Needed: motivation!

Marriage license!
 

Hi friends! I haven't blogged since Thursday of last week. Usually I take the weekend off, but Friday, I didn't really have anything to say. I only worked a half a day because Randy and I took the morning to get our marriage license! It's so exciting to be this much closer to our Big Day! (33 days!)

This weekend was Mother's Day weekend, so I took the opportunity to help my mom around the house, getting a few "big" projects done, as well as take a few trips with her to one of my favorite places, the garden center. God Bless springtime.

I even got a few things packed up and ready to move to the new place. However, it doesn't look like it. I cleaned out drawers, got rid of some clothes, etc. Although I feel like it was productive, the naked eye still sees somewhat of a mess in my house. But my dressers are cleaner, darn it!
In other news, I haven't been quite as motivated in the workout department. I cannot get going! It's ridiculous. Last week, my goal was to leave the gym every night as a sweaty mess, and I totally rocked that challenge. But, I also feel like I totally slacked last week and I need to change that. This week, I will find motivation in you and I need your help.

For every comment I get on this week's blogs, I will add ten minutes to my workout. I need something to keep me going and I'm enlisting the help of you, dear readers.

Formerly thin.

Cardio day was awesome yesterday, friends. I did a full hour of various cardio exercises. I was, yet again, a sweaty mess when I left. I even did 40 minutes on a machine next to a woman in her 50s-60s that gave me the stink eye the whole time. The. Whole. Time.

In the words of Stephanie Tanner, "How rude."

On a positive note, I outlasted everyone in my section of the gym last night. I get to the gym and start exercising and my goal is to work out longer than the person that comes in after me. Some days are bigger challenges than others. Yesterday it was this woman who clearly had a death wish for me. She did cardio, abs, arms, legs, back, yada, yada, yada. This lady never quit.

But I eventually wore her down and she left. That's how I roll, yo.



This is me with my family, summer 2007. LOOK AT ME!
 

Then I went home and began packing a few things for my move. I stumbled across some photos from college. You guys, I ate like crap and drank a lot... HOW was I so thin?! Dang you, metabolism! Now I'm pretty sure I eat really well and exercise constantly and it's all I can do to take off 10 pounds. This is ridiculous. Is this my fate? To just get slowly larger and larger until I can't move? I envision something like Violet Beauregarde from Willy Wonka... the one that has to be juiced when she meets her demise. That's me.

I know that the number on the scale isn't everything, but I don't feel like I'm losing anything at all and no clothes I own fit me. I don't want my future children to look back on me and say, "wow, Mom you used to be so pretty/skinny." I don't want to push my struggles on them, even though genetics do play a part. I know after I have kids, my body will totally change and I'll struggle even more and I'm terrifed I'm always going to be that girl that could stand to lose a few pounds. A old friend used to describe it as, "five pounds from fat."



Me, second from the right 2006/2007ish. Flat tummy!

I think a lot of my negativity this week sprouts from my tiredness. I can't seem to get it together this week... I haven't really slept and when I work out in the mornings, I don't give it even close to my all. I'm stressed because of the wedding and all there is to do before the Big Day (37 days), although it doesn't seem like stress, because it's not like job stress or something. It's like a headache; it can come hard and fast and be really painful or it can stick around for awhile and be a dull ache for what seems like forever. Weddin planning stress a month out from the wedding is a dull headache of stress. I have SO much to do and and I'm totally overwhelmed.

Sweating through my shirt and busting my pants.

Good morning! I have committed myself to being positive but this week clearly accepted that challenge and is trying everything it can to put kinks in my plan. Yesterday, I rocked the gym. I consider it a successful day at the gym when I sweat through my shirt. It's like I'm super hardcore or a real athlete or something. I guess it not only proves to me, but to the whole world, that I worked hard at the gym.

I was already sore from my workout with the trainer on Monday. She killed me everywhere, but my legs were especially sore from the squats and lunges, so I was walking with a little waddle. Those of you that have been sore after a workout know this specific gait. I was trying to be cool and walk normally, but if I did that, I ended up looking like I had a limp and misplaced my cane. It couldn't be helped.

