Friday Fun

TGIF!! It's been a long week, but it's been good. I have caught myself enjoying my job more, which is a vast improvement from how it's been. It's still a means to an end for me, but I want to be able to tolerate it until I am done with school.

I bought Twilight on Blu-Ray last night and watched it. I like it...didn't love it, but that's because I usually prefer the book to the movie. The book has so many intricacies that the movie just can't cover. But I still enjoyed the movie, don't get me wrong.

Tonight after work, I am going to go to the gym. I didn't go this morning because I wanted to have time for a full hour, and I was carpooling today. I'm looking forward to just hopping on the treadmill and getting into my own world. Maybe I will load a movie onto my iPod. That's GREAT for making the hour pass faster! Tomorrow I am taking Cleo to the vet for her follow up to make sure her meds are working. Little prayers for Cleo, please!!

I also have WW in the morning. Hopefully the scale moves in the right direction this week!!!

That's about it in a nutshell. Everyone enjoy the weekend! The weather is supposed to be nice!

Twilight and Other Things

First of all, have any of you read the Twilight books? I hadn't until last week, and I have just finished book 3...I can't put them down! Rarely does a book(s) do this to me, but I am absolutely obsessed with reading them! Thankfully, my cousin Beth is right there with me and she understands. And like every other 16 year old girl, I am swooning over Edward! *sigh* (Not the movie Edward, the one in the book...I like the Edward in my imagination much better.) So I am about to start book four, and it's the last one. That makes me sad! I wish it took me longer to read to I could stretch it out!

On to bigger news...got my grades for the semester and I have a 4.0 GPA! Now I get to be on the Dean's List again, and this time with a special 4.0 designation!! I worked my booty off to get there, let me tell you. My finals really took it out of me, but it's all good. :)

And yes, I am still working out at 5am...I'm dead serious about sticking with that, too. Apparently it's my body's optimal time to go. At least it's out of the way early!

That's it for now. I sure am glad tomorrow is Friday!

Beat Down and Brain Dead

I have worked all weekend long on six assigned papers for school, and a 10 question take-home essay test. I am mentally exhausted. I still have 2 questions left on the test to write, but everything else is done. And I am completely whipped. Not to mention I have upped my workouts from 30 minutes to an hour now, so now I'm really wiped out! I did 60 minutes on the treadmill yesterday, and I did 40 minutes of weightlifting and 20 minutes on the treadmill this morning. I am tired! Oh, and I'm cramping. Lovely. But I'm trying to power through. :)

It feels good to be working out, and I really think it's becoming part of my routine. I'm doing a 5K on June 13th and I am trying to improve my time. Last time I did a 5K I did it in an hour and eleven minutes. Not a great time others, but not bad for me. But this time I am trying to get it under an hour. I have a bit to go, but I think I can do it. No one cares about my time but me, and but it's important and it's one of those goals I can measure. After no movement on the scale, I need to be able to mark improvement somewhere!

So today I take my papers up to school to turn in to Dr. Hall. I like being in his class, and I have him for Crisis Intervention in the fall. I think it's going to be a good class! I do need a little break, though. I don't start summer school until the 27th, so I have a little time. (Yay!)

Have a good Monday, everyone!

Frustration

So I weighed in this morning after a disciplined week of careful eating and faithfully working out and what did the scale do? Absolutely nothing. I didn't lose an ounce!! Everyone has quickly reassured me that after the tremendous loss last week that this is normal. I know, I know. And top it off with it being "that time" of the month, I should have known, but the shock and disappointment were overwhelming. I'm okay and not depressed but I was just really disappointed. I know I can't let it get me down, but it's a little hard not to. But my body isn't fighting me, it's just learning to let go of the weight. I know how it works...been there before. It's just a bummer, that's all. So I'll keep at it and be just as determined this week. And who knows? Maybe next week the news will be better! (I do plan to try and kick up the workouts a notch, though!)

I helped my mother with a wedding reception for her friend's daughter today. It was a good amount of work but it went off very well. The bride was very pretty and it was a lovely afternoon. I allowed myself to share a piece of cake with mother, and it was worth it! (Very tasty strawberry cake!!!) I am going to go grab some dinner and then get back to writing essays and papers. My deadline is drawing near and I am getting into crunch time, but that's when I start to really do well. Somehow, I just do well under pressure. I hope that remains true!

