catching up

Hey everyone!

I wanted to just give a quick apology for my absence and update of where I am now with my diet, exercise, etc.

My friend Penni that I introduced you to a week or so ago is in the process of finishing up another book. I had volunteered to read it and make suggestions before she submitted it for an impartial view.

So that is what I did all day Friday and most of Saturday.

Last night I finished it up. It is an excellent book and I cant wait for it to get published so I can share it with you all.

Anyways... I have still been able to keep up with the P90X. And I went to the gym thursday night for a quick half mile run, Body Pump and RPM.

Oh man was I sore on Friday! I am definitely going to be keeping up with Pump. I lost some weight that day too. 2.5 lbs.

I did gain it back since then (back up to 181.0) even though I have been eating well but I think it is from muscle bloat. And I remember gaining at the beginning when I originally started P90X too. So no worries here.

Friday even though I was sore, I still pushed thru and did P90X legs, shoulders and abs. Killer.

And that night I went to the gym and did a one mile run, lifted for my upper body, and went to my zumba class. The teacher was not there so we had a sub. It was quite interesting to see the different styles between the instructors. I really liked it and it gave me some different ideas for when I get my instructors certificate.

That night, a bunch of us went to K's house. We had a great time, had some wine, hummus, chips, onion pizza, veggie pizza and ladies had molten lava cake that I brought. We had a great night.

Saturday I had a bridal shower to go to so I was gone from mid morning til afternoon. Once I got home, I changed my clothes and did P90X kempo. I love that dvd. I get a great sweat and it is fun to punch and kick. Dont get in my way anyone!

Before Kempo though, a neighbor friend asked if I could help haul a bronze statue into their garage. No problem. In talking with C, she mentioned wanting to start juicing again. And I really want to try a juicing fast too. Last time I did a fruit and veggie fast, I was on day 3 and the tornado hit. Remember everyone?

So I was telling C how I didnt have a juicer. And she was telling me that the last time she did a juice cleanse she did it for 13 or 14 days and originally did it with some coworkers who only lasted about 7 days. She said the first 3 days she thought she was gonna die. LOL. But that she lost 13 lbs! I told her that if she wanted to do it, then I could bring produce over every night (for me) and we could juice for the next day. She did tell me that she had some veggie protein drink that she took so she could work out. And I told her I would probably continue with my whey protein so I could work out as well. We will see if we do it or not. Either way, I might borrow her juicer to try it myself.

And yesterday I received my bottle of Thermofit and container of Greens. I used the last of our orange juice to try the greens. And you really cant taste it if you mix it well. And so far I have taken two thermofit. I am very excited to see if that helps kick start the body.

I was also surprised to see a difference already when I look in the mirror. Even though my weight has gone up, my side view is definitely slimmer. My stomach goes in under my abs. Keeps me going for P90X.

Onto today...

So today is a rest day for P90X.

And Aaron made a great breakfast of hashbrowns, eggs, and bacon. And I had some. And I took a thermofit.

For lunch I will be having a protein shake. We are out of eggs currently so I thought it would be good to switch.

And I dont have the foggiest idea what I am making for dinner yet.

But even though today is a rest day for P90X, I will still probably do zumba toning tonight after the kids go to bed. So far today looks overcast and yucky so it will be a good day to stay inside. I also might try the stretch dvd that comes with P90X. Nothing like a good stretch.

Ok I am off for today! Have a great Sunday everyone!

Tip of the Day:

Yoga and more...

So last night I didnt do any exercise. I did a ton of running around yesterday and I was exhausted last night. I think this school thing is going to take some adjustment on my part too.

Poor Xavier was so exhausted, he was crying at everything. We ended up putting the boys to bed just after 6pm. Not kidding.

And they slept until after 6 this morning. Yup. They were both tired.

I did good with my diet yesterday with the exception of having some of my left over pasta salad which is actually pretty healthy. Whole wheat pasta, fat free mayo, mustard, carrots, celery, hard boiled eggs and just a pinch of sugar. And I had a little dessert which was left over from labor day. Angel food cake, blueberries, strawberries and whip cream.

