no where you can always get what you need when you actually get there! Deep breath.
Lemon #2: Baby might be sick. She has a weird cough and I'm concerned it might be something major since we just had company here and they became ill right after they left. My poor baby. We're going to the doctor tomorrow!
Lemon #3: Money. We are really trying to be conscientious about our spending since the move is potentially on the horizon. Spending on anything makes me want to cringe lately. Why does it seem there is always pressure to spend more and have more? I just want less and simple!!! Come to me, Less and Simple, why do I have to work so hard for that!?
Lemon #4: Moving. I do love the idea of a new place but I'm also happy here. I'm not scared of meeting new people or figuring things out with the schools or housing. My only worry is that my husband will find himself in the same work/life balance which is our main reason for moving (in addition to just trying out a completely different place, oh and better weather). Will we get everything we want out of moving or are we going to look back and suddenly realize we had it pretty good in NJ? But the move is not imminent so for now its just second thoughts about actually doing it and whether or not to do home improvements or not. Somehow I feel like it might be easier if it was a sudden thing with a job offer in hand.
I guess those are my only lemons as of now. In my angst over all this I did some purging of the arts and crafts cabinet. Note to self: Purging while angry leads to much more successful purging.
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| All this is gone |
As I took out the garbage tonight I was still thinking about this morning's post about what to do next. I had a generally good day yet I'm letting all this worry into my mind. I think the universe is telling me something. I am going to look into meditation yoga class. I even sent my husband a note that we should do it together, we've both said that we wanted to in the past. We've been talking about doing a date night this may be perfect.
Weight Watchers today went well. I was up 0.6 lbs probably b/c I ate breakfast. 153.8 is perfect for the maintenance though. It was nice to have a week where I didn't jump too much in either direction. One of the very motivating women at the meeting made lifetime member after losing 118 lbs. Our leader who we absolutely love was not there today so the meeting itself was not all that great. I'm still thinking about last week's motivating comment. "There is no perfection only perseverance."
Week 41 of Weight Watchers: Something is Brewing
I really hope to be pretty darn close to my goal today. Since I again did not track I can only guess/hope that my general eating habits were good this week plus all the exercise. I don't know if its confidence or foolishness but I actually ate breakfast today, weigh-in day. As I write this, I am thinking about the animal crackers with chocolate chips that magically landed in my hands a few nights this week, perhaps I am foolishly confident. I'll find out later.
I did some pruning yesterday. Some of my rose bushes are just teeming with buds. The two fungified bushes have lost nearly all of their mature leaves but new growths are still appearing. Hope is not lost for those two bushes if nothing else I know they will be back next year. The hydrangeas had their first ever pruning, hopefully my quick internet search told me the right place to cut.
I really like to garden. Its so zen. Sometimes its a little painful to prune. I mean you wait for the blooms for so long, even if the bloom is a little past peak its still so colorful and nice to look at, BUT you have to cut it. Since we had a bit of a stretch with no blooms I was enjoying all the pops of pink, a little too long. Yesterday I was out clipping away the old and realizing that the buds underneath the blooms were not getting enough sunlight and some are shriveled. So I will go ahead and be completely lame and apply it to me. I think the running and weight loss stuff is like the first bloom. I am excited to do the triathlon and thrilled with the weight loss but I have some other interests that I don't want to shrivel up. I thought school would be my next project but since we're thinking a move out of the area is likely in the next year I can't start a program yet. WHAT TO DO NEXT?
I did some pruning yesterday. Some of my rose bushes are just teeming with buds. The two fungified bushes have lost nearly all of their mature leaves but new growths are still appearing. Hope is not lost for those two bushes if nothing else I know they will be back next year. The hydrangeas had their first ever pruning, hopefully my quick internet search told me the right place to cut.
I really like to garden. Its so zen. Sometimes its a little painful to prune. I mean you wait for the blooms for so long, even if the bloom is a little past peak its still so colorful and nice to look at, BUT you have to cut it. Since we had a bit of a stretch with no blooms I was enjoying all the pops of pink, a little too long. Yesterday I was out clipping away the old and realizing that the buds underneath the blooms were not getting enough sunlight and some are shriveled. So I will go ahead and be completely lame and apply it to me. I think the running and weight loss stuff is like the first bloom. I am excited to do the triathlon and thrilled with the weight loss but I have some other interests that I don't want to shrivel up. I thought school would be my next project but since we're thinking a move out of the area is likely in the next year I can't start a program yet. WHAT TO DO NEXT?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Week 4 Triathlon Training Completed
This was a stellar week. I headed into my WW meeting thinking I was slightly down, I was shocked to hear I was down 4 lbs (153.2 lbs, 40 weeks of WW and 33.2 lbs lost)! I was feeling really good about that leaving the meeting. We had a heat wave and family visiting, plenty of reasons/excuses to not be mindful with my eating which I will use BUT for the first time I got all my work outs in for the triathlon! Motivating comment from meeting was -- There is no perfection only perseverance.
