Friday Five: Rainbows & Unicorns

If you want to be happy, be.

~Leo Tolstoy

I had an amazing post ready, pictures and all....it was deleted and I have lost my momentum. Hopefully I'll feel motivated to re-type tomorrow, so for now a very short, but wonderfully true Friday Five. Have a great Friday everyone!

1. I Feel Happy
2. I Feel Healthy
3. I Feel Hip (you know, like a cool kid)
4. I Feel Hot (the sexy kind, not temperature)
5. I Feel wHole (I tried the H theme for as long as I could)

Big Picture: Losing a blog post just gives me more time to mentally compose the re-take.

Why I Kick A$$: Because despite a frustratingly slow process , I have stuck with being healthier in a more balanced way for much longer than I have tried before.

Thankful Three

1. For my work team, it was a tough week, but we pulled it out.
2. For pretty new clothes
3. For my current endless pot of smiles both internal and from my family

Monday Motivation: Today's motivation is brought to you by the letter "P"

We must take care always to keep ourselves,

by suitable establishments,

in a respectable defensive posture.

~George Washington

OMG what does that quote even mean? LOL Actually, I picked this quote because today my employer (the Federal Govt.) has given it's workforce the day off to honor our forefathers. Tomorrow is the nations best guess at George Washington's birthday so I am going with GW for today's quote. I also like this quote because it can be applied to our own individual lives.

Today's motivation is brought to you by the letter "P" and as GW said, we must keep ourselves in a respectable defensive POSTURE. For me lately that has meant focusing on my food intake and building consistency with my workouts. In this way I am posturing myself to defend against aging prematurely & keeping my body healthy and protected as much as possible against disease.

My suitable establishments? The gym, the outdoors, farmer's markets, even my choice to walk at lunch and my snack choices are a reflection of the suitable established practices of a healthy person. Being a healthy person is respectable. Being a healthy person is who I want to be and what I want to look like. First impressions say so much about a person and I want someone to look at me and know I am an athlete. I want to unconsciously stand tall and keep good posture. In order to do that, I know I need to focus more on my CORE. So today I tried something new! I tried pilates and it was just delightful. It was mat-pilates, no machines. I definitely understood the different exercises and how they played into my normal daily activities and I would like to incorporate more of this in my workout routine. No I haven't been living under a rock, I have known about pilates, but most places around here do their classes mid-morning and there is no way I can work that into my schedule except on days like today when I have the day off and gyms still offer classes.

The Big Picture: Posture is as much about how you position your body, as it is how you carry yourself. Attitude, energy and communication are huge factors in positive healthy posturing.

Why I Kick A$$: I have played gourmet chef the last two days and the food has been great!

Thankful Three:

1. For new Golite clothes that shipped today, YAY!
2. For workout partners, having them makes such a huge difference.
3. For sleep, I got plenty of it last night and I have room for a short nap right now! Nighty, nite!

Saturday Sampler: Food, Fitness and Fun

Balance is beautiful.

Miyoko Ohno

Wow, where does the time go? While I still feel very busy, this moment I am feeling like I am closer to having balance, I really am appreciating how things are falling together and I am trying to stay patient with the things that are not moving as quickly as I would like them too. It is late so I am just going to do a quick catch up:

Food:

What is working? Roasted Unsalted Almonds, V8 low sodium vegetable juice, whole grain bread from Trader Joe's as well as the British style English muffins and multi-grain oatmeal. I love fiber. With my previous eating habits incorporating fast food for lunch every single day I was only getting 10-15 grams of fiber a day. Now I am usually at 15 with just my breakfast. I am also chugging the H2O. Hydration has become a mainstay for me now and I am very happy with how easy it was to build that habit, it used to be so hard. Not sure what clicked, but I am happy it did.

What's not? Pretty much anything super processed. Don't get me wrong, I devoured a chocolate brownie thing for Valentine's day, but the better I eat the easier it is it is to realize how yucky certain things are for me. Today I had a great meal, there were a couple things on the menu that I was iffy about blueberry muffins from a package and crescent rolls from a tube. I was right, they have wreaked havoc on my digestive system. Boo. Will I eat other processed food that doesn't fight my tummy? Probably, but my hope is that the more whole food I eat the less desire I will have for the crap.

Fitness:

So this week Super Hubby came up with a brilliant idea. One I have had for over a year, but have been too lame to ask about. He suggested that we walk during our lunch break instead of eating out to fast food as we normally do. Monday was a rainy day, but instead of bailing on the walk plan we headed across the street from my office to the Home Depot and walked every single aisle. The whole old people walking the mall? Yeah I totally get it now. LOL What else is new in fitness land? I had a nice self directed workout with a friend Thursday night. We are going to try and make it a weekly thing. We warmed up with a jog and did the following workout over the course of 45 min to an hour.

