I Define ME

Sing for your supper!

2012-02-12T10:18:00.000-06:00

Okay, I promise you there will be no singing. If I did that, all of you would run in a heart beat.

Today is my day where I do my housework and cook my meals for the week. This month's plan has me eating seven, count them, SEVEN meals a day. Uggg...I have such a hard time eating four in the beginning. However, once I am on the plan, I end up starving, waiting for my next meal. Shannon said something on facebook about this. She said if you were about to eat your stomach from the inside out, hardly able to wait until your next meal, this was GOOD, it meant your metabolism was on fire! So in a week or so I should be complaining about dying of starvation. I'm not giving away my meal plan but there is LOTS of fish on it this time. Three meals to be exact. I guess I better learn to love it!

I am off to cook. In addition to my meals, I am making meals for my family. Ratatouille is in progress, followed by some chili. Its hard for me to NOT taste things as I am cooking. I dont eat it because I want some, I eat it to see how seasoned it is. I guess I can put it in my mouth then spit it out???

Have a great day everyone!

The question is: What?

2012-02-12T10:08:00.001-06:00

What motivates you? What gets you up in the morning? What gets you to the gym? Do you look at your former self and long for those days? Do you stare at your coworkers in envy? Do you hit the gym so you will live a long healthy life? Do you hit the gym because its just your way of life?

I was having a conversation with my hair stylist regarding waiting to diet until Monday or starting today. She couldn’t even answer the question because eating healthy is her normal way of life. She couldn’t imagine herself in a situation where she needed to diet, because she’s always on a diet. Now I don’t mean diet like “oh, I’m counting calories again” but diet as in, what she eats. She said if anything, she would work out harder at the gym, but wouldn’t change the way she eats.

So what motivates me? My former self does. I had kids, gained weight. End of story. I am about 10 pounds heavier than where I want to be, where I know I can be. One day, about 4 years ago, I was eating a Lean Cuisine. Someone asked my whey I was eating that. I told her it was because I was trying to lose a few pounds. She told me I needed to get over that, my high school days were over, I was a mom now. WOW. So we should all let ourselves go because SHE did? Um, I don't think so.

Alright, I must go. I would love to hear YOUR thoughts on the matter. What makes you do what you do?

Food for Thought

2012-02-07T15:04:00.003-06:00

What a day! What a day!

I have been super busy but wanted to take a minute to ask a question that has been plaguing me all weekend: Is it better to start a diet immediately, or wait until the beginning of the week?

I know there are so many schools of thought on this. Some “studies” say that you have greater success if you wait until Monday. Some say you will have greater success if you start immediately, because if you fall off the wagon one day, you will get right back on, instead of waiting for that next Monday. Some people think you should start at the beginning of the week for a fresh start. Some think you should start immediately so you don’t spend the days between now and Monday pigging out, putting you further from your goal.

What is your personal opinion?

My thoughts are start as soon as you can. I have watched people just gorge themselves on their “last meal” “last day” before dieting. I have watched people eat badly mid-week, then just go ahead and eat badly the rest of the week waiting for Monday to roll around. My personal opinion is that if you give yourself. I personally, do not see the point in waiting. Okay, there may be reasons to wait, like you don’t have any proper food and for some reason you cant get to the grocery store until the weekend. That’s okay. But giving yourself time so you can eat badly for a few more days isn’t the right way to go. You don’t have to be putting it off specifically so you can eat poorly for a few days, but we have all been there and done that “Well I am going to diet tomorrow so I will eat this cheeseburger today” “I was so bad at lunch, I guess I will eat bad for the rest of the day.”

That’s all I have. I would love to hear what you think!

Yum Yum Yum

2012-02-03T08:13:00.002-06:00

Lets talk about food today. As mentioned in my last post, I said it was hard to get some of my meals down. At least I think I said it. Well yes friends, sometimes I skip meals. I just don’t have an appetite. Like right now, my throat is a little sore, and I don’t want to swallow anything. I know that choking down dry chicken will make things worse. But I also know that I have to eat. This post is dedicated to eating the foods we don’t always want to eat.

Is there a certain food you absolutely REFUSE to eat? I know I mentioned before that some people are such picky eaters and claim they won’t eat this or that. I am NOT a picky eater; I eat almost out there. One food I prefer not to eat is shrimp. Ok, I will be honest. When it’s on my meal plan, I WILL NOT eat it. But let me tell you why. I grew up in Louisiana with plenty of fresh seafood. At 18, I joined the Air Force and moved to West Texas. Yeah, the seafood SUCKS. We aren’t close enough to the gulf to get fresh seafood. I would only eat seafood when I returned home, which wasn’t very often. In 2009, I was home visiting my family. I was also pregnant. I took a bite of shrimp and proclaimed “I don’t like shrimp.” This was fresh shrimp but I couldn’t stomach it. To this day, I don’t like shrimp. I will order a shrimp dish at a restaurant every now and again. Nine times out of ten, I cant eat it. I think I have ordered shrimp three times in the last 2 years and have enjoyed it. Actually, that’s an inaccurate statement. I tolerated it because it didn’t have a seafood taste. The sauce on it masked the seafood flavor. Of course, the shrimp weren’t very strong to begin with. For some reason, shrimp has a chlorine taste to it. That’s the only thing I can describe. I was buying shrimp around Christmas to put in gumbo and the salesman told me that the brown gulf shrimp were “stronger” than the white. Stronger=chlorineJ Getting back to my original point: I don’t care for shrimp.

There sure things I don’t care to eat, but will eat. Mussels are a great example. I don’t really like them, but I will eat them. I don’t care for peanut butter, but I can eat it if needed. Last night I had my 2 year old eating sauerkraut. I told you, we aren’t picky eaters!!! I am not knocking picky eaters, so don’t think that. I cannot grasp how some people are so picky. Is it the texture they hate? The taste? Is it because they didn’t grow up eating it so its foreign to them? One of my daughters is somewhat picky. I guess I will never understand!

Okay everyone, you have a fantastic weekend. Hopefully I will give yall something good to read this weekend! I don’t have any plans yet. Who knows what I will get into!

What have YOU been up to?

2012-02-03T07:27:00.002-06:00

I haven’t blogged since June of last year. Wow, time flies. I started off my first post of the year with some thoughts that run through my head when people want to lose weight but do nothing. I suppose I should’ve started off with telling you all what I have been up to lately.

Lets see, I had my youngest daughter in November of 2009. I think I started this blog to track the weight loss from my daughter born in 2006. Anyway, I have spent 2 years trying to get the last 20-30 lbs off. The weight stuck to me for many reasons: A—I had NO progesterone and NO testosterone. Apparantly those things help with weight loss. I also had thyroid issues. Well the thyroid cleared up but the hormones didn’t. I have finally begun to lose weight so I am assuimg my hormones are okay for now. I should have it retested but I hate my doctor and don’t want to go see her. I should get a new one but that takes an act of God here. I am in San Angelo, Texas, not a third world country. Doctors have to approve you in order to take you on as a patient and it takes weeks to get in. Where do the really sick patients go?? I digress. B--I didn’t work out and eat like I should. Duh, if I am doing nothing, I am going to gain weight or maintain weight. C—I have been sick. I think I was sick for a good two months in October/November with a crazy upper respiratory infection. My lungs were congested but nothing would come up. 2 doctor visits, 2 steroid shots and antibiotics and $320 later, it cleared up. But I am feeling sick again and my kids are coughing. Great. A few weeks ago I heated coffee in the microwave for 30 seconds and it boiled onto my hand resulting in 2nd degree burns. Its almost healed now. Its kind of hard to life a weigh when the skin is coming off of your hand. D—I have been MEGA stressed. I got a divorce in September. I didn’t necessarily want it at the time. I don’t necessarily want it now. I am still stressed from it.

So, when you couple all of those things together, its no wonder I didn’t lose weight. In October I signed on with Team Bombshell. I am happy to say I have shed some pounds. Honestly, I haven’t been following the plan. Not making excuses but I was REALLY sick, I couldn’t breath, its tough trying to work out when you cant breathe. I am still using an inhaler multiple times a day, whereas pre-illness, I rarely used one. Then just as I got back to the gym, I injured my hand. I didn’t completely give up, I tried to use some cardio equipment or work out muscle groups that didn’t require the use of my hand but I found myself hitting the hand on things. The skin finally came off and I have new growth but it is still tender to touch because the skin is so thin there. I was still following my meal plans, on days I am not too bummed to eat. I am not an emotional eater…I am an emotional non-eater. That’s really no excuse either, I can force myself to eat. And I should. Skipping meals is unhealthy. My confession here kind of counters my last post when I was complaining about people that cry about losing weight but do nothing. In my defense, I physically couldn’t workout. I guess I could’ve taken those 30 min walks…while puffing on an inhaler every 5 steps and praying I didn’t brush my hand against my leg as I walkedJ

I see some changes in my body. I am only 10 lbs away from my goal weight. If I would’ve followed the plan, where would I be today? Wow, to imagine where I COULD be is breathtaking. I love fitness. I have the muscle structure to look how I want. I have the time to do it. I AM going to get there. No excuses! I will be blogging more updating you with my progress. If I am not accountable to someone, then I can do whatever I want right? WRONG. We all need to be accountable!

Do you want it?

2012-01-31T21:18:00.001-06:00

I hear people say they need to lose weight, they want to look like they did ten years ago, they want to look like so and so, etc. However, when I further engage in the conversation I am met with “I don’t eat fish” “I don’t like vegetables” “I am a picky eater” “I don’t have time to workout.” Seriously? Is losing weight THAT hard? I am not referring to people with some medical condition that prevents them from losing weight. I am talking about normal, average, everyday people that cant lose weight because they don’t try!!!!

By no means am I a fitness expert. I am part of Team Bombshell. I pay someone to tell me what to do. Its a lot easier to hire a professional than to figure out what to eat on my own and what workouts I need to do. But guess what? I haven’t always hired someone. The internet has a wealth of knowledge, as does your local library or book store. Granted it can be confusing determining which diet to follow as some swear by Body for Life, others swear by Atkins, etc. It can be mind boggling figuring out if you need to lift weights or do cardio. But the basic weight loss principle is the same: Calories in versus calories out. You can find enough tools to determine how many calories you need to lose weight. You can find tools that tell you how many calories are in an item (assuming it doesn’t have a label.) Its is so simple to only eat XXXX calories a day. If you can read, you can count calories. Its also not rocket science to figure out that eating one cheeseburger and drinking a coke, reaching XXXX calories IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU. Diet isn’t the only component of losing weight. You need to work out too. Sure, you can lose some weight with diet or exercise alone, but combining the two will increase your results. You don’t have to do some crazy 3 hour workout either. Go for a walk each day. You don’t have to run a marathon to see results. Ok, ok, if you want to look like a figure competitor, then YES, you have to workout and eat like one. You wont look like one with a 30 minute walk 5 times a week while eating 1200 calories of lean cuisines each day. This post is really geared towards “normal” people that just want to lose some weight.

So where am I going with this? I have heard many people complain about needing to lose weight. Hey, I need to drop some weight too. Been there, done that. But all I hear from people are excuse after excuse after excuse. One person said she was a meat and potatoes kind of girl and didn’t like any other foods. (Ok…then just consume XXXX calories of meat and potatoes???) Another person has gym equipment and DVDs at home but insisted she needed a gym membership and personal trainer to tell her what to do. (Because you might have the wrong form on the elliptical or you might be doing something wrong while Walking Away the Pounds???) The story gets better as she visited the gym and it was too confusing for her. (Its too confusing to walk on the treadmill like the guy showed you???) Ive heard people say its too expensive to lose weight. (I assure you a walk around the neighborhood is free and I can cook for your family 3 times for the amount you just paid for one meal at that restaurant) Another chick said she couldn’t lose weight because her office always had some sort of bad food laying around. (Are they holding you down forcing you to eat the food???) Someone else said she has family meals XX times per month and she feels bad eating something different. (Is your family going to disown you if you eat your own food???)

I will give everyone the benefit of the doubt: there are some foods I don’t like to eat. It is easier if you have someone telling you what to do. Yes, working out and eating right can be a bit more costly than doing nothing and eating poorly. Having will power is a hard thing. I get that, I truly do. I guess the difference between myself and those people is that I really want this. I will eat fish 9 times a day if that means I will look better. I will find time to workout. I will say no to the birthday cakes that are in my office on a weekly basis. I will turn down lunch with a friend if it interferes with my progress. If you want something bad enough, nothing will get in your way. Want to look like Cindy Crawford but don’t have the money? Sitting around doing nothing wont help you get there. But eating better and working out, even if it is a daily walk, will get you closer to your goal than doing nothing. Don’t think you can afford to eat healthy? How about actually pricing it to see if you can afford it. I promise you can eat healthy food just as you ate non-healthy stuff. Even if you can only replace one meal a day, youre one meal closer to seeing progress. The only conclusion I can come up with is that these people don’t REALLY want to lose the weight. That makes me sad.

What excuses have you heard from people about weight loss?

Upside down

2011-06-18T07:42:00.000-05:00

This post has nothing to do with being upside down. I was just sitting here thinking about how tired I am, no thanks to a 4 year old screaming at her sister over the TV. I thought about getting up and doing some yoga this morning and quickly changed my mind because yoga relaxes me. Not good for someone sleepy. Then I rememered seeing this picture. Yeah, I am pretty sure I would be wide awake if I even attempted to do this. The tame yoga in my living room is NOTHING compared to this stuff. Who says yoga is just a relaxing activity?!?! Yoga has kicked my booty a few times. How about you?

Next week I am starting a boot camp. Nope, not joining the military. Already been there and done that. My former co-worker Eliza asked if anyone wanted to join her bootcamp team. 8 weeks, $40, 5 days a week, 1 hour a day. Um, sign me up. This is regularly like $125 for 4 weeks and I got 8 weeks for a fraction. I am pretty sure I read this properly:

Who wants to join my bootcamp squad? It's $40 for 8wks of some hardcore, yet rewarding bootcamp. Let me know if you're interested or want more details!!

Well, I do, I do, I do! And I did, I did, I did! I will let you all know how it goes. I am so determined to drop the weight once and for all. Stay tuned.

What are you doing to stay in shape? What do you eat to maintaining your figure?

Have an awesome weekend. After a few sips of coffee, I am going to do some dishes, feed the kids, then who knows what else I can get into today. I know the pool will be involved.

Who defines you?

2011-06-11T20:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Saturday everyone. My day has been just peachy. I hit the farmers market this morning. I walked away with 2 tomatoes, squash, onions, radishes, and carrots. I hit the grocery store for some natural beef and chicken (and other things). I put away groceries, cleaned a little, then hung out in the pool. Today is a good day. I see tomorrow as a repeat of today except I am going to buy some tomato plants to plant, and have a friend and her son over for a little BBQ. Some laundry might be in my future too. The pool is definitely in the plans!

I am trying to get back to better eating habits. Its not that I have been slacking lately, but I can do alot better. I have been on a fruit kick lately too. I did really well today--twice now I had a cheeto in my hand but I DID NOT eat it. High five to self. I have some weight to lose and yeah, that cheeto isnt going to help me.

Would you cave and have one cheeto or are you disciplined enough to just say no? I think that "dieting" has a lot to do with will power. Its really a mental thing for me. I have to be in the right mindset to really lose weight. So here goes nothing trying to get the weight off once and for all.

Hope your weekend is well. If you're eating cheetos, have one for me. If not, well, welcome to the club:)

When do you eat?

2011-06-06T15:26:00.000-05:00

Hello people. How's your Monday going? Mine is a-okay. Its my first day back after being off for a week, so its always a little rough.

So the question of the day is when do you eat? do you eat when you're hungry? Eat when it's the appropriate meal time? Eat every 2-3 hours? I do not believe there is a right or a wrong answer. I am just curious to see how you eat. I personally eat every few hours because I get hungry, not because a clock tells me when its time to eat. I started eating frequently a few years ago when I was preggo. Then I kept it up when my dr told me I was pre-diabetic, then when I was preggo, then I kept it up to increase my metabolism. I guess after eating around the clock for so many years, my body kind of likes being fed frequently. When I had my first child, I ate like 6 full meals a day. I thought you had to eat for two...grown men...Needless to say, I grew up a little, had a few more kids, and I no longer eat full meals 6 times a day:)

I have noticed that I dont have to watch a clock for my body to tell me to eat. Yet when I am purposely trying to eat 5-6 times a day every XX hours, it's like force feeding myself. Has anyone else experienced this?

Well, I should get back to working. Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Its STILL HOT in here

2011-06-02T21:21:00.000-05:00

Last week I was whining about the heat in Texas. This week I am going to whine about the heat in DC. Holy hell batman. I had NO idea it was hot up here. It's also a different heat than what is in Texas. Today was actually cooler than yesterday.

I have walked SO much these past three days. I didnt do too much walking on Tuesday, but I walked for miles and miles and miles yesterday and today. Today I visited Arlington Cemetery and did quite a bit of walking uphill. My legs were screaming. They're still screaming. If I never walk uphill again, it will be too soon.

I had planned on working out everyday before I hit the streets. Well, A--I am not sure my hotel has a fitness room. The website says it does, but I have no idea where it is. B--I have done so much walking, I dont see the need for an extra workout. Seriously, walking all over this city has been by far the best workout I have had in a long time.

When I return home, its time to do some major dieting. I am going back to protein powder, chicken, broccoli...you get the picture. I have gained a few pounds that I need to get off. So in reality, I would like to lose about 20 lbs. Hey wait, that's what I have been saying forever. Its odd that people will tell me I DO NOT need to lose weight. But I say, its all about being comfortable in your own skin.

Alright, I need to get to bed. I have an early morning tomorrow, a day filled with flying, then a super early trip to Louisiana on Saturday. Its a turn and burn. I am going to be soooooooo tired. Have a good week!

Its hot in here

2011-05-29T09:46:00.000-05:00

Hello out there. I hope everyone is having a great weekend. Mine is not too terribly bad. I took my 4 year old to San Antonio on Friday night, came home yesterday, now I am just hanging out.

I got the sudden urge to run last night, so I went out at 9pm. Yeah, that was short lived. It was 102 outside. Um, no thanks. Thats about like me running in place in a sauna. Not my cup of tea. I think I need to move somewhere that has temps of 70 year round. Who's with me?

I got in a brief boxing session. I need some new gloves or something because my hands get jacked up. I am not really worried about it, it doesnt hurt. Just isnt very pretty. I cut the workout short because I had a headache and every time I hit the bag, my head would get a stabbing pain running through it. No bueno.

I dont know what I am going to get into today. I know an emergency session to the salon is in store. I will tell you about that one later:)

Hope everyone has a fantastic Memorial Day weekend.

I'm so hungry I could eat a....

2011-05-24T15:25:00.000-05:00

Hello! How's everyones week going? Mine is fantastic
Hit the gym yesterday and today. A much as I DID NOT want to go, I sucked it up, and went. I feel so much better afterwards.

This week I have been so incredibly hungry. I eat and its like I dont get full. My tummy still feels empty. I have no idea whats going on with that. Its pretty miserable. I know its miserable walking around with a full belly, but walking around with a belly that feels like it hasnt eaten in days is just as bad. Anyone else experience this?

Speaking of eating, I am sitting here chowing down as I type this. I made some chili last night---93% lean ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, and seasoning. Last night I ate it over brown rice; today its just the chili. Its really good. Tonight I am eating crock pot chicken with broccoli, carrots, new red potatoes. OMG, yes I am eating carbs from carrots and potatoes. Shame on me:) Its better than ice cream. (Ok, it may not taste better, but you know what I mean)

I am off for session #2 at the gym today. I am going to DC next week . Need to get some workouts in this week because this weekend I am busy packing.

Kitchen Pass

2011-05-22T10:08:00.000-05:00

Hellooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! I am back to blogger from squarespace. Hopefully this time I will keep up the blog....

So when you hear kitchen pass, what do you think of? I think of a wife letting her hubby go out with the boys. I am sure there are limitations, but the hubby can go out and do whatever he wants. Well the kitchen pass I am referencing is very similar, but I mean a literal KITCHEN pass...one that lets you do whatever you want...in the kitchen.

There are SO many times in our lives we use an event as an excuse to eat whatever we want. Perhaps its a pregnancy, or theres an occasion coming up like a family dinner or Christmas, etc. Its amazing though how one excuse can turn into 10 more. "Well, I AM eating for two" "I already cheated once this week, I will get back on track on Sunday" "I already blew my diet so I will just eat whatever today." Sound familiar?

I am just as guilty as anyone with falling off the wagon. But the key is to not let excuses consume you. If you have a bad eating day, nip it in the bud there and do better tomorrow, dont blow it all because of one day. Dont wait for the start of a new week to happen because a lot of damage can happen between now and then. And hey, you can even stop it before it starts. Just because your nieces cousins sisters boyfriend is having a get together, it doesnt mean you cant bring your own food, you cant make better choices, or hey, you cant skip it all together. Be the adult. Whats more important, pigging out with the fam or looking good in a bikini?

Think about these things. Dont give yourself a kitchen pass all the time. YOU are in control of your life, your body. You define YOU.

Ive moved....AGAIN

2010-11-28T13:02:00.000-06:00

Hello cupcakes. I have moved...yet again...visit me at http://fatbabyskinnymomma.squarespace.com/

Sleeeeeepppppp

2010-11-28T10:30:00.000-06:00

Hello blogland. HOLY HELL BATMAN I have been so sleepy lately. Lets go back to Monday night. I fell asleep on the couch around 9:00, got in bed about 10:30, then got up at 6:00. I was so sleepy. I dont know if its the time change or just being inactive, but I am just super tired lately. It appears that I get enough sleep, so I dont know what the problem is. I usually eat ground turkey instead of beef, but I am not eating it anymore to see if that helps. Sheesh, whats a girl to do?