Getting to the gym 5 days a week has proved to be impossible for me so I have decided to merge the short swim and short run days. This week the normal "brick" day of biking followed by running was Tuesday. Wednesday I did my second combo day of swim then run. I felt great both days during the workouts and then shortly after the second work out I was in the grocery store and realized my legs felt like Jello. The feeling lasted into the next day too! Kind of a soreness but not in a painful way, more like a funny bone sort of way. I am planning out my week again and trying to give myself a little rest in between the two days this week. Today I did my long run (5 miles) outside. I've been quite happy with my running in the gym lately. On the treadmill on the manual (no elevation) setting I am running 7:30 minute miles or slightly less!! I've actually been wondering if the treadmills were broken b/c that's really fast for me. But reality/humidity/sunshine/hills hit me today when I did my long run outside (9 minutes per mile). Still wondering how this will all go doing it at once, I was pooped after today's run.
I have had several run in's with the "Naked Old Lady Who's Kitchen Is On Fire" in the locker room. Here's the gist, she does wear underwear because I walked past her putting them on in the MIDDLE of the locker room. I'd say she was about equidistant to all the semi private areas of the locker room -- the bathroom stalls, dressing rooms or even near a locker, why do that when you can be directly in the middle of the whole place for everyone to see? I saw her again another day heading to the showers with no towel or anything else for that matter. Finally I saw her a third time from the sauna room (I was there first). I like to sit tucked behind a wall but there is a big window in the sauna. I sat up and looked out when I heard something and who do I see? Naked Old Lady WKIOF sitting on the toilet with the door wide open!! Thankfully this was the only sighting of her where she did actually have clothes (her moo moo dress) on. YUCK! I can't make this stuff up, she definitely has issues. Issues that cause me to end my sauna time ASAP. There is a new character on my radar. I've seen her twice now on the stationary bike. Why do people talk to me? She was cringing as she biked looking up at Rachel Ray on the TV. She turns to me and says, "Disgusting! That is a phobia of mine, food on the television. Grown adults should not eat ice cream. They don't need that fattening food its for children." It should be noted there was no ice cream on the TV just one of RR's pasta dishes. Having no idea what to say, I said nothing. She then said, "You think I'm crazy but its gross." OK, crazy biker lady.
Mindful eating for the rest of the week and bring on week 5 of training! I think I will actually sign up for this thing this week.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Summer Reading: Cinderella Ate My Daughter
Finally started reading a book. I really enjoy reading books. I love getting sucked into a fiction story but this Cinderella book (not fiction) came up on my radar. Since I happen to see it at the library, I rented it. Typical me, I started reading it when it was already overdue but luckily they let me renew it. I'm still only half way but I'm really enjoying the read.
I feel like I should be taking notes, the author discusses the "princess" story from every angle, Disney marketing, the history of the stories themselves, the psychology and implications of having a "pink" and "blue" type culture. Its really interesting. I'm feeling like I need to come up with my own parenting philosophy. Normally I hate when people come up with a particular parenting philosophy b/c I think its so grandiose and ridiculous. I mean isn't every situation different? Aren't you an active participant in your own circumstances, can't you judge for yourself? The reality is that I have more than one child, children of both genders and I don't parent alone. Pretty sure its going to get harder to filter out the stuff I don't like, in the interest of being consistent for my children and as part of a parent team we should come up with some rules but I'm going to wait until I finish the book to figure them out.
So far we've tried to keep the princess stuff out of the house. Anything princess that my daughter has was given to her as a gift (a musical book from her uncle, a beach towel from grandma, one Snow White dress from a grand aunt, plus some goody bag trinkets). My husband wants all the princess stuff out even if its a gift but is it fair that my son can have an entire fleet of Lightning McQueen cars and Thomas trains while my daughter gets some replacement toy she doesn't really want?
For the most part, she doesn't care about the princesses although she doesn't want anything taken away. We've been OK with Dora the Explorer but even she is getting more princess-esque. Once preschool started my daughter was more aware of the princesses and seemed to want princess products (Band-aids are coming to mind) but its pretty easy to steer her to something else. Even of the stuff that has made it through the front door she rarely plays with it. Her interest went up a notch after we were invited to a princess birthday party but even that has faded. Back in the winter after the birthday party I was trying to figure out my own dislike of the princesses. Why do these princesses seem so sinister to me? How come I am not equally turned off by all the marketing for the boy products? (I actually think I was just as opposed but then the car collection wore me down). I thought the biggest thing I disliked about the Disney princesses is the marketing and branding of everything (I really mean EVERYTHING) and how its so targeted to my toddler! I decided to get a non-Disney fairy tale book and get the "real" story. Since she already had the dress, I picked Snow White first. Awful!! Vane women trying to kill the competition, along with several other awful subliminal messages. Absolutely nothing was worthwhile in the story. Hate the story, hate the marketing, still trying to figure out where I stand and what to do for my own daughters.
