Last Blog Post of 2010

Hubby and I used to be party animals in the day. Then we grew up. We got married and worked really hard to stay up late enough to ring in the new year. This year is not any different and we are NOT staying up. He might be, but I am on my way to dreamland. I am going to take an ibuprofen and head on up.

I walked 3.1 miles today on the Walk It Out. I feel like I ended the year better than I started it. Tomorrow, we will be doing fun stuff at the in-laws. Have a safe evening everyone!

Still Loopy

It has been 38 hours since my last vicodin. I am pretty sure it should be out of my system, but I am noticing that I still feel loopy, and slow.

I still plan on exercising today. Once I start the Walk It Out, I always have to do at least 10,000 steps. I did 162 squats this morning. I cannot believe how much stronger I am than three weeks ago! That is amazing to me. I've been doing some movement of my arm and it hurts! But I will keep it up so that I can make it as strong as it was before! Ain't nuthin' gonna breaka my stride...ain't nuthin' gonna slow me down! OH NO! OH NO! I got to keep on movin'!

Final Hot 100 Update

1. I will remember to take my supplements every night: Success! I cannot believe how easy this seemed at first, how important it is, and how it is now a habit.
2. When I feel the need to take ibuprofen, I will take one instead of two (or more): Again, success! Another seemingly easy goal, but has really made a difference in my life.
3. I will purposefully exercise every day: I did this in spite of my injury!
4. Try something new: I tried dried mangoes. Pretty yummy!

After today's weigh in, I have only lost 3 pounds over the past 100 days. But, I have implemented habits that are vital for m health. I am thankful for these goals that may be considered easy for many, but were a real struggle and a conscious effort for me.

Thanks for the challenge, South Beach Steve!

Am I Dedicated or Insane?

I took 10104 steps (2.7 mi) on Walk It Out. I was sitting here thinking of how proud I am of myself and then I realized that I guess I am more insane than anything. I am really not feeling great, but I am going to try to avoid the narcotics tonight and just go for the good old ibuprofen. I will also take my normal Benedryl and melatonin and then head to dreamland. Maybe I will be more able to get out of bed before 10am. I think the vicodin is making me constipated, too. Ugh! I know, TMI!

I am really tired of starting a challenge and then getting hurt. This happened in September when I fell down the stairs in the middle of the night, and it happened again in October when Dimples sprayed Pledge all over the floors. At least this time, I can still walk. Push ups are out for a while, and maybe running, but I can still walk! And walk I will.

Power of One Challenge

I'm a day late and a ONLY a dollar short. I'm signing up here. I put in my weight as of today. I have my measurements done because my ultra cool mom did them for the other day.

I also have to state my healthy living goals:

1. Ohio - Oh not that state?
2. Continue what I'm doing - make good choices. Those good choices do not include eating things I am allergic to, or make me feel sick.
3. Remember to take my supplements. That is the best habit I have gotten into thanks to the Hot 100 Challenge.
4. First mini goal- lose 15 lbs so that I can get EA Sports Active Trainer 2.
5. Get to goal. That requires losing just over 30 lbs. That is so doable!

Here's my picture of me in my long johns. Ugh! I didn't suck it in so my nice roll is there for all of the internets to see! I still can't straighten my left arm. I know, it's been like 48 hours.


That's it! Number one is still my favorite.

Broken Arm + Flu = 125 Squats

I was reading all of the blogs yesterday when the room started spinning. I took a trip to the bathroom thinking I was going to hurl. When I squatted in front of the toilet I realized I hadn't done my squats for the day. After a violent burp into the toilet (those are my favorite) I did my first set of squats. I sat on the edge of the bathtub admiring my clean toilet. My stomach started feeling queasy again. Well in between violent burps and squat sets, I ended up doing 125 squats. I took my meds and went to bed. I woke up at 1:00 am with a throbbing arm. I got up, felt really good, took a pill and went back to bed.

I like making the most of my sickness! I slept with a bucket (that I ended up not needing), a heating pad and an ice pack. Nothing says sexy like all that equipment. Let me tell you, I looked HOT!

Now I'm waiting for hubby to get home so that I can bathe. I cannot believe that I need his help, but I do. It's amazing what I can't do with just one arm.

This Stinks!

So I slept pretty good last night...duh! :) I woke up at 5:30 in pain. So I got up and took a pill. I went back to sleep and slept until hubby called to see how I was doing at 8:30. Then I talked to his sister and she is coming over to get the kiddos for a few hours today so that I can take another pill while hubby works.

I made a list of things I can and cannot do because of this injury.

I can wipe my butt. I cannot pull up my pants.
I can type. I cannot do dishes.
I can take drugs. I cannot open the bottle.
I can take a shower. I cannot clasp my bra.
I can drive. I cannot close the driver's side door.
I can shop. I cannot go through the drive thru.
I can do squats. I cannot do push ups.

Okay, that's all I can remember being as I am all foggy feeling. Gotta love the drugs.

Broken-ish Elbow

It's actually the elbow end of my radius. They said the radial head is fractured from a FOOSH. DOH! Now I get to wear a sling for a few days then do some range of motion exercises. I am taking my meds and going to bed.

