bookworm on a mission

a fresh start

2009-10-06T11:50:00.003-04:00

I have been in a state of disarray! I let myself get so busy and so comfortable that I have not counted points or been really "good" about eating right (and eating the right portions) and exercising regularly! I have also been blogging a lot less!

ALL OF THIS HAS TO CHANGE!!!

I have been working (albeit - slowly) on a new blog! I am moving to a new bloggy location....now this place is not perfect and it probably will be a work in progress for a long time but I am SUPER excited....

come on over.....

HERE

check it out and tell me what you think!!

Week 3 BFL

2009-10-04T10:18:00.000-04:00

Week 3 BFL

Here are my Week 3 Football Picks! Let's hope my teams do well!!

Detroit @ Chicago
Cincinnati @ Cleveland
Oakland @ Houston
Seattle @ Indianapolis
NY Giants @ Kansas City
Baltimore @ New England
Tampa Bay @ Washington
Buffalo @ Miami
NY Jets @ New Orleans
Dallas @ Denver
St. Louis @ San Fran
San Diego @ Pittsburgh

Monday Night
Green Bay @ Minnesota

Combined MNF Score: 53

BFL Week 2

2009-09-26T22:20:00.002-04:00

Without a whole lot of fanfare here are my Week 2 picks! My "winners" are in red! I did not even look to see what my win-loss ratio was....I know I lost a bunch...I did, however, win my first week of fantasy football. I love beating the boys...I know this is wrong but they just see their teacher who is a girl...what can she know?!? ha! I showed them!

Washington @ Detroit
Green Bay @ St. Louis
San Francisco @ Minnesota
Atlanta @ New England
Tennessee @ NY Jets
Kansas City @ Philadelphia
NY Giants @ Tampa Bay
Cleveland @ Baltimore
Jacksonville @ Houston
Chicago @ Seattle
New Orleans @ Buffalo
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
Denver @ Oakland
Miami @ San Diego
Indianapolis @ Arizona

Monday Night:
Carolina @ Dallas
Combined MNF Score = 44

part 2

2009-09-23T20:33:00.003-04:00

Are you back?

did you read part 1?

Cool, I am glad to have this space to write out life stuff...I always feel better after I blog!

So today is Wednesday and I should have weighed-in for the Sisterhood Shrink for Good challenge. I must confess, I am the worst challenge person! I LOVE LOVE my challenges but I am having a hard time remembering the second weigh-in on Wednesday. School mornings are pretty much running smoothly and I just keep forgetting to add "jump on scale" to the routine...so guess what...I am not going to beat myself up! I will weigh-in on Saturdays and that will be the # I go with for the Sisterhood challenge. I need to step up my game but stressing the scale is not a good idea...I do not want to "hate" stepping on the scale so I am just going to stick with Saturdays and report to the Sisterhood that number!

I learned that today is the day where there are 100 days left in 2009. I also learned that Steve has a challenge for the final 100 day. I like this challenge...the basics are:

You have to come up with some goals.
You have to publish those goals.
You have to give a status follow-up on those goals at least every ten days.

I totally suck at challenges anymore but this is one that I ~~HAVE to~~, no NEED to complete this challenges. I have been working with my Seniors on goal setting so this is the most perfectly timed challenge. Before I could over-think it I agreed, commented, and promised to blog tonight.

So my big goals for the next 100 days:

walk 30 minutes 5 days each week
start (and complete) the 200 squats challenge
start (and complete) the 200 sit ups challenge
find/create a schedule (maybe plan my days & weeks better including set work out times & set blogging times)
bring the husband along on 3 walks each week! I need some walks alone but he needs some walking too & I like walking together!
continue riding bike to pick up daughter from cross country practice on every possible day
Journal/count points every day. I have been slacking with this so this is an important goal!
Blog 3 times each week (plus Sunday's menu post on Bookworm Cooks)
Read one book (title to be determined) just for fun!

That seems like a lot but I have 100 days and I like to stay busy!

See ya soon!

part 1

2009-09-23T19:46:00.002-04:00

I debated about how if I should write one massive post or several smaller ones. I am going to just write as much as I can while making as much sense is possible and see where it leads us. Please bare with me...this may not be the best writing but I will try not to be ashamed of my grammar... I am an English teacher after all... ;-)

Saturday I woke up and almost forgot to weigh-in. Freudian slip...I was not surprised to have gained .4 lbs. I did not write down what I ate. I did not count my points...points...I think I may have forgotten what a point is!! I did not exercise nearly as much as I should have...I know that I need to but I just let being tired be an excuse. I managed to get 30 minutes on the treadmill.

Sunday was a rather lazy day of watching football but I walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill. I tried a minute of running here & there and I am not sure I like it. My goal was to walk 30 minutes every day this week....I didn't even make it to Monday.

I got a roommate this week...yesterday to be exact...but I was expecting move-in day to be this coming weekend. Monday I found at that Rich would be moving in on Tuesday. I spent a few hours rearranging all my junk in my attic. This was a sweat-producing activity but I was actually happy when it was done. I pulled a trunk full of things to take to my mom's for a yard sale in October and I brought out a couple of dolls (the fancy porcelain kind that juts collect dust) that a friend of mine is going to sell on E-bay. I love the way it feels when an area is decluttered. All the crap in the attic was kind of strewn about in the most haphazard and unorganized way and NOW, it is neat and organized and there is less of it!

What on earth possessed me to get a roommate?

It was a matter of circumstance...

Richie, my new roommate, has been taking care of his grown sister and her son (E is 25 but mentally he is a teenager - as a result of some accident) for a long time. The sister cannot work but now gets SS and was living with a boyfriend, but Richie continued to take care of E. Well E spent the summer with his mother in Wildwood...what a place for a young kid! Long story short, Richie has been struggling for years to make ends meet while he supports E and sometimes his sister but E decided he wants to stay with his mother. Perfect, we have been asking Richie to come and stay with us so he can get ahead & get back to his life (he really has had no life for years)! At the same time as all this was happening, we received notice that hubby's unemployment had exhausted and there were no extensions at this time.

So you see, the timing could not be better!

Tuesday (that is almost today...are you still reading?) was just a long day at work. I had the intentions of getting up to workout before school but wound up staying up way too late watching Monday Night Football. I stayed late at school ~ I had a student working on my classroom computers and I got home in enough time to change my clothes and ride my bike to the kid's school. She is staying afterschool for cross country but by the time practice is over the crossing guards are gone so I ride & meet her and we ride home together. I did this Monday as well. Then we had dinner and I had Back to School night at kiddo's school. By 8:30 When I got home I was beat! Totally pooped!

Ok, for info about today you have to wait for the next post! don't worry it won't be long...I am going to write it after I publish this post!

I <3 Football

2009-09-18T17:45:00.008-04:00

Last year my husband played (and won) in his first fantasy football league. The TV was always on football! I LOVE NFL Network! I learned so much that I am now running a fantasy league with some students and other teachers. I love it!!

When I saw that my twitter friend (@AmazingGreis ) had posted this blog, so I am joining!!

So here are my picks (in red & bold) for week 2 of NFL action!

Carolina - Atlanta
Minnesota - Detroit
Cincy - Green Bay
Arizona - Jacksonville
Oakland - Kansas City
New England - NYJets
New Orleans - Philly
Houston - Tennessee
St. Louis - Washington
Tampa Bay - Buffalo
Seattle - San Fran
Pittsburgh - Chicago
Cleveland - Denver
Baltimore - San Diego
NYGiants - Dallas

Monday Night:
Indy - Miami
combined score: 35

Lose for Good & Biggest Loser

2009-09-15T16:43:00.003-04:00

Weight Watcher's is currently running an awesome campaign to help raise awareness & food for local food banks. Two weeks ago I wrote about The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and the challenge I am participating in: Shrink for Good. Go ahead read about it!

I really think this is a great cause and I am finding it motivating! As I have written before, the back to school thing has taken its toll and I was not doing much exercise. I have been losing and I think I am down 3.8 pounds since the #loseforgood and Shrink for good challenge started! BUT, I have been slacking on the exercise department and if I truly want to Lose/Shrink for Good I have to make exercise a part of my daily life.

Well today I put my money where my mouth is so to speak!! I wrote last night that I would get up and do my squats & situps! I am starting week 2 of the 200 Squats challenge & 200 situps challenge. Well, I did it!! The alarm went off at 6am and I got out of bed within 4 minutes ~ and within 15 minutes of alarm I was squatting away! I managed 69 squats & 80 situps total!

This leads me to The Biggest Loser (BL) which is set to start a new season tonight. I have watched the last two seasons and part of me was truly inspired! In fact, the first season of BL I watched started right around the time I started WW ~ I was inspired by the work these people put in! I am still inspired but a lot more skeptical and I will NOT be watching this season of BL. Why you ask? Well a bunch of my twitter peeps asked the same thing so I am going to answer here in bullet form:

I do not think BL promotes healthy weightloss
I think BL degrades and exploits "fatties" ~ I mean is there any other reason for some of the games?
The blatant product placement and staged commercials (with Bob, Jillian & the participants) are disgusting ~ aren't we bombarded with enough advertisements?
BL showed an episode where dane (who had been sent home) had gone on to complete a marathon ~ well, it came out that dane was actually driven (by BL producers) for a few miles and the time clock showed his marathon time as way less than it took him to complete the marathon. Read all about it here.
If they were caught in this blatant lie what else is there???
Helen (last season's winner) is living proof that this is a game!! NOT reality!! NOT real life! Yes, she lost the biggest percentage of weight but in my opinion, she looked scary-skinny...not healthy at all!
Last bitch with BL ~ Jillian Michaels! I thought she was hardcore and kick ass! In fact, she still scares me!! But I wonder how can someone who preaches healthy eating & exercise and making lifelong changes SELLOUT and sell diet pills?!?! WTF?!?! Isn't this one HUGE contradiction?

This is just my opinion and I respect your opinion if it is different!

OK, I am done for now! Hit me up in comments to continue this conversation!

peace out,
xo

i wont gripe anymore about back to school

2009-09-14T21:55:00.003-04:00

well, I won't gripe again ...after this post!!

hahaha

I crack me up!

You are probably really tired of hearing me gripe about back to school! I know, right!! It is like the third week (albeit the first day of the third week) and I should totally be more on schedule! I feel like I cannot get enough done in the day. I am really working it at school! I am more on my game and feeling great every day. School is AWESOME!! I love my classes and I just feel a very good vibe!

Eating: My eating has been ok ~ not great but not horrible. I am stressed but I am not over eating. I am also not really tracking my points. BUT I am choosing wisely and listening to my body...I know what a portion of rice looks like & I am eating slowly & with much thought. I must be doing something right because I am losing every week. I am also doing the Lose for Good challenge with the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans so I am a little more conscious. I want to lose for a good cause!!

Exercise: Not so hot! I have had the best of intentions but I am still adjusting back to the routine & having to work & do housework. Big man is still out of work and he is truly trying to get better at the cleaning stuff! How is it I forget (quickly) what is like to juggle work & home (and until last year I was working, going to school and house stuff~what the hell! I totally rambled off topic. I have attempted to start the 200 squats & 200 sit-ups challenges but for some ~~excuse~~ ~~reason~~ excuse or another I have not been very consistent! I have not even been walking that much. I would say it was because of the rain but I have an awesome treadmill in my living room...to be honest, I am not ready to go back to the treadmill. I have enjoyed my walks so much ~ is it possible that I am having some sort of withdrawal/depression because I had to go back to work?!?! ;-)

And to be fair I spent all day Saturday getting ready for a wedding. Had to dye my hair & go help the boys get ready. And Sunday I was recovering from a wine hangover! damn did I drink way too much wine and I do not drink hardly ever anymore so I was hurtin' and it took me damn near the whole day to recover. But, I looked hot & felt amazing in my dress! Plus, wine & my hubby in a tux made for an interesting evening! ;-)

Renewed commitment: I am going to start getting out of bed with the alarm and working out for 30 minutes...some days will be squats & situps and other mornings will be walking/jogging either on the treadmill or outside. I will try to keep you updated on my actual exercise!

* I just read a tweet from @PatBarone: Doc's Tough Question: Would you rather exercise an hour every day or be dead forever?
* Then there was this tweet from @Dennis_Gill: Patrick Swayze's untimely death at 57 should remind us all that life is too short to waste even a second.

What the fuck am I waiting for?!?! What is wrong with me?!?! I am sorry for the use of fuck but I am so flabbergasted at my lack of motivation and follow-through. I want to be a good example to my daughter. I want to be a good example to my husband...how can I want him to exercise & get healthy when I am not practicing what I am preaching. and preaching and crying I have been doing more that I want but my poppy's death hit me hard ~ which aggravates me even more for slacking.

Tomorrow is a new day!

For now I am going to bed! The only way I am going to get up with the alarm is if I go to bed and get a good night sleep!

Thanks for staying tuned to this crazy process!

Peace Out!
xo

PICTURE PAGE

2009-09-14T19:15:00.003-04:00

A beautiful cake!

The bride & groom and their photographer! I post this picture in honor of my great friend, Jen (she just happens to be a kick-ass photographer and she does a lot of weddings)

I felt so sexy & skinny in this dress....It is definitely a motivating picture for me...It will keep me working hard so I can always feel this confident.

Look at my sexy husband in a tux!! This is the first time I ever saw him in a tux!

This is our wedding day....May 09, 2007 in New Orleans (what you can't see is that the big man is wearing shorts & sneakers and me & the kid are wearing flip flops!!!)

saturday scale time

2009-09-12T09:57:00.002-04:00

Hello Weekend!!

I am so glad you are here!

The husband and I are attending a wedding tonight...I borrowed a pretty cool dress from my mom and big man will be in a tux! I am kind of excited to see the big man in a tux but I know he is going to be super uncomfortable. I am not the most comfortable person when I am all dressed up but the dress I am wearing is not too bad. I am more worried about big man and all the other guests I don't know. I am not being rude but there will be a lot of family of the bride and I don't know any of them and they are all "fancier" people. The groom and his friends are all jeans guys - ya know! Lucky for me, hubby is in the wedding so we have to go early ~ but since the boys are jeans guys not tux guys they are going to need me to help them all get ready. I will hang out in t he boys' condo (at a golf course where the wedding will be) getting them all ready. I love hanging out with the boys.

I will let you all know how it goes! I will get someone to take pics of me and the big man all dressed up! We will be way more dressed up than we were when we got married!

I always have tons to do on the weekends...the life of a teacher is not very exciting! Especially when the teacher must prepare for 5 very different classes. I feel like I could work for weeks and weeks just to prep for one week in class. I am not complaining juts stating a fact! I love what I do VERY VERY much. In fact, I feel like I am the luckiest girl in the world - I am doing my dream job!

Anywho....who wants the boring details?!?

Onto the scale summary! haha

Last week's # ~> 198.2
Today's # ~~~> 196.2

YAY!! 2 lbs gone! I am solidly in onederland and I am here to stay.

Yesterday, I wore a pair of jeans....size 14 Calvin Klein jeans. My mom has been handing me down her size 14s as she shrinks out of them....thank goodness...because losing weight can be expensive (this will be a blog topic very very soon) and can totally stretch a non-existent wardrobe budget! So yesterday I wore jeans from a regular section in a regular store and they fit ... perfectly! Jeans usually need to be a size bigger than my "regular" pants but right now it seems I am solidly in a size 14!! Not a 14W ~ just a 14! I almost want to cry I am that freaking excited about this development!!

This post has gotten way longer than I expected and I have to go dye my hair!

peace out

questions, excuses and chores

2009-09-10T21:58:00.003-04:00

I am having a hard time starting this post!

I have so much I want to say, and yet so little...I feel like I have said it already...I am very busy with back to school...tomorrow ends my second week and my daughter's first. I will stop calling it back to school. I am still trying to figure out my groove and my schedule and I am beginning to think I need more of an actual schedule. I am thinking of figuring a home from school routine...I have my morning routine but I have been so tired after school that I have been falling apart after school. I have been making dinner and/or doing the dishes but that has been about all I have in me. I want to make a chore chart of sorts for myself so that I get something done every day.

I also really need to make more of an effort in the work-out department! Have I mentioned how tired I have been? This whole working for a living is totally getting in the way of my motivation! ;-)

Last week I walked to school once. I did squats 3 days last week. This week I have only done squats & situps once. It has been raining since Monday and it sort of feels like fall ~ a little chilly and wet! I already miss my lazy yet productive days of summer. I had so much motivation and time. Two weeks into school-year mode and I am not feeling very settled. I am trying to stay organized at work and I am realizing that I need to be more organized in every aspect of my life. I am feeling more centered at work and I think it is because I am organized and I am prepared.

Planning is so important! Planning is essential!

Ack!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have so much planning to do! I totally tease! I like planning and I like feeling centered!

I forgot yesterday was a weigh-in day for the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans "Shrink for Good" challenge. I have not been logging all my food in my weight watchers etools. I have been eating sensibly but I have not been tracking my points!

I need to be better about tracking my points!

I need to get moving way every day. I have been standing and pacing my classroom while I teach so I know I am getting a ton of steps (speaking of which I need to go pick up my replacement pedometer at WW) but I need to get out and walk or walk on the treadmill at least a couple of times each week. I should start using the elliptical ~ so many of my twitter friends swear by the elliptical and we have one in our gym at school so I should try it again. I think I read 3 blogs about making excuses and moving every day...I am inspired and a bit embarrassed...I was working out way more when it was blazing balls August hot than now while it is much cooler... must be the rain!

I don't want to make excuses and I know I have been making excuses! I will get moving in some manner...every day! I will plan my days a lot better!

how is your motivation? has back to school challenged you in any way? how are you getting back on track?

Is it really Tuesday?!?!

2009-09-08T20:27:00.003-04:00

I am so sorry! I have not blogged since Thursday...dang...and I was on such a roll! To make up for it I am going to write a super duper post with weigh-in results and pictures!

My first week back in school was great! BUSY BUSY BUSY but great! I love my classes and my students. I have a lot of work ahead of me...I am teaching 4 different grade levels (5 actual classes ~ 1 freshman English, 2 sophomore English, 1 junior English, and 1 senior English)~this means a lot A LOT of prep work! Planning people is becoming my middle name!

Saturday was my WW weigh-in and ...

I lost 1 pound!! I am now at 198.4! I was so happy to see a loss because it is TOM and I was feeling heavy! Ladies, I know you know what I mean!

I got a phonecall from my very good friend Tammey; she basically told me to pack a cooler and get my ass (an the asses of the husband and the kid) down to the marina! Wahoo!! Low Tide Beach here we come!

So, Low Tide Beach is just that - beach only appears at low tide! Watch the water and beach shrink and grow as we play!

This first pic is when we first got to the "beach" ...do you see that bridge in the background??

This picture is my crazy friend, Nick, chasing my daughter! But don't worry...she teased him all day long!

Where did this dog come from??? lol! as more beach grew more boats showed up!! Our little group grew by two more boats plus about half a dozen random people!

Look at home much beach there is now.... everyone played some croquet (is this the proper spelling of this game??)

The gang!! I am even in this picture! That never happens!

Sunday was not the best day weather wise so hubby and I went shopping! Boring house neccesities from Target and groceries from Acme! YUK! But it is done and my weekly menu is planned!

Monday ~ Labor day ~ was kind of grey and yucky ~ not rainy but not nice! We were invited to a bbq at a friend's and a bbq after that at my mom's. The husband recieved a last minute invite to a Rutger's college football game. He was gone all dang day (from 10am to 10pm)! I went to the barbecues by myself! I love my friends and we made the best of the yucky day! I even had a decent time at my mom's, even though she had all kinds of family people there that she didn't warn me about! ugh! She made up for that by letting me raid her closet! Lucky for me, my mom is young (she just turned 50) and is just shrinking out of the size I am entering! Mighty convenient! and her next-door neighbor (practically family) also shrunk out of this same size! SO I got a bunch of new pants that I can wear to work and some tops and two-possible dresses for a wedding I have to attend on Saturday. They are black dresses and I was hoping for something more colorful, I will wear one because it save me from having to buy a new dress and right now a dress is an expense I don't need right now.

