Day Seventy-Six & Seventy-Seven- Snow Day/Sluggish Day

Sorry that I missed my blogging yesterday. With one kid not being able to breath & crying all night & with another vomiting throughout the house, let's just say that my night was beyond eventful!


With this wonderful snowstorm that came through town, the YMCA was closed on Saturday, so it was workout at home. I was really debating on working out because I was feeling a bit sluggish, but I had to do it. I pulled up my yoga video & went to town. I was able to do most of it (minus the ones that put strain on my shoulder), and it felt great. I was able to do more things the rest of Saturday.

Now today, was a whole different story. I got great rest, and got up and made brunch for everyone, but there was that lingering funk that was around me. I don't know what it was, but I was a bit depressed. I didn't want to even workout! I think what it was stemming from was a bit of cabin fever!!! I was real short with everyone and wanted to be alone. The one major thing that I let get in my way, was I went back to an old (& bad) habit that I hadn't done in a long time.

This evening, I was on the couch flipping through the channels, not knowing what I wanted to watch & not feeling in the best of moods, I ended up reaching for the bag of Oreo cookies that were in the kitchen cabinet. Big mistake!!! And before I knew it, I had already devoured an entire row of cookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! After eating them, I felt like crap! Not only physically (which I am still paying for it now), but emotionally. Why did I emotion-eat? What was I thinking??

Here is my food journal for Saturday & today:

Saturday

Brunch- 10:30 am
Eggs (over medium)
Hashbrowns
Sausage
Coffee

Late Lunch- 2:45 pm
Ham & Cheese Sandwich
Salad
Water

Late Dinner- 7:00 pm
Veggie Stir-fry
Water

Sunday

Brunch- 10:45 am
Eggs (over medium)
Hashbrown
Sausage
Coffee

Early Dinner- 4:15 pm
Vietnamese Pho
Water

Evening Snack- 7:30 pm
Oreos
Milk

Tomorrow the kids are out of school, but I am going to head into the gym first thing in the morning. I need to exercise the guilt out of me!!!! Talk to everyone tomorrow!

Day Seventy-Five- Free Day/Snow Day

Today was my free day because I was planning a Girls' Night Out. But because of the snow storm coming through it ended up being cancelled since a lot of people that aren't from the North, they aren't use to driving in the snow. So I decided to have my own "Girls Night Out" with myself- my bestie!!!

I had to go into work today, and with my free day, I cleaned my office, and got re-organized, both my desk & paperwork. It was staff meeting today during lunch, so we were working on things for the office. I decided to go to my favorite Italian restaurant and get a yummy dish & treat myself to a slice of tiramisu. Delicious!!!

The kids got out of school early for the snow storm that was coming, so I picked up the kids & came home. I played on the Wii with them, then took a nap on the couch. Then I got up and helped my hubby make dinner & for dessert it was a slice of Easy Bake yellow cake w/ chocolate frosting that my daughter made & a bowl of ice cream.

I really took advantage of my free day, and I didn't feel guilty. I am noticing that it is okay to give yourself a day to enjoy that day, both with food & fun. It is all based on not going crazy & only using that day as a reward to sticking to six (6) days of working out & watching what you eat. I have also noticed that if a lot of my free days I haven't needed to gorge on those days. It is starting to be a few time treat.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 6:30 am
Egg & Cheese Croissant
Coffee

Snack- 11:00 am
Handful of Almonds
Water

Lunch- 1:00 pm
Chicken Piomentese (Chicken cutlet rolled w/ swiss cheese & red pepper)
Green Beans & Carrots
2- potato wedges
Foccacia Bread
Slice of tiramisu
Water

Dinner- 7:00 pm
Homemade Spaghetti w/ meat sauce
Slice of french bread w/ garlic & parsley
Water

Dessert- 9:00 pm
Bowl of Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
small slice of chocolate cake (Easy Bake Slice)

Tomorrow is yoga day. Renee said that if the weather bad that I can do this at home. So we will see what the weather is like tomorrow if I will go to the gym or not. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!

Day Seventy-Four- I Can Barely Walk!!!!!!

So, after resting up from yesterday's Body Pump class, & my intense workout with Renee today, I can barely walk!! It is painful to go up & down stairs, even to take steps! I know it is a good burn, and I know that it is a lot of work to get back where I want to be, so I am telling myself that it is worth it. I know it's worth it.

Today was a challenging day and my schedule was slammed pack, going from one place to another. I had a hair appointment this morning, & it was great to get a new hair color/style, then I headed straight to the gym & got my butt kicked, then I ran to pick up my youngest & headed to a school conference with my middle son's teacher, then ran some more errands & got the kids off to swim lessons.

Looking back on today, I was able to run all of our errands, but the eating was not the best. The places that I went to eat at, didn't have the best choices & instead of going some place else, or carrying a Myoplex shake/bar with me, weren't the best choices. And skipping my afternoon snack made me give in the an evil goodie! One of the suggestions that Renee gave me was pack a lunch bag with a good lunch & any snacks that would be of better choices.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 7:10 am
Special K Cereal
Coffee

Lunch- 11:30 am
BLT
Fries
Water

Snack- 4:00 pm
Dunkin Donuts Old Fashion Donuts (2)
Large Coffee

Dinner- 8:00 pm
Sweet & Spicy Asian Chicken
Baked Potatoes w/ Chili, Butter, Sour Cream
Water

Tomorrow is my free day, and I am looking forward to taking a break & giving my legs a rest. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!!

Day Seventy-Three- What Was I Thinking? Body Pump?

With this day to a close, it has been a real interesting day. After talking to my sister-in-law and hearing about how her Body Pump class went, I decided to wait the entire day to go to the class in the evening. At first, I thought I could do the 11:00 am class, but thinking about it more, I decided that since it was my first class, I would rather take the class at 5:30 pm so that all I have to do is go home, have dinner & pass out!

