I got in a really strong run yesterday and kept my calories at 1800ish, so it was an on-track day. Thankfully the scale played along and I was down a pound this morning. Y'all know I was holding onto some water weight from the carb fest. It's nice to see it come off quickly. Now I just have to keep it up to get the rest of it off.
By the time I got to the gym and into my running clothes yesterday, I only had 45 minutes. So I ran a solid 4 miles in 44:04. That's pretty fast for me, especially because I didn't take extended walk breaks. I walked about 30 seconds to drink some water at 2 miles and then to catch my breath at 3 miles, but otherwise kept Tready at a 10:54 pace the entire run.
A friend of mine emailed that he's running a 5K race this Saturday and asked if I'd like to join him. I swear, it's like someone asked me to be Princess for a Day or something. I am so excited that someone thinks of ME as a runner worthy to be asked to run a race with. It's silly, I know, but I guess it's still such a new thing to have others categorize me as a Runner. He and his wife are running a 190 mile relay race in June (they will run 3 legs over a 36 hour period) and this race is part of his training. It will be a small field, so I'm a little nervous but figure I'll just do my best and hopefully PR (which means beat my only other 5K race time of 32:03).
DH has decided that he wants us to go on vacation for Spring break, which is March 24-28. I'm thinking Pensacola. It's about a 10 hour drive (which means 14 hours with 2 kids, ha), on the beach, and the Blue Angels practice there. Luke is nuts about airplanes, and it would be cool to see what he thinks of the real thing. The Blue Angels have been to Evansville twice so we know they are loud and can be scary for little kids. I'm hoping Luke will be cool with it though. He's pretty brave. Anyone been to Pensacola? Got any tips/advice? I'm not 100% sure that's where we'll go, so if you have any other beach towns on the Gulf Coast that you like, let me know. I'm thinking North Florida because it's the shortest drive we can make and still get to the beach.
In other random Sophie news... we have scheduled a sleep/awake EEG for March 21st. This is more testing the neurologist wants done for her dizzy spells. Here's the killer--we have to keep her awake from Midnight until 6:30 a.m. She can sleep up until Midnight then has to be awake, with no caffeine (I don't let her have caffeine as a rule, but she does drink chocolate milk and she can't even have chocolate). It's gonna be brutal. I'm going to research the internet to see how other parents have handled this; I'm hoping to find some inspiration and comfort, because right now I'm pretty freaked out about the whole thing. We're lucky they had an appointment available on a day she's off school (Good Friday) and right before the weekend so she can recover. Mark and I will both take Friday off to get through it with her, and I'll probably ask my mom to take Luke. At least we'll have a vacation the following week to look forward to.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
154.2 - Gotta get my game back on
Skipped the workout yesterday. I got out of the office late, picked up Sophie and we went to the grocery store. It was cold and snowing, I was tired from the lack of sleep from the night before, blah blah blah. Bottom line--I just didn't want to work out badly enough to get myself there with the kids.
And I don't know what's going on with me, but I'm in self-destruct mode lately after 9 p.m. I was this close to not buying any junk food at the grocery store yesterday, and then when we are almost done I remembered I needed coffee creamer. On the way back to the front of the store, I went to the ice cream aisle and picked up some Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches. They're only 140 calories! You'll just have one for dessert!
Yeah, right. I ate 4. FOUR. And then I ate 2 100 calorie packs of cinnamon coffee cakes. And then I slept really well, because I'd put myself in a food coma.
This morning I threw away the remaining 2 Skinny Cows and the rest of the box of the 100 calorie cakes. I am too weak right now to have that stuff around. I am acting like I'm powerless over this junk.
Which is my old fat girl thinking. The same crap that had me buying a box of powdered sugar donuts when I was over 200 pounds and eating the entire box--not a 6 pack, a BOX--in one day. I'm just keeping it on a smaller scale right now.
But it's a slippery slope, and these little indiscretions could easily become big ones.
I'm not going to let that happen.
I was telling Heather yesterday that it's times like this that you have to decide that you will work the plan and trust that it will yield results. That it's times like this when you prove what you're made of.
I need to follow my own advice. And I'm going to. I'm not gaining any more weight. I'm not growing out of my clothes. I am going to get my weight back down to where I am more comfortable maintaining and keep running and get strong and powerful, in mind and body.
By golly, this Fat Girl thinking is not going to kick my ass. I'm kicking her ass to the curb.
So it's going to be 5 miles today, writing down my food, eating some fruit and veggies today (there's a novel idea) and white-knuckling it with the food cravings at night, if that's what it takes.
I have the knowledge. I have the support. I have the skinny clothes in my closet.
Game on, baby.
And I don't know what's going on with me, but I'm in self-destruct mode lately after 9 p.m. I was this close to not buying any junk food at the grocery store yesterday, and then when we are almost done I remembered I needed coffee creamer. On the way back to the front of the store, I went to the ice cream aisle and picked up some Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches. They're only 140 calories! You'll just have one for dessert!
Yeah, right. I ate 4. FOUR. And then I ate 2 100 calorie packs of cinnamon coffee cakes. And then I slept really well, because I'd put myself in a food coma.
This morning I threw away the remaining 2 Skinny Cows and the rest of the box of the 100 calorie cakes. I am too weak right now to have that stuff around. I am acting like I'm powerless over this junk.
Which is my old fat girl thinking. The same crap that had me buying a box of powdered sugar donuts when I was over 200 pounds and eating the entire box--not a 6 pack, a BOX--in one day. I'm just keeping it on a smaller scale right now.
But it's a slippery slope, and these little indiscretions could easily become big ones.
I'm not going to let that happen.
I was telling Heather yesterday that it's times like this that you have to decide that you will work the plan and trust that it will yield results. That it's times like this when you prove what you're made of.
I need to follow my own advice. And I'm going to. I'm not gaining any more weight. I'm not growing out of my clothes. I am going to get my weight back down to where I am more comfortable maintaining and keep running and get strong and powerful, in mind and body.
By golly, this Fat Girl thinking is not going to kick my ass. I'm kicking her ass to the curb.
So it's going to be 5 miles today, writing down my food, eating some fruit and veggies today (there's a novel idea) and white-knuckling it with the food cravings at night, if that's what it takes.
I have the knowledge. I have the support. I have the skinny clothes in my closet.
Game on, baby.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
153.8 - No Sleep & Retail Therapy
I hate not being able to sleep. Usually I can sleep through anything. But lately, whether it's the antidepressent causing it or something else, I will have nights where I fall asleep briefly, then wake up and can't fall back to sleep. I started to detail my fitful night last night, but then realized it's completely asinine and boring. The highlight is that I ate ice cream and two WW cakes at 4:30 a.m., because I was angry. Stupid, emotional eating. I was mad that I was awake and knew the morning was coming too fast.
And it was a rough morning, at that. I had no patience with the kids. And then I get to work and have a bunch of crap to deal with.
So at lunch I engaged in some retail therapy. I got a ton of clothes at Dillards, all marked down at least 50%. A pair of Pendleton slacks that were $144, I got for $36. The same for a Pendleton skirt. A lot of Ralph Lauren tops. I didn't even count how many tops and sweaters I got. I tried on a ton of stuff (the pants & skirt are 8s and the tops are mostly Mediums; a couple of Smalls fit) and even some really cute dresses that weren't on sale and I didn't buy, but it was fun to try them on. I need a fancy event to go to so I have an excuse to buy a fancy dress.
I felt better in the dressing room, with size 6s and 8s all around me and most things looking good on me. I still hate my muffin top, but my body is a work in progress. Eventually my waist will come back.
I got in 3.25 miles last night in 35 minutes, in two segments. 1.85 miles while Sophie had swim class, and 1.4 miles after her class was over while both the kids were in the gym's day care. I alternated running hard (9:30 for .2 and .3 miles at a time) with running slower and walking fast. I like mixing it up like that for short runs. It burns more calories (according to the treadmill) and makes the run go faster.