• Warm up
• We just ran down the block and back
• Block 1 we switched off activities
• Step slides with a band-3x 1 minute as many as we could do (both directions)
• Lunges (stay in place and hop to switch sides)-3x 1 minute as many as we could do 

• Block 2 we did together
• Ran down the block and back to keep the heart rate up 
• Karaoke-3x across the street and back
• Butt Kickers-3x across the street and back
• High Knees-3x across the street and back

• Block 3 we switched off activities
• Wall sits- 3x 20 sec hold, 10 sec rest
• Planks- 3x 20 sec hold, 10 sec rest
• Crawls- 3x 1 minute

• Block 4 
• Sit ups 3x 1 minute as many as we could do
• Medicine squat with ball to out side of foot, bring to the top and down to the other side 3x 1 minute as many as we could do
• Bicep curls- 3x 1 minute as many as we could do (free weights)
• Chest press-3x 1 minutes as many as we could do (free weights 

I love creating workouts and I am very excited I have some company now. If only I could be consistent. Eating habits are coming along, hydration is coming along, I know I get fitness to be more of a habit, but for now I have to keep working on it. Consistency, consistency, consistency. I am currently addicted to Pinterest and often see workout suggestions like this one...I think I am going to start fiddling with some. They are straight forward and honestly they are better than sitting around doing nothing.

Fun:

Oh there is lots of fun happening. Thursday my workout date really felt like a total social visit, we just so happened to be sweating the entire time.Yesterday was the most productive day of the year so far. It was all about kindergarten registration. I visited 5 school sites, entered the lottery for the enrollment, hit two school district offices, managed to get a pedicure with my friend whom I haven't hung out with in a while and had Sushi Friday lunch with both my friend and hubby. I am pretty sure I could live off of hamachi nigiri.

I even had time for Bed, Bath & Beyond.  Today was a great family day at my in-laws country house. I got in a nap, read my book and pop outside to enjoy the scenary briefly. It was relaxing for me, my dogs ran free, my kids had lots of attention from their grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins AND I got a Thanksgiving style meal in February. Pretty great all around. Tomorrow will be fabulous too!

The Big Picture: Life is a process, live in the process! I too often expect the end result before I have even gotten started on the work needed to get there.

Why I Kick A$$: I was pretty much super mom yesterday so I am going to where that badge of honor for a while.

Thankful Three:

1. For Gluten Free Flourless chocolate cake--delish!
2. For attentive day care providers and getting a heads up on a possible ear infection early enough Friday that we could get a pediatrican visit in before the long three day weekend. Woo Hoo on avoiding urgent care & emergencies rooms...boo for the double ear infection. The Bug is taking it like a trooper though.
3. For new kitchen organizers: canisters and a new bread basket

Sunday Summary: I Love My Life

I can often suffer from the grass is greener model of thinking. I wish I was one who could be one of those people who wanders around blissfully happy, but I am not. I have to remind myself to smile instead of looking so serious all the time, I don't usually jump up and down giddy about wonderful things that happen to me and I definitely don't "feel" happy all the time. I grew up in a household of straight faces, we were pretty serious all the time and while we were happy, it wasn't an overt expression of our identities. So what did I go and do?

I married a man who is silly, who grew up in a household that was expressive about being happy and he smiles generously. It is pretty refreshing, but that level of being - identity is still a conscious effort for me. This is especially true when I am feeling any level of stress. Today I smiled about something and physically felt the change that it brought about. I felt warm, I felt energetic and realized--WOW that was easy. (Ugh, I just typed that thinking of the darn Staples commercial). So today I need to remind myself that I live a pretty charmed life. I have an amazing husband, I literally am breathless when I see him and contented of the heart knowing we are together. My children are so amazingly beautiful, healthy and intelligent. I am 99.9% Healthy in every way. I am good at my job and fortunate enough that is keeps our family in a comfortable lifestyle. I also have an amazing extended family.

Check out my weekend:
Saturday: Stayed over at my brother and sister-in-laws in SF Friday night and got an early start on an 11+ mile walk along the peninsula Saturday morning. Stops included an amazing pastry shoppe, the best fruit salad ever at a hippy dippy shop that used "plastic ware" made from plants so it was 100% biodegradable, a quick walk up on part of the Golden Gate, then a cupcake shop in Ghiradelli Square called Kara's that had the most amazing coconut cupcakes and several gluten free options for my sister-in-law. Then of course we had pumpkin curry with fried yam strips on top for lunch. Pumpkin curry, makes total sense. So delicious. I also had a drink called a Thai Smile...totally made me smile.

Yes we're twinsies, my SIL gave me an extra layer that just so happen to match her blue mid-layer.

There were funky parts to my Saturday too. I was in a taxi cab crashed. Later got into another taxi and he didn't know where he was going, got out half a block later. Took BART, then another cab and OMG the short little ride cost like $30! Yikes! I was also an hour late getting home. This is where instead of stressing over how lame all that was, I really am thankful my niece was home to watch the kids and that my mom and aunt were around to take her to work and watch the kids until I got home. I have friends and family who don't live close to their families and struggle with babysitter issues. I can sometimes under value the convenience of having so many childcare options around us and the time and freedom to participate in so many non-mommy things on weeknights and weekends because my kids have so much family around them that love them and love spending time with them. Thank you to my extended family, you guys are so freak'n awesome!

Sunday: Oy, my weekends are full, but in the most lovely ways. Wonderful leisurely morning with my son while Super Hubby and The Bug were still in bed. Oatmeal breakfast, fun and gourmet baby shower with a room full of smart, talented and lovely ladies, then a quick visit to my cousins....I don't she them often enough, then the park with the family, a grocery trip and superb dinner with vegetable bar. Yeah, I live an truly wonderful life.

The Big Picture: Life is what you make it and I have spent plenty of time making sure we have the things we need to be happy and creating the environment we need to be happy, but I some times forget to actually BE happy. I love my life...it is my new mantra.
Why I Kick A$$: I tried and triumphed over my first attempt at a mini-juice fast. Apparently I do have discipline!