I went into work and got a lot of things done, then I went to pick up the kids from school & headed home. I was pretty smart and got a sitter, so that the kids didn't have to sit at the YMCA, waiting for me to get done and get home and get dinner. It wouldn't be until around 7:30 pm before we got home and got dinner started & their bedtime was at 7:30 pm.

When the sitter got to the house, I grabbed my gym bag and headed out the door. I headed straight to the gym, and got ready for Body Pump. Now, if you remember reading in my first blog entry, I am the type of person that keeps things to myself, so in this class, I am more comfortable staying in the back, as far away from the front as possible. But instead, when I walked into the class, I obviously had an imaginary neon sign above my head that said "NEWBIE!!!" The instructor, made me set up right at front. GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My butt got handed to me!!! Those exercises kicked my butt!!!! We worked ever muscle in my body, especially muscles that I don't think I knew I had. I was sweating like crazy & my muscles were shaking trying to lift weights, go into push-up positions and doing planks. But, I made it through it. I pushed through, until at least some of the exercises aggravated my shoulder. And I also made sure while doing those exercises that my core stayed tight. When I got done & home & took a shower, my stomach was killing me. I didn't think it would do so much on my core that it did.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 8:30 am
Cajun Chicken Biscuit
Hashbrowns
Water/Coffee

Snack- 10:30 am
Almonds
Water

Lunch- 1:00 pm
Leftover BBQ Shredded Chicken Sandwich
BLT Salad
Water

Dinner- 8:00 pm
Penne Vodka
Fresca Salad w/ Grilled Salmon
Water

Tomorrow is my one-on-one with Renee. I am hoping that my muscles aren't to bad to meet with her, but I know they are going to shake like crazy when I am done with her. Wish me luck!!!

Day Seventy-Two- Spicing Up My Cardio!

After my workout yesterday with Renee on Monday, I decided to change my cardio workout today from doing just treadmill to elliptical & bike. And I tell you what, I definitely was working muscles that I don't think I wasn't working at all, as well as I was sweating buckets!!

The rest of the day was "challenging" me today. I was real short with my husband & I think I was a bit selfish to myself because he was "challenged" today but I wasn't going to let it bring me down.

The rest of the day, my schedule was real tight, going from one thing to the next, but I was glad that I got my workout done right away this morning. My legs were really killing me though, especially going up stairs. But in the back of my mind, I was getting real nervous about my Body Pump class tomorrow. Again, it looks exciting but nervous at the same time. My sister-in-law took the class today in Iowa, and she called me and told me that by the time she was done, she couldn't stand still because her legs were shaking so bad from the intense workout. But hearing her talk about her session, I am looking forward to it tomorrow. I was thinking of trying to get into the 11:00 am class, but after hearing about her session, I might want to wait until the even class at 5:30 pm so that I can come home and soak in the tub & pass out!!

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 9:20 am
Myoplex RTD Chocolate Fudge Shake
Water

Snack- 11:30 am
Almonds
Water

Lunch- 1:00 pm
Leftover Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl
Water

Dinner- 4:45 pm
Homemade BBQ Chicken Sandwich
BLT Salad
Water

Tomorrow is Body Pump class. Wish me luck because I am real nervous about my self-confidence about myself & that I will survive through it. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!

Day Seventy-One- First Day with Trainer

Today, was my first day with my personal trainer. Since I was still having problems with my shoulder, my trainer, Renee, wanted me to take a break from doing anything upper body, to give my shoulder time to heal up. We really changed things up as well.

The first thing she had me do was do 10 minutes on the elliptical, and I haven't been on that for a long time. I think with in the first 5 minutes, at the level that she made me stay at, which is a lot higher then what I would of done on my own, I had sweat pouring down my face. Then she had me do 10 minutes on the bike, and again, 5 minutes into it, the back of my shirt was starting to get wet & sweat pouring down. Then, we did lower body the rest of the time, and she pushed me even more on the same machines that I had been using. Around the 3rd set of each machine, my legs were shaking so bad.

Then when we were all done, she had me go ahead and pick out my first class, Body Pump. The new word that has to be out of my vocabulary is "intimidated/intimidation." The idea that I am going to be in a group class, in a room with tons of mirrors is a bit scary. I am really completely self-conscious, but Renee reassured me that in that class, because it is intense, everyone will be so focused on their own thing. I am nervous, but I am really excited as well because that class has always looked really interesting.

When I got done, and got back to work, I was shocked that I could get out of my car and walk. But it was a great workout!!!!

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 7:27 am
Special K cereal
Coffee

Snack- 11:00 pm
Handful of Almonds
Water

Lunch- 1:30 pm
1/2 Spinach & Artichoke Dip
1/3 Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl
Water (2)

Dinner- 7:30 pm
1/2 leftover Crispy Orange Chicken Bowl
Water

Tomorrow is cardio day, so I am going to head to the gym after I drop the kids off at school tomorrow. Let's see if my legs will hold me up tomorrow after my workout from today.

Day Seventy- Shoulder Injury

Hi everyone!

Today was a tough day today. Since Thursday when I had my assessment, I had done something to my right shoulder that really aggravated it to the point that I could barely move it today.

On Thursday, when I was having my assessment done, I was doing bench press when I heard something pop in my rhomboid area (near the shoulder blade) as well as clicking in my shoulder every time I would go down & come back up. It wasn't really bothering me the rest of that day, but on Friday when I was doing upper body & I was doing fly, my right arm couldn't go back past my shoulder without a lot of pain.

I went into the office & had my husband check out my back, and he felt that I had a rib head out. Now in the past, with car accidents, being thrown off of a horse & even getting a bad adjustment from a chiropractor (before I met my husband), I have always had problems with my rib heads. My husband says that once you have rib heads that go out, they can easily go back out. If you have never had a rib head go out, you are lucky. If you have, you know how excruciatingly painful it it.

