Let's try again...

I didn't get a workout in yesterday, because the Zumba class I was going to attend was FULL and I couldn't get in.  Total bummer!!  So I shall try again this evening.  I called and reserved 2 bikes at the 6:30 spin at Medina Tone.  Yes...2 BIKES.  NO, not because my ass is that big (although it's close).  Kelly will be joining me tonight!  It will be his first spin class, and he said he wanted to try one.  So I got us in, and hopefully it will be a permanent class in the rotation.  I think he'll enjoy it, once he gets past the seat pain...lol. 

I'm trying to log everything again, as that usually helps me greatly.  It's almost shocking to see your calorie intake when you write it down and tally it up at the end of the day.  Every program I've ever read about says that keeping track is an integral part of the weight loss process.  It's a surefire accountability technique.  So I made this adorable tracking sheet, and have decided to share it with you!  Unfortunately, I'm a bit tech challenged and can't figure out how to get it on here.  So, I'll send it to you via email when you get me your start weight...*insert evil laugh*.  Those of you who have already submitted...check your mail for the log sheet!

Here we Go!

I've only been contacted by a couple of you with your starting weights and choice of username (if you want one)  If you have not given a username, I'll just use your initials.  Of course I won't post until Friday...with your up/down for the week.  So If you haven't contacted me yet...Please do so at pixiestc@yahoo.com.  I need starting weight and your choice of username.

I'm officially on Detox.  I ate myself silly in the name of my Birthday and Thanksgiving.  Those actions ballooned my weight up to 217.  My body is rebelling and my joints are not happy with me.  So I need to focus on the competition here!

Tonight I think I will be hitting the Zumba class at Medina Tone at 5:15.  I'm actually craving a workout.  I came across an article in one of my mags called The Couch Workout.  Check it out for some great excercises you can do while catching up with the DVR!!

Everyone has heard of the Bucket List.  I myself, have a Bucket Book.  I made my list into a scrapbook to be filled with the photos of myself completing each page.  I have recently heard of people making fitness Bucket Lists.  To me, this sounded incredibly motivational.  I have some fitness related goals in my Bucket Book, but I was thinking of doing a separate mini Fitness book.  Having a book or a list of goals that don't have anything to do with weight loss would definitely put a different spin on things.  If I'm busy working on the goals in the book, the weight would just naturally come off.  Certainly something to ponder... 

3 of Mine?
1. Finish a 10K in good time
2. Take a Pole Fitness class
3. Run the Warrior Dash

What would be on your Fitness Bucket List?

The Competition is on!

I've heard back from some of you, and I'm up to 7 people (incuding myself) that are up for the weight loss challenge!  That's enough for me to get the ball rolling.  So, here's the deal:

We'll be starting on Black Friday.  Goodness knows I don't want to have to worry about weight loss over Thanksgiving dinner.  You're welcome.

*11/25 through 1/6, that's 6 weeks.
*$5.00 a person, highest percentage loss takes all.  You can turn Money in to me when you see me...
*email your weigh in to me each Friday.  Weights will not be posted, only the +/- for the week.  If you would like a user name used instead of your real name, let me know what you would like to use.
*I will post workouts that will use basic equipment, as well as classes that I will be in that you are welcome (and encouraged) to join me at.
*Posting on my blog is also encouraged!  If you're having problems, we can all support eachother.  I'll have all updates on my facebook page so you can comment there as well. 

Any and all suggestions are welcome!  Email me with your starting information, and I'll get everything set up.  ANYONE can join in!  Husbands / wives are welcome, as well as any of your friends that I may not know.  The more competition, the bigger the winnings!  So spread the word, and contact me to sign up!!  NOW!!!

Focus

I'm still feeling the effects of that Strength class on Saturday.  Which is a good thing.  I like being able to feel my workout, makes it seem worthwhile.  I actually fit in a quickie workout this morning as well.  Here's the link to the workout from this morning  11/14 AM workout.  I did make a few minor changes, but nothing that really tweaked the workout.  I liked it...the press to single tricep was a bit cumbersome, so I stuck with both arms...doing a reverse curl, to overhead press, to tricep extension...never changing hand position.  It was still challenging, while not being too heavy.  A 10 pound single tricep extension is a little heavy for me at this point.  All in all...I liked it, it was quick and I felt my arms did get a workout. 

I'll do some ab work during bathroom breaks today, and hopefully hit the treadmill tonight since Kelly is out of town.