OUCH! and Wii Games I Like

Don't I look graceful? Okay, so I'm holding on to a rope, but I wasn't going to tell you that. I even cropped out the rope so that you couldn't see what I was doing! You can see all the snow on my legs, right? Well that was from when I fell, twice, before I even got on the ice. I had a ways to walk to get to the pond, and when I got close, I got nervous about the shore and bit it. The first time I fell, I went flat on my back and bonked my head on the ground. The next time I fell, I decided to put my arm out to break my fall. I have some tingling and pain in my elbow. I know that the injury was because of a FOOSH and I'm hoping it's not more serious than I think it is. Anyway, we'll see how the next few days go. I'm just glad I didn't start the push-up challenge

I have been doing workouts on the Wii for over a month now, consistently. My go to games are Walk It Out, and Just Dance 2. I have tried Broadway Dance, and it's not my favorite. I have tried Biggest Loser Challenge, again, not my favorite, but I haven't given it too much of a chance. I have Wii Fit Plus. I like the free run, but again, it doesn't (that I can find) keep track of steps or mileage. I also like the skateboarding game, but that hurts my neck because I just can't play to have fun, I have to stress out about it.

The reason why Just Dance 2 is one of my favorites is because it is so much fun! It doesn't require anything except a controller to play. The songs are fun. I guess there is one song that is really inappropriate, but I haven't found it yet. You can also download more dances from the internet for around three dollars a song. We were able to download two songs for free, one of them was a holiday song where Santa goes from old time Santa, to beach Santa, to Rocker Santa, back to old time Santa.

The reason I like Walk It Out is because I can keep track of the steps I take. I cannot stand the trainer's voice. He is annoying. And if you miss a day, he gets really sarcastic. The more you walk, the more items you can buy with the steps you take to build the island. You can unlock songs, constellations, buildings, trees, etc. I use the balance board and find that the best way to play the game. I do find it difficult if I use the nun chuck instead because I rarely wear pants with pockets. I almost always wear pants. After I'm all done with a session, it gives me my stats telling me how many steps I've taken, how many miles I walked, how many calories I burned, etc. It doesn't tell me how much time I walked, so I just have to remember what time I started.

I look forward to Darla's review of Active Trainer 2 by EA sports!

Nothing to Say!

Which is REALLY strange for me. I usually have all kinds of stuff to say. Actually it can be difficult to shut me up!

I am worried about my Lanie. She seems to be okay from her sleep study, but I'm a bad friend. I had too much going on and wasn't there for her like I shoulda been.

I just found out that I am supposed to ice skate today. There better NOT end up being a video of it on FB like my Just Dance 2 performance.

Okay, I'm off to get my warm woolies on. Have a good one! OH, extra exercise included 16 proper sit-ups and 116 squats. I also did an extra mile on Walk It Out for good measure.

Monday!

Today is SQUAT day! I did 116. I am also going to start doing sit-ups as well. Here is the link if you want to play along.

I forgot to take pics of my projects before I gave them away. Sorry, Lanie! I did have fun making them, even though I am not done. Poor mother-in-law is going to get the other six days of her daily towels as I finish them.

I am up a little on the scale today. Could it be all this muscle I'm building? Could it be water retention? I am under 1200 calories/day but I did have Chinese the other night. Oh well. It will come off. Have a good one!

Crazy Day!

I didn't have to be at work today until 10:50. I thought, "Oh I have soooo much time!" I had some Kohl's cash so I decided to hit the store before I went to work. I ended up getting some goodies for nieces and nephew. I then had to stop at the grocery to get food for the kiddos at work. I was on time, but late for what time I usually get there.

Then on the way home, hubby called me to tell me that he locked himself out of the house and I needed to call him when I was close to home so he could help get snow gear together. We were in and out of the house in 5 minutes flat. Then we went on to the in-laws. Grammy and Poppy got the game Just Dance 2. We have that game as well so we all played together. We had so much fun. Unfortunately, Grammy took a video of us all dancing. Want to be humbled? There you go!

I'm off to do my Walk It Out and then off to bed.

So Pumped!

I REALLY want to lose this 14 lbs so that I can get a new toy! I was down .2 this morning and I hope to continue that trend today. EVERYWHERE is closed today except for the Asian Buffet so that leaves me the whole day to finish working on projects that should have been done by the last day of Hanukkah.

I think I might put in some movies and work on my projects while I watch with the kiddos. Right now, I am just enjoying watching the Sally (the good cat) play hide and seek with Brutus. She ALWAYS outsmarts the puppy!

We're Going to Europe?

Hubby says to Dimples, "You're up! Your turn to do dishes!" Dimples says, "We're going to Europe?" So now he's doing dishes and says, "I like America better."

I have wanted to be able to give myself awards as I lose weight, but we are financially challenged, so I haven't done so. I REALLY want that new Active Trainer 2. I decided that when I get to 145, I will get that for myself to help me get the last 16 lbs I have to lose. I figure if I continue at the pace I've been going for the last couple of weeks, I should be able to get that in 7 weeks, right around the time I get my school money. I am ALL over this!

AND today's tip, do NOT go to Wal-Mart electronics department on x-mas eve. Just sayin'.