I feel like I should be taking notes, the author discusses the "princess" story from every angle, Disney marketing, the history of the stories themselves, the psychology and implications of having a "pink" and "blue" type culture. Its really interesting. I'm feeling like I need to come up with my own parenting philosophy. Normally I hate when people come up with a particular parenting philosophy b/c I think its so grandiose and ridiculous. I mean isn't every situation different? Aren't you an active participant in your own circumstances, can't you judge for yourself? The reality is that I have more than one child, children of both genders and I don't parent alone. Pretty sure its going to get harder to filter out the stuff I don't like, in the interest of being consistent for my children and as part of a parent team we should come up with some rules but I'm going to wait until I finish the book to figure them out.
So far we've tried to keep the princess stuff out of the house. Anything princess that my daughter has was given to her as a gift (a musical book from her uncle, a beach towel from grandma, one Snow White dress from a grand aunt, plus some goody bag trinkets). My husband wants all the princess stuff out even if its a gift but is it fair that my son can have an entire fleet of Lightning McQueen cars and Thomas trains while my daughter gets some replacement toy she doesn't really want?
For the most part, she doesn't care about the princesses although she doesn't want anything taken away. We've been OK with Dora the Explorer but even she is getting more princess-esque. Once preschool started my daughter was more aware of the princesses and seemed to want princess products (Band-aids are coming to mind) but its pretty easy to steer her to something else. Even of the stuff that has made it through the front door she rarely plays with it. Her interest went up a notch after we were invited to a princess birthday party but even that has faded. Back in the winter after the birthday party I was trying to figure out my own dislike of the princesses. Why do these princesses seem so sinister to me? How come I am not equally turned off by all the marketing for the boy products? (I actually think I was just as opposed but then the car collection wore me down). I thought the biggest thing I disliked about the Disney princesses is the marketing and branding of everything (I really mean EVERYTHING) and how its so targeted to my toddler! I decided to get a non-Disney fairy tale book and get the "real" story. Since she already had the dress, I picked Snow White first. Awful!! Vane women trying to kill the competition, along with several other awful subliminal messages. Absolutely nothing was worthwhile in the story. Hate the story, hate the marketing, still trying to figure out where I stand and what to do for my own daughters.
Week 4 of Triathlon Training Begins
Can't believe I'm starting week 4 of training already and I still have not signed up for the actual race, acquired a bike or figured out what gear I actually need. Last week I missed the long run (5 miles), I'm getting pretty annoyed that I keep missing one day of training. I think I am going to have to merge something with the short run to make everything fit. I happened to meet a swim instructor at a party this weekend and she suggested doing half the distance of each event in one day. Interesting. She also has me a little more nervous about swimming in the ocean. She was talking about "spotting" and swimming with the currents. YIKES! I have no idea what to think and I have no desire to swim in the ocean by myself (yes, I have a valid fear of sharks!).
I think I ate a little better this week although still not as mindful as I'd like to be. Should be easy to eat well today since we have no food in the house and I don't plan on grocery shopping until tomorrow. I really hope I'm down on the scale tomorrow, being 4 lbs down would be great but I really don't think its that much at all. Hoping to be down one pound tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Hoping Tomorrow is Better
Sorry for being a total downer but I was up a whopping 4lbs at WW meeting today. I was shocked how bad that was. I know exactly what the problem is -- its this huge bag of chocolate chips that I got for baking but realized they go with everything. I suppose if I cut out a little chocolate I should be good next week. I will be very strict this week and track everything starting tomorrow. Motivating comment at meeting today "Everyday is a brand new start. I just have to work on being good for this day, meal, hour, minute." I wouldn't limit this comment to being just about food.
The roses are still fighting off the fungus...
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| Today, I was dismayed to prune the roses and find this many yellow leaves since Sunday! |
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| I was feeling so down seeing absolutely no new growth until I spotted the above, quite heartening. Its the only new growth on the two bushes that are the most "fungified." Oh, look at all those bare branches. |
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| At least some of the roses are doing well, excited to see a few blooms plus buds. Sprayed everything with milk again and hoping it controls the fungus. |
As if all this wasn't enough bad news, Bell had a rough day too.
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| Not exactly sure what happened, she's limping. Perhaps the children were trying to "dance" with her again? Everything online says to let them rest and call the vet if limping persists. Hoping she will be better tomorrow. |
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Lap Lane Etiquette
Today, I finally accomplished what I set out to do which was get my swim workout accomplished (my house is a mess but who cares?). Yesterday after the kids' swim lessons I checked them into babysitting, showed up to the pool all set to swim only to be foiled by the lap lane schedule -- no lap lanes available for like 2 hours! I was forced to use a rest day yesterday since I didn't even have sneakers with me to do the bike or run (on the upside all the laundry is done). Today was glorious though. The pool felt great, I got to swim for about 45 minutes, I did about 25 (50 meter) laps and still had time for the sauna.