How much sleep do YOU need each night?

I need a vacation

2010-11-17T14:02:00.000-06:00

Do you ever have days where you just want to escape to an island....just you, a hammock, and a margarita? Yep my friends, that is definitely one of those days today. Everything that couldve gone wrong has...or so it seems. My kiddo is sick. GREAT. I am feeling a little under the weather mentally. I have a lot of work to do but now have to take the day off. Fun stuff huh? I think I have to take the day off tomorrow too because the daycares policy is they cant be there for 24 hours after a fever. It will be nice to have a day off work so I can kind of unwind, but this isn't the ideal situation for me.

On the workout front, haven't worked out in a few weeks. What??? What happened to half marathon training? Well I still have 3 months so I am not too off track. I have just been dealing with the girls by myself, and quite frankly, I haven't had it in my to work out. I know we talked about excuses and how they suck and the people that use excuses suck. Well my friends, I suck!

Eating has been okay. I finally got the scale down to 139! Go me. Last week I had a tummy bug, got down to 138. I spent the past few days eating junk, so I was up to 140.2. I hate being sick because afterwards I consume too many carbs to make myself not feel like crap. By no means do I count carbs, I just noticed that I do consume more carbs after I am sick. Sigh.

So here's my pity party post for the day. I am off to get the kiddo...and dream about a vacation.

Smoking....Hot

2010-11-03T16:43:00.000-05:00

Hello cupcakes!

What a week...it's only Wednesday too. Sigh.

I want to talk about smoking today....I am a former smoker. And let me tell you, after the past few days I have been having, the thought of smoking is almost appealing. I also saw a friends facebook post that said nursing school is driving her to want to smoke again. Hmmmm...is smoke a stress relief? Possibly..but guess what...so is RUNNING!

I was having a horrible day today and I made myself go to the gym because I knew that a nice run would make me feel a little better. Guess what? It did. I came back much less stressed than when I left.

I made a choice today. I chose to run instead of smoke. The minute I smoke, it will hurt my lungs and affect my breathing while running. Its kind of counter productive to working out. (At least for me). If I can't breathe while working out, it flat out sucks. So if working out will give me the same stress relief as smoking, then I might as well work out!

And let me tell you, that run helped me 100% mentally. I was on the verge of having a panic attack this morning. Right now, I am pretty much calm. Thank you treadmill.

On another running note, I ran for 20 minutes this morning and I have noticed its getting much easier to do. My breathing was awesome. I wasn't fatigued. My legs were getting tired. I think the more I run and the more weight that comes off, the easier it will be. I have also noticed the slower I run, the more tired my legs are. Thoughts on that?

Happy Wednesday all!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2010-10-26T10:40:00.000-05:00

Happy Tuesday all! I need to keep this as short as possible because I have an appointment in 2 hours that's 80 miles away. I should be preparing to leave!

Man oh man I have been so sleepy lately. I dont feel like I am getting sick, so I dont know whats going on. Last night I got home from work and took a nap. I had meant to workout but I crashed. Have no fear peeps, I got up, cooked dinner, ate, then foolishly ran. I noticed I started getting side cramps. Well I wonder if that has something to do with running on a very full tummy??? Anyway, it was 8:30 at night, but I got my workout in. This correlates with my last post. Sometimes you have to push yourself to do things even when you dont want to. After my run, I was asleep between 10:30 and 11:00. Let me tell you, I was still dog tired when I woke up. Sheesh. I thought I was supposed to get more energy.

Anyone else dealing with this issue?

Suck it up cupcake!

2010-10-20T14:42:00.000-05:00

The past two days I have been dog tired. I have been begging for 4:30 to roll around so I can go home. Of course, once at home I am begging for 8:00 so the kids can get ready for bed. I usually dont end up in bed until 10:30 or so, and then I dont end up sleeping well. Yesterday and today have been a struggle at the gym. I have to MAKE myself go. Trust me, I didnt want to go. I just wanted to sit around and do nothing. But little cupcake here sucked it up and went. I ended up doing a 30 minute run yesterday in spite of being lethargic. Today I did an easy 30 on the bike. Neither time did I want to be at that gym. But both times I pushed myself. And look what I accomplished.

There are times when life happens. We are tired, not feeling well, too busy...The thing is, we have to MAKE ourselves get up and do things. Day after day I can come up with excuse after excuse to NOT workout. I am busy at work, I am tired, I will take today off and do it tomorrow, I have kids...At some point we have to make the choice to crush the excuses. Sometimes we have to do things we dont want to do but it's so worth it. I couldve sat on my booty for an hour, but I made a decision to workout instead. Instead of being setback and being two days further from my goals, I am not two days closer to being where I want to be. ***Disclaimer***I do advocate taking rest days from working out. Thursday will be a rest day. But there is a difference between a planned rest day and taking the day off because you just didnt feel like working out.

So I encourage all of you to just push through it when you really dont want to. Remember, you're the only one stopping yourself from reaching your goals!

I feel awesome!

2010-10-18T11:03:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday everyone! Where does the weekend go?

I had a kick booty workout yesterday. I did 36 mins on the treadmill with a walk/run combo. I started off with 6 mins walking and 6 mins running at 4.0 mph, followed by 4 mins walking, 6 mins running, 4 mins walking, 6 mins running, 4 mins walking. I increased my speed to 4.2 on the second set, then 4.3 on the last, with the last 1.5 mins running at 4.5 mph. Right now I am slow, but considering I went from sitting on the couch to straight running, I will take it!

I stopped full blown running and opted for a walk/run combo because I have some ankle pain. Typically, my ankles hurt right around the 4:45 mark. Then when I stop and walk, it gets better. I am sure its nothing major, I am just not accustomed to running and carrying an extra 25 lbs doesnt help. But right now, I am trying not to aggravate things. After my run yesterday my shins were hurting a little. STAY AWAY SHIN SPLINTS! After my run, I did X Stretch (P90X). It felt sooooooooooooooooooo good. I think I will do this at least 1x per week, if not more. Flexibility never hurt anyone!

I am tweaking my diet some. I was going to stick to a plain ol chicken/green beans/broccoli/tuna diet, but I have added carbs in the form of whole wheat pasta, brown rice, and oatmeal to my diet. Here's a sample menu for today:

M1: Egg White Omelet with salsa, sour cream, jalapenos and 1/2 cup steel cut oatmeal with apples
M2: Myoplex after workout
M3: 1 cup spaghetti with whole wheat pasta
M4: Grilled steak salad
M5: Baked chicken, broccoli, sweet potato

I may not eat M4 because its been in the fridge since last week and I am not sure if its still good. I may wait until I get home for M4 and have something light like string cheese and grapes.

I have been adding in gatorade or the gatorade pre-workout drinks. I do account for those in my calorie count. I also have been trying to drink more water.

Last week I was at 147, the other day I was at 143.6. Go me! Today I was up to 145. Stupid scale. Drink more water. Drink more water!

That's all I've got right now. Just working, working out, and trying to stay sane. Have a fantastic week!

Is it October?

2010-10-17T11:48:00.000-05:00

Time flies by when your having fun right?

So what have I been up to? Besides wanting to jump off a cliff because Clint, Mackenzie, and Caroline are constantly being loud and my nerves are frazzled???

I picked up a new activity: running!

I ran everywhere as a kid, but as an adult, I find I despise it. I texted Kelly O and told her I was hopping on treadmill but wasn't running because I hate it. Well I ended up running for 32 or 33 mins straight. Wow, where did that come from? The next day I ran 35 mins straight. An since then I've been doing walk/run combos (because of a possible ankle injury). I am addicted. So addicted, I'm going to sign up and run in a half marathon in February. WHAT?? If you look back at my early blog days, I said I was going to do this. I've always wanted to run in a marathon, despite my non love of running. Well, that time has come. I'm doing this!

That's all I've got. I need to get ready to workout. I'm running every other day then doing weights or a complete rest day the others. This helps me stay sane. For half to one hour a day its just me and my iPod and no outter noise. Its Sherry time!

Monday, Monday

2010-09-27T18:04:00.000-05:00

My blogging hiatus is over. Here I go again. My life is going so well right now, I better keep it going by jotting some of it down. I am back in the groove at the gym again. Even when I'm feeling tired and sluggish, I still make myself go. I am shooting for Monday thru Friday workouts. I did skip the gym today because I had alternate lunch plans. Sometimes taking time for yourself and smiling is just as important as working out. But have no fear, I have a treadmill, mini trampoline, trampoline, bicycle, and punching bag at home. Let's not forget P90X and the other videos I have. So I have NO reason to skip the workout. I had the play, now its time for the work!

I had my first real leg workout last Friday. Holy hell my legs are still sore. DOMS, I love you! I plan on incorporating weights into my life again. Ill probably just work my abs tonight in addition to the cardio. Tomorrow might be arms, who knows! I just know I want 5 days of cardio and weights. I will probably do yoga or pilates on Saturday and rest on Sunday. Fact is, I have no excuse to be fat. 2 gyms that cost me nothing plus a mini gym at home. NO EXCUSES.

So there's my synopsis. Dinner is about to be on the stove (chicken salad) and I will be on my way to the treadmill soon. Nothing is gonna stop me now!

Days 14 thru 17: Life is better than good

2010-08-29T19:41:00.000-05:00

Hi friends! Hope your week was as awesome as mine. I finished my workday Friday with a trip to the gym on base. Well one of them. Overall the equipment was old and rusty and the facility was run down, but it got the job done and wasn't crowded. I didn't workout yesterday--we took the Harley out and I took a good 2-3 hour nap. Rest assured, I knocked out 30 mins on the treadmill today. Go Sherry! I hope to start incorporating weights very soon. I was reminded just how much I missed the gym! So guess where I will be everyday this week?!?!

My package from Visalus should be in soon! So excited. Cake batter flavored shakes. Yum! Can't wait. More to come on that soon. I hope everyone has a kick ass week. I know I will.

Days 11 & 12: Life is good!

2010-08-24T21:32:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone! Happy Tuesday. Today has been one amazing day.

Have you ever had moments where the stars seem to line up and everything falls right into place? Well this is one of those times. What's so good about life?

Months ago I listed a boat, car parts, parts of a car, and a gazelle on Craigslist. Nothing ever came of it. Then yesterday I got rid of the Gazelle, today the boat. Tomorrow someone is looking at car parts and heck, he might walk away with the parts car if my luck stays this way. Its mindblowing how nothing would sell, now everything is at once. I even had a hit on the car but they didn't contact me. Heck, I even spent $5 on a scratch off ticket and won $50. But my life doesn't stop being bless today! This isn't even my good news.

Thanks to the fabulous Kelly Olexa and Jenny Lynn, I've just been afforded an amazing opportunity to get myself in shape and also help others reach their goals too. To learn more click here

I'm using my Droid so I don't believe my hyperlinks showed up. I will update tomorrow. Stay tuned. I'm so excited about the doors opening in my life. I can't wait to share with you all!

Days 6-10: Life Is What You Make Of It

2010-08-22T17:57:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the 4 day lapse. I was off work Friday and was busy doing chores around the house. When I make it big after winning the lotto, the first thing I'm buying is a maid!

So I've been doing some thinking. Life happens. There's always work, bills, kids, stress, housework, errands, travel, etc. Very few people have worry free lives. How we handle the situations life throws at us is what can make or break us. I can give you every excuse in the world as to why I haven't reached my goals. I went TDY for 5 days, packed my workout clothes but didn't workout. I looked for a gym with a workout facility. I chose to catch up on sleep instead. A friend of mine is deployed in Afghanistan. A lot of times I sit around worrying about him wondering if he's okay. A coworker is about to get sent there and I feel sad because of that. My kids have created mess after mess and I feel like I'm constantly cooking and cleaning up after them. I started a new job and it has stressful moments. I could use all of this as one big excuse--I'm tired, I'm stressed, I don't have time. But in reality, it comes down to one thing: ME. I make my own choices. Previously I chose to sleep instead of workout. I chose to sit on my couch and be sad about my friend being so far away. I chose to sit around after chasing 4 kids. But guess what? Its time for a change.

You see, lifes always going to happen. I'm always going to have kids. I'm always going to have to cook dinner and clean up, since I work for the Air Force I am always going to be surrounded by people that come and go. But this can't stop me from reaching my goals. Only I can make it happen. I choose if I hit the gym or go out to eat a lunch. I choose if I sit on my couch and mope or if I get up and get on that treadmill. Todays a new day my friends. I choose not to let life get in the way, but instead I'm using it to fuel my fire. I am determined to reach my goals. Big things are about to happen my friends. Just sit back, relax, and watch this unfold!

Days 4 and 5

2010-08-18T16:04:00.002-05:00

It's Wednesday, wow, time is flying. I had a doctor appointment yesterday to check some blood work. NIGHTMARE. Back in January, my TSH was fine but my T3 was low so my doc put me on thyroid meds. I also got put on hormones due to essentially NO testosterone and progesterone. Well, my face started breaking out so I stopped both meds. The night before my appointment a month ago, I resumed thyroid meds. I remember thinking that they really wouldn't have set in my system, so I am sure Id get a low reading again. Ha. They didn't update my phone number in my records so the couldn't get in touch wiht me to find out what was going on because my T3 was TRIPLE what it should be. Normal range is 200-400, mine was at 1200. Geeze, I have been taking these meds for a month now, so I wonder how high it is now. You would think I was losing weight left and right but that isn't the case, which points to other issues. We suspect I have insulin problems, but I haven't taken the 3 hour glucose with insulin yet. Anyway......I am a walking medical case!

But, that's not going to stop me. I am more determined than ever to keep going. I have 79 days to reach my goal. I plan on dropping 30 lbs. Watch me do this!

What are your goals? Do you want to lose weight? Tone your body? Become more flexible? Maintain your body? What are you doing to reach your goals?

Days 2 and 3: Take 1

2010-08-16T10:31:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday everyone. Isn't that an oxymoron? Are Mondays ever good? Well I'll tell you this: Mondays are how you make them. As is anyday. So Happy Monday!

It is hot here in Texas. I think the high for Thursday is 106. Yuck. When I get home in the evenings, my house is about 76-78 degrees and I want to die. Its usually 72, so if my AC is having a hard time keeping up, you know it's hot. I honestly dont feel like going home to workout because its so warm. But you know what? I have a cold shower to cool me off afterwards. Heck, there's a kiddy pool outside and I have jumped in it before after an hour on the treadmill. So there's no reason to let the heat get to me now. Sure, I'd love to be in a well air conditioned gym, but considering I dont make the effort to get to one, well, my 76 degree living room will work!

So here's whats on my my menu for today:
Meal One: Grapes, Almonds, and Pepper Jack Cheese
Meal Two: Pepper Jack Cheese
Meal Three: Turkey Meatloaf with Cauliflower and Broccoli
Meal Four: Pepper Jack Cheese and Apple
Meal Five: TBD. Probably Turkey Burger Wraps (no bun, wrapped in lettuce)

I don't eat alot of cheese. These are 50 calories cheese sticks. Its unusual for me to eat cheese once a day, let alone 3x. But they're pretty small, and low cal, and I am the only one that likes them, so that's why I am eating them.

I haven't weighed myself, but I will in the morning to let you all know how far my goal is from now, and I will also list out my goals.

Hope you make your day a good one...even if it is Monday!

Day 1: Take 25

2010-08-14T17:22:00.002-05:00

Here I go again peeps. I feel like a broken record here someday but that for the birds. I've come to realize something recently. You can't change someone. Only they can change themselves and they have to WANT to change. The same goes for each of us. We can talk about changing all day long, but until we truly want it, its not going to happen. And sometimes you have to make sacrifices for that to happen. Sometimes it means giving up one thing for something else. You have to figure out what's more important. Can you have both in your life or is one stopping the other from happening? At the end of the day, which means the most to you? I want to be thin. But I love food. Of course I have to eat but do I have to eat stuff that might taste like heaven but is hell on the body? Can I have both in my life? Nope. Cheesecake is not going to allow me to be thin. So I have to cut one out of my life. I can keep the cheesecake but I will not get the weight off. Or I can give it up and get thin. Which is more important? Am I truly ready to give it up? Is getting thin what I truly want? Do I want it bad enough to make those sacrifices?

You better bet I do. And nothings going to stop me.

I might cling to cheesecake, then one day, thin might be gone. I might gain and gain and gain and when I realize the cheesecake wasn't worth it, thindom might be long gone. Baby, no freakin way am I gonna lose this one. Bye bye cheesecake. You weren't so great afterall. I know what's important to me. I know there's no room for both in my life. That choice was easy. Stay tuned as I work my big ol booty off. By the time November gets here, Ill be saying "cheesecake who?" as I rock a new body. I define me. Cheesecake doesn't.

Countdown!

2010-07-01T17:40:00.003-05:00

I am trying to figure out how to blog on a droid. Good luck with this huh!

So the countdown is on. I'm tired of being gat. My blog should be titled fatbabiesfatmomma. I've not lost any weight and that's not cool. At. All. Boo.

So I'm setting a goal: baby will be 1 in November and I refuse to NOT have the weight off. 4 months. 30 lbs. Totally. Doable. There no need to put it off because its a holiday weekend. Too many people use holidays, get togethers, event to put off fitness. I ate like crap because of so and so's BBQ. STOP the excuses. If you keep filling your mouth with calories that aren't needed and you workout, then you might get in shape. I'm going to use my words of wisdom to my advantage!

4 months. 30lbs. A little over 7 lbs a month. Game. Freaking. On. Baby!

Day 1

2010-06-27T11:06:00.002-05:00

Quick post today. I gotta get to town to get some different boxing gloves. I hate pair I got so I need to get some more. The past few weeks I have been feeling increasingly frustrated. Not sure why. I go to bed in a bad mood. I wake up in a bad mood. The only thing I can think of to cure this is a punching bag. Maybe if I release some of my frustrations I will feel better. And hey, what a great way to burn some calories right?

That's all I've got. I don't even have the motivation to write. Hopefully that will change soon. Here's to hoping a little boxing therapy returns me to myself.

Is it Friday?

2010-06-17T18:50:00.002-05:00

Sheesh, I have been exhausted these past few days. I've been coming home and crashing around 7:30pm, then getting up and going to bed. I don't know whats going on. Yeah, it's that time of the month but I don't think that's doing it. A few weekends ago I slept like all weekend long.

Here I go whining again--but I really need to start working out. I am going to do something as soon as I type this. We're watching a movie (sort of) and I would love nothing more than to go to sleep. But I will push myself to workout. Even if I do nothing more than push ups and sit ups, I will do something. Here's things I would like to get into:

P90X
Pilates
Yoga
Walking
Running
Biking
Maybe some classes at the gym

I am like a football field away from a gym at work but I don't use it. I could easily strap on some shoes and run at lunch but it's deathly hot here. Not really my thing. The ideal time is to work out during the day while at work--I have a 1 hr lunch everyday but can take longer if need be. Also, technically I can go to the gym for 1 hour 3x a week on company time. I just don't want to do that right now. I have a ton to learn at work. I am way in over my head. So there's no time to take off work to work out. At lunch I tan or do other things like feeding cats, or running errands. I really don't have time. I could get up early in the morning to work out or I can do it when I get home. The best choice is when I get home, but I have kiddos at home that need something and I have to cook, do laundry, clean, etc.

There is a point to my whining: I need to make time in my schedule. It's almost 7pm. I got home around 5:30. I haven't washed clothes or cooked dinner. Dishes are still piled up. I did make the baby a bottle and gave it to her (she can hold her bottle now). So for an hour and a half I've read blogs and ate. Speaking of eating, I have been coming home and eating like a horse. Uggggg....This. Must. Stop. Now.

Back to the point: I need to get a schedule down and stick to it. I need to come home, work out, and be done with it. End of story.

Well that's that. I better get off the couch before I go to sleep. Yes, I just considered taking a nap instead. Must keep moving. Must keep moving.

Focus. Or is it RE-Focus?

2010-06-13T08:38:00.003-05:00

Sorry for the lapse in posts. Life gets in the way sometimes. Fortunately for me, I decided I need to start living life.

Today is going to be a busy day. I have mounds of laundry to do then I have to read a huge document and answer questions before I go to training tomorrow. Ugggg.....This stuff is the most boring stuff I have read in I don't know how long. Takes me back to the law school days. Wait, this is a class on contracts. Didn't I do this already? At least I hope I walk away with a better understanding of my job. I also have to take H and H back to their dad. Fun stuff.

So, Kelly O and I are focused on getting rid of the flab. Actually, she's been focused for a while now. I've been saying I was focused but I have yet to prove it. Well, that changes today, hence the re-focusing. I have got to work out and change my diet. I lost 14 lbs, gained a couple back, now I am up to 7 lbs total gained. FAIL. Especially when my goal is 15-120 and I am sitting at 147 this morning. Wait...now I have never been the best at math, but isn't that 27-32 lbs that I need to lose. Damn. At least when that scale was at 140, I only had 20-25. So do you see the problem with how "focused" I was. I definitely see a problem. I am moving away from the goal, so things need to changed....without a doubt.

My goals:
Less calories in
Work out 6 days a week

It's that simple. I would love to start running again. I say this every year. I buy new running shoes and I fail to run. However, I think these just might do the trick. I need an 8.5. I will be more than happy to supply any mystery donors with my shipping address. Kidding. But yeah, I do love those shoes. I've tried numerous brands of running shoes and thus far, NB is my favorite. But I think I need to try another pair to make sure;-)

Anyway, coffee for breakfast. Later this morning I might have an eggwhite and spinach omelet. I've found the later I eat, the less hungry I am. And the less I eat, the less hungry I am.