Thankful Three

1. For clean eating (mostly) TMI: PMS symptoms virtually gone and so are some digestive issues after less than a month of true healthy eating efforts
2. For friends who support the food lifestyle change by sending sample menus on FB
3. For the most amazingly beautiful and leisurely 11+ miles with my SIL yesterday... I really needed it
   

Tuesday Tidbit: The Picture of Health

Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking

if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.  

~Voltaire

A quick recap of where I am and where I have been since Friday. A short notice invitation to a wedding had me in Reno, NV Saturday and right back home Sunday morning for a gym workout. Talk about whirlwind. Unfortunately there were some casualities. I lost my ATM card as well as my Starbucks Gold Card...tragic I know, but I survived. The wedding was lovely and I was so glad for my parents and in-laws for pulling babysitting duty so I could celebrate with my cousin in this life cycle event.

Monday I went to the orthopedist for my shoulder pain. The pain is consistent with a torn rotator cuff, but because there wasn't a traumatic onset, we are trying a course of therapeutic pain management and inflammation control for 3 weeks and we'll re-evaluate. If it doesn't improve, then we'll go the MRI route. I am hoping time, rest and pain management will help.

Today I saw an endocrinologist. It was less than exciting. The good news is I am off a medication that I had been taking for over a year. While I am in the doctor's words, "The picture of health," I am still concerned about my weight gain and general fatigue. His prescription? Eat less, sleep more, workout more. The guy is a genius, I know. I was annoyed that he wasn't more attentive, but basically he ruled out every issue from Thyroid problems to Diabetes so I can't really complain, I guess I just have to try harder.

I was recommended the Forks over Knives movie by a friend and enjoyed it, this same friend recommended  the book, Food Rules by Michael Pollan so that is the next step in figuring the "diet" that works for my body and life style. So far our family has really shifted into more heart healthy foods, less processed junk, more plant based foods, whole grains and limited eating out etc, but it is time I take it to the next level. What is the next level? I have friends who are every type of vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, paleo-diet followers etc. I am not into fads, but I am into what works and recognize that changes as the chemistry of my body changes and the environment within which I live changes. Unfortunately, I missed the memo on the last change and find myself struggling to feel in sync. 

Advice?

The Big Picture: What works for everyone else might not work for me, but it worth a try to find a better more healthy balance.

Why I Kick A$$: Apparently my "fat" version of myself is not so fat. Not that I'll be complacent, but I'll at least try to judge myself less harshly for a while.

Thankful Three

1. For supportive friends
2. For new followers, thanks everyone!
3. For renewed determination 

Friday Five: I Heart Food

Heart Disease is the #1 killer of women.
~American Heart Association

1. With so many health issues in our extended family recently, the big New Year's resolution wave on Facebook and the push of whole foods in blog world, I figured it was time to at least pay attention. At the urging of a friend, my hubby and I finally watched Fork over Knife. We couldn't finish it in one sitting (I fell asleep), but day two we wrapped it up and feel somewhat more informed. The statistical data was quite interesting and we enjoyed seeing how focused some people were in committing to a whole food-plant based diet. I don't think either of us are ready to totally vegan or even vegetarian for that matter. With the changes Super Hubby has made on his own these last couple of weeks and my desire to shrink my waistline, I can definitely say I am being more conscience with my food choices this week. I love having the support knowing Super Hubs is on the same page. He has tried to indulge me in the past, but usually not for long because he was doing it for me, now that he is doing it for himself, it is so much easier for me to ride the amazing waves he is making. He's already down 1 belt size in less than 2 weeks and his objective is not even to lose weight!
2. I found a great little 10 day pledge from Tonia on Racing with Babes that she found HERE. I am following some, but not all. I am trying to ease in and while these 10 things seem perfectly reasonable, it is actually really hard for me so most is better than none. It is the breads that get me most I think.
3. Workouts, what's working and what's not? Late nights while good for my work out, totally screw my schedule, I get to bed late and am tired in the morning. After work gym time is good if I actually force myself to leave the office. Weekends are going ok, with Sunday's almost being a shoe for a fun work out with a fellow pre-school mom. Well I looked back at January and on average I was only working out 2x per week. It is better than nothing, much better than December which was pretty close to zero and about on par with how I was in November post a late October half marathon. My goal, if I dare state one, is to work out a bit more in February. I hate that I am afraid to put a number on it, I am afraid I'll fail if I do. So I will play it relatively safe. With 29 days in the month of February this year, I will say that 10 would be good, 15 delightful and anything more than that freak'n amazing.
4. It's Super Bowl weekend! Woo Hoo! Just kidding, I am not really so much into football.
5. I signed up my son for tot soccer, should be interesting. He is very energetic so running is not a problem, running with a purpose...well we might not be there yet.

Why I Kick A$$: I did hit the gym yesterday after work, but before my fancy chiropractic appt.

The Big Picture: Try new things that are healthy for me in any increment is a good thing. I don't have to be a vegan today or ever, but raw whole foods are yummy and any portion of said food daily helps me be a better me.

Thankful Three

1. For a husband that leads by example
2. For heart health awareness month
3. For being 1 day closer to the weekend

Monday Motivation: Drive Thru Closed

Ice cream is exquisite. 

What a pity it isn't illegal. 