Everyone enjoy their weekend!!

Becoming Who I Want To Be

I've always wanted to see myself as more of a physically active person. Maybe even athletic, although none of that has really ever described me very well. It was something I wanted but I never really worked for it, so I guess I didn't want it too much after all. I have always been the heavy girl, and somehow I learned to live with that. I wasn't okay with it, but I managed to accept that because I had friends who loved me for who I was. (Am I am so thankful for that, believe me!) I am blessed with a husband who loves me for me and I allowed myself to just accept that.

Until now.

Now, I am really wanting to see myself make those changes. I really WANT this so much...I want to see myself differently. It's not about aesthetics this time. It's about being healthy and active. And athletic. I still have fears about going to classes at the gym. There is a Sunday Yoga class that I'd like to try, but I'm really just not ready yet. The difference is that I know I will get there when I am ready. I can feel my attitude about fitness changing. I think I might be evolving slowly into someone who refuses to miss her workouts. I was concerned this morning that with David gone and not there to help motivate me at 4:30 in the morning that I might not get myself to the gym, but I did it!! I hit snooze once, but I did it. And that is a HUGE change for me! The old me would have decided that no one had to know, but the new me says that even if no one else knows, I will know and I am only in this for myself. No one cares as much about my weight loss as I do, so I would only let myself down. And I went, and it felt good!!

Now I am at work and enjoying a breakfast of cottage cheese and an orange. I have my meals planned out, and I am feeling really on top of things. I have wondered why I waited so long to get myself back into this place, and I don't have an answer for that. But I only care that I am in my zone now, and going strong. Maintaining that mindset won't always be so easy, but the key is pushing through. I sometimes imagine Jillian Michaels in my head when I am on the treadmill. Sometimes I just want to stop, but then I hear her telling me that a quitter would never reach her goals.

I'm not a quitter. Not this time. I'm finally in the right frame of mind and I'm in this for the long haul. And I like it!

Besides...for once in my life I'd like to my husband's arm candy! ;-)

A Day Of Rest

My body needed the day off from working out, so I slept in to a more human time this morning. (aka 6am) It felt good, too! But I know I'll be hitting it again at 5am tomorrow. It feels good to really be developing a routine and actually not dreading the alarm! I think it's paying off, so I'm happy to go with it!

Not much news this week. I will be buried in papers and exams until the 12th. Then I have a little time to relax before summer school begins. I'm taking Spanish both summer semesters, and I am excited to get that knocked out! I need to start prepping myself for Algebra. Going to take that this spring at TCC and get that done, too. I really need to finish my GEC coursework, but I am working on it. Slowly but surely!

WW is still going very well, and I am still very focused. I am having to make sure I eat my daily allotment of points...it's actually harder than I anticipated since I am so careful about what I eat!

David is enjoying his week in Denver. He'll be back Saturday evening, and I will be happy to see him!

Stay dry today!!

Hungry!

Okay, so I was up at 6:20am and we met my Dad at the gym this morning to workout. He headed off to the pool and I headed for the treadmill. My body was a little more worn out today, but I got in a good solid treadmill workout and then lifted weights, so I put in a strong hour at the gym. However, I have only been working out for 30 minutes at a time and my body is in a little bit of shock! Apparently it's not used to burning so many calories at once, so I have been hungry today! We ate fruit and yogurt for breakfast, a whole wheat turkey wrap for lunch, and I have been prepping dinner for later. I've had to snack on oranges and some raw veggies. I'm not used to being quite so hungry! I think I need to start adding in more protein to my breakfast to sustain that. It's just funny...we've both been pretty hungry today!

It's been a great weekend. Dad's party yesterday was lots of fun and we had a wonderful turnout to celebrate his retirement. David and I pretty much just chilled last night. We had shrimp cocktail for dinner and went to bed early. That rain was making us sleepy!

So it's been a wonderful weekend. I've got to get laundry done because I am going to bed early to get to the gym nice and early! I'm on a roll! (I doubt it will be another 9.6 pound loss for this coming week, but I want to stay on track!!)

Everyone enjoy the cool weather!