I ended up losing a half pound. Good!

And my shoulders and arms are sore from P90X yesterday. But the great thing is that my shoulders, even though I worked them out hardcore, are not stiff like they were with the Jillian Michaels dvd.

So today was P90X yoga. I opted to do P90X2 yoga instead of the original because the original is 90 minutes vs 66 minutes. 90 minutes is just WAY too long.

But boy. I forgot how good this dvd is. I am just not a yoga person. But this gave me such a good stretch and a good sore that I was really glad that I didnt skip it. And yes. I thought about skipping it.

Tonight I was planning on going to Body Pump then RPM but Aarons mom called and wants to go to dinner and see Xavier after his first few days of school. I warned her that he will need to go to bed early- like 6pm. So she is coming over about 2:30 so we can go to an early dinner after Xavier gets out of school. Whew. So I might not make Pump in time but I should definitely be able to make it for RPM. I might even be able to get a run and some weights lifted too. What a concept!

ANNNDDDD....I bit the bullet and bought ThermoFit and Greens from Angelwraps.com. The thermofit will give my metabolism a good jump. For whatever reason, my poor body always needs a jolt from time to time. Hopefully this will give me the jump and the energy I need. The greens should help me get all of my veggies needed for the day. They were put in the mail yesterday so I should hopefully have them by Monday. I will review them for you guys. 

Also, tomorrow is Friday!! P90X legs, back and abs, and Zumba class. BUTTTT.....the summer concert series is over which means no Feta Bread. Instead we will be going to K's house and have a bonfire. If it rains, we will play games. Everyone is bringing a dish to pass. I will probably bring wine, molten lava cake for the ladies, and then hummus and veggies for me. This change in my Friday night will hopefully help keep me on track for the weekends.

I am also working on using my talents as a painter to make a new profession for myself. K has asked me to paint something for her in a 36x48 size. I am working on it and will post a picture when it is done. I am trying to commission out my work rather than doing them and posting them somewhere like Etsy. I would rather know that the paintings are sold rather than have the money go out for the canvas and have them sit around. We will see how it goes. I also do murals, glassware, etc. Maybe I should get a booth for an artfair next year. We will see.

That is the news for me today. Have a great Thursday everyone!

Tip of the Day:

A Bit Frustrated

So yesterday I ate really well and also did Plyometrics.

Not sure if it was the shock to the system or what happened exactly, but somehow I managed to GAIN a half pound. Really??

So I will be honest and say I am a bit frustrated. I didnt expect to lose a lot of weight in one day but I also didnt expect to gain weight. I am reaching my panic number and I am not sure what to do about it.

I am seriously thinking about getting some more products from the wrap company to see how they work. I am sure you remember how I took Healthe Trim before and I lost all my weight. I am wondering if my body needs that pick me up again.

Today I did P90X Shoulders and Arms. I forgot how much I love these workouts. They are long but I get results with it. Then once I was done with that, I did Ab Ripper.

Tonight I am going to run on the elliptical I think. Either that or zumba. Who knows. Maybe both. LOL.

Tomorrow is P90X yoga. I am going to do the P90X2 yoga because that is only an hour vs 90 minutes with the regular one.

Tomorrow night I am going to hit the gym also. I may do Body Pump before RPM. I really think that my body just needs to build back up the muscle tone. Hopefully then the weight will start to come off.

And with sweater season coming up, I definitely dont want to look bulky in them. I want to be in the best shape I have been in by Christmas to help me thru the holidays.

For now, I am going to keep up the work. I know it takes time to see the results. It is just very hard not to get impatient for them.

Breathe. I can do this.

Tip of the Day:

Back to the Grind

Back to the grind.

Vacation is done.

So is the senseless eating.

And the alcohol.

And the not working out.

Today is a new day.

The start of a new school year.

And the start of a "new me".

AGAIN.

This weekend I didnt exercise at all. Didnt watch what I ate, and drank a lot of alcohol and soda. And the weight went up, up, up with bloating.

