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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Life Changes

I've been abducted by aliens (sick with the flu) the last week, but that is no biggie...I will be back later today with my Gadget report.
Things are super duper heavy at work right now...in a bad way, not a busy way...and not layoffs. Just some really depressing personal stuff going on...sometimes life sucks. Lets just say I wish I didn't have to deal with this, but I'm sort of in the middle of it and need to step up.

Friday, September 19, 2008

TGIF Pictures



Tuesday, September 16, 2008

I've Been Thinking...

My husband hates it when I say that cuz it is usually followed by something like:

  • "We should get some goats."
  • "Wouldn't it look great if we opened up that wall and put a fireplace over there?"
  • "The local vet clinic has some St. Bernard puppies that were abandoned, we should adopt one."
  • "It would be really nice to have a pool - all the girls friends could hang out at our house."
  • "Look at the cute birdie..."
  • "If we just take out that hall closet and make it part of our bedroom, we could have an awesome master bathroom and bedroom."
  • "The girls want a baby brother...we could always adopt."
  • "There is this really cool house a few miles away that is a bank repo. It has five acres, just think how many goats we could have then!"

I jest not, everyone of the sentences has come out of my mouth...but anyway, that is not what I was thinking about today.

I have been contemplating why I (in particular, women in general) torture myself so much to be the perfect weight. Isn't the whole point to be healthy? I know I am healthy - I can run miles and miles. I can do a pretty decent plank. My weight isn't perfect, this is true...but I look pretty decent.

My husband thinks I look good. My daughter's think I'm beautiful. Why do I want to obsess over this? Why do I want more? I'll never be one of those perky PTC mom's wearing a jog suit that has never been sweated in. It isn't like I don't have a million other things to better occupy my time and mind.

And I know, I KNOW, once I get to my ideal weight...I will want to lose more. I know because when I weighed this before, I thought I was fat. I know this because I am a woman and as that I can't seem to be happy with me the way I am....curvaliscious.

It really isn't that I think my husband will be more attracted to me or love me more if I lose weight...and I certainly don't want to lose weight to attract other men (no way in hell, one is enough for me thank you).

I can say that, I feel most self-conscious about my "flaws" around other women, most judged by them. Why? I don't know...maybe I am just paranoid, because they could probably care less if I have a muffin top, double chin, etc.

Anyway, that is what I have been thinking...but I'm still doing my challenges to be more fit, thinner...no my obsession will not stop. Now, off to do my run for today.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Must Have Monday

My husband likes to shop...I really don't like to shop myself so I guess we're a little backwards there, but I digress. The problem with my husband's shopping, is he finds these totally crazy gadgets that really aren't practical, but he "must have" them. He can justify buying anything...really he is very talented at that. He could justify buying a tractor if we lived in a flat in Manhattan. And I really don't even try to say no, it isn't worth the argument unless pennies are tight. Now he even has one more reason to justify his purchases...blog material.


So needless to say we have a garage and cabinets full of useless crap. Crap that is only a year old that has already been replaced by something newer and better. Crap that has never been used.

I thought it would be fun to feature some of these "Must Have" gadgets we have acquired over the years. He will probably be mad at me for doing this little featurette, but hunny it is really kind of endearing in an annoying sort of way.

Near and dear to my heart is my first featured gadget...I must say it is one of my favorite purchases he has made because I have given him buckets of crap over it...

The Lemon Squeezer Pusher Into Beer Thingy

Here is how it works. Place a lemon or lime in the slot, squeeze the side lever in so it releases the juices. Then push down the plunger so the lemon/lime is pushed into your beer. Basically, it works like a human THUMB folks. Yeah...worth every penny if you don't have a thumb.

Cost: Hopefully he found it in the 99 cent bin at Target....but I'm not sure.
Times used: About 5...he likes to bring it out when we have friends over just to prove to me it isn't a useless gadget.
Props to my hand model...Charlotte. (don't call CPS, the cap was never removed from the bottle).

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Core Meltdown - Week One Check In

Okay, so today probably isn't the best day to check in. Yesterday I was out and about with my family and I got so hungry I ended up eating a bunch of salty chips...sigh. So I'm a little bloated today. But one day is just a drop in the bucket, the big picture is much better. And now that I am participating in Glam's Muffin Melt Off too, there are others involved to keep me competitive and focused.

I actually did pretty darn good on my exercise plan last week...I only missed one short run due to an upset stomach. Although I know I haven't really lost much weight this first week I do know that things are changing. I've taking measurements and things are definitely rearranging themselves.

So my goal for this week is to get a little more organized and planned out with my food. I wasn't really following a plan last week...just trying to be more aware and careful of what I was putting in my mouth. I did manage to stay away from milk and cheese (which wasn't easy for me) mainly because it just seems to reek havoc on my system, I'm not morally opposed to milk and cheese and I don't think it is bad for most people. But I think I need an actual meal plan, and keep a protein bar in my purse for those days when my husband keeps me out for hours shopping (not kidding).