The pool was crowded though. There were two lap lanes open. Someone was leaving when I arrived so initially I got one lane all to myself. The lane next to me had two swimmers. Then someone else arrived about mid way through my workout so I had to share. Finally a fifth swimmer showed up. Let me share the lap lane etiquette I learned (luckily someone told me before I did the wrong thing). When there are two swimmers sharing a lane you are supposed to stay to one side and go back and forth on said side. When there are more than two swimmers sharing a lane you are supposed to always stay to the right and if needed pass slower swimmers. When the fifth swimmer showed up I was kind of excited to finally use my knowledge of lap lane procedure. Then fifth swimmer was a total pain and clearly did not abide by any lap lane rules. Fifth swimmer jumped into the pool outside both lap lanes, he then had big conversations with one swimmer in each lane, that's not too annoying (since he wasn't talking to me) but I kept thinking he was going to start swimming in the lane but he was just talking. Then he swam with his flip flops on his hands in the other lap lane but only midway, staying at the deep end. Must look up what if any type of training that is, he kept reminding me of "Wax on, wax off" Karate Kid style.
Besides thinking about the wild card fifth swimmer, I was thinking about the triathlon swim. I really wonder if I am taking it too lightly. I always take small pit stops at the end of the lane, what will I do in the ocean? Started thinking about perhaps trying to swim with a nose plug thing? Plus, my goggles suck and always let water in. I always have to adjust them, how will I be able to do this during the race? I feel like goggles always leak but should I get different goggles? Is it worth it to get more expensive ones? I still need to get a rubber bathing cap too. Then I remembered that the swim in the race is only 8 (50 meter) laps and I just did 25, I should be OK. Next time I swim though I am going to try to swim 8 laps without pushing off the wall or taking rests and see how I fare.
Tomorrow will be my short run day and also my WW weigh in. I have not been eating well so hopefully the activity will save me.
The pool was crowded though. There were two lap lanes open. Someone was leaving when I arrived so initially I got one lane all to myself. The lane next to me had two swimmers. Then someone else arrived about mid way through my workout so I had to share. Finally a fifth swimmer showed up. Let me share the lap lane etiquette I learned (luckily someone told me before I did the wrong thing). When there are two swimmers sharing a lane you are supposed to stay to one side and go back and forth on said side. When there are more than two swimmers sharing a lane you are supposed to always stay to the right and if needed pass slower swimmers. When the fifth swimmer showed up I was kind of excited to finally use my knowledge of lap lane procedure. Then fifth swimmer was a total pain and clearly did not abide by any lap lane rules. Fifth swimmer jumped into the pool outside both lap lanes, he then had big conversations with one swimmer in each lane, that's not too annoying (since he wasn't talking to me) but I kept thinking he was going to start swimming in the lane but he was just talking. Then he swam with his flip flops on his hands in the other lap lane but only midway, staying at the deep end. Must look up what if any type of training that is, he kept reminding me of "Wax on, wax off" Karate Kid style.
Besides thinking about the wild card fifth swimmer, I was thinking about the triathlon swim. I really wonder if I am taking it too lightly. I always take small pit stops at the end of the lane, what will I do in the ocean? Started thinking about perhaps trying to swim with a nose plug thing? Plus, my goggles suck and always let water in. I always have to adjust them, how will I be able to do this during the race? I feel like goggles always leak but should I get different goggles? Is it worth it to get more expensive ones? I still need to get a rubber bathing cap too. Then I remembered that the swim in the race is only 8 (50 meter) laps and I just did 25, I should be OK. Next time I swim though I am going to try to swim 8 laps without pushing off the wall or taking rests and see how I fare.
Tomorrow will be my short run day and also my WW weigh in. I have not been eating well so hopefully the activity will save me.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
War of the Roses
I am devastated that a fungus is attacking my rose bushes. I know I have written about the roses before and their beauty. We cleared out the flower bed and planted them when we first moved to the house. My husband and I share a special pride in seeing them flourish, pointing out new shoot growths and of course the beautiful blooms. Now, a fungus seems to be in all the bushed but especially two of the eight bushes. It turns the leaves yellow with black spots and then the leaves drop off. I spent hours today doing a big pruning. Tomorrow I will apply the fungicide (which we already did once) and then spray all the leaves with of all things, milk. I hope we can save them.
Our roses before the fungus attack.
Beginning Week 3 of Tri Training
Moving into week 3 of triathlon training... I have yet to complete a full week of all the trainings. This week I missed a swim. However I did get both runs in. I was very happy with completing the short run (3 miles) at an 8:29 pace and then for the long run I did a 5 mile race which I completed in just under 44 minutes. My pace for the race was a bit more sporadic completing mile one in under 8 minutes but mile 4 was 10 minutes. The race was tough completely in the sun, a ridiculous amount of sweat and it was pretty humid, plus I wore my new shorts which caused major chaffing so I will not be wearing them again. Ouch!
Looking forward to actually being able to complete all of the training this week since we will not be going away for the weekend yet again. I need to actually sign up for the triathlon and find and ride an actual bike instead of just the stationary one in the gym.