And we are at today!!

Today was my daughter's first day of 5th grade! (Middle School at her school)!

Here is a pic of us on our way to school this morning!

Thirsty Thursday

2009-09-03T19:58:00.002-04:00

I am not sure why this post is titled Thirsty Thursday...but the more I think about it...I have been thirsty all day and I have drank a ton of water. In fact I woke up this morning and drank almost 30oz of water before I left the house.

I walked to work this morning. It is a 2.5 mile walk ~ most of the way is on a nice bikepath! Of course the last stretch is the one incline in south jersey! I walked the 2.5 miles in about 45 minutes. The first part of my walk I listened to the first chapter of Ayn Rand's Anthem audiobook. This is the first time I listened to an audiobook....I am not sure if I like it. I am much more of a visual learner and I love me a traditional book!! I know I know... go figure..the bookworm likes real actual books! I will give it a try because this book is not too long and I found a novel quiz for this so I can test my retention...then I will see how I feel about audiobooks.

I am a hopeless nerd! (rolling me eyes on this one)

School is great and I am actually happy to be getting back to a routine. No matter what time I go to bed the alarm is set for 6 and I will not let myself linger for more that 10 minutes. Monday, Wednesday, and tomorrow I did my squats ~day 1 I was sore, day 2 was a bit easier. I am actually looking forward to my squats tomorrow!! I slacked on my situps (I am going to do them on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) today. I walked to school and since this was the first time I just figured I would do situps after school. Well, I told ya TOM was here, well today I got hit with serious cramps and an unbelievable headache all night. Lesson learned!! I should have done the situps this morning! I have to stop procrastinating!! But I am getting back in the swing of things.

All of the sudden I have no idea where I was going with this post! I am super tired and a wee bit cranky...I zoned for a few minutes and now I completely have lost my train of thought...

I am sorry...tune back in later to see if I figure it all out!

Wednesday Weigh-In

2009-09-02T20:26:00.003-04:00

Yep! You read right!

Isn't Saturday my weigh-in day?? Why in the heck did I weigh-in on Wednesday??

Yes, Saturday is my weigh-in day but I for the next 7 weeks I will be hanging with the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans (isn't that a great site name?!?) during the Shrink for Good challenge....which is an extension of the Weight Watcher's Lose for Good campaign. I have been a lurker of the Sisterhood for a while and I am so glad to finally be able to join in on this most excellent challenge!

The basics ~ For every pound I lose between August 30th and October 17th I will donate the same poundage in food to my local food bank!

This is such an awesome awesome challenge! It is about so much more than losing weight! It is about helping people that truly need the help. The food bank feed so many needy families and they have had hard times lately keeping the shelves stocked. I know first hand what a valuable service a food bank can be to a needy family.

Many of you know that I am a teacher but what you don't know is that I teach at an alternative high school with at-risk youth. At-risk is such a broad term but basically these kids are at-risk of not graduating... for any number of reasons. Many of these kids have really hard home lives and for many food is not always readily available.

This is a challenge close to my heart!

And because of that I am going to work my hardest to lose as much weight as is healthy and possible in the time period! I want to donate a bunch!!

I am going to weigh-in with the Sisterhood on Wednesdays but I am going to keep weighing-in on Saturday with WW like always....maybe if I know I am accountable twice each week I will stay even more focused!

Time will tell if this theory pans out!

THE SCALE RESULTS: 199.2 = EXACTLY THE SAME!!

I am happy with that!I have eaten well, drank lots of water, and exercised! I feel great! and since TOM started today I think staying the same is a good sign!!

09-10 begins!

2009-09-01T20:21:00.002-04:00

Today was just for teachers and it was a long day! I just want to give you all a breakdown of my day but I am a bit tired!

The alarm went off at 6AM!

Can I just tell you how absolutely unhappy I was listening to that!! I know some of my readers have to work regular jobs during the summer and I am sorry you are listening to me gripe! But its my blog and I will cry and bitch if I want to cry and bitch!

It took me a good 15 minutes of mind talking to convince myself to get out of bed~ I didn't make it to far....I let the dog outside and I sat on the couch and checked my email and a few blogs. There are so many great blogs and I really wish I had more time to devote to reading blogs...and I read more than I am able to comment on! I know this sounds so lame but I swear it is simply how it is...I make no excuses!

I am very dedicated to my job and I love my students and I feel it only fair that I spend as much time preparing for class as is necessary. However, I also need to devote time to my family and to myself (not necessarily in that order) but let's face it shit needs to get done around the house.

I have been blogging more often and I really like it! I have realized that I feel so much more focused since I have been blogging more. I feel less scatterbrained and I can attribute that to getting the clutter out of my head! I even have been more organized/less scattered at home...my laundry is caught up and I am doing dishes after dinner and packing my lunch. If you have followed my other blog you know I have been menu planning for a while but it has really come to be essential. I feel so organized that it is almost scary!

I am eating healthy and tracking my points again. I am not sure how much longer I will be officially doing Weight Watchers. We are down to one income and I am not sure when that will change. I have learned a ton about portion size and my own self-control (and lack of when it comes to brownies - lol) and I think I will be ok. I am going to learn more about what my calories should be and I will keep doing what I have been doing and I will stay active!

Holy WOW! I rambled an awful lot in this post!!

I am going to bed now but tomorrow I will blog about the newest challenge I have gotten myself into!

xo
Jen

Oh Yeah! my legs are a bit sore from my squats yesterday so I am nervous about morning squats!! My walking date was postponed until tomorrow and I am excited to walk the bridge.

manic monday

2009-08-31T20:03:00.003-04:00

The last day of August is also the last day of summer! Tomorrow is the first day of school (at least for teachers~ students start on Wednesday)!

I am kind of excited and totally bummed at the same time!! I love summer and it went way too fast! I love the warm weather and the water sports and all the barbecues and sleeping in and pools and I could go on and on forever. I am not ashamed to admit that I love summers and it was one of the reasons why I chose to become a teacher.

It is NOT the only reason!!

And I LOVE my job!

I love teaching at an alternative high school! Every day is an adventure and I am still learning my way about the place. Tomorrow starts the beginning of my third year teaching. I have been prepping for weeks. I am so ready and so not ready! I will keep you posted! I also have decided to restart my teacher blog...I blog semi-anonymously about my experiences as a teacher about my days at the funny farm - I jest! If you are really interested in reading that blog hit me up via email and I will send you a link.

Yesterday I wrote that I would try to get up early! Well, that didn't quite happen but tomorrow I will have no choice! I did, however, manage to get in my squats and sit ups in. IF you are interested I am following 200Squats & 200SitUps programs so that I maintain a workout groove (and bump it up a notch). I may not always have the to walk as much or as often. But that will not be an excuse!!

So I did it!

Today's squats*: 13, 16, 9, 9, 20
Today's situps: 15, 18, 10, 10, 20

*I am using my 7-lb kettlebell when I do squats!

Tomorrow I have plans with my girlfriend to walk the bridge near her house! This leaves us with many options. Right about at the top make the walk about 2.3miles round trip or we could and probably will go all the way to the bottom & beyond!! I googled a pic of the Longport bridge and below is the best pic I could find! It is a big, wide bridge that provides a nice, wide shoulder (and a sidewalk at some parts) perfect for walking!

Until tomorrow, keep rockin'!!

Oh yeah, wanna see what stupid thing I did today?? Click on stupid!!

I might be freaking out

2009-08-30T21:00:00.003-04:00

or I might not be!!

OK OK

I am freaking out a little bit!

Tuesday I go back to school and I have been working my butt off all week to get prepped for this week! I have my plans and activity/worksheets all typed out. I will make my copies tomorrow or Tuesday. I only have a few teeny things to do and they are mainly for the 2nd week of school. I have been making lists like crazy! I really love checking things off of my lists. ;-) I am such a nerd!

I am writing a little but because it really is helping me feel a little calmer! I have more work to do tonight and tomorrow I am going to be super busy! I have determined that I have to plan my meal (mainly for budget reasons but also sanity ~ I have the "what are we gonna do for dinner" blahs) on Bookworm Cooks and I have to plan the rest of my life ~ including my daughter's activities and my work-outs!

Tomorrow I don't have school but I am going to get up at 6:30ish to see how long it takes me to get up, do my squats & situps, and get a shower. Three days a week I will be getting up and doing my squats and situps Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I can walk to school in less than an hour (walking distance is 2.5 miles from house to school) and I want to walk at least two days per week. This will require me watching the Weather channel and picking the best days but I am hoping Tuesday and Thursday. I have said it before but I mean it this time, I am going to look into the local high school's pool hours because I want to swim at least once per week and the HS only charges $2 or $3 for residents. If weather is not cooperative, I will use my treadmill a couple of times a week while I catch up on my General Hospital! Heck I might just add extra treadmill time for some General Hospital intervals! I WILL FIT IN MY WORKOUTS!!! Going back to school is not an excuse to not workout!

A warning to my twitter family!! I Love you all but I may not be around much this week but I will blog! I think writing (or reflecting/journaling) is going to help keep me grounded and focused! I am going to take a page from my girl, Kay, and post a "daily dose" sort of post every day, at least my workout & food stuff.

I have babbled long enough but I feel so much better and lot more centered! I am going to go finish a few things and curl up on the couch with my big man!

What are you going to do to ensure that your meet your goals this week?

Rock On, Jen

saturday scale time (updated)

2009-08-29T11:11:00.003-04:00

Before I tell you what I saw on the scale I want to give you some background:

On August 1st I weighed in at 198.8!!I was so flipping excited!! I was finally in "onederland" and how did I celebrate? I went on vacation and gained about 6 pounds! I honestly forgot to weigh-in that week we returned because of everything going on with my Poppy and the rest of my crazy family. But when I weighed in the following week I was up 3 pounds to 201.8... :-(
I was disappointed in myself but I did not let it get me down! I had a blast on vacation!

I have not been tracking as good as I know I should be! I have been nibbling on things and last night I had pizza!

So what did the scale show me today??

199.2

WAHOO!!

I am down 1.8 for the week!!

I am back in "onederland" I WILL NOT GO BACK!! I AM IN "onederland" and I AM HERE TO STAY!!!

This week my goal is to stay on track! I need to plan and prepare much better ~ school starts on Tuesday!

Back to School Hair Cut

2009-08-28T20:47:00.000-04:00

200 squats, 200 situps, 100 pushups

2009-08-25T22:09:00.002-04:00

Sounds crazy huh?!?!?!?

I think so but I have been looking at the 200 squat program and I have decided to start the program! I was going to start Monday but I somehow forgot! Well, tonight I was tweeting and somehow mentioned the 200 squat challenge! I was asked many questions and somehow recruited a couple of twitter friends to join in and start the challenge with me! tomorrow!!

It would seem that I am not the only one looking for a new way to get motivated!! I love having friends to "work out" with!!

and......

I figure if I get my twitter friends involved then I HAVE to do it! right?!?!

So, tomorrow morning I will be taking the initial test for the 200 squat and 200 situp challenge!! If you want to join in the challenge over the next 6 weeks leave me a comment telling me you will take the initial test for 1,2, or all 3 of the challenges on 200 squat program site!

Rock on people!

a trip to Missouri

2009-08-25T09:57:00.004-04:00

About 2 months ago Tony (ya know the antijared) challenged us to a 60 day challenge! It was simple take a pic of yourself then and 60 days later. Set a goal (but don't tell anyone) and then post again at the end!

Well it was 60 days about 3 days ago and I apologize for arriving late but if you have been reading my blog you know that my niece was born and has been in the nicu! I plum forgot to take my picture and then I promised my daughter she could take the pic since she took the first one - so I waited until this morning for Q to take my pic!

Here are my first pictures (Go look I will wait)

Here are today's pictures:

My goal was simply to not fear having my picture taken! Friday night when we went out I had my picture taken about a dozen times and I didn't freak out! I am more comfortable being behind the camera but I never seem to have any pics of me and my daughter - I want to change that!

Back to School

2009-08-24T22:13:00.003-04:00

Those 3 words when combined are not happy words!

Ok, I am a bit dramatic!

;-)

But, I do have a ton of things to get accomplished before I go back! My first day is September 1st and my students come in on September 2nd. I have decided that I better start setting my alarm so I am a little less shell-shocked when I am actually have to wake up! I set the alarm to go off this morning at 7am! Of course, I was up til 1am working and writing notes for lesson plans and to-do lists!

Needless to say I was not the happiest camper when the alarm went off at 7 and it took me a good 4 minutes to get out of bed! I came out to the dining room and my cats wanted to be fed! Adolf came up on the table and sat on my to-do list! He likes doing paper work with me.

After the cats were fed and I had properly wiped the sleep out of my eyes and ate a nice healthy breakfast I was on my way to the hospital to visit with my new niece! Emily Grace is a beautiful little girl who made a very traumatic entrance to this world on August 22 at 3:11pm weighing in at 9 pounds 5 ounces. I will spare you details but basically, she is a big girl and her shoulder got stuck ~ her shoulder is "dislocated" and they are watching for nerve damage. Emily Grace (my baby sis wants her baby to be called both names all the time ~ don't ya just love it?!?) will probably be in the nicu for at least a week because of the trauma. My poor baby has bruises every where and her left arm is still not moving. But, while I was there EG was trying so hard to move that arm! She is strong!

After the hospital I picked up my daughter. Q had been in Washington, DC with my mom since Friday. I missed my kid something fierce so we just hung out for a bit today...until she wanted to go play with her friends.

After dinner Q and I went through all of our clothes to see what we needed for the first few weeks back in school. We don't usually do a big "back to school" shopping spree because Q always gets a ton of new clothes in late June/early July...most of which have either not been worn at all or just barely. We wait til we are back in school and I swear the sales are better in late September! Q has a ton of clothes that are perfect!!

I on the other hand....well, I just got rid of a huge trash bag (picture one of those big, black yard bags) full of clothes that are now too big! I have a friend losing weight as well and I passed along my goodies! Clothes is the most expensive part of losing weight! My mother is a couple of sizes smaller than me and she is doing WW as well so as she loses weight and clothes get big on her she is passing them on to me. Most of the stuff she has given me has been to tight. They are mostly size 14 or Chico's size 2. Tonight I tried on 2 pairs of dress-shorts [Lauren size 14] and they fit..a but snugger than I am used to but the husband said they were perfect. I also realized that some blouses I have but have not worn now fit great!

I have been so worried about what I was going to wear to school and I was worried about the money of replacing my wardrobe. While I do not have the biggest wardrobe I now have enough to get me started with school. Tomorrow I will take my daughter out shoe shopping, she only needs a pair of gym sneakers (since she has 2 brand new sneakers she hasn't even worn yet!) and I need a sturdy pair of shoes to stand in all day. That sounds like my shoes are going to be boring and ugly, but I need something with better arch support. And I will probably hit up Old Navy for some extra tops. This is low-budget back to school at its finest!

HOLY SHIT! I fit into a size 14... no W...just 14....it has been a long time! At least 8 years that I can think of....

I know that some size 14s will not fit because sizing is all different but for right now I am going to bask in the fact that those shorts were 14 and not from the Plus store!

Emily Grace

2009-08-24T15:49:00.001-04:00

Emily Grace is my beautiful new niece.

saturday scale time

2009-08-22T13:33:00.003-04:00

Before I tell you about the scale ~ let me tell you about last night!

I will spare you all the details but basically, I called a meeting of the minds! I told everyone I knew that I wanted a night of drinking and we should all assemble at Gregory's (a local bar where everyone gathers often but it has been way to freaking long)!! So family and friends alike we gathered at our favorite watering hole! I drank and I drank and I drank some more! I was doing shots all night long! and drinking tons of water in between each shot!

**if you remember from Thursday's post I used my Kettlebell and did 50 squat/swings! WHOA!! were my legs sore yesterday (today as well!) and that made for interesting potty breaks! I was drinking pint glasses of water all night and cursing every time I had to sit or stand up because my thighs were killing me! Potty breaks were a bit painful!

I had such a good time floating around talking to everyone! I love my friends!! My little sister and her boyfriend were there and one of my very good friends from high school was there. I hadn't seen Jen in years (and we hadn't really talked talked since high school) and I was super excited to see her! Oh and there were at least 3 Jens in our big group! at least I say! So I am now just Newman! hehe! (it is ok, it is my last name now!)

On the way home (sidenote - the hubby and I do not drink and drive ~ we cab it!) we stopped at WaWa (a convenience store) and I got a meatball shortie & funyons! Not the smartest food in the world but I was intoxicated and hungry so it could have been way worse!! lol

Ok, enough about my evening!

I woke up this morning feeling pretty good! I drank enough water and I did not have a hangover!

I stepped on the scale and it read 201.0 ~~> I will take that .8 loss! Not bad after the week I had!

Oh yeah, and as I write this my baby sister (not the one out last night but the youngest) is in labor and pushing!! My niece will be here soon!

super fast "HELLO"

2009-08-20T23:12:00.002-04:00

Heya folks!!

I am getting my groove back!! It is slow but it is happening!

I haven't completely gone back to the WW way of life but I have been writing down everything I have eaten. I haven't been eating too crazy...not perfect but good enough for me. It is way harder than I thought it would be!! However, I wouldn't trade my summer for anything else in the world!!

I have had the best time with my family!

Today we went down to Cape May Point and walked through some nature trails and attempted to walk up the lighthouse. Found out that the karate kid is afraid of heights - or at least this one!

I have pictures but I was not able to upload them yet...I will update this post in the morning with some pics!

When we got home the husband went and mowed the lawn. The lawn desperately needed to be cut and it was stinking hot so hubby was not a very happy man! I took advantage and worked with my Kettle Bell (KB). I had not really been able to use my KB all that much. Well, I was able to do 2 sets of 25 swings...and my legs were wobbly! Those squats and swings are brutal!

So I am back...or getting there! I will try and update you daily! It may be short and sweet but I am going to try and blog more often!

See ya tomorrow!!

i say it all the time & now i will prove it!!

2009-08-15T09:54:00.003-04:00

I WILL NOT LIVE BY THE SCALE!!

I WILL NOT LET THE SCALE RULE ME!!

Saturday is my official Weigh-In day! Last week there was so much going on (between getting home from vacation and everything with Poppy) that I totally forgot to step on the scale. I knew I would gain - vacation was amazing! My friend however, made cheesecake, brownies (my absolute weakness) and crumb cake! It was so hard to resist these treats...so I didn't! I indulged a little too much! I should know better! One brownie (heck one tray) will never be enough! I also had fresh ice cream and chocolate milk right from a local (to where I was) dairy farm! Side note - baby moo cows are the cutest things ever!I finally stepped on the scale on Sunday and I was up about 6 pounds! WHOA! (did I mention it was also TOM - no wonder those brownies were able to hypnotize me!!)

So, I should have got right back up on the wagon but then Poppy died and my family is insane!! I have been in a funk all week and have not been counting my points at all! I am kind of tired of counting points but I HAVE to do that!

This week, I did not count or write anything down but I didn't eat anything crazy or anything "TOO MUCH"

I also did not exercise too much! I took a few walks and I learned how to use my KettleBell (which I love love love) and I started using this flat balance ball thing (think BOSU but flatter) yesterday and this morning I woke up with sore abs, calves & back muscles.

I have been all out of whack on my sleeping as well - up way later than I should be and sleeping in until at least 9 every morning!

OUT OF CONTROL (In a controlled manner)

Scale - I weighed in this morning! there was no escaping it! Today's weight = 201.8 - Up 3 pounds from two weeks ago! I am happy about that (ok, not happy but not devastated)

I was in a funk this week! Today, I am breaking out of it! I am going to a pool party for a friend's daughter! WAHOO!! I am excited and I think it is exactly what the doctor ordered! Some sun, some pool, some beer, LOTS of good friends!! All is right in the world!!