99 Squats and Stinkin' Cat!

So I did my squats this morning and ended up with 99. Why I couldn't do that last one to make it an even 100 is beyond me, buy my legs gave up.

So at 2:00 this morning, we hear this crash. Hubby jumped out of bed. I waited to see if he got shot before I followed him down the stairs. I went downstairs and my favorite ugly green pitcher is shattered on the floor of the living room. I had it on the mantle of the fireplace, and the cat decided that she didn't like it there. So at 2:00am, I was cleaning glass shards off of the floor. There are still many there, and I have been working on it all morning, but everytime I think I'm done, I see some more sparkles of glass. If that cat would just sleep in her bowl like I tell her to, then we wouldn't have this trouble.

Hot 100 Update!

1. I will remember to take my supplements every single night. Success!

2. When I feel I need ibuprofen, I will take 1 instead of 2. - Success! I have even been keeping up with the squats and feeling pretty good!

3. I will purposefully exercise every day. I did it! WOOT!

4. Try a something new every week. I tried dates stuffed with walnuts. OMG! It's like eating pie or something! LOVE IT!

This is the final week of the Hot 100 Challenge. I did not do as well as I had hoped, but I didn't let the injuries take me off track either. I will go back on the Wii later today and find out how my weight has changed since the start of the challenge. I lost the 1.3 I gained yesterday which puts me back in the 150s.

Ughhhh my head

Okay, so my head is full of snot! It's really bothering me. I was a little discouraged this morning when I was back over 160, but I attribute it to the fact I did not poo yesterday. I'm looking for today to be a good day!

I am looking for today to be a quiet day. I will be heading out to Kohl's today to make an exchange on some shoes I bought. They are too small! Anyway, have a good day all!

That Lanie!

She forgot to remind me about squats! So I did my squats and I'm not giving a number until she does hers. I also ran for about 7 minutes (STRAIGHT) and did just one four minute song on Just Dance 2. I will have to kick the kiddos off the Wii so that I can do some Walk It Out.

I am still a little high about being under 160. I have not been under 160 since the Ides of March 2002. I am really close to healthy weight, but still far from my goal of 129.

Today, I told my mom, "I am only weigh .6 more than Ada from the Biggest Loser." Wanna know what my mom said, "Well, Ada is more muscle." "What are you saying Mom? That I shouldn't be proud?" Good thing I am not PMSing! Another thing that I have that Ada doesn't have? BOOBS!

There. Have a good evening. I'm still journaling my food this week. It's very interesting how few calories my body intuitively needs!

Oh No You Di'nt!

I did! I did! I am under 160lbs! I am really happy about that! I am now 159.6. I am so glad I exercised even when I felt lousy yesterday. Today, I feel a little better. My head still feels like it will explode if I bend over, but otherwise, tons better.

I slept a lot yesterday! I was asleep last night by 8:00 and slept until 7 this morning, even though Mr. Fidgety did wake me up at least 3 times last night. The drop in weight makes me not care so much!

I did the short run on the Wii Fit this morning. I will do more running AFTER I put on a bra! YOUCH!

I Don't Know How to Be Sick

After I finished my blog this morning, I decided a nap was in order. So I put Walk It Out in the Wii and walked 2.8 miles. Then I made myself a yummy breakfast. Then I went to bed, but not before reading for a couple of hours. I finally passed out a little after noon. I called my mom and asked her to pick up the kids from school, then fell asleep for another 2 hours.

Now, I feel like I could go back to bed. I still have this headache, and sore throat, and stuffy nose. At least I got my exercising in today!

Here We Go Again!

I have a stuffy head, sore throat and aching body. I am sure my job is to blame. The little baby I held all day at work on Sunday was all congested. His mom, my volunteer, was feeling pretty lousy as well. I will work through this. I am not going to allow this sickness to derail me! I will be pounding the water, doing the exercise and taking a few naps here and there.

I kept a food journal yesterday and was under 1200 calories without even trying. I will be keeping my food journal again today, but next up, a nap.

Git Ovah 'Eer and Give Bigmama a Kiss!

Why do I ever think that horizontal stripes are flattering?

Okay, this picture was taken in 2003 (corrected doh!). My baby was 8 months old. I remember thinking this was a pretty flattering picture of me considering 1/3 of my body is obscured by the plant. I am also noticing that I had a lot of fat around my neck! Okay, that picture is just scary. I have no idea how much I weighed in this picture, but a year and 4 months before this picture, I was at 149. It is amazing what a baby can do!

Project Letter to Myself

Dear Auntie Mandy,

I am not usually so formal with you, but sometimes I feel like you worked so hard to be an aunt, that you deserve the title. Here I sit in January of 2012. I don't such a big dent in the candy cane chair as I now weigh 129 lbs. I have started running! I know! My joints! It feels really good! I participated in a 1/2 marathon in October and finished! Hubby and I did it together. We found someone to sponsor us so it didn't cost us anything! HOLLAH! You are happier than you have ever been because you don't depend on things out of your control to make you happy. You have come a long way baby!

