Quilting & Football

From About.com

Yes those two things go together for me. Last weekend I started quilting during the second game. So it only makes sense that those two things go together for me.

Today was a big day for me in the Land of Quilting. There was a sale!!! There is a Quilting store near me, Capital Quilts, that was having a sale on Fat Quarters. Fat quarters is a quarter of a yard. Simple as that. So today, there was a FRENZY SALE on Fat Quarters. They were all 50% off. And if you bought more than 50 you could have ONE free pattern in addition. I bought 110. Apparently I had to purchase them separately to get an additional free pattern.  Whatever. It was overwhelming enough.  
So the event started at noon, and there was a line when I showed up. I am curious when the first people arrived... but we all fit inside. I brought Lesley with me. She had just as much fun looking at all the fabrics as I did. We were kids in a candy quilting shop. We were in and out in 30 minutes. And I REFUSE to tell you how much I spent. But I will show you the pictures! Enjoy!!!

Yup. That is 110 fabrics. They are all in there. And that giant box in the middle? Those are the fabrics that have already been assembled into their projects. Lesley & I made 5 quilts this afternoon - we assembled 5 sets of fabric. Don't get ahead of yourself here! And I have a lot of fabrics with big patterns so I can make an I-SPY quilt in the future.

Oh man, I can't wait to dig into this pile of fabrics! YAY!!!

And then there was football. And the Ravens played well. All the way up into the 4th quarter. All the way up to the last 15 seconds. And then it got ugly. He missed the field goal to tie the game. He missed it. And we were out of the running for the Super Bowl. But the TEAM played very well. They could have taken it & won. But this is okay. It means the SB will be less stressful. And we always have next year.

And so I turned to quilting. I took all these photos and wrote this post. Quilting makes me very happy. I have something wonderful to look forward to!

Fitness Week 2 - Days 4-7

W2D4 – Wednesday, January 18 – Jillian Michaels Level 2

I wanted to Body Rock today, but I forgot to watch the video last night and write down what I would be doing. So Jillian it is.

So here is what I was able to do: #1^st set – exercise – 2^nd set

stretching

1st circuit 

7 (7) – walking planks – 6 (7)

27/5lbs (27/5lbs ) – static squat & dumbbell rows (open) – 15/5lbs (15/5lbs )

high knees/mountain climbers

12 each (15) – crunch alternating leg lift (didn't count last time)

2nd circuit

 24/5lbs (22/5lbs ) – static lunge & dumbbell row (closed) – 24/5lbs (18/5lbs )

24/5lbs (10/5lbs ) – pendulum lunge & hammer curl – 13/5lbs (13/5lbs )

oblique twist / skaters

12 (14) – leg lifts

16 (13) – double crunch

3rd circuit

12/5lbs (16/5lbs) – military press & leg extension – 14/3lbs (15/3lbs)

20/3lbs (20/5lbs) – squat & V raise – 19/3lbs (19/3lbs)

plank jacks/ double jump rope

27 (10) plank twists

Yup, this woman makes me sweat buckets. There is no denying it. Not at all. Full body sweat. It is sexy. Just trust me. Here is to another good day of eating healthy.

I did it. I ate healthy all day. And when my afternoon/evening cravings started (nope not pregs, just hungry from about 5 to 8 almost every night) I had a cup of steamed broccoli. Then when I was still hungry, I had another cup of broccoli. Smart. Take that. And Matt threw away the Hershey kisses that were still lingering from Christmas. Another win for my belly. Speaking of which, I think it is getting happier, more defined. It still has a good layer of fluff on top, but it looks nice from the view from above.

W2D5 – Thursday, January 19 – ZUMBA, Body Rock Week 2, Day 1

So I was watching the video for today and Lisa (trainer) was talking about how it is important to do the second workout with Sean.  He leads the weight lifting workout. They look so much worse than Lisa’s workout. I don’t know if I really want to do Sean’s workout. I don’t think I committed to that. So I have been thinking of adding something else to my routine. Today I am adding ZUMBA. I have the DVDs, and I like dancing, and there is a 20-minute workout. So as long as wake up better than yesterday (which was grumpy) I will be dancing in the morning.  I am thinking ZUMBA first, then Body Rock.