My right hamstring was feeling tight this morning, and I'm hoping it's not an injury developing. I'll run again this afternoon and pay attention to how it feels.
And I'm going to bed earlier, falling asleep in my bed instead of the recliner, and asking DH to watch his TV programs in the family room if it's past 10 p.m. I need my beauty sleep.
And it was a rough morning, at that. I had no patience with the kids. And then I get to work and have a bunch of crap to deal with.
So at lunch I engaged in some retail therapy. I got a ton of clothes at Dillards, all marked down at least 50%. A pair of Pendleton slacks that were $144, I got for $36. The same for a Pendleton skirt. A lot of Ralph Lauren tops. I didn't even count how many tops and sweaters I got. I tried on a ton of stuff (the pants & skirt are 8s and the tops are mostly Mediums; a couple of Smalls fit) and even some really cute dresses that weren't on sale and I didn't buy, but it was fun to try them on. I need a fancy event to go to so I have an excuse to buy a fancy dress.
I felt better in the dressing room, with size 6s and 8s all around me and most things looking good on me. I still hate my muffin top, but my body is a work in progress. Eventually my waist will come back.
I got in 3.25 miles last night in 35 minutes, in two segments. 1.85 miles while Sophie had swim class, and 1.4 miles after her class was over while both the kids were in the gym's day care. I alternated running hard (9:30 for .2 and .3 miles at a time) with running slower and walking fast. I like mixing it up like that for short runs. It burns more calories (according to the treadmill) and makes the run go faster.
My right hamstring was feeling tight this morning, and I'm hoping it's not an injury developing. I'll run again this afternoon and pay attention to how it feels.
And I'm going to bed earlier, falling asleep in my bed instead of the recliner, and asking DH to watch his TV programs in the family room if it's past 10 p.m. I need my beauty sleep.
Monday, February 25, 2008
154.0 - 7 miles, books & TV, back to normal
I got in my 7 mile run Saturday, as planned. That's only the 2nd time I've run that distance, which is also my longest distance to date. I started with a .25 mile warmup walk, and then set the pace at 11:19 min/mile. I plugged into my Dave Matthews Band concert in Central Park CD's, and Dave kept me going steady for a solid 2.5 miles. I walked briefly to drink some water, then sped back up to my running pace. I hit a mini wall at 4 miles and decided to take a .25 walk break. That helped energize me a bit, and just after 5 miles I felt much better and pretty strong the entire last 2 miles.
I was really pleased that I ran consistently without many walk breaks. The slower pace makes a big difference for me. I can run faster, but I have to walk more often. From a calorie burning standpoint, I think I do better with the run fast/walk a bit pattern. But for a long-distance run, I like the idea of running for miles at a time without a break.
It wasn't an easy run. I'd eaten like crap the night before and didn't have a great breakfast (3 microwave pancakes). I was smart enough to eat some protein and carbs (2 eggs and a piece of toast) for lunch, and I started my run at 2:30 p.m. If the food choices before the run had been better, I'm sure I'd have felt stronger.
But after I was finished I felt like I'd accomplished something significant. I wanted to raise my arms up in the air like I'd just won an Olympic medal, that's how great I felt. A year ago I could never have dreamed of running 7 miles (okay, 6.5 miles, but let's not get picky here). And that reminds me that a year from now who knows what I'll be able to do.
Obviously 7 miles doesn't erase a weekend of carb fest indulgences. The scale is up this morning almost 4 pounds from what it was a couple weeks ago. And I swear I can feel it in my clothes. Whether it's my imagination or not, they feel a bit tighter. So it's back to writing down what I'm eating and trying to keep calories around 1800 per day for a while.
***
I finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns last night. I haven't read a book like that for a long, long time. So moving and beautifully written. There are a lot of difficult passages and situations. It's set in Afghanistan over a 30 year period, so you can imagine the issues with war and women and the Taliban. But it's a universal story of love and family and friendship that translates to any culture. It will stick with me a long time. I haven't read The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini's first book. Have any of you read both these books and would you recommend The Kite Runner as just as good as ATSS?
In other random entertainment news, I am watching American Idol for the first time ever. I know, I'm SO late to this bandwagon. But there's just not much TV that I like (the only series I watch now is The Terminator, and I'm anxiously waiting for Dirt next week). I can see why it's such a hit. And I cannot believe they make the losers sing their songs again. That is just brutal. I am hooked on the guy who sang "Light My Fire" last week (I think his name is Michael something). There are about 3 guys and 3 girls that I really like. The rest are pretty mediocre, IMO. Thank goodness for DVR, because that's the only way I get to watch these shows. At least I can fast forward through the bad performances and the commercials.
No snow, no ice, no illness, and hopefully it will be a back-to-normal day all around. Swim lessons for Sophie tonight, and I'm planning on at least a 3 miler after she's done. Hope you all have a good week.
I was really pleased that I ran consistently without many walk breaks. The slower pace makes a big difference for me. I can run faster, but I have to walk more often. From a calorie burning standpoint, I think I do better with the run fast/walk a bit pattern. But for a long-distance run, I like the idea of running for miles at a time without a break.
It wasn't an easy run. I'd eaten like crap the night before and didn't have a great breakfast (3 microwave pancakes). I was smart enough to eat some protein and carbs (2 eggs and a piece of toast) for lunch, and I started my run at 2:30 p.m. If the food choices before the run had been better, I'm sure I'd have felt stronger.
But after I was finished I felt like I'd accomplished something significant. I wanted to raise my arms up in the air like I'd just won an Olympic medal, that's how great I felt. A year ago I could never have dreamed of running 7 miles (okay, 6.5 miles, but let's not get picky here). And that reminds me that a year from now who knows what I'll be able to do.
Obviously 7 miles doesn't erase a weekend of carb fest indulgences. The scale is up this morning almost 4 pounds from what it was a couple weeks ago. And I swear I can feel it in my clothes. Whether it's my imagination or not, they feel a bit tighter. So it's back to writing down what I'm eating and trying to keep calories around 1800 per day for a while.
***
I finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns last night. I haven't read a book like that for a long, long time. So moving and beautifully written. There are a lot of difficult passages and situations. It's set in Afghanistan over a 30 year period, so you can imagine the issues with war and women and the Taliban. But it's a universal story of love and family and friendship that translates to any culture. It will stick with me a long time. I haven't read The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini's first book. Have any of you read both these books and would you recommend The Kite Runner as just as good as ATSS?
In other random entertainment news, I am watching American Idol for the first time ever. I know, I'm SO late to this bandwagon. But there's just not much TV that I like (the only series I watch now is The Terminator, and I'm anxiously waiting for Dirt next week). I can see why it's such a hit. And I cannot believe they make the losers sing their songs again. That is just brutal. I am hooked on the guy who sang "Light My Fire" last week (I think his name is Michael something). There are about 3 guys and 3 girls that I really like. The rest are pretty mediocre, IMO. Thank goodness for DVR, because that's the only way I get to watch these shows. At least I can fast forward through the bad performances and the commercials.
No snow, no ice, no illness, and hopefully it will be a back-to-normal day all around. Swim lessons for Sophie tonight, and I'm planning on at least a 3 miler after she's done. Hope you all have a good week.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
"You are so money, baby"
Anyone else out there love the movie "Swingers"? (The title to today's post is from this movie.) Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingston, 1996. It's on the IFC channel right now, and I'm sneaking a bit in while Sophie's in her room playing. Too many curse words for it to be on while a 6 year old's in the room. But it has to be one of my all time favorite movies. It's as funny now as it was the first time I saw it.
