Active and Lovin' It!

I know it's been a while but I've had some crazy days.  Most have been pretty awesome days but there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day.  Consequently, I've fallen behind on my bloggin' duties.  But no worries!  I'll try to recap just for you.  First of all, just let me say I've been in the gym or outside working it out.  Seriously, this weather has been weird but my body doesn't seem to know this.  I have been craving working out.  Now I know I've hit a turning point.  And to think just a couple of years ago I only wished I could WANT to work out.  I'd pass the people in the gym and wish I could be that dedicated.  Drive past the joggers and tell myself one day that will be me.  Well, I think I'm almost there.  I am in the gym and am sort of jogging.  I hit my 15 minute mile!  I just about died but I did it.  I've not hit it since but I did it! 


My clothes are fitting me so well.  At my sister and husband's encouragement (begging is more like it), I finally purchased 2 new pairs of jeans.  For anyone that doesn't already know, I hate to shop.  I was sitting in the dressing room with a jeans my sister handed me.  I looked at the size first and then promptly told her there was no way I was going to fit into that size.  My exact words were, 'You got jokes.  Give me a real size!'.  Well, she insisted I at least try since I wasn't sure what I wore now.  Guess what?  Those suckers fit!  I was so excited.  She told me I should probably get a size smaller because once they were worn, they would feel larger.  I tried a smaller but was uncomfortable with them so I purchased the original.  Well....I should have listened.  They are a tad bit large on me now.  But that's OK.  It's been some years since I could say something was too big so I'm wearing them proudly with a belt.  Yay me! 


I'm still working on completing my 10k at the end of April.  I've even enlisted more people to join me.  My sister and co-worker have been walking with me after work.  Sister didn't really have a choice since this Round-Up race is a family tradition now and she would never hear the end of it if she didn't do it.  Though she thinks she's gonna cop out of the 5k and do the family mile.  I don't think so!  My friend 'Lina decided she needed to train for the 5k portion.  Now, I don't think they truly understood how much I actually workout.  We were walking the lake and as usual, my sister is bringing up the rear.  Doesn't bother her because she's just starting.  Lina made the comment that I walk faster here than I do at work.  My response?  'That's because at work I slow down for you.'  Well, it's true.  But we are outside with other walkers and runners.  I can't be out there and not break a sweat.  I'm not sure they know what they've gotten into when walking with me. 


My original goal was to shed about 10 lbs a month.  Well, the last couple of weeks have been so hectic that my eating is not where it should be so I lagged a bit. But I weighed in this past Sunday and am happy to report that I am at 5 pounds for the month.  I guess I'm on track but I need to really pay attention to my eating.  Unfortunately, this means dropping out of the team building activity at my job.  Sadly, the 'team building' is Wednesday Dessert.  I just can't do it.  Why work hard all week to ruin a good day with a slice of store-bought cheesecake?  That's what I keep telling myself to make it through those days.  It's hard when you work with nothing but sweet-toothed women!  But I can fight it!


My friend Barta has all but convinced me that I can do a half marathon.  I'm still scared of that.  That's crazy talk right?   First I need to complete this 10k right?  (I talk to myself a lot when trying to make a decision).  What happens if I can't do this?  My friend explained that you are trained for whatever race you choose.  So, I'm going to be attending a TNT meeting in May to see what this is all about.  Well, if Barta and Carli can do it, so can I. Everyone knows I love to fund raise for a good cause so why not benefit my body in the process?  Luckily, I have a pretty good cheerleader section in my life so I'm confident I can at least come up with a realistic goal. 


Let's see...Oh!  I have been so into this new active me that I've created another challenge for myself.  I sit at my desk looking out the window, watching walkers and joggers.  But my most recent 'want' is to be those that are racing up and down the parking garage stairs.  Yep! I'm gonna do it.  Of course I decide this just as we are about to get into the hot temps.  But, we have a shower in the office building so I can clean up after my lunch climbs.  Lina says she'll join me.  Right now I'm doing the short back stairs in the building.  I'm up to 7 flights without struggling too much.  I generally do short bouts of walking and then the stairs on my 15 minute breaks.  The security guard thinks I'm crazy but I think he secretly wishes he could do it. Ha!


I decided I cannot take my babies to the lake to walk.  Sofie's terrified of ducks and geese.  Baxter is overly excited by them so that's not much better.  I'll just have to be content with my sweet hubby and his giant one step to my three.  But again, I'm competitive so it makes me work that much harder.

My personal quote today:

It will happen, when you take action.