What you are looking at is 3 rounds of burpees – x3. Sounds like murder.

Here is what I was able to do:

20 minutes ZUMBA 

3 sets/ 4/ 4 - Burpee + Tuck Jump x2 & 10 x Straight Punches

3 sets/ 3/ 3 - Burpee + Tuck Jump x2 & 10 x Hook Punches

4 sets/ 3/ 3 - Burpee + Tuck Jump x2 & 2 x Straight Punches + 2 x Hook Punches

5 sets/ 4/  - 2 x Mid Abs + 2 x Bag Touch Abs

Oh my. That was an intense 34 minutes. I did it. 20 minutes ZUMBA, and 12 minute Body Rock. Holy cow. The sweat was everywhere. I learned a lesson today – workout with ZUMBA or Jillian first, and then Body Rock. On other mornings when I have wanted to do a second workout, I couldn’t find the energy after Body Rock. But ZUMBA first, and Body Rock was fine afterwards. Interesting.

W2D6 – Friday, January 20 – ZUMBA, Body Rock Week 2, Day 2

YAY FOR FRIDAY!!! And I was able to sleep in and still workout! It is the end of final exam week, and I don’t have any make-up exams today, and my department head said, come in a little late today. Normally I am in by 6:45. Today I will be done working out at 6:45 and be in to work by 8. It is a nice change for a few times a year.

So I forgot to watch the video last night, but I have time today…

Here is what I was able to do:

20 minutes ZUMBA 

6/5 – Box Jump + 1/2 Burpee (Alternative sides)

25/21 – Switch Lunges

6/5 – 3 point jumps + R & L Knee to Elbow

9/9 – Tricep Dips + Knee Tuck

12/0 – Side Leap (touch one foot, skip leg to side, touch one foot, kinda like squat jumps)

5/0 – Walking Pike Push-ups

Halfway through and I couldn’t breathe at all. I paused. For about 45 seconds or 90 maybe. And then I quit. Which made me feel bad. But I couldn’t do it. It was hard. I was so out of breath. And I am so sweaty – sweatier than I have ever been with one of these workouts. There are sweat marks on the table where my arms are resting. It is foul. And the sweat dripping down my crack, H.O.T.

Anyway, today is going to be a long day. Work this morning. I am not staying the whole day, again no students, and very little work I can do. Also, I have to be back at 4 for basketball tonight. So I won’t be home until 9pm. And since I won’t be home, I won’t be able to snack on food I don’t want! HURRAH! One of the only positives of these long days. But I am coming home in the middle of the day so I am not at school the whole time. Staying until 2:45 drove me nuts yesterday.

Oh man today was a bad day. Just everything that could go wrong did. I wasn’t making bad decisions; just things weren’t going exactly right. And there were no solutions to be had. Oh well. I let it go. And ate healthy in spite of it.

W2D7 – Saturday, January 21 – Rest.

That’s right. Today is my day off. I worked out every day this week. That is ANOTHER week of FOLLOW THROUGH! WIN! And I am very happy about this. All I have to do is eat healthy today. Check & check.

Fitness Week 2 - Days 1-3

WEEK TWO

W2D1 – Sunday, January 15 – Jillian Michaels Level 2

So I did it. I walked away from the computer and worked out. Follow through. HIGH FIVE to me! And then I was thinking that it would be interesting to see what I was able to do the last time with the same workout. So I put last week's number in parenthesis after what I could do today.

So here is what I was able to do: #1^st set – exercise – 2^nd set

stretching

1st circuit 

7 (5) – walking planks – 7 (5)

27/5lbs (15/3lbs) – static squat & dumbbell rows (open) – 15/5lbs (17/3lbs)

high knees/mountain climbers

15 each – crunch alternating leg lift (didn't count last time)

2nd circuit

 22/5lbs (16/3lbs) – lunge & dumbbell row (closed) – 18/5lbs (15/3lbs)

10/5lbs (16/3lbs) – pendulum lunge & hammer curl – 13/5lbs (13/5lbs)

oblique twist / skaters

14 (8) – leg lifts

12 (10) – double crunch

3rd circuit

16/5lbs (15/5lbs) – military press & leg extension – 15/3lbs (14/3lbs)

20/3lbs (18/5lbs) – squat & V raise – 15/3lbs (19/3lbs)

plank jacks/ double jump rope

?? (I lost count) (10) plank twists

Oh it hurt so bad. After 2 days no working out. It hurt. I couldn't breathe. It makes so much sense.  I ate like crap, and so much of it. So of course it hurt today. And the breathing was bad news bears. And Matt did the last few exercises with me. He does a lot of these at Soldier Fit (his favorite workout).