So last night I made it to the gym--YAY! It was great, 3.1 miles in 34:10. Although something really weird happened while I was running. I had the uncontrollable urge to jump on the sides of the treadmill and stop running. It was like I had a fear I was going to fall or something and I couldn't help myself from jumping off. Sometimes I'll jump on the sides if I need to stop to catch my breath quickly and I don't want to slow down the treadmill to a complete stop. But last night it was like my legs had a mind of their own. I slowed to a walk a couple of times, thinking that might help, but the urge was still there. I finally just had to talk myself through it in my head--I literally counted my steps and kept repeating positive thoughts to myself while I ran. The urge never really completely went away. It was the strangest thing that's happened to me on the treadmill.
After my run, I did 2 minutes of plank and then 10 pushups. I changed my pushups this time, thanks to Vickie's suggestion last week of doing pilates/yoga pushups, where your arms are close to your body and your elbows tucked in, instead of a wide arm stance. Holy cow, those are hard. I did all 10 on my knees and I am really sore this morning. My back and my chest got a major workout, from 10 simple pushups. Dang, those are definitely the way to go.
Friday nights have become our Chinese takeout night lately. I ate way too much Mountain Snow Shrimp and rice, then later last night (and I am completely embarrassed by this) I ate an entire pint of ice cream. I haven't done that since I weighed over 200 pounds. It was a new flavor (caramel ice cream with chocolate covered sugar cone bits) and I don't know what came over me. I got up after putting Sophie to bed at 10, and sat on the couch watching TV and just ate the entire thing. That behavior is not going to repeat itself any time soon. I need to admit that I have no control over ice cream and it simply needs to stay out of this house.
So I didn't bother weighing myself this morning. I didn't want to be down about the number on the scale. It's a new day--I'm going to run 7 miles today and eat some decent meals. Sophie is having a friend over to spend the night tonight and I'll be busy with kids and laundry and getting all the weekend stuff around the house done, so hopefully that will keep my mind off of junkie foods.
And all weekend I'm going to keep telling myself, "You are so money, baby."
So last night I made it to the gym--YAY! It was great, 3.1 miles in 34:10. Although something really weird happened while I was running. I had the uncontrollable urge to jump on the sides of the treadmill and stop running. It was like I had a fear I was going to fall or something and I couldn't help myself from jumping off. Sometimes I'll jump on the sides if I need to stop to catch my breath quickly and I don't want to slow down the treadmill to a complete stop. But last night it was like my legs had a mind of their own. I slowed to a walk a couple of times, thinking that might help, but the urge was still there. I finally just had to talk myself through it in my head--I literally counted my steps and kept repeating positive thoughts to myself while I ran. The urge never really completely went away. It was the strangest thing that's happened to me on the treadmill.
After my run, I did 2 minutes of plank and then 10 pushups. I changed my pushups this time, thanks to Vickie's suggestion last week of doing pilates/yoga pushups, where your arms are close to your body and your elbows tucked in, instead of a wide arm stance. Holy cow, those are hard. I did all 10 on my knees and I am really sore this morning. My back and my chest got a major workout, from 10 simple pushups. Dang, those are definitely the way to go.
Friday nights have become our Chinese takeout night lately. I ate way too much Mountain Snow Shrimp and rice, then later last night (and I am completely embarrassed by this) I ate an entire pint of ice cream. I haven't done that since I weighed over 200 pounds. It was a new flavor (caramel ice cream with chocolate covered sugar cone bits) and I don't know what came over me. I got up after putting Sophie to bed at 10, and sat on the couch watching TV and just ate the entire thing. That behavior is not going to repeat itself any time soon. I need to admit that I have no control over ice cream and it simply needs to stay out of this house.
So I didn't bother weighing myself this morning. I didn't want to be down about the number on the scale. It's a new day--I'm going to run 7 miles today and eat some decent meals. Sophie is having a friend over to spend the night tonight and I'll be busy with kids and laundry and getting all the weekend stuff around the house done, so hopefully that will keep my mind off of junkie foods.
And all weekend I'm going to keep telling myself, "You are so money, baby."
Thursday, February 21, 2008
152.8 - Ice Storm, Part Deux
We've got ice again. No snow like last week so it's just ugly and scary out there. School was cancelled this morning before the ice even started, but by 9:00 a.m. when I was on my way to work the roads were really slick. I dropped off Luke and called DH to complain and whine because I didn't want to go to work, but he said I'd be fine, just come on in. Easy for a man to say. Every man I know loves this stuff--it's like the last frontier they have to conquer.
So Sophie was with me at work again today. And I didn't take a break again today. And there was no running again today. And to make things super special, I stopped off at Dominos after work for a cheese pizza and breadsticks because I felt like comfort food for dinner. I'm sure I'll see a nice little gain tomorrow morning thanks to the massive amount of salt and carbs I inhaled tonight.
I've already arranged for Sophie to go to a friend's house tomorrow if they cancel school; if they do, she will have missed this entire week.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll get to go to the gym tomorrow. I sure need to. After my pizza binge tonight, I started thinking that I really want to lose another 18 to 20 pounds to reach my holy grail weight of 135. I'm not going to start the effort until the spring when things are hopefully more predictable and "normal." I'm also not gonna put any time limit on it. Could take me 2 years and that would be fine. I'm happy with what I've achieved so far, but know I could still look better. And, by the way, the only one I'm looking better for is myself. Plus, with another 20 pounds off I could surely run faster than I do now. That in itself is motivation for me to lose weight. If I want to run a marathon in my 40th birthday month (in 2 years and 2 months), it would be helpful to be as fast and lean as possible, don'tcha think?
In other random news, I pulled all my acrylic nails off today. I've had acrylics for over 3 years now and I absolutely love them. It's expensive to keep them up--getting them filled every 2-3 weeks is $23. But I figure I'm worth it and I work hard and I just live for crap like that. With last week's snow storm and this week Sophie being sick and now today's ice, I haven't been able to get away for an appointment to have them filled in. My middle fingernail actually broke apart and they were well past 3 weeks of growth, which is completely gross. And it's not looking like I'm gonna get to go to my nail guy, Vinnie, any time soon, because we're booked solid with client appointments tomorrow (assuming the ice doesn't keep everyone away) and I don't like to go on the weekend and spend time away from the kiddos. So anyway, I decided to just rip them all off and cut them short and polish them myself. It was harder than I thought to peal off the acrylic. And my nails are in awful shape, of course, but with polish over them it's not that bad. I'm not sure when I'll get acrylics put back on. I'll probably go natural for a while just because we are going to be so busy the next couple of months. And I figure with the money I will save, I'll go have a massage and/or a facial, which is way more pampering anyway.
One more thing--Sally had a wonderfully inspirational post yesterday. Go read it when you have a chance.
So Sophie was with me at work again today. And I didn't take a break again today. And there was no running again today. And to make things super special, I stopped off at Dominos after work for a cheese pizza and breadsticks because I felt like comfort food for dinner. I'm sure I'll see a nice little gain tomorrow morning thanks to the massive amount of salt and carbs I inhaled tonight.
I've already arranged for Sophie to go to a friend's house tomorrow if they cancel school; if they do, she will have missed this entire week.
Maybe, just maybe, I'll get to go to the gym tomorrow. I sure need to. After my pizza binge tonight, I started thinking that I really want to lose another 18 to 20 pounds to reach my holy grail weight of 135. I'm not going to start the effort until the spring when things are hopefully more predictable and "normal." I'm also not gonna put any time limit on it. Could take me 2 years and that would be fine. I'm happy with what I've achieved so far, but know I could still look better. And, by the way, the only one I'm looking better for is myself. Plus, with another 20 pounds off I could surely run faster than I do now. That in itself is motivation for me to lose weight. If I want to run a marathon in my 40th birthday month (in 2 years and 2 months), it would be helpful to be as fast and lean as possible, don'tcha think?