I should get up and workout soon. I just need to get it over. Not sure what I am going to do, but I will let ya know soon.

I'm BACK!!!

2010-06-05T14:49:00.002-05:00

I'm back here again. Got rid of the squarespace site. I just didn't think paying for a blog I rarely used was/is a good idea. I hope to start blogging more. I don't have the internet at home. Well, I have to use my blackberry as a modem and half the time it doesn't work. Nevertheless, I hope to start blogging more.

So, what's going on in my life. Here's some highlights:

Baby is 7 months old today
Still carrying baby weight
After baby, got down to 152-155ish. Dr discovered thyroid and hormone issues, maybe even insulin problems
Got down to 14, currently around 142-144
Goal is to get back to 115ish; I'd be happy at 120
Still in Texas
Started new job on base. Much more challenging. For once in my life I am actually working
I love summer time and all the produce that's available
Summer means salads and grilling!
Finally made it to the Farmer's Market. Went a little late, only bought peaches and pecans
I need to start working out again. Started P90X, had finger surgery. I'd like to get back into it. My new job is right by a gym too; we'll see. Of course there was a small gym in the old building where I worked, so I won't hold me breath.

Bottom line: I haven't got the baby weight off yet, but that's my #1 goal. I still have close to 30 lbs to drop. The only way it will come off is with restricted calories and working out. By no means will I starve myself, but I have to consume less food, period. But I am not going back to the days of green beans and tuna. Sure, I'd love to look like a figure competitor, but fact is, I don't want to do the work. I peruse blogs and you can tell who belongs on the stage and who merely dreams of it. Those who belong are the ones that are working out like they're supposed to. They're eating what they're supposed to. They RARELY go off course, if at all. The ones who dream of it talk about getting on the stage but don't do the work to get up there. They're hit or miss with workouts and sticking to the meal plan and have every excuse in the book as to why they've gone off course. Well let me tell ya something: I am NEITHER. I would love to have the perfect chiseled body, but A--I am not going to do the work and B--I am not going to sit here whining about wanting to be on stage while I shove a cookie in my mouth. I will eat what I want, when I want, where I want but I will be smart about it. I just want to reach my goal weight and look good doing it. I don't need anything beyond that.

Meal plan for the next few days:

Reuben's on whole wheat
Tortellini salad
Veggie Pizza

I've got nothing planned beyond that. I really haven't been eating dinner lately. I'd love for dinners to be light--salads, fruit, etc.

That's it. That's life in a nut shell. Stay tuned for more to come!

I've moved!

2009-09-20T21:18:00.003-05:00

Check out my new space.

http://onehotmomma.org

I hope to be updating more often. Check out my new home.

Blog..Help!!!!!!!

2009-09-06T16:55:00.002-05:00

All,

First of all, can anyone tell me how to change my flipping template without losing my widgets??? It's a little late now..I've lost alot of stuff and I can't find a lot of your pages. If you read this page, please please please see if you're added to my list of blogs I read. If not, leave me a comment with a URL of your blog. I KNOW I am missing Tiffany, Laura, Jess S. Those are the ones I know of. If I sat here long enough, I could recount all of the blogs I am missing. So please please please help me!!

Also, if anyone knows how to change templates without losing widgits, please tell me. Lastly, if you have a better place for templates, please share with me!

Alright, I have spent about 3 hours playing with this. I need to go be domestic and feed puppies, take puppy out, cook, and do laundry. Stay tuned....

Confession

2009-07-22T15:19:00.000-05:00

I drink 10-16 ounces of regular coke or pepsi 5 days a week. I get headaches and I need the caffine to help it go away. I dont bother with the diet drinks. I drink the real stuff.

19/20 Weeks

2009-06-27T20:03:00.000-05:00

Hi all. I'm 19 or 20 weeks preggo today. I think the doc changed my due date so I'm 19 weeks and 1 day. I'm having ANOTHER girl. Oh joy. When you already have 3 and a step daughter, adding a 5th girl to the mix isn't so much fun.

I'm sitting here watching the grill. Clint threw whole baking potatoes on it. I think they need to be nuked, then placed on the grill but he is man, and man know grilling, so woman need to listen. Whatever. They'll either burn or we will end up throwing them in the microwave in the end. He's currently gone to get gas in a gas can for my car. We went into town today (I live in the country) and he was driving but failed the notice the gas light come on. This thing comes on when you have like 30 miles till empty. It won't even tell me how far from empty it is because its that low. It couldve waited until the morning, but he decided to go now. He really wants a cigar although he quit the other day. Yeah right. Ill talk about that in a min. Meanwhile, I'm watching the food on the grill. Fun.

So he's moved to our new place. I move next Friday. He's decided he wants to eat only organic and natural foods. If you've read Stacey's blog, she points out that just because its organic it doesn't mean its healthy. An organic cookie is still a cookie. However, Clint is eating natural chicken, beef, veggies, etc. Granted its hot as hell here and he sweats a lot and loses fluids, he went from 217 to 205 in a week. That entire week he ate yummy good for you meat and veggies. All he drank was water and gatorade at work because they make him.(The are peculiar about work/rest cycles in the heat and buy gatorade and make you drink it) however, he's been drinking like 3 beers a night. And smoking cigars. He wants to eat well because of the information I was telling him about Jillian Michaels book. Yet he poisons his body with that garbage??? Why am I spending all of the extra money on organic goodness when he's just nullifying the effects? Sure, we've saved a ton of money by him not eating out. I'm just in awe that he wants the beer and cigars. I'm telling you--if its not organic, he's not eating it.

I'm looking forward to moving. We are on an acre here. There's pecan trees on the property. There's a swing on the porch. Clints seen deer every day this week. I was on the swing this morning and all I was missing was a cup of coffee! We are no longer by a highway so Mackenzie can roam around. And the best part--the town next to us--San Angelo--is awesome. Target, HEB (a kick booty grocery store), a mall, Academy Sporting Goods, Best Buy, Sams, Lowes--all in town. Previously, the nearest mall was 70 miles from my house. The nearest Target,Best Buy, and Academy was 98. Altus did have a Starbucks but it closed so the closest was 70 miles. I couldn't get organic stuff in Altus. Ezekiel Bread? Nope. Amy's Burritos? No way. Natural Beef? Ha. Kombucha Tea? When hell froze over. You COULD get forzen natural chicken breast. There were 2 of Amy's soups. They FINALLY got greek yogurt. I had 3 choices to shop--2 small United Supermarkets and a Super Wal-Mart. I had to travel 70 miles to a health food store. There weren't any Farmer's Markets or roadside stands. Wal-Mart sold like 4 organic veggies. It was pathetic. I told Kelly O about this and I think she thinks I was kidding. I WANTED to eat better--but couldn't. Yes, I can eat non-organic foods--but things like Ezekiel Bread and Kombucha were non existant. For Pete's sake, I couldn't even buy quinoia. (I think I spelled that wrong). Yeah, I wanted to make several recipes from Tosca Reno's Clean Eating Cookbook but couldn't because I couldn't find the products. What the hell is rocket because they don't sell it there. If its not spinich, green leaf, red leaf, romaine, iceburg, or butter lettuce, you're not gonna buy it. Anyway, that's all changed. I can buy everything I need at HEB. There's a whole section for stuff you would find at a Health Food store. Ok, you all might find it at your grocery store!! But within this section, there's flax seed oil, Kefir, Braggs ACV, Protein Powder, Glutamine, Vitamins, Supplements, etc. I'm so thrilled!

Ok, the grill master is back and he's aggravating me--making me grab this and that. So I'm out. Have a nice weekend.

A picture is worth at least one word....

2009-06-18T19:55:00.002-05:00

Grow up

2009-06-16T20:18:00.002-05:00

Have you ever knows someone that is newly pregnant and you know they're going to be a drama queen about it? You just know that they're going to lay in bed all day complaining about morning sickness when they're perfectly fine and will run to the doctor for every ache and pain. I know someone like this. She's 18 and was trying to get knocked up and got her wish. Now she's complaining that "sugar is spilling into her urine", she's had 2 infections, and if she keeps going the way she's going, the heat's gonna land her in the hospital. She's about 8 weeks pregnant and she's freaking out about all of the above and a baby kicking her in the stomach. Granted, none of those things are good, but it's not life threatening. A--if you do have gestational diabetes, this is treatable. The main thing is changing your diet. B--Infections are common. What kind of infection she had is a mystery to me. I suspect yeast infections which, guess what, is common during pregnancy and is treatable! C--the only time she's exposed to the heat is when she gets in her car to go somewhere. She acts like she's the only woman in the world that's ever been preggo during the summer and she's super fragile and might melt. D--Do you know how much padding and cushion there is for a baby in your belly. I think Mackenzie kicks me on a daily basis. I think there's a HUGE difference between getting kicked at 8 weeks and getting kicked at 38 weeks. At 8 weeks, you have A LOT of padding there. I can understand being concerned, but this chick sneezes and thinks she needs to see the doc because something is wrong. Hypochondriacs should not procreate.

When we heard she was trying to get preggo, the first things I said was that she was going to be very dramatic. And she is. I hate to see what the remaining 32 weeks will bring for her. Oh wait, I won't have to see it. I will be gone! YAY. That's a good thing because I hate drama.

Life

2009-06-09T18:50:00.002-05:00

I am trying to have the strength to get up and workout. I really want to sleep...Pregnancy is kicking my booty. I really need to pack, but I really need to workout too. My arms are getting fat!!!

I have a topic I want to briefly talk about--excuses.

How many of you are still trying to lose weight but you aren't really working for it? To lose weight/shape your body, there's 2 parts to the equation. Diet+exercise=good body! No diet+no exercise=bad body. How many people say they want to lose weight/tone, but you won't do the work? If you're constantly missing your workouts and making excuses for missing them, then I don't believe you REALLY want it. If you're not sticking to your diet, then you don't really want it. <<<>>>

I need to workout and eat right. Who cares if I am preggo? That doesn't give me the license to do what I want. I guess I *can* but then once I have the baby, the struggle to get the weight off is going to be amplified. I don't want that. Unless I get up and workout, then no one is to blame for the flabby arms but myself!

Piss on heartburn!

2009-06-06T17:36:00.002-05:00

Can life get any better? There's sooooooooooooooooo much going on right now. SOOOOOOOO much. Life is amazing. It's really amazing how some things can have a domino effect. Have you ever noticed that when things go bad, everything seems to go bad. Your dog dies, you lose your job, you wreck your car...Ok, maybe not that extreme, but you get the point. What about when things go good? They say bad things come in 3's, what about the good ones? So far I have two really great things happen back to back. I don't know what your belief system is, but I do believe that everything happens for a reason. And I firmly believe that a higher power definitely had a hand in this. Turning 30 turned out to be amazing. I really think this is going to be the best year yet!

So I have been eating out alot. I swore I wouldn't but geeze, I haven't been up to cooking. Since Clint works nights, I try to come back to town to have dinner with him. But that means if I come home, I only have one hour and that's not enough time to cook! Sure, if I wanted garbage like Hamburger Helper, then that would work. But to really cook--cut up meat and veggies and slowly cook everything--that takes time. Sure, some things I make can take less than an hour, but I don't want to be rushed. Anyway, I spend today cooking a few meals. I spent half the day. And I didn't get everything cooked. But here's a glimpse of my meal plan:

Chickens salad on a bed of lettuce with asparagus
Kashi Frozen Pizza with Salad
Turkey spaghetti with whole wheat noodles and salad
Veggie Soup
Beef Roast with red potatoes and organic carrots

YUM YUM

I don't have anything more planned because we are going to be moving our stuff this weekend. REEEKKKK. We are moving 2/3 of it. Clint is going first and when I get a job, I will go. All I am keeping here is my bed, futon, TV, coffee table, bunk beds, kids TV, Mackenzie's bed, kitchen appliances, washer, dryer, fridge, clothes, bathroom stuff. EVERYTHING else is going!!!

Alright, it's date night! I gotta get dressed for that!

Hola! Como esta?

2009-05-31T09:29:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone! Hope you all are doing well. I know you are because I have been reading your blogs, just haven't updated mine. Thanks to the request of Jess (Hawaii), here I am!!!

Not much has changed these days. i am sick off and on. I am now suffering from some nasty headaches. Ugggg....

We just got back from a wonderful trip South. We went to Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, then back to Louisiana. It was so wonderful, we were about to pack our bags to move to Louisiana!!! I wish I had pics to share from the trip but I didn't take a camera. Yeah.

God works in mysterious ways. Clint's stepdad gave him some contact info for offshore companies. We sent in his resume and the guy was really interested but didn't have any work this week--maybe next. I didn't like that. I told my boss that the private sector scares me right now. On my way home for lunch that day, Clint got not one, but two emails (same subject) about a permanent job offer at Goodfellow AFB in San Angelo, Texas. (We currently work for the Air Force.). I was so thrilled. We decided to take it. If everything goes well, we should be moving in a month. Wait. He should be moving. I am not going right now. Not until I get a permanent job on base or until I find something else. However, if this doesn't happen in a timely manner (like August), then I will be moving. We are in S.A. now about to go look at a house to rent. It's PERFECT on the outside Now we have to see the inside!

So that's whats happening here!!! Hopefully I will blog more for ya later!!!

Because you deserve it

2009-04-28T20:00:00.002-05:00

I get on here almost daily to read blogs. But when it comes to me updating, I feel fatigued. Lame, I know. But it seems like such a chore. Like me getting on a treadmill. I got on here to blog, but I decided that I wanted to read Jess (Hawaii) and Jess (Preggo) blogs. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I made myself get on here to post.

So here's the scoop: I have been feeling like D-O-G lately. The last time I posted I said I felt ick. that was about a month ago. I still feel that way. I started feeling really bad Friday and it hasn't let up much. I *AM*feeling better, but not much. I just took a phenegran a little while ago. I haven't been eating. Cooking dinner hasn't been happening. Neither has working out. Or anything else. I feel REAL bad.

That's it. I feel bad. Nothing else to report. Sorry:-(

I feel icky

2009-03-28T17:27:00.002-05:00

I guess I am in denial. I think I really am suffering from some form of morning sickness--likes it comes in different kinds! It doesn't feel like I am imminent of vomiting but I just feel sick. I can't exactly describe it as nausea, but that's the only thing to describe it as. The thing is, I will be hungry, I will eat, then I will feel that way. I felt great all day today, I took a nap, and now I feel sick again. I tried to eat but that didn't help matters. I didn't have this with my other kiddos so I am not sure if this is morning sickness or not or if I have some kind of funk?!?!

The thought of meat makes me want to gag although I successfully ate steak yesterday. The only think that seems to make my stomach feel better is carby things like bread and potatoes. But regardless of what I eat, I feel ill afterwards.

Beyond that, I am doing okay. Hoping to get in a workout in tonight when I feel better.

Hope all of you are well.

Fatigue

2009-03-16T12:42:00.000-05:00

Wow I am tired. Daylight Savings Time couple with pregnancy equals extreme fatigue. Its almost 1 and I can barely keep my eyes open.

I have found something to combat fatigue: working out. If I workout in the afternoons/evenings, I don't feel so crappy! If I don't workout, I want to cry because I'm so tired. Too freakin bad I'm at work right now. Man I need a nap or an elliptical.

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

2009-03-12T21:32:00.002-05:00

That's what I was telling myself on the elliptical today. I was moving like a turtle on that thing today. I guess I should focus on the positive: I WAS at the gym. I WAS working out. That's gotta count for something right?

Daylights savings time really jacks me up. Yesterday I was about to cry at 5pm because I was so tired. I knew if I took a nap, I wouldn't sleep well at all. I haven't slept well since the time change. So instead of laying on the couch, I got on my gazelle for over an hour. I felt GREAT afterwards. G-R-E-A-T. I was well energized. So today after work I did the same thing. Well, minus about 40+ minutes;-). Now it's after 9:30 and I am still awake! Exercise does a body good. Especially this pregnant body of mine. I'm not sure if it's the time change or this baby, but one of the two is kicking my butt. Luckily I found a way to combat the tiredness and stay in shape!

That's all I have. My husband posted it on myspace so I figured I'd tell you all too. I've never been superstitious about telling before the 2nd trimester so there's no reason to be now. I wanted to do things a little different this time--not tell anyone, not find out the gender, not have an epidural, not gain a ton....Hopefully the latter 3 will work! Jess is my muse for two of those!

Countdown: 82 days

2009-02-22T19:57:00.002-06:00

Hola everyone! I'm here--alive and well.

In 82 days I will be heading home to Louisiana. We will be en route to Alabama. Figured I would stop by and see my family. I haven't been home in almost 3 years and haven't seen my bothers in geeze, like 6 years. I might even have to see some of my old friends when I am there...*cough cough Tiffany*. Anyway, I want to look smoking when I get there! My brother plans on cooking me a seafood feast, so I must get slender now!

I've done really well this past weekend. Today was awesome. After a hr of cardio, I had an egg white omelet with spinach, green peppers, onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, and a 1sp of cheese with hot sauce, oatmeal with 1 tsp pb, tuna on 1 slice wheat toast, 1 rice cake with 1 tsp pb and 2 tsp sugar free strawberry jam, 2 pieces beef jerky, and 2 turkey hotdogs with 1/2 cup turkey chili with jalapenos, onions, 1 tbsp cheese, and mustard. That was 300 calories and the worst part of my day. I am going to try to get up at 5am every morning to knock out my cardio. Wish me luck.

I just wanted to post a quick update. I am reading every ones blogs. I'm still here.

February

2009-02-01T16:25:00.003-06:00

It's February. I can't believe it's February.

My goal in January was to write down what I ate everyday of the month. Granted, I didn't write it when I wrote it, but I did write it. I need to write down the last two days then I am finished. I *did* mess up one day. I thought the current date was the 28th, so I backtracked to the 26th and realized it was the 29th. I wasn't going to tear the pages out or scratch through the entries. I have about 100 food journals and if I mess something up, I usually get a new one. If I miss a day, I get a new one. It's insane, I know.

So now that it's February, what am I going to do? I am definitely going to write what I eat. But shouldn't I take it up a notch? Shouldn't I add to it? Not necessarily add to my food journal but add to my "goals?" Considering I only messed up one day, I would say I am at a 95% success rate. So what's next? What can I do for February that I will stick to?

I've decided to revert to "old ways" this month. I am going back to chicken, fish, turkey, broccoli, green beans, asparagus, etc. I am going back to working out 6 days a week. No, I am not hiring a trainer. Instead, I am utilizing the knowledge I gained from my time with a trainer and I am going to do it on my own. This month will be full of meal planning. This month will be full of gallons of water. This month will be full of myoplex lite. This month will be full of packing my food everywhere. I've enjoyed the past few months eating what I want when I want. I've lost weight too. But I want to change it up a little and try something "different."

So far this month I have:

Ate egg whites and oatmeal for breakfast
Did 60 mins of cardio
Ate tuna, 1/2 sweet potato, and small salad
Did triceps and bicep workout
Drank myoplex lite with glutamine
Cooked a beef roast, 3 pieces tilapia, 3 sweet potatoes, 7 chicken breasts, 8 turkey burgers and I am marinating 2 steaks
Drank 1/2 gallon of water
Made countless trips to the bathroom
Took my multivitamin and 2 flax, Fish, and Borage Capsules

I'd say February is off to a good start.

Mayo...Ick...

2009-01-28T19:19:00.002-06:00

Good evening everyone. Long time no see. It's been sleeting, and icing, and snowing down here. It's been cold. I don't like that.

I want to start off by telling you I use mayo. No Miracle whip. Mayo. Not light stuff. Real Mayo. But tonight was a little overkill...

I need groceries but it's cold outside so I ran in to Wal-Mart to pick something up. I know I had frozen chicken patties at home, so I picked up some frozen fish--like fish sticks--because I wasn't sure how many chicken patties I had. (They're breaded btw. I know, shame on me.). I picked up some shredded cabbage for my Foo-Me Salad and some frozen sugar snap peas and misc. veggies. I also grabbed a box of some bacon ranch pasta stuff. With my fish, I like tarter sauce like my dad makes--green onions, dill pickles, and mayo. So I made that. I pour hot sauce all over the chicken and I like to eat that with a little homemade ranch--you know the packets you mix with milk and MAYO. Hmmmm...Then I mix the pasta seasoning packet with 1/2 cup MAYO. Hang on. What's wrong here? Holy cow that's alot of mayo for tonight. I don't mean the quantity as in, I used a cup of mayo total. I mean there are 3 different parts of my meal that has mayo in it. Uggg...I think I am going to be sick. I do like mayo, but not that much. No way. And as you can tell, this wasn't well thought out at all. I would never do something like that. That is WAY too much mayo.

Sorry that this is what you get from me. I'm a boring person at times. I will be the first to admit that.

Question of the day

2009-01-19T16:24:00.002-06:00

What are your thoughts on working out while sick?

Let's discuss.

I suppose I should've defined sick. If you're recovering from a major surgery, sure, rest up. If you have pneumonia, sure, rest up. But what if you're just coming down with something? I have been sneezing accompanied by sinus drainage. This is the beginning of the crud. It will eventually make it's way to my throat, then my chest, then I will lose my voice. Then it will go back to my nose where I blow, blow, blow all day long. I have started the Zicam. I think the tablets is the best Zicam product but it's awful. I've tried the nose spray and mouth spray and neither worked for me. I'm not saying they don't work, just didn't work at that time. But when I took the tablets, they worked, so I am more partial to them. Again, they taste like crap. I am trying to push fluids, taking some vitamins and stuff, and sort of rest. I am in the very first stage of this with the sneezing. I would like to stop it here. So that leads to my question. Should I work out or rest up. When I was with Tony, he was all about working out unless I was dying! Based on his standard, I am far from death. Yet I have read articles where top trainers say REST REST REST--your immune system is already down and working out will only make things worse. (The physical demands are stressing the body, causing the immune system to be weaker). What are your thoughts on this? In a week from now, I will feel like death and working out won't be an option. But I feel okay now, just a little wore out. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this. Do you work out when sick? Do you wait until you feel like death is right outside your door or do you sit it out at the first sniffle? Or are you related to Billy Bad-Ass and you work out even when death has it's hands on you? I am not looking for an excuse to NOT workout. chances are, I will get on the gazelle for some cardio unless someone Responds and tells me NO NO NO stay off. I was just curious to see what your thoughts were on the matter.