Sunday Morning Me

My Sunday morning has been an odd one.  I writhed in bed till about 6:15am and the got up because I got annoyed.  Pulled on my workout pant under my nightgown, threw on the moc's and took Sofie out to do her business.  She was fast as usual so we went back in and I let Baxter out.  He was faster than usual and wanted to come in soon.  I undressed and lay back down.  My husband was slightly awake and warm so I decided to snuggle.  It was nice until I got sharp pains in my stomach.  Hello post-menstrual crap!  Try as I might, I couldn't relax them away.  He tried to make me feel better but I decided only meds could do so.  Got up, took something and watched a bit of TV.  Lucky for me meds work quickly as I don't generally resort so I think they are always a shock to my body when I do.  I went and lay back down.  Still useless because as you well know, those types of meds have a bit of caffeine.  So, I got up and made myself some toast and tea.  I tried the new Tazo Thrive green. It is wonderful!  Much more mild than full out green tea and a nice minty effect. I highly recommend it!  I've decided toast with a bit of honey and tazo thrive will be my new go to, stomach soothing breakfast!  I'm all better now and ready for a workout!  We will be doing the Sunday Six later today so I guess this morning I will be doing some core busting Pilate's! Yay!

It's Our Anniversary!

My Facebook status today is so good, I thought I would use it for today's post.  See below:

Marrying for love may be a bit risky, but it is so honest that God can’t help but smile on it.  Happy Anniversary to me and my sweet husband!

Heavy

Alex and I went to the gym this morning.  I thought I would be tired considering the 4 miles yesterday and we got to bed late (11:30).  We were watching the show 'Heavy'.  It was inspiring.  I think maybe more inspiring than 'The Biggest Loser'.  We watched two shows before finally calling it a night.  Nevertheless, we were both wide awake at 4:50.  We got dressed and grabbed a dog and went out for the morning dog P&P.  We made it into the gym at about 5:10 and stayed until 6.  It was a good workout even if it was short.  I had made up my mind that I would try to keep up his pace to get a good sweat going. And did I sweat!  His running intervals were longer but I stayed with him.  Somewhere in one of the runs, I got a visual of me tripping due to an untied shoe lace.  But I had double laced them so that wasn't going to happen.  I do that sometimes....envision the worst that could happen.  Luckily it rarely lasts more than a split second.  Strange, I know.  But I feel energized and had a good breakfast of a raspberry and soy milk smoothie along with a bran muffin.  So, I guess I'm now off to work.  Gonna be a gorgeous day with a high of 61.  I might get outside and walk a little bit even though my walking buddy no longer works with me. I have my music to keep me company.

4 Miler

So, I've been guilty of laziness lately.  Since the husband began night classes really.  Sofie whined a whole week because this changed her routine.  I chastised her about it.  But really, I should have done the same for myself.  It's been two weeks of me (and her) trying to find comfort in being alone in the evenings.  No fun at all really.  But loneliness has brought on bad eating habits and half-hearted workouts (if any).  My work schedule has changed so I'm off earlier and it gets dark later.  So, I have plenty of time before and after work to get a good workout in.  I have not (shaking my head in shame). 

I've been eating whatever is easy because I've not adjusted to eating dinner alone.  Just the other night I had a chunk of french bread and dipped it in spaghetti sauce and drank OJ.  No veggies, plenty of sodium and more sugar than I care to mention with that juice addition.  And the workouts you ask? Pitiful.  I have been going with the husband alternate weekdays because he can't do it everyday.  But on the days when were weren't going, I was doing an afternoon workout or the mornings I would complete a DVD. 

So now you know of my shameful ways.  I had to backtrack and find out where I went wrong and lo and behold it was indeed the loneliness.  I made up my mind this weekend to get back on track.  And I did.  The eating has gotten much better.  I even turned down a large, fresh, hot from the oil bucket of french fries.  Everyone was shocked.  I did have to cover my eyes when my coworker through them away.  Instead I had egg salad in a wrap with lettuce, tomato, and carrots.  On the side yogurt with raspberries and blueberries and a pear for snacking later.  It was fast and the best choices I could find.  But that is not where it ends!  I came home and let the dogs out and they even played chase the ball a while before Yorkie Baxter looked like he would pass out.  I came in and slipped my walking DVD in and completed the 4 miler.  And it was a good one.   I feel accomplished. 

Make ahead lunches are the bomb baby!

 

Snow Day!!!

Willy Melt and Betty Will wishes to welcome you to Snow ville! lol. This is great. The dogs love it and I get to stay in and snuggle and eat soup and watch mindless tv and read a spooky novel. What more can one ask for?  Work was delayed and then delayed again.  They say there will be no melting throughout the day so that means icy roads.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a message to say 'CLOSED'.  Until then, I'm going to just enjoy my day.

 

Brrr....It's Cold In Here!!!

That's some cold bustin' goodness!

There must be some Dina in the atmosphere!  LOL.  Well, it is cold. I'm talking 28 degrees cold.  The weather dude says it will be in the single digits tonight.  This is freakin' Texas!  What the what?!?!  Oh well.  If you can't beat 'em....

I made soup.  A pot of bean-y goodness.  I will be eating from this pot for days.  Stay warm people!