So, I got my adjustment, went home & took it easy to keep it from going back out again. On Saturday, since it was my free day, I made sure that I took it easy. I had a muscle knot that felt like a size of an orange in my right shoulder that started to get bigger as the day went on. So, I got a massage & man did she work out a lot of knots that I had in my calves & right shoulder. It took a lot of it out. But I did something stupid after my massage. I should of let my shoulder rest the rest of the day, but instead, I took the box that my daughter's desk was in, lifted it out of the van & carried it into her room (completely across the house), and put it together. That was a dumb idea!!!

We went on to game night last night & I know that the beers that I drank was really numbing the pain!! But the next morning, I woke up, & my right shoulder was in excruciating pain. I could not move it without sharp pain in my shoulder/rhomboid area. I needed to get my workout in, but the weather has been terrible today & I didn't want to wait until 1 pm to get it in. So, I got onto Exercise TV & my husband & I did yoga, especially to get stretching into that right shoulder.

After doing yoga, my husband decided to palpate my spine & noticed that I had another rib head out as well as C-1 being out as well. So he did another adjustment and got it and gave me strict instructions to let my shoulder rest for the rest of today. So, I did very little, barely moving my right arm/shoulder & I ever took a huge nap to rest it.

So know, I am sitting in the living room with my hubby, watching the Vikings/Saints game, my shoulder is feeling better, but if I try and move it a lot, it still hurts. I am waiting to see what it will be like in the morning & if I need to rest it some more or at least limit my use of it. I'll have to let Renee know tomorrow when I meet with her.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 10:45 am
Eating for Life Ham, Egg & Cheese Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread (substituted roast beef since we were out of ham)
Hashbrowns
Coffee

Lunch- didn't eat since I ate breakfast so late

Afternoon Snack- 3:00 pm
Gala Apple
Water

Dinner- 8:45 pm
Tomato Soup
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Water

So, I am watching this nail-biting game, & tomorrow is upper body. Hopefully I will be able to workout all the way, but will modify if I need to.

Day Sixty-Nine- Free Day/Game Night

Hey everyone!!

This is going to be a quick blog tonight because as you can see the time of this post, it is way late/early in the morning, & I still need to get to bed.

Today was my free day & we went out of town to do shopping. Since it was my free day, I got to enjoy some goodies that I have been really good not devouring on my not-free days. I have always made sure that when I have free days that I savor what I want on that free day & today, I felt like I needed to really enjoy it. And guess what, I DID!!!!! And later this afternoon, I got a 1 hour massage as a treat as well & boy did I need it!!!

Tonight, it was also game night at a friend's house & the kids went to the sitter's for the night. It was fun! (Thanks Dena & Kevin- Phase 10 was a lot of fun!)

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 9:45 am
Apple Turnover
1/2 Cherry Danish
Coffee

Lunch- 11:45 am
Chick-fil-a Chicken Sandwich
Waffle Fries
Fruit Punch

Dinner- 7:15 pm
Hardee's Bacon Cheeseburger w/ lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, mayo
Chili Cheese Fries
Coke

Game Night Snacks
Chex Mix
Peanuts
Beer (4)

Looking back on today, the only water that I had was the massage that I had today, & the water that I am drinking as I write this blog. (That is so bad!!)

Well tomorrow is cardio day, & I am off to the gym at 1 pm (the YMCA doesn't open until then). Talk to everyone later!!

Day Sixty-Eight- Pretty Good Day, But Still Sore From Assessment

After yesterday's assessment, especially the stairs, my inner thighs were & still are really, really sore. It's a good sore, but man, it's sore!!

Today overall was pretty uneventful. I went to the gym and did my upper body workout, but this time, I incorporated free weights as well as the using the FitLinxx. It was a nice change from what I had been doing.

The one nice thing that I got was an email from a guy who made me realize that if I did my assessment when I started on Day 1, I wouldn't of made it 2 laps on the stairs, and I don't think I would have good reps on bench press. So being on Day 67 & coming as far as I have come is a big thing! I know that I have a really long journey ahead of me & if I can make it through this first challenge, which in the past has always been a challenge in itself for me to complete, I know that I can keep going.

Here is my food journal for today:

Breakfast- none, the kids had a 2 hour delay & I was off on the time & I didn't want to eat before I worked out. Bad idea!!!

Lunch- 12:30 pm
Homemade Beef & Barley Soup
Diet Coke

Dinner- 7:00 pm
1 slice Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza
4 Chicken nuggets
3 slices of cheese bread
Water

Tomorrow is my free day & I am going shopping with my aunt & daughter to get a new desk for her room. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!!

Day Sixty-Seven- Assessment Day!!!

Today was my assessment test at the YMCA with a personal trainer, Renee Pickard, and I tell you what, it was a real eye opener

We did an overall endurance test, to see what I can do and how far I can go. We started with bench press, and I did pretty well, my right shoulder was irritating me. Then we went to do stairs in the gym and I did pretty well on the first 3 laps up & down, but then going up on the 4th lap, it felt like I had two cantaloupes above my knees and my breathing was so labored that it felt like my lungs had caught on fire!!! Renee said that the stairs always fool people when they think their endurance is a lot higher than what it is. (I'm definitely guilty after today!!)

We then did an ab assessment, that was pretty tough, but I wasn't hurting. Then we did a wall sit and as soon as I started my legs wanted to give out!! After that was a tree pose changing legs & my balance was a lot more off then what I though it was.

By the time I was done I was pouring sweat. A lot of the stuff that I was doing, I remember as a teenager and all the sports activities I did, I remember it being a piece of cake--but this time, man, I am terrible!!! It was really frustrating to look at it and think, I know I can do it, why can't I do it. Renee told me that I can no longer use the word "stress," but I have to use "challenge" instead. So it is my "challenge" to get back to that again!

The other thing that Renee is going to have me do, is I am going to take some of the group classes that the YMCA offers. How, my "challenge" is getting over feeling like the fatty in the gym. I always feel like everyone is a size 2 & they are so coordinated & that everyone is laughing while watching me. So my "challenge" is getting out of my comfort zone and not care and get into those group classes.