Have a fantastic week. Hubby is in the shop so I can actually blog. Yippee. Too bad I need to clean and cook. Dinner is white beans and turkey sausage with brown rice. I have home made veggie soup in the crock pot. First time cooking it in the crock pot. What else is on the menu for this week? Turkey meatloaf. Fettuccine with broccoli and mushrooms. It looks like that's all I have so far. Just bought enough food until pay day (Thursday). I do have some tilapia but I am so burnt out on that. And the last time we ate it, Clint got a little bone in his throat so he's not too fond of that. We'll see. I also have an extra pack of ground turkey. I'll probably make some whole wheat turkey spaghetti. YUM. I'm not scared of carbs.

Importance of food journalling

2009-01-16T18:11:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday everyone. I am so very thankful the weekend is here and I'm even more thankful that it's a 3 day weekend.

I do not freak out about what I eat. If I want chocolate, I eat it. But I do not eat it in excess. Anyway, for the most part, I do try to eat healthy. I also write down what I eat. I am not counting calories, but I like to know what I am consuming. My downfall is that I do not write this down everyday. I do have a great memory and every two days I will write down what I ate the previous days. I do NOT recommend this because it's so easy to forget. I am fortunate that I haven't left anything out, but it would be a better measure to write things down as soon as I eat it. Moving on, the past few days, I have been craving veggies. Always good. I thought I have been eating exceptionally well the past week. Until today. I wrote down what I ate Wednesday, Thursday, and today and I was in for a shocker. I was eating more poorly than I had thought. Had I wrote down what I ate when I ate it on Wednesday, maybe I wouldn't have eaten so much that night. Or if I had had the entire list for Wednesday, I wouldn't have made the SAME poor choices the next two days. It's not that I was eating unhealthy things, it's just that I was eating too much. Last night I had a multigrain roll right after dinner. That wasn't necessary.

So, it's very important to write down what you eat. You may not be able to lose any weight and you might wonder how it's possible because you're working out like mad and eating right. But are you really eating properly? Prove it. Write it down then look back and see if you can tell me that your diet is perfect. I know mine isn't. But now that I see my errors, I can fix the problem; I can fine tune my diet so those last 7 lbs will go away!

122.0

2009-01-11T19:58:00.000-06:00

You read that correctly. Yesterday morning I weighed 122.0. I emailed Kelly O. the pic so she can attest to it. I'm so excited. There's 7 lbs left that will be gone soon! I'm increasing my water intake and I'm 11 days into keeping up my food journal. Now its time to add in the workouts. I will update tomorrow. Have a fantastic evening.

Goals, Goals, Goals

2009-01-02T19:40:00.002-06:00

I don't have much time on the computer. I have been assessing my life these past few days. I've been looking at all areas--finance, fitness, family, etc. I'm not going to list all of my goals here, but I will share something I am tackling.

I am taking on personal training. Okay, NOT in the sense that you think of a personal trainer. But I do have a "client." She's a friend of mine and she needs to drop a few pounds. She was telling me about a diet she's doing with one of her friends--you drink fruit juice for 4 days, then you add in stuff and blah, blah, blah. I told her this was a fad diet and the minute she ate something real, she would blow up. She tried to convince me that it wouldn't happen because you gradually add in food. Anyway, I told her that she needed to eat right if she wanted to really get the weight off. Oh yeah, she's in the Air Force and her career depends on it. I told her she needed to spend some time at the gym and she said she couldn't. I asked her why she couldn't--she didn't have a family, a 2nd job, schoolwork, etc. She said she couldn't because she just got too bored there. I told her that it was up to HER to get the weight off and she had to make a commitment if she wanted it off. I told her I would be more than happy to work with her to teach her how to eat the right things and to work out with her. She said she wanted my help so here I go! Wish me luck. To be honest, I don't have a lot of faith in her. I've watched her act as a slacker in a lot of different areas. If she doesn't set her mind to this, then it won't happen. She has to want it for herself. I am merely here to guide her in the right direction and away from fruit juice. I really hope she sticks with it. I have faith that she will do well. I hope she does too!

I'll write more later when I am back home. Hope every one's 2009 is off to a fantastic start! Mine is.

Dallas

2008-12-30T19:45:00.002-06:00

I just got back from Dallas. Well, not exactly Dallas, but I was in the area. We had to take Mackenzie to a doc in Plano and we ended up visiting Clint's family. We went to his Aunt Ginger's house where I met 3 cousins and their kids and visited with 2 of his uncles. It was a nice visit. We ended up staying the night at a hotel in Addison. We couldn't find it, we down the street a few blocks, I saw a similar hotel but I knew it wasn't the right one. I was puzzled when I saw that particular hotel because there were only 2 listed for Addison. This morning I was looking up our hotel on the internet to see what attractions were nearby and I realized the other hotel was in Dallas. Huh? A hotel 5 blocks from the hotel we were staying in Addison was in Dallas? That was weird. It's not REALLY strange at all. I am sure that you all that live in big cities know that going from one of the suburbs to the next is exactly like that. I've just been in small town Oklahoma so long that it was weird. I mean, when you go from one town to another here you know it. It's like town---five miles of fields--other town. It's nuts. We were going to go to Louisiana to visit my family but Clint said he didn't want to, so I stopped packing. Once we got down to Dallas he decided he wanted to, but we didn't have anything to wear, etc. So, we're home. We may have a trip planned in the near future though.

Things are going well here. Scale is hovering at 123! That excites me. I am sooooooooo close!!

That's all I have. Sorry it's not fitness related. Just don't have that much to say right this minute!

My Christmas Gift

2008-12-25T13:51:00.002-06:00

Let's see, I got a crabby kiddo that doesn't want to open her Christmas presents, a husband that made a kick ass "meat roll" for breakfast, a headache that loves me so much it's been here for days, a backache that is best friends with the headache, an interrupted nap that was interrupted by my other two fabulous children, and a text message from my brother. Merry Christmas to me!!!

There are some not so pleasant things on the list, but today is fantastic otherwise. I could live without this headache and backache. I went through this a couple of months ago--3 week long headache that required chiropractic visits to cure it. Could be from stress??? What a great time for this to happen! My nap was going well but my daughters called so it was worth the interruption. My brother texting me is a good thing--I guess. he was my favorite brother and I loved him more than anything but for whatever reason, we haven't talked in a little over 3 years. I truly can't tell you what the reason is. Hurricane Katrina happened and we never talked again. A few weeks ago I texted his 17 yr old daughter--got her number from her myspace--and she made it clear she didn't want to talk to me. She was mad because I left all of them. (At 18, I went in the Air Force, and didn't move back home)So it's a surprise to hear from my brother. His texts have been funny and he said he loved me and he would call later. I really don't know if I am ready for an emotional reunion. I am certain it won't be a hi, how are you doing--we will discuss things. Not sure if I am ready to discuss anything. It really is a wonderful thing that he has texted me. It's really the greatest Christmas gift ever. I loved him so much and I truly can't believe it's been so long since we have been in contact. He's 11 years older than I. I was in 2nd grade and he moved to Atlanta and I cried and cried. I remember the day he came home like it was yesterday. I worshipped this guy. I followed him around as much as I could. He was the cool one. Even after I grew up, I still talked to him the most. (I have two other older brothers) I thought the coolest thing in the world was that his daughter and my daughter were born in the same year--his daughter Kaicee was born exactly 4 months after my birthday and my daughter Hailey was born exactly 4 months before his. My oldest brother called once to tell me this brother was in a car accident and he was hurt, but he would be fine. When he told me, I remember my heart falling to my stomach and it felt like I had just died. This guy was the first person I called when I was 19 and had just found out I was (unmarried) pregnant. He was the one I called when I was getting a divorce. Minus my kids and husband, the two people that mattered the most to me in this world was my great grandmother and him. My great grandma passed away 9 and a half years ago so I can't do anything to have her back. So I am a pretty lucky girl to have my brother back.

Life is good. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. My year has been so very blessed since I have come across all of you on blogger.

Kelly-You are my best friend--my soul twin. I love you and I can't wait to see our results next year.

Tiffany-I've known you for a long time. You're crazier than I ever imagined. I'm so glad we reconnected. You know you wish I was your SIL.

Evelyne-You're an amazing woman. You don't give yourself enough credit. You inspire so many. I am glad I found you.

Tina-You my dear are part of the reason I am here where I am today. Your transformation inspired me to get off my booty and get the body I wanted. There are so many women out there that are very inspiring, but YOU are the one that did it for me.

Angela-We can't forget about you. I've been following you for quite some time and have watched your transformation. You had the courage that so many of us only dream about--you stepped up on that stage. You had a dream and you grabbed it. I can't wait to see what more will come.

April-Moose Munch. I am in Oklahoma in podunk so I never thought I would understand what this was--but I saw it the other day. I immediately thought of you! I enjoy reading your blog and can't wait to see your progress this year. With your determination, you will have your Muscle Girl.

Stacey-WOW. You look amazing. Your blogs are so witty and catchy. You're gonna rock it at the Arnold.

Hayley-It was very nice chatting with you. I hope everything is well. We will reach our goals before we know it and we will do it in a sane manner!

Beka-How's Oklahoma? I have to admit, your blog took a twist that I didn't see coming. I never expected you to be a coupon cutting farmer! That's awesome. I grew up with animals and a garden. Can't wait to see what you do in Oklahoma.

Jessica-If I ever have any other kids, I want to be just like you. Your attitude is fantastic--most people think they're preggo so that means they have to eat like a grown man and sit on their bum. (I did!). I love love love that you are are working out. Before "I Define Me", my blog was titled "One Hot Momma". That title needs to go to you!

Jess-Aloha! I love your blog. I am so envious at times--I wish I were there in Hawaii. It seems like you've had such an amazing life. I would love to have experienced 1/3 of what you have. I can't wait to see what 2009 brings-besides Chuck!

Alright you all, there are many many more I would love to address--Erin, Laura, Mandy Jo. I will get to everyone soon. Mackenzie is up and I need to coax her into opening some more gifts.

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday

2008-12-23T11:46:00.002-06:00

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

I am home today with a sick kiddo. She seems to feel better during the day but it's rough at night. I took her to the dr and she basically has "the crud." She has a fever first thing in the morning so I don't want to take her to daycare and have to get called to pick her up. And she sporadically coughs her little head off.

On a happy note--I was 123.4 on the scale today and I hopped off, got back on, and it stayed the same. Maybe it was warm today?? Bottom line is I am losing weight!!!!!! FINALLY!

Now, on to answer some comments.

Kelly--I have met some great people on here. I feel I learn so much from everyone every time I read a blog. I don't have a problem with anyone I "know", it's mainly random people out there that I staggered upon that definitely put their ego first. Perhaps these people just think they are displaying confidence while the rest of the world views it as cockiness. I don't know. I just had to point it out because it was something that really annoyed me in the wee hours of the morning. To see "look at me, look at me" then to boast that you're "popular" is humorous and pathetic at the same time. Quality entertainment.

Erin--I do have the experimental body. Don't get me wrong, I DO see *some* results from working out and eating perfectly (like green beans and tuna). But I have found that the absolute best thing for me to lose the weight is to do nothing more than cut back on what I eat. I picked up running for a little while last year and for the 3 weeks I did it, I packed on some lbs and my clothes were getting tighter. I had some people tell me I was building muscle and after about 6 weeks in to it, I would start to lose. I had others tell me that I *must* be eating more since running raises metabolism, makes you hungry, and in turn, you eat more. I had to stop to get the scale to go back down!!! So yes, it can be frustrating!

Tea--Mackenzie seems to be getting better--thanks! I don't usually criticize people, but after coming across *so* many people that were begging for attention on different sites, I had to mention that it was annoying. It is funny to see if from afar and think "Are you kidding me?!?!" but after seeing it over and over again, it got old! I think I need a new scale. I went through 3 to get to this one, but I guess it's time to move on!

Before I go, I just want to leave a little message for a few people out there.

Tiffany--The Twilight Bag at Hastings was $15.99. Remember, the one I didn't get. It's like $45 on eBay. Why didn't I go grab it? Would've been a GREAT Christmas present for someone in Louisiana.

Tina--How are you??? Haven't heard from you much these days. Pudding shots?? never heard of them but sounds yum!

Evelyne--Are you alive? I never hear much from you these days. We need a vlog.

Hayley--How's everything going with you?

Alright, I can not ignore Mackenzie's sad pleas any longer. (sitting in her bed saying "Down, down" in a pathetic little voice.

Oh--has anyone tried Honeycrisp Apples???

Scale, Observation, and Me

2008-12-21T15:55:00.002-06:00

I hopped on the scale this morning and it read....drum roll please....

123.2

I decided to get off, remove my bra, tank, and yoga pants for a more accurate reading.

Big sigh.

124.6.

Huh?? I gained weight by removing my clothes???? The scale did that yesterday too. I was like 124.2 and I got off, got back on and it was at 125. I've noticed that every time I buy a digital scale, the things gets cold and it is no longer accurate. The first time I had one, it was in a bathroom that didn't have heat, so that's how it was cold. Now this scale is in my kitchen on the tile and there's no heat in my kitchen. Could someone please tell me how the cold affects the calibration????

So, maybe I am down to 123, maybe I'm not. Either way, I am not really sweating it. I can look at myself and see I am thinning out. I saw a picture at work that was taken on the 12th and I gasped and said "OMG, my arms are tiny. Why didn't you all tell me my arms are so small." This is a good thing and a bad thing. I am glad they're small. That means I don't have the fat, chicken wing arms. At the same time, I've lost some muscle there as well. I don't want man arms, but I do want some guns!!! I'll save this for the me section.

My child is sick. She woke up the night before last throwing up and she has been coughing since then. I thought she was vomiting because she found a sippy cup with rotten milk in it and might have taken a sip, but as her coughing progressed, I think she may have been coughing which caused her to gag and in turn, vomit. (Although there is a distinct difference in the smell if you have a tummy bug or if you just gagged..and that night it did smell like she had a stomach issue) That just happened to us in Wal-Mart and it WAS because she coughed so hard she gagged. Yeah, gross. I digress. Last night I got up around 2:30 am to get her some medicine. I had to go walk around the house looking for cough medicine so I was up for a good 10 minutes with the lights on. I couldn't go back to sleep after that so I grabbed my blackberry. I decided to read some blogs, check out myspace, and twitter. I have a habit of going to a friends page then veering off and checking out blogs he or she reads, or checking out his or her friends and clicking on others from there. You never know when you might come across a blog you love or find a person that is really cool. But that's not what I found last night. What I found was really pathetic. I found people on twitter begging for more followers. I found people begging others to read his or her blog. I found people on myspace begging others to leave them comments. It's not like it was something personal to another member like "Hey Kelly, stop by my blog, you're going to love my latest post" it was like "Okay everyone, I have a new blog up and you MUST read it." Maybe you don't see the difference in my example but trust me, the latter was pathetic. the thing I observed about these people is that they really think they're cool and or popular because they have a lot of followers or a lot of readers or a lot of comments. The things is, the ONLY reason they have followers, readers, comments, fans, etc. is because they begged people to do it. If I got on twitter and every other hour I was leaving a comment like "Ok guys, get over to my blog, check me out" then I would have a million hits a day. It's one thing to do that and acknowledge that you only have traffic because you're out there selling yourself, but these poor pathetic souls REALLY think they're popular. If you have to ask someone to vote for you, or to read your blog, or to leave you a comment, then you are quite the opposite of popular. You're having to ask for attention because no one is giving it to you because people really aren't that in to you. Again, it's one thing to tell your readers "hey you guys, I posted some pics from my holiday trip in my album, check them out if you want" but is a totally different beast when you're telling people "Okay fans, why don't you go to my page to check out the pics of my rock hard abs" then 20 minutes later you're leaving another message on twitter/myspace/facebook saying "Oh come on, only one person checked out my abs, everyone can see how hot I am on my blog." GET A LIFE LOSER. Also, I've noticed that these very same people are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO condescending to others. Its as if this new found (begged for)"popularity" has gotten to them and they suddenly think they're in a class with someone like Monica Brandt or Jenny Lynn or Cynthia Herndon! I found things like this "It's cold outside, I think I am going to have some hot chocolate" and Mr./Ms. Condescending would snidely reply "I don't dare touch the stuff. You can't have a 6 pack if you poison yourself with that crap. If you want to look like me, you need water and green tea only." Now that was just an example, but there is a much better way to address your thoughts such as "Hot chocolate sounds good. I try not to drink the stuff because it tends to mess with my physique. I am so envious of you--it sounds better than my water and green tea. Enjoy!" Of course, i am not an advocate of being fake either. If you're not a nice person, then don't try to woo readers by being what you're not. With that said, if you come off as a raging bitch, chances are you WILL have to beg people to befriend you or leave you comments. Wait--do you see a trend here??? Those people that are begging others to read their blog, or look at their abs, or leave them comments are the very same people that talk down to their readers. HMMMMMM??????

Truly, I don't care if I have 6000 followers on Twitter (I don't even know if its allowed) or if I have 100,000 hits a day on my blog, or if I have 1200 friends on myspace. For these people, it's all about numbers. They think they're the cool kid if they're being followed. If you had to constantly tell people to read your blog, or ask others to leave you comments or to add you as a friend, then you need to wake up--the ONLY reason you have high numbers is because YOU HAD TO ASK PEOPLE TO FOLLOW YOU ---THEY DIDN'T DO IT BECAUSE THEY LIKE YOU BECAUSE IF THEY DID, THEY WOULD ALREADY BE YOUR FRIEND OR WOULD BE READING YOUR FAKE BLOG. Now, of course, there are people out there that DO have a legitimate fan base. These people are reading their blogs because they somehow stumbled across it and they love it. They're following these people on twitter because they like the person, not because the person asked them. They're leaving comments because they enjoy conversing with this person, not because this person had to ask for the comments. There is a difference there, a BIG difference. The person that asks for attention will soon lose the crowd. People will get tired of the condescending remarks and the constant "hey look at me." The person that has a large following because people actually likes him or her will only get more popular because more people will be drawn in. I really feel sorry for the person that has to beg people to pay attention...

Of course, if one of those people ever read this post, he or she would roll his or her eyes and think I am just jealous that I don't have as many people paying attention to me. You tell yourself whatever you need to make yourself sleep better at night. Hey, why don't you ask more people to read your blog so it can boost your self esteem because heaven knows you really need it.

And to all of you that are reading this blog, thank you. Thank you for coming here on your own accord--whether you like my posts or you just stumbled across me on someone else's page. I appreciate you stopping by. And I sincerely mean that. I am thankful that I've never had to beg anyone to come here. But more importantly, I am thankful that I have wonderful people like you in my life. Each and every one of you inspire me in some way. I could list something about each of you but this post is getting long enough. Thank you.

Now, lastly....me.

I am ready to start working out again. I feel it!!! As you know, I took some time off. Work was hectic, we were travelling alot. But now I am ready. I see that I am making progress by losing the weight and I believe that working out might accelerate that. some of you might be thinking "duh...you would burn more calories and would lose more weight." Yeah, I know scientifically, I should lose more weight if I work out. But there is one little secret you all don't know---I defy science. Well, at least I defy medicine. I will be in the middle of having an asthma attack, the dr. can hear me wheezing from across the room, but as soon as the stethoscope hits my chest, my airways are clear. Hot baths/showers/steam are supposed to help clear up the lungs during an asthma attack--it actually makes mine worse. Humidifiers are supposed to be great during the winter to put moisture back in the air that was replaced with dry heat. Yeah, they give me a nasty sore throat and dry me out. When I was in the hospital for suspected appendicitis, they didn't think I had it because A-my white blood cell count wasn't elevated and B-I had no rebound pain. I guess it was supposed to get worse when the doctor pressed in and let go. A CT scan revealed nothing, as they really didn't even see my appendix. The surgeon said he thought I had Crohn's disease but was going to do surgery regardless because that was their policy that way they could rule out appendicitis if this ever happened again. Needless to say, my appendix had ruptured. Huh??? But you really didn't have the scientific symptoms. The moral of the story is that typically, my body does what it shouldn't do. It would be my luck that I would do cardio, would not eat anything more, and would gain weight. I am dead serious. But...I am not going to let that scare me. I am going to listen to my body and my "cravings." If I have this overwhelming sensation to workout, my body clearly knows it needs it. The same thing applies when I need a nap. That's my body telling me it needs a break. I guess my body is now telling me it feels fat or needs some energy or something;-) So we shall see....maybe I will pose later with workout results.

Have a great Sunday. Christmas is a few days away. Oh joy.

Ouch

2008-12-19T19:18:00.002-06:00

My shoulder is killing me. After a few days of it, I had a massage and not it hurts worse. Icing it now.

Clint's asking for the laptop so I am going to get off of here. I just wanted to pop in to say hi. I've been in quite a few stressful situations this week so I am exhausted. I need a break before I break!

Hola!