In other random news, I pulled all my acrylic nails off today. I've had acrylics for over 3 years now and I absolutely love them. It's expensive to keep them up--getting them filled every 2-3 weeks is $23. But I figure I'm worth it and I work hard and I just live for crap like that. With last week's snow storm and this week Sophie being sick and now today's ice, I haven't been able to get away for an appointment to have them filled in. My middle fingernail actually broke apart and they were well past 3 weeks of growth, which is completely gross. And it's not looking like I'm gonna get to go to my nail guy, Vinnie, any time soon, because we're booked solid with client appointments tomorrow (assuming the ice doesn't keep everyone away) and I don't like to go on the weekend and spend time away from the kiddos. So anyway, I decided to just rip them all off and cut them short and polish them myself. It was harder than I thought to peal off the acrylic. And my nails are in awful shape, of course, but with polish over them it's not that bad. I'm not sure when I'll get acrylics put back on. I'll probably go natural for a while just because we are going to be so busy the next couple of months. And I figure with the money I will save, I'll go have a massage and/or a facial, which is way more pampering anyway.
One more thing--Sally had a wonderfully inspirational post yesterday. Go read it when you have a chance.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
153.2 - Drive Thru
I just drove through my gym's parking lot and didn't go in to workout. I was there, I was planning on a run, but when it came down to it, I just couldn't do it.
I've got lots of excuses. It's been a really long day, with Sophie at the office again (she's better, just had to have her fever free for 24 hours before she could go back to school), and I worked straight through all day with no break. It's only 20 degrees outside. I spent 45 minutes driving in the city after work--picking up Luke, dropping off FedEx, dropping off mail, picking up McD's for the kids. My hormones are in the basement with my usual monthly mid-cycle blahs.
Even with all this stacked against me, I was still determined to go, even though I didn't wanna. When I pulled into the parking lot, Luke said "No not there!" He's been pitching fits when we go to the gym after day care lately, and he wasn't in the mood to go either.
When I didn't find a parking space quickly, I just kept driving. My last remnants of energy and motivation left me like the air out of a slow leaking balloon. I didn't have enough reserves left to drag the kids in there kicking and screaming (well, one of them would have been screaming) and then change and then workout and then get them in their coats again and then back in the car and then at last home.
I'm am so exhausted with the Stuff of Life right now.
I know a workout would have energized me. I would have felt renewed and had happy hormones flowing through me. And if it was just me and just the run, I'd have parked the car and gone in. But the extra curricular activity that went along with it seemed insurmountable.
Life - 1, Laura - 0
I'll repeat one of my other favorite mantras now.... "This is only temporary."
I've got lots of excuses. It's been a really long day, with Sophie at the office again (she's better, just had to have her fever free for 24 hours before she could go back to school), and I worked straight through all day with no break. It's only 20 degrees outside. I spent 45 minutes driving in the city after work--picking up Luke, dropping off FedEx, dropping off mail, picking up McD's for the kids. My hormones are in the basement with my usual monthly mid-cycle blahs.
Even with all this stacked against me, I was still determined to go, even though I didn't wanna. When I pulled into the parking lot, Luke said "No not there!" He's been pitching fits when we go to the gym after day care lately, and he wasn't in the mood to go either.
When I didn't find a parking space quickly, I just kept driving. My last remnants of energy and motivation left me like the air out of a slow leaking balloon. I didn't have enough reserves left to drag the kids in there kicking and screaming (well, one of them would have been screaming) and then change and then workout and then get them in their coats again and then back in the car and then at last home.
I'm am so exhausted with the Stuff of Life right now.
I know a workout would have energized me. I would have felt renewed and had happy hormones flowing through me. And if it was just me and just the run, I'd have parked the car and gone in. But the extra curricular activity that went along with it seemed insurmountable.
Life - 1, Laura - 0
I'll repeat one of my other favorite mantras now.... "This is only temporary."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
153.2 - 3 day weekend
Well I didn't get around to putting anything profound to paper (or, rather, cyberspace) this weekend to mark my 1 year anniversary. I was too busy with kiddos and relaxing over the 3 day weekend and didn't get online once.
And I'm still not up to the task of a "here's how I did it" post. Maybe in the near future...
Saturday I got in a great run--5.5 miles in 65 minutes. It was on the treadmill, but I varied my pace a lot to keep things interesting and had some great tunes on my iPod. I could have gone longer if I'd had time. Having enough time to run as long as I want is a recurring theme, I realize. But it is what it is when you have young kids at home. With Sophie sick all weekend, I kept my cell phone on the treadmill in case I was needed, and sure enough, at 63 minutes I got a call from DH that she was missing me and wanted me to come home. I'd been gone a whopping 75 minutes from the child, and she needed her mommy. So I finished up at 5.5 miles and did a 2 minute plank and 15 pushups and headed home.
Next Saturday I've got to get in 7 miles to keep up with my Mini-Marathon plan. Physically, I know I can do it. Time wise, I'm going to have to wheel & deal to get the time away from the kids.
Food wise, I was pretty "bad" all weekend. I had a couple of salads but otherwise no veggies. Lots of junk. And it's showing on the scale today, but thankfully my clothes feel okay at least. I'm back on the straight and narrow today.
Sophie still has a fever, even though she's been on an antibiotic for almost 5 days. So she's got a doctor's appointment this afternoon and is with me at the office today. She feels okay while she's got ibuprofen working on her, but she's just not her usual energetic self. There's a ton of illness going around right now, and I'm just praying we don't get something worse.
I might get in a run this afternoon, depending on how Sophie is feeling and if the doctor says she's still contagious.
I am so ready for spring so we can all emerge from this sickness filled winter.
And I'm still not up to the task of a "here's how I did it" post. Maybe in the near future...
Saturday I got in a great run--5.5 miles in 65 minutes. It was on the treadmill, but I varied my pace a lot to keep things interesting and had some great tunes on my iPod. I could have gone longer if I'd had time. Having enough time to run as long as I want is a recurring theme, I realize. But it is what it is when you have young kids at home. With Sophie sick all weekend, I kept my cell phone on the treadmill in case I was needed, and sure enough, at 63 minutes I got a call from DH that she was missing me and wanted me to come home. I'd been gone a whopping 75 minutes from the child, and she needed her mommy. So I finished up at 5.5 miles and did a 2 minute plank and 15 pushups and headed home.
Next Saturday I've got to get in 7 miles to keep up with my Mini-Marathon plan. Physically, I know I can do it. Time wise, I'm going to have to wheel & deal to get the time away from the kids.
Food wise, I was pretty "bad" all weekend. I had a couple of salads but otherwise no veggies. Lots of junk. And it's showing on the scale today, but thankfully my clothes feel okay at least. I'm back on the straight and narrow today.
Sophie still has a fever, even though she's been on an antibiotic for almost 5 days. So she's got a doctor's appointment this afternoon and is with me at the office today. She feels okay while she's got ibuprofen working on her, but she's just not her usual energetic self. There's a ton of illness going around right now, and I'm just praying we don't get something worse.
I might get in a run this afternoon, depending on how Sophie is feeling and if the doctor says she's still contagious.
I am so ready for spring so we can all emerge from this sickness filled winter.
Friday, February 15, 2008
150.8 - A Run, At Last
I finally made it to the gym last night. I took the kids with me and left them in day care, and put in a solid 4 miles in 49:15. I walked a lot, but when I ran, I ran hard. I did a couple 10ths at 9:00 and 1.1 miles at 10:00 (spaced out in .5 miles and .6 miles), and then I ran some "hills" at 12:00. It felt amazing to finally move and sweat again.