Looking forward to actually being able to complete all of the training this week since we will not be going away for the weekend yet again. I need to actually sign up for the triathlon and find and ride an actual bike instead of just the stationary one in the gym.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Week One of Fake Maintenance
Down 1.8 lbs this week for a total of 33.2 lbs lost in 38 weeks! Just 3.2 lbs away from ultimate goal of 150. I have to admit I was a little surprised by this loss. I ate OK but I went to town on a cheese platter while we were away this weekend plus my mom brought over a cake! Pretty sure this weight loss is due to my new gym schedule/tri training not my eating habits. The WW weigh-in lady kind of gave me a look when I weighed in because you aren't supposed to get too far away from your goal number. I want to take the maintenance part very seriously but I won't really be in it until I hit 150 (even though their computer says 155).
This week we celebrated the end of our 12 week challenge. I love having the blog so I can easily look back and read what I was thinking about 12 weeks ago. I was in a rut and resolved to use my tracking journal for 12 weeks. I was not successful in using it every single day but I did use it for a week at a time once a month. I think it was a big part of getting me back on track out of that rut.
I went shopping this week. My mother watched the kids and I hit Marshal's got running shorts that were sorely needed now that I have an extra gym day. I got a dress or bathing suit cover up, not really sure which it is but I really like it as a dress and we're going to a pool party this weekend so its perfect. I also got bikini bottoms!!! They are probably the most boring and conservative bikini bottoms ever but they are a size small!! I have a tank top bathing suit top that I got at an end of season sale a while back, maybe 3 years ago. Never wore it b/c I never got around to getting bottoms, have everything now and it all fits so I'm excited. I was in the same crappy Marshals' dressing room right after I had the baby and I felt so miserable. I was standing in their the other day and it was so nice to try things on and even if they fit wrong or look terrible at least they button or zip and I can actually get my body inside said apparel, there is so much joy in just that.
Tri training has been going well. Doing a race this weekend for my long run. Still have to get the shorter run and a swim in for this week. Wondering if I can combine them for one day rather than two, we're going away for the weekend again so its hard to fit it all in separately.
Disaster did strike once this week when I foolishly asked my waxer how old I looked. She said 35. While I don't consider 35 to be old, I just hate that I may look older than I actually am. Ugh! She knows I have three kids so I'm going to let myself think that came into her equation of my age. But the lesson in this is not to try to look younger or better b/c I feel great as is, the lesson is DON'T ASK ANYONE TO GUESS YOUR AGE!!!
This week we celebrated the end of our 12 week challenge. I love having the blog so I can easily look back and read what I was thinking about 12 weeks ago. I was in a rut and resolved to use my tracking journal for 12 weeks. I was not successful in using it every single day but I did use it for a week at a time once a month. I think it was a big part of getting me back on track out of that rut.
I went shopping this week. My mother watched the kids and I hit Marshal's got running shorts that were sorely needed now that I have an extra gym day. I got a dress or bathing suit cover up, not really sure which it is but I really like it as a dress and we're going to a pool party this weekend so its perfect. I also got bikini bottoms!!! They are probably the most boring and conservative bikini bottoms ever but they are a size small!! I have a tank top bathing suit top that I got at an end of season sale a while back, maybe 3 years ago. Never wore it b/c I never got around to getting bottoms, have everything now and it all fits so I'm excited. I was in the same crappy Marshals' dressing room right after I had the baby and I felt so miserable. I was standing in their the other day and it was so nice to try things on and even if they fit wrong or look terrible at least they button or zip and I can actually get my body inside said apparel, there is so much joy in just that.
Tri training has been going well. Doing a race this weekend for my long run. Still have to get the shorter run and a swim in for this week. Wondering if I can combine them for one day rather than two, we're going away for the weekend again so its hard to fit it all in separately.
Disaster did strike once this week when I foolishly asked my waxer how old I looked. She said 35. While I don't consider 35 to be old, I just hate that I may look older than I actually am. Ugh! She knows I have three kids so I'm going to let myself think that came into her equation of my age. But the lesson in this is not to try to look younger or better b/c I feel great as is, the lesson is DON'T ASK ANYONE TO GUESS YOUR AGE!!!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Coming from a Place of Gratitude
This week has been so motivating on many levels. I keep thinking about the "Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis" that I posted earlier this month, in particular the coming from a place of gratitude. Its often hard to always be in a place of gratitude, sometimes complaining make you feel more interesting (there's always something to complain about). Now that I am willfully trying to be in a place of gratitude I really feel like the effort it is so worthwhile. Life just seems so much more pleasant.
Last week I happened to see a WW friend at the gym and we had such a wonderful conversation about seeing yourself and working towards things -- finishing a home, being comfortable with yourself and your surroundings. I felt like she was really capturing the sentiment behind what motivated me to write this blog. Of the many interesting things she was saying the thing I keep thinking about is how she is rewarding herself for her success. She wants to really see herself and is buying a special full length mirror, sounds like it may even be bigger than full length. I think that is so wonderful.
Tri training this week was a little disappointing since we went away for the weekend, I missed a swim and the shorter run. I have planned my week this week so I should be able to fit everything in. Have no idea how the eating went this week. I think overall good but I've had my binging moments. Its been hot so I always feel like I've burned calories but it could just be the temperature. I am going to hit the gym hard this week though just in case. I filled out my application for school but after corresponding with the school I've decided to hold off one more year. Basically, if we move next year I'd have to find a school that would accept the credits. Sounds like a pretty big "if" since its only a two year program most schools want you to attend for both years. I'll look into it a little more but holding off seems like thing to do. Definitely starting tomorrow with my wheat grass.