Love,

Auntie Mandy

65 squats and Challenge

Lanie and I did our squats this morning. I did 65, she did 59. We are rocking it! I am 1/3 of the way to 200!

Spunkysuzi's challenge for this week is to keep a food journal. I am participating, just to see where I end up after a day. I usually have no idea how many calories I take in as I just work on making good choices. We shall see where I end up!

I just checked my grades and I ended up with 3 As, a B and a C. The C was in a class that I took just because I wanted to. Anyyippee, I have three weeks off, and will be refreshed and ready to go next semester.

Today, I'm making fruit leather with some of the applesauce I made last year. The house smells awesome right now!

It's Been One Year

Of being vegan. On December 19, 2010, I decided it was time to stop eating things that made me sick, or my throat close up, or whatever. I have cheated a little here and there, but overall, I have purposefully been vegan and feel a lot better! When I started this new eating plan, I weighted 195 lbs. Today, 160.9. One year ago today, I did as little exercise as possible. Today, I yearn for a walk, a workout, or even a run. A year ago, I was taking 4-8 ibuprofen a day. Today, sometimes 2 in one day, most days, none. A year ago, I was taking 12 mg of melatonin and two Benedryl a night to fall asleep. Today, 3 mg melatonin, one Benedryl. One year ago, I was on 40 mg of Celexa, today 20mg. One year ago, I took no vitamins. Today, I take B12, vitamin D, Iron, and a mulitvitamin. One year ago, I was anemic. Today, blood levels are normal.

34.1 lbs in a year might not be fast enough for some people, but for me, it is the way I did it. I feel great, I'm beginning to look great, and I am a good example to my kiddos.

Happy Happy Happy!

I got up this morning to do my morning weigh in and am down .3! That is yet another all time low! I am one pound away from being in the 150s! HOLLAH!

Well after that encouragement, I decided to do my Walk It Out. I haven't been there for three days and I knew the jerk would be there whining at me. Well he was. I ended up today, walking 4.1 miles. I will prolly do Just Dance 2 a little later as well. We are supposed to go to Hubby's holiday party tonight at the P.O. and he can't remember what dish he is supposed to bring. I told him he would just have to settle for a dirty one! HA!

Okay, thanks Anne H. for the laugh! Uranus in retrograde!

Stinkin' Mercury

Why does everything always have to be so kaddywonk when Mercury is in retrograde? GRR! I do love seeing people I haven't seen for a long time, but at the same time, I don't like falling, wandering around Wal-Mart for 2 hours waiting for script, and my kid navigating away from my blog entry.

The day started innocently enough. I did my squats, and went to Wal-Mart with Hubby. Someone had given the kids some money to get something they would not otherwise be able to get so we picked up a new WiiMote for the kids. While we were there, Hubby saw a neighbor from his childhood and we all chatted for a while. Then we went to a thrift store and got a bunch of stuff for Hubby, Kiddos and FIL. While at the thrift store, I saw some jeans for the kids that looked just like some jeans they used to have that were 4T that lasted through all three boys and now my nephew, bought at a garage sale in 2000 for $1. Anywonkie, I saw the jeans and I somehow missed the big step down into the children's section of the store that was painted bright caution yellow. I twisted my left ankle and banged the inside of my right knee. I refused to move from that spot until Hubby came out of the fitting room because I was NOT gonna let someone else get those jeans! I got them! WOOT!

Then we stopped at my BIL's house to give him an adorable little Cubs bib that we picked up for the baby due in March. THEN we picked up Dimples at school to take him to the doctor. It took about 20 minutes longer than I originally thought it would to get there. I had a long discussion with the doc about Dimples' issues over the last few years, then brought Dimples into the room. We are medicating him :(. It is necessary, though. We have gone the natural route for over three years with a phone call from the school at least three times a week for the last two years.

So we go back to Wal-Mart to get the prescription filled. We didn't need to buy anything as we had already been to Wal-Mart once. In spite of that, we bought some vitamins and some food to eat while we waited for the script to get done. We ate, and Hubby and Dimples decided to go get Hubby's paycheck and get it deposited before the bank closed. I waited for an hour and forty minutes before I went back and asked if the script was ready YET! They said, "Oh, we don't have the correct birthday, you need to go back to that counter over there before we can fill the script." If I had just been impatient, I would have been out of there so much sooner, but no, I have to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit!

Now we have been home for a while, now. I beat hubby in Just Dance 2 "Proud Mary"! Mr. Athletic couldn't believe how much better I did than he did. After this day, I am ready for sleep and the weekend!

My knee hurts!

Squat Challenge

Here is the link for it. I did 61 today! WOOT! That means I am almost twice as strong as I was on Monday!

"Watch and Learn" and Hot 100 Update

Those were the words of my 7 year old who has had some major motor planning problems through his life. He has come so far! Just makes me smile!

AnyWOOT! I am at an all time low again today. Flo being here all week didn't take as much as a toll on me as she usually does! I lost all .6 of Flo weight and an extra .2! C'mon Ada! You cannot let me get below you! I am only 1.2 away! Get 'er DONE!