When I finished stretching, I decided I wanted to do some ab work and pushups. So I did plank on my elbows for a minute and a half, then did plank on my hands for 30 seconds. Then I did 5 pushups on my toes and 10 more on my knees. Gonna work on getting the time and number up on both those exercises. Then I flipped over and did 3 minutes of ab work. I'm just a tad sore this morning, so it was a nice amount of work for my upper body. It took just over 5 minutes and I hope to start doing that routine on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, I passed my strep throat back to Sophie. She started getting a sore throat while in kid's club (I feel terrible that she probably passed her germs around to the kids in there) and sure enough, had a fever when we got home. So we went to the after hours doctor and got her an antibiotic. Poor kid, she's missing her class Valentines party (they finally went back to school today after the snow/ice melted a bit yesterday). I swear, I wiped down every surface I could think of when I found out I was sick last weekend, but it didn't help at all. I'm just praying Luke & Mark don't get it next. I wish I could call someone to fumigate our house.
Tomorrow marks the One Year Anniversary of when I joined LA Weight Loss. I'm sure I'll work myself up into an inspiring post in commemoration of the event. Oh, the anticipation!
Hope you all have a lovely Friday.
When I finished stretching, I decided I wanted to do some ab work and pushups. So I did plank on my elbows for a minute and a half, then did plank on my hands for 30 seconds. Then I did 5 pushups on my toes and 10 more on my knees. Gonna work on getting the time and number up on both those exercises. Then I flipped over and did 3 minutes of ab work. I'm just a tad sore this morning, so it was a nice amount of work for my upper body. It took just over 5 minutes and I hope to start doing that routine on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, I passed my strep throat back to Sophie. She started getting a sore throat while in kid's club (I feel terrible that she probably passed her germs around to the kids in there) and sure enough, had a fever when we got home. So we went to the after hours doctor and got her an antibiotic. Poor kid, she's missing her class Valentines party (they finally went back to school today after the snow/ice melted a bit yesterday). I swear, I wiped down every surface I could think of when I found out I was sick last weekend, but it didn't help at all. I'm just praying Luke & Mark don't get it next. I wish I could call someone to fumigate our house.
Tomorrow marks the One Year Anniversary of when I joined LA Weight Loss. I'm sure I'll work myself up into an inspiring post in commemoration of the event. Oh, the anticipation!
Hope you all have a lovely Friday.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
150.8 -- Little stuff, big stuff
I am going a little nuts. It's Day Three of no school, Sophie's with me again today at the office, and she's going stir crazy. She was supposed to go to a friend's house today, but woke up with a 100.7* temp. She's feeling fine and I'm not sure why the low grade fever cropped up, but we don't share our germs with friends if we can help it. So I have her with me, again.
The weather is supposed to be in the 40s and the sun is out. It's possible we'll lose some of the ice & snow on the side roads, but I think it's going to take a couple of days to get them clear enough for buses to drive on. They're still pretty bad. Likely school will be closed again tomorrow, is my guess. My mom keeps the kids for 1/2 days on Fridays, so at least Sophie will get a break at home tomorrow afternoon.
I am praying I can get to the gym this afternoon. It truly amazes me how when I'm not working out, I'm a little bit crazy. I can't handle the stress of LIFE as well when I'm not getting my regular endorphin rush.
And I'm watching my Mini-Marathon training program go down the tubes as each inactive day passes. I've still got 11 weeks, so I know I can build up to 13.1 miles in that time. It's just not going to be according to my nice, neat little plan. And I can only pray that the rest of February, March, and April are uneventful enough that I can stick to a routine.
I miss routine. I hate being bogged down with all this extra crap right now. I just want my nice little life back.
I supposed I really should not bitch about these inconveniences. We have electricity. We have running water. We have warm clothes and a warm home. My children are (relatively) healthy. Work is going well, and we are getting new clients and bringing in revenue.
Focus on the big picture, Laura. The little stuff will eventually work itself out.
The weather is supposed to be in the 40s and the sun is out. It's possible we'll lose some of the ice & snow on the side roads, but I think it's going to take a couple of days to get them clear enough for buses to drive on. They're still pretty bad. Likely school will be closed again tomorrow, is my guess. My mom keeps the kids for 1/2 days on Fridays, so at least Sophie will get a break at home tomorrow afternoon.
I am praying I can get to the gym this afternoon. It truly amazes me how when I'm not working out, I'm a little bit crazy. I can't handle the stress of LIFE as well when I'm not getting my regular endorphin rush.
And I'm watching my Mini-Marathon training program go down the tubes as each inactive day passes. I've still got 11 weeks, so I know I can build up to 13.1 miles in that time. It's just not going to be according to my nice, neat little plan. And I can only pray that the rest of February, March, and April are uneventful enough that I can stick to a routine.
I miss routine. I hate being bogged down with all this extra crap right now. I just want my nice little life back.
I supposed I really should not bitch about these inconveniences. We have electricity. We have running water. We have warm clothes and a warm home. My children are (relatively) healthy. Work is going well, and we are getting new clients and bringing in revenue.
Focus on the big picture, Laura. The little stuff will eventually work itself out.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
No cookies today
We went to work instead. I took Sophie with me to the office, and Luke to his sitters. The roads were pretty bad this morning and weren't any better tonight. Likely they'll be bad tomorrow, too, but we will venture back out again. Same routine--no school tomorrow. Sophie does great at the office with me, so it's not a problem. We are so blessed to be able to take her with us.
I haven't worked out since last Thursday and feel like I'm turning into a puddle of mushy goo. My eating is fine--no real stress eating going on, which is a minor miracle and I'm assuming I can partially (mostly? all?) thank my antidepressent for that. Whatever the reason, I'll take it for now.
I even got a stick of butter out of the fridge when we got home tonight, because I really wanted those chocolate chip cookies I would have baked had we had a stay-at-home day today. I've got a package of mix in the cabinet just waiting to be inhaled. But I made spicy black beans & zucchini instead, and the urge to bake passed.
DH is working late again and I'm getting ready to put the kids down. I could do a pilates DVD or dig into my scrapbook stuff, but I'll probably just read or watch TV and vege out. (I love the line in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts explains to Richard Gere what vegeing out means.... "You know, be still like vegetables. Lay like broccoli.")
I haven't worked out since last Thursday and feel like I'm turning into a puddle of mushy goo. My eating is fine--no real stress eating going on, which is a minor miracle and I'm assuming I can partially (mostly? all?) thank my antidepressent for that. Whatever the reason, I'll take it for now.
I even got a stick of butter out of the fridge when we got home tonight, because I really wanted those chocolate chip cookies I would have baked had we had a stay-at-home day today. I've got a package of mix in the cabinet just waiting to be inhaled. But I made spicy black beans & zucchini instead, and the urge to bake passed.
DH is working late again and I'm getting ready to put the kids down. I could do a pilates DVD or dig into my scrapbook stuff, but I'll probably just read or watch TV and vege out. (I love the line in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts explains to Richard Gere what vegeing out means.... "You know, be still like vegetables. Lay like broccoli.")
Monday, February 11, 2008
151.8 - Winter's Here
I survived the weekend strep fest (barely--3 days of being sick sucks) to end up on a Monday with a Winter Storm looming. Now, given that this is Southern Indiana and more often than not the "winter" storms we get are thunderous in nature, I didn't think much of it. Until 1:30 this afternoon when it started to snow. And then kept snowing. And then sleeting along with the snowing.
Schools were closed early, businesses let folks go home before rush hour, cars proceeded to colide with each other on a much too frequent basis. We just don't get weather like this very often and we easily forget how quickly 2 ton pieces of metal slide through intersections.
I slowly, gingerly, drove my front-wheel drive VUE and picked up my precious cargo--Sophie was one of about 5 kids left at school day care, poor kid, I hate leaving her to almost last; Luke was too excited..."Snow, Mommy! I touch it!"--and we were home safe by 5 p.m. DH worked late but he made it home without incident as well, primarily because he tailgated a snow plow home. His car is a 10 year old rear-wheel drive hunk of German engineering and, while stylish and classic, it's a POS in the snow and ice.