Today, I will start fresh on my WW plan! I will count all my points! I will exercise more consistently! I will de-clutter my mind and my work area!

I can and will break out of this funk I am in! I think the family drama (let us just say that 24 hours before Poppy died my mother & aunt were fighting and cops were called) had effected me more than I thought! Here is the obit ~ http://tinyurl.com/mwk9sk )

Today I start tracking! Monday I get back into a full swing schedule. Up at 7 (in 2 weeks that will be up at 6) and getting in a work out and some blogging before the family awakes! I want to really start blogging way more (I know I have said this before but I swear I mean it!!) because blogging really hels me stay connected with myself!!

I am done moping and being in a funk! Jen is back! and Jen is going to live life to the fullest!!

Party on people!!

Tell me how you avoid funks or pull yourself out of one!

the lesson i learned from Poppy

2009-08-11T11:40:00.004-04:00

Around midnight on Sunday night/Monday morning my Poppy slipped away from the physical world! I am not sad about this and I know this sounds harsh but I am actually relieved. It was hard to see my Poppy in so much pain. I was so lucky because last week, before I went on vacation, I was able to have a couple of really good days with Poppy. My fave memory: Me and my mini-me took Poppy his favorite pie (Boston Creme Pie) and we played checkers and ate pie and then my mom brought over ice cream! I will cherish this memory for me & my daughter!

Please do not be sad for me!

Instead, promise me that you will let those people you love know how much you love them!

My grandfather had a lot of medical problems that he NEVER took care of ~ he had diabetes, high blood pressure, heart issue-including blockages. There are lots of other problems that I don't even know about. My grandfather never started exercising or eating healthy. My grandmother NEVER changed the way she cooked for Poppy and he wouldn't eat anyone's cooking besides grandma's. My Poppy was only 72 when he died. Poppy would have 73 on Saturday - he was too young! But, he has been "old" my whole life. He always had health issues but he never seemed to want to get better.

I do not understand this!!

How could he not want to get healthy for his kids and grand-kids (and then his great-granddaughter)? How could my grandmother not change it for him? Why did nothing change? My mom, aunts & uncles always tried to get him to change his ways but he refused.

I will never be able to answer these questions. I will NEVER understand why my grandparents did not do everything to get healthy. (My grandmother has a lot of medical/health issues herself)

LESSON LEARNED:

I will not stand idly by and let my health slip away from me! I WILL NOT allow my husband to take his diabetes lightly! I will learn everything I can to help him get healthy. I will not sit by and idly watch my best friend lose his health. I may not be prefect (can anyone define this concept of perfect?) but I am going to my damnedest to learn this health thing, teach it to every one I care about, and live it!!

I started blogging as a way to stay accountable. I started blogging because I needed a place to write my feelings. I have been lucky because I have made friends through blogging. I have learned so much about myself & the healthy living stuff. Everything with my grandfather has strengthened my resolution to get me & my family (family includes friends) healthy! I love to encourage, support, motivate, and inspire others on this "get healthy" journey and my blog will be the place to do learn & teach healthy stuff. I have a renewed energy for this - it has become so important to me!

i am leaving town

2009-08-03T22:34:00.003-04:00

This summer has been all about spending time with family and friends (many of who I consider family)!!

Tomorrow morning, probably around 9, me and the family will be heading into the mountains of Pennsylvania to a little town called Shickshinny! I am not sure you can even map this tiny town! It is near Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area and I LOVE LOVE LOVE when we get to spend time up there! Shickshinny is about 3 hours from me but it might as well be on a different planet. People up in the mountains are super friendly and a little scary.

I will be spending the next couple of days "camping" out in a friend Charles's backyard! We have a camper to ourselves but we are feet away from the house so there is all the comforts of home! Like a shower and a running toilet! I can't do without these things!!!!

Charles lives on a lot pf property! in fact, him & his dad own most of the road and the road is named after them. Sounds funny but it is true!

We will fish and shoot guns and laze around in the mountain sunshine. We also have a trip to Knoebels planned for one of the days. and we are going to see if we can catch a movie at the drive-in ~ I have never been to a drive-in movie! I can't wait to walk in the fresh mountain air and catch up on some reading!

The other day my laptop decided it didn't want to work anymore! SO, I am without my baby on this trip! No twitter while I am there! I MAY get a few opportunities to check my email but I will be limited! I am going to enjoy the time away from the computer, HOWEVER, I will miss all my virtual friends....I am going to take this time to reflect & write on old-fashioned paper with a real pen!! I haven't done that in a long long time! I think it will be good for me - the lack of internet & the mountain air to stir the creative juices!

Back to school is in less than a month! I am hoping this almost-unplugged vacation is just what I need to fully recharge!

I was able to visit with my Poppy tonight and he told me to go and have fun! The karate kid was able to have a really good visit with Poppy! He was teasing her like he always does!

Thank you for all your thoughts, kind words, and prayers!

Ok, it is late! I will see you all soon!!

peace, xoxoxo
jen

it is a long post but please read

2009-08-01T09:40:00.004-04:00

On expects big bangs in July! July 4th is made for fireworks and parties! Livin' it up in the summahtime!

July started off slow. Since it was the half way point of the year I reevaluated my goals. I also have taken some time away from the virtual world! I have concentrated on me and my family! So while I haven't been blogging all that much I have been living. I have so much to tell you! I am going to break it down as simple as I can but I am going to do it all here so bear with me if this is a ridiculously long post!

I had three July goals!

1. Hit "onederland"
2. Walk 75 miles
3. Give up my senseless waste of calories on french vanilla creamer

I made all my July goals!

I stepped on the scale this morning and I was thrilled to see 198.8!! I know I hit 200 sometime while I was pregnant. My baby is now 10 so it is about time I lost the "baby" weight. I began this weight loss journey (for real) on November 8, 2008 and it has been HARD! If anyone tells you losing weight is easy - they are NUTZ!! I have worked dang hard for every stinking pound!

A week or so ago I told you about my ouchie arches! They are getting better! I stopped using my Walk at Home (Leslie Sansone) videos because doc said I was pushing to hard! Well, I still made my 75 mile goal! Some of my walks were shorter and some of them were slower but I made the goal! In August I want to hit 80!

A couple of weeks ago, my good friend Jen mentioned something about drinking only water until August 1. Jen was trying to reach a goal for her 2 year healthy living anniversary.

I have been drinking way too much coffee!! Which would not be a huge problem if I didn't add ridiculous amounts of french vanilla creamer to my coffee. I took Jen's water challenge as a easy to ditch my way too many calories cup of coffee. It wasn't easy! At first I had headaches but they went away! I did well! I had 2 half cups of coffee in the last two weeks!

I was up super late last night! My grandfather has been sick and in the last week he has become really really sick. Well, last night he was taken to the ER - where we sat until almost 4am before they finally admitted him and put him in a room. I needed and wanted a cup of coffee this morning! It has french vanilla in it BUT only 1 serving worth! It is a bit sweet! So the water thing must have worked!

There is sad stuff! I am sorry but I have to get it off my chest!

I was worried that I wouldn't get all my miles in! I was worried I would not lose and be out of the 200s. It has been a hard week for me. The last 3 days I have been spending as much time as possible hanging out with my Poppy! The doctors don't give him long to live!

My grandfather has had a lot of medical problems for a long time! HE has heart, blood pressure & diabetes problems that were NEVER controlled!

Please, if you have any of these problems, PLEASE get them under control! Take care of yourself NOW!

I love my Poppy but it is hard (and emotionally draining) to see him so weak and so scared!

My Poppy is 72 (he will be 73 on August 15th)! Life is too short! Take care of yourself! And tell everyone you love just how much you LOVE them.

This morning I got a reminder about just how short life can be! A very good friend (a wonderful girl who I have never met in real life but who means the world to me none-the-less) Jen tragically lost her mother yesterday! My heart goes out to Jen & her family right now! I am terribly saddened by this news! I may not have met Jen IRL (yet) but she is a friend and that makes her family!

Life is short! This post is LONG!

I am sorry for such a long post after my absense! I think I have been spending my time where I needed to! After dealing with my crazy family this week and hearing Jen's sad news I am so relieved that I have been spending extra time with my family!

HUG someone, everyone, anyone that you love! HUG them and let them know how much you LOVE them!

peace & luv
jen

if you can't be at BlogHer...

2009-07-23T20:34:00.003-04:00

I really can't say I have a valid reason for wanting to be at BlogHer...I really just want to go out and meet all my bloggy/twitter friends and socialize. Alas, the budget could not be stretched for me to play in Chicago.

I will get over it!! ;-)

But, I am super jealous and it is driving me nuts to see all the #atblogher09

Of course, I can't just shut off tweetdeck! NOPE, I am on there checking out all the action! Many of my twitter friends are meeting for the first time and it kind of exciting!

Mel, at A Box of Chocolates was on twitter and mentioned a Blog Hop. I was curious!

SO, I found my way HERE.

This is my first blogparty!

Hi & Welcome!! I am Jen, your friendly bookworm.

I started blogging as a way to stay accountable while I lose weight. I write about everything weightloss related and life related. Sometimes I review stuff and sometimes I just ramble or bitch or gripe. I have come to rely on this place to get out all the gunk in my head. I have come to rely on my readers, many of whom have become good friends. I love the encouragemnt & support & motivation that I can give others and they can give me!! This space makes me feel like I am not alone!!
A few boring facts about me: I am 31; I have 1 daughter (10) and I am married to my bestfriend. I am a teacher at an alternative high school..that means I teach the at-risk population.

ouchie arches

2009-07-23T10:34:00.002-04:00

I LOVE MY TWITTER FRIENDS!!

This morning I went to the foot doc because I have been having pain in my arches. It has been bugging me for about a month.

So I went to doc and he asked what I do! I told him about all the exercise I have been doing. I was really proud when I told him! It sounded impressive! I am so proud of myself! I have been walking with my Leslie Sansone videos 4-5 times per week and I have been walking outside 3-4 days.

So the doc says:

I have been too aggressive with my workout endeavors. At least for my body. All the side steppin' action is too much for my high arches. My arches are in pain as a way to tell me to slow down.

I have been ignoring the pain and walk walk walking!

So doc says:

SLOW DOWN!!

Basically, I should do less of what I am doing. He didn't say I had to completely stop but I HAVE to start listening to my body!

So doc & I talked for awhile. I asked if I stopped my walking workouts (The Leslie Sansone dvds) could I still walk outside. Since, I don't really have any arch pain when I just walk, doc said this was fine. But I have to ice after every walk. I asked if I could do 3-5 miles at a time, doc says as long as I am not power walking. I walk fast but about 3 miles/hour and doc thinks that should be ok. I told him my speed is naturally about 3 miles/ hour - HELLO, my husband is a foot taller than me - I have had to adjust my walking speed to keep up!

We also talked about arch supports. Which I have tried a couple. But since I have a high acrh ther don't really help! And normal walking doesn't really hurt the arch - it is all the side steps and such on the walking workout dvds.

So, for now I will follow doctor's advice!

IT WILL BE VERY HARD!!

I will miss my Leslie Sansone walking workouts!

BUT, I will follow doctor's advice!

I may have to try this whole strength training thing!

i am the worst blogger ever

2009-07-21T20:07:00.004-04:00

I am without a doubt the worst blogger but I am the best wife and mommy!

I have been finding it hard to find time for blogging but I have found lots of time for walking! I have logged 49 miles so far in July. I joined @a_healthier_me 's walking challenge - I challenged myself to walk 75 miles in July. I can do it!

I also joined @theantijared on an adventure to Missouri. I have been working my butt off! I have been loving all the workout time!

I have been walking my butt off! I have been using my Leslie Sansone videos and they are great! I am walking and using lots of muscles. I am starting to use hand weights. I have little 2-pound hand weights and I was given a cardio with toning dvd. My arms are definitely feeling the weights. I can't believe 2-pounds is enough to feel. I will keep it up!

I have even been getting the husband to walk with me every day. We are currently walking this loop around our neighborhood that equals about 1.3 miles. Hubby is trying so hard to control his diabetes. We have been eating so much better but he still has to work on portion control & exercise. He admits that he is lazy so I am helping by walking with him. I love my big man and I am so proud of him! He is trying so hard!!

SUMMER for me is family time! We are lucky to have lots of time to spend together. We have been trying to explore many of the cool touristey, local & historical hotspots in NJ! I will update you with some of our summer stuff at another time. (I left my camera cord at school but when I grab it I will upload pics)

I am also working on some big things for my blog! Big things are coming around here!

I have been the worst blogger ever and I totally apologize! I will be better! I pinky promise - just bear with me - I have been living! and loving all the family time & work-out time!

GUEST POST

2009-07-16T09:43:00.001-04:00

10 Reasons to Laugh Your Way to Better Health

Want to know a fun way to reduce stress, lose weight and improve your health? Try a littler laughter. Studies have shown that there are several medical and psychological benefits from laughing. Ten of those benefits are listed below.

1. Weight Management: Laughing ten to fifteen minutes a day can burn an extra 40 calories.

2. Anti-Aging: A person can feel younger, since laughter reduces the rate of cellular decay, which slows down the rate of aging. To also slow aging, the affects of laughter include better mental function, improving mental alertness, memory and interpersonal responsiveness.

3. Stress Relief: Laughter reduces cortisol, which is a hormone that causes stress. On the other hand, laughter increases endorphins, which make a person feel happy. To also combat stress, laughter secretes an enzyme that protects the stomach from forming ulcers.

Immunity: Laughter increases the body’s T-cell count. (T-cells are cells of the immune system that kill outside invading bacteria that are harmful to the body). During flu season, consider that laughing can increase antibodies in saliva, which combat upper respiratory infections. Generally speaking, laughter helps the body fight infection.

Circulation: Laughter helps blood vessels function better, reduces blood pressure and heart rate, enhances blood oxygen levels, and boosts circulation.

Cancer-Fighting: Since cancer needs an oxygen-depleted body to survive, laughter is important in combating cancer.

Pain Management: Laughter releases endorphins, which provides natural pain relief.

Diabetes: Laughter is linked to lower blood sugar levels after a meal in Type 2 diabetes.

Breathing: Laughter aids ventilation and helps clear mucus plugs, which is good for respiratory conditions like emphysema.

Exercise: Laughter can be considered an exercise, since it conditions the abdominal muscles. And, it can also help to relax the muscles throughout the body.

Consider that one way to help others with their mental and physical health is to tell a good joke. A simple change of perspective to one of laughter can reduce stress, help a person to feel younger and more positive, boost their immune system, lose unwanted pounds, and provide a host of other natural benefits.

Kathy Balland is the author of: Lose the Diet – Transform your body by connection with your soul. For a FREE half hour guided meditation audio to help you relax and reconnect, sign up at: www.LoseTheDiet.com. The book trailer is: www.DietFreeMovie.com. Follow Kathy on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/LosetheDiet

summer's just getting started! (UPDATED)

2009-07-10T20:44:00.006-04:00

I hope you can all forgive for not blogging in over a week. I blogged about my goals and then I was gone! You see, summer just started for me. School ended June 23rd but I still had 5 days of credit completion. July 6th was the start of our summer program. I am only working on Mondays for the next 5 weeks.

Very realistically, summer just started for me!

Last Saturday, I weighed in and I had gained 2 pounds. I was prepared for the gain - not happy - but prepared. First week on modified schedule and I was not as conscientious as I would like to have been.

July 4th after a 2 pound gain ~ I overate! all day long I was good - got home tired & hungry - ordered out & I ate a sub.

Monday ~ I started over! I was gonna be good and get back to a routine! I set the alarm and woke up early to work out!

Most mornings I woke up but I didn't always work out! A couple of times our bedroom had gotten too hot (stupid air conditioner) and I woke up to find hubby sleeping on the couch. But I did do a 3mile Leslie Sansone Walk at Home dvd twice and on Tuesday I walked 4.25 miles. On Wednesday I rode my bike to school for a meeting (2.5 miles each way!) and walked 2.5 miles with a friend while the kid had a karate class.

Tuesday ~ family day! We went to CowTown Flea Market. This is about a 45-minute drive but we love this trip. I bought the cutest strapless summer dress for $15, the kid got a watch for $5 and we bought 3 huge bags of veggies for less than $10 - watermelon, lemons, potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, green onions, red peppers, grapes, and I know I am forgetting something.

Wednesday came and with it so did period. I am sorry this is blunt but I have to keep my blog real. I have thought of all the cutesy ways to say it but dangit it is a period. Maybe I will use mensies like my school nurse (and wonderful friend) calls it. Anyway! Here it was!

Thursday. Bloaty. Puffy. Grumpy. Irritable!

I ordered pizza for dinner. I also ordered a salad. Ate two slices from a very small pie that had chicken on it and one regular cheese slice. I was honestly too full to eat anything else. Salad was saved and eaten as lunch on Friday.

Friday. Woke up crampy and bloaty. Woke up at 7 with the alarm but the husband was on the couch so I didnt work out. Today was a busy day. We had to take our cat to the vet for a follow-up appointment where they drew some blood. Adolph (our cat) was diagnosed a month ago with a hyperactive thryoid and he had lost a lot of weight along with other problems. He has been on meds for the past month - do you have any idea what a pain in the ass it is to give one cat 2 pills every day all while keeping 2 other cats occupied? Well, Adolph has gained 1.25 pounds in a month! I am so very happy and I am feeling that the blood work will show that the meds are working.

Here is my little man!

Tomorrow is my weigh-in and I have to say that I feel like I gained 10 pounds. I have been so heavy feeling with my period. I will try to not stress! I will try and remember that I am not ruled by the scale.

I didn't gain 10 pounds - In fact, I lost .4 (4/10 of a pound) WAHOO!!! I feel Heavy with this period so I am ecstatic with any loss!!

Numbers I am happy with:
22.53 the number of miles I have walked since July 1.
4 - number of days walked this week.
16 - number of tomatoes growing in my garden
1.2 pounds my kitty has gained!

The scale may not agree with me but I think that was a good week. and next week will only get better!

no matter what the scale says this week I will focus on:
~eating lots of fruits and veggies
~staying hydrated
~maintaining some morning routine (I am thinking alarm at 7 - workout by 7:15-7:30)
~healthy eats and proper planning
~lots of family time - it is afterall summer and while it is hard still having the husband out of work we are taking full advantage of it.

Again, I apologize about my lack of blogging! Big things are in the works!! I plan on being more consistent but I totally needed the last couple of days!

2009 Halfway Point/Goals Check In

2009-07-01T20:42:00.004-04:00

Today is July 1, 2009. We are at the halfway point of 2009.

Instead of having you go pack and read my New Year's post I copy & pasted my goals. They are listed here in bold & in red is my take on how I have done.

1. I will write down everything that crosses my lips. I have been pretty good about tracking but I could be better. Will continue to work on this.
2. I will drink 60 oz of water every day. I have given up on 60 oz. I like water and I drink a lot but I pee enough as it is - so I refuse to force myself to drink more than I think I need. I have cut soda out almost completely. I am drinking more water than ever. I experimented and drank 64 oz for over two weeks for the @fabfatties healthy challenge and I didn't feel any better or worse for all that water. So this goal is gone! I will continue to drink as much water as I think I need.
3. I will take vitamins every day. ok, I must admit that I have been a total slacker here. I go strong for a week or two and then stop. Starting right this minute I will take my vitamins and other supplements.
4. I will eat veggies and fruit every day. I have been doing super with this one. At least 5 servings every day. I eat an apple almost every day - the only days I don't is when I run out and have to get to the produce store. Summer days are so easy to eat fresh fruit and veg - all the stands are open and I have yummy stuff growing in my garden. I will continue to eat better & healthier as often as possible. I will not beat
5. I will walk 10 treadmill miles every week. I will be honest I am not sure if I accomplished this. I may have averaged out to about 10 miles per week but I am not sure if I walked that much EACH week. I will continue to walk. I love to walk. I have set a goal of 75 miles in July. My miles will come from Leslie Sanson Walk at Home dvds, the Treadmill, and outside walking
6. Lose 10 pounds every 6 weeks on the Total Well Being Challenge. I know am a bit further into this weight loss journey and I realize that 10 pounds every 6 weeks may be a bit unrealistically. I am no longer completely ruled by the scale. YES, I like when the scale cooperates but I am not going to live by that number alone.
7. Complete 100 push-up challenge. Let's not even talk about this one. Pushups killed me. My wrists did not like me at all! I am ok with not completing this. I am learning my body and my limitations. I am and will continue challenging my body in other ways.
8. I want to blog at least twice a week here. Got this one! Will continue!!
9. I will support all my IRL and twitter friends working hard to be healthier. Got this one! Will continue!!

NEW GOALS:

1. Keep following the healthy guidelines: eat the fruits & veggies; exercise at least 30-minutes 5-days each week; stay hydrated without excess sugar; get enough sleep; and stress less.
2. Make time for family as much as possible. Part of losing weight is so that I have more energy for my family. Summer is here and we have plans for lots of family stuff!!

My new goals are simple. I will continue to do what I am doing. I have lost 40 pounds so I must be learning new ways of eating & living. I will continue to live a healthy life. I will continue to learn exactly what that means. I will tell ya what I learn. My family is so important to me! By extension my friends are treated like family.

As a start to the second half of 2009 I have entered yet another challenge. I am a junkie I tell ya! This is a personal challenge to get moving & get walking. Read about it HERE. I am going to walk 75 miles in the month of July. I put up a ticker on the right sidebar - check it out! I walked (well, walked at home with Leslie Sansone) 3miles today.

weekend recap

2009-06-29T08:44:00.004-04:00

Finally!! IF you are anywhere on the east coast you probably feel the same way!! We finally saw the SUN!! and Mr. Sun was beautiful!! and warm!! and stayed for the whole weekend!!

I am almost scared to get excited about the weather forecast for the week.

So let us back up!! On Saturday I woke up and hopped on the scale for my weekly weigh-in. I wasn't sure what to expect and I swore to myself that I would not freak out no matter what the stupid thing said to me (and yes, my scale talks to me!!)

OMG!! I almost fell off the scale!!

(don't laugh but I can't seem to change the direction of this pic)

While 3.2 pounds in a week that I was unsure of is AMAZING!! The more amazing and fabulous thing is how incredibly close I am to having a 1 to start my weight. I have been over 200 pounds since my daughter was born 10 years ago. So, for me this is a HUGE deal!!

So how did I celebrate??

With a weekend of eating!!

UGH!!

no, scratch that!!

I enjoyed everything I ate and I choose to splurge on weekends. That is how this whole thing is going to truly be a lifelong thing for me.

The husband and I found ourselves alone. His mom has the same birthday as the kid - so every year since they met they go shopping. This is great! The kid gets to spend time with Granny and comes home with an entire summer wardrobe.

So we went and did all the boring grown-up errands: Sam's Club & Target. Then we went to Red Robin which we have been wanting to try. We got a Bayou Burger & a BBQ chicken burger & we shared. We also ordered the onion ring tower. I normally hate onion rings but these were amazing!! I only ate 3 little ones but they could be dangerous. OMG! fried wonderfulness. The burgers came out and we split each in half - the Bayou Burger was so spicy hot that I only ate 1/2 of my 1/2 . It was so yummy but too spicy!! Have you ever had cabbage on your burger? I ate my 1/2 of the chicken burger and it was so juicy & yummy! I also ate about 1/2 of the fries that came with the burger. They were steak fries - my fave - so I had to have some but I showed restraint.

Then we went visting with some friends. It was so nice because we traveled south into Cape May on a Saturday afternoon and did not hit any traffic. (sshhhh....don't tell anyone - they wouldn't believe it...) It was so nice because we have not seen these friends in a while.

By the time we got home we were starving. So we ordered mexican. I love chorizo tacos!! We rented Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans ~ this was a great movie!! I love lounging on my couch with my husband!!

Sunday we slept in and went to see The Hangover at noon!! We stopped and picked up bagel sandwiches on our way to the movie. This and the water I snuck in to the movie kept me from eating any movie crap!

Picked up the kid & grilled dinner! Grilled Pork Tenderloin & lots of grilled veggies with cous cous. Oh yeah, and we dined al fresca!! The weather is so nice (read not hot) and it wasn't buggy so we took advantage by eating on out back patio!

Ok, so that was my weekend. Lots of little mundane events that make me so so happy!!

It is the little things in life!!

How about you - how was your weekend?

the one where she says thank you & NO EXCUSES

2009-06-26T13:10:00.004-04:00

Thank you to all my friends!! Your kind words have helped me feel better! I think I was totally having a moment yesterday and needed to vent and my blog seemed like the perfect place. Turns out I was right: getting all the gunk off my chest helped; having you guys encourage and support me really helped!!

Right from my comments on yesterday's post:

"life just is eating one more cupcake then we should have. What counts is the next decision."

"So you had some cupcakes? Big deal. Make a different decision today."

"I think you get back on track by writing about it, and letting it go. Next..."

"take one step at a time and step far away from the cupcakes."

Dangitall!!

You guys are SOSOSO smart! This is a journey. I am keepin' it real by posting what is on my mind and what all this means. A good friend once told me that on this weight loss journey there will be lots of times when I am just gonna have to freak out. She was right!! There are days when I don't recongnize me. There are other times when I have to look at a picture from last year to see that I have, in fact, actually lost weight. I KNOW I have lost the weight but sometimes I don't SEE it.

Today is the day for NO EXCUSES!!

I am feeling better! My lungs feel clear and almost all the way normal! I woke up and was out of bed by 7:30 this morning. I am not sure why but I was. I am only working from noon until 2pm. So, I was awake (well, out of bed anyway) and I got this thought in my head!!

NO MORE EXCUSES!! NO MORE EXCUSES!!

If I am going to be in Missouri in less than 60 days I need to get my ass back in gear!! SO I popped in a Walk at Home dvd and started walking. The dvd was a 3 miler but I wasn't sure if I would be able to do the full 3 miles. Guess what, I made it through the whole 3 miles!! My lungs felt good and I was SWEATING!!

It is summer and my summer schedule is very light. After today I have two days of credit completion (only 2 hours each day) and a couple silly meetings (here & there). July 6th starts our school summer program and I am only working on Mondays for that! (6 weeks, 6 mondays, 5 hours each day). I love being a teacher in the summer!!

I love being a teacher all the time but summer is just the BEST!!

NO EXCUSES!!!

Starting today, I will remember to wear my pedometer every day! I will aim for 12,000 steps each and every day! I will complete a Walk at Home workout 5-6 days each week.

NO EXCUSES!!! I WILL MOVE MY BODY EVERY DAY!!!

the one where she talks about cupcakes

2009-06-25T08:29:00.003-04:00

I don't know how to get restarted.

I am finally (I think) feeling better from this chest cold. I have not really been sick sick in a while and this one seriously knocked me out. I am still not quite 100% and it is driving me fucking crazy. I gotta tell ya, I don't think the rain has helped. In the last 60 days there has been around 11 days of sunshine. There has been so much rain and dampness and yuckiness!! I swear all the grey rainy days has definitely made me feel BLAH.

So recap: sick for weeks, rain for months, lack of sunshine and warm weather has made me feel like a complete mental case.

I am tired and have no energy.

I have stayed within my points, for the most part.

There was a cupcake batter incident. I have been reading about trigger foods and it is funny because I didn't think I had any. I just thought I like all food ~ yummy and delicious food. I have been getting into preparing and even growing my own. I have been eating fresh and very healthy. I don't restrict anything because that is the second I HAVE to have that thing (whatever it is - this is why I don't do well with diets) and restricting items isn't real life.

I prefer foods with nutritional value. If I am going to stick with this forever I have to make the changes that will last forever. I can bake fresh blueberry muffins and eat just one. I can make a wholesome banana bread and eat one slice. I make chocolate cupcakes for my daughter's birthday and WAMMO!! I cannot control myself around the batter...or the icing. Brownie batter is the same way.

We had cupcakes on Monday for kiddo's birthday. There were some left on Tuesday. On Tuesday, I got rid of the rest. Granny needed some for her birthday and the rest went with the kid to mom-mom's. I had to get them out of the house.

I only had 3 actual cupcakes, but I probably had 2 cupcakes worth of batter. I know this is better than it could have been. I know that it is better than it would have been last year.

So, why am I so down about it?
Why can't I just get over it?

I am tired of being sick. I have had enough!!! I am sure if I was excersising I would not be as distraught over this cupcake thing.

I was doing so well.

How do I get back on track?

the one where she plans a trip to Missouri

2009-06-23T07:41:00.004-04:00

So, I am not really going to Missouri! At least not anytime soon. My friend Tony who blogs HERE is pretty amazing. He has lost a ton of weight and is planning for his new baby. Tony tells it like it is!!

Now Tony has his first bloggy challenge going on. It is called the Missouri 60!! I will let you read the details here ~ but basically it is a PERSONAL challenge to be better and challenge yourself for 60 days to BE BETTER!!

I want to be better! I want to look better! I will be better!! What about you?

So here are my starting pics:
Taken this morning (June 23, 2009) by my lovely daughter!

And just because:

When going through pictures for my school yearbook I found this picture from the end of school last year. I still have the shirt so I wore it today just so I could take a comparison picture. This is how far I have come in the last year.

I can't wait to see how far I can go in the next 60 days. Watch me!! 60 days will be August 22nd. I can't wait to see and SHOW!!

I now have a double digit midget

2009-06-23T07:09:00.003-04:00

My sweet baby girl is now 10. She tells me she is now a PREteen. She must be crazy!! OR her mama's daughter.

Here is about the 10th picture I took of her eating her cupcakes. Notice the face?!?!
Hey, MA!! you done yet?!?!?

Cupcakes were finger-licking good!!

And, as usual we were spoiled rotten. But shouln't everyone be spoiled on their birthday??

Oh, and this lucky little girl still has a shopping spree with granny this weekend. (My MIL & my daughter have the same birthday - it is totally funny. When we met MIL, Q was almost 4 - they have spent every birthday since shopping together! Usually at target, followed by lunch at Applebee's)

**no offense meant my the midget thing but I have been calling my little girl a midget forever. She inherited my short genes & I tease her...LOVINGLY!!!

It's monday!!!

2009-06-22T08:34:00.005-04:00

and it is going to be a very activity filled week!!

This post will be a quick recap of what is going on in the real world of Jen.

As you may or may not know I have been sick! Doc said I had a wonderful respiratory infection. I am still coughing a tad but the medicine has worked because my lungs are almost all clear. I still feel not 100% but I am getting there. I was on a steroid, an antibiotic, and an inhaler all week. I spent the week busier than ever with end of the year school stuff and being out of breath for the most part did not help.

I rested and rested and rested and rested some more. I took the necessary time for my body to heal. I was super tired most of the time I was at home so I was ok with not working out. I really do not think that I could have done anything, even if I wanted. I am not a very patient patient. So sitting on the couch was needed but certainly not wanted!!

I did NOT earn a single Activity Point last week

BUT

I did lose 2/10 of a pound.

A LOSS IS A LOSS IS A LOSS!!!

I am very happy about this little loss because it is not a gain!!

I will admit I was worried about how the sitting on the couch & healing would effect my weight. Plus, being on a steroid had me nervous ~ I have heard that the steroid could have weight-gaining effects.

TODAY is Monday and I am looking forward to an exciting week. I have a ton of blogs in my head and I will try to blog daily, well nightly.

Just a few highlights (or sneak previews if you will):

The Karate Kid turns 10 TODAY!! I now have a double digit midget!!
The Missouri 60 (yep another challenge)
Priorfatgirl.com challenge
The Great DeClutter of 2009 @ casa de Jen

Plus, check out my recipe/cooking/food blog HERE. I made some yummy yummy banana bread this weekend.

the one where she has a hissy fit

2009-06-15T19:54:00.002-04:00

WARNING: There may be expletives and a whole lotta whining!!

Are you still reading?

Really...

Ok, you have been warned.

What the fuck?!?!

Last week on Monday I got the best news ever...

NO SURGERY!!!

And on Tuesday I woke up with some sort of stomach bug thing. This stupid bug knocked me out for a couple of days.

I start feeling better from that when TOM comes to visit it in a wonderful big crampy bang. Could I get any luckier?

I shouldn't have even had that thought.

Woke up Sunday with a sore throat. Really, Seriously, WHAT THE FUCK!! Sore throat progressively got worse throughout the day. Today, my nose is stuffy and I have the start of a bronchitis cough. My chest is tight & sore and it really hurts when I cough.

I want to workout!

BUT

I am tired; I am stuffy; I am bitchy; I am whiny

and

I am flipping pissy about the whole fucking sicky situation!!

Ok, that is all. I am going to be sick. I am going to let myself get better and while my chest hurts and breathing is hard I will not push myself physically. But, I miss my workouts. I want to workout because I love how I feel when I workout.

Ok, Bitchy Rant is now over!!

FabFatties Healthy Challenge is now Over

2009-06-13T20:51:00.003-04:00

I am a little sad that this challenge is over. I have really enjoyed this challenge and I know that this challenge has revved me up. I feel refreshed and the challenge helped me make my weightloss feel new again. This is so important ~ when something feels new I can attack it with all kinds of energy.

Ok so the points...

I earned a total of 1245 points.

I ate all my fruits and veggies every day; drank my water every day; ate a healthy breakfast every day; walked a small out of the ordinary walk every day (I don't get the typical lunch break); and I journaled my food every day. I read blogs & I encouraged others - I love encouraging & motivating others on this journey. Most of the stuff I did to get these points I was already doing but not exactly 'religiously' ~ ya know?!? I made it a point to do everything as often as I could - because, well, they were all the 'right' things to be doing for healthy living. And that is what I am all about - healthy living & learning to live healthy.

There was also a component to this challenge about doing good deeds. I think of myself as a very good person. I work in a school that most people wouldn't step foot in. (I don't say this in any negative way & I don't want anyone to think ther are bad kids- I teach at-risk students and I love them & what I do.) My good deeds were things like buying a kid lunch or breakfast, I also assisted a student with a way to get to school (family issues have been keeping him home & he may not pass this year if he doesn't show up every day.

How this challenge changed me

All the right/healthy living stuff has now been reinforced. 2+ weeks of following all the right/healthy "rules" has reinforced those rules. Now they are truly a part of my daily living. I am thinking more about my food choices & living the healthy way. BIGGEST THING ~ I can't drink soda at all. Since the challenge is over & hubby and I went to Chili's ~ I decided to order a Coke Zero (I was so excited that Chili's serves Coke Zero). First sip was not so good and I gave hubby my soda, I switched to water. At home I tried another soda (maybe the soda from the gun at Chili's made it icky). Guess what, it wasn't the restaurant. It was the soda. I can't believe that I don't like my Coke Zero anymore. Oh yeah, and on top of it all ~~ I lost 5.6 pounds during this challenge.

Ya'll know what a challenge junkie I am!! This has been my favorite challenge to date. That you @FabFatties. People, if you have not read THIS BLOG you totally should!! Trust me!!

peace, luv & happiness,
jen

first @home weigh-in

2009-06-13T10:47:00.004-04:00

Good morning! (or afternoon or evening ~ depending on where you are in the world)

I was able to sleep in until 10am this morning. This almost never happens ~ between the dog, the cats, the kid, the husband & the neighborhood noises ~ I usually do not sleep past 8:30 on the weekends. If you don't know, let me tell you ~~ I LOVE SLEEP!!!!

A break from WW meetings
~ For financial reasons (among other reasons) I have decided to switch to e-tools WW only for a while. Well, at least the next 3 months. I found an incredible deal - 3months of E-tools for 29.95 ~ that is $10 cheaper than one month of meetings! So I am going with it!

This morning was my first official weigh-in at home!

and

drumroll, please!!

3...

2...

1...

I lost 4.2 pounds for a total of 36.6 pounds since 11/8/08.

Cue the confetti!!

I am very happy because this was TOM day. I woke up not feeling kind of heavy & bloaty.

I am not sure how much difference there is between my scale & the WW scale because I tried to stay away from my scale while going to meetings. I do not want to become obsessed with the scale. I WILL not become obsessed with the scale. I will be obsessed with healthy living!

This week I was sapped with some sort of stomach bug-thing for 2 days. I was able to eat regularly after day 1 of the bug-thing but I felt way TOO weak to exercise. This was killing me but my wonderful twitter friends reminded me that I have the rest of my life to work out! So, I took it easy!

Now, I am off to make my weekend de-clutter list! I will get rid of all my fat clothes today!!

Oh, and 7 pounds until I am officially in onederland...I can hardly wait!!

peace, luv & happiness

Jen

walking changed my life

2009-06-11T19:48:00.004-04:00

I participated in Weight Watcher's walking challenge. You all know how much I love challenges. Well, I was doubly lucky because WW asked me to participate in their "walk-it, blog-it programs" which I chose to blog mainly over at TweetWalker ClubHouse - since this is mainly a walking blog with all my walker friends. Quick plug here ~ If you are a walker, runner, or somewhere in between you should check out TWCH. Please support and encourage my friends.

I have been mainly walking for my exercise but this walk-it challenge really stepped up my consistency. I really like walking but was kind of getting bored with my treadmill. This challenge boosted me out of what could have become a funk. I am now walking 3 miles almost every time I go for a walk. I am venturing outside more often for my walks. YES, I stayed inside a lot because NJ winters are yucky and notoriously wet and I was babying my ankle. I am sure I blogged about my ankle issues (short story- I sprain my ankle a lot because of a weak ligament - more on this later) but what I haven't blogged about is how much less I am having ankle issues.

All this walking is having great effects: my leg muscles are actuall starting to appear, I feel stronger, I am losing pounds and inches, I am NOT having surgery on my ankle. That is right!! I went to the doc on Monday and he says I have been doing so well that he does not recommend surgery at this time. The surgery was to repair the stretched out ligament in my right ankle but when doc examined (read - pushed and squeezed) my ankle I felt no pain. I have walked myself stronger.

On Saturday, June 6th I walked my first 5K. Read about it here. This was definitely the first on many. I even want to try and run ~ I even asked doc and he thinks I am strong enough to try. As long as I am cautious. Big Man would like me to stick to walking so I am more steady with less chance of falling. I am kind of klutzy. So for the meantime I am going to keep getting stronger and let my body tell me when I should start running.

Since I have been telling you so much about walking and the walk-it challenge I will tell you the best news!! Yeppers, I saved the best for last.

Today when I went to Weight Watchers to enter my food/points I saw this article on the Momentum Walk-It Blog-It. Go ahead & check it out!!

did you see?

did you see??

Oh, I hope you saw....I am just bubbling over with excitement. I feel famous!

I am also ecstatic to be among an amazing group of women! Especially my good friends Mel & Rebecca.

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another fantabulous weekend & challenge updates

2009-06-07T16:00:00.003-04:00

I love it when the weather is so cooperative on the weekends. Especially when the two days prior to the weekend we were drowning in rain. It was a monsoon. (Ok, so I exaggerate a bit)

Saturday morning I woke up before 6am. I know I am still a bit shocked. Sorry people, but I don't even get up this early on work days. I woke up early to walk my first ever 5K. If you check out TWCH I will be posting there about my walk later. (I will update right here to let you know when that post is up.)

I walked my first ever 5K!!!
I walked the 5K in 52 minutes (and 37 seconds)!!
I am still grinning ear to ear at this!!
I feel like I accomplished something HUGE!!

After my walk I attended my WW meeting. I was down another 0.2 pounds!! YAY!! I love when the scale goes down. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect since I have walked and ate more food than I normally do before a weigh-in. This week was pretty awesome in the points & activity departments. The FabFatties healthy challenge has kept me aware of my fruits, veggies, water and soda intake (or lack of soda intake I should say.

The FabFatties healthy challenge has been awesome! I find myself really aware of what I am eating and what activity I am doing. I have walked to the corner store for ketchup just so I got that extra "lunch break" walk in. My teacher schedule doesn't allow for the traditional lunch break. SO, I have improvised! At first I was obsessive about getting as many points but I have slowed down long enough to realize that I have a life and being healthy doesn't necessarily mean I have to work out every single day. Some days you get a suprise visitor (in this case a friend that moved 6 hours away just popping in because he was "in the area." I have been saying that I do not want to be ruled by the scale and this challenge is more focused on healthy living so I am learning how to truly not be "ruled by the scale."

The Great de-clutter of 2009 was inspired by MizFit! I have spent the last few days cleaning & throwing shit away. I started with the dining table because it is always full of junk. The mail just piles up. TO be fair, everything piles up! It is an easy spot since there are 4 chairs & only 3 of us. After the table I tackled the computer desk ~ since I have the laptop the desk isn't used as much and since it is a armoire-style desk with doors that shut - you can only imagine the crap that can get piled up in there. oy! I have both spots still clutter free 3 days later. I am impressed & shocked! I put a outside trashcan down in the basement to begin cleaning that nightmarish mess. I filled the can with a huge trashbag and have changed the bags twice. It was a bit of a disaster down there. Truth-be-told it still is a disaster but I am trying to make laundry area better. This project will take time but I am working on having 2 bags full each week for trash day. I am also working in my room ~ every time I get dressed and something is just TOO big it is getting put in a bag for Good Will or the Woman's Center. I have two ongoing projects but I have made decluttering fun and not such a chore. Tonight's project - the untensil drawer in the kicthen. I know there are utensils in there that never ever get used - bubye the go!!

One final challenge to tell you about: Jen the Priorfatgirl is having a challenge on her blog - it basically is a "put your money where you mouth is" challenge. Basically the challenge is what you make it - I pledged that I am going to lose 12 pounds (and finally be under 200) by August 1st. If I do not lose 12 pounds I will be donating $50 to the Literacy Volunteers of America. My reward should I lose 12 pounds will be a facial and a mani/pedi. I think this challenge is awesome. I wil keep you posted.

For now, I believe this is all.

Oh wait, one more thing, I am thinking about combining my blogs & getting my own domain. I will need a new name (a new brand) and I am working on that. My new blog will combine all my interests ~ losing weight, cooking, walking and being real. I hope you all come with me when I move. I will keep you posted!

I want a Wii

2009-06-04T18:17:00.002-04:00

I really want a Wii!!

I keep seeing tweets about the Wii and I want one! I want to play the EA Active thing with my twitter friends.

Well the Fairy Blog Mother has a giveaway and I want to win!!

the one where she talks about MizFit again

2009-06-02T18:11:00.004-04:00

I have been so lucky! At just the time I finally decide to get off my behind and finally lose some weight I also discovered Twitter. One little tiny tweet about joining Weight Watchers and I had new friends ~ a la twitter. I LOVE LOVE LOVE twitter and all the support I have found there!

Long story short~~> I have "met" so many people who have helped me in various ways. I have learned by reading what they are doing and then applying it to my life. Sometimes this has great consequences and other times this it doesn't work.

Unfortunately, all this stuff leads to clutter.... and I need no help when it comes to clutter. Big Man says I am just too smart so things have to spill out. He also says I am the smartest person he knows but I am also the most scatterbrained! [Yeah, I love him and I am gonna keep him] He doesn't get it...ok..to be fair...I don't get it.

I am a smart chick (at least I like to think I am - lol - see I can still laugh at myself) but I have always been scatterbrained. I always have to be doing at lest six things at once. I honestly don't know how to do just one thing at a time. As I type this I look up to my toolbar and I have 6 tabs open.

On Monday, MizFit had thee BEST post about clutter, or rather decluttering as it is. The Miz has challenged all of us to declutter by getting rid of 30 items in 30 days. I must admit I TOTALLY NEED this challenge. I am very bad at knowing where to put all the paper junk. I put things in a pile on my table, when that gets to full (or we have company) I put that pile onto the computer desk - which is just one big clusterfuck!

After reading & viewing MizFit's post I realize that I could and should get into this challenge. My classroom is a daily distaster...I try and clean it up at the end of the day but there is just too much stuff!!! My house is a disaster - mainly because it is small and I have too much crap and I really don't know what to do with all said crap.

I may be having surgery on July 6th ~ I will know definitely on Monday when I go to the orthopeadic surgeon. Don't freak out people, I have been living with a week ankle and a "stretched out" ankle ligament for a long time. The surgery is supposed to repair the ligament but I am considering putting the surgery off. I have been walking so much in the last 6 months and I haven't been in a lot of pain. I have real momentum going in my working out & weight loss and I worry that having surgery would put all that good work to a standstill. But, worry you not ~ I will follow doctor's advice.

IF I have surgery (see there was a point but I got sidetracked telling you other stuff) I will be out of commission for 3 months of total healing time. 2-4 weeks of that will be off of my feet completely. If my house were less cluttered life would be so much easier. SO I will take the next month and work on decluttering. I like to say decluttering better than I like to say organizing...I have never beengood at organizing.

I alo think I have a TON of mental clutter which I will work on but that is for another post. I will work on my physical dwellings.

TONIGHT I will tackle the table pile (and the crap I have thrown in the computer desk). I will also take a trashcan down in my basement so that every time I go down there to flip laundry I am putting something in the garbage!

I have so much clutter that this will be a process. I am not going to make some HUGE list because that is too overwhelming, instead I am going tackle one project at a time. I will pick one area (or trouble zone) at a time and work on that until it is FINISHED - this is my real problem. I will do this at home and at school.

Maybe, I can find something cool that someone else would want!

I will post all about decluttering as I go!!

Next post will be a Fab Fatties Healthy Challenge Update!

a quick weekend recap

2009-06-01T12:29:00.004-04:00

I tried to sit down and write this post a couple times over the weekend. Instead, I contemplated what I was going to write here but actually blogged at TWCH & bookworm cooks.

I had a a very productive FANTASTIC weekend! I am just going to give a recap because if not I will ramble and ramble and you will be bored.

Saturday I actually slept in until 9:30. I quickly got dressed, checked twitter then walked to & from WW meeting about 1.5 miles each way. At my WW meeting I stepped on the scale and lost 1.2 pounds.

Big Man and I went to a local produce stand where they sell a ton of baby plants. We bought 2 cantaloupe, 9 Boston lettuce, and 2 cherry peppers plants. We came home and gardened for over an hour. I weeded the whole thing and since we bought so many new plants we had to expand the garden (I lost a little bit of my compost pile). Gardening is great exercise and Needless to say I was quite sore on Sunday.

When we finished gardening and were putting everything away in the garage I was struck by the sight of our bikes. It had been a couple days since I was able to ride. Big Man & I took a nice bike ride around our neighborhood and then came home for much needed showers & food!Big Man grilled us up a beeeuuutiful steak! I made a lovely salad (with Romaine lettuce from my garden). After dinner we sat out on the back patio with a fire and shared a bottle of blueberry champagne. I live near Hammonton, NJ (the Blueberry capital of NJ) and the champagne is from last year. The karate kid was at a sleepover so mama let her hair down. ;-)

Sunday was a much less productive day...ok, that isn't entirely true. A LOT happened on Sunday even thought it started off quite leisurely with coffee & the internet! Then I looked around and had no choice but to clean the house! Kiddo came home but quickly cleaned her room and was off and running around the neighborhood. I love that she is at that age where she can run around a bit free with her friends (hold on to this thought....it gets sketchy later)

While I was cleaning (or probably pretending to clean) my little sister texted me about issues with my baby sister. [I actually have 3 younger sisters - bitchy one, lil sis, baby sis] Bitchy one was giving baby sis shit because baby sis is pregnant. I have know about pregger situation since February but baby sis has been too scared to tell our dad until recently. I hate family drama and I avoid it all cost. I was tired of texting by the 3rd text so I just told lil sis to come over so we could chat.

I had such a nice visit with lil sis ~ she came over sans BF (I really like her BF - he is such a nice boy) and Big Man was playing Madden with his friens. It was so nice. We chatted about the family and the happening, she is actually looking for her first house. how cool is that!?!?! She also wanted to talk to me about my weightloss. Lil sis says for the first time in her life she can't wear a bikini (admittidly she says she shouldn't have worn one last summer but she worked so much that she never really made it to the beach) and she hates it! I am happy she came to me - I actually feel kind of honored [i am such a dork - i know]. We are going to start walking together ~ she will come to my house after work and we will walk on the bikepath near my house. I will keep you all updated to how this works!

I got a way cool phone call on Sunday. I will give you more details as I know them but for now: I was offered the opportunity of a lifetime! I have been offered a one-month free personal/bootcamp training at a place called Miracle Fitness. That is all I know right now but I wanted to share with you !!

Fast forward through some boring Sunday stuff. I went for a bike ride before dinner. Remember I told you about my little one and her freedom. As I am on my ride I ran smack into my darling daughter - 2 blocks outside of her allowed area (her box) and across 2 major roads (not highways but busy enough that the kid's box is 1 block past our house in one direction but 5 blocks in the other direction). I was so mad and scared all rolled into one ball of mess. Kiddo is now grounded and I was/am completely wiped out by the whole thing. I hate being the heavy but in some situations there is no other way to be. I HAVE to be able to trust my kid and I want her to be safe.

This was supposed to be a quick weekend recap! Oy, I talk too much! And I have so much more to write about. I will just organize & write a new post for tomorrow. This morning I was reading MizFitOnline and she talked about decluttering and this hit home for me. So tomorrow I will write about decluttering inmy world and I will give you an update of my @fabfatties challenge progress.

Peace & Luv,
Jen

FabFatties Healthy Challenge

2009-05-29T22:23:00.003-04:00

When I first heard of the FabFatties Healthy Challenge I was simply excited about the prospect of a new challenge. I have been lovin' challenges lately. I am not always successful with every challenge I attempt but I am gonna keep on trying them! I like the challenge concept ~ out of nowhere this lazy bookworm has become sort of competitive. I like this challenge because it is mostly mental!

Here is a list of the way to earn points:

*Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily- 5 points

*Drink 8 glasses of water a day- 8 points

*Exercise- 1 point per minute

*Do a random good deed- 5 points

*Stop drinking soda pop for a day- 1 point

*Actually read someone else’s blog post and leave a comment- 1 point

* Answer our Fab Fatties random bonus questions about us- 5 points

-Bonus questions will be posted daily on our blog.

* Recommend 2 fabulous friends from twitter and tell us why we should follow them- 2 points

* Eat a healthy breakfast-1 point

* Lose weight- 1 point per pound

* Keep a food journal for the day- 5 points per day

* Take a walk during you lunch break- 5 points

* Have a friend join this challenge- 25 points per friend

Most of these things I have been doing already. And some of the things I try to do but am not always successful. I wasn't going to write much about this until I read FoodieMcBody's blog today about this challenge. [Quick plug here ~ if you are not reading Foodie's blog you should be!!]

Anyway, Foodie touched on a few things that made me say..."yeah" or "totally" or "I was just thinking that!" I swear the woman was one step ahead of my thoughts! Like, my friend Foodie, I also recruited people to join this challenge. I ~~thought~~ think that this challenge is awesome~ it totally focuses on being HEALTHY not perfect, healthy. I have a great group challenging themselves to be healthier [look on the top of the right sidebar for a complete list of TEAM BOOKWORM]. I am so excited to have friends getting healthier with me!

Foodie also wrote about what would be the easiest and hardest part of this challenge. I am going to answer this question and also ask you all to answer this question. What aspect of this challenge do you anticipate will be the easiest? hardest?

For me the easiest will be the breakfast and journaling. I am basically doing this already. When I joined WW in November, I learned the importance of journaling. I am always on etools. Lately, my internet connection has been shoddy at work so I am working on journaling on actual paper. This challenge is perfectly timed to get me journaling better. Through WW I also learned the importance of breakfast. I eat breakfast every (work) morning but I am not the best about the healthy part of the weekend breakfast. I guess the healthy breakfast could be easy & hard!

Hardest:
WATER ~ I like water enough but it isn't my favorite. Also, I am a teacher and some days it is hard to leave my classroom. And to be perfectly blunt, I pee enough without drinking gallons of water.

So, How did I do on my first day of the challenge??

I had 5 servings of vegetables = 5 points
I had my 8 glasses of water =8 points
I walked for 21 minutes = 21 points
I did not have soda = 1 point
FF bonus question = 5 points
Read blog & comment = 1 point
Recommend 2 twitter friends = 2 points
I had a healthy breakfast = 1 point
I kept a food journal @ weight watchers etools = 5 points
Took a walk during~~lunch break~~prep period = 5 points
53 points (plus recruit points but I have to go figure that out)

Ok

Peace Out, Jen

a FabFatties Challenge

2009-05-27T10:05:00.002-04:00

You all know by now that I am becoming a bit of a challenge junkie!!

The way I look at it I need whatever motivation I can find and challenges are a fun way to keep my routine from becoming...well..umm...routine. I get bored easily but I do not want to lose focus.

I recently have started to follow @fabfatties (yes, on twitter ~ if you are not on twitter you are missing out on some really cool people who totally help on this crazy weightloss/healthy living journey)

The FabFatties are the most amazing chicks who blog HERE and have come up with an amazing 2-week challenge. The challenge is based on a point system and points can be earned by doing healthy stuff!! I LOVE IT! This challenge is a way to stay focused and committed to staying/becoming healthy!

I want YOU to join me [Yes, I can earn points if I 'recruit' you but I REALLY want friends to challenge themselves with me!! ] If you sign up, please tell the fab fatties that @bwJen sent ya!!

If you are doing the challenge already (or if I have recruited you) please leave me a comment so I can keep track of your progress!!

WE CAN DO THIS!!!

TOGETHER!!

a decision

2009-05-25T20:43:00.002-04:00

thanks ladies!!

really & truly!!

I went for a super long walk this afternoon (4.26 miles) on my treadmill! I had my music cranked way loud listening to Cyndi Lauper, LeAnn Rimes, & Alison Krauss. [To be fair, I only listened to one Alison Krauss song at the end of my walk. My absolute favorite love song is her "When You Say Nothing at All."] My walk was simply amazing! I cleared my head and pushed past the urge to stop walking a couple of times.

With the help of some of your advice and my long walk I decided to switch to e-tools only for Weight Watchers. I love my e-tools and when I looked it up I can switch to the e-tools only for $29.95 for 3 months. That is a huge savings!!

I switched it and I already feel better.

I have been wanting to be more consistent with my blogging and I am promising myself that I will! I am going to try for 3 posts a week plus at least on walking post at TWCH

I am going to refocus and recommit to eating the on plan following the healthy guidelines. I am going to continue my new walking routine and work to consistently do resistance training! (Maybe 4 days each week - 2 upper body & 2 lower body ~~ workout people ~~ does this sound like a good plan??)

I am going to continue with Weighing-In on Saturday mornings simply because I like it! I am going to do my best to not be ruled by the scale. This Saturday, I am going to take measurements (I need some new bras and such so measurements are important) but again I will not let this number rule me.

There are numbers that will rule me:

30 - 45 ~ the number of cardio minutes I want to complete.
5 ~ the number of days I want to do cardio.
3.1 ~ the number of miles I will complete on 6/6/09 [my first 5K ever - I will be walking]
65 ~ the number of minutes I hope to complete my 5K in.
10 ~ the age my baby girl will be in less than a month [seriously, can someone tell me how this happened?!?!]

OK ~ that is all.

For now anyway!

Stay Tuned.

rethinking things

2009-05-25T11:14:00.003-04:00

Weight Watchers has been good to me BUT it is expensive. OK, I know it is only $40 each month but things are tight! Big Man is still out of work and I am thinking ahead to July & August when I am not getting a normal paycheck. Plus, I am going to be having surgery in early July.

I like my meetings but think it is more of social thing than anything else.

Like I said, I am thinking about stuff. My mind is rambling and I needed to get it out of my head.

I should use that $40 each month and pay down a credit card.

Big Man tells me to chill and just keep doing what I am doing...but I worry that I am spending money that could be used elsewhere.

I wonder...

Can I do this on my "own?" I have a ton of support from wwtweets and my blogger friends. I have tons of resources online (like SparkPeople) for nutrition and fitness. There is always MizFit for any question I have...have you checked out MizFit? If you haven't, you should!!

I also am wondering if I have been spending way too much time on twitter? Actually, I know I have been!!

So ~~readers~~ friends, if you are still reading.......

What are your thought?

How are you successful?

How do you balance life, blogging, weightloss, fitness, twitter, and everything else?

Inquiring minds NEED to know!!

or am I just crazy?

a Sunday quickie

2009-05-24T10:46:00.003-04:00

Sorry folks but this is going to be a quickie!!

First of all ~ THANK YOU!! To all of you for reading and supporting me while I bitch, gripe & vent! Thank you for also sharing in my successes and encouraging me! I appreciate you all so much!!

I read all of your blogs and sometimes I even comment! Sorry that I am not a very good commenter! I love reading about you and all that you do! We are all in this together!!

Second ~ I gained a piddly .2 this week! I will post more about this later - but I am in a good place - I am finally not living by the scale.

Third ~ I am thinking about a twitter hiatus so that I may focus more on blogging! If you don't know already I also blog HERE & HERE

THAT IS ALL FOR NOW!! I have to go take my daughter to a birthday party at the ice-skating rink (Go figure...) and then I must clean my house!

I will blog again later!

I love you guys!!!

mother nature can suck the life out of me

2009-05-18T11:48:00.004-04:00

and did!!

WARNING!!! TMI in 3...

2...

1...

Still reading??

Don't say that you have not been warned!!

This weekend was a bit rough!! TOM came by a bit earlier than expected. A few weeks ago I decided to have an IUD instead of oral birth control. Needless to say this has been the first TOM that I have not been on some sort of hormone. This tom was rough - tons of cramps & things were very heavy. I also wound up with a 4-day headache.

Weigh-In ~~> as you know every Saturday is my WW meeting. I weighed in and was happy that I was only up 0.4lbs. This is awesome since I woke up that morning feeling like I had gained 5 pounds of water weight-bloatedness overnight!

I told you last week that I will not be ruled by the scale. I want the scale to show the hard work I have been doing but I do NOT need the scale to validate what good/hard work I have done.

So, how did I celebrate this almost non-existent gain.

I ATE

& I ATE

& I ATE some more!!

This was the first TOM in a while that I could not control my hunger or cravings.

SO I gave in.

And I don't hate myself for doing it!

On Saturday, Big Man and I went to the opening weekend of a local clam shack! It is kind of a tradition. I had every intention of eating something grilled or broiled but I was definitely going to have some New England Clam Chowder because I swear they make the BEST!! Well.....I wound up ordering a crabcake sandwich and fried calamari and french fries.

HOLY WOW!!

everything was soooo good!!

(Sorry there are no pics - I was too busy feeding my cravings) ;-)

I will not recount all the ways I overindulged this weekend but let us just say that some sort of TOM monster overtook my brain!!

Oh well, I enjoyed it and I counted everything! I used all but 5 of my extra weeklies! And I am not beating myself up about it!

Progress??

New Hair

2009-05-14T18:42:00.000-04:00

Before:

After:

my motivation for the day!

2009-05-14T11:31:00.002-04:00

Does this work for you?

what a weekend

2009-05-10T20:41:00.004-04:00

This was a great weekend.