Okay, Hot 100 Goals:

1. I will remember to take my supplements every single night. Success!

2. When I feel I need ibuprofen, I will take 1 instead of 2. - FAIL! I started that 200 squat challenge on Monday. I was in some major pain this week with that and Flo so I took two ibuprofen every time I needed it. It is still better than the usual FOUR every time.

3. I will purposefully exercise every day. I did it! WOOT!

4. Try a something new every week. I tried navy beans cooked with onions mixed with some colorful peppers and potatoes. I used to never like beans, and now I'm diggin' 'em every chance I get.

Thursday Evening

Today was okay with food. I had mush for breakfast then decided I needed breadsticks for lunch. They were hard *blech*! So I gave them to Hubby; he'll eat anything. For dinner, I just had fries because that is what I wanted. I didn't eat them all, but enough to know that was what I wanted.

For exercise, I only did JD2 and Dance Broadway for a total of 30 min. I had big plans of taking a long walk today, but then my youngest was not feeling well today. That never happens so I told him to stay home. When he woke up, he said, "Can I still go to school?" So he was about an hour and a half late for school, but he went. I had to take him, so I decided not to take the walk afterall. It threw off my day.

Anyway, I did have fruit today. I had a kiwi and a huge pear. I have nothing fantabulous to say, so I will chat at you later.

What a Day!

I sold my books back this week. I was going to save the money, spend the money on frivolous things, maybe get the pooch washed. I really debated, walked (more like limped) around with all this money in my pocket. So today, I took the boys' "violent" video games and decided to trade them in. They weren't really too violent, but violent enough that it wasn't helping Dimples' disorders. Anyway, I was able to trade one of the games in for two motion controllers. I then traded the "untradable" game for another game. So far, no money spent. I had to take the kiddos to the dentist and there is a Game Stop right near the dentist office. Game Stop is having a sale that if you buy one Dance game, you get the $20 off the second Dance game. I ended up spending less than the price of one book on Just Dance 2, Dance Broadway, and Wii Sports Resort. I bought Wii Sports Resort used, and the other two games new. Dance Broadway ended up being 9.99 after the discount. How FUN is that!

We started playing Just Dance 2 right when we got home and that was a blast! It hurt a little because my legs are still sore from Monday's squats and I redid squats again today. We had a blast, even though Dimples had a major meltdown outside of Game Stop because he couldn't get a game HE wanted. You wanna know which game it was? Any other game we didn't get today. I mean really, we got FOUR games! ZIP IT KID!

Now the rest is going towards bills. Aunt Flo is here, so I am up a little on the scale, but total since Friday's low, I am only up .6. I was also pretty happy to see that this year is the first year only ONE person weighs less than me on the final weigh in on Biggest Loser! I won't tell you which person as I don't want to ruin it for anyone but it does not rhyme with balizabith. That, to me, is HUGE progress! I am really happy that I have come as far as I have and I am not going to blow it this winter. This is the first time in 9 years that I have really kicked it over the winter.

I was only able to do 25 squats today, total, and I am okay with that. It hurt really bad, too. I didn't do any other exercise except the 20 minutes on Just Dance 2 and the 20 minutes on Broadway Dance 2. I guess that is a lot! I also walked around town today because it was easier than getting in and out of my car. How pathetic is that!?!

DONE

With Finals! I am really happy to be done. This was a rough semester. To celebrate, I will be going to my mudda's to watch the season finale of Biggest Loser.

I have been in major pain all day. Getting in and out of the car has proven difficult. But I did take the stairs all day today. OH! I had a NSV. For two of my classes today, we had pot lucks. I didn't participate in the first one because I wasn't hungry. I only had salsa, veggies and fruit for the second one BECAUSE after my final, I read 50 Ways to Sooth Yourself Without Food. It made me realize I didn't really want the tamales that the Puerto Rican guy's aunt made. I mean, I really did, but my body would have totally rejected them. I didn't really want the cookies made with eggs and milk either. WHEW! That was a close one!

Anyloser, I'm done for the night. I will be sitting in front of the TV watching other Losers while I embroider these towels.

owwww

I hurt, bad. Why do I have to be so stinkin' competitive? Why can't I just let the person win? I have to push myself to limits that make it difficult for me to put my feet on the ground, put one foot in front of the other, sit down and pee. I will hopefully be better by tomorrow so that I can tear myself up again! I am so kicking this squat challenge in the squatter!

I was up .4 today, which is prolly just lactic acid. I am off to school to take my last two finals, sell back some books to pay rent, and have a big salad. I will also go to my mom's tonight to watch the season finale of Biggest Loser! Can I get a "Hollah"? Hollah!

Good day all!

I AM SO Ready For Sleep!

After walking 4.2 miles this morning, doing 33 squats, driving in the freezing cold and taking three finals, I am ready for sleep. I have two more tomorrow, and I am not too worried about them at all. I have to get a 45% on one to get a B in the class, and in Spanish, I have to get 50% to get an A. I am just going to relax, do some review and be done.

I did really well with eating, in spite of goodies being brought in for one of my classes tonight. Tomorrow might be a little harder as we are having a party after our Spanish final. Anyway, have a good one everyone!

OUCH! Squat and Sugar Challenge!