Last week I happened to see a WW friend at the gym and we had such a wonderful conversation about seeing yourself and working towards things -- finishing a home, being comfortable with yourself and your surroundings. I felt like she was really capturing the sentiment behind what motivated me to write this blog. Of the many interesting things she was saying the thing I keep thinking about is how she is rewarding herself for her success. She wants to really see herself and is buying a special full length mirror, sounds like it may even be bigger than full length. I think that is so wonderful.
Tri training this week was a little disappointing since we went away for the weekend, I missed a swim and the shorter run. I have planned my week this week so I should be able to fit everything in. Have no idea how the eating went this week. I think overall good but I've had my binging moments. Its been hot so I always feel like I've burned calories but it could just be the temperature. I am going to hit the gym hard this week though just in case. I filled out my application for school but after corresponding with the school I've decided to hold off one more year. Basically, if we move next year I'd have to find a school that would accept the credits. Sounds like a pretty big "if" since its only a two year program most schools want you to attend for both years. I'll look into it a little more but holding off seems like thing to do. Definitely starting tomorrow with my wheat grass.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Seeing Stars
Drum roll please...
I made goal! On the nose exactly 155 lbs!! So proud to finally have a healthy BMI, so proud to be a healthier person!
Today is day one of the next 6 weeks of maintenance. "Maintenance" in WW land means they adjust your daily points (you get to eat even more) and then at the end of six weeks as long as you are within 2 lbs of goal, you become a lifetime member. Lifetime member means you can go to WW meetings for the rest of your life for free (provided you go to a monthly weigh in).
I stepped on the scale knowing I was down but feeling like it wasn't that much. Several people at the meeting change into weigh in clothes for weigh ins, since I knew it would be close I brought my gym clothes to lighten my load and I was down 0.8 lbs, exactly 155! Unfortunately, today was a very busy day so I couldn't stay for the whole meeting, in particular the end where everyone congratulates you. My leader wouldn't let me leave without my star charm so I got the abridged treatment. Today's meeting was about vacationing on plan which was kind of funny since I realized my last two weeks of maintenance I will be on vacation. Ugh! I know I can do it. My ultimate goal is to still lose another 5 lbs so there is no question I need to stay on task. Luckily if you are below goal by more than 2 lbs they can just adjust your original goal without you having to repeat the six weeks of maintenance. Six more weeks and I'll have an extra $40 in my pocket a month.
More motivation has come my way since we finalized our vacation plans. So excited for two weeks at the beach and I want to wear a two piece bathing suit (I think). Unfortunately with all the running around (kids' classes, then drive to the shore to finalize the plans, quick stop at Walmart and then a stop at my mom's for a visit) I was not able to get to the gym so I had to use a rest day even though today was not very restful. Next week my schedule should be a little more regular so I can plan my gym time better. Feeling so excited for the triathlon and hopeful that its just another goal oriented activity that I will enjoy and will make me so proud of myself. I mean if I can really swim that far in the ocean? Wow! Off to research my school...
I made goal! On the nose exactly 155 lbs!! So proud to finally have a healthy BMI, so proud to be a healthier person!
Today is day one of the next 6 weeks of maintenance. "Maintenance" in WW land means they adjust your daily points (you get to eat even more) and then at the end of six weeks as long as you are within 2 lbs of goal, you become a lifetime member. Lifetime member means you can go to WW meetings for the rest of your life for free (provided you go to a monthly weigh in).
I stepped on the scale knowing I was down but feeling like it wasn't that much. Several people at the meeting change into weigh in clothes for weigh ins, since I knew it would be close I brought my gym clothes to lighten my load and I was down 0.8 lbs, exactly 155! Unfortunately, today was a very busy day so I couldn't stay for the whole meeting, in particular the end where everyone congratulates you. My leader wouldn't let me leave without my star charm so I got the abridged treatment. Today's meeting was about vacationing on plan which was kind of funny since I realized my last two weeks of maintenance I will be on vacation. Ugh! I know I can do it. My ultimate goal is to still lose another 5 lbs so there is no question I need to stay on task. Luckily if you are below goal by more than 2 lbs they can just adjust your original goal without you having to repeat the six weeks of maintenance. Six more weeks and I'll have an extra $40 in my pocket a month.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Appreciating Color
I seemed to have missed the super blue blooms. The colors get more vibrant as they bloom. Blue, Purple, Pink they are just amazing to watch.