Here is to Week 2. And Day 2 of being 29 and making promises I can keep.

W2D2 – Monday, January 16 – Body Rock Day 4

Happy MLK day! We have today off from work, so I slept in until just before 8. It was my day to take out the dogs. Then the dogs went back to sleep and I spent the next 2 hours reading on the internet and updating some of my recipes. I back dated them. I hate when they all show up in one box. Yes I am crazy like that. I have not touched any cake yet today either!

So today's workout - I am going back to Body Rock. It has been too many days without Lisa. I was enjoying JM Level 2 very much, but I like the new exercises in Lisa's workouts.

So here is what I was able to do:

This workout has 4 exercises & 3 rounds.

1. Burpees – 9/ 8/ 8
2. Pushups – 17/ 13/ 17
3. Mountain Climbers – (sets) 35/ 25/ (high knees) 66
4. Tuck abs (V-abs & hug knees) – 17/ (situps) 14/ (crunches) 29

Oh I haven't started and I know this is going to hurt like hell!

No lie, I got to the end of the third round and I was dead nervous about completing the fourth round. Good thing it doesn't exist. I realized that burpees pull down my pants. Yes I wrote that; while I was doing burpees, I constantly had to pull up my pants. Awkward, yes, especially for me. Also notice that I modified the exercises. I recognized that my arms couldn't maintain, so I modified to exercises I knew I could do and still be working out the same muscles without having to hold my body up at the same time.

Now I am going to add 1 minute of oblique twists and then stretch.

I sweat more with Jillian than with any of Lisa's workouts. And its not because I don't try as hard. I think it may be the difference between 12 minutes and 25. Just something I have noticed more than once.

W2D3 – Tuesday, January 17 – Body Rock Day 5

Today is the 400 rep challenge. Ouch. I am supposed to keep track of my own time. Yikes. And I don’t want to be awake right now.

Here is what I was able to do:

2 exercises 4 rounds – as fast as possible.

75 high knees – 50sec  

25 leg lifts (abs with legs at 90° then straight to above floor)

I didn’t time the abs. I thought I would be unfair to my abs. Whole thing took about 6 minutes. I was attacked my dog kisses at the beginning too. Man I did not want to work out this morning.

And when I weighed myself this morning, it was not pretty. I am throwing away the cake right now. And taking the cupcakes to work. No more of that stuff for me. Now I am on my diet and not breaking it at all. PLAN. I have eaten so much of the cake that Colleen brought for my birthday, and I ate most of it myself. In fact, Colleen might have been the only other person to eat any of it with me. Oh that makes me feel bad.  It was delicious. I love cake.

So no more birthday excuses for bad eating. Everything is back on track and working out.

But the afternoon snacking is rough. I had a half bag of popcorn. I had some Hershey kisses. And a whole bunch of clementines.  But I bought a new water bottle to replace the one I dropped. If you have ever been to my house, you know I have a lot of water bottles. But this one has a straw! And I drink so much faster out of it, ergo I drink more water, ergo I will eat less. It has worked in the past. I can’t wait for it to work tomorrow.

& I tracked my food.

LOVE LOVE LOVE to QUILT

That's right, I said it. I LOVE QUILTING. After the football games today I decided that all I really wanted to do was play with the sewing machine. It has been the elephant in the corner waiting to come out. It has been hiding under my desk holding its breath.

So I set up shop in the dining room. I set up the sewing machine at the end of the table (near an outlet). And yes, that is the instruction manual next to the sewing machine.



All my tools are in that toiletries bag. I put all my scraps into the vase as I go.

I spent at least 20 minutes trying to figure out how to wind the bobbin and then load the bobbin. I don't even want to talk about threading the needle. I can't believe it took me as long as it did; especially because my Pfaff has a threader!