So, I waddle/limped into the gym for day 2 of my week. I started with my high-incline treadmill warm up (warm-up? I'm not sure..hyphens get me every time). I then did dumbbell presses on the incline bench and push-ups. Next on my list was the flies machine. I had to increase the weight from my last workout on that machine! Woop de woop! But then, something happened...

... my left shoulder went numb. At first it felt like I was just working really hard, but when I stopped the exercise, it didn't go away. So, after about 10 minutes of stretching, I left the gym. I was scared to work it further! I spent the night stretching it in various ways, like rotating it around like a softball pitcher. I guess I am a real athlete. Whatever, it was a successful workout; I sweat through my shirt! Like a boss.

This morning, I got up and did an ab workout. Six ab exercises, 3 sets of 12. You know when you exercise, your mind can get very clear and you have these "aha moments" that make complete sense? This morning, I realized something about myself. I suck at mornings. I have such a hard time getting going and I have so much to do in the morning! Workout, shower, scramble to find something to wear, make breakfast, eat breakfast, pack my bag for the gym, and try to remember to grab something to take with me to work to work on for the wedding. (T minus 38 days)

While getting dressed this morning, I slipped on a pair of black cropped pants that I love. They are cute and super handy when rain is expected (which it is today). In my morning scramble to get everything together, the clasp on the pants popped. You guys, this is the most disheartening feeling, especially when I've been working as hard as I have. Sorry to say, this isn't the first time it's happened, but it doesn't get easier. To be fair, the pants are kind of old and were inexpensive to begin with, but still. This is why elastic is the invention of a genius. I wonder if the person who invented it won a Nobel Peace Prize. If not, he should... elastic is a universal peace creater.
Today is Wednesday and you know what that means in my gym world-- cardio! Get ready, machines... I will own you.

Big fat failure

Yesterday was my weekly session with the trainer and she. kicked. my. butt. In a good way. I arrived at the gym a smidge later than normal so I felt rushed and not fully mentally prepared to handle the challenges in front of me. As usual, I went to my trainer's office and discussed nutrition, my water intake, etc. I've been chugging water, watching portions, eating healthy snacks, being mindful of sodium and bumping up the ol' cardio routine.

After some nutrition chit chat, the fateful weigh-in was upon me. My goal was 2 pounds down from last week and I made it! AND my BMI was down one percent from last week. I'm SO happy I'm finally getting some consistent loss coming before the wedding. I felt like I was in a rut for the longest time and I'm finally on my way!

The workout was hard. It was a combo of cardio, abs, legs and arms. So basically, everything. I'm feeling it today!

In my non-workout world, I had lunch with my fiance yesterday. This is off my routine as I usually have my Shakeology shake for lunch. But I can go with the flow, so I decided to have lunch with the fella and have my shake for dinner instead. I came away from lunch with a page-long list of things to do for the wedding. It is stressful, this wedding planning. The rest of the day was spent trying to cross a few of the items off the list.

After my workout, I went to watch Randy's softball game. He's on our church's team. It was gorgeous weather and I got to chat with my new buddy, Jaycie. However when the second game was over, it was 9:30! I went home, tired, but couldn't sleep. Of course. So I caught up on some hulu-ing before bed.

When my alarm went off at 4:30am, my whole body was relaxed. I couldn't get up. In the moment, I just needed to sleep more. So, I didn't get in my p90x this morning. But you guys, now I feel like a big fat failure. Why can't I get up in the morning?! I'm always SO tired. Meanwhile, I get home and I'm so tired that I don't have energy to get anything done at home, so it looks like a bomb went off in my house.

While I feel great about my weight loss and my gym success, all other aspects of life are worn a little thin right now.

Weekend challenge conquered!