I am also starting my supplement regimen that the nutritionist put me on, so we will see how that goes as well.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 7:30 am
1/2 bowl oatmeal
1/2 peanut butter & jelly sandwich
coffee

Snack- 10:30 am
Peanut Butter Crackers
Water

Lunch- 11:30 am
8 oz. sirloin steak- Medium well
Steak Fries
Side salad
Water (2)

Dinner- 6:00 pm
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Water

Tomorrow is upper body and I am looking forward to it. So I will talk to everyone tomorrow!

Day Sixty-Six- Feeling A Bit Better, But Man I Should Of Taken It Easy!

So after the past two days of being sick, I woke up this morning, not feeling like I had a full porcupine with its quills sticking straight out in my throat. It was a little bit sore, but not too bad. So, I got up and got the kids off to school. The only thing that I did do different this morning, was that I had to have breakfast before I worked out. So I made sure to have it an hour before I worked out.

I already decided before I went to the gym, that I would just walk, not really pushing it, since I hadn't felt well the past two days. But, when I got to the gym, while I was doing my 30 minutes of cardio, I started to feel a bit better that I thought I would give a 1-minute jog a try. It wasn't so bad. I did notice that my cardiovascular was doing better because in that 1-minute, I wasn't feeling like my heart was going to beat out of my chest & that my lungs weren't going to burst into flames. So 20 minutes into it, I did another 1-minute jog.

The only gross thing about the 30 minutes, was this lady that was on the treadmill next to me. She left her empty water bottle on the treadmill, and she didn't even wipe down the treadmill after she sweated all over it. I think that is one of the things that is getting people sick. So the next time I am on the treadmill, I am going to have to wipe it down before I workout as well as after.

The rest of the day of the workout, I definitely overdid it!!! My body ached all over & my body was extremely worn down throughout the day. Even though I got some really good sleep, I was completely exhausted. But overall, I am glad that I didn't take 2 days off & made it to the gym for my workout!

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 7:10 am
Toast w/ butter & jelly
Coffee

Snack- 11:00 am
Almonds
Water

Lunch- 1:00 pm
Leftover Wonton Soup
Diet Coke

Evening Snack- 3:30 pm
Chex Mix
Naked Green Machine

Dinner- 6:00 pm
Leftover General Tso's Chicken w/ Broccoli & White Rice
Water (2)

Tomorrow is my first session with a new personal trainer. We are going to do measurements & so on. I am excited, scared & nervous all at once. But, I cannot wait. I will let everyone know what is going on tomorrow!!!

Day Sixty-Five- Home Sick, No Workout

From yesterday to today, my body was really telling me something. Throughout the day yesterday, and into this morning, my body was going into shutdown mode. Looking back on the past few weeks, I was having small moments of being sick, that my body was really starting to shutdown. And it wasn't until yesterday evening when I got that message.

So on yesterday's blog, I mentioned that I was getting sick. Well later that night, it got worse & worse. Our family treat illness in a more holistic manner, but last night, I had to give in and take some NyQuil and zonked out!!!

But when I woke up this morning, my throat was killing me. It felt like I swallowed an entire porcupine with it's quills sticking out. And every time I would move, my joints were killing me. So there was definitely no way I was going to make it to the gym. I spent the entire day in bed, with the vaporizer going, and downing as much water as possible. By the end of the day, I was feeling almost as normal as before, so I am hoping that one more night of rest, I will be fully functioning in the morning.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 8:30 am
Toast
Coffee

Lunch- 12:30 pm
Tomato Soup
Chicken Strips (4)
Water (2)

Dinner- 6:45 pm
1/2 bowl of wonton soup
1/2 General Tso's Chicken w/ white rice
Water (2)

Hopefully tomorrow I will make it to the gym and do my cardio. I am already needing to get back to it so I don't feel like crap. Talk to everyone later!

Day Sixty-Four- Got My Workout In, But Now I Am Sick

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the kids were out of school today. I knew that I needed to get my workout in before the kids got up from school, so I had a sitter come to the house early this morning (my aunt has been ill, so I didn't want to obligate her to watching the kids), and made it to the gym before 7 am.

I spent 26 minutes on the treadmill with two 1-minute intervals of jogging. Man, I sweated like crazy and then as a treat, I spent 10 minutes in the jacuzzi. It felt good to get my muscles to relax. Then, I ran by the office, and got patient statements run as well as insurance filed. Then I ran home, got the kids dressed, and we headed to watch the new Jackie Chan movie, "The Spy Next Door." Pretty good movie.

After we got done, I took the kids to lunch, and then I went to the office and met with the nutritionist that has his office in our office. We spent about 2 hours, and he & his wife did a body scan to see what my body is lacking in nutrients and what organs that really needed help. Man, my thyroid & adrenals are shot. That explains why my body looks like a Goodyear tire around my waist. So we are working on some supplements that will really going to make a change. I am really dedicated and excited to see how this will make the changes that my body needs to make.

But throughout the entire day, I had this small dry spot feeling in the back of my throat, but as the day went on, especially after the movie, my joints were really starting to ache all over, and by 5 pm, I was aching all over and my throat was killing me. And to top it all off, my husband is coming down with the same thing. So, we turned in real early, and I am blogging early, so that I can turn in early and get to bed. Also, as I am blogging, I realized that I was so busy today, that I completely skipped breakfast & also lunch. That was terrible!! I cannot believe that I actually did that!

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- Skip

Mid-Morning Snack- 10:00 am
Popcorn
Sprite

Lunch- Skip

Dinner- 5:30 pm
Salmon w/ Mixed Veggies
Rice
Water (2)
Hot Tea

Tomorrow is lower body day, but I am feeling terrible. I am hoping that I get to feeling better by the morning so I can go to the gym, but let's see how tomorrow goes.

Day Sixty-Three- It Took Forever To Workout

After last night's party at our house, it took me forever to get up and get going to the gym. I facebooked my lack of motivation & immediately had people boost me to get up to the gym. So I got up (after 2 cups of coffee), and I even got my husband up and dressed to go with me to the gym to go and workout, which was around 11:30 am.