And then I quilted for the next 5 or 6 hours. That can't be true... let's see. Bobbin wound and loaded. Then I stopped to play Settlers with Matt, Steve, & Lesley (who had come over to watch football). Then I quilted, and I didn't stop until just now. So yes, about 5 hours I would guess. I forgot to eat a real dinner too. I had a bag of popcorn while we were playing Settlers.

These are my fabrics. It is clearly a purple quilt. With a blue, almost, paisley thrown in for fun. My Mom picked out these fabrics. Hmmmm. We might have a problem... Do you see the second fabric in the left hand pile? I haven't incorporated it at all... That explains why the purple and green dots looks off. There wasn't any other green to balance it. How interesting. So here is what I have so far. Let me know what you think. Most importantly, should I go back a little bit and add the other fabric?

  

29 Years Old hmmmm.

So I made it to 29 yesterday. 1 year short of 30. Are these big milestones?
Last year for my birthday I came to terms with having a baby. Before that birthday I was not ready at all. But sometime around then I changed my opinion and got on board. And this year.
Who knows what will happen this year. 29. Almost 30.

This year I want to work on my follow through. I want to actually do the things I commit to for more than a week.

1. Take the workouts. They are a perfect example. I have completed the first week. Now I am starting the second week. And I am going to follow through and maintain it. 
2. I am going to follow through with putting my things away to help make my husband happier. I like him and making him happy so this is something I can follow through for him. 
3. At work too. I say I am going to work on things and I ignore them completely. It is only somewhat intentional. So I am going to work on having a better attitude about doing things that make other people happy. And being helpful.

 So I made it to 29 and I am going to do this. I am an adult. I can do this. I can take care of myself and the people I can about, and the other people who are nearby on a regular basis.

So first step right now! I am going to get up, walk away from this computer, change my clothing, and workout. Happy Birthday to me!

UPDATE - Thank you to Sarah, my favorite sister. She went looking for a birthday present and wanted to get me something I actually wanted. So she went to Pinterest. Don't know what that is? It is a website that helps you organize everything you love on the internet. Simple as that. I have 37 "bulletin boards" that organize over 1200 "pins" of items I like. Sarah found a beautiful necklace that I pinned. Thank you! I love it!

Body Rock - Week 1 - Days 4-7 (8)

W1D4 - Tuesday, January 10 - Body Rock Day 2
4 days until I turn 29. 
Today's workout is a 12 minute program. 50 seconds on 10 seconds rest. I watched the video last night explaining how to do it and I broke out in a cold sweat from fear... but I will do this first thing in the morning (CRAZY) anyway. I just have to remember how happy I was yesterday. It looks so intimidating! RIGHT! HELP! It's okay, she showed us ways to do each exercise and at a slower pace it looks manageable.

So here is what I was able to do: 
Jillian Michaels stretching
2 sets - 10 x High Knees & 10 x Mountain Climbers
3 sets - 2 x Squat Jumps & 2 x Push-ups & 1 x Tuck Jumps
4 sets - Center to Elbow Jump (L&R) & 2 x leg jumps
4 sets - Press Up &  2 Squat jumps
2 sets - Tuck Jumps x 5 & ½ Burpee & squat hold x 5 - BREATHING HARD NOW
20 - Push up - FOR REAL!
25 - Switch Lunge
7 sets - Side Lunge x 2 & L & R Side Punch  & 2 Tuck Jumps
1 set - 10 x Squat & 10 x Squat Jumps
2 sets - Elbow to Knee jumps 10 x each side
20 - Wide leg jumps & Push up
 - Speed run

Oh sh*t that was so hard. It took me close to 20 minutes to complete this because I kept looking at the video to understand what I was doing.  Maybe I will write it out in words I understand for tomorrow.
Moment of honesty - I had every intention of working out with Jillian today out of fear for Body Rock. But I didn't. I Body Rocked instead. I am more capable than I give myself credit. Also, and I thought this was interesting, I woke up before my alarm - kind of like I was excited to work out!!! NICE!