After Saturday's workout

Hello, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. It finally stopped snowing here, the sun is out and it many finally be spring here in good ol' Ioway.*fingers crossed!*

I had an absolutely exhausting weekend, but it was a good kind of exhausting. If you read Friday's entry, you know that I got to hang out with my nine year old nephew for some one-on-one time before I get married. Here's a run down of what we did:

Friday night- played a few board games. I lost every time. He was a good sport about it though... shook my heand and said, "good game" after I lost. haha.

Saturday- Took Levi to the gym (yep!) with me. He played in the kid's gym while I got a solid cardio/arms/abs workout in. We then had lunch (I drank my Shakeology shake) at a local pizza place. Next we went to the Science Center where we explored for about 3 hours. It was so fun! Then, Levi wanted ice cream, so I took him to Coldstone Creamery where he got what every nine year old would get, cotton candy ice cream with Snickers and gummy bears. I didn't get anything! To be clear, I didn't even want anything. I love ice cream, but the consequence wasn't worth the indulgence. Then we went home where we had dinner (lasagna) and had a game night. Pretty solid, guilt-free weekend!

Positive potty post-it

 

Sunday was a rest day. We went to church and my mom and I road-tripped to take Levi back home. I did a little laundry, but mostly I recuperated after being totally worn out by a child. I still ate well and had my Shakeology. While at church, I went into the bathroom to stock up on toilet paper for the service (for some reason I sneeze constantly in church and I always forget actual tissues). In the stall, I noticed this post-it stuck on the wall. What a great way to start my week! This is a great reminder of a couple things.

1. Positivity will always makes people smile, especially when it's unexpected.

2. You can find motivation where you least expect it. In my case, it was the church bathroom!

Today I woke up to p90x yoga (the start of week 4!) and I have my session with my trainer tonight. If you'll remember from last week, my goal is to leave the gym every night this week a sweaty mess. I can't slack off!

Today is also the start of my Beach Body challenge group. I am on Team Bombshell, which is fitting because, who doesn't want to be a total bombshell? This is just adding a new challenge to my already challenging diet and exercise routine, but it also adds more accountability. Forty days until the wedding and I will be the best version of myself I can be when I walk down the aisle. <3

Here's what I need motivation for this week, if you feel so inclined to comment and leave a litlte positivity!

1. Knocking out 2 workouts a day, finishing each day feeling exhausted, but stronger.
2. Crossing a few small things off my wedding to-do list.
3. Packing up my things to move into the new apartment. So often when I go home, I just want to veg. I need to pack some boxes this week!

Snow = sleeping in > working out

Dead as a door nail.
 

Happy Friday, everyone. I am finishing my week feeling like a slug. Yesterday, it began snowing and it hasn't stopped since. I blame the weather. Remember the picture I posted  of the tulip I posted in yesterday's post? Here's that same tulip today..

The intention this morning was to finish off my week as strong as it began, but no dice. I didn't sleep well because I have yet another cold due to this weather. So, I sorta abused the snooze button this morning. I didn't get out of bed until 6:30 am which is stupid late since I'm usually up at 4:30 or so.

Another way I'm in a funk is with my clothes. I'm currently wearing skinny jeans, a gray sweatshirt and brown boots. Gray and brown. That's happening. Nothing really fits in my closet. It's either too big or a smidge small. It's frustrating in the way growing out bangs is frustrating. I know you can sympathize. This is why I've spent free time for the last 2 years in something with a stretchy waistband. I'm that girl.

This weekend, I plan to get on track. However, this weekend will produce a new challenge for me.

For those of you that don't know, I have 5 nephews and 2 nieces. Life as an aunt is totally awesome and I've been one for almost 10 years! Three of my nephews live a couple of hours from me (the other 4 kiddos live in California and North Carolina) and I would like to spend time with each of them before I get hitched. This weekend, I get to hang out with Levi, the oldest, who is nine. Before I get married and one day start my own family, I want to spend time with some of the coolest kids I know, one on one.