Surreal

I am having such a feeling of disbelief...but this is good, don't worry! I went to WW this morning and could not believe how much I lost this week! I have been working out at 5am and pushing myself to do more, and holy cow did it pay off!! I'm not ready to share the overall total yet, but this week alone I lost (brace yourself) 9.6 pounds! In one week!! HOLY COW!!! I feel so strong and empowered! Seriously, 30 minutes on the treadmill coupled with very careful eating equals results! Now, I know this is not going to be the norm, but it sure felt good this week. I have to prep myself for next week - that will be a tough act to follow for sure. :) But that's okay...I'm rocking the treadmill and eating healthy and feeling the most clear-headed and healthy than I have felt in a long time. And none of this is feeling like a sacrifice at all! It's feeling like a victory!

So while it all feels surreal, it also feel pretty freaking great!!

Catch-Up

It's been a whirlwind! Okay, first things first: Cleo is going to be fine! She has a very overactive thyroid, so we began treating it with a once-a-day pill. While she doesn't love taking a pill, it's a small price to pay for good health! Next up, we have a re-check in two weeks to make sure she is responding to the meds, but the doctor seems to think things should be looking good and she should start to gain her weight back. Thank you, God!

The other big event yesterday was Dad's retirement party at Lockheed-Martin. He had a big turnout, and it was really cool to spend the day out there and celebrate. He works with some really nice people, and I met people whose names I have heard for most all my life. Dad's work BFF was retiring the same day, so that was neat. They processed out together, and that was it! After that, Mom, Dad, David and I went to Chili's for a celebratory drink (I had lunch and some water...trying to be good and all!) and we had a great time. I called Dad today and he is spending his day relaxing. Just as it should be! He was so sweet and filled mom's gas tank up before she left for work. Hear that, men? It really is just the smallest thing that can make a woman's day!! :) Tomorrow is the lunch that mom and I are doing for him, and we've got a nice size crowd coming from all over the DFW area to enjoy lunch and celebrate Dad!

So that's all the news I have...it's been a great day and I have much to be thankful for. Don't forget to count your blessings today!!

Waiting

I don't like waiting. I am definitely a "I need to know right now" kind of girl. But I am finding myself waiting. Waiting for the blood work to come back on my cat. You can mock me if you want, but this cat means more to me than I know how to tell you. She is almost 17 years old, and has been with me through everything. She's road tripped with me, flown on airplanes with me, survived an earthquake in Seattle with me. She's seen the ups and downs of my dating life, and she snuggles me when I am sick. This cat isn't just a cat to me. She is my love.

Lately she seems to want to eat but hasn't been eating much, and she's gotten pretty thin. David took her to the doctor this morning, and she has lost a lot of weight, which sent me into a crying jag when he texted me this information. My precious only weight 5 pounds, 6 ounces. That's down 3.5 pounds since two years ago. But the doctor, who is a very trusted man in my family (we've been taking animals to them for 31 years now), was reassuring, saying that he thinks there is a good chance it's her thyroid. Whatever it is, he seems to feel that it will likely be treated with meds and diet. Oh, I can live with that! Regardless, no one thinks she is going to the Rainbow Bridge any time soon. Music to my ears! But of course, we don't know anything for sure until we get the blood work back. Dr. K will call me tonight with the results, and we'll go from there.

I love this cat more than anything. She means the world to me, and there is almost nothing I wouldn't do for her. I'm just not ready to let her go. Thankfully, it looks like she's not going anywhere. (But I'll keep praying until I know for sure!)

Heading In The Right Direction

We had a health screening today at work, and although there is a lot of work to be done, there was good news to be had. My cholesterol is excellent, so I am pleased about that! :) The other numbers didn't upset me because I am a work in progress and so far I am doing great. I was up and at the gym at 5:15 this morning (again!!) and it really makes me feel good all day long. I think I am finally understanding the benefits of exercise and finding the right time of day for your body. As it turns out, I might be more of a morning person than I thought!

School is going well. After this week I have two more weeks and then I am off for a short time. I'll be in summer school both sessions (trying to get through as quickly as possible!) so it will be a busy summer. And seriously, I can't believe it's almost May! Where has the year gone??