And then I have been hungry all day long. I noticed this yesterday too. After working out first thing in the morning I get very hungry earlier in the day. I was never starving like this before. I don't entirely understand it. It shouldn't have that much to do with it. Right? Am I losing it? Whatever. I bought a 5 lb. bag of clementines and brought them to work for free snacks. Shame they don't fill me up like carbs. Oh wells.

AND I tracked my food today.

W1D5 - Wednesday, January 11 - Body Rock Day 3
Oh this is going to be hard. I can't decide if I am upset because I don't have all the equipment required or disappointed because I kind of want all the stuff. But do I really? Who knows. And we both know that if I buy the equipment I will probably end up quitting. So I am going to keep doing the modified movements and I am happy as long as I keep going.

Lisa (my online trainer) wants me to work out with Sean (the other trainer) afterwards. I think it is a bad plan. So I will get to the end of the workout with Lisa and then decide if I am going to add 2 circuits from Jillian's workout.


So here is what I was able to do: (these are with my modifications)
Jillian Michaels stretching
10 - Superman Push-ups (lift opposite arm and leg between each push-up)
10 - Push-up’s & L&R knee to elbow touch(my arms are already killing me from yesterday)
20 - Squat & Press
3 sets - Clean & Press + Jump Forward + 3 x Squat Jumps
15 - Push-ups (seriously again?)
8 - Side Jump Burpee + 2 knee to elbow Oblique Abs + Tuck Jump Centre (Alternate Sides)
8 sets - Forward Lunge + Side Lunge + Knee Lift. (Alternate Legs)
6 sets - Push-up (arms close to body) & Burpee up to ceiling press + Sumo L&R Knee Touch.
18 - Tricep Dip + knee lifts
12 - Sit-ups

18 - Squats
Speed Run

HOLY COW. I made it. The beginning was rough. My arms cannot take any more push ups at all. I don't think I will be able to do more tomorrow. My arms are just killing me. And that sprint at the end? The longest 50 second interval. But I have time and I am not exhausted. So some more Jillian please.

20 - Squat & pres with 3lb weight. (As if I haven't done enough of these)
18 - Dumbbell Rows with 3lb
20 - Forward Lunges with bicep curls with 3lb
20 - Dumbbell Rows with 5lb
2 minutes cardio - butt kicks, punches
20 each side - oblique situps 
18 - chest flys with 5lb
12 - chest flys with 5lb (then I was attacked by dogs :)
2 minutes cardio - jumping jacks, butt kicks, punches, jumping jacks
30 - bicycle crunches
stretch

So this morning I learned something very valuable. I can do level 1 no problem. Monday night I was talking to Colleen about how level 1 still made me winded (it has always been my go to workout during my not working out regularly routine). But today it felt more like a cooldown (because I didn't do all the intervals but I still did most of the exercises). So it is time to move up to LEVEL 2!!!! But maybe not after a Body Rock morning...

I have to stop cheating on food. It is the one part of this that desperately needs help. Today a student bought pizza for his lunch (not from the cafeteria I do have standards) and offered me a piece. Instead of saying "no thank you" I took the smallest piece. But then I ate it all! Why didn't I give it to another student? Or just eat a bite - as in ONE BITE! - and then get rid of it? Who knows. The lunch I had packed for myself was super healthy since I know Matt & I are going out for dinner tonight. But NOOOOO I ate the slice of pizza. 8 points. down the drain. That I can't get back. And this week is a hard week too! We are eating out tonight and Friday night. And Saturday is my birthday and people are coming over. OH GEEZ. I knew I wouldn't lose that much weight this week, but seriously. WHAT WAS I THINKING?>>!@#>@#$?#?#$%

W1D6 - Thursday, January 12 - Body Rock Day 4 Jillian Michaels Level 2

I am actually looking forward to this workout - crazy talk this is. And then I remembered that the push-ups were so hard yesterday. So I will be doing Jillian Michaels Level 2 instead. I hope there are not a ton of push-ups. Fingers crossed for me. And today - only smart food decisions.