~Voltaire

Tonight was my second weigh in for the 90 day challenge at the gym. It's day 27, I have only lost one pound and I am calling it success! The middle of this month I actually had started gaining mad amounts of weight. Staying up late and eating late were the prime factors there. I am happy to report I pulled it together these last two weeks and started drinking more water, eating healthier snacks at work and not eating after 8:00PM. Overall good, but just doesn't seem like enough. The problem with easing into a solid health routine is that the results are also going to ease on. I wish I could just wake up skinny, strong, well rested and energized. I wish. I wish. I wish. Damn it, my wishing thingamajig is broken.

After the gym weigh in where I lost my one pound and wait for it.... gained .3 on my body fat percentage (lame), I decided I needed an ice cream sundae. I went straight to the Mc Donald's drive through where my emotional eating plans were foiled by a sign that the drive thru was closed during construction. Annoyed, I drove away as I am far to lazy to park the car, go into the dining room and order a sundae. Instead, I went home, did a little Insanity warm up and a weights and core routine. Oh and to top it off I drank my one of my Amazing Grass Samples.

Have you tried Amazing Grass? I just started on Saturday and I have a week's worth of samples. On Saturday I tried the Lemon Lime Energy one and really felt a boost, Sunday was the berry flavored superfood, not really noticeable feeling that day and tonight was the regular superfood. So far I have just had them with water and they are pretty... um... interesting? The powder doesn't dissolve and while I don't mind the flavor, I can't say most would be able to tolerate drinking this mixed with water or juice. I plan to blend the chocolate flavored one into a smoothie tomorrow and see how that goes. I like the product, but don't envision myself mixing with water in the future, it may become a smoothy only supplement. I am looking forward to trying the "amazing meal" versions of the powder which pack a bigger nutritional punch.

Why I Kick A$$: Because I hit the gym yesterday morning when I realized I had an unexpected break in my morning when I was out of town. Gotta love having a gym bag in the car and a "all club" 24 hr fitness membership.

The Big Picture: I still have 63 days to to achieve more noticeable results in the 90 day challenge.

Thankful Three

1. For the health and well being of my family
2. For the wonderful French Toast Muffin Recipe from pinterst, it made for a great treat today
3. For my bag of gala apples Super Hubby surprised me with today, I love him

Friday Five: Scratch that and make it Eleven

Thank you Christi for the tag! Here's what we've got for the 11 Random Things:

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people! (This has made it's way around quite a bit, so I am willing to look the other way if you accidentally don't tag folks in your post)

Now here are my questions from Christi:
1. Which actor played James Bond the best? Is this even a question? Sean Connery
2. Are you a cat person or a dog person? Both
3. What is your favorite race to date? Pirates Cove by Pacific Coast Trail Runs
4. Do you prefer beer or wine? Both
5. What is the first race that you ever completed? Shamrock 180 Run in Baltimore 2005
6. Do you have a coach to help you with your training? No, but some day
7. If you could compete in any long distance triathlon and race fees were not a factor would you choose IM or Rev 3 races? IM Kona
8. How many blogging friends have you met in person? 3
9. Who is going to win the Superbowl, New England Patriots or New York Giants? Patriots
10. If you could meet one person alive or dead, who would it be? My grandma Carmen
11. And finally the big question, do you prefer Star Wars or Star Trek? LOL, why Star Wars of course

Now here are my questions for those that I tagged:

1. What is your favorite TV show?
2. What is your favorite cheese?
3. What is your favorite post race body restoration type activity?
4. If you had to jump right now would you prefer side-to-side or up and down?
5. FroYo or Ice Cream?
6. Sticking with the James Bond question I got, Martini: shaken or stirred?
7. What is your worst chaffing area on a long distance run?
8. Do you barefoot run as part of your training?
9. What is your favorite book of all time?
10. Now for the fun stuff, forget what you are doing now, if salary wasn't an issue what would your dream job be?
11. Oops, forgot #11-surprise me (updated 01/27/12 at 2:58 PM)
    

Tagged:
Jamoosh
P
Andrew
Amanda
Misty
2Slow4Boston
AJH
Amanda
Michelle
MCM Mama
Molly

The Turn Around: Fake It 'til You Make it

Don't be afraid to give your best 

to what seemingly are small jobs.  

Every time you conquer one 

it makes you that much stronger.  

If you do the little jobs well, 

the big ones will tend to take care of themselves. 

~Dale Carnegie

I am not progressing as quickly as I'd like, but I am moving forward. Saturday I started having a 8:00 PM cut off time for eating and I am down 2lbs. It is a small step and it's only been a few days, but I know it makes a big difference. I have also been really good about drinking water. I need to be more consistent with the gym, but I am struggling with working as much as I need to lately and still hitting the gym. I find that those two things don't quite fit into the schedule at the same time. Must find balance.

I went shopping last week with some friends from work and was completely sold on the idea of Spanx. I bought my first pair and they are pretty fantastic. While I won't use them as suggested below, I will go ahead and fake fitting into my pants until I actually do.

Why I Kick A$$: Not eating after 8:00 is way harder than one might think, yay me for each day I can stick to it!

The Big Picture: Like Carnegie, if I focus on the little things the big ones will fall into place. Drink water, don't eat after 8:00, feel good in my clothes even if it takes Spanx...it's all in the little things.