Breakfast was skipped, as I didn't have anything proper to eat.  I have to go to the grocer to get something for lunch and I'm thinking chicken soup with crackers, and a piece of fruit...perhaps an apple.

This week is a crazy chaotic one.  If I can get myself and the kids to all the places we have to be, I'll be greatly impressed with myself!  And my birthday is this weekend!  I already have plans to meet my partner in crime, Piper, at JoJo's after the parade on Saturday.  Any of you who'd like to join me...I'd LOVE to see you!

A Saturday blog...what?!?!

I think this is the first time in a long time that I have actually sat down to blog on a Saturday.  That must mean I have something good to say, right?  Eh, maybe...lol.

So I went to the free Strength class at Medina Tone this morning.  It was EXACTLY what I was looking for!  There was no cardio, no froofy gimmicky stuff...just straight out strength with weights and a ball.  That alone will get me to buy a pass!  The staff at the door was very friendly and helpful, which is a far cry from my service at SHC.  She even set up my place on the floor while I changed my shoes!  Karen taught the class, and she was clear and concise in her explanation of every move.  Just when you thought you had no more and were ready to quit, you'd hear her voice, telling you not to give up, you were almost there.  It gave me just enough oomph to make it through the set.  The excercises were varied and there was just enough time spent on each muscle group to work it to fatigue and move on.  I highly reccommend this class!  I'm hoping to get back to the open house this afternoon to try the circuit class and check out some of the vendors.

As I was looking through my goody bag from the open house, I found a little slip of paper promoting what they are dubbing "25 days of Fitness".  it runs 11/28 - 1/2 and there is a cost of $25.00.  With registration you are eligible for extra classes, recipes, free December membership, special gifts and priority seating for a Christmas Eve Spin class.  For this, you must exercise 25 minutes or more for 25 of the 34 days, keep a weight and food journal, and weigh in with an employee once a week.  This seems like a great way to keep the weight in check through the food laden months of Nov. and Dec.  $25.00 is managable, but may be a little too much for some...but if you are interested in this challenge through Medina Tone, let me know!

If I make it to the the other class this afternoon...you can be sure to read all about it here!  Have a great Saturday!

I'm hungry.

yep...hungry.  I think maybe closer to bored hungry, but hungry all the same.  My saving grace..?  I'm at work.  So if I don't bring it, I don't eat it.  I've been good all day long.  I'm really trying here!  Lean pocket, Healthy Choice lunch, and a granola bar.  Add in the 4 Acai pills and I'm having a successful afternoon!  Only 4 1/2 glasses of water, but hey...I have Zumba tonight so I'll easily get the rest of them in.  So I'll type...to take my mind off the last 55 minutes until I have to face the real challenge.  The fridge at home....dun dun DUUNNNNN!!!  That's some daunting shit.  Cause I know what's in there.  Summer sausage and cheese that I successfully deleted from my lunch bag this morning.  I'm on my own for dinner as Kel is going to a farewell dinner for Juan, who is leaving for the KY store.  Ugghh...I dunno what I'll eat.  ...more than likely summer sausage and cheese.

I have 2 takers so far on my weight loss competition.  So the pot's already at $15 smackers.  C'mon people...Help a plus size sistah out!  I'll post workouts every week, post reccommended dvd's to rent from the library and keep track of all the stats.  I'll even plan outings we can go to get some extra activity in.  (still thinking about line dance lessons at Thirsty Cowboy...how can you NOT think that'll be fun!)  And I'm sure riding the mechanical bull will burn some extra cals...right Mary?? (Red cowboy hats not required, but certainly allowed.)

good grief...you could even reply to my blogs with what you did good or what you ate that day.  You just need to register...and if you need help with that...email me and I'll do it for you.

I would really like to make it through the Holidays without increasing my pants size, and I'm sure you guys would agree.  So hop on my bandwagon for cryin out loud!

Oh yeah, Medina Tone is having an open house Saturday...which means Free Classes!!!  Go to their site, www.medinatone.com and click on events for a detailed schedule for the day.  I'll be starting at the strength class at 7:30am and hitting classes through the morning.  Don't waste your Saturday morning...come workout with me so I'm not lonely and get a jump on the competition...PLEEAASSEE?!?!?!?!

hmm...look at that...only 43 minutes left.  Go me!