Tri Training Begins
Two days into the training schedule and I really like it. I'm not following the days of the week b/c I gotta do what works best for my schedule. I feel like the workouts are a little less intense than my normal workouts but I have to do more days in the gym following this schedule. Monday I did my first "brick" which is biking followed by running, it was fine (good, even). I biked 8 miles (30 minutes) and then ran 2 miles (18 minutes). Today I swam 22 laps (lap will now mean 50 meters in my vocabulary). That's sort of been my usual and I was told not to decrease just to match the schedule. I did mostly freestyle but mixed in a few other strokes plus some of the drill type stuff like swimming with a kick board or closed fisted. My initial confidence is wearing a little thin though. Just sent my cousin a note wondering if I need to get flippers for this (she just replied no, you'd only use them for training). Its a little daunting doing something like this where I just have no idea what to expect. I was swimming today and thinking about how I would deal with salt water in my goggles or worse yet, my mouth.
There was another nudie in the locker room today. Let me be clear I am not against being nude in a locker room to change but come on let's have a little dignity or subtlety about it. The lady today was standing in a shower and just did not close the curtain. I mean the curtain is right there! I saw her from behind (pun intended) and should I need to refer to her again she will be known as Bump Butt. She like the old-naked-lady-who's-kitchen-is-on-fire pranced around the locker room with all the time in the world. She actually had a towel on her head and nothing else. I think she even went to the sauna room and I pray she took her towel off her head and sat on it. I was just thankful that I had my sauna time alone!
I feel like I need to update a few of my open ended questions/tests/tasks......
We're still mulling over Atlanta move and its still seeming like a good one provided jobs and savings work out. I'm torn about applying for school but still thinking I should just do it. Tomorrow is my WW meeting and I have no idea what will happen. I didn't track this week and didn't eat so great but it was an active week, despite my missing a day at the gym. I'll find out tomorrow. The smaller underwear that was supposed to remind me to lose weight didn't really work. I've been wearing them but they're cotton so they just stretch with me. I guess you really have to do something like that with actual pants. I took a few days off from the wheat grass for no particular reason. I had it this morning (and enjoyed it) so I'm going to try and get back in the habit. As for being social, our old city friends ended up inviting us in for something else that was more doable and so we got in and saw everyone. It was great. I did invite local people over but they had plans. Coincidentally our neighbors had a party Saturday and invited us over so I'm feeling plenty social.
There was another nudie in the locker room today. Let me be clear I am not against being nude in a locker room to change but come on let's have a little dignity or subtlety about it. The lady today was standing in a shower and just did not close the curtain. I mean the curtain is right there! I saw her from behind (pun intended) and should I need to refer to her again she will be known as Bump Butt. She like the old-naked-lady-who's-kitchen-is-on-fire pranced around the locker room with all the time in the world. She actually had a towel on her head and nothing else. I think she even went to the sauna room and I pray she took her towel off her head and sat on it. I was just thankful that I had my sauna time alone!
I feel like I need to update a few of my open ended questions/tests/tasks......
We're still mulling over Atlanta move and its still seeming like a good one provided jobs and savings work out. I'm torn about applying for school but still thinking I should just do it. Tomorrow is my WW meeting and I have no idea what will happen. I didn't track this week and didn't eat so great but it was an active week, despite my missing a day at the gym. I'll find out tomorrow. The smaller underwear that was supposed to remind me to lose weight didn't really work. I've been wearing them but they're cotton so they just stretch with me. I guess you really have to do something like that with actual pants. I took a few days off from the wheat grass for no particular reason. I had it this morning (and enjoyed it) so I'm going to try and get back in the habit. As for being social, our old city friends ended up inviting us in for something else that was more doable and so we got in and saw everyone. It was great. I did invite local people over but they had plans. Coincidentally our neighbors had a party Saturday and invited us over so I'm feeling plenty social.
Triathlon Training Schedule
WEEK MON TUE WED TH FRI SAT SUN
6/27 Run 3 Swim 8-12 laps Bike 5-8 Swim 8-12 laps REST REST Run 4
& Run 2
7/4 Run 3 Swim 8-12 laps Bike 5-8 Swim 8-12 laps REST REST Run 4
& Run 2
7/11 Run 3 Swim 8-16 Bike 5-10 Swim 8-16 laps REST REST Run 5
laps plus drills & Run 2
7/18 Run 3 Swim 8-16 Bike 5-10 Swim 8-12 laps REST REST Run 5
laps plus drills & Run 3
7/25 Run 3 Swim 8-16 Bike 5-10 Swim 8-12 laps REST REST Run 6
laps plus drills & Run 3
8/1 Run 3 Swim 8-16 Bike 5-12 Swim 8-12 laps REST REST Run 6
laps plus drills & Run 2
8/8 Run 3 Swim 8-16 Bike 5-12 Swim 8-12 laps REST REST Run 4
laps plus drills & Run 2
8/15 Run 3 Swim 8-12 Bike 5-8 Swim 8-12 laps REST REST Run 3
& Run 2
8/22 Run 3 Swim 6-8 REST REST Run 2 REST RACE
( EVERYTHING EASY)
Thursday, June 23, 2011
30lbs I will not miss
Lost another 2.4 lbs this week!! I am down 30.6 lbs as week 37 of Weight Watchers begins. Thrilled!