School's already closed for tomorrow; we're supposed to get freezing rain in the middle of the night and could have 1/2" of ice in the morning. We might dodge the warmer temp line and only get the sleet and snow, but our luck it will turn to ice.
I hope it doesn't. We have an extremely busy week at work--which is a good thing--and we don't need the weather as a distraction. The thing about weather, though, is it's a leveler and everyone has to play by the same rules. Heck, my doctor's office just called at 9:05 p.m. to cancel my 10 a.m. appointment tomorrow.
Probably the whole city will be shut down. In which case, I'll be in my bunny PJ's baking chocolate chip cookies. Ice storms don't sound so bad when cookies are part of the bargain.
Schools were closed early, businesses let folks go home before rush hour, cars proceeded to colide with each other on a much too frequent basis. We just don't get weather like this very often and we easily forget how quickly 2 ton pieces of metal slide through intersections.
I slowly, gingerly, drove my front-wheel drive VUE and picked up my precious cargo--Sophie was one of about 5 kids left at school day care, poor kid, I hate leaving her to almost last; Luke was too excited..."Snow, Mommy! I touch it!"--and we were home safe by 5 p.m. DH worked late but he made it home without incident as well, primarily because he tailgated a snow plow home. His car is a 10 year old rear-wheel drive hunk of German engineering and, while stylish and classic, it's a POS in the snow and ice.
School's already closed for tomorrow; we're supposed to get freezing rain in the middle of the night and could have 1/2" of ice in the morning. We might dodge the warmer temp line and only get the sleet and snow, but our luck it will turn to ice.
I hope it doesn't. We have an extremely busy week at work--which is a good thing--and we don't need the weather as a distraction. The thing about weather, though, is it's a leveler and everyone has to play by the same rules. Heck, my doctor's office just called at 9:05 p.m. to cancel my 10 a.m. appointment tomorrow.
Probably the whole city will be shut down. In which case, I'll be in my bunny PJ's baking chocolate chip cookies. Ice storms don't sound so bad when cookies are part of the bargain.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Feed a cold, feed a fever
Friday I woke up with a 102.2* fever. This morning it was 101.8*, so I figured I better go see a doctor and get some antibiotics. Sure enough, he said it looks like strep throat. So I'm on amoxicilin for the next 10 days, and hopefully will feel better by tomorrow morning.
I ran 3 miles on Thursday, but of course didn't do anything yesterday or today. But I'm feeding myself very well. Lots of comfort food. If I can't feel good, I might as well eat what makes me feel good.
My weight Friday morning was 150.4, the lowest it's been in ages. I didn't weigh this morning and I'm sure it's up because of the carb fest I've been on, but my size 6 Old Navy jeans fit just fine this morning for my doctor visit. So I've got a little room for fever feeding.
I'm off to take a nap now while DH takes Sophie for a walk. Luke is at my mom's for the night, thank goodness. I'm just not up to chasing a two year old around this weekend.
I ran 3 miles on Thursday, but of course didn't do anything yesterday or today. But I'm feeding myself very well. Lots of comfort food. If I can't feel good, I might as well eat what makes me feel good.
My weight Friday morning was 150.4, the lowest it's been in ages. I didn't weigh this morning and I'm sure it's up because of the carb fest I've been on, but my size 6 Old Navy jeans fit just fine this morning for my doctor visit. So I've got a little room for fever feeding.
I'm off to take a nap now while DH takes Sophie for a walk. Luke is at my mom's for the night, thank goodness. I'm just not up to chasing a two year old around this weekend.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
The Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl Book Review
I started reading Diet Girl's blog last year when all this diet blogging stuff began for me. I've learned that you can count on Shauna for a laugh and some inspiration with every post. When she announced that her book was being released in Australia and the UK, I was totally bummed that it wasn't coming to the good ole USA, but it was shared among her readers that Yanks could order from Amazon.Canada and not pay quite as much as having the book shipped across the Atlantic. I don't know what that would have cost, but I paid $25.02 to have it sent from our neighbor up North.
It was totally worth every penny. The book is a gem. The introduction and background chapters are moving and introspective and set the stage for the majority of the book, a "best of" selection from 6 years of Shauna's blogging. But it doesn't read like a fractured list of blog posts. It reads almost like a novel, primarily because it's not just about "busting lard." It's filled with travel stories, family support and struggles, and even romance. And her Australian & Scottish idioms and turn of phrase are entertaining in themselves.
Sure, I knew how it ends because her blog is in the present tense and her book is in the past, but it didn't make the read any less entertaining. There are full color pictures of befores and afters, and even a little Diet Girl cartoon on the bottom corner of each right-hand page, so if you flip the pages it makes a moving cartoon of Diet Girl taking off to fly like Superman.
If you're a "lard buster" and you've got a birthday coming up or just want to spoil yourself, go visit Amazon.ca and plop down $25 for a great book.
(BTW, I'm not promoting this for any reason other than I just adore DG.)
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
150.8 - A Couple of Great Posts
I wanted to share some posts I read yesterday that really inpired me.
Erin Shea's at Lose the Buddha-- she's got an insanely healthy attitude about food and weight. Loved this post.
Tony's at Guess How Much I Weigh-- he celebrates a "kind of" anniversary this month, and his thoughts on what it takes to lose the weight mirror mine exactly. Take a looksy at how far he's come, here. Guys are a rarity in the weight loss blog world, but Tony has some great thoughts and is inspirational even to Us Girls. It's Tony's blog, but his wife Laura "weighs in" with her thoughts about once a week. It's so cool to see a couple doing this weight loss thing together.
***
I was super pleased to see that lower weight again this morning. I have had two good days with food and got a run in yesterday, a total of 3.5 miles in 40:40 (2.5 miles @ 10:54 and .5 miles @ 11:32, and .5 miles @ 4.0-4.3). Thankfully the storms weren't bad in our town and we didn't have any flooding or damage.
Today's a busy busy work day. I'm planning to hit the gym again this afternoon, planning on 4 miles if I've got time. Food should stay on track, and hopefully tonight I'll get to read your blogs, which will be a great deterrant to the night time munchies I sometimes get. See you all then.
Erin Shea's at Lose the Buddha-- she's got an insanely healthy attitude about food and weight. Loved this post.
Tony's at Guess How Much I Weigh-- he celebrates a "kind of" anniversary this month, and his thoughts on what it takes to lose the weight mirror mine exactly. Take a looksy at how far he's come, here. Guys are a rarity in the weight loss blog world, but Tony has some great thoughts and is inspirational even to Us Girls. It's Tony's blog, but his wife Laura "weighs in" with her thoughts about once a week. It's so cool to see a couple doing this weight loss thing together.
***
I was super pleased to see that lower weight again this morning. I have had two good days with food and got a run in yesterday, a total of 3.5 miles in 40:40 (2.5 miles @ 10:54 and .5 miles @ 11:32, and .5 miles @ 4.0-4.3). Thankfully the storms weren't bad in our town and we didn't have any flooding or damage.
Today's a busy busy work day. I'm planning to hit the gym again this afternoon, planning on 4 miles if I've got time. Food should stay on track, and hopefully tonight I'll get to read your blogs, which will be a great deterrant to the night time munchies I sometimes get. See you all then.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
150.8 - Random Stuff
Holy weight fluctuation, Batman. That is one heck of a water weight drop, don'tcha think? One day of eating right and drinking lots of water, and I'm back at a happy weight. But I didn't expect that big a drop in one day. The body is a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
Last night I got out of work too late for Sophie's swimming lesson, so I took the kids to McD's for Happy Meals and ice cream cones. We were there for an hour hanging out and having fun. I've not done that with them before--we always go through the drive thru--but Sophie wanted ice cream and I thought it would be a nice change of pace. They had a blast and Sophie thanked me for taking them there, like it was the biggest treat ever. I was happy to have a happy kid. (BTW, I ate a few of Luke's fries and several bites of ice cream cone, but that's it.)