I think I need competition

ok...the scale is steadily creeping back up and I'm Freakin' out here!  I may need some incentive to make me put down the cupcake and pick up the dumbell.  I need a competition.  I need stakes (not steaks).  I need something to win that's materialistic and tangible.  Hmm.  I obviously need help, as a competition requires more than one person.  But who of you reading this is willing to commit with me?  It'll be a percentage loss a'la Biggest Loser (which I don't watch, btw).  Totally a cash prize.  Everyone puts in $5, and the biggest percentage loss by 1/31/12 gets the pot.  3 months.  Simple enough.  But I need enough people to make it worth while. 

$5 is chump change, I know anyone reading this can afford it.  But will you commit?  Will you HELP me??  Will you help YOURSELF?  It would have to be honor based, as I don't think I could get all involved to meet for a weigh in...lol.  Or maybe I could, who knows.  But you could email your weight, and weekly losses to me, and I'll post them here...only using usernames instead of real ones if you wish.

I need the help, and I'm asking anyone I can think of.  Will you join me?

email me at pixiestc@yahoo.com if you have some interest...please!  I'm getting desperate here!!

365 days....full circle

Today's the day.  I've been curious on how I'd reflect on it.  Surprisingly, it's a bit anti-climactic.  It was one year ago today that my world was rocked to it's core.  November 7th 2010 was the day that Kelly decided that he needed time, space or whatever it was and moved out of our house.  I woke up this morning and reached into my memory to capture those feelings.  There they were, unmistakably fresh and painful.  It took 7 months for him to go through whatever it was he was going through.  And I waited, stood firmly by his side and hoped beyond hope that he, that we, would emerge from the darkness and uncertainty.  We did, and we still are.  There are still times that I find myself incredibly jealous of who knows what.  My self esteem and confidence took a HUGE blow through this.  And I'm still recovering from that.  Kelly is getting back to man I fell in love with.  He seems to have pulled a complete 180 in the last month or so.  It's almost hard to believe.  He and Alyson are getting along so great, and Hailey seems to be coming around as well.  What have I learned through all this...?

1. Find someone to lean on...  My sister in law Deb was my rock, my sanity and my guardian angel.  I know that I could never have made it through without her, and I only hope that I can show her the proper gratitude for that one day.

2. Trust Yourself...  I had friends tell me to give ultimatums, set an end date, make him decide.  I kept coming back to 'he's my husband, not my boyfriend'.  I took a vow.  You can kick a boyfriend to the curb much easier than a husband.

3. Marriage is not easy...  If only more people realized that before they got married.  When I said 'better or worse' I meant it.  He was and is worth fighting for...

4. He needed me to fight...  Kelly needed to know that I was in his corner, rooting him on and waiting for him to come home to me.  He is now more confident in my love than ever before, and knows he can count on me.

5. The kids know...  As much as I tried to hide it, my girls knew what was going on.  That made it hard for Kelly to be home.  They tried not to, but they showed it in their actions that they were on my side.  They did not like the fact that I was sad, and he was the reason.  Alyson has forgiven, and Hailey is on her way.  But they were hurting just like I was, and I needed to be more sensitive to that.

Above all else...it takes time...   Such blows to a marriage and a psyche can be deep and painful.  They don't mend overnight.  Kelly and I are still healing, but the key is, we ARE healing.  There are some in my life that still don't treat Kelly the same, weather they realize it or not.  He can sense it, as can I.  Our relationship isn't perfect, but it's back on the right track.  A year ago today, I cried for 16 hours straight and my eyes were swollen shut.  Today, I smile as I write this, knowing he'll be home to go grocery shopping with me tonight.  Full Circle Indeed.

1st food holiday over...

Ok then, Halloween is successfully over.  I have a ton of candy in my house that will undoubtedly call to me every waking moment.  On the bright side...my kids don't like to share.  So they hide the candy in their rooms so Kel and I can't get it.  That will work out nicely for me.  Last night told me one of two things...   either I am a total bitch, or my recent personal life inventory (don't worry, not posted here) was correct and quite insightful.  Or quite possibly both.  One thing's for sure...lesson learned.

So far I've mastered my food morning.  Of course, I'm always very good at work.  It's after work when my will power starts to flag.  It's Tuesday, so It should be an Abs/cardio day.  I've snuck in a few exercises here at work, and am hoping to hit the treadmill later.   But even if the tread doesn't happen...I can always do an ab workout in the floor tonight while chillin with Kel.  Maybe even get him to join me.  A partner in this would be oh so helpful. 

So here's me keeping my digits crossed that I can come through today with flying colors and dropping pounds!