Thankful Three

1. For my chiropractor
2. For my sweet kids who are having a great week at school
3. For The Duder having a great first trip to the dentist today.

Saturday Sampler: Habit Forming

The easier it is to do, 

the harder it is to change. 

~Eng's Principle

A few weeks ago I decided I would move slowly into building some good habits. I thought the first one to tackle would be working out consistently. I wasn't going to go any where near diet or food restriction figuring it would be harder to do. While compartmentalizing can be a successful method, I am three weeks into this and realizing while I have increased my workouts (still far from consistent), but I have moved from regular eating to irregular eating, normal sleep to irregular sleep. I have been working a ton, and the bad habits were almost formed out of my one good one. I had gone to the gym a few times at 8:45 PM which lead to eating late and being up late. Super Hubby is a late bird. He can stay up past 11PM or 12PM without a problem. I on the other hand can be in bed by 8:30 with the kids. Back to the story, ok so these few occasions of eating and watching TV after a night work out made me realize I could stay up late and that I enjoyed hanging out watching the Parenthood TV series on Netflix with my hubby. Next thing you know I am skipping the workout and just staying up late watching TV and around 10 or 11 deciding it is snack time, or full on 2nd dinner time. Screech! Time to put the breaks on that one. In my mini defense my shoulder thing has prevented me from feeling up to any kind of workout lately, but I digress.

Now in addition to trying to make working out a more consistent part of my life I will also add not eating late. What does that mean exactly? Most days it is not a problem to not eat after 8PM. I know there are different schools of thought regarding when to stop eating, but I think 8PM is very reasonable for me. On a great day I'll decide that I won't eat after dinner and that may push the time to closer to 7PM. I will deviate from time to time say for example if I go to the gym late or am out late with friends (rare occasion). This should help as the last 2 weeks have been filled with any thing from Weinerschnitzel at 10PM to chocolate-chocolate chip cheesecake at midnight or a bowl of cereal at 11PM.

At my chiropractor this week I got a nice little lecture on hydrating and a really nice tip. He said, attach drinking water to something you already do. A specific action. He chooses meals. He drinks a glass of water before he eats and a glass of water after. It may not be his daily goal in take, but it helps. This activity usually provides him with support via friends and family who know that is what he wants to accomplish at each meal. I am pretty consistent about having lunch with Superhubby so I am going to try and have a glass of water before and after lunch. I already just drink water at dinner, but as it turns out, it is usually the only time of day I drink water. I keep a water bottle at my desk at work, but rarely use it. I may shift to trying to drink a glass of water before I leave the house for work each morning. Maybe fill it the night before and set my car keys next to the glass, something like that.

On a positive note I am doing well taking my multivitamin and B complex everyday and recently added a probiotic. While I have a jug of Keifer in the fridge, a little probiotic boost has helped. The vitamins I am not so consistent with are my Omega-3s and my Calcium. Both are in chewy form and don't fit into my pill box. I 100% understand and agree that nutrients should come from a clean and natural food source, but I am not there yet and vitamins help bridge that gap.

Why I Kick A$$: Because I keep trying.

The Big Picture: Health is work, it takes effort and re-evaluation to be successful.

Thankful Three:

1. For FB friends and family who encourage me to active
2. For my kids who are being so cooperative today
3. For waking up feeling ready to add to my healthy habits by not eating late

Thoughtful Thursday: Krispy Kreme is not diet food

Bigger snacks mean bigger slacks. 

~Author Unknown

I have been on pause for the last few days. I got treatment for my shoulder Wednesday and it is getting better. I wish it was just 100% already. I am hoping for a good weekend of workouts, but have a sneaking suspicion that if I don't turn my week day work out schedule around next week I will slowly be going down the path of the weekend warrior. Not a good idea.

Why I Kick A$$: I made a pretty fantastic mushroom barley soup tonight.

The Big Picture: It is the 3rd week of the year I am not freaking out about my schedule...but I reserve the right to freak out about my pants being too tight.

Thankful Three

1. For tickle time with my munchkins
2. For decaf and doughnuts
3. For finishing a project that has been nagging at me

Saturday Sampler: Another Epic Weekend

A good friend is cheaper than therapy. 

~Author Unknown

I had to use Epic, because my husband was recently entertained by how frequently this term is thrown around. This weekend is epic in that I have a lot of friend time built into one weekend. It is no secret that being social is not my strong suit, nor is having enough time to really do many of the things I'd like to do. With this three day weekend again babysitter, a lot is going down:

Friday Night: Started the weekend off right by leaving work relatively on time, getting McDonald's Happy Meals and watching Tangled with munchkins.

Saturday: Leisurely wake up with my very cooperative kiddos, laundry, Noah's bagels and then off to the office for a couple hours of catch up. Phew, I definitely needed that. Then a trip out to Knights Ferry for a run, that turned into a dip in the freezing cold river. Lovely place to visit, great covered bridge and behind the house in the photo you can see a trail. That trail is only .9 up, but is a 100 ft elevation gain in that .9 on sandy, rocky trail. Great hill workout if you can make it up. I made it up twice, coming down was another story. After a short run and hike my cousins and I took a nice refreshing "recovery" dip in the Stansislaus River.....BRRRRR. Very, super duper, like a lot, cold.

After a hot shower, I got a chance to meet up with my friend W who is seriously a ray of sunshine. We had dinner a pub, had some Starbucks where I may or may not have eaten a birthday cake cake pop and watched The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movie at the theater. Dark movie, some creative liberties, but not too distracting if you take it for a movie.