I wanted to make sure that I got to the gym before it got busy, so when we got there, they were closed. They hadn't opened yet- they wouldn't open until 1 pm. So, my husband & I went to Lowe's and got some things for the house, and had to drop off the hunting gear that my husband borrowed from a friend of ours, & we picked up their daughter for a sleepover at our house. I don't know what it was all about, but my body was so tired. It felt like I just could not get enough rest. Last night when I went to bed, even though I went to bed early, I had a very unrestful night. I kept tossing & turning, I couldn't get any deep sleep. So maybe that is why I was so exhausted all day today.

So when we got home, I took a huge nap, which really helped. Got up and my hubby made a veggie dinner for me, and while he was cooking, I finally got my upper body workout in, in my basement with the free weights that I had. It wasn't my strongest, but it is better than not getting it in at all. Then after dinner, my husband downloaded some old Nintendo games on our Wii & we played them with the kids. A lot of fun!!

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 8:30 am
Eggs
Hashbrowns
Smoked Sausage
Coffee (2)

Lunch- 12:30 pm
General Tso's Chicken w/ White Rice
Mixed Veggies
Water (2)

Dinner- 7:30 pm
Potatoes, Onions, Green Peppers Stir-fry
Water (2)

Tomorrow is cardio day and taking the kids to the movies, so I am going to try and get up early and get it in before we go. Talk to everyone later!

Day Sixty-Two- Staff Holiday Party- Hard To Make Good Choices

Saturday was my cardio day & it was also our staff holiday party. I went to the gym and did 30 minutes on the treadmill with 2 1-minute intervals of running.

I made sure to go to the gym as soon as I got up because I knew that if I waited any later, with getting everything ready for our staff party that night, I knew I wasn't going to get to it. And boy was I glad that I went early- there was hardly anyone in the gym, but by the time I got done, all the cardio machines were full & filling up everywhere else.

After the gym, I told my husband that I would go over to his friend's house to get the deer head that he got on his hunting trip in Alabama. I got over there and was speaking with his wife, and her husband called to say that it was still bleeding, and there was no way that I was going to go down and get the deer head or put it into my van, especially after I got the van detailed.

I finally got home & got the house ready & had a great holiday party. It was a lot of fun & also I was glad that I made it to the gym in the morning to get my workout done before everything else.

Here is my food journal entry to me:

Breakfast
Skipped- spent all the time running around and afraid I was going to make bad choices

Lunch
Salad Bar
Barbecue Crunchers (shredded pork wrapped in tortilla)
Water (3)

Dinner
Cheeseburger w/ lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, mayo
2 slices of Marinated Flank Steak
Salad w/ Italian Dressing
Small spoonful of potato salad
Water
Beer

Tomorrow is upper body day & I am going to make it to the gym, hopefully before it gets busy. Talk to everyone later!

Day Sixty-One- Girls' Night Out

So Friday was my free day & we had a girls' night out. It was great to get out for the night with the girls. No husband, no kids, no thinking about work- nothing!

This is going to be a short blog, so I am just going to put in my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast
Eggs & Hashbrown
Coffee

Lunch
Pappardelle w/ Chicken in a Cognac Sauce
Foccocia Bread
Water
Tiramisu

Dinner
Pepper Steak w/ Rice
Pepsi (2)

Saturday is cardio day as well as our staff party at our house. Let's see how I handle the stress!!
Talk to everyone later!

Day Sixty- Two Month Mark!!

If you can't tell by my title, I have reached the 2 month mark!!!! I cannot believe that I have made it this far. Realizing that I have made it this far, it has made it really look back on where I started at.

How, when I would walk up the hill to my car after dropping my son off at school, I would be panting really hard. Or when I would walk around with friends while shopping, I would be sweating. Now, I can walk up the hill with no problem, and I can go shopping without breaking a sweat (unless I want to break a sweat to get the great deal!!!)

I did upper body today, and when I got to the biceps & triceps, my arms were shaking so bad. It was a great workout!!! It is so crazy, that when I extend my arms, I am already seeing definition in my arms. It is so awesome to see!

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 10 am
Bowl Special K cereal
Coffee

Lunch- 1 pm
Breaded Chicken Sandwich w/ lettuce, tomato & mayo
Fries
Lemonade

Dinner- 8 pm
Ham Sandwich w/ lettuce, tomato, mayo & mustard
Chips
Apple
Water

Evening Snack- 10 pm
Pepsi- I had a bit of weakness and craved sugar!

Tomorrow is cardio, and I am really looking forward to finishing out my last 4 weeks to finish my BFL Challenge!!! Talk to you all tomorrow!!!

Day Fifty-Nine- Clothes Aren't Fitting!!!! Big Boost!!!

I am ecstatic today!!!! My clothes aren't fitting right anymore!!!

That is a huge thing. A lot of the clothes that I have, I have had for years, and they have always fitted. Not the type of fitted where you can't tell difference from fabric & skin. Today, the clothes that I chose to wear to work were completely loose all over. My pants left like they fit like jogging pants & my shirt is real baggy!!! I love it!!! It feels so good. It just rocket launches me way ahead.

So, I went to the gym and did cardio & I spent 30 minutes on the treadmill & did three (3) 1-minute intervals. A lady that was on the treadmill next to me, high-fived me and said that I was doing awesome!!

So overall today was an awesome day!!!!

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 10 am
Yogurt Parfait (Vanilla Yogurt w/ dried fruit & granola)
Small Coffee

Lunch- 1:30 pm
Fresca Salad w/ Grilled Salmon
Water w/ lemon (2)

Dinner- 6:00 pm
Homemade Tacos (Check out recipe link)
Water (2)

Evening Snack- 7:00 pm
Peppermint Tea

Tomorrow is upper body and I am really excited to get to the gym tomorrow morning. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!!

Day Fifty-Eight- I Can See The Light!!!!

I woke up this morning and noticed that I have almost made it to two months of sticking to it. Sticking to this fitness & better eating. I don't remember the last time, sticking to it for so long. It is awesome!! It feels great!