We are getting blasted with rain today, and our neighborhood was already starting to flood when I left this morning. It's going to rain all day and around 3 p.m. the worst is going to hit (winds, rain, tornados, the works). Sophie's school didn't have power this morning (I had to drop her off--she's been dizzy the past two mornings and can't ride the bus, but she's fine after about an hour of being awake). I'll be lucky if we can get to our house tonight because the lakes that hold the overflow water were already full from last night's rain and when the lakes are full, the water moves to the streets. UPDATE AT 8 P.M.--The storms are just now making their way here, and they look pretty bad but at least they didn't hit before we got home.
If it's not too terrible outside, I'll be running at 4 p.m. at the gym. If it's really bad, I'll be picking up the kids and praying I can make it home. (sure sounds dramatic, doesn't it?)
I made another of Roni's recipes this weekend, and just like the others it is fantastic. The Veggie Chili recipe makes a huge batch of chili, and I had it for lunch yesterday and was full all day. I added a couple tablespoons of light sour cream and a half of a peanut butter sandwich. A perfect February meal.
Vickie asked where I bought Diet Girl's book. Eventually I'll get to the review, but in the mean time you might want to check it out yourself. I got it from Amazon Canada, here. It cost $25.02, which isn't cheap but you know I'm probably the only person for miles and miles that owns a copy, and that, to me, is worth it! It's really a great read. She's such a superstar. I think she said it will be released in the US in 2009, so if you are patient eventually you can buy a cheaper copy.
Last night I got out of work too late for Sophie's swimming lesson, so I took the kids to McD's for Happy Meals and ice cream cones. We were there for an hour hanging out and having fun. I've not done that with them before--we always go through the drive thru--but Sophie wanted ice cream and I thought it would be a nice change of pace. They had a blast and Sophie thanked me for taking them there, like it was the biggest treat ever. I was happy to have a happy kid. (BTW, I ate a few of Luke's fries and several bites of ice cream cone, but that's it.)
We are getting blasted with rain today, and our neighborhood was already starting to flood when I left this morning. It's going to rain all day and around 3 p.m. the worst is going to hit (winds, rain, tornados, the works). Sophie's school didn't have power this morning (I had to drop her off--she's been dizzy the past two mornings and can't ride the bus, but she's fine after about an hour of being awake). I'll be lucky if we can get to our house tonight because the lakes that hold the overflow water were already full from last night's rain and when the lakes are full, the water moves to the streets. UPDATE AT 8 P.M.--The storms are just now making their way here, and they look pretty bad but at least they didn't hit before we got home.
If it's not too terrible outside, I'll be running at 4 p.m. at the gym. If it's really bad, I'll be picking up the kids and praying I can make it home. (sure sounds dramatic, doesn't it?)
I made another of Roni's recipes this weekend, and just like the others it is fantastic. The Veggie Chili recipe makes a huge batch of chili, and I had it for lunch yesterday and was full all day. I added a couple tablespoons of light sour cream and a half of a peanut butter sandwich. A perfect February meal.
Vickie asked where I bought Diet Girl's book. Eventually I'll get to the review, but in the mean time you might want to check it out yourself. I got it from Amazon Canada, here. It cost $25.02, which isn't cheap but you know I'm probably the only person for miles and miles that owns a copy, and that, to me, is worth it! It's really a great read. She's such a superstar. I think she said it will be released in the US in 2009, so if you are patient eventually you can buy a cheaper copy.
Monday, February 04, 2008
154.2 - A "Too Busy to Post" Post
Hi gang. Work is nuts so I have no time to play today. A quickie:
I've gained a couple of pounds, which is in no doubt due to our Superbowl Weekend Eating Frenzy. Apparently my husband has declared the First Sunday in February an eating holiday, and I just played along. I'm back to being an obedient loser today--no more ice cream or apple pie, no sirree.
No running all weekend. Saturday was a family day--at last we were all healthy and together. Then Sunday, despite my best intentions (we all know what road those pave) I skipped a run because I ate way too much food and never got empty enough to motor out the door. Ugh.
I finished reading Diet Girl's book. I'll be writing a review soon. It was ab fab!
And most important of all - THE NY GIANTS ROCK!!! That was one of the best Superbowl games evah. What a kick to see the underdogs win.
Hope to see you all soon, maybe tonight after the kiddos are in bed. Until then......
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Groundhog Day Resolutions
Here it is, February 2nd already and it's time to break out the New Year resolutions.
What's that, you say? I'm supposed to have done those a month ago? Well, not in my little world. I hereby declare that January sucks, and I'm not falling down that rabbit hole of failure. February 2nd is one of my favorite Non-Holidays of the year, primarily because I adore Bill Murray and the movie he made about it.
So without much deep thought and a few minutes to kill (and really, why put that much effort into this when who the heck knows what the year will hold?), here are my Groundhog Day Resolutions:
1) Stay in my skinny clothes, whatever it takes. I will not outgrow my size 8s (and let's not forget those few 6s that fit!).
2) Run a couple half marathons. Yep, that's right. I'm gonna run two of them. One in May in Indianapolis, and one in October in my hometown.
3) Cook more often, with actual real food. I have been a slave to easy food for way too long. And when I do cook, it's on the Foreman grill and the microwave, which barely counts. Roni's site has gotten me off to a great start this year. I've already made 3 recipes, and will make the vegetarian chili this weekend.
4) Be nicer to my husband. This one's gonna take some work, as I tend to be a cranky bitch when I'm tired and overwhelmed, which has been a lot lately.
5) Play with my kids more. Mom always has to get things done--there's the laundry, the dishes, the mess the kids just made of their toys all over the family room floor. I will take more time just to BE with my little ones. They aren't going to be little much longer.
6) Work on my scrapbooks. I still haven't finished Luke's 1 year book (and he's almost 2 and a half) and my supplies and pictures are a disaster. I absolutely loved the creative outlet I used to enjoy from scrapbooking. So it's time to get back to it and have some fun and create some memories that last.
7) Read the Bible on a regular basis. Yes, folks, I'm a Christian. I'm a Presbyterian USA Christian, so it's not an IN YOUR FACE kind of thing for me. And even though it's not a blog topic either, it's a priority and one that's gotten lost lately.
8) Get a massage or facial at least twice this year. Man, I need some pampering and I need it bad. How's next week sound to you?
9) Change the oil in my car every 3,000 miles. Seriously. That VUE needs to last me a long time. Cars are so freaking expensive. What's so hard about getting your oil changed? Just do it already.
10) Take a family vacation somewhere at least 4 hours away and enjoy myself. Every family needs to get away, but even when we do I tend to be a big ball of stress about it all. This year I'd like it to be just the four of us and all about fun and relaxation.
So there's the Big TEN, because it ends in a zero and that's the way these things work. I'm not going to get into specifics like "workout with weights twice a week" or "save for a trip to Disney World" because I've learned that life just gets in the way sometimes. And I'm done with feeling like a failure.
The Big Picture goals, though, I can get behind. And Godwilling, I'll meet them 100%. But if I don't....there's always next February 2nd.
What's that, you say? I'm supposed to have done those a month ago? Well, not in my little world. I hereby declare that January sucks, and I'm not falling down that rabbit hole of failure. February 2nd is one of my favorite Non-Holidays of the year, primarily because I adore Bill Murray and the movie he made about it.
So without much deep thought and a few minutes to kill (and really, why put that much effort into this when who the heck knows what the year will hold?), here are my Groundhog Day Resolutions:
1) Stay in my skinny clothes, whatever it takes. I will not outgrow my size 8s (and let's not forget those few 6s that fit!).
2) Run a couple half marathons. Yep, that's right. I'm gonna run two of them. One in May in Indianapolis, and one in October in my hometown.