This weeks exercise schedule:

  • Sunday - 10 mile run, abripperX

  • Monday - Shoulders & arms

  • Tuesday - 4 mile run, abripperX

  • Wednesday - YogaX

  • Thursday - 5 mile run, abripperX

  • Friday - 4 mile run, Legs & back

  • Saturday - rest

And now a moment to vent on some pet peeves I'm having at the moment...how come no one else in my family seems to know how to change the damn toilet paper! Nor do they even seem to know how to flush the toilet...I can forgive a four year old for this, but a 15 year old? or better yet a forty-five year old! and don't get me started on no one else seeming to know where the garbage is located in our house.

Okay, better now.

Hope everyone's weekend was great...off for my run now!

Friday, September 12, 2008

TGIF

Better late than never, eh? It took me all day to get this picture up, but here it is Nikemom's TGIF Picture.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Cute Quote of the Day


"Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply:

If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.

If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.

If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.

If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.

She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her."

So - if you give her crap, you will receive a bucket full of shit.

Ah, Memories....after rereading this I remembered when I was about 20 or so my friend and I dumped a bucket of horse manuer all over a guys truck in the middle of the night because he was trash talking my friend. We even went so far as to cover my license plate so we couldn't be "traced" - I was such a goody two-shoes it made me nervous to be so naughty.

Monday, September 8, 2008

1 Day Down, 29 To Go

Day one went pretty good...but my first attempt at AbRipperX was pathetic - I think I was only able to complete about a third of the moves....and I am SORE today.

I'm thinking I shouldn't have worn spandex that sucks in the gut in my before pictures...cuz really my tummy don't look good, and there is back fat, and I just hate it when I feel like a roll of fat is restricting my movement...but thanks for the positive comments. Marcy...I was very lucky to only get one very small stretch mark on my lower tummy in my 3 pregnancies...hate me if you want, but on the bright side you're faster and skinner than me.

After posting my before pics, I noticed that Glam is doing a little Muffin Meltdown challenge of her own starting next week. I've decided to join in on her challenge for a little extra motivation...so if you have a muffin top your wanting to get rid of go check that out.

So today I'm taking off work early, picking up my girls and our family is going to the lake to try out our new kayaks! Woot! We got two sit-on-top kayaks so we can toodle around the lake with our kidlets. The kayaks just came in today and it should be so much fun to be able to go to the lake, picnic and get some family exercise too.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Core Meltdown - In the Beginning

Today is the first day of my Core Meltdown Challenge. Well I did cheat a little, I actually did Yoga X yesterday...anyway.

Here we go, before pictures of the culprit. I can't believe I'm actually posting before pictures...but I figure it will keep me more motivated to stick to my plan.


I can't believe I can run with a belly like that!

Week one workout plan:

  • Sunday - 8 mile run, ab ripper X
  • Monday - Strength shoulder & arms
  • Tuesday - 4 mile run, ab ripper X
  • Wednesday - 5 mile run, strength legs & back
  • Thursday - 4 mile run, ab ripper X
  • Friday - Yoga X
  • Saturday - rest

My food plan is pretty basic. I'll be having Bob's Red Mill Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal for breakfast, fruits for snacks, veggies and lean proteins for lunch and dinner. NO CHEESE or MILK products.

Obviously I have some hard work ahead of me to meltdown the belly, love handles, muffin top, etc. Not just toning involved but lots of fat loss needed.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

CORE MELTDOWN CHALLENGE

Labor Day is over. Summer is gone. I have made no progress over the summer to improve my body. I don't mind the thick thighs...I have them, will always have them, they are strong and muscular (although currently a little too much chub on top of the muscle). I have always had a "pear shape" because of my thighs....what is getting to me though is my increasing belly size. Rather than a pear I am starting to look like a Butternut Squash. Not good.

Sigh....I NEED A CORE MELTDOWN!

So, I am initiating a self-challenge to reduce my core and regain my shape over the next 30 days. I can do 30 days...can you? Join me if you like...but I'm doing it with or without you. We can post pictures or stats that show middle meltdowns...the prize is a boost to self-esteem.

Start Date: Sunday, September 6
End Date: Monday, October 6

My Plan:

  • AbRipper X (from P90X) 2-3 times per week

  • YogaX (also P90X) once per week

  • maintain running schedule (er start again)

  • keep my diet to lean proteins, fresh veggies and fruit.

  • Stay away from cheeses, processed crapola, etc.

My goal is to reduce the roll when I am sitting. I'll post my start on Sunday and link to anyone who wants to join me.