I made sure that I watched what I ate today. I didn't want to ruin how I felt starting my day this morning. I went to the gym this morning and did lower body. My legs were real wobbly by the time I got off the machines. I did real well throughout the day until the evening. I don't know what it was, but it felt like I was real snacky!!!

Also, if you noticed the change on my blog. I added a link to recipes that I have used to really help. I am not the type of person that will sacrifice taste, so check them out.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 7:20 am
Egg & Hashbrown Skillet
Coffee

Lunch- 12:00 pm
Ham Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread w/ Lettuce, Tomato & Mayo/Mustard
Diet Coke

Dinner- 6:30 pm
Chicken & Spaghetti w/ Diced Tomatoes
Water (2)

Evening Snack- 7:45 pm
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Chammomile Tea

I am having sinus issues tonight, so I have the vaporizer going. I am hoping to get to feeling better before I go to the gym tomorrow and do cardio. So I will talk to everyone tomorrow!

Day Fifty-Seven- Still A Bit Ill, But Feeling Much Better!

I woke this morning, feeling a bit ill. Still a bit congested, but feeling so much better. I slept with the vaporizer next to my head again. That helped so much to get the congestion cleared up.

I got up and got the kids off to school and went to the gym and did cardio. It was so full again. I heard some of the YMCA staff talking about how it typically is busy the first month, but then it thins out. In my mind, I kept thinking, "I hope I don't do what they were talking about." I am 1 month & 3 days away from finishing my first challenge. I am so excited!!!

So, I got to the gym and did my cardio, 21 minutes w/ two 1-minute intervals of jogging. It felt really good, but my ankle started to really bother me. After I got done, I headed to work and dove in head first, getting a lot of my stuff done.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 6:45 am
1 slice of Toast w/ butter & strawberry jam
Coffee

Morning Snack- 10 am
Myoplex RTD Chocolate Shake
Water

Lunch- 1 pm
Leftover French Dip w/o Cheese
Au Jus
Diet Coke

Dinner- 6:30 pm
Breakfast for Dinner
Eggs
Hashbrowns
Sausage Links- 2
Orange Juice

Evening Snack- 8:30 pm
Sleepytime Tea

Tomorrow is lower body day, and I am really looking forward to it, especially to get my legs wobbly. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!!

Day Fifty-Six- Feel Sick Today....What To Do?

Sorry that I am getting this blog entry in late, but my husband came home yesterday from his hunting trip and our house turned upside down from it.....

I woke up yesterday morning feeling as sick as a dog. I couldn't breath through my nose & my throat was really dry and scratchy (obviously I was snoring last night- breathing through my mouth). I knew I needed to get to the gym, but I couldn't motivate myself to do it first thing in the morning.

I got up and got something to eat and crawled back into bed with a vaporizer right next to my head. I laid there for about a couple hours until the congestion semi-cleared up and my throat was getting better before I got back up again. Now at that point, I was really debating on going to the gym or not. I didn't want to go because I wasn't feeling well, but I knew that if I did go, it would help heat me up internally to fight off whatever I had.

So, I got up, threw on some gym clothes, packed my gym bag, and headed to the gym (with my aunt watching the kids). I did my upper body circuit on the FitLinxx and my arms and shoulders and abs felt like they couldn't function after that. It was so bad that I had to prop my arms up in the shower just to wash my hair!! But the rest of the day, I felt so much better.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 8:20 am
Rice Chex w/ Milk
Coffee

Mid-Morning Snack- 1 pm
Myoplex Bar- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bar
Water

Lunch- 2 pm
Leftover Country Beef w/ Mixed Veggies over rice
Water (2)

Dinner- 7 pm
Homemade French Dip w/o Cheese
Au Jus
Water (2)

Evening Snack- 8:45 pm
Peppermint Tea

Monday is cardio day and I cannot wait. Let's see how I am feeling the morning. Talk to everyone then!!

Day Fifity-Five- Back On Track

After my free day, I feel that I am refocused on my purpose. I opened Body for Life book, and read it again, but what really refocused me was my kids.

My middle child said to me, "Mommy, I can really hug you better." I asked him what he meant, and he said that his arms are starting to go around my waist. Then he said that soon he'll be able to hug me like the kids hug their moms on t.v. As soon as he ran off to play outside, I started to cry. If that doesn't get anyone back on track, I don't know what would. It felt great to hear!

So today, I did cardio. I spent 20 minutes on the treadmill, did 1 minute jog & 1 minute at a incline set at 5.0. It felt really good, especially since I woke up this morning and my sinuses was a bit congested. I knew that I needed to get on the treadmill to get things moving. It helped. And I also got in a great nap with the kids for a couple of hours. I am a bit congested again tonight, but hopefully sipping some tea and going to the gym in the morning will make me feel better in the morning.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast/Brunch- 11:00 am
Scrambled Eggs
Hash browns
Smoked Sausage
Toast
Coffee

Dinner- 7:00 pm
Vegetable Stir-fry w/ Rice
Water (2)

Evening Snack
Lemon Zinger Tea

Tomorrow is upper body & I am really looking forward to that, but especially my husband is going to be home tomorrow around 2 pm. I cannot wait! Talk to everyone tomorrow!!

Day Fifty-Four- Free Day! Yea!!!

Today was my free day, and I took advantage of it. Looking back at the last couple of days, I think I was getting frustrated at my workout because I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with my husband being gone, and I haven't had much sleep the past couple of days. I guess I really needed this "break."

So, I spent most of the days at the office, doing therapies on one of my husband's patient and working on getting claims paid by Medicaid (stresser within itself). Then I met the girls for lunch, and went to my friend, who is a massage therapist, and spent 30 mins in the jacuzzi & got a 1-hour massage. It was great!! Half way through it, I passed out & I guessed I snored. But that is great- I got to really relax.