Tomorrow is a day in San Francisco with W and my other friend AW. What's on the docket, walking and eating. LOL we are simple girls, it doesn't take much. Monday I get to head East Bay and do a little shopping and eating with some friends from work and I am really looking forward to that too. Have I completely abandoned my family you ask? No, my hubby is up north fishing, but will be home tomorrow and get his one on one time with the kids Monday. My kiddos today and tomorrow are having an amazing time with their grandparents and I can't wait to see them tomorrow tonight. A quiet house while lovely just seems a bit too quiet for my liking.

On the training front, I obviously got my workout in today. Earlier this week I laid off the efforts to give my shoulder some down time. If I don't sleep too late tomorrow, I may hit the gym before we head to SF. Monday is also a gym day for me and I am feeling good with my running mileage. Slow and steady.

The Big Picture: Friendships require time and I am very fortunate for the time this weekend to reconnect with some amazing people.

Why I Kick A$$: I dunked completely underwater in freezing cold water....well I thought that kicked A$$.

Thankful Three

1. My Husband...I love him to pieces
2. My Kids...they are just so wonderful
3. A three day weekend

Thoughful Thursday: It takes effort

Success is dependent on effort.

~Sophocles

I am not ready to start watching what I eat. I figure I need to start with one thing at a time and a fitness routine is my primary goal...eating is a much harder thing to tackle. That being said, at some point in the near future I need to have a jump start and plan for maintaining.  

Why do these things take so much effort?

 

The Big Picture: The weight didn't come on overnight and it sure as heck ain't going away overnight. 

Why I Kick A$$: Because I left work on time today. Major accomplishment.

Thankful Three:

1. For my new chiropractor
2. For my Duder who survived his Kindergarten wellness check and vaccinations
3. For no wanting Oreos tonigh.

Tuesday Tidbit: Two at a Time

Happiness lies, first of all, in health. 

~George William Curtis, Lotus-Eating

I think two workout days in a row is my max right now. High five for me for recognizing it early and reacting. While I wanted to go to the gym tonight, I started to feel tired and my left shoulder was acting up again. Instead of feeling lame for not hitting the gym and sitting on the couch watching TV, I attempted some CORE but only survived a couple planks. I got in 2x20 sec reg. planks, but my shoulders couldn't stand much more and I skipped the side planks.

I get "relax the shoulders" as a theory, but how do you do that during planks?

 

I busted out the foam roller and tried to open up my shoulders...good, but not great. I really need to figure this one out. Feels yucky. Tomorrow is chiropractor day....YAY!! I might need to get a massage in there this week too.

The Big Picture: A routine doesn't have to be everyday, just consistent.
Why I Kick A$$: Because I am excellent at playing ice cream store...I had a great time having some one on one time with my Bug tonight.

Thankful Three:

1. For my foam roller
2. For reduced price registration Survivor Mud Run
3. For Super Hubby-he agreed to do the mud run with me!

Monday Motivation: Perfect Intentions

There are no perfect men in this world, 

only perfect intentions. 

~Pen Densham, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

This weekend I had every intention of working out Saturday and Sunday, but Saturday I was hurting. I must have pinched a nerve or something, my left neck shoulder area was killing me. I tried to suck it up, but by 4:00 I was frantically calling massage therapists to no avail. I put out a plea on FB for a chiropractor and got a great lead from my TRI Club. I have an appt on Wednesday and I am so hopeful that with some progressive treatments I will be back to my old self. So what did I do Saturday instead? Well we had a fabulous family day at the Sacramento Zoo. Then spent lots of time stretching, using the foam roller to regain some mobility and a little yoga. My little Bug tired to get in on the action too. Yes I know my form is bad in this picture, but I was trying give my baby some room on my mat.

Sunday was pretty close to a dream day. I woke up pretty leisurely, dropped my son off at Temple preschool and went with one of the preschool moms to the gym. The Bug stayed home for Sunday football with Super Hubby. We finished our workouts, hit up Peets for a latte and ran into another set of parents from preschool. It was so fun! Then it was time for a little Costco run with my munchkins while my hubby slept off his headache.

Today was a great scheduled day. I took a couple hours off work this AM, dropped the kids off at school, met with our loan officer after work, hit the gym, had another meeting, Top Ramen and grilled cheese for dinner and play time with the kids. I even added the side planks to my routine, from the Hard Core workout regime.

The Big Picture: A little bit everyday really adds up.

Why I Kick A$$: Because I am still on track with the gym workouts

Thankful Three

1. For homemade trailmix
2. For Parenthood on Netflix
3. For the treadmill...I kind of like it!

Friday Five: Selfish

Selfish: I run for me.

~me

A late night five, but five!

1. I put out a plea on Facebook and totally scored. My son goes to religious pre-school on Sunday's and one of the mom's has a member ship at the same gym I go to and we will be hitting the gym together on Sunday's while our kids are in school. Super excited!
2. While I took Thursday off for a family night with my aunts & uncles from out of town and tonight to hang out with my husband, I am not at all feeling like I am derailed because I am so excited that I have plans to work out both Saturday and Sunday.
3. I talked with my cousin who is just getting into the workout scene and we both registered for a half marathon in March. Shamrock'n. I am so excited, and I got to personalize my bib too! iRun4Me. Since this is her fist it is going to be all about the experience and I am so excited I get to run her first half with her.
4. Discovered a new flavor of tamale! The local market made cherry flavor masa and my family added sweeten dried coconut, pineapple and raisin. The freak'n bomb! Yes I just said the bomb.
5. I am going to try for a sitter tomorrow so hubby and I can go on a date. I am thinking matinee and sushi lunch.