2008-12-14T21:19:00.002-06:00

Hello fans! Oh, that was arrogant wasn't it? Nothing like someone constantly complimenting themselves and begging for attention;-)

Ok, on a serious note, hello everyone. It's Sunday. I had an okay weekend. Nothing to write about. I am suffering from RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) right about now so I am not a happy camper. For those of you that don't know what it is, it feels like your legs have creepy crawlies and you want to move them to make it stop. I am going to see my dr. tomorrow so maybe she can give me something for it. There's a new drug out. It starts with a "R" I think. I want to say it's relpax but that's for migraines. I hope she's heard of it and can help me. Some nights I have to take pain pills to knock me out to get rid of it. Sometimes pain medication aggravates it. GRRRRRR. I think I would rather have leg pain than this. It's more annoying than anything.

I have been itching to start working out again. I had a pretty busy day today with housework and last minute school work. I have a month before another semester so maybe I can get back in the swing of things. I just need to put my gym clothes in the car!

I still have a lot to do. I bought some kids a couple of gifts that I need to wrap and deliver. We have an "Angel Tree" program on base. Pink and blue angels are attached to trees with kids ages. Last year the child's age, likes, and clothes size was on the tag but not this year--age only. I hated to buy clothes but if these are lower income families, I am sure clothes are always needed. I got a 4 yr old and 7 yr old girl so I bought size 4 and 7 clothes. But this doesn't work for everyone. When Hanna was 2, she wore 12-18 month clothes. When Hailey was 2, she wore size 2. Chunky monkey Mackenzie wears a 3 at the age of 2. So you just never know. Anyway, I haven't finished shopping for my kids, but I did get stuff for others!!!! Now I just have to wrap it. I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo bad at wrapping and mailing things.

Eating has been ok lately. I drank quite a bit more water today than usual but now my fingers are swollen. I feel like I have sausage fingers. Not cool. I did eat a small bowl of chicken noodle soup so maybe that did it?!?

I'm sorry that I don't have anything great to post. I am going to start cooking some clean meals this week and I will post pics. I am dying to make some Leek and Potato Soup but I really need a food processor to do it. The last time I put it in the blender, I got burned.

Ok, I am off. Have a fantastic evening. More to come tomorrow!

Dear Stalker

2008-12-10T19:22:00.002-06:00

Dear Stalker,

Hello Cupcake. I know you're reading this right about now. Creepy. I think you might find better information in your email fatty;-) Happy reading.

Love,
Carrot Dangler

**********************************************************************

For all my other readers, no, I am not an arrogant blogger that thinks she has so many followers and she's sooooooooooooooooooooooooo popular that she's being stalked. No I am not a mean blogger that walks around making fun of people's weight and putting them down by calling them fat. No, I am not a blogger that puts hidden meanings in my blogs. Wait...yes I am. HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE.
This blog is directed at a friend that *should* understand what this means. If not, he or she really is a nerd.

Salad...yum!!!!

2008-12-09T18:49:00.002-06:00

Dinner tonight is Brussels sprouts and a salad made of a baby romaine mix and red bell peppers topped with boneless buffalo chicken (it's chicken breast cooked in hot sauce!)

I have been craving healthy food lately. Some people crave junk food--burgers, pizza, tacos, whatever. Lately I have been craving clean, healthy foods. That's always a good thing right?

I really need to go grocery shopping to get some food in the house. I have some apples, bananas, and oranges. OHHHH...I also have some bok choy to make bok choy stir fried noodles with shrimp. It's from one of Tosca Reno's books. I keep forgetting to buy green onions. Anyway, I can not shop on base anymore so that means there are 3 grocery stores I can shop from in town--2 United Supermarkets and 1 Wal-Mart. United is so outrageous. It's not even a high end grocery store but the prices are too high for my liking. Sometimes there are good deals in the produce department. I need to do most of my shopping at Wal-Mart and I tell you I want to scream when I walk in there. That place is a mad house, especially with the holiday season. I walk in there and lose my mind and don't get half the things I need. This needs to change!!

I also need to pack my lunch. There have been too many occasions of eating out for lunch. I realize you can make "better" choices while dining out. And I do. But I am getting tired of fast food. Previously I would cook several meals on Sunday to have throughout the week. I need to get back to that again. Now I am not talking about cooking enough food for 6 perfect meals a day. I do not want to do that again. Well, at least not now. But I would like to make several meals so that A--I don't have to come home to cook at night and B--I can have lunch from home.

Speaking of cooking, my chicken is ready and I want to eat. Notice, I didn't say I need to eat, or it's time to eat, or I have to eat. I am eating because I am hungry. I am eating because I want to, not because the clock is telling me it's time. The only clock I am paying attention to these days is that clock that growls in my tummy letting me know I want to eat :-) It's nice.

Happy Birthday Fat Baby. Love, Skinny Momma

2008-12-07T14:35:00.002-06:00

Of course Blogger uploaded them in the wrong order. But what you see is Miss Mackenzie on December 7, 2008, December 7, 2007, and December 7, 2006. Wow has she changed. Happy birthday baby!

124.6

2008-12-06T20:47:00.002-06:00

Yep, the scale is creeping down. Slowly but surely. I couldn't wait for the day that I could break 125. That day has come. It actually came a few days ago. Wonder if I will see 120 by the end of the year?

So what's my secret? Evelyne said I need to tell. I suppose I should. But first we need to look at what I've done so far.

Tomorrow my baby will be 2 years old. Two years ago I was sitting at 164 lbs. When I had my first dr. appointment when I was 9 weeks pregnant, I weighed 124 lbs. Wow, I didn't realize that's the weight I am now. When I started work in February 2007, I weighed around 137 lbs. I spent the next year "dieting." I would try to work out some. I would eat healthy. I tried several different diet plans. I was getting a little smaller, but the weight really wasn't coming off. Around May I hired Tony after stating that I was going to do this on my own. It was obvious I couldn't and so many people had great success due to his program. I lost 8 lbs in the first month. Then my progress stalled. There were times when I didn't totally follow the plan--I might have been eating the food but not working out as much or not sticking to the meal plan 100% but would workout. I would lose a little weight, then gain a little back. In November, I decided to move on. I felt I was wasting my time and his time by continuing. I really needed to save the $$ and I wasn't able to work out like I should. I thought it was best to save my $$ and free up his time so he could focus on other clients. Here it is a month later and I am 5-10 lbs lighter. Huh, 5-10. What? One night, I weighed 136 on my scale, with clothes, after dinner. Last week, same conditions, I weighed 126. That looks like a 10 lbs loss to me. Yet I was in my doctors office the other day and I weighed myself. I was 132 on her scale on October 30. It was the afternoon, with clothes. On Thursday I was 127. That's just a 5 lbs loss. I distinctly remember going to her office on October 30 and telling her my scale said I was 134 that morning. The nurse and I was discussing the 2 lb difference and how their scale usually has patients heavier than they are. This morning I was 124.6. Looks like a 10 lb difference to me.

Anyway, what have I been doing? What's the secret? It's simple. It's what I did the last time I lost weight. And the time before that. The answer for me is reduction in calories. I can't even tell you how many calories I consume because I don't count them. I listen to my body and I eat when I feel the need and I have control of the situation and I stop before I overeat. I try to eat healthy, I try to eat clean, but I'm not going to lie, I have eaten some junk--chocolate, pizza, burgers, fries, ice cream. I just eat it in moderation. And I haven't worked out in I don't know how long. Actually, I am afraid that if I do work out, I will somehow gain weight. Silly, I know. Now I am sure that some of you are shaking your head thinking that I will just gain the weight back and I am screwing up my metabolism and this is probably just water weight. Well, you know, it could be. But I lost weight in 2004 by doing this. I ate whatever I wanted, but in moderation. I could eat one bite of cheesecake and walk away. I rarely worked out. And I stayed at 115 lbs for over a year. The only reason I gained it back was because I got pregnant. Of course, I was a fat skinny. And that's what I am now. My plan is to drop the weight, then tone my body. Yes, I might gain some weight due to muscle, but at least my body will be small. Oh, I don't think this is a water weight thing. I can see changes in my body. I have discovered that I have saddle bags. Yeah, didn't see them before because there was some fat just above them. But now that it's shrinking, those saddle bags have become visible. UGGGGGG.....I need to work on that.

Everyone is different. Reducing calories may not work for everyone just like Atkins, or Weight Watchers, or any other plan. But I have found that this does work for me. I am finally breaking past the barrier that has been up for almost 2 years. With my first two babies, I was under my pre-pregnancy weight before they were 1. It took 6 months with Hanna and about 8 months with Hailey. This time it has taken much longer. I did work hard with the first two, but not *that* hard. I thought it would be that *easy* this time but I didn't take in to account that I am about 6 years older than I was back then. I might actually have to work harder to get to where I need to be. But for right now, what i am doing is working and it's about damn time!

Can I reach 123 this coming week???

Monday Madness

2008-12-01T19:08:00.002-06:00

Hello readers. Happy Monday!

I would love to unleash my fury over my boss. I would love to tell you how I would love to win the lottery and tell him to leave me the hell alone. I would love to tell you that I was having a good day until around 4:00. The list goes on. But I will spare you the details. No, I won't. We're having a Squadron Christmas party on the 13th. My boss wanted me to send the higher ranking people on base an invitation. No problems. EXCEPT...we had a date but no one could give me a set time. I finally got the go ahead with the times but I was waiting to talk to someone from protocol about the proper procedures for sending out invitations. Then I gave my boss 2 choices and I had to get that together. Then I needed an answer on the absolute day we could turn in the $$ so I could set an RSVP date. Then just last week they FINALLY set a price for the event. Needless to say I JUST got the invitations finished today. Now, I knew the times of the party because I get a base wide listing and I passed this info on but no one would go by what I said. Needless to say, EVERYONE else knows about our party and has them on their calender. THEY KNOW. The invitation was merely a formality. They were already well aware of the date, time, and attire. So I approach my boss to ask him an invitation question and tell him that so and so was coming to our social and his counterpart was coming to dinner. He said "Great, you got the invitations out." I said no. Then he tells me how disappointed in me he is and I should've had them done. Okay, when other people are holding up the process and the plans are changing left and right, it's hard to do what HE asks. He was an exec, which means he worked for the Big Guys, so he knows the proper things to do and not to do. If this were an event that everyone and his dog wasn't aware of, then YES, invitations should've gone out a month ago. But for crying out loud, they all know anyway. Seriously, I would LOVE to quit my job. I look for another job EVERYDAY. He's making me nuts. Oh, and I am still on probation for another 4 months. Everyday he reminds me that I am on probation. He's honestly stressing me and making me feel like he's going to fire me. In my head, the "threat" of being on probation kind of makes me feel like he's going to fire me anyway. He has NO reason to, but why would you constantly tell someone they're on probation??? That's fine. If he does try to fire me, I have a strong claim with the union. Can you say hostile work environment? Anyway, I am sorry for the rant. My job isn't very enjoyable. A lot of times I work through lunch, I am there about 15 minutes early every morning, I NEVER take the two 15 minutes breaks I should be taking. I don't get paid OT, I don't get comp time. And I put up with this man's pettiness. I am tired of it. I need a new job. **But I am thankful that I do get a paycheck every 2 week...well, who knows for how long since I am on probation!

That's not the end of my bad day. I have a headache. GREAT. I took some motrin. We'll see how that works.

Wait. It's still not the end! My throat STILL hurts. It's been 2 weeks now. I had a sore throat, then my sinuses started draining, then it went to my lungs, then to my head, then to my throat. If I didn't have to swallow I would feel fine. I just want to get better!

But the good news is the scale is going down. About a month or so ago, I got on the scale at night, after I ate, with clothes on and I was 137 lbs. Uggggg. Tonight, same situation, after dinner, with clothes and I weighed....drum roll please......

........

.......

......

.....

....

...

..

.

126

That's an 11 pound difference! Woo-hoo!

I got the scale down to 125.2. I didn't weigh this morning but I should've. I can't wait to break 125. Can I PLEASE see 124 in the morning?????

There is something positive about today. No matter how crappy my day is, I can always find something good. In fact, lets see if I can find 10 good things about today:

1-I didn't have to get up at 6:00. I was awake, but didn't get out of bed until 6:35.
2-I found my Cars socks this morning.
3-I found a Power Wheels Mini online for Mackenzie.
4-An old co-worker called me.
5-An old friend sent me a message on myspace.
6-I picked up my daughters picture with Santa at Wal-Mart.
7-My sister e-mailed me.
8-My best friend from Louisiana called me. (Missed her call)
9-Mackenzie did well in the 2 yr old room.
10-I am here blogging

Everyday is Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T14:43:00.002-06:00

I am so sorry it's been so long since I had a post. I get over to the computer, read some blogs, then I just don't feel like blogging. A lot has been going on in my life, so it's time to play catch up.

So as you all (probably) know, Muscle in the City took place last weekend in Rockford, Il. Tina, Stacey, Angela, and April were competing. A couple of months ago it finally dawned on me that this was in Illinois. Wait, that's where Kelly O. is from. I txtd her to find out how far away it was and when she said 1 hour, I knew I was going to be there. As the comp was getting closer, Clint started going back and forth about how he had a bad feeling about it and didn't think we should go. I teetered back and forth and I was on the side of the fence that didn't want to go. Clint's fears got the best of me--leaving Mackenzie behind, driving in the snow (I am originally from Louisiana and this is about as far north as I have lived. Anyway, I got a text from Kelly one day and I told her I would be there come hell or high water. I was going solo. Then it happened. The Monday prior I got home from work and noticed my throat felt a little funny. Uh oh. Sometimes when I swallow pills that are too small, they get hung up back there. This felt like that. But when I woke up at 2am and my throat was on fire, I knew it was more than that. I won't go in to a day by day analysis of what was wrong with me, but it was some kind of sinus funk that would jump from my head to my chest to my throat. I was sick! Oh crap. I haven't been sick in months. In fact, I can't remember the last time I was sick. I started taking Zicam but it got worse. Clint didn't get it but Mackenzie and I did. WTF???? Needless to say, Rockford was out of the question. What was the part about hell and high water? I felt like complete crap but that wouldn't have stopped me. What stopped me was the fact that I didn't want to get everyone else sick. Poor Kelly has been sick basically all year long with one thing or another and I wasn't going to risk her health. So that's what happened to me. Those other girls were having so much fun I'm sure they didn't notice I wasn't there. But that's what happened to me. I was so sad and in disbelief that I would get sick then, out of all times. Btw, I am STILL sick. It's much better and is going away, but I am not 100% well.

Moving on.

A lot has been going on the last few months. Heck, the last few days have been a handful. I am not going to go into any of the details but I do have something to say. There's so much in your life that you can be thankful for. We celebrate Thanksgiving to give thanks, yet we should be giving thanks everyday. Here's a short list.

I am thankful for my husband. We may have our disagreements and don't see things eye to eye, but doesn't everyone? I would rather have him in my life and have some rough patches than to not have him at all.

I am thankful for all of my kids. It may be a pain in the butt to have to drive 4 hours and stay in a hotel or drive back 4 hours to come home with them (Hanna and Hailey). It may be difficult to have my step-daughter over because she is being raised in a completely different environment and doesn't seem to be able to catch on to how we do things. It may be a hassle to take care of every one of Mackenzie's demands. But it is soooooooooooooooooooooooooo worth it. Our family is pretty darn great and I am thankful for it.

I am thankful that I am losing weight once again. For right now, I might not be able to lift a 20lb dumbbell like I could a few months ago, but I am still thankful the weight is coming off. And soon enough I will be lifting like I was months ago.

I am thankful for my job that I truly hate. I could be unemployed or I could be making less money. I am thankful I am not. I do pray I could get a different job, but I need to embrace what I have.

I am thankful for my mess house. I have the ability to clean it, and I will. I am thankful I am able to clean my own house.

I am thankful for my friends. I hate the fact that Kelly is so far away, but I am thankful she is reachable by phone, text, or email. She's the glue that keeps me together sometime.

Go out and think about all you're thankful for. I could tell you why I am thankful for every part of my life, but I will leave you with the short list.

Award!

2008-11-18T06:50:00.003-06:00

Evelyne has given me the Kreativ Blogger Award. Awwwww...thanks!

I have to list 6 things that make me happy then tag 6 people.

1-I love it when everyones blogs are updated so I can sit down and read

2-I love to hear babies laugh, especially my babies. I can still remember Hailey's first laugh (she's 7 now). If you want to feel all warm and fuzzy, listen to Mackenzie's.

3-I love sleeping in. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I am very happy.

4-Getting personal emails makes me happy. Forwards are fine, but I really like the messages that are written for me.

5-I am really happy when I get off the leg press, knowing I just moved a hell of a lot of weight!

6-United Marketstreet stores. I found Ezekiel Bread, English Toffee Stevia, and Bragg ACV there. I don't have to pay taxes on these items, or shipping charges, and they're cheaper than on the internet! (But the store is 3 hrs away)

Ok, so now I get to give the Kreativ Blogger Award to 6 people. Let's see..

1-Jess

2-Tiffany

3-Mandy Jo

4-Laura

5-Tina

6-Angela

Finding you

2008-11-11T16:17:00.003-06:00

There are so many thoughts swarming in my head right now. They've been swarming my entire life. I have always felt like a butterfly, trapped in a cocoon, about to fly out. It's like I am right there, I know it's time, I can feel that it's getting close and I am just waiting to be set free. That's how I feel with my life. I KNOW I am meant to do something big. I don't necessarily mean big like going on to be an Oscar winner. It's funny that some of the smallest actions in the world can lead to big results. Let's take the cashier at your local grocery store and ponder her story. I don't know what you all do for a living, but being a cashier isn't a luxurious job. I didn't aspire to become a cashier and I don't know anyone who did. I am not saying that being a cashier is degrading, but it's not one of the most prosperous jobs one can have. When I walk in the grocery store, I don't see this cashier as an important person. For crying out loud, I can go through a self-checkout at 90% of the stores I visit, so having a cashier isn't necessary. But how many of you have been in the grocery store and you're frustrated about your day--maybe your boss ticked you off, you busted a deadline, your kids are fighting, or the store didn't have the creamer you wanted. Then you go up to checkout and suddenly you are greeted by the most pleasant person ever. Your mood was suddenly uplifted and you day is no longer ruined by that foul mood you were in. And guess what, it was because of the kind words of the cashier--the very one that you didn't feel had an important job. In the grand scheme of things, she isn't out there doing anything BIG, but because of her actions, she's done a grand thing. So that's just one example of how something small can be big. Anyway, I've always known that I was meant to do something big. For the longest time, I thought I needed to use my political science degree coupled with a juris doctorate (law school) to become a political activist or lobbyist. There are so many wrongs I have tried to right and I thought that my political knowledge and legal knowledge would help me help other more effectively. I still believe that and I do intend on going back to law school one day. But what about the mean time? Why do I still feel like I am on the verge of breaking out of that cocoon? I still feel this empty void--I KNOW I am meant to do something. But what? Am I limited to just one thing? Well lets start with what I do know. When I say I am meant to do something big, what am I referring to? Making a lot of money? Helping others? Well I would LOVE to make a lot of money. But I think that I am meant to help others. There is a plethora of ways to help others--counselling, personal training, blogging, etc. I was in the Air Force and I felt that my job was helping those planes get off of the ground. And it was. I worked in a child support office and I felt that I was helping those men and women get the support they deserve. I worked for a college as an academic advisor and I felt that I was helping students map their degree plans to enable them to go out and do something big. There are a lot of things I do where I walk away feeling satisfied, like I have done what I am meant to do. Of course, with all of those things, there was some dissatisfaction because there were principles or policies I didn't agree with. The Air Force "kicked out" thousands of members because they were doing a reduction in force. There were people that wanted nothing more than to stay in but they got booted. I thought it was awful that a woman could keep the paternity of her child a secret for years then come in one day and ask for child support then suddenly they can go back and make this unsuspecting "father" pay FIVE years of support for a kid he didn't know existed. Instead of asking for support from the beginning and giving this guy a chance to make payments each month so he's not carrying around a debt, he's suddenly stuck with a $20,000 debt that is reported to the credit agency each month. How is that fair to "punish" him when the woman never bothered to get child support or to let him know he had a child before then? (I am sure that many of you will argue that SHE deserves the support and it was her that took care of the kid those 5 years. Sure, she deserves the support, but shouldn't she have asked for it from the beginning?--anyway, that's a different topic). How is it fair that a college won't let you take a class online if it's offered on campus? If I want to take it online, then there is some reason that I am not going to sit in the class. So if you don't let me take it online, I'm still NOT going to sit in a class room. The point is that with everything, there will be both the good and the bad. I can do something BIG, but it's not going to be 100% satisfaction each and every day. Now some of you might say that if you aren't satisfied, then you should find your true passion and do what you love. But even when you do things you love, aren't there bad things that happen too? Maybe you're working out and you get a cramp and can't go on. Or maybe you love to watch TV and you're watching your show then the electricity goes off. Those are bad things that interfere with something you love. But do we let this spoil it? Do we never go to the gym again because of a cramp? NO. Do you never watch TV again because you're afraid the power may go off again? No. You deal with what is dealt to you and you press on, doing what you love, doing what you're meant to do.

So I have obviously touched on several topics here. How does this all tie together? Well, I am meant to do something big, and I want to help people, and I want to do something I love. Of course, there will be times that things don't go my way. But I have to keep going.

So now the question is: What do I want to do? What am I close to doing?
Honestly, I don't know. But I know it's close. I can feel it.

Now the question is posed to you. What do you want to do? Are you meant to do something big? Are you going to get to it even though you're faced with difficulties?

I am. I am out finding me. Now you need to go out and find you.