Then, I picked up my kids from school, went back to the office to finish some things, and the kids wanted pizza for dinner, especially at CiCi's Pizza. So I ordered their favorite & I ordered one that I knew my husband would like as well as I. We came home & the boys ran straight for the Wii to play their Lego Star Wars & my daughter and I hung out in the living room. We watched different shows and I painted her nails & we talked. It was nice to just hang out with her and I.

I think I needed this break and get refreshed back into my own personal challenge. I am really looking forward to getting back to it tomorrow with cardio.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast
Egg & Hashbrown Skillet
Coffee

Lunch
French Dip w/ Au Jus
Scottish Tatties (like Hashbrown Casserole at Cracker Barrel)
Water w/ Lemon

Dinner
2 slices of Chicken/Spinach Alfredo Pizza
6 Garlic Breadsticks
2 Cinnamon Rolls
Water

Tomorrow is cardio day, and I am really looking forward to it. It was really refreshing to recommit to my challenge and get back to it. So I will talk to everyone tomorrow!!!

Day Fifty-Three- Getting Frustrated With My Plateau

So if you noticed in the last entry I feel like I have hit my plateau. I am seeing the changes, but I am getting frustrated with my abdomen.

My husband said that typically with the weight loss, and the amount of weight that I have to lose the body loses weight from extremities inward. The abdomen is usually the last to really be lost. I also had to think that the amount of weight that I have been carrying around all this time is excess layers. It is going to take time to get through those layers to really see those results that I really want.

With that said, I went to the gym this morning and did upper body for an hour. But before I started, I met with one of the trainers at the gym and scheduled my first one-on-one personal training session. The only downfall is that she has to take personal leave until the 20th. So I scheduled first thing in the morning on the 21st. I explained to her that I was feeling like I have hit my plateau. She said that she wanted me to list each exercise that I do each day. I am going to have to start putting into detail each workout I do. So when we meet on the 21st, we are going to do my measurements, BMI, body composition & hopefully get me through this stalemate. I am really looking forward to the 21st.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast- 10:30 am

Special K Cereal

Coffee

Lunch- 2:45 pm

Alfredo con Pollo

Water w/ Lemon

Dinner- 7:00 pm

Leftover Steak w/ Potato Wedges

Water

Evening- 9:00 pm

Strawberry Yogurt w/ Grape Nuts mixed in

Sleepytime Tea

Tomorrow is my free day and I am really looking forward to spending time with the kids when they get home from school and lounge around and watch movies. Talk to everyone tomorrow!

Day Fifty-Two- More Challenges..... And I Almost Gave In!

Today I had to go to the office this morning to do therapy on a patient while my husband is at his hunting camp with the guys. So, I dropped the kids off at school and headed straight to the office waiting for the patient to come in. When he came in, one of our staff person was there going over some new cases that has come in and I did therapies on the patient.

Now I had planned that as soon as I got done with the patient, I was going to head straight to the gym, but I had no idea that the Radiology Physicist was going to show up and want to inspect our x-ray room in our office. I ended up sitting at the office for another hour, waiting for the physicist to finish his inspection. By the time he was done, it put me 1 1/2 hours behind schedule with what I had planned for that day.

I was suppose to be at the restaurant that I work with at 11 am. Now, I knew that if I went straight to the meeting at the restaurant, then I would not of gotten my workout in. So I decided to push my meeting back and go to the gym before the meeting at the restaurant. The only thing I did do was I typically spend 31 minutes on the treadmill, but today, I only spent 20 mins so I could still make it to my meeting. Even though I was late for my meeting, I was glad that I still made it important to get my workout in.

One of the other challenges that I am seeing as well is my stomach. While I have been doing the BFL workout I am seeing the body changes- in my arms, legs, upper body and back. But my abdomen/stomach, it looks like it is changing, but I don't feel that it is really making a drastic difference. My stomach is coming up and in at the front, but the sides isn't doing as much. When I look in the mirror it looks like I am creating this pear shape look. It looks like I have a Goodyear tire around my stomach. I am starting to get frustrated about that. I don't know what I can do to change that. Maybe I need to get with a personal trainer at the YMCA to get some one on one to work on it.

Well here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast
Special K cereal
Coffee

Lunch
Fresca Salad
Penne Vodka
Sweet Tea
Water

Dinner
Country Beef with Veggies served over rice
Water (2)

Evening Snack
Jell-o
Sleepytime Tea

Tomorrow is upper body & I am going to try and get up with one of the trainers tomorrow to see if they can help me out. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!

Day Fifty-One- One Man Down, But The Show Must Go On!

Early this morning my husband left for his big "Guys Only" hunting trip to Alabama, so I really had to get much more done than what I normally get done.

I have noticed that into my 51st day, going to the gym is no longer a chore, it is a much enjoyed habit to get into to. After I dropped the kids off from school, I headed straight to the gym to do my lower body workout. I noticed the increase of people in the gym. All of the New Year Resolutions coming out getting started on their weight loss goals. That is why I started mine way before the New Year. I didn't want to fall into the rut where I start my New Year Resolution and after a while into it, I fall off the wagon and don't get back on. I wish all of those people that started in the New Year a lot of luck.

I am really looking forward to the next 10 days, to reach 2 months. I am wanting to see what changes I have made. I am also looking forward to completing this challenge and starting the next one. But I also have to remember not to get to far ahead of myself. I need to focus on this challenge right now.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast
Breakfast Burrito
Coffee

Lunch
Fresca Salad w/ Salmon
Focaccia Bread
Sweet Tea

Dinner
Shared leftover Salisbury Steak Dinner from last night
Water

Evening Snack
Hot Cocoa

Tomorrow is cardio day and I am hoping that all of the treadmills aren't taken up when I get to the gym. I have to go to the office in the morning though to do therapy for a patient of my husband's, then get my workout in & meet with the people at the restaurant I work with. My little treat for myself tomorrow though is going to be a massage in the evening. I can't wait for that. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!!

Day Fifty- Cramming A Week of Work In One Day-- Can You Say Stressed!!!!