The Big Picture: A new take on fitness this year is going to be great for me. Less about successes and "failures" and more about moving forward.

Why I Kick A$$: Because I feel pretty great about myself this week. It is amazing what a couple workouts can do for my week... maybe it was the tamales.

Thankful Three

1. For time to blog
2. For the tamale I am about to eat
3. For the weekend

The Turn Around: 90 Days

Goals are dreams with deadlines.  

~Diana Scharf Hunt

Wednesday Hump Day sounds funny. Like an out and back run, Wednesday marks the turn around to the work week. This week it is even better since I had Monday off. Yesterday I wrote about the new fitness challenge I am doing at the gym. I'll have to admit that I am a little disappointed at the organization of the event at my first weigh in today. I am optimistic though and realize that I am not going to win any prizes so need to be too annoyed. I went to "weigh" in which consisted of a stand in trainer who asked me how much I weighed. There was no scale. Then had me hold the hand held body fat percentage machine. He also measured my neck, waist at the belly button and hips. They didn't have the gym camera available so he said I could come back to another weigh in or email a photo. I opted to email a photo. OMG, my hubby took the photo and when I looked, I really felt bad. It was a bit worse than I had realized. All the more reason I need to do this.

Today is DAY 1 of the 90 Day Challenge. I went to the gym again tonight and took it easy on the treadmill, 5 minute walk, 25 minute jog, 10 minute walk. I did a few step ups and 3 sets of planks. Not a big work out, but a work out nonetheless. Tonight I struggled, as I did last night, with not pushing myself. I need to take this Challenge slow and not burn out. I want to complete the 90 days and not give up in a week or two. I don't want to go so overboard that I am awesome 1 week and back on the couch the next. What I find difficult is that I know how to do all the exercises everyone else is doing at the gym, I have run faster and longer than I am doing now and used to spend more time in the gym than I am now. It is tough to block those things out and stay focused on just rebuilding a routine and rebuilding my body.

The Big Picture: Who cares if the weigh in was less than organized, I went and having that motivation to participate is really key for me right now.

Why I Kick A$$: I hit the gym for the 2nd day in a row.

Thankful Three:

1. For Chobani being on sale
2. For a nice visit with my niece
3. For a short work week

Tuesday Tidbit: Biggest Winner?

When you want something, 

all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

~Paulo Coelho

Today seemed to be the day I wanted to make a change. Sometime after 3:00 I took a walk during my break. This is the first time I have done this in months. I talked to a friend over the phone during this 15 minute break and I walked about 10 minutes of it. I told her I really wanted to do something, but couldn't figure out what. I left the office around 6:00 and thought I would hit the gym....uh, so did everyone else in town with New Year's Resolutions. I drove into the parking lot, did a u-turn and headed home. While at home I received a call on my cell from an unknown number. It was the customer service rep for one of my gym memberships. He called to tell me that our gym was holding a "Biggest Winner" contest. It is free to sign up. All I had to do was register, take a before picture, weigh in and commit to weighing in 2x per month. The challenge runs 90 days from the first weigh in date and all contestants must weigh in by 1/31/12. A game player might pack on pounds before their weigh in, me, I have enough packed on already that I don't need anymore. The challenge is based on body fat percentage which is different than percent of weight loss. I have an athletic build, am a bit top heavy and pounds lost on the scale do not always accurately reflect my fitness level. I have no delusions that I'll win anything, but I am pretty excited about the challenge. Talk about timing!

I couldn't shake wanting to do something and so I did what I almost never do. I went to the gym. I went to gym alone. I went to the gym at 8:45 PM. The timing couldn't have been better. The Biggest Loser was on TV and I just trucked along. I started with a 5 minute walk and was hoping to do 30 minutes total of a walk/run combination. I looked down and realized I had been jogging for 10 minutes straight, so I challenged myself to run 5 more minutes. Then 5 more and 5 more until at some point I felt too uncomfortable. The result? A 5 minute warm up, 45 minutes jogging and a 10 minute walking cool down. I didn't run fast. Most wouldn't call it running. Whatever label you slap on it, I moved for 1 hour then did a nice round of strength training exercises including 3x 20 second planks as recommended by The Hard Core Club.

I am so excited I was motivated to do this today, I sure hope I am as motivated tomorrow. Goals for now:

1. Get to the gym as often as possible
2. Drink more water

I am fighting the urge to tack on too many goals like a daily calorie limit, food restrictions and specific training goals. I do have a half marathon training plan that I am following starting today. It is very basic and designed for a novice runner. On the schedule today was 2 miles. Having run my fair share of half marathons I know that this plan is too simple for me, but I also know that I am not running this half for time, I am running it to complete it with my cousin who is running her first half. I am treating this plan as a "minimum" training commitment. My plan is to see how I feel each workout and not up my mileage more than is incrementally appropriate to avoid injury. Depending on this "Biggest Winner" commitment I may re-evaluate my training plan in a month and modify.