Last day off

2008-11-11T13:05:00.002-06:00

I've had 4 days off. Nice. too bad this is my last one. You know you really don't like your job when you get a knot in your stomach the day before you have to go to work. This ALWAYS happens. My job is pretty easy, but I am getting more and more piled up on me and I don't like that. I so need a vacation! We did take Mackenzie to daycare yesterday while Clint has some blood work drawn and we just left her there for the day because she was sleeping when it was time to get her. So I came home and took a nap. It was the first in a long time and it was awesome! I tried to take one a little while ago but Clint called and woke me and once I get woke up, I have a hard time falling asleep again.

So Clint is hypoglycemic. He needs to eat 5 times a day--high protein, low carb--or should I say, he needs good carbs. It's no wonder he's that way. This morning he ate like 1/2 a bag of M&M's in one sitting. Anyway, my grocery bill is going to go up, but it's going to be so much easier staying on track with both of us eating that way. Of course, with him I do have some flexibility--I will feed him bread--whole wheat bread--pasta--whole wheat pasta--and rice--brown rice. But not much. I am going to try to make this a good experience for him. If I had him eating tuna and green beans all the time, he would hate life in 2 days. So I need to be adventurous, but in a healthy way. Tonight is going to be black-eye pea salad--brown rice, butternut squash, blackeyes. YUM. It's from the Clean Eating Magazine site. but wait--that's not high in protein. That's why I have fish, turkey, chicken, and beef thawing!!!

I really need to get off my booty and workout. I am pretty darn tired. Somehow I think that by sitting here, I will suddenly be full of energy. It never happens that way does it?

I suppose I am going to get off of here. I will leave you with 7 random facts about me. I am not going to tag anyone because everyone I would want to tag has already been tagged.

1-I am deathly afraid of mice. When I was little, my brothers told me the red light on my aunt's fire alarm was a big rat watching me and he was going to come get me. Clint thinks it's stupid that I am so afraid. He doesn't understand. Of course, if it doesn't happen to him, he never understands.
2-I need like 9 hours of sleep. Again, another thing Clint doesn't understand. Because he can thrive on 6 hours of sleep, he thinks everyone should.
3-I don't like peanut butter.
4-I like to boil eggs then put them in pickle juice.
5-I really don't like eggs
6-I don't like the taste of meat. I have to use something to cover up the taste--ketchup, mustard, steak sauce, hot sauce, salsa, etc.
7-The labels on my canned goods have to face the right way. If not, I get the creepy crawlies.

Lounging

2008-11-08T12:25:00.002-06:00

Happy Saturday. I have been sitting at the computer for an hour or so and I decided to get off to go do something else but then I forced myself to come over here to blog. I haven't been blogging lately because I really didn't have anything to blog about. But now that I am typing, things are starting to come to mind.

I am off until Wednesday. The base Commander gave the military a day off for going 97 days DUI free, so I got to take a day of leave. They really don't want civilians there unsupervised. Then Tuesday is Veterans Day so I am off for that. I did bring some work home because I have been swamped at work and I can't seem to get ahead. I feel like i am drowning. I got a job offer in Guam, but Clint doesn't want to live on a tiny island. For me it's perfect because A--I did this job while I was in the Air Force and I loved it B--I know the person that's hiring. In fact, I use to work with her here and she I would be working under her there. She wanted me to work directly for her before, but I couldn't. C--I know 2 other people over there. But no, Clint didn't want to go. Of course, there were other issues I would've had to work out, but since he said no, there's no use dealing with them. Anyway, I want a new job because I am struggling. So to help me out, I am going to do some work from here and go in on Monday for a few hours to catch up.

I am on my last book in the Twilight series. Yay! I've kind of been devoted to those the last week or so. I started reading book one a week ago. 4 books in a week is a record for me. I don't think I am going to go back to the Wicked series just yet because there's so many other things I need to focus on.

What else should I focus on? For starters, cleaning my house and laundry. Before I go read, I need to put a load of clothes and dishes in to wash. I also need to get caught up with some school work for myself, then some school work for Clint (I'm helping him study, but I have to grasp it first. It's just psychology so I am merely refreshing my memory). I also want to get a Masters and would like to get back to school in January. The problem is that I don't want to go to class. The nearest school is 70 miles away. The only online program from that college is the MBA. Not my cup of tea. Been there, done that, it sucks. They have a Masters in Science in Behavioral Science in Psychology, but they only offer 1 class online per semester. I've looked at University of Phoenix and Kaplan, but nothing appeals to me. The MPA isn't so bad, but I'm really not interested. I could do an advanced degree from OU, but I think I owe them money. I'm not sure though. So, I need to find a college with a degree that interests me. I'm not sure why I am fooling myself--the only thing that interests me is law school. But that's TOO far away, geographically. If I quit once before because I was 70 miles away, I don't think 200 miles away would work out well.

My eating has been fine. I will start working out again this week. I tell ya, the Gazelle is the greatest piece of cardio equipment I have ever been on.

I'll write more later.

It's Halloween!

2008-10-31T17:34:00.003-05:00

Happy Halloween.

I have so much to blog and so little time. I have a Vlog to post but haven't tried to upload just yet. You can probably catch it tomorrow because it takes hours to upload.

I am dressed up as a pirate today. I will get pics later. I am taking Mackenzie out trick or treating later. She's a pumpkin. This is her 1st Halloween. Well, last year was her 1st, but we didn't take her out although I had an ADORABLE lamb costume. Alright, Blogger didn't place it where I wanted. You will see it above. Stay tuned for her pumpkin pics.

I saw my dr. about weight issues and why I am not losing and she suggested a thyroid problem. I thought she tested my thyroid when she did some lab work a few months ago. I was tested in the past and I was fine, but here we go again. I had to get back to work yesterday and didn't make it in then I went to the lab today at 4:30. They're open until 5:00. They told me that the carrier comes at 4:15 everyday so I would have to come back Monday. WHY ARE YOU OPEN UNTIL 5:00??????

So we will see what happens with that. On the one hand, I don't want anything to be wrong with me. Then on the other, I think it would be great to have a medical explanation for the weight. She assured me it wasn't the IUD.

We are going out of town this weekend. I am going to take a nap. Then I have to get the baby dressed, take her out, pack for this weekend, get diesel in the car. Fun stuff I need to do. But I am exhausted. And a headache is coming on. GRRRRRRRRR......

I am not meant to VLOG. @*$&

2008-10-27T19:59:00.002-05:00

This is like my 2nd try. I am not having much luck with this. This is the THIRD time it has gone up. Lets see if it works!

Random Sherry facts

2008-10-26T21:45:00.002-05:00

Before I start with my random Sherry facts, I need to know...is anyone up at 5am? If so, I could desperately use a phone call.

Okay, here's some random Sherry facts.

I can not stand for my hair to touch me. Usually, my hair will end up in a pony tail before the days is over. Then I will let it down again because it makes my head hurt. Then up again because it's touching me.
When I was younger, I had fine, thin hair--straight as a board. Around 15, I discovered curls underneath. Then as I got older I was told I had a lot of hair. A few years ago it started to go wavy up top. I think it had something to do with pregnancy because I swear they're disappearing each time I get it cut. The thing is, I have like 3 heads of hair. By no means is it thick. I just have a lot. I have to have it thinned each time I go in.
I just got a new flat iron and let me tell you, it rocks. Because it would take about an hour's worth of straightening and a lot of hairspray to keep it straight. Seriously, I could do one side and it would be straight as a board, move to the other side, then the one side would curl???
I eat out of plastic bowls--like tupper wear containers. Not sure why. I think because they don't retain heat like glass bowls.
I prefer to eat out of bowls over plates. I will throw all of my food in a bowl--well, plastic container.
I only drink coffee from plastic coffee mugs
I either like my food boiling hot or straight from the fridge cold. There's no in-between. Clint doesn't understand how I can eat my food that hot. Especially soup.
I like soup.
I love the gazelle my mom got me from a garage sale for 15 bucks! This thing is bad ass. I was on it for an hr and it really didn't feel like it, but my legs will be sore tomorrow. I plan on getting up at 5am to use EVERYDAY. Well, not on weekends. I mean, I won't get up that early.
I like pale lipstick--if I wear any. Like a light, frosty pink or a nude, neutral color. My FAVORITE was Spite by Mac. I think they stopped making it. Or the last time I checked they did. Actually, I don't wear lipstick. I wear lip gloss. I have branched out and bought two new colors. They actually have color. One's a red but I HAVE to blot it because I hate the color.
I like frogs. Not real ones.
I hate hoods on anything other than hoodies or jackets. Yet, I just bought two sweaters with hoods because they looked good on me.
I don't like being tickled.
I hate doing dishes.
The kids Christmas gifts was solved. Or mostly. We got them Guitar Hero World Tour. Now then can sing and play the drums and guitar. It's going to be too cold for a trampoline.
When I workout and I want to vomit, I know I am doing a damn good job.
I am super excited about Rockford. I am driving all the way from Oklahoma. I can get a hotel for 2 nights, rental car, and round trip tickets (2) for like $600. Not too bad. Then again, I can drive up there and get a hotel for 2 nights for about $360. My husband wants to go even though he has no interest in this stuff. Guess he doesn't want to feel left out. That's ok, we will have fun.
I love Kelly O's arms, and Cynthia's abs. I need some legs to love. If you have great legs, let me know, post a pic on your blog, e-mail me a pic. let me want your legs.

Alright, I better go. If I am getting up at 5am, I better go to bed. I took a muscle relaxer because my legs have been feeling funny lately when I go to bed. It's not restless leg either. Not sure what it is. I'm just waiting for it to kick in.

Happy Sunday

2008-10-26T13:16:00.002-05:00

What a productive day I tell ya. I slept in until 9:45, made coffee, then breakfast--egg white omelet and Kashi Strawberry Fields. I ate, watched Kelly O's videos, did an hour on the Gazelle, and read some blogs. And it's only 1:00. I am going to throw some clothes in the wash and take a bath. Wait, I am going to eat meal #2--probably turkey meatloaf and green beans. After that I have some homework to do and I have meals to make. Good times. Tonight/this evening I will do some more cardio and weights.

Now, here's some random things for you.

Isn't it funny how fast you can blow through $$. I spent $600 yesterday. I got 2 kids birthday presents--(clothes), I got Clint 4 shirts and 2 pair of jeans, I got myself 6 tops and 2 pair of yoga pants, I got Mackenzie 1 outfit, I got a heater, I bought lunch, I put gas in the car, and I got some autoparts that Clint needed because he's helping this man with his car. I will get back about $60 when I return two of the loaner tools and another $30+ when I return Clint's jeans (JCP has a buy 1 get 1 $.88 sale)But still...that means I spent about $500 on us yesterday. YIKES. I am considering returning the stuff. Then I look at the other side. Clint DOES need clothes. I DO need clothes. The two kids DO need birthday gifts. And let me tell ya, some of you might frown and think "Ewww, clothes for a kids birthday, that's no fun" but let me tell you, they have way too many toys they don't even play with. This year I am not worried about toys. I plan on getting them a joint gift for Christmas. Wait, I will tell you about that in a minute. Back to the $$. I can't believe I spent so much. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....

Ok, Christmas and birthdays. In the one month span from Thanksgiving to Christmas, I have 3 kids birthdays, 1 husbands birthday, and 4 kids to buy Christmas presents for. Even if I limited it to $100 per person, per event, that's $800. I think that's insane. Is it necessary? Seriously, I hate Christmas time. HATE it. People expect to see a ton of presents under the tree. That means more $$ to spend. Now, I can get a trampoline at Sams for $219..and that's a big one. With tax, it will be closer to $300 and that would be basically equivalent to $100 per kids (the 3 older kids). Should I go that route or get the 3 older kids separate presents. In all honestly, you can't get many individual presents for $100. A good doll costs about $25. 4 dolls for Christmas? That's it? Are you kidding me???? What fun is that? So, I am looking for the most cost effective way to please the kids. Any suggestions?

Lets move on to birthday parties. My oldest 2 live with their dad. My step daughter lives with her mom. For Hailey (#2), we attended her party down in Bronte at the pool down there. I didn't have a 2nd party for her. Hanna's (#1) party is on the 22nd. Uggg...I'm in Rockford. I am getting her the next weekend, so I don't really want to go down there back to back weekends because it can get expensive and a 4 hour (1-way) drive with a baby isn't fun. I thought about having a party for her up here. Then it hit me and I said no I won't. If I have a 2nd party for her, that means I have to have a 2nd party for my step-daughter because we will NOT be in attendance at her mothers house. Hailey only had 1 party. Mackenzie's only having one party. Do the other kids REALLY need 2 parties? Can't we celebrate and open gifts without a party? Thoughts? Even for you without kids, please, chime in.

So, Rockford is like 27 or 28 days away. I am flippin excited. I am sitting here choking down the green beans and turkey meatloaf. It's hard but it's worth it. I won't have Kelly O's muscles and I won't even begin to compare myself to the divas on stage, but I will look presentable. You bet I will!

Enjoy whats left of your weekend!

I think I can I think I can

2008-10-23T08:56:00.000-05:00

I am striving to lose 8 lbs in 29 days. Can I do this?

I wonder

2008-10-22T07:09:00.000-05:00

If I can update this with my blackberry. If I can, watch out, we're in trouble!

Okay, Okay

2008-10-20T19:48:00.002-05:00

I am alive and well...have no fear!

Lets see, what's been going on? Well, as you know, I had a massive headache, then I was suffering from a stomach ailment. I finally recovered from that. My in-laws came in to town over the weekend and brought my step daughter. Didn't do anything exciting. We went to town, that was about it. I did start reading a new book. I am reading "Wicked" and it's a good book. After "Wicked" I am going to read "Twilight." After "Twilight" I am going to read "Son of a Witch" then hopefully I will continue the "Twilight" series. Oh, I need to read the 3rd book in the "Wicked" series as well.

Well, let me talk about reading a minute. I never really read much. The first book I read on my own was "Interview with a Vampire." After that, I would have to say it was "The DaVanic Code." No, wait, it was "He's Just Not That Into You." I mean, I read books in school because I had to. Those were the first I read on my own. Anyway, I bought "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown (DaVinci Code) but didn't read much of it. I started "The DaVinci Code" numerous times before I ever caught on to it. I thought that might happen with A & D but it didn't. After that I read "The Devil Wears Prada."MUCH better than the movie. I fell in love with all of the Harry Potter books. I still have 2 left. So, I ventured out to read the current books. I have a book case full of books, just haven't got around to reading them. I rented these from the library instead of buying. GO ME!!!

Ok, back to workout and diet! I made all of my food last night. Packed and ready to go. Woo-Hoo. Then I go to work and notice that my workout clothes aren't there. Crap. I KNOW I got them out of the Expedition and I KNOW I brought them into work. I guess I took them home with me. I use to leave EVERYTHING in my Expedition but I leave NOTHING in the Jetta. NOTHING. So when I would've normally just went to the vehicle to retrieve it, I knew that wouldn't work. I was going to go buy some workout clothes, but I went to buy my baby some winter clothes when this man told me the high was going to be in the 50's this week. That wasn't true. Nevertheless she needed new clothes. Then once I got back I had to deal with some Mackenzie issues and ended up leaving work basically for the rest of the afternoon.

I've been bad and I haven't worked out this evening. A friend came by with his kids and I made them dinner, even though I already had dinner made. I don't think chili would have been good to them. I hung out with them for a bit, then I went next door for a bath (don't ask). Now I am waiting for Mackenzie to finish eating so I can go bathe her. Sigh. I haven't even read tonight.

Ok, I am going to steal something from Kelly O. She lists things she likes and dislikes and I have decided to share.
=Tops with hoods. Can't stand them. Hoodies are okay--like the sweatshirt ones--but that's it
=Eyes that are itchy. I have cleaned my contact and used allergy drops, but they still itch
=Not having how water. Don't ask.

Things I heart:
=My new Jetta. TDI. Vroom Vroom and 40+ MPG! Even with Diesel being higher than gas, I bet I still pay less than you for fuel.
=My wireless internet. I love the fact that I am sitting on my couch typing this.
=Frozen fruit. OMG the cherries are so good!

Alright, that's all I have. I am sleepy but Mackenzie is taking her time eating. Savoring it....

Yummy!

2008-10-13T09:31:00.003-05:00

I made the best oatmeal yesterday. I am trying to mimic it today.

You make your oatmeal as you normally would. but in the end you put a sprinkle of cinnamon and 1 packet of french vanilla splenda--the new coffee kind that are meant to sweeten coffee. YUM. It *was* a little sweet for me, so I only added in about 1/2 packet. That wasn't sweet enough. So I added a little more. It's good stuff!

Mental Issues

2008-10-12T16:21:00.002-05:00

I am headache free. I am not vomiting. I am almost back to normal.

The thing is, today I am feeling more like myself. Yet I am so scared to really eat. I started off eating on plan but I swapped over to some soup. I didn't want to fill my tummy up with heavy stuff just in case I got sick again. At the same time, I did want some regular food to test the waters.

but I feel SO guilty. I ate egg whites, oatmeal, and cauliflower and felt fine. I was drinking some Powerade for hydration. I ran in the store to get Clint some soup and I bought myself some too. From that moment I felt guilty. I felt like I was cheating. I headed to the frozen veggie so I could throw in some mixed veggies to my noodle soup (always do that). I felt guilty. I was tempted so many times to put the stuff down. One side of me head was telling me I was cheating, put it up. The other side said it was okay, I had been sick, and I need to ease back into regular food slowly. I was torn. I caved in to the bad side. I felt bad the whole way home, the entire time I was cooking it, and every second I ate it.

I mean, I held down breakfast and I held down the soup and I feel fine, physically. I just feel like I some how cheated and ate a cheesecake---a BIG one. Was eating soup REALLY that bad? I really didn't want anything heavy. I detest throwing up. Sure, I did have solid food earlier but what if I got sick again? On the other hand, I haven't been sick since Friday night, so I AM cheating. Sigh.

There you have it. I have mental issues. Serious ones. I cheated with soup to make sure I was over the tummy bug. Shoot me.

Oh---I don't know that my headaches were migraines. Some were, yes. But some weren't. The migraines meds knocked out the migraines, then something else would come back. I think I was suffering from cluster headaches. I think the chiropractor helped. The last time I remember it happening this bad, I had to take Tylenol 3 and get a massage. That was like 7 years ago.

have a great weekend everyone. I am going to try to do some cardio tonight. Wish me luck!

So I was thinking

2008-10-11T08:52:00.002-05:00

I was reading someones blog and she said her co-workers were getting sick but she thinks she's fending it off. She said that one thing she hates is when something thinks they're getting sick/are sick and they use that as an excuse to not workout/eat right.

You know, I do agree with her. There are people out there that will sneeze and will use that as an excuse to eat poorly, to not workout, to lounge around. I don't like petty excuses.

But...

I've been there. I am here. This is not petty.

When your head hurts so badly that a narcotic won't take it away, you really don't care about working out. You really don't care if you eat broccoli or ice cream because all you want to do is die. When you can feel the blood pumping through the veins in your head and you think about working out and how the blood will be flowing that much faster, it makes you want to vomit so I am pretty sure you don't need to be working out. When you have to spend hours laying down with the lights turned out, your last thought is eating right or getting up to workout. When you are dealing with this for a week, you don't want to do anything except make this damn thing go away. When you have to make 2 trips to the doctor and 2 more trips to the chiropractor, you couldn't care less about doing what you're supposed to do. Call it a prime opportunity to cheat. Maybe I am not as hard core as others. But when I am sick, when I am truly sick, I don't want to workout. I did do my best to eat clean. But I wasn't perfect.

Oh wait, you want more. It gets better. When you're in a Jetta, about 2 hours from home, and you're in a rush to get to the daycare before it closes to get your daughter, and you suddenly vomit into a grocery bad because there is no time to pull over, I don't think you want to workout...or eat anything. When you spend the night on the couch curled up and you take one last visit to the porcelain throne before you hit the sack, I don't think there IS time to workout. Oh, and I am using today as an excuse too. I am dehydrated. I feel weak and my head hurts. At this point in my life, I would rather be fat then workout.

So yeah, I am and have been THAT sick that I don't want to workout. The powerade I am drinking and the soup I am eating doesn't fall into the meal plan. The laying on the couch doesn't count as working out. But when you feel this bad, you just don't care...

Dear Headache

2008-10-06T21:20:00.002-05:00

Dear Headache,

Please go away. I sincerely appreciate the fact that you like you me so much that you've stayed with me for a week. That's quite kind of you. But if I may be honest with you, I am quite tired of this. I am not quite sure how to to get rid of you. I have eaten good food and bad food, drank more water, had more caffeine, got plenty of sleep, taken tylenol, Relpax, and Midrin. NOTHING had helped. I just took lortab to see if that would get rid of you, but I have a feeling it won't. The last time this happened, I was pregnant with Hailey--about 7 years ago, and I sat on the couch watching TV all weekend long. It took Tylenol with codeine and a massage to get rid of you. Are you conspiring with my body? Does my body want a massage so it's using you to get one? Fine, whatever, I can get a damn massage if that will make you go away. I am going to see my doctor in the morning so that she can prescribe some medicine to get rid of you. Initially I thought you were in cahoots with TOM and wanted to make me miserable, but you're still lingering when he's gone. HMMM...what did I ever do to you? WAIT..I KNOW. You're conspiring with my fat cells. You know that when my head hurts so bad that I lay on the couch for 2 hours in the dark instead of working out, I will stay fat. You also know that it's going to make me look like a moron to all of my blogger friends because yesterday I was bragging that I will work out even if I am dying. You just had to make me look like a fool. You know that when the blood starts pumping through my veins it's going to make my head hurt that much worse. You were wanting that weren't you. You enjoy putting me in a corner--let's make her head hurt so bad that she ends up in the ER or lets make her look like an idiot in front of everyone. Let's make her look like a failure. Well I am on to you and these fat cells. I know you think they're doing me a favor--if I did workout and had to go to the ER for a killer headache, I'd blow $100 on the visit then I wouldn't be able to go to Rockford, hence, I wouldn't be making a fool of myself. I wouldn't be a whale surrounded by all those Diva's. I appreciate your and my fat's sincerity, but you know what...you two need to F*@K OFF. I CAN do this. I WILL DO THIS. I AM going to see Kelly, Tina, Stacey, Angela, April, and Evelyne (cough cough, hint hint). If I have to hitchhike there I will be there. If I have to do 3 hours of cardio a day, I will look good there. But, you REALLY REALLY REALLY need to leave so I can do what I need to do. I know you love me. I know you love hanging out with me, but it's time for you to go. I need to move on with my life.