Anyhow, that's really about it for today. Hope everyone made it through the thick fog safely!!

Tired and Frustrated

David and I walked for about 4 miles yesterday, and I was exhausted by the time I got done! I was frustrated about that because I used to be able to do that, no problem. I've just been out of regular working-out habits for a while, and now that I am back to it, it's hard to recondition my body to do what I could do so easily before. I know I have to have patience, and I am trying. Oh trust me, I am trying. It's hard to be back at what feels like square one, though. But I'm powering through and pushing myself to do this. I want to do the Breast Cancer 3-Day in 2010, and right now the ability to do that feels like a long way off. But hey, a year and a half can make a big difference! WW is challenging its' members to do a 5K this summer, so I am part of a group that is training for that every Saturday after my WW meeting. That should help, except that I have to miss the first training this weekend because of Dad's retirement party - but that's a valid reason and I don't mind!! I'll make up for it on Sunday and get out and walk. A 5K is 3.1 miles, and I can do this. Those who finish a 5K will get a charm, and as silly as it may sound, those kinds of rewards work well for me. Whatever works, right?

So that's about it in a nutshell. It was a good evening. Got my hair cut on Friday (had to go to a new guy since Christy is on maternity leave). It's good and I am happy. Getting the color redone on Wednesday, and I am very happy about that...my greys are making an appearance and we don't need that!! So I am trying to maintain myself. I am not a cheap gal!

Everyone try not to float away with all the rain!!

Here We Go Again...

...with all the "rah rah rah" and positive energy talk. Yes, I am still doing well with WW, and feeling great! I was telling a coworker today how clear-headed I feel, and how I can tell that I have gotten rid of some of the toxins stored in my body...I just feel better and brighter and all that silly stuff. :) It's a good feeling, and I love feeling in control of everything! I am aiming to get up at 4:45 am tomorrow to get in a workout, and I love it!!

Saturday after my WW meeting, my mom is coming over for some retirement party planning for dad. I'm also going to have her take my measurements (ugh!) and then in a month I'll do it again and see where it's starting to come off from. I don't expect miracles, but it's nice to be able to track all this. Slow and steady wins the race, right? I'm feeling that old determination that I felt back in 2005. (Check blog postings from 2005...I was very successful, but fell off the wagon.) All that strength and will is coming back to me. It helps to have a very supportive husband (who seems to love me as I am right now!), and he goes to the gym with me and never minds eating healthy. Hey, we like veggies a LOT! I am surrounded by people who are cheering for my success - Kim, big shout out to you on this one! I was thinking of my friend Holly, who used to give me cards and flowers, and when I lost 50 pounds, she gave me $1 for every pound I lost. (Holly, I wouldn't ever be able to forget how supportive and kind you have always been to me!) And then there is my family, who seems to love me and be proud of me all the time. I count my blessings daily, as I have much to thankful for. Thank you so much, mom and dad, for always being positive. Hopefully this will be one more thing I do that makes you proud. (Although I have to be clear to all who are about to say it anyways....I really am doing this for me!)

And here I am again...at the starting line and ready to go. Except it's not a race. It's a long walk, but I'm absolutely determined to cross the finish line this time. I have a very long way to go, but it's just like the old saying goes: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. :)

Worn Out

For the last two mornings, David and I got up at 4:55am and went to the gym and worked out. It's a great feeling, but I have to tell you that I am exhausted! We decided not to get up this morning because both of our bodies are absolutely worn out. Today I am going to the gym here at work and doing some resistance training to change it up. I just couldn't get up that early today...but I'll be doing it some, just not this week. We tried it out because Mondays and Tuesdays are school days for me and I knew I wouldn't want to work out at 7:30pm those days. But I am very grateful to have a gym here at work so I can keep on track!

I have been back on WW for a short time now, and so far so good. I don't want to post my weekly losses, I'd rather post when I lose 10 pounds. I'm just going for increments of 10, so hopefully I'll have a report soon. :)

Tonight David and I are going to go see the new Earth movie. I have a love of baby animals, and the previews have been full of them, so David is taking me to see it tonight. Yay! He's heading to New Orleans tomorrow morning and comes home Saturday evening, so this is going to be our date night. I made a WW recipe for beer and beef stew in the crock pot that we'll be having for dinner tonight, so it's dinner and a movie for us!

