These are the days of my life

I was listening to the radio this AM on the way to work and they got onto the topic of blogging and they were right on target when they started to say that a blog is like watching a soap opera each day… you want to follow up and read each day and then when the blogger doesn’t post one day (or in my case, one week) you feel like you’re stuck watching re-runs. So sorry for my short little writers strike, but I guess life does imitate art sometimes. But onto the goods, I’ve got ton’s to update everyone on.

First of all… MARY IS ALIVE… how she managed to avoid, let alone survive TWO natural disasters in her two week trip to China is a MIRACLE! YAYAYAYAYAY!!!! SO GLAD YOU’RE HOME!!!! So sad for all those families who lost loved ones.

OK, about me… my new job ROCKS! I L-O-V-E it! I am so incredibly busy all day every day. In fact, I’m lucky if I get to sit down for a total of an hour each day. Way different than my other jobs where I was on my ass for 8+ straight hours. I did finally go out and buy a “pita-meter” and wore it last Friday and I walked 5.54 miles during my day at work, plus I do fitness with my ladies every morning at 10 am for a half hour. It’s not super strenuous but it does get the blood flowing. The Senior Living Community I work at is called Terrace at Woodstock and I’m starting a walking group in June called the Terrace Trekkers and I’ve worked it out with the mega church, Greg calls it the Georgia Dome of Baptist Churches, across the street that we can go over there on Wednesday mornings and we can walk and walk and walk to our hearts content. They have measured that it is exactly ¼ mile around the perimeter of the sanctuary. YAY

I’m trying so hard to get Greg to be a little more active outside of work. I don’t blame him for not wanting to walk when he’s on his feet all day at work. In fact he wore the “pita-meter” one night and he walked a total of 11 miles. WOW. So thanks to Karen I came up with the idea of going to the batting cages… he wasn’t into that so much, so instead we’ve been going to the driving range at least once a week and whacking balls. It’s fun and it’s not sitting on the couch.

I went walking with Tiff on Sunday AM and a tragedy happened…

But some good came out of the tragedy...
I’ve worn New Balance Sneakers (or “Tennis shoes” if you’re from Maryland) for the last 10 years, but I switched it up this time. I was encouraged to try on a pair of RYKA and I’ve got to say - I’m a believer. They are crazy comfortable and I took them out for a test walk this evening and they are great. No blisters, no rubbing through the heel of my kicks and no numbness of the feet, which sometimes happens when you’re breaking in shoes for the first time.

I was at Wally World the other day and they had Capri work-out pants on the clearance rack for $5. So NO MORE CHUB RUB FOR ME!!! I also got a couple of tang-tops cause I’m determined to avoid the really bad farmers tan I had last summer (that I still have markings of) and I figure I’m out in the sun so much now that I’m bound to get a little color – and Yes mom, I’m putting on sun screen, in fact it’s the sun screen that I got in my welcome bag from Ms. McKeon for Mary’s wedding that I didn’t make it to - Stupid Natural Disasters.

I lost one pound last week and Shelley said it’s time to add a new picture to my blog so you can start to see the little progress I’m making. My clothes are getting lose on me, but I’m too stubborn to buy new clothes this soon.

Oh… HA… this is funny: I like to watch my shadow while I’m walking, I always look tall and thin, but then I realized this evening that if you look at my thighs you can see my fat ripple when I step down… it’s like a shock wave going through my legs, so then I started to stomp down harder to see if it would ripple more and then I started to squeeze my butt and leg muscles as I stomp down to see if I can stop the ripple… no luck. But it was a fun experiment. WHAT?!?!? I’ve got to keep myself entertained somehow while I’m walking.

I think that’s about it for now. Again, sorry for the lack of blog lately, I’ve been crazy busy with the new job and crazy sleepy from working my bootie off. I’ll get better, especially since Mary is home and will “kick my cute butt” if I don’t update my post.

If y’all don’t mind, I’m going to start posting stories about my residents cause they make my day. Real quick… there’s one resident there, Walter, and he reminds me of G’pa and I smile every time I see him cause he's just like "Grump-pa". The other day it was a little windy and Walter was outside on the terrace sitting in a rocking chair taking a nap while a nice breeze kept him cool. It made me smile.

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!!!

A week ago I was informed by Mary that Cassie had put together a care package for me and I should be anticipating a box in the mail in the near future. Well my box came today and it totally ROCKS! Thank You So So So So Much Cassie. You're amazing and I can't tell you how touched I am that you thought of me to put this together.

THANK YOU

Here are some pictures of the package Cassie sent...

This says: Walk Around The Block

1. Place block in the middle of floor.

2. Walk around it two times.

3. Rest, you have just walked around the block 2 times!

4. Repeat.

This says:

"Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers

"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind... let it be something good."

"Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can."

"Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered, and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds." - Orson Swett Marden

Ooooooh Noooo!!!

So this weeks weigh-in didn't go so well. I had a lot of challenges and I guess it showed.

Not to make any excuses, but Thursday was also a hard day in terms of food. I started my new job on Thursday and it's always hard to figure out what to do for meals on your first day of work. Should I brown bag it? Should I anticipate that they will take me out to lunch? Should I just plan on running out to grab lunch if I have the time? All questions that are difficult to answer on the first day of work. I know that once I get into my normal routine I'll be able to plan better but it's always hard the first day or two. So on Thursday I had my usual 1/2 bagel with cream cheese at around 9:00 am and then followed by a banana at 10:30.Then I didn't have an opportunity to eat until 4:30. Now I try not to eat or drink much before my weigh-in each week, but I was famished, so I had dinner before my weigh-in and I'm fairly certain that it contributed to my weight gain.