Love,
Sherry

P.S. HAHAHAHAHA--I ate on plan today. Didn't cheat once! Didn't have any of that yummy dessert at my bosses birthday bash. Take that headache!

Is it 48 or 47????

2008-10-05T19:17:00.002-05:00

Tina, Stacey, Angela, and April are counting down the days until their comp. I am counting down the days until their comp. In case you've not been paying attention, Kelly O and I plan on being there! So that means I have 48 or 47 days to get "audience ready." (They're stage ready/I'm audience ready). I understand that the 4 of them are going to look like 4 bad asses that day and I could never compare, but I still don't want to look like a fat cow. MOOOOOOOOOOOO. I think I have 47 days but this date counter I always use is saying 48. HMMMMMM....I think it's wrong. Regardless, I need to get my butt in gear. NO playing around. I WILL drink all of my water. Every meal will be on plan. I WILL work out 6 days a week. I WILL get in extra cardio. I WILL be smoking hot!!!

I fell off the wagon this week. I didn't gain weight. I had an awful headache part of the week. I started TOM and I just felt awful. In addition to the bad headaches (which btw I have one now and it won't go away...4 Tylenol and a Relpax isn't helping....) I was dead tired. I was exhausted. Not sure if it was due to TOM or what. Then my mom came in to town and I spent all day in the car Friday and today getting/taking girls home. I spent half the day yesterday having a garage sale and the other half shopping. My life is back to normal now. Thank God. Hey, my mom bought me a Gazelle for $15. I HATE my Elliptical. I hope I like this better. I know...I watch 2 shows a week--House and Entourage. I will only watch them if I am on the Gazelle.

That's all I have. I am back on track. I promise. I don't care if I am sick as a dog next week, I will be working out. NOTHING will stop me. NOTHING.

Ready to Roll!

2008-09-28T20:11:00.002-05:00

I am pumped up and I am ready to roll! I just had a kick booty arm workout. I'm not gonna be able to type or wipe myself tomorrow. These bad boys are gonna HURT!

I did well today. I haven't drank all of my water. CRAP. But my food has been on. Now all I need to do is eat at the proper intervals and I will be set.

Oatmeal and Egg Whites
Tuna and Cucumber
Apple and PB
Turkey and Cucumber
Turkey Meatloaf and Brussels Sprouts
Protein/Myoplex Lite with Glutamine

I actually should've had a protein shake in there instead of the turkey and cucumber but I wasn't digging the protein shake. The reason I mixed the myoplex lite and the protein was because it was my last packet of myoplex. GASP. I am waiting to buy more. Why you ask? Well, if I went to my local GNC, I would pay $54.99 a box, with tax. If I shopped on base, it would be the same price, but tax free. However, all they have is myoplex delux. Regardless, I am not buying it there. Why not? Well, if I go to a GNC on a military installation, I can get it for $48 a box tax free PLUS $20% off. So I am looking at spending right around $39 for my moplex lite! I can't beat that. The issue is that the closest military base with a GNC doesn't ahve the myoplex lite--just the deluxe. That means I have to get it at Dyess, in Abilene, which is 3 hrs away. As it turns out, I am going there this next weekend. I really need to stockpile because I don't think I will be going back until Nov 1. However, since I just bought that laptop, I can't do it. I wasn't planning on going down there until the 17th or 27th but my ex husband wants me to come this weekend. GREAT. I am *complaining* because it's an expensive trip. I have to fill my Expedition up 2X so that's about $150. And I have to rent a room, which this time I can get one for $40 (Rewards Card). Plus I have to feed the kids. And we can't stay cooped up in the hotel the entire weekend. So I tend to spend some money out doing things. Yeah, not the best time to decide to go down there. UGGGG....

Alright, I am outta here. Have a great night everyone!

REEEKKKK

2008-09-27T17:04:00.003-05:00

Good afternoon!!!! I tried to post earlier however I got on the phone and Clint came over and somehow knocked my coffee over and it landed all on my laptop. Yeah, it was done. I was working but we flipped it over for the coffee to drain out and turned off. UGGGGG....I was wanting a new laptop. This one is about 4 years old and the lcd was busted. I finally got around to getting a new one (or was in the process) and it died. Clint thinks it will be fine in a few days but I couldn't wait. I think it's a sign you see. After nearly 4 years of having a bad lcd I decide to call. Because there's a shortage, they had to get permission for me to have one. They were going to call me back in 48 hours but never did. Hmmmm...Then this morning I told myself that maybe, just maybe there wouldn't be anymore and I could get the display at a reduced price. Then I told myself I could check this one place and if they didn't have it and if the other place only had the display, I would get it. Guess what...I got a computer that was originally $799 for $627. Oh, and it was tax free!!! I knew that they weren't selling anymore HP's and that it would most likely get reduced. Nationwide it was reduced to $697 then I bartered and got 10% off. It didn't have the webcam and it was supposed to. I don't need one but hey, if it was *supposed* to come with it you know....

Moving on. I am feeling much better. I am getting back on track now. I admit I didn't workout or eat so well last week. I felt awful because of being sick then I felt drained for the rest of the week. I NEEDED to rest. I NEEDED the break. But I am back on track. And why am I suddenly back on track?

Because I need to meet my goals now more than ever. I have less than 2 months to get my ass in shape. Well why? What's so important? Where's the fire?

Because I am flying up to Chicago around November 22nd to the Rockford show. Now why is this special? First and foremost, I get to meet Kelly O. This is in and of it itself is awesome! Then I get to see not one, not two, not three, but FOUR of Tony's Diva's. Yeah. Maybe I can talk Evelyne in to coming out!!! I am so freakin excited. I need to get my ass in gear and prep for this!! They're prepping for their comp and I am prepping so I can look good around them! I don't want to embarrass anyone, especially Kelly!

Alright, everyone, get out and have a great weekend! If you are working out, have a kick booty workout. If you are taking the day off, then enjoy your down time but get a kick booty workout in tomorrow!! And if you are eating, eat clean!

I'm sick. Boo-hoo

2008-09-21T19:10:00.002-05:00

I woke up this morning feeling kind of queasy. I made myself go in the bathroom to throw up. I went back to bed and slept until 2. I feel bad, I am dehydrated. I'm about to get my butt in my car to go get some more Gatorade. Needless to say, I did NOT workout and I did NOT eat on plan. I ate 2 slices of bread, some soup, then I had a small piece of steak and some crab legs. Yeah, I ate some crab. Someone that feels bad probably should NOT eat seafood, but I did. Didn't make me feel worse. But I still wont be feeling good.

I'll be back on track this week. I'll be back on track tomorrow. Watch out!

Falling on

2008-09-14T12:24:00.002-05:00

Read these words.

When you feel so close to some resolve,
You write the words that you're writing for,
But your courage gets dissolved,
Into what, I don't know.

When you feel that way again,
You have to stop your thinking,
And think of what you're here for,
And let the rest of your feelings go.

And you've got to find your balance,
You've got to realize,
You've got to try to find right before your eyes, oh.
And if you find you've fallen,
And all your grace is gone,
Just scream for me and I'll be what you're falling on, ooh.

When you feel so close to some resolve,
You say the things that you're standing for,
Don't let your courage get dissolved,
'Cause it's then that the fear grows,

And you've got to find your balance,
You've got to realize,
You've got to try to find what's right before your eyes, oh.
And if you find you're fallin',
And all your grace is gone,
Just scream for me and I'll be what you're falling on, ooh.
Woah, woah.

Just give me the word and I will be there,
Just tell me the words that I've been living for,
Just tell me the things that I've been fighting for,
It's do or die, this is either or,
Just give me the word and I will be there.

You've got to find your balance,
You have to realize,
You've got to try to find what's right before your eyes, oh.
And if you find you're fallin',
And all your grace is gone,Just scream for me and I'll be what you're falling on.

You've got to find your balance,
You've got to realize,
You've got to try to find what's right before your eyes, oh.
And if you find you're fallin',
And all your grace is gone,
Just scream for me and I'll be what you're falling on, ooh.

Watch the video

We all have out moments where we start to slip. Perhaps we contemplate not working out. Or we think about having just one spoonful of peanut butter when we're not supposed to. Or we hit the snooze button for a little more sleep instead of waking up to workout. Of we think we'll have just one cheat meal--it won't hurt. Or we skip the cardio after weights because we'd rather just go home. But like the song says, but when you feel that way again, you have to stop your thinking, and think about what you're here for, and let the rest of the feelings go. That's so true. Refocus. Remember what the mission is. But it gets better--you DO have to find your balance. You do HAVE to realize what's right before your eyes. That goal IS right before your eyes. But the minute you succumb to other things, the minute you derail, that goal is one step FURTHER away. Wait...but as the song goes, if you've find you're fallen, and all your grace is gone, just scream for me and I'll be what you've fallen on. That's what I am here for. That's why I am here for Kelly or for anyone else that needs me. I am one text away. One phone call away. One e-mail away. If you need my number so that I can help you find that clarity and get you back on track, let me know and I will give it to you. Or if you don't want me to pick you up, then find another friend. Find someone that you can rely on to help you out of the rut--that can encourage you to go to the gym, that can talk you out of that bad food, that can lift your spirits when you are down. Fall on them. Fall on me. But don't fall down. Don't' fall off the wagon. If you're having a moment where you REALLY want to cheat, text/call your friend. Find clarity before it's too late! As Finger Eleven says, just give me the word and I'll be there. I'll be there for YOU. It's do or die, it's either or. It's either meet your goals, it's either kick ass OR it's failure, it's pushing yourself further from your goals. We don't need this! We can push forward. We can succeed.

Find someone to fall on.

I LOVE this song. This song gets me through my workouts. I like the beat but I LOVE the words. Now you know why....

Find your balance.
Realize--it's right before your eyes.
But if you do fall, I am here to pick you up again....

Countdown: 74 days

2008-09-14T12:03:00.002-05:00

I am on a mission. A VERY important mission. That mission is to complete my current goals. Welcome to MISSION COMPLETE!

Very catchy Kelly!

I started with Tony geeze, in April. That first month I lost 8 lbs. Then life happened, then excuses happened, then slacking happened. Over the past month or so I got my fire back. That scale is finally moving down. But that's not good enough. Where I am today is where I was when I finished my first month. NOT acceptable. For those that have seen my pics, they can attest that my body has changed some. But that's not good enough. I am not where I need to be. I am far from it.

So these next 10 weeks are going to be a challenge. Here's what I will accomplish.

I WILL workout 6 days a week.
I WILL NOT miss a workout
I WILL get my water down
I WILL eat exactly on plan
If I travel, I WILL pack my food
I WILL get in the extra cardio
I will lift heavier than ever before
300 lbs on the seated leg press. HAHAHAHAHA. I am aiming for 400 lbs in 10 weeks.***side note. I realize that at some point, I am not going to be able to life anything heavier than XX weight. It's not like each week I am going to get stronger and stronger and one day I will be moving 1000 lbs. There has to be a limit. 400 may be outta my league, but I am going to try!!!!***
I WILL be at 115 lbs

I have no doubt that I will reach my goals. Hell, I have the best workout partner out there--Kelly O. Okay, maybe we don't go workout together. But she's there in spirit. I am in this with her. She is in it with me. We will NOT fail.

Endless Shrimp

2008-09-13T22:12:00.002-05:00

For the past couple of days now, I have seen the Red Lobster Endless Shrimp Commercial. You can eat the butterfly shrimp, then you can move on to the scampi, then a shrimp pasta, then you can have the coconut shrimp. Hey, eat all the shrimp you want! There were like 5 meals there that they were encouraging you to eat. No wonder America is fat. When restaurants are encouraging you to pig out, it's a sad sad day. I get sick watching the commercial. i can only imagine myself sitting there finishing my first plate of shrimp--not really feeling "full", and the waitress walks up and ask if I want more. Well...the scampi did look good. So I eat that. OMG it's sooooooooooooo good. And I just had one of my hubby's coconut shrimp and the waitress is bringing my my own. Now by the time the scampi is gone, I already feel like I need to unbutton my jeans. Here comes more shrimp. I'll just let my food settle a little. So I don't feel AS miserable so I have a few more shrimp. OMG it's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good I can't stop eating them. And come on, it's endless shrimp. I can have as many as I want for one low price...so I eat, and eat. When I walk out of there, I feel so incredibly full....like I want to vomit. all I want to do is lay down and take a nap because I am too miserable to be upright at the moment....

Yeah, that's what the commercial makes me think of.

How many of you have been in that situation? Okay, maybe you didn't eat a hundred shrimp, but you stuffed yourself because the food was just so good? You couldn't stop eating, or should I say, you didn't want to stop because the food was delicious. I know I've been there a few times.

But I don't do that anymore. Honestly, when I eat, I feel the same as before I eat. I try eat before I get hungry. And I don't eat until the point of popping. So I basically feel the same. The days of stuffing myself silly is OVER.

But back to the Endless Shrimp. Why do people want to do that to themselves? Sure, I like good food. I REALLY like good food. But food is just there to feed my body..to fuel my workouts, to keep me going. It's not THAT big of a deal. I no longer understand how people obsess over food--how with every occasion--a promotion, a holiday, a birthday---people celebrate with food. And more importantly, I don't understand how people can partake in these Endless Shrimp events and stuff themselves silly. WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?????

My eyes are wide open now. I can see clearly. I look at things so much differently. I left the garage sale today to get some cash and my co-worker was hungry and asked my to pick her something up from the store. When I asked what she wanted, she said a pack of chocolate donuts. Good choice Emily. I think I will have my chicken and blackberries. YUM.

When you look at Emily, she looks thin. She says she's about 118 lbs. And she's about an inch shorter than I am. Wow, she's about 11 lbs lighter than I am. But guess what...she wears a size NINE. She tried on a pair of capri's and bought them...they were a size 9. I tried on a pair of size 4 Lucky's....yeah, I weigh 11 lbs more than here....and I am SMALLER. I love you Emily, but you would be so much better off it you made better choices....

Okay, I am off...Going to dream about Endless Shrimp...NOT....

I suprise myself!

2008-09-13T18:33:00.002-05:00

I'm using red font today because I am on fire!!! Let me tell you the story of the leg press....the SEATED leg press.

When I had my first leg workout (or any workout for that matter) I guessed and threw some weight on. I had no idea what I could move/lift. I didn't even know where to start. It took a little while to figure out the right combinations. I'm sure you've all been there...Tony says if he gives you 20 reps and you can do all 20, then you need higher weight. Well, I have found myself MANY TIMES, getting to the end and doing all the resp. How the heck am I supposed to know that the weight is too light until I get to the end? Anyway...

I remember bragging to my husband that I did 6 reps at 80 lbs. I was thrilled. Then he pointed out that I should be able to do my own body weight--after all, your legs do carry your body weight. Well, several months later, I get on the seated leg press and I put it on 190 lbs and have at it. The past few weeks I was doing my 15 count at 190. Today I did 19 at 190 and for my 15 count I did 210. But that's not even the good part of the story. For my 6 count, I did 290 lbs five times. I had one more 6 count to do, so I bumped it up to 300 and slammed it!!! My goal was to get to 300 lbs by the end of the month--I was thinking AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

But it gets better....

Sit down because this part is UNBELIEVABLE.

Tony always has me working on the other leg press...the one where you are kind of laying down. I typically don't use this one because A-it's occupied or B-There's limited weights because someone else has them on another contraption. Well, today it was free. I wanted to see what I could do. Now, there was a sign that read "Carriage weight: 125 lbs." And there was a 45 lb weight on top of the carriage. Not sure if that was included in the 125 lb figure they had or if that was additional 45 lbs. So I put four 45 lbs weights on there. I moved it like it was nothing. I stuck 2 more on there. SIX 45 lbs weights (NOT COUNTING THE ONE ON TOP). This was 395 lbs, IF the carriage was really 125 lbs--and NOT counting the 45 lbs weight. I did 6 reps WITH EASE. HUH?? Now, I couldn't have knocked out 12 of those bad boys. NO WAY. But I did 6 with no problems.

I was stoked. I couldn't believe it. I really wanted to go home and get my camera and record it for all of you. I texted Tony and asked if he thought the carriage really weighed 125 lbs. He said not typically UNLESS it was an old machine. Well this thing wasn't new--that's for sure. So, here's what I KNOW. I know I moved AT LEAST 315 lbs---the seven 45 lbs weights. We know the carriage weighs SOMETHING. Dunno if it it really weighs 125 lbs and I dunno if it includes that 45 lb weight. But, presuming my gym isn't lying, (and NOT considering the 45 lbs on the carriage as additional weight) I did 395lbs on the leg press....

I am She-Ra!!!

This totally blows my mind. Hell, 300 lbs on the seated leg press blows my mind as I wasn't expecting to be there until the end of the month. It goes to show that you can do ANYTHING when you set your mind to it.

On a similar but different topic, how is it that with different equipment, you can do different weights. For example, you may be able to do 50 lbs on the chest press machine, but if you are using free weights, you might only be able to do 30. Why is that???

Is it Friday???

2008-09-12T15:22:00.002-05:00

No workout for me today. It's legs today and I LOVE IT. But, for reasons that won't be announced here, I left work at 11:00ish, got the baby, and came home. I put the baby down for a nap, hopped on the couch, and slept until 2:22. It was nice.

Tomorrow I am going to be REALLY ambitious. If I can do this, I can do ANYTHING. I am going to get up and get to the gym for a 6:00am workout. Yep, you heard me correctly! I have to be on base to start a set up for a garage sale at 7:00. The garage sale will be taking place from 8:00-12:00. Afterwards I need to go by work to make up some time that I missed today. Not looking forward to a Saturday at work, but at least no one will be there. CRAP. My boss has been outta town and he *might* be there. RATS.

I would get up and go sooner to knock out some cardio but I don't think gym opens until 6:00. HMMMMM. Hey, they open at 5:00. I might be REALLY ambitious!

I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

2008-09-09T18:43:00.002-05:00

I live in SW Oklahoma. It's cold here today. It's probably in the 70's, but when you've been in the high 90's and low 100's the past few months, the 70's are cold. I am about to take Mackenzie out to ride on her 4-wheeler. (It's a power wheels 4-wheeler).

So I went to the dr. for my foot. She referred me to an orthopedic surgeon. He didn't see a break so he diagnosed me with tendinitis. He gave me a cortisone injection and put me on naprosyn. I am back to normal, but I did request that Tony puts me on the elliptical for the next few weeks instead of the treadmill or stair stepper. My foot may feel a little better. But it's not right. Oh well. I HOPE tomorrow is me legs day. I plan on doing 285lbs on the leg press.

Eats are good. Water is okay. I think I drank a gallon yesterday. If not, it was damn close. I will get there tonight too. TOM is here. Geeze each month flies by. I think that I am starting early then when I calculate it, I am right on time. No fun.

I am sorry I have nothing exciting to write. I meat a person today and he inquired about my background and was quite shocked to find out I was educated. Well, let me rephrase that, as it sounds degrading. He wasn't shocked that I was educated. It's not like I come off as a hillbilly and he was surprised that I got out of jr. high. He was surprised that I have an Associates in Aerospace Ground Equipment (that's mechanics), Paralegal Certification, a B.A. in Political Science, and that I went to law school for a year and a half. Oh, and I graduated 3/1000 from undergrad. Why was he surprised? Because you don't meet a lot of people in my town like that. He said I was overqualified for Altus! And he said I was an attractive, classy young lady that was very sophisticated and I needed to find myself a sugar daddy and get back to law school! HAHAHAHAHA. Was that an offer? This man IS a 40 something yr old attorney that was in Starbuck's. He said a 40 yr old would leave me alone and let me study. Was he offering to leave me alone and let me study? Maybe he will finance my education so I can be his partner...in law, not marriage....Oh well, it was nice to be complimented. And it's nice to get to brag about yourself every now and again....it reminds you that you are a remarkable person. At least it reminded me that I am pretty darn special! Okay...at least I think I am special....

Why I didn't work out today

2008-09-04T20:07:00.001-05:00

History for you. I don't know that this has anything to do with anything but here it is. I had this bump on the bottom of my foot. I've been told it's a corn or a plantar wart. I've had it cut off and frozen but it comes back. I went to a podiatrist in 2002 and he did an Xray and said that one of my bones was poking down and that I needed to wear a foot insert to push those bones up. Okay.

About 10 yrs ago, opposite foot, my ex husband sat a chair down on my foot and his 220 lbs was grinding the chair in my foot. I went to the dr. after that weekend and was told I had a contusion. Life goes on.

About 8 weeks ago my husband and I were wrestling in the yard and he somehow hurt my foot. Not sure if he was pushing me and I had foot planted or if he stepped on my foot or what. It felt JUST like the contusion I had way back when. I assumed that's what it was. I could walk, foot wasn't bruised or swollen. It just hurts--a dull pain--in between my third and 4th toes, just below the last knuckle. Doesn't matter if I am standing on it or sitting--still hurts. Of course it's worse if I move the foot, but the point is that it aches even if I am sitting still. Last week I wore my flat converse because I thought my heals were aggravating it. This weekend I was sitting at the computer with me feet propped up on a big plastic container. My foot was flexed. Yeah, STILL hurts. (This is the right foot, the one I started off telling you about)

I am going to the dr. tomorrow. I don't know whats wrong with it, but I know that it shouldn't hurt like this 8 weeks later. To be honest I am scared to death that I somehow fractured it and she's going to put me in a cast to stabilize. That's gonna SUCK. I asked my husband if he thought I could still do leg presses with a cast! Anyway, I decided to skip the workout today because I just didn't want to do cardio for an hour putting pressure on it. It's hurting worse and worse and I don't want to aggravate any worse. The worst thing she can do is tell me to stay off of it. So I thought it would be best if I didn't make it worse!

Do you have any insight as to what it may be?

Sherry

I need my mo-jo

2008-09-03T20:41:00.002-05:00

I am beat. Absolutely beat. Let me try to relive the last few days of my life. The last two are the most significant.

Friday: My neighbors come over. My husband stays out in the shop working on a friends truck and I sleep on the couch. I got out at 3:30am he he comes in.

Saturday: I slept until 10:00. I did get up to tend to Mackenzie but she took a morning nap. Clint went out with the boys to a gun shop. The female neighbor came over with her sick kids. Well one was sick. Went to see the new Batman movie. Dunno what time I got to bed.

Sunday: Not sure when I got up. Had a lazy day. Had a cookout. Neighbors brought sick kid over again. Clint hung out in the shop all night long again. I think he came in around 6am.

Monday: Off work. Up around 9:00. Started on the 6th Harry Potter. My baby had a runny nose no thanks to the neighbors. That night she wakes up screaming "Mommy" and we put her in bed with us. I get up to go to the bathroom and she freaks out. Once I'm back, she sleeps great right next to me. Prior to that though, I kept dreaming about Harry Potter. I really didn't get great sleep.

Tuesday: I am tired. I can't wait to go to bed tonight. James and Von came over. The neighbors came over and I told them they couldn't come in. I didn't want all the commotion. James and Von are quiet. I take a Melatonin tablet to help me sleep. The last two times I took them I was tired the next day but slept GREAT. Not tonight. slept like crap. Mackenzie threw a fit again. Put her in bed with me, but this time she tossed and turned and kicked me. And she would get next to me and I could feel that she was sweaty.

Wednesday: I was EXHAUSTED today. I hate my job. Hate the bull shit of my job. And I was tired. I came home, tried to take a nap, and slept for like an hr. That may be a lot for some, but I needed like 3 hrs of sleep. I am so tired I can't sleep.

Sigh.

Oh, I did 5 reps at 275 lbs on the leg press yesterday. That's 2 reps and 10 lbs higher than last week!

I'm off to take a bath...or something...

1 step closer

2008-09-01T17:38:00.002-05:00

Before I start, I have to retract a statement from my last post. Kelly O has NO faults. In reality, she's a genetically engineered whoop ass machine. I wasn't supposed to tell you all this, so I thought I would throw you off and tell you she's imperfect. Sorry dears. That's a lie. She IS perfect....she's like something from a Marvel comic. Lets call her Kelly Bad-Ass---and she's here to whip others into shape. Of course, she does this motivationally. That's her secret weapon! But yes, she is a machine...one bad ass machine....that' perfect!!!

Okay, 1 step closer...

Every time you workout, you are 1 step closer to reaching your goals.

Every time you drink another glass/bottle of water, you're one step closer to reaching your goals.

Every time you put something healthy, and on plan, in your mouth, that's pushing you one step closer to your goals.

Every time you get up an hour early, that's 1 hour closer you are to reaching your goals.

It's little things that bring us one step closer to reaching our goals.

I could be a Debbie Downer and mention all the little things we do that cause us to take a few steps back, prolonging our progress. But I won't go that route. Not THIS time.

Today's Labor Day. I work for the government so I have the day off. I slept in. I've eaten clean AND on point. Here's my eats for today.

B-Cereal w skim milk and egg whites
S-Fruit and turkey
L-Steak and Sm Salad
S-Protein Shake

Dinner will be green beans and shrimp. After I workout later, myoplex lite will be my last snack!

Anyway, I spent the day not doing much. I read some Harry Potter (6th book) then I moved on to some schoolwork. That information will be revealed later, but I took my first test and I got a 100. Too bad there's like 14 more tests to go! That just means I am one step closer to reaching another goal! And I am excited.

So go out and do something good. Even if it's not fun, do something that takes you one step closer to your next goal!

Ode to Kelly Bad-Ass

2008-09-01T12:42:00.003-05:00

Watch out everyone! Kelly Bad-Ass is already up, kicking booty's, taking names, and stealing wimpy people's lunch money. I'd better get up and do something productive before she takes mine!

Seriously guys, keep your eye on Kelly O. This girl is GOING PLACES!!!! I've always seen her potential. I've known her for geeze, maybe 6 years. (Holy crap K.O., has it been that long???? I was doing the Atkins thing in 2002....) She's ALWAYS been inspirational. She's ALWAYS been on fire. I am where I am today because of her. There are so many times that I've fallen off the wagon. I was thin but working out wasn't a priority. But I would talk to Kelly and some new found inspiration mustered up inside of me and I was back on track again. We've all been through bad times and I had a rough time where I was getting a divorce and quitting law school. Not an easy time. I'm not going to say I poured myself in to the gym and became this buff babe. No. It didn't happen like that. But once my head cleared, Kelly was there to help me get back on track. There are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many times I've wanted to give up. It's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much easier to sleep all day and to eat cheesecake and cookies. I've NEVER done that...I'm just making a point--that ANYTHING is easier than working out and eating healthy. Anyway, I would talk to Kelly and here she was doing amazing things---she was always on the ball with working out. That made me want to get off my butt and do something. And I did. And I thank her for being there for me! Now, don't think Kelly is non-human. She has her faults. She makes mistakes. Occasionally she will miss a workout or eat something not on plan. She makes mistakes too. But she learns from those mistakes. She moves forward. She doesn't take the entire week off because of one incident. She doesn't have 5 cheat meals because she had a bite of cheesecake. She moves on. She's awesome. (How many people have said "Well, I just had a cheat meal, my day is shot, I might as well throw the day away." or "Well, I will just start again on Monday." That's like one step forward and 8 steps back. Don't do it!) Lastly, this chica travels like a mad woman and she STILL gets her workouts in. She rocks. How many people whine about not having time to workout because you're too busy. THIS chick is busy!

Anyway, Kelly O., I am your greatest fan. You're going places. I know this. I've always know it. I didn't know if it would take you a month, a year, or 10 years, but I saw the potential you have. I can't wait for the rest of the world to see.

Now go on and follow in the footsteps of K and go take some lunch money from the dork at the gym!

Hey Hey Hey I Just Found My Way

2008-08-29T18:46:00.002-05:00

Let me ask you a question. It's Friday afternoon. You're set to get off work at 4:30. At 2:00, your computer network goes down which means that you can't do jack at work. Your husband can get the kid from daycare, so that means you are free. What do you do with your free time?

I would LOVE to go home and nap. It's nice and quiet with no one disturbing me for hours. I would LOVE it.

But guess what.

I WENT TO THE GYM.

YEAH!

I read a lot of blogs. And I can name quite a few people who would get off their butt and get to the gym and would do what they needed to do to get sh*t done. But there are some people that, although their "fitness" oriented, they would've went home, or went shopping, or would've done SOMETHING ELSE. I see a lot of people out there are really serious about their goals. You can look at their pics (assuming they have pics) and see that they were all about business. They did what they had to do, no matter what. Then there are some people I think are sheer impostors--they say they have goals, but by reading their stories or seeing pics, you wouldn't know they had a goal in the world. You hear a lot of talk about how they want this or that, but you see no end result.

I DO NOT WANT TO BE AN IMPOSTOR. I AM GOING TO DO WHATEVER it takes to get to my goals. If I have to eat nothing but broccoli, chicken, turkey, and green beans from here on out, SO BE IT. If I have to do a 3 day liquid diet until the end of time, I WILL. If I have to do lunges everytime it's a leg day, by gosh I WILL DO IT. IF I have to do 10 cardio sessions a week, I will suck it up and DO IT. YOU WILL SEE RESULTS.

The thing is, you have to REALLY want this. YOU have to REALLY want to reach your goals. Saying I want to weigh 115 lbs and GETTING THERE are two different things. The impostor says they want to get there, while the winner GETS there. There's a big difference. I can sit here all day long and tell you (and myself) that I want to compete next year or I want to weigh 115 lbs or I want to be in Oxygen Magazine, as I am stuffing a cheeto in my mouth. Clearly if I am stuffing cheetos in my mouth, then I am NEVER going to reach my goals. If I am whining about getting up early to work out, I am NOT going to reach my goals. If I am doing half ass workouts I am NOT going to reach my goals. (NO, my goals aren't to compete next year or be in Oxygen Magazine). And I think that people that want something but only puts forth half the effort is the only thing sabotaging their goals. And for that, I think they are sad.

So, I challenge you to look at what you're doing, what you're eating. Are you doing what you need to be doing to reach your goals? Or are you cutting corners and whining about doing what it takes to get to where you need to be?

Moving on....

As I was using the leg press, I put 190 lbs on. I did 15 reps. Okay, too easy. I glance over and this GUY on the inverted leg press---with TWENTY lbs on each side. That's 40 lbs. Are you KIDDING me? He did a few and rests. As I finish up doing 4 reps of 265 lbs, he is getting off. So he did two sets of who knows what at 40 lbs and it took forever!!!! Then he moves on to do calf raises and put on THIRTY lbs. ARE YOU SERIOUS??????????????????????? I should've known this guy was a joke when he came in with his shirt tucked in to his basketball shorts. What a loser.

Enjoy my video!

Copying Kelly

2008-08-27T18:19:00.002-05:00

This was my cardio song for today

And this is ALWAYS my cardio song!! Well, not the acoustic version. But when I run, I put this song on. Why? I guess because I feel like I am gonna fall apart!

Quickie...

2008-08-26T21:16:00.002-05:00

Hey kids, this is going to be short. A--I am dog tired B--I need to take a bath C--I need to get up a little early so I can go to PT with my squadron D--I would like to read a little more Harry Potter and E--My arms feel like they're going to fall off.

A--I am super tired. No nap for me. I came home, unpacked groceries, fed baby, went to give neighbor pie and gift for her b-day, bathed baby, did chest workout, and that was that. Oh, and I cooked my chicken and fish because I can eat real food tomorrow!!!!

B--I need to take a bath. Enough said. I *could* take one in the morning I guess....Nah.

C--Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, my squadron has PT. For those non-military people, a squadron, is well, um....it's the people I work with. It's like you might work for Wal-Mart, but not just any Wal-Mart, you work for Wal-Mart in XX town. But taking it a step further, you work in the garden center. That's like the squadron level. The flight level would be like the people that water the plants, or the people that stock the shelves for that section. Anyway, they do PT--physical training. They do a few push ups and sit ups then they run. My boss has been hounding me about going with them, and I figured this was a great way to get in the extra cardio I need each week. I mean, I *am* getting paid for this. Of course, I *can* take 3 hrs a week to go to they gym. But this way, I am forced to get the cardio in, whereas if I took those 3 hrs, I would do my weights, and blow off my lunch workout. So, I need to drop Clint and the baby off then get over there by 7. So I need to leave early. I will be running the curves, walking the straightaway.

D--I heart Harry Potter. I got through the first 4 books in no time. I bought them just before the last one came out because I wanted to see what the hype was about. Well, impatient me got on the net and read all about the rest of the books. So I haven't felt the need to read the rest as quickly. But I have made some good time now that I have started again. I want to finish the 5th so I can watch the damn movie!! And I was excited the 6th movie was set for release on November 20 (which meant I had to read the 6th book before then) but thanks to the kid that play Harry Potter starring in a play with a 12 minute nude scene, the halted the premiere until next year. Anyway, I want to finish the book!

E--I had arms yesterday. OW. They hurt. It hurts to type. Tomorrow going to be worse. And I am going to be sore from my bad ass chest workout tonight. Which BTW, I had to do at home,with the bowflex. For my incline bench press, I put on a 30 lb, 10 lb, and 10 lb band to do 12. Not a problem. That's 50 right? For my set of 6, I put on the 50 lbs band and a 10. That's 60 right? I couldn't move it. I took off the 10 and put on a 5, for 55 lbs. Still couldn't move it. So I took the 5 off and just had the 50 lbs bands on. The bitch WOULD NOT MOVE. WTF? I just did 50 lbs. I suck at math but isn't 30+10+10=50???? So I took it off, put the 30+10+10+5=55 and moved it with ease. Holy hell, I hate that thing.

Alright, good night, sweet dreams, go kick some ass!

I heart you all

2008-08-24T15:25:00.002-05:00

I don't have much time to write. I spent all morning updating my blog. Clint's annoyed. Go figure.

I read some sad posts on a message board this morning. If you gals are reading, oh well. I do find them sad. These girls are truly lacking motivation. Post after post I hear excuse after excuse--I had to go to this event, it's so and so's birthday, we're having a big bbq, etc. And it's followed by, well, I know I have XXXXX to go to so I know I won't lose weight. Or it's like "I gained 2 lbs, but the fact taht we had XX's birthday didn't help, I'll get on track after next week's birthday bash: or something lame like that.'

I just want to tell them that it's okay to say no. You DON'T have to eat what others are eating, you DON'T have to go, you DON'T have to eat at all. You Diva's know that Tony says that if people don't support you, get the negative out of your life. If your family/friends can't understand why you are eating chicken and broccoli, or why you aren't eating that birthday cake, or heck, if you can't control temptation, why you aren't at that event, then piss on them. They SHOULD understand. In fact, I'll bet that they DO understand. I bet they wouldn't care at all. I think it is the person that doesn't WANT to eat something different, doesn't WANT to refrain from eating, doesn't WANT to miss the event.

Let's talk about smoking. I use to smoke. I recently started again. (Don't worry, I stopped.) How did I stop the first time? I stayed away from smokers. The urge wasn't there. Why did I start again? Because I was surrounded by them. How did I stop once more? I am avoiding smokers. I am not buying cigarettes.

Let's apply that to eating right. If you want to lose weight/eat right/not cave in, stay away from bad eaters. Don't go to your relatives house. Don't go to restaurants. Or better yet, don't bring that food into your home.

I don't care if it is your child's birthday. What does that have to do with you? Let me guess, it's not a birthday without cake and ice cream. So be it. Let your child have it. Let your guests have it. But you DON'T have to. If you're having a big party, why not have healthy things like veggie and fruit trays. And wait, here's another concept: If you DO have things like pizza, DON'T eat it. It won't kill you to have tuna and asparagus.

The point is, the truth is, that these girls aren't REALLY trying. If they were, they would be seeing results. But every week it's the same ol same ol--I had this event, we ate out, I am PMSing so it has to be water weight. GIVE IT UP. Take responsibility. Stop screwing around. If you want to cheat every week, if you want to make excuses, so be it. But for crying out loud, stop whining and pretending that you want to lose weight. You tell yourself what you need to in order to make yourself feel better. But action speak louder than words. If you are pigging out in some restaurant, clearly you don't REALLY want to lose weight.

On a similar note, it's not like it's a once in a while restaurant adventure or a special occasion once in a while--it ALWAYS happens. ALWAYS. It's excuse after excuse after excuse.

So why don't I leave this group??? I hope I can inspire at least one person. I would love for one person to wake up and say hey, you know, I control me--it's time to STOP making the excuses, STOP caving in, and it's time to LOSE weight.

It is funny that it's a weight loss group but hardly anyone is losing weight. Kind of ironic. Does anyone else think "Hey, there's a problem here..." Clearly they don't see it because it's excuse, after excuse, after excuse....

And, last thing, if you MUST go to this event or have this party, then why not eat less that day, or get in some extra workouts, or be good all week long, or hey, research the menu and order something light, or eat 1/4 of the dish, or pick out the healthiest things to eat, or hey, skip dessert, or just have a small taste to curb the cravings. You don't have to eat like a cow....

These ladies CAN succeed. They have so much potential. I just wish they would actually get some motivation and would lose the excuses. STOP SETTLING. DO IT. YOU CAN LOSE WEIGHT YOU HAVE TO SET YOUR MIND TO IT THOUGH AND BELEIVE IN YOURSELF. YOU HAVE TO HAVE MORE THAN ME BELIEVING IN YOU.
*************************************************************************************************

I love Kelly O. She's so funny. This girls is my soul twin. We're going to be kicking ass and taking names. Watch out. I texted her this morning asking if she took her vitamins/supplements and she said that she JUST set them out. If we're not meant to be, then who is!! I forwarded her all the messages and her responses makes me laugh. I am so thankful that we are motivated, that we have goals we WILL reach. Most importantly, I am thankful to have her in my life!

And I love Tina. I sent her my progress pics and she had nothing but kind words to say. And she had some GREAT advice. I'm telling you, this gal is so inspiring. Her words are so motivating. She makes you want to succeed. She makes you feel like you WILL succeed. She's such an inspiration. Keep your eye on her, she's going places!!

I define me

2008-08-20T21:07:00.002-05:00

I make my own decisions
I decide what I want to do
I decide if I sink or swim
I decide if I fail or succeed
I decide if I eat the donut or refrain
I decide if I drink my water
I decide if I take an hour long nap or if I workout
I decide if I reach my goals

Everything that happens in my life is because of MY decisions. I lost 8 lbs the first month with Dreambodies. That was because I gave it my all and kicked ass. The next few months weren't as impressive. But that was my own fault because I didn't do crap. That was me. It was no one's fault.

Something else. STOP MAKING EXCUSES and ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. I HATE HATE HATE to hear people "whine" about this or that then blame it on this or that. You know what people, I failed those 2-3 months because I didn't try. It wasn't because I was PMS'ing, or ovulating, or stuck at a scrapbook convention with bad food choices, or because family was in town, or it was so and so's birthday. F*CK THAT. It was because I made the choices I made. You know what...so what if I am ovulating...doesn't mean I have to eat the house. So what if it is my baby's birthday. I *CAN* refrain from the cake. Gasp. Did I say that? Is that even a possibility? I don't give two shits if so and so DID bake it just for that occasion. Good for them. Everyone else can enjoy it. And if they DID bake it just for me, shame on me. I should express to everyone that I am following an eating regimen that cake doesn't fall in to. If they insist on making it, hopefully they won't be too offended when I throw it in the trash. That's what you get for not listening to me. And who gives a rat's ass if my family was in town or if I was visiting family. My family shouldn't be offended if I eat my own thing. And if I am at their house, A--I am certain there are grocery stores I can get my own food from and B--if I am not comfortable enough to make my own food, I don't need to be staying there.

The point of this is that I control me and you control you. what you make out of life is based on what YOU do. I hear so many women say they want to do this or this but they never do. I hear women complaining that they haven't reached their goal weight, but in the next breath they say they had a hefty meal over the weekend. Gee honey, I think THAT is why you aren't meeting your goals. I hear women come up with this or that excuse as to why they don't eat right or have time to workout. If you wanted it bad enough, NOTHING would stop you. Is it so wrong to say "NO, I don't want a cake." "No, I can't eat that." "No thank you, I will make my own food." "Sorry, I can't scrapbook tonight, I have to workout." NO NO NO it isn't hard. If you want it, YOU CAN HAVE IT. BUT YOU CAN ONLY GET WHAT YOU PUT IN TO IT.

Tony has me on a liquid diet. I begged him for it. I am not losing weight; I am gaining. You can tell I am getting trimmer. Kelly and Tony saw the pics. Both said they can see a difference. But I need that scale to go down. I totally blew it today. TOTALLY. It's definitely a mind over matter thing and my mind wasn't working. I know Tony is all about getting your head in the right place. Kelly O. can attest to this: For years now I have said that once I get my head in the right spot, everything falls in to place. But I have to mentally condition myself for that to happen. Anyway, my mind failed today. Now I have a tummy ache. NO, I didn't eat a horse. When I say I failed, don't think I ate a pizza or a cheesecake. I didn't. Every time I say I fail, I just mean I didn't follow the plan. To me, that is failing. Whether I cheated and ate a pizza or cheated and ate a potato, it's still not on plan. I ate healthy foods, but the point is that it wasn't on plan. And for that I suck.

So I was reading blogs and something went off in my head: holy crap, I am stopping me from reaching my goals. It's ME that is doing this. WTF. And chances are that if you aren't reaching your goals, it's because of YOU.

On a side note..I have a "friend" that is overweight and bitches about it, yet she wants to do nothing to change it. She says working out makes her feel bad. What ever. You're just lazy and are creating excuses to NOT workout.

Enough said. Get off your butt and do it. As Tina says, reach for the stars. As Kelly O says, aim high. As I say, get off your ass and get do it!

I want a pile of dead men next to my house

2008-08-19T20:47:00.002-05:00

I wish I had written down the quote as soon as I heard it. I was showing my friend Von Cynthia's pics. Clint (my husband) thinks that all of you figure competitors are gross. He says that you look too manly for him. Jackass is just saying that because he's afraid you can kick his ass. I think you are all smoking HOT. Back to the point. Von was looking at the pics with me. Clint looked over and said "Geeze, her arms are too buff. I bet she has a pile of dead men next to her house." I LOVED IT!!! (Point that he thinks you can kick his ass). I am not 100% certain that it was the exact quote he said because I was too busy loving it. But to paraphrase, he thinks she's so buff, she's over there snapping some men in half and tossing them next to her house. I WANT that!! Hehehehehe. I want a pile of dead bodies!