But today I am eating clean again. And I did P90X Plyometrics today.

And I didnt give up because my blue ray wouldnt read the disc. I used my portable dvd player. Take that!

And I am dripping with sweat as the alcohol falls from my pores.

Today will be about drinking a TON of water to detox.

And eating good.

And exercising well.

NO EXCUSES! I can do this...

I can get back into the 150's.

Very excited actually because P90X got me the best results.

And now that Xavier is in school, I have a better timeframe to work out the hour needed for it in the morning.

So onto a new day, and the start of a fitter me.

Cheers! and Happy Tuesday!

Tip of the Day: Have magnets help you!

A decision has been made

I have been in a bit of a funk lately.

Not working out like I should.

It has all been since the tornado.

I just cant get my weight to go back down to where I was pre-tornado.

And damn it. I really want a flat stomach. But seeing me stuck on the scale has given my confidence a jab and has left me with a sort of "F" it attitude.

I have tried the Jillian Michaels thing and my muscles took a major hit. Dont get me wrong- this dvd is great. And on days I cant get to the gym, I will probably do Jillian and P90X. The dvd wont get dusty. LOL

BUT...

Time to go back to what was working for me.

Next week when Xavier starts school and it is just Landry and I, I will be starting P90X up again.

I NEED more than cardio.

My body WANTS the weight training.

And P90X is what was giving me the big change.

So....it begins. I am going to start on Labor Day.

This is only an obstacle. I can get thru this.

I am also going to be really altering my diet. I have let the snacking take control.

I eat great during the day, but come evening, it is bad, bad, bad snacking.

I can't get back down doing that, and it is something I reverted to once the tornado hit. Comfort eating of sorts.

Friday nights will still be considered my splurge nights, but I really, REALLY have to control myself when eating with family and things arent what I would normally have. That is where I get into trouble too.

And come November, while I am doing P90X, I will be starting with Eric, my personal trainer, as well. I should be working out with him hopefully on Tuesdays and Thursdays on my cardio days of P90X. And I should be into my 3rd month of P90X by then too and hopefully seeing some great results.

Final change...

I am skeptical, but I am thinking about trying a couple products from the wraps company. I am thinking about trying their greens product and putting it in with some orange juice during the day and also trying their fat fighter for my splurge days like Fridays. To be able to get a ton of fruits and veggies all at once has great appeal to me.

I may also continue with the wrap now that I will be doing major weight lifting to try to get the skin flatter, quicker. We shall see.

I can do this. I can be back down to where I was pre tornado.

I just need to get back into that frame of mind. The tornado took something out of me that I desperately need to get back.

Time to kick it people.

That being said, today may not be a kicking it day for me. LOL. Well as far as zumba CLASS is concerned.

I HAVE to finish my shopping for the tornado claim and submit my receipts on Tuesday. SO this morning is the mall and this afternoon is IKEA. K is going with me to IKEA and I dont know if I will be back in time to go to zumba. SO if I am not, I plan on working out at home before the last concert of the summer tonight. Its FETA BREAD FRIDAY!!

Today is the day I sign up for my half marathon the end of October. I am getting ready to do it as soon as I am done with this post. I had to dig out my passport because we will be running into Canada. How cool to say I ran in a different country even if it is just Canada.

So off I go to sign up. And to start getting ready for a shopping spree. I should be able to burn some calories doing that huh? LOL.

Have a great Friday everyone!!
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EDITED:

I just went to sign up for the half marathon because we just got paid so I had to wait. Registration is CLOSED and I cannot late register the day of the race. So bummed!! I am just gonna have to find something else to run.
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Tip of the Day:

Moving Up

Today is moving day!

Well, not for me but for my aunt, uncle and cousin.

So I just wanted to give you a quick shout out before I take off to help them move.

Last night I actually got my zumba cardio dvd done! A huge woo hoo! I was surprised that it is only 45 minutes though. For whatever reason, it must be the strength one that is 55. So I might do the strength tonight depending what time we get back from moving.