The Big Picture: I am excited to weigh in tomorrow and start my 90 days. This is just a small challenge, but one that can set the tone for the remainder of the year and I appreciate the free accountability.

Why I Kick A$$: Today I got it done.

Thankful Three

1. For the call from the gym rep
2. For a supportive hubby who told me he was proud of me
3. For The Hard Core club

Saturday Sampler: Bye Bye 2011

Year's end is neither an end 

nor a beginning but a going on, 

with all the wisdom 

that experience can instill in us.  

~Hal Borland

I have been loving everyone's year end recaps and goals for 2012 posts. Really so motivational. Taking off from my last post about being unoriginal, I am going to go ahead and follow suit.

Here are some highlights on what I planned to do and what I actually did:

For Mental Me: Be more confident. How?

1. Take a self defense class. CHECK
2. Start including at the end of every blog post (along with the regular thankful three) a self esteem booster. Why I kick a$$: CHECK

I had a "For Physical Me: Maintain and Build. How?" category. I didn't put the effort in to achieve those so I'll spare you the bullet by bullet recap. I will say, despite my 10 lb. weight gain this year, that the measurements I posted about my belly in 2011 stayed the same....must have gone straight to my a$$ LOL.

I noticed folks recapping their race years and so I headed over to my Athlinks account to check out what I had done? I have 7 events on there and 1 that didn't post. 6 of my 8 events were done January to May. Then 1 in October and 1 in November. I had a great start to the year last year. I PR'd my 10K, I PR'd my half marathon and was very excited about each because I had actually worked hard for each of those events. It was pretty down hill from there. I had way too much life happening last year.

2011 Life Cycle Event Recap

• Lost my 18 yr old cousin to cancer
• Lost my grandmother and last living grandparent
• Was promoted at my job
• My kids turned 4 and 2 and boy is it awesome at this age
• Celebrated our cousin's son's Bar Mitzvah, the first in this generation of kids
• Celebrated 7 years with my husband
• Gain a sister-in-law

What are my rock'n plans for New Year's Eve? Well my new SIL convinced me that we needed to drive to LA (don't ask how long it took, we were flying down, not literally either) and go to Disneyland. So last night we drove, got to her BFF's, had a few hours of sleep and now we are off to the Happiest Place on Earth! We should be in Disneyland shortly. I will miss being with Super Hubby and the kids tonight, but I know I'll have a great time and don't really get this opportunity often.

The Big Picture: Life is a work in progress, it will have many successes and failures. My main goal in life and resolution every year is to keep moving forward, life is meant to be lived.

Why I Kick A$$: Deciding last minute to go to Disneyland is a pretty spontaneous thing, I am not so spontaneous, so this is awesome.

Thankful Three:

1. For my amazing family
2. For a weekend with my SIL and her super awesome BFF
3. For having Monday off to recover from my spontaneity

Tuesday Tidbit: Totally unorginal

Insist upon yourself. Be original.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I can be so unoriginal. It is kinda funny. When I read about peoples goals and aspirations I am not only inspired, but moved to act. You want a promotion? OMG me too. Actually that is how I got my job! A guy in one of my Master's classes said he was applying for the Presidential Management Fellows Program run through OPM. I thought...wow, that is really cool, I should apply for fellowships! I got in, he didn't. You are on a diet? I need to start one too. You're training for a half marathon? I should too. I am not a totally copy cat, but I sure do like easy ideas that float into my path. In addition to riding the wave of inspiration around me, I am creating some of my own.

I have been having trouble getting motivated lately, but the clouds have parted and the sun is shining in my life. Where is the sunshine coming from? A decluttered house, a decluttered email inbox, having had 5 days off work, finally researching my son's kindergarten application process and seeing everyone's amazing new years goals on FB. I feel like I have it together and I am ready to add in the things I need to maintain my physical and mental health. What I have going so far:

• Choosing a week in the summer for our family vacation
• Deciding on a new investment to help build our future and plan for the kids college education
• Picking a couple races I would like to do in the spring-hopefully hitting some trail runs
• Rearranging my living room

Not amazingly exciting, but exciting for me. We already know vacation will be in Mammoth Lakes, so it is just a matter of picking the right week. As for races, I have actually found that it is difficult to commit to a race date too far in the future. I am never confident in what will happen between now and then so I hesitate and rarely follow through. I figure planning something for Jan-March shouldn't take too much out of me commitment wise. I like refocusing on finances a few times a year too. While the furniture rearranging is a necessary evil, I am enjoying mixing things up around here. Coming up...training plans, New Years Resolutions and other fun stuff.

Questions for you:

1. Do you plan you races far out into the future?
2. Are you an investor? Conservative, Day Trader or IDK my adviser handles that? LOL my hubby is my adviser so I would normally say, IDK he does it all, but I am taking the reigns and picking one that I will personally contribute to every pay period and follow on my SmartPhone for fun.

Why I Kick A$$: Walked into work 115 email, left work 4 left in the inbox and I didn't just hit delete.

The Big Picture: Motivation will ebb and flow, but at the end of the day I usually break even or better yet, often times I end up ahead in physical and mental accomplishments. Why? Because I do such a good job when I do try and don't stay in a slump long enough to seriously undo my efforts.

Thankful Three:

1. For our last night of Chanukah, I love the glow of a fully lit Chanukiah
2. For financial discussions with my hubby, it makes me feel like we are a good team
3. For a great day at work