This presents a challenge in my workout and eating world. I'll want to sleep in, eat junk food and pretend I'm nine years old. After all, this IS perfect indoor fort-building weather. Stay tuned for Monday's update...

Until then, I could use some motivation. I am 43 days out from the wedding and I've got a lot on my to do list and I'm losing steam and energy, truth be told, for this working out twice a day business. Help!!


The awesome kiddos in my life!

 

 

 

Winter with spring veggies and other laments

Tulip outside my back door this morning.

Hi friends! It's Thursday, May 2 and it's snowing here. Welcome to the great state of Iowa.

<<I am only annoyed with the weather... earlier this week it was 76 degrees. I really do love being an Iowa girl.>>

<<Also do not tell me smugly how fantastic the weather is where you are. So help me, I will hunt you down. Just enjoy your good fortune and shut up about it.>>

Last night was cardio day at the gym, which I rocked. One hour of cardio, y'all! 3 months ago that would have never happened. It's like I should have some with a side effects warning: "May cause vomiting or even death."

So anyway, I spent a lot of the time on the eliptical last night because of these two women that took the whole hour going the slowest pace on the treadmills. I mean, it was frustrating, but I complained about it last night to my fiance, so I'm not going to get into my annoyance now. (Thanks for listening, Randy!) I like the eliptical for lots of reasons, even though my trainer calls it "lazy cardio."

1. I move my arms and legs. buh-bye lunch lady arms!
2. Larger calorie burn at a quicker pace.
3. Easier on my joints, and my knees have given me some trouble in past years (thanks a lot, high school track.)

So, I booked it on the eliptical! To compensate for the absence of my high incline treadmill warm-up, I kept increasing my resistance, beginning at level 5. I think I got up to 10, which is an amzing butt and upper thigh workout.

The Food Network wasn't on, so I brought my kindle with me. I'm currently trying to get through a book list of "Books every woman should read in her mid-20s." I'm 27, so "mid-20s" is a loose term, but so far, I'm enjoying the books I've read. Check out the list. I've read Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson and I'm currently reading Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling. This book is absolutely hilarious and I'm pretty sure Mindy Kaling and I would be best friends in another life. I actually laughed out loud, more like a guffaw, in the gym. Take that, treadmill hogger girls. Read this book; it's awesome.

My wonderful fiance accompanied me to the gym last night. We consider that time together, which it kind of is, because we're both exercising at the same time, but I'm not one of those people that spots her boyfriend on the weights or runs on the treadmill next to his. Absolutely not. We go, tell each other to have a good workout and reconvene in 60 minutes. When I met up with Randy, he was drenched in sweat. He told me he ran 12 laps on the track (which is a mile on our gym's track) and every 2 laps, he stopped and did 30 push ups. He also did ab exercises and weights. When I saw him, he was killing himself on the stair master.

You guys, I felt like I had a great workout, and I have also instructed you not to compare yourself to others, especially men because they are way different than females. But after Randy told me everything he did, I felt bad. Like, I could have done more. So, the goal next week is to leave the gym completely exhausted every night. It WILL happen, and that will make for some excellent writing I'm sure. Stay tuned.

Last night, Randy and I decided to make something from yesterday's second blog entry. We both are asparagus fans, so we did our own version of the Asparagus Goat Cheese Galette. The difference was, we didn't make the galette crust. We found this pre-packaged artisan flatbread (probably Pepperidge Farms. Those people have a handle on deliciousness). We each made our own. On mine, I put chicken that Randy grilled with garlic and cayenne pepper, asparagus that I steamed a little before baking it, tomatoes, the goat cheese mixture, basil and garlic. Randy topped his with the goat cheese mixture, green olives, chicken and asparagus. We popped it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. The artisan bread was the perfect amount of crispy! Everything was delicious! I highly recommend.

As I said it's snowing here, which always trips a little switch in my head that says, "just put on sweatpants and watch movies on the couch!" With the wedding being 44 days away, I can't do that. I am plugging away on my two-a-day workouts, and suffering from a little soreness each day. It will be worth it though!