Well I used to have this best friend who said to me this morning, "Do you want to do the 200 squat challenge with me?" Me, being the moron that I am, I said, "Sure! Lets do it together while we're on the phone!" She create this whole scene where she was supposedly doing the squats with me while her daughter is saying in the background, "That's what I call a long distance workout!" Anyway, "we" did the squat thing together on the phone. This was after I did 17,145 steps on the Walk It Out game which ended up being around 4.2 miles. My quads keep spasming. When I stand up, my legs shake. I only did a total of 33 squats, and I am hurting!

I was down another .2 today. I am doing spunkysuzi's challenge this week of making one day without processed sugar. She did give me the go ahead to have a cup of tea with 1/2 teaspoon of organic evaporated cane juice just so I can have my caffeine without having artificial sweeteners. I usually have one Pepsi a day, but I am forgoing that today. I might actually try to do this two times. We will see!

I have two finals tonight. I am looking forward to getting them out of the way! Northwest Ohio is in a frozen tundra. Schools are closed across all of the region, but not colleges I guess. Hubby is working, so I will prolly have to take the kiddos to their grandmother's. I am freezing! I should probably get ready for the day. It should take me quite a while to get to school.

Do Dogs Need CPAP machines?

My pooch is really sawing logs here! He was out with in the snow with us burning 186 calories. :D I am really proud of myself! Okay, enough about me!

Took Advantage of the Blizzard!

How many calories does 36 minutes of shoveling burn? It was actually a lot of fun! When I got up this morning, I was all raring to go to work. It had only rained so far and I figured we weren't going to get that blizzard they were talking about. I checked the weather alerts and it mentioned the wet roads turning to ice, freezing rain on top of that and 2-3 inches of snow falling rapidly over the next two hours. I ended up opting not to go into work. So I did my weigh-in and was down .2, again! Then I did an hour on Walk It Out walking 3.8 miles. I showered and we walked to the church we go to (next door).

Here is the best part! Since I work on Sunday mornings at a very casual church, I wear either jeans or khakis. Instead of wearing a dress this morning because of the snow and ice, I figured I would wear dress pants. I put on my pants and they felt a little big. I asked Hubby, "Do these pants look big on me?" He said, "Um, no, it looks more like you're swimming in them!" I decided I would look for my black skirt. Well, instead I found some black pants that I couldn't wear when I bought them in 2004. They fit me perfect! They are size 15/16 short from Maurice's, I think which is for juniors. I guess I thought I was in my 20s when I was 32. ANYyippee, they fit, and nicely! Another NSV! A really pretty shimmery green blouse I had bought to wear when I got my head shaved that wouldn't button when I got there and still had the tags on it fit be beautifully this morning as well! I had to rip the tags off of it! WHAT! I KNOW, right?

When we got home, we snuggled for a little bit, and Yankee and I decided between snow storms to go to Kohls to spend our Kohls cash while we had a the coupon. I ended up getting a new tie for the little boys, a sweater for me that goes with the camel colored pants I bought at the same time as the black ones in 2004, and bottle for olive oil and one for vinegar. Then I came home and decided to start working on my MIL's Hanukkah present since Hanukkah ended last week. I am embroidering some flower sack towels with roosters and hens that also have the days of the week.

Big day and lots of fun! Have a good week everyone! I think that school will be canceled tomorrow.

Better Today

I forgot to mention that just venting my frustration about yesterday's cry made me feel so much better! Thank you all for listening, or reading, or whatever. Anyway, I am glad that today was better. I spent the day with the kiddos at the in-laws. Before that, I did 3.2 miles on the Walk It Out. That was really hard, but lots of fun.

We are expecting a blizzard tonight, and I have to drive 49 miles to work in the morning. I am not sure how to handle that. I guess I could call my boss and find out, if I can find her number. I can't find her number, so I emailed someone else. She should be able to get back to me by the time I'm supposed to leave in the morning.

Eating was really good today. For dinner tonight, we had navy beans that had been cooked with onions, mixed with peppers, tomatoes and purple potatoes. For lunch I had the veggies off of my kids pizza, my father-in-law had the cheese, and the kids ate the pepperoni and the crust. For breakfast, I had an avocado in a basil tomato wrap. I am really tired, probably anticipating the long drive in the morning.

Shopping Therapy

I normally wouldn't recommend shopping therapy since I am BROKE, but for Hanukkah, Hubby's parent's got the boys gift cards from Kohls and gave us money. Hubby was all high and mighty saying he was putting HIS money towards rent. I said, "Well, I am putting mine towards dog food, cat food, a hair cut and maybe some long johns." So he decided that if we split the cost of the dog food and cat food, we would both be able to take advantage of the sales at Kohl's as well as get a little groomed. My sister-in-law is a stylist and she threw in an eyebrow wax for free! WOOT! I no longer look like a shaggy Muppet!