Started looking into a triathlon. Its been a little difficult since I am so behind on laundry and paperwork. There's just plenty of this house work stuff to keep me from researching the long list of things I want to look into a little more closely. Today I am planning on getting some of this house stuff done since tomorrow I'm taking the kids on a little outing. My cousin sent me a training schedule for a triathlon and I'm pretty confident that I can do each piece (400m swim, 12 mile bike, and 5k run) so training just means being able to do all three consecutively. Somehow this makes it feel a little more doable.
Started looking into a triathlon. Its been a little difficult since I am so behind on laundry and paperwork. There's just plenty of this house work stuff to keep me from researching the long list of things I want to look into a little more closely. Today I am planning on getting some of this house stuff done since tomorrow I'm taking the kids on a little outing. My cousin sent me a training schedule for a triathlon and I'm pretty confident that I can do each piece (400m swim, 12 mile bike, and 5k run) so training just means being able to do all three consecutively. Somehow this makes it feel a little more doable.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Wheat grass Days 3 & 4
Sunday, I skipped the wheat grass. Woke up and wanted my coffee and breakfast right away and never got around to the wheat grass. Today I was dutifully back on task and was actually kind of enjoying my green drink. Then I got distracted and never finished it. I drank a glassful but not the "power shot" at the bitter end. The strangest thing happened at dinner time, I actually wanted another. I think in my mind this is like green tea to me. I drank another glassful at dinner. I really haven't noticed any changes though, except that now I am awake and I can't sleep which is very unlike me.
Very curious about this week and if I will actually hit goal. Its been a strange week and for all I know I could be up. I started out tracking this week and then I just fell off with it. Its so hard to keep up with sometimes. The annoying thing is that I can think I'm eating well but I'm actually choosing thing high in points without realizing it. Since I still haven't gotten batteries for the scale and I'm not tracking there's no way to know until Wednesday's meeting.
Still thinking about school. Do I apply even though we could be moving? Pretty sure the answer is yes. I have the application all printed just need to fill it in.
This week feels like its going fast. I have two opportunities to go into the city for meet-ups -- one with my husband and his friend, another with some mommy friends from when we were living in the city. I think I am going to have to pass on both. Part of me just doesn't feel like doing all the babysitting arrangements and trying to function tired the next day and then there's another part of me that thinks I'm antisocial and should just go. Hmmm. I think we may have a little BBQ this weekend and invite some other people from around here that we know (I don't want to be antisocial but I need people more convenient to visit with). My grandma jokingly says, "Friends. Who needs them?" And then we laugh together (perhaps this is an inside joke and the humor is not being conveyed but I'll let it stand). Anyway, I saw an old friend today and it reminds me that I should make some, I like having them.
Very curious about this week and if I will actually hit goal. Its been a strange week and for all I know I could be up. I started out tracking this week and then I just fell off with it. Its so hard to keep up with sometimes. The annoying thing is that I can think I'm eating well but I'm actually choosing thing high in points without realizing it. Since I still haven't gotten batteries for the scale and I'm not tracking there's no way to know until Wednesday's meeting.
Still thinking about school. Do I apply even though we could be moving? Pretty sure the answer is yes. I have the application all printed just need to fill it in.
This week feels like its going fast. I have two opportunities to go into the city for meet-ups -- one with my husband and his friend, another with some mommy friends from when we were living in the city. I think I am going to have to pass on both. Part of me just doesn't feel like doing all the babysitting arrangements and trying to function tired the next day and then there's another part of me that thinks I'm antisocial and should just go. Hmmm. I think we may have a little BBQ this weekend and invite some other people from around here that we know (I don't want to be antisocial but I need people more convenient to visit with). My grandma jokingly says, "Friends. Who needs them?" And then we laugh together (perhaps this is an inside joke and the humor is not being conveyed but I'll let it stand). Anyway, I saw an old friend today and it reminds me that I should make some, I like having them.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Wheat Grass Day #2
Wheat grass drink this morning went down a little better. I left the spoon in the cup to continuously stir and added a little less water. I did have my coffee this morning too though. I just reread this and you are probably thinking this is a recipe for disaster, I mean completely "cleansing." I assure you that did not happen.
Lots of yard work today was happening and I'm hoping its burning off the calories. I haven't done all my tracking but I'm thinking I wasn't as good as last week. Goal, you are within reach, I just have to be strong! I missed only one day of vitamins and made it to the gym plus two active days of yard work and taking the kids to the zoo. I should be in good shape but I've definitely had all my WW points lately including the nursing points.
I'm starting to feel like I'm thinking too much about day-to-day stuff and I need to get my head in the game and think about a more long term goal to work towards. What will it be? Should I apply to school? Even though we're thinking about moving?
Lots of yard work today was happening and I'm hoping its burning off the calories. I haven't done all my tracking but I'm thinking I wasn't as good as last week. Goal, you are within reach, I just have to be strong! I missed only one day of vitamins and made it to the gym plus two active days of yard work and taking the kids to the zoo. I should be in good shape but I've definitely had all my WW points lately including the nursing points.
I'm starting to feel like I'm thinking too much about day-to-day stuff and I need to get my head in the game and think about a more long term goal to work towards. What will it be? Should I apply to school? Even though we're thinking about moving?
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