3) Cook more often, with actual real food. I have been a slave to easy food for way too long. And when I do cook, it's on the Foreman grill and the microwave, which barely counts. Roni's site has gotten me off to a great start this year. I've already made 3 recipes, and will make the vegetarian chili this weekend.
4) Be nicer to my husband. This one's gonna take some work, as I tend to be a cranky bitch when I'm tired and overwhelmed, which has been a lot lately.
5) Play with my kids more. Mom always has to get things done--there's the laundry, the dishes, the mess the kids just made of their toys all over the family room floor. I will take more time just to BE with my little ones. They aren't going to be little much longer.
6) Work on my scrapbooks. I still haven't finished Luke's 1 year book (and he's almost 2 and a half) and my supplies and pictures are a disaster. I absolutely loved the creative outlet I used to enjoy from scrapbooking. So it's time to get back to it and have some fun and create some memories that last.
7) Read the Bible on a regular basis. Yes, folks, I'm a Christian. I'm a Presbyterian USA Christian, so it's not an IN YOUR FACE kind of thing for me. And even though it's not a blog topic either, it's a priority and one that's gotten lost lately.
8) Get a massage or facial at least twice this year. Man, I need some pampering and I need it bad. How's next week sound to you?
9) Change the oil in my car every 3,000 miles. Seriously. That VUE needs to last me a long time. Cars are so freaking expensive. What's so hard about getting your oil changed? Just do it already.
10) Take a family vacation somewhere at least 4 hours away and enjoy myself. Every family needs to get away, but even when we do I tend to be a big ball of stress about it all. This year I'd like it to be just the four of us and all about fun and relaxation.
So there's the Big TEN, because it ends in a zero and that's the way these things work. I'm not going to get into specifics like "workout with weights twice a week" or "save for a trip to Disney World" because I've learned that life just gets in the way sometimes. And I'm done with feeling like a failure.
The Big Picture goals, though, I can get behind. And Godwilling, I'll meet them 100%. But if I don't....there's always next February 2nd.
Friday, February 01, 2008
153.8 - The marbits got the best of me
Welcome to Today's Weight Gain, ladies and gentlemen, which is brought to you by General Mills, the makers of Lucky Charms. Yes, they're magically delicious and a trigger food for our heroine, who apparently can't keep her grubby hands off of her daughter's treat cereal.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming....
I ended up making it to they gym last night, despite the winter storm warning which until this morning resulted in nada. This morning the temps dropped to below freezing, so they delayed school for 2 hours, and we got a few flurries but it's not added up to diddly squat. Which I'm not surprised about and am quite thankful for, actually. The last thing I want is yet another disruption in my nutso life.
The run was okay. Not great, but I put in 40 minutes and did a total of 3.5 miles, running for one mile, walking for .1, and then running again. I ended up with running miles = 3. It was a tough run. I was feeling the low pressure system, I guess, because my body felt like lead.
One of the things I often do when I'm on the treadmill is, when I'm feeling tired and want to go slower, I make myself go faster. "Wanna slow down to a walk? Oh no, sister, not yet. You get to run a couple tenths at a 9:30 pace now. Okay, now you're feeling it. All better now? A 10:54 pace feels just fine, doesn't it. Oh, you think you're tired? Too freaking bad! You get a break in a few more tenths, but now you have to run a few at 10:00/mile. How you feeling now? Like you could kick some serious ass? I thought so. The runner in you knows what's best, so let me keep you on track, little girl."
That was last night's mile 3 self talk. I was tired in mile 2 but not until close to the end. Mile 3 started and I felt like crap. But I was not giving up. "The faster I run, the faster it's over" is a motto several of my RBF's have as a mantra, and it is too true.
I let the kids run the track again, which made me smile.
DH has been working insane hours all month (we're financial planner people and January has been a rough month in the markets), and that means I get to go home and take care of the kids all by myself. It's wearing me down. Even though he doesn't do that much at home, what he does do makes a difference. Just getting one of the kids ready for bed is a help. And I haven't even had that.
Last night I just lost it and while Luke was still crying in his bed at 10 p.m.--since he was sick and slept with us a couple of nights, he's been a complete monster at bed time. He doesn't like his crib anymore and cries and frets and is in there for over an hour before he finally sleeps. That has not helped my sanity situation much lately--anyway while he was on the tail end of his tantrum, I grabbed the Lucky Charms box and finished it off. About 2 cups worth. Oh, the bloating from that sugary crap. It's not something I want to revisit again soon, and I'm glad the box is now empty. I just hope Sophie forgets about it and doesn't want any, because then I have to make an excuse as to why it's gone.
So between this week's mid-cycle hormones and the Fat Girl Freak Out, and me basically being a single working mom, I'm still a little nuts. DH has promised he's not going to work this weekend, so perhaps that will give me a break.
I am going to run 5 miles this Saturday, no matter what. I've got to start building my weekend long run or else the Indy Half isn't going to happen--and that simply is not an option. Today's a rest day, because I've still run more miles this week (12.1 so far) than any other week since early December, and I can feel the achy legs today and don't want to mess around with possibly getting an injury.
Hope you all have a restful weekend. Stay healthy and safe.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming....
I ended up making it to they gym last night, despite the winter storm warning which until this morning resulted in nada. This morning the temps dropped to below freezing, so they delayed school for 2 hours, and we got a few flurries but it's not added up to diddly squat. Which I'm not surprised about and am quite thankful for, actually. The last thing I want is yet another disruption in my nutso life.
The run was okay. Not great, but I put in 40 minutes and did a total of 3.5 miles, running for one mile, walking for .1, and then running again. I ended up with running miles = 3. It was a tough run. I was feeling the low pressure system, I guess, because my body felt like lead.
One of the things I often do when I'm on the treadmill is, when I'm feeling tired and want to go slower, I make myself go faster. "Wanna slow down to a walk? Oh no, sister, not yet. You get to run a couple tenths at a 9:30 pace now. Okay, now you're feeling it. All better now? A 10:54 pace feels just fine, doesn't it. Oh, you think you're tired? Too freaking bad! You get a break in a few more tenths, but now you have to run a few at 10:00/mile. How you feeling now? Like you could kick some serious ass? I thought so. The runner in you knows what's best, so let me keep you on track, little girl."
That was last night's mile 3 self talk. I was tired in mile 2 but not until close to the end. Mile 3 started and I felt like crap. But I was not giving up. "The faster I run, the faster it's over" is a motto several of my RBF's have as a mantra, and it is too true.
I let the kids run the track again, which made me smile.
DH has been working insane hours all month (we're financial planner people and January has been a rough month in the markets), and that means I get to go home and take care of the kids all by myself. It's wearing me down. Even though he doesn't do that much at home, what he does do makes a difference. Just getting one of the kids ready for bed is a help. And I haven't even had that.
Last night I just lost it and while Luke was still crying in his bed at 10 p.m.--since he was sick and slept with us a couple of nights, he's been a complete monster at bed time. He doesn't like his crib anymore and cries and frets and is in there for over an hour before he finally sleeps. That has not helped my sanity situation much lately--anyway while he was on the tail end of his tantrum, I grabbed the Lucky Charms box and finished it off. About 2 cups worth. Oh, the bloating from that sugary crap. It's not something I want to revisit again soon, and I'm glad the box is now empty. I just hope Sophie forgets about it and doesn't want any, because then I have to make an excuse as to why it's gone.
So between this week's mid-cycle hormones and the Fat Girl Freak Out, and me basically being a single working mom, I'm still a little nuts. DH has promised he's not going to work this weekend, so perhaps that will give me a break.
I am going to run 5 miles this Saturday, no matter what. I've got to start building my weekend long run or else the Indy Half isn't going to happen--and that simply is not an option. Today's a rest day, because I've still run more miles this week (12.1 so far) than any other week since early December, and I can feel the achy legs today and don't want to mess around with possibly getting an injury.
Hope you all have a restful weekend. Stay healthy and safe.
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