So here is what I was able to do: #1st set - exercise - #2nd set
stretching
1st circuit 
5 - walking planks - 5
15 (3lbs) - static squat & dumbbell rows (open) - 17 (3lbs)
high knees/mountain climbers
crunch alternating leg lift
2nd circuit
16 (3lbs) - lunge & dumbbell row (closed) - 15 (5lbs)
16 (3lbs) - pendulum lunge & hammer curl - 13 (5lbs)
oblique twist / skaters
8 - leg lifts
10 - double crunch
3rd circuit
15 (5lbs) - military press & leg extension - 14 (3lbs)
18 (5lbs) - squat & V raise - 19 (3lbs)
plank jacks/ double jump rope
10 plank twists

Somewhere between the 1st & 2nd circuits Bones had really bad diarrhea. I had to stop for 5 minutes and clean it up. The smell permeated the entire house. I couldn't get rid of it. Gross.
Then I loved this moment at the beginning of circuit three when sweat dripped into my eye. I could breathe the whole time, but sweating so much more than any other day. WIN!!

I was really good today. I ate only my healthy lunch! A student gave me candy and I didn't eat it! HUZZAH! I AM AWESOME! I made cupcakes tonight for someone's daughter's birthday party this weekend. I didn't eat any cupcakes. I did taste the batter.

BEASTLY INTERNET! - I just wrote so much & it didn't save.
ROAR!

W1D7 - Friday, January 13 - Body Rock Day 4 Jillian Michaels Level 2
Did you notice that? That's right. I didn't work out today... it's Friday. And my body hurts. Specifically my back is very sore - not in the I might have hurt myself way, but in my muscles feel like they are getting a beating way. In a good way. If only I had thought about this information last night/this morning when I made this decision. Because the rest of the day was filled with less than great decisions.

We celebrated a birthday (someone else's) at work with ice cream. I only ate 1/2 a cup. I threw away the rest!! HIGH FIVE! Then I went to the bar with friends to celebrate:
1 - Friday
2 - final exams
3 - pay day
4 - 3 day weekend
5 - oh yea, that tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY!!!

I was really good too! I ate chicken and spinach before I left work (healthy lunch CHECK!) so at the bar I didn't eat that much. I had a beer, a little spinach dip, & a handful of french fries. Not bad. And I didn't feel bad about it.
For dinner my Moms took Matt & I out for dinner. It was one of the nicest gifts I received. I love my Moms. So we went to Gordon Biersch - its a brewery. I was good again. We shared fried calamari, and then Matt and I split dinner. We had a spinach salad (dressing on the side - saved a lot of calories) & then lobster mac'n'cheese.  I didn't eat the bread or finish the bowl! Nice work me! HIGH FIVE!


W1D8 - Saturday, January 14 - MY 29th BIRTHDAY!!!
It's my BIRTHDAY!!!! I am 29 today! I am a big fan of birthdays. I think the only reason that my department celebrates birthdays at all is because I love them sooo much. And I am okay with that!
So today I woke up BIRTHDAY BIRTHDAY BIRTHDAY! And then I made a very healthy breakfast of scramble eggs with onion, mushrooms, spinach, and chicken (only 4 WW points!).
Then Mom & I went out for errands and boy were we successful! Let's see, in order we went and tried on glasses for Mom (found some we liked), bought a tie for Matt, visited my school to wash my contacts, went to a bird center (for Mom), bought fancy bread (with spinach and onion), bought fat quarters (for quilting), went home for grilled cheese sandwiches on fancy bread with Matt, went back out for Dunkin Donuts, and a yarn store. All by 1:30. It was a wonderful birthday morning!

This was the part of the day that I thought I was going to both workout and shower. I didn't do either. (Sorry to the people who were at my house.) I found the TV and internet. Aren't those my normal excuses? Yes. So my free time disappeared and it was time to make chicken pot pies. Which I did. and then when I was cleaning up, my friends started showing up! For my birthday, we had friends over to play games. We play every few months, boys v. girls. Last night we were 3 v. 6. And amazingly I think the boys might have won more games than the ladies. I don't get it, but we weren't keeping that much track.


So this was my week. It was wonderful. I worked out 4 days out of 7. That's very good for week 1. Matt is worried about me. He thinks I might overdo it (which I might). He wanted me to take it more slowly this week. So I did (by accident). This week I want to workout 5 days and not take my days off together. And to keep tracking my food - it makes me more aware of what I am eating!