Saturday was my 2 year anniversary!! I love my husband!! Very very much!! We weren't exchanging gifts just going to spend the day together. The karate kid would be going to a sleepover and we were going to just enjoy the evening together. We had a nice dinner of filet mignon and crab & spinach dip. And then we watched You Can't Mess with Zohan. It was the best evening!

Sorry I jumped ahead, rewind:
What a great day! First thing I did was go to my WW meeting! I lost 3.2 pounds this week!! I worked hard and it showed!! I will not let the scale define my success. My success this week came in the form of completing Week 1 (7 days in a row) or working out videos plus 5 days of cardio.

Part of my workouts have been inspired by SparkPeople's Sweatsuit to Swimsuit Bootcamp. I am totally digging the daily videos ~ each one is about 10 minutes and each has different focus: Sunday-10 minute cardio kickboxing, Monday - 8 minute lower body w/bands, Tuesday - upper body w/ bands, Wednesday - Crunchless Core, Thursday - 5 minute lower body w/bands, Friday - 7 minute upper body w/bands, Saturday - Pilates Abs. Added to these workouts I also make sure to add in 5 days of 30-minute cardio.

This week these workouts were hard. I feel so uncoordinated and clumsy! but I am proud of myself because I did it! Every day!! Plus I bumped up my cardio. I pushed my body to new limits and it held on! I was sore and my shins hurt A LOT!! but I did it and I enjoyed it!! I even began to look forward to my daily workout!

And then today was Mom's Day! Unfortunately, my hubby has been sick (just a bad chest cold) and a big baby!! I love him but he was kind of useless today. But I am an awesome mom and wife. I let my daughter stay at her friend's until the afternoon (she hasn't seen her friend since last summer) and I took care of things! We all had a great dinner and now hubby is snoring on couch and kiddo is sleeping! I have coffee and blogging and everyone had a great day! I am a happy mom! Plus, next weekend will make up for today. Tomorrow I am going to call and make appointments for my hair and a pedicure.

Today also started Woman Challenge
I joined Team MizFit and I am looking forward to this challenge!

I am going to commit to

completing the remaining 3 weeks of the bootcamp.
and taking the bootcamp further (beyond the 3 weeks)
finding a 5K walk (and completing it)
remaining positive
not letting the scale define me

I feel confident that I can do all of these things! I want to do them! I will keep you posted.

Official Weigh IN results

2009-05-09T12:51:00.002-04:00

I lost 3.2 pounds this week!!

All my hard work paid off!! I will keep it up!! I am so flippin' excited that I can't really talk!! I love all the support I have received here!! I love you all!

all kinds of sore muscles and a weigh-in

2009-05-08T21:04:00.003-04:00

Good Morning Folks!

This post is going to be broken into two parts. I am writing as much as I can before I have to leave for my meeting. I will finish up in a second post afterward.

Let us talk about sore muscles!

Many of you know I have been walking most of this weight loss journey on my treadmill in my living room. I love my treadmill but I was getting a tad bored ( I can only go so fast on the dang thing because of my dang knees & right ankle) so I started adding a Leslie Sansone walking video into the mix. I have a set of her walks that has 2 & 3 miles. I added these in and was happy. I found new friends and started a virtual walking club. I love it! We are supporting each other!

Last week in my SparkPeople email was a 30 day bootcamp challenge. You read about it here. Today is officially day 7 (I will do today's workout later - especially since it is an abs workout and my abs are kinda sore). Each workout is approximately 10 minutes but man do I feel those 10 minutes. My arms are like jello today and my abs are so sore that it kinda hurts to laugh - hehe. That being said - I love it!! Did I mention that my back is sore - not like I pulled or hurt something but like I used it! Sore muscles are crazy! I am not in a ton of pain but definitely sore!

Sore muscles mean I am using my body in a good way! I am using my body in new ways. I am using my body!! I am enjoying the workouts and [gasp] even looking forward to my daily workouts.

This week I pushed myself! The bootcamp workouts are resistance training and really force me to use muscles I forgot I had. On the treadmill I used one of the set programs. It topped at 3.0 mph and 4% incline. I worked it the whole way through -approx. 45 minutes. I pushed myself and I was able to complete it! The best part: While my shins and calves were hurting the next morning I had absolutley no knee or ankle pain! On Wednesday while my daughter was in karate I walked around town. Did 2.5 miles in 45 minutes ~ I came home and mapped it out on dailymile.com!!

Anyone else on dailymile??

Ok - it is almost 10 so I have to get ready to go to my WW meeting. I am hoping that all this work shows on the scale (but I will not let the scale define my success!!)

Next post when I return.

P.S. Have you left a comment on my tweetwalker blog. I have 3 WW memberships (3 months of online or meetings) Leave a comment HERE.

part 2

2009-05-07T10:19:00.003-04:00

Last night I promised I would post again today!! Since I promised I am doing it!!

I should promise things more often.

Lately, I have been trying to do that with work-outs. If I tell you (either in blog or twitter form) I feel like I will be letting you all down if I don't work out! Since I began this weightloss journey I have found more and more people on their own weightloss journeys. Those people are all in various stages of the "game" but they all have one thing in common: they are HUGE inspirations to me, and bunches of other people. I hope that I can inspire others on this journey because it is hard and frustrating but it CAN and WILL be done!

I want health! I want to be care-free! I want to run around all day just playing...without having to stop and catch my breath!

Lately, I have been addicted to challenges and giveaways!!

In the last couple of days I have joined 2 new challenges.

I told you the other day about the

SparkPeople's Sweatsu it to Swimsuit Bootcamp

you can read all about me and my mojo HERE!!

Two days ago @MizFitOnline had this post on her blog. Go read it and check it out! The Miz is AWESOME!!

I joined Team Miz in the Woman Challenge!!

I am so excited about these challenges!! I think they will help me stay strong and honest and ACTIVE!!! I am one of those people who need other people!! Even if I can't physically "See" or "work-out" with you WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER!! Isn't that FABULOUS?!?!?!

NOW ~~ about my award!

The lovely Bonnie over at Seriously Too-Weight For It gave me the Super Blog Award!! Awww...isn't she so sweet!!

As with most blogging awards, there comes a set of rules!
Here's what you do when you have received the "Super Blogger" award:
Tape it up on your blog somewhere.
Pass it along to 5 fellow super bloggers, and comment on their blog to let them know how lucky they are today!
When you present your Super Blogger awards, link back to the super blogger who gave it to you.

Choosing only 5 fellow super bloggers is going to be difficult for me. I am following so many wonderful bloggers right now who inspire me, make me laugh, make me cry, and just make me feel good about my accomplishments (just take a peak at my left sidebar for a list of these wonderful bloggers). So if I you follow my blog and I didn't pass this award on to you, please don't feel bad. I would give this to each and everyone of you if I could. But alas, it says to pass it on to 5 fellow super bloggers, so here I go:

I pass this award on to: This is the hard part ~ I want to give all my bloggy friends this award!! Bonnie, you should definitely get this award ~ which you did! I am going to pick 5 bloggy friends I read frequently (they may not even know it!!) that have NOT received this award already. So if I neglect to mention you please do not feel slighted! I LOVE you all!!

1. The Miz!! at MizFitOnline ~ you have been a huge help to me! THANKS!!
2. Jen, A Prior Fat Girl ~ this woman is INSPRIRING!! and damn is she funny and REAL!!
3. Bev P aka Hockeygal4ever @ One Day at a Time ~ this is a new blog find for me and I love her! Real stuff - recipes and musings. Love it!!
4. Vicki @ Drop the Weight Before the Weight Drops You because she is awesome! What more can I say?
5. Chubby Chick ~~ this is a woman on a mission and nothing will stop her!

OK girls! You have to go do your thing!!!

Ciao for Now!
3.

So many things to tell you all about

2009-05-06T21:33:00.002-04:00

I have SO much to tell you guys! (not the best grammar there but I am a jersey girl & here it is perfectly acceptable to say "you guys" ~ just don't hold it against the English teacher!)

For those of you who do not know I started a virtual walking club. Tweet Walkers is a great blog ~ mainly because it is more than me running my mouth! Currently TWCH has 13 authors besides yours truly. We are all on a healthy journey and we are walking or running or walking/running to achieve our healthy goals. I love it over there. So many voices cheering and supporting fellow walkers!! Please leave comments for all my friends over there.

As you know I have been a Weight Watcher since November and I have been successful. I am embracing the lifestyle change. Losing weight has been a learning experience. I have learned to eat "healthy" while balancing real life eating. Ok, I shouldn't use the past tense there ~ I am still learning! I am even learning to love working out! OMG ~ who said that? Sometimes, I feel like a person I don't quite recognize. I have been asked to participate in Weight Watcher's Walk-It Blog-It (see the badge up there?) I am going to post here and at TWCH about the Walk-It Challenge. Read more about the Walk-it Blog-it and a WW giveaway HERE.

I have more to telll you but you will have to wait until tomorrow when I tell you all about my challenge addiction and the award given to me by a great bloggy friend.

i got my mojo back!!

2009-05-05T23:27:00.003-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I was in a bit of a funk after gaining tiny bits two weeks in a row. I bounced back and lost 1.4 two weeks ago and 0.4 last Saturday. I was especially proud of Saturday's loss. It may have only been 0.4 pounds but I ate a bit "bad" on Friday. I saved a bunch of weekly points to use for concert night and then on Saturday I used a lot of the new week's weekly points. A controlled splurge.

I knew I would need to kick things up a notch this week. Then I read about

SparkPeople's Sweatsuit to Swimsuit Bootcamp

From SparkPeople:

Are you ready for swimsuit season? If not, join SparkPeople's Official Sweatsuit to Swimsuit Bootcamp to get fit, have fun and win BIG this spring! Join us for daily workouts, challenges and the chance to win prizes: $500 cash, an iPod shuffle or weekly giveaways. Joining is free! Bootcamp runs from May 3 to May 30, 2009, but you can join us anytime!

This is just the kick in the arse I needed. I started on Sunday ~ and even though today is only Day #3 I am energized! I feel positive! I CAN do this bootcamp challenge. I can't say I don't care what the scale says but I am not going to put a number on this. I am not going to pin my success on a number on the scale. Of course I want to lose weight. Wouldn't it be great to wake up tomorrow and be skinny - no muss no fuss? HA!! As if?!? But, no matter what the scale says on May 31st, if I complete the bootcamp of daily sparkpeople videos (I think they will be mainly resistance band workouts and only about 10 minutes) and five 30-minute cardio workouts each week between. I feel so alive! So rejuvenated!

I really think that my grateful weekend and an appreciative scale helped my mood. The perfect timing of this challenge and just how jazzed I feel right now (just finished 2nd walking workout of day) makes me feel like I can take on the world!

This bookworm got her mojo back!

I will keep you all updated more often. I am sure my next post will be about how clumsy I feel when doing these sparkpeople video.

Till then...keep moving!

a very grateful weekend

2009-05-03T20:41:00.004-04:00

This weekend will go down in the record books as the most AMAZING WEEKEND EVER!!!!

This weekend I went to my first ever Grateful Dead show! and I went to TWO!!

I first became a Dead fan in high school. One of my mom's boyfriends was a music dude. I never knew exactly what he did - some sort of roadie work. Anyway, he gave me my first Grateful Dead tape (yes, tape!) and I loved it! so music dude told me all about the Grateful Dead. Music dude didn't stick around long but whatever. Blah, blah, blah...the summer before my senior year in HS I was more into the Dead than ever and had friends who had already been to a few shows and RAVED about the experience. So, friends had already bought tix for the fall tour 1995 and was gonna take me to a show when they came to Philly. The Dead always play the Spectrum in Philly every tour. I was extremely bummed out when Jerry died in August of '95.

I thought I would never get to see the Grateful Dead. Hubby was lucky ~ he toured from 89-95 and saw like 80 different GD shows! Big Man is great - he loves music and loves concerts and has taken me to see many,many shows.

This was the BEST!! These shows blew my mind! The music was AMAZING! and the whole hippie scene was way out there. I spent the entire first day with my mouth open and eyes wide. I loved the whole experience and I want to do it again. I so hope that the Dead plan a fall tour and they come back to Philly.

Last night's show was extra special. The venue was the Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA. The Grateful Dead played 53 sold out shows in the Spectrum. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Spectrum. It is the best place to see a show! The new venue is nice and modern and right next door but it is NOT the Spectrum. Anyway, last night's show will be the last concert ever to be played in the Spectrum. It is being demolished and a hotel will replace it! YUK! The Spectrum is the Grateful Dead's east coast home! and it was so appropriate that they would be the last concert there! And fittingly, they ended the night with an encore of Samson and Delilah ~

Chorus Lines to Samson & Delilah

If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way

I would tear this whole building down

Such a very touching and amaxing way to end an AWESOME weekend that I will not soon forget. Especially since I already pre-ordered downloads of both shows from this weekend! I will have them on my iPod within the week!

**Sorry this post has nothing to do with weightloss!! I had to write about my shows this weekend!! I had the best weekend and I think it was a little mind-opening!

a random thought

2009-04-29T22:52:00.002-04:00

It is almost 11 and I am turning into a pumpkin.

Gawd ~ when did I get old??

I want bed by 11 and sleep shortly after.

If I didn't get up between 6 and 6:30 I might like to stay up later...I like night time way better than mornings. oy

I talk too much (and I write like I talk)!! ALL that up there just to say this is going to be a quick post because I am going to be soon.

My typical day for Weigh-In is Saturday. I do not usually step on the scale at home because I do not want to obsess. Well, this week I have a dilemma: I am going to a concert Friday and Saturday. I am going to see the Grateful Dead so it will be long days without many healthy options. I will do my best and use my 35 extra weekly points wisely. I still have 25 for this week to get me through tomorrow and Friday and then they "renew" on Saturday. I can totally function within that limit! My concern is that the scale at my WW meeting on Saturday morning may not like my high points day the day prior. I can live with my little sticker possibly showing a gain (I think.) Part of me wants to check my weight on my home scale Friday morning and Saturday morning to compare before my meeting.

I don't know if I will.

But I am accepting that the scale will not rule me this week. My knees are feeling better and I have walked out with Leslie Sansone 3 days this week. and today I jogged. I freaking JOGGED. it wasn't very long but 3 times during today's video I jogged for about 60 seconds. I am so proud of myself.

SO, I am kicking a$$ and I am feeling great! And I am starting to LOVE my workouts!! Wow, I am not sure I recognize myself all the time these days.

More on these subjects later. I need to process.

peace

I lost it

2009-04-25T21:18:00.003-04:00

Ya know that pound I gained over the last 2 weeks....

...well...

I LOST IT!!

And then some.

At my meeting this morning I stepped on the scale just hoping to maintain. It was TOM and I has a minor minor procedure and doc warned of cramps and bloating. YAY! every girl's favorite words...especially the day before weigh-in!

I lost 1.4 this week for a grand total of 28 pounds GONE!!!

I also walked over 14,000 steps today! (I will be posting about all my walking today later @ Tweetwalker Clubhouse )

Sorry for this short post but I am behind schedule. I have a take-home final exam due Monday and I spent the day playing. And tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful so I plan on playing the day away!

it has been a bad week

2009-04-22T20:24:00.003-04:00

As you may remember, last week I was on a roll. I walked out with Leslie Sansone 6 days. I was not happy about my gain (ok, I was quite pissed off) but I tried like hell to remain calm and positive.

It's a lifestyle change....it is NOT a diet!1

Slow and steady wins the race!

Well, this week it came to a standstill!

On Monday, the clouds rolled in and it has been storming ever since. Monday night I was at my night class listening to the thunder and watching the lightning! As the storm was building so was the pressure in my joints and my head! By the time class was let out it was pouring buckets and I was in sooo much pain. By the time I got home I was near tears.

Fast forward to today (Wednesday) and it is still been raining and storming since!! I want to work out I really do but the pain is not gonna allow that! and the pain makes me exhausted! I have no energy. Needless to say no walking away the pounds this week!

And to add insult ~~ it is also TOM and guess what friend stopped by to visit?

UGH!!

I am not expecting great results at Saturday's weigh-in! I have been staying on-point so I am hoping to not gain again!

Can I have a do-over this week?!?!

i need a haircut

2009-04-21T17:21:00.002-04:00

People I need your help!

My hair is getting on my freaking nerves! I haven't had a cut since November and it has gotten long! I am tired of it!! I liked the new haircut they gave Laura on Biggest Loser last week but haven't been able to find a pic. I have found two new dos that I kind of like. I need your opinions!! PLEASE!

#1

#2

Grrrrr.....

2009-04-18T18:38:00.003-04:00

Yes that is me growling!

I am up again this week.

OK, it is only 0.4 lbs...

but still

I gained two fucking weeks in a row!!

(I am sorry but sometimes an inappropriate word is totally appropriate!!)

FUCKFUCKFUCKFUCKFUCK

a coworker and I have this ritual ~ on particularly hard days we close the door to her office and just chant the above not-so-appropriate word until everything feels all better. I gotta tell you, sometimes it really is the best way to get it all out! and I am a genuinely happy and upbeat person so it obviously works for me!

However, I do not mean to offend so I will apologize in case I have!

Back to the story I started with!

I went to my meeting expecting good things! Surely after last week's +0.6 gain this week had to be better! Well I only gained +0.4 this week. Grrr.

I am going to try and stay positive. To that end, I am going to list all the positive non-scale victories of the week:
1. I walked out with Leslie Sansone 6 days this week. 5 of those walkouts were 3 milers. They are hard and I sweat my ass off. I feel so fired up about this one. I think I have finally found something that makes me sweat that I truly like to do. I am kind of klutzy and a tad uncoordinated (I can walk and chew gum but barely...lol). I can do these videos and I feel like I worked out.
2. I remembered to take my vitamins every day. and I wore my pedometer every day. This week was Spring Break so I was home every day much like a really long weekend. I have a harder time with these things on weekends. During the work week I can be so much more structured.
3. I have had this pair of jeans since 2005 and ever since I first bought them they were a bit tight...(read that - I could put them on but I was uncomfortable!!) Even worse than that, I bought these jeans for a trip to New Orleans but I didn't try them on first. Ugh. Well, I tried these pants on again in late-February for my birthday dinner and they fit but were a bit snug. I did not wear them out to dinner but they fit again. Fast forward to two months later ~ the jeans fit and are comfy!! I am a ROCKSTAR!! Hubby has been calling them my "sexy jeans"
4. I was inspired and starting my very own virtual walking club. Actually to be fair, I just came up with the idea. The ladies who have joined me in this bloggy-walkey world will also be doing some work. We will be blogging and walking together, at least virtually!! Check us out and join us!! Click on the picture to link to the blog or for the back story follow this LINK.

Sorry folks I have been busy!!

2009-04-16T09:44:00.002-04:00

I have been so BUSY on my Spring Break!! I have been inspired and motivated and creative!!

The last two days in Northfield, NJ have been miserable!!

RAIN
WIND
COLD
YUK!!

It got me thinking!!!

Weight Watchers has a new walking challenge! I searched and got way too confused to follow through! The site for the walking challenge was not to my liking! BUT, it inspired me!! I love walking ~ one day (when my ankle is fixed) I want to be a runner. But for today I love my walking! I walk on my treadmill, when the weather cooperates I have a fabulous bikepath right behind my house, and I love sweating with Leslie Sansone!!

Because I am on twitter entirely too often I know a lot of people who love walking the way I do!!

My good friend @WannaBeSKinny has the coolest treadmill desk!

Did I mention I was INSPIRED?!?!?!

Everyone needs a bit of motivation, inspiration, support and encouragement from time to time! I have found a ton of all these things online. Crazy, I know!! People online are strangers. Some of them I could trip over in real life and never know them! But those same people have helped me! When I am down they help bring me up! When they are down I help bring them up!! I love it! We are like a virtual weight watchers meeting!!