Okay, so the before MY 20% off coupon at Kohls, the boys had spent their gift cards to their limits. Yankee got snow bibs, an OSU sweatshirt, t-shirt and stocking cap. Dimples got socks, underwear, pajamas, a flannel shirt, jeans, and an Iron Man Toy. Mellow Yellow (formerly Brown Eyes) got a shirt and tie (to wear to church), dress pants, socks, shoes, and a toy. I got leg warmers, wool socks and long johns. Hubby got a dress shirt (to wear with one of his ties) and socks. We ended up walking out of there with four GIANT bags of stuff, and didn't even need to dip into our own money budgeted for rent. Everybody was really pleased with their purchases. The boys all felt like they got stuff they needed plus one want in there. Yankee doesn't realize that all of his wants (OSU stuff) doubled as needs, but that's okay, he'll be alright.

I didn't do so well on eating yesterday, though. being out and about all day made it difficult to eat the way I'm supposed to. I was however, down .2. Now that could be all hair weight. I did get it cut, and my eyebrows ripped out!

NSV! I was able to complete the skate board exercise on the Wii Fit! That was the first time EVER!

Photos

This is me at 182 (above). This picture appeared on the front page of a local paper! EEK!

This is me in the same outfit at 172 in my kitchen. (above)


This is me today, at 162. Now, I do not notice a difference here from 172-162, but there must be a difference because the pants from the first two pictures don't stay up, and the shirt is way too big in the shoulders (plus it's too cold to wear short sleeves). OMG! Why does my right boob look so weird?

Crying Day, and Hot 100 Update

Since I went on antidepressants over four years ago, I don't have very many crying days. I used to cry all the time and be a wreck, but the meds make it difficult. Well, the doc is wanting me to go off the meds, so I have been scaling back for the last month so far. Anyway, I was talking to my BFF on the phone and the tears just started pouring down my face. Here's what happened.

I was talking to my mom about how when I went back to visit family that I had not seen in almost three years, that my favorite cousin, to whom I am supposed to be closest, chose to go to a farmer's market with her kids instead of spending the day with me and my kids at our grandma's. Now, I have gone my whole life with this cousin being the favorite grand-daughter, sometimes, my grandmother introducing her to people while I'm standing there as HER grand-daughter, and "Oh, this is Mandy." I usually just pass it off with humor and say, "Also your grand-daughter, your FIRST grand-daughter." Anywhining, I was just mentioning it to my mom and she started blaming me for my cousin not showing up, that I wasn't sure what day I was coming, if I was coming at all, blah blah blah. I reminded my mother that I was always going, it was just a question of which day, and if I was going to be able to get my niece or not. Then my mother said, "You are just like your father, complaining to me about MY family and I can't do anything about it." I said, "Please do NOT compare me to my father. I am not complaining to you, I am just telling you how I am hurt and was hoping for a little bit of validation." She says, "Email your cousin. She probably doesn't even realize she upset you. Just tell her you have to get it off of your chest." So I said, " Maybe I will, but it will be successful in making us both feel lousy." Then she says, "You just have to get over it. You know that they are all like this and it's not going to do any good to point it out to them because they will just say, 'I didn't even realize I did that.' and then just go on thinking you are too sensitive." So I say, "Well that's why I just wanted to talk to you about it, but I won't do that again, because it obviously isn't something we can talk about. I didn't want to be lectured, just feel that my feelings are valid." Then she said, "Okay Rick! Geez! I don't need this!" Oh, my father's name is Rick. I haven't talked to him for almost a year because I am not good enough.

I said, "Stop it, Mother! Anyway, I gave you the phone number you needed I've got to go." So I called my BFF and related the conversation to her. She validated my feelings which made me burst into tears. That's all I wanted was for my mom to say it stinks. I can figure out on my own that it will always be like this, but I didn't want to be lectured. THEN she calls me and asks me if we are doing lunch today! I should have said, "Are you crazy? I have been sitting her blubbering like a fool for 20 minutes and now you want to do lunch like nothing happened?" But I said, "No, I'm not going out until my laundry is done." I showed her!

UGH!

Well, now that I've made you read all of that, or maybe you just scrolled down to this point...anywazoodle, I am down .2! Which makes me at the exact halfway point in my weight loss. Which makes me at 162. Which means it's time for hubby to get another picture of my backside. Which means that this is going to be a big blog post!

Goals:

1. I will remember to take my supplements every single night. Success!

2. When I feel I need ibuprofen, I will take 1 instead of 2. - although this was a hard one, I did manage!

3. I will purposefully exercise every day. I did it! WOOT!

4. Try a something new every week. This week I tried purple potatoes. This is a new goal, but I have been doing it anyway and it's fun to try something new.

Still Freezing!

My mom and I went out this morning. I thought the key to my van was lost so I was convinced that I would be trapped in my house if I didn't go with her to get license plates and her hair cut. I prolly woulda survived, but who really knows for sure.

We went all over the place and I picked up another set of long johns. I have been freezing and cannot warm up for anything. I screwed up my assignments and am redoing them now. I am almost done, so that I can not think about this anymore! I WANT TO BE DONE THIS SEMESTER!

I am the same weight I was a few days ago, you know, the all time low. Anywhipple, I'm going to go put my long johns on under my clothes. FREEZING!

Big Day

I have to write a big paper today and then I am done with projects this semester! I did not exercise this morning. I am disappointed in myself, but at the same time, I slept in and Dimples had a good morning, so I'll take it.