Today has been somewhat of a stressful day today. Today was the kids' first day back at school from Christmas Break, and my husband is going on his big "Guys Only" hunting trip to Alabama. So today, my husband had a packed schedule of patients today since he is going to be gone for the next five (5) days.

Mondays are usually a busy day for me because that is when I file claims to insurance, send statements to patients, send patients who are in default to collections. The rest of the week I work on other insurance issues & patient account issues as well as office issues. But today, I crammed one (1) week into one (1) day. It was intense! Also, my daughter's science fair project isn't due until tomorrow, but she needed her tri-fold board done. So I am up at 11:45 pm finishing the tri-fold board and now I am blogging.

Now tomorrow, my husband leaves at 5:30 in the morning and it is just mom for the rest of the week. But it will be nice that I can focus on myself while the kids are at school. I am going to get focused on getting the house in order.

I went to the gym today and did cardio, and I can tell you that every time that I go to the gym and workout, especially cardio, it feels great!! I feel better and better each time. I actually wake up and look forward to going.

I was talking to a friend of mine that asked how it was going, and I told her it was going great. I have a new motivation. Since my husband is going on a "Guys Only" hunting trip, a bunch of my girlfriends are going to go to NYC the last week of May/first week of June. Also, my husband has his 15th high school reunion in August- so I have to look good for it!!

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast
Breakfast Burrito
Coffee

Lunch
Steak Salad (leftover steak from last night- sliced)
Ranch Dressing
Water

Dinner
Salisbury Steak on Egg Noodles
Green Beans
Water

Evening Snack
Pretzels
Hot Cocoa

Tomorrow is lower body day and I am really looking forward to going. I cannot wait. Talk to you all tomorrow!!!

Day Forty-Nine- Lack of Motivation.... I Did Not Want To Do Anything!

So, when I woke up this morning, I had no motivation to do anything today. This is how bad it was. I went to bed last night around 11:30 pm, woke up at 9:00 am, came out into the living room and lounged on the couch with the kids. I fell back to sleep about 30 mins. later and didn't wake back up until noon. I stayed in my pajamas until about 2 pm (until our HVAC guy came to fix our heat pump), and that was when I finally got dressed. I felt like a real lazy bum!!!

We took the kids swimming at the YMCA around 3 pm & while the kids were swimming in the pool, my husband and I did water aerobics, focusing upper body. I use to teach water aerobics for 3 years (before I met my husband). I was a bit rusty, but it felt really good. It wasn't until we got done was I feeling it in my arms. My husband felt it about 3 hours later in his arms. I am so glad I got it done, no matter how lazy I felt today.

Here is my food journal entry for today:

Breakfast
Breakfast Burrito
Slice of Banana Bread
Coffee

Lunch
Ramen stir-fry w/ diced ham
Water

Dinner
NY Strip Steak
Baked Parmesan Potato Wedges
Salad
Water

Tomorrow is cardio day, and I am really looking forward to two things. One- the kids are back in school (YEA!!!!!!!!!), and Two- I am really looking forward to rockin' it out on the treadmill at the gym. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!!

Day Forty-Eight- Rocked It With Cardio

Happy Saturday everyone!!! Today was back to the grindstone, from a fun party the night before celebrating the start of 2010. It took a bit of motivation, but I made it to the gym. A little later than what I had planned, but at least I made it. And even, my husband came with me & this time, he wasn't moody about going!! Overall, he took real good care of me today.

We woke up & he made me breakfast (except the coffee- I am picky about that!). Our boys were well behaved, they played well with each other and didn't fight. Our daughter was at a friend's house for a sleepover and came home from a fun overnight with her friend. We didn't make it to the gym until around 1 pm & went on the treadmill. I added 2 minutes to my time, and did two 1-minute intervals of jogging. When I got done, my husband suggested that we play raquetball, so I did. It was a lot of fun. He did beat me, but it was a lot of fun. By the time I got done, and took my shower and left with my husband, my legs were killing me. They felt so woobly!!! But it felt great!!!

Here is my food journal for today:

Breakfast
Egg in a Basket
Hashbrowns
Coffee

Lunch
Wendy's Asian Sweet & Spicy Boneless Chicken Wings
Baked Potato
Fruit Punch

Dinner
Ham Sandwich w/ lettuce & tomato, mayo & mustard
Chex Mix
Slice of Banana Bread
Peppermint Tea

Evening Snack
Bowl of Special K Cereal

Tomorrow is upper body day & we also plan on taking the kids swimming. I am looking forward to tomorrow, so I will talk to everyone then!!!

Day Forty-Seven- Free Day!!!!

Well, I really took advantage of my free day today. Most of the free days that I had in the past, I still made good food choices. I think I did pretty good today, but man I was really craving some fast food today & we had a get together at a friend's house to celebrate the start of the 2010 year.

It was a pretty good day-busy as well. I got up this morning, made breakfast, the boys went to get their haircuts, and did laundry. Our oldest had a sleepover at a friend's house, so she went over right after lunch, and I took my aunt shopping. I brought her home and went back out to get a few things, and then went to wash my car. I should of changed my clothes before I went, my shoes were soaked and the bottoms of my pants as well. By the time I was done, I couldn't feel my toes.

I got home, got my husband and sons ready, and we went to our friend's house for the party. The kids played on the Wii, and we adults watched "The Hangover." Funny movie!!! Great the second time watching it. And I tell you what, my friend's husband can make some great meals with deer meat. I am typically not a fan. The last time I had it, it was so tough and tasted awful!! But this time, you couldn't tell the difference from beef. It was great!

So here is my food journal for today:

Breakfast
Pancakes
Smoked Sausage
Coffee

Lunch
Taco Bell Nachos Bell Grande
Taco Supreme
Mt. Dew

Dinner
Sampler Plate

• Deer Filets w/ sauteed peppers
• Country Style Deer Steaks w/ Gravy
• Pot Roast
• Mashed Potatoes
• Asparagus in Pesto Sauce
• Roll

Sprite

Tomorrow is cardio day, so it is back to the workout grindstone. Talk to everyone tomorrow!!!