Why does any of this matter?

I told you I was inspired! I like all the places that I get support online: my blog, twitter, dailymile, etc. I wanted more!!! I wanted a group of people with a common mission (to walk ourselves happy and healthy and maybe skinny)! I wanted to create a group that is all about suport and encouragement with a bit of bitching thrown in for fun...

WELCOME "The Tweet Walkers Club House"

I created a brand new blog! I will not be the only author! In fact, anyone who wants to join is welcome (Walker, runner, wannabe runner, elliptical people too!)! I have 100 spots for authors (if we get bigger we may have to expand)!! This is a community blog! Every post can/will be unique! We are a virtual walking club! We may not live in the same part of the world but we all like (love) our walks!! Together we will stay strong and we will be there for our friends!

Check it out!!

This bookworm is having too much fun!!

@

The Tweet Walkers Club House

Tweet Walkers

2009-04-15T00:20:00.001-04:00

I have spent the last 2 days trying to figure this out!

I am trying to work out the kinks but I am starting a virtual walking club!

Check it out!

I get by with a little help from my friends

2009-04-12T11:14:00.002-04:00

It is Sunday Breakfast with the Beatles!!

I love the Beatles but I really love that line...

I get by with a little help from my friends...

I totally do!!!

My friends are so freaking awesome!!

Don't believe me....just go look at all the amazing comments to be found on my last couple of posts!

THANK YOU, MY FRIENDS!!

I am doing this whole journey for myself and for my family! I want to be strong and healthy so I can truly enjoy my family. I want to set a good example for my beautiful little girl. Every day she is getting to be more and more independent and I want her to go out in the world (one day but not soon...she isn't even 10) and be strong and secure in who she is and what she wants!!

I began blogging as a way to express myself! I used to love my journal but hadn't done that in a long time. I didn't think anyone would read my crazy thoughts! Crazier even still is that people do read and are so encouraging!! and I feel like I have made real friends in this online world!!

SO, I thank you all! From the bottom of my heart,no fluff!!

Up 0.6 this week

2009-04-11T11:44:00.002-04:00

While I am not happy that the scale showed a gain I am happy with my week.

I stayed on point!
I used all my 35 extra weekly points.
I worked out 4 times this week. Leslie Sansone kicked my ass! I did 2 days of the 2 mile Fast Walk and 2 days of the 3 mile Fast Walk.
I wore my pedometer every day!!

So, the evil scale may say I am up 0.6 pounds ~ I am still down a total of 27 pounds!!!

27 pounds!!!

I am freaking ecstatic about being down 27 pounds. I am freaking ecstatic that I have found an exercise that I really, really love doing!! (I never thought I would utter those words!!)

27 pounds in 23 weeks!!

Have I mentioned I am happy!?!? This is weird because just a few days ago I was majorly bumming!!

Next post: I wanna talk a bit about support from friends, encouragement and inspirations

walking away the pounds

2009-04-09T16:33:00.002-04:00

Last I posted I was telling you all that I would be working on Plan B.

I apologize for not posting sooner!

But....

I did it!! and I learned something!

I am NOT a morning person! OK! To be fair, I always knew I was not a morning person. I thought the only time I could find time was by getting up earlier. Ugh!! I don't want to wake up any earlier than I have to!

But today was the 3rd day in a row that I completed a workout video!

I have the Leslie Sansone's Walk Slim - Fast Start 1 & 2 Mile Walk / 3 Fast Miles (2-DVD Set)

I am not sure how long I have had this DVD but I have not used it! On Tuesday and today I did the 2miler and Wednesday I did the 3miler. After school when the kids have left for the day I locked my classroom door and worked out. I sweated! I grunted!! but I did it!! I liked going home already having done my work out! My step count is WAY up and I am feeling good!

I LOVE IT!! I LOVE IT!!! I LOVE IT!!

I am going to alternate between the 2 miler and 3 miler for a while!! Maybe I will add a yoga video in between. I just found this DVD and I am excited to try it!

While I love my new videos, I am not sure how to work this!! I hate the idea of working out with Big Man watching me! He is still out of work so he is home ... all the time!! (This isn't a gripe - it just is what it is!!)

Where and when do you do your workout videos? Must you be alone? Am I the only one who is too subconscious to work out (to a video) in front of her husband?

Why does it bother me? Big Man knows I am doing them, he knows I am klutzy, I walk on the treadmill in the same room all the time! So what gives?

determined

2009-04-09T15:00:00.008-04:00

I have met a new bloggy friend through menu planning! Stephanie of this blog has just started Perfectly Poetical Tuesday since April is Poetry Month. It isn't Tuesday but I want to participate. Next week I will try to get this done by Tuesday!

This Tuesday was the day I was going to start over! I was going to workout and get this ball rolling. So it is appropriate that this weeks word is DETERMINATION!!

Decided this week
Exercise is a must
To this I decided
Everyday I must move and move a lot I must
Ready or Not I was ready to begin
Modern Technology was not my friend, technical difficulties sucker punched me
In the wee hours of the morning, no less.
Now, last week I may have caved but NO, not today!!
After deliberation I moved onto Plan B
Teach through the day, then lock the door.
Inside that locked classroom I "walked away the pounds"
Oy! 2 miles were hard but I DID IT!!
Now, today is day 3 and I proved I can DO IT!!

That's DETERMINATION!!

**I am going to try and participate in this poetry thing every week! and I am going to try and gear each week's assignment around my weight loss journey!

NEXT WEEK's poem will be a limerick!

Not everything goes as planned

2009-04-07T10:12:00.003-04:00

So the alarm went off at 5:22 and I was out of bed 10 minutes later.
By 5:45 I had on some workout clothes and sneakers on.
I went to on-demand (Comcast)
Technical Error
Went to use one of my DVDs on the PlayStation
Only have a PlayStation to play DVDs.
Damn thing wouldn't work - NO SOUND!!

So we are on to Plan B
I packed up my sneakers
I packed up my workout clothes
I packed up my Leslie Sansone DVD
I will workout in my classroom after the kids have been dismissed

Not everything goes as planned
But that will not defeat me
I will move on to plan B (or C or D if necessary)
I may not have gotten a workout in
But I was up and out of bed

One small step for most
One HUGE step for the bookworm

let the games begin

2009-04-06T19:13:00.002-04:00

I guess I just gotta do it!

So, I am just gonna do it!

They say that it takes 21 days to make something a habit.

Starting tomorrow:

I will set the alarm for 5:23ish and be out of bed by 5:30.
I will do a work out video (Walk Away the Pounds, Yoga, BL Cardio, etc).
I will hit 10,000 steps on my pedometer every day!

I want to:

Take advantage of the local high school pool once a week. I just learned that I can use the pool to swim laps at certain times and they have a water fitness class. All for only $2 per visit. I want to call them tomorrow to get further details. I will report back!
Start the Couch to 5K. I don't know how I will fare but I want to try!

I am tentatively scheduled for ankle surgery June 29th. That is 12 weeks from today. I want to lose 20 pounds by June 29th. I WILL lose 20 pounds by June 29th.

To do this I have to step up my game!!

No more excuses!!

I start in like 9.5 hours!!

I can do this!

I CAN do this!!

right???

I am done

2009-04-06T12:30:00.003-04:00

I have been on a bit of a blog hiatus! I didn't exactly mean for it to happen but it did! and I feel so much better for the bit of a break.

I feel like I have recharged my system!! I realize that there are so many things that I want to do and I have let my extra weight stand in my way! I have knee issues but they have been feeling a bit better after having lost almost 28 pounds. Today my knees hurt, but that is because there is a nasty storm raging outside!! Something about wet weather that does wonders for my knees (ahhh sarcasm!)

I AM DONE!!!

I am done letting my knees (and anything else) be an excuse!

I am done being too tired! Who the hell cares if I am tired? I will be tired whether I get up at 5 am or 6 am. I will be tired whether I go to bed at 10 or 11. So, guess what? What is the f**king difference?

Tired is no longer an excuse!

I have obligations ~ don't we all? This can't be an excuse anymore!! I just have to prioritize and get shit done! So, if you don't see a ton of posts or tweets...you might want to check on me!

Seriously, please?? Please check on me every now and again??

I am doing this for me! I am doing this for me because I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. I have proven that I can lose weight! Now, I have to prove that I can be strong. Mentally and physically strong!

So, I am done with it!

I am starting new and I am going to be the strong bookworm I know I should be!

My next post will come in a day or two. There I will tell you what I plan on doing to get stronger!!

Let the tweaking begin

2009-03-26T10:15:00.003-04:00

I have not been very present this week! Well, at least in the online world. I took a wee little break to work on some stress.

I let my life get a little too complicated....ok~honesty, right!?!? I let things get way too complicated!

I had a bit of a mental break down last week! I couldn't function or focus and I broke down and cried hysterically! Not too long ago I wrote about needing to tweak things ~ and in the last week I really have tweaked some things!I think having my mini-breakdown helped me to see things more clearly! It also helped that I had a great friend's shoulder to cry on.

So, here is a breakdown of what happened:
1. I failed my students. I have 3 students who had to complete a set of assignments to take the place of the state test that they didn't pass. If the students didn't pass these assignments they would not graduate I was told that the students had to do this completely on their own ~ I didn't help them at all. Well, that was wrong! They didn't pass the assignment and it came down on me. Luckily, we were given a second chance! I am only a second year teacher so I still follow the rules. I was told not to help so I didn't! This was wrong and it hurt my students.
2. I failed myself. I took on too much with two graduate classes!! There ~ I said it!! In one class I am doing great and loving the class! But, I can't seem to get my head in the game. I am way behind in the assignments here and my big paper sucked! yes, it sucked!!! I have decided to withdraw from this course. For my sanity! I spoke with the professor and she was so wonderful and supportive and she pointed out something I hadn't thought about: she suggests one class at a time for working teachers because our main focus has to be our classrooms! Especially non-tenured teachers and especially, a new teacher in my position. I feel so much better about my decision to withdraw from the one class.
3. This year I am teaching six very different classes and this has been completely overwhelming! I am prioritizing here! I am working on a way to schedule my classes and activities way better. It is not perfect but I will get there.
4. DISTRACTIONS!!! I am so easily distracted it is not even funny! Sometimes, I think I have the attention span of a gnat! I have taken some time away from the internet world and spent some time in the real world this week. I can balance it all - I just have to set limits. After my morning workout and shower I sit at the computer for about 20 minutes with my morning coffee. I read blogs and twitter because it is too early for any real thinking. I also allow myself some random time - like 10 minutes when I get home at the end of the day. I just will not allow myself to get sucked into hours of twittering! I love it! Too much! I apologize if I do not comment a lot on your blogs! I am still reading them ~ your blogs inspire me! I learn from all of the blogs I read and I am not willing to give that up! I just may not have a lot of time for commenting!

I don't want to fail myself, my family, or my students! I feel like I have been drowning in a glass of water but no more!

I am taking it all back! I am going to concentrate on focusing and being the best I can be! I won't try and live up to ridiculous standards but my standards!

Thanks for listening, if you are still reading! I needed to get this out! I know I need to focus on my mental well-being as much as I have been focusing on my eating and health! I may always be a person who has too much on her plate but I will be successful and it starts now!

Progress Pics

2009-03-21T21:41:00.006-04:00

Here are my latest progress pics. Taken March 17th. I don't have the exact number on that day because my WI day is Saturday and I didn't want to use my house scale because it may be different...plus, I am trying not to be obsessive about the scale so once per week is enough time with the scale.

I am wearing my new, smaller size jeans!!!

On March 14th my WI = 217.4
On March 21st my WI = 216.0

I know I had to buy a smaller size but I am not sure I SEE a difference yet.... must take more measurements...I have been doing measurements every 6 weeks...so April 1st I will have new ones.

How often do you measure?

butt muscles???

2009-03-18T21:45:00.003-04:00

Oh boy, Bob's cardio video kicked my ass...literally! My ass hurts from that workout!

Complain as I might (oh and I have) I still dragged my aching butt out of bed this morning. The alarm blared at 5:33am and I was Walking Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone! I love my on-demand cable...when I am feeling braver I may even be brave enough for Jillian's BL video!

I really enjoyed my video this morning. It was a "Walk & Tone" workout and I worked up a sweat. I felt really good while I was walking and when I was done. I remembered to put on my pedometer before I worked out and I had it on all day at work. The only glitch to my working out was my dog...he decided that he couldn't wait the last 4 minutes for me to finish he wanted out right then and there. I tried ignoring him but he wanted to bark and kind of play...ugh...he has such good timing.

I had a kind of stressful work day. A lot of not great things and I didn't handle it well and I was in tears for the last hour of my day. The stress had me walking around my classroom way more today.

I must really sit on my butt because yesterday I didn't even hit 5,000 steps but today I hit 15,428 steps. Between the WATP video this morning, walking at school, and my trip to Target tonight, I put in some miles (6.58 according to my WW pedometer)!

Good night folks!

a quickie

2009-03-17T12:09:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to pop in and say that I DID IT!!

My evil alarm starting shrieking at me @ 5:21 AM ...ugh...it took me about 10 minutes but I got out of bed...10 minutes later I had my sneaks on and was doing some cardio with Bob from Biggest Loser by 5:45.

Ok, so I am not the fastest waker upper but I did it!!

some tweaking is needed

2009-03-16T19:39:00.004-04:00

I will apologize in advance...I need to get some things out of my mind and this is the best place to do it. Here I am anonymous and no one from the real world knows about this space. I haven't even told my husband that I have a blog and I am not really sure why...

So here goes...

I am back in grad school two nights a week (2 classes)! I am struggling trying to juggle everything!! Work is stressful ~ I am teaching six classes and each class is radically different. This means a lot of planning. This is my second year teaching so I am still learning about the whole teaching thing. Every day can be a struggle as I work with a tough group of students (I teach at an alternative high school) and I am constantly tweaking my lessons to fit their needs. I added grad school because I knew the longer I was out of school the harder it would be to go back. I am pursuing my master's degree for Special Education. I also have a very active 9-year-old and a husband. Between all my work and homework and trying to exercise and eat right and blah blah blah blah blah...I am feeling way overwhelmed.

I have blogged a lot lately...maybe too much. I am behind in my grad school work. I am behind in housework. I am behind in my work-out efforts.

Being behind has put me in a funk! I only lost 0.4 pounds at my WI on Saturday morning. I am very happy about that because it put me over the 25 pounds lost mark!!! Then to celebrate I went and bought new clothes...in a NEW SMALLER SIZE.

You would think with all that good stuff I wouldn't be in this funk...but I am in this funk....I am blogging to try and get out of the funk. I think I am just gonna list out some things I have noticed and ways to possibly fix the problems.

1. I need to budget my time better. I have recently taken up menu planning. This has helped a bit with my time management but I need to get better in other areas. So, I am going to start planning my breakfast and lunch and outfit the night before.
2. WorkOuts!! I need to get more of a work out in every day. I am wearing a pedometer (on the days I have remembered it) and after I track my average for a week or so and then I will reevaluate to see how to get enough steps! I have been saying for a while now that I was gonna wake up early to get in a workout. Tomorrow I will do it!! I found on the on-demand a Biggest Loser 25 minute workout. Actually there are two ~ one with Jillian and one with Bob. I also have some longer videos ~ Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone and a Just My Size Yoga video. I will still use my treadmill at night when I am watching TV. My walking has been going great! at 2.5 I can walk for a while but any faster and my knees and ankle protest but at 2.5 I feel like I could be working harder.
3. More about time! I waste a bit too much time reading blogs and twittering. How do I keep this to a minimum? I will experiment and let ya know. I am thinking that maybe I should set aside specific time to read and write blogs. Twittering ~~ I have no idea what to do with this one...
4. I am going to use this week to get caught up on my grad school work.

For now this enough. I will work on these things and see how the rest of the week goes....

Thank you Bonnie

2009-03-13T12:32:00.004-04:00

I have just received my first ever Blog Award!!!

I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole wide world!!

My friend, Bonnie, over at Seriously? gave me t his way cool award! And it is my first blog award...which excites me more than I can explain.

When I began this blog I did not imagine anyone would actually read me. I didn't think I had anything to say that was interesting to anyone but me....but people read and comment and show serious love for this chubby bookworm! This mission we are all on (ya, know the losing weight mission) is not easy but my new friends have really helped!! Reading their struggles makes me feel like I am not alone! Having a place to write about my struggles has helped me stay focused and the SUPPORT....the support is amazing!!!

Okay, so here are the rules of The LOVE YA award:

“These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award"

I would like to pass this award along to the following people because their journeys through life are inspiring to me:

Jen, prior fat girl ~> I am gonna be just like her!

Amy, the Frugal Dieter ~>another amazing dieter!!

Super Dave ~> this dude has been super supportive!! Check him out!!

alidotes, this chica is just too funny!!

WannaBeSkinny is the best!

Hilary is a great turtle, how can ya not love a turtle?

For all your fitness needs, The Miz, is there ~ this is one great lady!!

And finally, Chubby Chick ~ this is a hardworking lady on a mission!!

Thank for being great friends!! If I missed ya please don't cry! I love you all!!

Married??

2009-03-12T11:06:00.002-04:00

I was over at alidotes and I decided to answer her questions about being married. I love my Big Man!!

I would love to see your answers if you want....marriage (to me) is all about love....who do you love?

When was your wedding day? May 9, 2007
What day of the week was it? Wednesday
Did you get married in a church? Nope, but the St. Lois Cathedral (New Orleans) was the backdrop.
How many in your wedding party? Um, wedding party?? we kind of eloped...just everyone knew about it
Where was your reception? after we were officially hitched we went to eat at chef paul prudhomme's restaurant
How many guests were invited to your wedding? my mom, aunt, daughter, and mom's friend who lives near New Orleans ~~ We told everyone when and where and anyone was welcome to join us...
How long did you wait to Tie The Knot after your proposal? forever. We were engaged quickly but waited until I graduated college. I graduated on May6, 2007 and the next day we flew to NOLA.
Who did you hire as your photographer & videographer? We hired a service in NOLA to officiate the wedding and they provided a photographer.
Did you have a DJ or a band? The photographer also played the violin for us.
Did your father walk you down the aisle? No. My daughter had that honor!
What color were the bridesmaid dresses & groomsmen vests?My daughter wore the cutest flowery and very colorful skirt and a white t-shirt.
Who was your Maid Of Honor/Best Man? n/a
Did you have a Bridal Shower? nope
What type of limo did you get? we took a limo to and from the airport and on the way to New Orleans we bumped up our seats to first class
Where did you go for your Bachelorette/Bachelor Party? We had a joint party. His friends had a get together at a local bar (many of his friends are bartenders there)! We had soo much fun!
What type of wedding gown/tux did you two wear? Off the rack, I wore a ivory sundress and hubby wore shorts and a nice shirt. I wore flip flops and he wore sneakers.
How was the weather? Beautiful. It was sunset on a gorgeous day!
Where did you go on your Honeymoon? all in one! we spent a week in NOLA (2 days before and 3 after)
What was your favorite part of your wedding? The setting.
How long have you been married? It will be two years in May.
What would you change about the day? not a thing!
What advice have you gotten and would you give to newlyweds? enjoy every moment! remember you love this person and anything else is small potatoes. It takes work but it is sooo worth it!

Biggest Loser 3/10/2009

2009-03-11T16:47:00.001-04:00

Biggest Loser 3/10/2009

I am kind of tired of Biggest Loser.

Why?

1. Product placement ~ ok, product placement isn’t so bad but the fake commercials where the contestants are “selling” the product is a joke? I already have to sit through more than enough commercials – yet, I am subjected to commercials where Bob and Jillian and their teams are the stars. I get it ~ Extra gum is a great snack! Stop beating me over the head with it already!!!