BUT I did head over to Tiff's to use her treadmill since it was raining and I couldn't walk at the park. After my 4 miles on the treadmill I then stopped at Ingles to get some WW deserts and boy did I go crazy...

FREEDOM!

A lot of you have said that I’ve inspired or motivated you to start exercising or eating better, but this is a reciprocal process here. Case in point: Cassie and I had agreed via email yesterday to each walk 4 miles. In fact she said, “Since Mary’s in China and can’t kick your butt, I WILL!” Well, halfway through that first lap (only .5 mile into it) I was channeling ALL of Cassie’s energy to get me around the park three and a half more times. Actually it was Cassie and George Michael singing in my ear… “FREEDOM, I won’t let you down, I will not give you up…” You get the point. I guess it’s all of you reading my blog (and George Michael) getting me through this. Then I was listening to Justin Timberlake singing with Madonna and pretending that he was singing with me – he’s so yummie.

Tiffany had said to me on Tuesday that if there are days that I don’t feel like exercising to just plan on walking 20 minutes and I’d be surprised about 5 minutes into my walk that I want to keep going. It’s just the initial first step. I also decided I need to get a Pedometer (or Pita-meter according to mom – that one’s for you Karen) so that I can know fo’ sho' how long around the park it is. My basis has always been according to the time it takes me. On average I can get around the park in 12 – 13 minutes and if I do all my curvy twists and turns and circle 8’s and stuff, it’s closer to 15 minutes. That just sounds like a good amount of time to walk a mile. Yes?!?!?

I think part of my problem yesterday was my attire. I know, I already blogged about exercise attire but this time the issue was me… I dug out a sports bra from way-back- when, and it didn’t fit all that well a few years ago cause the straps were too long, but I figure, maybe it’ll fit me now. No such luck and unfortunately I didn’t discover this until I was at the park and walking my circles. The straps are only suitable if you’re 6’5” OR if your breasts hang down at your knees – neither of which are my problems. My GOD this thing sucks. I need to throw it out now and not be tempted to try it again. Secondly, my t-shirt! I felt like I was being strangled the entire time I was walking because the neck kept moving back. I personally feel like this was a residual effect of the evil sports bra. I know I’ve said it before, but I just need to BUCK UP and buy some new work-out clothes, maybe a couple of Tang-tops and a few pairs of pants where the crotch is where it should be.

Weigh-in today! Wish me luck!

Back by popular demand!

I know, I know. You don't have to say it. I've been slightly slack when it comes to my posts the past week. Let me tell ya, I've got a lot to catch you all up on.

First of all... Last week's weigh in... HOLY CRAP (in a good way)!!! I can't believe I've lost close to 12lbs in 3 weeks, pretty kick ass. The WW leader asked if I regret not starting this 3 weeks sooner and my response was no, I wish I had started 3 MONTH earlier. Go Me!

Secondly is my weekend of temptation. Well, I actually used great restraint and control when it came to food. I didn't sacrifice, but I was very good at eating slowly, making good choices and watching my portions. I do have to admit that I did have a small piece of cake, a chocolate dipped cream puff (small one), and 1/2 of a yummie cookie, but that's as bad as I got all weekend! GO ME. I did come to realize that the food I put in my body wasn't the healthiest and I think I'm paying for it now. No really, I've been very lethargic and lazy the past two days and I've needed a swift kick in the ass to go walking and I whole heartedly blame it on the food I put into my body over the weekend. But I think I’m back on track again and hopefully at my weigh-in on Thursday my restraint shows with a little loss or I’d even be happy as long as there is no gain.

Next, stress... Last Monday I sat down with my boss and he has decided to transition me into a new position within the company... good news is that I still have a job, bad news is that the job requires me to work out of the office 45 miles away. That's a 90 mile commute each day; in rush hour traffic; in Atlanta. The idea of sitting in my car 3 - 4 hours a day in traffic makes me feel physically ill. On Tuesday I saw an ad on Craigslist for a Life Engagement Coordinator (a.k.a Activities Director) at an Assisted Living Home about 15 minutes from me. The ad stated that those interested should show up on person to apply. So Tuesday afternoon I squeezed into my dress suit and headed on down there to turn in my resume and fill out an application. Just out of pure happenstance, when I arrived their Technology system was down, their phones were down and they were sitting around twiddling their thumbs looking for something to do, so after I filled out the application they asked if I had some time to sit for an impromptu interview and I was more than happy to oblige. Two days later they offered me the position and I head in on Thursday for orientation. I find it no odd coincidence that the exact time I showed up they had time to meet with me. I think this opportunity is a perfect one for me and I'm super excited to start this new career. I realize that there will be a ton of temptations there and I will have to use great restraint given that my office has a full kitchen with fridge, sink, stove AND an Otis Spunkmeyer cookie oven! But I'm sure I'll make it all right.

I have also set some crazy, but do-able goals. I've realized this week that I turn 30 in just over a year, my absolute goal weight is 130lbs and I think it's kinda neat that my b-day is on Aug. 30th... so it will be 130 and 30 on 30. Go figure!