Body Rock - Week 1 - Days 1-3

Week 1 Day 1 (W1D1)
Saturday, January 7 - Body Rock Day 1 - Fitness Test
Do the following moves for 50 seconds and keep track of how many you did. Follow with a 10 second rest. Then start the next move. Total 7 minutes. Perfect because that is how long I have until I need to shower and get going. Even though I still haven't put away my clothing from vacation last week. Eeks.

So here is what I was able to do:
29 Squat Jump
16 Push Ups (and I am out of breath)

10 Burpees (man I hate these)

64 High Knees

25 Switch Lunges (so out of breath)

12 Tuck Jumps

15 Straight Abs (I thought I would be able to do more. But seeing as I couldn't breath, I am still impressed).

I am so sweaty after 7 minutes. I think I read that sweat is fat crying. So take that! Umm, and I might be nauseous.

So Day 1 - check!

And I tracked my food today.

I count today as a win!

W1D2 - Sunday, January 8 - exercise - or not

I have a long list of excuses for why I didn't work out today. None of which are worth sharing. They are kind of legit? I organized my desk and put away all the clothing in the basket. And then there was football. And the Steelers lost! Lovely!
So my alarm is set and I am working out tomorrow morning with Jillian and then after school I will do Body Rock before my meeting.
And I tracked my food today.

W1D3 - Monday, January 9 - Jillian Michaels - Level 1
OMG. I was soooo successful this morning! I woke up at 4:45 and worked out with Jillian. My body still hurts like hell from the fitness test on Saturday. But I woke up and thought about resetting my alarm clock, and then told myself to shut up and get moving. So I did. I worked out! And everyone is right, the rest of the day is better if you work out. And I am a morning exercise kind of person.
We will have one problem with this system - Matt and the dogs. But Matt said it would be okay if they climbed in bed with him while I worked out and showered - so crisis averted!

Also, I thought I would have time to work out before my meeting tonight, but the principal will be there so I don't want to go in smelling like the gym.  So I will work out when I get home.

UPDATE - Matt makes more sense than I give him credit for EVER. I haven't worked out consistently in a long time. So working out twice in one day is a BAD PLAN! I will hurt myself. A lot. So I will be doing Day 2 tomorrow morning. And I am happy about this plan.

And I made smart decisions about my snacks and tracked my food today.

FIRST SNOW 2012!!

I walked out of my staff meeting today and found snow quietly drifting to the ground!  HURRAH! I love snow!!! I had errands to run, but I came out of my errands and it was STILL SNOWING! And starting to stick to the grass! And now I am home and loving the snow on my porch and my sleeping boys on the couch. That's right, I said BOYS PLURAL - can you see Bones sticking out at the bottom? This is the perfect weather for a great nap!

In case you were wondering, tomorrow the weather will be back in the 50s.

Challenge Accepted!

I have said it before and I will say it again. I need something to be help accountable for. In the past I have done a good job for a few months, and then something happens and I stop.  I am very good January to April, and then I stop.  For instance:
2009 - I had a wonderful trainer at the gym. I worked out with Kristin twice a week, until I realized I could cancel appointments and then I stopped. 4 months on, 1 month off. Then she switched to another gym and I never saw her again.
2010 - I was a gym rat from January to April. I went a few times a week. I loved it. Then Gerry died. I am not blaming him. It is the only event I can remember from that spring. Maybe I got sick. Who knows.
2011 - Weight Watchers. I lost 15 pounds. I was so happy. I hit my target weight. I thought "why not 5 more?" I put all the weight back on. And I am still paying for the service in the hopes that I start tracking my food and activity again. Also that spring, I took a cupcake decorating class. And then I took a cupcake tour of America last summer too.

Seriously, what was I thinking!

So I know that I have no long term follow through. I can do something for 4 months, but then I fall off the wagon. I love working out. I hate making time for it. Take this morning for instance. I woke up at 10 (hallelujah for sleeping in!!! Matt took care of the dogs before going to the gym. He even set the alarm to get up and go - why can't I do that?). So I woke up at 10. Read in bed for an hour. Got up when Matt got back from the gym. And I have been sitting at my computer reading crap on the internet for the last hour and a half. All the while thinking I have time to go to the gym today before I leave. And now I don't. I always find something else I would rather do. Or I am too tired. Or I don't want to leave the house because I am already home. I know I won't leave and go to the gym.