2. Repetition!!! If I am watching a 2-hour show why at the midway point do I need a 3-minute recap of the 1^st hour? Seriously?!? I may be a bit absent-minded but come on!! And I totally remember what just happened before the commercial break. Every commercial break I am forced to sit through what happened two minutes prior to the commercial. Who do they think is watching this show? I have started DVRing the show and I start watching after it has been on for about an hour and I am able to catch up to live before it is over. If you are following this ~ that means I am watching a 2-hour program in less than 60 minutes. Why is there an hour of bullshit?? ~just a note~ I enjoy some of the trainer tips but even some of them are not worth the time.

3. I truly believe that the weigh-in is completely staged!! I had thought that they were weighed prior to what we see – but now I know that it is even more staged than that. How else would the weigh everyone in the order to make the last person on the scale the deciding factor? I mean come on ~ all the way at the end and Mandi gains 2 pounds. What the fuck? Thanks Aubrey ~ that was the best line of the evening!

4. The voting is sooo staged that I am just fed up!! Again, this is set up so that it comes to the very last person! And I am sick of Ron! He should just man-up and say he is playing the game. “It’s Mandi’s time to go.” For real dude?!? I know a lot of this is editing but enough!

5. Luxury! I believe that this “luxury” served a great purpose. In the real world there are real temptations. On the Ranch when there is a temptation it is easy for the contestants to say no because they are on the Ranch ~ an environment specifically designed for them to lose weight. The Black Team was out in the real world and they lived it up ~ this is completely normal behavior. People who diet say they feel deprived but when offered their “guilty pleasure” they indulge. If it has been deprived for too long they OVER-indulge. We saw that happen ~ that is the first real scene I have seen in a while.

6. The whole premise of the show is to help people get healthy and lose weight. So why does it matter how long it takes a person to complete a marathon?? I ask this because I just read a very disturbing article (if you have not read it go and read it). I was really pissed when I read this ~ Nutshell- When Dane was kicked off we saw his “transformation” and he looked great and even ran a marathon. The article tells us how Dane and his wife did not complete the marathon because the BL producers told them they had to complete the marathon in a certain number of hours. When the producers realized Dane would not make it they drove Dane 3 miles. Dane did not complete the marathon in under 4 hours as was said but closer to 6 hours and if you add the 3 miles that he was driven we would know it was longer than that. In my eyes just finishing a marathon is a huge accomplishment ~ who cares how long it took? This incident makes me question the entire credibility of the show! Am I alone?

what is going on with on with me....might be spring fever

2009-03-10T08:24:00.003-04:00

I did not want to go to school tonight. I am tired and the sun was still shining. I wanted to stay home and work in my garden.

So, I huffed around the house...I bitched about going...some days I just don't want to be the good girl...hmpf

I am actually writing this from class (of course, I am writing with pen and paper ~ I know ~ old fashioned!! I just didn't feel like carrying my laptop around. And once I got on campus I was very happy to not have it....hang with me, I want to tell you about my drive to school first.

So I huffed and I puffed but I got my butt into my car and drove to school. I had great music the whole way to school. I was singing along and be-bopping in my seat as I drove up the parkway. I actually enjoyed the drive to school.

I arrived at school with a full 30 minutes to spare. I could have sat down and chatted up my classmates but I decided to walk around campus instead. I put on my fancy new wireless headphones and I went walking. I walked from one end of campus to the other. I stayed inside so I could make use of the stairs. I hopped up one set of stairs and down the next ~ all through the buildings. Here is a map of Stockton: (I walked all through the white buildings in the middle)
I was jamming and wound up walking for a good 25 minutes. I got a workout in when I didn't think I had time for one. YAY!

I think I forgot to tell you I bought a pedometer at my Saturday WW meeting. This week I am just seeing where the numbers fall and then I will figure out what I should do ....

How many steps should a person walk every day?

A comment inspired post

2009-03-08T11:57:00.004-04:00

I have received a bucnch congratulatory comments. THANK YOU!!!

This comment in particular made me want to write (and answer):

Jen, a priorfatgirl said...

Congratulations!!! 10% is a huge accomplishment! You are well on your way into a healthy lifestyle and I'm so glad your blogging!

I'm right there with you about the homework..ug! What are you in school for?

First let me start with this ~ I seem to always find Jens (for those of you not named Jen you may not understand this phenomena)! Jens are everywhere. The Jen who left me a comment is a self-proclaimed prior fat girl ~ and she has rocked the whole weight loss thing and has inspired me. To be fair - all the blogs I follow inspire me ~ I am sorry if I don't always comment ~ but I do read them, a lot!!

sidenote~when I was working on my Literature degree I had to create a weblog for a class ~ I titled mine ~ "one2manyJens"

Now I will finally answer Jen ( you should totally check her out!!)

I am currently enrolled in graduate school. I am working towards earning a Masters of Arts in Special Education. This semester I am taking two classes: Education and Community Resources and Survey of Mild Learning Disabilities.

Are any of my readers or fellow bloggers in school? Let me know!!

THE BOOKWORM'S SHORT SHORT STORY

I started college when my daughter was 2 and I finally graduated when she was 8. I never lost any of the baby weight. Well, I married the man of my dreams immediately (3 days to be exact) after graduating from college. Working full time and college full time and a daughter and a fiance were all my excuses for not eating right and exercising. I was definitely at my fattest when I got married. Then a couple months later I started my first year teaching! Then in October of 2007, hubby and I quit smoking. We did well (and haven't had a cig since 10/23/07) but we didn't focus on health or losing weight at the time.

Fast forward to November 8, 2008

I stepped on the scale at my very first Weight Watchers meeting. I weighed in at 242.6 pounds ~UGH!

Almost 4 months to the day I have now dropped my first 10%!!

YAY!!

I found twitter right before I started WW and as soon as I wrote on tweet about WW I had like 12 new followers! WOW! I soon found out that many people blog...but I had no idea how to blog...I have learned and I love it! I am better at journalling here than I am in a paper and pencil sort of way. I hope you aren't too bored here ~ I know I ramble!!

DISCLAIMER ~ I may be an English teacher but I blog and read blogs for enjoyment, inspiration and motivation ~ I do not look at your grammar!! I pinky promise!

10%

2009-03-07T21:30:00.004-05:00

I lost 2.8 pounds this week to bring my total to 24.8 pounds lost since November 8, 2009. It has been 18 weeks since I joined Weight Watchers! It took me 18 weeks but I lost 10% of my weight. HOLY WOW!! I am so happy! My doctor is going to be so happy. He wanted me to lose weight but he wouldn't tell me a number I should aim for ~ instead he told me to worry about losing 10% ~ well I DID IT!!!

I do not want to get comfortable because I still have a long way to go. I don't know my exact long term goal [according to them (whoever they are) my ideal or healthy weight is between 117 and 146 pounds. according to the people at Shape.com my "happy weight" is 138.] To be honest anything around 150 would make me super-happy at this point.

New Goal:

I still don't want to think too much about the overall goal because I don't want to get discouraged to thing about the BIG number. Instead, I think another 10% is the perfect goal. 10% of my current weight is 21.8 pounds which will put me at 196 pounds. So, when (notice how I put when not if ~ power of positiveness) I lose another 10% I will be firmly in onderland!! OMG ~ I want that so bad ~ I would love to reach this huge milestone before I have ankle surgery (as of now - scheduled for June 29th).

P.S I have a ton of homework to do, so I am not sure when I will post again...it may be a few days or I may need to blog tomorrow (as a mental break from research)...

revised Let's Get Physical (or rules for myself)

2009-03-05T21:10:00.004-05:00

Let's Get REAL:
reality #1: I am a busy second year teacher. This means I need to be super prepared!
reality #2: I am in grad school - can you say homework? what about research? ugh
reality #3: I need time to goof-off (ie twitter) but I need to stop goofing off and procrastinating so much!
reality #4: I NEED t o lose weight to be healthier and fitter. I want to be able to keep up with my 9 year old. I want to run and jump and play and have fun!

Let's Get Physical

I want to do this challenge but I have to accept the reality of the situation. I may not be able to exercise every single day! I have a lot going on and some days I may not be able to or want to exercise.
>I will however commit to 4-5 days of exercise.
>I will commit to park way at the end of the lot on my grad school nights. I will walk up all the steps I can find. At work-school my classroom is on the 3rd floor and the bathroom is on the 1st ~ so I get a lot of stairs.

I think that is more realistic. I did not walk on the TM last night because I was just tired when I got home at about 9:30 last night. Teaching all day, normal house stuff, and then a grad class ~ I was pooped.

I started to get defeated. Crap, here it is like day 4 or something and I already failed. I didn't want to think that way ~ that could lead to a bad place! I wanted to be positive because I have made so many positive changes recently. I started to realize that I needed to be a little more realistic with my Lets Get Physical Challenge. I don't want to beat myself up if I am tired and need a day off! That is not why I am challenging myself!

My new rules:

>I am scheduled to have surgery on my ankle on June 29th ~ between now and then (including this week) I will "Get Physical" 4-5 days each week!
>My weeks will begin Saturday (since I WI at my WW meeting on Saturdays my points week starts on Saturdays ~ this just makes life easy for me!)
>I will add all LGP activities to the calendar on the side bar. Just click on the days in yellow to see what I did that day!
>If you are doing your own LGP Challenge please blog about it (if you have a blog - if not leave me a comment) and leave me a comment with a link!

Let's Have Fun and Let's Get Physical

because sometime ya just gotta be happy

2009-03-05T20:56:00.004-05:00

20 Simple Ways to Get Happy

mean-random-anonymous-idiots

2009-03-05T20:29:00.002-05:00

I am going to bitch about something that happened to a friend yesterday. I was (and still am) pissed off enough to blog all about it!

A link to what Amy wrote about her problem ~> HERE

What is wrong with people? Why must people be so negative? Why not just be nice and leave people on their own?

I must say, this did not happen to me...and I don't know Amy in real life but, I have been motivated and inspired by her story and her positive upbeat attitude in the face of hugely daunting undertaking. I think she is an amazing woman and so brave to share her story with the whole world.

Even though she is putting herself out there I don't feel it is right for people to harsh her! Support and encourage or shut up!!

I was always told...If you have nothing nice to say then say nothing at all!

Biggest Loser...to be continued.....

2009-03-05T13:09:00.003-05:00

I am seriously annoyed with Biggest Loser.

Let me start by telling you that I am relatively new to BL -> last season was the time I watched BL weekly. I knew of the show but I did not watch religiously. I started watching when I joined WW. I find it motivating and inspiring. However, I find a few things annoying yet I overlook them beacuse I think the overall purpose of the show is a good one - [I have to admit, I am starting to question how good the show is - but that is another post]- people losing weight; people whose weight loss is a matter of life or death ~ powerful!

Things that annoy me about Biggest Loser ( if you don't agree that is cool! If you do that's cool too! ~ tell me what you think of BL if you watch BL)
I have overlooked the blatant and constant commercials (and I mean while the show is on not the actual commercial breaks) and product placement. I have even overlooked the constant repetition~> you know what I mean~> before commercials they drag out the scene and then when they come back from commercial you have to watch the last minute before the commercial break.

The people who edit this show do a lousy job.

I DVR BL every week (Big Man would have a huge fit if I forced him t o watch 2 whole hours!) I am able to watch the 2 hour episode in about 50 minutes. The dramatic build ups, the repetitions, the commercials, the phony staged product placement commercials are all a bunk of crap!

So much has to happen on that ranch - ya, I know some of it is boring. I know I would like to see some of their food prep and anxiety outside of the gym to name a few....what would you like to see on the BL episodes?

Is it just me or is this season full of super nice people? Last season some of the women were so catty and bitchy but this season they are all so nice and likeable. (Side note: KARMA~Michelle, from last season, was super nice the whole time and she won) Anywho...this season I want them all to succeed!

I just kind of wish the people who edit this show would let me see more of the contestants than the badly acted commercial and contests and last chance workouts. I want to see how the live, laught and Eat!

OK ~> I am done with that but I do have another BL bitch.....

WTF is up with a "to be continued..."

HOW DARE THEY!?!?!?!

I watched a 2 hour episode to be told "To BE Continued..."

I am so annoyed!

Am I the only one???

Snow Day Inventory

2009-03-02T14:28:00.005-05:00

Since it is a snow day here in NJ I worked out outside. I shoveled snow for at least 45 minutes. Phew!! Shoveling snow is hard work!

After I was all warmed up and back in the house I started thinking about working out. I hate gyms and I just learned that my gym (I have been under doctor' orders not to use gym equipment ~ the ankle ya' know) will be closing at the end of this month. I don't really want to pay for a gym membership. Maybe if I could find a pool to swim in (I thought I would be able to do that at Stockton but the second I register for grad school, Stockton drains the pool and will not reopen until the new pool is built).

Anyway, I knew that I had some work-out and exercise STUFF in my attic.

Here is what I found:

1. Total Body Ball

I am thinking this could be fun! where did it come from and how long it has been in my attic is anyone's guess.

It comes with some videos to learn what to do....

I will report back as I use it!

2. I found these two weighted balls (ok you can giggle a little - I mean they are blue). I think this came with a Leslie Sansone Walk Away the Pounds video from back in the day when I had a VCR. I checked and I have a WATP DVD. I will also use the when I am walking on my treadmill ! I love my treadmill!!

3. I am not exactly sure what this is! I think my grandmother gave it to me when I moved out about 5 years ago.

It is a "Greer Childers GYMBAR by BodyFlex" I googled it and found some info. There are also exercises pictured on the bar. I will try to use this ~ I will let you all know what I think.

It was fun to search the attic! I hope my finds are in fact, treasures.

More later!

Sunday Sunday

2009-03-01T15:41:00.006-05:00

It is Sunday and like usual I have a zillion things to do. Big Man and I already tackled Sam's Club and the Market for the essentials.

Housework:
I still have TONS of laundry ~ I swear it multiplies in the basement. Yes, basement!!

The bathroom and kitchen could use a good scrubbing. If I get enough school work done I will work on those. If not, they will have to wait 'til Tuesday after school.

Homework - must begin research for paper due in 2 weeks, must also get started on portfolio assignment, but first must put together power point for tomorrow night's class.

Teacher Stuff - I have lesson plans to write and writing assignments to create....should be an easy week due to state testing. I will look for a fun writing assignment.

Misc. House Stuff:
>make weekly menu and blog it, plus send this to @bjenna > I have never really thought about a weekly menu plan but I am going to try it. Everyone swears it will help with budgeting and dieting. I am NOT dieting but I am weight watchering! lol
>make dinner tonight ~ chicken cutlets, and a roasted-asparagus-bowtie- pasta-parmesaney side dish ~ gettin' hungry just thinkin' about it!

Day 4 of LGP
Today's physical activity for my LGP challenge will be all the trips on the stairs, plus all the walking around Sam's, plus the lifting and carrying of the groceries.

day 3

2009-02-28T20:22:00.003-05:00

36 minutes on the treadmill!

I maintained 2.0 mph ~ I wasn't exactly feelin' it today but I pushed myself and got on the dreaded TM ~

it didn't go so well

2009-02-28T11:39:00.002-05:00

I went to my meeting full of excitement ~ this was going to be the week I got my 10% and dang it ~ I wanted that key chain.

Well, it didn't happen.........

I didn't lose the .9 pounds I needed to get that 10%!!

I gained.....

I gained big time.....

I gained 1.4 pounds!!

UGH!!

I am so pissed about this.....I know I had ice cream cake for my birthday and I know I had a two small pieces of pizza last night. But I worked out....and I was pretty good the rest of the week. Sure, I used some WPAs (weekly point allowance - those 35 extra points) but not all of them and I didn't use any of my APs.

This was my week with Aunt Flo ~ but come on....did I deserve to gain. I gained the exact amount I lost at last week's weigh in.

I am annoyed...at myself...at the scale....and even at Big Man.

I know it is not Big Man's fault but pizza was his idea.....

Ok, I am gonna stop ranting because that does no good...

Today, at some point, Big Man is taking me shopping. I need some pants that fit (mine are all too big) and I will report back how that goes. And tonight we are going to have dinner at The Bonefish Grill and I totally looking forward to dinner out. I love seafood.

I am going to be positive and not let this measly 1.4 pound gain set me back. Thank you for listening to be gripe and bitch and moan a bit. I will try not to do too much of that. Let's hope shopping makes me feel better.

Let's get physical, day 2

2009-02-27T20:20:00.003-05:00

Short post - I am tired

10 minutes on the elliptical. I did all 10 minutes consecutively - this was the first time I did that. The other day I alternated 3 minutes on elliptical with 2 minutes on treadmill. Today I just wanted to see how long I could last...@jen_driessen mentioned that the trick to the elliptical is to just keep going. I tested the theory today. She was right!

49 minutes on the treadmill. I started at 2.0 mph but switched the speed and elevation up and down. I had one hell of a workout ~ I sweated like crazy. I felt great ~ my ankle is a bit stiff but a hot shower followed by some advil and ice and I am sure it will feel fine.

Tomorrow I will post again after I come home from ww meeting and my WI.

Let's get physical, day 1

2009-02-26T21:55:00.005-05:00

I want to work out (or really just do something physical) every day. I am going to call this LGP(Let's Get Physical)! I want to see how many consecutive days I can put in 30 minutes of physical activity. I am saying physical activity because some physical activity (scrubbing the kitchen and bathroom; raking leaves/yard work) makes me sweat and takes at least 30 minutes to complete and on those days I don't always want to or have time for the treadmill.

I do have to keep time for homework somewhere in the crazy schedule I am keeping these days.

{sidenote ~ I am parking in the absolute last parking spot on campus and this week I "clocked" the distance and round trip was 1/4 mile. I really need a pedometer but as a guesstimate I am getting an extra 1/2 mile in each night I go to school. I walk all over campus, up and down steps whenever possible.}

Day 1
Bicycle ~ 9 minutes => rode the loop from home to meadowbrook and back. I think I could have done the loop another time or two if it weren't for the wind. My nose was very cold.....brrrr...
Treadmill ~ 58 minutes => I walked while me and Big Man played Monopoly on the xBox360. I walked at 2.0mph and added 2% elevation for 1/2 mile. Feelin' good...

{Ok, I apologize to all of you that are now singing Olivia Newton John...but I couldn't help myself! ;-) }

bloggy kind of makeover

2009-02-26T14:02:00.002-05:00

The bookworm needed a change.

I just needed things to be pretty here and a bit more organized. For now, I am happy with the looks of my blog...only time will truly tell...

Today's Topic: LENT

I was born/raised Catholic.
I never made my confirmation.
I had my daughter baptized Catholic....and she made her First Communion.
I feel like such a hypocrite - I don't really believe in church...I do believe that there is a higher being but I don't know who or what that is...and there could be more than one.
I am fascinated by religions but do not like organized religion.

That being said....

I do not observe Catholic "rules" anymore and I stopped giving up something for Lent a long time ago. But, on twitter and in the blogosphere I have been reading about a lot of people and what they are doing for Lent...especially as it pertains to their weight loss journey...which I am all about.

Some people are giving up soda (or diet soda)...I am not scared enough to give up Coke Zero or Splenda...those of you giving up the evil aspartame..I wish you well! It can't be easy...keep me posted...I want to know how you are doing. I am serious.

Some people are giving up sweets, carbs, meat, etc. Pick your poison here. I have already scaled back soo much that I don't want to give up anything else.

I think that is another thing....I don't want to give up anything else. I am like a rebellious teenager...you tell me no and that is all I want!!!

SO, INSTEAD....

.....I am going to commit to exercise. I am going to commit to 30 minutes every day!!! 30 minutes is not a lot and I think, no I know I can do it.

I COMMIT to completing 30 minutes of physical activity....EVERY DAY in the month of March. Ok, I will start today and carry it through until April 1st. That is my goal. I will write a short post every night telling you what I did.

I ASK YOU....my readers and new friends...please yell at me if I slack!

I feel good about this!! What about you ~ what are you gonna do this month?