Dad's retirement is a hair over a week away now, and I am super excited for him! We get to go up there to join him for the reception, and I am looking forward to that. It's been ages since I've gotten to go up there, and it's going to be the last time I can go. (Dad works for Lockheed-Martin.) David has never been there, so it's going to be pretty cool for him, too.

That's it for today. Everyone try and stay cool in the 90+ heat we'll be having today!!

How Do You Know You're Serious About Something?

When you get up at 4:55am to go work out. Yep, I did that this morning and I liked it!! I've never been THAT much of a morning person, but I decided that losing weight is just that important. Now, this won't be an every day occurrence, but I am doing it tomorrow and Wednesday as well. It's the best way for me to get a workout in since I have school in the evenings Mondays and Tuesdays. I love that I've already gotten 30 minutes of the treadmill out of the way today! David has his 20 year reunion this October, and while I won't be at my goal by then I can be smaller and look a little cuter, right? :) Besides, we have a number of trips we'd like to take, all of which would be more enjoyable if we were in better shape. Who wants to take a safari trip to Africa and be tired walking around? Not me!! (BTW, we do actually plan to take a trip to Africa in a few years!)

So I think that old me from 2005 is back...the one that was focused and loved feeling healthier. This is a very good thing!!

A Miracle Happened Today

Christy gave birth to a healthy baby girl today! At 1:03pm, Abby was born, and everyone is well. When I got the news from Rich, all I could do was cry tears of joy...my BFF and her husband are parents!! It's so wonderful, and they are so happy...it's so amazing that they created this tiny little life!!

I'll get to hold this precious girl tomorrow when I go up there, and if I get the OK from mommy and daddy, I will post pictures here. (They may want to be the first to show pictures, and I don't blame them!!)

And to be even more sappy, here's a short exerpt from a very fitting song:

"Ordinary Miracle" - Sarah McLaughlin

It's not that unusual
Everything is beautiful
It's just another ordinary miracle today.

Welcome to the world, Abby! So many people have been in love with you and have been waiting for you to get here!!

I'm an Auntie!!!!

Waiting

Tomorrow my best friend, Christy, is giving birth to her baby girl. Seriously, this has got to be the most exciting thing ever! I can't believe how misty I get when I think about it, but she and her husband are so ready to be parents and this is just such a blessing! So they have to be at the hospital at 6am tomorrow, and they're going to induce labor. I know it will be a long day for them, but at the end of it all they will be holding their precious baby girl. What a miracle!

I plan to go see them on Friday, and I can't wait to post a picture!! Please pray for a healthy delivery for little Abby!!

Happy Easter

Just a simple message today...I hope you are having a great Easter and enjoying the beautiful weather!!

Having "Conversations"

I fully realize how petty this sounds, but has anyone else noticed how often politicians like to use the word "conversation"? As in, they want to have real conversations with Americans about the economy. Or how Oprah now says she wants to have real conversations about the city of Chicago and bringing the Olympics there in 2016. I don't know...it just makes it sound like no one is talking about anything. I know in my circles, we talk about everything!

Everything is going pretty well. School is keeping me pretty busy, but I am doing well. Finals are in a few weeks. May 11 and 12 to be exact. Where does the time go? I register for Summer school next week. It's going to be a busy year!

I don't have much news. Still waiting for Christy to give birth. Most likely it will be next week, so I am crossing my fingers for the 16th. (That's the date I picked for the baby pool at work!)

Really, that's about it. Everyone enjoy the Spring weather!!

It's Back!!

I heard through the blogosphere that the Bedford Bennigan's is being resurrected! Great news for the locals, and now I don't have to only have my Turkey O'Toole sandwich in Las Colinas any more!! Looks like they're going to reopen in about a month, so for all you mid-cities folks who have been missing cheap beer and tasty nibbles...you won't have to miss it much longer!

Today after work I have to get a new tire for David's Jeep. But after that, I am going to Central Market to do some shopping. Yum!

That's it for today. I'm outta here!

** Update ** I have a feeling I bought into an April Fools Day joke, so just ignore this post. (Just a feeling...no proof yet!)