I will walk some laps in the halls at school today to make up for it. Maybe I'll even wear a pedometer! Good idea! I needed to be down .2 today to take a new picture, but didn't get there, so hopefully we will be there tomorrow!

Lots to do and not much time! Have a good one!

Up Early Again

Well today was a little different than normal. Hubby's alarm went off at what I thought was 6:50. I was bummed because my alarm hadn't gone off. Dimples got right out of bed and headed for the shower. Hubby came back to bed about 10 minutes later and said, "Well, It's actually 6:00 now instead of 7:00." So, when my alarm went off at 6:30, I was able to just jump (okay maybe not exactly jump) out of bed to get down to the family room for my morning Wii Fit weigh in and work out. I was exactly the same as yesterday, and I am sure it is because of my lack of fruit and normal meals as I was on the road almost all day.

Today is a day of school work. Have a good one!

One Tired Girl!

That is what I am! I feel like I could fall asleep right this minute and it is only 6:05! I still have at least 2 1/2 hours before my day is done!

Well I took the girl home today. I wish so much that I could keep her, but that isn't the plan right now, so I will spend as much time with her as her mother allows. She stayed with me at work today and was as funny and sweet as can be. We then drove through lake effect snows to get her home, and then back again. I got home and Hubby and kiddos are at my in-laws' house. When they get home, we will head to evening church and then call it a weekend.

I have made it a point every morning to work out for at least 25 minutes on the Wii. This morning, I only did 15 because I was so confused by the 3.5 lb loss that I had to mess with it for a while. Anyway, I like that I am getting that exercise in first thing. Then if I get no more than that, I know that I had a good start to the day.

Hopefully, there will be less of me tomorrow!

G'night!

Down Again!

The first time I got on the scale, the Wii Fit said I had lost 3.5 lbs! I knew that couldn't be possible! I ate okay, but I did have cake. As I was working out, one of the feet scooted out from under the board. I knew it! So I reweighed and ended up with a -.5!

Now I'm at a new low! WOOT! Off to work and to take my precious Ice Blue Eyes home. Have a good one!

Back To My Lowest!

In a very long time! I got on the scale today and I am 162.7, which is my lowest number since 2002! Now I can tell I am on a downward trend. I started my day again today doing 25 minutes worth of exercise, and I will fit in exercise throughout the day, just like I did yesterday. I will have at least four servings of fruit, just like I did yesterday. AND I will drink plenty of water, just like I did yesterday.

Today for the party, I am going to make a vegetable soup sans tomatoes (so that my BFF and MIL can partake), a mushroom pasta, and cake. I am looking forward to the party today. I love my little niece and it breaks my heart when I take her back home every time, but it is the reality, so I just make the best of our visits. I cherish each visit knowing that it could be the last, but hoping that someday, I will get to keep her forever! I can dream, right?

I haven't posted about my beloved dog lately. Can I just say that I adore him? He is still a big goofy lab. We haven't gone on many walks lately because of the bitter cold and my mean cold that I had earlier in the week. Anyway, I better get going! Have a good one, and I will do the same!

4-5 Servings of Fruit, But NO MORE THAN 5

I have learned my lesson from the week I was trying to win the challenge, that really wasn't a contest, but I made it one (bad choice). I am back to eating 4-5 servings of fruit again, but I will not go over 5! If I ever decide to go over that amount, I will change the name of the fruit challenge to "Colon Blow!"

Anyway, I went to the store yesterday and bought a bunch of fresh fruit. I had to go back to the store and return 2 of the 3 coconuts and 3 avocados because they were bad. It really surprised me because I have never had bad produce from Meijer before. Anyway, they were very gracious in giving me my money back. Unfortunately, the only avocados they had left won't be ripe until spring.

I am having a birthday party tomorrow for Ice Blue Eyes before I have to take her home on Sunday. She is so excited about the party though! I will be making my famous vegan chocolate cake tomorrow morning. We cleaned the house tonight so there will be little to do in the morning before the big party! WOOT!

Hot 100 Update 12/3/2010

1. I will remember to take my supplements every single night. Success!

2. When I feel I need ibuprofen, I will take 1 instead of 2. - SUCCESS!

3. I will purposefully exercise every day. It's getting better! I started today by doing 24 minutes on the Wii. I will try to do more later. I am letting this cold and crummy weather get me down.

I weighed in this morning at exactly the same as last week. I have really got to get myself on the stick!

After two nights of Hanukkah, the kids have gotten vegan chocolate bars (which they LOVED) and coconuts. How fun is that?

Have a good day!

The Kitchen is Closed

Says Ice Blue Eyes tonight while she is eating her green beans. She had like four bowls of green beans yesterday! Anyway, it was 8:30, and Ice Blue Eyes says, "The kitchen is closed" while my boys are looking for food as a way to avoid bedtime and she is eating her green beans.

Today we are going grocery shopping. We have been out of fresh fruit for a couple of days and I am jones'n for some kiwi! The boys each want a coconut for Hanukkah. So I will be picking up kiwi fruit, oranges and coconut.

Hubby is not feeling well today, so the world must stop to care for him. Poor poor baby! Of course, he has it worse than I did. He is a man, after all.