So what to do? I am going to punish myself the only way I know how. My alarm clock is in the bathroom. That way I have to get up to turn it off. I am sneaky like that. So I am going to set my alarm for an hour before I normally get up. PUNISHMENT! And I am going to work out. I have two plans. Three plans.

1. Option 1. Body Rock TV. Oh it is soooo intimidating! In fact it is the reason for this post! I am going to do their 30 day challenge. I am already 5 days late. So I am right on time.

2. Option 2. Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I already know I love it. I have gotten up to level 3 before. And then I stopped. Shocker there. So my plan is to work out with this 3 days a week and in the afternoon. Because I know I will feel successful and that is important to keeping me going!

3. Option 3. Gym time. Let's be honest, it is only an option because I am paying for it. But seriously. On days when I have to stay late at school for sports, it will be a requirement to go to the gym (across the street) and run for 30 minutes. And it is really just my back up plan.

So that is my plan. I have one. That should count for something. But "close only counts when it is a grenade" (Thank you Colleen) so I will be keeping track (weekly) here. So I can hold myself accountable. In the past I have only said I was going to do it. Here I have to check in with myself also!

Body Rock Day 1 - Fitness Test
Do the following moves for 50 seconds and keep track of how many you did. Follow with a 10 second rest. Then start the next move. Total 7 minutes. Perfect because that is how long I have until I need to shower and get going. Even though I still haven't put away my clothing from vacation last week. Eeks.

So here is what I was able to do:
29 Squat Jump

16 Push Ups (and I am out of breath)

10 Burpees (man I hate these)

64 High Knees

25 Switch Lunges (so out of breath)

12 Tuck Jumps

15 Straight Abs (I thought I would be able to do more. But seeing as I couldn't breath, I am still impressed).

I am so sweaty after 7 minutes. I think I read that sweat is fat crying. So take that!

So Day 1 - check!

And I tracked my food today. 

I count today as a win!

Merry Holidays & Happy New YEAR!

Another year has come and gone and with it means WINTER VACATION! We are a mixed religion family.  I am Jewish and my hubs is Lutheran. So we go back and forth between families. We have spent the last two years home. So this year, we went big.  Dominican Republic big.

We spent Christmas Eve Eve with Matt's family.  It was perfect.  We had a big dinner and hung out with all the cousins. I couldn't have asked for a better or more loving in-law family.  I feel truly spoiled by their love and warmth. 

Then we were up bright and early for an early flight. The flight was uneventful and then we were there.  In the sun. In the warmth. And it was heavenly. There was some miscommunication about waiting at the airport for the rest of the family, but it doesn't matter.  In the end, we met them at the hotel and had a drink.  

The hotel was amazing.  It was gorgeous.  The pools were the most beautiful shade of blue.  The air was hot and the pools were cool. It was perfect.  Every morning, Mom woke up early (as she does) and did amazing things for the rest of us. She managed to get us a cabana (or two, I mean there are six of us) and some chairs in the pool. Then I would meet her and we would go to breakfast.  Later in the day, we went to water aerobics with Sarah (& Elias wooo). At some point the boys would show up and there was lunch.  We spent the days reading, drinking in the pool, playing bingo at 4, playing chess after that.  And being a family.   

On Wednesday we went snorkeling and Sarah & Dan finished their scuba certification. We had a great time.  We played in the water all day. 

We come back for New Year's Day every year. The Reeses have a luncheon New Year's Day Afternoon.  Matt's great Aunt Ann Louise hosts a wonderful party. This year we surprised her with an 80th birthday party. She had no idea! Donna & Gail organized and put together the party and collage of photos that we sent in. It was a good time. Then, as is tradition, we took the big family photos on the stairs.

Every year I am aware of how lucky I am.  I have a fabulous family with a great sense of humor and love. We don't always get along, but we love each other beyond words. Even when we fight (which we did at least 4 times), we have a sense of supporting each other through our differences. So for the holidays, I am grateful for them, all of them.  Mine and his.