Calories burned for zumba cardio: 412 calories. Not shabby at all.

I was down to 176.5 this morning.

Today I am going to get the kids some breakfast, and run downstairs and lift some weights to get the metabolism going. I dont want to get sweaty by doing cardio because I am already dressed to go (tennis skirt and running shirt).

Luckily we have movers today so I shouldnt be needing to do much heavy lifting. Mostly unpacking.

We shall see how the food choices go today being limited while we move. There was talk about pizza for lunch. There is this fantastic italian bakery by their new house that K showed me and today is buy one get one free day for their pizza.My uncle prides himself on his italian food that he makes. This little bakery has all sorts of ingredients, fresh made food, and a little coffee shop where these little men talk in italian and argue. It is too funny. In telling my aunt about it, she wants me to show it to my uncle.

And on a funny note...I think I mentioned that K's parents are moving literally just a few blocks from where my aunt and uncle are moving. Ironic huh? Even more ironic is TODAY is the day they are moving. No fooling! So K and I might meet up over there. How funny! I just love her to death.

Tonight we might be going back to their old house to swim. Not sure yet. They are keeping their old house and my cousin is living in it with some friends. He is 22 so he is definitely old enough to live on his own.

Ok everyone. I have our swimsuits packed and I am off to pump some iron and blow this popstand.

Have a great Thursday everyone!
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Tip of the Day:

Not gonna lie...

I am not going to lie. I have a weakness for beer.

And not just ANY beer.

Fat Tire Amber Ale.

The first time I had it was when we moved to Arizona. It was our very first time there and Aaron and I were newly married. And I mean NEWLY. Just over a week.

We were exploring the area by our apartment and there was this restaurant we tried almost as soon as we rolled into town.

Funny that I dont remember the name of the restaurant, but I remember the name of the beer that captured my heart. LOL.

When we moved back to Michigan I was devastated to find out that my beloved beer was not sold here. I thought that was really funny because if you look at the bottles, it shows a 10 cent return. LOL.

Anyways...

After bugging different liquor stores, and continually asking about it, I finally had some music to my ears. Fat Tire was going to be available in Michigan in April or May this year. Oh Joy!

WELLLLLL.....

It didnt really happen. Dont know why it was delayed but it was. I used to have to get my Fat Tire fix when we visited Chicago. I would always pick up a couple cases and ration them out.

Then...

My mom texted me.

Fat Tire was going to be sold at Meijer on Monday.

So I sent Aaron out to get some.

Apparently the only kind they had in the store was 40oz ones. So he picked one up.

Last night I had MOST of it.

And this morning...

I gained 2 lbs!!!

Damn water retention!

177.5.

Oh well. That amber goodness was too much to resist forever. At least I know that now I can get it anytime I want, it will be easier to resist and become less of a treat that I overindulge in.

Plus I didnt get to walk or run last night. I was supposed to go with K but she called me because her face started going numb. Not kidding. Think about how your face feels when you go to the dentist and have work done on one side. That is how it was feeling for her. She went to the ER but there was a 5 hour wait. No thanks. So I called a different hospital and we were going to go there.

But then her Dr called. Apparently this could be a side affect of the migraines she gets. How wonderful huh? So she didnt go to the hospital. Just went to bed and was going to go see the doctor this morning.

I talked to her this morning and the numbness went away about 1am. That is a good thing.
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So I did my 20 minute zumba this morning.

Today is my last day of sitting the neighbor kids. I think they are all tired. They are lounging on the living room floor surrounded by pillows watching tv. LOL.

Tonight is Xaviers school open house where we get to meet the teacher. It is only for an hour so I want to get there right on time. Should be interesting. I still cant believe he is starting school!

Then I think I am going to come home and do zumba. My hour long one. I know I keep saying that but I really want to do it. Usually I end up going to K's house and if I can do the zumba right at 7, I can still either walk or help her unpack.

So that is my plan for the day...

What is your plan?

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Tip of the Day: